Kep provincial governor, Som Piseth, has issued directives to a technical working group responsible for land registration.

His advice was unequivocal - the group must refrain from taking measurements from areas of flooded forest land and forest cover.

Additionally, he underscored that the group should not solicit payment from residents for the land measuring process.

This advice was delivered on the morning of July 13 during a land registration ceremony in Chamkar Bey village, Poang Teuk commune, Damnak Changaur district, Kep province, according to the Ministry of Information.

Governor Piseth elaborated that the working group had already commenced work in the village.

They are forbidden to issue land titles without appropriate documentation, and from taking measurements within flooded forest land and forest cover areas. They are also required to provide for a minimum road width of 8 metres.

The governor urged that any instances of cadastral officials demanding money from residents for land measurement should be immediately reported to authorities or to him directly. This would prompt appropriate action against the concerned official.

Post land registration, Piseth confirmed, residents would become rightful landowners, with legal rights to rely on their land for their livelihoods.

Furthermore, the ownership deeds serve as legal documents for validation, in case of disputes or to demonstrate land ownership.

A report from the provincial Department of Land Management, Urban Planning, Construction and Cadastral Affairs mentioned that the working group had performed systematic land registration in 18 villages, and issued land titles to residents in 13 villages.

Land registration in four more villages is currently in progress. The report also clarified that Chamkar Bey Village is the last in line to undergo registration work, according to the Ministry of Information.