Hun Manet has revealed that Angkor Meanchey will be fenced off and monitored to stop any improper activities, with experts suggesting the search for new ideas to preserve and renovate the building to bring it back to life

“Manet said that for the next step Say Sam Al, minister of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and construction (MLMUPC), suggested that the building be enclosed by a fence and monitored by security."

Managing Director of V.BuildCC Design & Construction Co., Ltd, Mr. Chhoun Bunthoeun, previously told Kiripost that he welcomed the government’s pledge to consider residents’ safety there as he also noted that the building is old building and in a dilapidated state.

"With the issue now resolved, His Excellency Say Samal instructed that the building be closed, fenced and secured. If left unattended, people might use drugs and engage in other undesirable activities. This would not only attract troublemakers but also negatively impact the surrounding area, particularly businesses near the building,” Manet said.

Bunthoeun also questioned whether all project developers are truly committed to providing necessary protective equipment, despite existing construction laws. He highlighted a critical gap: while security management packages are standard for large projects, they often focus solely on construction safety without addressing workers' health insurance or accident coverage.

“I applaud this because every time I drive past that place, I also worry about the people's accommodation,” he said.

“I don't have anything to add because I haven't studied all the buildings in detail. But if possible, I would like to ask the government or Phnom Penh Municipality to start a public competition project so we can find out if we can save the building and what can be done with it,” he remarked.

He added that in market competitions, they gather creative ideas, participate in various projects, and have many resources. Then the government can decide whether to keep or demolish the building.

Bunthoeun expressed a strong appreciation for historical buildings and suggested that it would be positive if the building could be preserved or transformed into something similar to the popular coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City.

Otherwise, he admitted that preserving old buildings is “much more expensive and complicated than constructing new ones”, emphasising that as long as investors have the opportunity to invest and develop these buildings, it holds historical value for developers.

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