A Change of Guard

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Friday 27 February 2009

The way of The Strongman

Oknha Kith Meng on the cover of Forbes magazine.

February 26, 2009

The article below is taken from DetailsAreSketchy.wordpress.

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Without warning, Prime Minister Hun Sen demanded Tuesday that authorities shut down Cambo Six. On Wednesday police moved in and by Thursday morning the nation’s largest bookmaker, with offices in every major city, was effectively shuttered.

Say what you want about the evils of gambling, but the Prime Minister should not be able to shut private businesses at his whimsy. By creating uncertainty, such moves do immeasurable damage to the country’s business environment and reinforce beliefs that Cambodia is an outlaw nation.

And rather obviously, there is no rule of law. If the PM wants you closed, you will be closed. That you are a legally licensed business with rights for which your company paid millions, no matter.

That said, the unwritten story line so far in all this is that the local partner of Cambo Six is Okhna Kith Meng, whose offices at Mobitel were inexplicably surrounded by police two weeks ago. There are little doubts the two events are unrelated. Somebody, it seems, may no longer be on the ascendancy.

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And below is my comments I left in Details Are Sketchy:

In Cambodia, there is no rule of law. Due legal process is absent when it comes to the way of the business. It is Mr. Hun Sen’s way or the highway. Mr. Hun Sen’s order to close CamboSix is unconstitutional. Anyway, can’t talk about constitution or law with this PM. But, above all his order, without due process involved, will damage the confidence in foreign investments. CamboSix might be partly owned by Kith Meng, but his Kong Kong-based partner is a very important foreign partner. Mr. Hun Sen’s action will certainly erode public and investment confidence among potential investors. This is a country that is ruled by an autocratic PM. And last but not least, is this the end of Kith Meng’s cosy relationship with Mr. Hun Sen? I think this is the beginning of the end of Kith Meng in Cambodia. He will be sent packing to Australia very soon. Khmerization


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kith Meng, if had a fall out with Mr. Hun Sen you'd better pack up and run back to Australia before it is too late.

Anonymous said...

Rule of law is no use in cambodia.
Hun Sen gave license to Cambosix. He ordered recently to close Cambosix and he also complained that this gambling created alot of social problem, domestic violence...etc.

Is Hun Sen crazy ?

Anonymous said...

Yes, Hun Sen is a hypocrite. I don't condone gambling, but who grant license in the first place? Hun Sen should look at closing down Naga Casino which is located in the heart of Phnom Penh. Other Casinos in Bavet along Vietnam's borders, in Poipet, Pailin, Koh Kong should be strictly monitored. These casinos are supposedly for foreigners only. No Cambodians will be allowed, but the fact of the matter is that many Cambodians have frequented these casinos and many of them are addicted and indebted which lead to increase in crimes and robbery.