PHNOM PENH: The abbot and committee of the pagoda at the centre of a controversy involving allegations of illegal timber use have issued a clarification about the case.
According to the clarification, the timber was purchased to make doors and windows for the dining hall at Wat Botum Ratanak Deidoh in the Kampong Cham provincial capital.
A truckload of timber was seized by the authorities in Preah Vihear on Monday (Feb 3), after officials noted that it exceeded the amount permitted.
Following the intervention of Kampong Cham provincial governor Un Chanda, it was released to the pagoda the following day.
The clarification statement – written on Wednesday (Feb 5), but made public today – explained that the truck was only carrying about four cubic metres more than permitted and that there was no intention of engaging in the illegal timber trade.
Tan Kimsour, president of the Nature Lovers Youth Association, who travelled to Preah Vihear to investigate the incident immediately after the seizure, claimed that the shipment had no legal authorisation from the Preah Vihear provincial administration.
He pointed out that official transport permits allow only 12 cubic metres, whereas the truck was carrying much more, including luxury-grade hardwood, which is strictly prohibited.
Additionally, he believed that the timber was illegally sourced, and was felled by villagers in a protected forest.
Purchasing such timber, he said, indirectly encourages illegal deforestation.
Kimsour suggested that instead of buying timber from illegal sources, Buddhist monks should request confiscated timber from the Ministry of Environment or the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for use in temple construction.
“We deeply understand and respect the public’s concerns regarding the protection of natural resources. We appreciate and honour this dedication. The timber purchase was strictly for necessary temple renovations, and we never intended to promote deforestation,” said the pagoda statement.
Venerable Nhor Savy, the abbot of the pagoda, explained that obtaining legally confiscated timber from government agencies requires long and complicated bureaucratic procedures. Therefore, the temple committee decided to buy the necessary timber directly.
The statement confirmed that the purchased timber amounted to approximately 16 or 17 cubic metres, which exceeded the amount originally requested.
It explained that the excess occurred because the initial request was based on finished planks, while the actual purchase involved raw logs, which could suffer damage during milling. Additionally, the timber sellers donated extra timber to support the temple’s construction.
“All of the purchased timber is solely for constructing the temple’s dining hall, benefiting Buddhism. We have absolutely no involvement in the timber trade. In the past, neither I nor any previous temple committee members have ever purchased timber from Preah Vihear – or other provinces – for temple construction,” added the abbot.
He called for public understanding and urged Kimsour and others to cease any further speculation or debate on this matter, as it could negatively impact Buddhism, which is deeply respected by the nation and its people.
Kimsour posted the temple’s clarification on his social media page on Feb 6, without making any additional comments of his own. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
