thursday, june 17, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3687 / 4000 RIEL

SCHOOLS SEEK GOV’T KHMERSME WEBSITE VIETNAM PANGOLIN MEET TO REOPEN, IN LAUNCHES THIS YEAR, DEFENDER RECEIVES LAST-DITCH GAMBIT IN SUPPORT OF SMES ‘GREEN NOBEL’ PRIZE national – page 3 business – page 6 World – page10 Minister N Korea’s Kim sounds calls for alarm over Swedish food pinch investors KIM Jong-un has admitted that North Korea’s food situa- Thou Vireak tion is “tense”, state media reported on June 16, sounding MINISTER of Commerce Pan the alarm in a country that suf- Sorasak on June 15 urged the fered a devastating famine in outgoing Swedish ambassador the 1990s in which hundreds to encourage investors of the of thousands died. Scandinavian country, such as The impoverished country, multinational furniture retail- which is under multiple sets er IKEA and automaker Volvo, of international sanctions to explore business opportuni- over its nuclear weapons and ties in Cambodia. ballistic missile programmes, The minister made the has long struggled to feed request at a meeting with itself, suffering chronic food Swedish ambassador to Cam- shortages. bodia Bjorn Haggmark to dis- And last year the coronavi- cuss and exchange views on rus pandemic and a series of promoting the multilateral summer storms and floods trading system operated by the added yet more pressure on World Trade Organisation. the flagging economy. Sorasak pitched tropical foods At a plenary meeting of the and fruit processing as viable central committee of the rul- areas for investment, and high- ing Workers’ Party of Korea, lighted the significant growth Kim said the economy recorded in auto-parts process- improved this year, with indus- ing, as well as furniture and trial output growing 25 per components in recent years. cent from a year earlier, the Data from the Ministry of official Korean Central News Commerce shows that in Agency reported on June 16. 2020, Cambodia exported Out of hand But “the people’s food situa- electrical equipment and tion is now getting tense as the electronic equipment worth A Palestinian woman confronts Israeli security forces outside the Damascus gate in east Jerusalem on Tuesday, ahead of the March agricultural sector failed to of the Flags which celebrates the anniversary of Israel’s 1967 occupation of the city’s eastern sector. Israel’s new government faced an early a total of $755.34 million, up test as Jewish ultranationalists prepared to march into annexed east Jerusalem, stoking tensions the UN has warned threaten a fragile Gaza fulfil its grain production plan 31.49 per cent from $574.44 ceasefire. Rallies by far-right Jewish groups in Arab neighbourhoods have raised tensions in recent months, prompting a police intervention due to the damage by typhoon million in 2019. in the flashpoint al-Aqsa mosque compound that triggered the deadliest flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence since 2014. AFP last year”, Kim said. AFP The Kingdom also exported furniture and lighting equip- ment worth a total of $631.88 million in 2020, up 50.63 per cent from $419.48 million in 2019, the data showed. The minister voiced confi- dence that, during Haggmark’s Capital issues guidelines successor’s tenure, the Swed- ish embassy in Phnom Penh would “continue to cooperate well with the Ministry of Com- merce in order to promote Cambodia-Sweden dialogue for factories, enterprises and trade relations”. Cambodia Chamber of Com- Niem Chheng Enterprises in Phnom Penh” and had suspended their operations, he said the municipal hall has put merce vice-president Lim Heng signed by governor Khuong Sreng on while many others have been up into place many health, administra- noted that trade and invest- HE Phnom Penh Municipal June 15, it said one of the primary fac- and running as usual. tive and social protection measures ment relations between the two Administration has intro- tors was that many workers employed As of the first half of this year, there as well as an accelerated vaccination countries were still low, sug- duced guidelines for factories by different factories are sharing their are 746 factories and 4,985 small- campaign that utilised much of the gesting further cooperative and enterprises to follow after living spaces and transportation. scale enterprises in Phnom Penh, government’s resources. work to build mutually-reward- determiningT that the transmission of Other factors include workers buy- providing 476,359 jobs and indirectly In the medium term – within the ing partnership opportunities. Covid-19 there is largely caused by five ing food from disorderly or unhygienic benefiting hundreds of thousands of next year – the administration re- He said the Kingdom’s bilat- main factors. places and flouting health measures. other people. The municipal invest- quires all factory owners to organ- eral free trade deals with China In a six-page document titled Despite the ongoing community ment commission has officially reg- ise emergency exits at the factories, “Planned Measures to Contain the outbreak, Sreng said only a small istered 34 new factories this year. Continued – page 6 Spread of Covid-19 at Factories and number of factories and enterprises To contain the spread of the virus, Continued – page 2 FISH CONSUMPTION S REAP REAL ESTATE IN CAMBODIA RISES, PLAYERS UPBEAT ON MINISTRY REPORTS REVIVAL OF TOURISM nATIONAL – page 5 business – page 8 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Floating home owners seek assistance

Khouth Sophak Chakrya ter quality and now some of these structures were attempting to dock VER 1,500 floating houses in Kandal, closest to the capital. and fish farming cages “On the orders and instructions of have been dismantled and the Kandal Provincial Administra- evacuated from the rivers tion, we do not allow them to dock inO Phnom Penh, according to Phnom for whatever reasons. So, they have Penh municipal police spokesman to leave our waters,” he said. San Sok Seyha. Sem Chi, head of the Khmer Viet- Sok Seyha told The Post on June 16 namese Association in Cambodia, told that so far the owners of 1,537 of the The Post that due to the Covid-19 pan- 1,741 floating houses and fish farm- demic, the Vietnamese government ing cages in the river had voluntarily announced the temporary closure of complied with the removal orders the borders so they could not travel and dismantled the structures or back to Vietnam by land or water. moved them from the area. He said his association and offi- “At this time, our police forces cials of the Vietnamese embassy in have been assisting with the remov- Cambodia have been coordinating al of some of the illegal construc- with the Cambodian authorities to tions, boats, floating houses and ask for sympathy and compassion fish farming cages as advised by the for the Vietnamese-Cambodian Phnom Penh Municipal Administra- people with the hope that they will tion,” he said. allow them to temporarily dock for He added that the constructions now pending the Covid-19 situation were located in five districts along improving, at which time they will the river – 82 floating houses and be allowed to go back to Vietnam. 179 fish farming cages were disman- “At this time, we’ve received the news tled in Prek Pnov; 145 of 201 floating that nearly 300 Vietnamese-Cambodi- houses were pulled down in Chroy an people living in the floating houses Changvar while 85 of the 129 fish Vietnamese residents dismantle floating home in Prek Pnov commune of Phnom Penh’s Prek Pnov district on Monday.HONG MENEA have moved from the capital to the farming cages there were removed; Khpok Ateav Island of Kandal prov- 366 floating houses and fish farming things and follow legal procedures,” near Khpok Ateav Island, about 20km “Our forces have been moving the ince’s Loeuk Dek district, only 15km cages were dismantled or removed Sok Seyha said. from the border with Vietnam. Vietnamese settlers with floating from Vietnam. However, they still can- from Russey Keo; and in Chbar Am- Authorities of Kandal province’s Peam Chor district police chief houses and fish farm cages towards not enter Vietnam,” he said. pov, 210 of the 249 floating houses Loeuk Dek district and Prey Veng Chea Heng told The Post that 15 Vietnam,” he said. Chi said the association requested are now gone along with 247 of 293 province’s Peam Chor district told floating houses and fish farming Loeuk Dek district governor Chab that the Cambodian authorities, es- fish farming cages. The Post on June 16 that more than cages from the river in Phnom Penh Chanvichea also told The Post that pecially the Phnom Penh Municipal “At this time, police forces have 150 floating houses and fish farm- had moved to the river in the district. Phnom Penh municipal authorities Administration, help provide them been continuing to cooperate with ing cages owned by Vietnamese set- The settlers have been trying to dock required them to remove the houses with food and some makeshift ac- those from the five district admin- tlers had moved from the waters in them there, but they were prevented and cages from the river to reduce commodations until the borders are istrations to keep a close eye on Phnom Penh and are now parked from doing so by the district police. navigation jams and improve wa- opened. Governor eyes SEZs for factories and enterprises Continued from page 1 “It is not permitted to sell Also for the medium term, All factories must work goal of concentrating all fac- subsidies than this. I don’t food and drink and other ma- workers have to rent accommo- closely with the Ministry of tories in one place, improving think it will work,” he said. prepare information coun- terials in an untidy manner dations close to their factories Labour and Vocational Train- public order, reducing traf- “If we recommend that fac- ters, and make available ap- inside and around the facto- and must not share rooms with ing to update workers’ con- fic congestion and accidents tories should do this and that, propriate resting and dining ries, except for the food ser- those from other factories. tact information through the and improving health and they will not do it. But if it is areas. They must also carry vices that the factories have The municipality urged One Standard Database and environmental issues. stated in the law, then they out daily disinfections and contracted to prepare daily workers to reduce travel and work with the local authori- The governor said the best will,” he said. have places for testing, quar- meals for the workers,” said reliance on shared transpor- ties to maintain order near area for investing in factories Recommending workers antine and treatment. the document. tation. If this is not possible, their compounds. and enterprises should now stay close to their factories The factories must all have All areas of the factories must they have to follow health pre- “Factories and enterprises be northwest of Phnom Penh. may not work because they rapid test kits, an updated in- be set up to allow for 1.5m of ventive measures like wear- should relocate to the special Pav Sina, president of the are not living in a standard formation list for their work- social distancing and all gath- ing masks and sanitising their economic zones if possible, be- Collective Union of Movement building constructed pri- ers and all new workers must erings of workers outside of hands frequently. They must cause they are best equipped of Workers, said the municipal marily for them; instead they undergo a rapid test. working hours are forbidden. not eat while commuting on to provide services for general plan was good but hard to stay in buildings with around shared transport. Transporta- industry such as export pro- implement because it is not 10 rental units in each. The tion providers should reduce cessing, production, free trade legally binding. He said the re- workers can stay nearby their the number of workers in their centres, service centres, ac- duction in capacity on trans- factories only if the owners vehicles to half-capacity. commodations and tourist ar- portation by half will not work prepare such accommoda- “Workers have to get [real] eas which ease the production because it will require workers tions for them, he said. information to avoid falling process for workers and the to pay more when they only Sina saw benefits to placing for incitement and rumours management,” Sreng said. get $7 for transportation from factories in special economic spread by ill-intended groups He said the municipality their employers each month. zones where there are admin- who intend to cause social will discuss the development “Factories already give istrative services in the zone to chaos and should instead of more special economic workers $7 for travel and ac- meet all needs. But he said it trust the government, specia- zones in Phnom Penh with commodation as stated in the may pose difficulties for work- lised ministries, institutions the Council for the Develop- existing law and the factories ers and unions in the event of and local authorities,” it said. ment of Cambodia with the have no duties to grant more any disagreements. In the long-term plan of between one and five years, Sreng said factories should follow standard operating procedures with each having its work buildings separated from each other; providing ac- commodations for staff and workers; offering daycare and medical services; and building dining facilities, food stalls, parking lots and a garden. If factories cannot afford to meet the above-mentioned standards, they should sign contracts with landlords who can provide proper accommo- dations in the vicinity of the workers’ workplace. All fac- tories should organise shared transportation for their work- ers with costs split between employees and employers. A security guard sprays disinfectant on workers at their factory in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district. HENG CHIVOAN THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National CPP nominates Prach Chan as chairman of electoral commission

Lay Samean cabinet of the CPP’s Central Committee. He is also a for- THE ruling Cambodian Peo- mer governor of Battambang ple’s Party (CPP) nominated and Tbong Khmum provinces Prach Chan, head of the Na- as well as a member of the NA tional Assembly’s (NA) First representing Tbong Khmum. Commission, as the new He declined to comment on chairman of the National his candidacy when reached Election Committee (NEC). for comment on June 16. The nomination will now Sam Kuntheamy, execu- be forwarded to the NA Ple- tive director of the Neutral nary session for a vote of con- and Impartial Committee fidence. for Free and Fair Elections in NA spokesman Leng Peng Cambodia, said although the Long told The Post that the selection process for the new CPP had decided to send their NEC chairman was not yet nomination to the NA on the comprehensive or transpar- morning of June 16. ent, he hoped the new NEC He said that after receiving chairman would implement the list of official candidates, the law in accordance with the NA will convene a plenary the Constitution. Heng Vanda (centre), head of the Cambodian Higher Education Association, during the virtual meeting on June 15. Cambodia Chamber of Commerce session next week, though it “Now that the CPP has de- has yet to set a specific date. cided to select a candidate, “The official period that the I have a request for the new CPP is required to nominate a NEC chairman: Abide by the candidate is three days from Constitution. The law estab- Schools seek gov’t meeting June 15-17. Then the NA will lishing the NEC requires that convene a meeting of the Per- the NEC be independent, not manent Committee and set under the influence of any the agenda for next week’s ple- party. Otherwise, other politi- to find ways for reopening nary session, including voting cal parties will file complaints on nominated candidates.” during the elections,” he said. Voun Dara can no longer endure and de- of this meeting and write for the request is that Phnom He added that on June 16, The selection of a new NEC cide to appeal for the reopen- a letter requesting to meet Penh residents are nearly fully Chan resigned as chairman chairman came about after for- ORE than 100 pri- ing of schools because we do with relevant ministries to vaccinated against Covid-19, of the NA’s First Commission mer NEC chairman Sik Bun Hok vate educational not know when the Covid-19 express our problems and including teachers. and the NA’s human rights – who had been the NEC chair institutions have pandemic will end,” he said. concerns,” he said. Education ministry spokes- commission for investigation since 2015 – resigned from the decided to re- Vanda said Covid-19 infec- Pech Bolen, president of the man Ros Sovacha said on June and relations. post, citing poor health as the Mquest a meeting with the gov- tions are currently spread as a Federation of Education Ser- 16 that the ministry encour- Chan used to serve in the reason for his departure. ernment to find ways to reopen cluster which could be man- vices in Cambodia who also at- ages private education institu- schools as many of them are aged by authorities. Relying tended the meeting, said most tions and stakeholders to talk facing bankruptcy and on the on online learning does not private education institutions and find solutions as everyone brink of closing. The decision improve the situation because have asked the education min- is affected by the crisis. came during a virtual meeting parents or guardians do not istry to consider reopening He added that schools, both among them on June 15. pay school fees and young schools and discuss measures private and public, will remain Vanda Institute direc- students cannot study online. to prevent the spread of Covid- closed until further notice. tor Heng Vanda, who is also Without tuition fees, schools 19 in schools. “Public and private insti- chairman of the Cambodian will go bankrupt or shut down. “What we want the most tutions need to continue Higher Education Associa- Reopening schools will de- is to reopen schools, if pos- teaching and learning online tion, told The Post after the pend on following preventative sible, in August or September, according to the new normal meeting that Covid-19 has health measures and guidelines but we also need to discuss of the education sector,” he been around since early 2020 from the Ministry of Education, any acceptable mechanisms, said, adding that the ministry and has severely affected Youth and Sport. Some stu- such as continuing education has already issued guidelines schools for more than a year. dents will study in class while in class and online study at on distance and electronic “The meeting to request others online (Online Plus) to home, and follow the guide- teaching and learning for the government’s help is to reduce the number of students lines of the education and public, primary and second- ensure that private education in the classroom, he said. health ministries,” he said. ary schools for the 2020-2021 Prach Chan is ex-governor of Battambang and Tbong Khmum provinces institutions can survive. They “We will collect the results He said the other reason academic year. as well as a National Assembly member representing the latter. NA Fires claim at least 10 lives in first five months of 2021

Khouth Sohpak Chakrya Post from the National Committee for market stalls, eight warehouses, ty equipment for them,” he said. cient or not up to technical stand- Disaster Management (NCDM). eight factories, 17 public adminis- The national police on June 14 ards. Turn off lights and unplug AT LEAST 10 people have been killed The data on the impacts and dam- tration buildings and three schools. provided a fire engine to the fire devices when they are not in use and and 16 injured in fires across the age caused by the fires shows that Fires also destroyed eight planta- department to help the fire fighters turn off gas stoves, and thoroughly country in this year’s first five months, during this period, there were 234 tions and damaged seven forests. carry out their duties, especially in extinguish fires after cooking or burn- according to data obtained by The fires that damaged 231 houses, 67 Kampot province is considered a putting out fires at warehouses, fac- ing grass and kitchen waste,” he “model” province for fire prevention, tories, enterprises and highrise said. with only one fire this year that dam- buildings in Phnom Penh. Two warehouses belonging to Cam- aged one house. Phnom Penh has the The national police also provided bodian traders in Rong Kluea Market highest number of fires and the most another fire engine to the Phnom at the Thai border were destroyed by damage in the country, followed by Penh municipal administration for fire on the night of June 14. Battambang, according to the docu- rescues and general fire fighting According to Thai authorities, the ment. operations. fire was most likely caused by an elec- The province with the highest According to Vantha, these fire trical fault. But Thai police were still number of fatalities was Kampong engines have more capacity than the investigating at this time according Chhnang with five dead and one engines that Cambodia has used in to Cambodian market vendors injured, while Phnom Penh has two the past. They can hold 8,000 litres of there. dead and 12 injured. water and spray water quickly from “The warehouses that caught fire The Ministry of Interior’s Depart- a height of more than 30 metres. were K72 and K73. Cambodian trad- ment of Fire Prevention, Extinguish- He called on residents and author- ers rented them to store carpets and ing and Rescue director Neth Vantha ities to remain vigilant in the event of clothes,” said Bun Heng, a clothing said: “Most of the fires are caused by fires, which can occur during the trader in the market. explosions, electrical problems and rainy season or the dry season, noting He said the damage was estimated carelessness by landlords, plantation that every house should have first aid at over 5 million baht ($16,000), but owners, unit owners and business kits and basic equipment such as fire it is unknown whether Thai authori- owners.” extinguishers. ties, market owners or any other “The rescue operations of our fire “In order to prevent fires, we should party will compensate the Cambo- Fire destroyed a warehouse of Cambodian traders at Rong Kluea Market in Thailand fighters are still limited due to the regularly inspect and repair any part dian traders should they be deemed on June 14. police lack of modern fire trucks and safe- of the electrical wiring that is defi- responsible. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National New immigration bill targets Australia to support piped water supply Long Kimmarita the country’s water sector. illegal foreigners in Kingdom Arnold said this is because THE Australian government of the effect access to clean Lay Samean will support Cambodia’s effort water has on people’s health to provide piped clean water to and livelihoods. This study ENERAL Depart- rural areas as its Provincial shows opportunities for ment of Immigra- Investment Plan study revealed increasing access such as with tion (GDI) officials that less than 50 per cent of vil- public-private partnerships. are discussing revi- lages in the country were con- “The embassy’s contribution sionsG to the new draft law on nected to piped water in 2020. to Cambodia’s piped water sup- immigration to prevent for- The study showed that while ply was consistent with Austral- eigners from entering Cambo- only 47 per cent of villages had ia’s wider approach to infrastruc- dia illegally and to supervise piped water, this figure can ture development in Cambodia, those living in the Kingdom increase quickly with public- including prioritising initiatives more effectively. The revisions private partnerships to that finance sustainably and draw wide support among civ- increase private sector invest- deliver benefits to Cambodian il society organisations. ment in clean piped water. households,” Arnold said. GDI director-general Kirth “This study was conducted by Prasidh said the govern- Chantharith said the main Australia’s AUD49 million (US$38 ment’s aim is to provide 100 content of the bill focused on million) investing in infrastruc- per cent clean water to urban preventing foreigners who ture [3i] Programme in Cambo- areas by 2025, and access for had committed offences from dia,” the Australian embassy said all Cambodians by 2030. entering Cambodia and im- in press release on June 15. He also said the 3i database posing penalties on offenders. The study looked at the sup- was developed with the General “The draft law also improves ply of piped water in 22 prov- Directorate of Water Supply. control of foreigners living in inces, calculating the cost of “We believe that we are on the Cambodia, both foreign inves- bringing piped water to uncon- right track. I thank Australia for tors and immigrants,” he said, nected villages. all the assistance they have pro- adding that this law was of prime During a meeting on June 15 vided to the ministry,” he said. importance to the nation. A total of106 Vietnamese are deported for working without a permit on June 1. General Department of Immigration with Minister of Industry, Sci- Through 3i, Australia has given Poly Da, undersecretary of ence, Technology and Innova- over A$19.8 million in invest- state at the Ministry of Inte- said the new draft law is time- must have a good law to se- control them,” he said, adding tion Cham Prasidh to increase ment subsidies to nearly 80 pri- rior, said the draft law seemed ly and warranted as many riously control immigration that the draft law should be bilateral cooperation on access vate water operators to set up complete, but the meeting foreigners are residing and because the old law had a lot receiving more input from rel- to clean piped water, the and increase piped water supply was held to garner opinions working in Cambodia. of loopholes. evant stakeholders to make it embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires to rural homes in the Kingdom. and input from specialists to “In fact, we already have an “Since 1979, immigration comprehensive and effective. Luke Arnold said Australia Once finished, the programme bring the entire content in line immigration law, but it seems issues have remained an un- In a report on June 15, the would work with the Cambo- will provide piped water to more with the current situation. inadequate for controlling im- solved problem. The law was GDI said it had regularly en- dian government to develop than one million people. “I encourage GDI specialists migrants in Cambodia. So, the put in place, but its imple- forced the immigration law to further examine the content law should be amended to re- mentation was not effective. on illegal foreigners. It had and wording so that the new spond to the current situation So, immigration problems detained them, built case draft law is accurate,” he said. and new developments in the still persisted until now. If we files for referral to court and Am Sam Ath, deputy direc- modern digital age,” he said. have a standard law, I think it deported them. tor for rights group Licadho, Sam Ath said Cambodia can control immigrants more “Since 2014 until May of this effectively,” he said. year, the GDI had deported He said that currently some 18,470 illegal foreigners of 104 immigrants had not only lived nationalities including 3,060 in Cambodia illegally but had females,” the report said. also committed offences. According to the GDI, more “Other countries used both than 140,000 immigrants, technological systems and mostly Chinese, Korean, Viet- the law to control immigra- namese and US nationals, tion. If immigrants commit were residing in Cambodia as Workers are digging a trench for water pipes along a road in Bak Kheng cybercrimes, they managed to of the end of 2020. village of Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district in February. HONG MENEA K Speu set to enforce littering fines

Orm Bunthoeurn has sent a team to educate the public and Hem Odom, an environmental expert, display banners promoting environmen- said people still do not dispose of rubbish WARNING against littering at Kirirom tal protection as well. If repeated attempts in the proper place, even though the park National Park in Kampong Speu province at education are unsuccessful, he said has some bins in place. has seemingly faltered as rubbish contin- legal action would be taken. “If possible, all relevant institutions ues to mount, prompting provincial envi- “We will attempt education, not only for should create a programme that can prick ronmental officials to impose fines. visitors but also vendors. We will advise their conscience and prompt them to act Om Mak Theary, provincial environ- them to separate solid, liquid and plastic more responsibly, for example on TV or ment department director, said visitors waste. We will instruct people to use in the media,” he said. to the park and the locals are leaving rub- banana or lotus leaves because plastic Heng Yon Kora, founder and executive bish everywhere. To address the issue, he does not decompose easily,” he said. director of the Community Sanitation and Recycling Organisation in Cambodia, said there have actually been a lot of educa- tional videos but some people ignored them. Most people, he said, watch those videos as if they were watching entertain- ment without thinking about the educa- tional message being conveyed. According to Yon Kora, the reason peo- ple litter is that there is a lack of rubbish bins and slow waste collection, while the authorities have yet to enforce fines. “I have observed that there are no mon- itors for fines. If there are ones to punish offenders, people would be deterred and change their habit. We can warn them once or twice first before imposing fines. We can place educational slogans in the park,” he said. Odom agreed that strictly enforcing the law might prompt people to comply, but only when authorities are present. Litter- ing at resorts or other public places dam- ages the environment and pollutes the environment, affecting biodiversity and A garbage pile at Kirirom National Park on June 13. Facebook fresh air for people, he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Hit-and-run Cambodia’s fish consumption up drivers in the crosshairs of despite supply, market challenges point system Nov Sivutha Khouth Sophak Chakrya

HE Ministry of Agricul- THE National Road Safety Committee ture, Forestry and Fisher- (NRSC) has instructed specialists from ies announced that fish the Ministry of Public Works and Trans- consumption in Cambo- port and traffic police to work together diaT has increased, with one person to research hit-and-run accidents that consuming on average 52.4kg of cause deaths and implement a system fish per year. where offenders have points taken Fish consumption by people in from their driver’s licence. low-lying areas has also increased, The committee gave the instruction with the population there consum- on June 15 during a meeting attended ing 75.6kg of fish on average per by public works minister Sun person each year. The increase Chanthol and National Police chief came despite challenges related to Neth Savoeun to establish a system fish supply shortages and market that deducts points from a driver’s demands in the country. licence for road accident offences. In a press release on June 15, the Chanthol, who is also NRSC perma- ministry said that based on prelimi- nent deputy chairman, said that to solve nary figures from the general census problems related to road accident completed on March 3, 2019, the Cam- offences, the ministry is planning to set bodian population was 15,288,489 – an up a point deduction system but need- increase of 14.1 per cent over 11 years ed the cooperation of police, especially since the last census in 2008. traffic police who enforce road laws. The larger population has in- “The public works ministry enforc- creased demand for fish even further, es the law on people who commit and during the Covid-19 pandemic offences, but fines are issued by the government encouraged people police officers. What the ministry to implement aquaculture projects wants is to work with those officers in 11 target provinces, including four and learn how many offences police provinces hit by flooding. have fined and where offences were The government encouraged the committed,” he said. raising of catfish and frogs in plastic Agriculture minister Veng Sokhon visits a fish farm in Kampong Chhnang province’s Rolea Bier district on June 16. Facebook Chanthol added that many offenc- bags because the method is cost- es had been captured on automatic effective. The challenges with supply could Aquaculturist Song Dina, who raises the same fish which required a lot detection cameras. The ministry has also cooperated not yet be addressed because of a few fish and frogs in five ponds on 3ha in more feed for them. Neth Savoeun said that for the work with the Cambodian Aquaculturist factors including a decline in natural Dauntei commune of Tbong Khmum Agriculture minister Veng Sakhon to be effective both sides have to Association to implement the Na- fish populations, differences in man- province’s Ponhea Kraek district, ac- told The Post on June 16 that rele- cooperate, and the ministry and tional Strategic Plan for Aquacul- aging fish markets in Cambodia and knowledged that fish consumption vant institutions must join the min- police have to study past offences ture Development 2016-2030. As a competition in domestic markets. had increased year after year. But he istry in addressing the issue. and learn from experience. result, aquaculture production in The other challenges included said the fish being supplied to the “There are many intricacies involved He also requested that specialists and 2020 increased more than 30 per complicated inspection mecha- market by Cambodian producers in solving theses problems. How can information technology experts from cent compared to 2019. nisms for fish imports and the rules was not in demand because of the the agriculture ministry be expected the ministry assist in training law “Human resources related to aqua- related to quantity, quality and oth- fish imported from Vietnam. to fix this alone? It is not possible. enforcement officers in IT focusing on culture work are sufficient for the er obligations for importers. Also, He said fish imported from Viet- Several ministries [and stakeholders] smartphone data management sys- aquaculture sector in Cambodia cur- the private aquaculture investment nam cost only 4,000 riel ($1) per ki- must work on this together,” he said. tems and a driver’s licence point deduc- rently. Aquaculture specialists have sector in Cambodia still had a lack logramme, while Cambodian fish Sakhon said his ministry had the tion mobile app, especially for law received training at home and abroad of capital and knowledge regarding farmers had to price their fish higher role of teaching farmers the tech- enforcement officers on the ground. and in turn have trained farmers in market demand research at home and that if fish imports from Vietnam niques for raising fish, while other “All law enforcement officers on these skills so that they can raise fish and abroad. were banned, then fish raised in Cam- ministries had the role of develop- roads should have data systems to in almost every province,” it said. Domestic transport prices for im- bodia would sell for higher prices. ing a market for the farmers to sell record offences on smartphones to The ministry acknowledged that ports, service prices in production, Dina noted that it took only two their produce. He noted that the collect and manage data safely and fish supply in Cambodia had not expensive processing and stocks months to raise fish in Vietnam, agriculture ministry had often been efficiently,” Savoeun said. proven sufficient to meet market de- were also ongoing challenges, the but Cambodian fish farmers spent expected to step into this role and The programme will be launched mands without the use of imports. ministry said. up to five to seven months to grow provide assistance as well. early next year. ADB publications available in CDRI’s online catalogue

Ry Sochan to eradicate extreme poverty. among many ADB-provided ADB country director Sunniya sources of knowledge in digital THE Asian Development Bank Durrani-Jamal said the bank’s form available in the CDRI online (ADB) and Cambodia Develop- operations go beyond providing library. ment Resource Institute (CDRI) financial assistance, including pro- “CDRI believes that the e-li- on June 16 launched a pioneering viding knowledge for solutions that brary partnership will contribute partnership to make ADB digital are the best way to ensure sustain- significantly to building Cambo- publications available in CDRI’s able growth and development. dia’s human capital,” she said. online catalogue. “This role is even more important CDRI has plans to host more They also released their flagship as Cambodia is recovering from the than 1,000 ADB publications in book titled “Asia’s Journey to Pros- public health and economic crisis its online library, available at perity: Policy, Market, and Tech- caused by Covid-19,” she said. library.cdri.org.kh free of charge nology Over 50 Years” to mark the ADB said that quarterly, they to the general public, education- launch of the collaboration. expect to share at least 50 publi- al institutions and researchers, ADB said in a press release on cations with CDRI, including government agencies and private June 16 that CDRI is the first documents on economics, sector companies and non-gov- knowledge centre selected as a finance, transportation, trade, ernmental organisations. partner for the ADB depositary environment and natural resourc- ADB is currently carrying out library programme. es, gender, education, agriculture $2.1 billion in investment projects It said Cambodia is among the 15 and innovation. in Cambodia through its country countries across Asia and the Pacif- The flagship book provides an partnership strategy for 2019– ic selected for the programme, overview of growth and change in 2023, incorporating comprehen- which aims to promote knowledge Asia over the last 50 years, as well sive technical assistance and and innovation to address nation- as discusses key policy lessons knowledge programmes. al development issues. drawn from regional experiences. This year, it plans to publish 27 Founded in 1966 and owned by “This morning we launched a knowledge papers and organise its 68 member countries, ADB said new book to bring public atten- 11 events, including documents it is committed to achieving pros- tion to the library,” CDRI acting and programmes to support perity, inclusiveness, resilience executive director Eng Netra told Cambodia’s economic develop- and sustainability in the Asia-Pa- The Post on June 16. ment and recovery from the Cov- cific region in line with its efforts Netra said the book will be one id-19 pandemic. Students browse through books at the National Library in Phnom Penh. HONG MENEA 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,093 1.2180 6.3973 109.96 4.1175 1.3262 31.17 0.7706 1.2124 1.4117

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: June 16, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 14,600 14,600 14,600 14,600 2 GTI 4,260 4,220 4,260 4,020 3 PAS 14,480 14,680 14,700 14,380 4 PEPC 3,270 3,280 3,290 3,200 5 PPAP 15,220 15,000 15,500 15,000 6 PPSP 2,160 2,220 2,220 2,120 7 PWSA 6,980 7,160 7,200 6,860 Khmer SME site launches this year Sino-US trade Thou Vireak AN Access website to support disputes, FTAs the start-up and business HE Ministry of In- development of Cambodian bring investors dustry, Science, micro-, small- and medium- Technology and In- sized enterprises. Continued from page 1 novation plans to “ASEAN Access provides launchT KhmerSME by the comprehensive informa- and South Korea would transform it end of this year. The new tion on trade and access to into a more compelling investment website is designed to pro- markets in ASEAN and other destination. vide small and medium-sized parts of the world,” he said. “This is an opportunity for these enterprises (SMEs) access to Through ASEAN Access, companies seeing as Cambodia has comprehensive business in- SMEs can read up on trade- a number of bilateral free trade formation, as well as ASEAN related events, new products, agreements, which present a suita- and global markets. and business and partner- ble prospect for investment here Plans for the site coincide ship opportunities, as well as and now,” Heng said. with the ASEAN Access Small obtain the latest information While concrete processes to allure and Medium Enterprises on doing business and trade international investors into the King- website, launched on June 16 in the ASEAN region. dom have been a bit sluggish in to serve the ASEAN region. ASEAN Access is backed by recent months, the Council for the Ministry director-general the “Strengthening Structures Development of Cambodia contin- for Small and Medium Enter- for the Promotion of Small ues to approve a host of new invest- prises and Handicrafts Chhea and Medium Enterprises in ment projects, especially garment Layhy likened KhmerSME to ASEAN” project, which is sup- factories, he said. a national news website for As of end-2019, there were 52,154 formally registered small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) ported by Germany’s Federal “I believe that more companies the Kingdom’s SMEs. in the Kingdom, with 824,245 employees. HENG CHIVOAN Ministry for Economic Co- will come to invest in Cambodia. We He told The Post: “The cre- operation and Development, have still more trade preferences ation of the KhmerSME web- Telegram groups @tme and start-ups, they’ll be able to for emerging markets. and implemented by German available for our country, and the site aims to meet the chal- @msmeskh to stay up to date find the information on this “We’ve seen some of the international development Sino-US trade dispute is also an lenges of small and medium with the latest information. site,” he said. challenges of entrepreneur- organisation Deutsche Ge- opportunity for investors to invest enterprises in Cambodia. We “In the first step, we won’t Thaung Thyda, managing ship, involving our supply sellschaft fur Internationale in Cambodia after Covid-19 can be found that they lacked access yet be able to sell products director of Kampot-Kep salt and value chains, especially Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). controlled,” Heng said. to business information.” on the website, but only pro- processing firm Thaung Trad- in moving towards a more As of end-2019, there were According to ministry data, Cam- He said the website would vide information to business ing Co Ltd, hailed the website, competitive market, so it’ll be 52,154 formally registered bodia-Sweden trade last year was be used as a “core place” to owners. If they want to look stressing that it would help all a great opportunity for every- SMEs in the Kingdom, with worth $64 million. Bilateral trade provide information to Cam- up information related to entrepreneurs, especially the one to learn more,” she said. 824,245 employees, accord- value in the first five months of this bodian business owners, and markets, financing, technol- women, who need to build Layhy said KhmerSME ing to the latest industry year failed to match 2020’s pace, invited the public to visit ogy transfer, export-import, and enhance their capacity would be linked to the ASE- ministry figures. reaching just $23 million. Cambodia-South Korea trade passes $302M in Jan-May

Hin Pisei activity and value remained in growth an official signing ceremony in June. territory, despite Covid-19. Cambodian ambassador to South GOODS trade between Cambodia He told The Post on June 15: “The two Korea Long Dimanche said the trade and South Korea in the first five countries still have good trade relations deal would encourage foreign inves- months of 2021 was worth $302.231 with each other, and it will be even tors, especially Koreans, to venture million, up by 2.66 per cent from more special when the bilateral free into the Cambodia, a country he said $294.397 million in January-May last trade agreement [FTA] between the was endowed with political stability, year, according to data from the Cam- two countries enters into force.” good diplomatic relations, strong bodian Ministry of Commerce. Vanak argued that the decline in economic growth and a large, afford- Of that, the Kingdom exported Cambodian exports to South Korea able and skilled workforce. $75.369 million worth of merchan- was not a cause for concern, and In addition to garnering more inter- dise, down by 0.47 per cent year-on- occurred at a time when every country est among investors in Cambodia, year from $75.727 million, and in the world has restricted travel and Dimanche said he and his team in imported $226.861 million, up by reduced unnecessary spending. South Korea regularly promote the 3.75 per cent year-on-year from “A decline of this level is not an issue, investment potential of the Kingdom. $218.670 million. but what is a problem is the imbal- “After the global Covid-19 disease The trade deficit widened by 5.98 ance in exports of goods between eases, Korean tourism and invest- per cent, from $142.943 million to Cambodia and Korea, which is about ment in Cambodia will definitely $151.492 million. a three-fold gap now,” he said. increase,” he said. Cambodian exports include fin- The value of South Korean exports Last year, bilateral trade value ished textile products, components in January-May was 201.00 per cent between Cambodia and South Korea for electronic equipment, rubber and larger the Cambodia’s shipments to amounted to $729.13 million, up by The Kingdom exported $75.369 million worth of merchandise to South Korea in the agricultural products, and the great- the East Asian economy. first five months of this year, down by 0.47 per cent year-on-year.HONG MENEA 17.31 per cent over 2019, according er part of imports comprise vehicles, Vanak stressed that even with an FTA to ministry data. electronic and electrical equipment, between the two countries expected to markets across the world. merce Pan Sorasak and his South The Kingdom’s exports were to the beverages and plastics. enter into force at the end of this year, Export diversification will enable Korean counterpart Yoo Myung-hee tune of $185.02 million, an increase Hong Vanak, director of Interna- Cambodia needs to make more efforts Cambodia to excel in international signed the agreed minutes on the con- of 12.61 per cent over 2019, while tional Economics at the Royal Acad- to become a more diversified produc- trade, he said. clusion of negotiations over the FTA via imports totalled $544.11 million, up emy of Cambodia, noted that trade er and export not only to Korea, but all On February 3, Minister of Com- video link, with both sides scheduling by 18.79 per cent year-on-year. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business VN policy More Acleda shares set for CSX set to lift May Kunmakara

TOCK-LISTED Acleda agriculture Bank Plc (ABC) on June 15 announced that ASA Plc, an institutional investment stakeholder,S will divest 16.16 per cent of its holdings in the VIETNAM’S Ministry of Plan- bank – or four per cent of total ning and Investment is draft- outstanding ABC shares – to ing a decree to support the be made available for trading development of enterprises on the Cambodia Securities investing in agriculture and Exchange (CSX) this year. rural areas in a bid to draw in- The move was revealed in vestment into the sector. a notice filed by Acleda to the According to the ministry, bourse, addressing the 11,488 new policies are needed to individual shareholders who encourage enterprises to in- currently hold ASA’s 107,204,547 vest in agriculture and rural shares, or 24.7492 per cent of areas and take advantage of the bank’s outstanding shares. new opportunities for Viet- Affirming compliance with namese agricultural products the relevant measures, laws, under the EU-Vietnam Free and regulations of the Secu- Trade Agreement (EVFTA). rities and Exchange Regu- The new decree, which will lator of Cambodia (SERC), replace Decree 57/2018 on Acleda noted that ASA would mechanisms and policies to retain 89,878,026 shares, or encourage enterprises to in- 20.7492 per cent of outstand- vest in agriculture and rural ing ABC shares. areas, is also aimed to ensure CSX Market Operations compliance with recently is- Department director Kim So- sued laws like the Law on phanita told The Post on June Public Investment in 2019, 16 that the “regularisation” the Law on Investment in would allow Acleda employ- 2019 and the Enterprise Law ees to own their shares in the in 2020. bank and to trade them direct- Acleda Bank Plc raised $17.5 million in its initial public offering (IPO) on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX). HENG CHIVOAN In addition, the decree is ly within their own accounts. expected to help respond The 11,488 employees could to be compliant with the law more than 17 million floating trading volume of the Cambo- nascent CSX, becoming the to emerging problems in not trade their ABC shares be- on the issuance and trading of shares,” Sophanita said. dia Securities Exchange as well first commercial bank to issue agricultural production, in- cause they owned ASA’s shares, non-government securities. Acleda executive vice-pres- as an opportunity for investors on the bourse with a total of cluding a sharp increase in and not Acleda’s, she said. “They can now enjoy trad- ident and group chief legal who want to invest in Acleda 4.34 million shares for sale – domestic pork prices – four- “More importantly, the regu- ing their shares in a much officer Buth Bunseyha told Bank – they could take this rare one per cent of its more than to-five times higher than the larisation is also intended to bigger market freely and le- The Post on June 16 that ASA’s opportunity to invest,” she said. 433 million total shares. Price pork price in the US – and se- enable stock trading among gally. So I expect the market move would overall boost Acleda raised $17.5 mil- per share started at 16,200 riel rious impacts of the Covid-19 Acleda’s employees prior to the to be more active with their trading volume on the CSX. lion in its May 24, 2020 initial ($4.05) and closed at 16,500 riel pandemic. listing – then non-compliant – presence and additionally the “It’s good to increase the public offering (IPO) on the on its first day of trading. In the draft, the ministry es- timates the investment capi- tal demand of the agricultural industry in 2021-2025 is 107 trillion dong ($4.6 billion), of which 8.6 trillion dong is S’pore exchange may boost carbon market slated to come from the state budget to implement roughly A FINANCIAL exchange offer- status as a leading financial hub, one credit represents a reduc- to grow faster to support invest- “Speculating on carbon 800 projects. The investment ing carbon credits and invest- as well as its location in Asia, to tion of one tonne of carbon ment required to meet the goal credits – acquiring credits and capital from the state budget ments in conservation projects boost its chances of success. dioxide emissions. in the Paris climate accord of holding them with the plan to is expected to help attract is set to launch in Singapore, The region still relies heav- Mindful of criticism that capping global warming at 1.5 sell them in the future – does about nine trillion dong from but it may struggle to convince ily on coal for power, making it is notoriously difficult to degrees Celsius. not benefit the climate.” enterprises investing in ag- sceptics of the value of contro- a high-quality carbon market police whether such transac- A private-sector taskforce Investing in conservation riculture and rural areas as a versial carbon offsets. vital for emissions reductions, tions are getting carbon out established last year to boost projects to offset emissions is domino effect. Climate Impact X (CIX), said Monetary Authority of of the atmosphere, CIX will voluntary markets, unify also “far from ideal” as it can be The ministry expects the backed by the Singapore stock Singapore managing director use technology such as satel- them and strengthen over- “extremely difficult” to mea- aid from the state budget to exchange, the city-state’s main Ravi Menon, as the CIX was lites and blockchain to moni- sight, estimates they will need sure their true impact, he said. bring many economic, social investment fund and biggest announced last month. tor their system. to expand 15-fold by 2030. Adding to concerns, there and environmental effects. bank, aims to help the growing In addition, Southeast Asia is The exchange is part of the But scepticism abounds, have been myriad horror If 100 agricultural enter- number of firms seeking to cut “fertile ground to harness the so-called “voluntary” car- with critics questioning stories of projects aimed at prises with an investment greenhouse gas emissions. potential of nature-based so- bon markets, as opposed to whether playing the financial offsetting emissions that crit- capital of about 100 billion From oil majors to tech gi- lutions”, with abundant man- mandatory initiatives such as markets can help. ics say ended up doing more dong each are set up yearly, ants and airlines, companies groves, and large areas suitable the EU’s Emissions Trading “Trading a carbon credit harm than good. at least 10,000 direct jobs are lining up to make net-zero for re-forestation, he added. Scheme, where caps are set back and forth does not ben- These range from a Ugandan and 30,000 indirect jobs will pledges, but face challenges The exchange will offer on certain industries. efit the climate,” Gilles Du- forest planting initiative that be generated, the ministry to hit their targets. investments in certain con- Voluntary markets have frasne, policy officer from blocked villagers’ access to estimated. Firms sometimes turn to buy- servation projects, as well as boomed in the past year, but in- non-profit group Carbon vital land, to Latin American The projects are expected ing “carbon credits” – which al- trading in carbon credits – dustry figures say they will have Market Watch, told AFP. hydroelectricity projects that to help build processing es- low them to keep polluting in worsened conflicts over land tablishments for agricultural exchange for reductions made rights, according to a study by produce with waste treatment elsewhere or investing in proj- Carbon Market Watch. technologies in rural areas to ects like protecting rainforests Still, some experts believe protect the environment and – to offset emissions. carbon offsets can contrib- create jobs and incomes for But such methods are con- ute, particularly for polluting rural labourers, towards sus- troversial as environmental- industries struggling to hit tainable rural development. ists accuse big business of net-zero targets – but only Under the draft decree, the paying for a quick fix rather combined with serious efforts state aid will focus on farming than seeking to truly overhaul to overhaul business models. and processing of agricultural their operations, while some Benjamin P Horton, direc- products, forestry and fishery botched offset projects have tor of the Earth Observa- products; planting and pro- failed to deliver. tory of Singapore at Nanyang tecting forests; making salt; Nevertheless demand for Technological University, said producing plant seeds, live- offsets is skyrocketing, lead- investing in conservation stock breeds and biotechnol- ing to greater efforts to boost projects could contribute to ogy products. carbon markets – and fix their combating global warming. The incentive policies will poor reputation. But he warned this should also aim to expand the mar- CIX, which is expected to be “not instead of, but in addi- ket for stable consumption launch by the end of the year, tion to, a lot of hard work that of agricultural products, con- joins a small number of such needs to happen to decar- tributing to the speedier re- exchanges that have sprung bonise energy, transportation, structuring of the agricultural up in recent times. Climate Impact X (CIX), backed by the Singapore stock exchange, aims to help the growing number of firms agriculture and other sectors industry. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS But it is betting on Singapore’s seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions. AFP of the economy”. AFP NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Property Management of off-plan Siem Reap real estate players property enhanced in VN Vietnam’s Ministry of Con- in mid-May issued a docu- struction has asked localities ment to better manage the real upbeat for revival of tourism to enhance the management estate market in the central of sales of off-plan property. province. The department Hin Pisei The ministry made the asked developers of real estate request due to recent reports projects to put their develop- EAL estate players of legal violations in the devel- ments for sale only when are quite excited by opment and transactions of meeting requirements in the the market opportu- off-plan property, causing dis- Law on Real Estate Business nities that lie ahead putes, creating risks for buyers and other legal documents. forR Siem Reap province, amid and harming the real estate The northern province of an ambitious road construc- market. Bac Giang’s construction tion project and preparations The construction ministry department recently for the gradual reopening of requested localities to publi- announced a list of urban and tourism in the fourth quarter cise information about off- residential projects which of 2021, with an initial focus plan property projects. Such were not eligible for transac- on welcoming fully-vaccinat- projects eligible for transac- tions, urging citizens to study ed international visitors to tions would be integrated into projects carefully before pur- the Angkor area in the north- the national public service chasing. western province. portal. Early this year, Son La prov- In November, the govern- Provinces and cities must ince’s construction depart- ment disbursed about $150 check to ensure compliance ment announced 11 commer- million to build and revamp with laws about procedures and cial housing projects not 38 roads in the province, with conditions for transactions of eligible for capital raising or a total length of 108.74km. off-plan properties, especially transactions as of March. The project also covers devel- payments and mortgages. A lawyer said the transac- opment of rainwater drainage The rules for buying and sell- tions of off-plan properties network and flood protection ing off-plan property were had not been put under prop- systems, sidewalks for the included in the Law on Real erty management, resulting in disabled, bicycle lanes, car Estate Business in 2006. violations from developers parks, traffic and other signs, Preparations are underway for the gradual reopening of tourism in the fourth quarter of 2021, with an initial Despite this, transactions of such as using buyers’ advance security camera systems, focus on welcoming fully-vaccinated international visitors to the Angkor area in Siem Reap province. hONG MENEA off-plan property remain com- payment for the wrong pur- trees, gardens and light poles. plex, forcing several provinces poses, especially developers And early in April, Minister the price recovery will precede as the 38-road project forges Kingdom grapples with Covid- to urge buyers to be cautious with weak financial capacity, of Tourism Thong Khon asked the pick-up in transactions. ahead, and that growth will 19 and goes hammer and tongs and send warnings about law and not following commit- Prime Minister Hun Sen to “The real estate market in accelerate from end-2021, fu- to close the “February 20 com- violations from developers. ments about project quality or consider opening the door to Siem Reap will improve from elled by the project’s comple- munity event” – the Kingdom’s The Quang Nam provincial progress. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS the Angkor area in October-De- the end of this year, as road tion and the expected return third community outbreak first Department of Construction NETWORK cember for international tour- and infrastructure activities, as of international tourists. identified on this date. ists who have been vaccinated well as the opening-up to wel- This, coupled with the con- “All road construction proj- against the novel coronavirus. come foreign tourists, influ- struction of a new airport ects of the Ministry of Public Key Real Estate Co Ltd found- ence this market,” Seap said. and lower market prices that Works and Transport are pro- er and director Sorn Seap told In a research report re- in Sihanoukville could bring gressing according to plan,” The Post on June 16 that the leased last month, Key Real a swift recovery, he said. he claimed, adding that Siem real estate market in the prov- Estate said Covid-19 has re- “Transaction volumes and Reap town’s roads will play an ince, especially in Siem Reap duced transaction volumes in property prices in Siem Reap important role in attracting town, will recover from the end Siem Reap town, and brought town will pick back up by the many tourists and investors of 2021 onwards, though at a down land prices to an aver- end of this year,” he said. to the epicentre of traditional pace dependent on the status age of $1,520 per square me- Ministry of Public Works and Cambodian culture. of the Covid-19 pandemic. tre as of end-2020, down by Transport spokesman Sothe- Cambodia Association of He contended that a rapid about 5.0 per cent year-on- ayuth Heang said the 38-road Travel Agents (CATA) presi- improvement in the pandemic year from $1,600. project was 56.59 per cent dent Chhay Sivlin said growth would lead to a simultaneous Global Real Estate Associa- complete as of June 16, with in the tourism industry rebound in transaction activ- tion president Sam Soknoeun work continuing at a steady sparks gains in other sectors. ity and prices, but if the situ- said prices and transactions rate and on track to be com- “We really want the sector to The information about the off-plan housing projects that are eligible ation continues for too long, had seen some resurgence pleted by end-2021, even as the resume,” she said. for transactions will be made public. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY Low-priced apartments still scarce in Vietnam Vietnam has less than half of the scale of more than 103,500 apart- media: “The state’s affordable housing number of apartments offered for sale policy on Vietnam’s social housing low-income houses it targeted for last ments in a total area of more than 5.1 developers can only meet 15 per cent on the market with a value of two billion development for the 2021-2030 peri- year, according to Ministry of Con- million square metres. Another 264 of the housing supply for immigrants dong each or less accounted for about od, carried out using non-refundable struction data. projects with a construction scale of and the rest of them have to take care 10 per cent of the total number. official development assistance (ODA) According to the statistics, the total about 216,500 apartments and total of themselves. Many investors and developers are from the Korean government via the area of more than 5.1 million square area of about 10.8 million square “These people are in need of cheap following the trend of reducing the Korea International Cooperation metres of built social housing account- metres were being built. commercial housing, ranging from area to fit the needs of small families Agency (Koica). ed for only 41.4 per cent of the target While the segment of low-priced 700 million to one billion dong and make the value suitable for buy- Moon Hyogon, director of South of 12.5 million square metres of pro- apartments dominated in terms of each.” ers. However, the number of apart- Korean research organisation Land posed housing in the National Hous- total number of transactions on the He calculated that the supply of ments of less than two billion dong, and Housing Institute, said that in the ing Development Strategy by 2020. market, the supply will not be further cheap houses was nowhere near the from 50-60sqm, was not many. current economic growth context, According to realty insiders, the sup- improved until the end of next year. demand. Vo Thi Khanh Trang, deputy director relying on government support alone ply of low-priced apartments was still A ministry representative said: “The Due to the lack of supply, according of Savills Research Department in Ho cannot provide enough housing to very scarce. The affordable segment, tightening of administrative proce- to most insiders, social housing has Chi Minh City, said that as the land meet people’s needs, especially in the which was more expensive than the dures in project construction and never experienced a crisis in transac- fund was limited and the price of con- low-income segments. low-income segment, was also not development limited the new supply tions and the liquidity was always the struction materials was increasing, Moon opined that using money easy to find while the need to improve of real estate projects.” most stable in the market. the prices of houses would rise. from the private sector in housing the accommodation for people with The ministry’s latest report on the The latest data and reports from Trang said that in order to increase provision should be a solution, saying: limited income was growing. real estate market showed that afford- realty research firm Savills Vietnam the supply for the low-price and “As more Vietnamese businesses can The ministry said that since 2016 able apartments are priced below 25 said household size in Ho Chi Minh affordable housing segment, “it is nec- earn profits from low-income house- there have been about 1,040 projects million dong ($1,100) per square City has tended to decrease over the essary to have cooperation from local hold building, they should put a cer- to build social housing for low-income metre in big cities while prices for past 10 years. The household size was authorities with policies to support tain amount of the revenues to people in urban areas and industrial each square metre of a low-income 3.5 people per household in 2019, businesses to quickly solve adminis- increase development funds for devel- park workers, including 507 inde- house far from the centre was below much lower than the rate of 3.9 people trative procedures and businesses oping low-income housing.” pendent housing projects and 533 25 million dong. per household in 2009. which build such projects”. The Korean expert said the forma- social housing projects built on 20 per The report also said as there was lit- The firm also said 66 per cent of On April 15, ministry representa- tion of such a fund was expected to cent of the land fund of commercial tle supply of low-income houses, the households have from two to four tives met with Korean housing experts carry out the unified, systematic man- housing and urban development prices increased from less than 20 mil- members, and there is a trend of sep- in Ho Chi Minh City to share experi- agement of many aspects including projects. lion dong to less than 25 million dong arating households, which led to an ences in the social housing develop- financial resources, thereby achieving Up to now, only 248 projects have per square metre. increase in housing demand. ment of South Korea, as part of a successful results for Vietnam. VIET NAM been completed with a construction Professor Dang Hung Vo told local According to Savills Vietnam, the project on the building of a master NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Israel strikes Gaza Strip after Radiation levels ‘not abnormal’ near nuke incendiary balloons launched plant: China ministry srael carried out air strikes on the China on June 15 said radia- ating record, and there have Gaza Strip early on June 16 after mili- tion levels remained normal at been no incidents affecting the tants in the Palestinian territory sent one of its nuclear power plants environment and public incendiary balloons into the south of and there were no safety con- health”. Ithe country, in the first major conflict be- cerns, after the station´s French The website of Chinese regu- tween the two sides since a flare-up last operator reported a gas build- lator the National Nuclear month in which hundreds were killed. up. Safety Administration website The strikes were the first under the new Foreign ministry spokesman has only outlined one incident coalition government headed by Naftali Zhao Lijian said: “There is no at Taishan in recent months – Bennett, who took over on June 13 after abnormality in the radiation an incident on April 5 when it ousting former Prime Minister Benjamin levels around the nuclear pow- says a “small amount of radio- Netanyahu. er plant, and safety is guaran- active gas unexpectedly And they come as more than a thousand teed.” entered” the water-sealed pipe- ultranationalist demonstrators bearing CNN reported earlier that the line in the plant’s first unit. Israeli flags poured intoJ erusalem’s flash- US government was assessing The statement said the inci- point Old City on June 15, with scores of a report of a leak at the Taishan dent had been inspected and police deployed and international moni- nuclear power station in the the total amount of gas dis- tors urging calm. populous southern Chinese charged accounted for 0.00044 According to Palestinian sources, Isra- province of Guangdong. per cent of the annual emission el’s air force targeted at least one site east The US broadcaster said the limit. of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza French company, Framatome, It is not clear that the April Strip, which is home to some two million warned of an “imminent radio- incident relates to the recent people. logical threat”. situation flagged by Fram- An AFP photojournalist in Khan Yunis Framatome said in a state- atome. saw the explosions. ment to AFP that it is “support- Zhao Tong, senior fellow in The Israeli Defence Force said that in re- ing resolution of a performance the nuclear policy programme sponse to the “arson balloons”, its “fighter The Wednesday air strikes are the first under the coalition headed by former Israeli defence issue” at the plant but that at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Cen- jets struck military compounds belong- minister Naftali Bennett ousting Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years in power. AFP according to “the data availa- tre for Global Policy in Beijing, ing to the Hamas terror organisation”. ble, the plant is operating with- told AFP that based on the infor- It added that “facilities and meeting tipped bullets to remove Palestinians crowds. in the safety parameters”. mation provided by the Chinese sites for terror operatives” in Khan Yunis from the main route. Some chanted “Death to Arabs” before Powered up in 2018, the Tais- government agencies, he said were targeted. There was no indication of Medics said 33 Palestinians were others quieted them. han plant was the first world- “the current level of radiation casualties so far. wounded and police said two officers The march comes just two days after wide to operate a next-genera- near the Taishan plant is slight- Local firefighters said the incendiary were injured and 17 people arrested. Netanyahu was ousted after 12 straight tion EPR nuclear reactor – a ly higher than near other plants balloons caused around 20 fires in south- The demonstration triggered protests years in power, toppled by an ideologi- pressurised water design that in China but still remains in the ern Israel. in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and cally divided coalition including, for the has been subject to years of normal range of general envi- The violence marks the first major flare- prompted rebukes and warnings from first time in Israel’s history, an Arab party. delays in similar European ronmental radiation level in up between Israel and Palestinian mili- Israel’s allies. Bennett is himself a Jewish nationalist projects in Britain, France and Guangdong”. tants since a ceasefire came into place last The so-called March of the Flags cele- but Netanyahu’s allies accused the new Finland. China has dozens of nuclear month, ending 11 days of heavy fighting brates the anniversary of the city’s “reuni- premier of treachery for allying with Ar- There are now two EPR pow- plants – the world’s third high- that killed 260 Palestinians, according to fication” after Israel captured east Jeru- abs and the left. er units at the plant in the city est after the US and France – Gaza authorities, and 13 people in Israel, salem from Jordan in 1967 and annexed Some demonstrators on June 15 carried of Taishan, which sits close to and has invested billions of the police and army there said. it, a move not recognised by most of the signs reading “Bennett the liar”. the coastline of southern dollars to develop its nuclear In annexed east Jerusalem, more than international community. Yair Lapid, the architect of the new Guangdong and the financial energy sector. one thousand people took to the streets June 15’s demonstration was originally government, tweeted he believed the hub of Hong Kong. But Zhao warned the fallout in a delayed and controversial march by scheduled for early May but cancelled march had to be allowed but that “it’s in- EDF, the majority owner of from this incident “will continue nationalist and far-right activists. twice amid police opposition and threats conceivable how you can hold an Israeli Framatome, said in a statement driving the two sides to become The US and UN had called for restraint from Hamas, the Islamist group that con- flag and shout, ‘Death to Arabs’ at the that it had requested an extraor- even more divided in the future before the march, which Bennett’s new trols the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. same time”. dinary meeting of the power and to undermine their willing- administration had authorised. Throngs of mostly young religious men Mansour Abbas, whose four-seat Raam plant’s board. ness and capability to jointly With tensions high, Israeli police were sang, danced and waved flags at the Da- Islamic party was vital to the coalition, Zhao added on June 15 that address shared risks if a real and deployed in heavy numbers, blocking mascus Gate entrance to the Old City called June 15’s march a “provocation” “China’s nuclear power plants serious nuclear incident indeed roads and firing stun grenades and foam- that was cleared of its usual Palestinian that should have been cancelled. AFP have maintained a good oper- breaks out”. AFP Coronavirus ‘likely present’ in US from December 2019

A new antibody testing study The first positive samples extra confidence in the find- ing out a true signal. published on June 15 has found came from participants in the ing. The authors also do not know further evidence that the coro- states of Illinois and Massachu- To help minimise the possi- whether the participants navirus was present in the US setts on January 7 and 8, 2020, bility of false positives, the became infected during travel, from at least December 2019, respectively, suggesting that team used two separate tests or within their own communi- weeks before the first con- the virus was present in those on each sample, searching for ties, and would like to see their firmed case was announced on states in late December. antibodies that bind to differ- work confirmed in further January 21, 2020. “Antibody testing of blood ent parts of the virus. study. The National Institutes of samples helps us better under- The types of antibodies they Finally, there is a possibility Health study analysed 24,000 stand the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were looking for are called that the antibodies they detect- stored blood samples contrib- in the US in the early days of Immunoglobulin G, or IgG, ed were formed against infec- uted by volunteers across the the US epidemic, when testing which “neutralise” the virus’ tion to other coronaviruses, country from January 2 to was restricted,” said lead author ability to invade cells and do not such as the four that cause March 18, 2020. Keri Althoff, an associate pro- appear until two weeks after a common colds. Antibodies against the SARS- fessor of epidemiology at the person has been infected. But since other research has CoV-2 virus were detected via Johns Hopkins Bloomberg It therefore follows that study shown that “cross-reactivity” two different serology tests in School of Public Health. participants with these sam- between these coronaviruses is nine patient samples, accord- The research builds on a ples were exposed to the virus low, the team estimated that ing to the paper, which was similar investigation published at least several weeks earlier. the probability all nine samples published in the journal Clini- by the Centers for Disease Con- Limitations include that the were false positives was one in cal Infectious Diseases. trol and Prevention in Novem- number of samples taken from 100,000. The participants were out- ber that reached the same con- many states was low – just a few The US death toll from Cov- side the major hotspots of Seat- clusion. dozen or hundred in some id-19 surpassed 600,000 on tle and New York City, thought But since there are uncertain- cases. Having a low number of June 15, according to figures A phlebotomist takes blood through a finger prick during a Covid-19 to be the key entry points of the ties surrounding serology test- samples increases the odds of from Johns Hopkins University. antibody test. AFP virus to the US. ing, further confirmation builds a methodological error crowd- AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Calls for Philippine drug war Malaysian PM lays out four-step plan murders inquiry ‘erroneous’ for post-Covid exit hilippine President Rodrigo Prime Minister Muhyiddin see the light at the end of the Duterte on June 15 slammed Yassin on June 15 unveiled a tunnel,” Muhyiddin said, while a call for a war crimes court to four-phase, post-pandemic expressing his confidence that probe his bloody drug war as exit plan for Malaysia, on the the exit plan would succeed “legallyP erroneous and politically moti- eve of a crucial meeting among when matched with the pace vated”. the country’s monarchs that of vaccinations. Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque told could decide on his political Malaysia has been struggling a news briefing that the president’s crack- future. to bring down its Covid-19 down on the narcotics trade was not a Muhyiddin, in a televised infections this year, with daily “widespread systematic attack against address, unveiled the National cases hitting a record 9,020 on civilians”. Recovery Plan, which projects May 29. “Did you target civilians? Did you kill that Malaysia from September Daily infections have gone them willingly, knowing they were civil- might gradually open up its below 1,000 a day only once ians? Obviously, the answer is no,” he economy, social sectors and this year, at 941 cases on March said. also Parliament. 29. That being the case, he argued, the “ex- The federal Parliament and Muhyiddin in January gained trajudicial killings” that resulted from the the 13 state legislatures have the King’s consent to declare a drug war could not be considered “crimes not sat this year. state of emergency that sus- against humanity”. “We cannot continue like pended Parliament and state In one of her last acts before stepping this. We need to exit this crisis legislatures, and also post- down as chief prosecutor of the Interna- as soon as possible,” Muhyid- poned several by-elections, to tional Criminal Court (ICC) this week, Fa- din told Malaysians, indicating allow the government to focus tou Bensouda sought a full investigation that the current lockdown is its efforts in battling the pan- into Duterte’s purported crimes against costing the government one demic. humanity for a drug war that has left thou- billion ringgit ($240 million) a But Covid-19 cases have only sands dead since he took office in 2016. day. worsened during the emer- “I have determined that there is a rea- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly denied links to the killings. PHILIPPINES’ Muhyiddin said much of the gency, with Malaysia imposing sonable basis to believe that the crime PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS DIVISION/AFP country’s economy is expected movement curbs for the third against humanity of murder has been to reopen by the end of Octo- time last month, which was committed … in the context of the gov- the killings, insisting that most resulted were already investigating the killings. ber, based on current projec- also the deadliest month since ernment of Philippines ‘war on drugs’ from rivalries among drug gangs. Should the court decide to probe him tions. the pandemic began in January campaign,” she said in a statement. He has also backed police accounts that for war crimes, Duterte would “never co- The country is undergoing its last year. In her 57-page report to ICC’s judges, most of those killed were on “drug watch operate” as long as he is president, Roque third nationwide lockdown to Muhyiddin imposed a total Bensouda said “there is a reasonable lists” who had been armed and resisted added. tame the latest Covid-19 lockdown nationwide from basis to believe” that security forces and arrest. He said the ICC should also not allow surge. June 1, and it has now been state-sanctioned “vigilantes” killed be- While Bensouda concluded that as itself to be used by Duterte’s political en- Muhyiddin described the extended to last until June 28. tween 12,000 and 30,000 drug suspects many as 30,000 had been killed, the latest emies harbouring ambitions for higher current lockdown as the first He said on June 15 that the total from July 1, 2016 to March 16, 2019. official data showed just 6,000 suspects office. phase of the exit plan, and out- lockdown had helped Malaysia She said security officials “paid police had died in over 200,000 anti-drug opera- He said among those who filed com- lined several factors that would “avoid a catastrophe”. officers and vigilantes bounties” to ex- tions. plaints before the ICC was former sena- allow the country to move on Malaysia recorded 5,419 new ecute people suspected of being involved The Philippines officially withdrew tor Antonio Trillanes, a former soldier to a more relaxed phase. infections on June 15, bringing in the drug trade. from the ICC in 2019 on Duterte’s or- and fierce critic of Duterte, who has an- The second phase, where total infections to 667,876. “State officials at the highest levels of der after multiple complaints were filed nounced his intention to run for presi- Covid-19 curbs will be slightly The country is accelerating its government also spoke publicly and re- against him. dent next year. relaxed while retaining social vaccinations. On June 14, Malay- peatedly in support of extrajudicial kill- Bensouda, however, said previous cas- The ICC’s judges have up to four months sector and travel bans, will start sia registered its highest vaccina- ings and created a culture of impunity for es showed that “the court retains jurisdic- to issue a decision on Bensouda’s request. once Malaysia’s daily new tion rate to date, administering those who committed them,” she said. tion over crimes that are alleged to have But pursuing it would be up to Bensou- infections dip below 4,000 cas- 197,963 doses in one day. She said the investigation should in- occurred on the territory of that state da’s successor, Karim Khan, who was due es, and also after 10 per cent of The country has now given at clude allegations of torture and other “in- during the period when it was a state to be sworn in on June 16. the population has been fully least one dose of the vaccine to humane acts” dating back as far as 2011, party” to the ICC. In a statement, the Philippines’ foreign inoculated. This is expected to 10 per cent of its 33 million when Duterte was mayor of Davao City. But Roque insisted that the ICC lacked ministry said Bensouda’s “midnight an- take place in July and August. population, while 59 per cent Duterte was elected to office in 2016 jurisdiction in the Philippines. “We are no nouncement” tied Khan’s hands. The third phase, earmarked of its adult population have on a campaign promise to get rid of the longer a member of the ICC,” he said. The ministry said Bensouda had “un- for the beginning of Septem- registered to receive Covid-19 country’s drug problem, openly exhort- He added that the court could not inter- dercut the attractiveness” of joining the ber, will see most sectors of the vaccines. ing the police to kill drug suspects. vene as long as the Philippines had “in- ICC for some nations. THE STRAITS TIMES (SIN- economy allowed to open by Malaysia’s Drug Control But he has repeatedly denied links to dependent and competent courts” that GAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK default, while some curbs on Authority (DCA) on June 15 social sectors remain. For this, approved two single-dose vac- daily cases have to dip below cines, China’s CanSino and the 2,000 a day and 40 per cent of US’ Johnson & Johnson vac- the population has to be fully cine. VN’s pangolin defender earns top honour vaccinated. Malaysia currently uses three A full reopening is projected two-dose vaccines, namely A Vietnamese conservation- that they can cure anything ours grassroots environmental health, before releasing them from November onwards, once Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac and ist working to save pangolins from impotence to cancer. leaders who have made “sus- back into the wild. They have 60 per cent of the population AstraZeneca. from the devastating multi- Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) tained and significant efforts” now saved nearly 1,600 of the has been fully vaccinated and The DCA on June 15 also billion-dollar wildlife trade director Nguyen Van Thai has to protect and enhance the vulnerable creatures. daily cases dip below 500 a day, approved the use of the Pfizer- won a prestigious award on been at the forefront of efforts natural world. Of the two types – Sunda and he said. BioNTech vaccine for those June 15 for his role in rescuing to raise the alarm internation- “Helping people to under- Chinese – the latter is faring “The continuous lockdowns aged 12 years old and above. THE over a thousand of one of the ally about the serious problems stand these problems will be an worse, and faces a “high risk of have badly affected our liveli- STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS world’s most endangered crea- Vietnam faces as a major hub opportunity to attract young extinction” in Vietnam, accord- hoods. Now, we can begin to NETWORK tures. for wildlife trafficking. people and the Vietnamese ing to Thai. Highly prized in China and He was awarded the Gold- community to join the work in But his centre is developing Southeast Asia for their flesh, man Environmental Prize – protecting the forest, wildlife a breeding programme for the pangolins are seen as a deli- known colloquially as the and the environment,” Thai, Chinese pangolin, with the cacy for the mistaken belief “Green Nobel” – which hon- 39, told AFP in an interview hope that they can later be ahead of the announcement of released into the wild. the six winners of the prize. The Goldman Environmental Pangolins – often described Prize’s recognition of SVW’s as “scaly anteaters” – are work could go a long way in defenceless in the wild, curling helping boost the rescue cen- up into a ball when they are tre’s work, he said. frightened, allowing poachers “My first feeling when I found to easily gather them up. out I won this award was pride,” “Based on figures from inves- he said. “Since I founded Save tigations and images from Vietnam’s Wildlife, my aim was camera traps, we can say that to see Vietnamese become pangolins in the wild in Viet- leaders in conservation in their nam have decreased more than own country. 90 per cent in the last 15 years,” “There are not many Viet- Thai said. namese role models that we At SVW’s rescue centre in can follow,” he explained. But Vietnam, a team of staff and “an individual or an organisa- Nguyen Van Thai checks a pangolin at his centre in Vietnam’s Ninh volunteers work long hours tion cannot do it alone – we Malaysia has been struggling to bring down its Covid-19 infections this Binh province. SVW nursing pangolins back to need to work together”. AFP year. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion Can new Israeli administration unite www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer despite widely disparate members? Ly Tayseng Managing Editor Sam Rith Opinion Deputy Managing Editor Phuon Chansereivuth Editorial Chief of Staff Phak Seangly COMPLETELY unprecedent- Business Editor ed coalition government has May Kunmakara been united solely in its Deputy Business Editor opposition to Prime Minister Sangeetha Amarthalingam ANetanyahu. The question will be Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk whether it can maintain unity within Pan Simala the Cabinet, transcending differences Senior Reporters in position and implementing poli- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear cies smoothly. Reporters In Israel, eight opposition parties Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, with greatly different policies and ide- Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Hong Raksmey, ologies joined together to form a new Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, administration. Naftali Bennett, the Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, leader of the extreme right-wing party Yamina, became prime minister. Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha In addition to the centrist parties Photographers that led the coalition agreement, a Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey wide range of groups, including left- Web Editor ist parties, have joined the adminis- Leang Phannara tration. A Palestinian Arab party has Digital Team also entered power for the first time Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy in Israeli history. Desktop Publishing Israeli politics are separated into Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, small parties, and it is difficult for the Than Veasna SIEM REAP BUREAU leading party to secure a majority, Outgoing Israeli President Reuvin Rivlin (centre) is flanked by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (left) and alternate Prime Minister and Offi ce Manager usually resulting in the formation of a Foreign Minister Yair Lapid during a group photo with the new coalition government on June 14. afp coalition government. Over the past Sophearith Blondeel two years, there have been as many in economic development, his authori- Far-right parties do not accept the be how to deal with Iran, which has a PRODUCTION & PRINTING as four general elections due to a tarian political style and hard-line establishment of a Palestinian state hostile relationship with Israel. The Nhim Sokphyrak series of unsuccessful coalition talks stance toward Palestine and Iran have and support the promotion of Jewish Netanyahu administration was working Commercial and Graphic Designer Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith and the collapse of administrations intensified internal divisions in Israel settlements in Israeli-occupied terri- to establish an encircling net around after they were formed. and estranged his coalition partners. tories. There is a wide gap between Iran by improving relations with Arab

The new administration’s intention Increased public demand for the coalition’s far-right parties, and countries that also see Iran as an enemy. to give top priority to breaking the change as a result of the growing neg- its Arab and centrist parties. Former US President Donald political stalemate can be deemed ative impact of his long-term admin- Bennett should avoid getting too Trump led efforts together to encircle HEAD OFFICE appropriate. istration may have led to the unex- deeply involved in issues that could Iran, but US President Joe Biden is Post Media Co., Ltd. The opposition parties rallied under pected inauguration of a new lead to disagreements within the Cab- trying to hold dialogue and ease ten- The Elements Condominium Level 7, the banner of departing from Netan- administration. inet. If results are achieved on matters sions with Iran. It is hoped that the Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, yahu’s administration, which lasted 12 The most difficult element for Ben- directly related to people’s lives, such Bennett administration will promote Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom straight years and 15 years in total. nett in steering the new government as the economy, this will likely lead to a moderate policy that will contrib- Penh, Cambodia Netanyahu was prosecuted for cor- for the present will likely be how to national reconciliation, restoration of ute to the stability of the Middle East, Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 ruption two years ago, which accelerat- deal with Palestine, with which Israel political trust and stable management while fully taking into account US Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN)/ASIA ed the decline in his leadership. has barely maintained a cease-fire of the administration. moves. Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 NEWS NETWORK Although he has achieved good results since the military clash in May. The focal point of foreign policy will SIEM REAP No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Chief Operating Offi cer Medical workers’ infection exposes blind spot James Ong Soon Teck Advertising Department ON JUNE 13, authorities in protected spaces where doc- virus is entering China from entered the hospital and infect- the virus might take longer, Chap Narith, 017 996 241 Guangzhou city, South Chi- tors and nurses are more overseas and how medical ed the two medical workers. but we are confident of Hun Channet, 017 578 768 na’s Guangdong province, conscious about protecting workers are still at risk, It is also advisable that they achieving that because we Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 issued a statement saying two themselves, which makes underlining the need to bet- regularly test their medical have ample supplies of Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 local medical workers who them less vulnerable if they ter protect doctors and nurs- workers. equipment and well-trained Paing Patrya, 081 872 202 underwent nucleic acid tests do their precautions well. es and other health workers. The actual cause of the medical workers. Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 on Friday had tested positive Also, medical workers The hospital must find out if infection has to be ascer- Of course, that requires us CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION for the novel coronavirus. themselves getting infected there are some problems with tained and if it is a case of to take strict measures. It is Acting Distribution Manager That is alarming news, as hampers the fight against the its epidemic prevention and human negligence or care- time the local government in Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 instances of medical workers virus. That’s why hospitals control mechanism. The moni- lessness, those responsible Guangzhou checked for Circulation Supervisor testing positive had not been need special protection; the toring departments in should be made answerable. loopholes and if any are Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 reported with the country infection of medical workers Guangzhou, too, must run a China brought the novel found, it plugs them, so that Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 ADMINISTRATION bringing the outbreak largely cannot be taken lightly. check of their epidemic pre- coronavirus outbreak largely no more medical workers get Admin & HR Manager CHINA DAILY/ASIA under control. The cases in Guangzhou vention and control mecha- under control sometime last infected again. Pich Socheat NEWS NETWORK Besides, hospitals are well- show how the novel corona- nism to find out how the virus year. Complete victory over Assistants Admin & HR Manager Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

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Roth Sochieata Sophanna admits that there were times when he felt hope- ESPITE having less and disappointed in life. spent more than He says that for a time in Siem two decades lying Reap, he was the only person on his stomach on a he knew with a disability and wheeledD cart almost constant- the isolation devastated him. ly, musician Brak Sophanna, When he was younger he 30, has never been one to would dream about life as a spend much time at rest. He “normal” person and being prefers to stay busy writing able to study and hang out songs, helping with charitable with friends with ease like causes and inspiring hope in most kids, but those dreams everyone he meets. felt like a smack in the face a For more than twenty years few moments later when he Sophanna has struggled with would have to wake up and his disability. He is entirely face reality. dependent on his customised However, things began wheeled cart to get around, to change for him when he which makes mundane things went to stay for two years at like typical household chores the disability centre run by or most regular employment the organisation Handicap at difficult for him to do. Battambang. Sophanna’s special talent While there, his eyes were is sharing hope with others opened when he met many through his music. He writes other disabled people – some uplifting songs and performs with far more serious or them as well as giving music tougher conditions than he lessons to children and par- was dealing with – and be- ticipating in charitable work gan to understand that life to assist the elderly. as a disabled person had just Sophanna is the third of four as much potential for happi- children in his family. He was ness, fufilment and achieve- orphaned at the age of eight ment as anyone else’s. along with his siblings due to “I realised that actually in this his parent’s tragic deaths dur- world there are many people ing a robbery. who are going through what At age 10 or so, Sophanna’s I’ve been through. I started to On his wheel cart, Brak Sophanna cooks, plays guitars and sings despite his disability. SUPPLIED life took an even darker turn. pull myself together and re- He fell ill and his legs became fresh my mind so that I could aside some income for chari- times or overcoming obstacles a life lesson that he could care of children and offering a paralysed, leaving him un- move on. I wanted to work on table purposes. I’ve gotten there’s an authenticity and sin- learn from as he worked to- helping hand with their Eng- able to walk. myself to be productive and some from generous people cerity to it that he brings be- wards greater success in the lish and music lessons. “Back in 2000, I started to live a valuable life for me and as well as from my godfather, cause he really has been there days ahead of him. Sophanna says that he has get sick. I had a high fever the people surrounding me. who has always encouraged and done that himself. “Failure is a Lesson” is one been inspired and uplifted and a doctor in Battambang “Never again do I want to go me to continue doing this One of Sophanna’s songs is of ten original songs that So- to keep working hard on his told me that I had a spinal back to where I was, being pas- work,” Sophanna says. called “Failure is a Lesson,” phanna has now recorded and goals because he is a Chris- cord problem that affected sive and just living life from day Unfortunately, during the and he says it’s something he released. He is now increasing- tian. He says his faith and the my legs,” Sophanna says. to day. I am no longer allowing Covid crisis and lockdowns, figured out throughout the ly being recognised for his mu- words of the Bible have shown Due to his health problems, my disability to limit my po- he could not go out and earn course of his own life. He says sic and he has set-up a home him the way forward. he was forced to drop out tential. I refuse to live and die anything, so he instead stayed he used to think he was a loser recording studio to continue to “I want to encourage ev- school in the fifth grade. After uselessly without helping oth- home and raised chickens and that everything he would work on new compositions. eryone – whether they are the death of his parents, he ers,” Sophanna says. and grew plants in his garden do would be unsuccessful. Eventually, in 2015 So- disabled or they are addicted was placed in the care of fos- With a natural born talent to make a living. This wasn’t an unreason- phanna decided to leave the to drugs or maybe just de- ter parents from Thailand for in music, Sophanna is now an He had to temporarily stop able line of thought given disability centre, saying that pressed – anyone who thinks a while before he was sent to original composer who sings his charity work as well, but that he was orphaned at age “I wanted to learn living inde- their life is valueless, please the Nehemiah Orphanage in and plays guitar as well as a with a firm commitment that 8, disabled at age 10 and then pendently. I want to live my take a look at me. I can’t even Siem Reap. music teacher. when everything is back to nor- forced to quit school shortly own life and strive hard to be sit or stand up, but I still have Sophanna recalls “I only He saves what he earns dai- mal he would resume that too. thereafter. That’s a rough start able to make it on my own.” enough hope to keep on liv- studied until the fifth grade ly to help people who are in Sophanna’s life experienc- for anyone to overcome. Whether living at the dis- ing. I know you do too. There because I was often sick. And it tougher situations than he is. es have given him the abil- The turning point for So- ability centre or living on his will be days you feel disap- was difficult to ride on a wheel- “From giving music lessons ity to compose songs that are phanna was the realisa- own in the world, he has al- pointed but don’t let that de- chair back and forth to school and singing in the market in uniquely encouraging and tion that whatever he’s been ways done volunteer work for termine your future. Get up from home over such a long Siem Reap, I have been able to inspiring to others. When he through, no matter how hard, various organisations like The and get on with your lives,” distance. So I had to drop out.” earn some money. I have set sings about going through hard still had value because it was Global Child, helping to take Sophanna says.

Sophanna is hoping that the pandemic is over soon, so that he can carry on his personal humanitarian mission to help other people. SUPPLIED

Sophanna holds on to his friend’s motorbike to get around the city when he needs to. SUPPLIED THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Far from home: Weightlifter’s quest for 1st gold

Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines jogging past banana trees during a training session. AFP Hidilyn Diaz, who took silver at Rio 2016, has been stuck in Malaysia since February last year. AFP

ilipina weightlifter Hidilyn “Whenever there’s a lockdown Diaz grunts with the effort our world really stops and you of hoisting a barbell over her don’t know what to do and you’re head in an outdoor makeshift shocked,” she said. gymF ringed by banana and rambu- “If I didn’t have Team HD, I admit I tan trees as trucks thunder past – an wouldn’t be here, I would have gone unlikely training base for a shot at home to the Philippines.” Olympic gold in Tokyo. Diaz, 30, who took silver at Rio ‘Everyone’s expecting’ 2016, has been stuck in Malaysia The disruption has affected Diaz, since February last year because of who was only fourth at the Asian the coronavirus pandemic but has Championships in Tashkent last remained determined to realise her month, her first competition for dream of becoming the first Olym- more than a year. It was enough to pic gold medal winner from the secure her Olympic berth, but far Philippines. from her best, she admitted. “I’m ready. I can’t say at what per Diaz endured 10 more days quar- cent, but I’m there – my mind is antine on her return, six confined there, my heart is there, physically it’s to a hotel room with the final four there,” Diaz said during a break from back at the house, using an exercise her long hours of final preparation bike, dumbbells and rubber power in energy-sapping heat and humid- bands to maintain her fitness and ity for her fourth, and probably last, strength. Olympics. She is fiercely determined to be Diaz is already assured a place in the best shape for the Olympics, in her country’s sporting folklore, which open in under two months on alongside the likes of boxing icon July 23. Manny Pacquiao, as the only woman “The pressure is high because of from the sprawling archipelago ever Diaz using her computer after a training session in Jasin in the Malaysian city of Malacca. AFP course . . . everyone’s expecting me to win an Olympic medal – her sur- to win the gold medal in Tokyo,” she prise silver in Rio breaking a 20-year have plans after the Olympics,” said cused on qualifying for Tokyo. floor while training with weights. said. medal drought for the Philippines. Diaz, who serves in the Philippines But within weeks came Covid-19 But the tireless Diaz still managed “I have embraced it. I just tell my- Her stature grew two years later Air Force and will compete in the restrictions leaving Diaz to battle to find time to raise money through self to focus on the technique, focus when she struck gold at the Asian 55kg class in Tokyo. gym closures, lack of access to online training sessions to distribute on the work ahead. Games in Indonesia and repeated the The daughter of a tricycle driver weightlifting equipment and the food packages to poor families back “I don’t want to promise to win feat at the Southeast Asian Games on in a poor village near the port of grinding uncertainty of whether the home who were suffering during gold, I just want to do it.” home soil in December 2019. Zamboanga on the southern island Games would be held at all. coronavirus lockdowns. Training alongside a busy road, Diaz had then been firmly on of Mindanao, Diaz has not seen her “At first there was a lot of anxiety, In October, Diaz and her team relo- Diaz is often joined by local children course to take her chance at Olympic family since December 2019. fears, worries because we’re in Ma- cated to a rural area in the southern eager to learn how to lift weights. glory just a few months later, but the “I have to sacrifice time with my laysia – we didn’t know where to stay, coastal state of Malacca where they “I’m happy when children join coronavirus changed everything as family, sacrifice time with my friends, we didn’t know where to train,” said have been living in the house owned weightlifting and they get curious be- the Games were postponed by a year. sacrifice time with studying . . . my Diaz. by a Malaysian weightlifting official. cause that’s how I started,” said Diaz, work at the Philippines Air Force.” For months Diaz and her coach- She began using a nearby gym but who began by carting 18 litre jugs of ‘Anxiety, fears, worries’ She initially went to train in Ma- es – “Team HD” – were stuck in restrictions were tightened again water for her family as a child. “It’s difficult to have a goal and have laysia in February 2020 because her an apartment block in the capital forcing her to work out in the house’s “They say I’m not smiling,” she it extended by how many months Chinese coach, Gao Kaiwen, thought Kuala Lumpur where they had to car port, sweating profusely in the said. “But I need to focus. We need to and at the same time you know you it would be better for her as she fo- be careful not to crack the tiled tropical heat. train.” AFP Libya’s Benghazi hosts rare ‘week of culture’ Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi is host- and an ensuing political crisis saw the oil- try was “a source of joy”, said Ferjani, ing a rare “week of culture” featuring art, rich country split in recent years between whose show kicked off the week’s music and theatre, as the country rival authorities in the east and west. events. attempts to turn the page on a decade of An October truce set in motion a UN- Other activities include workshops on violence. sponsored process that led to the creation glass painting, photography and sculp- “It’s an honour to have an exhibition for of an interim government tasked with ture, as well as roundtables and confer- the first time in Benghazi,” said Elham preparing the country for elections this ences, said organiser Hazem el-Ferjani, el-Ferjani, an artist who travelled from the December and unifying its institutions. who is not related to the artist. capital Tripoli in the country’s west spe- Ferjani, whose work is inspired by Lib- The aim of the cultural week, which runs cially for the event. yan desert rock art, Amazigh (Berber) until June 19, was “to revive the artistic and Benghazi was the first city to rise up culture and the North African country’s cultural life of Benghazi”, a city long asso- against longtime dictator Moamer Kad- decade of conflict, is displaying her paint- ciated with violence, he said. hafi in 2011 in a NATO-backed revolt. ings at the Barah cultural centre in the The programme also features debates The situation deteriorated into a com- heart of Libya’s ancient second city. on Libyan cinema, a concert of Arab- A Libyan musician plays his violin during a rare cultural event in the plex war involving Libyan armed groups, The opportunity to meet with artists Andalusian music and a play performed eastern city of Benghazi on June 14. AFP foreign mercenaries and foreign powers, who have travelled from all over the coun- by a Libyan theatre troop. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Trang Nguyen, founder of local conservation group WildAct, poses with her book Chang Hoang Da – Gau (Saving Sorya, Chang and The Sun Bear). AFP Vietnamese art book to be released in UK n ART book about wildlife by writer will be sent to wildlife projects in Vietnam. Trang Nguyenand painter Jeet Zdung It has been issued by Pan MacMillan in five will be released in the UK in Septem- countries, China, South Korea, Norway, Turkey ber following a copyright agreement and the US. signedA by the book’s publisher, Kim Dong Pub- “I hope the book can touch readers’ hearts lishing House, and its partner, Pan MacMillan. and encourage and inspire people to dream The book, Chang Hoang Da – Gau (Saving and protect nature and the Earth’s vitality,” said Sorya, Chang and The Sun Bear), features the book’s writer Trang, 31, who has a PhD in the journey of Chang, a young girl with big Biodiversity Management from the University “ON CALL” dreams of saving endangered wild animals. It of Kent in England. tells the stories about animals that are close In 2013, Trang founded WildAct, an NGO ACROSS 46 Believer in a binary system 23 Chalky mineral to extinction. which focuses on monitoring illegal wildlife 1 Study at the last minute 49 Chop-chop, to Byron 24 In widespread use Chang’s adventure begins when she meets trade markets, and provides conservation edu- 5 Part of a chronicle 50 Cases for needles, etc. 26 Proximate, to poets Sorya, a sun bear who was saved from traffick- cation programmes for Vietnamese youngsters. 10 Aerobics center 52 Noticed 27 ___ and chain ers by the Bear Rescue Centre. She is deter- She also received a scholarship for wildlife con- 13 Brain section 53 Ma Bell’s offering 28 24-hr. banking convenience mined to return Sorya back to nature. servation from Cambridge University. 14 Fresh as a ___ 56 Asian soy product 29 Book jacket info Chang and her new friend, Sorya, help read- In 2019, Trang was included on the BBC’s list 15 Carpenter’s leveling device 57 FBI employee 30 Eyelid trouble ers discover the beauty of nature and the life of of the top 100 inspiring and influential women 16 Responds to a ring 58 It might be a blue chip 31 Shot for a sore pitcher wild animals through their stories. around the world. 19 Words spoken in front of 59 Shrewdly tricky 32 Aardvark snack Chang Hoang Da – Gau includes 120 water- Artist Jeet Zdung, whose real name is Nguy- witnesses 60 Fiery funeral mounds 33 Turkish title of respect colour paintings by Jeet Zdung. The pictures enTien Dung, was born in 1988. He has won 20 Easily confused (Var.) 61 Butcher’s buy 35 Having less rainfall are the result of a two-month field trip into the prizes for his illustrations. His works were 21 “Hammerin’ Hank” in DOWN 36 Lymph ___ wild. shown at the Cartoon Festival organised by Cooperstown 1 Forty-niner’s workplace 37 Call to a cabbie The 120-page book was released in Vietnam the Wallonie – Bruxelles Delegation in Viet- 22 Humiliate 2 Sonata movement 41 Chocolate bean tree 24 Become edible 3 Like paper towels in March, 2020. Profits from the book’s sales nam in 2012. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 42 Shames, as into doing something 25 Felt-making material 4 Persian plaint 43 Coarse sound or tool 26 Put up with something 5 Floating aimlessly 44 Go bad 28 Brother of Cain 6 Harsh, as weather 45 “Absolutely Fabulous” character 30 Army glitch 7 Faultfinder’s finds 46 An Allman brother Restaurants in US struggle with 31 Auto for hire 8 Covered with soot 47 “Ho ho ho” crier 34 Low-tech communication device 9 Bleaching solution 48 Aviary sound 38 Bon ___ (witticism) 10 Sandcastle site 49 Gives guns to large increase in diners: survey 39 Pertaining to a sovereign 11 Assign, as the blame 50 Experiencing jitters 40 Overly pretentious 12 Revival response 51 Opera-house level Americans are dining out in The number of diners was “Nearly 6,600 new restau- 41 Halloween quaff 15 Configuration 54 Run off at the mouth record numbers as pandemic 48 per cent higher than in rant and food businesses 42 Abrasive particles 17 Change copy 55 Sandwich meat restrictions lift, with restau- May 2019, according to the opened in May 2021, a 42- 44 Black card 18 Current, as accounts rants struggling to keep up data. per-cent increase from May with demand amid a labour The surge comes with a 2020 and down by only 21 per Wednesday’s solution shortage, data released by growing number of Ameri- cent from May 2019.” review site Yelp showed on cans having been vaccinated, Yelp also counted 16,500 re- June 15. and local governments grad- openings in April 2021, with Yelp data showed more than ually lifting mask mandates that number dipping to 5,000 3.7 million diners seated using and limits on indoor dining. in May. its app in May 2021, the high- “As diners head back into res- The jump in restaurant est number ever, surpassing taurants, new restaurants and dining has been especially pre-pandemic highs, accord- food businesses are opening pronounced in some cities ing to Yelp restaurant market- at near pre-pandemic levels,” seeing more tourism such as place manager Devon Wright. Wright said in a blog post. Honolulu (up 853 per cent) and Las Vegas (up 589 per cent), Yelp said. Wright said restaurants are increasingly turning to technology to help manage Wednesday’s solution the spike in light of difficul- ties in finding workers. This includes more use of digital menus, contactless pay- ments, smartphone wait- lists, reservations and table management. Pandemic restrictions have been gradually lifted in the US with just over 52 per cent of the population, or 174 million people, have already received A couple dines indoors at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, which at least one dose, according reopened in May after being closed for more than a year. AFP to health officials. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 17, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Iran, UAE and Saudi march into third phase

ran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE secutive win in the second phase. topped their respective groups Harry Souttar scored the only goal. to ease into the third phase of Asian qualifying for the 2022 Quick-fire Onaiwu IFIFA World Cup on June 15. Earlier striker Ado Onaiwu bagged On a frantic day of action across a six-minute first-half hat-trick as Asia, with 14 matches played, Iraq, Japan confirmed their dominance in Oman, China, Vietnam and Lebanon Group F with a crushing 5-1 win over also made it through after finishing the Kyrgyz Republic in Suita, Japan. among the five best second-placed Manager Hajime Moriyasu made teams. five changes to the side that beat Syria, Japan, South Korea and Tajikistan 4-1 a week ago and opted Australia had already clinched their for Onaiwu to lead the attack in the spots in the deciding round, from absence of Takumi Minamino, who which four countries will advance to withdrew from the squad last week next year’s tournament in Qatar. “due to club circumstances”. Qatar, who topped Group E, will With qualification already se- not play in the final phase as they cured, Minamino, who had netted qualify automatically as hosts. in all seven of Japan’s previous group On June 15, Iran pipped Iraq 1-0 matches, reportedly left after playing in Bahrain to top Group C while the in the 1-0 friendly win against Serbia UAE edged Vietnam 3-2 in their final on Thursday, to sort out a move from Group G match in Dubai. Liverpool to Southampton. To qualify, both Iran and the UAE In his place, Onaiwu opened the needed to topple the teams that went scoring from the penalty spot in the into the final round of matches lead- 27th minute after a handball by Aizar ing their groups. They did it in con- Akmatov. trasting styles. Onaiwu tapped in his second four Sardar Azmoun fired Iran ahead Japan’ forward Takuma Asano (right) and Kyrgyz Republic defender Aizar Akmatov fight for the ball during the FIFA World Cup minutes later at the far post after in the 35th minute at the Sheikh Ali Qatar 2022 Asian zone group F qualification football match on Tuesday.AFP good work down the right by Kawabe bin Mohamed al-Khalifa Stadium in Hayao and completed his quickfire Muharraq. matches, while Iraq finished on 17. through Nguyen Tien Linh and Tran Elsewhere, Salman al-Faraj scored treble in the 33rd minute with a tow- The Zenit Saint Petersburg striker, Meanwhile in Dubai, Vietnam Minh Vuong it wasn’t enough to keep a brace as Saudi Arabia thrashed ering header. who has played a pivotal role for his wasted their two-point advantage top spot. Uzbekistan 3-0 to clinch top spot in Takuma Asano and Sho Sasaki team since the qualifiers resumed, at the top as they were beaten by the China’s also needed to win their last Group D. added two more after the break tapped in from close range after cap- Emiratis with Ali Salmeen and Ali match and they did that comfortably Ali al-Hassan added a third in while Kyrgyz captain Mirlan Murzaev tain Ehsan Hajsafi made his way up Mabkhout finding the net in the first with a 3-1 victory over Syria. the second half as the Saudis took scored their consolation penalty in the left flank and sent in a cross. half. Zhang Xizhe, Wu Lei and Zhang their tally to 20 points from eight first-half stoppage time. Both teams fluffed chances later Mahmoud Khamis made it 3-0 five Yuning scored for China in Shar- matches. In the other Group F match, Tajiki- but Iran hung on to their lead to take minutes after the break, and while jah. Syria’s goal was scored by Aias Already-qualified Australia edged stan beat Myanmar 4-0 in Osaka to their tally to 18 points from eight Vietnam pulled two late goals back Aosman. Jordan 1-0 to record their eighth con- seal second place. AFP Memories of Tiger’s epic 2008 US Michel Platini to come back as FIFPRO member Open victory spice Torrey return Former UEFA head Michel ed from all football-related Platini confirmed on June 15 activities for four years at the Memories of Tiger Woods winning the another major until the 2019 Masters. DeChambeau said. “It’s beyond miracu- that he is to become the French end of 2015 over a 2 million 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines on a broken Woods is not playing this week after suf- lous what he can do with the golf ball and representative on the board of Swiss franc ($2.2 million) pay- leg inspire major winners as they return fering severe leg injuries in a February what he can do for the game of golf in FIFPRO, the world players’ ment from FIFA in 2011 which for another US Open at the oceanside (2021) car crash. He’s recuperating at home general. union. was approved by then-presi- course. in Florida with no timetable for a return. “I wish he was here, but I think that “This makes me very happy,” dent Sepp Blatter without a At Torrey Pines 13 years ago, Woods sank Yet the memories of his Torrey Pines tri- we’re all keeping him in good spirits and Platini said in a statement. written contract. a clutch 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd umph left an indelible mark on several pumping him up when we can. His mem- Platini is due take up his post The case is still being inves- hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate, golfers inspired by him. ory, my thought of him out here, will keep in November, a source close to tigated by the Swiss judiciary then battled level through an 18-hole June “The putt on 18 was very memorable,” pushing me forward to play my best.” the triple Ballon d’Or winner for “disloyal management”, 14 showdown before winning his 14th defending US Open champion Bryson said. “breach of trust” and “swin- career major with a par on the first sudden- Dechambeau said June 15. “Making that ‘Inspiration for all’ The Frenchman, who was dling”. death playoff hole. putt knowing he had to make it, and there Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth ousted as president of European Platini has fought the accusa- “It was pretty impressive. It was exciting was nothing more to it. You just had to found the achievement of playing Torrey governing body UEFA and tions. He has claimed he was to watch,” four-time major winner Brooks make it, and he was able to do it.” Pines with a broken leg amazing even banned by global body FIFA in the victim of a “plot” to prevent Koepka said. “That’s got to be up there for The shot still astounds DeChambeau, before taking the spectacular shots Woods 2015, will be making his return him succeeding the disgraced him. Definitely one of the top ones.” whose trademark long drives have deliv- made into account. to football administration. Blatter as FIFA president, Woods had played with a broken leg, ered their share of dropped jaws. “Something you shouldn’t be playing golf “I always said I would come Platini’s return is being doctors discovered later, and he skipped “I’d say the amount of times that human on, then he went and won the US Open on back where I could be useful,” sponsored by the FIFPRO’s the remainder of the year. He battled inju- being has willed golf balls into a hole, it it, which if you’re having to hack out of this said Platini in his statement. current president, 78-year-old ries for years after and wouldn’t win goes beyond conscious comprehension,” rough, and it’s one of the tougher walks as “I have also always said that Frenchman Philippe Piat, who well, that’s something else,” Spieth said. football belongs to the players plans to hand over his seat in “The up and down on the 72nd hole from and the fans. I am coming back November. the rough, obviously one of the most mem- to my people, the players, so “I would like Michel Platini orable putts in major championship his- that their role is fully defended to sit on the board in my tory. I remember where I was watching it, and recognised, and above all place,” as representative of and it was just so exciting. to build the future of this sport the French players’ union, “He was an inspiration for all of us with them.” Piat told French sports daily younger generation out here to go out and Platini, now 65, was suspend- L’Equipe. AFP practice a putt like that the whole next week to try to pretend it was to tie or win a US Open.” World number two Justin Thomas was shocked Woods won, but after seeing a replay last week he noted clutch par saves Woods made that set the stage for his dra- matic 18th-hole putt. “I still don’t know how he won. He had no business winning that tournament,” Thomas said. “Rocco played better than he did. He just hit some key drives when he needed to or just little things here and there, but just kept making those putts. That’s what you do to win US Opens. “I just didn’t remember the amount of Tiger Woods drops to his knees after missing a birdie putt on a sudden death hole following an four- and five-footers he made that really 18-hole playoff round for the 108th US Open championship against compatriot Rocco Mediate at seemed to be irrelevant . . . that was some- Former UEFA head Michel Platini confirmed on June 15 that he is to Torrey Pines Golf Course on June 16, 2008. AFP thing that stuck out to me.” AFP become the French representative on the board of FIFPRO. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST, june 17, 2021 Tuesday’s results Tonight’s Matches Group c Ukraine 8PM, 17 June North Macedonia Hungary 0-3 Portugal Bucharest

Group B Denmark 11PM, 17 June Belgium Copenhagen France 1-0 Germany Group c Netherlands 2AM, 18 June Austria Amsterdam www.phnompenhpost.com/sport France down Germany as Ronaldo makes history in Portugal victory

orld champions France beat Germany in a blockbuster Euro 2020 clash on the night Wof June 15, after Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time top European Championship goal-scorer as holders Portugal started their campaign with a 3-0 win over Hungary in Budapest. In Munich, a 20th-minute Mats Hummels own goal proved enough for 2018 World Cup winners France to beat 2014 World Cup winners Ger- many in Group F. France deserved the win, with both Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema having second-half goals disallowed for tight offside calls, while Adrien Rabiot also hit the post for “Les Bleus”. “I knew my players would be ready and they were up for the fight,” France coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster M6. “It’s our first match, but this is a game that could have been a semi-final or a final, and to take these three points in a group like this was important.” The win was savoured by a small band of French fans among the crowd in the Allianz Arena, which was limited to just 20 per cent of capacity because of Covid-19 restrictions. It was also enjoyed by fans back home in France who packed into bars to see their team kick off their bid to add the European crown to the World Cup they won in Russia three years ago, despite the game ending Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Portugal’s second goal in their Euro 2020 Group F match with Hungary at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Tuesday. AFP just before the 11pm nationwide coronavirus curfew. the previous record of nine held by goals for his country in total, leaving The Puskas Arena has a capacity of landed on the pitch after his pow- Germany’s defeat turns up the France legend Michel Platini. him just three away from matching almost 68,000 fans. ered parachute microlight struck pressure on them in what is coach Portugal appear to have a much Iranian Ali Daei’s all-time interna- “We didn’t deserve a 3-0 defeat – spidercam cables. Joachim Low’s last tournament in stronger squad than when they won tional scoring record of 109. with a bit of luck it could have been a The pilot flew over the pitch with charge before he steps down. their first major title five years ago, “I am really grateful to the team point each – but it was an experience “Kick out oil” written on the canopy “France have shown they are one yet they laboured for long periods in for helping me to score twice and be of a lifetime,” said Hungary goal- of his parachute, but when the pilot of the favourites and now we have Budapest before Raphael Guerreiro named man of the match,” Ronaldo keeper Peter Gulacsi. hit television cables above the pitch, to prove that too in the next game,” made the breakthrough in the 84th said. Hungarian newspaper Nemzeti it knocked his microlight off balance Germany’s Joshua Kimmich said. minute. Sport said the crowd of around and he landed on the turf after clip- Germany’s next game is against Ronaldo then slammed in a penal- Full house in Budapest 65,000 was the biggest at a game in ping one of the stands. Portugal on Saturday night, and ty shortly afterwards before tapping He broke the record before by far the country since a World Cup warm- “This inconsiderate act . . . caused the Euro 2016 winners got off to the home in injury time. the biggest crowd of the tournament up against Brazil in 1986. injuries to several people attending perfect start in Group F as Ronaldo The 36-year-old has now scored at so far, with Budapest the only Euro Back in Munich, a disaster was the game who are now in hospital netted his 10th and 11th goals at Eu- five different European Champion- 2020 venue not to limit fan capacity narrowly averted before the game and law authorities will take the ropean Championships, surpassing ship finals tournaments and has 106 due to Covid-19. when a Greenpeace activist crash- necessary action,” UEFA said. AFP Denmark look to ‘emotional’ crowd for Belgium visit Denmark can take heart that will be right behind the team- on Tuesday said Eriksen was in Some have taken to spray- difference ahead of Finland the risk of a relapse isn’t zero,” Christian Eriksen is recovering mates who rallied to his side daily contact with the rest of painting murals in honour of and can seal their passage to said Maesschalk on Tuesday. and will be cheering them on as medics rushed to save his the team and was trying to gee their missing star around the knockout stage with a Team doctors suggested that along with the rest of the coun- life. up his friends before they face Copenhagen. game to spare at the Parken. the 32-year-old should get try as they try to salvage their Those players were still the world’s top-ranked team. “It will be emotional for Roberto Martinez’s side were some playing time against the Euro 2020 campaign against dazed when, after what Uefa Hjulmand said that “no one sure. But we should use these hugely impressive in their Danes even if he is unlikely to fancied Belgium in Copenha- called a “crisis meeting”, they can replace Christian” but his emotions for the match, and opening match and have been start the match. gen on the night of June 17. returned to the field some two side will be looking to harness get ready to fight,” Hjulmand further boosted by the news The news comes after play- Kasper Hjulmand’s talented and a half hours after kick-off the emotions of the home said. that Borussia Dortmund mid- maker Kevin De Bruyne trained side know that their qualifica- to finish a match which had crowd at the Parken Stadium, fielder Alex Witsel is available with his Belgium teammates tion from Group B will be in long since been overshadowed where Denmark will have the Ominous Lukaku looms again after recovering from an for the first time at the Euro on jeopardy if they get the same by Eriksen’s plight. backing of some 25,000 fans They will need all the sup- Achilles tendon injury which Monday, sparking hopes he treatment that leaders Bel- That loss came after what after the Scandinavian nation port they can get against Erik- had kept him out of action could too play a role against gium dished out to Russia on Kasper Schmeichel described relaxed Covid-19 restrictions. sen’s Inter Milan teammate since January. the Danes. Saturday, and they need to on Monday as “a position, that The 16,000 home fans Romelu Lukaku, whose omi- Witsel only began running The Manchester City play- bounce back from their trau- I personally feel that we present for the Finland match nous double in Belgium’s again around a month ago but maker missed the Russia matic 1-0 defeat by Finland. shouldn’t have been put in” as created a wall of noise in the 3-0 win over the Russians Belgium’s physiotherapist match after having surgery Eriksen told the world on Denmark were offered the first half as Denmark piled on showed why at the age of just Lieven Maesschalk, who for nose and eye socket frac- June 15 that he was “fine – choice to complete the game the pressure, and the “Roli- 28 he is by some distance Bel- guided the player’s recovery, tures caused by a collision under the circumstances” that evening or on Sunday gans” will be in even fuller gium’s all-time record scorer said “he isn’t scared” about with Germany defender Anto- following his sickening mid- afternoon. voice to cheer on their country with 62 goals. his return. nio Rudiger in the Champions match collapse and said he However, coach Hjulmand on Thursday. Belgium top Group B on goal “He is ready to play even if League final. AFP