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Tuesday, june 23, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL CPP to inaugurate new

Ministry says $30 million headquarters school opening Niem Chheng Located in central Phnom get the money from. My an- the Supreme Court-dissolved took 20 months to build. to be postponed Penh, the $30 million build- swer to them is that we get it Cambodia National Rescue The construction company HE new headquarters ing was made possible by from all levels of membership Party (CNRP) for mobilising officially handed the building until year’s end of the ruling Cambo- contributions from CPP of the CPP ranging from work- money to build The Sun TV over to CCP vice-president national – page 2 dian People’s Party members, Prime Minister ers, farmers and vendors to station, which has not been Say Chhum on Sunday. (CPP) will be official- Hun Sen said on Monday. millionaires and their children. operational since the idea The five-storey building sits lyT inaugurated on Sunday Speaking while visiting the “It’s not hard to get more was proposed before the dis- on 1.6ha on Norodom Bou- after its construction was construction site of a new in- than $30 million to build the solution of the party. levard in Chamkarmon dis- completed over the weekend. ternational airport in neigh- headquarters of the ruling According to the CCP website, trict’s Tonle Bassac commune. The inauguration comes on bouring Kandal province, he party,” he said. the new headquarters broke its 69th anniversary. said: “Some asked where we Hun Sen also hit back at ground in November 2018 and Continued – page 2 New York SeCC, chinese to remove firm work on commodities, statue of futures market Roosevelt business – page 6 NEW York City announced on Sunday it would remove a statue of former US President Theod- ore Roosevelt, long criticised as a racist and colonialist symbol. But the move drew criticism from President Donald Trump. The decision comes with the US gripped by widespread pro- tests against racial inequality – sparked by the killing in police custody of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American North Korea to man – with demonstrators top- pling several statues of figures send millions with racist legacies. The bronze sculpture of Roo- of leaflets sevelt, which has been at the entrance of the American to the South Museum of Natural History WORLD – Page 9 (AMNH) for 80 years, depicts Smart hospital the former leader on horseback Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng (centre) presides over the launch of the first health technology solution in the Kingdom. The towering over a black man and programme enables patients and doctors to manage medical records and make appointments automatically. HENG CHIVOAN sTORY > 3 a Native American man who are both on foot. Citing the ongoing movement for racial justice, the museum said: “We also have watched as NagaCorp to raise liquidity via notes the attention of the world and the country has increasingly Sangeetha Amarthalingam The latter, assuming there Hotel is operating with reduced 31, 2020, could shore up turned to statues and monu- is a remainder from the occupancy and limited food operating expenditure and ments as powerful and hurtful HIT hard by the temporary redemption of the 2021 notes, and beverage facilities while interest expenses with mini- symbols of systemic racism.” closure of the NagaWorld inte- it said in a filing with the Naga 2 is closed. Duty-free mal revenue for approxi- A Roosevelt family member Women bear grated resorts due to Covid-19, Hong Kong Stock Exchange operations at NagaCity Walk mately 18 months. released a statement approv- Hong Kong-listed operator on Monday. remain in operation. “Although we have no oth- ing the removal. the brunt of NagaCorp Ltd plans to issue Its announcement said its It projects that after giving er existing facilities to pro- “The world does not need stat- senior notes to investors in actual level of cash operating effect to the proposed use of vide further liquidity, we ues, relics of another age, that virus fallout Asia and Europe to refinance expenses in coming periods the net proceeds from the believe that, after giving reflect neither the values of the its $300 million 2021 notes could be impacted by unfore- notes, liquidity including effect to the application of person they intend to honour in workplace maturing next year, and other seen developments of events cash and deposits of $464.9 proceeds of the proposed nor the values of equality and expenditures of the company beyond its control. million as of March 31, 2020, justice,” said Theodore Roosevelt lifestyle – page 12 and its restricted subsidiaries. Presently, the group’s Naga 1 and $527.1 million as of May Continued – page 6 IV, 77, a great-grandson. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST Gov’t has sufficient funds to National News survive Covid-19, PM says Inside page 4 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Speeding driver in court after knocking officers Soth Koemsoeun

POLICE sent a suspect to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Sunday after he allegedly knocked a police officer while speeding in his car at Chaom Chao circle in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district. Municipal traffic bueau chief Sem Ratana identified the sus- pect as Puth Monorom. “We sent the case to the Municipal Court, but we don’t know what the court’s decision will be. He drove very fast, caused a traffic police official The ministry said the delay is meant to prevent a second wave of Covid-19. MOEYS to fall [the official did not sus- tain serious injuries] and he did not listen to traffic police’s advice,” Ratana said. Municipal Court spokesper- School opening to be son Kuch Kimlong said on Monday that deputy court prosecutor Long Cheab is The man is accused of three offences – distracting police, using a fake working on this case. car number plate and attempting to flee the scene. police delayed till year’s end “Cheab has not finished questioning him yet. The sus- day that his authorities were a road construction site in the Voun Dara Covid-19 spreads in Cambo- are three million students pect needs a defence lawyer. If not in charge of this case. area of Chaom Chao circle. dia, the country will be set enrolled at state general edu- the questioning is done or any “The municipal traffic police The report said Monorom HE Ministry of Educa- back 10 to 20 years, he said. cation schools. Among them, decision is made, I will inform are in charge of this case while was also driving using some- tion, Youth and Sport Chuon Naron said: “We 30 per cent can buy smart- you later,” Kimlong said. I am not related. I received the one else’s licence plate. will delay school have to wait a little longer phones and computers and Phnom Penh municipal dep- news that authorities sent the According to the report, Mono- openings and Bac- to see how it’s going in other 30 per cent can learn through uty police chief in charge of traf- case and suspect to the court rom is being accused of three calaureateT examinations until places. We are waiting to see television. fic Chev Hak declined to com- on Sunday,” Vuthy said. offences – distracting police dur- the end of the year to prevent what happens to countries “Among the three million ment on Monday. A municipal police report ing work, using a fake car number a second wave of Covid-19. that open their schools first. students, there are only one- Por Sen Chey district police said Monorom did not listen to plate and attempting to flee the Meantime, as the govern- “Opening school late is much and-a-half million who have chief Morn Vuthy said on Mon- traffic police officers’ advice at scene. ment moves to offer digital better than opening school with accessed the digital education learning services, about 50 high risks. This is the stance of system. The other half de- per cent of Cambodia’s three Prime Minister Hun Sen.” pends on the books published million students still cannot Chuon Naron said he al- by the ministry,” he said. fully access digital lessons. ready has a strategy for re- On April 8, the ministry is- ‘CPP built to last 50 to 100 years’ Minister of Education, opening schools, and that he sued a letter extending the Youth and Sport Hang Chuon would only like to re-open lower secondary diploma Continued from page 1 interrupt shipping. 90 per cent of his ability. Naron made the remarks at a them if they can adhere to examinations and the sec- “It is not a new thing that He said Manet becom- press conference for the con- high standards. ondary school diploma ex- The building itself covers Hun Sen has done this, and it ing prime minister depends struction of the “Centre for Any school which is crowd- aminations for the 2019-2020 50,000sqm. is so successful. When a nega- on the party and support Digital and Distance Educa- ed with students and cannot academic year to prevent the Hun Sen also clarified tive event happens, the private from the general public tion” at Preah Sisowath High implement guidelines by the spread of Covid-19. his reasons for buying 290 sector helps the army. That’s through a general election. School on Sunday. Ministry of Health and the The ministry said: “Delay military trucks, which were why there is a partnership be- Manet would be 53 years old He said the government’s World Health Organisation will the lower secondary diploma distributed last week to the tween the private sector and in 10 years, mature enough to stance is to continue be- not be allowed to re-open. examinations which were Kingdom’s armed forces, in- the military. It is an unbreak- be prime minister, he said. ing careful as it doesn’t want He said: “We will continue the scheduled for August 3 to 10 cluding the National Police able partnership,” he said. “The new generation . . . there Covid-19 spreading again in multi-teaching methods, both and delay the secondary di- and Military Police. The prime minister said he is not only Hun Manet who Cambodia. online learning and classroom ploma examinations which He said he had raised nearly started raising money to buy is qualified. There are many He said Cambodia has learning. If the Covid-19 situa- were scheduled for August 17 $20 million to buy the trucks the trucks in 2018 when Thala more within the CPP. Time had peace for 20 years, and tion becomes normal, we will to September 9. The ministry from China in June last year. Barivat district in Stung Treng will tell. You may be bored liv- within that time, the county teach as much as possible.” will determine the new dates They would have arrived in province bore the brunt of a ing abroad and you just keep has achieved great things. If Chuon Naron said there and announce them later.” February if Covid-19 did not dam collapse in Laos. He said talking about power transfer,” the government at that time he said, referring to unnamed had difficulty rescuing wom- critics living abroad. en, children and the elderly. “Keep in mind that we in- He said another reason for vested in our structure and the trucks was the building human resources not for lead- collapses in Preah Sihanouk ing the country for a short and Kep provinces. time. As you can see, the CPP Hun Sen called those who headquarters from the central criticised the purchase of the to the provincial level are con- trucks “beasts”. He said if they structed to last 50 to 100 years, were not a “beast”, they would not a few years. You should be happy to see the military understand,” he stressed. equip itself with those trucks as Former opposition law- they are for national transport, maker Ou Chanrath said not only for military uses. while building the CPP to be “If you are a Cambodian strong was its internal mat- who loves the nation, you ter, he was concerned that it should be happy to see trans- could affect the principle of portation vehicles arriving democracy in some way. in Cambodia because we no But Kin Phea, the director of longer lack transportation the Royal Academy of Cambo- means,” he said, adding Cam- dia’s International Relations In- bodia still needs more ambu- stitute, said the contributions lances and fire engines. from CPP members to build He said the government is the headquarters reflected the currently using 157 military party’s strong solidarity and its trucks donated by China. forward-thinking nature. Responding to widespread “Ten years from now, I don’t speculations that his oldest think there will be another son Hun Manet will eventual- party that is strong enough to ly succeed him, Hun Sen said compete with the CPP. If we there were many more prime look at how the CPP strength- minister candidates within ened itself and its resources, the CPP. As a father, he said the party is like a big elephant he supported his son and had that no other animal can con- educated him to have at least front,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Ministry launches first-ever Hun Sen honours veterans, vows to health technology solution give more homes Long Kimmarita Ry Sochan 560,000 to 620,000 riel ($138 HE Ministry of to $153). Health has launched PRIME Minister Hun Sen on The letter also mentioned the first-ever health Sunday called on the Minis- that veterans and their families technology solu- try of Social Affairs, Veterans have been receiving NSSF pay- tionT in the Kingdom. Called and Youth Rehabilitation to ments every two weeks of each the Smart Hospital e-Health continue implementing good month through partner banks Yoeung programme, it has services under the National across 25 provincial capitals been launched in the capital’s Social Security Fund (NSSF). since January last year. Preah Ang Duong Hospital. Hun Sen also promoted The government has provided The ministry said it will more home construction for the NSSF healthcare card to the provide convenience for pa- veterans and their families, disabled, retired, and unem- tients and doctors to manage saying the government al- ployed. The health equity fund medical records and make ways remembers their contri- provides for free check-ups and appointments automatically bution to the nation. treatment at hospitals. through mobile phones. His announcement came in The letter said the govern- Health Minister Mam Bun a letter marking the 13th an- ment has established the dis- Heng said on Monday that niversary of Cambodia’s Vet- abled soldier development the Preah Ang Duong Hospi- erans Day on June 21. village in Ta gean Koh Sla, tal was the first public hos- “The Ministry of Social Af- in Chhouk District, Kampot pital to launch the new tech- fairs, Veterans and Youth Re- province, a disabled soldier nology programme following habilitation must continue development centre in Kulen successful trials. to effectively provide NSSF district, Siem Reap province, “This programme can man- services for veterans and their and another centre in Phnom age all patient data. As long as families through the National Chhat in Banteay Meanchey they go to a hospital, all data Fund for Veterans (NFV) province. will be recorded, including across the country. “Meanwhile, the Cambodian medicine, equipment and us- “The ministry shall strive to Veterans Association (CVA) and age,” Bun Heng said. promote the implementation charities have built thousands Bun Heng said the govern- Pong Limsan, First Womentech Asia (FWTA) co-founder and CEO behind the Smart Hospital e-Health Yoeung of housing projects for veter- of homes for veterans in com- ment has an ambitious vision programme. HENG CHIVOAN ans and families as included munities,” Hun Sen wrote. to install the digital hospital in the government’s public in- Ministry spokesman Touch management system in all ports will automatically ap- personal profile, read daily cided to install the e-Health vestment plan,” he wrote. Channy told The Post on Mon- public hospitals across the pear on their mobile phone. healthcare tips and receive Yoeung smart hospital solu- “Cambodian veterans, day that the veterans national Kingdom. “Both the card and the e- useful news from the Ministry tion and smart health card. please continue to maintain fund is for all veterans who He encouraged all Cambo- Health Yoeung app have im- of Health and other related in- “Even though we are a pub- the spirit of excellence and have retired and lost their em- dian hospitals to understand portant functions that have stitutions in the health sector. lic hospital, we are trying to dignity for the nation’s citi- ployment ability, and that sala- and improve their technology many benefits for patients Preah Ang Duong Hospital grow ourselves and the tech- zens and continue to be good ries are the same for retired civil by building hospital infra- and doctors. The mobile app director Lou Ly Kheang said nology is at a stage that we examples in society. servants. The funding does not structure and knowledge. have to do it. “The government and the expire in their lifetime. First Womentech Asia Even though we are a public “Patients must know they are people of Cambodia through- Channy said the ministry (FWTA) co-founder and CEO sick and must come to the hos- out the country will always has been responsible for the of the digital hospital Peth Yoe- hospital, we are trying to grow pital. This does not mean we remember the great sacri- construction of homes for ung programme, Pong Lim- ourselves and the technology is are forcing them to seek treat- fice and appreciation of all veterans facing difficulty, but san, said patients can use the ment, but they have to be aware our veterans for our beloved the task has been turned over technology via the e-Health at a stage that we have to do it they could be ill. Even if they homeland,” Hun Sen said. to the Ministry of Land Man- Yoeung digital card with a 16- forget, they must understand Hun Sen’s letter said there agement, Urban Planning and digit code and a QR code that features many functions such when patients go to the hos- a reminder is on their mobile are 91,975 veterans and Construction. represents one patient. as managing medical records, pital now, they have to carry phone,” Ly Kheang said. 137,765 dependents receiving “All the veterans register with She said patients with this making appointments, and medical history documents A joint press release put out monthly NSSF payments. the social affairs ministry, but card will receive their medi- receiving automatic notifica- which sometimes get lost and by Peth Yoeung and First Wo- From April onwards, the their home is built by the land cal records from the hospitals tions about appointments,” they spend more time waiting mentech Asia said work began government has increased the management ministry. There is that they visit once they regis- she said. to receive treatment. on the digital programme in monthly NSSF payments for no problem with providing the ter their card at the hospital. She said the app also al- “It is a success that Preah 2013 and was rigorously tested retirement, employment dis- money. We have managed it All of their treatment re- lows patients to manage their Ang Duong Hospital has de- before the official launch. ability, and the disabled from well,” he said. Police probe PM: New main airport on track land grab at Thou Vireak PRIME Minister Hun Sen Preah Vihear said construction of the new Phnom Penh International sanctuary Airport would not lack capital investment despite the eco- Khouth Sophak Chakrya nomic impact of Covid-19. He was speaking during THE Preah Vihear provincial a visit to the airport site in Department of Environment Kandal province on Monday. and Rovieng district officials are The construction is 30 per working to identify a group of peo- cent complete. ple who allegedly cleared 200ha “The construction requires A makeshift home built by loggers in the sanctuary. fresh news at Boeung Pea wildlife sanctuary $1.5 billion in capital invest- The airport construction is 30 per cent complete. hun sen’s facebook page and bring them to justice. have known about the in- February, the Rovieng For- ment and the company has Prum Sitha, Rovieng district vestigation and managed to estry Administration investi- not mentioned cash short- Overseas Cambodia Invest- until the end of the year, and deputy police chief, said on escape the scene. However, gated and apprehended eight ages or suspension of con- ment Corporation (OCIC) from July we will spend $1.2 Sunday that officials from the they had not demolished the people for grabbing land. struction, so the airport work CEO Pung Khieu Se said the million per day. district authorities and provin- home or destroyed the crops. District governor Hor Bun- goes on as scheduled and all airport is being constructed on “Foreign credit funds are cial Department of Environ- Provincial Department of En- huor said on Sunday that log- site work as usual,” the prime 2,600ha in Kandal province’s not available immediately ment jointly investigated the vironment director Song Chan ging and grabbing forest and minister said. Kandal Stung district and is and current expenditure is land grab at the wildlife sanctu- Socheat said on Sunday that he state land for private owner- The airport will be rated 4F, scheduled for its phase one dependent on local funds. ary on Friday and found land ordered rangers to work with ship is illegal. He is also one which means it will be able to operations by 2023. However, the company will clearance at Romny commune. police, military police and sol- of the officials who visited the handle the largest aircraft, in- The first phase will be able do its best to not obstruct the “About 200ha was cleared and diers to search for the suspects land at the wildlife sanctuary. cluding the Airbus A380-800 to receive 13 million tourists project,” Khieu Se said. planted with mango, cashews, to question them. “My team and I went to the and Boeing 747-800 to land. each year. Currently, the proj- OCIC will hold a 90 per durian and coconut. A wooden “Now our rangers have found site and of course the forest was “I hope Cambodia will at- ect has spent $120 million for cent stake with another Chi- home was also built and some some clues and are working to logged. The suspects will be tract more tourists and in- consulting, design, founda- nese company in the project, agriculture-related materials arrest the suspects,” he said. held responsible for the crime. vestors after the new Phnom tion drilling, and soil work. while the remaining 10 per were found on the site,” he said. Attempted land grabs have We will find the ringleader be- Penh International Airport “The project will cost an- cent belongs to the State Sec- He said the suspects may been frequent this year. In hind all this,” he said. is ready,” he said. other $208 million from now retariat of Civil Aviation. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Gov’t has sufficient funds CMAA, Mag sign MoU for two-year to survive Covid-19, PM says demining project Niem Chheng dissolved Cambodia National Ry Sochan practices and tools will allow Rescue Party (CNRP). CMAA to transform from an RIME Minister Hun He noted that Hun Sen’s THE Cambodian Mine Action organisation that collects data Sen said on Monday criticisms were not only in and Victim Assistance Author- to one that uses information that the government the context of Covid-19 but ity (CMAA) signed a Memo- for evidence-based, transpar- has more than $3 bil- also the EU’s partial with- randum of Understanding ent programme management lionP in cash and an interna- drawal of the Everything But (MoU) with the Mines Advi- and decision-making. tional reserve fund of around Arms (EBA) scheme. sory Group (Mag) on Monday “The operations manage- $20 billion which will prove Phea said: “What they want to operate a two-year project ment information system will sufficient to pay civil- ser is the collapse of Hun Sen. on information management allow for a simple information vants’ salaries and manage They raise this problem al- development in mine action. management process at all lev- the Covid-19 crisis. most all the time. As long as The project, which starts this els, which improves surveys, Hun Sen made his com- a problem arises they want to year, will be managed by Mag clearance concepts, and oper- ments when visiting the see the government collapse.” and funded by the US Depart- ational enhancements includ- construction site of a new Former CNRP lawmaker ment of Defence’s Humanitar- ing analysis and reporting. international airport in Kan- Ou Chanroth opined that ian Demining Research and “Signing the MoU is the first dal province that is due to be the effects of Covid-19 had Development Programme. step in what I am sure will be a completed in 2023 at a cost of been catastrophic across The MoU was signed by long and fruitful cooperation. about $1.5 million. He was re- the world. Cambodia would CMAA secretary-general Prum “As we work together to sponding to citizens and crit- continue to be affected by Sophakmonkul and Mag tech- achieve the deliverables con- ics who claim the government Hun Sen says the government has more than $3 billion in cash and an the disease for two or three nical adviser Shathel Fahs. tained in the MoU, our cooper- international reserve funds of around $20 billion. hun sen’s facebook will run out of money in 2021. years, Chanroth said. Senior Minister and CMAA ation will deepen and expand,” “Some Facebook users post company go bankrupt. He problems. Since the age of He said even though the first vice-president Ly Thuch he said. that next year, Cambodia will pointed to the construction of 26, I served as a minister and government had confirmed said at the signing ceremony In a letter to mark the 21st have no money for salary pay- the Kandal airport as evidence at the age of 32, I served as a its cash reserves, he was un- that the project operation national mine awareness day, ments. I just confirmed that that businesses were continu- prime minister. I have served sure about its actual size and is another symbolic step in Prime Minister Hun Sen said Covid-19 would not kill Hun ing to operate smoothly. as the prime minister for more thought the money being bringing the Kingdom closer from this year to 2025, Cambo- Sen’s government. Now, civil While he acknowledged that than 35 years,” he stressed. used to help poor and vulner- to the goal of making itself a dia still needs some $372 mil- servants and armed forces some incomes had declined, On Wednesday, Hun Sen able citizens isn’t enough. mine-free country by 2025. lion to clear 806sq km of mines, will receive a raise. he said Customs officials could will announce a cash handout Chanroth said the govern- He said technology innova- 708sq km of cluster bombs and “Even as Covid-19 attacks still collect some $1.2 billion in programme to help poor and ment would not collapse and tion can help improve opera- 508sq km of land with explosive [citizens] and decreases their tax even though they failed to vulnerable citizens affected by neither would the economy. tional demining activities. He remnants of war. incomes, the government has collect $2 billion as planned. the Covid-19 crisis. The gov- But citizens may be affected hopes the programme will help As of last year, he said Cam- the ability to raise salaries, “Some reporters wonder if ernment will spend roughly by a negative impact on their CMAA to initiate the develop- bodia has cleared nearly two which are paid twice a month. Cambodia has real money in $25 million a month to bail livelihoods. ment of technical knowledge billion square metres of land I would like to point out to hand. We have more than $3 more than 600,000 families of “I think that at most, the and skills management for sus- containing mines, destroyed [some Facebook users], if they billion not including some $20 financial difficulties. people suffer if the govern- tainability using the best infor- 1,080,814 mines, 25,186 anti- wait to succeed when Hun billion in an international re- The money will come from ment continues being like mation management systems. tank mines, and 2,832,626 clus- Sen’s government collapses, serve fund. I speak about the the government’s budget. The this. The people suffer from “CMAA and I believe that the ter bombs and explosive rem- they are surely disoriented. problem of cash. Regarding government has also set aside difficulty, a lack of food. And new technology, capacity and nants of war. “But I want them to be dis- Cambodia, I would like to con- $200 million to spend on civil there could be some social is- equipment provided through “As a result, the number of oriented forever because they firm that we prioritise saving servants’ salaries. sues arising inevitably once the project will be the game- victims has dropped from are stupid, so let them be stu- money. We have more than $3 Kin Phea, the director of the the economy is in a crisis. changer. With proper techni- 4,320 in 1996 to 77 in 2019,” pid. No need to look for tradi- billion, or about $3.5 billion. Royal Academy of Cambo- “I believe that there will be cal training and a lot of simu- Hun Sen said. tional healers to bless them “I just want to tell you not to dia’s International Relations measures implemented ac- lations, I believe Cambodia A CMAA report said from with holy water,” he said. underestimate Hun Sen’s gov- Institute, said Hun Sen’s re- cordingly and I believe that could meet its goal of liberat- January to June this year, 35 Until now, Hun Sen said ernment. And don’t underesti- marks were likely aimed at of- the people will be the ones to ing the country from mines. cases of mines and explosive Cambodia had yet to have a mate Hun Sen’s ability to solve ficials of the Supreme Court- suffer [from the crisis].” “This is indeed the epitome remnants of war casualties of how fast we as a country were recorded in 11 prov- adapt to modern technology inces. Of these, eight people and use it to address our inter- were killed, 18 injured, and nal problems. This wouldn’t nine had their limbs ampu- Officials push for happen without help from tated. Battambang had the developed countries where most with 14 casualties. modern technologies mostly During the period, Cambodia originate,” Thuch said. cleared 51,913,227sq m of 6,553 Cambodian-Thai Fahs said the introduction of anti-personnel mines, 146 anti- efficient, effective and innova- tank mines, and 760,439 explo- border opening tive information management sive remnants of war. Khorn Savi Poipet international border checkpoint came after the Lightning strike kills BANTEAY Meanchey provincial Ministry of Foreign Affairs governor Um Reatrey on Mon- and International Coopera- day met with Thai officials from tion sent a letter dated June man, oxen in K Speu Sa Kaeo province to discuss 19 to Minister of Interior Sar reopening the Poipet interna- Kheng, stating that Prime Khouth Sophak Chakrya day. They sold the four oxen for tional border checkpoint. Minister Hun Sen had agreed three million riel to help pay for Provincial hall spokesman on June 17 to allow Vietnam- A MAN and four oxen were the preparations, Sarorn said. Ly Sary told The Post on Mon- ese to travel in and out of the killed by lightning as they National Committee for Di- day that the government met Cambodian border. returned from a rice field to saster Management spokes- Motorcyclists and cart pullers at the Poipet international border with officials at the Customs The letter signed by the min- checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town. Hong Menea their home in Baset district’s man Keo Vy told The Post on headquarters in Thailand to istry’s secretary of state Ouch Svay Rompear commune in Monday that up to June 22, discuss the matter. The Poi- Borith said: “The Cambodian the restriction on cross-border Sovannarith told The Post on Kampong Speu on Sunday. lightning strikes had killed 28 pet-Aranyaprathet interna- government decided to repeal movement of Cambodian and Monday that he had seen the Commune police chief Em people, injured 20, and killed 45 tional border checkpoint has a press release and a diplomatic Vietnamese nationals. announcement but he said Sarorn identified the victim as cattle in the Kingdom. been closed since March. note dated June 18, on tempo- The restriction has been an- there was no formal permis- 69-year-old Mean Chrun. “Compared to last year, He said the discussion came rary travel restrictions between nulled as of June 19. sion from the senior leadership Before the incident, Chrun deaths and injuries caused by after Cambodians requested Cambodian and Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the decision yet. and his two grandsons travelled lightning strikes have fallen the re-opening. by road, water and air.” spokesman Koy Kuong could He said Cambodians along by oxcart to the rice fields, about noticeably. Deaths decreased Sary said Cambodian ven- The letter said Cambodia not be reached for comment the border always ask him 700m from their home, to plough by 34 and injuries fell by 40.” dors with stalls in Rong Kluea would apply health measures on Monday, while Ministry about the day Vietnam will the land. His grandsons returned According to a 2019 Na- market in Sa Kaeo province, from the latest announcement of Health spokeswoman Or open its borders. home in the afternoon with a tional Committee for Disaster who number about 12,000, by the Inter-Ministerial Com- Vandine said she didn’t yet “Cambodian citizens ask bucket of snails they picked at Management report, lightning are especially anxious to get mittee to Combat Covid-19 receive information regard- [me] because they have to the field for their parents to cook strikes killed 62 people, injured the border open because dated June 20 to Vietnamese ing measures to reopen the go for treatment and need to for dinner, Sarorn said. 60 and killed 80 cattle during their business has suffered citizens travelling to Cambodia. border with Vietnam. take medicine from a Viet- “At 5:30 pm, while it was the first six months of 2019. since its closure. The Ministry of Foreign Af- The Vietnamese govern- namese hospital. raining, the victim was riding Vy urged farmers to be more He said the provincial hall fairs and International Coop- ment shut down all borders “Usually, citizens along the the oxcart back home, but was cautious during rain and strong would announce a result of eration on Monday then sent with Cambodia on March 18 border go for treatment in struck and killed by lightning. winds, especially those who the discussion following the another diplomatic note on without informing Cambo- Vietnam because it is easier His four oxen also died.” live near the Dangrek moun- meeting. June 22 to the Vietnamese Em- dian authorities. to go to the neighbouring Chrun’s family prepared a tain range and Phnom Kravanh The request to reopen the bassy in Cambodia concerning Bavet town police chief Em country,” he said. funeral for the victim on Mon- district in Pursat province. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Construction Health minister warns KTVs against worker nabbed for murder in opening amid Covid-19 pandemic Kandal province

Long Kimmarita ANDAL police arrested a suspect on Monday for a June 11 killing in INISTER of Health Mam KAmpil Dam Teuk village in Ponhea Bun Heng has sent a Leu district. letter to provincial gov- Provincial deputy police chief Roeun ernors across the King- Nara on Monday identified the suspect as Mdom, telling them to take measures a 33-year-old construction worker and against karaoke parlours (KTVs) that resident of Slakram commune’s Thlok are operating in violation of Covid- Andong village in Siem Reap province. 19 restrictions. The police questioned him and took He reiterated his order during a Mon- him to court. “There are other suspects day press conference after the launch of and we are investigating further,” he said. the Smart Hospital e-Health Yoeung pro- Ponhea Leu district police chief Penh gramme at Preah Ang Duong Hospital. Vuthy said on Monday that the victim’s “I have written to the local author- family gave information to the police, ities to let them know I want action which led to the arrest. on this problem. I keep watching The victim and suspect are Siem and some places are open. They are Reap natives and they had worked as open secretly, not publicly. This is a construction workers in Ponhea Leu problem as it is hidden. District. On the night of June 11, three of “We need to do something to not the victim’s companions had given him let KTVs open because it operates in money to buy food, but he had instead closed rooms and people are shout- bought beer. ing loudly,” he said. Vuthy said a verbal conflict ensued. He said if someone has Covid-19 it The suspect took a crowbar and a will be transmitted all over the room spade and attacked the victim, woun- to everyone. ding him severely. “Let’s wait until it’s better and let’s “They beat the victim and took him to just sing. We will open the KTVs other locations and shovelled sand on again. But if we open it now, it would him to hide blood stains and cover up evi- infect people with the disease, dence. They then escaped,” Vuthy said. which leads to death. And then they Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng orders local authorities to take action against karaoke parlours that are open secretly. Heng Chivoan He said at the time, the victim was still cannot sing when there’s no more alive. The next morning, a construction Covid-19,” Bun Heng said. Since conditions in Cambodia have put in place strict measures to pre- “We are monitoring all activities site owner reported the case to the police Since the first cases of Covid-19 improved, the government has an- vent KTVs to operate at this time. because we fear secret openings as and they took the victim to the Ponhea in Cambodia were detected in early nounced the opening of some public He said the authorities were also pay- mentioned by the health minister. In Leu district referral hospital. March, the government has ordered places such as national museums. ing close attention and ordering local Kampong Speu province, there is no The victim was in critical condition the temporary closure of businesses But KTVs are not permitted yet. authorities to monitor sites regularly place that is open secretly,” he said. when his family attempted to take him and public spaces such as schools, Kampong Speu provincial gover- because he is concerned that if there’s Cambodia currently has two to Siem Reap. He died along the way. KTVs, movie theatres, casinos, clubs nor Vei Samnang told The Post on an outbreak of the disease it would be Covid-19 infected people still being Kim Sarom and fitness centres. Monday that local authorities had the responsibility of the local authority. treated in hospital. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 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 4,078 1.3565 7.0763 106.94 4.2775 1.3943 30.99 0.6888 1.1221 1.2424 SECC, firm work on commodities, futures market May Kunmakara ket in Cambodia. It’ll be a new market independent of the stock market. HE Securities and Exchange “A futures market is an object of Commission of Cambodia the SECC’s aspiration, a new chan- (SECC) and the Chinese nel for agricultural products to par- conglomerate Ruifeng ticipate in futures trading. TianfuT Investment Co Ltd on Mon- “This is where Ruifeng Tianfu In- day kicked off a consultation on the vestment comes in – such a large establishment of a commodities and company with sound financial sta- futures market in the Kingdom. tus and ample experience is essen- The market will provide a platform tial,” he said. to promote agricultural products, Ruifeng Tianfu Investment gener- said the SECC. al manager Chen Xin told reporters SECC director-general Sou Socheat that the company has experience told reporters on the sidelines of investing across various sectors in SECC director-general Sou Socheat (front left) and Ruifeng Tianfu Investment general manager Chen Xin (front right) signed off on a consultation on the establishment of a commodities and futures market in the Kingdom. HEAN RANGSEY the Memorandum of Understand- China. Its aims to invest in the King- ing (MoU) signing ceremony that dom pursuant to the guidelines of Given the close relations between ment of the market,” Socheat said, 1.9 million tonnes of agricultural the company will conduct a joint Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt our countries, our company is also highlighting the success of China’s products in the first five months of feasibility study with the SECC on and Road Initiative. interested in putting money in the commodities market. the year, up 7.35 per cent compared commodity futures trading in two He said: “We have support from commodities and futures market. “We’re counting on good results from to the same period last year, with classes of products. the Chinese leader to invest in Cam- Socheat said a timeframe has not the study and setting up the market at milled rice topping the list. These are commodities commonly bodia in a commodities and futures been set, as it depends on the results some point next year,” he said. Ministry data show that the linked to financial products, such as market. Following the study and dis- of the study. Last week, Ministry of Agriculture, Kingdom exported 4.87 million gold, and those that are not, such as cussions with the SECC, our compa- He noted that the SECC is also at Forestry and Fisheries senior official tonnes of agricultural products to agricultural products, he said. The ny will decide on which of Cambo- the final stages of drafting regula- Ngin Chhay told a press conference the international market last year former is expected to be integrated dia’s various sectors to invest in. tions for managing the market. that Cambodia expects to export – more than four million tonnes to into the market in its initial phase. “As you are well aware, Cambo- “We will conduct the study with more than five million tonnes of ag- ASEAN countries, 430,000 to Chi- He said: “The MoU will pave the way dia and China are set to strike a them and then submit the results to ricultural products this year. na, 261,000 to the EU and 135,000 for . . . a commodities and futures mar- free trade agreement very soon. our leaders to approve the establish- He said the Kingdom exported to other countries. Expenses piling on following suspension of operations

Continued from page 1 tives, we expect that our monthly The ratings agency opined the cash run-rate operating costs will be $3.9 and deposits as at May 31, 2020, would notes issue . . . our liquidity could sup- million,” it said. be sufficient to cover the estimated port approximately 18 months of The group, which has been in oper- “cash burn” over the next 12 months operating expenditure and interest ation for 25 years, has an exclusive if the casino closure is prolonged. expenses, with minimal revenue. gaming licence to operate within a “Therefore, NagaCorp will likely rely “The proceeds on the proposed notes 200km radius of Phnom Penh. The on external funding to address its $300 issuance might redeem some or all of licence is expected to expire in 2065. million bond maturation,” it said. the outstanding 2021 notes including In 3MFY20, net gaming revenue On the assumption that casino accrued interest, costs, charges, premi- rose four per cent to $167.6 million operations resume in the third quarter ums and expenses, as well as other compared to $160.7 million a year of 2020 and with the proposed issu- amounts incidental to the repayment ago while gross gaming revenue went ance of the notes, Moody’s expects the of the 2021 notes on or prior to matu- up 15 per cent to $368.9 million in the adjusted debt to earnings before inter- rity on May 21 next year,” it said. first quarter versus $321.2 million in est, taxes, depreciation and amortisa- As the terms of the non-convertible the corresponding period last year. tion (Ebitda) to weaken to about 2.3 notes such as the aggregate principal Despite Covid-19, the development times from 0.5 times in 2019. amount, tenure, offer price and inter- of its $4 billion Naga 3 continues, with “However, [we] expect [that] a sub- est rate have yet to be determined, completion expected by 2025, increas- sequent gradual recovery in operat- the scale is not certain. ing the group’s capacity by two times. ing conditions due to increased inter- The terms of the notes will be con- The combined NagaWorld complex national travel and bond repayments ducted via a book-building exercise Hong Kong-listed operator NagaCorp Ltd plans to issue senior notes to investors in of Naga 1, Naga 2 and Naga 3 is antic- in May 2021 will drive an improve- by investment banks Credit Suisse Asia and Europe. pOST STAFF ipated to house 5,000 hotel rooms, ment in adjusted debt/Ebitda to Group AG, Morgan Stanley & Co “It is to show his support for and con- three months ended March 31, 2020. 1,300 gaming tables and 4,500 elec- around 0.7 times in 2021,” it said. International Plc and UBS Group AG fidence in the group,” the statement For the first three months ended tronic gaming machines and other Commenting on the negative outlook, as joint global coordinators, book- read, adding that details of Chen’s sub- March 31, 2020 (3MFY20), which is non-gaming attractions. Moody’s said it is based on the expecta- runners and lead managers. scription that have not been fixed and before the casino’s closure, average Separately, global rating agencies tion that the group’s earnings and cred- The investment banks, NagaCorp are subject to finalisation, will be monthly expenditures were $18.4 mil- Moody’s Investor Service Inc and S&P it metrics will weaken in 2020 with the and others are expected to enter into announced based on the listing rules, lion, consisting of run-rate operating Global Ratings assigned a B1 senior unse- extent and pace of any subsequent a purchase agreement once the terms as and when appropriate. costs of $13.9 million, maintenance cured rating with a negative outlook, and recovery remaining uncertain for now. of the notes are finalised. The 2021 notes with an interest rate capital expenditure of $1.3 million B+ rating with a stable outlook, respec- “An upgrade [on the outlook] is The completion of the proposed of 9.375 per cent were issued by the and interest expense of $3.2 million. tively, over the proposed issuance. unlikely over the next 12 to 18 months, notes issuance is subject to, inter alia, group on May 21, 2018. It also incurred monthly gaming “The rating is aligned with NagaCorp’s but it could return to stable if the market conditions and investors’ The suspension of its casino opera- obligation and non-gaming obliga- B1 corporate family rating, as the casinos reopen,” it said. interest and therefore may or may tions on April 1, 2020, following tion payment of $900,000. upstream guarantees from major oper- Meanwhile, S&P Global reportedly not proceed. instruction by Cambodia’s Ministry To date, the group has scaled back ating subsidiaries mitigate structural said it expects NagaCorp to “appro- In the meantime, NagaCorp con- of Economy and Finance on March its hotel and food and beverage oper- subordination risk for bondholders. priately manage the refinancing or trolling shareholder and CEO Chen 31, caused the company to undertake ations, reduced payroll expenses by “The proposed bond issuance will redemption of its unsecured notes Lip Keong has committed to subscribe a series of actions to reduce its cash limiting staff on-site and reducing reduce refinancing risk and address over the next 12 months”. up to $45 million in principal amounts expenditures. employee pay since April. It also NagaCorp’s 2021 debt maturity amid S&P also expressed the belief that via his wholly-owned company Chen- It hopes to reduce its largest bill, the closed facilities to reduce expendi- challenging market conditions for the group would continue to hold a LipKeong Capital Ltd, which is incor- run-rate operating cost, to $3.9 mil- ture on utilities. fundraising,” said Moody’s analyst “dominant market position” in the porated in the Cayman Islands. lion from $13.9 million in the first “After giving effect to these initia- Junling Tan. Cambodian gaming sector. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Thai agricultural Laos sees more revenue from coffee imports jump

HE number of coffee plan- in Q1 following tations under the Lao Cof- fee Association (LCA) has drought, virus decreased by around five to HAILAND’S agricultural trade 10T per cent in the first five months in the ASEAN market rose by of this year as growers shifted to cas- T5.1 per cent year-on-year to sava for better incomes. 113.566 billion baht ($3.66 billion) in With the price of Lao coffee falling the first quarter of the year, driven and facing challenges posed by cof- by a rise in imports. fee larva, and types of Polyphagozerra However, total agricultural exports coffeae and Acalolepta cervina in re- fell 6.99 per cent to 75.415 billion baht cent years, some farmers have shifted from last year, data from the Office of from coffee to grow other commercial Agricultural Economics (OAE) show. crops, LCA studies found. The core exports were sugar But the value of coffee exported by and sugar products, non-alcoholic Laos increased as the price of local cof- beverages, and livestock. fee beans was better this year, said LCA Meanwhile agricultural imports main coordinator Sivilay Xayasaeng. from ASEAN neighbours jumped by During the first five months of last 41.43 per cent or 38.151 billion baht, year, Laos exported almost 12,000 consisting mainly of vegetables – tonnes of coffee worth around $24.9 especially cassava and green beans million, and the figure increased this – fish and other aquatic animals, year to almost 20,000 tonnes worth and rice and grain. $37 million. This year’s exports in- Corn was imported in high quanti- cluded the Arabica, Robusta, Exelsa ties after crops in Thailand were hit and Roasted varieties. by drought and pests. In the case of Arabica coffee, espe- Thailand’s first-quarter trade sur- cially the red beans that companies plus in the ASEAN market dropped in Laos bought from farmers, the Coffee plantations in Champasak province currently cover 50,250ha, 19,716ha in Saravan province, 10,131ha in Sekong province and by 31.13 per cent year-on-year to 2,216ha in Attapeu province. VIENTIANE TIMES highest price was 3,200 kip ($0.35) 37.264 billion baht. Cambodia, Ma- and the lowest price was 2,800 kip in 10,131ha in Sekong province and for their farms because most of the improved because of the coopera- laysia and Indonesia were Thailand’s December last year. 2,216ha in Attapeu province. labour comes from other provinc- tion and support of government or- top three regional trading partners. At the same time, the highest and Champasak borders Cambodia es, said the LCA. ganisations and the private sector. Cambodia received 14.336 billion lowest prices of white beans were along Choam Ksan and Chheb dis- After placing orders, some im- Coffee is also being included as baht or 19.01 per cent of total Thai 16,500 kip and 15,000 kip, respective- tricts in Preah Vihear province, as porters suspended them until the part of the wider socio-economic exports, consisting mainly of non- ly, while the prices for Robusta were well as Thala Barivat and Siem Pang situation returns to normal, while development goals framed by the alcoholic beverages and pigs. Ma- 12,500 kip and 11,000 kip, respectively. districts and Stung Treng town in some cancelled their orders, it said. Lao government to boost the over- laysia and Indonesia accounted for Vietnam is largest foreign market Stung Treng province. The companies cannot find new seas expansion of domestic firms. 16.20 per cent and 15.90 per cent of for Laos, accounting for 65 per cent Attapeu borders the Kingdom customers because of the govern- While challenges remain, there are Thai farm exports, respectively. of the total coffee exports, followed along Stung Treng province’s Siem ment’s strict measures to prevent clear efforts to realise the Lao gov- Agricultural production in Thai- by Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, Bel- Pang district and Ratanakkiri prov- and control the spread of Covid-19. ernment’s efforts to boost the coffee land has slowed since the end of gium, Switzerland and the US. ince’s Taveng and Veun Sai districts. Coffee is one of the top revenue industry. However, most farmers are last year due to early drought and Coffee plantations in Champasak Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, earners among all the agricultural still producing their crops using lo- the economic impact of Covid-19. province currently cover 50,250ha, most Lao coffee producers have products exported by Laos. The cal techniques, which result in lower THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 19,716ha in Saravan province, faced a shortage of workers to care quality of Lao coffee products has yields. VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23 , 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus hospitality Fine dining back on the menu as Sofitel targets domestic market

ofitel Phnom Penh boosted for two weeks quite Phokeethra is helping successfully with a very at- the capital change its tractive package – you paid in leisure habits as the advance but are free to book hotelS industry seeks to recover the dates you want later on from the financial fallout of the this year whenever you like. It Covid-19 pandemic. worked very well,” Chevet told Charles-Henri Chevet, the The Post. general manager of the five-star Cambodians’ leisure patterns hotel situated in the centre of are changing due to the Covid the city, says hotels should first outbreak, he said, and “we focus on the domestic market are happy as this has gener- as the tourism industry waits ated some well needed room to fully recover. bookings”. Sofitel Phnom Penh Pho- “In cities like Bangkok, keethra has been operating for Hong Kong and Singapore, the 10 years and earned a stellar staycation concept has been reputation for its restaurants, very popular for some time, with so a main strategy is to offer people booking into hotels at amazing offers on food and weekends for beverage, Chevet says. a break. “Our Do Forni Italian restau- “In rant reopened last week, and so Phnom we have upgraded our original Penh, this offer to a gourmet staycation had yet deal. Rooms will be available to take with breakfast and Italian off, but the dinner for two people for Covid-19 $250 per night. “Our Fu Lu Zu Chinese res- taurant has been reopen for a Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra’s Do Forni Italian restaurant has reopened.supplied month now and there is a new breakfast offer, which is prov- restrictions have increasingly receiving requests going to take some time before economy, hoteliers, the Hotel ing popular,” he said. seen staycations to hold business meetings things gradually recover. Look Association and the Ministry The Frenchman says hotels become increas- again, which Chevet says is “an long term and have effective of Tourism are working hard need to focus on the domestic ingly popular as encouraging sign”, the Brittany strategies in place. to get the sector safely through market after the sector was it is harder to native predicts it will take at “Look to the domestic this crisis and to be stronger in rocked by the global Covid-19 move around. least 12 months before things market. That is what hotels the future. pandemic. “With it be- return to pre-Covid levels in on the coast are doing. Many “This October is the twentieth “In Phnom Penh, we had ing hot season the capital’s hotel sector. people are now going to Kep anniversary of the opening of seen double-digit growth over as well, families With market recovery set to and Kampot, which is good. our first hotel in Cambodia – the past eight years until the and couples begin domestically and then Siem Reap is going to do this, the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra outbreak. We then lost the en- are booking regionally before it recovers with some hotels reopening Golf & Spa Resort in Siem tire portfolio of bookings. It into Sofitel to internationally, Chevet offers soon, as they look to seize Reap. We were putting on huge was unprecedented – nobody take advantage some advice for smaller players on people from Phnom Penh festivities to mark the occasion, had seen this before. of the beautiful in the market. going there for a week’s holi- but these obviously have had to “And now, I think for ev- pool and garden, “It is important not to panic. day,” he said. be wound down. ery country in the world, the the air-con, the Introduce some tactical offers Although the sector has “However, we are hopeful first plan – as people cannot excellent food – the idea is flash sales – be a been hard hit, Chevet is con- of having a huge party next enter and leave as freely – is and beverage, and bit more aggressive, but don’t fident there will be a lot to year to celebrate the tenth to attract the domestic market. the great service,” drastically drop your room celebrate next year. birthday of Sofitel Phnom Penh “This why we launched our he said. rates. This will just dilute your “With the hotel industry so Phokeethra here in the capital,” original staycation offer. We Sofitel general manager Charles-Henri Chevet.post staff While Sofitel is margins. Be aware that it is important to the Cambodian Chevet said.

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra has been operating for almost 10 years.supplied The high-ceilinged lobby oozes luxury and sophistication. supplied The five-star hotel has a number of tennis courts.supplied THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World North Korea says ready to send Scholars: Pandemic has altered dynamics millions of leaflets to the South in Asia-Pacific region ORTH Korea has THE Covid-19 pandemic has strengthen the architecture to millions of pro- had a big impact on security in increase dialogue in the areas paganda leaflets the Asia-Pacific, and countries of food, health, security and ready to send to in the region need to form a economic recovery.” Nthe South by an aerial armada broader collaboration mecha- Shivshankar Menon, a for- of balloons, it said on Mon- nism to tackle the challenges mer Indian diplomat, said the day, heightening its rhetoric presented, experts who took pandemic had accelerated the against Seoul after blowing part in an online forum said. threat to security in the Asia- up a liaison office. “Security and cooperation Pacific region, such as decou- In recent weeks Pyongyang dialogue among Asian coun- pling and reversing globalisa- has issued a series of vitriolic tries, such as China, Japan, the tion, and stoking competition condemnations of Seoul over Republic of Korea and India, is between major powers. anti-North leaflets, which needed for the stability in Asia The pandemic has dimin- defectors based in the South and cooperation after Covid- ished all of the major powers, send across the border – usu- 19,” said Surakiart Sathirathai, putting leadership under in- ally attached to balloons or deputy prime minister of Thai- creasing external and internal floated in bottles. land from 2005 to 2006. pressures, said Menon, who The North says it will have The video discussion was was India’s national security nothing more to do with part of the 2020 World Peace adviser from 2010 to 2014. Seoul, and last week blew up Forum virtual conference held All countries now face heavi- a liaison office on its side of by Tsinghua University in Bei- er economic, political and oth- the border that symbolised jing last week. er pressures, making it more inter-Korean rapprochement The pandemic has dimin- difficult for them to deal with while threatening to bolster ished multilateralism and security issues, he said. In addi- its military presence in and international collaboration, tion, a bilateral or multilateral near the Demilitarised Zone. including that conducted in security structure in the Asia- Analysts say Pyongyang has the UN system, but has pro- Pacific region in the near future been conducting a series of moted regional collaboration had become more unlikely. staged provocations aimed North Korea is preparing to retaliate with its ‘largest-ever distribution of leaflets against the enemy [the to some extent, said Sura- Menon echoed Surakiart’s South]’, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday. KCNA/AFP at forcing concessions from kiart. For example, regional opinion on the definition of Seoul and Washington with it all, including the north- fensive images and language. the process by issuing mul- organisations had been set- regional security and suggest- nuclear talks at a standstill. south Korea agreement”. A 2016 flyer showed then tiple incremental warnings ting up mechanisms to help ed expanding its range to a Ostensibly the source of its Both Koreas used to regu- South Korean President Park from different official sources each other deal with Covid-19 broader one, as the pandemic anger is the leaflets which it larly send leaflets to the other Geun-hye, with one eye pho- – leadership, government de- since last month. has involved more “non-tradi- says insult the dignity of its side but agreed to stop such toshopped to look bruised partments and the military – Developing regionalism can tional security issues”, such as leadership – a reference to propaganda activities – in- and her hair messed up, with ahead of each step it takes. help promote multilateral climate change and hygiene. leader Kim Jong-un. cluding loudspeaker broad- the message: “Idiot president The North’s latest declara- collaboration and discourage He called for “issue-based It is preparing to retaliate casts along the frontier – in and devil.” tions come after Kim Yeon- unilateralism, and regional coalitions” within the region with its “largest-ever distri- the Panmunjom Declaration Inter-Korean relations have chul, South Korea’s point organisations should be because it would be impos- bution of leaflets against the that Moon and Kim signed at been in a deep freeze follow- man for relations with Pyong- strengthened to play a more sible to build a single architec- enemy”, the official Korean their first summit in 2018. ing the collapse of a summit yang, resigned as unification important role for peace dia- ture within which to deal with Central News Agency (KCNA) In a commentary this in Hanoi between Kim and US minister over the heightened logue, fostering post-Covid- all issues, especially non-tra- reported on Monday. month, KCNA described leaf- President Donald Trump early tensions, expressing hope 19 collaboration, he said. ditional issues that would re- Altogether “12 million leaf- let-scattering as “undisguised last year over what the nucle- that his departure “will be a “Regionalisation of multilat- quire collaborative solutions. lets of all kinds reflective of psychological warfare” and ar-armed North would be will- chance to pause for a bit”. eralism is the way forward for He Yafei, a former Chinese the wrath and hatred of the “an act of a pre-emptive at- ing to give up in exchange for South Korea has also an- peace, security and economic vice-minister of foreign af- people from all walks of life” tack that precedes a war”. a loosening of sanctions. nounced it will ban sending cooperation. It is multilateral- fairs, outlined several key have been produced, it said, At times it has led to esca- The impoverished coun- leaflets north – raising con- ism that will lead all of us to a points that should be put on and more than 3,000 balloons lation – in October 2014 the try is subject to multiple UN cerns over freedom of speech in shared future of mankind.” top of the security threat list prepared to send them far to North opened fire on an air Security Council sanctions the democratic country – and Covid-19 has drawn the for the Asia-Pacific region. the south. balloon carrying anti-Pyong- over its banned weapons pro- has filed a police complaint world’s attention to food and Any possible deterioration of “The time for retaliatory yang leaflets, triggering an ex- grammes. against two defector groups health security, changing tension among major powers punishment is drawing near,” change of shots at the border. Moon initially brokered dia- over the campaigns that have people’s perceptions of re- needs to be prevented because it said. But most South Koreans logue between Pyongyang and offended Pyongyang. gional security, he said. it could lead to military con- One of the leaflets shown in largely ignore leaflets they Washington, but the North now The two Koreas remain “Technology for food safety, frontation, he said, suggest- the official Rodong Sinmun find sent by the North. blames him for not persuading technically at war after the medical supplies and medi- ing that crisis management or newspaper carried an image of The flyers often boast of its the US to relax sanctions. Korean War hostilities ended cine development . . . will be dialogue within a consultation South Korean President Moon military prowess or criticise Analysts say its actions ap- with an armistice in 1953 that the focuses of regional coop- mechanism to deal with crises Jae-in drinking from a cup and the US and Southern presi- pear to be carefully calibrated, was never replaced by a peace eration [in the future]. Accord- has to be put in place. CHINA DAI- accused him of having “eaten dents, accompanied by of- with Pyongyang drawing out treaty. AFP ingly, major powers should LY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK US, Russia arms talks start with little hope of accord THE US and Russia meet on Monday ment when they arrived at 8:30am flights and on intermediate-range those of the US and Russia. China comes a distant third with in Vienna for talks on their last major (0630 GMT) at the Niederoesterreich nuclear forces. Speaking over the weekend, Ryab- 320 warheads. nuclear weapons agreement against Palace in the Austrian capital where US Special Presidential Envoy for kov played down prospects when he Song Zhongping, a defence analyst a backdrop of growing tensions and the talks are taking place. Arms Control Ambassador Marshall said that while it would be “correct in Beijing, said 2,000 warheads would differences over whether they see any Daryl Kimball, executive director of Billingslea and Russian Deputy Min- and logical” to agree on an extension, be an ideal arsenal for China, whose value in arms control at all. the Washington-based Arms Control ister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Ryab- the future of the world was not sole- main concern is to counter the US. US President Donald Trump insists Association, said the insistence on kov are nonetheless to discuss the ly dependent on it. He said: “China will never partici- that China should be involved in the including China showed the Trump future of the New START treaty, which The deadlock over New START and pate in nuclear disarmament nego- talks on New START, the treaty that administration was not serious about was agreed in 2010 and expires in the demise of other nuclear arms tiations between the US and Russia caps US and Russian nuclear war- an accord. February next year. control treaties “suggest that the era . . . The nuclear disarmament talks heads because he says up until now “The only conclusion I can come to That leaves very little time to renew of bilateral nuclear arms control proposed by the US are only a trap.” Beijing has had a free pass to do as it is that . . . the Trump administration a complex deal, let alone negotiate a agreements between Russia and the Russian political analyst Fyodor likes in developing weapon systems. [does] not intend to extend New new treaty involving China, espe- USA might be coming to an end”, said Lukyanov said there was no reason China has shown no sign of being START and is seeking to display Chi- cially with a November presidential Shannon Kile of the Stockholm Inter- to expect any progress in Vienna. interested, giving Washington fresh na’s disinterest in trilateral arms con- election looming. national Peace Research Institute. He said: “The Trump administration cause for complaint, although critics trol talks as a cynical excuse to allow The current treaty limits each side According to the institute’s latest has rejected nearly all the restraints say the US finds that a useful stick New START to expire,” said Kimball. to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads. research, Russia has 6,375 nuclear linked to the treaties agreed in the past. with which to beat its growing rival. Trump has already scrapped sev- China’s nuclear arsenal is rapidly warheads, including those that are There is nothing to suggest that this The delegations made no state- eral treaties with Russia – on over- expanding but is still far smaller than not deployed, and the US has 5,800. treaty will be the exception.” AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Second year S’pore’s tech of internet shutdown readiness ‘gave in Myanmar THE internet shutdown in it a head start’ Myanmar’s conflict-ridden northwest, described by rights groups as the world’s longest, entered a second year on Sun- day with locals and campaign- amid Covid-19 ers appealing for an end to the blackout as coronavirus fears INGAPORE’S tech- cashless and transacting on- grip the region. nology preparedness line safely and with ease us- The Myanmar military has gave it “a head start” ing a national digital identity. been embroiled in a bloody in responding to acute This led to the government civil war since January last needsS when the Covid-19 forming its own crack team of year against the Arakan Army pandemic erupted earlier this data scientists, software cod- (AA), an insurgent group fight- year, said Minister-in-charge ers and engineers, which has ing for more autonomy for of the Smart Nation Initiative now grown to 950 people. ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. “We’ve been able to recruit, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan noted that Singapore’s technology preparedness gave it ‘a head start’ in responding The government shut down to the Covid-19 pandemic. THE STRAITS TIMES “We were starting, fortu- rebuild a hard core of engi- mobile data in several town- nately, from a position of neering talent that has enabled Launched in March, the app go cashless when the physical course materials were not de- ships across Rakhine state and strength and preparation,” he the government now to do in- called TraceTogether, which handling of coins and notes is signed for access from a tab- neighbouring Chin state on said in an interview with The house many things which it uses Bluetooth radio exchang- viewed as a viral risk. let or mobile phone. June 21 last year, causing panic Straits Times. would have had to outsource in es to log nearby users, was de- “We were able to roll out Nominated Members of among residents desperate for Indeed, Hong Kong-based the past,” said Dr Balakrishnan, veloped in about two months all these things to meet an Parliament Anthea Ong and information about the unrest. Deep Knowledge Group’s who is also the foreign minister. by GovTech engineers. Since acute need very, very quick- Lim Sun Sun highlighted the Human Rights Watch (HRW) survey of 200 countries and They bang out codes and then, dozens of governments ly because all the founda- digital divide in Parliament had called on Friday for an territories released earlier design solutions to address in Australia, Britain and some tions were in place,” said Dr last month. immediate end to “the world’s this month ranked Singapore Singapore’s needs. US states have developed sim- Balakrishnan. Dr Balakrishnan said these longest government-enforced the fourth safest place in the Most recently, they created ilar versions. Even so, he admitted that were “teething issues” and internet shutdown”. world to live in during the an information site mask- Singapore’s decade-ago in- several challenges emerged hinted at a pedagogy revamp. HRW’s Linda Lakhdhir said Covid-19 pandemic. gowhere.sg in one day and vestments to bring fibre broad- during the circuit breaker “We are now headed to the “civilians must get the infor- The country trailed only launched it on February 1 to band links to every home have period from April 7 to June 1 age of convergence. Regard- mation needed to stay safe” Switzerland, Germany and Is- allow residents to enter their also paid off as employees and when children had to adopt less of what device you have, during a global pandemic. rael in the survey that looked postal code to check the near- students have had to work and home-based learning during you want to have the same ex- The country has so far at quarantine efficiency, mon- est collection point for the learn from home to manage the school term. perience, look and feel . . . and recorded 287 coronavirus cas- itoring and detection, as well free masks the government the spread of Covid-19. Some low-income house- it’s a software issue. The Min- es including six deaths, but as emergency preparedness. was distributing. Launched in 2017, PayNow holds with three or more istry of Education is acutely experts fear the low numbers Singapore owes its current Singapore is also the first in – an instant fund transfer ser- school-going children did not aware of this, and it’s working are due to a lack of testing. readiness to groundwork that the world to roll out an app to vice that maps mobile phone have enough subsidised com- very hard to have that conflu- A government official said started six years ago with the reduce the tracking time of po- or NRIC numbers to bank ac- puters or computers on loan. ence so that it will truly be earlier this month the internet roll-out of Smart Nation plans tentially infected individuals count numbers for funds to Some children had to do their a seamless experience,” he shutdown would continue that aim to see, among other who had come into close con- be credited – has provided homework on mobile phones said. THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ until at least August 1 in eight things, every resident going tact with a Covid-19 patient. the platform for payments to or tablets, but some of the ASIA NEWS NETWORK townships. Telecom companies said the government ordered the black- out to prevent “illegal activities”. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands of civilians Vaccination solutions offering peace of mind and seen hundreds injured and scores killed, with both SINCE Indonesia announced its first under the age of two,” she added. the military and the AA trading Covid-19 case in March, many parents Brawijaya Clinic in Kemang, South allegations of abuses. have faced the dilemma of whether to Jakarta, is one of the healthcare facili- Few in Myanmar have per- take their children for immunisations. ties offering drive-through vaccina- sonal computers, with the An assessment conducted by the tions. The clinic’s manager, Martina majority relying on mobile Ministry of Health, with the support of Maharani, told the Post that the service phones to access the internet UNICEF, from April 20-29, showed that was created because of high demand for communications and the pandemic has led to a decline in from patients. information – making those the country’s vaccination coverage. “We understand that patients are under the blackout especially Based on the ministry’s online survey, afraid of going out and coming to the vulnerable to Covid-19. which polled 5,329 out of the 9,993 clinic because there is a risk of con- Rights groups have also con- Puskesmas (healthcare centres) in Indo- tracting the coronavirus,” she said. demned the blocking of sev- nesia, immunisation services had been The drive-through procedure is quite eral local media websites and significantly disrupted by the outbreak, simple. Patients register on WhatsApp are urging telecom firms to and the government policy of physical prior to their visit. During the appoint- push back against the govern- distancing was in place in about 84 per ment, a doctor in protective health ment’s orders. cent of the reporting facilities. gear (APD) performs the immunisation Rakhine state is also home National immunisation programme inside the car. to the Rohingya, a Muslim data shows that between January and “For child immunisations, the doctor minority group that faced a March, there was a 13 per cent decline will do a quick review of the patient’s brutal crackdown by the mili- in measles and rubella vaccinations medical history. For other health issues, tary in 2017. compared to the same period last year, the patients can use our teleconsult Some 750,000 fled to neigh- indicating that thousands of children application,” said Martina, adding that bouring Bangladesh in vio- will be at risk of increased morbidity the patients could choose between a lence that has led to charges of and mortality from vaccine-preventa- An assessment conducted by the Ministry of Health, with the support of UNICEF, showed paediatrician and general practitioner genocide against Myanmar at ble diseases (VPDs). that the pandemic has led to a decline in Indonesia’s vaccination coverage. AFP for the service. the UN’s top court. The 600,000 Inadequate understanding of the In addition to ProSehat, ZAP Clinic Rohingya remaining in ministry’s guidance and a perceived had to follow their immunisation car and went directly to the room,” he is offering in-home vaccinations. Rakhine live in what Amnesty high risk of local transmission of Cov- schedules. “We need to protect our said, adding that he had made a reser- The clinic, known primarily as a International has branded id-19 in the reported Puskesmas areas children from other diseases besides vation and paid for the service one day beauty specialist before the pandemic, “apartheid conditions”, with were among the reasons mentioned for Covid-19,” she said during a virtual before going to the hospital. charges a minimum of 1.5 million little freedom of movement. the disruption. press conference on June 4. “I prefer drive-through vaccination rupiah ($106) per visit. “We want to know more The report also states that despite In response to the crisis, parents such during the pandemic,” he said. To use the service, patients contact information regarding Covid- their understanding of immunisations, as Andreas Yosafat Tarigan and Siksta Siksta used the ProSehat mobile the clinic’s call centre and consult with 19, what’s happening to the some caregivers are anxious about con- Alia have sought alternatives, includ- application to reserve in-home vacci- the paediatrician. After making an displaced people in Sittwe tracting Covid-19, and their fears have ing drive-through and in-home vac- nations for her two children. She said appointment, a medical worker wear- [Rakhine’s capital] and what’s outweighed their willingness to bring cination services. the service gave her peace of mind as ing APD will visit their home. happening in Bangladesh,” their children in for immunisation. Andreas brought his ninie-month-old she did not need to go to the hospital “The entire consultation and admin- Abdullah, a Rohingya resident On May 22, the Indonesian Paediatri- son to a drive-through immunisation in during the pandemic. istration procedure will be conducted from Mrauk U township, told cians Association (IDAI) called on par- Santo Borromeus Hospital in Bandung, “It’s [quite comfortable] for emergen- before the appointment,” said ZAP AFP by phone. ents to continue vaccinating their chil- West Java. He told The Jakarta Post that cies. But the immunisation was not Clinic CEO Fadly Sahab, adding that the They now struggle to contact dren despite the outbreak. he was satisfied with the service as he performed by a paediatrician, and there service sought to uphold the principle relatives, send them money or Paediatrician Citra Amelinda reiter- didn’t need to enter a crowded area. were no weight and head measure- of quick and limited physical interac- even check the weather fore- ated that children under the age of two “We queued in the car, got out of our ment, which is important for children tion. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK cast, he added. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion Thailand trails trans-Pacific partnership www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng critics in communicationsLy Tayseng game Executive Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua purushotman nication with the public remains a Opinion Joshua purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer major obstacle. The infographic Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Preechapak Tekasuk pamphlets provided on their Face- Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Rith book pages and official websites are Deputy Chief of Staff phak Seangly ORE than half a decade often criticised as uninspiring, and Business Editor phak Seangly after abandoning the unimaginative, since they roughly May Kunmakara Business Editor US-led multilateral pro- put all the information into the tem- Deputy Business Editor May Kunmakara gramme, Trans-Pacific plate at once. And that does not Sangeetha amarthalingam MPartnership (TPP), Thailand has Deputy Businessappear Editor to be sufficiently persuasive. Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Sorn Sarath finally got back on track to joining On the contrary, it drives the audi- pan Simala the grouping again. Deputy Headences of Lifestyle away Desk as the information pub- Senior Reporters On the initiative of Deputy Prime pan Simala lished within the pamphlets is too Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Thailand Senior Reportersincomprehensible and not reader- Reporters began the negotiations early this year. Meas Sokchea,friendly. Niem Chheng The masses definitely prefer Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long The new TPP, however, was remodelled Reporters messages that are easy to under- Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth as the Comprehensive and Progressive Khouth Sophakstand. Chakrya, The Kim Sarom,government Long has to basi- Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partner- cally understand that in order to bet- Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth Sovanny, Thou Vireak, Ry Sochan ship (CPTPP) spearheaded by US ally, ter communicate with the public; it Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Photographers Japan, in March 2018. needs to consider the comprehen- Sovanny, Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea The hope is that it might offer Thai- sion of its audiences. This is where Web Editor Ry Sochan land a broader economic and strate- the Thai civil-society holds its high Leang phannara Photographers gic opportunity, and most importantly ground over the government. Webmasters grant Bangkok an ability to compete Heng Chivoan, HongAs a Menea matter of fact, the government Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea with its rising neighbours – Malaysia The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was remodelled as the Comprehensive and ProgressiveWeb Editor is strategically the sole actor who SIEM REAP BUREAU Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) spearheaded by US ally, Japan. afp and Vietnam – who joined the talks in Leang phannaraholds most of the information about Offi ce Manager 2008 and 2010 respectively. Webmastersthe CPTPP. It had previously hired a Sophearith Blondeel Unfortunately, the move by the manipulated the public to rage on channel of communication to transSous- Chanthy,consulting pang Vichea firm, Bolliger & Company, PRODUCTION & PRINTING Thai government has faced a chronic the issue, by emphasising only a few parently persuade the public into SIEM REAP BUREAUto conduct an intensive research Head of Desktop Publishing backlash from the public since the life-threatening agendas: patents on trusting it. Therefore, it could notOffi make ce Manager about both costs and benefits of the Nhim Sokphyrak end of April this year. Prominent civ- plants and seeds, pharmaceutical the masses feel secure enough aboutSophearith BlondeelCPTPP to Thailand. Desktop Publishing il-society groups interpret the CPTPP patents, and small and medium- its ambitious scheme. The Department Apart from a 500-page research Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath PRODUCTION & PRINTING as benefiting only a small circle of sized enterprises. of Trade Negotiations, and its parent report produced by the prestigious Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna Head of Desktop Publishing Thai elites and their business con- Though a handful of agendas could organisation the Ministry of Com- consulting powerhouse, the govern- Nhim Sokphyrak glomerates. But it grants almost zero not fully represent the entire CPTPP merce, who have direct responsibility ment, during the past years, also had HEAD OFFICE benefits to those from the middle- package, it was more than enough for in dealing with the CPTPP issue, didDesktop Publishingobtained a wide-ranging view from class and the working class who form the civil-society groups to whip up not prove to be adequately proactiveSuon Savatdy, in severalChum Sokunthy, like-minded Danh Borath agencies. For the majority of the country. public opinion against the govern- communicating with the public. Tep Thoeun Thyda,example, Tim Borith, Thanpublic Veasna policy-oriented Thai- Built on a hashtag campaign early ment as it was deemed that Thai A coalition of civil-society groups has land Research Development Institute Post Media Co, Ltd. this month, “#NoCPTPP”, on Twitter, society still remains largely depend- its glowing infographic, leaflets spread HEAD OFFICE (TDRI), the Thai Ministry of Foreign The Elements Condominium Level 7, the opposition has successfully man- ent on the agricultural and farming throughout both Twitter and Facebook Affairs, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, aged to instill and flood various types sector. Those agendas were cunning- platforms in which most of them are and Cooperatives, Singapore-based Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom of colourful infographic images into ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, as well as Penh, Cambodia the hashtag, which has resulted in a Post Media Co,leading Ltd. Thai university scholars. Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 large public disagreement on social The government is holding a The Elements CondominiumThe public Level policy 7, community, stated Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 media on joining the controversial Hun Sen Boulevardabove,, Phum had Prek often Talong, organised straightfor- SIEM REAP trade deal for more than a week. This greater power of knowledge to Sangkat Chakward Angre Krom,conferences, Phnom Penh, and published No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune immediately led to Bangkok’s deci- Cambodia newspaper commentaries about the shape public opinion, but it is Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 sion to stall the move and pass it to SIEM REAP nationwide benefits and advantages of the legislative body in order to avoid the CPTPP, in support of the govern- COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune popular protests. signalling the failure to do so ment’s move. To this extent, it could be Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 said that the government is absolutely James Ong Soon Teck COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Provocative narrative ly made to be seen as jeopardising online-based, by far the simplest holding a greater power of knowledge Advertising Department The secret sauce to this success was the old and prosperous livelihoods of approach to reaching its audiences.Chief Operatingto Offishape cer public opinion, but it is sig- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 Hun Channet, 017 578 768 undeniably simple. Thai civil-society all Thais. Hence, it was not too hard James Ong Soonnalling Teck the failure to do so. It need not prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 groups used a down-to-earth strategy for the public to automatically New approach warranted Advertising Departmentrely merely on an old-fashioned com- Keo puthy, 012 966 605 of making every information con- believe in the civil-society groups’ In contrast, the governmental Chapbod Narith,- munication017 996 241 approach, and should phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 sumable. They converted all the scat- provocative narrative. And, that is ies’ approach relies on limited chanHun Channet,- make 017 578 more 768 attempts to educate the Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 tered information about CPTPP into essentially where the information nels of communication, paper-basedprach Monnyreak, public 012 about123 7777 the issue. CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION provocative, straightforward and war began, and the government is leaflets, press conferences, press CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION The inadequacy in public relations Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager reader-friendly messages, and spread likely to lose its ability to shape pub- releases, official website-based will certainly cost the government Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Thenh Rithy them on social media platforms. lic opinion. Obviously, the govern- reports, and information-overloaded more of its future moves should it fail Circulation Supervisor When the messages are already over- ment is not putting enough effort conference papers. Such channels ADMINISTRATION are to demonstrate the brighter side of that Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 simplified, it is a plain-sailing task for into advocating the trade deal. seen either as too traditional or tooAdmin & HR Managertroublesome trade deal. The govern- Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 the groups to broaden their audienc- The reasons why the government informative which is not highly applipich Socheat- ment must soon readjust its domestic ADMINISTRATION es across the board. and its decision-making bodies appear cable for mass mobilisation andAssistants pub- to strategyAdmin & HR in Manager order to bridge the gap Admin & HR Manager Thus, the problem lies not with the to be non-responsive to the CPTPP lic support on social media. Nhel Soapheabetween itself and the public, or else all pich Socheat audiences, but the messages them- issue remain unclear. Nevertheless, To be fair, the government has its Financial Directorthe endorsements from the policy Assistants to Admin & HR Manager selves. The groups took advantage of one thing that is utterly clear is that it own social media channels too, but community will be worthless. THE NATION Heang Tangmeng Nhel Soaphea their widespread trend of CPTPP and did not effectively arrange a proper an old-fashioned method of commu- (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Financial Director Chief Accountant Heang Tangmeng Sren Vicheka Chief Accountant Treasurers Sren Vicheka Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Treasurers Cheam Sopheak Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, IT Manager Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary Seng Nak, Vong Oun IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun TO CONTACT US [email protected] TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Women bear brunt of virus fallout at work

HE reverberating ferences, distance learning, economic shock of cooking meals and doing the coronavirus cri- housework . . . and wondering sis has delivered a what time to stop work in the massiveT setback for women evening,” she said. because so many work in the She described her working badly exposed services sector, day as a “marathon” that left experts say. her exhausted. The nature of the outbreak “Among my single par- means women are more likely ent friends, it has been the than men to lose or quit their mother who has taken care of jobs in vulnerable low-paying children during lockdown. It workplaces like bars, confer- feels like we are turning back ence venues, hairdressing sa- the clock to 50 years ago,” she lons, hotels, pubs and restau- said. rants, which faced extensive The Financial Times also shutdowns. wondered whether the Covid- School closures during lock- 19 health emergency has set down have exacerbated the women back decades. situation because more wom- “Is the coronavirus crisis en than men tend to care for taking women back to the and teach their children, even 1950s?” the daily business while working from home. newspaper asked in a com- The services sector, cover- ment piece this month, citing ing areas like hospitality and unfair demands placed on fe- leisure, has been ravaged by male workers. lockdowns imposed by govern- In contrast with the current ments across the world trying to health emergency, men were halt the spread of the disease. at the sharp end when the no- torious 2008 global financial Loss of income crisis sparked the previous Cambridge University eco- global recession. nomics lecturer Christopher That badly hurt production Rauh said: “In the UK and the Six-year-old Leo completes a homeschool activity as his mother Moira, an employee of a regional council, works from home in northern England. AFP sectors such as construction US, women more likely to lose and manufacturing. their jobs because they are this month but pubs, bars and September. sume a larger share of unpaid ment – I did not want them “During the 2008 reces- more likely to work in services. restaurants are expected to re- Within family units, moth- housework on top of their to think I can’t manage,” she sion . . . men were the first to “When you lose your job open only from July 4. ers have been 1.5 times more paid work. said. be hit,” said C Nicole Mason, you are not just losing income The phased reopening in likely than fathers to lose or Single parents face even head of the US-based Insti- now – but also later on.” England started with outdoor quit their jobs since the crisis Afraid to ask greater demands with one tute for Women’s Policy Re- As lockdowns ease and in- markets and car showrooms, began, said think-tank the In- Sarah, who works in Lon- fewer pair of hands. search think tank. fection rates and deaths fall, and some younger children stitute of Fiscal Studies. don’s film industry, stays up “At the start of lockdown it “This time around, because the services sector is often the also returned to school. Women are also more likely every day until 1:00am to was atrocious,” said a single women are over-represented last to reopen because it tends However, not all primary than men to have been sus- meet deadlines, long after her mum working in the pharma- in the service sector, they will to rely on large numbers of school children will return pended, or temporarily paid son and daughter have gone ceutical sector in Paris who experience disproportionate- people in close contact. before the lengthy summer by the UK government’s jobs to bed. declined to give her name. ly higher unemployment and In Britain, stay-at-home mea- break that starts in mid-July retention scheme, it said. “I did not dare ask my boss- “I couldn’t organise myself job loss compared to men.” sures began to be relaxed earlier and runs until the start of Mothers traditionally as- es for a special work arrange- properly, juggling video con- AFP Coronavirus drives Malawi tobacco farmers to the brink DURING his 15 years as a crop when you are not physi- Malawian tobacco farmer, Bon- cally present,” he said. iface Namate has had to over- Nevertheless, auctioneers come many difficulties growing and large-scale growers insist the plant that is the country’s that the farmers are being biggest export earner. short-changed by buyers. Namate had banked on a “Farmers are not cheated on bumper crop this year and had the sales,” said Felix Thole, hoped the proceeds would CEO of the Tobacco Associa- enable him to buy a new car tion of Malawi Farmer’s Trust, and even build a new house. which represents large-scale However, the coronavirus growers. pandemic has seen the 56-year- He pointed out that growers old’s dreams go up in smoke. continue to be represented on Due to restrictions imposed the market by farmers’ asso- to control the spread of the ciations. virus in Malawi – one of the “Auction sales bidding con- world’s poorest countries, and tinues by the individual buy- one of the top 10 tobacco pro- Malawian tobacco workers have suffered large losses of income since growers were barred from physically attending tobacco auctions. AFP ers, only this time around ducers – growers were barred their earnings had indeed So, when its 50,000 growers knew he was in trouble. “Even my family have threat- there is no chanting of the from physically attending the evaporated. suffer, the country has every He had been expecting his ened to stop helping me in the prices. Buyers continue com- auctions where prices are set. “The prices that came from reason to be worried. first bales of 1,116kg to fetch fields if I insist on tobacco peting and the highest bidder That has left farmers feeling the auction are not what we Last November, the US up to $1,500. Instead, he farming,” said Namate. gets the bale,” argued Thole. cheated by buyers. expected. We are devastated”, restricted tobacco imports received a meagre $540. Another farmer Alick Muntha- Nevertheless, Malawi’s main “We are not operating nor- said Namate. from Malawi over allegations And out of three tonnes overall li, who has harvested eight opposition leader Lazarus mally as there is no interaction Burley leaf from Malawi of worker exploitation and from this year’s harvest, he had tonnes of tobacco in Rumphi in Chakwera believes farmers between the buyer and the grow- makes up 6.6 per cent of the child labour. hoped to make around $6,000 in northern Malawi, finds himself have been unfairly treated. er,” said Betty Chinyamunyamu world’s tobacco exports. And the coronavirus has total. But now he says he will be in a similar predicament. He said: “The farmers basi- of the National Smallholder Known locally as “green turned up the heat on farmers lucky even to make $1,500. “We don’t know how much cally have been abused. Farmers’ Association of Malawi. gold”, it is Malawi’s top crop in even more. “I was devastated because I the tobacco is fetching and we “The government gets a lot “Because of this, there are terms of employment. had planned a lot of things have no opportunity to negoti- of foreign earnings through trust issues,” she said. It also accounts for over 50 In trouble with the money,” said the ate the price with the buyer,” this particular industry and yet When the auction season per cent of foreign exchange Once he saw the prices being farmer from Ntcheu. said Munthali, who has been the farmer is treated like a opened in April, Namate and earnings and 23 per cent of tax set in the first round of auc- He is even contemplating farming the crop since 1989. labourer that should not even other small-scale farmers said revenues. tions, Namate immediately abandoning the crop altogether. “It is difficult to sell your prosper. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Hollywood plans big-screen Cobain Unplugged guitar sells for record gamble to reopen theatres $6 million at auction FTER more than three THE guitar that grunge rock performing arts are facing months of coronavi- icon Kurt Cobain played dur- and have always faced,” the rus-mandated limbo, ing his legendary 1993 MTV Australian was quoted as say- Hollywood is headed Unplugged performance sold ing by Julien’s Auctions. backA to the big screen – and on Saturday for a record $6 mil- The guitar was sold with its hoping that Russell Crowe’s lion, the auction house said. case, which Cobain had dec- road rage thriller Unhinged will The retro acoustic-electric orated with a flyer from punk jump-start the recovery. 1959 Martin D-18E that Co- rock band Poison Idea’s 1990 The action film, due out July bain strummed for Nirvana’s album Feel the Darkness. 10, is set to be the first wide re- career-defining performance Until now, the most expen- lease since US theatres shut their in New York – just five months sive guitar in history was a doors in mid-March. Christo- before his suicide at age 27 Fender Stratocaster, dubbed pher Nolan’s much-hyped Tenet – sold after a bidding war to “Black Strat,” used by Pink will follow soon after. Peter Freedman, founder of Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. But will the gamble pay off for RODE Microphones, Julien’s It was sold by the musician those quick-moving studios? Auctions said. for nearly $4 million during a While top theatre chains At $6.01 million after fees charity sale in June 2019. across the country plan to fire and commission, the instru- Nirvana’s acoustic perfor- up their projectors in the first ment was the most expensive mance during the taping for the half of July, screens in badly-hit guitar ever sold at auction, popular MTV Unplugged series New York and Los Angeles don’t among other records. on November 18, 1993 became yet have permission to reopen. The starting estimate was what is considered one of his- And even with social dis- $1 million. tory’s greatest live albums. tancing and sanitation mea- Freedman said he plans to It included renditions of sures boosted, moviegoers’ display the guitar in a world- Nirvana’s hits “About A Girl”

enthusiasm for piling into Russell Crowe’s road rage thriller Unhinged will be the first film to hit theatres. AFP wide tour, with proceeds go- and “Come As You Are” along dark, enclosed auditoriums ing to benefit performing arts. with covers including David amid a possible ‘second wave’ and dearth of other distrac- plus Tenet, out July 31. provinces optimistically re- “When I heard that this Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold of virus cases may fluctuate. tions such as major sporting Nolan – its influential di- opened in late March, before iconic guitar was up for auc- the World”. AMC, the world’s largest events, outweighed the dan- rector who is best known for closing again days later. tion I immediately knew it In October last year, Co- theatre chain, caused a stir by ger of flopping early – which in Inception, Dunkirk and The The capital Beijing is now was a once-in-a-lifetime op- bain’s cigarette-singed car- initially declining to mandate any case is reduced for a mid- Dark Knight Batman trilogy – experiencing a new Covid-19 portunity to secure it and use digan worn during the Un- face masks, saying it did not budget, $33 million movie. has pushed for his ambitious outbreak, prompting the au- it as a vehicle to spotlight the plugged performance sold for want to be “drawn into a po- “The more we looked at it, and secretive sci-fi thriller to thorities to lock down parts of struggles that those in the $334,000. AFP litical controversy”. it’s risky of course, but it still stand firm with its early the- the city. It did a U-turn on that policy looked like it was worth do- atre release. If fresh outbreaks are traced on Friday following an outcry. ing,” Gill said. Still, it was recently shuffled back to screens in the US, Everyone from indie distribu- back by two weeks, giving New “theatres are going to shut tors to blockbuster studios will ‘Worth the risk’ York and Los Angeles screens down very quickly, and for be carefully watching to see “Somebody had to go first – breathing space to reopen. a very long time thereafter”, how the experiment with new it’s definitely worth the risk,” Disney’s Mulan is also due predicted Bock. theatrical releases proceeds. said Jeff Bock, a senior analyst in July – shortly after Disney Those concerns were evi- “Hollywood is not a place for industry tracker Exhibitor World and Disneyland reopen dent in Los Angeles on Friday, where competitors are known Relations. “But I think the – though some analysts pre- when bars and tattoo parlours for wishing each other well odds are stacked against it.” dict it may yet be switched to were cleared to reopen – but very often,” said Unhinged While the decision to open a later slot if families are seen theatres notably were not. producer Mark Gill. Unhinged early has generated as still nervous about going to Still, Gill is focused on the “And in this particular cir- buzz – its trailer drew 210 mil- theatres. tens of thousands of empty cumstance, everybody is lion views in a week – its stu- “Word-of-mouth will be movie theatres itching to re- hoping we do well.” dio’s pockets are less deep than based now on not specifically open across the country, but His movie bucked the indus- those of its rivals when it comes which films are actually good, with nothing new to show – try trend, shifting its release to marketing, he noted. but which theatres are following and no certainty on whether date forward from Septem- But Unhinged is really a set- all the guidelines,” said Bock. audiences are willing to return. ber, as larger studios gobbled up for the other studios, he “You can have theatres open up all the prime opening slots added, noting that the true ‘You’re dead’ and a good movie and be all deeper into 2020. litmus test will be the first The dangers of jumping the by yourself and do everything Solstice Studios decided the major studio titles, including gun were highlighted in Chi- right,” he said. “But if nobody’s Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain’s acoustic-electric 1959 Martin D-18E lack of competing new titles, Warner Bros’ $200 million- na, where theatres in several coming, you’re dead.” AFP made history along with group’s 1993 MTV performance. AFP No flights, Argentine sails across Atlantic to see parents

“MISSION accomplished!” That joyful hatched his ambitious plan for a sin- declaration came from Juan Manuel gle-handed sea passage after flights Ballestero, an Argentine sailor who, back to Argentina were canceled. unable to fly home from Portugal due He learned during the long trip home to the Covid-19 pandemic, crossed that “people were dying every day, by the ocean alone in his modest sailboat the thousands”, a jarring realisation at to see his aging parents. a time when he was “in the middle of “I did it! I did it! I did it!” Ballestero nature, seeing how the world goes on. exclaimed at dockside last week “There were dolphins and whales when he reached his hometown of even as humanity was passing Mar del Plata. through this difficult moment.” The 47-year-old had completed an For 54 long days, his family had no exhausting 85-day odyssey in his small word from him. boat, the 9m Skua. “But we knew he was going to After testing negative for Covid-19 on come,” said a smiling Carlos. “We arrival, Ballestero was cleared to set had no doubt. He was coming to Mar foot on dry land to see his 82-year-old del Plata to be with his parents.” mother Nilda and father Carlos, 90. The coronavirus has claimed 1,000 “I’ve achieved what I’ve been fight- lives in Argentina, many of them eld- ing for these last three months,” he erly people like Carlos and his wife. said. “It came down to this: to be The younger Ballestero’s first stop with the family. That’s why I came.” on the 12,000km trip was at Vitoria, He had hoped to arrive in Argen- Brazil. The last one before arrival was tina by May 15 for his father’s 90th in La Paloma, Uruguay. birthday. The Skua now sits docked at the He missed that date, but instead Mar del Plata nautical club and was able to celebrate Father’s Day probably won’t be leaving soon. Bal- with his family. lestero has no immediate travel Argentine sailor Juan Manuel Ballestrano (right) made a trans-Atlantic solo sail on his 9m vessel to go home. DIEGO IZQUIERDO/TELAM/AFP Ballestero, who works in Spain, plans. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Oji Abbot, also known as Chef O, opened Oohh’s and Aahh’s in 2003 with $30,000 from his savings. He has never relied on a bank to help grow his business. AFP Black-owned eateries buoyed by grassroots support since virus hit UTSIDE the South- economic chaos. businesses, the proprietors of “MORE PI-E FILLING” west Soda Pop Shop “Oh man, it was almost dev- Ben’s Chili Bowl and Oohh’s in the US capital, a astating,” said Oji Abbott, the and Aahh’s were excluded from ACROSS 57 Space 28 Fall birthstone long line of cus- owner of Oohh’s and Aahh’s the first wave of the Trump 1 From ___ Z 58 Fingerprint, sometimes 29 “The ___ Reader” (eclectic tomersO waits, both to buy ice soul food restaurant who is administration’s loans to help 65 Come next magazine) 4 Brooklynese “Y’all” cream and to show solidarity also known as Chef O. keep small businesses afloat – 9 Zillions 66 Sharp, narrow ridge 30 Grass square with restaurants owned by Af- “We lost probably every a vital lifeline for many. 14 California’s busiest airport 67 Actor Danson 33 Kind of basin or wave rican Americans, a communi- revenue stream of money that “In the first round of the PPP 15 Like some limits or garments 68 Colorado ski town 35 About face, in the street ty particularly hard hit by the you could lose,” the 45-year- [Paycheck Protection Program], 16 Like freakish coincidences 69 In shabby shape 36 Detest coronavirus pandemic. old said. the application process relied 17 It begins with an exchange 70 Home for a hog 38 Cancun cash 39 Word of division “We went from 30 customers Close to Howard University, on mainstream financial insti- of photos DOWN 40 “In ___-horse open sleigh” to 300 customers on a week- one of the most prestigious tutions to deliver loans, which 20 Old apple tree spray 1 Beast of the Andes 2 Fitting occupation? 41 Piggies, to a tot day. It’s crazy,” said Andrea historically black colleges in favoured existing customers at 21 Tabloid fodder 22 Some flower clusters 3 Wagon of yore 42 Jazzy wheel Jones, the daughter of the ice the country, the eatery saw large banks,” said Liu. 26 Fragrant 4 Not me or them 45 Actress Quinn of “Annie” cream parlour’s owner. the flow of tourists and stu- “And because black busi- 31 “Wherefore ___ thou ...” 5 “___ Day Will Come” 46 Prefix meaning “on the left” “Every day, the line gets lon- dents dry up overnight. ness owners are likely to be 32 Got down 6 Salt Lake City college athlete 48 Leads, as a band ger,” the 21-year-old said. Just down the street, Ben’s unbanked or underbanked, 34 “Movin’ ___ the East Side ...” 7 Highway rig 49 Long-legged shore bird “They come out rain or Chili Bowl, which famously they just don’t have those ex- 35 Muse of astronomy 8 Sister of 35-Across 50 Treatment that works shine, they bring their umbrel- counted Martin Luther King Jr isting relationships and they 37 Beach blanket? 9 It may be preached to the choir 52 As yet la. They support us no matter as one of its customers in the are less likely to get those 38 Intense fighting at close range 10 Hilo souvenir 54 “... __ he drove out of sight ...” 56 Wang of wedding wear what. It’s beautiful to see.” days of civil rights marches in loans,” she said. 42 Restaurant reading 11 Important historical time 12 Hairpiece 58 Type of shooter or soup The shop, which sits on the Washington, saw its business Abbott opened his eatery in 43 Large, swift mackerel 44 ___ bodies (planets, comets, etc.) 13 “What did I tell you?” 59 The ___ and outs banks of the Potomac River, drop by 80 per cent during 2003 with $30,000 of his own 47 “The __ Eagle” (Lindbergh) 18 Attempt 60 Clairvoyant’s gift had to close because of the the lockdown. savings. He has never relied 48 Not near at all 19 Design over 61 Prompter’s offering virus, causing huge financial “Black-owned businesses on a bank to help grow his 51 Spielberg’s young treasure 23 Wine-press residue 62 Dog doc strain until Jones called for tend to be much smaller, they business. hunters 24 Dull and lifeless 63 “Addams Family” member support on Twitter the day have thinner profit margins,” “In general, access to capi- 53 What things may be held in 25 Tough tissue 64 “L.A. Law” actress Susan before a huge anti-racism 55 Ukrainian city, to Russians 27 Becomes oxidized protest in the US capital. They come out rain or shine, Her tweet was shared al- Monday’s solution most 30,000 times. they bring their umbrella. In recent weeks, as the na- They support us no matter tion has focused on race is- sues in the wake of the killing what. It’s beautiful to see of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody, there said Sifan Liu, a research ana- tal is hard for black business has been an explosion of soli- lyst with the Metropolitan owners,” said Liu. darity and support from ac- Policy Program at the Brook- In 2018, big banks approved tivists, as well as social media ings Institution. 29 per cent of credit applica- and commercial campaigns, “And they also have greater tions from African-American to boost African-American credit constraints and there- entrepreneurs, while approv- restaurant owners. fore, they are very vulnerable ing funds for 60 per cent of Uber Eats, the food delivery in any recession, and particu- white business owner ap- service run by the rideshare larly this one,” she said. plicants, Brookings said in a giant, launched a filter to mid-April study on Covid-19 Monday’s solution promote black-owned res- Hard to get capital and small businesses. taurants on June 4 in several Between February and April “There needs to be a more cities in the United States and 2020, 41 per cent of small targeted effort to attack racial Canada, and eliminated de- businesses with African- disparities,” said Liu. livery fees for those eateries. American owners closed due While Abbott said he wants to the coronavirus, according to see structural changes, he ‘Almost devastating’ to a report by the National remains upbeat and has seen Numerous studies have Bureau of Economic Research his business pick up since a shown that black business published in June. loosening of stay-at-home re- owners, and in particular During the same period, strictions. those in the food industry, only 17 per cent of small “I’d like to support other have been among the worst businesses with white owners black-owned businesses, the hit during the Covid-19 pan- went under. same way they come and sup- demic and the subsequent As with many black-owned port me,” he told AFP. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport How Mandela inspired Pienaar and Springboks to conquer the world RANCOIS Pienaar, even 25 “I am probably the luckiest sports It started with a cup of tea, he said. years on, conveys a sense of person ever because of the unique “The president invited me to visit disbelief and awe when he relationship [with Mandela],” he him in his office at the Union Build- talks of that crisp Highveld says of a man who became a father ings in Pretoria. We talked about all winter’sF day that the Springboks won figure to him. things – not just the World Cup. He the Rugby World Cup for the first time. Their close bond, a young white wanted to know a lot about me. The Springbok captain’s wonder is Afrikaner and the famous black “There were so many high-pow- not so much about the fact that his prisoner of Robben Island, grew out ered people waiting outside to see team won the Webb Ellis Cup at Ellis of Pienaar’s captaincy of the Spring- him and every time Mary [Mxadana, Park on June 24, 1995, for he says he boks and Mandela’s visionary and Mandela’s assistant] would come in always felt they could pull it off, but altruistic support of a team who to hurry him up he would say to her: that he received the golden trophy played in a jersey many of his fol- ‘Mary, I’m speaking to my captain.’ from then-President Nelson Mandela. lowers despised. “I was so nervous before I went into his office and when I left I sat in my car and just felt I had been in the presence of a very wise and caring man and I felt safe. South Africa’s president Nelson Mandela (left) congratulates South Africa’s rugby team captain Francois Pienaar after the 1995 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand. AFP “I know it sounds bizarre. You have no idea of his aura, the genuineness, Africans” that united a euphoric And Madiba didn’t miss a beat, saying the sense of humour. We laughed. nation. of course and adding that his Xhosa There was an immediate bond,” Pienaar’s men had lived up to their name would be Gorha, ‘the brave one’. says Pienaar. motto “One Team, One Nation” with “We had such intimate conversa- Mandela visited the Springboks at their 15-12 victory and Madiba’s tions. I am truly the luckiest sports- their final pre-World Cup training captain recalls in wonderment that man alive by a long way – to be so session at sports fields in Cape Town as the cup was being handed to him privileged at that time to be the cap- and wished the awe-struck group they spoke, almost in unison, exact- tain, to share the platform with him, of young men well; receiving in re- ly the same sentence. to be influenced by him and to get to turn a Springbok cap from Hennie le “Francois, thank you for what know him so well,” Pienaar said. Roux, spontaneously removed from you’ve done for this country” – “Mr Pienaar was dropped from the the head of Japie Mulder. President, thank you for what you’ve Springbok side in 1996 and when he To a refrain of “Nelson! Nelson! done for this country.” announced he would be leaving to Nelson!” Mandela officially opened The bond between the rugby play- join Saracens in London, Mandela the tournament in Cape Town and er and the struggle hero would ex- summoned him to lunch and left the Springboks took what their tend well beyond the World Cup. him with a final request. coach Kitch Christie had referred “He invited himself to our wedding,” “Francois you promise me you will to as the “high road” by beating de- laughs Pienaar. “We were having a cel- come back one day and you’ll make fending champions Australia. ebration at the Union Buildings and a difference.” Thirty-one days and four more I said I wanted to introduce him to On his return to South Africa, Pien- games packed full of dramatic in- my fiancee Nerine. He took her hand aar obliged by establishing the Make cident later Pienaar and his men and said: ‘Would you feel offended if I a Difference Leadership Foundation contested the rugby championship come to your wedding Nerine?’ (MAD) in Mandela’s name with the aim of the world against their oldest and “When my son Jean was born he of developing academically talented most respected foe, the All Blacks. said he wanted to be his godfather, scholars with leadership potential into ‘if we didn’t mind’, and he gave him future leaders for South Africa. Epic final a Xhosa name – Mkhokheli, which He runs his own sports event com- An epic final went into extra time means ‘leader’. pany, Advent Sport Entertainment before Joel Stransky landed his sto- “Madiba regularly invited us for tea and Media (Pty) Ltd (ASEM), which ried knockout blow sending a wave and our second son, Stephane, who is responsible for, among other of patriotic harmony that swept over was four or five at the time asked: properties, the hugely successful all creeds and hues such as the coun- ‘Why is Mr Mandela only Jean’s god- Varsity Cup student rugby competi- try had never experienced before. father and not mine too?’ We had to tion and the Cape Town Marathon. Pienaar, interviewed on the field explain that he didn’t get the call! Pienaar says the life lesson he immediately after the final whistle, “However Stephane ran straight to learnt from the late president Man- Pienaar thought of Mandela as a father figure and considers himself the ‘luckiest spoke the inspirational words, “not Madiba and said to him, ‘Mr Mandela, dela is that “good leadership is based sportsman alive by a long way’ because of his relationship with the late leader. AFP for 60,000 but for 43 million South will you please also be my godfather? on good values”. AFP Sarri confident Ronaldo will rediscover best form JUVENTUS coach Maurizio his brilliance he will return to Super Cup loss to Lazio in Sarri has told Cristiano Ron- being the most incredible December. aldo not to worry about his player of all time. “Losing a trophy is always slow resumption to the sea- “At the moment, physically he painful, it hurts, it gives dis- son, insisting on Sunday the cannot give the maximum.” appointment and bitterness, Portuguese star will return to Ronaldo, 35, has scored 25 but this is the situation and being “the most incredible goals for Juventus in all com- we must not beat ourselves player of all time”. petitions this season. up,” said the former Chelsea They will play their first Serie He spent the coronavirus lock- coach. A match in over three months down in his native Portugal. “We have to turn the page against Bologna on Monday, “We must not forget that we and think about our next four days after losing the Ital- have arrived after being inac- games. We hope to improve ian Cup final to Napoli. tive for 60 days and the physi- quickly in the next 10 days, The Serie A leaders failed to cal brilliance cannot be at the both in physical and mental score in their two Cup match- highest levels,” said Sarri. condition.” es since the Italian season Ronaldo also failed to find Sarri, meanwhile, dismissed resumed following the corona- the net in Juventus’ last two reports he had a training virus lockdown, with goalless matches before the lockdown, ground bust-up with Bosnia draws against AC Milan in the having scored in nine straight midfielder Miralem Pjanic. semi-finals, where Ronaldo matches before that. “The story of my quarrel missed a penalty, and with Juventus have just a one- with him is fake news,” said Napoli in the final before a 4-2 point advantage over Lazio in Sarri. defeat on penalties. the Serie A table, as they target “Pjanic is one of the guys I Sarri said: “I spoke to Cris- a ninth consecutive Scudetto. talk to the most and, like the tiano again yesterday. He must The 61-year-old urged his whole team in the last two not worry about trust. players to “turn the page” games, he has played well in “He must not lose confi- quickly having lost two finals the opening minutes, dropping Cristiano Ronaldo (right) is looking to regain his best form for Juventus after a lengthy layoff due to the dence, as soon as he regains this season, after the Italian a bit during the game.” AFP coronavirus. Juventus has dropped its last two games against Napoli and AC Milan. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Noose found in garage of black Nascar driver Wallace ASCAR on Sunday racism in Nascar and this act night said a noose only strengthens our resolve was found in the to make the sport open and garage stall of black welcoming to all.” driverN Bubba Wallace at Talla- Wallace, who has been out- dega Superspeedway in Ala- spoken about racial injustice bama, and they have launched in the wake of George Floyd’s a probe of the “heinous” act. death in Minneapolis police Wallace is the only black custody on May 25, com- driver who races full-time in mented on the incident in a Nascar’s top Cup series. statement posted on Twit- The popular stock car series ter, saying he was “incredibly said in a statement: “Late this saddened” by the “despicable afternoon, Nascar was made act of racism”. aware that a noose was found “This will not break me,” Black driver Bubba Wallace, an outspoken critic of racial injustice, was the target of the racist act, which has caused outrage. GETTY IMAGES/AFP in the garage stall of the 43 Wallace said. “I will not give team. in, nor will I back down.” Sunday’s race, which was to Nascar executive vice-pres- country are grappling with how phis, Tennessee, where FedEx “We are angry and outraged Wallace was a strong advo- be Nascar’s first with fans since ident Steve O’Donnell was best to tackle racism in their is headquartered. and cannot state strongly cate for Nascar’s decision to the coronavirus pandemic quick to condemn the display ranks and how to use their plat- “Today you will see my #11 enough how seriously we ban the Confederate flag from erupted, was postponed until on Twitter, where he posted forms to promote diversity. car will not carry the traditional take this heinous act. We have its properties on June 10. Monday by thunderstorms. a picture of black and white This week, Nascar driver paint scheme that you usually launched an immediate inves- The Confederate flag has Before the heavy weather hands clasped. Denny Hamlin’s car featured see,” Hamlin said on Twitter. tigation and will do everything been a staple at Nascar tracks, moved in, a small plane flew “You won’t see a photo of a not his usual FedEx sponsor “FedEx and myself instead want we can to identify the person[s] particularly in the sport’s south- above the track trailing a giant jackass flying a flag over the track logos but those of the National to give that voice to the NCRM. responsible and eliminate ern US heartland that includes Confederate flag and a sec- here,” O’Donnell wrote. “But you Civil Rights Museum (NCRM). “I want to thank them per- them from the sport. Talladega in Alabama. ond banner that read “Defund will see this . . . Hope EVERYONE The museum, which chron- sonally for taking the time to “As we have stated unequiv- But it remains a symbol of Nascar” – its message widely enjoys the race today.” icles the history of civil rights educate me on so many top- ocally, there is no place for slavery and racism for many. spread on social media. Sports leagues across the in the US, is located in Mem- ics.” AFP Forty MLB players and staff test positive for coronavirus MAJOR League Baseball (MLB) saw 40 players and staff mem- bers test positive for Covid-19 in the past week, USA Today reported on Sunday as talks on how to get a 2020 season underway dragged on. The newspaper cited two sources, speaking on condi- tion of anonymity, saying the coronavirus cases had ramped up the urgency of negotiations between owners and players on a framework for starting a season that was originally Denmark’s Brondby FC fans practise social distancing on Sunday at a live match with Copenhagen. AFP scheduled to begin in March. The MLB Players Association postponed a vote on Sunday ‘Best experience of my life’: Danish on whether to accept or reject MLB’s proposal for a 60-game season with players receiving football fans hail return of spectators full prorated salaries. Negotiations had dragged MLB is suffering from Covid-19 setbacks as baseball’s hopes to play a season grow dimmer. GETTY IMAGES/AFP FOR 41-year-old Chris, it was lockdown, but Sunday’s game “It felt like there were 30,000 on for weeks as MLB sought “the best experience of my life”. was allowed special dispensa- here today,” said Emil, 22. not only to prorate salaries But the players countered, parks without fans. Marriage, fatherhood, high- tion to host 3,000 under strict “I missed the stadium so based on the number of asking for 70 games. With spring training facilities ly-paid new job? coronavirus health protocols. much, and so did everyone. games played, but also to pay USA Today reported that closed, teams have been told No. He was referring to the Now the authorities will It’s really great to be back.” only a percentage of those Manfred emailed Clark on to plan to conduct pre-season opportunity to finally at- assess the advisability of in- The Danish league had re- salaries – something players Sunday saying that the uptick training in their home cities. tend a Danish league football creasing the number of peo- sumed on May 28 behind said they would not accept. in Covid-19 cases, and the re- An expected three-week game along with 3,000 others ple present in the stands on a closed doors. MLB commissioner Rob sulting closure of spring train- preparation period would for the Brondby v Copenha- more regular basis. Football in Europe is very Manfred thought he’d gotten ing facilities in Florida and likely see opening day pushed gen clash on Sunday. Inside the stadium on Sun- slowly returning to normal even past that stumbling block on Arizona, meant that 70 games to the week of July 27. “After three months without day, supporters were asked if the major leagues of England, Wednesday after hammering would not be possible and The league said it wants the a stadium, this return is the to stay 2m apart in a stadium Spain, Italy and Germany have out a potential “framework” even 60 would be difficult. regular season to end by Sep- best experience of my life,” usually full to its 28,000 ca- also resumed without fans. for an agreement with union It was not clear how the tember 27 so an expanded Chris said after the 1-1 draw. pacity. However, earlier this month, chief Tony Clark that paid coronavirus cases might im- playoffs can be completed by In Denmark, crowds have Despite that, fans were look- 16,000 spectators watched a full prorated salaries for a 60- pact MLB’s plans to play its late October or early Novem- been limited to 500 since the ing on the bright side. Serbian Cup semi-final. AFP game season. games in teams’ home ball- ber. AFP