monday, March 15, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3626 / 4000 RIEL work underway on US orders FEMA Cambodian-US crematoriums for to help with child filmmaker wins victims of covid-19 migrant surge festival award national – page 2 World – page 9 Lifestyle – page 12 Provinces tighten travel restrictions

Long Kimmarita measures follows government direc- He added that such restrictions were will also provide food for them. For crossing the border into Cambodia tives requiring that each province due to the fact that the province cur- people coming from areas of low risk, from Vietnam. UTHORITIES in some prov- be prepared to protect itself by tight- rently has no known Covid-19 trans- we allow them to enter as normal by Similarly, Siem Reap provincial gov- inces have restricted entry ening security to prevent commu- mission within the community, which just checking their health,” he said. ernor Tea Seiha has also instructed the at their borders by setting nity transmission. is why the provincial administration Dong said although Tbong Khmum armed forces and health department’s up checkpoints and requir- Tbong Khmum Provincial Hall’s must take strict measures to prevent has no Covid-19 cases linked to the working group to set up checkpoints ingA travellers suspected of any expo- administration chief Mao Dong told the disease from spreading there. February 20 community outbreak, at the six main gateways to the prov- sure to persons or places linked to the The Post on March 14 that people living “We require 14 days quarantine for there are currently approximately 500 ince to ensure that people suspected February 20 community outbreak of in the capital and provinces at high risk people who are coming from suspect- people in quarantine centres there as of being infected with Covid-19 Covid-19 to quarantine for 14 days. for Covid-19 need to be quarantined for ed high-risk areas in one of our desig- of March 14. The 500 are people trav- The imposition of these restrictive 14 days before being allowed to enter. nated quarantine locations, where we elling from other provinces and those Continued – page 2 Trade chambers ask GDT to delay income-tax date May Kunmakara tracing efforts, recommenda- tions that 90 per cent of the NINE international business Kingdom’s workforce stay at chambers have called on the home to help contain the General Department of Taxa- transmission, as well as rein- tion (GDT) to extend the forced rules concerning mask- deadline for filing tax on wearing, social-distancing and income for fiscal year 2020 movement restrictions. past March 31 in light of eco- But if virtually the entire nomic pressure caused by national workforce were to the Covid-19 pandemic. stay at home, “this would A joint letter addressed to present an extraordinary GDT director-general Kong challenge to taxpayers to Vibol on March 12 revealed complete income tax returns the signatories as the Interna- within the deadline or to tional Business Chamber of attend in-person meetings as Cambodia (IBC) and the a result of circumstances chambers of commerce in beyond their control”, it said. Cambodia for the US The letter noted that the lat- (AmCham), Australia, the UK, est community transmission Officers scuffle with people gathering at a bandstand where a planned vigil in honour of murder victim Sarah Everard was cancelled after police Europe (EuroCham), India, has accelerated growth in the outlawed it due to Covid-19 restrictions, on Clapham Common, south London on Saturday. AFP Japan (JBAC), Malaysia number of new SARS-CoV-2 (MBCC) and the Philippines. coronavirus infections nation- The letter stressed the need wide, sparking deep concerns UK police under fire after vigil crackdown to temporarily suspend in- among the workforce over the person meetings, especially for risk of contagion. POLICE in London drew wide- south London’s Clapham – er Ed Davey called for Metro- in Kent, southeast England. taxpayers undergoing audits or On the flip side, it said, the spread criticism after hand- condemned the actions of politan police chief Cressida The victim’s body was discov- new ones looking to register. government has one of the cuffing mourners at a vigil for officers “physically manhan- Dick to resign, having “lost the ered in a nearby wood. It asked the GDT to con- best records globally of man- a woman who was murdered dling women at a vigil against confidence of millions of Organisers had cancelled duct digital meetings aging the containment of the early this month, in a case that male violence”. women in London”. the vigil after police outlawed between taxpayers or their Covid-19 pandemic. has sparked national fury about Social media footage showed The murder of Everard, who it because of Covid-19 restric- representatives through mes- “The undersigned interna- violence against women. police restraining and hand- vanished after setting out to walk tions, but hundreds still turned saging platforms such as Tel- tional business chambers Officers scuffled with some cuffing some mourners, lead- home from a friend’s flat, has out on March 13, with tensions egram or WhatsApp and to would like to express our sin- members of the hundreds- ing to an outpouring of criti- shocked the country and brought overspilling as night fell. hold essential audit meetings cere appreciation for [GDT’s] strong crowd that gathered cism from across the political discussion around women’s Mourners shouted “shame via business communica- cooperation with the inter- despite coronavirus restric- spectrum. safety to the fore once again. on you” at police, with ten- tions platforms such as Zoom national business sector,” tions for a candlelit tribute late Both Home Secretary Priti Wayne Couzens, 48, a serv- sions running high as the man or Microsoft Teams. read the letter. on March 13 close to the spot Patel and London mayor Sadiq ing officer in the Metropolitan arrested in connection with The signatories lauded the MBCC vice-president Tan where 33-year-old marketing Khan said they had asked for Police’s elite diplomatic pro- the murder is an officer. government’s prompt Khee Meng told The Post that executive Sarah Everard disap- explanations from the Metro- tection unit, appeared in court In the hours following the response to the February 20 the February 20 community peared on March 3. politan police over how the earlier on March 13 charged vigil, rage mounted with pres- community outbreak of Cov- Reclaim These Streets – who vigil was handled. with kidnap and murder fol- sure groups and politicians con- id-19, highlighting its rapid Continued – page 6 initially organised the event in And Liberal Democrats lead- lowing his arrest at his home demning police actions. AFP

calls for vigilance Video talks sets stage as kingdom records for preliminary meet 1,305 covid-19 cases on FTA with eaeu bloc nATIONAL – page 3 business – page 6 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Not fully closed – ‘We Work on crematoriums for just want to keep track victims of Covid underway of people travelling’ Khouth Sophak Chakrya Continued from page 1 Cham, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Koh HNOM Penh mu- are not allowed to enter in order Kong and Svay Rieng. nicipal authorities to prevent transmission. There are now a total of 751 are preparing to build The six main gateways patients whose cases are four electricity-run include National Road 6 linked to the February 20 com- crematoriumsP on 10ha of land between Kampong Thom munity outbreak. Phnom Penh in Tasal commune of Kam- province’s Stoung district and has recorded the most cases, pong Speu province’s Oral Siem Reap’s Chi Kraeng dis- followed by Preah Sihanouk, district, according to a Phnom tricts; Siem Reap’s Kralanh Kandal and Prey Veng. Penh municipal governor. district and Banteay Meanchey Ministry of Interior spokes- The new crematoriums are province’s Preah Netr Preah man Khieu Sopheak told The for burning the bodies of those district; National Road 68 Post on March 14 that the meas- who have died from Covid-19. between Oddar Meanchey ures taken by each province Phnom Penh municipal province’s Chongkal district were at their discretion, depend- governor Khuong Sreng told and Siem Reap’s Srei Snam dis- ing on the situation there and The Post on March 14 that a trict; National Road 66 between the challenges in their areas. working group had started to Oddar Meanchey’s Anlong He said those provinces can put bulldoze land at the foot of Veng district and Siem Reap’s in place measures such as closing the Oral Mountain to build Varin district; and National their borders, temporarily sus- the crematoriums for Covid- Road 64 between Preah Vihear pending traffic or requiring peo- 19-related deaths after the The site for the crematoriums and graveyard was chosen for safety purposes. Police province’s Kulen district and ple to quarantine in order to enter plan was agreed to by the Siem Reap’s Svay Leu district. depending on their situation. Kampong Speu provincial ad- crematoriums was not meant identified 49ha of land in Tasal have agreed to use a site in the In addition, Seiha said, traffic “Officials at the local level ministration. as an insult to the lives of commune to build the crema- Oral Mountain area for the on the waterways into the prov- have a clearer idea than any- “We could not build crema- Covid-19 victims, rather it toriums and also for the burial crematoriums and graveyard ince has also been restricted. one else of what they require. toriums for Covid-19-related was being done thoughtfully of Covid-19 victims. for Covid-19-related deaths. “At these checkpoints, we are Prey Veng provincial authori- deaths in the business and and in a humanitarian spirit. “Land in that area is high Some provinces in more re- not fully closed. We just want ties, for example, know where commercial areas of a town Sreng also requested that ground that does not flood. mote areas have chosen pa- to keep track of people travel- they face the highest risk of or city because of the risks of citizens cooperate with local The area has no lakes, godas with large compounds ling and record which prov- transmission as they know spreading the disease. authorities and report people streams or canals. The choice for building new crematori- inces they are coming from and where the people flow from. “And we don’t want this suspected of directly or indi- of this area to build the cre- ums,” he said. what their destinations are. If “So, this province has already to be done in a perfunctory rectly being in contact with matoriums and graveyards He added that bodies of per- they are coming from risky closed some areas and mar- manner without proper tech- Covid-19 infected persons so for Covid-19-related deaths is sons who have or may have municipalities or provinces kets that have been exposed to nical standards. So I decided that the police can intervene a good one and without [any died from Covid-19 could not such as Phnom Penh, Prey Veng the outbreak,” he said. to order the purchase of some and take them for testing and risk of] transmitting [the dis- be cremated in the same cre- and Preah Sihanouk then we According to Sopheak, a technical equipment from treatment or quarantine. ease] to others because the matoriums as those who expe- need to put them in quarantine group of nearly 100 brokers Thailand to assist in the con- Kampong Speu provincial site is 2,900m away from any rienced other causes of death, and test them,” he said. involved with smuggling struction of these [four facili- governor Vei Samnang told The businesses or commercial ar- but that this was not out of The February 20 community migrant workers illegally from ties],” Sreng said. Post that the Kampong Speu eas of any towns,” he said. contempt or discrimination transmission has now spread Thailand and Vietnam to evade He added that building the provincial administration had Samnang added that as a first – it was just the authorities to the capital and nine prov- quarantine from February 13 to step the Kampong Speu provin- taking maximum precautions inces including Kandal, Prey 23 have now been sent to court cial administration had cooper- and all possible preventive Veng, Battambang, Kampong to face criminal charges. ated with the Phnom Penh mu- measures against the further nicipal administration to build spread of the virus. the four electricity-run crema- He also called on citizens to toriums on 10ha in case there continue to consistently carry are Covid-19-related deaths. out preventive health mea- However, Samnang said, sures and proper sanitation for any Muslims or Christians according to the guidelines of who would prefer that their the Ministry of Health and to bodies be buried intact, the follow the three protections provincial administration and three don’ts. would prepare a site for those The building of the crema- burials in the area. toriums comes shortly after Ministry of Cult and Religion confirmed cases of Covid-19 secretary of state Seng Somony from the February 20 com- also told The Post on March 14 munity transmission event that the site for the crematori- were found to have increased ums and graveyard was cho- significantly. Prime Minister sen for safety purposes. Hun Sen ordered the build- “For now, Phnom Penh and ing of the crematoriums on Five Chinese men are arrested in Takeo province on March 12 for smug- Kampong Speu authorities March 9. gling people from Vietnam. POLICE EU motion has ‘no impact’ on judiciary

Niem Chheng right to interfere in their bodian] government and Cambodian People’s Party affairs,” Peng Long said. instead focus on civil society spokesperson Sok Eysan said THE European Parliament’s The EP on March 11 adopted organisations and opposition the EP is not the head of a colo- (EP) resolution on mass trials a resolution on the mass trials parties,” the resolution said. nial power trying to colonise against the opposition and of civil society officials and It also called on the Euro- Cambodia. He said the EP’s civil society in Cambodia has former leaders of the Supreme pean External Action Service unilateral decision was con- had no impact on the country’s Court-dissolved Cambodia (EEAS) and member states to ducted in such a manner that judicial system, Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), take urgent action to lead is against the UN Charter. National Assembly (NA) and in particular the recent sen- efforts at the forthcoming “The decision of the European ruling party officials said. tences of former CNRP presi- 48th session of the UN Human Parliament won’t force Cambo- NA spokesperson Leng Peng dent Sam Rainsy to 25 years Rights Council towards the dia to follow it. This ineffective Long said on March 14 that the and others from 20 to 23 years adoption of a strong resolu- resolution is just as likely to EP decision would not affect – for what the government tion addressing human rights devaluate themselves. Position- Cambodian courts as even the called a failed coup attempt. in Cambodia. ing themselves as a colonial legislative body has no power The EP raised many points The EU delegation in Phnom organisation on other countries over the judiciary. in their resolution, including Penh and the embassies of the is out-of-date behaviour in the “It is the court that made calling on the EU to reject member states were asked to 21st century,” he said. the decision based on legal Cambodia as the host for the monitor trials and conduct A source with knowledge of procedures and solid evi- Asia-Europe Meeting Summit prison visits. They also called on the European system who dence. So, the parliament scheduled for later this year, the government to take the nec- asked not to be named said the cannot do anything as it is the unless democracy is restored. essary measures to ensure that EP resolution only has an sovereign decision of the “[The EP] calls on member the dissolution of the CNRP be impact if the European Com- court. It is at the discretion of states to suspend all bilateral swiftly reversed and its 5,007 mission takes a decision based the judges. We don’t have any financial support to the [Cam- local councillors reinstated. on that resolution. THE PHNOM PENH POST March 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Vigilance urged as Covid cases soar

Mom Kunthear​ and Niem Chheng fined one to five million riel, also af- ter being given a first warning. FFICIALS have reiter- Article 20 of the sub-decree states ated calls for the public that private establishments or busi- to remain vigilant as the ness owners that fail to follow the number of Covid-19 cases guidelines for wearing masks and linkedO to the February 20 commu- physical distancing will be fined two nity transmission continues to rise. to 10 million riel after being given one On March 14 alone, the Ministry of warning by the authorities. Health reported another 41 cases of Article 25 of the sub-decree stipu- Covid-19 linked to the community lates that Covid-19 patients who fail outbreak, bringing the total to 792 to follow the procedures for treat- in just over three weeks. ment will incur fines ranging from Among the 41 are 12 Cambodian, two to 10 million riel. 23 Chinese, four Vietnamese and Article 26 states: “Fines of 10 to 50 two Thai nationals. Kandal province million riel are to be imposed on all recorded the most cases at 28, fol- private medical establishments which lowed by Phnom Penh at 12 and one fail to urgently notify the health minis- in Prey Veng province. try in cases where patients who are re- People infected with Covid-19 in ceiving treatment from them are sus- the country’s third community trans- pected of having evaded quarantine mission have so far been found in the or have fled from quarantine sites.” capital and the provinces of Kandal, The sub-decree was drawn up in Preah Sihanouk, Svay Rieng, Koh Kong, compliment with the law on the con- Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, Kampong trol of Covid-19 and other serious, Health workers prepare to transport a Covid-19 positive patient in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district on Saturday. Police Cham, Siem Reap and Battambang. dangerous and contagious diseases. Overall, as of March 14, Cambodia actively circulating in Cambodia. ing problems in Europe,” she said. March 12 issued a new sub-decree The law was promulgated on March had recorded a total of 1,305 Covid- “These new Covid-19 variants are The WHO in Cambodia, according on health measures to prevent the 11 by Senate president and acting head 19 cases, with 656 receiving ongoing more contagious and deadly than the to Vandine, had said continued vac- spread of Covid-19 and other conta- of state Say Chhum. Minister of Jus- treatment and one death. original strain and they can kill any cination in Cambodia was necessary gious diseases. tice Koeut Rith and Minister of Health Hun Manet, deputy commander- person at any time. We have already to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. Comprising nine chapters and 39 Mam Bun Heng are set to hold a joint in-chief of the Royal Cambodian had one death recently, and there are From February 10 to March 13, the articles, the new sub-decree detailed press conference at 9am on March 15 Armed Forces (RCAF), and health still Covid-19 patients undergoing health ministry said it had vaccinat- health measures – hygiene practice, to inform the public about the law. ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine treatment who are in serious condi- ed 161,818 civilians with their first temperature checks, mask wearing, Justice ministry spokesman Chin urged vigilance as authorities pre- tion, with medical specialists working dose of China’s Sinopharm vaccine physical distancing, sample taking, Malin said this new law is to be pare additional treatment facilities tirelessly to save their lives,” she said. and 9,033 with a second dose. quarantine, treatment, vaccinations translated into English and Chinese for Covid-19 patients. Vandine urged the public to stay In the same period, the Ministry of and the management of deceased so that foreigners residing in Cam- In a Facebook post on March 14, Ma- home and refrain from holding large National Defence said it had inocu- Covid-19 patients’ body. bodia can learn about it. net said: “We are carrying out Samdech gatherings including weddings and lated 108,648 members of the armed The handling of Covid-19 pa- Malin also encouraged the various Techo’s [Prime Minister Hun Sen’s] or- religious ceremonies. These mea- forces with the first dose and 47,751 tients’ corpse in a manner that does embassies in Cambodia to inform ders for the preparation of hospitals to sures, she said, are necessary to with a second dose. not comply with the regulations set their citizens who come to Cambo- be used for the treatment of Covid-19 minimise infections. Separately, Vandine confirmed that forth in the new sub-decree will dia about the law’s requirements. patients when necessary. Elsewhere in the world, some coun- the death of a 69-year-old Covid-19 incur a fine of between five and 20 Concerning the law, National As- “Our working group has been toil- tries have suspended the AstraZene- patient who was undergoing treat- million riel ($1,250 and $5,000). sembly president Heng Samrin ing days and nights to ensure that ca vaccine due to safety concerns. ment at Prey Veng Provincial Referral Individuals who have been in contact called on all Cambodians, govern- the facilities will be ready to begin Vandine explained that the type Hospital was due to cardiovascular with Covid-19 infected persons who re- ment officials and law enforcement operations and receive patients for of vaccine that Cambodia receives disease, not from the coronavirus. fuse to cooperate with health officials authorities to obey it to prevent the treatment as soon as possible.” from the COVAX Facility – marketed She said the Cambodian man had to have their samples taken for testing spread of Covid-19. Manet also called on residents to as Covishield – was made in India tested positive for Covid-19 and was will be fined one-to-five million riel. In a Facebook post on March 13, he continue to strictly implement the under a manufacturing licence from hospitalised on March 13, but noted “Those who pay the fines are still re- said: “Fully abiding by this law in the health ministry’s measures for self- British-Swedish multinational phar- that he did not have any advanced quired to have their samples taken for spirit of being socially responsible protection and the protection of maceutical and biotechnology firm Covid-19 symptoms like coughing, testing for Covid-19 by health officials,” citizens is crucial in order to main- their families and society as a whole AstraZeneca Plc. fatigue or fever. states Article 21 of the sub-decree. tain the wellbeing of our society and during this period of hardship. “As reported by the World Health Or- On the morning of March 14, the Article 19 of the sub-decree states protect it from this brutal virus. He said combating Covid-19 starts ganisation [WHO], which is one of the man went out to exercise for a long that individuals who fail to wear masks “If we don’t obey this law, it is like with protecting oneself from infection main facilitators in supplying Covid-19 period of time and then came back in high-risk places as determined by we are willfully trying to destroy our to prevent the virus from spreading. vaccines to Cambodia, there has been to have a long nap. When he was the health ministry will be fined be- own health as well as the health of The health ministry’s Vandine no problems with side effects from called to eat breakfast, it was discov- tween 200,000 and one million riel, our family members, society as a noted that the current outbreak this vaccine. Besides, the vaccine that ered that he had passed away. after being given one warning. whole and the economy. Those who includes the newly-identified our country is currently using is not As part of an ongoing battle against Event organisers who fail to follow break it will have to be fined and Covid-19 variants, which are now the same type of vaccine that is caus- the pandemic, the government on social distancing guidelines will be punished according to the law.” 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Police probe smuggling of Property owners told to pay tax through new app Long Kimmarita emails, phone numbers or tax iden- 51kg meth to Hong Kong tification numbers and then creat- THE General Department of Taxa- ing a password to use the app. Orm Bunthoeurn was by land. Now, they tion (GDT) has told all property “Property owners have to enter mostly smuggle by water owners to pay their taxes using the their property information by using JOINT investi- by two routes – via Laos GDT Taxpayer App, which saves the property identification numbers gation has been then across Cambodia, them the trouble of having to go and their phone numbers which launched into a and the other via Thailand there in person. were registered or updated in the network of drug then across Cambodia. In a notice on March 11, the GDT property data management system traffickersA who had trans- “In the past, we had ar- said payment of taxes with the app of the GDT. Property owners can ported their contraband rested groups with 200kg is a more convenient, transparent then pay taxes online through com- via Cambodia after Hong of drugs, some with 180kg means of tax collection and part of mercial banks in partnership with Kong customs officials and some with more than efforts to modernise the IT system the GDT,” he said. detained two people sus- 100kg,” he said. in the tax sector in line with the gov- Vibol added that the app can be pected of smuggling more Kun Nhem, director-gen- ernment’s reform policy. used only for properties which are than 51kg of methamphet- eral of the General Depart- “This app will make it easier for registered with information that has amines from Cambodia by ment of customs and Excise, property owners to check information been updated in the property data sea to the Port of Hong and Meas Virith, secretary- on registered properties and make all management system. In cases where Kong on February 18. general of the National updates in the GDT’s property data the app cannot be used, property Deputy National Police Authority for Combating management system. They pay their owners have to obtain or update their chief Mok Chito said he Drugs, could be reached for annual tax without having to fill in information at the GDT or tax branch- had not yet received infor- comment on March 14. forms or tax declaration letters. es in their provinces and districts. mation from Hong Kong Yong Kim Eng, president “It also saves time because they San Chey, executive director of the anti-drug authorities about of the NGO People’s Cen- don’t need to go to branches of the Affiliated Network for SocialA ccount- the suspects’ identities. tre for Development and GDT in the provinces and districts ability, welcomed the move. But he “For those arrested on site, Peace, said this is a big where their property is located to said while it is good timing for the they will be prosecuted there, problem for Cambodia verify receipts of tax payment. GDT to roll out the online platform but we also have to cooper- as the country was being “They will also receive other notifi- given the Covid-19 situations, he ate to get information from used as a transit point. cations on this app such as [remind- urged an establishment of procedures the Hong Kong side to see Hong Kong Customs seized about 51.5kg of methamphetamines Kim Eng hoped that Cam- ers about] dates of declaring tax, tax that allow for simultaneous property who else are involved and hidden in child car seats on February 18. Hong Kong Government bodian authorities would payment expiry, announcing some registration and tax payment. where they are now so that been transported from the so that we can investigate cooperate with neigh- tax payments in the fiscal year and “As far as I know, property reg- we can make arrests. Golden Triangle – Laos, and crack down on them bouring countries to crack other notifications associated with istration has not been made pos- “For example, if they are Myanmar and Thailand. together,” he said. down on smugglers. this type of tax,” the notice said. sible online yet. If that is the case, in Laos we will push the “Now, we are cooperat- Chito said Cambodian “Cooperation needs to GDT director-general Kong Vibol then we want property registration Lao authorities to arrest ing with Cambodian and authorities had arrested be improved. If the prob- said in the notice that to be able to and tax payment to be made at the them,” he said. Hong Kong customs of- many people in such drug lem persists, Cambodia use the app, property owners can same time,” he said. Chito added that in the ficials to determine the smuggling cases in the past. and neighbours should download and install it directly by Chey explained that enabling investigation, Hong Kong source of drug smuggling He noted that previously find ways to increase co- searching for the name “GDT Tax- property owners to register and is considered the final from Cambodia. We have most had smuggled drugs operation. At the same payer App”. pay tax simultaneously will suit destination and Cambo- also cooperated with rel- by land, but now by water. time, relevant authorities After the app is installed, new their convenience given the rap- dia as midway point for evant countries to learn of “After Covid-19 emerged, have to be highly commit- property owners have to create user idly increasing number of property smuggling operations the arrested suspects’ iden- smugglers changed tac- ted to fighting smuggling,” accounts by associating them with registration and the community as the drugs could have tities and their networks tics. Previously, smuggling he said. one of their ID cards, passports, outbreak of Covid-19. THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com People-centric projects are top priority for JICA in the Kingdom

he government’s goal of JICA recently distributed calendars Cambodia becoming a high to schoolchildren and residents middle-income country by living around the lake as part of a 2030 before reaching high- public awareness campaign on the Tincome status by 2050 could well importance of proper sanitation and become a reality given Cambodia’s the supply of clean water for public stellar economic growth of 7.3 per health. cent over a decade, prior to the Covid- Some key findings and evidence- 19 pandemic. based recommendations from the However, these ambitious targets SATREPS project can be found can only be achieved by diversifying at https://www.iges.or.jp/en/pub/ the Kingdom’s domestic economy and tonlesapsatreps/en. by developing human capital to sup- In addition, a video on the port growth. SATREPS project has also been Towards this, the Japan International developed to inform about recent Cooperation Agency (JICA) has played environmental changes in the a critical role in assisting the socio- Tonle Sap lake and the impacts economic development of Cambodia. on local people, their livelihoods and public health. This can be Improving TVET found at https://www.youtube.com/ Technical and Vocational Educa- watch?v=8cvUyD6mpxk&t=41s. tion and Training (TVET) to produce JICA organised the 5th a skilled workforce to meet growing International Symposium on the market demand – especially as the Conservation and Management of Kingdom prepares for Industry 4.0 – Tropical Lakes – held online from will remain one of the top priorities. February 4-5 – which was held in The sector faces numerous chal- conjunction with the 13th Regional lenges, from a lack of physical Conference on Chemical Engineering infrastructure, training equipment 2020. and materials, as well as the limited The virtual conference included the capacity of management officers and 5th Joint Coordinating Committee on technical instructors, as highlighted in the “Establishment of Environmental the TVET Master Plan 2021-2025. Conservation Platform of Tonle Sap To address this, the Ministry of A Cambodian student takes the final practical exam for the higher diploma in electrical work. supplied Lake” project. Labour and Vocational Training, with This reviewed the project’s the support of JICA, initiated the Maternal and Child Health Center eight QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kits to promote international joint research achievements and the challenges “Project for Improving TVET Quality to (NMCHC), the National Tuberculosis were delivered on February 18. using advanced Japanese science and faced in 2020, as well as action plans Meet the Needs of Industries” in 2015 Control Program (NTP) at the Na- It will also provide three thermo- technology through Japan’s Official for the final implementation of the to develop a skilled workforce to shape tional Center for Tuberculosis and graphy kits, including tripods and Development Assistance. project in March next year. Cambodia’s future socioeconomic de- Leprosy Control (CENAT), and the laptops, to the NMCHC for Covid-19 The Japan Science and Technology velopment. This is set to end in March. Sihanoukville Hospital, as well as the screening in April. Agency (JST) and JICA teamed up to Japanese volunteers The project rests on five key pillars. Mongkul Borey, Kampong Cham, Svay JICA has also promoted health drive SATREPS, which will promote Meanwhile, the Japan Overseas The first of these include the develop- Rieng, Battambang and Siem Reap awareness at the grassroots level with Sustainable Development Goals at the Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) ment of a standard training package referral hospitals. “The Project for Enhancing Covid- global level. programme was suspended for nine (STP) for a higher diploma in electrical The upskilling of healthcare workers 19 Prevention through Community Additionally, the “Establishment of months from last March due to the work, providing STPs to instructors has been accomplished through JICA Outreach”. Environmental Conservation Platform Covid-19 outbreak. More than 1,800 and developing systems to disseminate technical cooperation, such as with the The programme provided training of Tonle Sap Lake” is a five-year JICA volunteers worldwide returned STPs for the higher diploma in electri- Project for the Promotion of Monitor- on Covid-19 prevention to 312 project funded by JICA and JST. to Japan, including 20 volunteers cal work to non-pilot TVET institutes. ing and Evaluation Management Sys- garment and textile factory workers in In Japan, the project is led by the from Cambodia. It also focuses on developing sys- tem, and the Project for Strengthening Bavet town in Svay Rieng province, Tokyo Institute of Technology in However, with Cambodia’s tems to maintain and manage training Human Resource Development System while face masks and hand sanitiser collaboration with the Institute of efforts in combating the pandemic, facilities and equipment at pilot TVET of Co-Medicals. were also distributed to health centre Global Environmental Strategies and volunteers were able to return to the institutes, as well as strengthening It has also been carried out through staff in the province. Yamagata University. Kingdom last December to resume partnerships between the industries the Project for Improving Continuum JICA also delivered medication, The Institute of Technology of their activities. and pilot TVET institutes. of Care with a focus on intrapartum hand sanitiser and soap to provincial Cambodia is spearheading the project While there may be some JICA has been working closely with and neonatal care. health departments in Kandal, by partnering with the Ministry of challenges, this year’s recruitment and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational JICA also provided a SuperScript III Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Environment, the Tonle Sap Authority, dispatch will proceed as planned, with Training and the pilot TVET institutes Platinum and One-Step Quantitative Pursat provinces after severe flooding the Ministry of Water Resources JICA will starting recruitment this to achieve these goals. RT PCR system to the Institut Pasteur last October. and Meteorology, the Ministry of autumn. The outcomes have been successful, du Cambodge (IPC) last July as part of Tonle Sap Lake conservation Education, Youth and Sport, and the Around 30 volunteers will be with private companies that have hired its Covid-19 assistance. Royal University of Phnom Penh. dispatched by this year to Cambodia graduates being pleased with their In order to increase Covid-19 testing JICA has also been active in Experts are aiming to develop a in the fields of health, vocational performance. capacity, JICA contributed a further environmental projects. water environment analysis tool for training, education and sport, mainly Developed by the National Training eight kits of SuperScript III Platinum The Science and Technology the Tonle Sap lake and establish an primary school education, science Board as the first diploma-level and One-Step Quantitative RT PCR to Research Partnership for Sustainable environmental conservation platform and physical education, particularly national curriculum, the STP was the IPC on February 6, while another Development (SATREPS) is an initiative through the elucidation of the lake. swimming and football. approved last September. At pilot institutes, JICA has imple- mented a range of initiatives, including conducting seminars on using training equipment and collaborating with the Department of Labour Market Informa- tion to hold the National TVET Day. It has also worked with the National Employment Agency to hold the Na- tional Career and Productivity Fair, and organised skills competitions. Covid-19 and flood victim support JICA has also been working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen health- care infrastructure through its Grant Aid and Technical Cooperation project since 1995. Facilities and medical equipment have been upgraded at the National The JST and JICA have teamed up to drive SATREPS. supplied JICA has provided Covid-19 detection kits to the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. supplied 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 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 4,070 1.2560 6.5074 109.13 4.1180 1.3469 30.78 0.7744 1.1918 1.3916

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: March 12, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 16,680 16,800 16,800 16,620 2 GTI 3,400 3,400 3,400 3,400 3 PAS 12,980 12,600 12,980 12,600 4 PEPC 2,950 2,800 2,950 2,700 5 PPAP 12,500 12,400 12,600 12,360 6 PPSP 1,610 1,590 1,610 1,590 7 PWSA 6,280 6,280 6,280 6,280 Tickets now allow more days of access to Angkor Thou Vireak Its data show that 4,194 tourists after the situation of people bought tickets to the Covid-19 infections has im- ANGKOR Enterprise has park in the first two months proved,” Sivlin said. extended the period of validity of this year, cratering 98.77 Last year, a total of 400,889 for entry tickets to Angkor per cent year-on-year. people bought tickets to the Archaeological Park in a move Cambodia Association of park, taking an 81.82 per cent to revive tourism to the sprawl- Travel Agents (CATA) president nosedive from 2019, netting ing temple complex, it said in Chhay Sivlin noted that due to Angkor Enterprise $18,654,828 a March 10 press release. the current tourist-visa restric- in sales, plunging 81.17 per cent One-day, three-day and tions, the new move would from 2019, its statistics show. five-day entrance tickets will only be attractive to foreigners While official Ministry of give international tourists ac- that live in the country. Tourism statistics have yet to cess to the complex in Siem She noted that the number be published, minister Thong Reap province for two days, of foreigners living in Cam- Khon estimates that Cambo- Commerce ministry undersecretary of state Samheng Bora at the virtual preparatory discussion. COMMERCE MINISTRY five days and 10 days, respec- bodia is relatively small, with dia welcomed just 1.31 mil- tively, said Angkor Enterprise, many tightening their bud- lion international visitors the state-run institution that gets and travel expenses dur- last year, or down almost 80 manages tickets sales for in- ing the pandemic. per cent compared to the Video talks set stage for ternational visitors to the “I hope that this policy 6,610,592 who travelled to the mainstay of the Kingdom’s will be able to attract more Kingdom in 2019. key tourism industry. Moreover, the periods of use crucial EAEU FTA meet for one-month, three-month and six-month passes will be doubled, it added. May Kunmakara union, according to the UN. ic Research Institute for ASEAN “The policy has been put During the virtual meeting, and East Asia (ERIA), launched into practice to facilitate and HE Kingdom’s tech- thoughts were exchanged in a report on the feasibility study promote tourism services nical team and its preparation for the 3rd Cambo- on a potential FTA between the and to ensure that Angkor’s Eurasian Economic dia-EEC meeting agenda which Kingdom and the EAEU at a archaeological sites and the Commission (EEC) will include topics on invest- ceremony held at the ministry. Kingdom overall retain their counterpartT recently assembled ment opportunities in Cambo- This milestone study exam- allure for tourists even amid to share thoughts and opinions dia, EEC strategy toward 2025, ined the key impacts of the the Covid-19 pandemic,” as both parties prepare for the industry cooperation, competi- would-be Cambodia-EAEU Angkor Enterprise said. third round of preliminary tion policy and more. FTA (CEFTA) on the Kingdom The offer will be available working-level talks toward Both sides also exchanged and ASEAN in terms of trade, until December 31, it added. formally launching free trade views on five key topics – C“ us- investment, welfare and According to the Angkor agreement (FTA) negotiations toms Procedures and Trade growth on the domestic and Enterprise website, the prices and expand trade markets and Facilitation”, “Updates of the regional economy. of one-day, three-day and investments. EAEU Preferential System Pro- And the study in turn laid seven-day tickets currently A total of 400,889 people bought tickets to Angkor Archaeological Park Ministry of Commerce un- vided to Cambodia and Pro- the groundwork for the FTA stand at $37, $62 and $72. last year, down 81.82 per cent from 2019. HONG MENEA dersecretary of state Samheng cedures for Negotiating Trade that would allow both sides Bora led the Cambodian del- Agreements”, “Free Trade with to increase trade, investment egation in a virtual prepara- the EAEU, Standards, Techni- and economic collaboration. tory discussion from Phnom cal Regulations and Assess- Bilateral trade between Cam- Penh on March 10 with the ments of Compliance and bodia and the EAEU was worth Covid objectives shift to ‘abundant EEC team led by Division of Hygiene and Phytosanitary $67.37 million last year, mark- Integration Development di- Rules”, “Agro-industrial Poli- ing an increase of 18.22 per cent rector Gohar Barsegyan. cy” and “Transportation”. compared to $56.98 million in caution and staying safe, secure’ Nine Cambodian institu- Bora expressed his appre- 2019, according to data com- tions and ministries and 30 ciation to Barseghyan and her piled by the commerce ministry. Continued from page 1 tality of the populace and has 20-page documents used to representatives from the EEC colleagues from the EEC and Of that, the Kingdom export- shifted the Covid-19 objectives calculate and pay the profit tax took part in the meeting. also representatives of relevant ed $52.19 million, rising 0.73 outbreak has led to a lot of to “abundant caution and due each year, which he says “The purpose of this meet- Cambodian institutions and per cent year-on-year from slowdown for companies cur- staying safe and secure”. is generally 20 per cent. ing was to discuss key areas ministries for attending this $51.81 million in 2019, and rently undergoing audits to On the other hand, he noted The form includes a balance for expanding cooperation important meeting via video imported $15.18 million – an publish their year-end finan- that workforce productivity has sheet, two profit-and-loss between Cambodia and the link from different locations. enormous 193.57 per cent up- cial statements. tailed off recently as businesses statements – one prepared on [EEC] in preparation for the “[We’re] optimistic that this surge – in comparison to $5.17 “The GDT should be consid- now operate at partial capacity. an accounting basis and anoth- third meeting of the [upcom- meeting will help to expand million the previous year. erate and provide some “The chambers are request- er on a tax basis, an equity ing] Joint Working Group,” bilateral cooperation across po- Comprising five member breathing room for taxpayers ing an extension for the annu- schedule, a depreciation sched- read a press release on the tential fields based on mutual states – Armenia, Belarus, and the accountancy and tax al tax-on-income submission, ule with a catalogue of fixed minutes of the meeting. benefit, especially in being able Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and professionals, which will help due March 31, due to these assets, and schedules for relat- The EEC is the executive to launch FTA negotiations be- Russia – the EAEU is home cut down the potential spread factors, as businesses are cur- ed-party transactions, he said. body of the Eurasian Econom- tween Cambodia and the EAEU to 184.6 million people and of Covid-19 during this critical rently under stress managing The businesses are required ic Union (EAEU) and is respon- in the future,” he said. represents a combined gross period,” he said. their workforce remotely and to pay the annual profit tax to sible for implementing deci- On December 4, 2019, com- domestic product (GDP) of AmCham president Anthony resources are not [at] full the government, which is a sions, upholding EAEU treaties merce minister Pan Sorasak $4.778 trillion, according to Galliano told The Post that the strength,” he said. source of tax revenue, and the and managing the day-to-day and Hidetoshi Nishimura, pres- International Monetary Fund government’s stay-at-home Galliano explained that form itself has been a key doc- business of the economic ident of Jakarta-based Econom- estimates for 2020. order has reoriented the men- income tax declarations are ument in audits, he added. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business ECB to accelerate bond buys on rates fears

HE European Central Bank given that market participants “are (ECB) on March 11 said it assuming that it is exactly what the would significantly ramp ECB is doing”. up the pace of its pandemic He said weekly PEPP purchases emergencyT bond buys, in a bid to had averaged almost €14 billion soothe market jitters about a rise in since the start of the year, “so we government borrowing costs. would expect this pace to increase The move is aimed at preventing to over €20 billion on average over an “undesirable” early end to cheap the next quarter”. money when the eurozone econo- The ECB’s mandate is to keep infla- my still needs ample support to re- tion just below 2.0 per cent, a target cover from the pandemic, ECB chief that has been out of reach for years. Christine Lagarde said. In the latest quarterly forecasts un- Although risks to the 19-nation veiled by Lagarde, the ECB sees infla- currency club have become “more tion jumping to 1.5 per cent this year, up balanced”, Lagarde said ongoing from an earlier estimate of 1.0 per cent. Covid shutdowns were weighing on Next year, inflation is predict to the economy in the short term. run at 1.2 per cent, up from a previ- Uncertainty also remained over the ous forecast of 1.1 per cent. speed of vaccinations and the threats But Lagarde stressed that the in- posed by virus variants, she added. creases were driven by higher en- “In these conditions, preserving ergy prices and “temporary factors” favourable financing conditions such as pent-up consumer demand over the pandemic period remains as virus curbs are relaxed. essential,” Lagarde told a press con- “We will see through that,” she said. ference in Frankfurt. For 2023, the inflation outlook re- Global markets have been roiled mained unchanged at 1.4 per cent, recently by a rapid rise in bond still far off the ECB’s goal. yields, triggered by signs of higher Many curbs on public life remain inflation on the horizon. in place as eurozone countries Investors fear faster price growth The move over the next quarter is aimed at ‘preventing a tightening of financing conditions’ while the eurozone economy is still struggle to bring down coronavirus could force a hike in interest rates fragile, the bank said in a statement after a meeting of its 25-member governing council. AFP infections, while the EU’s much-crit- that would make borrowing more icised vaccination drive lags behind expensive, hampering the recovery ECB would stop short of expanding and even negative levels. Yields are closely watched because countries like the US or Britain. in the virus-stricken eurozone. or extending the scheme and would Government bond yields fell on they serve as a guide for bank lend- Nevertheless, the ECB defied observ- The ECB’s 25-member governing instead opt to “frontload” PEPP pur- Lagarde’s comments, with the yield ing rates. ers by slightly raising its 2021 growth council on Thursday decided that the chases to counter the market turmoil. on Germany’s benchmark 10-year Lagarde, however, underlined that forecast from 3.9 to 4.0 per cent. pace of its purchases under the pan- The massive debt purchases are bond dropping by 2.3 basis points the bank was not in the business of Lagarde also repeated her plea demic emergency bond-buying scheme aimed at keeping credit flowing in to minus 0.336 per cent. managing yield movements, in an for governments to help reboot the known as PEPP would be “significantly the eurozone to encourage spend- European bond yields haven’t seen apparent attempt to ward off criti- economy through fiscal stimulus. higher” over the next quarter. ing and investment. quite the same surge of late as US Trea- cism that the ECB might be straying She urged EU member states The €1.85 trillion ($2.2 trillion) scheme, The ECB also left the rest of its ultra- sury yields, which are driven by opti- from its mandate. to quickly implement the bloc’s set to run until March next year, is the loose monetary policy unchanged, mism about the US economy as well as Pictet Wealth Management strat- planned €750 billion virus recovery ECB’s main crisis-fighting tool. which includes super cheap loans to anxiety about higher inflation from Wash- egist Frederik Ducrozet said the re- fund, saying it had a “key role” to Observers had predicted that the bank and interest rates at record low ington’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan. mark was not “particularly useful” play. AFP SBI LY HOUR Bank launches new branch in centre of Phnom Penh SBI LY HOUR Bank Plc – a tomers in the low and middle joint venture between LY income segments. HOUR Group and SBI Holdings SBI LY HOUR Bank has also Inc – launched a new branch contributed to the development in the centre of Phnom Penh of the Kingdom by creating on March 3. more than 1,500 jobs for The Chamkarmon branch Cambodians through its 45 – located at No118 Norodom branches across the Kingdom’s Boulevard, in Tonle Bassac 24 provinces and Phnom Penh. commune in the capital’s SBI LY HOUR Bank will Chamkarmon district – has continue since its establish- opened for business after a ment to draw more funds from five-month renovation project. foreign and domestic sources SBI LY HOUR Bank – which to provide the best financial obtained a commercial banking services to attract long-term licence from the National Bank investment from Japanese sub- of Cambodia in March last year sidiaries, which will promote – is one of the fastest growing further economic and political financial institutions in the stability in the Kingdom. Kingdom. Beaute Heang (pictured) Despite the global economic – with more than 20 years slowdown due to the Covid-19 of experience in banking op- pandemic, SBI LY HOUR Bank erations, customer service and will continue to offer financial managing sales teams – has services to meet the demands been appointed manager of the of both urban and rural cus- Chamkarmon branch. She said that the premier modern branch is ready to roll out the best financial and banking services to the bank’s customers.

For more details please contact: Beaute Heang, branch manager. Tel: (+855)12 600 433 / (+855) 15 885 124 Email: beaute.heang@sbilh- bank.com.kh 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business KiwiPay plan merger with Meal Temple Thou Vireak for every person and business living in today’s most chal- ONG-KONG based lenging economies,” he said. fintech firm Kiwi Founded in 2017, KiwiPay Pay Group Co pitches itself as a frontier- Ltd (KiwiPay) an- market fintech that operates nouncedH a strategic merger in Southeast Asia’s emerging with Cambodian food and markets. grocery delivery start-up Meal And set up in 2013, Meal Temple Group Pty Ltd to enter Temple Group currently op- more developing markets with erates in Cambodia, Laos, a new app called KiwiGo. and Myanmar. To be based in Singapore, The merger comes nearly KiwiGo will aggregate curated four months after the Kingdom content, e-commerce, logis- officially launched the E-Com- tics, and financial services, on- merce Strategy on November line news portal Tech in Asia 25 in a bid to achieve and drive reported earlier this month. forward competitive growth in KiwiPay and Meal Temple trade and economic terms. have also moved to Singapore And the strategy provides a to team up with local busi- framework for the implemen- nesses, central banks and fi- tation of the E-Commerce nancial institutions in a bid Law that the government to aid the economy and pro- passed on November 2, 2019 vide “frontier markets” with in response to the the rapid improved access to online development of e-commerce services and international re- and online shopping. mittance offerings. Speaking at the strategy’s Investopedia defines “fron- launch, Minister of Commerce tier markets” as economies Pan Sorasak said that, in the that are more established than context of the fourth industrial those of the least developed revolution, digital technology countries (LDCs) but still not as is key in sharpening the com- advanced as emerging markets petitive edge of commercial given their smaller sizes, high- enterprises, promoting pro- er inherent-risk characteristics ductivity, augmenting exports, and lower levels of liquidity. creating jobs and reinforcing Meal Temple Group CEO national economic growth. Maxime Rosburger said: “Ki- Having embarked on a wiPay and Meal Temple had long-term vision to reap the very similar DNAs. Com- fruits of Industry 4.0 and the bined, we play with better innovation-driven modern control of the value chain, age, he said the government new roads to market and op- of the Sixth Legislature of the timised defensibilities. National Assembly has dem- “Both teams have provided onstrated its readiness to de- pharaonic efforts to ensure a velop a digital economy. successful merger rhythmed It has put in place policy which by quarantines, lockdowns, aims to, among other things, and other challenges caused develop domestic industry, di- by the pandemic.” versify the economy and prop KiwiGo has agreements and up capacity building for the licences with central banks Kingdom’s small and medium- and financial institutions in sized enterprises, he said. over 20 countries across Af- “The e-commerce law serves rica and Asia, such as Cam- as an important legal basis for bodia, Myanmar, the Repub- the development of e-com- lic of the Congo, Kenya, Ivory merce, especially to protect the Coast, Madagascar, Senegal interests and build high-trust and Ghana, the report said. relationships with e-consum- KiwiPay founder and CEO ers, as well as to entice local Gregory Schmidt noted that and foreign investors to come Asia and Africa are home to and invest in Cambodia. most of the world’s unbanked “This is a newly-emergent population. sector, but it has tremen- “Together, we will continue dous potential to generate investing in technology and new sources of growth for the frontier markets and create Cambodian economy,” Sora- access to economic freedom sak said.

KiwiPay and Meal Temple are set to merge to enter more frontier markets with a new app called KiwiGo. KIWIPAY THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Car bomb Algeria threatens to withdraw blast kills at least eight in France 24’s media accreditation Afghanistan lgerian authorities on March 13 threat- A powerful car bomb in ened to withdraw western Afghanistan killed for good the media at least eight people and accreditationA of international wounded dozens more, au- television broadcaster France thorities said on Saturday, as 24, alleging “blatant bias” in its the UN condemned attacks coverage of the country’s pro- on civilians in the country. democracy protest movement. The blast targeted a police “A final warning before headquarters in the city of the permanent withdrawal Herat around 10pm on , dam- of accreditation was sent to aging dozens of houses and France 24,” a ministry state- shops, said Jailani Farhad, ment said. spokesman for the Herat pro- “The bias of France 24 in the vincial governor. “The death coverage of the Friday [March toll from a car bomb in the city 12] marches is blatant, going of Herat increased to eight, so far as to resort, without and 47 others are wounded,” restraint, to archival images he said, adding that women, . . . to help anti-national rem- children and security person- nants consisting of reaction- nel were among the dead. ary or separatist organisa- Interior ministry spokes- tions,” the communications man Tariq Arian, confirmed ministry alleged. the death toll, adding that 54 It was referring to the out- had been wounded. lawed Islamist movement Ra- Taliban spokesman Zabi- chad and Movement for the hullah Mujahid said the blast Self-Determination of Kabylie in Herat had no links to their (MAK), a traditionally restive group. region in the northeast. However, the group’s insur- “We are trying to do our gents are active in the western work as honestly as possible,” An Algerian anti-government demonstrator waves an Amazigh (Berber) flag during a protest in the capital Algiers on Friday.afp province and have carried out France 24 director Marc Sai- recent attacks against Afghan kali told AFP. “We’re just doing overhaul of a ruling system in counter-revolutionary ‘prefab- Philippe Agret, was appoint- Demonstrators have charged government forces. our job within the rules which place since Algeria’s indepen- ricated upheavals’ instigated ed in October 2019, but au- some foreign media of siding President Ashraf Ghani have been set out. dence from France in 1962. by NGOs that are well-estab- thorities have failed without with the regime, while Algerian blamed the Taliban, adding in a “We don’t take sides, and we Communications minis- lished in Paris and other Euro- explanation to provide him journalists working for French statement that the group “con- certainly don’t have any kind ter and government spokes- pean capitals” – a reference to with any accreditation. outlets have been accused of tinued their illegitimate war and of agenda aimed at destroy- man Ammar Belhimer sum- press freedom watchdog Re- Working conditions remain representing a country seen as violence against our people” and ing anything.” moned the France 24 bureau porters Without Borders (RSF) difficult for Algerian journal- a supporter of President Ab- “showed once again they have Anti-regime protests broke accredited in Algiers to warn and rights group Amnesty In- ists, who are exposed to pros- delmadjid Tebboune. no intention for peaceful settle- out in Algeria in February 2019 “against what appears to be ternational, among others. ecution and even imprison- Tebboune was elected in ment of the current crises”. when then-president Abdelaziz subversive activity, illustrated Foreign media working in ment, as well as hostility from December 2019 on low turn- Violence has surged in Af- Bouteflika said he would stand by unprofessional practices Algeria are subject to bureau- some activists. out in a poll boycotted by the ghanistan in recent months for a fifth term in office. hostile to our country”, the cratic, opaque and arbitrary On March 12, a France 24 protest movement. – including a wave of assas- The ailing strongman was official Algeria Press Service press accreditation procedures team was among journalists RSF ranked Algeria 146 out sinations against journalists, forced to step down weeks (APS) reported. which grant them permission who were verbally abused by a of 180 countries and territo- activists and civil servants, de- later, but the movement has According to the ministry, to work in the country. group of protesters taking part ries in its 2020 World Press spite the launch of peace talks continued with demonstra- the channel “is striving to Agence France-Presse’s in the weekly demonstrations, Freedom Index, a 27-place between the warring Afghan tions demanding a sweeping rejuvenate at all costs these (AFP) Algeria bureau chief, an AFP reporter witnessed. drop from 2015. afp government and Taliban. On March 11, the UN Se- curity Council “condemned in the strongest terms the alarming number of attacks deliberately targeting civil- US orders FEMA to help with child migrant surge ians in Afghanistan”. It comes as speculation is rife The Biden administration ordered curity said in a statement that FEMA take care of them, usually relatives al- individuals, including unaccompa- about the US’ future in Afghani- the government’s disaster emergency would be part of a 90-day effort to en- ready living in the US. nied children, at the southwest bor- stan after a two-decade military agency on March 13 to help with a sure the children are safely sheltered “The federal government is respond- der,” the department said. involvement in the country. surge in migrant children crossing and transferred to people who will ing to the arrival of record numbers of “Since April 2020, the number of en- US President Joe Biden the southern US border that has over- counters at the border has been rising is wrapping up a review on whelmed processing facilities. due to ongoing violence, natural di- whether to stick to an agree- US Secretary of Homeland Secu- sasters, food insecurity, and poverty ment with the Taliban negoti- rity Alejandro Mayorkas called upon in the Northern Triangle countries of ated by his predecessor Donald the Federal Emergency Management Central America.” Trump who wanted to pull out Agency (FEMA) to support an effort The nearly two-month-old govern- the final US troops by May. to temporarily house thousands of ment of President Joe Biden faces The Biden administration has children who crossed the Mexico-US growing pressure from migrants, ap- signalled that it wants to take a border alone amid criticisms that au- parently encouraged to try to enter hard look at Trump’s deal and thorities were holding them for long the US by his rejection of previous its repercussions for Afghani- periods in overcrowded facilities. president Donald Trump’s “zero toler- stan and regional stability. The Health and Human Services ance” policy toward undocumented Washington recently submit- (HHS) department is currently hold- immigrants. ted a draft peace agreement to ing about 8,800 migrant children and While migrant adults and families the authorities in Kabul and the US Customs and Border Protec- continue to be sent back to Mexico to the Taliban, including the tion (CBP) has hundreds more in their when they are caught, unaccompa- creation of a “new inclusive charge, with more arriving every day. nied children are being processed and government”, according to Last month alone CBP detained get help resettling with US relatives. a letter from US Secretary of 9,457 unaccompanied migrant chil- “Our goal is to ensure that unac- State Antony Blinken that was dren at the southern border. companied children are transferred revealed by Afghan media. Facilities are overcrowded and au- to HHS as quickly as possible, con- Russia has backed the initia- thorities are doubly challenged by re- Pedro Ruiz, 51, (left) from Havana, Cuba, walks by shops after entering the US in downtown sistent with legal requirements and tive, as global powers ramp up strictions related to Covid-19. El Paso, Texas on Thursday, after waiting for two years in Migrant Protection Protocols, in the best interest of the children,” efforts to secure a peace deal The Department of Homeland Se- or the ‘Remain in Mexico Policy’, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. afp Mayorkas said in a statement. afp and end decades of war. afp 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Bangkok starts jab rollout for those at high risk of infection The Bangkok Metropolitan an, Bang Bon, Nong Khaem, Administration (BMA) on Bang Khae, Phasi Charoen and March 13 started vaccinating Jomthong districts. those at high risk of contract- The last group to be given ing Covid-19 from working vaccine will be those who have close to patients. chronic diseases and are there- The inoculation will con- fore more vulnerable if they tinue until April 7 with a target contract Covid-19. of administering 2,840 shots, “We set the target for this Bangkok governor Police Gen- group at 26,832 persons, who eral Aswin Kwanmuang said will start being inoculated on March 13. from March 15 onwards,” said “The high risk group is clas- Aswin. sified our second target group, The BMA also revealed that and so far we have vaccinated so far 3,997 people in Bangkok 477 persons, or 16.8 per cent had been injected with the of the target,” he said. Covid-19 vaccine, while 402 Meanwhile, the first group, persons have reported side- consisting of 3,520 medical effects, or 10.06 per cent. professionals who have direct The BMA had been allotted contact with patients, had 66,000 doses of Sinovac vac- been given vaccine since last cine by the government, and week through 13 private hos- aims to complete the target of pitals, three public hospitals 33,000 persons vaccinated as and seven public health serv- soon as possible. THE NATION (THAI- Protesters watch as a video showing Min Ko Naing, a leader of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, is projected on a screen during a night-time LAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ice centres in Bang Khun Thi- demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on Saturday. STR/AFP Three Myanmar protesters die as hundreds defy junta curfew t least three peo- honour of those killed since three young men, and as we Paing Oo, whose brother Wai ple were killed when the military seized power. followed to get them back, Lin Kyaw confirmed he died demonstrators took The junta has deployed in- they cracked down on us,” re- hours later, after struggling to to the streets again creasing force against daily counted a resident on March breathe through the night. acrossA Myanmar on March protests since the February 13, requesting anonymity. “The doctors could not do The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) started vaccinating those 13, after a deadly overnight 1 coup, with more than 70 “Two were killed – with one much for him as his head was at high risk of contracting Covid-19 from working close to patients on crackdown as hundreds de- people killed according to the shot in his head and another burst,” he told AFP, sobbing. Saturday. THE NATION fied a curfew to hold vigils in UN’s top rights expert on the one hit with a shot that pen- country. etrated his cheek to the neck,” ‘The revolution must win’ But hundreds of thousands he said, adding that they Hundreds defied an 8:00pm have continued to gather had to wait until the police curfew on March 13 for the across the country to call for stopped shooting to retrieve second night in a row to hold the release of civilian leader the bodies. a candlelight vigil near Yan- Aung San Suu Kyi – who was gon’s Hledan junction – which detained in the February 1 ‘Drive them out’ has for weeks been a hotspot putsch – and a return to de- One of the deceased was for unrest. mocracy. 37-year-old rickshaw driver Si Protesters held candles to March 13 brought early Thu, a staunch supporter of mourn those killed in anti- crackdowns by security forc- Suu Kyi’s National League for coup demonstrations, while es in Myanmar’s second larg- Democracy (NLD) party. others banged pots and pans, est city Mandalay, which saw His body, displayed outside now a nightly act to show re- more than 20 injured, includ- his home on March 13 as part sistance against the junta. ing a monk. of a traditional mourning “Are we united? Yes we are, At least three were killed, process, was covered with the yes we are,” they chanted as including a 21-year-old, ac- NLD flag. they sat on the street. cording to an AFP reporter His wife Su Yadanar Hlaing Earlier on March 13, the fu- and a doctor on the scene. said she had begged her hus- neral of Chit Min Thu – who The sister of Saw Pyae Na- band to remain at home, but died on March 11 – was held ing sobbed as she uncovered he had rushed out after hear- in Yangon, drawing a crowd her brother’s body and gently ing about the arrest of the who flashed the three-finger touched his face at a make- three men. salute in a sign of resistance shift medical centre. “I don’t want anyone to end as his body was carried to the Further south along the Ir- up like him,” she told AFP crematorium. rawady river, protesters in sobbing. “Now I just want to “The revolution must win,” Pyay wearing hard hats and die.” said his wife, crying as the carrying homemade shields Across town in Hlaing town- crowd around her chant- attempted to hold off au- ship, residents alarmed at the ed “May your soul rest in thorities as they retrieved an presence of police and sol- peace.” injured man. diers in their neighbourhood A community leader con- “Come! Come and protect left their homes on March 12 nected to the ousted NLD with the shields!” they yelled night to protest, fearful they government, Zaw Myat Linn, as they carried a slumped were going to make arrests. died on March 9 during inter- bleeding man to safety. “We wanted to drive them rogation following his arrest, The fresh violence against out,” one told AFP on condi- according to the Assistance protesters comes after three tion of anonymity for fear of Association for Political Pris- people were killed overnight repercussions, adding that oners monitoring group. in commercial hub Yangon. residents deployed Molotov But state-run media on Footage shared on social cocktails against security March 13 said he “jumped” media late on March 12 and forces. from a house and fell on a verified byA FP showed police “Police and soldiers used steel pipe, warning of severe pulling three residents out on stun grenades to disperse us,” action against those who the streets of Thaketa town- he said. describe his death in other ship, beating them on the His account was confirmed ways. head and hauling them away. by another resident, while The military has denied re- Angry residents went to AFP-verified footage shared sponsibility for loss of life in the police station to protest, on social media showed resi- the protests, and defended and sounds of gunshots were dents hiding behind cars as seizing power by alleging heard hours later in the town- loud bangs could be heard widespread electoral fraud in ship, including by an AFP re- before they retrieved a bleed- November’s election, which porter. ing man shot in the head. Suu Kyi’s party won in a land- “Security forces arrested He was 18-year-old Aung slide. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Sky-high ambitions propel China’s www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng flying car industry towards reality Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Opinion Deputy Chief of Staff Barry He Phak Seangly Business Editor May Kunmakara NTREPRENEUR Elon Deputy Business Editor Musk recently stated Sangeetha Amarthalingam he intends to make Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk the next incarnation Pan Simala ofE the Tesla car capable of Senior Reporters hovering. His suggestion in a Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng recent podcast that future Reporters versions of the Tesla Roadster Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, may be capable of levitating 1m off the ground, using Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, thrusters, is sure to cause Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, concern to regulators, who would have to react to such Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha an innovation. Photographers In China too, electric cars Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey seem increasingly hungry to Web Editor take flight, with start-ups Leang Phannara such as Xpeng late last year Digital Team unveiling the first in a series Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy of electric flying vehicles, SIEM REAP BUREAU resembling something more Offi ce Manager like personal helicopters than Sophearith Blondeel traditional road vehicles. PRODUCTION & PRINTING The prospect of such a Head of Desktop Publishing futuristic Chinese market is Nhim Sokphyrak being taken ever more seri- Desktop Publishing ously. Alibaba has backed Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath Xpeng and flying car technol- Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna ogies as part of its long-term growth strategies, expecting The future feasibility of what were once far-fetched ideas is hinted at by the vast number of sectors taking an interest in flying cars.AFP significant advances and integration in society to take destroy investor confidence down to how well accus- products. If authority control mental concerns. One can HEAD OFFICE place over the coming years. in start-ups such as Ehang or tomed users are to handling becomes too interfering and only imagine what issues Post Media Co., Ltd. Likewise, autonomous fly- XPeng. Overcoming this such technology. complex for industry condi- around carbon footprints The Elements Condominium Level 7, ing taxi start-up Ehang, which inherent risk will be difficult, tions, this might affect the personal flying vehicles Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, hopes to launch its hail and especially when it comes to Challenges ahead future prospects for such might have, with energy con- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom fly service in Guangzhou, has developing Autonomous Aer- We are all aware of how ambitious companies still in sumption and pollution Penh, Cambodia in recent years received ial Vehicles (AAVs). Deaths confidently young adults and their infancy. emissions in mind. Partner- Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 approval from regulators and during experimental opera- teenagers know their way If any country can meet ing with the right aerospace Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 aviation bodies, and even tions regarding just conven- around smartphones com- these challenges, however, it company with existing Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 filed for a $100 million initial tional land-based autono- pared to older people, slug- is China. Recognised interna- advanced battery technolo- SIEM REAP gishly typing on a touch public offering (IPO) on the mous cars demonstrate that tionally as having potential gies could accelerate the roll No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune US NASDAQ market. self-navigating technology is screen, one index finger at a for the AAV market, many are out of safe and viable AAVs. Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 The future feasibility of still in its infancy. time. Likewise, even autopi- seriously considering that The prospect of flying cars COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT what were once far-fetched The successful negligent in China is moving ever clos- Chief Operating Offi cer ideas is hinted at by the vast homicide prosecution of er to becoming a reality. The Mass production of flying James Ong Soon Teck number of sectors taking an human operators responsible first company to make a Advertising Department interest in flying cars. Aero- for the death of Elaine Herz- vehicles would also have to move domestically, EHang, Chap Narith, 017 996 241 space firms, drone manufac- berg in 2018, in Uber’s has already benefited from take into account Hun Channet, 017 578 768 turers, ride hailing compa- botched self-driving vehicle large government support, Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 nies and conventional car operation, may cause many environmental concerns and has, so far, got over regu- Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 companies like Tesla are all to feel that it is not worth latory hurdles smoothly. Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 in on the race. putting their livelihoods on lot AAVs may require some China will be the first market Hopes its two-seater air- Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 Overwhelming technical the line for volatile technolo- form of driver interaction, to embrace the flying car. craft, the EH216, will be CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION and regulatory obstacles stand gies which leave them legally and when you are potentially In a recent study, Volkswa- approved by China’s civil avi- Acting Distribution Manager in their way, however, but the culpable, further taking hundreds of metres up in the gen, another company with ation authority later this year Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 sheer pressure of talent and steam out of research efforts. air, this could be an issue for interest in China’s aerial would demonstrate the Circulation Supervisor determination in this race sug- Vital operation systems technophobes. potential, rated the country domestic industry’s progress. Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 gests that eventually some- such as autopilot, flight con- Companies such as EHang as having much potential to Before long, our city skylines Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 thing viable may emerge. trol and communications all are realistic about such hur- adopt the infrastructure to could start to look very differ- ADMINISTRATION The number one issue need to be as reliable as pos- dles, especially those in a accommodate what they call ent indeed. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS Admin & HR Manager threatening this fledgling sible, especially when regulatory context. A tighten- cars with “vertical mobility”. NETWORK Pich Socheat industry, however, is safety. pushed to the cutting edge of ing of restrictions, especially Mass production of flying Assistants Admin & HR Manager One high-profile crash or what is currently possible. in overpopulated areas, is a vehicles would also have to Barry He is a London-based columnist Nhel Soaphea fatality could completely This, then, may partly boil further challenge to AAV take into account environ- for China Daily. Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Cambodian-American filmmaker wins festival award for short film

Tony Suriano in Ung’s film.Screen shot Kevin Ung, director/screenwriter. Supplied

Hong Raksmey dane appliance as one of my main Ung was one of two inaugural Festival from March 19 to March 21, Chubby Can Kill, a comedy about an characters. It’s something we all students selected for the 2020 Star New Haven International Film Fes- overweight video store clerk bullied EFRIGERATE After Open- have, and something we don’t really Trek Command Training Pro- tival from May 12 to May 15 and the by local gangsters until he attempts ing – a six-minute film di- think about.” gramme – a course intended to give UK Asian Film Festival from May 26 to defeat them by emulating his fa- rected and screen-written Kevin was born in the US state of hands-on filmmaking experience to June 6 this year. vourite action movie heroes. by a Cambodian-Ameri- California but his mother was from to minorities. “There will be more festivals an- “I want to thank everyone who has canR filmmaker – won the Audience Battambang province and his father Refrigerate After Opening screened nounced this year. And it will most watched my films and supported me Choice Award at the University of was from Kampong Cham province. at the 4th Annual USC Asian-Pacific likely be distributed through a part- over the years. As one of the few Cam- Southern California (USC), one of They immigrated to the US as refu- Alumni Association Film Festival, ner,” Ung says. bodian-American filmmakers in Hol- the top film schools in the world. gees and settled in the city of San which featured Jon Chu (director of Ung says that he wanted to cre- lywood, I hope that I can make films The short film is about a man who Francisco. Crazy Rich Asians) as a guest. ate a film that is enjoyable to watch that represent us and our stories. is experiencing difficulties and who As an undergraduate exchange “USC is the top film school in the yet deals with an issue many people “While the industry is changing and finds the key to changing his life in- student Ung received a HK$40,000 world and the festival featured the eventually face. you are seeing more Asians in cin- side his refrigerator. (US$5,150) grant from the Hong best films from USC students and “I also enjoyed experimenting ema, Cambodians are still often left Refrigerate After Opening is a reac- Kong Arts Development Council to alumni about or created by Asians with aspect ratio, and I think it’s one out of the conversation, and are still tion to the stagnation that many peo- make a short film, Chubby Can Kill. or Asian Americans. of the few films that have a continu- relatively invisible on the world stage. ple experience over the course of their Following the success of the film, “The audience was able to select ously shifting aspect ratio, going “I hope that one day, I and other lives, which filmmaker Kevin Ung has which led to its distribution in local which film they liked the best out of from 1:1 – when Rich is trapped in Cambodian filmmakers will show experienced himself and seen occur in and international markets, Ung de- the films screened and Refrigerate his day-to-day life – to 2.39:1, when the world that we have powerful sto- the lives of many people he’s known. veloped an interest in telling stories After Opening won, so it received the his life has turned for the better.” ries that not only deserve to be told, “Many of us don’t have the luxury through advertising by combining his Audience Choice Award,” Ung says. Ung has directed short films in the but need to be told,” Ung says. to leave our day-to-day. It’s a privi- creativity with marketing to tell the Ung says Refrigerate After Opening past, including Flee – where two sis- Ung – who has spent time working lege to do so. But what if by some stories of some of the largest brands is still touring through the film festi- ters run for their lives with an infant in Hong Kong and hopes to visit his kind of magic, you are able to change in the world through commercials. val circuit including DisOrient Film in tow, based on true events – and parents’ homeland soon – says that this? What if you’re given the tools to being a well-known filmmaker will change your life?” says Ung. provide an opportunity to enable The main character in the film, others like him to achieve the same Rich, portrayed by actor Tony Suri- success. ano, is a 30-something year old that “My dream would be to open a film is given a second chance in life by a school in Cambodia to help nurture magical refrigerator he acquires. the next generation of Cambodian The problem is that while the fridge filmmakers,” he says. gives him a compass, it doesn’t force He is currently writing and trying to him to actually act on anything. secure funding for an ambitious film “The refrigerator itself is magical that intertwines plots related to sci- and provides Rich with things that ence and the Cambodian genocide. will help him change his life, but it “It is a film that is extremely close is up to Rich to use them. The items to my heart and is inspired by brave that are given are not magical in- scientists, and what happened to and-of themselves,” Ung says. the survivors of the genocide after The idea for the film came about in a the war,” he says. screenwriting class at USC, where Ung Intending to make it a feature- was completing his Master of Fine Arts length film, Ung says funding will be in Film & Television Production. the main barrier. Ung tells The Post that “I wanted to “The biggest challenge will be to tell a story that incorporated magi- raise funds for this film, since it will cal realism at its heart, but I also be at a larger scale than anything didn’t want to make something that I’ve done before,” Ung says. was too fantastical. For more details about Kevin Ung “I wanted to make a story that we and his films, including Refrigerate could all relate to and see within our Tony Suriano and Nicola Vann in Ung’s film.Screen shot After Opening, visit his website at own lives, which is why I use a mun- https://www.kevinung.film/. THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Email: [email protected] Socialite 13

Cambodian Public Bank CEO presents gifts to NBC head and Malaysian ambassador Cambodian Public Bank CEO Ong Ming Teck on February 11 paid a courtesy call to Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia HE Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim. During the visit, Ong presented a memento – a 168-page coffee table book on the founder of the bank titled Legendary: The Man. The Mission. The Masterclass: Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr Teh Hong Piow. Ong also presented a similar gift to the National Bank of Cambodia’s Governor HE Chea Chanto during a visit on February 26.

Prince Group chairman Chen Zhi pledges $3M to combat Covid-19

Prince Holding Group chairman Neak Oknha Chen Zhi last Thursday announced plans to donate $3 million to support Cambodia’s efforts in tackling the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the Kingdom. Chen’s assistance comes at a pressing time, and he expressed strong support for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s drive to combat the ongoing pandemic. The conglomerate – also known as Prince Group – is one of the largest in Cambodia, with businesses spanning the real estate development, banking, finance, aviation, tourism, logistics, technology, food and beverage, and lifestyle sectors. photos supplied photos supplied photos

New Nissan Navara launched in Kingdom Tan Chong Motor (Cambodia) Pty Ltd (“TCMC”) – the exclusive sole distributor of Nissan vehicles in Cambodia and a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (Malaysia) – launched the new Nissan Navara in the Kingdom on March 5. The Nissan Navara is built on more than 80 years of Nissan pickup truck heritage, and has conquered extreme locations from the dunes of the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Thailand, to mining areas of Chile in South America located at 4,000 metres above sea level. Equipped with best-in-class technology – including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems, making it the most advanced Navara ever – the award-winning Navara is a reliable partner for work or embarking on adventurous journeys. “I am proud to say we are third in Asia to officially launch the new Nissan Navara after its introduction in Thailand last November and subsequently in Laos,” Tan Chong Motor Cambodia senior country manager Hout Kimmeng said at the launch, which was held virtually. photos supplied photos 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

A customer feeds pigs at a coffee shop in Shanghai on February 28. afp Raccoons to snakes: Shanghai animal cafes expanding to exotics baby raccoon to venue actually functions as a snakes, iguanas and geckos stroke while you sip cafe. wait to delight customers. your skinny latte? The raccoons’ behaviour is Owner Wang Liqun has 30 Or a snake to coil too unpredictable for people snakes, among them Corn aroundA you after your cap- to have hot drinks around snakes and Kingsnakes – nei- puccino? them and the menu is lim- ther is venomous but they can Forget dog or cat cafes, ited. bite. Wang is yet to have such “PLAY IT UP” Shanghai’s animal cafe scene The cafe’s owner, Cheng an incident with a customer. has expanded to include a Chen, admits she had no A visitor who gave only her ACROSS 49 Half a picker-upper 21 “Snowy” bird wider – and more exotic – first-hand experience of rac- surname, Tang, said the cafe 1 Diamond Head island 50 Marathoners’ injuries 24 12-point types kingdom. coons before taking over the helps people to get over their 5 Small amount of 23-Across 58 Nigerian monetary unit 25 Locale of a famous last stand The fad in dining alongside establishment at the end of fears. 8 Fragrant rose oil 59 Beetle, Jaguar or Mustang 26 Dog park noises all manner of species – from last year. “After coming here they will 13 Architect’s handiwork 60 Bang-up 27 Body of salt water 61 Under an assumed name, briefly raccoons to pigs and reptiles They can be aggressive, she feel that it’s not what they 14 It comes to a point 28 Fancy-footed vases 62 “___-Team” – comes despite pandemic- says, and has the scars on her thought and may find reptiles 15 Bath sponge (Var.) 30 Columbus called it home fuelled concerns about the wrists to prove it. actually quite lovely,” said the 16 British lord 63 Hardly genteel 64 Get in touch, in a way 31 Florida athlete dangers of deadly viruses The 36-year-old under- 27-year-old. 17 Appraise 65 Be mistaken 32 Some airport landings jumping from wild animals to stands why some people may But Evan Sun, a scientist 18 Succeed 19 Late-night movie fare, sometimes 66 Newsroom fixture 34 Lid lump humans. with World Animal Protec- question whether it is fair for 22 Byproduct of cheesemaking DOWN 35 Certain bison There are dozens of animal the raccoons to be kept in a tion, said that he was “deeply 23 Toothpaste type 1 Energy cartel, in brief 38 Bustles cafes in China’s biggest city, cafe, eating dog food. concerned” about such cafes. 24 Treat 2 Controversial apple spray 39 They’re hardly revolutionary with visitors helping to drive Cheng, who seems to have a “Wild animals are having a 27 “Pardon ___ dust” (renovation 3 Hounds’ quarry 44 Moon of Uranus the craze by posing for photos genuine affection for the rac- miserable life in these cafes, sign) 4 Illicit 46 Apres-ski beverage with the creatures and shar- coons, is an animal lover and enduring huge suffering and 29 Early birds? 5 Anne Frank’s writing 48 Inedible orange ing them on social media. has several dogs and cats at pressure,” said Sun, the char- 33 Intestinal tract division 6 A chip, at times 49 Idaho product, informally 34 Spirally threaded tack Tucked away in central home. ity’s wildlife campaign man- 7 Grievance, slangily 50 Cut, as coupons 36 “Dig in!” Shanghai, Raccoon Cafe is She hopes the government ager for China. 8 Kelp beds, essentially 51 Trigonometric term 37 Point out home to eight of the mam- will make it more difficult to “The close interactions with 52 Puerto ___ 40 Loudness increaser, of a sort 9 Fife sound 53 Inescapable outcome mals. The biggest of them, own and breed such animals, wild animals not only fuel 41 Some bean plants (Var.) 10 Vegetarian staple weighing about 10kg, jumps to prevent them from fall- suffering and cruelty, but also 42 One-masted sailboat 11 Whence some worship 54 Essen basin up and down by a window, ing into the hands of people creates a hotbed of diseases 43 “Eh” 12 Broiled just a bit 55 Philandering fellow seemingly agitated by cus- who are less concerned about that could exacerbate the 45 Home office locale, perhaps 14 “___ words were never spoken” 56 Concludes tomers. their welfare. likelihood of zoonotic diseas- 46 Some trees 20 “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” 57 Run for, as public office “I think it’s really cute,” said “Generally there’s no special es’ emergence and spread. 47 “You stink!” poet Qin Siyu, a 27-year-old pro- regulation. In fact, especially “Most customers who visit fessional volleyball player in China, the regulation for animal cafes are animal lov- Friday’s solution who found out about the cafe pets may be relatively weak,” ers, but they do not know that from a friend’s pictures. she said. their consumption choices Customers pay from 98 have such a negative impact yuan ($15) for entry but it is ‘Huge suffering’ to both wild animals and hu- debatable how much of the In another Shanghai cafe, mans.” afp

Friday’s solution

Cafe owner Cheng Chen carries a raccoon during an interview with AFP at her establishment, Raccoon Cafe, in Shanghai. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Middleweight great Marvin Hagler dies Boxing legend Marvin Hagler, bled Hearns with a powerhouse the undisputed middleweight right and sent him to the can- champion from 1980 to 1987, vas moments later, Hearns ris- died on March 13 at age 66, his ing only to collapse into referee wife said. Richard Steele’s arms. In a posting on the famed Hagler won the World Boxing fighter’s Facebook page, Kay G Council and World Boxing Hagler said her husband passed Association middleweight titles away at the family home. in 1980, stopping Britain’s Alan “I am sorry to make a very sad Minter in the third round at announcement. Today unfor- London’s Wembley Arena, and tunately my beloved husband added the International Boxing Marvelous Marvin passed away Federation’s inaugural title in unexpectedly at his home here 1983. in New Hampshire,” she wrote. Hagler defended the undis- “Our family requests that you puted crown 12 times, includ- respect our privacy during this ing a 15-round unanimous difficult time.” decision victory over Panama’s “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler Roberto Duran in 1983 and his fought from 1973 to 1987 and final triumph, an 11th-round delivered some of the epic knockout of unbeaten Ugan- bouts in a golden era of the dan John Mugabi in 1986. sport, finishing with a record of Over a decade from 1976 to 62-3 with two drawn and 52 1986, Hagler went unbeaten France’s full-back Brice Dulin (second right) catches the ball against England’s full-back Max Malins (right) in a Six Nations match at Westham. AFP knockouts. with 36 wins and a draw and The southpaw’s most her- carried a 16-fight win streak alded triumph came in a 1985 into what proved to be his final matchup at Caesars Palace in fight, a showdown with “Sugar” Las Vegas against Thomas “Hit- Ray Leonard in 1987 at age 32. England makes World Cup man” Hearns that lasted only a Leonard, coming off three tick over eight minutes but was years of retirement at age 30, regarded as a classic. captured a controversial After a first round filled with 12-round split decision and statement in win over France power punches in which launched his return to the ring Hearns suffered a broken right as Hagler bid farewell. ngland coach Eddie Jones beaten by South Africa in the 2019 World the Wales match], including our disci- hand, Hagler suffered a cut to Hagler was inducted into the said his side had stolen a march Cup final in Japan. pline and obviously that was a big posi- the head early in the second. International Boxing Hall of on 2023 World Cup hosts France Defeats by both Scotland and Wales tive today,” Farrell said. A ringside doctor examined Fame and after stepping out of after Maro Itoje’s late try sealed had effectively ended England’s hopes of The Saracens centre added England had Hagler in the third round and the ring served as an actor and aE come-from-behind 23-20 win over Les a successful Six Nations title defence. not been spooked by France’s early try. the fight went on. Hagler wob- a boxing commentator. AFP Bleus in the Six Nations on March 13. And they then saw France scrum-half “We knew there was a long way to go England’s victory ended France’s hopes Antoine Dupont score the opening try in that game . . . It didn’t feel that we were of a Grand Slam as the reigning champi- of March 13’s match in just the second shocked by that.” ons bounced back from their 40-24 de- minute, with Damian Penaud also cross- Farrell added he had not needed to feat by leaders Wales last time out. ing before half-time. pass a message to his side in the closing But it needed Itoje’s try four minutes But wing Anthony Watson marked his stages. from time to ensure victory, the lock forc- 50th England cap with a try and captain “It felt like we we’re going to get a ing his way over for a score confirmed by Owen Farrell’s boot kept the hosts in chance, not waiting for one – it felt like the television match official. the game before Itoje capitalised on his were going to make one.” “They’re being described as the best side’s increasing forward dominance in And as for Itoje being the man to take team in the world,” said Jones of France. the 76th minute. it, Farrell said: “He was at his best in a big “And we said to our players before the The win was also a reward for Eng- game, which is no surprise for us.” game we’re going to be racing them to land’s improved discipline. England complete their Six Nations the World Cup. Having conceded 41 penalties in the campaign away to Ireland next weekend “They are a good team, they’re devel- opening three rounds, with Itoje a prime and veteran Australian boss Jones said: oping, we’re developing, and it’s going culprit, they did not get on the wrong “We’re so disappointed we can’t defend to be a good race between the two of us. side of referee Andrew Brace until the our trophy so we want to make sure we And we got a bit of a start on it today,” 25th minute on March 13. finish the competition with a good feel- US boxer Marvin Hagler waves during a middleweight match against added Jones, who saw his England team “Too many things went against us [in ing about where we’re going.” AFP Norberto Rufino Cabrera (not pictured) on June 30, 1979AFP Atletico held by 10-man Getafe as Benzema doubles

Atletico Madrid slipped up again gap is down to six points between the close during a period of sustained one only to pop back off the post. the back was not an obvious success in La Liga on March 13 as they failed city rivals. Atletico pressure. Dembele should have scored late on as Zidane’s team struggled to break to break down 10-man Getafe in a Barcelona, meanwhile, can move to But they failed to find the finishing but headed wide. down an Elche side that sit 17th. goalless draw that gives further within four points of the leaders by touch, meaning Diego Simeone’s side Benzema’s late equaliser salvaged a “Against teams that sit back, it’s encouragement to Barcelona and Real beating bottom club Huesca on March have now won only two of their last draw against Atletico last weekend always difficult,” said Zidane. “We had Madrid in the title race. 15 night. seven games in all competitions, with and the Frenchman came up trumps to find a solution and in the end we Real Madrid had earlier come from Getafe were reduced to 10 men a trip to Chelsea up next on March 17 again for Real Madrid, a brilliant shot found a gap.” behind to beat Elche 2-1 thanks to a when Allan Nyom was sent off in the in the Champions League. flying in off the post in the 91st minute Madrid were the better team in the late double from Karim Benzema, 70th minute before Luis Suarez hit the Atletico will be attempting to over- to secure victory at Valdebebas. first half but there was hardly a chance with Atletico’s stalemate meaning the post and Moussa Dembele twice went turn a 1-0 deficit at Stamford Bridge. “It was a beautiful goal and it won to show for it, the only real opening “We did everything we could but the us three points, so I’m happier than falling to Benzema at the back post. ball wouldn’t go in. We have to take a ever,” he said. Elche took the lead early in the point,” said goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Sergio Ramos returned from a knee second half. Ramos shielded his eyes “It was the game I expected,” said injury to make his first appearance as if struggling with the sun and the Simeone. “A point is still a step for- since January, although the defender corner found Dani Calvo, who wards.” came off shortly after an hour, mean- climbed above Raphael Varane to Nyom was sent off for a high tackle ing his availability for March 16’s head in off the crossbar. on Renan Lodi, with referee Jose San- Champions League game at home to Ramos, Isco and Fede Valverde made chez needing only one look at the Atalanta is perhaps not guaranteed. way for Modric, Kroos and Rodrygo, replay to decide a yellow card needed Eden Hazard, who has also been out and 10 minutes later Madrid were to be upgraded to a red. since January, came off the bench in level. Modric collected a short corner Joao Felix had already had a goal the second half and could play in mid- and swung a cross into the back post, ruled out and with 20 minutes left and week, when Madrid will start with a where Benzema nodded in. a man extra, Atletico poured for- 1-0 advantage from the first leg. There were 17 minutes left to find ward. a winner but it came in injury-time. Dembele shot from close range but ‘Found the gap’ Benzema scooped the ball up to was denied by David Soria while Lodi Toni Kroos and Luka Modric were Rodrygo on the edge of the area. He made a mess of finishing Suarez’s rested, perhaps with that game in cushioned it back to the striker, who cross to the back post. mind, but both were needed by Zin- caught the ball in the air with a bril- Atletico Madrid’s French forward Moussa Dembele (left) looks at Getafe’s Spanish Suarez then went closest, a curling edine Zidane before the end. liant shot that flew in off the far goalkeeper David Soria diving for the ball during their Spanish League match. AFP effort with his left foot beating every- And a change in system to three at post. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 15, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Manchester City extend Premier League lead as Chelsea stumble in Champions much- c h a n g e d fought and stayed so patient.” “We made the same mis- Manchester City Manchester United have take as most of the games in stretched their Pre- two games in hand on the run- Goodison Park, we didn’t start mier League lead to away league leaders to close well.” 17A points with a 3-0 win at Ful- the gap, but there seems little ham on March 13, while Chel- doubt City will claim a third ‘Stand tall’ sea gave the chasing pack in league title in four years in the Crystal Palace’s Wilfried the race for a place in next sea- coming weeks after a run of 23 Zaha became the first Premier son’s Champions League hope wins in 24 games. League player not to take a with a 0-0 draw at Leeds. Fulham remain rooted in knee prior to kick-off of a 1-0 Pep Guardiola could af- the bottom three after just a win over West Brom. ford the luxury of making second defeat in eight games. The Ivory Coast international seven changes ahead of City’s stood tall while the rest of his Champions League last 16, Chelsea not clinical Palace team-mates and their second leg against Borussia Fourth-placed Chelsea opponents took the knee. Monchengladbach in mid- stretched their unbeaten run The 28-year-old revealed last week with Kevin De Bruyne since Thomas Tuchel replaced month that he would no longer among the key players hand- the sacked Frank Lampard to perform the gesture against ra- ed a rest. 12 games at Elland Road. cial injustice, which has been However, City’s strength in However, the Blues have followed by Premier League depth shone through once been far from prolific despite players, officials and staff since more as the visitors struck the wealth of attacking talent June. three times in the first 15 min- at Tuchel’s disposal. “As a society, I feel we should utes of the second-half at Cra- Tuchel left strikers Timo be encouraging better edu- ven Cottage. Werner and Olivier Giroud on cation in schools, and social John Stones opened the the bench with Kai Havertz media companies should be floodgates before an emphatic keeping his place as a false taking stronger action against finish from Gabriel Jesus and nine and the German had people who abuse others on- Sergio Aguero’s first Premier his side’s best chance with a line – not just footballers,” Zaha Manchester City’s English defender John Stones (right) scores the opening goal during the English Premier League goal for 14 months driven effort than Illan Meslier League football match between Fulham and Manchester City on Saturday. POOL/AFP said in a statement. from the penalty spot round tipped over. “I now just want to focus on off the scoring. Leeds lost top scorer Patrick box to score one or two goals. ley won 2-1 at Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin football and enjoy being back “We’ve all played so many Bamford to injury in the first- Unfortunately, we didn’t, so The visitors’ bright start pulled a goal back for Everton, playing on the pitch. I will games, we know the squad is half, but could have claimed we have to live with a draw,” was rewarded with a vital but Burnley comfortably held continue to stand tall.” rotated because of the sched- victory themselves as Edouard said Tuchel. three points in their battle out to open up a seven-point Once the action began, Luka ule,” said Stones. Mendy made brilliant saves A point edges Chelsea three to beat the drop. Chris Wood gap above the relegation zone. Milivojevic scored the only “We all know our roles and to deny Tyler Roberts and points clear of West Ham, who opened the scoring before “It is a big disappointment goal from the penalty spot to responsibilities and everyone Raphinha. have two games in hand. Dwight McNeil’s sensational because we lost a great oppor- plunge the Baggies ever closer who came in today deserves all “We created enough chanc- Everton are still five points strike doubled the visitors’ tunity to climb the table,” said to a return to the Champion- the credit for the way we played, es and enough touches in the adrift of the top four as Burn- lead. Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti. ship. afp As Platini faces prosecuters, FIFA’s legal woes pile up

Michel Platini will face Swiss pros- took over FIFA, Gianni Infantino. million) from FIFA authorised by Blat- then head of the Swiss Federal Pros- awarded in 2004, are also tainted by ecutors on three consecutive days These are only two of the proceed- ter in 2011. ecutor’s Office (MPC). suspicions of corruption. next week as he answers questions in ings involving FIFA. Swiss prosecutors responded by Those meetings fuelled suspicions Switzerland in April had to drop an two of the raft of cases that still beset Here AFP rounds up the legal state opening an investigation of the two of collusion over cases that involved investigation over the awarding of the global football and its leaders, past of play. men on accusations of “disloyal man- FIFA. 2006 World Cup to Germany, due to and present. agement”, “breach of trust” and Infantino says he wanted to show the the statute of limitations. Platini is due to be interrogated in The case of the two presidents “fraud”. MPC “that the new FIFA was a world Bern on March 15-16 over the corrup- When Blatter fell as head of FIFA in As Platini’s final hearing approaches away from the old one”, which had The case of the TV bribes tion case that shattered his dream of 2015 he quickly took his would-be on March 15-16 in Bern, he and Blatter been led astray “by corrupt officials”. In addition to being a major source taking over world football’s governing successor and the head of European insist that, even though there was no The Swiss prosecutor in the case has of revenue for FIFA, television rights body FIFA after the fall of Sepp Blatter. governing body, Platini with him. written contract, the payment, made also said he is curious about a private are also turning into its main source On March 17, he is expected in FIFA banned both men from foot- just before Platini opted not to chal- jet flight Infantino took in 2017 that of legal problems, starting with the Sarnen, 80km to the east, but this time ball at the end of 2015. The accusation lenge Blatter in the 2011 FIFA election, was paid for by FIFA. seven arrests in Zurich on the eve of as a witness in an investigation into against Platini revolves around a pay- was for consultancy work dating back the 2015 presidential election. the actions of the man who instead ment of two million Swiss francs ($2.2 to 1999-2002. The case of the Qatari World Cup “Fifagate” was primarily concerned Platini insists the affair was a “plot” The most embarrassing investiga- with the sale of continental TV rights to block him from the FIFA presiden- tion for FIFA, because of the shadow by football officials in the Americas, cy, which went instead to his former it casts over its flagship competition, who were also FIFA committee mem- UEFA number two, Infantino. concerns the award of the 2022 World bers, in cases where US prosecutors Platini counter-attacked at the end Cup and also involves Platini. could claim jurisdiction. of 2018 by filing a complaint in the The vote in December 2010 to make US courts have sentenced Para- courts accusing unnamed enemies of Qatar the hosts has been the subject guayan Juan Angel Napout to nine “slanderous denunciation” and “crim- of investigations by FIFA and both the years in prison and Brazilian Jose inal association”. Swiss and French justice systems. Maria Marin to four years. Cayman Swiss prosecutors have been inves- Islander Jeffrey Webb, a former head Infantino vs the prosecutor tigating “money laundering and unfair of the North and Central America and The boot will be on the other foot management” since May 2015. The Caribbean confederation, has pleaded on March 17 when Platini appears as French justice system is looking into guilty and agreed to pay $6.7 million. a witness in a Swiss investigation into “active and passive corruption” in He is awaiting sentencing. Infantino. relation to a lunch held in November Meanwhile, Swiss prosecutors said Elected in 2016 promising to “restore 2010 hosted by then French president in February they are appealing the the image of FIFA”, Infantino last year Nicolas Sarkozy whose guests includ- acquittal in October of Nasser Al- became the target of a criminal pro- ed two senior Qatari executives and Khelaifi, the Paris Saint-Germain cedure for “incitement to abuse Platini, who as UEFA president was president and broadcasting group authority”, “violation of official secre- one of the FIFA voters. beIN Media chief, over the allocation cy” and “obstruction of criminal pro- The 2018 World Cup in Russia, by FIFA North African and Middle Former UEFA head Michel Platini (left) arrives with his lawyer Dominic Nellen at the ceedings” over three secret meetings awarded in the same vote, and the Eastern TV rights for the 2026 and building of the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland on August 31.AFP in 2016 and 2017 with Michael Lauber, 2010 World Cup in South Africa, 2030 World Cups. afp