Roadside builders told to back off by ministry

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation in an announcement yesterday warned that action would be taken against those who illegally construct on the shoulders of, or fill in canals along, National Road 4 between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

“The involved authorities will take tough measures on the people who construct buildings, or fill up the canal without permission from the authority,” the ministry statement read.

Social development researcher Kem Ley, who has recently also become involved in grassroots politics, said that the ministry should inform the local authorities in advance before allowing construction along the road, and maintained that rather than locals, it was officials who should bear the responsibility for haphazard construction.

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