On 05 January 2026, the Royal Government of Cambodia issued Sub-Decree No. 03 ANKr.BK on the Management of Security and Safety in Concentrated Residential Areas. The Sub-Decree establishes a legal framework for managing security and safety in concentrated residential areas, with the objective of ensuring security, social safety, and public order. This Sub-Decree applies throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia to heads of entities, owners or mangers of concentrated residential areas, and their resident, excluding those operated by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Police Force. For the purposes of this Sub-Decree, “Concentrated residential areas” refers to collection lodgings and/or collective residences of public or private institutions or enterprises, including boreys, apartments, resorts, bungalows, co-owned buildings, factories, enterprises, farms, special economic zones, economic land concession areas, guesthouses, hotels, dormitories, pagodas, churches, and orphanages.
1–Competent Institutions
The Ministry of Interior is responsible for leading the implementation of this Sub-Decree and delegates the management of accommodation, security and safety in concentrated residential areas to subnational administrations, including capital, provincial, municipal and district authorities, which remain accountable to the Ministry of Interior for carrying out these responsibilities.
2–Security Management Measures
Governors at all subnational levels lead, supervise, and are responsible for managing security, and safety in concentrated residential areas, supported by municipal and provincial police and police inspectors, who plan and lead all administrative police posts of the commune to implement the managing security and safety in concentrated residential areas within their jurisdiction.
Competent authorities may require resident lists, identification documents and/or other relevant documents as necessary for administrative and security purposes. Competent authorities are also required to cooperate with relevant experts to regularly inspect the quality of security and safety protection systems in concentrated residential areas.
3–Obligations for Participation in Security and Safety Management in the Concentrated Residential Areas
The head of entities, owners, or managers of concentrated residential areas shall:
- Maintain and regularly update resident records, report any changes to local authorities, and cooperate with official inspections.
- Report foreign residents staying temporarily within 24 hours, while permanent foreign residents shall register within 48 hours.
- Provide the security system layout of the residential buildings under their responsibility to the competent authorities upon request.
For Private security providers are obligated to monitor, cooperate and report any criminal or suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
4–Data Storage and Use of Security Cameras
The head of entities, owners, mangers or private security providers shall, upon request, make the following available to competent authorities:
- Security camera footage retained for at least 90 days.
- Entry and exit records maintained for at least 1 year.
5–Punishment
The penalties for non-compliance under this Sub-Decree are as follows:
- Neglect to maintain of safety and security systems: subject to a fine of KHR 400,000 (Four hundred thousand Riels), excluding any damages arising from such negligence.
- Intentional concealment and permitting illegal foreign residents: subject to a fine of KHR 4,000,000 (Four million Riels) per foreigner, in addition to any criminal penalties under applicable law.
- Failure by competent authorities to perform their duties: subject to disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal from their posts, without prejudice to the criminal penalties under applicable law.
Note: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and shall not construed as legal, tax, or professional advice. Please consult a qualified legal or tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.