Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Officials examine timber company for irregularities

Officials examine timber company for irregularities

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
National Military Police commander Sao Sokha (centre) after a crackdown on illegal timber in Mondulkiri province. GRK

Officials examine timber company for irregularities

After winning the rights to transfer large shipments of timber from Mondulkiri province to the rest of Cambodia, Try Pheap Import Export Co Ltd is being examined by 10 officials to ensure there are no irregularities in its operation, Mondulkiri provincial forestry administration director Um Van Sopheak said.

The company had won timber auctions from the ministries of Environment, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in September last year.

He said the company sent seven trucks from Mondulkiri province to depots in Phnom Penh, Kampot, Prey Veng, Preah Vihear and Tbong Khmum last week, and only three or four more trucks remained.

“We have examined the actual activities of transportation, but there have not been any irregularities or overloaded timber. They respect the law, so we give them permission letters to transport it.

“We act on our duty and advice from upper-level authorities. We don’t do anything arbitrarily because someone accused us of not working well and committing irregularities, so I want to make it clear,” he said.

On Sunday, Song Kheang, the provincial director of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said they began the examination on March 17. He said he was unaware of the details of the matter.

Try Pheap representative Pol Pisal could not be reached for comment.

At least seven separate permission letters – all dated March 18 and issued by the Sen Monorom forestry administration – were seen by The Post on Sunday. The letters stated it permitted Try Pheap representative Pol Pisal to transport over 122 cubic meters of first-grade timber.

Adhoc senior land and natural resources officer Pen Bunna said the timber auction should have been held more widely with an independent team as arbitrator and monitor.

He said the examination of timber transportation should be more diligently carried out because the company may take this opportunity to transport timber not procured from the auction.

“We want to have an independent monitor from an NGO for this process to ensure transparency and justice,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.