N U MB E R 3485 ssue I wednesday, august 12, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL

rotten pork and cambodia ‘needs Duterte takes chicken innards to upgrade tech’, Russia’s covid seized in Siem Reap undp report says vaccine offer national – page 2 business – page 6 world – Page 10 Garment workers hung out to dry Khorn Savi by apparel brands and State-sanc- apparel brands and retailers to take tories in Cambodia had closed and factories and 80,000 workers in 1996. tioned wage cuts implemented responsibility to ensure that all work- not paid their workers. Among the 80 By January last year, the numbers ILLIONS of garment because of the crisis. ers in their supply chains receive factories that shut down, most did not increased to nearly 1,000 factories workers in South and The CCC estimated that across South their full wages as per labour laws pay the workers any wages, he said. and almost 810,000 workers. Southeast Asian coun- and Southeast Asia, garment workers and international standards. He alleged that there were many The government previously tries have not received received an average of 38 per cent less This would require brands to com- corrupt employers in Cambodia who declared it would pay $40 per month Mtheir regular wages or were not paid than their regular income for March, mit to soliciting funds, providing used Covid-19 as an excuse not to to garment factory workers whose at all in March, April or May due to April and May. In some regions in India, direct contributions and working compensate workers. job were suspended, with employers the Covid-19 pandemic, said a report workers received more than 50 per cent together with other stakeholders to The Post could not contact Ministry on the hook for an additional $30 in released on Monday by Clean Clothes less than their regular income. ensure that all workers making and of Labour and Vocational Training support each month. Campaign (CCC). The report said wage losses of gar- handling their products receive the spokesman Heng Sour for comment Garment Manufacturers Association A global network dedicated to ment workers in the region, exclud- wages they are owed, the report said. on Tuesday. in Cambodia secretary-general Ken empowering garment workers, it said ing China, were estimated to equate The president of the Cambodian Labour minister Ith Sam Heng said Loo said some factories are having several factors created the disastrous to between $3.2 and $5.8 billion. Labour Confederation (CLC), Ath in January last year that Cambodia financial problems, making it difficult scenario, including cancelled orders Clean Clothes Campaign called on Thorn, said on Tuesday that some fac- had about 60 garment and footwear to pay the workers their wages. Gov’t to suspend Philippine flights as Covid cases up

Khorn Savi ried 119 Chinese passengers, including the 13 Chinese THE government will temporar- nationals who tested positive. ily suspend flights from the Phil- Two Cambodian females ippines starting Thursday after who also arrived on Sunday 13 passengers arriving from the from the US via Taiwan tested ASEAN country tested positive positive, including a 13-year- for Covid-19 on Sunday. old girl. They were among 72 On Tuesday, the Ministry of passengers on the flight Health reported 15 new which departed the US. imported Covid-19 cases, with The government previ- the other two patients arriving ously suspended flights from from the US via Taiwan. Indonesia and Malaysia after A ministry press release on noticing a large number of Tuesday said Prime Minister Covid-19 cases being import- Hun Sen had decided to tem- ed from the two countries. porarily suspend flights from Hun Sen announced on the Philippines because Sunday that Covid-19 contin- among ASEAN members, no ued to threaten lives and country has recorded more economies throughout the Covid-19 infections. world. But he confirmed that On Monday, the Philippine the situation in Cambodia was Wasting away Ministry of Health reported not as serious as there had yet Workers collect rubbish in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district. The Ministry of Environment is seeking funding from 6,958 new cases, the highest to be community transmis- Japan to support its plastic waste management project across the country. HONG MENEA sTORY > 4 number of daily cases to be sion in the Kingdom. recorded by the country. It The Ministry of Health has brought the total number of reiterated its calls on people cases to 136,638. The Philip- to take precautionary meas- Bhutan orders nationwide lockdown pines also recorded 24 deaths ures to prevent human-to- due to Covid-19 on Monday, human transmission as the BHUTAN has been largely China, has recorded just 113 a doctor who continues to after a Bhutanese woman who bringing the total number of five-day replacement holiday shielded from coronavirus but novel coronavirus cases and is practice on weekends. had returned from Kuwait and fatalities to 2,293. for Khmer New Year approach- on Tuesday, the remote Hima- one of the few nations to report “Everyone is asked to stay was released from quarantine The country’s capital, Manila, es next week. layan kingdom which is zero deaths. home to protect themselves after 30 days, tested positive and its surrounding areas have In a press release, it said famous for measuring gross The lockdown ordered in the from the disease, should there around 10 days later. been closed again to prevent another Covid-19 patient has national happiness went into early hours of Tuesday allows be undetected, rampant trans- Three rapid antibody tests the spread of Covid-19. been discharged from hospi- lockdown for the first time. only essential services for an missions,” a statement from were positive during her time The flight which arrived from tal, bringing the total number The country of 800,000 peo- initial five to six days, said his office said. the Philippines on Sunday car- of recoveries to 220. ple, located between India and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, The announcement came Continued – page 9

THE PHNOM PENH POST Kingdom lauded for stand National News against money laundering Inside page 3 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Commune chief to appear in court over land dispute

Soth Koemsoeun trict authority, but there was no solution because a A DEPUTY commune chief land broker, Tola, had mon- and a land trader were sum- ey and power to process the moned by the Phnom Penh document. Tola, who Sideth Municipal Court on Monday said is backed by powerful to explain a 17ha dispute in people, handed over the Por Sen Chey district. signed land document to Trapeang Krasang first Phoun. deputy commune chief “I will wait to see what the Sim Phoun and alleged court does,” he said. land trader Chuy Tola were Phoun could not be sought by the prosecutor af- reached for comment on ter a complaint was filed in Tuesday but appeared in July by commune resident court on Monday. Tola has Ly Sokyou. not appeared in court. Sokyou has alleged four Trapeang Krasang com- offences – offences against mune chief Huot Ratha said public officials, incitement on Monday he did not know to commit acts against pub- anything about the disput- lic officials, using violence ed land and did not know against property occupants when Phoun signed the land and intentionally damaging document. property. “I do not know about the Almost one tonne of tainted chicken and pork innards were seized and set ablaze by officials as the search for their owner continues. Fresh News I do not know about the land dispute, I do not know when Authorities seize rotten pork, Sim Phoun signed the land documents.

His lawyer Pheng Sideth land dispute, I do not know chicken innards in Siem Reap told The Post on Tuesday when Sim Phoun signed that his client had a proper the land documents. I do Kim Sarom Forestry and Fisheries stopped the owner yet. Police are on Production and Treatment land ownership certificate not know anything,” Ratha the pickup truck in Siem Reap the lookout for him to solve Office chief Prum Vich said (hard title) issued by the said. IEM Reap provincial au- town because it was transport- the problem,” Theara said. it ordered the driver to sign Department of Land Man- Deputy prosecutor Song thorities are searching ing several boxes of meat which The driver confessed that a contract, promising not to agement, Urban Planning Chavoan said on Tuesday for the owner of nearly gave off a foul odour. he transported the meat transport tainted products in and Construction in Phnom she could not confirm the one tonne of rotten pork He said the pickup truck and from Poipet town in Ban- the future. Penh in 2000. court’s questioning proce- andS chicken innards which was its contents were being held by teay Meanchey province and “Under the law on Animal The other party, Sideth dure and had not arrested found in a pickup truck in Siem officials. The driver claimed he was heading to Phnom Penh Health and Animal Produc- said, held duplicate docu- Phoun. Reap town on Monday. The was only transporting the goods through Siem Reap province. tion, the owner is fined, but ments like a certificate of “I couldn’t tell you the products were illegally import- and was not the owner. He After questioning the driver we could not find the owner, land ownership issued in procedure for questioning, ed from Thailand. made a phone call to the owner and impounding the meat, so we must destroy the meat. 2014 by Trapeang Kras- please ask the court spokes- The provincial deputy po- to solve the problem, but when police turned the rotten “Amid the Covid-19 pan- ang commune. Phoun, was person, he may provide some lice chief in charge of anti- the owner found out the police goods over to the Production demic, traders should not im- the signatory on the land answers. economic crimes Mork Theara had confiscated the goods, the and Treatment Office at the port such spoilt meat as they document. “We haven’t arrested the said on Tuesday that police phone call went dead. Department of Agriculture, contain chemical substances Sideth said his client com- suspect. We have already and officials from the provin- “It is pork and chicken and Forestry and Fisheries, where which affect the health when plained to local authorities questioned him and let him cial department of Agriculture, up to now, we have not found officials destroyed them. consumed,” Vich said. and the Por Sen Chey dis- return home,” she said.

Probe ordered into policewomen’s sexual harassment allegations

Mom Kunthear as they were threatened. They also feared it would affect their family lives. INTERIOR Minister Sar Kheng has or- “We have complained about him dered a probe into sexual harassment in the past, but we did not get jus- allegations filed by four policewomen tice. We have no other way besides from the Kampong Thom police force. requesting help from Deputy Prime He is also a deputy prime minister. Minister Sar Kheng. [Kosal] commit- The women accused Kampong ted the acts. He is the boss and we are Thom provincial police chief Ouk weak,” the officers wrote. Kosal of harassing them. Kampong Thom provincial gover- Commissioner-General of the Na- nor Sok Lou told The Post that experts tional Police Neth Savoeun has been from the Ministry of Interior and the ordered to urgently investigate the National Police Commissioner-Gen- matter. Ministry secretary of state eral’s office are working on the case. Chan Aan and Kampong Thom pro- “Please let experts work first. I can- vincial governor Sok Lou are also not make assumptions before an in- looking into the matter. vestigation,” said Lou. “I cannot decide about this case yet as Cambodian Centre for Human we have to wait for experts to look into Rights (CCHR) executive director it first,” Sar Kheng said on Tuesday. Chak Sopheap said to tackle the issue It’s not the first time Kosal’s actions of harassment against women, all of- have put him on Sar Kheng’s radar. fenders have to be punished accord- Sar Kheng issued warning letters in ing to the law regardless of position. March to the police chief regarding Removing the culture of impunity how he was careless in leading and will ensure ethical values, dignity managing his forces. He threatened and order in society, he said. to remove him from his position. “It is not about restricting wom- A letter with the four fingerprints en’s clothes but addressing the root of the female police officers was sent causes of sexual harassment. I hope to Sar Kheng and released on July 30. all who claim to support women’s Four policewomen accuse Kampong Thom provincial police chief Ouk Kosal of engaging in misconduct since 2018, but they dared It said Kosal engaged in misconduct dignity will take part in providing not protest as they were threatened. police since 2018, but they dared not protest justice to them,” she said. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Kingdom lauded for stand Sar Kheng warns against torture of against money laundering detained suspects Niem Chheng Niem Chheng with suspected irregularities. PROMINENT civil society of- “After the committee creat- ficial applauded the Kingdom’s MINISTER of Interior Sar ed a workshop to raise aware- efforts in its fight against mon- Kheng on Monday reminded ness and issued guidance, we ey laundering after the Phnom relevant officials not to torture noticed improvements in the PenhA Municipal Court recently handed detained individuals to extract treatment of detainees around down prison sentences to five Chinese information as it constitutes a the Kingdom,” Saarn said. nationals for bringing in an undeclared human rights violation. The ministry said as of July sum of $1.75 million. At an induction ceremony 10, there are 39,316 detain- Last month, the court sentenced the for newly inaugurated mem- ees at 28 detention centres in five, including one in absentia, to two bers of the National Commit- the Kingdom, including 2,571 years each for their involvement in two tee Against Torture, Sar Kheng women. The number includes separate cases committed last year. said extracting information 8,900 criminal suspects, 4,649 The first involved four suspects – Yang from individuals accused of accused, 14,817 convicts and Yongwei, Huang Canming, Li Zheng wrongdoing is important to 10,950 prisoners. Zheng and Wu Li. Yang, Huang and Li serving justice. Cambodia Centre for Hu- were arrested on July 9, last year, while But, he said, it must be man Rights (CCHR) executive trying to bring in an undeclared sum of procured in a just manner. director Chak Sopheap said $900,000 through the Phnom Penh In- Torture and degrading treat- on Tuesday that Cambodia ternational Airport. Wu, the alleged mas- Three Chinese nationals were arrested while trying to bring in an undeclared sum of $900,000 ment, he stressed, are not had ratified the UN Con- termind, was tried in absentia. from Hong Kong through the Phnom Penh International Airport in July last year. fresh news necessary means to be used vention against Torture and The court’s ruling announced on July against detainees. Other Cruel, Inhuman or De- 13, this year, said Yang, Huang and Li Post on Monday that an effective inves- laws on money laundering and terror- “Such actions are illegal and grading Treatment or Punish- brought the money from Hong Kong on tigation leading to the prosecution of ism financing, and the law on counter- seriously violate human rights. ment, which prohibits torture Wu’s instruction. criminals involved in money launder- proliferation financing. It affects the person’s integrity, by State authorities. The court ordered them to pay a 40 ing was one of the most crucial steps The promulgation is seen as part of the causes pain, and could lead Sopheap said despite the million riel ($9,750) fine each, and also in Cambodia’s anti-money laundering country’s serious commitment and effort to endless vengeance against legal protections, torture still issued an arrest warrant for Wu. campaign, as recommended by the Fi- in a joint fight with other international each other,” he said. occurred in detention centres In the second case, the same court sen- nancial Action Task Force (FATF). organisations and countries against He said the anti-torture com- and more needed to be done tenced Liao Jingoing, 49, to two years in “I applaud the Ministry of Justice and money laundering and terrorism. mittee had inspected deten- to prevent it. prison and ordered him to pay a fine of 12 the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for Government spokesman Phay Siphan tion centres and a small num- “Between November 1, last million riel for bringing in an undeclared this significant effort. Cambodia has said as a FATF member, Cambodia al- ber of prison wardens did not year, and July 31, through our sum of $855,000 from Hong Kong. been listed as a high-risk country for ways complies with conditions set by cooperate with committee del- monitoring of 148 defendants Liao, who worked for a decoration and money laundering, so I want to see such the body. egates, especially when torture at randomly selected Court of construction company in Fuzhou town, effective law enforcement. “The prison sentences meted out to had occurred at their facilities. Appeal trials, CCHR recorded Fujian province, China, was arrested on “Tackling money laundering and ter- the accused in money laundering cases The director of the anti-tor- 5.4 per cent of defendants alleg- May 29 at the Phnom Penh International rorism financing will contribute to a bet- is a message to the international com- ture committee, Nut Saarn, said ing violence or torture was used Airport. ter investment climate in Cambodia,” munity and criminal elements that Cam- the committee has done well to obtain a confession during Transparency International Cambodia Pisey said. bodia is standing strong against money but it faces challenges, such as investigations carried out by executive director Pech Pisey told The Cambodia recently promulgated two laundering,” he said. stubborn wardens at facilities the judicial police,” she said. paid advertisement paid 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Ministry seeks Japan’s funding Motorists told to for plastic waste management obey traffic laws

Orm Bunthoeurn as holiday nears

APAN International Cooperation Voun Dara enforcement activities. “Last Agency (Jica) programme officer Say year there were between five Bora said on Tuesday that waste man- THE National Road Safety and six road deaths per day, Jagement is a pressing priority for the Committee (NRSC) is calling but now there are less than Kingdom and that people’s attitudes to- on the public to obey road traf- five fatalities,” she said. wards waste disposal needed to change. fic laws when travelling during Asia Injury Prevention As the Ministry of Environment seeks the August 17-21 holidays. (AIP) Foundation director funding from Japan to support a plas- “The National Road Safety Kim Panha said increasing tic waste project, such waste continues Committee (NRSC) calls on education and promoting law to pile up in the Kingdom, especially in all road users to pay atten- enforcement has achieved a Phnom Penh. tion, be vigilant and partici- high momentum. Bora said in the capital, piles of house- pate in obeying the road traf- “In the past, there could hold rubbish regularly accumulate and fic laws,” the committee said have been as many as 10 clog sewage pipes, which can lead to in a statement. deaths in traffic accidents flooding. Implementing proper waste NRSC said motorcyclists per day. But lately, there have management techniques aims to im- and motorists must follow been zero to four deaths a prove living environments while also di- certain legal mandates like day, so we see the situation minishing the threat of floods. wearing helmets when on a improving. “In Phnom Penh, we recognise that In the capital, piles of household rubbish regularly accumulate and clog sewage pipes, which can motorcycle, not riding or driv- “Only implementing the law existing landfills will be full in the future lead to flooding. HENG CHIVOAN ing faster than the speed limit, in a comprehensive, serious and the current rubbish collection ser- wearing a seat belt, keeping to and consistent manner day vices will be inadequate in some areas Earlier this month, Ministry secretary spokesman Neth Pheaktra confirmed on the right side of the road and and night, transparently and due to rapid population growth and ur- of state Tin Ponlok chaired a meeting Tuesday that the ministry is currently seeking obeying traffic signs. proactively, can reduce the banisation, so we think the issue of waste on plastic waste, where a “Plastic Waste funding from Japan to support the project. Ministry of Public Works and number of fatalities and inju- management is important,” he said. Management” project was discussed. The Last year, Pheaktra said during a gov- Transport secretary of state ries caused by traffic accidents Bora said there are many methods project targets Siem Reap and Preah Sih- ernment event promoting plastic re- Min Manvy said on Tuesday to a minimum,” Panha said. available to the Kingdom to improve its anouk provinces, and Phnom Penh. The cycling that plastic waste is increasing that police will continue to A Department of Traffic Po- waste collection and recycling efforts. ministry will request funding from Japan annually, and by 2050, it will reach 34 enforce traffic laws to prevent lice and Public Order report “We see a lot of garbage floating in the to help implement it. billion tonnes. accidents during the holidays. published in February revealed city’s sewer system. Tackling the problem The project is currently scheduled to He said by 2050, there may be more “Our authorities are not that last year, there were 4,121 requires different approaches, [including] run for two years and six months and fo- plastic than fish in the sea without effec- resting and continue to be traffic accidents, 1,981 deaths improving garbage collection services and cus on implementing an economic model tive prevention measures. vigilant, especially during and 6,141 injuries, mostly in changing the people’s behaviour,” he said. aimed at promoting the sustainable use “Plastic waste is a global concern and the holidays. They continue Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk Gomi Recycle 110, a private Japanese and production of plastics in Cambodia. we need to work together to reduce the to enforce traffic laws every- and Kandal provinces. company with plastic waste recycling It will also aim to reduce pollution use of plastic products and participate where to protect the people’s In the first six months of technology, he said, is building a recy- from plastic waste on land and sea by in recycling or rejecting the use of plas- lives,” she said. this year, there were 1,596 ac- cling factory in collaboration with Jica boosting the 4R (reduce, reuse, recycle, tics to eliminate plastic pollution, pro- Manvy said the number of cidents, 853 deaths and 1,501 in Svay Rieng province. The factory is ex- recovery) framework. tect the environment and our planet,” traffic accidents decreased af- injuries. Fatalities fell by 16 pected to start operating soon. Another ministry secretary of state and Pheaktra said. ter authorities tightened law per cent. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Mekong River water level expected to rise Mom Kunthear Mekong River Committee deputy director Te Navuth THE Mekong River’s water said on Tuesday that the wa- level is expected to rise dra- ter level is measured at 119 matically in the next three stations in Thailand, Laos, months after two years of Cambodia, and Vietnam. The drought caused by El Nino. first seven months of the year, Ministry of Water Resources the average water level was and Meteorology spokesman 397mm. It was 628mm last Chan Youttha said at a press year and 1,069mm in 2018. conference on Tuesday that “According to predictions the El Nino phenomenon by the US National Aeronau- causes irregular rain patterns tics and Space Administra- but 10 days of expected heavy tion, August and September rain will raise the Mekong should see an above-average and Tonle Bassac water levels water level from 45mm to in Phnom Penh. 100mm in the lower Mekong “This is the first time since river reservoir. 1951 that storms in the Western “There will be a tropical de- Pacific region did not affect the pression, tropical storm, and Mekong River or the region. typhoon in the lower Mekong Moderate to high rain levels are forecast to fall in the central lowlands and northeast highlands from August 12 to 18. HONG MENEA “This July is the first time reservoir, Navuth said. there have been no storms He said lower water levels in the Western Pacific or the are not due to water blockage South China Sea. But we have by hydropower plants in China Gov’t warns of heavy storms seen several storms in early and Laos, but the main reason August,” Youttha said. has been the lack of rainfall. Khouth Sophak Chakrya Oddar Meanchey Provincial Hall district facing water shortages for daily use spokesman Chea Piseth told The Post and that 70 per cent of the rice crops culti- HE Ministry of Water Resources that in the meantime, the water level in vated on over 50,000ha are in danger. and Meteorology issued flood the Boeung Tamok (lake) had decreased “Until now, there have been just two warnings for residents of the cen- by 10cm compared to Monday. major rainstorms. Our farmers will be tral lowlands, Dangrek Mountain “Some houses will be flooded if there happy if there is more rain this week as rangeT and northeast highlands. is continuous rainfall as predicted,” he predicted,” said Sinong. “Moderate to high rain levels are fore- said. Chea Ty, a representative for farmers liv- cast to fall in these areas from August 12 Piseth said provincial and local au- ing in Soeu commune told The Post that af- to 18,” it said. thorities are preparing shelters for those ter recent rains, the Mongkol Borei River is The heavy storms are the result of low- whose homes are flooded. half full and there is water in some canals. pressure monsoons making their way to In drought-stricken Mongkol Borei “We need rain to rescue our land. We Jangmi on the Korean Peninsula and Mek- district, Banteay Meanchey province, want major rains three or four more khala on the South China Sea off Taiwan. residents were more sanguine about the times so there will be water in the river The low-pressure systems will cause forecast. and canal systems to enable us to plant rain and strong winds, according to the Its district governor Roth Da Sinong told rice crops a second time and restore the The water resource ministry said 10 days of expected heavy rain will raise ministry’s forecast. The Post that the drought this year has the damage,” he said. the Mekong and Tonle Bassac water levels in Phnom Penh. HONG MENEA Police nab nine, search for more in forest clearing case

Police arrested nine suspects and seized eight tractors that were used to bulldoze over 6ha of forest in Kantuot commune, in Siem Reap province’s Svay Leu district. facebook

Soth Koemsoeun operation of the North Tonle alleged offenders to be held, Sap Forestry Administration, but he did not clarify the legal THE Siem Reap provincial Kantuot commune police and grounds. Department of Agriculture, Military Region Four. Adhoc coordinator Chan Forestry and Fisheries is Trees were felled at the site Chamroeun said on Tuesday searching for more suspects and a marker placed on the different types of land offenc- in the bulldozing of over 6ha land to declare ownership, he es in Siem Reap and different of forest in Kantuot com- said. people are involved. For ex- mune, Svay Leu district. “We retrieved [evidence] ample, he said powerful peo- Police already arrested nine to keep at the Kantuot-Khna ple conspired with corrupt suspects on Saturday when Krao Forestry Administration officials to encroach on State they seized eight tractors and office. There are more sus- land, but are not punished a motorbike. The suspects pects and we are searching like average citizens. have been sent to court. for them,” said Bunlim. “I want the rich and power- Forestry Administration di- Siem Reap Provincial Court ful people who encroach on rector Mong Bunlim said the spokesman Yin Srang told The State land punished like ev- operation involved the co- Post on Tuesday it ordered the eryone else,” he said. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,087 1.3316 6.9519 106.13 4.1975 1.3726 31.10 0.7166 1.1766 1.3084

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: August 11, 2020 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 17,300 17,400 17,400 17,280 2 GTI 3,360 3,360 3,360 3,360 3 PAS 14,900 15,000 15,080 14,900 4 PPAP 11,680 11,680 11,680 11,480 5 PPSP 2,300 2,300 2,300 2,300 6 PWSA 5,680 5,580 5,700 5,580 Kingdom ‘needs tech upgrade’ SK firm looking to boost agri-exports May Kunmakara Thou Vireak of Kampot pepper to sell to HE Kingdom must the Korean market last year. tap into the potential SOUTH KOREAN-OWNED But the company has yet to of innovative tech- Kampong Speu province- order additional pepper since nologies to upgrade based Hyundai Mao Legacy Covid-19 hit, he said. “The andT diversify its economy if it Co Ltd wants to expand its ex- Korean people recognise the wants to become an upper- ports of Cambodian pepper, quality of Kampot pepper, middle income country by cashew nuts and sugar to the with its uplifting aroma and 2030 and high-income country Korean market following a se- delectable taste.” by 2050, the latest report from ries of successful shipments He estimated the volume UN Development Programme of fresh mangoes and other of Kampot pepper exports to (UNDP) Cambodia said. agricultural products. South Korea to be between 10 The report, entitled Adap- Cambodian ambassador and 20 tonnes per year. “The tation and Adoption of In- to South Korea Long Diman- EU remains the largest mar- dustry 4.0 in Cambodia, was che told The Post on Tuesday ket for Kampot pepper, fol- prepared by UK-based Policy that a trade team led by em- lowed by the US, Japan, Hong Links – the not-for-profit bassy commercial attache Kong and South Korea.” knowledge transfer unit of Khat Chen last week brought He said the market for Kam- Centre for Science, Technolo- samples of the three Cambo- pot pepper was unable to gy & Innovation Policy (CSTI), dian agricultural products to dodge the overarching dev- University of Cambridge – for multinational conglomerate astation wrought by Covid-19 UNDP Cambodia and was of- Manufacturing’s share of gross domestic product (GDP) in the Kingdom has surged from below 10 per cent in Hyundai Corp for review. on the global economy and is ficially launched onT uesday. the 1990s to more than 16 per cent in 2018 and now provides 1.4 million jobs. pOST STAFF Following an inspection, he now experiencing a slump. It pointed out that Cambodia “A number of initiatives are needed to enable Cambodia to no intention of creating a Sili- said, Hyundai Corp is consider- As of this month, he said, a has made crucial progress, with being put into place to pro- adapt and adopt Industry 4.0. con Valley or a targeted uni- ing a purchase deal of the prod- mere 10 tonnes of the com- the economy growing more mote technology and innova- These are basic and digital corn start-up company. Our ucts through Hyundai Mao modity have been sold, keep- than seven per cent annually tion in the country, includ- infrastructure; institutional strategic vision is to create a Legacy, its joint venture that in- ing 120 to 130 tonnes of pep- since 2011 and the share of peo- ing a strategic framework for framework; network linkages; robust digital environment vests in mango plantations and per in stock. ple living in poverty more than Cambodia’s digital economy. skills development; and inno- that allows the country’s small mango packaging plants in the Sophal Laikong, factory op- halving in the last decade. “Opportunities exist to ex- vation capabilities and access and large firms to connect to province’s southwesternmost erations manager at Santana “As recognised in the Indus- ploit technological spillovers to knowledge. global value chains,” he said. Treng Trayoeng commune in Agro Products, which grows trial Development Policy [IDP] from FDI, to leverage the In March last year, Minister In October, the National As- Phnom Sruoch district. cashew nut on 400ha in Preah 2015–2025, this vision can only participation in global value of Economy and Finance Aun sembly approved a draft of the be achieved if new technolo- chains, and to further devel- Pornmoniroth said the digital e-commerce law. The draft con- The Korean people recognise gies are leveraged to increase op established international economy has been gradu- tains 12 chapters and 67 articles, industrial value added, diver- economic partnerships.” ally taking shape and creat- which will promote e-commerce the quality of Kampot sify exports and strengthen During its launch ceremony, ing new business activities in and contribute to the develop- pepper, with its uplifting small and medium-sized en- UNDP Cambodia resident repre- digital payments, online en- ment of the digital economy. terprises [SMEs],” it said. sentative Nick Beresford said the tertainment and E-commerce Last year, the government aroma and delectable taste Cambodia’s manufacturing report will give the government a while increasing the number decided to set aside $5 mil- sector has increased its con- roadmap for the development of of users adapting themselves lion per year to support tech Hyundai Mao Legacy cur- Vihear province’s southern tribution to the economy over the digital technology. to the use of these technolo- start-ups in the Kingdom. rently exports mangoes, ba- Rovieng district, told The Post: the last couple of decades, He said: “Far too few enter- gies in the Kingdom. UNDP Cambodia’s report nana leaves and flowers, lem- “China is the largest market for mainly driven by the garment prises in Cambodia are aware Speaking at the first Nation- noted the resolute will of Cam- ongrass and galangal to South cashew nuts today with South and food industries. of, let alone access, new Indus- al Consultation Workshop on bodia’s tech, start-up and en- Korea, he said, adding that it Korea the second largest.” Manufacturing’s share of try 4.0 technology. As a result, Policy and Direction of Cam- trepreneurial scene despite the plans to add frog, red tilapia, He said his company ex- gross domestic product (GDP) the economy is missing out bodia’s Digital Economy in Kingdom lagging behind in mudfish, catfish and Pan- ported more than 60 tonnes in the Kingdom has surged on big productivity gains and Phnom Penh, he said: “For a building the capacity and en- gasius djambal to its portfolio. of cashew nuts in the first half from below 10 per cent in the workers are missing out on high developing country like Cam- vironment required to reap the Cambodia exported more of the year to China, South 1990s to more than 16 per cent skilled jobs and better pay. bodia, new technologies pro- benefits of digital technologies. than 2.68 million tonnes of Korea, Japan and the EU. in 2018 and now provides 1.4 “This report is an excellent vide an opportunity to leap- It said: “There is a clear agricultural products in the The Kingdom exported million jobs. counterpart to the work un- frog, bypassing traditional willingness among innova- first seven months of this year. some 202,318 tonnes of ca- But the manufacturing in dertaken by the government phases of development. tion actors to strengthen the Of that, pepper accounted for shew nuts last year, up near- the Kingdom is concentrated on Cambodia’s Digital Strat- “To keep pace with globali- country’s production and in- 3,430 tonnes and cashew nuts ly 100 per cent from 2018’s in two main primary sectors – egy and we are keen to syner- sation and global integration, novation capabilities. 194,525. 101,973 tonnes, said a report garments, textiles and footwear gise the two.” Cambodia without a doubt can- “Examples of initiatives in Kampot Pepper Promotion from the Ministry of Agricul- (GTF) and food and beverages Policy Links head Carlos Lopez- not avoid the impact of Industry this direction include – the Association (KPPA) president ture, Forestry and Fisheries. – that account for 80 per cent Gomez said the report explores 4.0 – the government must con- Skills Development Fund, the Nguon Lay told The Post on The area allotted to ca- of manufacturing value added the opportunities and challenges centrate on finding opportuni- Entrepreneurship Develop- Tuesday that the samples shew nut cultivation totals and 76 per cent of exports. for Cambodia’s industrial sector ties and managing risks. ment Fund, the T-ICT Devel- were part of the government’s 149,660ha, spanning 22 prov- The report said: “Cambodia arising from Industry 4.0. “Cambodia’s digital economy opment Policy and the Policy larger strategy to secure mar- inces. Almost 60 per cent is has the opportunity to build It identifies policy options to remains at the nascent stage . . . Framework for Cambodia’s kets for agricultural products, harvested land, which yielded on a number of conditions harness Industry 4.0’s potential [It] may need to spend the first Digital Economy [in progress]. with Kampot pepper as top 116,343 tonnes in 2018, data to support the adaption and in the Kingdom, with a focus five years bringing all the fun- “A strong economy with in- priority. from the ministry show. adoption of new technolo- on technology transfer, the de- damental elements together for creasing flows of foreign di- He noted that the South Ko- Minister Veng Sakhon has gies, including Industry 4.0. velopment of implementation digital readiness, and another rect investment and several rean-owned Corem Green Co said the value of agricul- “Cambodia has a growing roadmaps with local stakehold- five to 10 years growing the dig- special economic zones [SEZ] Ltd – based in Phsar village in tural product shipments to economy with increasing FDI ers and learning from the best ital economy into a technology- are relevant advantages that the south of Kampong Chh- the international market has [foreign direct investment] international practices, he said. driven market.” have the potential to gener- nang province’s northwestern steadily increased from near- flows and a demographic div- The report identified five key “On the subject, it is worth ate technological spillovers in Boribor district – purchased ly $1 billion in 2013 to $1.5 idend of young people. areas where improvements are clarifying that Cambodia has domestic firms.” between four and five tonnes billion last year. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Vietnam Airlines faces $650 million in losses TATE-RUN flag carrier urgent response solutions, ance this year and beyond. Vietnam Airlines could focusing on adjusting pro- The State owns 86 per cent record losses of more duction and business scale, of Vietnam Airlines and in the than half a billion dol- minimising costs, labour reor- context of the global aviation larsS this year, its shareholders’ ganisation and adjustment of crisis, not paying dividends meeting revealed. salary and income policies. is a prerequisite for Vietnam Shareholders of Vietnam Facing the passenger de- Airlines to be considered Airlines Corporation ap- crease on domestic and in- by credit organisations and proved the 2020 business and ternational routes, Vietnam banks to reduce prices or ex- production plan on Monday, Airlines has stepped up cargo tend the payment schedule. which noted that consolidat- transportation, he added. Apart from the gloomy 2020 ed losses will not exceed 15.17 “We take advantage of sup- figures, the firm released trillion dong ($650 million). port from the government some positive news about its The statement was released and partners to maintain 2019 results. at the shareholders’ meeting production and business ac- Shareholders recognised held in Hanoi on Monday. tivities, overcome the crisis many achievements of Vietnam Vietnam Airlines has stepped up cargo transportation despite facing passenger decrease on domestic and international routes. VIETNAM AIRLINES/VIET NAM NEWS Vietnam Airlines aims to and prepare resources for the Airlines last year, with consoli- gradually restore production recovery and development. dated revenue a record of more ward trend compared to pre- With the addition of 22 important contents, including and business activities with We have cut more than five than 100 trillion dong, up 1.4 per vious years. new modern-generation air- a report on business results the target of transporting trillion dong thanks to proac- cent year-on-year and its largest In the year, Vietnam Air- craft including Boeing 787-10 last year and the main targets 14.5 million passengers, mak- tive saving,” Minh said. consolidated pre-tax profit ever lines conducted 135,000 safe Dreamliner, Airbus A350-900, of production and business ing consolidated revenue of Nguyen Hong Hien, di- at 3.39 trillion dong, up 2.3 per flights transporting 22.9 mil- A321neo and 10 routes, 2019 plans of this year; audited fi- nearly 40.6 trillion dong. rector of the Committee for cent over the same period. lion passengers, with four- was the year Vietnam Airlines nancial statements for last year Chairman Pham Ngoc Minh Management of State Capital Of the figures, the parent star international standard received the highest volume and plan for the distribution of said the corporation was grap- at Enterprises’ Department company contributed 74.7 tril- service quality. The flight on- of aircraft in history and profits and dividends; plan to pling with the global aviation of Technology and Infrastruc- lion dong in revenue and 2.9 time-punctuality (OTP) was opened the highest volume of consolidate the Board of Di- crisis caused by the Covid-19 ture, said the committee ac- trillion dong in pre-tax profit, approximately 90 per cent. routes in the past five years. rectors and Supervisory Board, pandemic but has managed knowledged the efforts of the increasing nearly 20 per cent Vietnam Airlines officially Along with expanding aircraft and the sale of A321CEO vessel to maintain its business and Board of Directors and em- year-on-year and 8.3 per cent listed its HVN shares on the Ho resources and flight network, manufactured in 2007. carry out its national duties. ployees in many aspects. higher than the target set at the Chi Minh City Stock Exchange the airline improved service On April 16, Cambodian “We still consider this as a “We expect shareholders, 2019 shareholders’ meeting. (HoSE) on May 7, 2019. quality by pioneering the in- State Secretariat of Civil Avia- challenge to overcome, find- especially strategic sharehold- The corporation sent nearly The listing of shares on HoSE tegration of digital technology tion (SSCA) spokesman Sin ing new opportunities, new ers and State agencies, to work 7.93 trillion dong to the State has helped the corporation into flight experiences, such Chansereyvutha told the ways, continuing to assert together to help Vietnam Air- budget, 18 per cent more than improve its reputation, infor- as launching mobile apps and Council of Ministers that Viet- the position of the national lines overcome difficulties and the previous year. mation transparency, stock automatic check-in services, nam Airlines had sold its 49 airline leading in the aviation crises, continuing to grow and The 2019 results signifi- liquidity increase and access wireless entertainment system per cent stake in national flag sector, as well as the national increase shareholders’ invest- cantly improved the financial new resources of capital mo- across Airbus A321neo fleet, carrier airline Cambodia Ang- brand mission in the business ment value,” Hien said. ratios of Vietnam Airlines, bilisation from investors. internet connection service on kor Air to undisclosed buyers, community,” he said. The firm also announced it enhancing capital autonomy The corporation also Airbus A350 aircraft and Viet- in a sale that included five From the onset of the pan- will not pay dividends for 2019 and financial security. The marked a record with a fleet nam Airlines-FPT Play app. A321 aircrafts with a total liq- demic, he said, Vietnam Air- to its shareholders to ensure debt to equity ratio decreased of 100 aircraft and nearly 100 At the meeting, sharehold- uidation value of $37 million. lines has implemented many cash flow and financial bal- to 2.7:1, continuing the down- routes covering the world. ers discussed and approved VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Rubber price rise disappoints Carabao’s shares up over five per cent Hin Pisei HE price of Cambo- on strong Q2 results dian natural rubber on the international THE price of Carabao Group owned Yuanta Securities market marginally (CBG) shares rose more than (Thailand) Co Ltd expected roseT to between $1,350 and five per cent in morning trading CBG’s net profit to hit a new $1,400 per tonne from the on the Stock Exchange of Thai- high in the remaining quar- same time last year, largely land on Monday as the energy ters of this year as the income undershooting expectations, drink company’s second-quar- from sales of its C+Lock drink industry insiders have said. ter profit increased by 20.1 per and exports to CLMV coun- There were 404,701ha of cent year-on-year, driven by a 27 tries were not included in the natural rubber trees planted per cent rise in foreign income. company’s forecast. in the Kingdom as of the end CBG’s share price hit a high He said: “In this year’s fourth of the first half of this year, the of 134.50 baht ($4.32) in the quarter, production at CBG’s Ministry of Agriculture, For- morning session, up 6.76 per bottling plants will increase by estry and Fisheries reported. cent from the previous close, 40 per cent to 4.2 million bottles Of this, 250,107ha are tapped before falling to 131 baht. per day, while production at its for latex, while 154,594ha are in CBG’s shares gained positive canning plants will increase by their immature phase and have sentiment from a strong sec- 30 per cent to 5.7 million cans yet to deliver their first harvest. ond-quarter performance that per day. This will enable the In the first half of this year, generated revenue of 4.508 company to boost income from 97,936 tonnes of rubber was billion baht, up 20.1 per cent foreign countries.” harvested, up 15,258 tonnes In the first half of this year, 97,936 tonnes of rubber was harvested, up 15,258 tonnes or 18 per cent compared to the first half of last year, while exports surged 17 per cent to reach 97,175 tonnes. pOST STAFF or 18 per cent compared to Production at CBG’s plants will the first half of last year, while He said Chinese and Malay- unprocessed domestically. March 2011, while the Cam- exports surged 17 per cent to sian buyers typically shell out Pol Sopha, director general bodian variety was valued at increase . . . enabling the reach 97,175 tonnes. between $1,350 and $1,400 of the ministry’s General Direc- more than $5,800. company to boost income Heng Sreng, the general per tonne of the Kingdom’s torate of Rubber, told a news But then the price plum- manager of rubber producer top-quality natural latex. conference at the Council of meted until experiencing from foreign countries and exporter Long Sreng In- Sopheak Nika Investment Ministers last week that Cam- growth spurts as a rebound ternational Co Ltd, which Agro-Industrial Plants Co Ltd bodia expects to export 300,000 sparked in 2015, he said. year-on-year. Income from the “Meanwhile, CBG’s paper has plantations in Kampong director Men Sopheak said tonnes of natural rubber to the Vietnam, Singapore, Malay- company’s products rose by packaging costs will fall due Cham province, told The Post rubber shipments to Saigon international market. sia, China and the EU are the 13.6 per cent year-on-year. to the company’s new pack- on Monday that the $50 per- Port in Ho Chi Minh City now He underscored that rubber main markets for Cambodian On the domestic front, CBG’s aging factory.” tonne increase in price from average $1,360 per tonne. output is generally highest in rubber, he added. income dropped slightly by 1.7 The analyst added that his last year is paltry, resulting He noted that concerns the last four months of the year. Though the trees – also per cent as sales in the energy securities company has in- in stagnant growth in invest- over price had punctured in- He added that the price of the known by their botanical name drink market fell 13.4 per cent. creased CBG’s stock target ment and cultivation. vestment in natural rubber, commodity had inched up from Hevea brasiliensis – are native However, CBG’s foreign sales price to 130-140 baht per share, And with cultivation in dire resulting in narrowing culti- the beginning of the month to to the Amazon rainforest, 97 rose by 27 per cent to 2.219 advising investors to buy this straits, he said, growers are cut- vation area and capital. about $1,400 per tonne. per cent of the world’s natural billion baht, 81 per cent or 1.8 stock as the upside gain was ting down rubber trees to plant “There’s been no growth in When asked about the rubber comes from Southeast billion baht of which came around three to 10 per cent. more economic crops such as rubber cultivation area in the last mounting number of growers Asia, Honolulu-based research from Cambodia, Laos, Myan- “We expect the company’s bananas, mangoes or other fruit. two or three years – processing opting to plant other crops, organisation East-West Center mar and Vietnam (CLMV) and stocks to gain positive senti- “I had some older rubber trees plants are suspending operations Sopha said: “We are not very reported in 2014. seven per cent from China. ment from its positive perfor- cut down on the property and or outright closing up shop,” So- concerned about that – it Rubber plantations covered Increasing sales in CLMV mance.” he said. made room to plant bananas pheak said in a dejected tone. hasn’t yet left a discernible ef- 94,282sq km of the Southeast countries, especially Myan- “Investors will sell stocks instead. We still have around Despite the Kingdom’s vast fect [on the industry].” Asian highlands then, or eight mar, boosted the company’s to take profit when the price 3,400ha of rubber left and now stretches of rubber plantations, He said natural rubber per cent of the region, and profit to 890 million baht, up moves to around 135 baht per have more than 1,500ha of ba- he said, raw rubber sap pre- price reached a record high of could increase four-fold by 69.7 per cent year-on-year. share,” he forecast. THE NATION nanas,” Sreng said. dominantly goes unused and more than $6,000 per tonne in 2050, it said. A stock analyst at Taiwan- (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK App to work with gov’t Cambodia-Vietnam-Thai meet held to promote agriculture Hin Pisei

Thou Vireak company to work with the LEADERS of coastal provinces in the relevant officials to ensure region on Monday agreed to reinforce LOCAL e-commerce platform the success of Chamnan’s trade, investment, transport and tourism operator Super App Technol- endeavour. “Through our ties during the third annual Cambodia- ogy Plc plans to work with platform, farmers have ac- Vietnam-Thailand Economic Corridor the Ministry of Agriculture, cess to delivery and payment Cooperation (CVTEC) Conference which Forestry and Fisheries to pro- services when they make a was held via video conferencing. mote the Cambodian agricul- sale.” Koh Kong deputy provincial governor tural market. At the meeting, Sakhon Sreng Hong, who heads the Joint Work- Super App is an online mo- highlighted the ministry’s ing Group of the Four Coastal Provinces, bile taxi, delivery and order- network of online platforms told The Post this on Tuesday. ing service provider. Super that are designed to boost ag- He said the meeting aims to provide App Technology was incorpo- ricultural product sales and updates on the direction of economic co- rated on April 1. provide delivery services to operation between the three countries. Following a meeting with customers. The conference will hopefully lift re- Minister Veng Sakhon on These include www.maff. lations between the countries to new Tuesday, Super App founder gov.kh, CAMAgriMarket, heights, especially in the post-Covid-19 Path Chamnan told The Post khmeragri.info and amish. world, he added. that his company wants to org.kh, he said. “Thailand and Vietnam have expressed upload the agricultural prod- “I welcome, support and their intention to encourage investors ucts showcased on the min- advise the company to con- and tourists to consider Cambodia, es- Leaders of coastal provinces in the region agreed to reinforce trade, investment, transport and tourism ties. Preah Sihanouk is one of the Kingdom’s four coastal provinces. HUN SEN’S FACEBOOK PAGE istry’s CAMAgriMarket app tact the ministry’s Agricul- pecially its four coastal provinces,” Hong onto Super App and boost ture Information and Docu- said, referring to Kampot, Kep, Koh Kong for the economy – especially concerning hurdles for legal exporters, he added. sales on his platform. mentation Centre and other and Preah Sihanouk provinces. livelihoods – enabling the improved cross- Last year, the trade volume between He said: “Our e-marketplace project officials relevant to The Cambodian side highlighted a lot border movement of people and goods. Cambodia and Thailand reached more will allow farmers to post their the agricultural sector and of potential opportunities to better pre- This, he said, will indubitably lead to a than $9.41 billion, up 12 per cent from products for sale.” discuss the programme in pare for an influx of investors, pending surge in trade activity, transport volume $8.38 billion in 2018. The ministry’s Agri- detail before signing a con- the outcomes arising from the meeting and number of tourists. “Cooperation in Of that, Cambodia exported more than culture Marketing Office tract to implement it. which, he stressed, are very important any shape or form customarily exerts a $2.2 billion worth of goods, up 195 per chief Meach Yady has said “Producers, farmers and for the Kingdom. positive effect on economic growth and cent, and imported $7.14 billion, down CAMAgriMarket gives farm- communities must be privy “There are golden opportunities in all investment.” six per cent. ers a platform to showcase to relevant information on sectors and in all localities in Cambo- But with increased regional coopera- Meanwhile, bilateral trade with Viet- their products to millions of agricultural product trends dia, above all in special economic zones tion, the Kingdom must adapt the man- nam was worth nearly $5.3 billion last potential buyers across the and prices, as well as market which have the most favourable invest- agement and implementation of the law year, up 11 per cent from 2018. The country. concerns in order to build a ment conditions,” Hong said. accordingly, he warned. Kingdom shipped $901 million worth of Chamnan said Sakhon bridge between producers Cambodia Chamber of Commerce vice- Failure to do so will result in out-of-con- goods, up seven per cent, and purchased declared his support and and traders, and then to cus- president Lim Heng said enhanced region- trol levels of illegal cross-border movements $4.4 billion in goods from Vietnam, up gave the green light for the tomers,” Sakhon said. al cooperation would be a substantial boon of goods, lost tax revenue and mounting 16 per cent. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Bhutanese Lebanon government stands down scramble to EBANESE Prime Min- it altered the shape of not but his calls for reform and ister Hassan Diab an- only Beirut’s culture, whose transparency appeared to nounced his govern- masters are widely seen as receive less attention among prepare for ment’s resignation on bent on self-preservation and Lebanese officialdom than MondayL under a barrage of buck-passing. his offer to raise aid money. pressure over the catastroph- But it remained to be seen An online emergency sup- lockdown ic Beirut port explosion six whether the disaster will also port conference Macron days earlier that has reignited have a lasting impact on Leb- chaired on Sunday, attended Continued from page 1 angry street protests. anon’s entrenched post-war virtually by a slew of world “I announce the resignation political culture. leaders including US Presi- in quarantine, throughout of the government,” Diab said Diab on Monday blamed the dent Donald Trump, came up which she was asymptomatic. at the end of a televised speech blast on corruption by former with pledges for more than But six PCR tests were all neg- in which he tried to portray warlords from the 1975-1990 €250 million ($294 million). ative and she was discharged himself also as a victim of a civil war who have exchanged Macron, who was given a he- on July 26. corrupt political elite. their military fatigues for suits ro’s welcome when he trudged A seventh PCR test came The announcement was met or were replaced by relatives. through the rubble of ravaged back positive on Monday and with cars honking in the streets “Their corruption created old Beirut to meet distressed since leaving quarantine, the and celebratory fire in the this tragedy,” said Diab. “Be- residents, stressed the aid would woman was found to have northern city of Tripoli but it Security forces in central Beirut clashed for a third night with protesters tween us and change stand a go “directly” to the population. travelled extensively in Bhu- was unlikely to meet long-term demanding an end to an entrenched political system. AFP thick wall protected by their Many Lebanese are scepti- tan, mixing with family and expectations of Lebanese. 20 remained missing after the investigation – but they have dirty tactics.” cally waiting to see how the friends and even shopping. Even as Diab spoke, security August 4 disaster blamed on stopped short of agreeing to During consecutive eve- aid delivery will navigate a As of midday, the health forces in central Beirut clashed official negligence. an independent probe led by nings of protests, the rage sophisticated and deeply en- ministry had traced 210 peo- for a third night with protest- Almost a week after the foreign experts as demanded sparked by the explosion that trenched system of local and ple suspected to have come in ers demanding an end to an enormous chemical blast that by the protesters. disfigured Beirut and scarred sectarian patronage organised contact with her, the prime entrenched political system wreaked destruction across The outgoing government is so many of its residents had by political party barons. minister’s office said. widely seen as inept, corrupt swathes of the capital and now due to stay on in a care- not relented. The Beirut disaster com- The lockdown decision was and dominated by sectarian was felt as far away as Cyprus, taker capacity, and fresh elec- “The resignation of minis- pounded what has become made in a meeting by the virus interests and family dynasties. residents and volunteers were tions could still be months ters is not enough. Those who Lebanon’s annus horribilis, task force that, according to France, whose President still clearing the debris off the away. are responsible for the explo- deepening a dire economic the prime minister’s office, Emmanuel Macron visited streets on Monday. Before Diab’s announce- sion should be held account- crisis which had dragged half stayed in touch with Bhutan’s Beirut after the blast, called International rescue teams ment, four ministers had al- able,” Michelle, a demonstra- of the country into poverty in king “throughout the night”. for the “rapid formation” of a with sniffer dogs and specia- ready decided they could no tor in her early twenties, said past months. After the announcement, new government. lised equipment remained at longer serve a government on Sunday night. The obliteration of the port many people rushed to the “The aspirations expressed work at the disaster’s charred that has shown little willing- Demonstrators said security and its huge grain silos in a shops to buy essential items by the Lebanese in terms of re- “ground zero”, where the ness to take the blame or to forces had been using tear gas country hugely reliant on im- like rice, vegetables, eggs, veg- forms and governance must be search has turned to one for put state resources at the ser- against blast victims instead ports has sparked fears of food etable oil and tobacco. heard,” French Minister of Eu- bodies rather than survivors. vice of the victims. of helping them clean their shortages in the coming weeks. Karma Tenzin, a resident of rope and Foreign Affairs Jean- The Lebanese have been left At least nine lawmakers wrecked homes and find a roof. Adding to Lebanon’s woes, the capital Thimphu, said he Yves Le Drian said, adding that asking how a massive stockpile have also announced they Michelle said: “We need an coronavirus cases are reach- was well prepared as the gov- a new government would have of volatile ammonium nitrate, would quit in protest, as have international investigation ing new highs almost every ernment had warned people to “prove itself” to the people. a compound used primarily as two senior members of the and trial to tell us who killed day, putting further strain to be ready for weeks. The health ministry said at a fertiliser, was left unsecured Beirut municipality. our friends and all the other on hospitals that are treating “So I had already stocked my least 160 people were killed in at the port for years. The blast, which drew victims.” blast victims and the dozens kitchen with food and other Lebanon’s worst peacetime di- Top officials have prom- comparisons with an atomic Macron supported the idea wounded in the repression of necessary items to prepare for saster, 6,000 injured and about ised a swift and thorough bomb, was so enormous that when he visited on August 6, the protests. AFP the lockdown,” he said. AFP South Korean leader Moon’s solar Man shot outside White power initiative pays heavy price House, Trump evacuated SOUTH Korean President Moon Jae- limit, eventually collapsed and the higher chance for the crumbly soil in is facing severe criticism amid the rainwater gushed out all at once with run down the slope. during press conference longest and deadliest monsoon sea- sludge. The deluge damaged 12 “For solar farms, their priority is son in South Korea, as his push for neighbourhoods on the lower profit, not landslides, so not enough US SECRET Service agents shot and Department had been contacted. solar power has left the whole nation grounds. attention is paid to landslides.” wounded a man who was armed out- As the president was speaking to susceptible to landslides. “Of 12 mountainside solar farms However, others contradicted the side the White House on Monday, reporters in the White House briefing With 12 landslides reported from that triggered landslides, five were argument. President Donald Trump, after being room, a Secret Service bodyguard mountainside solar farms as of Sun- built in the 2017-2019 period.” Another KFS official said: “Of 667 briefly whisked away in the middle abruptly approached him and inter- day, concerns are mounting over From Wednesday to Sunday, a task landslides reported in August, only of a press conference. rupted, saying in a quiet voice: “Sir, additional incidents as Moon’s drive force comprised of 342 KFS officials 12 were from mountainside solar A 51-year-old male approached a could you please come with me?” for solar farms in recent years has conducted emergency safety checks farms, so it’s difficult to find a direct Secret Service officer standing at the Trump and staff members left. eradicated a natural deterrent against on 2,180 mountainside solar farms cause.” corner of 17th Street and Pennsylva- Doors to the briefing room, still filled landslides – trees. within a 300m radius of facilities And Park Chang-geun, a civil engi- nia Avenue, one block from the White with journalists, were locked. A total of 2.32 million trees were cut including farmhouses and stables. neering professor at Catholic Kwan- House, Secret Service Uniformed Outside, black-clad Secret Service down for building 4,902 solar farms As for reasons for the landslides, dong University, said: “Though it’s Division chief Tom Sullivan said. agents with automatic rifles could be on mountainsides from 2017 to last experts pointed out damages solar unclear whether the installation of The suspect told the officer he had seen rushing across the lawn and year, Korea Forest Service (KFS) farms inflicted on the ground when solar farms contributed to the land- a weapon and ran “aggressively” took up positions behind trees. said. they were built. slides, mountain slopes are danger towards him, drawing an object out According to Fox News, whose cam- After taking office in 2017, Moon Lee Young-jae, a civil engineering zones in the first place. of his clothes, Sullivan said in a state- era team was outside, two shots were pledged to generate 20 per cent of the professor at Kyungpook National “Even if there are trees, there is a ment that was broadcast on Twitter. heard. nation’s electricity with renewable University, said: “Mountainside solar high risk of landslides in evergreen He then assumed a “shooter’s Minutes later, Trump reappeared energy sources by 2030, KFS said. farms have a direct link with the land- forests with shallow roots.” stance” as if he intended to fire, where- at the press conference and To meet the goal, his administra- slides. Statistics also show a weak correla- upon the Secret Service officer shot announced that someone had been tion has since been doling out subsi- “After extensive construction of tion between mountainside solar him in the torso, Sullivan added. shot by the Secret Service outside the dies for electricity generation by such solar farms, the mountain’s farms and landslides. Officers on the scene administered White House grounds. renewable energy sources including structure and the ground’s rigidity In 2018, areas of newly built solar first aid, and emergency medical He said: “Law enforcement shot solar power. have to be restored. However, resto- farms and the amount of rainfall both services were called. Both the suspect someone, it seems to be the suspect. A KFS official said: “Mountainside rations are rarely done.” increased substantially. However, and the officer were taken to the hos- And the suspect is on the way to the solar farms are built on slopes in the Lee Su-gon, a former civil engineer- landslides only decreased by 40 per pital. hospital.” AFP shape of staircases. After days of ing professor at the University of cent in the same period. “The Secret Service Office of Pro- downpour, water pooled on each Seoul, added: “When a fork lane digs More rain is expected as typhoon fessional Responsibility will be con- www.phnompenhpost.com floor and eroded the ground on which out trees, it stirs up the solid ground Jangmi made landfall in the Korean ducting an internal review of the check the post website the solar farms have been built. and makes the soil all crumbly. As Peninsula on Monday. THE KOREA HER- officer’s actions,” Sullivan said, add- for breaking news “The ground, after reaching its rainwater seeps inside, there is a ALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ing that the DC Metropolitan Police 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Duterte takes Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine offer HILIPPINE President Philippines with Covid-19 developed by Russia is “effec- Rodrigo Duterte on vaccines, adding that results tive and safe”. Monday accepted of the trials are turning out The vaccine was tested on Russia’s offer of a “very promising”. several volunteers and Rus- pendingP coronavirus vaccine He said: “The Russian side sian scientists, all of whom once it becomes available, is ready to closely cooperate have “healed well”, he said. volunteering to be the first to with the Philippine partners “All of them were tested on receive the injection as a ges- in this field. these vaccines and all of them ture of friendship and trust. “We have three options for feel well . . . So, according to “When the vaccine arrives, cooperation. First, clinical tri- the analysis of our scientists, I will have myself injected in als, if our Philippine partners the results of the trials are public. Experiment on me consider it necessary. The very promising, very positive first, that’s fine with me,” Du- second option – we are ready . . . The vaccine is effective terte told a briefing, as report- to supply the vaccine to the and safe,” Khovaev said. ed by Bloomberg. The Philip- Philippines. The third option He added that his govern- pines is willing to lend a hand is local production of vac- ment is willing to comply with to Russia in clinical trials and cines here on Philippine soil. any necessary vaccine distribu- local production, he said. “It means that we are ready tion procedure imposed by the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for Russia’s offer Expressing his gratitude to to combine our efforts, we are Philippine government should of a pending coronavirus vaccine once it becomes available. pOOL/AFP Moscow for its willingness to ready to make necessary in- Manila accept Russia’s offer. sia in terms of the Covid-19 The Philippine government of a Covid-19 vaccine in Sep- share its vaccine supply, Du- vestments together with our “We fully understand that vaccine. has reached out to various tember and turn out “several terte said “I’m very happy be- Philippine partners and we you Filipinos have your pro- In a message to reporters, Covid-19 vaccine develop- million” doses per month by cause Russia is our friend . . . are ready to share our technol- cedures in this field and all the Department of Foreign ers from the US, Taiwan, next year. They said they will give the vac- ogies simply because we want these procedures should be Affairs said it “conveys its ap- China, and the UK for pos- But after Moscow an- cine”, thanking Russian Presi- to build a robust partnership complied with. Of course, we preciation for Russia’s willing- sible purchase once vaccines nounced plans to start swiftly dent Vladimir Putin by name, between our two nations. comply with all domestic pro- ness to assist the Philippines have been found and become producing Covid-19 jabs, the Nikkei Asian Review reported. “We don’t make promises. cedures in the Philippines,” in its fight against Covid-19, available. World Health Organisation Russian ambassador to the We make suggestions. Sugges- Khovaev said. as well as its offer to supply More than 100 potential urged the country to follow Philippines Igor Khovaev told tions based on what we already He added that around the Sars-CoV-2 vaccine devel- Covid-19 vaccines are current- the established guidelines for reporters in an online press have, and have already done.” 20 countries have already oped by NF Gamaleya of the ly in development worldwide. producing safe and effective briefing on Friday that Mos- Khovaev also gave assur- confirmed their interest to Ministry of Health of the Rus- Earlier, Russia said it aims vaccines. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ cow is ready to supply the ances that the vaccine being “closely cooperate” with Rus- sian Federation.” to launch mass production ASIA NEWS NETWORK, AFP Thousands rally in Bangkok against Thai government

YOUNG Thai protesters listened in rapt administration. scripted charter in last year’s poll. makes open reporting or discussion of “No more fake democracy,” read a attention on Monday night as a pro- The student-led movement has But activists have waded further the royal family virtually impossible. sign at the demonstration, which democracy activist called for open repeatedly demanded a rewrite to a into sensitive territory by calling for Organisers said the next rally will drew around 4,000 by nightfall, discussion of the unassailable monar- 2017 constitution, the parliament’s dis- the abolition of the kingdom’s draco- be on Wednesday, which is a public according to an AFP estimate. chy’s role in the kingdom, at a rally in solution, and called for the government nian royal defamation law, which holiday in Thailand commemorating At the end of the night, the hashtag Bangkok that drew thousands. to “stop threatening the people”. protects King Maha Vajiralongkorn. the Queen Mother’s birthday. “Thammasat will not tolerate” was The massive demonstration comes Protesters regard former army chief Monday’s rally outside Bangkok – Monday’s rally closed with a video trending on Thai Twitter. after weeks of near-daily student-led Prayut, who led a 2014 coup, as a remnant which started with anti-government conference call by prominent Thai Prayut has vowed to hold public protests denouncing Prime Minister of Thailand’s junta legacy as his premier- songs – ended with speeches by two dissident Pavin Chachavalpongpun, forums with young people. Prayut Chan-o-cha’s military-aligned ship was ushered in under a military- activists who were arrested over the a Kyoto-based academic who was But army chief Apirat Kongsom- weekend and later released on bail. granted asylum in Japan following his pong – an arch-royalist who in the Lawyer Anon Numpa and activist vocal criticism of Thailand’s junta, past has angrily ranted about pro- Panupong Jadnok were charged with broadcast on stage. democracy figures – called “hatred of sedition for their alleged role at a Held at Thammasat University, the the nation” an incurable disease. massive July 18 rally. protest drew a diverse crowd from the Earlier on Monday, a group of roy- But their arrests came days after LGBTQI community, high schoolers and alist supporters marched to parlia- Anon led a discussion at a protest of elderly pro-democracy supporters. ment to counter a pro-democracy the monarchy’s role in the kingdom. “Us seniors must support the stu- rally where protesters were burning He revisited the topic onstage on dents,” said a 70-year-old woman models of army tanks and the consti- Monday night, calling for the frank dis- who declined to be named. “We must tution. cussion of the unassailable institution. fight for our sons, daughters, neph- Holding portraits of the monarch Protesters held up a three-finger ews and nieces.” above their heads, the pro-monarchy salute, a symbol for freedom taken The kingdom has long been locked group called for the protesters not to from The Hunger Games trilogy, after in a cycle of violent street protests insult the king and carried posters his speech. and coups by a putsch-happy army. saying: “The people protect the The king sits at the apex of Thai The coronavirus pandemic king.” power, buttressed by the powerful seized up Thailand’s economy, Besides the arrests of two activists military and elite billionaire clans. leaving millions jobless and angry over the weekend, protest organisers The royal defamation law carries a at the inequalities of a society per- in northern Phitsanulok province were The massive demonstration comes after weeks of near-daily student-led protests sentence of up to 15 years per charge, ceived to favour the kingdom’s detained for hours without charge, a denouncing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s military-aligned administration. AFP and experts say the law’s vagueness elite establishment. Thai legal aid group said. AFP Indonesia’s Mt Sinabung blasts tower of smoke and ash into sky INDONESIA’S Mount Sinabung and more eruptions. ash came it went from being very life in 2010 for the first time in erupted on Monday, belching “This is an alert for all of us to bright to dark as night,” said Ren- 400 years. After another period a massive column of ash and avoid red-zone areas near cana Sitepu, the head of Naman- of inactivity, it erupted once smoke 5,000m into the air and Sinabung,” said Armen Putera, teran village, adding that some more in 2013 and has remained plunging local communities a local official with Indonesia’s of the community’s crops were highly active since. into darkness with a thick layer Volcanology and Geological destroyed by the fallout. In late 2018, a volcano in the of debris. Hazard Mitigation Centre. “The village went dark for strait between Java and Sumat- The volcano on Sumatra However, the crater’s alert about 20 minutes.” ra islands erupted, causing an island has been rumbling since status remained at its second- The coronavirus pandemic underwater landslide and tsu- 2010 and saw a deadly eruption highest level. complicated matters as scared nami which killed more than in 2016. No one lives inside a previ- residents violated safety rules. 400 people. Activity had picked up in recent ously announced no-go zone “Locals were gathering after Indonesia is home to about days, including a pair of smaller around the volcano. the eruption without using face 130 active volcanoes due to its eruptions at the weekend. Small communities nearby were masks because they were all position on the “Ring of Fire”, a There were no reports of inju- coated in a layer of thick ash as at panicking,” said local disaster belt of tectonic plate bounda- ries or deaths from Monday least one village went from day to agency chief Natanael Per- ries circling the Pacific Ocean morning’s blast, but authorities night in a matter of minutes. angin-angin. where frequent seismic activity Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung belches a massive column of ash and warned of possible lava flows “It was like magic – when the Sinabung had roared back to occurs. AFP smoke 5,000m into the air. AFP 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Creativity & Innovation Official builds coolers to aid farmers, vendors

Kheng Sokkunthea

HILE a tropical climate enables farmers to en- joy plenty of crops, it can be a curse when Wthe fruits of their labour rot in the humidity before they make it to mar- ket. Witnessing the plight of farmers racing against rot, a former agricul- tural engineering student at the Royal University of Agriculture Hong Soth thought of creating cold storage spac- es which would keep produce fresh. “They [farmers] just store harvested fruits and vegetables in a traditional way like putting [them] in baskets, or keeping them under their houses. “This produce [is then] transport- ed to markets the next day. Some are damaged and some fruits may have black spots on them. Leafy vegeta- bles are easily withered,” he says. The 30-year-old observed that farm- ers typically do not have good post- harvest systems and that leads to the inevitable loss because some of their produce never makes it to the market. “Farmers are not able to control and maintain the firmness and freshness of fruits and vegetables after harvest. This situation causes leakage in their farm productivity,” Soth says. He says even some of the produce that makes it to market rots once it arrives because of insufficient re- frigeration equipment. “The cold room storage project can help solve this [spoilage] prob- Cambodian farmers often struggle to harvest and transport large crops fast enough, leaving produce to rot before it can be sold. hong menea lem for retailers, wholesalers and farmers,” Soth says. A Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries official, he spent over one year conducting experiments with walk-in coolers that can main- tain proper temperatures for locally grown fruits and vegetables. “Seeing the farmers and retailers’ problem, I spent the past year study- ing and trying to produce a small sam- ple cold room for testing,” he says. After he was satisfied with the cooler, he teamed up with five workers – most of whom were students at his alma mater – and spent 10 days building and installing the first walk-in cooler. “I built my first walk-in cooler in an organic vegetable store in Phnom Penh, and the store owner fully fund- ed all expenses on this experiment. My team and I injected our effort and skill on this experiment,” Soth says. The walk-in cooler is built with Hong Soth spent a year studying different designs to perfect his version of a walk-in Soth’s walk-in coolers automatically regulate temperatures and humidity levels and painted steel walls, insulation pan- cooler, which was built with the help of Royal University of Agriculture students. supplied can keep vegetables and fruits fresh for five to seven days. supplied els and a stainless steel frame. The first walk-in cooler was 2.5m- Instead, he suggested investors with minus-zero temperatures to al- wide, 4m-long and 2m-high. It con- and private companies that pur- low for freezing meat. sumes 1,200W of electricity and chase fruits and vegetables from “My cooler is for crop harvesting costs $5,500. Customers can tailor farmers invest in cold storage to only and it is immobile. It will stay the size to their needs. raise revenue for businesses and only where the owner wants it to be Soth says the walk-in cooler can farming communities alike. located after installation. Customers store eight to 12 tonnes of fruit or “I’d like to urge agricultural inves- may place an order in advance and 600 to 1,000kg of vegetables. tors to invest more in helping farmers the team will bring all the equipment The cooler functions through an au- to overcome productivity losses. In- to install it at their desired location.” tomatic system and keeps fruits and stalling a cold storage facility like our While Soth is working to improve his vegetables fresh for five to seven days. cooler can achieve this,” Soth says. walk-in cooler, he also hopes that the “Temperatures from five to eight de- The walk-in cooler allows business technology can spread and become gree Celsius can keep vegetables fresh owners to control their inventory common throughout the country at for a week, and temperatures n be- easily, and order larger numbers of the rural and commercial level. tween four and five degrees can main- products at cheaper prices. “Having a good storage system tain the firmness of fruits,” says Soth. “It is good to have a cold room for will avoid losses caused by rotten While similar-sized commercial some businesses like organic fruit harvests. It will respond to demand coolers cost between $4,000 and and vegetable shops, restaurants for high-quality fruits and vegeta- $9,000 in other countries, Soth’s with flexible demands of fruits and bles while ensuring food safety for walk-in cooler is cheaper and in- vegetables, and even farmer associ- our people as well,” he says. cludes installation. ations which collect a huge amount For more information about the “But many Cambodian farmers can- of products,” he says. walk-in cooler by Hong Soth, please not afford to own this cold room because But Soth says that at this time, he visit the Facebook page Kasekor Soth (left) hopes cooling technology can spread far and wide in the Kingdom to enable it is still expensive for them,” he says. cannot produce a storage system Chhlat or call 070 535 838. farmers and distributors to maximise their profits. supplied THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Rio to make beachgoers reserve space via app

EEKING to contain Rio state has been hit harder by Covid-19, the mayor the virus than any other in Bra- of Rio de Janeiro an- zil except for Sao Paulo. nounced Monday the On July 31, Crivella re- iconicS Brazilian beach city will opened the Rio ocean front require sunbathers to social for swimming, but sitting on distance and reserve space on the sand is still off-limits. the sand in advance via an app. Despite that, throngs of peo- Mayor Marcelo Crivella said ple have crowded legendary Rio’s world-famous beaches beaches such as Copacabana could only fully reopen with and Ipanema on recent week- clearly demarcated areas to ends, soaking up the sun, play- keep people apart. ing football in the sand and But implementing the mea- gazing at the green mountains sure could prove difficult in dotting the turquoise water. a city where the sand has al- Crivella did not set a date for ready been packed in recent the reopening, saying officials weeks despite the threat of a would give more details soon. 107-real ($20) fine. In July, the mayor had said “People will be able to re- he would only allow people main in demarcated areas, back on the beach when there based on the time they ar- was a coronavirus vaccine. rive and also by reserving via Other beach destinations an app,” Crivella told a news have also experimented with conference. technology to reopen. “That way, we can better Spain is using drones, Bel- organise something that’s not gium is using sensors and working well today.” cell-phone location trackers, Rio authorities closed and various places are ask- beaches in March to fight the ing beach-goers to reserve via spread of the new coronavi- websites or booking apps. rus, which has killed more Rio also authorized business than 100,000 people in Bra- conferences and corporate events zil, the second-highest death again, effective immediately. toll in the pandemic, after the On July 29, Brazil reopened United States. to foreign visitors arriving by Rio Governor Wilson Witzel plane after a four-month sus- admitted at the time the measure pension, hoping to revive its amounted to “heresy” in a place lockdown-devastated tourism Leme Beach in Rio de Janiero, Brazil reopened, along with other Rio beaches, on July 31. But the government is requesting beachgoers to use an known for its love of the beach. industry despite its struggles app to reserve spots on the sand, otherwise they could face a $20 fine. afp With more than 14,000 deaths, to contain the virus. afp Study says herbivores Thousands of motorcyclists flood face higher extinction small US town, snubbing virus risk than predators SHRUGGING off the five mil- lion coronavirus cases now HERBIVORES face a higher different levels of the food web. tallied on US soil, thousands risk of extinction than preda- They performed the same of motorcyclists converged tors, whether they are mam- analysis on species from the last weekend on a small South mals, birds or reptiles, accord- late Pleistocene epoch, begin- Dakota town for what is billed ing to an extensive study of ning 11,000 years ago for Af- as the biggest cycle gathering 24,500 species both living and rica, North America and South in the world. extinct that was published America, and 50,000 years ago In past years, the 10-day Wednesday. for Australia rally in the town of Sturgis has The paper, which appeared Finally, they examined how drawn hundreds of thousands in Science Advances, suggests body size and position in the of bikers to socialise, drink herbivores have suffered a food web affected the threat and party together – raising higher extinction rate over the status among 22,166 living fears among some locals that past 50,000 years compared to species. this year’s version could be a other parts of the food web and The authors wrote that superspreader event. the trend continues to this day. though there are probably For now, the north-central This contradicts the idea, several reasons for the trend, state is far from the hardest-hit based on anecdotal evidence, certain man made interven- by the Covid-19 pandemic – Meade County, where Sturgis Invasive vertebrates, is located, has registered only one virus death, according to insects, and plants have state health officials – but some all been implicated in of the bikers pouring into the area are coming from distant the decline . . . states far more afflicted. As the town’s Main Street fills with bikes and bars fill with bikers, there is scant evidence of social distancing. South Dakota, site of the afp that predators are the most tions seemed to affect herbi- famed massive sculpture of four vulnerable because they have vores more than others. former presidents on Mount The rally has long been a extensive home ranges and “Invasive vertebrates [e.g., Rushmore – where President huge economic boon to Stur- slow population growth rates. rats], insects [e.g., fire ants], Donald Trump held a rally last gis, and vendors were taking The threat is greatest for and plants [e.g., Hottentot fig] month – is one of the few to full advantage of it on Sunday. reptile herbivores, such as tur- have all been implicated in the have never ordered a lockdown They peddled T-shirts marked tles, and large herbivores, like decline and even extinction of or insisted on mask-wearing. “I survived corona” or “God, elephants. several reptiles,” they said. Attendees in Sturgis are be- guns and Trump” or bearing a “There is so much data out What’s more, invasive spe- ing encouraged, but not re- photomontage of the president there and sometimes you just cies, pollution and habitat quired, to wear masks. Few wearing a leather jacket and need someone to organise alteration appeared to affect appeared to be doing so. making an obscene gesture. it,” said Trisha Atwood, an small herbivorous birds dis- So far, as the town’s Main While some locals worried ecologist at Utah State Univer- proportionately. Street fills with bikes and bars about the two-wheeled in- sity and the first author of the There are certain exceptions: fill with bikers, there is scant vaders, the state’s governor study. predators living in marine evidence of social distancing. warmly embraced them. Researchers first looked at habitats did face an elevated Visitors to this 80th edition of “We’re excited for visitors to modern day extinction risk extinction risk, suggesting the cycle rally already greatly see what our great state has to patterns among herbivores, they faced more existential outnumber the 6,000 resi- offer!” tweeted Kristi Noem, a omnivores and predators in pressures than their land- dents of Sturgis, wedged into Dane Senser showcases his custom vest on Main Street during the 80th Republican and strong Trump mammals, birds and reptiles at dwelling counterparts. afp the South Dakota hills. Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. afp supporter. afp 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Port blast leaves old Thinking caps Beirut’s city heritage gems in rubble heap

The Beirut port explosion blew the city’s past into oblivion, ravaging architectural and cultural treasures. afp

HE monster explo- “It is an interruption in the era” in the 1960s. sion that levelled Bei- transmission of memory of a Between 20 and 30 artworks rut’s port darkened place, of a family, of a portion were damaged in the blast, the Lebanese capi- of the history of the city.” mainly by flying shards of tal’sT future but also blasted its glass, according to a museum “ON TOP” past into oblivion, ravaging Gallery of pain spokesperson. many beloved architectural Just next door is the Sursock They include the art collec- ACROSS 54 Window or middle alternative 25 Palm used for thatching and cultural treasures. Museum, a cultural beacon in tion’s main gem: a circa-1930 1 Magic item of folklore 58 Winter chapeau 26 Kind of male or wave Gems of the city’s heritage, a country whose treasures are portrait of Nicolas Sursock, 5 Coveted role 60 Civilian clothes 27 They sometimes fall on deaf ears including some of the region’s often poorly protected and painted by renowned Dutch- 9 Carpenter’s grooves 64 Had gone belly up? 28 Third rock from the sun most elegant Levantine vil- showcased. French artist Kees Van Dongen. 14 River that begins in Pittsburgh 65 Depression-era freight-hopper 30 Nancy Drew’s boyfriend las with their triple-arch win- The mansion-turned-muse- The blast caused the paint- 15 Not faked out by 66 Archipelago part 32 Thug dows, were damaged beyond um, which only a few months ing to fall, cutting a slash into 16 Distinctive historical period 67 Eagles that sound deserving? 33 Brother of Moses 68 Did not step lightly repair. ago was housing a landmark the canvas that stops right at 17 Streak on a cheek 34 Barrel strip 69 “Wild” card Many of old Beirut’s re- Picasso exhibition, now tells the Sursock’s forehead. 18 Wooden-soled shoe 35 Scatter (about) 70 Chicks feel secure there maining colonial-era and story of a city’s desecration. “It’s my favourite painting,” 19 Rock climber’s ridge 37 Grammy category 71 Bone-dry earlier landmarks had already Its facade is crumbling above said Elsa Hokayem, the mu- 20 Scot’s signature hat 40 For the wife 23 Strong loathing DOWN been damaged by 15 years of a grand imperial staircase that seum’s assistant director. 41 They’re thrown on the gridiron 24 Crack the books 1 Game with scratching civil war and decades of gov- curves upwards in an arch. 42 Ben-Hur was chained to one 25 Mane area 2 In first place ‘Winter poses danger’ 47 Creative class ernment neglect. The Mediterranean 29 Some people break into it 3 Where Little Havana is 48 Like some blankets The August 4 blast finished light that previously trick- Inspecting the National Mu- 31 Chest-beater 4 Like a sponge 50 Gymnasts’ garb the job. led through the building’s seum of Beirut after Tuesday’s 33 Balaam’s beast 5 Lomond, for one 53 Type of tactics Days after the disaster, stained-glass windows now explosion, Culture Minister 36 Retain 6 It can result in a blowup 38 Word before “crust” or “deck” 55 Set of 20 Tania Ingea gave a tour of floods the structure, rendered Abbas Mortada said he was 7 Perform penance 39 Anytime now 56 Mechanic’s charge her home on Sursock Street, almost entirely open-air. relieved that Lebanon’s main 8 Army identification 43 Harder to find 57 Horace verse form which bears her relatives’ Jacques Aboukhaled, the archi- archaeological trove escaped 9 Letter starter 44 Edith dubbed “The Little 58 Word after “Web” or “camp” name and houses some of the tect who led renovation efforts disaster, with only its external 10 Lending letters or tax-paying mo. Sparrow” 59 R&D site, briefly most striking vestiges of the there for around 20 years, says facade slightly damaged. 11 Fawn’s mom 45 Smokestack emission 60 “Air” or “field” starter old Beirut aristocracy’s hey- the “fabric” of the building is safe, He couldn’t say the same for 12 Six mos. later than 10-Down 46 Managed 61 Take for a sucker day. but pressure from the blast blew “hundreds” of other heritage 13 “That’s all ___ wrote!” 49 Sandpaper surface 62 Wintertime ailment “It feels like a rape,” says the 21 Backyard cooking devices 51 Town crier’s announcements 63 Private eye heiress of the mansion, pre- It is an interruption 52 “Friends” paleontologist 22 Tokyo, once viously known as Palais de la Residence. in the transmission of Tuesday’s solution The devastating blast of a memory of a place, pile of industrial fertiliser, widely blamed on govern- of a family ment negligence, was so pow- erful that it literally redrew off almost everything else. buildings already pockmarked Beirut’s coastline and skyline. “As it is a closed building, and made frail by Lebanon’s Ingea’s converted 18th- there was an implosion from devastating 1975-1990 civil war. century palace now looks every single corner,” says the “Most of the heritage build- like it has been vandalised, 68-year-old. “I did not expect ings are damaged,” Mortada with broken Ottoman-era ar- to see so much damage.” said. “It’s going to take a lot of tefacts in every one of both Aboukhaled estimated that work.” floors’ rooms. the repairs would take more He estimated that repairs Wooden panels inscribed than a year and cost millions would cost “hundreds of mil- with Arabic calligraphy have of dollars. lions of dollars”, but said they been blown off doors and But he is not deterred: “I feel needed to be carried out ur- Tuesday’s solution walls and now sit piled in cor- very attached to this building. gently, before heavy winter ners of the house. It’s like our house.” rains sweep away what’s left. Shards of stained glass more Built as a mansion in 1912, A culture ministry team is than two centuries old have the palace opened its doors conducting a damage assess- been swept aside to one cor- as a museum nearly 50 years ment, but Mortada said he ner with the rest of the waste. later, as instructed in the will was banking on outside help, When Lebanon marks its of its owner, Nicolas Sursock, especially from France. centennial in three weeks, the who wanted his grand home “We need renovation works port blast will have deprived converted after his death. to happen as soon as pos- it of some of the most grace- It reopened in 2015 after sible,” he said, warning of the ful relics of that period. an eight-year closure for ma- coming rains. “There is now a cut between jor renovation work, its new “If winter comes and they the present and the past,” In- walls adorned with paintings are not done . . . this will pose gea says. from the country’s “golden a grave danger.” afp THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Fernandes lifts Man Utd over Copenhagen RUNO FERNANDES but Solskjaer’s team were scored a penalty in left to sweat until the end as extra time as Man- Johnsson pulled off sensa- chester United tional stops from the Portu- scrapedB past FC Copenhagen guese and substitute Juan 1-0 on Monday in the quarter- Mata, with Victor Lindelof the finals of the Europa League, third United player to strike reshaped into an eight-team the post. straight knockout tourna- United though ultimately ment in Germany due to the ensured their 2019-20 cam- coronavirus pandemic. paign will extend into a second The Portugal international year, having started the season notched his competition- 365 days ago with a 4-0 Pre- best seventh goal of the sea- mier League win over Chelsea. son as United set up a semi- Awaiting them on Sunday will final clash against Sevilla or be Sevilla – who have won the Wolves, joining Inter Milan Europa League and its precur- in the last four following the sor, the UEFA Cup, a record Italian side’s 2-1 victory over five times – or domestic rivals Bayer Leverkusen in Dussel- Wolves. dorf. Former United striker “Third time this season Romelu Lukaku grabbed the we’ve been to the semis, ev- decisive goal for Antonio Con- ery competition we’ve been te’s Inter against Leverkusen in. Delighted we’ve gone as the Serie A runners-up through, we deserved to win moved a step closer to adding tonight,” United manager to their titles from 1991, 1994 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT and 1998. Sport. Inter struck first as Nicolo “Their keeper was fantastic, Barella guided in from the unbelievable. We hit the post edge of the area on 15 min- a few times, there were a cou- utes, with Lukaku bundling in ple of VAR decisions against a second six minutes later. us. It could have been one of Bruno Fernandes (center) notched his seventh goal of the season as Manchester United set up a semi-final clash against Sevilla. afp Kai Havertz reduced the def- those nights that you end up icit in possibly his final game with penalty shoot outs. They for Leverkusen on 25 minutes made it hard for us.” old Copenhagen forward outstanding Swedish goal- stung the palms of Johnsson last met in the Champions after exchanging passes with All games from the quar- Mohamed Daramy was twice keeper. with another hit from dis- League group stage in 2006. fellow Germany international ter-finals onwards in this involved as the Danish un- Greenwood looked to have tance – shortly after Aaron Martial nearly won the Kevin Volland, but Inter held season’s Europa League are derdogs threatened a creak- put United ahead as he drilled Wan-Bissaka made a desper- game in normal time but on to seal their place against being played behind closed ing United backline. in via the far post moments ation block to thwart Bryan again a sprawling Johnsson Shakhtar Donetsk or Basel in doors as one-off ties across Eric Bailly intervened just later only for the teenager to Oviedo after a mesmerising tipped away his curling at- next week’s semi-final. four venues -- Cologne, Duis- as Daramy attempted to stab be ruled offside following a dribble from Rasmus Falk. tempt that appeared destined “The defence did a tremen- burg, Dusseldorf and Gelsen- home a bouncing cross, and VAR review. for the top corner. dous job again tonight. We kirchen -- in a unique format the Ivorian defender was then He again went close early Johnsson outstanding in The France striker was are growing but we have to following a five-month inter- played into trouble by Fred in the second half when he goal once more repelled by Johns- learn to kill games off when ruption. with Jens Stage’s subsequent slammed against the upright, Appearing in their first Eu- son at the start of extra time, we have the chances to do it, Solskjaer recalled Fer- effort blocked. with Fernandes promptly ropean quarter-final, and the but Martial won a penalty as and we didn’t tonight,” said nandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford finally tested Karl- smacking the opposite post first Danish club to reach this United kept the attack alive Lukaku. Rashford, Mason Greenwood Johan Johnsson just before with a dipping 20-yard drive. stage since 1997, Copenhagen and the striker was upended “Now we have time to re- and Anthony Martial but the the interval with a long-range The Portugal international, continued to frustrate United by Andreas Bjelland. cover physically and prepare 2017 competition winners shot -- the first of a multitude who scored five times in the as they sought a repeat of Fernandes blasted home for another great game. We struggled early, and 18-year- of saves for Copenhagen’s group stage with Sporting, their 1-0 win when the clubs from the spot on 95 minutes will have to be ready.” afp Booker’s 35 extends Suns winning streak to six games DEVIN BOOKER produced “We haven’t accomplished Milwaukee’s scoring with 19 another 30-point scoring anything,” Williams said. from the bench. display as the Phoenix Suns “That may sound like coach With his team already as- notched six wins in a row speak, but we dug ourselves sured of second seeding in since the NBA’s restart with a into a hole with our record the East, Raptors coach Nick blowout victory over Oklaho- this season. Nurse said he is using the ma City Thunder on Monday. “We scrapped all year long remaining games before the Booker scored 35 points and won some games. But players to assess depth off the with five rebounds and four it’s been an uphill battle for bench. assists in a 128-101 win that us. We’ve done a good job of “I think it’s still a matter of maintained Phoenix’s im- getting to this point and no ironing out some rhythm and probable charge towards a one knew we were going to playing hard on defence and place in the Western Confer- be here. rhythm on offense,” Nurse ence play-in. “But we haven’t accom- said. It was the fourth time in six plished anything as far as the “It’s a chance here to see a games that Booker has scored main goal is, of getting to the few more faces that need to more than 30 points in Or- playoffs,” he said. be out there. lando, where the Suns are a Elsewhere on Monday, the “There hasn’t been a lot of perfect 6-0 since the season Dallas Mavericks overpow- minutes, for whatever reason, resumed inside the NBA’s ered the Utah Jazz 122-114, for some of the guys coming bubble last month. with Tim Hardaway Jr scor- off the bench, and we need to Booker’s latest masterclass ing 27 points. Seth Curry get them up to speed a little included an audacious three- added 22 points with Boban bit,” he said. pointer from near halfway late Marjanovic adding 20 for the In the late Western Con- in the third period that extend- Mavs, who were without the ference game, Kyle Kuzma ed the Suns’ lead to 13 points, Devin Booker scored 35 points with five rebounds and four assists in a huge 128-101 over the Oklahoma City resting Luka Doncic. drained a three-pointer in the and underscored his status as Thunder as Phoenix continued an improbable charge into the Western Conference play-in. afp At the top of the East, the closing seconds as the Los the NBA’s form player. NBA champion Toronto Rap- Angeles Lakers plucked a 124- Booker’s offensive effort Oklahoma City’s scoring place in the race for a place in their final games to secure a tors took advantage of the 121 victory over the Denver was backed by double-digit was led by Darius Bazley with next weekend’s play-in tour- berth in the play-in. absence of Milwaukee’s Gian- Nuggets. scoring from five team-mates, 22 points, while Abdel Nader nament. nis Antetokounmpo to record LeBron James finished with with starters Mikal Bridges had 15 points. But even if the Suns win ‘Accomplished nothing’ a 114-106 win in a potential 29 points for the Lakers, who and Cameron Johnson scor- The Suns (32-39) began the their two remaining seeding Suns coach Monty Williams preview of the conference fi- had already assured them- ing 18 points each and Dario season restart as rank outsid- games – against Philadelphia warned afterwards that the nals. selves of top spot, while An- Saric adding 16 points. ers for a place in the playoffs on Tuesday and against Dallas team was still a long way from Chris Boucher had 25 thony Davis finished with 27 Cameron Payne had 14 from the Western Conference. on Thursday – they will need achieving its goal of a first ap- points off the bench for To- points. points off the bench, while De- Monday’s win lifted them rivals Memphis, Portland and pearance in the playoffs for a ronto, while Matt Thomas Kuzma’s winning three took his andre Ayton added 10 points. above San Antonio into 10th San Antonio to lose once in decade. had 22 points. Kyle Korver led game tally to 25 points. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 12, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport German plan to bring back fans to football faces gov’t skepticism

ERMANY’S health minister is decisive is the practice in every- Jens Spahn said Monday he day life,” Spahn added. opposes the Bundesliga’s “We feel that we must remain vigi- plans for the partial return lant. ofG football fans to stadiums next sea- “In the current situation, specta- son amid the coronavirus pandemic. tors in the stands would send the “Thousands of spectators in the wrong signal.” stadiums – that is not suitable given Germany’s top-flight clubs lose the current infection rate,” Spahn several million euros in match rev- wrote on Twitter. enue for every home game played German football fans are hungry to return to the games, but a plan to allow that will likely be dashed. afp “Now is not the time to take any behind closed doors. avoidable risks.” However, the number of coronavirus Monday, indicated the plan was un- jority of ministers,” Kalayci said. “If we are unlucky, a ‘super-spread- Last week, the clubs in Germany’s infections is rising slightly in Germany likely to be approved. “Especially because before and er’ would sit among the fans and the top two leagues agreed to Bundes- with 436 new cases in the last 24 hours. “We do not intend to pass a resolu- after the game, no one can exclude virus will spread like wildfire. liga plans to allow the partial return Around 9,000 virus-related deaths tion on the DFL’s hygiene concept,” and control large crowds of people “Someone may not have any of fans when the new league season have been recorded in the country. Kalayci told newspaper Berliner and alcohol consumption. symptoms at all yet, but still his begins on September 18. Bavaria’s state premier Markus Morgenpost before the conference. “We currently need the testing throat is already full of the virus. The plans included clubs selling Soeder echoed Spahn’s sentiments. “Professional football is not at the top capacity in many other areas - for “And with the shouting and cheer- personalised tickets which could be “I cannot imagine it and I am ex- of the health ministers’ priority list.” example, schools, daycare centres, ing, it can happen in a flash.” traced, access only to seated areas tremely sceptical about it,” he said The final nine rounds of league nursing homes, hospitals and peo- Johna says she has sympathy for of the ground, no alcohol sales at of the DFL’s plans, worrying that matches last season were all played ple returning from travel.” the league’s attempts to bring spec- games until October and a ban on seeing football fans back in stadi- behind closed doors. Meanwhile, the Marburger Bund, the tators back, “but the fact that their away fans until 2021. ums would send a “devastating sig- Fritz Keller, the president of the association and trade union for doc- concept would prevent infections is However, the proposal by the German nal” to German society. German FA, had raised the prospect tors in Germany, also warned against a unrealistic, in my opinion.” Football League (DFL) first needs ap- of mass testing of spectators next sea- return of fans to the stadiums. She doubts fans can be expected to proval by the government, and Spahn’s ‘Super-spreader fears’ son, but Kalayci torpedoed the idea. “The danger of a mass infection keep their distance during matches, comments dashed those hopes. Earlier in the day, Dilek Kalayci, “The idea that, among other would be real,” chairperson Susanne because when a goal is scored, “you “The DFL concept is good in theo- chairman of the conference of Ger- things, all fans in stadiums could be Johna told the Neue Osnabruecker hug each other and don’t think of ry. However, in the pandemic, what many’s health ministers which met tested is viewed critically by the ma- Zeitung newspaper. corona”. afp Vettel’s last Ferrari season goes into a fiery tailspin SEBASTIAN Vettel’s final sea- son with Ferrari shifted gears from disappointment to em- barrassment as he engaged in a post-race argument with the team after trailing home 12th in Sunday’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. Team boss Mattia Binotto says Ferrari have not lost faith in Vettel, yet it appears increas- ingly apparent that the Ger- man is not receiving the same Ronnie O’Sullivan has slammed the poor quality of snooker’s next generation. afp level of focused support as his team-mate Charles Leclerc. Sebastian Vettel’s last season with Ferrari is stuck in traffic. afp Leclerc, on a one-stop strat- O’Sullivan on young: ‘They are so bad’ egy, finished fourth, a result race, obviously also last week- Sky Sport Italia. “He is go- that he said felt like a victory, end, our races [his and Charles ing through a difficult time RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has they’re not that good really. challengers emerging. leaving the luckless Vettel Leclerc’s] were very different. in qualifying and the last two slammed the poor quality of “Most of them would do well O’Sullivan has referred to complaining about Ferrari’s “I was always stuck in traffic, races where he hasn’t found snooker’s next generation after as half-decent amateurs, or lower-ranked rivals in dispar- faulty strategy for him and starting further back. Losing the confidence in the car. Here, he beating China’s Ding Junhui to not even amateurs they’re so aging terms as “numpties” in making clear his annoyance car in the first lap didn’t help.” spun putting his wheels on the reach the World Champion- bad a lot of them. the past and he believes a lack on team radio during the race. During the race, Vettel com- kerb and his race was uphill. ship quarter-finals. “A lot of them you see now, you of desire is one reason for the The four-time world cham- plained bitterly about the “I honestly think there is lit- O’Sullivan, a five-time world think, I’ve probably got to lose an struggles of younger players. pion, who is widely expected timing of his pit-stops and tle to say about strategies. We champion will play fellow vet- arm and a leg to fall outside the The 44-year-old, who last to switch to Aston Martin the team’s strategy. were early perhaps by a few eran Mark Williams, for a place top 50. So that’s why we’re hover- won the world title in 2013, said: next season when the con- “I will hang in there, but you laps with the call that made in the semi-finals at Sheffield’s ing around, because of how poor “When you’re younger you have troversial Racing Point team know that you’ve messed up,” him lose a position to [Kimi] Crucible Theatre. it is down that end.” all the hunger and desire but at changes its name, endured a he told Ferrari at one point Raikkonen, but we knew he But after his 13-10 win against O’Sullivan, 45-year-old Wil- some point you have to try to spin on the opening lap, re- in one of several barbed ex- would recover without losing Ding, former world number liams and Scottish veteran John get yourself motivated, whether covered, but struggled with changes with team officials. time. one O’Sullivan said the current Higgins all turned professional that’s taking the pressure off or Ferrari’s tactical calls. Vettel recovered his com- “It allowed Charles to con- standard is so bad he would 28 years ago and have gone on getting another hobby or job. “Two weekends in the same posure in the aftermath of a tinue his comeback. Overall, have to “lose an arm and a leg” to dominate the sport. “But while I’m still playing place and from Saturday morn- torrid afternoon for him and it was the right choice for the to slip down the rankings. They have won 13 world snooker I want to enjoy it. ing, last week, I wasn’t able to Binotto was swift to steady a team. O’Sullivan, 44, told the BBC: titles and 98 ranking tourna- Whether I win or lose is kind make any progress,” said Vettel. rocky situation for both sides. “His race was compromised “If you look at the younger ments between them while of irrelevant at this stage of “That’s the thing that stands out. “I don’t think Sebastian at the start and I think that players coming through, remaining the top 16 with few my career.”afp “And I think today in the has lost faith,” Binotto told was the key.” afp