Khmerization

Thursday, 2 April 2015

Pung Chhiv Kek congratulates Hun Sen, Sam Rainsy for choosing Hang Puthea

Published: 01-Apr-15

School of Vice: Do dictators understand the meaning of 'dialogue' or 'consensus'? Diabetes could well be the least of the Opposition's concerns ...

---

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- Human right group leader Pung Chhiv Kek on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy for choosing Hang Puthea, Executive Director of Executive Director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Election, (NICFEC) to be the ninth member of National Election Committee.

The congratulation came after she declined the NEC membership. She supported Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy's decision that requested Hang Puthea to be the ninth member of NEC to replace her.

"I think that it is right when Prime Minister and Sam Rainsy are satisfied with Hang Puthea because Hang Puthea is experienced and qualified enough as he has been working on election since 1998," she said.

Chhiv Kek doesn't comment over the negative point of the creation of National Election Committee in the future.

"It is good or not good when Hang Puthea accepts the request, I don't have any comment," she said. "It is an individual business and let him [Hang Puthea] consider on his own whether it is right or not, and I don't say new NEC is better or worse".

Hang Puthea said he needs time to consider, and suggests that NEC must be independent.

Speaking today at a bridge inauguration ceremony in Stung Treng province, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Sam Rainsy wanted to change his mind after he learned that Hang Puthea has problem with diabetes.

But he declined Sam Rainsy's intention.

According to political agreement between the two parties on 22 July 2014, the NEC will have nine members -- four members from CPP, four other from CNRP, and the remaining one is the consensus between the two parties.

Diving Koh Rong Saloem Sihanoukville Cambodia

Power and bestiality in the reign of VC and Xamdaach

The Price of Damming Tibet’s Rivers

By MICHAEL BUCKLEYMARCH 30, 2015 NYT

"Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh heavily depend on rivers sourced in Tibet. More than 60 percent of Cambodia’s annual fish catch derives from Tonle Sap, a lake that is replenished by the annual flooding of the Mekong. Over the last decade, as new Chinese dams have come online on the Mekong, the fish catch has plummeted. The waters rise and fall at the whim of Chinese engineers."

NEW DELHI — CHINA has more than 26,000 large dams, more than the rest of the world combined. They feed its insatiable demand for energy and supply water for mining, manufacturing and agriculture.

In 2011, when China was already generating more than a fifth of the total hydropower in the world, the leadership announced that it would aim to double the country’s hydropower capacity within a decade, so as to reduce its heavy dependency on coal-fired power plants. Since the waterways of mainland China are already packed with dams, this new hydropower output could come from only one place: the rivers of Tibet.

Rivers gushing through deep canyons at the edges of the Tibetan plateau hold the highest hydropower potential in the world. The headwaters of seven major rivers are in Tibet: They flow into the world’s largest deltas and spread in an arc across Asia.

Two of the continent’s wildest rivers have their sources in Tibet: the Salween and the Brahmaputra. Though they are under threat from retreating glaciers, a more immediate concern is Chinese engineering plans. A cascade of five large dams is planned for both the Salween, which now flows freely, and the Brahmaputra, where one dam is already operational.

The damming does not benefit those who live in Tibet. The energy generated is transferred to power-hungry industrial cities farther east. Tibetans are forcibly deprived of their land; protests against hydropower projects are prohibited or violently dispersed.

Even more alarming are projects to divert the waters of Tibet’s rivers for use in mines, factories and other industries. At the eastern edge of Tibet, a planned mega-diversion from south to north would move water from the Yangtze to the Yellow, China’s two greatest rivers. Other plans call for diversion of water from the Brahmaputra, Salween and Mekong — all rivers that cross national boundaries. Including China itself, up to two billion people downstream from Tibet depend on these rivers. Damming and diverting them will have a severe impact on their lives and environment, especially when you consider that rice and wheat require water-intensive cultivation.

An attendant checks bottles on a production line at the Coca-Cola factory in Nilai on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur last year. AFP

Wed, 1 April 2015

Charles Rollet ppp

Coca-Cola will build a second factory in Cambodia, investing $100 million into a new plant in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone that will more than triple its current output, company officials said yesterday.

The news comes on the heels of a meeting in November during which Prime Minister Hun Sen and one of Coca-Cola’s regional representatives announced that the American beverage behemoth would expand its factory in the Kingdom.

Lina Lim, public affairs manager for Cambodia Beverage Company Ltd, Coca-Cola’s Cambodian distributor, said yesterday that construction of the plant would begin in May or June, taking about a year until it is fully operational.

“We didn’t really focus on Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone [at first], but after studying the price, area, and so on and so forth and [after] comparing, we can answer that PPSEZ was the one that met all the criteria that [Coke] was looking for,” Lim said.

According to company statistics, Coca-Cola produced 20.52 million unit cases in Cambodia in 2014, with 24 beverages in each case. Its new factory, however, aims to produce 42 million unit cases alone, more than tripling total capacity.

Coca-Cola’s current and only factory in the Kingdom, which dates back to 1993, has not kept up with rising demand, having had to more than double its output from 10 million unit cases in 2012 to 21 million last year.

“The current plant that we have is a little bit small, so we need a bigger plant to conduct our operations,” Lim said, adding that Cambodia’s rapid growth and relative stability were further spurs to investment.

Kem Sokha has not decided whether to attend the court hearing as summoned លោក កឹម សុខា មិនទាន់សម្រេចថាត្រូវចូលបំភ្លឺតាមដីកាកោះរបស់តុលាការនៅឡើយ

Read the article in English here.

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

អនុប្រធានគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ លោក កឹម សុខា ផ្ដល់បទសម្ភាសន៍ ខណៈលោកទៅសួរសុខទុក្ខមន្ត្រីជាន់ខ្ពស់របស់គណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ លោក មាជ សុវណ្ណារ៉ា ក្នុងពន្ធនាគារព្រៃស នៅថ្ងៃទី១២ មីនា ២០១៥។

RFA/Uon Chhin

អនុប្រធានទី១រដ្ឋសភា និងជាអនុប្រធានគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ លោក កឹម សុខា នៅមិនទាន់សម្រេចថាយ៉ាងណានៅឡើយ បន្ទាប់ពីទទួលបានដីកាកោះរបស់តុលាការ ដែលតម្រូវឲ្យលោកចូលទៅបំភ្លឺនៅសាលាដំបូងនៅថ្ងៃទី៨ ខែមេសា ខាងមុខ។

មេធាវីការពារក្ដី ហៅដីកាកោះនោះថាខុសនីតិវិធី។ ចំណែកមន្ត្រីអង្គការមិនមែនរដ្ឋាភិបាល លើកឡើងថា ករណីនេះជារឿងនយោបាយ ដែលគួរតែបិទបញ្ចប់នៅពេលចរចានយោបាយបានស្រុះស្រួល។

មេធាវីការពារក្ដីឲ្យ លោក កឹម សុខា លើកឡើងថា ការកោះហៅកូនក្ដីរបស់លោកដែលជាតំណាងរាស្ត្រកំពុងមានអភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ និងជាអនុប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា គឺជាការរំលោភអំណាចរវាងនីតិប្បញ្ញត្តិ និងតុលាការ។

លោកមេធាវី ចាន់ ចេន ដែលការពារក្តីនេះមានប្រសាសន៍ថា ករណីនេះលោកនៅមិនទាន់បានជួបពិភាក្សានឹងកូនក្តី ថាត្រូវចូលទៅឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺតាមដីកាកោះនេះនៅឡើយ៖ «ដីកាដែលផ្ញើទៅគាត់ បើគិតតាមបែបបទរដ្ឋបាលគួរតែទៅតាមរយៈក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ ទៅស្ថាប័នរដ្ឋសភា។ តុលាការគួរធ្វើតាមបែបបទហ្នឹងប្រសើរជាង។ គាត់មានអភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ ហើយបានការពារដោយរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ។ ទោះជាកូនក្តីខ្ញុំគាត់ទៅឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺនៅតុលាការ ក៏ខ្ញុំគិតថា គឺជាការរំលោភអំណាច វាប៉ះពាល់ដល់អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ ចឹងតុលាការដូចមិនមានសិទ្ធិណាសាកសួរទេតាមខ្ញុំយល់»។

ចំណែក លោក កឹម សុខា ក៏នៅមិនទាន់ឆ្លើយយ៉ាងណាដែរ នៅពេលចោទសួរថា តើលោកនឹងចូលទៅបំភ្លឺតាមដីកាកោះ ឬយ៉ាងណា? ដោយលោកទុកភារៈនេះឲ្យមេធាវីលោកធ្វើការ។

ព្រះរាជអាជ្ញារងសាលាដំបូងរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ លោក លី សុផាន់ណា បានចេញដីកាកោះហៅ លោក កឹម សុខា ជាអនុប្រធានទី១រដ្ឋសភា ឲ្យចូលទៅបំភ្លឺនៅថ្ងៃទី៨ ខែមេសា ឆ្នាំ២០១៥ ខាងមុខនេះ ដើម្បីសាកសួរបន្ថែមក្នុងសំណុំរឿងអំពើហិង្សានៅផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង កាលពីដើមឆ្នាំ២០១៤។

សំណុំរឿងនេះ លោក កឹម សុខា ធ្លាប់បានចូលទៅបំភ្លឺនៅតុលាការម្ដងហើយកាលពីថ្ងៃទី១៤ ខែមករា ឆ្នាំ២០១៤ កាលនោះចៅក្រមបានចំណាយពេលពេញមួយព្រឹកសាកសួរ។ ពេលនោះ លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ក៏ត្រូវចៅក្រមសាកសួរដែរ។ ការសាកសួរប្រធាន និងអនុប្រធានគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ ពេលនោះ ពាក់ព័ន្ធនឹងការចោទប្រកាន់ថា ញុះញង់ឲ្យប្រព្រឹត្តបទឧក្រិដ្ឋ ឬបង្កភាពវឹកវរដល់សន្តិសុខសង្គម នៅក្រោយការតវ៉ាដំឡើងប្រាក់ខែកម្មករនៅផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង និងក្បែររោងចក្រយ៉ាកជីន (Yakjin) ដែលត្រូវអាជ្ញាធរបង្ក្រាបដោយហិង្សា។

នាយកប្រតិបត្តិរបស់គណៈកម្មាធិការដើម្បីការបោះឆ្នោតដោយសេរី និងយុត្តិធម៌នៅកម្ពុជា ហៅកាត់ថា ខុមហ្វ្រែល (COMFREL) លោក គល់ បញ្ញា មានប្រសាសន៍ថា ករណីនេះជារឿងនយោបាយ ដែលគួរបន្តដោះស្រាយតាមការចរចា ហើយម្យ៉ាង លោក កឹម សុខា ជាតំណាងរាស្ត្រដែលមានអភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិការពារ៖ «គួរតែខិតខំពង្រឹងវប្បធម៌សន្ទនារបស់គណបក្សទាំងហ្នឹងទៅ ហើយដោះស្រាយបញ្ហាជាតិដោយយកគោលការណ៍រួមឲ្យបានច្រើន។ ទោះបីករណីហ្នឹងជារឿងចាស់ក៏ដោយ មិនអាចចេះតែកោះហៅដែរ។ វាអត់មានអីតុលាការចេះតែកោះហៅ ព្រោះមានអភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិណាមួយវាមានចែងក្នុងរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ ថាអំណាចដាច់ពីគ្នា ម្ល៉ោះហើយសមាជិកនៃអំណាចទាំងបីហ្នឹងមិនអាចចេះតែប្រើអំណាចរំលោភលើគ្នាបានទេ»។

Kem Sokha, vice president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party and first vice president of Cambodia's National Assembly (left) and Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister (right).

Sok Khemara March 30, 2015 Kem Sokha, the vice president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, has been summoned to appear in Phnom Penh Municipal Court a week after being threatened with a lawsuit by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Defense attorney Chen Chan told VOA the lawmaker likely will be questioned on April 8 about violent demonstrations held in Phnom Penh last July, for which 11 opposition supporters are being tried for insurrection and other charges.

"It’s an old story from last year that involved the instigation to commit crimes or to provoke instability in the society," Chan said.

It is not yet clear if Kem Sokha is being summoned as a witness or a potential suspect in the case.

Rights groups say the charges are greatly exaggerated and should be dropped against the suspects, including Meach Sovannara, a Rescue Party supporter who also is a U.S. citizen.

Chen Chan said Kem Sokha should have been summoned to court via the Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly, not just court authorities, because as a lawmaker he enjoys parliamentary immunity.

Cambodian dictator not happy with Michelle Obama [Why didn't Hun Sen acknowledge the $40 million America's annual educational assistance to Cambodia?]

March 31, 2015 The American Thinker

Cambodian dictator not happy with Michelle Obama

By M Catharine Evans

Soon after she returned from her Asian trip, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen criticized the first lady's international "Let Girls Learn" initiative as a public relations ploy. Sen has been in power for 30 years and, according to several human rights groups, "stifles those who pose a threat to his rule." In a previous post I suggested that Mrs. Obama be careful not to rile the prickly dictator while she was visiting his country. Now Sen has accused Michelle of "playing around" and giving false hopes to Cambodian girls who want to go to school. Sen also implied that the first lady's meaningless talk has left him holding the bag, potentially damaging his public image.

From the Phnom Penh Post:

Prime Minister Hun Sen took aim at Michelle Obama yesterday, accusing the first lady of making false promises, while suggesting her visit last weekend was more about hopeful rhetoric rather than implementing concrete improvements in the country’s education sector.

During a speech at the National Institute of Education, Hun Sen told the US Embassy and USAID to make good on alleged scholarship promises and front some actual cash if they want to truly make an impact on education reform in Cambodia. The prime minister was referring to Obama’s visit to the country on Saturday, in which she met with 10 female students in Siem Reap to push the White House’s “Let Girls Learn” initiative.

“Her [Obama’s] mission is very good, but I suggest the United States should help completely and not play like this,” he said. “It is just playing around – it is not good. What if she chose 300 students? It would be death. I don’t have that money to give.”

“I am sorry … but this is just my opinion,” said Hun Sen. “It will become a political matter in the long term. The children will say in the future that the US assisted them in completing university, while Hun Sen will be known as a man who doesn’t work.”

The two parties have chosen Hang Puthea as the ninth member of the NEC បក្សទាំងពីរជ្រើសរើសយកលោក ហង្ស ពុទ្ធា ធ្វើជាបេក្ខភាពទី៩នៃគ.ជ.ប

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

នាយកប្រតិបត្តិអង្គការ និកហ្វិច (NICFEC) លោកបណ្ឌិត ហង្ស ពុទ្ធា និងប្រធានអង្គការសិទ្ធិមនុស្សលីកាដូ (LICADHO) អ្នកស្រីវេជ្ជបណ្ឌិត ពុង ឈីវកេក ក្នុងវេទិកាអ្នកស្ដាប់វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី កាលពីថ្ងៃទី២៤ ខែកក្កដា ឆ្នាំ២០១៣។

Photo: RFA

ប្រធានអង្គការលីកាដូ (Licadho) អ្នកស្រី ពុង ឈីវកេក នៅថ្ងៃទី៣១ ខែមីនា បានចេញសេចក្ដីថ្លែងការណ៍មួយ បដិសេធតំណែងជាសមាជិកគណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិរៀបចំការបោះឆ្នោត (គ.ជ.ប) ដែលគណបក្សនយោបាយឈ្នះឆ្នោតទាំងពីរបានប្រកាសកន្លងទៅថាប្រគល់ជូនអ្នកស្រី។ ក្រោយពីមានការបដិសេធនេះ ដំណឹងអំពីបេក្ខភាពថ្មីក៏ត្រូវបានលោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន និងលោក សម រង្ស៊ី បង្ហាញជាសាធារណៈ។

លោក ហ៊ុន សែន និងលោក សម រង្ស៊ី បានឯកភាពគ្នាជ្រើសរើសយក លោក ហង្ស ពុទ្ធា នាយកអង្គការឃ្លាំមើលការបោះឆ្នោត ហៅថា និកហ្វិច (Nicfec) ធ្វើជាបេក្ខភាពទី៩ នៃគណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិរៀបចំការបោះឆ្នោត។

នៅក្នុងលិខិតដែលចុះហត្ថលេខាដោយ លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ផ្ញើទៅ លោក សម រង្ស៊ី បានឲ្យដឹងថា តាមការឆ្លងឆ្លើយគ្នារវាងលោក និងលោក សម រង្ស៊ី តាមសារទូរស័ព្ទនៅថ្ងៃទី២៩ មីនា គណបក្សទាំងពីរបានឯកភាពគ្នាជ្រើសរើសយក លោក ហង្ស ពុទ្ធា នាយកប្រតិបត្តិនៃគណៈកម្មាធិការអព្យាក្រឹត និងយុត្តិធម៌ ដើម្បីការបោះឆ្នោតដោយសេរី និងត្រឹមត្រូវ ហៅកាត់ថា និកហ្វិច ធ្វើជាបេក្ខភាពទី៩ នៃគ.ជ.ប។ លិខិតមានហត្ថលេខា លោក ហ៊ុន សែន អនុប្រធានគណបក្សប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា និងចុះកាលបរិច្ឆេទថ្ងៃទី២៩ មីនា។

បញ្ហានេះ លោក ហង្ស ពុទ្ធា បានឆ្លើយតបថា លោកមិនដែលមានបំណង និងត្រៀមខ្លួនជាមុនសម្រាប់បេក្ខភាពទី៩ នៃគណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិរៀបចំការបោះឆ្នោត នោះទេ។ ប៉ុន្តែលោកនឹងពិចារណា៖ «មានសមាជិកសម្ព័ន្ធអឺរ៉ាសំខាន់ៗជាច្រើនទៀតដែរ។ ប៉ុន្តែខ្ញុំនឹងសុំពេលវេលាដើម្បីជជែកពិចារណា»។

ព័ត៌មានជុំវិញការជ្រើសរើសបេក្ខជនទី៩ នៃគ.ជ.ប នេះ ធ្វើឡើងបន្ទាប់ពីមានដំណឹងថា អ្នកស្រី ពុង ឈីវកេក ប្រធានអង្គការលីកាដូ នៅថ្ងៃទី៣១ មីនា បានចេញសេចក្ដីថ្លែងការណ៍មួយ បដិសេធតំណែងជាសមាជិកគណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិរៀបចំការបោះឆ្នោត ដែលគណបក្សនយោបាយឈ្នះឆ្នោតទាំងពីរបានប្រកាសកន្លងទៅថា ប្រគល់ជូនអ្នកស្រី។

សេចក្ដីថ្លែងការណ៍មានខ្លឹមសារថា កាលពីថ្ងៃទី២៨ ខែកក្កដា ឆ្នាំ២០១៤ កន្លងទៅ គណបក្សនយោបាយឈ្នះឆ្នោតទាំងពីរ បានឯកភាពគ្នាជ្រើសរើសអ្នកស្រីជាសមាជិកទី៩ របស់ គ.ជ.ប ដែលតំណាងភាពឯករាជនៅក្នុងសមាសភាពសមាជិក គ.ជ.ប ថ្មី។ សមាជិក គ.ជ.ប ថ្មី មានសមាជិកមកពីគណបក្សនយោបាយដែលមានអាសនៈក្នុងរដ្ឋសភា ចំនួន ៨រូប ដោយ ៤រូបមកពីគណបក្សប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា និង ៤រូបទៀតមកពីគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ។

Cambodia-Vietnam cooperate to search for remains of Vietnamese MIAs in Siem Reap កម្ពុជា-វៀតណាមសហការរុករកអដ្ឋិធាតុទាហានវៀតណាមស្លាប់ក្នុងសង្គ្រាមនៅសៀមរាប

មន្ត្រីយោធា និងអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តសៀមរាប កំពុងសហការជាមួយអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តតៃនិញ នៃប្រទេសវៀតណាម ដើម្បីបើកកិច្ចសហប្រតិបត្តិការតាមរកអដ្ឋិធាតុទាហានវៀតណាម ជាច្រើន ដែលបានស្លាប់ក្នុងសម័យសង្គ្រាមនៅកម្ពុជា ចាប់ពីឆ្នាំ១៩៧០ រហូតមកដល់ឆ្នាំ១៩៨៩។

ប្រតិបត្តិការរុករកនេះ បានចាប់ផ្ដើមរយៈពេលជាងកន្លះខែមកហើយ នៅតាមតំបន់ខ្លះរបស់ខេត្តសៀមរាប។

មន្ត្រីយោធានៃតំបន់ប្រតិបត្តិការសឹកខេត្តសៀមរាប ឲ្យដឹងថា ការចាប់ផ្ដើមបើកប្រតិបត្តិការរុករកអដ្ឋិធាតុលើកទី១៤ ចាប់ផ្ដើមធ្វើរយៈពេលជាងកន្លះខែមកហើយ តែគេទើបតែរកឃើញអដ្ឋិធាតុទាហានវៀតណាម ដែលស្លាប់នៅក្នុងទឹកដីខេត្តនេះចំនួន ៤នាក់ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ក្នុងចំណោមអ្នកស្លាប់រាប់រយនាក់ផ្សេងទៀត។

មេបញ្ជាការរងនៃតំបន់ប្រតិបត្តិការសឹកខេត្តសៀមរាប និងជាសហប្រធាននៃកិច្ចសហប្រតិបត្តិការរុករកអដ្ឋិធាតុនោះ គឺលោកវរសេនីយ៍ឯក នៅ ជា។ លោកមានប្រសាសន៍កាលពីរសៀលថ្ងៃអង្គារ ទី៣១ ខែមីនា ថា កិច្ចសហប្រតិបត្តិការរវាងអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តសៀមរាប និងអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តតៃនិញ របស់វៀតណាម ដែលតាមរកអដ្ឋិធាតុយុទ្ធជនស្លាប់កាលពីសម័យសង្គ្រាមនោះ បានចាប់ផ្ដើមឡើងតាំងតែពីថ្ងៃទី១០ ខែមីនា ហើយរហូតមកដល់ថ្ងៃទី៣១ ខែមីនា នេះ មានរយៈពេល ២១ថ្ងៃមកហើយ។

ក្រុមប្រតិបត្តិការចម្រុះកម្ពុជា-វៀតណាម បានទៅរុករកអដ្ឋិធាតុយុទ្ធជនវៀតណាម ដែលស្លាប់ក្នុងសម័យសង្គ្រាមនៅកម្ពុជា នៅតាមតំបន់ជាច្រើន៖«រកនៅស្រុកពួក ស្រុកអង្គរជុំ វ៉ារិន យើងឲ្យកម្លាំងស្រាវជ្រាវចុះតាមមូលដ្ឋាន។ ពេលប្រជាជនរាយការណ៍បានយើងទៅ ហើយយើងទៅរកខ្លះឃើញ ខ្លះក៏អត់ ចាប់ពីខែ៣ ខែ៤ នេះទៅដល់ខែ៦ ភ្លៀងធ្លាក់ គឺចប់ភារកិច្ចទៅវិញ»។

កាលពីថ្ងៃទី១១ ខែមីនា កន្លងទៅ អភិបាលខេត្តសៀមរាប បានចុះហត្ថលេខាលើលិខិតបញ្ជាបេសកកម្មឲ្យមានក្រុមការងារចម្រុះ ដោយខាងភាគីកម្ពុជា ចំនួន ៦រូប និងភាគីវៀតណាម ចំនួន ១៦រូប ដើម្បីចុះបំពេញបេសកកម្មសហប្រតិបត្តិការតាមរកអដ្ឋិធាតុទាហានវៀតណាម ដែលស្លាប់ក្នុងសង្គ្រាមរយៈពេល ២០ឆ្នាំនៅកម្ពុជា នេះ។

A woman pays her respects to the victims of the 1997 grenade attack yesterday in Phnom Penh during a commemorative service. Vireak Mai

Tue, 31 March 2015

Meas Sokchea and Sarah Taguiam

During yesterday’s 18th annual memorial of the 1997 grenade attack on an opposition rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia National Rescue Party acting president Kem Sokha called for the amendment of three controversial judicial laws passed last year that critics claim have further compromised the independence of the Kingdom’s courts.

Sokha’s comments on the judiciary came as he was summonsed to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning on April 8 in connection with an unspecified case, his lawyer confirmed. The summons arrived just weeks after Prime Minister Hun Sen called on the courts to take action against the firebrand deputy CNRP leader for supposedly having admitted that he tried to topple the government following the 2013 election.

Yesterday’s ceremony commemorated the March 30, 1997, attack in which 16 people were killed and hundreds wounded after three grenades tore through a demonstration calling for improved labour rights and a living wage for garment workers.

Eighteen years later, no arrests have been made in connection to the fatal attack, which many believe was orchestrated by supporters of then co-prime minister Hun Sen, who seized power after defeating forces loyal to Prince Norodom Ranariddh during factional fighting in the capital’s streets months later.

Licadho president Pung Chhiv Kek speaks at a press conference last year regarding the ninth seat on the NEC. Heng Chivoan

Tue, 31 March 2015

Alice Cuddy

PUNG Chhiv Kek, president of local rights group Licadho, has officially turned down a position as the ninth member of the reformed National Election Committee.

In a statement released this morning, Chhiv Kek, who was offered the role in July, says that “although it was a great honor to have been chosen for this very important position, I deeply regret I have to decline the offer”.

“I apologize to my fellow compatriots who had faith in me and whom I may have disappointed,” she adds.

Chhiv Kek conditionally accepted the position last year on the basis that she would “enjoy immunity and full autonomy and independence in decision making and other activities.”

In today’s statement she says the role was described to her as “an independent member [who] will bring to this institution the neutrality it needs to organize elections in conformity with the Constitution and the national laws”.

“Today, I conclude that this task has become impossible,” she writes.

A security guard waits at the entrance of the Manhattan Special Economic Zone in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town last year. A new economic corridor proposed by Vietnam could see an increase in the flow of goods from economic zones in the area. Eddie Morton

Tue, 31 March 2015

Chan Muyhong

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last Monday approved plans to build a new economic corridor linking China, along Vietnam’s northern border, to the Bavet International checkpoint in Cambodia, in order to facilitate increased flow of goods between the three countries.

The corridor, which will take five years to build, will run from Lang Son on the Vietnam-China border to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the Moc Bai border gate of Tay Ninh province in southern Vietnam, ending at the Bavet International Checkpoint in Svay Rieng province, Vietnamese media has reported.

The project will entail infrastructure development, including road development and trade services, as well as give a boost to tourism and existing economic zones in the countries. Vietnam projects 46 per cent of sea transport and 70 per cent of land transport to run along the Lang Son-Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai corridor, the state-run Saigon Giai Phongreported.

An official from the Ministry of Public Work and Transport, who asked not to be named because he wasn’t authorised to speak on the issue, said the Svay Rieng province did not yet have the adequate border-facilities needed to service economic activity along the corridor.

“We need to improve the Bavet International check point, as there are still limitations. We are still lack[ing] of inspection facilities for containers with huge amount of goods, especially from China,” he said.

Unexpected NEC nomination from PM

Tue, 31 March 2015

Cheang Sokha, Alice Cuddy and Meas Sokchea

Hang Puthea, head of Cambodian election-monitoring group Nicfec, has been selected to fill the ninth position of the reformed National Election Committee, according to a letter sent from Prime Minister Hun Sen to opposition leader Sam Rainsy.

The letter, dated Sunday, says that, as per “the conversation between you and I on the phone on March 29, our parties have agreed to take Mr Hong Puthea, executive director of Nicfec, as the ninth candidate of the NEC.”

“To fulfill this procedure, both of our parties have prepared a joint official letter to the Permanent Committee of the NA [National Assembly] to confirm our agreement on this candidate.

“I have already prepared this joint letter and already signed on it, so I would like Your Excellency [Sam Rainsy] to inspect and sign this letter to send to the Permanent Committee of the NA before the NA closes the deadline for accepting applicants,” it says.

Rainsy could not be immediately reached to confirm Puthea’s selection.

Contacted on Tuesday evening, Puthea, who has recently expressed interest in taking on the role, said he had not received any official letter from either party.

“I just hear maybe, but not [officially] from the CPP or CNRP, just from normal officials,” he said.

Puthea added that he had not yet made any firm decision about whether he would accept the role.

News of Puthea’s selection follows a public announcement this morning from Licadho president Pung Chhiv Kek – who was offered the role in July – that she had turned down the position.

Michelle Obama in Siem Reap

2015-03-23 15:24 by Ethan Harfenist

First lady of the United States talks girls education during trip to Cambodia.

Contact author: Ethan Harfenist

Cambodian lawmakers, educators discuss reform measures for educational system

Photo/Kem Sokha's Facebook

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Approximately 200 lawmakers, educators and civil society and development partner representatives met here on Tuesday to discuss reform measures to improve educational system in Cambodia.

Organized by the National Assembly of Cambodia, the seminar was opened by Kem Sokha, 1st vice-president of the National Assembly, and attended by Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron.

Kem Sokha said currently, education has seen remarkable progress, however, work still needs to be done in order to further improve the quality of education in this Southeast Asian country. "The seminar is very important for discussing and exploring solutions in order to ensure that our investment in education produces satisfactory outcome,"he said.

He added that the quality of education in Cambodia still lags behind some countries in the region and the world due to low budget for education expenditure and teaching quality.

According to the budget law, Cambodia allocated 453 million U.S. dollars for education sector in 2015, up 26 percent year-on-year.

Pen Samitthy

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- The Independent Journalism Foundation (IJF) has paid tribute to Pen Samitthy, the editor in chief of leading Cambodian daily Rasmei Kampuchea who died Monday at the age of 55.

In a statement Tuesday, Peter Starr, the local representative of the New York-based foundation, said Samitthy's death was a "tragic loss" for the Cambodian people.

"Samitthy not only brought greater independence and credibility to the Cambodian press as editor in chief of Rasmei Kampuchea, he also pioneered journalism training as founding president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ).

"IJF is deeply honoured to have worked with him on many occasions over the past 15 years, especially in helping to improve local reporting of environmental and health issues, notably HIV/AIDS and diabetes," he said.

"His vision for the online news service Cambodia Express News (CEN), which he established along with its sister publication The Cambodia Herald, was unprecedented at the time and brought greater depth and balance to the local media."

Starr, who has been editorial advisor to both publications since 2011, said one of Samitthy's greatest legacies was that Rasmei Kampuchea and the two online news services were the sole Cambodian members of Asia News Network (ANN), an umbrella group of regional newspapers based in Bangkok.

"Through ANN, Samitthy helped to expose leading Asian newspapers to a unique blend of coverage of Cambodian affairs by some extremely talented Cambodian journalists. His death is therefore not only a great loss to Cambodia but also to journalism across the Asian region," he said.

Image of Asia: Drying chili peppers under the Cambodian sun

By The Associated PressMARCH 31, 2015

A Cambodian woman dries chili pepper on the ground near the Mekong river at Russey Chroy village, Kandal province, north of Phnom Penh, Tuesday, March 31, 2015, as the three-month-long harvest season started February. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) *The Associated Press*

In this photo by Heng Sinith, a woman dries chili pepper on the ground near the Mekong River in Cambodia, where the three-month harvest season started in February. The people in Russey Chroy village, north of the capital Phnom Penh, harvest the peppers and dry them under the sun before selling them for about $1.50 per kilogram. The tons of dry chili peppers harvested by several thousand villagers in the area are sold locally or transported to be sold in neighboring Thailand. The crop is traditionally their main income, though the villagers also fish and plant rice and other crops.

Kem Sokha Says Judicial Laws Need Changing

BY HUL REAKSMEY AND ALEX WILLEMYNS | MARCH 31, 2015

Deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha told supporters Monday that the CNRP’s 55 lawmakers will soon ask to revisit the three controversial judicial reform laws passed by the National Assembly last year during the opposition party’s post-election parliamentary boycott.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the grenade attack on an opposition protest that killed 16 people in March 1997, Mr. Sokha said that changing the three laws would be the CNRP’s priority after the new National Election Committee (NEC) is established in the coming weeks.

CNRP Vice President Kem Sokha pays his respects Monday at a shrine honoring the 16 people who were killed in a grenade attack on an opposition rally in Phnom Penh on March 30, 1997. (Siv Channa/The Cambodia Daily)

“When we finish the elections issue by changing the law and changing the NEC, we will reform the national institutions by creating balance between the three institutions: legislative, executive and judicial,” Mr. Sokha said.

“In the future, it will be necessary for the CNRP to demand amendments to the three laws related to the courts, which means that those recently passed laws have not been able to push the courts to be independent,” he said.

“The CNRP will organize and request amendments by consulting with the current ruling party,” Mr. Sokha added. “If we want to change the court system, we have to begin by changing these three laws.”

The Law on the Organization of the Courts, the Law on the Status of Judges and Prosecutors and the Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy were approved by the CPP-only parliament in May last year.

Photo by: Wong Maye-E

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, takes a tour of Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temple complex Saturday, March 21, 2015, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Mrs. Obama on Saturday urged Cambodian students to stay in school and take advantage of their education to demand greater freedoms and more equality in their Southeast Asian country. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

By Elizabeth Harrington - Washington Free Beacon - - Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Hotel accommodations for First Lady Michelle Obama’s two-day trip to Cambodia required 85 rooms and cost taxpayers $242,500, according to a government contract.

Mrs. Obama traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia on March 21 to promote a girls education initiative. A contract was awarded on March 3, citing the “unusual and compelling urgency” of the First Lady’s trip. Mrs. Obama and a delegation of senior high-level U.S. government officials stayed at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, according to a justification and approval document for the visit.

The trip required 85 single rooms, five office suites, five sleeping suites, and one conference room for 14 nights. Mrs. Obama herself only stayed in Cambodia for two days, leaving on March 22. The Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra is listed as a luxury five-star hotel, and comes with personal butler services for guests.

កម្ពុជាត្រូវពង្រឹងធនធានមនុស្សសម្រាប់សមាហរណកម្មអាស៊ាននៅឆ្នាំនេះ

US Congressional Delegation Wraps Up Cambodia Visit

U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters, file photo.

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer

31 March 2015

WASHINGTON DC—

A US delegation led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House minority leader, wrapped up two days of meetings in Cambodia on Tuesday, having met with Prime Minister Hun Sen and key rights and democracy workers.

Pelosi and other US representatives met with Hun Sen on Monday to discuss “issues related to the suppression of freedom of expression and association, corruption, and unfair labor practices and land rights,” according to a statement released by the delegation. “The prime minister gave us his view of Cambodia-US relations in past decades.”

The delegation also met with civil society leaders. “They raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary, free and fair elections, proposed restrictions on Internet freedom, and violations of workers’ rights,” the delegation said. “Their presentations were consistent with the recent Human Rights Watch report on garment factories, which we called to the attention of the prime minister.”

Rights Leader Declines Role With Election Committee

Pung Chhiv Kek, a prominent figure in Cambodia and founder of the rights group Licadho, said Tuesday she would not join the committee because it appears “impossible” for the body to remain neutral.

Kong Sothanarith, Neou Vannarin, VOA Khmer

31 March 2015

PHNOM PENH—

The ruling party and opposition are now in talks to decide on the ninth member of the National Election Committee, following a statement Tuesday from the leading candidate that she would not join the committee.

Her decision is a blow to the legitimacy of the NEC, which is being formed now after months of negotiations between the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.

In a statement Tuesday, Pung Chhiv Kek said she had been offered the position in July.

“At that time, the role of the ninth member was described to me as ‘an independent member [who] will bring to this institution the neutrality it needs to organize elections in conformity with the Constitution and the national laws,’” she said. “Today, I conclude that this task has become impossible.”

In an interview with VOA Khmer Tuesday, Pung Chhiv Kek said she is worried about the independence of the NEC, which oversees both voter registration and elections. Under the rules of the new NEC, no article stipulates whether the nine-member committee will elect a president, vice president or secretary on its own.

Tue, 31 March 2015

Cheang Sokha, Alice Cuddy and Meas Sokchea ppp

“To fulfill this procedure, both of our parties have prepared a joint official letter to the Permanent Committee of the NA [National Assembly] to confirm our agreement on this candidate.

Rainsy could not be immediately reached to confirm Puthea’s selection.

Contacted on Tuesday evening, Puthea, who has recently expressed interest in taking on the role, said he had not received any official letter from either party.

“I just hear maybe, but not [officially] from the CPP or CNRP, just from normal officials,” he said.

Puthea added that he had not yet made any firm decision about whether he would accept the role.

News of Puthea’s selection follows a public announcement this morning from Licadho president Pung Chhiv Kek – who was offered the role in July – that she had turned down the position.

In a statement, she explained that the role was described to her as “an independent member [who] will bring to this institution the neutrality it needs to organize elections in conformity with the Constitution and the national laws”.

“Today, I conclude that this task has become impossible,” she said.

A Change of Guard

Thursday, 2 April 2015

Pung Chhiv Kek congratulates Hun Sen, Sam Rainsy for choosing Hang Puthea

Diving Koh Rong Saloem Sihanoukville Cambodia

Power and bestiality in the reign of VC and Xamdaach

The Price of Damming Tibet’s Rivers

Coke to build $100M plant at PPSEZ

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Kem Sokha has not decided whether to attend the court hearing as summoned លោក កឹម សុខា មិនទាន់សម្រេចថាត្រូវចូលបំភ្លឺតាមដីកាកោះរបស់តុលាការនៅឡើយ

Senior Cambodian Opposition Official Summoned to Court [Hun Sen is beginning to destroy the CNRP, but he is making Kem Sokha a martyr and a hero]

Cambodian dictator not happy with Michelle Obama [Why didn't Hun Sen acknowledge the $40 million America's annual educational assistance to Cambodia?]

The two parties have chosen Hang Puthea as the ninth member of the NEC បក្សទាំងពីរជ្រើសរើសយកលោក ហង្ស ពុទ្ធា ធ្វើជាបេក្ខភាពទី៩នៃគ.ជ.ប

Cambodia-Vietnam cooperate to search for remains of Vietnamese MIAs in Siem Reap កម្ពុជា-វៀតណាមសហការរុករកអដ្ឋិធាតុទាហានវៀតណាមស្លាប់ក្នុងសង្គ្រាមនៅសៀមរាប

Amend judicial laws: Kem Sokha

Pung Chhiv Kek out of NEC running

Vietnam to link China & Bavet

Unexpected NEC nomination from PM

Michelle Obama in Siem Reap

Cambodian lawmakers, educators discuss reform measures for educational system

IJF says Pen Samitthy's death is 'tragic loss' for Cambodia [He died suddenly in hospital, so did the doctors kill him by order of some jealous rivals?]

Image of Asia: Drying chili peppers under the Cambodian sun

Kem Sokha Says Judicial Laws Need Changing

Michelle Obama spends $245500 on Cambodian hotel rooms [Is Cambodia ripping off America?]

កម្ពុជាត្រូវពង្រឹងធនធានមនុស្សសម្រាប់សមាហរណកម្មអាស៊ាននៅឆ្នាំនេះ

US Congressional Delegation Wraps Up Cambodia Visit

Kol Panha on impact of corruption on public services

Rights Leader Declines Role With Election Committee

Unexpected NEC nomination from PM