Sak Setha, permanent secretary of state for the Ministry of Interior, on December 1 presided over the handover ceremony of the Heritage Protection Police headquarters building for Banteay Chhmar Temple in Banteay Meanchey province.

Welcoming the participants to the ceremony, Setha offered his appreciation to all of the units involved in the construction of the facility.

“This will serve as the headquarters of efforts to preserve security and public order for national and international delegations and tourists, as well as preserving the Kingdom’s national cultural heritage. It will prevent destructive activities such as the theft of artifacts or the excavation and illegal trafficking of antiquities,” he was quoted as saying in the ministry's social media post.

The headquarters building is located in Banteay Chhmar commune’s Banteay Chhmar Chheurng village of Banteay Meanchey province’s Thma Puok district.

Construction began on February 6 and was completed on August 13, overseen by the Department of Construction and Engineering under the ministry's General Department of Logistics.

The Banteay Chhmar Temple is 60km north of the provincial town and is surrounded by nine satellite temples. About 700m east of the temple is the large Mebon baray basin, which is over 1km long. There are 15 ancient mounds, 11 tombs and three ancient roads in the vacinity.

Setha instructed all police units to protect the national heritage and prevent all offences lthat could damage or destroy the rich culture of the area.