KING Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree on December 22 that would change the municipalities of Kep, Sihanoukville and Pailin into provinces and re-demarcate the boundaries between the provinces of Battambang and Pursat, and Sihanoukville and Koh Kong.

Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, told the Post Tuesday that the changes were aimed at improving administrative efficiency and law and order.

He added that the policy was in line with the government's existing decentralisation program that aims to upgrade the capacity and efficiency of local governments.