O’Chrou District Governor San Seanhou was promoted to Poipet town governor yesterday, replacing Ngor Mengchruon, who himself was promoted to deputy provincial governor of Banteay Meanchey.

In the promotion ceremony yesterday, Seanhou said he would develop Poipet town into the economic hub of Cambodia’s northwest, while still focusing on protecting the environment. “The first task that I need to do is to arrange the security and public order in this town, including cleaning the environment and settling some remaining land disputes,” he said.

Local Heng Bunyong was optimistic. “I believe in him because he used to work and develop a lot in this area since he was Poipet commune chief,” he said yesterday. Seanhou was Poipet commune chief from 2002 until 2012.

Meanwhile, Meas Samnang, a resident of Sorya village in Poipet’s Nimit commune, complained that under Mengchruon’s administration Poipet suffered from pollution and land disputes, alongside the rapid spread of unlicensed casinos. His family and 13 others are still trying to settle an ongoing dispute, he said. “Land disputes in my community happened for more than five years without a resolution.”

Provincial Governor Suon Bovor, however, said that Mengchruon was actually promoted for his good work. “The change or position swap is the typical thing of governor officials, and the good officials usually receive praise and encouragement and promotion from the government leaders.”