In a last-ditch effort to restore Phnom Penh’s old Olympic Stadium to its original design, more than 40 prominent Cambodians have signed and sent a petition to the government to protest renovations being made to the 38-year-old facility.
Organized by the Center for Social Development and sent earlier this month, the petition singles out the stadium and says that the “drive to rebuild our shattered nation…has affected places and buildings which are part of our national heritage and history.”
It has been signed by government and NGO officials, as well as members of civil society.
The $3.6 million renovation of the sports complex was completed earlier this month by the Taiwanese Yuan Ta Group, but construction of residential and commercial facilities along the complex’s perimeter continues.
Chea Vannath, president of the Center for Social Development, said Thursday that there was no transparency or public debate before the construction plans were finalized.
“For this kind of project, we need to have public hearings or some kind of discussion involving civil society,” she said.
“We are desperate,” said architect Vann Molyvann, who designed the complex. “The only tool to save the stadium now is public opinion and a royal decision.”
Vann Molyvann pointed to what he calls a disturbing trend in cities across Southeast Asia, where traditional architecture is cast aside. He cited a law he himself presented to the National Assembly in 1992 that was intended to protect the city’s architectural character. “The law was never applied because the authorities do not want to apply it,” he said.
The petition was sent to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Governor Chea Sophara, as well as King Norodom Sihanouk and the presidents of the National Assembly and Senate, Chea Vannath said.
(Additional reporting by Phann Ana)
