Ahead of Titling, Hun Sen Urges Swift Resolution to Land Disputes

Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday urged people to resolve their own land disputes to aid the progress of an ambitious land-titling project announced earlier this month. Speaking at an event in Kompong Cham province’s Kroch Chhmar district to mark National Fish Day, Mr. Hun Sen thanked the 700 students who were deployed last week to measure land in state forests and on economic land concessions with a view to handing out ownership documentation to the land’s occupants. “People who have land disputes, if they cannot solve their problem, the case has to be resolved in the courts. … The state cannot solve it.” Mr. Hun Sen said. “I appeal to the people, if you want your land measured quickly, you have to negotiate in land disputes.” Mr. Hun Sen’s cabinet chief, Ho Sithy, declined to comment on how existing, unsolved disputes would be dealt with under the titling project. …