Cambodia Indigenous People’s Democracy Party
Tay Ngerb at his uncle’s Bunong grave in Mondulkiri’s Sen Monorom commune, in O'Reang district, in May 2022. (Ananth Baliga/VOD)

Running for Reelection After Sale of Indigenous Burial Grounds

Thvan Trel is one 10 officials implicated by the Interior Ministry in Mondulkiri land grabs, and is running again for commune chief at the June 5 election. Local Bunong residents blame her for the sale and loss of their burial grounds.

Indigenous People’s Party president Plang Sin in Bosra, in Mondulkiri’s Pech Chreada district, on May 15, 2022. (Ananth Baliga/VOD)

‘Elephant Party’ Wants to Protect Indigenous Land

The party won just over 1,000 votes in Mondulkiri in 2017, and many local residents don’t even know its name — only its elephant logo. But amid rampant land loss — burial grounds seemingly targeted by brokers — the Indigenous People’s Party wants to push back.