Prime Minister Hun Sen allocated three plots of public land in Phnom Penh’s Boeng Tamok lake area to Lanh Pheara, an oknha with close ties to Hun Sen’s sister, according to the Royal Gazette.

A sub-decree dated January 4, released by the Council of Ministers on June 26, handed three plots of land totaling 133,729 square meters, or 13 hectares, in Prek Pnov district’s Kok Roka and Poansaing communes to Lanh Pheara, reclassifying them from state public property to state private property.

Lanh Pheara, who is an oknha — a title given to businesspeople who make large donations to the state — has previous ties to the prime minister’s sister Hun Sengny. Sengny is a former director of Ny Ra Ouyang Mining, which is chaired by Lanh Pheara. The Cambodia Daily has also referred to Pheara as Sengny’s husband.

In late 2021, the duo were named as joint recipients of 20 hectares of Boeng Tamok lake.

Pheara is also chairman of the Green Cambodian Property and Construction Group, according to the Commerce Ministry’s business registry. In 2019, he was involved in a land dispute with 77 families in Preah Sihanouk’s Bit Traing commune in Prey Nob district.

Boeng Tamok, one of Phnom Penh’s last lakes, is being filled up with sand for real estate developments after the state parceled out plots to military officials, the family members of government officials, and other recipients.

Correction: This post has been changed to clarify the source of a claim that Lanh Pheara is married to Hun Sengny. This information could not be verified.