Friday, july 23, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3713 / 4000 RIEL

CMAC MISSION NOT PLAYERS PRIMED AMID TOP COURT: DUTERTE BLOWN OFF COURSE SURGE IN MARKET FOR CAN’T EVADE ICC DRUG DESPITE COVID CASES ADVENTURE TOURISM WAR CRIME INQUIRY national – page 2 business – page 7 world – page 11 World Bank financial aid Kingdom buys 5M Chinese for Kingdom, Malpass says vaccines for children 12-17 May Kunmakara Mom Kunthear Johnson vaccine through the World in September we will have another two commission has been planning and CAMBODIA is among the East Health Organisation-led Covax Facil- million doses of the vaccines for vacci- discussing the work concerning vac- Asian and Pacific (EAP) countries HE government has pur- ity, according to Ministry of Health nating children and teens. Samdech cinations for the 12-17 age group fol- set to receive financial support chased an additional five secretary of state York Sambath. Techo [Prime Minister Hun Sen] has lowing Hun Sen’s recommendation. from the World Bank to underpin million doses of Covid-19 Sambath was speaking at the advised vaccination and procurement According to Sambath, Cambodia a resilient post-Covid-19 econom- vaccine from China to vac- Phnom Penh International Airport teams to prepare this,” she said. had vaccinated more than six mil- ic recovery, fuelled by solid vacci- cinateT the 12-17 age group in a bid to while receiving one million doses of Regarding the one million doses lion people as of July 21. nation progress, the Washington- reopen schools, with their shipments the Sinopharm vaccine purchased of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Sam- “We have enough vaccines on hand based development lender’s expected in August and September. from China on July 22. bath said she did not have specific to vaccinate our people including president told The Post. The Kingdom will also receive “In August, we will have three million timeline for their arrival. David Malpass had told a media one million doses of the Johnson & doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, and The national Covid-19 vaccination Continued – page 2 roundtable on July 15 that the World Bank had increased availa- ble financing for coronavirus jabs to $20 billion globally over the next year and a half, in response to a India raids sharp rise in demand. “We’ve already committed $1.1 media firms billion to countries in East Asia and the Pacific – Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Papua New Guin- critical of ea and the Philippines, and we’re eager to commit more,” he said. government Malpass told The Post that gov- ernment revenues around the INDIAN tax authorities on July 22 world slid substantially as the pan- raided a prominent newspaper and demic unfolded. a TV channel that have been critical “What I wanted to dramatise is of the government’s handling of the the huge impact that it has had on coronavirus pandemic, triggering revenue collection, and that makes accusations of intimidation. all the more important the early There was no official comment recovery. from authorities on the raids “Our commitments over the last against Hindi-language daily 15 months of the pandemic Dainik Bhaskar and the Bharat reached $157 billion. That’s an Samachar channel but local media increase of 60 per cent over the quoted unnamed tax officials as previous 15 months. It’s been a saying they had “conclusive evi- major effort by the World Bank to dence of fraud”. provide support, including with Bhaskar said on its website on Cambodia,” he said. July 22 in response to the raids that World Bank regional vice-presi- in the last six months it had sought dent for EAP Victoria Kwakwa to “put the real situation in front noted that the Kingdom is working of the country”. hard to keep SARS-CoV-2 variants “Be it the matter of [throwing] at bay, much like other countries dead bodies in the Ganges or … in the region. hiding deaths due to corona, “It’s had to do significant lock- Bhaskar showed fearless journal- downs, even though, Cambodia, ism,” it said. by now, has the highest share of Last month, the daily’s editor Om the population vaccinated in much Gaur wrote an op-ed in the New York of the region, or maybe the sec- Times saying the bodies in the Gan- ond-highest, after Singapore. ges were symbolic of the “failures “That is good but that’s still not and deceptions” of Prime Minister quite where they need to go, and Narendra Modi’s administration. they’re trying to do more. Bharat Samachar editor-in-chief “Our estimates are that Cambo- Brijesh Mishra said the raids were dia could grow at about four per harassment. “We are not afraid of cent, assuming that they’re able to these raids … we stand by the truth be successful in getting these Carmageddon and the 240 million people of Uttar Cars sit in floodwaters at the entrance of a tunnel after heavy rains hit the city of Zhengzhou in China’s central Pradesh” state, he was quoted as say- Continued – page 6 Henan province on Thursday. AFP sTORY > 10 ing in Hindi on their website. AFP

Don’t miss our Is Covid-19 pandemic testing Special Report Cambodia’s financing model? Inside page 8-9 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National More than six million get Covid jabs to date

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children, in line with the goal set by [Hun Sen]. But vac- cination alone would not be enough – only through partici- pation by people from all walks of life can we break the chain of transmission,” she said. Prime Minister Hun Sen said on July 22 that the gov- ernment has defined vacci- nation as its strategic plan in the fight against Covid-19. “Through this strategic plan, Cambodia has made ev- ery effort to procure vaccines for the people. The vaccines that Cambodia has received are the achievement of the government’s plan in acquir- ing 20 million doses to vac- cinate the 10 million [adult population],” he said in a Fa- cebook post. On July 23, Hun Sen will personally receive one mil- lion doses of the AstraZen- eca vaccine donated by the Japanese government. This CMAC director-general Heng Ratana visits CMAC officers on Tuesday.Heng Ratana via facebook marks the second time that the prime minister has per- sonally welcomed vaccines from “friends” of Cambodia CMAC’s demining missions set to – the first was on February 7 when 600,000 doses donated by China arrived. Japanese ambassador to continue despite Covid infections Cambodia Mikami Masa- hiro said last week after his Orm Bunthoeurn tracting Covid-19. But a team for inspections. If any member vaccines to CMAC forces, Thuch appreciated all CMAC government announced the has been assigned to effec- suspects that they have con- which is a priority group. personnel for their contribu- donation that the assistance THE Cambodian Mine Action tively combat the disease. tracted Covid, they have to take According to Ratana, all tion to developing the country demonstated strong ties be- Centre (CMAC) said unex- Since the start of the pandem- a rapid test, and all forces must infected CMAC officials would through landmine clearance tween the two countries and ploded ordnance (UXO) ic, CMAC had planned in live separately,” he said. still receive their monthly work. They had promoted the in timely response to the cur- clearance actions will con- advance to prevent Covid-19 Although the strategy is diffi- allowance. They also have livelihoods of people who live rent Covid-19 situation. tinue as usual, despite some and had implemented proce- cult to implement, team mem- received extra food items for in rural areas. As of July 22, Cambodia officials having tested posi- dures to prevent the spread of bers have to learn to live and daily necessities from the head He said Cambodia is experi- had recorded a total of 70,419 tive for Covid-19 recently. the disease to personnel. The carry out operations under the of government and the King. encing difficult times as Covid- Covid-19 cases with 62,577 re- CMAC director-general Heng strategy also stressed the com- threat of Covid-19 and follow Meanwhile, Senior Minister 19 is spreading and affecting coveries and 1,188 fatalities. Ratana said on July 22 that nine mitment to maintain normal health prevention measures. Ly Thuch visited CMAC in Bat- people’s health and livelihoods. On July 22 alone, the CMAC officials had tested pos- operations even if certain forces “Despite getting infected tambang province on July 22, Lou McGrath Obe, Chief health ministry reported 811 itive for Covid-19 – two in were affected by the disease. with Covid-19, the health bringing along food assistance Executive Officer of Sir Bobby Covid-19 cases, 300 of which Phnom Penh, three in Battam- “Those strategies include condition of the officials is from Prime Minister Hun Sen Charlton Foundation, also were imported, and 20 new bang and four in Preah Vihear. separating operational forces by not bad. Six of them have for the two CMAC Covid-19 pledged food and financial deaths. He added that CMAC was no geographical location, taking recovered while three others patients, along with $200 each. assistance to two CMAC offi- different from other frontline turns in carrying out operations, are still under treatment,” he Financial and food assistance cials and three Mines Advisory www.phnompenhpost.com forces whose daily work places reducing the mobility of forces, said and thanked Prime Min- were also provided by King Group officials who tested check the post website personnel at high risk of con- and using electronic equipment ister Hun Sen for providing Norodom Sihamoni. positive for Covid-19. for breaking news Kingdom seeks support for Mekong-Ganga museum

Ry Sochan lihoods through the Quick Impact to and promote the welfare and live- Projects (QIPs) for Cambodia. lihoods of Cambodians. CAMBODIA called on other mem- “Deputy Prime Minister [Prak The MGC is an initiative of the six ber states under the Mekong-Gan- Sokhonn] highlighted India’s com- countries for cooperation in tourism, ga Cooperation (MGC) framework mitment to financing QIPs for Cam- culture, education, as well as trans- – Thailand, Vietnam, Lao, Myan- bodia and other Mekong countries, port and communication. It was mar and India – to support the bringing about tangible results that launched in 2000 in Vientiane, Laos. rehabilitation of the MGC Asian contribute to improving people’s Sokhonn said that over the past two Traditional Textile Museum (MG- livelihoods across the sub-region,” decades, many projects and activities CATTM) in Siem Reap province as said the press release. under the MGC have contributed to its operations have suffered due to Asian Vision Institute President the development of the Mekong sub- Covid-19. Chheang Vannarith told The Post region, including health, education, The request was made by Minister on July 22 that cultural cooperation environment and culture. of Foreign Affairs and International is one of the key areas of the MGC, “The MGC has significantly con- Cooperation Prak Sokhonn at the 11th and the MGCATTM in Siem Reap is a tributed to the promotion of close MGC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held landmark in that cooperation. relations, mutual understanding and on July 21 via video conference which “Maintaining the operation of the trust, as well as the socio-economic Cambodia co-chaired with India. museum is critical. I think India will development of the sub-region, which Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn during the virtual 11th MGC Foreign Ministers’ A press release issued by the for- Meeting on Wednesday. FOREIGN MINISTRY continue to support this project,” he ultimately serve to ensure the well- eign ministry on July 21 quoted said. being and prosperity of the peoples of Sokhonn as saying that the MG- unfortunately been devastated by the that can allow the [MGCATTM] to In 2019, the Indian government the member countries,” he said. CATTM, which was established in Covid-19 pandemic, which has affect- address all its challenges and re- provided Cambodia with a grant for The celebration of the 20th an- 2014 in Siem Reap, is an achieve- ed the museum’s daily operations. turn to normal operations,” Sok- 18 projects worth nearly $900,000 niversary of MGC, scheduled for ment that reflects the importance “It is only with the support of honn said. to implement QIPs under the MGC April 2020 at the ATTM in Siem and sustainability of the MGC. member countries can we effec- Sokhonn also lauded India’s con- framework and implemented from Reap, was postponed due to the He said the tourism industry has tively implement a recovery plan tribution to improving people’s live- 2019 to 2020 in a bid to contribute Covid-19 outbreak. THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National NGO: Nearly 1K workers get Covid in Thailand

Long Kimmarita and Voun Dara “These are the number of Cam- bodians infected with Covid-19 in senior Cambodian of- Thailand, especially Cambodian ficial said the exact num- workers. The number is increas- ber of Cambodian workers ing every day to more than 10,000, in Thailand infected with while the Thai government has an- Covid-19A was uncertain, but an NGO nounced a ban on traffic in 10 prov- monitor in Thailand claimed there inces to prevent the spread of Covid- could be as many as 9,000 workers 19,” Sophon said. who have contracted the disease. He said 10 construction sites in Minister of Foreign Affairs and Inter- Bangkok and surrounding prov- national Cooperation spokesman Koy inces had been closed by the Thai Kuong told The Post on July 22 that the government, which has caused diffi- ministry did not have official numbers culties for Cambodian workers who for Cambodian workers infected with worked there, especially people who Covid-19 in Thailand, which is being lived and worked illegally. hit hard by the disease. He said during the lockdown, the He said the government and the Thai government announced some foreign ministry instructed the Cam- financial support to migrant work- bodian Embassy and Consulate Gen- ers along with some food when their eral in Thailand to coordinate with workplace was closed. But this as- Thai authorities, especially the Min- sistance is applied to legal migrant istry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of workers only. Health, Thai Ministry of Labour and Sophon urged the Cambodian the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Ad- government to discuss with the Thai ministration for intervention. government on providing assistance The embassy should focus on vac- for Cambodian workers who are fac- cinations and treatment. If migrant ing problems. workers are in a serious condition, In a separate case, a Banteay the embassy and consulate should Meanchey provincial administra- work together to search for ambu- tion report on July 20 said that since lances and beds to provide treat- Migrant workers return home after undergoing quarantine in Banteay Meanchey on January 10. BANTEAY MEANCHEY ADMINISTRATION February 20, a total of 45,967 migrant ment for affected workers. workers had returned from Thailand Kuong said the embassy will dis- measures,” Kuong said. quired documents. to treat all Covid-19 positive people via the province and had quaran- tribute food to workers facing the The government is also promot- Ministry of Labour and Vocational free of charge regardless of race, tined at 15 centres in the province. most hardship during Thailand’s ing healthcare education during the Training spokesperson Heng Sour colour and status, as is the case in The provincial administration lockdown. Covid-19 pandemic so Cambodians told The Post on July 22 that his min- Cambodia,” he said. found 8,742 of the migrant workers “The Cambodian government has are more vigilant and take care of istry had yet to receive information, Loeung Sophon, an officer at the were positive for Covid-19. Of the continued to disseminate health their health. either from Cambodia officials or the Centre for Alliance of Labour and total, 6,048 patients have recovered, measures put forward by the min- Kuong said the embassy and con- Thai side, on how many Cambodian Human Rights (Central), told The while the other 2,628 are still under istries and institutions of both gov- sulate have to provide regular ser- workers have contracted the disease. Post on July 22 that according to an treatment at various health centres ernments to prevent Covid-19. vices such as resolving labour dis- He said Thailand may not provid- announcement by the Thai Minis- in the province. The government also provides putes, assist workers who have had ed any data because of Thailand’s try of Health concerning numbers The province also registered 66 counselling, encouragement and workplace accidents, assist in find- privacy law. of infected people in the country, deaths from Covid-19. Among the asked Cambodian workers to par- ing new jobs for the unemployed, “What is clear is the Royal Gov- about 9,000 Cambodian workers dead were two Thais and three In- ticipate in implementing these and facilitate the provision of re- ernment of Thailand has a policy had contracted Covid-19. donesians. Startup to make home Gov’t warns resellers of Covid test kits waste disposal better

Ro Kimlong Monorom, a Cambodian in Phnom Penh and a cus- who grew up in France, said tomer of Compost City, said A startup waste management that “our goal is to encourage that composting had helped company founded by women people to take care of and val- her manage her household – Compost City – is working to ue kitchen waste and have a waste and helped reduce the enhance household waste dis- connection with the soil and bad odours associated with posal by increasing the prac- the life in the soil.” it and the overall quantity of tice of home composting in Currently, Compost City is waste in her home. the Kingdom, a practice they selling its products called the “We are all citizens and we claim has the potential to re- Turnkey Composter Kit and should participate in com- duce landfill waste by up to 80 Bag of Carbon Mix and pro- posting to help the environ- per cent in Phnom Penh. viding workshops for organi- ment. And, I believe that Tchaw Monorom, founder sations interested in waste [through composting] we will The ministry is cracking down on resellers of Covid-19 rapid test kits. HONG MENEA of Compost City, said that composting. not have dirty garbage on composting the leftovers “We know that daily waste the streets when the garbage Ry Sochan to identify opportunists and “There have been no ar- from every household could management causes a lot of trucks are late to collect it and take strong measures and pre- rests,” he said. reduce the amount of waste pollution on our land, in our even in the kitchen there will THE Ministry of Posts and vent the resale of kits which is The ministry has not yet al- sent to the landfills by ap- air and harms our general no longer be any bad smells Telecommunications – which in violation of rules set by the lowed the general public to proximately 70 per cent. health. So, I want to raise the or flies because we separate accepts purchase orders for ministry,” it said. order Covid-19 rapid test kits, She said that around 55 per question – is there any other our waste. Moreover, our city Covid-19 antigen rapid test The ministry said the purchase but if an individual suspects cent of the waste is from the solution? And in our pack- will also be more beautiful,” kits at $3.70 per unit, an offer of test equipment from the min- infection, they can be tested kitchen, 10 per cent is from age we provide the family a she said. exclusively for public and pri- istry for resale had no benefit at locations designated by the paper and the rest is from the chance to start working on “Although it cannot solve all vate institutions – has warned as it made people lose money Ministry of Health. garden or various other sourc- their own solutions and to the waste management prob- against reselling them. while suffering from Covid-19. On July 1, Prime Minister Hun es of decomposable waste. practice these solutions on lems in the Kingdom, we can The warning came after the It said currently, the ministry Sen advised the ministries and “It could reduce 70 per cent their own,” she said. do our part starting with our ministry confiscated more has been importing rapid test institutions with large staff num- of the waste going into the According to a survey con- own households,” said Mono- than 4,000 kits. equipment for distribution at bers to use the rapid test antigen landfills at least and possibly ducted by Compost City, Mo- rom. In a press release on July 21, $3.7 per kit and was distribut- kit to test for Covid-19 to prevent more because our customers norom noted that most partic- According to a 2018 report the ministry said it has taken a ing an average of 350 orders the spread of the disease. will take care of other waste ipants indicated that they had by the Ministry of Environ- series of measures to prevent per day from Monday to Sun- As of July 7, the health min- as well once they start com- started to have more conver- ment, more than 90 per cent people reselling the kits, as day to various institutions. istry has recognised and au- posting. sations regarding waste with of urban waste contains re- this is contrary to its policy. The ministry said it prioritis- thorised the use of four rapid “And when they make com- their families and friends in cyclable materials such as The ministry targeted individ- es high-risk Covid-19 areas. Covid-19 antigen test kits – post from waste, they might recent years. Moreover, half of organic waste (55 per cent), uals who resold the devices and Ministry secretary of state So Abbott Panbio Covid-19 Ag also think about the plastic the participants were already plastics (21 per cent) and immediately seized 4,250 test Visothy told The Post on July Rapid Test Device, Roche Sars- that comes into their lives building gardens or planting other wastes. However, only kits at five locations, all of which 22 that after confiscating the Cov-2 Rapid Antigen Test 25t, and into their homes every trees before they started com- 20 per cent of the potentially were ordered from the ministry. test kits, the ministry made Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Test, day and so they could also re- posting their waste. recyclable waste was actu- “The ministry will cooper- the sellers sign a contract to and Indicaid Covid-19 Rapid duce that as well,” she said. Seng Socheata, a freelancer ally recycled. ate with relevant authorities stop reselling them. Antigen Test. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Gov’t won’t budge on UN urges school reopenings heavy truck load limits Voun Dara Long Kimmarita will be enforced. We obey the HE UN in Cambodia law and if the law is amend- has encouraged the THE Ministry of Public Works ed, we have to obey the new government to prior- and Transport has refused a law,” he said. itise school reopen- request from heavy truck driv- If the ministry allows people ingT as soon as possible to ers to change the Road Law to carry an excess of goods, it avoid further declines in hu- regarding load restrictions. creates risks and the general man capital development. The request came after driv- public are the ones who suf- In a press release on July 20, ers staged a protest on July 20 fer, while the benefits go to a it said education is critical to regarding the amount of soil a handful of individuals. children’s personal growth and truck can transport. “Infrastructure can be dam- lifetime prospects. It plays a “The Overloaded Vehicle aged if we do not work togeth- key role in alleviating poverty, Control Committee has in- er and protect it. If a small reducing inequality and driv- structed drivers about the group of people violate the law ing sustainable development. law, standard letters and given by using overloaded trucks, it The Covid-19 pandemic them time before taking strict is detrimental to a population has disrupted education and measures in accordance with of 16 million. So, I would like school attendance globally. In the law,” the ministry said in a drivers of these trucks to obey Cambodia, schools have been press release on July 21. the law,” he said. suspended for over 200 days Owners and drivers of 200 He stressed that all drivers since March 2020, interrupt- dump trucks staged the pro- must not transport loads 20 per ing the study of approximately test to request that the amount cent more than the law permits, 3.2 million students, it said. At Chaktomuk Primary School in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district on January 11. HENG CHIVOAN of soil a truck can transport or they will be fined and their Education losses, it said, should be increased to be- trucks impounded for a year. drive drastic declines in hu- ment of Cambodia to prioritise to show that schools are not nouncement by the Royal tween nine and 15 tonnes, de- A truck driver in Phnom Penh man development, with esti- the safe reopening of schools the main drivers of transmis- Government that the country pending on the truck type. who identified himself only on mates of Cambodia’s Human at the earliest moment pos- sion and can be reopened is considering Covid-19 vacci- The group also requested Tech said that he will obey the Development Index (HDI) for sible and to keep them open safely,” the UN said. nations for children aged 12-17 that the ministry only fine law if law enforcement offi- 2020 revealing a decline of 3.93 to the extent possible, in order It said a recent study dem- years,” the UN’s statement said. trucks and not seize vehicles cials implement it equally. He per cent from 2019, equivalent to avoid further declines in hu- onstrated that children have It also commended the gov- then impound them for a year said so far, he has not seen the to erasing all progress made in man development,” it said. unequal opportunities to ernment’s initiative to prioritise in cases where the load was law enforced equally. the past four years. The pandemic, it added, has continue their learning, lead- vaccinations for teachers. Cam- 20 per cent in excess of what Kong Sovann, a public As it was not yet known exacerbated existing inequali- ing to substantive learning bodia is one of the 17 countries the law permitted. They also health specialist and director when schools might reopen, ties and risks deepening the losses across all levels. to have prioritised vaccination asked that the ministry return of International Safety Fund the risk of children never re- digital divide. The school clo- Prime Minister Hun Sen for teachers and to date have previously confiscated trucks. Programme, supported the turning to school increases sures have an impact beyond said last week that the King- vaccinated approximately 85 But transport minister Sun ministry’s decision to encour- with time, especially for chil- learning, affecting the ability dom plans to vaccinate about per cent of teachers at both Chanthol said on July 21 age transparent and effective dren from vulnerable groups. of many parents and carers, es- two million children and ado- public and private schools. that the ministry will adhere implementation of the law. “Education is a fundamental pecially women, to work. This, lescents aged 12 to 17 across To support the safe reopen- to the law and will fine, and “Law implementation can- human right and a driver of in turn, has reduced access to the country in order to re- ing of schools during 2020, the impound overloaded trucks not be protested if the law progress across all 17 sustain- nutritious food for many chil- open schools, at least from UN has provided basic clean- without exception. was already spread widely. If able development goals. The dren and increased the risks of the secondary level. ing and hygiene supplies to “Heavy truck drivers please the law is not understood and UN continues to encourage violence against them. “The United Nations ac- all of Cambodia’s 13,300 pub- clearly read Article 60 of the spread widely, it requires edu- and support the Royal Govern- “Global evidence continues knowledges the recent an- lic schools, benefitting 3.2 law as it is applicable to [driv- cation and dissemination. million students. ers and owners] ... both big and “When a law is implement- With funding partners, the UN small trucks. As long as trucks ed, of course it affects people distributed $4.2 million as block are overloaded with goods that for a short time. But in the fu- grants to primary and lower could damage roads, vehicles ture, we will become a coun- secondary schools nationwide will be fined and impounded. try with people who obey the prior to the start of the new aca- “Today, I would like to send law and the country’s roads demic year in January. a clear message that the law are safe,” he said. Minister appeals for more donations to Kantha Bopha Lay Samean

MINISTER of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, who is also chairman of the board of trustees of Kantha Bopha Foundation in Cambo- dia, urged the public to con- tinue supporting the the Kan- tha Bopha Children’s Hospital, which treated children free of charge in the spirit of “Khmer helping Khmer”. At an online meeting of the foundation’s board of trustees on July 20, Pornmoniroth placed high value on the hos- pital’s efforts to check and treat a great many children and encouraged the hospital to continue this vital work. He also appreciated the efforts Parents bring their children for treatment at Kantha Bopha Children’s of the mobilisation of funds and Hospital in Phnom Penh in June. HONG MENEA advised the secretariat to apply even more effort into spreading During this period, the foun- received 226,194 patients with the word about the importance dation had transferred more 45, 075 severe cases and 10,190 of the hospital to the public. than $4 million to the hospital, patients requiring surgery dur- Public funds were crucial to sus- and the rest of the donations ing the first half of this year. tain the hospital’s operations. were deposited in the Com- It called on the public to According to a press release mercial Bank. continue donations to the issued by the board of trustees Due to the Covid-19 pan- foundation by becoming hon- on July 20, in first half of this demic, the secretariat said ourary members with a con- year the foundation had fund raising campaign has tribution of 20,000,000 riel per received $15.7 million in dona- transitioned online. year and supporting members tions, an increase of 9.7 per cent According to the press state- with 5,000 riel per month or over the same period last year. ment, the hospitals have 60,000 riel per year. THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National​ Six prisoners Cremation of across country die from Covid TOTAL of six inmates have Covid bodies died of Covid-19 across Cam- A bodia to date, including the latest case recorded early this week in Banteay Meanchey provincial handled well, prison, where the first case was reported early this month. Nuth Savna, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior’s General De- official says partment of Prisons (GDP), told The Post on July 21 that the deceased Mom Kunthear Reached for clarification had pre-existing medical conditions. on July 21, Che told The Post “They are all very old, physically SENIOR Phnom that the case had already weak and had severe illness,” he said. Penh Municipal been handled and the body Savna noted that the current Hall official has ex- was not lost as claimed. Covid-19 situation is under con- plained to families “The Facebook post has trol, contrary to claims on social whoseA members have died been deleted and he [Chets- media of outbreaks in prisons. He from Covid-19 that the bod- mosh ] has already apolo- said specialist officials in col- ies were cremated properly. gised to authorities. He laboration with medical person- To date, more than 800 mistakenly contacted the Crematorium for Covid-19 victims at Wat Russey Sanh in Dangkor district on Tuesday. HEAN RANGSEY nel have been treating Covid-19 bodies of Covid-19 victims Ministry of Health [instead patients in prisons, while those in have been cremated, ac- of relevant authotities]. Ac- ministry, which is not re- godas in the capital for cre- any Covid-19 related prob- critical conditions have been ad- cording the deputy munici- tually, the body of his sister- sponsible for it,” he said. mations – Ang Ta Minh, Kork lems that arise. mitted to hospitals in accordance pal governor Keut Che. in-law was already cremated According to Che, the mu- Banchan, Chonlong Mlou “So far, authorities have with the national policy. The response came after and he has received the ash- nicipal hall is planning to con- and Kraing Thnong. The di- performed their jobs very According to Savna, an outbreak of a Facebook user under the es,” Che said. struct more crematoriums. rective stated that only 10 well. We have cremated hun- Covid-19 in Banteay Meanchey pro- name Intry Chetsmosh al- He explained that when When there are enough, the family members and rela- dreds of bodies of Covid-19 vincial prison occurred two weeks leged on July 18 that some there are many Covid-19 cremation of Covid-19 corps- tives are allowed to attend victims without infecting ago. The prison currently has 1,633 corpses had disappeared with corpses, the bodies are es will run more smoothly. a funeral and they must ad- anyone. This is the pride of inmates, including 97 women. no officials explanation. packed and labeled with a “I asked people to coop- here to preventative health our medical teams who have He said GDP has tried to control “My sister-in-law died number and placed in freez- erate with authorities and measures in place. carried out health measures the situation by separating places from Covid-19 at the Khmer- ers. The bodies are cremated medical personnel because A Phnom Penh resident well including packing and for Covid-19 positive inmates, Soviet Friendship Hospital according to the number Covid-19 is a matter that who asked not to be named protection,” he said. those who are suspected of having [in Phnom Penh] on June 30, and not randomly. concerns all of us. So, to end told The Post on July 1 that Health minister Mam contracted the virus and those and as of July 18, the body “The ashes were prepared this February 20 community her grandmother died of Bun Heng on July 11 issued who have tested negative. had not been cremated. I properly and named. The outbreak, it requires the par- Covid-19 on July 1, and her a directive on safety and He also noted that 20,000 out of asked the hospital and they ashes were placed in the ticipation of everybody to body was cremated imme- management of the bodies the 36,000 inmates nationwide have said they did not have the pagoda where the bodies maintain preventive health diately after her death. of Covid-19 patients. He in- been vaccinated against Covid-19 time to find the body. were cremated. However, measures,” he said. Municipal governor structed relevant authorities and that GDP is urging provincial “How many months does it relatives did not contact the Municipal Department of Khuong Sreng last week to handle corpses safely and prisons to submit their requests to take for the body of a Covid- sub-commission in charge Health director Ngy Mean urged officials to focus on with respect, and prevent the provincial administrations to get 19 patient to be cremated?” of handling corpses and in- Heng on July 16 issued a the important tasks and as- infection and any risk to all inmates vaccinated. Voun Dara the post said. stead contacted the health directive assigning four pa- sist each other in solving public health. 10 students to receive China Dali University scholarships Ro Kimlong

THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on July 20 announced that it would select 10 undergraduate students to study at China’s Dali Univer- sity for the academic year 2021-2022 on scholarship. The university will cover accommodation, tuition fees and a monthly scholarship of 400 yuan ($62), but the stu- dents are responsible for trav- elling expenses. The announcement said 10 applicants with the highest scores will be selected. The exam, which is scheduled for August 29, is on mathematics and English subjects with a time limit of one and a half hours per subject. All candidates must be Cam- bodian nationals, not older than 25, be in good physical and mental health, and have a The university will cover accommodation, tuition fees and a monthly high school diploma or equiv- scholarship of 400 yuan ($62). SUPPLIED alent. Students can choose majors upon successful com- Education ministry spokes- in cooperation with relevant pletion of studying Chinese. man Ros Soveacha told The institutions, especially higher Applications will be accept- Post: “All scholarship students education institutions in Cam- ed from the date of the will have an important role to bodia and partner countries. announcement until August play in improving the quality According to Soveacha, from 24 at the scholarship and of human capital, which 1980 to 2020, a total of 19,546 internship office of the minis- involved the development of Cambodian students have try’s Cultural Relations and Cambodia in all areas today received scholarships to study Scholarship Department. and in the future.” abroad. Among them, 1,755 Candidates can also down- He said that in general, the students received scholarships load the exam application ministry publicly promotes to study in China. form via the link https://bit. and encourages students to In 2020, a total of 421 Cambo- ly/3zl0l5m to complete and apply for national and interna- dian students received scholar- send to the office via Telegram tional scholarships through the ships from other countries, at 012 677 433. ministry’s existing mechanisms including 155 from China. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 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 4,102 1.2558 6.4661 110.27 4.2215 1.3600 32.87 0.7386 1.1798 1.3744

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: July 22, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,880 12,840 12,900 12,840 2 GTI 4,300 4,180 4,300 4,180 3 PAS 13,780 13,700 13,780 13,680 4 PEPC 3,140 3,140 3,140 3,110 5 PPAP 15,220 15,220 15,220 15,220 6 PPSP 2,110 2,100 2,120 2,080 7 PWSA 7,280 7,080 7,400 7,040 GFT exports increase 0.9% Construction on tallest structure to $4.7B in first six months starts post-Covid Thou Vireak Hin Pisei Roong,” Saphoeun added. HE Kingdom export- He posited that the project ed $4.7214 billion CONSTRUCTION of Thai Boon would be a source of pride and worth of garments, Roong Group’s ambitious prestige for Cambodia on the footwear, travel prod- more-than-$3-billion twin international stage, and uctsT (GFT) and other finished commercial skyscraper project improve the image of the coun- textile goods in the first half in central Phnom Penh will try, which he said was once a of 2021, up 0.9 per cent year- begin when Covid-19 ends, highly-civilised country. on-year from $4.6813 billion, according to Thai Boon Roong He claimed that the pres- according to the General De- Architectural Co Ltd director ence of the towers would partment of Customs and Ex- Tous Saphoeun. attract larger international cise of Cambodia. Slated to have a stunning companies to Cambodia, say- Garment Manufacturers As- total height of 567m, the 133- ing that the Kingdom lacked sociation in Cambodia secre- storey colossus will be South- the “world-class offices” that tary-general Ken Loo told The east Asia’s tallest building – they would require. Post that the textile and appar- standing 115m taller than the “Not all countries have the el market is an ever-growing Petronas Towers in Kuala capacity to build such large market buoyed by booming Lumpur – and offer scenic buildings – sometimes they population growth and in- views of the Cambodian capital. have the money but are not sure creasing per-capita wealth. The Thai Boon Roong Twin they can build it,” he said. Of note, he said, the retail Towers will cover an area of more Real estate specialist Ann market has driven a change than 5ha in front of Naga World Sothida told The Post on July 22 from a mass production sys- Hotel and Casino, and have a that the project’s level of suc- tem, to what he called a “small The Kingdom exported $4.7 billion worth of garments, footwear, travel products (GFT) and other finished floor area of 1,474,389sqm. cess could not be immediately batch, short life-cycle, fast fash- textile goods in the first half of 2021, up 0.9 per cent year-on-year. post staff The commercial centre will assessed given the unprece- ion” set-up, through consumer comprise 557 five-star hotel dented scale and timeframe for pressure, influence from the buyers flock to the Kingdom. In a recent interview with exports reached $17.21537 rooms, 448 luxury apartments, the construction. burgeoning online shopping Myanmar and Bangladesh Bayon Television (BTV), Chi- billion, up 16.72 per cent 1,737 condominium units, Nonetheless, she said, the culture, and more recently, the are among the Kingdom’s nese ambassador to Cambodia year-on-year from $14.74874 office space, mixed-use shop- report augurs well for the Cam- Covid-19 pandemic. most direct competitors in Wang Wentian highlighted Chi- billion, and imports stood at ping malls, restaurants and bodian real estate and con- “This year we are lucky to re- garments, he noted. na’s role in the Kingdom’s eco- $18.59048 billion, down 7.84 other entertainment venues. struction sector, indicating that ceive some orders shifted from “The growth of garment nomic recovery from Covid-19. per cent year-on-year from Saphoeun told The Post on the development would cater Myanmar. We should have exports has gained traction, Wang remarked that the $20.17181 billion, the Ministry July 22 that a technical design to international investors and grown bigger if there hadn’t especially to the EU, US and Kingdom has struggled to of Commerce said in its 2020 study and a supporting land- larger companies considering been a February 20 commu- UK. I believe that the gar- secure a steady supply of raw annual performance report. slide protection wall had been its sheer magnitude. nity outbreak,” Loo said. ment sector will continue to materials for its garment and The total value of Cambo- completed, but that construc- “To be successful, the com- Cambodia Chamber of do well for Cambodia moving textile sector. dian international trade rose tion on the building has been pany needs to do a detailed Commerce vice-president forward,” Heng said. “The Chinese side is pleased by just 2.54 per cent over 2019 put off for now. study of the feasibility of this Lim Heng noted that the po- China is one of Cambodia’s to continue to strengthen to $35.80585 billion, and the “We are not sure when con- giant project, because the litical crisis in Myanmar and main sources of raw materials practical cooperation with trade deficit narrowed 74.64 struction will start – we are Cambodian market is grow- the escalating Covid-19 situa- for garments and footwear, Cambodia in all areas to help per cent to $1.37511 billion in waiting to see when the pan- ing, even if only at slower tion in Bangladesh have led to accounting for 60 per cent of revive its economy,” he said. 2020, from $5.42307 billion in demic will end, when every- rates,” Sothida said. a significant rise in orders, as domestic supply. In 2020, the Kingdom’s the previous year. thing will be ready. World-class projects must be “Four years ago, many friends fitted with cutting-edge tech- asked me if the 567m-high Thai nology, modern design, top- Bunrong Business Center project quality facilities and services, was still going to be built,” he and easy payment solutions, ‘1% growth with no good handle on Covid’ said, adding that the develop- she said, cautioning that ment is still forging ahead. developers “must have a clear Continued from page 1 the spending that is needed, par- my,” Kwakwa added. ed to be $3.6 billion, account- “The technical layout has marketing strategy to prevent ticularly on the investment side On July 16, The UN Develop- ing for 19.8 per cent of the total been completed 100 per cent, potential risks”. variants under control and right to continue to support growth, ment Programme (UNDP) said flows, for 2020. The three most and the retaining wall to pre- According to a Ministry of on the back of some improve- but they do have risks. There was in a study that domestic rev- significantly affected are vent landslides – 26m below Economy and Finance report ments in exports and leverage a huge construction boom that enue is an increasingly vital domestic revenue, foreign river-level – has been 100 per on socio-economic trends the trade agreements that they’ve was happening just before Cov- source of financing for devel- direct investment [FDI] and cent completely paved with released early this month, the signed and some anticipated id, and that stalled a bit. opment in Cambodia, amount- private domestic investment,” concrete. government approved 1,823 reforms in terms of foreign “We’re also seeing that, as ing to 19 per cent of gross the UNDP said. “At this time, the construc- construction projects in Jan- investments later in the year. firms are weakened by the domestic product (GDP) last In the first half of 2021, the tion team and other techni- uary-May, down 13.23 per “Now, on the downside, it pandemic, there are implica- year and expected to reach general departments of Taxa- cal teams are also ready, cent from 2,101 in the year- could be as low as just one per tions for the banking sector 22.5 per cent by end-2025. tion (GDT) and Customs and waiting for a good opportu- ago period. cent, particularly if they’re not and there will be vulnerabili- “Official development assist- Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) nity and the end of the The ministry said housing able to get a good handle on ties there. Those areas need to ance [ODA] flows remain sig- collected $1.51590 billion and gloomy situation surround- projects accounted for 1,607 the pandemic,” she said. be looked at very carefully to nificant – estimated around $1.1595 billion in revenue, ing Covid-19. The project will – down 7.96 per cent from She explained that Cambodia make sure that you don’t have 7.9 per cent of GDP. respectively, down by 10.60 start under the strict plans 1,746 in January-May 2020 – “also has a bit more fiscal space a lot of macro instability driv- “Covid-19 has led to total per cent and 8.9 per cent year- and regulations issued by the and were to the tune of $2.349 and they can continue some of ers building up in the econo- financing flow losses estimat- on-year. tycoon, the CEO of Thai Boon billion, down 32.6 per cent. THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Gov’t: Smart Players primed deactivating for emergence active plans HE Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on TJuly 22 said it found that of adventure Cambodia’s leading mobile operator Smart Axiata Co Ltd violated procedures for acqui- ring new numbers to allocate to new customers, deactiva- tourism market ting numbers in use by active subscribers without their Thou Vireak introduced in 2015 to better consent and reselling them. ensure the safety and security of Smart must compensate HE Ministry of Tour- holidaymakers at all attractions. the original owners, who ism has called on “Site managers must moni- have the right to have their adventure tourism tor and advise tourists to phone numbers reinstated, providers to be ready abide by the rules and prohi- the ministry said. forT an expected influx of tour- bitions set in each area, as well “All persons involved in ists and prepare detailed, as aspire to carry out tourism The tourism ministry says the Kingdom’s main adventure tourism areas have all experienced a generous the above cases will be held straightforward safety brief- safety measures as effectively surge in the number of domestic tourists in 2020-2021 in light of Covid. TOURISM MINISTRY accountable before the laws ings to be delivered prior to as possible to prevent the in force,” the ministry said, starting any activity. spread of Covid-19, and take ministry’s guidelines when generous surge in the num- venture tourism standards calling on Smart to make a Domestic trips to ecotour- special care to fulfil the ‘three organising adventure trips to ber of domestic tourists in into seven key areas – quality public apology on its website ism sites, as well as commu- protections and three don’ts’ ecotourism sites. 2020-2021 in light of Covid. of trekking trails; tourist infor- and promise not to let the nity-based and adventure guidelines,” it said. Cambodians nowadays It listed Khnong Phsar mation; infrastructure devel- incident happen again. tourist destinations have The ministry stressed the seem to be more interested Mountain, Phnom Oral Wild- opment; safety and security; The ministry ordered seen significant upticks, even necessity of toilet facilities of in adventure tourism than in life Sanctuary, Kirirom Na- provision of services; manage- mobile service providers to amid the Covid-19 pandemic, an appropriate size that leave community-based ecotour- tional Park, Chi Phat com- ment; and social and environ- strengthen management and the ministry said. the beauty of nature intact ism, he said, adding that his mune, Areng Valley, Peam mental benefits. procedural frameworks to en- Increasing travel has direct- and limit the impact on the business only accepts partici- Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary, The World Tourism Organi- sure the proper allocation and ly generated income for peo- environment, and on visitors’ pants who are fully-vaccinated Sre Ambel district, Veal Thom sation says ecotourism and sale of SIM cards to avoid a ple in these communities and experiences. against the novel coronavirus. Grasslands, Samlot Protected adventure tourism – includ- repeat of this type of incident. strengthened resilience in the It also encouraged tourists to 12GoAdventure is a com- Area, Phnom Tbeng Natu- ing rural tourism – are the “The Ministry of Posts and Te- sub-sectors during the health care for the environment, con- munity-based ecotourism or- ral Heritage Park, Sea Forest sub-sectors of tourism that lecommunications will continue crisis, providing a solid pillar serve natural resources and pro- ganisation with the purported (Samoth Chheu), Tonle Sap have managed to remain ac- to monitor and take the strictest of support for the Cambodian mote ecological sustainability. mission of promoting local Lake, Phnom Kulen National tive and operational even action possible, in accordance tourism industry, it said. Hong Vantheth, founder of tourism within remote com- Park and the Ream Sar wet- during the Covid-19 crisis, with the laws and regulations The ministry also asked tour- 12GoAdventure – a play on munities across Cambodia. lands along the upper Me- serving as effective tools to in force for any mobile phone ists and the management of words meaning “want to go The ministry noted that kong River in Stung Treng prop up domestic tourism service provider that commits local sites to adhere to the ad- adventure”, said his organisa- the main adventure tourism province as examples. and boost local development, an offence.” THOU VIREAK venture tourism standards it tion has always followed the areas have all experienced a It noted that it divides ad- according to the ministry. Vietnam unveils roadmap to reorganise stock market

VIETNAMESE Minister of Finance Ho Duc From July 1, 2023 until December 31, listed corporate bonds from HoSE. Phoc plans to rearrange the securities trad- 2023, HoSE will receive shares of listed com- According to Decision No 37/2020, VNX ing market in a newly-promulgated Circular panies from the Hanoi Stock Exchange operates under the model of parent-sub- as a move towards the merging of the two (HNX). Meanwhile, from January 1, 2025 to sidiary company on the basis of the re- national stock exchanges into one named the end of June 30, 2025, HoSE will receive organisation of HNX and HoSE. The state the Vietnam Stock Exchange (VNX). shares of enterprises from the Unlisted Pub- will hold 100 per cent of its charter capital, Phoc promulgated Circular No 57/2021, lic Company Market (UPCoM). which will be roughly three trillion dong stipulating the roadmap to rearrange the For HNX, from July 1, 2023, the exchange ($130 million). stock market, the bond market and the will no longer accept the listing of new According to the decision, HNX is tasked derivatives market. The circular went into shares from enterprises. with organising and operating the deriva- effect on July 20. As for the bond market, by the end of tives and bond trading market. Meanwhile, Under the circular, by the end of June December 31, 2022, HNX will have com- HoSE will organise and operate the stock 30, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Stock pleted the organisation of government market and other securities trading mar- Exchange (HoSE) shall unify the organisa- bond market, government-guaranteed kets. The current charter capital of HoSE tion of a trading market for listed shares, bonds, and listed corporate bonds, pri- is 1.2 trillion dong and HNX 750 billion The headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) in fund certificates and warrants. vately issued corporate bonds and receive dong. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Vietnam’s most populous city. HOSE ‘I pump but don’t dump’ bitcoin: Tesla founder Musk

TESLA founder Elon Musk on believes in cryptocurrencies as despite the volatility. and improve people’s lives. ducing high-powered batter- nickel-for-batteries business. July 21 said he personally has a way to “increase the power of “I pump but I don’t dump,” He said he sees bitcoin as a ies for electric cars. No details of the duration or invested in bitcoin and other the individual in relation to he told the forum sponsored “native currency” for the inter- Under the agreement, the value of the deal were dis- cryptocurrencies but that he government”, and that he has by the Crypto Council for net that allows more people to innovative carmaker will lock closed. does not manipulate or “dump” invested in ethereum and dog- Innovation. “I would like to see easily make cross-border pay- in supplies from a mine in President Joe Biden’s admin- the digital currencies. ecoin in addition to bitcoin. bitcoin succeed.” ments and supports different Western Australia, one of the istration has prodded US com- In a wide-ranging online Musk said he loses money Musk said he expected that online business models. world’s largest sources. panies to develop supply panel discussion that included when the value of bitcoin or Tesla would resume auto sales For Twitter, he said, bitcoin Most nickel today is used in chains that are not overly reli- Twitter and Square founder other cryptocurrencies declines in bitcoin which he suspended “creates so many different busi- the production of stainless ant on raw materials or pro- Jack Dorsey, Musk said he but that he has not been selling over concerns about high ness models” which could for steel. duction facilities in China that energy use for “mining” of the example reduce its depend- But demand for the metal is are vulnerable to diplomatic cryptocurrency. ence on advertising. projected to explode over the crosswinds. “Tesla’s mission is accelerating “We can’t just see this as an next decade, as electric vehi- Australia holds around a the advent of sustainable ener- asset that we own and an invest- cles become more common. quarter of the world’s nickel gy,” he said. “We can’t be the ment vehicle is something that Musk has previously voiced supply. company that does that and also has the potential to change eve- concern about future nickel Tesla recently reached a simi- not do appropriate diligence on rything and make the lives of shortages – which could put a lar supply deal with the Goro the energy usage … now the it everyone was kind of better in brake on the efficiency and nickel mine in New Caledonia. looks like bitcoin is shifting a lot some small, maybe marginal storage capacity of batteries, as A raft of Chinese companies more towards renewables.” way,” he said. “My hope is that well as making them more is vying to challenge Tesla’s Dorsey, whose Square digital it creates world peace.” costly to produce. position as the world’s leading payments firm recently Meanwhile, Anglo-Austral- BHP chief commercial offic- electric car producer, includ- announced plans for a bitcoin ian mining firm BHP on July er Vandita Pant predicted ing BYD, Nio, Li Auto and wallet, said he is a staunch 22 said it had reached a deal to demand will “grow by over 500 XPeng – which this month Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk says he is not selling bitcoin believer in the currency as a provide Tesla with supplies of per cent over the next decade” listed on the Hong Kong stock despite the volatility of the cryptocurrency market. AFP way to reduce transaction costs nickel – a metal vital in pro- in large part thanks to the exchange. AFP 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Special​​ Repot r rtRepo Is Covid-19 testing Cambodia’s financing model? Reduced earnings and shrinking concessional loans amid the pandemic suggest that it is time to revamp the financing model as the Kingdom moves closer to graduating from LDC status

Sangeetha Amarthalingam

he pandemic has exposed some vulnerabilities in Cambodia’s financing model, indicating an ur- gencyT to reevaluate its strategies to raise revenue and secure funds as the process for migration out of Least Developed Country (LDC) sta- tus beckons. Following the collapse of the tour- ism sector and a major slowdown in the garment manufacturing and real estate and construction sectors, the stress on the government coffers has been daunting, particularly with severe shortfalls in revenue collec- tion and grants. Cambodia’s main revenue, in terms of direct and indirect (value- added tax and excise duties) as well as international trade revenue, is from the export and construction sectors while domestic revenue boosted savings, which stood at 20.2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. The austere landscape has been fur- ther compounded by the economic fallout in the past year, and even more so in the last five months of the third wave where more than $300 million in business activities has been wiped out, economist Dr Chheng Kimlong estimated in March. In the near term, the impact from Covid-19 would mean that financ- ing to support development is likely to more than double to $23.4 bil- lion, accounting for 69.8 per cent of GDP by 2025, UN Development Pro- gramme (UNDP)’s latest Develop- ment Finance Assessment showed. A street vendor selling barbequed seafood at Otres Beach in Sihanoukville is among many trying to make ends meet as the pandemic hit tourist sites. Yousos Apdoulrashim Aside from that, development fi- nancing as a whole might have re- might suffer the sharpest drop fol- port showed that net FDI fell back by omy and protect vulnerable groups, ment’s fiscal position is anticipated treated by $3.6 billion or 19.8 per lowed by domestic revenue, remit- $2.9 billion in 2020 while domestic UNDP expects deficit to rise. to come under further pressure,” the cent in 2020 compared to a scenario tances and private investment, de- revenue dropped 28 per cent year- Measures were taken to protect the report warned. without the pandemic. clining by 31 percent, 23.6 percent, on-year to $4.2 billion in 2020. banking system by easing bank and This loss is made up of domestic 20.2 percent and 16.3 percent, re- The fall in FDI is expected because microfinance institution reserve re- Dramatic fall in ODA revenues at $1.5 billon, foreign di- spectively,” UNDP resident repre- of Cambodia’s heavy reliance on in- quirements and relaxing the few mon- By virtue of the Kingdom’s eco- rect investment ($1.3 billion), do- sentative Nick Beresford said. vestment in global value chain-in- etary policy measures available to the nomic profile since independence, mestic private investment ($410 Using a multiple linear regression tensive industries, which have been National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), grants and concessional loans, clas- million), and remittances ($330.9 technique, which employs several severely hit, and because it cannot which strengthened liquidity buffers. sified as ODA have financed devel- million). explanatory variables to gauge the afford to adopt the same economic However, a slowdown in China opment projects such as health, “Of all the financing flows, FDI result of the subject matter, the re- support measures as developed and an overextended financial sec- transportation, energy as well as economies. tor pose further downside risks to supported budget and trade deficits. Mainland China continues to ac- Cambodia’s growth prospects given To date, the Council for the De- count for the majority of foreign invest- its heavy reliance on capital inflows velopment of Cambodia (CDC) data ODA as a percentage of GNI ments as well as public debt, where it from China. showed that 3,517 out of 3,830 ODA represents 35 per cent of overall exter- “There are impacts on a variety projects are recorded as grants, nal borrowing in Cambodia. of other flows ranging from remit- meaning that repayment is not re- With the ongoing deployment of tances to official development as- quired whereas the remainder are fiscal stimulus to support the econ- sistance (ODA) loans. The govern- concessional loans, albeit with a 25 per cent grant element. In order to reach medium-term Composition of Domestic Revenues, 2019 growth targets, around $15 billion has been budgeted under the cur- rent National Strategic Development Plan for capital investment by 2023. So far, the government has been successful in mobilising significant development cooperation resources to support socioeconomic develop- ment, reaching levels over $1 billion per year since 2008, UNDP said. But having reached lower-middle income status, Cambodia’s devel- opment financing needs would change with the available sources of finance. “Some forms of finance, such as grant-funded ODA, have fallen dra-

SOURCES: CRDB/CDC database 2020 and World Bank World Development Indicators (UNDP, July 2021) matically. Other flows, such as do- Sources: Macroeconomic Framework (MEF 2019) and World Bank World Development Indicators (UNDP, July 2021) mestic resources, remittances and THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 Special​​ Report FDI, are expected to continue to sive audits] would be low hanging increase,” it said, barring recovery fruit for an increase in tax reve- from the pandemic. Trends of Development Financing Flows in Millions of US Dollars nues,” he said, however cautioning Beresford told The Post that the that in the long-term, enforcement decline in relative term for ODAs on the same parties could be coun- is something to be expected, as the terproductive as it could shrink the size of the Cambodian economy is taxpayer base. growing. “There remains a very large pool “This trend can also be observed of unregistered businesses operat- in many developing countries, par- ing in the Kingdom, a focus on rein- ticularly Cambodia’s neighbouring ing in those recalcitrant businesses, countries, including Vietnam and [which] was successful in 2016. Laos,” he said, noting that ODA is [This] will yield substantial gains,” not the only development financing he told The Post. source available to support invest- Separately, Beresford said the gov- ment in Cambodia. ernment should look into blended Domestic financing sources, in- financial models to raise efforts of cluding public domestic revenue, delivering governance on increas- private domestic investment and re- ingly varied capital resource flows, mittances, have been growing quick- particularly to boost private invest- ly over the past 20 years whereas re- ment. mittances alone are as significant as These models involve pooling loans from ODA. For example, remit- finance from public and private tances grew some 28 per cent to $1.5 investors as well as from ODA and billion in 2019 from 2015. other players, he cited, adding that Economic recoveries around the green and climate change bonds globe, especially Cambodia’s major can equally expand financing sourc- trading partners and migrant desti- es where issuers are committed at nation countries, have accelerated investing proceeds to generate envi- export and will absorb the migrant ronmental-friendly goals. labour force from Cambodia. Source: Author’s projection based on data from various sources. It was made based on available data in 2020 (UNDP, July 2021) However, all these boils down to “This, in turn, will help improve accountability and transparency investment domestic revenue and where Cambodia lacks results- remittance flows,” Beresford said. nerability Index in 2021, as Menon grammes and capital expenditure of Noting three key recommenda- based budgeting. So far, implemen- In addition, the government can indicated earlier, was 30.6, marginally public infrastructure projects. tions to review the funding struc- tations are only limited to govern- look at restoring the level of FDI and below the graduation threshold of 32. Cambodia’s domestic revenue is ture, UNDP urged the government ment office supplies but not for private domestic investment via Beresford said 2021 was the first dominated by tax revenue at around to consider the implementation of programmes, ministries or national credit guarantees to firms, especially triennial review at which Cambodia 80 per cent. Had Covid-19 not oc- sin taxes to gambling, tobacco and development goals, UNDP said. small and medium enterprises, and met the overall graduation thresh- curred, UNDP said the revenue alcohol, and other taxes with social “When a billion or more dollars is by examining the use of tax conces- old and if it continues to do so in would be 23.6 per cent higher at $6.5 and environmental positive exter- literally controlled from the Prime sion to boost FDI and domestic in- 2024, CDP will consider whether to billion in 2020 compared to 2019 nalities. Minister’s office, there is obviously vestment. recommend it for graduation. In the near term, the pandemic “[The taxes] not only increase rev- a problem of inadequate transpar- The recommendation would need has had a profound impact on Cam- enue collection but also avoid future ency in usage of public resources,” Post-graduation effect the endorsement of the Economic bodia’s overall financing position public expenditures such as provi- Sophal commented. This year, Cambodia “finally” met and Social Council (ECOSOC) and where resource flows exceptO DA are sion of health services,” it said. He felt that the government trea- the criteria for graduating from LDC the UN General Assembly, follow- negatively affected with public sector Anthony Galliano, CEO of Cambo- sury should never “be a slush fund status, although it still fell short on ing which Cambodia would enter resources especially challenged. dian Investment Management Co of this size or proportion”, although the economic and environmental a minimum three-year preparatory “The situation is serious enough Ltd, a financial services firm, said a it has been that for “many years”. vulnerability components, said Dr period. to merit an emergency response to recovery plan should focus on grow- “Why can’t a budget handbook Jayant Menon, visiting senior fel- “[It] could still enjoy the LDC-spe- public financing and rapid policy ing and diversifying the financing and open budgets be part of the low at Singapore-based Institute of cific trade preferences and deroga- changes for private sector flows to pillars – domestic revenue, FDI and process of graduation from LDC Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS-Yu- tions until at least 2027, with some support businesses and protect val- private domestic investment, given status? We need to open the books. sof Ishak Institute). LDC-specific measures offering ex- ue chains,” UNDP said. the impact on financing flows. Accountability will follow,” he said. While Cambodia should start pre- tended transition periods beyond Sophal agreed that urgent re- While he commended the General Beresford explained that results- paring for the consequences of grad- that date,” he said. sponse was sensible to protect value Department of Taxation for improv- based budgeting are aimed at im- uation now, the major impacts are In any case, Cambodia has been chains which he said were difficult ing tax collection and expanding proving the efficiency and effec- unlikely to be felt for some years yet. a recipient of other official flows to establish and could be easily de- the tax base, he said implementing tiveness of public expenditure by “Even after graduating from LDC (OOFs), particularly from China, stroyed. capital gains tax and sin taxes would linking the funding of public sector status, which will not be for several said Dr Sophal Ear, associate pro- “[However] Cambodia is not a provide a new avenue of tax revenue organisations to the results they de- years still, Cambodia will [remain] fessor of Diplomacy and World Af- poor country … just look at the and boost the national treasury. liver, making systematic use of per- eligible for concessional and grant fairs at Occidental College in the Buggati Verons and Bentleys on the “[The capital gains tax] would formance information. financing for some years after that, US, adding that OOFs are “far less” streets. Why is that money in private lessen the dependency on corpo- “[Although] Cambodia has already as long as it remains a lower middle concessional in nature and do not hands only and not being used for rate taxpayers who are pulling all engaged in results-based budgeting, income developing country,” he told qualify as ODA at all. the benefit of the nation?T here is so the weight,” he said, adding that in- its reach remains limited. Work still The Post via email. “Whether or not Cambodia is much more scope for public financ- dividuals investing and speculating needs to be done to improve capaci- The immediate impact of gradu- ready, the country will graduate ing, only if there is political will,” he in property have “long enjoyed free- ties within the government to work ation is usually felt on the trade sooner or later from LDC status and remarked. dom” from capital gains tax. according to results-based manage- front, impacting preferential mar- must ready itself for the reality that Earlier this year, the government “Given the more urgent need to ment principles and to further apply ket access and the implementation grants will be replaced by loans. submitted its application for the improve the country’s finances this to budgeting,” he contended. of World Trade Organization rules “Yes, the process will be slowed first round of concessional loans of post Covid-19, the capital gains tax and disciplines, but Cambodia has down due to the pandemic, but it $2.1 billion, making it the largest- should finally be implemented, and Loans over grants already had to deal with that. will be inevitable. Everything for ever borrowing on record. more importantly, taxation on indi- While near term outlook seems “Therefore, it is unlikely that Cambodia is likely to become less To be sure, the public debt stock viduals broadened and enforced. grim, UNDP’s medium term fore- graduation from LDC status in a concessional, period,” he said via a remains comparatively low, at 28.2 “There is room for refining the cast on financing flows is no better, few years’ time will have a very large social media platform. percent of GDP as of 2019, which proposed capital gains tax to make suggesting that trends might take a impact but will require some ad- is beneath the Debt Sustainability it more palatable, such as exemp- minimum of two to three years to re- justment, and preparations for that Revving up domestic revenue Analysis threshold of 55 percent. tion on capital gains tax on sale of establish themselves, depending on should start sooner rather than lat- This circles back to Cambodia’s Regardless of the economic con- main home up to certain limits, the progress to end the pandemic. er,” he opined. financing management model, as traction due to the pandemic, ex- long-term and short-term rate dif- It said ODA would continue de- In 2015, Cambodia was declared the government dips further into the perts say there is growth opportu- ferentials, and a tiered tax to allevi- clining in relative terms, but its a lower-middle income nation. It coffers to support fiscal stimulus pro- nity in domestic revenue. ate the burden on the less wealthy,” absolute value, especially through hopes to reach upper-middle in- he said. concessional lending, would remain come status by 2030 and developed Having been a long advocate for significant, having grown in real Summary of the Government Fiscal Position, Existing Deficit and New Deficit status by 2050. the increase of sin taxes in all sec- terms in recent years. According to Beresford, the grad- tors, Galliano opined that Cambo- “Its composition has and will con- uation is not automatic as the UN dia’s cigarette tax is among the low- tinue to evolve, however, favouring Committee for Development Policy est in ASEAN. loans over grants. The level of loan (CDP) also considers a set of supple- He said the increase in sin taxes concessionality will decline as Cam- mentary indicators and other infor- has multiple benefits not only fi- bodia progressively exits preferen- mation on the sustainability of a nancially, as in raising government tial terms. Public sector domestic country’s development progress. revenues, but it would also reduce revenues will recover slowly as the Its per-capita gross national in- harmful consumption and contrib- crisis abates, although solid growth come (GNI) of $1,377 (based on the ute to population health. is expected to return. 2017-2019 average) was “well above” Other form of taxes that can help In time, recurrent revenues will the graduation threshold of $1,222 the coffers include property taxes reach ceilings as a proportion of while its performance on the Human which currently only represent one GDP, and then record GDP equiva- Assets Index, which is a set of health per cent of GDP, well below a nor- lent growth. and education indicators, stood mal range of two to three per cent of “Given this, and the decline in at 74.8, also above the graduation GDP. ODA, it is vital that the government threshold of 66. “Progressive increases and stron- establish mechanisms for long-term However, Cambodia’s score on the ger enforcement [prompting in- sovereign borrowing in domestic Economic and Environmental Vul- SOURCE: United Nations 2020 (UNDP, July 2021) creases in limited and comprehen- currency,” it said. 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World India: Over 45K ‘black fungus’ in 2 months INDIA recorded more than 45,000 cases of the deadly “black fungus” over the last two months, the health ministry said, as a nationwide outbreak sweeps through Covid-19 patients. The country’s junior health minister Bharati Pravin Pawar told parliament on July 20 that over 4,200 people had died of the fungal infection – scientific name mucormycosis. The infection was previously considered very rare but cases have ballooned during the pandemic, usually striking patients after recovery from Covid-19. It is a highly aggressive dis- ease and surgeons have been forced to remove eyes, the nose and jaw from patients to stop it spreading to the brain. Record rainfall flooded the city of Zhengzhou, killing 12 people and submerging the subway system.STR/AFP The death rate is over 50 per cent. According to government data, the highest number of cases were reported in the Record rains kill 25 in central China western state of Maharashtra T LEAST 25 people have died and injuring five, while city officials warned some key heritage sites had been effectively controlled”. at 9,348. including a dozen passengers said hundreds were rescued from the suffered water damage, including the Annual floods during China’s rainy India dealt with just 20 cases trapped in a flooded subway subway. Shaolin temple – a famous monastery season cause chaos and wash away a year on average before the after torrential rains inun- Nerve-shredding images shared on and school for martial arts – and the roads, crops and houses. pandemic, with only people datedA central China, paralysing several social media showed shocked passen- Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO heri- But the threat has worsened over the with severely compromised cities and causing millions of dollars in gers contending with the chest-high tage site of stone Buddhist carvings decades, due in part to widespread immunity at risk, including damage. waters inside a train carriage. Rescu- dating back to the fifth century. construction of dams and levees that those with high blood sugar As river embankments were ers cut open the roof of the coach to Henan is the birthplace of tradition- have cut connections between the levels, HIV or organ transplant breached in record downpours across pull people to safety, local media re- al Chinese martial arts, and home to river and adjacent lakes and disrupted recipients. Henan province, President Xi Jinping ported. many kung fu academies. floodplains that had helped absorb the Experts have attributed the described the situation as “extremely Others showed dramatic rescues of The statement said “key protected summer surge. recent rise to the excessive use severe” with flood control measures pedestrians in Zhengzhou from tor- cultural relics suffered varying degrees Meanwhile in Europe, Chancellor of steroids to treat Covid-19. entering a “critical stage”, state media rents gushing through the streets. of water damage,” but said they were Angela Merkel’s cabinet approved a The Indian government reported on July 21. Outside one road tunnel, AFP saw now safe, without providing precise huge emergency aid package on July declared the fungus an epidem- Around 200,000 residents were evac- dozens of abandoned cars in rows, details. 21 for flood-stricken regions of Ger- ic in May as cases shot up and uated in Zhengzhou, local government some half-submerged in water. As the scale of the disaster continued many and said billions would be need- social media has been flooded officials said, as soldiers led rescue At least four were killed in nearby to unspool and the damage ran into ed to rebuild homes, businesses and with desperate pleas for medi- efforts in the city of over 10 million Gongyi city where houses and walls tens of millions of dollars, the Chinese vital infrastructure. cines to treat the illness. people which saw the equivalent of a have collapsed, the official Xinhua army said it had averted the collapse A week into the region’s worst flood- Government data tabled on year’s average rain dumped on it in just news agency said, adding that rainfall of the stricken Yihetan dam around an ing disaster in living memory, which July 20 suggested infection three days. had caused multiple landslides. hour from Zhengzhou city. has killed at least 174 in Germany and numbers peaked during May The rainfall in the region was the Authorities have issued the highest On the morning of July 21, the Peo- 32 more Belgium, the right-left “grand and June and have since sub- heaviest since record-keeping began warning level for Henan province as ple’s Liberation Army said blasting coalition” government unlocked some stantially decreased. 60 years ago, coming as scientists say floods continue to hammer the region, operations had been carried out at €400 million ($470 million) in immedi- But the Hindustan Times climate change is worsening flooding with landslides blocking many roads, the dam and troops had “successfully ate relief. newspaper reported on July 19 around the world, alongside other in- villages evacuated, tourist sites closed opened a new flood diversion open- Half will come from the federal gov- that there had been a rise in creasingly extreme weather patterns. and large areas left without communi- ing”. ernment of Europe’s top economy and cases among children in the Rainstorms submerged Zhengzhou’s cation. These measures meant the water the rest from the 16 regional states, fi- northern state of Rajasthan. metro late on July 20, killing 12 people The body for cultural heritage level had dropped and the “danger has nance minister Olaf Scholz said. AFP AFP Germany, US warn Russia in Nord Stream 2 accord

GERMANY agreed on July 21 to warn as she unveiled details before a Senate fees bringing some $3 billion a year. appointing a special envoy by Sep- blamed for climate change. Russia of potential sanctions and to hearing. In a joint statement with the US, tember 1 to support negotiations. In a show of support for Kiev, the support Ukraine’s energy sector finan- Biden, who welcomed Chancellor Germany said it had committed to The Kremlin said Merkel raised an White House announced that Biden cially in a deal with the US to settle a Angela Merkel last week, already respond to Russia if Ukraine’s fears extension in transit rights in a call on will receive Ukrainian President Volo- bitter rift between the allies over the waived the toughest sanctions materialise. July 21 with Putin and also that the dymyr Zelensky at the White House Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. required by Congress over Nord “Should Russia attempt to use ener- two leaders were “satisfied” that Nord on August 30. President Joe Biden’s Republican Stream 2 which will connect Russia gy as a weapon or commit further Stream 2 was near completion. Germany, which had intense fric- rivals swiftly denounced the agree- and Germany through the Baltic Sea aggressive acts against Ukraine, Ger- Ukraine and Poland made clear that tion with former president Donald ment and said it would embolden and is expected to be complete with- many will take action at the national they still opposed the pipeline, saying Trump, has hailed the approach of President Vladimir Putin, but the in weeks. level and press for effective measures together that it threatens Central Biden as a revitalisation of the alli- administration said it was too late to The pipeline has been vigorously at the European level, including sanc- Europe. ance. stop the pipeline and the deal instead opposed by many of Russia’s neigh- tions, to limit Russian export capa- Germany also agreed to help “I am relieved that we have found a secured a better outcome. bours – especially Ukraine, which has bilities to Europe in the energy sector,” Ukraine reduce reliance on Russian constructive solution regarding Nord “This is a bad situation and a bad been battling pro-Moscow separatists it said. energy including by setting up a fund Stream 2,” German foreign minister pipeline but we need to help protect since 2014. Germany also said it would use all of at least $1 billion. Heiko Maas said. Ukraine and I feel that we have made Ukraine sees the flow of Russian gas leverage to persuade Russia to extend Addressing another key priority US officials said they expected Ger- some significant steps in that direc- through its territory en route to by up to 10 years a gas transit agree- of Merkel and Biden, the fund will many to adhere to its promises even tion,” Victoria Nuland, the undersec- Europe both as leverage and an indis- ment through Ukraine that is set to support renewable energy and after Merkel leaves office later this retary of state for political affairs, said pensable financial boon, with transit expire at the end of 2024, including by reductions in carbon emissions year. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Asean Philippines’ top court: ICC has jurisdiction

Workers in Manila carry the remains of a man killed in the Philippines’ drugs war, which activists estimate has killed tens of thousands of people. AFP

HE Philippines’ top the world’s only permanent bunal has no jurisdiction over “Withdrawal . . . does not was one of the petitioners. but it would take time. judges have ruled the war crimes court seek a full- the Southeast Asian country. affect the liabilities of indi- Presidential spokesman “We are ready for the long International Crimi- blown investigation into Du- The Philippines left the viduals charged before the Harry Roque did not immedi- haul,” he told AFP. nal Court (ICC) can terte’s drug war that activists ICC in 2019 after the court International Criminal Court ately respond to a request for Duterte is not allowed to prosecuteT “government ac- estimate has killed tens of launched a preliminary exam- for acts committed up to this comment. seek re-election next year un- tors” for alleged crimes com- thousands of people. ination into the anti-narcotics date,” the 15 judges said in “This is good,” said Edre der the Philippine constitu- mitted before the country Duterte was elected in 2016 crackdown. the ruling, which dismissed Olalia, president of the Na- tion’s one-term limit. withdrew from the tribunal on a campaign promise to get But the full bench of the Su- a petition by six current and tional Union of People’s Law- But he has flagged the pos- – contradicting President Ro- rid of the country’s drug prob- preme Court disagreed, ruling former senators challenging yers, which is representing sibility of running for the vice- drigo Duterte’s assertion it has lem, and he openly ordered the ICC “retains jurisdiction Duterte’s decision to pull out some of the relatives of drug presidency. no jurisdiction. police to kill suspects if their over any and all acts commit- of the ICC. war victims in the case filed His daughter, Sara, is widely The Supreme Court ruling lives were in danger. ted by government actors until “This will keep Duterte with the ICC. expected to contest the top – made in March but released The president has said he March 17, 2019” – overlapping awake from now on,” said Olalia said he was confi- job and, if she were to win, in full to the public on July would never cooperate with the first three years of Duterte’s former senator and vocal dent there was enough evi- could help protect her father 21 – comes as prosecutors at an ICC probe, claiming the tri- presidency and drug war. critic Antonio Trillanes, who dence to prosecute Duterte, from criminal charges. AFP First Thailand mixed-jabs fatality ‘had underlying ills’

A 39-YEAR-OLD woman who died Her body has been sent for autopsy fatally infected with Covid-19, say when a leaked letter from AstraZene- ment was now negotiating to obtain one day after receiving her second at King Mongkut’s Hospital, with health authorities. ca to the Thai government revealed vaccines through Covax. dose of vaccine in the Thai govern- results on the cause of death expected Also on July 21, senior health official the vaccine manufacturer had prom- He added that the institute was also ment’s mixed-shot programme had soon. Dr Nakhon Premsri apologised to the ised to supply Thailand with only five- pushing to procure second-genera- underlying health issues, the Depart- A total of 14.8 million vaccine doses public for failing to provide enough to-six million doses per month. The tion vaccines as booster shots against ment of Disease Control (DDC) said have been administered in Thailand vaccines to combat Thailand’s deep- government had repeatedly claimed Delta variant in the first quarter of on July 21. since vaccinations began in March, as ening Covid-19 crisis. AstraZeneca would supply 10 million next year. Advance booking for the DDC deputy chief Dr Sophon Iam- frustration mounts over the slow pace The National Vaccine Institute direc- doses per month for the rest of the shots would be necessary, he said. sirithavorn said the woman, a teacher of the rollout. tor admitted that vaccine supplies year. Dr Supakit, meanwhile, said he with high blood pressure and a BMI Approximately 229 deaths after vac- may be insufficient due to the “unex- Amid a shortage of AstraZeneca understood the frustration of people of 31 – considered obese – received a cination have been reported, or 16 per pected situation” caused by the Delta doses, the ministry has turned to who are still waiting to be vaccinated Sinovac jab on June 28 and then an one million recipients. variant. The country recorded a new imports of Sinovac vaccine, but the but insisted that the health ministry’s AstraZeneca jab on July 19. The wom- Results from autopsies and panels daily high of 13,002 infections on July Chinese-made jabs have performed efforts are transparent and verifia- an, who was from the western prov- of investigating experts indicate the 21 with 108 fatalities. poorly against the Delta variant. ble. ince of Prachuap Khiri Khan, died on deaths were not caused directly by the Dr Nakhon was speaking alongside The letter also revealed that Astra- Addressing controversy over alloca- July 20. vaccine but were linked to underlying Department of Medical Sciences chief Zeneca had advised the Thai govern- tion of doses, he explained that the The 39-year-old was the first person chronic conditions. The most com- Dr Supakit Sirilak at a Ministry of Pub- ment in September to join the Covax National Vaccine Committee and to die after receiving alternate vac- mon of these are coronary artery dis- lic Health briefing called amid rising vaccine-sharing programme. Thai- various other panels were tasked with cines, which have so far been admin- ease and cerebrovascular disease. public criticism of the government’s land is one of only a few developing screening orders for vaccine from istered to 84,000 people, Dr Sophon The risk from vaccination remains vaccine-procurement programme. nations that have not joined Covax. various agencies. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ said. tiny compared to the risk of being Public anger was stirred on July 17 Dr Nakhon revealed that the govern- ASIA NEWS NETWORK Vietnam produces first test batch of Sputnik V shots

VIETNAM has manufactured country’s National Expanded regions of the world, RDIF is nik V vaccine starting in July touching the state budget. The vaccine makes use of the first test batch of Covid-19 Programme for Immunisation, increasing capacities for pro- with output of five million Sputnik V is one of the Covid- heterogeneous boosting, vaccine Sputnik V, according to as it is dealing with a severe duction of Sputnik V to speed doses a month. 19 vaccines that have a pub- meaning that it employs two an announcement by Russia’s fourth wave of infections while up the vaccination with one of Sputnik V vaccine, which licly available price – less than different vectors for the two sovereign wealth fund Russian the vaccine supply is still lim- the best vaccines in the enjoys the title of the world’s $10 a jab, and also can be stored shots in a course of vaccina- Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) ited. world.” first Covid-19 vaccine to be at standard refrigerator tem- tion, which the developer and Vietnamese pharmaceuti- RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev Vabiotech president Do Tuan approved for use, was given peratures – 2-8 degrees Celsius claims to provide longer cal company Vabiotech said in the statement: “RDIF Dat said he hoped the coop- conditional authorisation in – without the need for ultra- immunity than the ones that released on July 21. and Vabiotech are actively eration between RDIF and the Vietnam on March 23, follow- cold chain storage. use the same delivery mecha- The first samples taken from cooperating in the technology firm will “help provide quality ing AstraZeneca. According to the joint state- nism. this batch will be transported transfer process to provide and affordable Covid-19 vac- T&T, a private group in Viet- ment: “The Sputnik V vaccine As of July 21, 4,336,833 Covid- to the Gamaleya Centre, the easier access to Sputnik V for cines to Vietnam and other nam, has been approved by the is based on a proven and well- 19 vaccine shots have been Russian research institute that the population of Vietnam. Southeast Asian countries”. government to have negotia- studied platform of human administered in Vietnam, develops the Sputnik V vaccine, “As the pandemic is far from Earlier, Vietnamese health tions with RDIF for a deal of 40 adenoviral vectors, which cause mostly AstraZeneca, with for quality control. over and new, more dangerous minister Nguyen Thanh Long million Sputnik V vaccine dos- the common cold and have 317,672 people having the full The vaccines manufactured variants of coronavirus are said Vabiotech would be bot- es, using the budget that the been around for thousands of two doses. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS in Vietnam will be used in the being detected in various tling and packaging the Sput- group mobilised without years.” NETWORK 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

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EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Managing Editor Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor phuon Chansereivuth Chief of Staff phak Seangly Business Editor May Kunmakara Deputy Business Editor Sangeetha Amarthalingam Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk pan Simala Senior Reporters Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear Reporters Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long Kimmarita, Hin pisei, Hong Raksmey, pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha Photographers Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey Web Editor Leang phannara Digital Team Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy Desktop Publishing Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, Than Veasna SIEM REAP BUREAU A view of the reactor buildings and storage tanks for contaminated water at the TEPCO Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, in January 2018. afp Offi ce Manager Sophearith Blondeel PRODUCTION & PRINTING Nhim Sokphyrak Commercial and Graphic Designer More than a numbers game: Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith N-power key to Japan’s energy plan HEAD OFFICE thermal power was lowered tariff system. As a result, Japan night and being subject to energy supply to 20 per cent Post Media Co., Ltd. from a 56 per cent share to 41 is said to already rank highest weather conditions. If ther- in fiscal 2030. It is essential for The Elements Condominium Level 7, Opinion per cent. Nuclear power in the world in terms of mal power generation, which the government to take Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Editorial remained in the range of 20 to installed photovoltaic power makes up for these shortcom- responsibility by supporting Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom 22 per cent. generation capacity per unit of ings, is to be drastically Penh, Cambodia the restart of these reactors. HE government’s The basic plan supports the land area. There are few suita- Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 reduced, then the only alter- The draft plan does not men- medium- and long- Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 government’s goal of reducing ble places left for solar power natives are to expedite the tion the construction of new Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 term guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions by generation, and concerns are development of large-capaci- reactors or the rebuilding of SIEM REAP ensuring a stable 46 per cent from the fiscal 2013 growing over the development ty storage batteries or utilise existing facilities. It seems that supplyT of energy must not level by fiscal 2030. The focus of more land for solar power nuclear power plants. Nuclear the government did not want No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 end up as a mere display of was on how far to increase generation having disastrous plants are stable power sourc- to make the issue a point of COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT seemingly coherent numeri- renewable energy and how to effects, such as the destruction es that do not emit carbon contention in the next House Chief Operating Offi cer cal targets. The path to position nuclear power. of mountain forests. dioxide. of Representatives election. James Ong Soon Teck achieving a stable energy sup- The ratio of renewable The government intends to But when it comes to nucle- Even if the fiscal 2030 goal Advertising Department ply should be clearly marked. energy will almost double expand solar power genera- ar power, it will be difficult to can be achieved, the govern- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 The government has pre- from 18 per cent in fiscal tion through such measures achieve even the ratio that ment will then face its next Hun Channet, 017 578 768 sented a draft of its new basic 2019, but it must be said that as converting devastated was carried over from the cur- goal of reducing greenhouse prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 energy plan to an advisory the reason for this is unclear. farmland and using the rent plan. Although the latest gas emissions to virtually zero Keo puthy, 012 966 605 panel. It plans to make a cabi- It will be difficult to start full- rooftops of public facilities. draft continues to regard by 2050. However, even paing patrya, 081 872 202 net decision on the plan this scale operations of offshore However, many experts nuclear power as a “key though the maximum opera- Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 autumn after collecting opin- wind power generation, which believe that even such source of electricity” only 10 tional period of a nuclear CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION ions from the general public. holds enormous potential, by approaches will not be of the 27 nuclear reactors that reactor has been extended to Acting Distribution Manager In the draft, regarding the fiscal 2030 because it will take enough. The central govern- have applied for restarts since 60 years, the number of the Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 energy mix in fiscal 2030, the time to put the systems in ment needs to cooperate with the 2011 Great East Japan units will have decreased to Circulation Supervisor proportion of renewable place. The only renewable local governments and the Earthquake are currently in 23 in 2050. The government Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 energy sources such as solar option is solar power, which private sector to find a realis- operation. should start discussions on Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 power was raised from a can be installed quickly. tic build-up approach. It is said that unless all 27 building new reactors, or ADMINISTRATION range of 22 to 24 per cent in However, solar power gener- Solar power generation has reactors resume operation, it rebuilding existing ones, as Admin & HR Manager THE YOMIURI pich Socheat the current plan to a range of ation has increased rapidly due weak points, such as its ina- will be difficult to raise the soon as possible. SHIMBUN/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Assistants Admin & HR Manager 36 to 38 per cent, and that of to the government’s feed-in bility to generate electricity at nuclear share of the national Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Nomadland Real-life Paw winner Chloe Zhao to sit on Patrol keeps Venice film jury IRECTOR Chloe Zhao, fresh off her Nomadland best film Dwin at this year’s Academy Tokyo crime Awards, will sit on the jury of the upcoming Venice Film Festival, organisers said on Wednesday. The annual international festi- val, to be held on the glitzy island on a tether of Lido from September 1-11, T’S a neighbourhood Igarashi counts on seeing will be headed by Jury President watch with a differ- Sakura, a fluffy toy poodle, Bong Joon Ho, the South Korean ence. A clean-nosed when she’s on her way home director whose Parasite won an crew, sniffing out trou- from school. Oscar for best film in 2019. bleI and keeping the streets “Sometimes I’m scared Zhao, who was born in China but safe for school kids: meet when I’m coming home lives and works in the US, col- the pups of Tokyo’s real-life alone, but I feel okay when lected Venice’s top prize last year, Paw Patrol. I’m walking with Wan-Wan when Nomadland took home a They might not have the Patrol,” she said, gently cra- Golden Lion for best film before gadgets and gear of their be- going on to win a slew of awards dling Sakura on her lap. Some 150 pups form the local Wan-Wan Patrol, a programme that enlists dogs and their owners to turn loved cartoon counterparts, Sakura is one of 150 pups their daily walks into a neighbourhood watch. AFP at the Oscars this year, including but the dogs of the Wan-Wan who form the Wan-Wan Pa- best director and best picture. (bow-wow) Patrol are firm trol, a programme that en- monitoring children, look- of the patrol and can no lon- But there are occasional Venice’s six-person jury also favourites in Tokyo’s Kara- lists dogs and their owners ing out for residents, and ger walk by herself. But she tragedies, including a dev- includes directors Saverio Costanzo suyama neighbourhood. to turn their daily walks into helping deter crime. proudly participates from astating accident last month from Italy and Romania’s Alexander Twelve-year-old Yurika a neighbourhood watch, The Karasuyama pro- the comfort of a doggy stroll- east of Tokyo in which a Nanau, British actress and singer gramme is one of the oldest er pushed by her owner. drunk driver crashed his Cynthia Erivo, Belgian-French such community initiatives truck into a group of school- actress Virginie Efira and Canadian in Japan and was founded ‘Carefree’ play children, killing two. actress Sarah Gadon. by a local police officer. “The programme helps us Jun Ameie, principal at the The Venice Film Festival is “Individual owners walk get to know each other and local Kyuden Elementary the world’s oldest and among whenever they can and have become good neighbours, School, said the neighbour- the most prestigious, rivalling their dog wear the same and I feel this place stays hood watch helps reassure Cannes and Berlin. AFP scarf,” said Keiko Shimizu, safe that way,” said Michiko parents and children alike. the patrol’s current leader. Takeuchi, owner of poodle “Parents appreciate that Clearly marked canines and Maltese mix Kojiro, and many people in the neigh- patrolling the streets means mother to a local schoolboy. bourhood care and make “we can help make the And the patrol isn’t just for sure the environment is neighbourhood less prone show. safe, especially these days to crime,” she added. “We had a member who when we hear a lot of reports Many of the dog owners found an elderly person who about crimes involving chil- are parents of current and had passed away alone,” pa- dren,” he said. former students of the local trol leader Shimizu said. “I’m sure that children can school, but others just par- “They realised by noticing play carefree outside of school ticipate in the community a room light still on in the and anywhere in the neigh- watch as residents. morning. We walk at around bourhood, because they know On one recent morning, the same hours on the same many adults keep their eyes five pooches in Wan-Wan route everyday, so it’s easier on their safety,” Ameie added. Patrol’s lime-green necker- for us to notice if there is For young Igarashi, the chiefs wagged their tails as something unusual.” cuddly canines are a reliable they accompanied children Japan has a reputation source of comfort. Chloe Zhao, nominated for best director for Nomadland, arrives at the Oscars going to elementary school. as one of the world’s saf- “Of course, it’s fun to walk on April 25, at Union Station in Los A nine-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier waits to take part in the Pu, a 17-year-old shih tzu, est countries, with very low with the dogs, but I also feel Angeles. AFP ‘Wan-Wan Patrol’ to an elementary school in Tokyo. AFP is one of the oldest members rates of violent crime. protected by them.” AFP Israel to host 70th Miss Universe in Rea Sea city Eilat ISRAEL is to host Miss Universe the 70th in the series. Delega- for the first time, staging the tions from around 100 coun- televised beauty pageant in the tries are expected in Israel for Red Sea resort of Eilat, the tour- the event which will be ism ministry said on Tuesday. broadcast across the world. “I fully hope that in Decem- The tourism ministry quot- ber we will be celebrating not ed Miss Universe Organisa- only the new Miss Universe tion president Paula M Shu- here in Israel, but most gart as saying Israel had been importantly, the end of the on the shortlist of host coun- world pandemic,” Tourism tries for years “due to its rich Minister Yoel Razvozov said history, beautiful landscapes, in a video statement. and myriad of cultures”. The 2020 pageant was can- The pageant has drawn celled because of the Covid- criticism in the past for 19 pandemic, but in May objectifying the contestants. Miss Mexico Andrea Meza In recent years, it has was crowned Miss Universe shifted its image, focusing in Florida. more on female empower- Andrea Meza of Mexico was named Miss Universe 2020 in Hollywood, Florida. Israel is to host Miss Universe for the first time in December. AFP December’s pageant will be ment and activism. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

French cultivated meat start-up Gourmey co-founders Nicolas Morin-Forest (centre), Victor Sayous (left) and Antoine Davydoff (right) pose in Paris on July 19. AFP Paris start-up sees a future for lab-grown alternative foie gras t’s the quintessential won’t be enough,” Morin-For- been brought in to help fine- French delicacy, but in- est said. tune the results. creasingly targeted by Housed in a university re- “It has taken us over 600 at- animal welfare activists: search lab, Gourmey has tempts. Several times a week ICan foie gras grown from spent the past two years de- we taste different formulas, duck cells find a place at the veloping their process for and we’ve ended up with a “HURRY!” table for gourmet food fans? faux livers able to pass mus- recipe that is pretty decent, That’s the goal for Gourmey, ter with chefs and food fans. even if it’s not yet perfect,” ACROSS stereotypes 25 Jewish teacher a Paris-based venture that Morin-Forest said. ‘90 per cent there’ 1 City in central New York 54 McDonald’s and Wendy’s, for two 26 They’re crossed in Olympic raised $10 million from Eu- 61 Cool in manner competition Will it fly? 6 No longer is ropean and US investors this Its founders include Antoine 9 Form of sorcery 62 Squealer 27 “___, I’m Adam” (palindrome) month to perfect its recipe for Davydoff, a cellular biologist, With its latest funding round, 14 Clear plastic wrap 63 Fiber from the East 29 Shopping binge making fattened duck liver in and Victor Sayous, a doctoral Gourmey will move to a 1,000- 15 Gasteyer, formerly of “SNL” 64 Italian resort isle 30 Related on mom’s side a lab. student in molecular biology, square-metre facility in central 16 One kind of wave 65 67.5 degrees, in terms of dir. 31 Microwave frequency device “There’s a very strong need and they now have around 20 Paris aimed at proving to inves- 17 “Give me ___” (“Call me”) 66 Type of angle 32 Sound leader? for an alternative to regular foie employees. tors the viability of large-scale 18 Grassy square 67 English county 34 Did more than walked gras, a controversial product “In terms of taste and tex- production. 19 Fly without an engine 68 “Cheers” character Malone 35 Explosive stuff that needs to re-invent itself,” ture, we’re 90 per cent there,” The start-up also aims to 20 How speeders like to travel 69 Change in Chihuahua 37 Music from Jamaica said Nicolas Morin-Forest, one said Sayous, who hails from lower its costs and plans to 23 Habitual litterbug, e.g. DOWN 38 Not accurate of Gourmey’s three founders. the foie gras heartland of start growing chicken, turkey 24 Bone in the human arm 1 Colorado Springs Acad. 40 “Harry Potter” villain Malfoy “We want to show that cul- southwest France. and duck meats. 25 Crucial sleep stage 2 Noted literary plantation 41 You get them lying down 3 Blue flag, e.g. 46 “President” follower tured meat is not limited to “Last Christmas I served it But first its foie gras will 28 “Saturday Night Fever” setting 4 Pitches to one side 47 T-shaped cross burgers but can also be used to my family on toast, along- need certification from health 30 Earthbound bird 33 Detached 5 Heavenly being 49 Accumulate for future use for gastronomic products,” side traditional foie gras, authorities – so far only Singa- 6 Horseradish condiment 50 Paste on, as a stamp he said. without telling them. Some pore has approved lab-grown 36 Classified 39 Quaint place to stay 7 Bartlett abbr. 52 Purse attachment Duck livers, a speciality of were blown away and hadn’t meat, for chicken nuggets 42 Certain seedpod bearer 8 Pharisee’s rival 53 Park, in Monopoly southwest France in particu- noticed the difference,” he made by a US firm. 43 It’s before noon? 9 Keyboard kin 54 Commonly reflected image lar, are prized either on their said. Initially Gourmey will look 44 Real attachment 10 Very light wood 55 “Woe is me” own – star chef Alain Ducasse Their recipe starts with tak- to market its livers in the US 45 Adroit 11 Correct a manuscript 56 Soaks (up) has served it seared with ing cells from the fertilised and Asia, “where there is 48 Stat for a pitcher 12 Handy assistant 57 Another “SNL” alum, ___ Carvey braised pears – or cooked as duck egg and placing them both an obvious need and a 49 Baglike anatomy structures 13 A gardener or farmer, sometimes 58 Plural of 30-Across a velvety foie gras pate. in an aluminium “cultivator” more advanced regulatory 51 Mobsters speak with one in 21 “Twilight Zone” writer Serling 59 Michael Jackson’s brother It is obtained by force-feed- where they swim in a nutri- climate,” Morin-Forest said. 22 Botanist’s concern 60 Meets, as a bet ing ducks with a tube stuck ent solution maintained at 37 Closer to home, requests down their throats, a prac- degrees Celsius. will be evaluated by the Euro- Thursday’s solution tice denounced by critics as As the cells divide and mul- pean Food Safety Authority. unnecessarily cruel and dis- tiply, their “food” is adjusted But winning over officials tressing for the animals. to promote the growth of might prove tricky. California has outlawed liver cells that are ready after “Count on me, in France foie gras sales for years and two to three weeks. meat will always be natural and New York plans to do so next A little vegetable fat is then never artificial!” Agriculture year. added to obtain the creamy Minister Julien Denormandie Britain prohibits foie gras consistency, and chefs have tweeted last December. AFP production and is weighing a ban on sales, while European Parliament lawmakers pro- posed last month to prohibit the forced feeding of ducks or geese, another source of foie gras. Thursday’s solution Mass meat production is also in the cross-hairs of environmental campaign- ers who say the industry consumes too much water and energy while producing huge amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas. “With more 9.5 billion hu- man beings on the planet in 2050, we’re going to have to be producing much more meat – the conventional models that A millefeuille of potatos, foie gras and black garlic prepared by Le require significant resources Carroussel restaurant’s chef Olivier Said. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport One last stint for the ‘Iron Tulip’ to coach Dutch football team

Dutch football and Louis Norway on September 1. van Gaal have closed a deal The Netherlands, under De which will see the “Iron Tulip” Boer, already lost 4-2 against return for one last stint as Turkey in a World Cup qualify- national coach, a news report ing game and a further reverse said late Wednesday. against Norway will make Van Gaal, 69, has agreed to qualification much harder, lead the talented but inexperi- the paper pointed out. enced Dutch eleven to the 2022 Van Gaal’s second stint with World Cup in Qatar, the tabloid the national team in 2014 saw De Telegraaf reported. them take third place at the The Royal Dutch Football World Cup in Brazil. Federation and Van Gaal, He then went on to take up “have just reached an agree- a coaching job with Manches- ment that will see the new ter United, but was uncere- national coach set off on his moniously axed by the club third stint,” the paper said. two days after winning the FA After years as a “temporary Cup in 2016. pensioner in Portugal, he Van Gaal at the time said inevitably has pushed back winning the FA Cup with the his retirement again,” it said. Red Devils “was the greatest The KNVB did not immedi- achievement of my career”. ately confirm the report. The often brash and The no-nonsense manager’s straight-talking Van Gaal appointment follows the res- announced his “retirement” British and Irish Lions’ hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie (centre) scores a try during the rugby union tour match between Stormers and the British and ignation of Frank de Boer late in January 2017. Irish Lions at The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 17. AFP last month after the Nether- “Both the football federa- lands’ dismal Euro 2020 last- tion and fans believe that the 16 elimination by the Czech coach that took the team to Republic. bronze in 2014 – especially Since then, the KNVB has after the Euro 2020 disap- Springboks release 10 players scrambled to find a replace- pointment – can get the max- ment ahead of the team’s imum out of the team,” said before matchday with Lions next international against De Telegraaf. AFP

outh Africa head A key figure in the 2019R ug- several years,” said the suc- Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya coach Jacques Nien- by World Cup-winning team, cessor to World Cup-winning Kolisi (captain), Frans Mal- aber has released Vermeulen had ankle surgery coach Rassie Erasmus, who herbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi 10 players from his after being injured in a do- has returned to his national Mbonambi, Franco Mos- squadS ahead of the three Tests mestic match. rugby director role. tert, Ox Nche, Trevor Nya- against the British and Irish Vermeulen is one of five kane, Marvin Orie, Nicolaas Lions in Cape Town, starting World Cup winners not in the Revised Springbok squad Janse van Rensburg, Kwagga on Saturday. revised squad. Tendai ‘The Backs: Damian de Allende, Smith, RG Snyman, Marco That leaves 37 Springboks – Beast’ Mtawarira, Schalk Brits Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fas- van Staden, Pieter-Steph du the matchday 23 announced and Francois Louw have re- si, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jasper on Tuesday for the first Test tired and Warrick Gelant is Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Wiese plus 14 others who will watch injured. Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Makazole the first Test from the stand. “The fact that most of the Mapimpi, Sibusiso Nkosi, Released Veteran loose forward players participated in the Handre Pollard, Cobus Rein- Backs: Sanele Nohamba, Duane Vermeulen is not in Rugby World Cup means they ach, Willie le Roux, Francois Yaw Penxe, Wandisile Simela- either the retained or released know one another well on and Steyn, Morne Steyn, Damian ne, Rosko Specman lists with Springboks spokes- off the field,” said Nienaber. Willemse Forwards: Lizo Gqoboka, Fez Mbatha, Scarra Ntubeni, Coe- man Rayaan Adriaanse saying “As coaches we know what Forwards: Joseph Dweba, Louis van Gaal (left) shakes hands with Bayern Munich’s German head “he is currently undergoing they have to offer having Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etze- nie Oosthuizen, Dan du Preez, coach Niko Kovac (right) prior to the UEFA Champions League Group E rehabilitation with the Bulls”. worked with most of them for beth, Lood de Jager, Steven Jean-Luc du Preez. AFP football match on October 2, 2018. AFP Oosthuizen back on PGA course after more frustration

After another major near-miss The 38-year-old from Mossel Bay World number nine Oosthuizen This week’s key question is how tions helped push him to skip the at Royal St. George’s, disappointed won the 2010 British Open but has set- arrived for Thursday’s start at TPC well is he for the challenge of getting Tokyo Olympics. South African Louis Oosthuizen re- tled for six runner-up major finishes Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, af- back into a tour event when his next “It was not an easy decision. I was turns to chasing his first US victory and two more third-place efforts since ter sharing third place Sunday at the major test won’t come until the Mas- very keen on going to the Olympics, at this week’s PGA 3M Open. his lone major triumph at St. Andrews. British Open behind US winner Col- ters next April. but they didn’t really make it easy for lin Morikawa. “You’re a little bit more tired,” he us,” he said. “There was no way of me “Very disappointing the way I said. “I’m not doing much this week working with my physio there that played the stretch of holes there in on the range. Just resting up and week. He couldn’t go, so that made the middle of the round,” Oosthui- waiting to start and just try and get my decision a little bit easier.” zen said Wednesday. the mind as fresh as I can. “Gave it a good push on the back “I know the game is there, I’m ‘I’ll take motivation’ nine. In the end I was just too far swinging well and I’m putting Oosthuizen said he was proud of behind, needed to force things and nicely, so I just need to not make his major efforts in 2021. couldn’t make up the shots.” that many thinking errors. That “Being able to perform at majors Oosthuizen departed without happens when you come off a ma- is what it’s all about, but yeah, being speaking to reporters about his lat- jor week. You’re a little bit out there that close, you want the second one,” est frustrations, but said his feelings with the few decisions you make, he said. “You also look back and look were what one would expect after but it’s the one thing I’m trying to at it as you came that close and you having also shared second behind avoid this week.” couldn’t get it. Phil Mickelson at the PGA Champi- Chasing another title could be the “But I’ll still have hopefully quite a onship in May and taken runner-up best medicine after another major few majors in me and hopefully I can spot behind Spain’s Jon Rahm in failure, Oosthuizen said. get another one under the belt.” June’s US Open. “I think I’m glad that I entered in Oosthuizen is glad to have a break “You don’t want to always talk this event to sort of get back in there from majors after seven in the past about close again, finishing second, and play and not really sit around year. finishing third,” Oosthuizen said. “I at home and thinking about the “It’s great if you felt like your game South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen acknowledges the crowd at the end of his final round wasn’t really up for that conversa- disappointing Sunday last week,” was really good and you’re playing on day 4 of The 149th British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George’s, Sandwich tion right there. It was disappointing he said. well,” he said. “But it’s nice to take a in southeast England on July 18. AFP walking off the golf course.” Oosthuizen said Covid-19 restric- bit of a breather.” AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 23, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Sport under way at Tokyo Olympics as Brisbane awarded 2032 Games

he sports programme at the Tokyo Olympics finally got under way on Wednesday, without spectators and a year lateT after the coronavirus pandemic forced the Games to be postponed. As the action began in Japan two days before Friday’s opening cer- emony, Brisbane won a vote of In- ternational Olympic Committee members to host the 2032 Summer Games, triggering celebrations and fireworks in the city. Brisbane, which will become the third Australian city to organise the Olympics after Melbourne and Syd- ney, was chosen as the single candi- date earlier in the bidding process. “We know what it takes to deliver a successful Games,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said by live link from Canberra before the vote. The decision means the hosts for the next three Summer Olympics are in place, with Paris holding the event in 2024 and Los Angeles organising the 2028 Games. Softball starts the sport In Japan, the very first event saw the host nation thrash Australia 8-1 in softball in disaster-hit Fukushima, a venue chosen to underline Tokyo’s Fireworks fill the sky after Brisbane was named host of the 2032 Olympics during the announcement of the host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, in Brisbane on Wednesday.AFP original slogan as the “Recovery and Reconstruction Games” after the World Health Organisation chief in the world in the women’s skeet, Stina Blackstenius scored twice but it was amazing to watch these region was ravaged by the 2011 tsu- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told became the first to be ruled out of and Lina Hurtig added a third goal top-quality players show their skills,” nami and nuclear disaster. IOC members on Wednesday that the the Games after testing positive for to give 2016 silver medallists Sweden Hikari said at Miyagi Stadium. The game took place in an empty Games could never be “zero risk”. coronavirus. a dream start and inflict the Ameri- “This won’t happen again in my stadium as spectators are barred for “There is no zero risk in life; there cans’ first defeat in 45 matches. lifetime, so it’s a really precious most of the events at the Olympics is only more risk, or less risk. And Sweden pull off first shock Despite the ban on spectators at opportunity.” following a surge in coronavirus cases you have done your best,” he told Great Britain and the USA both most of the Olympic venues, some In the first drugs case of the To- in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. the socially distanced, mask-wear- took the knee before their openers fans were able to watch the first kyo Games, Australian showjumper The sound of the ball hitting the bat ing delegates. in women’s football, after a ban on events. Jamie Kermond was provisionally reverberated around the Azuma Stadi- “The mark of success in the com- protests was eased to allow political In Miyagi Prefecture, one of the first suspended after testing positive for um, with a backdrop of wooded hills. ing fortnight is not zero cases . . . The gestures pre-match. areas to still allow spectators, 59-year- cocaine on June 26. The Olympics are being staged mark of success is making sure that Britain beat Chile 2-0 but four- old Hikari Nojiri and her husband Ka- Under Australia’s anti-doping pol- in biosecure “bubble” conditions, any cases are identified, isolated, time champions USA, featuring for- zuhiko, 61, saw Brazil crush China 5-0 icy, he now has the opportunity to with athletes tested daily and un- traced and cared for as quickly as mer world player of the year Megan and Zambia play the Netherlands in have his B-sample analysed. Austra- der orders to stay socially distanced possible,” he added. Rapinoe, suffered the first shock of the women’s football tournament. lian reports said Kermond did not and wear masks when not compet- Four competitors, including British the Games as they went down 3-0 “It was great. It was disappointing travel to Tokyo with the rest of the ing, training, eating or sleeping. shooter Amber Hill, the number one to Sweden. that there weren’t many fans there, team. AFP Djokovic chases Golden Slam, Osaka top Olympic tennis

With three Grand Slams While Djokovic pursues an over mental health concerns. retire in the Wimbledon first Williams, Nadal and Andre to boycott all media activity at already to his name this year, elusive Olympic gold medal in Five of the men’s top 10 play- round and destroyed her latest Agassi have claimed career the tournament. Novak Djokovic can take anoth- an event decimated by a raft of ers will be absent, with 2008 attempt to win a record-equal- Golden Slams. The four-time major cham- er step towards history in Tokyo, withdrawals, including those of Olympic champion Nadal the ling 24th Grand Slam. Djokovic exited the 2016 edi- pion consequently set off a where Naomi Osaka will have Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, most notable. Dominic Thiem Among the other absentees tion in tears after a first-round debate about mental health, the support of the host nation Osaka will draw plenty of atten- has opted to sit out as well, are Simona Halep, who is still loss to Juan Martin del Potro, and likened post-match news behind her as one of the stars of tion as she returns following her along with Wimbledon finalist nursing a calf problem, former who denied the Serb bronze conferences to “kicking people the Olympics. shock French Open pull-out Matteo Berrettini and Canada’s US Open winner Bianca four years earlier in London. when they’re down”. Denis Shapovalov. Andreescu and surprise 2016 But he arrives in Japan brim- She later revealed her battle Roger Federer, hit with a fresh gold medallist Monica Puig. ming with confidence, his vic- with depression and anxiety in setback in his recovery from a Djokovic, 34-3 this season, is tories at the Australian Open, a post on social media, saying knee injury, pulled out earlier the undoubted favourite for the Roland Garros and Wimbledon she wanted to take time away this month. The Swiss star, who men’s title. He starts against putting him level with Federer from the game to get better. turns 40 in August, saw his last 139th-ranked Hugo Dellien of and Nadal on 20 Grand Slams. Osaka’s route to gold at Ariake shot at Olympic singles glory go Bolivia. If successful here, he Japan’s Kei Nishikori, a bronze Tennis Park begins with a first- with it. would need the US Open to medallist at Rio, dreams of round tie against China’s Zheng Andy Murray will defend his become the first man to capture another deep run at home, Saisai. title as he bids for a third gold in the Golden Grand Slam. while Daniil Medvedev, Ste- Poland’s Iga Swiatek, last a row, but the former world fanos Tsitsipas and Alexander year’s French Open winner and number one is ranked a lowly Graf’s golden year Zverev are the primary threats a doubles gold medallist at the 104th following a long battle The calendar Golden Slam to Djokovic. 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos against injury. has only ever been achieved Osaka is preparing for a Aires, could await her in the Serena Williams is missing once in the women’s game when much-awaited comeback after quarter-finals, with Ashleigh from the women’s draw. The Steffi Graf swept the board of all her bombshell decision to quit Barty, the newly-crowned Wim- Naomi Osaka hits a shot during training at the Ariake Tennis Park American was left “heartbro- four majors and Olympic gold the French Open following the bledon champion, the top ahead of the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Tuesday. AFP ken” by a slip that forced her to at Seoul in 1988. bitter fall-out from her decision seed. AFP