The Municipality of Phnom Penh has formally applied to the Ministry of Interior to create 11 new communes in the capital.

In a letter to Interior Minister Sar Kheng obtained yesterday, Phnom Penh Governor Pa Socheatvong asked for permission to redraw boundaries in eight communes across five districts to simplify administration and boost public services amid a population boom.

Socheatvong wrote that the alterations would also strengthen job security and improve public order.

“Based on geographical, population, political and economic factors, the Phnom Penh Municipality saw that some communes were overpopulated,” he wrote.

“Border administration between some districts is ill-defined, which causes difficulties [in] . . . taking care of security, public order and the provision of public services to citizens.”

The planned changes include splitting Stung Meanchey, Boeung Tumpon and Choam Chao communes into three communes each and dividing Kabab, Tuol Sangke, Toek Thla, Phnom Penh Thmey and Tonle Bassac communes into two communes each.