THE government aims to reduce “chaos” caused by illegal buildings after seeing a slight rise in prohibited construction last year, the director of the Land Ministry’s construction department said yesterday.

Statistics released yesterday by the Ministry of Land show 755 illicit buildings went up last year, a 2.3 percent increase compared to 2008.

Construction Department Director Lao Tip Seiha said those who built without permission had made a mess of the Cambodian construction sector and caused a loss in profits.

“It’s left the urban planning process in chaos,” he said. Cambodia’s increasing population means that people wanted to build more new houses, but some didn’t know how to apply for permission, he added.

Chhim Chan Virak, project manager and architect for Canadia Bank’s Mekong Condos, said illegal projects could harm buyers because of a lack of quality control.