Beehive Radio president Mam Sonando has said he and his supporters will defy the capital’s ban on demonstrations at the Ministry of Interior this morning after the government refused to issue his station a licence for increased bandwidth.

Sonando on Friday said that the ministry had sent him a letter refusing to allow the protest.

“We wonder why other [people’s] suggestions to create TV and radio bandwidth were easy, but for me, it is so difficult. It is discrimination,” he said. “Our fans … in other provinces want to listen and watch our broadcasts”.

In a letter from Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Khuong Sreng to Sonando dated Saturday, City Hall also rejected his request for a demonstration.

“If there is a gathering which affects security, safety and public order and there are any clashes, you will be responsible before the law,” the letter reads.

City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said that the request was rejected because during previous demonstrations “they never managed or monitored their protesters”.