The Koh Kong Provincial Administration has annulled the validity of documents for land sales in natural protected areas and biodiversity preservation corridors.

The provincial hall also ordered relevant authorities to stop issuing documents validating the sale or occupation of state land.

Citing previous announcements, it said selling, certifying land ownership or occupying state land in natural protected areas and biodiversity preservation corridors is illegal.

The provincial hall noted that such documents had been issued by some commune halls. It ordered district administrations to take strict action against them to deter a repeat offence.

Provincial governor Mithona Phouthong stressed that local authorities have to reject and annul all documents issued for the sales and ownership transfer of state land.

“Authorities have to cooperate and take legal action against any commune administration that continues to sign and legalise the transfer of ownership or land occupation, sale or validation of titles for land in natural protected areas and other biodiversity corridors,” she said.