A fruit orchard investment project involving RCAF Deputy Commander Kun Kim and Chinese businessmen has been destroyed by the floods in Kandal province, government officials said.
The 400-hectare plantation in Khsach Kandal district of mangoes, coconuts, apples, guava, watermelons, tomatoes and potatoes, was ruined, authorities said.
“The project will not move ahead,” said Bun Theng, former district governor. “They need to wait until the dry season to replant.”
Although provincial and district officials are aware of the project, national government officials say they do not know about the project and don’t think it has received approval from the proper agencies.
Minister of Agriculture Chhea Song, Minister of Finance Keat Chhon and Sok Chenda Sophea, secretary-general of the Council of the Development of Cambodia, all said they were not aware of the deal.
The deal was made by Kun Kim, who served as Kandal province governor from 1993 to 1997, during the first government that was formed after the UN-sponsored elections. He became deputy commander of the armed forces in 1999.
Kun Kim said Sunday that the government rented the land to some Chinese businessmen, but he did not recall any of the details of the deal. He declined to comment further.
“I can’t remember how much was invested,” he said.
Chev Saren, Ksach Kandal district governor, said the Chinese company plans to rent a total of 2,000 hectares from the government to plant fruits and vegetables. The company also plans to build a canning factory to export products and to sell to local markets.
Keat Chhon said any government land rented out to the private sector must receive approval from the Ministry of Finance.
“If there is no approval, it is illegal,” he said. “I will check into this investment to see how the agreement was made.”
Kandal authorities said they knew very little about the investment agreement, but they had incentive to see it move ahead because they wanted to clear the forest on that land.
“We wanted them to clear the forest to drive away the Khmer Rouge soldiers hiding in the woods,” said Bun Theng, who was district governor when Kun Kim was provincial governor.
