NGO implicates gov’t in forestry graft

[geovalin]

Phak Seangly and Niem Chheng

Government rangers, environment department officials, military and police officers tasked with protecting the Phnom Oral Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Speu are allegedly taking bribes from illegal timber haulers at six different checkpoints, according to an undercover operation by a local NGO.

Officials yesterday denied the allegations, but the Natural Resources and Wildlife Preservation Organization plans to submit a complaint to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s cabinet and the government’s Anti-Corruption Unit next week to seek intervention, according to Chea Hean, director of the NGO.

Hean and eight of his staff monitored the illegal timber hauling since Friday, and also interrogated some of the transporters.

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