Representatives for 15 families involved in a long-standing land dispute in Koh Kong province complained that authorities failed to find a resolution for them, despite providing compensation for 170 other families in the same area.

The families have claimed that their land in Sre Ambel district has been occupied by ruling party Senator Ly Yong Phat’s Phnom Penh Sugar Co and Heng Huy Agriculture Group.

Phav Nhueng, 40, in a dispute with both companies, said Land Ministry authorities had collected documents from 170 families affected by Yong Phat’s company, but had ignored those affected by Huy Heng, claiming they would be solved later.

“They just asked for a little bit [of time]. And they said, ‘For your land, we do not know when it is going to be solved’,” she said.

However, E Buntheoun, member of the Land Ministry team handling the dispute, maintained that all disputes will be resolved.

The resolution comes after a ministry notice giving authorities in Koh Kong, Kampong Speu and Preah Vihear provinces one month to identify people affected by years-long sugar company land disputes.