Kampong Speu provincial governor Cheam Chansophorn has warned that he will issue warning letters to any officials who continue to allow the transport of illegally logged timber. He urged all relevant authorities to strengthen their efforts to combat forest crimes in the province.
During a recent meeting, the governor referred to a recent incident that was reported by environmental activist Tan Kimsour, head of the Nature Lovers Youth Association. Last week, Kimsour allegedly uncovered illegal timber that was being transported, but struggled to secure cooperation from provincial authorities.
In a video posted to his social media, the governor said he had instructed the provincial departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Environment to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.
“Why is it that an individual [Kimsour] raises the issue before we take action? I have now told the agriculture department to summon those responsible along that route. If this happens again, we will issue an official warning — there will be no second chances. We must take this work seriously,” he said.
The governor also directed the police, military police and local authorities to revisit the issue and take stronger measures to prevent negative impacts on both local and national administrative leadership.
“Sometimes, when someone tries to report that a vehicle has been intercepted, our officers fail to even answer the phone. What does that mean? Such negligence not only affects our enforcement forces on the ground but also damages the unity and reputation of our administration,” he warned.
He stressed that the impact extends to all levels, including the provincial council leadership, the governor himself, the ministries of interior and environment, as well as the government’s working group assigned to the province.
He clarified that his remarks were not meant to blame anyone, but to serve as a call for stronger and more coordinated enforcement.
Kimsour claimed that illegal logging has been destroying forests in the Oural Wildlife Sanctuary area for more than 20 years. Timber is often cut in the sanctuary, transported through Chbar Mon city in Kampong Speu, and then moved onward to Phnom Penh for export to Vietnam.
“I have been tracking this operation for more than a year, spending a lot of time and money,” he said.
“It’s not hard to find the forest crimes — but it’s hard to find officials willing to cooperate in stopping them,” he noted.
On the night of November 4, Kimsour intercepted a home-made truck carrying around eight large logs in Oural district. He contacted officials for assistance, but after waiting for more than two hours, no officials arrived. He later sought intervention from Sin Virak, prosecutor of the provincial court, after which enforcement action was finally taken.
Kimsour has called for a restructuring of local officials in Oural district and for financial investigations into those who profit from illegal logging — both timber traders and the officials who allegedly turn a blind eye.
“This crime not only destroys trees but also our nation’s future,” he said, appealing for intervention from Prime Minister Hun Manet, environment minister Eang Sophalleth and agriculture minister Dith Tina.
A district administrative officer declined to comment, referring questions to deputy district governor Suos Bunthoeun, who confirmed that the district administration had already submitted reports to higher authorities.
“The truck was abandoned and the driver escaped,” Bunthoeun said.
“The seized timber is now being kept at the Sangke Torp Forestry Administration post. We’re continuing to investigate the case so we can identify the suspects,” he added.
