15 year-old Chan Leak accepted the money from Minister Kanharith.Deum Ampil newspaper
24th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization
A 15 year-old has been severely beaten by a lady whom her late mother owed the money.
15 year-old Chan Leak was beaten by 37 year-old Sok Pheap on 21st March 2009 when she was late on her loan repayments, borrowed by her late mother from Sok Pheap when she was still alive.
The girl told Deum Ampil newspaper that in 2006, her mother borrowed 900,000 riels ($US 225) to set up a food stall. Unfortunately in 2007, her mother got sick and died and she was left to look after the stall by herself.
The girl said that she and her older brother, who work as a car yard security guard, tried to earn the money to pay off the loan. She had repaid 300,000 riels ($75) of the loans, but her business went down so her and brother was unable to earn enough the money to repay the lady on time.
The creditor came to insult her and ask her everyday to repay the loans on time. She pleaded with the lady to delay the repayments but the lady got angry and beaten her severely where she sustained injuries to her body.
After her plight was published by the Deum Ampil newspaper, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, came to her rescue. Mr. Kanharith invited the girl into his office and agreed to repay the 600,000 ($150) riels of outstanding loans on her behalf. On top of this, he gave her 500,000 riels ($125) so that she could support herself.
Minister Kanharith had also requested the Ministry of Women Affairs to investigate the beatings of the girl and to lodge a legal complaint against the lady concerned.
In an emotional acknowledgement, the girl had thanked the Minister and his wife for coming to her rescue so she can be free from debt and free from fears of being beaten and mentally tortured by the creditor.
24th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization
A 15 year-old has been severely beaten by a lady whom her late mother owed the money.
15 year-old Chan Leak was beaten by 37 year-old Sok Pheap on 21st March 2009 when she was late on her loan repayments, borrowed by her late mother from Sok Pheap when she was still alive.
The girl told Deum Ampil newspaper that in 2006, her mother borrowed 900,000 riels ($US 225) to set up a food stall. Unfortunately in 2007, her mother got sick and died and she was left to look after the stall by herself.
The girl said that she and her older brother, who work as a car yard security guard, tried to earn the money to pay off the loan. She had repaid 300,000 riels ($75) of the loans, but her business went down so her and brother was unable to earn enough the money to repay the lady on time.
The creditor came to insult her and ask her everyday to repay the loans on time. She pleaded with the lady to delay the repayments but the lady got angry and beaten her severely where she sustained injuries to her body.
After her plight was published by the Deum Ampil newspaper, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, came to her rescue. Mr. Kanharith invited the girl into his office and agreed to repay the 600,000 ($150) riels of outstanding loans on her behalf. On top of this, he gave her 500,000 riels ($125) so that she could support herself.
Minister Kanharith had also requested the Ministry of Women Affairs to investigate the beatings of the girl and to lodge a legal complaint against the lady concerned.
In an emotional acknowledgement, the girl had thanked the Minister and his wife for coming to her rescue so she can be free from debt and free from fears of being beaten and mentally tortured by the creditor.
Mr. Soy Sopheap (pictured right), editor and publisher of Deum Ampil newspaer, was asked by Minister Kanharith to personally repay the loans to Sok Pheap (pictured left) which had taken place at a police station. He advised Sok Pheap not to use violence to settle debt in the future, espcially against a minor like Chan Leak who was injured after severely beaten by her.
2 comments:
Excellent work and kind heart, Mr. Minister!
You have set up a good example for other ministers and well-off individuals to follow.
Anet Khmer
The money that was paid to the creditor and the girl are money stolen from the Cambodian nation, but at least Minister Kanharith has put it to good use. He had rescued a hapless and helpless soul from abuses by the mean creditor. My hat off to you, Minister.
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