wednesday, august 18, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3731 / 4000 RIEL MINISTRY: VACCINES GASTRONOMIC SHIFT US PRESIDENT DEFENDS ALONE WILL NOT FREE HEATS UP AS TOURISM AFGHANISTAN PULLOUT KINGDOM FROM COVID REOPENING IN SIGHT DESPITE KABUL FURORE national – page 3 business – page 7 World – page 9 Ministry seeks feedback on UK trade rules

Thou Vireak The UK government has since com- able in electronic format on the UK stressed that the DCTS “is a major Framework [LDCF] and 23 addition- mitted to increase access to UK mar- public sector information website for opportunity to grow free and fair al countries classified by the World THE Ministry of Commerce seeks to kets for developing countries, as anyone who wishes to offer input or trade with developing nations”. Bank as low-income and lower-mid- engage the involvement of all export- Cambodian products gain more sup- requests concerning adjustments to “The proposed scheme would dle-income countries,” it said. ers in the consultation process of port and market share. export requirements and procedures apply to 70 qualifying countries cur- Ministry undersecretary of state drafting a mechanism that will serve The ministry on August 16 said the to streamline the process and ensure rently and include improvements Pen Sovicheat told The Post last as a benchmark for Cambodian com- UK has given stakeholders the oppor- it is transparent and inclusive. such as lower tariffs and simpler rules month that Cambodia welcomes any mercial exports to the UK. tunity to participate in public consul- The UK government launched the open of origin requirements for countries preferential trade system that could Following the result of a referendum tations on the Developing Countries consultations on the rules and provisions exporting to the UK, allowing coun- benefit market expansion and pro- held in 2016, the UK’s divorce from the Trading Scheme (DCTS), which is due to be incorporated in the DCTS on July 19, tries to diversify their exports and vide opportunities and greater access EU on January 31, 2020 – commonly to replace the Generalised Scheme of in a bid to boost trade with lower-income grow their economies. for Cambodian goods to the UK. known as Brexit – gave Britain the free- Preferences (GSP) next year. nations, including Cambodia. “[The DCTS] will apply to 47 coun- dom to set an independent trade policy. It noted that a questionnaire is avail- UK embassy in Phnom Penh tries in the Least Developed Country Continued – page 6 Cambodia pledges aid to virus-hit Myanmar

Ry Sochan bodia,” Hun Sen said. Hun Sen said he will also RIME Minister Hun donate medical supplies to Sen pledged $200,000 Myanmar, including three mil- in donation towards lion masks, 500,000 rapid test the purchase of medi- kits, 2000 pieces of personal pro- calP supplies for Myanmar, say- tective equipment (PPE), 100 ing the move was made in the oxygen concentrators, 20 venti- spirit of friendship and soli- lators and 20 patient monitoring darity between the Cambodian stations with accessories. and Myanmar peoples. He said Minister of Health In a letter dated August 17 to Mam Bun Heng will lead a del- An art student paints a painting depicting Afghanistan’s crisis outside an art school in Mumbai, India on Tuesday. AFP Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of egation to deliver the dona- the State Administration tions and aid via special flight Council of Myanmar, Hun Sen to Myanmar to be arranged said he has closely observed with them soon. Afghanistan’s recalcitrant former Myanmar’s efforts to fight their “I am firmly convinced that outbreak of Covid-19 by taking with our joint efforts, we will “strong” measures to contain overcome this global pandem- VP vows new fight against Taliban it from the beginning. ic and we shall all survive it in “In the spirit of friendship one piece,” Hun Sen said. AFGHANISTAN’S defiant vice- lions who listened to me. I will Ahmed Shah Massoud in Pan- defences, the valley never fell and solidarity between our Cambodian Institute for president made one thing never be under one ceiling jshir – a mountainous redoubt to the Taliban during the civil two countries, in addition to Democracy president Pa clear as the Taliban seized con- with Taliban. NEVER,” he tucked into the Hindu Kush. war of the 1990s, nor was it Cambodia’s pledge of $100,000 Chanroeun told The Post on trol of the capital following the wrote in English on Twitter on Saleh and Massoud’s son, ever conquered by the Soviets to the ASEAN humanitarian August 17 that the move is a collapse of his government – August 15, before going who commands a militia a decade earlier. assistance to Myanmar fund at humanitarian gesture by the he will not surrender. underground. force, appear to be putting “We will not allow the Tali- the ASEAN coordinating cen- head of the Cambodian gov- It appears Amrullah Saleh has A day later, pictures began to together the first pieces of a ban to enter Panjshir and will tre for humanitarian assist- ernment and on behalf of the retreated to the country’s last surface on social media of the guerilla movement to take on resist with all our might and ance, I would like to donate Cambodian people in order to remaining holdout – the Panj- former vice-president with the the victorious Taliban, as power, and fight them,” one $200,000 in cash directly from shir Valley northeast of Kabul. son of his former mentor and fighters regroup in Panjshir. resident told AFP on condi- the Royal Government of Cam- Continued – page 2 “I won’t dis-appoint mil- famed anti-Taliban fighter Famed for its natural tion of anonymity. AFP

PM GIVES GO AHEAD SIX LISTED FIRMS POST FOR PURCHASE OF RECOVERY IN BUSINESS ENTIRE LONGAN CROP PERFORMANCE IN Q2 nATIONAL – page 2 business – page 6 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Kingdom’s aid demonstrates PM orders purchase of longan solidarity spirit Long Kimmarita RIME Minister Hun Sen or- Continued from page 1 dered the purchase of lon- gans – an edible fruit similar alleviate the hardships and challeng- to lychee, also of the soap- es faced by the people of Myanmar in berryP family – from farmers in all combating the spread of Covid-19. provinces along the Cambodian-Thai “This gesture is a way of strengthening border who have been unable to ex- our country to country ties. The standard port their produce due to Covid-19 sort of Covid-19-era diplomacy through restrictions. medical assistance and aid, which Cam- An indefinite Chinese ban onT hai bodia often receives from other nations longan imposed on August 13 over – but this time we will be the side doing contamination with mealybugs has the giving, to Myanmar,” he said. thrown a wrench into Cambodian Chanroeun noted that before giv- exports of the fruit to the neigh- ing aid to other nations, Cambodia bouring country. should assess its own internal needs And industry insiders have voiced first given its own limited resources. concern that as the harvest sea- “Do our people have enough resourc- son ramps up in Cambodia, tens of es to prevent the spread of Covid-19? thousands of tonnes of longan will This is an important question, but it be unable to reach their intended must be balanced with showing what destinations as Thai traders and im- a big heart Cambodia has by helping porters cancel orders, and a consid- people going through times of crisis in erable portion of the fruit could be other countries,” he said. left to rot. He said when Phnom Penh and Cambodia’s longan harvest will adjacent Takhmao town in Kandal then be distributed to frontline province were locked down earlier this workers and border forces through- year, people living in those areas faced out Battambang province, accord- Prime Minister Hun Sen during a fruit fair before the pandemic. TVK a lot of shortages of basic supplies like ing to government plans. face masks and alcohol-based sanitiz- The announcement comes af- other sources, because a great many this month . . . It’s just the starting In accordance with that sugges- ers and disinfectants – not to mention, ter more than 40 tonnes of longan farmers have them for sale. month, when each farmer gathers tion, the provincial administration at least initially, food to eat – and the transiting through Pailin province “We will give the fruit to military, their fruit, typically about 10 to 20 designated the Veal Bek Chan foot- ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar can were recently spoiled after being police and border forces that are tonnes for each farmer. So it’s over ball field located next to the 5th only be adding to those problems. stuck at the Doung International fighting Covid-19 throughout Bat- this next month that the large-scale military command base in Rom- Chanroeun said there were no Border Checkpoint in Duong com- tambang province,” he said. harvesting will take place,” he said. chek 4 village of Ratanak commune issues related to shortages or lack of mune of Battambang province’s He said that if the purchased quan- According to Chum, the current in Battambang town and province access to necessary supplies right Kamrieng district due to border tity exceeds demand for the whole market price for longans that whole- as the location for all government now among the Cambodian general closure by Thai authorities over of Battambang province, the team salers are paying ranges from 2,000 riel purchases from the longan farmers, public or in medical facilities. Thus, Covid-19 concerns. will still continue to buy longans to 2,500 riel per kg, depending on the which will begin on August 18. if Myanmar’s needs right now are Hing Bun Heang, deputy director and distribute them to the frontline quality of the fruit. Traders resell them According to the Battambang dire, the donations are reasonable. of Hun Sen’s cabinet and the official forces in other provinces along the in Thailand at a price of about 25 Baht Provincial Administration’s press “As a Cambodian citizen, I am not who directly received the order to Cambodian-Thai border. or 3,000 riel per kg. release, the purchase of the longan narrow-minded and I am proud when purchase all longans from Cambo- The Pailin Longan Grower’s Associa- He added that if possible, he harvest demonstrates decisiveness we are able to help people in other dia’s farmers, told The Post on Au- tion’s vice-chairman Suon Chum said would like to suggest that the gov- and ingenuity on the part of Cam- countries, but [the government] should gust 17 that the longans would all be he and other members were aware of ernment set up a specific location to bodia’s national leadership as well definitely make sure to give enough bought at the same price they would the news and were very happy that the collect and store the fruit so farmers as their care and compassion for priority to providing financial and mate- have fetched in Thailand. head of government helped solve the can bring their produce there and the plight of ordinary Cambodians – rial support to Cambodians first, espe- He said the government purchase of members of their association’s prob- sell it all in the same place to make such as these humble longan farm- cially in areas or communities with very longans would not do much to limit lems so quickly. things easier and avoid accidental ers – who would otherwise be facing poor living conditions,” he said. the available quantity of the fruit from “Pailin’s longan harvest just started spoilage. financial catastrophe.

Bird species number drops in sanctuary Officer sent

Ry Sochan sanctuary’s Veal Kambor Community Manager at BirdLife International, species in the Veal Kambor area. to court for Committee patrolled three times in July told The Post: “We used to record the “The reason for the decline could BIRDLIFE International said the num- spending one night and two days in the nests of adjutants, but now we no lon- be habitat disruption as more people killing trio in ber of bird species detected in the Veal forest each time to identify bird species. ger see them. It is a decrease in bird have moved into the area,” he said. Kambor Community Protected Area “The community recorded 35 animal numbers.” The community continues to protect road accident in Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary in species and inspected 10 ponds. Nota- He said the declining numbers in- the birds by monitoring nests and edu- MILITARY officer who Ratanakkiri province has decreased bly, we saw a decrease in the number cluded vulnerable bird species such cating people in the area to participate killed three teenagers on compared to last year, as only 35 spe- of animals in this community protect- as the lesser adjutant, white-shoul- in the protection of these bird species. A a motorcycle while driving cies were recorded this year. ed area compared to last year,” it said. dered ibis and some other species. “Park rangers are always moni- under the influence of alcohol in BirdLife said on August 16 that the Bou Vorsak, Cambodia Programme The community used to record these toring the area to identify nests. We the early hours of August 16 has patrol nearby to protect them and been sent to the Phnom Penh near ponds for fear of the birds being Municipal Court. trapped or poisoned,” he said. Heng Sarim, the municipal Birdlife conservation groups have police’s traffic bureau chief, said found 10 nests in the sanctuary this on August 17 that the incident year, an increase from the eight that occurred in Kamboul district’s were found last year. Kantouk commune. Neth Pheaktra, Secretary of State He said the victims, aged 17 and spokesman for the Ministry of and 18, were Kandal province’s Environment, told The Post on August Ponhea Leu district. Two of them 15 that the ministry had partnered died at the hospital. with a number of organisations, in- Citing witnesses, Sarim said cluding Birdlife International and the trio were seen travelling on a Wildlife Conservation Society to pro- motorcycle at a medium speed in tect and preserve the giant ibis and the right lane. Then a car coming white-shouldered ibis. in the opposite direction at high “Through the implementation of speed veered into the motor- the Ibis Rice Project, which not only cycle’s lane and collided with the ensures the production of rice for bike. One of the three was killed household consumption, but also instantly, he said. creates a sustainable supply chain to “The car driver was drunk and support the conservation of wildlife veered into the motorcycle’s and participate with the government lane,” he said, adding that after to reduce poverty.” the incident.. Pheaktra said this is to support and Municipal court spokesman provide new options for people to im- Phlong Sophal did not respond prove their lives and at the same time immediately to a request for com- conserve natural resources and pro- ment on August 17. Kim Sarom White-necked stork in Lumphat wildlife sanctuary’s Veal Kambor community protected area. BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL CAMBODIA tect wildlife. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Ministries, 2 provinces Booster shot not a complete talk waste management

Voun Dara fectively and efficiently man- shield against Covid: Vandine age solid waste in the capital, THE Ministry of Interior’s Gen- provinces and local areas. Mom Kunthear and Voun Dara eral Department of Adminis- Environment ministry tration co-chaired a two-day spokesman Neth Pheaktra HE national Covid- online meeting from August said the ministry had provid- 19 vaccination com- 16-17 with two provincial ad- ed technical training to local mittee reminded the ministrations on identifying officials and offered sub-na- public that a third locations for landfills, while the tional administrations own- doseT or booster shot of vac- Ministry of Environment con- ership of solid waste manage- cine will not completely shield tinues to assist sub-national ment in their respective areas them from infections if they administrations in procedures to improve the quality of the do not strictly adhere to other to manage urban solid waste. environment and participate preventive measures. Prak Sam Oeun, head of the in sustainable socio-econom- Or Vandine, Ministry of general department, met with ic development. Health spokeswoman and representatives of the Kandal “After the environment min- head of the committee, said: and Siem Reap provincial ad- istry’s intervention, we have “Some people still think that ministrations on August 16- observed that four sub-nation- once they have been vacci- 17 to discuss potential sites al administrations have been nated they can no longer be for solid waste landfills and implementing policies on ur- infected with the coronavi- improving management of ban solid waste management, rus and it was not necessary the World Bank’s plastic waste including Banteay Srei district for them to implement other project. in Siem Reap province, Prey health measures. This is a mis- The meeting was attended Veng town and Svay Ontor dis- understanding,” she said on by Kandal governor Kong trict in Prey Veng province, and August 16 at the launch of the Sophorn, Siem Reap gover- O’Reang-ou district in Tbong national Covid-19 campaign. nor Tea Seiha and town and Khmum province,” he said. Vandine said if people con- district administration repre- He said Sihanoukville and tinue to gather in groups, eat sentatives of the two provinc- Prey Nop districts in Preah Si- together in enclosed places es, leaders and specialists of hanouk province; Anlong Veng and travel to work in crowded Or Vandine, health ministry spokeswoman and head of the national Covid-19 vaccination committee, speaks the general department and a district in Oddar Meanchey vehicles together, they will en- at the launch of the national campaign to prevent the spread of Covid-19 on Monday. health ministry World Bank technical team. province; Snuol district in able Covid-19 transmissions. “This project has not yet Kratie province; and Pech “Everybody must take care tive for Covid-19 on arrival. authorities at the local level to sothy told The Post on August been approved by the World Chreada district in Mondulkiri and be responsible for their Health ministry statistics personally – and individually, if 17 that the rapid test kits were Bank. We have just prepared province are moving toward health as well as share the re- indicate that as of August 16, necessary – call on the people all imported from South Korea some preliminary work,” Prak managing solid waste effec- sponsibility for public health a total of 277,074 people had of their villages and communes previously, but tests purchased Sam Oeun told The Post on tively in the near future. with their local authorities. received booster shot of the who have yet to receive their from China will begin arriving August 17. Pheaktra called on people “By implementing the rec- AstraZeneca vaccines donated first dose to get jabbed without in Cambodia soon. With the project, the en- to properly pack rubbish and ommended health measures by Japan and the UK. delay,” she said. “Currently, we are still sell- vironment ministry contin- sort it according to its type to along with vaccinations, we “The decision to provide this As of the August 16, nearly ing the devices we imported ues to support sub-national avoid littering, which affects can break the chain of trans- third dose was made because 8.5 million Cambodians, or from South Korea. The minis- administrations by training the beauty and comfort of mission and cease passing the the typical immune response 84.56 per cent of the targeted try has sold a total of 1.7 mil- and equipping officials to ef- society. virus from person to another from two doses of vaccines adult population of 10 mil- lion kits,” he said. or spreading it in our commu- might be weakened with the lion – have been vaccinated He added that in the next nities,” she said. widespread circulation of new nationwide. two months, the ministry will Prime Minister Hun Sen ap- virus strains, especially delta For the 12-17 age group of have enough devices for sale proved the use of booster shots and alpha,” Vandine said. nearly two million, more than to meet the needs of all insti- using the AstraZeneca vaccine Vandine also urged heads 588,000, or around 30 per cent, tutions and individuals. for frontline medical workers of the municipal and pro- have been vaccinated. “After we received many re- and military personnel who vincial Covid-19 vaccination In total, Cambodia has vac- quests from the public it was have received two doses of sub-commissions to increase cinated 56.53 per cent of the decided that we should sell the the Chinese-made Sinovac or awareness-raising outreach ef- population of 16 million. tests for individual or family Sinopharm vaccines. forts and continue to encour- Separately, the Ministry of use as well, without any condi- The decision was made to age people to get vaccinated. Posts and Telecommunica- tions attached,” he said. bolster protection for frontline “In order to achieve our goal tions is now approaching two The ministry started selling workers in the border provinc- of vaccinating 10 million peo- million rapid test kits sold to Covid-19 antigen rapid test es due to a surge in the number ple aged 18 and over by late Oc- the public already and plans to kits at $3.70 per unit in order of migrant workers returning tober or early November 2021, import more of them in order to complement government from Thailand recently, with the national Covid-19 vaccina- to meet local demand. efforts to stem the coronavi- Cintri workers collect rubbish in Chak Angre Krom commune of Phnom hundreds of them testing posi- tion committee request that Ministry spokesperson So Vi- rus spread. Penh’s Meanchey district on Monday. hean rangsey CCF asks consumers to report online scammers Nov Sivutha file a complaint, he said. media, such as lotions, and “There is not yet an estab- health and nutritional prod- VICTIMS of fraudulent e-com- lished place for people with ucts, do not have a clear merce businesses have been complaints to go to. We have source. When buyers use them, asked by the Consumer Pro- not yet set up such a mecha- they can even affect their tection Competition and Fraud nism, but the anti-cybercrime health,” he said. Repression Directorate-Gen- department of the Ministry of “In addition, there are also eral (CCF) to lodge a complaint Interior is addressing the fraudulent cases where sellers for legal action. issue,” he said. tell buyers to provide phone CCF deputy director-general Theng urged people who numbers, addresses and trans- Dim Theng told The Post on have been scammed to lodge fer money. But the goods are August 16 that e-commerce in a complaint with the CCF via not delivered to the buyer.” Cambodia has increased in social media or contact the He said buyers did not com- popularity, but at the same organisation directly. The CCF plain because they did not know time there has been an increase will assist in addressing the where to file a complaint or in cases of online fraud. problem according to the law which institution to contact. Theng added that people on consumer protection. Voleak said the CCF’s who placed orders online IT expert Keo Voleak believes announcement about receiving either domestically or interna- that e-co mmerce scams in complaints and consultation on tionally were often followed up Cambodia are not as prevalent the problem is a good move to by scam phone calls, emails or as in other countries. However, solve e-commerce frauds. false advertising. there is a risk when consumers He requested that the CCF The problem has recently see scam advertising and disseminate the information developed in Cambodia and decide to order products. so people can protect them- there is not a proper mecha- When the goods are received, selves from frauds and get- nism in place to deal with the the products are not as adver- ting cheated. The CCF should issue. People who were tised and of poor quality. also announce the penalties cheated often suffered huge “In other words, some prod- for e-commerce frauds to CCF deputy director-general Dim Theng attends a webinar on online fraud on Monday. CCF losses and had nowhere to ucts advertised on social deter scams. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Workshop to raise awareness K Speu villagers seek solution to land row regarding child abuse online Orm Bunthoeurn A group of families have Voun Dara online is now tracked through demanded Kampong Speu pro- social media in order to target vincial authorities expedite the HE Ministry of Edu- you with advertising,” he said. distribution of 54ha of land in cation, Youth and Vando noted that with the Daun Ath village in the prov- Sport will hold a five- schools having been suspend- ince’s Samrong district’s Skuh day workshop on the ed for a long time now, stu- commune after they claimed topicT of “online sexual exploi- dents across the country then rich and powerful individuals tation of children in Cambo- turned to online learning. This conspired with commune dia” next week to raise aware- also brought an increase in the authorities to change owner- ness of the risks the internet number of offenders taking an ship by altering the land title. poses to children. opportunity to seduce, cheat, Chea Savoeun, a representa- The awareness workshop harass or abuse more children tive of 137 families in the village, will be held from August 23- online than ever before. said on August 16 that Ministry 27 and will be conducted in He said from January of Land Management, Urban cooperation with the Ministry through July, his organisation Planning and Construction of Posts and Telecommunica- had found more than 116 cas- allowed the provincial governor Daun Ath villagers protest in a tions and other relevant pub- es of online and direct child to allocate the land to villagers land dispute in Samrong Tong lic and private institutions. sexual exploitation, whereas in February. However, there has district in Kampong Speu province on August 14. supplied Education ministry spokes- Boys play games on a phone at home in Kohdach commune, Chroy in 2020 they saw 50 cases. yet been no land distribution. man Ros Soveacha told The Changvar district in July. hong menea Nhep Sopheap, secretary- Savoeun has therefore land without anyone objecting. Post on August 16 that the general of the Cambodian requested provincial authorities It was later when people who workshop will run every tor will also take part, includ- up discussion and a closing National Council for Children to expedite the settlement of did not understand the situa- morning during the five day ing UNICEF, APLE Cambodia, ceremony. (CNCC), told The Post that land ownership. tion came and protested, which from 9am to 10:30am via Facebook and internet service APLE child protection spe- during the Covid-19 outbreak He accused village and com- has led to social problems. video confence and will be provider EZECOM. cialist Khoem Vando said more child sexual exploitation mune authorities of conspiring “Unsettling the social envi- broadcast live on the minis- Soveacha said that each day that the workshop was very online was increasing steadily to sell the land to a powerful ronment causes chaos. The sec- try’s Facebook page. of the workshop has a differ- important because technol- in all parts of the world. official at the land management ond reason is to slander us. The “The purpose of this work- ent theme: August 23 will be ogy is rapidly evolving and She said new research found ministry named Pak Chanpal third is to envy us. In the end shop is to raise awareness “risks of online sexual exploi- becoming more integrated that every five minutes child with the involvement of anoth- they are ambitious and want to about the risk of online sexual tation of children”, the August with our lives, but it can come pornography is shared online er powerful person in the judici- deceive the government and exploitation of children, es- 24 theme is “action plan to with problems and risks, es- somewhere globally and Cam- ary to alter the land title and confuse people,” he said. pecially small children, and prevent and respond to child pecially for children. bodia has had a surge in internet take the people’s land. Savoeun stated that on August to help them avoid online ha- sexual exploitation online”, “This aims to raise aware- use by children in recent years. Pak Chanphal, Deputy Direc- 15, he blocked the road with rassment and abuse,” he said. August 25 will be “protecting ness and call for the participa- Yi Kim Than, the acting tor General of the General stones and demanded Chanphal According Soveacha, the children online in the educa- tion of all stakeholders, includ- country director for Plan Inter- Department of Construction of to resolve this problem. workshop will be attended tion sector”, and the theme for ing parents of children and national Cambodia said that the Ministry of Land Manage- “He [Chanphal] asked me by 500 participants, includ- August 26 will be “private sec- the public so that they do not child abuse or exploitation on- ment, said on August 16 that he about blocking the road and ing school board members, tor participation in the pro- engage in any online activities line was important because of had bought the land from a pri- what I wanted to do. I told him teachers and parents or tection of children online”. that pose a risk to themselves, the enormous amount of time vate company in 2008. that I only wanted a solution to guardians of students. The last day will be August other children or other users. that children today spend on- He also had the land title as the land dispute. He demanded NGOs and the private sec- 27 and it will include a wrap- Everything most people do line via smart phones. well as planted crops on the that I open the road, but I refused. He threatened to take me to jail,” Savoeun said. Vei Samnang, governor of Kampong Speu province, said on August 16 that the land dis- pute in the village was a com- plicated issue. He said the ministry has actu- ally sent a letter to the provin- cial board of governors for them to allocate the land to the people. The matter is still under procedure. However, the provincial gov- ernor claimed that he was not ignoring the dispute, and was looking for a way to quickly resolve the problem. “This is a land dispute, so it’s not easy to solve. We cannot do anything that breaks the rules. The villagers have requested to expedite the process, but we do not know how to do it quickly. If it was easy, the problem would already be solved,” he said. The provincial governor said some land disputes were suc- cessfully resolved quickly, but others were not so easy to resolve as there were often many issues to consider. Commune chief Ket Sokhom said on August 16 that com- mune authorities had not sold the villagers’ land as villagers had already sold it in 2010. “People sold a piece here and a piece there. When a buyer claimed a plot of land in 2015, nobody objected,” he said. The commune chief con- firmed that it was only in 2019 that people started to protest when a rich a tycoon developed land in a nearby area. “Some people who sold their land protested too. This forest land was not valuable until the tycoon started to develop near- by land, so the people started making a problem,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5

PPCBank goes live with BPC’s SmartVista

PC is proud to announce that PPCBank has successfully migrated Bto its SmartVista platform to support the leading financial institution’s growth agenda. PPCBank, a subsidiary of the South Korean JB Financial Group and OK Financial Group, was established in Cambodia in 2008 with a vision to drive innovation and financial inclusion across the Kingdom. Following a successful recent round of funding through the issuance of bonds, the bank has grown quickly in terms of assets and network, serving its customers in strategic locations and delivering on its vision to become a leader and make an impact in the Kingdom. PPCBank serves retail customers and has a strong focus on growing the acquisition of SME clients, a segment it deems underserved in their market with a strong impact on the economy. The bank has selected BPC’s SmartVista to drive their growth strategy and excel in customer experience, and has adopted several solutions from the SmartVista suite. SmartVista has been deployed Jongil Baek, the president of PPCBank. supplied at the bank to centralise payment switching activities, and manage Baek Jongil, the president “Customers rely on us for BPC Cambodia, commented: its partnership with Socials and monitor its ATM and POS of PPCBank, said: “Cambodia their finances, and the best we “Cambodia is one of the fastest- Coffee, which can be found networks. is transforming rapidly, and we can do is serve them through growing countries in APAC inside PPCBank branches. Other SmartIssuer is used to handle must remain ahead of the mar- best-in-class technology. We are [the Asia Pacific Accreditation initiatives include support of card lifecycle management ket, even more so in these times. confident that SmartVista will Cooperation], and we are landmine-clearing NGO APOPO for all types of cards – debit, For these reasons, we carefully make their lives easier when committed to the Kingdom with and its “HeroRATs”, who are credit and prepaid – including select our partners who need to banking, saving and spending, our local team on site. working to make Cambodia free loyalty management. The bank share our vision for customer ex- as well as paying or receiving “SmartVista will provide of landmines. issues a wide range of internal cellence and trust, and we could money.” the innovative edge PPCBank branded cards and was the not expect more from BPC. Veasna Nguon, head of is looking for, giving them the For more information, visit: first to introduce Diners Club capability to deliver a highly www.ppcbank.com.kh. International to Cambodia personalised experience at every through a partnership with the touchpoint. We are looking About BPC scheme. forward to continuing our close Founded In 1996, BPC has The bank is also responding collaboration with PPCBank, transformed over the years to to the country’s boom in helping the bank improve its deliver innovative and best-in- e-commerce and will be using customer experience and deliver class proven solutions which fit SmartVista merchant-acquiring its growth strategy. ” with today’s consumer lifestyles solutions to deliver the best when banking, shopping or online checkout experiences. About PPCBank moving in both urban and rural With SmartVista’s API Locally incorporated in areas, bridging real life and the Integration Platform, the bank September 2008, PPCBank is digital world. seamlessly integrated with third South Korean-owned, a subsidiary With 350 customers across party solutions, and part of its of the JB Financial Group and 95 countries globally, BPC ecosystem including mobile OK Financial Group. PPCBank collaborates with all ecosystem and internet banking, its CRM operates across Cambodia through players, ranging from tier one system and billing applications, 16 branches in Phnom Penh and banks to neobanks, payment to deliver a seamless experience seven in major provinces, in service providers (PSPs) to large across all of the bank’s addition to its 65 ATMs. processors, ecommerce giants touchpoints. PPCBank provides a full to start-up merchants and BPC’s SmartVista allows suite of products and services, government bodies to local ride PPCBank to deliver a superior, ranging from deposits and hailing companies. faster and relevant experience to loans, to modern digital mobile BPC’s SmartVista suite its customers. The bank gained applications, its internet-based comprises cutting-edge banking, in flexibility and freedom to corporate service “smartBiz” and commerce and mobility solutions, ally its commercial campaign its “Mobile Teller” for in-branch including digital banking, ATM & management, with product and remote consultations. In switching, payments processing, features such as incentivising 2020, PPCBank listed corporate card and fraud management, the move to contactless cards bonds on the Cambodia financial inclusion, merchant through cashback incentives Securities Exchange. portals, and transport and smart during the start of the pandemic PPCBank actively supports city solutions. or coupling loyalty schemes, various CSR initiatives, being without having to rely on the first bank to empower those For more information, visit: vendors. Veasna Nguon, the head of BPC Cambodia. supplied with hearing disabilities through www.bpcbt.com. a l Advertori 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 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 4,112 1.2616 6.4804 109.30 4.2380 1.3587 33.27 0.7289 1.1774 1.3805

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: August 17, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,220 12,280 12,280 12,200 2 GTI 4,500 4,420 4,520 4,420 3 PAS 13,640 13,660 13,700 13,640 4 PEPC 3,240 3,290 3,350 3,240 5 PPAP 14,940 14,760 14,960 14,760 6 PPSP 2,060 2,100 2,100 2,050 7 PWSA 7,100 7,080 7,100 7,040 Trade with Six listed firms post Q2 recovery UK to score May Kunmakara The operator of the King- dom’s largest special economic major gains IX companies with se- zone (SEZ), Phnom Penh SEZ curities listed on the Plc (PPSP), reported “profit- with DCTS Cambodia Securities able” business operations in Exchange (CSX) re- the second quarter, and land Continued from page 1 portedS a recovery in business revenue and rental income of performance in the second 1,859,976,000 riel, compared Cambodia currently receives quarter of this year over the to 17,844,664,000 riel in the preferential trade treatment early days of the health crisis, same period last year. under the GSP, which the UK on the back of the rapid pace PPSP director Hiroshi Ue- provides to the Least Devel- of the Covid-19 vaccination matsu said that as of June 30 oped Countries (LDC), he said, programme in the region and the SEZ accommodated 92 asserting that the facility is beyond. investors from 14 countries essentially equivalent to the In a filing to the CSX on Au- and territories – mainly from EU’s ‘Everything But Arms’ gust 19, corporate bond-listed Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, (EBA) scheme. Phnom Penh Commercial China, the US and South Ko- On August 12, the European Bank Plc (PPCBank) reported rea – that span a wide range Commission – the EU’s execu- total revenue of 77.264 billion of industries such as automo- tive arm – partially withdrew the riel ($19 million) in the second bile parts, garments, food and EBA scheme from Cambodia. quarter, up 3.471 billion riel or beverage, plastics, electronics The suspension affects one-fifth 4.7 per cent year-on-year, and and jewellery. or €1 billion ($1.2 billion) of the net profit of 15.129 billion riel, But in stark contrast, the Kingdom’s annual exports to the down 1.891 billion riel or 11.1 publicly-listed garment EU’s 27-nation bloc. per cent year-on-year. Six companies with securities listed on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) reported a recovery in manufacturer Grand Twins Sovicheat said: “If the new PPCBank chairman Yim Yong business performance in the April-June period over the early days of Covid-19. HEAN RANGSEY International (Cambodia) preferential system is easier to Taick said in the filing that the Plc (GTI) booked a sharp implement under the existing Cambodian government has equity reached $727 million, de Zylva said his institution per cent year-on-year, and 27.94 per cent year-on-year British GSP, we welcome it taken the “right steps” to re- $755 million and $163 mil- has adjusted itself promptly “profit” of 27.6 billion riel, up decrease in “revenue” in the based on the conviction that spond to the Covid-19 crisis. lion, respectively. to business operations and 52.8 per cent year-on-year. second quarter, while net we will have more opportuni- He said the government Another bond-listed mi- financial activities during Meanwhile, publicly-list- and operating losses surged ties to expand our market has created the fiscal space to crofinance institution, LOLC the pandemic, whilst fast for- ed Pestech (Cambodia) Plc by 647.97 per cent and 386.07 presence in the UK.” minimise the economic im- (Cambodia) Plc reported net warding the uptake of digital (PEPC) logged “revenue” of per cent, respectively. Garment Manufacturers pact of the crisis, especially on profit of 50.524 billion riel financial services. 110.668 billion riel in the GTI said the decrease in “rev- Association in Cambodia dep- the most vulnerable people. in the April-June period, up “LOLC Cambodia has been fourth quarter of 2021 of its enue” was “due to suspension uty secretary-general Kaing “Despite this time of uncer- 2.756 billion riel or 5.77 per upgrading its existing digital non-calendar quarterly re- of the company’s production Monika lauded the UK’s GSP tainty, in [the April-June pe- cent year-on-year. banking channels and part- porting system – correspond- in April and in June, which has programme as a policy of great riod], PPCBank got approval In the six-month period end- nering with third parties to ing to the April-June period [led to a decrease] in products consequence, saying that pub- from authorities to perform ed June 30, LOLC booked total integrate more distribution – up 65.24 per cent year-on- to be exported”, and the ris- lic consultation is paramount the bank’s business activities interest income of 347.363 bil- channels to provide superior year from 66.974 billion riel. ing net and operating losses to democratic governance. and [launch] existing/new lion riel, up 41.406 billion riel or customer experience,” he said. In the 12-month period were “due to decreasing in the He told The Post on August 17: products and services,” he 13.533 per cent year-on-year, And bond-listed automo- ended June 30, PEPC record- company’s revenue and in- “We will disseminate this info said, adding that as of June and net profit of 97.749 billion bile company RMA (Cambo- ed “revenue” of 273.628 bil- crease of 50 per cent of salary among our members and 30, the South Korean-owned riel, up by 12.014 billion riel or dia) Plc reported “revenue” of lion riel, up 70.614 billion riel to be paid to employees dur- encourage them to participate in bank’s outstanding loans, 14.01 per cent year-on-year. 315.0 billion riel in the second or 34.78 per cent year-on-year ing the company’s suspension the process and respond to the deposits and shareholders’ LOLC chairman Brindley quarter of this year, up 42.0 from 203.014 billion riel. of production”. questionnaire in the given link.” Sovicheat noted that Cam- bodia-UK trade logged steady growth over the first five months of this year, reaching Luxury retail brands en route to Kingdom a total of $258.45 million dur- ing the period, with Cambo- Thou Vireak “watershed moment” in Cambodia’s Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. plans to expand to Sihanoukville and dian exports and imports to timeline of economic development, Tapped as Bluebell Cambodia manag- Siem Reap. the tune of $239.73 million and BLUEBELL Group, a veteran luxury and would create more jobs for locals ing director, Chinese luxury brand mar- Addressing concerns over the reper- $18.17 million, respectively. retail brand distributor and operator during the pandemic. ket veteran Pierre Balsan said the King- cussions of Covid-19 on consumer The export and import fig- in Asia, on August 16 formally “We are very excited to bring a new dom could be considered to be a “next spending, Balsan stressed that the luxu- ures add up to $257.90 million, announced the launch of its Cambo- standard of retail to the Cambodia. Blue- market” destination, after two decades ry brand market has relatively low expo- which is $0.55 million short of dian operations. bell will assist global brands in accessing of exceptional economic performance sure to the usual market fluctuations. the trade total provided by the The Hong Kong-based group says it the Cambodian market, providing a con- and a burgeoning appetite for luxury “While of course luxury brands are not commerce official. operates 150 global luxury and lifestyle duit for FDI [foreign direct investment], brands among the middle class, accord- entirely immune from economic down- Sovicheat added: “This is a tes- brands across Asia in the domestic and jobs and tax revenues,” he said. ing to Cambodia Investment Review. turns it does revolve around its own eco- tament to the close and prosper- travel retail sectors. In December, Bluebell Trading Pte “Cambodia has a growing and aspir- nomic lifecycle compared to low and ous trade ties between Cambo- “Bluebell’s vision for the project is Ltd struck a memorandum of under- ing middle class which is at the core of mid-tier brands,” Balsan said, as report- dia and the UK, and there will be around ‘harmonised retail’, seamlessly standing with Oxley Gem (Cambodia) our business model. That said, many ed by Cambodia Investment Review. more opportunities to expand integrating the consumer journey Co Ltd “to engage Bluebell as the man- Cambodian consumers are already Bluebell says it operates across mul- this market, and trade volume.” physically, digitally, through nomadic ager of the retail mall of the landmark travelling overseas to purchase similar tiple product categories – accessories, The questionnaire can be concepts and a fully dedicated cus- development, the Peak, in the heart of products so we are hoping to provide footwear, apparel, fragrance, beauty, accessed until September 12 at tomer service to engage at a high level Phnom Penh, Cambodia”. that local experience for them,” Balsan gourmet, jewellery, watches, eyewear www.gov.uk/government/con- of retail excellence,” it said. Bluebell Group says it has a presence was quoted as saying. and tobacco – employs over 4,000 peo- sultations/designing-the-uk- Bluebell Cambodia director Allen in Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, He added that the first retail outlet ple, and has 1,000 points-of-sale and trade-preferences-scheme- Dodgson Tan said the launch was a Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, would be opened in the capital, with $2.5 billion in turnover. for-developing-nations THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business HSBC snaps up Axa Gastronomic transformation hots S’pore for $575M to grow Asia wealth SBC has agreed to buy the Sin- up as tourism reopening in sight gapore unit of French insurance Hgiant Axa as the British banking Hin Pisei their debut here, he suggested. group expands its foothold in Asia, the He emphasised that the event comes companies announced on August 16. HE Ministry of Tourism is timely, as Cambodia readies to open its HSBC makes 90 per cent of its profit in working with development doors to welcome international visi- Asia and has said it plans to redouble efforts partners to provide top- tors fully-vaccinated against the novel to seize more of the market in the region. of-the-line training pro- coronavirus in the fourth quarter. The bank has agreed to acquire Axa grammesT on quality-food production “Cambodia should organise plen- Singapore, the city-state’s eighth largest and rigorous hygiene standards. ty of food training workshops so that life insurer, for $575 million. This is in preparation for the up- Cambodian chefs can gain a better HSBC CEO Noel Quinn said in a state- coming reactivation of tourism grasp of food and hygiene standards, ment: “This is an important acquisition over the next few months, once the as well as promote Khmer food to that demonstrates our ambition to grow Covid-19 pandemic wanes to a sig- foreign tourists,” Teng said. our wealth business across Asia. nificant degree. Cambodia Chefs’ Association (CCA) “Wealth is one of our highest growth In its latest move to shape and op- president Long Bunhor stressed that and highest return opportunities, and timise the culinary value chain of if Cambodians are able to provide de- plays to our strengths as an Asia-cen- the tourism sector, the ministry or- lectable gastronomic delights and ad- tred bank with global reach.” ganised the Online Training Work- here to strict quality and hygiene stan- The bank said it plans to merge the op- shop on National Trainers on Food dards, the Kingdom would be a bona erations of HSBC Life Singapore and Axa Production of Hotel Services, to be fide magnet for a bevy of visitors. Singapore once the deal, which is subject held over the 14 weekdays between He said CCA leaders are keen to to regulatory approval, is completed. August 16 and September 2. work with the ministry and Siem As part of its Asia pivot, HSBC sold Planned in collaboration with Asia If Cambodians are able to provide delectable gastronomic delights and adhere to strict Reap provincial authorities, and have its 90 branches in the US this year and Society for Social Improvement and quality and hygiene standards, the Kingdom would be a bona fide magnet for a bevy of had a series of meetings to formulate completed a long-running disposal of its Sustainable Transformation (Assist), visitors, Cambodia Chefs’ Association (CCA) president Long Bunhor says. Supplied plans and strategies for the anticipat- unprofitable French retail business. the William Angliss Institute of Aus- ed influx of international travellers. Singapore is a “strategically impor- tralia and Thalias Hospitality Group, Covid-19 crisis tapers off, he said. With Minister of Tourism Thong “More training courses will help tant scale market for HSBC, and a ma- the event will host 27 participants, “This workshop is an exercise in the Khon as chairman, the working improve the quality of Khmer food jor hub for its ASEAN wealth business”, and aims to improve food produc- implementation of the roadmap on group is tasked with leading, man- and attract foreign visitors to come the banking group said. tion in Cambodia. the promotion and rehabilitation of aging and monitoring the imple- to Cambodia to relish them,” Bun- Axa said it expects the transaction to Speaking at the opening of the tourism during and after the Covid- mentation of the 2021-2025 three- hor said, adding that a CCA food be completed in the fourth quarter. workshop, ministry secretary of state 19 crisis, approved by the Royal Gov- phased national tourism roadmap, fair in Siem Reap is in the pipeline The sale is part of Axa’s “simplifica- Pak Sokhom stressed the importance ernment,” Sokhom said, referring to the resolution reads. for early next year. tion journey” in the region, said the of honing the skills of national-level a key document endorsed by Prime Cambodia Chefs Society (CCS) The ministry reported that it has French insurer’s Asia and Africa CEO, trainers in food production. Minister Hun Sen on April 1. president Song Teng told The Post on trained 630 national-level trainers Gordon Watson. They will then pass on the knowl- Late last month, the prime minis- August 17 that the workshop would and evaluators. “In line with the Group’s strategy, we edge and skills acquired through ter issued a resolution establishing a ultimately put Cambodian cuisine In the first half of 2021, Cambodia are focusing on our core markets where this training to younger genera- government-private working group on the international map, piquing received 102,560 international tour- we have the size, presence in the right tions of Cambodians to better posi- to rehabilitate and prop up Cambo- the curiosity of many, and impelling ists, down 91.3 per cent compared business segments and a strong poten- tion the Kingdom for the reopening dia’s tourism sector during and after loads of people to travel to the King- to the same period last year, minis- tial to grow,” Watson said. AFP of international tourism once the the Covid-19 crisis. dom. Foreign foods could also make try data indicate. Thailand cuts 2021 outlook on worst Covid-19 wave THAILAND downgraded its to revise that figure down to quarter was up 7.5 per cent on last month on Phuket’s busi- economic growth forecast for between 0.7 and 1.2 per cent. the same period last year, the nesses – shuttering pubs, box- 2021 on August 16 as it battles “This crisis caused by the first sign of recovery since the ing studios and karaoke loung- its worst Covid-19 wave, which pandemic is unlike the finan- pandemic. es – while domestic travellers has brought record numbers of cial crises of 1997 and 2009 – The growth was most visible have been barred from enter- new infections and deaths. our estimation is based on in agricultural, industrial and ing the island. The kingdom last year suf- domestic causes,” he said dur- exports sectors, while tourism Authorities at the weekend said fered its worst full-year per- ing a press conference. – once Thailand’s cash cow – the restrictions on entertainment formance since the Asian finan- He added that the new fore- remained sluggish. venues in Phuket would con- cial crisis of 1997 with a 6.1 per cast was dependent on the The kingdom has gradually tinue for another two weeks. cent economic contraction. hope that the pandemic’s curve re-opened borders to vacci- Since the start of the pandem- The Office of the National will flatten after the third quar- nated travellers via a quaran- ic Thailand has recorded 928,314 Economic and Social Develop- ter, enabling a relaxation of tine-free programme in ultra- cases with 7,733 deaths, the bulk ment Council (NESDC) had restrictions by October. popular beach island Phuket of them detected since April. initially given a cool forecast for “But if the pandemic contin- – drawing more than 34,700 The country has seen more recovery during the first quar- ues and relaxation cannot start tourists to its sun-soaked than 20,000 new cases reported ter, estimating growth of 1.5 to in the fourth quarter … the shores since the so-called daily for nearly a week, crowd- 2.5 per cent for 2021. growth could be lower than 0.7 “sandbox” launched on July 1. ing its already-hampered But on August 16, NESDC per cent,” Danucha said. But Covid-19 cases there healthcare system and filling Thailand has gradually re-opened borders to vaccinated travellers via a secretary-general Danucha Thailand’s gross domestic have started to climb. up its state-run quarantine quarantine-free programme on the beach island of Phuket. AFP Pichayanan announced it had product (GDP) for the second Restrictions were enacted facilities. AFP US opens probe of Tesla Autopilot after 11 crashes

US SAFETY officials opened a be easily fooled and have called Massachusetts urged NHTSA ing some that crashed directly preliminary investigation into for NHTSA to take action. to probe a fatal crash in Texas into the vehicles of first respond- Tesla’s Autopilot after identify- Testers with the magazine involving a Tesla after law ers”, the spokesperson said. ing 11 crashes involving the Consumer Reports demon- enforcement said there was no “NHTSA reminds the public driver assistance system, offi- strated in a video that Autopilot driver behind the wheel. that no commercially available cials said on August 16. could be fooled into driving The senators said Tesla has motor vehicles today are capa- The incidents dating back to with nobody behind the wheel, been criticised for “misrepre- ble of driving themselves.” 2018 included one fatal crash an exercise also shown in wide- senting” it systems and “giving “Certain advanced driving and seven that resulted in ly-seen videos on Tik-Tok and drivers a false sense of security”, assistance features can pro- injuries, according to the other social media platforms. according to an April 22 letter. mote safety by helping drivers National Highway Traffic Safe- A NHTSA spokesperson said: Tesla has said it does not avoid crashes and mitigate the ty Administration (NHTSA). “A preliminary evaluation believe the April crash involved severity of crashes that occur, Tesla founder Elon Musk has starts the agency’s fact-finding Autopilot, and the incident but as with all technologies defended the Autopilot system mission and allows additional was not included in NHTSA’s and equipment on motor vehi- and the electric automaker information and data to be list of 11 crashes. cles, drivers must use them warns that it requires “active collected.” Those incidents involved correctly and responsibly,” the driver supervision” behind the In April, Democratic Sena- cases “in which various Tesla spokesperson said. wheel, but critics, including in tors Richard Blumenthal of models crashed where first Tesla shares fell 4.32 per cent US authorities opened a preliminary probe into Tesla’s Autopilot Congress, say the system can Connecticut and Ed Markey of responders were active, includ- to $686.17 on August 16. AFP system, citing 11 crashes involving the programme. AFP 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Japan eyes tech to revive trucking industry

N THE full scope of the can be commercialised after Japanese logistics mar- fiscal 2025. ket, only 10 per cent of The ultimate measure to all orders are placed by reduce labour and improve Iindividuals, while 90 per cent efficiency is to make vehicles are placed between compa- completely unmanned. nies. The trucking industry Honda Motor Co and Ra- supports that 90 per cent, but kuten Group Inc started an is facing a crisis known as the experiment on July 19 at the “2024 problem” that could University of Tsukuba campus exacerbate the sector’s persis- in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, tent labour shortage. to see if a four-wheeled au- Under work style reform- tonomous vehicle can safely related laws, the maximum carry packages along a 500m overtime work limit for truck delivery route without collid- drivers in Japan will be re- ing with passers-by. stricted to 960 hours per year The test vehicle is 1.2m long, from April 2024. The regula- 0.7m wide and 1.1m high. It tion aims to address the short- will run automatically when age of workers by clamping the destination is input and down on the industry’s unusu- is expected to improve “last ally long working hours. mile” efficiency between pick- However, the Railway Freight up and delivery points and Association predicts that the homes. shortage of truck drivers could The use of small unmanned swell from about 140,000 in drones to deliver packages by fiscal 2020 to about 210,000 in air is also becoming a reality. fiscal 2025. Thus, the industry With the aim of using them in will not be able to carry 15- urban centres, the government 30 per cent of cargo between will allow delivery drones to 2025 and 2030. fly over such populated areas One of the factors contrib- as early as fiscal 2022. uting to the driver shortage is A Niigata city-based com- low wages. pany engaged in the devel- In 2019, the average annual A drone and its cargo used in a delivery experiment conducted by All Nippon Airways are seen in Fukuoka prefecture in December. ANA opment of drone technology salary for a heavy truck driver successfully conducted a de- was 4.56 million yen ($42,000), On June 24, large trucks July, said: “It takes courage to man labour while improving needed will be reduced, and livery experiment in June, tak- while that for a medium or were lined up around the buy new trucks, which cost efficiency in transportation. logistics costs will also come ing off and landing on the roof light truck driver was 4.19 mil- Osaka Nanko Ferry Terminal about 14 million yen each. I Next Logistics Japan, a To- down.” of a building in Niigata. lion yen. Both of these figures in Osaka, waiting for ferries to think the number of compa- kyo-based subsidiary of Hino The use of autonomous driv- All Nippon Airways Co also are below the 5.01 million yen the Kyushu and Shikoku re- nies that quit will increase.” Motors Ltd, has been working ing is also coming into view. conducted an experiment in average across all industries. gions. A male driver, 58, who According to the Ministry of on advanced logistics solu- In February, Toyota Tsusho Fukuoka prefecture in De- While the volume of cargo carries aluminium products Land, Infrastructure, Trans- tions with Asahi Group Hold- Corp succeeded in using au- cember, where residents of in the home delivery industry to Fukuoka prefecture, said port and Tourism, there were ings Ltd and Ezaki Glico Co tonomous driving technology Nokonoshima island received has been increasing due to vig- with a gloomy expression: about 62,000 trucking com- since 2019. Among their initia- to operate a convoy of three their packages in as little as 30 orous stay-at-home demand, “There are days when we panies in Japan in fiscal 2018, tives is trying to figure out the trucks traveling at 80km/h minutes after placing an order. the volume of cargo between have no cargo even on week- about 98 per cent of them best ways to reduce wasted along a 15km section of the The novel coronavirus crisis companies is decreasing due days. My salary has fallen by small, midsize and micro space in cargo hauls. Shin-Tomei Expressway, a first has brought to light the signif- to stagnant economic activity. about 10 per cent.” businesses with 100 vehicles For example, if the load fac- in Japan. icant role that logistics plays According to data from a Since last autumn, Hiroaki or less. Executives of the Japan tor of a single truck, which is Only the first truck had a in economic activities and the freight forwarding industry or- Matsuoka, the president of Trucking Association do not often only 40 per cent, can driver on board. Sensors and challenges being faced. ganisation, truck delivery con- Nara city-based Fuji Transport hide their impatience, fearing be increased to 60 per cent, cameras mounted on the ve- The key to the success or signments fell to about 910,000 Co, has been receiving 10 to that stable transportation will it will be possible to reduce hicles worked to maintain failure of the logistics revolu- in fiscal 2020, down nearly 40 20 offers a month about buy- become difficult. the number of trucks needed a distance of about 9m be- tion is a concerted effort by per cent from the previous ing other companies in the Emerging digital technolo- from three to two. tween them. the public and private sec- fiscal year. This situation may industry. gies and autonomous vehicles Next Logistics Japan presi- The government plans to es- tors to improve efficiency and further intensify downward Matsuoka, who acquired hold the promise of effectively dent Yukio Umemura said: tablish the necessary laws and sustainability. YOMIURI SHIMBUN pressure on wages for drivers. three companies in June and reducing the amount of hu- “The number of drivers regulations so that the system (JAPAN)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Malaysian job market recovery in 2022: central bank

MALAYSIA’S unemployment rate, Further job cuts, especially among RAM’s Woon is cautiously optimistic below the last year’s 4.8 per cent. “And a more critical issue comes which rose to 4.8 per cent in June, the more vulnerable small- and medi- about the reopening of the economy A full job recovery to pre-pandemic’s from foreign investors – the Japanese, will likely remain under pressure um-sized enterprises (SME), are like- and businesses in the fourth quarter. 3.3 per cent unemployment is less Dutch and German trade associa- this year. ly, he added. He said this would increase con- likely this year, he said, noting that it tions, who are struggling with the Although economists expect the He said this is due the prolonged sumer sentiment and provide an is more likely to hover above four per standard operating procedures and unemployment rate to hover between movement control order (MCO) 3.0 in upside for hiring, in turn lowering the cent for this year and next. MCO, may scale down their opera- 4.3 per cent and 4.5 per cent this year, the Klang Valley, which is a significant unemployment rate. He said the key to job recovery is the tions in Malaysia. they are cautious as there could be generator of jobs and the phase one “Downside risks are any unantici- full reopening of the economy whereby “Should that happen, it will have downside risks which may throw a of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) pated major delays in the national sectors that have been shut down or an adverse knock on impact on the spanner in the works. since June. vaccination plan or strong resur- restricted from operating at full capac- SMEs and also on the job market. In June, the unemployment rate “This is evident by the jump in the gence of cases that could delay the ity are able to return to normalcy. While formal sector unemployment rose to 4.8 per cent from 4.5 per cent unemployment rate to 4.8 per cent in reopening of the economy, dampen “The extent to which firms would may hover to around 4.8 per cent to in May, marking the first increase after June, after four consecutive months growth and inhibit consumer senti- set up new businesses or invest in five per cent in 2021, the challenge is four consecutive months of decline of improvement to 4.5 per cent in May. ments,” he said. capacity expansion and upgrading on the underemployment, casual since January, bringing the average Such weakness will likely persist He expected the unemployment will be dependent on the confidence workers as well as those in the infor- unemployment rate for the first half through July and August as much of rate to fall to 4.3 per cent by end- and robustness of the economic mal sector,” Dass added. of the year to 4.71 per cent. the economy, that makes up around 2021. recovery. To support the SMEs and job mar- The jobless rate stood at 4.8 per cent 60 per cent of the gross domestic Sunway University economics pro- “It will also depend on the ability ket, he said it would be good if a “mini” last year. product [GDP], remains under the fessor Yeah Kim Leng said the stricter of the government and the private Danajamin concept is established. The labour market is expected to strictest phase of the NRP. MCO nation-wide at the beginning of sector to capitalise on the domestic Such an entity would prevent SMEs recover going into 2022 although at a “Further, the number of job losses June where non-essential sectors are and external growth and investment and micro enterprises from winding more moderate pace after witnessing filed with the Social Security Organi- not allowed to operate is a major con- opportunities arising from the post- up, he noted. a weaker 2021 outlook, according to sation in July was six per cent higher tributor to the reversal in the country’s pandemic economic landscape,” “Although the level of bankruptcies Bank Negara, the central bank. than in June, suggesting employment unemployment trend. Yeah said. are low, it is expected to pick up even This is in line with the faster progress conditions have yet to see any mate- Yeah forecast that the unemploy- AmBank Group chief economist after having raised the ceiling to of the vaccination programme and rial improvement,” Woon noted. ment rate would be at between 4.3 per Anthony Dass said the labour market 100,000 ringgit [$23,500] from initial expected lifting of movement restric- Selangor and Kuala Lumpur account cent and 4.5 per cent this year. is expected to remain under pressure level of 30,000 ringgit. tions that would support improve- for about 40 per cent of the country’s Although the government has tar- this year, noting that outlook for the “More companies falling into banks ment in economic activity, it added. GDP alone. geted 80-100 per cent vaccination of job market would depend on how fast ‘black list’ will pick up, especially RAM Rating Services Bhd senior On the upside, he said the vaccination the population by end October, he the economy could be reopened. once the stimulus measures ease and economist Woon Khai Jhek told Star- rate has been ramping up quickly. said the anticipated economic reviv- He said the current lockdown has in particular the loan moratorium,” Biz that the current outlook of the job With the government’s target to al and ensuing job growth is likely to impacted the manufacturing and Dass said. THE STAR (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS market is still weak. fully vaccinate all adults by October, reduce the unemployment rate to services sectors. NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Tech firms Biden defends US pullout from unveil Asia underwater Afghanistan despite panic in Kabul cable plans S PRESIDENT Joe Biden on GOOGLE and Facebook on August August 16 defended the 16 unveiled plans for a new under- withdrawal of US troops sea internet cable connecting from Afghanistan, even in Singapore, Japan, Guam, the Phil- theU face of the Taliban’s stunning vic- ippines, Taiwan and Indonesia. tory, which prompted panic in Kabul The cable project dubbed with thousands mobbing the airport Apricot would be some in a desperate attempt to flee. 12,000km and be operational In his address at the White House – in 2024 subject to regulatory his first public appearance since the approvals, the companies said Islamist insurgents took control of the in separate statements. country in astonishing fashion at the The project announced by the weekend – he admitted the Taliban US firms and regional and global advance had unfolded more quickly partners “will deliver much- than expected. needed internet capacity, redun- And he did not shy away from heap- dancy, and reliability to expand ing criticism at the Western-backed connections in the Asia-Pacific government that was overthrown in region”, said Facebook engineer- Kabul, saying US troops could not ing manager Nico Roehrich. defend a nation whose leaders “gave “The Apricot cable is part of up and fled”, as did President Ashraf our ongoing effort to expand Ghani. global network infrastructure “We gave them every chance to de- and better serve the more than termine their own future. We could not 3.5 billion people around the provide them with the will to fight for world who use our services eve- that future,” Biden said, adding he could ry month,” Roehrich added. no longer ask US soldiers to risk their Earlier this year the compa- lives in the country, 20 years on. “Our nies announced another cable mission in Afghanistan was never sup- project dubbed Echo connect- posed to have been nation-building.” ing the US, Singapore, Guam A US soldier (centre) points his gun as US forces defend Kabul airport, where chaotic scenes unfolded after the Taliban took over The Taliban captured Kabul, and Afghanistan. AFP and Indonesia. many other cities, with little blood- Google Cloud vice-president shed – but in the capital, a sense of men running alongside a US Air Force should not fear them, with co-founder Britain’s defence secretary Ben Wal- Bikash Koley said: “The Echo and panic and fear overwhelmed resi- plane as it rolled down the runway, with Abdul Ghani Baradar saying the mili- lace described the Taliban takeover as Apricot cables are complemen- dents, some of whom worried about some clinging to the side of it. tants needed to show that they could a “failure of the international commu- tary submarine systems that will a repeat of the insurgents’ brutal Isla- In other videos, civilians frantically “serve our nation and ensure security”. nity”, assessing that the West’s inter- offer benefits with multiple paths mist rule from 1996 to 2001. clambered up an already overcrowd- China was the first major nation to vention was a job only half-done. in and out of Asia, including unique At the airport, frantic Afghans tried ed and buckling jetway. flag support for the Taliban, stating it The US government has insisted routes through southern Asia, to board the few flights available One picture carried by US media was ready for “friendly relations”. Both that its two decades of war in Afghani- ensuring a significantly higher throughout the day, before US forces showed a jam-packed US military Russia and Iran also made diplomatic stan was a success, defined by quash- degree of resilience for Google – sent in to secure the facility – were transport plane purportedly with about overtures. ing the al-Qaeda threat, and that the Cloud and digital services. forced to temporarily shut down mili- 640 Afghans on board – some of whom The Department of State said any US mission had far expanded beyond its “Together they’ll provide tary and civilian operations due to the climbed onto the half-open ramp at the ties with a Taliban government would original goals. businesses and start-ups in rowdy crowds. last minute and were allowed aboard. depend on their respect of human Biden said he was “left again to ask Asia with lower latency, more “We are afraid to live in this city,” a The airport reopened in the early rights and rejection of extremism. of those who argue that we should bandwidth, and increased 25-year-old ex-soldier told AFP as he hours of August 17, a US general said, Biden issued a stern warning to the stay – how many more generations of resilience in their connectivity stood among huge crowds on the tar- adding that US personnel were now in insurgents, saying any threats to US America’s daughters and sons would between Southeast Asia, North mac. “Since I served in the army, the charge of air traffic control. interests would be met with a “devas- you have me send to Afghanistan’s civil Asia and the United States.” Taliban would definitely target me.” Taliban fighters have taken over tating” military response. war when Afghan troops will not?” Google and Facebook this The US – which was left shocked by checkpoints across Kabul, and mili- Critics say the US reputation as The UN Security Council on August year halted efforts on a planned the rapid collapse of the Afghan gov- tants with rifles slung over their shoul- a global power has been badly tar- 16 said the international community undersea cable that would ernment – has sent 6,000 troops to ders walked through the streets of the nished by the Taliban’s victory, nearly must ensure Afghanistan does not be- have connected the US state ensure the safe evacuation of embassy Green Zone, the heavily fortified dis- 20 years after they were ousted from come a breeding ground for terrorism of California and Hong Kong, staff, as well as Afghans who worked as trict that houses most embassies and power by a US-led invasion over their under the Taliban, following an emer- due to tensions between Wash- interpreters or in other support roles. international organisations. support for al-Qaeda. gency meeting in New York. ington and Beijing. Other governments including Ghani’s departure on August 15 fina- German Chancellor Angela Merkel “The following days will be pivotal,” Last year, the US Depart- France, Germany and Australia also lised the collapse of his government. His said the US-led NATO operation in Af- UN secretary-general Antonio Gu- ment of Justice recommended organised charter flights. whereabouts are currently unknown. ghanistan “has not been as successful terres said. “The world is watching. that the planned cable pro- On August 16, dramatic footage post- The Taliban sought to reassure the and has not been achieved in the way We cannot and must not abandon the posed by Google and Facebook ed on social media showed hundreds of international community that Afghans that we had planned”. people of Afghanistan.” AFP bypass Hong Kong. AFP Desperate search after Haiti quake as storm threatens

RESCUERS in Haiti used heavy Tropical Depression Grace. ricane Center (NHC), Haiti and the courtyard were brought into the of gunmen, shaking a country already equipment and their bare hands on Haiti’s civil protection agency gave a Dominican Republic – which share building for protection from the battling poverty, spiralling gang vio- August 16 to hunt for survivors under preliminary toll on August 16 of 1,419 the Caribbean island of Hispaniola storm, despite the risks. lence and Covid-19. buildings flattened two days ago by dead and 6,900 injured in the powerful – could expect 12-26cm of rain from “The doctors have asked us to go Some aid has come in from abroad, a massive earthquake that killed quake that struck about 160km to the Grace, “with isolated maximum inside this evening. It’s not safe. There including 15.4 tonnes of food, medi- more than 1,400 people, while an west of the capital Port-au-Prince. totals” of 38cm across southern areas are still tremors, that’s why we’re out- cine and water from Mexico, as well as approaching storm threatened more The earthquake also destroyed more through August 17. side,” said Wilfried Labaye, 41. specialised search crews from the US. suffering. than 37,000 homes, officials said. “This heavy rainfall may lead to His wife Esperance Rose Nadine, 36, The 7.0-magnitude quake in Janu- Flash floods and mudslides were “We’re really not doing well psycho- flash and urban flooding, and pos- was laying on the ground next to him, ary 2010 left much of Port-au-Prince possible as the front bore down on the logically. We have absolutely no idea sible mudslides,” the NHC warned. both of her legs broken when their and nearby cities in ruins, killing Caribbean nation’s southwestern how we’re going to get through this,” Residents faced a dilemma of stay- home collapsed during the quake. more than 200,000. peninsula, which was hard-hit by a 7.2- said 26-year-old midwife Aline Cadet, ing outside to protect themselves Haiti, still recovering from a mas- More than 1.5 million Haitians were magnitude quake that toppled thou- who was helping at the hospital in from aftershocks, or returning to dam- sive 2010 tremor that devastated the made homeless in that disaster, sands of buildings early on August 14. the hard-hit town of Port-Salut. aged buildings to shelter from Grace’s capital Port-au-Prince, was already which also destroyed 60 per cent of Hospitals have been over- “There are women here who were heavy rain, which was soaking Haiti in shock from President Jovenel Moi- Haiti’s healthcare system, leaving whelmed with the influx of injured pregnant but lost their baby because by the afternoon of August 16. se’s assassination last month when authorities and the international patients, and workers were at a loss they fell or were injured,” she added. The hospital in Port-Salut made its the disaster hit. The head of state was humanitarian community with a with how they might cope with According to the US National Hur- call – the patients being treated in a assassinated in his home by a team colossal challenge. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Lining up to be Malaysia’s next prime minister HE race is on for politicians president Muhyiddin Yassin quit as to forge a coalition with 111 prime minister. members of Parliament Perikatan 2.0, which includes (MP), the minimum number Umno, Bersatu, PAS, Gabungan requiredT to form Malaysia’s next gov- Parti Sarawak (GPS) and smaller ernment. parties and Independent MPs, has On August 16, most of them were about 100 MPs. Their candidate for engaged in “horse-trading” to reach the top post is Umno vice-president the magic number. and former deputy prime minister Currently, the big political blocs Ismail Sabri Yaakob. are DAP with 42 MPs, Umno (38), However, it is short of 11 MPs as a PKR (35), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Ma- faction in Umno, led by its president laysia (31), PAS (18), Gabungan Parti Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, wants the Sarawak (18), Parti Warisan Sabah party to decide who should be its (eight) and Pejuang (four). prime minister candidate. In a tight race for the prime minis- The faction led by Bagan Datuk ter’s post, the party with one MP or MP Ahmad Zahid has about 15 A man uses his phone to watch the live telecast of Muhyiddin Yassin announcing his resignation as Malaysia’s prime minister in an independent MP are a precious Umno MPs, including former prime Kuala Lumpur. THE STAR commodity to get the desired 111 out minister and Pekan MP Najib Razak of 220 MPs (two have passed away). and Wanita Umno chief and Parit alition, which rules Sarawak, had to mer prime minister and Langkawi on the Opposition front. Parties with one or two MPs, such Sulong MP Dr Noraini Ahmad. go with Ismail Sabri because he was MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has four “They are many political formulas as Parti Bersatu Sabah (Kota Mar- On their shortlist to be prime the Perikatan government’s deputy MPs but has said it was not support- on the table,” said a Warisan source. udu’s Dr Maximus Ongkili), Upko minister are Umno’s Gua Musang prime minister. ing any party for the top post. “The political situation is dynamic.” (Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tan- MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and The other big coalition is Pakatan Warisan president and Semporna Warisan, together with Selan- gau), Sabah Star (Keningau’s Dr Jef- Sembrong MP and former senior Harapan 2.0. It has 88 MPs from DAP, MP Shafie Apdal could end up the gau MP Baru Bian’s PSB, Malaysian frey Kitingan), or Independents such minister Hishammuddin Hussein. PKR and Parti Amanah Negara. wildcard prime minister. United Democratic Alliance (Muda) as Julau MP Larry Sng Wei Shien, Perikatan 2.0 is also partial to- Its candidate is Opposition Leader The leaders of the party from Sa- pro-tem president Syed Saddiq Syed Tebrau’s Steven Choong Shiau Yoon wards the former senior minister so and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim. bah are tight-lipped on its stand as Abdul Rahman and Upko president and Kuala Langat’s Dr Xavier Jaya- as to unlock the deadlock with the If the Port Dickson MP could gar- political parties race to cobble to- Tangau, are a block of 12 MPs. kumar could tip the balance. Ahmad Zahid faction. ner the support of Warisan’s eight gether a parliamentary majority. Major political parties in the coun- Some of them have their foot on However, Hishammuddin is reluc- MPs, other opposition parties and They have yet to make an official try were summoned on August 17 to both sides and could jump to the tant to take up the post at this point Independent MPs or even former stand as to whether they would back Istana Negara, the National Palace winning team at the last-minute. in time. PKR MPs who ditched the party, Anwar. and official residence of the King. So far, the biggest coalition is Per- GPS has gone on record that it Anwar could be in the running for Some said the party might simply With all the jostling, none of the ikatan Nasional 2.0. It consists of supports Ismail Sabri as the next prime minister. leave it to “the King’s wisdom”. big names may be prime minister in parties that were members of the prime minister. He is also trying to convince GPS Warisan sources said that it was the end. A dark horse could still win Perikatan government, which col- Its secretary-general and Kapit MP to join his coalition. not necessary for the party, with the coveted post. THE STAR (MALAYSIA)/ASIA lapsed on August 16 when Bersatu Alexander Nanta Linggi said the co- Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, led by for- eight MPs, to remain with its stand NEWS NETWORK Duterte defends health chief over missing Covid-19 funds

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte “will not accept it” if health secretary Francisco Duque III offers his resigna- tion over the “deficiencies” in the Department of Health’s (DoH) management of 67.3 billion pesos ($1.3 billion) worth of funds for its Covid-19 response. “I know that you already want to resign,” Duterte said in Filipino, addressing Duque during his weekly taped brief- ing that aired late in the night off August 16 and lasted until early August 17. Philippine health secretary Francisco Duque III. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER The early morning explosions on Monday spewed clouds as far as 3.5km from Indonesia’s most active “But you also know that I volcano. AFP will refuse you. In the past, you “‘The papers that are in- “Stop that flagging, goddamn have attempted to resign twice. complete at the lower level, it! Do not publish it because it I expect you to say something the problem is it is attributed will condemn the agency or Indonesia’s most active volcano after this. You will resign. I will to the head of the department. person that you are flagging,” tell you: ‘No.’ You did nothing He’s not able to look at all the he said. “You keep on flagging wrong. Why should you re- papers every day,” he added. and yet nobody gets jailed, erupts, blankets villages in ash sign?” Duterte added. Duterte seemingly cleared nobody at all. When you flag, Duterte assured the public the DoH of corruption linked there is already a taint of cor- INDONESIA’S most active larly active in recent months uation of around 280,000 resi- that he would not let anyone, to the deficiencies flagged ruption by perception.” volcano Mount Merapi erupt- and authorities raised its dan- dents from surrounding areas. including his Cabinet members, by the Commission on Au- The CoA earlier issued a ed on August 16, belching a ger level late last year. That was its most power- steal from government coffers. dit (CoA) in the department’s clarificatory statement, say- cloud of ash into the air as red Residents were told to avoid ful eruption since 1930, when “I myself, the president, use of funds, specifically by ing: “The report itself does lava flowed down its crater. the area within a 5km radius of around 1,300 people were I myself promise that I will its noncompliance with per- not mention any findings by The early morning explo- the rumbling volcano, Indone- killed, while another explosion protect you people – and it in- tinent laws and regulations, the auditors of funds lost to sions spewed clouds as far as sia’s geological agency said. in 1994 took about 60 lives. cludes your money,” he said. resulting in missed opportu- corruption.” 3.5km from the rumbling vol- “Residents should avoid The Southeast Asian archi- “Do you think I will allow one nities for the department in its CoA added that the report cano, blanketing local com- volcanic ash and they’ve been pelago nation has nearly 130 of the Cabinet members to Covid-19 pandemic response. also had recommendations munities in grey ash. warned about potential lava active volcanoes. steal even 1,000 pesos? You Instead, he chastised the for the DoH to address the There were no evacuation flows in the area surrounding Indonesia experiences fre- really think I would allow it?” CoA for publishing its find- findings – part of the audit orders or reports of casualties. Merapi,” it added. quent seismic and volcanic Duterte pointed out that ings, which he said tended process to allow the con- Merapi, close to Indonesia’s Mount Merapi’s last major activity due to its position on department heads usually get to be taken by the public as cerned agency to rectify any cultural capital Yogyakarta on eruption in 2010 killed more than the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where blamed for the fault of low- “gospel truth” and be misin- shortcomings. PHILIPPINE DAILY Java island, has been particu- 300 people and forced the evac- tectonic plates collide. AFP level employees. terpreted as corruption. INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Kabul falls. What’s next? www.phnompenhpost.com EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Opinion Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Tasneem Tayeb Managing Editor Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor ovember 13, 2001: A victo- phuon Chansereivuth rious United Islamic Front Chief of Staff for the Salvation of Afghani- phak Seangly stan, popularly known as Business Editor Nthe Afghan Northern Alliance – an anti- May Kunmakara Taliban joint military front – entered Deputy Business Editor Kabul supported by the US-launched Sangeetha Amarthalingam Operation Enduring Freedom, as the Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Taliban fled the Afghan capital. pan Simala Fast forward 19 years, nine months Senior Reporters and two days. August 15, 2021: A victo- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear rious Taliban – having secured swift Reporters control over most of the war-ravaged Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, nation’s 34 provincial capitals – takes Long Kimmarita, Hin pisei, Hong Raksmey, over Kabul, as the Afghan president pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, flees to Tajikistan. The president’s Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, departure came as talks were ongoing to ensure a “peaceful transition of pow- Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha er” to the Taliban. Photographers There was no major incident of Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey bloodshed as the Taliban overthrew the Web Editor Afghan government. The Taliban, in a Leang phannara statement earlier, said they did not Digital Team intend to take the capital by force, nor Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy did they plan on taking revenge on Desktop Publishing those working for the Afghan govern- Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, ment. The latter is in contrast to the Than Veasna actions of the Taliban over the last few SIEM REAP BUREAU weeks, when they actively sought out Offi ce Manager and summarily executed individuals Sophearith Blondeel who had worked for the Afghan gov- PRODUCTION & PRINTING ernment or international forces, in Nhim Sokphyrak Commercial and Graphic Designer every district they captured. An image grab taken from Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television on Monday shows Members of Taliban taking control of the presidential The frightening prospect of retribu- palace in Kabul after Afghanistan’s president flew out of the country. AL JAZEERA/afp Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith tion from the Taliban had forced many to leave their homes in the districts Afghan troops should be assessed by The report further added: “Ties through procreation. If this turns out to and flee to Kabul, where they felt they the US to identify the gaps that have between the two groups remain close, be the case, the sacrifices of many had some sort of safety. But within two led to this shameful disaster. based on ideological alignment, rela- years will go in vain. HEAD OFFICE weeks of a stunning encroachment tionships forged through common And the West will not be able to erase Post Media Co., Ltd. drive, the Taliban surrounded the So, what’s next for Afghanistan? struggle and intermarriage. The Tali- from history their responsibility for the The Elements Condominium Level 7, Afghan capital and demanded the sur- While world leaders are expressing ban has begun to tighten its control sufferings of millions of Afghan civil- Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, render of the current government. concern, their words ring hollow. Brit- over Al-Qaida by gathering informa- ians. The West invaded Afghanistan Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom While unbelievable – an assessment by ish Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a tion on foreign terrorist fighters and when they thought it was a good idea, Penh, Cambodia the American military had earlier sug- television interview, said: “Nobody gave hope to the locals, recruited them registering and restricting them. How- Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 wants Afghanistan to be a breeding gested it would be a month before the ever, it has not made any concessions in the fight against the Taliban, but Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 Taliban could aim for the capital – the ground for terror … or to lapse back in this regard that it could not easily hastily withdrew from the country Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 worst nightmare of most Afghan citi- into the pre-2001 situation”. If this was and quickly reverse, and it is impossi- when they realised that the economic SIEM REAP zens unfolded in front of their very the case, why did the UK pull out its ble to assess with confidence that the costs of the war are not worth shoul- No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune eyes. The scenes at Kabul airport were troops from Afghanistan without first Taliban will live up to its commitment dering. Abandoning the country and Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 heart-wrenching, as thousands putting in place a mechanism to sup- to suppress any future international its people without providing them with COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT attempted desperately to leave the port the Afghan government? threat emanating from Al-Qaida in strategic support to keep the Taliban in Chief Operating Offi cer capital and five people were reportedly As recently as August 13 this year – Afghanistan. Al-Qaida and like-minded check has been an act of cowardice James Ong Soon Teck killed. It is unclear whether this was a despite the rapid advances of the Tali- militants continue to celebrate devel- and selfishness, to say the least. Advertising Department result of a stampede or gunfire, since ban – Johnson told the media the West opments in Afghanistan as a victory for At the time of writing this column, a Chap Narith, 017 996 241 both the US military and the Taliban would not send its forces back to the Taliban’s cause and thus for global coordination council is being formed, Hun Channet, 017 578 768 are firing rounds at and around Kabul Afghanistan. And the British withdrew radicalism.” which includes former president prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 airport. The former fired in the air to their troops from Afghanistan knowing The Taliban, despite acting sensible Hamid Karzai, to facilitate a transition Keo puthy, 012 966 605 prevent people from boarding a mili- that the state might collapse after the during the international negotiations, of power. There is little doubt that the paing patrya, 081 872 202 tary flight meant for US diplomats and retreat. have consistently gone back on their Taliban is going to form the new Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 embassy staff, while the latter fired Similarly, while US Secretary of State words. “A few days ago, here in Doha, Afghan government, and China and CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION rounds to stop people from getting Antony Blinken had expressed concern we talked for 48 hours with the repre- Russia are expected to be among the Acting Distribution Manager inside the airport. All international about the development regarding the sentatives of the Taliban and agreed to first countries to recognise them, for Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 flights have been cancelled. Taliban, calling them “deeply, deeply speed up the negotiations and the various geopolitical and economic Circulation Supervisor A Chinook helicopter was seen flying troubling”, he did not do anything to political solution of the issue with the interests. Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 above the US embassy in Kabul as the try to stop the Taliban advances, except presence of a mediator, but on the While the Taliban has promised to ADMINISTRATION US evacuated their officials. Germany for an ineffective air intervention. contrary, the Taliban violated this com- spare government officials, ensure Admin & HR Manager was sending an A400M transport air- Emboldened by their recent success, mitment, intensifying war, and vio- respect for “life, property and honour” pich Socheat craft with paratroopers to help its dip- the battle-hardened Taliban is now lence, and launched offensive attacks of the people and create a “secure envi- TheAssistants writer Admin is an & expert HR Manager in Olympic lomats and their supporting staff exit unlikely to act as a malleable force on cities,” said Abdullah Abdullah dur- ronment” for charities, embassies and StudiesNhel Soaphea​​ the city. Canada has already evacuated that could be manhandled – let alone ing a meeting with representatives businesses, there is no certainty that Financial Director its officials, while NATO has suggested handled – by the international com- from the UN, EU, US, Britain, China, they will honour these pledges. Heang Tangmeng that despite Taliban advances, it will munity. Moreover, there is no guaran- Russia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and In the long run, if a Taliban govern- Chief Accountant continue to maintain a diplomatic tee that they will not support the al- Qatar. ment endures – which looks like a dis- Sren Vicheka presence in Kabul. Qaida. Abdullah Abdullah, the Afghan tinct possibility – how the West will Treasurers After the killing of more than 6,000 government’s chief negotiator, had Taliban’s future plans engage with Afghanistan remains to be Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, US service members and contractors, earlier blamed the Taliban for com- However, apart from the immediate seen. But whatever be the case, the Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary 1,100 NATO troops, 73,000 Afghan mitting “grim crimes”, saying: “Thou- threat of the Taliban turning on the botched job of the West in Afghanistan IT & Networking defence personnel, including police, sands of terrorists, along with the con- Afghan citizens they consider to have has sent a very wrong message to ter- Vong Oun and around 47,000 Afghan civilians stant presence of al-Qaida and other collaborated with the Western allies, rorist outfits around the globe – one TO CONTACT US over almost two decades, Afghanistan terrorist groups, from Jaish-e-Mu- there is another fear: the Taliban’s that proves that with the right tactics, [email protected] has fallen back into the hands of the hammad to Lashkar-e-Taiba, have future plans. It looks like, this time, anything is possible, even the defeat of [email protected] Taliban. entered Afghanistan and are fighting they have a grander plan for a sustain- an international force. One only hopes [email protected] The US had previously spent $84 bil- against our people”. able stay in the country. There have that the retreat of the West from Iraq [email protected] lion to train an elite Afghan troop of A UN Security Council report dated been reports in various international does not encourage a similar trium- www.phnompenhpost.com 300,000. But in the face of the unflinch- June 1 of this year suggested: “A signifi- media outlets that the Taliban are phant re-emergence of terrorists and © Post Media Co., Ltd ing encroachment by the “75,000- cant part of the leadership of Al-Qaida going door-to-door looking for girls insurgents in the Middle East. The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned resides in the Afghanistan and Pakistan and women between ages 12 and 45 to The future shape of Afghanistan will and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The strong” Taliban force, the Afghan army title The Phnom Penh Post in either could not hold its ground. In places, border region, alongside Al-Qaida in marry them off to Taliban fighters. This unfold in the coming days and weeks, English or Khmer languages, its associ- force was not ever required; the army the Indian Subcontinent. Large num- will serve three predominant purposes: as will the true intent of the Taliban. ated logos or devices and the contents of and police simply fled their posts in bers of Al-Qaida fighters and other for- enable them to extract allegiance from The fear is, neither will be palatable for this publication may not be reproduced fear of the Taliban. Perhaps, the elite eign extremist elements aligned with a majority of the common population, the country’s neighbours, former allies in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. Afghan troops were not trained well the Taliban are located in various parts suppress women, and ensure the lega- or its people. THE DAILY STAR (BANGLADESH)/ enough by the US. The failure of the of Afghanistan.” cy of the Taliban in every household ASIA NEWS NETWORK www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Epic length show wins Phare four gold biz awards Hong Raksmey all about leading activities to bring arts into Cambodian communities, and ESPITE suffering through these awards – particularly for best the most difficult period cultural event – came about because in their organisation’s en- of those efforts. I am sure he is smiling tire decades-long history at us with pride,” Khawaja said. throughoutD the course of the Covid- The award-winning event – Phare 19 pandemic, Phare Ponleu Selpak Into The Future – featured 90 circus has triumphed against all odds to artists who performed non-stop for 24 win four gold awards at the Stevie In- hours straight on March 7 and March ternational Business Awards (SIBAs). 8 at Phare’s big top in Battambang. The Cambodian arts and educa- The world record attempt was live tion non-profit based in Battambang streamed to nearly half a million au- was recognised for its innovative dience members across the world 24-hour non-stop circus fundraiser and it raised more than $130,000 in – a marathon performance that also donations to keep Phare’s education Phare Ponleu Selpak’s executive director Osman Khawaja says the year has been an emotional rollercoaster. SUPPLIED served as a Guinness world record and arts programmes in Battam- attempt, though one that is still bang alive. could be considered a success from France, but Covid-19 has prevented gatherings and performances, Phare awaiting certification by Guinness. This around-the-clock circus an organisational standpoint, given the winners from travelling there and has been forced to slash 60% from Phare won all four gold awards di- performance consisted of some of that Phare is an arts non-profit and receiving their awards as planned, so its usual annual operating budget rectly from the world record attempt Phare’s most memorable and im- trying to raise donations from the they will be celebrated instead dur- of around $600,000. Their education including Best Cultural Event 2021, pressive acts selected from 31 past public and other sources. ing a virtual ceremony in December. and arts programmes have been cut Best Event for a Cause 2021 and Best shows across their 20-year history. All of the judges’ statements in- “What we’ve seen in this year’s IBA to the bone and most of their staff Fundraising Event 2021 and a final Phare’s greatest hits compilation in- dicate that they were equally im- nominations is that organisations have had to take voluntary pay cuts. gold was for Best Communications cluded acrobatics, magic, dance, the- pressed with how well-executed around the world, in every sector, Phare organised their world re- Campaign (non-profit) 2021 for atre, clowning, music, contortionists, and successful the event was from have continued to innovate and suc- cord event – which was sponsored Phare’s public outreach efforts in puppetry, break-dancing, live paint- a practical standpoint as they were ceed, despite the setbacks, obstacles by Cellcard – as a creative solution the lead-up to the event. ing, unicycling, fire acts and more. with the on-stage artistry. and tragedies of the ongoing Covid- to their funding shortfalls so they Khuon Det, co-founder of Phare Phare’s press release announcing With a minimal budget, Phare man- 19 pandemic. could continue to offer education Ponleu Selpak – and a key organiser the awards quoted a SIBA judge who aged to smoothly execute a 24-hour “All of this year’s Stevie Award win- and arts training to some of Cambo- of the marathon circus performance said that the performance was done circus performance being viewed ners are to be applauded for their dia’s most impoverished and disad- – said the attempt to set the world “for a wonderful cause” and they online and by an in-person audience persistence and their resilience. We vantaged children and youths. record was an ambitious and de- called it both “exciting and emo- with no pauses in the action, confu- look forward to celebrating their “We all had to band together and manding endeavour. tionally captivating”. sion or other hiccups from one act achievements with them during our fight for survival. We knew we had “As organisers, we had to keep an “It was full of culture and im- to the next, while reaching and then 8 December virtual awards ceremo- to make it. One chopstick is easily eye on the timing and transitions for mense talent. With just a small bud- cruising past the goal they had set for ny,” said Stevie Awards president broken, but a bundle of chopsticks each scene while ensuring the safety get, this was a complete success, hit- audience donations. Maggie Gallagher together are not, so we had to be and well-being of our artists and team. ting and surpassing all [donation] “A 24 hour circus is incredible. What Phare noted that in its 19-plus year united,” said Bo Ratha, an acrobat I was so impressed with the commit- targets. [Phare’s] event was exciting a fantastic way to combine physical fit- history only three Cambodia or- with 18 years of circus experience ment shown by everyone,” he said. and filled with Cambodian history, ness, the arts and youth programming, ganisations have won SIBA awards: who performed at the event. Det said that he was proud that this culture and the magic of the circus. while also commemorating their cul- Metfone, Wing and Naga World – Phare believes that these awards had resulted in international recog- There was so much talent evident in ture and giving Cambodia increased all leaders in their industries and should be seen as early recognition nition by winning the gold award in each of the performances, they were global visibility. Keep up the outstand- among the largest and most suc- for the success of the world record four different SIBA categories. the clear winners in all four catego- ing work,” another judge said. cessful companies operating here. attempt, in advance of Guinness an- The Stevie Awards – which bills ries,” the judge wrote. The 2021 competition attracted Phare, however, did those giants nouncing the official world record itself as the “world’s premier busi- The criteria the judges used to more than 3,800 nominations from one better by being the first Cam- verdict some time later this year. ness awards” and boasts of judges evaluate the nominees could in- organisations and businesses of all bodian nominees to win four gold Although the world record was that include “many of the world’s clude things like cultural or artistic manner and variety located around awards at once. apparently set as evidenced by the most respected executives, entre- merit as possible factors – but these the world in 65 different nations, ac- Unfortunately, the awards grant live broadcast, Guinness takes its fa- preneurs, innovators and business are “business awards” and, there- cording to SIBA. bragging rights only and there are no mous record book – originally writ- educators” – has eight different fore, the judges also put a strong The awards celebration was origi- cash prizes. Due to the pandemic- ten to settle drunken bets in pubs awards programmes geared towards emphasis on whether the event nally scheduled to be held in Paris, induced lack of tourists and bans on and provide a source of amusing industry insiders, managers and trivia for patrons – more seriously entrepreneurs in certain sectors, in- than you might realise. cluding NGOs and non-profits. A lot of people would like to hold The final result of 18th Annual one of their quirky records and they International Business Awards was can be valuable assets for individu- announced on August 16 through als or organisations just from a pub- SIBAs’ website. licity standpoint alone. “This year has been an emotional Thus, the famed Irish brewery will rollercoaster,” said Osman Khawaja, need to assess the event rigorously Phare Ponleu Selpak’s executive di- to ensure that it met all of the crite- rector. ria and followed all of their rules by He explained that just a few collecting witness statements and hours after the exhilarating success reviewing video of the entire per- achieved by performing for 24 hours formance before they can confirm straight, all live performances were Guinness World Record status. banned in Cambodia once again. Phare remains confident in the And now just recently, Phare lost legitimacy of their victory, however, one of its beloved founders – Srey and looks forward to claiming their Bandaul – to Covid-19. world record crown in due course. “Our staff and our performers “We showed the world that strength have gone through some very dif- truly can be gained through adversity, ficult times, but receiving the news which is something that everyone of these four awards in the wake of can take heart in as they try to sur- [Bandaul’s] passing felt like an ac- vive these troubled times,” said Phare knowledgement of his legacy as a director Khuon Det, in summary of founder and educator at Phare and these first two years of the Covid era. recognition of the vital importance For more information about Phare, The award-winning event – dubbed Phare Into The The show included acts from 31 performances from Phare’s 20-year circus of the arts. These were the things he Future – featured 90 circus artists who performed history such as acrobatics, magic, dance, theatre, clowning, music, contortion, check them out online: believed in and dedicated his life to. non-stop over 24 hours on March 7 and 8 at Phare’s singing, puppetry, break-dancing, live painting, unicycling, fire acts and https://www.phareps.org “His most recent work at Phare was big top in Battambang province. SUPPLIED much more. SUPPLIED Facebook: @phareponleuselpak THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Sailing boats and cycle rickshaws in oil-rich, fuel-light Venezuela drive people to poverty

aracaibo is known as the centre of Venezu- ela’s oil industry, but a chronic fuel shortage Mhas left fisherman Franklin Romero using a sailing boat, and bus driver Manuel working in a cycle rickshaw. Venezuela sits on the largest prov- en oil reserves in the world but has fallen from a high of producing more than three million barrels of crude a day in 2014 to just over 500,000 to- day, meaning the country needs to import fuel. Experts blame the government of President Nicolas Maduro for incom- petent management and corruption. Under the blazing sun of Venezue- la’s northwestern Zulia state, Romero shows off the handmade oars he uses to propel his boat on Lake Maracaibo, one of the largest in South America. “We use sails because there’s no fuel,” the wiry Romero said as he re- turned from his fishing excursion. He began work just before 6am and returned to the shore in Los Puertos de Altagracia at 10am with seven me- dium-sized croakers – a white meat fish that is popular locally. The 28-year-old sold five and took two home to his wife and two-year- old daughter. There was so little wind that he had to row out and back onto the lake, making for an arduous and long journey that used to take just min- Fuel shortages mean fishermen are forced to use sailing boats to fish the polluted waters of the Maracaibo Lake. AFP utes with a motor. “It’s already normal to row or sail,” $25 dollars on “very good” days. rickshaws with hand-made textile said Romero. Sometimes, though, they can re- roofs have taken the place of buses Most of the boats are adapted mo- turn to shore empty-handed but still and taxis. torboats whose outboard motors with a bill to settle. Manuel, who did not give his sur- have been removed and replaced “Today I lost fuel, I lost work and I name, used to drive a bus that could with wooden masts and plastic sails, didn’t catch anything, I just got tired,” carry 50 people, now he has to pedal or propellers attached to a small said Jonathan, a father of six children a rickshaw that barely has space for motor. who returned with two shrimps and two adult passengers. These need only four litres of fuel a meagre handful of fish. “Because of the fuel question, the compared to the 20 litres required for Fishermen generally sell their pro- [bus] owner had to stop and I found more powerful outboard motors. duce in the old colonial city of Ma- myself out of work,” said the 28-year- racaibo before returning across the old as he repaired a flat tyre. Constant oil spills lake to their homes in Los Puertos de He said it cost $200 a day to keep Fuel has become a luxury in a re- Altagracia, but if there is not enough a bus on the road, but it was impos- gion where few gas stations have wind they can remain stranded. sible to earn anything close to that supplies, while customer queues The mismanagement of Venezue- sum from passengers paying fares in stretch for kilometres at the few that la’s oil infrastructure also means that the battered local currency. do have some. spills are frequent, and dark patches The bolivar has been decimated by While fuel used to be practically are visible on the Maraciabo lake as four years of hyperinflation and eight free for Venezuelans, it now costs $2 fishermen row or sail past them. years of recession. per litre on the black market, which GDP has fallen 80 per cent since is the only option for most people. ‘I will die here’ 2013, and 65 per cent of people live Venezuelans resort to a traditional tricycle taxi as there is no petrol for other types of Maduro’s government blames US According to the Azul Ambientalis- in poverty. public transport in Maracaibo. AFP sanctions blocking the South Ameri- tas NGO, there are 25,000 kilometres Hender Urdaneta, 51, is a proud can country from buying either fuel of oil pipelines in Lake Maraciabo, militant who supports the social- ford to stop as he has to support his living in neighbouring Colombia. or unrefined petroleum. where oil was first discovered in ist government often accused of wife, who lost a kidney and needs “I was born here and I will die Fishermen often borrow money 1914. authoritarianism and repressing medication. here, struggling with my boots on, from fishmongers to buy fuel “on “The leaks are constant,” the NGO’s dissent. Despite the difficulties, he has no like a soldier of the homeland, like a credit” and then pay for it later with Gustavo Carrasquel said. Pedaling a cycle rickshaw has giv- intention of quitting the country or militant for the homeland, I’m here their daily earnings, which can reach In Maracaibo itself, makeshift cycle en him back pain but he cannot af- joining the 1.8 million Venezuelans working with my cart,” he said. AFP Senegal architects enraged after historic market bulldozed

Senegalese architects expressed their for public safety reasons after the edifice demolition a scandal. “It is a bluff to say anger on Friday after bulldozers razed the was weakened by several fires. that we are going to rebuild identically. famed Sandaga market, a sprawling hub The authorities had it pulled down in We cannot reconstruct a 1933 building of informal trade in the heart of Senegal’s order to build a modernised replica. The identically with modern techniques,” she capital Dakar. architects voiced their anger just hours after said. An iconic establishment lying between that process was completed on Friday. Shopkeepers voiced opposition over the the old French colonial quarter and more “This is deeply regrettable,” said Jean relocation last month, telling the govern- working-class neighbourhoods, Sandaga Augustin Carvalho, president of the ment that they would lose customers at has been one of Dakar’s main trading cen- National Order of Architects. the new site far from Sandaga, a curiosity tres for almost a century. Sandaga is “a heritage and an identity of for tourists which drew large crowds. Frequented daily by residents of the the city of Dakar. It was necessary by all Last year the government chose a site capital, the market also drew people from means to see how to preserve it,” he said some two kilometres from Sandaga as a the provinces and from the West African adding “this building could still be stand- temporary replacement for traders. region. Many tourists came to hunt down ing with some renovation”. The new Sandaga is expected to take two artisanal carvings and other artefacts. Papa Dame Thiaw, another member of years to build. The great hall, built in the Sudanese- the architect’s society, said that “technical The mayor of Dakar-Plateau region, Sahel tradition in 1933, housed hundreds solutions exist for the conservation of this Alioune Ndoye, who is supervising the Bulldozers are seen in action at the start of the demolition work of the of stalls selling merchandise of all kinds, heritage building.” project, said he would address the issue on Sandaga market on August 2. AFP from food to craft goods. It was shut down Fellow member Annie Jouga called the Monday. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Abdel Mobdi Moussalam cuts papyrus reeds to transform it into brownish paper with ornate drawings and text. AFP Egypt papyrus makers keep tradition thriving despite tourism drop n THE lush green fields of Egypt’s fertile for decorating the columns of ancient Egyp- Delta Valley, farmers and artisans are tian temples. struggling to make a living as they keep To make paper, workers use wire to cut the alive the Pharaonic-era tradition of mak- stems into thin strips, which are immersed in Iing papyrus. water and then layered on top of each other to “SPEAK UP” In the 1970s, an art teacher in the village of create sheets. Al-Qaramus taught farmers the millennia-old The sheets are placed into a compressor to ACROSS 55 New Jersey port city 24 Narrow cuts techniques for transforming the plant into compact them, and the resulting paper is left 1 Some overreachers, on stage 58 Like some eclipses 26 Some silver salmon sought-after paper decorated with ornate to dry in the sun before being decorated with 5 Prefix with “line” or “mine” 62 “Ask nicer than that” 27 Change according to circumstances drawings and text. writing or colourful designs. 10 Wall Street optimist 65 “Zip-___-Doo-Dah” 28 Not once The village and its surrounds, located about Papyrus workshop owner Abdel Mobdi Mus- 14 Twin of Genesis 66 Mexicali Mr. 30 A photo finish 80km northeast of Cairo, now make up the larg- salam, 48, said his staff has dwindled from 15 “Beetle Bailey” character 67 Makes knots 32 Man associated with a famous 68 Infamous loch est hub of papyrus production in the country, eight a decade ago to just two. 16 Long, heroic tale parting 69 Give this for that experts in the sector say. “Papyrus is our only source of income. It’s 17 Phrase in a parental lesson 33 Poet’s inspiration 70 Picket fence part Once used by ancient Egyptians as writing what feeds me and my children,” he said. 20 Fern-to-be 34 Begin’s foreign minister 21 Not ersatz DOWN paper, local artists now decorate the papyrus Tarakhan said he was trying to branch out 37 Beast of the Andes 22 Some are liberal 1 Company with famous toy trucks with hieroglyphics, Arabic calligraphy and into other papyrus products such as notebooks 40 Groups within species 25 Society newcomers, briefly 2 “And step on it!” representations from antiquity and nature to and sketchbooks. 41 Really big show? 26 Creamed corn container 3 “BLT, hold the ___!” create souvenirs for eager visitors. A few months ago, his son Mohammed 42 Electrify 29 Stuff for healing or soothing 4 Indian classic “Kama ___” But tourism in the North African country has launched an online store to sell their new 47 Cupboard part 31 Formed an opinion 5 Put in the lineup taken a battering since its 2011 revolution, and range. 48 “McHale’s Navy” star Borgnine 35 Words from Wordsworth 6 Theater for some vets, briefly after a Russian airliner was downed by the “At first, we were just selling locally to those 52 Calculator key 36 Like an x or y graph line 7 Type of race Islamic State group in 2015. who came to us, but after Covid, we thought 54 Some love songs 38 ___ Bora 8 ___ on (incited) The Covid-19 pandemic has further debilitated that we could reach more people, and even 39 Not be much of a conversationalist 55 Summoned 9 Controlled, as a horse the sector: Egypt earned just $4 billion in tourist foreigners, through the internet,” the 30-year- 43 Petroleum org. since 1960 56 Passing remarks? 10 Have a sassy mouth revenues last year, a quarter of what it had antic- old said. 44 Bacteria type, informally 57 Sicily’s famous volcano 11 Conversant about ipated before the global health crisis. “We are trying to think differently so that we 45 Passenger’s concern, in brief 59 Brad, e.g. 12 Teachings passed on over the ages can carry on,” said the elder Tarakhan, who in 46 Walked determinedly 60 Between continents, often 13 If you drop it, you may see things ‘It will return’ 2014 founded a local association for papyrus 49 Certain type of ruler 61 Kind of period or home 18 Kind of medicine or tea Today, Al-Qaramus has 25 farms trying to craftspeople. 50 Boy of the house 62 ___ Salvador 51 Attacked (with “into”) 19 Type of steak make ends meet by selling papyrus, compared “I thank Covid-19 for locking us in our homes 63 Tenth Hebrew letter 53 Corrosive chemical 23 Get ready to take off to around 500 prior to the revolution, accord- and forcing us to improve our business model.” 64 Prefix you’ve seen for fix? ing to farmer and artist Said Tarakhan. Near the famous Giza Pyramids around 100 “I lost about 80 per cent of my total income kilometres away, Ashraf al-Sarawi displays Tuesday’s solution – I used to earn nearly $1,000 a month and papyrus paintings in his large shop, devoid of now it’s almost zero,” the 60-year-old said as tourists. he showed off his replica Tutankhamun He said he lost most of his income last year paintings. due to the pandemic, but expressed hope that The papyrus plant, with its fan-shaped foli- tourism would pick up soon. age, grows in water and can reach four metres “Tourism never dies. It may get sick for a while, in height. Its form has served as inspiration but it will return,” he said. AFP

Tuesday’s solution

Farmer and painter Said Tarakhan, 60, draws on papyrus sheets at home in the village of al-Qaramous in Sharqiyah province, in Egypt’s northern fertile Nile Delta region. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport India captain Kohli elated after victory over England ndia captain Virat Kohli prom- dependence Day. It’s the best feeling and Chris Woakes, as well as injured ised there would no let-up from we can give the Indians here and quicks Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer, his side following an impressive back in India. offered only limited resistance in the 151-run win over England in the “We have three matches to go and absence of yet another major contri- Isecond Test at Lord’s on Monday he we will be just as intense,” added bution from Root. labelled a “day late” Independence Kohli, looking to lead India to just India, however, overcame a raft of celebration. a fourth Test series win in England injuries and the absence of star bats- This match was in the balance after successes in 1971, 1986 and man Kohli on paternity leave to win a early on the final day before a ninth- 2007. Test series in Australia this year. wicket stand of 89 between Moham- Reflecting on what was just India’s England have now gone seven med Shami (56 not out) and Jasprit third win in 19 Tests at the ‘home of Tests without a win – a sequence that India’s Mohammed Siraj (left) runs off with a stump after taking the wicket of England’s Bumrah (34 not out), both of whom cricket’, Kohli said: “I feel super proud includes a campaign loss in India. James Anderson (centre) on the final day of the second cricket Test match on Monday. AFP made their highest Test scores, al- of the whole team. The pitch didn’t lowed Kohli to declare India’s second offer much in the first three days. ‘No hiding’ Yet for all their failings in the field, it, we do need to get better,” said Root. innings on 298-8. “The way we played this morning And Root, perhaps somewhat batting out the 60 overs remaining “We need to score heavier. But the That left England chasing a target with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit harshly, blamed himself for Eng- on a placid pitch to secure a second guys all know that, they’re working of 272 but, with Mohammed Siraj Burmah with the bat was important. land’s lack of tactical discipline with successive draw this series following extremely hard.” taking 4-32 and fellow paceman “We believed we could get them the ball on Monday after his pace- a rain-marred first Test at Notting- The teams now head to Heading- Bumrah 3-33, they slumped to 120 out in 60 overs and the bowlers were men repeatedly bowled too short at ham’s Trent Bridge should not have ley, Root’s Yorkshire home ground, all out. outstanding.” Shami and Bumrah. been beyond England. for a third Test starting on August Victory, which left Kohli’s men 1-0 England captain Joe Root made a “As captain, you take responsibil- Batting collapses, however, have 25, with the England skipper insist- up in this five-match series, came superb 180 not out in the first innings ity,” he said. become an all-too common feature of ing: “There’s still a lot of cricket to be just a day after India’s Independence – his fifthT est century this year – and “I don’t think I coped with that their recent red-ball cricket outfit and played in this series. Day on August 15 and the tourists top-scored again for his side with 33 partnership well enough . . . Maybe there were four ducks on Monday, “More than anything we just need enjoyed plenty of vocal support at on Monday before falling to the third we could have looked at attack- with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley the to stay calm and not try to panic Lord’s. ball after tea. ing the stumps a little bit more fre- first England opening pair to both be and make sure we’re in a really good “We fed off that energy,” said Kohli. And an England team without quently, using the short ball as more out for nought in a home Test innings frame of mind when we turn up to “It’s a day late celebration for In- missing all-rounders Ben Stokes of a surprise.” “I don’t think there’s any hiding from Leeds.” AFP Spectators banned from Paralympics due to virus Spectators will be barred in several parts of the country. Japan facing a new wave of virus Japan, with over 20,000 new paced the vaccination pro- Japan-based employees and from the Tokyo Paralympics The Paralympics open on cases and states of emergency daily infections recorded in gramme, as in many other contractors. over coronavirus fears, organ- August 24, and some teams are in place in six regions. recent days, driven by the more places, and the emergency Another three people have isers said Monday, as Japan already in the country at train- “More stringent measures will contagious Delta variant. measures in place increasingly tested positive within 14 days of battles record infections ing camps. be taken for competitions to be Tokyo and five other areas are appear insufficient to curb the leaving Japan, all of them media, despite emergency measures But the Games come with held in these prefectures, currently under a state of emer- spread of infection. according to organisers. including no spectators,” organ- gency that bans alcohol sales by The surge in cases comes with And at least 31 people associ- isers said in a joint statement bars and restaurants and limits just over a week until the Paral- ated with the Paralympic Games with local and national govern- their opening hours. The meas- ympics open. have tested positive so far, with ments and the International ure also caps event attendance Around 4,400 athletes are other cases reported among Paralympic Committee. at 5,000 people, or 50 per cent expected to take part, and like teams that arrived early for The statement said an excep- capacity, whichever is less. their Olympic counterparts they training camps. tion would be made to allow Japan’s government has will face daily testing and restric- International Paralympic some school children to attend insisted the Paralympics will be tions on their movement. Committee chief Andrew Par- under a special programme. held safely, and that it remains Despite the surge in virus sons warned last week that par- But organisers emphasised committed to hosting them, but cases in Japan during the Olym- ticipants should not let down children would only participate it is under growing pressure pics, Games officials said there their guard. with “safety measures” and over the virus. was no evidence of a link to the “While it is encouraging that “where local authorities or Just 37 per cent of Japan’s massive sporting event. the Olympic Games were deliv- school administrations request population is fully vaccinated, Cases had been rising before ered safely and successfully, this in response to the wishes of after a slow start to the vaccine the Games began, and a state of those attending the Paralympic parents and others”. rollout. emergency was already in place Games should not get compla- The decision had been wide- The pace has recently picked in Tokyo as the Olympics cent,” he said. ly expected, and follows the up considerably, and the gov- opened. “We cannot ignore the current same measures in place for the ernment says all adults who Olympic organisers have case numbers in Japan and Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto speaks during a press conference after Olympics, which ended on want a vaccine will be able to reported 540 positive cases Tokyo, and I urge every single attending a four-party meeting in Tokyo on August 16, where the decision August 8. have one by the autumn. among athletes, officials and stakeholder for the Paralympic was made to bar spectators from the Tokyo Paralympics. AFP Virus cases are surging across But the Delta variant has out- media, most of them among Games to be vigilant.” AFp Andy Murray returns with win in Cincinnati Masters

Andy Murray returned to the After three games which last- The youngster, ranked 15th, him optimism amid the Covid- win the first set because of Dominik Koepfer won an all- ATP Tour on Monday after last ed for a total of 20 minutes to came good in Cincinnati as he 19 pandemic. the rain delay. I’m happy I was German first-rounder with his competing at Wimbledon, start, Murray grabbed a 5-3 defeated Argentine Federico “Right now I’m happy. In the able to find a way today,” the defeat of Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 reaching the second round of lead, which he lost a game later Delbonis 6-2, 7-5. US where the tournaments are winner said. (7/2), 5-7, 6-3. AFP the Cincinnati Masters with a before re-breaking to win the Fognini joined the party with almost 100 per cent people and 6-4, 6-4 win over Frenchman first set 6-4. a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Nikoloz 100 per cent normal. Richard Gasquet. Gasquet was broken in the Basilashvili of Georgia in a first- “I think happiness is coming The three-time Grand Slam final game of the match after time meeting. back, and normal life is coming champion who owns two titles saving a match point before “I gave myself the best back. Maybe we are seeing the here and played the 2016 final, Murray prevailed. present possible,” Sinner said. light at the end.” has been struggling over the Also, birthday boy Jannik Sin- “I played and won a match on South African Lloyd Harris summer with a groin strain. ner turned 20 on a rain-inter- my birthday at a big tourna- earned a place in the second Wild card Murray and Gas- rupted day and celebrated with ment.” Sinner later posted pic- round against Tokyo Olympic quet, a longtime rival whose 53rd a win. tures on social media of himself gold medallist Alexander Zver- ranking meant he had to qualify, The young gun was joined in and his team enjoying a cele- ev as he beat Japan’s Yoshihito first played 15 years ago. the second round after a delayed bratory pizza. Nishioka 6-3, 6-4 with the help The Scot, who reached the start by 34-year-old Italian com- Argentine Diego Schwartz- of 11 aces. Wimbledon third round, leads patriot Fabio Fognini. man turned 29 on the day, Canadian Felix Auger-Alias- their series 9-4. They last met Sinner erased memories of a defeating British number one sime overcame his first-round in 2019 here. disheartening first-round loss Dan Evans 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 after loss a week ago at home to beat Murray hammered 14 aces a week ago in Toronto when he more than two hours. Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 and broke three times in the went down in his opening The South American wel- in a match interrupted by the Andy Murray returns against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov during their win lasting just under two match to Australian qualifier comed the return of full crowds rain which plagued play all day. men’s singles third round match on the fifth day of the 2021 Wimbledon hours. James Duckworth. at the event, saying they give “It was really important to Championships on July 2. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 18, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport

Dortmund’s forward Erling Braut Haaland (right) vies with Frankfurt’s defender Evan N’Dicka during the German first division Bundesliga football match in Dortmund on Saturday. AFP Bayern next up for Erling Haaland in German Super Cup showdown at Borussia Dortmund

ayern Munich are the next a phenomenal 62 times in 61 games “It’s amazing the consistency he ning out of time to win the Bundes- head-to-head with Bayern striker team to try to shackle Nor- for Dortmund. brings to the field,” said Dortmund’s liga with Haaland, who reportedly Robert Lewandowski, 33 next Satur- wegian goal-machine Erling “Haaland is the complete package, new head coach Marco Rose. has a release clause in his contract day, who scored a record 41 league Braut Haaland when the de- that has to be said. We need him,” “We are happy that he is here and to leave in 2022 for €80 million ($94 goals last season. fendingB Bundesliga champions face said Dortmund captain Marco Reus. it’s for others to think about how to million). The German media are raving about Borussia Dortmund for the German Haaland has already scored five goals stop him.” There were reports last month that Haaland, who top-selling daily Bild Super Cup on Tuesday. in his first two games this season. Chelsea wanted to pay €175 million for describe as “the player who tears even Under new coach Julian Nagels- A hat-trick in the German Cup was ‘He’s a machine’ him to which Haaland replied, “I hope non-Dortmund fans out of their seats”. mann, Bayern are bidding to win followed up by a stunning display in Haaland celebrated in front of they are just rumours, because that is a Dortmund and Bayern first meet in a tenth straight Bundesliga title, the Bundesliga as he tore into Frank- home fans long after the whistle on lot of money for one person”. the league this season in December, but were held to a 1-1 draw at Mo- furt defence, scoring twice and creat- Saturday. After a performance like Satur- so Tuesday gives the rivals a chance enchengladbach last Friday on the ing goals for Reus, Thorgan Hazard German legend and Sky pundit day’s, Europe’s other top clubs will be to size up each other. season’s opening weekend. and Giovanni Reyna. Lothar Matthaeus thinks Haaland watching. “This will be a game in which we Dortmund threw down a marker Haaland revelled in creating space could give Dortmund an edge in this Bayern are one of those monitor- can once again measure ourselves before the one-off German Super for his team-mates, then showed season’s Bundesliga title-race. ing him closely. against the best team in Germany,” Cup match by beating Frankfurt 5-2 clinical finishing for the chances “He’s a machine, he has that cha- “We’d be complete amateurs if we said Dortmund coach Rose. at home on Saturday with Haaland which came his way. risma. And that’s why Dortmund are didn’t,” said sports director Hasan “We want to prepare well and con- involved in all of the hosts’ five goals. Only a superb save by Frankfurt a big favourite to compete with Bay- Salihamidzic. tinue where we left off, because this The towering striker, who only goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in added time ern for the title,” Matthaeus insisted. The Bavarian giants will get a clos- game can help us to become more turned 21 last month, has now scored denied Haaland another hat-trick. However, Dortmund may be run- er look Tuesday when Haaland goes consistent.” AFP 9 Super League rebels rejoin European Club Association

Nine of the 12 founder members of the The ECA called it “a regrettable and tur- make for a more attractive competition”. short-lived European Super League bulent episode for European football” and The three remaining clubs took a legal rejoined the European Club Association also acknowledged the clubs’ “willingness case to European authorities, leaving the (ECA) on Monday, but Barcelona, Real to engage actively with the ECA in its col- European Court of Justice (CJEU) to decide Madrid and Juventus remain outside the lective mission to develop European club whether UEFA was abusing its dominant influential group as they continue to back football – in the open and transparent position by opposing the Super League the breakaway project. interests of all, not the few”. project, a quasi-closed tournament. The ECA said that Atletico Madrid, AC The nine clubs accepted punishments Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli Milan and Inter Milan, along with all six from UEFA, including a five per cent cut resigned from his role as chairman of the English clubs involved in the breakaway in their European revenue for one season, ECA as well as from his position on UEFA’s – Manchester City, Manchester United, after backing down and apologising for executive committee as the breakaway Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Totten- their “mistake” in joining the project, was launched in April. ham Hotspur – had been reinstated after widely condemned as a crude land grab. His position at the head of the ECA was acknowledging that a Super League “was However Real Madrid, Barcelona and taken by Paris Saint-Germain president not in the interests of the wider football Juve did not back down – earlier this sum- Nasser al-Khelaifi. community”. mer Barcelona president Joan Laporta The ECA, with nearly 250 members The nine clubs initially signed up to the claimed the Super League was “still from across the continent, describes project in April but all backed down within alive”. itself as “the sole, independent body Fans react to the planned introduction of the European Super League 48 hours in the face of overwhelming oppo- He insisted the Super League would mean directly representing football clubs at on April 25. AFP sition from fans, players and organisations. “financial sustainability for the clubs and European level”. AFP