Friday, august 20, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3733 / 4000 RIEL

AUSTRALIA TO PROVIDE CAMBODIA EXPECTS MYANMAR MILITARY $65M MULTI-SECTORAL THAILAND TO OPEN CRACKDOWN DEATH FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE BORDERS TO LONGAN TOLL SURPASSES 1,000 national – page 4 business – page 7 world – page 11 Jabs could swell 2022 At least 600 people at drug GDP by 6%: think-tank rehab centre Covid positive May Kunmakara Mom Kunthear Sokhom told The Post on August 19 again from more accurate PCR tests. after some of the patients who were that 601 people out of 660 had test- The province will make a formal there to address substance abuse CAMBODIA’S “well-strategised ORE than 600 people at ed positive for Covid-19 at Phnom announcement today because the problems and had arrived in appar- and rapidly-executed” Covid-19 the drug rehabilitation Bak New Life rehabilitation centre rapid tests cannot be viewed as con- ently good health began displaying vaccination programme are set to and treatment centre located in Sisophon town. firmed cases yet,” he said. cold-like symptoms, leading Ban- underpin economic growth that in Banteay Meanchey According to Sokhom, more than Banteay Meanchey reported a to- teay Meanchey provincial governor may top six per cent next year, Mprovince have tested positive for 20 of them were positive for the Delta tal of 689 Covid-19 cases on August Um Reatrey to quickly intervene. eclipsing the preponderance of Covid-19, including at least 20 cases variant and were moved to a separate 18, with the cases outside of the re- “After testing them, more than 20 regional and global peers, accord- of the highly transmissible Delta hospital for treatment on August 18. hab centre found among returning youths were found to be infected ing to a new report from consult- variant. “This number is a preliminary migrant workers and some locals. with the Delta variant. Authorities ing firm Mekong Strategic Partners Banteay Meanchey provincial in- finding by using the rapid tests, but According to Sokhom, the rapid Co Ltd (MSP). formation department director Sek we are still waiting to see the results tests were carried out at the centre Continued – page 3 The rollout of jabs has firmly positioned the Kingdom among the global leaders in vaccinations, MSP said, adding that around 99 per cent of adults in the capital are Facebook says fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, one of the highest helping curtail rates in the world. “Cambodia’s vaccine rollout is Covid-19 virus remarkable, dramatically outper- forming many developed and jab ‘hesitancy’ developing nations. Cambodia should complete its vaccine pro- FACEBOOK on August 18 said vac- gramme eight months ahead of cine “hesitancy” is down by 50 per plan and up to 12 months before cent in the US, with significant de- neighbouring countries. clines in other countries, and cred- “Cambodia is now one of the first its its efforts to filter out misinfor- countries in the world to be rolling mation and promote authoritative out booster shots and vaccinating information for helping the trend. children. Economic evidence is The news comes a month after a clear that high vaccination rates public spat between Facebook and improve economic outcomes as the White House after President well as health outcomes – Cambo- Joe Biden claimed Facebook was dia is on track for greater than six “killing people” by allowing vac- per cent GDP [gross domestic cine misinformation to spread. product] growth in 2022,” it said. In releasing its quarterly transpar- MSP noted that while Cambodi- ency report, Facebook said it removed ans have not had access to mRNA- some 20 million pieces of content, is- based coronavirus vaccines such suing warnings for millions more, and as those developed by Pfizer or blocked 3,000 accounts for violating Moderna, the Kingdom has pro- its policies on Covid-19 misinforma- cured jabs “that have a demon- tion, while at the same time connect- strated impact on hospitalisations ing users with “reliable sources” of and death rates”. health information. MSP managing partner Stephen The company said its machine Higgins told The Post on August 19 learning tools continue to make that the prompt vaccination roll- progress in filtering inappropriate out bears a very positive signal for content such as hate speech. a fast reopening of the economy. Facebook vice-president for in- “When you have [Covid-19] cas- tegrity Guy Rosen told reporters that es, and in particular deaths, grow- the prevalence of violating content ing exponentially as they are in – which Facebook claims is the best neighbouring countries, then you way to measure its effectiveness in need to prioritise health and have filtering – was just 0.05 per cent in fairly tight restrictions in place. the second quarter of the year. “Once you’ve got the population “Prevalence is our primary met- fully vaccinated, you have more ric … it matters because it captures choices around opening up the Lending a hand not what we took down but what Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng (left) presents his Myanmar counterpart Thet Khine Win with relief funds we missed and what was ultimately Continued – page 6 and medical supplies to be donated to Myanmar to assist the country in its fight against Covid-19.SPM sTORY > 2 seen by people,” he said. AFP

PM ORDERS PURCHASE 2021-2023 ECONOMIC OF B’BANG LONGAN RECOVERY PLAN ON FROM LOCAL GROWERS THE WAY: MINISTER nATIONAL – page 2 business – page 6 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Gov’t purchases over 100 tonnes of longan in two days

Long Kimmarita or commodities traders. In- stead we went directly to the PRIME Minister Hun Sen small plantations. We brought has ordered the purchase trucks to transport the fruit of longan harvested in Bat- and men to help them with tambang province from harvesting. We don’t want small farms that grow them them to spend anything on independently. transportation, either. We will But large-scale producers of continue visiting farmers dis- longans – an edible fruit similar trict by district and the local to lychee, also of the soapberry authorities there will help us family – need to find a market find the independent farmers for them by themselves. who couldn’t sell their fruits,” Primary purchasing data he said. shows that more than 100 According to Rattanak, tonnes of longans were pur- the purchase of longans can chased by the government in vary depending on negotia- just two days. tions between the buyer and Hun Sen recently ordered seller, but generally the price Hing Bun Heang, his cabi- falls between 1,800 riel and net’s deputy chief, to organise 2,500 riel per kg depending the purchase of longans from on the details. farmers who could not find a “The price is in accordance Health minister Mam Bun Heng (third left) during a handover ceremony in Myanmar on Thursday. SPM market for them due to pan- with the condition of the lon- demic-related border restric- gans and the packaging. If it is tions, saying the government properly packaged, it’s more would distribute the fruits for expensive. But if it’s not yet free to frontline workers in- packaged, the price is lower. Kingdom delivers assistance cluding medical workers and Like today, we brought trucks military personnel, and pa- to their farms and helped tients or people in the quar- them with the harvesting, so antine centres. the price was 1,800 riel per to Covid-stricken Myanmar Hun Sen said on August 18 kg,” he said. that this would save longan Yim Bunthoeun, the owner Mom Kunthear region but also in other parts of equipment (PPE), 100 auto- mar Red Cross to assist in farmers from financial ruin of a longan farm in Battam- the world,” he said. matic oxygen generators, 20 alleviating the hardships its due to matters beyond their bang province’s Kamrieng dis- INISTER of “Although Cambodia is a ventilators and 20 vital sign people are undergoing amid control. trict said he sold two tonnes Health Mam Bun small country with limited monitoring devices. the Covid-19 crisis. He said that in the future of longans to the provincial Heng on August economic capacity, there is The government has also This marks the second time a better solution would be authorities. He told The Post 19 donated relief the spirit of community par- provided about $200,000 to that the Kingdom has provid- for the agriculture and com- on August 19 that Hun Sen’s Mfunds and medical supplies to ticipation, sympathy and Myanmar directly. In addi- ed Covid-19 support to Myan- merce ministries to work with plan was a great relief to lon- Myanmar to assist the country mar. In November 2020, Cam- the Battambang and Pailin gan farmers and it would go a in its fight against Covid-19. Cambodia is a small country bodia also provided about two provincial governors to locate long way towards solving the Bun Heng said the donation million masks and medical alternative markets for the challenges they’ve faced this revealed the solid bonds be- with limited economic supplies to the country. farmers to export to. year due to Covid-19 issues tween Cambodia and Myan- capacity [but] the spirit of Last month, the govern- In addition, Hun Sen also and the resulting condition of mar, which is also grappling ment also donated $200,000 stressed that he did not use the economy. with the pandemic. solidarity is in our culture in relief funds and medical funds from the national bud- He requested that the gov- “While Cambodia is in the supplies to Vietnam. In 2020, get to buy the longans. ernment start looking right midst of a severe Covid-19 out- willingness to help and share tion, Cambodia, through the Cambodia also delivered “[Governors], please re- away for another market to break, we can still assist other in difficult times. It’s in our ASEAN Community, has given medical equipment to Laos, member that I am only sell future longan harvests countries. This is the great culture.” $100,000 to the country. Nepal and Timor-Leste. referring to poor farmers in case these border restric- kindness and big heart of Sam- The medical supplies in- Cambodian Red Cross pres- Cambodia has also joined who grow longans directly. tions persist. He suggested dech Techno [Prime Minister cluded three million masks, ident Bun Rany Hun Sen also ASEAN and some non-ASEAN For the plantations owned they look into exporting Hun Sen in expressing solidar- 500,000 antigen rapid test donated $100,000 through members in the fight against by government officials or them to China. ity with people not only in the kits, 2,000 personal protective the organisation to the Myan- Covid-19, Hun Sen said. military officers or tycoons “This plan can help us for a or corporations – they have while, but we know they can’t to find a market on their do this forever. I just want our own. leaders to help boost exports, “I will mortgage my house and if we could export to for money to give to farmers China then farmers could get who are struggling, but I am good prices,” he said. not able to help landowners Bun Heang of Hun Sen’s with big longan plantations, cabinet said on August 19 please understand,” he ex- during a visit to a longan farm plained. in Battambang province that Battambang provincial gov- the collection of longans was ernor Nguon Rattanak told not being done for commer- The Post on August 19 that cial purposes. in two days from August 18 He said that the longans to 19, his team had collected purchased would be distrib- more than 100 tonnes of lon- uted to frontline workers gans from farmers. and border forces as well as He said the massive amount migrant workers in quaran- of fruit will immediately be tine centres and each person distributed to people in quar- would get 2 kg of fruit. antine centres and to mem- “This is just a short-term bers of the armed forces. solution. Do not confuse this He stated that the pur- with a purchase for export chasing teams went and elsewhere. These longans bought the longans directly are not for sale. They have from the farmers’ fields to been bought and collected ensure that all the longans for the provincial board of purchased would be for governors to hand over to the benefit of smaller-scale some district governors and farmers who were facing police chiefs who must then real difficulties. distribute them freely. This “We decided not to pur- is not a free market to export chase them all in one location for profits, we are both pur- because we were afraid we chasing the fruit and giving might end up buying them it away as humanitarian do- from big plantation owners nations,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National ARMAC, CMAA demining 3,000-4,000 migrants return via B Meanchey authorities combine forces over one-week period Voun Dara Continued from page 1 days after the reopening be- HE ASEAN Regional tween 3,000 and 4,000 mi- Mine Action Centre centres for mild cases in the grant workers had returned (ARMAC) and the province where up to 3,000 to Cambodia via the Banteay Cambodian Mine patients can be accommodat- Meanchey border crossings. ActionT and Victim Assistance ed,” Sokhom said. “If they arrive and test posi- Authority (CMAA) on August As of August 19 there is no tive for Covid-19, we put them 19 signed an agreement re- known source of the out- in treatment in the province. For garding the “Victim Assis- break, but director of the pro- those who do not have Covid- tance Project” with $2 million vincial department of social 19, they will do one-week of in funding from South Korea. affairs, veterans and youth re- quarantine and then we send The agreement was signed habilitation, Khun Vuthy, said them to complete quarantine in between Pengiran Kasmirhan the disease could have passed their home town,” Sokhom said. Pengiran Tahir – Brunei’s am- from any number of sources On August 19, World Health bassador to Cambodia who because it isn’t a sealed facil- Organisation representative to also chairs ARMAC’s steering ity and workers and officials Cambodia Li Alian expressed committee – and CMAA first who have business there her concerns about the spread vice-president Ly Thuch. come and go daily. of the Delta variant. According to Pengiran Kas- Khun Vuthy said that those “At this time, we must work mirhan, the project could who tested negative were sep- together and move quickly as also be called the “Enhanced arated into different rooms at if we were racing against this Victim Assistance Programme the centre for their own safety highly contagious Delta vari- for ASEAN Member States”. It while the team continues to ant. The best hope for us all is has been generously funded monitor their health. to move faster than this virus by South Korea through the According to Sokhom, Ban- and get everyone vaccinated ASEAN-Korea Cooperation teay Meanchey has 15 Covid-19 against Covid-19 without de- Fund (AKCF). CMAA and ARMAC signs the agreement at the Cambodia Mine Action Authority headquarters. SUPPLIED treatment centres established lay,” she said. He said the project has for mild cases, but he believes Cambodia has since March several objectives, including plan of action for 2021-2025. portance of victim assistance, to share knowledge on victim that the spread of Covid-19 in 31 recorded nearly 500 cases making the ASEAN political- “This project will greatly ben- as well as enhance the role assistance between their or- communities in the province of the delta variant in Phnom security community a “unit- efit ASEAN member states af- and responsibilities of relevant ganisations. was now under control thanks Penh and across 21 provinces. ed, inclusive and resilient fected by landmines and explo- mine action entities in ASEAN Thuch said demining is just to strict measures put in place The provinces of Kep, Takeo community” and promoting sive remnants of war that are member states,” he said. one topic which Cambodia by the provincial authorities. and Kratie have yet to detect ASEAN Member States’ active facing an enormous challenge CMAA vice president Thuch can share their training and However, the province re- any Delta variant cases, though participation in peacekeep- to address victim assistance in said that this was the second knowledge about and other mains in a precarious position they have all detected cases of ing and post-conflict peace- their respective countries. agreement signed between topics include explosive ord- as Cambodian migrant work- the earlier Alpha variant. building efforts. “I am confident that both CMAA and ARMAC, with the nance risk education, infor- ers in Thailand are now return- The project will also en- ARMAC and CMAA will con- first MoU signed in 2018 on mation management in mine ing en masse after the borders www.phnompenhpost.com hance defence cooperation tinue to collaborate together general cooperation. He said action and community en- were reopened on August 13. check the post website within the ASEAN-Korean in efforts to address the im- another goal of this project is gagement efforts. He said in just the seven for breaking news Irrawaddy dolphin exhibit prepared in Stung Treng Ry Sochan

LOCAL authorities and com- munity members in Stung Treng prov ince have prepared an Irrawaddy dolphin skele- ton for display at Ochheuteal Dolphin Canyon in Borei O’Svay Sen Chey district’s Preah Romkel commune for exhibit to the public. The female dolphin, weigh- ing 180kg and is 230cm long, died in June. Aging was believed to be the cause of its death as the animal was 25 to 30 years old, a typical lifespan for the species. Sorn Panh, chief of Anlong Svay village in Preah Rumkel The Preah Romkel community preserve the remains of a dolphin in commune and head of the river Borei O’Svay Sen Chey district in Stung Treng. INFORMATION MINISTRY guard, said Irrawaddy dolphin is now a rare species. There Irrawaddy dolphin with a tour- munities and local authorities were once many dolphins in ist guide service. to use to attract tourists and the Ochheuteal Canyon, but Panh said local authorities provide information for future now there is only one 20-year- and communities have devel- generations visiting this place. old dolphin remaining as the oped this exhibit by garnering The provincial Department of other two died earlier this year. the support of donors and Agriculture, Forestry and Fish- “No matter what the display raising awareness among rel- eries and the Fisheries Admin- will be like, there are some evant institutions to help pro- istration are planning to meet artifacts to exhibit for those mote this initiative. with district authorities, local who want to visit. Srey Sam Vichet, acting head communities and the Depart- “We also have photos to of the provincial Fisheries ment of Tourism to discuss the place in the cabinet with the Administration, said the other development of dolphin exhib- skeleton. One of the dolphins Irrawaddy dolphin body has its and preparing the canyon as that died was used to prepare been stored at the World Wild a dolphin viewing area. the skeleton for the exhibit. We Fund for Nature (WWF Cam- “We may need an expert will make glass cabinets for the bodia) for an autopsy. from WWF Cambodia at the display, and we are raising At the request of local author- request of the authorities or fund to help us complete this ities and communities, the the community or the tourism work quickly,” he said. Fisheries Administration and department to have them as According to Panh, the Och- WWF Cambodia have left the experts in restoring the dol- heuteal Dolphin Canyon has dolphin skeleton at Ochheuteal phin skeleton back to its orig- great potential to view the Dolphin Canyon for the com- inal condition,” he said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Australia provides $65M for Dangkor district getting tough on waste littering Ro Kimlong the district. The firm collects development in Cambodia waste in the district’s 12 com- POLICE in Phnom Penh’s Dang- munes, using 13 garbage trucks Ry Sochan kor district stopped 16 motorbike and 12 tuk tuks sponsored by trailers for transporting waste Phnom Penh Municipal Hall. HE Australian government that would have been dumped He said waste from five quaran- announced an aid package and burned on public roads in the tine facilities in the district was re- of approximately $65 million first seven months of this year. moved and destroyed separately by to Cambodia for its five-year Heang Nhor, deputy head of medical waste management units. developmentT programme. Dangkor district’s Office of Pub- Nhor blamed mobile vendors The announcement was made via lic Works, Transport, Sanitation, for most of the litter on the streets. video conference between Minister Environment and Public Order, Environmental experts had in the of Economy and Finance Aun Porn- said the district hall had stopped past attempted to raise aware- moniroth and Australian ambassador 12 trailers in the first six months ness about the litter problem and to Cambodia Pablo Kang on August of the year and another four in instructed vendors on how to dis- 18, according to the finance ministry’s July. The offenders signed a letter pose of waste, but to no avail. press statement. promising to stop this activity. Suon Sreydet, a third-year stu- Pornmoniroth thanked Australia for “For first-time offence, au- dent living in the district, said its continued technical and financial thorities only impound vehicles there were currently no signifi- support for Cambodia’s development for one week so offenders would cant garbage collection prob- in many areas, especially agriculture, learn a lesson. If they are caught lems in the district as most of through the Cambodia Agriculture a second time, vehicles would be the garbage trucks had regular Value Chain Programme Phase 1 and impounded for two weeks or up nightly collections. 2, which focuses on the restoration to a month. And if they repeat Ministry of Environment spokes- and construction of irrigation systems, the offence, they will be fined in man Neth Pheaktra said Cambo- the promotion of agricultural trade accordance with sub-decree No dia produces more than 10,000 and building agricultural resilience. The announcement was made via video link between finance minister Aun Pornmoniroth 113,” he said. tonnes of rubbish a day, or nearly Kang told Pornmoniroth about the (bottom left) and Australian ambassador Pablo Kang (top left). Australian embassy According to Article 42 of the four million tonnes a year, of progress being made on projects sup- sub-decree, anyone caught dis- which 68 per cent is organic waste, ported by the Australian government, development programme for the “In this sense, the Australian gov- posing of solid waste in public more than 20 per cent was plastic such as the Mekong-Australia Part- next five years with an estimated ernment’s financial and technical as- places is subject to a fine of 20,000 waste and about 10 per cent was nership, and the Mekong-Australia budget of 90 million Australian dol- sistance is in line with [Cambodia’s] to 400,000 riel ($5 to $100). solid and hazardous waste. Centre for Water and Irrigation, Part- lars [$65 million] and key priorities policy priorities in the context of the Offenders will also be subject to Phnom Penh produces 2,700 to nership for Infrastructure (P4I) and that will be focused on in the next Covid-19 outbreak, which will make a further punitive action, such as 3,000 tonnes of rubbish every day. agro-food investment. phase,” the ministry said. significant contribution to the govern- collecting rubbish to be disposed He said solid waste manage- He also mentioned assistance to Cam- Pornmoniroth said the govern- ment’s implementation of post Covid- of in an appropriate location or a ment has been transferred to bodia in a number of other areas, such ment’s top priority is to stem the 19 economic recovery plans,” he said. landfill designated by authorities. the capital and provincial ad- as the pre-achievement study on the spread of Covid-19 and to build Cam- Pornmoniroth also invited Kang to In 2020, the district adminis- ministrations. The ministry had establishment of agro-industrial parks, bodia’s capacity to live with this dis- engage in further discussions with tration stopped 29 trailers and observed that the municipal ad- sprouting knowledge programme and ease in the medium and long term. relevant ministries, institutions and trucks for this offence. ministration had fulfilled its re- support for Cambodia as it chairs the He said the government is preparing development partners to ensure that According to Nhor, waste col- sponsibilities well, especially in upcoming ASEAN Summit. for the post-Covid-19 economic recov- Australia’s development projects are lection firm Mizuda Group Co Phnom Penh, which has recently “Additionally, ambassador Kang ery by focusing on three key principles: complementary and interconnected Ltd removes 200 to 220 tonnes a hired additional trash collection informed [Pornmoniroth] about the recovery, reform and resilience. with other ongoing efforts. day of mostly home rubbish from companies. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Verdict for Samphan SK seeks support for COP 28 expected in 6 months Voun Dara Post Staff responsible for the crimes. INISTER of En- “It is difficult for the public vironment Say THE Supreme Court Chamber of to understand our position Sam Al has con- the Extraordinary Chambers in as it is related to the law and firmed Cambo- the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) what we are now attempting Mdia’s support for South Korea’s on August 19 concluded its four- at the ECCC is to make deci- candidacy to host the 28th UN day appeal hearing for former sions based on activities from Climate Change Conference of Khmer Rouge head of state Kh- 20 years ago,” said defence the Parties (COP 28) in 2023. ieu Samphan, with a verdict ex- lawyer Anta Guisse. Sam Al affirmed the posi- pected in the next six months. She argued that the crimes tion in a meeting with South Samphan was sentenced committed at that time should Korean ambassador to Cam- in 2018 to life in prison for be tried according to the laws bodia Park Heung-kyeong at crimes against humanity, that existed then. However, the the ministry on August 18. genocide against ethnic Viet- Trial Chamber did not followed In requesting Cambodia’s namese and war crimes when that procedure, she said. support for his government’s the Khmer Rouge regime National co-defence Kong bid to host the conference, ruled Cambodia from April Sam Onn argued that Samphan Park said South Korea and 17, 1975, to January 6, 1979. was not personally responsible other countries in Asia are During the four-day hearing, for crimes committed during highly committed to resolv- the defence and prosecution the Khmer Rouge period. ing climate change issues and presented their arguments “Claiming that Khieu Sam- providing funds through the with co-prosecutors and civil phan was personally responsi- Green Climate Fund. party lawyers agreeing that the ble is incorrect as he had a mi- Sam Al supported the request Environment minister Say Sam Al (right) meets South Korean ambassador Park Heung-kyeong to discuss Trial Chamber ruling in 2018 nor role to play in the Khmer and welcomed the proposal, climate change at the environment ministry on Wednesday. ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY was correct and requested the Rouge regime,” he said. which he said will benefit Supreme Court Chamber to The national co-prosecutor countries in the environmen- Assistant (ODA) project, which livelihoods, but it is threat- projects so the economy annul the appeal. said she did not know when tal and agricultural sectors. has seen continued coopera- ened by climate change. can recover after the decline However, Samphan’s de- the Supreme Court Chamber “The environment ministry tion with Cambodia in human He said that in response to caused by Covid-19. fence team argued he was not will issue a ruling on the ap- supports South Korea as the resource training programmes global efforts to combat cli- The ambassador added that the person most responsible peal, but she said it may not host candidate for the COP 28 in various fields. He also asked mate change, South Korea some of the plans include for the atrocity or personally be earlier than six months. climate change conference in that Cambodia support South has proclaimed its ambitious converting the country’s car- 2023,” he said. Korean companies investing in initiative to achieve carbon bon-intensive industries into Khieu Samphan during his appeal hearing The minister also asked cultivating bamboo. neutrality by 2050. low-carbon ones and pro- on Wednesday. ECCC South Korea to continue to Park said at the 2nd Part- Last year the South Korean moting the use of renewable promote agricultural tech- nering for Green Growth government announced a energy such as solar, wind nologies that manage climate and Global Goals 2030 (P4G) congressional resolution that and hydropower. change and support crops Summit on May 30-31 that set out a major plan to tackle During the meeting, Park such as rice. Cambodia has a rich natural climate change. The govern- praised the Cambodian govern- Park pointed out the expan- resource base that is a key ment plans to invest $62 bil- ment for its successful nation- sion of the Official Development to food security and people’s lion in short- and long-term wide vaccination campaign.

Kantha Bopha treats edotco Cambodia partners with Metfone to 20K children in July expand connectivity across the Kingdom with 500 telecommunications sites Ry Sochan of their locations continue to operate without any service dotco Cambodia, the leading THE Kantha Bopha Founda- reductions. telecommunications infra- tion received over $70,000 in Chan Narith, the finance structure services company in July from donors while more ministry’s undersecretary of the region, has announced a than 20,000 children were giv- state and head of the founda- strategice partnership with Metfone on en outpatient care or admitted tion’s Secretariat, said on Au- August 20. for treatment at its five pediat- gust 18 that the funds raised ric hospitals in Cambodia. from the donations would be Metfone is one of the top three The foundation said in a used for the sole purpose of mobile operators in Cambodia and a press release that in July it re- supporting the five Kantha subsidiary of Viettel Group, the world’s ceived donations of 60,187,900 Bopha hospitals’ operations. fastest-growing telecommunications riel ($15,000) and $59,365 from “The Cambodia Kantha operator. 3,969 donors, including three Bopha Foundation is an of- The partnership enables the deploy- honorary members, 2,977 sup- ficial fund established by the ment of new telecommunications sites port members and 989 others. government to serve the sole that will further expand Metfone’s 2G, The foundation also received purpose of ensuring that the 3G and 4G coverage across all the King- $1,694 from state-owned Ang- five Kantha Bopha hospitals dom’s 25 provinces and Phnom Penh. kor Enterprise from entrance continue their main mission to As Metfone’s infrastructure partner, fees of visitors to Angkor Ar- provide quality care and medi- edotco will deploy 500 telecommuni- have a presence. About edotco Group chaeological Park for the sec- cal treatment to children in cations sites under the partnership. ond quarter, showing its steep Cambodia free of charge and “This is a milestone partnership for Established in 2012, edotco Group The agreement also echoes the business decline as a source of fund- without prejudice,” he said. us as it now means edotco Cambodia is the first regional and integrated philosophies of both companies to ing for them compared to the The foundation said last is working with all of the leading telecommunications infrastructure years prior to the pandemic week that despite the Covid- actively contribute to nation-building telecommunications companies​in the services company in Asia, provid- that saw record numbers of 19 pandemic, the Kantha by enabling seamless network con- country. We will continue to pro- ing end-to-end solutions in the tower tourists in the Kingdom. Bopha hospitals continue to nectivity. vide state-of-the-art solutions to services sector, from tower leasing, “The Cambodia Kantha conduct high-quality patient Chief regional officer of edotco our customers, which will not only co-locations, build-to-suit, energy, Bopha Foundation would like care as normal. (Asean North) Phillip Wong hailed the facilitate the proliferation of mobile transmission and operations, and to deeply thank all the donors The hospital’s report showed partnership as a “milestone”. connectivity but also maximise maintenance.​ The group operates and who always give money to that in July, a total of 18,818 “We are committed to providing operational efficiencies through manages a regional portfolio of over support and ensure the sus- children were treated as out- the right shareable infrastructure leveraging new technologies. 34,000 towers across the core markets tainability of all five Kantha patients while 2,751 critically towards enabling connectivity and “Strong partnerships with like- of Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bopha Children’s Hospitals to ill children were hospitalised. partnering the telecommunications minded corporations within the telco Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the be able to operate normally Among them, 958 children ecosystem to meeting the nation’s ecosystem are key towards delivering Philippines and Laos. and sustainably and continue underwent surgery, with 30 of digital agenda. extensive telecommunications ser- A leader in the region, edotco strives to provide free, quality and those being heart surgeries and “Our partnership with Metfone vices for the nation. I am confident to deliver outstanding performance non-discriminatory paediat- coronary artery bypass grafts at enables us to support their commu- this partnership will pave the way in telecommunications infrastructure ric examinations and services Kantha Bopha’s Phnom Penh nications and infrastructure-build- towards achieving the country’s services and solutions. Its state-of- that support the government’s and Siem Reap hospitals. digital ambitions,” Wong said. the-art real-time monitoring sevice policy to promote social wel- The same report showed that ing needs, while at the same time In operation since 2013, edotco – edotco – has driven significant fare, especially the wellbeing of at the maternity ward of the making the telecommunications net- Cambodia has a portfolio of more than improvements in field operations while children and infants in Cam- Jayavarman VII Hospital (Kan- works more accessible in Cambodia. bodia,” the press release said. tha Bopha III), 2,585 pregnant More importantly, it is a testament to 3,960 towers in the Kingdom, which maximising operational efficiencies The foundation requested women came for antenatal our commitment to play a pivotal role has enabled telecommunications pro- in terms of battery, energy and fuel further contributions from care and treatment in the out- in being key digital nation-building viders to efficiently meet their growing consumption for telecommunications donors in Cambodia and in- patient department and 1,272 partners in countries in which we infrastructure requirements. infrastructure. ternationally to ensure all five women gave birth there. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,112 1.2738 6.4908 109.72 4.2385 1.3637 33.35 0.7164 1.1694 1.3691

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: August 19, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,220 12,140 12,480 12,140 2 GTI 4,460 4,540 4,540 4,340 3 PAS 13,680 13,700 13,700 13,660 4 PEPC 3,230 3,220 3,280 3,200 5 PPAP 14,940 14,960 14,980 14,940 6 PPSP 2,090 2,090 2,100 2,060 7 PWSA 7,100 7,100 7,100 7,060 ‘Cambodia 2021-23 plan more Covid for economic ready than neighbours’ recovery on Continued from page 1 economy, and letting people return to more normal lives. It is time way: minister for Cambodia to now tip the scales in favour of opening up more. “While protecting the health Hin Pisei crisis had ravaged economies of the community is paramount, around the world, Cambodia we also shouldn’t lose sight of the AMBODIA is get- included, since its inception fact that many people are seeing ting ready to launch last year. However, he said, the their lives badly damaged by the a 2021-2023 plan to Kingdom has been drawing restrictions in place,” he said. lift the economy out up three priority strategies to Despite the impressive vac- ofC the Covid-19 rut and chart return the economy to a high cination drive, the latest wave a course for sustainable and growth path – “economic re- The finance minister pegged Cambodia’s economic growth at 4.8 per cent for 2022, saying the Covid-19 outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 – the pathogen inclusive growth, according covery”, “reforms” and “build- has eased after widespread vaccination, ushering in the emergence of a ‘new normal’. Yousos Apdoulrashim that causes Covid-19 – has not to Minister of Economy and ing resilience”. been significantly diminished, Finance Aun Pornmoniroth. “Although the global socio- ty, impact management, the ity and inclusivity of socio- In 2021, the February 20 com- and the spread of the virus’ Centred on enhancing com- economic situation remains revival and stabilisation of vi- economic rehabilitation and munity outbreak, coupled with Delta variant first detected in petitiveness and promoting highly uncertain due to the able businesses – especially in development, he added. the arrival of the Delta variant India prompted the govern- economic diversification, the prolongation of Covid-19, the most affected sectors – and “In order to be successful in and a recent surge in imported ment to approve a third boost- plan will be firmly grounded Cambodia may also have the rapid creation of new jobs, all of these strategies, Cam- cases, prompted the Kingdom er dose of vaccines. on maintaining a strong in- some opportunities. according to Pornmoniroth. bodia needs to increase its to revise its economic growth Higgins stressed that the Feb- dustrial base with high export “This hinges on Cambodia’s “Reforms” covers the con- commitment and focus on forecast for 2021 to 2.4 per cent, ruary 20 outbreak had been “obvi- capacity and stronger links ability and capacity to adapt tinued introduction of key re- firm efforts and high political down from 4.0 per cent at the ously disappointing”, and lauded with regional and global sup- to the changing regional and form measures as instruments will, putting the national in- beginning of the year, it said. the overall government response ply chains, he said. global situation, as well as to designed to improve, among terest first in the fight against Cambodia Chamber of to the pandemic, providing as He also pegged Cambodia’s know how to leverage favour- other things, trade facilitation, Covid-19 and accelerate re- Commerce vice-president Lim examples the vaccination pro- economic growth at 4.8 per able conditions to enhance investment and business, pro- forms in all areas, especially Heng told The Post that he was gramme and macroeconomic cent for 2022, saying that the economic competitiveness motion apparatuses and digi- in public institutions and confident that the Kingdom’s measures brought in to counter coronavirus outbreak has and improve the investment talisation in economic systems their capacity building, to economic situation would im- the fallout of the pandemic. eased after widespread vacci- environment, to attract more used in the public and private ensure that Cambodia can prove in the second half of this While recognising that the Del- nation, ushering in the emer- investment and business – sectors, he said. achieve its long-term devel- year, on the back of a fast-mov- ta variant could remain endem- gence of a ‘new normal’. which could pour out of areas “Building resilience” involves opment vision,” he said. ing coronavirus vaccination ic in the Kingdom, he offered a The minister was speaking at involved in trade disputes or strengthening preparedness The Ministry of Economy campaign, despite the high silver lining in the aftermath of an online workshop organised that are politically unstable – and response capacity to and Finance noted that the quantities of daily Covid cases. the February 20 event. “It has by the National Assembly on as well as shift regional supply disease outbreaks or similar Covid-19 health crisis has led He said the government has meant Cambodia has been August 17 examining the de- chains to Cambodia,” he said. public emergencies that could to dwindling global demand, also launched a series of new much better prepared for the lat- velopments of public financial “Economic recovery”, the emerge in the future, and fo- supply chains disruptions, strategies to boost economic est wave than our neighbours, policy and macroeconomic pol- first of the three priority strat- cuses on the development of declining people flows and a growth and find new mar- who are now seeing devastating icy frameworks relevant in the egies, entails building a strong solid health and social protec- loss of investment confidence, kets for Cambodian exports. case numbers,” he said. preparation of the draft Law on foundation for moving the tion systems, effective social all of which dragged Cambo- “I remain optimistic about “Delta doesn’t have to result Financial Management for 2022. economy back into growth intervention programming, dia’s economic growth in 2020 Cambodia’s economic growth in negative economic outcomes. He stressed that the Covid-19 territory, with a focus on safe- and ensuring the sustainabil- down to minus 3.1 per cent. during this difficult time.” The UK saw Delta run rampant, but because of their vaccina- tion levels, they’ve been able to open up and deliver pretty good economic numbers. “From a selfish perspective, Master plan in works for transport systems being able to roll out boosters already is clearly a good thing for Thou Vireak Chhoun Voun, director-general of technological advancements, the South Korea previously approved Cambodia. Society is always the ministry’s General Department ministry must craft an ITS master an ITS project under official devel- making trade-offs. For example, THE government is preparing a master of Land Transport, chaired a meeting plan and update supporting frame- opment assistance (ODA) that aims you could eliminate road deaths plan to develop intelligent transport sys- with an unnamed “Korean counter- works to effectively tackle the raft of to improve the Cambodian transport by reducing the speed limit to tems (ITS) to properly consolidate and part” on August 18 via video link to transportation issues plaguing the sector. The project is to be operated in 10km/h, but society would deem invigorate the technological develop- discuss the master plan for ITSs, to Kingdom, he said. cooperation between the Cambodian the cost of that too high both ment and capabilities in the industry, in be drawn up with the support of the “The ministry is committed to coor- and Korean transport ministries, and economically and in terms of the expectation of a soft launch in 2023. South Korean Ministry of Land, Infra- dinating with relevant ministries and the International Contractors Asso- day-to-day impact,” Higgins said. ITSs are environmentally-friendly structure and Transport. institutions, civil society and other ciation of Korea (Icak). According to the Ministry of modern applications designed to ef- Speaking at the meeting, Voun high- stakeholders to successfully carry out The project is scheduled to be complet- Health, as of August 17 Cambo- ficiently provide real-time data per- lighted that the range of emerging tech- this project,” Voun added. ed in August 2022 and piloted in 2023 at dia had vaccinated more than taining to different modes of transport nologies shaping contemporary society, He expressed hope that initial prep- an unspecified new airport – most likely 8.5 million people – or 85.23 and traffic management, enabling us- such as electric vehicles, offer a veritable arations for the master plan would be the new one south of Phnom Penh that per cent of the targeted adult ers to ensure traffic runs smoothly, plethora of avenues for development and completed within a year, as planned, will serve the city – satellite cities around population of 10 million – and according to the Ministry of Public growth in the realm of transportation. so that all stakeholders can effectively the capital, and on major roads such as 32.25 per cent of the 12-17 age Works and Transportation. For Cambodia to adapt to modern put it into action. national roads 1, 4 and 5. group of nearly two million. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Thailand expected to open Indonesia pushes economic recovery door to Cambodian longan goals back to 2022 Thou Vireak THE macroeconomic as- occur] as unemployment falls sumptions of a recently re- in line with the recovery in AMBODIA expects leased 2022 state budget draft the economy,” he added. Thailand to allow reflect the expectation that The unemployment rate, Pailin longan im- Indonesia’s economy will however, is not expected to ports into its market largely return to pre-pan- return to normal levels by asC usual, after China on Au- demic conditions by 2022, a 2022. The government pre- gust 17 partially lifted a ban on postponement of predictions dicts it will range from 5.5 to Thai longan that it imposed outlined in the 2021 budget. 6.3 per cent in 2022, higher four days earlier over contam- The 2022 draft presumes than the levels seen from Feb- ination with mealybugs. that some key macroeconom- ruary 2018 to February 2020, Beijing on August 17 gave ic indicators such as gross do- just before the pandemic. 56 Thai longan sorting and mestic product (GDP) growth, In February of this year, the packaging companies the the inflation rate and the pov- unemployment rate was 6.26 nod to resume exports of the erty rate will return to levels per cent, up 1.32 percentage fruit to China, according to seen in 2019 or earlier by next points from a year earlier, Statis- the Bangkok Post. year, but economists warn tics Indonesia (BPS) data shows. Mallika Boonmeetrakook, that downside risks loom. The 2022 state budget pre- adviser to Thai Minister of The government expects dicts that the poverty rate will Commerce Jurin Laksan- GDP to grow up to 5.5 per range between 8.5 per cent awisit, on August 18 said the cent next year on the back of and nine per cent next year, 56 firms had records of low reforms set in motion, in part, matching the under nine per pest prevalence, and were by the Job Creation Law. The cent seen before the pan- among the 75 banned – nine forecast matches the approxi- demic and reversing a three- of which had been barred mately five per cent growth year record-high poverty rate since March. seen in the years before the in 2020. The annual rate is ex- Pailin Longan Association (PLA) members grow Pailin longan on 2,900ha in Pailin, Battambang and Banteay The remaining 19 firms Meanchey provinces. The harvest typically occurs from August to end-December, and production is expected pandemic. pected to be between 9.2 and could keep shipping longan to reach 50,000 tonnes this year. FRESH NEWS Finance minister Sri Mulyani 9.7 per cent this year. to China if Beijing determines Indrawati told an online press The 2022 state budget pre- that their methods to manage Preah Vihear province. buy longan from locals could Khmer longan until Novem- conference on August 16: “Of dicts an exchange rate of 14,350 pests are “effective”, she said Pailin Longan Association partially alleviate the burden,” ber, the peak harvest season, course, this requires hard rupiah per US dollar next year, as reported by Bangkok Post. (PLA) vice-chairman Suon he said, referring to a govern- we could face market short- work, including quite deep approaching the average of Longan – also known by Chum told The Post on August ment purchasing initiative ages again, and the govern- reforms so that our economy 14,146 rupiah per US dollar the botanical name Dimo- 19 that no Thailand-based and a domestic campaign to ment wouldn’t be able to becomes more productive. recorded in 2019, according to carpus longan – is a tropical Chinese company had yet to buy longan from farmers in buy up all the edible crop,” “The reforms are related the Jakarta Interbank Spot Dol- evergreen tree species native place an order with the asso- the seven provinces border- he said. “Thailand allowing to [human development], lar Rate (Jisdor). to Asia that produces edible ciation’s members or inquire ing Thailand, launched by some exports would mitigate education, healthcare, social The 2021 state budget pre- fruit of the soapberry family, into striking a collaborative Prime Minister Hun Sen in a some of the burden.” protection and infrastruc- dicted an exchange rate of which also includes lychees partnership. bid to save tonnes of the fruit PLA members grow Pailin ture for mobility, connectivity 14,600 rupiah per US dollar and rambutan. According “I am elated that China has from spoiling. longan on 2,900ha in Pailin, and productivity, as well as this year. The rate was 14,383 to the Minister of Agricul- allowed Thailand to export lon- Chum hopes Thailand will Battambang and Banteay bureaucratic and regulatory rupiah per US dollar on Au- ture, Forestry and Fisheries gan again. If we can get groups allow Cambodian longan to Meanchey. The harvest typi- reform, such as the Online gust 16, according to Jisdor. Veng Sakhon, in Cambodia entering into understandings enter the country before peak cally occurs from August to Single Submission system.” Ten-year government bond the fruit is mostly grown in with Cambodia, we could have harvest season in November. end-December, and pro- The 2021 state budget, too, yields are also expected to the provinces of Pailin and some breathing air. “I’m concerned that if Thai- duction is expected to reach predicted that Indonesia’s remain competitive at 6.82 Battambang, and in parts of “The ongoing movement to land continues to ban our 50,000 tonnes this year. GDP would grow by some 5.5 per cent next year, compared per cent, but the government to the 7.29 per cent expected has slashed the best-case this year. On the morning of projection to 4.5 per cent August 18, the yield was 6.33 following the enactment of per cent, according to Bank multi-tiered public mobility Mandiri data. ABA posts robust income growth restrictions (PPKM). The outlook for both the ex- The 2022 budget forecasts change rate and bond yields May Kunmakara year. Net profit “continued to rise stead- environment. These factors continued to that consumer prices will rise builds on a narrow current ily” over the period. impact local businesses, especially in the three per cent that year, a level account deficit, recorded at LOCAL corporate bond-listed Advanced The bank booked $93 million in total hospitality, tourism, garment and con- last seen in 2018, alongside a 0.36 per cent of the country’s Bank of Asia Ltd (ABA) reported strong comprehensive income over the January- struction sectors,” he said. predicted rebound in demand. GDP in the January to March growth in business performance in the sec- June period. Jacquot said ABA restructured loans The 2021 state budget draft period, partly thanks to a large ond quarter of this year, despite economic Chairman Yves Jacquot said in the worth $704 million for 13,806 accounts, predicted three per cent infla- trade surplus, BI data shows. disruptions owing to the February 20 com- report that the pandemic situation in accounting for 16 per cent of the total tion for this year as well, but While imports bounced munity outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Cambodia worsened in the second quar- portfolio. He described the restructured the government has lowered back, Indonesia still pocketed In a second quarter financial report ter of the year as the so-called “February loans as “high quality”, noting that more its expectations to between a trade surplus of nearly $2.6 filed to the Cambodia Securities Exchange 20 community outbreak” led to an out- than 75 per cent carry a grace period on 1.8 and 2.5 per cent. billion in July, BPS reported (CSX) on August 18, ABA said total interest burst of coronavirus infection cases. principal only. The finance minister said on August 18. and comprehensive income reached “At a certain point, the event resulted in “ABA will continue helping its borrowers 2022 inflation “is expected to Josua Pardede, chief econo- 443.938 and 195.248 billion riel ($109 and a lockdown of the Phnom Penh and to overcome the time of hardship through be [caused by] a combination mist at publicly-listed Bank $48 million) in the quarter, respectively, Takhmao areas for three weeks, which its Loan Restructuring Policy. In addition of aggregate demand that will Permata, said that while the surging by 29 and 42 per cent year-on- seriously affected the overall business to restructuring, the bank continued dis- start strengthening next year, exchange rate and bond yield tributing new loans to its customers as the usually followed by global assumptions were in line with access to capital is vital for people and commodity prices. the latest trends, a faster-than- businesses not only in the growing econ- “We hope Bank Indonesia expected normalisation of omy but also in times of crisis,” he said. [BI] and the government will monetary policy by central He added that 7,828 loans worth $271.2 keep medium-term inflation banks in rich countries, includ- million were disbursed over April-June, stable,” she said. ing the US Federal Reserve, increasing the bank’s gross loan portfolio BI has not set an inflation would pose a downside risk. by six per cent to $4.5 billion. target for next year, but the But the current account def- ABA remains a partner in the SME Co- pandemic has muted con- icit was forecast to stay below Financing Scheme 2020 (SCFS), a govern- sumer price growth, and in- two per cent, Josua said, the ment initiative to provide affordable loans flation stood at 1.68 per cent typical level seen before the to small- and medium-sized enterprises. last year, below the central pandemic, even if the econo- Under the SCFS, the bank disbursed bank’s target of between two my bounced back and imports loans worth $2.3 million for capital and four per cent. rose as investment picked up. expenditure and working capital with a “I think the inflation target “The assumption regard- special annual interest rate of seven per within that [BI] range is still ing the exchange rate reflects cent and a term of up to seven years. in line with the supply and that the government is con- As of June 30, its deposit portfolio stood demand conditions next year, fident it can achieve the eco- at $5.5 billion in the second quarter of when we expect to enter the nomic growth [target], which 2021, representing six per cent growth economic recovery phase,” can build investor confidence against the first quarter. Piter Abdullah, an economist again,” Josua told the Jakarta ABA was the first Cambodian commercial at the Centre for Reform on Post on August 18. “It will there- bank to issue corporate bonds, listing 84.8 Economics Indonesia, told the fore limit the depreciation of billion riel-worth, and continues to take a ABA said total interest and comprehensive income reached 443.938 and 195.248 billion riel Jakarta Post on August 18. the rupiah and pressures on ($109 and $48 million) in the second quarter of 2021, respectively, surging by 29 and 42 per cent prominent role in developing the securities “Inflationary pressure above financial markets.” THE JAKARTA year-on-year. HENG CHIVOAN market and promoting the local currency. three per cent [is expected to POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Thai firm BGRIM logs Major donors put financial record profit in Q2 as squeeze on Afghan Taliban power sales shoot up HE Taliban have THAI multinational corpo- and Amata B Grimm Power promised to improve ration B Grimm Power Plc’s (Rayong) 2 Co Ltd (ABPR2) in Afghanistan’s econ- (BGRIM) net profit attribut- the second half of 2020. Cost omy, but to do that able to major shareholders in controls had reduced sale and theT new regime will have to the second quarter of this year administrative expenses by rely on foreign aid – and there leaped 50 per cent to 1.022 17.6 per cent from the same is no guarantee it will get the billion baht ($30.6 million), period last year. funds it needs. driven largely by the upsurge Meanwhile, the average Some major donors already in power sales. price of natural gas, the main halted their support for the However, including the fuel of BGRIM’s generation, country, one of the world’s unrealised foreign exchange had dropped by 8.9 per cent poorest, including the In- losses, the earnings declined in the quarter to result in low- ternational Monetary Fund slightly over the same period er production costs. (IMF) which on August 18 an- last year to 1.011 billion baht. Dr Link added that BGRIM nounced that it would freeze The second quarter’s net has recently unveiled new aid to the country amid un- profit was record high, at 56.5 seven strategic initiatives to certainty over recognition of per cent higher than the pre- become a world-class energy the government. The World ceding first quarter’s level, producer based primarily on Bank could follow suit. while earnings before inter- its mission of “Empowering “Afghanistan is tremendous- est, taxes, depreciation and the World Compassionately”. ly dependent on foreign aid. amortisation (Ebitda) rose 9.4 The mission is meant to Foreign aid is about 10 times per cent over the same corre- create value for the society in or even more than the Taliban Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group has reached out to many governments for aid. AFP sponding period last year to the form of “Sustainable Util- has been able to obtain from 3.524 billion baht. ity Solution Provider” by pro- its own finance,” said Vanda The Taliban is expert in tax- they ruled the country from support and economic assis- BGRIM chairman and ducing quality energy, provid- Felbab-Brown, an Afghani- ing just about everything in 1996 to 2001, the group will ban tance,” Kupchan said. president Dr Harald Link said ing comprehensive services stan specialist at the Brook- areas they control, from gov- opium production, he said. It is not clear if neighbour- the 47.4 per cent jump in its to meet the changing needs ings Institution, a Washing- ernment projects to goods, The reception the group ing China, the world’s sec- electricity sale to industrial of customers as well as devel- ton think tank. “International and “they will continue to use received following the shock ond-largest economy, will fill customers in Thailand, which oping business cooperation economic aid, and access to that as a source of funding”, takeover of the capital Kabul the void should relations with reached a peak of 831GWh in with strong partners both at international economic funds said Charles Kupchan, a se- appears less reserved than western nations remain cold. the second quarter, contrib- home and abroad. will be crucial.” nior fellow at the Council on during the first stint in power. “The Chinese are very mer- uted significantly to BGRIM’s In other development, In 2020, aid flows repre- Foreign Relations. Russia, China and Turkey have cantilist. They tend to be improved bottom line. BGRIM is due to put its Bo sented 42.9 per cent of Af- The international com- all welcomed the insurgents’ more interested in countries There was robust power de- Thong Wind Farm 1&2, ghanistan’s $19.8 billion gross munity has spent billions of first public statements. Howev- with good business environ- mand particularly from cus- with an installed capacity of domestic product (GDP), ac- dollars over the years to help er, many donor countries, start- ments,” Kupchan said. tomers in automotive parts, 16MW, located in Mukdahan cording to World Bank data. Afghanistan eradicate poppy ing with the US, are wary. Beyond their cash on hand, tyres, home appliances and province, online commercial- “Afghanistan’s economy is cultivation, but the country Washington has insisted the Taliban may have few other industrial gases sectors. There ly this month. shaped by fragility and aid de- still produces more than 80 that it expects the Taliban to funds to draw upon – most of were also connections to the There are 48 BGRIM power pendence,” the Washington- per cent of the world’s opium. respect human rights, includ- the country’s reserves are held system of new industrial cus- plants in commercial opera- based development lender said. The industry employs hun- ing those of women. overseas, Afghanistan’s central tomers under the power pur- tion. The company aims to The Taliban gets much of its dreds of thousands of people in Canadian Prime Minister bank chief said on August 18. chase agreements involving ramp up its total installed revenue from criminal activi- a country with high unemploy- Justin Trudeau said his coun- The majority are in the US, 21.2MW in the second quar- capacity from 3,058MW at ties such as the cultivation of ment after 40 years of conflict. try has “no plans” to recogn- where President Joe Biden’s ad- ter of this year. That raised the end of 2020 to at least poppies used to make heroin The Afghan economy has ise the Taliban. ministration said the Taliban the overall capacity delivery 7,200MW by 2025 and further and opium, as well as from taken a hit during the Covid- Germany announced the will not have access to them. for the first half of this year to to 10,000MW by 2030 in terms drug trafficking, according to 19 pandemic, and the Tali- suspension of its develop- And Western Union an- 31.5MW, compared with not of power sale volumes with a May 2020 report from a UN ban has acknowledged that it ment aid on August 16. Ber- nounced it was temporarily less than 40MW targeted for an annual revenue target of Security Council sanctions cannot improve the situation lin was going to provide €430 cutting off wire transfers to the entire 2021. more than 100 billion baht. committee. without foreign help. million ($503 million) in aid the country – another vital Contributing to BGRIM’s BGRIM announced an in- Extortion of businesses as Taliban spokesman Zabihul- this year, including €250 mil- source of cash for the people. second-quarter profitability terim dividend of 0.15 baht well as ransom from kidnap- lah Mujahid on August 17 said: lion for development. According to the World were the commercial start-up per share for the first half of ping also provide income, ac- “We have spoken to many “They have an interest in Bank’s most recent estimates of the company’s solar farm 2021, payable on September cording to the report which countries. We want them to trying to preserve at least a from May, remittance flows in Cambodia in December, 10 to eligible shareholders ap- estimated the group’s rev- work on our economy. We measure of good standing in to Afghanistan from overseas the power plant optimisa- pearing on registration dated enues at $300 million to $1.5 want them to help us.” the international community, were estimated at $789 mil- tions of Amata B Grimm Pow- August 25. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ billion a year. However as they did when because they want … political lion last year. AFP er (Rayong) 1 Co Ltd (ABPR1) ASIA NEWS NETWORK South Korea’s potential growth on downhill for decades SOUTH Korea’s potential my’s potential growth rate – (Keri). The figure has been inflation. It has overall declined per cent and 0.9 per cent in the The total fertility rate – the growth rate has declined for gross domestic product (GDP) gradually falling, with 5.3 per in advanced economies in 1990s and 2000s, respectively. average number of children a decades, reflecting the nation’s per capita aged 15 and over – cent in the 1990s and 3.8 per recent decades. Meanwhile, the employment woman bears in her lifetime aging society, slowing capital by decade came to an average cent in the 2000s. The think tank took total factor rate has steadily hovered – hit a new record low of 0.84 accumulation and changing 2.1 per cent in the 2010s, com- A potential growth is the rate productivity, capital accumula- around 0.4 per cent in the last year, the same data job market, a think tank report pared with 7.6 per cent in the of economic expansion a tion, labour hours and employ- cited decades, Keri said. showed. It marked the third showed on August 18. 1980s, according to the Korea country can sustain over the ment per decade into account The think tank voiced con- straight year that the rate was Asia’s fourth-largest econo- Economic Research Institute medium term without excess when calculating the growth cerns that the slowing pace of below one per cent. rates. As a result, all areas expect the potential growth could Overall, South Korea’s total employment rate have been eventually pull the economy population grew slightly in the declining in recent decades. down into negative growth, if cited period, as more Koreans Total factor productivity (TFT) the issues remain unresolved. living overseas returned home – a measure of productive effi- The changing labour market due to the global Covid-19 pan- ciency by measuring the size of affected by the nation’s declin- demic. A total of 51.83 million output from “unseen” inputs ing birthrate and the aging people lived in South Korea as including labour, capital and population trend is likely to of November 1, up 0.1 per cent regulations – fell to 2.9 per cent further drag down the growth or 50,000 year-on-year. in the 2010s from 6.4 per cent in potential, it added. “Since there is a limit to sup- the 1980s. The figure stood at 4.2 The nation has been slowly ply in labour and capital, Korea per cent in the 1990s and 4.1 per morphing into an aged society. must boost its total factor pro- cent in the 2000s. The number of senior citizens, ductivity to nurture its growth Capital accumulation reached or people aged 65 and older, potential,” said Choo Kwang- its peak at 2.1 per cent in the came to 8.21 million as of ho, the head of Keri‘s economy 1990s from 0.7 per cent in the November, data from Statistics policy division. 1980s, then sharply fell to 0.3 per Korea showed, accounting for “In order to achieve that, an cent in the 2000s. It stood flat at 16.4 per cent of the total popu- overhaul of the strict business zero per cent in the 2010s. lation. The economy is pro- regulations, tax benefits and Average labour hours came jected to become a super-aged support for more research and to minus 1.2 per cent in the society in 2025, when those development must be imple- 2010s, compared with 0.1 per aged 65 and older account for mented,” Choo added. THE Pedestrians cross a road in Gwanghwamun Square, of South Korean capital Seoul. YONHAP NEWS AGENCY cent in the 1980s. It stood at 0.8 20 per cent of the population. KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9

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Hope Music Center provides maintenance and rapairs, and can even source custom guitars. JOE CURTIN The staff are all accomplished musicians who share a passion for music. JOE CURTIN Hope Music Center on song with its care for customers and local scene

ope Music Center – Phnom Penh’s leading “one-stop shop for music” – has rapidly become a hub for Cambodia’sH up-and-coming talent and the wider scene, despite having only just celebrated its first anniversary in July. Hope Music Center boasts services to support every stage of a musician’s craft – from the sale of instruments, music lessons, equipment supply and Hope Music Center sells a range of high quality instruments. JOE CURTIN A ‘one-stop shop for music’, it boasts a recording studio and practice space. JOE CURTIN maintenance, to practice space, recording studio and professional mixing. pandemic. Because of our honesty and pandemic, with some unfortunately there has recently been a sea change. greater numbers for this year’s contest in “While the core of the business is value in providing our services and even permanently closed, Hope “The local scene is ready to grow November,” Panhavorn said. selling instruments, we aim to empower products to the customer, we Music Center still goes up every day,” massively. We are witnessing a With four years’ experience in young people to create their own music continue to thrive. Bunthoeun said. Cambodian musical revolution as imports and exports, Bunthoeun has as much as we can, and by supplying “In just one year, Bunthoeun has held a lifelong fans are now more discerning and now combined his business expertise this support, help further build the we have received passion for music – something shared demanding more original music. with his passion for music – and a scene. Previously, there wasn’t much huge support from by all his staff members – and the “As a result, people want to record commitment to his customers and the opportunity for young talent to shine, both locals and name of his shop reflects what he sees new original material and sounds, and Cambodian music scene. and we wanted to address this. foreigners. While as one of the art form’s most powerful are increasingly ready to do so. We “Competitive pricing is important – “Having seen so many music shops many businesses properties. want to assist in this every step of the as ours are – but we also focus more on and schools starting to grow, I decided are struggling “I grew up in a strong Church way – to be there to help and inspire the three most important points. to open this music shop and bring in during the background and was the young generation. “The first is the quality of the top quality products to increase the involved with musical “For example, with the price of products and services we provide; the quality of music in Cambodia. instruments studio time prohibitive for many second is providing true and detailed “We also have music classes to daily. So young musicians, we have addressed information to customers – only facts provide musical knowledge, a music this by providing tutorials on home are provided to our clients. Thirdly and studio and rehearsal space, and we can recording to help them start and build most importantly, our customers are livestream gigs for bands, all of which I love confidence,” Bunthoeun said. more than just that to us. We treat them makes Hope Music Center a real one- music, and it And studio manager Proeung Thun with the best attitude and respect. stop shop for music,” said owner El is such a privilege Panhavorn says this is reflected by the “This is the secret of our success – Bunthoeun, known as Jonathan. to be able to combine impressive turnout for the Hope Music we like to say that you come in as a The 29-year-old says the sector is in my business with my passion. Center’s first music contest, held when customer but leave as a friend. And a healthy position despite the Covid-19 “Everyone faces problems and the fledging business was less than six with a large number of locals and outbreak, with Phnom Penh now home struggles in life, and I think music months old. foreigners from more than 20 countries to many music shops due to a high plays a big part in motivating “We were very surprised and happy already, our group of friends just keeps demand for musical instruments and people, to give them hope in order to to see so much talent apply. Around 70 growing,” Bunthoeun said studio equipment. get through any difficult situation. contestants recorded an acoustic song And Panhavorn was quick to voice “The music shop market value was As our motto says – ‘music is hope’,” and posted it on our Facebook, with appreciation for their loyalty. around $1.2-$2.2 million per annum he said. whoever received the most likes and “Hope Music Center would like to before the pandemic but has now While in the past, Cambodian comments winning. express our thanks for all the support decreased to less than $1.2 million. popular music relied heavily on “The winners received 27,000 views in and love from our customers both “I think I’m blessed despite opening covers and reworkings of foreign just one week! This shows the strength of locally and internationally. Without their Hope Music Center during the Owner El Bunthoeun. JOE CURTIN songs, the Phnom Penh native says the scene, and we are optimistic of even support, we wouldn’t be here,” he said. 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World Marathon Taliban talk with former Afghan extradition hearings president about power transfer of Huawei

ENIOR Taliban mem- exec over bers have met with HUAWEI executive Meng former president Wanzhou’s fight in a Canadian Hamid Karzai and court against extradition to the seniorS official Abdullah Ab- US to face fraud and conspira- dullah as they seek to form a cy charges wrapped up on government in Afghanistan, August 18 after nearly 1,000 pledging it will be “positively days of legal wranglings and different” from their brutal diplomatic brawls. rule two decades ago. The daughter of Ren Zheng- But thousands of Afghans fei, founder and CEO of the and foreigners are still attempt- Chinese company, is accused ing to flee the country, fearful of defrauding HSBC Bank by about the hardliners’ past re- falsely misrepresenting links cord of human rights abuses. between Huawei and Skycom, And President Joe Biden – a subsidiary that sold telecoms under pressure at home and equipment to Iran, putting the abroad over his handling of the bank at risk of violating US withdrawal of US forces after 20 sanctions against Tehran, as it years of war – on August 18 said continued to clear US dollar some soldiers could remain transactions for Huawei. past the August 31 deadline to Supreme Court of British ensure all US citizens get out. Columbia Associate Chief Jus- The veteran Democrat also tice Heather Holmes said she told ABC News that he be- will on October 21 likely set a lieved it would have been im- date to deliver her ruling. possible to leave Afghanistan If transferred to the US for “without chaos ensuing”, de- trial and subsequently con- fending his actions. victed, Meng could face more Washington however ex- than 30 years in a US prison. pressed concern that the Her arrest in December 2018 militants, who took over the during a stopover in Vancouver country after a lightning of- caused a deep diplomatic rift fensive ending in Kabul at A Taliban fighter walks past a Kabul beauty salon, where images of women have been defaced.AFP between Ottawa and Beijing, the weekend, were already which has accused Washington reneging on promises of safe As the Taliban moves to put was infamous for deaths by the country in the 1990s. a collapse of this army and this of trying to crush its interna- passage to the airport for Af- a government in place, leader stoning, girls being banned “We are not sure who has government in 11 days,” US tional tech giant Huawei. ghans wishing to leave. Haibatullah Akhundzada has from school and women from blown up the statue, but there Joint Chiefs chairman General Days later China detained In the UAE, ousted presi- ordered the release of “politi- working in contact with men. are different groups of Taliban Mark Milley said on August 18. two Canadians, businessman dent Ashraf Ghani – who fled cal detainees”, telling provin- But while the Taliban lead- present here, including some “This comes down to an issue Michael Spavor and former as the insurgents closed in cial governors to free them ership tried to project a new … who are known for their of will and leadership.” diplomat Michael Kovrig. on the capital – said he sup- “without any restrictions or image, video footage shot by brutality,” a resident told AFP, Biden said the Taliban were Both were tried in March for ported negotiations between conditions”, the group said. local agency Pajhwok Afghan asking not to be named. cooperating on letting US citi- espionage – charges that Cana- the Taliban and former top Taliban negotiator Anas News showed protesters in The Taliban astonished the zens get out but added: “We’re dian Prime Minister Justin Tru- officials, and was in his own Haqqani met with Karzai, the the eastern city of Jalalabad world in 2001 when it de- having some more difficulty deau has said were “trumped talks to return home. first Western-backed leader who were carrying the Afghan stroyed two monumental and having those who helped us up”. Last week Spavor was sen- But US Deputy Secretary of Afghanistan after the Tali- flag fleeing with the sound of ancient Buddha statues in when we were in there.” tenced to 11 years in prison as of State Wendy Sherman said ban’s ouster in 2001, and Ab- gunshots in the background. Bamiyan, after deeming them Sherman voiced alarm at the final arguments in Meng’s Ghani was “no longer a fig- dullah, who had led the gov- Local media said the residents un-Islamic. accounts of harassment and case got underway. ure” on the country’s complex ernment’s peace council, the were protesting the removal of Afghans and foreigners con- checkpoints for Afghan nation- Meng’s extradition hearing in political stage. SITE monitoring group said. the flags in favour of those of tinued to flee the country on als, despite the Taliban’s prom- the last week heard her lawyers The Taliban have come full Ghani – who was in the Unit- the hardline movement. August 18, with the US and ises not to carry out reprisals. reject the US allegations against circle after being toppled ed Arab Emirates, which said it And residents in Bamiyan other nations stepping up As for the August 31 dead- her, accuse Canadian and US from power by a US-led inva- was hosting him and his fam- reported that a statue of Haz- evacuation airlifts from Kabul. line for US forces to leave, officials of abuse of process and sion in the wake of the Sep- ily “on humanitarian grounds” ara leader Abdul Ali Mazari, Desperate scenes from the Biden said: “If there are Amer- call for her release. tember 11, 2001 attacks. – said he wanted those nego- killed by the group in the airport at the start of the week ican citizens left, we’re going Canadian government law- The group has pledged not tiations to be a “success”. 1990s, had been decapitated. have created searing images to stay to get them all out.” yers representing US interests to seek revenge against oppo- Taliban spokesman Zabi- Hazaras have long been per- of Afghans terrified of the Crowds built up outside em- countered that there is suffi- nents and to respect women’s hullah Mujahid on August 17 secuted for their largely Shiite Taliban, and a diminished US bassies in Kabul on rumours cient evidence to commit rights, but the international said the new regime would faith and were massacred unable to protect them. that governments were offer- Meng for extradition. community is sceptical about be “positively different” from in the thousands during the “There was nothing that I or ing asylum. AFP A final decision rests with Can- those promises. their 1996-2001 stint, which Taliban’s ruthless conquest of anyone else saw that indicated ada’s attorney general. AFP US special forces in east DR Congo to fight militia: sources

US special operations forces have isekedi and a delegation led by US the statement described as a “branch of scene of a conflict between armed ment in neighbouring Uganda in 1996 arrived in the east of the DR Congo to ambassador to Kinshasa Mike Hammer. Daech” – or the Islamic State (IS) group. groups formed on a communal basis, but has been active in the eastern DR help in the fight against a feared jihad- Congolese and US sources con- It said the force was part of a “global notably Tutsi Congolese with distant Congo for nearly 30 years, accused of ist militia enjoying “sanctuary” in the firmed to an AFP correspondent in coalition” against IS. Rwandan origins, the Banyamulenge, killing thousands of civilians. region’s nature parks, US and Congo- the region the presence of some of Meanwhile the Congolese army on and other communities. Since April 2019, IS has claimed lese sources said on August 18. the soldiers at a base in the Virunga August 18 said it had seized back “the The coalition “Twigwaneho” (self- responsibility for some of their attacks, The office of President Felix Tshiseke- natural park known for its endan- last bastions” of a rebel coalition in the defence) and “Ngumino” (We Stay and in March this year Washington di on August 15 said Kinshasa had gered mountain gorillas. Hauts Plateaux region, in the east of Here in Kinyamulenge) is composed placed the ADF on a list of “terrorist authorised the deployment in support The presidency said at the weekend the country, after a week of fighting. of members of the Banyamulenge organisations” affiliated with IS. of the Congolese army against the Allied that the contingent would also sup- The operation was launched on community. In a statement last week, the US Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. port rangers in Garamba, which like August 12 after an attack by fighters of These armed groups were joined by embassy in the DRC said the special The size of the contingent was Virunga has “become a sanctuary for the Makanika Twigwaneho Ngumino/ Colonel Michel Rukundo Makanika ops team would also help rangers in unknown but around a dozen soldiers terrorist forces”. FNL coalition of armed groups who tried who deserted the army early last year the Virunga and Garumba parks to could be seen in official photos of a The mission is set to last “several to seize a military position, he added. with a group of soldiers. “combat trafficking in wild species meeting on August 18 between Tsh- weeks” and will target the ADF, which The Hauts Plateaux region is the The ADF emerged as a rebel move- and other illegal activities”. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Asean Indonesia’s ‘limited’ constitution changes push sparks criticism

HE People’s Consul- mine PPHN,” Bambang said opment, also deserves an ap- tative Assembly of during August 16’s joint exec- preciation,” Jokowi said in his the Republic of In- utive and legislative session. state of the nation speech. donesia (MPR) sig- The plans to amend the Con- In 2019, the president said he nalledT this week that it would stitution include adding a pas- considered state policy guide- move forward with a plan for sage to Article 3 to grant the lines unnecessary and that a “limited amendment” to MPR the authority to formu- his presidency was “a product the 1945 Constitution, follow- late the PPHN. The plan would of direct elections”. He added ing talks with the executive also expand the House of Rep- that it would be better if there branch of the government. resentatives’ authority under were no amendments at all. But concerns abound that Article 23, granting it the abil- Just two days prior to his the change could upend the ity to refuse the annual state annual speech on August 16, Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo delivers a speech before the People’s Consultative Assembly country’s democratic system, budget proposal (RAPBN) or Jokowi hosted the MPR speaker (MPR) at Gedung Nusantara in Jakarta on Monday. INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT PRESS BUREAU with sceptics calling the re- return it for correction should at Bogor Palace in West Java, vival of state policy guidelines it fail to align with the goals set where Bambang reportedly dis- ment was pushed through, all Megawati proposed a selective appoint the president. “unnecessary”. out in the PPHN. cussed the plan to push ahead other state institutions would restoration of the MPR’s au- Bivitri Susanti, a constitu- In a speech on August 16 at The move has the support with the limited amendment. have to carry out their pro- thority to establish GBHN-like tional law expert, on August the annual state of the nation of the Regional Representa- “The president has left all grammes in accordance with the policy guidelines, over con- 18 said that such guidelines address, MPR Speaker Bam- tive Council (DPD), with DPD discussions regarding the PPHN – including presidents. cerns about the disconnect were no longer necessary in bang Soesatyo claimed it was Speaker La Nyalla Mattalitti say- amendment to the 1945 Con- “In carrying out his duties, between national and regional modern times, where national necessary for the body to in- ing the country should use the stitution, including the PPHN, the president will no longer development programmes. development was more adap- troduce so-called state policy PPHN to formulate a long-term to the MPR, noting that this be responsible to the Indone- The state’s vision, she con- tive and driven by innovation. outlines (PPHN) to guide na- vision for energy sovereignty, was well within its purview,” sian people but to the MPR,” tended, changed every time a She contested the MPR’s as- tional development over the food sufficiency and health, he said over the weekend, as Feri said. new president was elected and sertion that the country’s de- next 50 to 100 years, a clear echo economic and social resilience, quoted by Tempo.co. Proposals to restore state pol- depended on the prevailing velopment had been “without of the state policy guidelines as well as for national security. Critics, however, say the icy guidelines have been made political moment and style. direction” and that there had (GBHN) of the New Order era. President Joko “Jokowi” move undermines the coun- a number of times since their The suggestion received been a lack of guidance, add- Through the PPHN, he sug- Widodo also appears to have try’s presidential system. repeal almost two decades ago, mixed responses from other ing that the proposed PPHN gested, the state’s long-term given his blessing, despite “Reviving the MPR’s au- most famously by the coun- political parties. would be more suited to an strategic plans could be rea- having rejected the idea of a thority to create policy guide- try’s fifth president, Megawati The Gerindra Party, which autocratic government. lised sustainably and without constitutional amendment lines after they were revoked Soekarnoputri, who is also the was in the opposition at the Bivitri told the Jakarta Post: being redirected by periodic early in his second term. through constitutional reform eldest daughter of the coun- time, said that changing one as- “In a modern democracy like changes in government. “The MPR’s agenda to study is the same as making the try’s founding father Sukarno pect of the Constitution would ours, the answer is not PPHN “A limited amendment to the legal substance and form MPR the highest state institu- and the matriarch of the ruling be like opening Pandora’s box, or GBHN. It lies with the lead- the 1945 Constitution is need- of the [PPHN] which under- tion again,” said constitution- Indonesian Democratic Party as it could lead to changes in ership of the head of govern- ed, particularly the addition of lies Indonesia’s sustainable al law expert Feri Amsari. of Struggle (PDI-P). other aspects, such as bringing ment.” THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS the MPR’s authority to deter- and cross-leadership devel- He added that if the amend- At a party congress in 2016, back the MPR’s authority to NETWORK

M114 MPs backing Ismail as next M’sian PM meet King

ALL eyes were on the palace yet to hold a special meeting on August again on August 19, as Malaysia’s 20 to discuss the matter. King was set to meet with 114 mem- In February last year, Sultan Ab- bers of Parliament (MP) who signed dullah picked Muhyiddin, after a statutory declarations to support week-long political impasse follow- former deputy premier and Umno ing former premier Mahathir Mo- vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob as hamad’s shock resignation. the country’s next prime minister to The decision was disputed by Dr verify their stand. Mahathir who had himself tried to Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah was form a unity government after refus- due to meet the MPs in five groups ing to go along with plans by Bersatu from 10am to 5pm, according to a to leave PH and work with Umno. schedule seen by the Straits Times. The Muhyiddin government was The audiences with the palace plagued by accusations that it was a come a day after August 18’s dead- “backdoor government”. line for MPs to state who they choose Following the loss of his majority to lead the country. with the withdrawal of 15 Umno The 114 votes obtained by Ismail MPs from Perikatan Nasional ear- Myanmar security forces have responded to protests with bloody crackdowns, using live rounds against civilians. STR/AFP means that his rival, Anwar Ibrahim, lier this month, Muhyiddin prom- who leads the Pakatan Harapan (PH) ised to push for a motion of confi- opposition coalition and is Parti dence in the next Parliamentary Myanmar junta kills over 1,000 Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, session and offered a raft of reforms has failed to obtain enough support to the opposition last week in a bid MYANMAR’S security forces have forces reached 1,006 on August 18. strikes against the junta. to become the next prime minister. to secure enough votes. killed more than 1,000 civilians since “As long as the military is in power, Patients are also reluctant to go to The King decreed on August 18 But Muhyiddin was the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi they will continue to kill youths, pro- military-run hospitals, creating long that the MP chosen to succeed forced to resign on Au- from power six months ago, an advo- fessionals like doctors and teachers, lines for oxygen and medical sup- caretaker Prime Minister Muhyid- gust 16 after the oppo- cacy group said on August 18. men, women and children,” AAPP’s plies in pharmacies across Yangon. din Yassin would still need sition rejected his re- The country has been in turmoil joint secretary Ko Bo Gyi said. “They The junta has repeatedly justified to pass a confi- form deal since February 1, when the armed are not only killing our lives but the the coup by alleging widespread dence vote in to gain forces seized power in a lightning country’s future and democratic hopes.” fraud in last year’s election, and giv- Parliament biparti- coup, triggering dissent as protesters Ko Bo Gyi – whose group has been en much lower civilian death tolls. to affirm his san sup- demanded a return to democracy. named an “unlawful” organisa- Authorities also said in June that legitimacy, port. THE Security forces responded with tion by the junta and is currently more than 90 members of the securi- while the S T R A I T S bloody crackdowns, using live rounds in hiding – also accused authorities ty forces have been killed in clashes. Conference TIMES (SIN- against civilians. But anti-junta mobs of “weaponising” Covid-19 as the Deposed leader Suu Kyi is facing of Rulers is GAPORE)/ – some of whom have formed self- country weathers a deadly surge. a raft of criminal charges, from pos- also expected ASIA NEWS defence groups – are still taking to So far, Myanmar has recorded sessing illegal walkie-talkies to vio- NETWORK the streets daily in flash marches. more than 363,000 cases and 13,786 lating the state secrets act. Activist group Assistance Associa- deaths from Covid. Army chief Min Aung Hlaing was tion for Political Prisoners (AAPP) – The health crisis has been aggra- installed as the prime minister of a which verifies the deaths and mass vated by a lack of formal medical “caretaker” government, which the arrests under the regime – said the care as many hospitals have been junta has dubbed the State Admin- Malaysian members of Parliament had backed Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also the number of people killed by security emptied of staff joining nationwide istration Council. AFP outgoing deputy premier, to be prime minister. BERNAMA 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com Climate catastrophe – ‘An issue EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Managing Editor of existence’ in the Philippines Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor Phuon Chansereivuth Chief of Staff Opinion

Phak Seangly Editorial Business Editor May Kunmakara HE Intergovernmental Panel Deputy Business Editor on Climate Change (IPCC) Sangeetha Amarthalingam issued last week its latest Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk report on the state of the Pan Simala world’sT climate, and the findings Senior Reporters Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear could not be more unequivocal: Glo- bal warming is getting perilously Reporters close to the tipping point, with Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, already devastating weather distur- Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Hong Raksmey, bances becoming even more fre- Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, quent and severe. Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, Described by UN secretary-general Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha Antonio Guterres as a “code red for Photographers humanity”, the landmark “Climate Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey Change 2021: The Physical Science Web Editor Basis” report – written by 234 scien- Leang Phannara tists from 66 countries and drawn Digital Team from more than 14,000 studies across Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy disciplines – paints a bleak future for Desktop Publishing the planet. Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, It concludes that due to the emis- Than Veasna sion of greenhouse gases caused by SIEM REAP BUREAU human activity, the globe has Offi ce Manager warmed by 1.1 degrees Celsius since Sophearith Blondeel the pre-industrial age, unleashing PRODUCTION & PRINTING devastating weather events from pro- Nhim Sokphyrak longed droughts to wildfires, heat- Commercial and Graphic Designer waves, floods, and more powerful Environmental and climate activists stage a protest in front of a Standard Chartered bank office in the financial district of Makati, suburban Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith typhoons and hurricanes. Manila on March 19, calling on the bank to stop funding coal-fired power plants and other environmentally-destructive projects, as part By the end of the century, extreme of the global cleanUp Standard Chartered Bank campaign. AFP

sea level events that had occurred only once every 100 years could strike and putting billions of people at Projected to be particularly hard hit lar island in the Visayas where the sea every single year in certain areas. immediate risk.” are countries highly exposed to level rise is four times the global HEAD OFFICE Exacerbating these natural disasters The temperature rise of 1.5C is the extreme weather disturbances, such average,” she said in a TV interview. Post Media Co., Ltd. are the weak actions of governments internationally agreed-upon maxi- as the Philippines. The country ranks “Imagine what that coastal island The Elements Condominium Level 7, to halt or slow down climate change. mum level that humanity can cope fourth on the World Climate Change would look like in 2050. It would be Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, “The scale of recent changes across with, even if it means longer warm sea- Risk Index, and is estimated to have submerged almost the whole year . . .” Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom the climate system as a whole and the sons and shorter cold seasons. If the lost around $3 billion from 2010 to Penh, Cambodia Environmental advocates note, present state of many aspects of the Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 world fails to keep the warming rise to 2019 due to over 300 events tied to the however, that even with accelerating Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 climate system are unprecedented that level – the universal target under climate crisis, according to the World climate change, not enough decisive Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 over many centuries to many thou- the Paris Agreement – a “climate catas- Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines. action is being done to address the SIEM REAP sands of years,” said the IPCC report. crisis. Coal power plants remain a pil- No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune “Human-induced climate change is lar of the Philippine energy system, Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 already affecting many weather and The government needs to be for instance, and the pursuit of ill-ad- COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT climate extremes in every region vised massive reclamation projects Chief Operating Offi cer across the globe. Evidence of observed roused to more urgent action by public and private entities go on James Ong Soon Teck changes in extremes . . . and, in partic- unhampered. Advertising Department ular, their attribution to human influ- to prepare for the far bigger “Our governments are too slow in Chap Narith, 017 996 241 ence, has strengthened.” responding,” lamented Lidy Nacpil, Hun Channet, 017 578 768 Unless deep, rapid, and large-scale climate catastrophe ahead coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 concerted actions are taken to reduce Movement on Debt and Develop- Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 greenhouse gas emissions – mainly trophe” is almost guaranteed. People “For a vulnerable country such as ment, an alliance representing more Paing Patrya, 081 872 202 carbon dioxide from the burning of in certain parts of the world could just the Philippines, as the temperature than 50 groups in Asia campaigning Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 fossil fuels – the average global tem- die from going outside their homes. needle moves towards 1.5C, we will on climate change and other issues. CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION perature will further warm and reach No country will be spared from the experience increasing dangers to our The Philippines may be in the grip of Acting Distribution Manager or even exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsi- devastating impact of these extreme people and our ecosystems,” warned a combined public health and econom- Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 us threshold within just the next 20 weather events. But the impact will WWF-Philippines executive director ic crisis, but the government needs to Circulation Supervisor years, the report stressed. be more profound on Asia-Pacific, Katherine Custodio. be roused to more urgent action to pre- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Declared Guterres: “The alarm bells home to 60 per cent of the world’s Already, sea levels in the Philip- pare for the far bigger climate catastro- Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 are deafening and the evidence is population and also the world’s most pines may be rising much faster than phe ahead. The stakes are stark, said ADMINISTRATION irrefutable: Greenhouse gas emis- disaster-prone region, which the Red in other parts of the world, according Tibig: “For the Philippines, it becomes Admin & HR Manager PHILIPPINE DAILY Pich Socheat sions from fossil fuel burning and Cross said saw a record number of to meteorologist and climatologist an issue of existence.” INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Assistants Admin & HR Manager deforestation are choking our planet climate-related emergencies in 2020. Lourdes Tibig: “I can cite one particu- Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Artist and educator Srey Bandaul lost to Covid-19

Roth Sochieata gapore, the UK and the US. mediums, like his series of paintings Bandaul learned to draw in the Memory of Smoke which he created HE artist’s final painting was 1980s as a teenager in a refugee by developing a technique of apply- a surrealistic dreamscape camp on the Thai border as one of ing actual smoke from an oil lamp rendered in subdued shades the hundreds of thousands of Cam- to paper or the sculptures he made of purple and blue depict- bodians who fled there during the from aluminium cans, wax and wire. ingT an ancient Khmer temple and Khmer Rouge genocide. “He was a very creative artist. He statues of King Jayavarman VII and His instructor was Veronique De- always pushed his students to think an armless Buddha in a meditative crop – a French aid worker who outside the box and use their imagi- pose along with the faces of Chinese taught drawing to Bandaul and his nations. He also taught Cambodian President Xi Jinping (whose likeness classmates – including many of the art history and he shared his knowl- is dead on) and US president Joe artists who came together to found edge generously to make sure the Biden (a less accurate portrait that is Phare Ponleu Selpak in 1994. next generation would not forget perhaps an unfinished aspect of the “To me, art is life. I think art has the fundamental elements of Cam- painting) as planetary bodies float- helped me a lot because I grew up bodian artistry,” Khawaja says. ing about in space together. in the war period and what I saw He also loved to paint murals. The This mysterious untitled piece is was killing and slaughtering. How- very walls of Phare Ponleu Selpak are what artist and educator Srey Ban- ever, I could express myself and heal imbued with Bandaul’s art. One of the daul was working on when he was myself and deal with my feelings murals – Rahu Swallows the Door – was infected with the coronavirus SARS- through drawing. It helped me find inspired by ancient Khmer myths and CoV-2 and then lost his life on August peace,” Bandaul once said. it depicts Rahu Chab Chann, which 4 to the disease it causes: Covid-19. The death of one of Phare’s co- means “Rahu swallows the moon”, a “This artwork isn’t completed yet. founders – widely viewed as a creative Khmer-language phrase commonly It’s still in progress. The theme is visionary and celebrated as an artist – used to refer to lunar eclipses. modern despite some ancient imag- from Covid-19 at the age of 49 caused Rahu is the king of demons who ery. My idea is that the US and China a great deal of shock and sorrow has no body – just a head – and he are always competing economically among his family, friends, students tries to swallow the sun or the moon. or with things like space exploration and the Cambodian arts community. Bandaul added some creative twists or whatever and somehow Cambo- Phare received many messages of to his mural and included some Af- dia keeps getting affected by it. condolences and tributes from inter- rican artistic styles. “The hubris displayed by these national artists and curators he col- Morgane Darrasse, communica- mighty superpowers makes me reflect laborated with over the years upon an- tions coordinator at Phare, shared Srey Bandaul’s untitled painting that he was working on when he died. SREY Bandaul back on the Buddhist proverb that nouncing the sad news of his death. some further insights with The Post even an empire amounts to nothing “He was father-figure for many about Bandaul’s art. Khawaja says that one of Bandaul’s Those in attendance made brief because in the end all people must Cambodian artists and without him “When we see his life’s work we can greatest wishes was for the visual speeches and recounted stories from return as ashes to the earth,” Bandaul the contemporary art scene that we picture his constant thirst for explora- arts programme at Phare to keep his life and experiences they had with said in a message to a friend. know today would not exist. Cam- tion. The common point I would say, growing. His dream was to educate him – all while following the govern- A multidisciplinary artist, Bandaul bodia has lost a great artist and ad- about his lifelong artistic research was the younger generations in Cambo- ment’s safety protocols for Covid-19, co-founded Phare Ponleu Selpak – vocate,” said Dana Langois, founder his way of using conceptual art, sym- dia so they would understand that a sad reminder of the very thing that the Battambang-based organisation of the Java Creative Cafe in Phnom bolism, folklore and a kind of poetic the true value of art had little to do took Bandaul away from them. that specialises in arts education Penh, where his art was displayed imagery to convey his life story and with money and to inspire them to Throughout his very active life in and trains the performers for their on multiple occasions. the greater story of Cambodia. become artists themselves. the Cambodian arts community, Siem Reap-based Phare Circus. Bandaul remained active in Phare “His work portrays then tran- “We want to provide the students Bandaul always embraced Khmer Bandaul served as the director of to the end of his life, patiently teach- scends the fixed events of the dark with a complete set of technical culture and concepts and found the Phare visual arts school in ad- ing a wide range of visual arts skills past to explore the contemporary skills, a strong fundamental and cul- ways to bring them into his modern- dition to regularly teaching class- to eager students year after year. Cambodia that is full of possibilities tural knowledge of the arts, and the style paintings, in a way that never rooms full of students there. “Bandaul never had an ego. He and rich with universal beauty and ability to understand, analyze and failed to trigger people’s curiosity. He was also active as a profession- would go around temples and even meaning,” Darrasse says. respond to a given problem with “Srey Bandaul has passed away, but al artist whose talents for creating the market sometimes picking up Darrasse says that Phare is in professionalism and creativity. We we must use his life story to inspire sculptures, paintings and installa- trash and cleaning. He always showed mourning right now and they will have become a big family, bound us to move forward. We must honour tions were evident in the many ex- a positive example of what we all take some time to consider the best together by our passion for drawing his legacy by continuing the work hibitions he took part in throughout needed to do. He was very eager to ways to memorialize and also con- and art… I really hope a bright future that he started and we shall measure Cambodia and overseas as well. use his art to work for the communi- tinue Bandaul’s legacy. is on the way for the youth of today,” our progress by how many people’s His untitled and unfinished paint- ty. He had a very gentle but stubborn A need to communicate was in- said Bandaul in a recent interview. lives we have touched with his spirit ing has not been scheduled for dis- determination to keep pushing for- herent to his vision and practice of On August 16 a private ceremony in of compassion,” Khawaja said. play as yet, but another series of ward,” said Osman Khawaja, execu- art, so she says they will try to make memorial of Bandaul was hosted on Srey Bandaul is survived by his contemporary paintings depicting tive director of Phare Ponleu Selpak all of his works available for viewing campus for Phare’s staff. After working wife and two young daughters. Do- apsara figures and world leaders and a fellow co-founder. by the public so that new genera- remotely for the past two weeks, the nations to assist them in these dif- that he completed just prior to his Bandaul’s artwork reflected his di- tions of artists will learn from his art Phare family gathered at their Circus ficult circumstances can be made untimely death will be exhibited in verse array of talents and he often just as they learned from him in the Hall and then the visual art school’s to ABA bank account: 002 191 255 Battambang starting October 23. made innovative use of materials or classroom for much of his life. courtyard to pay their respects to him. (Ourn Chansophorn). The series will then be shown at Silapak Trotchaek Pneik (STP) in Phnom Penh later in the year, ac- cording to Yean Reaksmey, STP’s programme director. “The exhibition’s working title was The Letter: Peace, Liberty, and Pow- er. Plans may still change as we are waiting for some artist confirma- tions,” Reaksmey tells The Post. Bandaul had a long history of ex- hibitions in Cambodia going all the way back to 1998 when his works were first put on display at the Reyum Gallery in the capital. Bandaul was an inspirational teacher to countless students and revered in the Cambodian arts com- munity. He published two books – Looking at Angkor and The Land of the Elephants – and had his work ex- hibited around the world in places like Turkey, Norway, the Philippines, Artist Srey Bandaul’s work includes sculptures, paintings and installations that have Srey Bandaul teaching his students how to draw. He was active at Phare until his ill- Thailand, Myanmar, Australia, Sin- been exhibited across the country and overseas. SUPPLIED ness and death from Covid-19. SEN Sovid 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

British-Belgian pilot Zara Rutherford, 19, takes off for a round-the-world trip in a light aircraft, in a bid to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world on Wednesday.AFP Teenager takes to the skies on bid to break record for round-the-world solo flight EENAGE pilot Zara July – Rutherford is the young- “I didn’t sleep very well, I’m Rutherford took her est woman to attempt the feat. quite nervous but I’m really ultralight sports plane “I’m really hoping to encour- excited,” she said. into the skies on age girls and young women to “Right now, I’m feeling a WednesdayT on the first leg of go into aviation and STEM bit of disbelief. I think I will a 52-country, five-continent – science, technology, engi- only start realising that I have flight around the world. neering and mathematics,” actually started when I have The intrepid 19-year-old she said before takeoff. landed in the UK.” “NO LIMITS” British-Belgian dreams one “Growing up, I didn’t see Family, friends, journalists, day of becoming an astro- many women in those fields airport staff and the town ACROSS 53 Word before “go!” 21 Climbing plant naut, but for now her goal is to and it was quite discouraging. mayor turned out at Kortrijk 1 Trigonometry ratio 55 Orange type 22 Sample, as soup become the youngest woman So I’m hoping to change that.” Wevelgem Airport to see her 5 Gun fill, informally 59 You can’t park there 26 Designer Karan to circumnavigate the planet Her aerial odyssey can be off – an emotional moment 9 In a way, bent 64 An Aussie call 27 Poem of remembrance flying solo. followed on Rutherford’s web- for her proud Belgian mother, 14 First man 66 “Ha’i” land? 29 Chef’s phrase 30 Cereal tiger The first leg was a short hop site, FlyZolo.com, and on the Beatrice De Smet. 15 Clear a hurdle 67 Classic opera with “O patria mia” 31 Not broadside across the Channel from her TikTok social media app. “Obviously I have a lot of 16 Asian capital 68 Become accustomed (to) 33 Playing marble Belgian home town of Kortrijk Rutherford has a satellite mixed emotions. I’m a mum 17 Gooey lump 69 Shipboard jail 34 Introduction to math? to England. Her three-month telephone and a radio to com- and my heart beats harder 18 Skip over 70 Pub potables 35 Window dressing 19 Short-tempered 71 Fabulous fabulist voyage will then take her over municate with air traffic con- when I see her leaving like 36 Not evergreen 72 “Awright!” oceans, deserts and the vast trol in all the countries on her this, and with all this atten- 20 Respect the anthem, in a way 38 Icelandic saga Siberian wilderness. route, but in the cockpit she tion that adds to the stress, it’s 23 Get out of bed 73 Extremely hard to find DOWN 41 “... yadda, yadda, yadda” She will try to avoid daunt- will be alone with her music not easy for her,” De Smet said 24 Board-game piece 42 Yankee-fighter, briefly 1 Tel Aviv-born person ing main air hubs – apart from and her podcasts. as the tiny plane disappeared 25 Poetic tribute 43 Follower of “sing” or “string” 2 Getaway car, during the robbery 28 “New York ___ of Mind” 48 Out for the night New York’s busy JFK airport – There is no following plane into the grey Flanders sky. 3 Watts of Hollywood 32 What cops do 49 Zodiac lion in her tiny 325kg Shark UL with backup, but her support “But I’m extremely proud, 4 Carve in relief 34 Combine figures 51 Haggling locale prop plane, and touch down crew in Belgium – including not just of the flight that she’s 5 Balm for a burn 37 Exact duplicate 54 Cat, informally instead on smaller airports her father, a former British air going to undertake, but of the 6 A short note 39 Super-duper 56 “There you have it!” and airfields for overnight force pilot – have planned the mission that lies behind it, 7 Popular street name 40 Doodling or sketching 57 Rear-___ (road mishap) 8 Chose (with “for”) rests and refuelling. adventure carefully, notably to inspire little girls to follow 44 Diplomatic trait 58 Pay for monthly 9 Gibson the tennis legend She will be on her own for by setting up in advance the their dreams and to reach for 45 Sing way up high? 60 Infamous emperor 10 “Sabrina the Teenage flights lasting five to six hours. necessary authorisations to the stars.” 46 “Now I ___ me ...” 61 Truth’s counterpart Witch” actress Caroline She has secured permission fly into many different na- If everything goes accord- 62 Pelvic bones 47 Like “Beowulf” or “Roots” 11 Old-fashioned medicine to visit countries including tional airspaces. ing to plan, Rutherford will be 63 Near in time or place, politically 50 Mover and shaker 12 Attendance fig., often 64 Spy org. Greenland, Honduras, Saudi Crossing the Atlantic will arriving back in Belgium on 52 Kind of alert 13 Kind of camp or care Arabia and Myanmar. be the first big challenge, she November 4, her feet back on 65 Quarter of four While not the youngest pilot says, but the long trek over Si- the ground but her eyes rivet- to fly around the world solo – beria to Mongolia will also see ed on another horizon as she Thursday’s solution an 18-year-old Briton, Travis her often far from civilisation looks to pursue her engineer- Ludlow, completed the trip in if she gets into difficulties. ing studies. AFP

Thursday’s solution

Rutherford will fly a Shark ultralight, the world’s fastest light sport aircraf, during her circumnavigation which is set to take her up to three months. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Osaka rallies to oust Gauff, top seed Barty advances at Masters JAPAN’S Naomi Osaka battled ence, with a straightforward back to take a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 vic- query causing her to burst into tory over American Coco Gauff tears before composing herself on Wednesday and advance and getting through the session. into the third round of the On Wednesday, she was calm WTA Cincinnati Masters. and composed in her respons- Top seed Ashleigh Barty es to reporters. moved on as well, bouncing “I was wondering why was I back from a Tokyo Olympic so affected, I guess, like what first-round loss to start her made me not want to do media pre-US Open campaign with a in the first place,” Osaka said. 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Britain’s “I’m wondering if I was Heather Watson. scared because sometimes I Four-time Grand Slam winner would see headlines of like Osaka is playing her first event players losing and then the since the Games, where she headline the next day would went out in the third round. be like a collapse or they’re not Gauff had won the pair’s that great anymore.” most recent prior match in the Osaka will next play Jil Teich- third round of the 2020 Aus- mann after the Swiss put out tralian Open after losing a year American Bernarda Pera 6-1, earlier at the US Open. 6-4. Osaka said the early stage of Barty will next face two-time the match saw her trying various Australian Open champion things in her first match outside Victoria Azarenka. Tokyo since Roland Garros. “I feel good. I feel like I’m “The first set was an experi- ready to play,” Barty said. “I’m ment,” Osaka said. “I was try- as close to 100 per cent as I’m Teams from France and Cuba participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics arrive at Narita Airport in Narita, Chiba prefecture, on Tuesday. AFP ing to see what was going on ever going to get. as I’ve not played that many “I feel comfortable and ready matches. and excited to be playing here “I was just examining here in Cincinnati and knowing and trying to stay calm, trying that we’re moving on to New First Covid case found in to keep a level head.” York, one of the best tourna- Osaka said victory “means a lot ments and one of the best to me, especially coming off atmospheres in the world, that Tokyo. She’s not my favorite to brings excitement.” Japan’s Paralympic Village play. It’s very straining mentally. Angelique Kerber defeated “But this is a win I can defi- Elina Svitolina 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 FIRST coronavirus Paralympics, mostly among They begin around two In recent days, Japan has re- nitely congratulate myself for.” while former US Open winner case has been detect- contractors and Games staff weeks after the Olympics end- corded more than 20,000 daily Before the Olympics, Osaka Bianca Andreescu of Canada ed in the Paralympic who live in Japan. Another six ed, with organisers saying they virus cases, more than ever be- last played at Roland Garros lost to Karolina Muchova 6-4, Village, days before cases have been reported by were able to prevent any major fore, and the government has after announcing she would 6-2 in the second round. Athe Games open, organisers local areas hosting teams for spread of infection through expanded and extended virus reserve the right to avoid man- Azarenka defeated Alison said Thursday as Japan battles training camps. tough anti-virus measures. states of emergency to cover 13 datory post-match media con- Riske 6-2, 7-5 while fellow a record wave of infections. There have not yet been infec- So far 546 positive cases regions until September 12. ferences, which she said dam- former Grand Slam champi- The case involves a Games- tions reported among athletes linked to the Olympics have The measure largely short- aged her mental health. ons Petra Kvitova and Jelena related member of staff who is in the Village, which opened to been reported, and some ex- ens restaurant and bar open- That vow lasted through a Ostapenko both won. not resident in Japan, accord- Paralympians on Tuesday. perts have argued that holding ing hours and bans them from first-round stadium interview Kvitova stopped Veronika ing to organisers, who did not The Paralympics open on the Games undermined the selling alcohol, but experts before she withdrew, going on Kudermetova 6-2, 6-4 while give further details. August 24, with around 4,400 government’s messaging on vi- have questioned the efficacy to also skip Wimbledon. Ostapenko advanced 6-7 (2/7), Organisers have so far re- athletes from approximately rus rules and contributed to a of the restrictions with cases The issue flared again this 5-4 when American Jennifer ported 74 cases linked to the 160 teams set to take part. surge in domestic infections. continuing to rise. AFP week in her first news confer- Brady retired. AFP Morikawa, Johnson first to clinch Ryder Cup positions

TWO-TIME major champions Collin sense of urgency to play well and Morikawa and Dustin Johnson will be contend for the championship,” key players to watch this week as the US Johnson said. “I feel like the game is PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs begin at starting to round into form. It’s a lot the Northern Trust tournament. closer to what it was last year. I’m Morikawa leads the season points looking forward to the playoffs. I feel standings entering the three-event like I’m in a good spot.” season finale that concludes with the Tour Championship while Johnson is ‘Not just about you’ the defending FedEx Cup champion. Johnson and Morikawa are set for Both Americans also have become the Ryder Cup with Bryson DeCham- the first to clinch berths on the US team beau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas for next month’s Ryder Cup matches and Olympic champion Xander against Europe at Whistling Straits. Schauffele in position for the other A field of 125 this week at Liberty four berths available on points. National in suburban New York will Koepka and DeChambeau have had be whittled down to 70 for next week’s a spat over social media that has caused BMW Championship in Baltimore some worries for observers about and 30 for the Tour Championship in chemistry for the US team, but Johnson Atlanta. Collin Morikawa watches sees no concerns about such matters. Morikawa, who won last month’s his drive from the 5th tee “Doesn’t matter what our differ- in round 4 of the men’s British Open and last year’s PGA golf individual stroke ences are. When you get to the Ryder Championship, has won twice this play during the Tokyo Cup and you’re on the team, it’s not year to top the points chase. 2020 Olympic Games on just about you,” Johnson said. “It’s great to start out number one August 1. AFP “We’re not just playing for ourselves, going into the playoffs. It means I was we’re playing for our country. You’ve got doing something right throughout the I’m going to have a chance with four after his first major win at the PGA. ters and the 2016 US Open, is the other teammates, your captains, your regular season. We had a couple wins, rounds no matter where I stand.” “The way I looked into the playoffs defending Northern Trust champion, family, all the fans that are there. It’s a couple top-10s – overall, it feels good. After taking last week off following last year, I was so focused, especially winning last year at TPC Boston on definitely important that everyone My game feels good,” said Morikawa. his victory at Royal St George’s and a after that PGA win, let’s go win, win, his way to taking the FedEx Cup comes together and plays as a team. “Not everyone has the luxury of trip to the Olympics, Morikawa plans win, and I think I was almost burnt crown. He ranks 17th in points this “So we’re all adults and we gather knowing where they’re going to stand to focus on being in peak form for the out by the time I got to that third year but was only 15th at the start as a team and as a whole for that coming to the Tour Championship, but final event rather than trying to stay week,” he said. when he won in 2020. week, so I don’t feel like there’s any I at least know I’m going to be there, on a winning roll as he did last year Johnson, who won last year’s Mas- “It’s the playoffs. It’s definitely a issues with that.” AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 20, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Chelsea’s record signing Romelu Lukaku ready to take on Arsenal

OMELU Lukaku is in line different, there are tighter spaces, it’s to make his second Chel- more technical and tactical, which sea debut against Arsenal helped me a lot. on Sunday after the club “The English game is different but Rrecord signing revealed he has been for me it’s not something new. What- given the number nine shirt. ever plan the coach has, I can adapt Belgium striker Lukaku rejoined myself and help the team. Chelsea in a £98 million ($135 million) “I’m one of the players who likes move from Inter Milan last week. to connect everybody and make The 28-year-old missed Chelsea’s everyone feel comfortable and give win over Crystal Palace in their Pre- them confidence.” mier League opener on Saturday Lukaku’s revival has been aided by while he quarantined. advice from Chelsea and Ivory Coast But Lukaku trained with his new legend Didier Drogba. team-mates on Wednesday in front “He kept it really simple, to be hon- of Chelsea fans during an open ses- est. He was really happy with the sion at Stamford Bridge. improvements I’ve made in the last He is in contention to feature in couple of seasons but said there is al- the London derby at the Emirates ways work to be done,” Lukaku said. Stadium this weekend. “I think that’s the right mindset. I Asked if he could face Arsenal, Lu- really want to achieve the maximum kaku told reporters: “Yeah, I’ve done as a football player, it’s all about im- a full pre-season. For now, I just want proving week in, week out. to get to know my teammates better. “I think the last two years have “Then at the end of the day I’m been great for myself, both at club available for the manager if he wants and international level. to play me.” “Now I get the chance to join a The number nine shirt at Chelsea team that’s very hungry and ambi- has been something of a poisoned tious and I can’t wait to add some- chalice in recent years, with Gon- thing new to their playing style.” zalo Higuain, Fernando Torres, Al- Although Chelsea won the Cham- varo Morata and Radamel Falcao all pions League last season, they enduring long goal droughts while struggled for goals at times as Timo wearing the jersey. Werner flopped on his debut season But Lukaku jumped at the chance with the Blues. to take the number after the jersey Lukaku is confident he can fill was vacated when Tammy Abraham any role required by Chelsea boss joined Roma earlier this week. Thomas Tuchel and he expects to “Yes, I have the number nine. I am hit the ground running. Romelu Lukaku is in line to make his second Chelsea debut against Arsenal on Sunday after the club record signing revealed he has happy and fortunate to be in this been given the number nine shirt. AFP “It’s a good feeling. The guys are situation,” he said. hungry, they want to keep winning, I “The dream is reality so I have to Now, almost 10 years after arriv- ‘Higher standards’ character after his transformative can see from the last couple of train- prove on the pitch. It’s time to get to ing in west London as an unknown Despite his star turn at Inter, Lukaku time in Italy. ing sessions that there is a good in- work and let my performances do teenager, Lukaku has returned as still has some doubters in England fol- “Maturity has been important. I think tensity,” he said. the talking.” one of the world’s top strikers. lowing some lethargic displays during I’ve learned much more about myself, “The coach is very clear with his Lukaku spent three years at Chelsea His superb form, including 27 a two-year stay at Manchester United setting higher standards,” he said. ideas, everybody wants to work hard between 2011 and 2014, but rarely goals and 11 assists, helped Inter that ended acrimoniously in 2019. “As a player, it’s about becoming and keep improving. Those things featured before being sold to Everton. win Serie A last season. Lukaku insists he is a different more complete. In Italy, the game is really fit with my ambitions.”AFP West Brom defeat SheffieldU nited to top Championship

WEST Brom moved top of the Blackburn all moved up the Solanke and Jaidon Anthony early English Championship table with away wins at Middles- – with his first senior goal – table with a commanding 4-0 brough, Birmingham and Not- struck in the final 13 minutes win at home to Sheffield Unit- tingham Forest respectively. to give the Cherries a second ed on Wednesday. London club QPR just had successive away win. The Blades left out Aaron the better of a five-goal thriller Meanwhile, Blackburn Ramsdale ahead of a reported in the northeast despite Moses enjoyed a 2-1 win over bottom move to Arsenal, with replace- Odubajo being sent off when club Forest. ment goalkeeper Michael Ver- the teams were locked at 1-1. Daniel Ayala’s stooping rips struggling at The Haw- Uche Ikpeazu put Boro header gave Rovers the lead thorns against the might of ahead from the penalty spot two minutes into the second Albion’s aerial threat. on seven minutes but Rangers half at the City Ground before But an own goal gave the equalised when Jonny Howson Philip Zinckernagel’s powerful Baggies the lead when Jack diverted Lee Wallace’s cross shot drew Forest level. Robinson headed Darnell Fur- into his own net. But Darragh Lenihan long’s long throw into his own Odubajo was sent off for a restored Blackburn’s lead four net on 26 minutes. second bookable offence five minutes from time and Forest, Verrips was at fault, however, minutes after the restart before still without a point this sea- when he dropped Alex Mowatt’s Lyndon Dykes put QPR ahead son, had Jordan Gabriel sent corner into the path of Darragh from a tight angle. off in the final seconds. O’Shea early in the second half. Matt Crooks levelled for Boro in Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney’s Mowatt made it 3-0 six min- the 72nd minute, but Chris Will- Derby claimed their first win utes later, and Robinson com- ock scored the winner for 10-man of the campaign at Hull, with pleted the scoring on the hour Rangers four minutes later. Sam Baldock’s 57th-minute after the Blades failed to deal Bournemouth moved into goal securing all three points West Bromwich Albion’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (left) vies with Leeds United’s English with another long throw. fourth place with a 2-0 victory for the former England striker’s defender Luke Ayling (right) during the English Premier League football match on May 23. AFP QPR, Bournemouth and at Birmingham as Dominic team. AFP