PM denies development plans for lake in Ratanakkiri

Khouth Sophak Chakrya | Publication date 04 July 2018 | 08:58 ICT

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An aerial view shows Boeung Yeak Laom lake in Ratanakkiri province. wiki commons

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday denied that the government intends to allow private development around a lake in Ratanakkiri province, which is important to a biologically diverse ecosystem.

The denial was sparked by an article published in the Rasmei Kampuchea Daily on Monday that said: “the government will approve a 75-year lease for a Chinese company to develop Boeung Yeak Laom”.

Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook page: “This morning I read the news on Rasmei Kampuchea saying that the ‘government will approve investment on Boeung Yeak Laom’. I am asking who and why would you create this type of story?”

“On behalf of the government of Cambodia, I completely deny any [plans to allow] private investment on Boeung Yeak Laom, which is very important [to Cambodia], regardless of where the company comes from.”

Boeung Yeak Laom was recently reclassified as a “multiuse area” by the government. A sub-decree dated June 13 placed the 225-hectare crater lake – located in Yeak Laom commune in Ratanakkiri’s Banlung city – under the management of the Ministry of Environment.

It will work with relevant ministries and institutions to conserve the biodiverse ecosystem.

Teav Sarakmony, editor-in-chief of Rasmei Kampuchea told The Post on Tuesday that his newspaper made a mistake. He explained that the headline and lead contradicted the rest of the story, which was about a company’s study of the area.