Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Burning of seized logs in Pursat ‘suspicious’

Burning of seized logs in Pursat ‘suspicious’

Burning of seized logs in Pursat ‘suspicious’

A local activist and a wildlife sanctuary official criticised yesterday the burning of 120 pieces of luxury wood by soldiers from Unit 501 in Pursat province on Saturday, saying the wood should have been confiscated by the Forestry Administration to be used as evidence.

The military unit, working with Thmor Da commune police officers in Veal Veng district, intercepted a makeshift truck loaded with the more than 2,000 kilograms of rosewood in the early hours of Saturday morning. The soldiers burned the timber following the raid.

Thmor Da Commune Chief Prom Ngon said he approved the torching of the evidence, with the support of the military unit commander, Suon Sarom, and Pursat Provincial Governor Mao Thonin, who could not be reached for comment.

But forest conservation activist Kuoch Veng called the torching of such a large trove of evidence highly suspicious. “I think that over 2 tonnes of rosewood belonged to a powerful person in government,” he said.

A Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary official working with the Ministry of Environment and speaking on condition of anonymity said the unit’s decision to burn the evidence undermines government attempts to crack down on the illegal timber trade. “The makeshift truck was impounded [to prepare] for a lawsuit, but they burnt the rosewood,” the official said. “This act is [in] contrast to the law.”

Pursat court spokesman Chhay Hon yesterday said the court will examine the case if the Forestry Administration requests it. “However, until now, I have not yet received a clear report from [them] or those armed forced units yet,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm