Friday, august 13, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3728 / 4000 RIEL MENA market peppered with potential: CPSF

Thou Vireak percorn, according to the minutes of that sell Cambodian agricultural cultivars of Cambodian peppercorn export market, as the Ministry of the CPSF’s second quarterly meeting. products” into the platform, he said. that do not have geographical indica- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries THE Cambodian Pepper and Spices CPSF president Mak Ny told The “In addition to peppercorn, our tion (GI) status, and is looking for new logs a prodigious 558.19 per cent Federation (CPSF) has been connect- Post on August 12 that an export plat- exports focus on organic and natural markets in less-treaded regions. year-on-year leap in shipments of the ing with 25 local exporters to explore form maintained by the federation is produce” such as “safe fruits and veg- These are primary objectives in the commodity abroad over the January- and foster new avenues to delve into online, offering products to – among etables”, or those with reduced federation’s mission to transform the July period to 22,580.68 tonnes, which the Middle Eastern and North African other destinations – MENA countries, dependence on chemicals that are Kingdom into a thriving global pro- includes GI-branded Kampot pepper (MENA) markets, a whole world of which he said “support the soon-to- free of microbiological hazards. ducer of peppercorn, he noted. and all other varieties. diverse cuisines that are rich in spices be-approved Harvest II project”. He said the CPSF is pushing for And brighter prospects are antici- and rely heavily on Piper nigrum pep- “We will integrate 25 companies broader international recognition of pated for the domestic peppercorn Continued – page 6

Taliban seize Ghazni, move toward Kabul THE Taliban seized the strategic Afghan city of Ghazni on August 12, just 150km from Kabul, their most important gain in a lightning offensive that has seen them overrun 10 provincial capitals in a week. The interior ministry confirmed the fall of the city, which lies along the major Kabul-Kandahar highway and serves as a gateway between the capital and militant strongholds in the south. “The enemy took control,” spokes- man Mirwais Stanikzai said in a mes- sage to media, adding later that the city’s governor had been arrested by Afghan security forces. Pro-Taliban Twitter feeds showed video of him being escorted out of Ghazni by Taliban fighters and sent on his way in a convoy, prompting spec- ulation in the capital that the govern- ment was angered with how the pro- vincial administration capitulated. As security forces retreated across the country, Kabul handed a proposal to Taliban negotiators in Qatar offer- ing a power-sharing deal in return for an end to fighting, according to a member of the government’s team in Doha who asked not to be named. A second negotiator, Ghulam Farooq Unforgettable love Majroh, said the Taliban had been given Kaavan, the Asian elephant rescued from Pakistan and brought to Cambodia last month has expressed a keen interest to interact with one of the three an offer about a “government of peace” females at his new home in a wildlife sanctuary. The Ministry of Environment urges an end to the decimation of elephant populations as it marks World sTORY > 2 Elephant Day on Thursday. Hean Rangsey without providing more specifics. Authorities in Kabul have now effectively lost most of northern and western Afghanistan and are left holding a scattered archipelago of contested cities also dangerously at risk of falling to the Taliban. The conflict has escalated dramat- 3M Covid vaccines land in ically since May, when US-led forces began the final stage of a troop with- drawal due to end later this month following a 20-year occupation. The loss of Ghazni will likely pile Cambodia, more to follow more pressure on the country’s already overstretched airforce, needed to bol- Voun Dara The government is also in the proc- government still has another two per cent of the 12-17 age group of ster Afghanistan’s dispersed security ess of organising the purchase of million doses that will arrive in a nearly two million by August 11 – or forces who have increasingly been cut HREE million doses of the booster shots from other countries. week or two, bringing the total to 53.25 per cent of the Kingdom’s total off from reinforcements by road. Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine Ministry of Health Secretary of 16.5 million,” she said. population of 16 million. Pro-Taliban social media accounts that Cambodia purchased State York Sambath said during the According to Sambath, Cambodia Cambodia has been lauded by the also boasted of the vast spoils of war from the Chinese pharma- handover ceremony at Phnom Penh already has more than 24 million World Health Organisation (WHO) for their fighters had recovered in recent ceuticalsT company arrived in Phnom International Airport that the gov- vaccines, including the three million its inclusive vaccination programme. days, posting photos of armoured vehi- Penh on August 12, while another ernment has been successful in pur- that arrived on August 12. Prime Minister Hun Sen said on cles, heavy weapons, and even a drone two million shots are expected to chasing vaccines for citizens. Cambodia will have vaccinated August 1 that all Cambodians would seized by the insurgents at abandoned arrive next week or in the last week “Three million doses of the Sino- 81.11 per cent of the targeted adult Afghan military bases. AFP of August. vac vaccine arrived today, and the population of 10 million and 20.52 Continued – page 2

Don’t miss our Economic measures mount for Special Report Covid recovery, private funding Inside page 8-9 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Gov’t readies booster shots, Delta variant forcing move Continued from page 1

be administered a booster shot, while those who had received Sinovac and Sinopharm shots would get the Astra- Zeneca jabs and vice versa. The booster shot is currently being given to frontline workers in prov- inces bordering neighbouring coun- tries, especially Thailand. Sambath said the national Covid-19 vaccination committee has held two meetings on the issue and is in the process of organising purchases for more vaccines for a third dose. “We are working with our embas- sies in Japan, India and South Korea and also with the UK to procure more vaccine supplies,” she said. “We are working on this but we don’t know whether we can get con- firmation this week or next week. Our embassy will inform us,” she said. Cambodian ambassador to South Korea Long Dimanche said on August 12 that purchasing vaccines from South Korea could be difficult as the vaccina- tion drive there has faced delays. South Korea has only reached 40 per cent of the population for the first dose and 14 per cent for the second. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health on August 12 issued a directive to pro- Sausage fest vincial governors concerning quaran- A woman sells sausage at Orussey market in Phnom Penh on June 29. HENG CHIVOAN tining migrant workers, especially individuals suspected of having the coronavirus Delta variant. The four-page directive signed by minister Mam Bun Heng said those who have had direct contact with Delta patients at the border have to World Elephant Day celebrated undergo a 21-day quarantine at a centre along the border. Ry Sochan fragmented Asian elephants and weighing more than five tonnes have phant survey. The team collected a Those who have had indirect contact negatively impacted the long-term been confiscated by Cambodian au- total of 85 fresh dung samples of the with Delta patients would be trans- N THE occasion of World stability of this important spe- thorities and stored in safe places. mammal for further genetic analy- ferred to a quarantine facility in their Elephant Day on August cies. Asian elephants live in herds Pheaktra told The Post on August sis at a lab of the Royal University hometown. Alternatively, they can take 12, a senior Ministry of in Cambodia’s protected areas and 12 that his ministry will continue of Phnom Penh, with the hope for a 14-day quarantine at a centre along Environment official ap- have many offspring. to educate citizens to avoid dis- results in the next six months. the border then a further seven days at pealedO for an end to the decimation The presence of small elephant turbing elephants. “The effort will provide the re- the centre in their hometown. of elephant populations as they are calves in large herds is the hope of “We are working with local au- search team with evidence that “Set up more quarantine centres a critically endangered species. conservationists and environmen- thorities to drive the elephants back will help understand the move- even at the commune level for those In a message marking the event, talists, Pheaktra added. into the wild. In the past, like in Ra- ments of Asian elephants within who have had contact with Delta ministry secretary of state Neth Pheak- “Illegal encroachment on state tanakkiri and Mondulkiri, elephants and between protected areas in patients. The centres need to have tra said Asian elephants are critically forest land has affected elephants’ always return to their previous habi- Cambodia’s eastern plains and clean water, electricity, rest rooms, and endangered due to poaching, conflict habitats, foraging areas and water tats, because elephants are a rolling neighbouring countries,” it said. better waste management. between humans encroaching on el- sources,” he said. “Wild elephant food foraging species.” The result of fecal DNA-based sur- “Each province has to prepare ephant habitat and domestication. calves are under threat because of The World Wide Fund for Nature veys, conducted in 2009 and 2015, quarantine centres for migrant work- Pheaktra called for an end to all ac- trapping and domestication, and in Cambodia (WWF Cambodia) showed an estimated population ers returning from Thailand based on tivities that endanger elephants, espe- small wild elephant herds also pres- said on August 12 that a group of of more than 300 Asian elephants the numbers provided by the Minis- cially to encroachment their habitats. ent a threat,” he said. wildlife researchers from Mon- in the eastern plains of Mondulkiri try of Labour and Vocational Training “We all need to be involved in pro- According to a report by the envi- dulkiri provincial environment province, said WWF Cambodia. It is and anticipate the possibility of extra tecting and conserving elephants,” ronment ministry, thousands of ele- department and WWF Cambodia the largest population of Asian el- numbers of workers who could he said. phant tusks and horns of rhinoceros recently concluded their Asian ele- ephant in Cambodia. return,” the directive said. Pheaktra said Cambodia has been According to the directive, workers “actively” involved with the rest of returning from Thailand have to be the world in conserving the world’s tested four times during their 21-day remaining elephant population that quarantine, three of which would be is listed as endangered by the Inter- with antigen rapid test kits – the first national Union for Conservation of on the day of their return, day seven Nature (IUCN) Red List. of the quarantine, and day 13 or 14 of He said there are currently about the quarantine. 400 to 600 Asian elephants in Cam- A final polymerase chain reaction bodia, most of which live in the Car- (PCR) test will be performed on day damom Mountains, the northern 19 of the quarantine. If a worker’s sam- plateau of the Tonle Sap and the ple is confirmed by the PRC test to be eastern highlands of Mondulkiri negative, they can go home. and Ratanakkiri provinces, which The same process also has to be are ecosystems rich in biodiversity carried out on local people who have and habitats suitable for the survival had direct contact with Delta patients of elephants and other wildlife. The in the community. number of domestic elephants is es- The directive also instructs provin- timated at more than 70. cial officials in border provinces to Pheaktra cited a study in which appropriately manage the transpor- experts indicated that in the last 60 tation of migrant workers by using to 70 years, the population of Asian ambulances for those who test posi- elephants in the world has dropped tive, and buses or trucks for those by about 50 per cent, while nearly 90 who are negative. Vehicle drivers per cent of their habitats has been have to be tested every 72 hours. lost. Of the 39,463 to 47,427 Asian el- While transporting migrant work- ephants living in the wild, about 75 ers to an inner quarantine centre, per cent live in India and Sri Lanka. drivers must not take a break at any He said habitat degradation has Elephants in protected areas bordering Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang and Pursat provinces on May 25. Environment Ministry crowded place. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National NAA: HIV/AIDS cases stable Cambodia, Brunei Long Kimmarita sign culture MoU

HE National AIDS Lay Samean the coming days where their Authority (NAA), respective specialist teams in which works with THE first memorandum of charge of cultural work will UNAIDS, estimated understanding (MoU) to look at ways to benefit the thatT 1,200 people died of HIV/ strengthen cultural relations peoples of both countries. AIDS-related illnesses last between Cambodia and Bru- He continued that over the year while 1,100 new cases nei and promote cooperation years, the delegations of both were detected. for mutual benefit was signed sides have exchanged visits to NAA secretary-general Chhim on August 11. participate in cultural events Khin Dareth said the infection The virtual signing ceremo- and other programmes. and death rates are manage- ny was held between Cambo- “The two countries have able, and that the nation had dia’s Minister of Culture and worked together in the past, achieved its goals in accordance Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona but not under an MoU. When to the UN objectives. and Minister of Culture, Youth Cambodia had a cultural pro- Based on the data for 2020, and Sports of Brunei Major gramme, we invited Brunei to some 75,000 people were reg- General (Rtd) Dato Paduka participate. And when Bru- istered as living with HIV/ Seri Haji Aminuddinlhsan nei had cultural activities, we AIDS in the country, with The MoU will strengthen sent a delegation to partici- 62,310 of them receiving anti- cultural relations and promote pate too,” he said. HIV treatment. cultural exchanges between “Within the framework of Of that total number, 9.6 the two nations. It also aims ASEAN, we have always had per cent were transgenders, to promote cultural coopera- a mutual exchange of del- 5.7 per cent comprised drug tion based on the principles of egations in terms of expertise users, and four per cent were equality and mutual benefit. and other areas relating to the men who contracted the ill- Keo Kan Virak, director of cultural sector.” ness through same sex rela- the culture ministry’s interna- tionships. tional relations department, Khin Dareth told The Post told The Post that the MoU on August 12 that the re- marked the first occasion for cent data revealed that in HIV positive villagers wait for treatment at Roka Health Centre in Roka commune of Battambang province’s the two countries to exchange 2020, Cambodia continued Sangke district in 2014. HENG CHIVOAN and promote these ideas. to achieve its 90-90-90 treat- “So, with the government’s ment target set by the UN and accounting for 97 per cent of With this success, Khin On June 8, Cambodia and permission, the two min- the government. people who were receiving ef- Dareth said Cambodia is other countries around the istries signed this MoU to The first 90 per cent goal or fective treatment. committed to achieving the world voted in favour of a promote cooperation in the 84 per cent stands for people “The spread of HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 goal to eradicate the political declaration on HIV/ cultural fields. It is also an who understood the HIV in Cambodia is under con- HIV/AIDS epidemic in the AIDS: Ending Inequalities opportunity to strengthen symptoms whereas the sec- trol, and we have achieved country by 2025. and Ending AIDS by 2030. relations and exchange ex- ond goal, standing at 99 per the goals set by the UN. Rela- He stressed that achieving The political statement and periences of each other both cent, represented those who tively, we have been the most the goals required the par- global goals for 2025 were in the arts and other cultural not understand the symp- successful in the region and ticipation of everybody to also widely disseminated fields,” he said. Culture minister Phoeung Sackona signs MoU with Brunei counterpart toms but were receiving anti- have been recognised by the implement the government’s through a plenary session of He added that the two sides on culture and fine art cooperation HIV treatment. The third goal, UN since 2017,” he said. strategic plan. the NAA. will have a series of meeting in on Wednesday. culture ministry 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Longan rots amid Thai border closure Orm Bunthoeurn

MORE than 40 tonnes of Pailin longan – locally known as Ta Ngen – has started to spoil due to a logjam of trucks at Doung International Checkpoint in Battambang province’s Kam- rieng district as the Thai bor- der remained closed. Brokers urged authorities to intervene and convince Thai authorities to reopen the bor- der so trucks can transport agricultural products into Thailand. Din Den, a broker who exports longans to Thailand, said on August 12 that almost half of his 40 tonnes of fruit were spoiled because of the delay at the checkpoint, which has lasted three nights and four days. “Of nine trucks, only two were permitted to enter Thai- land. The others carrying more than 40 tonnes of longan can- not enter and now over 20 tonnes are spoiled,” he said. Checkpoint deputy chief Em Visoth Raingsey said on August 12 that he had spoken with Thai officials about reopening the border, but Thai authori- ties said there was no law or agreement for Cambodian Truck drivers protests to Thai authorities for banning products from entering Thailand at Doung International Border Checkpoint in Battambang province on August 10. Facebook longans to be exported through this checkpoint. they only accept [goods] that dents to take their request to Thais don’t allow Cambodian Preah Vihear provinces,” he “When their law did not “People asked us to negoti- they do not have. So, we need the provincial administration longans to be sold in their said. mention longans, it doesn’t ate with Thai authorities to intervention from the higher because district authorities country, but they ignored and Battambang deputy provin- mean that everything can be export Pailin longan to Thai- authority,” he said. could not negotiate with their violated the law. We have cial governor Soeum Bunrith imported via the border gate. land. So I attempted to do it, Kamrieng district governor Thai counterparts to reopen never exported longans to said it is up to Thai authorities They have set up the check- but they were not open to Sok Kim Khon said on August the border. Thailand at any border gates whether longans can be point for the transportation of negotiations. The Thais said 12 that he had advised resi- “They already knew that the stretching from Koh Kong to imported into their country. those products,” he said. Drought hits rice yields in K Cham, Oddar Meanchey Khouth Sophak Chakrya

DROUGHT in four districts in Kampong Cham province in June and July affected 2,600ha, causing a drop in rice yields by 30 to 40 per cent, according to provincial gov- ernor Un Chenda. Chenda told The Post on August 12 that there was an extended drought that affected rice plantations in Batheay, Prey Chhor, Cheung Prey and Stung Trang districts. The impact was compounded by a lack of suf- ficient water sources. But he said rainfall from the second weekend of July helped the rice to grow. Although there was water in the fields, the impact of the drought will still affect yields, he said. “Typhoons and low pressure A machine pumping water into rice fields in Oddar Meanchey province’s systems in the region have Chong Kal district on Sunday. Water Resources Ministry caused heavy rainfall across the country, resulting in better 86,500ha of rice this year, but regular rainfall for all types of yields for rice growers. However, farmers have already planted crops, especially rice. But they these farmers claim their yields nearly 90,000ha, an excess of want two crops a season, one have dropped compared to 3,500ha. at the beginning of the rainy other rice farmers’,” he said. Om Vibol, director of the pro- season then a medium rice Chenda has asked relevant vincial Department of Water crop starting from the end of officials to work with local Resources and Meteorology, July to October,” he said. authorities to assist the farm- told The Post that cultivation in Drought also hit Oddar ers with technical advice in these four districts depends on Meanchey province, affecting using fertilisers and pesticides rainfall, and water from the rice crops in Kork Pong and Sre to increase yields for rice and Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Prang villages of Chongkal dis- other crops. But the measures Drought often occurs when trict’s Choeung Tien commune, must be safe for consumers. crops are planted at the begin- totalling more than 300ha. Sim Tha Virak, director of the ning of the rainy season when Provincial water resources provincial Department of Agri- there is not enough water. department director Nen Kuon culture, Forestry and Fisheries, “Farmers were advised to said that last week two machines told The Post that Kampong wait until August to plant were sent to the area to pump Cham had planned to cultivate crops, which usually has good water into the rice fields. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Police destroy five marijuana farms Ministry orders LSD vaccines in Takeo province Long Kimmarita IRI Vong district police in Takeo province on August 11 HE Ministry of Agriculture, Kdestroyed five marijuana plan- Forestry and Fisheries has tations and shut down four water ordered two batches of vac- reservoirs in Ta O commune. There cines from South Africa to have been no arrests, according to fightT the lumpy skin disease (LSD) the National Police. that is infecting cattle in Cambodia. The National Police report said Officials in some provinces have al- district police continued to crack down ready been vaccinating animals to on marijuana crimes, in part to ensure reduce illness and deaths. community safety. Tan Phanara, director-general of Police discovered five separate loca- animal health and production, told tions in the commune where marijua- The Post on August 12 that the vac- na was being cultivated that covered cine will arrive in Cambodia in the 3,189sqm of land with four reservoirs. next one to two weeks when it will The report did not mention the be distributed nationwide to pre- number of plants found and that police vent the spread of LSD. continued the search for the planta- “The government spent two tions’ owners. weeks negotiating with the com- Provincial anti-drug bureau chief pany to buy a good quality vaccine Phoeung Sarun told The Post on for cattle,” he said. August 12 that the marijuana growers The vaccines will be delivered were suspected to be local people be- in two stages. The first one will be cause the cultivation of the marijuana 20,000 doses followed by the second took only three months. one of 50,000 doses. The ministry is Police found this case to be particu- also considering further purchases larly difficult to crack as the marijuana depending on requirements. was planted in the mountains and “This current spread of the infec- accessed by crossing streams. Some tion is still contagious [in some ar- plants were in the mountain rocks. eas]. Due to the spread of LSD, we “When we crack down on marijuana have worked hard in finding ways A cow is infected with lumpy skin disease in Stung Treng province’s Sesan district. Stung Treng Agriculture Department plants in the west, growers secretly to purchase vaccines for our farm- plant them in the east because this ers’ cattle,” Phanara stated. age to the national economy. a loss of income for farmers. were infected. Of that number, 65 area is on the Cambodian-Vietnamese LSD can cause scabies and ulcers Meanwhile, veterinary officials In case of infection, he asked lo- per cent were cured and 35 per cent border. They are opportunists, but we in male animals, which can lead from the Stung Treng provincial de- cal veterinary officials to administer were still ill. One per cent (mostly will continue our clampdowns. We to infertility. The virus can also be partment of agriculture on August 11 injections or consult with owners to calves) died in the period from ear- have a close eye on them,” he said. passed from one animal to another vaccinated cattle against LSD in Stung take immediate action to prevent the ly June until July 29. Police had educated local residents through direct and indirect contact Treng town as many cattle in the area spread of the disease to other cattle. LSD is caused by capripoxvirus from in the past not to plant marijuana as by other infected animals. Infec- were developing the disease. The first cases of LSD occurred in the poxviridae family. It first broke out it is against the law. As a result, the tions amongst cattle herds can be Tum Niro, director of the Stung Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey in Zambia in 1929 and has spread number of people growing marijuana from 5 to 45 per cent of animals. Treng provincial department of provinces in early June, and then around the world. It has a devastating has decreased by 60 to 70 per cent, The death rate is less than 10 per agriculture, said the vaccination of in other provinces bordering Thai- effect on farming families, the live- Sarun said. Nov Sivutha cent. It can also cause serious dam- cattle was to reduce infections and land. The ministry said 6,804 cattle stock industry and economy. Disused stone quarry shut due to residual chemicals Long Kimmarita

BATI district authorities in Takeo province have called on the public to avoid visiting a stone quarry on Chambab Mountain in Tnort commune as the pit is contaminated with chemical residue from trini- trotoluene (TNT) used to break up rocks. Deputy district police chief Chhorn Troeun told The Post on August 11 that authorities instructed people who visited the site not to return, citing dan- gers posed by the chemicals and a possible spread of Covid-19 from large-scale gatherings. “The pit is also harmful to the public’s health as there is chemical residue from the explosives, which were used to The quarry in Takeo province’s Bati district. Facebook break up the rocks. So the area is off limits,” he said. wide in a bid to prevent the morphic substances and left The quarry was the result of spread of Covid-19. chemical residue from the a private company using Troeun warned that people TNT. The level of contamina- explosives to break up rocks who defy the government’s tion could not be determined and take them away. However, order and continue to visit the accurately until samples from the provincial administration site during the pandemic the area were tested. suspended the company’s would face legal action. “TNT is an explosive that can operations as the work affect- An investigation conducted cause serious harm, including ed residents near the site. by district authorities in 2019 death. The remnants of this After the quarry was aban- revealed that Chambab substance can cause neuro- doned, it filled with water and Mountain water was contam- logical abnormalities, includ- attracted visitors who were inated with chemical residue ing headaches and dizziness,” unaware of the hidden dan- from TNT. Reasmey said. gers at the site. The place Reasmey Tan, deputy direc- Reasmey said that after TNT became an attraction about tor of the Institute of Technol- was used and the rocks or ore two years ago. ogy of Cambodia’s Research were removed, the site left deep He added that closing the and Innovation Centre, told pits which filled with water, but quarry was also in line with the The Post on August 11 that in the water is contaminated by government’s circular to tem- general, quarries made by the residual chemicals from the porarily shut all resorts nation- explosives contained calci- excavation work. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,110 1.2512 6.4757 110.44 4.2330 1.3569 33.06 0.7359 1.1741 1.3864

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: August 12, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,380 12,400 12,420 12,380 2 GTI 4,980 5,100 5,180 4,920 3 PAS 13,720 13,620 13,740 13,600 4 PEPC 3,380 3,190 3,390 3,190 5 PPAP 14,980 14,820 14,980 14,820 6 PPSP 2,130 2,060 2,130 2,050 7 PWSA 7,160 7,080 7,280 7,060 Korea petrochemical, Ministry: Check for proof of steel ‘can’t foot bill’ ID in SIM card sales, or else of carbon neutrality Thou Vireak SOUTH Korea’s aggressive goal data Yang obtained from the of carbon neutrality by 2050 Korean Iron & Steel Associa- INISTRY of Posts would cost the nation’s petro- tion, the steel industry would and Telecommu- chemical and steel industries need 109.4 trillion won to apply nications on Au- enormous amounts of money, a technology that melts iron gust 11 warned data showed on August 11. with hydrogen instead of coal. Mof strict action against mobile According to an internal To roll out hydrogen-based phone service providers who document from the Korea Pet- steelmaking infrastructure, it sell or distribute SIM cards rochemical Industry Associa- would cost 35.4 trillion won without verifying and record- tion disclosed by Representa- and existing facilities worth 36 ing the identity of buyers. tive Yang Kum-hee from the trillion would be lost. Not a The ministry said in a press main opposition People Power single steelmaker in the world release that “some locations” Party, the domestic petrochem- has yet to commercialise the operated by Viettel (Cambo- ical industry will emit 110 mil- technology, and it’s question- dia) Pte Ltd – the local affiliate lion metric tonnes of carbon in able whether such massive of the Vietnamese military- 2050 and it would require 270 investments would guarantee owned Viettel, which trades trillion won ($230 billion) to a successful development of as MetFone – and Smart Axi- curb those emissions. the technology, industry offi- ata Co Ltd – a subsidiary of Specifically, ditching fossil cials say. Kuala Lumpur-listed Axiata fuels and switching to bio- “Private companies bear the Group Bhd – were recently based fuels and hydrogen burden of carbon neutrality found to be in violation. would cost roughly 218 trillion when there’s no available tech- This continued practice, won by 2050. nology, so they’re unlikely to it said, runs counter to the Mobile phone service providers are required to verify and record the identity of buyers in the sale or The steel industry is another carry out big investments” distribution of SIM cards. Hong menea Inter-Ministerial Circular No sector that faces mounting Yang said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA 001 dated February 28, 2012 Smart, “to strengthen order in the operator, whether they quests, among other types of uncertainties. According to NEWS NETWORK and the directives of the min- the telecommunications sec- conspired in the sale or not, penalties as stipulated in Arti- istry and Telecommunication tor and national security”. it warned. cle 78 of the Law on Telecom- Regulator of Cambodia. Any individual consumer Violators face the suspen- munications, the ministry The ministry said it would found to have purchased a sion or revocation of their said, adding that all persons issue an immediate cease and SIM card without proof of mobile service provider li- involved will be held liable ‘MENA market ripe for desist order to MetFone and identification will implicate cence and a freeze on all re- under criminal law. Cambodia peppercorn’

Continued from page 1 vars of pepper, at least for the time being. Prasac ‘acts with agility’ to save H1 Cambodian peppercorn is He posited that the MENA exported to 19 countries and region has a great deal of May Kunmakara Lanka Orix Leasing Company territories, with Vietnam the unfulfilled demand for all-or- Plc (LOLC) in Sri Lanka, and largest buyer at 22,217 tonnes, ganic and natural products, BOND-LISTED Prasac Mi- Prasac Staff Co (PSCo), Prasac followed by Germany (244.57 which is in some measure crofinance Institution Plc on said in an announcement. tonnes), France (20.14 tonnes) influenced by higher levels of August 11 reported a strong Executive vice-president and Belgium (15.98 tonnes). economic development that business performance in the Say Sony told The Post in June In 2010, the World Trade exceed that of Cambodia. first half of the year, as net that, since 2008, Prasac has Organisation awarded GI cer- “They crave topflight prod- profit skyrocketed more than raised its registered capital tification to Kampot pepper, ucts, and I dare say the market 83 per cent year-on-year. eight times, to $3.75 million in which has provided the indus- there is ripe for us, and the In a financial statement 2008, to $20 million in 2012, to try a major shot in the arm. conditions are, all things con- filed to Cambodia Securities $47 million in 2014, to $72 mil- But CPSF’s Ny noted that sidered, more favourable or at Exchange (CSX), Prasac said lion in 2015, to $110 million in the federation would rather least easier than in European it attained $68.47 million in 2016, to $168 million and then concentrate on non-GI culti- countries,” he said. net profit in the January-June to $230 million in 2019, and period, compared to $37.37 now to $300 million. million in the corresponding On May 5 last year, Prasac period last year. Prasac’s total assets were $3.83 billion as of June 30. Hong menea listed a corporate bond on Chairman Jun Kwi-sang the CSX, allocating 1,272,000 said in the statement that as grow in all key areas, includ- In mid-June, Prasac said it shares in the public offering, the pandemic continues to ing the total assets, depos- had increased its registered with a total issue amount of pose threats to business op- its and loans, profit as well share capital to $300 million 127.2 billion riel ($31 million). erations, Prasac has “acted as financial technology. We from $230 million to achieve As of June 30, Prasac’s total with agility” to guard against have learned a lot from the a sound financial position to assets, gross loan portfolio, risks and has taken “decisive challenges of the past sev- gain the public’s confidence. deposit balance and share- actions” to ensure protection eral years that made Prasac The increase is distributed holder’s equity amounted to for employees and provide become a strong and stable among four shareholders – $3.83 billion (up 14.23 per timely support to customers. institution for more than 25 KB Kookmin Bank in South cent year-on-year), $3.35 bil- “Despite this time of un- years of sustainable growth,” Korea, The Bank of East Asia lion, $2.32 billion and $587 The Kingdom exported 22,580.68 tonnes of peppercorn to 19 countries certainty, Prasac continues to he said. Ltd (BEA) in Hong Kong, million, respectively. in January-July, up 558.19 per cent year-on-year. HENG CHIVOAN THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Kingdom one of friendliest towards int’l guests: study Hin Pisei Ministry of Tourism spokes- man Top Sopheak told The Post ITH an endless on August 12 that Cambodia is sea of genuine consistently rated by tourism and contagious institutions and major inter- smiles and an national media organisations Wabundance of hospitality and as a prime vacation destina- generosity that warms the tion and one of the friendliest heart and soothes the soul, countries in the world. Cambodia ranked fourth Expat Insider’s latest rank- among countries and terri- ing will likely convince many tories with the friendliest at- people around the world, who titudes towards foreign resi- may or may not have had an dents, according to the latest interest in travelling to Cam- Expat Insider survey con- bodia, to choose the Kingdom ducted by InterNations. as their next holiday destina- This comes after a three- tion, he asserted. Virtually all correspondents (96 per cent) rated the levels of intimacy and friendly attitudes as ‘positive’, compared to the 70 per cent global year hiatus, when the King- Although admittedly un- average. UNICEF dom of Wonder – alternatively familiar with the scope and dubbed the “Land of Smiles” reach of the InterNations to welcome fully-vaccinated According to the survey, 85 On June 24, US travel firm and the endearing Banteay – made a surprise appearance community, Sopheak said: international tourists in the per cent of correspondents Tripadvisor Inc named a Srei temple – or “citadel of the on the top ten list in 2017, also “Placing Cambodia in the top fourth quarter of this year. reported locals as “welcom- three-day discovery tour women”, according to the Tri- taking fourth place. echelon will help attract more He stressed that Cambodi- ing” and 83 per cent thought across northwestern Cam- padvisor website. Virtually all correspondents tourists as well as investors.” ans in general are recognised settling down in Cambodia bodia’s Siem Reap province The global coronavirus epi- (96 per cent) rated the levels of Pacific Asia Travel Associa- as friendly to tourists and that was “easy”. Thirty-nine per as the world’s number one demic has led to a sharp decline intimacy and friendly attitudes tion Cambodia chapter chair- the Kingdom hosts a rich va- cent said they felt like they luxury tour in the 2021 Travel- in the number of international as “positive”, compared to the man Thourn Sinan pointed riety of tourist attractions. were in their home country. lers’ Choice “Best of the Best” tourists visiting Cambodia 70 per cent global average. out that the particular met- “Every top rating or com- Portugal gained nine spots Things to Do Awards. since the beginning of 2020. Correspondents generally re- rics used by InterNations in pliment will have an impact from the previous survey to The package includes a tour According to official Ministry counted having minimal prob- its assessment and ratings on the gradual recovery in top the list, and was followed on the main circuit in Ang- of Tourism statistics published lems staying in the Kingdom. were not specified. Cambodia’s tourism sector, by Taiwan and Mexico. In fifth kor Archaeological Park and on August 11, in the first half One Australian interviewed, But he echoed Sopheak’s after being almost completely to tenth place, after Cambo- beyond to Phnom Kulen Na- of 2021, Cambodia received for example, voiced satisfac- sentiment, saying that the stagnant since the outbreak of dia, were Bahrain, Costa Rica, tional Park and its refreshing 102,560 international tourists, tion with the ease of “building ranking would augur well for the Covid-19 crisis last year,” Oman, Colombia, Vietnam waterfalls, the famous float- down 91.3 per cent compared relationships with locals”. the Kingdom as it prepares Sinan said. and Canada. ing villages on Tonle Sap Lake to the same period last year. Vietnam oil, gas firms post mixed business results despite higher crude prices OIL prices have continuously due to the impact of Covid-19 prices of PVD and PVS shares increased since the beginning and the stagnation of domes- increase significantly. of the year on the production tic oil and gas projects. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock cut agreement of Opec+ and PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Exchange (HoSE), PVS shares the global recovery in fuel de- Services Corp (PVD), which had risen 53.2 per cent in the mand. This has been reflected operates in the upstream first six months of the year, in the market price of oil and sector, involving oil and gas while PVD shares climbed gas stocks in Vietnam, however exploitation, providing most 27.2 per cent. not all businesses benefited. of the drilling services at Meanwhile, for the mid- In the international market, Petrolimex’s oil fields and also stream and downstream sec- oil prices had risen more than participating in international tor, companies witnessed pos- 47 per cent in the first half of activities, reported a drop of itive business results, boosted the year, resulting in higher 47 per cent year-on-year in by sustainable rallies of oil prices of refined products. In net revenue to over 1.66 tril- prices which translated into June, Brent crude even broke lion dong ($73 million) in the higher selling prices or im- Workers of PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Corp (PVD) operate a drilling rig. PVD over $76 per barrel over rising first half of the year. proved gross profit margins. concerns of a supply shortage. The big fall in revenue along Accordingly, PetroVietnam up more than eight per cent. tity of crude oil and it takes revenue in the second quarter Opec and its allies, led by Rus- with large provision costs Gas JSC (PVGas, GAS) finished PV Trans said the gain was time to process crude oil to of 2021 to 13.4 trillion dong. sia, then agreed to loosen pro- caused PVD to record a net the first six months with net driven by higher freight rates, products for sale. Deducting expenses, PV OIL’s duction caps starting in July. loss of 95 billion dong. revenue of 40.27 trillion dong new ships, cost savings and In the first six months, Binh after-tax profit was nearly 272 From the end of 2020 to Similarly, PetroVietnam and profit after tax of nearly 4.4 asset liquidations. Son Refinery’s net revenue billion dong, up 45 per cent. the first quarter of 2021, oil Technical Services Corp’s trillion dong, up 23.2 per cent In the first half of the year, reached over 48.9 trillion As of June 30, the company’s demand in the Asia-Pacific (PVS) net revenue also de- and 4.1 per cent respectively. PV Trans recorded net reve- dong, up 54 per cent over last net revenue reached nearly region hit a peak on Covid-19 clined by 35 per cent to nearly PVGas operates in the mid- nue of more than 3.58 trillion year. Its profit after tax was 25.2 billion dong, down 14 per control measures. However, 5.7 trillion dong during the stream sector, specialising in dong, up 5.5 per cent, with 3.58 trillion dong during the cent over last year. But it posted the outbreak since the begin- period, resulting in a fall of 16 gas collection and redistribu- profit after tax rising 30 per period, compared to a loss of a net profit of 359 billion dong, ning of the second quarter of per cent over last year in profit tion to other firms in the mar- cent to 439 billion dong. more than 4.23 billion dong while it lost 241 billion dong in the year has affected oil de- after tax to 347 billion dong. ket. Particularly in the second Binh Son Refining and Pet- in the same period last year. the same period last year. mand in this region. Even in the same upstream quarter, the sharp increase in rochemical Co Ltd (BRS), the Accordingly, the company In its explanation, the com- Despite the higher oil price, sector, PVS will be less affect- oil prices boosted the com- unit that manages and oper- has achieved 53 per cent of pany stated that the high profit not all oil and gas enterprises ed by oil prices than PVD be- pany’s revenue by 45 per cent, ates production and business the output plan, 70 per cent was due to the fluctuations of in Vietnam benefited, the lat- cause of its diversity in opera- while gross profit climbed activities of Dung Quat Oil of the revenue plan, and qua- gasoline prices in the interna- est report of Viet Dragon Se- tions including ships, ports, 57.5 per cent year-on-year. Refinery, posted significant drupled the profit plan. tional market, with the average curities Corp (VDSC) said. floating warehouses and pe- In the same segment, Petrovi- growth on high oil prices. PetroVietnam Oil Corpora- Brent crude oil prices surging Of which, for upstream troleum engineering. etnam Transportation Corp As it had to continuously tion (PV OIL, OIL) which is 133 per cent year-on-year in the companies, business results However, the bright oil price (PV Trans, PVT) also earned produce and process prod- also in the downstream sec- second quarter of 2021, from were not very positive in the outlook due to the supply- 256.5 billion dong in profit af- ucts, Binh Son Refinery al- tor, recorded an increase of 15 $29.56 per barrel to $68.97. VIET first six months of the year demand gap has helped the ter tax in the second quarter, ways has to maintain a quan- per cent year-on-year in net NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Special​​ Repot r rt Repo Economic measures mounted to recover from Covid-19 and boost private funding Detailed strategies and mechanisms on vaccination, financing methods, cash outlays and market competitiveness are in place to aid the economy

Sangeetha Amarthalingam

N THE past year and a half, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed global economies to risks, negatively affecting Iprivate sector profitability and people’s income, resulting in a downward pressure on domestic revenue collection. “It is a global phenomenon where each government has to shoulder a heavier responsibility of support- ing business lifelines and people’s welfare, and Cambodia is no differ- ent,” said Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) spokesman Meas Soksensan. “However, the remarkable journey of peace, macroeconomic stability and high economic growth for many years have provided a favourable condition for Cambodia to accumu- late a bigger fiscal space. “It is also thanks to the govern- ment’s concerted efforts, especially the successful implementation of the revenue mobilisation strategy,” Soksensan said in an interview with The Post in response to UN Devel- opment Programme (UNDP)’s latest Development Finance Assessment. Published in July, the report analysed public, private, interna- tional and national financing flows available to support investment in the country. Revealing its findings, it offered medium-term policy recommenda- tions for MEF to maximise the level of flows, and their quality and allo- cation, in order to achieve long-run development objectives. In light of Covid-19 and its seri- Export of bicycles and other non-garment goods rose more than traditional exports in the first half of this year.HENG CHIVOAN ous financing impacts, UNDP also estimated Cambodia’s total financ- “So far, the continued expansion national sustainable development government’s emergency interven- ing solutions to meet the growing ing flow losses to be $3.6 billion as of budget expenditure on Covid-19 goals,” he told The Post. tion programmes to help vulnerable budget deficits in 2020 and 2021. private funding comprising foreign containment and social security business sectors and communities, That being said, budget deficit has direct investment (FDI), domes- support [amid] reduced national Better revenue collection the UNDP report which outlined been contained below international tic revenue and investment, took a revenues has put pressure on the Given that sovereign funds have near-term policy response noted financial institution (IFI) policy tar- beating. nation’s capabilities to meet the come under pressure due to the that it is imperative to seek financ- get of five percent of gross domestic Within that context, the eco- product (GDP), UNDP wrote. nomic fallout this year is likely to “The government runs a small sur- be big, pushing above $300 million plus on the primary fiscal balance to due to reduced business activities finance small capital works. Major in the last six months, according to capital works continued to be fi- economist Dr Chheng Kimlong’s nanced by IFIs and bilateral lending previous estimates, in the absence since Cambodia lacks any formal of official data. borrowing instruments,” it said. Echoing the impact on private As a result, the public debt stock funding, Kimlong, who is vice presi- remains comparatively low at 28.2 dent of independent think tank percent of GDP as of 2019, which is Asian Vision Institute, said expen- beneath the 55 per cent Debt Sus- diture on public infrastructure how- tainability Analysis threshold, pro- ever has not been curtailed. viding considerable room for addi- While it is unlikely that the gov- tional borrowing. ernment will inject funds into the This, Soksensan pointed out, private sector using national bud- showed that the public debt is sus- get, it might instead mobilise funds tainable and low risk, and that it is from different sources. “cautiously managed” to ensure fis- “[It could be] from private finan- cal sustainability. cial institutions [by] using the mon- “Bearing in mind the challenges ey [that is] sitting idly, multilateral faced by businesses and people, institutions and other governments. Cambodia is doing its best to bal- [This method] can gain momentum ance between maintaining a mo- and has the potential of addressing mentum in revenue collection and domestic budget and financing con- implementing various stimulus straints,” Kimlong opined. packages to help keep businesses In the meantime, more business afloat and people’s livelihood [go- closures or reduced activities are ing], especially the poor and vulner- likely to kick in on the back of wide- able while working hard to identify spread infections in the world, in- and attract new and sustainable fi- cluding the Southeast Asian region. nancing sources to meet our in- THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 Special​​ Report creasing needs,” he said. first time in the Triennial Review He added that among other fac- conducted by UN body Committee tors, vaccination is key to bring the for Development Policy (CDP). economy back on track, where the It failed to meet the GNI and eco- government is making efforts in ef- nomic vulnerability index thresh- fective containment measures and olds in 2018. However, to be eligible vaccine rollout. for graduation, it has to satisfy the More importantly, in 2021, the requirements again when the review global economy is expected to re- re-convenes in 2024. cover gradually, especially Cambo- If Cambodia is eligible for gradu- dia’s trading partners including the ation in 2024, the CDP will recom- US, Europe, China and Asia. mend it to the UN Economic and “[In relation to that] Cambodia’s Social Council for endorsement, economic growth [will also] have a and there on to the UN General As- gradual recovery, which is mainly sembly which will confirm a length attributed to a recovery in key sec- of a preparatory period. tors – agriculture, non-garment Cambodia will remain there un- manufacturing, transport and com- til the graduation is effective. Once munication. Thus, revenue collec- Cambodia is no longer an LDC, it tion is estimated to be better than will be given a “transition period”, expected,” he said. which spans between three and five years. Economic recovery plan During the transition period, Cam- Along with the gradual recovery bodia is still eligible for all associated of global economy which will sup- benefits that the LDC countries are port Cambodia’s recovery, the gov- entitled, which includes preferential ernment is preparing to launch the treatments, concessional loans and Economic Recovery Plan 2021-2023 grants, Soksensan said. (ERP). “Indeed, Cambodia has thor- While no timeframe has been cit- oughly understood the outcomes of ed yet, the plan will focus on recov- post-graduation of LDC as the ODA ery, reform and resilience to boost will be gradually reduced. Moreover, economic recovery, promote com- due to the pandemic, it may prolong petitiveness and build a resilient the process of expected LDC-gradu- foundation for social and economic ation for Cambodia. development. “Therefore, while [we have] a stra- Soksensan mentioned that the tegic plan to graduate from LDC plan mobilises various financing status, [we] perceive it as an oppor- support mechanisms including tra- tunity to strengthen [our] domestic ditional financing sources. financing, especially the securities “Development partners are ex- market,” he shared. pected to take part in this financing. The Kingdom is also strengthen- Some are [already] playing that role. ing its competitive position through And, given our low level of public continuous reforms, strategies and debt, there is additional room to policies to promote a favourable borrow to finance this recovery business environment to attract plan,” he said. new investors. In addition, a principle in the Pub- These include amending the Law lic Debt Management Strategy 2019- on Investment, improving the ease 2023 states that the government can of doing business, and expanding “use loans to finance public infra- the export market through trade structure investment projects with agreements, for example the Chi- high standard and quality based on nese and Korean free trade agree- the public investment management ments and the Regional Compre- principles”. hensive Economic Partnership. These loans can be used in re- Soksensan said efforts are being sponse to national development made to build a resilient foundation demands in a new scenario, such as for the economy and society, partic- to ensure economic, social and en- ularly to enhance skills development mainly due to the promising growth year. It was driven by agricultural vironmental sustainability, and re- and productivity, SME-promotions, ‘Recovery, reform, resilience’ of agriculture, non-garment exports, products and non-garment prod- silience to climate change effects. trade facilitation, infrastructure de- Considered the third wave begin- and transport and communication ucts including bicycles, electrical But some stimulus measures to velopment, inclusive social protec- ning February 20 this year, the eco- sectors. parts, insulated wires, vehicle spare help with economic recovery have tion and digitalisation. nomic fallout flowing from that has “Given the uncertainty of the rap- parts, plywood and other industrial already been implemented such as “On macroeconomic and fiscal been closely monitored by the min- id development of the outbreak, it is products,” Soksensan said. the establishment of SME Bank of development of the country, Cam- istry, he said. early to conclude the impacts of the He added that even with the severe Cambodia Plc and a $200 million bodia always does a comprehen- In the midst, economic growth has February 20 event on the economy. impact on the tourism sector, obser- credit guarantee scheme to aid small sive research to assess its economy, been revised down to 2.5 per cent in “However, data for the first six vations revealed that economic ac- and medium-sized enterprises. study other countries’ experiences 2021 from four per cent predicted months of 2021 [showed that] Cam- tivities had started to resume gradu- There are more intervention pack- carefully and consult with stake- earlier this year. bodia maintained a positive export ally in the post-lockdown period. ages within the ERP that will be im- holders before making any strategic Despite the lower growth projec- [growth] excluding gold worth $7.4 “The government has taken neces- plemented in future, he assured. move,” he added. tion, the outlook seems positive billion, up 14.6 per cent year-on- sary measures to protect people and Asked if Cambodia can assume manage the situation, particularly the role played by foreign investors by working very hard to vaccinate to finance local projects, S oksensan people in the targeted areas [under] contended that Cambodia is a dol- the ‘Blossom Approach’ and ‘Stra- larised economy with an open capi- tegic Plan for Covid-19 Vaccination tal account and that foreign funding Campaign to Build Socio- economic has been a significant source of fi- Resilience in Cambodia by 2021’,” nancing development needs. he mentioned. But, Cambodia is working on the As of July 21, 63 per cent of the strategic measures to develop a gov- targeted 10 million people had been ernment securities market in the vaccinated, Soksensan said, noting near future to mobilise domestic fi- that the economic prospect in 2021 nancial resources for development. is expected to be better than 2020 In addition, a public private part- because of the government’s ongo- nership mechanism which is “an- ing policies. other critical and strategic tool” “These include the priority on to attract domestic private financ- vaccination against Covid-19 be- ing for large scale investments and cause pandemic and vaccine policy funding has been put in place. is an economic policy, maintaining the lifeline of the people, especially Rising beyond LDC status the poor and the unemployed, and In time, official development as- keeping business activities of the af- sistance (ODA) in the form of con- fected sectors afloat. cessional loans or grants will reduce “[We will also] promote domestic as Cambodia graduates from least economic activities as clearly wit- developed country (LDC) status. nessed through the nine rounds of This year, Cambodia met all three government’s intervention pack- criteria - per capita gross national ages, maintain security and social income (GNI), a human assets in- stability, and launch the ERP which dex and an economic vulnerability focusses on recovery, reform and re- index – for LDC graduation for the silience,” he added. 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World China court sentences Canada businessman to 11 years for spying CANADIAN busi- Spavor’s personal assets worth the minimum standards re- nessman charged in 50,000 yuan ($7,700) and that quired by international law,” China with spying he would be deported. he said in a statement released after the arrest of Spavor, who worked in Dan- shortly after the verdict was HuaweiA executive Meng Wan- dong promoting investments handed down. zhou has been sentenced to and tourism in North Korea, China and Canada have been 11 years in prison, a day after was arrested at the same time in a diplomatic stalemate after another Canadian’s death sen- as former Canadian diplomat the Canadian authorities de- tence was upheld. Michael Kovrig, who has also tained telecom giant Huawei’s Michael Spavor, who has been accused of spying. It is chief financial officer Meng in been under arrest since De- still not clear when he will be December 2018 on an extradi- cember 2018, was handed sentenced. tion request by the US to face the jail sentence in Dandong Canadian ambassador to fraud charges. Nine days after city in northeast Liaoning China Dominic Barton, who her arrest in Vancouver, China province on the morning of met Spavor on August 11, said detained the two Canadians. August 11. the latter had this message Meng returned to court on A man walks inside the detention centre where Canadian businessman Michael Spavor is being held on spying A day earlier, another Ca- to convey: “Thank you for all August 4 for what would be charges in Dandong, China. AFP nadian, Robert Schellenberg, your support, it means a lot to the final stage of her hearing. had his death sentence for me. I’m in good spirits, and I “I don’t think it’s a coinci- Barton said: “Eleven years is a The US top diplomat Ant- The court’s statement did drug trafficking upheld by a want to get home.” dence that things are happen- long time. So we will continue ony Blinken condemned the not specify when Spavor court in Shenyang city, also in Canadian Prime Minister ing right now while events are to work very, very hard to get Canadians’ detentions and would be deported, or if his Liaoning. Justin Trudeau called Spavor’s going on in Vancouver,” Bar- him out and certainly a lot Spavor’s sentence, and called nearly 1,000 days spent in de- Spavor, whose hearing had conviction and sentencing ton told reporters on August earlier than that.” for their immediate and un- tention would count towards taken place behind closed “absolutely unacceptable and 10 in Shenyang. Ambassadors from Britain, conditional release. his prison sentence. doors in March, was found unjust”. Canada was expecting Spa- Australia and New Zealand, as “The practice of arbitrarily Spavor’s spying charges ap- guilty by the Dandong In- “The verdict for Mr Spavor vor’s sentence to be between well as senior diplomats from detaining individuals to exer- parently involve photographs termediate People’s Court of comes after more than two five and 20 years, he said. 25 mostly European countries cise leverage over foreign gov- of military aircraft he had tak- stealing and supplying state and a half years of arbitrary Speaking to journalists but also the US and Japan, ernments is completely unac- en at airports. secrets to other countries. detention, a lack of transpar- gathered at the Canadian em- had gathered at the embassy ceptable. People should never He has 10 days to appeal In a statement, the court ency in the legal process, and bassy in Beijing on August 11 to await the verdict on Spavor be used as bargaining chips,” his sentence. THE STRAITS TIMES also said it had confiscated a trial that did not satisfy even via video link from Dandong, and to show their support. he said in a statement. (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Algeria mourns 69 dead as regional wildfires spread

THE death toll climbed to at least 69 28 soldiers deployed to help over- created by a heatwave across North ent saw several lorries headed to Tizi ly being used to stop fires in Greece. as firefighters, soldiers and civilian stretched emergency services. Africa and the wider Mediterranean, Ouzou with aid donated by the Meteorologists expect the heat- volunteers battled blazes in forests Several arrests have been fire official Youcef Ould Mohamed public. wave across North Africa to continue across northern Algeria on August 11, announced, but the identities or sus- told APS. French President Emmanuel until the end of the week, with tem- in the latest wildfires to sweep the pected motives of those detained have Scores of separate wildfires Macron wrote on Twitter that France peratures in Algeria reaching 46 Mediterranean. not been disclosed. remained active on August 11, spread would send two Canadair firefighting degrees Celsius. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune Images of trapped villagers, terri- across 17 provinces, emergency serv- planes and a command aircraft to the In Algeria’s neighbour Tunisia, the declared three days of national fied livestock and forested hillsides ices spokesman Nassim Barnaoui told Kabylie region on August 12 to help. temperature in the capital Tunis hit mourning starting from August 12, reduced to blackened stumps were reporters. Neighbouring Morocco, with whom an all-time record of 49C on August and authorities say they suspect wide- shared on social media, many of Most of the fires and 16 of the deaths Algeria has long had strained ties over 10. spread arson after so many fires erupt- them accompanied by pleas for were recorded in Tizi Ouzou district, the Western Sahara, also expressed a The Tunisian emergency services ed in such a short space of time. help. in the mainly Berber region of Kabylie, readiness to help. reported 15 fires across the north and In an update, state-run news agen- AFP journalists saw villagers desper- east of the capital Algiers. Rabat offered two Canadair planes northwest, but no casualties. cy Algerie Presse Service (APS) said ately trying to put out the spreading There have been mounting calls for “if the Algerian authorities agree”, a On the northern shores of the Med- the rash of more than 50 fires that fires with makeshift brooms in an aid convoys to be sent to the worst-hit Moroccan foreign ministry statement iterranean, Turkey reported eight broke out on August 10 had claimed effort to save their homes. districts with food and medicine from said. deaths and Greece three from wild- four more lives, in addition to state High winds fuelled the rapid spread the capital. Algeria is also chartering two firefight- fires that have raged for the past two television’s toll of 65 dead, including of the flames in tinder-dry conditions On August 11, an AFP correspond- ing planes from the EU, aircraft recent- weeks. AFP Hackers return portion of record crypto heist haul A FIRM specialising in transfer- returning some of the funds, the defi history,” Poly Net- weakness that could have crooks who pulled the Poly addresses used by the hackers, ring cryptocurrency said that the hacker created a token work said in a tweeted mes- been even more costly. Network heist. and called on “miners of affect- hackers have given back $260 called ‘The hacker is ready to sage to the thieves, using a Open source developers alli- “The SlowMist security team ed blockchain and crypto million worth of digital loot surrender’ and sent this token reference to decentralised ance BinomialPool in a tweeted has grasped the attacker’s mail- exchanges to blacklist tokens” from a record haul. to the designated Polygon finance (defi) involving exchange proposed a bounty of box, IP, and device fingerprints coming from them. Poly Network fired off a tweet address.” cryptocurrency. “The money five-to-10 per cent for pulling through on-chain and off-chain Poly Network did not reply to on August 11 saying hackers One of the touted features of you stole are from tens of off such crypto-hacks. tracking, and is tracking possi- an AFP request for comment, had returned $260 million cryptocurrency is that block- thousands of crypto commu- “This could be a win-win,” ble identity clues related to the but Twitter users echoed calcu- worth of the digital assets taken chain transactions are public, nity members.” tweeted @BinomialPool. Poly Network attacker,” the lations valuing the hackers’ in a heist a day earlier valued at even if the people behind them The return of some of the dig- “Hackers don’t go into jail. The company said in a blog post. haul at some $600 million. $613 million. are not. ital loot came as the thieves community faces acceptable Poly Network threatened As of the end of April, crypto- Polygon had urged the Poly Network had put out a were tracked by “white hat losses. Code gets better.” police involvement, but also currency thefts, hacks and thieves to return the stolen plea for the stolen Ethereum, hackers” who use their soft- Paying hackers bounties for offered the hackers the chance fraud so far this year totalled fortune and provided online BinanceChain and OxPolygon ware skills for good. uncovering and reporting bugs to “work out a solution”. $432 million, according to an addresses for transfers. tokens to be shunned by trad- The heist also sparked in software is common practice The US Department of Justice analysis by CipherTrace. Digital asset research firm ers running “wallets” for stor- debate about whether it would in the tech world. and Federal Bureau of Investi- That compares to 2019, when The Block said in a post at its ing cryptocurrency. be fair to let the hackers keep Blockchain system defence gation (FBI) did not respond to defi hacks were virtually non- website: “Seven minutes prior “The amount of money you some of the loot as reward for firm SlowMist put out word it requests for comment. existent, according to Cipher- to sending the first transaction hacked is the biggest one in uncovering a Poly Network is on the trail of the cyber Poly Network posted online Trace. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Asean Malaysia King asks prime minister Thai police crack down to bring forward confidence vote on protests for day two

THAI police fired water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas at pro- testers in Bangkok for a second day on August 11 as demonstrators ral- lied against the government and its handling of the coronavirus crisis. Protesters defied a ban on public gatherings as Thailand tries to curb its worst virus outbreak so far, with more than 21,000 new infections announced on August 11. The slow rollout of the kingdom’s vaccination programme as well as financial hardship from restrictions are fuelling public anger towards Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. About 150 demonstrators gathered at a major intersection by Bangkok’s Victory Monument on the afternoon of August 11, intending to march to Prayut’s residence. They quickly dispersed when riot police moved in but regrouped in a cat and mouse game with officers throughout the evening. Earlier protesters burnt an effigy of a Thai judge who had denied bail to leaders of past protests. “Police are not our enemies. Our true enemy is the government,” one protester told the rally. Authorities then used shipping containers to block the route to Prayut’s residence, prompting a separate clash in heavy rain as po- lice fired rubber bullets and tear gas Letters representing the 105 members of Parliament of the opposition were sent to the palace on August 9, confirming they reject Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership.AFP from an elevated road. Protesters retaliated by flinging ALAYSIA’S King has posed,” a government official told based on statutory declarations he had precluded both the palace and projectiles and setting a police tow asked Prime Minister the Straits Times, referring to the possessed, and that the monarch politicians from advocating this op- truck on fire, sending black smoke Muhyiddin Yassin to prime minister. It was not clear who had agreed to the matter being de- tion. However, the government has pluming into the air. bring forward a par- proposed the August 18 date. termined in a parliamentary confi- repeatedly insisted all adults will be Sporadic clashes continued into Mliamentary vote of confidence cur- August 11’s flurry of meetings comes dence vote next month. vaccinated by the end of October, the evening, with police deploying rently scheduled for early Septem- in the wake of developments in the But critics accused him of mislead- and close to 70 per cent have already water cannon. ber, amid growing pressure from the past week where Muhyiddin’s hold on ing the King, who had summoned received at least one dose. Eight officers were injured, mainly premier’s opponents this week to the majority appears to have slipped the premier to discuss whether he On August 9, Umno uploaded by protesters throwing fireworks, convince the monarch the Perikatan even further. There are currently 220 should resign as constitutionally two letters sent by party chief Zahid police said, adding that they had Nasional (PN) government’s major- lawmakers in Malaysia’s Parliament, required when the prime minister Hamidi to the palace last week, in- made 13 arrests. ity has evaporated. which means backing from at least loses his parliamentary majority. forming Sultan Abdullah that 14 of Royal Thai Police deputy spokes- The Straits Times understands that 111 of them is needed to govern. Meanwhile, talk is also growing that the party’s 38 lawmakers had with- man Kissana Phathanacharoen told Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah made The Straits Times reported on Au- parties within PN are preparing for a drawn support from the government, reporters: “The protesters repeat- this request during his weekly pre- gust 10 that letters representing the sudden dissolution of Parliament. along with 13 statutory declarations. edly attacked police by throwing Cabinet meeting with the Premier 105 members of Parliament (MP) of On the night of August 10, Parti Deputy premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob firecrackers, ping pong bombs, and on the morning of August 11, but it is the opposition were sent to the pal- Islam SeMalaysia deputy president – who leads a band of Umno MPs re- [using] slingshots.” not yet known if the premier agreed. ace on August 9, confirming they re- Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man called on fusing to quit government – had insist- Demonstrators also clashed with The King’s request was likely dis- ject Muhyiddin’s leadership. members to prepare for a campaign ed on August 6 that 31 out of 42 law- police in Bangkok on August 10, with cussed at a hastily-called meeting of This added to the 13 Umno statu- in the “new normal” of social dis- makers from the Umno-led Barisan 48 arrested and nine officers injured PN leaders later the same day. Muhy- tory declarations that were made tancing due to the deadly Covid-19 Nasional remained steadfast behind including one shot in the leg. iddin’s allies have flown in from public at the same time in an effort pandemic, citing the “unstable po- the coalition’s decision early last year Officers used tear gas, water can- across Malaysia since August 10 to to coax the King to request that the litical situation”. to form the Muhyiddin-led govern- non and rubber bullets while pro- meet at the Prime Minister’s Office. prime minister resign. Should Parliament be dissolved, ment until fresh elections are held. testers retaliated with firecrackers Speculation is now rife that the Despite 11 Umno MPs withdraw- the constitution states fresh elec- But the Umno vice-president’s and rocks. confidence vote could be held as ing from his government on August tions must be held within 60 days. claim has been in doubt after at Bangkok police, facing accusations soon as August 18. 3, Muhyiddin said the next day that Previously, fears of stoking an al- least three MPs named among the of heavy-handedness, have insisted “It was asked of him [to have the he informed Sultan Abdullah he was ready raging Covid-19 pandemic as 31 insisted they had not taken such their approach is in line with the law vote earlier]. August 18 was pro- convinced he still had a majority seen after the Sabah polls last year a stand.THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE) and urged people not to jeopardise public health and safety. A youth-led pro-democracy move- ment began in Thailand last year and at its peak drew tens of thousands of people to rallies demanding the resig- Filipina pregnant mums on priority jab list nation of Prayut, the former army chief who came to power in a 2014 coup. PREGNANT women are now trimester of pregnancy. the Covid-19 vaccines autho- The Philippines has sur- were given as a first dose. The movement broke long-held part of the expanded A3 pri- Vergeire added that “high- rised in the country are safe passed the 12-million mark in Since February, the Philip- taboos by demanding reforms to ority group for Covid-19 vac- risk” pregnant women in for pregnant and breastfeed- the number of persons already pines already received 39.5 Thailand’s monarchy, and scores of cination in the Philippines, their first trimester may also ing women. The only vaccine fully vaccinated against Covid- million Covid-19 vaccine protesters have been hit with multi- the Department of Health be vaccinated provided that that should not be given to 19, the Malacanang Presiden- doses – a mix of jabs pro- ple royal defamation charges, which (DoH) said on August 12. benefits and risks were fully pregnant women is the Rus- tial Palace said on August 12. cured by the government carry maximum penalties of 15-year In a statement, health un- explained to them and upon sian-made Sputnik V. Presidential spokesperson and donated by the Covax jail terms. dersecretary Maria Rosario securing medical clearance The announcement from Harry Roque told a press facility and other nations. But the movement lost momen- Vergeire said that based on from their doctor. DoH comes after the US’ briefing that 12,027,383 in- The most recent vaccine tum as Covid-19 cases surged and the recommendation of lo- “We will be revising our Centers for Disease Control dividuals have already been shipments delivered were its leaders were detained. cal experts, Covid-19 vac- existing guidelines for preg- and Prevention said that fully vaccinated in the coun- the 100,000 doses of Sinop- A Bangkok criminal court on Au- cines are “generally safe” for nant women based on these pregnant women should be try as of August 11. harm donated by the UAE gust 11 denied bail to protest lead- pregnant women and that recommendations and to in- vaccinated against Covid-19, Meanwhile, over 26.1 and more than 800,000 er and human rights lawyer Anon getting vaccinated against dicate that they are now part based on a new analysis that million Covid-19 vaccine Pfizer doses procured by the Numpa, citing concerns over the coronavirus is recommend- of Expanded A3,” she said. did not show an increased doses have been adminis- government. PHILIPPINE DAILY likelihood of further offending and ed during the second or third Vergeire noted that most of risk for miscarriage. tered, 14.1 million of which INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK breaching bail conditions. AFP 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com Covid-19 origin-tracing: EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Managing Editor Fact finding or politicising it? Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor phuon Chansereivuth Opinion Chief of Staff phak Seangly Kin Phea Business Editor OVID-19 origin tracing is May Kunmakara serious scientific issue and Deputy Business Editor the joint studies of the ori- Sangeetha amarthalingam gins of the pandemic are Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk veryC important to better prevent pan Simala future risks. It should be made in oth- Senior Reporters Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear er secretive bases and biological labo- ratories all over the world where the Reporters early case of Covid-19 was found. Chi- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, na should not be the only target, and Long Kimmarita, Hin pisei, Hong Raksmey, the virus origin tracing issue must not pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, be politicised. Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha pandemic, the blame game and finger- Photographers pointing concerning the origin of the Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey virus have been targeted at China, cre- Web Editor ating hatred of and discrimination Leang phannara against Chinese and Asian people Digital Team residing in some Western countries. Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy Former US President Donald Trump Desktop Publishing once called Covid-19 the China virus. Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, From the beginning, the US failed to Than Veasna respond to the pandemic, ignoring the SIEM REAP BUREAU hard work of scientists and used intelli- Offi ce Manager gence means to carry out the so-called Sophearith Blondeel origin-tracing, hyping the “lab leak PRODUCTION & PRINTING theory”, and tried to politicise the pan- Nhim Sokphyrak demic, stigmatise the virus and use ori- Members of the World Health Organisation (WHO) team investigating the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic leave after visiting a museum Commercial and Graphic Designer gin-tracing as a tool. The lab leak theo- exhibition about China’s fight against Covid-19 in Wuhan, China’s central Hubei province, on January 30. afp Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith ry was propagated by Trump last year. In February 2021, a joint expert team a comprehensive study of all early origin-tracing and solidarity in fight- not the responsibility of any single

made up of officials from China and cases of Covid-19 found worldwide ing the epidemic. country. Collective efforts, actions and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a thorough investigation into WHO’s plan for the second phase of measures are vital to effectively fight visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology some secretive bases and biological studies into the origins of Covid-19 was this pandemic and to achieve socio- HEAD OFFICE and had in-depth and candid exchang- laboratories all over the world. put forward unilaterally by the WHO economic recovery as well as enhance Post Media Co., Ltd. es with experts there. Members of the Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 Secretariat without getting the approv- partnership for sustainable and inclu- The Elements Condominium Level 7, joint expert team spoke highly of the pandemic, after making painstaking al of all member states. As of now, 70 sive development. Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, institute’s openness and transparency, efforts, China has managed to bring countries have voiced opposition to It should be noted that China has Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom and reached a major conclusion in the the epidemic under control. Mean- Penh, Cambodia politicising origin-tracing and empha- played an important role in the efforts joint study report that the allegation of Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 while, China actively participates in sised the importance of upholding the to fight Covid-19 and in helping other Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 lab leaking is extremely unlikely. international anti-epidemic coopera- joint China-WHO study report by countries rebuild their economies dur- Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 However, on May 26, US President tion to help countries around the sending letters and issuing statements ing the pandemic. We hope that the SIEM REAP Joe Biden ordered the US intelligence world overcome the epidemic, provid- to the WHO director-general. least developed countries will equita- No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune agencies to further probe the origins of ing assistance to all parties to be best of On August 2, over 300 political par- bly receive more vaccines through Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 Covid-19. In his statement, Biden its ability. ties, social societies and think tanks in humanitarian assistance from China COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT stressed that the US will also keep With a scientific, professional, seri- over 100 countries and districts and the WHO-led Covax Facility by Chief Operating Offi cer working with like-minded partners ous and responsible attitude in tracing opposed politicising virus origin-trac- putting human life ahead of political James Ong Soon Teck around the world to press China to the origins of the virus, China has been ing in a joint statement sent to the motivation. Advertising Department participate in a full, transparent, evi- cooperatively working with the WHO WHO Secretariat. It shows that clear- Covid-19 vaccines should be public Chap Narith, 017 996 241 dence-based international investiga- in global origin-tracing. Based on eyed people over the world can tell goods that are accessible to all nations. Hun Channet, 017 578 768 tion and to provide access to all rele- openness, evidence and transparency, right and wrong. Vaccine rollout should not be political- prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 vant data and evidence. it is suggested that factors including Now, it’s time for the international ly motivated, intermixed with conspir- Keo puthy, 012 966 605 The US called for WHO to carry out a cold-chain supply and a candidate community to make joint efforts and acy theories. As argued by Chinese paing patrya, 081 872 202 second phase of its investigation into intermediate host species should be concrete actions to fight the Covid-19 State Councilor and Foreign Minister Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 the origins of the coronavirus, with considered and focused in the next pandemic. It’s not appropriate for Wang Yi, the origin-tracing should not CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION independent experts given full access phase of origin tracing cooperation one country to blame a certain one be manipulated by politics, and should Acting Distribution Manager to original data and samples in China expected to be undertaken in multiple for the virus origin. The pandemic not be used to blame a certain country, Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 asserting that Phase one of the WHO- locations around the globe. has no boundary and discriminates let alone splitting the international Circulation Supervisor convened Covid-19 origins study was It’s reasonable for all parties to no one, so it’s crucial for all countries community. Only when we unite can Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 always meant to be the beginning of respect facts and science, and jointly to work together closely to overcome we truly defeat the virus. Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 the process, not the end. reject political manipulation of vilifi- this hard time based on the principle ADMINISTRATION In response, China, through cation under the pretext of origin- of multilateralism. Admin & HR Manager The writer is director-general of the International pich Socheat remarks by a representative at its tracing, so as to create a favorable Dealing with the havoc in the region Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia Assistants Admin & HR Manager embassy in the US, said it supported environment for global cooperation in and the world caused by Covid-19 is Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Goa’s Portugese legacy disappears quietly

S LORRAINE Alberto be- have been earmarked for protection gins her Portuguese class from development or destruction, at Goa University, students Pandit added. from the former colony are Ain short supply. ‘I just wasn’t interested’ Across Goa, a tiny coastal state Some Goans have nonetheless once administered by Lisbon, there found themselves drawn into a re- is little appetite for the territory’s 450 lationship with their heritage, even years of European heritage after a against their own early inclinations. few short generations of Indian rule. At a recent outdoor concert in a Ramshackle colonial homes and coastal village, dozens of people Bollywood’s increasing cultural gathered to listen to Goan singer dominance portend the disappear- Sonia Shirsat, an accomplished ance of local history in a place where performer of traditional Portuguese speaking Portuguese was once a fado music. passport to status and power. The 40-year-old specialises in the “My children don’t speak it at all,” melancholy, guitar-driven genre, Alberto said. “They just don’t see the which was born at the turn of the point of learning it.” 19th century and was in recent years Those alive in 1961, when Indian recognised by UNESCO for its “in- troops marched into Goa and incor- tangible cultural heritage”. porated it into the rest of the country, Shirsat paused between songs to recall an overnight transformation. patiently explain the meaning be- India’s exit from the British empire in hind each track, knowing many in 1947 spurred many Goans to demand the enraptured audience spoke little an end to Portuguese rule, but few ex- if any Portuguese. pected so much to change so quickly. It’s a role she is well-suited to play, “It was a very strange feeling . . . tracing her own journey from a teen- Lorraine Alberto, professor of Portuguese language at Goa University, writes on a whiteboard as she leads an online class in Goa. AFP The changes came so fast,” said ager who refused to learn Portuguese Honorato Velho, a retired school to a fado evangelist who is now train- principal. ing others to follow in her footsteps. The 78-year-old once lived next to “My mother tried to teach me the the grandfather of Antonio Costa, language, but I just wasn’t interest- Portugal’s current prime minister, ed,” she said. and he fondly remembers a child- That changed when Shirsat met hood peppered with European and a Portuguese guitarist who told her local influences. that her rich, velvety voice was ideal But his enthusiasm has not been for the genre. inherited by the next generation. She decided to move to Lisbon for “My wife and I still speak Portu- training, becoming the first Indian to guese out of habit, but never with stage a solo fado concert there in 2008. our children,” Velho said. Shirsat has since performed all over Across the state, homes influenced by the world, sometimes incorporating old Portuguese design trends are falling a cross-cultural element with the use into disrepair or being pulled down to of Indian instruments like the sitar. make way for apartment blocks. All fado songs are infused with a The gradual disappearance of cov- sense of yearning for the past, but in ered terraces and mother-of-pearl Goa, they also serve as a bridge be- shell windows – built to diffuse harsh tween two eras. sunlight – is not just a loss to archi- “Fado doesn’t just talk about what tecture, said author Heta Pandit. is lost, it also talks about what is to “These houses are evidence of come,” she said. Goan history, they are capsules of “It has lived in Goa for over 100 years. our culture,” she said. If we don’t preserve it, it is as if we are Visitors are seen next to Our Lady of the Immaculate Across Goa, a tiny coastal state once administered by Lisbon. There is little Only a handful of traditional homes killing a part of ourselves.” AFP appetite for the territory’s 450 years of European heritage. AFP A slice of history: Charles and Diana wedding cake sells for only £1,850

A slice of cake from the 1981 tries in the Middle East,” he kept it, wrapped in cling film in despite the break-up of their wedding of Prince Charles and added in an email. a cake tin that she labelled “Han- marriage and divorce in 1996. Lady Diana Spencer sold for The successful bidder comes dle with care” and dated 29 July A piece of wedding cake in £1,850 ($2,560) at auction in from Leeds in the north of 1981, the day of the wedding. an original commemorative Britain on Wednesday – with a England, Albury said. The auctioneers said the box sold for $2,240 in the Unit- warning not to eat it. The cake was originally given slice came from a multi-tier ed States in December, accord- The 40-year-old slab of mar- to Moyra Smith, who worked cake served to staff at Clarence ing to Julien’s Auctions. zipan and thick white icing for Queen Elizabeth II’s moth- House, where Smith worked in The sale is the latest example decorated with the royal coat er at her Clarence House resi- the kitchen. of the continued fascination of arms fetched more than dence in central London. Apart from the main wedding with Diana, who died aged 36 three times its asking price of cake, there were around 22 in a high-speed car crash in £300 to £500. ‘Handle with care’ other cakes supplied by manu- Paris in 1997. “We were amazed at the Following Smith’s death, her facturers for the royal occasion, In June, her old Ford Escort numbers of people wanting to family sold it at the same auc- the auctioneers said. – an engagement present from bid on this large and unique tion house in 2008 for £1,000 Wednesday’s lot included Charles – was bought by a piece of royal cake icing,” said to a private collector, who has order of service and ceremonial South American museum for auctioneer Chris Albury, a roy- now sold it at a profit. programmes for the wedding, a more than £50,000. al memorabilia specialist at “It appears to be in exactly royal wedding breakfast menu In 2019, a midnight blue vel- Dominic Winter Auctioneers in the same good condition as and a table seating programme vet gown she wore when she Cirencester, western England. when originally sold, but we from Buckingham Palace. danced with John Travolta at “There were lots of enquiries advise against eating it,” the Pieces of Charles and Diana’s the White House in 1985 was An undated handout picture shows a slice of cake from the 1981 wedding from bidders, mostly in the auctioneers said. wedding cake still regularly go on put up for sale for between of Prince Charles and Diana that was sold at auction for $2,560. AFP UK, the USA and several coun- The cake remains as Smith sale and interest remains strong £250,000 and £350,000. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

A truck arrives to be filled with biofuelA distillery in the Highlands of Scotland.AFP Distillery steers way for whisky waste to drive Scottish trucks t HAS fuelled rain-soaked Highland- campaigners for being made without causing ers for centuries, but now a distillery in damage to forests and wildlife. northeast Scotland has found another use “Whisky-powered cars could help Scotland for whisky – to power lorries. avoid having to use those forest-trashing bio- IIn a warehouse at the bottom end of the fuels” such as palm oil, said WWF’s then Scot- Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, draff – one land director, Richard Dixon. of the by-products of whisky making – is tipped According to William Grant & Sons, the dis- “PECK AND CHOOSE” out of the back of a truck into a steaming pile. tillery’s parent company, biogas significantly The soaked barley grains will be combined reduces carbon dioxide and other more harm- ACROSS 46 Adorned with a cummerbund 13 Some Major Leaguers with a yellow, beer-like liquid called pot ale, ful emissions compared to diesel. 1 Baylor University’s locale 47 Personal connections 18 Rival of Navratilova, once another residue of the distilling process, before The process is widely used, but is the first 5 Smugly superior type 48 British quart 23 Place to put bags an anaerobic digester is added to produce a time it is being used by a distillery to power its 9 Samantha of the silver screen 50 Melancholy poems 24 Police informer low-carbon biogas. trucks. 14 Musical miscellany 54 “All the Things You ___” 25 Impassive (Var.) The gas, which is primarily methane, is stored So far, three have been adapted to use the 15 Skedaddled 55 Heavy drinker 27 Eastern lute in tanks in a yard around the corner, where biogas. 16 Carried, as by the wind 58 Type of tape 28 Be crazy about specially adapted trucks can refuel. They will transport Glenfiddich’s spirit from 17 Parent of 39-Across 59 Incumbents on their way out 29 Unbending “The process involves taking our waste prod- production at the Dufftown facility on Spey- 19 Sandy shade 62 Words before a high note? 31 Foot span ucts – pot ale and draff – from the distilleries side, northwest of Aberdeen, to separate bot- 20 Busy bug 63 Priestly garb 32 Terra firma and turning that into gas that can then fuel ve- tling and packaging sites in central and west- 21 Number on a grandfather clock 64 Introduction to psychology? 33 Patio flooring, sometimes hicles,” distillery site manager Kirsty Dagnan ern Scotland. 22 Fuddy-duddies 65 High times 34 Caesar or chef said. The company plans to expand the technol- 24 Scottish clans 66 Untidy state 36 Nigeria neighbor “So we now have vehicles that can trans- ogy to all its 20 trucks and eventually to roll it 26 Regret 67 Part of a galaxy 39 Burn a perfume stick DOWN 43 Had a conscience port our goods and our spirits around the out to the rest of the industry. 27 Philosopher Jean-Paul 1 Infant’s former home 45 Charged particles country using a renewable source that is “When you take into account the cost of 30 Lack of slack 2 Burn-soothing plant 46 Strain ultra-low carbon.” purchasing the truck and then running it and 35 Brainless sort 36 Husky food? 3 Use as an example 49 Poetic feet Fuelling stations have been installed at the maintaining over its life and the cost of the 37 Splashy party 4 “___ la la!” 50 Caught up distillery and the biogas is now powering con- fuel, actually it’s a very similar cost to do that 38 Not “for here” 5 American flag feature 51 Prefix with “type” verted trucks that handle the transportation of for biogas as it is for diesel,” said Stuart Watts, 39 Offspring of 17-Across 6 “Good field, ___” 52 Edible corm the spirit at all stages of its production, Dagnan director of the company’s distilleries. 40 Degree candidate’s exam 7 Metal, pre-smelting 53 Harshly criticize said. “This makes a compelling choice for compa- 41 Nutmeg cover 8 Kingsley and Stiller 55 “Shoo!” Each truck that uses the new biofuel will save nies such as ourselves to use the biogas truck 42 Considered individually 9 Flow back from the shore 56 Stew vegetable around 250 tonnes of carbon dioxide from be- rather than the traditional diesel truck.” 43 Terra- ___ (potting material) 10 Awesome provider 57 Pre-revolutionary ruler (Var.) ing emitted into the atmosphere, she added. At the refuelling yard, a truck driver cautious- 44 Raccoonlike carnivore, surprisingly 11 Diluted rum 60 Andy Capp’s brew ly presses the nozzle into his gas tank. 12 Diarist Frank 61 Bullish times ‘Compelling choice’ It takes roughly the same amount of time to Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University refuel as it would to fill up with diesel and the Thursday’s solution in 2010 announced they had developed a bio- range of a journey is similar, he says. fuel using the spent grains and liquid from the With the tank filled up, the nozzle hisses copper stills. as the driver removes it from his tank and he It was hailed at the time by environmental heads out into the Highlands under rain. AFP

Thursday’s solution

Managers at the Glenfiddich Distillery say the fuel has the potential to save about 250 tonnes of carbon emissions for trucks on the road. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Desperate Wallabies look for Bledisloe win

tar Wallabies winger Marika win the collisions and be clinical for Koroibete and one-time rugby 80 minutes and we didn’t do that,” bad-boy Lachlan Swinton are Rennie said of the firstT est loss. back in the fold as a desperate “We’ve got a lot more in us and we’ll ASustralia look to keep their Bledis- show that on Saturday night.” loe Cup chances alive against the All The front row of James Slipper, Blacks in Auckland on Saturday. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan The 37-Test Koroibete was not con- Alaalatoa remain together for their sidered for the first Test – won 33-25 third consecutive Test while Swin- by the All Blacks – after going on a late- ton’s inclusion at blindside flanker night drinking session and breaching sees Rob Valetini move to the back the team curfew. row. Swinton was red-carded on debut Flyhalf Noah Lolesio, who had a and earned a four-week suspension nightmare with the boot last week, last year for a high shot on All Blacks missing five of seven shots at goal, lock Sam Whitelock in a Bledisloe has been retained - but with the ex- Cup Test. perienced To’omua guiding him from But when coach Dave Rennie inside centre. named his side on Thursday he said Andrew Kellaway, promoted to the he was rewarding form and not repu- run-on side last week in Koroibete’s tation ahead of the Eden Park rematch absence, has retained his spot. to keep the best-of-three series alive. Among the replacements, the 68- Koroibete “knows he’s let himself Test prop Scott Sio and 37-Test scrum- and the team down and wants to half Nic White are set for their first ap- make up for that this weekend,” Ren- pearances for the Wallabies this year. nie said. Australia (15-1): Koroibete and Swinton are among Tom Banks, Andrew Kellaway, Hunt- four changes to the Wallabies line- er Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika up. Matt To’omua is starting at inside Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Tate McDer- centre and, in the forwards, Matt Phil- mott; Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper ip was promoted to start at lock and (capt), Lachlan Swinton; Matt Philip, Swinton to replace Harry Wilson in Darcy Swain; Allan Alaalatoa, Bran- the loose trio. don Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper Queensland Reds pair Lukhan Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Scott Salakaia-Loto and Wilson drop back Sio, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia- to the bench. Loto, Harry Wilson, Nic White, Len Australia’s Tom Banks runs with the ball during the first rugby Test of Bledisloe Cup between the New Zealand and Australia at “To beat New Zealand, you have to Ikitau, Reece Hodge. AFP Eden Park in Auckland on August 7. AFP England’s Broad and Anderson both set to miss 2nd Test

An already-depleted England series after pulling up with a for the second Test with a thigh missed one on home soil. defeated Pakistan in a one-day India will be without pace- could be without both Stuart calf problem ahead of the sec- problem sustained on Wednes- Anderson and Broad’s inju- international series despite bowling all-rounder Shardul Broad and James Anderson in ond Test at Lord’s starting day. Broad suffered his injury ries are bound to leave the ECB having to select an entirely new Thakur because of a thigh a home Test for the first time in Thursday, which could have warming-up on Tuesday. facing fresh questions over a squad following a Covid-19 injury. nearly a decade when they face marked his 150th appearance Broad’s 524 wickets make domestic fixture schedule outbreak within their camp. After India had the better of India at Lord’s on Thursday. in the format. him England’s second-most which left both bowlers short “When we’ve seen that previ- the first Test, captain Virat Koh- Broad, 35, has been ruled out Meanwhile the 39-year-old successful Test bowler behind of match practice, neither of ously in the summer, in the li said his side had the right of the rest of the five-match Anderson is struggling to be fit longtime new-ball partner whom now plays in limited- Pakistan series, there were “template” for their attack in Anderson, whose 621 are an all- overs matches, heading into a opportunities that arose for four fast bowlers and left-arm time record for any fast bowler showpiece series in the absence other people coming in and spinner Ravindra Jadeja. at this level. of red-ball county cricket. they rose to those challenges,” Experienced paceman Before Broad was ruled out, said England batsman Jonny Ishant Sharma could replace the England and Wales Cricket Adapt Bairstow. Thakur, with India also able to Board (ECB) announced that “As players we have to man- Haseeb Hameed could force select star off-spinner Ravi- Saqib Mahmood, uncapped at age the times we are in and the his way into an England top chandran Ashwin. Test level, had been called up schedule we have but I would three where opening batsman “For us it’s about finding that as cover. like to see red-ball cricket Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley perfect balance but if some- Mahmood, who has played alongside Test cricket,” said have both been struggling for one like Shardul is not availa- seven one-day internationals England captain Joe Root, runs. ble, we will definitely think and nine Twenty20s, now joins whose 64 and 109 in last week’s England remain without two first about how we pick up 20 Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, rain-marred first Test at Trent all-rounders in Ben Stokes, wickets not plug-in another Craig Overton and all-rounder Bridge helped secure a draw taking an indefinite break from guy who can give us some runs Sam Curran in vying for a place that prevented India going 1-0 cricket due to mental health with the bat,” Kohli said. in England’s pace attack. ahead. issues, and the injured Chris England could recall off- England have not played a “But as it is, that is difficult to Woakes, while express fast spinning all-rounder Moeen England’s captain Joe Root (right) bats in the nets during a training Test without either Anderson or do, and we just have to try and bowler Jofra Archer has been Ali after opting against play- session ahead of the second Test match between England and India at Broad since October 2016 and adapt the best we can.” ruled out for the rest of this ing a specialist slow bowler in Lord’s cricket ground on Wednesday. AFP it is nine years since they both Earlier this season, England year with an elbow problem. Nottingham. AFP Pacquiao says stance switch ‘only danger’ in facing Ugas

Philippines star Manny Pacquiao said Spence and Ugas are aggressive fighters, inside of the ring,” Pacquiao said. on Wednesday the “only danger” in which I like.” “In the end, I want to win the belts. I’m switching foes for next week’s world wel- The stance switch won’t cause a training so excited for this championship fight and terweight boxing title bout will be going issue, Pacquiao said. I don’t care if I’m the challenger or cham- from a southpaw foe to a right-handed “I always consider myself a bipartisan pion coming into it. We’ll see who is the opponent. boxer. I am happy to fight either right- champion.” The 42-year-old Filipino Senator puts on handed or southpaw fighters,” he said. “It’s Ugas knows the last-minute switch has his gloves August 21 in Las Vegas to face no problem for me at all to switch the styles created the biggest fight of his career, what Cuban Yordenis Ugas after American Errol I’m going to face.” could be his greatest triumph if he can pull Spence Jr was forced out of the fight Tues- Ugas, 26-4 with 12 knockouts, was hand- off an upset. day due to a left eye injury. ed the WBA crown in January after eight- “I’m fighting for my legacy,” Ugas said. Instead of facing unbeaten southpaw division champion Pacquiao, 62-7 with “This is the most important fight of my Spence for the WBC and IBF titles he holds, two drawn and 39 knockouts, was stripped life. Pacquiao will fight for the WBA crown he of the title for inactivity. “I’m well aware that Pacquiao is the once held against Ugas, a right-hander Pacquiao has not fought since taking the favourite. But at the same time, I’m a who had planned to defend the crown on WBA belt from American Keith Thurman champion. I’ve faced so many strong the undercard. by split decision in July 2019. opponents to get to where I am. I have full Manny Pacquiao (right) slams a right to the face of US boxer Keith “The only danger for this fight is the “Ugas is a champion because they gave confidence in myself and my ability to get Thurman during their WBA super world welterweight title fight at the change in stance,” Pacquiao said. “Both him my belt. Now, we have to settle it a victory.” AFP MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 20, 2019. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 13, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Premier League braced for four-way title race

he Premier League’s Arnold have been refreshed giants have again by a summer off from inter- brushed off the eco- national duties, while Diogo nomic effects of the Jota’s fine form in his first coronavirusT pandemic ahead season at the club has put Ro- of the start of the new season berto Firmino’s place up front on Friday with a four-team under threat. battle expected for the title. Most importantly, the re- Reigning champions Man- turns of Van Dijk and Hender- chester City have broken the son will be like new signings English top flight transfer re- for Klopp as the Reds boss cord by splashing £100 mil- aims to bounce back from lion ($138 million) on Jack a first trophyless season in Grealish. three years. However, European cham- pions Chelsea showed they Chelsea were capable of beating City Thomas Tuchel’s remarkable three times towards the end of impact at Chelsea culminated last season and are not alone in Champions League final in harbouring ambitions of glory just five months after snatching the Premier League taking charge. title away from Pep Guardio- The German revitalised the la’s men. previously lethargic Blues Manchester United have with his tactical nous, in- also spent over £100 million game strategy and motiva- on Jadon Sancho and Raphael tional expertise. Varane, while Liverpool look It was fitting that Kai Hav- refreshed after an injury-rav- ertz, one of previous coach aged 2020/2021 season. Frank Lampard’s expensively AFP Sport looks at the four signed underachievers, should leading contenders for the underline his improvement in title: the Tuchel era with the goal Manchester United’s Tunisian midfielder Hannibal Mejbri (left) vies for the ball during the English Premier League pre-season friendly football that clinched Chelsea’s second Manchester City match against Brentford at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 28. AFP Champions League crown. Winning a third Premier Tuchel must now build on League title in four seasons and with Tottenham striker Harry ed up for a sustained assault them in midfield. turbulent campaign, Jurgen that triumph and has been lifting yet another League Cup Kane in City’s sights. to end an eight-year wait to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men Klopp’s side believe they will backed by Roman Abramov- was not enough to sate Guar- Having finished 12 points win the title. have proved to be more than be stronger this season. ich with Romelu Lukaku set to diola’s appetite for success. clear of second-placed Man- There was no repeat of a match for City on their day Liverpool shrugged off their return to Stamford Bridge for Fuelled by the frustration of chester United last term, City last summer’s transfer saga over the past two seasons, but woes with a late surge that saw a club record £97 million from City’s limp Champions League start as favourites for the title. over Sancho as a £73 million need to find the consistency them qualify for the Champi- Inter Milan. final defeat against Chelsea, But with Tottenham, Leices- fee was quickly agreed with of their local rivals over the ons League with a third-place While Chelsea were rock Guardiola has no intention of ter, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liv- Borussia Dortmund before long haul. finish. solid at the back after Tuchel’s resting on his laurels. erpool among their opening Varane’s arrival solved a prob- Dutch midfielder Georginio appointment, they were less The City boss added an- seven games of the season, lem position at centre-back. Liverpool Wijnaldum left for Paris Saint- impressive in attack where other weapon to his already the champions’ title defence Sancho joins a swashbuck- Ravaged by long-term inju- Germain at the end of the sea- Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech lethal attacking arsenal with could be quickly knocked off ling attack also featuring Mar- ries to Virgil van Dijk, Jordan son, but Klopp has bolstered and Christian Pulisic all strug- a British record £100 million course. cus Rashford, Mason Green- Henderson, Joe Gomez and his squad with the £36 million gled for consistency. swoop for Aston Villa play- wood, Edinson Cavani and Joel Matip, Liverpool surren- signing of Leipzig defender Lukaku’s goalscoring prowess maker Grealish. Manchester United Anthony Martial with Bruno dered their firstE nglish title in Ibrahima Konte. could be the final piece of the Another British transfer re- Without a major trophy Fernandes and Paul Pogba 30 years without a fight. Mohamed Salah, Sadio puzzle in Tuchel’s transforma- cord could still be to come since 2017, United have load- pulling the strings behind Yet, from the ashes of that Mane and Trent Alexander- tion of the Londoners. AFP Kepa the hero as Chelsea edge out Villarreal to win Cup

Kepa Arrizabalaga was the record fee for a goalkeeper in But this time he rewarded mination of a meteoric rise in Marcos Alonso fed Kai to Moreno and Gerard unlikely hero as Chelsea started 2018, was introduced late in his manager’s faith with saves Tuchel’s first five months in Havertz down the right and Moreno. the new season as they ended extra-time as a substitute for from Aissa Mandi and Raul charge. from the German’s low cross, Villarreal were the dominant the last with a European trophy the shootout by Thomas Albiol. The German has bemoaned Ziyech swept home. force in the second-half as by beating Villarreal 6-5 on pen- Tuchel. “It was not spontaneous,” having to manage a 42-man However, the Moroccan was Chelsea physically faded after alties after a 1-1 draw to win the Kepa famously refused to be said Tuchel who explained the squad during pre-season and forced off before half-time in a their flying start. UEFA Super Cup in Belfast. replaced by former Chelsea plan had been hatched in the could soon have even more sling by a shoulder injury. Tuchel turned to his bench to The Spaniard, who has lost boss Maurizio Sarri in a League FA Cup last season. firepower to call on with In stark contrast to Chelsea’s stem the tide as Mount, Jorgin- his place as number one since Cup final defeat to Manchester “We talked about it with the Romelu Lukaku expected to haul of now 20 trophies in the ho and Andreas Christensen joining the club for a world City two years ago. goalkeepers after the first cup complete a return to Stamford nearly 20 years since Roman were introduced. game against Barnsley. Bridge later this week for a Abramovich’s takeover trans- But the Spaniards finally got “Kepa has the best percent- club record £97 million. formed the club, Villarreal’s their deserved equaliser when age at saving penalties, the But the depth of resources Europa League final victory Moreno played a clever one- analysing guys and goalkeep- available to Tuchel was on show over Manchester United in May two with Dia before firing high ing coaches showed me the early on. secured their first ever silver- past Mendy. data. We spoke to the players Euro 2020 finalists Mason ware. Neither manager would have that this could happen when Mount, Ben Chilwell, Reece After an overly cautious start welcomed an extra 30 minutes we play in knockout games. It’s James and Jorginho all had to from Unai Emery’s men, going just days before their respective fantastic how Edouard [Mendy] settle for a place on the bench behind forced the Yellow Sub- league campaigns kick-off. accepted it. after their late return to pre- marine out of their shell and Chelsea had the better of “There is proof that Kepa is season training, but Chelsea they were unfortunate not to extra-time as Christian Pulisic better in this discipline. They’re still had far too much for the be level by half-time. fired inches wide before Sergio team players. Edouard does not Europa League winners in the “I am proud to represent Vil- Asenjo produced a fine save to show the pride to not step off opening half hour. larreal, our project and the deny Mount. the field. He was happy to do it Spanish league,” said Emery. Asenjo also gave Villarreal a for the team and take this for Bittersweet for Ziyech “We knew how to compete.” dream start to the shootout by the team.” Hakim Ziyech had a bitter- Mendy scampered from his saving from Havertz. Chelsea’s win over Manches- sweet evening as he continued line to deny Boulaye Dia a But Chelsea were flawless Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga dives to save the penalty ter City in Porto to lift the his fine pre-season form into debut goal before Villarreal with their next six spot-kicks of Villarreal’s Spanish defender Raul Albiol (left) to win the penalty Champions League for a sec- competitive action with the twice hit the woodwork either to allow Kepa to take centre shootout during the UEFA Super Cup football match on Wednesday. AFP ond time in May was the cul- opening goal. side of the break through Alber- stage. AFP