thursday, april 22, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3647 / 4000 RIEL Junta attacks Gov’t launches essential displace 250K in Myanmar: UN rapporteur goods digital platform THE Myanmar military’s crack- down on anti-coup protesters has Thou Vireak displaced close to a quarter of a mil- lion people, a UN rights envoy said HE Ministry of Com- on April 21. merce on April 21 The junta has stepped up its use of launched an online lethal force to quash mass demon- marketplace with strations against a February 1 coup virtualT booths to sell essen- which ousted civilian leader Aung tial groceries to people dur- San Suu Kyi. ing the ongoing coronavirus At least 738 people have been killed lockdown in Phnom Penh and 3,300 are languishing in jails as and adjacent Takhmao town political prisoners, according to a in Kandal province. local monitoring group. In an April 21 press release, “Horrified to learn that … the the ministry invited the pub- junta’s attacks have already left lic to visit the platform at nearly a quarter [of a] million Myan- shop.moc.gov.kh and listed mar people displaced, according to five telephone numbers to sources,” UN Special Rapporteur on reach for assistance in mar- the situation of human rights in keting or ordering. Myanmar Tom Andrews tweeted on “After we get the order, the April 21. team will arrange for deliv- “The world must act immediately ery to doorsteps,” the min- to address this humanitarian catas- istry said. trophe.” The announcement came More than 2,000 Karen people have a day after secretary of state now crossed Myanmar’s border into Seang Thay led a ZOOM Thailand and thousands more have meeting with representa- been internally displaced, said Padoh tives of seven supermarkets Mann Mann, a spokesperson for bri- – Aeon Mall, Makro, Lucky, gade five of the Karen National Union Bayon, Supper Store, Chip (KNU), a rebel group active in Myan- Mong and Bio Mart. mar’s mountainous eastern border Thay asked the owners of regions. the supermarkets to work “They all hide in the jungle nearby with the ministry and up- their villages,” he said. load their goods to the web- In an April 21 press release, the ministry invited the public to visit the platform at shop.moc.gov.kh and listed five telephone numbers to Free Burma Rangers, a Christian site, as well as deliver orders reach for assistance in marketing or ordering. Supplies aid group, estimated at least 24,000 to those in areas designated people were displaced in Karen state as “Red Zones” and other re- products on its Facebook platform Smile Shop, wel- he said, adding that Smile The ministry has dis- amid mortar ground attacks and air- stricted locations. page to make it easier for comed the ministry’s move, Shop has been actively as- patched five trucks to Red strikes earlier in the month. This, he said, would pre- people in Red Zones to place noting the rising demand for sisting the government in Zones and set up a number He said many of the thousands vent the risk of spreading orders, he said. the goods in Red Zones. delivering goods to meet of booths there to distribute displaced were subsistence rice Covid-19 and lend a hand in The representatives asked He told The Post on April the needs of the people dur- essential goods to the peo- farmers and would experience stabilising prices in the food the ministry to make it eas- 21: “We request the Ministry ing the lockdown. ple in the areas at below- future food shortages if they are market in the meantime. ier for staff to travel in and of Commerce to issue new “I am also ready to coop- market prices, including unable to safely return home to tend “We would like to thank out of restricted areas, and guidelines on how delivery erate with the farmers who milled rice, noodles, pure to their paddies. and express appreciation to to move products into the teams and mobile markets grow vegetables, fish and drinking water, canned fish, “You’re looking at a six-month all the supermarket owners capital from the provinces are to reach the people dur- meat near Phnom Penh and fish sauce and soy sauce. problem of no food,” he said, adding who’ve been pitching in and and abroad to meet local ing this time. punctually bring their prod- The technical support that some people were sleeping in keeping prices stable, de- demand, according to the “We need to maintain ucts to all blocked-off areas. team for the ministry’s new caves or under banana trees. spite these difficult times,” ministry. hygiene principles to pre- We’ve joined hands with the platform can be reached at Locals looking after the displaced Thay said. Mak Chamroeun, co- vent the spread of Covid- government to keep prices 012-767-043, 089-355-696, people in some parts of Kachin state The ministry will also founder of local business-to- 19, which is something we as low as possible for every- 069-524-499, 015-805-313 are worried about an upcoming showcase the platform’s consumer (B2C) e-commerce need to work on together,” one,” he said. and 017-855-011. shortage of food supplies. AFP Residents applaud lockdown aid initiative Mom Kunthear the lockdown. sistance to her village on April 20, but grocery assistance,” she said. locked down in the first phase. The government was initially pro- she rejected it because she and many She said that now that people un- “I also supported the people who PHNOM Penh residents and analysts viding 300,000 riel ($75) payments to other people in the village expected a derstood the matter clearly because rejected the food offer yesterday welcomed the government’s shift from those affected, but now instead they 300,000 riel payment like Prime Minis- Hun Sen clarified things on April 20 when it came without money, be- financial support to groceries for poor are providing an increased amount of ter Hun Sen had announced recently. they would be happy to receive the cause Samdech hadn’t mentioned people in the lockdown area of Phnom food assistance such as rice, canned “We didn’t accept the assistance offer of food assistance. the shift from cash to food assis- Penh and Takmao after confusion. fish, noodles and soy sauce. because Samdech Hun Sen just an- Another resident of Meanchey district tance earlier,” he said. Prime Minister Hun Sen made a A resident of Sen Sok district said nounced that the government would who requested anonimity said he had But now he says he would change on April 20 to the govern- on the condition of anonymity that give 300,000 riel. If we had known this not received any food aid as of April 21, ment support programme during the authorities had brought food as- earlier, we would have accepted the a total of 10 days since his district was Continued – page 4

THE PHNOM PENH POST Around 400 journalists receive National travel permits during lockdown Inside page 3 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National 5.5 M doses Cambodia continues diplomatic of Covid jab from China efforts to assist migrant workers due in April to August

Voun Dara

AS OF April 20, Cambodia had inoculated a total of 1,277,688 people against Covid-19, in- cluding civil servants, gov- ernment officials, members of the armed forces and their families, the general public and foreigners, in a vaccina- tion drive administered by the ministries of Health and National Defence. The health ministry said it had vaccinated 983,145 civil- ians, while the defence min- istry had inoculated 294,543 members of the armed forces. The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination commission has informed individuals due to get vaccinated with second doses during the lockdown that the Sinovac and Sinop- harm vaccines will be admin- istered from April 20 to May 3 in Phnom Penh and in Kandal province’s Takmao town. The defence ministry noti- fied members of the armed forces that their family mem- bers who are due to receive their second doses must receive them in their home districts within Phnom Penh Migrants return from Thailand through the O’Smach International Border Checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province in December. via Facebook and Takmao and will not be allowed to cross districts Nov Sivutha countries workers in Asia,” said well-being of migrant workers. bilateral and multilateral, technical skills and soft skills, to be vaccinated elsewhere Minister of Labour and Voca- At the transferring ceremony ASEAN, regional and global which would provide a foun- during the lockdown. Cambodia will continue to tional Training Ith Sam Heng. of the Colombo Process Presi- frameworks to ensure protec- dation for them to build on The decision was made af- actively participate in the im- The mechanism was estab- dency organized by Nepal via tion for migrant workers. for the future when they re- ter a meeting with senior of- plementation of the Colombo lished in Colombo, Sri Lanka video conference on April According to Sam Heng, mi- turn to Cambodia. ficials of the defence ministry Process to promote the rights in 2003 and aims to provide a 20, Sam Heng stated that the grant workers contribute to To date, the Colombo Pro- was held on April 19. and protect the interests of forum for sending countries mechanism had assisted Cam- Cambodia’s national economic cess has a total of 12 mem- Prime Minister Hun Sen also migrant workers during and in Asia to share their hands- bodia in protecting the interests growth by sending more than ber countries -- Afghanistan, said that half a million doses after the Covid-19 crisis. on experience in managing of migrant workers through the $2 billion a year home to their Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chi- of the Sinovac vaccine had ar- “The Colombo Process is a foreign labour, consulting on establishment of policy frame- families, contributing to the na, India, Indonesia, Nepal, rived on April 17. In May, 1.5 process of regional consulta- issues that migrant workers in works, regulations and consensus economic development of fam- Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri million doses will be shipped tions on the management of sending countries and target on international conventions. ilies, communities and society. Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam to Cambodia, with another occupations, employment and countries have faced. He added that this mecha- The migrant workers ben- -- and a number of relevant in- three million doses arriving labour forces with overseas em- These countries can suggest nism was used in addition to efitted as well by gaining new ternational organizations have in June and an additional one ployment contracts for sending practical solutions to protect the participation in forums both knowledge, work experience, participated as observers. million doses in August. Kantha Bopha receives financial boost in tough times

Khouth Sophak Chakrya

IN the first quarter of 2021, the Cambodia Kan- tha Bopha Foundation received total donations of 3,850,278,663 riel ($951,000) and $3,228,668 at hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap prov- ince, according to a press release on April 20. “The Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation has transferred $3,009,296 to Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital to maintain the operation of free and quality medical examination and treat- ment services for infants and children,” the press release added. In March, the foundation received a total of 899,122,489 riel and $46,311 donated from 14,477 people, including three honourary mem- bers, 13,630 supporting members and 844 oth- er individuals. The foundation would like to thank all donors who have always shown support and donated funds. This support ensures a sustainable, efficient, and quality process. The money is distributed equi- tably between the five hospitals to improve the well-being of children and infants in Cambodia. At the same time, the foundation would like to encourage all institutions to continue dona- tions to the foundation by becoming an honour- ary member by donating 20,000,000 riels per year, support member 5,000 riel per month or 600,000 riel per year to show solidarity in the spirit of “Khmer help Khmer”. People leave Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital near Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district in 2020. Heng Chivoan THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National ‘Speeding’ Around 400 journalists receive driver kills one, injures five people travel permits during lockdown in Kampong Chhnang TRUCK driver who was speeding and lost control A of the vehicle causing it to overturn killed one worker and injured five others on the vehicle in Kampong Chhnang Province’s Khna Chhmar commune on April 19. Provincial police are searching for the driver who fled. The incident, in the com- mune’s Khna Kandal village of Samaki Meanchey district, occurred while the driver, Vong Boeun, 35, was dropping off workers at home from a gar- ment factory. District police chief Seng Chenda said on April 20 that provincial traffic police, includ- ing district police, are searching to arrest the driver. “He was the driver, but he avoided responsibility. He has to face the law. The deceased worker, Yet Sokhen, 35, and five other workers with broken arms were immediately sent to Kampong Chhnang Provin- cial Referral Hospital after the incident,” he said. Chenda said that the truck left the garment factory carrying 30 workers. Boeun had dropped off most of the workers, but the road was narrow and Boeun was speeding and came off the road causing the truck to overturn A reporter fulfils his duty during lockdown in Phnom Penh on April 15.Hean Rangsey and the ensuing casualties. He added that after the truck Voun Dara of Covid-19 transmission by “This is for the interests of members and international ists, it is hard to go down to cov- overturned, Boeun did not adhering to measures the gov- our own, families and the na- media based in Cambodia. For er stories and contact sources inform the Khna Chhmar com- HE Ministry of Infor- ernment and lockdown com- tion,” Sophorn said. other media, we are still consid- for interview,” he said. mune authorities. However, mation has issued per- mission have put in place. The information ministry’s ering what to do next,” he said. Nop Vy, executive director of residents reported the crash to mits to some 400 jour- “They should try their best Information and broadcasting Kuon Sambor, editor-in- the Cambodian Journalist Alli- commune authorities and the nalists to travel during to perform their work online director-general, Phos Sovann, chief of the Chinese media ance (CamboJA), said lockdown police went to the accident site. theT lockdown period, ministry in order to cut the number said on April 20 that the minis- CC-Times, said he had re- was the best way to cut the chain After the incident, the police spokesman Meas Sophorn of people travelling on the try will abide by the lockdown ceived travel permits on April of virus transmission. towed the truck to the Samaki confirmed on April 21. streets in the lockdown areas. order and will issue travel per- 19. Prior to this, his media “It poses risks if travel is al- Meanchey district police to wait “Until now, we have reviewed This would be a great con- mission for only two per cent outlet had put four people on lowed in this current circusm- for a legal settlement. He has and granted some 400 out of tribution to the government of an institution’s entire staff. standby at the office, while stance. I call on journalists to already made a report to the 500 requests. In the mean- and the Ministry of Health in “Our priority is to provide the rest worked from home. understand this situation and Kampong Chhnang provincial time, we call on journalists to an effort to minimise com- travel permits to TV and radio “Lockdown affects everybody, join hands to stop the spread police. Kim Sarom join hands to break the chain munity transmission cases. stations which have a lot of staff not just the media. For journal- of the virus,” he said. Public warned of fake gov’t channel on social media More Covid-19 Long Kimmarita personal information,” it said. “In fact, social media is a double-edged The department also recommended blade that cuts both ways. It can be very The Interior Ministry’s IT department that people share news with a clear useful, but also dangerous. It depends treatment sites set has reminded the public to be careful source and post personal comments in a on us and how we use it,” he said. and verify chat groups that purport to moral and responsible manner. However, Mose suggests that the au- be official government channels at this Digital security consultant Nget Mose thorities who formally use social media up as cases soar time lest bad actors set up imitation welcomed the guidelines as Telegram is set up proper principles and guidelines channels to spread false news during widely used in Cambodia. for controlling it to avert the dangers Mom Kunthear comes necessary. the Covid-19 crisis. He said Telegram users themselves and risks because reliable information at “The working team and I In a Facebook post, the department said should learn more about how to use the this time is vital to prevent a worsening Hun Manet, deputy com- hoped that the infection and amid the ongoing community outbreak, app safely. of the Covid-19 crisis in Cambodia. mander of the Royal Cambo- spread of Covid-19 will end the government had continued to take dian Armed Forces, has been soon so the locations we set essential measures to prevent its spread leading a working group to set up will not be required to be including having set up chat groups at up another Covid-19 treat- used. However, we will make the national and sub-national levels, es- ment site for minor cases. efforts to set up these loca- pecially via messaging app Telegram. In a Facebook post on April tions quickly for the treat- In order to increase efficiency and 21, he said: “In these difficult ment of people infected with maintain people’s privacy, the depart- circumstances, our team has Covid-19,” he said. ment’s working group set up some pro- no right to take a rest yet.” He called on the public to tective mechanisms to verify chat groups Manet said the team had fin- join the government in fol- before a person becomes a member. ished the second step to setting lowing the guidelines includ- The team said if they suspect a chat up the centre. Nearly 2,600 beds ing the “three protections and group of intending to post news causing were added for treatment of pa- three don’ts” as well as receiv- chaos and stealing information they will tients at the Koh Pich Conven- ing Covid-19 vaccinations and report it to the police. tion and Exhibition Centre. obeying the lockdown rules “Please identify administrative ac- He said the team had con- to prevent the spread and end counts and chat groups and send other tinued to set up another the pandemic soon. essential messages directly to administra- Covid-19 treatment centre tive accounts or accounts of coordinators in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh www.phnompenhpost.com rather than sending them to other groups district in preparation for check the post website for breaking news that can see or copy secret documents or A smartphone equipped with the increasingly popular Telegram messaging app. AFP treating more patients if it be- 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Three men arrested for trafficking drug in Takeo

Kim Sarom

Three men have been placed in pre-trial detention by the Takeo Provincial Court after be- ing arrested on April 17 for traf- ficking drugs in the province’s Cheang Tong commune’s Ang Baksey village of Tram Kak dis- trict. Provincial Military Police dep- uty commander in charge of the anti-drug unit, Nget Chanty, identified the three as Sen Ra- tanak, 38; Snguon Chamroeun, 28, and Nak Roeun, 28. “They have been charged un- der articles 40 and 45 of the law on drug control,” he said. He said that at around 1pm on April 17, the anti-drug pro- vincial Military Police in coor- dination with provincial court prosecutor Chiv Chandara The government recently announced that families that have members test positive for Covid-19 will be exempted from electricity payments for three months. Hean Rangsey made the arrests in the village while the three suspects were trafficking drugs. The officers confiscated 174.70g of methamphetamine No utility service cut-offs during powder, five mobile phones, two electronic flashlights, two motorcycles and some drug packaging materials. lockdown for non-payment of bills National Authority for Com- bating Drugs secretary-general Long Kimmarita leaving their residences with only a few he appealed to those who can afford But Ratanak said they actually do Meas Virith told The Post on exceptions. it to pay their bills on time via online have to pay the bill and then the gov- April 21 that the crackdown oc- hnom Penh Water Supply Au- PPWSA director-general Sim Sitha platforms because EDC has to buy the ernment, through the Ministry of Econ- curred during the lockdown for thority (PPWSA) and Electricity told The Post on April 21 that the PP- electricity from neighbouring countries omy and Finance, will provide financial Covid-19. So, authorities will of Cambodia (EDC) said they WSA understands their customer’s to meet domestic demands. assistance to them later, according to enforce the suppression of drug will not cut off the water and difficulties during this period and that “We won’t impose fines if they are late the announcement. crimes and the regulations con- electricityP or impose fines on Phnom everyone in the locked down areas will with payment. But we urge our custom- Kann Nika, a resident in Tuol Kork dis- cerning travelling during the Penh and Takmao town customers who still have water to use as usual until fur- ers to do their best to pay, no matter if trict’s Boeung Kak I commune, applaud- lockdown. fail to pay their bills during the lock- ther notice. it’s a small or large amount of money. ed the two utilities for their understand- He said drug crimes and con- down period. “In this situation, we have to join with We need to pay our bills too because we ing regarding the ability to pay the bills victions are still occurring be- The capital and Kandal provincial the government and continue to supply must buy the electricity from others. by customers who are locked down. cause the users are addicts. How- town Takmao have been in lockdown enough water to our people in the capi- “Our workers will go down and solve “This also helps by freeing up some ever, it is difficult for them to leave since Khmer New Year and are sched- tal. Whether they pay their bill or not, any problems [customers] have, even money for other things for the families their residence to buy drugs. uled to last until at least April 28, with we will keep the water running for now. in the Red Zone,” Ratanak said. whose incomes have been affected. In Officials have claimed that an extension of the lockdown period a Our management board has decided The government recently announced the past, if anyone was late to pay their drug offences have decreased possibility if the number of daily Covid- that we will not impose fines on them that families that have members test bill, their clean water and electricity during the lockdown. 19 infections remains high. either,” he said. positive for Covid-19 will be exempted would be cut off. But those who have “The drugs sold are those All non-essential businesses are EDC director-general Keo Ratanak from electricity payments for three enough money should continue to that remain in the country,” he closed and people are banned from expressed a similar commitment. But months. pay,” she said. said.

Minister: Imported veg grown in colder climates Gov’t is taking care of Nov Sivutha food security situation Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon said Cambodia Continued from page 1 period, while the govern- only imported vegetables that grow in ment’s expenses due to the colder climates, not the sort that Cam- be happy to accept the food pandemic were huge as they bodians can grow themselves here. assistance after Hun Sen included everything from Sakhon made the statement in a press explained the financial prob- treatment facilities to this release on April 21 in response to criti- lems the state is facing. The food assistance. cism made by Som Chhaya, general lockdown has not affected him Cambodian Institute for De- manager of local TV station PNN, who much, however, as he can work mocracy president Pa Chan- said the ministry still allows vegetable from home and is receiving the roeun said that the problem imports when local vegetables have no same salary. with the grocery assistance buyers. Kin Phea, director of the was really just due to a lack Chhaya said he made the statement Royal Academy of Cambo- of information and that the with the hope that the ministry would dia’s International Relations government should increase heed his call and stop the importation Institute, said people should efforts to inform the public of vegetables as it is hurting Cambodian understand the situation and about its plans. farmers. the budgetary constraints “I think we should apply However, Sakhon said that this cri- that the government must an administrative practice in tique wasn’t accurate and devalued the work within. which the village and com- efforts the government had made to “Now, what the government mune chiefs go and meet with help farmers grow agricultural products has to take care of is the food residents living under their with higher demand and diversify the security situation to make authority more often and try markets they have access to. Agriculture minister Veng Sakhon said Cambodia only imported vegetables that grow in colder sure nobody is going hungry to understand what they re- He said Cambodia does not have any climates, not the sort that Cambodians can grow themselves here. Hean Rangsey because of this lockdown,” he ally need,” he said. shortage of domestically grown veg- said. He said in principle, the gov- etables, and that farmers are harvesting Sakhon further explained that during tered difficulties in bringing their organ- Phea also noted that the ernment has the duty to en- their crops as usual, but the problem the lockdown many vegetable farmers ic products to market on time like they government’s revenues drop sure the healthcare and live- right now is transporting those vegeta- in Kandal and Mondulkiri province who normally do and that this has lead to when economic activity de- lihoods of the people during bles into Phnom Penh during the lock- had vegetable supply contracts with temporary shortages of some vegetables clines -- which has been the this difficult time as stated in down. markets in Phnom Penh had encoun- in the markets. case for the entire Covid-19 the country’s constitution. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Governors told to assist Ambassador, Korean mayor set to boost cooperation and monks amid lockdown assist Cambodian community Voun Dara not go out for food. Please take care of them.” Yu Yi Hak, chief monk of Phnom Penh Thmei Lay Samean ome Buddhist monks are reportedly pagoda in Phnom Penh Thmei commune of the facing food shortages as the Covid-19 capital’s Sen Sok district, said since the begin- Cambodian ambassador to restrictions prevent people from visit- ning of the year, very few Buddhists have come South Korea Long Dimanche ing pagodas to offer food and monks to perform rituals or offer food. And during the held an online conference call fromS going out to receive alms, prompting lockdown no Buddhists come to pagodas to of- with Yoon Hwa-seop, mayor of Prime Minister Hun Sen to instruct capital and fer alms. the city of Ansan in South Ko- provincial governors to pay attention to their “Every day I send my students to buy food rea, to strengthen their coop- plight. from the market to cook by themselves, be- eration and to help the com- In an audio message on the night of April 20, cause no Buddhists come to the pagoda. Since munity of 600 Cambodians the prime minister stated that during the mea- the outbreak of Covid-19 this year, on the holy residing and working there. sures to prevent Covid-19 transmission, travel day, no people come at all. Dimanche told The Post that was restricted, which included no visits to pa- “This morning, the Phnom Penh Thmei the meeting was held on April godas. Monks could also not leave the pagoda commune clerks and relatives brought fresh 19 to strengthen the bonds and Cambodian ambassador to South Korea Long Dimanche met with Yoon to get alms, risking a food shortage. food, such as fresh vegetables and pork, to the cooperation of Ansan City and Hwa-seop, mayor of the city of Ansan on April 19. Long Dimanche Hun Sen said: “During the lockdown, all gov- monks for cooking. Today we have enough the Cambodian embassy and ernors need to pay attention to monks who can- food, but some days we don’t,” he said. to showcase the potential of well as its business commu- ing in three sectors -- industry, Cambodia to the Korean side. nity, which could help attract agriculture and construction. He noted that Ansan is lo- South Korean investors to At present, about 400 Cam- cated near Seoul on South Cambodian enterprises. bodian students are studying Korea’s west coast and that it “Our working group has pre- in South Korea. currently had a population of pared a presentation to show Dimanche also noted that the over 700,000 residents -- in- the cultural, tourism, eco- Cambodian community in South cluding a diverse multi-cul- nomic and investment sectors Korea includes roughly 7,000 to tural community of foreigners of Cambodia to the leaders 8,000 Cambodian women who from around the globe. and civil servants at Ansan are married to Korean men. “Ansan is an important city City Hall as well as a group of He said some of the women with many foreign commu- over 100 members of the pub- are naturalised as South Korean nities residing and working lic,” he said. citizens, while others are not, there. An estimated 600 Cam- He continued that Cambo- but all of them are welcome to bodian people are there work- dian and Ansan City relations call on the Cambodian embas- ing in the agricultural and in- had been developing because sy should they need assistance. dustrial sectors,” he said. the two sides had worked to- Dimanche noted that in or- Dimanche said that because gether in the past to address der to help provide informa- the city was recognised inter- various issues encountered by tion or help to Cambodian nationally and often ranked Cambodian migrant workers. people in South Korea, the highly for its diversity and Dimanche explained that, Cambodian embassy had embrace of many different in total, there were over 60,000 formed 30 Khmer communi- cultures, it was important that Cambodian migrant workers ties across the country to pro- Cambodia develop good re- residing in South Korea. Of that vide assistance to any Cambo- People give food offerings to Buddhist monks in Phnom Penh. Post Staff lations with officials there as number, about 48,000 are work- dians in their area. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

Livestock sector Ministry: COs still issued amid asks gov’t to let supplies lockdown, logistics bottlenecks through blockades Thou Vireak Hin Pisei HE Ministry of Commerce urged producers and export- LIVESTOCK industry players have ers to continue applying for asked the government to allow the certificates of origin (CO) movement of raw feed materials despiteT transport and logistics issues and medical supplies across block- stemming from the ongoing lockdown ades amid lockdown to support ani- in Phnom Penh and Takhmao town. mal husbandry. In accordance with government Most of these supplies are stored guidelines, the ministry said in an in Phnom Penh, which along with April 20 announcement that it as- Kandal province’s Takmao town was signed officials to provide COs for locked down by the government regular exports of goods and ensure from April 15-28 with severe travel the sustainability of the provision of and trade curbs to end the spread of public services. Covid-19 from the February 20 com- The ministry invited those seeking munity outbreak. a CO to apply through an automated Farmers are sounding the alarm system at co.moc.gov.kh. that the meat market supply could Thaung Thyda, managing director be devastated, which could end of Kampot-Kep salt processing firm with breeders poised on the brink of Thaung Trading Co Ltd, told The Post bankruptcy. on April 20 that even with authorities Cambodia Livestock Raisers As- issuing COs, her company had to tem- sociation director (CLRA) Srun Poav porarily suspend exports after numer- told The Post on April 20 that while ous obstacles in moving merchandise the livestock situation was still un- to ports for export during the lock- folding, things could snowball out of down, among other logistics issues. control on a national scale soon. “Some of our domestic customers The bulk of ingredients used to were also under lockdown. We are make food, medicine, vitamins and studying whether there is any other vaccines are stored in the capital, he way to alleviate these problems … said. COs are still being provided as usual The Ministry of Commerce said in an April 20 announcement that it assigned officials to provide COs for regular exports of goods “On behalf of the CLRA, I would though,” she said. and ensure the sustainability of the provision of public services. HENG CHIVOAN like to ask the government to con- The Cambodia Rice Federation sider the possibility of facilitating (CRF) said the lockdown had ren- to meet previously agreed delivery Bavet and other international border ed areas]. I think the congested factory the transport of feed materials, most dered the milled-rice and freight schedules. We call for understand- gates, though priority access is given goods and other wares may be allowed of which are in Phnom Penh. sectors inoperable – rice mills could ing and the arrangement for a com- to foodstuffs. to pass,” Chandara said. “If they can’t make their way to not process paddy and move the promise in this predicament. Heavy congestion in Phnom Penh’s Ministry of Public Works and Trans- farms, it’ll leave a huge dent in the food staple across the capital or “We must all cooperate and ad- westernmost Kambol district and all port spokesman Vasim Sorya advised supply of meat on the market over through the provinces to the ports. here to the guidelines of the govern- roads linking surrounding Kandal transport companies to abide by the the next few months,” he said. The shock could even be felt by ment and work together to combat province to the capital have dealt a government’s new sub-decree to Pig farmer Chorn Heng, who raises members of the federation outside the spread of Covid-19. We urge all heavy blow to the economic sector, help curb the spread of Covid-19. about 10,000 pigs in eastern Kandal of lockdown areas, many of which of you not to penalise our members adding salt to the would inflicted by “There was a congestion of goods, province’s Kien Svay district, said his employ people in Phnom Penh and for this situation which is beyond fallout from the February 20 com- but we met and decided to imple- farm would be in dire straits without Takmao town who cannot travel to our control,” CRF said. munity transmission. ment the new sub-decree, which the proper vaccines and ingredients for work, it said. Logistics Business Association “We received information that [some requires the application for a transit feed. “These companies are unable to (LOBA) president Chea Chandara of our members] last week shipped permit and authorises the provin- He said authorities have yet to operate normally, hence production noted that the lockdown had led to out some goods and the authorities al- cial and municipal administrations respond to his pleas for supplies to may be delayed and may not be able logistics bottlenecks, especially at lowed them to go in or out [of restrict- to issue them,” he said. be delivered before the lockdown is lifted. Dips in domestic livestock pro- duction customarily push up market prices and create numerous prob- lems for farmers, Heng remarked. Unseasonable rainfall melts salt production hopes “I’d like for the authorities to facili- tate the transportation of products Hin Pisei that unseasonal rainfall in the dry sacks] could sell for between 12,000 last month that the province, the for animal husbandry as soon as season – which he attributed to cli- and 13,000 riel, but now they only go Kingdom’s leading salt producer, is possible,” he said. THIS year’s salt market will not be as mate change – will chip away at pro- for 10,000 riel and to boot, yields are expected to yield less of the com- According to Poav, live pigs cur- strong as it was last year, with yields duction of the commodity this year not as high as they were before.” modity than reported last year due rently sell for around 13,000-14,000 and prices expected to drop, ac- to below 2020 levels, even with one Worse still, distribution has been to adverse weather conditions. riel ($3.25-3.50) per kilogramme cording to salt producers in Kampot month left in the harvest season. disrupted, especially in and around He said: “The salt collected in Kam- and pork costs 18,500 riel per kilo- province. Prices have also dropped to about the capital, due to lockdown restric- pot this year will not be as much as gramme. Bun Baraing, a salt producer in the 10,000 riel ($2.50) per 50kg sack of tions on transport imposed in light last year. Just at the start of March, “The price of pork on the farm and province, told The Post on April 20 salt, he said. “Last year, they [the of rising Covid-19 infections stem- there were already two unexpected at the counter remains unchanged ming from the February 20 commu- showers – during the dry season.” now compared to before the govern- nity transmission, he added. According to Kim Choeun, Kam- ment imposed lockdown measures Bun Narin, another salt producer in pot’s salt marshes cover 3,726ha – in Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kampot, said rainfall in areas of the unchanged from last year. Takhmao town, prices have only province since the end of last month But with Kampot and neighbour- fluctuated on the market,” he said. has rocked the salt-production boat. ing Kep province producing 85,000 Chea Sothearoth, owner of a In addition to output issues, market and 20,000 tonnes of salt last year, chicken farm in Kampong Chhnang distribution has also been plagued by nationwide yield was more than province, said that the current sup- shipping issues, especially in recent enough to cover the Kingdom’s an- ply capacity is woefully inadequate days. nual 100,000-tonne demand, he af- to handle demand. Failure to re- As of the end of last month, firmed. move obstacles to moving medi- the province’s salt stockpiles had Salt production in Kampot and cines and ingredients in time could reached about 40,000 tonnes, ac- Kep covered 4,748ha in 2019 and reduce supply. cording to Narin. employed 5,000 workers, the Min- “We know the government’s mea- Kampot provincial Department istry of Industry, Science, Technol- sures are to ensure the safety of the of Industry, Science, Technology ogy and Innovation said in a report. people’s lives, but we just want them and Innovation director Sok Kim With suitable weather conditions, to let us, the farmers, make priority Choeun could not be reached for each hectare can yield 20 tonnes of visits to farms, to ensure supply,” he Salt fields in Kep province.HENG CHIVOAN comment, but he told The Post early salt per annum, it said. said. THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Many opportunities for Singaporean logistics companies in Cambodia GIVEN Cambodia’s vibrant trade which supports the ASEAN Con- environment and consistent growth nectivity Master Plan 2025 – a road over the last decade, there are many map to seamlessly connect and in- opportunities there for Singapore- tegrate the regional bloc. based firms and international part- The first project, launched in No- ners to explore projects to boost vember and also helmed by YCH, is regional connectivity. a joint venture with Vietnam’s T&T This was the key theme of a round- Group to develop a logistics centre table organised by Infrastructure and port in Vietnam. Asia and Singapore’s YCH Group on The PPLC stands to boost Cambo- April 20 to connect local logistics dia’s economic growth and connec- firms with potential partners to de- tivity, especially with the Mekong velop and finance the Phnom Penh region and southwestern China. Logistics Complex (PPLC). Contract preparation and ground- Plans for the PPLC, which is esti- breaking for the project are slated to mated to cost $200 million, include take place in 2022, which is also the an integrated port and logistics op- year in which Cambodia will assume erations centre, training academy the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. and start-up hub. Singapore firms have been making A framework agreement to devel- forays into Cambodia over the years. op the project was inked last month In January, local waste manage- between the logistics company and ment company 800 Super, with its Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works joint venture partner in Cambo- and Transport. dia GAEA Waste Management, was More than 30 representatives from awarded a 10-year contract for waste The General Department of Customs and Excise’s (GDCE) director-general Kun Nhem called on customs officials to assiduously hone Surbana Jurong, DBS Bank, OCBC collection and transportation in the their skills and be more proactive, intelligent and engaged in revenue collection to meet this year’s targets and surpass them. GDCE Bank, Clifford Capital, China Con- country’s capital Phnom Penh. struction Bank, the International YCH Group chairman Robert Yap Finance Corporation and Silk Road said that Cambodia has consistently Fund, among others, attended the registered high single-digit gross roundtable in person and virtually. domestic product growth and has Customs books nearly Stressing the collaborative nature the potential to go further. of the PPLC, Infrastructure Asia ex- “Cambodia’s logistics infrastruc- ecutive director Seth Tan said a criti- ture is not that well developed today, cal success factor is the Cambodian which is why many multinational $615M in first quarter government’s involvement – from companies’ distribution centres are earmarking land to develop the port, in other countries such as Thailand Hin Pisei called on customs officials to assidu- At the same time, the collection of to setting up meetings between YCH or Vietnam,” he explained. ously hone their skills and be more tax revenue, especially customs and government agencies to better “Having consulted some of our THE General Department of Customs proactive, intelligent and engaged in duties, will inevitably decline, he understand the project details. customers running supply chains in and Excise’s (GDCE) revenue collec- revenue collection to meet this year’s said. “It’s a matter of fact that each “The collaboration between the ASEAN, I think they would put their tion plummeted 15.2 per cent to targets and surpass them. country’s customs revenue collection [Cambodian] government and YCH is distribution facilities in Cambodia $614.8 million in the first quarter of This requires carrying out govern- has declined during the Covid-19 quite extensive, and it is this element if the country were to have a world- this year compared to the corre- ment policies and measures, pre- epidemic, including Cambodia.” that gives it a higher chance of success class standard of infrastructure. So sponding period last year. venting and cracking down on tax Vanak posited that the lockdown of and minimises costs as well,” he said. this is an opportunity for Cambodia Last month alone, revenue reached evasion and ensuring compliance Phnom Penh and Takhmao would Infrastructure Asia, a joint initia- to be in the game.” $211.3 million, down by 4.7 per cent with the law, as well as simplifying have little effect on customs revenue tive by Enterprise Singapore and the He added that YCH’s plan is to roll from March last year, GDCE figures customs procedures and using infor- if it “doesn’t go on for months”. Monetary Authority of Singapore, out similar projects in other ASEAN show. mation technology to improve trade The government adjusted import duty was set up to connect governments countries. The largest sources of customs and facilitation and the overall invest- rates on vehicle imports by 10-20 per- with developers, professional ser- “Such projects are multimodal in excise revenue were vehicles and ment climate, he said. centage points from March 1 to optimise vice providers and financiers for the nature and connect land, air and machinery (accounting for 43.5 per Hong Vanak, director of Internation- the collection of customs revenue. region’s infrastructure needs. sea. We are not looking at Cambodia cent), petroleum and energy (22.8 per al Economics at the Royal Academy of Last year, the GDCE collected The PPLC is part of the Smart alone, but also its relation to its con- cent), construction materials and Cambodia, told The Post on April 21 $2.4196 billion in revenue, down Growth Connect Initiative by the nectivity to ASEAN, as well as con- miscellaneous fees (6.3 per cent) and that the effects of the global Covid-19 $795.5 million or 24.8 per cent com- ASEAN Business Advisory Council. necting ASEAN to other countries other products (27.4 per cent). epidemic had led to a decline in inter- pared to 2019. This was equivalent to It is the second project under the such as China and India.” THE STRAITS GDCE director-general Kun Nhem national trade across all countries. 83.5 per cent of the 2020 plan. ASEAN Smart Logistics Network, TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Ho Chi Minh City croc farming in a deep slump CROCODILE farmers in Ho Chi Minh City Foreign traders, mostly Chinese, visit (HCMC) are facing heavy losses since the small farms to buy crocodiles and leather, Covid-19 pandemic is affecting export. but no longer depend on Vietnamese They now rely heavily on the Chinese intermediaries and so are able to manipu- market, with the situation leading to price late prices, he said. volatility. Meat prices rose to a record 230,000 HCMC is among of the largest crocodile dong ($10.30) per kilogramme not long farming localities in southern Vietnam with ago, and farms rushed to expand, but they around 200,000 of the reptiles being farmed have now dropped to 40,000-50,000 dong, mostly in Districts 12 and Hoc Mon. causing farmers huge losses. It also enables the development of eco- The city should work with farmers and tourism in these suburbs, but the industry enterprises to establish a crocodile breed- is facing difficulties due to the pandemic. ing and production association to strength- Hoa Ca Crocodile Co Ltd director Dinh en links between various stake holders and Thị Ngoc My Trang said her company protect the market from manipulation by raised around 10,000 animals at its peak foreign traders, Hung said. for meat and skin. Crocodile leather prod- City authorities have promised to devel- ucts such as handbags, purses, belts, and op strategies to foster the Vietnamese watch straps are popular with both local crocodile brand, and the Department of and foreign customers, and sell well in Agriculture and Rural Development will tourist areas and airports, she said. seek new export markets for crocodile But the Covid-19 outbreak has caused products and take measures to control many such stalls to close temporarily, trafficking by Chinese traders. causing her company’s revenue to decline Without strategic branding and intel- by 80 per cent, she added. lectual property registration for the fresh- Tran Dong Hung, a crocodile farmer in water crocodile business in the country, District 12, said the market has been devel- the country’s products would face fierce oping without planning or guidance, and competition when commitments under Without strategic branding and intellectual property registration for the freshwater crocodile business in Vietnam, the lack of investment in processing means free trade agreements are fulfilled, experts the country’s products would face fierce competition when commitments under free trade agreements are fulfilled, most products are sold as raw materials. said. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK according to experts. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Property Development skewed in HCMC region real estate The skewed concentration of Institute, said investment in traf- property projects in some areas fic infrastructure is vital to ensure of HoChi Minh City (HCMC) has connectivity between HCMC resulted in an imbalance in the and satellite cities and synchro- development of satellite cities nised transportation. and causes a strain on the trans- Improving traffic infrastruc- port system, a workshop heard ture is now a priority, he said. in the city on April 16. In recent years infrastructure In 2017, the government for travel between the city and approved a master plan for the provinces in the HCMC region period until 2030 for the HCMC has improved, resulting in the region, which covers an area of mushrooming of new urban more than 30,000sqm compris- areas, he said. ing HCMC proper and the seven This has enabled investments surrounding provinces of Ba Ria- to flow easier into neighbouring Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh- provinces, he said. Phuoc, TayNinh, Long An, Dong But a high concentration of Nai and Tien Giang. property and urban develop- It creates a legal framework to ment projects to the east of the attract investment in satellite cit- city, including in Binh Duong ies and real estate markets in and Dong Nai provinces, has outlying areas, Nguyen Tuan resulted in skewed development Anh, editor-in-chief of Nhadau- and placed a strain on transport tu (Investor) magazine, told the systems in its gateways. workshop. Nguyen Hoang, research and New regulations in the city to development director at DKRA tighten the issue of licences to Vietnam, said the HCMC real The first quarter of 2021 saw the addition of 793 units to Phnom Penh’s condominium supply, raising the total 3.06 per cent quarter-on-quarter to property projects resulted in a estate market has for years spilt 26,707. HONG MENEA drastic drop in supply, boosting over into its neighbouring prov- the real estate markets in neigh- inces, and their markets thus have bouring provinces, he said. close links and affect each other. But there is an imbalance in Last year the market in neigh- the development of satellite cit- bouring provinces saw positive Condo sales, rents soar in Q1 ies, affecting the implementa- growth, which made up for the tion of the master plan, he said. decline in all segments in HCMC, Hin Pisei “Mid-range” units averaged $2,265 per economic growth and the rush to vacci- LeDoMuoi, head of the Trans- he added. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS sqm, inching down 0.4 per cent quarter- nate against Covid-19 seen in early 2021, port Development and Strategy NETWORK ales and rental prices of condo- on-quarter, and “affordable” units hovered as investors gradually started making minium units logged a significant around $1,568, surging 3.5 per cent on a fresh investments and more Cambodians quarter-on-quarter increase in quarterly basis. purchased homes to live in. January-March, as four new proj- On the first quarter rental market, “high- She told The Post on April 21: “The opti- ectsS were put up for sale in the capital. end” units averaged $12.86 per sqm per mism before the outbreak of the February However, demand and prices will likely be month, up 1.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter, 20 community incident raised the purchase brought back down in the second quarter “mid-range” units went for around $10.38, and rent prices for condos by a notch.” by the ongoing lockdown restrictions, a climbing 1.3 per cent over the fourth quar- But the lockdown dragged down condo new report revealed. ter, and “affordable” units were $8.28, gain- sales and prices at the onset of the sec- CBRE Cambodia, the local affiliate of US ing 5.4 per cent from October-December. ond quarter, she said. “The lockdown in commercial real estate services and in- The first quarter of 2021 saw the addi- Phnom Penh at this time is sure to have an vestment firm CBRE Group Inc, said in the tion of 793 units to Phnom Penh’s condo- impact on buying and selling prices in the report that the price of “high-end” condo- minium supply, raising the total 3.06 per second quarter.” minium units averaged $3,087 per sqm in cent quarter-on-quarter to 26,707. CBRE Cambodia estimates that 10,032 the first quarter of this year, up 4.8 per cent CBRE Cambodia senior manager Kim units will be added to the condominium Developers and authorities discuss the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) region compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Kinkesa expressed optimism about global supply nationwide this year. property market at a workshop in the city on Friday. VIET NAM NEWS Hanoi sees strong recovery of property market in Q1

The Hanoi property market The yearly growth showed a with 80 per cent of total new ter, respectively. an indicator of the recovery in ings on the Hanoi villa and is expected to recover strongly strong recovery from Q1 2020 launches. In terms of location, On the secondary market, Vietnam’s economy.” townhouse market in Q1 2021, this year thanks to positive when the first wave of the the east and the west of the some of the recently complet- Nguyen Hoai An, director of up 39 per cent year-on-year, performance in the housing Covid-19 pandemic started city were the major sources of ed high-end projects in devel- CBRE Vietnam’s Hanoi branch was from four newly launched segment in the first quarter in Vietnam, said Do Van Anh, new projects, contributing 77 oped residential areas such as said: “The active construc- projects and the next phases of (Q1), according to experts. manager of the research and per cent of new launches, Anh Ba Dinh, CauGiay and Nam tion across sectors and loca- three existing projects. CBRE Vietnam’s survey in Q1 consulting division at CBRE said. TuLiem districts recorded an- tions of Hanoi signals a strong The primary supply of 1,979 2021 revealed there were ap- Vietnam. Moderate new supply during nual pricing growth of three- bounce-back of the city real dwellings was up 28 per cent proximately 4,400 condomin- Most of the new supply dur- the quarter helped close the to-seven per cent. The average estate market. We expect not 47 per cent year-on-year and ium units launched in Hanoi, ing the quarter came from gap between newly launched secondary pricing of those only the residential sector but HoaiDucdistrict led with a 37 up 270 per cent year-on-year follow-on launches (14 proj- and sold units. A total of 4,200 districts (including long-time also the commercial sector will per cent share. but down 39 per cent from the ects) and there were only three units were sold during the completed projects) only in- welcome additional projects Performance on the villa previous quarter due to the brand new projects introduced quarter, of which, the afford- creased by one-to-three per involving international players and townhouse segment in Q1 disruption of the Tet holiday to the market. able segment recorded more cent year-on-year. and local players coming from improved to 934 sales, up 232 and a new wave of Covid-19 in The mid-end segment con- units sold than launched. In addition, projects close to southern Vietnam.” per cent year-on-year. HoaiD- Vietnam. tinued to be the most popular In Q1, the average primary nearly completed infrastruc- Moving forwards, the level of ucdistrict also led here with a price in the Hanoi market was ture projects such as along the the new launch and sold units 56 per cent share. recorded at $1,461 per sqm ongoing constructed elevated are expected to hover around Savills Hanoi’s Powell said: (net of VAT and maintenance Ring Road No 2 and areas un- 24,000-26,000 units in 2021. In “Landed property continued fee), up by seven per cent year- der recently approved or pend- the upcoming quarters, new to attract strong buyer atten- on-year and three per cent ing approval master plans such residential projects and town- tion despite the pandemic’s quarter-on-quarter, according as Long Bien district experi- ships are set to be launched in effects. New supply was mostly to the survey. enced a pricing growth of five- different areas in Hanoi’s urban in the west with its abundant The mid-end segment con- to-nine per cent year-on-year, and rural districts. In terms of land and improving infrastruc- tinued to dominate the Hanoi according to CBRE Vietnam. selling prices, the average pri- ture.” condominium market, while Savills Hanoi director Mat- mary pricing is expected to in- In 2021, approximately 3,600 stock in other segments was thew Powell said: “There has crease at about four-to-six per dwellings from 16 projects will not abundantly available. Due been a fairly reasonable price cent year-on-year in 2021, ac- enter the market, with most to the launches of new projects increase certainly in Hanoi, cording to CBRE Vietnam. in HoaiDuc and Dan Phuong at attractive locations, the av- with the price of Grade A Meanwhile, according to districts. Western areas with erage primary prices of high- and Great B sector only up to Savills Vietnam’s quarterly re- abundant land and improving There were approximately 4,400 condominium units launched in Hanoi end and affordable segments around five per cent year-on- port on the Hanoi property infrastructure will continue to in the first quarter of this year, up 270 per cent year-on-year, according increased by nine per cent and year. So that’s a reasonable market released on April 14, perform well. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA to CBRE Vietnam. VIET NAM NEWS five per cent quarter-on-quar- growth rate. And I think it is the new supply of 942 dwell- NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Veteran Chad leader Deby Chemical weapons watchdog weighs dies battling rebels: army Syria sanctions HADIAN President Idriss Deby Itno has died in combat after WORLD powers urged the about its chemical weapons three decades in power, the global chemical weapons still “cannot be considered army said on April 20, open- watchdog on April 20 to hit accurate and complete” de- ingC a period of uncertainty in a country Syria with unprecedented spite years of inspections. that is a key strategic ally of the West in a sanctions for alleged toxic gas In the most recent example, troubled region. attacks and for failing to de- the OPCW had opened a new His son was immediately named clare its arsenal. inquiry after Damascus gave transitional leader as head of a military Syria faces the loss of its “insufficient” explanations for council and both the government and “rights and privileges” at the Or- the discovery of chemicals in parliament were dissolved, but the army ganisation for the Prohibition of September at a site where it vowed “free and democratic” elections Chemical Weapons (OPCW) af- had denied making toxic arms. after an 18-month transitional period. ter a probe found it had carried The UN recently said Da- The army said Deby had died from inju- out three attacks in 2017. mascus has for years not re- ries sustained as he led his troops against The regulator’s 193 member plied to a series of 19 ques- rebels who launched an offensive against states were expected to vote tions about its weapons his regime from Libya last week. on April 21 on a proposal by installations. Chad had claimed victory against the France, backed by 46 coun- fighters, but soon after the announce- tries, that would include freez- ‘Hostile agenda’ ment of Deby’s death, they vowed to ing Syria’s voting rights at the Syria slammed the “pomp- pursue their offensive and march on the Netherlands-based body. ous” French statement, likening capital N’Djamena. Syria and its ally Russia dis- the situation to the false allega- The shock news came just a day after the Chadian president Deby had ruled with an iron fist for three decades.AFP missed the sanctions threat, tions about weapons of mass 68-year-old career military man was pro- accusing Western powers destruction before the US-led claimed the winner of a presidential elec- by’s death, presidential guard officers in out a military council with 15 generals, of using the Hague-based invasion of Iraq in 2003. tion that gave him a sixth term in office. civilian clothes roamed N’Djamena with including himself and 14 others known OPCW as a “propaganda tool” “We deny that we have The army also announced a curfew walkie-talkies and handguns. to have been part of the late president’s to undermine Damascus in ever used toxic gases,” Syria’s and border closures, while a state funer- Police in black uniforms and masks circle of loyalists. its ten-year civil war. OPCW ambassador Rania Al- al was planned for April 23. were also on the streets, although the Some analysts expressed concern that “We cannot let this tragedy rifaiy said. Deby, often called “marshal”, had ruled military presence was no more intensive Deby’s death could unleash new rounds go on for another decade,” “I call on you to vote no, Chad with an iron fist since taking power than since the rebel offensive began in of violence. French OPCW ambassador to reject the hostile agenda on the back of a coup in 1990, and often northern Chad on April 11, the day of the On April 19, the army claimed a “great Luis Vassy told the watchdog. against Syria,” she said. put members of his family and ethnic presidential election. victory” against FACT, saying it had killed “We find ourselves in an Russia also rejected the group in key positions in government more than 300 rebels and captured 150 exceptional situation, which move to punish its ally. and the military. ‘Defending the nation’ others, with the loss of five soldiers. demands that we take action “This is very serious. We’ve The army said Deby had been com- But FACT spokesman Kingabe accordingly.” never had this kind of a case ‘Essential ally’ manding his forces at the weekend Ogouzeimi de Tapol told AFP that the It would be the first time a before where a state party was He was nonetheless a key ally in the as they battled rebel group Front for rebels would continue the offensive after country had faced such punish- deprived of their privileges West’s anti-jihadist campaign in the un- Change and Concord in Chad (FACT). a short delay for Deby’s funeral. stable Sahel region, particularly due to the Deby “has just breathed his last breath “We categorically reject the transi- We find ourselves in an relative strength of Chad’s military and its defending the sovereign nation on the tion,” he said. ability to supply weaponry and soldiers. battlefield”, army spokesman General Ministers and high-ranking military brass exceptional situation, which Former colonial power France hailed Azem Bermandoa Agouna said in a state- had said on April 19 that Deby was in the re- Deby as an “essential ally in the fight ment read out on state television. gion on April 17-18 after the rebel offensive. demands that we take against terrorism” and called for a peace- He said Deby had died on April 20, but the Deby, who had been among the world’s action accordingly ful transition over a limited timeframe. presidency later gave the date as April 19. longest-serving leaders, had on previous The US offered condolences and said it The army said a military council led by occasions gone to the frontlines as gov- ment in the history of the OPCW, and rights,” Russian ambas- supported “a peaceful transition of power in the late president’s 37-year-old son Ma- ernment forces battled rebels. which was founded nearly a sador Alexander Shulgin said. accordance with the Chadian constitution”. hamat Idriss Deby Itno, a four-star gen- Provisional results released on April 19 quarter of a century ago to rid France however said coun- The EU said Chad had lost “a “historic eral, would replace him. showed him winning re-election with al- the world of chemical weapons. tries should not be “duped” political figure” and that the “announced Deby’s son oversaw his father’s security as most 80 per cent of the vote. by claims that Syria would be transition must be limited, take place in head of the elite presidential guard and often His victory had never been in doubt, Sarin and chlorine frozen out of the OPCW, and a peaceful manner … and allow for the appeared alongside him, wearing the force’s with a divided opposition, boycott calls, The regime of Syrian Presi- that Syria would still be able organisation of new inclusive elections”. red beret, dark glasses and military fatigues. and a campaign in which demonstra- dent Bashar al-Assad agreed to speak there even though it Following the announcement of De- He signed a decree on April 20 setting tions were banned or dispersed. AFP in 2013 to join the OPCW and could not vote. give up all chemical weapons, Moscow and Damascus al- following a suspected sarin lege the OPCW has become nerve gas attack that killed “politicised”, especially since 1,400 people in the Damascus it gained new powers in 2018 Indian railway ‘superhero’ pulls off dramatic rescue suburb of Ghouta. to identify the perpetrators AN Indian railway worker has self barely two seconds before But an OPCW investigation of attacks. Previously it could been hailed a “superhero” af- the Udyan Express thundered found in April last year that the only say whether or not chem- ter he sprinted more than 30m through. Syrian air force was respon- ical arms had been used. along a track to grab a boy from “I saw the kid falling and the sible for three attacks on the Russia meanwhile also fac- the path of an express train. train speeding towards him. village of Lataminah in 2017 es pressure at the OPCW over CCTV images of Mayur There was no chance he would using sarin and chlorine gas. last year’s Novichok nerve Shelke’s incredible rescue have have lived had I not intervened,” Damascus then failed to ad- agent poisoning of opposi- gone viral on social media with Shelke was quoted as saying by here to a 90-day deadline to tion figure Alexei Navalny. many lauding the selfless 30- the Mid-Day newspaper. declare the weapons used in The OPCW has been a back- year-old. He said he had been scared the attacks, reveal its remain- drop for growing tensions be- The six-year-old boy was with of the looming train, but ing stocks and comply with tween Russia and the West, his partially sighted mother on added: “There was no time to OPCW inspections. with the Netherlands in 2018 April 17 at Vangani station – think at all, I was determined France in response sub- expelling four alleged Rus- about 70km east of Mumbai to save him.” mitted the motion calling for sian spies whom it accused of – when he fell off the platform Fatal accidents are common Syria to be punished. trying to hack the watchdog’s edge onto the track. on India’s vast, but often dilapi- Pressure mounted on Da- computers. Shelke was alerted by cries dated railway network. mascus last week after a The organisation won the for help from the mother and Social media users called second OPCW investigation Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 immediately started running Shelke, whose job as a points- found a Syrian helicopter for its work in destroying the along the track. man is to check the train sig- dropped a chlorine bomb on world’s stocks of chemical He is seen in images released nals, a “superhero”. the rebel-held town of Sara- weapons. AFP by the Indian Central Railways Railway Minister Piyush qib in 2018. grabbing the boy, throwing Goyal said Shelke would be OPCW director-general Fer- www.phnompenhpost.com him back onto the platform rewarded for “motivating hu- Fatal accidents are common on India’s vast, but often dilapidated nando Arias on April 20 said check the post website for breaking news and then climbing up him- manity with his work”. AFP railway network. AFP Syria’s responses to questions 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com World Derek Chauvin guilty of all charges for George Floyd

EREK Chauvin, a embraced prosecutors. white former police Chauvin faces up to 40 years officer for the US in prison on the most serious city of Minneapolis, charge – second-degree mur- wasD convicted on April 20 of der. Sentencing will be at a murdering African-American later date. George Floyd after a racially Chauvin, a 19-year veteran charged trial that was seen as of the Minneapolis police a pivotal test of police account- force, was seen on video kneel- ability in the US. ing on the neck of Floyd for A jury deliberated less than more than nine minutes as he 11 hours before finding the lay face down and handcuffed People celebrate the guilty verdict against Derek Chauvin at the George Floyd memorial in the US city of Minneapolis. GETTY IMAGES/AFP 45-year-old Chauvin guilty of on the ground saying repeat- all three charges against him edly “I can’t breathe”. “This is a day of justice in Amer- for all of America!” ments on April 19, showed Floyd’s cause of death. – second-degree murder, The 46-year-old Floyd’s ica,” said Harris, the US’ first Barack Obama, the US’ first excerpts from the harrowing A retired forensic pathologist third-degree murder and man- death during his May 25, 2020 Black vice-president. “History Black president, said “a jury bystander video of Floyd’s called by the defence said slaughter. arrest for allegedly passing a will look back at this moment.” did the right thing” but “true death that was seen by mil- Floyd died of cardiac arrest A crowd gathered outside counterfeit $20 bill sparked The White House said Biden justice requires much more”. lions around the world. brought on by heart disease the heavily guarded downtown protests against racial injus- also planned to make formal Three other former police “This case is exactly what and the illegal drugs fentanyl Minneapolis courtroom erupt- tice and police brutality remarks to the nation later on officers involved in Floyd’s you thought when you saw it and methamphetamine. ed in cheers when the verdicts around the world. April 20. arrest are to go on trial later first, when you saw that video,” Medical experts for the pros- were announced after a three- Ahead of the verdict, cities this year. prosecutor Steve Schleicher ecution said Floyd died from a week trial that had an entire across the US had been braced ‘Justice’ Minneapolis has been tense told the jury. lack of oxygen from Chauvin’s nation on edge. for potential unrest and Nation- Floyd family lawyer Ben awaiting the verdict in the Chau- “You can believe your eyes,” knee on his neck and that Chauvin, who had been free al Guard troops have been Crump hailed the verdict as a vin trial and the city has seen Schleicher said. “It’s exactly drugs were not a factor. on bail, was put in handcuffs deployed in Minneapolis. landmark victory for civil nightly protests since Daunte what you knew, it’s what you Among the 38 witnesses who after Hennepin County Judge President Joe Biden and rights and a springboard to Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, felt in your gut, it’s what you testified for the prosecution were Peter Cahill read out the unan- Vice-President Kamala Harris legislation to reform police was shot dead in a suburb of the now know in your heart.” some of the bystanders who imous verdicts reached by the called members of the Floyd forces in their dealings with Minnesota city on April 11 by a “This wasn’t policing, this watched Floyd’s arrest and plead- racially diverse seven-woman family after the verdicts. minorities. white policewoman. was murder,” Schleicher add- ed with Chauvin to get off him. five-man jury. “Nothing is going to make it “This verdict is a turning In Washington, the National ed. “Nine minutes and 29 sec- Darnella Frazier, the teenager Wearing a facemask and dis- all better but at least God now point in history and sends a Guard said some 250 troops were onds of shocking abuse of who took the video that went playing no visible emotion, Chau- there’s some justice,” Biden said. clear message on the need for being deployed “to support local authority.” viral, said Floyd was “scared” vin was escorted out of the court- “We’re all so relieved – not just accountability of law enforce- law enforcement” in response to Much of the evidence phase and “begging for his life”. room by a deputy as one of George the one verdict but all three, ment,” Crump tweeted. “Jus- potential demonstrations. of the trial involved testimony “It wasn’t right. He was suf- Floyd’s brothers, Philonise Floyd, guilty on all three counts.” tice for Black America is justice Prosecutors, in closing argu- from medical experts about fering,” Frazier said. AFP EU agency says clot ‘very rare’ J&J vaccine side effect

EUROPE’S medicines regulator said The EMA also described those clots had hit India “like a storm”. on April 20 that blood clots should be as a “very rare” side effect, stressing “It is a big challenge, but we have listed as a “very rare” side effect of that the AstraZeneca jab’s benefits to – together, with our courage and Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) coronavi- outweigh the risks. determination – overcome it,” he rus vaccine, but that the benefits of Europe’s leaders are keen to accel- added. the shot still outweighed the risks. erate vaccinations and expand avail- The Delhi lockdown follows strict The US is expected to announce its ability after facing intense criticism measures already imposed in other decision on the single-shot J&J vac- over a slow rollout and with the pub- Indian states. cine by April 23, as nations around the lic desperate for a return to some The US Centers for Disease Control world urgently try to accelerate inoc- degree of normality. on April 19 advised against all travel ulation campaigns and revive their Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal to India, and the UK imposed restric- pandemic-ravaged economies. markets commissioner, told French tions on arrivals from the country. The European Medicines Agency newspaper Le Figaro the bloc was India’s crematoriums and gravedig- (EMA) assessment came as an EU now set to have enough doses to gers have been overwhelmed. official promised to have enough cover 70 per cent of its adult popula- Social media and newspapers have doses available to vaccinate 70 per tion by mid-July. been flooded with horrifying images of cent of European adults by the sum- The Dutch government on April 20 row upon row of burning pyres. At a mer – a boon for the continent’s slug- said it would end its coronavirus cur- cemetery in New Delhi, gravedigger gish rollout. few and allow cafes to serve outdoors Shamim told AFP: “At this rate, I will run Europe’s J&J campaign was delayed during limited hours from April 28. out of space in three or four days.” after US health regulators said the Elsewhere there was less reason for Hard-hit Brazil meanwhile now has shot should be paused over blood hope. the leading overall death rate in the clot fears. Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin Americas and the entire southern After reviewing isolated cases of clot- announced a drive to get elderly hemisphere, according to AFP data. ting among people who received the Oxygen is in high demand in India, where hospitals are overwhlemed. AFP residents vaccinated to avoid a lock- With 176 deaths per 100,000 people vaccine, EMA’s safety committee said down, acknowledging the deteriorat- since the beginning of the outbreak, it found a “possible link” to the jab. safe” but the country would prioritise The EU approved the J&J shot on ing situation there. Brazil has recently overtaken Peru The regulator said its safety commit- its use for people aged over 60. March 3 and started taking deliveries with 174 per 100,000 and the US with tee “concluded that a warning about on April 19, but has not yet started ‘Like a storm’ 172 per 100,000. unusual blood clots with low blood ‘We remain confident’ administering it to people. And India, home to 1.3 billion peo- There was growing concern about a platelets should be added to the prod- Only two countries had started A top J&J executive on April 20 said ple, is battling a worrying surge, with spike in Japan, where the third most uct information” for the J&J shot. administering the J&J shot before it he hoped for a speedy resolution to record daily case numbers overwhelm- populated region, Osaka, on Tuesday “This is a very rare effect,” EMA was paused – the US and South Afri- the current pause. ing already stretched hospitals. asked the central government to impose chief Emer Cooke told reporters. “But ca – with more than seven million “We remain very confident and The capital New Delhi was locked a state of emergency with infections ris- it also makes it very important for doses given out so far, according to very hopeful that the benefit-risk down on April 19 for a week, and the ing just three months before the coun- doctors and patients to be aware of an AFP tally. profile will play out,” chief financial government said all adults would be try hosts the Olympics. the signs so that they can spot any The vaccine was praised as easier officer Joseph Wolk told CNBC. eligible for a vaccine from next month Tokyo and several other areas are concerns.” to administer and transport than The J&J concerns follow similar as it tries to get a grip on the crisis. expected to follow suit, hoping to Italy’s health authorities said that some of its rivals, because it requires reports of blood clots in a very small In a televised address on April 20, avoid Osaka’s plight, where hospital in light of the EMA ruling, the vaccine just one dose and can be stored at number of people who received the Prime Minister Narendra Modi beds for seriously ill coronavirus should be considered “definitively warmer temperatures. AstraZeneca shot. acknowledged that this second wave patients have run out. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 ASEAN

Lao border patrols step up to prevent spread of virus Indonesia, Iran aim to finalise l LOCAL authorities across Laos are stepping up border controls to prevent people entering the country illegally from Thailand and avoiding screening for Covid-19. It is common for returning migrants to preferential trade agreement enter Laos undetected by crossing the Mekong River at places where there are NDONESIA and Iran highlight- no immigration facilities. This means they ed the need to finalise a trade are not screened for the virus or agreement between the two quarantined as the regulations require. countries during the visit of Ira- The National Taskforce Committee for Inian foreign minister Mohammad Covid-19 Prevention and Control recently Javad Zarif to Jakarta on April 19. instructed authorities in Savannakhet, Iran’s top diplomat met his Indone- Saravan and Xayaboury provinces to sian counterpart Retno Marsudi at her record the details of people entering Laos. Pejambon office, where they touched These provinces are considered at high base on various bilateral issues fol- risk for the spread of the virus as they lowing the celebration of 70 years of border populous Thailand, and the border diplomatic relations last year. between Laos and Thailand is porous. During the meeting, Zarif expressed Local authorities continue to face his side’s readiness to continue nego- challenges in monitoring people at tiations on the trade deal. border crossings and providing “Expressing pleasure with the assistance to returning workers affected growing level of trade ties between by the pandemic. the two countries, Zarif referred to Savannakhet, Saravan and Xayaboury the huge capacity for bilateral busi- authorities are strengthening Covid-19 ness relations, and highlighted the screening and quarantine procedures for necessity of expediting the finalisa- Lao nationals returning from Thailand. tion of a preferential trade agree- In Borikhamxay province, everyone ment between the two countries,” entering border districts is being the Iranian foreign ministry said in a scrutinised in an attempt to prevent the statement published on its website. spread of Covid-19, with a particular Indonesia and Iran have been talk- emphasis on Pakkading, Pakxan and ing about having a trade agreement for Thaphabath districts. These districts are several years now, with the last round considered at high risk for the spread of of negotiations happening in 2017. Iranian flagged MT Horse and Panamanian flagged MT Frea are seized by the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) for the virus as they border Thailand. Trade volume between the two illegal ship-to-ship oil transfer on waters off Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on January 24. BAKAMLA/THE JAKARTA POST Normal virus prevention measures such as countries rose sharply last year by wearing face masks and using hand 52 per cent to $215 million from US state secretary Mike Pompeo, who The ships were suspected of a Bakamla insists that its investiga- sanitiser are also being encouraged. As of $141.6 million in 2019 despite triggered a 30-day process in August variety of violations, including il- tion was focused on the violations April 10, a total of 3,272 people had been pandemic pressures, ministry last year to re-impose all interna- legally transferring fuel at sea, oil within Indonesian territorial waters tested for Covid-19. To date, 58 cases of data show. Indonesia sells natural tional sanctions on Iran – known as spillage, failure to fly national flags and refused to comment on the US Covid-19 have been recorded in Laos but no rubber, palm oil, paper, tyres and the snapback – by lodging a com- for identification purposes, con- sanctions on Iran’s energy sector. deaths from the virus have been reported. chemical products to Iran. plaint with the UNSC accusing Iran cealing their vessel names, shutting The two foreign ministries did not The government has imposed uniform Meanwhile, Indonesia imports of breaching the 2015 nuclear deal. off their identification systems and indicate whether the ministers dis- standards of self-monitoring and steel, petrochemicals, minerals and Then-Indonesian ambassador to anchoring illegally. cussed the seizure of the tankers. quarantine for the staff of international raw materials for synthetic fibre the UN Dian Triansyah Djani, who Indonesia’s Maritime Security Indonesia and Iran also exchanged organisations, business executives and from Iran. was the council president for Au- Agency (Bakamla) caught the Ira- views on the latest developments general workers entering the country. A During April 19’s meeting, the Ira- gust, said he was “not in the posi- nian flagged MT Horse and Pana- in the Afghanistan peace process. 14-day period of self-monitoring is nian official also praised Jakarta’s tion to take further action” because manian flagged MT Freya “red- The US has said it will withdraw its required for everyone entering Laos even if “principled stances” at the UN Se- the 13 other council members ex- handed” as the two tankers were troops from Afghanistan by the 20- they have no Covid-19 symptoms. curity Council (UNSC) in defence of pressed their opposition. conducting ship-to-ship oil trans- year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Thailand on April 18 recorded yet another maintaining the Iran nuclear deal Zarif’s visit to Jakarta also comes fer operations, known as tranship- that sparked the US “War on Terror”. daily record number of Covid-19 cases at known as the Joint Comprehensive three months after Indonesian au- ment, after having turned off their During his visit, Zarif also made a 1,767, bringing the accumulated number Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imple- thorities seized the Iranian-flagged automatic identification system courtesy call on Indonesian Presi- of confirmed cases since the pandemic menting UNSC Resolution 2231. tanker MT Horse and a Panamani- (AIS), lowered their flags and cov- dent Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. THE JA- began to 42,352. Two new deaths were The comment was a snub on then- an-flagged tanker, MT Freya. ered up their vessels’ names. KARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK reported, raising the toll to 101, according to the Bangkok Post. VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK All Covid-19 patients must be hospitalised: Thai health Vietnam finds over $4B involved in economic minister l NO Covid-19 patient is allowed to isolate at home or treat themselves with over-the- violations in Q1 counter drugs, Thai Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul announced on NEARLY 96 trillion dong and collective units were April 20. He made the comment after taking ($4.16 billion) and 772ha of recommended to be fined. delivery of mattresses, UV sterilisers, land were found to be in- The inspectors transferred refrigerators and beverages for field volved in economic viola- documents about 10 cases hospitals. tions uncovered by Vietnam’s and five people for further He said his ministry has made provisions, Government Inspectorate in investigation. so Covid-19 patients do not have to wait to the first quarter of this year. In the first quarter of this be treated. “Patients do not have to go into The agency made recom- year, the Government In- self-isolation or try to treat themselves as mendations to collect more spectorate also issued 3,063 there are plenty of beds available at than five trillion dong of the papers that helped fix or hospitals and field hospitals,” he said. reported sum to the state’s improve documents on sal- “All patients can be treated and medical budget. ary and benefits regimes. staff can monitor their symptoms.” The Government Inspec- After conducting more than He also confirmed that there is enough torate is a ministry-level 400 inspections relating to Favipiravir to treat Covid-19 patients, agency that performs state salary and benefits regimes, refuting a Facebook post from the Maharaj administration of inspec- inspectors found 36 violations Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital’s director tion, citizen reception, com- and recommended compen- saying Thailand had run out of Favipiravir plaint and denunciation set- sation of nearly 25 billion pills. Anutin said there were enough test tlement and anti-corruption dong to affected people. kits for Covid-19 as well. throughout the country. As many as 1,118 state of- “The Government Pharmaceutical Reports released on April ficials and employees were Organisation has placed an order for 15 showed that inspectors moved to other positions to The office building of the Government’s Inspectorate in Hanoi.VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS. Favipiravir pills and Covid-19 test solutions conducted 1,644 administra- prevent possible corruption. as well,” he added. tive inspections and 35,614 The inspectors also found 284,400 state officials and rest of this year, the agency instead of waiting until the Meanwhile, Department of Medical specialised inspections and seven leaders of organisations employees attended more will concentrate on unan- inspection is completed. Services director-general Somsak Akksilp examinations in the first lacked responsibility, which than 6,600 training classes nounced inspections. Besides planned inspec- said there will be enough beds available three months of this year. resulted in corruption. on anti-corruption. Nearly During the inspections, as tions, the Government In- for Covid-19 patients in a couple of days, They issued 18,911 deci- Inspectors also worked 61,000 books and materials soon as any sign of crimi- spectorate will timely inspect adding that isolating at home may be a sions to tackle administra- with other agencies, minis- on anti-corruption regula- nal violation is found, the cases that the Central Com- solution if there is a fourth wave and the tive violations with total tries and localities to boost tions were published. inspectors will transfer the mittee on Anti-corruption or number of cases rises beyond 10,000 daily. fines of 992 billion dong. As anti-corruption/anti-waste According to the Govern- case to investigative agen- prime minister assigns. VIET THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK many as 269 organisations communication. More than ment Inspectorate, for the cies for a timely resolution NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

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EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng Managing Editor Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor Phuon Chansereivuth Chief of Staff Phak Seangly Business Editor May Kunmakara Deputy Business Editor Sangeetha Amarthalingam Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Pan Simala Senior Reporters Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng Reporters Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha Photographers Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey Web Editor Leang Phannara Digital Team Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy SIEM REAP BUREAU A health ministry official checks documents on a container carrying the first shipment of the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine doses, as part of the UN global Covax Offi ce Manager programme, as it arrives at the Noi Bai International Airport Cargo terminal in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 1. AFP Sophearith Blondeel PRODUCTION & PRINTING Head of Desktop Publishing Nhim Sokphyrak Desktop Publishing Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath Unity is delivering for the world Opinion the disease will depend on its success. uting two billion COVAX doses by the health programme in history. Noth- Recently, COVAX reached a major end of the year. This will be enough to ing on this scale has ever been Leon Wang and Aurelia Nguyen milestone – with more than 38 million protect the most vulnerable popula- attempted before. But it will only Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna doses distributed to over 100 coun- tions and high-risk groups, including achieve its goal – one world protected HE breakthroughs achieved by tries and counting. The fact this has frontline health workers. The Astra- – if doses are delivered promptly and HEAD OFFICE science in developing highly been achieved in just over a month is Zeneca vaccine, which represents the vaccination campaigns are efficiently Post Media Co., Ltd. effective vaccines against Cov- testament to the vital approach of vast majority of the supply of COVAX carried out on the ground. The Elements Condominium Level 7, id-19 are nothing short of international partnership and unity doses in the first half of this year, is That is why intense collaboration is Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, extraordinary.T What once took up to a behind this mission. But there is no being supplied at no profit during the required every step of the way: from Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom decade has been done in less than a intention of stopping at 100 countries. pandemic, irrespective of a nation’s developers and manufacturers, to Penh, Cambodia year. This is primarily a result of The WHO and global leaders have income level: a move hopefully other Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 coordinating authorities, govern- remarkable international cooperation. stressed the stark lesson from the Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 manufacturers will follow. ments and donors, to logistics provid- Yet the impact of those achievements Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 Covid-19 pandemic: that “nobody is With a programme of this scale and ers shipping supply across borders in SIEM REAP will be dangerously undermined safe until everyone is safe”. And they ambition, it will not always be record time, and dedicated healthcare No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune unless the whole world has access to are absolutely right. AstraZeneca and smooth – developing and manufac- workers who are tirelessly administer- Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 Covid-19 vaccines. Together, we must its partners within COVAX will not turing vaccines is a complex, biologi- ing vaccines. It is collaboration that COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT absolutely ensure that a two-tier sys- rest until all communities and econo- cal operation and the logistics has got us this far and it is collabora- Chief Operating Offi cer tem does not develop between those mies are protected from the disease involved in supplying dozens of tion that will ensure all of humanity – James Ong Soon Teck who have access to vaccines, and those and able to stand up strong again. countries around the same time are not just those that can afford it – is Advertising Department who do not. That is why COVAX, the In striving to ensure that deliveries extensive. But all COVAX partners are ultimately protected. If Covid-19 has Chap Narith, 017 996 241 first-of-its-kind multilateral initiative are equitable, COVAX is supplying six committed to working together to reminded us of our collective vulnera- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 to distribute vaccines around the continents globally – Africa, Asia, deliver on its shared objective. Fif- bility, it has also shown that when we Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 world, including for those most in Australia/Oceania, Europe, North teen months since it began, the pan- unite, we are so much stronger. With a Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 need and least able to pay, is so critical. America and South America. For demic has taught us many things, virus that knows no boundaries, COV- Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 Set up by some of the world’s lead- many, especially in the developing including that Covid-19 is indiscrimi- AX is an opportunity for the world to Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 ing health bodies – including GAVI, world, these deliveries are the first nate of age, sex or geography. Wheth- show that it can look and act beyond CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION the Vaccine Alliance, the World shipments of vaccine since the pan- er you are rich or poor - it can strike. boundaries too, and throw a protec- Acting Distribution Manager Health Organisation (WHO) and the demic response began, making COV- We must not forget that over 2.9 mil- tive blanket over as many people as Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness AX a critical lifeline in combating a lion people worldwide have died possible. A virus-free future depends Circulation Supervisor Innovations (CEPI) – COVAX is the disease that has inflicted untold from Covid-19 infection. But the pan- on us all working together. THE JAKARTA Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 largest vaccination programme in human suffering and decimated demic has also taught us that when POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 history and is on track to ensure that economies. In the coming weeks and the world works together it can ADMINISTRATION all people, regardless of income or months, vaccine deliveries will con- achieve remarkable things in record- Admin & HR Manager where they live, have access to safe, tinue to take place. breaking time. There is no doubt that Leon Wang is executive vice president inter- Pich Socheat national at AstraZeneca, and Aurelia Nguyen is Assistants Admin & HR Manager effective Covid-19 vaccines. The rollout is moving at unprece- vaccinating populations across the managing director of COVAX Facility, hosted by Nhel Soaphea Ultimately, global protection against dented pace, with the goal of distrib- planet represents the biggest public GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance 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 title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Reggaeton’s women redefine feminism on their terms ITH a new single out perfectly / Now you be bitter while Tuesday, two of reg- he be delicious, and smoother,” they gaeton’s most famous sing, taunting the former lover. women are subverting Then they deliver the final blow: Wthe wildly popular dance genre’s mi- “Now I come when I want to.” sogynist image, owning the style with Like hip hop before it, reggaeton’s an in-your-face ode to their sexuality. brash style has long been criticized as The release of “Ram Pam Pam” hypersexualized and misogynistic. sees Natti Natasha and Becky G But for Natti Natasha, such cri- get physical with tantalizing dance tiques “come more from the per- moves set to explicit lyrics, leaving spective of people who aren’t little to the imagination. used to this.” For the 24-year-old Mexican- In the genre’s nascent American Becky G, whose hits in- days in 1990s Puerto clude “Mayores,” the track is a re- Rico, it was simply definition of feminism that allows known as “under- women to celebrate their desires. ground,” becoming Feminism, she told AFP, is “differ- the target of censor- ent for all of us. We all need in our ship campaigns and own way.” drawing police raids “It’s my way of saying, I want to be for its “pornographic” empowered as a woman... me de- character. ciding when I go there, it’s because I But today reggaeton choose to go there. And when I don’t is booming -- especial- want to go there, I don’t go there,” ly in the Americas, the artist told AFP. but interna- “There” is the boundary-pushing tionally US singer and host Becky G performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards at the FIBES Confer- ence and Exhibition Centre of Seville on November 3, 2019. AFP sweet spot where female artists as well. can explore their sexuality without And to Natti Natasha and Becky Ivy Queen was the best-known of inhibitions or shame, in the vein G, that once-maligned hypersexual- a handful of women in the genre, of reigning hip hop royalty Megan ity is ripe for reinterpretation with which gained a wider following in Thee Stallion and Cardi B. women at the mic. 2004 with international hit “Gaso- To Natti Natasha, who found in- “It might not align with ev- lina” by Daddy Yankee. ternational fame with her hit song eryone’s idea of what femi- “A lot of the policing of women “Criminal,” it’s a natural process. nism is, but it’s always in reggaeton has been about rein- “We express ourselves with com- with the intention of forcing a lot of assumptions -- that plete freedom. We are super com- paving the way for the women need to be modest in order fortable. If Becky or I did not feel ones to come,” said to be respectable and worthy -- and comfortable with even a single let- Becky G, who gained there’s a lot of danger in those nar- ter in the song, we would not sing fame on YouTube as a ratives,” said Rivera-Rideau, author it,” said the 34-year-old Domini- teen. of the 2015 book “Remixing Reggae- can, whose career took off after she ton,” a history of the genre. moved to New York and signed with ‘Own their sexuality’ She said there are many people Don Omar, a singer and producer To Petra Rivera-Rideau, an who dislike the stereotype portray- who’s also worked with the super- American studies professor at Welles- ing Latinas as overtly sexy, and thus star Bad Bunny. ley University in Massachusetts, what skewer reggaeton as “shameful and Now she and Becky G are releas- Becky G, Natti Natasha and other terrible.” ing “Ram Pam Pam,” a tune as female reggaeton stars do -- from “But we also need spaces where catchy as their first collaboration the Colombian Karol G to American people can express themselves free- three years ago, “Sin Pijama” (No Mariah Angeliq -- “definitely can be ly, Rivera-Rideau continued. Pajamas), whose seductive video seen as a form of feminism.” “And women deserve to own their notched 1.8 billion views on You- In the early 2000s, she said, wom- sexuality and their own bodies.” Tube. en in reggaeton “who were danc- Becky G thinks the conversation’s Their new song tells a story set in ing were often perceived as being tone is evolving -- and she’s ready for it. a school gymnasium, directed at a problematic, as being not ‘good “Instead of saying, ‘Ah? What did man who abandoned the singer: “I girls,’ being too sexual, being in she say?’” she says, imitating the have a new boyfriend who makes these kinds of spaces that women, expression of a scandalized person, me ram pam pam / Don’t look for good girls, or respectable women “now they tell you, ‘You go, girl! I see me; there’s nothing of me left here.” shouldn’t be in.” you. I maybe wouldn’t have done “Now I have another who fits me At that time, the Puerto Rican that, but I respect it.’” AFP Solo swim: the fighting fish raised alone in Vietnam THOUSANDS of glass and plas- ornamental purposes but are much easier and we can avoid tic bottles lie across the floor of still kept apart on Thang’s fish them fighting each other”. Tran Ngoc Thang’s farm in farm to avoid any clashes. On top of other fish species, Hanoi, each one home to an “I have studied the character Thang raises around 3,000- aggressive, brightly coloured of these fighting fish, and I 4,000 betta fish a year, and sells fish that must be raised alone. know used plastic bottles are them for between 50 cents and Thang has been breeding a good place to raise them,” he $5 each. Siamese fighting fish, also known told AFP, explaining that he One of his clients, 35-year- as betta fish, for more than 20 collects bottles from the local old Bui Doan Tung, has been years in Vietnam -- and his busi- train station. devotedly buying all kinds of ness is going swimmingly. “I cut the bottle neck, and Siamese fighting fish -- half- They were once prized for drill a hole, which makes it moon, dumbo, fancy and koi their combative nature and easier when I want to change -- for the last four years. were pitted against each other the water,” the 54-year-old said, “They are not for fighting in fights, with bets placed on adding that the fish are fed eve- now, just for admiring,” he which fish would triumph. ryday from a nearby pond. says. “Each type is beautiful in Tran Ngoc Thang poses with Betta fish or Siamese fighting fish raised inside glass jars at his ornamental fish Now they are mostly kept for This way, “caring for them is a different way.” AFP farm in Hanoi on April 13, 2021. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

A worker at the Bin Salman farm sits amidst freshly picked Damascena (Damask) roses in the air, used to produce rose water and oil, in the western Saudi city of Taif, on April 11, 2021. AFP Saudi Arabia’s city of roses blooms in Ramadan VERY spring, roses bloom in the western Saudi city of Taif, turn- ing pockets of the king- dom’sE vast desert landscape a vivid and fragrant pink. In April, they are harvested for the essential oil used to cleanse the outer walls of “BOSSY” the sacred Kaaba, the cubic structure in the holy city of ACROSS 53 Heavy, plus 25 Chanel and O’Brien Mecca towards which Mus- 1 Plane measure 56 “Sex and the ___” 26 Island near Kauai lims around the world pray. 5 “___ and Sensibility” 57 Without precedent 28 Garfield’s predecessor This year, the harvest falls 10 Letts live here 58 Lose one’s cool 29 “Thanks ___ so much” during the holy fasting month 14 Mosaic piece 62 Fill with gas 30 Missile “house” of Ramadan, which observant 15 Filtered letter 63 Prepare for winter takeoff 31 Little quarrel Muslims devote to prayer and 16 Eurasia’s ___ Mountains 64 It may be on your side 32 Play things reflection. 17 The coping limit 65 Dried up 33 Belt feature Workers at the Bin Salman 20 Agent’s 15 percent, e.g. 66 Make changes to 34 Not fooled by farm tend rose bushes and 21 Sign to be interpreted 67 Brewski topper 35 Shop assistant 38 Type of pitcher pick tens of thousands of 22 Beach mounds DOWN 39 Crude bunch? flowers each day to produce Every spring, roses bloom in Taif, transforming pockets of the king- 23 Get via trickery 1 Office workers, collectively 40 Made, as cotton candy rose water and oil, also prized dom’s vast desert landscape into fragrant pink patches. AFP 25 Cage for chicks 2 Mushroom caps 45 Dr. Scholl’s purchase components in the cosmetic 27 Early man? 3 Microsoft co-founder 46 “I don’t care which” and culinary industries. farms, many of which have the Bin Salman farm, told AFP. 28 Most raspy, as a voice 4 “Natal” lead-in 47 Poet Angelou The perfumed oil has be- opened their doors to visitors. “After that we lower the heat 32 Cosmetic additive 5 Of pleasing appearance 49Fragment 35 Apt rhyme for “stash” 6 Speaker between speeches come popular among the While workers pick flowers for around 15 to 30 minutes un- 50 Low-budget film, often 36 Seven, on some clocks 7 Indian flatbread millions of Muslims who visit in the fields, others labour in til the distilling process starts, 51 Historic Alabama city 37 “Cool it!” 8 Covetousness, for one the kingdom every year for sheds, filling and weighing which lasts for eight hours.” 52 Jacket material 41 Preschooler 9 Shade tree pilgrimages. baskets by hand. Once the oil floats to the top 53 Does in, in mob slang 42 Fencing blades 10 Increases, as a bill Patterns of plants and flow- The flowers are then boiled of the glass jars, the extraction 11 Kurdistan locale 54 “NYPD ____” 43 One teaching econ or psych, e.g. ers have long been part of Is- and distilled. process begins. 12 Plum variety 55 Ogler 44 Subjects of some alerts lamic art. “We start boiling the roses on The oil is then extracted 13 Brown brews 56 Bill in a restaurant 46 Relative of an ostrich Known as the city of roses, high heat until they are almost with a large syringe to fill dif- 18 Canceled, to NASA 59 Vitamin-regulating agcy. 48 Make the cut? with approximately 300 mil- evaporated, and this takes ferent-sized vials, the small- 19 Fan-club member, essentially 60 ___ Aviv 49 Ivories tickler lion blooms every year, Taif around 30 to 35 minutes,” est going for 400 Saudi riyals 24 Aid an arsonist, e.g. 61 Degree in math? has more than 800 flower Khalaf al-Tuweiri, who owns ($106). AFP Wednesday’s solution

Wednesday’s solution

And for one month in April, they produce essential oil that is used to cleanse the outer walls of the sacred Kaaba, the cubic structure in the holy city of Mecca towards which Muslims around the world pray. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Premier League clubs withdraw Schalke relegated after 30 years in the Bundesliga from European Super League plans Bottom side Schalke 04 were rel- the German club was knocked out egated on Tuesday after 30 consecu- by Manchester United in the semi- tive years in the Bundesliga and al- finals. most exactly ten years since reaching The Royal Blues also lifted the Ger- the Champions League’s semi-finals. man Cup in 2010/11 as Klaas-Jan A 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld con- Huntelaar, who returned to Schalke firmed a fourth relegation inS chalke’s this January from Ajax, scored twice history after three decades in Germa- in a 5-0 thrashing of Duisburg in the ny’s top flight. Berlin final. Schalke played the last 19 minutes However a decade later, Schalke with 10 men after defender Malick have won just two of their league Thiaw was sent off for a second yel- games this season and started the low card. season with a record 8-0 thrashing at Bielefeld captain Fabian Klos Bayern Munich. scored the winner early in the sec- Only a 4-0 home win against Hoffen- ond-half to condemn Schalke to heim in January saw Schalke avoid their first relegation since 1988 be- equalling the Bundesliga’s record of fore coming back up in 1991/92. 31 consecutive games without a win. “I don’t feel good and I can imagine The Royal Blues have gone through how Schalke fans are crying in front of five coaches this season. the TV right now,” said tearful Schalke David Wagner, Manuel Baum and A group of supporters hold up placards critical of the idea of a New European Super League, outside Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge team manager Gerald Asamoah. Christian Gross were all sacked while stadium in London on April 20, 2021, ahead of their game against Brighton. AFP “We knew what was coming, but Huub Stevens also briefly took charge when you realise that it’s come to as caretaker coach in December. lans for a European Super reaction from our fans, the UK govern- form a European Super League has this, it’s tough. Under current coach Dimitrios League (ESL) collapsed on ment and other key stakeholders. been discontinued. “We’re all disappointed and each of Grammozis, Schalke has lost five, Tuesday as Manchester United, “We remain committed to working “In recent days, the club has re- us must question ourselves,” added drawn one and won one of his seven Liverpool, Arsenal and Totten- with others across the football com- ceived representations from various the former Germany striker. games in charge. hamP joined Manchester City in with- munity to come up with sustainable key stakeholders, both internally and It is almost exactly 10 years since Schalke heads into the second divi- drawing from controversial proposals solutions to the long-term challenges externally, and we would like to thank Schalke’s run to the last four of the sion saddled with 217 million euros that provoked a furious backlash. facing the game.” them for their valuable contributions.” Champions League. ($261 million) of debt after posting Chelsea are reportedly set to follow United also announced on Tues- Arsenal went further by apologising Spanish legend Raul scored in a a loss of 52 million euros in the last leaving just six sides: Real Madrid, day that executive vice-chairman Ed to supporters for misjudging the move 5–2 first-leg romp at Inter Milan’s financial year due to the Covid-19 Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Woodward will leave his role by the to sign up to proposals. San Siro in the quarter-finals, before pandemic. AFP Inter Milan and Juventus still involved end of the year. “It was never our intention to cause in the project. British culture secretary Oliver such distress, however when the invi- The ESL was designed by the Euro- Dowden said a fan-led review into the tation to join the Super League came, pean giants to guarantee revenue from governance of English football will still while knowing there were no guaran- more regular matches against one go ahead despite the U-turn. tees, we did not want to be left behind another without the risk of failing to He tweeted: “The whole ESL move to ensure we protected Arsenal and its qualify for 15 founder members. shows how out-of-touch these owners future,” the Gunners said in a state- A 3.5 billion euro ($4.2 billion) pot, are. They have completely misjudged ment. financed by US investment bank JP- the strength of feeling from fans, play- “As a result of listening to you and Morgan, had been raised to be distrib- ers and the whole country. Football is the wider football community over uted among the founding members to for the fans. recent days we are withdrawing from offset the impact of the coronavirus “Our fan-led review will still happen the proposed Super League. We made pandemic. and I remain convinced of the need for a mistake, and we apologise for it.” However, reaction to the plans has reform. We must make sure this never Chelsea fans gathered outside Stam- been scathing, with politicians and happens again.” ford Bridge to protest ahead of their football authorities threatening to take The plans were even fiercely criti- side’s 0-0 draw with Brighton in the legal action against the so-called “dirty cised by many of the clubs’ own play- Premier League on Tuesday and cel- dozen”, who were told they faced po- ers and managers for acting as a closed ebrated when reports broke that the tential bans from domestic and conti- shop. Blues were planning to pull out. nental competitions. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson Tottenham fans had also planned “Manchester United will not be posted his disapproval of the plans on a protest ahead of their clash on participating in the European Super behalf of the squad on Twitter. Wednesday against Southampton. League,” the 20-time English champi- In a statement, Liverpool said: “Liv- “We regret the anxiety and upset ons said in a statement. erpool Football Club can confirm that caused by the ESL proposal,” said Schalke’s Malick Thiaw reacts as he leaves the field after receiving a red card during “We have listened carefully to the our involvement in proposed plans to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. AFP the Bundesliga football match Arminia Bielefeld v Schalke 04 ,on April 20, 2021. AFP

Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez: king of concrete and Super League boss Be it business, football or poli- brings in more money,” he told tive new private league is fun- tics further expanding his influ- history although they have paid He was also appointed secre- tics, Real Madrid’s Florentino Spanish football programme El damentally financial. ence, Perez has often hosted off thanks to a certain talent for tary-general of the short-lived Perez has always played at the Chiringuito, referring to the “Football has to keep chang- the elites of both business and marketing. centrist Democratic Reformist top of his game, now donning breakaway league that could ing and adapting to the times. politics inside the VIP boxes at Ousted as president in 2006 Party, but he left politics after the captain’s armband for the drastically alter the landscape Football is losing its appeal. Real Madrid’s Santiago Berna- following a dry spell without the party slumped, winning no Super League that has sparked of the world’s most popular Something must be done,” he beu stadium, some of whom any major titles, he was back at seats in the general election of a war within European foot- sport. said of the bid by 12 powerful have even reportedly inked the helm three years later and 1986. ball. And for Perez, the 74-year- clubs -- six from England, and deals there. within weeks had shelled out By that point he had already “What is so attractive about old Spanish tycoon who has three each from Spain and 240 million euros to bring on entered the private sector, join- it? That we’re playing the big been named chairman of the Italy -- to form a league offering Big spender board the two most recent Bal- ing with friends in 1983 to buy teams. That makes it more new European Super League guaranteed spots to its founder When he took over in July lon d’Or winners: Brazil’s Kaka a struggling construction firm attractive for television and (ESL), the driver for this lucra- members and billions of dol- 2000 it was with the promise of and Cristiano Ronaldo. at a low price. lars in payments. turning Real Madrid into a glo- Four years later, following With a serious demeanour bal brand and turning around Worth $2.3 billion several mergers and acquisi- and impeccable manners, its finances. Despite having a personal tions, ACS was born with Perez Perez is a household name in And it was him who launched fortune estimated by Forbes to at its head, hitting the market Spain and one of the country’s the club’s star-studded ‘Galac- be $2.3 billion, Perez swears as Spain was investing billions richest and most influential ticos’ era of recruiting top-flight he’s not in it for the money, in construction, largely thanks citizens. global players, poaching Portu- espousing “normality” and a to European funds. After nearly 18 years at the gal international Luis Figo from work ethic passed on to him by A skilful negotiator with a helm of Real Madrid, Perez’s Barcelona for 58 million euros, his father, who ran two per- flair for public relations, he has track record is impressive -- an astronomical sum at the fume shops. often reaped the benefit of under him, the club has won time. After graduating in engineer- public-private collaborations. five Spanish championships Further blockbuster signings ing from Madrid’s Polytechnic One of his most famous and topped the Champions brought in France’s Zinedine University, he quickly acquired “coups” was in 2001 when dur- League six times. Zidane in 2001, now the coach, a taste for power, first spending ing his first tenure as Real Perez is also president of ACS, Brazil superstar Ronaldo a year a short spell in the private sec- Madrid boss, he sold the club’s one of the world’s biggest pri- later and Britain’s David Beck- tor, then entering politics in training grounds to the city for vate construction and services ham in 2003. 1976 when he briefly worked 480 million euros, with ACS groups which last year had a A big spender, Perez has been for Madrid’s city hall and then then awarded a contract to Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez poses upon arrival at the turnover of 35 billion euros. behind some of the most as head of infrastructure at the build three high-rises there. 2018 Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris. AFP And with a brief spell in poli- expensive transfers in football’s transport ministry. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST april 22, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Bayern on verge of ninth straight Bundesliga with 10 point lead

ayern Munich can be crowned Bundesliga cham- pions this weekend after tak- ing a 10 point lead at the top ofB the table with a 2-0 win at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Bayern seized control at the Allianz Arena with early goals by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Joshua Kimmich after second-placed RB Leipzig had earlier suffered a shock defeat at rele- gation-threatened Cologne. With just four games to go, club world champions Bayern will be guaranteed a ninth German league title in a row with a won at Mainz on Saturday. “I told the team before the game, that we could take a huge step towards the title, which we have done. We want to now also win in Mainz,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick. Off the field, Bayern are in disarray since Flick dropped a bombshell on Saturday by saying he wants to be released from his contract at the end of the season. Bayern’s senior bosses responded by saying it “disapproves of the one-sid- ed communication by Hansi Flick” and wants to focus on this week’s games. The Bavarian giants were also ada- mant on Tuesday that they will not join the breakaway Super League. On the pitch, it was business as usual as Bayern quickly dominated Leverkusen and scored from their first attack. When Thomas Mueller’s shot was Bayern Munich’s Cameroonian forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (L) scores the opening goal during the Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Bayer 04 Leverkus- saved, Choupo-Moting was on hand en, on April 20, 2021. AFP to tap home the rebound on seven minutes. Bailey’s cross across the six-yard box years in Germany’s top flight. After a goalless first-half in Cologne, again when he collected a flick just Kimmich added Bayern’s second was then fired off the crossbar by Earlier, RB Leipzig crashed to a 2-1 the match burst into life after the outside the box, held off his marker goal on 14 minutes when David Ala- Karim Bellarabi on 69 minutes. defeat at second-from-bottom break. and fired into the bottom corner. ba’s cross only went as far as the Ger- Eintracht Frankfurt moved up to Cologne, whose captain Jonas Hector Germany international Hector “Today, everyone did everything for many midfielder who fired home from third with a 2-0 home win over Augs- scored the first Bundesliga brace of headed his side into the lead just 56 the win - that is crucial for the coming the edge of the area. burg thanks to goals by midfielder his career to end a miserable run of seconds into the second half with the weeks,” added Jonas Hector with Leverkusen raised their game after Martin Hinteregger and striker Andre nine league games without a win. visitors’ defence napping. Cologne still in one of the automatic the break with Leon Bailey firing past Silva, who claimed his 24th league “Cologne fought and showed pas- Leipzig hit back on 59 minutes when relegation places. Manuel Neuer, but his goal was ruled goal this season. sion,” admitted Leipzig attacking mid- Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara The result boosts Cologne’s survival offside. fielder Emil Forsberg. was left unmarked to launch his shot hopes with games against mid-table Choupo-Moting had the ball in the Schalke relegated “We had a few chances, but unfor- from the edge of the area past Cologne sides Augsburg and Freiburg to come Leverkusen net for the second time Bottom side Schalke had their rel- tunately we aren’t taking advantage of goalkeeper Timo Horn. before facing strugglers Hertha Berlin with 25 minutes left but his effort was egation confirmed by a 1-0 defeat at them at the moment and, of course, Just 100 seconds after Cologne con- away on the last day of the season. ruled offside. Arminia Bielefeld after 30 consecutive we are disappointed about that.” ceded the equaliser, Hector struck AFP Man Utd executive vice-chairman Ed to leave club

Ed Woodward is to step down as Man- away at the end of the year.” under the astute leadership of Ole chester United’s executive vice-chair- Woodward has been executive vice- Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching man at the end of this year, the Pre- chairman at Old Trafford since 2012. team in the last two years.” mier League club announced on He took over the responsibilities of In a statement confirming Wood- Tuesday. departing chief executive David Gill ward’s departure, United co-chairman The 49-year-old former investment the following year and proved an Joel Glazer said: “Ed Woodward has banker is believed to have been one unpopular figure with fans. served the club with great distinction. of the prime movers behind contro- Under his tenure the club spent On behalf of everyone at United I versial proposals for a European Super more than a billion pounds ($1.4 bil- would like to place on record our sin- League. lion) but have not won the Premier cere thanks for his tireless work and JP Morgan, the bank he worked for League or Champions League since dedication.” when he advised the Glazers over their Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Woodward made no mention of the purchase of Manchester United in “I will treasure the memories from Super League in his comments and it 2005, are financing the project. my time at Old Trafford, during a is reported that his exit is unrelated to “I am extremely proud to have period when we won the Europa the controversial plans. served United and it has been an hon- League, the FA Cup and the League Manchester City, one of the 12 clubs our to work for the world’s greatest Cup,” said Woodward. to initially sign up to the proposed football club for the past 16 years,” he “We have invested more than £1 bil- European Super League, announced said in a statement. lion in the squad during my time here they were withdrawing late on Tuesday, Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced on April 20, “The club is well positioned for the and I am particularly delighted with with Chelsea set to follow, leaving the 2021, that he would be resigning from his position at the end of 2021. AFP future and it will be difficult to walk the progress the players have made project on the brink of collapse. AFP