FOR DOCUMENTATION her to Fig NOT FOR SALE get ht C To o PURPOSES AMONG g rr n u i p PARTNERS ONLY k t r i o o n W CCorruptionorruption MonitorMonitor Issue 4 - March 2008 Clean Monthly review of corruption-related stories in the Cambodian media PEOPLE PESSIMISTIC ABOUT CORRUPTION THIS MONTH The Corruption Barometer opin- A Transparency International survey gal system within the past year paid a ion poll by Transparency Internation- reveals that 72 percent of Cambodians bribe and 62 percent paid a bribe to al was released in detail this month, reported paying a bribe to receive a police within the same period. Though sparking much debate about the public service within the last year, local 30 percent of those in contact with the pervasiveness of petty corruption in media reported. education system paid a bribe, this is . Amongst its findings the The survey showed that 61 percent worrisome because it undermines edu- poll showed that in particular the judi- of Cambodians do not expect corrup- cational integrity and teaches children ciary and police are widely suspected tion to decrease in the next three years the wrong messages about corruption of corruption by most Cambodians. and 42 percents of respondents expect from an early age, VOD reported. Prime Minister Hun Sen acknowl- corruption to rise over that period, VOD Only 29 percent of respondents view edged early February during a speech broadcast February 20. the Cambodian government’s action ei- that the Cambodian judicial system The poor and those in remote areas ther very or somewhat effective in fight- is unfair and affects the interests of are particularly pessimistic, with 48 per- ing corruption. The high levels of cor- the Government and Cambodian na- cent of remote respondents and 50 per- ruption and low expectation of changes tionals as a whole. This Month’s issue cent of those whose monthly household suggest that existing anti-corruption again demonstrates the wide ranging, income is less than US$100 predicting mechanisms are ineffective and incon- and sometimes very ugly side of cor- that corruption will rise, VOD added. sistently enforced, the survey reported. ruption: a serial rapist that impreg- The survey also revealed that Cam- Interior Ministry Spokesman Khieu nated a mentally disabled woman was bodians view police and judiciary as Sopheak completely denied that police exempted from jail after paying a $10 more corrupt than other government and judicial institutions are corrupt, but bribe (summarized story of Koh San- and non-government agencies, RFA re- acknowledged that there are corrupt in- tepheap on page 3). Customs is this ported February 21 and Sralanh Khmer dividuals in those institutions, Moneak- month’s highlighted theme (page 2), the following day. sekar Khmer reported on February 22. where smuggling is extremely prob- Nearly 45 percent of respondents “I acknowledge that there are corrupt lematic. that came into contact with the le- Continued on page 3 PM: CAMBODIAN COURT IS UNFAIR COMFREL ISSUES REPORT ON VERBAL ATTACKS AMONG LAWMAKERS Prime Minister Hun Sen School marched in protest has acknowledged that against the Appeal Court’s The Committee for Free Cambodia are like mafia who Cambodia’s judicial system ruling January 24 — which al- and Fair Elections in Cam- commit bribery, corruption is unfair, while NGOs have lowed 672 square meters of bodia (Comfrel) on Febru- and other illegal activities, claimed that the government the facility’s land to be sold ary 12 issued a report noting the report said, according to is still interfering in the Cam- off, according to news ar- the unprecedented January Koh Santepheap February bodian court system, VOD chives. 12 trading of verbal attacks 14. reported February 4. Adhoc President Thun Sa- between CPP and SRP law- In response to the verbal Unfair trials are a viola- ray welcomed the premier’s makers during a session of attack, Finance Minister Keat tion of the government and claim, adding that it is good the National Assembly, local Chhon said that SRP lawmak- can affect the interests of all if Cambodia has a law which media reported. ers always raise irrelevant Cambodians, Hun Sen said punishes judges and pros- The report claimed that, topics, adding that, if opposi- February 4 during an inau- ecutors who are not fair. during the National Assem- tion lawmakers did not enjoy guration of a high school in “This is a problem which bly’s meeting on draft law on impunity, they would have ’s has happened for a long time, Cambodian-Japanese agree- been sued for their words, . and we all also recognize the ment on liberalization, law- wrote Rasmei Kampuchea. The remark was made af- issue. The remarks empha- makers from the opposition National Assembly Presi- ter the Appeals Court ruled size that even the leader of party made harsh criticisms of dent Heng Samrin confirmed in favor of a businessman the government acknowledg- the government for rampant that the troublemakers are whom villagers and teach- es that the Cambodian courts corruption, one speaking say- SRP lawmakers who repeat- ers accused of grabbing land are unfair. So, the important ing he considered Cambodia edly made irrelevant state- from Hun Sen Ang Snoul High thing to do is that all possible “the most corrupt nation in ments about forest crime, cor- School in ’s means must be sought to turn the world,” reported Rasmei ruption and prices of gasoline Ang Snoul district. the Cambodian court system Kampuchea February 14. to gain political advantages in In January, at least 2,300 into one which can provide Opposition lawmakers the upcoming national elec- teachers and students from justice to our citizens,” Saray also alleged large inter- tion, reported National Radio Hun Sen Ang Snoul High added. national firms investing in AM 918 February 13. No.4 • March 2008 Corruption Monitor

CORRUPTION & CUSTOMS motorbikes to sell in other provinces or before trucking it to , ac- in Phnom Penh, they must also pay taxes cording to economic police officials at * The customs chief and deputy chief [money] to customs officials. the Ministry of Interior, reported Mo- at the Phnom Preuk border crossing in Customs officials denied the accu- neaksekar Khmer February 19. ’s Phnom Preuk sations, advising that impounding mo- The same source claimed there are district, have colluded with merchants torbikes without number plates would three offices dealing in this business to smuggle commodities from Thailand decrease the smuggling. - two in Svay Rieng’s Svay Chrum and into Cambodia, Sralanh Khmer report- * Villagers in ’s Chan Trea districts and the other in Prey ed anonymous customs officials at the Prey Tonle commune, located near the Veng’s , adding that crossing as saying February 21. Vietnamese province of Kieng Yang, the offices had been protected by a Vuthy, customs official at the cross- have claimed that smugglers are using high-ranking official at the Customs and ing, told Sralanh Khmer February 7 new methods to smuggle gasoline from Excise Department. that the customs chief and deputy chief Vietnam into Kampot, Koh Santepheap The officials said the companies can colluded with Battambang provincial reported February 6. smuggle from 160,000 to 240,000 liters authorities and merchants to smuggle They said that in the dry season mer- of gasoline to Phnom Penh each night, commodities including sugar and fake chants use motorbikes or bicycles to while customs officials at the border cigarettes, which resulted in a heavy smuggle gasoline from Vietnam, while crossings pretend not to notice, as they loss of state tax revenue. The accused some smugglers tie containers full of accept bribes from these firms. could not be contacted for comment. smuggled gasoline to ropes, and drag * Gasoline sellers on National Road * Police officials at the district’s them into Cambodia along shallow 6A in Siem Reap, who buy gasoline Boeung Trokoun border crossing in Bat- canals. In the rainy season merchants smuggled from Thailand, said that most tambang said about 50 to 60 motorbikes smuggle gasoline on boats along the people involved in selling smuggled have been smuggled [from Thailand] commune’s An Sa canal. gasoline are police and military offi- through Mohou Srop border crossing A smuggler said that 300 to 400 cials in Siem Reap district, Kampuchea in Romeat commune. The same source containers could be dragged by a mo- Thmey reported February 21. claimed merchants also used O Bei tor-driven boat along the canal from They said that gasoline was smug- Chorn border crossing to operate this Vietnam into Kampot, with border au- gled from Thailand through the Anlong business, Koh Santepheap reported thorities claiming to have never no- Veng border crossing and that at least February 13. ticed any misdemeanor. He said the 20 truck-loads’ worth per week was Anonymous merchants said that, with- authorities protected illegal merchants smuggled into . out a green light given by relevant au- because the perpetrators bribed them Another source claimed that mer- thorities, they would not have managed from 150,000 to 200,000 riel [about chants need to pay 500,000 riel [about to smuggle motorbikes to the province, US$40 to 50] per boat. US$120] in exchange for the green light adding that they were obliged to give * At least two gasoline companies from customs officials. about 180,000 riel [approximately US$45] in Cambodia have opened offices to per motorbike to customs officials. buy gasoline smuggled on motorbikes CORRECTION: In the Decem- The merchants also claimed that, from Vietnam through border crossings ber 2008 edition of this publication, the story “Alleged Corruption Blights Rural if they want to transport the smuggled in Svay Rieng and provinces Project,” summarized a story in Rasmei Kampuchea of December 6, 2007, in GOV’T URGED TO PASS ANTI-CORRUPTION LAW which anonymous officials involved with German-aid constructed Tertiary Roads Villagers in Kampong Cham prov- proval of the anti-corruption law so that Improvement Program (TRIP-IV) claimed ince suggested February 9 that the our people can escape from poverty,” the project was riddled with corruption. Cambodian government intensify ef- said Phon Thoun, who lives in Ponhea Rasmei Kampuchea published two forts to pass the long-awaited anti-cor- Krak district. days later a follow-up story in which the ruption law, with some warning that Bun Rithy, executive director of the TRIP IV-project manager of the Ministry they could lose confidence in the gov- Democracy Resource Center for Na- of Rural Development strongly denied ernment should the bill not be passed tional Development, said that after gain- the anonymous accusations, stating that soon, VOD reported February 9. ing permission from Kampong Cham the 10 million dollar-project is closely The request came after residents Provincial Governor Hun Neng, the monitored by the German aid agency in the villages of Kandal and Chrouy campaign would be launched with the and that the project’s database is secure added their thumbprints to the “Mil- cooperation of 346 teachers from 173 enough to prevent all attempts at cor- lion Signature Campaign,” a nationwide communes in the province’s 16 districts. ruption. Corruption Monitor regrets that petition in support of the bill organized He also claimed that the campaign the December 6 story was summarized by the Democracy Resource Center for plans to collect 270,000 signatures from without including a reference to the fol- National Development. 1,800,000 people in the province. low-up story of December 8. Chon Siem, a Thbong Khmom villag- The Corruption Monitor is part of a year- This review gives an overview of sam- er, said that her thumbprint and others’ long survey commissioned by USAID/ ples found. Corruption-related stories would put pressure on the government PACT Cambodia. During this survey the brought by other media are included if following newspapers and radio news found relevant. to swiftly pass the law. She added that programs are monitored on corruption- Articles are quoted and translated as is, corruption is the main motive behind in- related stories: without any warranty as to the accuracy justice and is widening the gap between Rasmei Kampuchea, Koh Santepheap, of the information reproduced. Kampuchea Thmey, Moneaksekar The Corruption Monitor does not nec- the rich and poor in the Kingdom. Khmer, Sralanh Khmer and news broad- essarily reflect the views and opinion of “We can see that there is a big gap casts of National Radio Kampuchea AM USAID/PACT Cambodia. between the rich and the poor now. So, 918, FM 102 (Women Media Centre), For questions/comments: Voice of Democracy (VOD on FM 105) the government should hasten the ap- and Radio Free Asia (RFA on FM 105). [email protected] 2 Corruption Monitor No.4 • March 2008

“We are concerned when a draft law ACCESS TO INFORMATION DISCUSSED reaches the Council of Ministers and Na- tional Assembly, some significant points The Cambodian National Assembly damental element of good governance will be extracted like happened with organized a workshop February 22 to and a characteristic of a modern and the media law in 1994. The government create awareness for the need of a policy strong democracy, Rasmei Kampu- should not follow the previous example,” paper on access to information before chea wrote. Furthermore, the rights can he said, Koh Santepheap added. a draft law on freedom of information help attract investors to Cambodia and Adhoc Director Thun Saray said that is submitted to the National Assembly, eliminate complicated issues caused by the media plays a very significant role in newspapers reported February 23. corruption, she added. a democratic society and that the rights The discussion was attended by Moun Chien Narith, a staffmember to access information promote freedom USAID, the World Bank (WB), the Brit- from Internews, said that a draft law is of expression, Rasmei Kampuchea re- ish Embassy, senate members and local good as it has international standards. ported. NGOs, Koh Santepheap reported. However, he is concerned that some Saray added that the right to receive USAID Cambodia Mission Direc- important points in a draft law would information can contribute to fighting tor Erin Soto stated that if approved a be removed when it is submitted to the corruption and it is the light that shines draft law can benefit Cambodia, adding National Assembly and Council of Min- in all dark places, which can frighten rights to access information are a fun- isters, according to Koh Santepheap. wrongdoers.

VICTIMS PUT CURSE ON RICH LAND GRABBERS ground, praying that if the leaves should disintegrate or fall from their branches, Approximately 200 land-grabbing The company is owned by Mrs. Chea so will the KDC president’s rank. As for victims residing in Kampong Chhnang Kheng, who had the support of armed the sand which we carried on our heads: province’s policemen and commune officials to we pray that, if the KDC president or gathered February 17 to take part in a remove villagers from their land. As any KDC representatives have colluded spiritual ceremony invoking idols, dei- acknowledged by the courts, the firm with the authorities to grab our land, ties and divinities to put curses on the had used fake thumbprints to claim the they will carry our land on their heads rich and powerful who have grabbed villagers had sold their land to Chea adversely when they die…,” said the their land. They decided to choose this Kheng, according to news archives. representative. way instead of seeking legal action af- Sgoun Ghean, who claimed to be a Provincial authorities and KDC could ter losing confidence in local authori- representative of the victims, told VOD not be contacted for comment on the ties’ ineffective resolutions. that the victimized villagers wrapped villagers’ accusations and curses. The ceremony was arranged after up sand and walked around the village Lor Peang Village Chief Toch Ly, residents in Lor Peang village had near- carrying it on their heads. They then who also attended the ritual, said it is ly 200 hectares of land grabbed from placed it in front of a holy statue to pray right that the victims, who have never them since 2006 by a private company for happiness, prosperity, justice, to pre- been given suitable solutions or jus- named KDC, with provincial authorities vent people’s land from being grabbed, tice, should be entitled to express their and the courts not only failing to provide and to curse anyone who confiscated anger and misery caused by the land- any justice to the residents, but also jail- their land with complete destruction. grabbing. ing two of them who had protested. “We villagers put leaves on the VOD, February 17, 2008

MENTALLY-ILL WOMAN RAPED FOUR TIMES After running away for a while, Ren came back to the village six months A mentally-ill woman residing in who is now six years old. Meanwhile ago and raped Kroy again, leaving Kampot province’s Sdech Kong village Mey himself died. her pregnant once again. Anonymous has been raped four times by two irre- Kroy was raped for the third time by sources claimed that the victim’s rela- sponsible men who lived in the same another man named Khem Ren, leading tives lodged their complaint to the vil- village, leaving her with three children her to give birth to a second son who is lage authorities three months ago, but and pregnant of a fourth. now three years old. the perpetrator managed to flee again. Kroy, 28, was raped for the first time After that rape, family of the victim Sdech Kong Village authorities said ten years ago by a man identified as also filed a complaint to the local au- that they did not have any grounds for Acha Mey. After the rape, Kroy became thorities, but the criminal was set free charges because the perpetrator just pregnant and gave birth to a son named after paying 50,000 riel [about US$ 12] coaxed the victim into having sex with Sin Phong, who later was kicked to death to the poor woman to support his unfor- him. by his mother when he was only two- tunate son. Khem Toun, father of the mentally- years old. At that time, the perpetrator With intervention from the Human ill woman, said that he really wants to was sentenced to two years in prison. Rights NGO Licadho in Kampot, the per- see justice for his unfortunate daughter, After spending two years in jail, Mey petrator was summoned by the provin- suggesting that Ren should have been returned to the village and raped her cial court for questioning, but later the put on trial. for the second time, making her preg- case was closed without any public an- Koh Santepheap, February 20, 2008 nant with a daughter named Sin Krorn, nouncement.

Continued from page 1 cording to Moneaksekar Khmer. designed only to help opposition par- individuals in police and judicial institu- Om Yentieng, Prime Minister Hun’s ties in Cambodia. “If you [NGOs] want tions, and we have punished those cor- Advisor and head of Anti-corruption to help opposition parties, please help rupt officials with both administrative and Unit, called the release of the survey [them] directly”, Yentieng said, report- legal measures,” the spokesman said, ac- politically motivated and that it was ed Moneaksekar Khmer. 3 No.4 • March 2008 Corruption Monitor

UPDATE SURVEY ON CORRUPTION-RELATED STORIES TRmg;fμIénkarsÞg;mtisþIBIGtßbTEdlTak;TgnwgGMeBIBukrlYy

347 600 350 522 500 454 300 238 400 250 299 200 300 288 239 150 200 100 100 43 50 19 0 0 Corruption-related stories per Corruption-related stories per Radio Newspaper Nov 2007 - Feb 2008 News Program Nov 2007 - Feb 2008

Koh Santepheap AM 918 Rasmei Kampuchea FM 102 Kampuchea Thmey Moneaksekar Khmer VOD on FM 105 Sralanh Khmer RFA on FM 105

Phnom Penh Corruption Locations of Stories Top 10 Keywords Battambang Collusion 12% Land Grabbing 6% 2% Kampong Cham 3% 11% 7% Bribery Southeast 25% 2% 3% Forest Crime 7% Southwest 4% Transparency Northeast 5% 6% Extortion 35% Northwest 6% Anti-corruption 10% Cambodia 15% 6% Fraud 13% Region 7% 15% Tax Evasion International Other (10 Keywords)

Between November 2007 and October 2008 cenøaHBIEx vicäika qñaM 2007 nigEx tula qñaM 2008 RKb;erOgTaMgGs;Edl all stories of five main Cambodian newspapers RbmUl)anBIkaEstCaPasaExμrcMnYn 5 nigviTüúcMnYn 4 sMxan;² RutUv)anRtYtBinitü and four main radio news broadcasts are daily monitored on twenty keywords related to cor- CaRbcaMéf¶elIBaküsMxan;cMnYn 20 EdlTak;TgnwgGMeBIBukrlYy. karsÞg;enH ruption. The survey assesses all stories on both quantitative and qualitative parameters. Above vaytémøelIerOgTaMgGs;TaMgKuNPaB nigbrimaN. xagelIenH CaB½t’manfμITI 4 the fourth update with quantitative findings for CamYynwglT§plénbrimaNerOgBIExvicäika éf¶TI01 dl;ExkumÖ³ éf¶TI29. November 1 – February 29.

Compared with the first three months Febru- ary saw a significant drop in the average num- ebIeRbobeFobnwgbIExdMbUgenAExkumÖ³enH eKeXIjmankarFøak;cuHya:gxøaMg ber of stories found in newspapers. This is not so én cMnYnerOgCamFümEdlrkeXIjenAkñúgkaEst. bBaðaenHminEmnmkBIExkumÖ³ much due to the fact that February has less days (29 this year), but because of Chinese New Year. manEt 29éf¶enaHeT b:uEnþedaysaréf¶buNücUlqñaMcin EdlminEmnCaéf¶buNü It is not an official public holiday, but three of the CatieT b:uEnþkaEstcMnUn 3 kñúgcMeNamkaEstcMnYn 5 enaHmin)ane)aHBum

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