Tycoon apologises for rant about lack of Angkor area development

via Khmer Times, 18 February 2022: A Cambodian real estate tycoon gets called out for his comments about the restriction to construction in Siem Reap. Self-serving atttitude aside, I wonder how much of his sentiment is also shared by people on the ground.

Tycoon Kim Heang yesterday issued a public apology for his comments about restricted development in the Angkor area, saying the remarks were unintentional. “In my presentation and analysing, which was around two hours, I was illustrating the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the real estate sector in Siem Reap,” he said in his statement.

“I am greatly sorry that my explanation severely affected the national culture which was a big mistake I committed unintentionally,” said Heang.

Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker Hun Many and others reacted swiftly to real estate tycoon Kim Heang’s rant about construction codes limiting the height of buildings in Siem Reap province.

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In a four-minute video of Heang speaking at a real estate workshop in Siem Reap that went viral on social media yesterday, he rants about not enough construction of skycrapers and too much cultural preservation and that by Apsara Authority following the recommendations UNESCO they are not providing any benefit to growing the country’s economy.

“How long do we conserve? Some people say ‘I Love Cambodia!  I love Cambodian culture!’  Everyone knows how to talk but if love is important for the economy to grow – if the economy dies – what does love do? The weak point of Siem Reap is the height limit of the construction. It is the point of death related to real estate in this city,” said Heang.

He even dared to criticise UNESCO for including Angkor Wat on the World Heritage list.

Source: Tycoon apologises for rant about lack of Angkor area development – Khmer Times