N U MB E R 3505 ssue I wednesday, september 23, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL Hun Sen says developing

Ministry: 12,441 nations ‘targets of rivalry’ Niem Chheng He said rivalries between He said after the devasta- relevant, Hun Sen said the “Instead of receiving sup- workers to get superpowers often hamper tion of World War II, world “international mechanism” port, developing nations often RIME Minister Hun Sen developing countries’ self- leaders said the use of an “in- and the commitment to it become the targets of punish- cash allowance spoke at the virtual UN determination. ternational mechanism for were imperilled and in need ment for their imperfections General Assembly on Hun Sen made the remarks the promotion of economic of serious attention. in the nation-building process distributions Monday, saying that as the UN marked its 75th and social advancement of Multilateralism has come which do not meet the stan- developingP nations often anniversary under the theme all peoples” was an essential under severe assault, espe- dards of developed countries. national – page 3 become targets of punishment The Future We Want, the UN means of securing peace, cially due to the nationalist “Their [developing nations] for their imperfections when We Need: Reaffirming our upholding human rights and and protectionist undertak- limited capacity to protect they don’t rise to the standards Collective Commitment to ensuring social progress. ings of some global super- of developed countries. Multilateralism. While the vision was still powers, he said. Continued – page 2 Protesters vow fight to Pursat solar reform Thai farm in test phase, energy monarchy THE “People’s Plaque” installed by officials say protesters near Bangkok’s Royal business – page 7 Palace was “planted in the hearts of the Thai people”, activists said on Monday, vowing its removal marked only the beginning of their battle to reform the monarchy. Some 30,000 demonstrators turned out over the weekend, the largest show of force since near- daily student-led rallies began two months ago. They demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who mastermind- ed a 2014 coup. Some also called on Rescuers race the monarchy to stay out of politics. The most symbolic action was to save whales the installation of a “People’s Endangered Plaque” – a brass plate the size of a stuck in remote Fifteen Siamese crocodile hatchlings were recently spotted by a team from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and manhole cover – in historic Sanam the local community while they were patrolling a natural lake in Koh Kong province’s Sre Ambel district. WCS CAMBODIA sTORY > 3 Luang park near Bangkok’s Grand Aussie harbour Palace, meant to replicate one WORLD – Page 9 installed decades ago that mysteri- ously vanished two years ago. By Monday the new plaque had Kandal monk self-immolates also vanished, with police later telling reporters they had removed Orm Bunthoeurn Tuesday: “According to the facts, an Pagoda for the Pchum Ben festival. it to “use as evidence”. But demon- electric water heater was placed under Kandal Pagoda chief Keo Sampong, strators remained unbowed. POLICE suspect that a monk from Kan- his bed. It is not an accident, but Heat who arrived on the scene, said he saw The plaque was “planted in the dal Pagoda killed himself by self-immo- Hak, 21, purposely placed papers and smoke from the monk’s room. He then hearts of the Thai people”, prom- lation in Ratanak Mondol district, Bat- his clothes there to catch fire. He tied tried to open the door, but it was locked. inent activist Parit Chiwarak, told tambang province on Monday. himself to his bed using his clothes.” He called others to break the door to reporters, vowing that protesters “We have investigated this case and Citing a monk from Siem Reap, who enter the room and put out the fire. would make replicas and install the result was suicide,” said Battam- is Hak’s older brother, Champuroth “I and another monk named Heng them across the city. bang police chief Chhang Van Chhai. said before Pchum Ben, Hak talked Hinva saw the smoke from the room, “Our fight in the past two days is students use Van Chhai directed questions to with his brother on the phone about but the door was locked. We then called historic. The plaque is just the officers at the technical office of the how he was sad and he no longer want- others to help put out the fire. beginning of the fight for the mon- Facebook to ease Battambang provincial police who ed to live. His brother then advised “We pulled the door and entered the archy to be reformed,” he said. investigated the case. him to not be sad or think of suicide. room, but the monk was burned all The new plaque read: “The peo- farmers’ burden “The provincial technical office knows The report from the provincial police over his body. While the fire was burn- ple have expressed the intention more about this. I am just a district police said the monk died in a room on the sec- ing, I heard the sound of prayer from that this country belongs to the amid pandemic chief, so my response is limited,” he said. ond floor of the pagoda. He came from the monk. We put out the fire using people, and not the king.” Technical and Forensic Office chief Balaing commune, Prasat Bakong district, water, but he died at 12:15pm. I then lifestyle – page 12 Cheam Champuroth told The Post on Siem Reap province. He went to Kandal called police,” he said. Continued – page 10

THE PHNOM PENH POST USAID, gov’t launch Prey National Lang protection scheme Inside page 5 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Rains slow, flood alerts remain Ministry job fair to attract major firms Khouth Sophak Chakrya moment, medium to heavy rains continue to fall,” he said. Long Kimmarita and have their CVs ready ROPICAL storm Noul- Pursat Provincial Hall ad- when they attend the event. induced rains have ministrative director Khuth THE Ministry of Labour and “This programme will strict- subsided in some Usophea said on Tuesday that Vocational Training will col- ly implement hygiene mea- coastal provinces, areas besides impacting residents’ laborate with three major sures as per the guidelines of ofT the Cardamom Mountains houses and damaging many companies to provide job op- the Ministry of Health to pre- and the Dangrek Mountains. roads and bridges in the two portunities to young people vent the spread of Covid-19 Rains in Preah Sihanouk, districts, rain-induced floods and job seekers on Wednes- and ensure safety and confi- Koh Kong, Battambang, Oddar which occurred over the past day as part of its Monthly In- dence in the recruitment and Meanchey, Pailin, Kampot and few days had washed away a terview programme held at employment opportunities Kep provinces decreased, but bridge more than 60m long in the Phnom Penh JobCentre for both employers and job Pursat remains on high alert. Phnom Kravanh district. But located within the ministry. seekers,” Sokhoeun said. Ministry of Water Resource the floods didn’t endanger or The ministry’s Facebook Moeun Tola, the executive and Meteorology spokesman kill anyone. page said the three partici- director of the Centre for Chan Yutha told The Post on A preliminary report from pating companies are Cham- Alliance of Labour and Hu- Tuesday that Pursat was still the National Committee roeun Microfinance Plc, Elite man Rights said on Tuesday flooded but rainwater had re- for Disaster Management Hospitality Trading Co Ltd that it is good that the com- Pursat province remains on high alert after Tropical storm Noul flooded ceded. large portions of the country. facebook (NCDM) obtained by The Post and TH CVS Co Ltd (Circle K). panies declared their inten- Some flooded areas might on Tuesday said Pursat was It said students and job tion to recruit many work- not recover for a long time be- eas will experience much rain- ricades to facilitate local travel. hit hard by the floods. seekers can take their CVs to ers. The government and cause rains were still falling in fall as well as huge waves and “The authorities have also Pursat was the second-hard- apply in person and interview the ministry have to find job the northern part of the Car- powerful rainstorms. prepared higher ground to est hit province by Noul-in- with company representa- opportunities and provide damom Mountains, he said. “To stay clear of possible dan- evacuate residents from areas duced floods, said the report, tives from 8am to 5pm. information to citizens, he “Rain-induced floods don’t ger, those who live along the facing floods induced by the while Preah Sihanouk prov- The ministry said: “The said. cause as much damage as Me- plains close to mountains and Pursat river,” he said. ince was hit hardest. Preah Monthly Interview pro- “I dare not say if it is true kong River-induced floods. along water systems, have to be Ung Rotha, the deputy gov- Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Bat- gramme is part of the gov- or not that the ministry de- But the floods impede the de- careful of rain-induced floods. ernor of Veal Veng district, tambang, Oddar Meanchey, ernment’s job mechanism to clared to recruit great num- velopment of the nation and Fishermen in the sea and sea told The Post on Tuesday Pailin, Kampot, Kep and Pur- provide opportunities to the bers of workers. There must local people’s businesses. travellers should suspend ac- that two wooden bridges in sat provinces were all affected public, especially young job be an investigation and spe- “The floods even damaged tivities temporarily,” he said. Krapoeu Pi and Pramuoy dis- by rain-induced floods. seekers, interns or those who cific observation. But from some national infrastructures Pursat city governor Chab tricts were washed away and The report also said that na- want to change jobs. This what I know, there are com- and flooded thousands of Neang told The Post on Tues- damaged completely. tionwide, 12 people had died makes it easier, it saves time plaints from people work- residents’ houses and several day that the Pursat river water Seven roads in the two dis- from floods and lighting strikes and it’s in one place.” ing in microfinance because thousand hectares of cash levels had receded by 15cm. tricts were eroded by water and more than 1,825 houses Chhorm Sokhoeun, a some institutions are find- crops,” he said. On Monday evening, the Pur- flow, making them impos- had been flooded, of which 56 Phnom Penh JobCentre of- ing ways to reduce staff,” he Yutha said Cambodia con- sat river water levels reached sible to cross. were severely damaged. ficer who helped organise said. tinues to suffer from a low- 5.45m. A 5m level merits an “Until now, we are still wor- Since September 17, 210ha the event, said it will make Tola expressed hope that pressure system. Medium-to- emergency declaration. ried about rain-induced floods. of rice, 58ha of cassava and a significant contribution to 200 jobs will be filled. It heavy rains will continue to fall “Pursat river-induced floods The floods not only affect the 44ha of cash crops had been employers who need recruit- would help Cambodians, es- in some provinces in low-lying, have damaged more than 200 daily livelihoods of residents damaged. Preah Sihanouk ment now and in the future. pecially unemployed youths mountainous and highland houses and two pagodas. But but also damaged some na- suffered the most damage to He said job seekers should or those who lost their jobs areas. In particular, coastal ar- authorities built sandbag bar- tional infrastructures. For the infrastructure. be prepared for an interview because of Covid-19. PM: Superpowers have used human rights as political tool prosperous, inclusive and harmonious societies. Kin Phea, the director of the International Relations Insti- tute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia said Hun Sen’s re- marks reflected the reality of practices by some superpow- ers in some developing coun- tries like Cambodia. He noted that some su- perpowers had used human rights and democracy as a tool to smear and attack develop- ing countries, in addition to their trade measures such as the suspension of preferential Civil Service Ministry spokesman Youk Bunna said all hired have experience with the ministry. hean rangsey trade agreements. “Like in Cambodia, when we have a good relationship with China, who provides us with Civil service clears 53 for Prime Minister Hun Sen said the politicisation of human rights for economic and political ben- geoplitical agendas is hurting developing countries . facebook efits and trade strategies, we see some western countries like the new government positions Continued from page 1 friendly partners for fostering US and the European Union peace and development. take measures to sour the Chi- Mom Kunthear servant information sheets with- Finance for a long time. This fundamental human rights “I am of the view that this is na-Cambodia relationship. in two weeks and prepare salary ministry has policies from the such as the rights to peace, the real obstacle for develop- “They pull us away from THE Ministry of Civil Service numbers to ensure new employ- government in selecting offi- life, food, shelter, and jobs, has ing nations to achieve the am- our foreign policy line, which has cleared 53 candidates to ees are paid after receiving a staff cials, he said. always been insufficient. bitious goals of the 2030 [UN] serves the interest of our peo- serve at the Ministry of Econ- ID number, Sokha said. “The Ministry of Economy and “This is a significant fac- Agenda on top of the pressing ple and the nation. They want omy and Finance at salary lev- “Internship is not allowed Finance follows the law by hav- tor that has contributed to challenges posed by the out- us to follow the line of their els based on their experience until the Covid-19 situation ing examinations and interviews severely destroying national break of the Covid-19 pan- political agenda that they and level of education. improves,” he said. to select officials,” Bunna said. restoration and development demic and its eventual socio- made for the sake of their geo- The applicants are contract There has been some criti- He said these officials do not efforts of poor countries due economic impacts,” he said. political influence,” he said. workers who will now be given cism on Facebook with some pass automatically. The ministry to the politicisation of human Member states, he said, Phea said the suspension of full-time positions. calling it an injustice. Critics has a properly organised com- rights as per the geopolitical must come in line with the 20 per cent of the Everything A letter sent by Minister of have said that an examination mittee to evaluate candidates agendas of some developed provisions of the Declaration But Arms scheme by the EU Civil Service Prum Sokha to should have been conducted based on their work experience countries,” Hun Sen said. on the Commemoration of and the recent sanctions levied Minister of Economy and Fi- to select the most qualified and opinions from units they have He said superpower rivalries the 75th Anniversary of the against a private company by nance Aun Pornmoniroth said officials and that the selection worked with. All candidates ful- had hampered developing UN adopted for this meeting. the US would hamper the pace the former did not object to process was not transparent. filled the criteria. countries’ self-determination He said the success of the of Cambodia’s development. any of the 53 candidates. In response, spokeman “The selected candidates used in terms of their ability to implementation of the ambi- It would make it harder, he To encourage the issuance of Youk Bunna told The Post on to work at the ministry and they make independent and sover- tious goals that are adopted said, to achieve the UN’s Sus- staff numbers and prepare salary Tuesday that the 53 officials are well versed with the proce- eign choices for their develop- would pave the way for fu- tainable Development Goals for new officials quickly, relevant had been contract officers at dures in the units where they ment paths as well as choose ture generations to live in for 2030 and 2050. ministries have to fill out civil the Ministry of Economy and worked,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Koh Kong land disputes largely ‘resolved’

Khorn Savi evant ministries provide land for us solution to the remaining cases. in compensation. But if they want to Citing affected residents, he said HE Ministry of Land Manage- offer financial compensation, there some had not received proper solu- ment, Urban planning and need to be negotiations based on tions while others had received no Construction said some pro- market prices,” he said. compromise at all. The ministry, he testers who claimed to repre- Chhim Saphan, a 65-year-old who said, had responded either by saying sentT 1,217 families allegedly involved claimed to represent 843 families, the protesting villagers did not have in land disputes with four companies said they renewed their protests af- enough documents or that the dis- in Koh Kong province have no legal ter submitting their petitions to the putes had already been solved. basis to seek more compensation. ministry many times to no avail. He urged the ministry to get to the The ministry said some of the land “The main purpose that we come bottom of the matter and provide a disputes had already been resolved today is to ask [Sophara] when he solution acceptable to all parties. by relevant authorities. will solve the disputes for us. We “We have to look into the root The response came after five groups want an answer. If we don’t get a re- cause of the problems faced by of protesters gathered to seek a solu- sponse as to when the dispute will each family, so they can be solved tion at the ministry on Monday. be solved, we will go back to stay on immediately. Once we figure it out, In a letter issued hours after the our respective land as a last resort. we can allow them to come in and protest, the ministry said the groups “We set up tents because [the solve the problems instead of let- were from Sre Ambel, Thma Bang and firm] has stopped growing sugar ting it linger for too long,” he said. Botum Sakor districts in Koh Kong. cane on the land since the past four Thong Chan Dara, the Koh Kong Some of them, it said, claimed to have to five years already,” he said. provincial coordinator for rights been involved in land disputes with Koh Protesters who claim to represent 1,217 families allegedly involved in land disputes in Saphan said before the dispute group Adhoc, agreed that some of Kong Plantation and Koh Kong Sugar Koh Kong province gathered at the land management ministry. HONG MENEA started in 2009, the families had a the protesters involved in the Koh Industry Co Ltd, while others were al- total of 1,720ha. He claimed they had Kong land disputes had received legedly locked in a row with Heng Huy in their respective provinces. $400 to $500 instead of land. grown rice and other crops on the a proper solution, though he said Agriculture Group and Union Develop- They blocked a road in front of “I have 9ha, but it [UDG] gave me land since the 1980s and had owner- some had accepted little compensa- ment Group Co Ltd (UDG). the ministry and demanded to meet only $480 and gave me back 2.5ha. ship documents recognised by vil- tion because they had no choice. The letter said some residents Minister Chea Sophara. If we refused to take it, we will get lage and commune authorities. He said those who received proper had no names to lay claim to the However, Phnom Penh municipal nothing at all. At that time, they Botum Sakor district governor solutions lived on the actual land and land because they did not fill out police forces broke up the gathering evicted us from our land. They used Hak Leng declined to provide de- owned houses in the villages and com- fact sheets as announced by the and instead allowed them to stage a Military Police, security and envi- tails of the land dispute involving munes where the dispute arose. He ministry in 2017. Some, it said, had sit-in on the roadside. They eventu- ronment forces to evict us,” he said. the 33 families, saying the row said others who owned houses outside no ownership documents. ally returned home later that day af- Bun Sarin, a 56-year-old who started before he took office. the villages and communes did not re- Some of the families demanded ter delivering their petitions. claimed to have lost 12ha to UDG, “This is an old case left behind ceive solutions for the land they lost. land registration, while others re- Sam Vuthy, who claimed to repre- said he had land documents to since the last two governors, so I can- “The authorities said they lacked quested they be granted social land sent 33 families allegedly involved in a prove his ownership. not comment on it. The land man- ownership paperwork. They lacked concessions. Some others, it said, land dispute with UDG, said they had He said the documents were recogn- agement ministry knows it better the documentation because they demanded the return of their land. lost a total of 279ha to the company. ised by village and commune authori- than us because citizens have long just occupied the land,” he said. “Thirty-three families filed com- While acknowledging that some ties. He also received a letter from the filed complaints with it,” he said. However, Koh Kong provincial land plaints to demand land from UDG. of the 33 families had received a so- company recognising his land owner- Ta Noun commune chief Yoeng management department director Ros Having checked it, the ministry lution, he said it was not a proper ship when it offered compensation. Vang Vireak could not be reached Viravuth emphasised that the dispute found that 13 families had already compromise given the size of the “The documents were certified for comment on Tuesday. had been solved already. He said some received solutions. Another 20 land they had lost to the company. by the authorities. The land has Am Sam Ath, the head of moni- of those who had received a solution families were not among affected He said some of the residents re- clear boundaries and thumbprints toring for rights group Licadho, incited others to file complaints. residents,” the letter read. ceived only 1-2ha as part of a solution between people having land adja- said while he acknowledged that “I don’t know for sure either, but The groups also included residents reached in 2010. Some others received cent to each other. the land dispute in Koh Kong had a new group of people who came from other provinces, including land measuring 24m by 80m, while “They asked the authorities to ac- already been solved by the provin- to seek a solution just claimed Tbong Khmum and Svay Rieng, who others, whom he claimed had lost be- knowledge the thumbprints. Now, cial authorities and the ministry they belonged to this group or that demanded a solution to land dispute tween 8ha to over 10ha, received only we demand the company and rel- several times, he called for a speedy group,” he said. Nearly 13,000 suspended workers to Endangered Siamese receive cash allowance payments crocodile hatchlings Mom Kunthear spotted in Sre Ambel

THE Ministry of Labour and Vocational Soth Koemsoeun loss, illegal hunting through Training has so far provided 30 cash the use of electric devices and handouts to workers in the garment and FIFTEEN Siamese crocodile the collection of young and tourism sectors, with this week’s number hatchlings were spotted by a eggs for sale to farms raising totalling to almost 13,000 workers. team from the Wildlife Con- crocodiles in Cambodia, Viet- With the most recent payouts, the servation Society (WCS) and nam and Thailand.” ministry announced workers had to get the local community while Yuk Thai, a community their cash handouts early this week. This they were patrolling a natu- fisherman in Koh Kong prov- week showed 12,441 workers from 58 ral lake in Koh Kong prov- ince’s Sre Ambel district, factories and enterprises will receive the ince’s Sre Ambel district. said on Tuesday that he and government allowances. Experts said the specie is the many other fishermen regu- A notice issued by the ministry said most critically endangered larly participate in patrol Wing (Cambodia) Limited Specialised crocodile in the world. operations with WCS’s staff Bank would send the workers messages Som Sitha, the project man- in protected areas. about the payouts to the phone num- ager of the Koh Kong and Thai said he was happy to bers they gave the ministry through fac- Mekong Conservation Proj- join the WCS in finding the tory administrations. ect at WCS, said the working Siamese crocodile hatchlings. The bank will transfer the allowances team collaborated with local “I always participate in to the government if a worker fails to get authorities to increase the patrols which usually take it within 10 days of receiving the mes- conservation protection of two or three days. During This week showed 12,441 workers from 58 factories and enterprises will receive the government sage from the bank. allowances. HONG MENEA these Siamese crocodiles by our patrols, we board four Ministry spokesperson Heng Sour could monitoring them regularly to or five boats and arrive on not be reached for comment on Tuesday. workers although it is small. jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. ensure their safety. the mainland, and then we Minister of Labour Ith Sam Heng re- “The allowance is not much but is bet- Mai Chan, a factory worker from Kandal Siamese crocodiles are on walk. I am happy to have cently told The Post that between 100 ter for our workers than if they had no in- province, said he has twice received the the International Union for been a part of a small force and 150 factories had suspended daily come at all. The government has shown government and employer allowances Conservation of Nature’s helping to protect wildlife in work. Some 40,000 to 50,000 workers its support to help ease some of their since his factory suspended workers for Red List of Threatened Spe- our country,” Thai said. had been affected by the suspensions. burden. Until now, we have no informa- two months. He just returned to work. cies, making them a high According to a WCS press “I would like to state that if a factory is tion that workers didn’t get the money. He said he received $140 in total, but priority for protection. release, the crocodile hatch- suspended, it doesn’t mean they closed They got the allowances,” he said. he still encountered living difficulties be- According to previous stud- lings are around 30cm long their doors. Factories have not sus- Sina said the ministry should have cause he didn’t generate other income. ies, there are about 5,000 spe- and were found swimming pended their work completely. Some more measures in place in case employ- “I received a $40 allowance from the cies of crocodiles in Cambo- in a natural lake. The team of them suspend supply chains or sus- ers use the opportunity to dismiss work- Ministry of Labour and a $30 allowance dia, which is more than any noted that due to low rain- pend work partially,” he said. ers. The ministry should issue a letter or- from the factory each time. This money other country in the world. fall this year, the wetlands Collective Union of Movement of dering employers that dismissed workers is not much, but it is good for us work- Sitha said: “The Siamese are unseasonably shallow Workers president Pav Sina said he and workers whose employment con- ers to get such government assistance,” crocodiles are currently facing and provide less shelter than supported the allowances to the tracts expired to be reinstated in their Chan said. several threats such as habitat in previous years. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Svay Rieng man in court for beating up daughter Kim Sarom but he beat her until uncon- wife and children. scious and used too much The victim, who was inter- A MAN accused of beating his violence. He must not do that viewed on Facebook, said she 16-year-old daughter uncon- ever again,” Lay said. told her father not to hit her scious was sent to the Svay A Bavet town police official and asked if her father was Rieng Provincial Court on in Chrork Mtesh commune afraid of going to jail, but her Tuesday. who did not want to be named father replied that he was not. Police said the father was said the father was living with She said her father always drunk and beat his daughter his three daughters, while the beat her mother until she on September 13 in Thmey suspect’s wife left him to work could not stand it and fled to village, Chrork Mtesh com- in Phnom Penh. live in Phnom Penh. mune, in Bavet town, for us- The officer described the “If the law allows him to di- ing her phone late at night. suspect as a heavy drinker vorce my mother, it would be Bavet town deputy police who caused conflicts and of- good because there is no hap- Police said the woman slashed her husband to death with a cleaver in a jealous rage. facebook chief in charge of criminal ten used violence against his piness,” the victim said. offences Kao Horn named the suspect as Chan Cham- roeun, 44. Woman held for killing “I have sent the father to the Svay Rieng Provincial Serious Crimes Bureau, and the po- lice are taking further action,” Horn said. husband over jealousy Svay Rieng deputy police chief in charge of criminal of- Kim Sarom “My officers just finished hand,” Sivatha said. fences Koy Sopheap could not questioning her and building The victim’s family took be reached for comment. WOMAN was arrest- the report on the suspect. She him to the Stung Treng refer- Horn said although the as- ed on Monday after will be produced in court on ral hospital 30km away, but sault took place on Septem- slashing her husband Wednesday,” he said. his condition was too serious ber 13, the daughter didn’t file to death with a cleav- Sivatha said the suspect told and he died upon arrival. a complaint to the police. erA in a jealous rage. She will be police Chan was having an af- “The injuries were not in vi- It was until she posted on sent to the Stung Treng Pro- fair. On the night of the inci- tal places, but the loss of blood Facebook that he was shocked vincial Court on Wednesday. dent, he had brought the girl was excessive,” Sivatha said. and ordered officers to search The incident happened at to the house. When she arrived Kamphun commune po- for the suspect and arrest him Kamphun commune, Sesan home she saw her husband lice chief Khun Chanlet said on Monday. district, in Stung Treng. was hugging the woman. on Tuesday that when police Svay Rieng provincial police Stung Treng provincial po- “As she saw them, she took went to the scene, the woman serious crime bureau chief Kim lice Bureau of Serious Crimes a cleaver from the table to who was allegedly having an Lay said on Tuesday that the director Ot Sivatha on Tues- stab the woman. Her hus- affair with the victim had fled. suspect was sent to the provin- day named the suspect as band tried to stop her and “It happened because the cial court because he had used Huot Sokleng, 36. The victim sustained injuries to his right wife was very angry,” Chan- violence against his child. Police said the father was drunk and beat his daughter for using her is Mul Chan, 33. thigh, right knee and left let said. “He educated his daughter, phone late at night. Bavet Town police THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National NEC to begin voter registration checks across the country Long Kimmarita The Capital-Provincial Elec- tion Secretariat, in cooperation THE National Election Com- with commune-district coun- mittee (NEC) announced that cils, has completed the postings voter lists and voter registra- in 1,644 communes-districts. tion checks will begin in all Lists for communes in Koh communes across the country Rong town and Preah Siha- from October 1-19 as part of nouk province have not been an annual voter list update. posted yet due to heavy rain An NEC press release issued and winds. on Monday said: “According “There are some other prov- to population statistics and inces facing obstacles such as the estimated number of vot- rain, winds and floods, which ing stations, the NEC plans have made it difficult to trav- to register 300,390 new vot- el, but have not stopped the ers and delete 123,251 names work,” Puthea said. from the list. There are 23,418 The NEC is asking people to voting stations. check the voter list and regis- The final voter list for 2019 tration to ensure they are on had 8,629,357 names, said the list and have the right to the press release. Following vote. Any irregularities should the calendar of review of the be corrected. 2020 voter list and registra- Committee for Free and Fair Information minister Khieu Kanharith said some alcohol firms violated their display expiration dates. Infomation Ministry tion, the list of voting station Elections in Cambodia survey locations and the final 2019 and advocacy coordinator voter list was posted in com- Korn Savang said the voter munes across the country on list is getting better every year September 21. in tandem with the people’s Alcohol billboards in public NEC spokesman Hang socio-economic conditions. Puthea told The Post on Tues- Therefore, the NEC update day that the final voter list for and the participation of the 2019 was posted so that those people are important and to be inspected, minister says who had already registered can thoroughly monitored. check and verify their data. “I do not expect that this year, Voun Dara advertising rewards for impor- Health (CMH) head Mom is the only country in Asia that If the data on the voter list there will be a revival of people tant festivals like Khmer New Kong said alcohol advertising openly advertises alcohol. doesn’t match a Khmer iden- checking names and register- NFORMATION Minister Year, Water Festival and Chi- in Cambodia was excessive. “It is a concern. It can push tity card, voters can request ing to vote because there are Khieu Kanharith instruct- nese New Year, but then did “I think there must be a law children and women to drink a correction with the voter two main factors – the living ed officials in all depart- not remove them afterwards. on alcohol management for in greater amounts,” he said. registration team during the conditions of the people and ments to investigate alco- “Departments in provinces Cambodia to make it easy Ministry of Information upcoming voter registration the sharing of information to Ihol billboards in public places and cities have to check if to ban such advertising. The spokesman Phos Sovann process in the commune. the people,” Savang said. to check if the signs had reached companies had not removed ministry has advised compa- said on Tuesday that adver- their display expiration date. display billboards for alcohol nies many times about ad- tising alcohol through tele- The order was given at a and rewards. The billboards vertising alcohol, but it hasn’t vision and radio follows the meeting on Monday. have to be removed and the been effective,” he said. policy to the letter. However, Kanharith said some alco- companies have to pay for He urged the government to billboards in public places hol companies in the past had the service,” he said. pass a law on alcohol manage- must be removed within a violated the permit policy by Cambodia Movement for ment in Cambodia because it limited time. Prey Lang protection scheme on roll

Voun Dara

REPRESENTATIVES from the ministries of Environment; Education, Youth and Sport; Information, and Tourism joined USAID on Tuesday in launching the “Prey Lang For- est Protection Social and Behaviour Change” pro- gramme to protect forests and wild animals in Cambodia. A USAID press release said recognising the importance of forest landscapes, the bio- diversity they contain and the livelihoods they sustain, it and key government officials agreed to work together to en- hance public involvement in forest and wildlife protection. USAID said the launch underscored its continued commitment to Cambodia’s biodiversity. HENG CHIVOAN USAID Cambodia mission director Veena Reddy said the Kingdom about the critical ment to sustainably manage lieve that this project will launch underscored its con- function of the ecosystem forests and biodiversity as help inform, educate and tinued commitment to Cam- service provided by the Prey required under the Constitu- engage Cambodians about bodia’s biodiversity. Lang forest and its unique tion and the Law on Environ- Prey Lang, and what we must “We hope increased aware- biodiversity. ment Protection and Natural all do to protect our beautiful ness will encourage even “We also wish to promote a Resources Management. environment,” he said. more people to protect their positive change in behaviour “We see the Prey Lang For- Sopheap said the govern- natural heritage,” she said. and action that strengthens est Protection Social and Be- ment issued a sub-decree in USAID said the campaign is biodiversity conservation and havior Change Communica- 2015 to give the mandate of a joint effort between USAID forest protection,” the press tion campaign as augmenting managing conservation areas Cambodia Green Future and release said. our efforts to achieve a mean- to the ministry. USAID Greening Prey Lang Ministry of Environment ingful change in attitudes As a result, the ministry has (GPL) to preserve Prey Lang’s secretary of state Sao Sopheap and promote positive action included 66 protected areas, extended landscape. who presided over the launch towards forest protection and covering 7.25 million hect- “The campaign is meant said the ministry believes the biodiversity conservation in ares, equivalent to 40 per cent to raise awareness among programme complements the country. of the country’s land area as the public throughout the the government’s commit- “I strongly hope and be- of May 20. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,100 1.3311 6.7868 104.56 4.1355 1.3639 31.38 0.7209 1.1743 1.2817

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: September 22, 2020 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 17,300 17,340 17,380 17,300 2 GTI 3,390 - 3,390 3,390 3 PAS 14,000 14,300 14,300 13,980 4 PEPC 3,240 3,280 3,280 3,240 5 PPAP 11,700 11,700 11,700 11,700 6 PPSP 2,290 2,300 2,300 2,290 7 PWSA 6,060 6,180 6,180 6,060 Steelworks Kingdom one step closer to AHKFTA in Kampong May Kunmakara of tariff lines within 14 years, it said. Vietnam and Indonesia will re- HE National Assembly’s 9th move customs duties on 75 per cent Speu set to Committee on Monday unan- of their products within 10 years, imously approved the draft and trim another 10 per cent of tariff fire up soon law on the ASEAN-Hong Kong lines within 14 years, it added. TFree Trade Agreement (AHKFTA). Meanwhile, it said, Cambodia, Thou Vireak This paves the way for the govern- Laos and Myanmar will eliminate ment to continue the ratification customs duties on 65 per cent of CHINESE-owned Hong De Sheng process of the free trade agreement their products within 15 years and (Cambodia) Steel Co Ltd’s $16.7 mil- (FTA) in a bid to secure a new re- abolish another 20 per cent of tariff lion steelworks in Kampong Speu gional export market. lines within 20 years. province’s northeastern Oudong dis- The approval was made during a The AHKFTA and ASEAN-Hong trict is set to start operations soon. meeting between the National Assem- Kong, China Investment Agreement The company cited Cambodia’s bly’s 9th Committee, chaired by Nin Sa- (AHKIA) were signed by ASEAN eco- favourable geographical location phon, and the Ministry of Commerce nomic ministers and the Secretary and high government incentives for leadership, headed by minister Pan for Commerce and Economic Devel- foreign investors as the main forces Sorasak, who defended the draft law. opment of Hong Kong on November behind the decision to invest in the The 9th Committee is officially 12, 2017 in Pasay City, Philippines. Kingdom. named the Commission on Public The AHKFTA contains 14 chapters It claims that the plant will produce Works, Transports, Posts, Telecom- covering broad areas of market access 500,000 tonnes of different kinds of munications, Industry, Mines, Ener- liberalisation, trade facilitation, rules steel products per annum. gy, Trade, Land Management, Urban Total merchandise trade between ASEAN and Hong Kong was to the tune of HK$1.018 to promote confidence in trade, and It registered in November last year Planning and Construction. trillion (US$131 billion) last year and total services trade between the two sides hit cooperation aimed at facilitating trade with the Ministry of Commerce and HK$137 billion in 2018. PIXABAY After reviewing the text of the AH- in goods and services in the region. registered the project with the Coun- KFTA, Saphon agreed to the formali- that is set to underpin the Kingdom’s cross-border trade and investment, ASEAN was Hong Kong’s second cil for the Development of Cambodia ties and procedures for requesting product diversification ambitions. and reduce barriers to market ac- largest trading partner in merchan- in April this year. ratification of the deal. He said: “Once it [AHKFTA] comes cess to encourage small- and medi- dise trade last year and the fourth During a visit to the steelworks on Sorasak said the Kingdom will into force, Cambodia will obtain a um-sized enterprises in ASEAN and largest in service trade in 2018, the Monday, Electricite du Cambodge benefit greatly from the agreement new high-potential market in the re- Hong Kong, it added. Hong Kong Trade and Industry De- (EdC) managing director Keo Rottanak when it enters into force. gion and boost product recognition The AHKFTA came into effect on partment reported. said EdC would supply the plant with He said: “The Ministry of Com- there, as we ramp up our diversifica- June 11, last year for Hong Kong and Total merchandise trade between between 30 and 50MW of electricity. merce has strived to boost exports tion efforts.” five of the 10 ASEAN member states ASEAN and Hong Kong was to the He said: “The factory will help by diversifying markets, taking full In a press release issued following – Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thai- tune of HK$1.018 trillion (US$131 reduce steel imports from abroad advantage of FTAs in which Cambo- the meeting, the ministry stressed that land and Vietnam. billion) last year and total services and help create hundreds of jobs for dia is a member, as well as seeking the AHKFTA will deepen economic Under the agreement, Hong Kong trade between the two sides hit Cambodians,” he said. additional markets through dialogue ties between ASEAN and “Hong Kong and Singapore will grant tariff free HK$137 billion in 2018, it said. Yos Monirath, director-general of the to initiate bilateral FTA negotiations of the People’s Republic of China”. access and bind their customs du- As of the end of 2018, ASEAN Ministry of Mines and Energy’s Gen- with key trading partners.” The deal will further liberalise ties at zero, the ASEAN Secretariat ranked fourth in the list of Hong eral Department of Mineral Resources, Cambodia Rice Federation presi- trade in goods and services, improve said the following day. Kong’s outward direct investment told The Post on Tuesday that the plant dent Song Saran acknowledged the customs procedures and measures, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and destinations, with a stock of HK$480 would help curb steel imports. potential that Hong Kong brings to and promote economic and techni- the Philippines and will scrap cus- billion. It ranked sixth among Hong He said: “We welcome and support the table as a regional fountainhead cal cooperation, it said. toms duties on 85 per cent of prod- Kong’s sources of inward direct in- the establishment of a steelworks to of cutting-edge food processing The agreement will also make sig- ucts traded with Hong Kong within vestment, with a stock of HK$533 process scrap metal for domestic con- technologies and key financial hub nificant contributions to facilitating 10 years and cut another 10 per cent billion, the department added. sumption.” Cambodia imported $565.91 million worth of building materials in the first half of this year, while arrivals were in excess of $1.51 billion for the whole year Japan firm plans deeper push into agro-tourism 2019, data from the Ministry of Econo- my and Finance’s General Department Thou Vireak aims to promote eco-tourism tailored to benefit both par- contender for foreign invest- eries on the cooperation, of Customs and Excise show. in rural villages across the ties,” Khon said. ment notwithstanding the investment and development Broken down by category, the King- JAPAN’S Yamato Green Co Kingdom away from the Nabeshima said the Green lasting effects of Covid-19. of the Kingdom’s ‘safe vegeta- dom imported 217,151 tonnes of steel Ltd wants to further invest in tumult of major attractions. Belt project will reinforce tour- She said the project and the ble’ sub-sector for the domes- worth $140.8 million, 681,817 tonnes of Cambodia’s agro-tourism Khon advised the company to ism and socio-economic devel- company’s additional invest- tic market and export. cement worth $43.27 million and sector to do its part in revital- explore investment opportuni- opment in the Kingdom. ment will help accelerate the The agreement aims to pro- 672,785 tonnes of “construction equip- ising the Covid-19-wracked ties in Siem Reap and Kampong He said: “The company will development of new prod- mote the production of veg- ment” worth $381.84 million. tourism industry. Thom provinces, which he turn Cambodia’s agricultural ucts to serve the Kingdom’s etables with reduced depend- For the whole year 2019, it import- The plan was unveiled at a highlighted as prime areas for products into agro-tourism, tourism sector. ence on chemicals and free of ed 722,621 tonnes of steel worth meeting between CEO Kat- agro-tourism and ecotourism. where national and interna- “The appeal of these invest- microbiological hazards. $477.19 million, 1.97 million tonnes suhito Nabeshima and Min- As the pandemic lingers, tional tourists can safely con- ment plans is that our country Following the signing, 10 of cement worth $128.85 million and ister of Tourism Thong Khon the ministry is shifting more sume the existing foods offered has a wealth of untapped Japanese companies will pro- 1.7 million tonnes of “construction at the ministry on Monday. attention to the private sec- at each tourist destination and potential in the tourism and vide full technical support to equipment” worth $900.51 million. Khon said the company tor and encouraging it to can experience the cultivation agricultural sectors, coupled farmers at all stages of vege- Vietnamese steelmaker Hoa Phat had sought the ministry’s invest more in the two sub- techniques and witness vege- with a rising trend of tourists table production. Group JSC shipped 151,000 tonnes of support for its agro-tourism sectors, he noted. table crop maintenance.” who would rather visit agro- Having registered with the steel to Cambodia last year, account- investment plans in the King- “We have agreed to sign a Cambodia Association of tourism destinations than cul- Ministry of Commerce on ing for more than 50 per cent of its dom via the government’s Memorandum of Under- Travel Agents president tural tourism sites,” Sivlin said. April 22, Yamato Green cur- total export volume, Viet Nam News ongoing “Green Belt” project, standing [MoU] in the near Chhay Sivlin told The Post on In July, Yamato Green signed rently grows safe vegetables reported. The Kingdom ordered as reported by the ministry. future so that the coopera- Tuesday that the Kingdom’s an MoU with the Ministry of in Battambang and Mon- 70,000 tonnes of steel from the com- The Green Belt initiative tion can be successful and tourism sector remains a Agriculture, Forestry and Fish- dulkiri provinces. pany in 2018. THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business SHB files for listing Pursat solar farm in test phase on HCMC exchange Hin Pisei VIETNAM-based financial in- Total lending was up eight 30MW solar power stitution Saigon-Hanoi Com- per cent from 2019’s total to station located in Pur- mercial JSC (SHB) has filed 287.4 trillion dong. A majority sat province’s eastern to list more than 1.75 billion of the figure was used to fund Krakor district has shares on the Ho Chi Minh businesses and households to beenA connected to the national Stock Exchange (HoSE). cope with Covid-19 pandem- grid as it enters its testing and If approved, the bank will ic’s impact. commissioning phase. succeed in moving its shares SHB entered the Cambodi- The project is part of the to the country’s southern an financial market in March government’s plan to boost bourse from the Hanoi Stock 2017 through its wholly- the Kingdom’s clean-energy Exchange (HNX). owned subsidiary Saigon-Ha- portfolio to 450MW by the SHB’s share price jumped noi Bank Cambodia Plc (SHB end of 2022. 500 dong (2.2 US cents) or Cambodia). Keo Rottanak, the director- 3.45 per cent to close at 15,000 Last year, SHB Cambodia general of State-run electric- dong ($0.65) on Monday for a posted 1.239 trillion riel ($310 ity supplier Electricite du Cam- market capitalisation of 25.45 million) in total assets, up 6.06 bodge (EdC), on Tuesday told trillion dong, with 6.37 million per cent from 1.169 trillion in online news outlet Fresh News shares traded. 2018, data from the National that the solar power plant had In the first six months of this Bank of Cambodia (NBC) been commissioned by the EdC year, SHB recorded a 34.3 per show. to be connected to the national cent annual gain in net rev- It logged 39.107 billion riel grid in Sna Ansa commune. enue, which reached 4.12 tril- in gross operating income (up He was quoted as saying: lion dong. 8.02 per cent), 27.657 billion “The 30MW generated by the Net revenue from banking riel in net profit (up 111.77 project is part of the 200MW of services dropped 35 per cent per cent), 109.231 billion riel solar energy set to be added to More new solar power plants are expected to pop up in provinces such as Banteay Meanchey. HIN PISEI year-on-year to 206 billion in deposits (down 34.37 per the energy mix in 2020-2022. dong while operating expense cent) and 1.061 trillion riel in “The plan will accelerate “The inclusion of new solar Shanghai-based New York Demand for electricity is was up 16.7 per cent year-on- loans (up 8.68 per cent). the development of energy power in the national grid will Stock Exchange-listed Jinko- growing at an average of 16-18 year to 1.92 trillion dong. In 2017, the NBC and US- supply for next year, espe- give EdC even greater levels solar Holding Co Ltd. per cent annually, except from In the first six-month pe- based International Data cially for the dry season, and of excellence in the energy JinkoSolar, the world’s larg- 2018 to last year, which saw a riod, the bank earned 1.66 Group Inc honoured it as an is part of the commitments of sector,” he said. est producer of solar panels, 25 per cent growth, it said. trillion dong and 1.33 trillion outstanding small-and-medi- the government and the EdC He added that with the ef- said in January: “These par- The Kingdom can generate dong worth of pre-tax and um sized enterprise (SME). to increase the percentage of forts of the relevant authori- ticular panels have an average about 70-80 per cent of total post-tax profit, which were After four years of operation, renewable and clean energy.” ties, he expects more new module efficiency of 20 per electricity consumption, with nearly unchanged from last the bank has reported stable Victor Jona, director-gen- solar power plants to be put cent and are suitable for areas the remainder met by imports year’s figures. business results, contributing eral of the Ministry of Mines into operation in the future, with high heat and humidity.” from neighbouring countries, After six months, SHB ful- to the cooperation between and Energy’s General Depart- mainly concentrated in prov- From 2006 to the end of it added. filled 50.8 per cent of its pre- Vietnam and Cambodia in the ment of Energy, told The Post inces such as Kampong Chh- last year, investment in the The Electricity Authority tax profit target, worth 3.27 economic sector, and creating on Tuesday that the project nang, Pursat, Battambang electricity sector was worth a of Cambodia’s 2019 annual trillion dong, set for this year. an investment wave into the entered its testing and com- and Banteay Meanchey. total of $6.1 billion, reflecting report says the Kingdom in- On June 30, total assets of Kingdom by Vietnamese firms, missioning phase just after The project will be equipped the increasing demand of the creased its electricity supply the bank increased by 7.1 per SHB Cambodia director Pham construction was completed with Cheetah-brand photo- energy sector in recent years, to 2,870.65MW last year, up cent from last year to more Xuan Son said then. VIET NAM “in mid-September”. voltaic panels provided by the ministry reported. from 2,650.26MW in 2018. than 391.3 trillion dong. NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Concerns stirring about corporate Malaysia

HE financial woes of nomic headwinds, analysts giant Telekom Malaysia and two large and promi- fear that the group’s healthier property group UEM Sunrise. nent local companies units could be tapped to bail Companies in the Khazanah are stirring concerns out Genting Hong Kong. stable had a net debt position aboutT the overall health of cor- Petronas, which posted a of 57.6 billion ringgit as of the porate Malaysia – particularly quarterly net loss of 21 billion end of March this year, accord- debt-laden publicly listed ringgit ($5.08 billion) for the ing to published accounts. entities – amid the Covid-19 period ending June 30 against Other State-owned invest- pandemic. a profit of 14.7 billion ringgit ment entities with com- The problems facing casino in the same quarter last year, manding interests in public tycoon Lim Kok Tay of the played a key role in repairing listed entities are Permodalan Genting Group, Malaysia’s the economy during the crisis Nasional Bhd (PNB) and the richest businessman, and in the late 1990s. country’s armed forces pen- record losses at national oil It was tapped to bail out sion fund or Lembaga Tabung company Petroliam Nasional large Malaysian companies, Angkatan Tentera (LTAT). Bhd, or Petronas, the coun- including the debt-laden Ma- PNB groups of companies, try’s richest entity and its sole laysian International Shipping which include conglomer- Fortune 500 listing, suggest Corp that was controlled by ate Sime Darby, auto and that companies in corporate the eldest son of then-Prime engineering giant UMW and Malaysia that are heavy on Minister Mahathir Mohamad companies involved in phar- debt and light on cash could and the country’s beleaguered maceuticals, property devel- be in for some challenging national car company Proton. opment and manufacturing months if the international The national oil company posted a combined net debt economic outlook does not also spearheaded the devel- of 23.8 billion ringgit. pick up. Petronas logged a $5.1 billion net loss in the second quarter, against a $3.6 billion profit in the year-ago period. AFP opment of the country’s ad- The net debt position of State support, particularly ministrative capital Putrajaya LTAT companies, including over the moratorium for cor- sus among economists and That much of corporate of the year, bankers noted. during the crisis years which diversified Boustead Group, porates and households to bankers that business clo- Malaysia would be spared But long-term watchers of was vital in boosting a slump- stood at 7.8 billion ringgit. service their bank borrowings, sures in the services economy the aftershocks from the pan- the Malaysian economy argue ing construction sector. Senior government officials will be withdrawn by end-Sep- will lead to widespread layoffs demic is grounded on the that the problems facing Lim’s Economists noted that the acknowledge that the debt tember and that is set to have in the coming months, piling view that the majority of the Genting and the losses at Pet- government’s reliance on Pet- of many government-linked devastating effects for the further strains on household country’s publicly listed com- ronas indicate that the chal- ronas to provide financial life- entities are large because of wider Malaysian economy. debt which, at nearly 83 per panies are better capitalised lenges facing both the govern- lines for troubled companies corporate expansion over the Centennial Group regional cent to gross domestic prod- and its banks are in a stronger ment and the private sector and the general economy will last decade. But they remain strategist Manu Bhaskaran uct (GDP), is already among position than they were dur- are hugely different and more be limited this time round. upbeat that the strains will argues that a number of other the highest in Asia. ing the Asian financial crisis daunting this time around. The massive debt of other not lead to any major fallout. factors must come together But how the fallout will hit more than two decades ago Lim stunned investors last large State-owned investment A senior Khazanah official for policymakers to design a Malaysia’s corporate sector is when regional currencies month when cruise operator companies are also likely to noted that the State-owned soft landing for an economy provoking debate. were hammered down by Genting Hong Kong, a listed limit the government’s ability investment giant would have already in recession. The optimistic view among speculators, sending econo- entity in which he personally to carry out bailouts. to adopt a slightly different He said: “Government sup- bankers and investment ana- mies into a tailspin. controls close to 80 per cent, Leading the pack is Kha- approach when dealing with port in the form of the mora- lysts is that the fallout will be To be sure, the majority of declared that it would suspend zanah Holdings, the state- any fallout from the economic torium on loans needs to be limited to the travel, leisure, Malaysian companies still all payments to creditors be- owned strategic fund fash- crisis, but was pushing ahead phased out over time and not hospitality, airline and retail have some breathing space. cause of serious impairments ioned along the lines of with consolidation in the sec- done abruptly. sectors and that will contrib- Malaysia’s corporate report- in its business battered by Singapore’s Temasek, that tors that it dominates. “Also, banks need to be prac- ute to job losses. ing rules dictate that bank bor- international lockdowns that owns commanding stakes in The official said: “After the tical when dealing with borrow- Malaysia’s overbuilt prop- rowings only crystallise into forced the closure of its casi- many of the country’s largest expansion phase, it is now ers because pulling the plug on erty sector is also expected to non-performing loans when nos and resorts worldwide. companies, such as power time for some consolidation one [borrower] can have a dan- see casualties and could trig- interest payments are not ser- While Genting’s businesses utility Tenaga Nasional, wire- and so there is room for deals gerous knock-on effect.” ger further consolidation of viced for three months. That in Malaysia and Singapore less telco operator Axiata between GLCs.” THE STRAITS TIMES There is a general consen- the real estate players. provides latitude until the end are weathering the rough eco- Group, telecommunications (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Korea’s Samsung Calls for caution on 284 business bills in SK Biologics signs THE Korea Chamber of Commerce companies, but if it now regulates $330M contract and Industry (KCCI), which repre- them uniformly, it could lead to dis- sents South Korean businesses, has trust in government policies, it said. with AstraZeneca called on lawmakers to carefully dis- The chamber of commerce sug- cuss bills that may greatly affect cor- gested: “Exceptions should be made outh Korea’s Samsung Biologics porate management. for transactions between companies signed to contract manufacture The KCCI on Monday said it had belonging to holding firms.” SCambridge-based pharmaceutical submitted a report to the National In addition, the KCCI expressed con- company AstraZeneca’s biologics drug Assembly containing its constituents’ cern over limiting voting rights for for its global distribution, the company opinions on major legislative issues. affiliates shares held by public corpora- said on Tuesday. Citing its own survey, it said 284 bills tions to within 15 per cent. It said this The size of the contract is $330,840,300, were proposed in the three months could even weaken the function of open to grow to $529,599,900 if demand from June to August following the returning corporate profits to society. grows for AstraZeneca’s product. opening of the 21st National Assem- The association suggested that a reli- This deal seals the letter of intention bly, a 40 per cent increase compared able institution regularly evaluate the Samsung Biologics and AstraZeneca forged with the previous assembly. activities of public corporations and on June 23. The contract culmination date is The KCCI said the bills, including exempt companies from regulation if tentatively written as the end of 2028. Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Park Yong-maan. THE KOREA HERALD one to revise the Commercial and they receive “appropriate” certification. AstraZeneca global operations head Fair Trade Act, would have a signifi- the revised regulations. candidates for the audit committee and It also called for careful legislation on Pam Cheng said: “This long-term partner- cant impact on corporate manage- In its report, the chamber of com- enter the board of directors.” the Labour Union Act, which would ship with Samsung Biologics strengthens ment, making companies increas- merce demanded that a supplemen- To prevent that from happening, allow laid-off and unemployed workers our manufacturing capabilities, and en- ingly anxious about the legislation. tary system be prepared for the sepa- the chamber of commerce asked for to join the union to ratify the Interna- sures we are well-positioned to continue KCCI chairman Park Yong-maan told rate selection of auditors. the relaxation of the “three per cent tional Labour Organisation’s key pact. to deliver our exciting portfolio of new and a press briefing on Monday that there The Assembly is now pushing for the rule” only when speculative funds try As the proposed revision could deep- established biologics medicines to pa- should be more opportunities to review separate election of an audit commit- to enter the board of directors en the imbalance in power between tients with quality, speed and efficiency.” and discuss the adverse effects of the tee to ensure the independence of through shareholder proposals. labour and management by focusing Samsung Biologics will produce both legislation and rational alternatives. auditors. This is a system in which The KCCI also proposed an alterna- on strengthening labour rights, com- the drug substance, meaning the drug He said: “I understand that the pur- auditors are separately appointed tive to the expansion of regulations on panies should also raise their right to itself, and the finished drug product, pose of the law revision is to correct instead of electing candidates select- internal transactions. As with the defend themselves to the level of meaning the version packaged for sales. unfair trade and prevent major share- ed by major shareholders. revised bill, the regulations would affect advanced countries, the KCCI said. It will use its most cutting-edge facility, holders from abusing their power. The combined voting rights of the the holding companies – with a 72.7 per As a supplementary measure to the factory No 3, for production of the Astra- “But there is a motive that causes controlling shareholders would also cent stake on average – suspected of revision of the Labour Union Act, the Zeneca drug. it. If you ignore the motivation and be restricted to less than three per unfair internal transactions. chamber of commerce demanded AstraZeneca is entering full-fledged interfere and regulate only the results, cent, thereby strengthening the However, due to the characteristics that laid-off and unemployed work- cooperative symbiosis with Korean bio- it will eventually create side effects.” authority of ordinary shareholders. of holding companies, internal trans- ers be banned from entering the logics and health care companies. Park said issues, if possible, should The KCCI said: “By severely restricting actions between companies belong- workplace in principle, a ban on all On July 21, the company also signed with be resolved through supervision the company’s right to defend itself, the ing to holding firms are relatively types of occupation strikes and the SK Bioscience to have its Covid-19 vaccine based on market economy principles Korean government and the National high, the business association said. removal of a ban on alternative work contract manufactured through the Korean and there should be more discussion Assembly will open the door wide for The government has been encour- in the event of a strike. THE KOREA HERALD/ firm. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK on the possibility of conflicts between overseas speculative funds to propose aging the introduction of holding ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Nasa plans Trump to name Supreme Court pick for return to RESIDENT Donald Analysts say that a Supreme Trump on Monday said Court nomination saga could Moon set he will announce his also shift attention away from nominee for the empty the coronavirus pandemic, SPupreme Court seat at the end which has already killed more to cost $28B of this week, kickstarting a po- than 200,000 in the country THE US National Aeronautics litical fight set to upend the al- and inspire Republican voters and Space Administration ready nail-biting US election. who want the Supreme Court (Nasa) on Monday revealed its Down in the polls against to reflect their conservative latest plan to return astronauts Democratic opponent Joe views on issues like immigra- to the Moon in 2024, and esti- Biden and widely criticised tion, abortion and healthcare. mated the cost of meeting that for his handling of the corona- There are risks for Trump, deadline at $28 billion, $16 bil- virus pandemic, the Republi- though. lion of which would be spent can is seizing on the sudden Ginsburg was an icon to the on the lunar landing module. vacancy at the constitutional left and the fight to replace Congress, which faces elec- court as a way to change the her with a conservative dur- tions on November 3, will have subject and super-charge his ing an election race that Biden to sign off on the financing for right-wing base. is currently leading might stir a project that has been set by “We’ll make a decision prob- Democrats even more than President Donald Trump as a ably Saturday, maybe Friday” Republicans. top priority. The $28 billion between five female candi- A Reuters/Ipsos poll found would cover the budgetary dates, Trump told reporters. that 62 per cent of US citizens, years of 2021-2025. The death last week of Ruth including one in two Republi- In a phone briefing with jour- Bader Ginsburg stripped the cans, think the vacant court nalists on Monday on the court, which was already seat should be filled only after Artemis mission to return tilted to the right, of one of its the election. human beings to the Moon, steadiest liberal votes. US President Donald Trump said he will announce his nominee for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s now empty seat at In another potential warning Nasa administrator Jim Briden- the end of this week, a move set to kick off a major political fight. AFP With a chance to name his sign to gung-ho Republicans, stine noted that “political risks” third new justice since enter- this Senate will vote on this in Arlington, near the capital He rejected Democratic com- the Democratic fundraising were often the biggest threat to ing the White House, Trump is nomination this year”, said Washington. plaints, saying if they “were in group ActBlue reported on Nasa’s work, especially before now on the cusp of installing Republican Senate majority Trump said his nominee an- the same position there is zero Sunday that small donors had such a crucial election. a firmly conservative majority leader Mitch McConnell, dis- nouncement will wait until af- chance that they wouldn’t do it. given a total of $100 million Former President Barack for many years to come. missing comparisons to when ter memorial services are com- “They wouldn’t even talk since Ginsburg’s death. Obama cancelled plans for a Biden is leading calls for the Republican members refused pleted, but after that, he wants about it. They’d say ‘you’re Trump, however, signalled manned Mars mission, after Republican-controlled Senate in 2016 to vote on a replace- to move full speed ahead. crazy.’” he’ll play hardball, repeatedly his predecessor spent billions to delay voting on a nominee ment nominated by former “The final vote should be Trump confirmed that two rejecting reports that, in the of dollars on the project. until the results of the No- President Barack Obama for taken before the election. We women – Judge Amy Coney days before her death, Ginsburg If Congress approves the first vember 3 election are known, the late Justice Antonin Scalia. have plenty of time for that,” Barrett and Judge Barbara told her granddaughter that her tranche of $3.2 billion by arguing that to rush through Ginsburg is to lie in repose Trump said earlier on Monday Lagoa – feature prominently final wish was for her seat to be Christmas, “we’re still on track confirmation before would for public viewing at the Su- in an interview with Fox news. on his shortlist. He also noted filled by the new president. for a 2024 moon landing”, Bri- be an “abuse of power”. preme Court on Wednesday Trump cited fears that a Lagoa is a Hispanic-Ameri- “I don’t know she said that,” denstine said. But Trump made clear on and Thursday and will lie in court with only eight judges can from Florida, a state that Trump told Fox, suggesting “To be clear, we’re going to Monday that he has no qualms state on Friday in the national left could end up in a 4-4 split by some projections he has to the statement was “written the South Pole,” he said, ruling in flexing his political muscle statuary hall of the US Capi- on rulings following what is win if he has any hope of se- out” by Democratic leaders. out the sites of the Apollo land- and his allies in the Senate have tol, where an invitation-only likely to be a close and con- curing a second term. “That came out of the wind.” ings on the Moon’s equator said they intend to deliver. ceremony is planned. tentious election. Lagoa is “excellent, she’s His- He later told the press con- between 1969 and 1972. There is “overwhelming She will be buried next “We don’t want to have a panic, she’s a terrific woman”, ference the report seemed “There’s no discussion of any- precedent behind the fact that week in a private ceremony tie,” Trump said. he said. “We love Florida.” “just too convenient”. AFP thing other than that.” Three different projects com- pete to build the lunar lander that will carry two astronauts – one of them a woman – to the Moon from their vessel Orion. Rescuers race to save 180 stranded whales The first one is being devel- oped by Blue Origin LLC, RESCUERS faced a race against vive for the several days it Tasmania was a “particular founded by Amazon CEO Jeff time to save nearly 200 whales would take his team to com- hotspot” for pilot whale Bezos, in partnership with stuck in a remote Australian plete the task, in part due to strandings in large pods. Lockheed Martin Corp, North- harbour on Tuesday, hoping to the inclement weather. She said: “It seems to be a rop Grumman Corp and Drap- prevent the toll of 90 dead He said: “It’s pretty ugly for notorious whale trap . . . you do er Inc. The other two projects from rising further after man- people on the ground but as tend to get these mass strand- are being undertaken by Elon aging to free “a small number” far as the whales go it’s ideal ing events there.” Musk’s Space Exploration Tech- of the stranded mammals. – it’s keeping them wet, it’s Stockin said that while pilot nologies Corp (SpaceX) and by Scientists said two large keeping them cool.” whales were typically more the company Dynetics Inc. pods of long-finned pilot Carlyon said rescuers would resilient than other whale spe- The first flight, Artemis I, whales became stuck on sand- still have to “triage” the whales, cies, rescuers faced a race scheduled for November next bars in Macquarie Harbour, on prioritising the healthiest and against the clock as the mam- year, will be unmanned – the Tasmania’s rugged and sparse- most accessible. mals can overheat, their mus- new giant rocket Space Launch ly populated west coast. Most of a 30-strong group on cles deteriorate and their organs System (SLS), currently in its test Images from the scene a nearby beach were found become crushed outside their phase, will take off for the first showed a shallow body of dead on Monday, while about natural environment. time with the Orion capsule. water, thick with scores of the 60 other whales on the sand- “Time is never your friend,” Artemis II, in 2023, will take large slick-black mammals bars are also believed to have she said. “So without a doubt, the astronauts around the Moon manoeuvring for space. Nearly 200 whales are stuck in a remote, shallow Australian harbour as since died. more expedited rescue missions but will not land. About 60 people – including scientists race to prevent the death toll of 90 from rising. pOOL/AFP Once the whales are returned are, the more likely there is an Finally, Artemis III will be the volunteers and local fish-farm were already paying off, the offi- number of rescuers who can to deeper water, Carlyon said, increased [chance] of survival.” equivalent of Apollo 11 in workers – are involved in the cial leading the operation said. reach them. the biggest challenge will be Mike Double, the head of the 1969, but the stay on the Moon rescue attempt and could be Parks and Wildlife Service They are battling chilly and herding the social creatures out Tasmania-based Australian will last longer – for a week – seen wading in the water to manager Nic Deka said: “We rainy conditions as well as the of the sandbar-riddled harbour Marine Mammal Centre, said and will include two to five reach the whales to refloat have now freed a small number harbour’s unusual tides, which and back into the open ocean. it was “tragic” that such a “extravehicular activities”. them in deeper passages. successfully that appear to have are dictated by barometric Scientists said it was unclear “massive” pod had become Bridenstine said: “The sci- Government marine biolo- stayed out at sea, and are now pressure. what caused the latest strand- stranded but other whales had ence that we would be doing gist Kris Carlyon said “about a scaling up that approach.” Carlyon told reporters in the ing, but Carlyon suggested the previously been saved from is very different than anything third” of the 270 animals were Though mass whale strand- nearby town of Strahan: “In pod may have gone off track the same location. we’ve done before. dead by late on Monday, and ings occur relatively often in terms of mass whale strand- after feeding close to the He said: “The state team “We have to remember dur- that rescuing survivors would Tasmania, such a large group ings in Tasmania, this is up shoreline or by following one responsible for responding are ing the Apollo era, we thought be a “challenging” task likely has not been seen in the area there with the trickiest.” or two whales that strayed. extremely experienced and the moon was bone dry. Now to take several days. for more than a decade. However, Carlyon said many Karen Stockin, an expert in they’ll be working incredibly we know that there’s lots of But there were hopes on Tues- The animals are only acces- of the partially submerged marine mammals at New Zea- hard to get the best possible water ice and we know that it’s day that early rescue efforts sible by boat, limiting the whales should be able to sur- land’s Massey University, said outcome.” AFP at the South Pole.” AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Four boys come forth in W Java Banks in S’pore handled $4.5B in orphanage sexual abuse case ‘suspicious funds’ OUR more victims and witnesses have SEVERAL banks in Singapore action Reporting Office come forward and handled about $4.5 billion in received 32,660 reports in made a report after suspicious transactions 2018, down eight per cent from theF Depok Police in West Java, between 2000 and 2017, with 35,471 reports in 2017, its 2018 Indonesia, reopened a year- DBS Bank, CIMB Bank and annual report said. old investigation into a case Deutsche Bank among those CAD noted that banks filed the of sexual abuse of orphanage that processed the largest sums most number of suspicious boys, allegedly committed by of such funds in the city-state. transaction reports – 16,314 – in their sole guardian. This is according to the find- 2018, followed by the 6,510 The investigation was re- ings of the International Con- reports filed by casinos and 4,823 started following the publica- sortium of Investigative Jour- reports filed by moneychangers tion of stories by The Jakarta nalists (ICIJ) on leaked files, and remittance agents. Post and tirto.id that shed comprising so-called suspi- The consortium on Sunday light on the failure of the State cious activity reports, from the released a list of banks in Sin- and the Catholic Church to Financial Crimes Enforcement gapore involved in the alleg- give the victims justice. Network (FinCEN) in the US. edly illicit transfers – based on The suspect in the case, The consortium noted that, more than 2,100 reports Lukas Lucky Ngalngola, or within almost 20 years, Singa- amounting to some S$35 bil- Brother Angelo as he styled pore received about $3 billion lion – that were filed by about himself, is a member of a and sent $1.5 billion in 1,781 90 financial institutions. A Philippines-based Catholic suspicious transactions. report may contain multiple congregation, the Blessed The Monetary Authority of transactions. Sacrament Missionaries of Singapore (MAS) told The Straits The list “displays cases where Charity (BSMC), and founded Times on Monday that it is sufficient details about both an all-boys orphanage called aware that Singapore banks the originator and beneficiary Kencana Bejana Rohani. were mentioned in media banks were available, and is The boys from the orphan- reports on suspicious transac- designed to illustrate how age called Angelo “kelelawar tion reports filed with FinCEN. potentially dirty money flows malam” (night bat), since he Although such suspicious from country to country would allegedly carry out his transaction reports do not imply around the world, via US- acts after midnight, putting that the transactions are illicit, based banks”, said the ICIJ. on an all-black attire. The Lukas Lucky Ngalngola (centre), or Brother Angelo as he styled himself, is under investigation over the authority takes such reports The consortium reported accusations of sexual abuse of orphanage boys. BRUDER ANGELO NGALNGOLA BSMP VIA FACEBOOK boys claimed Angelo drugged very seriously, said a spokesman, that five global banks appeared his victims. By law, the police should the founder of the orphanage happened to their peers last adding that Singapore’s regula- most often in the leaked docu- The police have recorded have continued the case re- where the four, along with 40 year, KPAI commissioner tory framework to combat mon- ments – HSBC Bank, JPMor- new statements against An- gardless of the victims’ retrac- others, lived, Tulus said, add- Putu Elvina, who is in charge ey laundering meets interna- gan, Deutsche Bank, Standard gelo from four boys, who are tion, but they did not pursue ing that he had made the po- of the case, says. tional standards set by the Chartered and Bank of New now under the care of Darius more statements for the dos- lice report in his capacity as Putu told the Post in a recent Financial Action Task Force. York Mellon. Rebong, the founder and head siers, resulting in a rejected the guardian of the children. interview: “Working together “MAS is closely studying the In Singapore, DBS Bank was of a new orphanage, also in dossier by the prosecutors. The four boys that have with child protection officers information in these media listed as having sent $596.8 mil- Depok, said Depok Police in- The boys at that time did provided their statements to from related institutions as reports, and will take appro- lion and received $228.3 mil- vestigator Second Inspector not receive any legal or psy- the police are currently under well as the children’s lawyer, priate action based on the out- lion in 461 suspicious transac- Tulus Handani. chological assistance from the protection of the Social we continuously encouraged come of our review,” she said. tions between 2000 and 2017. One of the boys had gone anyone. Even the Indonesian Affairs Ministry’s children re- them [the four boys] to be In all, the ICIJ reported on CIMB Bank was noted to through a physical examina- Child Protection Commission habilitation centre in Jakarta. courageous in telling their Sunday that the files contained have sent $250.4 million and tion, he said. (KPAI) left the legal process The ministry provided a stories.” information about more than received $34.3 million in 294 “The process is still in its to a bystander in the case, an trauma healing programme A joint effort led by the KPAI $2 trillion worth of transactions suspicious transactions, while early stages,” Tulus said. is also looking into the possibil- between 1999 and 2017, which Deutsche Bank sent $224.3 “What we must do from now What we must do ity of human trafficking in the were flagged by internal com- million and received $62 mil- on is to protect the children case due to reports of Angelo’s pliance departments of finan- lion in 19 suspicious transac- in a safe place so that they can from now on is method of recruiting boys who cial institutions as suspicious. tions within the same period. provide further statements to protect the children joined his orphanage. Experts told The Straits Times A DBS spokesman told The when needed to ensure the Most of the boys in the or- that filing suspicious activity Straits Times that the bank has legal process runs smoothly, in a safe place phanage are not orphans, but reports do not translate to “zero tolerance for bad actors unlike the previous one.” rather children from poor fam- wrongdoing. Furthermore, abusing the financial system” Last year, the police failed to orphanage forum leader in for them. During the initial ilies in North Sumatra, Maluku banks and financial institu- and is firm on collaborating complete the dossiers for the Bogor, Farid Ari Fandi. investigation, none of the and East Nusa Tenggara. tions are obliged to flag unu- with the authorities in the sei- prosecutors’ office to bring After three months, the in- boys received such service Some of the boys told the sual transactions so that regu- zure of funds and disruption the case to court because they vestigation crumbled and An- from the State. Post and Tirto.id that Angelo lators can follow up on them, of criminal networks. claimed they could not find gelo walked free in December To keep the four children or his partners promised a they added. He said: “Outside of sanc- the whereabouts of the three last year. He soon established in a safe place, far from the scholarship to pursue a better For example, an account tions on names or specific boys who first made a report a new orphanage and lived orphanage, is important to education in Depok. which typically sees small account freezes, it is generally against Angelo. among boys again in Depok. protect them from any un- “We believe that he [Ange- transactions getting an unusu- very difficult to delay or inter- By the time the police found For the current investiga- wanted interventions that lo] does not work alone,” said ally large deposit of money cept money in transit given the the boys, they made a state- tion, the four boys were ac- might influence them to Putu. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS might pop up on banks’ radars, impact on legitimate business, ment to retract their report. companied by Darius, who is change their mind later, as NETWORK the noted. so the normal process – which Alternatively, if a bank cus- happens behind the scenes – tomer who has S$1 million involves subsequent investi- (US$730,000) in his account gations to establish suspicion, decides to transfer all his mon- based on which the necessary ‘Their actions hurt the feelings of all Thais’ ey to another bank – such a action is taken.” transaction might also show CIMB Singapore “operates in Continued from page 1 with one bearing a reminder for Thais to Authorities have so far refrained from up as “suspicious”. compliance with the anti- remain loyal to the “nation, religion, king”. using the law against pro-democracy Associate Professor Law- money laundering laws, regu- At its installation during Saturday’s protest, Charges have been filed against the pro- activists, instead accusing them of sedition rence Loh at National Univer- lations and guidelines issued the crowd cheered as Parit shouted: “Down testers for “making alterations to an archae- and breaking coronavirus regulations. sity of Singapore Business by the Monetary Authority of with feudalism, long live the people.” ological area without permission”, confirmed But Police Lieutenant General Piya School said: “The revelation so Singapore”, a bank spokesman Its removal shows “arch-royalists are not Sataporn Tiengdham, from the Archaeology Utayo told reporters on Monday that legal far has been more focused on said in response to queries. He only incensed by demands for monarchi- of Fine Arts, an accusation denied by Parit. action would be taken against those who the movements rather than added that the bank is investi- cal reform but are not going to put up with “We just entered the park and left. We used “inappropriate language against the the applications of the funds. gating the matter. any symbols that even reflect opposition didn’t cause any damage,” he said. Still, if monarchy”, and their supporters. “There may be a wide spec- Deutsche Bank noted that it to the palace”, said Paul Chambers of convicted, the protesters could face up to “The elite and army, still largely sup- trum of possibilities for the has invested billions of dollars Naresuan University. three years in jail. portive of the monarchy, have no inten- applications, including those to more support the authorities The new plaque referenced an original The largely leaderless youth-organised tion of losing power,” said Bangkok-based relating to corruption or even as in this effort. “Naturally, this brass one embedded for decades in the movement – partly inspired by Hong political analyst Christine Cabasset. drastic as criminal support.” leads to increased detection grounds of Bangkok’s Royal Plaza. Kong’s anti-government protests – is call- Even as #abolish112 was the top-trend- In Singapore, the Commer- levels,” it said in a statement. It commemorated the end of royal abso- ing for Prayut’s government to be dis- ing topic on Thai Twitter, one prominent cial Affairs Department (CAD) The German bank has “devot- lutism in 1932 after a revolution that tran- solved, a rewrite of the 2017 military- royalist said he had filed a complaint with publishes the number of sus- ed significant resources to sitioned the kingdom into a constitution- scripted constitution, as well as the the police under the law against three picious transaction reports it strengthening our controls and al monarchy. scrapping of Thailand’s draconian royal protesters, including Parit. received in its annual report. we are very focused on meeting But it disappeared in 2017 after King defamation law, known as “112”. “Their actions are insulting . . . insulting The CAD is the police unit that our responsibilities and obliga- Maha Vajiralongkorn took power following Each charge carries a sentence of up to the monarchy hurts the feelings of all deals with white-collar crime. tions”, it added. THE STRAITS TIMES the death of his father, and was replaced 15 years in jail. Thais,” said Tul Sittisomwong. AFP The CAD’s Suspicious Trans- (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion Climate policy will not fix fire problem www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Opinion Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Bjorn Lomborg Ly Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua Purushotman ICTURES of the big fires and Managing Editor Post Khmer orange skies on the US West Sam Rith Coast have been published Deputy Chief of Staff worldwide as unmistakable Phak Seangly evidenceP of climate change. Business Editor The Los Angeles Times wrote on its May Kunmakara full front page: California’s climate Deputy Business Editor apocalypse. Sangeetha Amarthalingam People from California governor Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Gavin Newsom and Democratic US Pan Simala presidential candidate Joe Biden to Senior Reporters most of the media tell us that the Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng cause is climate change, and anyone Reporters who thinks differently is in denial. Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Climate change is real, man-made Long Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei, and something we need to deal with Soth Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy, smartly. But the claim that the fires Thou Vireak are caused by climate change is dra- Photographers matically misleading and steers us Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey toward the worst way to help. Web Editor One way to realise this is that Cali- Leang Phannara fornia wildfires used to be much big- Webmasters ger. This past decade, California has Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea seen 0.7 per cent of its area on aver- SIEM REAP BUREAU age burnt. Offi ce Manager Before 1800, California typically Sophearith Blondeel saw between four to 12 per cent of its PRODUCTION & PRINTING land area burn every year, up to 17 Head of Desktop Publishing times more than the last decade. Nhim Sokphyrak Unsurprisingly, the academics who The main reason we are now seeing more and bigger fires is that our century of fire suppression has left what researchers call a ‘fire Desktop Publishing did these studies conclude that back deficit’ – all the fuel that should have burnt but did not.AFP Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath then, “skies were likely smoky much Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna of the summer and fall in California”. we manage land and build many of increased more than 10-fold and California’s governor seriously sug- Indeed, old newspapers across the our new houses where fire is fre- will likely increase 50 per cent more gests that the answer to the fires is to HEAD OFFICE US are filled with descriptions of ter- quent. When we keep suppressing by 2050. speed up California’s promise to go to rible fires. In 1781, the New York fire, we ask for bigger and fiercer One of the best ways to prevent 100 per cent renewables. But climate Times tells us: “The smoke was so future fires. And we know how to fix fires from destroying lives and prop- policy will not fix the fire problem. dense that many persons thought the this. We simply have to make many erty is to ensure that people don’t put With any policy, temperatures will Post Media Co, Ltd. Day of Judgment had come.” more prescribed burns that eliminate themselves in harm’s way by building still go up, only less. The Elements Condominium Level 7, This all changed after 1900 when fire the built-up fuel. homes in high-risk areas. Building Even if you believe that only tem- Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, suppression became the norm, and This is doable, smart and would codes matter, too. perature is driving fire, the fires Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom fire declined precipitously. In the last help reduce fire risks in just a few California has strict codes for would still get worse, only slightly Penh, Cambodia half of the 20th century, only about 0.2 years. Unfortunately, it is also unpop- new buildings, but older homes less so. Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 per cent burned annually. ular because of increased smoke and with more flammable roofs are Even if the entire rich world were to Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 But because most fires were risks from uncontrolled fires. quicker to catch fire, endangering cut all its emissions tomorrow and Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 stopped early, this left more unburnt for the rest of the century – an SIEM REAP fuel in the forests. One estimate is incredibly fanciful and enormously No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune that there is now five times more The much more critical role is expensive assumption – UN climate Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 wood fuel debris in California forests models show temperatures would COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT than before Europeans arrived. how we manage land and still climb steeply, reduced by just Chief Operating Offi cer Clearly, we used to have much 0.4C at the end of the century. James Ong Soon Teck more fire before global warming. build many of our new houses California fires are slowly coming Advertising Department Even this year’s record-breaking 2.2 back to their prehistoric state Chap Narith, 017 996 241 per cent burnt area is about half the where fire is frequent because of the enormous excess Hun Channet, 017 578 768 lower end of a typical year in earlier One prominent study published in the houses around them. fuel load. Putting up solar panels Prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 times. Nature Sustainability earlier this year Indeed, the state’s so-called wild- and using biofuels will be costly Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 And the main reason we are now estimates that California will have to land-urban interface code highlights but do virtually nothing to fix this Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 seeing more and bigger fires is that burn about 20 per cent of its area to how to build safer houses by ensur- problem. Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 our century of fire suppression has get rid of all the excess fuel. ing better placement, more fire-re- Vulnerability reduction and pre- CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION left what researchers call a “fire defi- But because of widespread opposi- sistant building materials, sprinklers scribed burns will. What we choose Acting Distribution Manager Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 cit” – all the fuel that should have tion, legal challenges and regulatory and less vegetation. depends on the information we Circulation Supervisor burnt but didn’t. limits, California prescribes burns for When fires are explained almost receive. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 It is now waiting to burn even hot- less than one-thousandth of that. At exclusively in terms of climate change, NETWORK Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 ter and fiercer. Climate does play a the same time, many more Califor- it is not surprising that virtually no ADMINISTRATION part. It does create a more favourable nians are building homes in fire-haz- attention is given to the solutions that The writer is president of the Copenhagen Admin & HR Manager fire environment by increasing hot ard zones. could actually help – prescribed burns Consensus and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. His new Pich Socheat and dry conditions. But experts esti- It is likely that over the past 70 and lower vulnerability. Instead, eve- book is entitled False Alarm – How Climate Assistants to Admin & HR Manager mate this plays a minor role. years, the number of houses built in ryone is pushing climate policies that Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Nhel Soaphea Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet. The much more critical role is how the highest hazard zones has will help trivially. 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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With borders closed and the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting the economy, farmers have suffered from losses of income. supplied Youths use Facebook to ease farmers’ burden

Roth Sochieata closed and even in the country, and consumer communities. farmers aren’t able to sell well. “If we get more sponsors, we HE pandemic has af- This is why we came up with want to have a bigger commu- fected everyone in the the idea of creating this project nity to stay in close touch with world in some way, but to connect farmers with leftover them [the farmers],” he says. some have been hit products to local and urban During the past seven harderT than others. Cambodian markets,” says Chandarith. months, the team has worked farmers fall in the latter group, The team at Covid Farmer on the project voluntarily. Al- as many of them have faced a Hacker also wants to safe- though they’re not paid, So- severe loss of income due to the guard farmers’ products theavy says the real benefit is pandemic-spiked economy. against natural disasters and helping the farmers. To assist these farmers in dire share new farming techniques “The benefit was basically straits, a group of youths has through social media. for the farmers so they can come together to create Covid Chandarith, a medical stu- sell whatever they plant and Farmer Hacker, a project that dent, broke down their mis- help them with techniques in hopes to link rural farmers with sion in three steps. “In step growing. For the buyers, they markets across the country. one, we find interested mem- can buy and help support lo- The group was formed in bers to plan a project. cal products of good quality. late March by five students. “Step two, we manage the “We are a group of youths Fruits and vegetables can be posted directly online by the farmers who harvest them . supplied They manage the Facebook [Facebook] page, find a sponsor and we didn’t want anything page of the project and are and start to publicly post to let besides inspiring the locals working on ways to put farm- people know more about us. We to grow and through us, you ers’ fruits and vegetables in then start to share the farmers’ don’t need the middlemen. consumers’ hands. products and pass them on to From the buyer to the farm- The five founding team those who are interested. ers, they can directly contact members – Doung Chandarith, “In step three, when we are each other,” she says. 23; Rile Piton, 20; Vang Rat- known by many people and sup- The team is also focused on tanakmealtey, 20; Ean Sreyleak, ported by sponsors, we will go doing more field trips for re- 22 and Heng Sotheavy, 21 – are down to the community or prov- search. “The most important seniors in university or have inces where agriculture has been thing is that we want to encour- just graduated. severely impacted by Covid-19 age farmers to continue plant- While they were thinking of and connect farmers and buyers ing and let them know that they how to help vulnerable farm- through social media,” he says. can supply the agricultural de- ers at the grassroots level, Sotheavy, who recently mand of the country. they came across Impact Hub graduated from Cam Ed Busi- “Looking ahead, we don’t Cambodia, an organisation ness School with a degree in want to be just a group who which connects and enables accounting and finance, says: helps to pass on information. young Cambodians to solve “Now we only pass the infor- We hope to help them by per- problems in the world through mation we have via Facebook. sonally following up. We hope entrepreneurial initiatives. If we see farmers post pictures to see our agriculture self- Sotheavy and Piton tell The of their products, we will share sustain our country. If we en- Post: “As we see, lots of farmers’ and let people who are interest- hance local farming, we may products, including vegetables ed contact them directly.” be able to reduce imports. and fruits are not selling during Chandarith says social me- “We just want to encourage Covid-19. We were all friends be- dia is the perfect avenue to people to support local prod- fore and asked each other who drum up support and it was ucts because if we don’t, they was interested and which part unnecessary to create a com- won’t have the motivation. So they would be able to cover.” pletely new platform. we want to help each other,” They penned a proposal Instead, if they manage to Sotheavy says. seeking support and mentor- get sponsors for the project, Covid Farmer Hacker can ship from Impact Hub. they plan to use the resources be reached at farmer.hacker@ “The borders have been to expand the rural farmer gmail.com or call 010 594 849. The founding members of Covid Farmer Hacker believe there’s market potential for Cambodian farmers. supplied THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Can Japan’s ancient Noh theatre survive Covid? ENNOSUKE Nakamori’s sonorous voice fills a small room as he practises the lines of a traditional Japa- neseK Noh play, even though he hasn’t performed before a live audience in months. He moves gracefully as he re- hearses the studied movements as- sociated with the ancient art, but his serene exterior belies deep worries about the future of Noh. The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered theatres across Japan, and while other traditional art forms can rely on private backers or state subsi- dies, Noh depends on staging shows. With audiences and performers already dwindling even before the pandemic, some in the industry fear the virus may sound the death knell for an art considered one of the old- est extant theatre forms in the world. “There are many performers who have stopped doing shows” due to the coronavirus, 33-year-old Nakamori told AFP at his family’s theatre in the coastal city of Kamakura, near Tokyo. “How many shows can we do during the pandemic . . . and can we earn a liv- ing? This is a big problem,” he sighed. In some ways, Noh faces the same Kennosuke Nakamori says Noh theatre is declining, but he’s not giving up. He’s started crowdfunding to stage shows and plans on streaming performances online. afp crisis as other arts around the world affected by coronavirus. video due to its stripped-back nature. But while some governments fund “If it’s live, with chants from musi- the performing arts, Noh actors say cians and powerful songs from per- they are seeing little support and what formers, the audience doesn’t get they have been offered is impractical. bored,” he said. There are government subsidies “But it’s hard to feel that with videos.” for performances, but Nakamori says Concerned about the future of social distancing measures mean the- Noh, Nakamori and his father have atres must be half-empty for shows, launched a crowdfunding campaign so even with subsidies staging perfor- to cover their expected losses for shows mances is a losing financial prospect. they hope to stage in the autumn. “The more you perform on stage, They are also raising ticket prices the bigger the losses will be,” he said. and soliciting donations in return “We need subsidies that compen- for Noh-related gifts. sate us when we cannot hold shows.” And despite some reservations, they plan to try streaming some per- Ancient roots formances and charging for them. Noh’s roots date back as far as the Noh performers need to “think eighth century, but the plays per- of ways to make their shows profit- formed today were largely devel- able,” Kanta said. oped around Japan’s Muromachi “We’ll need to create new attrac- period from 1336-1573. tions and make efforts to attract The art, which is on UNESCO’s Kanta Nakamori (left) and his son Kennosuke Nakamori rehearse at their family theatre in Kamakura, Japan. afp new fans,” he said. Intangible Cultural Heritage list, He hopes that online inter- combines dance, music and drama tionally made from cypress wood puppetry, are heavily funded by the situation,” said Okura, who went four est might even bring in new fans, in a minimalist approach that sets it and adorned with a single painted government. months without a single performance. though he remains wary about the apart from the more elaborate sets, pine tree on the back wall. “We work as individual freelancers so Noh artists often supplement their virus, particularly the risks of an in- makeup and costumes of Kabuki. Even before the pandemic, audi- it’s a problem that there’s no funding for income by teaching amateurs, but fection cluster at a theatre. Actors wear wooden masks and tra- ences for Noh were shrinking and us,” said Nakamori’s father Kanta, 59, that too has dried up. Given Noh’s centuries of history, ditional kimonos, sliding along the fewer young people undertook the who passed the art down to his son. “There are older people who learn he is hopeful “its charm won’t wane stage in white split-toe tabi socks. intensive training required. Genjiro Okura, who plays the small Noh as a hobby but many quit due that easily.” The plays are performed almost exclu- Japan’s other major theatre form kotsuzumi drum used in Noh, has been to the virus,” Okura said. His son worries nonetheless that eco- sively by male actors, who deliver lines in Kabuki can count on backing from hailed as a national treasure by the gov- nomic downturn may push arts down low, extended tones that can be difficult major entertainment and film com- ernment for his talents. Attracting new fans the list of priorities for the government. for modern audiences to understand. pany Shochiku, which began run- But that hasn’t protected the 62- While some artists have tried live- “But Noh is part of Japanese tra- They are accompanied by drum- ning all major Kabuki shows in 1929. year-old from the crisis. streaming performances, Nakamori ditional arts and we have to protect mers and flutists on stages tradi- And other art forms, like Bunraku “We’ve been pushed into a tough fears Noh doesn’t lend itself well to it,” he said. afp Concert held for Beirut blast victims at ravaged palace LEBANON on Sunday held a have an audience on site, but er-songwriter Tania Saleh. concert for the victims of last was instead broadcast on televi- In a recording, Lebanese- month’s deadly Beirut blast in sion and streamed online, kicked born French author Amin the grounds of a 19th-century off with a rendition of “Li Beirut”, Maalouf offered “a prayer palace wrecked by the massive an ode to the city by famed Leb- towards the sky so that Leba- explosion. anese singer Fairouz. non this time again can stand The August 4 blast at the Portraits of those killed in back up, rebuild its walls, and capital’s port killed more than the blast were displayed in dress its wounds”. 190 people, wounded thou- part of the heritage building’s Organisers asked Beirut sands and destroyed or dam- grounds, with a candle burn- residents to place a lit candle aged buildings across swathes ing under each. on their balconies or in their of the city. The victims’ images and windows in commemoration “To be able to mourn, to take names were also broadcast on of those killed. the time to really remember, it television, accompanied by The event was initially to be was important to have this the Muslim call to prayer and held at the port, but was moved moment of music,” artistic direc- Christian chants of “Amen” after the air quality around the tor Jean-Louis Mainguy said. performed by an orchestra and site was deemed too poor after The event was held in the some 250 choir singers from fires there earlier this month. gardens of the Sursock Palace, around the country. On Saturday night, Lebanese- whose windows, red-tiled roof, The concert included live born British singer-songwriter ceilings and furniture were performances as well as pre- Mika headlined another concert ravaged in the blast. recorded contributions, streamed online to fundraise for The concert, which did not including from Lebanese sing- relief aid after the blast. afp Choir singers perform in the gardens of the damaged 19th-century Sursock Palace in Beirut. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Cashier’s grim goal Thinking caps during 2015 Paris terror attack: ‘Survive’

Zarie Sibony survived a horrific terrorist attack at a supermarket in Paris five years ago, two days after two jihadist brothers killed twelve people at the Charlie Hedbo offices. afp “GOT YA COVERED” T was a Friday afternoon, wait for Covid-19 test results wrong, because you think life and Zarie Sibony was at and missing her original flight is the most important thing, ACROSS 51 Point-and-click gizmo 24 Burning braid her check-out counter at before finding another plane. when it’s death that is most 1 Test episode, say 53 Bring comfort to 26 Shield’s boss the Hyper Cacher super- Testifying is her chance to important.’ And he said: ‘I’m 6 Large iron hook 55 Skip over 27 Kind of Friday marketI on the eastern edge “represent the voices” of the here to avenge the Prophet 56 Grand ___, vintage 29 Wade through mud 10 Space exploration org. of Paris when a man wielding victims, she said, though re- Mohammad, and I’ve come 14 Dickens character Heep 59 Office worker’s calendar 30 Photo, for short two Kalashnikov rifles burst living the trauma will not be to die as a martyr.’” 15 End of a George Washington 62 Small brown singer 31 Ostrich cousin through the doors. easy. quote 63 Weight-loss regimen 33 Cooking device “I heard a shot on my right, “I was trying to ignore the Guilt and trepidation 16 Charitable donations 64 Shake an Etch-a-Sketch 35 Bathrobe’s cousin and that was when the terror- moans, the bodies around Even though police man- 17 It’s not meant to be shelved 65 Back talk 36 Doing nothing ist killed Mr Braham, who was us, the bodies I had to step aged to kill Coulibaly after a 20 Kansas-to-Maine dir. 66 Posted, say 37 Leered at waiting in my line,” Sibony over each time he told me to raid to free the hostages, and 21 Where nails shouldn’t be 67 Hotel-door posting 39 Wimbledon barrier DOWN said, recalling the debut of do something,” she said of the Kouachi brothers were hammered 40 Private eye 1 Purplish red “the most horrible four hours Coulibaly, who initially tried also tracked down and killed 22 Canned-goods wrappers 41 In this manner 23 Swahili sir 2 Attend to a pressing detail? of my life.” to kill her as well. that afternoon, Sibony is hop- 45 Climbing spikes 25 You may take it lying down 3 Vital element 46 Kelly of clowndom Five years after the attacks “He told me, and I’ll never ing the trial will nonetheless 26 Wrinkly tangelo variety 4 Churl 47 Rub out against the Jewish supermar- forget it: ‘You’re not dead yet, provide some answers. 28 Discontinue for now 5 Sorority letter 49 Dried coconut meat ket and the Charlie Hebdo you must not want to die.’ “Obviously I still have tons 32 Live like a parasite 6 Richly iced sponge cake 50 Feels optimistic newspaper, Sibony will testify And then he pulled the trig- of questions . . . How could 34 Ade flavor 7 “How unfortunate!” 52 Give voice to on Tuesday in the trial of 14 ger. such a terrible act be thought 35 Run like heck 8 Minor falsehood 53 Some may be pulled in two people suspected of helping “And then I turned and saw up and carried out,” she said. 38 Finalize an arrest 9 Took a nosedive directions the three gunmen. the hole in the check-out and “It’s important that these 42 Strange 10 Appre-hended 54 Finishes “I remember thinking that I realised I had nearly died . . . I people, even if they didn’t car- 43 Hive residents 11 Succulents for salves 55 Foreboding sign had only one goal: to survive, still don’t understand why he ry it out, be held accountable 44 Greenland air base site 12 Silvery salmon 57 Oft-symbolic flower to get out of there alive. I was 45 Repaired, as a jacket elbow 13 Puts a question to 58 Four-stringed instruments going to do whatever it took,” He told me, and I’ll never 48 Formerly owned 18 Ages on end 60 Make a sheepshank she said. 49 All the rage 19 Resolute 61 Bosom companion? Amedy Coulibaly had al- forget it: ‘You’re not dead yet, ready killed a police agent you must not want to die.’ Tuesday’s solution the day before he stormed the supermarket on January 9, And then he pulled the trigger where he took hostages after shooting dead three people – missed me.” for their actions,” she said. Francois-Michel Saada, Yoav Yet after that Sibony said After growing up in a French Hattab and Philippe Braham. she was basically the only one suburb, Sibony moved to Isra- Sibony’s co-worker Yohan Coulibaly spoke to, ordering el a year ago, where she now Cohen was shot as well, and her to block up the emergen- works as a child care profes- would die of his wounds be- cy exit or lower the metal grill sional and recently obtained fore the nightmare afternoon over the front doors – “I felt as her nursing licence. was over. if I was burying us all alive.” “I’m doing better now,” she “He said, ‘Do you want me Coulibaly castigated his said, though she wonders how to finish him off, so he’ll stop hostages for ignoring the al- it will feel to see the families making all this noise?’ And of leged “horrors” committed of the Hyper Cacher victims. course we all said no, leave by the French military against “I feel so guilty when I think Tuesday’s solution him alone,” she told AFP in his “brothers and sisters” in of how I was held for four an interview. Syria, which they tacitly sup- hours and managed to get “Afterwards I blamed myself ported by paying taxes. out,” when the others were a bit, because I thought may- An offshoot of al-Qaeda lat- killed after just two minutes. be it would have been better er claimed responsibility for And despite the passage of to end his suffering, because the assaults by both Coulibaly time, Sibony said there are he lay there dying for more and Cherif and Said Kouachi, still situations, in a crowded than three and a half hours.” who massacred 12 people in building for example, when their attack on the Charlie she is gripped by fears of an- ‘You’re not dead yet’ Hebdo offices. other attack. Sibony, now 28, said she al- “He told me that he and the “I always have in mind the most did not make it to Paris Kouachi brothers were part of idea that it might happen for the trial from her new the same team,” Sibony said. again,” she said, “but that this home in Israel, having had to “He said: ‘You Jews, you’re time I won’t get out alive”. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Celtics closer than ever after game two meltdown: Smart

BOSTON Celtics star Marcus play with their heart on their Smart says the locker-room sleeves, night in, night out, and bust-up following last week’s we weren’t supposed to be hap- defeat to the Miami Heat has py down 2-0, especially those brought the team closer togeth- two games that we gave up. er as they chase a series-level- “Of course emotions are go- ling victory on Wednesday. ing to fly, but we’re a family Smart reportedly stormed and that happens.” out of the Celtics dressing room Smart added that the dress- after Boston blew a 17-point ing room row had helped him lead before slumping to a 106- see his teammates in a differ- 101 loss to Miami in game two ent light. of the NBA Eastern Conference “I knew we were emotional. I finals lastT hursday. knew we were passionate, and Boston fought their way I knew we all loved each other. back into the best-of-seven But I also learned a lot .... we series in game three on Satur- grew up even more through day, defeating Miami 117-106 that adversity,” he said. to cut the Heat’s lead to 2-1. “I’ve always been saying That victory leaves the se- that before you see the rain- ries finely balanced as Bos- bow it has to storm. For us ton prepare to face Miami that was a storm that we had in game four in Orlando on to go through. We found our Wednesday. happy place. Speaking to reporters on “Like I said, families fight, but The Raiders made their debut at the $1.9-billion Allegiant Stadium, the black, spaceship-like stadium nicknamed ‘The Death Star’. Getty images/AFP Monday, Smart compared the for us to be able to respond like locker room recriminations we did and to be able to have that followed game two to a that growth, it shows a lot. family argument, describing “The way I responded and it as “electrifying.” my teammates responded, it “We’re a family. Family fights showed that we’re as close as Home sweet home for new all the time,” the 26-year-old ever. We say what we have to point guard said. say. We all come together, we “I fight with my brothers all get our emotions out and we go the time. But at the end of the take it out on the other team.” Vegas Raiders as Saints bust day, we can fight with each The Celtics are bidding other, nobody else can. to return to the NBA Finals EREK Carr threw for game in their new gleaming But the Raiders narrowed row in New Orleans territory. “You know, it happens be- for the first time since 2010, three touchdowns $1.9-billion Allegiant Sta- the deficit early in the second The Raiders were unable tween families, especially a when they lost to the Los An- as the Las Vegas dium, the black, spaceship- quarter after a confident 63- to take full advantage of the family like ours who’s been geles Lakers in seven games. Raiders opened like stadium nicknamed “The yard drive ended with Carr turnover, however, and had together for so long. It’s going The Lakers lead the Western theirD new era in Nevada with Death Star” that sits in the flipping a short pass to an to settle for a field goal from to happen. Conference finals 2-0 against a 34-24 win over the New Or- heart of Las Vegas. unmarked Alec Ingold for a Daniel Carlson to tie the score “We’ve got a lot of guys who the Denver Nuggets. AFP leans Saints on Monday. No fans were on hand to touchdown. at 17-17 at the half. The Raiders, who relocated witness the Raiders victory, New Orleans restored their Carr’s third touchdown to the desert gambling haven however. The Raiders, like 10-point cushion when Brees pass of the night then put from Oakland at the end of last most NFL teams this season, connected with Jared Cook the Raiders ahead 24-17 ear- season, made it a home debut are not allowing fans into from six yards for a touch- ly in the third quarter, and a to remember as they roughed their stadium because of con- down on the next possession 20-yard rushing touchdown up the Saints, tipped as pos- cerns over Covid-19. to make it 17-7. from Jalen Richard helped the sible Super Bowl contenders. Instead, the drama played out The Raiders stayed in touch hosts into a 31-17 early in the Raiders quarterback Carr before swathes of empty seats on the next drive, with Carr fourth quarter. finished with 282 passing and artificial crowd noise. marching the hosts 75 yards A second touchdown from yards with 28 completions New Orleans got off to a before arrowing a pass to Zay Kamara set up a nervous from 38 attempts with no smooth start, moving into Jones for the touchdown. finish for the Raiders as the interceptions. Saints coun- a 10-0 lead with an early Wil The Saints then buckled on Saints closed to 31-24, but a terpart Drew Brees had 312 Lutz field goal followed by a their next possession, with 54-yard field goal from Carl- yards for one touchdown and one-yard rushing touchdown Brees’s short pass up the mid- son with a minute remaining one interception. from Alvin Kamara after a dle meant for Deonte Harris put the Raiders into an unas- The Boston Celtics say they are closer than ever after a lockeroom dust It marked the first Raiders nine-play 78-yard drive. picked off by Nicholas Mor- sailable 34-24 lead. AFP up led to Marcus Smart (left) storming out. Getty images/AFP Jordan buys Nascar team, Bubba Wallace set to drive

BASKETBALL icon Michael Jor- Charlotte Hornets NBA team, Wallace has spoken out dan announced Monday he said he hoped his ownership against racism repeatedly this has purchased a Nascar Cup could bring new audiences to year in the wake of George series charter team and recruit- the white-dominated world Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis, ed trailblazing black driver of Nascar and boost involve- and in June called on Nascar Bubba Wallace to race for the ment of minorities. chiefs to ban the Confederate new outfit next season. “Historically, Nascar has flag from racetracks used on Jordan, widely regarded to be struggled with diversity and the circuit. the greatest player in NBA his- there have been few black The flag has long been a sta- tory with an estimated net owners,” Jordan said. ple at Nascar tracks in the worth of $1.6 billion, will be the “The timing seemed perfect sport’s southern US heart- majority owner in the new fran- as Nascar is evolving and lands, but it remains a symbol chise with veteran racer Denny embracing social change more of slavery and racism for many. Hamlin as minority partner. and more. In addition to the Nascar later banned displays “Growing up in North Caro- recent commitment and dona- of the flag at its races. lina, my parents would take tions I have made to combat Wallace was involved in con- my brothers, sisters and me to systemic racism, I see this as a troversy in June, after his team races, and I’ve been a Nascar chance to educate a new audi- reported that a noose had fan my whole life,” Jordan said ence and open more opportuni- been found hanging in the in a statement. ties for black people in racing.” team garage at Talladega “The opportunity to own my Wallace, the only black driv- Superspeedway. own racing team in partner- er in Nascar, will spearhead A subsequent investigation by ship with my friend Denny the team behind the wheel. the FBI determined Wallace had Hamlin, and to have Bubba The 26-year-old had con- not been the victim of a hate crime Wallace driving for us is very firmed earlier this month that and that the noose was a pull- Basketball legend Michael Jordan announced on Monday he has purchased a Nascar Cup series charter team exciting for me.” he would not race again for down rope on a garage door that and recruited trailblazing black driver Bubba Wallace to race for the new outfit next season. Getty images/AFP Jordan, who also owns the Richard Petty Motorsports. had been there since 2019. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST september 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Djokovic back on track with fifth Rome title

OVAK Djokovic clay. I feel confident. picked up where “I just try to be happy, to take he left off before the positives from this tourna- his US Open de- ment, and to go there smiling.” Nfault two weeks ago, winning Pliskova’s title defence was a fifth Italian Open title on hampered due to pain in her Monday, days before the start left thigh. of Roland Garros. “It was growing worse and The world No1 lifted a record worse with every day,” she said. 36th Masters crown, one more “This morning I even won- than great rival Rafael Nadal, dered if I was going to play, but after beating Diego Schwartz- you still want to try,” said the man 7-5, 6-3 in the final at the Czech, who “hopes” to recover Foro Italico in Rome. in time for Roland Garros. “Turning to Paris, I couldn’t Swept aside 6-0 in the first ask for a better tournament set, she seemed to recover here in Rome. Another big in the second and had just title and I’m super pleased,” won her first game when she said Djokovic. headed for Halep to call time “I don’t think I played my on her match. best tennis throughout the en- For Halep it was a third tourna- tire week, but I think I found ment win this year after Dubai in my best tennis when I needed February and Prague last month, it in the decisive moments.” to extend her winning streak to Djokovic extended his record 14 consecutive matches. to 31 wins from 32 matches The 28-year-old Romanian this year, with his only loss the did not compete in the US US Open disqualification for Open because of coronavi- accidently hitting a line judge Novak Djokovic picked up where he left off before his US Open default two weeks ago, winning a fifth Italian Open title on Monday. afp rus fears, but said she had felt with a ball. safe in the Italian capital. Schwartzman had shocked two breaks to lead 3-0, times since including last Pliskova retired injured while “without pressure, smiling,” “I want to thank everyone nine-time tournament win- Schwartzman could not keep year to Nadal. trailing 6-0, 2-1 in the final. despite the 2018 winner now because the tournament went ner Rafael Nadal in the quar- the momentum going against “It’s been a good week, even if World number two Halep was being among the favourites. well, and in these conditions ter-finals. the 17-time Grand Slam win- I haven’t played my best tennis. competing in her third Rome “It’s just another tourna- it’s not easy,” she said. But he ran out of steam in a ner, who notched up his fifth I’m satisfied,” said Djokovic. WTA final, having finished run- ment. I’m not going to put “We felt really safe and real- final played under light driz- win over the Argentinian. Top women’s seed Simona ner-up in 2017 and 2018. pressure on myself,” the Wim- ly good on and off the courts, zle, having also spent more For Djokovic it was a fifth Halep lifted her first trophy in bledon champion insisted. even though we stayed often than three hours on the court victory in 10 finals in Rome, Rome, a confidence booster ‘Without pressure’ “I played really well this in our hotel rooms. We ac- in Sunday’s semi-finals. but the first since 2015, hav- ahead of the French Open, after Halep said she was ap- year. I have three titles al- cepted it, because we like to Despite a great start, with ing finished runner-up three defending champion Karolina proaching Roland Garros ready. I played so much on play tournaments.” afp Lightning level Stanley Cup finals Legendary Everest THE Tampa Bay Lightning sherpa dies at age 72 held off a rally by the Dallas Stars to level their Stanley A FAMED Nepali Everest climb- and was also hospitalised in Cup final series with a 3-2 vic- er nicknamed “snow leopard” 2017 for other ailments. tory on Monday. for his record of summiting the His body has been moved A first period scoring blast fea- world’s highest mountain a re- to a monastery in Kathmandu turing goals from Brayden Point, cord 10 times without bottled and his funeral will take place Ondrej Palat and Kevin Shatten- oxygen has died aged 72, offi- this week according to Bud- kirk set up the win for Tampa cials said Monday. dhist traditions. Bay, beaten 4-1 in Saturday’s fi- Ang Rita Sherpa collapsed Some 200 mountaineers nals opener in Edmonton. at his daughter’s home in have climbed Everest without Joe Pavelski pulled a goal back Kathmandu, his close friend bottled oxygen, according to for Dallas in the second period and Nepal Mountaineering the authoritative Himalayan on a power play before Mattias Association president, Ang Database, but Ang Rita’s re- Janmark added a second in the Tshering Sherpa, told AFP. cord remains. third period for the Stars. “During his time, he was the Kami Rita Sherpa has sum- Tampa Bay goalie Andrei strongest climber in the world mited Everest a record 24 Vasilevskiy finished with 27 and a star,” said Ang Tshering. times, but mostly with the aid saves, including 17 made “This is a big loss for the of bottled oxygen. afp during a ferocious Dallas on- mountaineering community.” slaught in the second period. Nepal’s tourism depart- “This was an emotional ment said his contribution to game,” Lightning forward An- mountaineering “will be al- thony Cirelli said. “There were ways be remembered”. ups and some downs. It’s always Ang Rita held the record good to come out with the win. since 1996 for ascending “I thought we did a pretty 8,848m high (29,028-foot) good job of weathering the The Tampa Bay Lightning held off a rally by the Dallas Stars to level their Stanley Cup final series with a 3-2 Everest the most times with- storm there. Whenever you victory on Monday. afp out bottled oxygen, following can come out with a victory is his first ascent in 1983. a positive for us, so we’ll take “We had some good looks in team’s error-strewn first pe- add a second title to the one He also achieved the first win- some video, we’ll look at some the first game, we just couldn’t riod that allowed Tampa Bay they captured in 2004. They fell ter summit of Everest without good and the bad things, and score,” Kucherov said. to take control of the contest. in six games to Chicago in the supplementary oxygen in 1987. move on.” “I think we just stuck to “They won the first, we won championship series in 2015. Born in the Everest region, Ang Russian winger Nikita what we have to do, keep it the second,” Bowness said. This year’s Stanley Cup fi- Rita was a teenager when he first Kucherov was the architect of simple, shoot the puck at the “But you can’t be doing nals are being held at a neu- started working as a porter. Tampa Bay’s first period scor- net, get those rebounds. what we did in the last half tral site with no fans in atten- He quickly rose through ing blitz, providing two assists “Just keep it simple, that’s of that first period. It’s very dance after the season was the ranks to become a guide as his team scored three times the key to our success today simple to explain. halted earlier this year due to – summiting some of Nepal’s in just 3min 53 seconds. and fortunately we got two “The penalties got us in trou- the coronavirus pandemic. highest mountains. Ang Rita Sherpa earned the name Point and Palat scored Tam- goals today,” he said. ble, no question. We had a lot of Game three in the best-of- A few years after his record- ‘snow leopard’ for summitting Mt Everest a record 10 times pa Bay’s opening two goals on Dallas coach Rick Bowness, unforced turnovers,” he said. seven series takes place on breaking feat in 1996 he started without the assistance of bottled power plays. meanwhile, bemoaned his The Lightning are seeking to Wednesday. afp to suffer from liver problems, oxygen. afp