Protected areas in Kirirom National Park and the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary are being privatized for companies run by family members of notorious tycoon Choeung Sopheap as well as the wife of the country’s finance minister.
Relatives of infamous Pheapimex CEO Choeung Sopheap received forest land in the center of Kirirom National Park, while a minister, tycoons and an apparent relative of first lady Bun Rany all received state land, according to official documents published in late December.
A ruling-party parliamentarian, a CPP senator’s family member and a business associate of the prime minister’s daughter are among the latest recipients of state-land transfers that have been distributing lakes, forests and wildlife sanctuaries to the country’s elite.
Choeung Sokuntheavy, the tycoon overseeing Vital water and Mee Chiet noodles, gained the title of “neak oknha” earlier this year, a step up from the unembellished “oknha” title that has attracted controversy this year.
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