The Interior Ministry has issued a letter calling for the removal of vendors at Ochheuteal Beach near Sihanoukville to be suspended, though it is unknown whether the incoming provincial governor will adhere to the call.

In the letter to the Preah Sihanouk provincial authority dated August 24, Interior Ministry spokesman General Khieu Sopheak said the ministry could help solve the problem.

“Can the governor please examine and solve this as it is [under] your authority,” the letter reads.

In July this year, then-Sihanoukville governor Chin Sarin issued a notice giving 26 families eight days to remove their stalls. However, no removal has taken place and Sarin has since been replaced by Y Sokleng.

Sokleng yesterday said he had no authority to oversee the eviction because the beach sits outside his jurisdiction.

“This letter is sent to the province, I am the city authority. I have no rights to give permission for people to sell at the beach or evict them.”

Instead, the decision will fall on Yun Min, incoming provincial governor who will officially take office Monday, following Chhit Sokhon’s retirement.