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

  • Tensions high ahead of historic Kun Khmer match up

    The long-awaited November 5 matchup between Kun Khmer legend Prum Samnang and Myanmar-Canadian boxer Dave Leduc has become the most anticipated fight of the year. The Wurkz Sena Kun Khmer promotion, which will be held at the Town Arena at Chip Mong 271 Megamall, will see six

  • Manet: Cambodia safe for travel

    Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that Cambodia and China have cooperated to tackle internet scamming, fraud and other cross border crimes, but insisted that the “Kingdom of Wonders” is completely peaceful and safe. He welcomed tourists to come and explore its rich heritage. During a

  • UNESCO formally list Battambang gastronomy

    Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritising creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day,

  • Cambodia pivots to solar, wind energy

    Cambodia is planning a move towards solar and wind energy to meet its rising power demands, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak. On the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week event held recently, Rottanak emphasised the urgency of diversifying Cambodia’s

  • Kep selected for ‘world-class’ 2.7km beach development

    Kep province has been selected as the first site of a new coastal development initiative, with a “world-class” 2.7km beach planned for the near future. The Kep Provincial Administration met with the National Committee for Coastal Management and Development to discuss the development of the

  • Angkor causeway symbol of Cambodia-Japan ties

    In a historic moment marking another milestone in the 70-year-long diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan, King Norodom Sihamoni celebrated the formal inauguration of a causeway located to the west of the world-renowned Angkor Wat. While presiding over the November 4 ceremony, the King emphasised the