Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

Post by Bitte_Kein_Lexus »

HAHAHA! Yeah alright, arrest the Chinese. They're the ones behind it all...
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

Post by Anchor Moy »

Good article from the Khmer Times. Despite some bad journalism and government promoting editorials from the KT, a few of their journalists have consistently reported the latest updates on the illegal logging situation, keeping us informed, particularly in the northern provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakkiri. There are other tycoons involved who have not yet been arrested, but thanks to journalist reports, their names are in the public domain. With any luck the crackdown will continue.
(Of course, some big figures involved in the illegal logging have not been named and will not be arrested, but this is a good start.)

July 31, 2019
Mondulkiri logging crackdowns stun illegal industry
May Titthara / Khmer Times Share:

The Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, despite its conservation status, was once a busy scene for loggers. But since the arrest of well-known timber tycoon Soeng Sam Ol over illegal logging, activists in the sanctuary’s surrounding areas have noted a decrease in activity.

Mondulkiri province – Krao Tola is on his motorbike on a long journey to reach his final destination. Mr Tola is an indigenous Bunong activist from Pichinda, and he is travelling from Mondulkiri city to inspect three locations: the Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mr Tola says that since the arrest of tycoon Soeng Sam Ol and crackdown on his alleged operations, illegal loggers are no longer transporting forestry goods in the area.

“It has stopped – no more activities – and this is what we want to see in our province,” he says.

Behind the office of the Koh Nhek military police are a number of trucks the authorities say were used to transport illegal timber. They are now burned to a crisp. Mr Tola says he is happy and welcomed the recent crackdown.

“Please do this forever, don’t just keep the flame alive for a short time then disappear,” he says.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50628859/m ... -industry/
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

^^ re previous post.

It is always hard to know what is really going on, there are always hidden reasons behind the hidden reasons.
But something is going on for sure.

Change of guard in the local powers, so new arrangements have to be sorted? All good trees gone so new land use opportunities and licences? Or - Maybe those at the very top really have drawn a line, at least here??

It is easy, and wise, to be sceptical. But some areas of governance do seem to have seriously tightened up recently.
Big timber busts in the northeast are happening weekly , including of some of the real owners and top operators.
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Another 20 people to be questioned by Mondulkiri Provincial Court

August 5, 2019
More summons for illegal logging
Mondulkiri Provincial Court has summoned several provincial forestry administration officials and the managers of some private companies, including Chinese and Vietnamese firms, to appear for questioning over forestry crimes linked to timber tycoon Soeng Sam Ol.

The summonses, issued last month, require them to be present in court for questioning between Friday and August 31.

Mr Sam Ol was arrested on July 9 and charged on July 12 over illegal logging in the province. He was arrested by military police along with two of his managers. Police initially detained Mr Sam Ol’s driver, but he was released after a period of questioning. Dozens of heavy vehicles were seized by the authorities.

Mam Vanda, court spokesman, yesterday said that the court wants to question several people, including provincial forestry administration officials and company management representatives.

According to 20 summonses seen yesterday, the court has ordered various people, including provincial forestry administration officials and the owners and managers of some companies to appear before it between Friday and August 31.

Neither Svay Sam Eang, provincial governor, nor Keo Omalis, director of Cambodia’s Forestry Administration could be reached for comments yesterday.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50630190/m ... l-logging/
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

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August 7, 2019
Timber tycoon Kong Kroeng to be questioned
The National Committee for Forest Crime Prevention has summoned a well-known timber tycoon to appear at Kratie provincial military police headquarters to be questioned over suspected illegal logging.

According to a letter issued on Thursday and obtained yesterday, Lieutenant General Hong Vinol, head of the NCFCP working group, summoned timber trader Kong Kroeng to appear on August 15.

Mr Kroeng, owner of Mat Naseat timber-processing facility in the province’s Snuol district, has been accused of conducting large-scale illegal logging in the province.

Local media have also reported that he was the culprit behind the smuggling of forestry products to Vietnam through Kratie.

In the letter, Lt Gen Vinol said Mr Kroeng is also under investigation over illegal logging in Mondulkiri.
So far, a total of 15 people have been charged in connection to Mr Sam Ol.

NCFCP spokesman Brigadier General Eng Hy said Gen Sokha was in Mondulkiri yesterday to lead another inspection.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, yesterday noted that the loss of forest cover in recent years remains a concern.

“The loss of trees is reflective of ineffective law enforcement,” Mr Phea said. “[Efficient law enforcement] is needed to prevent illegal logging.”
“If we continue to lose trees, the CPP government is the one who was responsible for it,” he added. “They cannot blame others, they must save their reputation.”
tps://www.khmertimeskh.com/50630947/timber-ty ... uestioned/
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

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August 16, 2019
Another tycoon arrested over illegal logging
Well-known timber tycoon Kong Kroeng was arrested yesterday evening after he was questioned by the National Committee for Forest Crime Prevention over suspected illegal logging activities in Kratie province along the Vietnamese border.

He was arrested along with his son-in-law Math Naseat.

On August 6, Mr Kroeng and Mr Naseat were summoned by NCFCP to be questioned after the committee suspected that the duo had been involved in illegal logging.

“We decided to detain them because it’s necessary to our investigation,” Brigadier General Eng Hy, spokesman for the NCFCP, said yesterday. “We are investigating further. Kong Kroeng is the prime suspect.”
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Timber tycoon Kong Kroeng. Military Police

According to a Facebook post by the National Military Police, Mr Kroeng and Mr Naseat are currently being held at the provincial military police headquarters.

Mr Kroeng has been accused of conducting a large-scale illegal logging operation in Kratie province.

Local media reported that Mr Kroeng, owner of the Math Naseat timber processing facility in Snuol district, was the culprit behind the smuggling of forestry products to Vietnam.

One day before Mr Kroeng was summoned, NCFCP head General Sao Sokha led a team to check on Economic Land Concession companies in the provinces of Tboung Khmum, Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri.

Gen Sokha inspected at least nine warehouses belonging to Mr Kroeng, but no arrests were made.

The inspection was part of a nationwide probe on companies suspected of being linked to the operations of timber tycoon Soeng Sam Ol, who was arrested in Mondulkiri province over illegal logging allegations.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50634384/a ... l-logging/
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

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Sunday, August 18, 2019
Mondulkiri provincial forestry administration chief accused of stealing illicit items for personal gain
Image
Mondulkiri, Cambodia Breaking News: Provincial Forestry Administration Chief Chou Sok Kheang has been accused of taking money from illegal timber traders.
Authorities are launching a thorough investigation into the claims by several sources that Chou Sokheang, chief of the Forestry Administration of Keo Seima Protected Area, is complicit in illegal logging and has been receiving bribes from timber traders.
More to come.
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

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August 19, 2019
Kong Kroeng, son-in-law charged with two counts of forestry crimes
Kratie Provincial Court on Saturday charged well-known timber tycoon Kong Kroeng and his son-in-law for allegedly plundering forests in Snuol district.

Mr Kroeng and his son-in-law Math Naseat were arrested on Thursday following an investigation into a large-scale illegal logging operation in Kratie along the Vietnamese border.

Thuch Panhchak Santepheap, deputy prosecutor with the provincial court, said the duo was questioned for two days at the provincial military police headquarters before they were charged.

According to two separate court documents, the two were charged with two counts of forestry crimes stipulated under Article 98 of the Law on Forestry.

“The individuals have been charged with collecting forest by-products without permission and exporting without a license between 2018 and 2019,” Investigating Judge Meng Tony said in one document, adding that both men are to be placed in pre-trial detention.

According to Article 98 of the Law on Forestry, the duo could face up to five years in prison each and be fined up to $24,000 if found guilty.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50634834/k ... ry-crimes/
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

The situation is becoming clearer: Many forest licenses will be revoked and all assets will be seized by the state.

Cambodian Government to Freeze Assets of Forest Criminals
24/08/19 23:15
Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 23 - The Royal Government of Cambodia, on 23 August 2019, has decided to freeze the assets of anyone involved in forest crimes in Cambodia.

A letter from the Council of Ministers, dated 23 August, addressed to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and National Commission for the Prevention and Combating of Natural Resource Crimes, headed by National Military Police Commander Sao Sokha, confirmed the government‘s measures against any violations of forestry in the kingdom.

If any individual or company found committing forest crimes, the government will:

1) Cancel or revoke forestry license for forest products from the "LP" concession lands previously issued.

2) Disqualify companies that do not comply with the law, contract, or agreement.

3) Collect evidence of forest crime equipment demolition to serve as evidence for the court.

4) Freeze the assets of forest criminals other than convictions and fines.

5) Raise awareness and promote the government's efforts in protecting forest, and preventing any forest crime; carve the names of forest criminals on the rocks and exhibit at the demolition site.

As requested by the National Commission for the Prevention and Combating of Natural Resource Crimes regarding the forest products storage, the Royal Government of Cambodia assigns Minister Bin Chhin, in charge of the Council of Ministers, to determine the sites to store forest products under the system of “One-window Service” for transport efficiency.

The following is a letter from the Royal Government of Cambodia:
=FRESH NEWS
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Re: Mondulkiri-Vietnam illegal logging crackdown - top officials questioned

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

They are very serious about this.
What's going on??????????????????
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