Licence No: 157 MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 VOLUME 07 EDITION 022 facebook.com/khmertimes twitter.com/KhmerTimes 3,000 Riels NATION BUSINESS SPORT Upside and downside Banking with a Federer tops list of of stricter traffic law taste of luxury world’s highest-paid enforcement 7 11 athletes 19 Cambodian Report: peacekeeper Local vendors shun 1.76m local in Mali dies jobs at risks Sok Chan of COVID-19 small US currency [email protected] CAMBODIA will register Khuon Narim its slowest growth since 1994, [email protected] PM explains: ‘Phase-out’ not ‘ban’ contracting by between -1 percent and -2.9 percent, NATIONAL Defence putting at least 1.76 million Minister General Tea Banh jobs at risk, according to the ordered the National latest World Bank’s economic Peacekeeping Forces to report. coordinate with the United The report titled, Nations regarding the repa- “Economic Update for triation of the body of a Cambodia in a time of Cambodian Blue Helmet COVID-19,” outlines that officer who succumbed to poverty in Cambodia could COVID-19 on Friday increase among households during his mission in Mali. in key economic sectors of The deceased was iden- between 3 to 11 percent tified as Major General Sar higher than current levels. Savy, a senior officer from With the country’s fiscal the Explosive Ordnance deficit possibly reaching its Disposal Unit stationed in highest level in 22 years, Mali’s Timbuktu city. public debt is expected to rise “I would like to express to 35 percent of gross my condolences to the domestic product by 2022. family of the Blue Helmet “The collapse of growth officer who recently died drivers has hurt economic from COVID-19,” Gen growth and put at least 1.76 Banh told reporters on million jobs at risks,” the Saturday during the ground- report said. breaking ceremony for the It also warns that capital construction of a stupa in inflows are tapering off, which Koh Kong province. in turn is triggering the easing “I have instructed the of real estate market prices, National Peacekeeping likely ending the construction Centre to contact the United boom. With the current large Nations and discuss if we outstanding credit to the can bring home the body of construction, real estate, and Major General Savy to mortgage sector, nonper- Cambodia or if he will be forming loans could rise. cremated in Mali. We will “The global shock trig- abide by whatever decision gered by the COVID-19 the UN will make,” said pandemic has significantly Gen Banh, noting some Large stacks of $1 notes are proving too costly and difficult for local financial institutions to transport. KT/Pann Rachana affected Cambodia’s economy,” said Inguna More page 3 Harrison White The confusion started an actual “banning” of the “I heard this morning that Dobraja, World Bank Country [email protected] Friday last week after the notes as officially recognised the government wants to ban Manager for Cambodia. National Bank of Cambodia’s tender and have been refusing the use of small US currency, “The World Bank is eports of local (NBC) director, Chea Serey, to accept the bills. so I don’t want to be stuck committed to helping vendors refusing to asked commercial banks and The day after the announce- with the banknotes when this Cambodia deal effectively with accept small US microfinance institutions to ment, Khmer Times visited happens,” a local vendor said. the COVID-19 crisis and currency banknotes send it the small US dollar Phnom Penh’s Kandal Market “What if the bank and strengthen the economy for Rhas continued over the banknotes because it and spoke to various traders MFIs decide to add the addi- recovery and future resilience.” weekend, despite repeated considers them difficult to who expressed concerns that tional cost of transportation In response to the calls from both the Kingdom’s manage and “there is little they did not want to be “stuck” that the NBC wants to impose COVID-19 shock, the World central bank and Prime demand for them”. with the notes after August 31 on me when I deposit the notes Bank recommends policy Minister Hun Sen that all US However, many local street and feared them being for my loan?” they added options that aim at providing Major General Sar Savy. currency banknotes will still and market vendors have “rendered useless in the Veng Sambo be considered “legal tender”. confused the “phase out” with coming months”. More page 11 More page 12 2 NATION MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Sar Kheng slams Rainsy for instigating people not to repay debts

Khuon Narim [email protected] added. Yang Kim Eng, president of the nterior Minister Sar Kheng People Center of Develpment Peace, has slammed former opposi- said yesterday the government tion party leader Sam Rainsy should provide a suitable resolution for instigating people to start on debt repayments to banks and Ia civil disobedience campaign to other financial institutions. obtain debt relief and to stop “The government should facil- servicing loans. itate measures to delay the debt-re- His reaction came after Rainsy payment period during the posted on his Facebook page an COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. appeal to people who have debts “If we can’t find a suitable reso- with banks or microfinance insti- lution it will impact the economy,” tutions to halt servicing their debts, he said. including paying interest. A World Bank report in April “We have to campaign together said impending COVID-19 health to seek a resolution on debt repay- measures and high levels of micro ments during the global financial debt pose a serious concern for crisis sparked by the COVID-19 approximately 2.4 million pandemic,” Rainsy had said. Cambodians with a combined Speaking during an event to outstanding debt of $8 billion. appoint the new governor of Kep The report, titled East Asia and province on Friday, Mr Kheng said Pacific: Countries Must Act Now Rainsy is a populist politician who to Mitigate Economic Shock of is using the pandemic to attack the Interior Minister Sar Kheng presides at the event to appoint the new Kep provincial governor. Facebook COVID-19, warned that Cambodia government by creating dissatis- needs to ease credit and provide faction among the public over loan owe somebody, we have to respond used populist issues, such as misinformation [as Rainsy’s] and help to indebted households in the repayments to banks and microf- by repaying them although we can people’s livelihods and jobs to explain the true situation to the hope that borrowers and lenders inance institutions. seek a suitable delay to service the attack the government. people so that they will not be can survive the upcoming “I think that this propaganda debts,” Mr Kheng said. “I would like to remind the confused, which could lead to economic shocks from COVID-19 will not work because when we He said Rainsy has previously local authorities to monitor such political instability,” Mr Kheng restrictions. 11 tonnes of tainted seafood destroyed

Pech Sotheary [email protected] However, we cannot confirm as we were destroyed by officials at the lauded the officials’ effort for health of consumers. have to wait for further investiga- landfill in Dangkor district on cracking down on the tainted “Please continue to crack down THE Ministry of Commerce’s General tion.” Saturday. seafood, especially the shrimp on such illegal traders, and check Department of Consumer Protection, Mr Oun said currently, experts He has also warned legal action which contained the chemical the quality of the goods in the Competition and Fraud Prevention has and the prosecutor have been will be taken without exemption substances from further distribution markets to protect the welfare of the destroyed more than 11 tonnes of searching for the owners of those against any dealer who imports in the market, which affect the people,” she said. seafood which were injected with a products to take further legal action. counterfeit, tainted goods, or chemical substance. The officials are The three vehicles carrying the chemical substances injected which now looking for the owner of the goods products are being impounded at affect consumers’ health. He to take legal action. the General Department. appealed to citizens to be cautious Phan Oun, director-general of According to Mr Oun, the and report any cases regarding the the General Department of tainted seafood, which consisted counterfeit of quality and safety of Consumer Protection, Competition mostly of frozen shrimps were goods and services. and Fraud Prevention said yesterday injected with chemical substances. Pa Vattana, 38, a resident of 449 boxes transported in three cars 11,225 kilogrammes of seafood Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district, with more than 11 tonnes of tainted seafood, including frozen shrimps injected with a chemical substance, crabs and squids, were stopped by the General Department’s officers in collaboration with the Phnom Penh municipal police and the Phnom Penh Municipal Court pros- ecutor on Friday in Dangkor district’s Kamboul commune. He added, after questioning the drivers [the people transporting the seafood], they found no legal docu- ments pertaining to the source of origin of where the seafood was being transported from. It might have been brought in through Prek Chak border checkpoint in Kampot province (bordering Vietnam). Over 11 tonnes seafood seized by officials on 29 May 2020. Camcontrol Shrimp injected with jelly like substance. Camcontrol Six Cambodian Blue Helmets also tested positive for virus

From page 1 the virus, excluding Maj Gen COVID-19 at the time. He Savy. Of them, two have remained sick for five days, Cambodian officers, along recovered while the remaining with his condition worsening Cambodian Blue Helmet troops pay tribute to Major General Sar Savy who succumbed to with 70 other foreign peace- four are under quarantine in over the last three days.” COVID-19 on Friday in Mali. Veng Sambo keepers stationed in Mali, have the towns of Kidal and Maj Gen Savy died Friday been diagnosed with corona- Timbuktu, and are awaiting afternoon at a hospital in Mali. The deceased’s family, him off. If he is cremated, his Lt Gen Samorn, noting Maj virus in the past two months. results from the second NPMEC deputy direc- said Lt Gen Samorn, had been ashes will be brought home to Gen Savy had been deployed Major General Kosal COVID-19 screening. tor-general Lieutenant told of the news and are aware Cambodia,” he said. twice in Mali, once in 2016 Malinda, spokeswoman for “The UN report did not General Phal Samorn said of the restrictions in place “We are waiting for a and another in 2019. Cambodia’s National Centre indicate when [Maj Gen yesterday his officials are amid the coronavirus decision from the United “His death is a great loss for Peacekeeping Forces and Savy] contracted the virus,” working with the chief pandemic. Nations. We understand that for the Cambodian army Explosive Remnants of War said Maj Gen Malinda. “All commander in charge of the “We talked to his family the world is currently dealing which is conducting humani- Clearance, said yesterday six we know is that he went to a UN’s mission in Mali and said that if he is to be with the COVID-19 pandemic tarian missions under the Cambodian blue helmets hospital to get treated for regarding the repatriation of buried in Mali, we will request so we will follow whatever umbrella of the United have so far tested positive for fever and was not tested for Gen Savy’s remains. that they are allowed to see it is they decide to do,” noted Nations,” he said. Gov’t forges ahead with enforcing stricter traffic rules

Pech Sotheary [email protected] are doing our patriotic duty to roadblocks to check for docu- recommendations of Samdech serve the people,” he said. “If ments from road users. Techo [Prime Minister Hun INTERIOR Minister Sar we backtrack, no one will listen “Our law enforcement Sen] to enforce the law without Kheng said the government or follow rules in the future, so officers must behave in a gentle, exception,” he said. remains firm in its position on we have to go ahead.” respectful and professional National Police the strict implementation of the “Samdech Techo [Hun manner. They should not take spokesman Lieutenant Road Traffic Law in order to Sen] and I have agreed that this opportunity [strict law General Chhay Kim Khoeun protect the lives and welfare of we are not going to backtrack, enforcement] to check or ask said in a report yesterday that the people. because if we do, we do not money from people, which is from May 1, when the new Mr Kheng, who is also know when we will have the inappropriate,” Mr Kheng said. traffic rules were imple- head of the National Road opportunity to implement it He said that for this month mented, up to Saturday, Safety Committee, said this [traffic law]. Moreover, if up to Friday, the number of traffic police officers nation- during the appointment foreign tourists come to our accidents fell by 15 cases, with wide checked and fined a total ceremony for the new Kep country and see traffic chaos, 80 injuries fewer than during of 43,530 motorists, including provincial governor at Kep Traffic police officers issue tickets to errant motorists. they would say that the the same period in April. 31,755 motorcyclists, for all provincial hall on Friday. KT/ Siv Channa country has no order. At the event, new Kep types of offences. The government has tight- while Cambodia is facing the dissemination of the Road Therefore, I would like to call governor Som Piseth, He said the most notable ened the Road Traffic Law with issue of COVID-19, and have Traffic Law. When it was time on everyone to participate in expressed his commitment to violations include riding heftier fines, and people across said the implementation has for us to do so, some people strengthening the implemen- enforce the Road Traffic Law, motorcycles without crash the country are participating been carried out too quickly. say it is too early, without tation of the traffic law,” Mr along with other laws, and to helmets, not having licence more to obey the law, with However, he said: “We education and dissemination.” Kheng added. eliminate any inaction from plates, ignoring traffic signs, traffic accident rates also have already announced that Mr Kheng said the imple- He also advised law officials which affect and speeding, driving without decreasing. 2020 is the year targeted for mentation to tighten up the law enforcement officers to adhere harm the people. seatbelts, overloading, Mr Kheng said some indi- strict law enforcement on the has been carried out to protect to the code of ethics , carry out “We will continue to strive driving under the influence viduals, however, have taken Road Traffic Law. Before that, the lives and welfare of the their work according to the law to effectively implement the of alcohol and using mobile the opportunity to criticise the we have also done a lot of people and not to burden them. and only stop motorists who laws, regulations, and guide- phone while driving. implementation of the law as groundwork, especially in “Whoever criticises, we do have broken traffic rules lines of the government that Related story page 7 being a burden on the people, terms of education and not have to care as long as we without resorting to setting up have been issued, especially the 4 NATION MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com

Hundreds of children celebrate International Children’s Day last year in Siem Reap province. KT/Khem Sovannara Children should be at centre of virus response on International Children’s Day

Sen David [email protected] is having a profound effect percent of children and young negatively affect their future reporting a loss or reduction education or health facilities on children’s well-being, people interviewed report employability. of income. Meanwhile, 86 and lack proper food. ix NGOs have come especially in education, continuing learning but half According to another percent of the children and “The parents and author- together to ask the health and food security. of them report studying for assessment by Save the young people interviewed are ities must take care of them,” government to put To prevent any commu- less than 10 hours a week at Children, only around half the also reporting their families he said. children at the heart nity transmission of COVID- home in comparison to 20 number of children have have seen their income “During this pandemic, I Sof the COVID-19 response 19, the government made the hours when in school. access to learning materials reduced or lost. call on the relevant ministries to commemorate International decision on March 16 to close The survey by Joining while staying at home and less Prime Minister Hun Sen to continue to implement the Children’s Day and to tackle all schools across the Forces and CRC Cambodia than half said they are released a statement to celebrate Ministry of Health’s guide- the impact the pandemic has Kingdom. This has led to more also found additional chal- receiving support from anyone International Children’s Day, lines on how to prevent the had on young people in the than three million students, lenges involve slow internet while learning at home. urging all related authorities to spread of the virus to protect Kingdom. from preschool to grade 12, connection, the cost of Other surveys and assess- help protect children during the children with disabilities, Child Fund, Plan being at home since internet access and the diffi- ments showed a large propor- pandemic. those living in poor families, International, Save The mid-March. Recent announce- culties in contacting teachers tion of the population are “Even though we children in centres and in Children, SOS Children ments state school closures to clarify lessons. As a result, already experiencing severe currently don’t have any detention facilities,” he said. Villages, Terre des Hommes may continue until November two-thirds of children economic difficulties, which children infected with the He also called on the International Federation and 2020. surveyed say they are is likely to worsen in the virus in Cambodia, the relevant ministries to work World Vision released a joint The statement said a recent concerned that home learning coming months. pandemic is still having an hard to ensure every child, statement following a series survey conducted by Joining provides them with poor According to an assess- impact on children. This is especially children in poor of assessments and surveys Forces and CRC Cambodia quality education, with more ment conducted by World especially so for children households, have access to conducted over the last few on children aged between 10 than 40 percent of them Vision International, 76 from poor families, some of education, sanitation and weeks which show the virus and 17 shows that, while 78 believing that it could even percent of families are whom cannot access clean water.

We’re an international organisation, working with over 15 million people in 45 countries for Former Great Duke staff receive compensation a world free from poverty and injustice.

VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT Sen David we did not give up. We want Position: Head of Programme [email protected] to thank the staff for continuing FORMER staff of the Great the fight and the Ministry of ActionAid Cambodia seeks dynamic Cambodian applicants for an exciting position as Head of Programme (HoP). Duke Hotel have said they have Labour for their intervention,” finally got justice after an he said. Reporting to: Country Director Contract type: Long-term, starting with initial two-years contract Arbitration Council decision, On December 31, 2019, the Direct report: 6 - 9 Unit/Functional lead as direct supervisees Location: Phnom Penh with travels to the field and internationally as required aided by an intervention by the hotel ceased operations, citing Ministry of Labour, awarded economic reasons. After its Role overview: their severance pay after five closure, the hotel only paid out The Head of Programme (HoP) is responsible for managing and leading the Programme teams, programme development and delivery as well as quality and learning assurance, and is account- months of protests. the previous month’s wages to able for achieving ActionAid Cambodia (AAC) country programme strategy. S/he is a member of Former staff representa- employees but failed to offer and work closely with Strategic Management Team (SMT) to ensure cross organizational effective- Former employees of the Great Duke Hotel at the Ministry ness, policy assurance and donor compliance. HoP contributes significantly to country strategic tive, Toch Kosal, said that they severance pay in accordance of Labour receive their payments. Moeun Tola directions of the organization as well as ActionAid global federation. have agreed to receive a total with Labour Law. Detailed Job Description and is available on the job page of ActionAid Cambodia at: of $320,000, which will be Former staff member, compensation order from the Alliance of Labor and Human www.actionaid.org/cambodia or follow our facebook page: ActionAid Cambodia shared among all 152 former 52-year-old Chea Chanmon, Arbitration Council. This Right Central said that he Application procedure: Interest applicant is invited to submit their most update CV and cover letter explaining their rele- staff following the Arbitration said that he was worried when payment will support my live- applauds the Ministry of vant skills and experiences and their suitability to: Council decision. the hotel went bankrupt as lihood while I try and find new Labour intervention and sends

Email: [email protected] He said that as of some workers were employed work,” he said. his congratulations to the Reference subject line: HoP0620 Closing date of application: 14th June 2020 yesterday, 120 staff had there for many years. “It is difficult to find jobs former staff. Shortlisted applicants will be contracted for further assessment process. already received their compen- “I worked at the hotel for during the COVID-19 “After struggling for sation, while the remaining 32 nearly 20 years. Therefore pandemic, many other hotels many months, they got their ActionAid Cambodia is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We value diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are due to be paid today. I received a $3,000 sever- are going through difficult payment and compensation strictly comply and adhere to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and other Safeguarding “We have been protesting ance payout. times also,” he said. in accordance with the law,” concern policies and a thorough background check will be conducted on the selected candidate. and negotiating since January, “I am satisfied with the Moeun Tola, director for he said. MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com NATION 5 Sun Wah Property faces lawsuit over illegal infrastructure operation

Taing Rinith [email protected] office’s entrance to the main road. construction of the road on top of “Although Naga’s security and our NagaCity Walk landscaping. lawyer representing technical team advised them to stop and These illegal works pose serious Tansrichen Inc (TSCJ), warned them there are water-proofing dangers to the structural integrity owner of Naga World layers and structure below the 300mm- and water-proofing layer of the and NagaCity Walk, said subterranean NagaCity Walk Aon Friday her client will initiate legal shopping mall. The above ground action against Sun Wah Property This is construction work by Sun Wah also (Cambodia) for causing damage to poses clear and present danger to its subterranean shopping centre. the second such the safety of hundreds of workers In a complaint issued by TSCJ and thousands of daily visitors.” Construction work in progress on top of NagaCity Walk. Supplied addressed to Mr Khuong Sreng, incident where Sun Ms Mao Som Vutheary, the Phnom Penh governor, and obtained lawyer representing TSCJ, said that Property for the damage it has permission from my client, not to Friday by Khmer Times, Mr Chen Lip Wah has dug out after receiving the complaint, Mr caused and has also filed for an mention the damage that it caused Keong, TSCJ President and CEO, Khuong Sreng had ordered the offi- emergency injunction to stop Sun to the property or danger it poses to said on Friday morning that Sun Wah, our landscaping cials in the Chamkar Mon district to Wah from continuing with its work. people and property below.” whose head office is located on top stop the digging, but the Sun Wah “The subterranean NagaCity Mr Meth Measpeakdey, the City of NagaCity Walk, sent in an exca- thick landscaping soil, they ignored and team refused to cease work. Walk and its landscaping have been Hall spokesperson, said he was not vator and workers to dig and destroy continued with the clearing and She said Sun Wah claimed to leased to TSCJ for 50 years, and aware of the issue. NagaCity Walk’s landscaping, construction works,” the complaint said. have a letter of permission from the during this period, my client is respon- Neither Chamkar Mon district “potentially damaging the structure “This is the second such City Hall but did not produce it. sible for its maintenance,” she said. governor Theng Sothol nor Sun Wah and water-proofing,” in its attempts incident where Sun Wah has dug Ms Vutheary said her client will “It is thus illegal for the Sun Property could be contacted for to build a path linking their head out our landscaping for take a legal action against Sun Wah Wah team to dig it without comments. 6 NATION MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Women and children vulnerable from health service shortages

Som Kanika medical centre because disease. [email protected] during the pandemic the Health Minister Mam Bun ccording to a ability to access medical Heng responded to the issue report by the supplies is not a given. by urging local authorities, Global Financing The report also said that citizens and relevant institu- Facility (GFF), another major threat to the tions to join the fight against Achild mortality in Cambodia public and strain on health dengue fever and malaria in has increased by 35 percent services was dengue fever. their community. and maternal mortality by 50 The Ministry of Health have He urged people to keep percent so far this year as a reported that 2,172 dengue the environment in their result of health service fever cases were recorded in community clean, as well as disruptions caused by the the first quarter of this year. eliminate stagnant water, COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by which is the preferred The report said, “The Kantha Bopha hospital, breeding ground of dengue- impact of COVID-19 on around 33,004 children were spreading mosquitoes. essential health services has sick and 7,936 hospitalised To help curb the issue, meant that 77,600 women due to a range of other serious USAID Cambodia joined have been deprived of facil- conditions. efforts by distributing ity-based deliveries and It said that around 134 anti-malaria bed nets and 559,900 fewer women have children have been diagnosed hammocks to community received family planning with dengue fever and are in members patrolling the services.” A child receives treatment at Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital. KT/Khem Sovannara serious condition. protected area in Prey Lang “Around 313,900 children More than 20,000 cases Wildlife Sanctuary to offer have been left without oral materials and substantial health services to citizens. children admittedly currently. of dengue fever have been protection against the disease. antibiotic for pneumonia and delays are due to global Mentioned in the report, However, we do have a reported across the Kingdom Health Ministry spokes- 441,200 children without movement restrictions caused Neak Tep Hospital said: “In capacity limit. If we take despite new preventive woman Or Vandine could DPT vaccinations,” it added. by the pandemic, resulting in our hospital, we have enough more patients, we will need measures being put into place not be reached for more “The decline in raw major disruptions to essential vaccinations to provide for to check with the provision in an effort to eliminate the information. Husband not seen since Man faces murder charge for killing death of wife, daughter Buth Reaksmey Kongkea to the neck and throat. a 5-year-old who called him ‘gay’ [email protected] “We suspect they were POLICE in Battambang killed prior to the fire, by Buth Reaksmey Kongkea [email protected] Last Wednesday, a province are searching for injuries caused from impacts committee from the Child a man suspected of killing to their neck and throat. We KAMPONG Cham Protection Unit investigated his wife and daughter, believe their throats were Provincial Court on Sunday the death of the victim and burning their bodies and slashed,” he told Khmer charged and detained a young interviewed the villagers. fleeing. Times yesterday. man accused of killing a five- “During police interroga- The murder is estimated “The killer then poured year-old girl last year by tion, the accused admitted to to have taken place at about gasoline on the house and throwing her into the river 12.30am yesterday in burned it,” he added. and leaving her to drown. The Bansay Treng village, Leuy’s body was not accused was said to have been He Bansay Treng commune, in found and he has not been angered over being called Battambang province’s seen since the incident. ‘gay’ by the girl. pushed the Thmar Kol district. Lieutenant Colonel Lim Colonel Heng Vuthy, Colonel Phong Sopheap, Puthyra, chief of Provincial chief of Provincial General victim into the chief of Thmar Kol district Major Crimes Department, Crimes Department, identified police, identified the victims said yesterday that according the accused as Touch Naly, river and left as Kim Thoeun, 52, and to the police preliminary 19, a farmer who lived in daughter Kim Seavmey, 18. conclusion, the case is being Kampong Siem district’s Kien Touch Naly admits to killing the five-year-old victim for her to drown The husband was iden- treated as a murder. Chrey commune. The victim calling him ‘gay’ in public. Kampuchea Thmey tified as Yech Leuy, 52. “Until now, we do not was a five-year-old girl, a All three were farmers know who killed the two neighbour of the accused. village to watch television. before returning to his home. committing the offence, living in the village. victims or burned the The accused was charged While watching, the The victim’s body was saying he killed her by Col Sopheap said that at house. with “murder” under Article victim was said to have found floating in the river the pushing her into the river,” about 1am on Sunday, a fire “However, we are tracking 199 of the Criminal Code and called Naly ‘gay’ in front of following day. said Maj Socheath. began at the family home. down Leuy in connection with faces up to 15 years in prison other neighbours who were Police, upon prior exam- “He said he killed her Neighbours alerted the murders. He is a suspect if convicted. also in the house. The remark ination of the body, found no because he was angry with police and two water trucks at this time,” he said. District police deputy caused Naly to feel embar- foul play and ruled the victim’s her for calling him ‘gay’ in managed to extinguish the He added that according chief Major Noun Socheath rassed and be enraged with death as an accident. However, public. He insisted that he fire at around 2am. to witnesses from the said yesterday police inves- the victim. the victim’s parents remained was a real man and not gay,” He said that shortly after village, Leuy had been tigation and the accused’s Later that night, Naly suspicious about the nature of he added. police found the charred arguing with his wife and confession revealed that on persuaded the victim to go to their daughter’s death and Naly was arrested the remains of the two women the daughter that evening. the eve of February 10, 2019, the river with him, where he asked for a re-investigation following day and has since inside the house both of The suspect was also seen Naly and the victim went to then pushed the victim into the from the Ministry of Interior’s been sent to prison pending whom, upon examination, getting drunk from a neighbour’s house in the water and left her there to drown Child Protection Unit. trial. had suffered serious injuries consuming rice wine. MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com NATION 7 Upside and downside of stricter traffic law enforcement

A month ago, the traffic police across the country began implementing the new sub-decree by adjusting the Traffic Law on punishments and fines for traffic violators in a move to help minimise traffic accidents. Despite National Police reporting that more than 43,000 motorists were fined for flouting traffic rules, as of yesterday at least five traffic police officers were disciplined or suspended from their job due to wrong implementation of the law. Khmer Times’ Ben Sokhean spoke to Institute for Road Safety director Kong Ratanak on the challenges and effectiveness of the ongoing implementation of the amendments to the Traffic Law.

KT: Nearly a month has despite some people having attention to the issues...I passed since traffic police complained that these actions appeal to them to prioritise officers were instructed to strongly impact people’s taking action against implement the amendments finances. speeding, which is the most Institute for Road Safety director Kong Ratanak. Royal Academy of Cambodia to the Traffic Law. How common offence. They need effective do you think this has KT: What is the most to set up speed cameras to of some law enforcement came after this slowed have made people feel that been? significant or positive side catch offenders and also pay officers who take action government officials or they are being treated badly Mr Ratanak: I have of the new amendments to high attention to drink beyond the law. It is a powerful people who were while suffering from the virus noticed the implementation the Traffic Law? driving. problem. For example in not happy with police pandemic. Some have lost of the amendments to the Mr Ratanak: Regarding I also appeal to the Svay Rieng province, a blocking their vehicles for jobs or had salary cuts. Traffic Law by traffic police the positive side, after the government to engage more district deputy police chief long periods. So, from the people’s officers was effective in the amendments to the Traffic with the people to help reduce was suspended from work The traffic police say they point of view, the police are beginning, but this seems to Law took effect, I noted traffic accidents. I believe if after he handcuffed a villager do not want money from the making their lives more diffi- have decreased towards the people have changed their we do things in a transparent who had no driving licence. people, but what they are cult. end of this month. We have mindsets because they are way any challenge can be Some other officers tried to doing is the opposite. I think However, I know other monitored the situation along afraid of having to pay heavy resolved. harass motorists by stopping if they say they do not want law enforcement officers are the major national roads as fines. For the first two weeks, them although they committed the money, they should use good. They implement the well as in Phnom Penh and I noted that motorists rushed KT: What shortcomings no offence while some others the fines to buy crash helmets traffic rules based on the law find that the strict enforce- to update their vehicles to do you see over the imple- put up roadblocks to check for poor people. If for but still face criticisms from ment is loosening. This can meet technical regulations for mentation of the new traffic on all motorists, even those example the helmets cost $20 the people because of the be compared to a fire burning certificates and renewed their rules, especially when some who did not violate the traffic and a person is fined $15, heftier fines. This means the down a straw and fizzling out driving licences. law enforcement officers laws. they should return the money enforcement of the new law in the end. I believe the new amend- were punished for wrongly Normally, when they to people so they can top up is not having a positive result. They strictly imple- ment will contribute to implementing them? [traffic police] put up road- to the amount needed to buy mented it for the first two making our people respect Mr Ratanak: The biggest blocks it causes more traffic the helmets. KT: Despite some chal- weeks and the National Police the traffic law. I appeal to the challenge I have noted in the jams and people’s travels are The behaviour of some lenges we have seen some also held a press conference authorities to pay the highest past month is the behaviour delayed. I think the complaints law enforcement officers positive results after nearly and revealed tens of thou- one month of implementation. sands of vehicles were fined. The National Police said However, after that it traffic accidents have gradu- [enforcement] was not like in ally dropped compared with the beginning. I have seen previous months. Do you that traffic police have started agree? to remove the barricades on Mr Ratanak: I appre- some roads. ciate the traffic police efforts, I also heard of the instruc- but at the same time, I am tion from National Police concerned over the accuracy Chief General Neth Savoeun of the collection of data. for all provincial police chiefs Sometimes, the police report to remove all roadblocks and fewer than ten traffic acci- not to check on motorists who dents across the Kingdom per have not violated traffic laws. day, but for example, when I When you look from outside, travelled from Battambang they seem to strengthen the province to Phnom Penh on law, but from inside they May 21, 2020, I saw five seem to be relaxing. traffic accidents. However, Prime Minister I am happy if the number Hun Sen Sen as well as of traffic accidents have Interior Minister Sar Kheng dropped, but I am worried if have committed to continue police do not detail all cases to strengthen the traffic law. and attempt to reduce the They said the government number of accidents or won’t backtrack over the number of injured people, it implementation of the law A traffic police officer flags down a motorcyclist in Phnom Penh. KT/ Siv Channa makes the data unreliable. 8 NATION Seven detained by Municipal LAW&JUSTICE Four charged over theft and Court over multiple charges counterfeit money scheme Buth Reaksmey Kongkea chief Captain Sok Puthy said Buth Reaksmey Kongkea [email protected] [email protected] and other drug paraphernalia. the incident happened on The victim’s motorbike PHNOM Penh Municipal Friday. hnom Penh Municipal was not at the scene and police Court yesterday charged and “According to the Court yesterday suspect it was already sold. detained four people accused victim’s testimony, Srey put charged and detained In another case, police in of stealing $1,500 from a soothing oil on his forehead six men accused of Phnom Penh on Saturday customer at a massage and played relaxing music, Pdrug trafficking, robbery and arrested and detained a parlour and replacing it with which put him to sleep. illegal use of a weapon. woman caught with nearly “spirit money”. After the massage, he The six accused were iden- half a kilogramme of meth- Sen Sok district police checked his bag to find tified as 63-year-old Huy amphetamine in the slums of chief Colonel Hour Mengyang $1,500 missing and replaced Sokha, 52-year-old Toek Sa-U, Prek Takong III village. identified the accused as Sar with ‘spirit money’, which 46-year-old Pheang Phoan, Major Chun Rithy, Deputy Sreyya, 29, the massage are ceremonial fake bills.” 45-year-old Chea Sarann, Chief of Meanchey district parlour owner; Tuy Srey, 24, The victim then asked 29-year-old Hok Narin, and police, identified the suspect a masseuse; and Nheb Mao, Srey and Sreyya about the The six accused over theft, unauthorised possession of a 18-year-old Heam Proem Prey. as 24-year-old guesthouse 38 and Nheb Vandy, 24, the money but both claimed weapon and drug trafficking. Supplied Sokha and Saran were cleaner Pheng Sokkhey living women’s partners. The victim ignorance to its where- charged with three charges, If convicted, they face They then stole his Honda in Meanchey district. was identified as Sorn abouts. including “theft with aggra- between 10 to 15 years in prison. Dream C 125, a smartphone The suspect was arrested Chamroeun, 31. Cap Puthy said the vating circumstances, unautho- They were arrested on May and money. at about 1.30am on Sunday They were charged with victim later lodged a rised possession of a weapon 29 and are awaiting trial. They were arrested on May morning after she arrived in “theft and circulation of complaint at the commune and drug trafficking” under Brigadier General Cheav 29 after police raided their Prek Takong III village to sell counterfeit currency and police station, leading to the Articles 353, 357 and 490 of Vibol, Deputy Chief of Penal rental house located in Chbar the drugs. banknotes” under Articles arrest of the four. the Criminal Code and Article Police Department in the Ampov II commune. “Police seized three 353 and 647 of the Criminal Counterfeit bills 40 of Law on Drugs Control. Ministry of Interior said at “Police seized two pistols, packages of methanphetamine- Code. If convicted, they amounting to $1,200 were Sa-U, Phoan, Narin, and Prey about 10.30pm on May 14, ten packages of ecstasy and weighing 450 grams in total each face between five and seized at the scene. However, were charged with “theft with the six accused robbed a five packages of methamphet- and a mobile phone. ” he said. seven years in prison. the money stolen from the aggravating circumstances and 35-year-old-man . They shot amine. They also seized scales, She is due to be sent to Commune police deputy victim was not recovered. drug trafficking”. the victim in the leg. five phones, three motorbikes court today.

1 27-Jan Chinese M 60 Preah Sihanouk 68 22-Mar French F 69 Preah Sihanouk 2 7-Mar Cambodian M 38 Siem Reap 69 22-Mar French F 69 Preah Sihanouk 3 10-Mar British F 65 Kampong Cham 70 22-Mar French F 59 Preah Sihanouk 4 11-Mar British M 73 Kampong Cham 71 22-Mar French M 66 Preah Sihanouk 5 11-Mar British F 69 Kampong Cham 72 22-Mar French M 57 Preah Sihanouk 6 13-Mar Canadian M 49 Phnom Penh 73 22-Mar French M 70 Preah Sihanouk 7 13-Mar Belgian M 33 Phnom Penh 74 22-Mar French M 70 Preah Sihanouk 8 14-Mar French M 35 Phnom Penh 75 22-Mar French M 63 Preah Sihanouk 9 15-Mar French N/A 4 month Phnom Penh 76 22-Mar French M 63 Preah Sihanouk 10 15-Mar Cambodian M N/A Phnom Penh 77 22-Mar French M 63 Preah Sihanouk 11 15-Mar Cambodian M 35 Preah Vihear 78 22-Mar French M 52 Preah Sihanouk 12 15-Mar Cambodian M 39 Preah Vihear 79 22-Mar French M 64 Preah Sihanouk 13 16-Mar Cambodian M N/A Banteay Meanchey 80 22-Mar French M 62 Preah Sihanouk 14 16-Mar Cambodian M N/A Banteay Meanchey 81 22-Mar French M 61 Preah Sihanouk 15 16-Mar Cambodian M 63 Phnom Penh 82 22-Mar French M 58 Preah Sihanouk 16 16-Mar Cambodian M 64 Phnom Penh 83 22-Mar Cambodian M 33 Preah Sihanouk 17 16-Mar Cambodian M 75 Kampong Chhnang 84 22-Mar Cambodian M 39 Preah Sihanouk 18 16-Mar Cambodian M 28 Kampong Chhnang 85 23-Mar Cambodian M 85 Kampong Cham 19 16-Mar Cambodian M 38 Battambang 86 23-Mar Cambodian M 86 Koh Kong 20 16-Mar Cambodian M 41 Battambang 87 23-Mar French F 28 Phnom Penh 21 16-Mar Cambodian M 42 Battambang 88 24-Mar British M 61 Kampong Cham 22 16-Mar Cambodian M 45 Battambang 89 24-Mar British F 79 Kampong Cham 23 16-Mar Cambodian M 30 Kampot 90 24-Mar American M 59 Kampong Cham 24 16-Mar Cambodian M 61 Tboung Khmum 91 24-Mar American F 62 Kampong Cham 25 17-Mar Cambodian M 40 Siem Reap 92 25-Mar French M 64 Preah Sihanouk 26 17-Mar Cambodian M 27 Phnom Penh 93 25-Mar French F 60 Preah Sihanouk 27 17-Mar Cambodian M 40 Phnom Penh 94 25-Mar Cambodian M 27 Phnom Penh 28 17-Mar Cambodian M 36 Kampong Chhnang 95 25-Mar Cambodian M 59 Kandal 29 17-Mar Malaysian M 58 Kep 96 25-Mar Cambodian M 37 Siem Reap 30 17-Mar Malaysian M 61 Kep 97 26-Mar Indonesian M 41 Siem Reap 31 17-Mar Malaysian M 66 Kep 98 26-Mar Indonesian M 44 Siem Reap 32 17-Mar Cambodian M 57 Koh Kong 99 28-Mar Cambodian M 62 Phnom Penh 33 17-Mar Cambodia M 53 Tboung Khmum 100 28-Mar Cambodian M 39 Phnom Penh 34 17-Mar Malaysian M 60 Kampot 101 28-Mar Cambodian F 61 Phnom Penh 35 17-Mar Malaysian M 64 Kampot 102 28-Mar Cambodian F 37 Phnom Penh 36 18-Mar Cambodian M 71 Tboung Khmum 103 29-Mar Cambodian F 36 Poipet 37 18-Mar Cambodian M 52 Tboung Khmum 104 30-Mar French M 61 Phnom Penh 38 19-Mar Cambodian F 35 Battambang 105 30-Mar Cambodian F 20 Phnom Penh 39 19-Mar Cambodian F 41 Battambang 106 30-Mar Cambodian M 30 Banteay Meanchey 40 19-Mar Cambodian M 60 Kandal 107 30-Mar Cambodian M 36 Kampong Cham 41 19-Mar Cambodian M 34 Phnom Penh 108 31-Mar Cambodian F 39 Siem Reap 42 19-Mar Malaysian M 26 Kampong Cham 109 31-Mar Cambodian M 12 Siem Reap 43 19-Mar Malaysian M 34 Kampong Cham 110 02-Apr Cambodian M 58 Preah Sihanouk 44 19-Mar Malaysian M 34 Kampong Cham 111 03-Apr Malaysian M 40 Kampong Cham 45 19-Mar Malaysian M 51 Kampong Cham 112 03-Apr French M 67 Preah Sihanouk 46 19-Mar Malaysian M 58 Kampong Cham 113 03-Apr French F 59 Preah Sihanouk 47 19-Mar Malaysian M 62 Kampong Cham 114 03-Apr French F 67 Preah Sihanouk 48 20-Mar Malaysian M 39 Kampong Cham 115 07-Apr Vietnamese F 27 Phnom Penh 49 20-Mar Cambodian M 33 Phnom Penh 116 08-Apr Cambodian F 45 Phnom Penh 50 20-Mar Cambodian M 38 Battambang 117 08-Apr Cambodian M 47 Phnom Penh 51 20-Mar Cambodian M 48 Battambang 118 09-Apr Chinese F 30 Phnom Penh 52 21-Mar French M 68 Sihanoukville 119 10-Apr Vietnamese F 34 Phnom Penh 53 21-Mar French M 70 Preah Sihanouk 120 11-Apr Chinese F 31 Phnom Penh 54 22-Mar French F 48 Preah Sihanouk 121 12-Apr Vietnamese F 24 Phnom Penh 55 22-Mar French F 59 Preah Sihanouk 122 12-Apr Canadian M 50 Phnom Penh 56 22-Mar French F 66 Preah Sihanouk 123 21-May Cambodian M 26 Kampot 57 22-Mar French F 61 Preah Sihanouk 124 22-May Cambodian F 39 Phnom Penh 58 22-Mar French F 63 Preah Sihanouk 125 29-May Cambodian F 26 Tboung Khmum 59 22-Mar French F 52 Preah Sihanouk 125 123 124 60 22-Mar French F 62 Preah Sihanouk 120 122 *Source: Health Ministry 118 119 114 115 117 61 22-Mar French F 66 Preah Sihanouk 107 109 110 102 102 103 62 22-Mar French F 59 Preah Sihanouk COVID-19 Cases 91 96 98 84 87 63 22-Mar French F 63 Preah Sihanouk 53 64 22-Mar 47 51 French F 76 Preah Sihanouk 37 65 22-Mar French F 60 Preah Sihanouk 12 24 66 22-Mar French F 63 Preah Sihanouk 67 22-Mar French F 60 Preah Sihanouk 15 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Mar 31 Mar 02 Apr 03 Apr 07 Apr 08 Apr 09 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 21 May 22 May 29 May Insight into Cambodia Publisher Mohan Bandam Chief Operating Officer/Acting Editor in Chief Kay Kimsong OPINION Editorial Consultant Cheang Sokha National Editor Van Roeun Group Business Editor Mark Hughes Beware the blame game Deputy Business Editor Harrison White Chief Sub Editor Shanthini Venugopal Sub Editors Priyadev Aravind LJ Nicole B. Maske because it will backfire Tom Starkey Jun Sheng collectively slam and smear China, of concentrating on bringing the Justice lies in people’s hearts. Chief Reporter Ben Sokhean using very tough and strong words outbreak under control, are only The people of the world have seen Business Editor he blame that certain poli- even though they knew the accusa- focused on smearing other countries clearly that the fancy slogans such Sorn Sarath ticians have been trying tions carried no weight. Being and shifting the blame to others that as “America first” and “making Business Journalists to shift to China have all incompetent in controlling the the US has left the world far behind America great again” should be Sok Chan Chhut Bunthoeun backfired on themselves, pandemic at home, they have been in the number of confirmed based on “bearing responsibilities” Jose Rodriguez T. Senase Tand the hardest-working blame- adamant about scapegoating China COVID-19 cases. Closer scrutiny rather than shirking them. T Journalists game player Mike Pompeo is and put forth all sorts of China- would show that their blame-game he irresponsible and unconscio- Buth Reaksmey Kongkea Pech Sotheary considered by many US media and bashing fallacies. just revealed their incorrigible nable move of shifting blame will Khuon Narim Sen David netizens as “one of the worst But the truth always beats lies “sinophobia paranoia”. in no way help with the anti-epi- Lovely Rose T. Bernal Secretaries of State in history”. in the end. The false accusations Some US politicians have been demic efforts; rather, it will only Translator/Journalist Phun Chan Ousaphea Shifting the blame to others has made by those politicians were not trumpeting the “end of history” lead to an irremediable situation Feature Writer eventually boomeranged against bought even by their own people, theory. They don’t want to see a where the US has no choice but to Taing Rinith themselves. What exactly have they not to mention the rest of the world. fast-developing and strong China, eat the bitter fruit of its own making.

Deputy Sports Editor done to shift the blame then? When asked if they had any evidence much less a successful socialist There is an old Chinese saying Jose Rodriguez T. Senase At first, the US politicians to prove that the virus came from country. Still, history rolls forward that goes “lift a rock only to drop it Web Master/Designer Uong Ratana played “face change” repeatedly. China, the politicians just beat irrespective of personal wishes, and on one’s own feet”, which is similar Assistant Web Designer They praised China’s anti-virus around the bush, unable to give a no force can stop China’s progress. to “shift the blame only to have it Horng Pengly efforts when COVID-19 first broke direct answer. Their bluffing trick, Thanks to the tremendous efforts backfire. Web Editor out in the country. Then all of a after playing for a long time, was made since the outbreak, China has We advise those US politicians, Ayman Khalil sudden, they changed their tune and seen through. The continuously achieved remarkable success in who confuse right with wrong, cling Photographers Chor Sokunthea began to criticise China. The U-turn worsening pandemic situation in the containing the virus, and resumed to the past, maintaining biased view- Yeun Punleau Siv Channa in their attitude came at a subtle US has infuriated its media and business operations and production points and randomly shifting blame, Videographer timing when the outbreak quickly people so much that criticisms of across the country. to stop making anti-China noises Tep Sony escalated in the US. With a mentality the government and its officials for In contrast, the US has become and face up to justice, reason and Nehru Pry Pann Rachana of speculation and adventurism, the their slow and bungled response the epicentre of the global pandemic, public opinion. After all, blaming Columnists anxious and upset US politicians have never stopped. Facts have with the virus spreading further, and China won’t cure your “disease” or Soun Nimeth Chan Sophal felt no qualms about going back on proven that these politicians, failing the number of infections and deaths make your wish to curb China’s Nim Sothea Heng Pheakdey their own words. What an to shift the blame, have finally shot still on the rise. Such a comparison development come true. That the Leap Chanthavy Chan Kunthiny eye-opening farce for the world. themselves in the foot. is the last thing that those infected US insists on going its own way Later, they joined efforts to stig- Now that the blame-game with “sinophobia paranoia” want to stubbornly and recklessly will only MarCom Manager Finance / Admin Manager matise China. As the pandemic doesn’t work, the true situation see. So, they played the blame-game make itself a laughing stock and the Raquel Bacay spread ever more quickly across the about America’s pandemic preven- to pass the buck for their poor target of disdain. Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager Oun Chamroeun US to the brink of going completely tion and control can no longer be epidemic response and defame and Assistant Finance / Admin Manager out of control, some politicians covered up. It is exactly because of throw obstacles at China’s devel- The author is a correspondent Rin Nita couldn’t wait to stand up and those US politicians who, instead opment. How insidious. from China Military Online Finance Controller Angelica B. Lorenzo Accounts & Admin Assistants Ouk Sothea Phal Meta How Covid-19 invisibilises concerns of women, girls Chief, Desk Top Publishing/Designer Prak Chanry THE Coronavirus disease (COVID- girls and their concerns. So far, the government must categorise all even when those women who own Creative Designer 19) pandemic has cut across all government has extended support services catering women’s repro- a phone want to reach out to help- Aim Valinda sections of society, but while we by providing Rs 1,500 (about $20) ductive health as “essential” and lines, in many cases, they can’t Graphic Artist, DTP and Digital are all facing the same storm, the over three months to nearly 200 violence against women must be because they are stuck at home under Designing Executive Gabriel F. Garbosa boats we sail in are different. The million women holding Jan Dhan seen as a health care issue to prevent the control of family members. IT Support hierarchies of class, caste and gender accounts, it has also promised to needless deaths and pain. Violence Proactive measures by the govern- Om Chetna significantly determine the nature reimburse the cost of cylinders from against women increases during most ment such as awareness campaigns © All stories, photos and content are copyright of Khmer of challenges each of us face. In April to June to beneficiaries of the crises, including epidemics. The through local government bodies and Times and may not be reproduced without permission. Advertising, call: India, the pandemic has exacerbated Ujjwala scheme. However, there National Commission for Women nongovernmental organisations and (+855) 23 221 660 existing inequities, including with are issues of access to bank services has reported increases in violence functional helplines are urgently E-mail: [email protected] regard to gender. Girls in India face as well as availability of cash that against women in the last two needed to prevent the abuse of [email protected] a continuum of discrimination even women, especially poor women, are months. The numbers that are women. A much stronger gender Relay (Phnom Penh International Airport) International Terminal before birth, with the risk of sex-se- facing at the moment. The halt of reported are only an indication of the lens needs to be built into the Lucky Supermarket lective abortions, through to child- all economic activity has worsened depth of this problem. Most cases of COVID-19 response so we don’t (+855) 81 222 028 hood and manifesting even in adult growth prospects taking unemploy- violence go unreported because of lose hard won gains made in regard Circle K (+855) 78 777 954 life through a multitude of regres- ment levels to unprecedented levels. fear and shame created by dominant to women’s rights and well-being PBC - Peace Book Center sive social norms and practices. This lack of jobs will further disad- social norms. The culture of impunity in education, health and empower- Bayon Market Women’s contribution to the vantage women, more than 90 ingrained in the patriarchal society ment. The inequality and high rates Distribution Officer economy is unrecognised.Women percent of whom are employed in stands to be further strengthened with of violence experienced by women Long Sour Osoth: (+855) 98 915 666 [email protected] bear the silent and essential burden the informal sector. The female the understaffed police force having is a global pandemic and a national Distributor (Newsstand) Nuon Phirum during crises as primary providers workforce participation rate in India to bear the responsibilities of crisis. It has sadly been made worse Printed by: of care at home and in health care is 23 pervcent, and is in danger of enforcing lockdowns and ignoring by COVID-19 and the lockdown TSTP Solutions Co., Ltd. settings. For instance, more than falling further because of the crisis. issues of violence against women. and calls for attention both in homes Published by: 900,000 accredited social health Besides endangering their own The lockdown and economic stress and in the world. VIRTUS MEDIA PTE., LTD. activist workers are at the forefront economic independence and the act as a perfect storm for abuse of No. 7, Street 252, Sangkat Chak Tomuk, Khan of the COVID-19 crisis manage- survival of their families, the women. It is worsened by the grim Shireen Vakil is head of policy, Tata Daun Penh, Phnom Penh 12207, Kingdom of Cambodia ment, working at great personal risk lockdown has had the most impact reality of the digital divide between Trusts. Aparna Uppaluri works in Tel : (+855) 23 221 660 | Fax: (+855) 23 220 780 and minimal compensation. on the health, both physical and men and women, with males philanthropy. for women’ rights. The E-mail: [email protected] The pandemic holds the risk of mental, of women. With the accounting for 67 percemt of India’s views expressed are personal. First www.khmertimeskh.com further invisibilising women and lockdown now being eased, the online population. This means that published in the HINDUSTAN TIMES 10 OPINION MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Five sustainable alternatives to plastics he world is drowning in Economic Forum in November. plastics that are often 4. Plant sugars non-biodegradable and While PET is one of the most recy- non-recyclable. But a new clable fossil-based plastics it takes Trange of compostable bioplastics hundreds of years to decompose. In created from seeds and even fish scales response, Amsterdam-based Avantium could liberate us from plastic waste. has created a revolutionary “YXY” 1.3 billion plastic bottles are sold plants-to-plastics technology that daily around the world. And that’s converts plant-based sugars into a new just the tip of the fossil-based plastic biodegradable packaging material, iceberg. Plastic preserves our food. polyethylene furanoate or PEF. It’s in the nylon and polyester we A trial of PEF biodegradability wear, and it protects medical staff in the natural environment is showing from the Coronavirus. promising signs. “PEF degrades Petroleum-based plastics much faster than PET under indus- dominate the market because they’re trial composting conditions,” durable, light-weight and cheap, but Caroline van Reedt Dortland, most of them can’t be recycled or Director Communications at reused. Avantium, said Degrading in Of the 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic 250-400 days as opposed to 300-500 waste produced between 1950 and years is significant. 2015, only 9 percent was recycled. It is used as a textile, film, and The rest of it ended up in landfills, has the potential to become a major was incinerated or, all too often, player in the packaging of soft drinks, landed in the ocean. water, alcoholic beverages and fruit A raft of new bioplastic innova- juices, having already collaborated A worker clears drifting bottles, styrofoam and other plastic waste thrown into the sea by a pier in Singapore. AFP tions is starting to catch up, though. with the likes of Carlsberg to create And, unlike unsustainable fossil found in olive seeds is an antioxidant sunflower seeds used for oil produc- includes fish processing refuse. a “100 percent bio-based” beer bottle. fuels, they are derived from renew- that extends the life of the bioplastic tion is a waste product also being used A UK initiative called MarinaTex According to Hasso Pogrell of able sources. while also hastening composting of to created bioplastics. And luckily, is using fish skin and scales – 500,000 European Bioplastics, it’s even While bioplastics have the same the material into fertiliser within a year. they’re in near endless supply. tonnes of which are generated possible to “ recycle PEF together molecular structure as petro- And since Biolive’s granules act The German startup Golden annually in the UK alone – bound with PET and it makes the PET recy- leum-based plastics, which take like fossil fuel-based plastics, plastic Compound has created a unique with red algae to make a compostable clate perform even better than the hundreds of years to decompose, producers can simply substitute the Sustainable Sunflower Plastic plastic alternative that can replace original PET.” research shows that biomass-based conventional granules without Compound bioplastic – referred to single-use plastics such as bakery 5. Mushrooms polymers are also more likely to disrupting the production cycle for as S²PC. It’s reinforced with bags and sandwich packs. Gadget blog Gizmodo wrote biodegrade and break down, industrial products and food packaging. sunflower hulls, which they claim MarinaTex claims the biopolymer back in 2015 about resilient and including in industrial compost facil- Biolive claims that by utilising are 100% recyclable. creates stronger packaging than a biodegradable fungal mycelia-based ities. Here’s a look at five ingredients olive oil waste, production costs are The S²PC bioplastic is being conventional plastic bag — flying in materials which, unlike oil-based that could make bioplastics compet- reduced by up to 90 percentt in moulded into everything from office the face of perceptions that bioplastics plastic, “create no toxic byproducts.” itive with traditional plastics. relation to some existing bioplastics. furniture to recyclable transport and lack strength and durability. One emerging brand utilising 1. Olive pits This is important says founder Duygu storage boxes and crates. Lucy Hughes, who created the fungi is Reishi, a sustainable, fine Countries that produce a lot of Yilmaz, because starch-based bioplas- Golden Compound also produces product in her final year at the mycelium leather substitute created olive oil have a byproduct that can be tics made from corn are often more a “green” bioplastic that is 100% University of Sussex, says from a woven cellular microstructure used for plastic: olive pits. A Turkish expensive than petroleum-based biodegradable, GMO-free and can MarinaTex’s flexibility, strength and derived from mushrooms. By startup called Biolive began creating plastics and are therefore not a viable be fully composted at home. Products pliability was inspired by actual fish emulating the collagen structure of a range of which began creating a alternative. In 2019, award-winning include award-winning, world-first skin and scales. “It kind of struck me animal leathers, Reishi fine mycelium range of bioplastic granules created Biolive was chosen to represent biodegradable coffee capsules, plant that nature can make so much from is both sustainable and very versatile. from olive seeds that result in Turkey at the United Nations pots and coffee mugs. so little, so why do we need to have DW bio-based, partially biodegradable Development Programme. 3. Fish waste and algae hundreds of man-made polymers products that can decompose in a year. 2. Sunflower hulls The growing attempt to transform when nature has so many already The active ingredient oleuropein Like olive seeds, the husks of organic waste into plastic now available,” she told the World Coronavirus crisis will be paid for by Europe’s next generation THE EU Commission president has have hit on a financial trick that Be honest about who will states in general tend to do. – would also make more sense. It's really taken the plunge with the places the burden not on the have to pay For EU members, the debt plan the next generation in Europe that gigantic draft budget she has taxpayers of today, but on future – for which the states don't have to will pay for the crisis of today. In proposed for the next seven years. generations. The EU wants to In order to raise the money to commit own resources, just guar- addition to the billion-euro short- It will be interesting to see what borrow €750 billion, with repay- pay off the instalments from 2028 antees – is the most elegant solution, falls in national budgets, they're remains of it after the 27 member ments to start only in 2028, and for onwards, von der Leyen is proposing as it means the burden won't fall on getting the EU's debts, too – and, states have had their say. Its mixture these to be in installments spread vague taxes on plastic waste, carbon national budgets at this point in time. if all goes well, a few sensible of rescue packages and reform over up to 30 years. dioxide and climate-damaging And so the problem is shifted investments. budgeting must gain their unani- The repayment is to be financed imports from third countries. In into the future. In view of the For the European Union itself, mous approval. There will be some by new taxes, or "own resources" of fiscal policy terms, that's wishful economic crisis triggered by though, nothing better could happen tough negotiations over the coming each of the member states as they're thinking. Ultimately, it will be the measures to combat the coronavirus, – because debt binds people, and weeks, in particular over who will called in EU jargon. The EU itself member states who have to service it's understandable that the EU is states, together. Withdrawing from get how much from the bulging cannot raise taxes. However, up until these debts – and thus, of course, in considering this solution. But the a future community of joint coffers, and on what terms. now, the EU member states have the final analysis, it will be European Commission and the member states liability, a debt union, will be Ursula von der Leyen claims always prohibited the EU Commission taxpayers who will pay. should be honest about what they're almost impossible, as it would be that she discussed this urgent anti- from collecting significant quantities The plan may also be not really doing, and not pretend that the debts so expensive. The EU will therefore crisis plan with all the governments of their "own resources." Own to pay back the debt that the EU – in could one day be paid off with some have a sort of guarantee of its and did not encounter any funda- revenue and own taxes equate to contravention of its treaties – now, vague form of taxation. continued existence. DW mental opposition. That may be power, and this is something the for the first time, wants to take on, That way, the name Ursula von because, in order to pay for their member states don't necessarily want but simply to refinance it again and der Leyen has given the economic reconstruction fund, the Europeans to hand over to Brussels. again, constantly putting it off, as program – "Next Generation EU" THURSDAY, MAY 07, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Local property market NATION 11 best described as ‘flat’ PAGE 12

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Khmer Times affected by the pandemic, in addition to its financial relief scheme in the aybank expanded its form of restructuring and resched- Premier Banking uling (R&R) of financing facilities, services in Cambodia as well as a moratorium on loan with the opening of repayments. Maybank also partners Mits third premier wealth lounge at with the SME Bank through the the newly located Maybank Toul SME Co-Financing Scheme to facil- Kork branch in Phnom Penh. The itate the provision of financing to lounge which is located at the new SMEs in an effective and sustainable branch building at No. 61A, Street manner to support local small and 315 corner of Street 592, Village 6, medium enterprises, in order to Sangkat Boeng Kak II, Khan Tuol increase economic diversification Kork, Phnom Penh. It aims to better and boost small and medium enter- serve the growing customer base of prises in Cambodia during this chal- Maybank in the country, as well as lenging time. affirming Maybank’s long term “We are also strongly urging our growth commitment in Cambodia. customers to avail to our various Dato’ Mohd Hanif Suadi, CEO online banking facilities, in light of of Maybank Cambodia, said that the the current situation with increased timely relocation of the Maybank emphasis on keeping yourself and Toul Kork to a new address is signif- Maybank opens its third premier wealth lounge at the newly located Tuol Kork branch. Supplied your community safe by avoiding icant because the Bank continues to crowded places and keeping your grow its premier banking segment lounge will not only be able to serve hygiene measures across its opera- have always ensured that our role social distance,” added Dato’ Hanif. as well as providing enriched banking a new customer base but also gives tions to mitigate any health risks goes beyond just driving economic Maybank currently offers both experience for the customers. the bank added agility to promote arising from the spread of the virus. growth for the country and region, the Maybank2u online banking and “While the world is operating innovative products and services.” Aside from routinely sanitising our but also in ensuring the wellbeing mobile app to facilitate various in an environment challenged by The relocation and expansion of offices, all customer-facing of our communities at all times, banking transactions for individuals. the COVID-19 pandemic, we the Toul Kork branch affirms employees have been provided more so during critical moments The Maybank2u mobile app has also remain committed to continuously Maybank’s assurance that there is personal protection equipment. such as the current COVID-19 situ- recently undergone a user interface play a role in contributing to no disruption to any of its services Hand sanitisers are provided for ation which has stretched the and user experience uplift, which Cambodia’s economy. The premier arising from the outbreak of the staff use and daily temperature resources of the country.” promises a whole new experience banking segment is a key business COVID-19. The bank has in place checks are also being carried out in Concurrently, Maybank is also that provides simplicity, speed and portfolio for the bank as we have a sound business continuity plan to efforts to ensure the wellbeing of focusing its effort on helping the ease of use. For the businesses, seen the segment growing exponen- ensure the smooth functioning of our staff and customers. We will people to survive the crisis and then Maybank offers the Maybank2e tially, registering healthy growth in its operations in the event of such continue to undertake the necessary eventually help reverse this pandem- online platform, which provides a asset under management (AUM), incidents. In this regard, various measures as long as they are required ic-induced economic slowdown broad spectrum of a web-enabled contributing 41 percent of the total precautionary measures will as the safety of our customers and given that the cause of this slowdown cash management solutions, i.e. Bank AUM on the back of a 16 continue to be emplaced at the new staff are paramount to us,” said is peculiar and its impact significant. information management, payables percent growth in customer base Toul Kork branch. Dato’ Mohd Hanif Suadi. In this regard, since the outbreak of management and receivables last year and is also targeting to “Since the outbreak of the Dato’ Hanif added, “As an the COVID-19, Maybank has management. double the growth this year. COVID-19, the bank has taken the organisation with a mission of commenced the offering of financial It is competing with rival banks Therefore, the new Premier Wealth prescribed precautionary and humanising financial services, we advisory services for its customers on the technology front. Reports continue of vendors refusing US currency after NBC ‘phase out’ From page 1 Minister Hun Sen has directly US bills, an official (June 1 to Aug 31) for all addressed the concerns announcement from the commercial banks and micro- There have also been stating, “I would like to National Bank of Cambodia finance institutions (MFIs) to widespread reports on social confirm to the Cambodian will be released to the collect $1, $2 and $5 bills so media of gas stations and people that in addition to the public,” Mr Hun Sen said. it can transport them to a tuktuk drivers refusing the NBC announcement on May “All citizens, please foreign country. There will currency from customers, 28 that the small US continue spending freely the be no service charge during expressing the same concerns. banknotes of $1, $2, and $5 said banknotes in the this period. Local vendors debate whether to accept small US currency “Here in Sihanoukville. are still widely used and Kingdom without any loss in The banks’ regulator said at a Phnom Penh market. KT/Pann Rachana Many shops are [already] accepted across the country. exchange rates or additional after Aug 31, the NBC will refusing to accept the dollar “It was not banned as charges,” he added. transfer the cost of exporting charge for accepting $10 date to stop accepting the as legal tender,” a Facebook rumoured,” he added. According to the official the notes to the commercial notes and it will continue small US dollar banknotes user commented. “In the event of a halt to NBC announcement it will banks and MFIs. discussing with banks and completely from commercial In response, Prime the circulation of the said give a three-month deadline It added there will be no MFIs to determine the exact banks and MFIs. 12 BUSINESS MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com EU to assist Local property market tourism sector post COVID-19

Chhut Bunthoeun best described as ‘flat’ [email protected] Chhut Bunthoeun CAMBODIA has requested [email protected] the European Union assist the ambodia’s local property Kingdom’s hard-hit tourism sector has been described sector once the COVID-19 as “flat” while condo- pandemic has been resolved miniums and boreys are and international travel begins taggedC to be the hardest hit during again. the COVID-19 pandemic because The request came after the listings will eventually need to Tourism Minister Thong Khon be put up for sale under current and EU Ambassador to market prices in the coming months, Cambodia Carmen Moreno according to an industry insider. held a bilateral talk last week, Grant Fitzgerald, country manager discussing Cambodia’s tourism of Independent Property Services, told sector, which is considered one Khmer Times the current situation in of the country’s four economic the local property market is best pillars. described right now as “flat”. Thong Khon formally “This is understandable given asked for the ambassador’s that countries around the world have support and cooperation, essentially shut down in order to curb Under construction: A borey project in Chroy Changva commune. KT/Pann Rachana requesting the union share the spread of COVID-19. This advice on how to restore the shutdown will impact certain sectors looking for fast sales in Siem Reap,” business loans accounting for the market corrections, household cash- sector while also seeking to of the estate market more than others, he noted. According to the country largest share of disbursements followed flow distress is expected to be promote the Kingdom’s with the segments most exposed to manager, who has spent the past eight by personal loans and mortgages. Total contained by the secondary market. tourism destinations in the EU debt to be hit hardest; this means years working in Cambodia and outstanding mortgage loans amounted However, by the end of Q1 2020, market. condominiums and boreys,” he said. China, the sooner things return to to $4.23 billion which represents a 31 condominium prices per square In addition to destination He explained that a lot of these normal the better for the entire percent growth compared with Q1 metre, especially in the high- and promotion, investment in the properties are purchased through economy. As a general rule, Fitzgerald 2019, according to the report. mid-range sectors, have begun sectors’ human development loans and with the entire economy said, economies function much better According to a recent CBRE report, showing signs of a downward trend. was also requested. slowing down, people being laid off when there is an element of certainty Borey developers’ confidence The mid-range market’s price per “The tourism sector has and salaries cut, there will likely see underpinning the market. remains strong despite economic square metre decreased by 1.5 per been adversely affected by the a sharp rise in loan defaults. “When schools reopen, borders headwinds such as the EBA (every- cent while the high-end market COVID-19 which has resulted “Keep an eye out for under reopen and people get back to their thing but arms 20 percent free-trade slipped by 0.5 percent. The afford- in a lot of job losses for the market-priced condos and boreys normal lives, this is when market withdrawal and COVID-19. Quoted able segment of the market, however, sector. However, recently we coming onto the market in the certainty and confidence will return prices on these properties also showed increased in price by 0.3 percent, have seen a good move, with coming months. For now, cash is and we will see the economy start no signs of slowing down by the end according to CBRE’s report. about 400,000 domestic king. If you have it, keep it ready to pick up again,” he said. of Q1 2020. In fact, prices saw Condominium rentals are also seeing tourists travelling to tourism to snap up a bargain. Interestingly, Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC) increases of up to 2.9 percent in linked prices go down. Rentals in the sites nationwide in the last our Siem Reap office is extremely has reported that total outstanding house properties during the same high-end and mid-range have slid by three weeks of the month,” he busy at the moment. Over the last loans in the first quarter of the year period – with villas reporting price 0.4 percent and 0.6 percent respec- said. few years, we have seen a boom in reached about $28.4 billion, up to growths of up to 4.3 percent. tively. The drop in prices is attributed He added that the Ministry property investment up there. Now 26 percent compared with the same CBRE’s report anticipates that to fears surrounding COVID-19 and is planning to organise addi- that people are needing cash, we period last year. The loan portfolio borey sale prices will remain robust new supplies of condominium units tional training skills for those have a lot of motivated sellers mixture remains largely the same with throughout the year. If there are any coming online in Q1 2020. who are unemployed in antic- ipation for when foreign tourists do return. EU Ambassador Carmen Report: 1.76 million local jobs at risk Moreno said that the EU will help support the Kingdom’s From page 1 economic recovery. The household enterprises to tourism development, hoping COVID-19 pandemic will cheaper credit using co-fi- the collaboration will further urgent economic relief and likely have major implications nancing facilities between the improve relations between the public health protection in the on how regional and global newly established Small and Cambodian government and immediate term, underpin- trade and investment will be Medium Enterprise Bank of the EU, committing to help ning an economic recovery conducted going forward, with Cambodia (SME Bank) and promote the Kingdom’s in the short term, and fostering expected major shifts in trade commercial lenders (banks tourism destinations to the EU macro-fiscal and social resil- and migrant policies and flow and microfinance institutions). market. In 2019 Cambodia ience in the medium term. of goods and services. Similarly, additional recorded 793,937 arrivals from Effective business conti- There is a need for the capital injection of $50 million the EU, down 3 percent year- nuity plans and use of digital authorities to think on a future for the Agriculture and Rural on-year. technologies are needed to where strengthening domestic Development Bank has been Arrivals also dropped 24 ensure uninterrupted provision demand, protecting the local provided to support agri-pro- The World Bank said Cambodia’s main drivers of economic percent in the first quarter of of relief programmes and consumer purchasing power cessing firms and emerging growth have been severely affected. Supplied 2020 attracting only 221,066 service. The plans set out amid external shocks of agribusinesses. However, the visits. contingency measures to public health and/or natural success of the measures hinges operating in retail and low-end brought under control. Last year, the Kingdom minimise disruptions to the disasters, and increasing on targeting appropriate small, tourism, where large numbers Refocusing and re-ener- welcomed roughly 6.6 million organisation’s operations in production for domestic medium and large firms and of informal or semiformal gising efforts and sources tourists, generating almost $5 case of crisis by leveraging consumption, are the way to enterprises that are efficient firms might either be affected that might have been inter- billion and funding around emerging digital and informa- move forward. In this regard, and viable but lack cheaper by the pandemic or not. The rupted or diverted to cope 630,000 jobs, with the sector tion technologies. intervention measures recently financing sources to create final step is to ensure with the COVID-19 outbreak contributing around 12 percent The effectiveness of introduced by the authorities jobs, to run profitably and to economic and social resil- to moving forward with key to the country’s gross domestic government intervention will include tax relief and improved export. This should also iency in the medium term structural and sectoral product last year. be essential to facilitate access by small businesses and include family and small firms after the outbreak has been reforms is crucial. MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com BUSINESS 13 Q&A with Dr In Channy on local bank sector during COVID-19

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the local and global economy Khmer Times reporter, Sorn Sarath, sat down with President and Group Managing Director of ACLEDA Bank Plc Dr In Channy, to discuss how the local banking industry is facing the potentially fatal contagion that is destroying economies

KT: What is your current KT: How has issuing loans money. Although we have provided on their loans – it will strongly affect will allow us to have more cash in overview of the local banking during the pandemic been loans for other sectors such as agri- the banking industry with some hand to provide loan assistance. industry, so far, during the affected? culture because it is the cultivation banks possibly even going bankrupt. COVID-19 pandemic? season and many need funds to In response, banks need to work KT: What are your expecta- Dr Channy: For ACLEDA, we harvest their crops – we have with the long-term cooperation with tions after COVID-19 ends? And Dr Channy: Every sector of have more than 400,000 customers actually seen an increase in these clients. ACLEDA has worked with what is your preparation? Cambodia has been affected by the and our loan portfolio is $3.75 billion sectors from before. In total, we its clients for more than 20 years virus, including the banking industry and we are not just focused on the have provided loans for fewer than and we cannot run away from each Dr Channy: We will see all because it depends on all the coun- garment factory for investment. $30 million during the first four other when we meet difficult sectors gradually rebound after the try’s four main sectors of economic Because we provide small and months of the year. We have also circumstances. However, we do COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, growth. As Cambodia is moving medium-sized loans, and again had more saving deposits during need to follow NBC’s guidelines the virus has changed the way that towards a diversified economy that provide most to the tourism sector, this period because people save for loan restructures. So far, people use banking service as people includes textiles, tourism, agricul- which has been essentially closed more than invest and they may wait ACLEDA has restructured loans for will worry about their health and don’t ture and construction and real estate. and not requesting to borrow until the situation eases to reinvest. more than 300 customers. During want to come to the bank branches. These four sectors are all key players this time we will continue to provide In preparation, the sector has that the banking industry needs to The virus has KT: Could you tell us about loans to customers while also been improving its infrastructure to thrive, especially the tourism sector loan restructurings measure following up and recording all support the financial service to better (hotel, guesthouse, restaurant and changed the outlined by the NBC? affected business performance to cater for people who prefer using passenger transportation). way that people use ensure that we can help them got mobile banking. As for ACLEDA, I believe the banking industry Dr Channy: First I would like the solution they need. This will we have already been preparing for is the backbone to support the coun- banking service as to say that, while banks are the source be implemented through until more convenient banking services. try’s economy and when other of funds, banks are also debtors. December this year. We are also deploying 115 sectors are affected, especially the people will worry Meaning we are not the boss. We are The government has attempted ATM’s across the country until the four main sectors, as previously about their health actually the servant because we only to assist us by providing cash to the end of this year that will increase mentioned this, in turn, has an have 15 percent of capital, another banking sector, but they will also our ATMs to around 900 units. This impacts on the financial service and don’t want to 15 percent in loans from foreign need to provide further incentives is how we have prepared to respond providers. That said, we still have come to the bank creditors while 70 percent we get by easing regulations. This could to the people after the COVID-19 some growth in big investments from our customer’s deposits. be such as reducing the ratio of pandemic to promote wider areas and we are looking for finan- branches So, if all clients ask for a delay reserve requirements for banks that payments and transactions. cial assistance to diversify in to less affected products during the pandemic. You will see some garment factories in which business have been affected by the COVID- 19, They are shifting to produce face masks, hand sanitirer or medical alcohol instead. Ultimately, when some sectors get affeccted, it provides opportunities and a chance for others as well.

KT: What is the biggest chal- lenge for the banking sector in the context of COVID-19?

Dr Channy: As I have mentioned, the banking industry heavily depends on the tourism sector and currently most of our clients are in tourism-related business. These businesses will need financial assistance from both banks and microfinance institutions if there is no tourism activity. For individual banks, it depends on themselves because some of them are retail banks that provide only small and micro-loans. However, in the case of ACLEDA, we provide on average a $9,000 loan per customer, mostly for small tour- ism-related businesses and house- holds – so this has been our challenge. Dr In Channy, president of ACLEDA Bank. KT/Sony Tep 14 BUSINESS MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Chip Mong Bank continues on with digitalisation strategy Sok Chan Commercial Bank has 36 ATMs, [email protected] 500 agents and seven branches. The bank will open another four hip Mong Commercial branches in Phnom Penh and Bank has inked an agree- province by early June in ment with six new Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampong business partners to Cham provinces, and along the 271 Cprocess its payday service – as the Street in Phnom Penh. businesses launch a variety of digital Leang Meng, board member and banking services over the next two acting president of Chip Mong years. Commercial Bank, said that Chip It brings the organisations Mong Bank is committed to be the payday service to now have more leading digital commercial bank in than 30 companies as partners and Cambodia. nearly 10,000 accounts. He added that the bank would The six new payday business like to hear from customers and partners are long-term, said Hong partners, and will find the solutions Sok Leng, Senior vice -president of and create the products to fit the Business Banking. The bank said customer and partners’ needs. that Chip Mong Bank is now a “We listen to our customers. We digital banking, focusing on tech- learn with our customers and partners nology for all its operation and about their demands before we set up transactions, such as payments, the products to fit their demands, so payrolls, cash withdrawals, money they will be happy with us,” he said. transfers and other financial “Our ambition is to make Chip Mong services. Bank famous in Cambodia,” he added. Sok Leng added that the bank’s He said that the bank’s digital payday service offered various transformation has rapidly grown benefits for the company and to now connect and fasten digital employees. It satisfies employees systems to engage the young demo- with special privileges such as Leang Meng, board member and acting president of Chip Mong Commercial Bank, gave a presentation at the graphic “We now want the high-interest rates and special home memorandom of understanding signing ceremony for its digital payday service. KT/Siv Channa eco-system of the bank to link to loan interest rate discounts. every partner. “It is a customer-centric system, transactions through Chip Mong Bank information from other banks and without any charge applied to either “Our digital service and products the payday services provide access Corporate internet banking. On top third-party providers. Plus, customers the company or employee,” Leng said. are just the first step.We still have online with flexible and real-time of this, the system protects payroll can try the Chip Mong Bank’s payroll So far, the Chip Mong another 10 steps to go,” he said. Choosing rice that’s nice for all Sok Chan Cambodia, the company found Federation’s secretary-general been conducted in some prov- [email protected] two Japonica varieties are now Lun Yeng, told Khmer Times inces in Cambodia since 2017 suitable for Cambodia’s climate that the Japonica rice variety after the ministry signed an THE Cambodian Huang Ming and plan to register the seedling is like IR varieties agreement in January with two An Vision Agricultural with Cambodia’s Ministry of short term crops, but it is Chinese laboratories, Hunan Technology Co Ltd success- Agriculture, Forestry and a short grain. Its market mostly Hybrid Rice Research Centre fully piloted growing the Fisheries,” he added. is in China and the European and Jiangsu Long An Japonica rice variety in He added that the Union. It is called medium Agriculture, to study the grain Cambodia so now the company company is now collabo- grain, and short grain rice . jointly. A hectare of land will work with the Ministry of rating with the Ministry of He said one of the CRF’s planted with Japonica can Agriculture to register this Agriculture’s General memberd has piloted this produce 6.5 tonnes of rice. On Cambodian fragrant-rice farmers. Supplied seedling in Cambodia. Directorate of Agriculture to Japonica variety and studying average, a hectare in Cambodia Huang Ming An, a evaluate this seedling. and researching this variety yields 3.5 tonnes of rice. climate,” he added. he added. professor and researcher on Meanwhile, the company will after this seedling was brought Kong Samoeun, deputy Ouk Makara, Director of He said that the last two Japonica rice at laboratory expand production of the from China, grow and will be director of the Rice Crops the Cambodian Agricultural rice varieties are resilient to Jiangsu Long An Agriculture, Japonica variety from exporteed to China. Department at the General- Research and Development the climate change, drought and president of Cambodian Kampong Speu province to “The yield is high. This Directorate of Agriculture, Institute (CARDI), told Khmer and the quality and yield is Huang Ming An Vision Battambang province. variety is good for exporting to told Khmer Times that at Times that so far, the govern- high. Agricultural Technology Co He also plans to establish a the EU because the medium present we can evaluate that ment has released 46 rice vari- He added the yield of Phka Ltdrun, he said that to expand fertiliser and pesticide factory grain is tariff free. In fact, if it is the Japonica rice variety eties, however, there are only Mealdei is from 3.5 to 5.5 the exports of Cambodia rice and plans to create an agricul- successful growing in Cambodia, could survive and grow in 10 varieties that are popular tonnes per hectare and Sen to the global market beyond tural crops organisaion in we can export it to China because Cambodia. and grown by the farmers. Kro Ob 01 is from 4 to 5.5 the Cambodian fragrant rice, Cambodia called Techo Long Chinese peope like it. We do not “If there is proper care, “It is up to the market tonnes per hectares and adapts the company should coop- Agriculture Crops Institute. He know the price, but the cost is good soil, land preparation demand and farmer’s needs, to the dry and rainy seasons. erate with the Ministry of added that after the registration lower than long grain, but it takes and no pests,, the yield is but we conducted research “Our released rice seedling Agriculture, Forestry and of the Techo Long Agriculture a short time to grow and high. up to eight tonnes per every day to find the better is bearing with the quality and Fisheries and import 10 Crops Institute, the company harvests early,” Yeng added. hectare, and it is also resil- rice crops to adapt with the yields compared with Japonica rice varieties to test will cooperate with the local According to the Ministry ience to the climate change climate changes. For the last Vietnamese rice seedlings, but growing them in Cambodia. community conduct farming to of Agriculture, tests on compared with our traditional two years, CARDI released it is up to the farmers and market “After the pilot for six years grow the Japonica rice variety. Japonica and its adaptability rice varieties. This Japonica two new rice varieties , Phka needs and businessmen or rice on this Japonica variety in Cambodia Rice to the Cambodian soil have is suitable for the Cambodia Mealdei and Sen Kro Ob 01,” exporters,” Makara added. 16 BUSINESS THURSDAY,MAY 07, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com

ASEAN Indonesian Thai govt seeks alternative laws minister slammed for to battle second wave of virus sexist speech JAKARTA (AFP) – An BANGKOK (Bangkok has been its vital legal tool to Indonesian minister is Post) – The Communicable back up measures imple- under fire after he Diseases Control Act is likely mented to curb the spread of compared coronavirus to to be used to battle a second Covid-19. rebellious wives, in wave of COVID-19 infec- The opposition charged remarks aimed at soothing tions, according to Deputy the decree gave the govern- public fears about easing Prime Minister Wissanu ment too much power and the COVID-19 restrictions Krea-ngam. drop in new infections over across the Southeast Asian Wissanu, who oversees recent weeks should justify archipelago. legal affairs, has been removing the decree which Women’s groups and assigned by Prime Minister they say limits people’s rights social media users Prayut Chan-o-cha to figure and freedom. slammed the apparent joke out which laws or measures Wissanu said the CCSA by security minister can be used as an alternative has not decided when the Mohammad Mahfud MD, to battle the second round of emergency decree will be who made the comments the outbreak. lifted, noting that public during an online address The Centre for Covid-19 health remains the defining to a local university . Situation Administration factor in determining the “Are we going to be (CCSA) has agreed in prin- length and scope of the law’s holed up forever? We can ciple with a proposal by the coverage. adjust to the situation National Security Council He also said the prime while still paying attention that an alternative must be in minister is empowered to to our health,” the minister place for managing the issue directives as allowed by said on Tuesday. outbreak when enforcement A cashier protects herself from the virus at a supermarket in Bangkok. Bangkok Post Section 5 of the emergency “The other day I got a of the emergency decree is decree to deal with the second meme from my colleague... lifted. to a new wave of infections Diseases Control Act which “There might be discrep- wave of Covid-19 infections, that says: Corona is like If the third phase of as curbs are eased. The authorises provincial gover- ancies, but the cabinet can if other mechanisms fail. your wife. Initially you lockdown easing, which takes cabinet has extended the nors to manage the virus situ- intervene and fix it. As for Yesterday, the number of tried to control it, then you effect Monday, yields satis- enforcement to June 30. ation. the measures [to contain the daily new infections was back realise that you can’t. Then factory results, the govern- Wissanu said if there is He said the cabinet can outbreak] they will be consid- to one, a Thai person with a you learn to live with it.” ment will be under more an emergency situation that issue orders to address any ered by medical personnel,” history of having travelled Critics panned the pressure to lift the state of is not critical, the government discrepancies that may arise he said. from Saudi Arabia’s capital, remarks as sexist and said emergency. However, some can invoke existing laws such from measures taken by each The government has Riyadh, via Kuala Lumpur, it underscored Jakarta’s fear that doing so could lead as the Communicable province. argued the emergency decree Malaysia. weak response to the virus outbreak. “This statement not only reflects the superficial Philippines coronavirus cases breach 17,000 power of the government to solve the COVID-19 MANILA (Manila Times) cases”’ or were only validated deaths, raising the total to ramped up. President Rodrigo Duterte pandemic problem, but – The Philippine Department today, but were recorded 3,808 and 950, respectively. “There was a delay in placed Metro Manila, Davao also shows the sexist and of Health (DoH) on Saturday from four days ago and The active cases stand at submitting reports of cases to City, Regions 2 (Cagayan misogynistic mindset of reported that 590 more indi- beyond. 11,972, the DoH added. the epidemiology bureau, due Valley), 3 (Central Luzon) and public officials,” Women’s viduals contracted corona- The remaining 252 are Health Undersecretary to multiple factors,” Vergeire 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Solidarity group chief virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) considered “fresh cases” or Maria Rosario Vergeire said had said. “Late submissions Rizal, Quezon), Pangasinan, executive Dinda Nisa Yura in the country, bringing the those recorded within the last that the public should expect from labs and previous and Albay under a more said in a statement. nationwide count to 17,224. three days. the number of cases to manual process of encoding relaxed general community Mahfud’s office did According to DoH’s The DoH also reported 88 increase in the coming days and reporting,” she added. quarantine (GCQ) from June not respond to a request bulletin, 338 were “late new recoveries and eight new as validation has been On Thursday night, 1 to June 15. for comment Friday. 16 BUSINESS THURSDAY,MAY 07, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com REGION India to begin major relaxation of lockdown NEW DELHI (AFP) – India said The end of the lockdown will (IPL) cricket tournament yet to Saturday it would begin a major be staged and for now will not resume after it was postponed last relaxation of the world’s biggest include some “containment zones” month, and political and religious A railway worker sprays disinfectant to sanitise a train carriage in coronavirus lockdown from early where high infection rates have been events with “large congregations”. Allahabad, India on May 30, 2020 after the government eased a June, even as the country saw detected, according to the home The nationwide evening curfew nationwide lockdown. AFP another record rise in confirmed ministry. was also eased and will now begin infections. But elsewhere, places of reli- two hours later at 9:00 pm. number of confirmed COVID-19 taken some steps to ease the Efforts to contain the disease gious worship, hotels, restaurants No movement in or out of infections, taking the total to almost economic pain of the lockdown. saw the shutdown of virtually all and shopping malls will be allowed containment zones will be allowed, 175,000 cases with nearly 5,000 Factory and farm operations economic activity in late March, to reopen as normal from June 8. with exceptions for medical emer- deaths. were allowed to resume in areas putting hundreds of millions out of Schools and universities will gencies and the supply of essential Government data released with no or few cases – although work almost overnight. resume classes after discussions goods and services. Friday gave an indication of the many are finding problems sourcing Millions of migrant workers fled with Indian state authorities, with a In these areas there will be preliminary toll of the lockdown on workers. home to their villages, many of them decision due in July. “intensive contact tracing, house- Asia’s third-biggest economy, Domestic flights also resumed walking hundreds of kilometres and The ministry said that interna- to-house surveillance and other which grew at its slowest pace in at earlier this month and some trains some dying on the way. tional air travel, mass transit, clinical interventions,” the ministry least two decades last quarter. are running on India’s vast rail Prime Minister Narenda Modi cinemas, swimming pools and said. The period included only the network. conceded that much of the country bars will remain closed for the The home ministry’s announce- very beginning of the national quar- Earlier this month Modi had since “undergone tremendous time being. ment came even after the world’s antine, and analysts say a massive announced a $266 billion package suffering” in an open letter to the Sport is still on hold, with the second-most populous country slowdown has taken place since. – 10 percent of the country’s GDP public on Saturday. lucrative Indian Premier League announced a fresh record in the Modi’s government had already – to revive the battered economy. India records 182,143 Afghan journo killed as govt COVID-19 cases, 5,164 deaths says ready for Taliban talks KABUL (AFP) – A roadside bomb “The negotiating team is ready NEW DELHI (Xinhua) – The killed a television journalist in to begin the talks at any moment,” total number of COVID-19 cases Kabul on Saturday, soon after a top he said. in India surpassed the 180,000- Afghan official appointed to lead However, he insisted on a fresh mark, reaching 182,143, on peace talks with the Taliban said ceasefire during the talks. Sunday, as the death toll crossed his team was ready for the long-de- The attack in central Kabul the 5,000-mark, reaching 5,164, layed dialogue. targeted Khurshid TV’s white said the data issued by the federal The blast, which targeted a minibus, the interior ministry said, health ministry. minibus carrying 15 employees of and caused extensive damage to its As many as 193 new deaths private television channel Khurshid front end. due to the COVID-19 and 8,380 TV, was claimed by the Islamic It was the second such attack new positive cases were reported State (ISIS) group, according to targeting Khurshid employees in since Saturday in the country. SITE Intelligence which monitors less than a year. This was the biggest spike jihadist activity. In August 2019, two passersby both in the numbers of cases and The attack, which the govern- were killed when a “sticky bomb” deaths in the country so far. ment called “heinous”, claimed the – a type of homemade explosive Sunday marks the 68th lives of a reporter and a driver, and attached to vehicles with magnets straight day of the ongoing punctuated an overall reduction in – struck a similar Khurshid TV van lockdown across the country violence that has followed on from in an unclaimed attack. announced by the central govern- a three-day ceasefire the Taliban Afghanistan is one of the ment to contain the spread of the Medical staff of Xiaotangshan Hospital disinfect a ward after the instigated May 24. world’s deadliest places for jour- pandemic. hospital cleared all virus cases in Beijing, April 28, 2020. Xinhua Just hours before the blast, nalists. The number of confirmed Afghanistan’s former chief execu- ISIS have targeted the media COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose 36.4 percent of the total confirmed 1,740, the National Health tive Abdullah Abdullah, who has before. The deadliest attack came to 69,496 with 1,483 deaths, cases. Commission said Sunday. been appointed to head talks with in 2018, when the group killed nine according to data updated by the Special Assistant to the Prime The two new cases were all the Taliban, said his team was posi- journalists from various news country’s health ministry Sunday Minister on Health Zafar Mirza reported in Shandong Province, tioned to start dialogue. organisations – including AFP’s morning. announced on Saturday that the commission said. Abdullah credited the general chief Afghanistan photographer A total of 3,039 new cases wearing masks at crowded places Of all the imported cases on lull in violence for setting the tone Shah Marai – in another Kabul blast. and 88 deaths were reported in was declared mandatory to the mainland, 1,692 had been for discussions. Afghanistan’s truce had ended the last 24 hours, the statistics prevent the spread of the corona- discharged from hospitals after “The ceasefire, a reduction in Tuesday night but violence since revealed. virus. recovery, and 48 remained violence and the exchange of pris- then has stayed relatively low, Overall, 42,742 patients are Meanwhilr, China reported hospitalized, the commission oners have all paved the way for a though government security under treatment in different two new imported COVID-19 said. good beginning,” Abdullah said at forces have suffered some attacks hospitals while 25,271 have cases Saturday, bringing the total No deaths had been reported his first press conference since that authorities blamed on the recovered completely, which is number of imported cases to from the imported cases. taking on the role. Taliban. MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com WORLD 17 Curfews and clashes as race protests escalate in US MINNEAPOLIS, United States always matter. And we’re here today At least eight states – including (AFP) – Curfews were imposed on to show that,” said makeup artist Texas, Colorado and Georgia – acti- major US cities as clashes over police Melissa Mock, who joined several vated the National Guard, who were brutality escalated across America thousand in a daytime protest in Miami. also deployed around the White House with demonstrators ignoring Minnesota Governor Tim Walzs to help handle the protests there. warnings from President Donald said he was mobilising the state’s In Washington, protesters faced Trump that his government would entire 13,000-strong National Guard off with secret service agents outside stop the violent protests “cold.” to deal with rioters who have looted the White House for a second straight Minneapolis, the epicenter of the shops and set fires in the night as Trump faces the most serious unrest, was gripped by a fifth consec- Minneapolis-St. Paul area. spate of civil unrest of his presidency, utive night of violence on Saturday All major freeways leading into in the middle of the coronavirus with police in riot gear firing tear gas Minneapolis were closed Saturday pandemic. and stun grenades at protesters night with military helicopters Looting occurred in Miami, venting fury at the death of George overhead as the state braced for more where a curfew was also announced, Floyd, an unarmed black man, during rioting, arson and looting, with locals while in New York mayor Bill de an arrest in the city on Monday. saying much of the violence was Blasio said a video appearing to show Los Angeles, Chicago and being perpetrated by outsiders. an NYPD police car drive into Atlanta were among two dozen cities Protesters march and carry signs in the West Village as they Earlier, people congregated and protesters in Brooklyn was “upset- ordering people to stay indoors over- demonstrate in outrage over the death of George Floyd, who died while chanted peacefully in Minneapolis, ting” but that he did not blame the night as more states called in National in custody of the Minneapolis police, at a rally on May 30, 2020 in New carrying brooms to help clean up officers. Guard soldiers to help control the York. AFP damaged shops and streets. In Los Angeles, the city’s mayor civil unrest not seen in the United spray while shop windows were protests, but said on Sunday that US Some placed flowers in front of expanded a curfew order as looting States for years. smashed in Philadelphia. citizens had every right to demon- the shop where Floyd was arrested broke out. Stretched emergency From Seattle to New York, tens Trump blamed the extreme left strate. on Monday, before his death in the services scrambled to put out the two of thousands of protesters took to the for the violence, including wide- “Protesting such brutality is right hands of police was recorded in a blazes on Melrose Avenue, as similar streets demanding tougher murder spread looting and arson in and necessary,” he said. “But burning horrifying cellphone video since seen scenes played out in Washington charges and more arrests over the Minneapolis, saying rioters were down communities and needless around the world. with officials extinguishing a major death of Floyd, who stopped dishonoring the memory of Floyd. destruction is not.” In Houston – where Floyd was fire at a hotel off Layfayette Square. breathing after Minneapolis police “We cannot and must not allow Peaceful protests occurred too, born and raised – an old friend of Protests are expected to continue officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his a small group of criminals and vandals including in Toronto as the movement his, Sam Osborne, said as an African even after Chauvin, the now-fired neck for nearly nine minutes. to wreck our cities and lay waste to spread beyond America’s borders. American he feared for his life. Minneapolis police officer accused In Los Angeles, officers fired our communities,” the president said. Demonstrators nationwide “I’m really messed up they killed of Floyd’s death, was arrested and rubber bullets and swung batons “My administration will stop chanted slogans such as “Black Lives him up. I’m wondering like, what charged with third-degree murder on during a testy standoff with demon- mob violence. And we’ll stop it Matter” and “I can’t breathe,” which could possibly happen to me?” he Friday. strators who set fire to a police car. cold,” he added, accusing the loose- Floyd, who has become a fresh told AFP. Floyd’s family and many protes- Police and protesters clashed in knit militant anti-fascist network symbol of police brutality, was heard Houston’s mayor announced at tors want a tougher charge brought numerous cities including Chicago Antifa of orchestrating the violence. saying repeatedly before he died. a press conference that Floyd’s and have also demanded that three and New York, with officers Democratic candidate Joe Biden “We’re not turning the cheek body would be brought back to the officers who assisted him be charged responding to projectiles with pepper condemned the violence of the anymore. Black lives matter. They will Texas city. as well. World virus cases top six million as leaders disagree on response BRASILA (AFP) – The will be worse than the virus, has On Friday he moved to the government warned that famed Galeries Lafayette Britain approved the number of coronavirus cases berated governors and mayors make that decision permanent it was moving too quickly. department store flung open return of domestic competitive worldwide topped six million for imposing what he calls “the in a major blow to the agency. “COVID-19 spreading too their doors. sport on June 1 – with no fans Sunday, with Brazil regis- tyranny of total quarantine”. The US is the WHO’s biggest fast to lift lockdown in In Austria, hotels and present – while South Africa tering another record surge in As the global death toll contributor, supplying $400 England,” tweeted Jeremy cinemas were allowed to take has given a provisional green daily infections as divisions from the pandemic surpassed million last year. Farrar, a member of the in customers, provided they light for training to resume. deepened on how to deal with 368,000, US President Donald German Health Minister government’s Scientific wear masks. As the virus hits the world’s the pandemic. Trump’s decision to perma- Jens Spahn said the “disap- Advisory Group for Across the Atlantic, the poor particularly hard, Pope Latin American countries nently cut funding to the pointing” decision was a Emergencies. US capital Washington Francis called for a “more just are bracing for difficult weeks World Health Organization setback for global health, Iran meanwhile announced resumed outdoor dining, and equitable society” in the ahead as the disease spreads has been broadly criticised. while Chancellor Angela that collective prayers would while on the West Coast, post-coronavirus world and for rapidly across the region, even The number of confirmed Merkel declined to attend an resume in mosques, despite restaurants and hair salons in people to act to “end the as much of the world exits cases worldwide is more than in-person G7 summit that infections ticking back Los Angeles reopened. pandemic of poverty”. lockdowns that have wrecked six million, according to an Trump had suggested he upwards in the Middle East’s New York City, the Even the animal world has economies and stripped AFP tally. would host. hardest-hit country. worst-hit American city with not been left untouched by the millions of their jobs. “Now is the time for Richard Horton, editor of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa about 21,500 coronavirus pandemic. In Brazil – the epicentre enhanced cooperation and The Lancet medical journal, mosque compound – the deaths, is on track to begin Gibraltar has banned of South America’s outbreak common solutions,” the said it was “madness and terri- third-holiest site in Islam after reopening the week of June 8. tourists from touching the with nearly 500,000 confirmed European Union said in a fying both at the same time”. Mecca and Medina in Saudi The overall US death toll British enclave’s famous cases, lagging only behind the statement, adding: “Actions As the virus progresses at Arabia – reopened to worship- has topped 103,000 out of Barbary macaques over fears United States – disagreement that weaken international different speeds around the pers on Sunday. more than 1.7 million cases they could spread coronavirus. among leaders over lockdown results must be avoided.” globe, there has been pressure With infection numbers of the virus. Singapore’s beloved otters measures has hampered efforts Trump initially suspended in many countries to lift crip- falling in many of Europe’s Global sport has also meanwhile have been popping to slow the virus as the number funding to the WHO last month, pling lockdowns, despite most affected countries, the started to rev back into action, up in unexpected places of fatalities in the country accusing it of not doing enough experts’ warnings of a possible push to restart economies was with Austria announcing it during the city-state’s nears 30,000. to curb the early spread of the second wave of infections. gaining steam. will host Formula One’s lockdown, but their increas- President Jair Bolsonaro, virus and being too lenient with In Britain, which is set to Italy’s Leaning Tower of delayed season-opener on ingly daring antics have who fears the economic fallout China, where COVID-19 begin lifting its lockdown on Pisa reopened on Saturday, July 5, and the NBA eyeing angered some and even from stay-at-home measures emerged late last year. Monday, senior advisors to while in Paris, parks and the a July 31 return. sparked calls for a cull. 18 SPORTS MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Fans could return for 20-21 season: Premier League chief London, United Kingdom (AFP) whether an unweighted points-per- Liverpool are two wins away – Premier League chief executive game model would be used in decide from clinching their first English Richard Masters said on Friday that the final table in the event of the title for 30 years, but they could be fans could be allowed to attend season being abandoned. forced to play at a neutral venue top-flight matches in the 2020-21 “We need to have plans in place when the trophy is within reach on season on a “phased basis”. so that we go into the start of the police advice. The Premier League plans to season knowing that if it can’t be Police chiefs are concerned resume the 2019-20 campaign on completed, what then happens,” about the safety risks of Liverpool June 17 following the coronavirus Masters said. fans gathering outside Anfield or lockdown. “(But) I’m not going to give any other stadium their team are But the remaining 92 fixtures away any of the details of the private playing at. will be played behind closed doors discussions we are having with our Masters said talks with the to minimise the health risks of foot- clubs.” police about neutral venues for some ball’s return in a country badly hit The video assistant referee games are on-going, but he hopes by the pandemic. (VAR) system is set to be used in Liverpool can at least have a trophy The prospect of playing the next the remaining matches, but Masters presentation. season with no fans is unappetising Fans unfurl a huge flag of Everton’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti in said it would be done remotely “They (the police) have legiti- for the Premier League and Masters the crowd ahead of the English Premier League football match between rather than from the officials’ usual mate concerns but we think we can suggested it could be possible to Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west base at Stockley Park. mitigate some of the issues they’re England on February 8, 2020. being back supporters at some stage. AFP “VAR has its own social trying to deal with,” he said. “No one knows when matches told Sky Sports News. The biggest concern for ‘Project distancing issues but we think there “Ultimately, we want the season will move away from the behind- “Hopefully it will be a huge Restart’ is another wave of the virus, is a way of completing the season to be played out on the pitch and closed-doors model and it is right morale boost and that is what we’ve which could lead to the competition with VAR, so absolutely our inten- we’re discussing a number of to have contingency plans in place, been working towards. being suspended again. tion is to complete the season with options to make it as fair as possible. but there is optimism at the “We’ve got some incredible fans With that in mind, Masters said VAR in place,” he said. “We’ll do everything we Premier League and at clubs that in this country and we all know the it was crucial clubs agreed on a plan “The hub itself could be a possibly can to deliver a trophy we will see fans back in the Premier League as we know and love for what would happen if the season problem, so if you can’t do the hub presentation. It’s really important stadiums next season and it may it won’t be fully back until we have had to end early before games resume. you have to do it remotely, and that’s to mark that moment and to give happen on a phased basis,” Masters fans back through the turnstiles.” But he would not be drawn on what we’re looking at.” the fans that memory to mark it.”

‘Justice for George’: Schalke’s US Lewandowski hits brace as footballer in armband protest Bayern Munich go 10 points clear Berlin, Germany (AFP) platform to bring attention – Schalke’s American to a problem that has been Berlin, Germany (AFP) – half winner. midfielder Weston going on too long feels Bayern Munich opened a “This is a very, very McKennie on Saturday good!!!,” tweeted 21-year- 10-point lead at the top of the important away win,” said wore a ‘Justice for George’ old McKennie after the 1-0 Bundesliga on Saturday with a Bremen coach Florian armband as part of the loss to Werder Bremen. 5-0 drubbing of relega- Kohfeldt. growing protests over the “We have to stand up for tion-threatened Fortuna “We have taken seven death of an unarmed black what we believe in and I Dusseldorf behind closed doors points from the last three man during a police arrest believe that it is time that with the league’s top-scorer games, but if you look at the in Minneapolis in the we are heard! #justicefor- Robert Lewandowski scoring table, we are still behind.” United States. georgefloyd #sayno- twice. Bremen have spent more “To be able to use my toracism.” Duesseldorf defender seasons in the Bundesliga than George Floyd died in Mathias Joergensen scored an any other club, but currently Minneapolis in an arrest by early own goal before Benjamin sit second from bottom. a police officer who pinned Pavard, Lewandowski (2) and However, Saturday’s him to the ground for several Alphonso Davies hit the target. victory leaves them just three minutes by kneeling on his With five games left, Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (R) points from guaranteed safety neck. Bayern, who have won their and Fortuna Duesseldorf’s German goalkeeper Florian with six games left. Derek Chauvin was last eight league games, are Kastenmeier vie for the ball during the German first They are two points behind division Bundesliga football match. charged Friday with one comfortably on course for an AFP Duesseldorf in 16th, which count of third-degree murder eighth straight league title. November 2018. poacher’s goal after Serge carries a relegation play-off at -- unintentionally causing a However, second-placed They fell behind on 15 Gnabry’s good work. the end of the season. death -- and one count of Borussia Dortmund could minutes when Joergensen Davies then scored the Werder could climb out negligent manslaughter. trim their lead on Sunday at turned the ball into his own net game’s best goal. of the relegation places for McKennie’s USA team- bottom side Paderborn. after Pavard mishit his shot. After some high pressing, the first time since December mate Jozy Altidore, who Lewandowski, who had Right-back Pavard then the Canadian teen won the on Wednesday if they beat plays for FC Toronto, never previously scored in six grabbed the second with a ball in the Duesseldorf area, Eintracht Frankfurt at home. saluted the Schalke player. games against Duesseldorf, powerful header on 29 barged past a succession of Bittencourt hit a stunning Schalke’s US midfielder “Salute lil bro,” tweeted made amends with goals either minutes before Lewandowski defenders and fired home to strike from just outside the Weston McKennie wears Altidore. side of half-time. made it 3-0 just before the make it 5-0 on 52 minutes. box which beat Schalke’s an armband reading “Justice for George” during McKennie is the latest Fortuna, who were unbeaten break after being presented Werder Bremen boosted Bayern-bound goalkeeper the German first division American sports star to add in their three games since the with a tap-in by Thomas their survival hopes with a Alexander Nuebel on 32 Bundesliga football match his voice to the protests after league resumed after a Mueller. 1-0 win at Schalke, who are minutes. FC Schalke 04 v SV US tennis player Coco two-month coronavirus-en- Duesseldorf were floored winless in 11 games and Schalke succumbed to Werder Bremen on May Gauff on Friday posted “Am forced hiatus, were humbled at with two goals in as many continue to plummet. their fourth straight defeat, 30, 2020 at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, I next?” on a TikTok video the Allianz Arena where they minutes as Lewandowski Midfielder Leonardo piling pressure on head coach western Germany. AFP on her Twitter feed. last poached a 3-3 draw in profited again with another Bittencourt scored a first- David Wagner. MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com SPORTS 19 UFC mixed martial arts Federer tops list of world’s card brings sport back to highest-paid athletes Las Vegas New York, United States (AFP) – Los Angeles, United Roger Federer topped the 2020 Forbes States (AFP) – Combat magazine list of highest-paid global sport returned to Las athletes announced Friday, leading Vegas Saturday as the lineup for the first time with Brazil’s Gilbert Burns pre-tax earnings of $106.3 million defeated former welter- (95.5 million euros). weight champion Tyron The Swiss tennis legend, a men’s Woodley in the main record 20-time Grand Slam singles event of an Ultimate champion, becomes the first player Fighting Championship from his sport atop the annual list since mixed martial arts card. its 1990 debut, rising from fifth in 2019. As in the UFC’s Federer’s haul over the past 12 recent live events from months included $100 million from Florida there were no fans appearance fees and endorsement in attendance at the UFC deals plus $6.3 million in prize Apex and social money. His previous best showing distancing measures were was second in 2013. in place to prevent the “His brand is pristine, which is why spread of COVID-19. those that can afford to align with him But it heralded the clamor to do so,” University of Southern return of combat sports California sports business professor to Vegas, where the David Carter told the magazine. Nevada State Athletic The ongoing coronavirus Commission last week pandemic that shut down sports gave the greenlight not worldwide caused the first decline only to UFC but also to since 2016 in the total income of the boxing cards in June. world’s 100 top-paid athletes, a 9% In this file photo taken on February 07, 2020 Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts after his victory against Spain’s Promoter Bob Arum’s dip from last year to $3.6 billion. Rafael Nadal during their tennis match at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town. AFP Top Rank has lined up Another plunge is expected next year cards to be held at the from the shutdown. incomes dip $28 million from last start to the 2020 campaign was post- including $3 million in endorse- MGM Grand Conference Portuguese football star Cristiano year due to salary cuts when European poned by the virus outbreak, put only ments. Center, starting with a Ronaldo was second on the list at $105 clubs halted play in March. one player on the list after 15 in 2019. Two women, tennis stars Naomi June 9 event featuring million, $60 million in salary and $45 Brazilian footballer Neymar was The lone MLB player was Los Osaka of Japan and Serena Williams Shakur Stevenson, million from endorsements, with fourth overall on $95.5 million, $25 Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton of the United States, made the list, unbeaten in 13 fights, Argentine football hero Lionel Messi million from endorsements, while Kershaw, who was 57th at $27.3 the most females on it since 2016. taking on Puerto Rican third on $104 million, $32 million of NBA star LeBron James of the Los million with only $750,000 from Osaka ranked 29th overall on $37.4 Felix Caraballo in a that from sponsorship deals. Angeles Lakers was fifth on $88.2 endorsements. million ($34 million in endorse- non-title bout. Messi and Ronaldo, who have million, $60 million of that from Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos, ments), four spots ahead of Williams Stevenson, the World traded the top spot three of the past endorsements. the Real Madrid captain, was last with $36 million ($32 million in Boxing Organization four years, saw their combined Major League Baseball, whose among the 100 on $21.8 million, endorsements). featherweight champion, had been scheduled to make the first defense of his belt on March 14 Brazil leader wants football back despite pandemic against Miguel Marriaga in New York, but that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro The way Brazilian politics event was canceled (AFP) – The right-wing recently told Radio Guaiba that works, it is not in Bolsonaro’s because of the pandemic. populist president of Brazil footballers would likely not fall remit to restart football. This “The goal was to start wants the football season to very ill with COVID-19. must be done by the regional out with really good, resume even though the five- “As footballers are young states and municipalities. competitive fights, with time World Cup winning athletes the risk of death if When football was names that people are country is a hotspot of the they catch coronavirus would suspended, seasons at the familiar with, who have coronavirus pandemic. be dramatically reduced,” regional level were underway, been on ESPN shows,” Brazil is for many synon- Bolsonaro said. but the national champion- Arum told broadcaster omous with football and Back in March Bolsonaro ship had been due to start in ESPN on Saturday, many of the all-time greats, also claimed that thanks to May and as yet there are no adding they opted not to from Pele to Neymar, hail his own sporting past he solid plans to begin. start with title bouts to from the nation. would only suffer a slight Bolsonaro and his son streamline the logistics. But Brazil is also the cold if he caught the virus. held meetings on May 19 with Arum said the health epicentre of Latin America’s The president says his chief the presidents of two Rio Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro waves at the crowd protocols put in place by coronavirus outbreak. motivation for wanting football superclubs, Vasco da Gama during an international football match at the Maracana Nevada officials offered The death toll from coro- to get back underway is to curb and Flamengo. Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP “a sensible way to push navirus in Brazil has hit unemployment and the misery Photos of Bolsonaro and explaining that Bolsonaro just training without permission. ahead. 27,878, official figures that accompanies it. his son wearing the shirts of wants football back as soon Rio state health secretary “You’ve got to make showed on Friday, surpassing “The players have to the two clubs stunned social as possible and he himself “is Ana Beatriz Bush said the act of sure all the procedures are the toll of hard-hit Spain and survive somehow,” he said, media, with official supporter defending the interests of defiance set a terrible example. safe and so forth,” Arum making it the country with the explaining that while some groups claiming their image Flamengo.” “Imagine all the young said. “Hopefully, what fifth-highest number of fatal- top footballers earn a fortune, had been sold out to politics. The day afer the meeting people who see Flamengo we’re doing will serve as ities. those from smaller regional “This is just political Flamengo were filmed by a training, they’ll want to go a template for other Football has been suspended leagues need to play “to feed intolerance,” said Flamengo TV Globo helicopter breaking out of their homes and that is promoters to put on in Brazil since mid-March but their families”. president Rodolfo Landim, the Rio lockdown rules by not possible,” she said. shows.” THURSDAY, MAY 07, 2020 | www.khmertimeskh.com Lewandowski hits brace as Bayern Munich SPORTS 20 SPORTS go 10 points clear PAGE 18 Sports activities slowly resume in the Kingdom Jose Rodriguez T. Senase Season of the Cambodian [email protected] Basketball League, which is planned for the end of June. ith the easing Limited to online and of restric- individual training in the past, tions, sports teams in the Metfone activities Cambodian League are also haveW started or are being reportedly looking forward planned for the next few days to group training on the pitch and weeks across Cambodia. in the coming days. Likewise, tournaments Preparations for their and similar activities that resumption are also being were suspended because of made for the tournaments that the coronavirus pandemic were suspended because of will likely resume soon, the outbreak. with the health crisis largely “Yes we are planning to under control in the return. But I think not now,” Kingdom. Lalian Lauros, chairman of Cambodia presently has the Pinoy Volleyball Sports 125 cases of coronavirus Club in Cambodia League infection, with only three (PVSCCL), said. cases recorded in the last The second season of the four weeks, according to the PVSCCL, which was being Ministry of Health (MoH). held at the Premium Sports The sports ban, which has Club, had to be suspended a been in place since early few months ago because of April, will largely be lifted at the health crisis. the start of June, as per a press She said they plan to release from the MoH. Football, Cambodia’s most popular sport, is expected to resume soon. KT/Yeun Punleau resume this month if the coro- Beginning today, sports navirus problem is already activities will be allowed sans its president, Kann Veasna, speed skating marathon, he area. “Many teams are Government-issued guide- under control and when the spectators and on the condi- has already been doing added, apparently referring starting to play right now,” lines Government advises that tion that there will no more limited training. “We only to a future competition. he noted. The Cambodia Basketball indoor and outdoor activities than 100 people present. keep training at the public Rottana Sy, director of The other sports federa- Federation (CBF) is preparing are already allowed. Hugging and shaking of park,” Kann said. Cultivating Cambodia, a tions have not been idle for the CBF Congress, which There is still some confu- hands are also not allowed. “And tomorrow (May Siem Reap-based non-gov- either, with plans afoot for will be held later this month. sion arising from the The Cambodia Roller 31), we plan to go with a few ernmental organisation, said resumption of training and It is also in the middle of Government’s latest order, Skate Association headed by skaters to 7NG to train for sports are getting back in their other activities based on the preparations for the 2020 according to various sources. NGO-sponsored team prepares for Siem Reap charity tilt

Jose Rodriguez T. Senase tournament held every year Sy said they will continue The team is composed of 20 [email protected] in Siem Reap to raise funds training in preparation for players. for various causes, especially Children Hospital Cup and “Most of our players are A team sponsored by children’s hospitals. other future competitions. tuk-tuk drivers. They always Cultivating Cambodia, a Siem The 2020 edition of the “We have to do it one or want to play sports, but they Reap-based non-govern- tournament, which often two times a week if possible,” don’t have the money to pay mental organisation devoted draws many football clubs he said, pointing out they will for jerseys or rent a pitch. We Team Cultivating Cambodia is preparing for the Children to empowering the youth from around Siem Reap, will have preventive measures and are always honoured to help Hospital Cup. Facebook through education, is be held later this year. No precautions in place to combat and take care of them,” he said. preparing to participate in a definite schedule for the tour- the spread of the coronavirus. “We want them to have tournament. Schools run by Cultivating major charity football tourna- nament has yet been released, So far, Cambodia has 125 some fun while avoiding drugs Badly affected by the Cambodia provide free ment in Siem Reap. with the coronavirus still cases of coronavirus infection and other vices,” he added. pandemic, Sy said they still lack English and Japanese courses Rottana Sy, Director of present in the Kingdom. recorded in Phnom Penh, For this year’s Children funds, but is trying to manage to children and youth ages Cultivating Cambodia, said On Saturday, Team Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Hospital Cup, the team’s the problem step by step. 6-18. The organisation also their team has started training Cultivating Cambodia played Kampong Cham and other participation will be spon- Team Cultivating works with the public school and engaging in friendly a friendly match with Team parts of the country. sored by American national Cambodia was part of the system in providing sports matches ahead of the Children Infantry Division 41 at Anlong According to Sy, Team Duane Weenig, the founder tournament Children Hospital equipment, computer labs and Hospital Cup. Veng district. Team Cultivating Cultivating Cambodia plays of Cultivating Cambodia. Cup in 2018, but was unable computer training for The Children Hospital Cambodia scored a 6-5 win not only for competition but Teams need to pay $450 to join last year because of secondary and high school Cup is a charity football over the hosts. also for fun and good health. registration fee to join the lack of funds. students.