monday, may 3, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3654 / 4000 RIEL Pyongyang Military to jab 450,000 in warns US’ Biden over red zones in one month approach Mom Kunthear North Korea on May 2 accused US President Joe TOTAL of 23,658 Biden of pursuing a hostile people in designated policy, dismissing “spurious” red zones in four dis- US diplomacy and warning tricts of Phnom Penh of a response. wereA vaccinated on the first Biden had said on April 28 day of a large-scale campaign that his administration administered by the Ministry would deal with the threat of National Defence. posed by Pyongyang’s nucle- The military’s goal is to vac- ar programme “through cinate 450,000 people in its diplomacy as well as stern one-month campaign in the deterrence”. four districts’ red zones in- The White House on April cluding Meanchey, Dangkor, 30 said the president was Kambol, and Por Sen Chey. open to negotiations with Ith Sarath – Deputy Com- North Korea on denucleari- mander-in-Chief and Joint sation following the comple- Chief of Staff of the Royal tion of a policy review, but Cambodian Armed Forces Pyongyang said Biden had who is overseeing the cam- made a “big blunder”. paign in Phnom Penh – said “His statement clearly on April 30 that the campaign reflects his intent to keep will vaccinate people in the enforcing the hostile policy the districts’ 33 communes. toward the DPRK as it had The first phase of vaccina- been done by the US for over tions administering the first half a century,” foreign min- dose to each person will take istry official Kwon Jung-gun place from May 1-15 and the said in a statement released second phase will be from by the official Korean Cen- May 16-30. tral News Agency (KCNA). “This vaccination is for all “The US-claimed ‘diplo- people aged 18 and over … macy’ is a spurious sign- The total number of people board for covering up its to be vaccinated is nearly hostile acts, and ‘deterrence’ 500,000,” he said. touted by it is just a means Sarath said a total of 900,000 for posing nuclear threats to doses of vaccines – 500,000 the DPRK,” Kwon added, doses Sinovac and 400,000 using the official name of doses of Sinopharm vaccines North Korea. “Now that the – provided by the national A medical worker administers a coronavirus vaccine at a school in Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune. Heng chivoan keynote of the US’ new vaccination commission had DPRK policy has become already arrived and was in a is also head of the ad-hoc tice all health measures such Vandine cautioned that infected with it,” she said. clear, we will be compelled defence ministry warehouse. national commission for as wearing masks, washing people should not flock en As of May 1, Cambodia had to press for corresponding The defence ministry said the the Covid-19 vaccine pro- your hands frequently and masse to get the jabs at the vaccinated more than 1.3 mil- measures.” one-month vaccination cam- gramme, urged both medics keep a personal distance of same time because doing risk lion of its population starting The White House on April paign will employ 1,490 medi- and residents to remain vigi- at least 1.5m. spreading the virus. from February 10, ranking 30 said its goal remains “the cal workers deployed at 45 sites lant in the process. “You must also be coopera- “You have to take the ut- second in ASEAN for total complete denuclearisation of within the 33 communes. “Please brothers and sisters tive with the local authorities most care and remember that vaccinations after Singapore, the Korean peninsula”. Ministry of Health spokes- in the four districts – keep or- and officials at vaccination you’ve come to get vaccinated according to Prime Minister Biden’s press secretary Jen woman Or Vandine, who der and discipline and prac- sites,” she said. against Covid-19, not to get Hun Sen. Psaki gave little indication of what kind of diplomatic ini- tiative this could entail, but suggested that the president had learned from the experi- ence of his predecessors, Kingdom bans frozen meat from India who struggled to deal with North Korea’s leadership and Thou Vireak toms and Excise (GDCE) director-gener- The letter notes that the ban is in es of infection in the production, freez- its nuclear weapons pro- al Kun Nhem and the heads of Customs accordance with Article 20 of the Gen- ing, packaging and transportation of gramme. CAMBODIA on May 1 imposed an branches and offices, citing concerns over eral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and these goods, the letter said. But Psaki said Washington indefinite ban on the import of frozen the B1617 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 Article 12 of the ASEAN-India Com- The Kingdom will destroy frozen would not “focus on achiev- meats and other frozen goods qualified coronavirus, which causes Covid-19. modity Trade Agreement on the basis goods originating from India that are ing a grand bargain”, appar- as “high-risk” originating from India to The decision came after Sorasak asked of “urgent public health protection”. found to be infected with the virus and ently referring to the kind of contain the spread of Covid-19 amid a for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s approval Cambodia will also conduct testing pursue other legal action, and the com- dramatic overarching deal devastating second coronavirus wave on April 30. and research for other pathogens – merce ministry will diplomatically bring that former president Donald in the regional economic power. The GDCE has also suspended the cus- especially variants of the coronavirus the issue to the Indian side, it said. Trump initially suggested Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak toms clearance of items in these catego- – on these high-risk frozen products, However, it added, there has been no was possible when he met revealed the ban in a May 1 letter ries that have arrived at customs offices and seek cooperation with the Indian with North Korea’s leader addressed to General Department of Cus- or warehouses, according to the letter. government to find and identify sourc- Continued – page 7 Kim Jong-un. AFP

OXFAM LAUNCHES KINGDOM SELLS NEARLY VIRTUAL CAMPAIGN $100M OF RUBBER IN ON MATERNITY CARE FIRST FOUR MONTHS nATIONAL – page 4 business – page 7 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Five Bunong members to testify over land dispute Long Kimmarita ously it depends on their clari- ditions from being invaded fication,” he said. due to conspiracy and clear- FIVE Bunong indigenous peo- However, he did not identify ing,” she said. ple were summoned by Mon- the plaintiff sand who claimed According to Heng, on May dulkiri provincial police to tes- to be the landowners, stating 3 the five people will testify tify on May 3 about a minor only that the plaintiffs had land before the authorities, hoping criminal complaint filed by a transaction documents and that this will serve justice to citizen who claimed the accused land title from authorities. the community, and the per- had built illegal structures on Roeung Heng, one of the petrators who stole the moun- private property. individuals summoned by tain will be punished accord- The summons issued on authorities, told The Post on ing to the law. April 30 identified the five as May 2 that the charges against Kroeung Tola, a consultant Roeung Heng, Nel Rith, Kwan the five were unfair because all for the Mondulkiri Indigenous Tai, Khvev Sreab and Ming Vik- citizens were just behaving People Network, said the sum- leuy, all residing in Poulong according to their beliefs on mons were in accordance with Reporters and photographers during a press conference in Phnom Penh this week. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM village in Sen Monorom town’s land that indigenous commu- the law. Romnea commune. nities have celebrated on for But he suggested that judicial Provincial deputy police many years. police officers support the peo- chief So Sovann told The Post She said the 2.5ha of land is ple who protect state property. on May 2 that the summons on Rodang mountain, a place “The authorities should Ethics the focus on was based on a complaint by of religious beliefs for the study the history of this moun- another party, who claimed to Bunong who often go there to tain, because it is part of the own a 2.5ha plot of land in worship. beliefs of the local people, and Pulong village. She said the structures on those who took this mountain Press Freedom Day He said the plaintiffs filed a the mountain are just part of know it is a place of faith, but lawsuit against the individuals how community members cel- they still violate it. Ry Sochan Cambodia can continue to They will come up with for occupying the land and ebrate their faith. There are “Therefore, the authorities work despite the difficult cir- solutions to strengthen the buiding structures on the land many religious sites on the should summon those who N OBSERVATION of cumstances of the Covid-19 stability of the media, pro- in March. mountain. sell the land and punish them World Press Freedom pandemic. mote greater transparency “We summoned them “The person who bought in accordance with the law,” Day, held annually on CJC stated that the press from social media companies [Bunong] here to ask if they had this mountain wants to divide he said. May 3, the Club of Cam- has played an important role and measures to improve the built structures on the land. it into two, which is not pos- Tola said that for this case, Ibodian Journalists (CJC) re- in this crisis by acting as an safety of journalists and sup- According to the complaint, sible because this mountain is the perpetrators should face leased a statement calling on educator to the public about port independent media. they built three halls and if the our place of faith where we justice while the people who all journalists to continue to the virus and helping people On May 2, the Union of land is not theirs, we want them have various religious ceremo- protect state property should publish factual information determine what information Journalist Federations of to stop construction. But obvi- nies. We want to keep our tra- receive legal protection. with professionalism and the is true and verified and what Cambodia (UJFC) also issued goal of serving the greater is just rumours or false. a statement affirming that public interest. “The press has also acted as freedom of information and World Press Freedom Day a line of defence protecting the expression are important to this year was organised public at times from the wide- the democratic process and around the theme of “Infor- spread disinformation that has development of any society. mation as a Public good”, spread as quickly as the virus However, UJFC noted that with the goal of emphasising itself during the Covid-19 pan- some voices are still not being that access to accurate and demic,” said CJC. heard in Cambodia, and that reliable information was vital UNESCO and the Namibian some problems are hidden or to the public interest. government hosted the World concealed rather than solved, Discussions around this Press Freedom Day Interna- and that solutions would only theme centered on what can tional Conference in Windhoek come with the participation be done to promote trans- from April 29 to May 3 this year. of the leadership who must parency and empower local Professional journalists first be willing to acknowl- media outlets to provide cov- and other media stakehold- edge that the problems exist erage for community con- ers at the conference are in the first place. sumption and about their calling for immediate action “All of our actions must be community’s concerns. to combat the forces that are in line with the ethics of our The CJC also called on the weakening independent and profession, good manners government to continue to local media around the world and civic responsibility. Our foster close cooperation and – a crisis that existed prior to job is spreading the truth, coordination with media Covid-19, but has been wors- not provoking conflicts,” the The summons are based on a complaint by another party, who claimed to own a 2.5ha plot of land in Pulong village outlets so that journalists in ened by the pandemic. statement said. in Sen Monorom town’s Romnea commune. Facebook Ministry launches ASEAN logo competition Lay Samean Cambodia to get the best and importance to Cambodia. in the region as the economic most suitable hallmark– the A notice on May 1 said candi- and political environment this THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs work of Cambodian children. dates who wish to enter the com- year remains uncertain. and International Cooperation A logo designed to reflect an petition must send at least two “We see big problems when has invited Cambodian youths advanced and energetic per- logos and explain their meaning Cambodia chairs ASEAN. First, to enter an ASEAN logo design spective and respond to the to [email protected] addressing the post-Covid-19 competition with winning wishes of the ASEAN peoples from May 1-25. The commission economic issue is a big one. designs to be used on ASEAN and the current context alike,” will then assess them. Second is the South China Sea documents and at the organi- the ministry said. The commission will select problem, which remains a tus- We are looking for a qualified candidate to fill sation’s events. Cambodia will The competition will help three logos. If there are any ques- sle. Third is the Myanmar [cri- chair the association in 2022. attract attention and focus on tions concerning a submission, sis] which might see no solu- the following position: “This competition will allow ASEAN events as well as the bloc’s the ministry will ask the design- tion this year,” he said. Title: Programme Management Office er to make revisions by June 3. For Cambodia, the benefit Associate - Finance All candidates must be Cam- will be as host and to lead the bodians aged 18-40. They can regional bloc and contribute Duty station: Phnom Penh, Cambodia enter the competition indi- to further supporting ASEAN Contract level: LICA 6 / ICS 6 vidually or as a group. for stability and peace. Duration: Open-ended The winner will get a 4 mil- The ministry said the logo’s Apply online at: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ lion riel ($1,000), while the concept focused on the joint ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=21668 second and third place will get efforts by ASEAN to address a million riel each. problems together. The logo or Scan QR code: Kin Phea, director of the Royal must reflect joint, open and Deadline: 16 May 2021 Academy of Cambodia’s Interna- sincere goodwill free from UNOPS KHMCO tional Relations Institute, said division and discrimination. the competition was to show- It said ASEAN must put the Mobile: +85512569192 case a new creative idea of the common good first, united as Email: [email protected] meaning of ASEAN as Cambodia one family to overcome hur- Website: https://jobs.unops.org/ is set to host the summit. dles and push for the ASEAN However, he hoped that Cam- community where people live bodia would lay out other ini- together in peace, security, ASEAN logo in the last 10 years. FOREIGN MINISTRY tiatives for stability and peace and prosperity. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National NGOs launch hotline to help the public cope with Covid-19 distress

Voun Dara able to provide psychological and mental health counseling TWO NGOs – TPO Cambodia to the general public. and Plan International Cam- According to TPO, the Covid- bodia – have launched a short- 19 outbreak has prompted the term programme to provide government to undertake many mental health services, psycho- measures that are key to curb- logical counselling and social ing the spread of the virus but support via a telephone hotline that inevitably disrupt the way and online chat for both chil- of life for many children and dren and adults amid the stress cut them off socially from their caused by the ongoing commu- friends and community while nity outbreak of Covid-19. putting more burdens on their The services will be provided parents because they were now to anyone whose mental health studying online at home. has been negatively affected by Sopheap said all of this added the pandemic with target areas stress and the fact that parents of Phnom Penh, Stung Treng, and children were forced to Ratanakkiri, Siem Reap and spend all of their time together Battambang, with plans to keep in close quarters and many the hotline running from April families were undergoing eco- 29 to June 25. nomic difficulties had led to a The NGOs’ plan of action on rise in domestic violence. this front also includes other These serious issues – which activities such as building lo- can be prevented or reduced The Phnom Penh Post CEO Ly Tayseng (top right and bottom left) attends the virtual International Leadership Conference on April 30. cal support networks, train- through professional psycho- ing persons at the municipal logical counselling – were a and provincial social welfare large part of why the groups departments through online had considered the hotline nec- courses and promoting good essary at this time. mental health and psychologi- Those who are in need of Media ‘crucial’ to Korean cal resilience by raising aware- mental health counseling or ness about the issues on social social support can reach out to media and through small group TPO at the following numbers: gatherings. 017 222 372; 010 222 478; 097 reunification: The Post CEO Taing Sopheap, programme 9111 918; 089 666 325 or through coordinator at TPO Cambo- their Faceboook page. Post Staff Reunification of the Korean da-setting, and play a pivotal news on the Democratic Peo- dia, said the Covid-19 outbreak Peninsula, Creating the Foun- role in conflict resolution as ple’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has caused an increase in the EDIA should dation for a Unified World, it did, for example, to end the or the Korean reunification number of people with mental strive to be part of was organised by the North- Vietnam War in the 1970s. process is presented by Western health problems and psycho- a “game-chang- east Asia Peace Initiative and “Likewise, the media in Cam- media outlets, which have their logical distress. ing” strategy to sponsored by the Universal bodia can assist in driving the own perspectives on events. “Following the February 20 Mrebuild trust in Korean reuni- Peace Federation (UPF). peace process on the Korean “It would be opportune for community outbreak, we re- fication, The Phnom Penh Post Tayseng posited that as an peninsula by narrating the his- regional media to take the lead ceived from 250 to 300 phone CEO Ly Tayseng told the virtual independent watchdog the torical and current perspec- in understanding the geopoli- calls per month for consulta- International Leadership Con- media could play a central tives of both nations [North tics of North Asia and the Ko- tion, while in 2020 we had re- ference on April 30. role by promoting its “three and South Korea], as well as rean peninsula, and voice their ceived only 75 to 100 calls a Health workers conduct safety The conference, held from guidelines for residents in Tuol cardinal principles” – to in- the importance of global and opinions in a regional context, month,” she said. Pongro commune of Phnom April 29-May 1 under the form, educate and entertain – regional peace,” he said. reflecting Asian ways of con- Sopheap also noted that TPO Penh’s Meanchey district on April theme Toward the Peaceful promote advocacy and agen- He pointed out that most flict resolution,” he said. was currently open and avail- 29. YOUSOS APDOULRASHIM Red zone residents call for assistance with electricity bills Orm Bunthoeurn who needs assistance,” he said. According to Ratanak, during a SOME residents in Phnom Penh’s meeting with the lockdown commit- designated Red Zones on May 1 tee, EDC officials were told to ensure a urged state-run Electricite du Cam- sustainable supply of electricity. There- bodge (EDC) to find ways to assist fore, people need to pay for electricity. with electricity bills, as restrictions “We have not cut off electricity make it difficult to travel to work to poor people yet. We are always and earn an income. patient to give you a chance. At The request came after EDC asked the same time, the general public residents to find ways to settle their bills. . . . should pay because we need to A red zone resident in Meanchey dis- generate incomes to pay suppliers, trict, who requested anonymity, told for electrical equipment as well as The Post on May 1 that it was easy to interest payments,” he said. pay bills through bank transfers. But the Rattanak said EDC was still operat- problem is they are not working and do ing normally during the government’s not have any income to settle it. lockdown of Phnom Penh and adjacent “We cannot do business and elec- Takhmao town in Kandal province. tricity costs increase in the hot sea- “In order to maintain stable sup- son. There seems to be no assistance ply and to enable EDC to pay sup- from the EDC. In the past, I have seen pliers, EDC asks all customers to try an exemption for electricity [bills] … to pay for electricity through bank this time there is no exemption. So, payment systems and other micro- we must pay as usual,” said a man finance institutions,” he said. employed by a private company. The notice also states that for With no income and having a lot of Residents in Phnom Penh’s designated Red Zones. Heng Chivoan large-scale users which need to other expenses, residents asked EDC to pay by bank check, EDC has set up come up with an option for payment. His house is next to EDC, but he can- electricity from domestic and for- “People everywhere, not only in a working group to facilitate pay- “When people are not earning not go outside to pay the bill. eign suppliers, which require timely lockdown areas, complain that they ments for customers in the lock- money, the state should help. If not “I have not received the electricity payment, otherwise supplies will be cannot work because of Covid-19. down areas by simply contacting an exemption for a few months, bill [for April] yet. I do not know how cut off and fines imposed, causing I understand the problem, but the them during working hours using there could be a discount or delayed to pay it, and I think it is difficult be- even more problems. government has a separate mecha- the phone number on the bill. payments,” he said. cause we are barred from going out- “The money that we use to build nism under the leadership of chair- In addition, all residents can Another resident in a blockade area side in a red zone,” he said. power lines comes from the Asian man of the lockdown committee, transfer to the EDC bank account in Russey Keo district’s Tuol Sangke In his call for consumers to pay , Development Bank, World Bank, [Minister of Economy and Finance and copy confirmation of payment commune said he had never paid his EDC director-general Keo Rattanak JICA, France, Germany, and Korea – Aun Pornmoniroth. The committee documents to 012 685 789 via social electricity bill via electronic transfer. explained that Cambodia also buys those repayments can’t be delayed. works with authorities to determine network WhatApp or Telegram. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Oxfam launches virtual campaign on maternity care Mom Kunthear report, women in their main re- productive years (ages 25-34) are XFAM has launched a more likely to be overrepresented virtual maternity protec- among the poor. In Cambodia, this tion campaign to raise is because women spend 3.5 more awareness on challenges hours on average than men per- womenO face in the workplace and forming unpaid care and domestic on female workers’ need to receive work, even during pregnancy and maternity benefits. maternity and a devastating Covid- To commemorate this year’s 135th 19 pandemic. anniversary of Labour Day, the or- This means less time to work and ganisation and partners in Cambo- earn an income, less ability to save dia, Laos and Vietnam are launching and contribute to social security, the campaign under the theme “Ev- and greater vulnerability to chronic ery Mother Counts”. poverty and illness for them and In a press release, Oxfam said ap- their children. proximately 90 per cent of women in This stated that women had no the labour force in Cambodia can- enough time to work formal jobs and not access any maternity protection earn income and they had no op- benefits due to their informal status. portunities to strengthen the capaci- Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks to a pregnant garment worker during a visit to a garment factory in Phnom Penh in 2018. afp Through this campaign, Oxfam and ties. Most informal women workers, partners aim to engage the public, however, cannot meet these require- cludes the Cash-Transfer Programme growing and the need for maternity and maternity, especially for wom- employers and businesses, national ments, as they have no formal em- for Pregnant Women and Young Chil- protection becomes increasingly en workers in the informal sector, policymakers and ASEAN bodies in ployment arrangements, and work dren,” he said, adding that NSPC is critical for everyone’s care. Oxfam called on the government to discussion about how to ensure that too irregularly to afford making regu- working to further strengthen the “The ministry, through the Neary consider better aligning laws and all women workers in Cambodia, es- lar contributions to social insurance. coordination and harmonisation of Rattanak V strategic plan 2019-2023, policies with the International La- pecially those in the informal sector, Chan Narith, secretary-general of policies and regulations to ensure is committed to bringing attention bour Organisation’s Maternity Pro- can access maternity protection. the National Social Protection Council that all women in the formal and in- and accountability to this impor- tection Convention No 183 (2000). Maternity protection is a funda- (NSPC), said the organisation strongly formal sectors are supported. tant agenda. We continue working The convention established mental labour and constitutional acknowledged the importance of ma- Chhun Hak, director-general of with stakeholders, civil society or- benchmarks in five core areas – right, Oxfam country director Solinn ternity protection in addressing gender Gender Equality and Economic De- ganisations and the private sector to maternity leave; cash and medical Lim said. “It is essential for achiev- inequality and in mitigating women’s velopment at the Ministry of Wom- translate our core value into actions, benefits; health protection at the ing gender equality, the well-being and household’s vulnerability. en’s Affairs, said maternity protection transforming policies to be more workplace for mothers and their and health of mothers and children, “Maternity protection, especially is a human value and a fundamental inclusive and creating an environ- children during pregnancy and and equal opportunities and treat- for poor and vulnerable households, part of gender equality and the care ment where women fully exercise during breastfeeding; employment ment in the labour force.” that are currently active within the economy. In Cambodia, female la- their rights and choices,” he said. protection and non-discrimination; According to a 2020 World Bank RGC’s social protection agenda in- bour force participation is steadily Given the challenges of pregnancy and breastfeeding arrangements.

ANNOUNCEMENT Distribution of UNDP partners with people at all levels Covid-19 relief of society to help build nations that can ‘transparent withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality and equitable’ of life for everyone. On the ground in more HE Phnom Penh Mu- than 170 countries and territories, we o er nicipal Administration has global perspective and local insight to help Trejected criticism that it had empower lives and build resilient nations. distributed Covid-19 relief with discrimination, saying the task Request for Quotation : Supply and Installation of the was carried out in a transparent Solar based DC electricity mini- and equitable manner as per government’s instructions. grid system for 85 households “We denied such an accusation in Pa Tang Village, Sesan by the ill-intended few who aim to Commune, Oyadav District, cause social chaos and obstruct Ratanakiri Province the distribution of relief to people Deadline : extended to 06 May 2021 by in need of food,” it said in an an- nouncement on April 30. 04:00 pm, Cambodia time. The municipality said the distri- Download Link : bution was carried out in a timely https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice. manner with a focus on poor cfm?notice_id=77464 A vaccination campaign for residents and workers in Meanchey, Por Sen Chey, Dangkor and Kambol districts families, especially those residing kicked off on May 1, with priority given to those in red zones. Heng Chivoan in rented rooms, regardless of Quotation submission address: their status or political affiliation. Meanwhile, it called for an https://etendering.partneragencies.org understanding from donors Business Unit code: KHM10 and Event ID: KHM41560 Red zone workers should who wished to distribute their donations to the needy in person Request for Quotation: Supply and Installation of the but were barred from doing so to not vie for vaccines: official avoid Covid-19 transmission. Solar based AC electricity mini- As of April 30, the municipal- grid system for 85 households in Mom Kunthear gkor and Kambol districts tion teams will inoculate all ity had distributed food relief to Pa Tang Village, Sesan Commune, kicked off on May 1, with prior- residents in each village or 184,406 families in the capital’s 14 Oyadav District, Ratanakiri Province MINISTRY of Labour and Voca- ity given to those in red zones. commune in red zones before districts. Mom Kunthear tional Training spokesman Heng “Brothers and sisters, go and moving on to the next. Deadline : extended to 06 May 2021 by Sour urged factories workers liv- get the jab only when you’ve He stressed that there is no 04:00 pm, Cambodia time. ing in red zones across four of received a patient invitation need to panic or scramble for Download Link : Phnom Penh’s districts not to letter and queue number from vaccines. rush to get vaccinated for the village or commune officials. “The government and the https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice. novel coronavirus if they haven’t “That being said, those who Ministry of Health have pro- cfm?notice_id=77466 received a patient invitation let- have not received an invita- vided 900,000 doses of the vac- ter from the authorities. tion, please don’t go to the vac- cine to the vaccination teams. In a voice message addressed cination sites because each According to the statistics on Quotation submission address: Garment workers receive food to the workers, Sour noted that site can only accommodate a the number of workers living assistance in Phnom Penh’s https://etendering.partneragencies.org a vaccination campaign for limited number of people” at in rental units in these four Meanchey district amid the residents and workers in a time, he said. districts, there are enough vac- ongoing lockdown. yousos Business Unit code: KHM10 and Event ID: KHM41632 Apdoulrashim Meanchey, Por Sen Chey, Dan- According to Sour, vaccina- cines,” Sour said. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National​ Stung Treng logs first Covid case imported from Preah Sihanouk Phak Seangly which came back positive. “There are many people THE Stung Treng provincial under quarantine here. If we authorities on May 1 detected haven’t taken action early, the first Covid-19 case in a there might have been many 24-year-old woman who trav- cases already. We strictly en- elled from Preah Sihanouk forced inter-provincial travel province, known as Cambo- ban and the closure of resorts. dia’s second main hotspot af- We deployed forces at all pro- ter Phnom Penh. vincial border checkpoints and “She has a family in Orussey implement necessary preven- Kandal village in Siem Bok tive measures,” Kong said. district’s Orussey Kandal The provincial Department commune,” said provincial of Health confirmed this first administration spokesman positive case, saying the wom- Man Kong. an had been transferred to a He said the woman worked quarantine centre for treat- The donations from the ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) were made the behest of Prime Minister Hun Sen. Fresh news in Preah Sihanouk province ment. It called on people who and entered Stung Treng on have questions or suspicion of April 27 after the government- Covid-19 to contact emergency imposed inter-provincial trav- response teams immediately. el ban was lifted. As of today, only Ratanakkiri ASEAN+3’s 78 tonnes of rice Upon arrival, the woman was province – which borders Stung immediately placed in a quar- Treng – out of the Kingdom’s 25 antine centre and her sample capital and provinces has been handed to red zone residents was taken for Covid-19 testing, spared of Covid-19. Orm Bunthoeurn Minister Hun Sen for people with implementing the lock- district’s Stung Meanchey III who are facing food shortage down order – said in a press commune – which have been INISTER of Agri- amid the ongoing community conference on April 28 that designated as red zones – re- culture, Forestry outbreak of Covid-19, particu- more than 100,000 food pack- ceived food assistance from and Fisheries larly the 2,583 families resid- ages had been provided by the Prime Minister Hun Sen Veng Sakhon ing in designated red zones. Cambodian government and through municipal governor Mthrough the ASEAN Plus Three Sakhon said the ministry re- distributed to the needy in the Khuong Sreng. Emergency Rice Reserve (AP- quested the 78 tonnes of rice restricted zones. In Por Sen Chey district, food TERR) secretariat on April 30 from the APTERR on April 29. “This is not enough for every- aid has been gradually distrib- provided 78 tonnes of rice to “As Cambodia’s agriculture one facing food shortage, but uted to 1,694 families in Chaom the Phnom Penh municipal- minister and rotating AMAF we have been trying to get more Chao II commune and another ity for distribution to people chair, I would like to express my though our mechanism includ- roughly 1,900 families in Cha- living in restricted zones. profound gratitude to the Japa- ing our social media app Tele- om Chao I commune, both of Sakhon, the current rotating nese government and ASEAN gram to appeal for assistance. which also fall in red zones. The roundabout leading to Steung Treng town. Facebook chair of the ASEAN Ministers Secretariat for providing assis- “We are unable to prepare on Agriculture and Forestry tance to people living in areas thousands of food packages (AMAF), said the donations hit hardest by Covid-19,” he said. for everyone in a short period from the ASEAN+3 (the 10 Separately, Nuon Pharat – of time,” he said. ASEAN member states, China, Phnom Penh deputy municipal On April 20, more than 1,000 Japan and South Korea) were governor and member of the families in Damnak Thom II made the behest of Prime national commission tasked and III villages in Meanchey

Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test device. AFP Private establishments reminded to publicly display prices for Covid test

Mom Kunthear to obtain prior consent from ments and customers shall sign customers. an agreement prior to Covid-19 MINISTER of Health Mam Bun In a letter dated May 1, Bun testing,” read the letter. Heng, who is also head of the Heng advised them to pur- Bun Heng said the ministry’s inter-ministerial committee chase the Abbot and Roche decision to let private hospital tasked with combating Covid- testing devices from registered and clinics administer the test 19, has reminded private hos- companies for use at their using the devices was meant pitals and clinics that have establishments. to minimise transmission from received a permit to use the “Offer suitable prices and Covid-19 positive persons to Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test ensure that customers know how other patients there and to devices to display a price list much they would be charged for ease the burdens for public for their service in public and the service. Private establish- establishments. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,060 1.2560 6.5624 110.49 4.1400 1.3439 31.30 0.7614 1.1781 1.3836

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: April 30, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 16,660 16,600 16,660 16,520 2 GTI 4,400 4,280 4,400 4,200 3 PAS 13,040 13,040 13,060 12,980 4 PEPC 3,080 3,080 3,090 3,060 5 PPAP 13,620 13,680 13,680 13,200 6 PPSP 1,890 1,890 1,900 1,880 7 PWSA 6,780 6,680 6,780 6,660 E-bike plant set for Svay Rieng Working group to Thou Vireak tackle slow-down avet town in the eastern province of Svay Rieng will soon in telecoms traffic become the home of anB electric bicycle assembly Hin Pisei not only improve the supply plant invested by Wan Da Wei of telecoms services, but will Ye International Co Ltd, after The Ministry of Posts and Tel- also improve the aesthetic the project got the nod from ecommunications and Hous- appeal and functionality of the Council for the Develop- ing Developers Association of boreys and shared residential ment of Cambodia (CDC) on Cambodia (HDAC) have joined buildings, he said, adding April 29. hands to establish a joint tech- that telephone and internet The CDC on April 29 said it nical working group to oversee services are considered as approved a final registration and monitor traffic related to important as electricity and certificate to the company for telecoms services at borey clean water in the present the $1.7 million project in Tay gated housing complexes and era. Seng Special Economic Zone, co-ownership buildings often “Due to high demand, it which will churn out electric plagued by intermittent [telecoms services] has bikes with battery-powered slow-downs. slowed down or sometimes is motors and all manner of A discussion on “challenges not available at all. These components, and is expected and solutions related to tele- problems may be due to pro- to create 350 jobs. communications services in viders refusing to invest in Provincial deputy governor boreys and co-ownership additional networks,” Vanna Ros Pharith told The Post that buildings” was held via video said, adding that the ministry Bavet has received significant link on April 29 with minister serves as the regulator for investment projects in recent A proposal for a $1.7 million electric bicycle assembly plant in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town was approved Chea Vandeth, HDAC president service providers. years, which create thousands on Thursday. PIXABAY Ly Hour and around 70 stake- As of the first quarter of 2020, of jobs for the people and sub- holders in attendance. the Kingdom’s 4G network cov- stantially contribute to the de- government, always encour- favourable geographical lo- CDC, Vanak said: “With the Vandeth said setting up the ered 52.7 per cent of its geo- velopment of the province. ages foreign investors to come cation, investment laws and spread of Covid-19 putting a working group to address chal- graphical landmass, or 80.3 per “We welcome and would into the market of Svay Rieng, diplomatic relations, boasts damper on things, not many lenges individually would help cent of its total population, the like to support the govern- located on the border with bilateral free trade agreements are willing to invest, so this improve the efficiency and latest data from the Telecom- ment in reforming the new in- Vietnam. with a number of countries is more or less good news for quality of mobile and internet munication Regulator of Cam- vestment law, which will make “As authorities, we will be and regions, and retains a re- Cambodia’s economic hustle services at these locations, bodia show. Svay Rieng province more at- involved in facilitating the gional charm. and bustle, especially [amid stressing the urgency of the Meanwhile, its 3G network tractive and one of the poten- smooth delivery of public ser- With all of these advantages optimism that] the Covid-19 situation. covered 60 per cent of its land- tial homes for investment,” he vices,” he said. combined, Cambodia expects pandemic will be completely It will also provide conven- mass, or 85.1 per cent of its said. Hong Vanak, director of In- to bring in a fair share of size- controlled soon.” ience for people buying real population, while 2G covered Stressing the area’s poten- ternational Economics at the able investments down the In 2020, the CDC approved estate in boreys and co-owner- 85.7 per cent of its landmass, or tial for trade and investment, Royal Academy of Cambodia, line, he said. 238 investment projects worth ship buildings, he said. 99.2 per cent of its popula- Pharith said the provincial last month noted that the Remarking on another proj- a total of $8.2 billion last year, HDAC secretary-general Huy tion. administration, as well as the Kingdom is endowed with a ect previously approved by the down 12 per cent from 2019. Vanna told The Post on April 30 At the same time, State- that the association sought owned Telecom Cambodia ministerial intervention after (TC), Cambodia Fibre Optic mounting complaints from Communication Network Co owners, clients and residents at Ltd (CFOCN) and Viettel (Cam- Third fresh foods supplier recruited for market drive these locations concerning tel- bodia) Pte Ltd had invested in ephone, cable and internet the instalment of more than May Kunmakara tal for people in designated red, infection, and especially in rice, 9,665 boxes of instant noo- issues. 44,251km of fibre optic cable in orange and yellow zones, with controlling the spread of the dles, 5,524 packs of canned Tackling these issues will the Kingdom. Online marketplace app direct and prompt delivery. Covid-19 pandemic, where all fish, 2,853 cases of fish sauce, Smile Shop became the third “We do appreciate the gov- customers can easily make 2,823 cases of soy sauce and supplier of fresh foods and ernment and the Ministry of cashless payments,” he said. 292 packs of bottled drinking other grocery products to peo- Commerce allowing us to sup- On April 26, the ministry water. ple in restricted areas after it ply products to people in signed another MoU with Aeon Ministry spokesman Pen reached a memorandum of locked down areas to maintain Mall, Makro and Virak Buntham Sovicheat told The Post on April understanding (MoU) with the market prices. The MoU will Express to provide essential 30 that foodstuffs that the gov- Ministry of Commerce. open up more opportunities food items for sale in red zones, ernment has authorised the Chinese businessman and for Smile Shop, one of Cambo- in a bid to maintain prices and ministry to sell in lockdown Smile Shop co-founder and dia’s leading online market stabilise the supply of goods in areas in Phnom Penh are below CEO Jack Lee on May 1 virtu- platforms, to participate in the market during the ongoing market rates. ally signed the deal with a min- solving the difficult situation coronavirus lockdown in “People can buy them in- istry representative to join for people in the red, orange Phnom Penh and adjacent Tak- person or order online and the hands with the government in and yellow zones. Smile Shop mao town in Kandal province. ministry is providing doorstep providing access to the online will provide food packages, That announcement comes delivery services in red zones,” marketplace and free delivery spices, fish and fresh meats, days after the ministry launched he said. services for people to place and deliver to those zones. an online marketplace (shop. According to Lee, Smile Shop orders and pay digitally. “We sincerely hope that Smile moc.gov.kh) on April 21. is ready to provide a wide range Lee said that through govern- Shop will contribute to the From April 21-29, food stalls of products sourced from farm- ment efforts to overcome these Royal Government in providing set up by the ministry in red ers and increase their domestic Traffic related to telecoms services at borey gated housing complexes difficult times, Smile Shop will adequate food to the local peo- and orange zones sold, inter and international consump- and co-ownership buildings is often plagued by intermittent slow-downs. provide a very convenient por- ple, minimising the risk of alia, 33,331 50kg sacks of milled tion, especially in China. HONG MENEA THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Cambodia sales Rubber exports nearly of milled rice dip $100M in four months 36% in Jan-Apr

Hin Pisei Hin Pisei countries purchased 17,483 tonnes (9.08 per cent) and 18 ambodia gener- CAMBODIA exported 192,495 other markets bought 27,406 ated $99.87 million tonnes of milled rice in the first tonnes (14.24 per cent). from natural rubber four months of this year, repre- Meanwhile, paddy rice exports exports in the first senting a 107,757-tonne or to Vietnam reached 1,529,280 fourC months of 2021, up by 35.89-per-cent drop from the tonnes estimated to be worth 2.5 per cent from $97.43 mil- 300,252 tonnes posted in Janu- $221.29 million in January-April, lion in the same period last ary-April 2020, according to increasing by 73.15 per cent in year, according to data from data from the Ministry of Agri- volume compared to the 883,232 the Ministry of Agriculture, culture, Forestry and Fisheries. tonnes booked in the same Forestry and Fisheries. Fragrant rice accounted for period in 2020. By weight, however, ex- 130,120 tonnes of the exports, or The Cambodia Rice Federation ports dropped by 15 per cent 67.60 per cent, white long-grain ascribed the drop in rice exports to 61,056 tonnes in January- rice reached for 59,026 tonnes to a shortage of containers and April from 71,749 in the cor- (30.66 per cent) and long-grain other barriers to export, espe- responding period last year. parboiled rice weighed in at cially to target EU markets. Men Sopheak, owner of So- 3,349 tonnes (1.74 per cent). According to the federation, pheak Nika Investment Agro- The ministry estimated the rice storage and shipping costs Industrial Plants Co Ltd, a rub- value of the exports at nearly have risen five-fold over the ber grower and exporter, told $161.7 million. past five years. The Post on May 2 that growing China remained the largest Last year, the Kingdom demand in China, the world’s market for the grain with 104,756 exported 690,829 tonnes of largest market, has pushed up tonnes imported, equivalent to milled rice worth nearly $539 rubber prices in Cambodia 54.42 per cent of Cambodia’s million, marking an 11.40 per since the beginning of this year. total milled-rice exports. cent surge in volume from The average price of Cambo- EU nations imported 42,850 2019, according to the minis- dian rubber at Vietnamese ports Cambodia exported more than 350,000 tonnes of rubber in 2020, earning more than $482 million, with most tonnes (22.26 per cent), ASEAN try’s statistics. stands at about $1,800 per tonne, bound for China, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Hong Menea up from more than $1,400 in the year-ago period, he said. Heng Piseth, head of the De- year’s figures. per cent) are tapped for latex, “The reason for the increase partment of Agriculture, For- “The price at which trad- while 111,663ha (28 per cent) in revenue from Cambodia’s estry and Fisheries in Tbong ers and companies buy rub- are “under maintenance”, or rubber exports is because Khmum province, which boasts ber from farmers this year is in their immature phase yet prices were higher earlier this 78,000ha in rubber plantation slightly higher due to higher to deliver a first harvest. year,” Sopheak said, adding area, said investment in rub- demand in the international And according to the min- that he was unaware of a no- ber planting had left much to market,” Piseth said. istry, the Kingdom exported table expansion in rubber cul- be desired, with some families Rubber plantations in more than 350,000 tonnes of tivation area in recent years. and companies even turning to Cambodia cover a total of rubber last year, earning more He said his company’s Jan- cashew nuts or bananas. 404,159ha, according to the than $482 million, with most uary-April exports were on He said rubber yields in the General Department of Rub- bound for China, Vietnam, The Kingdom exported 192,495 tonnes of milled rice in the first four months pace with last year. province will likely match last ber. Of this, 292,497ha (72 Singapore and Malaysia. of this year, down by 35.89 per cent year-on-year. HENG CHIVOAN Sino-US row lifts Southeast Asia economy No data link WHEN the US Department a U-turn compared with a defi- seven companies, including Covid cases of Commerce signalled in cit of $7.3 billion at the end of Japan’s Panasonic and auto late 2019 that it was level- last year; the most since at least parts giant Denso, move fac- to frozen ling anti-dumping duties on 2005, according to the Bank of tories from China to a 4,000ha Chinese-made bed frames, Thailand’s online data. Batang industrial park. nightstands and other bed- “Reflecting the trade tensions To be sure, because of its mas- items: letter room furniture, one Indone- and the improving investment sive market, supply of trained Continued from page 1 sian furniture maker saw an climate in member economies, labour and well-developed do- opening. more relocation investments are mestic supplier base, China is scientific study or other docu- Integra Group of Sidoarjo, expected to move to ASEAN,” still attracting investment. mented evidence from inter- East Java, doubled down on said think-tank ASEAN Plus The Amro report said of the national institutions – espe- expansion plans, bringing to Three Macroeconomic Research 33 projects headed for Asia cially the World Health nearly 500 billion rupiah ($34.6 Organisation (Amro) in an April last year, nine were slated for Organisation – that Covid-19 million) the amount it was 7 report. ASEAN+3 includes Chi- China. is transmitted through pack- spending over two years on na, Japan and South Korea. Amro chief economist Khor aging or fresh meat. equipment like wood veneer Starting in 2017, there was Hoe Ee, who co-wrote the re- While the UN Food and Agri- laser cutters, saws and com- a sudden surge in the num- port, told The Sunday Times culture Organisation (FAO) puter-controlled routers that Indonesia said realised foreign direct investment (FDI) jumped 13 per bers of China-based investors that labour-intensive busi- and the US Food and Drug can etch patterns into a wood- cent during the first three months to March to $7.7 billion from a year relocating operations into nesses, including electronics, Administration (FDA) previ- en panel within minutes. earlier. AFP ASEAN and big Asian econo- textiles and furniture, will be ously confirmed that there are Now, with Chinese-made with the start of the Covid-19 during the same period. mies such as Japan and South among the businesses most no data linking packaging or furniture facing US counter- pandemic just over a year In Malaysia, which saw FDI Korea, as some Chinese in- likely to shift their operations frozen meats to Covid-19 cas- vailing duties of up to 200 per ago, the region’s economy is crater by two-thirds last year, vestors and foreign-owned because they were less able es, some governments – such cent, Integra’s orders have on the move again. and in Thailand, where it companies attempted to side to cope with steeper tariffs or as China’s – have taken pre- ballooned. Investors and analysts say halved, there are also promis- step trade frictions between geo-political shocks. ventive steps anyway by ban- During the first two months it is getting a lift from unre- ing signs of a turnaround. China and the US. Reforms, such as Indone- ning and burning products of the year, new and existing solved Sino-US trade ten- Microsoft said it would in- Of 33 announcements sia’s so-called omnibus labour deemed “high-risk”, according customers, including Swed- sions. vest $1 billion over five years about operations relocating and investment laws, which to the minister’s letter. ish home furnishing giant On April 28, the Asian Devel- to build data centres in alli- to Asia, 14 were slated to go to promise to shrink the time it In particular, the inspection Ikea and US retailers such as opment Bank said it expects ances with Malaysian local ASEAN countries, the April 7 takes to secure approval for and testing of Covid-19 on frozen Target and Costco, have pep- Southeast Asia’s gross domes- businesses and government report said. projects while making it eas- meat and other “high-risk” items pered the company with 1.8 tic product (GDP) to grow 4.4 agencies. Late last year, Indonesia ier to contain wage hikes, will is a measure that can be trillion rupiah in orders, ea- per cent this year, accelerating In Thailand, exports unveiled a memorandum of give economies an edge over explained under the hygiene and ger to avoid steep mark-ups to 5.1 per cent in 2022. climbed nearly eight per cent understanding with South their neighbours as invest- phytosanitary framework in in the showroom. Indonesia also said on April in the first quarter, setting Korea’s LG Energy for invest- ment picks up. Annex “A” of the sanitation and “We saw the potential for 28 that realised foreign direct aside highly volatile items like ments worth nearly $10 bil- “There’s a lot of potential phytosanitary agreement of the our business so we expanded investment (FDI) jumped 13 oil and gold and taking into lion to make batteries for use for companies to move out World Trade Organisation. capacity,” Wendy Chandra, per cent during the first three account an uptick in imports. in electric vehicles in Batang, of China and into ASEAN,” Dr Article 5 of this agreement Integra’s corporate secretary, months to March to $7.7 bil- Naris Sathapholdeja, head Central Java. Khor said. requires the clarification of the told The Sunday Times. “Our lion from a year earlier. of analytics at Thailand’s TMB In July, Indonesia’s Invest- “Countries are positioning necessities and reasons for car- big buyers and new buyers In Vietnam, pledges of for- Bank, reckons capital inflows ment Coordinating Board an- themselves to attract invest- rying out such sanitary and keep coming to us.” eign capital rose more than may total $4 billion during the nounced $850 million in mid- ment.” THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGA- phytosanitary measures, based Thrown into the deep freeze 18 per cent to $10.1 billion first three months of the year – sized deals that would see PORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK on scientific jurisdiction. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World SK minister India expands faltering jab pins hopes on summit drive as Covid cases rocket for N Korea NDIA’S devastating Covid-19 surge further accelerated on SOUTH Korea’s unification minister May 1 with more than 400,000 Lee In-young on April 29 stressed new cases in 24 hours, as vac- the importance of the upcoming Icinations opened to all adults despite South Korea-US summit, pinning shortages of shots. hopes on the meeting as a chance to The hard-hit capital New Delhi revive the stalled Korean Peninsula meanwhile extended its shutdown peace process. for another week while top US pan- “I believe the first half of this year, demic adviser Anthony Fauci said with the US’ policy review on North that India should go into a national Korea expected to be completed and lockdown for “a few weeks”. uncertainty being cleared up, will be Two months ago the health minis- a golden opportunity and the most ter said India was in the “end game” optimal time for the South, the North of the pandemic as it sent millions and the US to move together toward of vaccines abroad, but now exports the Korean Peninsula peace process,” have stopped and people are des- Lee told reporters during a press con- perate to be inoculated. ference in Seoul. “On that note, the A crowd of people formed outside Korea-US summit planned for next one Delhi hospital on May 1 – one of month [May] is very important.” very few offering shots to those un- He expressed hope that the summit der 45 years old. would serve as an important chance Until now, only “frontline” work- to accelerate the resumption of the ers like medical staff, people over 45 peace process on the peninsula, and those with pre-existing illnesses based on strategic coordination have been given the AstraZeneca or between Seoul and Washington on Covaxin shots. dealing with Pyongyang. But even this more modest pro- President Moon Jae-in and his US gramme has stumbled, with some counterpart Joe Biden are set to meet areas running out of jabs and others in Washington late this month for throwing them away because of lack their first face-to-face talks since of demand, in part because some Biden’s inauguration. With Washing- people are scared to leave home ton expected to complete its months- during this recent surge. The world’s second-most populous nation has logged over 400,000 new coronavirus cases in one day. AFP long policy review on North Korea in So far, around 150 million shots the weeks ahead, North Korea is like- have been administered, equating even if we get infected, we’ll recov- “The whole thing looks like a con- Fauci said in an interview with the ly to be high on the agenda. to 11.5 per cent of the population er”, data scientist Megha Srivastava, fused elephant to me right now,” Indian Express published on May Moon, who is approaching the of 1.3 billion people. Just 25 million 35, told AFP outside the Max clinic, said T Jacob John, a retired clinical 1 that India was “in a very difficult final year of his five-year term, has have had two doses. one of three private hospitals in the virology professor at the Christian and desperate situation” and that it expressed hopes that the upcoming With the expansion of the rollout capital vaccinating younger people. Medical College Vellore. “absolutely [has] to get more people summit might serve as a turning to all adults, around 600 million Further confusion has been cre- “Do you want to control the epi- vaccinated”. point for inter-Korean relations and more people are now eligible to get ated by the government’s decision to demic, save lives or both? If you want Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nuclear diplomacy with the reclu- vaccinated, but many states said ask states and private hospitals to or- both you’ll require a huge amount of government has resisted imposing sive regime. The two sides have been they have insufficient stocks. der vaccine supplies on their own. vaccines. And we don’t have it,” John a national shutdown lockdown but deadlocked since the collapse of the Millions of younger people terrified “We have contacted Serum Insti- told AFP. many states have imposed heavy re- Hanoi summit in February 2019. by the current situation and desper- tute of India that has said they will He and other experts say that strictions. Despite the recent build-up of ate to get inoculated registered on be able to provide doses only after given the shortages, and its colos- Russia on May 1 became the lat- cross-border tensions, Lee believes the government’s digital platform. six months,” DS Rana, chair of the sal population, India should have a est country to send aid, with the first Pyongyang is still “exploring chances But very few of them have been Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, much more targeted policy, concen- shipment of 150,000 Sputnik V vac- for talks” with Washington and Seoul, given appointments and only told the Hindustan Times daily. trating vaccinations in hotspots. cines arriving by aircraft. noting that Pyongyang has not car- around half a dozen of India’s 28 CK Bakshi, a doctor at one govern- Gujarat is among the few states Indian firms also have deals to pro- ried out a major provocation and has states began vaccinating people ment hospital, said there was “no to have said they would do so, with duce millions of doses of other vac- taken a measured approach toward under 45, and in many cases only a issue with supply” and was vacci- chief minister Vijay Rupani saying cines including Sputnik V and John- criticism of Seoul. “North Korea will token scale. nating almost 300 people a day. But on April 30 that vaccinations for son & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine, likely be watching the US policy on Vaccinations “won’t completely it did not have government permis- over-18s would happen only in the but it could be months until these are the North and particularly the out- protect us, but it will ensure that sion to jab under 45s, she told AFP. 10 worst-hit districts. deployed. AFP come of next month’s Korea-US sum- mit and weigh its next external actions, also considering the Covid- 19 situation,” he said. The minister reiterated his calls for Pyongyang to reengage with Optimism for Iran nuke breakthrough Seoul, adding that the government was open to talks with North Korea HOPES for Iran nuclear breakthrough “We have started writing texts and accord have been engaged in nego- will see,” he wrote. “anytime, anywhere and on any- ‘within weeks’ but success ‘not guar- this is where the work actually progress- tiations since early last month to try The delegations would return to thing”. anteed’ es rather slowly, since working on the to revive it. their respective capitals and resume In the meantime, Lee stressed that Parties to the Iran nuclear agree- text requires accuracy and considering The third round of talks started on talks from May 7, Iran’s foreign min- the South Korean government will do ment on May 1 adjourned the third that some issues are still disagreed on, April 27 and, after several days of istry said in a statement. what it can, starting with humanitar- round of negotiations in Vienna aimed the work goes on slowly.” technical discussions between expert “Considering the commission’s pre- ian cooperation projects, such as at bringing the US back into the “Sanctions that are … sector-relat- groups, delegations met on May 1. vious decision regarding speeding up public health projects dealing with accord, with the Russian side express- ed ones such as sanctions on Iran’s Representatives of the parties still the talks process, [last] week’s talks Covid-19, as well as providing rice ing “cautious and growing optimism” energy sector, which includes oil and in the agreement – Iran, China, Rus- continued quickly in bilateral format and fertiliser to Pyongyang. and saying they hoped to achieve con- gas, or sanctions on the auto indus- sia, France, Germany and the UK – and the sides tried to minimise disa- Noting that Seoul can’t just wait crete results within three weeks. try, banking and finance, insurance who met for just over an hour noted greements regarding the texts” it said. around for Washington and A diplomatic source from the E3 and ports; based on agreements the “indisputable progress” achieved, “The sides agree that the work must Pyongyang to restart the stalled powers of Britain, France and Ger- made so far, all these sanctions must Russian ambassador Mikhail Uly- continue with more speed and seri- denuclearisation talks, Lee believes many said “we have yet to come to an be lifted. And there is agreement on anov said on Twitter adding that he ousness in the future round of talks.” invigorated cooperation in human- understanding on the most critical it, too,” he added. was cautiously optimistic. The E3 diplomatic source said the itarian areas between the two Kore- points. Success is by no means guar- The deal, which curbs Iran’s nucle- “It’s too early to be excited, but we talks had taken place in a “serious as could help create a favourable anteed, but not impossible”. ar programme in exchange for sanc- have reasons for cautious and grow- and focused atmosphere despite out- atmosphere for talks on denuclear- Iran’s delegation head and deputy tions relief, has been on life support ing optimism. There is no deadline, side turbulences”. isation, establishment of peace and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speak- since then US president Donald but participants aim at successful “As E3, we will redouble our efforts economic cooperation going for- ing to state broadcaster IRIB, said the Trump bolted in 2018. completion of the talks in approxi- to make this deal possible,” the ward. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NET- negotiations had “reached a maturity”. The remaining partners to the 2015 mately three weeks. Is it realistic? We source said. AFP WORK THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Afghan retreat: US formally withdrawing HE US formally be- are you destroying? Your pre- gan withdrawing its text of fighting the foreigners last troops from Af- is now over,” Ghani said in a ghanistan on May 1, speech this week. bringingT its longest war near- Still, General Mark Mil- er to an end but also herald- ley, chairman of the US Joint ing an uncertain future for a Chiefs of Staff, has not ruled country in the tightening grip out total chaos. of an emboldened Taliban. “On the worst-case analysis, US officials on the ground you have a potential collapse say the withdrawal is already of the government, a poten- a work in progress – and May tial collapse of the military,” 1 is just a continuation – but he said earlier this week. Washington has made an issue “You have a civil war and all of the date because it is a dead- the humanitarian catastro- line agreed with the Taliban in phe that goes with it.” 2020 to complete the pullout. Police officer Abdul Malik The skies above Kabul and from the former insurgent nearby Bagram airbase have bastion of Kandahar said they been buzzing with more US were prepared. helicopter activity than usual “We have to take care of our as the pullout gears up, follow- homeland … We will do our ing the start on April 29 of a best to defend our soil,” he concurrent NATO withdrawal. told AFP. Afghan security forces were The US-led military on- on high alert for any possible slaught in Afghanistan began in Taliban attacks on retreating October 2001 in the aftermath US troops. of the September 11 attacks. The US military said it had Two decades later, and af- carried out a “precision strike” ter the death of almost 2,400 after an airfield in the southern US citizens and tens of thou- province of Kandahar where it sands of Afghans, Biden says has a base was attacked. the final withdrawal was jus- The strike, which the military The prospect of an end of 20 years of US presence comes despite fighting raging across the countryside.AFP tified as US forces had now said destroyed more rockets made sure the country cannot aimed at the airfield, came after again become a base for for- the base “received ineffective From there “they will go to withdrawal of the remaining against the invading forces,” Nowrozi, who works at a pri- eign jihadists to plot against indirect fire” on May 1 after- their respective countries”, 2,500 US forces would be com- Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban vate radio station in Kabul. the West. noon that caused no damages. Yasin told reporters. plete by the 20th anniversary spokesman told AFP, adding “The Taliban are still the Concerns are high that the “The Americans will for- The prospect of an end to of the September 11 attacks. that the group was awaiting same; they have not changed. Taliban might yet strike at re- mally begin their withdrawal the US presence after 20 years “A horrific attack 20 years orders from its leaders. The US should have extended treating US forces, and in the from Afghanistan starting comes despite fighting raging ago … cannot explain why we Since the US withdrawal deal their presence by at least a southern province of Kan- May 1 and the Taliban might across the countryside in the should remain there in 2021,” was struck the Taliban have not year or two,” she told AFP. dahar – where the foes used increase the violence,” acting absence of a peace deal. he said. directly engaged foreign troops, Afghan President Ashraf to clash regularly – security interior minister Hayatullah A stark reminder of what The Taliban said the US but have mercilessly attacked Ghani insists that government sources say several areas are Hayat told top police com- remains came late on April troop withdrawal was to be government forces in the coun- forces – which for months laden with explosives planted manders, according to an au- 30 with a car bomb in Pul- completed by May 1 as agreed tryside and waged a terror cam- have carried out most of the by the insurgents. dio clip given to reporters. e-Alam, south of the capital, in last year’s accord with paign in urban areas. ground fighting against the “If the Taliban attack re- Afghan acting defence min- killing at least 24 people and Washington, and warned it The exit of US forces has Taliban – are “fully capable” of treating US or allied forces, it ister Zia Yasin said US and wounding 110 more. was a “clear violation” that only exacerbated the fear felt keeping the insurgents at bay. would be to bloody the nose allied troops will be leaving US President Joe Biden is the troops were not fully out. by ordinary Afghans. He said the pullout also of a defeated enemy and to their bases and will gather at determined to end what he “This in principle opens “Everyone is scared that we means the Taliban have no humiliate it further,” said Af- Bagram, the biggest US base called “the forever war”, an- the way for our mujahideen might go back to the dark days reason to fight. ghanistan specialist Nishank in Afghanistan. nouncing last month that the to take appropriate action of the Taliban era,” said Mena “Who are you killing? What Motwani. AFP Egos collide in Bezos and Musk space race

EVEN the Milky Way seems too small oped into projects to deploy networks to keep the egos of tech billionaires of satellites providing wireless inter- Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk from col- net service and for space tourism. liding as they vie to conquer space. While SpaceX and Blue Origin have Musk aimed low with a recent tweet the benefit of founders with ample saying “can’t get it up [to orbit]” in financial resources, they also com- response to a post about Bezos-found- pete for contracts with US military or ed space company Blue Origin protest- space agencies. ing NASA’s choice of Musk’s SpaceX Musk has a clear lead over Bezos. team to build a module that will land SpaceX has deployed hundreds of the next US astronauts on the moon. satellites into orbit, while a Kuiper “This is more than just a battle for satellite network remains Earth- space,” said Wedbush analyst Daniel bound despite Bezos pledging $10 Ives. “There is some ego at play as well; billion in backing. this has become even more personal.” Musk even formed an alliance with The tech entrepreneurs have each Microsoft, which is Amazon’s biggest channelled some of their vast for- rival in the cloud computing market, tunes into private space exploration to use its Azure platform to provide The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour as it approached the International Space Station after launching from Kennedy Space Center companies since early this century. satellite-powered internet service, the in Florida on April 24. NASA/AFP Bezos, 57, is founder of Blue Origin companies announced late last year. as well as of e-commerce colossus Microsoft said it will also work with former US president Donald Trump. tive of Amazon and planned to spend see if you like it – because it´s a gar- Amazon. Forbes ranks him the rich- SpaceX on a government contract to NASA has developed confidence in more time on other projects includ- den paradise compared to Mars.” est person on this planet, worth some build satellites as part of a defence SpaceX, which has been trusted to ing Blue Origin. The rivalry between Bezos and $202 billion. system capable of detecting and shuttle supplies and astronauts to the Bezos has cited the futuristic vision Musk comes with out-of-this-world Musk, the colourful 49-year-old tracking ballistic, cruise and hyper- International Space Station, according of late physicist and space advocate financial stakes. founder of Tesla and SpaceX as well as sonic missiles. to Foundation for Strategic Research Gerard O’Neill, but has mocked Analyst Ives predicted that the other companies, including one work- Separately, the US defence depart- space specialist Xavier Pasco. Musk’s talk of colonising Mars. “monetisation” of space would ing to mesh human brains with com- ment last year awarded a $10 billion Blue Origin, in contrast, hasn’t made Bezos has made it clear he thinks the launch in earnest soon, with trillions puters, is in third place with a worth of “JEDI” cloud computing contract to that “important step”, Pasco noted. red planet is not a spot for a home. of dollars to be made. $173 billion, according to the ranking. Microsoft instead of Amazon. Bezos has been left to challenge “Who want to move to Mars?” Bez- “Bezos and Musk know that the Dreams of private companies taking Amazon has alleged it was shut out SpaceX in court here on planet Earth. os said at a conference in 2019. winner of the space battle will be to the stars – instead of leaving such of the deal because of a vendetta He announced early this year that “Do me a favour, go live on the top crowned within the next one or two wonders to governments – have devel- against the company and Bezos by he is stepping down as chief execu- of Mount Everest for a year first, and years,” Ives said. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Blasts, rallies as Myanmar enters month number four under junta XPLOSIONS rocked Myan- home because I was worried they mar’s largest city Yangon on would arrest me,” he told AFP. May 1 as protesters held flash By afternoon, two more blasts marches for democracy, defy- went off in Yankin, further south, ingE a brutal junta that has held onto according to residents of the leafy power for three bloody months. residential township. The country has been in turmoil “I thought it was thunder,” a resi- since the military ousted civilian leader dent told AFP, adding that the explo- Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, bring- sions left the security forces nervous. ing an abrupt end to Myanmar’s short- The state-run evening news said a Protesters made the three-finger salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon as Myanmar entered its fourth lived experiment with democracy. woman was wounded in the Yankin month under military rule. AFP The power grab triggered a mas- blasts, which it blamed on “instigators”. sive uprising which authorities have No one has yet claimed responsibility has recorded a far lower death toll. of Myanmar’s myriad ethnic armies, eration, firing two rockets and artil- tried to quell with lethal force and for the bombings that are taking place But the democracy movement many of which have been battling the leries” around 12:48am, said a state- live ammunition. with increasing frequency in Yangon. remains undeterred, with demon- military for decades in border regions. ment released by Mae Hong Son’s As Myanmar entered its fourth The former capital has utterly strators gathering on May 1 in cen- Several have condemned the military governor Sithichai Jindaluang. month under military rule on May transformed since the junta seized tral Monywa city – a flashpoint for and come out in support of the anti-jun- He added that more than 2,300 1, protesters in commercial hub power on February 1, with bar- violence – carrying signs that said ta movement, offering shelter to fleeing Myanmar nationals have crossed Yangon – an epicentre of unrest with ricades erected in key protest “Monywa cannot be ruled”. activists in the territory they control. into Thailand. a heavy security presence – staged hotspots, security forces on patrol, In southern Dawei, protesters Clashes between the military and Media and local Karen aid groups flash demonstrations, marching rap- and residents reporting nighttime waved the signature red flags of Suu the Karen National Union (KNU), were blocked access to the refugees, idly through the streets to avoid con- arrests of suspected dissidents. Kyi’s National League for Democ- one of the leading rebel groups, with authorities citing the spread of frontation with police and soldiers. “They [the junta] have made people racy (NLD) party, and carried signs have escalated since the coup. Covid-19 as a reason – stopping to The lightning-quick pace of the live in fear and it is good to have them on that said “We want democracy”. The KNU have seized and razed mili- check the temperatures of locals re- protests is “so that people will have edge as well,” the Yankin resident said. Wanted posters of junta leader Se- tary posts and the junta has responded turning home. time to disappear when the security He also praised the flash protest- nior General Min Aung Hlaing were with repeated air strikes in the rebels’ Violence has also flared in Myan- forces come, or else they would die ers for their ingenuity in evading ar- also pasted around town, calling Karen state heartland – the latest taking mar’s northern Kachin state between or get arrested”, said student activist rest and crackdowns. him a “power addict”. place right after midnight on May 1. the Kachin Independence Army and Min Han Htet. “Any show of defiance without He has continuously justified the The targeted area is right next to the military, which launched air strikes In Yangon’s Insein township, a bomb getting captured or killed is great for putsch as necessary to protect de- Thailand’s northern Mae Hong Son in Momauk township on April 30. blast went off around 10am near a local the resistance.” mocracy, alleging fraud in Novem- province, and displaced residents Saturday saw fresh artillery shell- school, said a resident staying nearby. Across the country, nearly 760 ci- ber’s election which Suu Kyi’s party have fled across the Salween river, ing hit two small towns, according “Some security forces came to vilians have been killed in the anti- won in a landslide. which demarcates the border. to a humanitarian worker, who said check the blast area, but I only coup unrest, according to a local The unceasing violence against “Myanmar soldiers used a fighter residents were fearful about the watched from a distance from my monitoring group, though the junta protesters has drawn the ire of some aircraft to launch an air strike op- fighting getting closer. AFP S’pore minister: Mental wellness Residents of HCMC an important issue amid Covid-19 swap plastic bottles WITH lockdowns sparked by problem … I think as a society, Covid-19 imposing severe we need to do more.” for socks in scheme constraints on people globally, Launched on April 5, CAL’s mental wellness has been an campaign, called Walk for Men- A PROJECT in Ho Chi Minh which can be pulled out into important issue and will be tal Wellness, ends on May 16, but City (HCMC) is creating pairs soft fibres. even more so going forward, donations are open until June of socks from recycled plastic Binh also said fibres made Singaporean Minister of Home 30. bottles. from coffee grounds could be Affairs and Law K Shanmugam The campaign has already And anyone who donated reused and the team planned said on May 1. exceeded its S$250,000 target bottles to the scheme last week to combine the two kinds of In Singapore, there are dif- (US$190,000), which will be were given a pair of socks in fibres in the future to produce ferent facets to the issue, given matched dollar-for-dollar by exchange. socks and clothes. the urban environment, the the government. Le Hong Nhu was among Via the event, the team hectic lifestyle, as well as an Based on the idea of “You those in line in Phu Nhuan wanted to call upon people to ageing population. Donate, They Walk”, mental district’s Ward 8, ready to swap minimise plastic waste and “It is something that all of us wellness champions including her bottles for socks. protect the environment. have to actively get involved Speaker of Parliament Tan She believes plastic waste is “We want to show people the in,” said Shanmugam, who Chuan-Jin, member of Parlia- a major environmental prob- value of recycled plastic bottles, joined the board members of ment (MP) Murali Pillai, lem and was happy to provide they could make useful items to charity Caregivers Alliance former Nominated MP Anthea a helping hand. serve our daily life,” he said. Limited (CAL) on a short walk Singaporean Minister of Home Affairs and Law Shanmugam (right) is Ong and Khoo Teck Puat Hos- Nhu said the idea to create According to the UN Envi- at the Botanic Gardens with accompanied by his dog Milly during a short walk at the Botanic pital CEO Chua Hong Choon, socks from discarded bottles ronment Programme (UNEP), several canine companions. Gardens on Saturday. CAREGIVERS ALLIANCE LIMITED/THE STRAITS TIMES have been roped in for the could help reduce the amount around the world, one million The walk is part of a larger campaign. They will need to of unnecessary waste. plastic drinking bottles are campaign by CAL to raise tions Tricia Lee told The Straits increase of 18 per cent from walk or run 1km for every The event was organised on purchased every minute, while awareness about mental Times (ST): “We have definite- 33,387 in 2019. S$100 raised, and have four April 24 and 25 by a group of five trillion single-use plastic health and the challenges ly seen an increase in the On the effect that the novel weeks – between April 17 and youngsters under the name bags are used worldwide every faced by caregivers of people demand for the courses. coronavirus has had on mental May 16 – to complete their Re.Socks. year. In total, half of all plastic with mental health issues. It Among our caregivers, more health, Shanmugam said: “Peo- walk or run. Hoang Quy Binh, team lead- produced is designed to be also aims to raise funds for people have also been experi- ple are social beings and when Donors can track their er, told the Gia dinh & Xa hoi used only once – and then CAL, which provides free train- encing crises at home.” you can’t socialise as much as champion’s progress on the online newspaper that recy- thrown away. ing programmes for these car- A survey of 1,000 people you did [before], it does impact campaign’s website. cled plastic could be used to Researchers estimate that egivers. commissioned by ST in March some people a little bit more.” There is also a social media make many products. more than 8.3 billion tonnes of The donations will allow the found that one in three people More broadly, younger peo- challenge. Members of the pub- “When we recycled plastic plastic has been produced charity to continue providing felt his or her mental well- ple here face daily stresses, lic can donate to CAL, walk 1km, bottles to weave them into since the early 1950s. About 60 much needed support to car- being had worsened since the whether in school or at work, and then nominate a friend to clothes or socks, we would per cent of that plastic has egivers and help to expand eight-week circuit breaker he said. Meanwhile, older peo- do the same by using the hash- help reduce the impact of plas- ended up in either a landfill or several new programmes, period a year ago. ple are living longer and could tag #W4MWChallenge. tic waste on environment,” he the natural environment. Only including courses for younger Suicide prevention agency face dementia-related issues. The campaign has raised said. nine per cent of all plastic caregivers and caregivers of Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) Shanmugam added: “Many S$288,461 and clocked 2,884km The plastic used to make the waste ever produced has been people with dementia. received 39,492 suicide and of us will know people in our so far. THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ socks must be PET (Polyethyl- recycled. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS CAL’s head of communica- crisis-related calls last year, an family, somebody [who] has a ASIA NEWS NETWORK ene terephthalate) plastic, NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion Consumers and businesses hate www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer plastic waste, but problems remain Ly Tayseng Managing Editor Sam Rith Opinion Deputy Managing Editor Edwin Seah and Natalie Harms Phuon Chansereivuth Chief of Staff LASTIC pollution is never far Phak Seangly away in Southeast Asia. It’s in Business Editor the streets, the rivers, the for- May Kunmakara ests, the beaches and almost Deputy Business Editor anywhereP else you care to look. Sangeetha Amarthalingam According to a 2018 UN Environment Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Programme (UNEP) analysis of plas- Pan Simala tics production, demand and waste, Senior Reporters half of the world’s plastic is produced Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng in Asia and around 40 per cent of all Reporters plastic is consumed in the Asia-Pacific Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, region. It is clear the region is at the Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, heart of the global plastic waste crisis. Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, What was already a big problem Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, prior to Covid-19 has been com- Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha pounded by the pandemic. While val- Photographers id, current concerns about sanitation Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey are overshadowing long-term envi- Web Editor ronmental initiatives and plastic Leang Phannara waste is proliferating across all coun- Digital Team tries. Lockdowns and social distanc- Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy ing have also increased household SIEM REAP BUREAU plastic and non-recyclable waste, Offi ce Manager with significant volumes generated Sophearith Blondeel from increased e-commerce deliver- PRODUCTION & PRINTING ies further magnifying the problem. Head of Desktop Publishing Nobody wants this. Consumers Nhim Sokphyrak hate plastic waste as do businesses, Desktop Publishing for whom it’s economically ineffi- Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath cient. But there is a disconnect between what everyone wants and what everyone is doing. Workers collect plastic waste as they clean up Kuta beach near Denpasar on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali on January 6 this year. afp The Perceptions on Plastic Waste Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna survey of 2,000 consumers and 400 by 2025 and Malaysia plans to elimi- top priority – an area that is unfortu- use of clear and consistent labelling food and beverage businesses in nate single-use plastic by 2030. Thai- nately lacking in many developing on product recyclability. Policies that HEAD OFFICE Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, land made the commitment to ban countries across Southeast Asia and encourage household waste segrega- Post Media Co., Ltd. Thailand, and Vietnam conducted by plastic cap seals in water bottles and has deterred recycling. tion and the use of recycled materials The Elements Condominium Level 7, the UNEP and Food Industry Asia plastic microbeads by 2019 and For years, the concept of “reduce, in packaging including food packag- Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, (FIA) in 2020 found 91 per cent of major manufacturers in the country reuse, recycle” has been widely pro- ing, would also be beneficial. The lat- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom consumers are “extremely con- have responded positively. It also moted with the goal of creating a cir- ter would immediately improve the Penh, Cambodia cerned” about the problem. But more plans to eliminate plastic bags less cular economy, but recycling is often quality of recyclables while reducing Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 than half of the consumers surveyed than 36 microns in thickness, Styro- sadly disregarded. Within selected the use of virgin materials. Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 continue to use non-recycled con- foam food boxes, plastic straws, and markets, over 80 per cent of recycling Without question, good governance is Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 tainers, due to both cultural norms part of the solution, but cooperation SIEM REAP No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune about hygiene and lack of under- and support from business and con- Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 standing that repurposed food pack- The concept of ‘reduce, reuse, sumers must follow to sustain efforts. COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT aging is typically safe. Furthermore, in a region as diverse as Chief Operating Offi cer Similarly, 82 per cent of companies recycle’ has been widely Southeast Asia, collaboration across James Ong Soon Teck surveyed in the same study expressed borders is also crucial as it can help Advertising Department concerns about plastic waste. But less promoted . . . but recycling is smooth political discord where it might Chap Narith, 017 996 241 than half of them is part of alliances at exist, and facilitate the sharing of best Hun Channet, 017 578 768 the national, regional, or global levels often sadly disregarded practices, technologies, and resources. Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 working to solve the problem. Covid-19 may have hindered our Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 In an attempt to close the inten- single-use plastic cups by 2022. operations have been impeded dur- efforts on plastic pollution so far, but Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 tion-action gap, governments have Vietnam’s action plan targets that ing the pandemic, increasing landfills in the response, we – governments, Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 pledged to take a firmer stance and by 2030, the country will reduce 75 that are quickly reaching capacity. businesses, and consumers – can CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION continue to advance efforts to man- per cent of plastic waste in the ocean, To tackle this growing issue, govern- make sure we build back better. This Acting Distribution Manager date improved management and have 100 per cent of lost or discarded ments can increase financing to waste is a long-term problem that should Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 reduction of plastic waste. In 2019, fishing tools collected, and eradicate management schemes, improve infra- not be ignored, and we need to grasp Circulation Supervisor ASEAN member nations signed the the direct discharge of fishing tools structure, and enact legislation that the opportunities we have to address Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Bangkok Declaration on Combating into the ocean. drives best practices in recycling. it. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 Marine Debris, which compiled com- Such commitments mark a signifi- On the consumer front, govern- ADMINISTRATION mitments from around the region. cant step forward; however, consum- ments can improve education about Edwin Seah is head of sustainability at Food Admin & HR Manager Industry Asia. Natalie Harms is Southeast Asia Pich Socheat Indonesia pledged $1 billion to ers and businesses agree that recycling methods that will empower circular programme officer at the UN Environ- Assistants Admin & HR Manager curb 70 per cent of its ocean debris improved waste collection is also a them to act, such as mandating the ment Programme. Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

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The products from Sepak are almost 100 per cent handmade and by Cambodian artisans. SUPPLIED Using traditionally made fabric, bags are designed with modern touch. SUPPLIED

Roth Sochieata was seeing the same problem that An unusually high percentage of I was but from a consumer stand- Cambodian children are now raised HERE are a lot of people – point, and so together we founded by grandparents while their parents both tourists and natives Sepak. go and work elsewhere. Some of the – who would love to buy lo- “I had the idea to create this jobs they end up at can be exploit- cal products for themselves Khmer handicrafts online platform ative, such as KTV establishments orT as gifts to friends and family, but that would bring together handi- that sometimes serve as fronts for they often have trouble finding what craft makers and customers who are prostitution, but many women they’re looking for despite the fact looking to find the real locally made choose to work there anyways be- that there are many Cambodian ar- products, sort of like a specialized cause the pay is better than factories tisans with high quality products version of Etsy focused exclusively or shops. all over the country that often have on Cambodian artisans. “Seeing all this suffering is what trouble finding ways to reach new “And so with the experience I al- drives me to make my business be clients. ready had working with craftsmen, not just a business but a way for us Lim Kanika noticed that this dis- I continued to have a good relation- to create jobs for people, generate connect between customers and ar- ship with them and so all of this led income for them and reduce migra- tisans was a persistent problem and to us starting Sepak,” Kanika tells The tion,” Kanika says. she co-founded her organisation Post. The products from Sepak are almost Sepak to bring both sides together Kanika says that although Sepak is 100 per cent handmade by Cambo- and attempt to solve it. only online for now and has no actu- dian artisans. Nearly 30 products Kanika used to work as a product al physical location or shop for cus- including purses, handbags, straps, Customised mugs are produced by local artisans. SUPPLIED manager with the Nomi Network, tomers to go, if customers wish to see baskets, masks, scarves, jewellry, ear- which provides training for artisans the products then Sepak is willing to rings, bracelets and some kitchen ac- some people because their prices shoes and know that although it is a in how to design and manage prod- show them by appointment. cessories are now available. were considered too high for prod- little more expensive, it’s top-quality. ucts that can be produced in Cambo- Sepak opened in early 2019 as a The products are mostly made ucts that were locally made, but ac- “It is the blood and sweat artisans dia and made by Cambodians. for-profit social enterprise – mean- from natural materials such as wa- cording to Kanika those people’s have put into their creations and “I worked for three years with ar- ing it is a business so it is interested ter hyacinth, clay, ceramic and oth- understanding of the situation is most of them aren’t working to get tisans in the Nomi Network. What I in making money, but it tries to pro- ers. The bags are generally made of somewhat backwards. rich, they are just working to survive observed is that they produced bril- vide some kind of larger benefit to woven fabric and leather and they Sepak deals in items that are made and what they do is far more labor liant and pleasing products – but society while doing so. combine into an attractive and styl- by hand by individual artisans, not intensive than working with machin- what they didn’t have was an under- Kanika had noted that in the prov- ish accessory. by machines in a factory, and that ery,” she says. standing of marketing or good man- inces there are few job opportuni- Due to Covid, masks are currently takes time, effort and skill – and that Kanika says that for Sepak’s future agement of their marketing. ties these days and a huge number their best selling product. Customers costs money. plans she wants to develop their “Then I had a friend who works in of workers were having to migrate who have used their masks say that “When people think of local prod- wholesale business, expand the ex- human resource management who in order to find employment – ei- they are not too stuffy and they don’t ucts here they sometimes think that port market abroad, improve on the was always having a hard time find- ther within Cambodia to the cities or cause any skin irritation like some of they will be outdated or poor quality creativity and design of the products ing gifts for her staff members so she abroad to places like Thailand. the synthetic masks do. or overpriced, but we are very selec- and add more options in each cat- Sepak receives 90% of their support tive about what we associate our- egory. from local customers, but Kanika has selves with so that simply isn’t the “I’d also like to improve our pack- also been sending samples of their case at Sepak,” she says. aging. High quality packaging is not products abroad to try and establish Kanika is trying to raise awareness that accessible yet in our country overseas markets for them, as she among Cambodians about the ben- compared to other countries,” says hopes to take Sepak worldwide. efits of supporting local Cambodian Kanika. “Our clients in Japan have been products. It helps Cambodian arti- Sepak’s mission to promote Khmer very happy with the products we’ve sans and keeps traditional Khmer arts and crafts isn’t always an easy exported to them. We always work re- cultural arts alive and even profit- one but with some early successes sponsibly and meet our deadlines and able. In some cases the techniques already achieved and a solid plan for that has given us a good reputation so being used to make the products the future, Kanika is optimistic about now we have the capacity to produce have been handed down over many how far they can go. larger orders to meet the demands of generations from ancestors. Kanika’s final message is that “if you bigger companies,” Kanika says. In addition to all of that, buying support us, we can survive. Our busi- The price depends on the items locally helps to develop the nation’s ness will move forward, our culture that the patrons want and also how economy and lift the poor up out of will be preserved. On the other hand, intricate or complicated it is to man- poverty. without any support – we could be ufacture. Masks can be as little as forced to close at any time.” $1.50 whereas bags and other items “So far, most people have been For more information Sepak can Nearly 30 products from different organisations include the highly demanded fabric can go for anywhere from $3 to $60. open-minded and supportive. They be contacted via their Facebook page masks. SUPPLIED Sepak initially faced criticism from have put themselves in the artisans’ @sepakcambodia THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Veni, vidi, bici: Is Rome ready for a cycling ‘revolution’? ith its historic potholed that Honda, Piaggio seven hills, crazy and other motorbike manufac- traffic, cobbles turers reportedly use them to and notoriously test the limits of the suspension Wcrumbling roads, Rome has of their new models. never been the ideal city for Picchi was persuaded by the cyclists – but with the coro- fact that she can do much of navirus pandemic, things are her commute and the school changing. run on a proper bike lane, pro- As elsewhere, streets emp- tected from traffic – a privilege tied by Covid-19 restrictions denied to most Romans, at have given cyclists room to least for the moment. breathe, but a new network She also took up a govern- of bike lanes and generous ment scheme offering up to government subsidies to buy €500 ($600) to people buying bicycles have also helped fuel a new or second-hand bike the boom. or electric scooter, which re- One of the converts is Valeria ceived 119,000 applications Picchi, a 36-year-old mother- last year. of-two who sold her scooter “A revolution is under way last year and bought an e-bike and I am part of it!” she ex- with a kids’ trailer. claimed, wheeling her bike “I feel like a rare bird,” she around the Villa Leopardi park said. “People look at us, my in the northern Nomentano kids are thrilled . . . I’m becom- district on a sunny but chilly ing a bit of a celebrity in the spring morning. neighbourhood.” “We’re not Denmark, we also Many in Rome still balk at need a revolution in our way the idea of setting off on a bi- of thinking, but we will slowly, cycle into the throng of buzz- slowly get there.” People ride their bicycle along the river Tiber underneath the Sant’Angelo bridge on April 7 in Rome. AFP ing Vespas, dented old Fiats and other kings of the Roman Painting over cobbles saw any bicycles in Rome. No- head of pro-environment lob- rary”, meaning a line of paint wards greener mobility. traffic jungle. Some think the progress is body used them except for a by Legambiente. on the side of the road, with “We need to dispel the myth Cyclists in the eternal city also too slow. ride in the park on Sundays,” But speaking to AFP from a no barriers to protect cyclists that Rome should be consid- have to brave streets so badly “Five years ago you hardly said Roberto Scacchi, regional main road near the Termini from cars. ered a bike-unfriendly city,” train station, where a bike lane One major cycle lane in he said, pointing to, among was recently added, he said: “I the north of the city abruptly other things, the grand plan don’t see any revolution . . . It’s turns into cobbles at points of a 45-kilometre cycling ring still one bicycle for every 100 – rather than being replaced road around the city. cars.” with tarmac, they have simply The so-called GRAB (Great According to the European been painted over. Bicycle Ring Road) would join Cyclists’ Federation, which the Colosseum, the Vatican has collated data about Euro- ‘Bubble could burst’ area and the hip Trastevere pean capitals from different Giulio Maselli, a bike shop district to lesser known dis- years, only 0.6 per cent of Ro- owner in central Rome, re- tricts in the east of Rome, like mans cycle regularly, against ported a jump in sales of at Tor Pignattara, and big parks 49 per cent of Copenhagen least 50 per cent last year, but in the north, like the Aniene residents. said Rome urgently needs to natural reserve. Mayor Virginia Raggi last upgrade its cycling infra- According to campaigners, year announced 150km of structure to keep up with the project is fully funded, of- new bike lanes, adding to an demand. ficially endorsed by the city of existing network of around “Otherwise this bubble is Rome, and could be ready by 250km, and getting the city destined to burst,” he said. the end of 2022. closer to its own ideal target Local authorities insist they “It’s going be the most beau- of 500km. are on it. Stefano Brinchi, tiful cycle path in the world,” But Legambiente com- head of municipal transport Legambiente’s Scacchi said. plains that just some 15km agency Roma Mobilita, said “Today, unfortunately, it’s the With its historic seven hills, cobbles and notoriously crumbling roads, Rome has never been the ideal city for have been completed so far, the city was working to fos- most beautiful cycle path, but cyclists – but things are changing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP and most of them are “tempo- ter an “irreversible” shift to- in the virtual world.” AFP With ‘lollipops’, Austria tests toddlers for virus A newly developed, lollipop-shaped 35,000 lollipop tests, a spokesperson “I think it makes sense to have strict- coronavirus test is being rolled out in for the regional government said. er controls in the educational sector,” some of Austria’s kindergartens as an This follows the success of a pilot he said. alternative for toddlers who don’t project with children in some kinder- The tests were invented by Manue- take well to throat or nose swabs. garten and day-care centres. la Foedinger, who leads the labora- Students – a little shy – lined up in Letters have been sent to parents tory at Vienna’s Kaiser-Franz-Joseph one Vienna kindergarten this week to informing them that the Burgenland hospital and is credited with pioneer- be tested, with the exercise open to state will provide each child with three ing a similarly simple-to-use gargle the media. free tests per week. test that is now widely used across the Though children are exempt from The instructions read as follows: nation of 8.9 million. many virus measures, there are fears “Put the test in the mouth, suck for 90 When her invention was recog- that with schools and kindergartens seconds, dip the test in the container, nised by the city of Vienna last year, reopening, the more contagious vari- wait 15 minutes, check the result.” the mayor of Vienna asked what ant that emerged in Britain and is After initial disappointment that the could be done to test toddlers and dominant in several EU countries tests lacked the bright colours and the Foedinger replied: “I have an idea could spread more widely among sweet taste of a real lollipop, instead for that, too.” young people and children. resembling “an oversized cotton In Vienna, Foedinger is now con- This could contribute to another swab”, father and graphic designer ducting a study with children between surge in cases and threaten progress Dominik Krotschek says that his the ages of one and six across five with vaccination campaigns. three-year-old has now taken well to kindergartens to show just how accu- To “keep track of the infections” the tests. rate the test results are and help and to offer a “sensible alternative to “It’s unproblematic – we just did it decide whether lollipop tests can be other testing options,” Austria’s Bur- again today and it worked well,” Krot- deployed more broadly, a spokesper- Medical workers look on as pre-school boy uses a newly developed, lollipop-shaped genland province has already ordered schek said. son said. AFP Covid-19 test in Vienna, Austria on April 28. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

A view of planted agricultural land near the sea in the small fishing town of Ghar El Melh in Tunisia’s north. AFP Tunisia ‘sandy’ farms resist drought – and development

armers near a sea- Ramli produce is said to Unlike in other parts of Tu- side lagoon in north- have a particular taste, and is nisia, these farms thrive all ern Tunisia are fight- in high demand both locally year round without artificial ing to preserve a and in Tunis. irrigation, allowing the farm- unique,F traditional irrigation But farmers voice regret that ers to produce up to 20 tonnes system that has sparked re- their products lack formal of crops per year. newed interest as North Afri- certification, despite theA F O Reeds protect the plots, just ca’s water shortages intensify. designation. four metres wide, from wind Retired schoolteacher Ali They must also contend and erosion, but shielding “THE MIDDLE” Garci wanders among tiny with growing threats to their them from human activity is sandy plots, inspecting his po- unique farming system, both another matter. ACROSS 54 Showered? 24 Musician Lofgren tatoes, lettuces and onions. from climate change and This beautiful coastline, 1 Approach 57 Bit of smoke 25 Choppers, so to speak “It’s not land that we culti- development. where a long strip of white 27 Bay in the stable 5 Abbr. at the end of a list 60 Like FDR’s deal vate for the profit it brings, but As rainfall becomes less regu- sand separates the lagoon 29 “Bride or groom?” asker 9 Absolute bedlam 62 Hindu attire 31 Pale for the art and the pleasure,” lar and sea levels rise, the ramli from the sea, is popular with 64 Rise to preeminence says the 61-year-old, who 14 Unlock 32 ___ gin fizz farmers’ delicate dance with holidaymakers. 68 Plight light works around a hectare inher- nature is becoming harder. “Lots of farmers are thinking 15 Plum type 33 First lady on Mount Olympus 69 “Out with it!” ited from his family. “We’re totally dependent on of selling their land for good 16 Cause of a red face? 34 Creates wonderment 70 Periphery Local farmers have used the rainwater,” Garci said. “We try prices, to people who want to 17 Facing up to expected hardship 35 Canonical hour 71 Not relaxed 36 Bread for a gyro “ramli” technique since the to preserve it in the most nat- build houses overlooking the 20 Gain in the polls 72 Gathering clouds, for one 38 Rat residence 17th century, when Muslims ural way possible.” sea and the hills,” said Garci. 21 Duffer’s dream 22 “Beware the ___ of March!” 73 What some students write on 41 Tongs, e.g. and Jews settled in North Af- For the system to work, the Meanwhile, he says, very 42 Relative of a rabbit 23 Brief period of time DOWN rica after fleeing the Catholic roots of the vegetables must few young Tunisians want to 1 Corn holders 43 On the briny 26 Terrycloth term reconquest of Andalusia. reach freshwater but also, cru- become farmers. 2 Narcotic from a poppy 48 Fax button 28 French farewell Some found safety in Ghar cially, not the saltwater below. But in a country where 80 3 Bygone Geo model 50 Piece of dinnerware El Melh, a small fishing town That requires precisely the per cent of water goes to ir- 30 Fertilizer compound 4 It’s puzzling 51 Caught, in a way in Tunisia’s north. right amount of sand above: a rigation, any effort to make 34 Venomous snake 5 Coop ovoid 53 Send packing But they had to battle a lack layer exactly 40cm thick. more efficient use of water is 37 With a discount of 6 What Tweety “tawt” he “taw” 55 Destroy gradually of cultivated land and water. valuable. 39 Alternative to “window” 7 Title for a big Turk (Var.) 56 Chrome blemishes 57 Drift, as an aroma They learned to take advan- Valuable real estate On the Tunisian island of 40 Prepares for sailing 8 Aquatic worm 44 More than what’s needed 9 Fine-wine-producing vineyard 58 Part of an archipelago tage of the light, sandy soil, Raoudha Gafrej, an expert Djerba, where summer water 59 Examine in detail 45 Forms by carving 10 Kind of medicine and the fact that underground on water resources and cli- outages are common, an NGO 11 “___ Lang Syne” 61 Fanciful notion 46 Thumbs-up vote freshwater, which is lighter mate change, says it would be recently renovated 15 ancient 12 S-shaped molding 63 Run for, as public office 47 Connectors of stories than seawater, “floats” above near-impossible to reproduce reservoirs to collect rainwa- 13 Places for props 65 Born as, for women the saltier groundwater below. the ramli system elsewhere. ter for irrigation in the drier 49 Marsh growth 18 Financial aid basis 66 First family member When rainwater from the hills “This ingenious system months. 52 Unwrap fruit 19 Dinner interruption, ‘90s-style 67 “___ Little Indians” reaches the sandy area around doesn’t cover a huge area . . . Gafrej said such efforts were Ghar El Melh’s lagoons, instead but we have to preserve it, be- vital. Friday’s solution of mixing immediately with the cause the country needs every “We need to help this cul- brine below, it forms a thin layer drop of water it can get,” she ture of water preservation to of fresh groundwater. said. take root,” she said. AFP Twice a day, the tides of the nearby Mediterranean raise the level of both, bringing precious freshwater in con- tact with the vegetables in the ramli plots. “It’s as if the sea is suckling its young,” said Abdelkarim Gabarou, who has worked the traditional plots for more than 40 years. Every drop of water’ Friday’s solution The ramli farms – ramli is Arabic for “sandy” – cover around 200ha and support around 300 people. They were listed last year in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) list of Globally Important Agricul- tural Heritage Systems. The FAO said the ramli sys- tem was “unique not only in Tunisia but in the whole world”. Local farmers have used the ‘ramli’ technique since the 17th century. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Pochettino ‘optimistic’ for Mbappe as Neymar nets in crucial PSG victory aris Saint-Germain a calf problem, while Angel the break but they went 2-0 up coach Mauricio Di Maria was also left out of on 59 minutes. Pochettino is confi- the starting XI as Pochettino Marquinhos had scored with dent Kylian Mbappe made six changes to his team a header from a corner against willP be fit to face Manchester from Wednesday’s 2-1 home City and he repeated the trick City on Tuesday after the defeat against City in the first here, heading in Neymar’s de- France striker was forced to leg of their Champions League livery from the edge of the six- watch from the stands as Ney- semi-final. yard box. mar scored one goal and set up “I am always optimistic and Lens got one back straight the other in a vital 2-1 win over I still am,” Pochettino told from the restart as Arnaud Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday. broadcaster Canal Plus when Kalimuendo’s attempted over- Neymar netted on 33 min- asked if he expected Mbappe head kick from a Jonathan utes and his corner was head- to play at the Etihad Stadium. Clauss cross turned into a per- ed home by Marquinhos just “We think he will be there fect assist for Ganago to score. prior to the hour mark at the but we will make a decision However, Lens could not Parc des Princes, with Camer- before the game.” find an equaliser and PSG oonian forward Ignatius Gana- PSG are looking to win their thought they had a late third go pulling a goal back for Lens. eighth Ligue 1 title in nine goal when Mauro Icardi It was a huge three points for years and, given how close turned in substitute Marco PSG in their attempt to retain the title race is in France this Verratti’s low centre. the Ligue 1 title, as Pochet- season, they could not afford However, an offside flag tino’s side move provisionally to take it easy in between the against Verratti cut short the two points clear of Lille at the two legs of their tie against celebrations. top of the table. City. “We deserved the victory However Lille can return to even if it wasn’t a brilliant per- Marquinhos scores again the summit by beating Nice at PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar runs on his way to score a goal during the French L1 football match against formance,” admitted Pochetti- home later on Saturday, while Lens had beaten the Pari- RC Lens on Saturday. AFP no, before turning his thoughts third-placed Monaco will re- sians at home back in Sep- to City. turn to within a single point tember and travelled to the They gave the reigning the end of the game – his mask touch and finishing after Ar- “Every game is different, and of PSG if they defeat Lyon on capital on a run of 13 games champions a run for their under his chin – apparently gentine defender Facundo so is every competition. We Sunday. unbeaten that saw them come money and the tension got to over what he felt was some Medina tried to play the ball needed the three points today There are now just three into the weekend in fifth, just PSG sporting director Leon- rough treatment for Neymar. back towards his own goal un- to stay in contention to win rounds of matches remaining. ahead of Marseille in the fight ardo, who was caught on cam- The Brazilian had scored the der pressure. the league, and on Tuesday we Mbappe was reduced to the for France’s last European era angrily remonstrating with opener, just his seventh Ligue Pablo Sarabia came close to will need to score two goals to role of spectator because of qualifying berth. the officials in the tunnel at 1 goal of the season, taking a adding to PSG’s lead before win against City.” AFP

Toulouse win sets up potential ‘Star Wars’ Champions Cup final Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola luck,” he added. his 350th club appearance. ed to Zack Holmes, who found Dupont as the clock moved into the red, the fly- said “Star Wars” are underway after Mola, who won the tournament as a Ntamack, who reclaimed the France for his 16th try, for club and country, of half kicked to touch to end the game the joint-record four-time winners player with Toulouse in 1996, recalled No. 10 jersey for the final game of this the season. and send Toulouse to their first final in reached this month’s European double World Cup winner Jerome year’s Six Nations after injury ruled Jal- Ntamack slotted the conversion and, more than a decade. AFP Champions Cup final with Satur- Kaino after the 38-year-old had been ibert out, missed the conversion. day’s 21-9 home win over Bordeaux- rested since the last-eight win over Begles. Clermont three weeks ago. Patient hosts Mola’s men, who claimed the last of Visiting coach Christophe Urios The two stand-offs traded shots at the stars on the shirt for winning the made six changes from the win against goal and Toulouse led 8-6 at the break title in 2010, will face either La Rochelle Racing last month, with former France despite Bordeaux-Begles’ control. or fellow four-time champions Lein- captain Jefferson Poirot, who was The downpour stopped and the sun ster, who play on Sunday, in the final among those to catch the virus, starting broke through as Ntamack kicked at Twickenham on May 22. on the bench. another penalty to make it 11-6 after 45 France scrum-half Antoine Dupont At a rain-sodden Stade Ernest-Wal- minutes. crossed late against an away side play- lon, Urios’ men, making their first Mola’s men took a patient strangle- ing their first game since an April 11 European semi-final appearance, led hold on the tie before Ntamack and quarter-final victory over Racing 92 3-0 within three minutes after Mat- Jalibert were both succesful with shots because of eight cases of coronavirus thieu Jalibert’s penalty goal. at goal as the hosts led 14-9 with 10 in their squad. Toulouse responded, defying diffi- minutes to go. “Star Wars have started, I hope we cult conditions as the Top 14’s leading With a place in the final on the line, can put a fifth star on the shirt. This try scorer Matthis Lebel crossed in the the game opened up as the home side team want to put their mark on the corner. began to impose their open style of club’s history,” Mola said. Lebel, 22, claimed his 15th try of the play. “We will prepare this European Cup season after ambitious passes from Their possession was rewarded with final with plenty of work. We know you Romain Ntamack, celebrating his 22nd seven minutes remaining as Medard Toulouse’s French scrum half Antoine Dupont scores a try during the European Champions don’t make European Cup finals by birthday, and Maxime Medard, making freed his arms in a tackle and off-load- Cup semi-final rugby union match against Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.AFP

No Haaland, no problem as Dortmund rout Kiel to reach German Cup final

Borussia Dortmund thrashed “We were very consistent in second goal six minutes later Bellingham got on the scoresheet second-division Holstein Kiel front of goal. Almost every shot with a simple tap-in after Reus, when his shot took a deflection 5-0 on Saturday in their German was a goal,” Dortmund captain then Raphael Guerreiro back- to make it 5-0 at half-time. Cup semi-final even with top- Marco Reus told ARD. heeled the ball into Reyna’s Bellingham nearly grabbed his scorer Erling Braut Haaland “We are very happy to have path. second when he chipped just sidelined. reached the final.” The third goal came on 25 wide with the goal at his mercy, Haaland, suffering from a Kiel had knocked out holders minutes when Emre Can’s pass 14 minutes from time. thigh injury, watched from the Bayern Munich on penalties in over the Kiel defence found Reus However, the win came at a stands at Signal Iduna Park as the second round in January, who slammed his shot home. cost. Giovanni Reyna started the but any thoughts of another At the other end, Dortmund Dortmund defender Mateu rout with the first two goals to major upset were soon wiped had a lucky let off when Kiel for- Morey, 21, was stretchered off help put Dortmund in the final out. ward Fabian Reese hit the post in clear distress, his cries ech- at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on The floodgates opened quick- with goalkeeper Marwin Hitz oing around the empty stadi- May 13. ly as Mats Hummels released beaten. um, after hyper extending his Dortmund will face RB Leip- Jadon Sancho on the left, the It was just a brief respite as knee just ten minutes after zig, who needed Emil Forsberg’s England winger cut inside and Dortmund forward Thorgan coming on. 121st-minute winner at the end passed to 18-year-old Reyna Hazard snatched up a loose pass “It’s bitter news for him, we Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham (centere) celebrates scoring the 5-0 with of extra-time to seal a dramatic who hit the top corner on 16 from Jonas Meffert to score again know it’s a bad injury which his teammates during the German Cup semi-final football match against 2-1 win at Werder Bremen on minutes. on 32 minutes. over-shadowed the win,” add- Holstein Kiel on Saturday. AFP Friday in the other semi-final. The US midfielder grabbed a Then England midfielder Jude ed Reus. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 3, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Man City close to title, Chelsea tighten grip on fourth place

anchester City were Spanish forward Torres gave a sponsible for yourself and he is.” on the brink of clinch- glimpse of his potential when he Defeat left Fulham in the relegation ing the Premier League fired home from the edge of the area zone and nine points shy of safety. title after a 2-0 win in the 59th minute. Brighton, however, all but assured Magainst Crystal Palace on Saturday, City’s 11th successive away victory themselves of Premier League surviv- while Chelsea maintained their hold in the Premier League equalled the al with a 2-0 win at home to Leeds. on fourth place after beating Fulham English top-flight record. The south coast side broke a three- by the same scoreline. They were languishing in 14th game goal drought when they took Pep Guardiola’s side moved 13 place in late November. the lead through Pascal Gross’s 14th points clear at the top thanks to sec- City have already won the League minute penalty after Ezgjan Alioski ond-half goals from Sergio Aguero Cup this season and could also add brought down Danny Welbeck. and Ferran Torres at Selhurst Park. the Champions League to their haul. Welbeck’s excellent solo effort in City will be crowned English cham- On Tuesday, City will attempt to the 79th minute secured victory and pions for the third time in four seasons reach their first Champions League left the Seagulls 10 points clear of the if second-placed Manchester United final when they defend a 2-1 lead relegation zone. lose at home to Liverpool on Sunday. in the semi-final second leg against Everton’s push for European quali- If United avoid defeat, City can Paris Saint-Germain. fication suffered a setback with a 2-1 seal the title with a victory against “We can start to think about it loss at home to Aston Villa. Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium next and put it in the fridge. The Premier Ollie Watkins put the visitors ahead Saturday. League is already there, it is in our in the 13th minute at Goodison Park City, who surrendered the title to hands. We need one more victory,” only for Everton’s Dominic Calvert- Liverpool last season, overcame a Guardiola said. Man City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho (left) vies with Crystal Palace’s Ivorian striker Lewin to equalise six minutes later. Wilfried Zaha during the English Premier League football match on Saturday. AFP mediocre first half with two goals in “I’m absolutely delighted with that But Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi settled 84 seconds. after the Champions League. We pions League semi-final second leg Havertz, played in by Mason the match 10 minutes from time with Aguero, making only his sixth could not play with much rhythm. against Real Madrid with a convinc- Mount’s impressive through ball, a superb curling shot from the edge of league start of an injury-plagued sea- We struggled a little bit but in the ing win. opened the scoring in the 10th min- the box. son, broke the deadlock in the 57th second half we deserved it. The German playmaker scored ute and he sealed victory with a fine Victory saw Villa climb to ninth in minute when he ran onto Benjamin “I will check on the Liverpool game. in each half at Stamford Bridge to finish shortly after half-time. the table, just a place behind Everton, Mendy’s long pass and slammed a It’s in our hands and now we will give lift Chelsea six points clear of fifth- Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, now nine points adrift of the top four. half-volley into the roof of the net everything to beat PSG.” placed West Ham in the race to commenting on Havertz, told the “It was not a good evening,” said from 10 yards. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz’s double qualify for next season’s Champions BBC: “There are many reasons to Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti. It was only his fourth goal of what club saw Chelsea beat struggling Fulham League via a top four finish. maybe talk about why it is a difficult “The season is not finished yet. record scorer Aguero has announced in the west London derby as they West Ham, who have a game in situation (for him in his first season There are five games and we have to will be his final season with City. warmed-up for Wednesday’s Cham- hand, play Burnley on Monday. in England) but in the end you are re- keep fighting.”AFP Inter Milan ‘toppling a kingdom’ with Serie A title one step away

Christian Eriksen and Achraf Dane Eriksen came on as a the bottom team who were Hakimi scored in the second substitute in the 65th minute relegated as a result of the half as Inter Milan beat Crotone and scored four minutes later, loss. 2-0 to move to the brink of the firing home a shot which took Both sides had chances in the Serie A title on Saturday. a deflection off Crotone first half with Adam Ounas Antonio Conte’s side are 13 defender Lisandro Magallan, threatening early for the hosts points ahead of city rivals AC from Romelu Lukaku’s lay-off. who lost defender Arkadiusz Milan who reclaimed second Lukaku had a goal ruled out Reca to injury before the place with a 2-0 win over 18th- before Hakimi struck a second break. placed Benevento, with four in injury time. Lukaku headed onto the post games to play. “It’s an important goal because off a Stefano Sensi corner after Inter can claim their first Scu- it moves us closer to the title, but 23 minutes. detto since 2010 on Sunday if we still haven’t won it yet,” said There was a flurry of activity Inter Milan’s belgian forward Romelu Lukaku control the ball during the Italian Serie A football match against Atalanta, a further point adrift Eriksen of just his second goal in front of the Crotone goal Crotone on Saturday. AFP in third, fail to win at Sassuolo. this campaign. before the break with Alessan- “We are succeeding in top- “If it proves to be the decisive dro Bastoni sending wide after add to his 21 goals this cam- anything of anyone. We don’t zo Montipo got his foot to an pling a kingdom that had lasted goal, then obviously it’ll be the connecting with a Nicolo Barel- paign with a goal ruled out with depend on others, especially Ibrahimovic goal-bound effort for nine years,” said former most important one of the sea- la cross. seven minutes to go for Perisic’s after such a championship.” before the break, and again Juventus coach Conte, who led son. Every goal is important, Lautaro Martinez’s low shot offside position. In the San Siro, Milan rallied cleared from the Swede after the Turin giants to the first but the one that takes you to hit the woodwork before home But Barella sent Moroccan from back-to-back defeats to the hour but Theo Hernandez three of their current run of your objective is extra special. goalkeeper Alex Cordaz cleared Hakimi clear to beat Cordaz move up from fifth to second was on hand to finish off the nine consecutive league titles. “Today, I came on as a sub- a Sensi effort. with his seventh goal this and keep in the Champions rebound. “We’re aware that we can do stitute, and when you do this As Inter struggled to break season to extend Inter’s League chase. Napoli are fourth equal on something extraordinary the aim is to make your mark: through Conte sent on Eriksen, unbeaten run to 18 league Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned points with Juventus who drop because Inter haven’t won a you want to shake things up. Ivan Perisic and Alexis Sanchez games, and close to a 19th from injury with Hakan Calha- to fifth before they play at Udi- Scudetto in 11 years, and we’re I’m happy that I managed to do after 65 minutes. league crown. noglu putting the home side nese on Sunday. breaking up a dynasty. The lads so.” And the substitutions paid off “We’ll watch the (Atalanta) ahead after six minutes follow- Inter could decide Juve’s deserve this joy, congratula- with Sanchez providing a back- game in our homes, in a serene ing good work from Alexis Champions League fate as tions to them. Ibrahimovic return lifts Milan heel flick for Lukaku who teed way,” continued Conte. Saelemaekers and Franck Kes- they meet in the penultimate “We’re a step away from mak- The match in Calabria pit- up Eriksen. “For us what happens tomor- sie. game in Turin in two weeks. ing history.” ted the Serie A leaders against Lukaku missed a chance to row is relative, we don’t ask Benevento goalkeeper Loren- AFP