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Thursday, october 29, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL

Two cambodians Yawning demand Metro Manila to inbound from for retail space retain quarantine japan get covid in Pp extends to q3 status till Nov 30 national – page 2 business – page 8 World – page 11 NBC launches Bakong inter-bank platform Thou Vireak enables interoperability between tions, improving the efficiency and system in the Kingdom in response to withdrawals, sending and receiving banks and financial institutions that safety of the payment system, boosting global economic and financial tech- [via] e-wallet,” Serey said. THE National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) is safe and cost-effective. financial inclusion and promoting cash- nological advances, she added. In response to rising concerns on Tuesday launched an inter-bank She attributed the watershed achieve- less payments in the local currency. “I hope the official launch of the domestically and internationally, mobile payment platform, known as ment to NBC governor Chea Chanto, At the same time, she said the system Bakong System today will help promote Serey stressed that Bakong is not a the “Bakong System”, aiming to give a noting that it was his stewardship that will champion economic development social welfare and also prevent the spread Central Bank Digital Currency. powerful impetus to rural financial made development of the core payment and help design an adaptive digital of [Covid-19] by providing seamless Speaking at the ceremony, Associa- sector development and nurturing system’s infrastructure possible. economy ecosystem as the foundation e-payments from person to person. tion of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) financial inclusivity in the Kingdom, Heralding the system as a “backbone for the Kingdom’s participation in “Online payments can also be president In Channy pointed out the director-general Chea Serey said. payment system”, Serey listed its pri- Industry 4.0 consistent with the ASEAN made through Bakong System, significant strides made in payment Speaking at the launch ceremony, mary objectives as – enabling payments digital integration framework. which also offers alternative options Serey said the NBC-initiated Bakong between banks and financial institu- Bakong will modernise the payment for … transactions such as deposits, Continued – page 6 ‘No chance Cambodia booted out of ASEAN’ Niem Chheng rivalry in ASEAN was not new and alleged that Cambodia GROUP of former and and Laos were proxies for un- current Cambodian named external powers. diplomats on Tuesday He said the two countries try fired back at retired to be passively neutral in the SingaporeanA diplomat Bihalari competition of superpowers Kausikan after he proposed that to serve their own interests. ASEAN dismiss Cambodia and “To state things bluntly, I see Laos from the bloc. Cambodia and Laos teetering Women walk past uprooted trees in central Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province on Wednesday, in the aftermath of Typhoon Molave. afp In an open letter, the Cambo- precariously on the edge of dian diplomats said Kausikan’s making a parallel mistake as remarks were made from a that which led to very tragic nostalgic perspective and rep- results for their countries in 26 missing as Molave hits Vietnam resented a plea for attention. the late 1960s and 1970s,” On October 24, Kausikan Kausikan wrote. TWO people were reported trying to protect their homes cut off across the region. the International Federation wrote an article suggesting He added while Cambodia killed and 26 others missing as from the storm. Nav y and surveillance ves- of Red Cross and Red Crescent that ASEAN should consider and Laos may not have an in- Typhoon Molave hit central “The people of Vietnam are sels were deployed to look for Societies (IFRC). expelling some member states terest in the South China Sea, Vietnam on Wednesday, knock- tough, yet this is among the the crew members after their Close to 1.2 million people if they continue to be heavily they are keen on the Mekong ing down trees and tearing roofs worst destruction ever seen in two boats disappeared after were in “severe danger” and in influenced by other superpow- River as it is an essential life- off homes in some of the worst many areas,” said Vietnam they attempted to dock, Dep- need of relief, the IFRC warned. ers. Kausikan singled out Cam- line which directly affects live- destruction seen in years. Red Cross Society president uty Prime Minister Trinh “These relentless storms are bodia and Laos, arguing that lihoods in the two countries. Authorities relocated Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu. Dinh Dung said. yet another example of the the two countries have made “We shall see. They have around 375,000 people to “The relentless storms and A fishing ban has been in devastating impact of climate the ‘wrong choices’ by follow- some difficult choices to make. safety, cancelled hundreds of flooding are taking a devastat- place since Tuesday, while all change,” Red Cross spokes- ing the superpowers’ lead. And if they should make the flights and closed schools and ing human toll, further airports in the area were man Christopher Rassi said. The former ambassador-at- wrong choices, they will con- beaches ahead of the typhoon, destroying livelihoods and closed until further notice. Vietnam is prone to natural large at Singapore’s Ministry front ASEAN as a whole with which made landfall south of isolating millions of people.” The typhoon comes on the disasters in the rainy season of Foreign Affairs and the cur- difficult choices. We may have Danang packing winds of up Officials were also searching back of weeks of severe flood- between June and November, rent chairman of the Middle to cut loose the two to save to 145km/h. for 26 missing fishermen, with ing and landslides that have with central coastal provinces East Institute at the National the eight,” he wrote. State media said at least the storm – Vietnam’s fourth claimed 130 lives and dam- commonly impacted, but the University of Singapore, two people were killed in this month – bringing waves aged or destroyed more than storms have notably wors- Kausikan said the China-US Continued – page 2 Quang Ngai province while up to 6m high as power was 310,000 homes, according to ened in recent years. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST Oxfam: Kingdom reducing National inequality in three key areas Inside page 2 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Oxfam: Inequality on decline Two more Covid Mom Kunthear cases confirmed REPORT released by Oxfam on Mom Kunthear Cambodia with their coronavi- October 26 stated that Cambodia rus-infected parents from Iraq has made progress in its efforts THE Ministry of Health report- via a connecting flight in South to reduce inequality in three key ed two more Covid-19 cases on Korea – tested negative again areasA – public services, tax collection, and October 28 after two Cambo- and is allowed to stay at the hos- workers’ rights and wages – even with the dian men travelling from Japan pital after it was decided that the Kingdom facing the Covid-19 crisis. tested positive, bringing the to- parents were fit for guardian- The Global Inequality Index 2020 ranks tal active cases to seven. ship despite being in treatment. the Kingdom eighth out of the 10 ASEAN In a press release, the minis- The child’s parents first tested member states, with Cambodia rising to try said one of the men is a 34- positive on October 19. 111th out of 158 countries this year from year-old resident of Sarikakeo Meanwhile, the 73 Cambo- 121st in 2018. commune in Kandal province’s dian UN peacekeepers who re- “In 2018, the index ranked Cambodia at Lvea Em district, and the other turned home after completing 121 out of 158 countries, and today Cam- is a 23-year-old from Pursat their mission in South Sudan bodia has climbed to 111. The increase in province’s Bakan district. on October 27 are being held rank demonstrates the positive progress Both of them arrived in for quarantine and testing at that Cambodia has made in policies on Cambodia on October 26 the Training Centre for Peace- public services, tax and workers’ rights. via a connecting flight from keeping Forces and Explosive These are three areas that are essential to South Korea. They are being Remnants of War Clearance in reducing inequality and weathering the treated at the Khmer-Soviet Kampong Speu province. The report says Cambodia has made progress in key areas despite the pandemic. hean rangsey Covid-19 storm,” Oxfam said. Friendship Hospital. Ork Sieng, deputy direc- The report continued that among low- Government of Cambodia [RGC]; to we did not reduce social protection. The They were among a total of tor of the National Centre for er-middle income countries, Cambodia contain the pandemic on the one hand, government is very concerned about 39 passengers on board the Peacekeeping Forces, Mine has established itself as one of the lead- and to respond to its economic impacts this issue,” Soksensan said. plane, including seven females. and Explosive Remnants of ing nations on taxation policies, show- on the other hand”. Cambodian Institute for Democracy The other 37 tested negative War Clearance (NPMEC- ing increased progressivity, particularly “The RGC has already generated in- president Pa Chanroeun on October 27 and are being quarantined at ERW), said while welcoming on personal income tax. credible momentum to drive social de- said while he acknowledged the govern- Pochentong High School and a the peacekeepers home at It said that regarding labour rights and velopment, and there is confidence that ment’s efforts in improving these three hotel in Phnom Penh. the airport that they would be the minimum wage, despite improve- further investment in social protection key areas, they were still limited, such as The ministry said as of Oc- tested again even though they ments in the minimum wage, it remains will enable it to promote more inclusive fully meeting the cost of public services. tober 28, Cambodia had re- had already tested negative relatively low when compared to other and shock-responsive coverage for its cit- “We found that it had been okay, but corded 290 Covid-19 cases before leaving South Sudan. countries in the region, such as Myanmar izens for years to come,” the report said. after the outbreak the government re- since the outbreak, with 283 Cambodia has sent more or Thailand, and the cost of living. Ministry of Economy and Finance duced public service budgets by up to recoveries. The remaining than 7,123 troops, including Concerning investment in public ser- spokesman Meas Soksensan told The Post 50 per cent, which has severely affected seven – three Cambodian 400 women, on UN missions vices, including spending on healthcare on October 27 that the government has the ability to provide services to people, men, a Cambodian woman, since 2006 and is the second- and social protection, Cambodia ranked made great efforts to keep the poor away such as education in both urban and ru- a Polish man, a French man largest ASEAN contributor comparatively low, maintaining a similar from the poverty gap, with the government ral areas,” Chanroeun said. and a French woman – are to peacekeeping efforts. The position to 2018, the report added. addressing the issue in a timely manner, Chanroeun added that on workers’ being treated at the Khmer- country currently has five divi- “In the last few decades, Cambodia especially during the Covid-19 crisis. rights, despite many developments and Soviet Friendship Hospital. sions and a total of 787 peace- has made tremendous progress in pov- “When there is a crisis, there are many improved conditions, some workers Health ministry spokes- keepers deployed in Lebanon, erty reduction lifting millions of people people who fall into poverty, but the gov- faced the risk of losing their jobs due to woman Or Vandine said a three- Sudan, South Sudan, Mali and out of extreme poverty. This exemplary ernment has tried not to widen the poverty the effects of Covid-19 and the suspen- year-old child – who arrived in the Central African Republic. achievement was possible by a combi- gap. At the same time, our ministry has con- sion of certain parts of the EU’s Every- nation of economic development efforts sidered everything regarding the national thing But Arms (EBA) scheme. and increasing public service delivery to budget to alleviate the social gap, although “The solution is for the government the poorest communities,” it said. it is inevitable that there will be a social gap. to find ways to maintain the market for The Covid-19 outbreak, it added, “has “Despite reductions in various areas factory workers, especially by not losing highlighted new challenges for the Royal in the national budget package this year, EBA,” Chanroeun said. ‘Nothing is more valuable than sovereignty’ Continued from page 1 ests, which are not identical,” unnamed allies. Sok said the A senior researcher who re- they argued in the letter. criticisms were borne out of a quested anonymity said the Cambodian diplomats said this They added that Cambodia desire for revenge for events government should use di- was not the first time that the has never taken its neutral- that happened in2012. At that plomacy to request that Sin- Singaporean ‘wolf warrior’ pro- ity for granted because his- time, Cambodia and Laos did gapore instruct their analysts A health worker prepares Covid-19 samples at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge. ipc posed the idea. In July 2016, tory reminds Cambodians not join other member states to operate responsibly. Kausikan also stoked criticism that the abandonment of this in publishing a joint ASEAN Even though they were only against Cambodia on Face- principle led the country to communique concerning the individual remarks, he said book, suggesting the country civil war and one of the worst South China Sea. political analysts should not should quit ASEAN and Laos atrocities of the 20th century. Sok said: “He [Kausikan] in- have used their forum to at- Ex-official’s sentence should follow. The group acknowledged terpreted this issue, assuming tack any country. In their open letter, the Cam- the existence of a superpower that Cambodia and Laos did He added that in practice, upheld by top court bodian diplomats described rivalry but said a true diplo- not express their courteous Singapore has leaned towards Kausikan as old and absent- mat should use his wits, skills stances of neutrality. A person the US and noted that the city- Kim Sarom Judge Yuthara said: “The minded and said he disre- and wisdom to put out the like Bihalari Kausikan is a par- state’s leader supported the request is not something the garded the basic principles en- fire, not pour oil on it. rot of allies who just floated Khmer Rouge in the 1980s. THE Supreme Court on October Supreme Court can consider. shrined in the ASEAN Charter Asian Vision Institute (AVI) the idea that if Cambodia and “I see that his agenda is to 28 upheld the verdict sentencing The verdicts and warrants of and the Treaty of Amity and president Chheang Vannarith Laos do wrong again, they will criticise Cambodia’s relations former Pursat provincial cadas- both courts have been decided Cooperation in Southeast Asia. said Kausikan’s comments be expelled from ASEAN. This with China – it is a geopoliti- tral department director Liem already and their decisions They said ASEAN’s guiding represented his personal view, individual is a diplomat but he cal issue with China. But he Bunroeun to eight years in pris- were proper as per the law. We, principles in governing inter- not Singapore’s foreign policy. doesn’t understand about the must understand that Cam- on and the forfeiture of two therefore, uphold the lower state relations in Southeast “Nothing is more valuable ASEAN Charter.” bodia and Singapore alike are houses, one car and $17,000. courts’ verdict.” Asia and beyond were based than independence and sov- He further said Kausikan small countries. [These] small At the hearing, Presiding According to the court report, on mutual respect for sover- ereignty and this also applies used to aggressively express countries must befriend all Judge Yu Yuthara read the ver- Bunroeun was arrested on July eignty, non-interference in to small states like Cambodia, his views to the senior leader- nations to survive, both west- dict in the presence of Bun- 27, last year, following a com- domestic affairs and consen- which is striving to maintain ship of Cambodian, but was ern and eastern countries. roeun and his lawyer, who plaint from a victim who said he sus-based decision making. its strategic autonomy and sneered at because some of his They cannot blame us for re- claimed the Phnom Penh demanded $100,000 in exchange “When he [Kausikan] ar- exercise its agency in the un- ideas lacked a real understand- lations with China. Singapore Municipal Court and the for legal certification to con- gues for dropping Cambodia fair and unjust international ing of the ASEAN Charter. itself is also bad because it Appeal Court did not consider struct a company building. and Laos to preserve the other system,” he said. Kausikan pretended not to gets along with all countries the fact that Bunrouen cooper- The report said Bunroeun eight members [of ASEAN], he Political analyst Lao Mong understand the charter to serve which can bring benefits to ated with authorities during his owns a house in Borey Peng is [being] intellectually lazy by Hay said: “If being led by an his allies, Sok said, noting that itself,” he said. arrest and questioning before Huoth, two houses in Pursat assuming that the other eight external power should dis- superpowers had interfered in “Cambodia does the same. Its deciding on the verdict. and two cars. He was sent to the [nations] represent a regional qualify a country for ASEAN ASEAN’s internal affairs. senior leadership has to come Bunroeun requested that the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) consensus. membership, it is not unrea- Royal Academy of Cambodia up with all means possible to Supreme Court lighten his before being referred to the “A consensus that somehow sonable to call for its [Cam- president Sok Touch agreed develop the country further. punishment by allowing him Phnom Penh Municipal Court. excludes Cambodia and Laos? bodia’s] expulsion from this that Kausikan’s request to re- So, they [critics] cannot criti- to keep his house in the Borey The municipal court first sen- This consensus is a weak con- regional grouping.” move Cambodia and Laos from cise Cambodia for this matter. Peng Huoth gated community tenced Bunroeun on February sensus, as he himself implies, US-based political analyst ASEAN was not based on reality They can criticise [Cambodia] in the capital’s Stung Meanchey 27 this year on charges of abuse precisely because the eight James Sok said Kausikan’s because no ASEAN country can for some things, but they can- commune and his house in of power and money launder- members also have to pay at- viewpoints were not his own remove another member state, not say that this country is ex- Pursat province, his car and ing. The Appeal Court upheld tention to their national inter- ideas, but rather the ideas of according to a joint consensus. pelled from ASEAN.” the $17,000 he paid. the verdict on October 21. THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Fourth nat’l environment report set for publication

Soth Koemsoeun can use the data contained. “This report has com- HE Ministry of piled data and scientific Environment is to information on the en- publish the fourth vironment and natural national environ- resources for policymak- mentT report for distribution ers, planners, managers, Soeur Socheata (left) meets with a representative of the Chinese Ambassador. nacd to the Kingdom’s ministries researchers, investors and and institutions, as well as national and international national and international organisations to use as a Digital library prepared civil society organisations. basis. It will hopefully as- With relevant bodies hav- sist them in accomplishing ing finished consultations, their goals – for example, to raise drug awareness the report, to be published sustainable development in Khmer and English later decisions in line with the Voun Dara nical assistance, such as [help with] this year, will include envi- national policy programme the operation of the digital library ronment-related data for – and increase knowledge THE National Authority for Combat- from China,” Tong Huot said, use by various organisa- in the environmental sec- ing Drugs (NACD) and the Ministry of He said the main role of the digi- tions and the public. tor,” Pheaktra said. Education, Youth and Sport, with fi- tal library was to store documents Officials from the Minis- Pen Bunna, a local com- nancial support from the Chinese gov- and information related to the fight Environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra said the report try of Environment, other will aid policymakers. environment ministry munity empowerment ernment, are preparing to establish a against drugs for students and the ministries and relevant programme officer at digital library to help inform students public to access. institutions, as well as na- The latest report in- this year,” he said. rights group Adhoc, said and citizens about drug issues. Socheata, who is also head of the tional and international cludes seven main points – Ministry of Environment that while he did not yet NACD Legislation, Education and working group tasked with developing universities, met at a con- air quality, climate change, spokesman Neth Pheaktra know the contents of the Rehabilitation Department direc- lesson plans about drug prevention, sultative workshop at a biodiversity, freshwater, said at the workshop that, report, he wasn’t confident tor Lim Tong Huot told The Post said on October 27 that the first phase leading Phnom Penh hotel land use and quality, waste with the report of great im- it would include informa- on October 27 that the idea for the of the digital library will be launched on October 27 to discuss (both solid and liquid) and portance to Cambodia, the tion on forest crimes, ille- digital library came from a meet- at the Hun Sen Library at Boeung Tra- the draft of the report. food security. Information relevant bodies – who were gal logging, environmental ing between Chinese leaders, dep- bek High School in Phnom Penh. Chuop Parish, director- on these topics is to be required to provide ideas pollution, land encroach- uty prime minister Sar Kheng and In the next phase, the digital li- general of the General compiled for ministries, and share information for ment or other issues. NACD president Ke Kim Yan. brary will be expanded to nine ad- Department of Environ- relevant institutions, civil its production – had com- “I am yet to have faith that Per the NACD, Tong Huot and edu- ditional provinces. The libraries will mental Knowledge and society organisations and pleted consultations. the fourth report on the na- cation ministry undersecretary of state be located at resource centres desig- Information at the Minis- the public for use in envi- While the Ministry of En- tional environmental situ- Soeur Socheata met with a represnta- nated by the ministry. try of Environment, said ronment-related research. vironment organised and ation will include complete tive of the Chinese Ambassador to dis- Socheata said China would give an that as the ministry had “Relevant institutions coordinated the work, its information. I suspect it will cuss the library on October 26 as well. additional $1,000 per month to fund invited the contributions and partner organisations benefits will be for Cambo- merely contain the achieve- “Through meetings with our lead- the library’s website. of national and interna- can use this report to avoid dia as a whole, he added, ments the Ministry of En- ers, China has agreed to support the She said the project would also cre- tional advisers, the fourth using different data. The while all ministries, insti- vironment wants to show, establishment of this important dig- ate rooms in the high schools to allow report would have greater report will be published in tutions and national and without revealing any issues ital library with a budget of about $ students and children to carry out input than the third. Khmer and English later international organisations to the public,” he said. 50,000. We have also requested tech- more research. THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Woman seeks answers after arrest of American partner

Khat Leakhena tong area of Por Sen Chey district. “We have not acted further or in- “No reason at all [for the arrest]. tervened in the matter as we are ILIPINA Lalaine de Guzman, They just said it’s the embassy [that] unsure of the legal grounds for the 48, is demanding answers for ordered them to make the arrest. arrest. We have only asked the im- the detention of her American When I asked the embassy officials, migration department to clarify the partner by Cambodian immi- they said it had nothing to do with matter, confirm Greatsinger’s deten- Fgration officers after he was arrested them and is an immigration matter. tion and what it is related to. at their home almost 90 days ago. “He [Greatsinger] was later “We also sought information on She said without an arrest warrant charged under Article 35 of the Im- whether his case involves a violation or proffering any criminal charges, migration Act which concerns de- of immigration law, illegal entry, ex- Stephen Sidney Greatsinger, 56, is portation,” she said. piration of residence permit, or is being detained by Cambodian im- Guzman claimed Greatsinger is not due to criminal offences committed migration officers upon a request by subject to deportation as he holds a in Cambodia. However, we have not the US embassy. legal document to reside in Cambo- yet received any response. On August 4, she said, Cambodian dia as a self-employed person. “We have also sent the complaint immigration officers stormed the “For deportation to take effect, a to the US Embassy for it to intervene couple’s apartment on St 163, in the foreigner must fail to have a proper and provide its national with legal capital’s Chamkarmon district and visa and work permit, but my part- assistance,” he said. arrested Greatsinger who has been ner has everything and we are living US embassy spokesman Chad living with her in Cambodia for in Cambodia legally. Roedemeier said it could not com- more than six years. “The immigration officers claimed ment on the matter. “We cannot say Guzman said the arrest happened af- it is the US embassy that wants him anything about this case because of ter she went to the US embassy to col- deported, but according to the em- privacy concerns. We are not allowed lect a stimulus cheque on Greatsinger’s bassy, it is a Cambodian immigra- to release any information about this behalf as he is entitled to the Covid-19 tion matter. This has been going for person [Greatsinger],” he said. relief package as a US citizen. some 90 days,” she said. Keo Vanthan, the deputy director- “At 12pm on August 4, I was on the Guzman said she had hired two general of the General Department ground floor of my apartment and I lawyers, one of whom told her that of Immigration at the Ministry of In- heard a man shouting something. I according to US embassy staff, terior, told The Post that Greatsinger didn’t understand and asked what Greatsinger is not allowed to seek had violated Cambodian immigra- Filipina Lalaine de Guzman said the officers who came in civvies to arrest her partner wrong I had committed? He said, ‘it’s legal counsel. Her lawyer then sug- tion laws and will soon be deported. did not present an arrest warrant or explain why Greatsinger was being held. supplied not you . . . where is your husband?’ gested she seek support from the “The alien named Stephen Sid- committed sometime in June this to the national security after the And I replied, ‘what did he do? He Cambodian Human Rights Com- ney Greatsinger is being held by the year. He said the immigration de- competent ministries had collected was just staying at home’,” Guzman mittee (CHRC). General Department of Immigration partment did not curtail his right to all specific evidence; or working in told The Post in tears. Confirming this, CHRC spokes- prior to deportation. The ministry seek legal representation. Cambodia without a work permit. She said the officers who came man, Chin Malin, who is also the decided to deport him as per the Article 36 states that the Minister “In the case of this alien, the authori- in civvies did not present an arrest spokesman for the Ministry of Jus- Law on Immigration and in regards of Interior shall have the power to ties have investigated and found evi- warrant or explain why Greatsinger tice, said the CHRC committee had to a crime of intimidation,” he said. order the expulsion from the coun- dence that this individual had threat- was being held. They took him to submitted a letter to the immigration Vanthan said Greatsinger has been try of any alien whose behaviour ened the US Ambassador and US the immigration department along department and the US embassy but charged under Article 36 of the law or activity is dangerous to national embassy officials via email. He will be Russian Boulevard in the Pochen- neither had responded thus far. for the crime which was allegedly security; or proven to be a dissident deported very shortly,” Vanthan said.

Lecturer Barbara J Anello-Armani (centre) during the training. supplied ANA training educators on conserving heritage Long Kimmarita Siem Reap and Preah Vihear Mao Sengyan, one of the train- provinces,” the ANA said. ers, said the training participants A TWO-and-a-half month train- Anello-Armani said the train- will learn about the ANA’s roles ing entitled Heritage Conserva- ing was organised by the Angkor and duties regarding sustainably tion and Management is under- Training Centre, the Centre for conserving and developing Ang- way for 25 educators at the Khmer Studies and the Nation- kor Archaeological Park. Apsara National Authority’s al Authority for Preah Vihear. Sengyan said he hopes the (ANA) Training Centre. She said the aim was to training will spread love and The training, meant to increase impart knowledge to teachers pride for the country’s heritage. knowledge about Cambodian so that they will pass on a love ANA spokesman Long Kosal heritage and how to maintain it, of the country’s heritage to told The Post on October 27 that is being performed by lecturer their students. the ANA does not only restore and Barbara J Anello-Armani among “It is also to enhance the Eng- maintain temples, it also provides other trainers and will finish on lish language skill of officials, several training programmes. December 31. the staff of the ANA and the “We regularly provide train- “Twenty-five trainees are staff of the National Authority ing. We have plans to take uni- from the Centre for Khmer for Preah Vihear so that they versity students who study Studies and the National have the ability to communi- archaeology to gain experience Authority for Preah Vihear. cate about work with interna- from us. They can take part in They are teachers at primary tional staff or experts in the actual work so that they can and secondary levels and edu- mission of conserving and understand more widely about cators working at museums in developing temples,” she said. conserving culture,” he said. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,070 1.3241 6.7126 104.29 4.1545 1.3625 31.19 0.7106 1.1744 1.2970 US gov’t finance agency okays Starting a business in VN now takes less time THE Vietnamese Government create favourable conditions $50 million loan to Hattha Bank has issued a decree which for starting a business while reduced the time needed to ensuring the government’s May Kunmakara start a business from 16 days to management target as well as six days in an effort to improve reducing time and costs for HE US International the business climate. handling the procedures. Development Finance Under Decree 122/2020/ The decree also created a Corporation (DFC) ND-CP which took effect in mechanism for state manage- has approved a $50 mid-October, there were now ment agencies to exchange millionT to the newly-trans- only three procedures – which information online and apply formed Hattha Bank Plc to would take six days altogether information and technology in expand microlending to wom- – to complete before starting a handling administrative proce- en and micro, small and medi- business in Vietnam. dures which would help improve um-sized enterprises (MSMEs) Specifically, three days transparency, he added. in Cambodia, especially in would be for handling busi- Tuan said the decree was a rural areas. ness registration procedures, bold effort in improving the ease US ambassador to Cam- two days for opening a bank of starting a business in Vietnam bodia Patrick Murphy an- account and one day for issu- as well as improving the overall nounced the loan on ance of invoices. business environment. Wednesday via video link at In comparison, the World The Government’s Resolu- the opening of the 2020 Indo- Bank’s Doing Business 2020 tion No 02/NQ-CP dated Janu- Pacific Business Forum. report pointed out that one ary 1 stressed that improving Speaking in front of a delega- must go through eight proce- the business climate and tion of 20 Cambodian business- dures in 16 days to start a busi- national competitiveness was men, he said: “I am very happy ness in Vietnam. The report the priority of the government to announce the latest DFC ranked Vietnam 115th among this year, setting the target that investment in the Kingdom of 190 economies and sixth in Vietnam would rank fourth in Cambodia – a $50 million pro- ASEAN in terms of the ease of ASEAN in the ease of doing gramme with Hattha Bank. starting a business. business and move up 10-15 “This will support businesses According to Bui Anh Tuan, spots in the ranking of the ease and small and medium-sized director of the Agency for Busi- of starting a business. US ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy speaks in front of a delegation of 20 Cambodian businessmen enterprises [SMEs] in the ag- on Wednesday at the opening of the 2020 Indo-Pacific Business Forum. SUPPLIED ness Registration, the decree According to the Decree No riculture, solar and education reduced the administrative 22/2020/ND-CP dated February sectors,” he said, adding that The loan is one of the nine I am extremely proud of the Tokyo-listed global financial procedures businesses must 24, newly-founded firms would the DFC has invested $200 investments – worth more DFC team and grateful to our service provider Mitsubishi conduct. Specifically, enter- be exempt from licence fees in million in the Kingdom and is than $2.5 billion – approved agency’s many partners for UFJ Financial Group Inc, prises now needed to submit the first year of operation, mean- mulling investing more. by the DFC board of directors their continued leadership in completed a 100 per cent ac- only one set of documents at ing that paying licence fees “I think that with this bank, in the period from July-Sep- the face of the pandemic.” quisition of HKL in October, the business registration agen- would no longer be a procedure the particular focus is on those tember that aim to “advance On September 7, Hattha 2016. It injected $45 million cy, instead of four, including for starting a business. most vulnerable – for example development in Africa, Latin Bank Plc announced that it in additional capital into HKL business registration, employ- As the National Assembly for women and SMEs. This America and emerging mar- had received regulatory ap- in June, 2018. ee use declaration, social passed the Law on Enterprise creates access to financing kets across the globe”. provals and had become a HKL currently has $115 mil- insurance registration and 2020 which would take effect and capital that is otherwise On September 9, DFC CEO commercial bank, and that lion in capital registered at the printed invoice registration at from the beginning of next not very accessible. Adam Boehler said: “DFC’s it is gearing up to expand its NBC and boasts 177 branches four separate agencies. year, the procedure of seal “The need is going to be here work over the past three business in the Kingdom. that offer a wide variety of The information would be announcement would also be in Cambodia . . . You have a lot months will unlock billions This came nearly four years financial services such as shared among relevant man- eliminated from the process of population at risk – returning of dollars in some of the after the bank, then the mi- loans savings, money trans- agement agencies online. starting a business. VIET NAM migrants, small farmers, wom- world’s most impoverished crofinance deposit-taking fers, payroll services, mobile Tuan said this would help NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK en and others – who are strug- countries. institution (MDI) Hattha Kak- banking and insurance refer- gling, while others have lost “These projects will help sekar Ltd, was acquired by ral services. their jobs because of closures stabilise communities across Bangkok-listed Bank of Ayud- It operates 137 ATMs na- and a downturn in exports and the world and prepare them hya Pcl (Krungsri). tionwide, in Phnom Penh and in tourism,” Murphy said. to thrive in the years ahead. Krungsri, a member of in all 24 provinces. ‘New perks for payment systems in Cambodia’ Continued from page 1 “The Bakong System will benefit member microfinance Securities firms get in-principle nod services over the past decade. institutions [MFIs] as well as He said the NBC’s e-payment the general public by provid- Thou Vireak trade additional products. drive strengthens the King- ing easy access to payments SECC director-general Sou dom’s position to use the latest and safe and quick cash trans- THE Securities and Exchange Socheat on Tuesday said it is mobile technologies and cap- fers across MFIs.” Commission of Cambodia striving to increase awareness ture a slice of the growing To date, the number of par- (SECC) has recently approved of the securities sector among financial market. ticipants in the system stands in principle a handful of appli- Cambodia’s enterprises. “The Bakong System will at 18, 16 of which are banking cations for licences. Speaking at a seminar on provide brand-new perks for or financial institutions and The categories of the licenc- securities market potential for payment systems that enable two are payment service pro- es include central counterpar- business sustainability in the the public to make mobile viders, Serey said. ties, derivatives brokers, fund Kingdom, he said: “Listing on financial transactions from At the same time, she said, 24 managers, trustees and finan- the Cambodia Securities bank-to-bank or from one additional institutions have been cial advisers. Exchange enables them [com- payment provider to another granted membership in princi- In a Wednesday press release panies] to raise financing, while in Cambodia,” Channy said. ple and are preparing to review on the minutes of an SECC meet- strengthening corporate gov- At the same event, Cambodia the technicalities involved in ing led by Minister of Economy ernance [and] sustainability.” Microfinance Association chair- connecting to the system. and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, There are currently 13 listed man Kea Borann said Bakong “I would like to encourage all Finance minister Aun Pornmoniroth leads a Wednesday SECC meeting. SECC the securities regulator said it firms in the Kingdom – seven will presumably lead to less use member institutions to continue had approved in principle Gold- Capital (Cambodia) Co Ltd, JB nod for licences for additional stock-listed and six corporate of the greenback, which he said to provide services to customers en Fortune Derivatives Exchange Phnom Penh Asset Management business operations. bond-listed. The 13 compa- is a common goal between the in a professional and responsible Co Ltd’s application for a central Plc and Royal Group Funds Co SF Capital Co Ltd has been nies have raised a combined NBC and the government. manner, and also contribute to counterparty licence. Ltd have been approved in prin- given the in-principle green $253 million, CSX data show. “I believe that Cambodia is the wide-scale promotion of the M M Foreign Exchange Co Ltd, ciple as fund managers. light as a financial adviser, CSX’s market capitalisation the first country in which the Bakong System to the public in NYFX Co Ltd and YAI Trading Co Cambodian Investors Capital while Cambodian Derivatives rose to $2.57 billion as of June central bank has adopted block- order to take part in modernising Ltd received in-principle approv- Partners Plc and AU Reits Co Ltd Exchange Co Ltd has been 30, 4.5 times higher than the chain technology to settle pay- the payment system in Cambo- al as derivative brokers, while Rai have been given the preliminary given the in-principle nod to same date last year. ments in the financial sector. dia,” Serey said. THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business VN’s Becamex IJC set to Sony H1 net profit leaps 104% offer 80M shares for sale ONY on Wednesday said net profit VIETNAM’S Becamex Infra- Becamex IJC’s shares, listed doubled in the April-September structure Development JSC on the HoSE as IJC, fell 50 period and revised up its full-year (Becamex IJC) will sell 80 mil- dong or 0.41 per cent to end forecast, citing growth in key sectors lion shares in a public offering Wednesday at 12,250 dong includingS gaming, which has been boosted deal to increase charter capital. apiece, for a market capitali- by coronavirus lockdowns worldwide. The company expects to sation of 1.69 trillion dong, The results beat analyst expectations and raise at least 800 billion dong with 223,390 shares traded. came as the Japanese tech giant gears up to ($34.5 million) from the share In early 2017, Becamex IJC launch its much-anticipated PlayStation 5 sale, which will take place at halved its charter capital, a console next month, setting up a holiday the Ho Chi Minh City Stock move that was rarely seen season head-to-head with the new Xbox. Exchange (HoSE). Each share among local companies. The gaming sector has been one of is worth at least 10,000 dong. The firm bought back 50 per the few beneficiaries of the pandemic, The initial price of the auc- cent of total outstanding shares with people forced indoors sending title tion is the share’s book value from shareholders for 10,000 downloads and streaming soaring. recorded in the latest finan- dong apiece in early 2017. The Sony said net profit leaped 103.8 per cial report or the average 30- company’s shares listed on cent to 692.89 billion yen ($6.65 billion) day share price prior to the HoSE as IJC were trading close for the first half, and forecast annual net notice of public offering. to 8,500 dong apiece. profits of 800 billion yen – up from an The offering date has not Funding for the share buy- earlier 510 billion yen forecast. been decided yet. back was the firm’s income The first-half results were due in part The income raised from from selling assets at affili- Japan’s Sony has reported that its net profit doubled in the April-September period.AFP to financial factors, including positive tax the share sale will be spent ates. After the share buyback, benefits, but also reflected a strong per- decreasing sales of sensors for mobile ing to its entire earnings in the first half. increasing capital and invest- Becamex IJC cut its capital by formance in games and network services, products only partially offset by an increase But US sanctions against Huawei are ment for the firm’s projects. half to 1.37 trillion dong. music streaming and financial services. in sales of sensors for digital cameras. likely to affect shipments of image sen- The company said in a state- Becamex IJC is a member of Sony’s chief financial officer Hiroko To- The firm’s movie unit has also struggled sors for Huawei’s smartphones in the ment that the capital hike the Investment and Industrial toki told reporters: “Enhanced restrictions as the pandemic keeps cinemas around the future,” he said. would help cut capital costs, Development JSC (Becamex, on exports to China by the US government world shuttered and delays new releases. Sony has high hopes for its eagerly- improve the working compe- HoSE: BCM). Becamex has a are negatively impacting our business in Totoki said: “There are signs of recov- awaited new console, which launches tency, and increase its earnings 78.8 per cent stake at its affiliate. the imaging and sensing sector, while our ery, but theatres are still closed in major from November 12 – two days after Mi- to meet the full-year targets. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK gaming segment is benefiting from de- US cities. crosoft’s rival next-gen Xbox Series X. mand for stay-at-home activities.” “It’s possible revenue recovery will be The PS4 has outsold the Xbox One by Game-playing hours among PlaySta- delayed because of fierce competition more than two to one, and Sony is hoping tion users peaked in April, but demand caused by busy movie release schedules new games including Final Fantasy XVI, for games “will continue through the last even after movie theatres reopen.” Hogwarts Legacy and Spider-Man Mo- half of the year”, he added. Analysts said the pandemic was hav- rales will help it stay in the lead. Strong performance in the game and ing a varied impact on the different seg- Expectations for the PS5 are extremely music sectors also drove the upwards re- ments that make up Sony’s business. high, Yasuda said, warning that disap- vision in the full-year net profit forecast, Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Re- pointment could affect share prices. with Sony saying it was seeing “higher- search Institute in Tokyo, told AFP: “The “Whether PS5 will be a success or not than-expected sales of games software, impact of the coronavirus on Sony’s en- will have a great impact on Sony’s entire primarily add-on content” and an in- tire business was smaller than expected business . . . but we need to confirm how crease in music-streaming revenues. but is still weighing on Sony’s earnings. strong the demand for PS5 will be. That A stretch of the Binh Duong Highway project constructed by Becamex It was not all good news, however, with “Image sensors continued contribut- has yet to be seen,” he said. AFP Infrastructure Development JSC. BECAMEX IJC/VIET NAM NEWS

​Support from Hong Kong, Macau business people ​Sovannaphum Life Assurance joins the drive Members of the China Hong Kong & Macau Expatriate and Support for the Post Flood Relief Campaign gained further Business Association of Cambodia showed support for flood momentum on Monday with Sovannaphum Life Assurance Plc CEO victims by donating to the Post Flood Relief Campaign. The event Tan Jiak Hiang and his staff contributing to the Post Flood Relief took placee during a visit to Kg Speu and Kandal provinces on Campaign that was initiated recently by The Phnom Penh Post. October 23 to extend aid to flood victims. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Property Yawning demand for PP retail Price gap between inner, surroundings space extends to third quarter fall in Hanoi market May Kunmakara A RECENT survey by Savills However, the biggest diffi- found that the gap of property culty of investors from HCMC COVID-19 continued to deflate prices in Hanoi, Vietnam is is to look for potential projects demand for retail space in narrowing between urban and and cooperation opportuni- Phnom Penh’s shopping cen- surrounding areas as more ties with landowners in Hanoi. tres and community malls in facilities are offered to com- Therefore, they have flexible the third quarter of this year, pensate for outer locations. transaction structures to pushing seven international The survey also said that increase opportunities to brands to cut their losses and property price and size are the cooperate with investors in exit the market, according to a key buying influences. Hanoi. For instance, they research report from a local For some apartment projects could reduce the investment real estate service provider. in the My Dinh area, the price ratio to 51 per cent instead of Vacancy rate stood at has increased to 50-60 million 76 per cent as before. around 10.97 per cent as of dong ($2,100-$2,550) per sqm. Hang said: “The success of September 30, up from 10.2 Savills reported average pri- investors from HCMC in Hanoi per cent on June 30 and 10.63 mary prices in the third quarter is still a big question.” per cent on December 31, of this year on the Hanoi apart- Customer psychology is one CBRE Cambodia reported. ment market moved up three of the major challenges for the It noted that total supply per cent quarter-on-quarter property investors from HCMC jumped 6.1 per cent quarter- and 10 per cent year-on-year to because they may not under- of-quarter, highlighting a 26.1 $1,500 per sqm. Secondary stand the market demand. In per cent increase in the “com- prices have been more affected HCMC, prices of projects in the munity mall” category. by the pandemic and were city centre can be up to $10,000 In the third quarter, two down one per cent quarter-on- per sqm and even higher. How- new community malls add- quarter to $1,157 sqm. ever, Hanoi has few property ed 21,800sqm of retail space The company said abundant products with that price and it in the capital, while an un- planned infrastructure sup- is difficult to sell them. disclosed number of other ports the long term outlook Therefore, despite having a projects with a cumulative The four-storey View Park Mall in Phnom Penh City Centre is scheduled to launch early next year. SUPPLIED with house prices set to ben- lot of experience in residential 40,000sqm of space were de- efit. From 2016 to date, pri- real estate development, layed, it said. early next year. nalised in the coming months ber, 18 others made their de- mary prices have increased understanding the Hanoi mar- CBRE Cambodia director It said that 80 per cent of the from a diverse group of brands but during the quarter. five per cent per annum. As ket is a challenge for develop- Thida Ann told The Post that 9,000sqm of currently avail- also committed to providing CBRE Cambodia recom- networks improve, supply will ers, she said. the decline in vacancy was able retail space had been an enjoyable, comfortable, mended that landlords revise increasingly move to newer According to the Savills report largely due to Covid-19-driv- leased. and unforgettable shopping their lease agreements and be and further out areas. on the Hanoi market in the en retail sales slump. “We couldn’t have asked for experience.” more flexible in their terms Savills advisory services and third quarter, the apartment “We’ve observed a decline a better location,” chairman The CBRE Cambodia re- and incentives, especially research director Do Thu Hang segment had about 3,100 units in the sales of retailers due to Leng Thun said. “View Park port lists the current average with anchor tenants. said: “The market remains from four new launches, and Covid-19’s [impact on how] Mall is almost at full occupancy monthly rentals at $28.46 Retailers should reinforce price sensitive and uncertain the next phases of nine existing they run their businesses. because our retail partners rec- per square metre at “prime their market strategy by, inter with a lack of Grade A apart- projects were down to their “Some retailers are reducing ognise the prominent place our shopping mall” units (un- alia, building strong public ment supply. lowest in five years at 50 per their stock volume or opting mall will have in Phnom Penh. changed from the June 30 relations, organising more “There is robust demand for cent quarter-on-quarter and 60 instead to lease smaller spac- “What the mall offers is a rate), $26.03 at “prime retail events and run more promo- affordable products. Sustained per cent year-on-year. Primary es outside of malls, whereas great shopping and dining ex- podium” units (unchanged), tions, it said. recovery underpinned by long supply of 26,800 units was others are shifting their focus perience with parking in the $22.15 at “community mall” At the same time, they term economic and popula- down eight per cent quarter- to online sales.” centre of Phnom Penh, where units (down 0.4 per cent) and should look into digitalisa- tion growth is anticipated once on-quarter and nine per cent Pakzone Property Man- people constantly on the move $26.23 at “prime high-street” tion to improve the customer Covid-19 is under control.” year-on-year. Uncertainty is agement Co Ltd recently an- can have a place to relax with units (unchanged). experience via contactless She said that besides foreign delaying project launches. nounced that it would launch their families and friends. Though seven international payments, QR codes, online investors, the Hanoi market is About 5,200 sales were down its four-storey View Park Mall “We fully expect more leas- brands exited the Kingdom in delivery, the social media attracting domestic investors, three per cent quarter-on-quar- in Phnom Penh City Centre ing commitments to be fi- the period from July-Septem- market, et cetera, it added. especially from Ho Chi Minh ter and 44 per cent year-on-year. City (HCMC). Grades B and C accounted for There are some reasons for almost all sales. Demand has those investors coming to the eased under a lack of new sup- Hanoi market. Firstly, inves- ply and high-priced inventory. tors are reassured by the legal Savills forecasts that in the HCMC real estate may rebound in 2021 framework. fourth quarter, approximately Second, HCMC-based and 9,980 units from one existing THE Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) real es- interest from prospective buyers, it said. four new industrial parks in the first foreign investors want to bring a and 11 future projects will tate market is expected to rebound as More than 7,500 condos were for sale in nine months, one each in HCMC and new development trend to enter the Hanoi market, with soon as the Covid-19 pandemic is under the third quarter, 252 per cent up from the Dong Nai province and two in Long An Hanoi’s housing market, which Grade B continuing to domi- control and legal “bottlenecks” are re- previous quarter, and more than 16,000 province, with a total area of more than will create direct competition nate. Leading future suppliers moved, experts have said. will hit the market in the fourth quarter. 1,373ha, according to CBRE. with local investors. These inves- will be Gia Lam district with 38 HCMC Real Estate Association chairman The eastern part of the city such as dis- Experienced investors would continue tors are all developers with per cent of supply and Tu Liem Le Hoang Chau said the market would re- tricts 2, 9 and Thu Duc district will con- to invest in real estate in HCMC based on extensive experience in real with 37 per cent. cover from the first quarter of next year tinue to lead the new supply. the hope that the market would recover estate development, Hang said. Urbanisation, strong popu- since Vietnam has done an excellent job But supply of land plots decreased by after the pandemic, experts have said. Third, the developers them- lation growth and shrinking of containing the pandemic, which has in- 65 per cent in the third quarter com- Nguyen Xuan Thanh, a lecturer at Ful- selves have abilities in many households are all driving the stilled confidence in many businesses. pared to the previous quarter. bright University Vietnam, said investors aspects to create affordable solid housing demand, Savills Vo Thi Khanh Trang, head of market re- Only around 470 plots were sold in the with spare cash should invest in real estate products meeting investors’ said. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NET- search at Savills Vietnam, said more than third quarter, the lowest number since and accept lower profits at the moment. expectations. WORK 50,000sqm at seven new projects were of- 2016, after 14 projects stopped selling The city property market was gloomy in fered for sale in the last three months, with due to legal problems. the first nine months, according to Chau. the non-central business district area ac- The land segment has in fact lost some Su Ngoc Khuong, senior director of counting for more than 80 per cent. of its sheen due to impact of the out- Savills, said this is such a challenging time Positive economic factors such as strong break, legal problems and low credibility for local and foreign investors but a great domestic consumption and the impact of of developers. opportunity for those who have strong fi- the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement The office market too is expected to nancial capacity and experience. (EVFTA) would drive the retail industry, and face difficulties over the next few months Despite the pandemic, the prices of foreign retailers, especially from the EU, are due to the impact of the pandemic, ac- properties with land in the city were up 15 expected to enter Vietnam, increasing de- cording to a survey by CBRE Vietnam. per cent year-on-year in the third quarter mand for office rental space, she said. Pham Ngoc Thien Thanh, deputy direc- due to a lack of new supply, according to According to Savills, high-end condos in tor of research and consulting at CBRE, a report by property consultancy JLL. the city remain popular among local in- said the market would have more new sup- Experts said Vietnam should con- vestors despite the pandemic and show no ply of office space in the non-central busi- tinue to control the pandemic to take signs of cooling down in terms of price. ness district area at competitive prices. advantage of the new wave of foreign For instance, a condo project in the Thu Owners of office buildings are reconciled investment in property sector, especially Thiem new urban area in District 2 began to negotiating with tenants, she said. industrial real estate, offices for rent, selling early this month at an average price In the industrial real estate segment, houses for lease, and other service areas. For some apartment projects in the My Dinh area, the price has increased of $7,000 per sqm, but still attracted much the key southern industrial area added VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK to 50-60 million dong ($2,100-$2,550) per sqm. diendanbatdongsan.vn thursday, October 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

apartment for rent/sale Villa for RENT Office Space /Shophouse for RENT

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#35, Street.P10D, Borey Peng Huoth The Star Polaris 1, Email : [email protected] Sangkat Niruoth, Khan Chbaampov, Phnom Penh, http://www.easypropertyrealty.com E-Mail: [email protected] / www.katappraisal.com #19DE0, St. 172, Sangkat Chey Chomnes, Khan Doun Penh. 089 888 366, 089 888 277 | 089 888 377, 089 888 755 Tel: 015 777 586 / 061 777 586 / 011 777 587 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com World Turkish ire over Charlie Hebdo US sex cult leader URKEY on Tuesday accused French jailed for 120 years satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo of “cultural racism” over a front-page cartoon for its latest edition that A “self-help” guru convicted of my youth,” said the woman mocksT President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. of running a cult-like organisa- during an impact statement at “We condemn this most disgusting ef- tion of sex slaves who were his sentencing hearing. fort by this publication to spread its cul- branded with his initials was sen- A total of 15 people – 13 of tural racism and hatred,” Erdogan’s top tenced to 120 years in prison by them women – addressed the press aide, Fahrettin Altun, tweeted. a New York judge on Tuesday. Brooklyn court on Tuesday while “French President Macron’s anti-Mus- The effective life sentence for more than 90 victims wrote let- lim agenda is bearing fruit! Charlie Heb- Keith Raniere, 60, comes after ters to Judge Nicholas Garaufis. do just published a series of so-called he was found guilty of coercing Nxivm – pronounced Nex- cartoons full of despicable images pur- women into having sex with ium – proved a huge draw with portedly of our President.” him as the charismatic leader its promise of self-improve- The front-page caricature of Wednesday’s of Nxivm, a life-coaching group ment courses after Raniere edition of Charlie Hebdo, released online on that attracted a coterie of rich founded the organisation in Tuesday night, shows Erdogan in a T-shirt and famous devotees. New York state in 1998. and underpants, drinking a can of beer and Followers signed up for $5,000, But Raniere, who was arrested lifting up the skirt of a woman wearing a hi- five-day self-help courses, but in Mexico in 2018, swapped the jab to reveal her naked bottom. some were then financially and personal development training “Ooh, the prophet!” the character says in sexually exploited and forced to courses for sex sessions as the a speech bubble, while the title proclaims Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has staunchly criticised French President follow a restrictive diet, as Raniere head of a subgroup of up to 20 “Erdogan: in private, he’s very funny”. Emmanuel Macron, is lampooned on the front page of the latest Charlie Hebdo edition. AFP – known as “Vanguard” – exerted women – the youngest of whom Charlie Hebdo’s intervention came Macron’s defence of Charlie Hebdo, had defended Macron after Erdogan control, his six-week trial heard. was the 15-year-old. during an escalating war of words be- and his recent comment that Islam suggested he needed “mental checks”. He established a faction with- The dramatic story has been tween Erdogan, Macron and other Eu- worldwide is “in crisis”, have prompted “They are defamatory comments that in the group called DOS, a pyra- the subject of two screen adap- ropean leaders after the beheading of Erdogan to urge Turks to boycott French are completely unacceptable, particularly mid structure in which the tations – HBO’s recently released French schoolteacher Samuel Paty by a products amid a wave of anti-France against the backdrop of the horrific murder women were “slaves” and “Grand The Vow docu-series and Escap- suspected Islamist attacker this month. protests in Muslim-majority countries. of the French teacher Samuel Paty by an Is- Master” Raniere sat at the top. ing the Nxivm Cult, a 2019 Lisa Macron vowed that France would stick Earlier on Tuesday, Dutch Prime Minis- lamist fanatic,” German Chancellor Angela The “slaves” were made to Robinson film focused on the to its secular traditions and laws guar- ter Mark Rutte had come to the defence Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said. have sex with Raniere, hand testimony of a mother working anteeing freedom of speech which allow of his country’s far-right politician Geert Erdogan has a track record of using le- over personal information and to save her daughter from the publications such as the virulently anti- Wilders after Erdogan brought legal ac- gal action against critics in Europe. compromising photos – and organisation. religion Charlie Hebdo to produce car- tion against him. He brought a case in 2016 against Ger- some of the women were Addressing the court on Tues- toons of the Prophet Mohammed. Wilders had shared a cartoon of the man TV comic Jan Boehmermann, who branded like cattle as other day, Raniere said he was “deep- Some of the weekly’s previous work Turkish president wearing an Ottoman read out a deliberately defamatory poem members held them down. ly sorry” for the “pain and anger” lampooning the prophet was shown by hat shaped like a bomb with a lit fuse on about the Turkish leader during his show Raniere was convicted in June that his victims had expressed Paty in a class on free speech, leading to Twitter. as part of a skit designed to illustrate the last year on all seven charges but maintained his innocence. an online campaign against him and the “I have a message for President Erdo- boundaries of free speech. brought against him, including “I’m not remorseful over the grisly murder before the start of school gan and that message is simple: In the The row put Merkel in the awkward po- racketeering, sex trafficking, charges. Those are not right,” holidays on October 16. Netherlands, freedom of expression is sition of signing off on criminal proceed- extortion, criminal conspiracy he added. An attack on Charlie Hebdo by jihad- one of our highest values,” Rutte said. ings against the comic under an archaic and the sexual exploitation of a Five other people were ists in 2015 left 12 people dead, includ- Previously, European leaders includ- lese-majeste law that was later struck 15-year-old girl. charged in the case, and all of ing some of its most famed cartoonists. ing German Chancellor Angela Merkel from the German legal code. AFP “I was a child. [He] robbed me them pleaded guilty. AFP

Biden supports ‘Invasive probes of women on 10 Qatar flights’ sanctions on AUSTRALIA revealed on Wednesday Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani had ‘henchmen’ of that female passengers on 10 planes ordered an investigation and the re- flying out of Doha were forced to en- sults would be shared with interna- dure “appalling” physical examina- tional partners, it added. Belarus leader tions, as Qatar expressed regret for However the statement did not S presidential hopeful Joe the distress caused to the women. specifically detail that women had Biden voiced support on Tuesday The Gulf emirate had already been been forcibly examined, only refer- Ufor the Belarus opposition in its ge- facing a huge hit to its reputation af- ring to a “search for the parents”. neral strike against President Alexander ter reports emerged that women were The statement said the newborn Lukashenko, saying he was illegitimate. removed from a Sydney-bound Qatar baby was a girl and had been “con- Biden, who leads President Donald Airways flight and forced to undergo cealed” in a plastic bag and buried Trump in polls ahead of next week’s elec- vaginal inspections on October 2. under garbage in the bin. tion, promised if he wins to “significantly The searches were carried after a “The baby girl was rescued from what expand” sanctions alongside European newborn baby had been abandoned appeared to be a shocking and appalling allies against “Lukashenko’s henchmen”. at Doha airport. Qatar’s govern- attempt to kill her. The infant is now safe Biden said in a statement: “Although ment on Wednesday said in its first under medical care in Doha,” it said. President Trump refuses to speak out account of the events that the baby Human Rights Watch called on on their behalf, I continue to stand with had been wrapped in plastic and left Wednesday for the airport incident the people of Belarus and support their to die in a rubbish bin. to trigger much greater reforms to democratic aspirations. But Australia continued to pile pres- protect women. “I also condemn the appalling human sure on Qatar, with Minister for For- The watchdog said in a statement: rights abuses committed by the Lu- eign Affairs Marise Payne announcing The incident may upend Qatar’s efforts to boost its reputation before it hosts the “In Qatar and across the Gulf region, football world cup in 2022. AFP kashenko regime. that the number of planes targeted sexual relations outside of wedlock “No leader who tortures his own people was much greater than a single flight. Australian Prime Minister Scott and democracy are credible. are criminalised, meaning a pregnant can ever claim legitimacy.” She told a Senate committee that Morrison also weighed into the con- Facing potentially devastating woman who is not married, even if the Workers at factories on Monday started women on “10 aircraft in total” had troversy on Wednesday, describing commercial and reputational dam- pregnancy is the result of rape, may a strike after a deadline for Lukashenko to been subject to the searches, includ- the treatment of the women as “ap- age, Qatar’s government released a end up facing arrest and prosecution. resign set by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who ing 18 women – including 13 Austra- palling” and “unacceptable”. statement on Wednesday to explain “Qatar should prohibit forced gy- contested him in August elections. lians – on flight to Sydney. “As a father of a daughter, I could its version of events while promising naecological exams and investigate Tikhanovskaya claims to have won the AFP understands that one French only shudder at the thought that any- to ensure the future “safety, security and bring to account any individu- election but Lukashenko insists he was woman on the Sydney-bound plane one would, Australian or otherwise, and comfort” of passengers. als who authorised any demeaning the victor and has deployed deadly force was also among them. would be subjected to that,” he said. It said: “While the aim of the ur- treatment. It should also decrimina- against nationwide protests. Payne did not detail the destina- Qatar is a conservative Muslim gently-decided search was to prevent lise sex outside of wedlock.” Deputy Secretary of State Stephen tions of the other flights, adding that monarchy, where sex and childbirth the perpetrators of the horrible crime Qatar Airways is one of the few Biegun in August visited Tikhanovskaya she was unaware if any Australian out of wedlock are punishable by jail. from escaping, the State of Qatar re- airlines that has maintained flights in Lithuania, where she has fled, and the women were on those planes. Ahead of its hosting of football’s grets any distress or infringement on to Australia since the country closed US and the EU have joined in sanctions Payne had already described the World Cup in 2022, it has struggled the personal freedoms of any travel- its international border early in the against Lukashenko associates. AFP incidents as “grossly disturbing” to reassure critics that its promises ler caused by this action.” pandemic and restricted the return and “offensive”. on women’s rights, labour relations Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin of its own citizens. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 ASEAN Metro Manila, six other areas to retain quarantine status till Nov 30 HILIPPINE President Ro- Meanwhile, Duterte said he fa- drigo Duterte on Monday voured government-to-government approved the recommen- transaction, most likely with China, dation of the government’s for the purchase of vaccines for coronavirusP task force to keep Met- Covid-19 to avoid corruption. ro Manila and six other areas under The president said Chinese pharma- general community quarantine un- ceutical companies had already devel- til November 30. oped a vaccine for the severe respirato- The cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Ta- ry disease and it would just be a matter cloban and Iligan, as well as the prov- of how to purchase and distribute it. inces of Batangas and Lanao del Sur “But let me tell everybody that we will also be under the same restric- will not beg for it. We will pay. So it tions up to the end of next month. would be good if the transaction is In a televised address on Tuesday government to government. No cor- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approves a recommendation to keep Metro Manila and six other areas under general community quarantine until November 30. MALACANANG PRESIDENTIAL PALACE/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER morning, Duterte said the retention ruption, because everything is gov- of the restrictions was subject to ap- ernment to government. I’m offer- sulted by the Inter-Agency Task Force duct trials in the Philippines. issued soon as local governments had peal from the concerned local gov- ing it to China because they already for the Management of Emerging Domingo said the pharmaceuti- been given the option to continue re- ernments. have it [vaccine],” he said. Infectious Diseases, the temporary cal companies just needed to regis- quiring travel authority of people who In his daily press briefing on Tues- He said Chinese Ambassador to government body overseeing the ad- ter their vaccines with the FDA and were not allowed to go out and who day, presidential spokesperson Har- the Philippines Huang Xilian also ministration’s coronavirus response, submit documents showing they were not stranded due to lockdowns. ry Roque said October 29 was the told him in a meeting that a vaccine believed otherwise as infection could had complied with Philippine and Eleazar said these people must deadline for the appeal. was already available. be avoided if commuters observed Southeast Asian standards. first determine if the local govern- Earlier, the Metro Manila Council “He [Huang] said that the vaccine the minimum health standards. He said only FDA-licensed manu- ments in their destinations and in said the mayors of the metropolis is there. It will be in a matter of . . . “We disagree with the research facturers or importers may distribute the places they would pass through favoured keeping the region un- how to distribute it, and of course group. I think Filipinos will [do] ev- Covid-19 vaccines in the Philippines. were enforcing travel restrictions. der general community quarantine what kind of transaction would it be erything they have to do because it The FDA, Domingo said, would If there are no restrictions, then until year-end to contain Covid-19, for them and for us,” he said. is important that they can go to their also meet with the World Health Or- the travellers do not have to get au- although with eased restrictions on In his briefing, Roque said he dis- jobs again,” he said. ganisation (WHO) to set standards thorisation to travel, he said. mobility, transport and business. agreed with the OCTA Research Food and Drug Administration for an acceptable Covid-19 vaccine. Eleazar said his task force was With the announcement of the statement that easing restrictions (FDA) chief Rolando Enrique Domin- In an online briefing on Tuesday, working with the Department of extension, the Malacanang presi- on public transport would lead to a go said at Roque’s briefing that foreign Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Science and Technology for the set- dential palace said no region in the surge in coronavirus infections in pharmaceutical companies that had Eleazar, chief of law enforcement ting up of an online application sys- country was subject to stricter quar- Metro Manila in the next two weeks. completed clinical trials overseas for for the government’s coronavirus re- tem for travel permits. PHILIPPINE DAILY antine levels next month. Roque said respected doctors con- their vaccines would not need to con- sponse, said new travel rules would be INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Kien Giang improving lives of Khmers US presses Suu Kyi THE lives of ethnic Khmer could only grow pineapple for inclusive election people living in Vietnam’s previously. Kien Giang province have im- Later local authorities built THE US on Tuesday urged have been disenfranchised in the proved significantly after the irrigation canals and farm- Myanmar’s civilian leader election – notably the Rohingya, province efficiently imple- ers could breed shrimp, but Aung San Suu Kyi to promote a mostly Muslim people denied mented local and central gov- the animals grew slowly or an inclusive election and re- citizenship and targeted in a ernment support policies for died because ponds were not newed its concern over the brutal campaign that has led to them in recent years. cleaned. marginalisation of the Roh- Myanmar facing genocide charg- The Cuu Long (Mekong) Under the instructions of ingya minority. es before the UN’s top court. Delta province has 56,800 agricultural officials and the In a telephone call to Suu Kyi, Electoral authorities have Khmer households with encouragement of authori- State Department number three also excluded swathes of mi- 242,602 members, or 13.4 per ties, farmers have switched David Hale voiced support for nority-heavy areas from the cent of its population and the to growing rice in the rainy democracy in Myanmar and vote, ostensibly due to secu- third largest number in the season and breeding shrimp called for a “credible, transpar- rity concerns. delta after Soc Trang and Tra in the dry season. ent and inclusive national elec- The election is only the sec- Vinh provinces. Huynh Tan Phi, chairman tion” on November 8. ond since the end of outright As part of the support policies of the Vinh Thuan People’s Hale “pressed the Burmese rule by the military, which it has provided them with easy Committee, said most shrimp government to end conflict for years kept Suu Kyi under loans, free health insurance, Breeding shrimp and mud crab in the same rice fields offers high farmers in the district have across the country and secure house arrest. clean water, and power, and incomes for Khmer farmers in Vinh Thuan district in Vietnam’s Kien switched to this model. the voluntary, safe, dignified After her triumphant acces- built other infrastructure facili- Giang province. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS “The model has high poten- and sustainable return of Ro- sion to power, Suu Kyi has lost ties, according to its Ethnic Mi- of local and central govern- in the same fields. tial and the district has decid- hingya and other refugees and her iconic status in the West nority Affairs Committee. ment support, Khmer farmers In Vinh Thuan district, lo- ed to expand it.” internally displaced persons”, with governments that once Credit programmes from have switched from mostly cal authorities have intro- In Kien Luong district, the a State Department statement backed her. They are now local and central govern- growing rice to other high- duced several effective farm- Duong Hoa commune Farm- said, using Myanmar’s former dismayed by her equivocal ments have provided 211 value crops, vegetables and ing models to the Khmer ers Association has taught name Burma. statements on the campaign billion dong ($9.1 million) fruits besides livestock. like breeding mud crabs and Khmer farmers new farming Nearly two million people against the Rohingya. AFP to 18,128 Khmer families for Many have also begun to work shrimp in the same pond, models to improve incomes doing agriculture or business in industrial parks, he said. raising giant river prawns and in recent years. since 2014. With the implementation rice-shrimp farming. They include switching to The province has also allotted of the support policies, the The rice-shrimp model has fish, mud crabs, black tiger housing lands to 635 poor house- number of poor households helped improve the incomes of shrimp, buffaloes, and ducks holds and provided free health has reduced from 10,346 in the Khmer since most farmed on low-yield rice fields. insurance for 424,993 people. 2015 to 4,855 now for a 7.9 only one or the other earlier. Duong Van La, a farmer in The number of Khmer per cent rate, according to the Thanh Danh, among the Duong Hoa’s Ta Sang ham- households with access to committee. farmers who have made the let, has switched from rice to clean water has increased Localities in the province switch, has a 1ha field in Vinh freshwater fish after the asso- from 77.9 per cent in 2014 to have implemented several Thuan’s Vinh Binh Bac com- ciation gave him training. 88.3 per cent now, while al- sustainable poverty reduction mune and earns more than He now breeds snakehead most all have access to power models and included Khmer 100 million dong a year now. fish, yellow bighead catfish compared to less than 80 per households in them. The yields of both rice and and climbing perch, he said. cent in 2014. They include raising cows, shrimp are also higher than in “I harvest two to three crops the monoculture model, he said. Thanh Phuc, head of the buffaloes, pigs, eels, and fish, a year and earn 50 million Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi waits with her dog to Ethnic Minority Affairs Com- growing vegetables and farm- The soil in the commune is dong.” VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS wave to supporters of her National League for Democracy party on mittee, said with the support ing rice and shrimp by turns affected by alum, and farmers NETWORK September 19. AFP 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com Reforms necessary to ensure Thai

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Senior Editor monarchy a respected institution Joshua purushotman nary parliamentary session. Managing Editor Post Khmer Opinion While critics are sceptical Sam Rith Editorial Deputy Chief of Staff about the potential of the phak Seangly parliamentary debate to Business Editor HE current political achieve any breakthrough, May Kunmakara unrest in Thailand appointed-senators and rul- Deputy Business Editor has proved the fail- ing party MPs have sent a Sangeetha Amarthalingam ure of the 2014 mili- message that there will be no taryT coup to bring about change to the Constitution Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk pan Simala long-lasting stability. provisions related to the Senior Reporters The military at the time had monarchy’s role. Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng pledged national reform but it Against this backdrop, a Reporters did not live up to its promise. business leader -- Banyong Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, A military-sponsored Consti- Pongpanich – has proposed Long Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, tution and related laws using provisions in previous Soth Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy, enforced over the past six charters to deal with the call Thou Vireak years have been the major for reform of the monarchy causes of the pro-democracy and to preserve the monarchy Photographers protests across the country institution. It is rare for Thai Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey and by overseas Thais. business leaders to stick their Web Editor Many of those who used to necks out on sensitive issues. Leang phannara support the military-backed Webmasters As we have witnessed, roy- government have now joined Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea alists mostly are aged people, SIEM REAP BUREAU the youth-led pro-democracy trying to resist the call for Offi ce Manager movement. change. They must accept the Sophearith Blondeel One of the key demands of fact that society is dynamic PRODUCTION & PRINTING the protesters is a reform of and the new generation do Head of Desktop Publishing the monarchy. The unprece- not think like how they did. Nhim Sokphyrak dented call foreshadows a At a time when Thais just fundamental change in the A royalist supporter holds a portrait of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida during a rally celebrated Chulalongkorn Desktop Publishing to show support for the Thai royal establishment in Bangkok on Wednesday. afp Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath existing legal and political Day on October 23, we should Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna system as well as how eco- monarch’s power. allocations for royal projects reform the highest institution. be reminded that King Chu- nomic policy should be The Ministry of Defence or Palace affairs, raising The government has used lalongkorn the great ended HEAD OFFICE framed and implemented. transferred two military units questions of transparency in legal means to suppress pro- slavery and prostration. That The pro-democracy pro- in Bangkok to be under the taxation and expenditure tester voices, but has not was one of the greatest testers are trying to strength- supervision of the Palace, management of the Palace offered a reasonable counter- reforms in Thai history. en the rule of law, which has which again raised questions The protesters’ demand to argument for why the monar- Mobilising royalists to Post Media Co, Ltd. arguably been substantially about propriety. With mas- reform the monarchy has chy should not be reformed. counter the pro-democracy The Elements Condominium Level 7, weakened by the 2017 mili- sive numbers of the country’s been widely supported by Instead, the government movement in present times Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, tary-sponsored Constitution, population struggling with democracy supporters has in recent days mobilised risks pushing the country Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom especially related to Palace the Covid-19-induced eco- nationwide, ranging from its supporters in the form of into a cauldron, or worse a Penh, Cambodia affairs. nomic crisis, protesters asked schoolchildren to senior royalists, aiming to counter tragedy. The best way to save Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Changes in the highest law for more transparency in the population. the democracy movement. the monarchy institution is Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 and other related laws such as annual budget allocation for Some ultra-royalists, how- Under high pressure from to undertake reforms in Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 Crown Property Bureau’s man- the Palace. ever, have interpreted their protesters, civic groups and keeping with the demand of SIEM REAP agement allowing His Majesty Due to the severe punish- demand as a move to over- the international community, the times. Reform will greatly No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune the King to take direct control ment imposed by the lese throw the monarchy. Pro-de- the government lifted the benefit all stakeholders in the Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 raised questions of transpar- majeste law, the public have mocracy protesters deny such state of emergency imposed country and will potentially COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT ency and pointed to a dispro- long restrained from openly motives and have made it earlier in Bangkok and ensure harmony. THE NATION Chief Operating Offi cer portionate expansion of the criticising annual budget clear that they only want to agreed to hold an extraordi- (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK James Ong Soon Teck Advertising Department Chap Narith, 017 996 241 Hun Channet, 017 578 768 prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 Keo puthy, 012 966 605 Nuclear arms treaty lacks security perspective phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 THE spirit of aiming for the abolition the treaty and are not bound by it. threat of North Korea, relies on the US put a brake on the arms race. There CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION of nuclear weapons should be From a security perspective, the nuclear deterrent. Germany, which are even some positive signs that Acting Distribution Manager respected. However, it must be said treaty is fatally flawed in that it does faces Russia, is in the same situation. the two countries are moving Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 that this treaty will be ineffective if it not take into account the security As the only country to have suf- toward a compromise to extend the Circulation Supervisor ignores the role that nuclear deter- environments of individual nuclear fered atomic bombings, Japan needs New Strategic Arms Reduction Trea- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 rence plays in national security and powers or countries that need the to mediate dialogue between nuclear ty (New START), which will expire Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 the content unilaterally urges the “nuclear umbrella” of the US. powers and non-nuclear states and in February next year. ADMINISTRATION “prohibition” of nuclear weapons. The US and Russia have maintained repair the rifts between them. The role of the Treaty on the Nonpro- Admin & HR Manager The US, Britain, France, China and a framework to prevent war through a First and foremost, the US and liferation of Nuclear Weapons, in pich Socheat Russia, which are nuclear powers, balance of nuclear forces. Japan, Russia, which possess 90 per cent of Assistants to Admin & HR Manager which most countries of the world par- THE Nhel Soaphea and US allies such as Japan and which is close to nuclear powers Chi- the world’s nuclear weapons, should ticipate, must also be enhanced. YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Financial Director South Korea are not participating in na and Russia and faces the nuclear promote nuclear disarmament and Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

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The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Gunned-down teen brought back to life in AI election video HEN the par- a backdrop of eerie music. ents of a teen Like the real Joaquin, the AI murdered in version sprinkles his speech the US’ deadli- with the word “bro” and ges- West high school shooting were tures a lot with his hands. approached by an advertis- “I’ve been gone for two ing agency to digitally resur- years, and nothing’s changed rect their son for an election bro,” he says. video, they didn’t hesitate for “The election in November a moment. is the first one I could have “You’re interviewing parents voted in, but I’ll never get to Joaquin Oliver is digitally brought back to life in an AI-generated election video. change the ref/mccann health/afp of a kid that was murdered in- choose the kind of world I’ll side his school,” said Manuel get to live in.” As for the script, Joaquin’s Oliver, the father of Joaquin He rails against politicians parents say they were inspired Oliver whose life ended at the who care more about the gun by their son’s own writings, age of 17 on February 14, 2018. lobby’s money than people’s arguing he was invested in “So, in order for us to feel lives, and ends with a haunt- politics and the gun debate. impressed, it’s really hard. ing message: “Vote for me, “You can go and check his The bar is very high. We said because I can’t.” Twitter,” says Patricia. yes, immediately.” So-called “deepfakes” – high- “Joaquin was also my best Joaquin was one of 17 peo- ly-realistic videos generated by friend. So, when you have a ple killed that day at the Mar- AI – have become notorious for best friend for more than 17 jory Stoneman Douglas High their sinister associations, like years you know exactly how School in Parkland, Florida by putting words into politicians’ he thinks, how he reacts to a former student. mouths or celebrities’ faces things,” added Manuel. Since then, Manuel and his into porn videos. It’s these precautions that wife Patricia Oliver have dedi- Sometimes the technol- reassure Mary Ann Franks, a cated their lives to the cause ogy is put to other uses, like legal scholar at the University of gun control. bringing back deceased ac- of Miami. First, they supplied the tors for movies. “I wouldn’t want to second agency with photos of their But Joaquin’s video is a guess a parent’s choice of how late son. An actor who resem- unique case. Is it ethical to to grieve,” she said, stressing bled Joaquin recorded the make a dead child speak, that parents make all kinds of message. Then using artificial even for a good cause? decisions for their minor chil- intelligence (AI), Joaquin’s “This is a perfect example of Manuel Oliver, Joaquin’s father, tagged ‘On the other side they also kill our sons’, in Tijuana, Mexico. afp dren, living and dead. face was mapped onto the ac- the good side of these technol- Most importantly, says the tor’s, like a digital mask. ogies,” says his father Manuel. ‘Fine line’ The biggest obstacle was took six months to complete civil rights and technology The video was posted earli- To his detractors who accuse Tim Jones, executive creative technical – AI normally needs the production, with the final expert: “It’s not manipulation er this month on www.unfin- the family of being unethical – director at McCann New York, thousands of images to re- rendering comparable to a with the intent to deceive.” ishedvotes.com and YouTube, of whom there are many in the said he reached out to the Oli- construct a person. high-end video game. “I wish this was the way where it’s received about YouTube comments section – vers with his “crazy idea”, not But in Joaquin’s case, there Not perfect, but “very, very to bring Joaquin to life. But 150,000 views. Manuel responds angrily. knowing how they’d react. wasn’t enough source material. close to Joaquin”, said Manuel. there’s no way to do that,” “Yo, it’s me” opens AI “The unethical option of doing “It’s a very fine line, [an] ethi- “He was a teenager, his The voice is a slightly al- said Manuel. “We’re not lying Joaquin, wearing a sweatshirt something like this, or the uneth- cal, emotional line. But Patricia face changed every day,” said tered version of the actor’s, to anyone, it’s obvious that and beanie as he speaks in ical way our politicians handle and Manuel were very keen,” Jones. because there weren’t enough we’re using this to send the front of a basketball court, to gun violence in our country?” said Jones, himself a father. Brazil’s Lightfarm Studios recordings of Joaquin. message.” afp Five kilometre-long work of art pays homage to abused Iraq Kurd women ALONG a 5km stretch of road in story behind it,” she said. Sulaimaniyah, an Iraqi Kurdish artist The UN regularly condemns “hon- on Monday unveiled a stitched collage our killings” of women in Iraqi of clothes from women survivors of Kurdistan, which promotes itself as domestic violence. progressive, over sexual conduct. “Three months ago, I started collect- About 37.5 per cent of Kurdish ing the clothes of women subjected to women aged between 15 and 49 are violence by their husbands and families also forced to undergo female genital throughout the region,” Tara Abdallah, mutilation (FGM) in the autonomous who stitched the artwork that has been Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, strung up across the city, told AFP. according to the UN. The visual artist had asked women The figure is less than one per cent survivors to donate a scrap of cloth- for women in the rest of Iraq. ing that symbolised their trauma and Out of desperation, Iraqi Kurdish sewed them together to create a women often commit suicide to escape giant, colourful patchwork. domestic violence or forced marriages. “I heard lots of stories about vio- Rights groups say domestic vio- lence that women in our society lence surged globally during the lock- endured in the course of my research down earlier this year to curb the Tara Abdallah collected clothes from abused women and stitched them together to shine a light on domestic abuse in the region. afp . . . Every piece in this work has a coronavirus pandemic. afp 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Finally, Vietnamese Thinking caps artist gets solo exhbit

GED almost 90, Viet- namese artist Mong Bich picks a spot on the tiled floor of her favouriteA room, checks the light and sits down to paint. A “pioneer” who has in- spired generations of women artists in Vietnam, Bich has won plaudits overseas and she has a watercolour in the British Museum’s collection. But for years she has been overlooked in her home country – and has had to wait until this month for her first solo exhibition. “Painting is like eating rice Mong Bich was once employed as a propaganda artist, but she prefers for me – I have to eat rice and to paint everyday scenes which unfold around her. afp I have to paint,” Bich told AFP at her home on the outskirts of Hanoi, where she still works for up to eight hours a day. At first, she had hesitated over holding a solo show, but her children encouraged it. “I do not want to sell my work so I did not see the point. My paintings are my memories,” she said ahead of this month’s opening in the capital. Specialising in silk paint- ings of daily life and ordinary people – women in particular – Bich ploughed a lonely furrow during years of war against the “WHAT’S HIS NAME?” US, when artists were steered Bich’s art has drawn acclaim in the past, but fame never followed. At almost 90 years of age, she will host her first solo exhibit. afp towards drawing soldiers or ACROSS 45 Word of respect to a woman 19 Sharp barks frontline workers. curled up on the floor and a to “a kind of erasure of women’s 1 Large school of fish 46 Bacterium 24 affording benefit “Portraits of individuals were mother breastfeeding a baby, contributions in Vietnam’s art 6 Emulate a picador 50 Backward, at sea 25 Struggles for air not appreciated at that time, but a drawing considered so scan- history, said Taylor, as happened 10 pastrami source 53 Cash in Cancun 27 In the ___ of (among) they were Mong Bich’s forte,” dalous it was initially removed across much of the world. 14 Bay of Naples isle 54 Snapshot, in slang 28 “God shed His grace on ___” 29 Term on terrycloth said Phan Cam Thuong, an emi- from an exhibition in 1960. But that is finally changing, 15 Story 55 proverbial currency 30 The Orioles’ division, informally nent art critic and researcher. “I paint on my own, in my and there is growing acknowl- 16 Very big birds 58 forget to include 31 Touch borders with style,” she said. “Some may edgement that Bich’s life, and 17 It comes monthly 59 pastoral woodwind ‘Painting is happiness’ 32 Covert transmitting device like my paintings, some not – her paintings, are testimony 20 “No” in France 60 Machete kin 33 pond organism Born in 1931 during the I really don’t care.” to what many went through 21 Continental currency 61 They have kids 34 Sound of acceleration French colonial era, Bich spent Despite everything she had in 20th century Vietnam. 22 Baby’s diversion 62 Tiny parasite 35 actress Winona decades caring for her husband, to deal with, her “pioneer “In many ways, her story is 23 Makes certain 63 Ream unit DOWN 37 Haphazardly a violinist and independence spirit” shone through, and Vietnam’s story. She did not 25 Continuity problems 38 army branch until 1947 1 Vista fighter who was wounded fight- she persevered with her work, have an easy life,” said Thierry 26 Smidge 43 Truck weight without fuel or load 2 fire-extinguishing gas ing French forces in Laos. They said Nora Taylor, professor of Vergon, director of L’Espace, 27 Baseball great Willie 44 Galileo’s birthplace 3 Begins the bidding lived in desperate poverty while South and Southeast Asian the French cultural centre that 28 Common article 45 Track and field get-togethers 4 Compass line she raised their two children. art history at the School of the hosted the Hanoi exhibition. 31 To remain in abeyance 46 Donnybrook 5 Book review types 34 Tourist’s entry permit 47 Editorialize Needing to earn a living, in Art Institute of Chicago. “There was a lot of pain, a lot 6 agitates 35 Relative of 16-Across 48 place for stagnant water 1956 she enrolled in one of “I think many women sub- of death but she kept going.” 7 Cinco de Mayo snack 36 They know their cues? 49 Showy success the first classes of the newly sequently looked up to her.” For Bich, her work has al- 8 “Sting like a bee” athlete 39 Impel 50 physicist’s study opened Vietnam College of Bich’s watercolour portrait ways been a way of coping with 9 Breach of trust 40 Throw, as a coin 51 foolish oaf (Var.) Art in Hanoi and took a job of an elderly woman seated whatever life threw at her. 10 financial burdens 52 Barbershop request drawing propaganda car- on the floor won first prize in “Happiness was when I could 41 In other words, in Ovid’s words 11 put off 53 Conspiracy toons for a newspaper. 1993 at the Vietnam Fine Arts make a sketch or a painting,” 42 It gets hot in a bag 12 Calm in a storm 56 Kimono belt 43 Quick gait 13 Lighthouse locale But she never stopped Association Annual Exhibi- she said. 57 Ebenezer’s exclamation sketching what she saw on the tion, but fame did not follow. “That was my way of dealing 44 Historical leader? 18 Kicked oneself for streets – a poor, old woman The lack of recognition is due with life’s difficulties.” afp Wednesday’s solution Kazakhstan uses Borat’s ‘Very Nice!’ KAZAKHSTAN banned British A series of short advertise- some way” by the character. comedian Sacha Baron ments released by its tourism Over 100,000 people signed Cohen’s first Borat mocumen- agency on YouTube show visitors a petition calling for the new tary over its portrayal of the exploring the Central Asian film to be banned, while social country but now using his nation’s landscapes, architecture media users slammed the “Very Nice!” catchphrase in a and cuisine while remarking movie using the Twitter hash- tourism campaign. how “very nice” everything is. tag #cancelborat. The misogynistic, racist and “There had to be some way The Kazakh American Asso- homophobic fictional reporter to take advantage of all the ciation accused the sequel of Borat Sagdiyev returned to PR,” Dennis Keen, a US citizen promoting “racism, cultural Wednesday’s solution screens this month in a sequel behind the idea for the cam- appropriation and xenophobia” to the first Borat film released paign, told AFP. and sent a letter demanding that in 2006. Keen, who lives and works in Amazon Prime, which is stream- That film sparked outrage in Kazakhstan’s second city ing the film, cancel its release. Kazakhstan, which Baron Almaty, said the catchphrase After learning of the Kazakh Cohen said he chose as Borat’s is “so versatile” that he and a ads, Baron Cohen told The native country because it was friend decided to pitch the New York Times in a statement a place Americans knew noth- idea to the tourism agency. that the country he created for ing about. “They were enthusiastic and it Borat was “a wild, comedic, But this time around, instead all went super fast,” Keen said. fake world”. of shunning its moustached fic- The initiative was well-re- “The real Kazakhstan is a beau- tional compatriot, Kazakhstan ceived by many but Borat has tiful country with a modern, is trying to use publicity around not won over all Kazakhs, who proud society – the opposite of the movie to attract visitors. Keen said are “traumatised in Borat’s version,” he said. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona boss

OSEP Maria Bartomeu resigned to suggestions the players were to as Barcelona president on Tues- blame for the sacking of coach Er- day, along with his board of nesto Valverde and then criticised Jdirectors, and left with a bomb- the board in March over their han- shell admission that he had accepted dling of pay negotiations. a proposal for the club to play in “a There was also the ‘BarcaGate’ future European Super League”. scandal in February, when the club Bartomeu’s departure comes follow- denied hiring a company to boost ing mounting pressure from fans and the board’s image on social media, his public falling-out with Lionel Messi. in part by discrediting key players His resignation could affect the future like Messi and Gerard Pique. of Messi, who will now be given a new Barcelona’s decline on the pitch project after trying to leave in August. had begun far earlier, perhaps as far “I want to communicate my res- back as 2017 when Neymar joined ignation along with the rest of the Paris Saint-Germain, prompting board,” said Bartomeu in an official a chaotic few years in the transfer announcement. “It’s a composed market. and relaxed decision, agreed with all Huge sums were spent on replace- my fellow directors.” ments for Neymar but few proved However, it was his revelation successful and some of the most ex- about a Super League which seems pensive – Antoine Griezmann, Ous- certain to make the biggest waves mane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho beyond Catalonia. – are yet to deliver. Bartomeu said he accepted a pro- While Messi failed in his attempt posal on Monday for Barcelona to to force a way out, he made clear his play in “a future European Super anger towards Bartomeu in an inter- League” which “would guarantee view with Goal. the financial stability of the club”. “He didn’t end up keeping his Earlier this month, Barcelona an- word”, said Messi. “It has been a long nounced losses of €97 million ($114 time since there has been a project million) for last season, with debt or anything at all.” more than doubling to €488 million. Victor Font and Joan Laporta are expected to run to be Bartomeu’s Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned as Barcelona president on Tuesday after months of crisis at the Camp Nou. AFP ‘Weak and imaginary competition’ successor. Bartomeu and his board could even months, with an interim board tak- for free. sion was “irresponsible” and cited the Font has attached his campaign be held personally liable for the finan- ing charge in the meantime. Bartomeu’s resignation means vote as the cause of his resignation in to the appointment of ex-Barcelo- cial shortfall, which could be why he The position of Ronald Koeman, avoiding a vote of no confidence, the context of the health crisis. na midfielder Xavi Hernandez as was keen to present a Super League as appointed coach in August, becomes which had been triggered after over Bartomeu said: “We cannot and coach while Laporta was president their money-making solution. more uncertain. A new president could 20,000 Barcelona members signed a do not want to be in the situation of during the golden era under Pep La Liga president Javier Tebas bring in their own coach, either imme- petition for him to be removed. having to choose between protect- Guardiola. tweeted: “Unfortunate statement diately or at the end of the season. Attempts to delay the vote, includ- ing health and exercising the vote.” “Barça need a rescue,” wrote Font from Bartomeu on his last day about Bartomeu’s six-year tenure saw ing launching an investigation into But his departure had long been a on Twitter. “Tonight I tell you with Barcelona joining a weak and imagi- a dramatic decline in the perfor- false signatures and referring to prob- possibility after a series of political more enthusiasm than ever that we nary competition which would be mances of the team, culminating in lems caused by coronavirus, were blunders created anger and distrust have the ideas, the team and the their ruin. It confirms his ignorance the 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in rejected by the local government in between the board and players. drive to rebuild the club.” about the football industry.” last season’s Champions League. Catalonia, with Bartomeu quitting on Barcelona are currently 12th in La An election for Bartomeu’s suc- He then oversaw Messi, the club’s Tuesday following a board meeting. Chaotic years Liga. Bartomeu’s last match was Satur- cessor will take place within three greatest ever player, trying to leave He said the local government’s deci- Messi reacted angrily in January day’s 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid. AFP Djokovic wins Vienna opener to close on Sampras record NOVAK Djokovic defeated Fil- Sampras achieved the feat and I was lucky. He missed a ip Krajinovic in the first round six years in succession be- smash at 6/6 in the tie-break. in Vienna on Tuesday to edge tween 1993 and 1998. “A few points here and there closer to Pete Sampras’s all- Djokovic was playing in Vi- can change the momentum of time record of ending the year enna for the first time since the match. In the second set, as world No1 on six occasions. he won the title there in 2007, I stepped it up, I played better Djokovic beat compatriot and dropped serve twice in a and I am just pleased with the Krajinovic 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 and tricky opening set. way I finished the match.” needs to win his next match in Krajinovic served for the The 17-time Grand Slam title Austria against Borna Coric to first set at 5-4 and then held a winner is appearing at his first ensure he equals the achieve- set point in the tie-break but tournament since his heavy ment of his childhood idol. couldn’t take advantage. loss to Nadal in the Roland The 33-year-old Serb has been A couple of breaks in the Garros final two weeks ago. the top-ranked player at the end second set allowed Djokovic Djokovic is also attempting of a season five times – in 2011, to clinch victory – his 38th in to beat Federer’s all-time best 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. 40 matches this year. of 310 weeks spent on top of He shares that mark with Djokovic said: “First set, I the rankings. career rivals Roger Federer think he was the better player. On Monday, Djokovic be- Lewis Hamilton waves to the spectators after winning the Portuguese Grand Prix. POOL/AFP and Rafael Nadal. He was serving for the first set gan his 292nd week in total as world No1. Djokovic and US Open win- ner Dominic Thiem are two of Norris apologises for making light six top 10 players in the draw in the Austrian capital. of Hamilton’s record-breaking win Second seed Thiem over- came Vitaliy Sachko 6-4, 7-5 in LANDO Norris apologised 35-year-old Hamilton ought so I know I should apologise his opening match at home. to Lewis Hamilton on Tues- to win most of the time given to them but also everyone The Ukrainian lucky loser day after downplaying the how superior his Mercedes reading/listening. Sorry.” was making his tour-level de- six-time Formula One world car is compared to the rest of Speaking after Sunday’s race, but, having entered the draw champion’s record-breaking the field. Norris was quoted by RaceFans after Kei Nishikori pulled out victory at last weekend’s Por- McLaren’s 20-year-old, how- as saying of Hamilton: “I’m just due to injury. tuguese Grand Prix. ever, backtracked on Twitter happy for him, nothing more. Chile’s Cristian Garin shook Hamilton surpassed Mi- saying: “I owe an apology. I’ve “It doesn’t mean anything to off the frustration of losing a chael Schumacher’s feat of 91 been stupid and careless with me really. He’s in a car which lengthy second set tie-break race wins after triumphing at some things I’ve said lately in should win every race, basi- to take down Stan Wawrinka Portimao on Sunday. media and interviews and, and cally. He has to beat one or 6-4, 6-7 (9/11), 6-3. But rival British F1 driver I haven’t shown the respect I two other drivers, that’s it. Fair Novak Djokovic needs one win to ensure he finishes the year as world He will face Thiem for a place Norris did not appear overly should have to certain people. play to him, he’s still doing the No1 for the sixth time. AFP in the quarter-finals. AFP impressed, suggesting the “I’m not that kind of person, job he has to do.” AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST october 29, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Barbarians Masterful De Bruyne inspires evade police Man City past tame Marseille action over ANCHESTER City made virus breaches it two wins from two in their latest bid for FORMER England captain Chris Rob- Champions League shaw and his Barbarians teammates who Mglory as Kevin De Bruyne starred in broke coronavirus protocols will not face a straightforward 3-0 win at Mar- a police investigation, London’s Metro- seille on Tuesday. politan force announced on Tuesday. The English side, who have never Footage on social media published reached the semi-finals under Pep over the weekend showed a group of Guardiola, sit top of the early Group players from the invitational side tak- C table after their opening victory at ing part in a drinking session at a pub Porto last week. near the squad’s Park Lane hotel. The City boss said that his side It was one of two nights out that have to accept recent criticism af- eventually led to the Barbarians’ non- ter only winning two of their five cap international against England at Premier League matches so far this Twickenham on Sunday being can- season, but that he was confident celled on health grounds. they can put together a strong run The decision cost the Rugby Foot- after their performance at the Sta- ball Union (RFU) an estimated £1 mil- de Velodrome. lion ($1.3 million) in lost broadcast Guardiola told BT Sport: “Part of income and sponsorship revenue. the criticism was right, but you’ve The video footage shows Robshaw was got to accept it. It’s part of our job. present with several Barbarians players, “It’s about where we’ve come including Ireland’s Fergus McFadden from in the last month, with lack of and Scotland’s Sean Maitland. preparation, injuries and Covid-19, They appeared to flout several regula- but the Champions League is in a tions, with England’s World Cup-win- good place now. ning coach Clive Woodward criticising “I’m sure we’re going to find that the “ridiculously stupid behaviour”. consistency … I’m so satisfied with But a police statement said: “The the way we played.” Met will not investigate Covid breach- With De Bruyne running the show es retrospectively unless they are the in midfield on his first start since most dangerous and flagrant breach- returning from injury, City cruised Raheem Sterling (left) scored Manchester City’s third at the Stade Velodrome. AFP es of the regulations. past a largely ineffective Marseille. have a coach who is a phenomenon. City started with Ferran Torres up clip the base of the post. “The Met is not investigating this Andre-Villas Boas’s men, playing “Unfortunately, Marseille have no front in the absence of injured duo The home side were much im- incident.” in their first Champions League money to bring in Guardiola. Unfortu- Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. proved after the interval, though, The RFU is still looking into last campaign since 2013, are rooted to nately, you have AVB and his tactics.” The visitors dominated the early and City goalkeeper Ederson was week’s events and the players involved the foot of the group after back-to- Porto sit second behind City af- stages without creating many clear- lucky to fumble a long-range strike could face disciplinary action. back defeats. ter a 2-0 win over Olympiakos in cut chances, but were handed the from Thauvin onto his post and be- Cancellation deprived the RFU and The former Chelsea and Totten- Group C’s other match on Tuesday opening goal in the 18th minute. hind. stadium workers of much-needed ham coach cut an agitated figure in and host Marseille next week. Marseille midfielder Valentin Rong- But any hopes of a push for a late income at a time when the governing his post-match press conference, Marseille winger Florian Thauvin ier’s dreadful pass put De Bruyne in Marseille equaliser were put to bed body has taken a huge financial hit hitting out at journalists who criti- told RMC Sport: “It’s another level, the clear, and the Belgian squared 14 minutes from time. from Covid-19. cised his decision to start with five you have to be honest. for Torres to slot in his third City goal Phil Foden stood a high ball up to It also scuppered England’s plan defenders. “We have to learn from these since signing from Valencia. the back post which Raheem Ster- for a warm-up match ahead of their “Lorient [who Marseille beat on matches, we have to improve. City appeared likely to win with- ling nodded down for Ilkay Gundo- virus-delayed Six Nations finale Saturday] and City are not the same “The Porto match is a last-chance out any help from their opponents, gan to score. away to Italy on Saturday, where vic- thing,” he said. “You are starting to match. We have to do better, it’s the but Marseille defender Leonardo It was not long before De Bruyne tory could be enough to give Eddie criticise all the choices I make. Champions League. It’s been seven Balerdi contrived to lose the ball in- collected his second assist of the Jones’s men the title. “City is City – spent over a billion [eu- years since we took part, we must side his own area and was fortunate game, as his low pass was tapped The England coach said Robshaw ros] over years to build this team. They all learn together.” to see Oleksandr Zinchenko’s effort home by Sterling. AFP should be spared a torrent of abuse. Jones told Sky Sports on Monday: “I’m sure if Chris was involved, he’ll be sorry for his actions. “Chris is a good young man. He’s World 100m champ Coleman to miss Olympics served his country well – let’s make sure we don’t take it out on him too badly.” WORLD champion sprinter Coleman previously escaped test if you sneak up on my Former Harlequins back-rower Christian Coleman is set to suspension on a technicality door – parked outside the Robshaw apologised via social media miss next year’s Tokyo Olym- ahead of last September’s gate and walked through . . . on Friday, saying he had been “irre- pics after being banned from World Championships. there’s no record of anyone sponsible” and was “sincerely athletics for two years for Those three whereabouts coming to my place – without remorseful”. AFP anti-doping violations, the failures were recorded on my knowledge.” Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) June 6, 2018, January 16, 2019 Two-year suspensions can announced on Tuesday. and April 26, 2019. be reduced to one year if there The American, who won the However, Coleman had are mitigating circumstances, men’s 100m at last year’s World successfully argued that the but the tribunal rejected any Championships in Doha, first missed case should have chance of a reduction. Qatar, was provisionally sus- been backdated to the first “We regret to say that we do pended for three ‘wherea- day of the quarter – April 1, not think there is any mitiga- bouts failures’ in June. 2018 – meaning the three fail- tion which can fairly be relied World Athletics’ Disciplinary ures fell just outside the upon to reduce the sanction Tribunal upheld the charge and required 12-month period. from the two-year period,” the banned Coleman for two years, But now the missed test on tribunal said in its findings. backdated to May 14, 2020. US world champion sprinter Christian Coleman is set to miss next December 9, 2019, added to “Unfortunately, we see this The 24-year-old has 30 days year’s Tokyo Olympics after being banned from athletics for two the two failures in January case as involving behaviour by to appeal against the deci- years for anti-doping violations. AFP and April, have seen Cole- the athlete as very careless at sion at the Court of Arbitra- Coleman, who is also the for missed tests in January and man suspended. best and reckless at worst.” tion for Sport. 60m world record holder, December last year, as well as “I think the attempt on Coleman’s suspension He is set to miss next year’s only ran in the 4x100m relay for a “filing failure” last April. December 9th was a purpose- comes a week after doping Olympic Games in Japan, heats in his first Olympic To prove an anti-doping vio- ful attempt to get me to miss charges brought against Bah- where he would have been appearance in Rio de Janeiro lation, an athlete has to have a test,” Coleman said after he rain’s women’s 400m world among the favourites to win four years ago. committed three whereabouts was charged in June. champion Salwa Eid Naser Chris Robshaw had been due to appear 100m gold. The AIU charged Coleman failures within 12 months. “Don’t tell me I ‘missed’ a were dismissed. AFP for the Barbarians against England. AFP