wednesday, december 30, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3573 / 4000 RIEL PM: Nov 28 event concluded Mom Kunthear as he addressed the nation from There were 41 people infected with aimed at identifying any new cases. his residence in Kandal province’s Covid-19 in relation to the November 28 His second reason involved the re- RIME Minister Hun Sen offi- Takhmao town on December 29. community event. As of December 29, cent return of Cambodian migrant cially declared that the “Novem- “I am pleased to announce that the only three of them remained hospitalised. workers from Thailand. Somewhat de- ber 28 community incident” – a November 28 community event has According to the prime minister, the fying expectations, testing had found Hun Sen praises reference to the first confirmed come to an end despite having made first of the three reasons that had led zero new Covid-19 cases among the caseP of Covid-19 local transmission – a prediction on December 15 that we to this decision was the fact that there returning workers. thai handling of was now over as the situation had been might not be able to do so until early had been no new Covid-19 patients The third reason, Hun Sen said, is brought under control. or mid-January for three reasons, pri- found over the past 14 days despite seafood market Hun Sen made the announcement marily,” Hun Sen said. an active government testing effort Continued – page 4 covid outbreak national – page 3 50 journalists killed this year in ‘barbaric murders’: RSF FIFTY journalists and media workers were killed in connec- tion with their work in 2020, the majority in countries that inter-ministerial are not at war, Reporters With- out Borders (RSF) said on meeting: TV to go December 29. The figure shows an increase digital by 2023, in the targeting of reporters investigating organised crime, paving way for 5G corruption or environmental business – page 6 issues, the watchdog said. It highlighted murders in Mexico, India and Pakistan. Eighty-four per cent of those killed this year were “deliber- ately targeted” for their work, RSF said in its annual report, compared to 63 per cent in 2019. “For several years now, Reporters Without Borders has noted that investigative jour- nalists are really in the cross- hairs of states, or cartels,” said Pauline Ades-Mevel, RSF edi- More Rohingya tor-in-chief. sent to island Mexico was the deadliest Singapore’s KrisEnergy on December 28 extracted the first drop of crude oil from Cambodian waters. MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY country, with eight killed. despite human “Links between drug traffickers and politicians remain, and rights concerns journalists who dare to cover these or related issues continue WORLD – Page 9 Cambodia extracts ‘first drop of to be the targets of barbaric murders,” said the report. None of the Mexico killings oil’, marking start of production had yet been punished, added RSF, which has compiled annual data on violence May Kunmakara KrisEnergy on December 29 partner in Block A. determination of the KrisEn- against journalists around the said oil started to flow from a “It has been three years since ergy team and the strong globe since 1995. SINGAPORE-based oil and gas “single development well” in we signed with the government cooperation of our contrac- Five journalists were killed in exploration company KrisEn- the oilfield and the flow rate the petroleum agreement to tors and suppliers. war-torn Afghanistan, it said, ergy Ltd on December 28 will take at least 24 hours to launch this project, and there “I convey my heartfelt appre- noting an increase in targeted extracted the first drop of crude stabilise. has been a steep learning curve ciation to all relevant ministries attacks on media workers in oil from Cambodian waters. “Production will increase to for all involved in what is a and authorities for their assist- recent months even as peace The highly-anticipated mile- plateau as four additional wells momentous event for the Cam- ance, cooperation and their talks between the government Fruity energy, stone extraction from the off- are progressively completed bodian people and an important dedication to get the Apsara oil and Taliban are ongoing. shore Cambodia Block A con- and commissioned,” it said. strategic and operational mile- development over the line. RSF also highlighted the spidery lenses: cession in the Khmer Basin’s Kelvin Tang, the CEO and stone for KrisEnergy,” he said. KrisEnergy is honoured to be a case of Iranian opposition Apsara oilfield makes the King- president of KrisEnergy’s With Covid-19 hanging over part of this historic occasion. figure Ruhollah Zam, who Nature-inspired dom the eighth oil producer in Cambodian operations, said the world, Tang said: “Pro- “Our task now is to complete ran a popular social media solutions in 2020 the 10-member ASEAN, with Apsara’s first drop of oil marks gressing Apsara to first oil has drilling of the four remaining channel that rallied regime only Singapore and land-locked a 10-year journey from when been a tremendous achieve- lifestyle – page 13 Laos not producing crude. KrisEnergy initially became a ment and a testament to the Continued – page 6 Continued – page 9

THE PHNOM PENH POST Lake filling in Phnom Penh National draws concern from CSOs Inside page 5 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Court begins hearing of Rainsy, activists on incitement charges Kim Sarom

THE Phnom Penh Municipal Court began hearing the case of Sam Rain- sy, former president of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and 21 alleged accomplices on charges of treason, incitement to cause social chaos and incitement of the military to en- The education ministry allowed private schools to reopen on Tuesday. hean rangsey gage in rebellion. The hearing was held on December 29 under tight security conditions both inside the courtroom and out- Private schools side the municipal court building. Thirteen of the 22 defendants at- tended the hearing, while nine oth- ers remained at large after fleeing Cambodia to take up residence in reopen after end various countries abroad. The 22 include Rainsy, who was Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy in Phnom Penh in 2015. Heng Chivoan defended in court by lawyers Sam dock. Aside from that, I had already committed to its agenda, nor did he Sokong and Lor Chunthy, along with stopped talking about party mat- bear any love for them now given his lawyers Sin Savorn and Yong Phanit ters and politics. I don’t understand present circumstances. of ‘Nov 28 event’ who had been assigned by the Bar what I’m supposed to be guilty of “I said some things about Covid- Voun Dara firmed case ofC ovid-19 local transmis- Association of the Kingdom of Cam- now,” he stated to the court. 19 in a Facebook messenger group. sion – Prime Minister Hun Sen said it bodia to defend him. Phary told the judge that he had I said the Cambodian government RIVATE educational institu- was time to begin reopening schools. The day’s proceedings, overseen a Facebook account, but he never had [wrongly] allowed a plane into tions have been allowed to School closures have a taken a huge by Presiding Judge Ros Piseth, began “friended” any of the former leaders Cambodia and I criticised Cambo- reopen from December 29 toll on Cambodia and the world alike, with the questioning of one of the de- of the CNRP. dia’s Ministry of Health,” he said. while the 2020-2021 aca- the prime minister said. He noted that fendants in the case, Long Phary, 58, He recounted to the court that he After Judge Piseth had finished demicP year for public schools will while some children had been able and a former councillor for the CNRP first heard about the establishment questioning Kheang, he announced resume on January 11, according to to continue attending schools and in Prey Veng province’s Kampong of the National Salvation Movement that the hearing would adjourn and a notice from the Ministry of Educa- some had been able to take classes Trabek district, by prosecutors Seng in the US on January 28, 2018, from he scheduled its resumption for Jan- tion, Youth and Sport. online, many others were completely Heang and Sam Rithy Veasna. a programme on VOA Radio, but he uary 22, 2021. All schools are required to continue without such opportunities. He told the judge that he had been had never joined the movement. After attending the hearing, the head implementing health safety measures. “I have approved the request by acquainted with Rainsy and his wife He also said that around the time of of human rights organisation Adhoc, In a statement, minister Hang Chuon Naron on December 29, and Tioulong Saumura, but that he had November 19, 2019, when Rainsy had Ny Sokha, gave an interview to report- Chuon Naron said the decision ap- January 11 is set for resuming the 2020- only heard the names of other se- claimed he would return to Cambo- ers outside the courtroom, saying that, plied to all private schools which had 2021 academic year,” Hun Sen said. nior party officials and had never dia, there was a former CNRP official apparently, the individuals questioned previously been permitted to open He described the complex cir- met them personally. in Prey Veng who attempted to get had no further involvement with the during the first and second phases cumstances the world is facing as He admitted that prior to the CNRP him to gather people together to go CNRP after the Supreme Court had of reopening earlier this year. the “new normal” and instructed dissolution, he was in regular contact and meet Rainsy when he arrived, but dissolved it and they seemed to have “Private educational establish- the education and health ministries with Heng Danaro, the party’s parlia- that he had flatly refused to do so. moved on with their lives, unlike some ments that received permission to continue cooperating and inno- mentarian for Prey Veng at that time. The next defendant to give tes- other former party activists. from the ministry must continue to vating solutions that will keep the Long Phary went on to say that timony was Ngin Kheang, 32. He “I think that these arrests are po- carry out the standard procedures Covid-19 infection at bay. after the party was dissolved by the told the court that he was arrested litically motivated,” he said. for reopening in the context of “If we depend only on health Supreme Court he had no more con- in Phnom Penh on March 17, this Sokha added that he thought it Covid-19. Students must be socially workers, teachers and students to tacts with anyone from the CNRP year. Prior to his arrest, he claimed would be more productive to ques- and physically distanced. When deal with the new normal without and that he had been working as a his only recent activity that could tion party leaders rather than low- necessary, students must wear face addressing it ourselves, we will have moto-taxi driver in Phnom Penh be construed as political was a mass er level party activists. When party masks on the campuses,” he said. a problem. We must determine how when the police arrested him at a message he had sent regarding leaders were present to provide an- Public schools will follow the same best to proceed with the academic coffee shop earlier this year. Covid-19 to a group of his friends, swers the debate was much clearer guidelines when reopening. Students year,” Hun Sen said. “I was just sitting there drinking but he had had no recent contacts whereas most activists didn’t know could again be required to wear masks Following Hun Sen’s address, the coffee and I was chatting about the with any former CNRP members. the full details about the activities at school in the event of a new outbreak. Ministry of Labour and Vocational Westerdam cruise ship docking in He did admit, however, that he of the party. In his December 29 address to the Training also announced that tech- Preah Sihanouk province because had been involved with the party “If they want to bring clarity to this nation announcing the official conclu- nical and vocational institutions it had people infected with Covid- back in 2013 and had participated discussion, I think that they need the sion of the November 28 community would also be allowed to reopen, ef- 19 aboard it but Prime Minister in one of their parades, but he said actual party leaders who were charged incident – a reference to the first con- fective immediately. Hun Sen still allowed the ship to he was never an actual member or to testify in court,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Hun Sen lauds Thai gov’t and border officials after outbreak

Niem Chheng Part of the successful strat- egy has been due to the mili- OLLOWING the Covid- tary transporting returning 19 outbreak in Thai- migrants, preventing them land’s Samut Sakhon from taking taxis which might province on December have allowed an infection to 20,F more than 2,000 migrants spread unaccountably. Hun have returned to Cambodia Sen also credited Thai Prime and are currently undergoing Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha quarantine at facilities near for his attention to Cambodi- the border. None of them had ans living in Thailand. tested positive for Covid-19. “This is a high point in our During his national ad- relations as neighbouring dress on December 29, Prime countries. Thai authorities Minister Hun Sen thanked have handled our Cambodian all relevant authorities for workers without discrimi- their cooperative efforts to nation. Furthermore, I have Migrant workers returning from Thailand at the O’Smach border crossing in Oddar Meanchey ​province on Monday. Oddar Meanchey Provincial Hall successfully prevent the im- heard that some undocument- portation of Covid-19 from ed migrant workers were given ties to ensure that quarantine Sen said, adding that he had ing them and conducting them protect their belongings Thailand through returning temporary work permits. services were sufficient. If any issued appeals to Cambodian health checks were made while crossing into Cambodia migrant workers. “These efforts are to pre- province needs additional as- people not to enter Thailand appropriately. Moreover, the and ensuring that they are giv- “This is due to the quick ac- vent Covid-19, to solve the sistance, he said, they must for work since the first day of returning migrants were in- en adequate accommodations. tion taken by the Thai govern- crisis and find jobs for our inform the government im- the recent outbreak. structed on preventive mea- “Quarantine sites should be ment and authorities to con- Cambodian workers. This co- mediately. He encouraged Moeun Tola, executive di- sures, hygiene and quaran- improved because people will trol the situation. Moreover, operation contributes to the migrant workers still in Thai- rector of the Centre for Alli- tine procedures. Recently, the agree to quarantine only when our officials along the border Thai economy as well as the land to remain there for now. ance of Labour and Human government has been using the facilities at that place are also took immediate action incomes of our migrant work- “I received a letter from His Rights (Central), praised the trucks to transport them to good enough. The people re- following directives from the ers,” Hun Sen said. Excellency Prayut Chan-o-cha government’s latest measures quarantine sites. This is good, turning from abroad want to Ministry of Health. The gov- He said the government had calling on me to stop Cambo- for returning migrant work- and I applaud this,” he said. meet their families. Only when ernment has provided every- enough resources to support dian citizens from entering ers, including transportation, Tola called on the govern- the service is good will they thing needed by the border returning migrants in quar- Thailand while their country health checks and quarantine. ment to do more for migrant voluntarily stay in quarantine provinces,” Hun Sen said. antine and implored authori- is fighting Covid-19,” Hun “Preparations for welcom- workers, including helping for 14 days,” he said. ‘Trafficked’ woman pleads for repatriation from Saudi Arabia Soth Koemsoeun not be reached for comment on December 29. CAMBODIAN authorities are Centre for Alliance of Labour searching for Ly Rohimas, a and Human Rights executive 26-year-old Cambodian Mus- director Moeun Tola said that lim woman from Memot dis- in some countries where Cam- trict in Tbong Khmum prov- bodian migrant workers are ince, who has claimed to be a living, the rights and values of victim of human trafficking. women are not respected. Authorities were alerted to He urged the government to her situation after she made prevent Cambodian citizens, a plea to Prime Minister Hun particularly women, from go- Sen to bring her home in a Fa- ing to work in these countries cebook post on December 28. before bilateral agreements are She claimed to have been established to protect them. cheated by a broker in 2017 “I still cannot understand and sent to Saudi Arabia, ac- why, when we do not have a The INS Kiltan docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Tuesday. Ream Naval Base Secretariat cording to a senior police offi- memorandum of understand- cer in the Ministry of Interior’s In an online video, a Cambodian ing for Cambodians to work Anti-Human Trafficking and woman pled for government help in certain countries, there are to get her home. FACEBOOK Juvenile Protection Bureau. Cambodian migrant workers India naval ship delivers Bureau director Chiv Phally in 2017. There is no authority who are working illegally there. told The Post on December 28 or organisation to intervene “There is no clear policy, so that officials are trying to con- to get me out of this country. these kinds of cases continue tact the victim who has a Fa- “About my living condition . . . occurring. Why is there no disaster relief donations cebook account registered as [the] house owner beats me al- clear action from the govern- Rohimah binti Mohamad Aly. most every day, but I cannot get ment [in response]?” he asked. Voun Dara kets, along with 1,500 survival recall correctly, they donated An official from the Cambo- help from anyone. The house Tola urged the Ministry of kits suitable for use by men 10,000 tonnes of milled rice dian embassy in Saudi Arabia is owner took away all of my per- Foreign Affairs and Interna- THE INS Kiltan, an Indian na- and 1,500 kits suitable for use to Cambodia that was sent by also currently searching for her, sonal documents. I have not re- tional Cooperation and rel- val ship with 170 crew mem- by women. ship via the Malacca Strait to Phally said, as well as another ceived any salary or allowance. evant authorities to follow-up bers onboard, docked at the Each kit contains 15 different Sihanoukville,” he said. group of officials who have Moreover, I am prohibited from on Rohimas’ case immedi- Sihanoukville Autonomous items that may be of help in an Preah Sihanouk Provin- been tasked with searching for going out to meet anyone. ately. He said the government Port on December 29. emergency or survival situa- cial Hall spokesman Kheang relatives in her hometown. “I am an orphan who lived needs to rescue her from the The ship successfully trans- tion. All of the supplies are in- Phearom confirmed that the “However, we don’t yet have with my old grandmother and abuse and bring her home. ported humanitarian materi- tended for use during natural INS Kiltan had docked at the any leads on her whereabouts. two younger siblings. I left my Ministry of Labour and Vo- als worth $110,000 to be do- disasters such as flooding. port at 8:30am. We are trying to get her back house [in Cambodia] to work cational Training spokesman nated to Cambodia’s National Vy said India has helped He added that the ship was to Cambodia,” he said. [with the hope of] feeding my Heng Sour said on December Committee for Disaster Man- Cambodia through the NCDM 110m long with a 7m draft In a short video clip posted family from a young age. I didn’t 29 that the Ministry of Foreign agement (NCDM). with donations of food and and that there were 170 crew on her Facebook account, Ro- expect that they would take me Affairs and International Co- NCDM adviser Keo Vy told many other items. members onboard. himas described being traf- or sell [me] like this,” she said. operation and the Cambodian The Post on December 29 that “In the year 2000, for ex- “The INS Kiltan will de- ficked and held captive. Othman Hassan, Senior embassy in Saudi Arabia were the supplies India provided ample, India provided a great part from the Sihanoukville “I am living in Saudi Arabia. Minister in charge of Special seeking information on where to Cambodia included 3,000 deal of assistance to Cambo- Autonomous Port at 9am on I was cheated by [a] broker Missions who is also a Muslim and how to intervene in order to sleeping mats and 3,000 blan- dia through the NCDM. If I January 1, 2021,” he said. who ‘sold’ me to Saudi Arabia leader in Cambodia, could return the victim to Cambodia. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Kandal court Initial phase of road project done charges man Voun Dara

34-road infra- for murdering structure project in Preah Sihanouk province has com- chief monk pletedA initial construction of concrete roadways and Kim Sarom drainage systems and is on schedule to be entirely fin- THE Kandal Provincial Court has ished in the first half of next placed a man in pre-trial detention year. after he was arrested for allegedly Provincial hall spokesman murdering a pagoda chief monk on Kheang Phearum told The December 19. Post on December 28 that 98 Lao Try, 51, has been charged with per cent of light poles had premeditated murder. Phok Thearith, been installed as well as 91 the 53-year-old chief monk of Chedei per cent of bulbs. Thmey pagoda in Vihear Luong com- “As of this month, more mune in Kandal province’s Ponhea than 20 per cent of the in- Leu district, was found dead in his frastructure has been paved. room on December 19. According to the plan, the Provincial police’s serious crime work of pouring rubberised bureau head Chao Vuthy declined asphalt on the concrete will to provide details, citing an ongoing be completed before the investigation. Khmer New Year in April “Kandal Provincial Court deputy 2021,” he said. prosecutor Ek Sun Reaskmey has al- On December 25, Minister ready charged [Lao Try] and the in- of Public Works and Trans- vestigating judge also issued a war- port Sun Chanthol led a del- rant to detain him. egation of officials to make “Try has been charged for conspir- on-site inspections of the acy to commit murder under Article work. 28 and for premeditated murder The work of pouring rubberised asphalt on the concrete will be completed before the Khmer New Year in April 2021. hong menea “The purpose of the in- under Article 200 of the Criminal spection is to verify that the According to Chanthol, tourists visiting the province The project was imple- November 16 in a ceremony Code,” he said, adding that police construction company has a 7cm layer of asphalt will and attract investments, mented at the behest of presided over by the prime are still searching for Try’s alleged followed technical standards be poured on the concrete leading to the creation of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s minister. accomplices. according to the contract and roads to improve their more jobs and opportuni- recommendation to the ple- A total of 84.5km of road- Article 28 states that the instigator log book. These roads will be functionality and aesthetic ties for the local people and nary Council of Ministers ways are under construction of a felony shall incur the same pen- built to specifications which appeal. Completion of the poverty reduction in ac- meeting on August 30 of in Prey Nop district and Si- alties as the perpetrator. Try faces ensure they are high-quality project will facilitate more cordance with the govern- last year. Construction be- hanoukville with a budget of life imprisonment under Article 200 and long-lasting,” he said. domestic and international ment’s vision, he said. gan three months later on $200 million. if found guilty. Ponhea Leu district police chief Duong Teng said on December 28 that Try has two wives. One of his wives lives in Ponhea Leu district, while the other lives in PM: Three gateways set for Covid vaccine Kampong Chhnang province’s Kam- pong Tralach district. Continued from page 1 cause we cannot leave our people Teng recalled that Thearith was found without any protection. dead with a rope around his neck in his that Cambodia has been very suc- “The problem right now is that room on the morning of December 20 cessful at detecting incoming cases there isn’t any vaccine that has been at Chedei Thmey pagoda. among those arriving by air every officially declared to be safe and ef- According to Teng, Try confessed day and then safely managing their fective by the WHO as yet. We will that in October he called to meet quarantine and recovery with zero only buy vaccines that are recogn- one of his alleged accomplices iden- deaths from the disease to date. ised by the WHO, regardless of the tified as Sreng Srun, who has fled af- Hun Sen also noted that while ac- source country,” he stipulated. ter the murder, at a restaurant near tively monitoring outbreaks in other Hun Sen also warned that his com- the entrance to the Vihear Luong countries, Cambodia does not prohib- mentary on vaccines should not be commune police station. it inbound travellers from other coun- taken out of context or misconstrued At the time, he told Srun that he tries including Britain, where a new to give offense to any foreign nation had had an argument with the chief mutation that renders the virus more by stating that he was not rejecting monk and was looking to hire a hit transmissible has been detected. the Chinese or Russian or British man. Srun then allegedly offered to “Throughout the ‘November 28 vaccines. He stressed that Cambodia murder the chief monk for $7,000. community event’, we have been wag- would gladly use any vaccine from Later, Srun met Try at the restaurant ing war against the virus on three dif- any country as long as it was certified again and told him he needed three ferent fronts, namely local transmis- to be safe by the WHO beforehand. accomplices to kill the chief monk. sion and imported cases, but the third Meanwhile, the prime minister He demanded $10,000, at which point battlefield has been in the hospitals. announced that Cambodia is pre- Try gave him a deposit of $3,000. “[Hospitals] where our doctors paring to provide masks and medi- On the evening of December 19, Srun and nurses have fought tirelessly cal equipment to aid Nepal in its called to tell him that he had already to cure the 360 Covid-19 patients fight against Covid-19 due to the killed Thearith by strangling his neck, Prime Minister Hun Sen during his address to the nation on December 29. spm successfully so far and where they high number of infections there and with the body covered in a blanket, continue to bravely fight to cure the with large donations coming from with the reminder that Cambodia in the same spirit of friendship that and demanded the remaining sum. four patients who are still undergo- the King, the Queen Mother and a will need to vaccinate more than 80 inspired Cambodia to provide med- Try gave Srun the remaining $7,000 ing treatment,” he explained. number of other generous people. per cent of the population to achieve ical equipment previously to other the next day. Hun Sen also cautioned that al- Hun Sen stressed that Cambodia’s herd immunity, which amounts to fellow developing nations such as Citing Try’s confession, Teng said though the November 28 community principle objective is to provide free roughly 13 million people and thus Laos, Myanmar and East Timor. Try planned to kill Thearith because event has now ended, that does not vaccination for all citizens. The in- many more doses of the vaccine will Hun Sen also took time to express he wanted to take the chief monk’s mean that Covid-19 itself is finished. jection will be voluntary, however. need to be acquired somehow. his admiration for the health min- flats and stalls at Morn Arng Market He warned the nation that the “If there are those who aren’t con- One route, he continued, was the istry, medical professionals, all ser- in Phnom Penh, as well as another worst outcome at this time would be fident [in the vaccine’s safety] then second gateway – via country to coun- vice branches of the armed forces, two plots of land in Kampong Chh- for Cambodia to be neglectful in fol- they don’t need to get an injection,” try relationships, meaning bilateral or local authorities in every province nang province. lowing safety precautions because if he said. multilateral agreements that would and the entire population of Cam- Before the murder, Try took $11,500 the nation lets its guard down the vi- Hun Sen explained that there make vaccines available at an afford- bodia for their concerted efforts to from the chief monk, telling him that rus will find a way to infect the com- were three gateways for purchasing able price for developing nations. prevent the spread of Covid-19. he would use it to build a house. munity once again. vaccines, with the first beingO C - And finally, there was a third gate- He also thanked Cambodia’s in- During questioning, Try said he The prime minister reiterated the VAX, a World Health Organisation way for obtaining the necessary vac- ternational partner organisations, decided to kill Thearith after learn- “three do’s and three dont’s” of the (WHO)-sponsored effort with 92 cine supply, consisting of direct ne- including the WHO, the Institut ing that the chief monk planned to pandemic and emphasised the im- member countries working together gotiations with vaccine companies Pasteur du Cambodge and the US leave monkhood at the end of this portance of social distancing when to ensure wide access to vaccines as themselves. Center for Disease Control and Pre- year and would regain all the prop- gathering together in a group for they become available. COVAX will Hun Sen said it was possible that all vention (CDC), for the expertise and erty the monk had left with him. any reason. provide 20 per cent of Cambodia’s three gateways would end up being assistance they had provided that On the topic of vaccination, Hun population, or 3.2 million people, used in order to obtain the 13 million had contributed to rapidly ending www.phnompenhpost.com Sen stated that as of December 28 the with the vaccine while covering 95 vaccine doses Cambodia required. the November 28 community event check the post website government had collected over $55 per cent of the total costs. “This number [13 million] is huge and in the fight against Covid-19 in for breaking news million in donations from the public Hun Sen tempered this good news but it absolutely must be done be- Cambodia generally. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Lake filling in capital draw CSOs concern

Soth Koemsoeun assessment of the environmental impacts in advance so that we could IVIL society organisations advise them on how best to avoid or (CSOs) working on the envi- minimise them. ronment and human rights “Eventually, the government will have expressed concern turn to CSOs for their ideas on how aboutC filling parts of Boeung Tamok to revise their development strate- Lake to create new parcels of land on gies to reduce harm to the environ- the outskirts of Phnom Penh. ment, and eventually they’ll need Located in Prek Pnov district’s to solve the flooding problems in Kouk Roka commune, Boeung Phnom Penh, but some of these Tamok, also known as Kob Srov problems could have been prevent- Lake, is the largest lake remaining ed by consulting with us before pro- within the municipal borders with ceeding rather than after,” he said. an area of more than 3,000ha. Ministry of Land Management, Over the past few months the gov- Urban Planning and Construction ernment has decided to fill parts of spokesman Seng Lot and Phnom the lake to create land to be granted Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Meth for various projects including estab- Meas Pheakdey could not be reached lishing a public garden and park; a for comment on December 29. new building for the National Po- But government spokesman Phay lice, and an office building for the Siphan said on December 29 that an Ministry of Justice. inter-ministerial committee made The CSOs said filling the lake might up of representatives from the min- pose a danger to the environment, istries of land management, Econo- jeopardise people’s livelihoods, and my and Finance, and Environment Civil society organisations highlighted the possible environment impact due to Boeung Tamok Lake filling activities. chhorn norn increase flooding. had held several meetings before However, government officials say by Hak and Chanthy will be used to ber 29 that the filling of natural lakes be avoided, if possible, because the making a collective decision to go that before deciding to fill parts of build a three-storey security com- such as Boeung Choeung Ek, Boeung lakes absorb rainwater which pre- ahead with the plans. the lake, a specialised inter-minis- mand measuring 21.7m by 42m. Tompun, Boeung Kak and especially vents flooding and they also help The land has been allocated to terial committee had studied the The command serves to protect the the largest lake in the capital, Boeung the environment,” he said. private individuals but in the inter- impacts thoroughly and concluded country’s leaders and foreign del- Tamok, would increase the incidence NGO Forum executive director Tek ests of the state, he explained. they would be minimal. egates at the council. of rain-induced flooding and possi- Vannara said on December 29 that the “We welcome constructive criticism, The CSOs’ concerns came after It will take 18 months for this se- bly impact the environment. government should have made the but at the end of the day they aren’t the Council of Ministers issued a curity command to be completed “The government should have con- plans for these development projects the ones serving the nation [as deci- letter on December 24 announcing after receiving permission from the ducted an objective and transparent public and assessed impacts in the sion makers]. If there’s something they that 20ha of the Boeung Tamok Lake government to begin construction. study before deciding to fill any lakes Boeung Tamok area in more detail. know that we don’t, they should try to was allocated to Lun Hak and Ch- The letter, which was published by because we are worried about the Furthermore, he said the govern- inform us. But instead of working with hun Chanthy in exchange for a plot local media outlets, also said the state environmental impacts and rain-in- ment should have made this infor- the government to solve problems, of land co-owned by the two near will take responsibility for transfer- duced floods in Phnom Penh. mation known earlier so that CSOs they prefer to issue public statements the council in Daun Penh district’s ring the property, taxes and other “We’ve noted that over the last and concerned citizens would be that are critical [of our plans]. Srah Chak commune. services, so the developers won’t be several years, there have been more able to examine the plans and pro- “I thank them for their feedback, but Signed by Council of Ministers obligated to pay those costs. rain-induced floods in Phnom Penh vide their insights or commentary. they should look into what measures secretary of state Ken Satha, the let- Am Sam Ath, deputy director of and they have increased in severity. “As civil society organisations, we the government has taken in response ter said the 1,571sqm plot co-owned rights group Licadho, said on Decem- “The filling of natural lakes should want the government to show us an [to these concerns] first,” he said. Ministry: Keep warm as weather turns cold Khouth Sophak Chakrya as in the central plains are ad- vised to wear thick clothes to THE Ministry of Water Resourc- keep themselves warm. es and Meteorology urged People in the coastal areas residents and troops stationed in Cambodia, especially is- in the Dangrek Mountain range land travellers and fishermen, and the northeastern plateau are also warned of strong to keep warm as weather in the wind and sea waves that pose region gets colder in the com- a possible danger. ing week. During that period of time, According to the ministry’s wind speed is forecast at 10m forecasts, the region’s tem- per second, with waves as perature will drop to around high as 1.5m to 2m. 14 degree Celsius. Yutha added that from Jan- Ministry spokesman Chan uary 4 to 5, there will be less Yutha told The Post on Decem- rainfall in areas of the prov- ber 29 that besides high pres- inces bordering Vietnam. sure from China and North- Brigade Nº4 commander eastern Monsoon winds, an Sorn Sea told The Post that active low-pressure area that is his forces stationed at the moving through the Straits of Chakran Yak and Chankra- Malacca towards the borders of horm frontline area near the Thailand and Malaysia will af- Ta Moan temple in Oddar fect the weather in Cambodia. Meanchey province have re- Due to these circumstanc- ceived sweaters and medicine es, the weather in Cambodia to help keep their body warm. will have lower temperatures “We are not worried about from the night of December this cold weather because we 30 to January 5. have received some sweaters and “On the night of New Year materials for us to keep warm in celebrations, the weather the cold weather,” he said. could be as cold as 14C or Khan Samen, the military lower for the Dangrek Moun- sub-region commander in tain range and northeastern Preah Vihear province’s Choam plateau. In the central plains, Ksan district, told The Post that the weather is [forecasted to on December 26-27, the tem- be as] cold as 16C,” he said. perature in the district was as Yutha added that after the low as 16C. However, the daily New Year celebration, the lowest temperature had risen to cold weather will continue 19C on December 29, he said. into the night of January 3. “Some of our officers caught Meanwhile, residents and a cold because of the weather troops living or stationed in these past few days, especial- along the border close to Dan- ly patrolling forces who ensure grek Mountain range and the safety and peace along our bor- northeastern plateau, as well ders,” he said. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,054 1.2811 6.5305 103.65 4.0495 1.3276 30.03 0.7601 1.2254 1.3486 Production Agro sector adopting digital tech of oil set to Thou Vireak manage their finances and cash flows, while 17 per cent T LEAST 92 per cent said they would save time and begin with of the Kingdom’s streamline processes, as well agricultural input as trim administrative costs. suppliers use digital “We know that the num- paymentsA in their businesses ber of digital users among offshore rig while 45 per cent use e-com- agricultural inputs sellers is merce, a new study found. small, as the internet infra- Continued from page 1 The research, entitled “Dig- structure is booming due to ital Challenges and Oppor- the availability of 3G, 4G, 5G, wells, stabilise production and tunities of Agricultural Input so it will be easier for them monitor performance so that we Suppliers in Cambodia”, was to embrace digital technol- may assess the best path forward to compiled by the Centre for ogy via smartphones. But optimise Cambodia’s oil production Policy Studies (CPS). they have little understand- and the value of the asset in the CPS director Chan Sophal ing of the E-Commerce years ahead.” presented the study on De- Law,” Sophal said. Prime Minister Hun Sen on Decem- cember 29 at the 7th Annual At the conference’s closing ber 29 lauded the extraction as a new NBC Macroeconomic Con- ceremony, NBC director- achievement and a new source of ference, organised by the general Chea Serey said the funds for the country’s economic National Bank of Cambodia central bank would mull development in consonance with the (NBC) under the theme “Dis- over posting the results of government’s win-win policy. cussion of Cambodia’s Eco- the study on its website. “On behalf of the Royal Government nomic Development Models”. of Cambodia, it is a great pleasure to Only one per cent of farmers currently use mobile banking. HENG CHIVOAN She said she hopes the re- The report defined agri- search will provide relevant inform my compatriots that Cambo- cultural input suppliers as smart phones and 90 per spondents settle their debts reporting] using e-commerce institutions with pertinent dia’s first drop of oil will be produced “importers of agricultural cent have internet access, of with Phnom Penh-based in their business operations. data to formulate a compre- from the A-01D well of Platform A in products such as fertilisers, which 41 per cent have Wi- ones with cash, while 14 per “Most of them know how hensive national economic the Gulf of Cambodia in Preah Siha- pesticides and agricultural Fi connections. cent use intermediary agen- to use Facebook but there are development policy. nouk province on December 29, 2020, machinery”. Additionally, 55 per cent of cies and nine per cent do so only three website users be- The NBC is committed to by Singapore’s oil and gas exploration Sophal said the study inter- the respondents have bank through banks. cause they think that no one hold the 8th Annual Macro- company KrisEnergy. viewed 225 representatives accounts and 23 per cent of Only a tiny six per cent of can make much of a profit economic Conference next “Through the efforts of the govern- from 40 of the 107 agricultur- those pay with mobile apps. them pay farmers through from digital business. None- year, with a theme to be an- ment and project operator KrisEnergy, al input suppliers registered Sophal said: “We observed digital means, while only one theless, they hope to sell bet- nounced in the near future, we have so far successfully installed at the Ministry of Agricul- that the use of cash payments per cent of farmers were able ter and be more reliable in she said. the necessary equipment and facili- ture, Forestry and Fisheries is still widespread. We wish to use mobile banking, with the future,” Sophal said. “I would like to take this ties for the production process of our and an undisclosed number to reduce direct cash pay- many citing distrust or lack On the other hand, the gen- opportunity to encourage oil and gas resources,” he said. of unregistered depots. ments. We would like to see of knowledge, Sophal said. eral consensus was that digital a continuous culture of Cheap Sour, director-general of the The businesses were all based more of them trained in dig- He said 63 per cent report- payments provide opportuni- research, discussion and Ministry of Mines and Energy’s Gen- in Battambang, Tbong Kh- ital literacy. ed difficulties in paying digi- ties and benefits, reducing the knowledge sharing among eral Department of Petroleum, told mum, Siem Reap, Prey Veng, “We also want to see more tally, mainly due to internet risk of loss and theft involved researchers whether from The Post on December 29 that the Kandal and Takeo provinces, investment in the sector to disruptions. in direct cash payments by 43 the public or private sec- five-well mini platform will reach a which have untapped poten- encourage entrepreneurs to “Digital commerce per- per cent, he said. tors, NGOs or development peak rate of approximately 7,500 bar- tial for agriculture, he said. take on more start-ups and formance is very low among He said 19 per cent of re- partners to support re- rels per day once the four additional The study found that 90 expand the logistics system.” them, with 15 people or sev- spondents claimed that digital search on other key topics,” wells are completed. per cent of respondents use He said 59 per cent of re- en per cent [of respondents payments would help them Serey said. “With the positive progress, we will attract more companies into the oil and gas sector,” he said. With its transformation into an oil producing country, the flood gates for investors and international com- TV goes digital by 2023, paving way for 5G panies into the sprouting sector have been thrust wide open. Hin Pisei director-general Phos Sovann told Hun Sen stressed what a blessing The Post in April that the information Cambodia had received in the begin- THE government on December 28 ministry had agreed to release the ning of oil production. held an inter-ministerial meeting to 700MHz band to the telecoms min- “This is a significant step for Cam- discuss setting up a digital television istry to establish the centralised dig- bodia to build national capacity and platform as part of the Kingdom’s ital television platform. its oil, gas and energy industries. shift away from analogue. “Prime Minister Hun Sen approved “Key benefits include national Held at the Ministry of Economy and in principle the formation of a work- budget revenue, economic benefits Finance, the meeting discussed the ing group from the two ministries to from the diversification of the oil would-be platform operator’s models establish a digital television plat- industry and national capacity build- of management and financing (public, form,” Sovann said, adding that the ing in the sector,” he said. private or mixed) and shutting off ana- platform will incorporate all current Significant and major oil produc- logue signals before 2023. television channels. tion infrastructure has been built, Also on the agenda were manage- “We hope that the platform starts installed and completed in Block A ment of internet and mobile audio- this year and will be fully functional for the production process, the prime visual services in the 700MHz fre- by 2023 so we can release the frequen- minister added. quency band, medium and long-term cy to the Ministry of Posts and Tele- This includes the construction of digital infrastructure and their impli- communications to develop the 5G the oil platform on Batam Island, cations for channels and progress network,” he said. The working group Indonesia, which began in December updates, as well as business models will prepare an investment plan to last year and was completed in for investment, the finance ministry support the programme and form a August, he said. The platform arrived said in a press release. comprehensive expansion plan for its in Cambodia’s Block A and assembly Minister Aun Pornmoniroth, who is Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth (centre) discusses digital platforms first three years (2021-2023). was completed on September 7. also chairman of the ministry’s Eco- with officials at an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday. SUPPLIED In April last year, the government The oil-production vessel was nomic and Financial Policy Commit- improve the mechanism of data Posts and Telecommunications signed an agreement with Huawei installed, repaired and equipped in tee, stressed the importance of the management and propaganda sys- Chea Vandeth in April. Technologies, based in the southern September in Singapore and arrived successful development and manage- tem in the country in order to ensure According to the plan, the 700Mhz Chinese city of Shenzhen, to help in Cambodia’s Block A on October 18, ment of the audiovisual system to the highly-effective national and socio- frequency band currently being develop a 5G distribution network. he said. The tanker was ready to oper- Kingdom’s overall development. economic security. used by local television channels As of the end of last year, Cambodia ate in Block A on November 9. He said modern technology will not Minister of Information Khieu will be diverted to the telecoms had 16.7 million mobile internet The first well was completed on only promote economic growth and Kanharith brought up a digital tel- ministry to develop 5G systems and users and 215,000 fixed broadband December 23, while two other wells increase competitiveness and eco- evision transition plan for the King- the digital economy. connections, according to the tele- have already been drilled into the oil nomic diversification, but can also dom at a meeting with Minister of Information and broadcasting coms ministry. reservoir, he added. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Joint $500,000 fund to ‘fuel SME incubation’ Thou Vireak create over 10,000 new jobs by a robust regulatory environ- 2022 as the one of the main ob- ment with support from the HE UN Development jectives of Go4eCAM. government of Australia,” Programme (UNDP) “Cambodia’s e-commerce UNDP Cambodia said. in Cambodia on sector has grown exponen- Speaking at the launch of the December 28 an- tially in the last decade and E-Commerce Strategy on No- nouncedT a new joint $500,000 the enhanced support comes vember 25, minister Pan Sora- investment in grants and e- as the Covid-19 pandemic has sak said that, in the context of commerce training for 125 forced many more businesses the fourth industrial revolu- small and medium-sized en- to move online. tion, digital technology is key terprises (SMEs). “E-commerce and digiti- in sharpening the competitive The funds are backed by sation are seen as crucial to edge of commercial enterpris- UNDP Cambodia, the Ministry ensure a full, rapid and sus- es, promoting productivity, of Commerce and the World tained economic recovery for augmenting exports, creating Trade Organisation’s (WTO) the country. jobs and reinforcing national The investment will fund an innovative six-month incubation and training initiative and small-grants programme to help SMEs shift online. SMART AXIATA Enhanced Integrated Frame- “The [government], particu- economic growth. work (EIF), UNDP Cambodia larly the [ministry], has stepped Having embarked on a sector, but it has tremen- the press release: “Cambo- this new economy, ensuring said in a press release. up efforts in recent years to long-term vision to reap the dous potential to generate dia’s new e-commerce strat- that Cambodia’s digital future The UN agency said the in- strengthen the country’s e-com- fruits of Industry 4.0 and the new sources of growth for the egy, combined with the right will be inclusive.” vestment “will fuel an innova- merce ecosystem including regu- innovation-driven modern Cambodian economy. incentives and investments, EIF head Dr Ratnakar tive six-month incubation and latory framework and strategy. age, he said the government “The strategic document will could be a game-changer to Adhikari said: “Cambodia has training initiative and small- “[These include] passing the of the Sixth Legislature of the be a major driver of national propel inclusive growth in the great potential [in] e-Com- grants programme to help landmark 2019 E-Commerce National Assembly has dem- economic development, es- recovery from Covid-19. merce. The recently launched SMEs move online, sell online, Law, a set of sub-decrees to ease onstrated its readiness to de- pecially for Cambodia’s trans- “Inclusive investment in peo- e-Commerce strategy, sup- and, for some, sell to overseas registration for e-commerce- velop a digital economy. formation into a digital econ- ple, in skills development and ported by the EIF, with con- customers through a new on- based businesses, the Consum- It has put in place policy omy going forward. in digital infrastructure for ev- crete plan of action will tackle line marketplace [B2B2C] being er Protection Law to protect the which aims to, among other “It will bring us closer to eryone [is] absolutely crucial.” bottleneck in critical areas, developed by the” ministry. rights of online shoppers and things, develop domestic indus- realising Cambodia’s vision Australian ambassador such as the legal and regulatory It noted that a quota is re- businesses, and the recently try, diversify the economy and to become an upper middle- Pablo Kang said in the release: framework, ICT infrastructure, served for women-owned busi- launched E-Commerce Strategy. prop up capacity building for income country by 2030 and “Cambodia’s e-commerce digital skills and SME support. nesses, or those based in any of “In support of Cambodia’s the Kingdom’s SMEs, he said. a high-income country by sector is rapidly moving for- “Together with the Go4e- the Kingdom’s 24 provinces. response to Covid-19, UNDP “The e-commerce law serves 2050,” Sorasak said. ward, driven further by busi- Cam project and strong “This joint initiative by the is working to reskill work- as an important legal basis for The press release quoted him nesses moving online to miti- partnership on the ground, I [ministry] and UNDP will form ers, support the onboarding the development of e-com- as saying at the launch: “The gate the impact of Covid-19. strongly believe that Cambo- one of the key components of of 1,000 small and medium merce, especially to protect Go4eCAM project is launch- “As an EIF contributor and dia is putting in place a con- Cambodia’s e-commerce accel- sized business into the e- the interests and build high- ing at the right time, coincid- through our projects that sup- ductive ecosystem necessary eration project [Go4eCam] that commerce market and pro- trust relationships with e- ing with the approval of the E- port e-commerce regulatory to boost e-Commerce, export aims to boost domestic and mote the adoption of e-com- consumers, as well as to entice Commerce Law and the launch acceleration and uptake, Aus- competitiveness, promote international opportunities for merce across the country. local and foreign investors to of the E-Commerce Strategy.” tralia is helping equip Cam- entrepreneurship and tap small and medium enterprises “[This is done] through an come and invest in Cambodia. UNDP resident represen- bodians with the necessary into new sources of growth in through a digital platform and advocacy campaign to create “This is a newly-emergent tative Nick Beresford said in tools and skills to compete in the digital era.”

Renewable energy will account for 40.3 per cent of South Korea’s nameplate capacity in 2034, reaching 77,800MW, from 20,200MW this year. YONHAP NEWS AGENCY Seoul finalises energy mix, set to finance nuclear decommissioning The South Korean govern- generation in 2034 is expected diminish to 17 in 2034. ment has finalised its energy to extend to 8.6 per cent, up In 2034, the combined mix for 2020-2034, aiming to from 3.3 per cent this year. nameplate capacity of nuclear increase the use of renewables A total of 30 coal-fired pow- power plants and coal-fired while reducing the country’s er plants will be closed by power plants will account for dependence on nuclear and 2034 upon completion of their 25.1 per cent of the nation‘s coal-fired power plants. 30-year operational life spans. total power generation, down According to the Ninth Basic Some 24 of them will be from 46.3 per cent this year. Plan for Electricity Supply and repurposed into liquefied Separately, the Nuclear Pro- Demand approved by a review natural gas power facilities, motion Commission, presided committee affiliated with the the ministry said. over by the prime minister, Ministry of Trade, Industry and No nuclear plant will be built approved a government plan to Energy, renewable energy will in the country, barring those spend 500 billion won ($457 account for 40.3 per cent of already under construction. million) over the next five years South Korea’s nameplate capac- Existing ones will not get on nuclear decommissioning ity in 2034, reaching 77,800MW, extensions of their lifetimes. and waste management, in from 20,200MW this year. Accordingly, the number of tandem with the country‘s Renewables’ actual contri- nuclear power plants will nuclear phase-out policy. THE bution to the nation’s power reach its peak at 26 in 2024, but KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business US demand for EU bloc clears cars, China need for chips in 2021 way for China a boon for Korea HE US is expected to become the most promising market for South TKorean carmakers next year, while investment China is to yield the greatest opportuni- ties for chipmakers, according to a big data analysis released on December 28. The state-run Korea Trade-Investment agreement Promotion Agency’s (KOTRA) report looks into market prospects of major markets overseas for South Korean exporters expected to lead U member states the accord, but afterwards the post-pandemic economic recovery. gave political back- Poland’s ambassador Andrzej Markets that would show solid demand ing to Brussels’ Sados said he had “expressed for automobiles next year include the US, planned investment our doubts” after Germany Germany, the UK and Canada. Top mar- pactE with China on Decem- added it to the agenda. kets for auto parts are the US, Germany, ber 28, clearing the way for a The deal would be a ma- Mexico, France and China, the report said. deal between the world’s big- jor boost for both sides and Strong demand for semiconductors is gest economic blocs. strengthen economic ties expected in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, At a meeting of ambassa- between the giants before Singapore and the US, the report added. dors, the German EU presi- the arrival of US president- The state-funded trade and investment dency noted that no member elect Joe Biden in the White promotion organisation’s report also named had “raised a stop sign and House next month. other key markets for South Korea’s major the way for a political en- Outgoing US leader Don- exports items, including telecommunications dorsement was thus cleared”, ald Trump has engaged in A deal could be announced by the end of the week and it would be a major boost for economic ties equipment, petroleum and petrochemical between China and the EU. AFP a diplomat said. a trade war with China but products, ships, home appliances, computer This came after the Chi- his successor has also ex- the EU ambassadors’ meet- sion, the EU executive, had tion has engaged in a war of products, display and textile products. nese foreign ministry said pressed concern about the ing agenda in Brussels. This said before Christmas that words with Beijing, Brussels The top five markets for telecommuni- last week that “negotia- EU outreach, with his team is unheard of. the draft of the “political has taken a balanced ap- cations equipment include the US, China, tions have entered the final urging Brussels to consult “In the last days of the agreement” was “95 per cent proach. Hong Kong, Germany and Netherlands. stretch” – and a second EU with Washington. German presidency we are ready” and just needed the Berlin wanted to get the Regarding petrochemical products, diplomat said an agreement Sados told the Polish PAP dealing with a sudden and capitals’ green light. agreement signed off at a China is expected to be most promising could now be formally an- news agency: “The new ad- unjustified acceleration re- Europe has long sought joint EU-China summit in market, followed by the US, Germany, nounced this week. ministration in the US is start- garding a very important greater access to the huge September, but the corona- India and Belgium, according to the report. The senior envoy said: ing work in three weeks . . . issue, which concerns inter- Chinese market for its com- virus pushed the event on- KOTRA president and CEO Kwon Pyung- “We have to be careful, but and an agreement with China national relations.” panies. line and no deal was signed. oh said: “KOTRA has been increasing its as long as China is in agree- should take into account the The bloc’s leading economic The head of the EU cham- China pushed past the US efforts to improve its big data analytics ment, there could be an of- EU’s relations with the US. power Germany, which holds ber of commerce in Beijing in the third quarter of this capabilities to better manage its data.” ficial announcement from “We also said that we the rotating EU presidency Joerg Wuttke earlier this year to become the EU’s top Detailed big data analytics results Brussels and Beijing by the shouldn’t act too hastily af- until the end of this year, has month said negotiators had trade partner, as the Covid- for other items can be found on the end of the week.” ter seven years of tough ne- made securing the deal a pri- “apparently made great 19 pandemic disrupted the organisation’s official website.THE KOREA No member state inter- gotiations. Meanwhile, such ority of its time at the helm. strides on market access”. US economy while Chinese HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK vened at the meeting to block an item is suddenly added to The European Commis- While Trump’s administra- activity rebounded. AFP More Chinese products set to enter Indonesian heavy equipment market COMPETITION in Indonesia’s as Caterpillar, Volvo and heavy equipment market, Komatsu”, Rodianto noted in a which has already been hit hard press release on December 23 by depressed mineral prices after INTA’s virtual public and investment during the meeting on the group’s per- Covid-19 pandemic, will formance in the third quarter. become much fiercer with the The heavy equipment asso- entry of more Chinese products. ciation reported recently that LiuGong, a leading Chinese the industry, which last year heavy equipment manufactur- operated at only 60 per cent of er, entered the market only a capacity, would end up this few months ago but has gained year with an average of just 30 four per cent of the national per cent of capacity. market, said Eddy Rodianto, But the association projected chief financial officer of pub- a much stronger market next licly listed PT Intraco Penta year as mineral prices had begun (INTA). But US, European and to recover and the expected start Japanese equipment firms such of mass vaccination in the new as Caterpillar, Volvo, Hitachi year would enable significant and Komatsu remain the mar- easing of social mobility restric- ket leaders in the country. tions. Less restrictions on social INTA is a business group distancing would revive activi- engaged in heavy equipment ties in sectors such as construc- engineering, distribution, tion, mining and plantation. maintenance services, financ- Bank Mandiri industry ana- ing and steam power genera- lyst Adjie Harisandi, citing the tion in Bengkulu and Batam. probable increase in the pace A joint venture of INTA’s sub- of infrastructure development, sidiary PT Intraco Penta Prima foresaw market demand growth Servis and PT LiuGong Machin- of at least six per cent next year ery Indonesia has been author- from this year’s level, which ised to market, sell and distrib- itself would average 50 per cent ute heavy machinery and spare of the 2019 sales volume. parts for the LiuGong and In an analysis published in The Dressta brands under an agree- Jakarta Post on December 22, ment signed in May last year. Adjie estimated that equipment “This is a good sign for our sales would grow by about six business, especially because per cent to 6,123 units next year we have also signed a distribu- from the estimated annual sales tion agreement with Spain’s of 5,883 units this year, on the Blumag, a manufacturer of back of recoveries in mining, alternative spare parts for such plantation and construction. THE well known heavy equipment JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World RSF’s report US’ Biden: Trump’s Pentagon lists 387 jailed journalists, ‘a stalling transition, posing risks historic high’ Continued from page 1 S President-elect Joe Biden on December 28 said opponents, and who was exe- Donald Trump’s appointees cuted in December. at the Pentagon were stalling His execution “confirms onU the transition and warned that the Iran’s record as a country that country faces security risks as a result. has officially put the most After he and Vice-President-elect journalists to death in the past Kamala Harris were briefed by their half-century”, it said. transition teams on national secu- Ades-Mevel said RSF had rity, Biden said political appointees also noted the “developing” at the Pentagon as well as the Office trend of violence against of Management and Budget had put media workers covering pro- up “roadblocks”. tests, notably in the US follow- Biden said after the briefing: R“ ight ing the killing of George Floyd, now, we just aren’t getting all the in- and in France against a con- formation that we need from the out- troversial new security law. going administration in key national The total number of journal- security area[s] … It is nothing short, ists killed in 2020 was lower in my view, of irresponsibility.” than the 53 reported in 2019, He said he was seeking a “clear pic- although RSF said fewer jour- ture” from the outgoing administra- nalists worked in the field this tion on the force posture of US troops year because of the Covid-19 around the world. pandemic. “We need full visibility into the bud- In the first part of the report, get planning underway at the defence published this month, RSF department and other agencies in or- said it was concerned that der to avoid any window of confusion measures imposed by govern- or catch-up that our adversaries may ments to fight the pandemic US President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president in a scaled-down ceremony in Washington DC on January 20, next year. AFP try to exploit,” Biden said. had contributed to a “signifi- Trump has refused to concede the election including firing defence sec- the holiday season, an assertion that ing in a “transparent and collegial cant peak in violations of press November 3 election, which Biden won retary Mark Esper, who had distanced the incoming team called untrue. manner” to support the transition. freedom”. by some seven million votes and by 306- himself from the president’s use of Miller released a statement on De- Trump’s last-minute installation of It listed 387 jailed journal- 232 in the state-by-state Electoral Col- force against unarmed anti-racism cember 28 saying the Pentagon’s coor- loyalists at the Pentagon comes amid ists, which it called “a histori- lege. The president has made unsub- demonstrators earlier this year. dination efforts with the transition team high tensions with Iran, which Trump cally high number”. stantiated claims of widespread fraud. Trump’s new acting defence secre- “already surpass those of recent admin- blamed for a rocket attack on the US Fourteen of those had been The Trump administration has tary, Chris Miller, has said that the out- istrations with over three weeks to go”. embassy in Iraq ahead of the January arrested in connection with drawn concern by shaking up the going administration had agreed with He added that Department of De- anniversary of the US killing in Bagh- their coverage of the corona- leadership of the Pentagon since the Biden’s people to pause briefings for fence officials would continue work- dad of a top Iranian general. AFP virus crisis, it said. AFP Telecom towers targeted More Rohingya shipped out to island amid Indian farmer rallies Bangladesh on December 28 started More than 1,600 telephone ees being chased from towers moving a second group of Rohingya refu- towers have been vandalised have been widely shared on gees to a controversial flood-prone island in an Indian state where farm- social media. in the Bay of Bengal despite opposition ers have taken the lead in an Reliance, which is owned by from rights activists. increasingly angry campaign Asia’s richest person, Mukesh More than 1,600 of the Muslim minority against government agriculture Ambani, has not commented hailing from Myanmar were taken to Bha- reforms, officials said. on the vandalism. But mobile shan Char earlier this month, and Foreign The action came as tens of phone services have been af- Minister AK Abdul Momen said just under thousands of farmers marked fected in Punjab which has 1,000 were in the latest batch heading for more than a month of protests 9,000 towers in all. what he called a “beautiful resort”. on major roads leading into the Protesters have also block- Buses took the Rohingya from camps in capital, New Delhi, against new aded one of Punjab’s biggest Cox’s Bazar, where nearly one million refu- market reform laws. cooking oil depots owned by gees are packed, to Chittagong port where Farmers leaders say the re- Adani subsidiary Fortune in the they will be taken to the barren island. forms will lead to a takeover of Punjab city of Amritsar. Momen said: “They are going voluntarily. the agriculture business by In- Farmers have taken over They are very eager to go Bhashan Char be- dian conglomerates and have several kilometres of key roads cause they have heard from their relatives, called for a boycott of groups leading into Delhi, demanding those who have gone to Bhashan Char, that such as Reliance, which owns that the government repeal the [it] is an excellent place.” the telecom towers, and Adani. new laws. He claimed that the island was “100 Farm union leaders have The government says the times better” than the camps, and that the however denied any role in the changes, which allow farmers to refugees had “appealed” to be taken there. guerrilla action against the tele- sell their produce on free mar- “Bhashan Char is a beautiful resort. It is A convoy of buses carries Rohingya refugees being relocated to a controversial flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, in Ukhia, Bangladesh on Monday. AFP com towers in Punjab state, In- kets, are needed to modernise an excellent resort. And once anybody goes dia’s agricultural heartland. the rural sector – the founda- there, they will love it,” the minister added. “It is better I go and live the rest of my 56sq km island, despite criticism from The towers had power sup- tion of the Indian economy – Two Rohingya men in the latest group life there in better housing. At least I won’t rights groups because Bhashan Char is so plies and fibre cables cut while and boost farm incomes. said they were going to the island willingly. have to think about floods during the isolated. some had their generators sto- Farmers, who received huge Nur Kamal, a Rohingya from the giant rainy season and unbearable heat in the The UN said it has not been involved in len, officials said. public subsidies, have de- Kutupalang refugee camp, said he was go- summer.” the process. A source close to Jio, Reli- manded that the laws be re- ing to be with relatives already at Bhashan More than 700,000 Rohingya packed the Amnesty International’s South Asia cam- ance’s mobile phone enter- pealed and minimum prices Char: “What is the point of staying here [in camps in Bangladesh in 2017 after a dead- paigner Saad Hammadi said: “Allegations prise, said more than 1,400 for key produce be guaranteed. the camps] without them?” ly Myanmar military clampdown that the from within the community about cash towers had been vandalised up A new round of talks between Serajul Islam said he was going with five UN has said could be genocide. incentives being offered to Rohingya fami- to December 27. A telecoms in- union leaders and the govern- family members and was not being forced. After the first transfer on December 4, lies to relocate to Bhashan Char as well as dustry official said at least 150 ment is to be held on December He said from the bus taking him to Chit- several Rohingya said they were beaten use of intimidation tactics are making the more were damaged on De- 30. But protesters have vowed tagong: “The way the international com- and intimidated to agree to move. relocation process questionable.” cember 28. to step up their action if there is munity is handling our issue, I don’t see The Bangladesh government eventu- Foreign minister Momen said critics of Videos showing Jio employ- no breakthrough. AFP any future in the camps. ally wants to put 100,000 Rohingya on the the policy were “making up stories”. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN 89 arrested in Bangkok Security team for Duterte gets gambling den raid unauthorised Covid-19 vaccines he Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Decem- EMBERS of Phil- Tber 28 raided a gambling ippine President den in Bangkok’s Chaeng Rodrigo Duterte’s Wattana area and arrested 89 security team alleged gamblers. Mhave received a Chinese-made CIB chief Police Lieutenant- coronavirus vaccine, officials General Torsak Sukwimol said: said on December 28 – the first “The CIB has been working with people in the country to be of- Thung Song Hong police after ficially immunised despite no we received a tip-off that a buil- regulatory approval. ding in Chaeng Wattana Soi 14 The Philippines is in talks with in Bangkok’s Thung Song Hong several pharmaceutical firms, subdistrict was being used as a including Britain’s AstraZeneca, gambling den. US company Pfizer and China’s “At the scene, officials arres- Sinopharm, to secure 60 million ted 89 suspected gamblers – 75 doses for a vaccination drive Thais and 14 foreigners – and starting as early as the second confiscated four gambling quarter of next year. tables and several units of No vaccine has been approved gambling equipment.” by the country’s Food and Drug The detainees were charged Administration (FDA), which is with gambling and violating the required before it can be rolled Emergency Decree on Public out across the country of 110 Administration in Emergency million people. Situations BE2548, which prohi- But the Presidential Security bits unauthorised gathering in a Group (PSG) – which is tasked crowded space. with protecting Duterte – said Torsak said: “Although they Catholic devotees attend a Christmas eve mass maintaining social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus, outside the Quiapo church in Manila. AFP some of its personnel have al- were wearing face masks, the ready been inoculated. firming Duterte’s comments at Roque played down concerns coronavirus have been record- pany using public and private crowded environment might “The PSG administered the weekend that “a select few” about the safety of the Sinop- ed in the Philippines and au- funding. have put them at risk of contrac- Covid-19 vaccine to its person- had been inoculated with the harm drug, saying it was meant thorities fear a post-Christmas Pfizer has applied for - emer ting and spreading Covid-19. nel performing close-in securi- Chinese vaccine. to send a message of hope to surge in infections. gency use authorisation for its “Officials checked their ty operations to the President,” Roque did not explain how Filipinos. The FDA issued a statement vaccine. temperature before taking unit chief Brigadier General the drug was obtained or the He said: “The news is that the on December 28 warning China has four vaccines, in- them into detention, and have Jesus Durante said in a state- number of doses received. The vaccine is already here and if we against the use of unauthorised cluding Sinopharm, in the final contacted the Bangkok public ment, without specifying how Chinese embassy in Manila did cannot be given Western vac- vaccines, noting there was “no stages of development and is health office to perform detailed many got the drug. not respond to AFP’s request for cines, our friend and neighbour guarantee on the safety, quality well advanced with mass hu- testing.” Asked if Duterte had been comment. China is willing to give us vac- and efficacy” of a drug that has man testing in a number of He added that the building had immunised, Durante said the Duterte has previously ex- cines. not undergone technical evalu- countries. been used as a gambling den in president was still waiting “for pressed confidence in vaccines “It’s not prohibited under the ation by the regulator. But unlike vaccines being de- the past and had been ordered the perfect or appropriate vac- made by China and Russia, law to get inoculated with an So far, the Philippines has veloped by Moderna, AstraZen- to shut down, but the gamblers cine”. even offering himself up as unregistered [vaccine]. What signed a deal with AstraZeneca eca and Johnson & Johnson, had returned and reopened the Presidential spokesman Harry a guinea pig for the very first is illegal is the distribution and for 2.6 million doses of its vac- little information has been pub- place. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA Roque said the Sinopharm drug jab of Moscow’s controversial selling.” cine and hopes to secure an- lished about the safety or effica- NEWS NETWORK was given to the soldiers, con- “Sputnik V”. More than 470,000 cases of other 30 million from the com- cy of the Chinese drugs. AFP ‘Charging peaceful protesters violates Covid, Job Creation Law Thailand’s human rights obligations’ remain major challenges Two months after severe emergency those expressing support for them across leaders, musicians, and activists in relation for Indonesian workers restrictions on peaceful protest were lifted the country. to the peaceful protests, said the rights in Thailand, Amnesty International said it Following Prime Minister Prayut Chan- group. The Confederation of Indo- sion would continue into next remains deeply concerned that Thai o-cha’s vow late last month to “enforce all An estimated 220 individuals, including nesian Trade Unions (KSPI) year despite claims from authorities are continuing to intensify their laws” against protesters, officials have initi- children, are facing criminal proceedings says 2021 may be a grim year Coordinating Minister for crackdown on peaceful protesters and ated numerous new cases against protest stemming from the protests. At least 149 of for workers across the Indo- Economic Affairs Airlangga them are being charged for alleged viola- nesian archipelago as the Hartarto that the nation’s tions of the restrictions on public assembly multidimensional crisis trig- economy had started to pick under the Emergency Decree, while 53 are gered by the Covid-19 pan- up. facing charges of sedition, said Amnesty. demic is far from over and the Airlangga recently said the It adds 37 individuals are now facing Job Creation Law remains in arrival of the Covid-19 vac- charges of lese majeste under Article 112 of force. cine would buoy the public’s the Penal Code which carries up to 15 years KSPI president Said Iqbal confidence and sense of secu- of imprisonment, in “an alarming renewal told a virtual press confer- rity, which should lead them of [the] use of the law”. ence on December 28: “The to restart economic activi- Amnesty said it is concerned that author- Covid-19 pandemic has mul- ties. ities are responding to ongoing protests in tiple effects on workers across The minister also claimed a way that has led not only to arbitrary the nation. It will be hard to that the country had man- detention and jail sentences but also to improve workers’ conditions aged to control the economic lengthy time- and resource-consuming unless the [transmission] impact of the pandemic bet- criminal proceedings for anyone targeted. curve is flattened.” ter than other Group of 20 It said: “These have not only a punitive He said KSPI members were (G20) countries. impact on individuals affected, but also a among workers infected and “Contrary to the minister’s corrosive and chilling effect on the enjoy- killed by Covid-19, although claims, reports from our ment of rights for society as a whole.” he did not elaborate on the members suggest that The rights group renewed its calls for the figure. demand continues to plum- government to uphold Thailand’s interna- “New confirmed cases, the met in various sectors, caus- tional human rights obligations with respect fatality rate and the transmis- ing factories to reduce their to the rights to freedom of peaceful assem- sion rate among workers have production. We are pessimis- bly and freedom of expression. been on an increasing trend, tic that the economy will “No one should be harassed or face repris- in a similar fashion to the improve next year,” he said. als because of his or her presence or affili- national Covid-19 curve,” he Said expressed concern that ation with a peaceful assembly,” said said, alleging that lax health the situation could lead to Amnesty. protocol enforcement at fac- massive layoffs next year, as It urged authorities to drop all charges tories was the main reason. companies would seek to cut Amnesty said it is concerned that Thai authorities are responding to ongoing protests in a way against all peaceful protesters and those Said expressed pessimism their losses amid the eco- that has led not only to arbitrary detention and jail sentences but also to lengthy time- and expressing support for them. THE NATION (THAI- over the economic outlook for nomic slump. THE JAKARTA POST/ resource-consuming criminal proceedings for anyone targeted. SUPPLIED LAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 2021, arguing that the reces- ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Better solution for maternal health www.phnompenhpost.com EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Opinion Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Bjorn Lomborg Ly Tayseng Senior Editor Joshua Purushotman N THE next two minutes, one Managing Editor Post Khmer woman will die from complica- Sam Rith tions related to pregnancy and Deputy Chief of Staff childbirth. She will die from Phak Seangly Ientirely preventable causes during Business Editor one of the most beautiful moments May Kunmakara of human life, giving birth. The good Deputy Business Editor news is that there are some solutions Sangeetha Amarthalingam that are inexpensive and effective. Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk In a world besieged by problems Pan Simala from Covid-19 to climate change, it’s Senior Reporters hard to pay attention to the many oth- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng er challenges that still remain. For the Reporters vast majority of the world’s population, Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, these are simple problems of survival: Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, not dying from tuberculosis, getting Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, enough food, breaking free of poverty Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, and getting adequate education. Soth Koemsoeun, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha Vying for scarce resources, these Photographers problems often lose out because they Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey don’t have enough media attention, Web Editor famous spokespeople or viral image- Leang Phannara ry. The harsh truth is we can’t afford Digital Teams to fix all problems. That is why we Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy have to ask hard questions: how big SIEM REAP BUREAU is the problem, what is the solution – Offi ce Manager and crucially, how much will it cost Sophearith Blondeel compared to its effects? PRODUCTION & PRINTING The tragedy of pregnant women and Head of Desktop Publishing their children dying has been on the Nhim Sokphyrak global health community’s radar for a Desktop Publishing long time. Twenty years ago, the UN Getting more mothers into more facilities while also improving the quality of those facilities could help them and their children survive at Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath promised to address the issue. But a greater rate. afp Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna progress to date has not been enough. Yes, maternal deaths declined about that such funds can be mobilised. investments, the world should con- along with neonatal resuscitation. HEAD OFFICE a third from 451,000 per year in 2000 Instead, my think tank Copenhagen sider focusing on what is known as All of this will entail costs. Mid- to about 295,000 today, but we had Consensus, supported by funding Basic Emergency Obstetric and wives and nurses have to be educat- committed to more than a two-thirds from Merck for Mothers, worked with Newborn Care (BEmONC) along ed, recruited, and salaried; manage- reduction by 2015. Since then, we’ve leading maternal health experts to with family planning. An estimated ment expanded; drugs procured; and Post Media Co, Ltd. promised to reduce it even further to use cost-benefit analysis to find the 217 million women who want to infrastructure paid for. Moreover, The Elements Condominium Level 7, Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, around 100,000 deaths by 2030. most cost-effective policies first. avoid pregnancy still don’t have women also have to be incentivised Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom But commitment without action The research focused on the high- access to safe and effective family to give birth in facilities. But overall, Penh, Cambodia doesn’t save pregnant women and est-burden 59 countries that account planning methods. Scaling up BEmONC and family planning would Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 their children. It takes financing and for 91 per cent of all maternal deaths access to 90 per cent in the 59 coun- cost just $2.9 billion per year – less Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 simple procedures. globally. Using the recognised LiST tries would mean that fewer women than a tenth of the $30 plus billion Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 Mothers in the hardest-hit develop- (Lives Saved Tool) model from Johns would become pregnant, avoiding typically asked for, which would save SIEM REAP ing countries are still 80 times more only a fraction more lives. No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune likely to die than their rich-country Commitment without action It would save the women we have Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 counterparts. And their newborns already promised to save at a very COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT also die – last year 2.4 million chil- doesn’t save pregnant women low cost: in total it would save Chief Operating Offi cer dren died in their first 28 days on 162,000 mothers every year along James Ong Soon Teck earth. They die because many wom- and their children. It takes with 1.2 million newborns. If we Advertising Department en either give birth in their own measure the total value of these Chap Narith, 017 996 241 homes, without access to skilled birth financing and simple procedures efforts, each dollar spent would Hun Channet, 017 578 768 attendants, or in facilities with limit- achieve $71 of social benefits per dol- Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 ed basic emergency care. Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public 87,000 mothers dying every year. lar spent, making it one of the best Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 The mothers die from infections Health, the researchers analysed Getting more mothers into more investments in the world. Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 that abound with low hygiene, and more than 30 different ways to help facilities while also improving the qual- While you read this, at least one Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 high blood pressure, that can lead to and found that while all would have ity of those facilities could help them more mother died. We owe it to her CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION seizures. Severe bleeding that can an impact, some would help much and their children survive at a greater and all the millions, whose lives we Acting Distribution Manager happen after childbirth kills 46,000 more per dollar spent. rate. In practice this means ensuring can save, to invest $2.9 billion smart- Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 mothers every year. Two interventions stood out as the that adequately trained staff are ly to bring hundreds of billions of Circulation Supervisor Clearly, something needs to be very best investments for additional present with the right equipment and dollars of economic and health bene- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 done. Development professionals resources. These are straight-forward, medicines to deliver simple and well- fits to people around the world. THE Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 have put forward many proposals without requiring cutting-edge technol- known life-saving procedures. These JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ADMINISTRATION on how to address this global crisis, ogy, but perhaps that is exactly why they include immediate drying and thermal Admin & HR Manager but trying to fix everything every- are not well-known, lacking for celebrity protection of the newborn, controlled Pich Socheat The writer is president of the Copenhagen Assistants to Admin & HR Manager where comes at a cost of over $30 endorsement and media coverage. cord traction, skin-to-skin contact of Consensus and visiting fellow at the Hoover Nhel Soaphea billion per year, and it is unlikely To drive the greatest impact for newborns, assisted vaginal delivery Institution, Stanford University Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Beijing pensioners brave freezing winter for love of table tennis

Two men play table tennis in a park opposite the central business district in Beijing. AFP

hinese pensioner “That’s how it became pop- Some even come on their Ren Qian’s passion ular. Almost all the Chinese own to practise, hitting balls for table tennis keeps started to play ping-pong since repeatedly over the net – by him playing outside then,” he said. the end, dozens lie scattered allC year round, even in the The skyscrapers of Beijing’s on the ground. depths of Beijing’s brutally cold business district tower over Most of the players are old- winters. the tables, tucked away in a er men but there are women The 73-year-old has been quiet corner in Qingfeng Park. too, also usually retirees. For coming to Qingfeng Park in Even as temperatures plunge many, ping-pong harks back the city’s east with his wife to freezing, Ren and his wife to their childhood and is a for the past two years, in a have to compete for a table way to remain active even as bid to stay fit. “When I was with fellow ping-pong lovers. they enter late life. in school, you could see stu- The park’s 10 public tables Ren and his wife live nearby dents play table tennis almost are usually packed from and play for about an hour everywhere,” he remembers. 8:00am to 10:00pm. each day. “We had ping-pong school People come bundled up Many of those playing in teams, and almost all the against the cold in hats and the park also see China’s en- schools held ping-pong com- gloves, wearing face masks during success in the sport as petitions every year – that’s because of the ever-present a source of national pride – at why many people in my age threat of the coronavirus –but the 2016 Rio Olympics, China play very well.” as they heat up, bouncing won all four gold medals. His own interest was piqued around the court, the layers “China wins almost ev- in 1959 when, 10 years after gradually start coming off. ery international ping-pong the founding of communist It’s a scene replicated in competition nowadays,” said China, Rong Guotuan be- parks across the city. Anyone Ren’s wife Bi Jinglan, 70. came the country’s first world can play here without book- “So for the Chinese, we are An elderly couple play table tennis at a park in Beijing. For many at the park, ping-pong harks back to their champion not just in table ing, but must bring their own very proud and delighted to childhood and continues to be a way to remain active even as they enter late life. AFP tennis, but in any sport. bats and balls. play ping-pong.” AFP Slovenians wish for easier 2021 ride with adorned bikes IN SHOP windows, backyards, The wheel, she added, also “We wanted to find a positive The Karst and Brkini economy government protesters have tos online of the decorated bike on streets and public squares, “symbolises action, wind in the challenge for people to promote is heavily dependent on the been riding their bikes through displays from the Karst and many Slovenians have opted hair, moving towards the future tourism in our region . . . and to tourist trade. major cities while criticising Brkini regions, while left-lean- this year for unusual Christmas to face new challenges.” avoid sinking into coronavirus Although Jancigaj Avsec the handling of the coronavirus ing weekly Mladina described and New Year’s decorations in This year, Slovenian biker depression,” Jancigaj Avsec insists the displays are in no crisis. them as “monuments to resist- tribute to the humble bicycle. Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de said. way politically motivated, anti- Protesters have posted pho- ance”. AFP While the Covid-19 pandem- France, while his fellow country- ic may have hit the small nation man Primoz Roglic came sec- of just two million hard, locals ond in the Tour and went on to refuse to give in to the gloom. win the Vuelta a Espana. Instead they prefer to focus Vintage bicycles, racing mod- on one of the few bright spots els, children’s bikes and even of 2020 – their country’s suc- wheels from old horse-drawn cess in cycling competitions, carriages now dot the country- especially the Tour de France, side in Karst and Brkini, home where Slovenians claimed first to longstanding cycling tradi- and second place. tions and boasting many small “We wanted to honour the hotels catering to pedal-pow- results of our bikers and to ered tourists. promote a positive approach During a lockdown to stymie to the current crisis,” Tina Jan- new coronavirus infections, cigaj Avsec said. Avsec is one locals have found welcome of the organisers of “Life in distraction in driving around Karst and Brkini spins on”, the to take pictures of the displays group that set off the decora- and sending them to the tion spree in the southwestern organisers, who promised Many Slovenians have opted this year for unusual Christmas and New A decorated bike and a sign saying ‘Happy 2021’ (Srecno 2021) are seen Slovenian region. prizes for the top 10. Year’s decorations in tribute to the humble bicycle. aFP on display in the small village of Rodik, on Saturday. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Five nature-inspired solutions this year LIMATE change and biodiversity loss are laying bare our de- pendence on the naturalC world for everything from the food we eat to the air we breathe. But nature also holds the solution to other problems, inspiring scientific discovery in a host of unexpected ways. Nature is “a source of inspira- tion for science, because it has figured out the way Earth sup- ports life,” said Lex Amore from the Biomimicry Institute. “It is imperative we look to the biological blueprints that have been successful over millennia to launch ground- breaking ideas faster.” From smelly durian fruit that could charge electric cars to sea sponges that might help build better spaceships, here is a selection of this year’s scien- tific work inspired by nature. Parasitic wasps Removing tumours and blood clots through minimal invasive surgery may soon be- come easier thanks to a flexible, ultra-thin and steerable needle inspired by parasitic wasps. These formidable insects in- ject their eggs into living hosts such as caterpillars through a hollow needle called the ovi- positor. Scientists from the Delft Uni- versity of Technology in the A school made from bamboo is pictured at a village in Sibang, Badung regency on Bali island. Strong, light and cheaper than steel, bamboo is ubiquitous across Asia as scaffolding. AFP Netherlands studied the ovi- In experiments, they cov- positor’s delivery mechanism, ered a strand of spider silk in Bamboo buildings with blades that slide up and wax then dripped resin onto Cars, aeroplanes and build- down alternately, using friction it. As it condensed, the silk ings are mostly made of steel, to push the eggs through. naturally formed a dome, concrete or brick. Researchers designed a nee- which researchers baked in Bamboo has attracted inter- dle made up of sliding rods an ultraviolet oven. est as a versatile construction that imitate the ovipositor, The resulting optical lens is material. But how to make according to a recent study in about the size of a red blood it strong enough? In a May Frontiers in Bioengineering cell and could be used to pic- study published in the ACS and Biotechnology. ture nano-scale objects like Nano, researchers said they They say the new needle is viruses or the insides of bio- had found an answer. capable of reaching deeply bur- logical tissue. By partially removing the ied parts of the body to inject As the lens is made from nat- lignin – an organic substance medicine or remove harmful ural, non-toxic material, it can which forms woody tissue – formations, while minimising safely be used inside the body. and microwaving the bamboo, trauma and patient recovery researchers said its strength time. Sea sponge nearly doubled. This is a starkly different out- An intricately latticed ma- Bamboo is already used to come than for the targets of rine sponge, the Venus’ flower build houses and bridges, but parasitic wasps, whose larva basket (Euplectella aspergil- this new discovery may fur- often devour their caterpillar lum), found in the depths of ther increase its popularity as a host from the inside. the Pacific Ocean could in- A species of Marine sponge, the Venus’ flower basket, seen here in the ocean with a squat lobster in the light, fast-growing and sustain- middle of it. The sponge’s tubular skeleton structure gives it a higher strength-to-weight ratio. AFP spire stronger skyscrapers, able alternative to polluting Spider silk longer bridges and lighter sponge skeletal systems for fruit may be about to add a new out energy smoothly, said co- materials. Spiders make silk to en- spacecraft, according to a more than 20 years, and these unexpected reason for its fame author and Sydney University From forests to the depths tangle unsuspecting bugs, September study published species continue to surprise us,” – helping to charge mobile associate professor Vincent of the oceans, Amore from the but now humans can use it to in Nature Materials. said co-author James Weaver, a phones and electric cars. Gomes. Biomimicry Institute said there make optical lenses capable Scientists discovered that Harvard University scientist. In a February study pub- He added that super-capac- was “so much intelligence” to of picturing viruses that are the structure of the sponge’s lished in the Journal of Energy itors can quickly store large tap into in the natural world. invisible to the naked eye. tubular skeleton gives it a Stinky fruit Storage, scientists described amounts of energy within a “We can use biomimicry, this In a June study published in higher strength-to-weight ra- To some they are succulent how they made extremely small battery-sized device. practice of studying nature the Journal of Applied Phys- tio than traditional designs and delicious, to others they light and porous materials They can then supply en- and replicating its strategies in ics, scientists said they used that have been used for centu- are so overpoweringly stinky called aerogels from the fruit. ergy to charge electronic de- design, to not only learn from daddy-long-legs’ dragline silk ries for buildings and bridges. that they are routinely banned Aerogels are “great super- vices such as mobile phones, nature’s wisdom, but also heal – which makes a web’s frame “We’ve been studying struc- from hotel rooms across capacitors”, which resemble tablets and laptops within a ourselves – and this planet – in – as a support for the lens. ture-function relationships in Southeast Asia. But the durian energy reservoirs that dole few seconds, he added. the process.” AFP

A worker holds a test tube containing Aphidius colemani parasitic A spiderweb is pictured on September 12, 2013 in Godewaersvelde, Scientists described how an extremely light and porous material called wasps at Bioline Agro sciences Company in El Ejido on July 1, 2019. AFP northern France. AFP aerogels can be made out of the durian fruit. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Ukraine passengers arrive at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. Sri Lanka welcomed its first foreign tourists in nine months on Monday despite a new deadlier strain of Covid-19 gripped the island. AFP Sri Lanka receive tourists in spite of new virus strain ri Lanka welcomed its Ukrainian arrivals will be the be a review after one month. first foreign tourists in first of thousands of foreign- Sri Lanka’s international nine months on De- ers to visit – easing pressure borders remain closed, with cember 28 even as a on the tourism-reliant econ- the exception of repatriation newS deadlier strain of the cor- omy that was shut down in flights and charters approved onavirus gripped the island. March. by local health authorities. A charter flight carrying The visitors, who had to pro- But Sri Lanka is also sched- 185 passengers from Ukraine duce coronavirus-free certifi- uled to host a two-Test cricket landed at a little-used airport cates before departure, were tour by England next month. south of the capital, which tested again on arrival at Raja- The moves come despite “SEE?” has been stricken by a surge paksa International airport. authorities announcing a in Covid-19 cases and deaths. They will be confined to deadlier coronavirus strain. ACROSS 52 Whistle insert 22 Weep convulsively In less than three months, their hotels for the duration State Minister of Covid-19 1 Light source 54 Lower the greens? 25 Stands the test of time the official number of corona- of their holiday. Prevention Sudharshini Fer- 5 It makes a stool a chair 56 Climactic move, often 26 Glorify virus fatalities has risen from “This is a pilot project to nandopulle said the strain 9 The ___ (Dutch city) 65 Shop spinner 27 Caterpillar rival 13 to 191, while the number test our systems,” govern- was more infectious than 14 Arab potentate 66 Touch borders with 29 Blockhead 30 Musical “repeat” sign of infections has gone from ment spokesman Ramesh one which spread in Sri Lan- 15 Yodeler’s feedback 67 Fictional lab assistant 32 Tangy quality 3,300 to more than 41,000. Pathirana said. ka between January and Oc- 16 Black hardwood 68 Ovine sign 33 Buddhist who’s attained Nirvana Still, authorities hope the He added that there would tober. AFP 17 It’s harvested in Hawaii 69 Took an elevator 34 Love to pieces 18 Not imaginary 70 Mystic character 35 What some divorcees do 19 Residence 71 Harass 37 Give off coherent light 20 Frown 72 Assigned position 39 Culinary potpourri 23 Highball? 73 Vichyssoise veggie DOWN 42 Displaying the most sass 24 Spread seed 43 Like most bikers Swan Late: Mourning bird 1 Cry of concurrence 25 Went first 48 Tokyo money 2 Eastern nurse 28 Sushi staple 50 It’s sometimes written in the sand 3 Spanish artist Joan 31 Middle East marketplace 53 Lab gels 4 Roam stealthily holds up trains in Germany 36 Jump on ice 55 Spin 5 Lack of vitamin B causes it 38 Feels regret over 56 Thick serving of ribs 6 Superb, in slang A swan mourning the death after getting caught in the companion away from the 40 Africa’s Cape ___ 57 Animal born open-eyed 7 Online activity 41 Shining unexpectedly 58 Uplifting company? of its companion on a Ger- overhead power cables, said area. 8 Caffeine-laden nuts 44 Upper bodies 59 Playground shout man railway track held up 23 the statement on the Decem- Twenty-three trains were 9 Sultry stretch 45 Strike-zone boundary 60 Pastoral woodwind trains for almost an hour and ber 23 incident, which was delayed for about 50 minutes 10 French cleric 46 Button on a butcher’s scale 61 Hosiery shade had to be removed by fire- made public on December 28. while the rescue operation 11 Blunder 47 Like a quiet town 62 Hot-and-cold fits fighters using special equip- Its companion then sat be- took place, the police state- 12 Rollback command 63 Bar ___ 49 Fly-by-night birds 13 Observer ment, police said. side the body in mourning, ment said. 64 Yiddish “trash” The two birds had strayed resisting attempts by officials The surviving swan was 51 Lou Grant’s anchorman 21 Girl in the woods onto the track area of the high- to lure it away and temporar- unharmed and later released speed line between Kassel and ily closing the line to traffic. onto the river Fulda, it added. Tuesday’s solution Gottingen in central Germany Firefighters with special According to Britain’s Royal “during an excursion”, accord- equipment were later called Society for the Protection of ing to Kassel police. in and managed to lift the Birds, swans try to find a mate One of the birds died, likely dead swan and its surviving for life. AFP

Tuesday’s solution

Swans swim at a pond in the garden of castle Nymphenburg in Munich, southern Germany. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Real chase Atletico, Barca’s Messi absent eal Madrid will at- The club is said to be con- Liga three of the past four years, tempt to sign off the sidering an appeal. has inspired a turnaround at year with a sixth win Diego Costa has reportedly Balaidos after the team won just on the bounce as asked to terminate his contract one of their first 10 matches. ZRinedine Zidane’s in-form side for family reasons, having just The 33-year-old Aspas, who continue their pursuit of La Liga returned from a blood clot that in November became the leaders and city rivals Atletico sidelined the Brazil-born Spain club’s all-time leading scorer in Madrid on December 30. international for a month. the top flight, has netted eight Defending champions Real Joao Felix is expected to re- times in 15 appearances this are level on 32 points with turn after missing the 2-0 win term and led Celta back into Atletico but have played two at Real Sociedad, although the top half following four wins games more than Diego Sim- the Portuguese star hasn’t in five games before Christ- eone’s men ahead of their trip scored in the league since mas. to Elche. November 7. Much – like with Real and Karim Benzema has been Barcelona will bid to end a Benzema, who is level at the the driving force behind Real’s turbulent 2020 on a winning top of the scoring charts with excellent December run, note at home to Eibar, but Aspas, Celta’s success in 2021 claiming key goals in wins Ronald Koeman’s side will be could heavily rely on the for- over Athletic Bilbao, Eibar and without Lionel Messi after the mer Liverpool attacker. Granada after securing the Argentine was granted an ex- club a spot in the Champions tended break as he recovers Stats League knockout phase. from an ankle knock. 500 – Diego Simeone will Eden Hazard is also in line to The six-time Ballon d’Or take charge of his 500th match feature after recovering from his winner admitted his aborted as Atletico boss against Getafe latest injury setback. The Bel- departure in the summer had on December 30. He has won gian was an unused substitute affected him at the start of the 300 games since his appoint- in last week’s victory over Gran- season, but said he felt “excit- ment in December 2011. ada and has made just three ed” to play under Koeman. 35 – Lionel Messi has been league starts this campaign. “Barca is my life, I’m in love involved in more La Liga goals Real coach Zinedine Zidane with the club. And the city, my than any other player this year. hopes the short festive break children were born here,” said The Argentine has scored 19 afforded to his players over Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke (left) vies with Real Madrid forward Vazquez for the ball in the La Liga match Messi in an interview with times and provided 16 assists. Christmas will not interrupt the on December 12. afp Spanish TV channel La Sexta 9 – the number of games momentum built over a domes- “We’re going to lose games 26-match unbeaten league The England defender, an broadcast on December 27. without a win for Real Sociedad tic five-game winning streak. again, but we’re going to try to run. ever-present for Atletico in La “I feel good right now, ready across all competitions. Two “We’re going to keep working win as many as possible. From However, the loss of Kieran Liga and Europe this term, was to fight for everything.” weeks ago the Basques held hard. We have an awful lot of time to time it’s inevitable.” Trippier is a substantial blow recently hit with a 10-week top spot, but three successive games, we should be pleased Atletico have responded well to a defence that has conceded ban for breaching betting rules Player to watch: Iago Aspas defeats have dropped Imanol with what we’re doing,” said to the 2-0 defeat by Real earlier just five goals in 13 matches, and will be unavailable until The Celta Vigo forward, the Alguacil’s side six points off the Zidane. this month that snapped their easily the fewest in the division. March. leading Spanish scorer in La pace. afp New Year party rumour puts Neymar in controversy

Brazil’s star footballer Neymar Metropoles website who is region where Neymar’s villa is tion about this party,” the town is at the centre of a new contro- renowned for his scoops on located “that will host around hall said in a statement. versy after several Brazilian celebrities, even named the 150 people . . . while respecting Neymar, who hasn’t played media reported that he’s organis- artists due to perform at Ney- all the health rules determined since December 13 when he ing a huge New Year’s Eve party mar’s party, such as Ludmilla by the public bodies.” injured his ankle against Lyon, despite the coronavirus pandemic, and Wesley Safadao. But Neymar’s lawyers denied hasn’t commented on the party a claim his lawyers denied. Guests’ mobile phones are a party had been planned or and in recent days has posted Acelmo Goes, a columnist allegedly due to be confiscated that the Agencia Fabrica event pictures of his family on social for the O Globo newspaper, on the door to prevent any evi- was related to the football star. media without commentaries. wrote that the Paris Saint-Ger- dence finding its way onto “No! This is a Fabrica event. His Mangaratiba mansion is main forward is hosting 500 social media. It is not related to Neymar,” located on a 10,000sqm plot of people for a week-long party Brazil has suffered the sec- they said. land that includes a heliport, at his luxury beachside man- ond-largest number of Covid- Neymar’s villa is in Manga- sports pitches, spa, sauna, sion near Rio de Janeiro that 19 related deaths in the world ratiba, a small town in an area massage parlor, gymnasium started on December 26 and with more than 191,000, while of luxury seaside resorts in Rio and dining areas. will last until New Year’s Day. 7.4 million people have con- de Janeiro state. It’s where he previously spent Neymar, who is no stranger to tracted the virus. The local town hall has plead- his time recovering from injuries controversies over his parties, A specialist events agency, ed with its 41,000 inhabitants and also where he headed from allegedly even installed sound- Agencia Fabrica, released a not to hold end of year parties March to June when the corona- proofing equipment to try to statement confirming it had and has erected barriers to pre- virus was raging in France lead- avoid bothering his neighbours. been contracted for a New vent people congregating. ing to the suspension of profes- Brazil’s Neymar reacts after his goal was disallowed for off-side in a Leo Dias, a columnist for the Year’s event in the Costa Verde “We don’t have any informa- sional football. afp 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier. afp Solskjaer keen to extend Cavani’s time at Man United Manchester United man- and has made a great impact one of the fittest players we’ve got.” returned to the Premier League ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since he’s come here.” Cavani will be available for two and a half years ago. believes Edinson Cavani still Cavani has scored four goals the visit of Wolves to Old Traf- But Solskjaer is hoping his has years left as a top striker and in 13 appearances for United ford on December 29, but could side’s struggles at home early is keen to extend the Uruguay- and came off the bench to set up soon be back on the sidelines in the season have been blown an’s contract at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes’s goal in after being charged by the Foot- away by a 6-2 thrashing of The 33-year-old Uruguayan December 26’s 2-2 draw at ball Association with miscon- Leeds in their last outing at signed a one-year deal in Sep- Leicester. duct for a social media post. Old Trafford. tember after months without However, Solskjaer dismissed After scoring twice as United “We are improving definite- a club since leaving Paris suggestions Cavani’s role will came from 2-0 down to beat ly. We’re getting better and bet- Saint-Germain. be that of an impact substitute. Southampton 3-2 last month, ter at finding different solu- United have the option to “He’s definitely a starter. You Cavani thanked a friend on Insta- tions in different games,” said extend Cavani’s contract for don’t classify a player of that gram using the Spanish word the Norwegian. another season and Solskjaer quality as anything else,” add- “negrito” (small black person). “But we know that Wolver- suggested he expects the club ed Solskjaer. Both United and Cavani said hampton have got quality as to do so. “He’ll probably start more at the time that the word was well and they will give us prob- “At the moment he looks like he games than not.” clearly used in an affectionate lems if we’re too open.” has a few years left in him so I “He’s so meticulous and pro- manner and has different con- Victory could lift United up wouldn’t say anything else,” said fessional with his habits, eve- notations in South America. to second place in the Premier Solskjaer when asked if Cavani rything about him shows why United have not beaten League table should other Manchester United striker Cavani (centre) reacts after the English League will remain for another season. he’s had the career he’s had. Wolves in four attempts since results go their way on Decem- Cup quarterfinal match against Everton on December 23. pool/afp “He’s been a great influence “At the age he’s now, he’s still Nuno Espirito Santo’s men ber 28. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport NBA issues Lampard face pressure as Chelsea 76ers’ Morey fail to win, Man City postpone match $50K fine helsea failed to will now close for an “indeter- over tweet ease the mounting minate period” with further pressure on manager testing on players and staff to Philadelphia 76ers’ presi- Frank Lampard as take place before it can reopen. dent of basketball operations ACston Villa came from behind City are due to face Chelsea Daryl Morey, whose tweet last to earn a 1-1 draw at Stamford away in the Premier League year about Hong Kong protest- Bridge on December 28, as a on January 3 and Manchester ers led to an NBA-China rift, is coronavirus outbreak at Man- United in the League Cup in trouble again for another chester City caused their clash semi-finals on January 6. social media posting. at Everton to be postponed. “The Premier League Board The NBA said on December Lampard’s men have now received medical advice that 28 it has issued Morey a $50,000 won just one of their last five the match should be post- fine for violating the league’s league games to fall six points poned,” the Premier League anti-tampering rule. behind leaders Liverpool in said in a statement. The penalty was imposed for sixth and having played a game “The Premier League con- a since-deleted social media more than the champions. tinues to have full confidence post Morey made on Decem- Chelsea also trail Villa on in its protocols and rules, and ber 20 regarding Houston goal difference, despite Dean the way in which all clubs are Rockets star James Harden, the Smith’s men having two games implementing them.” NBA’s top scorer each of the in hand, and the visitors were past three seasons. well worthy of a point. Leicester pay penalty Harden has said he wants to “Now it’s a tough moment Earlier, a much-changed be traded from the Rockets and and you have to fight through Leicester moved up to sec- one of the teams he indicated it,” said Lampard. ond thanks to Harvey Barnes’ he would accept a deal to join “Nobody let me down tonight, late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at was the 76ers. everyone worked, we just didn’t Crystal Palace. The tweet celebrated a feat quite get the rub of the green.” With little over 48 hours rest done by Harden a year earlier. Lampard was able to make between the Foxes’ 2-2 draw Morey knows Harden’s tal- six changes from the side beat- with Manchester United on ents well. Morey had served as en at Arsenal 48 hours ago. December 26 and the trip to general manager of the Rockets Olivier Giroud was one of Selhurst Park, Leicester boss from 2007 until departing this those drafted into the side and Brendan Rodgers made seven past October and then joining the French international proved changes with Jamie Vardy, the 76ers last month. his worth with a precise near James Maddison and Youri In October 2019, Morey sent post header from Ben Chilwell’s Tielemans among those left tweets supportive of protests in cross to open the scoring with on the bench. Hong Kong, leading China to his ninth of the season. Chelsea striker Giroud (centre) vies with Aston Villa midfielder Luiz (left) and defender Hause in an EPL Vardy in particular was stop NBA television coverage football match at Stamford Bridge on December 28. pool/afp By contrast, Smith made missed as Kelechi Iheanacho for a year and sever sponsor- just one enforced change carried off the pitch with ex- The Manchester giants an- “With the security of the had a first-half penalty saved ship ties and other deals. from the team that played for haustion,” said Smith. “I’m a nounced on Christmas Day bubble compromised, there by Vicente Guaita. The 76ers are off to a 2-1 start 45 minutes with 10 men in the big believer in you want to play there had been positive tests posed a risk that the virus Wilfried Zaha’s stunning near to the 2020-2021 campaign 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on every game and if they are do- at the club for players Kyle could spread further amongst post volley then put the Eagles while the Rockets lost their December 26. ing well keep playing them.” Walker and Gabriel Jesus and the squad, the staff and po- in front against the run of play. opener after having a game But Villa showed no signs of two staff members. tentially beyond,” City said in Vardy was summoned from postponed when they could not fatigue in the second-half and Covid outbreak at Man City A further round of tests a statement. the bench to find a route back field a minimum eight players. levelled when Anwar El Ghazi For just the second time revealed more positives on “Based on strong medical into the game, but instead it Absences were due to Covid- turned home his fifth goal in as since the 2019-2020 Premier December 28, reportedly for advice, the Premier League, in was the in-form Barnes who 19 issues, including Harden many games from Matty Cash’s League match season re- three players, leading to the consultation with both clubs, scored an excellent equaliser as needing to be isolated and cross five minutes into the sec- sumed in June, a match was Premier League to agree to have decided to postpone the he wriggled clear of a number of tested after appearing at a ond-half. postponed due to coronavirus City’s request for the match fixture.” Palace challenges before firing party in violation of NBA safe- “I’m still yet to see a player infections after a spike at City. to be called off. The club’s training ground into the bottom corner. AFP ty protocols. AFP Du Plessis, South Africa punish injury-hit Sri Lanka Sri Lanka lost two early second tively five or six wickets down. Lanka’s second innings to leave more likely because of the Cov- be fit for the second Test starting score and appeared to be cruis- innings wickets after taking a Former captain Faf du Plessis the tourists on 65 for two, still id-19 pandemic. in Johannesburg on January 3. ing to a double century before pounding from South Africa’s led the batting assault, hitting 160 runs behind, on a pitch of “I will be having a chat at the Looking further ahead he said he tried to loft Hasaranga over batsmen on the third day of the 199 as South Africa took a com- increasingly unpredictable end of this Test match,” said De Silva could miss a series his head and hit a simple catch first Test at SuperSport Park in manding 225-run first innings bounce. Arthur. “I saw India lost one of against England starting in mid- to Karunaratne at mid-on. Centurion on December 28. lead. Flower said batsman Dhanan- their quicks today and I suspect January but that Angelo Math- Du Plessis shared partner- However, batting coach Grant Then fast bowler Lungi Ngidi jaya de Silva was out of the all teams will lose quicks as it ews, who missed the South ships of 179 for the fifth wicket Flower said they were effec- struck twice at the start of Sri series after suffering a torn goes on because the rigours of African tour because of injury, with Temba Bavuma (71) and thigh muscle on the first day, the workloads are going to be could be fit to face England. 133 for the seventh wicket with while fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha too much with Covid around Debutant leg-spinner Wanin- Keshav Maharaj, who made a and Lahiru Kumara were and the quarantine process.” du Hasaranga was off the field Test-best 73. The former cap- unlikely to bat after suffering He blamed the spate of inju- for part of the afternoon after tain admitted he had a point to groin injuries while bowling. ries on conditioning, with play- falling on the ball trying to prove after being criticised First innings top scorer Dinesh ers having had to train in their make a diving save on the after South Africa lost a series Chandimal saw out the day in homes during lockdown in boundary. But he returned to against England last season. partnership with Kusal Perera Colombo, then playing in the finish with four wickets, albeit “The highest tree sometimes but lay down near the boundary Lanka Premier League for a at the high cost of 171 runs. gets the most wind. [In] the as he left the field and had to be month until shortly before At one stage, Sri Lanka had series against England we didn’t driven to the dressing room on departure for South Africa. four substitutes on the field, play our best cricket and there a motorised stretcher rather “In terms of loads, condition- while captain Dimuth Karu- was a lot of pressure on me as than climb the steep steps to the ing and quarantining, I think naratne and Kusal Mendis were captain,” he said. dressing room. you can throw all of them into called into action as emergency Du Plessis said he had used Head coach Mickey Arthur a melting pot and every one of bowlers. the long Covid-induced break to said he would use his position them probably plays a role.” Du Plessis and the other prepare himself to be the best on the International Cricket South African batsmen took cricketer he could be. “It was a Council’s cricket committee to Career best for Du Plessis advantage with a free-scoring statement to people who might South Africa’s Faf du Plessis plays a shot that leads to his dismissal at discuss the possibility of injury He said he hoped leading fast display. Du Plessis made his have doubted my ability to say 199 runs in a Test match against Sri Lanka on Monday. AFP substitutes, with injuries being bowler Suranga Lakmal would highest Test and first-class that I can still improve.” AFP