More than 200 communities members from Prey village, Kandok commune, Kandal Stung district and Achmor Kok village, Sangkat Kampong Samnang, Takhmao city, Kandal province, submitted a letter to HE Kong Sophorn, Governor of Kandal Province, to open a public forum to clarify the details of infrastructure areas and its operation for the new airport. The petition was filed by airport staff and local authorities to pay for house numbers, collect citizen data and set a deadline for some residents to dismantle their homes and prohibit them from building houses on their land for no reason. Then, on December 27, 2022, the affected people erupted in protest in front of Kandal Provincial Hall to request HE Kong Sophoan, Governor of Kandal Provincial Board of Governors to demand such a public forum. In the petition to the Governor of Kandal Province, there are 10 people’s representatives named: 1- Moth Chan Sophany 2- Lahn Thida 3- Oung Sim 4- Sok Bunthy 5- Sun Sambo 6- Heang Huot 7- Sam Chanthy 7- Yum Mom 9- Ngoy Samnang 10- Khorn Srey who gave a thumbprint on the application letter.
According to Ms. Ngoy Samnang, a representative of the communities, stressed that she has been living in the area of Dam 94 for more than 20 years, and now suddenly the new airport officials and the joint authorities came down to pay the house number and spray paint on the house. He came up to the province to clarify this. The province has received their application and has already promised to hold a public forum in early January 2023.
# ADHOC observes that all citizens are allowed to enter by the authorities or provincial officials, except for journalists and civil society officials, which the provincial authorities forbid access to, despite oral requests. At the provincial hall, they ordered not to enter accept the communities.
Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association-ADHOC
