AKP Phnom Penh, January 21, 2026 —

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, has issued a directive to provincial authorities to intensify crackdowns on organised crime and strictly enforce traffic laws to bolster public safety.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Battambang Provincial Administration's annual review on Tuesday, H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha ordered the Provincial Unified Command to take decisive action against a broad spectrum of offenses, including theft, robbery, gang activity, drug trafficking, and illegal gambling.

The Minister specifically highlighted emerging threats such as online scams and predatory lending schemes that have increasingly targeted local communities.

"Law enforcement must remain vigilant in suppressing all forms of crime to ensure the peace and security of our citizens," the Minister stated during the meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice H.E. Koeut Rith.

A primary focus of the directive was the "alarming" rise in road traffic accidents, which H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha described as a critical threat to national social security. The Minister noted that the surge in fatalities is not limited to Battambang but is a growing crisis across the country.

"Preventing traffic accidents is not the sole responsibility of any single institution," he said. "It requires active participation and close cooperation from all stakeholders—from law enforcement officers to every citizen using the roads."

Beyond law enforcement, the Minister emphasised the importance of the "Safe Village-Commune" policy. 

He urged civil servants and armed forces to increase the efficiency of public service delivery, making administrative processes more accessible and transparent for rural populations.

The directive forms part of a broader Royal Government strategy for 2026 aimed at maintaining political stability, improving sub-national administration, and accelerating local development along Cambodia’s border regions.

By K. Rithy Reak