I recently read an article from a local newspaper and extracted for posting in SaatSaam website about the determination of a commune chief who denied to sign to recognize the buying and selling land of villagers in his Krang Leav commune of Kampong Chhnang province. That story attracted my attention and I would like to share some of my ideas.

Mr.Thong Sim, Krang Leav Commune Chief declared that he will not sign on any paper which recognize the buying and selling of villagers’ land and gave reasons that if villagers sold their land, villagers will have no land field for farming and for their living. He also raised that money from selling land will be expended to afford living only for a short period of time.

To my understanding, his action/position is not the same to other commune chiefs as they do not determine like this. Normally, commune chiefs who sign on the paper will get some money, but not described as bribes by people (Taking some money in compensation to the service delivered by local authorities is normal and described as not serious issues in relations to corruption). Thus, once he does not sign, it means that he will gain nothing or not get money.

I think that what the commune chief did is good but he should not do like this because villagers have their rights to sell or buy any commodity they want/need. What he should do is to educate people on this matter and have projects that create jobs and generate income for villagers. By doing so, the land business transaction will be cut down and people will have food security as they will have land for farming for their future. On the other side, what commune chief should do is to foster the development of local agriculture productivity.