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Tuesday, march 31, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL

Court of Appeal Cash infusion set CCF spinning upholds verdict for kingdom’s dreams for of ex-governor financial sector down-and-out national – page 5 business – page 7 lifestyle – page 17 Covid-19 State of emergency on fears spark prison riot table amid pandemic in Thailand DOZENS of prisoners broke fur- Niem Chheng held on Tuesday to review the prime ministers. But this law Though he declined to re- off by the King, he said. niture and torched buildings legal draft after which it will is a special case, it is a pre- veal the content of the draft “I still think this is just a tool during a riot in a Thai jail on Sun- RIME Minister Hun be passed on Friday at the event to the Cabinet meet- law, the prime minister said it in our hand. When the situa- day sparked by fears of a corona- Sen, his deputy prime Council of Ministers meeting ing,” Hun Sen said. covers a number of measures, tion cannot be controlled by virus outbreak in the facility. ministers and legal before going through further The draft will be approved by for example, a curfew could the police and military, we During the violence some con- team will meet on Tues- procedures. the council of ministers, sent be imposed from 8pm to 5am can use the soldiers to con- victs escaped from the Buriram dayP to review the draft law on “I reiterate now that the law to the National Assembly and for a specific duration. trol the situation during the prison where more than 2,000 declaring a state of emergency, on the state of emergency will Senate for approval, and fi- All deputy prime ministers state of emergency. are held, the justice ministry as Covid-19 cases rose to 107 in definitely come, as I already an- nally signed by the King to put have seen the draft three “In other words, it is used said. Seven have been arrested. the Kingdom on Monday. nounced on March 24 that our into use, he said. He rejected times already, prepared by in the framework of martial Local media showed footage Speaking at a press con- legal team was preparing it. the suggestion of imposing a Kert Rith, the newly ap- law or martial regime,” Hun of black smoke billowing from ference after a parliament “Tomorrow, we usually “curfew” instead of enacting a pointed Minister of Justice. It Sen said, pleading with the the prison’s multiple blocks in meeting on Monday, Hun have inter-ministry meet- new law, saying that “a curfew would be used with immedi- the country’s northeast, and a Sen said the meeting will be ing or meeting with deputy is a part of this law”. ate effect after being signed Continued – page 2 Corrections Department offi- cial said drones were deployed to investigate what weapons the prisoners were using. “There was a group of prison- ers trying to escape and were Ministry: creating chaos … which includ- ed burning down some facili- ties inside,” said Corrections Virus test Department director-general Narat Sawetana. He added later that six pris- machine oners had been injured in the melee by broken glass. More than 1,500 prisoners had to be evacuated before the rioting unreliable could be stopped. Minister of Justice Somsak Thepsutin confirmed that a Ry Sochan group of inmates sentenced to life had started “agitating” THE Ministry of Health warned other prisoners with rumours on Monday that the online of a virus outbreak. promotion and sale of rapid “The fact is that none of the testing machines for Covid-19 prisoners in Buriram were are endangering public health infected – they only started even as the government is this rumour to find some sup- fighting the growing pandem- porters,” the minister said, ic in the Kingdom. adding that the cafeteria and Speaking at a press confer- visiting areas were among the ence at the Council of Ministers, facilities torched. its spokesperson Or Vandine Mental health workers were said: “According to the World later deployed to assuage pris- Health Organisation [WHO] oners “after some rumours studies and evaluation, those were spread” about a Covid-19 machines are of very poor qual- outbreak, Major General Akka- ity. [They] show poor results and radej Pimonsri said. “The situ- are unreliable. This is a point. ation is under control.” “Another point is that those Thailand has recorded 1,524 who are positive for Covid-19 cases of the coronavirus, have been tested negative including seven deaths. when using such machines, At least two prisoners in the while those who are tested country have caught the virus. negative when using the In a bid to prevent outbreaks machines have been proven to Decision pending in jails, authorities have banned Inmates at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh. The Ministry of Justice has asked 155 prisoners to submit requests to the visitors and are quarantining Continued – page 4 government to ask if their sentences can be commuted or pardoned before Khmer New Year in April. HENG CHIVOAN sTORY > 2 new inmates for 14 days. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST Hun Sen orders suspension of National News white rice and paddy exports Inside page 2 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National PM orders suspension of white rice, paddy exports Hin Pisei

PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Monday ordered the suspen- sion of white rice and paddy exports from Cambodia from 11:59pm on April 5, on the grounds of securing domestic supplies while Covid-19 is con- tinuing to spread in Cambodia. Speaking at a press confer- ence following the extraordi- nary parliamentary session on a vote of confidence in the Cabinet appointments and reshuffles, he said the intro- Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the suspension of white rice and paddy exports from Cambodia from 11:59pm on April 5. hONG MENEA duction of a preventive strat- egy is important during an those who had previously Last year, Cambodian rice emergency, while Covid-19 is sold it to traders in neigh- exports to the international spreading in many countries, bouring countries. market were worth about $501 including Cambodia. He said: “Let the rice millers million – down 4.3 per cent He said the decision to sus- buy paddy from those who from $524 million in 2018, a Last week, 399 prisoners requested a sentence reduction or pardon. hong menea pend paddy and white rice are harvesting and need to CRF report said. exports would ensure better sell it, and buy all the paddy Representing CRF, Sokheang paddy stockpiles. to maintain good prices, and also called on the ministry to “I am ordering the suspen- avoid lower prices while there increase additional funding sion of white rice and paddy are no traders from Thailand so that rice buyers and rice Inmates seek amnesty exports but allowing the export and Vietnam.” millers can buy more paddy of fragrant rice, with effect from Cambodian Rice Federa- to stock up. April 5 onwards,” he said. tion (CRF) vice-president Ministry of Agriculture, For- He stressed that the export Chan Sokheang told The Post estry and Fisheries data, ob- ahead of the New Year suspension would apply only on Monday that the govern- tained by The Post on Monday, to white rice and paddy, which ment’s measures to suspend shows that Cambodia exported is in high demand in the do- exports of white rice and 214,612 tonnes of rice to inter- Voun Dara New Year in April. older prisoners, and senior mestic market. Fragrance rice, paddy would help Cambodia national markets this year as of “After meeting to review the prisoners with a chronic ill- which has less local demand maintain a strong stockpile. March 25. HE National Com- 399 prisoners’ request, it was ness or disability. will be exported as normal. This, he said, is especially China accounted for 94,060 mission for Review decided to forward a request “Therefore, we carefully “We have to keep food in our so under the circumstances tonnes, EU (62,998 tonnes), and Evaluation of the to the head of the govern- studied the number of prison- country, and this food . . . I am when many countries around Asean countries (27,937 Ministry of Justice ment to review and submit to ers who are seeking relief and not referring to cassava, po- the world were facing prob- tonnes), and other destina- hasT asked 155 prisoners to his majesty the King to grant amnesty. The National Com- tatoes, corn or soybeans, but lems stemming from the tions (29,617 tonnes). Paddy submit requests to the gov- sentence reductions to a total mission has already made as- to rice only, and by ‘rice’ we’re spread of Covid-19. exports to Vietnam account- ernment to ask if their sen- of 155 prisoners.” he said. sessments and is waiting for refering to milked white rice “The CRF would like to sup- ed for 836,692 tonnes. tences can be commuted or Of the 155 prisoners who documentation which may and paddy. port the government’s mea- Last year, rice exported to in- pardoned before Khmer New had requested amnesty, 45 be completed next week.” “But our fragrant rice is con- sures to strengthen domestic ternational markets reached Year in April. of their sentences could be Santepheap said. tracted for export in smaller paddy stockpiles and prevent 620,106 tonnes, down 0.97 per Ministry secretary of state reduced by six months, 35 During last year’s Khmer quantities to the EU and some any shortfall,” he said. cent from 2018’s 626,225 tonnes. Kim Santepheap, told The sentences could be reduced New Year holidays, 134 pris- other countries. This export However, the suspension of Data showed that exports to Post on March 30 that follow- by nine months, and 48 sen- oners were granted a re- can continue,” he said. white rice exports has also af- China accounted for 40.73 per ing a meeting of the commis- tences could be reduced by duced sentence or amnesty On the deadline to close ex- fected orders from some coun- cent or 248,105 tonnes, the Eu- sion, 399 prisoners requested 12 months, Santepheap said. by the government. ports, Hun Sen said it would tries, he said. “This is a situa- ropean market (32.01 per cent), a sentence reduction or par- Pardons are being considered Reduced sentences of six allow traders and others who tion we call ‘force majeure’ so or 202,990 tonnes. Exports to don last week. for 27 prisoners. months were given to 57 have already bought paddy some sort of order agreement Asean accounted for 13.41 per The commission decided He said the commission re- prisoners, nine months to 19 and are ready to export to Thai- will be waived.” cent equal or 83,164 tonnes, to forward the request of ceived 399 pardon requests prisoners and 12 months to land and Vietnam to do so. Sokheang said on aver- and other destinations (13.84 155 prisoners to the govern- from 22 provincial-level pris- 40 prisoners. Besides this, he also told age the white rice exports to per cent) or 85,847 tonnes. ment for review. These re- ons and four correctional Two life sentences were the Ministry of Economy and the international market ac- Paddy exports to Vietnam quests will be submitted to centres under the Ministry of commuted to 20 years in pris- Finance to look into the pos- counts for about 20 per cent, were 2.15 million tonnes dur- the King, who can choose to Interior. on and one life sentence to 16 sibility of disbursing funds while that for fragrant rice is ing the same period, the data grant pardons before Khmer “We favour light offenders, years. to millers to buy paddy from 80 per cent. showed. Anti-virus measures put in motion

Continued from page 1 million in donations to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. The public to show some under- money would be spent to buy standing once the law is three million face masks and enforced. 5,000 sets of protective gear Hun Sen also ordered the ex- for medical personnel. port ban on some types of rice The four new cases record- from April 5 and told all casi- ed in the Kingdom as of Mon- nos Kingdom-wide to tempo- day include a Frenchman and rarily close effective April 1. three Cambodians. “If we close now, casino own- The Frenchman is 61 years ers would run away, then who old and arrived in Cambodia will be responsible for workers on March 22, after having during this temporary closure? travelled to Guyana. I give this task to the Ministry The three Cambodians in- of Economy and Finance to clude a staff at a casino and work with casino owners. At KTV in Poipet town, Banteay least they don’t have to pay tax Prime Minister Hun Sen told all casinos Kingdom-wide to temporarily Meanchey; a man who re- close effective April 1. HENG CHIVOAN during their closure. turned from Japan; and a stu- “All casino owners have to and boats, shall stop services, Hun Sen also urged the pri- dent who just returned from deal with workers in what- while all rapid-test kits and vate sector and businesses to England on Saturday. ever ways during their busi- medicines allegedly able to show understanding during Also, two men had recov- ness suspension. The clo- cure Covid-19 must be con- this difficult period by re- ered on Monday, including sure is temporary. When the fiscated and destroyed. ducing or not taking leasing a 38-year-old in Siem Reap situation is better, they can He also reiterated that the fees. The state will control the who contracted the virus resume their business,” Hun more than 50,000 migrant price of some products, such from a Japanese man, and a Sen said. workers who returned from as rice, he said. 35-year-old man in Banteay Hun Sen also said all state Thailand before that country As of Monday, the prime Meanchey. Both were dis- public transport in the capi- closed its borders must quar- minister said the government charged on Monday, said the tal, including public buses antine themselves. had received more than $10 Ministry of Health. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Men detained PM Cabinet reshuffle approved for arson in Niem Chheng as senior ministers. It seems B’bang, R’kiri like the continuity of a cul- FTER the National ture or a tradition to refuse to MAN has been sent to the Assembly (NA) abandon power at all. Until Battambang provincial Drug unanimously voted old age, they still want to con- A Rehabilitation Centre after he set on Monday on a tinue to work further. his house on fire on Sunday. motionA by Prime Minister “So, we lose the chance for Provincial deputy police chief Hun Sen, King Norodom Si- younger people who have the Chet Vanny said on Sunday that hamoni approves the Cabi- potential and intellectual Eng Ratana, 29, burnt his house net reshuffle and appointed capacity to make a differ- in Battambang town’s Kdol five ministers and five senior ence. Dounteav commune after being ministers to streamline the “In the past, I have seen the scolded by his parents. government’s leadership. transfer of individuals from “I sent him to the rehabilitation The King and the NA on one ministry to another. But centre at his family’s request after Monday ordered and appoint- in the change this time, the finding that his urine tested posi- ed five new ministers. secretaries of state are taking tive for drugs,” he said. Cham Prasidh was appoint- the place of the ministers. I He said no one was injured in ed Minister of Industry, Sci- don’t know how much poten- the incident. ence, Technology and Inno- tial they have or how efficient “Battambang town police used vation; Koeut Rith as Minister they are. three fire engines to put out the of Justice; Chea Vandeth as “But the efficiency doesn’t fire before detaining Ratana for Minister of Posts and Tele- depend on capable individuals, questioning, ” he said. communications; Chhit but rather on the policies of the He said Ratana was high on Sokhom as Minister of Cults ruling party. Should individuals drugs and attempted to jump and Religions; and Prum do wrong, [the government] from the roof of his 10m-high Sokha as Minister of Civil still doesn’t take measures home before being detained. Service, according to a royal against them. They still forgive In a separate case in Ratanakkiri decree and an announce- King Norodom Sihamoni approves the Cabinet reshuffle and appointed five ministers and five senior and favour them in a family province, a man was placed in pre- ment released by the NA on ministers to streamline the government’s leadership. National Assembly manner, that is the same as trial detention on Friday over domes- Monday. before,” Chanrath said. tic violence and arson in Banlung Four former ministers, Him age was a factor in shuffling public finance sectors. Former Cambodia Nation- He said the national and town’s Boeung Kanseng commune. Chhem, Ang Vong Vathana, the ministers. He said his first move was al Rescue Party (CNRP) law- international communities Banlung town police chief Teng Tram Iv Tek and Pich Bun Thin, He said: “Their Excellencies to change two ministers, maker Ou Chanrath said on have complained about the Savuth said Hey Sokchea, 38, were appointed senior minis- Him Chhem, Ang Vong Vatha- including the ministers of Monday that he saw the Ministry of Justice before, say- was arrested for using violence ters in charge of Special Mis- na, Tram Iv Tek and Pich Bun Civil Service and justice. change as positive in some ing they dispensed social jus- on his wife and burning their sions. Prasidh was also appoint- Thin are all able persons, but “For the Ministry of Posts ways. tice and resolved human rights house down. ed as a senior minister. we have to see their age. They and Telecommunications, He said at least the new matters in an untrustworthy He said Sokchea is unemployed Speaking at a press confer- have already run into diffi- since this is a digital age, we appointees have different and problematic way. while his 45-year-old wife Nop ence following the NA ses- culty. We cannot keep forcing require the Minister of Posts attributes in terms of physi- Chanrath expressed hope Sophorn owns a small laundry sion, Hun Sen said the gov- them to do this or do that and Telecommunications to cal and mental agility. But he that the ministry will make a business. ernment shake-up was without considering their have an agile mind to take believes the policies and lot of changes under the lead- “He’s a drunkard and hits his needed to implement the health.” the initiative to do things on leadership of the ruling party ership of the new ministers, wife every day. Even his two little political programmes of the Hun Sen also hinted at time. We are reaching a phase are more important. but added that everything girls do not dare to live at home,” government more efficiently. reforms in the public admin- of changing from analogue to “Some didn’t end their would depend on the policies he said. Kim Sarom Hun sen mentioned that istration, the judiciary and digital,” he said. positions, they still continue of the ruling party.

He a r t i e s t Congratulation

To H.E. Ko e u t Ri th on his recent promotion as Minister of Justice

From LY TAYSENG Ly Tayseng, Managing Partner Managing Partner and all team of HBS Law and HBS Notary Public of +855 (0) 17 555 268 +855 (0) 23 224 337 The Kingdom of Cambodia [email protected] LY TAYSENG www.hbslaw.asia Managing Partner +855 (0) 17 555 268 #2C, Soma Bldg. (4Ǧǚ & 5ǦǚŇŽŽƌͿ͕ +855 (0) 17 555 268 +855 (0) 23 224 337 [email protected] www.hbslaw.asia +855 (0) 23 224 337 [email protected] ^ƚ͘ϭϮϬ͕WŚƐĂƌdŚŵĞLJϮ͕ĂƵŶWĞŶŚ͕ www.hbslaw.asia PHNOM PENH #2C, Soma Bldg. (4Ǧǚ & 5ǦǚŇŽŽƌͿ͕ +855 (0) 17 555 268 +855 (0) 23 224 337 [email protected] www.hbslaw.asia ^ƚ͘ϭϮϬ͕WŚƐĂƌdŚŵĞLJϮ͕ĂƵŶWĞŶŚ͕ 12209 PHNOM PENH 12209

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#2C, Soma Bldg. (4th & 5th floor), St. 120, Phsar Thmey 2, Daun Penh, PHNOM PENH 12209 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National ‘This is not Free sanitiser freedom distributed to of speech’

Continued from page 1 poor people be positive for Covid-19. So this kind of result is very dangerous for public health.” Vandine said this is the reason in Kingdom why the WHO did not suggest using such machines. However, the WHO is speeding up work Long Kimmarita tion is meant to ease difficulties on machines that are reliable. among those who can hardly “It hopes that in the near future, ROUND 2,000 litres afford it as its price has skyrock- there will be a ray of light and of hand sanitiser eted amid the pandemic. additional advice. But I dare not has been distributed Citing expert advice, he said say how soon that will be because to people in vari- people need to frequently it is based on WHO’s decision on ousA provinces, while another wash their hands with alco- rapid tests,” she said. 5,000 litres will be produced hol or disinfectant gel as a Another 5,000 litres of sanitiser will be produced for free distribution. supplied On Sunday, the authorities for free distribution as the precaution. detained a woman in her 20s in Kingdom grapples with the Kimsour said while the free plain it to them,” he said. province’s Poipet town as well. can’t afford it. After produc- Russey Keo district. He had adver- coronavirus outbreak. distribution of sanitisers may Kimsour said the disinfec- Poor people in Phnom Penh, tion, we can also send it to the tised the online sale of rapid test- Local businessman Hem not lead to a price decrease, it tant gel, which is produced at Siem Reap and Kampong Speu Ministry of Health for inspec- ing machines for Covid-19 after it Hema and Tan Kimsour, the will help those who need it for a soap factory in Siem Reap provinces will get it too, he said. tion and approval.” was banned by the ministry. founder of Baitong Warriors, protection during the outbreak. province, is to be distributed Hema, who has purchased a Hema, who has more than A commune police official at which gathers youths to plant “An additional 5,000 litres will to people living along the machine to produce the sani- five years’ experience in soap Kilometre 6, who asked to remain trees, said they give away san- be sent directly to garment fac- Lem area on the Cambodian- tiser for free distribution, told production, said the sanitiser anonymous, told The Post on itisers as part of efforts to pro- tories because I have received Thai borders in Battambang The Post on Sunday that he has he produces is up to standard, Monday that before her arrest, tect people from infections. [a request] from workers who province’s Kamrieng district produced about 2,000 litres of with 60 to 65 per cent of pure the woman had posted on Face- On Monday, Kimsour said that said more people need it. and hospitals in the province. it in less than a month. alcohol mixed with some raw book that there is a machine that on the positive side, the Covid- “Some people we have He said the sanitiser will also The 40-year-old Siem Reap materials. can test Covid-19. 19 outbreak has led to good visited are vague about the be distributed to the mosque businessman said: “We will He said the sanitiser can stay Senior-level authorities saw the hygiene practises among the Covid-19 disease, so we also along the Cambodian-Thai produce another 5,000 litres on the skin for up to 20 sec- post and ordered their subordi- public. He said the free distribu- took the opportunity to ex- border in Banteay Meanchey to be distributed to those who onds and does not affect it. nates to investigate. The woman was traced to the Kilometre 6 commune and arrested. “When the authorities searched her house, she did not have the machines on Workers get $100 handout in lieu of wages hand even though she posted on Facebook that she had Long Kimmarita overtime and complete their work concerned that it will pay the workers Covid-19 infections. But it didn’t pay them them. District police officers soon. The employer claimed that when only, not the contractors, who haven’t any money. How will they leave? They took her in for questioning as NEARLY 100 construction workers the work is complete, he would pay reached a deal with the company yet. have laboured to work at the site. Without per legal procedure,” he said. accepted a $100 handout from an them their total wages. “The company gave us $6,000 and we the money, the workers refused to leave. Russey Keo district police employer to return to their hometowns But when Covid-19 broke out, she shared it with the workers. It said to take “I take pity on them. The workers chief Heang Thareth told The after work was suspended at a con- said, the employer announced that all that amount to cope with food first. have wives and children. When they Post on Monday that the wom- struction site in Preah Sihanouk prov- workers should go home without their “Wait for Monday, we’ll solve your are forced to go home, they don’t have an was sent to the municipal ince’s commune four. past due wages of over two months. problem further, they said. On Mon- money. How can they go home without police office but municipal The workers had been living on the “We worked for the contractor and day, the firm gave another $3,000 and anything to eat?” she asked. police chief Sar Thet could not abandoned site, owned by the company, they kept allowing us to work overtime. we shared only $100 with workers, now Preah Sihanouk provincial Depart- be reached for comment. Thay Soer, while waiting for their wages. When the work was complete, we will the money is gone,” Theara said. ment of Labour and Vocational Train- Meanwhile, on Sunday, Phnom On the afternoon of March 27, the be paid all wages, they said. She said the company had not yet ing director Yov Khemara told The Post Penh authorities checked 12 workers gathered to protest in front of a “When we laid tiles day and night, they paid all the workers and it owed them on Monday that it will continue to pharmacies in Tapang market in 12-storey unfinished building on the site said that they didn’t have wages, and they more than $30,000. She expects the monitor the case. Daun Penh district to ascertain after their employer cut off their electric- suspended the worksite. We must be relevant authorities will intervene to He said the firm had also agreed to if the machines were being sold, ity at their temporary homes and forced owed over $2,000 or $3,000,” she said. find a solution for them. If the deadline offer the workers some compensation but none were found according them to leave without being paid. Piseth Theara, a construction fore- comes and a solution is not found, the and are continuing to solve the case. to National Police. Noeur Sokorm, a construction work- woman in charge of laying bricks and workers will renew the protest. “[The company] breached the trust The same day, the Ministry of er from Battambang province, told The supervising workers, confirmed that Thay Soer company’s representative of the contractor. When they don’t Health warned the public not Post on Monday that she had started after the protest, the company gave could not be reached for comment on know with whom to file a complaint, to use Covid-19 self-testing kits working at the site a year ago. each worker $100 to return home. Monday. they come to file the complaint with as illegally advertised by some She said the employer recently She said the company claimed it would “[The company] allowed all the workers the department. The department is individuals with exaggerated encouraged all its workers to work pay them more on April 30. But she’s to leave the construction site in fear of the helping them,” Khemara said. claims. The ministry called on the authorities to take legal action against them. Vandine urged the public not to be taken in by online promo- Siem Reap forest fire are under control, officials say tions selling such self-testing kits as they were illegal and the Khouth Sophakchakrya Chan Tong, deputy head of the pro- claims had not been verified by vincial Fisheries Administration, told the ministry or WHO. THE Siem Reap provincial authorities The Post on Monday that forest fires in “Please do not waste your are joining hands to extinguish a fire Cambodia are generally caused by money on test kits as it has not that has engulfed around 10ha of human factors. been confirmed as effective. If flooded forest in the Veal Krom area in He said some people used fire to get you have any problem, please call Siem Reap town’s Chreav district since bee hives, while others illegally ignite 115 for our doctors to check and Wednesday. fires in the forest trap wildlife. evaluate your health,” she said. Siem Reap town police chief Nop “Over the past five days, the fire has After a meeting at the Nation- Sarak told The Post on Monday that a damaged nearly 10ha of the flooded al Assembly on Monday, Prime number of machinery and nearly 100 forest. Minister Hun Sen called on the people took part in the operation. “At this time, our police forces have suc- public not to believe in the Cov- Sarak said because there is no access cessfully prevented the fire from spread- id-19 test kits, and any medicines for fire trucks to the area, the authorities ing, so by Monday night we should be which are allegedly able to treat and villagers had to use tree branches able to put it out completely,” he said. the coronavirus. He ordered the as a means to put out the flames, though Tong said as a precaution, his team has authorities to take action against they were of little use. worked in collaboration with the local those making such claims. On Sunday, the Siem Reap Provincial authorities to educate villagers about the “I order the authorities to arrest Administration ordered all relevant dangers of using fire to get bee hives and the persons promoting the sale of authorities to join hands, deploying more the official ban on the practice. such machines online or medica- than 100 people, five fire trucks, one exca- He said despite the prohibition, some tions that claim to cure Covid-19. vator, two bulldozers and five tractors. people still continue the practice. There is no further need to edu- “By this time [3:15pm], the authori- In a separate case, Tong said flooded cate them. Those who announced ties had put out around 80 per cent of forest totalling 11ha in Sotr Nikum dis- it online must be found immedi- The fire engulfed around 10ha of flooded forest in the Veal Krom area in Siem Reap town’s the fire. We tried to put it under control trict’s Danrun and Kampong Khlaing ately. This is not a question of Chreav district. supplied by Monday night,” Sarak said. communes were also destroyed in fire. freedom of speech,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Ruling upheld in Vannak case ‘Logging rampant despite pandemic’ Kim Sarom Khorn Savi where logging is most ram- pant, he said, are in Kratie HE Appeal Court on FOREST activists claimed province’s Sambor district Monday upheld the they had observed more cas- and the O’ Lang Points area Phnom Penh Munic- es of deforestation in the Prey spanning Stung Treng and ipal Court’s verdicts Lang area than before the Preah Vihear provinces. forT former Takeo provincial Covid-19 outbreak. Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary governor Lay Vannak, his They alleged that three was established in May 2016 brother Lay Narith, who is companies had sent workers and covers 431,683ha across former deputy provincial po- to log and transport timber Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong lice chief, and his drivers Men with no crackdown by the rel- Thom, and Preah Vihear prov- Sakmay and Choem Vuth for evant authorities. inces. murdering Vannak’s mistress Heng Sros, an activist in Khut Soeurm, a PLCN mem- Chev Sovathana. Stung Treng province, told ber in Preah Vihear province, Judge Yon Narong upheld the The Post on Monday that the said deforestation in the area verdicts in Vannak’s absence. three firms – Think Biotech is also continuing unabated, He said although the four (Cambodia) Co Ltd, Angkor especially in Rovieng district’s denied killing Sovathana, an Plywood, and Thy Nga Co, Reabroy commune near an in- investigative report from the Ltd Development – had sent vestment area occupied by Thy Ministry of Interior’s crime workers to log and haul tim- Nga Co Ltd Development. department showed Vannak ber to a factory near the area He attributed the increase and Narith had killed her. before transporting the sawn in logging to the Covid-19 The court also upheld the wood to a major company. outbreak, which has forced charge of concealing evidence “Those who transport tim- activists to stay home. against Sakmay and Vuth. ber from the Prey Lang forest “The Ministry of Environ- Judge Narong said state- are not afraid of virus infec- ment doesn’t allow us to patrol ments by Vuth’s wife, Chanry, tion. I’ve seen between 10 the forest, so we can’t. But those who is a witness in the case, and 20 vans hauling timber to who still do have told me a lot corresponded with the report Last year, former Takeo provincial governor Lay Vannak (third left) was sentenced by Phnom Penh Municipal Angkor Plywood per day. of timber had been logged,” he prepared by the interior min- Court to 13 years in prison under Article 199 of the Criminal Code. HENG CHIVOAN “We already know that this said. istry police. company has obtained the On Monday, Ministry of En- He said: “The court has Judge Narong based the During the March 11 trial at his wife told police during rights to export timber from vironment spokesman Neth decided to uphold a 13-year verdicts on the statements the Appeal Court, Vannak said questioning that they all saw Cambodia for sales abroad. Pheaktra declined to respond sentence for Lay Vannak, a 10- made by Vuth and his wife at on the day of the incident on Narith and Vannak enter So- Up to 70 cubic metres of tim- to the allegations. year sentence for Lay Narith the Ministry of Interior after January 22, 2018, he was busy vathana’s house. ber are transported per van. However, he said they are and two years each for Men the murder. Both told police attending a meeting at the During the trial, Narith de- “I think [environment] offi- merely political activists in Sakmay and Choem Vuth. at the time that on the day of provincial Department of Ed- nied he was in the same car cials have been bribed because disguise claiming to protect “Should the accused protest the incident, Vannak and Na- ucation, Youth and Sport. with Vannak. He said he did they stopped activists and res- the environment and natural the ruling, they can file an ap- rith entered Sovathana’s room Following the meeting, he not even know where Sovatha- idents from entering the area. resources. peal with the Supreme Court and stayed there for around said he got in a car driven by na lived and had to ask around People are concerned about Pheaktra said forest rang- within a month after the an- half-an-hour. Sakmay. They then drove to a before arriving at her home. deforestation in the area. ers stationed in the areas are nouncement of the verdict,” After walking out of Sovatha- garden being built near the The Municipal Court hand- “The officials don’t try to stop strictly implementing the law he said. na’s room, they allegedly told Independence Monument in ed down its verdicts on Sep- the forestry crime but instead on Protected Natural Areas in Vannak’s lawyer Sarey Buth Vuth that Sovathana had died the provincial town. tember 2, last year, sentencing protect the companies and let collaboration with communi- Chakrya declined to com- and instructed him to “make it In the afternoon of the Vannak to 13 years in prison them log timber,” he alleged. ty members to tackle logging. ment on the verdict outside look like she hanged herself”. same day, he said he visited and Narith to 10 years impris- Sros said he had received “Last year, 1,200 rangers the courtroom. However, Vuth denied the Sovathana at her house. He onment under Article 199 of the information on defor- who were stationed in pro- The lawyer for the other three validity of these statements claimed that only he and Sak- the Criminal Code. Sakmay estation from the Prey Lang tected natural areas clamped accused, Thuy Sokun, said: during his trial at the Phnom may had entered the house and Vuth were sentenced to Community Network (PLCN) down on 4,746 cases of forest- “I’ve consulted my clients. The Penh Municipal Court. He al- and that his brother Narith two years each for concealing in four provinces and from ry crimes, 487 of which were four will file grievances with leged that the police forced was not there. evidence under Article 532 of company workers. referred to court. They also the Supreme Court.” him to make the confession. However, Sakmay, Vuth and the Criminal Code. The locations in Prey Lang seized 2,531 chainsaws. Shots fired: Policeman held for causing panic Ministry: Modern telecoms a boon Voun Dara Soth Koemsoeun Vannak said the shooting did not endanger anyone, al- THE Ministry of Posts and Telecommu- THE deputy head of the Anti- though a woman fainted at nications has improved communica- Drug Bureau of the Phnom the scene. tions, services and the work of people Penh municipal police was Daun Penh district police throughout the Kingdom, said its under- detained on Monday for firing chief Teang Chansa declined secretary of state, Meas Po. nearly 10 rounds on Sunday to comment. He was speaking on Monday at a press night in Daun Penh district’s Quoting a senior Phnom conference on the “Progress and con- Phsar Chas commune. Penh municipal police offi- tinuing work direction of the Ministry The commotion frightened cial, Fresh News said on Mon- of Posts and Telecommunications”, or- one woman so much that she day that the 42-year-old as- ganised by the spokesman’s unit of the fainted. sailant, a lieutenant colonel, Council of Ministers. Phnom Penh municipal po- was the deputy head of the Services in all sectors, he said, were lice chief Sar Thet could not Anti-Drugs Bureau. improving and people were gaining con- be reached for comment on It said before the incident, fidence in the country’s postal services. Monday. the suspect and his nearly 10 He said modern telecommunications According to a report issued accomplices got into two cars, services promoted economic activities, by the police, officers acted on a Lexus RX 330 and a Toyota which benefitted all people, wherever they orders from National Police Camry. They then exited the may be, through mobile communication. Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications undersecretary of state Meas Po (left) on Monday chief Neth Savoeun to arrest cars and approached a gath- “Particularly proliferation of smart- said services in all sectors were improving and people were gaining confidence in the country’s postal services. HEAN RANGSEY the 42-year-old suspect for fir- ering of residents. phones has been a boon to young peo- ing his gun on Sunday night in Immediately the assailant ple, students, officials, employees, work- fibre optic network to the countryside, Po said since the government began the commune. The case will pulled his gun and fired it sky- ers, businessmen and small businesses. and it has built infrastructure and an- promoting the development of telecom- now be referred to the courts ward nearly 10 times. “The modernisation of telecommuni- tenna stations in rural areas. munications and information services, for legal further legal action. Fresh News said the shooting cations and information technology has Service is not yet available through the it has given people the opportunity to Srah Chak commune po- spree caused residents to panic. facilitated the carrying out of fast-paced Global Service Fund, a mechanism that become more aware of the use of tech- lice chief Kan Vannak said The assailant allegedly walked work, sending money quickly and mov- encourages telecommunications op- nology and improve family’s and com- on Monday that on the night towards the residents and told ing safely from place to place,” he said. erators to invest in the country at their munity’s wellbeing. of the incident, a group of them they would die. Then they Po said through the telecommunications expense, and can be deducted from the He said each citizen is busy with his unidentified people got into got back into the cars and sped sector, students can research and study. amount of contribution they are obli- own business, which has changed mind- two cars and fired nearly 10 off from the scene. Even doing business has changed from tra- gated to pay to the Universal Services sets to be more competitive. Now, more rounds. Specialists were de- Following the incident, local ditional to internet-based using technology. Obligation (USO). people in the Kingdom want to study and ployed to identify them. police arrived to collect shell “We’ve seen that digital technology “This mechanism has enabled people learn about modern digital technology. He said: “We have still not casings. One resident who development can bridge the urban-rural in the villages who did not have inter- Cambodia is currently developing identified the shooter and lived near the scene encour- gap too. Typically, urban dwellers have net access to pay for goods or sell their a national policy to govern the digital haven’t ascertained why the in- aged the police to arrest them more access to mobile phones,” he said. goods whereas had to go directly to con- environment, with the ministry being cident happened at the place.” and bring them to justice. The ministry, he said, has expanded its duct sales,” he said. ahead in formulating digital policy. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Activist faces Strong wind and lightning destroy defamation houses, kill three charges for Khouth Sophak Chakrya “The phenomena of rain with whirlwind in the first IN THE first three months of three months of this year to- this year, storms and light- taled 24 cases. It decreased by ning killed three people, in- 15 cases compared to the same Facebook post jured five and damaged more period last year, though fatali- than 150 houses and public ties were similar at seven. Khorn Savi nobody stopped them. buildings, according to data “In the first three months “What I know is that I posted from the National Commit- of this year, two people were NVIRONMENTAL the information from an envi- tee for Disaster Management killed and five injured. In the activist Kreung Tola ronmental officer who com- (NCDM). same period last year, seven has been sent to the plained to me. I am not afraid In Siem Reap province, people were injured but no Mondulkiri Provincial to clarify as I have an audio of Puok district police chief Tep one died. CourtE for defamation after he the voice of the authority who Pumsen said rain and strong “This year, lightning also accused Sre Pok Wildlife Sanc- gave me the information. If winds on Saturday evening killed one person in Takeo tuary chief Pen Pheaktra of the court allows, I will present destroyed 33 houses in three province. Last year, three peo- allowing forest crimes to take the audio and post it publicly communes – 27 in Trei Nhoar ple were killed and three others place in the areas he managed. on Facebook,” he said. and six in Lvea and Sososdom injured by lighting,” he said. Tola told The Post that he On February 11, the court communes. Meanwhile, the Ministry received a warrant from the Environmental activist Kreung Tola said he was sued because he posted “Five of the [six] houses revealed the Facebook page content on Facebook provided to him by an official. supplied of Water Resources and Me- court on Monday. that purportedly showed collapsed while another teorology called on people He said Pheaktra sued him Pheaktra receiving benefits but he supported citizens to this one before and the one caught fire. Fortunately, who are vulnerable to such because of a Facebook post from allowing illegal land reporting forest offences as court made them sign a con- no one died or was injured phenomena to be more cau- he uploaded in February re- clearing and the production long as they used the right tract to end the problem. But in the incident. The other tious. lating to information given of illegal handicrafts. channels. I would prefer not to burden houses saw the roofs wiped It also announced that cur- him by an environmental of- A warrant was issued by the Instead of posting inflam- the court,” he said. off,” he said. rent maximum temperature is ficer and others. court’s deputy prosecutor Mam matory posts on Facebook, Provincial coordinator for In Battambang province’s between 35C and 38C, while Tola claimed the officer Vanda requiring Tola to defend he urged them to report to rights group Adhoc, Eang Rukhak Kiri district, two days early rain would begin to fall called and showed him pic- himself against accusations of the authorities, who would Mengly, said the complaint of storms blew away the roof in most parts of the country. tures of illegally produced defamation and announcing then investigate the matter. could discourage environ- of the district police’s dormi- “Strong wind and lightning wooden handicrafts and fur- fake news on April 1. “There is an environmental mental activists from criticis- tory and ravaged 22 houses will occur more frequently niture. He further claimed The Post could not reach officer who persuaded him ing the actions of environ- in Bassac and Sdok Praveuk during the rainy season. that the officer asked him Pheaktra for comment on [Tola] to do it. When he did it mental officers. communes. Thus, everyone must be more to post it on Facebook to in- Monday. [posted the information], it was “This is the way to discour- The two cases in Battam- cautious of possible natural criminate Pheaktra. Provincial Department of a bit serious. He [Pheaktra] also age brave members of the bang and Siem Reap brought disasters,” it said. The public also claimed Environment director Keo wanted to protect his dignity. I public. They won’t want to the number of houses de- that they saw offenders en- Sopheak said his department do not know which officer re- share their opinions or ac- stroyed by storms since Janu- www.phnompenhpost.com tering the Sre Pok Wildlife wasn’t involved in the dispute ported the information to Tola. cuse any local authority of ary to 156, NCDM adviser Keo check the post website Sanctuary to log 100ha, and between Tola and Pheaktra, “There were similar cases wrongdoing,” he said. Vy said on Sunday. for breaking news THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,070 1.4073 7.0937 107.64 4.3350 1.4256 32.66 0.6153 1.1092 1.2387 NBC issues licence to SBI Lyhour Bank Plc

Thou Vireak

SBI Lyhour Bank Plc, a subsidiary of Japanese internet banking giant SBI Holdings Inc, was awarded an offi- cial licence by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) to operate in the Kingdom. Last year, SBI Holdings purchased a 70 per cent stake in Cambodian- based Ly Hour Microfinance Institu- tion Plc for $81.7 million, which transformed the latter into the full- fledged commercial bank SBI Lyhour Bank. SBI Lyhour Bank is headquartered in Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak II commune in the capital. The licence – signed by NBC gover- nor Chea Chanto on March 23 – binds the bank to the Law on Banking and The government is set to disburse between $500 and $600 million in low-interest loans to financial institutions. HONG MENEA Financial Institutions as well as all regulations, circulars and conditions issued by the NBC. SBI Holdings said it plans to expand its operations in all of the Kingdom’s Cash infusion set for financial sector provinces with retail and small and medium-sized enterprises as its tar- May Kunmakara to businesspeople, but we can give months. Our portfolio has grown the NBC were tourism (including get clients. loans to commercial banks at low about eight per cent from $2.501 food and beverage, as well as other Cambodia Post Bank Plc CEO Toch HE government will dis- interest rates,” he said. billion in December to $2.725 bil- support services), garments (in- Chaochek welcomed the move, say- burse between $500 and Prasac Microfinance Institution lion this month. cluding employees), construction ing it is a good sign for the Kingdom’s $600 million in low-interest Ltd (Prasac) executive vice-presi- “Our non-performing-loans have (exclusively for first house purchas- financial sector. loans to financial institu- dent Say Sony welcomed the gov- slightly increased from 0.36 per cent ers, shops and first mortgages) and “The move is good overall and it tionsT to enable them to provide loans ernment’s move, saying business to 0.48 per cent due to the Covid- transport (especially taxi drivers and will help inject the national economy to businesses at lower interest rates. has been slow in the midst of the 19 situation. However, our deposits tuk-tuk drivers) and logistics. with millions of dollars in capital Speaking at a press conference at Covid-19 pandemic. grew about 2.25 per cent from $1.778 The NBC defined “credit restructur- investment, however its target mar- the National Assembly on Monday, “It is a great government interven- billion to $1.828 billion,” Sony said. ing” as an amendment to the terms of ket remains small,” Chaochek said. Prime Minister Hun Sen said the tion which will support the banking The National Bank of Cambodia the original credit agreement, which In 2008, SBI Holdings founded move aims to alleviate the Covid- sector. We have to continue our lend- (NBC) on Friday issued a directive to provides more favourable conditions Phnom Penh Commercial Bank 19 pandemic’s impact on the King- ing business and it’ll enable our clients all banks and financial institutions for clients who are experiencing real (PPCBank) in a joint venture with dom’s enterprises. to access the financial services they to restructure credit for loans in four financial difficulties. South Korea’s Hyundai Swiss Finan- “We are evaluating the ability of need to restart their business activities priority sectors, a move lauded by There are 43 commercial banks cial Group Inc – led by Hyundai Swiss the government to disburse be- when the situation returns to normal. the private sector. currently operating in the Kingdom Savings Bank Inc – which was a pred- tween $500 million and $600 million “To support the government initia- The directive aims to maintain fi- (15 locally incorporated banks, 15 ecessor to SBI Holding’s South Kore- to the banks at low interest rates. tive, we will apply for the loan and di- nancial stability, support economic subsidiaries, and 13 foreign bank an subsidiary SBI Savings Bank Inc. This will allow them to issue loans versify our existing source of funds to activity and ease the burden of debt- branches), 14 specialised banks SBI Holdings withdrew from Cam- to business owners with low interest support our clients’ businesses. ors facing declining revenues during (one state-owned and 13 private) bodia’s banking business in 2016 and rates too. “Our current business has been the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. and seven microfinance deposit- sold all its shares in PPCBank as part “The state cannot give direct loans running well for the past three The four priority sectors cited by taking institutions. of its business restructuring. However, SBI Holdings has engaged in the securities business in Cambo- dia since 2010 through its local unit, SBI Royal Securities Plc. The NBC’s “Macroeconomic and Banana exports booming despite pandemic Banking Progress 2019 Report and 2020 Outlook” said the deposits and Thou Vireak exports an average of more rus does not affect the export Reen Island Agricultural has been striving to cooperate outstanding loans in the banking than 795 tonnes of bananas per of agricultural products, Development (Cambodia) with Chinese authorities so industry rose sharply by 25 and 26 CAMBODIA exported 72,182 day, the report said. including the yellow banana,” Ltd, Sovann Reachsey Co Ltd, that more Cambodian compa- per cent respectively last year over tonnes of fresh yellow banan- Hun Lak, the director of Lak said. and Agricultural Develop- nies can obtain banana export 2018. as to international markets Longmate Agriculture Co Ltd, He said more than 400ha ment (Cambodia) Co Ltd. rights to China. Outstanding loans reached $19.6 during the first three month which invests in 1,000ha of were harvested for bananas Four exporters have recent- “Getting permission from billion and deposits with Cambo- of this year, a Ministry of Agri- banana plantations in Kam- last year, and his company ly received the same privilege Chinese authorities to allow dia’s seven money deposit-taking culture, Forestry and Fisher- pot province, told The Post on exported more than 10,000 – Hoang Anh Andong Meas, more Cambodian companies institutions reached $22 billion last ies report said. Monday that China is the big- tonnes of bananas to China. Hoang Anh Lumphat, Daun to export bananas will help year. Most of the bananas were gest market for his company. Ngin Chhay, the director- Penh Agrico and Binhphuoc boost exports to the Chinese “The banking sector was healthy exported to China, with the “At this point, we cannot general of the ministry’s Gen- Kratie Rubber 2 – all of which market in the coming years,” and actively contributed to support- rest being shipped to Vietnam export bananas fast enough eral Directorate of Agriculture, are owned by the same parent Sakhon said. ing financial inclusion, economic and Japan. to meet the demand in China. said there are nine banana firm, the Vietnam-based Data from the directorate growth and poverty reduction. Cambodia’s yellow banana We are not thinking about plantations and packaging Hoang Anh Gia Lai Agricul- shows that from the third “The loans boosted public con- exports to China have expanding our market to oth- facilities in Cambodia which tural JSC (HAGL Agrico), quarter of last year, three sumption and contributed posi- increased rapidly since the er countries. have received approval from Chhay said. major yellow banana farms tively to the increase in economic first shipment of bananas was “We expect our company to Chinese authorities for export Speaking at the inaugura- existed in Cambodia. They are activity. However, if the consumer sent in mid-2019. have a similar yield as last to the country. tion of the four banana pack- located in Ratanakkiri, Kratie doesn’t use the loan efficiently and Last year, Cambodia export- year because of the hot These include Longmate, ing plants in Ratanakkiri prov- and Kampot provinces and with the right goal, the increase in ed a total 157,812 tonnes of yel- weather and the lack of water. Long Sreng Hua Jian Agricul- ince in December, Minister have a total area of 4,996ha – loans will also bear risk to the finan- low bananas and on average, it However, the novel coronavi- ture Development Co Ltd, Veng Sakhon said his ministry all for export. cial sector,” said the report. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Virus fears grip Asian markets Indian carmaker to SIAN markets fell on help in production of Monday following a steep drop on Wall Street as the jubila- ventilators, masks tionA from last week’s enor- mous US stimulus package INDIA’S largest automobile production and quality con- faded and investors returned manufacturer by volume trol of the higher volumes. their attention to the soaring Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) MSIL would also help to infection and death rate of entered into an arrangement arrange financing and obtain the coronavirus. on Saturday with AgVa Health- all permissions and approvals US President Donald care, to scale up the produc- required to enable the higher Trump finally signed off the tion of ventilators. production and these services more than $2 trillion pump- At the request of the Indian are free of cost to AgVa Health- priming measures on Friday, government, Maruti Suzuki care. but equities – which enjoyed India Limited (MSIL) examined In another development, a rally for much of the week – its ability to assist in the pro- Krishna Maruti Ltd, a joint ended on a negative note as duction of ventilators, masks venture of MSIL with Ashok dealers took profits. and other protective equip- Kapur, would be manufactur- While the disease ravages ment and mobilised produc- ing three-ply masks for supply populations and the global tion of ventilators, masks and to the Haryana and Central economy grinds to a halt with personal protective equipment governments. 40 per cent of the planet in (PPE) to support India’s prepa- “The production is expected lockdown, experts are strug- ration against Covid-19, the to start as soon as all approvals gling to get a grip on the scale While the disease ravages populations and the global economy grinds to a halt with 40 per cent of the planet in company said in a statement. are received. Mr Ashok Kapur of the crisis that is forecast to lockdown, experts are struggling to get a grip on the scale of the crisis that is forecast to cause a worldwide AgVa Healthcare is an exist- will provide two million masks cause a worldwide recession. recession. AFP ing approved manufacturer of free of cost as his own contri- And analysts say there are been spectacular . . . the coro- However, Sydney soared environment on trading floors ventilators. Under the arrange- bution,” the statement said. likely more dark days ahead, navirus keeps spreading glob- seven per cent in its best one- also sent the dollar back up ment, the company intends to Meanwhile, Bharat Seats with Trump abandoning his ally, deepening fears of the day performance ever follow- against higher-yielding cur- reach a volume of 10,000 units Ltd, a joint venture of MSIL timetable for life returning to economic and financial impact ing a more than five per cent rencies with the Mexican peso, per month. with the Relan family, would normal in the US and extend- across countries. More market slide on Friday. Traders also Indonesian rupiah and South “AgVa Healthcare would be be manufacturing protective ing emergency restrictions turmoil likely lies ahead.” were buoyed by data point- Korean won losing more than responsible for the technology, clothing “as soon as all approv- for another month. He also pointed out that ing to a slowdown in new in- one per cent apiece. performance and related mat- als are in place”. The president said he ex- with the corporate reporting fections in Australia as well The South African rand ters for all the ventilators pro- “All manufacturing units pected the country to “be season approaching “now we as an $80 billion economic plunged more than two per duced and sold by them”, the would take maximum care to well on our way to recovery” are about to enter a vortex of government support package cent to a record low after company said in a statement. protect the safety and health by June 1 – dropping his pre- bad earnings, bad economic that was unveiled after mar- Moody’s slashed its credit rat- MSIL would use its suppliers of the workers in accordance vious target of mid-April. data, and bankruptcies”. kets closed but was widely ing on the country to below to produce the required vol- with the government recom- Meanwhile, senior US sci- expected. investment grade. ume of components and use mended practices,” the state- entist Anthony Fauci issued ‘The big unknown’ In early trade, London and Crude plunged with the its experience and knowledge ment said. THE STATESMAN (INDIA)/ a tentative prediction that The downbeat mood Paris each lost around 2.8 market remaining in turmoil, to upgrade systems for the ASIA NEWS NETWORK Covid-19 could claim up to weighed on Asian equities, per cent while Frankfurt was with the Saudi-Russian price 200,000 lives in the US. though most pared their down 1.6 per cent. war adding to the impact Governments and central morning losses. Tokyo and “The big question for mar- of battered demand caused banks have acted to shore up Hong Kong ended more than kets is whether the huge stimu- by the virus. And there are the global economy, pledging one per cent down, while lus introduced so far across the warnings the commodity, around $5 trillion in stimulus Shanghai was off 0.9 per cent. globe will be enough to help already at near two-decade support, with China on Mon- Mumbai and Manila lost the global economy withstand lows, could sink even fur- day joining the party by lower- more than two per cent, while the economic shock from the ther as production remains ing bank borrowing costs and Taipei slipped 0.7 per cent. Covid-19 containment mea- heightened and storage tanks pumping billions of dollars Seoul was flat, while there sures,” said National Australia around the world approach into financial markets, while were also losses in Bangkok Bank’s Rodrigo Catril. full capacity. Singapore also eased rates. and Jakarta. The Cambodia “To answer this question “When the storage capacity AxiCorp’s Stephen Innes Securities Exchange inched one needs to know the mag- is filled, we should probably said markets looked like they up 0.02 per cent. nitude of the containment expect a response from Saudi were “nearing policy fatigue Singapore slid more than measures and for how long Arabia, Russia, and other es- where it becomes less ef- four per cent as investors they will be implemented. sential oil producers,” Innes fective, and as the surprise brushed off the city-state’s This is the big unknown and added, though he warned element diminishes, no one monetary policy easing mea- it suggests markets are likely “the longer their response Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) examined its ability to assist in the cares”. sures that came days after to remain volatile until this takes, the higher the risk of production of ventilators, masks and other protective equipment and “So, while policy responses data showed it was heading uncertainty is resolved.” another steep decline in oil mobilised production of ventilators, masks and personal protective in the US and Europe have for a deep recession. The return to a risk-averse prices”. AFP equipment (PPE) to support India’s preparation against Covid-19. SUPPLIED VN records $2.8B trade surplus in Q1 despite pandemic

VIETNAM recorded a trade surplus besides wood and wooden products for 6.5 per cent of the total. of $2.8 billion in the first quarter of ($2.5 billion, up 9.5 per cent); trans- During the three-month period, this year, higher than $1.5 billion portation vehicles ($2 billion, down China retained its position as Viet- seen in the same period last year de- six per cent) and seafood ($1.6 bil- nam’s largest provider of goods with spite the Covid-19 pandemic sweep- lion, down 11.2 per cent). a turnover of $13.3 billion, down 18 ing its major export markets. From January to March, the US re- per cent year-on-year. The domestic sector posted a mained the largest importer of Viet- South Korea came next with $11.7 trade deficit of $4.4 billion while the namese goods with a value of $15.5 billion, up 2.5 per cent, while Asean foreign-invested sector witnessed billion, a yearly hike of 16.2 per cent. ranked third with $7.2 billion, down a trade surplus of $7.2 billion, the It was followed by China with $8.4 8.3 per cent, followed by Japan ($4.9 General Statistics Office (GSO) said billion, up 12 per cent; the EU ($7.5 billion, up 16 per cent); the EU ($3.4 in its monthly report. billion, down 15 per cent); Asean billion, up 5.2 per cent) and the US The country’s export turnover was ($6 billion, down 5.2 per cent); Ja- ($3.4 billion, up 13 per cent). estimated at $59.08 billion during pan ($4.8 billion, up four per cent) The GSO predicted that once the the period, up one per cent year- and South Korea ($4.5 billion, down EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement on-year. The export value of the three per cent). (EVFTA) comes into effect, Vietnam’s domestic sector saw a year-on-year Meanwhile, the country spent exports to the EU will surge by more increase of 8.7 per cent to $18.65 bil- $56.26 billion in three-month im- than 20 per cent this year and the lion, accounting for 31 per cent of Vietnam’s export turnover was estimated at $59.08 billion during the period, up one ports, decreasing two per cent com- growth will be on the rise in the fol- the country’s exports. per cent year-on-year. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS pared to last year’s corresponding lowing years. Seafood products are ex- Meanwhile, the foreign-invested period, the GSO said. pected to benefit most from the deal. sector reaped $40.43 billion from riod, accounting for 71 per cent of and components ranked second Production materials were bought The EU is now the second larg- overseas shipments, down three per the total. with $8.2 billion, up 16.2 per cent for an estimated $52.6 billion, down est importer of Vietnamese seafood cent year-on-year and making up 69 Of these, phones and parts earned year-on-year, followed by garments 1.2 per cent year-on-year and equiv- products, behind the US. per cent of the total. the largest export turnover of $12.4 with $6.5 billion, down nine per alent to 93.5 per cent of the total Vietnam’s shipment of farm pro- Eight groups of commodities saw billion, accounting for 21 per cent of cent; equipment and parts ($4.7 bil- import value while expenditure on duce to the EU is also forecast to export turnover surpassing the $1 the nation’s total exports. lion, up 18 per cent) and footwear consumer goods stood at $3.66 bil- increase by around 10 per cent this billion benchmark during the pe- Electronic products, computers ($3.9 billion, down two per cent), lion, down 11 per cent, accounting year. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 Business US could Oil prices plummet to 17-year lows take equity IL prices extended losses in Asian trade on Monday and shares in languished at 17-year lows, with the coronavirus crisis escalatingO around the world and no airlines end in sight to a vicious price war. US benchmark West Texas Interme- THE US government could diate fell 5.3 per cent to trade at $20 take equity shares in airlines per barrel, while international bench- and other troubled but vital mark Brent crude was off 6.5 per cent US corporations as it moves to at $23. stabilise an economy amid the The falls came after the death toll new coronavirus pandemic, from the pandemic surged past 30,000 the country’s top officials said at the weekend as cases in hard-hit on Sunday. Europe and the US showed no sign of White House economics letting up. adviser Larry Kudlow said the Senior US scientist Anthony Fauci government should get a stake estimated the virus could possibly in companies that receive result in 100,000 to 200,000 deaths direct cash grants from the in the US, while President Donald federal government. Trump extended “social distancing” “I think in return for direct guidelines until April 30. cash grants, which is what the The president also said he expected airlines have asked for, I see no the country to “be well on our way to reason why the American tax- recovery” by June 1 – dropping his payer shouldn’t get a piece,” he previous target of mid-April. said on Fox News Sunday. The virus has infected more than Treasury Secretary Steven 140,000 in the world’s top economy Mnuchin, speaking on CBS’ and left more than 2,400 dead. Face the Nation talk show, Oil markets have been plunging for US benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell 5.3 per cent to trade at $20 per barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude was off also said the government weeks as lockdowns and travel re- 6.5 per cent at $23. AFP could take equity positions in strictions imposed by governments about potential output cuts while Vivek Dhar, a commodities analyst essential oil producers,” AxiCorp’s return for infusions of tax- worldwide to fight the virus strangle Russia’s deputy energy minister said at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Stephen Innes said, though he warned payer money. demand. oil at $25 per barrel was not a catas- told Bloomberg News. “the longer their response takes, the “As the president said, we’ll Even as demand falls, supply has trophe for the country’s producers – “Market hopes of a deal have come higher the risk of another steep de- look at each one of these situ- increased dramatically after top pro- signalling that the two sides are still undone.” cline in oil prices”. ations,” he said. ducers Saudi Arabia and Russia en- far apart. There are fears the commodity could The retreat on oil markets comes “Some of them are very good gage in a price war following a row “Demand concerns are critical but fall further as storage tanks around after a bounce with equities last week companies that just need about whether to cut output to sup- well known, what really took the mar- the globe approach full capacity. that came after policymakers world- liquidity and will get loans. port prices. ket down were the signals we got from “When the storage capacity is filled, wide unleashed massive stimulus Some of these companies may At the end of last week, Riyadh said Saudi Arabia and Russia that they in- we should probably expect a response measures to prop up the virus-hit need more significant help it had not been in touch with Moscow tend to continue their current path,” from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other global economy. AFP and we may be taking warrants or equity as well as that. “The president wants to make sure the American tax- payers are compensated. This is not a bailout.” China slashes rate, pumps $7B into market Mnuchin said any such transactions would take the CHINA’S central bank on Mon- Pritchard, senior China econo- pandemic first erupted in treasury bonds should be effects from containment form of warrants, a type of day cut an interest rate on loans mist at Capital Economics. December. issued, and that there should measures aimed at halting its security that gives its holder to banks by the largest margin in “By offering funds at a lower The latest move comes as gov- be an increased quota of local spread. the right to buy or sell an asset five years and injected 50 billion rate, the PBoC will be able to ernments and central banks government special bond issu- S&P Global Ratings said its at a certain price up to a cer- yuan ($7 billion) into the finan- keep market interbank rates around the world ease mone- ance, China’s official Xinhua revised economic growth tain date determined when it cial system to help the world’s low even as the liquidity from tary policy and unveil titanic News Agency reported. estimate for China this year is emitted. Warrants can thus second-largest economy weath- the RRR [reserve requirement stimulus measures worth Effective loan rates should is now almost half its pre- be converted into shares. er the coronavirus impact. ratio] cuts is absorbed by the around $5 trillion to counter the also be guided down, “main- outbreak growth assumption The massive financial rescue The People’s Bank of China banking system,” he said, economic impact of the pan- taining reasonable and suffi- of 5.7 per cent. plan passed by the US Con- (PBoC) said it launched a referring to an earlier lowering demic, which forecasters warn cient liquidity”, officials added. ANZ Research economists gress designates $50 billion for 50-billion-yuan reverse repur- of the amount of cash lenders will cause a deep recession. Monday’s move appears to Xing Zhaopeng and Raymond the airline industry. chase operation on Monday must keep in reserve. The Communist Party’s deci- have had little impact on mar- Yeung said in a note that the Half that sum would take the and lowered the seven-day The deadly pathogen has sion-making politburo on Fri- ket sentiment, with Shanghai’s PBoC’s rate cut “is intended to form of loan guarantees, and reverse repurchase rate from claimed almost 40,000 lives day also called for stronger key stock index about one per lower Chinese corporates’ the rest direct cash pay- 2.40 per cent to 2.20 per cent. worldwide, hitting businesses counter-cyclical policy meas- cent lower in the afternoon. funding costs”. ments. It was the “largest cut since and consumers, and its global ures and a step-up in stimulus. As Covid-19 ravages the glo- They expect it will be fol- Invoking their importance to 2015 and takes the seven-day spread has dampened hope of The politburo said where bal economy, analysts have cut lowed by cuts in the medium the economy and the social reverse repo rate to its lowest a quick recovery in export- appropriate, the fiscal deficit growth forecasts for China, term lending facility rates and risks if they fail, Boeing and the on record”, said Julian Evans- dependent China, where the ratio should be raised, special which was the first to see the loan prime rate. AFP US airlines have demanded an unprecedented government bailout. Air transportation has been one of the hardest hit sectors S’pore eases monetary policy as virus slams economy by the Covid-19 epidemic. Most transatlantic flights by SINGAPORE’S central bank on Monday eased MAS was supposed to issue its next policy state- US airlines have been sus- monetary policy as the city-state, seen as a bell- ment in April but brought it forward as the coun- pended, as have 40 to 70 per wether for the health of global trade, heads for try reels from the economic impact of the virus. cent of domestic flights. a deep recession due to the coronavirus pan- The financial hub is one of the world’s most Bailouts using taxpayer demic. open economies, and is usually hit hardest and money in the form of direct The easing echoes moves made by other coun- earliest during any global shock. financial infusions or loans tries and comes after data last week showed the Gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 2.2 guaranteed by the federal city-state suffered its sharpest contraction in the per cent in the first quarter compared with the government would follow a first quarter since the global financial crisis. previous year – the worst decline since the 2009 decade of growth in which The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) financial crisis, according to advance estimates the airlines made billions of said it had flattened the slope of the band at released last week by the trade ministry. dollars. which the local dollar is allowed to move against The ministry has downgraded its growth fore- A number of voices have a basket of currencies of its major trading part- cast, projecting that GDP will fall by up to four been raised, particularly ners – effectively weakening the local unit. per cent this year. among Democrats, insisting Instead of using interest rates, trade-reliant With global demand hammered by business that certain conditions be Singapore manages monetary policy by letting closures, a halt in air travel and other measures met in extending public sup- the local dollar rise or fall against a currency to contain the virus, Singapore’s easing is more port to corporations, includ- basket of its trading partners. to reflect the current economic climate than to ing equity participation in “Major uncertainty remains. The recovery in support exports, said CIMB Private Banking those companies. AFP the global economy will depend on the epide- regional economist Song Seng Wun. www.phnompenhpost.com miological course of the pandemic and the “You cannot have a strong Singapore dollar The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Monday eased monetary efficacy of policy responses,” the central bank when regional economies and the global econo- policy as the city-state heads for a deep recession due to the coronavirus check the post website for breaking news said. my are in deep recession,” he told AFP. AFP pandemic. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Indonesia’s textile sector now making medical gear

NDONESIAN textile fac- changes in its factories’ pro- tories are making chang- duction line, the PPE made by es to their production Pan Brothers is not officially line by producing pro- medical grade as the compa- Itective gear for medical per- ny does not have a licence to sonnel and a local start-up is test for biocompatibility. producing test kits to support “There is not enough time for the nation’s battle against the us to obtain medical-grade sta- Covid-19 pandemic. tus as we are in an emergency,” However, producing med- Anne said, giving assurances ical-grade supplies comes that their masks and coveralls with major challenges. had the same specifications as Textile companies were rac- medical-grade products. ing to mass-produce masks Indonesia was identifying and protective coveralls for companies that had the ca- medical workers, said PT Pan pacity to produce PPE, test kits Brothers deputy CEO Anne and ventilators to help the na- Patricia Sutanto. tion’s health workers, who had The company agreed to been treating Covid-19 cases Indonesian textile factories are making changes to their production line by producing protective gear for medical personnel. A local start-up is produce 20 million washable since mid-February with in- producing test kits to support the nation’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. THE JAKARTA POST masks and 100,000 jumpsuits adequate protection, Minister by next month, as ordered by of Finance Sri Mulyani Indra- Both Sritex and Pan Broth- A lack of technological ca- are also shifting gear, produc- investor East Ventures, which the government and retailers wati said on Thursday. ers are facing shortages for pability in producing com- ing hospital ventilators and will lead crowdfunding with as demand for personal pro- “In Indonesia we are tak- medical-grade raw materials, plex medical equipment had respirators using 3D printing. a target of 10 billion rupiah tective equipment (PPE) sky- ing steps to support compa- as local producers have been become a major hurdle for Ford, General Motors, Ferrari ($610,000) to produce the test rockets. nies that produce healthcare overwhelmed by demands. A factories looking to shift their and Nissan, alongside Gen- kits and finance a genome se- “The workers were initially equipment. We will list them limited number of companies production line, Indonesian eral Electrics and 3M Co, are quencing project. The public flabbergasted by our deci- and see to their needs in in- can produce medical-grade Chamber of Commerce (Ka- among the companies that can join by accessing indo- sion. They asked me, ‘But, we creasing their production materials as they require strict din) deputy chairwoman have switched focus. nesiapastibisa.com to donate are a garment exporting com- capacity,” Sri Mulyani told a standards and certification, Shinta Kamdani told the Post In Indonesia, PT Toyota Mo- money or equipment starting pany, how can we produce teleconferenced media brief- Joy said. in a separate interview. tor Manufacturing Indonesia, on March 30. masks and coveralls?’ but I ing after a virtual extraordi- “The challenges that are be- Shinta said factories across a subsidiary of Toyota Indo- “Right now, it is difficult told them this is a humanitar- nary G20 Leaders’ Summit. ing faced by other companies Indonesia faced a decline in nesia, which manufactures to get tested for the coro- ian emergency and we did it,” Textile company PT Sri Reje- are the scarcity of materials production capacity by an and exports Toyota products, navirus as it keeps spread- she told The Jakarta Post on ki Isman (Sritex) had been pro- to produce safe PPE. There average of 30 per cent due to is in talks with the govern- ing throughout the nation,” Thursday. Pan Brothers or- ducing coveralls for medical is PPE currently circulating disruptions to their supply ment to produce ventilators. East Ventures cofounder and dered nine of its factories to workers since late January and in the market that lacks the chains as a result of the coro- Meanwhile, Indonesia-based managing partner Willson produce the equipment. began to deliver the products proper specifications, which navirus. start-up Nusantics is preparing Cuaca told the Post. “That is There is a global shortage in the first week of last month, could endanger medical per- “There are not many indus- to make 100,000 Covid-19 test why we want to help the start- of PPE, test kits and ventila- the company’s spokesperson sonnel,” Joy said. tries that are ready to produce kits, in partnership with state up achieve this goal.” tors, all of which are crucial in Joy Citra Dewi said. medical equipment, espe- pharmaceutical company Bio- Nusantics, a technology slowing the spread of Covid- “We use a specified wa- Lack of capacity cially in this kind of situation. farma, the Agency for the As- company established last year, 19. The Indonesian Medical terproof and anti-microbial While basic PPE can be Maybe big corporations have sessment and Application of focuses on advancements in Association (IDI) announced material that we developed quickly produced by textile better technology that could Technology (BPPT) and the In- genomics and microbiome on March 23 that five doctors for the PPE,” Joy told the Post companies, local industries be used to produce ventila- donesia International Institute research. Microbiomes are had died of the illness, in ad- in a written statement with- are still unable to produce tors or hospital beds, but it’s for Life Sciences (i3L). complex ecosystems of micro- dition to a nurse who died of out disclosing the number more complex medical equip- unattainable for mid-sized A prototype will be com- organisms, such as bacteria, Covid-19 on March 12. of coveralls produced by the ment such as ventilators and companies,” she said. plete within three weeks, viruses and fungi. THE JAKARTA As a result of the quick company. hospital beds. Carmakers around the world according to the company’s POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Record surge in payouts for S Korea’s jobless in March? GOVERNMENT payouts for South Unemployment benefits payouts on-year over the past three years – A research analyst in Seoul said: in August, 6,653 in September, 7,656 Korea’s jobless are estimated to have saw rapid month-on-month growth from five trillion won in 2017 to 6.43 “Though there were some people in October, 8,546 in November and shot up to a historic high this month last month, when assistance for the trillion won in 2018, and to an all- who exploited the state-led payout 9,785 in December. in the wake of Covid-19. The Ministry jobless reached an all-time high of time high of 8.07 trillion won last system via shady securing of benefi- The figure for lodging and tourism of Employment and Labour is set to 781.9 billion won ($640 million), up year. ciary eligibility, data indicated that a shot up to 2,234 in December last make the figure public in about two 32 per cent from February last year. The 2019 figure marked a 72.8 per growing number of people have been year, compared with only 131 people weeks. Further, the number of first-time cent (3.4 trillion won) surge com- forced to leave their workplaces amid a year earlier. A surge in the number of unem- claimants increased by 33.8 per cent pared with 2016 under the previous the economic slowdown.” KEIS explains that there could be ployment benefits claimants is pro- (27,000 individuals) to 107,000 last administration, when it was 4.67 tril- More recently, the KEIS data differences in figures between net jected for sectors including tourism, month, compared with a year earlier. lion won. showed that the number of recipients recipients and redundancy-included airlines, restaurants, lodging, private The total number of recipients came recipients. Nonetheless, it is evident educational institutes and many to 536,000, up 16.3 per cent from a that the small-restaurant and lodging- other retail services. year earlier. Data indicated that a growing tourism sectors represented a sharp Among the eight major cities and The situation is aggravating con- contrast from other major sectors. nine provinces in South Korea, Daegu cerns over the government’s capacity number of people have been The rapid growth in the number of and North Gyeongsang province – to continue paying benefits at such recipients in the food and lodging the two areas hardest-hit by the out- high levels. forced to leave their workplaces sectors demonstrates that self-em- break – are likely to post significant Payouts had already seen a sharp ployed people faced greater difficul- growth both in the number of recip- increase even before the pandemic amid the economic slowdown ty due to drastic hikes in the mini- ients and the volume of payouts. started – in the aftermath of increas- mum wage over the past two years, Since the first case of Covid-19 was es in the minimum wage and the Further, compared with five years has surged among Korean business market insiders said. reported in the nation on January 20, economic slowdown, microenter- earlier, in 2014, when benefits paid owners providing services such as For full-time salaried workers, the Daegu (where 6,587 people have been prises closed en masse between 2018 out amounted to 3.96 trillion won, food, lodging and tourism. minimum wage climbed from 1.35 infected) and contiguous North and last year. the 2019 levels constituted a 103.7 per A year earlier, in December 2018, million won per month in 2017 to Gyeongsang province (with 1,285 Data from the Korea Employment cent increase. only 642 food retailers were paid 1.79 million won this year, affected infected) collectively accounted for 83 Information Service (KEIS) showed The rise in payments could suggest a unemployment benefits. But the by a 32.7 per cent hike over the past per cent (7,872) of the 9,478 cases that unemployment benefits have dire situation in the hiring market under number of recipients climbed rap- three years. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS reported nationwide as of March 28. continued to increase sharply year- the Moon Jae-in administration. idly last year – to 5,272 in July, 6,032 NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Business Vietnam healthcare a big draw for investors

AST year, VinaCapital’s flag- for private healthcare providers in ship fund, Vietnam Oppor- Vietnam. tunity Fund (VOF), invested He said the outlook for foreign inves- $25 million in a private hos- tors in the healthcare sector is good pitalL operator, Tam Tri Medical JSC. since the country’s population is age- The deal gave VOF a stake in the ing quickly. Some 10 per cent of the company, which owns a hospital population was aged 60 or above in each in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong 2017, and in 15-20 years elderly people Thap province, Nha Trang city, and would account for a third, he said. Danang city with a total 500 beds Besides, the rapid urbanisation and more than 700 employees. is stimulating demand for quality Also last year, South Korea’s Sun Med- healthcare and overcrowding is ex- ical Centre acquired Nha Khoa My and pected to intensify in public hospi- went down in history as the first buyer tals, resulting in long wait times and of a Vietnamese dental clinic. a shortage of beds, he said. Later in the year, Hau Giang Phar- In addition to the increasing lo- maceutical JSC became a subsidiary of cal demand for quality healthcare, Japan’s Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd the medical sector is also poised for after the latter acquired an additional strong growth due to medical tour- 20.6 million shares in the former to in- ism. For instance, the cost of dental crease its stake to 50.78 per cent. services in the country is half of that The Vietnamese healthcare mar- in developed countries though the ket has been seeing foreign inves- quality is comparable. tors inject trillions of dong in merger All these advantages are the evi- and acquisition (M&A) deals. dent cause for the sharp increase in In 2018, Hoan My Medical Corp, both domestic and foreign invest- backed by Singapore firm Richard ment in the healthcare sector both Chandler, bought out Hanh Phuc directly and indirectly through M&A Hospital and Huu Nghi General deals in recent years. Clinic. The deals helped Hoan My The Nielsen report stated: “The de- expand its nation-wide network and mand for healthcare and safety has improve its maternity services, and been increasing in line with people’s benefit from the Singaporean firm’s Last year, Hau Giang Pharmaceutical JSC became a subsidiary of Japan’s Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd after the latter acquired an awareness of health problems. Thus, large customer database. additional 20.6 million shares in the former to increase its stake to 50.78 per cent. BAODAUTHAU.VN/VIET NAM NEWS the call to multi-national businesses Polish company Adamed Group to provide health-related services bought a 70 per cent stake in Dat cal services, she said. plans to pull out its investment in rity to become the top concern was is critical considering the need for Vi Phu Pharmaceutical JSC for $50 The fact that many Vietnamese many pharmaceutical companies. something of a surprise but largely long-term investment.” million. opt to go abroad for medical treat- Business Monitor International predictable, said Nielsen Vietnam A report on private equity in Viet- Not only foreign investors but also ment has caused Singaporean busi- reported that spending on health- managing director Louise Hawley. nam by Grant Thornton showed that domestic ones are keen on entering nesses to take interest in the coun- care in 2017 was estimated at $16.1 She wrote in the Vietnam Econom- healthcare and pharmaceuticals the medical sector. try’s healthcare sector, she said. billion, or 7.5 per cent of the coun- ics Times: “Vietnamese consumers ranked third in terms of industry For instance, Infrastructure In- Speaking about the investment try’s gross domestic product. It fore- care about their health more than attractiveness for investors, 38 per vestment and Transportation Con- in Tam Tri Medical JSC, VinaCapital cast the spending to grow to $22.7 ever. cent of whom described it as “very struction Investment JSC has set up managing director and chief invest- billion in 2021. “Pollution in the air and in the attractive”. the Phuong Dong General Hospital. ment officer Andy Ho said Vietnam- To explain this rapid growth, ex- environment are hot topics that are Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Singapore consulate in Ho Chi ese spend an estimated $2 billion per perts pointed to the fact that Viet- increasingly top of mind for people. Truong Son said many international Minh City general counsellor Chiong year for medical treatment overseas, nam is among the countries with the With the current situation relating organisations and Vietnamese pri- Woan Shin was quoted by Dau Tu which is a good reason for investing fastest growing middle class, which to pollution and increased consum- vate businesses want to invest in the (Investment) newspaper as saying to develop the quality of healthcare always seeks quality healthcare and er awareness, health is expected to country’s healthcare sector through Singaporean investors are extremely services in the country. education services. continue to be a top concern in the public-private partnerships. interested in the Vietnamese health- Analysts said the healthcare sector A study by global measurement third quarter.” “The health ministry completely care market. is becoming more and more attrac- company Nielsen in the second Eng Aik Meng, chairman of the supports their plans, and is ready to Living standards in the country tive to both domestic and foreign quarter of last year confirmed this, Singapore-Vietnam Cancer Centre, cooperate with foreign and domes- have shown a marked improvement investors since demand for quality saying health had become the top which is owned and managed by tic businesses to help them realise in recent years and so there is grow- medical care is increasing. Mean- concern among Vietnamese. Vietnam Integrated Medical Ser- their investment projects.” VIET NAM ing demand for high-quality medi- while, the government has outlined That health had gone past job secu- vices, said there is a big opportunity NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Indonesia palm oil exports to China plummet by 57%

INDONESIA’S palm oil exports palm oil industry is one of in December, could further to China have plummeted by Indonesia’s major foreign lower the country’s crude palm half in volume amid global exchange earners, contribut- oil (CPO) imports from Indo- uncertainties, an industry ing 13.5 per cent to total non- nesia, as most of the country’s source has said. oil and gas exports worth $22.3 industries, including food and The Indonesian Palm Oil billion, Minister of Finance Sri beverage producers, were Producers Association (Gapki) Mulyani said on March 2. closed for months. said in a statement last week A decline in palm oil exports However, CPO CIF Rotter- that China’s export volume fell to China will also hit the indus- dam prices rose in January, as by 381,000 tonnes or 57 per try hard as one of the country’s CPO prices increased to an cent. This contributed to the main buyers of the commod- average of $830 per tonne from sharp drop in the country’s ity. Last year, China imported an average of $787 tonnes in total palm oil exports, which six million tonnes of palm oil December. CPO production declined by 35.6 per cent to from Indonesia, representing also increased to 3.48 million 2.39 million tonnes in January 16.5 per cent of overall palm tonnes in January from 3.45 Indonesia’s palm oil exports declined by 35.6 per cent in January to 2.39 million tonnes, data provided by the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki) shows. AFP from 3.72 million tonnes in oil exports during the year, million tonnes in December. December. Gapki data showed. “We hope that such good sumption increased slightly to the B20 and B30 policies are (Opec) coupled with the Covid- “The drastic export decline But China is not the only des- prices will motivate farmers 1.47 million tonnes in January both implemented. 19 pandemic will contribute to in January could be because tination that saw a decline in and companies to take better from 1.45 million tonnes in Jokowi had previously asked the global economic slowdown, importing countries were still palm oil exports in January. care of their plantations in December. stakeholders to increase the pushing down demand for holding on to their stock while Palm oil exports to the EU fell order to achieve higher pro- The increase is in line with mandatory use of CPO-based imported vegetable oils. waiting for the Indonesia gov- by 188,000 tonnes (30 per cent), ductivity,” Gapki wrote in the President Joko “Jokowi” Wido- biodiesel from B20 to B30 by It also expressed worries ernment to implement a 30 141,000 tonnes (22 per cent) for statement. do’s policy to increase the January and to 50 per cent that vegetable oil prices would per cent blended biodiesel India and 129,000 tonnes for Outside of CPO, palm oil ker- mandatory use of 20 per cent (B50) by the end of this year. fall if the outbreak lasted until [B30] programme,” the asso- the US (64 per cent). nel and palm oil-based biodie- blended biodiesel (B20) and The association painted a Idul Fitri. Experts have pre- ciation said in the statement. Only Bangladesh saw a sel exports also declined while B30, which was made in bleak picture of the industry dicted that Covid-19 will peak Should the decline continue, month-to-month increase by palm oil oleochemicals exports response to the EU’s palm oil going forward. The unstable in May or June. On top of that, overall export performances 52 per cent to 40,000 tonnes in rose by 22.9 per cent, Gapki restrictions. petroleum prices as a result of industries will soon face the could be dragged down this January. data showed. The domestic market is disagreements between Russia drought season, when forest year as palm oil has remained The novel coronavirus, Despite the export slow- expected to absorb nine mil- and the Organisation of Petro- and land fires are rampant.THE the country’s top export. The which emerged in China late down, domestic palm oil con- lion tonnes of CPO a year once leum Exporting Countries JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST March 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus commerce Asian Business Brokers offers sound advice with market outlook uncertain With the Covid-19 outbreak bringing uncertainty, Naim Khan-Turk, Asian Business Brokers’ Cambodia representative, offers advice on conducting business in the Kingdom.

ance from governments is not to travel and to stay at home. Suffice to say there are already some very good deals available right now on our web- site, and we expect there will be many more in the coming months. onfident that the As soon as it is safe to travel market will recover, and inspect, there is a high pos- Naim Khan-Turk, sibility that buyers will pick up Asian Business Brokers’ some bargains. CambodiaC representative, urges a practical approach whether buy- What should sellers do in the ing or selling a business during current situation? the Covid-19 outbreak. For sellers, particularly those Setting up a business abroad operating from leased premises, can be a daunting prospect even they need to assess how long in normal circumstances, with they can sustain expenses with language barriers and differing little or no revenue. laws among particular concerns. Sellers need to understand So finding local expertise that selling a business – even in to guide the way can result in normal times – typically takes peace of mind and the best deal. months, sometimes years, not The ability for foreigners to operate a business in Cambodia is considered easier than in many other Asian countries. HENG CHIVOAN Asian Business Brokers weeks or days. So they need provides services for the buy- to work out how long it will The market will rebound ing, selling and renting of be before they have to liter- at some stage and waiting for commercial property and land ally hand the keys back to the that to happen before they list throughout Cambodia. landlord and walk away with their business for sale may be The company operates in 12 nothing. too late. Asian countries, including Cam- If they assess this as being Sellers should also consider bodia’s Asean neighbours as in the near future, they really asking their landlord for a well as mainland China, Hong need to contact Asian Business rental reduction until the Kong and India. Brokers and put their business situation improves. on the market as soon as pos- We have already seen some What would you say to someone sible, and they need to price it business owner tenants doing looking to buy a business in to sell. this and achieving up to a 50 Cambodia right now? Even if we are successful in per cent rental reduction. For buyers, it is hard to advise getting them “something”, it right now given that the guid- will be better than “nothing”. How does buying a business differ from buying property? Buying and selling business- es and commercial property is significantly different to buy- ing and selling residential real estate like houses and condos. There are many more steps Asian Business Brokers provides buying, selling and rental services for businesses throughout Cambodia. hong menea in the process and typically many more conditions applied 20,000 people in our database been listing a new business at Cambodia is a relatively to a sale that need to be care- and another 150,000 social the rate of more than one a day. easy place for foreigners to fully explained and monitored. media followers enables us to The numbers have reduced be- do business in, with the While many people under- connect with those business cause of the Covid-19 outbreak, ability to own 100 per cent stand the process of buying and buyers and sellers very quickly. but we expect it to increase of a business. selling a condo or house, not again and possibly surpass pre- There are many established many understand the process of How has the coronavirus outbreak vious numbers when business businesses available to buy buying and selling a business, changed the business outlook? confidence is improved. right now and at good prices, and this is where we come Covid-19 hasn’t necessarily and this generally avoids the into it and are able to guide made it more or less important Should Cambodia remain a “ramp-up” time associated with buyers and sellers to successful to use a business broker to buy hot destination for foreign starting your own business from transfer. or sell a business, other than to investment? scratch. We are specialist business say that specialist business bro- The ability for foreigners to Although we at Asian Busi- brokers and our database kers with a proven track record operate a business and reside in ness Brokers are not responsible consists only of people who like Asian Business Brokers Cambodia is much easier than for the success or otherwise of have expressed interest in buy- are – and have always been – a in most other Asian countries, your business, we do like to ing and selling businesses, not seller’s best chance of selling, including neighbouring Thailand make sure you have every rea- condos and houses. and buyers can rely upon them and Vietnam. sonable chance, so please let us For every 1,000-plus condo for accurate advice specific to This augers well for future know what you want, what your or house buyers, there may purchasing businesses. foreign investment in the expectations are and we’ll see only be about one business Asian Business Brokers has small business sector in if we can point you in the right Naim Khan-Turk, Asian Business Brokers’ Cambodia representative. supplied buyer, so having around consistently for over three years Cambodia. direction. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 World Trump extends US social distancing Libya RESIDENT Donald Trump has frees over extended emergency coronavi- rus restrictions for the US, where his top scientist warned up to 450 prison 200,000P people could die, as the Russian capital and Africa’s biggest city readied to go into lockdown on Monday. inmates The reassessment by Trump, who had previously said he wanted the country LIBYA’S justice ministry back to work in mid-April, came as Brit- announced on Sunday that ain and hard-hit Italy warned measures over 450 prisoners were being to prevent the spread of the disease freed in a bid to protect against would be in place for months to come. the spread of coronavirus in Covid-19 has already killed more the wake of the war-torn coun- than 34,000 people worldwide, with the try’s first declared infections. number of confirmed cases exceeding Judicial officials decided to 700,000. “free 466 detainees from cor- As of Sunday, more than 3.38 billion rectional facilities” in Tripoli, people were asked or ordered to follow said a statement by the Tripo- confinement measures, according to li-based Government of an AFP database, as the virus infects National Accord’s (GNA’s) jus- every sphere of life – wiping out mil- tice ministry. lions of jobs, postponing elections and The detainees were in pre- clearing the sporting calendar. trial detention or had qualified Trump warned that the US crisis, which for conditional release, the has seen a doubling of infections in only statement added. two days, would continue to get worse. Authorities announced five “The modelling estimates that the new coronavirus cases in the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two western city of Misrata on Sun- weeks,” he said, announcing an exten- day, bringing the tally of infec- sion of social distancing guidelines tions confirmed in Libya to until April 30. eight. “Nothing would be worse than declar- US President Donald Trump warned that the US crisis, which has seen a doubling of infections in only two days, would continue to get The country’s first case had ing victory before the victory is won.” worse. AFP been confirmed on Tuesday. The president was speaking after Other measures “aimed at Anthony Fauci, who leads research into “Before, there were 1.2 million peo- are on the verge,” he added. armed police began guarding entranc- reducing the overpopulation infectious diseases at the National Insti- ple in New York who needed help for British officials said life may not es to supermarkets in Sicily after of prisons” will follow, includ- tutes of Health, said he believed 100,000 food. Now, there are three times as return to usual for six months, with reports of looting by people who could ing amnesty for elderly or ill to 200,000 Americans could die from the many,” said Eric Ripert of City Harvest, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny no longer afford food. prisoners and those who have disease, and millions could be infected. a food rescue organisation. Harries saying it would be several In Germany, Thomas Schaefer, the served over half their sentenc- The US health system is groaning Meanwhile, Viet Nam News, a mem- weeks before doctors could tell if the finance minister of Hesse state, was found es, said the ministry state- under the weight of new cases. ber of Asia News Network and a media current lockdown had slowed the dead near a railway track on Saturday. The ment. On Sunday a charity began setting partner of The Phnom Penh Post, sus- spread of the disease. Wiesbaden prosecution’s office said they Human Rights Watch (HRW) up a field hospital in New York’s Central pended its print edition after a member Measures would be reviewed every believe he died by suicide. applauded the justice minis- Park to help take some of the strain off of its staff tested positive for the virus. three weeks, “probably over the next He apparently committed suicide try’s move as a “positive first the city’s overwhelmed institutions. The number of confirmed coronavirus six months” or even longer, she said. after becoming “deeply worried” over step”, but said “authorities “There’s lots of cases here in New cases in Vietnam now stands at 194. No In Italy, which has logged a third of how to cope with the economic fallout should do more to mitigate the York and a lot of people that need help,” fatalities have been recorded so far. global deaths, the government warned from the coronavirus, state premier risks of a major Covid-19 out- said Elliott Tenpenny, a doctor and Europe’s situation continued to citizens should be ready for a lengthy Volker Bouffier said on Sunday. break”. team leader for Samaritan’s Purse Cov- worsen. Spain logged 838 deaths in a lockdown that would only be lifted Moscow became the latest European Libyan authorities “need to id-19 Response Team. 24-hour period, the third consecutive gradually. city to tell people to stay indoors. be prepared to limit the spread “The hospitals all over the city are fill- day it has seen a rise. “We are in a very long battle,” said gov- Citizens will only be allowed to leave of the virus in overcrowded ing up and they need as much help as “My ICU [intensive care unit] is com- ernment medical adviser Luca Richeldi. their homes in a medical emergency, detention facilities and shel- they can get. That’s why we’re here.” pletely full,” said Eduardo Fernandez, “Through our behaviour, we save lives.” to travel to jobs judged essential by the ters for displaced people”, The human consequences of a shut- a nurse at Infanta Sofia hospital in Yet the strains on Italian society authorities, and to shop for food or HRW said in a statement. down that has seen huge chunks of the Madrid, where authorities have set up imposed by measures that might have medicines. Libya has been plagued by US economy grind to a halt were play- a 5,500-bed field hospital and trans- seemed unimaginable just weeks ago However, they will be allowed to walk conflict since the 2011 over- ing out at food banks, where organisers formed an ice rink into a morgue. are gradually starting to show. their dogs within a 100m radius of their throw of former dictator Mua- say demand has exploded. “If it is not a complete collapse, we The starkest example came when homes. AFP mmar Gaddafi. Since April last year, forces loyal to eastern-based strong- man Khalifa Haftar have been fighting to seize the capital in an offensive that has killed NK says tested ‘super-large’ rocket launchers hundreds and displaced 150,000 people. NUCLEAR-ARMED North chol and conducted by the Policy Studies. ders to try to protect itself from good personal relationship “If the Covid-19 pandemic Korea successfully tested Academy of National Defence The last time Kim was not the novel coronavirus and is one between the two leaders would spreads in Libya, the country’s “super-large multiple rocket Science. seen at such an event was of the few remaining countries not be enough to foster broad- health care system won’t be able launchers”, state media said South Korea had said two when the North test-fired a yet to report a case of the disease er relations. to cope with large numbers of on Monday, but leader Kim projectiles – presumed to be new submarine-launched bal- that has killed almost 34,000 Trump also “expressed his patients,” said HRW Libya Jong-un was not described as ballistic missiles – were fired listic missile in October, just people worldwide. intent to render cooperation researcher Hanan Salah. commanding the drill as ana- on Sunday from the North days before officials from But the virus is likely to have in the anti-epidemic work”, Both the UN-recognised lysts say Pyongyang seeks to Korean port city of Wonsan Pyongyang and Washington reached the secretive nation, it she said in a statement pub- GNA and a rival eastern-based normalise its launches. into the Sea of Japan, also were due to meet in Stockholm is widely believed, with health lished by the KCNA. government under the control With the world focused on known as the East Sea. to rekindle stalled diplomacy. experts warning it could devas- Analysts say the North has of Haftar have taken preventa- the coronavirus pandemic and Images carried by the North’s However some analysts tate the country given its weak been continuing to refine its tive measures against the North Korea insisting it has not official Rodong Sinmun news- believe he was actually present, medical infrastructure and weapons capabilities more spread of the virus, including had a single Covid-19 case, the paper showed rockets blasting as some items he habitually widespread malnutrition. than a year after a summit closing schools, some busi- isolated state has carried out out of a launcher with six firing uses were visible. The day after another firing between Kim and Trump broke nesses, markets and even pri- four such firings this month. tubes, striking what appeared earlier this month, North down in Hanoi. vate clinics. Unusually, the official Korean to be an island target. Kim was Virus warnings Korean state media said Kim Negotiations have since been The GNA announced an Central News Agency (KCNA) not seen in the photos. The string of weapons drills had received a letter from US deadlocked over sanctions extended curfew on Sunday did not say in its report that Kim “By Kim’s absence, North come during a prolonged hia- President Donald Trump relief and what the North would from 2pm local time (1200 had directed Sunday’s test. Korea is trying to reduce the tus in disarmament talks with detailing a plan to develop ties be willing to give up in return. GMT) until 7am, starting from The leader is almost always significance of the launch and the US and despite recent – a move later confirmed by a North Korea is under mul- Monday. AFP shown overseeing the North’s stressing that the missile test overtures from Washington White House official. tiple sets of sanctions from launches but on this occasion is just a part of normal drills,” offering help to contain the The report cited Kim’s pow- the UN, the US and others www.phnompenhpost.com KCNA said it was led by ruling said Go Myong-hyun, an ana- pandemic. erful sister Kim Yo-jong, who over its banned weapons pro- check the post website for breaking news party vice-chairman Ri Pyong- lyst at the Asan Institute for North Korea has closed its bor- warned that the apparently grammes. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Asean Food shortage looming in the Philippines

ACED with a looming food crisis as the financial assis- tance promised by the na- tional government has yet to reachF them, people in various parts of Luzon, Philippines are left to their own devices to stave off hunger. Some residents have started eating corn fungus (Ustilago maydis), while others have planted vegetables in once idle plots. A local government plans to distrib- ute repacked vegetable seeds to help households grow “survival gardens”. These initiatives came while some 18 million low-income families have yet to receive cash subsidies of 5,000 to 8,000 pesos ($99 to $158) for two months under the newly passed “Bayanihan to Heal as One” law. In two villages in the City of Ila- gan, people have started eating corn fungus to ease their hunger. Permaculture expert Elton Car- anay said residents in Aggasian and Fugu villages were harvesting “corn smut” as alternative food. Caranay said he himself had gath- ered corn smut, or fungi on corn kernels, and prepared it as meal by frying and mixing it with bitter gourd and tomato. “While this is a famous food in Mex- ico, [where it is known as huitlacoche] … we in the countryside consider this as a pest [in the cornfield],” Caranay Volunteers in the Philippines’ Paranaque City pack canned sardines for delivery to residents who cannot leave their homes because of the quarantine imposed on the entire told Philippine Daily Inquirer. island of Luzon. pHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK He said cooked corn smut tasted In Baguio City, the local govern- interacted with two people infected perishable vegetables from farmers travel restrictions. like a mix of corn and mushroom. ment said it would distribute vegeta- with the coronavirus. who were unable to sell their pro- “The assistance will be given in “It’s enough to fill our stomachs dur- ble seeds to help households put up Benguet supplies over 80 per cent duce. The vegetables would be do- the form of cash,” Go said in a Viber ing quarantine,” Caranay said. “survival gardens”. of the country’s highland vegeta- nated to needy families. message. In Pangasinan province, the Bued The seeds would help ensure food ble requirements such as carrots, Senator Panfilo Lacson said it village council in Calasiao town has in every home, said the Agricultural cabbages, cauliflower, beans and Cash doles was Secretary of Finance Carlos G started community-based projects Services Division of the City Vet- lettuce, which are mainly traded Senators on Sunday reiterated Dominguez III who had proposed to prepare for food scarcity should erinary Office, which is tasked with and packed at trading posts in La that the government should pro- that the financial aid of 5,000 to 8,000 the Luzon lockdown drag on. spearheading the drive. Trinidad. vide families with cash doles of up pesos be given in cash. “We have borrowed idle lots in the Meanwhile, the delivery of fresh Precautions against the spread of to 8,000 pesos for two months, and Distributing assistance in the form village and planted vegetables like vegetables from La Trinidad, Benguet Covid-19 have given farmers a tough- not groceries, as spelled out in the of goods would flout the spirit of the okra, tomatoes and eggplant,” said province, was temporarily halted after er time to deliver vegetables to La law that President Rodrigo Duterte Bayanihan law, which was crafted as Carlito Dion, Bued village chief. Vil- the capital town was placed on extreme Trinidad as they have to stop at sever- signed last week. an economic stimulus, according to lage officials also distributed vegeta- enhanced community quarantine. al checkpoints before queuing at two Senator Christopher “Bong” Go Senate president Vicente Sotto III. ble seeds to households. Mayor Romeo Salda on Saturday trading posts to wait for buyers. said the Bayanihan to Heal as One Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Rice farmers in Bued were en- said trucks and cargoes would not More time on the road leads to poor Act mandated the Department of on Saturday that aid in the form of couraged to sell their harvest to be allowed to transport vegetables quality of leafy vegetables, reducing Social Welfare and Development as relief goods or cash assistance should village officials so rice distribu- on Monday and Tuesday because lo- their value. the lead agency in distributing the be distributed to families while main- tion would remain unhampered in cal government and health workers Benguet vice-governor Johnny aid to families whose members lost taining social distancing. PHILIPPINE DAILY their community. were tracing people who may have Waguis on Sunday started buying their sources of income due to the INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Eight dead as plane catches HCMC to provide $42 monthly allowance

fire in Manila THE Ho Chi Minh City Party Com- 5,000 staff whose buses are not run- Japan-bound plane caught mittee on Thursday approved pay- ning, and subsidising operators fire on takeoff at Manila ing an allowance of one million who recently borrowed money from A airport in the Philippines late dong ($42.60) per month to people banks to buy new buses. on Sunday, killing all eight people losing their livelihoods due to the The river bus service will be sus- on board, airport authorities said. Covid-19 pandemic from the outlay pended and tourism boats have to The Westwind aircraft was hea- meant for paying wage hikes this ensure they have less than 20 pas- ded for Haneda airport on a me- year to city officials. sengers. dical evacuation mission carrying Speaking at an online meeting Goods transport vehicles would six Filipino crew members and two between the Party Committee and operate normally, the department passengers, an American and a district people’s committees, Party said, adding that domestic flights Canadian, authorities said without Committee secretary Nguyen Thien would be reduced. naming any of them. Nhan said some 600,000 people People, especially those aged more Firefighters rushed to the end would lose their jobs now, and the than 60, should not venture outside of the runway where the aircraft money paid to them would be a way unless it is needed, with health ex- was engulfed in flames, dousing for the city to share their difficul- perts saying reducing travelling is it with chemical foam, an airport ties. the best way to prevent the spread authority statement said. He urged the city People’s Com- of Covid-19 in the community. “Unfortunately, there were no mittee to submit this proposal Phong said health staff should not survivors on the flight,” Manila and get approval from the People’s leave the city unless necessary and airport general manager Ed Mon- Council at its extraordinary meeting Ho Chi Minh City plans to reduce public transport services to lessen the risk of should be available on call. real told a news conference. held yesterday afternoon. Covid-19 spreading. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Department of Health head Nguy- The runway was closed as People’s Committee chairman en Tan Binh said the city has 6,000 investigators arrived at the scene to Nguyen Thanh Phong said the city Following this, the department on in each row of seats. Hand sanitisers test kits for Covid-19 now and would determine the cause of the incident. accepts economic short-term losses Friday suggested that ride-hailing are mandatory in buses. add 4,000 more this month. By May Most passenger aircraft at the to focus on fighting the pandemic taxies should operate normally but Fifty-four out of 132 bus routes 15 it would have 70,000 kits. airport have been grounded for and safeguarding people’s health. their passengers need to fill in health will be suspended because of lack The rate testing positive in the weeks since the government put He instructed the Department of declaration forms and the vehicles’ of patronage, most of them cover- city’s quarantine areas is 11 per Manila and the rest of the main Transport to consider the tempo- drivers to set their air-conditioners ing schools and amusement parks. 3,000, or 0.36 per cent. Philippine island of Luzon on qua- rary suspension of public transport, at 27 degrees Celsius. Elsewhere, buses will run on around The city has said it will fine people rantine to fight the spread of the especially large buses, to contain Bus drivers can only carry half their 50 per cent of the routes. not wearing masks in public and not novel coronavirus. AFP people in areas where there are designed capacities and on half the The department has suggested going to quarantine areas as instruct- Covid-19 cases. routes, and seat only one passenger paying allowances to more than ed. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 World Cruise company in search of HK backup plans port for virus-stricken liner urged in event of ASSENGERS on a medical shortages virus-stricken cruise liner entered the Pan- THE Hong Kong Special for children, leaving only 824 ama Canal in Central Administrative Region govern- such beds for general adult pa- APmerica on Sunday after they ment should make backup tients, she said. Except for con- were told the company was plans to make more isolation firmed patients, 540 people still searching for a port which facilities available and deploy with suspicious symptoms are will allow them to disembark, medical employees more effec- isolated in the hospital. even as they pleaded for help. tively to prevent a collapse of The government has been The Panama Canal Author- the city’s medical system in the discussing with medical ex- ity said the MS Zaandam event of a community outbreak perts the feasibility of trans- liner had entered the canal, of Covid-19, a medical expert ferring nearly recovered which connects the Atlantic said on Sunday. patients to isolation beds and Pacific oceans, on Sunday Health authorities also transformed from ordinary afternoon after transferring said on Sunday that the gov- wards, which are equipped healthy passengers to another ernment is discussing with with the same type of isola- ship and restocking supplies. medical experts using isola- tion facilities, Ho said. Holland America Line presi- tion beds in a more effective Leung Chi-chiu, chairman dent Orlando Ashford admit- way, while adding that about of the Advisory Committee ted they were still searching for 400 new isolation beds trans- on Communicable Diseases a port after the mayor of Fort formed from ordinary ones under the Hong Kong Medi- Lauderdale – the ship’s intend- will be available next week. cal Association, thinks the ed destination – said the Flor- The remarks came after the proposal to make more front- ida city could not take the risk city recorded 59 new novel line isolation beds available is of accepting the passengers. coronavirus infection cases on feasible in the short term. Ashford said in a video mes- Sunday, pushing the total to 641. Although the situation is still sage the company was still The number of new cases was under control, the doctor said trying to “figure out” where to only slightly below the 65 and the government should pre- disembark passengers from 64 new cases – the largest and pare for the worst-case sce- the stricken MS Zaandam lin- second-largest single-day tallies nario – a community outbreak er – four of whom have died. – that were recorded on Friday – with the increasing number Since a brief stop in Chile on March 14, the MS Zaandam cruise liner has been turned away from several The situation was “difficult ports after reporting that 42 people aboard were suffering from flu-like symptoms. AFP and Saturday respectively. of people returning to the city. and unprecedented”, he said. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head Leung suggests the govern- The MS Zaandam had been “We cannot add further risk and the other a “sick ship”. sengers on their conscience. of the Communicable Disease ment start making backup plans stuck in the Pacific Ocean to our community amid our “Whether you’re isolated on “Four people are now dead, Branch of the Department now in the event that isolation since March 14 after dozens own health crisis here with the Zaandam or isolated on and that is on the head of all of Health’s Centre for Health beds in public hospitals are used of the 1,800 people on board thousands of people already the Rotterdam, the way that we the people along the way who Protection, stressed that the up. This includes equipping reported flu-like symptoms testing positive for the deadly protect the health of those of turned us away,” Gabaroni coming two weeks are critical quarantine centres with basic and several South American and contagious Covid-19 vi- you that are healthy is to make told AFP after she was evacu- in the city’s push to slow down medical facilities and employ- ports refused to let it dock. rus,” Trantalis said, adding sure that you’re isolated safely ated from the MS Zaandam. the transmission of the disease ees, and isolating patients with Panama on Saturday re- that the National Guard and while we figure out where it is “What we need more than in the community. She urged mild symptoms suspected of versed its decision to block the Department of Homeland that we’re going to take you.” ever right now is a place that the public to stay at home and being infected with mild symp- the MS Zaandam from its Security “must create a plan Apologising to passengers, will let us dock, so that the sick avoid nonessential outings. toms before they are confirmed canal, and said it would be al- to protect the community”. Ashford said: “It’s been a can get treated and the healthy The high daily increase of and sent to hospitals. lowed to transit from the Pa- tough last several days.” can start doing whatever they new cases and suspected pa- In the worst situation, the gov- cific to the Caribbean side for Ships ‘in tandem’ The MS Zaandam left Bue- have to do to get back to their tients could lead to a shortage ernment should consider turn- humanitarian reasons. Passengers showing no nos Aires on March 7 and was homes and their lives.” of beds in public hospitals’ ing large venues, such as exhi- But Fort Lauderdale mayor signs of the virus were ferried supposed to arrive two weeks “Please help us.” isolation wards. At this rate bition centres and schools, into Dean Trantalis later said al- a short distance to a sister later at San Antonio, near In a video recorded in his of increase, all available isola- temporary hospitals for patients lowing the MS Zaandam to ship, the MS Rotterdam, off Santiago, Chile. small cabin in which he had tion beds will soon be occu- with mild symptoms, especially dock in his city was “com- Panama on Saturday. The MS Since a brief stop in Punta been confined for six days, pas- pied even with the addition of the young and those without an pletely unacceptable” as no Rotterdam had arrived from Arenas in Chilean Patago- senger Dante Leguizamon told 400 beds next week, said Sara underlying disease, Leung said. special assurances had been San Diego carrying medical nia on March 14, it has been AFP on Saturday it was “very Ho Yuen-ha, Hospital Author- The government should start given about the passengers’ staff, testing kits and food for turned away from several difficult to maintain mental ity chief manager (patient selecting possible venues and onward travel arrangements. the beleaguered vessel. ports after reporting that 42 health”. safety and risk management). making plans on manpower “No assurances have been The MS Rotterdam also be- people aboard were suffering “I am . . . on a boat that I can- The city has 1,012 isolation and facilities deployment, Le- given that they will be escort- gan transiting through the from flu-like symptoms. not get off, with coronavirus beds, 62 per cent of which are ung said. If the city were to wait ed from the ship to either a Panama Canal, authorities US passenger Laura Gabaro- patients, with four dead,” he now occupied, an increase of until after a local outbreak, it treatment facility or placed in said on Sunday. ni pleaded for help on Sunday, said, adding that he was “full of about 10 per cent from a few would already be too late, and quarantine. This is complete- In his message, Ashford said saying that the ports that had uncertainty, without money . . . days ago, Ho said. the city’s medical system could ly unacceptable,” Trantalis he wanted to dispel a “myth” turned the MS Zaandam away and without knowing if there is Sixty-six of the beds are in the easily collapse, he warned. said on Twitter. that one was a “healthy ship” would have the deaths of pas- a plane back home”. AFP intensive care unit, and 122 are CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

US regulator approves limited use of malaria drugs for coronavirus

A LIMITED emergency-use Trump said last week that A man died in the US state authorisation for two anti- the two drugs could be a “gift of Arizona from taking a form malarial drugs touted as from God”, despite scientists of chloroquine after he took a game-changers by President warning against the dan- form of the drug his wife had Donald Trump has been is- gers of overhyping unproven used to treat her pet fish. sued by the US Food and Drug treatments. The woman told NBC News: Administration (FDA) to treat Many researchers including “I saw it sitting on the back coronavirus patients. Anthony Fauci, the US’ leading shelf and thought, ‘Hey, isn’t In a statement published infectious disease expert, have that the stuff they’re talking on Sunday, the US Depart- urged the public to remain about on TV?’” ment of Health and Human cautious until larger clinical Banner Health, a non-profit Services detailed recent do- trials validate smaller studies. health care provider based in nations of medicine to a na- Two US medical bodies – the Phoenix, said on its website tional stockpile – including National Institutes of Health that “a man has died and his chloroquine and hydroxy- and the Biomedical Advanced wife is under critical care af- chloroquine, both being in- Research and Development ter the couple, both in their vestigated as potential Covid- Authority – are currently work- 60s, ingested chloroquine 19 treatments. ing to plan such trials. phosphate, an additive com- It said the FDA had allowed Some in the scientific commu- monly used at aquariums to them “to be distributed and nity fear Trump’s endorsement clean fish tanks”. prescribed by doctors to of the medicines could create The US has more than 140,000 hospitalised teen and adult shortages for patients who need novel coronavirus cases and patients with Covid-19, as ap- them to treat lupus and rheuma- 2,489 deaths, according to a propriate, when a clinical trial toid arthritis, diseases for which tracker maintained by Johns A limited emergency-use authorisation for two anti-malarial drugs touted as game-changers by US President is not available or feasible”. they are approved. Hopkins University. AFP Donald Trump has been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat coronavirus patients. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com Leadership in age of pandemics:

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Ly Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Stop the blame game Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua purushotman Joshua purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer Opinion Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Andrew Sheng Sam Rith Deputy Chief of Staff phak Seangly Deputy Chief of Staff Business Editor NE of the upsides of the phak Seangly May Kunmakara lockdown is that one gets Business Editor Deputy Business Editor to read books that you May Kunmakara Sorn Sarath should read, but never had Deputy Business Editor Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk theO time for. Former deputy chair- Sorn Sarath pan Simala man of India’s planning commission, Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Senior Reporters Dr Montek Singh Ahluwahlia’s new pan Simala Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng book Backstage: The Story Behind Senior Reporters Reporters India’s High Growth Years, is an illu- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long minating inside picture about how Reporters Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth leaders emerge at a time of crisis. I Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long will review his book in a forthcoming Sovanny, article, but his brilliant quote of Ital- Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth Ry Sochan ian political philosopher Machiavelli Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Photographers is spot on for this age of pandemics: Sovanny, Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea “At the beginning, a disease is easy Ry Sochan Web Editor to cure but difficult to diagnose, but Photographers Leang phannara as time passes, not having been treat- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea Webmasters ed or recognised at the outset, it Web Editor Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea becomes easy to diagnose but diffi- Leang phannara SIEM REAP BUREAU cult to cure. The same thing occurs Webmasters Offi ce Manager in affairs of state. By recognising Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea Sophearith Blondeel from afar the diseases that are PRODUCTION & PRINTING SIEM REAP BUREAU spreading in the state (which is a gift Head of Desktop Publishing Offi ce Manager given only to a prudent ruler) they Nhim Sokphyrak Sophearith Blondeel can be cured quickly. But when they A staff member helps a patient with a protective mask at a medical centre in Paris. We must make sure that the doctors, nurses, hospital Desktop Publishing are not recognised and left to grow to staff and all members providing essential services are provided with personal protective equipment. afp PRODUCTION & PRINTING Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath the extent that everyone recognises Head of Desktop Publishing Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna them, there is no longer any cure.” because it is so easy to blame someone level, but the populace also under- Third, the toughest choice is Nhim Sokphyrak Prescient words indeed. It reminds else as evil. No one is truly objective, stood the need of social discipline in between life versus livelihood. Desktop Publishing HEAD OFFICE us that disease and pestilence was as since we are all emotionally involved. time of epidemics. Second, their Nobel Laureate Paul Romer and Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath prevalent in 15th century Italy as it is Every day, the lives of ourselves, our effectiveness is not about authoritari- Harvard Provost Alan Garber puts Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna for the world today. family, friends and community are at anism, but ability to test, trace and the stark choice as: “If we keep up This weekend, the US – the most stake. And any of us can go any day. contain. All these economies have our current strategy of suppression Post Media Co, Ltd. HEAD OFFICE technologically advanced nation with This Covid-19 war is so fundamen- very good technology with bureauc- based on indiscriminate social dis- The Elements Condominium Level 7, the finest medical expertise – will tally different because instead of racies that know how to apply them. tance for 12 to 18 months, most of us Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, have more Covid-19 cases than Chi- being able to hug and share our wor- Third, the communities come togeth- will still be alive. It is our economy Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom that will be dead.” Penh, Cambodia na, where the epidemic broke out last ries with our loved ones, we must er as one (however imperfectly), rath- Post Media Co, Ltd. Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 December. The coronavirus is about keep our social distance. Our hearts er than displaying individualism at Yes, the old free-spending economy The Elements Condominium Level 7, Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 to take down not just the powerful are torn because grandparents can- the expense of many. that created excess consumption and the rich, but the global economy. not hug their grandchildren. We funded by excess debt may be dead Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 What are the priorities in this war? Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Phnom Penh, SIEM REAP Make no mistake, the battle against stand helpless to see our friends or flat on its back. Over the longer Cambodia No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Covid-19 is a war, as damaging as physi- being isolated in hospitals upon First, we cannot win any battle if the term, we must rebuild the system SIEM REAP Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 cal war. This is because it is first and infection. The fog of emotion clouds front-line troops are dying. We must into one that is more caring for foremost an emotional war, not just our judgement and our ability to act. make sure that the doctors, nurses, nature and society. This we must do. No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Chief Operating Offi cer financial, economic, social and geo-po- The blame game is an emotional hospital staff and all members provid- General Casey’s advice is well worth Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 James Ong Soon Teck litical. Stress levels are the highest I salve that may assuage our anger, but ing essential services are provided taking: “To succeed in our VUCA COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Advertising Department have ever known, at the individual, will truly block effective action, with personal protective equipment world, leaders have to control what Chief Operating Offi cer Chap Narith, 017 996 241 community, national and geo-political which is to work together to fight the (PPEs). These heroes are putting their they can, influence what they don’t James Ong Soon Teck Hun Channet, 017 578 768 level. Bad emotions worsen decisions. common enemy – Covid-19. lives and their families’ health at risk control, and prepare for what they Advertising Department prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 When a member of the family How do we stop the Covid-19 for the good of the community and we can’t control.” Chap Narith, 017 996 241 Keo puthy, 012 966 605 makes a mistake that impacts the onslaught? Learn, adapt and act fast. must salute and cherish them. But The long march to recovery and Hun Channet, 017 578 768 phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 whole family, any parent would know Time is not on our side. Blame, dither give them the best available. It is a sin reform is a long-haul process. Very prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 the most important thing to do is not and die. The enemy of my enemy is to ask a nurse to work when they have tough decisions have to be made. Inevi- CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION to blame, but what to do. A crisis is an my friend. In this war, we have to to recycle used masks and gowns! tably mistakes are made. But we sur- Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager event. Bad things happen. Blame can learn to work with people we do not Second, no amount of hospital vive if we learn, adapt and come togeth- Thenh Rithy Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 come later. But it is immediate action like in order to survive. beds is enough if we do not enforce er as a community, not as narcissistic Circulation Supervisor ADMINISTRATION that can prevent more damage. There are three lessons why China, social distancing. One super-spread- individuals. The leader that does not Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Admin & HR Manager In making parallels between fighting South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Tai- er will overwhelm any hospital with understand this will not survive. Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 pich Socheat conventional warfare and war on pan- wan, Singapore and Israel have been patients in a matter of weeks. We can ADMINISTRATION Assistants to Admin & HR Manager demics, US General George Casey effective in controlling the spread of understand the young wanting to Admin & HR Manager The writer is a Adjunct Professor at Tsinghua Nhel Soaphea quotes 5th century BC Chinese strate- Covid-19 cases so far. First, everyone party to relax, but they are putting pich Socheat gist that the leader must have “clear learnt the lessons from severe acute other lives at risk. Once we lose our University, Beijing and University of Malaya. Financial Director Assistants to Admin & HR Manager He was former Chairman of the Hong Kong mind and pure hearts”. But few of us respiratory syndrome (Sars), not just invaluable doctors and nurses, we Securities and Futures Commission. The views Heang Tangmeng Nhel Soaphea have clear minds and pure hearts, at the professional and bureaucratic have no more defense line. expressed are entirely his own. Chief Accountant Financial Director Sren Vicheka Heang Tangmeng Treasurers Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Treasurers Cheam Sopheak Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, IT Manager Cheam Sopheak Seng Nak, Vong Oun IT Manager

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Soung Sovanny recyclables that could fetch me a little money to survive NSIDE a Prek Toal com- each day,” she says. munity home located When the Stung Meanchey in the area of a former dumpsite was closed in 2009, landfill in Phnom Penh’s Vannak had no choice but to IStung Meanchey commune, switch back to her old skills. Ly Vannak was diligently cut- She was lucky enough to ting and sewing fabric. meet a generous donor from Working alone on the a church. ground floor that was built “A while after moving here, I from brick, the 39-year-old met a foreign woman named considered it the best option Tanya. Knowing that I can for a mother like her because sew, she bought me a sewing her poor health didn’t allow machine and thread,” Vannak her to work under strict fac- says of the Christian wom- Inside a Prek Toal community home in Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey commune, Ly Vannak was diligently cutting and sewing fabric. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM tory conditions. an whom she doesn’t know “I came from a poor family much about, but is grateful dren and a safe community, riel monthly for housing and I don’t have to worry about charges 2,000 riel each. and grew up with 10 siblings for her help. they are required to sign an utility,” says Vannak, beaming not making ends meet. Now Vannak says: “I hope to get in Prey Veng province. My “She also helped find me agreement stressing three with pride. I spend less on housing and more orders to sew so that I parents separated, so the chil- clients and increase my busi- conditions – that the families Vannak has had to contrib- our cooking pot always has can earn more. My life’s goal dren struggled to live in diffi- ness. Thanks to her, I can who live in these homes will ute towards land rental, main- rice donated by CCF as a mo- is to own a house with a big- cult circumstances,” Vannak continue sewing to support send their children to school, tenance of communal spaces, tivation for us to keep send- ger space in the city, so my told The Post at her house. my family even after she re- not be involved in any kind of toilets and gardens. Rather ing our children to school,” younger family members will She decided to move from turned to her home country,” abuse and avoid using child than offering free housing, she says. find it convenient to go to her hometown to take up a she says. labour to earn money. the organisation would like Vannak has to wake up school. job in a garment factory in Her monthly expense most- The houses are a gener- the housing recipient to have at 4:30am daily to prepare “Most importantly, I want Phnom Penh where she met ly goes to her children’s edu- ous incentive for parents to a sense of sharing responsi- breakfast, help her kids get to see my children and my her husband. cation and food. She had to ensure their children’s safety bility and gradually gaining ready for school and send sister become well-educated “I got married in 2008 and be thrifty with her spending. and education. Families are financial independence. them there. and have decent jobs. continued working at a gar- For instance, a proper meal supportive of their children’s She understands the con- Upon returning home, she “This is the biggest dream ment factory. Unfortunately, for her family would cost education and encouraging tribution policy and is happy does some housework – such in my life, as I wish to see I had some problems and my around 10,000 riel ($2.50), but good behaviour is prioritised to be able to live in her home as cleaning – before sitting for them working in an office and poor health didn’t allow me to she had to cut it down to just as a reward for having a de- despite the conditions. several hours at her sewing living independently because work there, so I was forced to 5,000 riel. cent home. “I think the land price is machine. I don’t have any savings or quit,” she says. “I cannot be careless when The former scavenger lives more expensive, which is Vannak only takes a short property for them to inherit Together with her husband, it comes to spending, other- with her husband, a four- why our rental fee here has break to prepare food. Most of like others,” she says. she moved to stay at the Prek wise I’ll not make ends meet. year-old daughter, nine-year- increased. However, I’m still her time is spent cutting and While she still journeys to Toal community at a former I would need around $250 a old son and a 22-year-old happy that I can afford to live sewing fabric until 8 or 9pm. fulfil her dream, Vannak con- garbage dump site in Stung month,” she says. sister. They are all students in and enjoy the basic necessi- She can sew about 20 shirts, siders it a blessing to receive Meanchey commune. Her priority is to give her kindergarten, grades 9 and 12 ties that renting a room can- skirts or chef’s aprons a day. support until her family is fi- Having been told that col- children a good education, respectively. not provide. I feel a sense of She is paid between 1,200 to nancially independent. lecting junk could be a source and that cannot be compro- “When I first came to the security and am relieved, not 1,500 riel for the clothing. “I thank CCF for giving my of income to support her fam- mised. Stung Meanchey area, I spent having to worry about the She also sews bags, of which husband a job too. Thanks to ily, she didn’t hesitate to be- The Cambodian Children’s around 8,000 riel monthly in renting fee,” she says. she can make seven or eight a the organisation, I’m able to come one of the commune’s Fund (CCF) and World Hous- rent and stayed alone. There Besides housing, the CCF day and earn between 4,000 work at home without worrying many scavengers. ing are behind the provision was no electricity in this area also employs her husband as and 8,000 riel apiece. Van- about moving from one place “I joined the others to be- of safe and secure homes with back then. Now we have run- a security guard and supports nak also has regular orders to another. My kids and my sis- come a waste picker. It was basic necessities for a family. ning water and electricity her sister’s education. to make washable woman’s ter can go to school because we not too difficult to forage for To ensure the future of chil- and we only spend 150,000 “It a big relief for me since sanitary pads and for this, she have a place called home.”

Most of Vannak’s time is spent cutting and sewing fabric until 8 or 9pm. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM Vannak considers it a blessing to receive support until her family is financially independent. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM 18 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Kiwis snitching on lockdown rule-breakers crashes website ew Zealanders have be- come so keen to report their Nneighbours for breaking coronavirus lockdown rules that police on Monday said a website dedicated to addressing the issue crashed soon after going live. The South Pacific nation is in the midst of a four-week Covid-19 lockdown, with residents under orders to stay at home or remain at least 2m apart if they must go outside. Police commissioner Mike Bush said a police website www.police. govt.nz/105support opened on Sunday afternoon and received such heavy traffic that it temporar- ily crashed. “We’ve had 4,200 reports of people believing others weren’t complying,” he told reporters. “It shows how determined Kiwis are that everyone complies with us.” Bush said breaches included a party of about 60 people at a back- packer hostel in Queenstown and tourists continuing to travel the country in campervans. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern backed the informants and also urged the public to report any price gouging at supermarkets via a Wild animals are slipping cover to explore the empty streets of some of our biggest cities. AFP dedicated email address. “Now is not the time to bend the rules. This is a time to stay at home and save lives,” she told reporters. Mother Nature taking back world’s New Zealand, with a popula- tion of about five million, has 589 confirmed Covid-19 cases, one of empty city streets as humans retreat them fatal. AFP s humans retreat into their French Natural History Museum homes as more and more head of research Romain Julliard. countries go under corona- He told AFP that foxes were at the virus lockdown, wild animals vanguard of the new urban explor- areA slipping cover to explore the empty ers. “They change their behaviour streets of some of our biggest cities. very quickly. When a place becomes Wild boar have descended from the quiet, they’re straight in there.” hills around Barcelona while sika deer are nosing their way around the de- Animals’ ‘spring of love’ serted metro stations of Nara, Japan. Animals and birds that normally Indian social media has gone wild live in urban parks, like sparrows about footage of a stag scampering and pigeons are also more likely to through Dehradun, the capital of venture beyond their usual territo- the northern state of Uttarakhand. ries, Julliard said, “freeing a space Gangs of wild turkeys have been for other animals”. strutting the streets of Oakland, While the dawn and dusk choruses California, while a puma turned up have been bringing comfort to many in the centre of the Chilean capital quarantined city dwellers, the mu- Santiago, which is under curfew. seum’s acoustics specialist Jerome “This is the habitat they once had Sueur said that doesn’t mean there and that we’ve taken away from are more urban birds than before. them,” said Marcelo Giagnoni, the It is more that with reduced traf- head of Chile’s agricultural and live- fic noise we can hear them better. stock service that helped police cap- Some, however, “stop singing when ture the curious big cat. there is noise, so now they are let- Dolphins have been popping up in ports in the Mediterranean Sea. AFP While sightings of dolphins in Ven- ting themselves go”. ice’s canals turned out to be fanciful, “Animals are shaking off human With the hunting season suspend- islets in the highest protected areas who is known as the “Urban Birder”, has they have been popping up in ports noise pollution,” Sueur said. And ed in several European countries, are not gathering on the sea,” he said. been tweeting and livestreaming birds elsewhere in the Mediterranean as the timing could not have been bet- this promises to be a spring and he spots from the roof of the building in emboldened wildlife takes “free rein ter as they embark on their mating possibly a summer of love for the Birdwatching to stay sane Spain where he has been quarantined. to wander our cities and towns”, said season. animal kingdom. And it is the same for plants. Wild “The sky is a great arena, anything It is certainly great news for species orchids – which are supposed to can fly past and, at the very least, it like the common toad and the spotted be protected – are often picked by will give you peace. My message is salamander. The amorous amphibians walkers when they blossom in late simple – keep looking up,” he told are being spared from being “crushed April and May, said Rieffel. This year his new-found followers. crossing busy roads” in their haste to they will be spared that fate. However, there are also downsides find a mate, said Jean-Noel Rieffel, of And in the cities and suburbs, to the lockdown for nature. the French biodiversity office (OFB). unmowed lawns will be a source of Work to limit invasive species has With few dog walkers to disturb “bounty for bees, bumble bees and been all but halted, cautioned Loic them, baby fawns are also getting butterflies”, Julliard added. Obled of the OFB, as well as that to an idyllic start to life while birds But for him, the biggest change is help endangered species. like Mediterranean gulls which nest the effect this is having on humans. And when the lockdown finally along the sandy banks of rivers are “The most important phenomenon ends, Rieffel warned that “people being left undisturbed. perhaps is our relationship with na- will have a need of nature and there In the Calanques National Park ture changing – with people locked is a risk of too many visitors [to nat- overlooking the Mediterranean near up in their homes realising how ural parks], which won’t be good for France’s second city of Marseille, much they miss nature,” he said. the flora and fauna”. wildlife “is reclaiming its natural Stuck indoors, with their worlds The birds which have nested in the habitat with surprising speed”, said reduced to a few square metres, con- yard of an abandoned school or fac- the park’s president, Didier Reault. fined urbanites have suddenly be- tory will find themselves disturbed, A puma turned up in the centre of the Chilean capital Santiago, which is under curfew. With walkers and boating banned, come avid birdwatchers. he warned. Nature’s respite from man AFP “the puffins who used to stay on the British ornithologist David Lindo, may be rather short-lived. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 19 Lifestyle South African couple run ‘balcony marathon’

South African cou- ple who ran a mara- thon on the balcony of their Dubai apart- ment,A streaming it online, plan to take the project global to help people shake off the coronavirus blues. Collin Allin, 41, and wife Hil- da covered the 42.2km distance by running more than 2,100 laps of their 20m long balcony from dawn on Saturday. A stopwatch provided by the couple shows they cov- ered the distance in five hours, nine minutes and 39 seconds. “We did it . . . #balcony- marathon,” Allin said on In- stagram, congratulating his wife on her first ever mara- thon and thanking the virtual crowd that cheered them on. “Thank you for all the love and support for doing some- thing silly . . . was great to have Collin Allin, 41, and wife Hilda covered the 42.2km distance by running more than 2,100 laps of their 20m long balcony from dawn on Saturday. AFP you all along for the ride,” he said. their legs can join for a few ki- options for outdoor exercise The UAE, of which Dubai The couple’s 10-year-old lometres or more. in many countries, but en- is a member, has imposed a daughter Geena acted as race “This is about giving peo- terprising people have found Thursday-to-Sunday night- director, putting up signs ple something else to think ways to fit in a workout. time lockdown to allow for marking “start” and “turn about,” Allin told AFP. “It’s Elisha Nochomovitz, a 32- outdoors and public trans- around” and providing her about getting people to con- year-old who lives near the port sanitation operations. parents with water and snacks nect, as everyone is worried French city of Toulouse, ran With some 611 cases of the as well as inspirational music. about the impact of corona- a marathon on his balcony novel coronavirus and five Allin said he planned to or- virus.” which measures just 7m. deaths, it has also been pro- ganise a “bigger, global and The pandemic has wiped He reportedly managed the moting a “stay home” cam- more inclusive run next” out international sport- feat in six hours and 48 min- paign, a message lit up on top Allin said he planned to organise a ‘bigger, global and more inclusive where people who are under ing schedules and triggered utes, nearly double his best of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the run next’ where people who are under lockdown but keen to stretch lockdown but keen to stretch lockdowns that have limited marathon finish time. world’s tallest tower. AFP their legs can join for a few kilometres or more. AFP Restaurant in Florida receives $10,000 tip a day before closing A customer left a $10,000 tip to be ordered the closure. divided among the employees of a “We don’t know who he was yet,” Florida restaurant, a day before it was he said. “I’m trying to figure it out. forced to close because of the coro- “It’s funny because we have regulars navirus outbreak, the owner said. who have been coming in forever, and Ross Edlund, the owner of Skillets they’re our friends but we don’t always in Naples, Florida, said on the res- know their names,” he said. taurant’s Facebook page on Thurs- “We know their faces, their orders, day that the gesture shows there are their favourite tables, but we don’t still “truly fantastic people in the know exactly who they are.” world”. Edlund said the $10,000 was even- “We have an amazing Skillets fam- ly split among the restaurant’s 20 Players left flagsticks in cups, which were partly filled with pieces of pool noodles so players could more easily reclaim their ball. AFP ily that extends to our guests as well,” employees with each receiving Edlund said. “We couldn’t be happier $500. to be a part of a community where Edlund owns a total of 10 Skillets this type of generosity exists.” restaurants and he told the newspa- With toilet paper for prizes, US Edlund told the local newspaper, per that he has had to lay off 90 per- the Naples Daily News, that the cus- cent of his 200 employees. tomer handed $10,000 in cash to the Eight of his restaurants are still golfers play on despite pandemic manager of the restaurant last week, operating, he said, offering takeout a day before the state’s governor service with a skeleton staff. AFP WHILE most global sport has shut Burnham told the Detroit News. “He Phoenix, beating compatriot Lisa Pet- down over the coronavirus pandem- was like: ‘Here’s a little extra prize for tersson on the second playoff hole. ic, a US third-level women’s golf tour the winner.’” Nordqvist is an eight-time LPGA win- is playing through, aided by a ruling She described the atmosphere to ner whose first tour title was a major, declaring Arizona courses as essen- the newspaper, such as no rakes in the 2009 LPGA Championship, and tial businesses – and where a winner’s bunkers and players leaving flagsticks whose most recent win was also a prize recently included a toilet roll. in cups, which were partly filled with major, the 2017 Evian Championship. The Cactus Tour will stage its 12th pieces of pool noodles – children’s What has helped Brown continue 54-hole event of the year, and third foam floating swim toys – so players while the LPGA and its top develop- since major US sports league went could more easily reclaim their ball. mental tour have shut down is a deci- silent, starting on Tuesday at Sun City “We practiced all the social distancing sion by Arizona Governor Doug Country Club in Arizona. guidelines and stuff like that,” Burnham Ducey to classify golf courses as There are precautions to allow for said. “It’s not like a huge group.” “essential” business to remain open safety and cut the chances of spread- Burnham had played one event of while many others are closed due to ing or contracting the deadly virus, her second LPGA season in Australia the coronavirus. with players only in pairs to help fol- when the campaign shut down. It’s There has been criticism but play- low distancing guidelines. not set to return until May 14 with no ers are happy to have the chance to And while last week’s top prize was only assurance that date will hold given compete. $2,800, it brought winner Sarah Burnham the growing healthcare crisis. “I couldn’t be more pleased with an even more prized treasure seldom Two weeks ago, it was two-time the feedback from the girls, which is seen on store shelves these days. major winner Anna Nordqvist of Swe- all I care about,” Cactus Tour owner Many restaurants around the US have been forced to close because of the coronavirus “They gave some toilet paper,” den who won a $2,000 top prize at Mike Brown told Golfweek. AFP outbreak. AFP 20 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Police in France get odd queries about virus “CAN my husband spend the weekend with his mistress?” “A stranger stroked my horse, could he have infected it?” France’s police emergency number has been inundated with queries, some downright odd, since the country went into coronavirus lockdown. The quick-dial emergency “17” number reserved for matters of a criminal nature, has been abused more than usual with thousands of calls since a period of home confine- ment for French residents started on March 17, duty officers told AFP. “There has been an explosion in the number of calls, multiplied by three,” said a police official in northern France. “People are calling for everything and nothing, because they are bored. Some just want to talk,” another policeman said. In Dijon in the country’s east, a woman called the number seeking Health workers in France say they are becoming targets of suspicion and even harassment by neighbours and patients fearful of catching Covid-19. AFP romantic advice. “After my divorce, I managed to find someone. But he lives 25km from my place. How do I deal with confine- ment?” she asked an incredulous ‘Treated like lepers’: Coronavirus responder on the other end. “We get serious calls for informa- tion” but also “abusive calls that bor- der on stupidity”, said another police fears taking toll on French nurses member. “We had one rather libertine couple ROM anonymous letters to “I’m furious,” said Lucille, who like cions of some of my neighbours”, “I was incredibly angry, but also call to ask if the husband can spend blatant shunning, nurses several others asked not to be iden- who try to figure out if they should frightened, it just seemed unreal,” the weekend with his mistress as he and other health workers in tified by her family name. “We’re be keeping their distance. she said. normally does!” France say they are becom- already putting our lives on hold to “They ask if I’ve been in contact Since then, “I take off my nursing Police on patrol have also encoun- ingF targets of suspicion and even help others, and here we’re being with Covid-19 patients, tested or badge and don’t leave anything in tered some gems. harassment by neighbours and pa- treated like lepers.” not, or if I’m tired,” he said. the car, it’s become a routine, just One motorist from Picardie in the tients fearful of catching Covid-19. “Whoever wrote this surely doesn’t For Negete Bensaid, a nurse in like I always put on a mask and wash north explained in all earnestness at a Some have been told to leave their take all the precautions I do,” she Paris, contagion fears have prompt- my hands to protect my patients”. checkpoint that he was 50km from home homes or worse, even as the country added, pointing out that her hands ed some patients to refuse her visits, Sophie, a nurse in Marseille, also “because he needed to buy cassoulet” turns out nightly at 8pm to applaud were being “destroyed” by constant and even some in her family have said she “couldn’t believe it” when – a typical bean and sausage dish. those on the front lines of the coro- washings. urged her to stop working. her car was broken into, the thieves While sometimes amusing, police navirus fight. “I try not to let it get to me, but it’s “People steer clear when they see taking her badge as well as masks are especially riled by misuse of the Prime Minister Edouard Philippe easier said than done.” me coming – they don’t stay just 1m and other protective material. emergency number at a time when denounced on Sunday the “scandal- She turned the letter over to the away, but 4m!” she said. “We’re going to end up being home confinement has led to a rise ous words” aimed at some caregiv- mayor, who alerted prosecutors Beyond the weight of the wariness, assaulted,” she said, adding that in reports of domestic violence and ers, many of which have been post- who have opened an inquiry. whether justified or not, nurses who some patients were even demand- neighbourly disputes. ed on social media. “Even if these types of incidents make house calls have also been target- ing that she buy groceries for them, Of course, many in France have For Lucille, a nurse in Vulaines- are still rare, it’s shocking,” said Pat- ed by thieves hoping to get their hands so that their children avoid any vi- also taken to dialling “17” to snitch sur-Seine southeast of Paris, the rick Chamboredon, president of the on face masks or sanitising hand gel. rus exposure. on neighbours receiving guests at message came in an unsigned letter national council for France’s 700,000 In the western coastal city of La Ro- “It just feels like there’s a lack of re- home against the lockdown rules, or found in her mailbox last week, tell- nurses. chelle, Claire’s nursing practice was spect. So I don’t even go out at night to report people they suspect of leav- ing her to do her shopping outside Thomas Demonchaux, a nurse in robbed last week of around 30 surgi- any more to listen to the applause.” ing the house too often, personnel the town and stop walking her dog. northern France, noted “the suspi- cal masks she had just received. AFP reported. AFP Lebanese applaud virus-battling health workers CHEERING erupted from balco- drums and blew vuvuzelas, shar- nies and windows in Lebanon on ing videos of the street perform- Sunday evening, as the country’s ances online. citizens celebrated their “heroic” Similar initiatives have gained medical workers battling the attention from Italy to France but coronavirus pandemic. they have remained rare in the The initiative spread online Arab world. with the Arabic hashtag “a cheer Lebanon has reported 446 Covid- for the heroes”, shared by public 19 cases to date, with 11 deaths. figures including journalists, To try to contain the spread of actors and the Arab pop star the virus, Lebanon has imposed Ragheb Alama. isolation measures on its popu- In one Beirut neighbourhood, lation until April 12, with a night- a woman draped in a Lebanese time curfew in effect. Schools, flag sang the national anthem as universities, restaurants and her neighbours drummed on bars are closed. pots and pans, an AFP journalist Many fear the country’s health- said. care system could be over- Elsewhere, Lebanese played whelmed by cases. AFP People take part in a mass round of applause to show their appreciation for the nurses and frontline healthcare staff during the pandemic. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 21

Thinking caps

“GOTTA GO”

ACROSS 58 Alimentary canal part 28 Capital of Thailand? 1 Asian governess 59 Charity’s plea 29 Hole in one 5 Snack bar beverages 60 Teamster’s truck 31 They’re beaten somewhere every 10 Numbered musical piece 61 Alternative to purchase morning 14 Barely cooked 62 Set down 32 Advanced degree in 15 Computer command 63 Word before “media” or “exodus” mathematics? 16 Cattle call reward 64 Circus employee 33 Common street name 17 Concept 65 Architectural add-ons 34 Type of tangelo 18 Gangling DOWN 35 Editing mark 19 Coastal eagle 1 Seed jacket 37 “Didn’t know you had it ___” 20 Jilt in front of family and friends 2 “___ in America” 38 Math game involving counters 23 Eastwood in “Rawhide” 3 Geometric calculation 39 Percussion instrument 24 Selfish folks 4 Stocky 43 Intuitive knowledge 25 Acute anxieties 5 Pie fight sound effects 44 Carpenter’s tool 28 Ruinous agent 6 Practice public speaking 45 Fast, tall flightless bird 30 Parched 7 Forces or powers 46 Discrimination against elderly 31 Ordain 8 Looped cross people 33 Contents of some baths 9 Eye problem 47 Sorceress who aided Jason’s 36 Completing one’s part? 10 Words of warning quest 40 Cash dispenser, initially 11 ___-cochere (covered carriage 48 News articles 41 Time to retire entrance) 49 You’ll sleep through it 42 Brook 12 Arm-bone-related 50 Shake awake 43 P.E. places 13 What crystal ball consulters are, 52 Commit a pinball foul 44 Something to fall back on? supposedly 53 Dog’s tiny tormentor 46 PABA part 21 “___, drink and be merry” 54 Combination lock feature 49 Serious play 22 Bertie Wooster’s plague 55 “Touch of ___” (Orson Welles 51 Pay off a big debt 25 On the ocean film) 57 Bad time for Caesar 26 Customer service call 56 Pete Rose’s team, for most of his 27 Affording no hope career Monday’s solution

Monday’s solution 22 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport With reality on hold, spotlight is on virtual sports

ith an unprecedented looks like a war zone,” he said of his captive audience of coronavirus-stricken region. three billion people in “I have seen very bad images, we coronavirus lockdown must hold on,” he told Sky Italia, Wvirtual sports events are wooing fans who will also broadcast the virtual after traditional live sports were shut race. down and public gatherings banned in many countries. ‘And he’s back from the dead here’ Horse-racing, boxing, cycling, Formula One chiefs have also gal- football and motor-racing chiefs are vanised some of their drivers to grab desperate to maintain their fanbase their gaming controllers, racing a and are scrambling to provide a fix Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix which and maintain revenues. was abbreviated because of techni- With stadiums closed and events cal difficulties. such as the Tokyo Olympics and Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Euro 2020 postponed, organisers who died in 2016, was even back in are generating advertising revenue action, beating Sonny Liston again by streaming virtual sports on You- on Friday in a virtual bout with Tube, Facebook and Twitch or even 35,000 YouTube viewers. broadcasting them on traditional Ali will now meet the long retired television platforms. Mike Tyson after he beat up George Gamers competing in light speed sabre fencing at the Anaheim Convention Centre in California afp Sports is where the numbers are Foreman on Saturday. and fans denied real games are Racing-mad Britain comes to a turning to live streaming, watching standstill each year for the Grand people play games, and taking part National and with the courses all in those video games themselves. closed, broadcaster ITV will show a Italy’s Mugello motorcycling cir- virtual race on April 4. cuit, which would have attracted The real race can be a dangerous 200,000 people for its MotoGP lottery with horses and riders po- weekend on Sunday, may just have tentially suffering serious injuries in pulverised that figure with a live- the many falls, but it makes millions streamed virtual race promoted as for the bookies, who this time will “The stay at home GP”. run online betting for the field of 40 Honda’s world champion Marc runners. Marquez came fifth as the globe’s “We use the latest CGI technology top riders sat uncomfortably on and algorithms and were ready to their sofas livestreaming from their go ahead as a forerunner to the big living rooms. race,” said executive producer Rob Alex Rins looked bored playing McLoughlin. with his pet dog on his knee. As with the boxing, there will also Alex Marquez, younger brother of be a race of champions pitting the the world champion, won the race late Red Rum, who won the National and asked jokingly “will the points three times in the 1970s, against de- count to the championship?”. fending champion Tiger Roll. Millions of fans, credit cards at the Baseball staged a four-player vid- ready, are expected to copy them af- eo-game tournament called “MLB ter downloading the app. The Show” on Friday. It also suffered Old-school purists will be heart- some technical problems before it ened by veteran Valentino Rossi’s was won by Amir Garrett, a Cincin- refusal to take part. nati Reds pitcher, who played at The seven-time world champion home wearing his team uniform. said this week he was “cheering on “A win’s a win,” said Garrett but he the people of Brescia and Bergamo, also said: “You’ve got to realise it’s a those who usually cheer me on. It video game.” afp An esports player waits for his turn to play an ice hockey game in Washington, DC. afp Kane wants season scrapped if not finished by June

England captain Harry Kane chiefs to let the current cam- I don’t see too much benefit in “The further this season is said on Sunday the Premier paign go past June or even the that. But obviously I don’t know pushed on, it would have such League season should be can- start of what would be the too much about behind the a big knock-on effect for next celled if it cannot be completed 2020-2021 season in August, as scenes and financially. season, with the Euros in 2021, by the end of June because of has been suggested in some “Probably the limit for me is and even World Cup 2022. But the coronavirus pandemic. quarters. the end of June. If the season’s that’s just my opinion,” he The English top-flight is cur- “I know the Premier League not completed by the end of said. rently suspended until at least will do everything they can to June we need to look at the “Football is secondary at the April 30 due to the Covid-19 finish the season, and that they options and just look forward moment. I know there still have outbreak, with a likely further are looking at every option pos- to next season.” to be plans in place, and I’m delay to be announced soon. sible,” Kane said in an Insta- Premier League matches sure everyone is trying to do There is no clear idea about gram Live conversation with could potentially be staged that. when or if football will be able former Liverpool star Jamie behind closed doors in a bid to “All that is out of my hands to resume, but Euro 2020 has Redknapp. complete this campaign once though, there’s nothing I can do been cancelled, which opens a “I think, for me, we do need the current lockdown in Britain personally, so from my point of window to bring domestic sea- to try to finish the season. But is over. view we’ve just got to wait and sons to a conclusion in the there needs to be a point where Kane does not think dragging see what happens. Hopefully summer. enough is enough. out the season will help anyone this clears up as soon as possi- Kane does not think dragging out the season will help anyone, But Tottenham striker Kane “Playing into July or August though, especially if it delays ble, and we can try to get back especially if it delays the next term. afp does not want Premier League and pushing next season back the next term. to normal.” afp THE PHNOM PENH POST march 31, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 23 Sport

Aerial view from a drone of an empty Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. getty images/afp Once invincible, US sports succumb to virus

magine a Masters with fall foli- has been postponed to September. were postponed at least eight weeks. we’re starting to get back to normal that the over/under would be June age instead of spring flowers, an So has the Kentucky Derby horse rac- The US Centers for Disease Con- and the NBA is playing games,” Cuban 1, and I’m taking the under,” Cuban NBA Finals just weeks before the ing classic. trol and Prevention (CDC) has rec- told Dallas television station WFAA in said. usual pre-season training camps The Masters and PGA Champion- ommended no mass gatherings until an interview posted on Tuesday. “I’m proud of the NBA and the way Iand a neutral-site World Series in a ship have been indefinitely post- at least May 10 and ultimately how “Maybe not with fans, but we’re we’ve reacted. I think we’ve led the warm vacation getaway. poned and preparations have been quickly the virus is conquered will playing it because sports plays such way, and hopefully will lead the way Those are just some of the options halted for June’s US Open at Winged decide when or if sport resumes in an important role . . . people want out of this.” being eyed by American sports event Foot. 2020. something to be excited about. MLS president Don Garber says his organisers planning for a return after Augusta National opens in Octo- MLB clubs and owners have pri- “Sports is what we need right now. league, shut down two weeks into the the coronavirus pandemic eases. ber through the winter so an autumn vately agreed they could play regular- I think the NBA is ready to play that 2020 campaign, hopes to complete Barren months are on the hori- date isn’t impossible, although it’s season games into October and stage role.” a full season with a final delayed to zon just two weeks after the NBA usually warmer and wetter than in the playoffs in November at neutral If the NBA, still reeling from the mid-December. launched a shutdown spree by every April. Bright vivid flowers will be re- warm weather or domed venues, shock death of retired star Kobe Bry- “Once we’re comfortable we can get major US league when Utah’s Rudy placed by abundant pine needles ESPN reported on Wednesday. ant in a January helicopter crash, the players with three to four weeks Gobert tested positive for Covid-19 under the course’s towering trees. could resume by June, it could finish of training and we have the guidance just before a scheduled March 11 “A Masters in the fall, October time, Thanksgiving and baseball? the season and have two months of that we can get crowds back into our game. I think it would be pretty cool,” world Baseball fans might be celebrating playoffs end in August before the US stadiums, then we will then begin The NBA was quickly followed number one Rory McIlroy told PGA American Thanksgiving on Novem- television landscape is dominated the relaunch of our season,” Garber by Major League Baseball, Major Tour Radio. “It would be a very differ- ber 26 with the World Series plus the by the NFL’s scheduled September said. League Soccer and the National ent look than what you usually see at usual NFL offerings. return. The NHL plans an update in late Hockey League. Augusta.” The NBA is expected to re-evaluate “No one has perfect information April on its plans while most major There will be no Olympic trials in MLB’s originally scheduled open- its hiatus in two weeks, with Dallas right now, and so all decisions are boxing cards are off indefinitely and athletics, swimming and gymnastics ers on Thursday, when all 30 clubs Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hop- tough, but if I had to guess – based the next PGA Tour event still sched- in June with the Tokyo Games de- were set to start the campaign in a ing for a mid-May return. off the people I’ve talked to at the uled is May 21-24 at Colonial, four layed to 2021. The Boston Marathon rite of spring for America’s pastime, “Hopefully by the middle of May, CDC and other places – I would say weeks before the US Open. afp Xavi wants ‘total harmony’ if he returns to Barcelona Xavi Hernandez has reiter- Eric Abidal among a number of Puyol, whom he played with ated his desire to coach Barce- off-field controversies. under Pep Guardiola, and Cru- lona in the future but suggests “I am clear that I want to yff, son of Johan and former he will not return until a differ- return to Barca, I am very Barca and Manchester United ent board brings a new sense excited,” said Xavi, who was winger, as the kind of people he of direction to the club. asked if a change of board would like to work alongside. Hernandez is in charge of Al- would be needed for it to hap- “I would like to work with Sadd in Qatar and turned pen. “Obviously I would like to people in whom I have confi- down an approach in January be in tune with everyone,” he dence, with whom there is loy- after Barca sacked Ernesto Val- said. “In the dressing room alty,” said Xavi. “We are talking verde, which led to the sur- there can’t be a negative or about Carles Puyol, who was prise appointment of Quique toxic atmosphere.” captain of Barca, and Jordi Cru- Setien. “Everything has to fit,” Xavi yff, a very good businessman In an interview with Spanish added. “I would like to come with a lot of experience as a newspaper La Vanguardia pub- in with people from my envi- technical secretary.” lished on Sunday, Xavi said ronment that could form a He also said Neymar, whom Neymar would be a “spectacu- good team.” the Catalans tried and failed to lar signing”, and singled out Pushed on whether working sign from Paris Saint-Germain former Spain defender Carles with the current board would last summer, would be a “spec- Puyol and the one-time Dutch be a deal-breaker, Xavi said: “It tacular signing”. winger Jordi Cruyff as people wouldn’t be definitive but I “Most of the squad seems he would like to work with. insist I would like to have total extraordinary,” Xavi said. “The Yet the relationship between harmony. I don’t know if that base is very good. I would sign Barcelona’s board, led by presi- can happen . . . I have nothing forwards, like Neymar. I don’t dent Josep Maria Bartomeu, against anyone and I don’t know if he would fit in a social and the players has remained have a bad relationship with sense but in football terms I tense, with Lionel Messi’s public Bartomeu. have no doubt he would be a Xavi Hernandez is currently the head coach of Al-Sadd in Qatar. afp criticism of technical secretary Xavi mentioned the likes of spectacular signing.” afp