P Sihanouk authorities to bulldoze illegal jetty

THE Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities will demolish an illegal jetty being constructed along the Sihanoukville coastline in commune 1 after the owner refused an order to dismantle it.

Preah Sihanouk provincial hall spokesperson Or Saroeun told The Post on Tuesday that the authorities previously issued two orders to the owner, Tan Sokhom, before deciding to dismantle the construction for failure to comply.

“The measures [were ethically drafted] in clear official letters,” said Saroeun.

He said the authorities accepted suggestions from Sokhom but maintains a no-tolerance policy when it comes to non-compliance. If Sokhom refuses to obey the orders, the authorities will take action by demolishing the construction.

“If [Sokhom] fails to [comply], the authorities will [take action at] the expense of the owner,” he stressed.

Preah Sihanouk province’s management and construction development office head Ly Chetniyum issued an order to Sokhom on September 19 to dismantle the site in seven days. But he refused.

On October 16, Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Yun Min ordered a team of Sihanoukville officials to order Sokhom to dismantle the site him- self and restore the coast to its original state.

Sihanoukville official Kong Sophanak said after Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities took action to dismantle other construction sites on October 24 under Min’s supervision, they gave Sokhom an additional five days to dismantle the site on his own, for fear of damaging his property. However, Sokhom locked the doors on Tuesday and did not comply.

“[This morning], we went to inspect the site but saw that the owner had locked the door. There was nobody inside.

“We didn’t dare enter the place, as the owner was not there. We just observed from a distance, without dismantling anything. Based on our observations, we saw no change [at the site],” said Sophanak.

He said the team of Sihanoukville officials will ask the provincial governor’s permission to take further action.

Cambodian National Research Organisation president Sok Sokhom welcomed the demolishing of illegal jetty construction sites on the coast.

“I support the authorities taking action against illegal constructions that infringe on the state’s beach.

“[They should not just take action] at only one site. Abuse of the coastline, such as filling up the beach, doesn’t [occur] at only one site, it occurs at many locations,” he claimed.