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Thursday, november 26, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL

NA okays draft ministRy rolls Duterte earmarks law on financial out Strategy $1.5B for 60M management 2o21 on e-commerce covid-19 vaccines national – page 3 business – page 6 World – page 11 PM vows to protect Hun family

Niem Chheng (CNRP), Hun Sen said there would be if there is Sen, there will be no Sy”. “Those who must go through legal but there are people who committed no political compromise until they “If your goal is to reconcile with procedures have to go through that criminal offences. Cambodia will RIME Minister Hun Sen has have resolved their court cases. Cambodia, that’s okay. But if you want first before a political talk. There not have another Paris Peace vowed to continue his fight Hun Sen made the remarks while to destroy the Hun family line, I want will be no political compromise Accords,” Hun Sen said. against opposition politi- speaking with a group of volunteer to send this message to you: “I don’t before the court procedure. Only He said it was the threat against his cians who he said intend to lawyers for women and the poor on have to think twice. If you are ready to after you serve sentence can we talk family that is driving him. smashP the Hun family. November 25 in Phnom Penh. fight me, I have to fight you. I will not about this,” Hun Sen said. “When I heard they want to destroy Without naming the politicians but The prime minister alluded to the compromise anymore,” he said. The prime minister said Cambodia the Hun family, it makes me commit apparently referring to former lead- words of former CNRP leader Sam He said CNRP leaders currently on did not need a political solution because to my struggle until they and their ers of the Supreme Court-dissolved Rainsy and his political slogan: “If there trial must go through that process there is not a political conflict. Cambodia National Rescue Party is Sy [Rainsy], there will be no Sen, and before any dialogue can begin. “There are no political prisoners, Continued – page 2 Health ministry plans for Covid-19 vaccine distribution, storage Mom Kunthear ity, as well as some of our partners,” she said, referring to the global Cov- THE Ministry of Health has set up a ax initiative that brings together gov- special working group to plan for the ernments and pharmaceutical com- distribution and storage of a future panies to ensure a Covid-19 vaccine Covid-19 vaccine once it is approved reaches those in need. by the World Health Organisation Vandine said it remained unclear how (WHO) and reaches the Kingdom. many doses of a vaccine would be avail- Ministry secretary of state York able to Cambodia, saying it depended Sambath on November 24 said the on the availability and the capacity for ministry has been working closely production. These limitations must be with the WHO and other partner discussed, she said, especially by the organisations to secure the supply of new vaccine working committee. a vaccine. He said the ministry had Separately, the ministry on Novem- also received a commitment from the ber 25 confirmed a new Covid-19 case Australian ambassador to Cambodia – a 37-year-old Nepali man who trav- that his country would help deliver elled by plane from Nepal to Cambo- vaccine supplies to the Kingdom. dia via Qatar and South Korea. “The health ministry has set up a The patient, an employee of an special working group to manage unnamed international organisa- the vaccination plan, including how tion in Phnom Penh, was diagnosed to provide the vaccine to the people, with coronavirus in Nepal on Octo- who would need to be vaccinated ber 19 and underwent 14 days of Freeze! first, and so on,” Sambath said. quarantine in that country. Police officers arrest an activist of Femen movement protesting outside the Ukrainian presidential office to mark the International The health ministry is presently On November 2 and November 8, Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Kiev on Wednesday. AFP setting up a warehouse in the capi- he tested negative for Covid-19. tal’s Chaom Chao commune where Upon his arrival in Cambodia on the vaccine can be stored at the November 12, he also tested nega- proper temperature, once it has tive and was allowed to self-quar- been approved by the WHO. antine at a hotel in Phnom Penh. Airline sector takes historic hit She said the ministry would prepare The ministry said he tested positive several warehouses to store and dis- on the 13rd day of his quarantine on THE aviation industry has taken a per cent this year as a result of the billion, far worse than Iata’s June fore- tribute the vaccine as well as to November 24 and was admitted to the historic hit from the coronavirus and coronavirus pandemic, it said as it cast for a loss of $84.3 billion, it added. administer it to Cambodians. Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. pending an effective vaccine, can held its annual congress. Last year, the sector reported rev- Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine on The latest case brings the King- only bounce back with systematic Even though airlines have slashed enues of $838 billion. November 25 said once a vaccine was dom’s Covid-19 tally to 307, with testing, international trade body costs by $1 billion a day, grounded The situation is expected to improve completely evaluated by the WHO, the nine active cases. International Air Transport Associa- fleets and cut jobs, they are still next year, but airlines are nevertheless ministry would be entitled to a supply of On November 25, two patients – a tion (Iata) said on November 24. racking up huge and “unprecedent- likely to suffer a combined loss of $38.7 the drug and apply it in the Kingdom. 34-year-old Cambodian man from “The Covid-19 crisis threatens the ed” losses, warned the group which billion, also worse than a previous esti- “Cambodia’s health ministry is cur- Kandal province and a 69-year-old survival of the air transport indus- represents 290 airlines. mate of $15.8 billion, Iata estimated. rently working closely with the WHO, American man living in Phnom Penh try,” with 2020 likely to be its “worst” This year’s revenues are now expected “This crisis is devastating and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and – were discharged from hospital, bring- year ever, Iata said. at around $328 billion, and the industry Immunisation and the Covax Facil- ing the total recovered cases to 298. Airline revenues will plunge by 60 will likely chalk up net losses of $118.5 Continued – page 7

THE PHNOM PENH POST Herd of Asian elephants National spotted in Mondulkiri Inside page 5 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Kingdom, VN talk cooperation Investment pitched SothKoemsoeun ity, cooperation and develop- at La Francophonie ment,” the press release said. ANDAL provin- Var Kimhong, senior minister Orm Bunthoeurn group’s secretary-general Louise cial governor Kong and chairman of the Joint Bor- Mushikiwabo to Cambodia and Sophoan on Novem- der Committee, on November MINISTER of Foreign Affairs the Asia Pacific region in 2021. ber 25 said Vietnam- 25 said Hun Sen had always and International Cooperation He told member states that a eseK troops had removed doz- trusted the Border Affairs Com- Prak Sokhonn (pictured, for- multi-party liberal democracy ens of tents and structures that mittee, which had been success- eign ministry) said at the 37th needs a strong private sector. had been set up near the Cam- ful in many matters related to Ministerial Conference of La He said Cambodia has allevi- bodian border several months the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Francophonie on November ated poverty from 53 per cent ago after talks between the “We are a fully independent 25 that economic exchanges to 10 per cent in less than 20 countries’ top leaders. country. We have signed treaties between the countries in the years because Cambodia can “The Vietnamese soldiers dis- with our neighbours. This is an group remain low because guarantee peace and stability mantled all 26 tents and struc- honour for our country and a they lack pragmatism. – a favourable atmosphere for tures, they moved completely, legacy for our descendants. For Francophonie is a loose group businesses and workers. including large and small tents the remaining 16 per cent, we of nations where French language Sokhonn said he strongly and all kinds of structures. will do our best to resolve the is- has played a significant role. supports various reforms that Vietnamese sodiers dismantle a strucure in Kandal province. Fresh news There was no argument at all. sue as soon as possible,” he said. “Since the summit in Dhaka were approved at the Franco- They agreed to dismantle with strengthen the relationship. of the Supplementary Treaty to Kimhong said the French gov- in 2014, we must acknowledge phonie meeting. a smile,” Sophoan said. The prime ministers also the 1985 Treaty on the Delimi- ernment had recently agreed to that economic exchanges be- Hong Vanak, an economics “They said that the threat of discussed the importance in tation of National Boundaries a request from the prime minis- tween countries are still low. researcher at the Royal Acad- Covid-19 in their country was enhancing bilateral business and the 2005 Supplementary ters to send experts to help train We must set concrete objec- emy of Cambodia, said France finished, so, they agreed to dis- and investment between the Treaty between Cambodia and Cambodian and Vietnamese tives to guarantee a reduction was generally reluctant to invest mantle without any conflict. It two countries. Vietnam, as well as the Proto- engineers on mapping skills rel- in poverty for the most vulner- abroad, whether in the region was very good and peaceful.” “For this purpose, the two col on the Demarcation and evant to the border. situation. able people,” Sokhonn said. or Europe. He said France is not In a video conference on No- leaders agreed to assign min- Marker Planting of the Land Ouch Phea, the governor He invited Francophonie at the frontline in cooperating vember 24, Prime Minister Hun istries and institutions and Boundary between the King- of Takeo province which also entrepreneurs and investors on economic exchange. Sen and his Vietnamese coun- provincial authorities of their dom of Cambodia and Viet- shares its border with Viet- to meet with those respon- “Some countries had been terpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc dis- respective countries to work nam in 2019. nam, could not be reached for sible for economies and seek colonised by France. These cussed ways to further boost bi- closely together to facilitate Both leaders stressed the im- comment on November 25. investment opportunities. countries have not thrived very lateral ties and exchange views business travel, as well as portance of exchanging maps Social and political analyst Lao “Cambodia is a French-speak- much under French investment. on regional and global issues of promoting the implementa- of the border between Cambo- Mong Hay on November 24 said ing country. Cambodia would If we think of investments in common concern, including tion of preventive measures dia and Vietnam. the prime ministers’ commit- like to invite entrepreneurs and the world or the cooperation in the fight against along the border of the two “Both sides have agreed to ments were nothing new and investors to Cambodia to region, French Covid-19, according to a press countries that may eventually expedite the process to ex- merely reflected agreements cooperate to invest in en- l a n g u a g e release from the Cambodian occur in a timely manner. change the instruments of rat- signed by both sides in the past. ergy. These entrepreneurs seems to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and “Both leaders also reaffirmed ification of the 2019 Supple- “If the two sides are stuck and the investors will have waned International Cooperation on joint efforts to strengthen bilat- mentary Treaty and Protocol and do not agree on a specific communicate in French in influence,” November 25 eral cooperation in the fields of as soon as possible. The two point or line, then both sides with those responsible for he said. In the video dialogue, both defence and security in order leaders also pledged to resolve should agree to find a third economies in the public leaders expressed satisfac- to ensure order in the border the remaining 16 per cent of party that knows the Cambo- and private sec- tion over the progress of bi- area,” the press release said. the border in order to turn the dian-Vietnamese border best. tors,” he said. lateral cooperation in recent During the talks, the prime Cambodia-Vietnam border Usually, it’s the French who Sokhonn years and agreed to further ministers hailed the ratification into a border of peace, stabil- help resolve it,” he said. said he was thrilled about a planned vis- Compromise possible only after cases resolved it by the Continued from page 1 lowing the trials is the only family. He said some of them unlikely we would have such a option possible. He said the attacked him individually, not compromise with Rainsy. leaders die. Only then do I back current situation is based on on political principles. He said a political compro- Political alliance forged down. Why do you target the past political rhetoric. “It is unethical that politi- mise is possible only if all whole Hun family?” he said. “If [Hun Sen] says [court] is the cians make an individual or sides understand each other. from three small parties Former CNRP lawmaker Ou only option we are not happy, family the target of an attack. “If there is any political com- Chanrath said the CNRP has but there is no option,” he said. In so doing, we cannot find a promise, the former CNRP Long Kimmarita this strength can be achieved never attempted to destroy Kin Phea, director of the common ground for national officials cannot claim it came without wanting the duty of opponents, but used demo- Royal Academy of Cambodia’s unity and nation-building,” from international pressure. If THREE political parties have prime minister. The Alliance cratic paths. “More than this, I International Relations Insti- he said. they do, they will face another officially formed the Alliance of Khmer Democrats comes do not know”, he said. tute, said Hun Sen may have Phea said while Hun Sen problem. They need to adhere of Khmer Democrats, pledging from three parties, not a Chanrath acknowledged referred to former CNRP sen- could compromise with CNRP to an attitude that shows a will to solve social issues through prime minister. We call for all that given the current situa- ior officials when he talked of president Kem Sokha after he to unify for the sake of the Khmer-to-Khmer commu- parties who love the nation tion, political compromise fol- those trying to destroy his finishes his treason trial, it was nation,” Phea said. nication and cultivate a new to join each other to improve model of nationalism in Cam- our nation,” Sonando said. bodia’s younger generation. He said the three par- The alliance was announced ties joined in the alliance on November 25 by Mam So- because they have simi- nando, president of the Bee- lar goals, adding that they hive Social Democratic Party would cooperate in the com- (BSDP), Nhek Bun Chhay, mune elections in 2022 and president of the Khmer Na- the general election in 2023. tional United Party (KNUP), “In the past, there was ac- and Kem Rithisit, president cusation and killing. Nowa- of Khmer Unity Party (KUP). days, if we accuse each other The press conference to an- endlessly, how will the Khmer nounce the new coalition was people have opportunity to attended by officials from unify and love each other and each of the parties. work together,” Sonando said. The alliance selected So- Pa Chanroeun, president nando as the president, Bun of the Democratic Institute, Chhay as deputy president said the alliance would create and Ly as secretary-general. a new political movement in The three parties said they Cambodian society. But, he would join forces to propose said, the alliance would re- amendments to the Constitu- main limited in its pursuit of tion, amend the immigration a democratic, free-and-fair law and nationality law, and political playing field because participate in border issues. its members come from small Sonando said the decision parties that had little support to form an alliance was aimed in the last election. at uniting Cambodian demo- “The future of this alliance crats in order to benefit the depend on the ability of these nation and defend its democ- three small parties to hold racy. The alliance vowed to themselves as genuinely never split up in the future. democratic politicians and “Our philosophy is to make launch specific political pro- sure our nation lives well. We grammes that earn the trust will continue to discuss how from the Khmer people from to make it stronger. However, now on,” Chanroeun said. THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National PM lauds volunteer lawyers

Voun Dara

PRIME Minister Hun Sen reminded his volunteer law- yers to seek compromise when mediating disputes outside of the court system, urging them to find mutually beneficial solutions for all parties. The advice was handed down at the Peace Palace on November 25 as Hun Sen reviewed the work of his team of volunteer lawyers, a group that had consulted on 2,550 cases from February last year to September this year. “I would like to remind our Prime Minister Hun Sen addresses volunteer lawyers at the Peace The National Assembly approved seven draft laws in all on November 25. national assembly Palace in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. spm volunteers to focus on some disputes that can be settled non-governmental organisa- limited by the size and sever- out of court with a win-win tions for providing lawyers and ity of the cases. Some cases, if NA okays draft law on solution,” he said. legal consultations to local peo- we have to deal with them out- The prime minister estab- ple, Hun Sen also expressed side the court system, will lished the team of volunteer regret that some NGOs and influence the proper imple- lawyers in February 2019 with lawyers had used these actions mentation of the law in Cam- the aim of defending poor to provoke protests. bodia and may violate the financial management women who could not afford “It is not that the government power of the judiciary,” he said. to hire lawyers. There are 138 does not know about this. We Ky Tech, Hun Sen’s chief of Soth Koemsoeun for comment on November 25. He added that the govern- volunteer performing their encourage the provision of legal volunteer lawyer, presented San Chey, executive director ment had carried out its work duties in Phnom Penh and all support to the poor, but we do the results achieved by the vol- HE National Assem- of the Affiliated Network for responsibly and successfully the provinces. not encourage you [NGOs and unteer lawyers as of Septem- bly (NA) on Novem- Social Accountability, said on from one mandate to another Hun Sen continued that in lawyers] to incite protests ... I ber. There were a total of 2,550 ber 25 approved the November 25 that the approval by achieving benefits for the recent months his advisers express both appreciation and cases, including 74 cases of Law on Financial of this year’s draft financial law people and progress in soci- and assistants were able to disappointment,” he said. vulnerable women who were MTanagement for 2021 and and the six other draft laws ety. He added that the struc- resolve many cases in out-of- Seung Senkarona, spokesman not able to hire lawyers to six other draft laws, but civil seemed too rash and with- ture of implementation must court mediation, including for local rights group Adhoc, defend their legal rights in court. society groups say the laws out proper discussion from be adapted in line with the re- disputes that had been unre- said encouraging lawyers to Tech and the rest of the team were approved prematurely all stakeholders. Such rapid alities of the national budget. solved for 10 to 20 years. handle disputes out of court was made a commitment to Hun and lack meaning. enactment of the law, he said, The national budget revenue “It is really good if our lawyers a positive development. But he Sen: “Volunteer lawyers [must] In a Facebook post, NA would be considered insuffi- is itself limited by the same try to solve problems outside said volunteer lawyers should perform all duties and respon- President Heng Samrin said cient and does not reflect the concerns, he said in a Face- the court system. If our lawyers not interfere in cases that had sibilities, use their knowledge the draft financial law, which reality of the entire society. book post on November 25. work hard to tackle disputes already reached the courts and abilities to the best of their consists of six chapters and “This draft law should have The six additional draft laws this way, they can solve cases because this could affect the ability, demand equal rights 15 articles, was drafted in the had more consultation, espe- that the NA had approved in- even if they are already in the independence of the judiciary. under the law, and take part context of Covid-19 and its cially more input to improve cluded the draft law on the pay- hands of the courts,” he said. “Tackling disputes outside of with the government in activ- impact on Cambodia and the the content. Specifically, the ment of the general state bud- While commending some the court system should be ities to enhance justice.” world. distribution of budgets be- get for management in 2019 He said the bill would pro- tween the national and sub- and the draft Law on Securities. vide the budget needed to national levels [needed more The NA also approved the protect people’s lives, main- input], because we want the draft law on Organising and tain social stability, boost the national budget to better Functioning of the Non- economy, and improve the liv- reach the sub-national level. Banking Financial Services ing standards of Cambodians. “The sub-national level Authority and the draft Law It also ensures the resources is where there is a lot of de- on the Approval of the ASEAN to restore and stimulate eco- mand, such as the need to re- Agreement on Mutual Recog- nomic growth after the Covid- store infrastructure and pre- nition of Pilot Licensing. 19 pandemic in “new normal” vent problems with Covid-19 The other two bills approved pattern to ensure safety, social or natural disasters,” he said. on November 25 were the draft stability and the sustainability Hun Many – the chairman law on the Approval of the Right of economic growth, he said. of the NA’s Commission on to Cooperate on Domestic “The National Assembly Education, Youth and Sport; Flights Within the Territory of any supports this important draft Religious Affairs; Culture; and ASEAN member country, and the law and other draft laws that Tourism – said the govern- draft law on the Approval of the are important for economy ment representatives had Protocol for the Implementa- and trade, both domestic and drafted the law with a focus on tion of the 9th and 10th Contract foreign,” he wrote. protecting people’s lives and Packages of Air Transport Servic- The Post could not reach NA social and economic stability es Under the ASEAN Framework spokesman Leng Peng Long after the Covid-19 crisis. Agreement on Services. Over 150k booted off voter rolls Nov Sivutha registration group in the com- voter list is posted, his party mune using form 1202. They officials will go to check and THE National Election Com- can object if their name is lost monitor to see if the NEC pro- mittee (NEC) is preparing to or the NEC deleted the name cedures are correct. post a list of 154,767 names incorrectly,” Puthea said. “I am worried when there’re that will be removed from the NEC secretary-general Tep so many people taken off the voter rolls for 2020. Nytha said the NEC has in- rolls but the NEC has clear There are more than 260,000 structed commune councils to evidence,” Prasath said. newly registered voters and regularly list names of those to Korn Savang, the survey the number of eligible voters be purged from the voter list. and advocacy coordinator at in the country has grown to Nytha said names deleted the Committee for Free and more than 8.8 million people. from the first list were either Fair Elections in Cambodia NEC spokesman Hang deceased, moved out of the (Comfrel), said the delisting Puthea said the targeted will commune or are temporarily process was good, though be removed from the official unauthorised to vote. there were still some proce- list on November 27 after a Khmer Will Party (KWP) dures the NEC can fix. nationwide data verification. deputy president Tol Prasath “NEC should simplify pro- “The purpose of this post- expressed concern over the cedures for agents, political ing is for those who have al- removal of such a large num- parties and stakeholders to ready registered to verify their ber of citizens from the voter be able to check if it is accept- data and raise an objection if list. But he acknowledged able to everyone,” he said. they are removed. that the NEC’s deletions are The NEC began the 45-day “If people find irregularities, based on actual evidence voter registration and review they have the right to complain and documents. process on September 1 and or object in writing to the voter He said that when the first finished on October 12. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Officials refute graft report Chhun’s bail request Long Kimmarita ency and always checked by the denied by top court Anti-Corruption Unit,” he said. ENIOR government TI Cambodia executive direc- Kim Sarom allowed bail because it could officials have disputed tor Pech Pisey said the survey affect social order and security. the results of a Trans- this time was conducted over THE Supreme Court has de- Therefore the court upholds the parency International the phone. The survey was dif- nied a bail request by union Appeal Court’s ruling,” she said. (TI)S survey that measured cor- ferent from before when peo- leader Rong Chhun follow- Choungy declined to com- ruption in Cambodia, saying it ple were interviewed directly. ing his November 11 trial on ment after the hearing. failed to reflect the realities. He further said the report charges of causing social cha- Chhun said that on July On November 24, TI Cam- was made independently by os in relation to his Facebook 20, he travelled to Trapeang bodia released a report on TI and that it can still be tak- posts about border markers Phlong commune’s Trapeang its 2020 global Corruption en as a basis to eliminate cor- in Tbong Khmum province. Phlong village in Tbong Kh- Perceptions Index which re- ruption in Cambodia. Judge Kim Sathavy read the mum’s Ponhea Kraek district flected the views and experi- “This study provides very decision in front of the ac- to ask 106 families about bor- ences of people concerning high integrity in ensuring that cused and his defence lawyer der matters. Citing their ac- corruption in 17 countries in questionnaires and questioning Chuong Choungy. counts, he said the planting Pech Pisey (right) defended the ‘high integrity of the survey. TI CAmbodia Asia, including Cambodia. are highly specific. The study is Choungy had argued Ch- of border markers in the prov- The Cambodian survey was when using some public ser- of people were asked ques- the least biased. I encourage the hun’s detention was not nec- ince had resulted in Cambo- conducted by TI Cambodia vices, with 89 per cent claim- tions and we don’t know what ministry [of interior] to check on essary because his client had dia losing 60ha to Vietnam. which claimed the Kingdom ing corruption among po- their political leanings are. the information in detail as they always cooperated with the In a Facebook post on July is still mired in corruption and lice officials and 72 per cent “Where are they from and represent opinions expressed police and the court. 21, Chhun said the authori- bribery, as were the 16 other claiming corruption in the how did they learn about cor- by the people,” he said. According to Sathavy, Chhun ties should give the remaing countries in Asia surveyed by TI. justice system and among rupt practices and the elements Pisey said while Cambodia is told the Supreme Court that land to people so that they can Cambodia fared poorly and government officials. of corruption?” he asked. experiencing a Covid-19 out- his detention is not justified grow crops. was in 16th place, just ahead “Some 37 per cent of inter- Malin urged TI Cambodia break, partial withdrawal of and has only drawn criticism. Chhun was arrested on July of India which was consid- viewees said they had to offer to provide a clear basis for its the EU’s Everything But Arms However, Sathavy said it 31 at his house. The munici- ered the most corrupt of all bribes in the past 12 months claims of corruption. He also (EBA) trade scheme and eco- was unlikely that the investi- pal court investigating judge the Asian countries surveyed. to receive public services. wanted more specific infor- nomic setbacks, a reduction of gating judge had handled the charged him with incitement But the findings also sug- “Among the respondents, 40 mation on the alleged offenc- corruption in the public sector case incorrectly. to cause social chaos under gested that corruption and per cent said they offered bribes es that were committed so is the most necessary. “The Supreme Court has de- articles 494 and 495 of the bribery in Cambodia had de- to obtain documents certifying that the relevant institutions On the positive side, the TI cided the charged person is not Criminal Code. creased from 40 per cent in identities while 38 per cent said can investigate them. That report said corruption and 2016 to 37 per cent this year. they bribed the police in gen- would be good, he said. bribery in Cambodia this year The TI Cambodia report – eral,” the report said. Government spokesman had decreased compared to which is based on a survey of However, Ministry of Jus- Phay Siphan echoed Malin and its three previous surveys. 1,000 Cambodians and the in- tice spokesman Chin Malin called the report dishonest and In 2013, the percentage of ternational survey which polled told The Post on Wednesday one that did not correspond to corruption in Cambodia was some 20,000 people in Asia that the result of the findings the realities in Cambodia. 57 per cent, in 2016 it was 40 – said corruption across the could not be taken seriously “If we look at the government’s per cent and this year it fell region had generally increased as it did not reflect the actual achievements, it is already be- again to 37 per cent. over the last 12 months. situation in Cambodia. ing recognised for combating The report noted that the peo- TI said corruption had im- “The report and the results corruption. The Anti-Corrup- ple still feared providing infor- pacted public services and of this survey cannot be taken tion Unit is doing its job. mation on corruption since only trust in Asian governments. as the basis to resolve prob- “At the same time, any per- 2.5 per cent of those who paid The report said Cambo- lems in Cambodia. This is be- sonal use of money and deci- bribes to obtain public services dians still faced corruption cause an anonymous group sions were made with transpar- reported such corruption. Judge says bail for Rong Chhun could affect social order. Hong Menea THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Herd of Asian elephants spotted in Mondulkiri Mom Kunthear headed, which means that cow He said in Cambodia today, elephants take the lead. Bulls there are between 400 and BOUT 14 out of some for the most part play a func- 600 Asian elephants, most of 100 Asian elephants tional role, that of increasing which live in the Cardamom were found in the the population in their territory, Mountains, the northern pla- southern part of the as South African Amelia Meyer teau of the Tonle Sap and the KeoA Seima Wildlife Sanctuary by describes in Elephants Forever eastern highlands of Mon- villagers in Pou Char village, – A Study of Elephants. dulkiri, which are rich in bio- Mondulkiri province. They were WCS said even though it is diversity. eating wild bamboo leaves, said rare seeing the elephants, it is Their sloped terrains are con- the Wildlife Conservation Society- estimated that there are about ducive to the life of elephants Cambodia Programme (WCS). 100 of them living in the Keo and other wildlife, he said. It “Villagers spotted the herd Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. It is said that 71 elephants have while they were harvesting also estimated that the large been domesticated. The shadow theatre (Sbek Thom) has a long history in Cambodia. hong menea forest produce. They then ran herd of elephants are healthy “The government, through to climb trees for safety and and have a long line of de- the environment ministry, even recorded the elephants’ scendants, which is rare. has expanded its efforts to or- Kingdom celebrates 15th year of activities on video. Ministry of Environment ganise and plan activities to “There were at least 14 bulls, secretary of state and spokes- conserve Asian elephants. cows and calves. They seem man Neth Pheaktra said that “The Action Plan for the UNESCO shadow theatre listing to be in good health. Normal- over the last 10 years in Cam- Conservation of Asian El- ly, each herd is led by the old- bodia, poaching of Asian ele- ephants is for 10 years from Orm Bunthoeurn Thom), also called Nang Sbek this year because of Covid-19. est cow elephant. The herd phants for their ivory and tail 2020-2029. It identifies six Thom, is a kind of shadow art But he said the ministry had includes relatives, calves and due to traditional beliefs had priority issues,” he said. PRIME Minister Hun Sen ex- that uses leather carvings to posted a video on the shadow bull elephants,” said WCS. dropped dramatically due to Pheaktra said they are to re- pressed his congratulations create a scene. The carvings art on its Facebook page for Elephant herds are matriarch- strict law enforcement. duce habitat loss, conserve and on the 15th anniversary of the represent deities and most people to share. reconnect corridors and herds shadow theatre (Sbek Thom) are in the Brahmanism style. The video clip features 90 Sbek of wild elephants, strengthen being listed by UNESCO as Shadow theatre has been Thom skins used to perform the law enforcement, prevent an intangible work of cultural around since Brahmanism art. The skins were sponsored wild elephants from being do- heritage. came to Khmer territory. The by Queen Mother Norodom mesticated, alleviate conflicts “The shadow theatre [Sbek art is performed only in two Monineath Sihanouk. between wild elephants and Thom] has a long history in or three ceremonies each Ponnasirivath said the anni- humans, and educate, dissem- the Kingdom of Cambodia. year, including the Khmer versary celebrates conservation inate and launch strategic ac- It is recognised and valued New Year, the King’s birthday work. Cultural properties listed tions to address those issues. by the world as a human and coronation, or the wor- by UNESCO do not only belong He said the $40.5 million treasure and was recognised ship of famous figures. It is to Khmer people but are of val- estimated budget for the 10- by UNESCO in 2005. It is a rarely performed in public. ue to humanity and the world. year-action plan to conserve source of national pride,” he Ministry of Culture and “This work is a source of pride Asian elephants is expected said in a Facebook post mark- Fine Arts spokesman Long for our country. People must to come from a combination ing the UNESCO inscription Ponnasirivath told The Post protect and enhance the tradi- of government, NGOs and on November 25. on November 25 the ministry tion, and improve upon it to The 14 elephants were spotted at Keo Seima Sanctuary. WCS development partners. The shadow theatre (Sbek is not hosting a celebration ensure its longevity,” he said. Wing facilitates cash out for Bakong users Through Wing, Bakong users can now conveniently cash out funds from 18 banks nationwide.

ustomers of Bakong’s bank Meng, chairman of Wing. partners can now transfer “It’s the first time ever that such funds with ease through an innovative financial infrastructure Wing’s nationwide financial is in place to connect banks, financial system.C institutions, and payment service Launched in late October, Bakong providers for every Cambodian,” said is an innovative blockchain based Manu Rajan, the CEO of Wing. inter-bank platform enabling fluid “Through this partner- payments between traditional ship, we can facilitate banks and other financial even more instant and institutions in Cambodia. Pio- convenient digital fund neered by the National Cam- transfers and payments bodia Bank (NBC) to unify the between diverse organi- digital financial landscape, sations. With Bakong, Bakong promises to enhance customers of all partner the efficiency and safety of banks will now be able to payments, boost finan- use the country- cial inclusion and wide network of promote cashless Wing Agents to transactions in the cash out their national currency, money,” he The National Bank of Cambodia launched Bakong, the next generation payment system, in October. the riel. added. “Over the past For institutions, users will be able to Bakong to their Wing wallets and use Bakong’s bank partners.” 12 years, Wing individual receive and transfer funds to friends, any Wing agents across the country On a broader perspective, this has stayed true users, Bakong family members and business part- to cash it out. translates to greater convenience for to our vision of redefines mo- ners anytime, anywhere in Cambodia. The NBC is advancing the Cam- customers as they can now access the providing every bile payment Today customers of all participat- bodian fintech landscape with a Wing network of more than 8,200 Cambodian with and banking ing organisations can transfer funds national digital currency, and as one Wing Cash Xpress agents located mobile financial by combining a by scanning QR codes, keying in of the largest digital financial service anywhere from the capital Phnom services that improve number of bank- phone numbers or just selecting providers in the country, Wing is Penh to every district in the Kingdom their daily lives. ing and financial recipients from their contact list. doing its part to make this effort a and vice versa to facilitate all Bakong With this joint services into one Bakong users can choose from any success. transactions. force of Wing and platform. Since financial institutions within Bakong’s “Bakong and Wing are joining to Eighteen financial institutions Bakong we will this digital network to transfer funds between drive Cambodia’s financial ecosys- nationwide are now members of Ba- push that vision currency can one to another, all of which can be tem to a new level of development,” kong. New users can find the Bakong even further,” easily travel double-checked in the user’s private Manu said. “For us, that means app in the App Store, Google Play said Neak between transaction history. Once transferred, opening our convenient cash-in and store, or through the Bakong website Oknha Kith Chairman of Wing Neak Oknha Kith Meng. people and the user can transfer the funds via cash out services for all customers of athttps://bakong.nbc.org.kh a l Advertori 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,061 1.3047 6.5657 103.77 4.0905 1.3414 30.29 0.7334 1.1876 1.3376 JD health unit E-Commerce Strategy launched mulling $3.5B

Hin Pisei realising Cambodia’s vi- Hong Kong IPO sion to become an upper HE medical arm of Chinese AMBODIA offi- middle-income country by e-commerce giant JD.com is cially launched the 2030 and a high-income Tlooking to raise up to $3.5 bil- E-Commerce Strat- country by 2050.” lion through a Hong Kong initial pub- egy on November He added the strategy was lic offering (IPO), in what would be 25C in a bid to achieve and drawn up at the right time, Asia’s biggest ever healthcare listing, drive forward competitive just over a year since the E- a report said on November 25. growth in trade and eco- Commerce Law went into JD Health International’s share sale nomic terms and aid in its effect. comes after its parent raised around pursuit of becoming an up- But he warned that the $4 billion in the city this year and per middle-income country success of the E-Commerce comes as it sees a rise in demand for by 2030 and a high-income Strategy hinges on the active its services during the pandemic. country by 2050. involvement of the Minis- The firm, China’s biggest online This comes timely as the tries of Posts and Telecom- healthcare platform and retail phar- government passed the E- munications; and Industry, macy according to its prospectus, is Commerce Law on November Science, Technology and In- looking to sell 381.9 million shares 2, 2019, as a response to the novation, other institutions, at HK$62.80-HK$70.60 each, rais- rapid development of e-com- as well as the private sector. ing as much as HK$27 billion ($3.5 merce and online shopping. Cambodia Chamber of billion), Bloomberg News said. The law aims to regulate Commerce vice-president That would value the company at as electronic businesses based Lim Heng told The Post much as $28.5 billion. It is aiming to in the Kingdom and enable on November 25 that the list on December 8, AFP understands. local small and medium-sized E-Commerce Strategy is a Hong Kong has seen a spate of IPOs enterprises (SMEs) to inte- Cambodia officially launched the E-Commerce Strategy on Wednesday. hong menea multifaceted boon for doing this year, delivering a shot in the arm grate into value chains linked business in the Kingdom and for the financial hub after a turbulent to domestic and international digital technology is key in building for the Kingdom’s brought to the fore the vital would only sweeten its allure couple of years that have been blighted markets, the Ministry of Com- sharpening the competitive SMEs, he said. role that e-commerce can play to international investors. by sometimes-violent democracy pro- merce said in a prakas. edge of commercial enter- “The e-commerce law in the pandemic and beyond. He stressed that the general tests, the coronavirus and fallout from The strategy comprises 10 prises, promoting produc- serves as an important legal At the same time, it has migration to electronic sys- China’s new national security law. chapters – strategy, policy tivity, augmenting exports, basis for the development highlighted the need for tems would cut down on over- JD.com’s sale in June came around and institutional coordina- creating jobs and reinforcing of e-commerce, especially new, efficient and highly ly-complicated procedures the same time as another tech firm, tion; legal and regulatory national economic growth. to protect the interests and competitive business mod- and save time and money. NetEase, raised $2.7 billion and fol- frameworks; SME regula- Having embarked on a build high-trust relation- els – for now and in the “The E-Commerce Strate- lowed Beijing-Shanghai High Speed tions; information and com- long-term vision to reap the ships with e-consumers, as post-Covid-19 era – which gy will make things easier for Railway’s $4.3 billion listing in January. munications technology fruits of Industry 4.0 and the well as to entice local and use digital technology that investors, and, of note, will However, the share market was (ICT) infrastructure; digital innovation-driven modern foreign investors to come adapts to the digital eco- make them more transpar- dealt a blow earlier this month when knowledge infrastructure; age, he said the government and invest in Cambodia. nomic environment and ent for everyone,” Heng said. Ant Group, the financial arm of JD payment systems; domes- of the Sixth Legislature of the “This is a newly-emergent market demand conditions. Preparation of the strategy rival Alibaba, was forced to pull its tic e-commerce logistics; National Assembly has dem- sector, but it has tremen- Sorasak said: “The strate- was funded by the Geneva, world-record $35 billion listing under cross-border trade; access onstrated its readiness to de- dous potential to generate gic document will be a major Switzerland-based global pressure from Chinese authorities. to finance; and trade infor- velop a digital economy. new sources of growth for driver of national economic development programme JD Health’s total revenue rose to mation and market support. It has put in place policy the Cambodian economy,” development, especially for Enhanced Integrated Frame- 8.8 billion yuan ($1.34 billion) in the Speaking at the launch, which aims to, among other Sorasak said. Cambodia’s transformation work for Trade-Related Assis- first half of this year from five billion Minister Pan Sorasak said things, develop domestic Covid-19 has strained the into a digital economy going tance for the Least Developed yuan in the same period last year, it that, in the context of the industry, diversify the econ- economies of every coun- forward. Countries (EIF), according to said in its prospectus. AFP fourth industrial revolution, omy and prop up capacity try across the globe and has “It will bring us closer to the commerce ministry. 7-Eleven still plans Cambodia stores Broadband provider Thou Vireak entire 2020, having opened 513 stripped of licences in the first nine months of this BANGKOK-listed 7-Eleven year, according to The Nation. Thou Vireak owed to the government,” the franchise operator CP All Plc Currently operating 12,225 ministry said. on November 24 reiterated 7-Eleven outlets in Thailand, THE Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Regu- that its plan to launch the US- CP All has said it will invest be- Telecommunications has lator of Cambodia spokesman based convenience store in tween 11.5 and 12 billion baht stripped broadband commu- Im Vutha told The Post last Cambodia and Laos next year ($380 and $396 million) this nications provider Chuan Wei month: “Generally, all opera- is still in motion. year to open new stores, reno- (Cambodia) Co Ltd of three tors have an obligation to self- It voiced its firm commit- vate existing branches and licences for breaching terms. declare their revenues and ment to adhering to its original launch new projects, it said. The ministry listed the licences taxes to the state every year. gameplan despite its indirect According to 7-Eleven Inc, as – Voice over Internet Protocol “Most of the operators that subsidiaries CP All (Cambodia) CP All was set up in 1988 to (VoIP), 4G mobile service, and fail to comply with our regu- Co Ltd and CP All (Laos) Co Ltd operate 7-Eleven branches in submarine fibre-optic cable. lations fall into the category warning of the rocky road ahead Thailand under an exclusive On November 24, it said it of ISPs and VoIP service pro- with Covid-19 hanging on. The US-based convenience store giant reiterated its commitment to licensing agreement with it. would allow the company, viders.” Vutha said. CP All Cambodia and CP All operations in Cambodia and Laos next year. afp It noted that the first store which operates under the brand On October 21, the ministry Laos have each been granted “The master franchisee country once Covid-19 eases. in Thailand opened in the “Wizion”, to keep its Internet announced it had revoked the franchising rights for 30 plans to construct stores, mod- He said CP All aims to hire capital the following year, Service Provider (ISP) licence if licences of 16 telecoms opera- years in the establishment ernising the small-retail envi- local staff to do its share in and that the country is sec- it settles its outstanding debts tors and suspended that of an- and operation of 7-Eleven ronment and bringing greater improving the lives of Cam- ond only to Japan in number to the government. other, citing failure to comply branches, according to Thai- convenience to shoppers, bodians and shoring up com- of shops, followed by South It issued a broad warning that with obligations. land’s The Nation. backed by the world’s largest munity development. Korea and the US. it would “take action and revoke Vutha noted that the cat- In a press release accompa- convenience retailing brand. “The company promised On the Stock Exchange the licences of any telecoms op- egories of the licences were nying its signing of a master “Cambodia will be the 19th us that they will feature of Thailand, CP All’s share erators who fail to abide by their those for mobile operators, franchise agreement on May 7 country where 7-Eleven stores Cambodian-made products price dipped one baht (3.30 terms or comply with the laws. ISPs and broadband wireless with CP All Cambodia, Texas- operate or will operate soon.” on the shelves of 7-Elevens US cents) or 1.59 per cent to “[This can be due to pro- access (BWA) providers. based 7-Eleven Inc said: “The Cambodian ambassador to in Cambodia . . . [and] Thai- close at 62.00 baht ($2.04) longed] inactivity, incorrect Other types included those first Cambodian 7-Eleven- Thailand Ouk Sorphorn told land,” said Sorphorn. on Wednesday for a market self-reported income data, for VoIP service providers, pro- branded convenience store is The Post on November 25 In Thailand, the company is capitalisation of 556.95 bil- insufficient financial or tech- viders of network systems, and expected to open in Phnom that CP All was sure to open forging on with plans to open lion baht, with 40.99 million nical documentation, un- satellite positioning and navi- Penh in 2021. the convenience stores in the an additional 700 stores in the shares traded. settled debts, or unpaid levies gation services, he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Businesses, policymakers in VN discuss taxation, customs VIETNAM’S business leaders and policymakers reviewed the latest administrative and regulatory changes in taxation and customs during a meeting on November 24 in Hanoi. Deputy Minister of Finance Vu Thi Mai said her ministry has been seeking to facilitate busi- ness activities, especially in tax and customs procedures. Administrative reforms have been implemented in recent years to modernise the coun- try’s tax code and manage- ment of import/export activi- ties in accordance with Vietnam’s business leaders and policymakers review the latest changes in taxation and customs during a meeting in Hanoi on Tuesday. SUPPLIED Vehicle insurance premiums in the first nine months shot up seven per cent year-on-year. HEAN RANGSEY international treaties and standards. Regulatory bodies to issue e-invoices in Hanoi over instances in which officials’ have strived for greater effi- and Ho Chi Minh City. The misconducts may cause busi- ciency and transparency to next step is to implement it nesses to suffer damage to their support businesses in coping nationwide from July 2022. reputation or finances and what Revenue in insurance with the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the General measures could be taken for One of the ministry’s top pri- Department of Vietnam Cus- firms to seek remedies. ority is to complete the imple- toms has made significant The VCCI said it planned to mentation of Viet Nam’s one- progress in upgrading its auto- collect feedback and sugges- sector outstrips $200M door national portal, which mated customs services and tions from businesses for a aims to help business signifi- streamlining protocols, saving report, which will be compiled Hin Pisei the rate of growth enjoyed Plc, which operates under the cantly reduce the amount of businesses time and money and submitted to Prime Min- by the sector between 2018 brand “BIMA Cambodia”, said money and time spent on while reducing clearance time. ister Nguyen Xuan Phuc once HE insurance sector in and last year, and that total the pandemic had been par- administrative procedures, Vietnam Chamber of Com- a month for reviews to address Cambodia earned enrolment in individual in- ticularly harsh on her com- particularly import/export merce and Industry (VCCI) vice- the most pressing issues faced $201.7 million in pre- surance plans had fallen. pany given that most clients businesses, according to Mai. chairman Hoang Quang Phong by the business sector. miums in the first nine He said: “The negative con- are factory workers and small To date, the portal can process said it’s important for the customs The finance ministry said it monthsT of this year, climbing sequences of Covid-19 have businesses, many of whom nearly 200 administrative pro- and tax departments to work has appointed senior officers 8.2 per cent from the $186.3 mil- cut across all sectors, but the have lost their income. cedures and allow businesses to closely with the business com- from the general departments lion logged in the same time last insurance sector in Cambodia She said: “Bearing in mind file their tax applications elec- munity to identify inefficiencies. of taxation and customs to fol- year, the Insurance Association remains in the green zone, just that BIMA Cambodia is a tronically in a network that At the event, businesses low up with questions and of Cambodia (IAC) reported. not as high as it used to be.” small insurance company includes 55 commercial banks. raised concerns over officials’ concerns raised by businesses Of that, general and life insur- Forte Insurance (Cambodia) with a majority of low-income A report by the ministry said responsibility and accountabil- during the forum. ance premiums came to $87.9 Plc group CEO Youk Cham- clients, fallout from the Covid- 97.6 per cent have used the ity for their audits, including The meeting is an annual and $109.8 million, surging 18.2 roeunrith said his company 19 crisis was inevitable.” portal to pay their taxes. The those that may later turn out to event organised by the minis- and 2.8 per cent year-on-year netted 17 per cent more in Kim Tol said her com- General Department of Taxa- be wrongful or unlawful. try and the VCCI. VIET NAM NEWS/ from $74.4 and $106.8 million. insurance premiums over the pany’s premiums fell by tion has piloted a programme They also voiced concerns ASIA NEWS NETWORK Micro-insurance premi- first nine months of this year between five and seven per ums were to the tune of $4.1 than in the year-ago period. cent year-on-year in the first million, tumbling 21.7 per But he pointed out that nine months of this year. cent year-on-year, IAC said. this was three percentage IAC said it currently com- The sub-segments of gen- points less than the growth prises 31 insurance compa- eral insurance also saw year- seen last year from the cor- nies – 15 general insurers, 10 on-year gains in premiums responding period in 2018. life insurers, five micro-insur- for the period from January- He said travel, transporta- ers and one reinsurer. September – marine, air- tion, real estate and construc- The insurance sector paid out craft and transport (35.3 per tion insurance were the hard- around $21.7 million in claims cent), health (21.5 per cent), est hit by Covid-19, whereas in the first nine months of this fire (15.9 per cent), vehicle health and vehicle insurance year, it said. General, life and (seven per cent), other (15.1 were still going strong. micro insurance accounted for per cent), it said. He noted that premium $16.1, $4.7 and $0.75 million. IAC president Huy Vatharo income on individual insur- The sector earned $245.8 told The Post on November ance policies logged a sharp million in premiums last 24 that the insurance market decline over the period. year, up from $196.4 million remains on a positive track, Am Kim Tol, CEO of Milvik in 2018 and $151.6 million in but that Covid-19 impeded (Cambodia) Micro Insurance 2017, it added. Future hinges on ‘good vaccine news’ Continued from page 1 Iata forecasts incorporate a international level in particu- vaccine becoming available by lar, systematic testing for the implacable,” Iata director- mid-2021. virus was required. general Alexandre de Juniac Iata finance director Brian Many airports have installed said in a statement. Pearce told a news briefing on testing centres where passen- “Borders must reopen with- November 24 that “good news” gers can undergo rapid anti- out quarantine measures so regarding vaccines against the gen tests or more accurate that passengers can take the virus “makes us more confi- molecular tests, such as RT- plane again,” de Juniac said. dent” about the future. PCR tests, depending on what “The companies will have to He did not expect a return to is required by their country of continue to draw on their normal traffic levels before destination. reserves until at least the fourth 2024, however. According to an Iata study, if quarter of 2021,” he added. Air traffic essentially ground systematic testing was carried Iata has pressed govern- to a halt in April before picking out before departure, the risk ments for months to introduce up a bit in June, especially on of an infected person boarding virus testing before departure domestic routes. a plane would be 0.06 per cent, to do away with the need for In September, it declined or 12 undetected cases for up to 14-day quarantine peri- again as a second wave of the every 20,000 passengers. ods on arrival, saying the virus emerged and govern- It is working on an applica- change would allow airlines to ments again took preventive tion that would create a digital get back to business without measures that included border health passport to guarantee compromising safety. closings and quarantines. the authenticity of tests and “Longer-term, the widespread Airlines have benefited from vaccination certificates. availability of Covid-19 vaccina- $160 billion in financial aid The Australian airline Qan- tions should enable borders to this year to withstand the cri- tas has already said that once remain open without testing or sis, and are now seeking a sec- a vaccine is available, it will restriction, but the timeline for ond round of $70-80 billion. require international travellers vaccine availability is uncer- Iata emphasised that to get to provide proof of inocula- tain,” its statement noted. things moving again, on an tion. AFP 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Property Century 21 chair sets aim high Ministry says real estate inventories for Kingdom’s property market in VN on the wane the country’s real estate market continues to evolve. INVENTORIES in the Viet- censed tourism and resort BUSINESS namese real estate market estate projects in July-Sep- How has Covid-19 affected have been on the decrease tember sharply decreased by INSIDER the real estate sector here thanks to increasing liquidi- 46.7 per cent from the previ- this year and what are your ty, according to the Ministry ous quarter. Cambodia’s real estate sec- expectations for 2021? of Construction. However, the number of tor is set to bounce back at a First, it should be clarified The ministry recently an- such projects licensed in the blistering pace after this year’s that Cambodia wasn’t the nounced a report on the central region surged with 37 Covid-19 slowdown in growth, only one struggling to contain country’s housing and prop- new projects, six times higher according to newly-appointed the disease this year. erty market in the third quar- than the previous quarter. Century 21 Cambodia chair- I have learned from my col- ter of this year. In the third quarter, the man Richard W Davidson. leagues at Century 21 Cam- Statistics from the ministry country had 49 resort proj- Davidson, a 30-year real estate bodia that sales of property showed that the total estate ects with 3,772 condotels, veteran and industry thought priced above $2 million have inventories of listed property 3,505 tourism villas and 48 leader, spent more than 10 years seen a bit of a drop during this firms in Hanoi and Ho Chi officetel apartments. working as president and CEO time due to travel restrictions Minh City (HCMC) by the end Notably, no resort projects of US-based global iconic brand that have limited the inflow of of this year were estimated at in the south were licensed in and franchisor Century 21 Real potential buyers from coun- 18.8 trillion dong ($810 mil- the third quarter. Meanwhile, Estate LLC, which operates in tries like Japan and China. lion). The inventories have the region had 78 projects li- more than 84 countries and ter- But transactions for property been mainly in the high-end censed for resort property in ritories around the world. priced below $2 million have segment, condotel, resettle- Kien Giang province alone. The previous holder of the po- been business-as-usual, thanks ment houses and projects The central region contin- sition was Kuy Vat, who is also to Cambodians with a surplus located far from the city cen- ued to be the bright spot in the owner of VTrust Group Co of cash that continue to buy tres and lack of synchronous the market segment despite Ltd and the master franchiser property for land banking. infrastructure. the Covid-19 pandemic. for Century 21 Cambodia. Construction project ap- “However, investor num- There were 44 new proj- Davidson sat down with provals are still on the rise bers have been gradually ris- ects in the region with 3,440 The Post’s May Kunmakara this year and almost all mega- ing from the beginning of the condotels and 3,484 tourism for an exclusive interview to project constructions are pro- year,” the ministry said. villas while other 91 projects discuss his views on the King- gressing actively. The ministry added that fig- were under construction with dom’s real estate sector and his I think the Cambodian real ures from 56 out of 63 cities and 18,652 condotels and 6,065 strategy to lead the national estate market will bounce provinces showed there were tourism villas. master franchise. back next year, buoyed by a 36,884 successful transactions The northern region saw soon-to-be-available vaccine in the real estate market in the stability without big changes What led you to choose Cam- Newly-minted Century 21 Cambodia chairman Richard W Davidson. third quarter of the year. SUPPLIED and easing international trav- as the number of resort proj- bodia over other countries el restrictions. Hanoi and HCMC posted ects slightly reduced from the where Century 21 operates? ing economies in the world. brand and real estate market in It should be noted that, even 2,966 and 6,722 transactions previous quarter. Well, it was brought to my Cambodia’s investment cli- such a prosperous country. during the period, our Century respectively in the third There were five projects attention that Phnom Penh mate is earning the trust of in- 21 Cambodia offices still re- quarter, up 119 per cent and with 332 condotels, 46 of- has seen rapid growth in the ternational investors, and as a Now in your new position, what ceived a lot of enquiries from 70.6 per cent from the previ- ficetels and 21 tourism villas past five years, especially its result, they see opportunity here is your goal for Century 21 clients that seek opportunities ous quarter. licensed in the third quarter, real estate market where the in the fast-growing economy. Cambodia and its affiliates? to invest in Cambodia. They The successful property down one project from the construction of high-rises is My wife and I visited Cam- My goal is to lead on mul- have the capital and see Cam- transactions were mainly in previous quarter. skyrocketing. bodia last year and I’ve had a tiple fronts, leveraging my bodia as a place to generate the mid-end segment while The tourism sector saw re- This rapid growth in the chance to learn of its rich his- global network and leadership profit from real estate business- the number of high-end es- covery signs in the end of the Cambodian capital is similar tory, accompanied by the very skills to advance a clear stra- es and are ready to inject funds tate transactions fell from the second quarter and the be- to New York’s dating back to warm welcome we received tegic vision and propel this into the Cambodian market. previous quarter. ginning of the third quarter 15 years ago. Over the two from the Cambodian people. organisation forward through The ministry said the in- this year as the government past decades, Cambodia’s So, when Mr Kuy Vat asked the next stage of growth, while Where do you see Cambodian creasing number of prop- launched the tourism stimu- economy has sustained an me to take the role as chairman solidifying our position as the real estate in five years and erty transactions in the third lus package, making the num- average annual growth rate of of Century 21 Cambodia, I was country’s largest real estate beyond? quarter was because prop- ber of local tourists surge. around seven per cent, mak- humbled and excited to be part organisation that Cambodi- In five years’ time, Cambo- erty developers have quickly However, the second wave ing it one of the fastest-grow- of the continued growth of the ans, Southeast Asians and the dia will be much more devel- adapted to the new context of Covid-19 in July continued world can trust and rely on. oped and the real estate sec- while closely following the to cause shocks for the hotel With years of experiences and tor will be more booming. In government’s support poli- and resort segments. know-how at the global stage Phnom Penh, Boeung Keng cies after social distancing. The real estate trading ac- of the real estate industry, I be- Kang (BKK) district will re- In addition, tourism and tivities nationwide have seen lieve I will be able to draw back main an outstanding Central resort areas have resumed improvements with positive the curtain by bringing more Business District (CBD) with operations and used promo- signs. There would be stron- potential investors to come a lot of high-rises. tional programmes to attract ger recovery in the market and seek investments in Cam- At the same time, Tuol Kork local tourists. in the year-end months, the bodia’s real estate market. will come closer to becoming The ministry’s report also ministry said. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA the second (CBD) in Phnom revealed the number of li- NEWS NETWORK How do you think your world- Penh as the district is devel- class knowledge and experi- oped at a faster pace. The dis- ences will benefit the King- trict is now very quickly shift- dom’s real estate sector? ing from residential areas to The professionalism of the commercial zones with more Century 21 Cambodia’s bro- supermarkets, retail business- kers and agents has already es and high-rises springing up. reached high levels. And the While the asking price of land service provided to custom- in Tuol Kork was just $1,850 ers has set the standards that per sqm in 2018, that price has the rest of the industry needs now jumped to $3,500. to strive for. So, five years from now, The works being undertaken Phnom Penh will be more de- by Century 21 Cambodia to veloped with more high-rises, bring great opportunity and im- and many potential provinces prove access to would-be real will boast additional develop- estate consumers are innova- ment projects such as holi- tive and well able to continue to day-villa homes, resorts and drive the marketplace forward. many other such projects. I could not be more proud to Land prices in some major play a role in progressing the provinces are set to see a two- growth and development of or three-fold increase within Century 21 Cambodia, of which the next five years. I have been appointed as chair- man, allowing me to play a part This interview has been edited In the third quarter, Vietnam had 49 resort projects with 3,772 condotels, in the company’s leadership as for length and clarity. 3,505 tourism villas and 48 officetel apartments.VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY

10 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com World Biden says team ‘ready to lead world’ resident-elect vowed to pursue cooperation Joe Biden on Novem- around the world, saying the ber 24 introduced a US cannot solve global prob- seasoned national lems on its own. securityP team which he said He said: “We have to pro- was prepared to resume US ceed with equal measures of leadership of the world once humility and confidence. Donald Trump leaves the “As the president-elect said, White House. we can’t solve all of the world’s The six women and men problems alone. We need to he has chosen to be his key be working with other coun- diplomats and intelligence tries, we need their coopera- advisers said they would im- tion. We need their partner- plement a return to multilat- ship.” eralism, global cooperation Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and fighting climate change Biden’s choice to be the after four years of Trump’s go- next ambassador to the UN, it-alone policies. echoed those sentiments. “It’s a team that will keep “I want to say to you – Amer- our country and our people ica is back. Multilateralism is safe and secure,” Biden said, back. Diplomacy is back,” she US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday introduced a seasoned national security team he said was prepared to resume US leadership of the introducing his picks for sec- said. world after the departure of President Donald Trump. AFP retary of state, national secu- “The challenges we face – rity adviser, intelligence chief, a global pandemic, a global John Kerry, who Biden chose the Paris pact he helped ne- not enough,” he said to Biden. All three pledged to main- homeland security and other economy, the global climate as his special envoy on cli- gotiate was not enough to Biden also introduced Cu- tain an environment of pro- key cabinet jobs. change crisis, mass migration mate change, confirmed the fight global warming, and ban-born Alejandro Mayork- fessionalism among the gov- “It’s a team that reflects and extreme poverty, social new administration would called on November 24 for a as, tapped to become Home- ernment officials they will the fact that America is back. justice – are unrelenting and bring the US back into the UN conference in Glasgow land Security secretary; Avril oversee, obliquely referring Ready to lead the world, not interconnected, but they’re Paris climate accord after next year to push for more. Haines as director of national to the politicisation of much retreat from it,” Biden said. not unresolvable if America is Trump pulled out of the land- “You’re right to rejoin Paris intelligence, and Jake Sullivan of government work that left Antony Blinken, Biden’s leading the way.” mark 2015 deal. on day one. And you’re right as his White House national much of the bureaucracy choice for secretary of state, Former secretary of state But Kerry also warned that to recognise that Paris alone is security adviser. dispirited under Trump. AFP Huthis give UN green light France to ease lockdown as for tanker repair mission world readies for vaccines Huthi rebels in Yemen have France on November 24 was set to become the could start a vaccination campaign in January. agreed to a UN mission to latest country to ease coronavirus restrictions The government in Spain, one of the worst hit inspect and repair the aban- in the run-up to Christmas, as Russia joined in countries in Europe, also said vaccinations could doned fuel tanker Safer – cur- a flurry of encouraging announcements about start in January and care home residents would rently anchored off Hodeida and possible vaccines. have priority, followed by medical workers. at risk of causing an oil spill – the In an evening television address, French Pres- Even once a vaccine becomes available, any UN said on November 24. ident Emmanuel Macron was also expected to return to normality for a global economy rav- The operation could begin by announce a strategy for procuring vaccines as aged by the pandemic seems a long way off. late January or early February, world governments scramble to put together a The boss of Australia’s Qantas airline, Alan the UN spokesman said. complex and lengthy vaccination programme. Joyce, on November 24 said proof of vaccination The UN has been trying to “We will see a slight relaxing of the lockdown,” will likely become the only way people will be assess and secure the ship for Prime Minister Jean Castex told leaders of allowed to fly. years, but the Iran-backed Macron’s La Republique En Marche (LREM) Aviation has been particularly hard-hit, with Huthis – who control much of party hours before the president’s primetime the global industry body International Air Trans- Yemen’s north – have so far appearance, participants told AFP. port Association (Iata) estimating that airline denied the international body Hopes over Covid-19 vaccines have given a revenue this year will plunge 60 per cent. access as the country has fought boost to virus-weary citizens across the globe in a bloody civil war since 2014. recent days, as well as pushing up stock mar- Easing rules for Christmas Stephane Dujarric said dur- kets. Despite greater vaccine optimism, the world ing his daily press conference: Yemeni mourners bring coffins during the funeral of pro-Huthi fighters The Dow surged past 30,000 points for the first is still engulfed in the unprecedented health killed in battles in Yemen on Tuesday in the capital Sanaa. AFP “We have now received an offi- time ever on November 24 as receding US polit- crisis which has infected almost 58.9 million cial letter [from the Huthis] on important step forward in this trous environmental and ical uncertainty and hopes for virus vaccines people and left nearly 1.4 million dead since the Saturday [November 21], indi- critical work. humanitarian consequences offset worries over spiking Covid-19 cases. virus emerged in China late last year. cating their approval for the “The objective of the UN mis- – it is only about 60km from the Near 1630 GMT, the Dow Jones Industrial Aver- But an easing in infection rates in parts of UN proposals for the planned sion is to assess the vessel and nearest inhabited areas. age was up 1.4 per cent to 30,000.08. Europe – still the worst-affected region in the expert mission to the tanker. undertake initial maintenance Apart from corrosion to the world – has led some countries to start announc- “We still have to work out the as well as to formulate recom- ageing vessel, essential work to Care homes first in line ing a cautious easing of restrictions. exact deployment timeline mendations on what further curb explosive gases in its stor- But the disease remains rampant and world Germany’s 16 states have also agreed to slight- because it’s going to depend on action is required to neutralise age tanks has been neglected leaders are urging people to be patient. ly loosen limits on social contact over Christmas, the market availability of the the risk of an oil spill.” for years. In Brussels, the EU announced it was conclud- according to a draft deal seen by AFP. required equipment,” he said. The 45-year-old floating stor- The UN has said an oil spill ing a sixth contract to reserve doses – this time State leaders agreed to cap gatherings to 10 Asked how this plan is different age and offloading unit (FSO) could be “catastrophic”, for up to 160 million from US giant Moderna. people over the December 23 to January 1 holiday from the one the Huthis agreed Safer, abandoned near the destroying Red Sea ecosystems, “Every member state will receive it at the same – double the limit for the rest of December. to in July, Dujarric stressed that western port of Hodeida since shutting down the fishing time on a pro rata basis,” European Commission The measures mark a compromise on the the new accord, reached on 2015, has 1.1 million barrels of industry and closing Yemen’s president Ursula von der Leyen said. politically charged issue for Europe’s largest November 21, is more formal. crude on board, and a rupture lifeline Hodeida port for six Austria said it would acquire more than 16 economy, where some less-affected regions had He said: “It represents an or explosion would have disas- months. AFP million doses of the vaccine through the EU and called for lighter restrictions. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 ASEAN Nearly 360 Twelve Thai pro-democracy leaders VN citizens summoned over royal defamation repatriated welve Thai pro- ing sent the 12 summons, it from US democracy protest will bring out more people to leaders have been [November 25’s] rally,” Parit Nearly 360 Vietnamese citi- summoned by po- told AFP. zens in the US were flown home liceT to answer charges of royal “Does this mean the mon- aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight defamation, the first use of archy has declared an all-out on November 22-23. the law in almost three years, war with the people, is that The passengers included as Bangkok gears up for an- right?” children under 18, the elderly, other major rally. Protesters last week an- people with illnesses, students Prime Minister Prayut nounced that they would ral- without accommodation, and Chan-o-cha last week gave ly outside the headquarters of others in extremely disadvan- the green light for authorities the Crown Property Bureau taged circumstances. to lay lese majeste charges, on November 25. The Vietnamese embassy in which bar any criticism of the But overnight they flagged the country sent staff to the royal family, against demon- that they would switch the airport to assist the passengers strators who could now face protest to the main office of with boarding procedures. up to 15 years in prison. the Siam Commercial Bank – In-flight safety and preven- Thailand has for months in which the king is a major tive measures against the been rocked by youth-led shareholder – to avoid poten- Covid-19 pandemic were rig- protests demanding a new tial clashes with a rival ultra orously enforced to protect the constitution, reform of the royalist rally. passengers’ health and prevent untouchable monarchy, and Soon after coming to power the spread of the disease. for Prayut to resign. following his father’s death in Upon arrival at the Danang Tensions in the Thai capital 2016, the new king took con- International Airport in the are rising – officers deployed trol of the Crown Property central city of the same name, water cannon and tear gas at Bureau which has assets in all passengers and crew mem- a rally outside parliament last banks, companies and prime bers received medical check- week, with 55 people injured Thailand has for months been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, reform of the real estate. ups and were sent to quaran- untouchable monarchy, and for the prime minister to resign. AFP and six shot in scuffles with The bureau’s board was pre- tine in line with regulations. royalists. The source of the harshest royal defamation since early 2018 – anyone – among them human rights viously headed by the finance The repatriation of Viet- gunfire is under investiga- laws in the world. It is rou- convicted of defaming, insult- lawyer Anon Numpha, Pan- minister in an arrangement namese citizens in disadvan- tion. tinely interpreted to include ing or threatening the king, upong “Mike” Jaadnok and that gave a sheen of public taged circumstances abroad Anti-royal graffiti was also any criticism of the monarchy queen or heir faces between prominent student leaders oversight to a trust some ex- will continue to be conducted daubed around police head- – including content posted or three and 15 years in prison Panusaya “Rung” Sithijira- perts estimate is worth $30- in line with their wishes, the quarters in central Bangkok, shared on social media. on each count. wattanakul and Parit “Pen- $60 billion. developments of the Covid- and demonstrators threw Under Section 112 of Thai- Thai Lawyers for Human guin” Chiwarak. The full assets are privately 19 pandemic, and quarantine paint at the compound. land’s penal code – which Rights says 12 protest lead- “I’m not scared just one held and remain a closely capacity in Vietnam. VIETNAM Thailand has one of the authorities have not invoked ers have received a summons bit and I believe that by be- guarded secret. AFP NEWS AGENCY Duterte earmarks $1.5B Jakarta scraps banners of Islam cleric for 60M Covid vaccines A variety of civil society groups have sent flower boards to the Jakarta Military THE Duterte administration Much of the amount is Command (Kodam Jaya) headquarters in is planning to use 73.2 billion “pretty much almost fixed”, Cililitan, East Jakarta, to thank the Indo- pesos ($1.52 billion) worth of with only the 13.2 billion pe- nesian Military (TNI) for removing ban- loans to buy Covid-19 vac- sos “not completely negoti- ners supporting Islamic Defenders Front cines for 60 million Filipinos. ated”, he told Duterte. (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab. That amount will come from According to Dominguez, However, activists have questioned the several sources – 40 billion the estimated cost of a vac- military’s perceived involvement in civil- pesos from the Asian Devel- cine dose is $25 per person. ian matters by removing the offending opment Bank (ADB) and the The loans mentioned, he banners. World Bank, 20 billion pesos said, would be enough to fi- Dozens of flower boards bearing mes- from local banks and govern- nance the vaccination of 60 sages of appreciation on November 23 ment corporations, and 13.2 million people. lined the fence surrounding Kodam Jaya, billion pesos from bilateral Secretary of Health Fran- reported kompas.com. sources, Secretary of Finance cisco Duque said immunising “Bravo Pangdam Jaya [Kodam Jaya Carlos Dominguez III told the 60 million people would be commander], the best for the people, the Cabinet during a pre-record- enough to achieve herd im- best for the Indonesian Military,” read one ed briefing with PresidentR o- munity, which would require flower board from a group calling itself drigo Duterte that aired late 60 to 70 per cent of the popu- Benteng NKRI, the fortress of the Unitary November 23 night. lation to be immunised, as State of the Republic of Indonesia. The 13.2 billion pesos is the defined by the World Health Another flower board from the ITS target amount that the Depart- Organisation. Alumni read: “Thank you to the TNI for ment of Finance hopes to raise Duterte reiterated his desire taking stern action by removing banners from bilateral sources, while the to prioritise the vaccination of that caused public unrest.” 20 billion pesos will come from the military and the police to Kodam Jaya commander Major General A row of flower boards stand on Monday in front of the Jayakarta Military Command (Kodam Jaya) headquarters in Cililitan, East Jakarta. Kompas.com/The Jakarta Post Land Bank, Development Bank ensure security and the con- Dudung Abdurachman said the messages of the Philippines and govern- tinuation of their efforts amid of appreciation were addressed to not just the banners. But the FPI keeps asking us to cleric and his supporters. ment-controlled corporations, the pandemic. PHILIPPINE DAILY IN- the TNI, but also other institutions like the reinstall them. Who are they? Why should Pro-democracy activist Gufron Mabruri according to Dominguez. QUIRER/Asia News Network National Police, the Jakarta Metropolitan the government be afraid of them?” said of human rights monitor Imparsial said Police and the Jakarta Public Order Agen- Dudung. that the perceived military intervention cy (Satpol PP), which he said had helped He added that since late in September, could intimidate the public. to remove the banners. the joint team had taken down almost 900 “What is so urgent that the TNI had to “Now that the situation is safer, public banners in the capital that referred to the become involved in taking down the FPI’s aspiration will improve,” Dudung said on controversial cleric. banners? This could intimidate the people November 22 as quoted by kompas.com. Kodam Jaya spokesperson Lieuten- and imply that the country is at risk of be- Earlier, the commander said he had or- ant Colonel Herwin Budi alleged that the ing torn apart and descending into chaos dered his subordinates to take down all banners supporting Rizieq incited public because of the provocative actions of a banners in the capital that depicted the disorder, as some called for a “moral revo- few,” Ghufron said. firebrand cleric, as the banners had no lution”. Researcher Khairul Fahmi from the In- permits and thus violated public order. “What’s wrong in Indonesia that there is stitute for Security and Strategic Studies He also related that the Jakarta Satpol a [need for] a moral revolution? The con- shared a similar view. PP had initially removed the banners, tent [of the banners] is provocative,” said “The military should not be as aggres- only for FPI supporters to replace them Herwin. sive as it was this past week. It should not later, which had prompted the military to Despite the dozens of flower boards insinuate that the country is under serious remove them permanently. and their messages of appreciation from threat. There should not be any overlap in “Over the past two months, a joint team civil groups, activists have questioned the authorities and functions between state The Duterte administration is planning to use 73.2 billion pesos ($1.52 from the [Jakarta] Satpol PP, the National TNI’s move, criticising the military for in- organisations,” he said. The Jakarta Post/ASIA billion) worth of loans to buy Covid-19 vaccines for 60 million Filipinos. AFP Police and the TNI has been taking down tervening to deal with “the antics” of the NEWS NETWORK 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com Thai monarchy’s reputation at risk

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Protesters’ push for full restoration Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Opinion of democracy via Prayut’s resigna- Ly Tayseng Editorial tion, a new Constitution and reform Senior Editor UTHORITIES’ response to of the monarchy is making headlines Joshua Purushotman pro-democracy protests has around the world. The ongoing glo- Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith been out of proportion and bal coverage is having an impact on Deputy Chief of Staff has done severe damage to the credibility of the government and theA reputation of both the govern- the reputation of the monarchy. Phak Seangly Business Editor ment and the monarchy it vows to Any escalation of the crackdown May Kunmakara protect. by the government, police and judi- Deputy Business Editor The first major mistake was to ciary risks damaging the reputation Sangeetha Amarthalingam impose a “severe emergency” in of the government and monarchy Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Bangkok on October 15 following a beyond repair. Pan Simala mass rally on October 14 and an inci- In recent years, Western powers Senior Reporters dent involving the royal motorcade. have unified against various human Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng The second was to fire water cannon rights abuses around the world. Reporters and tear gas to disperse protesters in From January, the new US admin- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Siam Square on October 16, at a rally istration under Joe Biden is expect- Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, attended by many schoolchildren. ed to place even more emphasis on Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, The third was to use water cannon human rights and democratic val- Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, and tear gas and failing to prevent ues when dealing with trading part- Soth Koemsoeun, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha clashes between protesters and roy- ners such as Thailand. This could Photographers alists outside Parliament on Novem- lead to trade restrictions or sanc- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey ber 17. The government was accused A member of the Student Union of Thailand and police are seen outside the headquarters tions against high ranking officials Web Editor of showing bias towards royalist pro- of the Siam Commercial Bank in Bangkok on November 25. afp accused of violating human rights, Leang Phannara testers, while some government MPs as we witnessed when the US and Digital Teams and politicians were accused of views of the monarchy. Wednesday before marching to the EU suspended trade agreements Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy recruiting yellow shirts to show sup- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Crown Property Bureau nearby. with Thailand following the mili- SIEM REAP BUREAU port for the government and monar- instead of learning from the mis- Further harsh action by the govern- tary coup in 2014. Offi ce Manager chy. Pro-democracy protesters also takes, vowed to use “all laws and arti- ment and police will put Thailand’s But more importantly, a brutal Sophearith Blondeel suspected that government MPs were cles” to deal with the protesters. reputation at greater risk, given that crackdown would trigger even deeper PRODUCTION & PRINTING seeking to initiate violence in order Police now say they are ready to Thai authorities already face calls divisions in Thai society, given that Head of Desktop Publishing to justify cracking down on the pro- charge protesters with lese majeste from the international community to large numbers of the younger gener- Nhim Sokphyrak democracy movement. under Section 112 of the penal code, drop serious charges against peaceful ation and pro-democracy citizens are Desktop Publishing The November 17 clashes left doz- which carries jail terms of between protesters who are exercising their unlikely to bow to what they consider Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath ens injured and several people had to three and 15 years. political rights. The UN Human Rights unjust laws and inhumane govern- Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna be hospitalised with gunshot On the eve of November 25 rally Commission has long objected to the ment actions. wounds. Protesters retaliated by outside the Crown Property Bureau, use of the lese-majeste law to silence Therefore, embracing reform of key HEAD OFFICE splashing paint on police headquar- police arrested protest leader Piyarat political voices. International pressure institutions is the safer path that will ters during a mass rally at Ratchapra- Chongthep and charged him with may have played a role in halting the ensure that everyone benefits. In song Intersection on November 18. sedition, which carries a jail term of use of Section 112 by the Prayut contrast, imposing harsh actions and They also graffitied the road to up to seven years. administration, but now Section 116 draconian laws on citizens will only Post Media Co, Ltd. express their anger at the govern- Protesters planned to meet at (on sedition) appears to be operating drag the country closer to the abyss. The Elements Condominium Level 7, ment and police and their critical Democracy Monument at 3pm on as its surrogate. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 Suu Kyi’s capabilities tested amid numerous issues SIEM REAP No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune EFFORTS to weaken the military’s the military still has a certain amount The economy has also failed to grow. tries are increasingly criticising Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 involvement in politics are essential of influence. Problems including delays in infra- Myanmar, calling the situation a COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT if Myanmar is to promote democrati- The ruling party’s victory over the structure development and the corrupt grave humanitarian crisis. Chief Operating Offi cer sation and achieve domestic stability. main opposition party, which devel- nature of bureaucrats and others have In Myanmar, where 90 per cent of the James Ong Soon Teck Aung San Suu Kyi’s ability to take oped from the military regime, may hampered investment from abroad. people are Buddhists, feelings of dis- Advertising Department action is being called into question. reflect public wariness regarding a The administration bears a heavy crimination against the Rohingya are Chap Narith, 017 996 241 In the Myanmar general election, return to military-led politics. responsibility for failing to solve prob- so strong that the issue did not surface Hun Channet, 017 578 768 the ruling National League for There has been little progress on lems that have long been pointed out. as a point of contention in the election. Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 Democracy (NLD), led by State Coun- revising the Constitution and ending Suu Kyi, who led the pro-democracy However, the problem must not be Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 sellor Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of the civil war between the military movement under military rule, faced allowed to be left unaddressed. Suu Kyi Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 the government, won more than 80 and ethnic minorities, issues that Suu oppression through such means as must accelerate such measures as Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 per cent of the seats up for grabs, Kyi included in her campaign pledg- house arrest. Despite this, criticism of granting nationality to the Rohingya CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION maintaining its sole majority. Suu Kyi’s es. Under these circumstances, she the government has become the tar- that will lead to the return of refugees. Acting Distribution Manager popularity has been demonstrated, cannot avoid being criticised for a get of crackdowns, even under the Stability in Myanmar is extremely Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 but the future will be difficult. poor track record. current administration. It betrays the important for Japan, which advocates Circulation Supervisor The NLD won a landslide in the Ethnic minority parties dissatisfied expectations of the international a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” A Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 previous election in 2015, marking a with the government split with the rul- community that supports Suu Kyi. large number of Japanese companies Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 shift from the military-centred politi- ing party and won seats independently. Suu Kyi also has shown no presence are also operating in Myanmar. The ADMINISTRATION cal rule that lasted more than half a This should be interpreted as disap- regarding the issue of the persecuted Japanese government needs to step Admin & HR Manager century. However, the Constitution pointment over the excessive consider- Islamic minority Rohingya, about up its assistance to promote national Pich Socheat that was established under the mili- ation for the military. If Suu Kyi fails to 700,000 of whom have become refu- reconciliation and economic devel- Assistants to Admin & HR Manager tary regime allocates one-fourth of achieve results in the future, her power gees and fled to neighbouring Bang- opment. THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN)/ASIA Nhel Soaphea the seats to military personnel, and to unify is certain to decline. ladesh. The US and European coun- NEWS NETWORK Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Faded K-pop star competes for comeback

hen Ryu Sera each year to try to capture a made her debut slice of the pie. with K-pop girl Unlike many groups else- band Nine Mus- where, K-pop bands are not Wes, the years of intense train- normally formed by the mem- ing and ruthless competition bers themselves who then try seemed worthwhile, her dreams to secure a record deal, but are of stardom finally coming true. instead usually assembled by A few top 10 singles fol- their managing agencies. lowed, but within four years They put the members she had been cast on the K- through intensive training pop scrapheap, sacked by her programmes and control ev- management company as it erything from their music and reshuffled the band’s line-up. lyrics to their looks and many An attempted solo career aspects of their daily lives. foundered, she was left in But most acts quickly disap- debt, battling depression and pear, leaving barely a trace on contemplating suicide. the score of musical history. But six years after her dis- missal, she has been given a ‘Like an addict’ second chance on a ground- Ryu was 22 when she passed breaking new television show an audition to become a train- for failed and former idols – ee with Star Empire, a medi- and is speaking out against a um-sized agency in Seoul. structure that consumes young She was among 40 to 50 hopefuls with only a tiny mi- contenders for a place in Nine nority surviving to stardom. Muses. “The K-pop industry has a “It was an endless contest factory-like mass-production with tests every week, and South Korean singer Ryu Sera (second right) dances with other competitors during a recording of a television show Miss Back in Seoul. AFP system,” she told AFP. those who ranked bottom on K-pop is the latest and big- dancing, singing skills and “Managers would say things had been “unable to agree on She has been on medica- tion, Ryu is competing again gest instance of the so-called looks were kicked out.” like ‘Why are you so fat?’ . . . new contract terms”, adding: tion since she was diagnosed in a new television show, Miss Korean Wave, as the South’s At first, she often scored because I did not fall into “We wish her all the best.” with depression last year. Back. popular culture gains over- poorly for dancing and sing- their category of elegant, sexy Countless teenagers flock to Hosted by K-pop queen seas recognition – epitomised ing, but she “practised like an women,” she said. Illness and shame entertainment agencies aspir- Baek Ji-young, who has eight by the global success of boy addict”, she said. “I doubt they are even In an attempt to build a ing to become stars but no-one studio albums under her belt band BTS, who topped the US A year later she was chosen aware that they hurt me with solo career, Ryu borrowed looks after those who do not in a career still going strong Billboard singles chart earlier to be Nine Muses’ lead singer. their words.” money to produce her own make the cut, she said, nor those after 21 years, it offers former this year. Even after their debut, there But she complied with their albums and put on concerts, who debut but are replaced soon female idols a new showcase – The phenomenon earns bil- was no let-up in the regimen, demands: “When they told me but without the backing of a afterwards by younger rivals. some who never made it and lions of dollars for the world’s and she was subjected to con- to cut my hair, I did . . . There major agency none of them “In the K-pop industry, we others who were once famous 12th largest economy and stant reviews, often critical, of was an atmosphere that we generated a profit. don’t take mental health seri- but then faded away. scores of groups are launched her appearance. should be grateful for being giv- “I felt like I had accom- ously,” she added. Around 200 were inter- en a chance to become idols.” plished nothing and was be- “When you are mentally viewed for only seven slots on When her contract came up ing forgotten,” she said. ill, you immediately feel the programme. for renewal, she demanded South Korea is an intensely ashamed.” But among the chosen few, that the Nine Muses members competitive society and has no-one will be eliminated. take part in every concept an unusually high suicide ‘Miss Back’ Each week, all seven perform meeting, that they would have rate, with recent celebrity The business uses a “high- the same song, and the one the control over what clothes they deaths including singers Goo risk, high-return” formula that judges score highest is released wore, and no more members Hara and Sulli, both of whom generates “countless also-rans” as a single, with the performer would be replaced. had been subjected to vicious in the process, said cultural sharing in the profits. The producers did not offer cyber-bullying, and Kim Jong- commentator Jung Ho-jai. In the process, the cast her a new deal. hyun of the boy band Shinee. “Former idols and trainees members share the pains and “There are so many train- Ryu also considered killing take the brunt of their failure struggles they endured in the ees, so many artists, so many herself. in the market,” he added. hidden shadows of the glam- young people that want to get “There are very, very famous “Someone needs to speak orous industry. into this industry,” she said. people that chose to end their up about the side effects of And there will be no overall “So, they sometimes consid- lives,” she said. this industry. Now Ryu is do- winner. er us replaceable products.” “When I was really de- ing just that.” Ryu said: “This programme A Star Empire representative pressed I thought about the More than a decade since is like therapy for wounded Singer Ryu Sera speaks during an interview with AFP in Seoul. AFP told AFP that the firm andR yu worst thing.” passing the Star Empire audi- soldiers.” AFP Mysterious ‘obelisk’ in US desert draws wild theories

A mysterious metal “obelisk” found News of the discovery quickly went viral surrounding rock formations. buried in the remote western US desert online, with many noting the object’s Bret Hutchings, the pilot who happened has inflamed the imaginations of UFO similarity with the strange alien mono- to fly over the obelisk, speculated that the spotters, conspiracy theorists and Stanley liths that trigger huge leaps in human obelisk had been planted by “some new- Kubrick fans around the world. progress in Kubrick’s classic sci-fi 2001: A wave artist”. The shiny, triangular pillar – which pro- Space Odyssey. Some observers pointed out the object’s trudes approximately 3.6m from the red Others remarked on its discovery during resemblance to the avant-garde work of John rocks of southern Utah – was spotted on a turbulent year that has seen the world McCracken, a US artist who lived for a time November 18 by baffled local officials gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic, and in nearby New Mexico, and died in 2011. counting bighorn sheep from the air. optimistically speculated it could have a “While this is not a work by the late Amer- Landing to investigate, Utah Depart- different function entirely. ican artist John McCracken, we suspect it is ment of Public Safety crew members found “This is the ‘reset’ button for 2020. Can a work by a fellow artist paying homage to “a metal monolith installed in the ground” someone please press it quickly?” joked McCracken,” a spokeswoman for his rep- but “no obvious indication of who might one Instagram user. resentative David Zwirner told AFP. have put the monolith there”. “Up close it reads: ‘Covid vaccine Either way, Hutchings admitted it was “It is illegal to install structures or art inside’,” wrote another. “about the strangest thing I’ve come across without authorisation on federally man- With officials refusing to disclose the out there, in all my years of flying.” aged public lands, no matter what planet object’s location out of fear that hordes of “We were kind of joking around that if you’re from,” warned the agency in a curious sightseers would flock to the one of us suddenly disappears, then the tongue-in-cheek press release on Novem- remote wilderness, a race has also begun rest of us make a run for it,” he told local A mysterious metal monolith was discovered in Utah after public ber 23. online to geo-locate the “obelisk” using news channel KSLTV. AFP safety officers spotted the object during a routine wildlife mission. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Despite complaints from neighbours and mounting expense, she has accumulated 480 cats and 12 dogs. AFP Omani woman juggles 480 cats and 12 dogs ore than a doz- Animal welfare activists have was transformed. en cats and dogs advocated a programme of “I found myself totally im- vie for Maryam “trap, neuter, release” to bring mersed. I took care of her al-Balushi’s at- down the number of strays. entirely, feeding her, bathing “JUST WING IT” Mtention as she hands out Balushi spends about her and spending a lot of time treats on a bed in her home in $7,800 monthly to care for with her,” she said. ACROSS 47 Reno action 25 Birch tree Oman’s capital Muscat. the creatures, 17 of which are Word spread about Bal- 1 Friendly bat of the eye 48 TV show’s target 26 Brightly colored eel Despite complaints from blind, diligently feeding and ushi’s new-found love of ani- 5 Cake made for a shower 57 Blacksmith’s need 27 Descended on the mother’s side neighbours and mounting ex- cleaning them as well as tak- mals and departing expatri- 9 “Poppycock!” 58 Excessively dry 28 Fresh information pense, she has accumulated ing them to the veterinarian ates would leave their pets 14 “Author unknown” (Abbr.) 59 Pickle flavoring 29 Every film has one 480 cats and 12 dogs, describ- for medical attention. on her doorstep while animal 15 It may follow something? 60 Public to-do 30 Gin flavorer ing her pets as a mood-lifter Her home is now full of cag- shelters would re-settle their 16 Habituate (to) 61 Bearish advice 31 French right and better companions than es, with Balushi letting them charges with her. 17 Opera-house box 62 Flamboyant rock genre 32 Item under consideration her fellow humans. out to exercise and play in After buying her own home 18 Shadowy film genre 63 Allowed for the container weight 33 Angelou works “I find that animals, espe- rotation. in 2014 following complaints 19 Maxims 64 See 42-Across 35 Feverish condition cially cats and dogs, are more about her growing collection, 20 Opposite of being in the dark 65 Some evergreens 36 Discontinued GM line, briefly faithful than humans,” she ‘Lifeline’ she was able to take on more 23 Veto vote DOWN 38 Synthetic material said as cats jumped on and “It all began in 2008 when animals. 24 Bale contents 1 Street signal directive 39 Ringtailed carnivore off a nearby scratching pole. my son bought a small Per- Balushi was inspired by a 25 Adds to the bill 2 Look ___ (visit briefly) 44 “Curses! ___ again!” 45 Go door-to-door Orphaned at a young age, sian cat,” said Balushi, 51, a former neighbour who used 29 Alexandra’s husband 3 Scrubbed, as a space launch 4 Had no doubt 46 Wind around Balushi has grown her me- retired civil servant, wearing to feed strays with household 31 Party mix 5 Medicinal shrubs 47 Muscular nagerie over the past decade, a dusky pink abaya and im- scraps. 34 Not the outgoing type 6 “Crypt” or “phrase” ending 48 Far-reaching identifying with her furry maculate makeup. She says her impressive col- 35 Is bedridden 36 Approximately 7 “Clueless” catchphrase 49 Empire builder of old friends, many of which were “Like many mothers, I re- lection of cats and dogs has 37 Concluding 8 Home to Machu Picchu 50 Happily-after link fused to look after it as I did rescued from hard lives on helped her stave off depres- 40 Has vittles 9 Stalwart column 51 Deep cut the street. not like animals and my son sion – as well as earning her 41 Time of “comfort and joy” 10 Like blizzard conditions 52 Field of expertise Oman has seen an upswing did not pay it much attention an impressive following on 42 Detestation 11 Gargantuan 53 Impatient and anxious in stray and abandoned ani- or look after its hygiene.” Instagram. 43 “Comin’ Thro’ the ___” 12 Seed sheath 54 “Aida” river mals in recent years, local But two years later Balushi “I was in a dark place and 44 Go AWOL 13 Well-being 55 Hammerhead part media report, despite penal- found herself looking after they were the lifeline that res- 45 Glues 21 Short-tailed lemur 56 Shady giants ties of $25 for dumping a pet. another cat and her approach cued me,” she said. AFP 46 It’s after me, often 22 Tibet’s Forbidden City Wednesday’s solution

Wednesday’s solution

Maryam al-Balushi feeds her pets at her home in Oman’s capital Muscat on November 20. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Spurs, Milan and Real Sociedad have no room for Europa mistakes n an unusually crammed and Bayer Leverkusen, one point be- crowded season, the Europa hind Bayern Munich in the Bundes- League, which resumes on No- liga and second in the unpredictable vember 26 with 26 group games, Group C, host Hapoel Beer-Sheva Ipresents clubs fighting for domestic who are last but still in contention. glory with a tricky balancing act. Only four teams, Villarreal, Leices- The English, Italian and Span- ter, Arsenal and Hoffenheim, have ish league leaders, Tottenham, Real won all three matches. All can ensure Sociedad and AC Milan, as well as a top-two finish and give themselves Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Le- the chance to rest players in the last verkusen, have all slipped up already two rounds. in Europe’s second-tier competition Arsenal travel to Norway to face and cannot afford another mistake. Molde, who are second in Group B, Yet the demands of a condensed hard-hit by injuries after Willian, with season mean their managers are a muscle problem, and Bukaya Sako walking two tightropes at once. went down against Leeds on Novem- Real Sociedad, beaten at home ber 22, joining Thomas Partey among by Napoli on the second matchday, their wounded. Mohamed Elneny have lost veteran David Silva to a and Sead Kolasinac missed that game hamstring injury on November 22 after testing positive for Covid-19. ahead of their trip to Group F leaders “We have an incredible amount AZ Alkmaar. of games coming up,” said Arsenal Yet even as they travel to the Neth- manager Mikel Arteta. erlands, they need to plan for No- “Every team is going to face chal- vember 29’s crucial game against Vil- lenges with the amount of fixtures larreal, who are third in La Liga. we have. We will put out a team to Real Sociedad’s only consolation is compete.” that Villarreal must cross the Medi- Group L leaders Hoffenheim visit terranean twice as they visit second- Slovan Liberec while Leicester play place Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Group I. at second-place Braga in Group G. Tottenham ony lead Group J on Hoffenheim striker Munas Dabbur goal difference in head-to-head can carve a tiny niche in the record matches ahead of Royal Antwerp Tottenham’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Morais (centre) heads the ball during Uefa Europa League football Group J first-leg football books with a goal. The Israel interna- and LASK Linz. They too lost a key match between Royal Antwerp FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Bosuilstadion in Antwerp. afp tional has scored 18 times in group- veteran when centre-back Toby Al- stage games in the competition, tied derweireld suffered a groin muscle the Premier League on November 29, nated Inter Milan in the last 16. last matchday with 23-year-old Turk for the most with former Athletic Bil- injury against Manchester City on he may rest starters at home against Yusuf Yazici hitting his second hat- bao striker Aritz Aduriz. November 21. winless Ludogorets. ‘Incredible amount of games’ trick of this year’s competition. And in this frenetic season, the Tottenham manager Jose Mourin- That could give Gareth Bale a AC Milan travel to Lille seeking not Milan will be without talisman Zla- competition is providing goals. ho came unstuck when he rotated chance to score his first Europa only a victory, which would put them tan Ibrahimovic who suffered a thigh There were 93 on Matchday 3, his squad in Antwerp and lost. Yet League goal since March 2013, when top of Group H, but also revenge. muscle injury in the Serie A victory breaking the old record of 81 set in with a visit to third-place Chelsea in he hit the opener as the Spurs elimi- Lille won 3-0 at the San Siro on the over Napoli on November 22. 2010. afp Rugby world mourns French ‘legend’ Arozarena detained on Dominici, 48, after Paris park death domestic violence charge Tampa Bay Rays playoff hero of,” Guerra told the Tampa Bay Former rugby international His second-half try in a game, hooker Raphael Ibanez mont, chairman of World Rug- Randy Arozarena was arrested Times. Christophe Dominici, who was remarkable semi-final, ducking and scrum-half Fabien Galth- by. in Mexico for alleged domestic “When it comes to family found dead at the age of 48 in between two All Blacks to grab ie. Former Ireland captain Brian violence, US media reported issues there are always layers a park near Paris on November a bouncing ball one-handed “We were in a working ses- O’Driscoll, who faced Domini- on November 24. of complexity. Everything is 24, was undoubtedly one of the before skating down the left sion this afternoon . . . when ci several times, tweeted: “Very Arozarena was detained in perspective,” Guerra said. legends of modern French touchline, put the French Bernard Laporte informed us sad to hear of the sudden pass- Merida, Yucatan following an “Hopefully everything clears rugby. ahead for the first time as they both this terrible news. We are ing of Christophe Dominici. A apparent dispute with the itself up. It’s a horrible, unfor- The diminutive Dominici – overturned a 14-point deficit to in shock,” said Ibanez, now a French player full of flair with mother of his daughter. tunate situation.” he was 1.72m and 82kg – scored reach the final. France coach. huge success throughout his No charges have been Arozarena helped the Rays 25 tries in 67 Tests for France, It was a try that caught the “Domi was a legend in our career. May he RIP.” brought, but the police and reach the 2020 World Series including eight tries across imagination of rugby folk sport.He wore the blue jersey Major League Baseball are where Tampa lost to the Los three World Cups. around the world with Domini- with so much energy, so much ‘Rugby genius’ investigating the allegations. Angeles Dodgers in six games. He had perfect balance, a ci coming to epitomise the passion. Dominici, who police said According to the Yucatan In 20 postseason games, he deceptive change of pace and fabled ‘French flair’. “Christophe is above all our was seen by a witness jumping Ahora!, a man attempted to finished with 10 home runs, a shimmy that could lose and The head of the French Rug- friend. We experienced great from the roof of a disused forcibly take the child without 29 hits and a .377 batting aver- confuse defenders, as it did on by Federation (FFR), Bernard and beautiful emotions togeth- building in the Saint-Cloud permission and leave a home, age. afp October 31, 1999 when his try Laporte, broke the news to the er, on the field but above all as park, also enjoyed a glittering but was prevented by the girl’s against a Jonah Lomu-fuelled France squad preparing to face a team.” club career. mother and neighbours who New Zealand helped France to Italy on November 21 under the Head coach Galthie was vis- He cut his teeth with Toulon came to help. The group was the greatest comeback in the guidance of two of Dominici’s ibly moved as he promised in the south of France, where able to block the man’s car history of the World Cup. team-mates in the famous 1999 France would “pay tribute” to he was born, and then moved from leaving until police Dominici at the game against to Paris-based Stade Francais arrived. No further details Italy. with whom he won the French were provided. The FFR described Dominici championship five times. Earlier this month the as “a legend and an emblem- Stade Francais described 25-year-old Arozarena report- atic player” who had “left his Dominici as a “rugby genius edly married a different wom- imprint on an entire genera- and peerless companion” on an and has another child with tion of rugby”. Twitter, adding that “he leaves her. Former players from around a great void in our big family”. MLB reportedly said it would the world joined the tributes. After he retired, then-nation- investigate the Merida inci- “Deeply saddened to hear of al coach Laporte gave Domini- dent. Christophe Dominici’s passing. ci a coaching role. He also Arozarena’s agent, Abel He was a star of 1999 @rugby- worked as a media pundit. Guerra, told the Tampa Bay worldcup scoring a brilliant try Off the field, Dominici suf- Times that the Rays outfielder in that thrilling semi-final & fered bouts of depression. In is looking out for the health you had the feeling that some- his 2007 autobiography, he and welfare of the girl. thing special would happen admitted a personal loss had “The only thing I know is he every time he took to the field. triggered depression and that was hyper-sensitive about Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Former France winger Christophe Dominici scores a try during the 2007 My condolances [sic] are with he had been abused as a child. making sure that the child’s Bay Rays in Game Six of the 2020 rugby union World Cup group D match against Georgia. afp his family,” tweeted Bill Beau- afp needs were being taken care MLB World Series. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST november 26, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Barcelona, Juventus join Champs round of 16

uventus, Chelsea and hungry and scored four goals. the counter-attack. Sevilla all claimed last-gasp Important players were able “It’s a Champions League wins as they qualified for to rest and the youngsters de- night at Old Trafford, you’d Jthe Champions League served their minutes.” expect them to enjoy them- last 16 on November 24. Martin selves,” United manager Ole Braithwaite grabbed a double Morata, Giroud strike late Gunnar Solskjaer said of his in Barcelona’s 4-0 victory at Dy- Juventus joined Barcelona in team. “We scored some very namo Kiev as they also secured qualifying from Group G but nice goals, I’m pleased.” a place in the knockout rounds. the Italian champions needed They are the first four teams a stoppage-time header by Haaland’s frightening record to make it out of the group substitute Alvaro Morata to Solskjaer’s side are three stage, doing so with two games beat Ferencvaros 2-1 in Turin points clear of both Paris Saint- to spare. and seal their progress. Germain (PSG) and RB Leipzig, It was a night which saw Er- Albanian international Myr- after an early Neymar penalty ling Braut Haaland, Neymar, to Uzuni put the Hungarians gave the French side a 1-0 win Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno ahead but Ronaldo drilled over their German visitors. Fernandes all scoring goals for in the equaliser before half- Borussia Dortmund need their squads. time, meaning he has scored just one more point to qualify There was no Lionel Messi in 15 consecutive Champions from Group F following a 3-0 for Barcelona. The Argentine League seasons. win over Club Brugge. forward rested for the trip to Chelsea are through from The prolific Haaland net- Ukraine, but Ronald Koeman’s Group E after edging Rennes ted twice against opponent side got the job done to make it 2-1 in France, with Olivier Gi- Jadon Sancho. four wins from four in Group G. roud coming off the bench to The Danish striker has 16 goals All the goals came in the head in an injury-time win- for the season, and has now second half, with Sergino Dest ner. Serhou Guirassy had can- scored 16 Champions League opening the scoring before celled out Callum Hudson- goals in just 12 appearances. Danish striker Braithwaite Odoi’s breakaway opener. Messi had two goals and added another and then con- Last season’s Europa League Juventus’ Brazilian defender Danilo (left) and Ferencvaros’ Albanian forward Myrto Uzuni go for a header Ronaldo none after the same during the Uefa Champions League Group G football match. afp verted a penalty to make it 3-0. winners Sevilla will not get to number of appearances. On as a substitute, Antoine defend their trophy as they equalise, but Munir El Hadda- a first-half Fernandes brace set nok in the away goal. “Erling [Haaland] is a fantas- Griezmann wrapped up the advanced to the last 16 of Eu- di won it for Sevilla five min- them on their way to a 4-1 vic- Marcus Rashford added a tic player. He works hard on win on the night young centre- rope’s elite club competition. utes into added time. tory over Istanbul Basaksehir penalty, but there was a fight- and off the pitch and he de- back Oscar Mingueza, Brazilian They did so with a 2-1 win Sevilla and Chelsea are that. The win made up for a 2-1 back from the away side, with serves everything that’s com- midfielderM atheus Fernandes over Krasnodar in Russia, in level on 10 points but Frank defeat in Turkey last time out. Deniz Turuc’s free-kick cross- ing his way,” said Sancho. and teenage American winger a rare game played before a Lampard’s side go to Spain The opener by Fernandes ing the line before David de In the other group game, Konrad de la Fuente were all sizeable crowd. next week, when the winner was a thunderous strike Gea could claw it away. Ciro Immobile was on target blooded in the first team. Ivan Rakitic’s drilled strike will secure top spot. from outside the box, while Edin Visca crashed a shot twice, including from a pen- “We’ve achieved our objec- put the Spaniards in front only Manchester United are in the second was a tap-in after off the bar, but Daniel James alty, as Lazio beat Zenit Saint- tive,” said Koeman. “We looked for the Brazilian Wanderson to pole position in Group H after a horrible error by Mert Gu- made sure of the victory on Petersburg 3-1 in Rome. afp Beijing polish off rusty Melbourne Victory ICC taps BEIJING Guoan have one was not in a very celebratory Tokyo FC after Yu Hanchao’s foot in the last-16 of the Asian mood despite his team’s 100 successful penalty in the 74th Barclay as Champions League after a per cent win record so far. minute proved the decisive convincing 3-1 win against a “In the first half we played moment in the match. rusty Melbourne Victory side really well as we tried high “FC Tokyo is a great team chairman on November 24 extended pressing as we trained before but today we really wanted their perfect record in Group the game and were success- to limit their opportunities,” Greg Barclay has been E to three from three. ful in keeping control,” said said Shenhua coach Choi named the new independent Another Australian side, Genesio. Kang-hee. chair of the International Perth Glory, also suffered an “The only thing I am dis- “Our players really over- Cricket Council (ICC), beat- embarrassing defeat, going appointed about is that we came their difficulties of fit- ing Imran Khwaja to succeed down 2-1 to Ulsan Hyundai conceded one goal towards ness and fatigue. They per- Shashank Manohar, the after the South Koreans struck the end. We need to be more sisted from the first minute sport’s governing body an- twice in the dying minutes of serious and cautious towards until the end and I thank nounced on November 24. their Group F game. the end of the game.” them for that.” The former New Zealand Also in Group F, Shang- Melbourne Victory, for Perth Glory meanwhile Cricket boss needed a two- hai Shenhua improved their whom this was their second thought they would finally thirds majority of the 16-per- chances of qualification with defeat in three matches – grab their first win after two son ICC board and received their second win in three their only win came in Febru- losses after enjoying a 1-0 the all-important 11th vote matches, edging past FC To- ary against Chiangrai United lead after Daniel Stynes had from Cricket South Africa. kyo 1-0, courtesy of a late – are now third in the stand- scored in the 74th minute. Khwaja had been the penalty. ings and would need a hercu- But Kim In-sung cancelled interim chairman since But it was Bruno Genesio’s lean comeback to qualify for out Stynes’ goal in the 89th min- Manohar stepped down in Beijing outfit who sent out a the knockout phase. ute and Brazilian Junior Negao July. strong warning to their rivals “For us, It’s not the result killed off the match in the third “It is an honour to be elect- in the tournament by follow- we wanted,” said Victory’s minute of stoppage time. ed as the Chair of the Interna- ing up on their win over FC Steve Kean, whose side had “I think we played a very tional Cricket Council and I Seoul last week with another no match practice for several good game,” said Glory’s as- would like to thank my fellow impressive performance in months before heading to sistant coach Cristian Ola. ICC directors for their sup- Doha where the tournament’s Doha. “We stepped up in a num- port,” Barclay said in an ICC eastern zone matches are be- Beijing’s midfielder Fernando (left) is marked by Melbourne’s defender ber of areas from the first statement. Storm Roux during the AFC Champions League match. afp ing played after a nine-month ‘Cruel’ game but the result was a bit “I hope we can come to- break due to the Covid-19 nucci’s powerful shot from Brazilian presence which “This was our very first cruel in the end.” gether to lead the sport and pandemic. nearly 25 yards appeared played a pivotal role, with match of any type, we did not Elsewhere, FC Seoul crushed emerge from the global pan- Beijing clearly looked a class heading straight into the Renato Augusto and A Lan on even play any friendlies and Chiangrai United 5-0 with Yun demic in a strong position above Melbourne Victory who goalkeeper’s arms. target in the 22nd and 34th came against a Beijing side Ju-tae scoring a brace in the and poised for growth.” were largely lacklustre both in Beijing allowed their Austra- minutes before Wang Zimin’s that have played a full sea- second half in Group E. Barclay has said he will attack and defence, with even lian rivals only 40 per cent ball brilliant goal in the 74th min- son. Seoul are second on six push to protect the bilateral the Australian side’s consola- possession and that worked ute to put the match out of “We wanted to win and take points, three behind Beijing international series. tion goal late in the second hugely in their favour as they Victory’s reach. points but we can’t feel sorry Guoan while Chiangrai are on His election could also put half coming through a huge created chances galore at the Frenchman Genesio, who for ourselves.” the brink of elimination af- an end to plans for an extra deflection from Kim Min-Jae Al Sadd Sports Club. has been in charge at Beijing Shanghai Shenhua were ter losing their third straight ICC global event, an idea after substitute Gianluca Ia- But once again, it was their Guoan for almost 16 months, celebrating their success over game. afp backed by Khwaja. afp