Village chief loses job for joining land rights protest

 


Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

Penh Bronh, 45, chief of Sna Sangkream village, was allegedly fired from his position on Wednesday for participating in protest along with his villagers who demanded their land rights in Run Ta Ek development area. 

Bronh, who was elected as village chief in 2019, claimed yesterday that he did not see any other reason for his job loss other than joining the protest attended by more than 200 families in the village.

He added that he had worked hard and devoted his time to help the poor people ever since he became village chief. 

He said that APSARA National Authority, in 2005, confiscated 165 hectares of land of the villagers (in which his family had 1.5 hectares) and promised to offer them compensation ranging from $500 to $700 for per hectare, but they did not keep the promise.  

“Instead, Siem Reap Provincial Authorities started clearing those confiscated lands in order to distribute them to the families who volunteered to move out from the Angkor Archaeological Park,” he alleged. 

He added that 210 families held the protest to claim their lands back from the authorities. 

Pronh said that he supported the villagers by taking part in the protest and had even asked provincial authorities to solve the issue. 

“I was very shocked after the chief of Balaing commune councillors announced in a meeting on Wednesday that I was terminated as village chief,” Pronh told Khmer Times. 

“I did not know what mistake I did other than working to serve the interests of villagers,” he said, adding that his name was removed from the government registry. 

Kong Ho, 45, a villager told Khmer Times yesterday that he knew Pronh since 1994. 

“He is a good village chief always concerned about the well-being of the people. I also think that he was fired from the job because he had helped the villagers to claim for their land grabbed from APSARA National Authority,” he added. 

Confirming the news, Balaing commune Chief Laem Nath said yesterday that Pronh was expelled from the job for serious mistakes, including “taking bribes” promising them to settle land disputes.  

Besides, he had insulted provincial and district leaders as well as the monks and his superiors. 

Prasat Bakong district chief So Plating and Balaing commune councillors chief Po Noeum could not be reached for comment yesterday. 

 

 


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