A Change of Guard

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Sunday 1 February 2009

Senior government officials involved in illegal logging in Choam Ksan

Truckloads of illegal timbers are seen leaving Choam Ksan for Siem Reap.

Koh Santepheap newspaper
29th January, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization

Truckloads of illegal timbers have been seen travelling through two districts of Trapeang Prasat and Anlong Veng in Ouddor Meanchey province heading toward Siem Reap province.

The truckings of these illegal timbers have been reportedly organised by Mr. Tong Yi, Chief of Forest Conservation of Choam Ksan district in connivance with the Chief of Forest Conservation of Preah Viheah province.

According local people, the illegal loggings of timbers have been actively carried out by the very people who are supposed to protect the forests. Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued a declaration banning any loggings of national forests and will punish severely anyone who dsobey his orders, but the illal loggings stilll continue.

Local sources said that at Choam Ksan district, provincial forestry officials, in connivance with local forestry officials, have have trucked the timbers out of the area every night. Checkpoint officials did not dare to seize the truckloads because they are scared of the power of those involved and, in some cases, because they were bribed.

According to truck drivers who were hired to truck those illegal timbers, the officials bought those timbers from private loggers. After they bought those timbers, they stockpiled them in some secret areas and only truck them out when the price is right and the money have been paid in full by the purchasers.

According to villagers who live a long side Route 69, they said that truckloads of illegal timbers are trucked out every night which distrupt their sleep due to loud noise from those trucks. They said that officials knew of the truckings of these timbers, but no one dare to crack down.

Local residents have appealed to Prime Minister Hun Sen to crack down on these illegal loggings and to punish those officials who are involved with those illegal loggings.

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