Nearly 100 people from six communities affected by the development activities of Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC) on the Chroy Changvar peninsula said they will petition the National Committee for Land Dispute Resolution to find a solution to their grievances.

Last week, OCIC resumed clearing land, which residents claim belongs to them, to make way for a road and drainage system. At a press conference yesterday, community representative Chea Sophal said that, having failed to find a solution with the development firm, they will submit a petition to the land resolution body today.

He added that the Phnom Penh municipality was drafting a sub-decree to facilitate the seizure of 280 hectares of land on the Chroy Changvar peninsula, which will be used to build a satellite city. “If there is a law which helps in grabbing the legally owned land of people, then the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall is showing their disdain for us.”

Deputy Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng said they have attempted to find a resolution and that there was no need for a sub-decree because the land was already public property “after a directive [issued by us] has banned settlements there for years”.