Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
TWO monks and a student living at a pagoda in Kampong Cham province’s Kroch Chhmar district drowned on Wednesday when their boat capsized in the Mekong River, officials said.
Lay Nguon, the district police chief, said there were 11 passengers on board when the boat sunk en route to a Buddhist ceremony on the other side of the river. The maximum capacity of the boat was five passengers, he added.
“My officials and the people tried to save their lives immediately, but we regret very much that there were two monks and a pagoda boy who died. If we did not rush to help, all of them would have died,” he said, adding that the bodies of the two monks had not been found as of Thursday afternoon.
He said he had ordered local officials to advise residents of the district to refrain from travelling on the river in overloaded boats, but that he doubted the warning would be completely effective.
“I ordered my officials to tell the travellers to be careful when they travel along the river, but some people do not listen to our worrying,” he said.
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Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Border Arrest: Thais catch suspected illegal logger
Border Arrest
A Cambodian national suspected of illegal logging has been arrested by Thai soldiers, a Cambodian official said Wednesday, confirming an incident that was reported by Thai media last week. “Leun La has really been arrested by Thai soldiers,” said Koy Kuong, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We have already found a Thai lawyer to defend his case.” Thailand’s The Nation newspaper reported on March 19 that an armed clash between Thai soldiers and a group of around 30 Cambodians who had crossed the border had taken place the previous day. The Nation reported that the soldiers shot at them when the group was caught cutting down trees.
Two held over Kampong Speu conflict
May Titthara and Will Baxter
Phnom Penh Post
TWO representatives of villagers embroiled in a land dispute with a sugar company owned by a Cambodian People’s Party senator were arrested Wednesday morning after being questioned at Kampong Speu provincial court, in a move that prompted hundreds of villagers to protest outside the courthouse.
Khem Vuthy, 30, and You Tho, 62, were among a group of four villagers who had been called to appear on Wednesday for questioning related to a protest held last week in which the Phnom Penh Sugar Company’s local office was burned to the ground. They arrived at the provincial court at 8:30am and were arrested at around 11:20am after being questioned by the provincial prosecutor in a session that was closed to reporters.
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Phnom Penh Post
TWO representatives of villagers embroiled in a land dispute with a sugar company owned by a Cambodian People’s Party senator were arrested Wednesday morning after being questioned at Kampong Speu provincial court, in a move that prompted hundreds of villagers to protest outside the courthouse.
Khem Vuthy, 30, and You Tho, 62, were among a group of four villagers who had been called to appear on Wednesday for questioning related to a protest held last week in which the Phnom Penh Sugar Company’s local office was burned to the ground. They arrived at the provincial court at 8:30am and were arrested at around 11:20am after being questioned by the provincial prosecutor in a session that was closed to reporters.
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Teachers, students to march against short skirts
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
AROUND 300 students, teachers and concerned members of the public will march through the streets of Phnom Penh on Sunday as part of a campaign to discourage female students from wearing short skirts to school, a campaign organiser told the Post Wednesday.
The Khmer Teachers’ Association organised the event as part of an effort to urge the Education Ministry, school heads and university directors to ban short skirts in school, a move it believes will help preserve Khmer culture, said director Seang Bunheang.
“I had the idea to organise the campaign because I want to improve Khmer culture [and retain the culture] that we had many years ago – some Khmer women change their manner by copying other cultures and do things such as wearing short skirts or sexy clothes in schools and public places. That can destroy our culture.
“I see that some female students don’t wear the Khmer student uniform. It seems like a Western uniform,” he said.
Seang Bunheang said he had sent a letter to the Education Ministry to request that it “take measures with female students who wear short
skirts in school”.
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Phnom Penh Post
AROUND 300 students, teachers and concerned members of the public will march through the streets of Phnom Penh on Sunday as part of a campaign to discourage female students from wearing short skirts to school, a campaign organiser told the Post Wednesday.
The Khmer Teachers’ Association organised the event as part of an effort to urge the Education Ministry, school heads and university directors to ban short skirts in school, a move it believes will help preserve Khmer culture, said director Seang Bunheang.
“I had the idea to organise the campaign because I want to improve Khmer culture [and retain the culture] that we had many years ago – some Khmer women change their manner by copying other cultures and do things such as wearing short skirts or sexy clothes in schools and public places. That can destroy our culture.
“I see that some female students don’t wear the Khmer student uniform. It seems like a Western uniform,” he said.
Seang Bunheang said he had sent a letter to the Education Ministry to request that it “take measures with female students who wear short
skirts in school”.
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Hospital to provide funeral payment in vaccination death
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
THE parents of a nearly 2-month-old baby who died earlier this month after receiving a standard vaccination at a health centre in Svay Rieng province said they had agreed to accept 700,000 riels (US$168) from health officials.
Chhun Phally, 27, the baby’s father, said he and his wife had met with five health officials on Tuesday to negotiate the payment.
“They gave us 700,000 riels for my baby’s funeral. It is not for compensation,” he said, adding that he had originally been hoping to receive as much as 3 million riels.
“I agreed to accept because I didn’t want to spend a lot of time on this problem anymore, and at first I thought they would not agree to give us anything because they would be afraid that they would need to do the same thing if this happened again.”
The baby boy died on March 11, one day after he was injected with a tuberculosis vaccination at the Kra Sang health centre in Svay Rieng’s Romeas Hek district.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE parents of a nearly 2-month-old baby who died earlier this month after receiving a standard vaccination at a health centre in Svay Rieng province said they had agreed to accept 700,000 riels (US$168) from health officials.
Chhun Phally, 27, the baby’s father, said he and his wife had met with five health officials on Tuesday to negotiate the payment.
“They gave us 700,000 riels for my baby’s funeral. It is not for compensation,” he said, adding that he had originally been hoping to receive as much as 3 million riels.
“I agreed to accept because I didn’t want to spend a lot of time on this problem anymore, and at first I thought they would not agree to give us anything because they would be afraid that they would need to do the same thing if this happened again.”
The baby boy died on March 11, one day after he was injected with a tuberculosis vaccination at the Kra Sang health centre in Svay Rieng’s Romeas Hek district.
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Villagers want to build within Angkor park
Mom Kunthear and Chrann Chamroeun
Phnom Penh Post
EIGHT representatives of more than 3,000 families in Siem Reap province’s Angkor Thom district arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, hoping to call on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the National Assembly to allow them to build new houses within the Angkor temple park.
Koeun Keup, 28, a village representative, said the Apsara Authority, which maintains and administers the ancient temples, has prevented seven villages in Angkor Thom district from constructing new houses.
“The Apsara Authority officials don’t allow us to build more houses in the villages, and they told us that if we want to ... build new houses, we should go and build outside our village,” he said.
He said that the affected villagers had collected thumbprints and planned to present them with a written request to Hun Sen to resolve their problems.
“We don’t need more land, but we just want to have the right to build new houses on our land,” he said.
Koeun Keup said that Apsara Authority officials visit the village every month and pull down any new buildings that have been put up.
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Phnom Penh Post
EIGHT representatives of more than 3,000 families in Siem Reap province’s Angkor Thom district arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, hoping to call on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the National Assembly to allow them to build new houses within the Angkor temple park.
Koeun Keup, 28, a village representative, said the Apsara Authority, which maintains and administers the ancient temples, has prevented seven villages in Angkor Thom district from constructing new houses.
“The Apsara Authority officials don’t allow us to build more houses in the villages, and they told us that if we want to ... build new houses, we should go and build outside our village,” he said.
He said that the affected villagers had collected thumbprints and planned to present them with a written request to Hun Sen to resolve their problems.
“We don’t need more land, but we just want to have the right to build new houses on our land,” he said.
Koeun Keup said that Apsara Authority officials visit the village every month and pull down any new buildings that have been put up.
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Activists seek aid for acid victims
Brooke Lewis and Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
CAMPAIGNERS have called on the government to ramp up health-care and rehabilitation services for victims of acid attacks, following a meeting between representatives of seven local NGOs and a delegation of American researchers in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
The meeting, organised by Cambodia’s Committee to Eliminate All Discrimination Against Women (NGO-CEDAW), was timed to capitalise on the attention being paid to acid crimes, as a government committee prepares to finalise a draft of legislation addressing the issue, said Dr Pung Chhiv Kek, president of the rights group Licadho and chair of NGO-CEDAW.
“As the government of Cambodia is drafting this new law, it creates momentum for us,” she said after the meeting.
Pung Chhiv Kek praised the committee’s focus on the imposition of harsh penalties for perpetrators of acid crimes and the regulation of acid sales, but said the government should also provide physical and mental health care for survivors of acid attacks. In addition, she said, public education campaigns should be initiated to discourage discrimination against victims.
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Phnom Penh Post
CAMPAIGNERS have called on the government to ramp up health-care and rehabilitation services for victims of acid attacks, following a meeting between representatives of seven local NGOs and a delegation of American researchers in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
The meeting, organised by Cambodia’s Committee to Eliminate All Discrimination Against Women (NGO-CEDAW), was timed to capitalise on the attention being paid to acid crimes, as a government committee prepares to finalise a draft of legislation addressing the issue, said Dr Pung Chhiv Kek, president of the rights group Licadho and chair of NGO-CEDAW.
“As the government of Cambodia is drafting this new law, it creates momentum for us,” she said after the meeting.
Pung Chhiv Kek praised the committee’s focus on the imposition of harsh penalties for perpetrators of acid crimes and the regulation of acid sales, but said the government should also provide physical and mental health care for survivors of acid attacks. In addition, she said, public education campaigns should be initiated to discourage discrimination against victims.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Vendors worried about acid law
Mom Kunthear and Brooke Lewis
Phnom Penh Post
THOUGH a committee tasked with drafting acid legislation has so far focused largely on setting punishments for perpetrators of acid crimes, officials and those who advocate on behalf of victims say the challenge of regulating acid sales is just as important, if not more so.
Acid vendors, however, have expressed concerns that restrictions on the sale of acid could negatively affect their businesses, something Ouk Kimlek, the committee’s deputy director, says he is hoping to avoid.
“This law does not affect their businesses, both import and export,” he said Monday. “What we want is to reduce the number of acid attacks, not reduce [the number of] acid sellers.”
At its most recent meeting on Friday, Ouk Kimlek said, the committee touched on the regulation of acid sales but “focused strongly on the punishment, because this is the very important thing”.
Photo by: Pha Lina
An acid vendor pours diluted battery acid at his shop on Monivong Boulevard on Monday. Vendors have expressed concern that regulations proposed for a new acid law could hurt their businesses.
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Phnom Penh Post
THOUGH a committee tasked with drafting acid legislation has so far focused largely on setting punishments for perpetrators of acid crimes, officials and those who advocate on behalf of victims say the challenge of regulating acid sales is just as important, if not more so.
Acid vendors, however, have expressed concerns that restrictions on the sale of acid could negatively affect their businesses, something Ouk Kimlek, the committee’s deputy director, says he is hoping to avoid.
“This law does not affect their businesses, both import and export,” he said Monday. “What we want is to reduce the number of acid attacks, not reduce [the number of] acid sellers.”
At its most recent meeting on Friday, Ouk Kimlek said, the committee touched on the regulation of acid sales but “focused strongly on the punishment, because this is the very important thing”.
Photo by: Pha Lina
An acid vendor pours diluted battery acid at his shop on Monivong Boulevard on Monday. Vendors have expressed concern that regulations proposed for a new acid law could hurt their businesses.
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Monday, March 22, 2010
Memorial: Stupa to honour war journalists
Officials mull stiff penalties for acid attacks
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
PERPETRATORS of acid attacks resulting in death or serious injury could face life in prison, and those who commit attacks resulting in lesser injuries could spend between 15 and 30 years behind bars, said a member of a government committee that met on Friday to firm up the details of potential punishments for acid crimes.
Ouk Kimlek, the committee’s deputy director and an undersecretary of state at the Interior Ministry, said Sunday that the meeting had also covered acid “management”, meaning provisions related to buying, selling, importing and exporting the corrosive liquid.
“But we focused strongly on the punishment, because this is the very important thing. At last Friday’s meeting, the committee committed all together to make the acid law appear to punish users very strongly,” said Ouk Kimlek, who wrote the 20-article draft currently before the committee.
“It is a sentence of 15 to 30 years for injury, and if attacks lead to death or very serious injury, they will lead to life sentences,” he said, adding that examples of “very serious” injuries would be if victims were to become blind or deaf.
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Phnom Penh Post
PERPETRATORS of acid attacks resulting in death or serious injury could face life in prison, and those who commit attacks resulting in lesser injuries could spend between 15 and 30 years behind bars, said a member of a government committee that met on Friday to firm up the details of potential punishments for acid crimes.
Ouk Kimlek, the committee’s deputy director and an undersecretary of state at the Interior Ministry, said Sunday that the meeting had also covered acid “management”, meaning provisions related to buying, selling, importing and exporting the corrosive liquid.
“But we focused strongly on the punishment, because this is the very important thing. At last Friday’s meeting, the committee committed all together to make the acid law appear to punish users very strongly,” said Ouk Kimlek, who wrote the 20-article draft currently before the committee.
“It is a sentence of 15 to 30 years for injury, and if attacks lead to death or very serious injury, they will lead to life sentences,” he said, adding that examples of “very serious” injuries would be if victims were to become blind or deaf.
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Govt freezes marriage to SKoreans
Mom Kunthear and Will Baxter
Phnom Penh Post
CAMBODIA has temporarily banned marriages between local women and South Korean men after officials broke up a human trafficking ring designed to facilitate such unions, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday.
Koy Kuong said a woman had been convicted on March 3 of recruiting 25 girls from rural areas and arranging for them to be married off to South Korean men for a US$100 fee.
Accepting a commission to facilitate a marriage is illegal, he said, adding that the convicted marriage broker is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence, and that the South Korean embassy in Phnom Penh had been notified on March 5 of the temporary marriage ban.
The ban will eventually be lifted, though not before the government puts in place an effective screening mechanism to prevent cases of trafficking, Koy Kuong said.
John McGeoghan, project coordinator for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said the temporary ban was a positive step.
“It’s good to see the Cambodian government is taking this issue seriously,” he said.
McGeoghan added that it is important to raise awareness among women looking to marry and move to countries such as South Korea about what life there will really be like.
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Phnom Penh Post
CAMBODIA has temporarily banned marriages between local women and South Korean men after officials broke up a human trafficking ring designed to facilitate such unions, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday.
Koy Kuong said a woman had been convicted on March 3 of recruiting 25 girls from rural areas and arranging for them to be married off to South Korean men for a US$100 fee.
Accepting a commission to facilitate a marriage is illegal, he said, adding that the convicted marriage broker is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence, and that the South Korean embassy in Phnom Penh had been notified on March 5 of the temporary marriage ban.
The ban will eventually be lifted, though not before the government puts in place an effective screening mechanism to prevent cases of trafficking, Koy Kuong said.
John McGeoghan, project coordinator for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said the temporary ban was a positive step.
“It’s good to see the Cambodian government is taking this issue seriously,” he said.
McGeoghan added that it is important to raise awareness among women looking to marry and move to countries such as South Korea about what life there will really be like.
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Infant death blamed on officials
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
A FAMILY in Svay Rieng province has blamed workers at a provincial health centre for the death of an almost two-month-old baby who died shortly after receiving a standard vaccination earlier this month.
The parents said the baby boy died March 11, one day after he was injected with a vaccination for tuberculosis at the Kra Sang provincial health centre in Romeas Hek district.
“Two health officers came to my house and they asked my wife whether my son had a vaccination yet,” said Chhun Phally, 27. “My wife allowed them to inject my son because he had never received an injection.”
Chhun Phally said his son cried for the next day, prompting his wife, Am Yat, 28, to give the infant paracetamol, a pain reliever. “I called those health officials to see my son, but they refused to come. So they made my son die,” Chhun Phally said.
The baby’s mother said she believes her son should still be alive today. “If I did not allow them to inject my son, he would not die,” Am Yat said.
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Phnom Penh Post
A FAMILY in Svay Rieng province has blamed workers at a provincial health centre for the death of an almost two-month-old baby who died shortly after receiving a standard vaccination earlier this month.
The parents said the baby boy died March 11, one day after he was injected with a vaccination for tuberculosis at the Kra Sang provincial health centre in Romeas Hek district.
“Two health officers came to my house and they asked my wife whether my son had a vaccination yet,” said Chhun Phally, 27. “My wife allowed them to inject my son because he had never received an injection.”
Chhun Phally said his son cried for the next day, prompting his wife, Am Yat, 28, to give the infant paracetamol, a pain reliever. “I called those health officials to see my son, but they refused to come. So they made my son die,” Chhun Phally said.
The baby’s mother said she believes her son should still be alive today. “If I did not allow them to inject my son, he would not die,” Am Yat said.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
First Catholic secondary school opened in Cambodia
Takeo (Agenzia Fides) – The new St. Paul Higher Learning Institute was recently inaugurated in Takeo, 70 km south of Phnom Penh, to train young people in agricultural sciences and informatics. This is the first institute of higher education opened and managed completely by the Catholic Church in Cambodia. As the local church tells Fides, the solemn inauguration ceremony was attended by senior authorities of the Cambodian Government, including the Vice-Prime Minister, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture, and the Apostolic Nuncio in Cambodia, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.
The institute was founded and built by the Catholic Church in Cambodia, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler MEP, new Coadjutor Bishop of Phnom Penh, with the specific aim to promote growth and social advancement of rural youth, who do not have the financial ability to relocate to study in the capital Phnom Penh.
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The institute was founded and built by the Catholic Church in Cambodia, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler MEP, new Coadjutor Bishop of Phnom Penh, with the specific aim to promote growth and social advancement of rural youth, who do not have the financial ability to relocate to study in the capital Phnom Penh.
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Overseas Cambodians would welcome government lawsuit against Thailand on Preah Vihear temple
17 March 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Overseas Cambodians would be very happy if the government would truly complain about Thailand to the UN regarding the 4.6-square-km area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple. Thailand claimed that this land area belongs to them. Ear Channa, Secretary-general of the Norway-based Cambodian Watchdog Council, told RFA: “If the Cambodian PM truly takes this case to complain to the UN, we all would be very happy and we will all welcome this action because this is what we want from the start. We kept on suggesting to the Cambodian government to peacefully end this case with the UN or The Hague International Court of Justice because if we insist on holding bilateral negotiations, we don’t know when it will end and it could lead to more unending bloody fights. This is what we call peaceful resolution and we end it without a drop of blood at the UN.”
Cambodia's lone man on the freestyle cycling scene
Roth Meas
Phnom Penh Post
Phnom Penh
VISIT the Olympic Stadium on any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and you will be treated to a rare sight in Cambodia: A 20-something Khmer wearing a helmet and shin guards practicing freestyle tricks on a seatless bicycle.
The cyclist, 26-year-old Keo Chhomyung, demonstrates an impressive repertoire of stylish street tricks, jumping and playing off the man-made features around the stadium, including curbs and concrete stairs. He can balance on a single wheel – front or back – for minutes at a time.
Such freestyle riding is a rarity in Cambodia. The first time Keo Chhomyung witnessed anyone doing bicycle tricks in the country was 2002, when he glimpsed a Chinese rider practicing freestyle in front of a crowd at Phnom Penh’s riverside.
Photo by: Pha Lina
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Phnom Penh Post
Phnom Penh
VISIT the Olympic Stadium on any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and you will be treated to a rare sight in Cambodia: A 20-something Khmer wearing a helmet and shin guards practicing freestyle tricks on a seatless bicycle.
The cyclist, 26-year-old Keo Chhomyung, demonstrates an impressive repertoire of stylish street tricks, jumping and playing off the man-made features around the stadium, including curbs and concrete stairs. He can balance on a single wheel – front or back – for minutes at a time.
Such freestyle riding is a rarity in Cambodia. The first time Keo Chhomyung witnessed anyone doing bicycle tricks in the country was 2002, when he glimpsed a Chinese rider practicing freestyle in front of a crowd at Phnom Penh’s riverside.
Photo by: Pha Lina
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Contest challenges students to design new houses for evictees
Jet Odrerir
Phnom Penh Post
ARCHITECTURE students went head-to-head this month in a competition that called on them to create housing designs for a site in Dangkor district that is currently home to more than 1,200 families following a large-scale forced eviction in 2006.
More than 1,000 police officers, many of whom were armed and wearing riot gear, descended on the Sambok Chap slum in central Phnom Penh in June 2006 to evict the families, who were sent to Andong village in Dangkor’s Trapang Krasang commune, located some 25 kilometres from the city centre.
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Phnom Penh Post
ARCHITECTURE students went head-to-head this month in a competition that called on them to create housing designs for a site in Dangkor district that is currently home to more than 1,200 families following a large-scale forced eviction in 2006.
More than 1,000 police officers, many of whom were armed and wearing riot gear, descended on the Sambok Chap slum in central Phnom Penh in June 2006 to evict the families, who were sent to Andong village in Dangkor’s Trapang Krasang commune, located some 25 kilometres from the city centre.
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Inmate work training begins
May Titthara
Phnom Penh Post
PRISONERS in Pursat province’s Correctional Centre 4 on Tuesday began a vocational training programme aimed at teaching them agricultural skills, prison officials said, as part of a new approach to the Kingdom’s ever-growing inmate population.
Rights groups have long voiced concern that prisoners in Cambodia are subject to abuse bordering on torture, chronic overcrowding and other hardships. Government officials say the agricultural programme at CC4 is part of a broader effort to implement needed reforms and give prisoners marketable skills that might reduce their risk of recidivism upon release.
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Phnom Penh Post
PRISONERS in Pursat province’s Correctional Centre 4 on Tuesday began a vocational training programme aimed at teaching them agricultural skills, prison officials said, as part of a new approach to the Kingdom’s ever-growing inmate population.
Rights groups have long voiced concern that prisoners in Cambodia are subject to abuse bordering on torture, chronic overcrowding and other hardships. Government officials say the agricultural programme at CC4 is part of a broader effort to implement needed reforms and give prisoners marketable skills that might reduce their risk of recidivism upon release.
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General gets 10 days’ jail for school assault
Chrann Chamroeun
Phnom Penh Post
PREAH Sihanouk provincial court on Tuesday found a naval officer guilty of assaulting two teachers and a student who frightened his daughter with a turtle at school, handing him a one-year suspended sentence and ordering him to spend 10 days behind bars.
General Keo Monysoka, deputy commander at Ream Naval Base, was found guilty of intentionally causing injury to the student and the two teachers in an attack on March 6.
He was also ordered to pay 8 million riels (about US$2,000) in compensation to each of the two teachers at the International Home of English School, and a further 10 million riels ($2,500) to the mother of the boy. Hang Sitha, the presiding judge, said the 10-day prison term included time already served since his arrest on March 11, meaning he will be free on Saturday.
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Phnom Penh Post
PREAH Sihanouk provincial court on Tuesday found a naval officer guilty of assaulting two teachers and a student who frightened his daughter with a turtle at school, handing him a one-year suspended sentence and ordering him to spend 10 days behind bars.
General Keo Monysoka, deputy commander at Ream Naval Base, was found guilty of intentionally causing injury to the student and the two teachers in an attack on March 6.
He was also ordered to pay 8 million riels (about US$2,000) in compensation to each of the two teachers at the International Home of English School, and a further 10 million riels ($2,500) to the mother of the boy. Hang Sitha, the presiding judge, said the 10-day prison term included time already served since his arrest on March 11, meaning he will be free on Saturday.
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Suicide at wat: Immolation by woman at city pagoda
Chrann Chamroeun
Phnom Penh Post
Suicide at wat
A 55-year-old woman from Pursat province died Sunday night after dousing herself in kerosene and setting herself on fire at Wat Botum, a monk at the pagoda said. “We don’t know the real reason why she burned herself, as she arrived alone yesterday at around 6:30pm with some belongings and placed them in front of the pagoda,” Chum Son said. “When I went to meet her and asked where she came from and why she came here, she didn’t say anything to me.” Preak Kha, the Chaktomuk commune police chief, said police were investigating.
Phnom Penh Post
Suicide at wat
A 55-year-old woman from Pursat province died Sunday night after dousing herself in kerosene and setting herself on fire at Wat Botum, a monk at the pagoda said. “We don’t know the real reason why she burned herself, as she arrived alone yesterday at around 6:30pm with some belongings and placed them in front of the pagoda,” Chum Son said. “When I went to meet her and asked where she came from and why she came here, she didn’t say anything to me.” Preak Kha, the Chaktomuk commune police chief, said police were investigating.
Prey Veng drownings highlight unsafe boats
Thet Sambath and Kim Yuthana
Phnom Penh Post
TWO women died when a boat sank on the Mekong River in Prey Veng province on Friday, police said, the most recent of a string of such incidents throughout the Kingdom prompting officials to issue warnings about the dangers of overloading passenger boats and other vessels.
Seang Horn, deputy police chief of Preah Sdach district, said on Sunday that the boat was carrying 15 people and a tonne of unmilled rice – for a combined weight that greatly exceeded its intended capacity.
After the boat capsized in strong winds, Seang Horn said, 13 of the passengers managed to swim to safety with the assistance of local villagers. But the onlookers were unable to prevent Ros Sameth, 35, and In Samei, 25, from drowning.
“We are very sorry that the two women drowned, and that the people’s property was damaged,” he said.
“Since the incident, we have advised people to be careful driving [boats].”
Dim Dan, Prey Veng’s provincial coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said he agreed that the boat was carrying far too much weight, pointing in particular to the rice.
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Phnom Penh Post
TWO women died when a boat sank on the Mekong River in Prey Veng province on Friday, police said, the most recent of a string of such incidents throughout the Kingdom prompting officials to issue warnings about the dangers of overloading passenger boats and other vessels.
Seang Horn, deputy police chief of Preah Sdach district, said on Sunday that the boat was carrying 15 people and a tonne of unmilled rice – for a combined weight that greatly exceeded its intended capacity.
After the boat capsized in strong winds, Seang Horn said, 13 of the passengers managed to swim to safety with the assistance of local villagers. But the onlookers were unable to prevent Ros Sameth, 35, and In Samei, 25, from drowning.
“We are very sorry that the two women drowned, and that the people’s property was damaged,” he said.
“Since the incident, we have advised people to be careful driving [boats].”
Dim Dan, Prey Veng’s provincial coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said he agreed that the boat was carrying far too much weight, pointing in particular to the rice.
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Teachers union slams excessive exam fees
Phak Seangly
Phnom Penh Post
THE Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) on Monday accused administrators at a Svay Rieng province high school of charging excessively high exam fees, after some students reported paying as much as 10,500 riels (about US$2.50) to complete their exam applications.
In a letter sent to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, CITA said the Krol Kor Hun Sen high school’s administrative board had demanded that all students sitting for exams pay the fees, adding that they should only come to about 3,000 riels for the entire process.
The letter states that the school board demanded that the students pay 4,500 riels, as well as 6,000 riels for accompanying photos, which are submitted with application forms.
Huy Mead, a 12th-grade maths teacher, also complained that students were required by the school board in some instances to spend 25,000 riels to have Grade 9 certificates endorsed at Svay Rieng provincial hall. Students need certificates endorsed by provincial authorities in order to apply for their Grade 12 certificates.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) on Monday accused administrators at a Svay Rieng province high school of charging excessively high exam fees, after some students reported paying as much as 10,500 riels (about US$2.50) to complete their exam applications.
In a letter sent to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, CITA said the Krol Kor Hun Sen high school’s administrative board had demanded that all students sitting for exams pay the fees, adding that they should only come to about 3,000 riels for the entire process.
The letter states that the school board demanded that the students pay 4,500 riels, as well as 6,000 riels for accompanying photos, which are submitted with application forms.
Huy Mead, a 12th-grade maths teacher, also complained that students were required by the school board in some instances to spend 25,000 riels to have Grade 9 certificates endorsed at Svay Rieng provincial hall. Students need certificates endorsed by provincial authorities in order to apply for their Grade 12 certificates.
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Charged naval officer released to hospital
Chrann Chamroeun
Phnom Penh Post
A NAVAL officer in Preah Sihanouk province who is facing charges stemming from an attack on two teachers and a student at the International Home of English School was released from pretrial detention on Sunday to receive medical treatment at a local hospital, prison and court officials said.
Von Nguon, the deputy chief of Preah Sihanouk provincial court, said Keo Monysoka’s family was permitted to escort him from the provincial prison in the company of a prison guard to seek treatment for high blood pressure.
“Upon the request from the court prosecutor, we allowed the family to bring him for medical care at a hospital on Sunday after seeing that he felt not well because of his blood pressure,” he said.
Keo Monysoka, deputy commander at Ream Naval Base, was arrested on Thursday and charged with causing intentional injury for allegedly attacking two teachers at the school after a 10-year-old male student there frightened his 14-year-old daughter with a turtle.
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Phnom Penh Post
A NAVAL officer in Preah Sihanouk province who is facing charges stemming from an attack on two teachers and a student at the International Home of English School was released from pretrial detention on Sunday to receive medical treatment at a local hospital, prison and court officials said.
Von Nguon, the deputy chief of Preah Sihanouk provincial court, said Keo Monysoka’s family was permitted to escort him from the provincial prison in the company of a prison guard to seek treatment for high blood pressure.
“Upon the request from the court prosecutor, we allowed the family to bring him for medical care at a hospital on Sunday after seeing that he felt not well because of his blood pressure,” he said.
Keo Monysoka, deputy commander at Ream Naval Base, was arrested on Thursday and charged with causing intentional injury for allegedly attacking two teachers at the school after a 10-year-old male student there frightened his 14-year-old daughter with a turtle.
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
Bavet casino workers claim unlawful firing
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
NEARLY 300 former staff members of the Las Vegas Sun Casino and the Win Casino in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town filed a complaint against the casino owners with provincial authorities on Thursday, saying that they were sacked without justification, a former worker said.
The complaint was sent to the Svay Rieng provincial labour department, the Ministry of Labour and the local rights group Adhoc, Phen Chan Ho said.
“There were 88 staff members of the Win Casino who the owners dismissed without reason,” he said. He added that workers were often forced to work on public holidays without pay and were never given bonuses.
“I will file our complaint with the National Assembly, the Senate and the prime minister if provincial labour officers cannot help us,” he said.
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Phnom Penh Post
NEARLY 300 former staff members of the Las Vegas Sun Casino and the Win Casino in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town filed a complaint against the casino owners with provincial authorities on Thursday, saying that they were sacked without justification, a former worker said.
The complaint was sent to the Svay Rieng provincial labour department, the Ministry of Labour and the local rights group Adhoc, Phen Chan Ho said.
“There were 88 staff members of the Win Casino who the owners dismissed without reason,” he said. He added that workers were often forced to work on public holidays without pay and were never given bonuses.
“I will file our complaint with the National Assembly, the Senate and the prime minister if provincial labour officers cannot help us,” he said.
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Killer cream identified
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
OFFICIALS have confirmed that the cream that killed a 23-year-old woman last week belonged to the Vietnam-based Bao Dam line of skin-whitening products, the director of the Banteay Meanchey health department office in Poipet town said Thursday.
Dr Le Nin also said officials had found the product being sold in one shop in Poipet, but he added that officials have not closed the shop.
Chhuon Sovann, 23, began vomiting after she started using the skin-whitening cream on March 2, and died on Sunday after she had fallen unconscious in a Thai hospital, her family members said.
The death of Chhuon Sovann came less than one week after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the Health Ministry to strictly monitor the use of beauty protects containing toxic chemicals. The director of the provincial health department said earlier this week that officials were likely to temporarily close all shops selling skin-whitening creams.
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Phnom Penh Post
OFFICIALS have confirmed that the cream that killed a 23-year-old woman last week belonged to the Vietnam-based Bao Dam line of skin-whitening products, the director of the Banteay Meanchey health department office in Poipet town said Thursday.
Dr Le Nin also said officials had found the product being sold in one shop in Poipet, but he added that officials have not closed the shop.
Chhuon Sovann, 23, began vomiting after she started using the skin-whitening cream on March 2, and died on Sunday after she had fallen unconscious in a Thai hospital, her family members said.
The death of Chhuon Sovann came less than one week after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the Health Ministry to strictly monitor the use of beauty protects containing toxic chemicals. The director of the provincial health department said earlier this week that officials were likely to temporarily close all shops selling skin-whitening creams.
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Friday, March 12, 2010
Photos capture ghosts of Kampot
ET ODRERIR
Phnom Penh Post
THE old buildings of coastal Kampot and Kep are the subject of a photo exhibition this month at Bophana Centre titled “From Kam to Kep: Pacific Lost Villas”.French photographer Catherine Griss said she was drawn to Cambodia by way of French writer and director Marguerite Duras (1914-1996), who was born in Vietnam and grew up on a farm in Kampot.Many of Duras’ books and movies were influenced by her childhood in Cambodia. As Catherine explained, “The jungle never left her, it was always there in her work.”
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Phnom Penh Post
THE old buildings of coastal Kampot and Kep are the subject of a photo exhibition this month at Bophana Centre titled “From Kam to Kep: Pacific Lost Villas”.French photographer Catherine Griss said she was drawn to Cambodia by way of French writer and director Marguerite Duras (1914-1996), who was born in Vietnam and grew up on a farm in Kampot.Many of Duras’ books and movies were influenced by her childhood in Cambodia. As Catherine explained, “The jungle never left her, it was always there in her work.”
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Relocation may be offered to victims of Tuol Kork fire
Khouth Sophakchakrya
Phnom Penh Post
FAMILIES were assessing the damage on Tuesday after a fire ripped through Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak 2 commune on Monday evening, as local officials offered to relocate the displaced to plots of land in Kandal province.Nuov Pheak, a commune official in Boeung Kak 2, said the blaze had left hundreds homeless, including 257 families, 181 students and 90 monks, with 178 homes and 31 dormitory rooms destroyed. Local authorities are still unsure of how the fire started, he added.
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Phnom Penh Post
FAMILIES were assessing the damage on Tuesday after a fire ripped through Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak 2 commune on Monday evening, as local officials offered to relocate the displaced to plots of land in Kandal province.Nuov Pheak, a commune official in Boeung Kak 2, said the blaze had left hundreds homeless, including 257 families, 181 students and 90 monks, with 178 homes and 31 dormitory rooms destroyed. Local authorities are still unsure of how the fire started, he added.
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Women in two worlds
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
In many ways, young Cambodians are caught between two worlds. There is the traditional way of life, which is so important to our past, and the modern way of life, which seems to be an inevitable part of our future. Trying to maintain our identity as “good” Cambodians while also embracing modern styles and activities is rather difficult. Three young Khmer women: Rath Bunthany, Toeun Sonic and Lun Sothea, all have to face these sort of difficult decisions on a daily basis, and they all make different choices, but they are all very much Cambodian.
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Phnom Penh Post
In many ways, young Cambodians are caught between two worlds. There is the traditional way of life, which is so important to our past, and the modern way of life, which seems to be an inevitable part of our future. Trying to maintain our identity as “good” Cambodians while also embracing modern styles and activities is rather difficult. Three young Khmer women: Rath Bunthany, Toeun Sonic and Lun Sothea, all have to face these sort of difficult decisions on a daily basis, and they all make different choices, but they are all very much Cambodian.
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CITA blasts intimidation of teachers who talk to media
Phak Seangly
Phnom Penh Post
THE Cambodian Independent Teachers Association on Tuesday called on the Ministry of Education to stop reprimanding teachers for speaking to the media, accusing officials in four provinces of impinging on teachers’ freedom of speech.
CITA said in a statement that, so far this year, officials from education departments in Prey Veng, Pursat, Kratie and Kampong Chhnang provinces had all called teachers in for questioning after they were quoted in news reports.
CITA president Rong Chhun said in an interview Tuesday that the frequency of such questioning sessions was on the rise, adding that they were blatant attempts at intimidation.
“Threats like this happen only in communist countries. If our country follows democracy, there should be no reason to call [the teachers] in like this,” he said.
“It is unusual this year compared to last year, because just in the early part of 2010 there have been four cases of calling in teachers who have complained to the media about supplies and salaries,” he added.
Kim Darany, the head of CITA in Pursat province, said she had been called in for questioning in January after giving a radio interview in which she discussed the lack of textbooks in the province.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE Cambodian Independent Teachers Association on Tuesday called on the Ministry of Education to stop reprimanding teachers for speaking to the media, accusing officials in four provinces of impinging on teachers’ freedom of speech.
CITA said in a statement that, so far this year, officials from education departments in Prey Veng, Pursat, Kratie and Kampong Chhnang provinces had all called teachers in for questioning after they were quoted in news reports.
CITA president Rong Chhun said in an interview Tuesday that the frequency of such questioning sessions was on the rise, adding that they were blatant attempts at intimidation.
“Threats like this happen only in communist countries. If our country follows democracy, there should be no reason to call [the teachers] in like this,” he said.
“It is unusual this year compared to last year, because just in the early part of 2010 there have been four cases of calling in teachers who have complained to the media about supplies and salaries,” he added.
Kim Darany, the head of CITA in Pursat province, said she had been called in for questioning in January after giving a radio interview in which she discussed the lack of textbooks in the province.
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UN faces dilemma on drug centres
Irwin Loy
Phnom Penh Post
THE United Nations Children’s Fund is continuing financial support for a controversial state-run rehabilitation centre, highlighting a split among rights groups and international organisations over how to engage with compulsory drug treatment centres accused of abuse.
Though acknowledging there are “issues” with the Youth Rehabilitation Centre in the capital’s Choam Chao district, UNICEF believes its support of the facility is also beneficial, representative Richard Bridle said in an interview.
“We are not going to advocate for its closure,” Bridle said. “What we are doing is we’ve raised the issues with the government.”
A January report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged that drug users detained in 11 government-run rehabilitation centres, including the Choam Chao facility, are subjected to forced confinement and physical abuse while receiving ineffective treatment.
UNICEF has come under criticism from rights groups as the only UN agency to directly support any of the centres financially. In 2009, UNICEF funded the Ministry of Social affairs with US$615,000, including $28,440 for the Choam Chao facility. This year, the agency is supporting case-management, monitoring and reintegration services.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE United Nations Children’s Fund is continuing financial support for a controversial state-run rehabilitation centre, highlighting a split among rights groups and international organisations over how to engage with compulsory drug treatment centres accused of abuse.
Though acknowledging there are “issues” with the Youth Rehabilitation Centre in the capital’s Choam Chao district, UNICEF believes its support of the facility is also beneficial, representative Richard Bridle said in an interview.
“We are not going to advocate for its closure,” Bridle said. “What we are doing is we’ve raised the issues with the government.”
A January report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged that drug users detained in 11 government-run rehabilitation centres, including the Choam Chao facility, are subjected to forced confinement and physical abuse while receiving ineffective treatment.
UNICEF has come under criticism from rights groups as the only UN agency to directly support any of the centres financially. In 2009, UNICEF funded the Ministry of Social affairs with US$615,000, including $28,440 for the Choam Chao facility. This year, the agency is supporting case-management, monitoring and reintegration services.
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Relocation may be offered to victims of Tuol Kork fire
Khouth Sophakchakrya
Phnom Penh Post
FAMILIES were assessing the damage on Tuesday after a fire ripped through Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak 2 commune on Monday evening, as local officials offered to relocate the displaced to plots of land in Kandal province.
Nuov Pheak, a commune official in Boeung Kak 2, said the blaze had left hundreds homeless, including 257 families, 181 students and 90 monks, with 178 homes and 31 dormitory rooms destroyed.
Local authorities are still unsure of how the fire started, he added.
“Currently, we are distributing food, tents and other materials to them for temporary living around the pagoda and the surrounding area,” Nuov Pheak said.
Gnith Khim, abbot of the commune’s Neak Von pagoda, said Tuesday that flames had spread from an area near the edge of the community into the dormitory rooms near the pagoda. He called for donations from the government and the private sector to support the dozens of residents who were gathering at his pagoda in the aftermath of the fire.
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Phnom Penh Post
FAMILIES were assessing the damage on Tuesday after a fire ripped through Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak 2 commune on Monday evening, as local officials offered to relocate the displaced to plots of land in Kandal province.
Nuov Pheak, a commune official in Boeung Kak 2, said the blaze had left hundreds homeless, including 257 families, 181 students and 90 monks, with 178 homes and 31 dormitory rooms destroyed.
Local authorities are still unsure of how the fire started, he added.
“Currently, we are distributing food, tents and other materials to them for temporary living around the pagoda and the surrounding area,” Nuov Pheak said.
Gnith Khim, abbot of the commune’s Neak Von pagoda, said Tuesday that flames had spread from an area near the edge of the community into the dormitory rooms near the pagoda. He called for donations from the government and the private sector to support the dozens of residents who were gathering at his pagoda in the aftermath of the fire.
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Salons may close after skin-whitening death
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
THE Banteay Meanchey provincial health department is likely to temporarily close beauty salons that sell skin-whitening creams following the death of a 23-year-old woman who reacted violently to a cream she had purchased in the province, a health official said Tuesday.
Chhuon Sovann, 23, began vomiting after she began using a skin-whitening cream on March 2, and she died on Sunday after falling unconscious, her family members said.
Chhuon Manet, the victim’s 20-year-old sister, said she had been taken to a private clinic in Banteay Meanchey and a hospital in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, where doctors said she had suffered a bad reaction to the cream, and that they could do nothing for her.
“The doctors told us that my sister was reacting to the cream that she used, which had absorbed into her skin,” Chhuon Manet said.
Although Chhuon Manet said she did not know where the cream had been made, Chhum Sovanrith, director of the provincial health department, said he suspected it had been imported from Vietnam.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE Banteay Meanchey provincial health department is likely to temporarily close beauty salons that sell skin-whitening creams following the death of a 23-year-old woman who reacted violently to a cream she had purchased in the province, a health official said Tuesday.
Chhuon Sovann, 23, began vomiting after she began using a skin-whitening cream on March 2, and she died on Sunday after falling unconscious, her family members said.
Chhuon Manet, the victim’s 20-year-old sister, said she had been taken to a private clinic in Banteay Meanchey and a hospital in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, where doctors said she had suffered a bad reaction to the cream, and that they could do nothing for her.
“The doctors told us that my sister was reacting to the cream that she used, which had absorbed into her skin,” Chhuon Manet said.
Although Chhuon Manet said she did not know where the cream had been made, Chhum Sovanrith, director of the provincial health department, said he suspected it had been imported from Vietnam.
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Monday, March 8, 2010
Forgotten form of theatre comes out of the shadows
Roth Meas
Phnom Penh Post
KHAM Sokneang grasps two wooden sticks attached to a cow hide that has been cut into the shape of a young man and painted in bright colours. He holds the hide against a black screen and shakes it while he rehearses his lines for his role as Preah Tinavong, a character in the traditional Cambodian tale Preah Tinavong and Neang Pov.
The rehearsal was for a performance at Chaktomuk Theatre as part of the National Drama and Arts Festival, held from February18 to March 1 to mark the lead-up to National Culture Day, which falls on March 3.
Although Kham Sokneang, 31, has practiced many classical art forms as a professional in the past 17 years, he said he had to dig deep and use all of his talents for the Preah Tinavong and Neang Pov performance, rendered in a type of Cambodian shadow theatre called sbek por (colourful skin).
“While we are speaking, we have to shake the hide to show that the hide is also talking,” Kham Sokneang says, explaining the difficulty. “When we bow down, we have to make the hide bow down, but we still keep talking.”
Photo by: Pha Lina
Actors rehearse a sbek por performace of the traditional Cambodian tale Preah Tinavong and Neang Pov.
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Phnom Penh Post
KHAM Sokneang grasps two wooden sticks attached to a cow hide that has been cut into the shape of a young man and painted in bright colours. He holds the hide against a black screen and shakes it while he rehearses his lines for his role as Preah Tinavong, a character in the traditional Cambodian tale Preah Tinavong and Neang Pov.
The rehearsal was for a performance at Chaktomuk Theatre as part of the National Drama and Arts Festival, held from February18 to March 1 to mark the lead-up to National Culture Day, which falls on March 3.
Although Kham Sokneang, 31, has practiced many classical art forms as a professional in the past 17 years, he said he had to dig deep and use all of his talents for the Preah Tinavong and Neang Pov performance, rendered in a type of Cambodian shadow theatre called sbek por (colourful skin).
“While we are speaking, we have to shake the hide to show that the hide is also talking,” Kham Sokneang says, explaining the difficulty. “When we bow down, we have to make the hide bow down, but we still keep talking.”
Photo by: Pha Lina
Actors rehearse a sbek por performace of the traditional Cambodian tale Preah Tinavong and Neang Pov.
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Ninth acid attack in 2010 shows need for tighter laws: group
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
OFFICIALS have recorded another acid attack in the capital, the ninth reported assault this year, as a committee continues to mull over a proposed law meant to counter the violent crimes.
The latest attack happened Tuesday evening in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, when assailants on a motorbike poured a beer bottle full of acid on a couple as they were on their way home from a restaurant, authorities said.
“They poured acid into a bottle of Angkor beer and then [later] doused the victims,” said Tan Narin, the governor of Toek Thla commune. “But they were not so seriously injured because the offenders used a weak form of acid.”
The governor identified the victims as Chhiv Sreyleak, 25, and her boyfriend, Hen Kosal, 24. The woman suffered injuries to her face and parts of her body, and the man sustained injuries to his back, he said.
Tan Narin said investigators suspect the attack was the result of a “love triangle”.
However, authorities reported difficulties in conducting an investigation because the victims have not cooperated, refusing to meet with police. “It is difficult to arrest the perpetrators because neither of the victims is cooperating with the police,” said Kith Sophal, the military police chief in Sen Sok district.
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Phnom Penh Post
OFFICIALS have recorded another acid attack in the capital, the ninth reported assault this year, as a committee continues to mull over a proposed law meant to counter the violent crimes.
The latest attack happened Tuesday evening in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, when assailants on a motorbike poured a beer bottle full of acid on a couple as they were on their way home from a restaurant, authorities said.
“They poured acid into a bottle of Angkor beer and then [later] doused the victims,” said Tan Narin, the governor of Toek Thla commune. “But they were not so seriously injured because the offenders used a weak form of acid.”
The governor identified the victims as Chhiv Sreyleak, 25, and her boyfriend, Hen Kosal, 24. The woman suffered injuries to her face and parts of her body, and the man sustained injuries to his back, he said.
Tan Narin said investigators suspect the attack was the result of a “love triangle”.
However, authorities reported difficulties in conducting an investigation because the victims have not cooperated, refusing to meet with police. “It is difficult to arrest the perpetrators because neither of the victims is cooperating with the police,” said Kith Sophal, the military police chief in Sen Sok district.
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Raids follow PM’s remarks last week on vice, gambling
Khouth Sophakchakrya
Phnom Penh Post
AUTHORITIES in Phnom Penh say they have arrested more than 100 people in multiple raids of businesses accused of hosting “raunchy dancing” and gambling, just days after Prime Minister Hun Sen publicly lambasted high-ranking officials for interfering in efforts to stamp out prostitution and illicit gambling.
Ya Kim Y, a military police commander in Phnom Penh, said authorities had focused in particular on massage parlours, guesthouses and nightclubs suspected of being havens of prostitution and gambling.
“For a few days, we have cooperated with police authorities to crack down on eight nightclubs, massage parlours and karaoke clubs that offered sex, drugs and gambling,” he said.
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Phnom Penh Post
AUTHORITIES in Phnom Penh say they have arrested more than 100 people in multiple raids of businesses accused of hosting “raunchy dancing” and gambling, just days after Prime Minister Hun Sen publicly lambasted high-ranking officials for interfering in efforts to stamp out prostitution and illicit gambling.
Ya Kim Y, a military police commander in Phnom Penh, said authorities had focused in particular on massage parlours, guesthouses and nightclubs suspected of being havens of prostitution and gambling.
“For a few days, we have cooperated with police authorities to crack down on eight nightclubs, massage parlours and karaoke clubs that offered sex, drugs and gambling,” he said.
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
TV5 programming wins over PM
Sam Rith
Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday praised TV5 for increasing its coverage of the military, two days after he threatened to sever the television station’s ties with the Ministry of Defence for failing to support the troops.
“I would like to compliment TV5 … after [I] criticised it.…Yesterday was wonderful, its programme was full of shows about the military,” Hun Sen said during the close of National Cultural Day at Chaktomuk Theatre on Wednesday.
Speaking to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces soldiers in Battambang province on Saturday, Hun Sen blasted TV5 for broadcasting little about the military despite displaying the RCAF logo and name.
He singled out General Neang Phat, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence and the director of TV5, for failing to advance the interests of the military. He also ordered TV5 to stop using the RCAF name and logo.
On Wednesday, though, he said he would not force the station to withdraw the logo if it continued to air more military-related programming.
Neang Phat said Wednesday he agreed with Hun Sen that the station had not broadcast enough about the military.
“It is right that Samdech [Hun Sen] criticised the station.... We accept that we did not [broadcast enough about the military] before,” he said, adding that the station had responded immediately to the criticism by sharply increasing its coverage of military-related shows.
“We will keep increasing broadcast about military,” he said.
The premier said that he has three televisions in his home, and that one would be constantly tuned to TV5 so that he could keep track of how much military-related programming the station is broadcasting.
Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday praised TV5 for increasing its coverage of the military, two days after he threatened to sever the television station’s ties with the Ministry of Defence for failing to support the troops.
“I would like to compliment TV5 … after [I] criticised it.…Yesterday was wonderful, its programme was full of shows about the military,” Hun Sen said during the close of National Cultural Day at Chaktomuk Theatre on Wednesday.
Speaking to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces soldiers in Battambang province on Saturday, Hun Sen blasted TV5 for broadcasting little about the military despite displaying the RCAF logo and name.
He singled out General Neang Phat, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence and the director of TV5, for failing to advance the interests of the military. He also ordered TV5 to stop using the RCAF name and logo.
On Wednesday, though, he said he would not force the station to withdraw the logo if it continued to air more military-related programming.
Neang Phat said Wednesday he agreed with Hun Sen that the station had not broadcast enough about the military.
“It is right that Samdech [Hun Sen] criticised the station.... We accept that we did not [broadcast enough about the military] before,” he said, adding that the station had responded immediately to the criticism by sharply increasing its coverage of military-related shows.
“We will keep increasing broadcast about military,” he said.
The premier said that he has three televisions in his home, and that one would be constantly tuned to TV5 so that he could keep track of how much military-related programming the station is broadcasting.
Thais deny responsibility for killing of Cambodian loggers
Tep Nimol and Chrann Chamroeun
Phnom Penh Post
A THAI government spokesman said there is no proof Thai soldiers have killed innocent Cambodian civilians along the disputed border area, even as a local rights group stepped up calls Wednesday for Thai authorities to end what it described as a “brutal” series of recent slayings.
Ny Chakrya, senior investigator of the rights group Adhoc, said his organisation has firsthand evidence that Thai troops have shot and killed at least 20 Cambodian civilians in the border area over the last two years.
“We have enough evidence, such as eyewitness victims who are still alive, for the Thai embassy to push their government to step up investigations of Thai troops,” Ny Chakrya said during a press conference Wednesday.
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Phnom Penh Post
A THAI government spokesman said there is no proof Thai soldiers have killed innocent Cambodian civilians along the disputed border area, even as a local rights group stepped up calls Wednesday for Thai authorities to end what it described as a “brutal” series of recent slayings.
Ny Chakrya, senior investigator of the rights group Adhoc, said his organisation has firsthand evidence that Thai troops have shot and killed at least 20 Cambodian civilians in the border area over the last two years.
“We have enough evidence, such as eyewitness victims who are still alive, for the Thai embassy to push their government to step up investigations of Thai troops,” Ny Chakrya said during a press conference Wednesday.
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Thailand prepares to return migrants
James O’toole and Sam Rith
Phnom Penh Post
THAI officials say they will begin preparations to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants, including thousands of Cambodians who have failed to register to renew their work permits.
Tuesday was the deadline for Thailand’s roughly 1.3 million registered migrants to initiate participation in a process of nationality verification, wherein they were to submit documents to their home governments in order to secure new work permits in Thailand. Bangkok has said that workers who miss the deadline will be deported in the weeks to come, though officials in Thailand gave little indication of when that process might begin.
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Phnom Penh Post
THAI officials say they will begin preparations to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants, including thousands of Cambodians who have failed to register to renew their work permits.
Tuesday was the deadline for Thailand’s roughly 1.3 million registered migrants to initiate participation in a process of nationality verification, wherein they were to submit documents to their home governments in order to secure new work permits in Thailand. Bangkok has said that workers who miss the deadline will be deported in the weeks to come, though officials in Thailand gave little indication of when that process might begin.
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Power authority won’t agree to lower prices in Kandal Stung district
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
ABOUT 30 residents of Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district met with officials from the Electricity Authority of Cambodia on Wednesday about a pricing dispute that has dragged on for more than two months, and some attendees say they left disappointed after officials refused to adhere to their demands.
Last month, Kandal Stung residents began protesting a price increase that saw rates climb from 1,100 riels per kilowatt-hour to 1,700 riels (about US$0.41) per kilowatt-hour.
Soun Ny said Wednesday’s four-hour meeting with EAC officials and representatives of the local power provider had been a waste of time.
“Meeting face-to-face today was useless, because the officials from the authority didn’t agree to reduce the price,” she said.
Long Sokunthea, who also attended the meeting, said Kandal Stung residents had reluctantly agreed to pay the elevated rate for the past two months but would not do so forever.
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Phnom Penh Post
ABOUT 30 residents of Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district met with officials from the Electricity Authority of Cambodia on Wednesday about a pricing dispute that has dragged on for more than two months, and some attendees say they left disappointed after officials refused to adhere to their demands.
Last month, Kandal Stung residents began protesting a price increase that saw rates climb from 1,100 riels per kilowatt-hour to 1,700 riels (about US$0.41) per kilowatt-hour.
Soun Ny said Wednesday’s four-hour meeting with EAC officials and representatives of the local power provider had been a waste of time.
“Meeting face-to-face today was useless, because the officials from the authority didn’t agree to reduce the price,” she said.
Long Sokunthea, who also attended the meeting, said Kandal Stung residents had reluctantly agreed to pay the elevated rate for the past two months but would not do so forever.
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Govt may raise helmet fine
Chhay Channyda and Brooke Lewis
Phnom Penh Post
THE Interior Ministry has presented a proposal for a sixfold raise in the fine handed out to motorbike drivers caught riding without helmets, officials said, part of a broader effort to increase compliance with a regulation that has so far failed to reduce traffic fatalities.
In January 2009, an amendment to the Land Traffic Law introduced a fine of 3,000 riels (about US$0.75) for helmetless motorbike drivers, a move that was hailed at the time by road safety activists.
However, Him Yan, director of the Department of Public Order at the Interior Ministry, said Tuesday that the fine needed to be raised.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE Interior Ministry has presented a proposal for a sixfold raise in the fine handed out to motorbike drivers caught riding without helmets, officials said, part of a broader effort to increase compliance with a regulation that has so far failed to reduce traffic fatalities.
In January 2009, an amendment to the Land Traffic Law introduced a fine of 3,000 riels (about US$0.75) for helmetless motorbike drivers, a move that was hailed at the time by road safety activists.
However, Him Yan, director of the Department of Public Order at the Interior Ministry, said Tuesday that the fine needed to be raised.
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Hun Sen warns of toxic makeup, urges emphasis on ‘natural’ look
Cheang Sokha and Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday ordered the Ministry of Health to strictly monitor the use of toxic chemicals in cosmetics and urged Khmer women to project their “natural beauty”.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Health Ministry’s annual conference, the premier said the number of beauty salons in the Kingdom has grown significantly, and that many women are probably using beauty products without knowing what chemicals they contain.
He also suggested that cosmetics containing harmful chemicals could cause cancer.
“They have to clearly inspect [the products] before using them in order to make sure that people who use makeup for beauty are not in danger of cancer,” Hun Sen said.
Hun Sen also ordered health officials to penalise those who “cause damage to public health” by selling dangerous products or cosmetic services.
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Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday ordered the Ministry of Health to strictly monitor the use of toxic chemicals in cosmetics and urged Khmer women to project their “natural beauty”.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Health Ministry’s annual conference, the premier said the number of beauty salons in the Kingdom has grown significantly, and that many women are probably using beauty products without knowing what chemicals they contain.
He also suggested that cosmetics containing harmful chemicals could cause cancer.
“They have to clearly inspect [the products] before using them in order to make sure that people who use makeup for beauty are not in danger of cancer,” Hun Sen said.
Hun Sen also ordered health officials to penalise those who “cause damage to public health” by selling dangerous products or cosmetic services.
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Reporter claims he was assaulted in BMeanchey
Mom Kunthear and Tep Nimol
Phnom Penh Post
THE Club of Cambodian Journalists on Tuesday issued a statement condemning the alleged assault of a reporter for the newspaper Rasmey Kampuchea in Banteay Meanchey province, and the organisation’s president said he was preparing a complaint to be filed in provincial court.
Vorng Tho, 36, said he was pursuing a story on illegal gambling on Monday evening when, as he was taking photographs of a house he believed doubled as a gambling venue, about 10 people came out and began beating him. Three people assaulted him particularly savagely, he added.
“They wanted to kill me because when they fought me, I heard [one of the three principal assailants] order her son to take a stick to fight me until I died, but I am lucky because I was helped by the people around that place,” he said.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE Club of Cambodian Journalists on Tuesday issued a statement condemning the alleged assault of a reporter for the newspaper Rasmey Kampuchea in Banteay Meanchey province, and the organisation’s president said he was preparing a complaint to be filed in provincial court.
Vorng Tho, 36, said he was pursuing a story on illegal gambling on Monday evening when, as he was taking photographs of a house he believed doubled as a gambling venue, about 10 people came out and began beating him. Three people assaulted him particularly savagely, he added.
“They wanted to kill me because when they fought me, I heard [one of the three principal assailants] order her son to take a stick to fight me until I died, but I am lucky because I was helped by the people around that place,” he said.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Cambodian film star Dy Saveth nears half a century in the biz
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
Renowned Cambodian film star Dy Saveth, 64, has been acting since 1960, getting her start at the age of 16 after winning Cambodia's first beauty pageant the year before.
Her distinguished career began by chance when a movie producer approached her.
Being one of the most recognisable faces in Cambodia, Dy Saveth fled the country for France when the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975. Prior to leaving, she and her then-husband Huoy Keng ran a movie production company.
In 1975 they separated - Huoy Keng escaped to Hong Kong - and were later divorced.
Together the pair have two children, and Dy Saveth has since adopted two more. A big family suits the actress, who was herself one of seven children.
Photo by: Sovann Philong Dy Saveth today, and a photo of the popular actress in her role in Sak Pos, or Snake Hair.
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Phnom Penh Post
Renowned Cambodian film star Dy Saveth, 64, has been acting since 1960, getting her start at the age of 16 after winning Cambodia's first beauty pageant the year before.
Her distinguished career began by chance when a movie producer approached her.
Being one of the most recognisable faces in Cambodia, Dy Saveth fled the country for France when the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975. Prior to leaving, she and her then-husband Huoy Keng ran a movie production company.
In 1975 they separated - Huoy Keng escaped to Hong Kong - and were later divorced.
Together the pair have two children, and Dy Saveth has since adopted two more. A big family suits the actress, who was herself one of seven children.
Photo by: Sovann Philong
Read More
Cambodia PM warns of cosmetic surgery dangers
March 02 2010
AFP
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday warned women to beware of dubious standards in the country's booming cosmetic surgery industry, in which doctors often practise without licences.
Despite a sluggish economy in Cambodia from the global financial crisis, health experts say the business of cosmetic surgery, including nose jobs and breast enlargements, has doubled or even tripled in recent years.
However Hun Sen said health officials needed to more stringently monitor lax standards in the industry and urged women to be careful or they might "go into a coffin" rather than obtain beauty.
"The problem is whether or not (we) understand clearly the materials or chemical substances that are used for beauty surgery," Hun Sen said, citing the recent case of a Cambodian woman who died after receiving an injection.
Many Cambodian women are aiming for the what they perceive as the more delicate looks of popular Korean and Chinese film stars.
But even as operations become popular among the emerging middle class, Cambodia remains a country where laws are loosely enforced and many people calling themselves doctors have little training.
Although cosmetic surgeons are required to register with the health ministry and have proper qualifications, officials say many operate freely and illegally without licences.
Hun Sen went on to urge Cambodian women to embrace their natural beauty.
"I would like to appeal to all women - not only single women, but also married women - that it is good to keep natural beauty," Hun Sen said.
Despite a sluggish economy in Cambodia from the global financial crisis, health experts say the business of cosmetic surgery, including nose jobs and breast enlargements, has doubled or even tripled in recent years.
However Hun Sen said health officials needed to more stringently monitor lax standards in the industry and urged women to be careful or they might "go into a coffin" rather than obtain beauty.
"The problem is whether or not (we) understand clearly the materials or chemical substances that are used for beauty surgery," Hun Sen said, citing the recent case of a Cambodian woman who died after receiving an injection.
Many Cambodian women are aiming for the what they perceive as the more delicate looks of popular Korean and Chinese film stars.
But even as operations become popular among the emerging middle class, Cambodia remains a country where laws are loosely enforced and many people calling themselves doctors have little training.
Although cosmetic surgeons are required to register with the health ministry and have proper qualifications, officials say many operate freely and illegally without licences.
Hun Sen went on to urge Cambodian women to embrace their natural beauty.
"I would like to appeal to all women - not only single women, but also married women - that it is good to keep natural beauty," Hun Sen said.
The Herstory of Somaly Mam
By Eryn-Ashlei Bailey
Conducive Chronicle
On September 8, 2008 I was fortunate to hear Somaly Mam speak at Fordham University in New York. Somaly is a survivor of rape, forced prostitution, and a forerunner in the fight against human trafficking. She was Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year in 2006. She’s been a guest on the Tyra Banks show alongside Susan Sarandon. Somaly Mam has even met with the Queen of Spain. These are but a few of the wonderful accomplishments of this genuinely sweet and lovely woman from Cambodia.
Somaly Mam has a very moving story. She pioneered her own shelter in Cambodia for young children and adolescents who have worked in brothels in Cambodia and across the world. In the brothels of Cambodia and elsewhere, there was, and still is, little choice for the young women and children who work in them. Many are there out of economic need. Some are sold by family members for a profit, others are kidnapped and sold to the brothel, and others would rather work in a brothel than to see their families hungry and sick. In her speech, Somaly reflected back to the time when she lived the brothel life. She witnessed a friend’s murder, and admitted to wanting to murder that man who left her only friend slain. For Somaly, she didn’t know what love was growing up. She didn’t know what life was.
At 12 years old, Somaly was sold to a brothel by a man that she called her grandfather. She considered escaping the brothel, but then wondered why. No one loved her outside of the brothel. Somaly pointed out that child prostitutes are victimized three-threefold. They are punished by laws that don’t give due process. They are stigmatized by society,and by their families. If girls become prostitutes, their families won’t take them back because they are seen as “bad luck”. Men are rarely prosecuted for crimes related to prostitution in Cambodia. Somaly shared that out of 4,000 cases of child prostitution that she knew of at the time of this speech, only 3 men were convicted and sentenced to the maximum 3 year sentence.
Somaly Mam also shared the following figures and facts about child prostitution in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh: 70% of the patrons at these brothels are local males. They target young girls as young as age 4 and 5. In the West, sex with children ages 4 and 5 is considered statutory rape, reprehensible, and these men would be labeled as pedophiles. Somaly Mam detailed specific reasons why these brothel frequenters target incredibly young children and explained that it is due to the belief systems of the society. For example, these men that sexually exploit children believe that sex with a virgin will cure HIV, give them white skin, and perpetuate longevity etc… After losing their virginity, many young girls will get stitches to be sold as a virgin again because virgins turn a higher profit than children who have already lost their virginity. Unsurprisingly, 30% of the patrons of these often dirty and clandestine brothels are Westerners. Somaly Mam also shared that these victims of this abuse are HIV positive and they are going to die. Although brothel owners turn immense profits from reselling the virginity of these young children and exploiting these teens and adolescents, these forced child prostitutes will still die of HIV because money for the resources and medication to treat them is in the pockets of the sick individuals who fuel this system. Their lives are short- lived and horrific. Their innocence is stolen for 5 minutes of pleasure to satisfy the unquenchable appetites of pedophiles.
Women don’t have equal rights in Cambodia. They sacrifice their lives for the family. One question posed to Somaly was, “How do we combat human trafficking?” She answered, “Work with politics and government. Law and commitment to those laws need to be in place in order to make a change. We need to react more encouraged.” She suggested that attenders visit her website at somaly.org as well visit the Red Light Children’s Organization. Somaly Mam has done incredible work with establishing programs for young woman who have sold themselves to the brothel and has worked with these young girls to reclaim their lives. It is absolutely inspirational work that she is doing with these young people. Perhaps the most important contribution that Somaly Mam has made in the fight against human trafficking is sharing her testimony and making the world aware that it is such a global problem. Human trafficking is the second most lucrative business only to arms trafficking.
Progressive steps that Somaly has taken to change the faulty thinking of brothel goers includes speaking with military officers in Cambodia about changes in sexual behavior. If there was no demand for sex with children, there wouldn’t be child brothels. Hence, she speaks to military personal about love-making with their wives, using condoms, HIV, and awareness of other STD’s. The discussion also included a need to attack transnational-child pornography. Attenders were encouraged to talk about these issues of human trafficking, transnational pornography, pedophilia and child prostitution with friends, families, colleagues to spread awareness.
The best resource for learning more about Somaly Mam’s incredible story is her autobiography: The Road of Loss Innocence. It’s one of the best books that I’ve ever read.
Somaly Mam (left)
Conducive Chronicle
On September 8, 2008 I was fortunate to hear Somaly Mam speak at Fordham University in New York. Somaly is a survivor of rape, forced prostitution, and a forerunner in the fight against human trafficking. She was Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year in 2006. She’s been a guest on the Tyra Banks show alongside Susan Sarandon. Somaly Mam has even met with the Queen of Spain. These are but a few of the wonderful accomplishments of this genuinely sweet and lovely woman from Cambodia.
Somaly Mam has a very moving story. She pioneered her own shelter in Cambodia for young children and adolescents who have worked in brothels in Cambodia and across the world. In the brothels of Cambodia and elsewhere, there was, and still is, little choice for the young women and children who work in them. Many are there out of economic need. Some are sold by family members for a profit, others are kidnapped and sold to the brothel, and others would rather work in a brothel than to see their families hungry and sick. In her speech, Somaly reflected back to the time when she lived the brothel life. She witnessed a friend’s murder, and admitted to wanting to murder that man who left her only friend slain. For Somaly, she didn’t know what love was growing up. She didn’t know what life was.
At 12 years old, Somaly was sold to a brothel by a man that she called her grandfather. She considered escaping the brothel, but then wondered why. No one loved her outside of the brothel. Somaly pointed out that child prostitutes are victimized three-threefold. They are punished by laws that don’t give due process. They are stigmatized by society,and by their families. If girls become prostitutes, their families won’t take them back because they are seen as “bad luck”. Men are rarely prosecuted for crimes related to prostitution in Cambodia. Somaly shared that out of 4,000 cases of child prostitution that she knew of at the time of this speech, only 3 men were convicted and sentenced to the maximum 3 year sentence.
Somaly Mam also shared the following figures and facts about child prostitution in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh: 70% of the patrons at these brothels are local males. They target young girls as young as age 4 and 5. In the West, sex with children ages 4 and 5 is considered statutory rape, reprehensible, and these men would be labeled as pedophiles. Somaly Mam detailed specific reasons why these brothel frequenters target incredibly young children and explained that it is due to the belief systems of the society. For example, these men that sexually exploit children believe that sex with a virgin will cure HIV, give them white skin, and perpetuate longevity etc… After losing their virginity, many young girls will get stitches to be sold as a virgin again because virgins turn a higher profit than children who have already lost their virginity. Unsurprisingly, 30% of the patrons of these often dirty and clandestine brothels are Westerners. Somaly Mam also shared that these victims of this abuse are HIV positive and they are going to die. Although brothel owners turn immense profits from reselling the virginity of these young children and exploiting these teens and adolescents, these forced child prostitutes will still die of HIV because money for the resources and medication to treat them is in the pockets of the sick individuals who fuel this system. Their lives are short- lived and horrific. Their innocence is stolen for 5 minutes of pleasure to satisfy the unquenchable appetites of pedophiles.
Women don’t have equal rights in Cambodia. They sacrifice their lives for the family. One question posed to Somaly was, “How do we combat human trafficking?” She answered, “Work with politics and government. Law and commitment to those laws need to be in place in order to make a change. We need to react more encouraged.” She suggested that attenders visit her website at somaly.org as well visit the Red Light Children’s Organization. Somaly Mam has done incredible work with establishing programs for young woman who have sold themselves to the brothel and has worked with these young girls to reclaim their lives. It is absolutely inspirational work that she is doing with these young people. Perhaps the most important contribution that Somaly Mam has made in the fight against human trafficking is sharing her testimony and making the world aware that it is such a global problem. Human trafficking is the second most lucrative business only to arms trafficking.
Progressive steps that Somaly has taken to change the faulty thinking of brothel goers includes speaking with military officers in Cambodia about changes in sexual behavior. If there was no demand for sex with children, there wouldn’t be child brothels. Hence, she speaks to military personal about love-making with their wives, using condoms, HIV, and awareness of other STD’s. The discussion also included a need to attack transnational-child pornography. Attenders were encouraged to talk about these issues of human trafficking, transnational pornography, pedophilia and child prostitution with friends, families, colleagues to spread awareness.
The best resource for learning more about Somaly Mam’s incredible story is her autobiography: The Road of Loss Innocence. It’s one of the best books that I’ve ever read.
Somaly Mam (left)
TV Show Inspires Future Cambodian Leader
USAID
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—A reality show based loosely on America’s “Apprentice” and “American Idol” is testing the leadership and debating skills of promising young Cambodians.
The USAID-funded “Youth Leadership Challenge” is giving Cambodian youth new opportunities to develop the next generation of leaders in a country where the median age is 22. With 2.1 million viewers, the show recently completed its sixth season and airs nationally on CTN, Cambodia’s most popular TV station.
Each season begins with 16 contestants. During weekly episodes, contestants are divided into two teams that compete in challenges such as organizing a petition campaign or a book drive. At the end of each episode, contestants vote off two fellow cast members. In the final episode each season, two finalists compete in a debate and the audience chooses the winner by texting in their votes.
Each season’s winner has the opportunity to visit the United States, an incentive that is highly prized by Cambodian youth and helps attract strong contestants. The private sector is capitalizing on the show’s popularity through sponsorship deals, which currently account for 23 percent of its budget, up from 7 percent during the first season.
Many former contestants have used the show to further their studies and careers. Kong Sorita, a 22-year-old international relations major, used the skills she learned on the show to win an election for student body president at Pannassasstra University, Cambodia’s most prestigious university.
During the 15-day campaign period, she formed a committee that polled students about their concerns and expectations and used the data to develop a platform. Kong won three times as many votes as her competitor.
After graduation, Kong plans to pursue a career in Cambodia’s diplomatic corps and eventually run for political office, perhaps even prime minister.
“International relations is not a very popular choice for women students in Cambodia, because they are afraid of getting involved in politics,” she said.
“Competing in the ‘Youth Leadership Challenge’ has given me the confidence and skills I need to pursue a career in this field.”
In September 2009, Sophal Yun, the winner of season four, and Chhem Pe, the winner of season five, visited New York City and Washington. Their twoweek study tour combined sightseeing in both cities with educational enrichment. In Washington, they toured the U.S. Capitol and attended a congressional hearing, enabling them to see firsthand how an open, democratic government functions.
“My parents are very proud that I earned my way through the program—and especially the trip to the U.S.,” said Chhem.
At age 19, Chhem was the competition’s youngest winner and came from a poor family in rural Cambodia. After gaining national prominence in the competition, he is making plans to attend university and study international relations and rural development.
“This program will help shape the skills that I will bring [to my career],” said Chhem.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—A reality show based loosely on America’s “Apprentice” and “American Idol” is testing the leadership and debating skills of promising young Cambodians.
The USAID-funded “Youth Leadership Challenge” is giving Cambodian youth new opportunities to develop the next generation of leaders in a country where the median age is 22. With 2.1 million viewers, the show recently completed its sixth season and airs nationally on CTN, Cambodia’s most popular TV station.
Each season begins with 16 contestants. During weekly episodes, contestants are divided into two teams that compete in challenges such as organizing a petition campaign or a book drive. At the end of each episode, contestants vote off two fellow cast members. In the final episode each season, two finalists compete in a debate and the audience chooses the winner by texting in their votes.
Each season’s winner has the opportunity to visit the United States, an incentive that is highly prized by Cambodian youth and helps attract strong contestants. The private sector is capitalizing on the show’s popularity through sponsorship deals, which currently account for 23 percent of its budget, up from 7 percent during the first season.
Many former contestants have used the show to further their studies and careers. Kong Sorita, a 22-year-old international relations major, used the skills she learned on the show to win an election for student body president at Pannassasstra University, Cambodia’s most prestigious university.
During the 15-day campaign period, she formed a committee that polled students about their concerns and expectations and used the data to develop a platform. Kong won three times as many votes as her competitor.
After graduation, Kong plans to pursue a career in Cambodia’s diplomatic corps and eventually run for political office, perhaps even prime minister.
“International relations is not a very popular choice for women students in Cambodia, because they are afraid of getting involved in politics,” she said.
“Competing in the ‘Youth Leadership Challenge’ has given me the confidence and skills I need to pursue a career in this field.”
In September 2009, Sophal Yun, the winner of season four, and Chhem Pe, the winner of season five, visited New York City and Washington. Their twoweek study tour combined sightseeing in both cities with educational enrichment. In Washington, they toured the U.S. Capitol and attended a congressional hearing, enabling them to see firsthand how an open, democratic government functions.
“My parents are very proud that I earned my way through the program—and especially the trip to the U.S.,” said Chhem.
At age 19, Chhem was the competition’s youngest winner and came from a poor family in rural Cambodia. After gaining national prominence in the competition, he is making plans to attend university and study international relations and rural development.
“This program will help shape the skills that I will bring [to my career],” said Chhem.
Apsara TV to provide salaries in mid-March
Mom Kunthear and Tep Nimol
Phnom Penh Post
EMPLOYEES at Apsara TV who have not been paid in more than two months will receive their salaries in mid-March, station management said Monday after a meeting with staff members, following threats of a strike at the broadcaster, which is owned by the French company Solaris International.
“We met with the staff to tell them that the Solaris company agreed to pay their salaries. The company has set the date of March 15 to pay the withheld salaries, and salaries for March will also be paid, but I don’t know when,” station director Sok Eysan said.
Syluom Dar, the director general of Solaris, was out of the country on Monday and could not be reached for comment. She has previously acknowledged that the company has been late in getting salaries to workers, but has also discouraged the workers from striking.
An Apsara TV staff member who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity said he found the repayment terms acceptable.
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Phnom Penh Post
EMPLOYEES at Apsara TV who have not been paid in more than two months will receive their salaries in mid-March, station management said Monday after a meeting with staff members, following threats of a strike at the broadcaster, which is owned by the French company Solaris International.
“We met with the staff to tell them that the Solaris company agreed to pay their salaries. The company has set the date of March 15 to pay the withheld salaries, and salaries for March will also be paid, but I don’t know when,” station director Sok Eysan said.
Syluom Dar, the director general of Solaris, was out of the country on Monday and could not be reached for comment. She has previously acknowledged that the company has been late in getting salaries to workers, but has also discouraged the workers from striking.
An Apsara TV staff member who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity said he found the repayment terms acceptable.
Read More
WHO sees rise in reported cholera cases
Brooke Lewis and Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
THE number of reported cholera cases has increased by 95 in the last two weeks, a World Health Organisation representative said Monday, though a Health Ministry official described all cases reported since November as “suspected”.
The 95 newly confirmed cholera cases bring the total number since the outbreak began in November to 223, said Dr Nima Asgari, public health specialist at the WHO. He added that the uptick in confirmed cases did not necessarily mean that the disease was spreading more quickly.
“It’s very difficult to say – there has been an increase in reported numbers, but there has also been an increase in testing, so it’s hard to say if there has been a rise in the number of actual cholera cases,” he said.
The Health Ministry and the WHO announced at a joint press conference on February 12 that 128 cholera cases had been confirmed since November. That announcement followed criticism from doctors at a paediatric hospital in Phnom Penh who accused the government of downplaying the threat of cholera and failing to inform the public about the disease.
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Phnom Penh Post
THE number of reported cholera cases has increased by 95 in the last two weeks, a World Health Organisation representative said Monday, though a Health Ministry official described all cases reported since November as “suspected”.
The 95 newly confirmed cholera cases bring the total number since the outbreak began in November to 223, said Dr Nima Asgari, public health specialist at the WHO. He added that the uptick in confirmed cases did not necessarily mean that the disease was spreading more quickly.
“It’s very difficult to say – there has been an increase in reported numbers, but there has also been an increase in testing, so it’s hard to say if there has been a rise in the number of actual cholera cases,” he said.
The Health Ministry and the WHO announced at a joint press conference on February 12 that 128 cholera cases had been confirmed since November. That announcement followed criticism from doctors at a paediatric hospital in Phnom Penh who accused the government of downplaying the threat of cholera and failing to inform the public about the disease.
Read More
Monday, March 1, 2010
Land Grab Protesters Clash With Police
Original report from Phnom Penh
Seven women and a teenage boy were briefly detained and three cameras taken from rights workers when protesters clashed with police in a Phnom Penh demonstration Monday morning.
Six of the women and the boy were released late Monday after they promised they would not join future demonstrations.
The remaining protester, Mao Soly, is scheduled to appear in Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday.
Phnom Penh Municipal Police sought to bar a demonstration of more than 100 upset residents in Dangkor district, who say they are victims of a government land grab and were planning to demonstrate in front of the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Dangkor Police Chief Born Sam Ath said Mao Soly had organized an illegal demonstration, which police blocked before it began.
Workers at Apsara TV to discuss late salaries with station owner
Mom Kunthear
Phnom Penh Post
MORE than 100 Apsara TV employees are set to meet with station officials today in an attempt to resolve a dispute over unpaid salaries, station director Sok Eysan said Sunday.
Last month, about 200 workers threatened to strike on February 15 to demand salary payments they said had been withheld for more than two months by Solaris International, the French company that owns the station.
The strike never occurred, but staff members said Sunday that they had still not received their salaries.
Sok Eysan said he had reached an agreement with Solaris in which the workers would receive their salaries for January and February in four separate payments, adding that the company would then revert to its one-payment-per-month system for the month of March.
“I have the terms with the company to pay the salary to the staff, and I have prepared a calendar for the company to pay the salary to the staff,” Sok Eysan said.
“We have accepted the company’s promise, and on Monday I will explain to the staff about this so that they calm down about this problem,” he added.
Read More
Phnom Penh Post
MORE than 100 Apsara TV employees are set to meet with station officials today in an attempt to resolve a dispute over unpaid salaries, station director Sok Eysan said Sunday.
Last month, about 200 workers threatened to strike on February 15 to demand salary payments they said had been withheld for more than two months by Solaris International, the French company that owns the station.
The strike never occurred, but staff members said Sunday that they had still not received their salaries.
Sok Eysan said he had reached an agreement with Solaris in which the workers would receive their salaries for January and February in four separate payments, adding that the company would then revert to its one-payment-per-month system for the month of March.
“I have the terms with the company to pay the salary to the staff, and I have prepared a calendar for the company to pay the salary to the staff,” Sok Eysan said.
“We have accepted the company’s promise, and on Monday I will explain to the staff about this so that they calm down about this problem,” he added.
Read More
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