N U MB E R 3450 ssue I wednesday, june 24, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL

city hall to ban ministry, firm set countries Push Lorries from Hun to sign mou on for covid-19 Sen Boulevard safe vegetables immunity note national – page 3 business – page 6 world – page 10 Kingdom gets more Chinese aid for virus fight

Ry Sochan Monday, Sar Kheng said he is by China include 500 medical agencies of both countries. Wang said the two countries two countries,” Wang said. ready to collaborate with the glasses, 10,000 medical gloves, Ministry secretary of state have been collaborating against Chinese President Xi Jinping MINISTER of Interior Sar Kheng Chinese on various matters. 10,000 KN95 masks, 50,000 sur- Sork Setha told The Post on cyber-gambling, online crime, told Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed hope that a gift of “This spirit of mutual sup- gical face masks and 500 units Tuesday the masks will be dis- catching fugitives and combat- during his visit to Beijing in Covid-19 prevention materials port will contribute to further of medical protective clothing. tributed to the police forces. ing drug offences. February that China would from China’s Ministry of Public strengthening the relationship Sar Kheng said the materials Ambassador Wang Wentian “The Chinese side is pleased work more closely with Cam- Security to his ministry will and collaboration between the provided by China are a clear sign was quoted as saying on the Chi- to continue to strengthen law bodia and other countries in an strengthen the relationship two countries,” the ministry of caring and consideration for nese embassy’s Facebook page enforcement cooperation with open spirit of transparency to between the two governments. said in a statement. Cambodia. He said he would con- that China and Cambodia have the Cambodian side and we respond to Covid-19 and pro- At a meeting with Chinese It continued that the Covid-19 tinue encouraging cooperation been helping each other since have created a defence system mote public health security in ambassador Wang Wentian on prevention materials supplied between the law-enforcement the outbreak of Covid-19. for the common destiny of the the region and beyond. Thailand to keep Poipet border shut amid Covid Khorn Savi “Vendors also have to fill out a health form and have a health check HAILAND on Tuesday again from the Ministry of Health first.” denied a request from A Sa Kaeo provincial official also Banteay Meanchey provin- confirmed that the Poipet-Ban cial authorities to reopen Khlong Luk border checkpoint was theT Poipet international border not to be opened soon. checkpoint to its Sa Kaeo province. Neither Reatrey nor deputy gov- The border has been closed since ernor Ly Sary could be reached for March due to Covid-19 concerns. further comment on Tuesday. Discobedience Banteay Meanchey provincial But Sary told reporters on Monday An activist from the Extinction Rebellion movement’s Red Brigade walks past other activists staging a Die-In as they demonstrate for climate justice in a parade titled Discobedience in Berlin’s Neukoelln district, Germany, on Sunday. AFP governor Um Reatrey met with Sa that the request to meet with Thai Kaeo governor Workhan Suwannun officials in Sa Kaeo province to reo- via video conference to discuss the pen the Poipet border checkpoint reopening. The purpose is to allow was made at the request of Cambo- Cambodians, especially vendors, dian vendors who are worried about enter Thailand to do business at the their livelihoods. UN: Schools elude 260M children Rong Kluea market. Ly Meng Huy, a vendor at the Rong The Thai side has only allowed Khluea market, told The Post that NEARLY 260 million children had no youth were entirely excluded from ing from home using laptops, mobile vendors to check on their products. vendors wanted to enter Thailand access to schooling in 2018, a UN education, with poverty as the main phones and the internet, millions of On its Facebook page, the Banteay at this time because the Covid-19 agency said in a report on Tuesday obstacle to access”, said the report. others were cut off entirely. Meanchey Provincial Administration situation had improved. that blamed poverty and discrimina- This represented 17 per cent of all UNESCO director-general Audrey said: “Thai officials in Sa Kaeo decided He said Cambodian vendors are tion for educational inequalities that school-age children, most of them Azoulay wrote in a foreword: “Les- to keep the Poipet checkpoint closed also worried about their goods left are being made worse by the corona- in south and central Asia and sub- sons from the past – such as with and not allow Khmer vendors to enter in the market stalls, which have not virus outbreak. Saharan Africa. Ebola – have shown that health crises to sell goods in the market yet. been checked on. Children from poorer communities The disparities worsened with the can leave many behind, in particular “The Thai authority has only “It should be simplified so Cam- as well as girls, the disabled, immi- arrival of the coronavirus crisis, the poorest girls, many of whom may agreed in principle to allow vendors bodians can go back to the market grants and ethnic minorities were at which saw over 90 per cent of the never return to school.” to enter the market to check and as normal. We thought the border a distinct educational disadvantage in global student population affected The report noted that in low and return goods to Cambodia and only would be closed for only a month. many countries, the UN’s Paris-based by school closures, said the report. middle-income countries, adolescents allows 50 trucks. But each truck can education body UNESCO said. And while children from families have only two people. Continued – page 3 In 2018, “258 million children and with means could continue school- Continued – page 9

THE PHNOM PENH POST China, Cambodia sign off National News on $7 million MLC projects Inside page 2 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National China, Cambodia sign off on $7 million MLC projects Niem Chheng for industrial production. and mutual assistance, he He said the signing ceremo- said, were gaining greater pub- FOREIGN Affairs and Interna- ny was timely and symbolic lic support. He confirmed that tional Cooperation Minister given the challenging time Cambodia has had the largest Prak Sokhonn and Chinese amid the pandemic and dem- number of LMC projects for ambassador to Cambodia onstrated the MLC’s strong three consecutive years – 55 in Wang Wentian on Tuesday foundation. total, including this year’s signed an agreement covering “Since the launch of the MLC projects – at a total value of 20 cooperation projects worth Special Fund in 2016, these over $20 million. more than $7 million. projects have contributed to “It fully reflects the active The projects are made pos- enhancing the socio-economic engagement of Cambodia in the sible by the Mekong-Lancang development of the Mekong- LMC and demonstrates that the Cooperation (MLC) Special Lancang countries through nar- China-Cambodia cooperation Fund 2020. rowing development gaps, within it is fruitful. We hope the According to a ministry press deepening mutual understand- projects will help improve the release, the new 20 projects ing and trust, and strengthening Cambodian people’s livelihoods cover a wide range of sectors our capacity to better respond and speed up development of related to socio-economic to the needs of our people. the economy, society and other development, human resourc- “Let me conclude by reaffirm- areas,” he said. Representatives of unions and confederations while delivering a joint petition on seniority payments. central es development, cybersecurity, ing Cambodia’s commitment to Wang said the application capacity building, tourism, strengthening and deepening process for next year’s projects and environmental services the bond of friendship between is now underway and he and natural protection. the Mekong countries and Chi- expects quality projects will be Sokhonn said similar na,” Sokhonn said. announced which will provide Groups petition for projects last year made sub- Wang said the LMC has dem- more support for economic stantial progress and produced onstrated the advantages of and social development in the many tangible benefits for geographical proximity, cul- region. Cambodians. tural similarity and people-to- He said China will promote seniority payments “I would like to extend my people friendship among the the LMC to a new level to help profound appreciation for the six countries in the region. He the sub-regional economy Voun Dara that this notice be cancelled.” ers to pay seniority payments invaluable and continuing said it promoted their wide- recover from difficulties and He said Nin Vannak, the from before 2019 for the textile, support provided by the Gov- ranging and in-depth mutu- make China’s proper contribu- OURTEEN repre- deputy secretary-general of garment and footwear sectors. ernment of the People’s ally beneficial cooperation. tion to the economic stability sentatives of trade the ministry’s Committee for They want employers to Republic of China to the Royal The LMC’s ideals of equality of Asia and the world. unions and confed- the Settlement of Strike and make the new seniority pay- Government of Cambodia for erations on Monday Demonstration, received the ments for this year for all sec- the additional 20 new projects submittedF a joint petition to petition. tors under Article 89 of the La- under the MLC Special Fund Minister of Labour and Voca- Vannak, he said, promised bour Law and Prakas No 443 2020,” he said. tional Training Ith Sam Heng to inform top management of of the ministry, which allows He said the new projects would requesting the government the confederations and unions workers to receive income to further contribute to a broad cancel the June 2 notice de- of the outcome next week. provide for their families. range of activities in the field of laying the 2019-2020 senior- “They will consider our pe- Responding to the petition, rural development, water ity payments for workers in tition. At this stage, we’re not ministry spokesperson Heng resources, agriculture, air con- all sectors. hoping for a solution, but we Sour told The Post on Tuesday nectivity, education and cultural Building and Wood Work- have to do this because the that all persons had the right heritage, among others. ers Trade Union Federation matter is useful to workers to forward a petition. Cambodia-China coopera- of Cambodia (BWTUC) pres- and employees.” “We received it already and tion, bilaterally and multilat- ident Sok Kin and another The petition said that em- hope that all individuals will erally, he said, had not lost any petition representative told ployers have suspended read the notice of the minis- significance despite Covid-19, The Post on Tuesday that the thousands of workers be- try again. We hope everyone and that China made Cambo- 14 represent the hotel, tour- cause of Covid-19. is united to correctly follow a dia a top priority in its contri- ism, service and construc- “Workers are facing prob- meaningful notice of the min- bution to contain the pan- tion sectors. lems such as paying back istry which will help retain demic and alleviate its Kin said: “If Prakas No 018/20 regular loans including prin- millions of jobs in the current socio-economic impact. dated June 2, 2020, on the de- cipal and interest, paying for circumstance. Sokhonn said China has lay of the 2019-2020 seniority medical care, assisting family “If they were capable [of speedily dispatched anti-epi- payments of this ministry is members and taking care of meeting their commitments], demic supplies and medical still effective, then workers daily essentials.” then factories or enterprises experts to assist Cambodia, and will not receive their senior- The letter requested that the would not have been shut down ships were specially engaged to Chinese ambassador Wang Wentian (left) and Cambodian foreign minister ity pavements. So, we request ministry encourage employ- or suspended,” Sour said. ensure the flow of raw materials Prak Sokhonn. HENG CHIVOAN Stung Treng bracing for floods, evacuation Voun Dara be stockpiled at warehouses. He said flooding in Steung THE Stung Treng provincial Treng had been especially bad Committee for Disaster Man- during the 2018-2019 season. agement has prepared 120 ar- Last year, more than 9,000 eas in higher ground to serve families fell victim as they as a refuge for citizens after the were directly or indirectly af- Ministry of Water Resources fected by the floods, he said. and Meteorology predicted a He said the provincial disaster high risk of floods during this management committee had year’s rainy season. laid out two separate plans to This year’s floods could be prevent fires and droughts. comparable to last year’s, or The provincial hall on Tuesday the floods of 1994, provincial said because of Steung Treng’s administration spokesper- location in the northeast, it is son Men Kong said at a press the first province to be affected conference on Tuesday at the by floods which occur along the Council of Ministers. Mekong River in Laos. Kong further said last year’s Provincial governor Mom floods did not cause any Saroeun said all relevant par- deaths but 3,528 people were ties had joined the provincial evacuated to higher ground. administration in preparing to Water levels during last year’s prevent floods this year. floods and that of 1994, he “We . . . monitor the water sit- said, reached 12m. uation regularly and other de- This year, he said the Na- partments have prepared tools tional and provincial commit- and personnel, including res- tees for disaster management cue and operations experts to had also prepared materials to safeguard security,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Culture ministry calls Lorries to be banned from for tighter protection capital’s Hun Sen Boulevard of forests and fisheries Long Kimmarita Soth Koemsoeun Kampot provincial Depart- ment of Agriculture, Forestry HE Phnom Penh THE Ministry of Agriculture, and Fisheries deputy director Municipal Hall will Forestry and Fisheries has di- Hean Norn on Tuesday said temporarily suspend rected its municipal and pro- there used to be cases of land- lorries from travel- vincial departments to take grabbing, especially in the Prey lingT along Hun Sen Boule- measures to prevent forestry Kong Kang mangrove forest vard, also known as Boule- and fisheries crimes. along the creek and seafront. vard 60m, after it discovered A letter released on June 19 The price of land in some areas they had transported sand on said all offences related to illegal has increased dramatically, Norn the road and caused frequent fishing, logging, seizing flooded said, adding that some oppor- traffic accidents resulting in forests, delivering forest prod- tunists steal state land to sell it. deaths and injuries. ucts and stealing land by burn- “Kampot administration, dis- Municipal Hall spokesper- ing and bulldozing forests are trict authorities and experts from son Met Meas Pheakdey told outlawed but still happen no- the ministry have taken legal The Post on Tuesday that the ticeably at some provinces. measures on many of these cas- measure had been raised at a The ministry said it is ramp- es. Some cases went to court as recent working group meet- ing up its effort to ensure the ef- implementation of the law was ing led by municipal governor fectiveness of natural resources strengthened. It also served as a Khuong Sreng. management, especially con- warning to others,” Norn said. Pheakdey said speeding was cerning forests and fisheries. Adhoc community empower- also a factor when the admin- Kampong Thom provincial ment officer Pen Bunna said on istration chose to implement Department of Agriculture, Tuesday that he had previously the measure. Forestry and Fisheries director released letters reminding mu- “We took the measure be- Pen Vannarith told The Post on nicipal and provincial officials cause we saw shortfalls in Tuesday that he read the letter. to perform their duties. lorry drivers who drive for The letter aimed to remind But he said the work of some companies. We cannot blame provincial officials of their du- provincial officials was inef- the companies themselves, The municipal hall says some lorries transport sand on the road and caused frequent accidents. Hean Rangsey ties, he said, adding that his fective. There is no prevention saying they are wrong. team had continuously worked or solution besides appealing “Drivers drive fast without road, endangering others. to pumping sand with hoses. Vimeandara said: “If this to preventing the offences. to higher authorities to inter- care and attention and they Meanchey district deputy “We gave them one month work can be done, it will be very He said Kampong Thom has vene, he said. tend to cause dangerous governor Dy Roth Khemrun because we believe that these good because we know a great a large area of flooded land and “If the ministry knows that situations. So, we have to do told The Post on Tuesday that development companies will many lorry [drivers] transport fisheries conservation areas. there are still offences and something to prevent these only lorries transporting soil be able to do that.” soil and sand in the developing Vannarith said there used to officials cannot tackle them, problems and create order in and sand will be suspended, District police chief Meng area during the rainy months. be culprits who stole land, but the secretary of state, under- our transportation,” he said. but cars can continue using Vimeandara told The Post on “Soil and sand flow out in authorities and experts cracked secretary of state and other Pheakdey said lorries trans- the road. The measure will be Tuesday that over the past five the rain and they become a down on them, and the sus- high ranking officials should porting soil and sand along effective from August. years, traffic accidents along factor for traffic accidents. If pects were sent to court. file complaints about offend- the road disregarded guidance He said: “Lorries are sus- Hun Sen Boulevard resulted the senior leadership thinks “The letter aims to remind ers who abused the law. from the municipal hall. The pended from travelling along in five deaths, seven serious it’s a problem that can be officials not to forget their du- “If they do so, it will be very lorries were often not prop- Boulevard 60m. Lorry drivers injuries and two minor ones. solved, then it is good be- ties. The ministry reminded us powerful. I believe that no one erly covered, thereby causing will be given one month to Most of the accidents had been cause drivers tend to drive more about achieving effec- would dare abuse the law if soil and mud to scatter on the change from transporting sand caused by lorries. fast on this big road.” tiveness in our work,” he said. that is done,” Bunna said. K Chhnang police probe woman’s death after fire Kim Sarom must have evidence like wood, died in a fire at around 3pm. but there is no wood, so we are He went to the scene at SAMAKI Meanchey district investigating,” Chenda said. 7:35pm, where he found Thorn’s police are investigating the Thorn allegedly drank alco- body and the destroyed cottage. death of a woman who was hol regularly. Police assume That cottage was very small killed in a fire at her cottage on she drank on the day she died and Vann said the police don’t Sunday in Kampong Chhnang and theorised that it could be suspect foul play. “It was discov- province’s Peam commune. possible she lit a fire for her ered that she went to the cot- District police chief Seng clay stove and fell asleep. tage alone. Several hours later, Chenda told The Post on Mon- Citing locals, Peam com- she died in a fire,” he said. day that the victim, 56-year- mune police chief Sao Vann After the incident, Kam- old Chea Thorn, left behind a said Thorn’s cottage was 6km pong Chhnang provincial po- husband and several children. from her home and far from lice chief Khov Ly ordered his Police are investigating any neighbours or buildings. forces to guard the scene for whether someone started the On Sunday, the victim went the night and question people fire or she started it herself. to the cottage at her farm in the area. On Monday morn- “According to the assumption at 8am. At 7:13pm, Vann re- ing, provincial experts went to of experts, if it’s a murder case, we ceived news that Thorn had check the scene, he said. A cart puller at the Poipet international border checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province. Heng Chivoan ‘Vendors have sold belongings to Young mother killed over ‘jealousy’ buy products for sale in Thailand’ Kim Sarom know his identity,” Mony said. Before the incident, Sambath Commune police chief accused Phalla of having an af- Continued from page 1 and 75 remain hospitalised. from the US on Sunday. KAMBOL district police are on Meas Samun said the incident fair with another man. Sambath The Bangkok Post reported on The latest case brings the total the hunt for a suspect who al- happened at about 7pm. grew angry and stabbed Phalla That’s why we haven’t kept our Tuesday that there were no new number of cases to 130, of which legedly stabbed his wife to death Citing the victim’s fam- in the chest, according to police. goods properly. If it rains, the cases of Covid-19 in the country, 127 have fully recovered. There in a fit of jealousy on Monday in ily, Samun said Sambath and Samun said nearby villagers water can come in from the roof with only five new imported have been no deaths. Most of Don Roth village, Ovlaok com- Phalla married in 2017. Phalla were stunned. Sambath then and damage the products. cases from the Middle East. the cases were imported. Cam- mune, Phnom Penh. worked in a garment factory rode away on a motorbike “Vendors have spent lots of The Thai government has bodia has also not reported any District police chief Hang while Sambath is a construc- while Phalla’s family rushed money and some have sold announced its lockdown will community infection. Mony said on Tuesday that Sok- tion worker and a Khmer in- her to Calmette hospital, where cows to buy products to sell in continue until the end of the To prevent a second wave of ly Sambath, 23, is being sought strumental music player. she succumbed to her injuries. Thailand,” he said. month. infections, the Ministry of Health by police. He escaped immedi- Sambath lived with Phalla’s He said police could not Thailand has reported 3,156 In Cambodia, another new is tightening measures at the ately after allegedly stabbing his family and they have a one- make assumptions about the Covid-19 patients and 58 deaths imported case of Covid-19 was airports’ international check- wife, Leang Phalla, 23. year-old son. Sambath got case but from the evidence since January. More than 3,000 confirmed on Tuesday. The man, points to prevent transmission “We are working actively to de- jealous of Phalla and was a so far, the motive behind the patients have fully recovered a Cambodian-American, arrived from one person to another. tain the suspect since we already cause of domestic violence. killing was jealousy. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Deal struck with residents Bunong ask gov’t to remove land markers affected by new int’l airport Khorn Savi Sarom said the markers weren’t removed because of a shortage of Khouth Sophak Chakrya THE Bunong ethnic community in personnel. “We removed the mark- Mondulkiri province has asked that ers step-by-step, but it is just that INISTER of Land Man- environment officials remove land at the Tuol Svay and Kong Rolang agement, Urban Plan- markers at the Nam Lear Wildlife headquarters, there are only four ning and Construction Sanctuary near the Tuol Svay envi- environment officials. Chea Sophara said on ronmental headquarters. They also “When we gather a joint force to MSunday that the government had urged officials to take legal action patrol and remove markers at the reached an agreement with 173 against those who planted them. Kong Rolang headquarters, we leave families impacted by the construc- Provincial forest activist Kroeung only one official at the Tuol Svay tion of the new Phnom Penh Inter- Tola told The Post on Tuesday that headquarters. national Airport. the land in question covered 1,000- “We didn’t patrol it because it has Speaking during a visit to the 2,000ha in the wildlife sanctuary been raining these past few days. It 2,600ha site, he said residents and near Mega First Plantation (Cam- is not that we don’t do this work ... it private companies owned 1,673ha. bodia) Ltd in Dak Dam commune’s is our obligation to do so. “Our team has helped to resolve the Pou Les village in O’Raing district. “Tola only identifies the negative dispute with the residents at the proj- Thirty to 40 markers had been plant- points. It is not that we don’t see ect site by providing compensation in ed on the land and many others had them [the markers]. We gather forc- line with the size of their land. secretly been planted in the forest with es first and then we launch a plan to “Our team helped 36 families af- the intent of stealing land, he said. remove them,” he claimed. fected by road construction. Eight Tola said some markers had been Sarom said some markers were of those families agreed to accept planted last year while others were located on Mega First Plantation’s 5mX20m plots. The 28 other fami- planted this year, about 150m from land and some were in the wildlife lies accepted money,” Sophara said. the Tuol Svay environmental head- sanctuary. He claimed that the in- Kandal Stung district governor quarters but officials had turned a digenous people secretly planted Ouch Saovoeun told The Post on blind eye and didn’t remove them. the markers. Monday that the land affected by the He said he had recently seen envi- Most of them are Cambodian-Mus- airport construction in Kandal Stung ronmental officials going to remove lim residents who planted the mark- district totals 2,000 plots or 2,002ha. some markers, but those were about ers in recent weeks, he claimed. “We will continue to solve problems 400m from the headquarters. Chroch Khloeut, an indigenous for citizens according to the state pol- Kandal Stung district governor Ouch Saovoeun says the land affected by the airport “For some reason, they don’t seem resident in Pou Les village rubbished icy and actual plot sizes,” he said. construction in his district totals 2,000 plots or 2,002ha. Hean Rangsey to see the markers planted near their Sarom’s claims. He said the indig- During an inspection of the con- headquarters. We wonder why they enous people’s plantations in the struction site, Cambodia Airport In- construction of this new airport will million by the end of the year. haven’t removed them. It may be be- village were located along a stream, vestment Co Ltd (CAIC) representa- help to train a lot of Cambodian en- Sophara said on Sunday that the cause they belong to environmental many kilometres from the locations tive Oknha Pung Kheav Se said there gineers and technicians,” he said. land was purchased on the principle officials, police officials or soldiers,” where the markers were planted. are currently 1,102 workers at the Kheav Se said the company has of no more than $8 per square metre. he claimed. He said the indigenous people have project, including 95 foreign engi- spent $120 million on design con- The designated 4F airport will be Nam Lea Wildlife Sanctuary direc- access to the locations and rely on neers and 110 Cambodian ones. sulting (drawing plans), building able to accommodate the largest tor Vuth Sarom denied that the mark- forest produce for their livelihoods. “The demand for labour will in- the foundation, filling in the land, planes and up to 13 million pas- ers belonged to environment officials He added that those who planted the crease to 20,000 workers per day. and soil quality adjustments. The sengers per year. Phase one will be or that they had turned a blind eye or markers are land brokers who his- At the same time, I hope that the company will spend another $208 completed in 2023. a deaf ear in regards to the case. torically stole state land. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Charcoal kilns destroyed GMAC seeks delay of 2021 wage talks Soth Koemsoeun Long Kimmarita dividuals and organisations have the AMPONG Speu police and right to express their opinion, but the NGO ACNCIPO on THE Garment Manufacturers As- everyone has to follow the mecha- Monday destroyed 117 il- sociation in Cambodia (GMAC) is nism as stipulated in the law. legal charcoal kilns in Oral asking the Ministry of Labour and “The new minimum wage negotia- district’sK Tasal commune. The own- Vocational Training to delay 2021 tions for a new year will continue ac- ers were required to sign a contract minimum wage negotiations. cording to the law without any delay. promising to stop the activities, The association is arguing that the “The law requires a gathering, so we which are taking place in the Phnom 2020 minimum wage should remain have to gather. The law doesn’t say that Oral Wildlife Sanctuary. in effect because the sector is vulner- the wage has to be raised every year – it The locations of the kilns were at able during the Covid-19 pandemic. could be raised, stay the same or be re- O’Anh Ja and Dong villages in Oral GMAC said in a statement on duced based on changes in seven crite- district’s Tasal commune. Tuesday that the textile, garment ria of the set minimum wage,” he said. In O’Anh Ja village, environment and footwear sectors are fragile and Collective Union of Movement of officials found 101 kilns. Thirty-four a return to normal operations will Workers president Pav Sina told The were destroyed and 64 others are to take a long time. Post on Tuesday that at this stage, the be destroyed by the owners within Its statement said moreover, many new minimum wage negotiations for 15 days. There were 16 kilns in Dong factories have suspended operations 2021 will be tenser than ever. village. Four were destroyed and 12 and some are closing, so support is But he said GMAC should return to were allowed to be destroyed in 15 necessary to help stabilise the sector. the negotiating table because all parties days, said the report. “GMAC is of the view that the have been affected by the pandemic. Kampong Speu provincial Depart- new minimum wage negotiations “No matter how difficult it is, all ment of Environment deputy direc- for 2021 should be postponed. The parties have to be sincere and ex- tor Nov Nak said on Monday that 2020 minimum wage should remain amine the possibility of negotiating working in collaboration with local in effect until the sector returns to even though we all suffer from the authorities, his team created a com- normal,” it said. effects of Covid-19. mittee to destroy illegal kilns. Officials destroy 117 illegal charcoal kilns in Tasal commune in Kampong Speu prov- The GMAC said it strongly hopes “So, [all parties] should return to ince’s Oral district. Chea Hean via Facebook As part of the operation, authori- that the new minimum wage nego- the negotiating table to see what we ties will destroy kilns and cottages Tuesday that the authorities did not Ja village, Tasal commune, Oral dis- tiations for 2021 will be temporarily can do and what we can’t do. We can that citizens had illegally built in take all the charcoal from the kilns trict. suspended until the situation in the talk to each other honestly,” he said. those areas. as the owners asked for 15 days to “T here was a protest but of f icia ls sector is restored. Sina said he is worried that in future, No one was arrested and kiln own- remove it. talked to them and advised about “Delaying the minimum wage nego- workers will suffer even more if the ers were advised and made to sign “We gave them 15 days to destroy the illegal charcoal business, log- tiations will be a mechanism to support new year minimum wage is not raised contracts to stop charcoal produc- those kilns. If they do not follow the ging and illegal settlement. They the sector to stay alive as well as main- and other benefits are also reduced. tion and forest logging, Nak said. promise, our officials will destroy also warned the protesters about tain employment for workers,” it said. He requested that the ministry He said the authorities must also them. We did not file complaints to the legal consequences of their The labour ministry issued a notifi- consider offering other benefits as prevent land theft in the Phnom the court because they agreed to our actions. cation on June 10 on the schedule of before to workers for them to avoid Oral Wildlife Sanctuary. “They demands,” he said. “They have just recently been do- minimum wage negotiations in the financial difficulties and debt. build cottages to live in while man- ACNCIPO director Chea Hean ing this charcoal business. They textile, garment and footwear sector Since 2014, the government has had aging their charcoal making busi- said on Tuesday that Oral district bought wood from an area around for 2021, which are planned to take a policy to raise the minimum wage in ness,” he said. joint forces and officials from 30 or- Kravanh mountain, Koh Kong and place from July to September. the textile, garment and footwear sec- Phnom Oral Wildlife Sanctuary ganisations destroyed charcoal kilns delivered it to make charcoal at Ministry spokesperson Heng Sour tors annually. This year, the minimum deputy director Hul Mara said on and cottages built illegally at O’Anh Phnom Oral,” he said. told The Post on Tuesday that all in- wage was raised to $190 a month. Another giant leap as Wing partners Canadia Bank to take financial inclusion to a whole new level

Wing and Canadia Bank top management pose for a group photo after the signing ceremony on Tuesday. supplied The partnership will help to further promote financial inclusion. supplied

ing (Cambodia) approval from the authorities said at the MoU signing cer- “The partnership we have and medium-sized enterprises partners,” he said. Limited Spe- to go live, all Canadia Bank emony held in the capital. with Wing provides another (SMEs). Having been operating for cialised Bank and customers will be able to use Wing chairman Neak Oknha avenue for our customers to “We are extremely proud 12 years, Wing boasts almost 10 Canadia Bank the close to 8,000 Wing Cash Kith Meng, Canadia Bank leverage on technology that is that Canadia Bank is willing to million users every year, and it WPlc launched a strong strategic Xpress agents to withdraw chairman Neak Oknha Dr Pung secure, convenient and cashless explore a partnership with Wing steadfastly supports the Cam- partnership on Tuesday to money from their bank Kheav Se, among other guests, for their financial needs. to seek further opportunities bodian economy, facilitating leverage on their respective accounts and use Wing agents were present at the event. “For Canadia Bank’s to provide superior financial transactions worth close to 90 expertise to ensure multiple to make their Canadia loan It comes in a favourable at- customers, in addition to our services to all segments of the per cent of the country’s GDP financial services seamlessly repayments. mosphere as increasing numbers 61 branches nationwide, our community in Cambodia. value last year. reach every Cambodian. “It will be like having a of Cambodians, especially the customers now also have the “With Canadia Bank ensur- Manu said that under the The corporate partners signed country-wide network of close younger generation, rely more option of using almost 8,000 ing access to finance for the partnership, Wing and Canadia a memorandum of understand- to 8,000 ‘human ATMs’ that on digital banking. Wing Express agents to transfer SME sector, Wing has created Bank would together explore ing (MoU) solidifying their Canadia customers can use to According to the National money and make loan pay- an ecosystem that SMEs in new opportunities to ensure cooperation to further drive make transactions, and also a Bank of Cambodia, there were ments,” said Canadia Bank CEO Cambodia can use easily to that every Cambodian enjoys much-needed financial inclu- potential access to the 40,000- 5.2 million active e-wallet ac- Raymond Sia Say Guan. accept and facilitate payments. convenience and security when sion using their wide networks plus merchant ecosystem that counts as of last year, with the Manu said the partnership They can also use tailor-made it comes to access to financial across the Kingdom. accepts WingPay for shopping total volume of transactions benefited all sectors in the accounting solutions for services — thereby improving “Once this partnership gets needs,” Wing CEO Manu Rajan valued at $58 billion. Kingdom, particularly small book-keeping through Wing’s their standard of living. a l Advertori 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 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 4,082 1.3528 7.0664 107.04 4.2760 1.3922 30.97 0.6925 1.1294 1.2486 Ministry set to ink MoU with CSX-listed water utility PWSA reports reduced Japan firm on ‘safe vegetables’ revenue, profit in 2019 May Kunmakara return to its intrinsic value, Thou Vireak [increasing] along the devel- EXCHANGE-LISTED state- opment of the stock market HE government is owned utility Phnom Penh and economy. set to sign a Memo- Water Supply Authority “Many investors found PWSA randum of Under- (PWSA) posted a sharp year- to be a very attractive stock, standing (MoU) with on-year drop in total revenue, since it is state-owned with a aT Japanese company on the operating profit and net profit very stable revenue growth. cooperation, investment and last year. “People will find this stock development of the Kingdom’s In fiscal year 2019, rev- even more attractive during ‘safe vegetable’ sub-sector, a enue dipped 18.33 per cent the economic crisis, because meeting heard on Tuesday. to 216,496,816 riel ($53,250) water is a basic need, and The agreement would aim from 265,093,293 riel in 2018, people will not use less wa- to promote the production of PWSA said in a financial re- ter even if their revenues de- vegetables with reduced de- port filed to the Cambodia crease. However, the revenue pendence on chemicals and Securities Exchange (CSX) on from PWSA is mainly from free of microbiological haz- Monday. commercial use.” ards, and increased supply to Operating profit fell 45.22 He said PWSA charges international markets. per cent to 51,974,444 riel households very little, and Plans for the MoU were un- from 94,871,231, while net even less to those who use only veiled during the meeting at profit sank 54.77 per cent a little water per month. “This the Ministry of Agriculture, to 33,291,913 riel from is because of the government’s Forestry and Fisheries be- 73,607,168. poverty reduction policy. tween Minister Veng Sakhon CSX vice-chairman Ha “As Phnom Penh continues and a Japanese business del- Jong-weon said the drop in to expand, so too will PWSA’s egation led by Yamato Green 2019 net profit was not due to investment. If it is for com- Co Ltd founder and CEO Kat- Agriculture minister Veng Sakhon (centre) and Yamato Green Co Ltd founder and CEO Katsuhito Nabeshima a sharp dip in sales, but to a mercial use, then it is good (third left) wll work together to develop the Kingdom’s ‘safe vegetable’ sub-sector. SUPPLIED suhito Nabeshima. decrease in other income. news for investors. If it is for Through the MoU, the com- project comes as more people He said: “This is the main rea- are also preparing to submit a Ha said: “The current share small household use, it might pany will provide technical change their eating habits, son why the supply of Cambo- proposal to establish a labora- price of PWSA is already un- not be,” he said. support to farmers, from grow- seeking out higher standards dian vegetable products is un- tory for inspection of vegeta- dervalued. Therefore, I do not On April 18, 2012, PWSA be- ing, processing, packaging to of quality and safety, he said. able to meet market demand. bles for, inter alia, quality and expect to see much more of came the first company to list exporting, and will buy veg- “I recommend that the Gen- [The Kingdom] misses out on chemicals,” said Vichara. a decline, and the price will on the CSX. etables from local farmers in eral Directorate of Agriculture the opportunity to compete at Battambang province has a Battambang and Mondulkiri set up an MoU planning team the international level.” vegetable cultivation area of provinces for market supply, as soon as possible. Battambang provincial De- 924ha – with plans to expand said Sakhon. “The Battambang and Mon- partment of Agriculture di- to 1500ha – and can supply 170 He said the agreement dove- dulkiri provincial Depart- rector-general Chhim Vichara tonnes of vegetables per year, tails with Prime Minister Hun ments of Agriculture must be told The Post that the delega- he said, adding that there are Sen’s demand for “our farm- adequately prepared to fully tion had visited vegetable pro- currently 130 vegetable grow- ers to change their habits and cooperate with the company duction sites in the province, ing net houses in the province. methods of production from and ensure that the project weighing the possibility of Sakhon said Yamato Green merely meeting their needs runs smoothly and success- growing safe vegetables in net is strongly committed to shar- and position themselves to fully.” houses. ing new experiences and tech- fulfil commercial interests. At the meeting, Nabeshima Yamato Green also plans niques to jointly address the “To respond to the demands noted that Cambodia’s agri- to build a farmers’ vegetable shortcomings that Cambodian of the new era, we must coop- cultural sector has great po- safety centre in Battambang farmers face in a more effec- erate closely with all relevant tential but is not being used to supply the Aeon and Macro tive way. stakeholders – the state, the to the fullest, through state-of- supermarkets in Phnom Penh, The company aims to sharp- private sector, development the-art approaches to grow- he said. en the competitive edge of the partners and the overall com- ing, preservation, harvesting, “I have asked them to visit “Made in Cambodia” brand to munity,” said Sakhon. cleaning, packing, storage and five more sites to help buy veg- establish a presence on the in- In fiscal year 2019, PWSA posted 216,496,816 riel ($53,250) in revenue, The proposed investment transport. etables from our farmers. We ternational stage, he said. down 18.33 per cent from 265,093,293 riel in 2018. POST STAFF GDT clarifies VAT on long-term assets in new guidelines

Thou Vireak are sold or are no longer used in con- The GDT guidelines note that enter- nection with business operations. prises that make non-taxable supplies THE General Department of Taxa- Of note, eligible long-term tan- as stated in Article 57 of the Law on Fi- tion (GDT) has called on owners to gible assets that are not claimed for nancial Management, which have ac- effectively participate in the imple- VAT credit, will not be considered quired long-term tangible assets but mentation of value-added tax (VAT) sold upon their discontinued use are not allowed to claim VAT credit as payments on the sale of long-term and will not be subject to the 10 per provided for in Article 65, are charged tangible assets. cent VAT. VAT will only be charged VAT at 10 per cent when sold. This comes after the GDT noted that upon their sale. The guideline aims to strengthen some enterprises remain confused Cambodia Chamber of Commerce the effectiveness of law enforce- about the implementation of VAT. vice-president Lim Heng defined ment, clarify tax regulations, making According to GDT guidelines re- ‘long-term tangible assets’ as items tax administration more transparent leased on Monday, any enterprise used over a long period of time, and boosting confidence in VAT im- that sells or transfers long-term tan- such as trucks, generators, factory plementation on long-term tangible gible assets used in the operation of equipment. Business owners must assets used in business operations. a business, including gifts and sup- pay the 10 per cent tax to the state It says: “The General Department plies, is liable for VAT, charged at 10 when they sell them. of Taxation strongly hopes that all per cent of market value. However, he said, the government self-proclaimed taxpayers operat- As stated in Article 64 of the Law on should delay the taxation of tangible ing in the Kingdom of Cambodia Financial Management, VAT credit assets until the Covid-19 crisis has will pay close attention to, and fol- The GDT on Monday issued a set of guidelines outlining the implementation of VAT claimed on long-term tangible assets abated, so that businesses can find low effectively the content of this payments on the sale of long-term tangible assets. POST STAFF will be discontinued once the items their footing. directive.” THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Muhibbah’s China mango firm installs steamer Q1 profit 85% lower on weak Thou Vireak airport business HE Chinese investment com- pany and mango exporter ALAYSIA’S Muhibbah Cam MJ Agricultural Park Engineering Bhd reported Co Ltd is installing a packag- Ma steep decline in quarterly ingT machine and industrial steaming net profit as the Covid-19 pande- equipment for pest control at its new- mic affected its airport business in est facility in Kampong Speu province. Cambodia. This comes following the Chinese Net profit plunged 85 per cent to government’s June 9 official approval five million ringgit ($1.17 million) of the export of 500,000 tonnes of from 33 million a year ago. Cambodian fresh mangoes per year Revenue improved to 333.5 to the country. million ringgit compared with China’s total demand for mangoes 272.4 million ringgit previously, the stands at about eight million tonnes company said in a filing with Bursa per year, said the Ministry of Agricul- Malaysia on Monday. ture, Forestry and Fisheries. It said: “In view of the above Its General Directorate of Agricul- adverse factors and barring any ture director-general Ngin Chhay has other unforeseen circumstances, said the South Korean-owned Hyun- the group is foreseeing a challen- dai Mao Legacy Co Ltd factory is the ging business environment for only plant in Cambodia which can ef- 2020. fectively prepare mangoes for export “The group will be taking appro- to China’s standards. priate measures and actions to The factory is based in Treng Tray- cater for its business undertaking oeng commune’s Peam Tung village China has approved the import of 500,000 tonnes of mangoes from Cambodia. post staff moving forward.” in Kampong Speu’s Phnom Sruoch Muhibbah, via its joint venture district. It uses steam treatments to 100ha mango processing plant located export-ready mangoes per day, call- that industrial steam cleaners cost at firm Societe Concessionaire de sterilise crops and exterminate pests in Kampong Speu’s Kong Pisey district, ing on Cam MJ Agricultural Park to least $500,000 per unit. l’Aeroport (SCA), has exposure to and can produce about 15 tonnes of and the 24ha plant in Phnom Sruoch complete the job as soon as possible. The Kingdom exported 44,099 three airports in Cambodia. export-ready mangoes per day. district awaiting the equipment. He asked the company to work tonnes of fresh mangoes during the Like other airport operators This is not enough to meet the de- Both were launched last year. closely with the ministry’s Depart- first five months of this year, anin- around the world, the company mand for exports. Daro said: “We plan to launch the ment of Plant Protection, Sanitary crease of around 14,885 tonnes or has been adversely affected by the Cam MJ Agricultural Park chief of mango pest-exterminating and pack- and Phytosanitary to ensure that the 50.96 per cent compared to the same drop in arrivals. administration Chhun Daro told The aging machines by the end of the year. facility meets China’s sanitary and period last year, ministry data show. Meanwhile, the group said its Post on Monday that his company has “We are overjoyed at the news of phytosanitary standards. Last year, it exported 58,162 construction and crane ma- finished building the infrastructure to China allowing us to export fresh man- Chhay said: “We will invite Chinese tonnes of fresh mangoes to six mar- nufacturing division remained install the two pieces of equipment. goes to its market. This will further phytosanitary officials to directly inspect kets – Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, healthy. “We’ve ordered the steam clean- boost our company’s production.” the company’s infrastructure and deter- France, Russia and Hong Kong. As of June 17, the group’s total er [and packaging machine] from Last week, Chhay visited to inspect mine if it follows Chinese standards. A total of 39,398ha were harvested last outstanding secured order book abroad and the facility is ready for the the Phnom Sruoch facility as the com- “We also ask that the company seek year, out of the 125,319ha available for in hand for the construction and machine to be set up,” he said. pany was preparing its infrastructure. contracts with plantation owners and the cultivation of mangoes in the King- cranes division is 1.3 billion ringgit. Daro said his company currently op- He remarked that the plant will be buy mangoes from them.” dom. Normally, 1ha of land can produce THE STAR (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK erates two factories in the Kingdom – a able to produce about 50 tonnes of He told a press conference last week about 30 tonnes of mango per year. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business SoftBank to More SMEs look to SCFS for loans sell $21 billion Hin Pisei

T has been a little over two in shares of months since the government launched “SME Co-Financing Scheme 2020” (SCFS) to provide US’ T-Mobile Ismall and medium-sized enterprises JAPANESE tech investment behemoth (SMEs) with loans and preferential SoftBank Group Corp on Tuesday rates to maintain and develop their said it will sell T-Mobile US Inc shares businesses and production lines. worth over $21 billion as it sheds as- Financial institutions participat- sets to shore up its financial health. ing in the project have reported ris- The move comes a month after ing demand in loan applications. SoftBank announced an eye-watering The Ministry of Economy and $8.9 billion annual net loss, hit hard Finance launched the Small and by troubles with its unicorn invest- Medium Enterprise Bank of Cam- ments including co-working compa- bodia (SME Bank) in April with ini- ny WeWork, as well as market plunges tial capital of $100 million in tan- caused by the coronavirus pandemic. dem with the SCFS, a joint venture SoftBank Group, which holds about between SME Bank and partner 24 per cent of the US telecom carrier, financial institutions. said it will sell up to 198.3 million of On April 23, Prasac Microfinance more than 300 million shares in a trans- Institution Ltd (Prasac) executive action involving the telecom firm itself. vice-president Say Sony said the It said the exact price of the sale SCFS aims to provide low-interest will be determined later on Tuesday loans to SMEs and build up priority during US trading hours. sectors – manufacturing and handi- T-Mobile shares closed on Mon- crafts, curb imports while satisfying day at $106.60, suggesting the sale domestic demand, and create em- would net SoftBank over $21 billion. ployment opportunities. Financial institutions participating in the project have reported rising demand in loan applications. HONG MENEA Deutsche Telekom AG, which al- The ministry has said SMEs can ready holds a 43 per cent stake in the borrow $200,000 for working capital $100 million to nearly $150 million. been working on the SCFS, told The Prasac’s Sony told The Post that al- mobile firm, will have the option to and $300,000 for investment capital SME Bank deputy CEO Tan Linna Post that the co-financing project is though his institution had only seen buy an additional 101.5 million shares from the bank, at a seven per cent told The Post on Tuesday that it is receiving a lot of interest from small a few applications, he is confident from SoftBank, said the Japanese firm. annual interest rate and a payback working closely with member banks and medium business owners. that the government initiative will The series of planned transactions period of not more than seven years and microfinance institutions, as Acleda Bank has received 11 ap- help develop and advance the King- would leave SoftBank Group with less – revised from four years initially. well as other private-sector commu- plications for loans under the SCFS, dom’s SMEs. than one per cent of the US carrier. “The collateral depends on the cri- nity members to promote the SCFS. and many inquiries regarding the He added that Prasac is keen to The Japanese firm said the move teria of the financial institution. All “We’ve seen that many SMEs are project, he said. support SMEs with investment was a part of its plan to sell up to SMEs can apply for a loan but they in need of financing to carry on “The SME-backing co-financing capital of up to 1.26 billion riel or 4.5 trillion yen ($42 billion) of assets must be registered with the ministry. their operations or to expand, or to project has provided clients with many with working capital of up to 840 within a year from March to reduce “Small enterprises must earn at start up,” she said, adding that, as of benefits – not only low interest rates million riel for their businesses debts, as the firm faces financial least 250 million riel [$61,500] per Tuesday, SME bank had received 19 but also no loan fees,” said Phorn. with a special interest rate of 0.58 storms including global market sell- year or employ between 10 and 50 applications from 10 member finan- He said the applications were in per cent per month and loan term offs and soured investments. people. Income for medium-sized cial institutions and had approved areas such as agriculture, tourism, of up to seven years. SoftBank’s flamboyant founder enterprises must be at least 700 mil- $3.11 million in loans. artisanal foods and fibreglass manu- “Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Masayoshi Son said his investment lion riel or it must employ between 51 She said she also received com- facturing. He noted that some of the Prasac continues to provide loans funds have seen operating losses of and 100 people,” said the ministry. plaints from customers regarding applications were for the maximum to clients as usual and special of- 1.9 trillion yen. Early last month, Federation of loan requirements, but noted that allotted $300,000. fers to SMEs. On behalf of the Originally set up as a telecoms Associations for Small and Medium they would be resolved soon after ob- The applications for “two of the management and staff at Prasac, I company, SoftBank Group has be- Enterprise of Cambodia president taining permission from the ministry. 11 projects are currently under ac- would like to thank all of the bor- come an investment and tech behe- Te Taingpor told a press conference Soeng Phorn, senior vice-president tive review to determine their eli- rowers who have supported and moth with stakes in some of Silicon at the Council of Ministers that SME and credit division head at Acleda gibility for a loan” under the SCFS, used Prasac’s financial services,” Valley’s hottest start-ups through its Bank had expanded its capital from Bank Plc, a partner bank which has said Phorn. said Sony. $100 billion Vision Fund. AFP Oil, gas woes hamper Muhyiddin’s economic recovery plans for M’sia PLUNGING oil and gas prices are set tight spots either with cash injections two-thirds to 4.5 billion ringgit. to further hammer Malaysia’s econ- or to finance mega deals. Although Kuala Lumpur has omy, as state oil firm Petroliam But demand for petroleum prod- launched four stimulus packages to Nasional Bhd (Petronas) faces ucts is in the doldrums as a result of prop up the economy, much of the 295 depressed demand due to global global lockdowns over the coronavi- billion ringgit announced comes from coronavirus lockdowns. rus. Supply exceeded demand in loan moratoriums, cheap credit, allow- Petronas’ woes mean it may not be April, resulting in West Texas Inter- ing workers to draw down on their own able to help bail the country out of its mediate crude (the US benchmark) retirement savings and discounts on financial tight spots this time. hitting negative prices for the first utilities funded by the private sector. Falling oil and gas prices are a dou- time – people were paying to get rid The Treasury is coughing up just 45 ble whammy for Malaysia’s economy of oil that they could not store. billion ringgit – aside from about eight as the Muhyiddin Yassin administra- Brent crude plunged to a 21-year billion ringgit in tax exemptions and tion wrestles with the fallout from the low of below $16 per barrel in April, deferrals – which Minister of Finance Covid-19 pandemic. and estimates for the year now hover Tengku Zafrul Aziz said will not push Petronas’ woes mean it may not be able to help bail Malaysia out of its financial tight spots this time. AFP Unemployment hit a three-decade just above half the projection of $62 the fiscal deficit past six per cent of high of five per cent in April. Malaysia in the latest budget. gross domestic product (GDP). lion ringgit wage subsidy as develop- refunds which the then-Pakatan Hara- posted a trade deficit in the same Not only is petroleum-related gov- This pales in comparison to neigh- ment expenditure to keep from pan government claimed was hidden month for the first time since the ernment revenue set to plunge from bouring Indonesia’s 677.2 trillion rupiah busting spending limits. by its Barisan Nasional predecessor. 1997 Asian financial crisis, with min- last year’s 81.2 billion ringgit ($19 bil- ($48 billion) stimulus package (6.3 per The central bank has increased its It told Reuters in April: “Any addi- ing exports (largely made up of crude lion) or nearly a third of the Treasury’s cent deficit) and Singapore’s S$92.9 bil- dividend to 3.5 billion ringgit from two tional dividends will need to take into oil and natural gas) suffering their takings, but Petronas is also slashing lion (US$66.7 billion – 15.4 per cent). billion last year and Petronas is expect- account our ability to fund our ongo- steepest plunge at 31.5 per cent, far more than a fifth of capital expendi- Analysts and officials told The ed to part with proceeds from stake ing operations, service debts and more than the 23.8 per cent overall. ture, reducing the pie for 1,600 vendors Straits Times that the government sales in listed subsidiaries last year. other obligations as well as invest in The Manila-based Asian Develop- in the oil and gas sector that accounts would draw down from bodies such Petronas is already straining under future growth.” ment Bank last Thursday said it expect- for 13 per cent of the economy. as the civil service pension manager, the weight of various obligations such The deal brokered for Petronas to ed the Malaysian economy to shrink “We anticipate a very challenging sovereign wealth fund Khazanah and as the regular 24 billion ringgit in annu- surrender up to 2.8 billion ringgit in by four per cent, while British multina- outlook for the rest of 2020 . . . Indus- cash out of the telco spectrum – a al dividend it has promised, which disputed sales tax to Sarawak state tional financial services company Bar- try players, including Petronas, will sudden award last month was could exceed the oil giant’s profit for the – controlled by a crucial Muhyiddin clays Plc had, a day earlier, forecast a be adversely impacted if the current rescinded after an uproar over the year, and the need to dish out contracts ally – despite the company’s con- whopping 8.5 per cent drop. market situation persists and oil lack of an open tender. to keep petroleum players alive. straints is understood to be the straw In the past, the government has prices remain low,” former CEO Wan Malaysia does not have deep gov- The state company has so far resist- that broke the camel’s back, leading relied on the deep coffers of state oil Zulkiee Wan Arin said last month, ernment reserves to draw from, and ed talk of a special dividend this year, Wan Zulkiflee to walk out the door firm Petronas – the country’s only when he announced that first-quar- will need to rejig 2020 budget alloca- having shelled out 30 billion ringgit this month. THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ Fortune 500 entry – to bail it out of ter profits had fallen by more than tions and even designate the 19 bil- extra last year to cover a shortfall in tax ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Xi conveys to Reports: India changes rules in EU message border dispute THE Indian government is responded by saying that all of partnership reported to have amended the troops on border duty were rules of engagement for its always armed but had to fol- RESIDENT Xi Jinping a higher level during the post- troops along the disputed bor- low the CBM. called on China and pandemic period, he said. der with China in the Hima- He tweeted: “Those at Gal- the EU on Monday to China, as an ancient country layan region a week after the wan on 15 June did so. Long- expand common in- with a long history and a de- most violent clash between standing practice [as per 1996 terestsP and solve difficult is- veloping country full of vital- the two since they fought a and 2005 agreements] not to sues during the process of co- ity, will always pursue peace brief border war in 1962. use firearms during face-offs.” operation and development instead of hegemony, he said. New Delhi is said to have In 2005, the two countries and to build a comprehensive The country has focused all its allowed its soldiers to open reiterated their commitment bilateral strategic partnership policies and efforts on enabling fire, if necessary, in extraordi- to the 1996 agreement. Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and the EU should improve with global influence. its people to live better lives, global governance. XINHUA NEWS AGENCY/CHINA DAILY nary circumstances. Prime Minister Narendra In a videoconference with and it will continue unwaver- Previously troops adhered Modi has also faced criticism European Council president ingly to follow a path of peace- China and the EU should The meeting was held after strictly to a 1996 agreement on from the opposition Congress Charles Michel and European ful development, he added. uphold multilateralism and the virtual 22nd China-EU “Confidence Building Meas- and others for not giving a clear Commission president Ursula Xi expressed his belief that improve global governance, Xi leaders’ meeting, co-chaired ures in the military field”, picture of the developments von der Leyen, Xi reaffirmed the EU will keep heading to- said, adding that China will also by Premier Li Keqiang and which governs military behav- along the border, a charge dis- China’s commitment to deep- ward unity, stability, open- be an advocate of multilateral- Michel and von der Leyen via iour between the two sides. missed by his ruling Bharatiya ening reform and expanding ness and prosperity, saying ism and adhere to its vision on videoconference. The agreement stated that Janata Party and government. opening-up, which will pro- that China stands ready to global governance – consulta- Li said the two sides must neither side should open fire Society of Policy Studies vide a new round of coopera- bolster strategic cooperation tion and contribution for shared work toward reaching a com- within 2km of the Line of Actu- director Chitrapu Uday tive opportunity and room for with the EU to jointly cope benefits – no matter how the in- prehensive, balanced and high- al Control (LAC), the de-facto Bhaskar said: “It’s a case of say- development for the EU. with global challenges. ternational landscape changes. level investment agreement border in the disputed region. ing earlier protocols are being China is a partner, rather China and the EU must be the Xi expressed China’s appre- before the end of this year and The Indian media has reviewed and made flexible to than a rival, and there is no two big markets that drive global ciation to the EU for its firm enable the signing of bilateral dubbed the latest move as deal with the post-Galwan fundamental conflict of inter- growth and prosperity, and the commitment to upholding agreement on geographical in- “new rules of engagement”. situation … Because domesti- ests between the two sides, he two economies must assume multilateralism, its participa- dications on products’ origins. Minister of Defence Rajnath cally, there is a lot of criti- said, adding that the cooper- their roles as the twin engines of tion in the global pandemic re- The two EU leaders voiced Singh gave the go-ahead dur- cism.” ation and consensus between the world economy, he said. sponse and the bloc’s decision their hope that talks on the EU- ing a review of the border situ- Referring to the reported them far outweighs competi- The two sides must jointly to scale up investment in inter- China Comprehensive Agree- ation with Chief of Defence change in posture, Bharat Kar- tion and differences. support businesses reopening national organisations such as ment on Investment can be con- Staff General Bipin Rawat and nad at the Centre for Policy He urged both sides to respect in a scientific and orderly man- the World Health Organisation. cluded this year as scheduled, the chiefs of the three armed Research said: “It signifies a the other, seek common ground ner, step up coordination in He said China is willing to step and that the two sides can bol- services on Sunday. change in field tactics and the while shelving differences and macroeconomic policies and up coordination and coopera- ster cooperation in areas such as Sources said it was aimed at ‘rules of engagement’ that ear- keep enhancing mutual under- ensure stable and unimpeded tion with the EU over major in- connectivity, trade, investment giving greater clarity to com- lier tilted towards avoiding standing and trust. global industry and supply ternational and regional issues, and the digital economy. manders on the ground fol- violence. China’s ‘shock’ attack China and Europe should chains to lead the global eco- step up dialogue and coopera- They said the Covid-19 pan- lowing the violent clashes in on the Galwan River means in be the two major forces that nomic recovery, he said. tion over global public health demic has not weakened either safeguard global peace and Xi underlined the signifi- governance and forge a global of the two sides’ intentions to By allowing local troops to use stability, and Beijing is willing cance of ensuring two-way community of health for all. work together and the two to communicate with Brussels opening-up of markets, say- The first official meeting sides have supported each oth- firearms, Delhi seems to be over major issues, he said. ing bilateral investment talks between Chinese leaders and er and shown solidarity during saying we are not afraid China and the EU have ex- must be expedited and bi- the new EU leadership was the coronavirus response. tended each other support lateral cooperation in green held as they celebrated the The EU is willing to bolster of the situation and help since the Covid-19 and digital areas must be 45th anniversary of diplo- cooperation on economic re- pandemic broke out, Xi said. strengthened to form a green matic relations. covery with China and further the Galwan Valley on June 15 future encounters, Indian Beijing stands ready to development partnership. Last year, the EU was Chi- open up markets while jointly which left 20 Indian soldiers jawans [soldiers], similarly work with Brussels to make The two sides must step up na’s biggest trading partner, upholding multilateralism and an unknown number of armed for combat at close bilateral relations even more trilateral cooperation with Af- and China was the EU’s sec- and free trade, they said. CHINA Chinese troops dead. quarters, may surprise the PLA stable, mature and elevated to rica, he said. ond-largest trading partner. DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK A source told The Straits Times: [People’s Liberation Army].” “There will be no more burden Defence analyst Abhijnan Rej of CBMs [Confidence Building believed New Delhi’s latest move Measures] on Indian soldiers.” also served strategic purposes. Talks continued on Monday “This is the largest strategic UNESCO: schools must serve disadvantaged between the two sides to signalling from New Delhi to resolve the border stand-off. Beijing that India is willing to Continued from page 1 In several central and east- Several areas along the unde- run the risk of escalation. ern European countries, Roma marcated border or the LAC is “By allowing local troops to from the richest 20 per cent of children are segregated in disputed even though it has use firearms, Delhi seems to households were three times mainstream schools. remained largely peaceful for the be saying we are not afraid of more likely to complete the first And in Asia, displaced peo- past 45 years. In 1975, four Indi- the situation,” he said. portion of secondary school – ple such as the Rohingya are an soldiers were killed at Tulung China has so far not respond- up to age 15 – than those from taught in separate systems. La in Arunachal Pradesh. ed to the move. poor homes. The report said: “Many The current row erupted last But Global Times editor Hu Children with disabilities countries still practice educa- month after India accused Chi- Xijin warned India against vio- were 19 per cent less likely to tion segregation, which rein- na of changing the status quo in lating the CBM. achieve minimum reading pro- forces stereotyping, discrimi- the region and moving troops “If Indian soldiers use fire- ficiency in 10 of these nations. nation and alienation. into forward positions in Gal- arms against Chinese soldiers In 20 poor countries, mainly “Just 41 countries worldwide wan Valley and elsewhere. in the future, there will be a in sub-Saharan Africa, hardly officially recognised sign lan- Analysts say New Delhi by different picture in the border any rural girls complete sec- guage and, globally, schools unilaterally changing the CBM areas,” he wrote in an editorial ondary school said UNESCO. were more eager to get inter- was trying to assuage domes- in the paper published by Chi- And in richer nations, 10-year- net access than to cater for tic concerns about the safety nese Communist Party mouth- Millions of disadvantaged children in the world don’t attend school. afp olds taught in a language other learners with disabilities.” of Indian soldiers and better piece People’s Daily. than their mother tongue scored tion systems through more or 117 countries allow child mar- UNESCO urged countries to managing the border. “I must warn Indian nation- 34 per cent lower than native less subtle decisions leading to riages, and 20 have yet to rati- focus on disadvantaged chil- Questions were raised over alists: ‘If your soldiers cannot speakers in reading tests. exclusion from curricula, irrele- fy an international convention dren when schools reopen why the soldiers had to follow even defeat Chinese soldiers In the US, LGBTI students vant learning objectives, stere- that bans child labour. after coronavirus lockdowns. protocol when their lives were in in unarmed clashes, then guns were almost three times more otyping in textbooks, discrimi- Some 335 million girls “To rise to the challenges of danger. Opposition Congress and other firearms will not likely to have stayed home from nation in resource allocation attended schools that did not our time, a move towards more leader Rahul Gandhi asked if help them.’” school because they felt unsafe. and assessments, tolerance of provide them with the water, inclusive education is impera- those who lost their lives were Neither side has thus far The report said: “Unfortunate- violence and neglect of needs.” sanitation and hygiene serv- tive,” Azoulay said. “Failure to sent unarmed. claimed victory in the violent ly, disadvantaged groups are Two African countries still ices they need to stay in class act will hinder the progress of Minister of External Affairs clash last week. THE STRAITS TIMES kept out or pushed out of educa- ban pregnant girls from school, while menstruating. societies.” AFP Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Vietnam Push for virus immunity certificate isolates ITH a Covid-19 vaccine still months or even years away, countries are 355 over seeking ways to accom- Wmodate millions of stir-crazy people diphtheria eager to usher in a “new normal”. Indonesia is no exception. Re- UP TO 355 people in Viet- searchers are pooling suggestions nam’s Central Highlands about how to create a proof of immu- province of Dak Nong have nity to exempt people from physical been isolated after an out- restrictions and allow them to return break of diphtheria that left to work, school and daily life. one dead. However, many experts are worried The residents of Area 2, Vil- about jumping the gun on an issue lage 6, Quang Hoa commune, that is very likely dependent on the Dak Glong district were quar- accessibility of vaccines. antined after two cases of Djarot Andaru, a health law re- diphtheria prompted fear of searcher from the University of Indo- further spread. nesia, suggested that the government Ha Van Hung, deputy direc- could create its own version of the tor of the provincial health international vaccination certificate department, on Monday said issued by the World Health Organisa- the lockdown would be applied tion (WHO) for people who eventually for seven days to contain the received a Covid-19 vaccination. disease, which was just con- Travellers have long used a WHO- firmed three days ago. issued certification, called the ‘Yellow Hung said: “We have disin- Card’, to enter certain countries where fected the whole area and they may face increased individual administered vaccines for some health risks. Djarot suggested using a 550 residents to ensure the dis- similar document for domestic travel ease will be contained.” to specific places. On Friday, nine-year-old With a Covid-19 vaccine still months or even years away, countries are seeking ways to accommodate millions of stir-crazy people eager “This may function as an identity to usher in a ‘new normal’. NEW ZEALAND EMBASSY IN JAKARTA/THE JAKARTA POST Sung Thi Hoa was sent to Dak card and a prerequisite for entering Nong General Hospital with [offices and government buildings] which could be particularly useful for tiviral drugs to treat Covid-19, with most test result may ignore public health symptoms of a cough, sore and can be applied when traveling to Indonesians traveling abroad. patients only receiving palliative care. advice. The use of such certificates throat and shortness of certain areas or areas with crowded But he also warned that an eventual The WHO has listed 139 vaccines under may therefore increase the risk of con- breath. places,” he said, comparing it to the vaccination would not guarantee that development worldwide as of June 16, tinued transmission.” The patient was later trans- Ebola vaccine certificates issued in an individual was fully protected from with 11 undergoing clinical trials. An article in The Lancet medical jour- ferred to Ho Chi Minh City several African countries during out- the disease. Amin urged people to get In Indonesia, the government has nal noted that immunity passports Hospital for Tropical Diseases breaks in 2013 and 2014. regularly checked and follow physical established a consortium to develop a posed “considerable scientific, practi- as her condition worsened. The certificate could distinguish distancing measures even after being vaccine, involving state-owned phar- cal, equitable and legal challenges” in She died on Saturday for between those who had and had not vaccinated. maceutical company PT Bio Farma their implementation. The author ad- malignant diphtheria leading been vaccinated, Djarot said, espe- A 2016 Ministry of Health regulation and the Eijkman Institute, which se- vised countries to build up established to heart complications. cially as many countries, including on international vaccination certifica- quenced the complete genome of public health practices of testing, con- The second patient is nine- Indonesia, were already transitioning tion serves as a legal guideline for the Indonesian coronavirus samples in tact tracing, quarantine and isolation year-old Ma Van Thanh, Hoa’s to a new normal. provision of certificates for those who early May, as part of the initial stage of until a Covid-19 vaccine was accessible. neighbour, said Dak Nong pro- However, he said the government wish to travel to countries that require vaccine development. Bio Farma’s research and develop- vincial Centre for Disease Con- had to ensure there were sufficient specific vaccinations, such as Saudi Some governments, including those ment project integration manager Neni trol and Prevention. Thanh is vaccine supplies before the certificate Arabia, which requires haj and umrah of Chile, Germany, Italy, the UK and Nurainy has said that the government now in intensive care. was issued. (minor haj) pilgrims to be vaccinated the US, have suggested that the de- should stockpile sufficient vaccine Hung said the diphtheria Different regions in Indonesia have for meningitis. tection of antibodies for Sars-CoV-2, doses before attempting to introduce outbreak was the first report- begun transitioning out of large-scale The government has not yet de- the virus that causes Covid-19, could any immunity certificate, so as to avoid ed in Quang Hoa commune social restrictions (PSBB) imposed to clared a certification procedure for be used as the basis for an “immunity friction between different economic since 2004 and the second curb the spread of the virus, despite the Covid-19 vaccination. passport” or “risk-free certificate”, classes, with the rich having more ac- one in Dak Nong province lack of evidence that transmission rates National Covid-19 task force spokes- which would certify that an individual cess to vaccination than the poor. this year. have plateaued. The central government man Achmad Yurianto said on Thurs- had been infected and was therefore She suggested the use of existing Dak Nong borders Cambo- is also keen to jump-start the economy day: “This isn’t the first time we have purportedly immune to the virus. vaccination records from health fa- dia’s Mondulkiri province and to avoid sliding into a recession. managed vaccines, as all haj and um- However, the WHO wrote in a brief cilities, surveillance data and regular Quang Hoa is around 60km As of Monday, Indonesia had record- rah pilgrims must be vaccinated. That in April that there was “no evidence Covid-19 testing to distinguish be- from the frontier. ed 46,845 confirmed cases of Covid-19 is to say [Covid-19 vaccine] manage- that people who have recovered from tween patients that had and had not On June 14, four cases of and 2,500 deaths. ment isn’t something we are worried Covid-19 and have antibodies are pro- been vaccinated. diphtheria were found in Dak Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biol- about at the moment. tected from a second infection. “If we later have enough vaccines, Sor commune, Krong No dis- ogy director Amin Soebandrio suggest- “We are resolute in our priority to “People who assume that they are it will be good for everyone to have trict. The outbreak was con- ed that Indonesia could use a WHO in- find a vaccine first.” immune to a second infection be- the same rights [to vaccination],” said tained. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS ternational certification for Covid-19, There are still no proven vaccines or an- cause they have received a positive Neni. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK NETWORK Most Luang Namtha landholders get paid for railway

THE majority of families have locations,” said Thongdaeng. sengers per day as well as freight. received payment for their land to The province is still planning to Passenger trains will run at make way for construction of the compensate some landholders who 160km/h from Vientiane to the Laos-China Railway currently are making way for the construction Boten-Mohan border crossing underway through 16.9km of Laos’ of the project’s two stations, one in between Laos and China, through Luang Namtha province, project Boten and the other in Nateuy. the four provinces of Vientiane, official Thongdaeng Sitthison told Boten Station is close to the Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and local media. Friendship Tunnel on the border Luang Namtha. Thongdaeng is head of the Laos- between Laos and China. At the This section of the vast rail network China Railway Project impact Chinese border, the Friendship covers 414.3km. The railway is sched- assessment and compensation Tunnel is the largest of the many uled for completion at the end of next committee for Luang Namtha. tunnels along the route and runs year and will be the first rail route Compensation began in 2018, for a distance of 7,000m in China linking Laos to China’s network. and many landholders have and 2,000m. The Belt and Road Initiative expressed interest in the scheme After going through the 9,000m dates back to 2013 when Chinese so far. long Friendship Tunnel across the President Xi Jinping visited Kaza- More than 131 billion kip ($14.5 border, trains will reach the station khstan. During his visit, he called million) has been paid to 218 fam- at Boten, the official border cross- for countries in the region to work ilies out of a total of 321 affected by ing between Laos and China in together to create the Silk Road the project, he said. Luang Namtha province and about Economic Belt. “Some affected families do not 1km from the tunnel. Xi discussed it at length and was want to move to the new area that Construction of the station is still impressed by the thought that the the province has arranged for them. ongoing on a 20ha site. scheme would involve so many They have asked to be paid com- This is the first station on the countries developing together with pensation in cash, and they will buy southbound 414km line, which will no one left behind. VIENTIANE TIMES/ Families have received payment for their land to make way for construction of the Laos-China their own homes in their preferred be able to carry about 5,000 pas- ASIA NEWS NETWORK Railway currently underway through 16.9km of Laos’ Luang Namtha province. VIENTIANE TIMES THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Urgent measures needed towww.phnompenhpost.com address www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng declining birth rate in LyJapan Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua purushotman or more children, and the Opinion Joshua purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer provision of subsidies for fer- Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Editorial tility treatments, among oth- Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Rith er things. Deputy Chief of Staff phak Seangly HE decline of Japan’s Temporary benefits alone Business Editor phak Seangly birth rate is further are not enough to raise the May Kunmakara Business Editor accelerating. The fertility rate. Why do young Deputy Business Editor May Kunmakara government must people hesitate to have chil- Sangeetha amarthalingam analyseT the factors causing Deputy Business Editor dren? It is necessary to clarify Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Sorn Sarath the decline and take effective the challenges and come up pan Simala measures. Deputy Head of Lifestylewith Desk policies that reflect the Senior Reporters The Health, Labour and pan Simala realities of the situation. Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng Welfare Ministry has released Senior Reporters It is hoped that measures Reporters demographic statistics for Meas Sokchea, Niem Chhengwill be taken steadily in a Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long 2019. The natural population Reporters comprehensive manner. The Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth decrease, calculated by sub- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kimmeasures Sarom, Long include securing Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung tracting the number of births Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hinemployment pisei, Soth for young peo- Sovanny, Thou Vireak, Ry Sochan from that of deaths, stood at ple and stabilising the work- Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Photographers 515,000, the largest decrease ing conditions for non-regu- Sovanny, Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea ever. lar workers even amid the Web Editor Ry Sochan The rate of population coronavirus disaster, increas- Leang phannara Photographers decline is increasing year by ing the number of childcare Webmasters year. If the situation remains Heng Chivoan, Hong Meneafacilities and providing high- Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea unchanged, there will be a Web Editor quality housing. SIEM REAP BUREAU shortage of workers and Leang phannara With the spread of staggered Offi ce Manager downward pressure will be put Webmasters working hours and telecom- Sophearith Blondeel on economic growth. The bur- Sous Chanthy, pang Vicheamuting, there is growing PRODUCTION & PRINTING den on the working genera- Last year, 865,000 babies were born. The figure was down by 50,000 from the previous year SIEMand the REAP lowest BUREAU momentum to reconsider the Head of Desktop Publishing since statistics began in 1899. afp tions, who support the elderly, Offi ce Manager way people work based on Nhim Sokphyrak will also increase. The vitality Sophearith Blondeel long working hours. It is desir- Desktop Publishing of society will be damaged. the average number of chil- the average about 30 years 2025. But the current situa- able for both men and women Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath PRODUCTION & PRINTING Last year, 865,000 babies dren a woman gives birth to ago. Even if they want to have tion is far from the achieve- to be able to work and raise Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna Head of Desktop Publishing were born. The figure was in her lifetime, has declined a second or third child, the ment of that goal. children at the same time. Nhim Sokphyrak down by 50,000 from the pre- for four consecutive years to reality may be that it is diffi- It is a matter of personal In urban areas, the number HEAD OFFICE vious year and the lowest 1.36. The index recovered to cult to have one. choice whetherDesktop to have Publishing a of parks where children can since statistics began in 1899. 1.45 in 2015, but fell into a In its outline for measures child. With thatSuon in mind, Savatdy, Chumthe Sokunthy,play Danh is decreasing.Borath Some As the number of women in downward trend again. to deal with the declining government shouldTep Thoeun take Thyda, bold Tim Borith, mothers Than Veasna are worried about their 20s to 30s, the leading In the background is the birth rate, which was decided supportive steps to help raising their children and feel Post Media Co, Ltd. generation for childbirth, has growing tendency for people last month, the government those who want HEAD to get OFFICE mar- isolated. It is important for The Elements Condominium Level 7, decreased, the decline in the to get married later, or not set a goal of raising the fertili- ried or have children to fulfill local governments and com- Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, number of births is expected marry at all. The average age ty rate to 1.8, helping people their wishes. munities to cooperate in build- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom to continue. of mothers who gave birth to achieve their hopes for mar- The outline includes the ing a society conducive to Penh, Cambodia The serious problem is that their first child last year was riage and childbearing. It expansion of childPost Mediaallowanc- Co, Ltd. child-rearing. THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 the total fertility rate, which is 30.7, or four years older than aims to realise the goal by es for householdsThe withElements three Condominium (JAPAN)/ASIA Level 7, NEWS NETWORK Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, SIEM REAP Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Phnom Penh, No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Cambodia Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 SIEM REAP COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Tests key to preventng Covid-19 re-emergenceNo 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 SUFFICIENT and timely administered already been reported, workers in the round the clock to cope with the sud- social lives and economic production James Ong Soon Teck COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT nucleic acid tests have a pivotal role to catering and express delivery sectors, den surge in demand. Besides the key activities will not be disrupted Advertising Department play in preventing any large-scale medical staff as well as students and groups that have to be tested first,Chief the Operating because Offi cer of a few new infections Chap Narith, 017 996 241 reemergence of the novel coronavirus, teachers. So far more than 2.2 million official requirement that anyone Jameswho Ong Soonemerging, Teck which is a constant likeli- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 as they have proved to be the only people in Beijing have already wants to travel outside Beijing hasAdvertising to Departmenthood given the nature of the virus. Keo puthy, 012 966 605 effective way to quickly identify asymp- received such tests. carry a negative nucleic acid test Chapcertif Narith,- 017To 996 people’s 241 relief, Beijing is already phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 tomatic cases of infection, thus making Despite the relatively quick icate issued within the past sevenHun days Channet, racing 017 578 768to meet its testing needs at full Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 it possible for those infected to be quar- response citywide, there have been has prompted many to rush to getprach the Monnyreak, throttle 012 123 – for 7777 example it has already CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION antined and treated at the earliest. reports over the past few days about test. Those who don’t make reserva CIRCULATION- & DISTRIBUTION raised its sample collection capability Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager That is why, starting last week, the some testing sites being over- tions before going to testing sites have to 500,000 people per day from 8,000 Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Thenh Rithy Chinese capital of Beijing has whelmed by crowds of people, which made the situation more complicated. previously. Given that Wuhan complet- Circulation Supervisor arranged for the mass testing of key has greatly heightened the infection Given the significance of the nucleic ADMINISTRATION ed nucleic acid tests for its nearly 10 Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 groups of people after a cluster of risks. Many test-takers have also acid tests, the authorities must makeAdmin & HR Managermillion residents within 18 days in Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 new local infection cases related to complained about the long waiting every effort to ramp up testing, forpich this Socheat May, we have every reason to believe ADMINISTRATION Xinfadi wholesale market were first time before they can get the results. will not only preempt a possible Assistantsresur- toBeijing, Admin & HR given Manager its firm resolve to win the Admin & HR Manager reported on June 11. Such groups Such problems have popped up gence in infections after the countryNhel Soaphea fight against the virus and unmatched pich Socheat include people from high-risk areas mainly because of the city’s over- has basically contained the outbreak Financial Directormedical capacity and resources, will be Assistants to Admin & HR Manager such as markets and residential com- strained testing capacity even though nationwide, but also serve to boost able to keep the outbreak under con- Heang Tangmeng Nhel Soaphea munities where infections have medical workers have been working public confidence that the normal trol. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Financial Director Chief Accountant Heang Tangmeng Sren Vicheka Chief Accountant Treasurers Sren Vicheka Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Treasurers Cheam Sopheak Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, IT Manager Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary Seng Nak, Vong Oun IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun TO CONTACT US [email protected] TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle For African students, e-learning falls far short

OUTH African student out on two months,” she said. Kholofelo Mohale was “I’m going to have to make sure over the moon as she that I catch up somehow.” moved back into her Teaching is expected to re- roomS at the University of the main online until the end of Witwatersrand after struggling the academic year. with months of e-learning. “Wits” shuttered its campus Scant online resources to prevent the spread of Covid- E-learning has been an even 19, and students had to adapt greater challenge in countries almost overnight to online outside South Africa, the conti- A teacher records lessons to be broadcast on television in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. afp teaching, streamed lectures nent’s most industrial economy. and taking tests at home. In Uganda, where classes use these forms (of teaching) Similar steps have been car- have been on hold since even post the pandemic.” ried out by unversities around March, a planned rollout of The head of Uganda’s high- the world – more than 100 cyber teaching fell flat after er education regulating body, million students are affected most universities struggled to Mary Okwakol, said that globally, according to some set up online programmes. adapting to coronavirus had estimates. Already some struggling fam- been a “learning curve”. But the shift to e-learning ilies had made sacrifices to buy “We are making steps to en- has been particularly tough smart phones – not a priority at sure that we develop capacity in sub-Saharan Africa, where a time when many were wor- in the universities to be able mobile phones are the prima- ried about their future. to conduct e-learning pro- ry means of internet access, “My parents are poor but grammes because conven- data connections are often they sold part of their sea- tional teaching has proven to poor and expensive and fam- sonal harvest and bought me be vulnerable,” she told AFP. ily homes are crowded. a smart phone,” said Annet But however good an online Mohale, 21, was among a third Karabo, a 28-year-old social programme is, it still depends of the university’s students who science student at Uganda on access to the internet, which have been allowed to return to Christian University in the in many parts of Africa is poor, their dorms in Johannesburg central district of Mukono. especially in rural areas. because of such problems. In Cameroon, journalism In Rwanda, many students “We have six people in the student Floriane Wiltort said went back to their families in house,” said Mohale, whose her big problem was lack of the countryside after schools family shares a two-bedroom consistency and teaching A schoolgirl receives lessons via Whatsapp in the district of Port Bouet in Abidjan. afp closed. home in the township of Alex- materials in the course up- Because of the poor connec- andra. “With everyone at home loaded by her university, in an entire year. The side-hustle allowed the were differences across the tion, the education ministry doing their thing . . . you don’t the southern city of Douala. “No provisions were made 24-year-old to augment his continent in how educational waived fees for online learn- even have a table to sit on.” “Our institution assured us to allow us to follow lessons government-provided finan- institutions coped with the ing and declared that missed Desperate for space and that online lectures would be remotely,” Nestor said in the cial grant, and momentarily pandemic’s many demands. coursework could be com- quiet, Mohale resorted to organised but this rarely hap- capital N’Djamena, where escape from his small studio, “At least one positive impact pleted in person when the stu- studying at night for her qual- pened,” said Wiltort. universities remain shut. where he felt “lonely”. that we are seeing is that some dents were allowed to return. ification in actuarial science, “They uploaded (old) les- He whiles away the time play- “It has been a difficult pe- students and lecturers who “We will still have to study but still had to battle with in- sons that had been distribut- ing Scrabble with his friend. riod,” said Kouyate. were not technologically savvy in classrooms when school ternet access. ed way before school facilities In the Senegalese capital are starting to become so,” resumes,” 25-year-old law Today, she looked forward were closed.” Dakar, Guinean journalism ‘Learning curve’ Kuagbedzi said from the associ- student Isaac Rwapasika to regaining the wifi connec- In neighbouring Chad, hu- student Amadou Kouyate Felicia Kuagbedzi, spokes- ation’s headquarters in Ghana. complained. “So I think that tion in her student room. man sciences student Mous- used the spare time to deliver woman for the Association of “There should be a will to online learning has been use- “Now my worry is that I lost sa Nestor feared he had lost food orders from restaurants. African Universities, said there build on this capacity and less for most of us.” afp As lockdown lifts, Spanish plants enjoy a day at the opera

THE lights dim, the curtain rises and quartet played the beautiful lilting makes us smile,” said the Liceu’s artis- the music begins – all signs normal melodies of Puccini’s Crisantemi – tic director Victor Garcia de Gomar. life has returned to Barcelona’s Liceu or The Chrysanthemums. The concert was streamed live on opera house, were the seats not filled The idea of the concert came to the theatre’s website so those who with some 2,300 plants. conceptual artist Eugenio Ampu- wanted to could put it on for their After months of silence, the em- dia during the lockdown when the own plants at home to hear. blematic opera house located in normal bustle of urban living was “We are at the end of an era and central Barcelona decided to throw silenced, the sound of birdsong was that means that we have to change open its doors with a unique perfor- much clearer and the plants around certain paradigms,” Ampudia said. mance – a metaphor for the months his house grew more vigorously. “We don’t live in the same world as of lockdown when nature took back The idea was to have people reflect 90 days ago, and this means we have space from people. on the concept of sustainability and to reflect on everything that we do.” Seated in the plush red seats of the their relationship with nature. “I think that all these plants some- stalls, the dress circle and the boxes “I thought why don’t we go into how know in their inner being, in their were an eye-catching array of 2,292 the Liceu like weeds, take it over and cells, their photosynthesis that they ficus trees, palms and Swiss cheese let nature start growing everywhere have been at this concert,” he said. plants, their verdant green contrast- and turn it into something alive After the concert, all the plants ing with the ornate gold columns even when there are no people,” he were to be donated to healthcare and mouldings of the auditorium. told reporters. professionals who have worked on On the stage, which has stood It was like “a visual poem, both the frontline fighting the virus over The Uceli Quartet performs for an audience of plants at Barcelona’s Liceu Grand Theatre. afp empty since mid-March, a string a subtle metaphor but one which the past few months. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Trump no match for K-pop’s political hustle

EGIONS of K-pop fans and TikTok users are taking credit for upending Donald Trump’s weekend rally af- terL block-reserving tickets with no intention to attend an event that was beset by an embarrassingly low turnout. Prior to the event in Tulsa, Okla- homa – hyped as a major relaunch ahead of the November election – Trump’s campaign chairman tweet- ed that more than a million tickets had been requested. But according to the local fire de- partment, just 6,200 people attended. Viral posts on TikTok and Twitter revealed that plans to reserve tickets en masse had been circulating for days, racking up hundreds of thou- sands of views. One video urged fans of the South Korean “K-pop” sensation BTS – one of the world’s most popular bands, with more than 21 million Twitter followers – to participate in the plot. “Oh no, I signed up for a Trump rally, and I can’t go,” said one wom- an who coughed sarcastically in a separate TikTok video. Brad Parscale, Trump’s campaign manager, blamed “radical protes- tors” for “interfering” with the rally. But Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 30-year-old leftist congresswoman from New York, clapped back: “You just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok.” “KPop allies, we see and appreci- ate your contributions in the fight for justice too,” she added. Legions of K-pop fans are taking credit for upending Donald Trump’s weekend political rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. getty images/afp

‘Socially conscious’ fans people and K-pop in the United ourselves, to be kind to others, and “Fans are online all the time... K- And though some political ana- Though ascertaining the viral cam- States is very heavily supported by to be there for one another,” said pop organizers are primarily on Twit- lysts cast the viral effort to rain on paign’s concrete impact on the rally’s people of color, by people who iden- Dawnica Nadora, a 27-year-old vol- ter,” said Saeji, who said fans’ un- Trump’s parade as just a prank, a attendance is near impossible, the tify as being LGBTQ,” she said. unteer for the charity’s US arm. derstanding of internet algorithms number of commentators including action spotlighted K-pop’s tradition K-pop superstars, known as idols, In 2018, the powerhouse boy band makes them a powerful group when Saeji said it amounts to much more. as a politically engaged fandom. are expected to be role models, Saeji addressed the United Nations, urg- it comes to online organizing. “They corrupted all of this data Just in the past month, fans of explained, and often inspire ardent ing young people to engage their According to the social media plat- that the Trump campaign was trying the globally dominant pop genre – fandoms. own convictions. form, #KpopTwitter posted a record to collect,” she said. “They basically which was born approximately 25 Though adorers would often send Saeji pointed to a “messaging of 6.1 billion tweets in 2019. showed the campaign, you’re not years ago in South Korea – coopted gifts to their favorite performers, positivity” behind the current activ- “We are very lucky that ARMYs going to be able to trust any of your the hashtag #WhiteLivesMatter by many stars ask support be sent to ism from fans. support one another, despite often numbers in the future.” flooding it with K-pop-related im- charities instead. “K-pop attracts people who like being thousands of miles away from agery to drown out racist tweets. After BTS dropped $1 million be- this kind of music but also who want each other,” volunteer and BTS fan “That is a powerful flex.” “K-pop has a culture of being re- hind the Black Lives Matter move- to make the world a better place.” Nadora said, using the nickname for Saeji also said the action gave sponsible,” said CedarBough Saeji, ment, a fan collective charity – fans of the group. youth online evidence of their own an academic expert of the genre known as One in An ARMY – raised ‘Powerful flex’ “Most of us have never met each oth- agency to provoke change. based out of Indiana University. another $1 million to match. That socially conscious attitude, er in person, but what makes us work “If they believe they can make a “K-pop fans in general are out- “BTS songs have played a role in coupled with internet savvy, makes as a unit is that we respect each other, difference, they’re also going to be- ward-looking, socially conscious motivating us to be confident with the K-pop fandom a mighty force. and help each other to improve.” lieve that voting is worthwhile.” India’s Modi promotes yoga as coronavirus shield

INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra not only in India but worldwide but Modi has extolled yoga as a way of Modi called for people to this year “go building a “protective shield” of immu- indoors”. nity against the coronavirus, as his Modi also hailed yoga as a way to nation battles a surge in infections. ease the extraordinary stresses people Modi, a keen yoga practitioner who are enduring because of the virus. has long espoused the benefits of the “Yoga has the potential to cater to the ancient Indian practice, gave the mental, physical and psychological advice in a YouTube message ahead challenges. It puts to test how one can of World Yoga Day on Sunday. live in challenging times,” he said. “We all know that until now In January, the Ministry of AYUSH nowhere in the world have they been (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Una- able to develop a vaccine for Covid- ni, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoe- 19 or coronavirus,” Modi said in the opathy) released an advisory on how video published Thursday. ancient homeopathy and Ayurveda “Which is why right now, only a remedies could help Indians combat strong immunity can act as a protec- the coronavirus. tive shield or a bodyguard for us and But experts, including the US’ our family members... yoga is our National Institutes of Health, have trusted friend in building this protec- warned that “no scientific evidence tive shield (of immunity).” that any of these alternative remedies The Indian leader, a teetotal vege- can prevent or cure Covid-19”. tarian, set up a ministry to promote India’s national and state govern- yoga, Ayurveda and other traditional ments have also stressed the impor- Indian treatments when he came to tance of mask-wearing and social power in 2014. distancing. Modi initially proposed World Yoga The South Asian nation of 1.3 bil- Day to the United Nations, winning lion people is the fourth worst-hit approval in 2014. country in the world with more than The day normally see masses of 380,000 virus infections, official fig- Family members in India practise yoga at home after advised to do so by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. afp people gather for public yoga events ures show. 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Rome overrun by Thinking caps scooter invasion as city lockdown lifted

“SUPER BOWL ALTERNATIVES”

ACROSS 50 Burt Reynolds film 25 Word with bubble or mud 1 Playing marble 56 Pueblo tribe member 26 Throb with pain 6 Blueprint detail 57 Crockett or Jones 27 Genealogy chart 10 Saucy 58 Silent screen’s Harold 28 Debussy’s “La ___” 14 Camera maker 60 Norse deity 29 Actor Keach Tourists ride a self-service battery-run scooter in front of the Coliseum in the newly opened Italian capital, 15 Pressure unit 61 Part of G.E. (abbr.) 30 Unit price word which is allowing 16,000 of the electric devices onto the roads. afp 16 Wing-shaped 62 When the mouse ran down the 32 Close harder than hard 17 It might be airtight clock 33 Agitated fit ITH Rome cities from Paris to Athens Several attempts were made 18 Eclectic collection 63 Of sound mind 34 Make impressions, in a way emerging from have introduced more cycling in the past to promote self- 19 Broad-beamed 64 Allergy symptom 35 Conversation filler 37 Muse of poetry lockdown into lanes, with plans for greener service bicycles, but without 20 Al Pacino film 65 Bumpkin 38 Perfume ball warm summer transport. success, many ending up 23 Daisy of “Li’l Abner” DOWN 39 Glamorous Gabor Wdays, electric scooters have vandalised or thrown into the 24 Curled-lip looks 1 Literary compilation 43 Salty solution invaded its streets as the Ital- ‘Small revolution’ waters of the Tiber. 25 The Caped Crusader 2 “Monster” lizard 44 Stage construction ian capital joins the debate Rome was one of the last In the current scheme, a 29 Caterpillar hairs 3 All in the family 45 Ambush over urban public transport major European cities to maximum of 16,000 scooters 31 Farm land measure 4 Unwanted name in “Roots” 46 Moral beliefs of a group 32 The way up, maybe 5 Conundrum during the pandemic. make self-service scooters will be allowed, with the usual 47 Valerie Harper TV role During a recent sunny available to its pedestrians, operating rules about speed 33 Type of whale 6 Kitchen range 7 Word with North or South 48 Fasten anew weekend, thousands of users, residents and tourists. limits and an age limit of 14 36 Keanu Reeves film 8 “___ Brockovich” 49 USA buddy detective show mostly young people, slalom- In other cities such as Paris years and above. 40 Part of a giggle 9 Railroad-track brace 51 Big party 41 Apartment pest, briefly ed through Rome’s historic they are well established, Their use remains limited 10 “Dances With Wolves” foe 52 Nights, in classifieds 42 Lead-in for president or squad centre, on the road leading though often the source of for the moment in the his- 11 Leave out a vowel 53 Lowest female voice 43 Rat Pack first name to the Colosseum and around debate over their benefits and toric centre. It is impossible, 12 Tool for meteorologists 54 Chess piece 44 Wrap in a bandage the famed Piazza Venezia. drawbacks, and the question for example, to leave them 13 Deuce toppers 55 Unit of force 46 Manuscript mistakes Two-wheel scooters were of safety regulations. parked on Vatican territory. 21 James Bond creator Fleming 59 Marina ___ Rey 49 Pod dweller parked on the sidewalks, ar- “Electric scooters represent Rome scooter riders face 22 Relieve of weapons ranged side by side, or in a small revolution for our another problem: the city’s other cases isolated on street city,” said Rome Mayor Vir- omnipresent cobblestones, Tuesday’s solution corners, or lying abandoned ginia Raggi. which are difficult to avoid in in the roads. E-scooters are already pres- the streets and alleys of the For some Romans the self- service battery-run scooters, We are tourists, and to avoid already common in other European cities, ease conges- any contact with public tion and help people avoid transport, we decided to take packed-out public transport in times of pandemic. the scooter For others they are messy, unregulated nuisance. ent in other cities in Italy, Eternal City. “Rome is full of cars and such as Milan, Bologna, Tu- Still, not all Romans are mopeds, so it’s important rin, Verona. happy with the flood of elec- to use this kind of means of Four self-service scooter tric scooters in the heart of transport for the environ- companies have been operat- Rome. Tuesday’s solution ment,” said Vito, a tourist vis- ing in the capital since their According to Italian press iting Rome with his family. authorisation on March 1: reports, the development is al- “We are tourists, and to Lime, Bird, Helbiz and Dott. ready arousing protests from avoid any contact with public The municipality’s project taxi associations, who are de- transport, we decided to take provides for a two-year ex- nouncing the chaos on the the scooter.” perimental phase. streets and “non-compliance As European cities lift vi- Rome’s historic city centre is with the law”, which forces rus lockdowns and reopen, relatively untouched by traf- drivers to be extra vigilant be- many are keeping social dis- fic jams, but the car remains cause of scooter “mania”. tancing restrictions on public favoured means of transport One local newspaper re- transport as a way to stop the in the Italian capital, which ported 14 accidents in the spread of the virus. has few bike paths, and often capital and several cases of As people look to alterna- poorly maintained roads, pot- vandalism since the scooters tives, bike sales are up and holes and damaged asphalt. began flooding the city. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Ronaldo, Dybala lead Juventus to victory

RISTIANO Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala scored early as Juventus put their Ital- ian Cup final woes behind themC with a 2-0 win over Bologna on Monday to move four points clear of Lazio on top of the Serie A table. Portuguese star Ronaldo had missed a penalty in the Italian Cup semi-final against AC Milan, and drew a blank in the final which Ju- ventus lost 4-2 on penalties to Na- poli. But the 35-year-old made no mis- takes in Juventus’s first league game since beating Inter Milan 2-0 in Tu- rin on March 8. He converted a spot-kick earned by Matthijs de Ligt after 23 minutes for his 26th goal for the Turin giants in all competitions this season. Paulo Dybala curled in the sec- ond on 36 minutes off a Federico Bernardeschi back-heel flick as Ju- ventus, chasing a ninth consecutive Scudetto, opened up a four-point lead on second-placed Lazio. The Romans travel north to fourth-placed Atalanta in Bergamo on Wednesday, looking to keep their bid for a first Serie A title in two de- cades on track. Inter Milan, in third, are nine points adrift of Juventus, and next host Sassuolo. AC Milan shrugged off the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to sweep past Lecce 4-1 and keep their bid for Eu- ropean football next season alive as 10-man Fiorentina were held 1-1 by Juventus’ Argentine forward Paulo Dybala (centre) dribbles past Bologna defenders during Juventus’ 2-0 win on Monday. Dybala scored the second goal of the match. afp basement club Brescia. Swedish star Ibrahimovic has yet us, without him we had to find other minutes. Milan move up to seventh equal penalty spot but Fiorentina captain to return from a calf injury but Mi- solutions.” Lecce keeper Gabriel denied Cal- on points with Napoli, who occupy German Pezzella responded with a lan put their exit in the Italian Cup In Lecce, Samuel Castillejo opened hanoglu with Giacomo Bonaven- the final Europa League berth be- diving header after half an hour. semi-final behind them at relega- the scoring after 26 minutes for the tura on hand to finish off with Ante fore they play this week. Fiorentina had two goals disal- tion-threatened Lecce. visitors, connecting with a Hakan Rebic racing through the Lecce de- In Florence, Franck Ribery re- lowed and played the final 20 min- “It’s an important victory,” said Calhanoglu cross from the right to fence for a third – and his seventh turned after nearly seven months utes a man down when Martin Cac- Milan coach Stefano Pioli. slot in his first goal this season. goal this season. out following an ankle injury but his eres was sent off for a second yellow “Roma (in fifth) are far away at the Marco Mancosu pulled Lecce level Rafael Leao got his head to an An- side settled for a third consecutive card. moment but we have to try to make from the penalty spot after 54 min- drea Conti cross with Calhanoglu stalemate against Brescia. The Tuscany club are 13th with as many points as possible. utes, sparking an immediate Milan again involved in the build-up after Alfredo Donnarumma put Bres- Brescia ending their three-match “Ibra is a fundamental player for fightback with two goals in three 72 minutes. cia ahead after 17 minutes from the losing streak. afp David Warner: Don’t fuel Kohli’s fire “White lives matter” AUSTRALIA’S David Warner Warner, who along with banner angers club has warned against sledging Steve Smith missed the se- Virat Kohli when India tour ries while they served a ball- BURNLEY captain Ben Mee time bans from the club. Australia this year, saying tampering ban, said Australia told fans who flew a “White “We wish to make it clear “trying to poke the bear” will are much better prepared this Lives Matter” banner above that those responsible are not only make the star batsman time. the Etihad Stadium at the welcome at Turf Moor,” Burn- play better. “It’s a much-anticipated start of a 5-0 defeat by Man- ley said. “This, in no way, rep- As cricket slowly gets back return to Australia for India. chester City on Monday “to resents what Burnley Football into action after coronavirus I am excited, one to be se- come into the 21st century”. Club stands for and we will suspensions, India are slated lected and to be a part of that. The banner reading “White work fully with the authorities to tour Australia for four Test Last time we were not bad but lives matter Burnley” was to identify those responsible matches in December-Janu- were beaten by a good team seen shortly after all players and take appropriate action. ary in what is set to be a high- and their bowling was relent- and match officials had taken “We are fully behind the light of the year. less,” said Warner. a knee in solidarity with the Premier League’s Black Lives Warner, a lynchpin of Aus- “Now, India has got the best Black Lives Matter move- Matter initiative and, in line tralia’s batting attack, said batting line-up and our bowl- ment. with all other Premier League he is looking forward to the ers will like to target them.” “The aeroplane that went games undertaken since Proj- confrontation but that he will Warner said he’s also keen out at the beginning of the ect Restart, our players and steer clear of taunting India’s to play the lucrative Indian game, I am ashamed, I’m em- football staff willingly took captain. Premier League if the In- barrassed, that a small num- the knee at kick-off at Man- “I thrive on the crowd, I ternational Cricket Council ber of our fans have decided chester City. thrive on people sort of going postpones the T20 World Cup, to put that around the stadi- “We apologise unreserv- at me in the field. And getting scheduled to start October 18 um,” said Mee. edly to the Premier League, into that battle,” Warner told in Australia. “It completely missed the to Manchester City and to India Today television. The fate of the T20 show- point. The group of lads in all those helping to promote “I think Virat is quite simi- piece will be decided next there are embarrassed to Black Lives Matter.” lar, if you go a little bit at Virat month and if the World Cup see that and not what we are Black Lives Matter have been he comes out harder with the is sidelined, the delayed IPL about at all. printed on the back of shirts bat and he plays amazing. We could take its place. Cricket Virat Kohli (left) is one of India’s star batsmen. Last year India claimed “It missed the point of the rather than players’ names for have seen that time and time Australia has admitted the their first Test series win in Australia after 71 years of trying.afp whole thing of what we are the first 12 games of the Pre- again. World Cup looks “unrealistic” trying to achieve. These peo- mier League’s return. “There is no point in actu- this year as the pandemic lin- “The challenges around the decision from the ICC,” ple need to come into the 21st The gesture comes follow- ally trying to poke the bear gers. getting every single nation Warner said. century and educate them- ing the death of black Ameri- because at the end of the day Warner, who is captain of that participates in the World He added: “I am definitely selves as a lot of us do. I’m re- can George Floyd at the hands if you do that it just fires up Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Cup into Australia, given the sure and positive that we ally upset that happened.” of police last month, which the person a bit more.” IPL, said quarantine rules for fact that we have the quar- (Australian players) will be Burnley also issued a state- sparked protests around the Last year India claimed their foreigners entering Australia antine for 14 days . . . we have able to come and play in the ment at half-time saying world and led to sportspeople first Test series win in Austra- was one of many problems to obviously abide by those IPL if that replaces the World those responsible for the air- showing solidarity with those lia after 71 years of trying. for the World Cup. rules and obviously we await Cup schedule.” afp craft would be handed life- demonstrations. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 24, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Emotional Wallace tears up as Nascar drivers show support

BUBBA Wallace made an emotional still have to go to eradicate racial return to Nascar racing on Monday prejudice”. as justice officials began probing “The sick person who perpetrated the discovery of a noose placed in this act must be found, exposed and the trailblazing black driver’s team swiftly and immediately expelled garage. from Nascar,” he said. “I stand Wallace, 26, appeared to be in tears shoulder to shoulder with Bubba, at the start of the weather-delayed yesterday, today, tomorrow and ev- Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeed- ery day forward.” way in Alabama as his fellow drivers Nascar icon Dale Earnhardt Jr hugged him in turn before the race. meanwhile said it was important The scenes came a day after Na- the sport supported Wallace. scar revealed that a noose had been “I don’t worry about our sport,” found in Wallace’s garage stall at Earnhardt wrote on Twitter. “I have the track, triggering a possible hate confidence Nascar’s leadership crime investigation by federal au- will find who did this and continue thorities. pushing us in the right direction. Wallace is the only black driver “I do worry about Bubba. I hope who races full-time in Nascar’s top Bubba is feeling loved and supported. Cup series and recently successfully Keep sending him that love and sup- called for the removal of the Con- port. He needs it now more than ever.” federate flag at the circuit’s events. Several Nascar drivers earlier Monday’s rescheduled race turned tweeted messages using the hashtag into a mass show of support as driv- #IStandWithBubba. ers closed ranks around Wallace. “I can’t begin to fathom the pain Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov is one of three players to be infected at an exhibtion tournament held on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast and Wallace was visibly moved before- this action has caused. I stand with hosted by world number one Novak Djokovic. afp hand as his fellow drivers rallied be- you @BubbaWallace,” wrote sev- hind him at the starting line. en-time Nascar champion Jimmie Multiple drivers and crew then Johnson. joined forces to push Wallace’s Rich- Wallace, who has been outspoken Tennis tourney raises ard Petty No.43 car to the front of the about racial injustice in the wake grid. Wallace exited the car and ap- of George Floyd’s death in Minne- peared to be in tears as driver after apolis police custody on May 25, driver hugged him. said on Sunday he was “incredibly Wallace, who ran out of fuel near the saddened” by the “despicable act of questions about restart end of the race before finishing 14th, racism”. gave a post-race interview to televi- “This will not break me,” Wallace RIGOR Dimitrov, Borna Australian star Nick Kyrgios pulled ported that five of their players had sion without wearing a face mask. said. “I will not give in, nor will I Coric and Viktor Troicki no punches in his reaction to Coric’s gone down with coronavirus just 12 “The sport is changing,” Wallace back down.” have all tested positive for tweet. days after their derby clash with Par- said. “Sorry I’m not wearing my US justice authorities on Monday coronavirus after taking tizan Belgrade. mask...but that deal yesterday, I said the FBI and the Justice Depart- partG in an exhibition tennis tourna- ‘Not a joke’ The game was watched by 16,000 wanted to show whoever it was that ment’s Civil Rights Division were ment in the Balkans featuring world “Boneheaded decision to go ahead fans, the largest sporting gathering you’re not going to take away my working to determine if any laws number one Novak Djokovic, raising with the ‘exhibition’,” Kyrgios wrote seen in Europe since the continent smile. I’m going to keep on going. had been violated. questions over the sport’s planned on social media. went into lockdown in March. “The stars didn’t completely align “Regardless of whether federal return in August. “Speedy recovery fellas, but that’s The Adria Tour had been organised for me today, but all in all, we won charges can be brought, this type of Croatia’s Coric, ranked 33rd in the what happens when you disregard to fill the gap in the virus-hit tennis today.” action has no place in our society,” a world, revealed Monday he had test- all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE.” calendar which has been on ice since statement said. ed positive for Covid-19, with Tro- Britain’s Andy Murray called it “a mid-March and was played out to ‘Filthy act’ Meanwhile, other sports stars have icki confirmed to have contracted lesson for all of us”. a daily crowd of 4,000 fans at Djok- Among the wellwishers at the cir- sent messages of support to Wallace the virus several hours later. “Once you start having mass gath- ovic’s tennis centre on the banks of cuit on Monday was team owner following the noose’s discovery. It follows Sunday’s announcement erings with people coming in from the Danube in Belgrade last week. Richard Petty, the Nascar legend NBA star LeBron James described by Dimitrov that he had also tested all sorts of countries, it’s a recipe for Dimitrov, Djokovic and Thiem, as known simply as ‘The King’. the incident as “sickening”. positive after pulling out of the ex- it to kick off,” Murray said. well as the other players, were then The 82-year-old has not attended “Know you don’t stand alone!” hibition event in Croatia, one of the Also playing in the tournament seen partying at a packed Belgrade a race since the Covid-19 pandemic James wrote. “I’m right here with biggest since the tennis season was were world number three Dominic night spot. erupted but travelled to Talladega to you as well as every other athlete. halted because of the pandemic. Thiem, former US Open winner Thiem has since travelled to the show support. “I just want to continue to say how Coric tweeted: “I want to make Marin Cilic, seventh-ranked Alexan- south of France to play in another Petty described the noose in Wal- proud I am of you for continuing sure anyone who has been in con- der Zverev and Filip Krajinovic. exhibition tournament in Nice. lace’s garage as a “filthy act (which) to take a stand for change here in tact with me during the last few days Both Zverev and Cilic later took to The Adria Tour had already suf- serves as a reminder of how far we America and sports!” afp gets tested! Twitter to say they their tests had re- fered an embarrassing setback “I am really sorry for any harm I turned negative for the virus which when the planned Montenegro leg might have caused! I’m feeling well has killed over 465,000 people. of the four-nation tournament was and don’t have any simptoms (sic). “I have just received the news that cancelled when it became apparent Please stay safe and healthy!” my team and I have tested negative for Serbia’s health requirements did not One of Djokovic’s coaches and Covid-19,” Germany’s Zverev wrote. match up to those of Montenegro. another member of Dimitrov’s en- “I deeply apologize to anyone that Commenting on social distancing tourage have also reportedly tested I have potentially put at risk by play- measures during the Belgrade leg, positive for the virus, according to ing this tour.” Djokovic argued that both Serbia Croatia’s N1 television channel. Tro- He said he would now be follow- and the region had been relatively icki, meanwhile, played Djokovic ing “self-isolating guidelines” whilst successful in containing the virus. last week in Belgrade. Cilic announced his intention to “Of course you can criticise, you Coric had beaten Bulgaria’s Dim- quarantine for 14 days. can also say this is dangerous or itrov in the second leg of the Adria Djokovic will reportedly speak to not, but it’s not up to me to make Tour in Zadar on Croatia’s Adriatic the public on Tuesday after receiv- the calls what is health-wise right or coast on Saturday. ing the results of his test. wrong,” he stated. Dimitrov withdrew from the Balkans His brother, the tournament’s direc- Last week, the ATP and WTA said they tournament following that match, tor Djordje Djokovic, said the 17-time were restarting their tours in August. complaining of feeling unwell. Grand Slam winner had taken the However, the US Open in New York Sunday’s final between Djokovic, who news of Dimitrov’s result “very hard”. will be played behind closed doors is president of the ATP Player Council, Details of Coric’s positive test and under strict health protocols and Russia’s Andrey Rublev was imme- emerged as Serbian football league which Djokovic has described as “ex- One day after a noose was found in his garage stall, black driver Bubba Wallace was diately cancelled as a precaution. champions Red Star Belgrade re- treme” and “impossible”. afp all smiles as the sport’s drivers and legends came out to cheer him. afp