N U MB E R 3408 ssue I monday, april 27, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL Over 5,000 test negative Long Kimmarita The ministry said among antine centre at [Hun Sen] Sour urged other workers to cover meals and examina- the 5,045 workers, 4,823 were Champuvorn High School to undergo a health examination. tion for the workers. HE Ministry of Labour allowed to self-quarantine monitor the health of the re- “We have made public an- The labour ministry said and Vocational Train- at home, 97 were placed at maining workers,” it said. nouncements and remain around 30,000 workers Cambodian ing has wrapped up Quarantine Centre Level 1 Labour ministry spokes- open to [Covid-19] screen- throughout the Kingdom took health examination (QCL1) and the remaining 125 person Heng Sour told The ing, so you should come out time off during the holidays. peacekeepers forT workers who took time off at Quarantine Centre Level 2 Post that only six workers for a check-up,” he said. Of the number, some 15,000 and left for their hometowns (QCL2) during the five days. remained at QCL2 as of Sun- He downplayed the risks of were from Phnom Penh. recover from during Khmer New Year QCL1 is for those who showed day afternoon, while the rest virus spread among workers in Sour said the workers who despite the holidays being minor symptoms, while QCL2 would continue their self- the capital and the provinces. have been cleared of Covid-19 virus in mali postponed to prevent Covid- is for those suspected of con- quarantine at home. “As of Sunday, the risk level will receive a medical certifi- national – page 3 19 spreading in communities. tracting the virus. Despite the closure, the for factory workers in Phnom cate and allowed to return to In a Friday press release, it “For more than 14 days from ministry advised all work- Penh is back to normal. Over work. said over five days from April the night of April 9 to April 24, ers who have been cleared of the past two weeks, we found For the remaining workers 20-25, a total of 5,045 work- the Ministry of Health found Covid-19 and allowed to self- no positive cases in the prov- who have not undergone any ers had their health checked, no positive case of Covid-19. quarantine to immediately inces,” he said. health examination, he said none of whom tested posi- “We have therefore decided contact the Ministry of Health He said the health ministry it is up to their employers to tive for Covid-19. to close all but a Level 2 quar- in case of a suspected case. had provided $1 million to retain or dismiss them. Pakistanis Logistics sector in the kingdom flock to fears slowdown markets, amid pandemic business – page 6 mosques

PAKISTANIS on Saturday celebrated the country’s first day of Ramadan by flocking to mosques and markets, ignoring advice to stay home as new coronavirus cases rise. Prime Minister Imran Khan has come under pressure for his han- dling of the virus crisis, after causing confusion by saying Pakistan could not afford the type of sweeping lock- downs seen in other nations. who: Immunity His government also caved in to religious pressure, allowing daily passports prayers and evening congrega- tions at mosques during Ramadan, could increase albeit with some protective meas- ures in place. Covid-19 cases At Islamabad’s mosques, wor- WORLD – Page 9 shippers were thinner on the A friend in deed ground than typical for Ramadan’s first day, but elsewhere, social dis- China’s Ministry of National Defence on Saturday donated 16 tonnes of medical supplies to Cambodia’s Ministry of tancing guidelines and a ban on National Defence, consisting of 11 types of items worth some $1 million, to aid the fight against Covid-19.HENG CHIVOAN sTORY > 3 older worshippers were widely ignored. Medical associations have repeatedly called on the govern- ment to impose a comprehensive lockdown as pressure grows on the Forest activism ‘just a cover’ country’s already struggling health system. Voun Dara said some unregistered choice but to take legal the statement said. So far, Pakistan has recorded NGOs are also carrying out measures, especially under Ministry secretary of state over 12,000 confirmed Covid-19 Online mystics THE Ministry of Environ- activities in protected natu- the Law on Environmental and spokesperson Neth infections and 269 deaths – but ment has warned of legal ral areas under its jurisdic- Protection and Natural Pheaktra told The Post on with only limited testing, the real cash in with app action against non-govern- tion without notifying it. Resource Management. Sunday that some NGOs, numbers are believed to be much mental organisations (NGOs) “For NGOs or associations “The ministry requests associations and individuals higher. amid Myanmar and associations which it that continue their activities all relevant authorities to had disguised themselves as The World Health Organisation said had used environmental in an anarchic and illegal help monitor their activi- environment officials or (WHO) has warned that without virus lockdown activism as a cover to attack manner in natural resource ties and take legal action rangers to extort money from effective interventions, Pakistani the government. areas, the Ministry of Envi- against any NGOs or asso- cases could soar to 200,000 by lifestyle – page 12 In a letter dated April 24, it ronment will be left with no ciations that defy the law,” national– Page 4 mid-July. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST Rural communities set to National News receive Covid-19 supplies Inside page 2 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Kratie military police seize lorries, trailers and timber Soth Koemsoeun the owner got away. He said he did not remember the A THREE-DAY operation by the Kra- amount of timber and the evidence tie provincial Military Police ended seized because he immediately in the seizure of three lorries, two ordered the authorities to send both trailers and about four cubic meters the case and the evidence to officials of timber. The suspects escaped. at the Forestry Administration. The GRK News website reported “When we caught all of those offenc- National Military Police chief of secu- es, we sent them to the officials to con- rity unit 706, Tep Dara, as having led tinue working on the case,” he said. a mixed force to stop the unauthor- Kratie provincial Department of ised transport of timber in Keng vil- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries lage, Chroy Banteay commune, Prek director Try Sopheak could not be Prasap district, Kratie province. reached for comment on Sunday. During the operation, a lorry car- Meanwhile, Ratanakkiri provincial rying 126 pieces of first-grade timber military police officials on Thursday equal to 3,528 cubic meters was con- found a total of 60 pieces of Sokrom, fiscated and handed over to the Kra- Srolaov and rosewood, about tie Forestry Administration. 20-30cm in diameter, hidden in the The report said that on Thursday, forest behind the Phi village of Sesan Kratie provincial police forces, in co- commune, O’Yadav district, but the operation with the National Military owner wasn’t found. Police, discovered another vehicle in A report by the National Military Romoul village of Kampong Cham Police showed that on Sunday, the commune, Sambor district, Kratie local military police force of O’Yadav province, but the owner escaped. district led by Sok Min, a local mili- The report said Kratie provincial tary police chief, had been investigat- military police forces on Friday also ing forest crimes in Phi village, Sesan investigated forest crimes in Village commune, O’Yadav district, and A joint agreement signed last Friday secured medical supplies for rural low-income communities. supplied I, Sangkat Rokar Kandal, Kratie city, found a pile of logs which traffickers and seized two motorbike-trailers had hauled by motorbike, hidden on filled with mixed timber (trach and a cashew farm 350m from the Phi vil- sralao). A total of 21 were sent to the lage police station. forestry administration. The report by Bou Rady, a deputy Rural communities set to Kratie military police chief San prosecutor at the Ratanakkiri Provin- Bunthan said on Sunday that Kratie cial Court, said the force seized 60 provincial military police had been pieces of mixed timber such as steadily going after forest crimes in sokrom, sralao and rosewood with receive Covid-19 supplies the area last week. sections ranging from 20-30cm in Having seized the timber transport diameter. The evidence has been Ry Sochan vide lower-income families with income communities. lorry, he said the suspects hid trailers handed over to the Bakeo Forestry Covid-19 materials and educational The items to be donated include for transporting logs in the forest, but Administration. HE Cambodian Mine Ac- support on mine awareness. 2,000kg of jasmine rice, 1,000 tion Authority (CMAC), the The joint effort aims to leverage the scarves, 2,160 bars of soap, 2,500 Sir Bobby Charlton Foun- skills, facilities, and funding of each or- surgical face masks, 2,000 cans of dation (SBC), and the Halo ganisation to support the community crane fish, 300 litres of alcohol, TrustT organisation signed a joint over the next three months, she said. 10,000 to 20,000 Covid-19 posters, agreement last Friday pledging to Rothna said the disabled and those and two boxes of sports clothes. fight the spread of the Covid-19 affected by Covid-19 in Pursat province At the announcement ceremony, pandemic in Cambodia by donating will receive extra attention. “Cambodia CMAC first vice-director Ly Thuch protective equipment and food to needs medical masks and ventilators thanked the SBC and the government low-income communities. to fight against Covid-19,” she said. for their efforts in fighting the spread SBC country director Buth Rothna SBC’s chief executive Lou McGrath of Covid-19 in mine-affected areas. said during the announcement cer- said: “We all understand the plight On February 18, CMAC and SBC co- emony that the foundation has sup- of Cambodia and at the same time created a charity to help people who ported both Halo projects and the the UK. We all know we can reduce have been disabled by mines and un- Disability Development Service Pro- the effects of the Covid-19 disease if exploded ordnance in Cambodia. gramme (DDSP) though CMAC and we are careful.” The two organisations plan to co- the Golden West Foundation to help SBC said it would donate emer- operate with relevant ministries to prevent the spread of Covid-19. gency food and hygiene kits to build a vocational training centre Kratie provincial military police orchestrated a three-day crack down targeting illegal Rothna said the projects will pro- CMAC in support of rural, low- for the disabled. loggers in the province. GRK NEWS Two die at bottom of Siem Reap well

Khouth Sophak Chakrya trict, Siem Reap province, ac- old resident of Stung village. the well, and Sean went down cording to local authorities. The owner of the well and to check on him. TWO men suffocated at the Commune police chief Vai Sean’s sister-in-law, Thith Suon, After that, I heard Sean shout bottom of a well they were Savoeun identified the victims hired a three-person team to for help. Rath was unconscious repairing on Saturday morn- as 39-year-old Chhut Sean, restore the well, according to and immediately I shouted to ing in Ov Lork village, Bakong a resident of Ov Lork village, Savoeun. The third member of the owner of the well to call for Commune, Prasat Bakong dis- and Yoeum Rath, a 47-year- the crew was Som Rong. help from villagers. Savoeun quoted Suon as say- I called Sean to come up but ing: “After I agreed to let them I didn’t hear his reply. When restore the well for 100,000 the villagers arrived, we put a riel, they said they would start pipe into the well to allow air work on Saturday morning. to travel to the bottom. When I They asked for 30,000 riel in went down to help them, they advance to buy alcohol. had already died,” Rong said. On Saturday morning, the District police chief Lim three of them opened the cover Sambath, who led forensic of the well, prepared wire and officials to inspect the bodies entered the well to restore it. of the victims, confirmed that Two of them died in the well, the victims’ deaths were due including my brother-in-law.” to a lack of oxygen at the bot- According to Savoeun, Rong tom of the well. helped retrieve the victims’ bod- Sambath instructed villagers ies, and on Sunday, he recount- to stop digging deep wells that ed the incident to The Post. haven’t been used for years, “At first, Rath went down especially during the summer. the well to dig out sediment, “Old wells that have been which caused a water block- out of use for years are usu- age for about 10 minutes. ally devoid of enough oxygen, Two workers died from suffocation while restoring a well in Ov Lork We could not hear him and they can be life-threaten- village in Siem Reap. police shouting from the bottom of ing,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Soldiers with China delivers plane-load of aid Covid-19 on Niem Chheng gistics deputy director and director of the Preah Ketomelea Hospital Ly HINA’S Ministry of Defence Sovann said that since March 25, Chi- the mend on Saturday donated 16 nese counterparts had dispatched tonnes of medical supplies to four medical experts to help the min- Long Kimmarita Cambodia’s Ministry of De- istry along with medical supplies. fence,C consisting of 11 types of items The four doctors installed a labora- CENTRE for Peacekeeping Forces worth some $1 million. tory at Preah Ketomelea Hospital to spokeswoman Kosal Malida said the The handover ceremony was held at test for the virus and trained military three Cambodian soldiers who con- the Phnom Penh International Airport doctors across the country on pre- tracted Covid-19 while on a UN mission on Saturday between Minister of De- vention measures and disinfection. to the Republic of Mali are recovering. fence Teah Banh’s adviser Nem Sowath He said the four went twice to Mili- Other Cambodian UN troops are hav- and Li Jingfeng, the military attaché at tary Region 4 in Siem Reap to prepare ing their health monitored and there are the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia. for the possible admission of Covid-19 no new cases of infections, she said. Sowath, who is also director-general patients and 340 samples were taken She told The Post on Sunday that of of the General Department of Policy from people and military personnel to all UN troops in Mali, 30 had con- and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of test at the newly-installed laboratory. tracted the virus including three Cam- National Defence, said this is the third All the samples were negative. bodians – two men and a woman. time it had received assistance from They are now waiting to test 300 The UN is monitoring their health China in the fight against Covid-19. military cadets who will return from in the mission area of Kidal, Mali. The two previous times involved the training in Vietnam, he said. They are recovering after receiving China’s Ministry of Defence donated 16 tonnes of medical supplies to Cambodia on dispatch of four medical experts from Saturday. heng chivoan “We have prepared well and we are medical attention. China to Cambodia on March 25 and not concerned now. We understand “The conditions of the three are bet- the supply of medical equipment. dia, China’s People’s Liberation Army “The two armies stand shoulder everything. It’s not like before when ter. Their temperatures improved from “I would like to emphasise that we and the Royal Cambodian Armed to shoulder to defeat Covid-19 and we were in the dark,” Sovann said. 38C to 37C. One is better than the oth- have many measures within our mil- Forces have tightly cooperated to protect the people’s health,” Li said. As of Sunday, Cambodia has not re- ers. Another one still coughs a little, but itary medical unit. This cooperation support each other. As for the assis- Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) corded a single new case for two weeks. they are better than before.” contributes actively to improving the tance to fight Covid-19, our coop- reported on Saturday that the 16- The figure has stopped at 122 and only The Facebook page of Unit 231, capacity of our medical preparation,” eration has been comprehensive,” Li tonnes of medical supplies consist- five remain hospitalised after 117 re- which destroys unexploded bombs in Sowath told reporters at the airport. said through a translator. ed of 20,000 pieces of N95 masks, covered, said the Ministry of Health. Mali, responded to a request for com- Li said China and Cambodia trust- He said the armies of the two na- 500,000 pieces of surgical masks, 500 Prime Minister Hun Sen took to Face- ment from The Post and said their ed each other like sylvan (trees). The tions trust each other on the Covid- medical goggles and 10,000 pairs of book to remind people to be vigilant. condition had almost returned to nor- two countries always helped each 19 battlefield. China is also support- medical gloves. “Besides development aid to Cam- mal. However, they deferred all other other in difficult times. China and ing other countries in this effort. There were also 1,000 medical hats, bodia, China has also sent a medical questions to the spokeswoman. Cambodia are brothers and friends. “Please, all brothers and sisters be- 10,000 protection suits, 20,000 nu- team with medicine, materials and “[We] thank the Cambodian people Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the lieve in China. When Covid-19 is over, cleic acid detection kits, 100 medical tools to be used to prevent Covid-19 for always paying attention to the peace- two countries have cooperated with Chinese aid will continue to come to beds, 100 handheld thermometers, transmission. Cambodia thanks our keeping forces who are on UN mis- each other. Cambodia. This handover ceremony 2,000 bottles (500ml) of disinfection friend China and wishes the friendship sions,” the Facebook manager wrote. “The Defence Ministry of China shows the traditional friendship be- gel, and 100 medical waste bins. between the two countries remains Malida said Cambodian peacekeep- and the Defence Ministry of Cambo- tween the two nations. The ministry’s Department of Lo- strong,” Hun Sen posted. ing forces have fulfilled their mission in Mali and have been assigned to other areas. One was assigned to Bamako, 82 to Kidal, 72 to Tessalit, 105 to Gao, 21 to Timbuktu and 18 to Mopti. Four arrested in purse-snatching murders She said they had been instructed to protect and prevent against Covid-19 Kim Sarom completed questioning them,” he said. Theara was detained at the Stung a motorbike with three people along a and have been told to stay put until a Boeung Keng Kang district police Meanchey II commune, Meanchey road in TumnopTeuk commune. decision is made at the end of June. POLICE in Phnom Penh are ques- chief Sim Piseth said on Sunday that district, Phnom Penh, on Saturday They saw a girl riding a motorbike “We check them in case they come tioning four suspects after they were the four suspects snatched the purse after the arrest of the other three. carrying a purse. As it was quiet and into direct contact with those who arrested on Friday for purse snatch- of a victim in his district. Authorities The four told police they snatched they decided to snatch her purse. have contracted Covid-19 and show ings that led to the deaths to two cooperated and arrested them in the bag of the victim Tan Layhout The victim wanted her purse back symptoms,” she said, adding that it women in March and April. different locations. causing her to crash her motorbike and chased them which caused her is unclear how the forces in Mali had Phnom Penh police minor crimes The Interior Ministry’s Criminal Po- in Boeung Keng Kang. She died after to fall off the motorbike, causing her contracted the disease. bureau chief Bun Satya on Sunday lice Department detained a suspect succumbing to her injuries. death. The National Centre for Peacekeep- identified the four suspects as Lay while Phnom Penh municipal police Another case took place on Stung The National Police said Panha ing forces said at present, 787 Cam- Pich Panha, Thea Rapy, Sok Leng and detained the other three. “The au- Meanchey Bridge. The female vic- also confessed that besides the above bodian soldiers, including 76 women Sun Theara, all men in their 20s. thorities questioned them just in case tim also fell from her motorbike and case on April 9, the men snatched were fulfilling missions under the UN He said the four were being ques- there are other related cases,” he said. died. And in yet another case at Wat the purse of Hong Sokcheng. umbrella in areas such as the Repub- tioned by the Phnom Penh municipal A Phnom Penh municipal police Koh, they threw stones at a man and The victim rode her bike in pur- lic of Sudan, the Republic of South police officers and have not yet been officer who asked to remain anony- robbed him, police said. suit and crashed into a cart on Stung Sudan, Lebanon, Central Africa, Mali sent to court. “Authorities have not mous told The Post on Sunday that The suspects confessed that they rode Meanchey Bridge, killing her. and Yemen. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Private schools catch NSSF Murder at family gathering, lone break as parents protest fees suspect escapes Khorn Savi students will join [the associ- ation] in making concessions Kim Sarom you got mad. What do you HE Ministry of La- to each other and being very want to do now?” shouted the bour and Vocational patient in a win-win solution TRAING district authori- victim, according to Sovann. Training has decided for all to get through this dif- ties in Takeo province are The suspect and Vuthy each to allow private edu- ficult stage,” its letter said. looking for a suspect after grabbed cleavers and the sus- cationalT establishments to The HEA said private edu- he allegedly murdered his pect struck Vuthy three times, delay paying a fixed levy for cational establishments were brother in-in-law at a family inflicting wounds on the head, six months to the National running into difficulty and gathering last Thursday in under the cheek, and the left Social Security Fund (NSSF). were hit hard with paying Khvav commune. side of the ribs. Vuthy col- The decision was made at staff salaries, rent, interest District deputy police chief lapsed and died at the scene. the request of the Higher Ed- and the principal to banks Pech Sovann told The Post on The incident reportedly ucation Association (HEA) in apart from other expenditure. Sunday that the victim was happened at 8:15pm, 1km Cambodia on April 10. The number of students was a 53-year-old male farmer from the police station. Au- A letter dated on April 23 also on the decline. named Sor Vuthy. thorities were notified of the from Minister of Labour and Additionally, some private Sovann said the suspect is murder by Vuthy’s family at Vocational Training Ith Sam educational establishments a 20-year-old farmer. Both 8:30pm, but the suspect es- Heng was sent to HEA chair- have proactively decided to the suspect and victim lived caped before police arrived. man Heng Vanda. lower tuition fees themselves. in Khvav commune. “We Sovann said the suspect He wrote that the ministry Lim Sok, whose children could not arrest him in time and victim were family mem- will allow the association’s The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has postponed National study at CIA, said that until but we know his identity and bers. He expressed surprise 113 educational establish- Social Security Fund payments for private schools. Hean Rangsey now, the school had not yet are attempting to detain that the suspect was allowed ments to delay payment from decided to accept the request him,” he said. to escape, but after investi- April to September. discount on tuition fees for the 2020-2021 academic year from the parents, despite two Vuthy’s relative said on the gating, authorities found no “In case the Covid-19 situ- students in grades 1-12 and enrolment be delayed. protests. day of the incident, the sus- evidence of collusion. ation ends before September fees for pre-school to be sus- On Friday, the HEA ap- He said parents have now pect’s and victim’s families “The news was reported and a government notice is pended. pealed to parents to fill up agreed to a 45 per cent lower had a gathering and started late but our investigation issued requiring educational The demand was made after the lower tuition fee forms tuition fee. drinking alcohol at 4:00pm. showed no evidence that they establishments at all levels the school said it would lower and not to protest in front of “My two children study at Both suspect and victim were [the families] tried to hide the and of all kinds to run again, the tuition fee by only 15 per schools to prevent Covid-19 the school. I pay the school under the influence of alco- suspect,” he said. they are obliged to pay from cent for students in grades infections. around $10,000 for books, hol, the witness said. District and provincial au- that month,” the letter read. 1-12 and by 25 per cent for The appeal was made as technology and school fees. “You only know how to drink thorities failed to locate the The decision was made by those in pre-school. the HEA claimed that private What we ask is they lower the every day without earning suspect after the crime, but the ministry just as some pri- On April 22, 97 families education establishments fee for three months due to the money to support your wife the case has been sent to the vate educational establish- gathered to protest in front are also being hit hard by Covid-19 virus,” Sok said. and children,” the witness provincial court and a war- ments are facing protests by of the Paragon International Covid-19, since it was an- Ministry of Education quoted the victim as saying. rant has been issued for the parents. School to demand a 30 per nounced that education ser- spokesman Ros Soveacha said The suspect took offence suspect’s arrest. On Saturday, parents of cent discount on tuition fees vices had been suspended the government had encour- and an argument ensued. students at the private CIA for all levels of studies, while since March 14. aged all the private schools to “You look down on me”, www.phnompenhpost.com First International School students are studying online. “The HEA firmly believes hold talks with relevant parties complained the suspect. check the post website demanded a 50 per cent They also demanded that that parents or guardians of to find a common solution. “I just used some words and for breaking news PLCN impostors pose as rangers, extort fees from residents

Continued from page 1 that they demanded 100,000 riel [$25] per home-made people and for other puposes. truck. He said some unregistered They are not from the PLCN NGOs and associations had working group, but use our carried out activities without name to extort money from notifying the ministry. residents,” she said. “Their activities are anar- The ministry said it current- chic and politically motivat- ly manages protected natural ed. Actually, they are not areas and biodiversity corri- doing anything to protect dors in 60 locations totalling natural resources. If they 7.2 million hectares, equiva- continue, the ministry will lent to 41 per cent of Cambo- take action,” he said. dia’s landmass. In its letter, the ministry said It said 1,260 forest rangers NGOs and associations are are stationed around the clock encouraged to join the govern- in each area in collaboration ment in natural resource pro- with the local authorities, tection as long as they abided NGOs, associations and local by the law. communities. “Registered NGOs or associa- Last week, the ministry also tions are welcome to partici- warned of legal action against pate in protecting and conserv- PLCN and several other organ- ing natural resources, isations if they continued to biodiversity, ecosystem, and collect deforestation data. raising the living standards of The warning came after communities within and near- PLCN suggested a new pro- natural resource areas, but they gramme that would use satel- must follow the law,” it said. lite imagery to monitor and Cheang Ly, a Prey Lang Com- collect information on forest munity Network (PLCN) mem- clearance in Prey Lang after ber and community repre- the ministry banned the group sentative in Stung Treng from patrolling it. province, acknowledged that Pheaktra said the commu- some individuals had present- nity network was being exploit- ed themselves as forest rang- ed for political purposes. ers to extort money from resi- The Prey Lang Wildlife Sanc- dents who transport timber on tuary was established in May homemade trucks or boats in 2016 and covers 431,683ha local communities. across Stung Treng, Kratie, “They impersonated forest Kampong Thom, and Preah rangers. I’ve received a report Vihear provinces. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Officer Villagers urge held for for removal of clearing inactive official state land Voun Dara

MAJOR general Chan Sam in Prey Veng Ath was detained by Strung Treng Police Commissariat Soth Koemsoeun said they are now required to officials last Thursday for al- pay 450,000 riel ($110) for each legedly clearing 70ha of state GROUP made up of hectare of their paddy fields. land in Sralao village, Ang- 514 families living in “We filed a complaint with long Chrey commune, Thala Russey Srok com- the Ministry of Interior in Barivat district. mune in Peam Chor November last year, but the Stung Treng provincial district,A Prey Veng province complaint has still not been administration spokesman has called on Minister of Inte- addressed. We filed a com- Men Kong told The Post on rior Sar Kheng to replace Hang plaint with the Prey Veng pro- Sunday that the Commis- Chham Chhan, a senior offi- vincial hall and the court, but Villagers claim senior Ministry of Civil Service official Chham Chhan colluded with his relatives to take over sariat will question Sam Ath cial of the Ministry of Civil nothing was solved. We appeal state canals spanning nearly 3km and built by a wealthy man, Pen Nuon, for his gain. supplied and arrange a court case, but Service from a joint working to [the interior minister] to they have not yet sent the group to help the commune. solve this problem,” she said. gain and they sell canal water. and find another solution. they had distorted the facts case to court. They claim that Chham Dam Mean, another repre- If any resident wants to He said he was made aware and that it was a baseless Kung said authorities con- Chhan hadn’t done anything sentative, said on Sunday that pump water into the paddy of the complaint against claim. He said he had not fiscated three pieces of land- useful for them. the three canals that were fields or irrigate crops they Chham Chhan with the Minis- engaged in raising the price. clearing equipment during Leng Samoeur, one of nine managed by the authorities to have to spend 450,000 riel. try of Interior in November last He said he is only a coordina- their investigation. commune representatives, sell water to residents had “If they have no money to year, and representatives from tor and an adviser along with He said the order to detain told The Post on Sunday that been donated by Nuon, an give the authorities, they give the ministry had gone there to the authorities. Sam Ath and seize the machin- the families from Pen, adviser to Kheng. 180kg of rice instead. Without investigate the case, but a solu- “I don’t take issue with the ery came from Stung Treng’s Tapoung, Ith and Chheur Teal The three canals were dug and money or rice being given to tion has not been found. [514 families] over wanting me governor Mom Saroeun. villages had called on the min- built in 2014. But the authorities the authorities, residents have “On Monday, I hope the removed from my position or Stung Treng Provincial po- ister to fire the official. took the canals, requiring them no opportunity to pump this authorities will find a solution stopping me from working to lice chief Outh Sivutha could She said several years have to pay 200,000 riel if they want- water for use,” he said. for residents because they need help Russey Srok commune if not be reached for comment passed since Chham Chhan ed to pump water into the pad- Russey Srok commune chief water to cultivate rice. Several approved by [Prime Minister] on Sunday. had arrived at the commune dy fields or irrigate crops. Nuon Meng said on Sunday hectares of paddy fields are Hun Sen. Rights group Adhoc pro- and he has only caused prob- He said that in 2017, the that the problem of the canals being affected without water. I “If he is not satisfied with my vincial coordinator Bey Van- lems for the residents. authorities raised the price to could not yet be solved because have coordinated it on several work, I will follow the recom- ny, said: “We strive to protect They claim he colluded with 300,000 riel. Last year, they residents had not accepted a occasions, but they don’t listen mendations accordingly. Two state property. We also want his relatives to take over state raised it to 450,000 riel. solution offered by the author- to me. So, let the top-level peo- or three residents are behind to see the arrest of other offi- canals spanning nearly 3km “I just wonder if the canals ities. However, Peam Chor dis- ple solve the case,” he said. this and the others have no cers who abused their power and built by a wealthy man, Pen belong to the state. The author- trict and provincial authorities Chham Chhan denied the problems with me,” he by taking state land as their Nuon, for his gain. Residents ities instead took them for their would go there to coordinate accusations on Sunday, saying claimed. property.” 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,100 1.4078 7.0793 107.67 4.3640 1.4244 32.46 0.6368 1.0763 1.2336 NBC: Drop Logistics sector loan fees, fears slowdown cancel fines for debtors amid outbreak May Kunmakara Thou Vireak kers and cargo contracts with IN a recent announcement, the overseas customers, while air National Bank of Cambodia HE Cambodia Lo- freight prices continue to rise. (NBC) requested banks and gistics Association As border restrictions tight- financial institutions to reduce (CLA) has expressed ened amid the pandemic, loan-related fees and cancel concern about the logistics companies are no fines for borrowers for the rest severeT impact on the logis- longer able to pay employees’ of the year as the Kingdom bat- tics and transportation sec- salaries as revenue dries up, tles the Covid-19 pandemic. tor which faces a downturn in said the CLA. Prasac Microfinance Institu- business due to the Covid-19 Meanwhile, many custom- tion Ltd (Prasac) executive outbreak, it said in a state- ers are delaying payment, vice-president Say Sony told ment on Saturday. causing a congestion of cash The Post on Sunday that his A supply shortage of import- flow. Bank interest rates, of- institution has been lowering ed raw materials from China fice rents and other expenses fees and assisting borrowers has led to a loss of jobs in the have become increasingly As border restrictions tightened amid the pandemic, logistics companies are no longer able to pay since the pandemic emerged. employees’ salaries as revenue dries up. pOST STAFF garment sector, the Kingdom’s burdensome, it said. “Our existing fees are pretty largest industry and largest user “Looking at government CLA president Sin Chanthy specialist SHA Transport Ex- Economy and Finance, who is low. However, we are taking of logistics services, it said. ministries and institutions, told The Post that the logistics press Co Ltd, said his company a member of its ad hoc work- immediate actions to review Fewer garment exports, the expense of processing pa- and transport sector has been is facing revenue losses due to ing group tasked with strategic our fee structures. We will con- including footwear, trousers perwork to export goods has the most affected, with con- a sharp drop in freight activity. goods control for the duration sider reducing fees as much as and travel products to the US not been reduced at all. ditions worsening on all sides “We are facing serious prob- of the pandemic, could not be possible to keep in line with and European markets have “All kinds of audits from the and no solution in sight. lems, we want to ask the tax reached by The Post on Sunday. the NBC’s requests. led to transportation carriers General Department of Taxa- “We ask for mutual coop- authorities not to audit and ask Late last month, the govern- “We want to keep growing losing money. tion are becoming more and eration to get through this the government to help the lo- ment issued a three-month together with our clients. A number of airlines have more burdensome for the lo- emergency,” he said. gistics and transport sector to minimum tax exemption for There will be no penalty for suspended flights under the gistics sector, striking more Khun Saroeun, co-founder sustain business,” he said. the aviation sector and an ex- late payments,” said Sony. circumstances, resulting in fear into business owners than and CEO of locally-owned Phan Phalla, undersecre- emption on all types of monthly On March 27, the NBC issued a heavy loss of aviation bro- the Covid-19 disease,” it said. global logistics and courier tary of state at the Ministry of taxes for tourism operators. a directive to all banks and financial institutions to restruc- ture loans in four priority sec- tors cited by the NBC – tourism, garments, construction, and Minister: Firm shelling out for cashew nuts transport and logistics. On April 23, Malaysia-owned Thou Vireak per hectare. Cashew nut trees year and export 3,000 tonnes of nut price to fall this year because of this year, down 7.18 per cent Maybank (Cambodia) Plc take three to five years before the product, he said. Vietnamese traders don’t dare from 131,425 tonnes in the made an announcement offer- MINISTER of Agriculture, For- they start bearing fruit. Var Roth San, a cashew nut travel across the border to buy same period last year, said a ing loan relief to customers estry and Fisheries Veng In 2017, Santana built a nut farmer in Cheung Prey district, from farmers anymore.” report from the ministry. affected by Covid-19. Sakhon visited the Santana processing plant, which is Kampong Cham province, told The cashew nut harvesting The Kingdom exported A Maybank spokesperson said Agro Products Co Ltd (San- capable of processing 10 tonnes The Post on Sunday that prices season ended last week, Roth San about 202,318 tonnes of cash- since the outbreak of Covid-19, tana) cashew nut growing and of cashew nuts per day. have dropped significantly said, so farmers will have to wait ew nuts last year to overseas the bank has offered financial processing company in Chi Ok Sakhon said: “Presently, the since the Covid-19 outbreak. another year to make a profit. markets, up nearly 100 per advisory services to its custom- village, Romny commune, company exports cashew nuts Cashew nut prices currently Sakhon said cashew nut cent from 2018. ers impacted by the pandemic. Rovieng district, Preah Vihear to the Chinese market, which sit between 4,000 and 5,000 farmers can earn $2,000 per The area allotted to cashew It also offers the restructur- province on Saturday. is the largest. They are followed riel ($1 and $1.25) per kilo- hectare depending on the nut cultivation totals ing and rescheduling of finan- Sakhon said the company by Europe and South Korea.” gramme, about 1,000 riel per quality of the crop and the 149,660ha, spanning 22 prov- cial facilities as well as mora- has invested in 850ha of cash- The company plans to kilogramme lower than the needs of the market. inces. Almost 60 per cent is toriums on loan repayments. ew nut crops and is currently expand by 1,000ha in the future, same time last year. Cambodia’s cashew nut harvested land, which yielded On April 17, non-profit, mem- harvesting on 250ha, yielding with the goal to produce 10,500 He said: “The Covid-19 disease exports reached 121,976 116,343 tonnes in 2018, data bership-based NGO Cambodia between four and five tonnes tonnes of fresh cashew nuts per problem has caused the cashew tonnes in the first three months from the ministry shows. Microfinance Association (CMA) said all members will strive to support customers fac- CSX vice-chairman and chief ing difficulties and to ensure the operating officer Ha Jong-weon sustainability of the sector. Prasac to list on bourse said Prasac is currently working They vowed to implement May Kunmakara the Credit Guarantee and with CSX on filing an official measures and resolve their cli- Investment Facility (CGIF) listing application. The tenta- ents’ issues “based on their PRASAC Microfinance Institu- The coupon rate with coop- tive listing date is on May 5, internal principles, type of cli- tion Ltd (Prasac) successfully erate bonds is 7.5 per cent per making Prasac the sixth bond- ents, impact and actual situa- raised $31.8 million from a annum with a three-year matu- listed company on the CSX. tion for each” client in compli- corporate bond subscription, rity (semi-annual payment). “Thus, CSX will have prod- ance with NBC regulations, it a move to list on the nascent Seng Chan Thoeun, manag- uct diversification and inves- said in a statement. Cambodia Securities Exchange ing director for SBI Royal Secu- tors will have better invest- At the end of last year, Cam- (CSX) on May 5. rities Plc, an underwriter for ment choices. Fund raising bodia had 46 commercial It is set to become the second Prasac, told The Post that com- through capital market is the banks, 15 specialised banks, 82 financial institution to list on pared to previously listed firms best choice during this diffi- microfinance institutions the bourse during the spread of that his company has worked cult situation due to the fact (MFIs), 248 rural credit opera- the Covid-19 pandemic after with – Hattha Kaksekar Ltd that it is the long-term source tors, 15 leasing companies and South Korea-owned Phnom (HKL) and Sihanoukville Prasac will issue 1,272,000 shares for the public offering with a total of funding and especially for 20 payment service providers, issue amount of 127.2 billion riel ($31.8 million). HONG MENEA Penh Commercial Bank Plc Autonomous Port (PAS) – Pras- initial public offerings. said the NBC’s Macroeconomic (PPCBank) listed last week. ac raised the most capital from good that Prasac got KB [Kook- means it has built more qualified “The listed company does and Banking Progress 2019 Prasac will issue 1,272,000 the stock market. min] Bank as a new major investors for future tenders. not need to pay periodic inter- Report and 2020 Outlook. shares for the public offering He said Prasac raised $31.8 shareholder, which is a prom- “It is a good thing that the est payments or principal back Banks’ outstanding loan port- with a total issue amount of million while HKL raised $30 inent player in South Korea. capital market and bond mar- to the investors. Furthermore, folio reached $24.5 billion last 127.2 billion riel ($31.8 mil- million and PAS raised $27 “At the same time, we have ket provides . . . a steady the company may decide not year while deposits stood at lion). The bond is fully guaran- million. “It is good for Prasac introduced the profile of Prasac stream of investors to provide to distribute dividends $25.5 billion. Among MFIs, loans teed by a trust fund from the to secure more liquidity dur- to many institutional investors funds for future listings,” said depending on the actual com- reached $7.2 billion and deposits Asian Development Bank and ing this situation. It is also in many countries, and that Chan Thoeun. pany situation,” said Ha. $3.9 billion, said the report. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business​ Russia: GDP to drop up to 6% Stock Exchange of USSIA’S central bank on Friday said the economy would shrink Thailand tumbles by up to six per cent this year, as hopes of a revival were dashed THE Stock Exchange of Thai- facturing and services sector byR the coronavirus and falling oil prices. land (SET) Index closed at has dropped to a historic low “The Bank of Russia has substantially 1,258.78 on Friday, dropping by of 27.4 this month. reviewed its baseline scenario param- 13.75 points or 1.08 per cent. “Also, the World Health Or- eters. GDP [gross domestic product] is Transactions amounted to ganisation has reportedly said forecast to decrease by four to six per a total of 68.704 billion baht that the drug Remdesivir is not cent in 2020,” it said in a statement. ($2.1 billion) with an index effective against the Covid-19 Measures to prevent the spread of the high of 1,280.02 and a low of virus,” the analyst said. coronavirus and the decline in oil prices 1,255.73. The top 10 stocks with the have had “a substantial negative impact A stock analyst at Krung- highest trade values today on economic activity”, it said. sri Securities Pcl expects the were BAM, PTT, PTTEP, GULF, Growth will start to recover at 2.8 to 4.8 index to fluctuate between GPSC, MINT, AOT, TISCO, per cent next year and go on to 1.5 to 3.5 1,260 and 1,280. ADVANC and PTTGC. per cent in 2022, it said, while predicting “The market has gained sup- As of 5pm on Friday, crude the price of oil to rise from $27 per barrel port from the rising price of oil price dropped by $0.22 to $35 in 2021 and $45 in 2022. crude oil due to tensions in the or 1.33 per cent to $16.28 The board of directors also cut the Persian Gulf and the US House per barrel, while gold rose bank’s key interest rate by 0.5 percentage of Representatives approving by $7.00 or 0.40 per cent to points to 5.5 per cent. $484 billion for Covid-19 relief $1,752.40 per ounce. It was the first time since early 2014 measures to help small enter- Meanwhile, most stocks re- that the rate has been cut this low, and prises and hospitals. corded a slide – Japan’s Nik- the bank said it “holds open the prospect “In addition, investors ex- kei Index closed at 19,262.00, of further key rate reduction”. The Bank of Russia on Friday said the economy would shrink by up to six per cent this year, pect the Thai government to down 167.44 points, or 0.86 recover at 2.8 to 4.8 per cent next year and go on to 1.5 to 3.5 per cent in 2022. AFP “The situation has changed dramati- ease lockdown measures af- per cent. cally” since the board last met in March, navirus lockdown due to a price war ing” week – on March 28, later extending ter the number of Covid-19 China’s Shanghai SE Com- with “significant restrictive measures” between Russia and Saudi Arabia after it to the end of this month. patients has dropped contin- posite Index closed at 2,808.53, introduced worldwide slowing down the Moscow refused to cut supply. He said companies would be expected uously, while Prime Minister down 29.97 points, or 1.06 economy, it said. But after the world’s exporters agreed to pay salaries in full, even if work activ- Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to per cent, while Shenzhen SE The central bank expects Russia’s ex- to cut output this month, crude has be- ity could not continue. review the state of emergency Component Index closed at ports to fall by 40.3 per cent to $250 bil- gun to recover. The government has been phasing in on Tuesday [April 28],” said 10,423.46, down 140.58 points, lion this year, and imports by 18.5 per Russian President Vladimir Putin on anti-crisis measures, such as loan pay- the analyst. or 1.33 per cent. cent to $207 billion, reported the non- Thursday said that while coronavirus ment deferrals or cheap loans, but Putin However, the analyst said Hong Kong’s Hang Seng In- governmental Interfax News Agency JSC. poses a serious health threat, the pan- conceded on Thursday that many Rus- the index is under pressure dex closed at 23,831.33, down Central bank governor Elvira Nabiul- demic’s “impact on the economy, on en- sians cannot access the relief. from the weakening US econ- 145.99 points, or 0.61 per cent. lina said the moment called for timely tire sectors, is just as dangerous”. Banks “either deny immediately, take a omy, now that the number of South Korea’s KOSPI Index and forward-thinking decisions to “curb The Capital Economics consultancy pre- long time or make impossible demands”, applicants for unemployment closed at 1,889.01, down 25.72 negative trends” and for a “faster nor- dicted that “emerging Europe will experi- he said. welfare his risen to 4.4 mil- points, or 1.34 per cent. Tai- malisation of the economic situation af- ence its largest decline in real GDP this year In an analysis of the anti-crisis measures lion, the sales of new homes wan’s TAIEX Index closed at ter the withdrawal of the restrictions”. since the collapse of the Soviet Union”. so far, Alfa Bank said direct aid has amount- in March has dropped by 15.4 10,347.36, down 19.15 points, The price of oil, a key Russian export, Putin first announced the country’s ed to just 0.3 per cent of the GDP and was per cent, and the Purchasing or 0.18 per cent. THE NATION had plummeted even before the coro- version of the lockdown – a “non-work- lower than in other countries. AFP Managers Index in the manu- (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PPCBank’s Sen Sok branch in Phnom Penh. PPCBank staff serve customers at a branch in the capital. PPCBank remains strongly committed to serving its valued customers during Covid-19 outbreak n the midst of the Covid-19 As the pandemic wreaks havoc contingency plan, issuing a KHR 40 SME Bank’s joint lending scheme.” Further assisting customers during pandemic sweeping the globe, on the global economy, Cambodia is billion bond on April 21. Within next Earlier this month, NBC ordered periods of self-isolation, PPCBank PPCBank is committed to sup- being hit hard. The tourism sector has six months, the second phase will the board of all banks to ap- recently released the latest version of porting financially hit customers ground to a standstill, the textile in- raise a further KHR 40 billion. prove the new loan restructuring its mobile app, 2.0. Mobile bankers Iwhile continuing to provide a grow- dustry is suffering and other services In addition to the ease of the policy. PPCBank complied and has can now open and close accounts, ing range of world-class financial have drastically slowed. This has led National Bank of Cambodia’s (NBC) designed a package that includes apply for loan against deposits and services across Cambodia. to an overall sense of uncertainty. reserve requirement, PPCBank three loan programs: loan restruc- pre-book branch visits to avoid After a record-breaking 2019 that However, PPCBank is working hard opened Credit Line from shareholder turing, SME joint lending and the waiting. saw the bank’s major shareholder, to reassure customers of its commit- JB Bank in Korea and quickly closed SME Soben Loan. PPCBank has also pledged to JB Financial Group, record a $290 ment to Cambodia. the corporate bond issue deal. Moo Shin added: “Depending on continue expanding its network and million net profit – a 41.6 per cent It has put in place strong contin- PPCBank President Chang Moo various financial difficulties the cor- is opening two new branches later increase from 2018 – PPCBank is in a gency plans, as well as rolled out Shin said: “Added liquidity from porate sector is facing, we will offer a this year. With strong contingency strong position to provide dedicated loan schemes and payment breaks to these various sources is to be used to mixed package of payment holidays, plans and rescue packages in place, support to customers and continue support financially hit clients. Amid comply with public initiatives on fi- maturity extensions, the easing or customers can rest assured that with its expansion plans throughout the pandemic, PPCBank success- nancial aid programmes, such as NBC removing of security, and additional PPCBank is on hand to help during 2020. fully completed the first phase of its loan restructuring guidelines and the loans.” these challenging times. sponsored 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Digital economy S Korea to inject emergency funds expected to add 30% to Vietnam’s into five key industries hit by crisis GDP by 2030 ietnam wants to raise the digital OUTH Korea on Thursday In the case of shipping, the gov- economy’s contribution to gross decided to inject emergency ernment will focus on supplying Vdomestic product (GDP) to 20 per funds into the nation’s five liquidity. cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. key industries – automobiles, The Ministry of Oceans and Fisher- This is one of the targets set in the aviation,S shipping, shipbuilding and ies has set aside 1.25 trillion won to draft national strategy on the Fourth oil refineries – that are facing ali- support shipping companies. The Industrial Revolution by 2030. quidity crisis since the outbreak of funds include a plan to provide up to According to the strategy compiled the new coronavirus. 470 billion won to Hyundai Merchant by the Ministry of Planning and It discussed customised support Marine Co Ltd (HMM), a flag carrier, Investment, Industry 4.0 had caused measures for each industry at the to repay maturing ship financing. changes to socio-economic activi- crisis management meeting led by In order to help small and medi- ties, opening up both opportunities Minister of Economy and Finance um-sized shipping companies fac- and challenges to global economies. Hong Nam-ki as a follow-up mea- ing a liquidity crisis, the Korea Ocean Many countries have already im- sures to President Moon Jae-in’s Business Corp will purchase up to plemented plans and policies to ex- announcement of a 40 trillion won 100 billion won in corporate bonds. ploit the benefits and overcome the ($32.5 billion) worth relief package. The government will also provide challenges of the Fourth Industrial Airlines are virtually paralysed due to 200 billion won in refund guaran- Revolution to boost economic growth restrictions on entry into 183 countries. tee for small and medium-sized and improve competitiveness. As of the second week of this month, shipbuilders. The strategy said Industry 4.0 international passengers and cargo In the case of the oil refining in- would help the country renew its plunged 98.1 per cent and 35.2 per dustry, the government will delay the growth model and restructure the cent, respectively, from a year earlier. deadline for paying taxes, including economy as well as create break- In the case of cars, export disrup- oil taxes and tariffs. It is expected to throughs for modernisation. tions are expected to begin in April have an effect of postponing the pay- It aims to bring Vietnam into the top due to the closure of dealers in the US ment of 1.4 trillion won in oil taxes three digital governments in ASEAN and other major countries. The man- every month and 900 billion won in by 2030. Meanwhile, 5G network cov- agement crisis is expected to begin In the case of the oil refining industry, the government will delay the deadline for value-added taxes every month. erage would be available nationwide. in earnest for shipping in the second paying taxes, including oil taxes and tariffs. AFP Finance minister Hong said: “As To realise these targets, the strategy quarter when the volume of supplies the global economic downturn be- maps out six solutions including im- will be reduced after Covid-19. and Air Busan, 30 billion won to Jin payment for on-site business fees gins in earnest in the second quar- proving institution quality and policy- As a quick remedy, large airlines will Air, 40 billion won to Jeju Air and six will be fully exempted. ter of this year, there is a growing making ability; developing connection be provided with emergency funds by billion won to T’way, respectively. It The automobile industry will be concern that real and employment infrastructure and data exploitation; the Korea Development Bank and the will provide 150 billion won to 200 given tax benefits. The government shocks will expand. developing human resources; building Export-Import Bank of Korea. billion won to Eastar Jet after the na- will extend tariffs related to parts “The government will continue to e-government toward digital govern- Low-cost carriers will be funded tion’s antitrust watchdog’s screening imports and the payment of value- take special measures to ensure that ment; developing and improving na- with 300 billion won in emergency on the tie-up with Jeju Air. added taxes for the first half of the domestic demand and exports show tional innovation ability; and investing liquidity which was announced in Payments for using airport facili- year by up to 12 months. signs of recovery in the second half and developing basic 4.0 technology. February and additional liquidity ties will be reduced or suspended In order to lure demand, the govern- of the year and make all-out efforts Industry 4.0 was also expected to will be provided if necessary. for air carriers and ground opera- ment and public agencies will pur- to respond to the policy in a timely create 1.3-3.1 million jobs by 2030. The government previously pro- tors until August. Landing fees will chase about 8,700 vehicles and pay up manner,” he said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK vided 54.4 billion won to Air Seoul be reduced by 10 to 20 per cent and to 70 per cent in advance on contracts. NEWS NETWORK Bangladesh: Factories need to be reopened gradually FACTORIES in the export-ori- Salman F Rahman, adviser to dent Mahbubul Alam urged the ented industries should be the prime minister on private government to allow importers allowed to reopen gradually industry and investment, ech- to release all imported goods for the sake of the economy, oed the views. However, he said from the port without any com- Bangladeshi business leaders the factories should be opened pensation up to this month. and experts said on Saturday. carefully and by following the Mir Nasir Hossain, Abdul They called for a quick decision health and safety measures. Matlub Ahmad and AK Azad, in this regard, if necessary, by Countries like Germany and three former FBCCI presidents; forming sector-wise taskforce, the France have restarted their Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Federation of Bangladesh Cham- production lines, he said, add- Daily Star; Matiur Rahman, edi- bers of Commerce and Industry ing that Bangladesh should tor of the daily Prothom Alo; (FBCCI) said in a statement. follow suit through discussion Mozammel Babu, editor-in-chief Big-name international brands with the FBCCI. of Ekattor Television; Manjurul have cancelled or held up billions FBCCI president Sheikh Islam, chief editor of DBC News; of dollars in orders due to the pan- Fazle Fahim said they have Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of demic, crippling an industry that been working from the very The Bonik Barta; Shyamal Dutta, accounts for over nearly all of the beginning with the finance and editor of the daily Bhorer Kagoj, South Asian country’s export commerce ministries, Prime also spoke among others. earnings. Minister’s Office and Bangla- On Sunday, hundreds of Bang- Factories shut their doors late desh Bank on how to offset the ladesh garment factories defied a last month but some suppliers fallout of the pandemic. nationwide coronavirus lock- said they were now being pushed Some 865 factories have so far down to reopen, raising fears that by retailers to fulfil outstanding expressed intention to resume the industry’s vulnerable and export orders. production, said BGMEA presi- largely female workforce could be In a discussion organised by dent Rubana Huq. exposed to the contagion. the FBCCI in Dhaka, the leaders Work orders worth more than BKMEA vice-president from Bangladesh Garment $3 billion have been cancelled Mohammad Hatem said: “We Manufacturers and Exporters by the international retailers so have to accept coronavirus as Association, Bangladesh Knit- far, she said, while seeking part of life. If we don’t open wear Manufacturers and cooperation from all for open- factories, there will be an eco- Exporters Association (BKMEA), ing factories in phases. nomic crisis.” and other chambers and trade If the work orders are shifted He said his MB Knit com- bodies said the industrial units to other countries for Bangla- pany had reopened part of a should be opened gradually desh’s continued closure of fac- factory that makes clothing for considering the lives and liveli- tories, it would be very difficult Britain’s Primark and several hoods of millions of workers. to bring them back, she said. other retailers. Bangladesh’s rivals such as Policy Research Institute Factories were “under pressure” Cambodia, Vietnam, China and executive director Ahsan H from brands to meet export dead- India have already opened their Mansur also gave his opinion lines and feared the risk that bil- export-oriented industrial sec- in favour of opening the facto- lions in orders could be diverted tor, they said, while welcoming ries, but he called for taking to competing operations in coun- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appropriate safety measures. tries like Vietnam or China, he for announcing a stimulus Chittagong Chamber of said. AFP, THE DAILY STAR (BANGLADESH)/ package for the sector. Commerce and Industry presi- ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World US monitor: Train likely belonging to ‘Immunity passports North Korea’s Kim seen at resort town could up TRAIN likely belong- “monitoring intelligence” that ing to North Korean Kim was in “grave danger” af- virus cases’ leader Kim Jong-un ter undergoing surgery. has been spotted But on Thursday, US Presi- THE World Health Organisa- atA a resort town in the coun- dent Donald Trump rejected tion (WHO) on Saturday try’s east, satellite photos re- reports that Kim was ailing. warned that there is no evi- viewed by a US-based think “I think the report was incor- dence that people who test tank showed, as speculation rect,” Trump told reporters, positive for the new coronavi- persists over his health. but declined to state when he rus are immunised and pro- The train was parked at a was last in touch with him. tected against re-infection. station reserved for the Kim “We have a good relation- The warning suggests that the family in Wonsan on April 21 ship with North Korea, as good issuance of “immune passports” and April 23, the respected as you can have,” he said. may promote the continued 38North website said in a re- Trump has met Kim three spread of the pandemic. port published on Saturday. times in historic summitry The WHO statement said: 38North cautioned that the and has voiced admiration “There is currently no evi- train’s presence “does not prove for him, although hopes have dence that people who have the whereabouts of the North dimmed for reaching a com- recovered from Covid-19 and Korean leader or indicate any- prehensive agreement. have antibodies are protected thing about his health”. Reporting from inside the from a second infection. “But it does lend weight to isolated North is notoriously “As of April 24, no study has reports that Kim is staying at difficult, especially on any- evaluated whether the pres- an elite area on the country’s thing to do with its leader- ence of antibodies to Sars- eastern coast,” it said. ship, which is among its most CoV-2 confers immunity to There has been growing closely guarded secrets. subsequent infection by this conjecture about Kim’s health On Thursday, citing an un- virus in humans.” since his conspicuous absence identified government of- Some governments, wanting from the April 15 celebrations ficial, South Korean broad- a gradual return to work and the for the birthday of his grandfa- caster SBS reported that Kim resumption of economic activ- ther Kim Il-sung, the regime’s appeared to have been in ity, have put forward the idea of founder – the most important Wonsan for at least the past issuing documents attesting to day on the North Korean po- four days and would soon re- the immunity of people on the litical calendar. There has been growing conjecture about Kim Jong-un’s health since his conspicuous absence from the April 15 turn to the public eye. basis of serological tests reveal- celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather Kim Il-sung. KCNA/KNS/AFP On Thursday, a team of The report said the military ing the presence of antibodies medical experts and diplo- A vice-director of Hong North Korea has kept mum rean defectors, reported that was monitoring Kim’s train, in the blood. mats – led by a senior member Kong Satellite Television Shi- on Kim’s health or his where- Kim underwent a cardiovascu- which had been seen in Won- But the effectiveness of an of the Chinese Communist jian Xingzou claimed that abouts. The only mention was lar procedure earlier this month san, while his personal jet – immunisation thanks to anti- Party’s International Liaison Kim has already died, citing a that he expressed thanks to and was recovering at a villa in frequently used by Kim on his bodies has still not been estab- Department – left Beijing “very solid source”, according workers building facilities in North Pyongan province. trips to Wonsan – remained in lished and the available scien- for North Korea to advise on to media reports. Samjiyon, situated near Paek- Citing an unidentified Pyongyang. tific data do not justify the Kim’s health, Reuters cited Separately, Japanese maga- tusan, reported state-run Ko- source inside the country, it Previous absences from the granting of an “immune pass- three people familiar with the zine Shukan Gendai reported rea Central News Agency. said Kim, who is in his mid- public eye on Kim’s part have port” or a “certificate of absence situation as saying. that he was in a “vegetative Kim has not made a public 30s, had needed urgent treat- prompted speculation about of risk”, warns the WHO. On Friday, a South Korean state”, after he underwent appearance since presiding ment due to heavy smoking, his health. At this point in the pandem- source told Reuters that their a heart surgery earlier this over a meeting of the Work- obesity and fatigue. In 2014, he dropped out of ic, there is not enough evi- intelligence was that Kim was month, and cannot recuper- ers’ Party politburo on April South Korea, which is still sight for nearly six weeks be- dence about the effectiveness alive and was likely to make ate. South Korean media outlet 11 and inspecting drills by technically at war with the fore reappearing with a cane. of antibody-mediated immu- a public appearance soon. Monthly Chosun also reported fighter jets at an air defence North, has played down the Days later, the South’s spy nity to guarantee the accuracy He said he did not have any the leader was in a coma. unit, which was reported by report. agency said he had under- of an “immunity passport” or comment on Kim’s current None of these claims have state media on April 12. CNN, quoting what it said gone surgery to remove a cyst “risk-free certificate”. condition or any Chinese in- been confirmed as of now. Daily NK, an online media was an anonymous US official, from his ankle. AFP, THE KOREA “People who assume that volvement. Despite the speculations, outlet run mostly by North Ko- reported that Washington was HERALD/ANN they are immune to a second infection because they have received a positive test result may ignore public health advice. The use of such cer- tificates may, therefore, India starts plasma therapy on Covid-19 patients increase the risks of continued transmission,” said the WHO. THERE is growing interest in the appli- It has since received 99 applications so far and the patients are reporting “To extrapolate that it might work The WHO also believes that cation of convalescent plasma therapy from interested institutions and also better oxygen saturation levels. as a therapy for others is predicting the serological tests currently (CPT) to help treat Covid-19 patients. begun giving permission for these tri- “These antibodies can be really helpful too much at this stage. We need to used “need additional valida- Encouraged by studies in the US and als to go ahead at different locations. if given to the right patient at the right know a lot more,” she said. tion to determine their accu- China that show CPT may help indi- In the case of Covid-19, CPT involves time. It helps them rebuild their immu- The institute is one of the many that racy and reliability”. viduals fight the new coronavirus, drawing blood from a person who has nity and fight the Covid-19 infection.” have applied to the ICMR for permis- In particular, the tests need which causes Covid-19, India has also fully recovered from the disease. But he cautioned that CPT should sion to carry out a clinical trial using to make it possible to distin- initiated trials to establish if the ther- Convalescent plasma, which con- not be seen as a magic bullet that may CPT, she said. Its successful implemen- guish the immune response to apy can indeed help patients recover tains antibodies that helped the indi- help treat all Covid-19 patients. tation will require donors to donate the novel coronavirus from the from the disease. vidual fight the coronavirus, is then Kumar said individuals most likely to blood adequately. antibodies produced during Plasma extracted from human blood separated from the blood using a cen- respond well to CPT are those suffering “This cannot be made mandatory and infection by another of the six has proved beneficial in the treatment trifuge and administered to a Covid-19 from severe respiratory illness because will, therefore, require social workers to known human coronaviruses, of many infections over the past two patient to help boost his or her immu- of Covid-19 but without any co-mor- counsel potential donors,” she said. four of which are widespread, decades, including severe acute respi- nity against the disease. bidity such as heart or liver diseases. Those willing to donate will also causing mild colds. ratory syndrome (Sars), Middle East The Maulana Azad Medical College Indian institutions carrying out CPT have to be transported to blood banks The other two are responsible Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) as well (MAMC) in Delhi is one of the partici- trials hope to add to the global scien- amid the ongoing lockdown and their for Mers (Middle East Respira- as H1N1 influenza or swine flu. pating institutions in these trials. It is tific community’s understanding of samples tested for Covid-19 as well as tory Syndrome) and Sars (Severe It has often been described as “liquid currently treating around 400 Covid-19 how it may help treat Covid-19. other infections to ensure no harm is Acute Respiratory Syndrome). gold” because of its yellowish colour patients at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Dr Asha Kishore, the director of the caused to recipients. “People infected with one or and immunity-boosting properties. Narayan Hospital, which is associated Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Med- The plasma extracted has to be then the other of these viruses are On April 12, the Indian Council of with the college. Four of them received ical Sciences and Technology in sent to a hospital through a secure cold capable of producing antibod- Medical Research (ICMR), the coun- CPT this week. Trivandrum, in the southern state of chain that maintains the temperature ies which interact with anti- try’s apex body to regulate biomedical Professor Suresh Kumar, the head Kerala told ST: “The evidence so far at minus 30C. bodies produced in response research, called for applications to of the Covid-19 task force at MAMC [of it working] has come from a small “These are some of the small chal- to the infection caused by Sars- study the safety and efficacy of CPT in and director of its department of number of patients who were on ven- lenges but they can be overcome,” said CoV-2”, said the WHO, empha- managing complications associated medicine, told The Straits Times (ST): tilators and had severe respiratory Dr Kishore. THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA sising the importance of being with Covid-19. “The results have been encouraging problems. NEWS NETWORK able to identify them. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Vietnam’s Phuc cautiously restarts economy

IETNAMESE Prime temperatures of all arrivals or ture must be done on time. Minister Nguyen customers, complying with Local governments can de- Xuan Phuc on Sat- hand washing and disinfection cide to hold important social, urday issued a new guidelines and ensuring a safe political, or economic events, setV of guidelines on measures distance between customers. but measures are required, to keep the country clear of Public transport – includ- like ordering wearing of masks Covid-19 while its economy ing inter-provincial transport and sterilising hands, arrang- restarts after strict social dis- – are allowed to resume, with ing seating for participants in tancing measures were re- observation of the transport a way that safe distance could laxed. ministry’s guidelines on pre- still be upheld. Decree No 19 is meant to ventive measures such as pas- Phuc reserves the authority replace Decree No 16, which sengers and drivers must wear to decide the level of Covid- required people to stay at masks and soap and hand 19 risks for each centrally- home unless for justified rea- disinfectants must be fully directed province and city, in sons and all non-essential supplied. Air transport au- line with recommendations businesses to close down for thorities can issue additional from the National Steering three weeks since April 1, but measures in line with their in- Committee for Covid-19 Pre- expired on Wednesday. dustry’s safety standard. vention and Control. Phuc noted that during the Schools can start to re-open If placed under a high-risk implementation of Decree 16, after months off since the out- category, the city or province the country has identified and break began in the country in will carry out strict social dis- dealt with the local outbreaks early February, but the school tancing measures as stated in and contained the spread of administration must reduce Decree 16 issued on March 31. Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City increased again after the Vietnamese government’s Decree No 16 on strict social community transmission, while distancing measures was lifted nationwide on Wednesday. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS the number of students in For cities or provinces in most confirmed patients – 270 each class to maintain a prop- the medium-risk category – as of Sunday – had been suc- engagement of both the po- tion under control, especially nesses such as entertainment er safe distance, alternate which Hanoi, Danang and cessfully treated and no deaths litical system and the public. in major cities such as Hanoi venues, beauty salons, kara- schedules to reduce crowds Ho Chi Minh City currently had been recorded so far. Phuc stressed that Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. oke bars, massage parlours, in classes or canteens, fre- belong to – people are still However, “the pandemic would continue to implement People are told to frequently bars, pubs and discos – in- quently disinfect classrooms, recommended to not go out continues to show complicat- preventive and combative mea- wash hands with soap or oth- cluding other forms of service and continue to incorporate unless necessary and practice ed developments and the risks sures as before, with absolutely er disinfectants, wear masks businesses that the cities and online lessons if available. preventive measures. of new outbreaks remain at a “no negligence and compla- when going out and maintain provinces’ authorities might Factories and manufactur- No gatherings of more than high level, having adverse im- cence” – preventing outbreaks, a reasonable distance in mak- supplement in their decisions ing businesses can start oper- 20 people in public places or pacts on Vietnam’s socio-eco- identifying, quarantining, and ing contact with others, not to – will remain closed. ations while making sure that outside the office, schools or nomic situation and people’s suppressing outbreaks while ef- gather in large crowds in pub- Businesses such as retail their workers are protected. hospitals are allowed, and a livelihoods”, says the decree. fectively carrying out treatment lic places or outside work- and wholesale stores, lot- Leaders of public agencies, safe distance of 1m must be To ensure the effectiveness activities to minimise the num- places, schools or hospitals. tery, hotels, accommoda- organisations and businesses maintained. of pandemic prevention mea- ber of possible deaths. All festivals, religious gath- tion businesses, restaurants have the responsibility to de- For cities and provinces in sures while maintaining the The governments of cen- erings, sporting events or any and eateries, sports centres, velop working frameworks the low-risk category, gath- growth of the economy, social trally-directed provinces and event that involves a large historical relics and tourist to ensure safety and hygiene erings of 30 people are not welfare and all levels of the cities can decide to lift certain crowd in public places, sta- sites can resume operations, for their staff or employees, allowed, the safe distance administration are to act on restrictions meant to curb diums or other “unnecessary keeping in mind preventive refrain from holding large remains at 1m, and people the motto “fighting the pan- the pandemic depending on major events” will continue measures such as providing meetings or events if not nec- should not go out unless nec- demic like fighting against their situation but must make to be banned. their employees with neces- essary, and make sure that all essary. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS the enemy”, mobilising the sure that they keep the situa- Non-essential service busi- sary protective gear, recording affairs of time-sensitive na- NETWORK Int’l flights continue despite ‘exodus’ ban in Indonesia INDONESIA’S Ministry of Transportation has asserted that international flights to and from the country will continue to operate normally, despite a previous statement that all passenger flights to overseas destinations had been sus- pended to prevent people from participating in the annual Idul Fitri ‘mudik’ (exodus). The ministry’s air transporta- tion director-general Novie Riyanto said the ban on air travel would not apply to flights serving international routes. “Flights going to other coun- tries will operate normally, as long as those countries still The ban on air travel would not apply to flights serving international routes. AFP accept international visitors,” Novie said on Saturday, adding and chartered flights. still serves an average of 40 sched- that Covid-19 health and safety Novie went on to say that the uled international commercial protocols would be applied immigration office had its reg- flights per day this month,” cor- during flights. ulation on foreigners entering porate communications vice- He said the transportation the country during the Covid- president Yado Yarismano said in ministerial regulation also did 19 outbreak. a statement on Friday. not restrict Indonesian nation- Indonesia has denied entry to He added that Kualanamu als currently abroad from 239 foreigners as of Tuesday due Airport in Deli Serdang, North entering the country. to, among other reasons, recent Sumatra was also still serving The ban also does not apply travel history to areas affected by international flights. to flights carrying leaders of Covid-19 in the past 14 days, The ministry has restricted all state institutions or foreign having a temperature of above types of public and private pas- envoys, nor does it apply to 38C, not having a health certifi- senger travel by air, sea, land aircraft engaging in special cate and refusing to be examined and railway since Friday to May repatriation operations for by airport health authorities. 31 as the government attempts Indonesians or foreign nation- State-owned airport operator to prevent people from partici- als. Air cargo transportation PT Angkasa Pura II, which pating in the Idul Fitri exodus to will also be permitted. operates 16 international air- curb the spread of Covid-19. The ministry previously stated ports across the archipelago, The ban, however, does not on Thursday that the passenger echoed the ministry, saying apply to cargo transportation travel suspension would also some of its airports were still or vehicles serving special pur- apply to all passenger transpor- serving international flights. poses, such as ambulances tation to domestic and overseas “Soekarno-Hatta International and fire trucks. THE JAKARTA POST/ destinations, both commercial Airport [in Tangerang, Banten] ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Fortification of staple foodswww.phnompenhpost.com critical www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng weapon against diseasesLy Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua Purushotman try are essential service pro- Opinion Joshua Purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer viders, to avoid breakdown in Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Ravi Menon and Jee Hyun Rah supplies and disruption to Sam Rith Deputy Chief of Staff the food system. Limited Deputy Chief of Staff Phak Seangly HE Covid-19 pan- operations of local haulage Business Editor Phak Seangly demic has engulfed suppliers in some contexts is May Kunmakara Business Editor the world. As of Sun- resulting in difficulties to Deputy Business Editor May Kunmakara day, 210 countries deliver fortified foods to mar- Sangeetha Amarthalingam andT territories have reported Deputy Business Editor kets and increases in trans- Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Sorn Sarath more than 2.6 million cases port costs especially for small Pan Simala and nearly 200,000 deaths. Deputy Head of Lifestyleand Desk medium scale produc- Senior Reporters Densely populated countries Pan Simala ers. Enabling access to infor- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng in the ASEAN region includ- Senior Reporters mation and shared econo- Reporters ing Indonesia, the Philip- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chhengmies on spare haulage Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long pines, Malaysia, Singapore Reporters capacity wherever that exists Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei, Soth and Thailand are among the Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kimwould Sarom, also Long be helpful. Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung hardest hit. Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei,• Mitigating Soth the delays in Sovanny, Thou Vireak, Ry Sochan Governments in the ASEAN premix supplies as a result of Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Photographers region have put into place lockdowns by putting in place Sovanny, Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea several measures to persuade deliberate policies for nation- Web Editor Ry Sochan citizens to stay at home in an al stockholding of premix Leang Phannara Photographers attempt to slow the spread of during this period to ensure Webmasters the disease and reduce infec- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menealocal availability and access Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea tions and deaths from the Web Editor by fortified foods producers. SIEM REAP BUREAU pandemic. Measures includ- Leang Phannara • Ensuring fortified staple Offi ce Manager ed closure of businesses, Webmasters foods and condiments are Sophearith Blondeel requirements to work from Sous Chanthy, Pang Vicheadistributed in social safety PRODUCTION & PRINTING home and stay at home and Good nutrition is critical for the functioning of humans’ immune system and protection against SIEM diseases. REAP BUREAU The net programmes, to mitigate Head of Desktop Publishing restrictions on even domestic World Health Organisation guidance on diet in the context of the current pandemic outlines thatOffi “goodce Manager nutri- against potential rise in Nhim Sokphyrak tion is crucial for health particularly in times when the immune system may need to fight back. afp travel. This has caused fami- Sophearith Blondeel micronutrient deficiencies Desktop Publishing lies to be separated, reduc- Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath PRODUCTION & PRINTINGfor vulnerable populations. tions in income or even Organisation guidance on ic acid and fortified oil with expected to negatively affect ASEAN populations are Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna Head of Desktop Publishing unemployment and difficul- diet in the context of the cur- vitamin A consumed by preg- access to fresh and perisha- already going through much Nhim Sokphyrak ties in obtaining basic neces- rent pandemic outlines that nant and lactating mothers ble foods due to farmers ina- hardship during the pan- HEAD OFFICE sities such as food and water. “good nutrition is crucial for has proven effects on infant’s bility to produceDesktop or distrib- Publishing demic. Many will rely on From a nutritional stand- health particularly in times health indirectly through ute, resulting inSuon less Savatdy, diversity Chum Sokunthy, public Danh Borathdistribution and social point, the Covid-19 pandem- when the immune system improved quality breast milk, of nutrient richTep foods Thoeun on Thyda, the Tim Borith,protection Than Veasna schemes that dis- ic has dire implications for may need to fight back”. especially in oil. market. We therefore antici- tribute fortified food. Ena- Post Media Co, Ltd. countries in the ASEAN While more data needs to The other benefits of man- pate a rise in consumption HEAD OFFICE of bling citizens to flatten the The Elements Condominium Level 7, region. Even before the pan- become available on the role datory food fortification nonperishable foods, which curve is vital from both a Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, demic, the region contained of nutrition to the severity of include better immunity, are a poor source of micro- public health and economic Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom nearly half of the individuals, Covid-19, the role of micro- contributing to reducing nutrients, if not fortified. perspective, and continued Penh, Cambodia worldwide, suffering from nutrients to the optimal stunting, improved pregnan- Our agencies Postare Mediapartners Co, Ltd. supply of fortified foods will Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 the triple burden of malnu- function of immune systems cy outcomes and health sta- working with governmentsThe Elements Condominium to ensure Level that7, a rise in micro- Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 trition, characterised by the is well established. tus of offspring, enhanced support and strengthenHun Sen Boulevard , Phumnutrient Prek Talong, deficiencies will not SIEM REAP coexistence of undernutri- cognitive development and large-scale fortificationSangkat Chak pro- Angre Krom,add Phnom to morbidity Penh, and mortal- Fortified food No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune tion (stunting and wasting), school performance of chil- grammes and weCambodia are com- ity toll from Covid-19. Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 micronutrient deficiencies Fortification of staple dren and adolescents, and mitted to doing SIEMall that REAP we The last six weeks has also and overweight and obesity. foods is a safe, very low-cost, higher income earning COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT can to ensure thatNo 629, the Street pro- 6 Dangkumseen Commune a fall in the value of many The determinants of this effective, evidence based capacity of individuals lead- duction, distribution and currencies, and this has result- Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 triple burdens are complex public health strategy to ing to economic develop- most importantly, the con- ed in a consequent increase in James Ong Soon Teck COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT and likely to be further com- ensure that everyone, ment of countries and sumption of fortified foods the cost of premix. To provide Advertising Department Chap Narith, 017 996 241 pounded by this pandemic. including the most vulnera- progress toward their Sus- does not falter. Chief Operating Offi cer relief to food processors who Hun Channet, 017 578 768 Widespread poverty, unem- ble, has access to essential tainable Development Goals. The first step duringJames Ong this Soon pan Teck- partner with governments to Prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 ployment and low education micronutrients. Some suc- Continued availability and demic is to ensureAdvertising continued Department support the well-being of pop- Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 negatively impact on house- cessful examples in the consumption of necessary availability of fortifiedChap Narith, food 017 and 996 241ulations by fortifying their Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 hold food security and limits ASEAN region include the micronutrients are beneficial production and distributionHun Channet, 017 of 578 768foods, we call for finance and Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 accessibility, availability and mandatory addition of mul- for the general population. premix (the micronutrientPrach Monnyreak, mix 012 123 7777 other ministries in countries CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION tiple micronutrients to CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION affordability of healthy food This is more important now added to foods during the forti- with food fortification pro- Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager items. These challenges pose flours and cereals, vitamins than ever, as populations rely fication process). grammes to fully exempt those Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Thenh Rithy a high risk to a surge in vari- to cooking oil and iodine on shelf-stable foods (many Governments can help by: premixes from import duties, Circulation Supervisor ous forms of malnutrition into salt. of which use fortified ingre- • Ensuring that ADMINISTRATION public taxes, levies and other govern- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 among the most vulnerable Adequate intake of micro- dients) and as countries health commoditiesAdmin & includ- HR Manager ment-imposed charges. THE Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 populations. nutrients can prevent infec- emerge from the Covid-19 ing vitamin andPich mineral Socheat JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ADMINISTRATION Good nutrition is critical tions and nutritional defi- pandemic and aspire to premix for foodAssistants fortification to Admin & HR Manager Admin & HR Manager Ravi Menon is Indonesia country for the functioning of ciencies such as iron rebuild and revitalise their are prioritised forNhel clearance Soaphea Pich Socheat humans’ immune system deficiency, and serious birth economies. director of the Global Alliance for at ports or at borderFinancial sites. Director Improved Nutrition (GAIN).Jee Hyun Assistants to Admin & HR Manager and protection against dis- defects of the brain and Disruptions to food sys- • Make clear that logistics Heang Tangmeng Rah is chief for Nutrition of UNICEF Nhel Soaphea eases. The World Health spine. Fortified flour with fol- tems due to Covid-19 are suppliers for the food indus- Indonesia. Financial Director Chief Accountant Heang Tangmeng Sren Vicheka Chief Accountant Treasurers Sren Vicheka Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Treasurers Cheam Sopheak Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, IT Manager Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary Seng Nak, Vong Oun IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun TO CONTACT US [email protected] TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Online mystics cash in with app during Myanmar virus lockdown YANMAR lawyer Thiri advance by bank or mobile phone had been excited about transfer with the promise of an au- her wedding and new dio file reply within 48 hours. job this year – before the Uncertainty caused by the corona- Mcoronavirus threw both into doubt. virus outbreak has seen the number With the stars very much unaligned, of questions rocket by 50 per cent, she turned to an astrology app for says Bagan Innovation Technology, help. the company behind the virtual for- For a fee of a few dollars, Thiri’s tune-telling service. online mystic advised the 26-year- Astrology has long been firmly inter- old to carry out kind deeds around twined with Myanmar’s Buddhist be- her home, from donating flowers to liefs, and few big decisions are made Myanmar’s Min Thein Kha App offers personalised astrological advice to its estimated two million registered customers. As the feeding animals on the street, to en- without a soothsayer consultation. country struggles with the spread of Covid-19, the app has seen a spike in submissions from those affected by the pandemic. afp sure good karma. Former military rulers kept the “I’m going to follow all her advice,” nation largely offline and Min Thein of babies and businesses or choos- land, while other customers come eye can pick up valuable clues from a Thiri tells AFP, praising the Min Kha is part of a nascent digital com- ing auspicious wedding and house- laden with concerns for husbands or client’s posture, where they place their Thein Kha app for its convenience munity scrambling to catch up. warming dates have been replaced lovers working on oil rigs or as sail- hands or how they wear a hairpin, at a time when the doors to her usu- The app is named after one of the with worries about work and fears for ors, says Thet. and so distance predictions are some- al real-life astrologer at a downtown country’s most prestigious fortune the health of family members as the “We can help lift people out of de- times not as accurate, he explains. Yangon temple are securely shut for tellers, whose family and devoted deadly virus spreads in Myanmar. pression and bring back their self- Fellow astrologer Htun Aung Lu, 45, the city’s lockdown. disciples made sure his legacy lived The underdeveloped country has confidence, their hope and future,” claims he foresaw the 2014 Malaysian The Min Thein Kha platform – the on after his death in 2008. so far recorded 144 confirmed in- says 70-year-old astrologer Win Zaw, air crash and correctly predicted who only one of its kind in Myanmar – was “We’ve scaled up the personalised fections and five deaths, but experts a brother of the late Min Thein Kha. would become Myanmar’s president launched two years ago. Its creators experience,” says co-founder Ricky say the lack of testing means the real He has been in the fortune-tell- after the last election. claim to have two million registered cus- Thet. number is likely far higher. ing business for 30 years and calls In these troubled times, he offers tomers and 50,000 daily active users. “I wanted to show digitising isn’t Love is another recurring theme the switch to online soothsaying a grounds for optimism, forecasting the Users log on, select one of the only for new creations but can also on the app. “technological revolution”. pandemic will stabilise in May before 23 astrologers profiled on the app improve existing traditions.” Returning migrant workers ask af- But he admits there are downsides. some “good news about a vaccine be- and submit a question, paying in Requests for help with the naming ter sweethearts left behind in Thai- In a face-to-face session, a trained tween 2nd and 12th June”. afp The Rolling Stones release new song Italians join together THE Rolling Stones on Thursday released for WWII victory song their first new original music since 2012, a single aptly named Living in a Ghost LOCKED down Romans sang demic as Italy’s greatest chal- Town. an anti-Fascist resistance song lenge since 1945. Frontman Mick Jagger announced the out of windows on Saturday as Italy was liberated from surprise release on Twitter, saying: “The Italy celebrated the 75th anni- Benito Mussolini’s Fascist re- Stones were in the studio recording new versary of its liberation by Al- gime by US and its European material before the lockdown & one song lied forces during World War II. allies weeks before the Nazis’ – Living In A Ghost Town – we thought Jet planes buzzed across surrender in Berlin. would resonate through the times we’re Rome’s azure skies but other But remnants of the old far living in.” festivities were cancelled right are still in power across Speaking to Apple Music moments because of a coronavirus parts of northern Italy that were later, Jagger said he and Keith Richards outbreak that has officially hardest hit by the new disease. wrote the song over a year ago, but that it claimed more than 26,000 lives Populist far right leader Mat- was uncannily fitting to current times. in the Mediterranean country. teo Salvini voiced his displea- “It wasn’t written for now, but it was The day’s big invent in- sure with Saturday’s sing-along. just one of those odd things,” he said. volved everyone joining a He tweeted: “I respect those “It was written about being in a place sing-along from their win- who gave their life for our which was full of life but is now bereft of dows of Bella Ciao – an old country’s freedom. life so to speak . . . I was just jamming on protest song that turned into “But now, instead of sing- the guitar and wrote it really quickly in Italy’s unofficial anti-Fascist ing Bella Ciao, I think our like 10 minutes.” anthem. priority should be to help Before releasing the moody song heavy Prime Minister Giuseppe with money for citizens who on twang, Jagger tweaked some of the lyr- Conte often refers to the pan- are in need.” afp ics to fit the contemporary moment. The Rolling Stones’ new song, Living in a Ghost Town, references isolation and life in lockdown, themes that resonate with the global community as it faces the Covid-19 pandemic. afp “Some of it is not going to work and some of it was a bit weird and a bit too dark,” “It’s sort of eerie when suddenly it’s and Gloom and One More Shot came out Jagger said. “So I slightly rewrote it. I didn’t coming to life,” he said, adding that he’d on the greatest hits album GRRR! have to rewrite very much, to be honest. been thinking the pandemic was an ap- The band hasn’t released an original al- It’s very much how I originally did it.” propriate time for release. bum since 2005’s A Bigger Bang but have The 76-year-old sings of chaos and “Then Mick called me and said the said they’ve slowly been working on a new destruction and the seemingly infinite same thing and that great minds think collection over the past several years. loneliness of isolation. alike.” Over the weekend, the Stones headlined “Life was so beautiful / Then we all got The iconic British rockers have spent a marathon virtual concert put on by the locked down,” Jagger sings. much of the past two decades touring, international advocacy organisation Global “Please let this be over / Stuck in a world though the coronavirus halted those plans. Citizen in collaboration with Lady Gaga. without end.” The band was set to play 15 shows across Appearing ageless, Jagger delivered the Also speaking to Apple Music, Rich- North America starting May 8, but all have classic You Can’t Always Get What You ards said the song was cut last year at been postponed due to the pandemic. Want, as his fellow Stones played from a Los Angeles studio and re-worked for Living in a Ghost Town is the Stones’ their respective homes, including a grin- The Italian Air Force aerobatic unit Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) release recently. first original work since 2012’s Doom ning Charlie Watts on the air drums. afp performs over Piazza Venezia in Rome. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13

Prince Bank Digital Star My name is Heng Thoeun and I have I use my Prince Bank account to settle been working in the banking sector for my monthly and daily family expanses. 17 years. As a senior manager, I lead the For example, my wife pays for our chil- Credit Quality Assurance department at dren’s school fees, groceries, utilities and Prince Bank. other family expenses via the Prince Mo- Prior to this position, I served as man- bile App through our joint bank account. ager in the Credit Risk Assessment depart- It is very convenient for couples, such ment at Prince Bank’s Chaom Chau branch as us, who trust each other to access fi- before moving to our headquarters to join nancial services to perform transactions the Credit Quality Assurance team. and pay for our expenditures with Prince It is a tremendous advantage to be a Bank. part of the Prince Bank team since it af- Due to my tenured career in the finan- fords countless opportunities to learn and cial industry, I can attest to Prince Bank gain professional experience. I have also being the fastest growing digital bank in had the privilege to be at the forefront of Cambodia due to its great service, digital the growing trend of digital settlement innovation and commitment to techno- transactions, which Prince Bank allows. logical revolution.

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我叫 HengThoeun，我在银行业已 过太子手机银行应用程序使用该账户 有17年的工作经验。目前，我在太子 支付家庭的每月和日常开销。对于我 银行担任信质保证高级经理。我在这 们的婚姻生活而言，该账户让我们的 里曾担任过很多职位，如在宗周分区- 生活方便了很多，也增强我们伴侣之 太子银行分行担任分行经理、信用风 间的现金管理信任，因为即使我们不 险评估以及在总部担任信用质量保证 在一起，我和妻子也可以通过手机上 高级经理。我很高兴能在这里工作， 的Prince Bank App访问和查看所有 既可以在工作中学习，也可以通过我 交易。 的太子银行账户从数字支付交易的社 简而言之，就我在银行业的多年工 会进步趋势中受益。 作经验而言，我个人认为太子银行是 我和妻子在太子银行开立了一个联 柬埔寨发展最快的数字银行，这归功 名账户，这使我们可以同时通过两个 于其便捷的服务、数字智能和数字支 不同的手机设备管理该账户。我们通 付革命。

1800-20-8888 www.princebank.com.kh Advertisement 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

Thinking caps

“HIT THE SWITCH”

ACROSS 46 Even though 18 Ship’s post that secures cables 1 Awesome time 48 Black-footed albatrosses 22 Football offense option 6 Sits tight 49 Congeals 23 Cappuccino topper 11 Cereal grass 50 King’s chair 24 Dangling vine in the rain forest 14 “Happy Days” role 52 Chinese “way” 25 Not reported 15 Bother 53 Cruising 26 Polar explorer Admiral Richard 16 Anti-piracy enforcers 58 It looks good on paper 28 “When ___ said and done ...” 17 Precise, as an arrival 59 Left the ground for a moment 29 Get but good 19 Pocket watch attachment 60 Japanese industrial center 31 Shaving cream ingredient 20 Estevez of “The Mighty Ducks” 61 Dissenting chorus 33 Bit of dental work 34 Voids partners 21 Steered 62 Like horror movie music 36 Short negligee 23 Broccoli parts 63 Tear repairer 37 Short bio 26 Brown-haired (var.) DOWN 41 Skill 27 Most common 1 A sib for sis 43 NYC opera house 28 “Volunteers?” 2 Company PCs are likely on one 44 Adjective for the little rich girl? 30 Blockheads 3 Keyboard key 45 Sonata sections 31 Chili hotness unit? 4 The sun and moon, for two 46 Join the cast of 32 Offense against God 5 Some amusement parks have 47 Grassy plain 35 Explosive palindrome them 48 Fireplace item 36 Crash together 6 Cries shrilly 50 Bunny slope lift 38 Wildebeest’s alias 7 A demonstrated position? 8 “What’s gotten ___ you?” 51 Arizona tribe 39 Cry of derision 9 Before-long link 54 Word before a maiden name 40 Bubbling and steaming 10 “Empty nest,” for one 55 Hem and ___ (hesitate) 41 ___ by the wayside 11 Not with it 56 D-Day commander’s nickname 42 Rossum and others 12 Ranking higher than 57 Average score for the golf 44 Word with “scream” or “urge” 13 Yak’s turf course Friday’s solution

Friday’s solution THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Bengals choose QB Joe Burrow with first pick in ‘virtual’ NFL draft oe Burrow, who had a season I worked really hard to get better.” for the ages in 2019 and was The Bengals took Burrow with the the overwhelming favourite to first pick of the draft which was held re- Jgo No1, was snapped up by the motely as the NFL’s 32 GMs were forced Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL’s first to make their selections from scattered ever “virtual draft” on Thursday. locations across the US. A planned Las Burrow was the massive odds- Vegas gala had to be scrapped due to on favourite to go first overall after the Covid-19 pandemic. coming off an historic campaign at Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor de- Louisiana State University where he scribed Burrow, who threw 60 won the national championship, the touchdown passes last season, as Heisman Trophy as the top US col- the “complete package”. lege player, and led the Tigers to a “There’s a lot of things tangibly 15-0 record. and intangibly that he brings to the Former Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow was selected first in the NFL draft by the Cincinatti Bengals. Burrow led his team to a 15-0 record and a national championship last year. Getty images/AFP “To jump to No1 is crazy to me table. You see it with your own eyes but it is a dream come true,” Burrow – ability, leadership. He’s the total son and haven’t won a playoff game fensive tackle Andrew Thomas go players are going to bring hope to said from his parents’ Ohio home. “I package,” Taylor said. in three decades so there was no to the New York Giants. The Miami their communities and teams,” wasn’t very good my junior year but The Bengals went 2-14 last sea- chance they were going to pass on a Dolphins rounded out the top five Goodell said. potential franchise quarterback like by using the first of their three first- The coverage also included a video Burrow. round picks to select Alabama quar- message from Anthony Fauci, the The Washington Redskins made terback Tua Tagovailoa. country’s top infectious disease spe- Ohio State University defensive This year’s draft was in uncharted cialist, who said the draft can serve to end Chase Young the second pick territory with lockdown restrictions take people’s minds off the pandemic. in the draft, the annual selection of in place across the country due to “I hope that sooner or later, hope- the cream of collegiate players that the new coronavirus outbreak. fully sooner, we can get back to some helps teams in the US’ most popular Instead of being able to conduct form of normality so we can all enjoy sport replenish their talent pools. face-to-face interviews between the sport we love,” the doctor said. US colleges are the biggest sup- players and teams, NFL scouts spoke The first six picks in the draft in- plier of players to the NFL. with prospects via video call plat- cluded three quarterbacks with Bur- Young joins a Redskins defensive forms such as FaceTime and Zoom. row, Tagovailoa and Oregon’s Justin line that already includes four first- The televised draft began with a Herbert going to the Los Angeles round picks. moment of silence for those who Chargers in the No6 spot. Young’s teammate Jeff Okudah lost their lives and others who made Alabama’s third player in the top went third to the Detroit Lions, who sacrifices in the pandemic. 12 was wide receiver Henry Ruggs, filled a huge need by choosing the Speaking from his basement, NFL the first draft pick in the history of cornerback from Ohio State. commissioner Roger Goodell said the Las Vegas Raiders. Seven picks The Lions were hoping to get Oku- despite the challenges, he hopes the later, the Raiders took cornerback dah after trading cornerback Darius draft gives sports fans some hope Damon Arnette from Ohio State. Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles last and a platform to heal. For the first time since 2015 there Burrow will compete for a starting spot on the Bengals, who went 2-14 last year and month. “We all need something to look were no trades among the teams haven’t won a playoff game in three decades. getty images/afp The fourth pick saw Georgia of- forward to and come together. These picking in the top 10. AFP Giro d’Italia cyclist Marengo turns delivery man to stay fit HE really should be training couldn’t find some people who stay that little bit fitter.” But Italy is preparing to ease “This is mainly to stay useful “This really has nothing to do for the Giro d’Italia instead needed someone to make their its way out of what is now the to my community,” he says. with normal training, even if I try of making deliveries during deliveries for them.” ‘Clear my head’ world’s longest active national He makes up to 30 deliveries a to make every delivery as quick- the coronavirus pandemic. Marengo got in touch with The pandemic has played as lockdown when the current day and has managed to set a ly as possible,” Marengo says. But how else is a professional the mayor and was soon much havoc with the global restrictions expire on May 3. personal lockdown record by But at least he has managed Italian cyclist supposed to speeding along abandoned sports schedule as it has with Marengo and the other rid- riding 70km in a day – less than to avoid being pushed through stay fit? city streets on his racing bike most other aspects of life. ers will soon drop what they half the average length of a single punishing routines at the gym At least that is what Umber- – a rucksack full of deli sand- The Giro has still not been are doing and enter extreme stage. – now closed – by his trainer. to Marengo was thinking wiches strapped to his back. rescheduled and the time- training regimes. Marengo conceded that he will “I never liked it,” Marengo says when he decided to pull on “The customers are all frame for the two other major The KLM rider says deliver- probably have a lot of ground to of the tedious hours at the gym. his lycra and start hauling amazed,” Marengo admits. cycling races – the Tour de ing food has been rewarding make up when he makes his last “That’s another reason I start- pasta and pizza across the “Especially since I always France and the Vuelta a Espana – although maybe not terribly delivery once Italians’ stay-at- ed making deliveries. It allows suburbs of the northern Ital- try to go up by the stairs to – is unknown. useful for staying racer-fit. home orders are lifted. me to clear my head.” AFP ian city of Turin. Marengo and his little Italian team Vini Zabu-KTM are still trying to gain a measure of respectability on the profes- sional tour circuit. The KTM riders considered themselves lucky to have even qualified for one of the three Grand Tours. But the Giro will not be start- ing on May 9 because of the virus that has officially killed almost 26,000 across the Med- iterranean country. The 27-year-old had little to do but sit at home with his girl- friend. The subject of ice cream came up and Marengo’s new career soon followed. “We searched the internet and found this ice cream par- lour making home deliveries,” Marengo recalls. Vini Zabu-KTM rider Umberto Marengo picks a bag of meat at a Marengo makes up to 30 deliveries a day and has managed to set a personal lockdown record by riding 70km “So I began to wonder if I butcher’s shop in Collegno, near Turin, Italy. afp in a day – less than half the average length of a single stage. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 27, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Belarusian football ignores Covid-19 boycott S Belarus resists in the country’s largest stadi- imposing a lock- um last weekend, was played down to combat the in front of only 317 people. coronavirus, its foot- At the end of March, fans in ballA league has stumbled into Grodno criticised the official the international limelight as response to the pandemic and Europe’s only remaining top- virus “lies”, calling on the BFF flight competition. to “finally have the courage to But players are worried about stop the championship”. the health risks and only die- Fans groups at all of the hard fans are braving matches. league’s top clubs have an- FC Slutsk fan Yahor Kha- nounced they will not attend vanski, 26, is “a bit afraid” but matches. could not imagine quitting Several players, mainly for- his weekend football fix. eign-based, have weighed in, On Sunday he intends to don saying the league should be a surgical mask and an FC Slutsk suspended. scarf and “try not to touch any- “It’s a little scary,” said Dina- thing” at a clash against rivals mo Brest striker Artem Milevsky Belshina Bobruisk. on Instagram last week after “The stadium holds 2,000 a match in Vitebsk, the town people, but only 300 came which has the second highest to the last match. You can sit number of infections in Belarus. anywhere you want and keep Dinamo Minsk midfielder, your distance,” he said. Danilo, told Brazilian media: Khavanski says he will keep “If the major championships attending matches, regard- have stopped, why haven’t less of the risk. In his view, he we? We should do the same.” faces “the same odds of being But with the league gain- infected on public transport ing more attention than ever, A Belarussian fan is heat checked before a match. Attendance is down, but Minsk is gaining fans from other football-starved countries. afp or in shops”. other players see this as their Life has continued as nor- The Belarusian Football to a struggling league. FC Slutsk’s main sponsor is for FC Slutsk’s new followers moment. mal in Belarus, whose au- Federation (BFF) has followed Russia’s largest sports net- a local, state-run sugar com- abroad, an initiative Bunas said French-Armenian foot- thoritarian leader Alexander the government’s lead, saying work bought the rights to air pany. was “surprising but welcome”. baller Hayk Mosakhanian Lukashenko has dismissed it will not stop matches under matches in March, a move “But the sugar industry is in said it was a “plus” the league World Health Organisation the current guidelines. followed by 11 other countries decline,” club president Vitaly Fans revolt was continuing, welcoming recommendations to impose The BFF even announced this including India and Israel. Bunas told AFP. The boost of attracting new publicity “if we play well”. a virus lockdown. week its women’s league will Clubs have started Twitter With the factory director in fans abroad has come against The Energetik-BGU mid- With a population of nearly kick off on April 30 following a accounts in English to cater prison over a corruption con- the backdrop of dwindling fielder added that young 10 million, Belarus has regis- two-week delay over fears play- to the new influx of interna- viction, Bunas says “the club’s spectators, with a total of just players “want to show off”. tered 10,463 coronavirus cases. ers had come into contact with tional spectators. finances are catastrophic”. 2,383 fans across the eight For up and coming stars, he Neighbouring Ukraine, with people infected with the virus. Fans and management at FC Yet fans in Australia have league matches last weekend. said, the pandemic has offered four times the population, has On paper, the decision to Slutsk wonder whether the new crowd-funded nearly $4,000 Dinamo Minsk’s match a chance to stand out. “It’s an registered fewer cases. allow matches is a huge boon interest could save the club. and launched a Facebook group against Neman Grodno, held opportunity,” he said. afp Tampa Bay mayor apologises for booting QB Tom Brady from park TOM BRADY received an apology on Saturday from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor for his ejection from a city park, but she took issue with his would-be trademark “Tompa Bay”. The 42-year-old Brady, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month after 20 seasons with New England, was working out in a down- town park on Monday when he was Atsushi Saito (left), the commissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball, speaks to reporters during a press conference in Tokyo about start of season. afp ejected by a park patrol because it was closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic. Japanese pro baseball set Brady, considered by many the greatest of all time (GOAT) among NFL signal callers, received an apol- to consider June opening ogy from Castor. “Tom, my apologies for the mis- THE 12 Nippon Professional Baseball measures against the new coronavirus communication when you arrived – clubs have agreed to consider hold- on Thursday, a team of experts made the not the best first impression,” she ing official games that were post- following recommendations: (1) It would said on Twitter. poned to June or later – with a focus be difficult to start official games during “But given my law enforcement on playing behind closed doors – at a declared state of emergency and to background, I couldn’t help but have an online meeting of their represent- resume them; and (2) Even after the lift- someone investigate the sighting of atives on Thursday. ing of the emergency, it would be appro- a G.O.A.T. running wild in one of our This would be the first time in history priate to have no spectators at first. beautiful city parks. Former New England QB Tom Brady has had a rough start settling in Tampa Bay. He that official professional baseball games “We should play the games at any “No harm – no foul, and thanks for walked into a house on accident and then got booted from a park. Getty images/afp are played without any spectators. cost, and we want people to watch being a good sport.” The J-League also confirmed at an them at home on television and the The mayor also welcomed tight end aimed at Brady’s application for winning season since 2010, haven’t extraordinary joint executive commit- internet,” NPB Commissioner Atsushi Rob Gronkowski, who came out of trademarks on the terms “Tompa won a playoff game since capturing tee consisting of representatives of 56 Saito said at a press conference. “There retirement to join former New Eng- Bay” and “Tampa Brady” following their only Super Bowl crown in 2003. clubs across the country and others are no objections among the 12 teams land teammate Brady on the Bucca- his move to Florida. But this year’s NFL championship that it would prepare for resuming to doing it without spectators at first.” neers, saying both should be ready to “Tom, it’s Tampa Bay,” Castor wrote. spectacle will be staged in Tampa at the games without spectators after June. They will discuss the specific open- party “but not too hard [I’m talking “You win us a Super Bowl and we’ll Buccaneers’ home stadium and the At the sixth meeting of the NPB and ing date after the Golden Week holi- to you Gronk]”. discuss Tampa Brady.” Bucs could become the first team to win J-League liaison conference on counter- days in May. afp Castor dropped in a postscript The Bucs, who have had only one a Super Bowl home turf. afp