monday, december 28, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue NUMBER 3571 / 4000 RIEL Ministry calls for exporters amendments to to prepare for post-Brexit UK

Labour Law that May Kunmakara December 24 called for them to ap- countries will be able to trade with ment acknowledged concerns about the ply for a “Certificate of Origin Form the UK on preferential terms as deter- country’s internal political situation. will cut wages HE Ministry of Commerce has A” (CO Form A) to certify the origin of mined by its GSP programme. “The UK will continue to raise hu- informed local manufacturers their goods and qualify for duty-free “Exports to the UK from these man rights issues with the Govern- sent to Cabinet and exporters that Cambodia export to the UK from January 1. [least developed] countries have ment of Cambodia and continue to national – page 2 had been designated a “least The call came after the UK Depart- quota-free access and nil rates of monitor the situation,” it said. developedT country” (LDC) under the ment for International Trade on De- import duty on all goods other than The ministry referred those who UK’s Generalised Scheme of Prefer- cember 17 announced the list of eli- arms and ammunition,” according wish to apply for a CO Form A for their ences (GSP), a status that confers con- gible LDCs. Cambodia was included to the announcement from the UK’s goods to its online automated system siderable advantages when exporting among 46 other countries. international trade department. at https://co.moc.gov.kh. goods to the former EU member. Starting on January 1 as the post- While Cambodia will be granted prefer- Pursuant to this, the ministry on Brexit transition phase ends, the 47 ential access to the UK market, the docu- Continued – page 6

EU countries team at Ministry start Covid-19 of commerce works on plan jab rollout for to win in trade the vulnerable business – page 6 A swath of EU nations began vaccinating their most vulnerable groups on December 27 as a reput- edly more contagious coronavirus variant spread internationally and the WHO warned that the current pandemic would not be the last. First doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived in EU countries in- cluding hard-hit Italy, Spain and France on December 26, ready for distribution to retirement homes E-services, strict and care staff. The approval and roll-out of vac- health protocols cines has boosted hopes that next year could bring a respite from the mark Indonesian pandemic, which has killed more than 1.7 million people since emerg- Christmas fests ing in China late last year. However, in a video message ahead WORLD – Page 10 of the first International Day of Epi- demic Preparedness on December Paving the way 27, World Health Organisation (WHO) A road under construction in Preah Sihanouk province on Thursday. HONG MENEA chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was time to learn the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. Tedros said: “History tells us that this will not be the last pandemic, Rainsy royal defamation suit underway and epidemics are a fact of life. “Any efforts to improve human Voun Dara book page on December 20. is prosecutable as a crimi- Royal Academy of Cambo- health are doomed unless they ad- Rith said in the letter: “The nal offence.” dia’s International Relations dress the critical interface between Beer yoga class AT the request of Minister of contents of the posts that The former president of Institute, was of the view that humans and animals, and the ex- Justice Koeut Rith, Phnom Sam Rainsy published to his the Supreme Court-dis- the insults against the King istential threat of climate change offers exercise, Penh Municipal Court pros- Facebook page insulted the solved Cambodia National were the direct intent of the that’s making our earth less habit- ecutor Chreng Khmao is king. These insults have se- Rescue Party (CNRP) has opposition figure, born out able,” he said. tension release working on taking legal action riously affected the dignity long been known for ignit- of a desire for revenge. Vaccinations in all 27 EU countries against Sam Rainsy for alleg- and reputation of the greatly ing political controversies “Sam Rainsy is an unethi- had been set to begin from Decem- edly insulting King Norodom revered King of Cambodia. in Cambodia, according to cal politician. His speeches ber 27, after regulators approved the with tinge of fun Sihamoni in a commentary This act is a violation of the political analysts. lifestyle – page 12 that was posted to his Face- Kingdom’s Constitution and Kin Phea, director of the Continued – page 5 Continued – page 9 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Health official, hospital head demoted over graft Labour Law changes that will

Long Kimmarita cial Administration, told The Post on December 27 that the slash wages sent to Cabinet A SENIOR health official and a two officials were caught in hospital director in Prey Veng the midst of a scandal. But he Niem Chheng province’s Preah Sdach district declined to comment when who were implicated in cor- asked if the provincial admin- HE Committee on Eco- ruption and grabbing of state istration might take further nomic and Financial land have been transferred to action against them. Policy has reviewed the provincial health depart- “I don’t know how to answer proposed amend- ment to work as ordinary staff other than to say that fortu- mentsT to the Labour Law and members as a punishment. nately we had a health depart- forwarded them to the Council The removal of You Sy Le, ment deputy director ready to of Ministers for approval. director of the Operational fill in for his position as a tem- Trade union officials, Health District of Preah Sdach, porary solution,” he said. meanwhile, expressed dissat- and You Sy Na, director of the According to the petition, Sy isfaction, saying the changes Preah Sdach District Referral Le and his partners had con- come at the expense of the Hospital, were made in an or- spired to take the National So- best interests of workers. der dated December 24 from cial Security Fund that pays for Led by Minister of Economy the provincial administration. the medical treatment of civil and Finance Aun Pornmon- Both officials are siblings. servants, workers, government iroth, the committee held a Their scandal came to light employees and members of meeting on December 24 to after nearly 200 people, in- the armed forces since 2018. discuss the amendments. cluding medical staff, officials The officials had also alleg- A ministry press release said and local citizens from Preah edly been billing for the treat- the draft law focused on three Sdech district, all complained ment of “ghost” patients who points: revising work shift about the issue in their De- did not really come to the regulations, strengthening the cember 15 petition to Minis- hospital for treatment and Arbitration Council and im- Trade union officials say the changes will come at the expense of the best interests of workers. hENG CHIVOAN ter of Interior Sar Kheng. had been gaming the system proving the attractiveness and “Provincial health department in other ways to collect mon- competiveness of the invest- enhancing the nation’s eco- nightshift wage rates sought to benefits for workers. It de- director Ung Chan Thoeun [re- ey and other benefits to sub- ment environment. The revi- nomic competiveness in the create labour opportunities for pends on other factors like places You Sy Le] as director of sidise their personal lives. sions aim to make Cambodia’s region and the world, the Cambodians and contribute to the political atmosphere and the Operational Health District The Post could not find any Labour Law more consistent press release stated. the development of the coun- stability in the country, ge- of Preah Sdach. And Long Vibol contact information for Sy Le with countries in the region. This is the third time that try’s economy. The amend- ography and labour demo- is appointed as director of the and Sy Na. “The revision to work shift the government has amend- ment, he pointed out, would graphics including the skill- Preah Sdach District Referral Provincial health depart- regulations will attract mod- ed the Labour Law after it was not affect people who periodi- level of the workforce. Hospital,” the order stated. ment director Seng Panharith ern industries such as fac- introduced in 1997. The law cally work nightshifts because “Our Cambodian brothers The order did not specify the hung up on a reporter when tories producing electrical was previously amended in the draft applied only to those and sisters have worked hard reasons for the transfer but reached for comment. equipment, electronics and 2007 and 2018. who work primarily at night. for years. They have the capac- came after Sar Kheng had as- Eang Kimly, the provincial co- processed foods. It will cre- Trade union officials de- Collective Union of Move- ity to work. They can meet the signed the provincial adminis- ordinator for rights group Ad- ate more jobs for people and cried the changes, saying the ment of Workers president Pav needs of neighbouring coun- tration to investigate the case. hoc, told The Post on December broaden the scope of the Arbi- amendments would strip Sina said unions had already tries and employers when giv- The December 15 petition 27 that mere removal and trans- tration Council in resolving la- nightshift workers of their presented petitions to the la- en the opportunity,” he said. accused Sy Le and his partners fer was not severe enough pun- bour disputes. The aim of this shift-differential benefits, bour ministry requesting that Sina asked rhetorically why of encroaching on land and ca- ishment given the allegations resolution is to facilitate effec- slashing wages from 130 per the Labour Law not be revised other countries with wages nal at the Angkor Reach Health made against these officials. tive labour resolution mecha- cent to parity with the day in this manner. Holidays and higher than in Cambodia Centre for private ownership. According to the law, acts nisms and ensure harmony in shift. Additionally, days off benefits have already been could still attract inves- The area, measuring 31m of corruption by government professional relations,” it said. which fall on holidays would reduced on account of the tors. Attracting investments by 93m, is located in Krasaing officials and taking state land The draft law was devised not be moved to a later day. Covid-19 pandemic, he noted. should not be achieved by Torng village in Preah Sdach dis- for private ownership are with consideration for Cam- However, Minister of Labour “The attractiveness of our reducing workers’ benefits, trict’s Angkor Reach commune. both criminal offences. bodia’s socio-economic de- and Vocational Training Ith business environment for he said; rather, the loss of Sy Le allegedly built a house of “This case is outrageous and velopment and will promote Sam Heng, who attended the investors does not solely benefits can detrimentally seven rooms on the health cen- if there is no proper legal action labour productivity while meeting, said the revision to depend on having lower affect their productivity. tre land in order to rent it out taken involving criminal charg- at a profit. He also built a fence es for them, then the officials surrounding the house. who dealt with this case and The petition also claimed that tried to cover it up will be criti- Sy Le and his partners had con- cised by the public along with spired to commit corrupt acts the people they are protecting. Commune hall aide-hiring outlined at the district referral hospital. Because this is the Facebook Chheang Sovannara, office era and news travels fast on so- Soth Koemsoeun but recently I have also asked head of the Prey Veng Provin- cial media,” Kimly said. the assistant to help with civil THE Ministry of Interior issued registry documents,” he said. a letter that proposed com- Affiliated Network for So- munes to recruit experienced cial Accountability executive non-state framework assistants, director San Chey supported with the purpose of ensuring the recruitment proposal. He effectiveness, accountability hopes that by recruiting more and transparency in commune assistants, the communes will administration work. be handling their workload The letter, signed by inte- more efficiently. However, rior minister Sar Kheng on there is a matter as to what December 24 and seen by The extent the commune chiefs Post on December 27, stated could manage their staff. that the non-state framework “Many staff members, [in- staffs, known as “assistants to cluding] qualified ones, need commune administration”, great leaders in leadership and are not civil servants. administrative work. [The com- Minister of Interior Sar Kheng. hEAN RANGSEY Commune administrations mune] does not depend only on with five to seven councils are women, indigenous residents additional assistants given that a [commune] clerk,” he said. authorised to recruit a maxi- and permanent residents of there are financial supports “With the help of qualified mum of two assistants, while the communes will be given from relevant institutions, part- staff, the communes will de- any commune administration priority in the recruitment. ner NGOs or generous donors. liver more effective work. [But with nine to 11 councils can re- Assistants to commune ad- Such recruitment must fit the commune chiefs] need to cruit at most three assistants. ministrations can work un- with the workload of each com- know how to lead them.” “The wage of the commune der contract for at least three mune, which is in line with the Chey also called for trans- assistants must be decided by months but not more than policy and advised procedure. parency in the examination the councils in accordance 12 months, in each calendar Arey Ksat commune chief for the assistants, hoping with existing laws. They have year. The contract can be ex- Duch Chan said his commune there will be no corruption or the right to get a bonus ac- tended based on each com- in Kandal province’s Lvea Em favouritism where friends or cording to standard letters mune administration’s need district has one administrative relatives are selected. and laws,” it said. and existing standard letters. assistant and plans to recruit He said corrupted recruit- The letter added that the Ministry spokesman Khieu another to manage financial ment is still a chronic disease in recruitment must be done Sopheak could not be reached work in the administration. the Cambodian society. There- through a fair and transpar- for comment on December 27. “So far [the assistant] helps fore, there is a need for proper ent examination by referring In the letter, the ministry also the administrative work like monitoring and more attention to relevant qualifications of said commune administra- writing letters or some legal on the process of recruitment the applicants. The disabled, tions are authorised to recruit documents when I am busy, for fair competition. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National​ Corporate Migrant workers asked to stay responsibility warranted to put in Thailand amid outbreak protect rights

Mom Kunthear Covid-19 patients infected in connec- Nov Sivutha tion with the event had recovered, with SENIOR Ministry of Labour only four remaining hospitalised. THE Cambodian Centre for Human and Vocational Training offi- Vandine also issued guidance to all Rights (CCHR) released a statement cial has called on Cambodian private medical service providers to on “Business and Human Rights: migrant workers in Thailand cooperate in preventing a large-scale Corporate Accountability in Land notA to change residences or return to spread of Covid-19 in the community Rights Violations”, dated December their homeland during the ongoing by referring suspected cases to pro- 25, to give an overview of the chal- Covid-19 outbreak unless necessary. vincial hospitals or the Khmer-Soviet lenges in seeking corporate account- In a Facebook post, ministry spokes- Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh. ability regarding land rights issues. man Heng Sour also announced that She explained that the ministry did According to the press release ob- migrant workers would not be arrest- not allow private physicians to di- tained by The Post on December 27, ed at this time even if they are staying agnose and treat patients suspected the CCHR examined various mecha- to work there illegally. of having Covid-19. In such cases, nisms available to those facing land “The Thai authorities will not arrest healthcare workers must inform their rights violations in the country and Cambodian migrant workers who patients with regard to the illness and the methods employed by commu- stay in one place. So please maintain instruct them to remain in isolation. nities to achieve a resolution. composure and cooperate,” he said. They must then urgently notify mu- The press release said CCHR anal- Kim Chamroeun, an adviser in nicipal or provincial health depart- ysed four land disputes – one each charge of migrant workers in Thai- ments nearby to arrange for transfer- in Mondulkiri, Oddar Meanchey, land, said he had met with Thai la- Migrant workers returning from Thailand through a border checkpoint in Oddar ring patients to designated hospitals. Pursat and Koh Kong provinces – Meanchey province on December 21. Oddar Meanchey Provincial Hall bour minister Suchart Chomklin to On December 27, the ministry an- which affected more than 1,800 address the spread of the virus. On December 25, the Cambodian “According to the information nounced that one Covid-19 patient households. “We are working closely with the embassy in Thailand distributed gifts I received, these workers had left had recovered, but an arriving pas- The disputes are between indigenous Thai government. They will officially to nearly 200 migrant families on the Chonburi province for Bangkok re- senger had tested positive. communities and rubber company inform us if any Cambodian citizens outskirts of Bangkok bordering Sam- cently, and the Thai authorities de- The recovery case is a 66-year- Socfin-KCD in Mondulkiri; between contract Covid-19, and they will treat ut Sakhon province. Their livelihoods tected one case of Covid-19 among old Cambodian-American who had villagers and Mitr Phol Sugar Company our brothers and sisters as they do have been affected after Thai au- them. We have determined that the been staying at a hotel in Phnom in Oddar Meanchey; between villagers Thai nationals,” Chamroeun said. thorities restricted travel in the area individual did not contract Covid- Penh after having arrived from the and the MDS Company in the MDS He also encouraged all Cambodi- following a recent Covid-19 outbreak 19 in Cambodia before entering US via South Korea. Thmor Da Special Economic Zone in an migrant workers to remain calm in the province. Gifts included milled Thailand,” she said. The new positive case is a 43-year- Pursat; and between villagers and Koh and not seek to flee from where they rice, Khmer noodles, canned fish, soy Acting on the orders of Prime old Indonesian man arriving from Kong Sugar Industry Co Ltd and Koh are. Staying put during the outbreak sauce, sugar, salt and masks. Minister Hun Sen, the health min- Singapore on December 25 and is be- Kong Plantation Co Ltd in Koh Kong. is the best way to stop its spread to- Ministry of Health spokeswoman istry has allowed all restaurants and ing treated at the National Centre for According to CCHR, systematic gether, he said. Or Vandine said on December 27 that stores involved with the “November Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control in violation of land rights is one of the “During this time, migrant work- one person among a group of 10 Cam- 28 Covid-19 community incident” – a Phnom Penh. He was travelling with most prevalent human rights issues ers won’t be arrested. Thai authori- bodian migrant workers had tested reference to the first confirmed case 50 passengers, all of whom tested in Cambodia. A core part of this ties are formulating policy to help positive for Covid-19 on December of local transmission – to reopen negative and are being quarantined problem is that it is difficult to hold undocumented migrant brothers 23. But she pointed out that the work- as usual from December 27. These at two separate hotels in the capital. companies accountable for their and sisters. They may continue to ers had left Cambodia for Thailand places must continue to properly As of December 27, Cambodia had human rights impacts. stay and work in Thailand tempo- well before the recent outbreak began implement Covid-19 safety rules. recorded a total of 364 Covid-19 cases, Businesses across the globe have rarily,” Chamroeun said. in Samut Sakhon province. According to the ministry, 37 of 41 with eight remaining hospitalised. an impact, directly or indirectly, on virtually all human rights. CCHR said companies are frequently accused of land grabbing, forced evic- tions and disrespecting indigenous land rights. As a result of desk and field NGO: Tax raise a must research, the centre identified nine areas of concern regarding corporate accountability in Cambodia. to lower tobacco deaths It raised 26 recommendations to the Mom Kunthear cent tax on domestic cigarettes and a government, companies operating in 31 per cent tax on imported cigarettes. the country and civil society organi- THE NGO Cambodia Movement for In Thailand, the tax rate on the sations in order to effectively prevent, Health (CMH) said Cambodia ranks retail price of cigarettes goes up to mitigate and remedy these concerns fourth in the world for the lowest 70 per cent while Singapore’s retail and to promote a fairer, more trans- taxes on tobacco. tax is at 69 per cent. Even in other parent and effective land dispute res- According to recommendations neighbouring countries, the retail olution process nationwide. by the World Health Organisation tax rate on cigarettes is around 40 to CCHR business and human rights (WHO) and the World Bank, if Cam- 50 per cent. project coordinator Vann Sophath ex- bodia increased the tax on tobacco “Increasing tax, which is one of plained that this report follows and up- to 75 per cent of the retail price of the best practices recommended by dates an initial report released in 2018. cigarettes, the Kingdom would re- WHO, increases tax revenue and re- The report now highlighted the ceive added revenues of $235 mil- duces the people’s burden. It would level of corporate accountability lion over the next five years and $933 mean an increase in the tax on to- that had been achieved with regard million over the next 15 years. bacco products to about two thirds to companies that had violated land CMH executive director Dr Mom [of their retail cost] or the equivalent Cigarette packages are displayed at a cafe in Phnom Penh in May. HONG MENEA rights in the country. Kong told The Post on December 27 of roughly 70 per cent of the retail “This brief report, which went that raising the tax on tobacco prod- price,” he said. mestic product. $584 million of that the highest second-hand cigarette through in-depth research and com- ucts was the most effective measure to “Some countries, such as Thailand total is lost due to economic pro- smoke inhalation rates in its restau- prehensive studies, was discussed reduce the number of deaths and the and Singapore, have increased their ductivity losses, premature deaths rants and most of the people affect- among stakeholders. The report is economic losses caused by tobacco. tax rates. Only [Cambodia] has this and declining productivity. ed are children and women. announced publicly and presented “Raising the tax on tobacco prod- huge gap [with other ASEAN coun- At the same time, Kong has also Prohibiting cigarettes in the work- to the relevant companies and insti- ucts is globally seen as a win-win tries] regarding [tobacco] tax rates. observed that in recent years the place or public places not only pre- tutions to seek an appropriate solu- strategy. “So, what we need is to significantly banning of smoking in the work- vented non-smokers from inhal- tion for [land grab] victims,” he said. “The first benefit is that the state increase the tax for tobacco products, place, shops, restaurants and other ing second-hand smoke, but it also Government spokesman Phay Siph- will collect additional tax revenue. according to the government’s will- public places has increased signifi- helped smokers reduce their habit an urged those affected to resolve land The second benefit is reducing peo- ingness and in line with the WHO’s cantly in accordance with changes and have an easier time quitting disputes through court proceedings. He ple’s health risk caused by smoking recommendations,” he said. in Cambodian law. smoking. claimed that if a case becomes a politi- cigarettes, which can lead to various He said that according to a study “We have cooperated with some According to the Health Ministry last cal issue, there would be no solution. diseases, loss of life and disability,” by the United Nations (UN), the relevant ministries such as the year, most Cambodians had by now He said that it is illegal to encroach he said. United Nations Development Pro- Ministry of Tourism. The ministry learnt about the dangers of tobacco upon the rightful land of another He said that when any family mem- gram (UNDP) and WHO ... [approxi- has conducted some [compliance] products – even those who still contin- person. ber becomes ill, disabled or dies, it mately] 15,000 Cambodians die checks and has even urged small ued to use them were well aware of the “Human rights [advocates] should leads to misery within that family from illnesses caused by tobacco use stores to implement a smoking potential hazard to their health. look at the facts, as doing so would and throughout society. And it also each year. This means that about 40 ban. We have seen that much has The rate of tobacco use among indicate who is violating the law. leads to the loss of human resources people die per day in Cambodia due changed already and we are proud people aged 18 and over has de- “If [our intention] is just for gain- and to many other problems. to smoking cigarettes. of the work we’ve done. But it has clined by 13.68 per cent over the last ing personal benefit, it can be con- In the ASEAN region, Cambodia Tobacco use in Cambodia also yet to reach the level [of progress] 10 years, from 48.98 per cent to 35.3 sidered as a violation of human has the lowest taxes on tobacco causes the loss of up to $649 million that we want,” he said. per cent for men; and by 8.93 per rights. That is not addressing hu- products of any country, he added. a year, which is equivalent to three According to the CMH, of the 10 cent for women from 20.53 per cent man rights. It is an attempt to attack Cambodia only imposes a 25 per per cent of Cambodia’s gross do- ASEAN countries, Cambodia had to 11.6 per cent of the population. the head of government,” he said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National CNRP officials’ trial looms as Chanrath eyes party formation

Niem Chheng the trial of former CNRP presi- dent Kem Sokha, he said. ORMER opposition “If the court speeds up the lawmaker Ou Chan- hearing and there is a settle- rath said forming a ment because of international new political party pressure or through negotia- mustF be done with a thorough tions, and Kem Sokha can re- attention to detail because turn to lead a party, I would they will be strategically neu- forego forming any new party. tralised by the ruling party if “I will support him whether they do not get it right. he wants my support or not. He plans to form a new par- Spiritually I will support him ty at some point after January and definitely I would vote for Former opposition lawmaker Ou Chanrath (left) and former CNRP vice-president Mu Sochua. hong menea 4 next year. him,” Chanrath said. “I think we will form a party Former CNRP vice-president be arrested upon arrival and ua and other CNRP officials to forts failed,” Eysan said. tine for 14 days. Thailand is one in early 2021, in January, but Sochua announced recently be put in pre-trial detention. return to Cambodia, Eysan Ministry of Interior spokes- place they could be quarantined. I cannot set an exact date be- that she and other former All we ask for is our constitu- said he did not believe that man Khieu Sopheak said “For Kem Sokha, as Sam- cause I am waiting to see what CNRP officials in self-imposed tional right to return home they would follow through be- Chanrath should just form the dech Techo [Prime Minister the situation will be regard- exile abroad planned to return and to stand trial in accor- cause Cambodian embassies party regardless of the former Hun Sen] already said, his trial ing the return of Mu Sochua for the trial against her and dance with the universal hu- abroad will not grant them CNRP leaders’ planned return must be completed and he and other [Supreme Court- more than 130 other CNRP man rights [standards] for a visas since their Cambodian on January 4. must serve whatever his sen- dissolved] Cambodia National members and activists, which fair trial,” she said. passports were invalidated. “For those who want to es- tence is so that he can be re- Rescue Party (CNRP) officials. are all scheduled to resume in In response to Chanrath’s And for those who hold foreign tablish a [new political] party, habilitated first before partici- “If Mu Sochua’s [planned] re- January and March next year. statements, ruling Cambodian passports, they won’t return they should just go ahead and pating in any more elections. turn leads to a [political] settle- She told The Post on De- People’s Party (CPP) spokes- because the Cambodian gov- form it now, there is no need to “For those who have already ment, I am willing to support cember 27 that her plans to man Sok Eysan said Chanrath’s ernment has branded them all wait for January 4. And there is undergone the rehabilitation her although she may not need return had not changed. prospective party could be suc- “traitorous rebels”. no need to wait for the trial of process like Ou Chanrath, me in any official capacity. But “We’re sticking to the same cessful or it could fail, but either “The most they can do is Kem Sokha because nothing there is no further need to I would still be willing to vote plan as before and we’ll return way it had nothing to do with stand in front of the embassy will change his fate either. wait. Nothing will change. If for her,” Chanrath said. on January 4. We have applied the CPP. His success or failure or at the airport and put on a “If Mu Sochua actually comes he wants to take part in the The formation of a new political for Cambodian visas by using will depend on whether he has show for their supporters so to Cambodia she will face legal elections, he should just form party might also be influenced our US and French passports. enough supporters, Eysan said. they can then say they had action, but before she goes to a party now before it is too by any further developments in “We are totally prepared to Regarding the plans of Soch- tried to return and their ef- court she must go and quaran- late,” Sopheak said. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National​ Undergrad programme in road building offered Eight killed in B’bang crash Nov Sivutha put off or ignored and he hopes Orm Bunthoeurn the skills training program that THE Ministry of Public Works ITC puts together will begin to OLICE are preparing and Transport, in cooperation tackle this issue. charges against a taxi with the Institute of Technol- “For a typical high-rise build- driver for causing a ogy of Cambodia (ITC), is or- ing, Cambodian engineers tragic road accident ganising an undergraduate have the ability to design those onP December 24 that killed training programme teaching blueprints and build them. But eight people in O’Taki com- skills related to the construc- they have no ability to study mune in Battambang prov- tion of roads and bridges in and build large bridges span- ince’s Thma Koul district. order to increase Cambodia’s ning rivers or expressways. Provincial traffic police chief technical capacity in this area. “We have always asked for Chan Sothy said a westbound This initiative was created aid from [foreign experts] and Hyundai lorry transporting ice in order to address a striking we’ve hired [foreign engineers] on National Road 5 was struck shortage of Cambodian engi- for building these bridges and by a Toyota Camry sedan when neers and other skilled con- expressways. Once we have it crossed into the lorry’s lane, struction specialists relative some Cambodians with these colliding head-on. The taxi to the booming construction skills, we will reduce hiring overturned off the road. sector and the rapid pace of foreigners from abroad, be- “Seven of nine people in the country’s development, cause Cambodia should be the taxi were killed instantly. which has led to a heavy reli- built by Cambodians when- The driver and a one-year-old ance upon foreign-born work- ever possible,” he said. boy survived. There were two ers in this sector in order to Chanthol further noted that people in the lorry – a driver A fatal traffic accident in Battambang province’s Thma Koul district on Thursday. police keep up with the frenetic pace another benefit to training and his assistant. The driver of building in cities like Siha- Cambodian youth in engi- was also killed, bringing the “He is recovering, and police National deputy police chief injuries by 1,227,” he said. noukville and Phnom Penh. neering skills was to promote total fatalities to eight, four of are preparing documents for Him Yan said on December 27 According to Yan, the de- Ministry spokesman Vasim the development of Cambo- them women,” he said, add- the court to proceed with legal that traffic accidents nation- cline is due to the effective Sorya told The Post that this dian technical capacity on ing that the victims’ families action against him,” he said. wide during the first 11 months enforcement of traffic laws training programme was ini- the international stage, a goal agreed to hold a joint funeral Sothy could not specify when of this year had decreased from and cooperation from the tiated by Minister of Public which was in line with the gov- at the nearby O’Taki pagoda. the prosecution would begin. the same period last year. public. Building on the prog- Works and Transport Sun ernment’s policy to prioritise According to Sothy, the taxi He noted that this was the first “Compared to 2019, this year’s ress, police will continue to Chanthol who had asked a development of human re- driver sustained minor inju- case in the province this year road accidents have declined by work hard to enforce traffic working group to collaborate sources along with construc- ries and is receiving medical that a single traffic accident over 700 cases, with the number laws and improve road safety with ITC to design a curriculum tion of basic infrastructure. treatment. had killed several people. of deaths decreasing by 269 and in the coming year, he said. teaching the skills necessary to He also urged the working build roads and bridges. group at the ministry to exam- In the past, these two institu- ine the possibility of cooperat- tions had signed a memoran- ing with ITC so that the sched- dum of understanding (MoU) ule for the implementation that sought to address this of the training programme Probe launched into fake ID cards issue, but the MoU has never could be sped up and the been implemented fully. programme put in motion in Long Kimmarita These cases remain open, and phones in just over half a eral Department of Identifica- “We plan to do this in co- January of next year. police are continuing to look month, told The Post that there tion at the Ministry of Interior operation with ITC, and now Building and Wood Work- AFTER numerous recent com- into them,” he added. was a group of perpetrators who asked not to be named we’ve begun the process of ers Trade Union Federation of plaints, police investigations Kim Khoeun urged the public, using falsified ID cards to told The Post on December 27 planning for that. We signed Cambodia president Sok Kin are underway into a series of and especially merchants, to be make purchases. At least 20 that the law does not permit the MoU with ITC previously, welcomed the training course, fraud and forgery cases involv- careful to avoid being deceived phone shops had been cheat- taking individuals’ ID cards for but we still need to review saying: “When Cambodian ing a crew of people using fake by fraudsters and to cooperate ed in a similar way, he said. use as collateral in exchanges. it. We’ve worked with ITC in youth have these skills, they ID cards to make instalment with police in taking timely “They came to my shop to buy He explained that confirming the past and sent some of will not need to migrate from plan purchases. action to stop such criminals a phone by instalments. I’ve the validity of an ID card for our teachers there to provide their homeland seeking work National police spokesman when they’re detected. heard of motorbike shop owners proper uses must be done by skills training, but this will abroad. Even when our con- Chhay Kim Khoeun told The Post The recent cases drew public also being cheated like this. We authorities, and the public be a larger effort than that struction workers do have on December 27: “As law enforce- attention after cheated mer- know this because we inspected may make use of provincial because there is a huge need the necessary skills, they still ment officers, we must take chants posted accounts of the documents from other shops. one-window service offices for right now, today, for more don’t have any proper certi- action and investigate each events on social media. Vic- We saw the same people in the the purpose. skilled workers,” he said. fications acknowledging that complaint. Police are currently tims have filed complaints photos, but their ID card num- The officer also urged resi- Sorya added that Cambodia they are this level or that level. searching for the perpetrators of with the police and attached bers were different so we knew dents, particularly merchants didn’t have the technical exper- A formal program for training these offences. This is the extent photos of suspects who each that the cards are fake. We need like mobile phone or motor- tise yet to build anything more to earn professional certifica- to which we can comment on an used multiple names. police to take action in these bike vendors, to be very cau- ambitious than simple roads or tions is what we have wanted ongoing investigation.” Sok Net, a mobile phone cases to stop them from deceiv- tious before accepting an ID bridges. Chanthol said that it is to have for a long time,” he “There have been many shop owner who said he was ing others,” Net confirmed. card or other documents in an issue that can no longer be said. complaints from victims. cheated out of 10 or so mobile A senior officer in the Gen- exchange for goods. Rainsy known for ‘controversial commentaries’ Continued from page 1 perspective, Chanroeun said, will probably all be negoti- Rainsy also made several more ated together as a package,” are like a drunken man. He no comments that were plainly he said. longer knows anything. His rude and could be regarded as Chanroeun agrees that pol- speeches are nothing but insulting to the King. iticians should show respect insults to all who have to listen “I’ve long said that Sam and not criticise or belittle to them,” he said. Rainsy seemed to be intent the King. But he also believes Justice ministry spokesman on causing political trouble that the legislators should Chin Malin said on December in Cambodia. His latest state- have tried to come up with 27 that insulting the King is not ments will likely earn him yet some means to provide con- considered a legitimate exer- another conviction in court, structive criticism of the King cise of free speech or expression now just one of several. without fear of prosecution under the Cambodian law. “As far as I know, Sam Rainsy so that the King will always “Following an injunction by has faced more charges in court have the honest advice he His Excellency the justice min- than any other politician in the may need to perform his du- ister, the Phnom Penh Munici- modern era,” he asserted. ties as the head of state. pal Court prosecutor’s office is Chanroeun added that he He also said that Cambodian investigating this matter.” Former CNRP president Sam was a long time observer of politicians should try to find an He said insulting the King Rainsy in 2015. HONG MENEA politics in Cambodia and opportune time to exchange is a criminal offence punish- to solicit monetary donations that most political disputes views to avoid angry confron- able by imprisononment un- from the public in order to buy in Cambodia were not solved tations or heated words. der Article 437 of the Criminal Covid-19 vaccines, implying easily through the courts or He suggested that perhaps Code. the existence of corruption in the legal system, but more new mechanisms to facilitate Cambodian Institute for these charitable efforts, which typically through negotiation and solve political conflicts Democracy president Pa the King has supported along and political compromise. and disputes in the presence Chanroeun said that Rainsy’s with Prime Minister Hun Sen “Hence, Sam Rainsy’s legal of the King or with the King remarks had possibly violated and the rest of Cambodia’s po- troubles are like those of oth- as mediator might be of value the law in two instances. litical leadership, without of- er CNRP politicians – if these given the amount of respect he Firstly, Rainsy had ques- fering any evidence for it. cases are to be resolved, it will is accorded, not just by law, but tioned the transparency and More directly, and perhaps likely be due to political expe- in all sincerity by the Cambo- accountability of the campaign more seriously from a legal diency or necessity and they dian people. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 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 4,041 1.2870 6.5253 103.49 4.0605 1.3283 30.10 0.7606 1.2189 1.3557 GMAC: UK Ministry works on plan to win in trade exports may Hin Pisei

INISTRY of make up for Commerce offi- cials are comb- loss of EBA ing over a list of Mnine products, commodities, Continued from page 1 services and incentives to develop a trade strategy that Ministry spokesman Seang maximises the benefits of the Thay told The Post: “Cambodia newly-inked free trade agree- exports about $1 billion in goods ment (FTA) with China. each year to the UK out of a total According to the ministry, the trade volume of around $4 billion officials are focusing on - gar exported to the entire European ments and footwear as finished market – so the UK accounts for products along with fisheries, a huge chunk of that market. milled rice, cassava and natural “And this preferential treat- rubber as commodities. ment will further boost Cambo- Also on the list are light dia’s exports to the UK, as well as manufacturing installation attract investments from busi- and food processing as servic- nesses in other countries look- es, as well as increased use of ing to seize this opportunity.” special economic zones as a Garment Manufacturers As- means to encourage Chinese sociation in Cambodia (GMAC) investment in Cambodia. secretary-general Ken Loo told Speaking at a meeting held The Post on December 25 that at the ministry on December 25, the UK used the UN’s LDC clas- secretary of state Seang Thay sification as its criteria for coun- said his ministry is studying tries that would receive prefer- data it has collected to prepare ential duty-free treatment. a game plan that best utilises The UK’s GSP programme es- the FTA with China. sentially offers very similar terms He said: “This current re- Cambodia’s exports totalled $14.1 billion in the first nine months of this year, up 20.07 per cent from the same period last year. HENG CHIVOAN to those the EU had granted to search centres on maximis- Cambodia under the Everything ing the export of Cambodian other major trading partners. Organisation’s (WTO) Most told The Post that when the will continue to show strong But Arms (EBA) scheme, which goods to China while fully He said the working team Favoured Nation (MFN) FTA with China enters into overall growth as the imple- it partially withdrew over hu- understanding the conditions is analysing the strengths, principle, the ASEAN-China force, goods exported from mentation of the bilateral free man rights concerns, he said. required for entry into the weaknesses, opportunities Free Trade Agreement (ACF- the Kingdom to the Asian trade agreement between On August 12, the European Chinese market.” and threats (SWOT) of Cam- TA), China’s preferential tar- economic powerhouse are Cambodia and China next Commission (EC) officially with- Cambodia and China bodian products to categorise iffs for Cambodia, as well as expected to grow in volume year contributes to further drew 20 per cent of EBA from signed the bilateral FTA on them by the phase of their life the trade implications of the considerably, especially agri- national economic develop- Cambodia. The suspension af- October 12 following three cycles in each market – “in- Kingdom’s status as a Least cultural products. ment,” Heng said. fects one-fifth or €1 billion ($1.23 rounds of negotiations held troduction”, “growth”, “matu- Developed Country (LDC). But to profit from the op- In the first nine months of billion) of the country’s annual ex- between January and July. rity” or “decline” – and better The research aims to shed portunity for export growth, this year, Cambodia’s exports ports to the EU’s 27-nation bloc. The deal introduces zero tar- understand how to promote light on how to make the most he cautioned the Kingdom’s totalled $14.1 billion, up Loo said: “The UK has [tradi- iffs on some goods moving them and take advantage of of Cambodia’s exports and investors and producers to 20.07 per cent from the same tionally been Cambodia’s] larg- between the two countries. current market conditions. potential technical challenges ensure that their products period last year, according est market in the EU, account- Not limited to Cambodian- According to the ministry, that may serve as obstacles to are consistently high quality. to data from the Ministry of ing for 25 to 30 per cent of total Chinese exchange, Thay said the team is also looking into the Kingdom exporting a cer- He also called on them to Economy and Finance. exports to the bloc [prior to its the study also seeks to ex- tariff regimes (import customs tain product to a given market. strictly adhere to regulatory The import of goods from departure from the EU]. amine trade relations in the duties) that exert a strong in- Cambodia Chamber of standards and guidelines abroad to Cambodia was val- “Starting in January, we expect larger context of the global fluence on the economies of Commerce vice-president such as hygiene, and to be ued at $13.6 billion during to see an even larger volume of economy, including the King- the Kingdom and the world. Lim Heng could not be aware of the requirements the period, down 8.7 per cent exports to the UK than before, dom’s total exports and spe- Examples of the tariff sys- reached for comment on De- for each target country. from the first nine months of given that we’ve retained prefer- cifically to the markets of its tems include the World Trade cember 27, but he previously “I believe that our exports last year. ential trade status with them but not the EU.” Bilateral trade volume be- tween Cambodia and the UK reached $813.22 million in the first 11 months of this year, Senate president calls for Korean investment falling 17.61 per cent from the $987.09 million logged in the May Kunmakara the country’s official name. agreement between our countries have According to Park, bilateral trade same period of last year, accord- “As a result of this positive relation- advanced quite far in 2020, and Korea between the two countries reached $1 ing to the ministry. CAMBODIAN Senate president Say ship, the trade volume between our has already ratified a law on double tax billion last year and the volume of South Similarly, Cambodia’s exports Chhum called for increased South Kore- two countries has steadily increased,” avoidance to help facilitate the exchange Korean investment in Cambodia totalled during the period were worth an investment and tourism in the King- according to him. of trade between us,” Park said. $5.7 billion, second only to China. $766.77 million, down 16.02 per dom as bilateral ties between the two Park praised the state visits made by cent from the $913.01 million countries have gradually strengthened. the leaders of the two countries in posted in the first 11 months of He made the call during a meeting 2019-2020. last year, the ministry said, citing with South Korean ambassador to He voiced hopes that the leadership data from the Ministry of Econ- Cambodia Park Heung-kyeong held at of both countries would have further omy and Finance’s General De- the Senate on December 25. opportunities to exchange ideas on the partment of Customs and Excise. Chhum lauded South Korea for its occasions of the 22nd ASEAN-Republic Cambodia’s imports from the generosity, saying the country “has of Korea Summit and the 13th Asia- UK were valued at $46.45 mil- made significant contributions to Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, to be lion for the period, tumbling Cambodia’s socio-economic develop- held in Cambodia in early June 2021. 37.30 per cent year-on-year ment through the provision of official He noted that more than 400,000 from $74.08 million in the corre- assistance in the areas of infrastruc- Korean tourists visit Cambodia every sponding months last year. ture, water resources management and year and that there are 40,000 Cambo- Most of Cambodia’s exports public welfare, education, rural devel- dian workers in South Korea. to the UK consisted of clothing, opment, agriculture and demining. Despite this year’s outbreak of footwear, bicycles, milled rice “They have continued to provide Covid-19, he said South Korea has and agricultural products, while scholarships for students and Cam- continued to grant visas to eligible the country’s imports from the bodian civil servants to go study in Cambodian workers. UK mainly consisted of cars and the Republic of Korea,” he said using “Negotiations on a bilateral free trade South Korean ambassador Park Heung-kyeong (left) and Senate president Say Chhum. SENATE machinery, the ministry said. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Vietnam gov’t Kandal, agri-firm ink safe-crop MoU bond auction Thou Vireak mobilises

HE Kandal provincial over $522M Department of Agri- ORE than 12 trillion dong culture, Forestry and ($522.5 million) was Fisheries on Decem- Mmobilised for Vietnam’s berT 25 will work with local agri- state treasury through a govern- business firm Davane Plc to ment bond auction at the Hanoi champion safe fruits and veg- Stock Exchange (HNX) last week. etables on the local market. As much as nine trillion dong A memorandum of under- worth of bonds were offered, in- standing (MoU) was signed cluding 10-year, 15-year, 20-year to this end by department and 30-year bonds. head Bun Tuon Simona and The treasury raised three Davane CEO Chheng Makara trillion dong worth of 10-year at the department. bonds with an annual yield rate Davane, whose name of 2.28 per cent, down 0.04 per stands for “Develop Agricul- cent from the previous session on ture Value Chain Network for December 16. Economic and Environment”, Those with a 15-year term at- pitches itself as a specialist in tracted four trillion dong at an an- agricultural and market value nual interest rate of 2.5 per cent, chains that locally promotes falling 0.04 per cent from the safe fruits and vegetables. previous auction on December 16. The firm says it encourages Meanwhile, bonds with a ma- standards and practices that turity of 20 years were purchased prevent food-borne illnesses for a total value of one trillion and eliminate the presence dong, and an interest rate of 2.89 of toxic chemicals such as per cent per year, a fall of 0.04 per pesticides. cent compared to the auction on December 16. It said in a press release that Kandal province’s Sa’ang district has 17,150ha of agricultural land, on which 5,200ha vegetables are currently grown. FRESH NEWS it would help set up a four-step Bonds with 30-year terms were food safety inspection system safety measures in the field. province can supply the local Extension (ASPIRE) project. household income of $4,500 sold for 613.5 billion dong, and an under the MoU: farm assess- They will also inspect the market with between 300 and On his Facebook page early by 2030,” Sakhon said. annual yield rate of 3.14 per cent, ments – including surprise produce for the presence of 400kg of certified safe vegeta- this month, minister Veng The province’s Sa’ang district declining 0.01 per cent from the inspections, chemical residue toxic chemicals at the distribu- bles per day. Today, the price Sakhon said farmers were now has 17,150ha of agricultural previous session. testing of products, agricultur- tion centre before they are re- of cabbage is between 3,000 more prosperous than they land, on which 5,200ha veg- Some 3.5 trillion dong was mo- al contracting and a scheme of leased to the markets, he said. and 3,500 riel ($0.74 and $0.87) had been three years ago. etables are currently grown, bilised from 10-year and 15-year financial incentives. “This MoU [establishes a and collard greens are between He claimed that farmers the department reported. bonds at the sub-session auction. Duong Kim Chhean, a par- system] that will help farmers 6,000 and 7,000 riel per kg. can earn an average of $3,308 Vegetable production in the According to the HNX, the ticipant in the programme, get their produce into more Kim Chhean is also a moni- a year per household in 2020, district hit 42,176 tonnes this treasury has mobilised over 323.9 said both parties will pro- markets and it will increase the toring and evaluation consul- an increase of 16 per cent year (on 5,169ha), marking trillion dong from G-bond auction vide technical support to prices they are able to charge tant for the department’s Ag- compared to $2,859 in 2017. a 49 per cent jump from the at the bourse from the outset of the the farmers and monitor the as well,” Kim Chhean said. riculture Services Programme “The government is looking 28,359 tonnes (on 4,600ha) year. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK implementation of these food He said producers in Kandal for Innovation, Resilience and to reach the goal of an annual posted in 2016. Kien Giang fishing, aquaculture output rises sharply

THE fishing and aquaculture natural ark clam and yellow The province has zoned areas the main pond for intensive more than 2,700ha of rice fields and diverse models for breed- output of Vietnam’s Cuu Long clam harvest season and is step- for farming aquatic species, breeding in the second stage. into rice-shrimp fields, pineap- ing various species such as (Mekong) Delta province of ping up measures to protect the especially shrimp and other In 2016-2019, the depart- ple farms, pepper fields, and fruit black tiger shrimp, white-legged Kien Giang has topped 836,200 species from overexploitation. high-value ones, Thao said. ment set up 44 sites for farm- orchards in the last five years. shrimp and giant river shrimp tonnes this year, 10.8 per cent The harvest will be done from It has strengthened fishery ers to visit and learn. Le Huu Toan, its People’s together in a single pond. higher than the target, accord- now until May next year. extension activities and taught The model offers an average Committee deputy chairman, The value of the district’s aqua- ing to its Department of Agricul- Only fishing boats of less than farmers advanced farming tech- income of 280 million dong said the district has created culture production has increased ture and Rural Development. 12m in length have been grant- niques, especially for shrimp. ($12,000) per hectare per year. concentrated aquaculture areas from 418 billion dong in 2015 to Fishing accounted for more ed licences to catch the clams, The shrimp yield with The province has developed with the application of 636 billion dong this year. VIET NAM than 572,000 tonnes. and they have to be equipped advanced methods is 30-50 industrial shrimp breeding in advanced farming techniques NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Quang Trong Thao, deputy with sufficient tools to comply tonnes per hectare per crop the Long Xuyen Quadrangle director of the department, with catching regulations. The compared to 10-12 tonnes under and turned low-yield rice said the province has restruc- department has instructed rel- traditional farming methods, fields into rice-shrimp farm- tured the sector to reduce evant agencies and localities to according to the department. ing fields in which farmers near-shore fishing and expand tighten inspection over the The province has developed cultivate the grain during the off-shore fishing. activity and penalise violators. industrial shrimp breeding rainy season and breed The province has strength- In Kien Giang, ark clams and models using semi-biofloc and shrimp the rest of the time. ened advocacy to enhance yellow clams are found mostly biofloc technology, and a The province, the delta’s fishermen’s awareness of pro- off the coasts of Kien Luong model of breeding in two stag- largest rice producer and one tecting fishery resources and district and Ha Tien city. es to increase yield. of the largest shrimp produc- penalises people who violate Thao said the province Under the latter, juvenile ers, has 100,000ha under rice- fishery exploiting and protect- catches hundreds of tonnes a shrimp are first bred in a shrimp fields this year, 28 per ing regulations, he said. year for both domestic con- small pond for a few weeks cent higher than in 2015. The province is entering the sumption and export. before being transferred to Danh Man, who has a 3ha field in An Bien district’s Dong Yen commune, said he earned 180 million dong this year from it. “After switching to rice-shrimp farming, my family’s income has been steady,” he said. Nguyen Van Hong of Go Quao district’s Vinh Thang commune said when he grew only rice on his 1ha field, his income could not cover his family’s living costs but now, after switching to rice-shrimp, he earns 70-80 million dong a year and has escaped poverty. The model is adapted to cli- mate change and sustainable since farmers use few chemicals. The rice and shrimp pro- duced are clean and preferred by consumers. Fishing boats dock at Tho Chu Island in Kien Giang province’s Phu Quoc district. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS Go Quao district has turned 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Indonesia P2P platforms optimistic about 2021 amid growing users, disbursement NDONESIA’S peer-to- Economic Forum and the peer (P2P) lending plat- World Bank Group, the global forms are looking for- fintech industry grew this ward to further growth year despite the pandemic. Inext year, amid the promis- However, the study noted ing increase of users and dis- that transaction volume and bursement this year, and low number on the digital lending bad loans ratio, despite the platforms globally were down raging Covid-19 pandemic. eight per cent year-on-year in P2P lending platform Koin- the first half of this year com- Works chief operating officer pared to the first half of last Bernard Arifin said that while year, a contrast from 20 per the company had experienced cent growth year-on-year on a decline in loan requests during digital payments. the first large-scale social re- The number of new loans strictions (PSBB) period from issued was also down six per March to July, it had enjoyed cent year-on-year globally in an increase in loan requests the same period, compound- nearing the end of the year. ed by a nine per cent rise in KoinWorks has disbursed 2.5 loan defaults. trillion rupiah ($177 million) in “Online lending, much like loans to small and medium-sized bank loans, is pro-cyclical. enterprises (SMEs) as of last When the economy is down, month, a 38.8 per cent increase credit disbursement will also year-to-date from 1.8 trillion go down,” a joint statement rupiah by 2019 year-end. on the study reads. Meanwhile, its users grew In the Asia-Pacific region, 61 per cent year-on-year to fintech firms indicated an in- the current 549,000. crease in transaction volume “At this rate, coupled with and transaction numbers the technology adoption by Indonesia’s fintech lending platforms have disbursed a total of 56.16 trillion rupiah ($3.98 billion) in new loans as of October this year, marking a across all verticals. However, 23.88 per cent year-on-year increase. SUPPLIED SMEs, we are optimistic about digital lending firms in the the future of fintech lending in cent as of October, down from tion No 77/POJK 01/2016, re- cumulated outstanding loans 22, adding that factors such as region reported a 10 per cent 2021,” he said in a press brief- 8.27 per cent in September. quires fintech companies to of 20 trillion rupiah to date, the increasing rate of digital and five per cent decline year- ing on December 21, adding Bernard said that during have 15 billion rupiah in core disbursed in Indonesia, Ma- penetration and higher public on-year in the number of new that the company was aiming the pandemic, 10 per cent of capital to get a permit, up laysia and Singapore, which is awareness of fintech will also borrowers and repeating bor- for profitability next year. the company’s portfolio re- from the current 2.5 billion. double the figure by the end of boost P2P lending usage. rowers, respectively. The company recorded a quested loan restructuration, Bernard said: “I think inves- December last year, according Modalku received $40 mil- UK Minister for Africa at non-performing loan (NPL) but he added that the num- tors still have a big appetite to to the company’s co-founder lion through its series-C the Foreign, Commonwealth rate of 0.64 per cent at pres- ber of restructured loans was fund fintech companies, espe- and CEO Reynold Wijaya. funding in late April. Reynold & Development Office James ent, he said. now down to “only a few”. cially because the SME lend- While the pandemic had said at the time that the funds Duddridge said in the state- Financial Services Author- A recent proposed revision ing potential is attractive.” also affected Modalku’s port- would be used to support the ment: “Fintech platforms are ity (OJK) data show that the of an OJK regulation, which The revision also mandates folio, it had maintained an company’s SME clients dur- also worried about their ca- country’s fintech lending stipulates a higher core capi- fintech lending platforms to average one per cent NPL ing the pandemic. pability of raising their capi- platforms have disbursed a tal requirement for fintech have productive loans account rate, Reynold said. According to the Global tal in the future. total of 56.16 trillion rupiah in companies to secure a per- for 40 per cent of its total loans “Hopefully, Indonesia can COVID-19 FinTech Market “This should be something new loans as of October this mit, would also lead to more gradually, up from the current 20 see economic recovery that Rapid Assessment Study by for fintech communities to pay year, marking a 23.88 per cent trust within the industry and per cent. P2P platform Modalku can also boost our business the Cambridge Centre for Al- attention to, considering the year-on-year increase. digital lending players and at- was also optimistic about its growth as SMEs’ need for ternative Finance at the Uni- significant economic opportu- The industry’s average of tract more investors, he said. upcoming growth potential. funding is still big,” he told versity of Cambridge Judge nities brought by fintech.” THE bad loans stood at 7.58 per The revision of OJK regula- The platform booked ac- The Jakarta Post on December Business School, the World JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Ssangyong partially solves supply deadlock State-run K-Water picks

SOUTH Korea’s SsangYong Support [ARS] depends on [the residents for S Korea’s Motor, which recently filed company’s] normal produc- for court receivership due to tion and sale activities.” first smart community a liquidity crunch, on Decem- ARS refers to a programme ber 24 said its parts delivery which holds the receivership RESIDENTS of South Korea’s It will also be equipped with an deadlock is showing signs of process by a maximum of three first smart community, to be advanced water management alleviating as one of the key months to allow the filing com- built in the southern port city of system that can store and purify partners resumed supply. pany more time for negotiations Busan, were to be selected on rain water as well as a water heat- A company official said: with creditors and investors. December 24 in a 148:1 compe- ing system using solar power. “Hyundai Mobis has The company’s labour union, tition, the company behind the Robots will be deployed inside announced that it will start while consenting to the need project said on December 23. the community to carry out supplying head lamps again, of such procedure for business The state-run Korea Water various services including deliv- starting on December 29.” recovery, underlined employ- Resources Corp, also known as ery, facility checks, illegal park- The cash-strapped auto- ment stability K-Water, were set to hold a draw- ing inspections and measure- maker had announced on The union said in a release: ing at BEXCO convention centre ments of fine dust. The December 23 that it will sus- SsangYong Motor said its parts delivery deadlock is showing signs of “The ARS was a realistic and to pick the lucky 36 households community centre will feature a pend the operation of its alleviating as one of the key partners resumed supply. AFP systematic scenario as no who will experience the cutting- gym with AI trainers and a smart Pyeongtaek factory on Decem- creditor banks and 90 billion ther negotiations to decide on potential new buyer has so far edge technologies incorporated vegetable farm, among others. ber 24 and 28 after its suppliers won to the state-run Korea whether to resume supply, but come into view. in prototype smart residences at Selected residents are required refused to deliver parts. Development Bank. others continued the boycott, “But should [the company] the Busan Eco Delta City. They to take part in a one-year educa- The Pyeongtaek plant On December 22, the day asking for advance cash payment. carry out mass layoffs, [the were to join eighteen house- tion programme before moving accounts for 86.54 per cent or after the company filed for The carmaker acknowledged union] shall hold the line and holds to be selected separately in at the end of next year. 3.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) of court receivership, the Ministry that the suppliers’ mass boy- resist to the end.” after interviews. The company received appli- the company’s yearly sales. of Trade, Industry and Energy cott may reflect the general Meanwhile, the South Kore- Exempt from monthly rent cations from over 3,000 house- It said in a regulatory filing: summoned key suppliers in a fear in the industry that dates an automaker is slated to roll and deposits during their stay, holds from November 11 to “Due to the disruption in auto meeting, urging them to coop- back to the 2009 financial cri- out the first domestic electric the selected residents, a total December 14 and has screened parts delivery, it was inevitable erate. Trading of SsangYong sis, when the automaker had compact sport utility vehicle of 54 households, will evaluate their qualifications in prepara- that production should be Motor shares has been sus- filed for court receivership. It model within the first half of some 40 innovative technolo- tion for the open draw. partly suspended.” pended since December 21. was Indian investor Mahindra next year. gies and give their feedback. K-Water CEO Park Jae-hyeon The suppliers’ strike came in The list of anxious suppliers which stepped forward to The incoming SUV, current- They can live in the neigh- said: “K-Water will do its best the wake of the carmaker’s included Hyundai Mobis, LG acquire the troubled company ly referred to as its project bourhood for up to five years. to help Busan Eco Delta City apparent lack of payment Hausys, S&T Dynamics, Borg- in the following year. name E100, is expected to take The Eco Delta City residences to become the world’s leading capacities, as the carmaker Warner Ochang and Conti- A SsangYong Motor official the shape of the company’s will feature the highest-ever model of a smart community.” failed to pay 60 billion won nental Automotive. said: “[But] the success of the steady selling line Korando. THE energy efficiency, home automa- THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NET- worth of debts to its foreign LG Hausys said it will hold fur- Autonomous Restructuring KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK tion and connectivity solutions. WORK THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Abortion bill opposed by Brexiteers lose US cheerleader Argentine religious groups romoters of Brit- ain’s divorce from At the entrance to Argentina’s when it feels weak, looks the EU had said they Congress is a plaque remind- for support from religious would revitalise bonds ing legislators that Our Lady of groups.” withP the US, where President Lujan is the patron saint of the Catholicism is a strong force Donald Trump, with his shared country’s political parties – a in Argentina, the homeland of disdain for multinational bod- not-so-subtle nod to religion in Pope Francis. ies, seemed the perfect part- a nation considering whether The state pays a salary to arch- ner. to allow abortions. bishops and subsidises Catholic Come January, Britain both As Argentina’s Senate prepares schooling, which accounts for 36 definitively leaves the 27-na- to vote on a bill that would le- per cent of education in Argen- tion bloc and will deal with a galise the practice, the Catholic tina, according to Mallimaci. new US president, Joe Biden, Church has joined forces with However, Catholicism has who prioritises the EU and evangelical Christians to fight been losing influence as evangel- shares none of the Brexiteers’ the measure tooth and nail. ical Christianity gains ground. romanticism about going it The bill, which aims to le- According to a 2019 poll by alone. galise voluntary abortions at a government agency, 62.0 per Biden, an Irish-American up to 14 weeks, was passed cent of Argentines identify as who will be the second Cath- by the Chamber of Deputies Catholic, 18.9 per cent as non- olic president, had already on December 11 and will be religious and 15.3 per cent as warned Prime Minister Bo- debated and voted on in the evangelical. ris Johnson not to jeopardise Senate on December 29. The Catholic Church’s sway peace in Northern Ireland by Two years ago a similar bill can be seen in Argentina’s delay erecting a hard border be- passed the lower house but compared to other countries in tween the British-ruled prov- US President-elect Joe Biden speaks while introducing his nomination for education secretary, Dr Miguel was defeated in the Senate adopting a number of laws – Cardona, at The Queen in Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday. AFP ince and EU member Ireland. following a determined cam- divorce was legalised only in Even as trade talks dragged toric boost in military spend- had an “ancestral dislike” of and therefore there’s a need paign by both Catholics and 1987, sex education introduced on, Britain reached a deal with ing. Britain because of his “part- to downplay this relationship evangelicals. in 2006, gay marriage approved Brussels on special arrange- Kirkegaard said Britain was Kenyan” heritage. a little bit,” said Erik Bratt- Argentina’s constitution in 2010 and a gender identity ments for Northern Ireland – a hoping to punch above its While the racial undertones berg, director of the Europe guarantees freedom of reli- law passed in 2012. sign to observers that Biden’s weight as a strategic security differ markedly, Biden has programme at the Carnegie gion and a 1994 reform re- Abortion is currently only al- election had already made an partner of the US, especially himself said, at least partly Endowment for International moved the requirement that lowed in two cases – rape and a impact. at a time of high tension with in jest, that his Irish ancestry Peace. the president be Catholic. danger to the mother’s life. Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior China, but said Biden could soured him on Britain. But he said that Biden recog- However it retains a reference “There is an opposition and fellow at the German Marshall find similar capabilities in the In footage that went viral af- nises the broader importance to God in its preamble and its huge rejection from the Cath- Fund of the US, said: “It was much larger EU, where France ter his election, Biden is seen of ties with Britain and would second article guarantees gov- olic Church, which weighs recognised in London that if is a major military player. walking on as a BBC journal- not be a flip image of Trump, ernment support for the Cath- heavily” on the chances of the you messed up the Northern He said: “Brexit Britain has ist tries to ask him a ques- who shattered diplomatic olic Church. law passing, constitutional Irish border, it would have made itself nice to have but tion, responding, “The BBC? protocol by belittling allied Sociologist Fortunato Malli- lawyer Alfonso Santiago said. been absolutely poisonous no longer strictly necessary to I’m Irish!” before flashing a leaders, especially German maci, who wrote a book on what However, he believes the for the US-UK relationship.” have onboard for the US.” friendly smile. Chancellor Angela Merkel. he says is the myth of Argentine relationship between the gov- Johnson’s Conservative gov- Biden is surrounded by Ba- “Clearly I think there is a He said: “Trump’s approach secularism, said: “The Catholic ernment of President Alberto ernment has emphasised is- rack Obama’s former aides sense among some people in was more about foment- Church in Argentina has great Fernandez, who sponsored the sues on which it enjoys com- who have not forgotten John- Biden’s orbit that Brexit was a ing divisions within Europe, sway. There’s a very strong Cath- abortion bill, and the Catholic mon ground with Biden, son’s 2016 quip, in line with completely misguided policy whereas Biden will see his olic culture in the political world. Church will remain strong re- including fighting climate thinking on the US far-right, and Prime Minister Johnson legacy as trying to heal some “Religious groups look for gardless of which way the vote change, and announced a his- that the then-US president has been too close to Trump of the divisions.” AFP state support and the state, goes. AFP New virus strain shutters UK House searched in US bombing case Authorities searched a house in outside the residence that was being Federal prosecutor Don Cochran travel, expands across world the Nashville area on December 26 searched on December 26 by authori- said the scene was “like a giant jig- as they probed the large blast that ties, and that it appeared to be similar saw puzzle created by a bomb that Continued from page 1 necessary to tamp down infections. ripped through the downtown of to the one that exploded in Nashville. throws pieces of evidence across Jitters also remained over a new the southern US city on Christmas No one has been arrested, but multiple city blocks”. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on De- strain that has emerged in Britain morning, injuring several people “information developed during the The investigation included about cember 21. and reached several other European and damaging dozens of buildings. course of the investigation led us 250 FBI agents, analysts and other But some countries began on De- countries such as France and Swe- The operation in Antioch came as to this address”, an FBI spokesman staff, said the agency’s Doug Korneski. cember 26 – a 101-year-old woman den, as well as Japan. US media reports said a 63-year-old said in an interview with the Nash- He told reporters: “We have over in a care home became the first per- Four cases were confirmed in “person of interest” had been iden- ville Tennessean newspaper outside 500 investigative leads and we’re fol- son in Germany to be inoculated, Madrid on December 26, though tified in connection with the explo- the home being searched. lowing up on every one of those. and the first jabs were also handed the patients were not seriously ill, sion, which came from a parked At a separate press conference, au- “So there are a number of individ- out in Hungary and Slovakia. according to the Madrid regional motor home that blared a warning thorities declined to provide details uals that we’re looking at. So at this The three EU countries joined government’s deputy health chief minutes before it blew up. or discuss the reports of a person point, we’re not prepared to identify China, Russia and Britain, Canada, Antonio Zapatero, who said “there Some US media outlets reported on identified. any single individual.” the US, Switzerland, Serbia, Singa- is no need for alarm”. December 26 evening that the bomb- They said they were sifting through He added, however, that “at this pore and Saudi Arabia, which have Canada reported on December er may have been killed in the blast, more than 500 leads and tips and point we don’t have any indication also begun their vaccination cam- 26 that it had detected two variant but authorities have not officially that sweeps of the area found no that we are looking for another sub- paigns. cases in the province of Ontario – a confirmed anything. further explosive devices. ject”. AFP “We’ll get our freedom back, we’ll couple who had not travelled re- December 25’s explosion in his- be able to embrace again,” Italian cently nor had high risk contacts toric downtown Nashville, the US’ foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said with other people. country music capital, damaged as he urged his countrymen to get The new strain, which experts fear about 40 buildings and injured at the shot. is more contagious, prompted more least three people, with the streets But polls show only 57 per cent of than 50 countries to impose travel largely abandoned at that hour. Italians intend to get the jab, where- restrictions on the UK. Authorities were examining tissue as scientists estimate herd immu- In Asia, Communist Party of Chi- found at the blast site that they be- nity can only be reached if 75 to 80 na leadership issued a statement lieve could be human remains. per cent have it. hailing the “extremely extraordinary Police say the blast was an “inten- Flare-ups of the virus continue glory” of its handling of the virus, tional act” but the motive remained to force nations to toughen restric- reported the official Xinhua News unclear, and FBI behavioural analysts tions, with Austria beginning a third Agency. were involved in the investigation. national lockdown on December 26 Japanese capital Tokyo reported Tennessee state governor Bill Lee and millions waking to tougher re- a record 949 new daily cases, while said on Twitter on December 26: “The strictions in Britain. Thailand has seen a new outbreak damage is shocking and it is a mira- France’s health minister Olivier linked to a seafood market near cle that no residents were killed.” Veran would not rule out a third Bangkok infect almost 1,500 people. Media reports said neighbours had The explosion on Christmas morning in downtown Nashville damaged dozens of lockdown if authorities decide it’s AFP previously spotted a motor home businesses in the southern US city. NASHVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT/AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN In VN, 1.03M get unemployment benefits

he number of people re- economic life this year, especially ceiving unemployment al- the sectors of tourism, accommoda- lowance in Vietnam is esti- tion, catering and education. mated to reach 1.03 million In response to the situation, the byT the end of this year, about 24 per government promptly issued Reso- cent higher than the same period lution No 42/NQ-CP on April 8 last year due to the impacts of the about solutions to support people Covid-19 pandemic. and businesses affected by the pan- As calculated, the total payment demic, he said. for the unemployment allowance Following the resolution, both has reached over 16 trillion dong employees and employers who were ($697 million) by the end of Decem- affected by the pandemic were al- ber, about 33 per cent higher than lowed to temporarily suspend their the same period last year. payments to the retirement and sur- Dao Duy Hien, deputy head of So- vivor benefits fund for 12 months, cial Insurance Policy Implementa- he said. tion Department under Vietnam So- The resolution also allowed un- cial Security (VSS), revealed the data employed labourers to apply for the at a recent online meeting “Promot- unemployment allowance online, ing efficiency of unemployment in- he said. surance policy”. Hien said it is estimated that the The meeting was co-organised by number of people participating in VSS and Nhan Dan (The People) dai- unemployment insurance would ly newspaper on December 23. reach about 13.2 million with the to- Hien added that the unemploy- tal payment of over 18 trillion dong ment insurance policy already af- by December 31, he said. firmed its important role in sharing The figure basically completed the the financial burden for labourers task assigned by the government Dao Duy Hien, deputy head of Social Insurance Policy Implementation Department under the Vietnam Social Security, at the meeting on Wednesday. SUPPLIED during the pandemic, contributing this year, he added. to ensuring the economic and social The unemployment insurance By the end of last year, the fund’s in accordance with regulations, he ceiving unemployment allowance stability of the country. fund had been operated well in ac- surplus was about 84 trillion dong. said. continued increasing due to the He said the Covid-19 pandemic cordance with regulations and had a Profits from the fund’s annual in- The surplus would help to balance pandemic, he said. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA had affected every aspect of socio- surplus in recent years, he said. vestment activities were allocated the fund if the number of people re- NEWS NETWORK

E-services, strict health protocols mark Indonesian Christmas fests Christians across Indonesia celebrated a quiet Christmas amid the Covid-19 pandemic this year, with many churches limiting physi- cal participation in Christmas services and others moving entirely online. The Jakarta Cathedral was among those houses of worship that limited the number of congregants for Christmas mass. Only 309 people attended the Christmas Eve service on December 24 evening, equal to around 20 per cent capacity. “Only mem- bers of the cathedral’s parish were allowed to attend mass,” the cathedral’s spokesperson Susyana Suwadie said on December 25 as re- About 300 police officers and soldiers were deployed ported by Tribunnews.com. to secure Christmas celebrations in the Indonesian Susyana said attendees were required to capital. The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network register themselves on the cathedral’s website ties in and around the premises. beforehand, while church officials had to be Tangerang regent Arief Rachadiono Wisman- ID-checked before joining mass. syah previously advised churches to hold their “The mass was carried out under very strict services online and to limit in-person mass to 30 Cool to cold weather continues in Thailand’s North and the Northeast, while mountaintops remain cold to health protocols,” Susyana said, noting that per cent of a church’s maximum capacity. very cold with frost in some places. THE NATION worshipers also had to wear face masks and The head of Christ the King Cathedral parish maintain a safe physical distance from one an- in Banyumas, Central Java, Sulpicius Parjono, other. To accommodate churchgoers who could said his church also limited visitors to just 300 More rain forecast for South, upper not attend, the cathedral also planned to carry out of its maximum 1,000-person capacity. out online masses through December 26-27. Parjono said on December 23: “We will hold Imanuel Church in Gambir, Central Jakarta, several services, three times on Christmas Thailand temperatures edge up 1-3C also took similar safety measures, allowing only Eve, four times on Christmas Day, and once 50 worshipers to attend its Christmas mass, or after Christmas. Each service is limited to 300 The high-pressure system over temperature 14-21C, maxi- high and 1-2m offshore. around five per cent of its maximum capacity. people.” upper Thailand is weakening, mum 30-34C; cold to very cold South (east coast): Cloudy They also had to register themselves online He said only local residents were allowed raising the temperature by 1-3 on mountaintops with frost in with scattered thundershow- ahead of time. to attend the masses and the church had also degrees Celsius with possible some places, minimum tem- ers and isolated heavy rain in “We also conducted screening of attendees prepared officials to ensure worshipers follow morning fog, the Thailand perature 6-13C; northeasterly Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and with the help of police officers,” church offi- health protocols. Meteorological Department winds 10-20km/h. Narathiwat provinces; mini- cial Daniel Lautongan said on December 24, Parjono said: “Officials check visitors’ body forecast on December 27. Northeast: Cool with fog in mum temperature 23-25C, as quoted by Kompas.com. Immanuel Church temperatures and the attendance list, and offi- Cool to cold weather con- the morning and 1-2C rise in maximum 29-32C; northeast- also conducted online services that were lives- cials direct attendees to sit in certain places.” tinues in the North and the temperature; minimum tem- erly winds 15-35km/h; waves treamed on its official YouTube account. Banyumas Police chief Senior Commission- Northeast, while mountain- perature 19-23C, maximum about 1-2m high and about Immanuel Church also conducted online er Whisnu Caraka previously said he would tops remain cold to very cold 31-33C; cool to cold on the 2m in thundershowers. services that were livestreamed on its official also deploy police officers to ensure worship- with frost in some places. mountaintop with minimum South (west coast): Cloudy YouTube account. ers followed health protocols. People in upper Thailand temperature 12-16C; north- with scattered thundershow- In Banten, Tangerang Police chief Senior Com- “Since we’re still in the middle of a pandem- should beware of poor visibil- easterly winds 10-20km/h. ers and isolated heavy rain in missioner Ade Ari Syam said all churches under ic, our operations will be a little different this ity due to fog. Central: Cloudy with fog in Krabi, Trang and Satun prov- his jurisdiction had to hold Christmas Mass in year. Besides maintaining public order during Meanwhile, the northeast the morning; minimum tem- inces; minimum tempera- accordance with prevailing health protocols. Christmas, we will focus on monitoring the monsoon prevails over the perature 21-25C, maximum ture 22-25C, maximum 30- Ade said in a written statement on Decem- implementation of health protocols,” Whisnu Gulf and the South with con- 32-34C; northeasterly winds 33C; northeasterly winds ber 24: “We have checked [the churches] some said. Meanwhile, most churches along Jalan tinuous rainfall and isolated 10-20km/h. 15-30km/h; waves about 1m of them even limited capacity to only 14 per Pemuda in Depok, West Java, opted not to heavy rain mostly in the lower East: Cloudy with fog in the high and 1-2m offshore. cent. So out of a maximum capacity of 1,500, hold Christmas mass for fear of transmission. part. morning; isolated thunder- Bangkok and nearby areas: for instance, they only allowed 200 worshipers These include the Protestant Church of The weather forecast for the showers mostly in Chonburi, Cloudy with fog in the morn- to attend.” Western Indonesia (GPIB) Imanuel, the old- next 24 hours for different re- Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat ing; minimum temperature He said the churches also implemented est church in Depok. The Depok administra- gions of the country: provinces; minimum tem- 23-25C, maximum 33-34C; various measures to curb the spread of the tion had previously advised churches to move North: Cool to cold with fog perature 22-25C, maximum northeasterly winds 10- coronavirus before and after mass, such as their services online and limit their capacity in the morning and 1-3C rise 32-34C; northeasterly winds 20km/h. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA by offering Covid-19 rapid tests, temperature of in-person attendees to only 20 people. THE in temperature; minimum 15-30km/h; waves about 1m NEWS NETWORK screening and providing handwashing facili- JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion ‘Gamemakers’ should be closely scrutinised Opinion www.phnompenhpost.com Ariel Ezrachi and Maurice E Stucke EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng IGITAL technology has Senior Editor transformed the way we Joshua Purushotman communicate, engage and Managing Editor Post Khmer consume, especially dur- Sam Rith ingD the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Deputy Chief of Staff smartphones keep us connected Phak Seangly 24/7, our services are personalised Business Editor and our voice-activated appliances may Kunmakara are ready for our command. Deputy Business Editor We now chat, purchase and consume Sangeetha Amarthalingam online, whether videos, news or gossip. Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Our livelihoods and attention have Pan Simala shifted so much to the internet, that in Senior Reporters many instances if it’s not online, it meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng doesn’t merit our attention. Reporters The digital markets seem competi- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, tive, with so many options vying for Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, mom Kunthear, our attention. It may appear that with Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, so many companies competing for our Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, time by offering us better services, bet- Soth Koemsoeun, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha ter quality and lower prices, we benefit. Photographers But is this perceived competition Heng Chivoan, Hong menea, Hean Rangsey actually benefiting us? Web Editor Not necessarily. Here lies the crux Leang Phannara of the matter: over time, many online Digital Teams markets have come to be dominated Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy by a few powerful digital gatekeepers. SIEM REAP BUREAU So whenever we visit their platforms, Offi ce Manager they ensure that whatever apps, Sophearith Blondeel products, services, videos, or songs PRODUCTION & PRINTING we pick, they will somehow profit. Head of Desktop Publishing Imagine if someone could create at Nhim Sokphyrak the very outset a seemingly competi- These powerful platforms, like the Gamemakers, can design and manipulate our experience and choices. They can dictate what news Desktop Publishing tive environment, but control it and articles we read, what products we are offered and how we perceive the wider society. li min/china daily Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath use it to exploit the participants, Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna while primarily benefiting the crea- Some of the Gamemakers also use seemingly still delivering on many ing that market forces would be suffi- tor. In our recent book, Competition the data and behavioural manipula- aspects, has significantly transformed. cient to topple the Gamemakers. HEAD OFFICE Overdose, we call these creators the tion to increase our loyalty, stickiness It is increasingly characterised by But over the past few years, after “Gamemakers” after the characters and addict us. The longer the time we innovations aimed at exploiting, rath- they studied these digital platform who go by that name in The Hunger spend on their apps, the more “eyeball er than helping, us. It is increasingly markets in depth, including the Games book and film quadrilogy. time” we put in, the more personal controlled by a few leading platforms Gamemakers’ internal documents, Post Media Co, Ltd. These powerful platforms, like the data they can extract from us and the that leverage their market power and they realised that these digital plat- The Elements Condominium Level 7, Gamemakers, can design and manipu- more money they can make by selling quash potential competitive threats form markets, characterised by net- Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom late our experience and choices. They access to those data to advertisers. and disruptive innovation. work effects and economies of scale, Penh, Cambodia can dictate what news articles we read, “Your kid is not weak-willed because he If you were in the Gamemakers’ do not easily self-correct. Some inter- Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 what products we are offered and how can’t get off his phone,” one neuroscien- position, you might do the very vention is required. Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 we perceive the wider society. They tist noted. “Your kid’s brain is being engi- same－work hard to ensure that the The challenge, as always with com- Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 also dictate the terms of competition petition enforcement, is to identify SIEM REAP for the many app developers and mer- the adequate level of intervention Gamemakers stand ready to No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune chants, determining how they sell their and come up with policies and Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 products, how much “tax” they have to enforcement that can stimulate help the app developers create COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT pay the platform, and on what terms healthy competition, without distort- Chief Operating Offi cer they can connect and interact with us. ever more addictive products, as ing incentives to invest and innovate. James Ong Soon Teck The Gamemakers then colonise new So agencies around the world have Advertising Department platform markets, such as the digital they collect even more data increased their scrutiny over possi- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 personal assistants in our home, the ble monopolisation, abuse of domi- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 wearables on our wrist, and the video neered to get him to stay on his phone.” competitive process you devised nance, and exclusionary practices of Prach monnyreak, 015 239 293 games our children play, to harvest The same could be said of all of us. remains undisturbed. In this ecosys- these powerful gatekeepers. We Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 even more data about us. After all, Developers fiercely compete to make tem, the Gamemakers set the rules, have seen increased numbers of Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 these data, and the advanced algo- their apps and games as addictive as enforce them and neutralise any enforcement actions, as well as pro- Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 rithms used to analyse them, give the possible, thereby eroding our capaci- potential threat (by acquiring them, posals for a range of regulatory CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Gamemakers power and enable them ty for free choice. copying their innovative features or tools. These actions bring hope for a Acting Distribution Manager to target us with behavioural ads. The “holy grail” is the so-called “dia- killing them). The Gamemakers also more transparent and fairer digital Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 But why stop there? The Gamemak- per apps” – apps “so addictive” we “don’t ensure the legal and political envi- economy, in which competition, Circulation Supervisor ers use our data to exploit us, for exam- even want to get up to pee”. And the ronment remains supportive of their innovation and investments actual- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 ple, through profiling and discrimina- Gamemakers stand ready to help the efforts and try to stifle arguments in ly benefit us, rather than exploit us. Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 tory pricing. As we are (de facto) locked app developers create ever more addic- favour of any form of constraint. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ADMINISTRATION into one platform or provider, we are tive products, as they collect even more Not surprisingly, the rise in the con- Admin & HR Manager subjected to its control and behaviour- data from these developers which they centration and power of Gamemakers Ariel Ezrachi is a professor of competition law Pich Socheat al techniques. We face asymmetric use to help advertisers target us and our has attracted the attention of compe- and director of the University of Oxford Centre Assistants to Admin & HR Manager for Competition Law and Policy. Maurice E Nhel Soaphea information as to the costs, benefits, children with behavioural ads. tition enforcers around the world. Stucke is a professor of law at the University of Financial Director and availability of outside options. And so, our online economy, while Until a few years ago, many were hop- Tennessee. Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Arts & Culture Beer yoga – exercise with a tinge of fun Hong Raksmey same year. Now the practice of Beer yoga is spreading from HERE are at least 11 Europe to Australia and Asia. types of yoga styles, Practising beer yoga is an with the most popu- excuse to grab a beer, learn lar being Vinyasa yoga and have fun. Beer yoga yoga,T Hatha yoga, Iyengar movements are not much dif- yoga, Kundalini yoga, Ashtan- ferent from traditional yoga. ga yoga, Bikram yoga, Yin They are yoga movements yoga and Restorative yoga. that incorporate a glass of Traditionalists who are beer. passionate about this Hindu TwoBirds Craft Beer gen- spiritual and ascetic disci- eral manager Connor Cheney pline, which includes breath Kirsch, who organises the control, meditation and the event, says: “For me, Beer adoption of specific postures yoga is a little different from that are widely practised for traditional yoga. health and relaxation will be “Traditional yoga should shocked to learn of a new-age be considered a sport, while addition – Beer yoga. Beer yoga is more of a leisure Sreylin Van Basar, 25, who after-work activity,” he says. practices this form of yoga Kirsch says his idea is to says: “Beer yoga offers fun cheer up people who feel tired rather than sport because it at work by organising a Beer makes us fresh and releases yoga session on Tuesdays, as tension. I get bored within 20 it is considered the most bor- minutes of starting tradition- ing day of the week. al yoga sessions. Beer yoga sessions are held “But when I practice yoga after working hours for those and sip beer, I tend to sweat who seek fun with a little bit more and it makes the ses- of sweat. sion with friends far more Participants are encouraged fun,” she says. to book their space mats since Yoga coach Anna Bachmann (left) and practitioner Sreylin Van Basar during a session. hong menea Beer yoga is claimed to be the numbers are limited to few- one of several hybrid yogas. It er than 12 mats per session. days and to have some fun ed in Cambodia about two sing along with the music, it at work. combines the practice of asa- “Fact is, for most people, responsibly. months ago says she attend- will be fine. “Usually we have around 10 nas yoga postures with other Tuesdays are not fun. It’s the “To make things a little ed the French school Lycee “This is the perfect combina- participants at a time, which forms of recreational activi- second day of the week and a more bearable, we offer the Francais Rene Descartes tion of working out, spending is a manageable number that ties or pets, such as dogs. long way away from the next more hard-working people a (LFRD) in Phnom Penh from time with friends and having ensures Bachmann can pay It is unclear how Beer yoga weekend,” says Kirsch. one-hour escape from their 2005 to 2010. some beer. You have every- attention to everyone,” says was started, but the Times of The co-founder of Two- busy week,” Kirsch says. Later, she worked in com- thing in a single session.” Kirsch. India and Hindustan Times Birds Craft Beer says the goal Every Tuesday, tables and munications for a year before Beer yoga is probably the Every customer in TwoBirds reported that it originat- is not to get drunk or chairs are put aside to make quitting her job to become a first of its kind in Cambodia. had their temperatures taken ed from the Burning force participants space for yoga mats. yoga teacher. “We want everyone to be part at the entrances of the Fac- Man Festival in the to withstand a Before grabbing a glass Before introducing basic of this beer revolution. Hav- tory or Urban Village. US’ Nevada des- hard work- of beer and heading for the yoga postures, Bachmann ing fun is so important in life, “Additionally we record ert sometime in out. mat, Basar sprays her hands tells her students: “If you and there is so much more to everyone’s name and phone 2013. The goal, with alcohol sanitiser at the want to have a nice time with craft beer than just getting number, give out sanitisers Then a he claims, entrance of TwoBirds Craft your friends and colleagues, drunk,” says Kirsch, who also and free masks. Your safety is company is to take Beer, located at the Factory, you can come here, exercise takes part in the exercises. our priority,” he says. called Beer the mind in Phnom Penh. a little and have a drink too. Though it might seem ridic- A one-hour fun Beer yoga Yoga was off pre- She tells The Post: “I hadn’t It’s very relaxing, friendly, and ulous at first, he claims that session costs $8 with the first founded in sentations, practised yoga previously casual.” participants value the experi- glass of beer thrown in for Oklahoma deadlines and when my friend told me The postures she uses to ence they get out of it. free. There is also no admis- City, US, in and deci- about beer yoga, I said, ‘why practice with her amateur “It is important to realise sion fee to attend the sessions 2015, fol- sions of don’t we try it?’ yogis depend on people who that it is a lot less serious than which start at 6pm. lowed by the fol- “Until now, I have just prac- join the sessions. traditional yoga while being Basar says: “If we want some Bier Yoga lowing tised yoga three times in my Bachmann, who is a Vietnam- just as physically challeng- fun with friends and sweat at in Ger- life – once at a traditional ese-French, says: “We practice ing. It simply is a fun thing,” the same time, beer yoga is a many the yoga class and twice during very basic yoga, but sometimes he says. fun experience to try.” beer yoga.” we do some advanced exercis- Aside from Covid-19 re- For more information, visit Yoga coach Anna es too. Even though one’s pos- strictions, the turn-up also TwoBirds Craft Beer’s Face- Bachmann is an experi- ture is not completely right, as varies because some regular book page @TwoBirdsCraft- enced practitioner and long as you are having fun and participants might be held up Beer. teacher of traditional yoga and keen to in- corporate beer in her classes. “This class is some- thing you can take part in w i t h friends. Beer gives it an element of fun while performing the various yoga positions. Maybe it is a new way to practice yoga,” says Bachmann, who has been a yoga coach for over a year. “But the idea of this prac- tice is to make it very friendly. People can have a good laugh, enjoy their beer and not take the classes too seriously,” she Sreylin Van Basar enjoying her yoga workout and a says. Anna Bachmann (lady on blue mat) the yoga coach and Connor Cheney Kirsch the general manager of beer after work.hong menea Bachmann who just land- TwoBirds Craft Beer brewery. hong menea THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Philippines protects girls legally, increase the sexual consent age from 13 to 16 anila teen- approve a bill to raise the age tionship and the demands of ager Rose Alva- to 16. motherhood. rez was 13 when Campaigners say the leg- “I was still a child then, I she started hav- islation would help protect didn’t know anything about ingM sex with a man who was youngsters in a nation that sex,” said Alvarez, now 16, at more than twice her age. That has become a global hotspot a clinic run by the Likhaan would be statutory rape in for online child sex abuse and Centre for Women’s Health in most countries, but not in the where more than 500 teen- Navotas, one of the poorest Rose Alvarez, 16, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, speaks during an interview inside a Philippines. agers get pregnant and give areas of Manila. health centre in Manila. AFP The Catholic-majority coun- birth every day. “I was telling him to use a try has one of the lowest ages “This is a victory for Fili- condom . . . but he removed she recalled. “I was too in- proved by the Senate in the children and adults under- of consent in the world, allow- pino children,” Patrizia Benv- it. He didn’t want to use it,” toxicated to know what was coming months before going ground, making it more dif- ing adults to legally have sex enuti, UNICEF’s chief of child said Alvarez, whose name has happening.” to President Rodrigo Duterte ficult to assist youngsters in with children as young as 12 if protection in the Philippines, been changed to protect her to be signed into law. need. they agree. said recently as the proposed identity. Victim blaming Activists say increasing the Donna Valdez, 15, says it Child rights activists have legislation moved closer to a Alvarez – who until the age Child rape and sexual abuse age of consent will deter sex- should be left to the couple lobbied for decades to in- final vote. of 12 thought it was possible are rampant in the Philip- ual predators. to decide if they are ready to crease the age – enshrined “Pegging 12 as the age of to get pregnant from kissing pines, according to official But they caution more needs have sex. She was 13 when in the penal code since 1930 consent is really not consis- – said she was drunk the first data. to be done to combat sexual she met her current boyfriend, – but faced resistance from tent with scientific studies on time she slept with the man, A woman or child is raped violence against children and who is 10 years older than her, what they describe as a “cul- brain development.” who was about 29 when they nearly every hour, Senator one of the highest rates of on Facebook. ture of patriarchy” in a coun- Alvarez, who got pregnant met on Facebook. Risa Hontiveros said in a doc- teenage pregnancy in South- After chatting online for two try where abortion and di- when she was 14, says she “When I woke up I was ument to the Senate, citing east Asia. months, they slept together. vorce are illegal. now realises she had been shocked to see blood in my figures from the Centre for All children should have Soon she was pregnant. Congress now looks set to too young for a sexual rela- underwear and it hurt a lot,” Women’s Resources. access to age-appropriate sex The couple live together and Seven out of 10 victims are education “from an early age” under the proposed bill he children and the vast major- as well as information and could be charged with rape. ity are girls, she said. services to make sex safer Valdez had no regrets be- A government-backed na- and avoid unplanned preg- coming a mother so young, tionwide study in 2015 showed nancies, said Carlos Conde of she said as her 10-month-old one in five children aged 13-17 Human Rights Watch. son wriggled in her lap at the experienced sexual violence, Sexist and “victim blaming” health centre. while one in 25 were raped attitudes among prosecutors “We’re happy that we’re during childhood, UNICEF and judges also needed to be blessed with a child,” said Val- said. changed, and cases needed to dez, not her real name. But prosecuting adult per- move faster, said Legaspi. But Alvarez says she misses petrators in rape cases in- It currently take years for a her old life. volving children as young as rape case to reach court, by “I want to go out with 12 has been difficult because which time the victim may be friends again, I want to have they can argue the sex was an adult – and in some cases, fun,” she said. consensual, said Rowena Le- the accused has died. “I’m jobless, my parents are gaspi, executive director of “We have so many laws also out of work. Where will the Children’s Legal Rights that protect children but the we get money for my baby’s and Development Center. problem is the implementa- needs?” “Imagine a 12-year-old . . . tion,” said Legaspi. Alvarez hopes to finish high that girl is still a minor,” Le- “You only change the law school so she can work over- gaspi said. “How could she but the system is still there.” seas – like millions of other have consented?” Filipinos whose monthly re- The proposed bill would ‘I want to have fun’ mittances help support their make it automatically illegal Not everyone favours in- families at home. and carry a penalty of life im- creasing the age of consent. “I’m too young to be worn prisonment, though it would A social worker dealing with out,” she said. not punish young couples adolescents in impoverished “I still have plans, I want to Donna Valdez, 15, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, carries her child at a health centre close in age. areas of Manila said it could marry an American to have a in Manila. AFP It is expected to be ap- push relationships between better life.” AFP Syrian potter preserves centuries-old craft Inside a dusty and dark workshop on Petros and his two sons spend most spared with their home and work- the banks of the Jaghjagh river in of their time in the humid space, heat- shop dodging damage. northeast Syria, Misak Antranik Petros ed by an old wood-burning stove. Of Petros’s two sons – Anto and Yer- uses an ancient pottery wheel to throw “I don’t like to clean the clay off my evan – the former is likely to follow in different shapes from clay. hands because I like the texture,” he his footsteps as a professional potter, The 85-year-old Syrian potter of said from his workshop. especially after receiving training Armenian origin said his family has Petros was only a teenager when he from his father. practised the craft for more than 450 had to take over for his sick father and “His hands need to be balanced,” years. become the main potter of the family. Petros said of his son, like a trapeze “The profession was passed down He has since become a master of artist “walking on a tight rope”. from one generation to another like the craft, and is keen to pass his skills Sitting at the pottery wheel, Anto, an inheritance,” he said. on. 43, moulds a clay vase with expert “Now, my son is taking it up.” “I am happy when I see the door of hands while his father watches. His workshop is located inside an the workshop open and my son work- The young man said he is just as ancient mud-brick house near the ing inside,” he said. “This craft enthusiastic about the craft. city of Qamishli, administered by deserves to be preserved.” “I can’t stop pottery for even two Kurdish authorities who control Syria’s nine-year-long war has days because my hands miss it,” Anto much of northeastern Syria. killed more than 387,000 people and said. It is cluttered with pots, tools and displaced millions from their “If God blesses me with a child, I classically shaped vases, mostly cov- homes. will teach them this craft the way my Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn ered in dust. Petros and his family were largely father taught me.” AFP different types of pots in Syria’s northeastern Hasakeh province. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

A graffiti covered wall is seen in the Soho area of New York on November 2 as people make plans for potential civil unrest during the US presidential race for the White House. AFP Graffiti explodes across pandemic-era New York raffiti – part of streets no longer throng with down 17 per cent from last New York’s history activity, graffiti is artists’ way year. for over 50 years – is of saying, “‘It feels like New Flageul, who is also a flourishing during York is dead and you don’t see spokesperson for the 5Pointz theG coronavirus pandemic, a us but we are still here,’” says graffiti collective, says it’s sign of decadence for some, Flageul. “a bit of a cliche” to say that but vitality for others. The creative impulses are more graffiti means New York “COVER UP” As dusk becomes nightfall, not to everyone’s taste, how- is regressing. graffiti artist Saynosleep takes ever. New York State Gover- Brooklyn president Eric Ad- ACROSS 46 Wreck, as property 13 “... and ___ the twain shall meet” a quick look around and then nor Andrew Cuomo said the ams, who wants to become 1 Ump’s call 48 Elizabethan pronoun 21 Sword handle gets to work on a luxury store graffiti was “another sign of New York’s mayor next year, 5 Cut, as a log 50 Prefix with “crat” 22 Airport tracking device closed since it was looted decay,” along with an increase says tags spray painted onto 9 Confine, in a way 53 Classic kids’ game 24 Variety of Spanish liqueur in June during protests over in murders and shootings in public and private property 14 State categorically 58 Party mix 27 A Belgradian George Floyd’s death. New York City. “is quickly destroying our 15 Post-exercise soreness 59 Put in a vase 28 Deducted from the gross weight “If you’re not painting right He indirectly blamed Mayor borough’s landscape.” 16 Disassemble naturally 60 “Oh, shoot!” 30 Reduces, in a way now, I don’t know what you’re Bill de Blasio for supposedly “It costs home and business 17 Storyteller? 61 Mongolian desert 31 Haughty attitude doing,” says the 40-year-old, taking a lax attitude towards it. owners hundreds of thou- 18 Type of shake 62 Exec’s helper of yore 32 Like some negligees adding an expletive. “There Critics were also angry that sands of dollars and tremen- 19 Concise list 63 Italian erupter 33 Castle surrounder has never been a time like the city government, over dous efforts to erase it,” he 20 “To the max” indicator 64 “A Prayer for ___ Meany” 34 Word of conclusion this.” budgetary constraints, axed added, drawing a distinction 21 Beautician 65 Sum answer 36 Costa ___, California The facades of hundreds its graffiti removal program between “vandalism” and 23 Angora coat 66 Oboe or bassoon 39 Cellulose fiber of stores that have shut be- that had cleaned almost “amazing street murals.” 25 Quick to the helm 67 Get the pot going 40 Ancient gift givers DOWN 42 Gasohol ingredient cause of the pandemic are 15,000 sites in 2019. Ken Lovett, an advisor to the 26 Join the Navy, e.g. 1 Beaver State capital 43 Recreation area “an invitation” to artists, says “I think it’s horrible,” said 29 Dolphin fin Metropolitan Transportation 2 Message boat 45 Breastbones Marie Flageul, curator at New Darcy Weber, who has recent- Authority Chairman, noted 33 What “honorable mention” indicates 3 Flamboyant neckwear 47 Dionysus follower York’s Museum of Street Art ly settled in New York. “Some that cleaning graffiti from 35 Himalayan priests 4 Make a goof 49 Cow’s mammary gland (MoSA). say it’s art, but did they get trains is draining resources 37 U.S. undercover outfit 5 Expedition in Kenya 51 Highest land on Earth Walls, bridges, sidewalks permission for that? No, so it’s when the MTA is facing “the 38 Planets or peepers 6 Exotic berry 52 Editorialize and subway cars – 34 of which vandalism.” worst financial crisis” in its 39 Comparatively uncommon 7 Buzzing sound from spinning 53 High school subj. have been painted since the For some, graffiti reminds history. 40 Antony of antiquity 8 Like Dilbert’s character 54 Obsessed by beginning of the month – are them of the dark days of the New Jersey resident Emile 41 In times past 9 They’re straight 55 Operatic love scene canvases. 1970s and ‘80s when New York Fu says he’s not too bothered. 42 Roof parts 10 Boo-boo remover 56 Fill too full “It’s a big surge, a renais- was broke and crime was rife. “There are other things to be 43 ___-walsy (friendly) 11 They’re hard to control 57 Hawk relative sance of graffiti,” enthuses “From the beginning of the concerned about,” she told 44 Cuddly warm 12 Nothing doing? 61 “... can ___ long way” Saynosleep, who uses a dif- shutdown, I’ve been seen by AFP. ferent pseudonym for his le- police and I kept going, mul- Bryce Graham, who lives in Friday’s solution gal artwork. tiple times,” without being ar- the Chelsea neighborhood, Graffiti was first accepted rested Saynosleep says. said the graffiti would shock by the art world in the 1980s A spokesperson for the New him in somewhere like Otta- when it moved into galleries. York Police Department told wa “where everything is super Expressive street art then AFP the force is “fully aware clean.” captured the imagination of the importance of address- “But here in New York, it’s a of the general public in the ing graffiti-related crime,” hell of a mix of what is clean and 2000s when it went from ille- and said such incidents were what is dirty,” he said. AFP gal to legal spaces. But since March, it is the raw, illegal type of graffiti that has spread in a disorderly fashion. “Everybody wants to express themselves,” says Saynosleep, Friday’s solution who says he has seen a wom- an in her 60s drawing graffiti. “People are bored. They need something to do.” The growth of the Black Lives Matter movement following Floyd’s killing at the hands of a Minnesota police officer in May has accelerated the trend, with protesters scrib- bling racial justice slogans and demands on buildings. In a year when socialising Graffiti artist ‘Saynosleep’ paints a door in New York City on December 15. With has virtually stopped and the pandemic, graffiti is flourishing as never before in New York. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Chandimal: Sri Lankan batting effort ‘surprising’

ormer captain Dinesh SuperSport television, said he had Chandimal said Sri Lanka had not passed on any great secrets. exceeded their expectations “It was basic stuff,” said Amla. “He by scoring 340 for six on the batted very well today, he left well firstF day of the first Test against South and he judged the length well.” Africa in Centurion on December 26. Chandimal praised De Silva, who Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva was the dominant partner in a stand were mainly responsible for putting the of 131 which enabled Sri Lanka to tourists in a strong position, scoring 85 recover from 54 for three on a pitch and 79 respectively – but De Silva had which had good bounce and offered to retire hurt after what appeared to be sideways movement to the seam a hip injury which could keep him out bowlers. of the rest of the match. “He batted outstandingly. He “To be honest we were thinking is a really cool-minded guy,” said 280-plus would be a good first innings Chandimal. score so this is surprising everyone in our team,” said Chandimal. Stretchered off Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal (right) watches the ball after playing a shot as South Africa’s captain and wicketkeeper Quinton de “As a team we have got great con- But Chandimal said De Silva was Kock looks on during the first day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka on December 26. AFP fidence after today’s play. We are concerned that his injury could keep looking forward to put them under him out of action for two or three the last over before tea. er and finished the day with three three overs with the new ball. pressure tomorrow if we can score weeks, which would rule him out of Chandimal and Niroshan Dick- wickets for 68 runs. Sipamla was playing ahead of the another 30 or 40 runs.” the rest of the two-match series. wella (49) added another 99 runs South Africa were fielding their uncapped Glenton Stuurman, who Chandimal said a chat with former De Silva pulled up while running before South Africa finally claimed most inexperienced fast bowling at- had been expected to play but was South African batting great Hashim between wickets and was taken off a fourth wicket when Chandimal tack since 1993, with Lungi Ngidi, An- judged not to have recovered fully Amla on his previous visit to South the field on a motorised stretcher. was caught at slip when he gloved a rich Nortje, debutant Lutho Sipamla from a thigh injury. Africa in 2016 had helped him pre- De Silva played some flowing ball from all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and Mulder having just 12 caps and “There was a lot of movement,” pare to deal with the bounce and strokes in hitting 11 fours and a which kicked off a length. Chandimal 35 wickets between them. said Mulder. “We could have pace of pitches there. six off 105 balls, while Chandimal hit 11 fours in his 161-ball innings. Despite helpful conditions, the bowled a little bit fuller. I just tried Amla, watching the interview in played an anchor role, reaching The medium-paced Mulder was bowlers struggled to find consisten- to keep it simple, bowling at the top his capacity as a commentator for his half-century off 116 balls in South Africa’s most consistent bowl- cy, with Sipamla leaking 28 runs in of off-stump.” AFP Brady’s amazing half lifts Tampa Bay into NFL playoffs

Tom Brady threw for 348 yards who joined the Bucs this year first time since 2007. downs this season are a Bucs have to learn to do it more The Lions were already start- and four touchdowns in the after 20 campaigns and six “We played pretty good in the record and enabled his new consistently.” ing with five coaches sidelined first half Saturday to power Super Bowl crowns with New first half,” Brady said. “Good club to reach the playoffs – a by Covid-19 and contact trac- Tampa Bay to a 47-7 win over England, delivered one of his execution. Guys were making feat his old team, the Patriots, Playoff practice ing, with wide receivers coach Detroit and lift the Buccaneers greatest one-half efforts before plays for me all over the field. It failed to manage this year. Evans, who had 10 catches for Robert Prince serving as acting into the NFL playoffs. being benched to put Tampa was just a great effort by the The Buccaneers set a team 181 yards, broke his own one- head coach. The 43-year-old quarterback, Bay into the post-season for the whole team.” record with 410 total yards in season touchdown reception The Bucs became the seventh The Buccaneers led 34-0 at the first half, the most by any record with 13 on his second- NFL team to clinch a playoff half-time on the way to improv- NFL club in a decade. half scoring catch. berth, joining Green Bay, New ing to 10-5, securing an NFL In his 300th career NFL game, Arians said he could sense a Orleans and Seattle in the NFC wildcard berth while the Brady threw touchdown strikes great performance coming plus Kansas City, Pittsburgh already-eliminated Lions slid to of 33 yards to former New Eng- while watching workouts during and Buffalo in the AFC. 5-10. land teammate Rob Gronkowski, the week. The San Francisco 49ers “It’s just the beginning,” said 27 yards to Mike Evans, 12 yards “You could feel this was a delivered a setback to Arizona’s Bucs coach Bruce Arians. “Our to Antonio Brown and 7 yards playoff practice week,” Arians hopes for a first post-season goal when this all started was to Chris Godwin. said. “Even with the holidays, berth since 2015 by defeating to get into the dance. Now it’s Leonard Fournette added a they handled their business the host Cardinals 20-12. to win 11 games and see who four-yard touchdown run in well.” C.J. Beathard threw three we play next.” the first half and Brady’s back- The Lions avoided a shutout touchdown passes for the 49ers Brady, who completed 22 of up Blaine Gabbert added third- when Jamal Agnew returned a (6-9), who have been elimi- 27 throws, set a first-half career quarter touchdown passes of punt 74 yards for a touchdown nated from the playoff hunt. best and club record in passing 25 yards to Gronkowski and 22 in the third quarter. Chicago (7-7) can deny Ari- yardage and the four touch- yards to Evans in the rout. Detroit was hampered by a zona (8-7) a playoff spot by down passes were his most in a “When we do play the way right ankle injury to quarter- beating Jacksonville (1-13) on In this file photo, then New England Patriots quarterback Brady (left) first half since 2014. we’re capable of playing, we’re back Matthew Stafford in the Sunday and Green Bay (11-3) celebrates with teammate Andrews as they won the Super Bowl. afp Brady’s 36 passing touch- tough to beat,” Brady said. “We first quarter. this week. AFP Hanyu caps masterful comeback with Japan national title

Two-TIME Olympic figure skating me, and a part of me is happy that I this year, with his Canadian coach Teenager Yuma Kagiyama, who champion Yuzuru Hanyu crowned his was able to take revenge,” said Hanyu, Brian Orser unable to join him because won the NHK trophy last month in comeback from a 10-month layoff who finished second at last year’s of travel restrictions, and he again sat his senior Grand Prix debut, was third with a commanding victory at the nationals. alone clutching a Winnie the Pooh tis- with 278.79. Japanese national championships on One day after unveiling a new high- sue box as he waited for his scores. Hanyu endured a disappointing 2019 December 26. octane short programme routine set “I’ve been working on my own for a by his stellar standards, finishing sec- Hanyu, who had been out of action to Robbie Williams’s “Let Me Enter- long time and that’s meant I’ve had ond to Uno at nationals and losing out since February after deciding his tain You,” Hanyu performed to the more worries and anxieties to deal to American Nathan Chen at the Grand asthma made competing in this sea- more subdued “Heaven and Earth” with,” said Hanyu. Prix Final. He will now aim to claim a son’s Grand Prix series too risky amid but still wowed the crowd with his “But I haven’t really been alone. third world title next spring after book- the coronavirus pandemic, blew the artistry and skill. Training on my own has made me ing his place in Stockholm. competition away in Nagano with an He began with a quad loop and a appreciate the connections I have. Of “Last year, it felt like I wasn’t develop- effortlessly graceful free skate for an quad salchow before nailing a triple course I’ve been getting advice from ing any more,” said Hanyu. “It felt like overall score of 319.36. axel into a double toe loop. afar, but I’ve taken more strength from there was nothing left to fight for. The win gave the 26-year-old super- He then landed a quad toe loop into the goodwill people have sent me.” “I think I was tired of fighting, and it star his first national title since 2015 a triple toe loop, a quad toe loop-sin- Pyeongchang Olympic silver medal- felt like I could have quit any time. But and earned him a place at next spring’s gle euler-triple salchow combination, list Shoma Uno was denied a fifth I’ve come to realise that I enjoy the sat- Yuzuru Hanyu performs at the Japan’s world championships in Stockholm. then finished with a triple axel. straight national title, finishing sec- isfaction you get from competing and figure skating national championships in “Last year was very frustrating for Hanyu has been training by himself ond with 284.81 points. coming through the hard times.” afp Nagano on December 26. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 28, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Arsenal bounce back, defeat Chelsea in style rsenal eased fears of be- in off the unfortunate Axel Tuanzebe. ing dragged into a relegation At Bramall Lane, Gylfi Sigurdsson battle with a stunning 3-1 killed off the bottom of the table win over Chelsea on Decem- Blades on 80 minutes with a clinical berA 26, as Manchester United’s Pre- finish. mier League title challenge stumbled That sealed Everton’s fourth suc- after they conceded a late equaliser to cessive league win and set up a sig- draw at Leicester. nificant clash with Manchester City Everton moved into second place, on December 28. two points behind leaders Liverpool “This team has a lot of spirit. I’m with a 1-0 win at Sheffield United, really pleased to manage these play- while Manchester City climbed to ers,” Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti fifth place after beating Newcastle said. 2-0. City extended their unbeaten Liverpool will go five points clear of league run to six matches with a Everton if they beat struggling West comfortable success at the Etihad Brom on December 27. Stadium. Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to win Ilkay Gundogan put Pep Guardiola’s the FA Cup the last time they faced side ahead in the 14th minute with a Chelsea in August. close-range finish fromR aheem Ster- However, less than five months ling’s pass. on the Spaniard was under intense City doubled their lead in the 55th pressure after a run of one win in 10 minute after Newcastle’s Miguel league games. Almiron gave the ball away just out- Arteta had bemoaned his side’s side his own area. fortune in recent weeks, but the Despite a desperate attempt to Gunners’ luck turned on a night clear by Federico Fernandez, the ball when he gave youngsters Gabriel rolled straight to Ferran Torres and Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe the Spanish winger fired home. the chance to shine in the absence “That is the tempo we need to of more experienced figures such play,” Guardiola said. as David Luiz, Willian and Pierre- “There are weird results for every- Emerick Aubameyang. one this season. You have to be calm “It’s a really big win for us,” said in the good and the bad moments.” Arteta. Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli shoots but fails to score with an overhead kick during the English Premier League Aston Villa are another unlikely football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. pool/AFP “Hopefully it is going to be a turn- challenger for the top four as they ing point and elevate the level of chances of competing for the title Victory lifts Arsenal up to 14th, six season, but twice went in front at the eased past Crystal Palace 3-0 despite confidence in the team.” and there was no way back for Frank points clear of the relegation zone, King Power Stadium through Marcus playing the full second half a man Kieran Tierney won a soft penalty for Lampard’s men once Bukayo Saka while Chelsea drop down to sixth on Rashford midway through the first down after Tyrone Mings’ red card. a push by Reece James and Alexandre chipped in off the inside of the post goal difference. half and Bruno Fernandes 11 min- Bertrand Traore gave Villa the per- Lacazette slotted home the spot-kick 11 minutes after the break. utes from time. fect start but Mings made his team- to open the scoring on 34 minutes. “It’s not good enough,” said Lam- Man Utd miss out “One point is not the worst result mates work hard for the win when Granit Xhaka then answered his pard. “The players have got to take Manchester United missed out on but we are disappointed we didn’t get he was sent off for two clashes with critics after being stupidly sent off responsibility.” equalling a Premier League record of away with three,” said Solskjaer. Wilfried Zaha. in a 1-0 defeat by Burnley earlier Tammy Abraham did pull a goal 11 straight away wins as for once this Harvey Barnes’ blistering strike lev- Ignoring that setback, Kortney this month with a brilliant free-kick back five minutes from time and season they paid for not finishing elled for Leicester before half-time Hause and Anwar El Ghazi wrapped to double Arsenal’s lead just before Chelsea could have set up a grand- strongly in a dramatic 2-2 draw. and United were undone by Jamie up the points for Villa. half-time. stand finish in stoppage time, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had Vardy’s movement in the box as the Fulham edged to within a point of A third consecutive away loss Jorginho’s penalty was saved by come from behind in each of their veteran striker latched onto Ayoze safety with a 0-0 draw at home with for Chelsea further damages their Bernd Leno. previous away league games this Perez’s cross and saw his shot deflect Southampton. AFP Celeb deaths 2020: Adios Maradona and the best Bond

From legendary actors Kirk Kobe Bryant, 41, dies in a hor- in 2010, dies in a military hos- Nkurunziza, who had ruled the Cambodia’s genocidal Khmer first as a military leader and Douglas and Sean Connery to rific helicopter crash north- pital aged 91. country since 2005, dies from a Rouge, Kaing Guek Eav, 77, bet- then as elected president, dies matriarch Argentinian foot- west of Los Angeles that also heart attack aged 55. ter known by his alias Duch, aged 73. ball legend Maradona, here claimed the lives of his March dies in prison. - 25: Diego Maradona, foot- are some of the notable deaths 13-year-old daughter and - 8: Exorcist star Max Von July - 10: British actress Diana ball’s troubled genius and one of 2020. seven other people. Sydow, who also featured in - 6: Italian maestro Ennio Rigg, of Avengers and Game of of the greatest players ever, dies films by his Swedish compa- Morricone, Oscar-winning Thrones fame, dies aged 82. aged 60. January February triot Ingmar Bergman dies in composer of film scores for Ser- - 18: US Supreme Court judge - 10: Oman’s Sultan Qaboos, - 5: One of the last stars of France aged 90. gio Leone’s spaghetti westerns, and feminist icon Ruth Bader December who transformed the former Hollywood’s golden age, Kirk dies in Rome aged 91. Ginsburg, dies aged 87. - 2: Former French president Arabian Peninsula backwater Douglas, dies at his home in April - 8: The sudden death from a - 23: French actress and sing- Valery Giscard d’Estaing, who into a modern state and the Beverly Hills aged 103. - 29: Bollywood star Irrfan heart attack of Ivory Coast’s er Juliette Greco, the face and legalised abortion and brought Gulf’s discreet mediator, dies - 25: Egypt’s former president Khan, known for his roles in Prime Minister Amadou Gon voice of radical chic postwar the country high-speed trains, aged 79. Hosni Mubarak, who was swept blockbusters Life of Pi and Coulibaly, 61, plunges the Paris, dies aged 93. dies aged 94 from Covid-19. - 26: US basketball legend from power by the Arab Spring Slumdog Millionaire, dies from country into political turmoil. - 11: Film director Kim Ki- cancer in a Mumbai hospital - 26: Oscar-winning actress October duk, the enfant terrible of Kore- aged 53. Olivia de Havilland, star of - 4: Japan’s most famous fash- an cinema, dies in Latvia from Gone With the Wind, dies at her ion designer Kenzo Takada, Covid-19 aged 59. May home in Paris aged 104. founder of the Kenzo brand, - 12: Charley Pride, US coun- - 9: Little Richard, known for dies in Paris aged 81 from Cov- try music’s first black superstar, outrageous showmanship and August id-19. dies from Covid-19 aged 86. lightning-fast rhythms dies - 24: Former Congolese pres- - 31: Legendary Scottish actor - 12: John le Carre, the master aged 87 after battling cancer. ident Pascal Lissouba, who Sean Connery, the original spy novelist, whose real name Hits include Tutti Frutti and won his country’s first multi- James Bond, dies in his sleep in was David Cornwell, dies aged Long Tall Sally. party presidential elections, the Bahamas, aged 90. 89. - 31: Artist Christo (Christo dies in France aged 88. - 22: One of France’s most Javacheff) who wrapped land- - 28: Actor Chadwick Bose- November beloved character actors marks such as Berlin’s Reich- man, who played Black Panther - 11: Bahrain’s Prince Khalifa Claude Brasseur, dies aged stag and the Pont Neuf in Paris in the Marvel movies, dies of bin Salman al-Khalifa, the 84. dies aged 84. cancer aged 43. world’s longest-serving prime - 24: Israeli virtuoso violinist minister, dies aged 84. Ivry Gitlis, one of the modern June September Argentinian football legend Maradona in a press conference on his legal - 12: Jerry Rawlings, who greats of classical music, dies tax conflicts at the EU offices on February 14, 2014. AFP - 8: Burundi’s President Pierre - 2: Chief torturer behind ruled Ghana for two decades in Paris aged 98. AFP