Banteay Meanchey (FN), Nov. 29 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that the forest protection land grant program will be implemented early next year to provide land to landless people.
The premier spoke on Friday (Nov. 29) at the inauguration of new achievements in Boeng Chungrok Techo Win-Win development zone in Banteay Meanchey Province.
Samdech Thipadei underlined that state land is common land, and the government will allocate it to people who do not have proper land ownership. He added that the Royal Government has no policy that harms the people.
On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei stated that for people without proper land ownership, the Royal Government's policy is well-organised. Even after the win-win policy in Malai, Samlot, land concessions were given to former Khmer Rouge soldiers. However, some people have faced difficulties living on this land and have sold it. The actual ownership of the land was granted in 1991-1992, and land was distributed to people who had come from the border.
Samdech Thipadei underlined that now, through the Ministry of Land and provincial authorities, we have a system in place for those who are truly landless. We also have economic land concessions in areas including Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey, and we have done a lot for our former youth, including at Techo Phnom Chhat.
Samdech Thipadei continued, "Soon, we will launch a program to provide forest protection land to landless people. We will prepare the areas and implement the program early next year."
The premier added, "Therefore, we are not harming the people in these matters. The most important thing is that we are doing our best to address this in accordance with the law and custom. State land is common land. The government does not own it but has a duty to protect it and preserve it for the people of Cambodia as a whole."
Samdech Thipadei further underscored, "The government has a responsibility, and if there is a clear need from the people, we will evaluate the possibility of providing land through a transparent and accurate mechanism. I want to assure the people that the state has no policy to harm or seise their land, but only to distribute it. Please follow the appropriate procedures."
=FRESH NEWS
