The Cambodian National Rescue Party has started negotiations to buy land in Kandal’s Kien Svay district for its television station Sun TV.

The party – which has so far raised $400,000 for the project – plans to spend about $200,000 on the parcel near Cambodia Brewery Ltd’s headquarters, said CNRP Senator Hong Sok Hour, adding finalising the deal would take at least a week.

Following the purchase, work would begin on constructing a 10-kilowatt transmission tower capable of broadcasting about 60 kilometres from the site, Sok Hour said.

The CNRP plans to raise about $3 million for Sun TV.

The company behind the station – Cambodian Independent Media – was awarded an analog TV licence in November.

Sok Hour said party president Sam Rainsy and vice president Kem Sokha would travel to Australia next week to continue the fundraising drive, after Rainsy returns from France on August 16.

He said the party opted to buy rather than rent property because the station was “a long-term investment”.