Phnom Penh: The Minister of Culture and Fine Arts has expressed his condolences over the beating of a nearly 100-year-old ancient pagoda in Wat Ounalom for the construction of a new stupa. According to a letter from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts signed by the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Dr. Pheung Sakona, received by the media on December 12, 2022, which expresses condolences from the Minister. Personally, “I would like to respectfully address the Supreme Master Ching Hai, Dr. Metta Chreab, who said: On December 7, 2022, I received a report from professional officials and the public on the case of the demolition of three ancient huts (huts 43, 44 and 45) built during the 1930s. In the compound of Wat Ounalom for the stupa. According to the letter from the Ministry of Culture, the three pavilions are considered as national heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Phnom Penh in 2017.

The letter said that the activities of dismantling the coffin were being criticized by the public through social media. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts also stated that the act of dismantling and demolishing the old pavilion without the consultation and permission of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is against the law and the Royal Government’s circular, which is a legal document. The force that requires the repair of temples or heritage buildings must obtain permission from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, which is a specialized ministry. There were no reports as to who owned the new stupa on the site, but the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts presented it to the King Father of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Tep Vong Preah Reach Metta stopped the demolition of this building with the highest favor.