PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has revealed a plan to establish Lvea Em city in Kandal province due to the potential of economic growth.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of two new flyovers in Phnom Penh on Wednesday morning, 31 August, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that after studying this matter, the city should be handed over to Kandal province to manage, and the decision to elect a new governor will be up to the government.

He said that this is because in the past, when the government was studying the creation of two new provinces, some tried to convince the Prime Minister behind closed doors to select who will fill the provincial governor positions, which caused the Prime Minister to cancel the whole project.

He further added, "Just to remind you, there is no need to cut [more surrounding land] to Phnom Penh anymore! Phnom Penh has enough, let Kandal province be in control."

If it is decided to establish a new city in Kandal province, then Kandal will have two cities, Takhmao and another city to be named either Lvea Em or Svay Chrum.