tuesday, june 1, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3675 / 4000 RIEL Covid rattles business confidence

May Kunmakara es are optimistic about future has proven resilient, outper- for the first time in three dec- es behind this decline. economic recovery as 56 per forming predicted contrac- ades, with crucial sectors such “However, given that our WITH economic uncertainty cent plan to invest further in tions, and is expected to make as manufacturing, construc- members are concentrated in brought about by the spread the Kingdom over the next 12 a sharp recovery this year. tion and tourism especially sectors heavily impacted by of Covid-19 pandemic, the months, the trade body said in While this illustrates the per- bruised, it added. the pandemic – services, edu- Kingdom’s 2021 business con- its Business Confidence Survey severance of businesses through “According to our members, cation, tourism and hospital- PLEAS FOR HELP fidence index fell to 46.1 per 2021: In the Time of Covid-19. these perilous times, the global confidence in the Cambodian ity – the decline in confidence cent from 52.9 per cent in Conducted from November pandemic has still caused sub- market has declined – at least is less severe than might be AS COVID CASES 2019, according to the Euro- 26 to January 11 with respons- stantial unforeseen socio-eco- temporarily. The economic expected,” it said. pean Chamber of Commerce es from over 350 businesses in nomic disruptions, it said. challenges, complexity and The survey showed a decrease IN PRISONS SEE in Cambodia (EuroCham). EuroCham’s ranks, the survey Last year witnessed the uncertainty caused by Covid- WORRYING RISE On the other hand, business- said the Kingdom’s economy Cambodian economy shrink 19 are likely the driving forc- Continued – page 6 national – page 3 China allows couples to have three children as birthrate falls CHINA will allow couples to have three children after a census showed DIRECTORATE: its population is rapidly ageing, state- run Xinhua News Agency said on May TAKE NOTE OF 31, further unwinding four decades of strict family planning controls in UK’S NEW AGRI the world’s most populous nation. In 2016 China relaxed its “one- IMPORT RULES child policy”, allowing couples to have two children as concerns business – page 6 mounted over an ageing workforce and economic stagnation. But annual births have continued to plummet to a record low of 12 million in 2020, Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics said in May, as the cost of liv- ing rises and women increasingly make their own family planning choices. China’s fertility rate stands at 1.3 – below the level needed to maintain a stable population, the figures revealed. The slump threatens a demographic crisis which has alarmed President Xi CANADA FINDS Bowled over Jinping’s ruling Communist Party, risking a shortage of young workers to drive an Two young men ride a motorbike trailer loaded with packages of styrofoam bowls along Veng Sreng Street in southern Phnom Penh’s economy experts say will have to support REMAINS OF 215 Meanchey district on Monday. HONG MENEA hundreds of millions of elderly by 2050. KIDS’ BODIES A May 31 meeting of the party’s Politburo led by Xi announced a fur- AT SCHOOL SITE ther loosening of the state’s control over the size of families, and prom- WORLD – Page 10 ised “accompanying support meas- Kingdom ‘has the right ures” including improving maternity leave, universal childcare and lower- ing the costs of education, but with- out giving firm commitments. The announcement on Chinese social media platform Weibo was to choose’ aid sources met with mixed reception, with some responses citing concerns Niem Chheng that the government would the visit of US Deputy Sec- try’s development. For the about long working hours, skyrock- not allow the presence of retary of State Wendy R construction of the Ream eting house prices and a rising bur- INISTER of any foreign military bases Sherman, who is expected Naval Base, the Kingdom den to provide for ageing relatives. National Defence in the Kingdom. to meet with Prime Minis- had to spend a great deal of China’s gender balance has been UK’S FOUR-DAY Tea Banh on May The minister hit back at ter Hun Sen on June 1. time looking for financial skewed by decades of the one-child 31 explained the a news report by US-based In an interview with The assistance to build it. policy, and a traditional social pref- WEEK COULD roleM that Chinese financial aid Radio Free Asia (RFA), which Post on May 31, Tea Banh “They [the media] brought erence for boys which prompted a played in the construction of claimed he had confessed said he did not confess this topic up to say that I generation of sex-selective abor- CUT EMISSIONS, the Ream Naval Base, saying that Cambodia allowed Chi- anything but merely spoke confessed because they al- tions and abandoned baby girls. Cambodia has every right to na to develop the Ream Na- the truth. ways want to talk about this. A third of Chinese are forecast to STUDY POSITS receive development assist- val Base after the dismantling He said Cambodia has full China helping Cambodia is be elderly by 2050, heaping huge ance from any country. of the US-sponsored facility. rights to receive all kinds of pressure on the state to provide pen- lifestyle – page 13 Tea Banh also reaffirmed RFA linked the topic to aid necessary for the coun- Continued – page 2 sions and healthcare. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST Over 16% of olden temples National in natural protected areas Inside page 5 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Encroachment on Protests erupt among factory Tonle Sap flooded forest land persists workers demanding Covid tests Long Kimmarita Nov Sivutha by ourselves; cooperation is required between provinces EDICAL work- BATTAMBANG provincial and the Ministry of Agricul- ers have taken officials said land encroach- ture, Forestry and Fisheries throat swabs ment still occurred on thou- for any prevention to be ef- to check for in- sands of hectares of flooded fective and successful. Mfections in more than 2,000 forest land bordering Tonle During a meeting with se- factory workers in Kampong Sap Lake, and authorities nior officials of the agriculture Cham province’s Cheung lacked the resources to pro- ministry on strengthening Prey district after they gath- tect these areas. the prevention and suppres- ered to block National Road Deputy provincial gover- sion of encroachment on 6 in protest on May 29. nor Soeum Bunrith told The state land in the province on The protest erupted after Post on May 31 that in the May 27, provincial governor they had received informa- last two years, the number of Nguon Ratanak said that the tion that five to six workers encroachment cases has in- province has cracked down on from two factories – Hwa creased, is more aggressive, encroachment on state land, Long Co Ltd and Out Sold and is occurring in three ar- especially flooded forest land. Industry Co Ltd – in Phdav eas in the province. According to Ratanak, the Chum commune’s Chheu Bunrith stated that in these provincial administration has Teal village had tested posi- areas included the districts also set up a standby unit to tive for Covid-19 and were of Moung Russey, Ek Phnom, identify perpetrators and has admitted to the Kampong Sangke and Thma Koulof. already put together cases to Cham provincial hospital. The government prohibits send to court. Cheng Heang, director of encroachment, but unscru- “The provincial adminis- the provincial Department of pulous people have occupied tration also faces challenges Labour and Vocational Train- Workers at the factories in Kampong Cham province’s Cheung Prey district demand 50 per cent of their wages while they are kept in quarantine for 14 days. Kampong Cham provincial Infomation Department the state land. due to the location of flooded ing, told The Post on May 31 “The provincial administra- forests and fishing grounds that more than 300 workers The owners also granted try of Labour and Vocational haven’t implemented it, lead- tion has measures in place and their size. The number of staged the protest to demand the workers’ request for 50 Training had issued a formal ing some workers to protest. to tackle encroachment on officials is few and lacks re- the factories to take samples per cent of their wages during letter holding the factories “In order to avoid these flooded forest land, along sources for effective preven- from all workers due to their their 14-day quarantine. accountable for their wages protests, the labour ministry with other infringements tion,” he said. concerns about the spread of “All of the workers had al- during quarantine. should inspect these compa- concerning land and water Yin Mengly, provincial co- Covid-19 at the factories. ready been tested after the He added that the work- nies and make them comply reclamation,” Burith said. ordinator for rights group They also demanded that the protest up until May 30. They ers’ demand to test them by fining and suspending However, authorities have Adhoc, said that regarding factories pay them 50 per cent had their samples taken. But for Covid-19 was correct be- them,” Thon said. noticed that unlike before encroachment on land in of their wages while they are so far the Ministry of Health cause they were concerned During a recent press confer- when wealthy people were be- these areas, it is not possible kept in quarantine for 14 days. has not yet provided me with about their safety. The tests ence, labour ministry spokes- hind the encroachments, it is for ordinary people to do it. He added that after speak- any information on the test were the only way to resolve man Heng Sour said more than now another type of person. It’s powerful and rich people ing with authorities, all of results,” he said. their concerns completely. 200 factories had been tempo- “This new movement re- who the perpetrators and use the workers had agreed to Cambodian Labour Con- “The labour and health min- rarily closed due to the detection veals that land is scarce for machinery to clear the land. go back to work because the federation president Ath istries had issued separate let- of Covid-19 cases, with 1,673 ordinary people. It is a differ- According to a provincial factory owners had agreed Thon said that protesting ters and the companies should workers testing positive for the ent picture than before,” Bun- administration report, there to their request to test all of was well within the rights of implement them. But as far virus and more than 10,000 hav- rith said. are four districts in the three them for Covid-19. the workers and the Minis- as I know, a few companies ing to quarantine for 14 days. According to Bunrith, the areas of Tonle Sap Lake: provincial administration has Moung Russey, Ek Phnom, referred suspects to the pro- Sangke and Thma Koulof. The vincial court for processing. area of land damaged by en- There have been six cases this croachment in Moung Russey ‘No strings attached’ to China assistance year of land encroachment. district is 1,977ha; 6,425ha in Bunrith said that encroach- Sangke district; 1,938ha in Ek ment was not only by resi- Phnom district; and 651ha in Continued from page 1 about it. They’ve said now dents of the province, but also Thma Koul district. A total of and again that if Cambodia people from neighbournig 10,992ha. not viewed favourably by allows China to do this, then provinces, such as Siem Reap them. As you know, China has the relations with the US will and Banteay Meanchey. www.phnompenhpost.com helped Cambodia in every be troublesome,” he said. He added that it is impossi- check the post website area, in short – it is an enor- China’s assistance with the ble to prevent encroachment for breaking news mous amount of aid. Their base construction is no new assistance improves our revelation, either. Last June, people’s livelihoods and our Prime Minister Hun Sen said the country has developed fur- dockyard should not be seen as ther and been able to respond a Chinese facility just because it to many issues,” he said. was funded by China. He added that the construc- “Frankly speaking, we tion of the naval base will up- needed the Chinese financ- grade the nation’s defences ing to build it. However, we and give Cambodia a decent would welcome funding from naval base consisting of a all interested parties. workshop to repair ships and “On access to the Ream Na- a better dockyard. val Base, I wish to declare that Cambodia does not cur- we will welcome ships from rently have a workshop and Sailors stand guard at the Cambodian Ream Naval Base in Preah all countries including the US, Sihanouk province on July 26. Supplied its dockyard is small and in France, Canada, India, UK, Ja- a low-water area making it ding process was carried out “If the Constitution states pan, Australia – not just from hard for ships to dock there, and a Chinese company won this, how can I stand still China – to make port calls or he explained. the contract. The company and do nothing?” Tea Banh to participate in joint exercises “[China] responded to us brought along engineers and stressed, adding that con- with Cambodia,” Hun Sen said, with assistance and Cambo- has made efforts to use Cam- cerns about the Ream Naval adding that Cambodia wel- dia is grateful and thankful bodians in its labour force. Base being used exclusively comes any aid from any coun- to them for their help. This “It’s Cambodia who will by China was the same old try to build the base headquar- assistance came after a clear use this [naval] base and it’s story which has been raised ters and develop the port. discussion with them and it Cambodia who develops this now and again because of the Asked to define the differ- has no strings attached. land. Doesn’t Cambodia have US’ and China’s broader geo- ence between assistance to “They helped build the port, this right? Why can’t Cambo- political contest. construct the naval base and workshop and other things at dia seek assistance to develop “They speak about the top- the construction of a foreign the Ream Naval Base and they the country? The constitution ic with ignorance. They see naval base, Chheang Van- spent a lot of money – not just states clearly that the King- Cambodia as a place having narith, president of the Asian a few riel. The construction it- dom of Cambodia reserves no laws, where anyone has Vision Institute, said: “Trans- self cost a moderate amount the right to accept all foreign the right to do anything. parency and consistency of money, but I cannot say aid including weapons, mili- “We explained things to are critical to trust-building. how much it was,” he said. tary assistance and other is- them many times, but they Cambodia’s foreign policy has The defence minister said sue in order to protect the don’t care about it. If we are been evolving around diversi- the base construction pro- homeland and maintain or- not fulfilling their wishes, fication and inclusive multi- ceeded only after a regular bid- der in the country. they will keep on talking directional engagement.” THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Provinces extend Covid GDP: Coordinate efforts in administrative measures Lay Samean location and to prevent the virus from spreading to other prisons to prevent Covid-19 AT LEAST three provinces have areas,” he said. extended administrative mea- Siem Reap provincial infor- Voun Dara sures and lockdowns with some mation department director markets, factories and restau- Liv Sokhon said on May 31 that HE Ministry of Inte- rants ordered to remain closed the shutdown was ordered af- rior’s General Depart- to prevent the spread of Covid-19. ter Covid-19 positive individu- ment of Prisons (GDP) In Kampong Cham province, als were known to have entered is preparing a letter to governor Un Chanda ordered the market on May 29. theT Ministry of Health urging the suspension of two facto- “We need to temporarily the capital-provincial adminis- ries – Hwa Long Co Ltd and Out close this market to avert a trations to coordinate their in- Sold Industry Co Ltd – in Chheu more widespread outbreak tervention in the prisons within Teal village in Cheung Prey dis- of infections and in order to their territories due to the high trict’s Phdav Chum commune break the transmission chain rate of Covid-19 positive test re- for 14 days from May 31 to June of the disease,” he said. sults within those facilities. 13 after workers there tested He added that currently the GDP spokesman Nuth positive for Covid-19. province had yet to divide any Savna told The Post on May Chanda told The Post on of its districts or communes 31 that according to the law May 31 that the suspension into colour-coded zones and on prisons, the provision of was imposed after 20 workers had instead relied on more healthcare services within had tested positive for the vi- targeted closure measures. the prisons is the responsibil- rus and specialists continued “Before the Kralanh Market ity of the health ministry al- to test those who had been in closure, we also closed down though the detainees remain contact with them. Samaki Market because ven- under the GDP’s control. He “We completely shut them dors there tested positive for said this will require coordi- down. We’ve kept those who Covid-19,” he said. nation between the various had been in close contact with He noted that after Kralanh sub-national authorities Covid-19 positive workers at Market was closed, medi- “The situation does not our quarantine centres and al- cal workers had taken throat seem to be very favourable Prisoners walk outside of Kandal Provincial Prison on May 27. HONG MENEA​ lowed those who had been in swabs to check for infections in terms of transmission. We direct contact with them to self- but the results came back are preparing the letter ... in on security,” he said. authorities have repaired and cially pregnant women, wom- quarantine in their houses and negative. As of May 30, Siem accordance with Article 12 of He said the provincial ad- added-on to a series of buildings en with children and juveniles. do a follow-up under observation Reap had 119 confirmed cases the Law on Prisons,” he said. ministration is currently to accommodate those who Sam Ath suggested that by local authorities,” he said. of Covid-19 with two deaths. On May 31, several local media implementing a number of need to quarantine. The health courts expedite proceedings, Chanda said that as of May In Preah Sihanouk province, outlets reported that the num- measures to stem the spread department has a working suspend [prison] sentences 30, the province had 700 con- the authorities also suspend- ber of inmates and officials in of Covid-19 in prisons and is group dedicated to treating the to some extent, allow them firmed cases and two deaths. ed the operations of Kao Lo Kandal provincial prison infect- also trying to prevent further Covid-19 positive detainees. to carry out community sen- In Siem Reap province, gover- Chiv restaurant at Otres Beach ed with Covid-19 had reached confusion and needless emo- Sophoan stressed that the tences or let them serve just nor Tea Seyha has temporarily in Village VI in Sihanoukville’s 369 – a figure dismissed by pro- tional distress at the facilities. spread of Covid-19 in prisons half of their sentence. closed down the Kralanh Mar- Commune V for 14 days from vincial governor Kong Sophoan “We are very careful. We was now under control and “The government and the ket in Kampong Thkov II village May 31 and has now turned it as a rumour in statements he have to implement security asked The Post to leave the courts should consider the in Kralanh district’s Kampong into a quarantine centre. made to The Post. measures and maintain order authorities to their work, re- release of detainees who are Thkov commune for 14 days “The emergency response “It’s a rumour because I and security for 24-hours a fusing further comment. close to being released already from May 30 to June 12. team of the provincial health haven’t provided any [offi- day on the prison premises. Am Sam Ath, deputy director and those with chronic ill- The market was determined department took samples cial] information regarding “We consider the grounds for rights group Licadho, re- nesses. This will reduce over- as a Covid-19 hotspot and linked from the staff of Kao Lo Chiv this issue. We cannot pro- of the prison to now be a red iterated that the court should crowding in the prisons and to several known infections. restaurant for testing and they vide information on Covid- zone for Covid-19 infections,” consider releasing any of the also reduce the risks of Covid- “This measure aims to en- came back positive for Covid- 19 cases within the prison he said. accused who are locked up on 19 transmission within the sure the effective control of 19,” provincial governor Kouch because we. . . focus mainly According to Sophoan, the misdemeanour charges, espe- prison facilities,” he said. infections from the affected Chamroeun said in a notice. S Rieng factories close Elderly welfare policy in the works as Covid cases emerge Ry Sochan Mom Kunthear have been shut down by the authorities or voluntarily THE Ministry of Social Af- THE Svay Rieng Provincial Ad- agreed to be shut down, we fairs, Veterans and Youth Re- ministration has decided to have facilitated the payment habilitation on May 31 signed temporarily suspend business of 50 per cent of wages to more a memorandum of under- activities at four large factories than 11,000 workers affected standing with the UN Devel- and a number of other smaller by the suspension,” he said. opment Programme (UNDP) ones due to the exposure of According to Sokhoeun, to strengthen institutions and workers there to a person found around 300 factory workers create a national policy for to be positive for Covid-19. and nearby casino workers the elderly. The authorities reiterated have so far been infected with The two-year agreement will its appeal for all affected Covid-19 in the area. focus on preparing two action workers to self-quarantine According to the provin- plans to support Cambodia’s and maintain high vigilance cial administration’s report elderly. The first adds support against the virus. on May 31, a total of 43 peo- to the national policy on the Ou Sokhoeun, director of ple were found positive for elderly from 2017-2030 and the the provincial Department of Covid-19, all of whom were second will be implemented as Labour and Vocational Train- workers at the You Li factory. a pilot project from 2021-2025. ing, told The Post on May 31 They were all sent to the Bavet UNDP said the agreement that the four factories included Covid-19 treatment centre. will enable research on the A&J Cambodia in the Tai Seng 1 Deputy provincial governor socio-economic impact of Special Economic Zone; You Li Touch Poliva said the work- expanding social welfare and Social affairs minister Vong Saut (front right) and UNDP Resident Representative Nick Beresford. undp International, Beauty Window ers who are doing quarantine developing institutions to as- and Ou Clothing in the San at factories and at home have sist the elderly. a shrinking working-age pop- and a social welfare system ating a more resilient social Tong Special Economic Zone. started showing some Covid- “The feasibility of extending ulation will need to support that gives senior citizens the welfare system,” he said. “These four factories have 19 symptoms, which is of great free healthcare to the elderly an expanding elderly popula- support and dignity they de- Toch Channy, head of the been issued a letter of temporary concern for the province. will also be explored,” it said. tion in the country,” it said. serve,” he said. ministry’s General Department suspension by the provincial “The spread of Covid-19 Cambodia currently has the UNDP Resident Representa- Minister Vong Saut said re- of Technical Affairs, told The administration, closing them into the factory has caused youngest population in South- tive Nick Beresford said Cam- spect and care for the elderly Post on May 31 that through this for the next 14 days,” he said. great concern for the safety east Asia. However, the popu- bodia is a country with a young is important in Cambodian agreement, UNDP will develop He said in the event that the of other workers. Some work- lation is also aging. In 2019, 8.9 population, but this will not be culture, and ensuring a high five programmes – five-year ac- Covid-19 situation in the prov- ers who are doing self-quar- per cent of the population was the case forever. By the middle standard of living for them tion plan; pilot project to provide ince improves within the next antine at home have started aged 60 and over, an increase of the 2020s, there will be a has always been a priority of services to the elderly; training 14 days and the factories wish showing Covid-19 symptoms from 5.25 per cent from two turning point when the num- the government. for ministry and relevant offi- to open again before the sus- and have been found positive decades ago. That figure is ex- ber of elderly dependents will “Building upon the national cials to provide services to the pension period has passed, the for Covid-19 now,” he said. pected to rise to 21 per cent by increase faster than the num- ageing policy, the government elderly; spending project for free owners can make a request to He said You Li and A&J 2050, according to UNDP. ber of working-age people. is looking forward to working healthcare services for the el- the provincial administration. workers had the highest rate “These trends indicate that “So, we need to act now to with UNDP to promote the derly; and the study of a pension “Whether these factories of positive test results. over the next several decades put in place old age pensions welfare of the elderly and cre- system for the elderly. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National K Thom villagers seek Vaccination drive in capital removal of canal firm Nov Sivutha and the company does not have the right to control it,” he said, a ‘huge success’, says Sarath MORE than 100 families in Phat adding that the government Sanday commune in Kampong needs to step in to solve the issue. Mom Kunthear Thom province’s Kampong District governor Un Bot said Svay district have demanded the provincial administration HE ongoing Covid-19 the removal of Agrostar Co Ltd had co-invested with private vaccination campaign from managing the Preah Kon companies in the canal since carried out in six dis- Lorng canal in the district’s 2005. However, in 2010 the tricts of Phnom Penh Kampong Kor commune’s Kh- government cancelled the ar- –T all formerly red zones – has asch Chiros village. rangement and designated been a huge success, according They accuse the company the area as protected land. to Ith Sarath, Deputy Com- of failing to pump enough Bot said that later people mander-in-Chief and Joint water for growing crops. requested the land for farm- Chief of Staff of the Royal Cam- Phat Sanday commune ing, so the government issued bodian Armed Forces who over- chief Heng Mono told The notices 1044 and 1003 to allo- sees the drive in the capital. Post on May 30 that in the cate 4,460ha of land from the Sarath said that in just one past two to three years, the sub-decree to people. month since the campaign commune’s farmers have However, investors opposed began on May 1, a total of faced severe water shortages the allocation of land without 900,000 people out of 1.3 mil- for irrigation. So, people have reviewing sub-decree 197. lion targeted had been in- protested to the government. “There are two communes oculated. He also announced Agrostar also no longer has in this area, Phat Sanday and that the administration of permission to invest in the Kampong Kor, and 4,460ha have first doses will be extended canal after the government is- been allocated according to no- for another five days to allow sued sub-decree no. 197 which tices 1004 and 103,” he said. more than 100,000 additional designated the land as a flood- Provincial governor Sok Lou people to be vaccinated. Soldiers check people’s vaccination cards in Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune. HONG MENEA​ ed forest protection area. said that he had not yet re- “Over the next few days or Mono said he did not know ceived information about the maybe five days to come, we places on the orders of Sam- closed their doors during the districts should be rejected. why the company still man- protest to remove Agrostar. will finish with the first doses, dech Techo Prime Minister lockdown. When the factories Prime Minister Hun Sen on May aged the canal. “As of this month, nowhere mostly for workers,” he said on [Hun Sen], wherever it is most reopened they went back to 29 announced that Cambodia “Hundreds of hectares of in the province is suffering wa- May 31 while inspecting vacci- urgent,” he said. work to get their vaccinations. will receive 4.5 million more crops were damaged through ter shortages,” he said, adding nation in Por Sen Chey district. He also called on people “So, we decided to extend doses of vaccines this month lack of water over the past two he would look into the matter. “Our one-month campaign who are set to get their second the campaign another five and that at least five to six mil- to three years, and there is still The Post could not reach is lagging a bit because the doses to get them on time in days for the first doses and lion people will be vaccinated no solution,” Mono said. Sok Mony, owner of Agrostar numbers keep increasing. I order to create the full immu- another 15 days for the sec- before the end of this year. Agrostar has also convinced Co Ltd on May 30. ask brothers and sisters who nisation effect in their bodies. ond shots,” he said. He said he will also strive to people from other villages to But according to the provin- have yet to be vaccinated Sarath noted that in four He also called on the local procure vaccines for a total of support the company and coun- cial administration’s report, the with their first doses to rush districts – formerly red zones authorities to check and see 10 million people so that ev- teract the protests making the company received a license from and go get them. where the vaccination pro- if other workers who are not ery citizen will be inoculated. problem more difficult to solve. the provincial administration for “The vaccinations in the gramme had begun first – there from the districts in which The Ministry of Health “People have been protesting growing rice on 1,600ha in Veal districts will soon be finished were still many more workers they live were coming to get reported that as of May 30 for more than a year for the gov- Boeung Muol and Veal Chek and then our medics can go who have yet to get vaccinat- vaccinated in groups. Those Cambodia had vaccinated ernment to take control of the Dambang in Kampong Kor and and vaccinate people in other ed because the factories had who are not in their home 2,567,493 people. canal. This area is state property Phat Sanday communes. Online reporter held for selling methamphetamines in Kratie Kim Sarom

AN ONLINE reporter was sent to Kratie provincial police headquarters after being ar- rested in connection with the trafficking of 11 small pack- ages of methamphetamines at a guesthouse in Kbal Snuol village of Snuol commune in Snuol district. Snuol district police chief Chan Sokim said on May 31 that the suspect – identified as Aun Seth, 41, a resident of Suong Lech village of Suong commune in Tbong Khmum district of Tbong Khmum province – was a reporter for media outlet KTV Online. “We arrested the suspect while he was packaging drugs to distribute to others. We fol- lowed legal procedures and sent both a report and the The man was arrested in connection with the trafficking of 11 small packages of methamphetamines.P olice suspect to the provincial po- lice headquarters for further Sokim stated that when the but he did not tell the police of KTV Online was Khom Kang. action,” he said. police raided the suspect’s what the offense was and “For those who are doing il- Sokim said that prior to the room in the guesthouse he no further information was legal things – legal measures arrest of the suspect, his offi- was alone. available at this time. will be applied. If they do cers had received information He said that after the arrest He added that the suspect something against the code of that a man suspected of drug the police checked the sus- rode his motorbike from professional ethics for journal- trafficking was at a guesthouse pect’s backpack and found Tbong Khmum province to ists then their press credentials named Sabay Sabay, located eleven gram-size packages of Snuol district in Kratie prov- will be revoked,” he said. in the village of Kbal Snuol. what appeared to be metham- ince to distribute drugs. Po- “We are reviewing the code He said that after receiving phetamines, a glass pipe for lice also asked the suspect to of conduct and holding a the report his police officers smoking the drugs, a mobile identify his accomplices, but workshop on it soon. When – in cooperation with the Sn- phone and other materials he claimed that there were no journalists are suspected of uol commune police force – used for smoking the drugs. accomplices. wrongdoing, sometimes the arrived at the guesthouse at He was also carrying his offi- Ministry of Information ministry calls their publisher around 6pm on May 30 and cial Cambodian press card. spokesman Phos Sovann told and warns them. If authorities entered the suspect’s room, Sokim said the suspect had The Post on May 31 that the officially charge the journalist whereupon the police arrest- been imprisoned in Kampong KTV Online was registered with they are then suspended,” So- ed the suspect immediately. Cham province once before, the ministry, but the publisher vann said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National

Man facing prison time for running away after Rice wine training fix for poisonings positive Covid-19 test

Khouth Sophak Chakrya

FTER a string of fatal rice wine poisoning incidents in Kampot and Kandal prov- Ainces, provincial and local authorities throughout the country have collaborated to educate and train people in the skills necessary to safely Prek Phnov district military produce rice wine for con- police arrested a man after he escaped from a treatment sumers. centre on Monday. Military police Sok Kim Choeun, director of the Kampot provincial de- PHNOM Penh Military Police partment of industry, science, on May 30 arrested a technology and innovation, 39-year-old Covid-19 patient told The Post on May 30 that after he escaped from a specialists had collaborated treatment centre. with local authorities to train According to the municipal and had granted licences to Gendarmerie’s Facebook six families for the produc- page, the man is a resident of tion of standard rice wine. Kouk Khleang village in Sen He added that unlicensed Sok district’s Kouk Khleang rice wine distilling-facilities in commune. the province’s Kampong Trach He was tested for Covid 19 district had caused at least 10 at Kouk Roka health centre in deaths and dozens of cases of Prek Pnov district. After the illness recently. Those facili- result came back positive, he ties were banned from further fled despite medical workers production temporarily be- there persuading him to stay cause the proprietors had yet and explaining to him the to register their business as risks he posed to others. prescribed by law. Officials of CCF investigate the case of alcohol poisoning that caused the death of people in Lvea Em district, Kandal province on May 17.CCF A Military Police officer who “So far, we have trained and asked not to be named told granted licences to six rice that his department had to make rice wine from their Srok Khang Koeut and Svay petition and fraud repression The Post on May 31 that the wine producing-families who been cooperating with spe- parents and grandparents. Tong Khang Koeut communes bureau in Kandal province, man immediately ran away are able to do it safely. Other cialists from the commerce “Most of the producers and were not allowed to reopen told The Post that his working after being told he was producers like the ones in ministry’s consumer protec- vendors are dishonest. They their businesses at this time. group was now spreading the positive for Covid-19. Kampong Trach district have tion, competition and fraud think only of their own prof- “For consumer safety, our word, educating and training According to the law on the yet to be granted licences as repression bureau in Kampot its without being concerned police have continued to rice wine producers across control of Covid-19 and other recognition that they follow and the district authorities about the safety and lives of temporarily suspend all the Lvea Em district, where fatal contagious diseases, those safety standards,” he said. to train them in distilment others. They mix methanol rice wine businesses ... in the rice wine poisoning were re- who evade treatment face He added that some produc- techniques in 14 communes [with ethanol] and poison con- two communes until further ported earlier this month. between one and five years in ers in the area had been pro- in the district. sumers, making them sick and notice,” he said. “Wine producers need to prison and a fine of five to 20 ducing it safely but they had Sok Naroeun, deputy head of even killing them,” he said. He added that recently 20 eliminate the first wine drop million riel ($1,250 to $5,000) yet to receive permits. In or- the consumer protection, com- Kampong Trach district gov- families across 14 communes and must not mix it with if found guilty. der to ensure product quality, petition and fraud repression ernour Aun Khon said on May who produced the wine had methanol. It poisons rice If the offender is found to all producers have to clearly bureau in Kampot, told The 30 that all of the recent poi- applied for a training course wine consumers. have transmitted the disease register their businesses and Post that most of the produc- soning patients who were ad- on rice wine distilment and “Trying to make excessive to other, the jail term will take a training course before ers had no official permits and mitted to the district referral the specialists planned to be- profits without considering more than double to between producing rice wine for sale almost no producers have re- hospital had now recovered gin the course on June 5. the danger caused to others five and 10 years. and consumption. ceived any prior formal techni- and returned to their homes Toch Sao Koy, head of the can constitute a violation of Ry Sochan Kim Choeun continued cal training. They only learned while the producers in Russey consumer protection, com- the law,” he said. Father awaits trial in jail for rape of daughter l The Ratanakkiri Provincial Court has placed a man in pre-trial detention after he Temples a nature-culture blend: official was arrested on May 27 for allegedly raping his nine- Voun Dara the former is in charge of manag- try official in charge of research partners tended to have helped maintaining those temples year-old daughter in Kon ing and conserving natural and the compilation of histori- more with repairing and main- from the private sector in the Mom district’s Trapaing ACROSS the country, 857 out of resources within the protected cal documents, said some taining the most famous tem- country and abroad. But that Chres commune. over 5,300 ancient temples are areas, the latter has the role of countries had provided techni- ples, with less attention going support is not going to be Provincial deputy police located in natural protected conserving the archaeological cal and financial support for to many others in more remote enough because the mainte- chief in charge of juvenile areas, 426 of which are in the sites such as temples there and preserving and repairing the areas and these are now facing nance work needs a lot of protection Keo Davy said on Phnom Kulen National Park, carrying out repairs, mainte- temples, but unfortunately that increased deterioration due to resources and a big budget. May 30 that the suspect, 45, according to a report from the nance and preservation work. support has largely dried up natural disasters and aging. Right now, only the govern- had been charged with having Ministry of Environment. “The temples and archaeo- amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “Currently, we have some ment is really spending money intercourse with a minor The ministry’s report logical sites are closely con- He added that development support for repairing and on this work,” he said. under the age of 15 under released on May 30 said the nected to areas with natural Article 42 of the Law on the number of archaeological sites resources. These sites have Suppression of Human in natural protected areas and become important tourist des- Trafficking and Juvenile within biodiversity corridors tinations for both cultural and Protection. in deeply forested areas could eco-tourism. The man faces between five actually be even greater in “The Chen Srom Temple and 10 years in prison if number than that shown in inside the Kulen Prum Tep found guilty. the most current surveys. Wildlife Sanctuary has been “The girl told my officers It said more than 70 natural attracting the attention of that she is his biological protected areas and conserva- national and international daughter,” Davy said. tion corridors across 21 prov- tourists as a destination for Kon Mom district police inces covering 73 million hec- both birdwatchers and those chief Theng Chanthy told The tares amounted to around 41 per interested in exploring the cul- Post on May 30 that Savoeurn cent of Cambodian territory. ture and traditions of the Cam- was arrested after the victim’s The areas and biodiversity bodian people,” he said. older sister filed a complaint. corridors not only abound with The environment ministry Citing the girl’s mother, natural resources, timber, wild called on those living in natu- Chanthy said the suspect animals and plants but are also ral protected areas where was addicted to drugs and important archaeological sites archaeological sites and tem- used violence against his and ancient storehouses of cul- ples are located to protect and children every day. ture and tradition in Cambo- conserve them in order to sus- He had allegedly raped her dia, the ministry said. tainably preserve the legacy of on several occasions, with the Its spokesperson Neth Pheak- the Cambodian ancestors case only coming to light tra said the ministry works in while also providing impor- because the victim’s older cooperation with the Ministry of tant insights about the past to sister happened to witness it. Culture and Fine Arts to protect scholars and academics. Kim Sarom and preserve those sites. While Mao Sokny, a culture minis- Environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra visits a temple in a protected area on May 28. Supplied 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 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 1.2065 6.371 109.71 4.1245 1.3228 31.22 0.7737 1.2191 1.4175

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: May 31, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 16,500 16,460 16,560 16,420 2 GTI 4,320 4,320 4,360 4,300 3 PAS 14,520 14,640 14,640 14,400 4 PEPC 3,370 3,320 3,370 3,320 5 PPAP 14,500 14,580 14,780 14,480 6 PPSP 2,280 2,300 2,300 2,270 7 PWSA 7,600 7,220 7,700 7,220 ‘Businesses willing to Take note of UK’s new agri invest amid growing import rules, exporters told demand, advantages’

Hin Pisei Continued from page 1 confident that Cambodia will continue to be an attractive HE General Directorate of Agri- in perceived ease of doing place for investors and buy- culture has called on exporters business, with 12 per cent of ers,” he said, pitching travel wishing to export agricultural businesses considering it to goods as an option. products to the UK to be mind- have become easier, compared The survey noted that while Tful of the new procedures and require- to 18 per cent in 2019. 56 per cent of businesses fore- ments in place, after the transition pe- It said 77 per cent of busi- cast growth over the next 12 riod following Britain’s departure from nesses underperformed months, compared to 72 per the EU expired on December 31. against their profitability tar- cent in 2019, this should be Following the result of a referendum gets over the past 12 months, considered a positive indicator held in 2016, the UK’s divorce from the as opposed to 32 per cent in given the ongoing challenges EU on January 31, 2020 – commonly 2019, while only 21 per cent posed by Covid-19. known as Brexit – gave Britain the free- reached their target, from 32 The number of respondents dom to set an independent trade policy. per cent in 2019. expecting business to become The UK government has since com- In Channy, president and “more difficult” in the next 12 mitted to increase access to UK mar- group managing director of months has dipped to 29 per kets for developing countries, as Cam- Acleda Bank Plc, one of the cent, from 40 per cent in 2019. bodian agricultural products gain respondents, said the Kingdom’s However, there was little more support and market share. “doing-business” atmosphere change in those expecting The directorate issued a letter on May remains “good and favourable”, business to become ‘easier’”, 28 detailing a number of the changes, despite the pandemic. at 27 per cent. The Kingdom has yet to ship any fresh agricultural product to the UK at a large scale, according citing a notice from the UK embassy in to one agriculture industry veteran. heng chivoan “I’m fully satisfied with the “Continuing the trend from Phnom Penh entitled “Update on UK business environment, having our last survey, negative senti- departure from European Union [EU]: “After registering with Government bodia would aspire to produce goods in been in the banking business ment remains regarding non- changes to imports of plants and plant Gateway and PEACH, importers can use high demand on the British market that during 2020. The business of transparent practices and products from 1 January 2021”. PEACH to notify and track the status of meet quality and phytosanitary stan- banking is great and it keeps unofficial fees, as well as the According to the letter, plants and plant their consignment. However, British im- dards, creating more opportunities to growing positively.” implementation of certain products – including seeds for cultivation – porters can continue to use the existing reach and convert new UK buyers. According to the survey, bureaucratic procedures. Are- from non-EU countries to England, Wales system until instructed to register for the “Although my company does not have businesses are perceiving as such as unfair competition and Scotland require phytosanitary certifi- new service,” the letter continued. agricultural products for export to the UK, I Cambodia’s regional competi- and taxation, though improv- cation for each consignment from the ex- Hun Lak, Cambodia Rice Federation know that it is a big market. Cambodia must tiveness more positively, with ing, continue to represent key porting country. Northern Ireland will use chairman and owner of several agricul- strive to produce quality products at reason- 48 per cent feeling that the challenges. the same procedures as before January 1. tural farms, told The Post on May 31 that able prices for export to the UK,” Lak said. Kingdom’s competitive advan- “Our members recognise the Import of plants, fruits, vegetables, cut as far as he knew, Cambodia had yet to Trade between Cambodia and the tages are “average”, in contrast ongoing efforts of the Royal flowers, soil and other restricted goods ship any fresh agricultural product to the UK totalled $877.54 million last year, with 38 per cent in 2019, while Government to promote com- into the UK will require prior notice, and UK at a large scale – unlike other countries down by 17 per cent year-on-year from those perceiving them as pliance, however, dispropor- importers based in Britain must register such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan $1.05728 billion, according to the Cam- “weak” dropped from 45 per tionate taxation enforcement through the Procedure for Electronic and South Korea – exporting just small bodian Ministry of Commerce. cent in 2019 to 37 per cent. has created a divide between Application for Certificates from the amounts of dried processed products. Cambodia exported $826.16 million It added that 67 per cent businesses pursuing compli- Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate With the UK offering Cambodia duty- worth of merchandise, down by 15.48 reportedly have not been ance, and those continuing (PEACH) system prior to importing free access and no export quotas for many per cent year-on-year and imported impacted by the partial removal certain uncompliant practic- plants or plant products, it said. items, he said he was hopeful that Cam- $51.38 million, down by 35.6 per cent. of the EU’s ‘Everything But Arms’ es,” it said. (EBA) scheme, while 30 per cent It added that ninety per cent say they feel the decision has of respondents reported being negatively impacted them. moderately negatively affected On August 12, the European by Covid-19, with 29 per cent, Commission (EC) officially or nearly one-third, signifi- Visa card payments rise amid Covid removed Cambodia’s EBA duty- cantly negatively affected. On free privileges, officially imposed the other hand, 10 per cent of Thou Vireak Bank of Cambodia (NBC), more aging all Cambodians to use before the pandemic. on around one-fifth of the King- respondents experienced no than 59 per cent of Cambodians e-wallets and payment plat- “Security and the financial dom’s annual exports to the EU’s negative impacts, and of this, VISA card transactions – includ- currently conduct payment forms such as Bakong instead inclusivity are the main rea- 27-nation bloc, amounting to €1 four per cent were even posi- ing contactless payments – transactions online, which the of banknotes, because they sons for using digital pay- billion ($1.2 billion). tively affected, in areas such as have increased by more than 71 central bank says reflects its stal- minimise contact and risk.” ments,” she said. Garment Manufacturers e-commerce. per cent during Covid, global wart backing of digital and elec- At May 31’s press conference, The survey showed that 34 per Association in Cambodia sec- “With more compliant inves- payment processing giant Visa tronic payment services in line Visa also presented results of the cent of respondents claimed that retary-general Ken Loo told tors entering the market to Inc told a May 31 online press with its pursuit of financial inclu- survey, which covered more than digital payments would reduce The Post on May 31 that with utilise the Kingdom’s com- conference on a survey of Visa sion throughout the Kingdom. 7,500 people in ASEAN coun- the risk of infection, while 32 per the trade preferences granted petitive advantages, and serv- card users’ payment habits. NBC assistant governor and tries, including Cambodia. cent said they would improve by other developing countries, ice the rapidly growing Chum Monika, managing director general Chea Serey Monika stressed that consum- financial inclusion and provide the Kingdom would remain a demand, our results show that director of Visa in Cambodia, recently said: “As the regulator ers have significantly changed other benefits. tantalising place with a special businesses are willing to invest told the conference that more in banking sector in Cambodia their shopping habits and rushed Contactless card use, digital draw for investment. further to increase the quality Cambodian customers are it is vital that we work with the to digital payment options since wallet payments and card pay- “Cambodia continues to of their products and services accepting digital payments in industry as part of our con- the outbreak of the novel coro- ments jumped by 31 per cent, enjoy trade preferences from – as long as they are provided 2020-2021, propelling tremen- certed national effort to battle navirus. The survey found that 17 per cent and 29 per cent, many developing countries. with appropriate support, and dous growth in the market. the Covid-19 pandemic. 44 per cent of respondents carry respectively, during Covid, Once the matter of Covid-19 a level playing field,” the sur- According to the National “This is why we are encour- less cash in their wallets than according to the survey. comes under control, I am vey said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Hyundai to establish blue hydrogen system HYUNDAI Oilbank on May 31 Hyundai Oilbank aims to uti- said it will establish a blue lise Air Products’ technologies hydrogen ecosystem with an for its blue hydrogen ecosys- annual production capacity tem and further expand the of 100,000 metric tonnes by partnership to green hydrogen 2025 and convert carbon gen- business. Since July, Air Prod- erated from the production ucts has been running a project process into commercial in Saudi Arabia that creates products such as dry ice. ammonia using electricity gen- According to the South Kore- erated by solar and wind pow- an energy company, the eco- er. Ammonia can be later divid- system will extract hydrogen ed into nitrogen and hydrogen from natural gas and refinery without emitting carbon. by-products and remove car- On top of producing hydro- bon to make the hydrogen gen, Hyundai Oilbank aims to “blue”. The hydrogen will be generate electricity with it. then transported, delivered This month, the company and supplied to customers to came together with Korea generate electricity while the South-East Power to form a removed carbon will be turned joint venture and generate into products such as building electricity with hydrogen fuel materials and fertilisers. cells. Starting next year, major Although hydrogen itself electricity providers, including has no colour, it is described KOEN, will be obligated to pro- with the colour description to duce a certain percentage of differentiate its source. Blue electricity with hydrogen. hydrogen is produced from Korea aims to increase the natural gas with carbon cap- generation capacity of hydro- ture technology, while “green” gen fuel cells from the current hydrogen, the cleanest one, is 650MW to 8,000MW and the made from water using scale of the domestic market Aquaculture employs about six million people and contributes 2.4 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). HONG MENEA renewable energy and does is expected to reach seven tril- not emit carbon. lion won ($6.2 billion). To set up the ecosystem, “In 2006, KOEN became the Hyundai Oilbank last month first power company in Korea teamed up with Air Products, to produce electricity with Study to delve into insurance the world’s largest hydrogen hydrogen fuel cells. With producer, which is based in Hyundai Oilbank’s hydrogen the US state of Pennsylvania. manufacturing capacity and Air Products has source tech- KOEN’s green technologies, opportunities in aquaculture nologies that can extract the partnership will create hydrogen from various raw synergies that can boost both Thou Vireak the first-of-its-kind study will sequences of climate change, transferring farmers’ risks to materials and also expertise efficiency and competitive- look at current production and which disrupt weather pat- insurance companies.” on plant operation and stor- ness,” a Hyundai Oilbank orte Insurance (Cam- risk management challenges terns and alter the predict- The insurance sector in age, transportation and lique- official said. THE KOREA HERALD/ bodia) Plc will team facing farmers, and its findings ability of water availability, Cambodia earned $271.5 mil- faction of hydrogen. ASIA NEWS NETWORK up with civil society could potentially help devel- quality and accessibility. lion in premiums last year, in- organisations to study op an appropriate insurance Aquaculture is a growing creasing by 7.31 per cent from theF feasibility of providing product, the release said. part of the Kingdom’s agri- $253 million in 2019, the Insur- freshwater aquaculture insur- Forte Insurance group CEO cultural economy, employ- ance Association of Cambodia ance services in the Kingdom. Youk Chamroeunrith told The ing about six million people, (IAC) reported on May 12. Forte Insurance, Commer- Post on May 31 that the scope mostly smallholder farmers, Of that, general and life insur- cialisation of Aquaculture for of insurance coverage extends and contributes 2.4 per cent ance premiums came to $113.8 Sustainable Trade- (CAST) beyond the services and indus- of the nation’s gross domes- and $152.3 million, surging by Cambodia and the Syngenta trial sectors, to agriculture. tic product (GDP), the latest 10.5 and 6.6 per cent year-on- Foundation for Sustainable Ag- “Climate change is radi- Fisheries Administration data year, and accounting for 41.9 riculture are due to sign a feasi- cally remaking the world and showed in 2018. and 56.1 per cent of the total. bility study agreement on June is having a major impact on Chamroeunrith added: Micro-insurance premiums 3, according to a joint press re- organic fish farming and veg- “We are studying the ways in were to the tune of $5.4 mil- lease issued on May 28. etable growing,” he said. which we could potentially lion, down by 24.6 per cent Hyundai Oilbank senior executive vice-president Song Myung-joon (left) and Korea South-East Power executive vice-president Bae Young-jin Scheduled to be conduct- Depending on location and extend a hand to the agricul- year-on-year, and accounted sign an agreement to co-develop renewable energy business on May ed from the date of signing season, aquaculture systems tural sector, by providing in- for just two per cent of the to- 10. HYUNDAI OILBANK/THE KOREA HERALD through to October next year, may be vulnerable to the con- surance services and thereby tal, the IAC said. Stock markets waver as traders await next catalyst INVESTORS in Europe and Asia ed May 28 with small gains, feels like a market looking for on May 31 struggled to build on though Asia fluctuated. direction in the face of uncertain- last week’s gains as profit-takers Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Sin- ty around the interplay between stepped in while awaiting the gapore and Manila dipped but much-feared inflation and much- next buying catalyst, with eyes on there were gains in Shanghai, hoped-for growth recovery. the upcoming release of key US Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Jakarta, “There still seems an extended jobs data. Bangkok and Wellington. growth runway ahead as further Still, despite worries that the There was little reaction to figures regions around the globe get the expected surge in economic indicating growth in China’s factory Covid and vaccination situation activity this year will send prices activity slowed slightly in May. under control – nothing we’re see- soaring and force central banks Paris was flat in midday trade while ing is really challenging that expec- to tighten monetary policy, a Frankfurt dipped. London and Wall tation, although it will take time, forecast-beating jump in a close- Street were closed for holidays. especially across some of the major ly watched US inf lation gauge was Focus is now on the release of emerging market economies.” taken in stride. US jobs figures this week, which Oil prices edged up and were The calm reaction marked a will provide a fresh update on the approaching levels not seen since change from recent times, with state of the world’s top economy January last year before the pan- benchmark 10-year Treasury as it emerges from last year’s pan- demic hammered demand. yields, a key gauge of future inter- demic-induced collapse. Crude traders are also keeping est rates, inching down slightly. Meanwhile, the OECD raised its tabs on a meeting of OPEC and AMP Capital’s Shane Oliver said: global growth forecast for this year other major producers on June 1 “There is likely more upside to go on but warned that “too many head- where they will decide on whether the inflation scare front in the months winds persist” as not enough Cov- or not to lift output as the world ahead as base effects, the lagged id vaccines are reaching emerging economy bounces back. impact of commodity price hikes and economies. It said it saw expansion They will also be looking for any bottlenecks continue to feed through, of 5.8 per cent, up from a previous comments on the prospect of Ira- but there are now a few more signs estimate of 5.6 per cent. nian oil returning to the market if that it will be transitory.” Patrik Schowitz of JP Morgan Tehran reaches a new nuclear agree- Focus is now on the release of US jobs figures this week, which will provide a fresh update on the All three main US indexes end- Asset Management said: “It still ment with global powers. AFP state of the world’s top economy as it emerges from last year’s pandemic-induced collapse. AFP 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Vietnam exports grow Wealthy ‘lockdown dodgers’ 30.7%, CPI rise slightly Vietnam shipped $130.94 billion billion, an annual growth of 36.4 worth of goods overseas in the first per cent, with China named Viet- fuel Dubai property upsurge five months of this year, up 30.7 nam’s biggest import market. per cent annually, as the country’s Meanwhile, Vietnam’s CPI in ubai’s property consumer price index (CPI) May was up 0.16 per cent against market is power- inched up in May, according to the April and 2.9 per cent from last ing out of a six-year General Statistics Office (GSO). year, the GSO reported. malaise as “lock- The domestic sector contrib- Compared to April, increases downD dodgers” and wealthy uted $33.06 billion and the for- were seen in the prices of eight international investors drive a eign direct investment (FDI) out of 11 main groups of goods buying frenzy that is breaking sector – including crude oil – and services, with transport tak- records and fuelling an eco- $97.88 billion, increasing 16.6 ing the lead (0.76 per cent) due nomic recovery. and 36.3 per cent year-on-year. to increasing petrol prices. It was Luxury villas are the hottest During the period, 22 products followed by housing and con- segment in the market, with recorded an export value of over struction materials (0.4 per cent); European buyers in particular $1 billion each and together they electricity (2.54 per cent); water seeking homes on Dubai’s sig- accounted for 87.3 per cent of (1.27 per cent); food and catering nature Palm Jumeirah man- the nation’s total export. services (0.04 per cent); and made island, as well as golf The export of the group of equipment and household course estates. heavy industrial goods and min- appliances 0.09 per cent. Dubai’s rollercoaster prop- erals reeled in about $70.7 bil- By contrast, prices of the three erty market, which had been lion, up 33 per cent from the groups of culture, entertainment in steady decline since 2014, same period last year. It was fol- and tourism; post and telecom- went into flatline after Covid- lowed by the groups of light munication services; and gar- 19 hit last year and the emirate industrial goods and handicrafts ment-textile, headwear and slammed shut its borders, said at $47.32 billion (up 33 per cent) footwear decreased by 0.23 per Zhann Zochinke, chief oper- and of agricultural and forestry cent, 0.15 per cent, and 0.01 per ating officer of consultancy Even with the remarkable gains, Dubai’s property market is still off its highs of 2014, and the apartment products at $9.69 billion (up 13.5 cent, respectively. Property Monitor. market is trailing far behind. AFP per cent). The group of aquatic The index for the first five “Then straight after that products posted 3.24 billion in months of 2021 grew 1.29 per lockdown period we started try, long an economic main- now available on the block is a doors for us to the rest of the export revenue, an annual cent year-on-year, the lowest to see transaction volumes in- stay of Dubai which has little vast Italian-inspired modern world.” increase of 12 per cent. growth rate since 2016. crease, and they really haven’t of the oil wealth that powers villa positioned at the end of In a market where many The US remained the biggest Core inflation in May increased stopped since,” he told AFP. its neighbours, and helped one of the fronds, complete fortunes have been made export market of Vietnam, 0.15 per cent month-on-month “We’re now seeing record business activity recover to with 180 degree beach front- and lost, there is nervousness spending $37.6 billion on and 1.13 per cent against the month-on-month gains and pre-Covid levels in April, ac- age, which is being offered for about whether the recent gid- imports, a year-on-year rise of same period last year. transaction volumes.” cording to IHS Markit. 100 million dirhams. dy rises can be sustained. 49.8 per cent. China came sec- It expanded 0.82 per cent in The Gulf emirate became “Travel and tourism firms After it languished on the Sales of properties above 10 ond with $20.1 billion, up 26 per the first five months, lower than one of the first destinations recorded the most notable market during the gloomy million dirhams rose 6.7 per cent. The EU and ASEAN fol- the period’s 1.29 per cent CPI, to reopen to visitors last July, bounce in performance, amid days at the height of the pan- cent in April compared to the lowed with $16.1 billion and reflecting that the fluctuations in pairing the open-door policy increasing hopes of a rise in demic, the developers are previous month, and 81 villas $11.5 billion, increasing by 20.8 consumer prices were mainly with strict rules on masking tourism activity later in the hoping that one of the new were sold on the Palm in April per cent and 23.7 per cent. due to increases in food, oil- and social distancing, and an year, boosted by the rapid breed of cashed-up Europe- alone compared to 54 in all of In May alone, Vietnam’s petrol and gas prices. energetic vaccination pro- vaccine roll-out,” said the re- ans will be tempted by the 2020, according to Property exports valued at $26 billion, The core inflation rates in May gramme which has produced search firm’s economist David infinity pool, private cinema, Monitor. down 2.1 per cent over the previ- and the first five months of 2021 some of the highest inocula- Owen. and acres of marble and glass. Even with the remarkable ous month and up 35.6 per cent compared to the same periods tion rates globally. After years of torpor when “I think people have started gains, the market is still off its from the same period last year. last year were the lowest in the Despite a surge in coronavi- homeowners watched their to realise that Dubai is not highs of 2014, and the apart- The country’s imports in the past five years. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA rus cases in the new year after equity drain away, the surge just a construction site any- ment market is trailing far be- five-month period hit $131.31 NEWS NETWORK holidaymakers descended in luxury properties above more, which it was maybe 10 hind. en masse, life has continued 10 million dirhams ($2.7 mil- years ago when we had the The financial services firm largely as normal with restau- lion) has been striking, with most amount of cranes in the Morgan Stanley, however, said rants and hotels open, and few 90 transactions in April com- world,” said Matthew Bate, in a recent report that the rally of the restrictions that have pared to around 350-400 on a CEO of BlackBrick, one of the isn’t likely to stop soon. blighted life elsewhere. regular yearly basis, according agencies representing the “Robust demand, peaking “The lockdown dodgers to Property Monitor. property. supply growth and long lead from other countries? I think A mansion on the Palm “People are now looking at times for new projects could we’re seeing a lot of that has sold for 111.25 million Dubai and saying – I’m go- lead to a tighter-than-expect- there,” Zochinke said, adding dirhams, the highest price ing to make this my primary ed market over the next sev- that other draws were more reached in years in the precinct home. I can work from Dubai eral years,” it said. relaxed residency rules and a which features 16 “fronds” and still manage business in It credited “a wave of govern- decision to allow full foreign lined with show-stopping Europe or North America or ment reforms over the past 12 ownership of firms. houses and supercars parked Asia,” he said. months, attractive mortgage The flood of arrivals has re- in the driveways. “So I think what Covid ul- rates, and a shift in demand pat- Vietnam exported $9.69 billion worth of agricultural and forestry products in generated the tourism indus- The highest-priced property timately did, it opened the terns due to Covid-19”. AFP the first five months of 2021, up 13.5 per cent year-on-year. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY Samsung the most shorted stock after ban repealed

Market kingpin Samsung Electron- In terms of short sale trading vol- another six months. ics was the most heavily shorted stock ume, however, Samsung Heavy Indus- Most top shorted stocks plunged in the South Korean market in the first tries came in first place. Investors but some shares advanced despite the month of a conditional resumption shorted 19.34 million shares of the trading strategy. The share prices of on short selling, data from the nation’s shipbuilder’s stock over the cited Doosan Heavy Industries & Construc- sole bourse operator showed on May period, while their daily short sale tion (27.96 per cent) and HMM (26.66 30. transaction volume marked 1.07 mil- per cent) surged, while Hanwha Life The amount of short sale transac- lion shares. Insurance (12.16 per cent) and Cell- tions of the tech giant stood at 611.7 Samsung Heavy’s operating losses trion (2.82 per cent) also jumped. billion won ($549.18 million), an aver- widened by 960 per cent year-on-year “Stocks with a limited impact on age of 34 billion won per day during to 508.6 billion won in the first quarter falling share prices mean that market’s 18 trading sessions from May 3-28, due to evaluation losses of dollar- ample liquidity covered the amount according to the Korea Exchange denominated assets. While the com- of massive short selling,” said Jung In- data. pany seeks ways to improve its finan- ji, an analyst at Yuanta Securities Samsung shares have recently trad- cial structure, the shares plummeted Korea. “The amount of short sales ed bearish, as investors’ sentiment 21.6 per cent in May. could also be seen as potential buy worsened over semiconductor chip Since May 3, the country’s financial backs, which would possibly bring a shortages. As a result, the top-cap authorities have lifted the short-sell- positive impact on the market.” stock lost 1.72 per cent in May. ing ban on the Kospi 200 – the Kospi’s Meanwhile, the nation’s key stock Top shipping company HMM – for- sub-index representing the 200 larg- index Kospi gained 1.3 per cent, while merly Hyundai Merchant Marine – est-cap stocks and 150 companies on the Kospi 200 inched up 0.85 per cent came next with 391.1 billion-won the tech-laden Kosdaq market. The in the last four weeks. On the con- worth of short selling. It was followed ban was imposed to prevent market trary, the tech-heavy Kosdaq moved by LG Chem and Celltrion with 361.4 volatility in the aftermath of the Cov- down 0.61 per cent and its sub-index A flag bearing the Samsung logo is pictured in front of the Samsung building in southern billion won and 327.1 billion won, id-19 pandemic in March last year for Kosdaq 150 retreated 0.94 per cent. THE Seoul. YONHAP NEWS AGENCY/THE KOREA HERALD respectively. six months, and was extended for KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus FOOD & BEVERAGE Katribu bringing inclusivity, sustainability to the Kingdom’s chocolate ‘guardians’

to formulate recipes to best represent the flavours,” Hannah said. Hannah studied in Belgium hocolate by H has – considered the home of the launched its Katribu world’s finest chocolates – C“bean-to-bar” range, at the Callebaut Chocolate with the Phnom Penh-based Academy centre in Wieze, maker of premium Belgian-style gaining her Master Chocolatier chocolates not only showcasing certificate in October 2015. Cambodian cacao, but also She then added to her helping support the farmers expertise with Quality who produce it. Assurance and Chocolate Maker Hannah Lyn, the founder qualifications from the Ecole of Chocolate by H, which has Chocolat Professional School of been creating bonbons, small Chocolate Arts in 2017. chocolate confections, in “The Chocolate Maker Cambodia since 2012, said she certificate is a programme created Katribu Chocolates to that covers making chocolate honour her adopted home – from the bean. A chocolatier and the Kingdom’s chocolate makes bonbons using chocolate “guardians”. couverture [the premium high “The reason we named our cocoa butter content variety bean-to-bar Katribu Chocolates used in gourmet chocolate], is to celebrate chocolate in its while a chocolate maker makes wholeness and its guardians. chocolate from the cacao ‘Ka’ means a member or a beans,” Hannah explained. part of something bigger [in She says inclusivity and Philippine language Tagalog], sustainability are firmly while a ‘tribe’ is a group with entrenched in the ethos of common beliefs and culture. Hannah Lyn (centre) studied at the Callebaut Chocolate Academy in Belgium. supplied Katribu Chocolates. “Cambodia is practically “With Katribu, we wanted our home, having lived here “We not only buy their The Katribu range includes Cambodia’s cashews. So one of of the equator. This makes a brand that was inclusive of since the early 90s. This is beans at a fair price, but we Dark Chocolate, Single Origin, our very first products was the the Kingdom perfect for everyone involved in the whole our expression of gratitude. also promote them whenever Salted Caramel and Dark Dairy-Free Cashew Praline,” cacao trees, with just bean-to-bar process. We’re paying homage to we can through social media, Chocolate Truffle, and is the Dangkor-based professional the right amount of sunlight “We believe that by helping the country that has helped recommendations and word available via the Chocolate chocolatier said. and rainfall. others, supporting farm mould us through our creations of mouth. by H Facebook page or the Hannah said that Cambodia “Being single origin means families and communities, and this endeavour,” the “As soon as the pandemic Grocerdel delivery app. is perfectly situated to produce our cacao beans come from we rise as a society. We Filipina explains. is over, we look forward to “Chocolate by H and Katribu the highest quality cacao, the just one source – Mondulkiri’s believe in doing things in The premium chocolate visiting the farm again and Chocolates are all handcrafted, main ingredient in chocolate. Kamkav Farm – and not a a more sustainable and journey from the farm to having conversations on which means our chocolates “Being within the bunch of beans coming from environmentally friendly way. the consumer begins in the how to make their produce are handmade, done in small equatorial range – which different sources and all “In chocolate making, there Kingdom’s northwest. even more attractive to batches and prioritise quality is within 20 degrees north mixed up. is a lot that contributes to its “We get our wonderful cacao other chocolate makers – on and flavours. We look for or south of the equator – “So we concentrate on success – the farm, the farmers beans from Kamkav Farm in what chocolate makers look great, homegrown produce. Cambodia is the ideal place to the unique or key flavours and the chocolate. And with Mondulkiri, and we help for in quality cacao beans,” “We are very proud not only plant cacao trees. Cambodia is of the cacao beans of this Katribu, we are honouring the farmers in several ways. Hannah said. of Cambodia’s cacao, but also between 10-13 degrees north particular place and think how that,” Hannah said.

Katribu buy Cambodian cacao beans from their farmers at a fair price. supplied Hannah (left) gained her Master Chocolatier certificate in October 2015. supplied Katribu produces a range of fine chocolates. supplied 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World Israeli ‘change’ coalition ups Mali suspended campaign to oust Netanyahu from W African sraeli politicians on May 30 inched bloc over coups closer to forming a coalition that would end the era of right-wing West African leaders decided on May 27 while saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya- at an extraordinary summit on they had resigned. hu,I the country’s longest serving leader. May 30 to suspend Mali from The twin arrests triggered a Lawmakers opposed to Netanyahu the Economic Community of diplomatic uproar and marked were in intense talks ahead of a June 2 West African States (ECOWAS) Mali’s second apparent coup night deadline, as a ceasefire held follow- bodies after a second coup in within a year. ing the latest deadly military conflict with nine months by the poor Sahel Mali’s constitutional court Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. country’s military, but stopped completed Goita’s rise to full Netanyahu, 71, who faces trial on fraud, short of reimposing sanc- power on May 28 by naming bribery and breach of trust charges which tions. him transitional president. he denies, has held onto power through The putsch had sparked With the junta going back on a period of political turmoil that saw warnings of fresh sanctions its previous commitment to four inconclusive elections in under two and deep concerns over stabil- civilian political leaders, doubts years. ity in the volatile Sahel region. have been raised about its oth- After a March vote in which Netan- Ten regional heads of state er pledges, including a promise yahu’s Likud party gained the most seats and three foreign ministers to hold elections early next but again failed to form a government, attended the summit in the year. former TV anchor Yair Lapid is now trying (From left to right) former TV anchor Yair Lapid, nationalist hardliner Naftali Bennett and Ghanaian capital Accra, with The junta last week said it to build a rival coalition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFP former Nigerian president would continue to respect that The centrist Lapid, 57, has until June 2 Goodluck Jonathan serving as timetable, but added that it 11:59pm local time (2059 GMT) to build a ally Gideon Saar. Avigdor Liberman’s pro- in the March elections but failed to form mediator in the crisis. could be subject to change. coalition of at least 61 deputies for a ma- settlement Yisrael Beitenu party as well a governing coalition after his far-right “The suspension from ECOWAS issued sanctions jority in the 120-seat Knesset. as Labour and the dovish Meretz party partners refused to sit with Arab factions ECOWAS takes immediate against Mali after the August Lapid is seeking to forge a diverse alli- would also join the coalition. or receive their support. effect until the deadline of the coup before lifting them when ance the Israeli media has dubbed a bloc The shaky arrangement would also Lapid, whose party won 17 seats, was end of February 2022 when the transitional government for “change”, which would include the na- need support from some Israeli Arab law- then given four weeks to form a govern- they are supposed to hand over was put in place. tionalist hardliner Naftali Bennett as well maker of Palestinian descent in order to ment. to a democratically elected The 15-nation bloc had as Arab-Israeli lawmakers. pass a confirmation vote in parliament. Netanyahu had previously pushed for government,” Ghana’s foreign warned of reimposing sanc- In his determination to bring down the The intense talks follow weeks of es- yet another election, which would be the minister Shirley Ayorkor Botch- tions on the country, as have hawkish prime minister, Lapid has offered calating tensions between Israel and the fifth since April 2019. wey said after the meeting. the US and former colonial to share power and let Bennett, 49, serve Palestinians, including a deadly 11-day “Now that he sees a change coalition The final declaration called power France. the first term in a rotating premiership. exchange of rocket fire from Gaza and may be announced this evening or to- for the immediate appoint- French leader Emmanuel Netanyahu, in office for 12 consecu- devastating Israeli airstrikes. morrow, he has to move forward with a ment of a new civilian prime Macron said in an interview tive years after an earlier three-year term, The war with Hamas that ended with more serious deal,” Talshir told AFP. minister and the formation of with the Journal du Dimanche tried to cling to power on May 30 by of- a May 21 truce, as well as tensions in the On May 30, Netanyahu offered a rotation an “inclusive” government. newspaper published on May fering his own, last-ditch power-sharing occupied West Bank and in mixed Jewish- agreement to Bennett and Saar. But Saar Mali’s new president Colonel 30 that Paris “could not stay by agreement to several former allies includ- Arab towns in Israel, initially appeared to rebuffed this on Twitter, writing that “our Assimi Goita had arrived in the the side of a country where ing Bennett. leave Netanyahu more likely to hold onto stance and our commitment was and re- Ghanaian capital Accra on May there is no longer democratic He warned that Israel would otherwise power. mains: replacing the Netanyahu regime”. 29 for preliminary talks. legitimacy or a transition”. be ruled by a dangerous “left-wing” alli- But political scientist Gayil Talshir at Netanyahu in a subsequent video called Goita led the young army And he warned that France ance. Hebrew University told AFP on May 30 on Saar and Bennett to “come now, imme- officers who overthrew Mali’s would pull its troops out of Lapid’s possible new government would that Israel was now “closer than ever” to a diately” to meet him and join a three-way elected president Ibrahim Bou- Mali if the country lurches also include the centrist Blue and White coalition of change, adding that “Netan- rotation government, warning that “we are bacar Keita last August over towards radical Islamism under party of Benny Gantz and the hawkish yahu is in a desperate position”. in crucial moment for the security, charac- perceived corruption and his Goita’s leadership. New Hope party of Netanyahu’s former Netanyahu’s Likud party won 30 seats ter and future of the state of Israel”. AFP failure to quell a bloody jihadist France has around 5,100 insurgency. troops in the region under its After the takeover, the mili- anti-jihadist operation tary agreed to appoint civilians Barkhane, which spans five as interim president and prime countries in the Sahel – Burkina Canada finds 215 kids’ bodies at school site minister under pressure from Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania ECOWAS. and Niger. Canada flew its flags at half- all federal buildings be flown at remains of the students who (US$1.6 billion) settlement with But on May 24, soldiers Mali is among the world’s mast on May 30 in mourning for half-mast,” Prime Minister Justin attended the school near Kam- former students. detained transitional president poorest countries, and the pre- 215 children whose remains Trudeau said on Twitter. loops, British Columbia, the “I’ve said before that the resi- Bah Ndaw and prime minister vious ECOWAS sanctions hit were discovered on the grounds Several municipalities, includ- Tk’emlups te Secwepemc tribe dential schools was a genocide Moctar Ouane, releasing them hard. AFP of a former boarding school set ing the economic metropolis said in a statement late on May of our people. Here’s just anoth- up more than a century ago to Toronto, announced that they 27. er glowing example of that geno- assimilate indigenous peoples. would also lower their flags. The Kamloops Indian Resi- cide in practice – undocumented “To honour the 215 children The discovery of the children’s dential School was the largest of deaths of children,” the national whose lives were taken at the remains, some as young as three, 139 boarding schools set up in chief of the Assembly of First former Kamloops residential sparked strong emotions the late 19th century, with up to Nations, Perry Bellegarde, said school and all Indigenous chil- throughout Canada, particularly 500 students registered and on May 30 on the news channel dren who never made it home, in the indigenous communi- attending at any one time. C T V. the survivors, and their families, ties. It was operated by the Catholic Bellegarde noted that there I have asked that the Peace Tow- A specialist used ground-pen- Church on behalf of the Cana- was still much work to be done er flag [in Ottawa] and flags on etrating radar to confirm the dian government from 1890 to to identify the remains, find their 1969. families and examine the sites of Some 150,000 First Nations, other residential schools. Inuit and Metis youngsters in He said the federal govern- total were forcibly enrolled in ment “does have a responsibility these schools, where students to make sure that these resourc- were physically and sexually es are in place to get the abused by headmasters and answers”. teachers who stripped them of Ceremonies to honour the their culture and language. young victims took place or were Today those experiences are to take place throughout the blamed for a high incidence of country. About 100 people gath- poverty, alcoholism and domes- ered on May 30 in the Mohawk tic violence, as well as high sui- community of Kahnawake, near cide rates, in their communities. Montreal. Ottawa formally apologised in Participants placed children’s Local children of Kahnawake, Quebec stop to view the hundreds of children’s shoes placed in front of the St Francis Xavier Church, in tribute to a mass 2008 for what the commission shoes and toys on the steps of the grave of 215 Indigenous children found at the residential school in British later termed a “cultural geno- Saint Francis Xavier church as a Junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita has been named president of Mali, which Columbia, Canada. AFP cide” as part of a C$1.9 billion tribute to the victims. AFP has seen two coups in nine months. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 ASEAN Nearly 300 saved from Indonesian ferry blaze Search teams are looking for and rescue agency Basarnas one missing person after rescu- showed the large ferryboat ing all other passengers from a enveloped in thick, dark smoke large ferry that caught fire in while passengers in life jackets Indonesia, an official said on were rescued by rafts. May 30. More than a dozen crew The KM Karya Indah was members have been detained heading to Sanana, a remote and questioned by the local port in the northeast of the police to determine the cause Indonesian archipelago when of the fire. it was engulfed in flames. Maritime accidents are com- Shortly after departing, the mon in Indonesia due to poor ferry caught fire, forcing passen- safety standards. But passenger gers and crew to jump into the ferries are widely used for trans- sea to save themselves. There port in the archipelago of some are no reported casualties. 17,000 islands. “There were 275 people on In 2019, 21 people died when board, 274 had been evacuated an overloaded ferry sank in safely,” Muhammad Arafah, the rough seas off Java’s north Ukraine’s ambassador to Thailand died in Koh Lipe, an idyllic beach island popular with travellers for its crystal-blue waters. AFP head of the local search and coast. rescue team told Kompas TV on In 2018, around 160 people May 30. “One person, a 43-year- drowned when an Indonesian old man, is still being searched ferry sank into the depths of for.” He added that at least 35 one of the world’s deepest lakes Ukraine’s envoy to Thailand passengers were children. on Sumatra island. And more Dozens of rescuers are still than 300 people are estimated scouring the area for the miss- to have drowned in 2009 when ing person. a ferry sank between Sulawesi dies abruptly on beach island Images shared by the search and Borneo. AFP

kraine’s ambassador to “Preliminary investigations showed no added that other witnesses were also Thailand died on the southern signs of him being attacked, no signs of a questioned. beach island of Koh Lipe early raid or violence,” said a statement attrib- Beshta’s body was sent first to a lo- on May 30 while on vacation uted to National Police deputy spokes- cal hospital for an autopsy, before it was withU his son, police said, with the cause man Kissana Phathanacharoen. transported to a police hospital in the of death still undetermined. The medical team first on the scene Thai capital Bangkok for further investi- Andrii Beshta is a 45-year-old career had worn personal protective equipment gation into his cause of death. diplomat who was appointed as Ukraine’s (PPE) suits as a precaution to investigate He has spent more than a decade of his ambassador in Thailand in 2016. the body, while authorities had ques- career in Thailand, according to the em- The National Police on May 30 said tioned the ambassador’s son Ostap, who bassy’s website, arriving first in 2007 as a Beshta was found dead around 5:30am had shared the room with him. counsellor to the diplomatic mission in (2230 GMT) in his room at a hotel resort He said his father had gone to bed Bangkok. in Koh Lipe, an idyllic beach island popu- around 11pm the night before, but had He was appointed the embassy’s depu- lar with travellers for its crystal-blue wa- woken up at 4:30am vomiting before ty director-general in 2011, taking over as The KM Karya Indah was heading to Sanana, a remote port in the ters. falling unconscious, said Kissana, who ambassador in 2016. AFP northeast of the Indonesian archipelago when it caught fire.AFP Thai PM proposes closer bilateral ties with South Korea

Thai Prime Minister Prayut partnership strategy, focusing In a telephone conversation egies, including with South model and South Korea’s Green health security and the conclu- Chan-o-cha held discussions on green economy, future on May 28, the two leaders dis- Korea’s New Southern Policy New Deal. sion of an agreement on health with South Korean President industries and health in the cussed continuing the momen- and New Southern Policy Plus. Both leaders underlined the cooperation to pave the way for Moon Jae-in on a cooperative post-Covid-19 era. tum of the Thailand-South He proposed strengthening potential to develop partner- furthering medical and health Korea Strategic Partnership and the bilateral strategic partner- ship on future industries. cooperation in the future, the advancing bilateral coopera- ship in the post-Covid-19 era in The Thai prime minister invit- statement said. tion, a statement issued by the three key areas, or three Part- ed South Korea to invest in high- Both leaders were pleased Thai foreign ministry said. nerships (3Ps), namely, for green tech industries in the Eastern with close cooperation under Prayut also expressed his sup- economy, future industries and Economic Corridor (EEC) and sub-regional and regional port for South Korea as host of health, the foreign ministry proposed that the Office of EEC frameworks. They exchanged the Second Partnering for Green statement said. and the Korea Trade-Investment views on regional and interna- Growth and Global Goals 2030 Prayut emphasised the impor- Promotion Agency work togeth- tional issues, including devel- or the Second P4G Summit, tance of developing a green er to push forward for concrete opments in Myanmar and which the Thai prime minister economy partnership by build- cooperation. Korean Peninsula. will attend via live videoconfer- ing upon the Thai government’s In addition, the two leaders Prayut also congratulated ence on May 31. implementation of the Bio- agreed to promote health part- President Moon on his suc- Prayut highlighted promoting Circular-Green (BCG) economy nership, including through the cessful visit to the US, the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (third right) proposes closer bilateral ties with South Korea through the three Partnerships (3P) cooperation through linking of model to achieve balanced and early convening of the first bilat- foreign ministry statement strategy, namely, for green economy, future industries and health. the two countries’ correspond- sustainable growth. Links could eral foreign and health minis- said. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA SUPPLIED ing national development strat- be identified between the BCG ters’ two-plus-two dialogue on NEWS NETWORK Vietnam’s Phuc asks US leader for Covid jab backing

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan US’ decision to send 80 million surplus countries including Russia, China and Phuc on May 30 sent a letter to his US vaccine doses to assist global efforts, espe- Japan, Vietnamese leaders have request- counterpart Joe Biden, asking for Covid-19 cially as the Covid-19 situation in South- ed they provide support for Vietnam to vaccine support for Vietnam as the South- east Asia and Vietnam is seeing complex access Covid-19 vaccines and strengthen east Asian country faces a devastating developments. ties in researching, producing and trans- fourth wave of infections. Phuc said he hoped the US would con- ferring technology for production of the In the letter, the Vietnamese president tinue to support Vietnam and other coun- jabs. thanked the US for having committed $4 tries in vaccine supplies, and proposed the Vietnam is undergoing a serious Covid- billion to the global Covid-19 vaccine shar- two sides step up cooperation in research, 19 outbreak, with more than 4,000 infec- ing initiative COVAX and notified his coun- production and technology transfer for tions since April 27. terpart that Vietnam has received two Covid-19 vaccines. Other than 2.5 million doses from COV- shipments of 2.5 million doses of Astra- He said Vietnam always attaches great AX, Vietnam with a population of 97 mil- Zeneca from the initiative so far. importance to the comprehensive part- lion has to date received only 400,000 “COVAX is truly a valuable and timely nership with the US and believes that in doses from the order of 30 million it has support that helps Vietnam and many the spirit of friendship, the two sides will secured with AstraZeneca. developing countries in the fight against continue to foster bilateral ties and bring More than one million jabs have been the pandemic amid the global vaccine further benefits to the peoples of the two administered, and some 28,000 people A nurse prepares an AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shot to give to a shortage,” Phuc wrote. nations. have been given the full two doses. VIET NAM worker in Bac Giang province, the epicentre of Vietnam’s Covid-19 The Vietnamese president welcomed the Previously, in talks with leaders of many NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK wave of infections. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com China’s artificial sun brings

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Managing Editor nuclear fusion energy closer Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor Opinion Phuon Chansereivuth Zhang Tiankan Chief of Staff Phak Seangly N MAY 28, the Hefei Insti- Business Editor tutes of Physical Science, May Kunmakara part of the Chinese Acade- Deputy Business Editor my of Sciences, ran its Sangeetha Amarthalingam experimentalO controllable nuclear Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk fusion device and kept the plasma Pan Simala Senior Reporters stable at a temperature of 120 million Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear degrees Celsius for 101 seconds and at 160 million C for 20 seconds. Reporters The previous record was 20 seconds Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, at 100 C set by the Korea Supercon- Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Hong Raksmey, ducting Tokamak Advanced Research Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, (KSTAR), South Korea’s superconduct- Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, ing fusion device, on December 28. Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha In popular reports, the Chinese Photographers device is nicknamed the “Chinese Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey artificial sun”, and its latest milestone Web Editor means humankind has made further Leang Phannara progress toward the goal of using Digital Team nuclear fusion as a source of energy. Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy Unlike nuclear fission power plants Desktop Publishing which split atomic nuclei apart, Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, nuclear fusion merges atomic nuclei Than Veasna to potentially create huge amounts of China’s HL-2M nuclear fusion device, known as the new generation of ‘artificial sun’, is displayed at a research laboratory in Chengdu, in SIEM REAP BUREAU cheap and clean energy. The deutero- eastern China’s Sichuan province on December 4 last year. afp Offi ce Manager hydrogen contained in one litre of Sophearith Blondeel seawater would provide energy equiv- The challenge is maintaining high- In order to solve this problem, there which is a major collaborative project. PRODUCTION & PRINTING alent to burning 300 litres of gasoline, enough temperatures for a long is both competition and cooperation Scientists in various countries are also Nhim Sokphyrak without emitting any pollutants that enough period of time for the tech- among major researchers. On July 28, doing separate research. Commercial and Graphic Designer harm the environment, since the by- nology to be viable. The device needs 2020, China, the EU, India, Japan, Although nuclear fusion power still Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith products are helium and neutrons. to raise the temperature of the plas- South Korea, Russia and the US co- remains a possibility rather than a cer- That’s why researchers are paying ma to above 100 million C, as well as launched the International Thermo- tainty, China’s efforts are helping to bring

huge attention to this technology. confine it within a small space. nuclear Experimental Reactor in Paris, it closer. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

HEAD OFFICE Post Media Co., Ltd. The Elements Condominium Level 7, Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Tokyo bourse must extend trading hours Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom Penh, Cambodia COMPETITION among the world’s Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 major exchanges in the world. New In the past, the TSE discussed information technology. It is desira- Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 stock exchanges to attract investors York operates for 6½ hours, while extending the trading hours three ble to find ways to extend trading Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 and companies is becoming increas- London goes 8½ hours. Singapore times, in 2000, 2010 and 2014, but hours while preventing employees’ SIEM REAP ingly fierce. The Tokyo Stock engages in seven hours of trading. failed to make any drastic changes, workloads from increasing and No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune Exchange (TSE) and the domestic It is reasonable to aim for longer and only shortened the lunch break paperwork from being delayed. Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 securities industry must not be slack trading hours to increase conven- by 30 minutes in 2011. Last October, the TSE experienced a COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT in their efforts to make their markets ience for investors. Online brokerage firms supported system failure and suspended the trad- Chief Operating Offi cer more attractive. The group reportedly will discuss the extension, but securities compa- ing of all issues for an entire day. The James Ong Soon Teck The TSE decided in the middle of extending the afternoon trading nies, which are mainly engaged in in- idea of extending trading hours report- Advertising Department this month to set up a working group hours from 3 pm to the early evening. person sales, opposed it on the edly came up again in the process of Chap Narith, 017 996 241 to study the extension of trading In the early evening, trading can be grounds that it would lengthen their compiling measures to prevent a recur- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 hours. done to reflect information from the employees’ working hours. rence of the incident. This is because Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 The group will hold discussions with morning trading in Europe. Doing so Sales prices and other matters extending the trading hours would Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 securities companies, institutional would also make it easier to trade related to investment trusts that increase the possibility of resuming Paing Patrya, 081 872 202 investors and other market players on based on economic indicators in oth- incorporate stocks are calculated trading after the system is restored. Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 specific methods and other matters, er Asian markets, where there are based on the base price, which is It should also serve as preparation CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION aiming to compile a set of opinions by time differences of several hours. determined every day by the closing to prevent a repeat of the mistake. Acting Distribution Manager around October. New trading hours In addition to domestic individual stock prices at 3pm, so an extension In April 2022, the TSE plans to Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 are expected to be implemented by investors, foreign investors, who could reportedly interfere with their restructure its markets into three seg- Circulation Supervisor around 2024, when the stock trading account for 70 per cent of the trading operations. ments, including the Prime Market, Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 system will be revamped. volume, are also likely to benefit sig- Even though the importance of which will focus on large companies. Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 The TSE’s trading hours are cur- nificantly. reforming work styles is being advo- The TSE needs to strengthen its inter- ADMINISTRATION rently five hours in total, from 9am to The issue will be to gain the under- cated, the financial industry is sup- national competitiveness in tandem Admin & HR Manager THE YOMIURI Pich Socheat 11:30am and from 12:30 pm to 3 pm, standing of securities companies and posedly improving the efficiency of with this reorganisation. SHIMBUN (JAPAN)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Assistants Admin & HR Manager an amount that is shorter than other investment trust companies. its operations through the use of Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

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wo men exchange longing lions of views after it was released glances, a frisson of sexual in February, while Tencent Video tension in an on-screen re- reportedly made 156 million yuan lationship which must oth- ($24.1 million) from advance view- erwiseT go unspoken – China’s “boys’ ings of a similar show. love” phenomenon is gripping video For video platforms in China’s bois- streamers, slipping by censors of LG- terous, hyper-competitive streaming BTQ themes with their subtlety. sphere, changing social mores means The genre rose to prominence in one thing: money. 2018, as adaptations of web novels “In pop culture, creators look to about same-sex couples, known as subcultures for new stories or origi- “dangaiju”, were increasingly picked nal material,” said Liaoning Univer- up by on-demand services, propel- sity lecturer Bai Meijiadai, an expert ling Chinese actors to stardom. in fan culture. In Word of Honour, a blockbust- “The rise of ‘boys’ love’ content ing adventure from video platform suggests the on-screen industry is Youku, two handsome martial arts aware of young women’s consump- heroes develop a close bond, but re- tion power.” fer to each other only as “brothers” as the heavily-insinuated romance be- ‘They break the mould’ tween protagonists fails to emerge. The red pen of the state may have Although China decriminalised supported the video phenomenon. homosexuality in 1997, same-sex Authorities have cracked down on marriage is illegal and taboo trails “illegal” writing on the web, censor- LGBTQ issues. ing content deemed too risque for The community is facing renewed Chinese readers. In 2018 a novelist pressure, with web content censored was sentenced to 10 years in prison and depictions of gay romance in for writing and selling “pornograph- films banned. ic” books. Yet “boys’ love” adaptations are “Sexual content in [same-sex] web booming, screened by streaming gi- novels has reduced since authorities ants like Youku and Tencent Video, embarked on cyberspace clean-ups mostly fuelled by demand from and platforms introduced review- straight women and their growing and-report mechanisms,” said Bai. interest in a more delicate form of This makes their storylines – many masculinity. of grand, period adventures flecked Tickets for a concert themed after a Chinese streaming television drama called Word of Honour in Suzhou sold out in seconds Tickets for a Word of Honour themed with martial arts – easier to adapt for earlier this month. AFP concert in Suzhou sold out in seconds television, with more sexually explic- earlier this month, as hundreds of it content removed, she added. But the genre attracts mixed things and relax,” the 29-year-old prove useful to China’s soft power thousands rushed for a spot. Around 60 TV adaptations are now reviews among China’s queer added. ambitions. The series quickly racked up mil- underway. communities. Handsome boyish young men, The country so far lacks a breakout “They break the mould of hetero- including those from the TV serials, entertainment product matching the sexual relationships being the norm have also become a preferred fantasy global popularity of South Korea’s on screen,” said a gay civil society love interest. entertainment industry or Japan’s worker who wanted to be known “That’s been influenced by boyband anime and manga. only as Shuai. success from South Korea, Japan, Tai- Martial arts and period dramas are “But they do not reflect the wan, since even the 1980s,” said Der- “really marketable aspects for Chi- LGBT community’s struggles and ek Hird, a senior lecturer in Chinese na,” said Hird. difficulties.” Studies at Lancaster University. But there is tension between explo- Once lead actors attain fame, they To surf the wave of popular- rations on gender and the “fear of a also avoid suggestions of gay identity ity more people – mostly amateur masculinity crisis”, he added. to maintain popularity, he added, scribes – are writing “boys’ love” sto- In January, China’s education min- doing little to counter the airbrush- ries for web in the hope they may be istry pledged to improve physical ing out of LGBTQ lives. adapted for TV. education and “pay more attention While authors are mostly part- to cultivating” masculinity. Appeal to women timers who write for spare cash, For now, the “boys’ love” indus- The television adaptations mainly “popular writers can earn more than try has steered clear of regulators appeal to women. 10,000 yuan a month via subscrip- through subtle portrayals of same- An e-commerce worker surnamed tions and rewards from readers”, sex moments or “normalising” Xu said “boys’ love” allowed her a said a fiction editor who gave her shows’ endings. precious escape, unlike many other name only as Chu. “For example, you may have devia- TV shows in China which serve a Up to 40 million yuan was paid for tions in your teenage years, but once barrage of stereotypes in their depic- Fans pose for pictures with a poster as they gather for a concert themed after the rights to a novel in the genre, official you grow up, you still go back to re- Chinese television drama Word of Honour held in Suzhou in China’s eastern Jiangsu tions of women’s gender roles. periodical Banyuetan said. productive ‘normalcy’,” explained province. AFP “It allows me to think about fewer Experts say the genre could Bai of Liaoning University. AFP Study: UK switch to four-day week will slash emissions

Switching to a four-day working week Greenpeace UK tweeted: “I think this is campaign group from Platform, a UK-based could slash the UK’s annual greenhouse something we can all get behind!” while activist and research group that campaigns gas emissions by a quarter in four years, a Green Party MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: for “social and ecological justice”. campaign group said in a report. “An idea whose time has come.” The 4Day Week group likens the impact The report by the 4DayWeek campaign The report argues that a shorter week to the transition to a 35-hour working week group claims that a transition from a five- would lead to energy savings from less use in France in the early 2000s. It also examines day to four-day week with no loss of pay of office equipment and less commuting a sharper decrease to 32 hours by 2025. “could shrink the UK’s carbon footprint by in cars. Currently the average working week is 127 million tonnes per year by 2025” or Shorter hours would lead to a healthier 42.5 hours, it said. 21.3 per cent. lifestyle, with less consumption of fast food In Scotland, the pro-independence Scot- This is equivalent to more than Switzer- and less need for medical care, reducing tish National Party is also considering a land’s entire carbon footprint, it said. the use of energy-intensive equipment, the shift to a four-day working week, with The proposal comes as the lockdown report argues. party leader and First Minister Nicola Stur- period with many more working from There would also be a benefit to mental geon saying it would promote better work- home has prompted greater interest in health, it argues: “By freeing one day a week life balance and higher employment. flexible working and work-life balance. for non-work activities, it is also mental The SNP government has vowed to help People work at shared workspaces in London in April. Switching to a Some companies have trialled a four-day space that becomes more available.” willing companies pilot such a move dur- four-day working week could slash the UK’s annual greenhouse gas week. The report was commissioned by the ing this parliament. AFP emissions by a quarter in four years, according to a new report. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Two women enjoy view of the Manhattan skyline at a park in New Jersey on May 27. AFP NYC building shelter for homeless in locale called Billionaire’s Row ew York City is to build a homeless edly bought a duplex in the area’s One57 build- shelter in an expensive Manhattan ing for $100.5 million in 2014. area known as “Billionaire’s Row” Lawyers for residents had argued that using following a lengthy legal battle. the former hotel, built in 1910, as a shelter was NMayor Bill de Blasio’s government an- a “safety hazard”. nounced in 2018 that it planned to turn the A lower court ruled that a hearing was re- “INVENTIVE” former Park Savoy Hotel on West 58th Street quired to determine whether it was safe. On ACROSS 52 Catch sight of 25 Pennant quests into a shelter for 150 people. May 27 though, the New York Court of Appeals 1 Grounded faster-than-sound 53 Inventor of the reaper 26 Actor Hawke A coalition of residents sued to stop the said no hearing was necessary. airplanes 61 Inhabit a house, in a way 27 Ancient Greek philosopher move, but on Thursday an appeals judge re- The centre will house individuals who have 5 Tightly drawn, like a rope 62 Be visibly elated 28 Rowboat paddle jected their objections, paving the way for the work or are actively seeking employment, the gov- 9 Ship’s sail holders 63 Dull pain 29 Cherub 64 Land in the Thames proposal to proceed. ernment says. It will also have 24-hour security. 14 Owl’s sound 30 Kanga’s little one 65 Steak order, sometimes “[We] look forward to opening our doors at The ruling comes as New York grapples with 15 As well 32 Brilliant thoughts or concepts this location as soon as possible,” Isaac McGinn, how to relocate thousands of homeless people 16 Academy Award statuette 66 Ill-tempered 67 Bits of bravery 33 Depart a social services department spokesperson said who were moved from shelters into hotels dur- 17 Surrounding light 68 Begged for a citation 34 Fairy-tale baddies following the ruling. ing the pandemic. 18 Knotted 19 Russian rulers of the past (Var.) 69 Tallies 37 More nervously irritable “Billionaire’s Row” is a set of ultra-luxury Since coronavirus struck, the homeless have 20 Inventors of the airplane DOWN 40 Presley or Costello residential skyscrapers off the southern end of become much more visible in many areas of 23 Boxing great 1 Playwright George Bernard 41 Mediterranean or Caribbean Central Park that include some of the world’s Manhattan, especially around Times Square. 24 Tee preceder 2 Lemony 42 Century parts (Abbr.) most expensive homes. Their plight has fueled controversy in a city 25 Dignified calm 3 TV actress Spelling 47 Alerted to danger It is home to several rich and famous, includ- where rents remain out of reach for many 29 Give weapons to 4 Male deer 49 Caterwauled ing computer tycoon Michael Dell who report- families. AFP 31 Grain storage structure 5 Tell on someone 51 Dog registry rejects 35 One of the Titans 6 Wrongdoer’s excuse 52 Twenty of something 36 Opposite of “Yup” 7 ___-friendly 53 Twenty-four cans 38 B.A. or Ph.D. (Abbr.) 8 Commotion 54 Holiday time 39 Inventor of vulcanized rubber 55 Baseball teams’ leaders (Abbr.) 43 Mom’s dinner order 9 Butterflies’ cousins Mexico accuses clothing brands 10 Evaluate 56 Applaud 44 Confederate Gen. Robert ___ 45 Final resting place 11 Sign of an old injury 57 One of the three bears of indigenous culture appropriation 46 Winter’s white flakes 12 Pea jacket wearers 58 Finished a cake 48 Actor Kilmer 13 This year’s graduates (Abbr.) 59 Paper ballot shred Mexico has blasted major compensate the communities Separate missives to each 49 Fails to hit 21 Annoyance 60 Kesey and Burns clothing brands Zara, Anthro- affected. brand, dated May 13 and 50 Friend, in French 22 Allegro or andante 61 Put under wraps pologie and Patowl for using Minister Alejandra Frausto signed by Frausto, pinpoint patterns and other elements told the brands not to under- specific products at fault. Monday’s solution of Mexican indigenous textiles mine the cultures’ “identity In the case of Spanish firm in their collections without and economy”, and called for Zara, the ministry said a Midi permission, the ministry of changes that put indigenous dress with a belt incorporated culture said on May 28. designers from Mexico’s 56 elements from Mixtec culture, The ministry has sent letters ethnic groups on an equal from the municipality of Oax- to the three labels asking them footing with major labels. aca in San Juan. to publicly clarify on what The protection of their US brand Anthropologie’s grounds “the collective prop- rights, “which have histori- Marka embroidered shorts are erty” of indigenous peoples of cally been invisible”, was an said to contain elements of the southern state of Oaxaca ethical principle that had to the culture of the Mixe people, had been privatized, and to be addressed at a local and and Patowl, also American, is indicate how they intended to global level, she added. accused of making a “faithful copy” of the traditional gar- ments of the Zapotec people for its Tops printed T-shirt range. Monday’s solution It is not the first time Mex- ico has taken a stand against the issue. In November, it challenged French fashion designer Isabel Marant over her latest collec- tion which it said commercially exploited indigenous motifs. Designer Carolina Herrera, and Spanish companies Rap- sodia and Mango have also been singled out for appro- Mexican artisan Glafira Candelaria Jose, of the Otomi ethnic group, shows priating designs from Mexico. one of her designs at her workshop in San Nicolas village in 2019. AFP AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Quartararo leads as Mugello remembers Moto3 Dupasquier abio Quartararo domi- toGP family, we send our love Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira in nated the May 30 Italian to his team, his family and second, with reigning world MotoGP at a sombre loved ones. You will be sorely champion Joan Mir complet- Mugello circuit shaken missed, Jason. Ride in peace,” ing the podium. byF the death of Swiss 19-year- the statement added. The sixth leg of the season old Moto3 rider Jason Dupas- Dupasquier, in his second was preceded by a minute’s quier, who succumbed to inju- season in Moto3, fell and was silence for the sport’s first fa- ries sustained in a multi-bike struck by at least one bike be- tality since Luis Salom died in qualifying crash. fore sliding along the track at practice at the Catalonia Mo- “We all know the risks, but turn nine during qualifying on to2 in Barcelona in 2016. Fabio Quartararo competes during the moto world championship Italian Grand Prix MotoGP race on May 30. AFP its hard to lose one of your May 29. As the MotoGP roadshow own, said Yamaha’s French Doctors rushed to the scene persevered despite the tragic Australian Ducati rider post- d’Italia, it is with great sadness Racing for his German team world championship leader, and after attending to him for circumstances, it was Quar- ing on twitter: “Rest In Peace that we report the passing of he finished his rookie Moto3 who held up a Swiss flag on 40 minutes on the circuit had tararo, who had set a new lap Jason, thinking of his fam- Moto3 rider Jason Dupasqui- campaign last year pointless, the podium in honour of a him airlifted to hospital. record when securing pole on ily and team” alongside a red er,” it read. 28th in the overall standings. “friend” whose promising The rider described as “a May 29, who emerged with heart. His team, Pruestel GP, had After five races in 2021 young career was cut short in leading light of Swiss motor- his third win of the season to The Careggi hospital in Flor- already pulled out of the race he was placed 10th with 27 brutal fashion. sport” passed away in hospital tighten his grip on the riders’ ence treating Dupasquier said on May 30, and Tom Luthi, a points. “This one’s for Jason. I didn’t in Florence after suffering se- standings. that the teenager had suffered Swiss Moto2 rider, also with- The FIM joint statement really know him, he was just a vere brain damage and under- He now has a 24-point cush- brain injuries “incompatible drew to be close to Dupasqui- noted: “Dupasquier had made kid. I tried to put it out of my going chest surgery overnight. ion over Zarco with Francesco with life”. er’s family at the hospital. an impressive start to his sec- mind but I thought of him Quartararo said: “It was a Bagnaia, an early faller on May Motorcycling’s governing Japan’s Ayumu Sasaki and ond season in the lightweight every time I went past where strange day, a lot of emotion, 30, a further two points back body the FIM, the teams’ Spaniard Jeremy Alcoba were class of Grand Prix racing, it happened,” he said of the every time I passed turn nine I in third and Australian Jack IRTA umbrella association, the others involved in the consistently scoring points rider whose death was an- was thinking about Jason. Miller, winner of the two races and the sport’s commercial horrific accident. Organis- and within the top ten in the nounced around midday by “It’s not a great feeling, you before Mugello, in fourth. rights holder DORNA issued ers reported that both were standings. MotoGP organisers. achieve a win but we lose one a joint statement on the tragic “fine”. “The FIM, IRTA, MSMA “We’re deeply saddened to of our friends.” ‘Incompatible with life’ news. Dupasquier, whose father and Dorna Sports pass on report the loss of Jason Dupas- Quartararo crossed the Miller was among a legion “Following a serious inci- Philippe was a former moto- our deepest condolences to quier,” MotoGP said on Twitter. line with over two and a half of the sport’s leading figures to dent in the Moto3 Qualifying cross rider, was in his second Dupasquier’s family, friends, “On behalf of the entire Mo- seconds of daylight back to pay tribute to Dupasquier, the 2 session at the Gran Premio season in Moto3. team and loved ones.” AFP Brilliant Bernal wins Giro d’Italia Donaire KOs Oubaali in Colombia’s Egan Bernal won up in the Andes took the overall given that the rider had made the 2021 Giro d’Italia on May lead on stage nine on a dirt track Italy his second home after 30, the Ineos Grenadiers lead- finish that would have suited first arriving in Europe from 4th to reclaim WBC title er given a hero’s welcome in this former mountain biker. Colombia. front of Milan’s Duomo cathe- He then staged an iconic Ineos leader Dave Brailsford Nonito Donaire used a pow- if we take care of it. Mentally in a fog and defenseless when dral at the end of the 21st stage finish-line triumph on stage 16, said last season he needed to erful left hook and three you are only as strong as your the Filipino dropped him a sec- time-trial. stripping off his outer clothing cut Bernal some slack after the knockdowns to become the mind can be. ond time with a devastating left The 24-year-old Colombian on a cold, rain sodden moun- strain of his failed Tour defence oldest fighter to win a bantam- “Being at this age is not the as the bell sounded to end the won two individual stages and tain to cross the finish line first so that he could ‘get the smile weight title with a fourth round question. It is my ability to grow. round. Reiss gave Oubaali completed the 3,479km course in the pink jersey with his arms back on his face’. knockout of WBC champion It is not what age you are, but another standing count after 89 seconds ahead of Italy’s wide in acclamation. As the Colombian national Nordine Oubaali on May 29 in how strong you are mentally. the bell. Oubaali was on wobbly Damiano Caruso while Briton It was a similar scene in Milan anthem blasted out across the Los Angeles. “I am back. The whole time I legs and clearly in trouble as he Simon Yates was third. on May 30 as a broad smile Piazza Duomo, Bernal was The 38-year-old Donaire was not fighting I was learning. didn’t seem to know which The last day 30.3km individ- swept away his stony-faced grinning broadly. reached up and turned back the I am ready for the next one.” direction his corner was at. ual time-trial was won by Ber- racing look as he raised his Over the whole three weeks hands of time at the Dignity Donaire knocked the French Donaire ended the fight in nal’s teammate, the time-trial arms at the end of three hard Bernal and Ineos found plenty Sports Health Park venue as he champion down twice in the the fourth by landing a combi- world champion Filippo Gan- weeks where he proved last of fans along the route as Gan- reclaimed the WBC title that he third round and then finished nation followed by an uppercut na, who also won the opening year’s failure was a blip. na, known to Italian fans as held in 2011. him off halfway through the that sent Oubaali to the canvas day time-trial. “I was wracked with doubt, ‘Top Ganna’, was cheered on by The Filipino fighter is also the fourth round with a stinging for the third time. The Giro win marks a return and I might not look like it, but roadside supporters, as was the oldest, at 38 years and 204 days, upper cut to raise his record to Donaire showed patience in to form for Bernal who flopped now I’m just filled with joy,” tough road captain Gianni to win a bantamweight world 41-6 with 27 knockouts. the opening rounds using them when the cards were stacked said the champion. Moscon. title, breaking the mark he set In the third round, Donaire to get a read on what type of against him at the 2020 Tour de Bernal was forced on to the “Egan started it with a bang,” in 2018 when he was 35 and scored his first knockdown combinations Oubaali likes to France. back foot for a few days by a said Ineos principal Brailsford captured the WBA belt. with two consecutive left hooks throw. It was the first career loss “The Maglia Rosa [leader’s jer- resurgent Yates, but was able to after overseeing his 12th Grand “Father time is on my side,” that led to referee Jack Reiss for Oubaali who dropped to sey] is special. It’s the most beau- nurse a comfortable lead over Tour victory. “But the team fin- said Donaire of Bohol, Philip- giving Oubaali a standing eight 17-1, 12 KOs. tiful race in the world’s most the tense last few stages. ished it off, there’s a moment pines. “I believe the human count. “I know what his pattern beautiful place,” Bernal said. where the winner always suf- body is an incredible machine Oubaali got up but was in still was,” said Donaire. “I knew “I’ll never forget this Giro, Italian job fers and it’s how you manage exactly what he was going to and the way I won it, with For Ineos (formerly Team that that’s important.” do. I was able to counter prop- attacks and sprinting on the flat Sky) it was a third Giro victory Another Italian, Bahrain- erly with the left hook.” for bonus seconds against after Tao Geoghegan Hart won Victorious’ Caruso, had never Donaire also condemned the Remco Evenepoel. That is who it in 2020 and Chris Froome in won a grand tour stage victory increased acts of violence I am and the cycling I like,” said 2018. before but was thrust into the against Asians which have been the champion. The Giro was the perfect set- limelight when team leader taking place in America during The climb specialist who grew ting for a Bernal comeback Mikel Landa pulled out the Covid-19 pandemic. injured. Donaire, nicknamed the The 30-year-old Sicilian was “Filipino Flash”, came into the given a rapturous reception in ring wearing a shirt with the front of the Duomo and will be message “Stop Asian Hate” on remembered as a journeyman the front. who played his cards right “Let us stop Asian hate,” he when presented with an said in the centre of the ring opportunity. referring to the unprovoked Yates said he was happy to be attacks. “My elderly father is on the podium, but may regret afraid to go out. Let’s stop the not riding more aggressively in hate, any kind of hate.” the first two weeks as his tactic In Las Vegas, American Devin of keeping his powder dry for Haney survived the last two the finale backfired due to Ine- rounds and defeated Jorge os’s strength in depth and abil- Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire (right) throws a jab at French boxer Linares by unanimous deci- ity to protect Bernal on his Nordine Oubaali (left) during the Bantamweight World Championship sion to retain his WBC light- Egan Bernal wins the 2021 Giro d’Italia on May 30. AFP weak days. AFP boxing match on May 29. AFP weight world title. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 1, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Naomi Osaka fined $15K for boycott, faces French Open repercussions

apanese superstar Nao- victory over Romanian world mi Osaka was on May 30 number 63 Patricia Maria Tig. threatened with disquali- The 23-year-old had said on Jfication from the French the eve of the tournament that Open if she persists with her she would refuse to carry out controversial media boycott, any media obligations, claim- officials said. ing news conferences are det- “We have advised Naomi rimental to her mental health. Naomi Osaka returns the ball to Patricia Maria Tig during their women’s singles first round tennis match on May 30.AFP Osaka that should she con- She likened traditional post- tinue to ignore her media ob- match inquests to “kicking ry on-court TV interview. “There is nothing more winner Petra Kvitova after her the moment,” said Thiem. ligations, she would be expos- people when they’re down”. “For me, playing on clay important than ensuring no opening win. Andujar said his recent win ing herself to possible further French Tennis Federation is a work in progress,” said player has an unfair advan- Osaka’s compatriot Kei Ni- over Roger Federer in Geneva code of conduct infringement president Gilles Moretton de- the reigning US and Aus- tage over another, which un- shikori added: “It’s not good ranked higher. “For me, he is consequences,” said a state- scribed Osaka’s vow of silence tralian Open champion on fortunately is the case in this but I understand her situa- like a myth.” ment from the four Grand as “a phenomenal error”. a sun-kissed Court Philippe situation if one player refuses tion. So it’s good and bad.” Fresh from her first career Slam tournaments after is- The four Grand Slam events – Chatrier. to dedicate time to participate Osaka’s defiant stand over- clay court title in Madrid, Be- suing the world number two Wimbledon, the French, Aus- “Hopefully the more I play, in media commitments while shadowed the opening day of larusian third seed Aryna Sa- with a $15,000 fine. tralian and US Opens – said the better I will become.” the others all honour their the 2021 French Open which balenka eased past Croatian “As might be expected, they had written to Osaka “to And that was that from a commitments.” saw two-time runner-up qualifier Ana Konjuh 6-4, 6-3. repeat violations attract check on her well-being and player who has now strung If Osaka was to be disquali- Dominic Thiem crash at the Later May 30, world number tougher sanctions including offer support”. together 15 successive Grand fied, it would be as sensational first hurdle. five Stefanos Tsitsipas faces default from the tournament “She was also reminded of Slam match wins. as Novak Djokovic’s default at Fourth seed and US Open home player Jeremy Chardy. and the trigger of a major her obligations, the conse- Later on May 30, she pub- last year’s US Open where the champion Thiem, who had The Greek is widely tipped as offence investigation that quences of not meeting them lished a tweet, saying: “anger world number one was boot- never been beaten in the first a potential champion should could lead to more substan- and that rules should equally is a lack of understanding. ed out for hitting a line judge round in seven previous visits, 13-time winner Rafael Nadal tial fines and future Grand apply to all players. change makes people un- with a ball. squandered a two-set lead to or world number one Novak Slam suspensions.” “Naomi Osaka today chose comfortable.” “For me personally, I was lose 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to Djokovic falter. Osaka, a four-time Grand not to honour her contractual always trying to follow the 35-year-old Pablo Andujar of However, there will be no- Slam title winner and sport’s media obligations. The Roland ‘Honour commitments’ rules and be fair not only on Spain. body inside the cavernous highest-earning female ath- Garros referee has therefore The Grand Slam Board said the court but off the court as “Losing after being two Chatrier Court to watch as lete, was sanctioned for refus- issued her a $15,000 fine.” Osaka’s refusal to take part in well. Now it’s up to them to de- sets to zero up, it’s very the match was starting just ing to hold a press conference After her match on May 30, media duties put opponents cide what’s going to be,” said strange to me, and I have to before a 9pm curfew comes after her opening 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) Osaka agreed only to a curso- at a disadvantage. former two-time Wimbledon think about what’s wrong at into effect. AFP Tuchel set for new deal, hungry for more after triumph

While Manchester City had been ing Frank Lampard with Chelsea ninth for the third time in six weeks thanks ates who are in England’s squad for mund I did not arrive at the next train- building towards what they thought in the Premier League. to Kai Havertz’s goal, and they are Euro 2020. ing with less hunger, less desire or was their moment in the Champions The German oversaw an immediate champions of Europe for the second This is a team that has already con- ambition,” he said. League for five years under Pep Guar- transformation in their fortunes, drag- time. quered Europe but that appears to be “Of course now is the time to cel- diola, Chelsea showed with their vic- ging them into the top four, taking Tuchel is set to reap the rewards with just at the start of its adventure ebrate for some days, to enjoy and tory in the May 29 final in Porto what them to the FA Cup final which they a handsome new contract, although together. let it sink in, for one or two weeks, can be achieved in just four months. lost to Leicester City, and now winning whether he will be allowed to put “We have a strong bond, a strong to talk about it and reflect on it, but That is how long has elapsed since the Champions League. down roots in west London remains group who can really defend and play then it does surprisingly not a lot to Thomas Tuchel became coach, replac- They have beaten Guardiola’s City to be seen given how managerial and have answers on all questions in you. cycles tend to go at Stamford Bridge. the game,” Tuchel said on May 29. “I think it’s good because nobody Once again a mid-season manage- “Once the celebrations are over and wants to rest. I want the next one, the rial sacking has worked out perfectly once we digest this experience, it is next title. I want to be a part of it and for Chelsea, whose 2012 Champions the moment to grow, to evolve, to I demand to be a part of it and this is League triumph came following the learn from it and become better.” what comes next.” decision to sack Andre Villas-Boas and There is huge room for improvement He was initially handed just an appoint Roberto Di Matteo. in the Premier League after Chelsea 18-month contract but has earned an This time Chelsea have struck gold finished 19 points behind champions extended deal after what he has with Tuchel, but the 47-year-old would City, and a proper domestic title chal- achieved in such a short time. not have been able to deliver such lenge will be expected now. “I am not even 100 per cent sure, but success without the huge investment “When you play for a club like Chel- maybe I already have a new contract in players that came before his arrival, sea you are always thinking in the now with that win. My manager said as well as some of the outstanding future,” said veteran skipper Cesar something about that but I didn’t young talents who were already thriv- Azpilicueta. know so let’s check this first,” he told ing under Lampard. reporters with a smile. ‘I want the next one’ “My desire is to go for more victo- Room for improvement Tuchel knows full well that past ries, to grow as a coach and to push Five of Chelsea’s line-up at the Esta- success counts for little – Di Matteo the group on the first day of next sea- dio do Dragao were signed at the start was gone within six months of that son to the limit.” of the season, including match-win- 2012 victory and Tuchel himself was The next Premier League campaign ner Havertz, the £71 million ($100 mil- sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last starts on August 14, but Chelsea will lion) recruit from Bayer Leverkusen. December despite leading them to play three days before that against Vil- Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA There was also Reece James and their first ever final last season. larreal with an opportunity for another Champions League final football match against Manchester City on May 29.AFP Mason Mount, youth academy gradu- “When we won the Cup in Dort- trophy in the UEFA Super Cup. AFP