Cambodia Orders Authorities to Crack Down on All Forms of Gambling and Illegal Fishing

Ms. Chu Bun Eng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior, stated that commune chiefs, district chiefs, especially administrative post chiefs and commune chiefs, who are the direct managers at the local level, must immediately crack down on all types of gambling, particularly online lotteries, number games, and cockfighting, in accordance with the government's orders. She made these remarks during a meeting of the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Unity Command, held on July 23, 2026, in the provincial hall, to reflect on work activities, especially social security and order. Clear minutes were presented detailing issues from the previous month that had not yet been resolved for the citizens. The meeting was attended by governors, deputy governors of districts and cities, all three branches of the armed forces, commune/sub-district authorities, district-level technical offices, and many other relevant individuals. On this occasion, Ms. Chu Bun Eng praised the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Unity Command for their diligent work and excellent achievements. Specifically, she commended their effective efforts in combating and cracking down on cyber fraud (Online Scams), as well as their successful prevention of snatch-and-grab robberies, drug trafficking, and other crimes. She urged them to continue striving to perform all these tasks even better. Furthermore, Ms. Chu Bun Eng added that if the crackdown on gambling is not implemented successfully, post chiefs and commune chiefs will be held responsible along with the districts and cities. Districts and cities will be responsible to the province, and the province will be responsible to the Royal Government. They must lead the crackdown to eradicate illegal fishing offenses and continue to implement the "Safe Village/Commune" policy. District and city governors must strengthen administrative posts, commune chiefs, sub-district chiefs, civil defense forces, and village chiefs to maintain 24-hour patrols at key locations, establishing communication via radio for all areas to grasp the situation and cooperate in cracking down on crimes in a timely manner. In this context, Ms. Chu Bun Eng emphasized the need to prepare plans for disaster response, specifically instructing commune/sub-district levels, and especially the district/city commands, to continue preserving the environment and natural resources, which are the tourism potential of our province. She urged them to maintain and organize natural resorts with a clean environment at all times, and to refrain from forest destruction, natural resource plundering, illegal fishing, and illegal hunting of wild animals, among other activities. By: Bai Sithoun © All rights reserved by National News Agency of Cambodia 2018