Monday, 4 January 2016

Getting into Cambodia’s heads

During Robert H Lieberman´s interview, Hun Said he `couldn´t even kill a chicken´. Photo supplied

2 Jan, 2016 Harriet Fitch Little

Robert H Lieberman is a filmmaker, novelist, physicist and one time vet school drop-out. Born to Jewish parents in New York shortly after his family fled Nazi Germany, the 74-year-old says he has somehow always found himself in interesting places at important moments history. His documentary They Call it Myanmar – shot clandestinely over two one-year stints – won global plaudits when released in 2012, and featured an interview with Aung San Suu Kyi shortly after her release from house arrest. Now Lieberman has turned his sights to Cambodia, and has just completed filming for a documentary on the Kingdom: Breaking Baksbat (‘broken courage’ in Khmer).

Before flying out of Phnom Penh this weekend, Lieberman spoke to Harriet Fitch Little about the new film’s outlook, and detailed how exactly he secured an interview with Prime Minister Hun Sen .

You’ve made half a dozen films and written half a dozen novels all while teaching full time in the physics department at Cornell University. How does that work?

Cornell’s very generous. They know what I’m doing and cut me some slack – this term I’ll be coming back a bit late. The good part is that physics and engineering make you very analytical. You can drop me naked into any country in the world and I will survive. The bad part, and it’s only come recently, is that it becomes highly stressful – I’ll be working on a book at home, or a film, and I’m exhausted, then the kids start asking me physics problems and I have to totally switch gears. I was better when I was younger. I’m going to be 75 soon, and I’m still doing it. Why? I love it. I plan to die at the blackboard. I’ve told my kids that. And I already have my epitaph.

It's ‘He wrote different books and he made different movies’. In case I die and I don’t get a chance, would you request my wife not to forget that?

Why did you want to make a film about Cambodia?

I’ve got to tell you my history, then you’ll understand. My parents escaped Hitler with my older brother, and I was born in the US. My father lost his mother, his sister, her husband . . . he tried to get them out and couldn’t, and for the rest of his life was burdened with tremendous guilt. It had an effect on me even though I wasn’t there: my bags are always packed, everything is temporary, I thought I’d be dead at 40 . . . I just had this sense of mortality. Trauma is passed on psychologically and there’s something called epigenetics that they’re studying now which suggests that it might also be passed on genetically by changes in the DNA sequence. So I’m connected to Cambodia in that terrible sense.

Being a child of the Holocaust, I think I understand what is potentially going on here.

Robert H Lieberman has just finished shooting his documentary about Cambodia, Break Baksbat. Victoria Mørck Madsen

So this is a film about the Khmer Rouge?

This is not a Khmer Rouge movie. But to know the present you have to know the past, so we deal with people who have experienced this trauma and then we move on through successive generations. My focus has shifted enormously since I started making the film, especially now I’ve had such positive experiences with the 20-somethings here. They’re smart, energetic... we’re ending the film on a real high note.

A new party hopes to harness power of youth

Sat, 2 January 2016

Audrey Wilson ppp

A young supporter at a CNRP rally. Hong Menea

The Cambodian Youth Party last Thursday became the seventh new political party since 2013 – but the first with a youth-directed policy platform. Its inception raises questions about the shifting political role of the “youth”, a category that, here in Cambodia, can extend to those in their upper 30s. This week, Audrey Wilson spoke with Preap Kol, the executive director of Transparency International in Cambodia, about reverse-parental influence, social media and the likelihood of a split vote

What do you the think the establishment of the Cambodian Youth Party says about the role of youths in politics since the last election? What should a party do to court the youth vote?

Sixty-eight per cent of the Cambodia population is under the age of 30. The CYP might see this trend as an opportunity to attract the youth. If the party is from a well-established network of youth, they should be able to mobilise 4,000 members quite easily.

But young voters will be the target of any political party that seeks to win the election – the old ones and the new ones. To attract the youth, first they need to think about employment, policies that give them confidence that they can get access to job markets with fair wages. Anyone who wants to attract youth also needs a really convincing anti-corruption platform. Ninety-nine per cent of young people, according to our survey, believe that corruption is the biggest obstacle in Cambodia. They are less tolerant of corruption than their parents.

The youth proved to be a strong voting bloc in 2013. Do you think they will return to the polls in such strong numbers in the upcoming commune and national elections?

I think so, at least during the 2018 election, as it will be one of the most interesting elections in Cambodian history. And the youth will see that this is a very important time, and a very important opportunity for them, for how they want the country to advance.

I anticipate the same level or maybe even more engagement from the young voters. And also that the youth will influence their parents — a new dynamic for Cambodia. Parents now accept that their children are more clever, more engaged than them. For urban youth, who have gotten a high school and university education this certainly applies.

Golden memories ... សូមថ្នមប្រលោមទុក

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instil in us.

Hal Borland

Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.

Goran Persson

លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ព្រមឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺតុលាការតាមបណ្ដឹងរបស់លោក ហេង សំរិន

លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ព្រមឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺតុលាការតាមបណ្ដឹងរបស់លោក ហេង សំរិន
ដោយ យាង សុជាមេត្តា
2016-01-01 rfa

ប្រធានគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ លោក សម រង្ស៊ី (ឆ្វេង) និងប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា លោក ហេង សំរិន។

RFA

ប្រធានគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ដែលពេលនេះកំពុងនិរទេសខ្លួននៅក្រៅប្រទេសបានប្រាប់វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី តាមសារអេឡិចត្រូនិក (Email) នៅថ្ងៃទី១ ខែមករា ថា លោកព្រមចូលឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺតាមការកោះហៅរបស់សាលាដំបូងរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ពាក់ព័ន្ធបណ្ដឹងបរិហារកេរ្តិ៍របស់លោក ហេង សំរិន ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា។

សាលាដំបូងរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ កាលពីដើមខែធ្នូ ឆ្នាំ២០១៥ បានកោះហៅលោក សម រង្ស៊ី ឲ្យចូលឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺនៅតុលាការតាមបណ្ដឹងរបស់លោក ហេង សំរិន ពីរឿងដែលលោក សម រង្ស៊ី បានសរសេរនៅលើទំព័រហ្វេសប៊ុក (Facebook) កាលពីពេលថ្មីៗនេះថា របបដឹកនាំរបស់លោក ហេង សំរិន ធ្លាប់បានកាត់ទោសប្រហារជីវិតអតីតព្រះមហាក្សត្រខ្មែរ សម្ដេចព្រះ នរោត្តម សីហនុ ពីបទក្បត់ជាតិ។ ប៉ុន្តែលោក សម រង្ស៊ី មិនបានចូលបំភ្លឺតាមដីកាកោះរបស់តុលាការពេលនោះឡើយ។

យ៉ាងណា លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ប្រាប់វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី ពេលនេះថា លោកយល់ព្រមឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺជាមួយតុលាការនៅថ្ងៃទី៤ មករា តែការឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺនោះ ត្រូវធ្វើឡើងតាមប្រព័ន្ធអ៊ីនធឺណិត (Internet) ដែលអាចសន្សំប្រាក់កាក់ និងពេលវេលាផងដែរ។ លោក សម រង្ស៊ី បានលើកឡើងនូវមធ្យោបាយដែលលោកអាចឆ្លើយតបបានមួយចំនួន ដូចជាតាមប្រព័ន្ធ ស្កែប្ភ (Skype) ជាដើម។

លោក សម រង្ស៊ី បានសរសេរហាក់ចំអកបន្តិចថា ការដែលលោកជ្រើសរើសឆ្លើយបំភ្លឺតុលាការតាមប្រព័ន្ធអ៊ីនធឺណិតនេះ ដោយសារតែលោក ហេង សំរិន ដែលប្ដឹងលោកពីបទបរិហារកេរ្តិ៍នោះ ក៏ដោយសារតែលោកបានសរសេរនៅលើអ៊ីនធឺណិតដូចគ្នាដែរ។

វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី នៅមិនទាន់អាចសុំការឆ្លើយតបពីមន្ត្រីតុលាការចំពោះសំណើរបស់លោក សម រង្ស៊ី នេះបាននៅឡើយទេ នៅថ្ងៃទី១ ខែមករា៕

អាជ្ញាធរនឹងទប់ស្កាត់ការធ្វើពិធីរំលឹកខួបអ្នកស្លាប់នៅផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង

អាជ្ញាធរនឹងទប់ស្កាត់ការធ្វើពិធីរំលឹកខួបអ្នកស្លាប់នៅផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង
ដោយ ខែ សុណង
2016-01-02 rfa

អ្នករងរបួសក្នុងពេលប៉ះទង្គិចគ្នារវាងក្រុមអ្នកតវ៉ា និងសមត្ថកិច្ច នៅសួនឧស្សាហកម្មកាណាឌីយ៉ា តាមបណ្ដោយផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង ស្ថិតនៅភូមិក្រាំទ្រា សង្កាត់ស្ទឹងមានជ័យ ខណ្ឌមានជ័យ នៅព្រឹកថ្ងៃសុក្រ ទី៣ ខែមករា ឆ្នាំ២០១៤។

Photo: RFA

ក្រុមគ្រួសារសាច់ញាតិជនរងគ្រោះ និងអ្នកដែលអាជ្ញាធរចាប់ដាក់ពន្ធនាគារ បានរួមគ្នាជាមួយសហជីព កម្មករ នឹងធ្វើពិធីរំលឹកខួប ២ឆ្នាំ នៃការស្លាប់របស់កម្មករក្នុងប្រព្រឹត្តិការណ៍តវ៉ាដំឡើងប្រាក់ឈ្នួល ១៦០ដុល្លារ។ ពិធីជួបជុំនេះ គេគ្រោងធ្វើនៅក្បែរសួនកាណាឌីយ៉ា ស្ថិតនៅលើផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង សង្កាត់ចោមចៅ ខណ្ឌពោធិ៍សែនជ័យ នៅថ្ងៃទី៣ ខែមករា។

មន្ត្រីសាលារាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ព្រមានប្រើវិធានការទប់ស្កាត់ការជួបជុំរបស់ក្រុមសហជីពដែលប៉ុនប៉ងធ្វើពិធីរំលឹកខួប ២ឆ្នាំ ជូនអ្នកស្លាប់ក្នុងប្រព្រឹត្តិការណ៍តវ៉ាដំឡើងប្រាក់ឈ្នួលនៅផ្លូវវ៉េងស្រេង។

អ្នកនាំពាក្យសាលារាជធានីភ្នំពេញ លោក ឡុង ឌីម៉ង់ មានប្រសាសន៍នៅថ្ងៃទី២ មករា ថា សាលារាជធានីនឹងមានវិធានការទប់ស្កាត់ចំពោះការប៉ុនប៉ងជួបជុំគ្នាធ្វើពិធីនេះ។ លោកថា សាលារាជធានីមិនបានឃើញសេចក្ដីជូនដំណឹង ឬលិខិតសុំការអនុញ្ញាតណាមួយដើម្បីរៀបចំធ្វើពិធីនេះទេ៖ «យើងខ្ញុំក៏អត់មានទទួលការស្នើសុំរៀបចំអីនៅទីតាំងសាធារណៈអ៊ីចឹងដែរ។ ការរៀបចំពិធីអីក៏ដោយ នៅទីតាំងសាធារណៈបើមិនមានការសុំច្បាប់ពីអាជ្ញាធរដែនដីទៅគឺថា យើងមិនអនុញ្ញាតជូនទេ គឺជាទង្វើខុសច្បាប់មួយ។ ខ្ញុំមិនអនុញ្ញាតឲ្យធ្វើទេ»។

ទាក់ទងបញ្ហានេះ ប្រធានសមាគមប្រជាធិបតេយ្យឯករាជ្យ និងសេដ្ឋកិច្ចក្រៅប្រព័ន្ធ លោក វន់ ពៅ ដែលជាមនុស្សម្នាក់ក្នុងចំណោមសហជីពដទៃដែលផ្ដួចផ្ដើមរៀបចំពិធីនេះថ្លែងថា ពួកគាត់រៀបចំពិធីនេះ ពុំមានការជូនដំណឹងសាលារាជធានីនោះទេ ពីព្រោះជាពិធីសាសនាដែលនឹងរាប់បាត្របង្សុកូលជូនវិញ្ញាណក្ខន្ធអ្នកស្លាប់នៅទីកន្លែងកើតហេតុ។

២ មករា ២០១៦ / 2 January 2016 - Illegal foreign military bases in Cambodia (*)
ការផ្តល់សម្បទានដីប្រមាណ ៤ មុឺនហិកតា ក្នុងខេត្តរតនៈគីរី ឲ្យទៅកងទ័ពប្រទេសវៀតណាម ជាការរំលោភរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ នៃព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា ដែលមាត្រា ៥៣ ចែងជាអាទិ៍ថា “ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជាមិនអនុញ្ញាតិឲ្យមានមូលដ្ឋានយោធាបរទេសនៅលើទឹកដីរបស់ខ្លួន...”។ ទឹកដីប្រទេសកម្ពុជាប្រមាណ ៤ មឺុនហិកតានោះ ដែលគ្រប់គ្រងដោយកងទ័ពប្រទេសវៀតណាម គឺក្លាយទៅជាតំបន់យោធាគ្រប់គ្រងដោយបរទេសហើយ។ កងទ័ពណាក៏មានទាហានប្រដាប់ដោយអាវុធ និងសម្ភារៈសឹកផ្សេងៗ។ កងទ័ពណា ទៅទីណា ក៏ត្រូវបោះទីតាំងរបស់ខ្លួននៅទីនោះ។ ទីតាំងរបស់រាល់កងកម្លាំងប្រដាប់អាវុធ ហៅថាមូលដ្ឋានសឹក ឬមូលដ្ឋានយោធា។ ដូច្នេះ វត្តមានមូលដ្ឋានយោធា នៃកងទ័ពវៀតណាម ក្នុងខេត្តរតនៈគីរីនេះ ជាការរំលោភរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ នៃព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា។ ព័ត៌មានលម្អិត សូមចូលមើល ៖ http://tinyurl.com/oyeb7qz

(*) The land concession covering 40,000 hectares granted to the Vietnamese army in Ratanakiri province, is a violation of the Constitution whose Article 53 notably states, "The Kingdom of Cambodia doesn’t allow the establishment of any foreign military base on its territory." Those 40,000 hectares of Cambodia’s territory now administered by the Vietnamese army have been turned into a military zone under the control of a foreign country. Any army is made up of soldiers equipped with weapons, military equipment and related logistics. Any army moving to any zone has to establish bases that are of military nature by definition. Therefore there are illegal Vietnamese military bases in Cambodia’s Ratanakiri province. More information at https://www.cambodiadaily.com/grandconcessions/

SR

Police net eight in Pursat over illegal fishing methods

Fri, 1 January 2016

Khouth Sophak Chakrya ppp

Eight men caught illegally fishing in a protected area of Pursat’s Krakor district on Wednesday were charged yesterday at the provincial court.

Pin Vuthy, a Kampong Luong commune fishery administration official, said the suspects are aged 15 to 42 and that seven are ethnic Vietnamese while one is Cambodian.

“They were arrested while they were fishing in the protected area by using [a fine-meshed] grill net, which is a banned fishing tool,” Vuthy said.

Questioning by the authorities identified 42-year-old suspect Ngveang Yunglang as the alleged ringleader.

According to Vuthy the suspects face one to three years in prison and fines ranging from $1,235 to $12,350.

Traditional Khmer housing faces a modern twist

Thu, 31 December 2015

Moeun Nhean ppp

The legacy of the Funan era architecture can still be traced in contemporary Khmer architecture as style and function go hand-in-hand. Moeun Nhean

For centuries, the “home or house” conundrum in Cambodia has been decided by a multitude of factors that often combined traditional architectural elements while being harmoniously balanced through the use of gardens and ponds. However, modern technology for construction and a new wave of foreign building designs have seen traditional Cambodian architecture fall by the wayside at the sake of modernity. Nevertheless, the vast majority of rural Cambodians still prefer to build houses based on traditional methods using only wood instead of bricks, iron, and cement.

But while history has forgotten a lot of Cambodia’s architectural heritage, remnants endure and historians have worked hard to keep their legacy alive.

Ros Borath, deputy general of Apsara National Authority. Moeun Nhean

Um Bunthoeun, professor of Interior Design at CITEC University, and professor of History of Arts at Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, explained that sophisticated building designs of the Khmer ancestors date back to the Funan empire that lasted up until the 6th century AD.

“There are many aesthetic specifications for beauty in these buildings, and in many types of styles such as Phteah-Khmer, Phteah-Pit, Phteah-Kantaing, Phteah-Ruang-Dual, and Phteah-Ruang-Doeung,” he said. “Besides having their own interesting and unique look, each style had a specific function depending on the class system, family status, occupation and the local climate.”

The billion dollar babies

Sat, 2 January 2016

Vandy Muong and Will Jackson ppp

With commercial surrogacy now banned in India, Nepal and Thailand, the enormously lucrative industry is moving into Cambodia. However, with its legal and ethical status murky, potential parents are being warned to stay away

Embryos fertilised at the Fertility Clinic of Cambodia. Charlotte Pert

Any day now, Cambodia’s first baby conceived in a test tube and implanted in a rented womb will be born in a Phnom Penh maternity ward.

The names of the intended parents are not known, nor that of the local surrogate. It is not known which agency is being used, or who and how much was paid.

In fact, nobody really knows if the procedure is even legal in Cambodia.

Recent media reports have claimed that the Ministry of Interior intends to treat surrogacy as a form of human trafficking, making it not only illegal but punishable by a prison sentence.

But speaking this week, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said that the matter had yet to be decided.

The proud parents of Cambodia’s first IVF baby with Hor Samnang (left). Photo supplied

“Until now, we don’t have a law to ban or regulate surrogacy and we are discussing together with the Ministry of Justice to regulate the industry to avoid problems, but we haven’t finalised the result whether it will be considered human trafficking or not,” he told Post Weekend, adding that the government was currently working on a law on IVF and surrogacy.

The billion dollar trade

With thousands of would-be parents worldwide willing to spend big for a chance at becoming mothers or fathers, commercial surrogacy has the potential to be a hugely lucrative trade for developing countries. Options in richer countries are extremely limited and costly: in California, one of the few jurisdictions worldwide where surrogacy is legal, it costs upwards of $120,000 a pop.

Traffic tickets spike on Day 1

Sat, 2 January 2016 ppp

Phak Seangly and Shaun Turton

A motorbike helmet seller did a roaring trade yesterday. Pha Lina

After a year-long period of grace, police yesterday began enforcing Cambodia’s new traffic law, ticketing almost 3,000 motorists across the country.

According to director of the Interior Ministry’s department of regulation

General Run Roth Veasna, as of 2pm, 1,750 traffic police working at 172 locations had stopped 7,519 vehicles, a sevenfold increase on an average day last year.

Some 2,925 were fined, most commonly for not wearing a helmet or lacking registration documents while the rest were “educated” and let on their way, he said.

Police impounded 109 motorbikes without licence plates and one homemade truck. Phnom Penh registered the most infringements, more than 600.

“It is just the first day; I think tomorrow there will be more,” Veasna said.

Officially approved in December 2014, the law aims to tackle the horrendous death toll on the Kingdom’s roads.

As of yesterday, the number of passengers on a motorbike is restricted to one adult and one child, who must also wear a helmet if they’re over three years old.

Fines for speeding, disobeying traffic signs, drunk driving and other infractions have also increased five-fold.

Industry leaders offer an economic forecast for 2016

Sat, 2 January 2016

Post Weekend ppp

From stocks to smartphones to microfinance, experts weigh in with their predictions at the start of the new year

Rice exports will not increase much in 2016, experts say. Vireak Mai

Thomas Hundt, CEO, Smart Axiata

While we indeed see saturation in terms of subscribers, the majority of mobile subscribers in Cambodia do not use the internet actively yet. With fast 3G and ultra-fast 4G LTE mobile data networks available nationwide – not only in provincial capitals but also in cities like Udong, Poipet, Skun, Mongkul Borey, etc – and supported by a rapidly increasing smartphone penetration, mobile Internet is the growth area for the mobile telecom industry in the next few years.

There is no particular difference between the habits of Cambodian customers and world market trends around mobile communications. The internet with its literally unlimited possibilities changes the game. While subscribers used their phones only for calling or sending texts a few years back, the usage habit of smartphone users is totally different. Calling is secondary, while social networks, messenger apps and games let the subscribers hold their smartphones in hand all the time.

Chea Serey, National Bank of Cambodia director general

Chea Serey is the director of the National Bank of Cambodia. Vireak Mai

In 2015, the global economy experienced an uneven and slower growth than previous years. Among the developed economies, the US grew robustly while growth in Europe and Japan remained tepid. Cambodia has been developing herself by implementing comprehensive reform programs and other economic policies over the years.

Golden memories ...

Hun Sen’s Son Sets Sights on Cambodia’s Top Office

2015-12-30 rfa

Hun Many (C), Prime Minister Hun Sen's youngest son and a lawmaker from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, waves to supporters during the general election campaign in Phnom Penh, July 21, 2013.

AFP

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s youngest son said Wednesday that he intends to succeed his father in the authoritarian Southeast Asian country’s top office, although he did not specifically mention his plans for the next general elections in July 2018.

During the broadcast of Vayo Radio’s Political and Social Forum program, Hun Many said his ambition was to become prime minister of Cambodia.

“Becoming prime minister is my intention as well as [the intention] of other young people,” said the 33-year-old member of parliament who represents Kampong Speu province and is head of the country’s youth federation.

“The role of prime minister is not a position, but is a great honor to serve the country responsibly and to make sure to lead its direction and keep peace and maintain continued development,” he said.

In October, Hun Many was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize, given to honorees for their contributions to promoting peace and progress in society by the Manila-based Gusi Peace Prize Foundation.

Some nongovernmental organization officers who work with young people in Cambodia said it’s easy and uncomplicated for Hun Many to dream of becoming prime minister compared to other young people who might aspire to reach the nation’s top office. His father dominates all centers of power in Cambodia, a country he has run for 30 years since he was installed by then occupier Vietnam.

“For Hun Many who is the son of the prime minister, his dream … may be influential for the masses because he is in a position or in an environment that is favorable for him to achieve it,” said Cheng Sokha, director of the Youth Resource Development Program based in Phnom Penh.

A slave ceases to be a slave the moment he redefines the impositions imposed upon him by his master.

Officer’s denial sufficient: ACU

Fri, 1 January 2016

Phak Seangly ppp

Om Yentieng, director of the Anti-Corruption Unit, talks during an anti-corruption day event in December. Om Yentieng confirmed that earlier in December the ACU had received a complaint against, Por Vannak, the chief of Battambang military police.Hong Menea

The well-connected chief of Battambang province’s military police, accused of collecting tens of thousands of dollars from illegal gamblers and of framing supposed drug dealers, has been promptly cleared following an official denial.

A document released by the Anti-Corruption Unit on Tuesday said that unnamed complainants had filed a suit against Por Vannak for taking up to $10,000 per month from local gamblers in exchange for their immunity.

Vannak was also accused of ordering his inferiors to frame local youth for dealing drugs, then threatening them into paying $1,000 to $5,000 for their freedom following their arrest.

However, Por Vannak – whose son, Por Vannith, is married to a daughter of national military police chief Sao Sokha and is the head of military police in neighbouring Siem Reap province – wrote a letter to the ACU in October denying all the allegations, and is now cleared.

Reached yesterday, Vannak said his forces “actively” cracked down on all sorts of crimes.

“The rural people bet 1,000 to 2,000 riel [$0.25 to $0.50], so how could they pay $1,000 to $2,000 [to me]? I think that is very ridiculous,” he said.

Vannak asked for the complainants to be named, because such accusations discouraged hardworking officers. He threatened to take legal action against them.

“Do not hide, I want to confront them.”

Kouy ethnic minority's grievances

Protests in Myanmar as Thailand issues death sentences

Thai government defends guilty verdicts for Myanmar workers in grisly murders of British tourists on a pristine beach.

29 Dec 2015 aj

Buddhist monks display placards of two Myanmar labourers sentenced to death in Thailand [Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP]

Hundreds of people in Myanmar protested for a fifth day against death sentences handed down in Thailand to two Myanmar men - seen by many as scapegoats - convicted of killing two British backpackers.

A Thai court last week sentenced Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin to death for the murders of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, whose bludgeoned bodies were found on the Thai island of Koh Tao in September 2014.

Witheridge had also been raped.

Both men say they are innocent and that police tortured them to force them to confess.

Protests have also been staged at border crossings, and last weekend Myanmar's powerful and influential army chief called for the case to be reviewed.

The sentiment was echoed on the streets of Yangon on Tuesday.

Protests have entered a fifth day in Myanmar as the Thai government defends the guilty verdict for two Myanmar men [Nyein Chan Naing/EPA]

"We do not believe justice was served by the Thai court. We are asking them to review the case," said Nay Myo Wai, a politician who supports the Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha, which led the protest.

The Thai Embassy in Myanmar said its consular section will be closed for the entire week because of the "unexpected and prolonged demonstrations" that make it hard to access the entrance.

"We intend to fight for justice for the two Myanmar men in Thailand," said U Pamaukka, a senior monk and Ma Ba Tha member.

NBC: Growth strong, but hurdles remain

Fri, 1 January 2016 ppp

Sor Chandara

The National Bank of Cambodia in 2009. Sovan Philong

Cambodia’s central bank sounded an optimistic, but cautious, note on the economic prospects for the Kingdom next year, citing textile exports, low oil prices and increasing domestic demand as the main drivers of growth in 2015.

The National Bank of Cambodia released the Cambodia’s 2015 Macroeconomic Development and Prospect on Wednesday, and projected gross domestic product to grow by 6.9 per cent for 2015, climbing up slightly to 7 per cent in 2016.

While lauding the country’s economic growth, it also highlighted a few challenges, such as lower export competitiveness and the slowdown in China and European Union.

The release said that the US dollar appreciation and increase in garment sector wages was an emerging challenge for the country.

Independent economist Srey Chanthy said light industries, such as garment, clothes and shoe factories, which have so far been capital-heavy, could see outflows going into the new year.

“I think, if this is the case, capital flight management regulations may be needed – a lesson that can be learned from Malaysia,” Chanthy said.

On the NBC’s observation that a continuing slowdown in the EU and China would have an impact on Cambodia economic prospects next year, Chanthy said China’s slowdown could affect tourist arrivals in the Kingdom.

“The slowdown in the euro zone will have a much stronger impact on Cambodia, as it is the key destination for Cambodia exports,” Chanthy added.

Opposition Siem Reap commune chief still detained

Villages gather in front of the the Ampel commune office yesterday afternoon in Siem Reap province to protest the jailing of a CNRP commune chief. Photo supplied

1 Jan, 2016 Sen David PPP

An opposition commune chief in Siem Reap province has been jailed after allegedly signing a document that claimed state-owned land belonged to an Ampil commune villager who wished to use the deed as leverage to gain bank loans.

The document, allegedly signed by the Ampil commune chief, Cambodia National Rescue Party official Heang Sary, 55, has not been released to the public and so the details of the land in question are not known.

However, officials yesterday said the land was under the control of the Apsara Authority, the government body in charge of administering the Angkor temples, which filed a complaint to the provincial court leading to Sary’s arrest.

Mut Morla, a provincial CNRP councillor, said Sary should have been released after he went voluntarily to the court to “clarify” what had happened.

“The court must not detain him in the prison like this after he went to court on Wednesday for clarification. The Apsara Authority accused him of falsifying a public letter to the villagers to use the land, which is under the control of Apsara and beyond his jurisdiction,” he said.

“They should investigate more before detaining him. Their decision seems to be politically motivated.”

Dozens of villagers gathered outside the Ampil commune office yesterday afternoon to protest Sary’s ongoing detention without charge.

Yentieng ‘sorry’ for jab at cops

Police stop the driver of a vehicle in Phnom Penh last year. Yesterday during a meeting Om Yentieng apologised to Sar Kheng for his criticism of corrupt traffic police. Vireak Mai

1 Jan, 2016 Mech Dara and Shaun Turton PPP

The head of Cambodia’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), Om Yentieng, has apologised for suggesting that the Kingdom’s traffic police might be corrupt.

Yentieng’s about-face came yesterday at a public meeting about the new Traffic Law – which goes into effect today – attended by Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng, from whom he asked forgiveness.

The ACU director had singled out graft within the traffic police and the ministry’s identification department during a speech at an International Anti-Corruption Day event on December 9.

Responding the very next day, the Interior Ministry said Yentieng’s comments had hurt morale among its hardworking employees and that cases of corruption involving its staff were dealt with appropriately.

“In the previous five years, the ACU has respected the active, hard work of the traffic police across the country and knows clearly about the hard work they face and have to solve every day and minute,” Yentieng said, after praising Sar Kheng’s “relentless” efforts to prepare for the traffic code’s implementation.

“On the occasion of December 9, National Anti-Corruption Day, I spoke wrong words, and today I [admit] I made a mistake in using inappropriate words as was pointed out in the statement of the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior . . . on December 10.

“At this moment, I take this stage . . . to apologise to . . . Sar Kheng for using my inappropriate words, words that affect morale, and I hope and believe that, with his kind state of mind, he will forgive me for my words.”

Fake family photos upset PM

Prime Minister Hun Sen poses for a photo with his wife, Bun Rany, earlier this week on the Cambodian coast. Hun Sen has warned Facebook users against insulating him after his holiday photos were altered and posted to social media. Facebook

1 Jan, 2016 Vong Sokheng PPP

Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued a second public caution in a week to Facebook users who “insult” him after several altered photographs of his family visit to Sihanoukville appeared on social media.

The doctored photographs showed Hun Sen with an amputated arm standing with his wife, Bun Rany, who was also depicted striking a pose that is considered offensive in Cambodian culture.

“My wife and I, with a crowd of children and our grandchildren, took a holiday at the beach during the international New Year and took the opportunity to meet Cambodian people to find out about their living conditions, and we took some photos as a souvenir,” Hun Sen wrote on Facebook yesterday.

“It is deceitful and cheap behaviour for opposition activists who think that nobody is watching their acts, which cause damage to my honour and my family . . . They must be responsible before the law,” he added.

On Monday, Hun Sen warned Facebook users who insult him that they could be tracked down by police in a matter of hours. Earlier this month, the premier complained of people using his official Facebook page to poke fun at disability by calling him a “blind eye guy”.

Sok Eysan, ruling Cambodian People’s Party spokesman, said that no legal action against social media users identified by Hun Sen as “extremists” had yet been taken.

“I don’t have any information about actual legal measures taken by the premier’s lawyer or authorities yet,” he said.

Yim Sovann, opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party spokesman, said the opposition “does not support personal attacks and we do not support this attack”.

CNRP urges unity in New Year’s messages

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng and Cambodia National Rescue Party president Kem Sokha shake hands at a political meeting at the National Assembly last August. Heng Chivoan

1 Jan, 2016 Meas Sokchea PPP

Opposition leaders yesterday took to social media to call for peace and unity in 2016 after months of rough and tumble politics, with acting Cambodia National Rescue Party president Kem Sokha suggesting parties should meet in the new year to clear the air.

In separate New Year’s messages on Facebook, Cambodia National Rescue Party leader Sam Rainsy and Sokha beseeched political party leaders of all stripes to focus on the nation’s interests in 2016.

“On this occasion, I would like all Khmer politicians to stop the rancour, revenge, threats, intimidation,” Sokha said, in a video clip posted to Facebook.

“I hope the New Year of 2016 brings harmony, peace, national unity, national reconciliation and more trust between Khmer and Khmer.”

Rainsy, who remains in self-imposed exile to avoid prison on seemingly politically motivated charges, also called for unity from all in politics.

Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sous Yara welcomed the calls for harmony, though warned the CNRP not to point fingers and dwell on the past.

សង្គមស៊ីវិលស្វែងយល់ពីផលប៉ះពាល់នៃគ្រឿងស្រវឹង

ពលរដ្ឋវៀតណាមធ្វើសមាធិនៅភ្នំបូកគោ

ដំណាំម្រេចនៅខេត្តកំពតមានតម្លៃខ្ពស់

Man Who Escaped Dubai Hotel Fire Describes Panic

ជនរងគ្រោះដីធ្លីដែលជាពលទាហាន នៅខេត្តបន្ទាយ

Border cards close to vest, says Hun Manet

Thu, 31 December 2015 ppp

Vong Sokheng

Premier Hun Sen (right) and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung, unveil a border marker in Ratanakkiri this month. Photo supplied

(((

School of Vice: Clear and transparent as mud? The Phnom Penh regime can't even be counted upon to protect the country's natural resources; curb or reverse mass illegal foreign immigration influx, let alone safeguarding territorial boundary.

)))

Hun Manet, eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen and a senior military official, took to Facebook yesterday to defend his father’s handling of the demarcation of the Cambodia-Vietnam border.

Writing on his father’s Facebook page, Manet used a card-playing analogy to assert that the demarcation is happening lawfully and with transparency, while maintaining that secrecy in the negotiations is a necessary part of diplomacy.

“The ongoing border negotiation with Vietnam is the same as if we are playing cards; if our partners knew the total six pieces of our cards in hand . . . we would be dead [lose] even if we have three aces,” he wrote.

Manet also called on Cambodians to trust that negotiations are being conducted in the best interest of the Kingdom.

“[We] will not keep [this dispute] for the next generation to resolve,” he said.

The prime minister’s son also remarked that the deportation of illegal immigrants helps prevent terrorist attacks, as terrorists can be concealed among the broader immigrant population.

“We have to keep them under control,” Manet said, while acknowledging that 90 per cent of the 3,000 illegal immigrants expelled from the Kingdom in 2015 were Vietnamese.

Meanwhile, CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann maintained that some border markers are improperly placed and that such suspicions would remain “unless there is participation from all parties”.

Contact author: Vong Sokheng

A Change of Guard

Monday, 4 January 2016

Getting into Cambodia’s heads

Sunday, 3 January 2016

Saturday, 2 January 2016

Police net eight in Pursat over illegal fishing methods

Traditional Khmer housing faces a modern twist

The billion dollar babies

Industry leaders offer an economic forecast for 2016

Friday, 1 January 2016

Opposition Siem Reap commune chief still detained

Yentieng ‘sorry’ for jab at cops

Fake family photos upset PM

CNRP urges unity in New Year’s messages