N U MB E R 3548 ssue I wednesday, november 25, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL $91M to be spent on roads Nov Sivutha needs $91 million to rebuild rural paired and rehabilitated immedi- waste the national budget, but it will roads across the country. ately. Some roads don’t need to be re- cause more and more damage to the HE government plans to spend Darong said the three provinces paired urgently, so we have to divide infrastructure and even higher costs. at least $91 million to fix 670 with the most serious road damage the budget into stages,” Darong said. It also affects travel, trade and people’s rural roads spanning nearly were Banteay Meanchey and Pursat, He said the government also plans lives as well,” he said. data on foreign 5,400km after heavy floods which need $9.2 million for repairs, to spend about $900,000 to rehabili- Aside from the high-priority provinc- washedT out the roadways in October. and Battambang, which needs $3.6 tate 4,155 clean-water wells in eight es of Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, and permanent Ministry of Rural Development sec- million. affected provinces. Battambang, six other provinces were retary of state Chan Darong said in a “We just need the money. At the Pa Chanroeun, a social development given preference for repairs – Kampong residents set November 24 press conference that a same time, the Ministry of Economy researcher, said the relevant institu- Speu, Siem Reap, Pailin, Kandal, Kam- working group had identified flood- and Finance has decided to provide tions should repair damaged roads to pong Chhnang and Oddar Meanchey. for new ‘ims’ app damaged roads in most provinces about $15 million to solve this prob- a high standard as soon as possible so As of November 24, the government national – page 3 and the capital, but the government lem. For the rest, the state will seek Cambodians can travel safely. had restored or improved 11,155km had prioritised rural roads for recon- funding from development partners “The repair and construction of more of roads in Phnom Penh and the struction. He said the government because some roads need to be re- poorly constructed roads will not only provinces. Women most vulnerable to violence Royal Group plans 100sq km amid Covid NO COUNTRY has been spared SEZ in K kong’s the coronavirus epidemic, nor the scourge of domestic violence, national Park which has surged during lock- business – page 6 downs as the day marking such violence falls on November 25. From a spike in rapes in Nigeria and South Africa, increased num- bers of women missing in Peru, higher rates of women being killed in Brazil and Mexico and over- whelmed associations in Europe – the pandemic has aggravated the plague of sexual violence. According to UN data released in late September, lockdowns have led to increases in com- plaints or calls to report domestic donald trump abuse of 25 per cent in Argentina, agrees to biden 30 per cent in Cyprus and France Long haul and 33 per cent in Singapore. In essentially all countries, meas- transition but A member of the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) stands guard as confiscated drug are displayed in Panama City on Monday. The SENAN captured a boat with four foreign nationals and seized 1,713 packages of drugs in the Caribbean province of Colon. AFP ures to limit the spread of the coro- navirus have resulted in woman and not conceeding children being confined at home. WORLD – Page 9 “The house is the most danger- ous place for women,” Moroccan associations noted in April as they Covid-19 requirements to meet pressed authorities for “an emer- gency response”. In India, Heena – not her real Kingdom’s top leaders revealed name – a 33-year-old cook who lives in Mumbai, said she felt Niem Chheng meetings, and post-meeting contain- their means of travel to Cambodia. “trapped in my house” with a hus- ment measures for bodyguards, driv- Upon arrival in Cambodia, these del- band who did not work, con- THE Ministry of Health has released ers and journalists. egates must have their samples tested sumed drugs and was violent. Covid-19 directives for foreign and Before arriving in Cambodia, interna- for Covid-19 immediately and must As she described what she had domestic visitors who wish to have an tional visitors must first receive the avoid crowded places and ceremonies. endured, she frequently broke audience with King Sihamoni and the approved documents from the Royal Before meeting with the King and oth- down in tears. tent and garden: Queen Mother or attend meeting with Palace, the General Secretariats of the er leaders, visitors and relevant people After buying drugs, “he would senior Cambodian government officials. Senate and National Assembly, as well as must have their samples tested for Covid- spend the rest of his day either Displaced Syria In a notice released on November the Cabinet of Prime Minister Hun Sen. 19 again. If their tests proved positive, the hooked to his phone playing 24, health minister Mam Bun Heng Visitors are required to obtain a cer- meeting or audience must be cancelled. PubG [PlayerUnknown’s Battle- teen recreates explained the health requirements tificate indicating that they had tested Anyone who accompanies the delegates grounds] or beating me up and that must be met to engage with the negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of must be recorded and required to explain abusing me,” she said. lost family home Kingdom’s senior leaders. They departure from their country of origin. their itineraries in Cambodia. On August 15, her husband beat include health checks before arrival, They must also explain the Covid-19 lifestyle – page 12 when arriving for meetings, during situation in their home countries and Continued – page 2 Continued – page 9

THE PHNOM PENH POST Kingdom donates masks, National equipment to Myanmar Inside page 2 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Appeal court Gov’t donates upholds drug 2M face masks sentence for to Myanmar VN woman Kim Sarom Niem Chheng is attached herewith, to the Government and the people THE Court of Appeal upheld AMBODIA has do- of the Republic of the Union of a five-year verdict against a nated two million Myanmar,” Hun Sen wrote. Vietnamese woman for masks and other “With our collective effort, charges of trafficking 316.8 medical equipment I strongly believe that we will grams of mixed drugs in 2017 toC help prevent the spread of succeed in the fight against in Svay Rieng province. Covid-19 in Myanmar. Covid-19, and we will emerge The Court of Appeal reheard Minister of Health Mam Bun stronger together.” argument on October 26 after Heng will deliver the materials Hun Sen also congratulated the case was sent back down The Cambodian government last week also donated 2.1 million masks to neighbouring Laos. FRESH NEWS to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s Suu Kyi’s National League for by the Supreme Court. capital, on November 26, ac- Democracy party for its land- community,” he wrote. government still has in stock. er medical equipment to coun- Judge Kim Dany read the cording a letter from Prime slide victory in Myanmar’s Cambodia last week also Government spokesman tries facing Covid-19,” he said. verdict in the absence of the Minister Hun Sen to Myanmar recent general election. In his donated 2.1 million masks to Phay Siphan said donating Asked how many masks 26-year-old defendant and her Sate Counsellor Aung San Suu words, the win reflected Suu neighbouring Laos. Another masks to neighbouring coun- Cambodia needed to respond lawyer on November 24. Dany Kyi on November 24. Kyi’s able leadership in lead- two million masks were dis- tries reflected Cambodia’s spirit to unexpected emergency, said he was upholding the “In the spirit of our long- ing Myanmar to remarkable tributed to Phnom Penh resi- and compassion, highlighting Siphan said Cambodia has original five-year-sentence. standing friendship and soli- progress in national reconcil- dents after the “November the Kingdom’s commitment to a policy to replace the same The Supreme Court sent the darity and in joining hands iation and reconstruction. 3 event”, which refers to the friendship and mutual assis- amount of masks that are taken case back down after decid- with Your Excellency’s efforts “I would also like to reaf- November 3 visit by Covid-19 tance in difficult times. from the government supply to ing the room where police in prevention of Covid-19 pan- firm my commitment to work -positive Hungarian Minister “In this regard, Cambodia donate to countries in need. found the drugs did not demic, on behalf of the Royal closely with Your Excellency of Foreign Affairs and Trade showed our humanitarian cul- As of November 23, Myan- belong to her. The court con- Government of the Kingdom in our bilateral and regional Peter Szijjarto. ture, not only for neighbouring mar had reported nearly cluded the investigation was of Cambodia, I would like to frameworks to bring about The Post was unable to con- countries, but for all countries 10,000 Covid-19 cases and handled improperly. provide a donation of two mil- more tangible benefits for our tact health ministry secre- around the world. Our coun- 1,739 deaths from the virus, The defendant told the trial lion masks and other medical two countries as well as great- tary of state York Sambath to try is poor, but we still have the according to the World Health court judge her Vietnamese equipment, the detail of which er prosperity for the ASEAN confirm how many masks the ability to donate masks and oth- Organisation. husband was in Svay Rieng provincial prison for drug trafficking. With her 4-month- old daughter, she came to visit him in Cambodia. Foreigners nabbed in online gambling raids She told the judge that after she crossed the Cambodia-Viet- Long Kimmarita ber 24 the investigation was led the Ministry of Interior. nam border to Bavet town, a by the Intelligence department’s Prime Minister Hun Sen Vietnamese motorist took her to CHBAR AMPOV district police deputy director Ma Sithav, and ordered crackdown on all unli- a rented room where her hus- arrested 10 foreigners in con- coordinated by Phnom Penh censed online gambling in band used to stay. When she nection with an illegal online Municipal Court deputy pros- August 2019 and banned the arrived, she said, the driver gambling operation in Phnom ecutor Muth Dara. re-issuance of licenses to helped to move her husband’s Penh on November 23. This official said the raid on online gambling companies. belongings. The police came to Phnom Penh Municipal the online gambling sites took The ban came after the Prime check those goods and found the Police spokesman San Sok place at two different locations Minister said he observed that drugs. They then arrested her. Seiha told The Post on Novem- in Borey Peng Huoth. foreign criminals were using Police found one bag of ber 24 that after the arrests, “The raid took place in two Cambodia as a place to extort methamphetamine weighing police were continuing to different locations in the same money through a series of 82 grams, 154 grams of heroin, interrogate and search for borey. Seven people were online gambling activities. a drug scale and 300 meth pills more people involved. arrested at one house and Affiliated Network for Social weighing 80.8 grams. “We are working on it. We don’t three at another,” he said. Accountability executive direc- She was sentenced to five know when should send them to Police said they confiscated tor San Chey said on November years in prison by the Svay court. We also need time to find evidence including mobile 24 the government had not yet Rieng provincial court in 2018 and additional evidence to pros- phones, desk phones, pass- fully eliminated the activity. for trafficking drugs under ecute them,” Sok Seiha said. ports, computers, cars and “Online casinos or online Article 40 of the Law on Drug An intelligence department other related items. The evi- games are still there. The crack- Control. She filed complaints Police raided online gambling sites at two separate locations at a gated official, who asked not to be dence is being kept at the down on online gambling is not to the Court of Appeal and the community, confiscating phones, passports and computers.police named, told The Post on Novem- intelligence department of yet effective,” he said. Supreme Court. Ministry unveils health rules for top gatherings Continued from page 1 locations of Covid-19 spreading and the means of travellers. We Meeting places must have ven- test for Covid-19 fast, do quar- tilators and social distancing of antine, practice sanitation and 1.5m. When taking the staircase, social distancing measures. We visitors must wear masks. They determine or choose only safe must cover their mouth with and proper locations,” the min- arms when coughing and certain istry said in a statement. places must be disinfected. The Hen Phearak, a respiratory ministry asked that meetings be health expert, said the minis- limited to 45 minutes and organ- try’s precautionary measures isers must keep a list of partici- were aligned with the guide- pants so people infected by lines of the World Health Covid-19 can be monitored. Organisation (WHO). He urged The ministry required driv- all stakeholders to follow the ers, bodyguards and report- requirements closely. ers to be tested for Covid-19 “It depends on the people within 12 hours meeting del- involved. We laid out good and egates arriving from airports. standard measures according They must wear masks, wash to the WHO guidance. But their hands and maintain those involved must be on the social distancing in accord- alert because transmission is ance with health protocols. very easy. We have to remain “The precautionary methods vigilant,” he said. are important, scientifically and “We cannot say that we are medically. These methods are successful in containing Cov- effective in reducing the chanc- id-19 and have treated it suc- es of Covid-19 transmission. cessfully if we neglect to follow [We] research in advance the the proper measures.” THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National PP gas tank explosion kills one and injures two

Soth Koemsoeun

A GAS tank explosion killed one man and injured two others in a rented room in Sen Sok district’s Teuk Thla commune, Phnom Penh on November 23. The victim was cooking and the explosion caused a fire, according to the police. Teuk Thla commune police chief Sok Sophal said on November 24 the dead victim was identified as Prim Sokha, a 21-year-old construction contractor from Srei Santhor dis- trict, Kampong Cham. The injured are his twin brother Prim Khinh, 21, and a nephew. Both sustained leg injuries. The three had returned from work as normal. They then opened the gas tank to cook food for dinner, ac- cording to the policeman. Before they could eat, the tank exploded sending smoke billowing throughout the room. According to Sophal, Sokha and the neph- Safety first ew managed to escape the blaze. An officer directs traffic in Phnom Penh’s southern Meanchey district. According to the National Road Safety Committee, there were 2,430 road accidents resulting in 1,257 Sokha could not find his brother fatalities, 2,265 serious injuries and 1,401 minor injuries in the first nine months of this year. Compared to the same period last year, the number of road accidents decreased and searched for him in their room. by 727, fatalities by 266, serious injuries by 755 and minor injuries by 293. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM In the process, he suffered severe burns. The other brother and the nephew sustained injuries and were sent to a nearby hospital. Sophal said fire trucks responded and put out the fire. The body of the GDI moving foreigner data to app deceased was handed over to rela- tives for a funeral. Voun Dara have been acknowledged as foreign Phnom Penh municipal deputy immigrants. After a declaration of police chief Chheang Phanara said HE General Department acknowledgement, GDI will release police have been educating and ad- of Immigration (GDI) is cards for those foreigners. vising people and gas tank sellers in compiling data on the es- “A foreign immigrant that doesn’t vulnerable areas, especially in con- timated more than 90,000 have a permanent residence card struction areas. foreignT permanent residents in means that they are staying in Cam- “We held a meeting to educate and Phnom Penh and other provinces bodia illegally. Our strategic plan of advise people and gas tank sellers be- for a newly launched app. action is to pull out all the stops and cause the dry and summer season will GDI’s Department of Interna- hand out the cards to all those who arrive soon which usually means an in- tional Immigration director Dim Ra have been declared,” he said. crease in fires. We want people to know told The Post on November 24 that Vanthan said foreign immigrants how to keep and use gas tanks properly the process had been finished in 10 who have invalid cards have to to prevent fires,” Phanara said. provinces, while figures from Phnom renew. The validity of the card is The incident in question was acci- Penh and the remaining provinces two years. More than 140,000 non- dental and the result of a motorbike are currently under review and veri- immigrant foreigners are living in parked too close to the kitchen, he fication, and slated to be completed Cambodia and the Chinese make said, adding that the gasoline from before the end of this year. up the largest group, according to the motorbike sparked the fire. “We’re compiling these statistics data from the Foreigner Presence Neth Vantha, director of the Na- General Department of Immigration (GDI) director-general Kirth Chantharith. GDI to verify the number of foreign im- in Cambodia System (FPCS). tional Police’s Department of Fire migrants who are living in Phnom 23 to check the foreign immigrant manent residence cards and check Soeng Sen Karuna, a spokesman Prevention, Extinguishing and Res- Penh and various provinces. This list and launched the Immigrant validity. It needs to be able to man- for local rights group Adhoc said cue said on November 24 said his list is for foreigners who perma- Management System (IMS). He ad- age foreign immigrants seriously people in the past criticised the flow department is constantly advising nently reside and declared their vised officials to finish the list be- and effectively,” he said. of illegal immigrants into Cambodia. people about fire risk. status,” he said. fore the end of this year. GDI spokesman Keo Vanthan said “Cambodia should practice proper “We continuously educate sellers GDI director-general Kirth Chan- “The compulsory duty that GDI on November 24 that legal immi- immigration management to avoid of gas tanks, but we don’t know how tharith led a meeting on November has to do regularly is to give per- grants staying in Cambodia must criticism,” he said. much attention they pay,” he said. Four officers suspended over alleged traffic stop scuffle Orm Bunthoeurn crashed into a barricade when the road condition was diffi- preparing cases according to police attempted to stop him. cult for a car to drive fast. the law. If the authorities were FOUR police officers have been Puth Thea then drove off on “Then sometime later, they on duty and committing acts suspended for allegedly using village streets trying to escape, came back with the taxi driver of violence against people, violence while enforing traffic prompting the police to give who had a bloody mouth, but they must apologise accord- law and causing injuries to a chase and eventually leading it was not so serious,” he said, ing to the law,” he said. taxi driver in Svay Rieng prov- to an altercation. adding the legal limit for all “If it’s a violation of Cambo- ince’s Svay Chrum district. Svay Chrum district deputy vehicles in urban areas is a dian Criminal Code, that Provincial police chief Koeng police chief Sok Tren told The maximum speed of 40km/h. police officers must be arrest- Khorn declined to reveal the Post on November 24 that Puth Soeng Sen Karuna, the sen- ed according to procedure and officers’ identities. Thea suffered injuries to his ior investigator for rights administrative action must be According to a provincial mouth during the incident. group Adhoc, said traffic taken. Not only that, [an offic- police report, the incident “When the car hit the bar- police should not use violence er] could receive criminal pen- occurred on November 22 ricade, the police jumped out unless perpetrators resist alties if causing serious inju- after traffic police set up a of the way. Normally, people arrest and fight back. ries to people,” he added. speed check on a section of get angry in that situation “I think the authorities can- After the incident, the driver National Road 1. when their minds are unset- not use violent measures agreed with the punishment The speed check caught Las tled. They lost their patience against the people, because according to the law. The police Puth Thea, who drove over the and thought they could chase the arrest of perpetrators officers who used violence spoke Las Puth Thea (left) poses for a photo after a purported altercation with speed limit at 96km/h and him by motorcycles because must be done peacefully by to the driver and apologised. four police officers in Svay Rieng province. FACEBOOK 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National US gives aid to flood victims Students, monitors prep for G12 exam Khouth Sophak Chakrya Mom Kunthear inces across the country. HE US is providing Those juries include 25 direc- $600,000 in additional THE Ministry of Education, tors of training establishments, humanitarian aid to Youth and Sport is organising a 23 teachers, 25 education de- the World Food Pro- National Grade 12 exam on De- partment directors, trainers, and grammeT (WFP) to help poor cember 21-22 with more than coordinators and 22 assistants. Cambodian families affected 121,000 expected to participate Soveacha said assistants by last month’s severe floods. – an increase of 4,000 students have the role of monitoring US ambassador to Cambo- compared to last year. and observing exam centres dia Patrick Murphy on Novem- Ministry spokesman Ros across the country. Nationwide ber 24 said the rain-induced Soveacha told The Post the assistants were chosen from flooding in early October left ministry is cooperating with the ranks of trainee teachers. thousands of poor families in institutions like the Ministry “The duties of assistants are dire straits, damaging their of Interior, the Anti-corrup- to respect the laws, the paper- homes, food and crops. tion Unit, the Union of Youth work and the guidelines of the “We were moved by the Federations of Cambodia education ministry. They have significant needs of many (UYFC) and the Ministry of to respect the guidance of the vulnerable Cambodian peo- Health to maintain quality. heads of juries in the capital ple, brought on by this year’s “The interior ministry will pro- and provinces across the coun- floods,” he said. vide cooperation to maintain try and the heads of exam cen- In early October, the US order in all stages of the Grade 12 tre committees,” he said. government, through the US exam this year. The Anti-Corrup- He added they have to Agency for International De- tion Unit will also monitor the check the situations around velopment (USAID), provid- exams like in past years,” he said. the centres and the entrances ed $100,000 in aid to the WFP UYFC joined to teach and and exits of the centres when to buy food for the poorest WFP country director Clare Conan (left), at a press conference on Tuesday with US Ambassador Patrick train students and the Ministry candidates take the exam. Murphy (centre). The US has donated humanitarian aid for poor families affected by flooding.HEAN RANGSEY families in the hardest-hit of Health provided cooperation They have to stand outside areas of Pursat province. The had encouraged USAID to pro- bang and Banteay Meanchey. Management (NCDM) in- by working with health officials rooms and look inside through latest round of humanitarian vide additional aid to help flood- “The budget package is for formation system. This con- at local schools. The educa- doors and windows. Nation- assistance was also provided affected families in Cambodia. four months, with each fam- tributed to NCDM’s ability to tion ministry is providing exam wide assistants have the right through USAID. “This assistance will be criti- ily receiving $30 a month. monitor risks and impacts as monitors like in previous years. to report irregularities to police Murphy added that the cal to their recovery, especially This cash package is only the flooding occurred and to The education ministry held and heads of the centres. They WFP was fulfilling its respon- since many of them also suffer for families who are really quickly mobilise resources a workshop on November 23 have to keep a close watch but sibilities in responding to the from the effects of the pandem- poor,” she told The Post. to respond in affected areas. to go over the roles and duties have no right to bring mobile floods in Cambodia and in a ic. [The] WFP will work closely She added that the $100,000 Since 2000, USAID has of assistants so exams take phones or electronic tools and spirit of solidarity with the with the government and part- that USAID initially provided provided nearly $13 million place in line with legal prin- bags to the centres. flood-affected communities. ners in this new phase of the to the WFP was used to dis- in disaster response, pre- ciples, justice, transparency A temporary figure showed “The United States has pro- floods response,” Conan said. tribute emergency food and paredness, and risk reduc- and an acceptable result. there is a total of 121,201 can- vided more than six times the According to Conan, the ad- supplies to more than 2,560 tion assistance in Cambodia. Education minister Hang didates this year – an increase initial relief assistance to WFP ditional financial assistance families in Pursat province. Throughout 2020, the US is Chuon Naron headed the of 4,158. to support flood relief programs will be provided to about In addition, USAID as- commemorating the 70th workshop, which was attend- The number of exam cen- in some provinces,” he said. 4,000 poor families in the sistance to the WFP has anniversary of the establish- ed by 95 participants who will tres stands at 237 – an increase Claire Conan, the new WFP three provinces most affected strengthened the National ment of diplomatic relations serve as the heads of the ju- of 35. There are 4,891 exam country director for Cambodia, by the floods: Pursat,B attam- Committee for Disaster between the two countries. ries in Phnom Penh and prov- rooms, an increase of 167. THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Fish catch numbers Hospital run races to $400K Voun Dara Ang Jek Preah Ang Chorm dei- media reports about the finan- ties to pray for peace and then cial troubles of the hospital. In THE Angkor Hospital for ran to Angkor Hospital for the past, I took my relatives to fall, but prahok OK Children received more than Children in Siem Reap town. be treated at the hospital free $400,000 from a fund-raising “For the Siem Reap provin- of charge,” he said. Khouth Sophak Chakrya campaign led by a Cambodian cial authorities, I would like “The donations obtained celebrity singer and perform- to thank Sai and the working now are more than what I ex- ISHERIES officials er who has pledged to earn a group who devoted time to pected. This shows the heart of have predicted that million dollars for the cash- launching this humanitarian Khmer donors because, at first, the quantity of fish strapped Siem Reap facility. campaign. This activity, along I expected this campaign would this year will decrease The campaign, Run for Char- with government measures, bring in $250,000,” Sai said. moreF than previous years due ity with Sai, was launched in helps promote the wellbeing Conributions to the Ang- to abnormal water levels in October by Uon Pakthom, bet- of Cambodian children and kor Hospital for Children the Mekong River and Tonle ter known as “Sai”. Since then, help sustain the Angkor Hos- may be sent to the following Sap lake. Sai has garnered donations by pital for Children,” he said. accounts: ABA: Angkor Hos- Ouch Vutha – the director running on roads throughout Sai said he wanted to show pital for Children (000 853 of the Fisheries Department the country and planned to how young Cambodians sup- 843) and Wing: 9122 (riel); under the Ministry of Agricul- stay at it for 99 days. port each other and contrib- 8122 (dollar); ACLEDA: Ang- ture, Forestry and Fisheries Sinketh Arun, the director of ute to Cambodian society, es- kor Hospital for Children – told The Post on November the hospital’s Public Relations- pecially the health sector. (01000105696828); Sathapa- 24 that a prolonged drought in Cambodia Department, said the “I was inspired to create the na: Angkor Hospital for Chil- the upper part of the Mekong The quanity of fish this year will decrease due to abnormal water levels campaign will end in January. charity run after I saw local dren (07808082834100102). in the Mekong River and Tonle Sap lake. hong menea River basin caused the Me- “The hospital received a to- kong River to fall, resulting in breed between May and June Studies by specialists from tal of $405,508 by November fish failing to spawn on time. and spawn between July and Kandal province and the 23. With all the time remain- Even so, he said there would August, when the Mekong Phnom Penh Fisheries Ad- ing, Sai expected to receive $1 be no shortage of prahok, or River waters rise and flow into ministration indicated that million dollars from donors fermented fish paste. the Tonle Sap Lake. The Tonle fish had gradually moved to help the Angkor Hospital Vutha added that the season Sap Lake provides safe habi- from lakes and creeks, but for Children,” Arun said. for producing prahok could tats and feeding grounds. were of smaller size and at She added that Sai would be extended to December be- He added the drought this decreased quantities than leave Siem Reap town on No- cause the outflow of the Tonle year that made the level of the previous years. vember 27 and run to Preah Vi- Sap Lake was still obstructed. Mekong River fall was com- Phnom Penh Fisheries Ad- hear, Stung Treng, Ratanakkiri, Dul Buntha, deputy direc- pounded by the construction ministration director Ngin Mondulkiri, Kratie, Kampong tor of the Fisheries Action Co- of the hydropower dams in Dy told The Post that the Cham, Prey Veng and Kandal alition in Kampong Chhnang upriver countries, which cre- bamboo fish traps, locally – before crossing his personal province’s Cholkiri district, ated an additional obstacle to known as konlong day trei, finish line in Phnom Penh. said the drought was brought fish migration. are ineffective because of a When Sai ran into Siem Reap on by climate change. He “In the past, rain-induced reduction in fish migration province on November 23, added the clearing of flooded floods, which are favourable to from the Tonle Sap River and deputy provincial governor Pov forests for farming had ruined freshwater fish living in lakes, its tributaries. Piseth came to welcome him the habitats of fish before they creeks and the Tonle Sap’s trib- “Due to the current condi- at the Jayavarman VII Round- could breed. utaries, increased breeding. tions of the Mekong River, the about along with a crowd of Kampong Chhnang Fisher- Without those conditions, the quantity and size of natural civil servants and students. ies Administration chief Ly La quantity of freshwater fish will fish will decrease more than Piseth and other partici- Uon Pakthom, better known as Sai (centre), runs in Siem Reap town. told The Post that fish usually not increase this year,” he said. previous years,” he said. pants ran with Sai to Preah information ministry Titan Stone Life Insurance cares Underprivileged groups benefit from eight donation activities

dhering to its corporate need for such services. philosophy of “We Care The company has taken long-term ini- Your Life”,Titan Stone tiatives to share its international exper- Life Insurance that was tiseand advanced insurance products establishedA in Cambodia in March in Cambodia that can help to create a this year to reach out to the underprivi- strong awareness about the importance leged groups. of insurance and financial skills among This year, it organised eight charity the young population. events across the Kingdom to assist As a member of Cambodia insurance communities tide over the difficult industry, Titan Stone Life will always times they are facing as a result of the stand with the Cambodian people, Covid-19 and the floods. grow together, overcome difficulties, Recently, Titan Stone Life staff and the and try to create a better future. undersecretary of the Ministry of Tour- As a responsible corporate citizen of ism HE Hor Sarun, visited Kompong Cambodia, Titan Stone Life will con- Thom province to assist 750 families tinue to work hard in the insurance affected by the floods. market. Darren Teng (sixth from left), representative of the General Department of Financial Industry of the Ministry of Economy and Finance Dr Mey Vann Its charity efforts are not only limited (seventh from left) and staff attend the charity event. SUPPLIED to the ongoing pandemic, but it will continue to help those in need in the Stone Group, Titan Stone Life has in- future as well. troduced the latest insurance and finan- It will continue to channel its resources cial management products to provide people with safety and security. Besides, creating a stable financial plan, it also realised the importance to care for underprivileged groups such Since the Covid-19 outbreak and the as poor families across the country, floods, Titan Stone Life has joined six children who are out of school, and do- charity activities (such as distributing nate money and materials with love to rice, cookies and drinking water) and improve the environment to become its two cash donations. power to reverse its destiny. It covered six provinces including Kep, With roots in Cambodia, Titan Stone for charity activities, sending love and Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Bat- Life wants to help the public create a warmth to all Cambodians around the tambang, Pursat and Kampong Thom, great life by introducing financial man- Titan Stone Life staff, HE Hor Sarun, undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Kompong Thom country. t. donating more than 10,000kg of white agement concepts with its active power province governor Sok Lou and the province’s working group, and sponsors at the even The sustainable corporate philosophy rice and thousands of dollars worth and sustainable love to have stable fi- nization, Darren Teng, said that the Titan Stone Group has been work- of “We Care Your Life” makes Titan items and cash donations. nance and cash flow in the future. company has fulfilled its corporate so- ing in Cambodia for many years Stone Life not only a life insurance In addition to using the international Titan Stone Life’s general manager cial responsibilities by funding charity and the Titan Stone Life was estab- company, but also stresses on caring resources of the parent group, Titan and chairman of Love Charity Orga- projects. lished in Cambodia as there was a and sharing. a l Advertori 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,061 1.3047 6.5657 103.77 4.0905 1.3414 30.29 0.7334 1.1876 1.3376 Vietnamese Royal Group planning 100sq km firms in Laos seek support SEZ in Botum Sakor National Park from the gov’t May Kunmakara OVER 100 Vietnamese firms doing HE Royal Group of Com- business in Laos attended a confer- panies Ltd, a leading local ence in Vientiane on November 22 to conglomerate, will invest in put forward ideas to be submitted to the construction of a 100sq the two prime ministers and ease dif- kmT special economic zone (SEZ) in ficulties they are facing. Koh Kong province’s Botum Sakor Speaking at the event, Vietnamese National Park. ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung This is an apparent bid to capital- said that with socio-political stability ise on the ongoing inflow of invest- and great bilateral friendship, Laos is ment to the coastal province bor- now Vietnam’s largest source of out- dering Thailand. bound investment, adding that as a The details of the project were dis- member of the Regional Comprehensive cussed at a meeting on November 23 Economic Partnership deal, Laos will with Koh Kong deputy provincial gov- realise policy and mechanism reform to ernor Ouk Pheaktra in attendance. create more favourable conditions for In a press release, the provincial ad- foreign firms, including Vietnamese. ministration said participants at “the As many as 14 corporate represent- meeting agreed to and supported the atives praised the Lao government’s development of the SEZ in Botum support for Vietnamese enterprises in Sakor National Park to help improve the host country. people’s livelihoods, while a working They suggested that the Vietnamese group requested to minimise [nega- government offer all possible support tive] impact on the local residents in terms of capital and resources to and biodiversity at the lowest level. Vietnamese firms investing in Laos, “In addition, the team will perform such as mechanisms and policies on-site inspections in Botum Sakor Na- related to land ownership rights, export tional Park in an effort to study in detail and import of goods and labour. any specific geographical situation.” Pham Quang Phu, the director- Deputy provincial governor and general Sacombank in Laos, said Laos spokesman Sok Sothy told The Post is a developing country with insuffi- on Tuesday that the company has re- Koh Kong deputy provincial governor Sok Sothy. KOH KONG PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION cient human resources and a small ceived approval from the government market scale but stiff competition. and the Ministry of Environment for and Thma Sar communes. up the national economy, but also 170,000ha across many of the prov- Without efficient support from the the national park-based SEZ. Sothy said: “Since the government support our provincial economy.” ince’s districts. government, it is very difficult for Viet- Once it settles on a specific site, he has already approved the SEZ, the Sothy said Koh Kong has only one The value of exports from the namese enterprises to compete with said it’ll have to undergo a detailed company needs to find a location SEZ, which is located in Neang Kok Kingdom’s SEZs were to the tune of foreign rivals in the same industry, Phu environmental impact assessment that is suitable for its investment, village in Mondul Seima district’s Bak $2.688 billion last year, representing who is also vice-chairman of the Vietnam under the review of the ministry and and to ensure not to harm the wild- Khlang commune across the Koh Pao a 27 per cent increase from 2018, Business Association for Cooperation other relevant authorities. life habitats and environment. River from the provincial capital and statistics from the Ministry of Econ- and Investment in Laos (Baci), said. The provincial administration “As for the province’s position, we al- employs tens of thousands of people. omy and Finance show. That would lead to a sustainable noted that Royal Group expressed ways abide by the decisions of the gov- He voiced his optimism that Roy- At the end of last year, there were growth in import and export turnover an interest in the province’s south- ernment, and we welcome the diverse al Group would choose a suitable 465 companies operating in the King- and deepening the bilateral relations ern Botum Sakor district, poten- range of investments that come into location soon, pointing out that dom’s 54 SEZs employing more than between the two countries, he said. tially in its southernmost Ta Noun our province – not only do they prop Botum Sakor National Park spans 100,000 workers, the figures show. During the event, enterprises also called on the two state banks and govern- ments to consider encouraging the use of Lao and Vietnamese currencies to ease reliance on the US dollar and pressure PPCBank bond trades on secondary market on the shortage of foreign currencies. Barriers to doing business in Laos May Kunmakara He said: “The two key takeaways from should also be removed to carry the the bond transaction today [on Novem- Lao economy forward, contributing IN a first for the Cambodia Securities ber 24] should be worth noting. to further tightening bilateral friend- Exchange (CSX), shares of a listed “First, it marks the first event in ship, they said. bond were traded on the secondary Cambodian capital market history They also emphasised the impor- market on November 24, data from where a securities transaction serves tance of launching an investment the bourse show. as an indicator of the current eco- support fund to small and medium- As a result, South Korea-owned nomic condition [which is normally sized enterprises. Phnom Penh Commercial Bank Plc’s the case in more advanced markets]. Phan Van Son, director of ISEEVINA (PPCBank) first bond offering “[This is] while we remain cautious import-export company, petitioned the (PPCB23A) on the CSX saw its weight- about drawing a hasty conclusion leaders of the two governments to estab- ed average price per share tick up to given the fact that the transaction lish an investment support fund which 105,309 riel ($25.88) from 100,000 at size is relatively insignificant com- could be raised from the state budget, its date of issue. pared to bank lending activities and commercial aid or from strategic inves- The secondary bond market is where that it is not the only variable that tors and successful entrepreneurs. investors can buy and sell the shares determines the market rates. With a value of between $5 million and they already own, with transactions PPCBank’s first bond offering on the CSX saw its weighted average price per share tick “However, it is clearly an important $10 million, the fund could incubate proceeds going to intermediaries as up to 105,309 riel ($25.88). HENG CHIVOAN and useful measure indicating what hundreds of start-up dreams, he noted. opposed to the issuer of the bond. exchange-rate risk between the local since its investors mostly are institu- the current economic situation is According to the Association of Viet- CSX data show that the shares of Cambodian riel and the US dollar. tional investors who prefer to buy and like. Second, the transaction illus- namese Investors in Laos, Vietnam PPCBank’s foreign-exchange- (FX-) YTM refers to the total return rate of hold for fixed income, but this market trates the importance of the capital now ranks third among countries and indexed bonds were traded at a a bond if it is held until the maturity is undoubtedly huge,” he said. market as a place that enhances the territories investing in Laos with over yield-to-maturity (YTM) of 4.49 per CSX vice-president Ha Jong-weon Han Kyung-tae, CEO of Yuanta efficiency of capital flows where sell- 400 projects worth nearly $4.2 billion. cent, which is substantially lower stressed that this marked a watershed Securities (Cambodia) Plc, said the ers in need of liquidity meet buyers In the first half of this year, two-way than the initial 6.5 per cent rate on moment for the Kingdom’s corporate 200 basis-point (equivalent to 0.01 with excess investible assets.” trade reached $492 million, down 15 per the bond’s issue date. bond market. per cent) drop in yield is a meaning- PPCBank officially issued the bond cent year-on-year due to the outbreak FX-indexed bonds are those with “This is a great advancement for our ful reflection of the decline in overall on the CSX late in April to raise $10 of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the coupon and principle payments newly launched corporate bond mar- market interest rates, which he said million. And early last month, it period, Vietnamese exports to Laos saw linked to currency exchange rates. In ket. In fact, the bond market is not comes as a consequence of the Cov- raised another $10 million from the a yearly decline of 20 per cent to $277 short, the bond is protected from supposed to be as liquid as stock’s id-19 economic slowdown. market with a second bond. million. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7

JICA helping to boost expanding electricity sector in the Kingdom

Power outages used to be the Project for Improvement of a common occurrence in the Transmission Systems Opera- Kingdom due to an insufficient tions and Maintenance. supply of electricity and a lack Began in 2013, it was com- of high-voltage transmission pleted in 2015. lines. However, EDC staff still To address this, the Cam- faced other challenges such as bodian government began quickly restoring power after purchasing additional elec- outages caused by accidents or tricity from neighbouring natural disasters affecting sub- countries and constructing stations or transmission lines. more substations. The EDC also needed to fur- This eventually increased ther develop human resources the need for the high-voltage in the planning, operating and transmission lines needed to maintaining of power systems. transmit electricity over long To this end, another techni- distances. cal cooperation project was JICA’s seed production project will help farmers produce better yields. supplied To meet these growing launched in 2017 to trans- demands, development partners fer technology and provide including Japan have signifi- Cambodian engineers with cantly contributed to the con- training from Japanese experts Quality Declared Seed system struction of high-voltage trans- on operating the network and mission lines and substations the effective maintenance and enabling Cambodia to maintain management of transmission a stable power supply. and substation facilities. producing high-quality rice The Japan International To be completed in Novem- Cooperation Agency (JICA) has ber next year, this will also iTh high- The QDS system, unlike ing off-types and inspection actions, with both parties able provided development assis- see the updating of training quality rice seed an ordinary comprehensive judgement. The laboratory to share frontline business tance through various projects courses at EDC’s Institution of indispensable system of seed quality control, training demonstrated the information. such as the Greater Mekong Electrical Science. for enhancing inspects only 10 per cent of quality inspection technique, The focused supporting area Power Network Development Such projects have their Wthe quality of each variety, the seed production areas and including using light to detect in the business model is grad- Project signed in 2007 and challenges, but are ultimately Jica’s Rice Seed Production the harvested seeds to maxi- inert matter on each seed. ually shifting from production the Project for Phnom Penh worthwhile and rewarding, and Promotion Project (RSPP) mise the use of limited human To effectively promote the – which the lead ACs and their Distribution System Expansion said Masatoshi Akimoto, the strives to improve such stan- and financial resources. QDS system, the RSPP also counterparts became familiar Phase I and Phase II inked in project’s chief advisor. dards in Cambodia. The QDS system consists employs the Seed Business with – towards the business 2014 and 2015, respectively. JICA is confident that with The project – started in of documentation screening, Model, which nominates an management side they still To enhance the operating this further technical coopera- October 2017 – is being run in field inspections and quality agricultural cooperative (AC) need to improve on. and maintenance capacity of tion project, EDC’s engineers cooperation with the General checks. as lead to act as a bridge The lead ACs also need to these newly built facilities, will gain considerably in- Directorate of Agriculture Provincial Department of between seed producers and enhance their skills in analy- JICA has also been implement- creased capacity to meet the (GDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and the market. sis and keeping financial ing various technical coopera- needs of a rapidly expand- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (PDAFF) staff are In the business model, the records, as well as in stock tion projects with Electricite ing Cambodian electricity Fisheries (MAFF). in charge of all inspections lead AC acts as QDS candidate, management. du Cambodge (EDC), such as network. The overall objective of at the provincial level, while seed processor and marketer, with manuals and videos the RSPP is to produce more GDA staff supervise them while neighbouring ACs sup- on the system being completed quality rice seeds and promote nationally. ply it with rice seeds. in collaboration with the them to farmers so they can The Department of Crop The RSPP began support- other development partners, produce higher yields. Seeds at the GDA was offi- ing lead ACs in Prey Veng and the project urges the digi- The RSPP highlights the cially established to supervise Takeo provinces not only on talisation of the QDS system following three main activities and promote the QDS system. the production methods, but procedures. This is to enhance – upgrading the capacity of Responding to the or- also on business management. the operational sustainability the farmers involved, intro- ganisational setup, the project In addition to such support, of the system even under the ducing a rice seed inspection invited PDAFF staff from all the project has hosted business unexpected circumstances, and certification system, and provinces for a “train the forums in Prey Veng, Takeo, such as the current Covid-19 growing the rice seed business. trainers” course to provide and Battambang provinces to pandemic. In its third year, the project QDS inspectors with the neces- boost the rice seed business The RSPP will continue its focuses on establishing the sary skills. nationwide. endeavours to promote high Quality Declared Seed (QDS) The field training pro- At the forums, seed produc- quality rice seeds to more system as one significant vided effective methods for ers and distributors can create rice producers using the QDS pillar. removing weeds, identify- a direct linkage for seed trans- system. JICA plays a pivotal role in electricity production in the Kingdom. supplied Improving public bus operations in Phnom Penh

JICA and Phnom Penh Capital per day in 2017 to around 30,000 These measures are to ensure Administration (PPCA) have in 2019. the safety of passengers during embarked on a four-year techni- However, since the beginning the outbreak and in the post- cal cooperation to enhance the of this year, the city bus opera- pandemic period. operation and management of the tion and PiBO project have been Some of the initiatives include city bus system, which was fully significantly impacted by the the regular cleaning and disinfec- opened to the public in late 2014. Covid-19 outbreak. tion of vehicles and equipment, Called “The Project for Im- PPCA and CBA announced the social distancing on buses and provement of Public Bus Opera- temporary suspension of bus ser- training in hygiene and preven- tion in Phnom Penh” (PiBO), the vices on March 26 as part of the tion measures, as well as the pro- initiative has been in place since measures to prevent the spread vision of preventative equipment. January 2017. of the virus. As a consequence, Some of the action taken has In line with PiBO, Japan several ongoing PiBO activities, been disseminated through the provided 80 buses in 2018 to the including pilot projects, have media and via CBA’s Facebook City Bus Authority (CBA) under been suspended. page to help maintain passenger Japanese Grant Aid. Despite the suspension of trust in public transport both With the new fleet, CBA ex- services and further challenges during and after the Covid-19 panded its service network from caused by the Covid-19 crisis, pandemic. three lines in 2016 to 13 lines in JICA’s PiBO team and the CBA are In line with the operation and 2018, covering the majority of working together to develop an recovery plan, and the installation Phnom Penh. operation and recovery plan that of preventive equipment, the city’s This also helped to increase includes mitigation, preparedness, bus operations are expected to

Daily about 30,000 passengers rely on the city’s bus system. supplied ridership – from 7,000 passengers response and recovery. resume by the end of this year. advertorial 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business KE offers up assistance to SMEs Businesses

Thou Vireak bodia’s women weavers. prepare for Thaung Thida, the manag- WENTY-SEVEN ing director of Thaung Trad- start-ups and small ing Co Ltd, a salt processor Tet, stock and medium-sized based in Kampot province, enterprises (SMEs) told reporters at the event onT November 24 received that the funds would help up supplies financial assistance pack- with her company’s plans to ages from the state-run expand its production chain VIETNAMESE businesses are in- Khmer Enterprise (KE) in a for domestic supply and ex- creasing production to ensure suffi- bid to stimulate their Covid- ports. cient supply of goods for Tet (Lunar crushed businesses. She said: “I would like to New Year) early next year and steady KE is an implementation thank KE for providing us prices during the year’s biggest unit of the Entrepreneurship the financial aid package in shopping season. Development Fund (EDF) light of the many obstacles The Ho Chi Minh City Department established by the Ministry my company has faced dur- of Industry and Trade recently an- of Economy and Finance. ing Covid-19. I trust that the nounced plans for its annual market In a press release, KE noted package will help the com- stabilisation programme to ensure that it ran two iterations of its pany make some headway in adequate supply of essential goods Khmer Enterprise Assistance promoting its products.” for a month each before and after Package (KEAP) programme, State-run Khmer Enterprise allocated financial assistance packages to 27 start-ups and small and Ministry secretary of state the festival. medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on November 24. supplied over which it received 278 and EDF chairman Vongsey Demand for items such as drinks applications from across fective strategic response to “KE hopes that investors uct manufacturers and one Vissoth said KE is envisioned and confectionery is expected to the capital and 19 provinces support potential start-ups will continue to monitor and of the enterprises awarded to become the national spike by 20 per cent during Tet, covering sectors such as ag- and SMEs in resuming their invest in start-ups and SMEs a financial package by KE, platform for promoting en- while wholesale markets may need riculture, agro-processing, business operation during that can attract other investors said the funding would help trepreneurial activities and to stock 80 per cent more flowers handicrafts, services and in- and after Covid-19”. in the future,” Vanmunin said. grow KTK’s businesses. stressed its role as a signifi- than normal to meet demand. formation and communica- He said KE plays a major KE noted it has backed She said it would also pro- cant leverage to unlock the Besides increasing production, tions technology (ICT). role in linking key stake- start-ups in “key prioritised vide additional jobs among potential of Cambodia’s en- companies are also working on Following an evaluation pro- holders in the entrepreneur- sectors”, including ICT, ser- KTK’s more than 300 mem- trepreneurs into engines of launching new products and busi- cess, it said it selected 12 busi- ial ecosystem to promote vices, agro-processing and bers who have been strained economic growth and value- ness models. For instance, Ba Huan nesses in the first round (ended entrepreneurship. agriculture for export, and by a prolonged market dis- added creation. JSC will produce more varieties of March) and 15 in the second He added that the two manufacturing aimed at ruption fuelled by Covid-19. He said they will be vital in processed goods for Tet, while Vina- (ended September), culminat- rounds of the KEAP pro- curbing imports in its aspira- “I hope the budget package crafting new business mod- mit JSC is focusing on working with ing in a signing ceremony to gramme clocked in at around tion to enhance economic di- will provide the footing we els for the Kingdom and in- online distributors and launching award the accomplished en- $400,000 and that individual versification, innovation, pro- need to spend more money strumental in tackling chal- new nutritious vegetable and fruit trepreneurs on November 24. funds provided to the start- ductivity and job creation. on marketing, technology lenges concerning business drinks by the end of the year. At the event, KE CEO ups and SMEs were worth Chen Sopheap, the found- and promoting our products and value chains. According to the department, Chhieng Vanmunin said the between $5,000 and $20,000, er and managing director of to target customers,” she said, Vanmunin added that KE large retailers are set to stock goods agency “believes that the for exclusive use in business Keiy Tambanh Khmer (KTK), voicing her commitment to is slated to roll out the third two or three times as in normal Khmer Enterprise Assistance operations over a maximum an association of traditional use the funds effectively and round of assistance pack- months though most are reluctant Package programme is an ef- period of one year. Cambodian silk-based prod- do her share to prop up Cam- ages next year. to announce their exact business plans for Tet. Due to negative factors like the Covid-19 pandemic and floods in central Vietnam, demand during Qantas to require vaccine on international flights next year’s Tet might be lower than normal, many businesses feared. INTERNATIONAL air travellers will travellers that we will ask people to rently considering the introduction to offset a $1.9 billion loss caused by the They need to utilise online chan- need to be vaccinated against Covid- have a vaccination before they can of electronic vaccination passports. collapse in demand for air travel. nels and spend more on marketing 19 to fly with Australia’s Qantas, the get on the aircraft. Australia’s international borders Prime Minister Scott Morrison has and promotions, they say. airline’s CEO has said, adding the “Whether you need that domesti- have effectively been closed since said Australia is seeking to create “trav- The Ministry of Industry and Trade rule was likely to become “common” cally, we will have to see what hap- March to curb the spread of the vi- el bubbles” with other countries that has called on province and city au- across the industry. pens with Covid-19 in the market rus, which has already claimed more have curbed the spread of the virus. thorities across the country to mon- Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said late but certainly, for international visi- than one million lives worldwide. However, the country is unlikely to itor local production and business on November 23 the Australian flag tors coming out [to Australia] and The country has even limited the fully reopen to international travellers to have plans in place to deal with carrier would implement the mea- people leaving the country, we think numbers of its own citizens allowed until a vaccine is widely available. potential market anomalies and sure once a coronavirus vaccine was that is a necessity.” to return each week, leaving tens of Australia has been relatively suc- keep an eye on the market to ensure made available to the public. Joyce predicted the rule would thousands of Australians stranded cessful in containing the coronavi- a steady supply of essential goods He told Channel Nine: “We are likely become standard practice overseas. rus, recording just over 27,800 cases and those covered by price stabili- looking at changing our terms and among airlines around the world, Qantas has grounded more than 200 and 907 deaths since the pandemic sation programmes. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA conditions to say for international with governments and airlines cur- planes and fired 8,500 staff as it attempts began. AFP NEWS NETWORK GM quits Trump emissions lawsuit

GENERAL Motors (GM) on calling it “encouraging news November 23 withdrew from for our economy, our planet, a challenge backed by US and the long-term success of President Donald Trump’s US autoworkers. administration to Califor- “GM’s decision reinforces nia’s fuel economy rules that how short-sighted the Trump endorse President-elect Joe administration’s efforts to Biden’s policy for boosting erode American ingenu- the use of electric auto. ity and America’s defences In October last year, GM – against the climate threat re- along with Toyota and Fiat ally are,” he said, adding that Chrysler – announced they the manufacturer’s choice supported the challenge to would have a “positive ripple California, arguing that fuel effect” on the manufacturing economy rules should be set economy. federally. GM announced last week The Trump administration that it will boost investment had taken a confrontational GM withdrew from a challenge to California’s fuel economy rules that in electric and autonomous endorse boosting the use of electric auto. AFP posture towards California’s vehicle technology by $7 bil- rules, which adopt stricter en- Barra, who met Biden ear- spired” by Biden’s “Build Back lion through mid-decade as vironmental standards than lier this month and has had Better” plan, “which outlines it unveils more all-electric those set at the federal level. a fractious relationship with a clear intention to expand vehicles. But on November 23, the Trump, said she was “confi- vehicle electrification in the Barra has clashed with Trump US auto giant said it was “im- dent that the Biden admin- United States, create one a number of times, including mediately withdrawing” from istration, California and the million jobs, install 550,000 earlier this year, when the US the lawsuit and invited other US auto industry … can col- charging stations, and posi- president accused GM of drag- automakers to follow suit, ac- laboratively find the pathway tion American auto workers ging its feet in shifting produc- cording to a letter from GM that will deliver an all-electric and manufacturers to win the tion capacity to build ventila- CEO Mary Barra to environ- future”. race for electrification”. tors for the battle against the mental groups. Barra said she was “in- Biden welcomed the move, novel coronavirus. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Dire Covid US’ Trump agrees situations a brewing pot to Biden transition for violence resident Donald Trump our national security interests, and came his closest yet to ad- gain complete understanding of the Continued from page 1 mitting election defeat on Trump administration’s efforts to November 23 after the gov- hollow out government agencies.” Heena worse than before, in front of ernmentP agency meant to ease Joe The sudden break in Trump’s their seven-year-old son, and threw Biden’s transition into the White dogged attempt to deny Biden’s win her out of the house at 3am. House said it was finally lifting its came after Michigan became the lat- “I had nowhere to go,” she said. “I unprecedented block on assistance. est state to certify its results and more could barely move my body – he beat Trump acknowledged it was time for powerful Trump supporters came out me to a pulp, my body was swol- the General Services Administration demanding that the impasse end. len.” (GSA) to “do what needs to be done”. Instead of going to the police, she In the same tweet he insisted that Biden to shift diplomacy made it to a friend’s home and then he was still refusing to concede, say- Earlier, Biden announced a for- to her parents. ing: “Our case STRONGLY contin- eign policy and national security She is now fighting for custody of ues, we will keep up the good fight, team crammed with veterans from her son, “but courts are not working and I believe we will prevail!” the Barack Obama years, teeing in full capacity due to Covid”. But for the Republican to sign off up an end to the upheaval under She has not seen her son in four on the GSA’s decision to work with Trump and a return to traditional months, though he manages to call the Biden transition team signalled US diplomacy. her in secret from time to time. that even he sees the writing on the Top of the list was former State De- It is not just the courts that are hob- wall after three weeks of evidence- partment number two Antony Blink- bled by the virus. The closure of busi- free claims that the November 3 en, tapped for secretary of state. nesses and schools, as well as cul- election was stolen from him. Biden also named the first female tural and athletic activities, have This means that Biden’s team will head of intelligence, the first Latino chief deprived victims already weakened now have access to funds, office of Homeland Security, the first woman by economic insecurity of ways to space and the ability to meet with as treasury secretary, and a heavyweight escape violence. federal officials. pointman on climate issues – Obama- Hanaa Edwar of the Iraqi Women’s Biden’s office, which hours earlier era top diplomat John Kerry. Network, said there has been “a dan- announced a highly experienced The list put out by Biden’s team gerous deterioration in the socio- group to be nominated for top US ahead of a formal announcement on US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday named the deeply experienced Antony economic situation for families fol- foreign policy and security posts, November 24 demonstrated a push Blinken for secretary of state, also nominating the first female head of intelligence lowing the lockdown, with more said the GSA would now allow “sup- to bring back the US role of leader in and a czar for climate issues, with a promise to a return to expertise after years of families going into poverty, which Donald Trump. AFP port necessary to carry out a smooth multilateral alliances, in contrast to leads to violent reactions”. and peaceful transfer of power”. Trump’s “America first” regime. Biden, will spearhead a fast-paced Haines, as director of national intel- In Brazil, 648 murders of women Biden’s transition director Yo- “They will rally the world to take dismantling of Trump’s go-it-alone ligence, and Cuban-born Alejandro were recorded in the first half of this hannes Abraham said in a state- on our challenges like no other – policies, including rejoining the Paris Mayorkas to head the Department year, a small increase from the same ment: “In the days ahead, transition challenges that no one nation can climate agreement and the World of Homeland Security, the agency period last year, according to the Bra- officials will begin meeting with fed- face alone,” Biden tweeted. “It’s time Health Organisation and resurrecting whose policing of tough immigra- zilian Forum for Public Security. eral officials to discuss the pandemic to restore American leadership.” the Obama-crafted Iran nuclear deal. tion restrictions under Trump was a While the government has launched response, have a full accounting of Blinken, a longtime advisor to Biden named the first woman, Avril frequent source of controversy. AFP a campaign to encourage women to file complaints, the forum says that measures designed to help victims remain insufficient. ‘Mask-19’ UN-led Libya political talks resume virtually Worldwide, the UN says only one country in eight has taken measures Libyan delegates on November 23 That led to a formal ceasefire deal and the talks ended without agreement social media that the Tunisia dis- to lessen the pandemic’s impact on resumed UN-led talks on a selection in October. on appointing an interim administra- cussions had been tarnished by women and children. mechanism for an executive to help Earlier this month, 75 delegates tion to prepare for the elections. “corruption” and “bribery”. In Spain, victims could discreetly lead their country out of a decade of selected by the UN held a week of November 23’s virtual meeting Williams said the reports have been ask for help in pharmacies by using conflict, the UN said. talks in Tunisia, where they agreed focused on a “selection criteria” for referred to a UN panel of experts the code “mask-19”, and some French The meeting, a follow-up to discus- to hold nationa l elections on Decem- the future administration, and the “given that such activities if proven associations established contact sions earlier this month in neigh- ber 24 next year. UN said the delegates will continue to have occurred could constitute points in supermarkets. bouring Tunisia, was held virtually as They did not specify if the polls would talks on November 25. obstruction of the political process “The women who came to us were the UN pushes efforts for peace in the be presidential, parliamentary or both, The session followed charges on and be subject to sanctions”. AFP in situations that had become war-scarred North African nation. unbearable, dangerous,” said Sophie “You made significant steps for- Cartron, assistant director of an asso- ward and raised the Libyan people’s ciation that worked in a shopping hopes and expectations for the hold- mall near Paris. ing of national elections,” the UN’s “The lockdown established a wall interim Libya envoy Stephanie Wil- of silence,” she said. liam told the delegates. Mobilisation on November 25, the But she added: “There is much International Day for the Elimination work left to be done to alleviate the of Violence Against Women remains suffering of Libyans.” uncertain owing to restrictions linked Libya has been riven by conflict to the Covid-19 pandemic. since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising Marches for women’s rights have that toppled and killed veteran dic- nevertheless taken place recently in tator Muammar Gaddafi, with two Costa Rica, Guatemala, Liberia, rival administrations now dominat- Namibia and Romania. ing the country. “We will not be able to demonstrate A UN-recognised government is to express our anger, or march based in the capital, while a House of together,” said the Paris-based femi- Representatives (HoR) which does nist group Family Planning. not recognise the Tripoli administra- “But we will make ourselves heard tion is based in the east. all the same, virtually and visually.” Last year, HoR-allied military com- In July, the UN estimated that six mander Khalifa Haftar, backed by months of restrictions could result in Russia and the UAE, launched an 31 million additional cases of sexual offensive to seize Tripoli. violence in the world and seven mil- But after a year of bloody stale- lion unwanted pregnancies. mate on the edges of Tripoli his The situation was also undermin- forces were repelled by pro-unity ing the fight against female genital government forces boosted by Turk- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (right) shakes hands with Libya’s late leader Muammar Gaddafi at the opening session of the mutilation and forced marriages, the ish military support. Arab Summit in Damascus on March 29, 2008. AFP UN warned. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Tensions up as Bangkok braces for major rally

ensions are rising University, told AFP that the around Thailand’s movement needs to prioritise pro-democracy pro- its demands and focus its tests, with police leadership on a few promi- shootingT six people last week nent figureheads if it is to and using tear gas and wa- make progress. ter cannon on the streets of But with their taboo-smash- Bangkok. ing demands for reform of As the Thai capital braces for the monarchy, Siripan said, the next major rally on Novem- the protesters have already ber 25, AFP takes a look at the “allowed the emergence of a forces in play and what might new political culture, pushing come next in a country with a for a freedom of expression long history of political unrest. unprecedented in the history of the kingdom”. Protesters getting tough After four months of rallies, Authorities ‘playing by ear’ sometimes involving tens of The authorities have had thousands of demonstrators, a cautious response to the the mood is getting tougher, movement since it sprang up with protest leaders warning in July – announcing emer- they are not prepared to com- gency measures then with- promise. drawing them, arresting pro- Slogans and insults against test leaders then freeing them the monarchy – unthinkable again. only a short time ago – are “Since the beginning of the proliferating, while riot po- movement, the government lice showed last week they has played it by ear,” said Paul are ready to take firm action Chambers of Naresuan Uni- against the rallies. versity. The student-led movement Unlike previous Thai protest has gained a strong base on movements, the majority of the streets and social me- the demonstrators are young dia and experts say the “Red middle-class city dwellers. Shirts”, a once-vociferous The authorities may be group who led major street wary of tarnishing Thailand’s A young pro-democracy protester talks with police during a demonstration at a road intersection in Bangkok on October 15. AFP protests a decade ago, may international image with a re- join the ranks. peat of the crackdown on the royal defamation laws, which porters and declaring his strengthened his powers by paign to rally legitimacy. At The movement is calling for Red Shirts in 2010 that left 90 carry up to 15 years in prison. “love” for all Thais. taking direct control of the issue is whether this should Prime Minister Prayut Chan- people dead in the heart of But he remains a controver- royal fortune and army units. have been done much ear- o-cha – who came to power Bangkok’s tourist and shop- Royal charm offensive sial figure and does not enjoy And his frequent stays in Ger- lier, whether there is still in a coup in 2014 – to quit, for ping district. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the same level of affection many have also raised ques- sufficient time,” said Thi- constitutional changes and However, the authorities not seen much in public be- built up by his late father, King tions – some criticise him for tinan Pongsudhirak, head for reform of the monarchy. have hardened their tone in fore the protest movement, Bhumibol Adulyadej, dur- not being concerned enough of the Institute of Security Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, recent days, brandishing the has launched a charm of- ing his seven decades on the about his subjects during the and International Studies at professor of political science threat of “section 112” – the fensive, making numerous throne, which ended in 2016. coronavirus pandemic. Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn kingdom’s famously strict appearances, talking to sup- The present king has “There is evidently a cam- University. AFP ‘Myanmar ignores ICJ order’ Residents of Indonesia’s easternmost Human rights lawyers and provinces to receive antigraft training activists said on November 23 that Myanmar is continuing to In an effort to curtail corrupt ruption management in both Most recently, the commis- commit genocide against Ro- behaviour and criminal ac- provinces, as well as the man- sion is looking into alleged hingya Muslims in breach of tivity in Indonesia’s eastern- agement of regional budgets corruption in the building of orders by the UN’s top court. most provinces, the Corrup- and village funds, in the hope a church in Mimika, Papua. The International Court tion Eradication Commission that the public will play an This week’s online pro- of Justice (ICJ) in January re- (KPK) is set to provide online active role in preventing cor- gramme is a collaboration jected arguments made per- training on corruption preven- rupt practices. between the KPK and Germa- sonally by Myanmar’s civilian tion on November 24-25 using “The KPK hopes that ny-based Gesellschaft fur In- leader Aung San Suu Kyi in The its JAGA mobile application. through this series of webi- ternationale Zusammenarbeit Hague and imposed urgent The programme is open nars, exposure from various (GIZ), and involves the admin- interim measures on the pre- to all residents of Papua and sources and focus group dis- istrations of Papua and West dominantly Buddhist nation. West Papua provinces, said cussions, we can formulate Papua, as well as civil groups The ICJ ordered Myanmar Ipi Maryati Kuding, the act- an action plan to tackle prob- and community leaders. to cease the commission of ing spokesperson of the KPK’s lems in those sectors at the Speakers include officials genocidal acts, prevent the prevention division. end of the activity,” Ipi said. from the Papua and West destruction of evidence of Rohingya refugees collect bamboo poles and other relief supplies at She said the online event As one of the last frontiers of Papua inspectorate divisions; crimes against the Rohingya Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia on October 15. AFP was intended as an explo- development in the country, the local education, social and report back to the UN ev- Myanmar denies committing discrimination and impunity ration that could set up or and in spite of its abundance and health agencies; and ery six months. genocide, justifying the 2017 that give rise to the ongoing galvanise the antigraft move- of natural resources, graft still from the village and commu- “The genocide is still ongo- operations as a means of root- risk of genocide against the ment in the region through pervades the region of Papua nity empowerment agencies ing,” Tun Khin, president of ing out Rohingya insurgents. Rohingya,” said Global Justice the use of the JAGA platform. and West Papua. of Jayapura and Merauke. Burma Rohingya Organisa- M Arsalan Suleman, legal Centre legal director Grant Until now, users in big cities Most cases in the region in- They also include represen- tion UK, said in a statement on counsel working on the case Shubin. supported by good internet volve local elites, private sec- tatives from non-governmen- November 23, the deadline for against Myanmar, confirmed The Rohingya crisis has left connections and members of tor players or officials from tal organisations, such as the the second report. The group on November 23 the country the international reputation of a digitally literate community other regions, and usually Indonesian Christian Church is one of the most prominent had submitted the report in Myanmar and Suu Kyi in tat- have been the most active on revolve around the misuse of (GKI) in Papua, the Indepen- Rohingya rights organisations. time. ters. the mobile platform. authority and/or funds, ir- dent Consultancy for People’s “The Myanmar government But activists are urging the The UN General Assembly Ipi said in a statement to regularities in procurement Empowerment (KIPRa) Foun- and military are calculating that ICJ to force the Southeast last week voted overwhelm- The Jakarta Post on Novem- projects and bribery. dation and the Indigenous they can safely ignore the provi- Asian nation to make it public ingly for a draft resolution ber 23: “Through this event, In 2015, former Papua gover- Papuan Anti-Corruption sional measures and not face to allow full scrutiny. expressing “grave concern” the KPK also wants to develop nor Barnabas Suebu was sent Community (Kampak). any consequences,” he said. “For Rohingya, this lack of over serious rights violations effective collaboration in the to prison after he was found The KPK will send its re- A brutal military crackdown transparency is yet another in- against the Rohingya, a deci- development of corruption- guilty of inflating prices for a gional coordinators and of- in 2017 is thought to have killed justice,” said Tun Khin. sion Myanmar blasted as “in- prevention efforts [in Papua designing project in 2008. ficials from the directorate of thousands and forced some Rights groups have con- trusive” and “illegitimate”. and West Papua].” In August, the antigraft body public complaints to speak 750,000 Rohingya to flee to ref- demned the almost absolute The country has conceded Discussions will focus on sent to prison former public at the event. The JAGA app ugee camps in Bangladesh. exclusion of Rohingya from some soldiers might have used three public service sectors, works agency official Michael was launched in December Around 600,000 more Ro- voting in November’s election “disproportionate” force in namely education, health Kambuaga for inflating prices 2016 in an effort to encourage hingya remain in Myanmar, and their continued vilifica- the 2017 crackdown, but in- and social assistance. in a road-construction proj- transparency in the delivery of however, stripped of citizen- tion as illegal interlopers. sists they will be investigated The training provided will ect in 2015. public services and the pro- ship in what rights activists de- “Myanmar has done nothing and prosecuted by Myanmar’s touch on, among other is- There are nearly a dozen cessing of state assets. The Ja- scribe as apartheid conditions. to address the root causes of criminal justice system. AFP sues, the challenges of cor- more active cases at the KPK. karta Post/Asia News Network THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion ASEAN’s potential contributions to climate www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Simon Tay and Meixi Gan Ly Tayseng Senior Editor F NOT for the Covid-19 pandem- Joshua Purushotman ic, most countries would be at Managing Editor Post Khmer the UN Climate Change Confer- Sam Rith ence (COP26) in Glasgow this Deputy Chief of Staff Imonth. Governments had pledged to Phak Seangly negotiate rules for a global carbon Business Editor market and improve their nationally May Kunmakara determined contributions (NDCs) Deputy Business Editor under the Paris Agreement. Sangeetha Amarthalingam The meeting’s postponement to Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk November 2021 should not equate Pan Simala with inaction. More than ever, there Senior Reporters is recognition that the climate chal- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng lenge must be addressed. Otherwise, Reporters the global community risks an exis- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, tential crisis many times worse than Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, the current pandemic. Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Some countries have strengthened Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, their commitments. The EU announced Soth Koemsoeun, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha a pathfinding “Green Deal” which aims Photographers for the continent to reduce its green- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey house gas emissions by 55 per cent by Residents shelter on the roof of their flooded house in Cagayan province, the Philippines, on November 14. afp Web Editor 2030, and become climate neutral by Leang Phannara 2050. Allied to recovery from the pan- accounts for more than half of the cooperation. Firstly, both Singapore emissions savings into carbon credits. Digital Teams demic, the EU will spend nearly €550 country’s total emissions. President and Indonesia face food security Singapore, with its strong infrastruc- Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy billion ($65.14 billion) on climate initia- Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made address- issues – a challenge brought into focus ture credentials, can partner its SIEM REAP BUREAU tives over the next seven years. ing forest fires and haze a priority for by supply chain disruptions due to ASEAN neighbours to contribute Offi ce Manager Asian climate leadership is also his administration. The country put in national lockdowns earlier this year. investment, technology and capabili- Sophearith Blondeel growing, with three major economies place a moratorium on new palm oil In 2019, Singapore launched its “30 ties. Home-grown corporates such as PRODUCTION & PRINTING pledging recently to decarbonise concessions – a major driver of defor- by 30” initiative to locally produce 30 Sembcorp and financial institutions Head of Desktop Publishing their economies towards net-zero estation – and a ban on new commer- per cent of the country’s nutritional such as DBS have extensive experi- Nhim Sokphyrak goals – Japan and South Korea by cial licences on primary forest and needs by 2030. Indonesia has also ence developing, financing, and deliv- Desktop Publishing 2050, and China by 2060. peatland. However, recurrent fires and launched a plan to create food estates ering bankable projects in the region. Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath There is even some optimism from a haze crisis in September 2019 have covering about 770,000ha, or more Singapore is also investing up to Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna the US. While the country has with- shown that much remains to be done. than 10 times the size of Singapore. $49 million in new low-carbon tech- drawn from the Paris Agreement, this The same is true of almost every Peat-rich Indonesia and land-scarce nologies including hydrogen energy HEAD OFFICE coincided with the presidential elec- ASEAN country individually. While Singapore will have different agricul- and carbon capture, utilisation and tions. President-elect Joe Biden has commitments to tackle climate tural considerations. However, joint storage, and in time can share its already declared the intention to rejoin change have increased, more can and research and development activities learnings with other countries. the agreement after he is in office. will need to be done. Cooperation will benefit both countries. Singapore Thirdly, to motivate investment and Post Media Co, Ltd. But as 2020 nears its close, attention between ASEAN countries will be has much to learn from Indonesia’s win-win cooperation, carbon credits can The Elements Condominium Level 7, Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, on addressing climate change has critical to complement and scale up decades of experience in agricultural be generated across the region. A share Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom notably increased. Our region is espe- the individual efforts of countries. management. Lessons can also be of this can come from nature-based Penh, Cambodia cially exposed to threats from climate This is fledgling at present. At shared on consumer education about approaches that link to conservation Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 change, including sea level rise and COP25 in 2019, ASEAN countries and rehabilitation of special habitats. sustainably-produced food. Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 changes in weather that can impact released a broad and very limited joint A second large and urgent opportu- Indonesia, for example, aims to rehabili- Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 agriculture and food production. statement regarding sustainable forest nity lies in the clean energy sector. tate some 600,000ha of damaged man- SIEM REAP The recent severe floods hitting management, reducing energy inten- Indonesia, facing the mammoth task grove forest – critical ecosystems that No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Indo-China and the Philippines are sity, sustainable land transport and of delivering reliable energy access to help store carbon and protect against Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 but one reminder of the vulnerabili- fuel economy, as well as climate disas- more than 270 million citizens, is mov- sea-level rise – in the next three years. COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT ties. Each country in the region has ter risk mitigation. But it contained ing to make renewable energy almost a The pandemic has underscored the Chief Operating Offi cer recognised the risks and accepted the few specifics on implementation. quarter of its energy mix by 2025, up need to build resilience against future James Ong Soon Teck Paris Agreement. Each has pledged to Moving toward a region-wide climate from just 12 per cent last year. risks, especially climate resilience. There Advertising Department reduce emissions and energy con- effort can be jump-started by bilateral A similar effort is under way in Viet- is moreover a real challenge to demon- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 sumption, or increase the use of arrangements. At the recent Singapore nam, which aims to double its use of strate that climate action can indeed Hun Channet, 017 578 768 clean energy, among other goals. Dialogue on Sustainable World solar and wind energy to 20 per cent of affect positive change for the planet Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 But the path to implementation is Resources, the Singapore Institute of power supply by 2030. This will reduce while also creating new jobs and eco- Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 not easy, especially as attention and International Affairs hosted Singapore’s carbon emissions by 15 per cent, or nomic growth. A truly multilateral effort Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 resources have been diverted to man- minister for sustainability and the nearly double the reduction the coun- is needed for meaningful progress. Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 aging the pandemic. Take Indonesia environment, Grace Fu, and Indone- try pledged under the Paris Agreement For ASEAN, the first step is to come CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION for example – ASEAN’s most populous sia’s coordinating minister for mari- to achieve without foreign aid. together as a community focused on Acting Distribution Manager country and one of the largest emit- time affairs and investment, Luhut In Thailand, whose NDCs outline an climate action, take stock, and re-ener- Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 ters of greenhouse gases globally. The Pandjaitan, for a discussion on green Environmentally Sustainable Trans- gise efforts toward collective goals Circulation Supervisor country has reaffirmed its pledge to policies and regional partnerships port System Plan, mass transit devel- ahead of COP26 next year. THE JAKARTA Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 reduce emissions by 29 per cent inde- towards a low-carbon future. Both oper BTS recently issued its second POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 pendently, or 41 per cent with inter- ministers were focused, urgent, and oversubscribed green bond. The bond ADMINISTRATION national assistance, by 2030. emphasised the gains to be had from will finance sky-train lines that will Simon Tay is associate professor at the National Admin & HR Manager Indonesia has also made significant innovating, investing, and cooperating. help reduce carbon dioxide emissions University of Singapore’s Faculty of Law and Pich Socheat chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Assistants to Admin & HR Manager efforts to reduce emissions from the Three areas emerged as promising by 28,000 tonnes a year. BTS is report- Affairs (SIIA). Meixi Gan is assistant director and Nhel Soaphea forestry and land-use sector, which immediate opportunities for regional edly considering converting these leads the SIIA’s sustainability programme. Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Tent and garden: Displaced Syria teen recreates lost family home mong the olive trees in Indoors, he has hung a textile cur- northwestern Syria, displaced tain along the tarpaulin wall, and teenager Wissam Diab plucks made a small living room with a an oud outside his new home, floor-level sofa. aA tent surrounded by luscious plants. An ornate red carpet pads out his Inside, there are more tumbling in- tent underfoot. door plants and a collection of tiny “Our home was like this. We had cacti, as well as dozens of books lined a garden, we had a library, we had a up on a cloth-covered table from au- lot of flowers,” he said. thors such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky, It “was like this, but much, much Haruki Murakami and Egypt’s cele- better”. brated Naguib Mahfouz, the only Arab Syria’s war has killed more than to win the Nobel Prize for literature. 380,000 people and displaced mil- Displaced Syrian, Wissam Diab, 19, plays the oud at his new home, a tent surrounded by luscious plants. AFP Syria’s war forced the Diab fam- lions since starting in 2011. ily to flee their village of Kafr Zita in In Idlib, a major rebel bastion, years ago, the Diabs grabbed the bare central Hama province, but when around half of the three million in- necessities and Wissam managed to 19-year-old Wissam moved into a habitants live in tents or shelters, save a few of his precious books. tent in northwestern Syria he decid- many after losing their homes in His collection now contains 85 ed to recreate his childhood home. other parts of the country now back novels and other books, including “It’s been four years, and we haven’t under government control. translated works by Dostoyevsky or been able to find a house or go back Murakami, he says. home,” said the young man with green New home ‘from scratch’ “Here I had to start again from eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. In October 2016, Diab and his family scratch. I bought plants and books, and “What I’ve done with the tent is were forced to flee their home further built the library up again,” he said. me trying to settle down.” south, as regime aircraft bombarded To pass the time, he is also teach- And settle down he did in his own the surrounding area in a bloody ing himself to play the oud via tuto- tent in an olive grove in the area of campaign that killed his only brother. rials on YouTube. Atme, in Idlib province near the Turk- Scrolling through his smart Diab says many of his neighbours ish border, while his parents and two phone, Diab shows images of their were surprised to see how much en- sisters have a separate tent next door. old home in Kafr Zita, which he says ergy he had poured into transform- was blitzed in the fighting. ing his tent. It ‘was like this’ The family lived in a displacement But the young Syrian says he fears A patterned stone path leads up camp until eight months ago. it will be some time before anybody to the front door and wooden sticks But as fears mounted over the can go home. top the canvas roof. spread there of the novel coronavi- “I know we will be here for a while.” All around, plants and flowering rus, they decided to move away to So in the meanwhile, he looks af- shrubs thrive in large plastic pots, or in somewhere more secluded. ter his cacti collection and waters Diab shows his books at his tent which recreates his childhood home, in the town of neat rows in the soil of his front garden. When they ran for their lives four his creeping jasmine. AFP Atme in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province. AFP You’re gonna need a bigger museum: Jaws shark installed

Over four decades after terrorising “Bruce the Shark”, rumoured to The fibreglass predator is the only through the window. Weighing more than 540kg, it is the beachgoers in Jaws, the blockbuster have earned its nickname from direc- remaining version created for the “It’s been a long journey for Bruce largest object so far in the collection movie’s 25-foot (7.6m) shark model tor Steven Spielberg’s razor-sharp classic 1975 movie, but with Jaws since he was acquired in 2016, and of the upcoming Academy Museum has been installed at Los Angeles’ lawyer, now lurks 9m above the third measuring nearly 1.5m wide, was we couldn’t be happier to welcome of Motion Pictures – a project by the long-awaited Oscars museum, it was floor of the Academy Museum, which too large for the building’s elevators him to his new home,” said museum body organising Hollywood’s Oscars, announced on November 23. is set to open in April. – and had to be levered in by crane president Bill Kramer. first dreamt up nearly a century ago but beset with delays. Billed as “the world’s premier insti- tution dedicated to the art and sci- ence of movies”, the museum will showcase some 13 million photo- graphs, scripts, costumes and props including Judy Garland’s ruby slip- pers from Wizard of Oz and Bela Lugosi’s cape from 1931’s Dracula. The museum is due to open April 30, next year, although all indoor Los Angeles museums are currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. The futuristic museum contains a 1,000-seat theatre inside a seemingly- suspended glass, steel and concrete orb designed by Renzo Piano, con- nected by sky bridges to a converted department store housing the main galleries – and the shark. “We look forward to our opening when museum visitors can engage with our exhibitions, experience our beautiful Renzo Piano-designed building, and come face to face with one of the most iconic characters in Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is set to open in April. AFP ‘Bruce the Shark’ has been installed at Oscars museum. AFP film history,” added Kramer. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle US citizens defy Covid guidelines for Thanksgiving usy airports and governors have urged citizens serpentine queues at not to turn their dining rooms testing sites – many into hotbeds of coronavirus. in the US plan to cel- The government’s highly re- ebrateB Thanksgiving with ex- spected infectious disease ex- tended family on November pert Anthony Fauci sought to 26 despite authorities warn- lead by example by announc- ing they risk exacerbating the ing that his three adult daugh- coronavirus pandemic en- ters would not be visiting him gulfing the country. for Thanksgiving this year. Stopping short of issuing an He said he would celebrate outright ban, the US govern- the holiday alone with his ment’s health protection agen- wife, contenting himself with cy has for the first time called “a glass of wine” with his chil- on the people not to travel for dren over Zoom. the annual holiday, which sees But after almost nine families get together over tur- months of the pandemic the US government’s health protection agency has for the first time called on the people not to travel for the annual holiday, which sees families get together over turkey, yams and cranberry sauce and for many is more important than Christmas. afp key, yams and cranberry sauce guidelines are too restrictive and for many is more impor- for some in the US who are on social media of crowded air- with more than three million Amanda and Chris queued for ebrations – resulting in sig- tant than Christmas. finding ways to celebrate with ports in Chicago and Phoenix passengers passing through two hours at a testing site in nificantly smaller turkey With more than 150,000 loved ones while limiting the fuelled concerns about wheth- US airports, according to the New York on November 22. orders this year, according new cases daily in the US, number of dinner guests. er US citizens were taking the Transportation Security Ad- They are hesitant about to breeders – officials fear which has the world’s high- warnings seriously enough. ministration, which is respon- visiting their families in Flor- an explosion of cases in the est coronavirus death toll of ‘Busiest weekend’ It was the “busiest weekend” sible for security checks. ida but felt pressured by their run-up to Christmas. more than 256,000, most state This weekend past, images since the start of the pandemic The number is less than half parents. Since the start of the pan- the seven million that travelled “Our family was the one who demic in March, holidays for Thanksgiving last year but was like: ‘Please just come this have triggered outbreaks of health officials fear it is enough time,’” said Amanda, who the virus, including after July to fuel a catastrophic increase works at an auction house. 4, Labour Day in September in cases next month. “When I told my mom we and Halloween on October 31, “Our pleas for help have were going to wait in line, according to health officials. fallen on selfish deaf ears,” she was like: ‘You don’t need For Thanksgiving, the first tweeted Cleavon Gilman, an to do that.’ They seem much holiday of the winter period, emergency doctor in Arizona, less smart than we are,” she the risk is even greater be- noting that the state’s hospi- told AFP. cause thousands of students tals are “overwhelmed” with Mary Perez, 54 and from will return home and often Covid patients. Long Island, says she usually stay there until January. has 35 family members over “It’s not too late to change ‘Pivotal moment’ for Thanksgiving but this year your plans,” Meghan McGinty, New York and many other she will slightly exceed the an expert in disaster preven- US cities have witnessed long New York governor’s limit of tion at Johns Hopkins Univer- queues outside testing centres 10 people. Eleven relatives sity, pleaded on November 23. in recent days as people seek will gather at her home – five “Thanksgiving will be a piv- negative tests to visit relatives adults and six children. otal moment in the control of with a clear conscience, even She told AFP: “I don’t re- the pandemic. If we don’t lim- though health officials stress ally feel I’m breaking the law it our celebration to just our a test several days before a [as] you can’t really count the households, we will undoubt- gathering doesn’t eliminate little ones. They have to come edly see cases and hospitali- Travellers walk through Newark International Airport on Saturday. Authorities advise people stay home for the risk of transmission. along with their parents.” sations rise after Thanksgiv- the November 26 Thanksgiving holiday. afp Twenty-four-year-old friends Even with minimal cel- ing,” she said. afp Germany steams ahead with hydrogen-powered train

Germany will trial a new hydrogen-pow- A one-year trial run of the renewable- ered train, its state-owned rail company energy powered train is planned in the said on November 23, signalling a transi- Tuebingen area of southern Germany, tion away from gas-guzzling diesel engines based on a range of 600km. as it aims for a carbon-neutral future. The Siemens train will save around 330 Developed with German industrial giant tonnes of CO2 a year, Deutsche Bahn said, Siemens, Deutsche Bahn said it will build and have a top speed of 160km/h. a newly developed train and a “gas station” Siemens remains well behind its peren- for 2024 that will for the first time fuel nial French rival Alstom when it comes to hydrogen trains in just 15 minutes – as fast hydrogen trains. as conventional diesel engines. Alstom rolled out the world’s first hydrogen- “The fact that we . . . will refuel the train powered train in the northern German state as quickly as a diesel train shows that the of Lower Saxony in 2018, running a 100km climate-friendly transport transition is route previously served by diesel trains. possible,” said Sabina Jeschke, a member The TGV-maker has since received 41 of Deutsche Bahn’s board. orders from Germany for its Coradia iLint The national rail company intends to train, which also began service in Austria reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050, in September. meaning 1,300 diesel units will have to be Hydrogen engines work through a reac- replaced. tion of hydrogen and oxygen to create elec- “We have to bring fossil fuel consumption tricity, leaving only steam and water as to zero . . . Then we will not run a single vehicle by-products. with conventional diesel,” Jeschke added. As part of the country’s coronavirus Around 39 per cent of the German net- stimulus package, Berlin announced a €9 work has no overhead power lines, where billion ($11 billion) fund to develop the trains require their own onboard fuel – role of green hydrogen and with the aim of such as diesel – to run. ending use of coal by 2038. afp A hydrogen-powered train, by French train maker Alstom, drives near Bremervoerde, Germany. afp 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Pulsing techno music beckon from a vast underground cavern in Paris some 20m high, festooned with lights and neon that frame the psychedelic images being projected on the walls. AFP An underground Paris party defies lockdown

n a darkened resi- floor complete with a DJ stage haven’t left my apartment in dential street in and a bar. a month – this party is neces- Paris, a gate left “We decided to mount a sary for my mental health.” partly open signals resistance and issue this call The sentiment is apparently “HEY, BIG BOY!” theO entrance to an abandoned to hide together and party widespread, since French po- train tunnel – and an ille- because there’s no longer any lice have had to crack down ACROSS 45 Making its way there 19 Worker’s perk gal rave party for 300 people place for young people to be on dozens of illegal parties 1 Prefix with “physical” 46 Travel allowance 24 Bingo relative looking for an escape from together,” says the 27-year- since the partial lockdown 5 Word in upscale restaurant 50 Pass, as time 25 Orderly display France’s Covid-19 lockdown. old organiser, who declined to was announced last month to names 53 One not yet a marquis 27 As such “Close the door,” whispers a give his real name but asked combat a new surge in coro- 9 They have sticking points 54 Turn down 28 Slot-machine features doorman hidden in the shad- to be called “Alexandre”. navirus cases. 14 Type of man or horse 55 One with a bipolar disorder 29 Without delay ows, ushering towards tracks “We know how to do this On November 22, police 15 Salerno money no more 58 Outright 30 ___ Christian Andersen lit only by revellers’ phones. now – In less than two hours shut down a party at a private 16 Second-largest Great Lake 59 Sinister look 31 White-crested duck 60 One opening a manual The €15 ($18) tickets for the we can set up anywhere and home in Joinville-Le-Pont, 17 Newspaper bigwigs 32 Per person 61 Run-down in appearance 33 Pale November 21 soiree, baptised have a very private party like just west of Paris, and issued 20 When you might get there, for 62 Pigsty 34 Meager “I Want to Break Free”, were this,” he said. fines to around 15 people short 21 Start again from scratch 63 Confined (with “up”) 35 Grammarian’s concern sold to members of a private If caught, Alexandre could for flouting the lockdown, a 22 Wading bird with an upcurved bill DOWN 37 Controlled with straps Facebook group, and snapped be fined up to €15,000 on source close to the inquiry 23 Spray alternatives 1 Silent performer 38 Figures in Scandinavian folklore up within hours. charges of reckless endanger- told AFP. 25 Favorable votes 2 Sister of Urania 43 Perceive But the address in the 13th ment. It came just a week after a 26 Escape clause 3 Melodic 44 Vitae reviewers Arrondissement was kept huge gathering of nearly 400 27 Debate sides 4 The Santa ___ winds 45 Gathered intelligence secret until the last minute, ‘Mental health’ people was held at the same 28 Sound of satisfaction 5 Consumer of professional 46 Some equines and the rules were strict – ar- Seated on tracks that vibrated address, leading to charges 31 Capitol Hill prizes services 47 Star-shaped spice rive alone or in groups of two from the blaring speakers, Ivan, against the house’s owner and 34 Feudal farmer 6 Some does 48 Established fact or three maximum, between 23, and his girlfriend watched a security guard at the event. 35 ___ Major (Great Bear) 7 “Cogito, ___ sum” 49 Wield, as influence 50 Birds with inflatable neck sacs 8:00 and 9:00pm. as people poured in, the ma- But no officers showed up 36 Amazing carpenter 8 Part of a jazz duo? 39 Chamber effect 9 Baked-potato topping 51 Not when expected Pulsing techno music beck- jority without face masks. to shut down the Paris party, 40 Type of chair 10 You can fill a lot with them 52 Cost of staying in oned from a vast underground He said: “I just got my first a police source told AFP on 41 Speaks hoarsely 11 Colorful outdoor shoe 53 Sword type cavern some 20m high, fes- job, a permanent contract, November 22. 42 Motive, essentially 12 Ripped 56 Deciduous tree tooned with lights and neon and I’ve been working a lot The source said: “Generally 43 Wine’s partner? 13 Pt. of MIT 57 Have a late bite that framed the psychedelic so I really needed to blow off we take action against secret 44 Non-sharer 18 Fuss and fret images being projected on some steam. parties when neighbours the walls. “The lockdown has knocked complain, about the noise es- Tuesday’s solution Dancers swarmed the dusty my life out of balance, I pecially.” AFP

Tuesday’s solution

A gate left partly open signals the entrance to an abandoned train tunnel – and an illegal rave party for 300 people looking for an escape from France’s Covid-19 lockdown. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Smith warned India he’s Eriksen’s Inter Milan dream back as the top batsman Australia’s Steve Smith unfazed at the prospect of warned India on Tuesday that India’s bowling attack pepper- turns sour as Dane set to part his game had finally “clicked” ing him with bouncers. and he was ready to justify his “It’s a kind of flattery in a way, hristian Eriksen’s ranking as the world’s top Test if that’s the only way people dream move to In- batsman. believe they can get me out ter Milan looks over Smith admitted he was because they’ve exhausted so with the former Tot- unhappy with his recent dis- many options,” he said. Ctenham Hotspur playmaker plays for Rajasthan Royals in “It gives me a lot of confi- requesting to leave the Italian the Indian Premier League, dence.” giants after just 10 months. saying “I never really got into a He said his problems in the The Danish international good rhythm”. IPL stemmed from a failure to arrived on a four-and-a-half- But he believed something play his natural game. year contract worth 20 million changed this week as he pre- “I got caught up a little bit with euros ($23 million) plus 7.5 pared for the upcoming series trying to be too powerful, that’s million euros in bonuses in against India, which starts with not quite my game,” he said. January. a one-day international in Syd- “There are players around But during a year overshad- ney on Friday. the world who can hit sixes at owed by the coronavirus pan- “Over the last few days I’ve will – and I am not one of those demic, the 28-year-old has sort of found my hands, which – for me it’s about playing been unable to reproduce his I’m extremely excited about,” proper cricket shots, hitting the form with Spurs, where he he told reporters on a confer- gaps, manipulating the field.” scored 69 goals and had 89 ence call. Smith, who lost the Australian assists in 305 appearances, or “It’s taken me about three or captaincy when he was banned recently with Denmark. four months to do it but I’ve for his part in the 2018 ball- “It wasn’t what I had found them now which is tampering scandal, played dreamed of,” admitted Erik- pleasing.” down his prospects of resuming son, who has fallen down the The 31-year-old said it was leadership duties. pecking order under coach difficult to define what was dif- He said he was focused on Antonio Conte. ferent, but it left him “with a big supporting Test captain Tim “People would like to see me Inter Milan’s Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen controls the ball during the Uefa Champions League first smile on my face” and eager to Paine and limited-overs skip- play and I would like to do the round group B football match between Inter Milan and Borussia Moenchen. afp hit the practice nets. per Aaron Finch, but did not same, but the coach has differ- “It’s getting that feel, the look completely rule out his future ent ideas and I have to respect from Barcelona last summer, Man Utd, Arsenal link In the Champions League, of the bat, getting the toe the chances. them.” with Radja Nainggolan, Mar- In the meantime, Eriksen they have two points after right way, the way my hands “I haven’t given a great deal The Dane has played seven celo Brozovic, and Ivan Perisic has been linked with moves three games. come up on the bat,” he said. of thought to it, it’s just about times this season – four as also in the position. to French champions Paris But Conte was pleased with “It’s hard to explain but it doing my job at the moment a starter – with no assists or Conte has insisted he will Saint-Germain, or a return to the determination which Inter hasn’t been right up until about and we’ll see what the future goals. not change the Dane’s posi- the Premier League with Arse- demonstrated in coming from two days ago, then something holds,” he said. In total he has scored four tion to a more defensive one. nal or Manchester United. two-goals down after an hour sort of clicked in.” Australia and India will play goals for Inter in 33 games. “Eriksen has an important Inter finished last season to beat Torino 4-2 on Sunday. While there is a perception three one-dayers, three Twen- “We must never hold back role and style of play, both on just one point behind champi- “It was our attitude which Smith is vulnerable to short- ty20 matches and four Tests a player who asks to be trans- the left and the right,” said ons Juventus, and are among changed, our determination pitched deliveries, he was during the tour. AFP ferred,” club CEO Giuseppe Conte. the favourites for the Scudetto and the ferocity with which Marotta said Sunday, confirm- “If you take that away and this campaign. we pressed. ing Eriksen’s impending exit. play him deeper in front of In Serie A they are fifth, five “We found the net four times Conte insisted Eriksen “has the defence you run the risk points behind leaders AC Mi- and could have scored more.” had many opportunities and of distorting the player. It’s a lan. Inter can also count on for- played more than others”. technical decision.” The 18-time Italian champi- mer Manchester United for- “My choices are always made Eriksen has not featured in ons have not won Serie A since ward Romelu Lukaku, who for the good of Inter,” said the Inter’s last two league games their unprecedented treble in missed the trip to Spain with a former Chelsea coach. and also looks set to miss 2010, which included a third thigh injury. “When I deem it appropri- their Champions League Champions League crown. The Belgian scored a brace ate he’ll be able to play in Group B clash against Real Inter’s only trophy since has and set up the other two goals the starting 11 or during the Madrid at the San Siro on been the 2011 Italian Cup. against Torino. game.” Wednesday. This season Inter have won Inter’s attack is among the One of the problems facing The Italians are bottom of just four of their 11 games best in Italy, with 20 goals in Eriksen has been that Inter the group, and lost the away played, but Conte insisted: eight league games, the first have many options in central leg 3-2, despite coming from “The team have taken home time since the 1997/1998 sea- and attacking midfield. two goals down to equalise less points than they’ve de- son the team have achieved Australia batsman Steve Smith (left) nails a shot in front of England’s Chilean Arturo Vidal arrived before Real snatched victory. served.” such a feat. Jos Buttler during the international Twenty20 at the Ageas Bowl. AFP Spectator handful allowed to return to sports events

Premier League clubs can parts of England classified as at the lowest-risk “tier one” parts ‘Winter Survival Package’ of financial problems. clubs have been hit hard by the look forward to welcoming low risk from coronavirus from of the country once a stricter loans and grants. “Fans have been greatly loss of matchday revenue since back spectators in highly lim- December 2, the government lockdown due to the pandem- The government said it would missed at Premier League March, said: “Whilst today’s ited numbers next month for said, permitting the resump- ic ends, the government said. spell out which regions of Eng- matches and therefore we wel- news is subject to regional the first time since March, fol- tion of attendance at football, In “tier two” areas, the limit land will sit in which tier on come the prime minister’s restrictions, it is an important lowing an announcement by rugby and racecourses among will be 2,000 outdoors, or half Thursday, based on the latest announcement today regard- step in achieving a return to the British government on other sports. the capacity, it said. weekly Covid data. ing the return of supporters for normal, alongside it being cru- Monday. The crowd ceiling will be set In the highest “tier three” Prior to the current lock- the first time since March, cial to addressing the signifi- Up to 4,000 people can return at 4,000 or half the stadium regions where Covid-19 down, most of the country albeit at small numbers,” a cant revenue gap.” to outdoor sports stadiums in capacity, whichever is lower, in remains acute and no specta- including London was in tier statement said. The Football Association tors will be allowed. two. “Our ambition remains to added: “We are delighted to see A few pilot events have been But three of the biggest Pre- work with government to the beginning of the safe return held with spectators, such as a mier League clubs – Liverpool, increase attendance to more of fans in stadiums for elite cricket match at The Oval, Manchester United and Man- substantial levels. Until this can sports events and confirmation while Brighton hosted Chelsea chester City – are located in the be done, many fans will be that spectators at non-elite before this season’s Premier highest tier three areas, so it unable to attend games and sports will be able to attend League got underway. remains to be seen whether our clubs will continue to oper- events in line with Covid-se- However, England’s football they will be allowed to admit ate matches at a financial cure guidance for each tier.” and rugby leagues, and horse fans after December 2. loss. Fans were relieved to hear racing venues, have not allowed The government said only “Premier League clubs have stadiums will be open at last spectators since the first lock- home fans will be permitted, to a proven track record of achiev- and the Football Supporters’ down began in March. prevent unnecessary travel on ing high-biosecurity standards Association said: “Clubs, Rugby and racing were public transport by opposing and we believe we can play a leagues and the Sports Ground among the sports to receive fans. significant role in the govern- Safety Authority have worked financial aid from the govern- ment’s rapid turnaround test- hard to put in procedures to ment last week. ‘Road to normality ‘ ing initiative. make stadiums safe places. Sports facing financial losses Premier League chiefs wel- “We look forward to working “We hope this is the first step as a result of the absence of comed the news, while making with government on their next on the road back to normality,” Football fans watch a Premier League match between West Ham United fans from stadiums can access it clear only a return to bigger steps.” according to the supporters and Manchester City on a giant screen in an empty stadium. afp a £300 million ($400 million) crowds will ease the sport’s The Football League, whose association. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 25, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport NRL shock Wood seals Burnley’s thirst for first win as rising

urnley won for the ber 3 when Ashley Westwood star dies in first time in the Pre- netted in a loss at Newcastle. mier League this sea- But Wood ended that four- Sydney after son as Chris Wood game goalless run in the eighth sealedB a 1-0 victory against minute when he fired home a training Crystal Palace, while South- from Jay Rodriguez’s flick after ustralia’s National Rug- ampton missed a chance to a poor headed clearance from by League was in shock go third in their 1-1 draw at Cheikhou Kouyate. ATuesday at the sudden Wolves on Monday. Palace went close to equalis- death of promising Manly War- Burnley had failed to win ing when Andros Townsend’s ringah Sea Eagles rookie Keith any of their first seven games curling effort forced a fine Titmuss at the age of just 20. in the joint worst start to a save from Nick Pope. The club said Titmuss “took ill” season in the club’s history. Burnley were inches away after training in Sydney on Monday Sean Dyche’s side were the from doubling their lead morning and was taken to hospital only Premier League team yet through Johann Gudmunds- but died a short time later. to score a home goal this term son, whose rising strike from “We are all devastated by this until New Zealand striker the edge of the area cannoned news,” Manly coach Des Hasler Wood put them ahead in the off the bar. said in a statement late Monday. first half against Palace. Michy Batshuayi should “Keith was a very popular char- That was enough to clinch have equalised when he acter amongst the playing group. a much-needed three points latched onto Dwight McNeil’s He will be sorely missed but never for Burnley, who climbed out wayward back-pass, but Pope forgotten by the Sea Eagles.” of the relegation zone at the was quickly off his line to block The club did not give a cause expense of Fulham. the Belgian’s scuffed shot. of death for Titmuss, who had “We created two or three Pope was in superb form and advanced through Manly’s junior golden chances, we take one he came to Burnley’s rescue ranks to become a full-time and it gets a bit nervy because again in stoppage time when he Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope saves an attempt from Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke during the squad member on the brink of match between Burnley and Crystal Palace. afp we hadn’t found that first win. somehow clawed away Chris- breaking into first grade. To get that one done will do us tian Benteke’s close-range shot. we didn’t expect that but we half with a snap shot. there almost 15 years ago. NRL chief executive Andrew the world of good,” Dyche said. found the answers,” South- Southampton took the lead in Walcott should have net- Abdo said the league was offer- “We have got a group that Revitalised Walcott ampton manager Ralph Ha- the 58th minute, with a touch of ted again after Adams’ pass ing support to Titmuss’ family can challenge. We have had a At Molineux, Southampton senhuttl said. controversy about the goal. put him clean through, but and teammates. tough start but that has been were on course for a fourth Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Wolves were frustrated that this time he side-footed wide “This is a tragic day for rugby coming.” successive win when Theo Santo added: “I think it was a Stuart Armstrong’s barge into from 12 yards. league,” he said. Palace were missing Ivory Walcott put them ahead in foul for their goal. After that it Rayan Ait-Nouri went unpun- It was a crucial miss as “The game has lost a promising Coast forward Wilfried Zaha the second half. was about reacting to that in- ished in the build-up before Wolves equalised in the 75th young player with the world at after he tested positive for But Pedro Neto came off cident. The boys did that. We Che Adams sent a low cross to minute as Raul Jimenez’s his feet.” coronavirus and Roy Hodg- the bench to equalise as fifth- finished the game well, creat- the unmarked Walcott, who fierce drive bounced back Former rugby league and son’s side lacked a cutting placed Southampton had to ing chances.” slotted home from close-range. off the post to Neto and the union international Lote Tuqiri edge without him as they settle for extending their un- Walcott has thrived in It was the 31-year-old’s first substitute drove his first-time expressed shock. slumped to a second defeat beaten run to seven matches. a central striker’s role for goal for Southampton since strike past Alex McCarthy. “Losing kids in the prime of in three games. “I am happy. For everyone Southampton since Danny rejoining them on loan from Neto nearly snatched a their lives is so hard to fathom . . . Burnley had managed just it was a tough game, tacti- Ings was injured and the con- Everton in October. winner in the closing minute Fly high young man!” he tweeted. three league goals this season cally so demanding, it was verted winger tested Wolves His last league goal for South- when his low drive was well afp and hadn’t scored since Octo- like chess. They played 4-3-3, keeper Rui Patricio in the first ampton came in his first spell saved by McCarthy. afp Aussie A-League stagnates as players leave for India

An influx of footballers to that each team signs a player “It is definitely more money India from Australia has high- from the Asian Football Con- than the A-League – not astro- lighted changing fortunes as federation. nomically more but if boys are the Indian Super League flour- “For Indian clubs when look- being told they will only get 70 ishes and the A-League hits ing at AFC nations, there seems per cent of their salary then lean times during the corona- to be a preference for A-League they will want to recoup what virus pandemic. players,” said agent Baljit Singh they are not getting. Just two Australians played Rihal of Inventive Sports, which “Now you are seeing players in the Indian Super League last specialises in the ISL. coming who would not have year, but 10 were among the 11 “Players from Iran and come in the past.” teams when the competition Uzbekistan are also willing to Paartalu has told his compa- got under way in a bio-secure come to India but it is harder for triots that Indian teams treat “bubble” in Goa last week. clubs to find information and foreign players well, with none Non-Australian A-League stats on these players, whereas of the payment issues that can players have also made the the A-league is open in this regard occur elsewhere in Asia. move, including English striker and has all the records available. He said Australian players Adam Le Fondre – last season’s “Indian clubs know what also provide value for money. second highest goal-scorer, with they are going to get in Aus- “We integrate well and lend a Sydney FC – along with German tralia. It is a known market.” hand to try and get involved. defender Matti Steinman and Maybe there is a connection that Aaron Holloway from Wales. A-League ‘uncertain’ comes from cricket and it helps Much of the change is down to There are other reasons too. that we speak English,” he said. money, with the A-League salary Former Liverpool and England “We work hard, keep fit, cap expected to drop by up to 30 An influx of footballers to India from Australia has highlighted changing fortunes as the Indian Super League striker Robbie Fowler left his don’t complain too much and flourishes and the A-League hits lean times during the coronavirus pandemic. afp per cent next season following a position as head coach of Bris- are team players.” fall in broadcasting revenue. around the A-League at the ball competition. FC Goa will side its numerous Spaniards and bane Roar in June. There could be a lot riding on It has made the ISL, which moment, it was a good oppor- next year become the first Brazilians and smattering of Brits, After taking over at East Bengal the Australian contingent this previously attracted a smatter- tunity to head overseas and test Indian team to play in the including former Newcastle four months later, Fowler quick- season. If the majority perform ing of fading stars, a more myself in Asia,” Fox said. Asian Champions League. United defender Steven Taylor. ly signed three players from the well, then there may be more attractive proposition for Aus- “The A-League has stagnat- Meanwhile the A-League, Australian get-togethers, how- A-League. opportunities in the future as tralia-based players. ed in the last couple of years established in 2005, suffered a ever, will be off-limits as players Defender Erik Paartalu, the Indian football grows. One of the players to head to anyway and the other boys drop in revenues when broad- are confined to their team hotels longest-serving Australian in Fox’s contract is just for one India is Australian defender probably feel the same.” caster Fox Sports cancelled its in the Goa “bubble”. India and now into his fourth season, but it could be a turn- Dylan Fox, 26, who left the contract during the coronavi- “It will be great to see all season with Bengaluru FC, has ing point for the 26-year-old. Central Coast Mariners in Sep- ‘Preference for players’ rus shutdown, before striking these familiar faces on the received plenty of phone calls. “I will see what happens as tember to join Northeast Unit- The ISL has in six years out- a reportedly cheaper deal. pitch at least,” said Fox. “India provides more stability this is a big step in my career and ed in Guwahati. stripped the older I-League to It has helped give the ISL a size- India’s interest in Australians and things in Australia are a lit- I want to make the most of this “With all the uncertainty become India’s premier foot- able Australian presence, along- is also driven by a requirement tle uncertain,” Paartalu said. opportunity,” he said. afp