The company’s director U Myint Soe stated the above in an interview with MNA on Tuesday [October 18], and added that the company is still submitting its report to the government, requesting for permission to use the farmland. Once the company receives permission, it will start the project.

“We still need the land to construct the factory. We bought the land for the project at the beginning and received permission. So, to speak frankly, it is not possible that we will give back the land since we have to continue the project,” said U Myint Soe.

The June Cement Industry Ltd needed 1,400 acres of land for its cement factory project and thus far has bought 700 acres of land from locals of Makro, Kawdon and Kawpanow villages, in Kyaikmayaw Township prior to 2010.

The June Cement Industry Ltd received permission from the Myanmar Investment Commission during the Thein Sein government, on March 25, 2016, and with this authorization, will construct the cement factory in the Pyartaung area, Kyaikmayaw Township and produce 5,000 tons of cement per day.

However, on July 11, over 1,800 locals signed a petition letter to the President and respective union government departments as well as the Mon State government in opposition against the June Cement Industry Ltd, and urged them to return the farmland to its original owners.

“We are still waiting on whether they will construct their cement factory or return the land. Since we submitted the opposition letter against the project we are yet to receive a noteworthy response,” said U Tun Kyi, a Makro Villager.

In a similar case, the Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL), have constructed a cement factory near Pyartuang area, Kyaikmayaw Township, and the factory has already started running. Likewise, locals have opposed the MCL project.