STUNG TRENG: The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, has denied allegations that he was behind Tycoon Leng Navatra's development project in Phnom Tamao, saying that he knows these rumors were the ploy of those who wish to paint him in a bad light.

"Criticism for good is different from fabricating accusations for slander," he said, while speaking at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Headquarters of Brigade No. 128, 1st Military Zone, in Stung Treng Province on Thursday, 19 August.

He said that he was aware of the fabricated accusations made by foreign environmental activist, Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, who has a network of people who spread fake news in the markets and towns of Takeo province. The fabrication in this case is the claim that Lt. Gen. Hun Manet was the one really responsible for the development project at Phnom Tamao forest, with tycoon Leng Navatra acting as the public face.

"I know your intentions, you do this for political purposes," said Lt. Gen. Hun Manet. "A few weeks ago, rumors and gossip was spreading among shopkeepers that [the Phnom Tamao development project] was Hun Manet’s thing. And when the shopkeepers were talking to each other about this, Alex came out to talk, I know. I don't want to respond to rumors, but now I would like to confirm [it is not true]."

Lt. Gen. Hun Manet stressed that he was not behind the development project in Phnom Tamao forest, and was not involved in any business with tycoon Leng Navatra.

He said, "So whoever made accusations that Leng Navatra is one of my guys because he joined my youth group, please stop!"

The Army Commander-in-Chief said he always welcomes debate with reasonable people, but would not waste time talking with irrational people.

"Is there any reason for us to talk to unreasonable people? It is a waste of time. We welcome the spirit of constructive criticism with good intentions, but there is no need to talk to those who create stories and slander," he further added.

Tycoon Leng Navatra released a voice message on Thursday denying any allegations that he planned to use Phnom Tamao forest land to collect timber for sale, money laundering, and with powerful people backing him.

"It is very unfair to me, as a young man and company employee, always trying to help society, sacrifice everything, but then receive back rejection and insult to this evil degree, it is the most painful," said the tycoon.

Phnom Tamao, located about 40 km from Phnom Penh, has a 400-hectare zoological park, with a total forest land area of 2,300 hectares surrounding the zoo. 1,500 hectares of the forest area was previously handed over for private development.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, on Sunday, 7 August, announced his decision to cancel all land exchanges and development projects on Phnom Tamao forest land, ordering the companies clearing the forest to replant the trees.

He wrote on his Facebook page, "The land and forest around Phnom Tamao Zoo should be kept protected and conserved by the Ministry of Agriculture.”

He said that this decision was made due there being many requests from people to stop the clearing of forest land in the area.