Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 21 – Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen called on the Ministry of Cult and Religion to collaborate with monks and local authorities to acquire land for building cemeteries, as the pagoda grounds are becoming increasingly crowded due to the growing number of burial sites.

Samdech Techo spoke on Thursday (Nov. 21) during the opening of the 32nd National Congress of Buddhist Monks at the National Institute of Education.

Samdech Techo observed that the courtyards of pagodas are becoming densely packed, with burial sites occupying almost 50 per cent of the space. To address this issue, he suggested proactive measures to facilitate land acquisition for burial sites outside the pagoda premises.

On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated that China has designated areas for organising cemeteries, and Cambodia can similarly designate areas for building cemeteries. This is not about creating communal graves like in the Khmer Rouge era, but about providing spaces for family reunions, allowing families to place burial sites together in an organised manner.
=FRESH NEWS