PHNOM PENH: The Deputy Director of the Department of Environment of Phnom Penh, Ken Phan, on Sunday, 2 October, called out a man who dumped garbage into the Chaktomuk River. He called for this man to be advised and educated on his wrongdoing, and told to stop dumping garbage into the river or in other public places.

Ken Phan told EAC News on Monday, 3 October, that the polluting culprit resides in Phnom Penh, and dumped a coconut shell into the Chaktomuk River in Daun Penh District on 30 September. The man believed that dropping the coconut shell into the river would bring him success and fortune. However, such an act is contrary to the guidelines set out in the Urban Solid Waste Management Law.

According to the Deputy Director of the Phnom Penh Department of Environment, an official gave him a warning and asked the man to make a contract to stop dumping garbage into the river. Next time, the official will fine the man in accordance with the law.

According to Chapter 7, Article 42 of the Law on Urban Solid Waste Management, individuals who dump solid waste in public towns, streets, water sources and land will be fined 20,000 riel. Street vendors who do this will face a fine of 50,000 riel, while sellers based at home or who own restaurants will face a fine of 150,000 riel. Market vendors, business owners, owners of other services and handicraft businesses will be fined 200,000 riel, while the owners of factories, enterprises, and companies will be fined 400,000 riel.

In addition to facing fines, all offenders would also have to collect and pack their trash to clear the site. In the case of repeat offenses, the penalty given will be double the previous penalty.

On 13 September 2022, the Sihanoukville provincial authorities also fined a man for dumping garbage at a site in Village 1, Sangkat 2, Sihanoukville on the night of 10 September 2022. He was fined 1 million riel according to the law on environmental protection and natural resource management.