Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 26 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that out of nearly 16,000 land disputes in the country, fewer than 1,000 cases remain unresolved. Over the past 15 months of his tenure, the Royal Government has successfully resolved more than 3,000 disputes.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Nov. 26) during the closing session of the 2024 annual meeting of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction.

“According to the report, nearly 16,000 land dispute cases have been resolved, with fewer than 1,000 remaining. Over the past 15 months, more than 3,000 cases were successfully addressed. While new conflicts may arise, we are committed to resolving them through extrajudicial mechanisms,” the premier underlined.

Samdech Thipadei underscored that unresolved land disputes are a critical issue that, if not addressed swiftly, could lead to serious instability or political problems. He noted that while land disputes had become increasingly heated and prominent on social media over the past 15 months, their recent decline is no coincidence, but rather a result of the Royal Government's determined resolution strategy from the outset.

On the occasion, the premier outlined two primary goals, including 1) resolving disputes and 2) ensuring the survival of the real estate sector. He explained that the resolution process aims to address land disputes peacefully, based on the law and mutual understanding. In some cases, parties attempt to resolve issues outside the court system, utilizing land dispute resolution mechanisms from ministries, institutions, and local authorities. If these efforts fail, the matter is then brought to court.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also outlined a long-term strategy focused on completing land measurement, registration, and the issuance of land ownership certificates to prevent ongoing disputes due to unclear boundaries. He expressed confidence that land measurement will be finished within this term, as the Royal Government has allocated an increased budget of approximately USD 100 million to ensure its completion.

At the same time, the prime minister expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction, acknowledging their ongoing efforts to resolve land disputes. He assured that the government will continue its work to address more issues in the future.
=FRESH NEWS