Eviction by drowning: It only happens in Hun Xen’s lawless Cambodia

Sand pumping operation by the Shukaku Inc. led to the drowning of about 30 houses in Boeung Kak Lake area (Photo: Den Ayuthyea, RFA)

Shukaku Inc. pumps in sand to drown houses in Boeung Kak

03 Nov. 2010
By Den Ayuthyea
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soy for Ki-Media
Click here to read the article in Khmer

“Our country has good laws, but the government has only one will, i.e. it does not respect the law at all, it rejected the fact that people are living there, it wants the residents to move out far away from the city. All that the government does is to allow the plan set up 100% by the [Shukaku] company” - Ouch Leng, Adhoc official

Residents in Boeung Kak area claimed that at least 30 of the houses there were drowned out by the sand pumping operation performed by the Shukaku Inc. Co. to fill the lake. The house drowning took place even though there is no resolution given yet as to the development of that area.

Boeung Kak residents, who were victimized, told RFA on 03 November with choking voice about their concerns over the loss of their houses. They indicated that neither the Phnom Penh city hall nor Hun Xen would look into their numerous pleas for intervention, nor did they offer any help to the residents. Nevertheless, Boeung Kak residents are still confident that Hun Xen can help them.

Ty Pisey, a woman living in Village No. 24 and whose house was drowned out by the Shukaku Inc. on 03 November, issued a new plea to Hun Xen, asking him to help stop the sand pumping operation immediately and to force the company to return to the negotiation table to provide a reasonable solution to the residents: “The three Samdachs [Hun Xen, Heng Xamrin and Chea Xim], please help resolve the hardship faced by the residents of Boeung Kak area because the residents are currently being drowned out.”
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