Document Suggests State Land Sale to Tycoon at Discount Price

Hundreds of hectares in Mondulkiri were sold to a major tycoon’s family for as low as 600 riel per square meter, a government document suggests, and is facing protests from existing residents.

An apparent Council of Ministers document seen by VOD transfers 334 hectares in Mondulkiri’s Sen Monorom city and O’Reang district to Choeung Thean Seng, the son of Pheapimex tycoon Choeung Sopheap. Sopheap is married to Senator Lao Meng Khin. The document is labeled a “declaration,” and predates a government sub-decree issued a day later in March and since released publicly.

The declaration contains key details missing in the sub-decree: notably the state land’s sale price during privatization. Some 79 hectares in Sen Monorom city’s Romnea commune was sold for $2,000 per hectare — or $0.2 per square meter, according to the document. Additionally, 255 hectares in O’Reang’s Sen Monorom commune was sold for $1,500 per hectare, or $0.15 per square meter, about 600 riel, the document says.
 

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