PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has told the provincial governors and relevant ministers to step down and resign if they fail to crack down on corrupt traders who destroying the fish population in the Tonle Sap Lake. He said that this is a very small matter that should not be ignored by the provincial governor or minister.

The Prime Minister made this strong remark while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2021 work review meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Wednesday, 23 March.

He said, "If you are the one who holds a very high position, but cannot crack down on [illegal activity], then you do not need to be the governor! Let's be honest, there is no need to be the Minister of Agriculture, there is no need to be the Minister of Water Resources, there is no need to be the Minister of the Environment! If you cannot solve a problem like this, do not be a soldier, do not be a police chief. Get out from here, let’s do better!”

He asked all the provincial governors around the Tonle Sap Lake to make a promise with him on their commitment to solve this problem.