Secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior Sok Setha on Wednesday hailed the draft of a new sub-decree on security at gated communities, hotels and guesthouses.

A first meeting to create the draft was held on Monday at the Ministry of Interior.

Setha told The Post on Wednesday that the draft aimed to improve security at gated communities, condominiums, apartments, hotels and guesthouses, and prevent crimes in their vicinity.

“With the rapid development of gated communities, condos and other new buildings, it is difficult for the police. We will discuss from a legal perspective what should be done when there are incidents . . . This was merely the first meeting. There have been no conclusions yet,” he said.

He said a working team is to look at similar laws in other countries and their experiences in enforcing them.

Adhoc spokesperson Soeung Sen Karuna told The Post on Wednesday that he welcomed the draft. He expressed his hope that the new sub-decree would aid police in tackling drugs offences and other crimes.

“In the past, we have taken measures such as the village-commune safety policy, but I’ve observed that problems related to drugs and social insecurity, and crimes such as robbery and theft still persist."

“I hope the new measures will improve security,” he said.

Previous reports from the Ministry of Interior and Phnom Penh Municipal Police have shown that hotels and guesthouses are often targeted by the traffickers of people, sex and drugs, and require police surveillance.