thursday, may 20, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3667 / 4000 RIEL No red zones remain in capital Mom Kunthear – orange for moderate Covid-19 trans- trict’s Chbar Ampov II commune; would remain under lockdown with with the orders issued on May 5. mission and yellow for low-risk areas. village 23 in Tuol Kork district’s Boe- all restrictive measures announced in “What is new for this week is that HNOM PENH’S red zones The administrative measures put ung Kak II commune; four villages the previous orders still applicable. there are no more red zones because have now disappeared, with in place for yellow zones have been in Por Sen Chey district’s Chom The yellow zones, however, are no we have retained only orange and yellow zones covering almost extended for another two weeks Chao I commune; some parts of longer under lockdown though health yellow zones. The orange zone mea- the entire capital except for through June 2, while the measures Chong Khsach and Bak Touk villages measures must still be enforced. sures are extended for one week and someP dots of orange, according to for orange zones have been extend- in Russey Keo district’s Tuol Sangke Phnom Penh municipal hall yellow zone measures are extended the new map released by the munici- ed for seven days until May 26. I commune; and some villages in spokesperson Meth Meas Pheakdey for two weeks,” he said. pal administration on May 19. The orange zones are now desig- Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey told The Post on May 19 that travel Pheakdey said that this new decision The municipality said the entire city nated as being some parts of Deum II and III communes. and business activities in yellow now has only two colour-coded zones Chan village in Chbar Ampov dis- The decision said orange zones and orange zones must comply Continued – page 2

Israel aims to deter but able to ‘conquer’ Hamas: PM PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 19 said Israel’s bombing of Gaza targets aims to deter Hamas but he did not rule out a campaign to “con- quer” the enclave’s Islamist rulers. Deafening air strikes and rocket fire once more shook Gaza in the conflict that has claimed 219 Pales- tinian lives according to the Gaza health ministry and killed 12 people in Israel according to Israeli police. While an international diplomatic push aims to end the worst blood- shed in years, Netanyahu issued another tough threat against the armed group that has fired thousands of rockets at Israel since May 10. “There are only two ways that you can deal with them,” Netanyahu told a group of foreign ambassadors. “You can either conquer them, and that’s always an open possibility, or you can deter them, and we are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say we don’t rule out anything.” The goal is to “degrade Hamas’ capa- bilities, their terror capabilities, and degrade their will,” Netanyahu said. An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, however said in a separate briefing that Israel is now assessing at what stage it may Out in the cold stop its military campaign. Spanish soldiers stand guard as migrants stand on rocks off the shore of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday. Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat as its “We are looking at when is the right prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to ‘restore order’ in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco. AFP moment for a ceasefire,” said the source. Israel was evaluating whether its objective of degrading Hamas’ capabili- ties had been achieved, the military source said, and “whether Hamas under- OM 5451 rice delivers golden results stands the message” that its rocket bar- rages towards Israel cannot recur. Hin Pisei mine 85 and OM 2490 varieties for The Post late last month that the dry riel in Banteay Meanchey province and Israel’s bombing campaign has pest and disease resistance. season ended with a total yield of 900-930 riel in Prey Veng province. also left Gaza’s two million popula- BOOMING demand in the Vietnamese The cultivar has bulked up yields 2.93 million tonnes on a total culti- Narin told The Post on May 19 that tion desperate for relief. market has taken prices of OM 5451 for the Kingdom’s farmers, with the vated area of 646,530ha, or an aver- traders were buying up this year’s Hospitals have been overwhelmed paddy on a wild ride during and beyond Khon Rang Reak Reay Cooperative age of over 4.5 tonnes per hectare. dry season paddy at higher prices by patients, there are frequent black- the dry-season rice harvest season this in Kampong Chhnang’s Boribor dis- A list published by the Cambodia than last year. outs and sewage from broken pipes year, according to industry insiders. trict logging averages as high as 6.5 Rice Federation on May 17 revealed Traders were shelling out up to has flooded some areas. OM 5451 is a high-yielding long- tonnes per hectare, according to its that OM 5451 is going for 900-950 riel 1,100 riel per kilogramme in early Some 72,000 civilians have fled grain cultivar of fragrant rice mainly head Prum Narin. ($0.23-0.24) per kilogramme in Kam- March, before reducing that to 800 their homes, seeking refuge in UN- grown in the Mekong Delta, created In contrast, General Directorate of pong Chhnang province, 920-940 riel run schools and other public build- by a crossbreed combination of Jas- Agriculture chief Ngin Chhay told in Kampong Thom province, 940-970 Continued – page 6 ings, the UN says. AFP TEARS OF JOY AS REAL ESTATE MARKET SCORES RECOVER YAWNS AS NATIONAL FROM COVID-19 ROAD 10 FORGES ON nATIONAL – page 4 business – page 8 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST May 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Man sent to court for rape China’s Mars landing lauded and murder of teenager Ry Sochan Kim Sarom suspect told police that on May 15 he saw the girl riding RIME Minister Hun Sen sent a ODDAR Meanchey provincial a bicycle alone to pick black letter to Chinese President Xi police on May 19 referred a plums in a forest 10km away Jinping congratulating China man to court after arresting from the village and followed on the successful landing of the him on May 18 for allegedly her on a motorcycle to the for- ChineseP spacecraft Zhurong on Mars. raping and murdering a est, where he raped her. In his letter dated May 18, Hun Sen 17-year-old girl on May 15 in After the rape, he dragged said: “On behalf of the Royal Government Chongkal district’s Krasaing her to a nearby pond where he and people of Cambodia, I would like to commune. drowned her before hiding extend my heartfelt congratulations to The provincial police’s crim- her body in nearby bushes. Your Excellency, the Chinese government inal bureau chief Yin Nareth The man then dropped the and the people of China on the success- said the suspect, 23, was bicycle into another pond ful landing of the Zhurong spacecraft on caught while trying to flee. 200m away from the scene Mars as part of the Tianwen-1 mission.” “He admitted to committing and returned to the village. On May 15, the Chinese spacecraft the crime alone and evidence Concerned about the girl’s Zhurong successfully landed on the is consistent with the state- long absence, relatives and Red Planet. It departed Earth from the ment. So, it hasn’t been a dif- other villagers searched for her Wenchang launch site in China’s Hainan ficult investigation,” he said. and later found her body. province on July 23 last year. Citing relatives of the victim, Nareth said provincial crim- Hun Sen said that this is a milestone Nareth said her mother had inal police investigating the achievement highlighting China’s con- died and her father had remar- case had watched the village tinued progress in its space programme ried so that his three daughters in a bid to identify a suspect. and interplanetary exploration. and son could be taken care of. Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets Prime Minister Hun Sen at Peace Palace in Phnom Penh On May 18, the 23-year-old He said he strongly believes that this in 2016. Chinese ambassy, HONG MENEA The victim was the youngest was caught trying to ride out “great achievement” will significantly sibling. She and the suspect of the village. After the arrest, contribute to China’s outer space re- In that sense, we can exchange experi- yet obtained from China is a transfer of knew each other as they lived police told him to take them to search mission, which in turn will benefit ences between China and Cambodia in knowledge and technical skills and tech- in the same village. the scene where they found the scientific development of mankind. the digital [Industry] 4.0 era,” he said. nology access from China, he noted. During questioning, the her bike and clothes. “Please accept, Your Excellency, the as- Cambodian Institute for Democracy “Even technology investments such as surance of my highest regards for you and president Pa Chanroeun told The Post on broadband internet do not yet exist. As a my best wishes for your good health, hap- May 19 that Hun Sen’s letter was a diplo- Cambodian citizen who works on social piness and continued success in leading matic gesture recognising China’s achieve- development, I want to see the transfer China to a brighter future,” Hun Sen wrote. ment in landing a spacecraft on Mars. of knowledge, skills and training related Government spokesman Phay Siphan “China’s achievement here is also a to what China can do for Cambodians. told The Post on May 19 that Hun Sen’s flexing of their muscles that showcases “I want to see this in order to build a congratulatory letter not only dem- their technological advancement as one foundation for our people in the fields of onstrated close relations between the of the most powerful countries in the education and training, so that our peo- two countries but also highlighted an world,” Chanroeun said. ple and especially our youth – who are achievement in space research mission Political and trade relations with Chi- the majority of the people in our soci- by an Asian country. na have flourished in recent years, with ety – have sufficient skills to develop our “This is the first successful attempt for more investment from China coming to national society in all fields, rather than the [East Asian] people, who now have the Cambodia than from any other country sending our unskilled workers to work ability to land on the Moon and Mars. in the world, he said. in other countries, such as Thailand or “China is a close friend of Cambodia. But one thing that Cambodia has not South Korea,” he said. The man was arresed while trying to flee the village.P olice Cambodia vows to promote ESD VounDara Chuon Naron made the Associations and German The ministry said that remarks while addressing Commission for UNESCO based on the current global MINISTER of Education, delegates during the virtual from May 17-19. realities, a new trajectory was Youth and Sports Hang UNESCO World Conference on “The Kingdom of Cam- being developed during the Chuon Naron said Cambodia Education for Sustainable De- bodia is fully committed... Covid-19 pandemic, raising is fully committed to partici- velopment (ESD) on May 18. to promoting ESD,” Chuon awareness of the challenges pating in Education for Sus- The conference was or- Naron said. of sustainable development tainable Development (ESD) ganised by UNESCO in co- According to the education and the important role of ESD and to continue to partici- operation with the education ministry, the conference which is a driving force for the pate in global efforts without ministry, German Federa- helped to boost the new ESD success of SDGs. leaving anyone behind. tion of Industrial Research framework for 2030, which UNESCO said at the con- aims to build a sustainable ference that Covid-19 has world and will contribute to been endangering the lives the success of the UN Sus- of individuals and society as tainable Development Goals a whole, including the global (SDGs). education system. It also aims to build an “This crisis has put pressure education system that sup- on us to reflect on how we ports scholars of all ages to lead our lives, how we live to- be responsible and contrib- gether, how we feed ourselves ute to a sustainable society and how we live on the planet and healthy planet. we share,” it said.

Requirements change but restrictions remain Continued from page 1 Sreng said this should be the final period of restrictions is an extension of previous necessary to break the trans- measures and the 8pm-3am mission chain but it required curfew remains in place. the authorities and armed During the video confer- forces to remain vigilant and ence, municipal governor keep up their work. Khuong Sreng warned that On May 14, the municipal- the restrictions are not loose ity extended the closure of and those who violate the state-owned markets and im- travel restrictions and curfew provised ones – such as those will face legal action. near factories, hospitals or He said those who violate residential areas – from May the measures will have their 15-21. vehicles impounded, fines Sreng said on May 19 that imposed and possibly face these markets will remain other legal actions. closed for another week. THE PHNOM PENH POST May 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Ministry set to publish Media outlets instructed book on Kingdom’s fight to register or lose licences against Covid pandemic Voun Dara Orm Bunthoeurn racy president Pa Chanroeun lauded the plan. But he cautioned that for HE Ministry of Information THE Ministry of Information will the book to be valuable as a historical has called on all media own- publish a book about the King- document, it should have accurate ers who have not yet regis- dom’s fight against Covid-19. The content and include the experiences tered fully to do so by the publication will be a historical of the many people involved. endT of this year as failure to do so will document about factual accounts “There should be the inclusion result in their licences being revoked. of people and institutions involved of as many ordinary people as pos- In a letter signed by information in fighting the pandemic. sible to reflect all aspects of the fight minister Khieu Khanharith on May The ministry’s Department of In- against Covid-19. It should cite the 19, the ministry said some media formation and Broadcasting director- challenges and shortcomings of outlets had still not followed the general Phos Sovann told The Post on measures as good and bad lessons regulations on registration. May 18 that the ministry was gather- for future generations,” he said. Such acts, it said, caused confusion ing information from government In addition to this, the ministry will and chaos and affected the interests officials, the private sector, health also publish two more books. The first of the registered media institutions. workers and journalists to provide an is “Cambodia 2021”, which is sched- To guarantee the legal rights and in- accurate account of events. uled to be presented at the Asia-Europe terests of media outlets in Cambodia, “We want to show the efforts of Meeting hosted by the Kingdom later the ministry called on their owners to journalists. We can say that in ad- this year. The 110-page book would be register and fulfil their obligations in dition to health workers, journal- published in Khmer, English, French order to protect their trademarks. ists are also an important part in and Chinese, according to Sovann. “In case they fail to follow this helping to prevent Covid-19. Prime “The book will be available to del- notice and continue to use their lo- Minister [Hun Sen] wants the book egates to buy as souvenirs for the gos, trademarks and brands with- to be inspirational and a record for international community to learn out registration in violation of the the next generation,” he said. more about Cambodia. Most of the law, the ministry will not grant Minister Khieu Kanharith said the book’s content is a photo compila- business licences to them in the Ministry of Information headquarters on Monivong Boulevard. Heng Chivoan book would also include the Covid- tion that shows prominent and spe- year 2022,” the letter said. 19 vaccination campaign. There are cial areas of our country,” he said. Ministry spokesman Phos Sovann Citing Cambodian media laws, was doing the right thing in pushing groups which encouraged people The second is a compilation of told The Post on May 19 the ministry Sovann explained that previously for legality and protection for media not to get vaccinated and accused poems written between 1980 and had observed that a large number of the media were required to regis- companies and institutions. the government of not inoculating 1983 that appeared in Cambodian media owners had obeyed the laws on ter at the Ministry of Information “I think it is a good point to avoid them. This, he said, would also be newspapers during that period. The business registration and protection only but recently the Kingdom had using the same trademarks and included in the book. collection of 98 poems is from Khieu of logos, trademarks and brands relat- carried out legal reforms regarding brands used by other media insti- “The book also examines gov- Navy, an adviser to the ministry and ing to information and audiovisual li- business registrars which required tutions and outlets. This overlap- ernment expenditure on the fight a former Cambodian journalist. censing but most online news outlets media institutions to register with ping use could lead to conflicts in against Covid-19 with the provision “We are re-compiling the poems of still had not registered properly. the Ministry of Commerce too be- the future,” he said. of funds for food to people affected the older generation of journalists, “We have observed that ... around fore starting their operations. Vy also requested that the relevant by Covid-19, as well as the contribu- who expressed their views imme- 500 to 600 online radio and news Nob Vy, executive director of the ministries and institutions facilitate tion of generous people and govern- diately after the war. These poems outlets have not registered correct- Cambodian Journalists Alliance, this registration process to ensure ment officials as well,” he said. were published in Cambodian news- ly,” he said. was of the view that the ministry that it goes smoothly. Democratic Institute for Democ- papers in the 1980s,” he said. Secure zone planned to restore wildlife in M’kiri Voun Dara

THE Ministry of Environ- ment and World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Cambodia) are working with relevant par- ties to establish a secure zone to restore wildlife within the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province as biodiversity in the area has declined. Environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra said on May 18 that the plan was at the consultation and study stage before an overall strategy to protect and con- serve wildlife in the sanctuary and nationwide is prepared. “Important activities for re- storing wildlife are to estab- Mondulkiri provincial officials Inspect the border of indigenous commu- lish a secure zone by erecting nities and Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. Kroeurng Tola a fence. We stop wildlife traf- ficking and take the strictest sanctuaries,” Pheaktra said. ment department and heads measures to strengthen law Eld’s deer, gaur and sambar of sanctuaries was ongoing. enforcement against traffick- do not live in herds, and they Provincial environment ing in provinces, especially in- are facing extinction in parts department director Keo So- ternational borders which are of Mondulkiri province. pheak said the secure zone targets for supplying wildlife “When we talk about the op- for restoring wildlife within to markets abroad,” he said. portunity of restoring wildlife the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary He said that over the last in Cambodia within years in may be established on 500 to few months, the ministry and the Srepok and Phnom Prich 600sq km of land. WWF-Cambodia had cooper- wildlife sanctuaries and other “We held two meetings with ated and successfully stopped areas, we think that it is not relevant parties and WWF- wildlife and forestry crimes. too late. Otherwise, wonder- Cambodia. The first meeting “Obviously, the results of re- ful forests would be left with was held at the national level search over the past 10 years no important wildlife in the at the environment ministry within the Srepok and Phnom future,” he said. and the second took place Prich wildlife sanctuaries show WWF-Cambodia country di- at the local level on May 14 a decline in the number of ban- rector Seng Teak said the proj- at the provincial environ- teng, leopards and red munt- ect of restoring wildlife was be- ment department to develop jacs. The decline was caused ing planned and consultation concepts in establishing the by illegal hunting within the with the provincial environ- zone,” he said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Nightclub raid Tears of joy as in capital nets 45 for breaking scores recover curfew orders HNOM Penh municipal police arrested 45 people in the early Phours of May 19 for gathering to from Covid-19 drink alcohol in a nightclub, breaking the capital’s 8pm-3am curfew. Mom Kunthear agement and strength of mind Municipal police spokesman San for him and the others. Sokseyha said officers raided the UNDREDS of Another patient, Bopha, club in a condominium building along Covid-19 patients who works in a factory in Por Monivong Boulevard in Boeung Keng at Tuol Pongro Sen Chey district, recovered Kang district’s Boeung Keng Kang I treatment centre after she was sent to Great commune at 12:30am. Hin Phnom Penh were filled with Duke Hotel – which has been “Our officers arrested 45 people in- joy after hearing a thunderous turned into a treatment facil- cluding Cambodians, Vietnamese and noise and then a voice from ity – for a mild case of Covid- Chinese. The first step was to bring above telling them they had 19 for 16 days. She got back them to the municipal police station recovered from the disease. to work two days ago. and detain them while waiting for the It was the treatment cen- “I didn’t think that doctors Covid-19 patients leave the Koh Pich treatment facility in Phnom Penh. tyda Ministry of Health to send medical staff tre’s PA system informing would pay so much attention to test them for Covid-19. them all at once of the good to the patients but they always at this treatment centre is so May 17 that in order to avoid was concerned but did not “Next we will test them for the use news: all the tests that day asked me about my health good and they have worked staying at the centre, they had prohibit me from doing this of any drugs. We will also make fur- had come back negative. and gave me medicine. And hard to save my life.” to adhere to health guidelines work because I came to help ther inquiries regarding the opening They were going home. the food was good,” she said, Chanthou, a pregnant gar- including the “three protec- society in this dangerous of the club,” he said. Samnang, one of the pa- adding that the doctors also ment worker in Por Sen Chey tions and three don’ts”. time,” he said in the clip. Sokseyha said that from April 15 to tients being treated there, encouraged them to exercise. who was infected with Covid- “Brothers and sisters Samnang, who walked out May 19, the municipal authorities had expressed joy when he re- “They have never used 19 and recovered on May 17, please do not memorise the of the treatment facility rais- detained 2,143 people for violation of covered and was discharged harsh words or yelled at or expressed her gratitude to guidelines and fail to follow ing his hands in victory, said: the curfew. on May 12 from the centre. blamed me or the others. the Samdech Techo Volun- them. You have to correctly “The heartfelt gestures of Of those detained, 11 were impris- “This disease is really dan- They have never discrimi- tary Youth Doctor Association implement them. Do not get brother Hun Manet and sis- oned; three were referred to court; 312 gerous, but what allows me nated against us or looked (TYDA) for taking care of her. infected with Covid-19 again. ter Pich Chanmony and all were sent to quarantine centres; four and other patients to recover down on us either. “The accommodations and You recovered today, but that the doctors gave me peace of were sent to Covid-19 treatment facili- quickly are the good treat- “Initially, I was afraid and food and healthcare were all does not mean that you can mind. Their strength helped ties; 371 were issued fines; and 1,442 ment and the high quality of I was concerned that when I good and that is different from no longer get infected. This us to struggle and overcome were released after being educated healthcare provided the whole received treatment, it would what I was expecting before disease mutates constantly. our difficulties and beat this about the curfew. time. Doctors have followed not be good. But what I ex- I got here. My brothers and There have been many vari- disease. I have nothing but He added that the authorities continued up my health since then,” he perienced was totally differ- sisters and parents were con- ants of the virus,” he said. gratitude for them. I whole- to patrol the capital’s colour-coded zones said, adding that Hun Manet ent,” she said. cerned that there would be Another doctor from TYDA heartedly thank the doctors on a regular basis to enforce the curfew. – Deputy Commander-in- Another patient said in a no medical care. I was afraid said in a video clip that the for saving my life and the “During patrol hours there is a Chief of the Royal Cambodian burst of tears: “I would like it would be difficult. But my doctors have volunteered to lives of so many others.” nightly movement of law enforcement Armed Forces – and his wife to thank the medical staff fears were a stark contrast to work against Covid-19 despite As of May 19, Cambodia officers through all districts to ensure Pich Chanmony had focused for taking caring of me. They the reality,” she said. the difficulties they faced. had recorded a total of 23,282 the implementation of the curfew and on providing good treatment helped me recover from this A doctor of TYDA spoke “We, the doctors, have to Covid-19 cases 14,955 recov- public safety,” he said. Lay Samean facilities, good food, encour- disease. The Covid-19 team to the recovered patients on beat this disease. My family eries and 159 fatalities. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National CCF impounds over 40 UN offers Covid assistance tonnes of counterfeit at Preah Sihanouk prison sanitisers amid Covid Voun Dara including Svay Rieng, Banteay Voun Dara Meanchey and Preah Vihear. MORE than 40 tonnes of CCF officials and local author- HE UN in Cambodia will pro- counterfeit alcohol sanitisers ities in these provinces confis- vide material to Preah Sihanouk have been seized nationwide cated and destroyed 330 litres provincial prison to help prevent since the Covid-19 outbreak of on May 18, according to CCF. Covid-19 transmission after 34 February 20, according to the CCF added that methanol Tcases were found among detainees on May 8. Ministry of Commerce’s Gen- is a toxic substance. Using it The UN resident coordinator in Cam- eral Directorate of Consumer as an antiseptic not only kill bodia, Pauline Tamesis, told The Post on Protection, Competition and germs but also harms people’s May 19 that the UN has engaged with Fraud Repression (CCF). health such as skin and eye ir- prison authorities and humanitarian In a press release on May 18, ritation, headaches, and loss partners to assess the situation. They the CCF said amid the pan- of consciousness. It can also will provide support for the affected in- demic, counterfeit sanitisers be fatal if mixed with ethanol. mates and preparedness to prevent and have been sold in many ways, CCF called on wholesalers, contain the disease in the prison. including on social media. retailers, pharmacies, super- “In particular, the UN in Cambodia CCF officials on May 18 con- markets and importers not will donate PPE [personal protective fiscated 183 cans – more than to sell methanol sanitisers. equipment] clothing like plastic aprons, 5,000 litres – of counterfeit al- It does not help prevent the masks, gloves, rapid test kits and vita- cohol sanitiser in Prey Sar com- spread of Covid-19, and it is mins to the affected prison population mune’s Prakar village in Phnom breaking the law. and prison staff as requested by the gen- Penh’s Dangkor district. eral department of prisons,” she said. CCF said the owner had Tamesis said that since the onset of the Inmates at the Preah Sihanouk provincial prison. FAcebook advertised the products on Covid-19 outbreak in Cambodia early Facebook, and officials iden- last year, her organisation has been ad- Ministerial Working Group on Health new Covid-19 cases among detainees were tified the location of the seller vocating for policy and legal changes, in Prisons”, created by the ministries of found as of May 19. But they will have to through pictures on the post. in particular calling for mass releases of Interior and Health, to ensure adequate undergo the second test on May 23. With permission from the prisoners and the use of alternatives to communication, coordination and im- “The UN responded to us saying that municipal court, CCF officials detention – especially for low-level of- plementation of procedures and plans. they will help us. We sent them a list of used a mobile laboratory to fenders and vulnerable prisoners. “The United Nations stands ready necessary material and the list of places test for methanol levels. The advice came with the provision of to provide technical assistance on the that we will distribute to. The material “As a result, we shut down technical and material support for the strengthening of prison conditions and could arrive next week,” he said. the facility and seized the government to address the impact of the the treatment of prisoners, and will With regard to mass releases or the cans containing 5,490 litres of virus on vulnerable populations, includ- continue to emphasise the need for use of alternatives to detention to avoid counterfeit alcohol sanitisers ing prisoners and other people deprived medium-to-longer term solutions to overcrowding in prisons, Ministry of Jus- or methanol. We confiscated of their liberty to ensure the government overcrowding in prisons, including the tice spokesperson Chin Malin said Cam- the products and are process- response complies with international more systematic use of alternatives to bodia could not just free prisoners. ing the case in accordance human rights obligations, she said. detention,” she said. He noted however that the ministry with legal procedures,” the The UN in Cambodia encouraged General Department of Prisons spokes- had instead launched a campaign to statement said. Some 40 tonnes of fake alcohol sanitisers seized by the CCF in Prey prison and health authorities to resume man Nuth Savna said on May 19 that after clear the backlog of court cases in a fair Counterfeit sanitisers were Sor commune in Phnom Penh’s regular discussions through the “Inter- 34 infections were detected on May 8, no process. also found in other provinces Dangkor district on May 18. CcF Villagers protest new airport project

Khouth Sophak Chakrya ers to remove their tents from their land until the settlement MORE than 40 families living of the impact compensation in Boeung Khyang commune’s has been completed,” he said. Kampong Talong village in Saovoeun said the num- Kandal province’s Kandal ber of plots affected by the Stung district have set up tents airport construction totals to guard their rice fields and more than 2,000, but only blocked a road into their vil- 1,000 plots or so have been lage to prevent a construction taken care of thus far. company from using machin- He said the policy compen- ery to clear their farmland for sation mechanism set up by the new Phnom Penh Interna- the Ministry of Economy and tional Airport project. Finance would provide com- The 48 families claimed pensation according to the they had yet to receive the type and size of the land. compensation for the loss of Roadside residential land their farmland. Tractor clearing a rice field in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district costs $8 per square metre, and Long Sopheak, a resident of on May 14. Facebook the cost is $5 per square metre Kampong Talong village, told for land 100m away from the The Post on May 18 that the driver who was later briefly ernor Ouch Saovoeun told road and $3 per square metre construction company work- held by local authorities. The Post that after the villag- for farmland by the lake. ing on the new Phnom Penh But representatives from the ers had set up the roadblocks, Sokmean said setting the International Airport had re- company have not mediated provincial governor Kong price of their land at $8 for resi- cently used machinery to clear any solution and the driver Sophorn issued an invitation dential land adjacent to roads hectares of farmland belonging has been released, he said. to 13 families whose land had and $5 for farmland was too to him and other villagers. Sokmean, who claims his been affected by the con- low and not in line with the “On [May 14] the compa- residential land and farmland struction of the first runway current market price which he ny used machinery to clear have both been affected by the to discuss compensation for said was currently between $75 farmland belonging to me construction of the airport’s them on May 18. and $150 per square metre. and my brother – a total of first runway, said the compa- He said however that the “We all have systematic more than 1.5ha. ny had repeatedly violated its villagers did not meet with land titles, so it should not be “Our family’s farmland has agreement with the villagers. Sophorn because some of set at such a low fixed price. not yet been paid for, and He said that this is the third them were too old to travel “We want a compromise we have been planting early- time that the company has long distances. with a proper compensation rainy season rice for almost violated an agreement which He said Sophorn had in- solution for our land at the three weeks,” he said. stated that there will be no vited only 13 families whose market price so that we can af- Kheang Sokmean, a neigh- clearing of farmland without plots of land were affected by ford to buy land or houses near bour of Sopheak, told The first negotiating suitable com- the first runway of the airport, the new airport, because we do Post that on May 14 the villag- pensation with the owner. but that all the Kampong Tal- not want to leave,” he said. ers surrounded a bulldozer “Now, 48 of our villagers ong villagers were being af- Mey Sarith, a coordinator belonging to the construction have set up tents to guard fected by the entire project of land dispute resolution in firm and demanded its rep- their farmland to prevent the and have asked to meet with the airport construction proj- resentatives properly com- company from sending peo- him to resolve their land is- ect overseen by the Overseas pensate the villagers for their ple and machinery to clear it sues, and so they have asked Cambodia Investment Cor- land and crops. again,” he said. for an extension. poration (OCIC), declined to They then detained the Kandal Stung district gov- “We cannot force the villag- comment on May 18. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,105 1.2080 6.4376 109.14 4.1380 1.3317 31.46 0.7750 1.2214 1.4173

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: May 19, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 16,300 16,300 16,340 16,280 2 GTI 4,360 4,380 4,400 4,260 3 PAS 14,520 14,540 14,540 14,500 4 PEPC 3,320 3,320 3,320 3,220 5 PPAP 15,480 14,800 15,480 14,800 6 PPSP 2,240 2,230 2,240 2,220 7 PWSA 7,940 7,940 7,980 7,900 Fragrant rice Clamp-down on drink-can imports cultivar lifts Thou Vireak and Phnom Penh Beer Co Ltd. GDCE revenue collection yields, prices HE government on plummeted 15.2 per cent May 18 announced year-on-year to $614.8 mil- tightened controls on lion in the first quarter of for growers the import of empty this year, as revealed by the aluminiumT beverage cans to minutes of its first quarterly Continued from page 1 better serve domestic produc- meeting held via video link. tion, according to the General In March alone, revenue riel, while the harvest was in full Department of Customs and reached $211.3 million, down swing, he said, adding that the Excise of Cambodia (GDCE). by 4.7 per cent from March OM 5451 paddy now rakes in 950 The move was revealed in a last year, GDCE figures show. riel per kilogramme, up by 14 per letter signed by GDCE direc- The largest sources of cus- cent year-on-year from 830 riel. tor-general Kun Nhem and toms and excise revenue were Rising demand for the crop addressed to the heads of the vehicles and machinery (ac- was propelled chiefly by the Viet- departments, branches and counting for 43.5 per cent), namese market, he said, noting offices of Customs and Excise. petroleum and energy (22.8 that local millers were refusing Nhem said the order was per cent), construction mate- to pay out higher rates. based on the results of a May rials and miscellaneous fees Lon Sim, president of the 3 Council of Ministers meet- (6.3 per cent) and other prod- Santuk Krao Thkum Thkeung ing with representatives of ucts (27.4 per cent). Agricultural Cooperative in Medai GB Enterprise Co Ltd, GDCE’s Nhem called on Kampong Thom’s Santuk dis- Ganzberg Brewery and Crown customs officials to assidu- trict, said his cooperative now Beverage Cans (Cambodia) ously hone their skills and be grows a lot of OM 5451 rice due Ltd concerning the domestic more proactive, intelligent to its strong market. supply of empty aluminium GDCE revenue collection fell by 15.2 per cent year-on-year to $614.8 million in the first quarter of this year.FRESH NEWS and engaged in revenue col- A growing labour market and cans for beer. lection to meet this year’s tar- favourable weather have pro- The GDCE chief called on The documents must clear- firmed that the firm would Hanuman Beverages Co Ltd, gets and surpass them. vided a major boost to this relevant officials to keep clos- ly identify the label to be comply with the order should Vattanac Brewery Co Ltd, Ana This entails carrying out year’s harvest, he said, adding er tabs on companies that im- placed on the cans, contain a it look elsewhere for its supply. Water and Smiler Beverage government policies and mea- that traders were buying up port the cans but are not reg- product description and out- There are 13 registered Co Ltd, Asian Sunrise Co Ltd, sures, preventing and cracking the paddy at 900 riel per kilo- istered as beverage-related line the purpose for the sup- brewery/beverage plant op- Cambodia Brewery Ltd, Cam- down on tax evasion and en- gramme on May 19, marking a businesses – often on behalf ply, he said. erators in the Kingdom, data brew Ltd, Daun Penh Food suring compliance with the law, slim increase year-on-year. of domestic breweries and An official at Medai GB En- from the Ministry of Industry, and Beverage Co Ltd, Khmer as well as simplifying customs “This year’s paddy is very beverage companies – and terprise, who asked not to be Science, Technology and In- Beverage Co Ltd, Far East Im- procedures and using infor- expensive and traders are com- ensure that they submit the named, told The Post that his novation show. port Export Co Ltd, Kingdom mation technology to improve ing to the fields to buy,” he said. proper forms to competent company orders cans from These are Inter-Mattrid Breweries (Cambodia) Ltd, trade facilitation and the overall Chan Pich, general manager customs and excise officials. local manufacturers, but af- Beverage (Cambodia) Co Ltd, Media GB Enterprise Co Ltd, investment climate, he said. of rice exporter Signatures of Asia Co Ltd, said his company had ordered 8,000 tonnes of dry season paddy for stockpile to mill and process. “Both the yield and the price Pestech posts ‘slower’ 8% growth in revenue for Q1 of paddy rice in the dry season this year are better because most May Kunmakara ter of the year with total reve- May 18, the company report- ment in serving our clients of ductors would be installed farmers are producing fragrant nue gaining just over eight per ed 52.564 billion riel ($12.950 the Cambodian power infra- once materials arrive in the paddy rice that has a strong STOCK-LISTED power trans- cent amidst the economic million) in total revenue, rep- structure industry,” Lim said. coming quarters. market demand. But neverthe- mission provider Pestech stress caused by the spread of resenting an increase of 3.901 CEO Han Fatt Juan said “We are hopeful to continue less, Cambodia’s milled rice (Cambodia) Plc (PEPC) posted Covid-19 pandemic. billion riel or 8.02 per cent as PEPC “intensively performed the project-execution activi- exports to international markets “slower growth” in business In its filing to the Cambodia compared to 48.663 billion riel the work” on the Okvau Gold ties amidst this pandemic-in- has seen a slight decrease in performance for the first quar- Securities Exchange (CSX) on in the same quarter of 2020. Mine in Mondulkiri province surgence period, and strive to recent months,” he said. Chairman Paul Lim Pay Ch- during the quarter. work with the relevant author- Last year, the Kingdom infor- uan noted in the filing that He added that the compa- ities in ensuring a safe work- mally exported 2,893,951 PEPC continued to experience ny was actively working on a ing environment for all our tonnes of paddy worth more impact from the global pan- 20MW photovoltaic solar farm team members,” Han said. than $723 million, according demic in the first quarter, which in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet He said PEPC had also been to figures revealed by Minister he said affected international town, with preliminary civil tasked to carry out certain of Agriculture, Forestry and travel and logistics movements work progressing at a steady portions of the work on the Fisheries Veng Sakhon. in general, while local offices pace, and had placed orders second phase of the 230kV In Cambodia, two crops of remained open and site activi- in advanced for key materials Phnom Penh City Transmis- rice are typically grown per ties persisted amidst sporadic and components that are to be sion and Distribution System year. The monsoon-season (or difficulties in logistics and pa- delivered in the fourth quarter Expansion Project, which he long-cycle) crop is generally perwork deliveries. of this year and beyond. stressed would be an impor- planted in late May through to “The board is closely moni- Work on the 130km East tant power infrastructure proj- July and harvested in Decem- toring the development of the Siem Reap-Oddar Meanchey ect in the heart of the capital. ber, whereas the dry-season Covid-19 status in Cambodia, transmission line project is The project involved the (or short-cycle) crop is planted and will take pre-emptive running smoothly, with a deployment of horizontal in November and collected in measures when necessary to number of foundations be- directional drilling (HDD) January-February of the fol- ensure the health and safety ing built in select locations, machines, which minimises lowing year, according to the Pestech (Cambodia) Plc reported 52.56 billion riel ($12.95 million) in total of our team members, whilst he said, adding that transmis- disruption to vehicular and UN Food and Agriculture revenue for January-March, up by 8.02 per cent year-on-year. PESTECH maintaining our commit- sion towers and power con- pedestrian traffic, he said. Organisation. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business S’pore real Kingdom, Oz push trade e-forms estate firm Thou Vireak The AANZFTA agreement was inked with a view to re- arrives in AMBODIA supports duce or eliminate trade barri- Australia’s initiative to ers across a region comprising Cambodia promote the use of a market of 600 million people electronic trade doc- with an estimated combined Thou Vireak umentsC under the ASEAN-Aus- gross domestic product (GDP) tralia-New Zealand Free Trade of $2.7 trillion. SINGAPORE-LISTED real Agreement (AANZFTA) frame- The agreement presents a estate agency PropNex Ltd has work to boost regional trade in number of tangible benefits made its debut into the King- the post-Covid-19 era. for businesses seeking a slice dom, its fourth overseas mar- The statement was made of the Cambodian-Australian ket following Malaysia, Indo- on May 18 during a virtual trade and investment mar- nesia and Vietnam, it said in a meeting between Minister of kets, including tariff reduc- press release on May 19. Commerce Pan Sorasak and tions, market liberalisation The expansion brings Prop- Australian ambassador to for most services and protec- Nex’s salesforce to over 12,000 Cambodia Pablo Kang. tion for investors. across Singapore, Indonesia, The AANZFTA agreement The Australian ambassa- Malaysia, Vietnam and Cam- provides broader and more dor tweeted: “Good to have bodia, The Edge Singapore precise tariff reductions for an extensive virtual catch up reported. service providers and inves- this morning with Cambodian With 15 years of experience tors of its partner countries. Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak (centre) and Australian ambassador to Cambodia Pablo Kang (top, centre Commerce Minister Pan Sora- in the business, Alan Neo will The trade deal entered into right) at a virtual meeting on Tuesday. PABLO KANG VIA TWITTER sak to discuss bilateral col- take on the role of CEO and force in January 2010 for Aus- laboration on e-commerce & oversee PropNex Cambodia, tralia and Cambodia, effec- der the AANZFTA framework these projects have strength- the framework of the World consumer protection, as well which has 500 sales staff and tive January 4, 2011. to facilitate trade with the is- ened and built up the ca- Trade Organisation (WTO), as our mutual interests in the is headquartered in Phnom Sorasak said Cambodia and land nation. pacity of trade officials, and ahead of the 12th WTO Min- World Trade Organisation, Penh, with branch offices in Australia are committed to “The initiative will also made valuable contributions isterial Conference. RCEP & the [AANZFTA].” Siem Reap province and Sih- strengthening cooperation contribute to cost reductions to the development and es- “I would like to thank the Last year, bilateral trade be- anoukville. in the field of international aimed at enhancing the re- tablishment of relevant legal Australian side for its contin- tween the two countries was He said: “PropNex Singapore trade, especially the contin- silience of trade chains and standards related to trade, the ued support and significant worth $213.64 million, up by has a dominant brand presence ued support of Australia in boosting regional trade in the continued implementation of contribution to the develop- 3.82 per cent from $205.79 and is our preferred partner of the development of trade in context of the Covid-19 crisis the Cambodia-Australia Agri- ment of Cambodia’s trade and million in 2019, according to choice to further establish our- the Kingdom – bilaterally, re- and afterwards,’ he said. cultural Value Chain (CAVAC) related sectors. We are com- commerce ministry data. selves in the Cambodian real gionally and multilaterally. The two sides exchanged programme and the promo- mitted to increasing bilateral The Kingdom exported estate market. The minister said that with- views and discussed the im- tion of e-commerce. trade volume and promoting $133.92 million worth of mer- “Having evaluated many in the regional framework, plementation of trade devel- At the same time, the two cooperation in trade and all chandise last year, up by 0.26 options, I believe PropNex’s Australia will launch an ini- opment projects under the sides also exchanged views related sectors, especially the per cent year-on-year, and im- trainings, advanced IT [inter- tiative to promote the use of auspices of Australia. on the evolution and trends close relationship between the ported $79.72 million, up by net technology] platform and e-commerce documents un- According to the minister, of multilateral trade under two countries,” Sorasak said. 10.41 per cent year-on-year. support system can value-add our service to our salesforce. “We are excited to embrace the dual career path, a commis- sion scheme model which Prop- Asia markets hit by volatility, oil stays down Nex pioneered in 2000 to much success and which was subse- ASIAN markets fell on May 19 as inves- including possibly hiking interest rates. inflation will be transitory.” Bitcoin tumbled about 15 per cent to quently adopted as the industry tors struggled to break out of a long- That is despite repeated pledges by Ahead of the minutes, Asian markets briefly hit $38,570 – its lowest since practice in Singapore.” running cycle of volatility, with opti- bank officials that they will not move were well in the red, with worries about early February – after China said dig- PropNex executive chair- mism over the economic recovery for the foreseeable future. new Covid-19 infections in several coun- ital currencies could not be used in man and CEO Ismail Gafoor playing off against fears about infla- Traders will be closely reading tries adding to the selling pressure. markets as they were not real, adding noted that the move is the tion, while oil prices extended their through the minutes of the Fed’s April Sydney fell close to two per cent, that firms were not allowed to use the next step in the group’s ambi- losses on reports of a possible break- meeting when they are released later while Tokyo, Singapore, Wellington and units to price their goods or services. tions to be a leading regional through in the Iran nuclear talks. in the day, hoping for an idea about Jakarta were all off more than one per Saxo Markets’ Adam Reynolds said: real estate agency. Bitcoin was also taking another beat- the board’s thoughts on its response cent. There were also losses in Shang- “It’s no surprise to me, as Chinese “We are excited to be the ing after China’s central bank said to rising prices. hai, Mumbai, Taipei and Bangkok. capital controls can be challenged by leading agency in Cambodia, cryptocurrencies cannot be used for Oanda’s Edward Moya said: “The key London, Paris and Frankfurt all lost cryptocurrency purchases in the coun- incorporating our success payments, adding to the unit’s woes to inflation will be if we see enough around one per cent at the open. try and transfers out of the country. formula as we expand our after recent comments from tycoon wage growth as the labour market Energy firms were among those lead- “So avoiding use of them in the brand to more countries Elon Musk and Tesla. recovery continues to bring back many ing the losses as oil prices sank from country is essential to maintaining internationally,” he said. After a broadly healthy start to the low-paying jobs. recent peaks following reports that capital controls.” PropNex Cambodia has also week, regional traders went into selling “Bank of America´s announcement there had been progress on talks to Bitcoin has had a torrid time of late, partnered with Hong Kong mode early on May 19 following a retreat to raise the minimum wage to $25 an bring the US and Iran back into the taking a hit after Musk appeared to sug- developer Urban Hub (Cam- on Wall Street where technology firms hour by 2025 shows that the need to 2015 nuclear deal. gest Tesla was planning to sell its huge bodia) Co on Urban Village – a were again the whipping boys with lure talent might keep delivering National Australia Bank analyst David holdings of the unit, which came days mixed-use development span- Apple, Amazon and Facebook all losing upward pressures on wages.” de Garis said: “A positive outcome here after the electric carmaker said it would ning 760,000sqm on Hun Sen more than one per cent. Still, he added: “This wage growth would pave the way for increased oil sup- halt using it in transactions because of Boulevard in the capital. Focus is back on the impact that an trend could have some momentum as ply from Iran – the best-case scenario environmental concerns. It is also the exclusive mar- expected burst of economic activity this corporate America will have to provide [for oil production, not prices] would be The currency is down about 40 per keting agency of D’Seaview, a year will have on inflation, which many more incentives to fill vacancies. Even an increase in four million barrels a day cent from its record high close to mixed-use development warn could force central banks – particu- if the outlook for wage growth acceler- from Iran within three months.” $65,000 touched last month and ana- project in Sihanoukville, larly the Federal Reserve (Fed) – to wind ates higher throughout the summer, Both main contracts lost nearly one lysts have warned it could go as far as developed by Singapore’s back their ultra-easy monetary policies, the Fed will stand by their belief that per cent, extending May 18’s steep falls. $30,000. AFP Hong Lai Huat Group.

Does Bitcoin action suggest a correction in the US stock market?

The recent sell off in Bitcoin could be Federal Reserve’s rate-setting meeting on guidance, but US stocks overall will suggesting that Wall Street’s risk tolerance Wednesday for direction as to the central continue to strengthen despite each new is shifting to the bearish side. bank’s policy and strategy to manage challenge in this economic recovery. Given this, higher volatility is inflation. Given these fundamentals, for this continuing into the end of this month, Moreover, gold futures are rising to week’s trading recommendation, S&P 500 Assets like Bitcoin normally have which will present many opportunities the highest level since early this year as (SPX500) investors should sell, setting the no connection with equity markets, but to profit from both the buy side and the investors this month pour money back stop-loss function above the recent high of current sentiment in the biggest crypto sell side of the market. Now that earnings into the SPDR Gold Trust – the largest 4240, with the first take-profitfunction at currency correlates with much of the season is wrapping up, investors will also gold-backed exchange-traded fund. 3900-3950, the second at 3700-3760 and broader market this month, as investors mainly focus on inflation. Oil prices are stable this week, rising the third at 3660-3700. start to plan new strategies for profiting in The continued growth in consumer mildly due to a weaker US dollar and the the emerging post-pandemic economy. prices may cause the Federal Reserve to reopening of the Colonial Pipeline late Bitcoin, according to Nasdaq.com, tighten monetary policy by raising short- last week, which could increase supply dropped over nine per cent as tweets from term interest rates, which will affect stocks and support gasoline demand heading Tesla, Inc CEO Elon Musk stirred some and other assets that have been benefiting into the remainder of the month. controversy. Investors viewed these as from the Fed’s easy money. Expect more volatility going into the a sign he plans to dump his $1.5 billion This week, investors were looking second quarter earnings season while Analysis by Golden FX Link Capital chief stake in the crypto currency. to the release of the minutes of the investors await corporate results and financial analyst George Black a l Advertori 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Property Green shoots of recovery NR10 nearly 50% finished, for Philippine residential property, Colliers reports real estate market yawns While pandemic-induced projects has compelled develop- disruptions have altered the ers to consider fringe areas, it said. Hin Pisei Philippine economy and the Citing data from a Colliers property sector, the ongoing survey in February, the real ROPERTY prices coronavirus vaccination pro- estate company said more than along the under-con- gramme is providing a glimmer 70 per cent of the respondents struction National of hope, and the government- plan to develop a property in Road 10 have not projected economic recovery Mandaluyong and the Alabang- seenP a marked increase, even should also provide a much Las Pinas areas in the next 12 as work on the road nears 50 needed boost to local investor months. These areas, it said, per cent completion, accord- and end-user demand, accord- accounted for 21 per cent of ing to real estate observers. ing to real estate firm Colliers. total take-up for mid-income The more than 198km Na- This year, Colliers expects a to luxury projects last year. tional Road 10 links Battam- recovery in new condominium In the fourth quarter of last bang province’s Samlot dis- supply as developers are already year, take-up in the pre-selling trict through Pursat province’s exploring the viability of new market fell by 53 per cent to Veal Veng district to Koh Kong project launches in key areas 6,000 units, from the 12,900 provincial town. On March 9, across Metro Manila. Improve- units recorded in the same 2020, Prime Minister Hun Sen ments in launches and comple- period in 2019, it said. broke ground on the road, tions send a positive signal Given the decline in demand, which is scheduled to be com- especially for a supply-driven developers have started offering pleted by the end of 2023. condominium market, it said. promos to attract buyers, it said, The project is expected to The real estate company rec- adding that certain developers cost more than $188 million, ommends developers to further are also offering split or no down and is financed by a Chinese test demand in the luxury mar- payments, lower reservation fees government grant and contrib- Construction of National Road 10 is 48.77 per cent complete and remains on schedule to be completed by ket and be more innovative with and free items such as appli- uting funds from Cambodia. the end of 2023. TRANSPORT MINISTRY promotions and incentives. ances, furniture and gadgets. National Road 10 project Strategic landbanking within Colliers opined that investors director Bong Bun Hourn Cambodian Valuers and Es- will not see very strong mo- Appraisals Co Ltd president and outside Metro Manila is also planning on buying should said the road is 48.77 per cent tate Agents Association presi- mentum because it is an area and CEO Nuon Rithy said new crucial at this point, it said, add- monitor discounts and promos complete and remains on dent Chrek Soknim told The with high potential only for roads lift property prices ac- ing that it sees stable demand for in the secondary and pre-sell- schedule as of mid-May, de- Post on May 19 that most of agriculture and tourism. Usu- cording to the sectors in which horizontal projects including ing markets, suggesting that spite the Covid-19 situation. the areas along the project are ally, real estate has a thriving nearby lands have investment house-and-lot, and lot-only developers’ sales teams, mean- During a visit at the week- forested – with some portions market only when there are a potential, noting that areas units beyond the pandemic. while, be proactive in touching end, Bun Hourn, who is also used for agriculture – and that lot of business set up and peo- along the length of National Projects in the luxury seg- base with potential clients. Ministry of Public Works and real estate transaction activity ple are living there,” he said. Road 10 by and large only have ment are the least affected dur- The real estate firm noted Transport secretary of state, remains limited. Due to lacklustre transaction potential for agriculture. ing an economic slowdown, that remittances from overseas inspected the technical details Once the road is completed, volumes, land adjacent to the “With prices of land there while joint venture (JV) projects Filipino workers (OFWs) con- of the work and monitored the property prices will see an road can average $20-30 per so low, it may present a grand between local and foreign firms tinue to drive demand for progress of construction. additional surge, but only at square metre at prime locations, opportunity for investors that are currently among the most affordable to mid-income con- Not only will the road reduce a muted pace if the areas are but that figure falls to below $3 know how to transform it into expensive in the market, offer- dominiums – valued at 1.7-5.99 travel times from the Kingdom’s not classified as commercial in other places, depending on a production hub for mer- ing innovative facilities and million pesos ($35,500-125,000) northwest to the coastal south- or industrial, he cautioned. plot sizes, according to Soknim. chandise with high market amenities, it said. Despite high- – in Metro Manila. Developers west, it will also attract a lot of “I think the real estate mar- Real estate investment demand on the international er prices, the average take-up will likely continue to cater to tourists, according to him. ket along National Road 10 agency Khmer Foundation market,” he said. in these projects hit 85 per cent families that receive remit- as of end-2020, it added. tances from abroad, it said. Colliers suggested that Phil- Colliers recommended that ippine developers seize oppor- developers monitor the Covid- tunities in the market by fur- 19 situation in countries that are ther exploring partnerships major sources of remittances. Vietnam’s property inventory falls with foreign firms. From January to February, Given the potential demand, the US, Saudi Arabia and Sin- more luxury projects are gapore accounted for about 50 to 3,300 apartments in Jan-March expected to be launched, and per cent of total OFW remit- these are likely to include JV tances, it said, stressing that Vietnam’s apartment inventory was esti- Lam Dong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau – have mation developed by some large reputable developments, it said, recom- money OFWs send to their mated at some 3,300 units by the end of the still maintained the stable development investors have higher transaction rates. mending that developers fur- families should help sustain first quarter of the year, falling 5,700 units of the property market, the absorption There were 25,386 successful real ther explore the viability of demand for residential units. compared to the same period last year, rate in localities such as Phu Tho, Vinh estate transactions in January-March, certain locations for JV and Several developers have been according to the Ministry of Construction. Phuc and Ha Tinh provinces has been low. the ministry said, citing data from the ultra-luxury projects, while aggressive in mounting webi- This shows that the absorption capac- According to market research firms, departments of Construction of the also highlighting amenities, nars to reach OFW clients, ity of the real estate market in the first while the absorption rate of residential real localities that have reported. The total proximity to key infrastructure which is likely to be part of the quarter of 2021 was better than the same estate has gradually been improving, the transaction volume decreased by about projects and attractive pay- new normal and will comple- period in 2020 and the previous quarter, transaction volume and absorption capac- 86 per cent compared to the fourth quar- ment terms. ment developers’ social media the ministry added. ity for tourist and resort real estate has ter of last year. In Hanoi alone, there Over the past few years, the strategies, it added. PHILIPPINE While the provinces and cities with been limited. The average transaction rate were 5,571 successful transactions while need to develop additional DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK large urban areas such as Hanoi, Hai in the quarter was only about 30 per cent in Ho Chi Minh City there were 3,449. Phong, Ho Chi Minh City and Quang for the resort property segment. There were 11,011 successful transac- Ninh as well as localities with strong Projects which have full legal status, tions in the North; 8,307 in in the Central urbanisation rates – Nghe An, Hung Yen, ensuring progress and transparent infor- region and 6,068 in the South. In gen- eral, the successful transactions were mainly in the affordable housing seg- ment. The number of high-end residen- tial real estate transactions decreased compared to the previous quarter. The ministry said the number of apart- ments eligible for sale in the first quarter of 2021 increased. There are 47 projects with 14,451 apartments in the North, 21 projects with 5,788 apartments in the Central region and 20 projects with 5,780 apartments in the South. In Hanoi alone, there were 10 projects with 7,062 apart- ments, and five projects with 3,449 apart- ments in Ho Chi Minh City. In the January-March period, the number of properties assessed by the ministry was 2,041 apartments – equivalent to about 36 per cent compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 – and 250 condotels. Notably, there were Colliers sees a stable demand for horizontal projects in the Philippines, The absorption capacity of Vietnam’s real estate market in the first quarter of this year was no officetels and resort villas assessed in the including house-and-lot and lot-only units, beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. better than the same period in 2020. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY period. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Morocco intervenes after Israel-Gaza Death toll climbs migrants reach Spanish as France proposes ceasefire enclaves in record influx Moroccan security forces the neighbouring town of Tet- eavy air strikes and rocket intervened on May 18 after a ouan, told reporters. fire in the Israel-Gaza conflict record 6,000 migrants crossed One man drowned trying to claimed more lives on both largely unimpeded into a Span- swim across, Spanish officials sides May 18 as calls intensi- ish North African enclave amid said on May 17. fiedH for an end to the bloodshed. diplomatic tensions between Early on May 18, another 300 A UN Security Council meeting broke Rabat and Madrid. migrants, said to be from sub- up without issuing a statement, but Reinforcements deployed at Saharan Africa, attempted to France then said it had proposed a reso- Morocco’s Fnideq border cross- cross into Spain’s other North lution calling for a ceasefire, in coordina- ing with the enclave of Ceuta African enclave of Melilla by tion with Israel’s neighbours Egypt and and fired tear gas to disperse a scaling a high barrier. Jordan. large crowd of would-be Authorities in Melilla said “85 Zhang Jun, Beijing’s ambassador to the migrants who had gathered in men and one woman succeed- UN, told reporters his team had heard the the hope of seizing a rare ed in entering”. French ceasefire proposal and China was opportunity to slip across, an The Spanish interior ministry “supportive”. AFP correspondent reported. said “immediate reinforce- Sporadic bombardment of Gaza city The surge in numbers came ments of the civil guard pres- continued after midnight, with residents after some migrants were able ence and national police” kept awake as Israeli jets flew low over- to cross into the tiny Spanish would be sent to Ceuta, total- head, an AFP correspondent in the be- territory of some 84,000 people ling 200 additional officers. sieged coastal strip said. virtually unimpeded by Moroc- During the last weekend of Earlier in the evening, an AFP photog- can border guards. April, around 100 migrants rapher saw streaks of light in the sky as Rockets are launched towards Israel from Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas The Moroccan government swam to Ceuta in groups of 20 Israel’s air defence system intercepted movement, on Tuesday evening. AFP has been angered by Spain’s to 30. Most were deported back rockets launched from Gaza. decision provide medical treat- to Morocco. Israeli forces and protesters meanwhile two million Palestinians in Gaza desper- chief Josep Borrell on May 18 backed the ment for the leader of the West- Ceuta and Melilla have the clashed at multiple flashpoints across the ate for reprieve. manifold calls for one. ern Sahara independence EU’s only land borders with occupied West Bank and in east Jerusa- The humanitarian crisis has deepened He also urged Israel’s military to act in a movement who has been seri- Africa, making them popular lem, hospitalising scores, as Palestinians in the impoverished strip, with the UN “proportionate” manner. ously ill with Covid-19. entry points for migrants seek- rallied in solidarity with their besieged saying 72,000 Palestinians have been dis- Israel says fighter jets have hit Hamas’s Spanish Prime Minister ing a better life in Europe. Gazan counterparts. placed. underground tunnels, which it has previ- Pedro Sanchez called off a Mohamed Benaissa, the head Dozens were treated for wounds caused But a convoy of international aid trucks ously acknowledged run in part through planned trip to Paris to oversee of the North Observatory for by live bullets, medics said. that started rolling into Gaza through a civilian areas. his government’s response Human Rights in the Fnideq, Israeli air strikes have killed 217 Pal- border crossing from Israel, Kerem Sha- A strike on May 17 knocked out Gaza’s while the EU commissioner for said the bulk of those making estinians, including 63 children, and lom, was halted when Israel quickly shut- only Covid-19 testing laboratory, the home affairs, Ylva Johansson, it to the Spanish side were wounded more than 1,400 people in just tered it again, citing a mortar attack on health ministry said, and the Qatari Red urged Morocco to take action “minors, youths but also fami- over a week in the Hamas-run enclave, the area. Crescent said a strike damaged one of its to stop the “worrying” increase lies, all of them Moroccan”. according to Gaza’s health ministry. May 18’s UN Security Council session, offices. in the number of migrants The wave of arrivals comes at The death toll on the Israeli side has the fourth since the conflict escalated, Hospitals in the territory, which has crossing illegally. a time of diplomatic tension risen to 12 after rockets Hamas fired at was called after the US, a key Israel ally, been under Israeli blockade for almost Spain sent back around a between Madrid and Rabat, the southern Eshkol region killed two had once again blocked adoption of a 15 years, have been overwhelmed by pa- quarter of the 6,000 or so after it emerged that Polisario Thai nationals working in a factory, po- joint statement calling for a halt to the tients and there are frequent blackouts. migrants, mostly Moroccans, Front leader Brahim Ghali lice said. violence the previous day. Speaking at an air force base in Israel’s who entered the Ceuta enclave arrived in northern Spain in Hamas has launched nearly 3,700 rock- “We do not judge that a public pro- south, Netanyahu said Hamas and Islam- in the past 36 hours and was mid-April and is being treated ets at Israel since May 10, often forcing nouncement right now will help de-esca- ic Jihad, the second biggest armed group preparing further repatriations, in hospital for Covid-19. people living by Gaza into bomb shelters late,” US envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield in Gaza, had “received blows they didn’t interior minister Fernando The Polisario Front has long around the clock. said during May 18’s closed-door meet- expect”. Grande-Marlaska told public fought for the independence of Israel’s near-relentless bombing cam- ing, according to a diplomat. “We’ll continue as long as necessary to television. Western Sahara, a former Span- paign in response has sent fireballs, de- France and Egypt have been pushing bring … quiet back to the citizens of Is- May 17’s arrival figures were ish colony that is mainly under bris and black smoke into the sky, leaving for a ceasefire deal, andE U foreign policy rael,” he added. AFP the highest ever for a single day, Moroccan control. authorities in Ceuta said. Analysts had warned the spat In the early hours of May 18, could threaten cooperation hundreds more men and wom- between Madrid and Rabat in en of all ages flocked to the the fight against illegal immi- border to try their luck. gration. Brazil deforestation ‘94% illegal’ They walked down a path to Benaissa said May 17’s influx the beach in their dozens, “could be linked to the diplo- The vast majority of deforesta- Bolsonaro vowed last month at cleared under permit, said the zilian Amazon increased 9.5 before running towards Ceuta matic crisis between Morocco tion in the Brazilian Amazon is a world climate summit to report, published by a group of per cent, destroying an area along the coastline, as a hand- and Spain”. illegal, and President Jair Bol- eliminate illegal deforestation university researchers and bigger than Jamaica, according ful of Moroccan policemen But Spanish foreign minister sonaro’s promise to eliminate by 2030. experts from environmental to government data. watched on without interven- Arancha Gonzalez Laya said it looks doubtful given a lack of But almost no deforestation organisations including the The far-right president faces ing. Rabiat had “assured” Madrid transparency on authorised can be considered fully legal in World Wildlife Fund Brazil and international pressure to clean “I’m not scared – I’ll either die the huge influx was “not the land use, researchers said on Brazil, given that authorities the Centro da Vida Institute. up his government’s environ- or I’ll cross,” 26-year-old result of the disagreement” with May 17. are failing to adequately imple- The report found that 94 per mental image – and backlash Ouarda, an unemployed, Rabat over the presence of Gha- Under pressure to curb the ment laws on tracking how cent of deforestation in the Bra- from businesses worried how divorced mother-of-two from li at a Spanish hospital. AFP destruction of the Amazon, much and where land is being zilian Amazon and surround- that image will impact the ing Matopiba region is illegal. world’s number one beef and That is partly because even in soy exporter. cases where farmers, ranchers, Centro da Vida Institute coor- loggers and others have permits dinator Paula Bernasconi told to clear land, the authorities are AFP: “Bolsonaro made that unable to document how those promise of ‘zero deforestation’, permits are being used on the but how will we even know if ground, it said. the necessary information isn’t “The differentiation between available?” legal and illegal deforestation is Her co-author Raoni Rajao of a key factor to ensure that Brazil’s the Federal University of Minas agricultural and forestry produc- Gerais said: “We urgently need tion is not contaminated by more technical effort and polit- environmental crimes,” it said. ical will to implement Brazilian Bolsonaro has presided over environmental and transpar- a surge in deforestation in the ency laws. world’s biggest rainforest since “Otherwise, the lack of trans- Burnt areas of the Amazon rainforest, near Porto Velho, Rondonia taking office in 2019. parency will continue serving as state, Brazil on August 24, 2019. Almost all the deforestation in the In the 12 months to August a shield for the ongoing destruc- One migrant drowned as hundreds attempted to swim or wade along Brazilian Amazon is illegal, a report found. AFP 2020, deforestation in the Bra- tion of our ecosystems.” AFP the coast to reach Spanish soil in Ceuta. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Vietnam facing severe Private jabs start in Indonesia shortage of blood amid everal companies started vaccinating coronavirus pandemic employees in Indone- sia under the Gotong Vietnam’s Central Institute of home to 40 million people. RSoyong private vaccination Haematology and Blood Trans- In the first 12 days of this scheme on May 18, to pick up fusion has announced that it is month, the institute received the slack in the free government facing a severe shortage of only 2,920 blood units but pro- programme that has slowed blood and urged people to vided 4,822 blood units. On aver- due to limited supplies amid donate blood to maintain sup- age, the institute still needs up to global shortages. ply amid the fourth wave of 1,000 units of blood and nearly Some 19 companies signed Covid-19. 200 units of platelets per day. up their employees to partici- Deputy director of the insti- In the southern region, the pate in the first day of immu- tute Pham Tuan Duong said same situation has occurred at nisations, with around 40,000 due to the re-emergence of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Blood people expected to receive their Covid-19 pandemic, many Transfusion and Haematology first doses of the Covid-19 vac- blood donors did not come to Hospital. So far, 23 blood dona- cine in the next three days. give blood after registering, tion schedules with the equiva- President Joko “Jokowi” leading to a sharp decrease in lent of 4,200 units of blood have Widodo visited a factory be- Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo (centre) delivers a speech during the Gotong Royong Covid-19 blood reserves. been cancelled. The amount of longing to PT Unilever Indone- vaccination programme at Unilever Indonesia’s factory in Jababeka Industrial Zone in Cikarang, West Java, Many entities have postponed blood received in the first half sia in Jababeka industrial estate on Tuesday. UNILEVER INDONESIA/THE JAKARTA POST or cancelled blood donation of this month was only 50 per in Bekasi, West Java, to oversee drives, even in localities without cent of the plan. the first day of inoculations. nesian Chamber of Commerce 117,910 rupiah under the pri- cover the cost of vaccination reported Covid-19 cases. To deal with the situation, He said the private inocula- and Industry (Kadin) chairman vate scheme. for the participating employees As a result, the blood reserves Duong has urged localities to tion scheme could speed up Rosan Roeslani said that the As each person must get two and their families. at the institute and many blood maintain their blood donation the country’s vaccination drive private sector had welcomed jabs of the vaccine for maxi- However, some critics have centres have decreased sharply, plans and strengthen blood at a time when vaccines were the idea of the private vaccina- mum protection, complete raised concerns that the pri- especially in the northern region donation schedules in locali- scarce resources sought out by tion scheme ever since it was vaccinations cost nearly one vate scheme may risk negating where many localities are the ties with no reported Covid-19 many countries. first introduced. million rupiah per person. equal access to the vaccine. hotspot of the pandemic. cases. Blood donation must With at least 420,000 doses of He said that at least 22,736 The private vaccination “[Vaccinations] should be in- In the institute alone, between comply with the Ministry of the vaccine acquired through companies employing some 10 scheme also employs different clusive, but what is happening April 27 and May 11, the amount Health’s regulations on pan- the private sector scheme, million people had signed up to vaccine brands from the ones now is an exclusive scheme,” of blood received was only 30 demic prevention and con- Jokowi said he expected it to the programme. administered by the state. University of Indonesia epide- per cent of the goal. trol. speed up the nation’s target of Companies have also been The government programme miologist Pandu Riono said on As many as 47 blood donation The institute also suggested inoculating 181 million Indo- entertaining the idea of expand- uses Sinovac Biotech, Novavax May 18. schedules with the expected hospitals temporarily delay nesians – the proportion of its ing the private scheme beyond and Pfizer-BioNtech jabs, as He warned that the govern- reception of 25,000 blood units planned surgery to save emer- population required to make employees to account for people well as the recently suspended ment should not be lulled were postponed or cancelled. gency blood supply and effective use of herd immunity. who live near the companies’ AstraZeneca vaccine. into thinking that the private The Central Institute of Hae- encourage patients’ family “We expect that this target centres of operations, the Re- The private vaccination scheme would speed up herd matology and Blood Transfu- members in medical facilities will be achieved sooner thanks capital Group chairman said. scheme will use doses from immunity, as the latter can only sion is the unit responsible for that are under lockdown to to the Gotong Royong vaccine “The impact will be positive Sinopharm and later in the fu- be achieved once all Indone- supplying blood to 27 prov- participate in blood donation. programme. By August or early on businesses, and so Kadin ture CanSino Biologics, both sians are vaccinated. inces and cities in the north VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK September, up to 70 million and all [business] associations manufactured in China, ac- At the same time, SARS-CoV-2 people should already have support the government [in its cording to Bio Farma presi- – the coronavirus that causes been vaccinated,” Jokowi said vaccination efforts],” he said. dent director Honesti Basyir, as Covid-19 – is constantly mutat- in a video statement. As of May 17, only nine mil- quoted by Kompas.com. ing into more dangerous vari- The president also said the lion people out of the targeted Bio Farma has signed a con- ants. The private scheme would private scheme would allow 38.5 million, which includes tract with Sinopharm to pro- then serve to exacerbate vac- industries to operate at normal 21 million elderly, had been cure 7.5 million doses of its vac- cine quality inequality, should capacity to assist the country’s fully vaccinated under the free cine, beginning with 500,000 any new research show discrep- economic recovery. public vaccination scheme. As doses for 250,000 prospective ancies in effectiveness among According to official data, In- such, state and private com- recipients. The remaining seven available vaccine brands. donesia’s economy contracted panies have tried getting their million doses are to arrive grad- Most importantly, the scheme 0.74 per cent year-on-year in hands on vaccines to inoculate ually from May to September of prioritises working age people the first quarter of this year, al- their employees. this year. who contribute to the econom- though economists foresee an According to a ministerial de- The government has also ic recovery. improvement on the horizon. cree issued last week, the health instructed the private scheme Pandu told The Jakarta Post: The government is aiming for ministry has set the maximum to prioritise labour-intensive “Vaccines should have been pri- seven per cent growth by the price per dose at 321,660 rupiah oritised for vulnerable groups A man donates his blood at the event held by the Red Cross on Friday companies located in areas at in central Vietnam’s Hue City in an attempt to increase blood reserves second quarter. ($22.53) and the maximum cost high risk of Covid-19 transmis- [such as the elderly].” THE JAKARTA amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As many as 152 blood units were collected At the same occasion, Indo- for administering the vaccine at sion. The companies are to POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK at the event. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS M’sia police on high alert after Abu Sayyaf shootout

Security forces in the Malay- alert as they fear the killings at a Those killed were notorious have acted as a transporter their families in Beaufort. Abu Sayyaf members were sian state of Sabah are on high mangrove swamp squatter col- Abu Sayyaf subcommander and food provider. State police commissioner nabbed in the same area. alert about a potential retaliation ony in the southwestern Beau- Mabar Binda and foot soldiers The shootout came barely a Hazani Ghazali said they Hazani said the squatter colo- from the Islamic State-linked fort district about 90km from Jurakhdam Binda, Alsimar week after Mabar escaped a believed the group and those ny set up by these suspects Abu Sayyaf group after five of its state capital Kota Kinabalu on Sukarno and Abhirham Sam- police swoop, which saw the arrested were not linked to any would be demolished after the members were gunned down by the morning of May 17 could sula – also known as Samsed. arrests of eight members of the kidnap for ransom crimes in necessary investigations were police in a shootout there. spark retaliation from remnant A fifth suspect has yet to be cell including his brother Muay- Sabah. completed. Sabah police have issued a red terrorists or sympathisers. identified and is believed to yar and another subcommander, “We are still investigating any Asked how these terrorists had Sansibar Besion. possible criminal involvements managed to slip into Sabah and The Binda brothers and San- in Sabah and will forward the choose Beaufort as their refuge sibar are wanted by Filipino investigation papers to the Attor- ground, he said police were still authorities for a spate of mur- ney General for further action. investigating but believed they ders and kidnappings, and are “They could also be sent back had entered Sabah waters using described as “ruthless’’. as illegal immigrants, ‘’ he said. pump boats with the help of They have been involved in On the shooting incident, sources and sympathisers. clashes with the Philippines Commissioner Hazani said the State police are working with military over the past decade 11:27am (0327 GMT) shootout district policemen and security that saw them beheading a Fili- happened when the Abu Sayyaf officials to check if there are any pino marine soldier, as well as gunmen started to fire at the other such groups in Sabah, he killing a kidnapped Dutch police team who moved into added. national in May 2019. their hideout at the swamp near Hazani warned the public, It is believed that the group Taman Sri Arjuna, about 100km especially sympathisers, to began to slip into Sabah late last from the state capital. refrain from giving help to any year by sending their families to “Our men had to return fire suspicious illegal immigrants or Sabah first as the Philippines due to safety reasons,” he said, suspected Abu Sayyaf mem- military pursued them at their adding that two Colt.45 pistols bers. home base of Jolo. and three machetes were among “Alert the police immediately The Abu Sayyaf gunmen were the weapons seized. if there are any suspicious peo- Sabah Police Commissioner Hazani Ghazali (third from left) shows reporters the weapons seized and pictures believed to have entered Sabah In an earlier operation last ple in the area,” he said. THE STAR of suspects killed in a shootout in the Malaysian state on Monday. THE STAR earlier this year and joined week, 37 people including eight (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Prevent Israeli-Palestinian clashes www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng from escalating into regional conflict Managing Editor Sam Rith Opinion Deputy Managing Editor Phuon Chansereivuth Editorial Chief of Staff Phak Seangly HE armed conflict between Business Editor Israelis and Palestinians is May Kunmakara escalating. It must be con- Deputy Business Editor tained as soon as possible to Sangeetha Amarthalingam preventT it from developing into a Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk regional conflict. Not only must the Pan Simala parties concerned exercise restraint, Senior Reporters but the US also needs to strengthen Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear its involvement. Reporters The Israeli military has been launch- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, ing daily air strikes on the Palestinian Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Hong Raksmey, autonomous territory of Gaza, which is Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, effectively controlled by the Islamist Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, organisation Hamas, which continues to fire rockets into Israel. The conflict Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha erupted a week ago and has developed Photographers into the largest clash since 2014. Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey Both sides have suffered civilian Web Editor casualties. The spread of human suf- Leang Phannara fering should not be left unad- Digital Team dressed. It is important first to agree Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy on a temporary ceasefire and put a Desktop Publishing stop to the cycle of violence. Japan Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, Than Veasna also needs to raise its voice to Palestinian protesters confront Israeli troops at the Hawara checkpoint south of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on May 18. afp demand a ceasefire. SIEM REAP BUREAU Since the establishment of the state National Authority president Mahmoud It is a matter of concern that the patched a high-ranking official to the Offi ce Manager of Israel by the Jews in 1948, conflict Abbas postponed at the last minute the clash is spreading to neighboring region and is calling for a calming of Sophearith Blondeel with the Palestinians who were first parliamentary elections in 15 years, countries. In Lebanon, the Islamic the situation, but it is unclear wheth- PRODUCTION & PRINTING forced to leave their land has contin- which were originally scheduled for Shiite organisation Hezbollah is said er this will lead to a ceasefire. It can- Nhim Sokphyrak ued unceasingly. May. Hamas probably saw an opportu- to have attempted an attack on Israel. not be denied that the US has priori- Commercial and Graphic Designer Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith In recent years, the hard-line stance nity to expand its support as it judged In Jordan, a protest movement tised its strategy toward China, and by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin that Abbas feared defeat. against Israel is also taking place. its diplomacy in the Middle East has

Netanyahu has intensified the con- Hamas launched the attacks, taking Further intervention by Iran, which taken a back seat. flict. Unable to establish a stable advantage of the repeated bloody provides militarily support to Hamas The extreme pro-Israel policies of the administration and on the verge of clashes between Palestinians and and Hezbollah, and other countries administration of former US President HEAD OFFICE losing his position due to corruption Israeli security forces around Islamic must not be allowed to complicate Donald Trump have also encouraged Post Media Co., Ltd. allegations, he might have dared to holy sites in Jerusalem. The Palestini- the situation further. The escalation Netanyahu’s hard-line stance. Biden The Elements Condominium Level 7, increase tensions in order to restore an Authority has been unable to con- of the conflict in the Middle East needs to tell Netanyahu that excessive Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, his political strength. trol radical actions with the use of could also lead to the expansion of attacks and an invasion of Gaza will Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom The Palestinian political situation also force by Hamas, which denies the the influence of Russia and China. only lead to international isolation. THE Penh, Cambodia faces many problems. Palestinian existence of Israel. YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN/ASIA NEWS NETWORK US President Joe Biden has dis- Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 SIEM REAP No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 No resting on laurels in Covid-19 battle COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Chief Operating Offi cer THE appearance of locally drop that new variants of the prevention and control sys- herd immunity until at least national epidemic. James Ong Soon Teck transmitted novel coronavi- virus are wreaking havoc in tem’s responses cannot 840 million people are inocu- The raging of the virus in Advertising Department rus infections in Anhui and India and some other coun- increase proportionally with lated against the virus. India offers a lesson to the Chap Narith, 017 996 241 Liaoning provinces over the tries, people who had previ- the increase in infectiousness It should be noted that the rest of the world that no mat- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 past two weeks indicates that ously been dragging their feet of the virus variants. close contacts of the cases ter how many battles we have Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 there are still risks that the are rushing to get vaccinated. Nationwide inoculation, as appearing in Anhui and Liaon- already won against the virus Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 virus will make a resurgence. Although the early detec- shown in many other coun- ing have been found in Beijing in the past, as long as it has Paing Patrya, 081 872 202 Since the epidemic was tion, early treatment and ear- tries, is arguably the most eco- and Hubei, Jiangsu, Hebei and not withdrawn from the last Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 largely brought under control ly quarantine measures have nomical and efficient way to Shanxi provinces. While the foothold in the world, each CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION last year, many people in the proved to be effective to cut check the spread of the virus by population flow and economic day should be taken as the Acting Distribution Manager country have felt that life has the transmission channels of establishing herd immunity. activities have largely recov- first day encountering the Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 returned to normal. That’s an the virus, it is undeniable About 400 million people ered, any slackening of vigi- humanity’s common enemy. Circulation Supervisor important reason why many that the social and economic out of its total population of lance by local governments or People can feel worn down Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 don’t regard vaccines as a costs of conventionalizing 1.42 billion have had their any lapse of the pandemic by the battle against the ADMINISTRATION necessity. So now the alarm these measures on a large jabs in China. But according prevention and control system virus as time goes. But the Admin & HR Manager CHINA DAILY/ bells are ringing once again, scale have been huge. And to the estimates of experts, at this critical moment might virus is tireless. Pich Socheat ASIA NEWS NETWORK particularly against the back- the efficiency of the epidemic the country will not have turn a regional outbreak into a Assistants Admin & HR Manager Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Cairde Khmer brings Irish sport to Kingdom

Club members during a regular blood donation drive with Voice Cambodia. SUPPLIED

Khmer club members celebrating a successful tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 2019. SUPPLIED Carrying the ball down the field during a women’s game. SUPPLIED

Roth Sochieata Club member Cheth Kanika, and also plays in the popular nam, Thailand and Malaysia. on the field in order to suc- they are happy and healthy, be- 28, tells The Post that she never expat band The Goldilocks The men’s team won the South ceed, the concept of unity cause that’s the only concern. LAYED on a wider even knew Gaelic football ex- Zone – says that having fun Asia and All-Asia Champion- and having your teammate’s Sheehan says that his own pitch with a goal re- isted until she heard about the is the only requirement for ships in 2019. back is even more important memories of playing back in sembling the type GAA club by word of mouth membership in the club. Sheehan says that many and that’s essentially why our Ireland and winning cham- used in rugby but from a friend. According to Sheehan, peo- communities in Ireland re- club was founded. pionships with his childhood withP a net attached like in foot- “I didn’t really know what to ple who’d like to participate volve around their GAA club “We want it to be something friends and also following his ball, Gaelic football is a sport expect – not having heard of shouldn’t be worried about and they are hugely important that the community around heroes who play for the nation- mainly played in Ireland that Gaelic football before – but I their level of skill or athleti- to them. our two branches in Phnom al or county (provincial) teams also combines other features found the sport quickly grew cism. The club holds training “You can make friends for Penh and Siem Reap can be still burn brightly for him. of football and rugby. For ex- on me. Back in school I al- sessions for all ability levels . life in these clubs because you proud of and can connect “When travel starts to open ample, players can use either ways liked sports, but I never “How much time they want go out on the field together with,” the 34-year-old teacher up we will begin competing in- their feet or their hands to get worked out if I was more into to commit is up to them. The to back one another up and tells The Post. ternationally again. We will get the ball into the net or over the football or basketball. That is main message is the harder you then spend time afterwards Outside of sport, Sheehan back into regular weekly train- crossbar to score. what makes Gaelic so great – play the more opportunities together,” he says. says the clubs regularly get ing sessions. Hopefully tourna- Gaelic football is not to be you don’t have to pick! you will have. We only charge Sheehan says the clubs are involved with helping the ments will be back in full swing confused with hurling, which “You need to combine the $3 per training session to those a place for people to socialise local community, like how and we will bring back some is another Irish sport but more skills required for both, with who can afford it, but we have even if they don’t play in the they regularly donate blood trophies for Cambodia. It will resembling hockey played with the bonus of rugby thrown a free-to-play policy for Khmer games because people come to through VOICE – an NGO that also be great to get back into a shorter stick and a broader in. During the first practice, I players and we cover their trav- support the teams and mingle provides blood for transfu- doing our work with the com- oval blade – but on a field simi- was pleasantly surprised with el and accommodations when and this keeps them connected sions to children who suffer munity,” he says. lar to that of Gaelic football. how easy it was to pick up the we play out of town or abroad,” to their local communities. from the rare blood disorder Sheehan says the vision for Both sports were brought game’s basics,” she says. Sheehan says. “Although traditional Irish Thalassemia. the club is one of growth and to Cambodia by the Cairde Sheehan – who has lived in The club has competed sports do require some physi- The club has also volun- that it would be fantastic to Khmer GAA Club back in Oc- Cambodia for over six years abroad at tournaments in Viet- cal fitness, training and skill teered with Gogreen Cambodia grow to a point where they tober of 2017 by an Irish expat to assist with community trash could look at starting new named Padraig Campbell. The clean-ups and held workshops clubs in more provinces and club now has members from at the Save Poor Children in create an in-country competi- around the globe. Asia Organisation (SCAO) tive structure. Ronan Sheehan, the current schools in an ongoing partner- “The club is that it is open chairman of the club, tells The ship with the NGO SCOOP. to everyone – all shapes, all Post “We have a strong mix of “It’s about more than just sizes and all levels of skill. nationalities. We have Khmer, sport. It’s a way of living – to From the moment you come Irish, English, Polish, Belizean, give and receive in equal for your first training session Colombian, American, Cana- measure,” Sheehan says. you are part of the family for- dian, Australian, French, Sri With the advent of the Covid- ever – whether you are near Lankan, and many more.” 19 outbreak in Cambodia, or far. “People have a misconcep- Sheehan says that at the mo- “You will make life-long tion that because the games ment all club activities have friendships and life-long mem- are Irish, so is the club. In fact been put on hold. ories as you go. It’s a fantastic there are more Khmer mem- However, the club mem- way of travelling and seeing bers than any other national- bers are still keeping in touch new cultures. If you show the ity,” Sheehan says. through the club’s group chats dedication and desire to be the Cairde – which means and amongst themselves. best version of you then open “friends” in the traditional but They have also implemented the door for us in your life and little-used Gaelic language that a workout from home routine we will open doors for you,” is native to Ireland – as a club for members to stay fit. Sheehan says. and the game of Gaelic football Sheehan says that it’s totally For more information, in particular have both sparked up to the individual members the club can be contacted the interest of many Cambodi- if they want to follow the work- via their Facebook page: @ an men and women. Cairde Khmer Club members helping out on a community clean-up effort. SUPPLIED out routines or not – as long as CairdeKhmer. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle The battle over a unique European river

utting into craggy RiverWatch describing it as mountains, me- the “only chance in Europe” andering through to save such a river system. plains and eventual- The activists point out lyC hitting Albania’s shimmer- that 1,175 animal and plant ing Adriatic, the Vjosa river’s species have been recorded untouched landscapes are a along the Vjosa, including 119 national treasure, but one that protected under Albanian law is under imminent threat. and 39 that are listed interna- Activists feel that time is run- tionally as threatened. ning out to save what they call And they also argue that Europe’s last major “wild river” Albania does not need any – one whose course is unaltered more hydroelectric power and by industry, cities or dams – re- should concentrate on other cruiting A-listers like Leonardo renewable energy sources. DiCaprio to their cause. On the face of it, the Alba- The immediate concern is a nian government agrees. plan to build a 50m high hy- Officials say they are op- droelectric dam. posed to major development A Turkish-Albanian firm has along the Vjosa and are devel- the rights to the project, which oping projects involving solar would be the first develop- power and liquid natural gas. ment to change the course of Last year, activists won a ma- the roughly 200km Albanian jor victory when the environ- stretch of a river that rises in ment ministry refused to al- the Pindus mountains across low Turkish-Albanian venture the border in Greece. Ayen-ALB to start work on the The dam would flood areas dam, a decision the company replete with rare animal and is challenging in the courts. plant life, wiping out farmland, Yet the government is re- damaging the livelihoods of sisting the national park des- fishermen and forcing thou- ignation, opting instead for sands from their homes. a less strict “protected area” “Vjosa is my greatest love. categorisation. My life is here, my childhood “A national park is a bit too An aerial photograph taken on May 6 shows the Vjosa River near the city of Tepelena. The Vjosa River in Albania is one of the last remaining is here, my youth is here,” says much,” Prime Minister Edi wild rivers in Europe, with a rich and diverse habitat. AFP local restaurateur Arjan Zeqaj. Rama told reporters, claiming world,” says Annette Span- His roadside restaurant in that the designation would genberg of EuroNatur, an the village of Qesarat enjoys stop tens of thousands of peo- NGO involved in the protec- spectacular views of undulat- ple from going about their dai- tion effort. ing grassland tumbling down ly lives and stop activities from The river and all its tribu- to an expanse of chaotic chan- agriculture to ecotourism. taries are still untamed, and nels on a grey, gravelly plain. preserving the system would If the reservoir comes, all that ‘Vjosa is vital’ set “a new standard for what will be gone. The water will lap Activists and locals are un- is possible in nature protec- against the edge of the road convinced. tion”, she added. just metres from his terrace. While designating it a na- At its heart, though, the bat- “I would have to emigrate,” tional park would give legal tle against the dam is about says Zeqaj. “I see no other way protection against hydroelec- preserving and improving the to survive here.” tric projects, airports and other day-to-day lives of villagers. Legal rows over the dam developments, the protected “Vjosa is vital for us, for our have been hanging over the area designation would not. land, for our food, it is part of residents for two decades. And And Rama’s claim about ec- our life,” says 60-year-old lo- for years, activists have been otourism is also disputed. cal Idajet Zotaj, worrying that pushing the same solution. “Industrialisation of this a dam would destroy the live- region with the construction lihoods of thousands. ‘A bit too much’ of dams will make foreign “I miss my children,” says “The Vjosa Valley must be de- tourists lose all interest in 86-year-old Mezin Zaim clared a national park,” Besja- exploring Vjosa and wilder Zotaj, whose seven children na Guri of the EcoAlbania NGO areas of Albanian more gen- Mezin Zotaj, an 86-years-old resident of Ane-Vjose village, pastures his sheep near the Vjosa River on have all left the region, four told reporters. “This will not erally,” says tourism expert April 23. AFP having emigrated. only protect its unique ecosys- Albiona Mucoimaj. “I am sure if Vjosa becomes tem but also allow stable devel- However, while she talks of slew of new airports to fuel The battle over the Vjosa where from China to Chile. a national park they will all opment and promote tourism rafting in the rapids and small mass tourism and economic encapsulates the global de- And activists are deter- come back to build their fu- and local ecotourism.” excursions into unspoilt development along the coast, bate over humanity’s future: mined for Vjosa to be seen as ture here, at home,” he adds EcoAlbania is working mountains, the government with one airport planned for development at any price, or a global issue. as he patiently tends his with international NGOs to dreams of package tourists, wetlands near the Vjosa delta, environmental protection “This is an unparalleled gaggle of unruly sheep, just raise awareness, with Ulrich thousands of them. which activists say is in a pro- above all else. Similar ar- opportunity to set an exam- metres from the rumbling Eichelmann of Austria-based Officials are banking on a tected zone. guments have raged every- ple within Europe and the river. AFP High traces of Viagra in Seoul’s sewers, research shows High traces of Viagra and oth- of the chemicals in the influent tion, studies show, and the total er drugs used to treat erectile and effluent of two sewage PDE-5i sales of the top 20 Kore- dysfunction were found in treatment plants (STPs) in the an pharmaceutical companies Seoul’s wastewaters, and their South Korean capital as well as reached $133 million in 2019. presence in the urban area is the receiving water bodies. Due to their effectiveness in expected to increase, South Their investigation indicated improving male sexual perform- Korean researchers say. that the existing sewage treat- ance, the chemical is also often The presence of the chemicals ment plants were “unable to illegally used as an ingredient of used in the drugs – Phosphodi- handle” the amounts of the tonic medicines, diet supple- esterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-51) residual chemicals. ments, and herbal dietary prod- – were high on weekends and “The PDE-5i in domestic ucts in many countries. in sewage treatment facilities in wastewater were barely treated A recent study found PDE-5i Gangnam, which is home to by the STPs and, eventually, dis- and their analogues in 80 out nightclubs, bars and red-light charged into the water environ- of 188 foods and dietary sup- spots, new research shows. ment,” the research paper said. plements sold in Korea. “We estimated that the amount “Considering the increasing Around 322 million patients of PDE-5i consumption was 31 market size, it is easily expect- suffered from erectile dys- percent higher than in areas with ed that more PDE-5i will be function in 2025, with the fewer nightlife spots,” the discharged in an urban area,” prevalence of the disorder in researchers said in the research it added. Asia projected to jump from paper carried by Scientific Around 23 percent of South 87 million in 1995 to 200 mil- A couple wearing face masks walk through Seoul Plaza in front of the city hall in Seoul. High traces of Reports earlier this month. Korean males aged 30 to 39 are lion men in 2025 due to the Viagra and other drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction were found in the capital’s wastewaters. AFP Experts studied the presence suffering from erectile dysfunc- ageing population. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Mezzo-soprano singer Fiona McGown performs a concert in private homes in Aubervilliers, on the outskirts of Paris, on April 11, while concert halls are closed amid the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP French opera singer offers home delivery

ITH concert halls shut, one “With my diary empty, I told myself that ei- French mezzo-soprano decided ther I sit on the sofa, or I go find an audience in to take her voice directly into their own homes,” she said. people’s homes as a way to stay “It’s amazing to be able to sing again for an Wconnected, and has found herself performing audience, even a little one . . . It’s a gift, a recon- to families, Alpine shepherds and a couple of nection with what is essential in life.” “DEAL!” cats. Now her timetable is filling up, with seven Sat comfortably on their couch and sur- performances in April and already five lined up ACROSS 50 Asian language 22 Whisper sweet nothings rounded by family, Genevieve and Jacques, for this month in Paris, Le Havre and Rennes. 1 Audio cassettes, e.g. 52 Hot temper 23 Cast out both in their nineties, have a front-row seat for “At the start, it was very much word-of- 6 Christmas tree topper 53 Where to get the best deals? 24 Xbox enthusiast a very intimate performance. mouth,” she said. “Now, I’ve started getting re- 10 On tenterhooks 57 Tolkien creatures 28 Rub the wrong way Professional opera singer Fiona McGown, quests by email and social media.” 14 Plant used to make tequila 58 Ballpark figures? 29 Inventor Whitney 30 Say it ain’t so 32, is delivering a powerful and moving pro- That included a nurse, exhausted from her 15 Super-duper 59 Boxing matches 32 Indian tourist stop gramme of Benjamin Britten, Ravel and work, who asked McGown to come sing for her 16 City in New York 62 Top guns, in the air 33 On a lucky streak Rameau right there in their front room. and her children. 17 Conundrum 63 “Laura” director Preminger 34 Between ports “It’s moving to hear such singing in your own She was also invited down to a farm in the 18 “Pro” follower 64 Small fishing net 35 Not able to be seen home . . . and we hear it better than at a con- Alps. 19 Constrictor snakes 65 He and she 36 Engraver Albrecht cert,” said former banker Jacques. “They had never been to a concert and were 20 Retail perk 66 Astute 37 It has a ladder on a playground Some of the organisation is very of-the-mo- very moved,” she said. 23 It can be inflated 67 Nonsensical DOWN 39 Soft, lightweight muslin ment: PCR tests the day before, a maximum It was in an artists’ workshop in Aubervilliers 25 Susan of “The Partridge Family” 40 Ship personification 1 Dancing specialty of six people in the room, either vaccinated or that she found herself singing for a family and 26 Sudden attack 44 One for the road 2 “Fourscore and seven years ___ ...” wearing masks. their two cats. 27 Room under a gable 45 Certain frying pan 3 Country music? But it also has the feel of a bygone age. “They didn’t meow, but they started to fight 30 Batman and Robin, e.g. 46 Depth charge target 4 “... happily __ after” “It’s like the recitals of the 19th century,” said when I sang Ravel. I just tried to stay focused,” 31 Internet letters 47 “The Addams Family” butler 5 “Buona ___” (Italian greeting) McGown. “In a concert hall, we are blinded by said McGown, laughing. 32 “Don’t forget about me” 48 French high school 6 Draped dress (Var.) the lights, we don’t see the faces. Here I can see “I don’t know if I’ll want to go see singers on 34 “No ifs, ___ ...” 49 Like many kids’ rooms 7 Sycophant 38 Willing to do anything for success 50 Caffe ___ you, feel you.” the stage after this,” said the cat owner Nour 8 Not for 41 Arborist’s concern 51 Burning crime The French-Scottish singer was used to per- Awada, a visual artist. “I’d almost rather that this 9 Take on again 42 Affectedly creative 54 Remote option forming on stage at least four times a month, tradition of home performances carries on.” 10 Ann ___, Mich. 43 Artist Matisse 55 Tends toward low tide and had been doing so since she was 12. With cultural venues due to reopen on May 11 See socially (with “with”) 44 Cloak-and-dagger org. 56 Spelling on screen 19 in France, McGown says she does indeed 12 Certain Arab 60 “Shop ___ you drop” ‘A gift’ 45 Staggered drunkenly 13 “Beau ___” hope to continue with her new venture, even 61 Like some grins When France shut all its cultural venues though her diary is rapidly filling up again with 46 Comedian Tracey 21 Banned bug killer during a second wave of the pandemic in Oc- summer festival bookings. tober, she decided to take matters into her “Maybe once a month,” she said with a Wednesday’s solution own hands. smile. AFP

Wednesday’s solution

With cultural venues due to reopen on May 19 in France, McGown says she does indeed hope to continue performing in private homes once a month. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Federer suffers set back after Geneva defeat

oger Federer said it was time to go back to the draw- ing board after the Swiss tennis great lost the first matchR of his comeback-proper in Geneva on May 18. In his first outing for two months, the 39-year-old lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Spanish clay court specialist Pablo Andujar to wreck his hopes of string- ing a run of matches together ahead of a series of major tournaments, namely the French Open, Wimble- don and the Tokyo Olympics. Federer tentatively returned to the courts in Doha in March, having been out for more than a year follow- ing two knee surgeries, winning his first match before losing his second. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was hoping to find some form on the Geneva clay but tumbled at the first hurdle in his first defeat on home soil in seven and a half years. “It’s good to be back on the court but then you lose a match like this and you’re down,” Federer told reporters. “I know my limitations at the moment. “People expect a lot from me and I have high expectations for myself. So when I walk out of a match and feel I could have played so much better, it feels strange and it’s disappointing.” Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts during his ATP 250 Geneva Open tennis match against Spain’s Pablo Andujar on May 18. AFP Flashes of old magic Federer said he would now work on he could challenge for the clay court attendance limited due to local “The moment it was getting tough- er went into the contest with a 32- analysing his game to identify where Grand Slam title was simply “wrong”. coronavirus restrictions. er, the game wasn’t there. I was miss- match winning streak on home soil. he is falling short. Federer, who holds a record eight The top seed took time to find his ing way too much to come through. His last loss in Switzerland was in “This is the process I need to go Wimbledon titles, said: “Really, the groove against the world number 75, The chances were all there; I just October 2013 in his home city of Ba- through. I can’t get too down on my- season starts on the grass. who has four clay court titles to his couldn’t come up with the goods. sel against Juan Martin del Potro. self,” he said. “What’s important is the next few name. “It’s so brutal sometimes but I feel Andujar will face either Marton “I need to go back to the drawing weeks, regardless if you play tour- In the second set, Federer began to like I didn’t deserve it at the end. Fucsovics, the 2018 Geneva winner, board and talk to the team and say naments or not, it’s if you’re back show flashes of the old magic, throwing There was just not enough happen- or Swiss teenager Dominic Stricker, ‘what’s the plan here for the next 10 on the tour, practising with top in occasional backhand drop shots. ing in my game. the 2020 French Open boys’ cham- days?’. guys, going through the rhythm. At 4-3 up in the final set he lost “I couldn’t protect my serve in dif- pion, in the quarter-finals. “What did they see from the outside This is how you then start taking his serve and though he saved two ferent ways, I couldn’t break in differ- Stricker stunned the 2014 US Open that maybe I didn’t see and feel? There’s better decisions.” match points, he misfired to hand ent ways. I was a bit limited on the winner and world number 46 Marin going to be a lot of conversations.” The world number eight was his opponent victory. court. When you start to play in two Cilic 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the first round His next tournament, the French cheered on by a few dozen masked “I really struggled early on to find minds, it gets very difficult. “I’ve just on May 18 in what was the 18-year- Open, starts on May 30. However, spectators dotted around the my rhythm from the baseline,” got to accept it and move on.” old wildcard’s first senior match on Federer said anyone who thought Eaux-Vives centre court, with the Federer said. Former world number one Feder- the ATP tour. AFP AB de Villiers says retirement ‘final’ Pogba, Diallo display Palestine South African cricket coach Mark Boucher from international cricket in 2018. said on May 18 that he was disappointed that “But as a coach I needed to try and get our best flag after Manchester Utd match AB de Villiers had decided not to make an inter- players, for the team and the environment. AB national comeback. is an energy-booster in any environment, but I Paul Pogba and Manchester flag in support of Palestine, working in southern Israel. De Villiers’ decision was revealed earlier in a respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now United team-mate Amad Dial- with around 10,000 fans watch- Thousands of protesters statement by Cricket South Africa in announcing let’s move forward,” said Boucher. lo held up a Palestine flag on ing on after coronavirus restric- marched in support of Pales- a squad to tour the West Indies next month. De Villiers said last month that he would the Old Trafford pitch after the tions were lifted. tinians on May 15 in major “Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded make a decision based on his form and fitness. 1-1 draw against Fulham on Israel’s intense bombing cam- European cities including Lon- with the batsman deciding, once and for all, that He had a good campaign for Royal Challengers May 18. paign on Gaza has killed 213 don, Berlin, Madrid and Paris, his retirement will remain final,” the statement Bangalore before Covid-19 caused the tourna- United midfielder Pogba Palestinians, including 61 chil- as the worst violence in years said, without giving any further details. ment to be halted. appeared to be given the flag by dren, and wounded more than raged between Israel and mili- There had been widespread speculation that He scored 207 runs at an average of 51.75 with a fan as the players made their 1,400 people in Gaza in over a tants in Gaza. De Villiers, 37, would make himself available an outstanding strike rate of 164.28. way around the pitch during week of fighting against Islamist Leicester players Hamza for the T20 World Cup, scheduled for India in He was quoted in India after smashing 76 not the traditional lap of honour group Hamas, according to the Choudhury and Wesley Fofana October and November. out off 34 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders as after their last home game of health ministry in Gaza. showed support for the Pales- “AB has his reasons, which I respect,” Bouch- saying, “Come the end of the IPL, we will have a the Premier League season. The death toll on the Israe- tinians after the 1-0 win against er told The Citizen in Johannesburg. “Unfortu- look at where we are at with regards to my form French World Cup winner li side rose to 12 when a volley Chelsea in the FA Cup final on nately he’s no longer in the mix. I say unfortu- and my fitness. Also, the situation with his [Bouch- Pogba and Ivorian winger Dial- of rockets fired by Hamas May 15. nately because I think we all agree that he’s still er’s] team – he’s got to look at his guys who have lo, both Muslim, displayed the killed two Thai nationals English midfielder Choud- one of the best – if not the best – T20 players in been performing well over the last while. If there’s hury and French defender world cricket.” no space for me, so be it. If I can slot in there, it will Fofana were seen holding a Pal- Boucher said De Villiers had expressed con- be fantastic if all those things fall in place.” estinian flag on the pitch at cern about taking the place of a player who Victor Mpitsang, convener of selectors, said, Wembley. had been part of the system since he retired “There has been a lot of speculation, especial- A social media post from ly given how he has been playing in the IPL. Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Mark Boucher was very clear that he was having Elneny showing his support for conversations with AB. the Palestinian people has been “Obviously he would always add value in hit by a backlash from Jewish whatever format he was playing, especially in fans. a T20 World Cup, but I have not spoken to him The Egyptian posted on his personally and I have to respect the fact that Twitter account: “My heart and he retired from international cricket.” my soul and my support for Also missing from the squads for the West you Palestine.” Indies was former captain Faf du Plessis, 36, who Arsenal confirmed to Sky retired from Test cricket in January but stated he Sports that they have spoken remained available for white-ball cricket. with Elneny after concerns South African batsman AB de Villiers plays a shot on “Faf is not part of it at the moment,” said Paul Pogba (left) and Manchester United teammate Amad Diallo hold about the post were raised from the first day of the fourth Test cricket match against Mpitsang. “We haven’t selected him for this tour up a Palestine flag on the Old Trafford pitch after the 1-1 draw against one of the club’s sponsors, cof- Australia on March 30, 2018. AFP but he might still feature later on.” AFP Fulham on May 18. AFP fee maker Lavazza. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Chelsea beat Leicester to boost top-four bid

helsea are on course to into the lead from Riyad Mahrez’s qualify for the Champions second-minute cross. League after a crucial 2-1 win against top-four rivals City stunned LCeicester, while Brighton staged a Joao Cancelo was sent off in the superb fightback to beat champions 10th minute after the City defender Manchester City as fans returned to hauled down Danny Welbeck. the Premier League on May 18. Phil Foden increased City’s lead in Supporters have been allowed the 48th minute with a fine solo ef- back into Premier League matches fort, only for Leandro Trossard to get this week for the first time since De- one back moments later. cember following the UK’s easing of Adam Webster equalised with a coronavirus restrictions. thumping header in the 72nd minute About 8,000 fans were at Stamford before Dan Burn grabbed the winner Bridge as Chelsea moved into the from close range four minutes later. third place at Leicester’s expense, “Congratulations to Brighton and while 7,900 saw Brighton’s dramatic their fans. I didn’t see the red card. 3-2 victory against City. The nicest thing is we have won the There were 10,000 United fans Premier League on the pitch already,” at Old Trafford for their 1-1 draw Guardiola said. with relegated Fulham and 8,000 at The return of fans to Old Trafford Southampton for their 2-0 defeat was peaceful despite fears of more against Leeds. angry protests against United’s own- Chelsea avenged Saturday’s 1-0 FA ers the Glazer family. Cup final defeat against Leicester to Many fans wore green and yellow steal a march on the Foxes in the race scarves in the colours of United’s for the top four. predecessors Newton Heath, which Thomas Tuchel’s side broke the became a symbol of protests against deadlock in the 47th minute when the Glazers when they bought the Antonio Rudiger bundled home after club in 2005. a corner was unwittingly flicked on Some held up signs reading “Glaz- by Leicester’s Luke Thomas. ers Out” and chanted against the Jorginho doubled Chelsea’s lead Americans, but the discontent was with a 66th-minute penalty after VAR Leicester City’s defender Caglar Soyuncu (left) vies with Chelsea’s striker Timo Werner during the English Premier League drowned out by songs of praise for ruled Wesley Fofana fouled Timo football match on May 18. AFP Edinson Cavani in the 15th minute. Werner. Bruno Fernandes flicked David Kelechi Iheanacho set up a tense The speed in our game, the hunger, pool, but the Reds would go above win it and it’s still not enough for us De Gea’s long ball into Cavani’s path finale when theL eicester striker slot- the ambition. It was a very strong them on goal difference if they win at we have to accept that. It’s still been a and the Uruguay striker, spotting Al- ted home in the 76th minute. performance,” Tuchel said. Burnley on May 19. great season.” phonse Areola off his line, lofted a But Chelsea held on and emotions “The job is not done but it’s still in Leicester’s final match is at home With the title wrapped up, Man- gorgeous 40-yard chip over the Ful- ran high in stoppage-time after a our hands. We need another huge to Tottenham, while Liverpool host chester City are fine-tuning their ham keeper. brawl erupted featuring virtually performance at Aston Villa.” Crystal Palace. preparations ahead of the Champi- Joe Bryan headed the equaliser every player and members of both Having won the FA Cup for the first “We’re obviously disappointed ons League final against Chelsea in from Bobby Decordova-Reid’s cross teams’ coaching staffs. time, fourth-placed Leicester could with the goals. We conceded a need- Porto on May 29. in the 76th minute. Chelsea will be guaranteed to be denied a top-four finish on the less corner and didn’t pick up well But Pep Guardiola’s side were beat- “The buzz, the energy, the atmo- finish third if they win atA ston Vil- last day for the second successive enough. The penalty is very harsh,” en for the second time in their last sphere was magic, really. We’ve really la in their last game of the season season. Rodgers said. three games after a second-half col- missed it. It was fantastic to have them on May 30. Brendan Rodgers’ team are three “We’re still in that top four and lapse at the Amex Stadium. back,” United manager Ole Gunnar “The fans made a huge difference. points ahead of fifth-placed Liver- we’ve got one more game to go. If we Ilkay Gundogan headed City Solskjaer said of the fans. AFP France recalls Benzema for Euro 2020 after six-year exile

Karim Benzema was named in European Championship. try’s players’ association earlier on Benzema has repeatedly hit out at Madrid’s all-time goalscoring list. France’s provisional Euro 2020 squad “So proud of this return to the May 18. the French Football Federation (FFF) by Didier Deschamps on May 18, giv- France team and of the trust placed in He has netted 29 times for Real and Deschamps for not selecting Sextape scandal ing the Real Madrid striker a shock me,” Benzema said on Twitter. Madrid this term, passing 20 league him. The former Lyon forward had not international recall after years in the “Thank you to my family, my friends, goals in all three seasons since Cris- He said racism was a possible factor been selected since the sextape scan- wilderness over his alleged role in a my club . . . and to all those who have tiano Ronaldo left the Santiago Bern- in his exclusion from the Euro 2016 dal involving his former teammate blackmail plot. always supported me and give me abeu for Juventus in 2018. squad, while he criticised FFF presi- Mathieu Valbuena broke in 2015. The 33-year-old has not played for strength every day.” “How was it done? We made contact, dent Noel Le Graet after missing out His hopes of a recall seemed to France since October 2015, but is Benzema, who has scored 27 goals we fixed an appointment and we saw on the World Cup. recede in January, when French pros- now set to line up alongside World for France in 81 appearances, was each other,” said Deschamps. He said, in comments directed ecutors said they had decided to send Cup winners Kylian Mbappe and named as this season’s best French “I never said anything bad about towards Le Graet, in November 2019: Benzema and four others for trial. Antoine Griezmann at the delayed player playing abroad by the coun- him on a human level. From the start, “If you think I’m done, let me play with The case revolves round a plot to there was a relationship of trust. We one of the other countries I am eligible extort money from Valbuena by threat- are not going to go back over what for and we’ll see.” ening to make a sex video public. happened.” Le Graet insisted he was pleased to “Everyone has the right to make France kick off their Euro 2020 see Benzema return, saying: “If the mistakes,” said Deschamps. campaign against three-time win- return to the group of Karim Benzema UEFA is allowing nations to name 26 ners Germany in Munich on June may have surprised some, I am players instead of the normal 23 for the 15, face Hungary in Budapest four delighted. Euro to avoid potential Covid cases. days later and finish their Group F “I think it is an excellent decision, Benzema will be vying for a place in schedule against holders Portugal given his talent and his remarkable the starting XI with Chelsea striker on June 23. performances in recent months.” Olivier Giroud. Les Bleus have impressed at major Benzema’s coach at Real Madrid, For a while, Benzema targeted Gir- tournaments without Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, the star of the oud on social media saying that while reaching the Euro 2016 final on home France team Deschamps captained he was a Formula One car, the 34-year- soil before losing to Portugal and lift- to victory in the 1998 World Cup and old Giroud was a “go-kart”. ing their second World Cup three years Euro 2000, said in March that he Yet in recent weeks the two men ago in Russia, defeating Croatia 4-2 in was bewildered by the continued have been complimenting each other the final. exile. and insisting there is no feud. “The [final] decision was taken “How can you understand it? I don’t Deschamps also named in-form today, but in my head, it was a long understand it, you don’t understand Monaco forward Wissam Ben Yedder time ago,” added Deschamps. “With it, there are many people who don’t in the squad, but has left out World Benzema was named in France’s provisional Euro 2020 squad by Didier Deschamps my staff, there were a lot of discus- understand it,” Zidane said. Cup-winning centre-back Samuel on May 18. AFP sions, they also had a feeling.” Benzema sits fifth on Real Umtiti. AFP