Cambodian parliament passes fire prevention law

Cambodia's National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a draft law on fire prevention with jail term punishment for arsonists, neglected firefighters, and false information providers on fires. Ninety-four out of ninety-seven lawmakers, who were present at the session, passed the law, saying it would help maintain security, social safety, and public order, and protect lives, public health and properties. "Disasters from fires have increased from year to year because of people's neglect in using sources of fires," Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said at the parliament's session. "These have posed a concern for the society--it causes threats to security, public order, lives, health and environment." He said the law was an important legal instrument to define fire preventive measures and to contribute to maintaining security, social safety, and public order, and protecting lives and properties as well as building confidence for investors and tourists. According to the law, any firefighter, who completes duties without responsibility and causes damage to others' properties, will be jailed between 6 months and 2 years. Anyone, who provides false information that fire will happen or has happened, will be imprisoned between one year and two years, it said. For arsonists, they will be punished under the Penal Code. Ouk Kimlek, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Interior, said intentional arsonists could face up to 15 years in jail.