wednesday, august 4, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3721 / 4000 RIEL FOREIGN MINISTERS CHILLI EXPORTS SURGE MALAYSIA ANTICIPATES FORGE UNITED ASEAN NEARLY 50% TO OVER CORONAVIRUS WAVE FRONT AGAINST COVID 67K TONNES IN JAN-JUL TO PEAK NEXT MONTH national – page 3 business – page 7 World – page 11 Cambodia sets 2021 growth forecast at 2.5%

May Kunmakara the launch of the vaccination campaign petence or reliability of the econo- the Kingdom is working hard to keep could grow at about four per cent, for the adolescent group aged 12-17, mists and major institutions that pre- SARS-CoV-2 variants at bay, much like assuming that they’re able to be suc- CAMBODIA drastically downgrad- at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. sented more optimistic forecasts, other countries in the region. cessful in getting these new variants ed its economic forecast for 2021 to The downgrade reflects, inter alia, saying that Covid-19-induced disrup- “It’s had to do significant lock- under control. 2.5 per cent from the 4.1 per cent the pandemic’s impact on the key tions have derailed economic plans in downs, even though, Cambodia, by “Now, on the downside, it could be projection announced at the begin- economic sectors of Cambodia’s Cambodia and around the world, jus- now, has the highest share of the as low as just one per cent, particu- ning of the year, due to the deterio- trading partners and ongoing pro- tifying the updated growth figure. population vaccinated in much of larly if they’re not able to get a good rating Covid-19 situation. duction chain disruptions, he said. World Bank regional vice-president the region, or maybe the second- handle on the pandemic,” she said. Prime Minister Hun Sen announced He emphasised that the revision for East Asia and Pacific Victoria highest, after Singapore. the revised prediction on August 1 at does not in any way discredit the com- Kwakwa told The Post in mid-July that “Our estimates are that Cambodia Continued – page 6 Anti-Covid drive steps up as Delta proliferates Long Kimmarita and Lay Samean individuals – to prevent the virus spreading. HE Ministry of Health According to the guidelines, has renewed its Covid- the authorities have to raise 19 prevention cam- awareness and attract public paign efforts in light of attention to the prevention of theT confirmed presence of the Covid-19 through methods Delta variant in Cambodia as such as T-shirts, hats and many locations across the advertisements on banners, country return to lockdown radio and TV with the message and curfew to stem its spread. “jointly responsible for pre- SEA how the land lies This comes as the Institut venting Covid-19”. Pasteur du Cambodge con- Vandine said the strategy was Construction of Morodok Techo National Stadium is 100 per cent complete, and the venue is ready to host the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (SEA). YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM firmed another 42 Delta cases aimed at preventing another on August 3 in Phnom Penh wave of the virus and to pre- and three provinces, accord- pare everyone to adapt to the ing health ministry spokes- “new normal” with Covid-19 as woman Or Vandine. a long-term problem. The ministry on August 2 In remarks made while deliv- China’s Wuhan to test ‘all residents’ issued guidelines for a nation- ering Prime Minter Hun Sen’s al messaging strategy with the gifts to elderly people who AUTHORITIES in Wuhan on as the fast-spreading Delta with more than 400 domestic been found among migrant theme of “together we’re were vaccinated against Cov- August 3 said they would variant challenges its zero- cases reported since mid-July workers in the city, breaking a responsible for preventing id-19 in Koh Kong province on test its entire 11 million pop- Covid strategy and homeg- when a cluster among airport year-long streak without Covid-19 ”. August 2, Vandine said the ulation for Covid-19 after rown vaccines. cleaners in Nanjing, Jiangsu reporting domestic cases. The campaign calls on every- Delta variant was spreading in the central Chinese city – Beijing had previously province, sparked infections And the holiday destina- one from all walks of life to the community in clusters. where the coronavirus was announced its success in in over 20 cities across more tion of Zhangjiajie in central enforce and maintain Covid-19 She said the greatest con- initially detected – reported crushing the virus, allowing than a dozen provinces. China’s Hunan province preventive measures to break cern is that some Delta cases its first local infections in the economy to rebound and Senior city official Li Tao told abruptly announced on the chain of transmission. were found without any clear more than a year. normal life to return while a press conference on August August 3 that no one would The 43-page long report source of origin. China is battling its largest swathes of the globe have 3 that Wuhan is “swiftly launch- be allowed to exit the city, consists of a 10-point pro- “If we know where the dis- coronavirus outbreak in struggled with the pandemic ing comprehensive nucleic after closing tourist attrac- gramme detailing campaign ease is contracted from, we will months, confining the resi- that has killed more than four acid testing of all residents”. tions and encouraging visi- activities that should be under- take measures and track it dents of entire cities to their million people worldwide. Authorities announced on tors to leave last week. taken at the sub-national and homes, cutting transport links But the latest outbreak is August 2 that seven locally China reported 61 domestic national levels – as well as by Continued – page 2 and rolling out mass testing threatening China’s success transmitted infections had cases on August 3. AFP

EVENT DRAWS FOCUS GGGI, CAMGBC TEAM TO BREASTFEEDING AS UP TO FURTHER GREEN PRACTICE ‘IN DECLINE’ BUILDING MOVEMENT nATIONAL – page 3 business – page 6 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Former CNRP officials Prey Veng villagers refuse ‘likely’ to seek political burial for Covid-19 victim rehab before elections Nov Sivutha Another reason, he ex- Khouth Sophak Chakrya plained, is that former CNRP FORMER opposition figure members have decided to HE body of a de- Kong Korm predicted that move on and do not want to ceased Covid-19 pa- one-third of the banned 118 be involved in overseas po- tient was finally taken politicians from the Supreme litical activities, especially by his relatives to his Court-dissolved Cambodia Rainsy’s proposed national hometownT in Tbong Khmum National Rescue Party (CNRP) unity government, which province after hundreds of will seek political rehabili- could lead to further diffi- villagers in Prek Khsay Kor tation prior to the upcom- culties. commune of Prey Veng prov- ing commune and national “I predict and I have also ince’s Peamro district refused elections in 2022 and 2023, heard some rumours that for- to bury him in the cemetery respectively. mer CNRP members may join behind their village for fears Korm – former acting presi- the CPP or form a new party,” that it would spread the virus dent of the long-defunct Sam Korm said. in their community. Rainsy Party and currently Chheum Kan, deputy di- Prek Khsay Kor commune honourary president of the rector-general of the Ministry police chief Ly Chantha told Khmer Will Party – made the of Interior’s General Depart- The Post that on the after- prediction after ex-CNRP ment of Administration, said noon of August 1, a Cambo- leader Sam Rainsy called 24 former CNRP members dian-Muslim man residing on Cambodians to consider have been allowed to return in Chak Khlanh village of forming a national unity gov- to politics while two were re- Peam Ro commune and dis- ernment following the exam- jected. trict had died after years of ple of Myanmar and for Prime However, Kan did not com- chronic illness. Minister Hun Sen to return ment on whether more for- He said the Peamro district power to the people. mer CNRP members would Covid-19 prevention com- Korm believed that the request political rehabilita- mittee also sent a medical politicians, who have been tion, saying only that they will team to examine the man’s Villagers gather to protest the burial of a deceased Covid-19 patient in Prek Khsay Khor commune of Prey Veng barred from politics for five be considered upon request. body using a rapid antigen province’s Peamro district on Sunday. Facebook year after the dissolution, will On August 1, the prime test for Covid-19 and it came distance themselves from the minister refused to grant po- back positive. local authorities he learned the “deadliest” disease nor to prepare for the funeral. movement, which he said litical rights to former promi- As there was no place to that Covid-19 was the “dead- would a properly buried body However, the body was was proposed by an “overseas nent CNRP members Choung bury the man in Chak Khlanh liest communicable disease” present any risk of transmit- positive for Covid-19, so the outlawed group”. Chou Ngy and Nhim Kim village, the family of the de- and if any family has an in- ting the virus. district Covid-19 prevention The self-exiled Rainsy made Nhol because they had com- ceased requested that the fected member, no one dares Peam Ro district governor committee must find a safe the call on July 17. mitted additional offences in committee chairman bury his to come close because they Seng Teang told The Post place to bury him. But his proposed unity gov- contravene of the Supreme body at the cemetery in Prek are afraid of getting infected. that the Cambodian-Muslim “Because we do not have ernment has been cited by Court’s ruling. Khsay Kor commune’s Udom “That is why we absolutely man had a history of high vacant land for burial, the independent analysts and “I have the rights to decide village, but the villagers there do not want to bring bodies blood pressure and diabetes authorities decided to bury civil society groups as “im- whether to return political blocked the move. the body at the cemetery be- possible” because of the dif- rights to someone through “We gave permission and That is why we absolutely do cause the site is state public ferences between Cambodia the interior ministry. But the facilitated the use of an exca- land. Before the body was and Myanmar. interior minister’s report to vator rented by the family of not want to bury bodies with taken out, the medical team Korm told The Post on me had attached the person’s the deceased to dig a grave Covid-19 near our village, it wrapped the body tightly in August 3 that some former wrongdoing after the court re- on the hill. But when the ex- a coffin and sprayed disinfec- CNRP members continued voked their rights. If they have cavation was completed the could cause an outbreak tant but because the villagers to apply for political rehabili- not done anything wrong, we villagers who have relatives do not understand and were tation while those who have will allow them to regain their buried there protested and with Covid-19 to be buried before his death and that he scared, they came out to stop been reinstated have since rights,” Hun Sen said. would not let the man be bur- near our village, because it was found dead in his home it,” she said. established new parties Hun Sen said if he refused ied there,” he said. could cause an outbreak in on July 31. “After the obstruction by Korm added that politicians to sign the request, it would According to Chantha, the our community,” he said. However, in order to fol- the villagers, the deceased’s who have re-entered politics not be referred to the King. villagers offered various rea- According to the World low health guidelines, she family asked our authorities confirmed his belief of the The CNRP was dissolved sons to oppose the burial. Health Organisation, Covid- called a medical team in to intervene to bring the body CNRP’s inability to re-emerge by the Supreme Court in No- Mao Chamroeun, 46, who 19 – while potentially deadly, to examine the body first, to be buried in his hometown as a political force, especially vember 2017 with 118 senior took part in the protest, told especially to the elderly and and if he was negative for in Tbong Khmum province. as the two top party leaders party officials banned from The Post that through the those with certain pre-exist- Covid-19 he would then be Now the problem has been –Rainsy and Kem Sokha – engaging in politics for five Ministry of Health as well as ing health conditions – is not handed over to his relatives solved,” she said. could not engage in politics. years. Delta cases in Kingdom jump to 256 Continued from page 1 Since the beginning of vendors were being tested after were designated as red zones, August, the capital and various a Delta confirmed patient pur- due to the spread of the virus. down there quickly and bring the provinces have imposed indi- chased goods there. The zoning is effective for seven infected person in to get treat- vidual measures against the “Medical personnel said a days through August 9. ment. Then we can control it. Delta variant, including lock- Delta variant patient went shop- Ratanak also imposed a cur- “But when we don’t know downs in some places. ping in the market. So, the few from 8pm to 3am. It was where they got the disease from, In the capital’s Por Sen Chey authorities closed it and tested not immediately clear how that is a sign that we all have to district, deputy district gover- the vendors. We are constructing many Delta cases have been be careful because it shows that nor Ith Chumnith told The Post tents nearby for vendors to give found there in total. But on Delta is already being transmit- on August 3 that medical work- samples for testing,” he said. August 1, a Delta case was con- ted in the community. It is ers had tested 139 samples Another Delta case was found firmed in this province, accord- spread by people as they move taken from people in Ta Nguon among the 34 people who were ing to the health ministry. from place to place. II village, and found eight peo- tested at a supermarket in the Vandine told local media “If the transmission is grow- ple positive for the virus. capital’s Chroy Changvar dis- Fresh News on August 3 that 42 ing out of the cluster phase and He said after the positive cases trict. The sub-committee track- more Delta cases had been spreading everywhere on a were found, the authorities ing Covid-19 said the cases detected in Cambodia, bringing large scale in our communities, decided to lockdown some parts were found after a patient went the total to 265 since it was first what will the measures be? of the village and continue to test shopping there on July 27. recorded on March 31. There is nothing else except to people, but it was not confirmed In Oddar Meanchey province, “Now, the Delta variant is lockdown entirely where even as yet whether the eight con- governor Pen Kosal decided to spreading. Today [August 3], we leaving home is not allowed firmed cases were Delta. designate two villages as yellow received information from the and all businesses are closed, Rath Phally of Ta Nguon I vil- zones and six villages as red zones Institut Pasteur du Cambodge because we will have to impose lage said the authorities also took in O’Smach commune, effective that another 42 Delta cases have a temporary lockdown or oth- samples from 162 vendors in August 2 until further notice. The been confirmed – four in Kam- erwise, deaths will skyrocket,” Century Plaza market on August decision came after some Delta pong Thom, 15 in Oddar she said. 3, but all of them were negative. cases were detected. Meanchey, five in Phnom Penh, Vandine said if transmission In Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork In Battambang, provincial and 18 in Siem Reap,” she said. is too rapid then the number district, Phsar Doeum Kor com- governor Nguon Ratanak has As of August 3, Cambodia had of hospitalisations will be too mune chief Tit Samoeun said also designated dozens of vil- recorded a total of 79,051 Covid- numerous and they will over- some parts of the Phsar Doeum lages in some districts as yellow 19 cases with 72,145 recoveries burden the health system. Kor market were closed while zones, while several others and 1,471 fatalities. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National ASEAN ministers try to forge P Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep destroy over united front against Covid-19 468kg of illegal drugs Ry Sochan Khouth Sophak Chakrya social order,” Tong Huot said. INISTER of For- and Kim Sarom Preah Sihanouk Provincial eign Affairs and Court prosecutor Seang Sok, International Co- THE drug control committees who inspected the drugs be- operation Prak from the coastal provinces of fore they were destroyed, said MSokhonn called on ASEAN Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and that although Cambodia has to help alleviate the plight of Kep on August 3 held a com- been dealing with Covid-19, it the poor, including Cambodi- bined drug burning ceremony would not disrupt nationwide ans, who have been severely of more than 468kg narcotics. police crackdowns on drugs. impacted economically by On the same day, the Phnom The quantity of drugs repre- Covid-19. Penh Municipal Court sent a sented the result of 205 raids by “While ASEAN is grappling man to prison for trafficking police in the coastal provinces. with Covid-19 and its severe over 4kg of drugs. Separately, the Phnom Penh impacts which hit people Lim Tong Huot – director of Municipal Court on August hardest who live on society’s the Legislation, Education and 3 placed a 31-year-old man margins, collective efforts Rehabilitation Department in pre-trial detention on two are needed to mitigate their under the National Com- drug charges after the Minis- difficulties and maintain mittee for Combating Drugs try of Interior’s anti-drug de- progress in poverty reduc- (NACD) – told The Post on partment police arrested him tion and prevent backslid- August 3 that the drugs seized in possession of more than ing,” Sokhonn was quoted as during raids in 2020 were set 4kg of drugs on July 30. saying on August 3. ablaze by the committees. Municipal court spokes- Sokhonn made these re- He added that the original man Plang Sophal identified marks while attending the plan was to hold the occasion the accused as a resident of 54th ASEAN Foreign Minis- Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn participates in the ASEAN-Japan on International Day against Tuol Svay Prey commune in ters’ Meeting on August 2 via Ministerial Meeting via video conference on August 3. FOREIGN MINISTRY Drug Abuse and Illicit Traf- Phnom Penh’s Boeung Keng video conference. ficking on June 26, but the Kang district. He called on ASEAN to en- Covid-19 pandemic and ad- an open, transparent, inclu- Recovery to help within that committees were occupied “The suspect was charged sure sustainable economic dressing the socio-economic sive, and rules-based regional context and beyond. with preventing the Covid-19 with stockpiling, transporting, recovery and growth for the impacts caused by the ongo- architecture with ASEAN at “However, ASEAN mostly pandemic. trafficking, using drugs and region, including through ing crisis. its centre for addressing com- has put in place documents “This large quantity of drugs money laundering,” he said. the creation of the ASEAN The ASEAN member states mon challenges based on mu- and agreements rather than could cause a serious risk to According to the NACD, in Travel Corridor Arrangement all emphasised the need to tual interests and benefits. practices,” he said. people’s health, especially the first six months of this Framework and the ASEAN undertake collective and in- The ASEAN foreign ministers Asian Vision Institute presi- youths. If police fail to crack year police had cracked down Centre for Public Health clusive actions with a resilient emphasised ASEAN’s com- dent Chheang Vannarith told down on drugs in a timely man- on more than 3,000 drug cas- Emergencies and Emerging approach to address immedi- mitment to upholding human The Post on August 3 that ner, the drugs could lead to vio- es, arresting over 7,000 sus- Diseases (ACPHEED). ate challenges – in particular, rights a part of its agenda, and supporting the most vulner- lence, murder and many other pects and seized more than He said they must also ensure to end the Covid-19 pandem- to protect and promote the able groups during the public offences that affect security and 850kg of drugs. that ASEAN’s engagement with ic and to secure speedy eco- fundamental freedoms of the health crisis and economic external partners is supportive nomic recovery of the region. ASEAN peoples. recession is one of the key ar- of the policy of ASEAN central- “In this regard, the meet- They encouraged ASEAN In- eas for regional cooperation. ity and in line with ASEAN’s ing agreed to expedite the tergovernmental Commission “ASEAN has developed a principles, including those de- implementation of the ASE- of Human Rights (AICHR) regional comprehensive re- fined under ASEAN’s outlook AN Comprehensive Recovery to be more proactive in their covery plan but implementa- on the Indo-Pacific. Framework and its imple- mandate to promote and pro- tion remains an issue. Hence, The ministry’s press release mentation plan as well as tect human rights in ASEAN, ASEAN needs to enforce the said the ministers discussed other agreed key initiatives in particular in this difficult responsible implementation ways to strengthen the imple- such as the ASEAN Travel Cor- Covid-19 pandemic era. of all policies related to the mentation of various regional ridor Arrangement with the Kin Phea, director of the post-pandemic socio-eco- initiatives—including the goal of ensuring that ASEAN Royal Academy of Cambodia’s nomic recovery,” he said. Covid-19 ASEAN Response emerges more resilient from International Relations Insti- Vannarith added that proj- Fund, the establishment of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said tute, told The Post on August ects for narrowing the de- the ACPHEED, the ASEAN the press release. 3 that ASEAN has put in place velopment gaps within each Travel Corridor Arrangement, The ministers reaffirmed a number of mechanisms to country and between the and the ASEAN Comprehen- their commitment to promot- help people affected by Covid- ASEAN member states need- sive Recovery Framework — ing regionalism and multilat- 19 and has established the ed to receive a bigger finan- Police arrest a man for drug trafficking in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey with a view to overcoming the eralism as well as reinforcing ASEAN Fund for Economic cial boost. district on Monday. POLICE Event draws attention to importance of breastfeeding

Long Kimmarita and more sustainable world. talised in Cambodia by the National “World Breastfeeding Week takes Nutrition Programme in 2015, THREE civil society organisations place from August 1 to 7, but efforts according to the press release. have called for more investment in to protect, promote, and support This year, WVI-Cambodia said the breastfeeding for a healthier and breastfeeding in Cambodia must celebration will take place mainly more sustainable Cambodia as the continue year-round,” they said. online, including the dissemination rate of breastfeeding in Cambodia, From 2000 to 2010, Cambodia’s of videos, live talk shows, and quizzes they said, has declined. exclusive breastfeeding rate – babies across social media. The call was made as the Kingdom fed only with breast milk from birth It said that in addition to pregnant marks World Breastfeeding Week to to six months of age in line with World women and breastfeeding mothers, raise awareness about the impor- Health Organisation recommenda- these celebrations will also target tance of breastfeeding for survival, tions – increased dramatically from 11 fathers, grandparents, caregivers, health and wellbeing of mothers per cent to 74 per cent, they said. health workers, community leaders and children, and for the benefit of Since 2001, the Ministry of Health’s and other relevant members of the society at large. National Nutrition Programme in community who can share experi- World Vision International (WVI)- cooperation with key nutrition part- ences of breastfeeding. Cambodia and Scaling up Nutrition ners has led celebrations of the annu- “The Covid-19 pandemic has fur- Civil Society Alliance in Cambodia in al World Breastfeeding Week. ther emphasised the need to continue partnership with the National Nutri- However, celebrations in Cambodia supporting and investing in breast- tion Programme observed World ceased in 2010, based on the assump- feeding. Separation of mothers and Breastfeeding Week in Cambodia 2021 tion that the public was aware of the babies, disruptions to health services under the theme “Protecting Breast- importance of breastfeeding. including breastfeeding counselling feeding: A Shared Responsibility”. But now, data from 2014 revealed and support, and unethical marketing A joint press release from the group that the breastfeeding rate had of formula milk to the public during on August 1 said individual breast- dropped and the use of formula milk the pandemic has had a potentially feeding behaviour is important, call- was increasing, endangering child negative impact on breastfeeding. ing on families, communities, govern- health and survival and costing fam- “The need to invest in and support ments and civil society to invest in and ilies and the economy. As a result, breastfeeding has never been great- A mother breastfeeds her baby in Pursat province in 2018. HENG CHIVOAN support breastfeeding for a healthier World Breastfeeding Week was revi- er,” WVI-Cambodia said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Heavier rains raising big hopes for bumper early-season rice crop

Khouth Sophak Chakrya or 89.22 per cent of the planned 819,629ha. This is THIS year’s early-season rice 2,127ha more than last year. harvest is expected to yield Farmers claim that the re- a bumper crop for farmers markable result is due to in- as of the end of July. Rice has creased rainfall compared to been sown on more than 97 previous years. per cent of the total planned Khieu Lom Ang, a 45-year- 2.6 million hectares, accord- old farmer in Battambang ing to Minister of Agriculture, province’s Sangke district, Forestry and Fisheries Veng told The Post that so far his Sakhon. 5ha of early-season rice has Sakhon said more than 99 grown well and can be har- per cent of farmers used ma- vested by the end of August. chinery instead of cattle for “My family has never had ploughing, which reduced la- a shortage of rice because, in bour time for cultivation and general, we produce an aver- improved soil quality. Ma- age of 4.5 to 5.3 tonnes of rice chinery was used to plough per hectare. In one season, 2,535,022ha of land, equiva- we plant rice at the beginning lent to 99.38 per cent of the of the season and at the end Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). NACD total, while the remainder of the season,” he said. was ploughed with cattle. According to Lom Ang, the “As of July 30, sowing and rice she grows is a type of transplanting of early-season early maturing rice that only Kingdom lauded by WHO As of July 30, sowing and transplanting of early-season rice . . . was 166,136 hectares for banning all e-cigarettes more than it was last year Ry Sochan tional population-based sur- be reached for comment on bacco products, while gener- veys during the Covid-19 pan- August 2. ating more tax revenues for rice has reached more than needs 80 to 85 days to grow AMBODIA is among dem​ic, many surveys planned Cambodia joined the WHO the government – a win-win 2.4 million hectares of the 2.6 and does not need much wa- 11 countries named in 2020 were postponed or Framework Convention on strategy. million hectares planned. It ter, but it needs proper weed- to the best-practice cancelled and the results from Tobacco Control in 2005.​ He said the WHO recom- is 166,136ha more than last ing and fertilising . group in the World some surveys conducted in Mom Kong, executive direc- mended that each member year,” he said in a Facebook Chhim Vachira, director HealthC Organisation’s (WHO) 2019 were not released in time tor of the NGO Cambodian increase its tax rate on to- post. of the Battambang pro- report on the global tobacco for this report. Movement for Health, told The bacco products to 70 per cent He said the planting of early- vincial agriculture depart- epidemic in 2021 that ad- “This situation led to 11 Post on August 2 that a country of the retail price, but some season rice cultivars reached ment, said that as of Au- dresses new and emerging to- countries at best-practice joining the convention had to ASEAN countries have not 123,173ha, or 5.02 per cent of gust 2, rice cultivation in bacco and nicotine products. level in 2018 being unable to commit to following the mea- been able to meet this goal. the total cultivated area, so far. his province had achieved On July 27, the WHO issued maintain the achievement. sures stipulated in it and in Kong said Cambodia’s tax Farmers also cultivated more than 270,000ha of a its eighth report on the global Consequently, these 11 coun- 2015 Cambodia adopted a law rate on tobacco products is horticultural crops and short- total of over 320,000ha set tobacco epidemic. The report tries (Bahamas, Bangladesh, on tobacco product control. low compared to other ASE- term industrial crops to aside for planting. It is also monitors the progress made Bhutan, Cambodia, Costa Kong said the law was rec- AN countries. Cambodia sets meet the daily needs of their 60,000ha more than last by countries in tobacco con- Rica, Egypt, Kuwait, Myan- ognised as comprehensive by taxes at only 25 per cent of re- families. year. trol effort since 2008 and – for mar, Pakistan, Panama, Qa- international experts because tail price for domestic made Short-term horticultural “However, by the end of the first time – presents data tar), with 577 million people, it is in accordance with the cigarettes and 31 per cent of crops, including white corn August or the beginning on electronic nicotine deliv- have exceptionally been re- convention. retail price for imported ciga- and sweet potatoes, were of September, our farmers ery systems (ENDS), such as tained in the best-practice “Cambodia has followed the rettes, as compared Thailand planted on 48,207ha, or will be able to plant 100 per e-cigarettes or vapes. group in this report,” it said. law and has made good prog- and Singapore who each have 87.70 per cent of the planned cent or more of planned The report indicates that Cambodia is categorised as ress on the tobacco product a 70 per cent of retail price 54,966ha, which is 1,335ha crops because by that time many countries are making one of the countries with the fight,” he said. tax rate. less than last year. the rainfall will have eased progress in combating tobacco highest level of achievement The convention, he said, “Increasing the tobacco Short-term industrial crops, and there will be enough use but some countries are not in the fight against tobacco required state members to in- product tax rate is more im- such as red corn, cassava and water to grow more crops,” dealing with the emerging nico- and one of the countries with crease tobacco product taxes. portant during the Covid-19 soybeans, covered 731,307ha, he said. tine and tobacco products and the sale of ENDS banned, said Kong said tax increases pandemic fight when the are failing to regulate them. the report. are the single most effective government requires more The report said that due to Ministry of Health spokes- measure to reduce illness, money to combat the virus,” the challenges​ of running na- woman Or Vandine could not death and disability from to- he said. CCF busts 56 unauthorised businesses

Long Kimmarita crimes. Most were related to dishonesty in the fuel business, OFFICIALS from the General counterfeit goods such as san- Directorate of Consumer Pro- itisers, expired goods, and non- tection, Competition and compliant labels,” he said. Fraud Repression (CCF) Oun said that fining violators cracked down on 56 illegal of the consumer law faced chal- businesses across the country lenges during the first month. in July and handed out the first “As the Covid-19 situation in anti-money laundering fines. Cambodia has not eased, CCF director-general Phan monitoring and investigative Oun told The Post on August 2 work to identify crimes has that operations to punish vio- faced hurdles. In addition, the lators began with the imple- consumer law is new and ven- mentation of the Consumer dors still do not fully under- Protection Law, especially stand it,” he said. after the inter-ministerial Pra- The Consumer Protection kas on fines for lawbreakers. Law promulgated in Novem- He said CCF officials went to ber 2019 aims at ensuring hon- suspected establishments to est business practices and fair investigate any illegal activity competition. related to goods and services The law states that business they offered. owners, producers, traders “In July, CCF investigators, and merchants who violate the who were recently appointed law face penalties, such as as judicial police, tackled 56 fines and imprisonment. CCF officers inspecting products in Banteay Meanchey Province. ccf THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Cluster bomb clearance still going despite Covid-19 crisis Lay Samean “Cluster bombs have moved to where we did not expect. espite the Covid- Certain places no longer have 19 pandemic, the cluster bombs, other places Cambodian Mine now have them and some Action and Victim ordnance does not change AssistanceD Authority (CMAA) location. Unexploded muni- continues the search for clus- tions can last for centuries, ter bombs and research in- so pose an ongoing risk to formation to speed up unex- people,” he said. ploded ordnance clearance. He added that despite the CMAA has also appealed to challenges locating cluster donor countries and partners bombs, the working group re- to continue support for the mained unfazed for people’s organisation’s activities. safety in at-risk areas. CMAC director-general Heng Ratana (right) poses with recovered cluster bomb munitions on July 4. CMAC CMAA said the research is “We have challenges and a joint procedure between spend more time than before, those areas have many cluster Thuch said that Ratanak- ground. So children tend to more than 14 sq km of land. technical and non-technical but we have to do the work,” bombs. Other resources were kiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie, Stung pick them up,” he said. Lasha Lomidze, HALO Trust groups and was conducted he said. “So, as a first step, we sent to northeastern regions Treng, Kampong Cham and Thuch said that in addition Cambodia programme man- in response to cluster bombs have to re-inspect the map which also has many cluster Tbong Khmum provinces had to cluster bomb clearance, ager, said that with the sup- in Cambodia. The purpose of that indicates areas with clus- bombs. many cluster bombs. the working group had edu- port of the government, HALO the research was to find and ter bombs across the country. “So, our goal in the near He said that in Cambodia, cated people not to touch, has maintained unexploded map the location of cluster “As the second step, when future is to speed up cluster cluster bombs were not the pick up, or attempt to alter ordnance clearance during bombs. we have a clear picture of the bomb clearance by at least same level of threat as land- cluster bombs to avoid pos- the Covid-19 pandemic. Ly Thuch, first vice-presi- situation, we gather resources 40 sq km of land per year as mines because landmines can sible detonation. “HALO’s 1,200 employees dent of the CMAA, told The and clear the target areas ac- more than 200 sq km of land explode when people step on According to the Cambo- have used additional health Post that cluster bombs from cording to the government’s across the country still has them. But cluster bombs can dian Mine Action Centre and hygiene measures to the civil war had shifted over strategic plan.” cluster bombs. So, we request pose a threat if they are ex- (CMAC), 26 to 30 million clus- prevent Covid-19 in line with time. As a result, clearance He added that the govern- that the international com- posed to extreme heat. ter bombs had been dropped government regulations and officials have to increase ac- ment has so far used resourc- munity donate more funds “For children, cluster bombs on Cambodia during the civil have all now received double tivity to identify and clear the es and aid from development for the clearance operation can be more of a threat than war. In the first six months of Covid-19 vaccinations thanks ordnance as planned by the partners to clear landmines in northeastern regions,” he landmines because they are this year, CMAC had detected to CMAA’s facilitation of this,” government by 2025. in western regions because said. small and can be seen on the nearly 2,000 cluster bombs on he said.

Pursat provincial agriculture department officials train people on vegetable growing in Pursat province’s Bakan district on July 29. Agriculture Ministry Farmers get veg safety tips

Long Kimmarita ing documents for integrated management department, land and nutrient manage- said the training aims to Minister of Agriculture, For- ment procedures in the pro- increase knowledge of land estry and Fisheries Veng duction of safe vegetable crops management and land nutri- Sakhon emphasised the for farmers in eight target ents in the production of safe importance of training farm- provinces,” he said. vegetable crops to achieve ers on integrated land and The provinces are Kandal, high yields through safety and nutrient management proce- Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, quality, as well as the sustain- dures for safe vegetable pro- Tbong Khmum, Kratie, Kam- able use of land resources. duction after more than 300 pong Chhnang, Battambang “After finishing the course, we farmers received the training and Siem Reap, which are also want farmers to under- on July 29. working with the provincial stand more deeply how to make He said land management, agriculture departments. the principles of soil nutrient quality and use based on prin- According to the agricultural management in crop produc- ciples of productivity, sustain- land resources management tion more effective. Farmers ability and continuity are the department under the Gen- need to pay more attention to most important tasks in the eral Department of Agricul- three main factors. development of agricultural ture, after opening the training “First, understanding agri- products, increased yields and sessions, 331 people partici- cultural land; second, under- farmer’s income. pated, including 149 women standing key nutrients and “Agricultural land resources from 9 farming communities plant needs; and third, under- management department of in the provinces. standing effective and sustain- the General Directorate of Seng Wang, director of the able soil and nutrient manage- Agriculture has prepared train- agricultural land resource ment measures,” he said. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 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 4,108 1.2513 6.4647 109.19 4.2205 1.3511 33.02 0.7394 1.1885 1.3916

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: August 3, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,640 12,700 12,720 12,620 2 GTI 4,220 4,160 4,220 4,060 3 PAS 13,740 13,760 13,760 13,600 4 PEPC 3,140 3,150 3,150 3,100 5 PPAP 15,000 15,020 15,100 15,000 6 PPSP 2,080 2,100 2,100 2,070 7 PWSA 7,080 7,100 7,100 7,020 Green building partnership created Agriculture Thou Vireak to continue

HE Seoul-based Global Green as economic Growth Institute (GGGI) has entered into a partner- crutch: PM ship with the Cambodia GTreen Building Council (CamGBC), Continued from page 1 a private-sector initiative, to advance the green-building movement in the Hun Sen said agriculture Kingdom. would for the foreseeable A memorandum of understanding future remain a key player in (MoU) was signed to this effect, de- undergirding Cambodian tailing plans to launch “Cambodia- exports and in maintaining the specific green building rating and food security level needed to financing schemes” and outlining shore up economic growth. GGGI’s role in the operationalisation “Agriculture will persist as a of CamGBC, GGGI said in a July 30 sector that Cambodia must rely press release. on, and I’ve been conveying all CamGBC classifies a building as along how to make sure that “green” if it is determined to be “en- Cambodia does not run out of vironmentally responsible and re- rice for cooking – agriculture is source-efficient” throughout its life a sublime sector,” he said. span, GGGI said, adding that the Agricultural exports have council seeks to provide “green build- grown beyond expectations, he ings and communities” to any Cam- said. And while milled-rice bodians who want them. exports have recorded mar- “The council aims to engage with ginal contractions, paddy ship- policymakers, professionals, and ments to Vietnam and the UAE the society at large, to transform the The Cambodias Green Building Council (CamGBC) classifies a building as ‘green’ if it is determined to be ‘environmentally responsible soared 200 per cent year-on- and resource-efficient’ throughout its life span.SUPPLIED building industry into one that re- year, the prime minister said spects the environment. ambitions for the sector, including ac- throughout the strategic planning and said in its Energy Efficiency in Build- citing a Ministry of Agriculture, “The Royal Government of Cam- tions relating to building energy effi- development process. “We are com- ings: Accelerating Low-carbon Devel- Forestry and Fisheries report. bodia has begun to develop multiple ciency and cooling,” GGGI added. mitted to climate action and achiev- opment in Cambodia report last year. International demand for long-term initiatives to create a more Minister of Environment Say Samal, ing sustainable development across “Unless efforts towards improving en- paddy is rising as our stocks sustainable building sector in Cam- chairman of the National Council for all sectors, by prioritising green- ergy efficiency are realised, the present dwindle and rice mills run low bodia, including the building code Sustainable Development, said dur- growth approaches.” he said. growth in annual energy consumption on capital, he said. under development by the Ministry ing the launch of GGGI’s Cambodia According to the UN Development in buildings is expected to continue. Meanwhile, cashew nut of Urban Planning, Land Manage- Country Planning Framework (CPF) Programme (UNDP), the building That will contribute significantly to the exports surged nearly 300 per ment and Construction and the green 2021-2025 in June that “green growth” sector is the Kingdom’s “most signifi- country’s greenhouse gas emissions. cent to more than 800,000 building guidelines and national cool- is an economic development model cant final energy consumer”. “The major drivers of this demand tonnes, he said, adding that sales ing action plan under development that pursues growth with an impera- “Residential and commercial build- growth are an increase in new building of cassava, mangoes, bananas by the Ministry of Environment. tive for social inclusion and the sus- ings consume almost 80 per cent of constructions, inefficient energy utili- and other crops have amounted “Cambodia’s updated Nationally De- tainable use of natural resources. electricity in the country and energy sation in existing buildings and a con- to billions of US dollars. termined Contribution, submitted in He asserted that the government consumption in buildings will more tinuously increasing stock of electrical And navigating through the December 2020, also outlines enhanced applies green-growth principles than double until 2040,” the UNDP household appliances,” it added. ebbs and flows of the crisis, small- and medium-sized industrial enterprises have endured as vital engines of economic activity, at the core of the Kingdom’s pandemic Best, Cainiao launch China logistics service response efforts, he stressed. He noted that exports of gar- Thou Vireak sortation centres in Bangkok, Hanoi or “We have developed express delivery Singapore. Together with this launch, ments and footwear managed Phnom Penh, before being dispatched networks into five markets in the region, there is now a comprehensive logistics to remain in growth territory in BEST Inc, a Chinese smart supply chain for last mile deliveries. Customers will providing customers with speedy, reli- network supporting the Southeast Asian the first half of this year, despite solutions and logistics services provider, be able to track the parcels in real-time able, and cost-efficient services, while region, which facilitates a more efficient Covid-19 outbreaks in facto- on August 2 rolled out a “full-chain, throughout the entire delivery process. facilitating the growth of cross-border delivery process for cross-border e-com- ries, disruptions in production direct logistics service” to send packages “For e-commerce consumers in e-commerce,” he said. merce parcels and improve overall cus- chains, and a range of bottle- from China to Cambodia, Thailand and Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia who Cainiao Network Singapore and tomer experience. necks in international shipping Vietnam, it said in a press release. select this logistics service, their par- Malaysia cross-border division head “Since 2020, Best has established that are plaguing suppliers. The New York-listed firm said the cels will be shipped directly from any- Au Yeong Shong Kwong stressed that comprehensive logistics networks in Still, more investors are look- service would be operated in collabo- where in China to Best’s warehouse in the new direct e-commerce logistics Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singa- ing to try their hand at putting ration with Cainiao Smart Logistics Shenzhen. From there, the parcels will service “demonstrates our strategic pore and Cambodia, comprising 24 their money into Cambodia, Network Ltd (Cainiao Network), the then be shipped directly to Bangkok in focus in the region”. sortation centres and over 1,000 serv- Hun Sen said, pointing out logistics affiliate of e-commerce giant Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam, or Phnom “With our latest launch into Thailand, ice stations, enabling the company’s that the Council for the Devel- Alibaba Group. Penh in Cambodia, after clearing Chi- Vietnam and Cambodia, and partner- provision of its full-suite logistics serv- opment of Cambodia contin- “Parcels can be shipped via land, sea nese customs,” it said. ship with Best, our goal is to deliver ices to customers.” ues to approve hosts of new or air, depending on customers’ needs. Chairman and CEO Johnny Chou superior customer experience to local On the New York Stock Exchange, projects, even as the pandem- Certain exclusions such as powder or noted that Southeast Asia is a vital cor- consumers in Southeast Asia,” he said. Best’s share price, listed under the tick- ic drags on. liquid-based products are shipped by nerstone of the Best’s global strategy, Best added: “This news comes after er code BEST, rose $0.05 or 4.95 per cent land, while time-sensitive products are adding that the company is consider- Best’s partnership with Cainiao Network to close at $1.06 on August 2 for a mar- www.phnompenhpost.com delivered by air. ing additional investment in the busi- last year to launch cross-border logistics ket capitalisation of $416.07 million, check the post website “They will then be shipped to Best’s ness and the regional market. services linking China to Malaysia and with 2.52 million shares traded. for breaking news THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business

The Kingdom exported 67,547.34 tonnes of chillies in January-July. SUPPLIED BGRIM debenture funds allocated to green energy drive

B Grimm Power Pcl (BGRIM), solar farm projects in Viet- Thailand’s leading industrial nam and a wind energy ven- energy producer with growing ture in the northeastern Thai overseas presence, has hailed province of Mukdahan. its green debentures offerings The Vietnam schemes, lo- as a great success. cated in Phu Yen and Tay Investors’ response to Ninh provinces with a com- BGRIM’s “Green Bond” of- bined generating capacity of fering was electrifying that 677MW, will take 87 per cent of not only the initial primary the proceeds while the 18MW eight-billion-baht ($240 mil- Mukdahan facility receiving lion) offering plan was fully the remaining 13 per cent. subscribed, the doubling of BGRIM’s Green Bond is greenshoe options to four bil- verified to conform with the lion baht were snapped up Climate Bonds Standard to as well. ensure the best practice stan- The demand for the deben- dards for climate integrity, tures, gauged by the so-called management of proceeds and Book Building process, was transparency. more than five times the ini- All three debenture varieties tial offering plan of eight bil- were rated “A-” with a “stable” lion baht, with some deben- outlook by TRIS Rating Co Ltd Chilli exports up nearly 50% ture tranches in the overall on June 29. package being 10 times over The debentures were of- Hin Pisei 10-20 per cent year-on-year on same space, which makes it Pailin provincial Depart- the set portion. fered to institutional and or the back of a surge in area cul- cumbersome to estimate the ment of Agriculture direc- BGRIM chairman and pres- high net worth investors on AMBODIA exported tivated under chilli cultivation, total cultivation area. tor Say Sophat claimed that ident Harald Link said the July 2-5 with debentures be- 67,547.34 tonnes of but noted that yields in the prov- But he confidently asserted chilli cultivation in the King- overwhelming response to ing issued on July 6. chillies in the first ince are not very remarkable. that the total area of vegeta- dom had been on the rise, the 12-billion-baht fundrais- Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn seven months of “Although Battambang is bles grown in the province noting the absence of official ing is truly remarkable at the Bank and Kiatnakin Phatra 2021,C an increase of nearly not a place where lots of chil- had seen a marked increase statistics. 50 per cent year-on-year, ac- lies are grown, a report on ap- since the Ministry of Agricul- He ascribed the trend to two The investors’ keen interest cording to the General Direc- plications for certificates of ture, Forestry and Fisheries main factors – an increase in torate of Agriculture. origin – to export fresh chillies launched a strategy to boost domestic demand and a hike is a sheer vote of confidence During the period, the King- to Thailand through Battam- and promote the cultivation in export prices. in BGRIM’s business and dom shipped 66,227.12 tonnes bang – from the beginning of of agricultural products. Stressing that Thailand is of fresh chilli to Thailand, up the year to date accounts for Most chilli plants are grown a big buyer of Cambodian its green energy drive 46 per cent year-on-year, and almost 40,000 tonnes,” he said. near bodies of water in the dry chillies, he noted that chilli 0.002 tonnes to the UAE, ac- He underscored that chillies season, and they produce ripe prices fluctuate largely based time when the capital market Securities Pcl acted as under- cording to the directorate’s Na- have always had a strong ex- fruit around two and a half on Thai demand. “Chillies has been depressed by the writers of the debentures. tional Phytosanitary Database. port market and that cultiva- months after sowing, according can be considered to be a Covid-19 pandemic. Link expressed gratitude And 1,320.22 tonnes of tion is showing positive signs. to Sithy. “Chillies are primarily high-demand agricultural “The investors’ keen inter- for investors’ keen interest in dried chilli were sold to Thai- “Senior officials and officials grown in Battambang to meet product in Thailand,” Sophat est is a sheer vote of confi- BGRIM’s debentures and un- land, up 10.02 per cent, 0.21 of the commerce department demand for consumption in said. dence in BGRIM’s business relenting supports. tonnes to Belgium and 0.01 always try to facilitate the ex- the province, and the little that Cambodian exports of non- and its green energy drive in The company will earmark tonnes to Canada. port of all products – not just is left over is exported.” rice agricultural products in the which these debentures are the proceeds from the deben- Battambang provincial De- to promote production and Without providing specific first seven months of this year about,” he noted. tures to repay existing debts, partment of Commerce di- cultivation, but also to bring figures, he said shipments of were valued at $2.37378 billion, BGRIM’s debentures were investing in projects and us- rector Kim Hout told The Post income to the nation.” chillies to Thailand via Bat- according to the ministry. taken by institutional investor ing them as working capital. that the price of fresh chilli in Battambang provincial De- tambang had seen sizable Last year, the Kingdom groups including life insur- The debentures offered this the province had seen a slight partment of Agriculture offi- jumps year-on-year. shipped 70,546 tonnes of ance companies, asset man- time bear reasonable costs year-on-year increase to 5,000 cial Heng Sithy noted that chil- Battambang borders Thai- fresh chillies abroad, an in- agement firms, government and would lay an investor base riel ($1.23) per kg. lies tend to be grown together land’s Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi crease of 27.08 per cent from funds, cooperatives, and oth- for future debenture offerings. He said output had increased with other vegetables on the and Trat provinces. 55,513 tonnes in 2019. er financial institutions. Supports from investors The BGRIM debentures this time endorse their confi- come in three tranches – two dence in BGRIM for its strong billion baht for a three-year performance, highly experi- maturity with interest rate enced management team and at 1.41 per cent per annum, leadership in the core busi- CSX says not involved in GoldFX row three billion baht in “Green ness of producing and selling Bond” with a five-year matu- electricity and steam with top Thou Vireak The statement comes in response to The types of securities that can be reg- rity and interest rate at 1.95 global standards. media reports and inquiries to the CSX re- istered and traded on the CSX include per cent per annum, and BGRIM has been conduct- THE Cambodia Securities Exchange lated to the case, according to the bourse. stocks and bonds, it said, adding that in- seven billion baht due in 10 ing its businesses under the (CSX) on August 3 said it is not involved The CSX noted that it is co-owned by vesting in a company’s stock makes the years with interest rate at 3.20 slogan of “Empowering the in a fraud dispute concerning derivatives the Ministry of Economy and Finance investor a shareholder in that company, per cent per annum. World Compassionately”, by broker GoldFX Investment Co Ltd. and Korea Exchange (KRX) on a 55:45 and investing in bonds makes the inves- Proceeds from the five-year extending generosity, values The CSX noted in a post that the case ratio, and is licensed by the SERC as a tor a creditor. tranche designated “Green to the society and growing was ongoing and under investigation securities exchange operator, securities Derivatives are not traded on the CSX, it Bond” will go towards the alongside Thailand. THE NATION by the Securities and Exchange Regu- clearing and settlement system opera- said, adding that using the terms “stock” development of BGRIM’s two (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK lator of Cambodia (SERC). tor, and trustee. or “share” to refer to these is incorrect. Derivatives are financial securities tied to underlying assets. Common assets in- clude commodities, currencies, stocks and bonds. An investor can purchase contracts and their return is based on the market fluctuations of the asset. People wanting to invest in CSX-listed stocks and bonds must open an account with one of the 11 securities firms that are members of the bourse, it said, add- ing that orders can be placed indepen- dently or through their broker through the Mobile Trading System (MTS). It invited aspiring investors to visit its website for more information concern- ing applicable rules and regulations as well as for daily trading statistics. As of end-June, CSX had 13 listed secu- rities – seven stocks and six bonds, and Not only was B Grimm Power Pcl’s (BGRIM) initial primary eight-billion the listed companies had cumulatively baht ($240 million) ‘Green Bond’ offering plan fully subscribed, the The Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) is co-owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and raised more than $235 million from the doubling of greenshoe options to four billion baht were snapped up Korea Exchange (KRX) on a 55:45 ratio. HEAN RANGSEY stock market, its latest figures show. as well. SUPPLIED 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business VN telecoms unveil $435M Covid package

IETNAM’S major telecom companies including Viet- tel, VNPT, Mobifone, CMC, FPT, Vietnamobile and SVCTV have announced a joint sup- port package worth 10 trillion dong ($435 million) for consumers across the Southeast Asian country. The package, which will roll out on August 5 and end in November, will double the speed of internet cable services for all internet users. Tele- com companies will also provide us- ers with a bump of 50 per cent of their cellular data at no additional cost while slashing by half the cost of the most popular data packages. All traffic to websites with Covid- 19 information such as the Ministry of Health and the virus tracking and reporting site Bluezone will be free of charge. Telephone users in areas in which social distancing is in effect un- der Government Directive 16/CT-TTg will automatically receive 50 minutes of same-network calls, free of charge. The telecom companies said they want to make it as easy as possible for people to work and study from home, in light of stricter social distancing measures that are now in place in many parts of the country. Furthermore, Viettel, VNPT and Mobifone will contribute 5,000 dong from each data package purchased or extended by users to the National Fund for Covid-19 Fighting and Pre- vention. Viettel, VNPT, FPT and CMC, in col- Viettel Telecom technicians perform network hub maintenance in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. VIETTEL laboration with the Ministry of Infor- mation and Communications, will preventing the spread of the virus. rolled out numerous discounts, sup- such as this, it’s their turn to return the The minister said Covid-19 is a good also introduce 17 online platforms “This package is another step tak- port packages and Covid-19 aware- favour,” Hung said. “Good businesses opportunity for the sector to ramp up designed to help citizens follow, re- en by the sector to support the peo- ness campaigns worth over a billion must look to nurture their market.” the speed of the country’s digitalisa- port and track the development of ple of Vietnam in the fight against US dollars. Of that, the big three Viet- “During the pandemic, the Internet tion. For example, increasing cellular Covid-19 within the country. the virus. The country will surely tel, VNPT and Mobifone, have con- has become, at times, the only means data limits without slowing down traf- Minister of Information and Com- overcome the virus to emerge in the tributed over $900 million. of communication available to con- fic speed presents the sector with a munications Nguyen Manh Hung new normal, as a stronger digital- Speaking to companies in the sec- nect citizens and the government,” challenge that requires companies to said: “The telecommunication sec- ised society,” he said. tor, the minister stressed the impor- he said. “The stricter social distancing make additional investments in tech- tor has been doing its best to ensure The ministry lauded telecom com- tance of supporting businesses and measures are the more demand there nology and infrastructure networks. the unimpeded flow of accurate and panies for their contributions to the citizens in difficult times. is for online communication. This will pay off in the long term when positive information. It is also build- national effort to fight off the pan- “In good times, people use services “Communication has played a the country makes a strong economic ing digital platforms and applica- demic. Since the beginning of 2020, provided by telecom companies and vital role in sending help to where comeback post-pandemic. VIET NAM tions, to help citizens learn about telecom companies in Vietnam have help the sector grow. In difficult times help is needed the most.” NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Inflation, weak kip drive Laos economic slowdown

THE increasing inflation rate gling economy are an insuffi- other foreign countries. regional currencies are strong According to the Ministry of amassed this year, equal to 86 and the weak kip are partly to cient supply of goods and the The depreciating value of the compared to the kip, which Finance, the amount of reve- per cent of the target figure. blame for the slow growth of rising cost to transport goods kip means that all costs are means that everyone in Laos nue collected over the past six The projected revenue short- the Lao economy. from Laos to other countries. higher, driving up the cost of purchasing goods in these cur- months totalled 11.05 trillion fall could result in the budget In the first five months of this The rising price of fuel and production as well as overall rencies must pay more when kip ($1.16 billion), equalling 40 deficit rising from 3.9 trillion year, the rate of inflation aver- Covid-19 prevention and con- living costs. using kip. This drives up the per cent of the amount planned kip, or 2.17 per cent of gross aged 2.66 per cent. This was trol measures are also posing In the first six months of cost of imports, as well as debts for the whole year. Of this fig- domestic product (GDP), to 7.9 lower than during the same challenges for the transporta- 2021, the difference in the owed. ure, domestic revenue trillion kip – 4.33 per cent of period last year but is an tion of goods. exchange rate between the kip Revenue collection is also accounted for 9.9 trillion kip, GDP. increasing trend, according to The weak value of the kip and dollar rose by 6.5 per cent lower than in the past, largely equalling 40 per cent of the However, the government the Ministry of Industry and compared to the Thai baht and compared to the same period due to a slump in the number target for this year. won’t revise the budget for this Commerce’s National Institute US dollar is driving inflation last year, while the kip-to-baht of foreign tourists, direct for- The ministry predicts that year because it has pledged to for Economic Science and because most businesses have exchange rate increased by 9.9 eign investment, and reduced revenue will fall short of the boost national revenue and Society. to import raw materials and per cent. payments by planes flying target for 2021, saying that only manage budget expenditure. Other reasons for the strug- use items purchased from The US dollar and other through Lao airspace. 23.6 trillion kip would be VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Thailand agricultural goods prices could rise: BAAC

THE price of agricultural products in from its current price of 1.98-2.02 baht standing at 6.27-6.31 baht per kg, is and subsequent drop in prices. markets – premium, general and niche Thailand is likely to rise due to per kg due to the Thai currency’s expected to rise 0.12-0.87 per cent Meanwhile, Thai exporters are cur- – which will be a positive sentiment for increased export demands and natu- depreciation. Demand for cassava has due to an increase in demand from rently preparing to export 44,000 Thai rice farmers as well,” he said. ral disasters in other countries, a also surged in China because the India, the world’s largest consumer tonnes of 100 per cent white rice to He added that the government is study conducted by the Bank for Agri- country’s worst flooding in 80 years of palm oil. Iraq for the first time in seven years also ready to promote Thai exporters culture and Agricultural Cooperatives has wiped out cornfields. However, the price of palm oil is after Baghdad had suspended the to trade agricultural products in Asia, (BAAC) revealed. Raw sugar, which is going at 12.79- expected to move in a small range import of Thai rice. the Middle East and other regions. The price of white rice with 15 per 13.17 baht per kg, can expect a boost owing to pressure from the global price Government spokesman Anucha “Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha cent moisture, which currently goes for of 1.5-4.5 per cent as China is expect- of crude oil, which is expected to drop Burapachaisri said in a Facebook post has instructed the commerce ministry 8,419-8,465 baht ($255.50-256.90) per ed to import more sugar. There is con- as the US boosts its production. on August 1 that he expected the to promote rice and other Thai agricul- tonne is expected to rise by 0.30 to 0.84 cern that Brazil, one of the world’s Jasmine rice, corn with a mois- export in the middle of this month, tural products to increase their share per cent thanks to government-to- largest sugar producers, will not be ture content of less than 14.5 per after which Thai exporters could grad- in the global market and compensate government sales agreements with able to meet its orders this year cent, raw rubber sheets, white ually export more rice to Iraq. for the slowdown in domestic con- China, Bangladesh and Indonesia. because frost damaged many sugar- shrimp and beef have been affected “The government is ready to pro- sumption due to Covid-19 and the Similarly, the price of cassava is cane fields in mid-July. by virus-control measures, result- mote Thai exporters to open more rice economic slowdown,” Anucha said. THE expected to rise 0.51 to 2.54 per cent The price of oil palm, currently ing in a drop in domestic demand markets in addition to the three main NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK wednesday, august 4, 2021 // www.phnompenhpost.com

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is committed to “Improving the Quality of Education, Science and Technology”. SUPPLIED MoEYS has set objectives and strategies to strengthen secondary education. SUPPLIED Reform of secondary education through management of schools

he Ministry of Education, with Information and Communication science subjects, STEM and foreign implemented between 2019-23. including those in the target 130 lower Youth and Sport (MoEYS) Technology (ICT). languages to meet the 21st century In order to strengthen the secondary secondary schools and across the continues to reform secondary Based on this, in the Education skills framework; (ii) improve learning education sector to be better and more Kingdom. education through the Strategic Plan 2019-23, MoEYS has set orientation towards careers and expand successful, MoEYS seeks to mobilise • Some 1,500 school staff managementT of schools with Cambodia objectives and strategies to strengthen technical education; and (iii) promote the participation of many development members and 500 Provincial Office of set to attain upper-middle-income the secondary education sub-sector as the effective implementation of the partners, in which the World Bank Education (POE) and District Office of country status by 2030, becoming a follows: curriculum framework. supports and cooperates through the Education (DOE) staff benefiting from high-income nation by 2050. “Secondary Education Improvement the School Improvement Project (SIF) In this sixth mandate, Prime Secondary Education Objective Secondary Education Objective Project” (SEIP). in the target 130 lower secondary Minister Hun Sen has set out the fourth 1: Improve access to and retention 3: Strengthening leadership and In collaboration with the World schools, while 50 government phase of the Rectangular Strategy, in equitable and inclusive secondary management at secondary education Bank, the Ministry of Education has officials benefit from the PISA for considering the development of human education. This is divided into: (i) level comprises four strategic areas: developed the following components Development Program (PISA-D). resources as a first priority. increase measures to improve school (i) improving the school-based that will benefit from this project. The • The physical improvement of The Ministry of Education is attendance and retention in secondary management approach at school direct beneficiaries of SEIP include: 130 target lower secondary schools committed to achieving its first goal of schools, especially for disadvantaged level;(ii) expanding the implementation • Approximately 16,250 students to expand access, including the “Improving the Quality of Education, groups; and (ii) expand physical of the New Generation Schools model; (50.7 per cent female) in the target 130 construction and rehabilitation of 100 Science and Technology” by focusing infrastructure and facilities for (iii) developing a school quality lower secondary schools benefiting existing schools (25 schools located in on seven reform priorities. secondary schools. assurance framework in secondary from newly constructed classrooms. towns and cities), and the construction These look at (i) teachers; (ii) the education; and (iv) strengthening the • Around 2,200 teachers (50 per of 30 new schools in communes expansion of schools at all levels; Secondary Education Objective M&E system for school inspections. cent female) enrolled in the Teacher lacking a lower secondary school. (iii) strengthening the comprehensive 2: Improve the quality of teaching It should be noted that in order Upgrading Program (TUP), and The construction plan of the 130 inspection of school management; (iv) and learning in line with 21st century to ensure the success of each approximately 310 school directors selected schools includes teacher the promotion of technical education skills. This focuses on three strategic strategy, the Ministry of Education and deputy directors enrolled in the accommodations where needed and in upper secondary education; (v) areas: (i) strengthen and expand has also set out key activities to be Leadership Upgrading Program (LUP), will be carried out through community skills education in accordance with participation construction methods. the labour market; (vi) development of This selection ensures that the comprehensive curricula and textbooks; model schools include regional and (vii) preparation for the Southeast characteristics that can be replicated in Asian Games 2023. the future. The project further includes To support the implementation of the rehabilitation of 25 existing POE the Education Strategic Plan 2019- offices and 99 DOE offices where 2023 and the Education, Youth and needed, and will be carried out through Sports Management Reform Strategy, community participation construction the Royal Government has continued methods. to invest in MoEYS. In addition to the Other beneficiaries include budget, which is the responsibility of approximately 500 parents and the government, seven major financing community leaders within the target development partners have also schools who will be encouraged to contributed. increase their participation in their One of the seven projects is the communities’ schools. “Secondary Education Improvement Through SEIP, schools need to be Project (SEIP)”, a project, which runs reformed, focusing on six key areas: (i) from 2017 to 2022, with a budget of establishing school-based management; $40 million supported by the World (ii) increasing autonomy in planning Bank. This article focuses on the and school budget management; (iii) Secondary Education Improvement staff management; (iv) strengthening Project (SEIP) in conjunction with the community roles and school Education Strategic Plan 2019-23. governance; (v) school assessment and For the secondary education sub- student evaluation; and (vi) increasing sector in 2019-23, MoEYS continues school accountability. to improve the quality of education by In conclusion, the Ministry of focusing on the following main tasks: Education has clearly stated in the (i) school administration, focusing on Education Strategic Plan that the STEM; (ii) New Generation Schools; quality of education is a priority – and (iii) work skills at the secondary school that the Ministry will spend energy and level; and (iv) English and other foreign resources on improving the quality of languages as required by schools, along Strengthening leadership and management at secondary education level comprises four strategic areas. SUPPLIED students’ learning. 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World Israel’s top court delays key verdict on evictions ISRAEL’S supreme court on August 2 delayed a decision in the case of Palestinian families facing expulsion by Israeli set- tlers in annexed east Jerusalem, an issue that exploded into armed conflict in May. Palestinians said the offer was made that they remain in their properties in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood as “pro- tected tenants” who would recognise Israeli ownership of the homes and pay a symbolic annual rent, but they refused. “They placed a lot of pressure on us to reach an agreement with the Israeli settlers in which we would be renting from the settler organisations,” said Muhammad el-Kurd, from one A policeman holds a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) along a road in Herat, Afghanistan, on Monday, as Afghan security forces try to hold off a Taliban advance. AFP of four Palestinian families at the heart of the case. “Of course this is rejected,” he said. Justice Isaac Amit called for Taliban ‘massacring civilians’: UK, US further documentation and said “we will publish a deci- FGHAN forces battled on Au- His comments came as Washing- Top US diplomat Antony Blinken “There has been relentless gunfire, sion later”, but without setting gust 2 to stop a first major city ton said that, in light of the increased also slammed the militant leaders, say- air strikes and mortars in densely a date. from falling to the Taliban as violence, it will take in thousands more ing the reports were “deeply disturbing populated areas. Houses are being August 2’s hearing was part the US and Britain accused Afghan refugees including those who and totally unacceptable”. bombed, and many people are suffer- of a years-long legal battle theA insurgents of “massacring civil- worked with the US. An Afghanistan without a democrat- ing severe injuries,” said Sarah Leahy, waged by Jewish Israeli organi- ians” in a town they recently captured Washington has already started ic, inclusive government would be a the aid group’s coordinator for Hel- sations trying to reclaim prop- near the Pakistan border. evacuating thousands of interpreters “pariah state”, he said, adding that the mand, in a statement. erty owned by Jews in east Jeru- Taliban fighters assaulted at least and their families who worked with international recognition the group Helmand for years was the cen- salem prior to Israel’s founding three provincial capitals overnight – the US military and embassy over the wants will not be possible if “seeks to trepiece of the US and British mili- in 1948. Lashkar Gah, Kandahar and Herat – past two decades. take the country by force and commits tary campaign in Afghanistan. The Palestinian residents say Jor- after a weekend of heavy fighting that The US and Britain on August 2 ac- the kind of atrocities that have been province’s vast poppy fields provide dan granted them homes on saw thousands of civilians flee the ad- cused the Taliban of atrocities that may reported”. opium for the international heroin the property after they were vancing militants. amount to “war crimes” in the town State department spokesman Ned trade, a lucrative cash source for the expelled from towns that Fighting raged in Helmand’s pro- of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents Price said the Taliban attacks show Taliban. became Israel. vincial capital Lashkar Gah, where captured last month along the border “little regard for human life”. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a Lawyer Sami Irshid, repre- the Taliban launched coordinated at- with Pakistan. “If the Taliban leadership truly sup- massive strategic and psychological senting the Palestinians, insist- tacks on the city centre and its prison The diplomatic lashing comes after ports a negotiated solution to this blow for the government, which has ed on August 2 that his clients – just hours after the government an- Afghanistan’s Independent Human conflict, as they say they do … they pledged to defend cities at all costs af- would reject the Jewish Israeli nounced the deployment of hundreds Rights Commission said the insur- must stop these horrific attacks,” he ter losing much of the rural country- claims in any arrangement. of commandos to the area. gents had indulged in revenge killings said. side to the Taliban over the summer. “We are willing to be listed as The war has intensified since early in Spin Boldak. Fighting meanwhile continued in Fighting also surged in some districts protected tenants while retain- May, with the insurgents capitalising “The Taliban chased and identified the Lashkar Gah overnight as Af- of Kandahar province, the former bas- ing our rights,” he said in court. on the final stages of the withdrawal past and present government officials ghan forces beat back a fresh Taliban tion of the insurgents, and on the out- “We will request recognition of of US-led foreign forces after almost and killed these people who had no assault. skirts of its capital. the property rights the govern- 20 years. combat role in the conflict,” the group Resident Hawa Malalai warned of In the west, hundreds of comman- ment of Jordan gave us.” President Ashraf Ghani blamed Wash- said, adding at least 40 people had a growing crisis in the southern city: dos were also defending Herat after Ilan Shemer, representing the ington for the deteriorating security. been killed by the Taliban. “There is fighting, power cuts, sick days of fierce fighting. Jewish Israelis, said: “This “The reason for our current situation “These murders could constitute war people in hospital, the telecommu- Australia-based Afghanistan expert arrangement will be an empty is that the decision was taken abrupt- crimes,” the embassies of Washington nication networks are down. There Nishank Motwani told AFP: “If Af- arrangement.” ly,” Ghani told parliament, referring to and London said in separate tweets. are no medicines and pharmacies are ghan cities fall . . . the US decision to The case has become an the withdrawal of foreign forces. Taliban leadership must be held re- closed.” withdraw from Afghanistan will be international cause, with Ghani said he had warned Washing- sponsible, they said, adding: “If you Medical charity Doctors Without remembered as one of the most no- dozens of people demonstrat- ton that the withdrawal would have cannot control your fighters now, you Border said casualties were mounting table strategic blunders in American ing outside the court on “consequences”. have no business in governance later.” in Lashkar Gah. foreign policy.” AFP August 2. AFP US vows ‘collective response’ to Iran over tanker attack The US on August 2 promised to lead attacks in waters around the Gulf. the consequences of what they’ve moned the British charge d’affaires Al-Alam, an Arabic-language net- a “collective response” against Iran in Top US diplomat Antony Blinken done,” British Prime Minister Boris and Romanian ambassador to object work run by Iran, cited sources as say- retaliation for a deadly attack on an called the Mercer Street incident “a Johnson told reporters, condemning to the “baseless” allegations over the ing that the Mercer Street incident was Israeli-linked tanker, as Tehran direct threat to freedom of navigation the “unacceptable and outrageous ship, the state-run Islamic Republic a response to an Israeli strike on an denied blame and warned against and commerce”. attack” on the ship. News Agency (Irna) said. airport in Syria but offered no details. “adventurism”. “We are in very close contact, in Iranian foreign ministry spokesman The incident came ahead of August Israeli defence minister Benny The US and Israel have both said coordination, with the United King- Saeed Khatibzadeh said Israel “must 3’s inauguration of the ultraconserv- Gantz said the ship incident amount- that their intelligence concluded that dom, Israel, Romania and other stop such baseless accusations” and ative Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s new ed to an “escalation” by Iran. an Iranian drone on July 29 attacked countries. And there will be a collec- called on the US and Britain to provide president, replacing Hassan Rouhani “This is exactly the reason we must the MT Mercer Street, managed by tive response,” Blinken told report- evidence if any to support claims of who had tried to improve relations act now against Iran, which is not just prominent Israeli billionaire Eyal ers, the second straight day he has Tehran’s responsibility. with the West. moving toward a nuclear weapon but Ofer, as it sailed off Oman. threatened retaliation. Iran “will not hesitate to protect its Israel, which sees Iran as its prima- also is bringing about a dangerous A British security guard and a Roma- Britain summoned the Iranian security and national interests, and ry adversary, has gone on the offensive arms race,” Gantz told parliament. nian crew member were killed in what ambassador and demanded that ves- will immediately and decisively against the clerical state including He said Iranian-linked militia analysts said bore all the hallmarks of sels navigate freely in the oil-rich respond to any possible adventurism”, through air strikes in war-ravaged groups will soon have “hundreds” of the “shadow war” between enemies region. Khatibzadeh said in a statement. Syria, where Tehran has been a top Iranian-built drones including in Iran and Israel, which have included “I think that Iran should face up to Iran’s foreign ministry also sum- backer of President Bashar al-Assad. Yemen and Iraq. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 ASEAN Malaysia anticipates peak of Covid wave in Aug as vaccines start to demonstrate impact

ALAYSIA expects to proportion of the population needs reach the peak of its to have received two doses and we record-breaking Covid- need to wait at least two weeks in or- 19 infection rates this der for optimal immunity. Mmonth before the impact of the “This is not likely to happen soon mass vaccination programme starts enough for new cases to show con- to show, as it enters a crucial period sistent declines within the next one before a targeted reopening of the month.” economy. Universiti Putra Malaysia epide- Ahead of the expected peak in na- miologist Malina Osman told the tionwide infections, the federal terri- Straits Times that the decline will be tory of Labuan as well as the states of a mixed pattern depending on vacci- Sarawak and Perlis will move to the nation levels in different states. third phase of Malaysia’s Covid-19 “For states like Selangor and Klang exit plan on August 4, effectively end- Valley areas, I would expect the cases ing their lockdowns, Prime Minister will start declining once the full vac- Muhyiddin Yassin said in a Facebook cination rate achieved 50 per cent post on August 2. and more, but some states like Johor, The third phase allows most busi- Malacca, Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah nesses to operate while retaining and Trengganu will show more new some Covid-19 protocols. cases or clusters while their vaccina- The three places have seen the tion rates are still relatively at a lower number of Covid-19 cases falling re- rate,” she said. cently due to high vaccination rates. Johor, Kedah and Sabah – three of Government officials and leaders the states with the lowest vaccina- expect the same to happen in other tion coverage – on August 2 reported parts of the country. more than 1,000 cases each on the Coordinating Minister for Immu- back of a recent surge. nisation Khairy Jamaluddin on Au- Khairy has said that 40 per cent of gust 2 said: “I think we are getting to Malaysia’s adults are expected to be the peak [of infections], especially in fully vaccinated before its indepen- Klang Valley. We will get to the peak dence day on August 31. Currently, the in another week or more and then country has fully vaccinated almost hopefully we will see the infection On average, over 80 per cent of daily new Covid-19 patients in Malaysia are unvaccinated. XINHUA NEWS AGENCY 30 per cent of its adult population. numbers changing.” The prime minister has said that After a surge capacity operation ley has recently declined. The region, tients requiring critical care and vaccines kicks in two weeks after the much of Malaysia could reopen for last month to ramp up inoculations, which used to account for 70 to 80 hospitalisation last month, when second dose. full economic activity by October. the Klang Valley – Malaysia’s most per cent of all new cases in Malaysia, ramped up vaccination saw 66 per Epidemiologists are more cautious He is also set to announce certain populous and also worst-hit region on August 2 had less than half of the cent of residents fully inoculated. about when the nationwide infec- relaxations for fully vaccinated in- – has now seen 96.7 per cent of its total cases reported. Deaths had more than halved in the tion rates could fall, saying that a dividuals in the coming days, which adult population receive at least one Labuan, off the coast of Sabah, has state – 45 people died of Covid-19 last decline in cases would be more vis- would allow some economic activity dose of vaccine, Khairy said. seen over 80 per cent of its adult pop- month compared with 108 in June. ible towards the end of August and to resume. Consisting much of Selangor state ulation fully inoculated, resulting in On average, over 80 per cent of beyond. Malaysia reported 15,764 cases on and the capital Kuala Lumpur, the daily cases dropping drastically from daily new Covid-19 patients in Ma- Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud, August 2, down from 17,150 a day ear- Klang Valley is home to more than the hundreds to single digits, and the laysia are unvaccinated. For patients chairman of the Covid-19 Epide- lier and the record high of 17,786 cas- seven million people, or over one- closure of a field hospital. who have “vaccination history”, the miological Analysis and Strategies es on July 31. There was also a record fifth of the country’s population. On August 1, Sarawak said there health ministry does not specify the Task Force said: “One also needs to of 219 deaths on August 2. THE STRAITS The number of cases in Klang Val- had been a noticeable drop in pa- level of vaccination. Full efficacy of remember that a sufficiently large TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Gov’t pushes to okay Vietnam jab for emergency use

THE Vietnamese health minis- infections while vaccine supply Phase III trials are being con- cent, but further monitoring is and lives of the Vietnamese conditions for companies and try on August 2 asked Ho Chi is still limited amid a global ducted with 13,000 volunteers, needed. people, be more proactive in individuals to participate in Minh City-based biopharma- shortage. divided into two parts, IIIa with In tandem with applying for vaccine rollout and reduce the production of Covid-19 ceutical company Nanogen, The meeting included lead- 1,000 people and IIIb with conditional approval for emer- dependency on foreign vaccine vaccines, having mobilised developer of the Covid-19 vac- ers of the ministry’s Depart- 12,000 people. gency use, Nanogen is also imports. many industry-leading scien- cine Nano Covax, to submit ment of Science and Technol- The 13,000 first doses in requesting the ministry to con- “The good news is the [Nano tists in the country to partici- results of Phase II and initial ogy-Training, the Military Phase III have been adminis- sider Phase IIIc trials, which Covax] vaccine seems to be safe pate in the assessment of vac- Phase III trials to be reviewed Medical Academy, the Nation- tered, with the second dose would involve 500,000 to one and can elicit high level of cines. for emergency approval. al Institute of Hygiene and Epi- expected to be completed million volunteers. Trials of the [SARS-CoV-2] neutralising The health official wants Deputy minister Tran Van demiology, and the Pasteur before mid-August, according vaccine on children 12-18 years antibodies,” he said. “But we Nanogen to submit a report on Thuan, leader of the ministry’s Institute in Ho Chi Minh City to the company. old would be conducted once have not yet had enough data research results for Phase II special task force on clinical tri- and was held to review the cur- Surrogate virus neutralisa- the full approval is obtained. on the protective properties of and initial Phase III, so that the als and development of Covid- rent progress and find ways to tion tests (sVNT) for the 1,000 Deputy minister Thuan said the vaccine, more time and National Ethics Committee in 19 vaccines, made the request facilitate the clinical trials and people involved in Phase IIIa, the ministry is anticipating the more study are needed.” Biomedical Research can start during a progress meeting with push for reports on data of revealed 100 per cent produc- domestically researched and The ministry has purport- evaluation for emergency experts, as the country deals phases I, II, III (a, b) of the Nano tion of neutralising antibodies manufactured Covid-19 vac- edly always supported and approval for Nano Covax. VIET with a severe fourth wave of Covax vaccine. at levels higher than 30 per cine will help protect the health created the most favourable NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Filipinos benefit from drug war deaths, Duterte says

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Filipino. “My family? Did they benefit the so-called NCR Plus – composed of of the virus, especially of the Delta (PDEA). Duterte says it was Filipinos – and not from those [expletive] dead? Who ben- Metro Manila and the provinces of variant. Other sources have higher figures, him nor his family – who “benefitted” efitted? It’s you, your children. It’s our Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna – Ano has already ordered stricter such as the UN Office of the High from the deaths in his administration’s country that benefitted.” due to the rising cases of the more border control in the region, ordering Commissioner for Human Rights drug war. “Who was put in danger? It’s me, my transmissible Delta variant of the the placement of quarantine control (OHCHR), which put the number of Duterte insisted on this in his taped family, their lives. They [relatives of the novel coronavirus. points at the borders of Bulacan, Riz- deaths at 8,663 as of March last year. weekly briefing with interior secretary dead] will seek revenge. I’m not a mil- “The campaign against illegal drugs al, Cavite and Laguna. Still other human rights organiza- Eduardo Ano that aired late on August lionaire who has a squad behind to will continue until they [drug dealers] Once the region is under ECQ, the tions pegged the death toll at over 2 in an expletive-laden rant about guard me. It’s me who has a problem are all gone, even if we are facing a control points will be transferred 20,000. human rights advocates’ criticisms of now. Those who benefitted, in truth, pandemic at this time,” he said in within the borders of Metro Manila. According to a recent study con- the drug war. are you Filipinos.” Filipino. The number of those killed in drug ducted by the University of the Philip- “Let’s assume that what they say Ano said the drug war would con- According to the interior secretary, war operations stood at 6,165 from the pines, the Duterte administration’s about human rights [violations] is true. tinue right through the enhanced the “hard lockdown” would require time Duterte took office until July 28, drug war has killed an average of two [Expletive]. Who benefitted? Me? Was community quarantine (ECQ) that support and cooperation to achieve according to official records of the people a day. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA it me who benefitted?” Duterte said in will be enforced from August 6-20 in maximum effect and halt the spread Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency NEWS NETWORK 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com Medals not be all and end EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Managing Editor sam rith all of Olympic Games Deputy Managing Editor phuon chansereivuth Opinion Chief of Staff phak seangly Yi Jiandong Business Editor FTER being deferred May kunmakara for a year due to the Deputy Business Editor novel coronavirus sangeetha amarthalingam pandemic, the Tokyo Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk 2020A Olympic Games was pan simala finally declared open at the Senior Reporters Meas sokchea, niem chheng, Mom kunthear opening ceremony on July 23, but without spectators. Reporters Despite the pandemic and khouth sophak chakrya, kim sarom, other challenges, thousands long kimmarita, hin pisei, hong raksmey, of athletes from across the pann rethea, Voun dara, roth sochieata, world have gathered in Tokyo orm Bunthoeurn, ry sochan, to not only win medals but lay samean, thou Vireak, nov sivutha also to display human Photographers beings’ fighting spirit and heng chivoan, hong Menea, hean rangsey determination to overcome Web Editor all odds. Not for nothing is leang phannara the Olympics considered the Digital Team most prominent internation- sous chanthy, pang Vichea, suy sovandy al sports competition. Desktop Publishing Inspired by the ancient suon savatdy, chum sokunthy, danh Borath, Olympic Games held in than Veasna Greece, Baron Pierre de Cou- SIEM REAP BUREAU bertin organised the first Offi ce Manager modern Olympics in Athens sophearith Blondeel in 1896. Since then, the Sum- PRODUCTION & PRINTING mer Games has been held nhim sokphyrak every four years it was can- Commercial and Graphic Designer celed in 1916 because of tep thoeun thyda, tim Borith World War I, and in 1940 and 1944 due to World War II.

Thanks to the Olympic Movement, the Olympics has grown from a relatively small- HEAD OFFICE scale sports competition Post Media Co., Ltd. among a few countries to a The medals and tray to be used for the medal ceremonies at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games are seen during an event to mark 50 days to the The Elements Condominium Level 7, mega sports gala in which opening ceremony, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on June 3. afp Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, more than 200 countries par- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom ticipate under the framework other sports powers like Rus- his/her country. However, the Penh, Cambodia damental principles of Olym- est the country has sent to a of the Olympic Charter. Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 sia, Germany, Great Britain, most important thing in the pics are embodied in the sports event overseas. The Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 To ensure that all sports France, Italy, China, Austral- Olympics is not winning a Olympic Charter, which also country is also set to host the Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 disciplines are represented in ia, Sweden and Hungary. medal but participating. True, sets the guidelines governing 2022 Winter Olympics in Bei- SIEM REAP the Olympics, the Interna- A total of 119 countries and the Olympic motto is “Faster, the Olympic Movement. jing in February next year. No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune tional Olympic Committee regions have participated in Higher, Stronger” with The Olympic Games is “All forms of sport for every- Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 held the first Winter Olym- the Winter Games since 1924, “Together” added to it at the against any form of discrimi- one; that is no doubt a formu- COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT pics in Chamonix, France, in but only 39 of them have won ongoing Tokyo Games but nation on grounds of coun- la which is going to be criti- Chief Operating Offi cer 1924. The Summer Games at least one gold medal. participation and sportsman- try, region, race, religion, cised as madly utopian,” James ong soon teck and the Winter Games were Olympics and other global Baron Pierre de Coubertin Advertising Department held in the same year till sports events provide ath- The Olympic Games is against said. He was committed to chap narith, 017 996 241 1992. But according to the letes with opportunities to spreading sports to every cor- hun channet, 017 578 768 IOC’s decision in 1986, they attain international fame. any form of discrimination on ner of the world so people prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 were placed in different four- They also provide an oppor- grounds of country, region, race, would learn the value of hard keo puthy, 012 966 605 year cycles, with the next tunity for the host city and work and respect the spirit of paing patrya, 081 872 202 Winter Games after 1992 country to project their religion, gender and ideology sacrifice. Over the years, the Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 being held in 1994. achievements in different Olympic Movement has CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION To date, 108 countries and fields, including their sports ship represent the true spirit gender and ideology. It is gained in strength while Acting Distribution Manager regions have won at least one prowess, to the world. of the Olympics. about inclusion, and hard spreading the spirit of solidar- thenh rithy, 087 888 854 gold medal, and 147 coun- Every athlete carries the And it is widely believed that work and sacrifice, rather ity and mutual understanding Circulation Supervisor tries and regions have won a weight and good wishes of his Olympics brings out the best than success. It is also about across the world the spirit of nou chanthy, 096 999 2828 medal of any type in the or her country. And winning sportsmanship among ath- open hearts and open minds. building a community with a yim Veasna, 015 814 499 Summer Olympics. When it an Olympic medal, especially letes, because the essential The Tokyo Summer Games, shared future for mankind. ADMINISTRATION comes to the total number of a gold medal, is the dream of thing in Olympics is not to win we hope, proves to be the pro- china daily/asia news network Admin & HR Manager pich socheat medals won at the Summer every athlete. An Olympic but to compete fairly. The verbial light at the end of the Assistants Admin & HR Manager Games, the United States medal represents the pride of Olympics represents the noble pandemic tunnel. The Chinese The writer is an expert in Olympic nhel soaphea leads the table, followed by not only the athlete but also virtues of humanity. The fun- delegation to Tokyo is the larg- Studies​​ Financial Director heang tangmeng Chief Accountant sren Vicheka Treasurers sok sophorn, yon sovannara, cheam sopheak, huy hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong oun

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n HER yellow-and-white bookings come via Instagram. striped beach hut, Melanie For an upcoming client, she Whitehead boils the kettle is arranging a photographer for a cup of tea and sits and a cream tea delivery. He Igazing out over the North Sea. plans to surprise his wife with Brightly painted wooden a proposal to renew their huts like hers line England’s wedding vows. coastline and have enjoyed a boom during the pandemic, ‘Grown-up Wendy house’ as people rediscover seaside Stimson, 46, used to com- breaks close to home. mute to London to head a In the resort of Walton-on- charity that promotes diver- the-Naze in Essex, eastern sity in the PR industry. England, beach huts run along Wanting to spend more time the shore for miles, in some with her family, she and her places rising up in five tiers. husband started their business Huts in the area have sold for three years ago with three huts. over £80,000 ($111,000), said This year they are renting Barry Hayes of Boydens estate out seven of their own and agent, based in the adjoining managing three more. resort of Frinton-on-Sea. Her own family uses a hut That amounts to nearly a Brightly painted named Queenie after her third of the £255,000 average wooden beach great-grandmother. huts line England’s house price in the UK, but coastline and have Painted bright green, it has it’s far from a record: a hut in enjoyed a boom space-saving elements such Dorset on the Channel coast during the pandemic, as a fold-down table, storage sold for £330,000 this month. as people rediscover bench and overhead storage seaside breaks Despite such astronomi- for paddleboards. close to home. AFP cal prices, the huts are basic: “It is a bit like a grown-up most lack mains water or Wendy house,” Stimson said, electricity, and staying the the pandemic when her hus- with a patchwork quilt, and bake scones. owner, she is well aware of the describing a children’s play- night is prohibited. band and daughter were both colourful blankets she cro- “It’s perfect. It comes into pitfalls, however: the need for house. As huge waves crash onto at home constantly. cheted herself. its own on a horrible day,” regular repairs and the risk of The pandemic-related the esplanade at Walton- It has white-painted walls A gas cylinder powers a hob Whitehead said. vandalism by bored teenagers. surge in prices means Stim- on-the-Naze, inhabitants and a narrow couch topped and oven, which she uses to As a seasoned beach hut She is chairman of the lo- son’s family has no current read books and newspapers, cal beach hut association and plans to buy more, though. snooze or chat, often in multi- carries out regular patrols. Prices have roughly dou- generational groups. Many owners live far away bled locally in a year. and can’t keep an eye on their “The last one we sold was ‘Endless cups of tea’ huts, Whitehead said. over £80,000,” said Hayes, the Huts have names such as Many huts are also rented estate agent, calling the pan- Paradise Found and Serenity. out by the day, some offering demic a “game-changer”. Outside one, a group of Instagram-worthy features An average hut in Frinton- women are drinking prosecco, such as cocktail bars or table on-Sea, seen as more up-mar- celebrating 60 years of friend- football. ket than Walton-on-the-Naze, ship since primary school. Sarah Stimson, who runs goes from £50,000 to £60,000. Whitehead, a 49-year-old a rental business called Wal- “Last year we were selling former town planner, does ton-on-the-Naze Beach Huts, those for 30-ish,” he said. not use her hut for its historic says this has been her best As changes to rules on for- purpose of changing into a year yet. eign travel make planning swimming costume. All her huts are fully booked holidays difficult, “that un- “I really hate swimming and until September. certainty will keep the inter- going into the water,” she said. “I think Covid has made est inflated for the time be- She is clear about the hut’s people look for certain things ing”, Hayes predicted. real purpose: to “make end- to do in the UK,” she said. “It’s Whatever the market does, less cups of tea”. made us a bit more visible.” Whitehead is not going any- The hut, which she bought Most renters are women in where. “I can get snug in here, in 2008 for £6,000, has proved their 20s and 30s with fam- look at the view, and forget a welcome getaway during People sit outside beach huts on the promenade at Walton-on-the-Naze, in southeast England. AFP ily in tow, and 70 per cent of about the world really.” AFP ‘AirBubble’ offers respite from Warsaw pollution At A new playground in central The list was created based on the On a recent warm afternoon, chil- Warsaw, algae feast on pollutants average level over the past two years dren of various ages monkeyed and carbon dioxide to provide a of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), around in the bubble: shrieking, bubble of clean oxygen in a city the air pollutant with the highest laughing, they hopped on rubber ranked as one of the most polluted impact on health. bubbles and swung from rope. capitals in the EU. The EEA blames air pollution – “This is fun,” shouted eight-year- “There is untapped value in bringing caused in large part by the burning old Ania, while jumping. the bio-intelligence of natural systems of coal – for an estimated 50,000 Her mother, Malgorzata Wrona, also into cities,” said Marco Poletto, co- premature deaths per year in the applauded the eco-friendly concept. founder of the ecoLogicStudio urban country of 38 million people. “It’s pretty cool. Especially in a big design firm behind the project. The bubble is outfitted with dozens city right? Because you know: pollu- He suggests “turning buildings of glass cylinders containing algae tion and smog and everything,” the into living machines that produce immersed in water that feast on air 42-year-old English teacher said. energy, store CO2 and clean the air,” being pumped in from below. “This gives the kids, at least, a according to a statement. The green organisms consume chance to breathe some fresh air.” The Polish capital was selected for polluting molecules and carbon She said that where they live, in the inaugural edition of the AirBub- dioxide before releasing clean oxy- the western city of Wroclaw, many ble as the city is in particular need gen out the top of the bioreactors. people still heat their homes with of clean air. The small circular playground is coal, so the air quality is “terrible”. According to data released by the located next to the riverside Coper- The AirBubble will be in place European Environment Agency nicus Science Centre, which sta- until November for now, but could (EEA) last month, Warsaw ranks tions an employee there to answer possibly become a permanent fix- 269th for air quality on a list of 323 any questions and make sure no ture. There are plans to install bub- European cities. one gets hurt. bles in other cities too. AFP Nine-year-old Anielka plays in an AirBubble in Warsaw, Poland. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Silvio Molin-Pradel proudly shows varieties of ice cream at his family’s shop at Schwedenplatz square in Vienna, Austria. AFP How Italians sold ice cream to the masses esidents of the Austrian capital have open shops in Vienna rather than just selling ice queued for more than 130 years to cream from carts. sample the Italian ice cream of the “The Viennese were already used to sweets . . . Molin-Pradel family, one of Vienna’s so it wasn’t hard to then serve this cold product,” oldestR gelato dynasties. Molin-Pradel, who keeps his recipes a secret, “He helped democratise ice cream, which said as he stands in the back of his salon at before was reserved for the wealthy,” Silvio Schwedenplatz. Molin-Pradel says of his great-great-grandfather At the central, tree-lined square in the heart Arcangelo, who began selling it out of pushcarts of Vienna, the family still produces artisanal ice “COLOUR SCHEME” in Vienna in 1886. cream. More than a century later, ice cream consump- Each day in summer, about 5,000 customers ACROSS 55 “___ be an honor” 23 Fishhook-attaching line tion among Austrians is higher than in neigh- order from dozens of flavours, ranging from tra- 1 Regrets 57 “... as bad as they ___” 26 Team supporters bouring Italy. ditional ones like chocolate and vanilla to avo- 5 Emirate inhabitants 59 They’re used to pitching 27 Business bigwig, briefly And it was entrepreneurs like Arcangelo cado, lavender and hemp. 10 More than diet 62 Buy in a hurry 28 Melancholy Molin-Pradel, born into poverty in northern “Every Viennese will tell you that ‘their’ Italian 14 Dreaded character 66 Yellow-and-ebony flowers 30 Not fixable Italy’s Dolomite Alps, who were among the first ice-cream maker is better,” says Molin-Pradel. 15 Not secure, as a gem 68 English river to the Trent 32 Bag type to benefit from the sweet tooth of the “The colours must be pastel. It is a guarantee 16 Handbag for needles 69 Blender setting 34 Catania’s volcano Viennese. of quality,” he says, adding that the business has 17 Hunter’s prey, sometimes 70 Baby foxes 36 Fragrant flowers The high cost of sugar, milk and refrigera- expanded, including selling their ice cream 20 Cold pie 71 Dandelion, for one 38 Well-lubricated 72 Go on a spree tion – years before electric freezing was through some Vienna supermarkets. 21 Cozy place on a winter’s night 39 Sprinkler hookup 73 Money swallower 22 “___ Island” (2008 film) 40 Over again invented – meant ice cream was long reserved DOWN for aristocrats. Lasting tradition 24 Conger 42 Debts, ledgerwise 1 Baseball’s “Schoolboy” But ingenious Italians like the Molin-Pradels Out of roughly 370 ice-cream shops in Austria, 25 Flanders on TV 43 Ready for a vacation? 26 A 2 may stand for it (Abbr.) 2 Expressions of disdain changed that, producing ice cream based on about 40 are still run by Italians in the small 48 Brews, as tea 29 Military vehicle 3 “CHiPs” star Estrada 50 McDonald’s board water and fruit extract. Alpine nation of almost nine million people, 31 Make a decision 4 Arrive, as darkness 52 Bend like an arch according to the Austrian Economic Chamber. 33 Car part 5 Robots Ice cream migration 53 Worth Its data also show that Austria boasts an aver- 35 Raze (with “down”) 6 Some strands in a cell 54 Cover your tracks? Originally from Zoldo, six hours from Vienna age per capita consumption of more than 60 37 Big fuss 7 “___ I care!” 56 Become free of moisture by car these days, the Molin-Pradels, like other scoops per year, or about eight litres of ice cream 41 What some take on a tough issue 8 Be in contradiction with 58 Disguise parts, sometimes families, were so poor that migrating for sea- – more than in Italy, with an average consump- 44 It’s just part of an act 9 Like most new TV’s 60 Chilled, in a way sonal work was part of life – whether to work as tion of six litres. 45 A deadly sin 10 Some badge flashers 61 Like the Sahara seafarers, lumberjacks or ice cream makers. From one generation to the next, the gelato 46 “Or ___!” (veiled threat) 11 Had a home-cooked meal 63 Milkmaid’s need Vienna became one of the ice-cream makers’ makers’ skills and knowledge were passed on, 47 Commercial come-ons 12 Fancy leather 49 Period of service 64 “Render therefore ___ Caesar ...” first destinations outside Italy, says Maren Moe- “which explains their success”, Moehring says. 13 Ready to crash 51 Archer’s wood 65 Confidential call hring, a history professor at the University of While ice-cream makers in earlier times would 18 Send forth 52 Dec. 24, for one 67 Leonine lair Leipzig in Germany. typically return to Italy to take care of the har- 19 Oracle site The Italian migrants’ “frozen stuff” as some vests in the Alps by mid-August, today the sea- called it quickly became popular with ordinary son lasts well into October. Tuesday’s solution Viennese. Even today, Pradel-Molin goes on a pilgrim- This sparked the ire of Austrian bakers, who age to his ancestral home of Zoldo at the end perceived them as “dangerous competition”, of each season. It’s still his source of inspiration Moehring says. to keep up with the latest flavours and other In 1894, the ice-cream makers got the right to industry secrets, he says. AFP

Tuesday’s solution

For more than 130 years, Viennese have been queueing for the Italian ice cream of the Molin-Pradel family. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Top orders to be tested as England face India

atsmen on both with 64 wickets in 10 match- World Cup and bilateral over- sides are set to face es at under 20 apiece. seas tours after the end of this a stiff examination series, which could mean that when an England Ready some of India’s multi-format teamB without Ben Stokes India, however, also have an stars are on the road for more face India in the first Test impressive seam attack featur- than seven months, with the in Nottingham starting on ing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah Indian Premier League having Wednesday. and Mohammed Shami, Ishant been moved to the UAE be- Although England captain Sharma and Mohammad Siraj. cause of rising Covid-19 infec- Joe Root boasts an impres- “We expect England to give tion rates in India itself. sive Test average of 48.68, the us such wickets, this is their Root, talking about Stokes next best in his side belongs home conditions,” said vice- on Monday, said: “From my to opener Rory Burns, with captain Rahane, with India point of view, I just want my 33.23. having been in England for friend to be OK.” Zak Crawley in particular several weeks since a World He added: “In terms of has seen his Test returns de- Test Championship final loss scheduling, that’s way off my cline dramatically since mak- to New Zealand. remit. We have tried as best ing a brilliant 267 against Pak- “We are not too worried we can over the last year to istan, with a mere 123 runs in about what wickets they are look after the players in terms 12 subsequent innings. giving us. We are ready.” of resting and rotating, giving Following England’s 1-0 se- The series may be decided guys the opportunity to get ries loss to New Zealand in by which team copes best with out of very difficult environ- June – their first home cam- the Covid restriction surround- ments so that they can be as paign reverse in seven years ing players on both sides. fresh for as long as possible.” – former captain Alastair Cook It was announced on Friday Root requires a mere 22 said the current top order that key all-rounder Stokes runs to succeed Cook as his “can’t handle” the pressure of England’s Ollie Pope bats during a training session at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham, central was taking an “indefinite country’s top run scorer in all Test cricket. England on August 2, ahead of the first Test match between England and India.AFP break from all cricket” to pri- formats, and is just one win There are worries too about oritise his mental health. away from surpassing Michael India’s batsmen ahead of a five- cussion after being hit on the tralia last year with 112 in maximise the skills of veteran England and India, two of Vaughan’s record of 26 as Eng- match campaign that comes head batting in the nets on Melbourne, has passed fifty England new-ball duo Stuart world cricket’s biggest draw- land’s Test captain. 50 years after the tourists’ first Monday. just once in 13 subsequent Broad – playing on his Not- cards, have made little con- Root, while acknowledging series win in England. Cheteshwar Pujara, mean- Test innings. tinghamshire home ground – cession to the coronavirus by the value of personal runs, India captain and star bats- while, averages under 30 in Just as India prepared pitch- and James Anderson to be on continuing to pursue packed said: “Test cricket is not about man Virat Kohli has not scored England. es favouring their spinners show this week. schedules that can be espe- you as an individual. a Test hundred in nearly two And Ajinkya Rahane, since during a 3-1 win at home to Anderson, England’s all- cially onerous for multi-for- “It is about winning for years, while opener Mayank kick-starting India’s stun- England earlier this year, it time leading wicket-taker, mat stars such as Stokes. England and contributing to Agarwal was ruled out of the ning revival during their would be no surprise were has an especially brilliant Both sides face a gruelling something bigger than your- first Test with suspected con- eventual series win in Aus- a green surface designed to Test record at Trent Bridge, programme, including the T20 self.” AFP Kane skips Spurs return amid Man City transfer talk

Harry Kane reportedly failed to turn up for his Cup final defeat against Manchester City. scheduled pre-season tests with Tottenham on He believes he has a ‘gentleman’s agree- Monday amid mounting speculation the striker ment’ with Tottenham which allows him to wants to force a move to Manchester City. move this year. England captain Kane was due back at Tot- But with three years left on his contract, Tot- tenham’s training headquarters for a coronavi- tenham chairman Daniel Levy has no intention rus test and a fitness assessment following his of selling his club’s prized asset, who is valued three-week holiday after Euro 2020. at around £150 million ($208 million). However, it was widely reported Kane did not Kane has been in the Bahamas following Eng- make an appearance at Tottenham’s Enfield land’s Euro 2020 final loss to Italy. base, sparking fresh talk that he is determined With the top-flight season due to start on to engineer a transfer to Premier League cham- August 13, Kane appears to intend to push for a pions Manchester City. move. Tottenham, who ironically face Pep Guardio- It could be a rocky road for Kane if he steps up la’s team on the opening weekend of the new his demand to leave, with some Tottenham fans Premier League season, have declined to com- expressing their anger at his training ground ment about Kane’s absence. snub on social media. The 28-year-old went public with his desire to New Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was leave Tottenham at the end of last season. reportedly assured Kane would not be sold dur- Kane has grown frustrated at Tottenham’s fail- ing discussions before he took charge. ure to win a major trophy since 2008, with their Nuno said last month that Kane could be England’s forward Harry Kane scores during the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2020 final football latest letdown coming in last season’s League “counted on” next season. AFP match against Italy at the Wembley Stadium on July 11. AFP Miracle-seeking Vermeulen trains with Springboks Duane Vermeulen, attempting a miracu- Head coach Jacques Nienaber has ruled ons is scrum-half Faf de Klerk, who went lous Test comeback from an ankle injury, out selecting the 2019 Rugby World Cup off with a hamstring injury during the sec- trained with the Springboks on Monday winner if there is the slightest doubt about ond half of a 27-9 triumph last Saturday. assistant coach Deon Davids said. his fitness. Were De Klerk ruled out, Herschel Jantjies The back-row forward underwent sur- “We will never risk a player who is not would be the obvious replacement with gery two months ago after being hurt in a 100 per cent fit, but he brings experience third-choice Cobus Reinach promoted to domestic match and was written off as a to the squad and it will be great to have the bench. possible starter in the three-Test series him with us,” he said. Meanwhile, Nienaber has added winger against the British and Irish Lions. Before flying from his Pretoria home to Rosko Specman, scrum-half Jaden Hen- But the number eight joined the camp Cape Town at the weekend, Vermeulen drikse, hooker Johan Grobbelaar and loose on Sunday amid speculation as to what underwent weeks of intense rehabilitation forward Dan du Preez to the squad. role he may play in the series-deciding at his franchise, the Bulls. Specman and Du Preez were released third Test against the tourists in Cape Town Davids said the presence of Vermeulen, recently when the squad was trimmed on Saturday. who turned 35 last month, had an immedi- while Hendrikse and Grobbelaar have With flanker and 2019 World Rugby ate positive impact on the camp. been called up for the first time. Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit “It is really fantastic to have Duane back “We have a tough Rugby Championship nursing a shoulder injury, there have been with the group and he joined our training series after the Lions and, given the strict suggestions that Vermeulen could start, or session today,” he told an online news Covid-19 protocols we adhere to, decided be on the bench. conference. to bring the players in sooner rather than If the third Test has come too soon for “He has already been part of our review later,” said Nienaber. A South African roling maul collapses during the second rugby union Vermeulen and he could be deployed to sessions. We will hopefully have more South Africa start their campaign in the Test match between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions at The offer guidance and assistance with training details about his injury tomorrow.” Southern hemisphere Rugby Champion- Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 31. AFP and analysis. Another concern for the world champi- ship against Argentina on August 14. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 4, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Simone Biles makes belated Tokyo gold bid, athletics conclude with thrilling track final

imone Biles will make her long-awaited bid for an in- dividual gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, whileS the men’s 400m hurdles and women’s 200m finals take centre stage on the track. American superstar gymnast Biles, who won four gold medals in Rio five years ago, has said she is struggling with the “twisties”, a condition where gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air. She dramatically pulled out of last week’s team competition final after one vault as Team USA took silver, and said she feared for her mental health. The 19-time world champion sub- sequently withdrew from the all- around final and three of the four apparatus finals – the floor, vault and uneven bars. But Biles will be back in the last women’s final of the Games, on the beam, and all eyes will be watching to see how she handles the pressure. Although it is not her strongest ap- paratus, the 24-year-old is a three- time beam world champion and took Olympic bronze in 2016. Victory would be one of the great comeback stories, with Biles hav- ing documented her mental health struggles during the Games in regu- lar social media posts. Biles had arrived in Tokyo seeking five gold medals to equal the all-time Olympic record for a female compet- itor of nine. The Olympic Stadium is also set for a dramatic day, with potential world- record bids. Simone Biles competes in the floor event of the artistic gymnastic women’s qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25. AFP Norwegian star Karsten Warholm, who broke a 29-year world record Another world-record holder, Swe- thrilling women’s 200m final. 2012 silver medallist Fraser-Pryce. due to elevated testosterone levels. earlier this year, will renew his rivalry den’s Armand Duplantis, is a hot fa- Jamaicans Elaine Thompson-Her- Thompson-Herah, who recorded “I hope to run a good time and get with the United States’ Rai Benjamin vourite for a men’s pole vault final ah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will a blistering 21.66secs in Monday’s a medal. I just do my best.” in the 400m hurdles final to close out which lost some of its lustre with the go head-to-head again after the for- semi-finals, and Fraser-Pryce could Elsewhere, Britain’s Jason Kenny the morning session. withdrawal of world champion Sam mer denied her compatriot a record be challenged by 2016 400m winner will attempt to win his seventh “I’m excited for the final,” said Kendricks after a positive Covid-19 third 100m gold by defending her Shaunae Miller-Uibo, rising US star Olympic gold in the men’s track cy- Benjamin, who took silver behind test. title on Saturday. Gabby Thomas and Namibian teen- cling team sprint final. Warholm at the 2019 world champi- “I just have to go out and run the ager Christine Mboma. Gold medals are also up for onships in Doha. Jamaican duo face off again best race that I can, run and hope “I just come here for the experi- grabs in boxing, canoeing, diving, “It feels great to go through, but the The athletics schedule con- that I put myself in a very good po- ence,” said 18-year-old Mboma, who sailing, weightlifting and wres- job’s not done.” cludes with what promises to be a sition to stand on the podium,” said was not allowed to run in the 400m tling. AFP Hassan wins Olympic 5,000m in 1st step in treble gold bid

Dutch runner Sifan Hassan sprinted to gold in the 5,000m produced a devastating final- “When I fell down and had to her then coach Alberto Salazar, Forming an orderly double- took a first, giant step in her Monday – but admitted she lap sprint to time 14min jump up I felt like I was using the head of the now-disbanded filed pack, the race almost had bid for an unprecedented had been “so scared”. 36.79sec. so much energy,” she said after Nike-funded Oregon Project. the feel of a training run, but Olympic treble when she Ethiopian-born Hassan, 28, Her victory was all the more her victory in the 5,000m. The 5,000m in Tokyo had with two laps to go, a lead remarkable given she had com- “I couldn’t believe the feel- promised to be a potential group of seven broke free, peted, and fallen, in the 1,500m ings in my legs. All the energy banana skin. although an outright attack heats earlier in the day. seemed to leave me. In Ethiopians Tsegay, Ejgaye- never materialised. Kenya’s two-time world “Before the race here I didn’t hu Taye and Senbere Teferi, Obiri led Tsegay and Taye champion Hellen Obiri claimed even care. and Kenya’s Obiri and Agnes through the bell with Hassan 5,000m silver in 14:38.36, with “I was so tired. Without coffee Tirop, the entry list featured immediately moving up Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay taking I would never be Olympic cham- five of the world’s 10 fastest through the field and into the bronze with 14:38.87. pion. I needed all the caffeine. ever over the distance. lead down the back straight. Any fears Hassan might have “I was so scared I wasn’t But she was happy to bide her Hitting the front with 250 to ride out tactics designed to going to do it.” time, eventually moving into metres to go, Hassan put on the thwart her from east African Hassan arrived in Tokyo aim- the slipstream of the trio of afterburners, chased by Obiri, rivals Ethiopia and Kenya came ing not just for the 5,000m, but Ethiopians, Obiri and Tirop, but the Dutchwoman pro- to nothing in a slow-paced race also the 1,500m and 10,000m Kenyan-born Turk Yasemin Can duced a startling sprint finish that ended with an almighty in an unprecedented tilt at and Ethiopian-born Israeli Sela- to cap an incredible day’s run- bang that perfectly suited her middle-distance dominance. mawit Teferi. ning and herald an excellent explosive finishing skills. She became the first athlete Japanese pacer Ririka Hiro- start to her attempt to take It came after Hassan used up to achieve the 1,500m and naka fell off with six laps to home three golds. a lot of energy in falling at the 10,000m world double in Doha go and Taye took up the run- “Unless we try this, nothing bell of her 1,500m heat and in 2019, an astonishing display ning, but with neither the is impossible,” Hassan said. Sifan Hassan celebrates winning the women’s 5,000m final during the clawed back a huge gap to given that it coincided with a Kenyans nor other Ethiopi- “We have to try and then we Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Monday. AFP qualify for the semi-finals. four-year ban handed down to ans showing any urgency. can say it is impossible.” AFP