The Cambodian Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction has issued a formal warning to tycoon Leng Navatra, his brother Leng Nimol, and business associate Ton Chanseyma. The ministry stated that recent social media commentary regarding the freezing of Navatra’s assets constitutes a violation of both legal standards and professional ethics.
The dispute centers on the Borey Leng Navatra 6A development, a gated community project near Phnom Penh that has faced significant construction delays since its inception in 2021. Following protests from approximately 1,500 buyers, the ministry intervened to take over the project. In subsequent social media posts, which have since been removed, the tycoon's associates criticized the government's asset-freezing measures, claiming the actions were negatively impacting employees and customers.
The ministry cautioned that the individuals involved could face charges related to defamation and incitement. In response to the ongoing situation, Navatra had previously offered his personal assets—including land and vehicles—to authorities to assist in the project's completion, though he noted that some assets are currently encumbered by debt. Navatra also requested that his government-bestowed honorific titles, such as Oknha and Neak Oknha, be revoked.
The project's failure to deliver homes has left many buyers in financial distress, with some reporting ongoing bank loan obligations for properties that remain unfinished. Vann Sophat, a project coordinator at the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, noted that the situation underscores a lack of oversight in private housing developments. He argued that the government must implement more transparent systems to monitor developer capital and ensure project viability before sales occur.
Source: CamboJA News
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