The Company
• Name: Shukaku Inc. • Contract: 99-year lease for
133 hectares around Boeung Kak
• Price: US$79 million• Owner: ruling CPP party
Senator Lao Meng Khin • Chinese link: State-owned
Erdos Hung Jun Investment Co., also invested
The Royal Cambodian Government
• The Government rubber stamps the lease by changing the status of the land to legalise the contract with Shukaku
• Adequate reasons for change of status are not provided
• In fact, the change renders the Shukaku lease null and void.
The Options
• Cash compensation of US $8,500 (market value is more than 99%)
• Plot 25 km outside Phnom Penh (no infrastructure, no schools, no hospitals, no employment)
• “On- site re-development”, but only after five years of temporary residence in a relocation site.
The Struggle
• Legal appeals are denied• Peaceful demonstration are met with violence
and legal threats • The homes of those who refuse to leave are
flooded and destroyed
The Bank
• In September 2009, community representatives submitted a complaint to the World Bank Inspection Panel
• The World Bank Inspection Panel found in favour of the residents
• Following government inaction to address the issue, the World Bank froze new lending to Cambodia in early 2011
The Plan • No plans for onsite development were presented to
the community• With STT’s help, in late 2010 the community
developed its own plan, calling for 15 ha of the area to be given to the community
The Result• On Aug. 11 2011, Prime Minister Hun Sen signed
Sub-Decree No. 183, awarding 12.44ha of the Boeung Kak lake area to the remaining community, some 650 families
• But over 90 households are excluded
The Jailing
• The excluded households demand to be included
• The community – including families who already have land titles – support them
• 15 activists are arrested• 13 jailed and convicted to 2.5 years in prison• A massive local and international campaign
launches starting May 22