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Tuesday, august 11, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL Hundreds stopped from

India GRANTS crossing Thailand border $1.5 MILLION Long Kimmarita border checkpoint in July alone. Only before they could even look for a job. from Thailand, Mao said, has around a dozen made it into Thailand Mao said: “More than 400 people left decreased from 400 or 500 at the for demining ILITARY forces in Banteay last month and they were arrested. Cambodia for Thailand to find jobs beginning of this year to 200 or 300 Meanchey province pre- Driven by a need for income, people but were caught by us and Thai police people per day of late. IN CAMBODIA vented more than 400 were willing to risk illegally crossing and returned home [through] the pro- On Saturday, Ministry of Interior people from crossing the border to find work, Mao said. vincial border checkpoints. secretary of state and National Com- national – page 3 Minto Thailand from February to early He said some had been unemployed “Their secret attempts to migrate mittee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) this month, said Major General Chhun in Thailand and returned to Cambodia create more difficulties for us because permanent vice-chair Chou Bun Eng Mao, who heads the first regional only to find jobs dried up in their we need to spend time, money and said although Thailand closed its bor- command of Military Region 5. home country as well. So, they decid- personnel to send them into quaran- ders with Cambodia in March, around He said 7,000 people had returned ed to return to Thailand again, tine at their respective hometowns.” from Thailand through the provincial although most of them were caught The number of people returning Continued – page 3 Americans Smaller banks sanctioned ‘underperform’ by China in in the Kingdom’s thriving sector retaliation business – page 6 CHINA on Monday sanctioned 11 Americans, including senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, in retaliation for similar US moves. Washington last week accused 11 officials of suppressing “free- dom and democratic processes” in Hong Kong, including city leader Carrie Lam, and announced plans to freeze their US assets. Beijing said the measure was a violation of international law and “grossly interferes in China’s inter- Plans to clean nal affairs”. “China has decided to impose up filthy Citarum sanctions on some people that behaved badly on Hong Kong-re- disrupted by lated issues,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Covid pandemic Monday, with Human Rights Watch director Kenneth Roth and WORLD – Page 11 Indigenous Day National Endowment for Democ- The celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in Mondulkiri province. UN secretary-general racy president Carl Gershman also Antonio Guterres on Sunday said Covid-19 has impacted more than 476 million indigenous people worldwide. SUPPLIED sTORY > 4 on the list. Zhao did not give details of what the sanctions would entail. Republican senators Rubio and Cruz established themselves as two of the most vocal supporters New $231M Pursat dam built of Hong Kong’s riots last year, when the city was convulsed by huge Thou Vireak Jona said the dam is located project on May 26. ly demining the trail to the and sometimes violent protests. in Veal Veng district’s Pra- Rida said SPHP is ramping hydropower site and paving Beijing has accused “external GROUNDWORK is under- muoy commune and will be up construction of a road a road to it, some 20km from forces” of fomenting unrest and Period Pride: way on South Korean-owned able to produce a modest leading to the site following the national road. responded to the unrest by impos- SPHP (Cambodia) Co Ltd’s 80MW. a field visit last week by its “We ask the company to ing the security law in late June. The fight to massive $231 million Stung While sustaining minimal CEO and Keo Rottanak, the speed up construction of The US measures come three Pursat I hydroelectric dam impact from the Covid-19 director-general of State- the road so that the hydro- months ahead of the presidential save young in Pursat, provincial deputy pandemic, the project is still run electricity supplier Elec- power project can go ahead election in which Donald Trump, governor Khoy Rida told The on track to be completed by tricite du Cambodge (EdC), as scheduled,” he said. who trails rival Joe Biden in the girls’ futures Post on Monday. 2023, Jona said. to inspect the dam’s infra- In addition to the dam, he polls, is campaigning hard on an Ministry of Mines and SPHP received govern- structure. increasingly strident anti-Beijing lifestyle – page 13 Energy senior official Victor ment approval for the “The company is current- Continued – page 7 message. AFP WCS, MSU study sustainable THE PHNOM PENH POST National News fisheries in Sre Ambel river Inside page 3 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Covid fears stoked in T Khmum Convicted human Khorn Savi trafficker appeals INE relatives of the 27-year-old female UN Blue Helmet peacekeeper who lengthy sentence Nwas confirmed Covid-19 pos- itive on Saturday were placed Kim Sarom was sentenced to eight years in quarantine in Kandal prov- in prison while Phalla and ince’s Takhmao town, provin- THE Supreme Court on Mon- Kea each got nine years. cial Department of Health di- day heard the defence plea of Sambath told the judge on rector Kuoy Bunthoeurn said one of three suspects sent to Monday that he did not per- on Monday. prison for cross-border hu- suade the victims to work in The nine have since been man trafficking to Thailand Thailand. They contacted tested negative. in 2009. him to deliver them from Chi Bunthoeurn said authori- The court report said there Kraeng district to Poipet city ties are looking for other were three suspects in the and paid him 40,000 riel ($10) people who might have come case – Nak Sambath, a taxi- per person. into contact with the peace- driver, Nget Phalla and Moeut “I do not know those six keeper. Kea. people. They hired my car to This comes after Sithbo com- Sambath is accused of de- drive them to Poipet city. I ask mune chief Om Leng issued livering six people from Kam- the Supreme Court to free me. a report to the Takhmao town pong Kdei commune in Chi I did not commit a crime,” hall on Monday, that the peace- Kraeng district to Poipet city, Sambath told the court. keeper had travelled home to A Cambodian peacekeeper has a temperature check while on a mission. Training and Mine Clearance Centre Banteay Meanchey. The six Prosecutor Chum Samban her village on July 30. The report were to be employed as fish- said the Appeal Court’s deci- was circulated on Facebook. he had not yet received a report The man came in direct or centre and travelled to his home ing boat workers in Thailand. sion upholding the trial court Leng said she had cooked from the commune side. indirect contact with at least 43 in Kor commune’s Kandal vil- The victims claimed they verdict is accurate. food for elderly people, hand- Bunthoeurn said the provincial people in the province and they lage in Tbong Khmum district, were forced to work on the Sambath’s defence lawyer ed out money and offered health department will release a have all been ordered quaran- Tbong Khmum province. boat for six months and were Nou Chantha argued that his food to monks at Champu statement clarifying the report tined, provincial health depart- Vannak said 43 people in the abused by the boss until client did not take the victims Prek Pagoda. She had tested released by Sithbo commune. ment director Keo Vannak said. village were found to have been the Cambodian embassy in to Thailand. He is a taxi-driv- positive for the virus after she But in the meantime, the Vannak said he had arrived in contact the patient. Of them, Thailand helped to get them er and delivers customers to ran a high fever and had a Kandal provincial administra- in Cambodia from Saudi Ara- nine had been in direct con- off the boat and back to the their destinations. runny nose, the report said. tion issued a notice denying the bia on July 10, and had been tact with him. They have been Kingdom in 2016. “I want the Supreme Court “Currently, residents are commune report and main- kept in quarantine at a hotel kept in quarantine at Samdech The victims returned and to move the case back to the deeply concerned because tained that it was incorrect. in Phnom Penh. His first test Decho Hun Sen Suong High filed a complaint to Chi Appeal Court,” he told the the patient had contacted The report, it said, differed returned negative. School in Suong town. Kraeng district police and judge. many neighbours. Therefore, from the observations of He said after the patient’s The other 34 people were held the court. Authorities investi- A lawyer for the six, Chea we urge the town governor to health officials and informa- second test came back positive, in quarantine in the primary gated and found the suspects Nara, said his clients did not please be informed and take tion given by the patient and he was treated at Chak Angre school in the patient’s village. were involved in human traf- file the complaint to the Su- action favourably,” it added. her family members. Krom Health Centre in Phnom Cambodia on Monday re- ficking. preme Court. Leng could not be reached for In a separate incident in Penh. He was not allowed to ported another three Covid- The Siem Reap Provincial “However, I request the Su- comment on Monday. Tbong Khmum province, a leave the centre after his third 19 patients, taking the total to Court issued arrest warrants preme Court to uphold the Ap- Takhmao town governor Nou 29-year-old Cambodian man test also returned positive. 251 with two new recoveries, for the men and they were peal Court decision,” he said. Sovannara said that while nine who recovered from the dis- But after his fourth and fifth bringing the total recoveries taken in by police. Presiding Judge Khim Pon members of the woman’s fami- ease tested positive again af- tests came back negative, the to 219. Thirty-two are being A guilty verdict was reached said his ruling will be issued ly had been kept in quarantine, ter he left the hospital. man was allowed to leave the treated at hospitals. on May 18, 2017. Sambath on August 14. Focus first on clearing criminal cases in prisons, says Sar Kheng Long Kimmarita He said he was concerned new General Department of cause behind too many pris- days ago to consider the cas- tackle backlogged cases, re- the issue of prison over- Prisons director at the Inte- oners. es of people in prisons first duce prison overcrowding INTERIOR Minister Sar Kheng crowding cannot be solved rior Ministry. “Can clearing old cases de- before considering those on and strengthen the capacity said on Monday the govern- until the backlog of legal files Sar Kheng said the issue of crease the number of people bail,” said Sar Kheng. of the judiciary. ment must prioritise clean- is cleared. He said he is not in prison overcrowding is com- in prisons? The answer is not He said he believes Rith Ministry spokesman Chin ing up the backlog of criminal a rush to tackle cases of sus- plicated, especially for drug really because there are cases will be able to tackle the issue Malin told The Post on Mon- court cases in Cambodia with pects on bail. offences. He said Minister of suspects on bail. It does successfully. day it is about tackling the a focus on those already in The comments came at a of Justice Koeut Rith should not help a lot. “If the prisons are suddenly issue of backlogged cases, prison. ceremony introducing the consider rooting out the “I reminded Rith several full, it will be very compli- which means they will tackle cated to solve. It is unavoid- all cases regardless of wheth- able to build more prisons. er the people are in prison or Meanwhile, there are 40,000 out on bail. prisoners among 16 million “The goal is to solve all people in Cambodia. problems. If backlogged cas- “If we build more prisons es decrease, especially cases the number will increase to with suspects in prison, the 50,000 or 60,000 people. It issue of prison overcrowding means that there are many can be solved too. people committing offences. “What [Sar Kheng] has People will say the police are mentioned is in the line with incapable,” Sar Kheng said. the work we are doing and we In May, the Ministry of will put more effort into do- Justice put forward a plan to ing it,” he said.

Sar Kheng said the issue of prison overcrowding is complicated, especially for drug offences. sar kheng via facebook THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National ‘Gov’t should find a way to open border to certain extent’

Continued from page 1

1,000 citizens had been cheated by smugglers who helped them cross into Thailand only to be arrested and returned to the Kingdom. The Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (Central) pro- gramme coordinator Khun Tharo said Cambodian migrant workers are continuing to risk migrating through small corridors, despite tight patrols by Thai and Cambodian authorities. He said crossings are typically made with the assistance of brokers or collusion with friends or rela- tives. These crossings have not slowed down and continue to hap- pen regularly. “When [migrant workers] migrate, they have to spend money on brokers and people they know in order to cross the border without a guarantee Ambassador of India to Cambodia Manika Jain (fifth from left) and Ministry of National Defence secretary of state General Neang Phat pose after the signing ceremony at the of safety. But even though they can Council of Ministers. Indian Embassy cross the border, they are then sent back by the Thai authorities,” he said. He said some migrants were aware India grants $1.5M for demining of the consequences of Covid-19 but decided to take the risk of travelling Niem Chheng cil of Ministers was presided over by ing operations, exchange of experts Royal Academy of Cambodia’s to Thailand for financial reasons. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister and assistance in demining opera- International Relations Institute Tharo urged the government to HE Indian government pro- of National Defence Tea Banh who tions and regular ship visits.” director Kin Phea said India is a take more preventive measures. vided $1.5 million grant to the thanked India for the grant. Demining assistance, Jain said, con- democratic country that has consis- “The government should find a way Royal Cambodian Armed Forc- Jain said: “Bilateral defence coop- tinues to be a key cooperation area, tently maintained good diplomatic to open the border to a certain extent es (RCAF) on Monday for the eration between both countries has with India providing 15 mine-detec- relations with Cambodia during the so that people along it can resume procurementT of demining equipment. deepened. During the visit of India’s tion dogs in 2016, while the latest grant People’s Republic of Kampuchea. their businesses for a living. The agreement was signed by defence minister in June, 2018, sev- will boost demining capabilities. Although the two countries have “In addition, it should create more Ambassador of India to Cambodia eral new initiatives to enhance de- Jain said defence cooperation be- moderate defence cooperation, he jobs in the country, such as in facto- Manika Jain and Ministry of Nation- fence cooperation were initiated. tween both countries is strength- said the grant was a gesture from In- ries or industrial parks in the prov- al Defence secretary of state General “The bilateral defence engage- ening and efforts are underway to dia to Cambodia in light of the King- inces, as well as continue to dissem- Neang Phat. ments include training of person- enhance the scope and intensity of dom’s participation and contribution inate information on safe migration,” The signing ceremony at the Coun- nel, cooperation in UN peacekeep- future engagements. to world peacekeeping efforts. he said. Angkor bridge repairs WCS, university study sustainable to be completed two fisheries in Sre Ambel river system years early, ANA says Soth Koemsoeun

Mom Kunthear sal told The Post on Monday THE Wildlife Conservation that the ANA will remove the Society (WCS) in Cambodia is THE Apsara National Au- floating bridge currently be- teaming up with the Fisheries thority (ANA) said the sec- ing used by tourists once the Administration and US-based ond stage of repairs on the repairs are finished. Mississippi State University western bridge of Angkor “The floating bridge is [be- (MSU) to carry out a research Wat which started in 2016, ing] used while the original project on the sustainability could be completed ahead of bridge is under repair. When of fisheries and aquaculture schedule. the original bridge is done with resources in the Sre Ambel An Sopheap, the manager repairs, we will remove the river system. of the bridge repair project, floating bridge,” said Kosal. WCS country director Ken said he wants to finish the job An ANA report said the Serey Rotha said on Monday the as soon as possible but tech- most recent repairs are differ- project is a knowledge-sharing nical problems have slowed ent from the first stage, which programme for MSU students the operation. took place from 1996 to 2007. and professors to study species “Within this year, we will re- Experts from the Interna- such as fish, crabs, lobsters, pair [parts of] the bridge. The tional Coordinating Commit- frogs, turtles, shrimp and oth- entire plan will be finished by tee for the Safeguarding and ers in Koh Kong and Preah Si- 2022 at the latest,” he said. Development of the Historic hanouk provinces. He said the plan as stipu- Site of Angkor (ICC-Angkor) Rotha said the research was A man carries a bucket of fish at Sre Ambel in Koh Kong province. Mississippi State University lated in a Memorandum of required the repair team to a complement to WCS’ EU US Understanding (MoU) signed preserve its design and aes- Forest Service (USFS)-funded bodian students to exchange munities in Sre Ambel area of tive of community fisheries in with Japan was to complete thetics even though its struc- conservation work to establish experiences and knowledge. Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk the Sre Ambel area of Koh Kong the job by 2024. ture has been severely dam- community fisheries and fam- The MSU website said: “Fish provinces will be trained to man- province, said on Monday she The MoU between Japan aged. ily aquaculture along the river. is an important resource for nu- age and adapt to life changes. had received information but and the ANA was suspended This makes it hard to re- “The main purpose is to trition and commerce in Cam- Communities will be assessed did not know if WCS would allow once due to a lack of technical pair the bridge and experts reduce fishing or encroach- bodia. In rural communities, on local food processing prefer- her community to participate. teams which wasted two years have been tasked with find- ment on wildlife along the fishing has been a way of life for ences and capabilities, compar- “We used to fish in the river before repairs could start. ing techniques to strengthen canals that we are conserving. generations, but many commu- ing different food processing and lakes in our village but not Sopheap said repairs to the its structure without affect- So if we help [people] to have nities have changed gradually. techniques and practices using anymore. We raise fish for just bridge are currently 60 to 70 ing its appearance. They will a decent business other than “Especially, communities processed fish products. three months now. But I don’t per cent completed. achieve this by combining illegal fishing, our natural re- living in the Sre Ambel river The MSU website said the know about the techniques to ANA, he said, is repairing the use of modern tools with sources will survive,” he said. system. It’s an example of life programme will be very useful raise fish. If there are experts the bridge to improve the ancient techniques. He said the planned re- change that can serve as a in managing fishery resources providing training or more safety of tourists and enhance The bridge measures 190m search with US students will model for many communities and sustainable nutrition in explanation, that’s good and the value of Angkor Wat. long, 11.6m wide and 4m last three years from October, in Southeast Asia.” addition to natural fishing. I want to participate in the ANA spokesman Long Ko- tall. and he wants to involve Cam- The website said local com- Nuth Vanna, a representa- project,” Vanna said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National UN chief: Include indigenous ADF set to expand people in Covid-19 strategies protected zone in Khouth Sophak Chakrya Kulen nat’l park

O MARK the 26th anniversary Voun Dara serve archaeological sites and of the International Day of the protect forests. World’s Indigenous Peoples on THE Archaeology and Devel- “In expanding the exist- Sunday, UN secretary-general opment Foundation (ADF) ing forest protection area in TAntonio Guterres released a letter de- with the support of the Min- Phnom Kulen National Park, scribing the devastating impact Covid- istry of Environment and ADF has expanded awareness 19 has had on more than 476 million in- UNDP is expanding an exist- to the people in the commu- digenous people around the world. ing forest protection area in nity not to cut down the for- “Throughout history, indigenous peo- Phnom Kulen National Park est,” Kong said. ple have been decimated by diseases to 800ha. ADF’s Administrative, Fi- brought from elsewhere, to which they The plan is to stop defores- nance and Communications had no immunity. It is critical for coun- tation and contribute to the officer Hoeung Hourapich, tries to marshal the resources to respond conservation of archaeology said the initiative is part of to their needs, honour their contributions and tourism in the area. a project called, Building an and respect their inalienable rights. “This will help stop defor- Enabling Environment for “Realising the rights of indigenous peo- estation and land use for ca- Sustainable Development. ple’s means ensuring their inclusion and shew plantations. It will also “This work will expand the participation in Covid-19 response and help preserve eco-tourism community protection area,” recovery strategies. Indigenous peoples sites such as waterfalls and Hourapich said. must be consulted in all efforts to build mountains that bring income Ministry of Environment back stronger and recover better,” he said. to the area,” ADF programme secretary of state and spokes- The holiday celebrating indigenous director and archaeology pro- man Neth Pheaktra said pro- people was first marked in Cambodia in gramme manager Dr Jean- tecting the existing forest in 2005 in Phnom Penh. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said indigenous peoples must be consulted in all efforts Baptiste Chevance told The Phnom Kulen National Park to build back stronger and recover better. Supplied The Department of the Development Post on Monday. contributes to the protection of Indigenous Peoples at the Ministry of coordinating and encouraging the es- “The implementation of natural re- He stressed that the des- of natural resources in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries co- tablishment of an alliance of indigenous source and biodiversity protection proj- ignation of forest areas for area and improves the liveli- operated with civil society organisations people to be recognised by the Ministry ects for the sake of society and the envi- conservation and communi- hoods of the people in the and 24 indigenous communities from 15 of Interior. ronment is important to us. ty-based law enforcement is community. provinces in Cambodia to celebrate the Hopefully, Vannara said, communi- “We will promote participation with the necessary to protect natural “The government’s policy holiday. ties of indigenous people will have the authorities and relevant people to design resources. is to create local economies Executive director of the NGO Forum ability to participate in community de- areas of management within natural pro- Chevance said the ADF has and increase incomes to en- on Cambodia Tek Vannara told The Post velopment in line with the government’s tected areas to raise the living standards been working in the Phnom sure the people have enough he was committed to supporting indig- policies. of indigenous people,” Vannara said. Kulen National Park for more money to support their fami- enous people in Cambodia, especially “We will continue to support various He also noted the need for society than 12 years. lies,” Pheaktra said. communities listed by the government initiatives to preserve the culture, tradi- to practise good hygiene as Covid-19 Provincial Department of as eligible to receive communal lands to tion, language, work, and heritage of in- continues to spread across the globe. Environment director Sun www.phnompenhpost.com improve their livelihoods. digenous people by establishing cultural “Covid-19 has never forgotten us. It is we Kong said ADF has been do- check the post website He said NGOs have participated in centres. who forget it,” he said. ing a lot in that time to pre- for breaking news THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Short clothing ban ‘supported’ Public schools set to reopen in September Long Kimmarita

ECRETARY of state at the Minis- as examinations near try of Interior Ouk Kim Lek said on Monday that 20 provincial Voun Dara to correspond to the public administrations had voiced their school schedule. supportS for a draft law on public order THE Ministry of Education, Chea sent a letter on Sun- which would ban women from wearing Youth and Sport will allow day to Minister Hang Chuon revealing clothing. public schools to reopen next Naron stating its members However, they requested that the word- month so students can be had agreed to move planned ing be made clearer and that some places, prepared to sit for grades nine examinations scheduled for like coastal areas, may be exempted from through 12 examinations in August 27-28 to December. the ban. December, it said. Speaking to The Post, Chea The ministry finalised the draft on The ministry said Prime chairman Heng Vanda said June 16 and sent it to all 24 provincial ad- Minister Hun Sen is allow- on Monday that the associa- ministrations in the Kingdom as well as ing public school students tion is made up of 40 member the Phnom Penh municipality for review to return in September with schools representing some and feedback. maximum class sizes of 15 4,000 students who will sit for Kim Lek said the 20 provincial admin- students and respect for hy- examinations. istrations had agreed on the contents of gienic measures. “If we organise examina- the law but requested that some points The ministry said 20 provincial administrations agreed on the contents of the law. HENG CHIVOAN It said the Cambodian tions on our own in late Au- be modified. A common request was Higher Education Associa- gust it is only two months that the details of the ban on revealing ment for a final review before it is to be sent to violence against sexuality. tion (Chea), which represents from the national examina- clothing be explicitly explained. to the National Assembly and the Senate. Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts spokes- private education schools, is tions. It is very close so we de- “We concluded that there is nothing “We got [input] from provinces. We will man Long Bunna Sireyvath said the minis- willing to delay Grade nine cided to move the date back,” strange in the draft law. Provincial au- examine it at the request of the provinces try could not make any decisions regard- through 12 examinations he said. thorities made overall corrections. because some points were incomplete. ing the law because it has yet to be sent to “Firstly, they support the draft law. “Each province has a different point the ministry for review and opinion. Secondly, they requested some phrases to add or remove. We will let this law go But he said the law must clearly define to be corrected. They asked to add sev- through ministries. The short clothing what is banned regarding revealing cloth- eral phrases to [address] what is lacking issue is not to be decided by me and de- ing and be vetted by relevant parties be- according to the actual situation of each pends on further discussion at the inter- fore it’s put into practice. He said other province. They have objections to wear- ministerial level, especially the Ministry countries had enacted similar laws. ing short [clothingss],” Kim Lek said. of Culture and Fine Arts,” Kim Lek said. “Concerning public order, in general, He said most of the provincial admin- The government set up a working what influences and affects social order is istrations agreed to the overall points but group to draft the law concerning public to be protected. No matter which country some requested exclusions to the rules, order years ago, he said. [you’re in], if people move their bowels on such as being allowed to wear shorter Consisting of eight chapters and 48 the road, that affects social order. clothes in coastal areas. articles, the latest draft has been made “For example, people wearing reveal- Kim Lek said the ministry is waiting for public and drew criticism, especially ing clothes with the intent to show [sex- the remaining four provincial administra- from social media users who say the ban ual pictures] or nudity on the road is not tions and the Phnom Penh municipal ad- on revealing clothing silences women allowed,” he said. ministration to submit their findings before and infringes on their rights. Sireyvath claimed the ministry will strive the law is reviewed at the ministerial level. They argued that the ban would con- to bring the draft law in line with the con- Public schools are allowed to reopen with maximum class sizes of 15 Then, it will be submitted to the govern- tribute to a culture of impunity relating text of society, culture and religion. students and respect for hygienic measures. supplied

New state-of-the-art Leedon Heights Oddar Meanchey lake at condominium launched in Phnom Penh alert levels, NCDM warns Mom Kunthear of a natural reservoir. When it Sokha said on Monday that flood- is a major rainfall, water will in- ing is not a concern and there THE Ministry of Water Re- crease a lot, but it will decrease are floods only in some regions. source and Meteorology again if there is no rain for one “Provinces that are af- (MWRM) and the National or two days,” Piseth said. fected by flooding are Od- Committee for Disaster Man- Natural reservoirs are usu- dar Meanchey and Banteay agement (NCDM) warned on ally full in late September and Meanchey, but it decreases Monday that Boeung Tamok early October, he said. when the rain stops,” he said. (lake) in Oddar Meanchey has “Travel on Boeung Tamok Sokha said NCDM works in reached alert levels. bridge will be closed tem- collaboration with the minis- The lake level is 3.90m while porarily if the water reaches try to observe storm flooding the emergency water level is emergency levels. Citizens will and protect safety. 4.20m. have to travel on other roads “From this month, the season Oddar Meanchey Provincial to avoid possible danger. for flood and drought begins. Hall spokesman Chea Piseth “The water level may decrease if We must not be careless and The luxurious and inter- venture between Cambodian, road networks resemble the told The Post on Monday that there is no rain on Tuesday. Local will work with affected provinc- national-standard Leedon Singaporean and Taiwanese veins on a tree’s leaf, bringing water has almost reached authorities will continue to moni- es on prevention measures and Heights Condominium, corporations that have many charm to the entire project. emergency levels but should tor the lake for safety and to alert to advise caution,” Sokha said. comprising four towers located years of experience in deliver- “These veins will guide us not be a concern as the region citizens on time before it rises to An NCDM report said strong on a 1.5 hectare land in the ing high quality residential to a wide array of facilities on is a rainforest area. dangerous levels. Nobody is cur- winds have damaged 4,886 bustling Phnom Penh, is now and commercial developments the compound, including huge “If there is a lot of rainfall for rently in danger and no property houses, killed four people, opened for booking at special in the Kingdom. swimming pools, kid parks and many days, water will flow from has been lost yet,” Piseth said. and injured 51 while lightning prices, starting from August Apart from being a comfort- fitness centres, attributing to a this reservoir to the lower part NCDM spokesman Khun strikes have killed 47. 7, 2020. able residence, with unique beautiful community.” Ideally located, the Leedon freshness and wonderful Arn Sothida, CBRE Cam- Heights is surrounded by decor, customers will also be bodia managing director said, prime landmarks in the city entitled to other benefits such “Our project, apart from a high – the AEON Mall Sen Sok, as discounted prices and fine quality, elegance and affordable Makro supermarket, water furniture. prices, compared to other proj- parks, Grand Phnom Penh Golf Pheap said that the project ects, we also provide flexible Club, and other facilities such will launch its sales office and payment scheme to match our as international schools, water hold a foundation stone laying customers’ situation”. parks, Sen Sok premium centre ceremony on August 13 and the She added that at present, and more upcoming projects. construction is expected to be prices of other condominium Leedon Heights Condomin- completed in 2024. projects in the market range ium Horng Pheap, managing On this occasion, the com- from $2,500 to $3,000 per director and shareholder, said pany will be offering special square metre, which are beyond this is not the company’s first promotions including discounts the affordable line of some successful project in Phnom and exciting gifts for customers. local buyers. Penh but the condominium Meanwhile, Ngoung Chhay- While Leedon Heights, is is particu¬larly special in leang, head of the sales depart- targeted for local people and the way it has been perfectly ment said, “Our condominium the property prices start from designed. is designed based on the vision only $1,700 per square metre, The project is a joint of “leaf anatomy”, where the said Sothida.

A flooded bridge in Oddar Meanchey province’s Anlong Veng district. Water Resources Ministry advertisement paid 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 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 4,090 1.3376 6.969 105.94 4.1935 1.3734 31.13 0.7161 1.1770 1.3075

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: August 10, 2020 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 17,400 17,500 17,500 17,300 2 GTI 3,080 - 3,080 3,080 3 PAS 14,960 14,940 14,960 14,900 4 PPAP 11,680 11,680 11,700 11,580 5 PPSP 2,300 2,200 2,300 2,200 6 PWSA 5,700 5,700 5,700 5,700 Small banks ‘underperform’ in thriving sector

May Kunmakara of Cambodia (NBC) to increase the million to generate an RoE of 15 per minimum capital requirement for cent,” it said. S the Kingdom’s energetic commercial banks as they did in Higgins said the NBC’s decision to banking sector rockets at an 2016, doubling from $37.5 million to double minimum capital levels in average annual rate of 28 per $75 million, and allowing two years 2016 after last increasing them eight cent and teems with an ev- for banks to comply. years prior was “a very sensible, and er-increasingA number of new players A typical bank with the $75 mil- much needed move”. vying for a slice of the market, smaller lion minimum in capital could only He said: “We expect another eight banks have been left in the dust. build a maximum loan book size of years to pass before they increase This is according to a report com- approximately $400 million, which them again, so maybe around 2024 piled by investment and advisory it said, is a 1.5 per cent share of over- to 2025 we’ll see another big in- firm Mekong Strategic Partners Co all financial sector loans last year. crease in capital requirements, ide- Ltd (MSP) and entitled Cambodian It said: “This will fall to less than ally to around $150 million. Banks: 2020 Financial Review “Time a one per cent share by 2023, which “We estimate that at least a third for Consolidation”. would call into question the viability of banks would be at this level any- The banking sector enjoyed a re- and relevance of banks of this size. way, and the remainder would need markably strong year last year with “We believe that the NBC should to merge or seek additional capital revenue up 23 per cent and profits again consider an increase in mini- from their shareholders. up 46 per cent, MSP said. mum capital to $150 million by “If banks don’t have $150 million Loan growth remained “unsustain- Investment firm MSP has called on the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) to increase 2023-2025. of capital, then they’re guaranteeing ably high” at 24 per cent and deposits the minimum capital requirement for commercial banks to $150 million from the “This would be in line with their that they’ll have less than a one per current $75 million. SUPPLIED rose 15 per cent, while total loans for previous approach of doubling capi- cent market share, which basically the overall financial sectors – includ- though growth was slightly lower at that only 16 banks had a loan book tal about every eight years. It would makes them irrelevant.” ing microfinance institutions (MFIs) an average of 20 per cent over the that high as of last year’s end. strengthen the overall health of the MSP added that smaller banks re- – climbed to $32 billion, it said. last five years. Though $400 million might seem banking sector, and encourage much quire a shift in business strategies – Despite the growth, it said, the return “We believe that this would be one of like a lot, Higgins noted that the fig- needed consolidation to reduce the through market consolidation – such on equity (RoE) in the sector remained the fastest rates of growth globally, and ure represents a market share of just number of banks below 60.” as mergers and acquisitions, produc- relatively subdued at 11.7 per cent. has contributed to the high demand 1.5 per cent, which will soon be one Less than 20 per cent of Cambo- tivity boosts, increased investment Though there are currently 12 for banking licences in Cambodia. per cent. dian banks have capital of $150 mil- in technology and talents, as well as banks that deliver returns of more “An unfortunate side effect of this He said: “So we’ve got a lot of really lion or more, MSP said, adding that optimisation of capital structure. than 15 per cent, up from seven is that there are now too many small, small banks that will need to start it believes that a third of banks could Additional measures suggested in 2016, returns in the sector are underperforming banks in Cambo- merging or buying other players if achieve that level organically by 2024. are product development that plac- dragged down by an excessive num- dia, and there is a growing need for they want to become meaningful. “Under the expected increase in es a strategic focus on the unbanked ber of small, underperforming banks consolidation in the sector.” “If you strip out the four big banks, capital requirement to $150 million, “missing middle” in the small and – 60 at the end of last year, which it MSP managing partner Stephen the average RoE for the sector falls to banks will find it hard to generate a medium-sized enterprise (SME) said, was “unsustainable”. Higgins told The Post that at current just eight per cent. At that rate, you’re decent return for the shareholders segment, and investment in a digital MSP said: “Over the past decade, capital levels, most banks would need almost better off taking your capital in this competitive landscape. strategy, it said, stressing that net- bank earnings have grown an aver- a loan book of at least $400 million to and investing it into a term deposit.” “And, a bank would require a loan work expansion does not merely en- age of 28 per cent per annum, al- generate an acceptable RoE, stressing MSP suggested the National Bank book between $670 million to $750 tail more branches or ATMs. Asia markets rise but trade talks, stimulus cause concern

ASIAN markets mostly rose on The move came after the White Health Secretary Alex Azar – midwest” farming belt. fuelled by pro-democracy from evictions and relief for Monday, with investors keep- House set the clock ticking on met Taiwan’s leader in the But he added: “At the same activists urging investors on student loans. Another ordered ing a wary eye on Sino-US trade forcing Chinese internet giants highest level visit from the US time President Trump is run- social media to pile into the a freeze in payroll taxes. talks planned for the weekend, TikTok and WeChat to end all since it switched diplomatic ning a hard China line into the market to support the firm. Observers said there was some which come after Washington operations in the US, as part of recognition from the island to elections.” The rest of Asia was in were hope the move would spur poli- imposed sanctions on several a diplomatic-commercial offen- China in 1979. And Stephen Innes at Axi- positive territory with Sydney ticians to work harder to reach a Hong Kong officials, further sive analysts fear will likely wors- The developments have put Corp warned that with polling 1.8 per cent higher, while Seoul deal, though others warned it straining tensions between the en leading into November’s the spotlight on Saturday’s figures tumbling and US virus and Manila were also more could in fact give them less superpowers. presidential election. meeting of trade officials to infections surging, he could than one per cent up. urgency to work together. Adding to uncertainty was China slammed the sanc- review their “phase one” trade use the China row to show him Shanghai jumped 0.8 per “Both parties are going to US lawmakers’ inability to find tions as “barbarous and rude”. deal signed in January. as a strong leader. cent, Mumbai added 0.7 per have to tread very carefully but common ground on a much- On Monday, Hong Kong media There is a concern that the “If he thinks it will boost his cent and Taipei put on 0.5 per they are going to have to move needed new stimulus for the mogul Jimmy Lai, one of the pact could be torn up as China polling numbers, look for him cent. London, Paris and Frank- on and try to come to some world’s top economy, with city’s most vocal Beijing critics, has failed to meet certain criteria to lash out at China more furt all advanced in early trade. kind of agreement,” Kim For- executive orders signed by was arrested under the security owing to the impact of the virus, aggressively, even heaping on The stimulus stand-off in rest, at Bokeh Capital Partners President Donald Trump con- law, deepening a crackdown on a move most experts say would additional tariffs. The ramifi- Washington continued to dis- LLC, told Bloomberg TV. sidered sticking plasters for a democracy supporters. be devastating to a global econ- cations for the nascent global appoint, with Democrats and There was some good news crippling crisis. US regulators also last week omy that is already teetering. recovery would be grim.” Republicans still unable to for markets on Friday, with Washington on Friday hit a recommended overseas firms Still, National Australia Hong Kong edged lower with bridge their differences to data showing the US economy group of Chinese and Hong listed in the US should be sub- Bank’s Tapas Strickland said Tencent shedding nearly five push through a new plan. created 1.8 million jobs last Kong officials – including the ject to local public audit reviews “the running assumption in per cent after a similar drop on With matters at a standstill, month – far fewer than in May city’s leader Carrie Lam – with from 2022, which could cause markets has been President Friday in reaction to the US Trump signed measures on and June, but more than econ- sanctions in the latest salvo in Chinese firms to delist. Trump needed the phase one WeChat move. Saturday giving Americans up omists had been expecting – a row linked to Beijing’s deci- The White House also deal to succeed [as much as But Next Digital soared 344 to $400 a week extra in their while unemployment dipped sion to impose a security law angered China on Monday China] this side of the Novem- per cent after the arrest of Lai. unemployment benefits, while to 10.2 per cent from 11.1 per on the city. when a cabinet member – ber elections to secure the Analysts said the surge was others offer some protection cent. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business K Thom gets new cashew plant Cambodia’s imports

Thou Vireak of vehicles surpass

OP Planning Japan Co Ltd is working with a $600 million in H1 local cashew nut pro- cessing business own- Hin Pisei Royal Academy of Cam- erT to set up a plant in Kampong bodia economics researcher Thom province’s southwestern CAMBODIA imported 414,725 Hong Vanak told The Post on Kampong Svay district in a bid vehicles worth $634.98 mil- Sunday that Covid-19 has trig- to champion Cambodian fin- lion in the first half of this gered a considerable down- ished products. year, data from the General swing in product imports into In Lai Huot, owner of the Department of Customs and the Kingdom and tightened Madam Huot cashew nut Excise show. consumer spending. processing cottage industry, Broken down by catego- “Covid-19 has substantially told The Post on Monday that ry, the Kingdom imported trimmed demand for these she had struck a deal with the 180,590 motorbikes worth particular forms of trans- company to build the plant, $99 million, 192,397 bicycles portation,” he said, express- which broke ground last week worth $4.35 million and ing confidence that demand and is scheduled to be com- 25,483 cars worth $280.65 would sputter back to life pleted in December. million. once the pandemic ebbs. She said the company re- It imported 1,212 vehicles “Though a sharp rebound is ceived a cash deposit, for an for 10 or more passengers unlikely, vehicle imports will Cambodia exported 194,525 tonnes of cashew nuts in the first seven months of this year. pOST STAFF undisclosed amount, and es- worth $17.448 million, 13,812 be back in full gear sooner or timated that the plant would The association grows ca- “My department is doing its technological advancements freight vehicles worth $194.47 later,” Vanak said. cost around $200,000. shew nuts on 344ha for exclu- part – providing the cottage in- in the harvesting and pro- million and 1,231 other vehi- As a primary source of cus- “The Japanese company sive domestic supply. dustry owner with technical cessing systems leave a lot to cles worth $35.84 million. toms revenue, he said, fluc- gave me a deposit and, put- She said she plans to expand and operational support in ac- be desired. The Post could not find the tuations in vehicle imports ting in some of my own mon- production to 150 tonnes per year cordance with ISO standards to “The company aims to set equivalent figures for the first result in adverse effects on ey, construction on the fac- to keep up with the high demand. enable cashew nut products to up a cashew nut processing half of last year, but Cambo- national revenue collection. tory has begun. “The factory will provide jobs for be exported in compliance with plant in Cambodia that ad- dia imported 1,124,210 ve- “And national income has “We signed a contract to sup- locals and unlock a cashew mar- customer standards,” Piseth said. heres to international stan- hicles worth $1.882 billion for slipped indeed, most notably ply the company with 90 tonnes ket for my community.” Following a Japan Interna- dards, does its part in tidying the whole year 2019. in tax revenue from car im- of cashew nuts per year in the Has Piseth, deputy director tional Cooperation Agency- up the industry’s shortcom- Broken down by category, ports from non-ASEAN coun- first phase,” Lai Huot said. of the Ministry of Agriculture, (Jica-) backed feasibility study ings and takes concrete steps the Kingdom imported 511,434 tries with high rates, such as She said the deal came out Forestry and Fisheries’ Depart- on the investment, company to lift potential output, quality motorbikes worth $278.28 mil- the US and those in the Arab of necessity as her business ment of Agro-Industry, told official Tetsuo Murayama in and hygiene in the sector to lion, 466,112 bicycles worth region,” Vanak said. was unable to supply enough The Post that the plant has the October told Minister Veng global levels,” Murayama said. $10.4 million and 95,067 cars The Kingdom imported cashew nuts to fulfil the com- daily capacity to process two Sakhon that results showed In the first seven months of worth $827.44 million. more than $10.14 billion pany’s orders. to three tonnes of cashew nuts that Cambodian cashew nuts this year, Cambodia exported It imported 7,998 vehicles worth of products in the first Lai Huot is also the presi- and detach the peel from 10 were tastier than their coun- 194,525 tonnes of cashew nuts for 10 or more passengers half of this year, sliding 5.22 dent of the Chey Sambor Ca- tonnes of raw cashew kernels. terparts in Vietnam, India to Vietnam, Thailand, South worth $112.75 million, 39,008 per cent from the same period shew Nut Processing Handi- He said the factory is semi- and throughout Africa. Korea, Japan, Russia, China, freight vehicles worth $542.2 last year, the National Bank of craft Association, which has automatic, with the dimen- “But factors such as quality, Hong Kong and France, the million and 4,591 other vehi- Cambodia reported. Vehicle a membership of 33 families. sions of 20m by 30m. hygiene, potential yields and ministry reported. cles worth $110.78 million. imports fell two per cent. Dam a part of Trade volume between ASEAN, China’s 1,000MW plan, EdC head says Shaanxi nearly $2.8B in first six months Continued from page 1 Patrocinio Rivera said the company is also keen on investing in the area as a natural tour- TRADE volume between the ASEAN bloc and ism resort at a future date. China’s northwest Shaanxi province reached “Once the project has come to 19.33 billion yuan ($2.8 billion) in the first half of fruition, the electricity will presum- this year, gaining 66.3 per cent year-on-year, Xin- ably join the nationwide network and hua News Agency reported, citing data from the mitigate our reliance on imports. Shaanxi provincial Department of Commerce. “The company says it might not The department was quoted as saying that invest in just the 80MW electricity ASEAN countries have become vital markets for project, but also in eco-tourism to the province’s companies in terms of project con- draw in more national and interna- tracting and foreign investment. tional visitors,” Rida said. Shaanxi has also become a foreign investment Jona, the director-general of the destination, with 266 ASEAN firms having set up ministry’s General Department of in the provincial capital Xi’an with total invest- Energy, told The Post that it had issued ment of nearly $5.76 billion, Xinhua reported. a licence to SPHP to conduct a feasi- Ma Yuhong, head of the Shaanxi branch of the bility study on the site in 2012. China Council for the Promotion of International He said the company has signed an Trade, said ASEAN-Shaanxi trade volume has agreement with EdC to sell all the power seen steady growth in the past few years, hitting generated from the dam to the national 27.76 billion yuan last year. grid at a cost of $0.07 per kWh. Ma said the province will work closely with “This is the second hydroelectric dam ASEAN in fields such as modern agriculture, fi- project in the province, with the first nancial innovations and the sharing of interna- being the Atai dam which produces tional trade routes, as reported by Xinhua. 120MW,” Jona said, adding that the prov- ASEAN topped the list of China’s trade partners, ince also has two solar projects capable logging 2.09 trillion yuan in the first half of this Shaanxi has also become a foreign investment destination, with 266 ASEAN firms having set up in the provincial capital Xi’an with total investment of nearly $5.76 billion. XINHUA NEWS AGENCY of producing 60MW each, that are being year, surging 5.6 per cent year-on-year. This ac- developed by two companies. counts for 14.7 per cent of China’s total foreign Chinese businessmen and investors.” “We encourage companies in Shaanxi province EdC’s Rottanak previously said trade, Xinhua reported, citing data from the Gen- In May last year, more than 100 Cambodian to invest in Cambodia. We recently set up a busi- Cambodia is working to generate eral Administration of Customs. officials attended the fourth Silk Road Interna- ness platform to provide risk assessments and more than 1,000MW of new energy Cambodia has six trade centres in China – in tional Exposition in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi other financial services.” by the end of this year. Guangzhou, Guangdong province; Xi’an, Shaanxi province. According to official ministry data, China in- This includes building a coal power province; Haining, Zhejiang province; Yantai, The following month, Shaanxi provincial De- vested some $14.7 billion in Cambodia from 1994 plant, utilising solar power, and purchas- Shandong province; Hong Kong; and Kunming, partment of Commerce deputy director Shi Zhijun to 2016. The data also shows that from 1993 to the ing low-cost power to better the electric- Yunnan province. It set up the Xi’an trade centre said the Shaanxi government should hold more end of 2017, Cambodia signed concessional loan ity sector in terms of supply and price. in May 2017. economic and trade events to educate Chinese agreements with development partners to the The Kingdom increased its electric- Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak said in De- companies about Cambodia’s investment laws. value of $9.6 billion. ity supply to 2,870.65MW last year, up cember: “The centres have played an important He said: “We need to exchange frequent visits The report added that the government bor- from 2,650.26MW in 2018, the Elec- role in serving as a platform to display Cambo- between senior officials from Shaanxi and Cam- rowed some $6.3 billion from countries on a tricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC) dian products, and share information on tourism bodia to promote cooperation and reciprocate bilateral basis, with $4.05 billion of this coming said in its 2019 annual report. as well as investment and trade opportunities to information. from China. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business High-tech production pays Marked surge in Thai M&As as firms fight bills for farmers in Long An off coronavirus crisis HE use of advanced technolo- gies in Long An province has THE Covid-19 pandemic has pect the bank’s revenue from improved profits for farmers, sparked a steep rise in merg- granting loans to large busi- just south of Cambodia’s Prey ers and acquisitions (M&A) in nesses to grow by seven-to- VengT and Svay Rieng provinces, the Viet- Thailand, an expert at CIMB nine per cent [year-on-year] namese province’s Department of Agri- Thai Bank Pcl (CIMBT) has in 2021, and this year by ap- culture and Rural Development said. said. proximately six per cent from For the last five years, the Cuu Long Businesses are choosing loans of approximately 70 bil- (Mekong) Delta province has applied to fight the crisis by expand- lion baht. high-tech methods to cultivate 2,082ha ing or merging – especially “Financial transactions of dragon fruit, 15,075ha of rice, 1,476ha in the hotel, health, hospital, among ASEAN countries in of vegetables and 4,000 cows for meat. and production sectors, said 2021 are expected to grow by The products are produced under Viet- Pornchai Padmindra, CI- 20-30 per cent compared to namese or Global Good Agricultural Prac- MBT’s co-head of Wholesale, this year.” tices (VietGAP or GlobalGAP) standards. Corporate, and Investment He said quality of large busi- Phan Quoc Chinh, who has 1ha of Banking. nesses’ debt was not a con- dragon fruit under GlobalGAP standards He said: “Currently, many cern because the bad-debt in Chau Thanh district, said he had in- vested in automatic drip and spray irri- Financial transactions among gation systems for his orchard. The sys- For the last five years, Long An province has applied high-tech methods to cultivate 2,082ha of dragon fruit. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS tems use irrigation water and fertiliser ASEAN countries in 2021 are effectively, he said. two to three times higher than traditional With the province’s support, the expected to grow by 20-30 per Rice, dragon fruit, vegetables and cows farming methods, he said. Tam Nong Viet High-Tech Agriculture are the province’s key agriculture prod- The province plans to have more than Cooperative in Can Giuoc district has cent compared to this year ucts. Shrimp is expected to be a key agri- 6,800ha of brackish shrimp this year, in- received an automatic irrigation sys- culture product for export in the future. cluding 200ha using high-tech farming. tem to grow honeydew melon in poly- more bank customers than level at CIMBT was currently Many cooperatives and cooperative Provincial Department of Agriculture greenhouses. previously are discussing only two per cent and the groups in the province are engaged in and Rural Development deputy director Tam Nong Viet director Dinh Bat Quy business mergers and acqui- bank was helping customers high-tech shrimp farming. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh said brackish said the cooperative produces clean pro- sitions in deals worth from to control their borrowing. In Can Giuoc district, for instance, five shrimp farming areas combined with duce and has stable outlets. It also grows one to 20 billion baht [$32 to “We will control bad debt to cooperatives and 42 cooperative groups high-tech shrimp farming would breed vegetables in poly-greenhouses. 640 million]. ensure that it will not rise over are involved in the model. Each farmer three to four shrimp crops a year. The Muoi Hai Clean Vegetable Cooper- “We expect customers to three per cent,” he said. spends an initial cost of 200-300 million This would increase yield and quality, ative in Can Duoc district plants 40 kinds close their merger and ac- He added CIMBT was pre- dong ($8,600-12,900) for equipment per protect the environment and develop of VietGAP-quality vegetables on a total quisition deals within three pared to extend up to 20 1,000sqm of shrimp ponds. The model sustainable production, she said. area of 163ha and sells to supermarkets to six months or in 2021 after billion baht in loans for the saves labour costs, reduces the shrimp To produce products of even quality and in and outside the province. observing business directions business sector, of which 40 death rate and produces quality shrimp. size and in large amounts, the province has Muoi Hai director Le Van Giay said the and ensuring the price is rea- per cent had already been Farmers can harvest about three created favourable conditions for agriculture cooperative planted vegetables in net sonable.” granted. tonnes of shrimp per 1,000sqm pond af- cooperatives. The province helps them access houses and used drip and spray irriga- Pornchai said 60 per cent of “We believe that the pre- ter three months of breeding and earn a advanced farming techniques and develop tion systems. M&A deals were being made pared credit limit will be suf- profit of 100 million dong. value chains for their products. The cooperative invested in ware- in Thailand, with the remain- ficient because the situation Nguyen Thanh Dien in Can Giuoc’s Phuoc It has also promoted linkages among houses to preserve harvested vegetables ing 40 per cent in ASEAN in the bond market has now Vinh Dong commune said he harvested farmers and companies to produce and according to the requirements of its pur- countries such as Cambodia, begun to improve,” Pornchai five-to-seven tonnes per 2,000sqm from buy agricultural produce, especially chasing partners, he said. VIET NAM NEWS/ Vietnam and Indonesia. said. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA this high-tech shrimp pond. The profit was high-tech products. ASIA NEWS NETWORK He said: “Therefore, we ex- NEWS NETWORK First-ever ASEAN VN mulls move for port investments CONTAINER loading and un- Cong said container loading online sale day kicks loading service charges should and unloading charges need- be increased to approach the ed to increase to be equiva- regional level so investors lent to 60-70 per cent of the off, SMEs in limelight would not feel hesitant when regional average by 2025 and pouring money into develop- to approach the regional level THE first-ever ASEAN On- demic, e-commerce is a ing seaports. after that, or at least equiva- line Sale Day (AOSD) was bright spot of growth as more The proposal was raised at a lent to Cambodia’s. launched on Saturday at ase- consumers and businesses recent online conference held Cong stressed the increases anonlinesaleday.com, gath- are switching to online trans- by the Vietnam Maritime Ad- were only in ceiling prices, ering some 150 regional firms actions. ministration to discuss mea- meaning shipowners could who offer goods and services The AOSD aims to encour- sures to remove difficulties for have the room for negotia- at promotional prices. age the trend and increase seaport and marine transpor- tions. Initiated by Vietnam as interaction between con- tation companies. Cong also asked the Vietnam chair of ASEAN this year, the sumers and businesses for Statistics showed container Maritime Administration to event marks the founding more transactions in a safe loading and unloading servic- develop an appropriate frame anniversary of the bloc (Au- manner, while assisting ef- es charges of seaports in Viet- for seaport services charges to gust 8) and aims to promote forts of member countries to nam were much lower than Container loading and unloading service charges in Vietnam are about ensure companies would have cross-border e-commerce create optimal conditions for other regional countries. $33-53 per 20ft container and $57-98 per 40ft container. VIETNAM NEWS funds for reinvestment and AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS within the grouping, Viet- trade and e-commerce, and Vietnam Ship Agents and upgrades of infrastructure. nam’s Ministry of Industry increase the digital integra- Brokers Association deputy have funds for expanding charges should be appropri- Cong said the ministry and Trade’s Department of tion as well as the confidence secretary-general Nhu Dinh investment and improving ate to make up for the costs would make efforts to com- E-Commerce and Digital of ASEAN businesses, includ- Thien said the charges were quality. of seaport companies while plete the draft amending Economy. ing small and medium-sized about $33-53 per 20ft con- The charges should also not significantly pushing up Circular 54/2018/TT-BGTVT This is a good chance for enterprises (SMEs). tainer and $57-98 per 40ft be attractive enough to draw logistics costs. about seaport services charg- businesses from ASEAN According to a survey by container. In comparison, investors to seaport develop- Vietnam Shipowners’ Asso- es and submit it to the gov- member countries to intro- Bain&Company in 2017, Thailand charges around $59 ment, he said. ciation secretary-general Bui ernment for issuance before duce their products and in- ASEAN’s digital economy will per 20ft container and $91 He proposed container Van Trung said appropriate January 1, 2021. crease sales through e-com- make up 8.5 per cent of re- per 40ft container, Singapore loading and unloading ser- container loading and un- In the first half of this year, merce amidst the Covid-19 gional gross domestic prod- $111 and $159 and Cambodia vices charges be increased loading services changes were more than 339 million tonnes pandemic. uct (GDP) in 2025, much $65 and $95, respectively. by 10 per cent, starting from important to attract invest- of cargo were shipped through This is also an opportunity higher than 1.3 per cent in Hai Phong Port director- next year, then a 10 per cent ment to develop seaports. seaports in Vietnam, up by for consumers in ASEAN to 2015. general Nguyen Tuong Anh increase every two years. The charges should be ad- seven per cent against the experience online shopping AOSD will be held annually said with such low services Thien said the charges justed to gradually approach same period last year, statis- in an open, safe and quality on August 8 as a chance to charges, it would be difficult should be raised by 10 per regional levels, Trung said. tics of the Vietnam Maritime market under the supervi- promote digital trade in the for ports to have funds for cent from next year and an- Deputy Minister of Trans- Administration showed. sion of governments. region and strengthen coop- re-investment and improving other 10 per cent in 2022 and port Nguyen Van Cong said The capacity of Vietnam’s Experts have predicted that eration among relevant par- services quality. 2023. that increasing seaport ser- seaport system increased from ASEAN’s e-commerce sector ties, including the partner- Tuong Anh said it was nec- Vietnam Shippers’ Council vices charges was necessary 73 million tonnes of cargo in will triple its scale to $300 ship between state agencies, essary to raise container load- secretary-general Phan Thong given the significant gaps in 2000 to currently 650-700 mil- billion in 2025. businesses and consumers. ing and unloading services said the increases in load- services fees with other coun- lion tonnes. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA In the context of the pan- VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK charges so seaports could ing and unloading services tries in the region. NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST August 11 , 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus Banking Sathapana Mobile app award shows bank’s future is strong With Sathapana Bank having been recognised for the huge advances made since becoming a commercial bank in 2016 with a number of prestigious international awards – including for its mobile app – CEO Lim Aun tells The Post about the significance of these awards, the financial institution’s continuing embrace of technology and its future plans.

We hear a lot about ‘digital Q transformation’ and a lot of buzzwords that go with that. But what does it mean practically for your customers?

There is indeed a lot of “trendy” talk around digital transformation, but I am con- fident that our transformation into a digital-first bank is more than just talk as we are seeing What awards have you the changes that this is bring- Q received and what does ing to people’s lives. this mean to you? One straightforward exam- These awards are a milestone ple is opening a bank account. Sathapana Bank’s new headquarters located on Norodom Boulevard, on the corner of Street 172, is set to be completed later this year. in the development of Sathapa- This used to be a very time- na Bank as a leading commer- consuming process where you very fast here. There is still a ernment’s efforts. For example, We are also strongly pro- to make sure people are aware cial bank and a major player in had to visit a bank’s physical lot of work to do, but I sense a with our mobile app, customers moting contactless payment of this wherever they are in the Cambodia’s digital economy. branch to fill in lots of paper- real commitment in the public can conveniently and securely through our Sathapana Visa country. Sathapana Mobile was re- work before being approved for and private sectors to support pay through a QR code. Contactless. Customers can cently named Cambodia’s Most a new account. the development of a digital Transferring funds is also pay things without having to How have you adapted Q Innovative Retail Banking App Now with Sathapana Mobile, economy. easily done via QR code as well handle cash or to be in contact your operations in in the 2020 Global Banking and you can open a basic bank ac- There are an amazing num- as using the recipient’s phone with anything. response to the Covid-19 Finance Awards, while Sathap- count directly from your mobile ber of cutting edge fintech com- number. pandemic? ana Bank itself was named phone, and within minutes of panies growing up in Cambodia What is more, with Sathap- You say more needs to be Of course, the coronavirus Q Cambodia’s Most Innovative starting the process you can to meet people’s daily needs. ana Mobile, customers can pay done. What sort of has changed the way we look Digital Bank at the International start paying bills, transferring At Sathapana Bank, we have their electricity, water supply, measures should be taken to at the world around us, and Finance Awards 2020. money or topping up a mobile introduced digital payment waste disposal and other bills bring more people into the at Sathapana Bank we have Earlier this year, the bank phone all from the app. services in support of the gov- anywhere, at any time. digital economy? focused on ensuring the safety won the Cambodia Best Em- The time saving, the conve- It’s really about financial of our staff and customers ployer Brand 2020. Of course, nience and the security of using literacy and educating people by closely adhering to social we are delighted to receive technology like this is of im- about the benefits of enter- distancing and health and these awards and happy for this mense benefit to our customers. ing the formal financial sector hygiene guidelines in our of- recognition of the digital in- through bank accounts, mobile fices and branches across the novations we have put directly In a developing country like wallets, and so on. country. Q in the hands of our customers Cambodia, it seems that By doing this, people have The bigger piece of work through Sathapana Mobile. many people remain reluctant to time and money-saving op- is in supporting our custom- It is credit to the hard work embrace digital technology and portunities that don’t exist ers through these challenging and dedication of our team, still prefer using cash. How are when still using cash. Mobile economic times, and we have and of our shared vision to you trying to change that? phone ownership is extremely been very proactive in engag- transform our business for the That’s true everywhere in high here, and networks cover ing with customers to under- 21st century. the world, even in the most the whole country with very stand the challenges they face developed economies like the competitive data rates, which and to search for solutions that How do these awards US, where contactless pay- is a very good measure of the can help sustain businesses and Q reflect Sathapana Bank’s ment solutions have only really potential for digital finance. families through difficulties. growth since its inception? started catching on since the So all stakeholders in the While it was not specifi- From a microfinance institu- Covid-19 pandemic struck. government and the private cally designed to help people tion that grew up in what was Until this year, American sector need to continue our ef- socially distance, one of the a very different country back consumers were extremely forts to engage with customers unintended benefits of creating in 1995 to a leading digital- reluctant to use these more and highlight the advantages of our market-leading app has first bank that is supporting secure and convenient systems digital financial services. been to allow people to man- the development of Cambodia’s because cash was still king. With Sathapana Mobile, age their finances wherever digital economy, this has been In Cambodia, we have for example, money transfers, they are without needing to quite a journey. leapfrogged this situation bill payments, mobile phone visit a physical bank branch or But the journey is still and thanks to great efforts top-ups and many of the other handle physical cash. only just beginning, and from private sector companies app’s features are entirely free. The fact that most of the we are constantly exploring as well as from the govern- When you compare that to features in our app are avail- ways in which technology ment and the National Bank spending time and money able without fees is also a way can improve our services to of Cambodia, the adoption of going to a bank branch or a of showing our support to our customers and the efficiency cashless payment solutions money transfer agent, the ben- customers by reducing their of our operations. and digital banking has been Sathapana Bank CEO Lim Aun. efits are evident, and we want costs even in a small way. 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com World Pressure mounts on Lebanese gov’t Hong Kong WO members of Lebanon’s police raid government have quit over a deadly blast that unleashed public rage against the newspaper, country’sT ruling class, with protesters and police fighting running battles in the capital for a second day. arrest owner As hopes faded of finding any survivors of the August 4 explosion, HONG Kong pro-democracy media information minister Manal Abdel mogul Jimmy Lai on Monday was Samad and environment minister arrested on suspicion of breaching the Damianos Kattar both announced national security law for the Hong Kong their resignations on Sunday, in a fur- Special Administrative Region and ther hit to the embattled government police raided his newspaper offices. of Prime Minister Hassan Diab. Lai was among 10 arrested in an Calling the explosion an “enor- operation focused on his Next Media mous catastrophe”, Kattar said he publishing group, the latest to target had lost hope in a “sterile regime dissidents since Beijing imposed the that botched several opportunities”. law on Hong Kong at the end of June. Several members of Parliament also Among the others arrested were quit and local media reported Diab two of Lai’s sons, young pro-democ- was mulling announcing the entire racy activist Agnes Chow and Wilson government’s resignation, a day after Li, a former activist who describes protesters briefly occupied and ran- himself as a freelance journalist sacked government ministries. working for Britain’s ITV News. Hundreds gathered again in and Mark Simon, a close aide of Lai’s around Martyrs’ Square, a short said: “They arrested him at his house walk from the port where the dev- at about 7am.” astating explosion occurred, killing Protesters say the disaster could not have happened without the corruption and incompetence that have come to define Lebanon’s In a statement, police said seven peo- at least 158 people and injuring a ruling class. AFP ple, aged from 39 to 72, were detained staggering 6,000, many bloodied by pened without the corruption and Saturday’s violence injured 65 peo- The donors also offered support on suspicion of colluding with foreign flying glass. incompetence that have come to ple, the Lebanese Red Cross reported, for an “impartial, credible and in- forces – one of the new national secu- “Those who died paid the price of define Lebanon’s ruling class. while lawyers supporting protesters dependent inquiry” into the disas- rity offences – and fraud. a state that doesn’t care about any- A picture went viral online show- said security forces made 20 arrests. ter – something Lebanese President Journalists working at Lai’s Apple thing except power and money,” said ing the city’s devastated port, with The August 4 explosion came as Leb- Michel Aoun has dismissed, saying Daily newspaper took to Facebook to protester Tamara, 23, whose friend a low wall in the foreground bear- anon was already reeling from an eco- it would only “dilute the truth”. broadcast images of police officers Rawan, 20, was killed in the blast. ing the spray-painted message: “My nomic crisis that has seen its currency US President Donald Trump conducting the raid. “It’s not enough that ministers re- government did this.” collapse, plunging swathes of its popu- urged Lebanese authorities “to In the footage, the newspaper’s sign,” said her friend Michel. The disaster has revived anger at a rul- lation into poverty, and struggling with conduct a full and transparent in- editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong “Those who put the explosives ing class seen as living in luxury while a spike in coronavirus cases. vestigation, in which the US stands can be seen demanding a warrant there must be held accountable. We millions endure job losses, deepening On Sunday, French President Em- ready to assist”. from officers. want an international tribunal to poverty, power blackouts and garbage manuel Macron oversaw a UN- The revelation that Lebanese state Law was filmed saying: “Tell your tell us who killed [Rawan].” mountains piling up in the streets. backed virtual donor conference that officials had long tolerated a ticking colleagues to keep their hands off Police later fired tear gas in an at- The Lebanese army had “fading pledged €250 million ($294 million) time-bomb in the heart of the capi- until our lawyers check the war- tempt to disperse protesters who hopes” of finding any more survi- in aid for the cash-strapped coun- tal has served as shocking proof to rant.” hurled stones and let off fireworks vors, Colonel Roger Khoury told re- try, where some 300,000 people were many Lebanese of the rot at the core Apple’s staff were ordered to leave near a street leading to parliament, porters on Sunday. rendered homeless by the disaster. of the state apparatus. their seats and line up so police could correspondents said. Human Rights Watch’s Lebanon re- In a joint statement, donors pledged Diab said on Saturday he would check their identities as officers con- Many wore helmets and gas masks, searcher Aya Majzoub said some securi- the assistance would be “directly de- propose early elections to break the ducted searches across the newsroom. some wielded makeshift shields and ty forces had indiscriminately fired tear livered to the Lebanese population” impasse that is plunging Lebanon At one point 72-year-old Lai was others rushed to pick up smoulder- gas and rubber bullets at protesters. under the supervision of the UN. ever deeper into political and eco- present, in handcuffs and surround- ing tear gas shells and threw them “Instead of deploying the army The UN said about $117 million would nomic crisis. ed by officers. back towards police. to help residents clear rubble from be needed over the next three months Parliament speaker Nabih Berri In a statement, police said the search While it is not known what started their homes, businesses, and com- for health services, emergency shelter, called a meeting of the legislature was conducted with a court warrant the fire that set off a huge stockpile munities, the Lebanese authorities food distribution and programmes to on Thursday “to question the gov- which they said was shown to staff. of ammonium nitrate, protesters chose to deploy them and other se- prevent the further spread of Covid-19, ernment on the crime that struck The security law was introduced in a say the disaster could not have hap- curity forces against protesters.” among other interventions. the capital”, state media said. AFP bid to quell last year’s huge and often violent pro-democracy protests and has sparked criticism from western nations and sanctions from the US. Lai’s Apple Daily and Next Maga- zine are unapologetically pro-de- Damaged Japan ship leaking oil ‘could split’ mocracy and critical of Beijing. Few Hong Kongers generate the A JAPANESE-OWNED ship that ran bracing for the worst. vice-president, Akihiko Ono, told Pressure is mounting on the govern- level of personal vitriol from Beijing aground off Mauritius leaking tonnes of “The cracks have grown. The situ- reporters in Tokyo. ment to explain why more was not that Lai does. oil into the ocean is cracking, the prime ation is even worse,” he told reporters But some fear the damage is already done in the two weeks since the bulker For many residents of the city, he is minister said on Sunday, threatening an late on Sunday. done. ran aground. The opposition has called an unlikely hero – a pugnacious, self- even greater ecological and economic “The risk of the boat breaking in Aerial images show the enormity of for the resignation of the environment made tabloid owner and the only disaster for the island nation. half still exists.” the disaster, with huge stretches of and fisheries ministers, while volun- tycoon willing to criticise Beijing. More than 1,000 tonnes of fuel has Japan on Sunday said it would send a crystal-clear seas around the teers have ignored an official order to But in China’s media he is a “trai- seeped from the bulk carrier MV six-member expert team to assist with marooned cargo ship stained a deep leave the clean-up operation to local tor”, the biggest “black hand” behind Wakashio into the azure sea off what Mauritius has declared an unprec- inky black. authorities, donning rubber gloves to last year’s protests and the head of a southeast Mauritius, befouling the edented environmental emergency. Thick muck has coated mangrove sift through the sludge. new “Gang of Four” conspiring with coral reefs, white-sand beaches and France also dispatched a naval ves- forests and unspoiled inlets up and Police boarded the Japanese-owned foreign nations to undermine the pristine lagoons that lure tourists sel, a military aircraft and technical down the coastline, exacting irrepa- but Panamanian-flagged Wakashio motherland. from around the globe. advisers from nearby Reunion Island rable harm and undoing years of on Sunday and seized the ship’s log Allegations of Lai colluding with But another 2,500 tonnes remain after Mauritius appealed for interna- painstaking conservation work, envi- book and black box as part of inves- foreigners went into overdrive last aboard the stricken vessel, which ran tional help. ronmental activists say. tigations into the disaster. year when he met with US Secretary aground on a reef on July 25 but only Thousands of volunteers, many The slick has already begun drifting The bulker struck a reef at Pointe of State Mike Pompeo and Vice-Pres- started oozing from a crack in the hull smeared head-to-toe in black sludge, have further up the coast, fanned along by d’Esny, an ecological jewel fringed by ident Mike Pence. in the past week. marshalled along the coastline, stringing strong winds and currents. idyllic beaches, colourful reefs, sanc- Two weeks before the new security Experts warn a further rupture together miles of improvised floating Vassen Kauppaymuthoo, an ocea- tuaries for rare and endemic wildlife, law was imposed on Hong Kong, Lai could unleash a spill that will be barriers made of straw in a desperate nographer and environmental engi- and unique RAMSAR-listed wetlands. said: “I’m prepared for prison. If it beyond catastrophic for the fragile attempt to hold back the oily tide. neer, said: “I think it’s already too late. Mauritius and its 1.3 million inhab- comes, I will have the opportunity to coastal ecosystem upon which Mau- Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, which operates If the ship breaks in two, the situation itants depend crucially on the sea for read books I haven’t read. The only ritius, and its economy, relies. the vessel owned by another Japanese will be out of control. ecotourism, having fostered a reputa- thing I can do is to be positive.” Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth company, promised on Sunday to “make “We’re talking about a major disas- tion as a conservation success story He brushed off the collusion allega- said response crews had managed to all-out efforts to resolve the case”. ter that is progressing, and it’s getting and a world-class destination for na- tions, saying Hong Kongers had a right stymie the leak for now, but were “We are sorry,” the shipping firm’s more complicated hour by hour.” ture lovers. AFP to meet with foreign politicians. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 ASEAN Automaker proposal to delay emissions Social media ‘a caps draws ire of Thai e-vehicle industry big challenge’ for A PROPOSAL by carmakers in Meanwhile, they want the and 6 emissions standards. Yossapong Laoonual said. Thailand to delay the introduc- Euro 5 and 6 standards for “The latest meeting of the He said: “Carmakers can- tion of the Euro 5 emissions trucks to start between 2026 National Environment Board not complain that adjusting standard is awaiting approval and 2030, respectively. agreed to delay the move for to emission standards is un- Lao development from the Cabinet after being Their proposal cited damage three years – a shorter period affordable since the cost of passed by the National Envi- to the auto industry from the than requested – and to not adapting to Euro 6 was 20,000 THE work of gathering people invade Laos again in 1946. ronment Board on July 20. economic impact of Covid-19. divide the policy into small/ baht [$640] per vehicle 14 from all ethnic groups togeth- The founding of the Lao The government plans to The National Environment large car groups.” years ago. Today that cost has er for Laos’ national develop- army began on January 20, impose Euro 5 and Euro 6 Board approved a three-year The move to delay drew op- reduced even further. ment effort and disseminat- 1949, at the base of the revo- standards on auto manufac- postponement for both cars position from Thailand’s elec- “They should also stop ing accurate information is lutionary movement within turers from 2021 and 2022, and lorries but said the sepa- tric vehicle industry. claiming that fuel services are becoming more challeng- the Mae Cave, located in the respectively. rate Euro 5 fuel standard will Postponing the introduction not ready, since many brands ing in the social media era, Laohoung-Phiengsa area of However, the Automotive start on the original date – of emissions standards would and models of Euro 5 and a senior official said late last Xiengkhor district, Huaphan Industry Club and the Fed- January 1, 2024. leave Thailand suffering Euro 6 vehicles are already week. province. eration of Thai Industries are A source told The Nation: PM2.5 air pollution problem available in Thailand for gen- Government spokesman Dr Subsequently, the united asking for the Euro 5 standard “Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan for at least another 10 years, eral use, including eco-cars Chaleun Yiapaoher made the people of Cambodia, Laos for cars to be delayed until and Ford are leading the push Electric Vehicle Association of and European cars.” THE NATION remarks at the Prime Minis- and Vietnam under the In- 2025 and Euro 6 until 2028. to delay adoption of Euro 5 Thailand honorary chairman (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK ter’s Office in the Lao capital dochinese Communist Party Vientiane on Friday while established a Neo Lao Issara speaking to the media about (Lao Free Front) on August celebrations for the 70th an- 13, 1950. niversary of the Lao Front for Meanwhile, in Vietnam, a National Development (Au- good friend and neighbour Plans to clean up the filthy gust 13). of Laos, Vietnamese soldiers He said social media had fought and defeated French become interwoven into forces at Dien Bien Fu. The modern life and was able to French were subsequently educate users about subjects forced to grant independence Citarum disrupted by Covid like scientific knowledge and to Vietnam, Laos and Cambo- more, but it also presented dia. problems for the nation via Following the decisive de- the spread of slanderous ma- feat of the French and the terial. Geneva Accord of 1954, they “More work needs to be also acknowledged the army done to educate people about of Laos, which had its base ongoing national develop- in the two provinces of Hua- ment,” he said, adding that phan and Phongsaly. the public needed to know to But only a few months lat- what is real and what are lies. er, new aggressors returned In addition, the media must to Laos, and the struggle for respond when someone is freedom began for a second slandering Laos via social time. The US started a cam- media about development paign of aerial bombardment and other matters. and Laos once more found it- “Bad actors always find the self under attack. country’s weak spots and post With the growth of the revo- false material on social media lutionary forces, on March 22, so the official media must ex- 1955, the Lao People’s Party, plain the facts to the public,” (today called the Lao People’s he said. Revolutionary Party), estab- Dr Chaleun gave a recent lished their stronghold in the example from YouTube, where caves and mountains of Hua- someone posted a video criti- phan province. cising the poor state of the In 1956, the Neo Lao Is- roads and questioned where sara was changed to the Neo the development in Laos was. Lao Hak Xard (Lao Patriotic “There are many impres- Front). In 1964, US bombard- sive projects underway in the ment intensified, and in the country, including the Laos- ensuing nine years, a total of China Railway and Vientiane- 580,000 bombing missions Vangvieng expressway. Why were conducted over Laos didn’t he film them?” the gov- during the Indochina War. Plans to rehabilitate the Citarum River in West Java, Indonesia’s dirtiest river, continue despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP ernment spokesman said. Viengxay in Huaphan prov- As a former vice-president ince’s history and the crucial ROJECTS to rehabilitate the Cit- grammes, including river basin rehabili- face out-of-court administrative penalties of the Lao Front for National role it played in the trium- arum River in West Java, Indone- tation, waste processing, law enforce- from the West Java authorities – from warn- Construction in 1979, Dr phant liberation of Laos in sia’s dirtiest river, continue de- ment and education for people living ings to sealing of facilities and suspension Chaleun Yiapaoher also gave 1975 is now a great source of spite disruptions caused by the along the river. of operations – and lawsuits at court. the media an explanation of interest among both domes- ongoingP Covid-19 pandemic. West Java secretary Setiawan Wang- The West Java administration has so the organisation’s history. tic and international visitors. Stretching 270km, the Citarum sup- saatmadja said that almost all of the pro- far imposed sanctions on at least 210 After years of battle against In 1979, the Neo Lao Hak Xard plies water to households and industries grammes were either underway or ready companies polluting the river, from a to- the French, Laos declared its was changed to the current Neo in West Java and Jakarta. It is also the to be rolled out when Covid-19 spread to tal of 468 companies on the 2019 watch independence to the world Lao Sang Xard or Lao Front for source of power for three hydroelectric the country in March. list, Setiawan said. on October 12, 1945, but the National Development. VIENTIANE plants that can generate a combined The virus crisis has since forced West Earlier this month, a team from the colonial power returned to TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 1,400MW of electricity. Java to reallocate most of its regional Citarum Harum project inspected a sec- Despite being crucial to at least 27 budgets to fund the Covid-19 response, tion of the river from Walahar to Klari in million people in the two provinces, the leaving the Citarum projects with shoe- West Java’s Karawang regency, following Citarum earned the status of being the string budgets and putting most of them reports that the water had been black most polluted river in the country for its on hold. and emitting a strong odour, and that alarming levels of toxic chemicals due to Setiawan told The Jakarta Post: “Our fish had died due to the pollution. industrial and household waste being action plans were made before Covid- The central government, through the dumped into it for a long time. 19. Whether we wanted it or not we had Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Responding to the ever-growing pollu- to review them.” has taken several companies to court tion of the river, President Joko “Jokowi” He said that of the planned 5.6 tril- for allegedly polluting the river, most re- Widodo established a restoration cam- lion rupiah ($380 million) budget for the cently PT How Are You Indonesia (HAYI), paign called the Citarum Harum in 2018. Citarum rehabilitation this year, only a company based in Cimahi, West Java. The campaign, led by the West Java around seven to 10 per cent of the mon- In February, the North Jakarta District governor, involves the central govern- ey was left for the programmes. Court found HAYI guilty of polluting the ment, local administrations, the police Preliminary data show that the Citar- environment, ordering the company to and even the military. um’s water quality has slightly improved pay 12 billion rupiah in environmental It aims to control and mitigate pollution due to reduced factory activity during damages. and environmental degradation in Cit- the pandemic and the rainy weather, “Neither side [the ministry nor HAYI] arum watershed areas to restore them to and, therefore, West Java was determined filed an appeal and the company is will- their original function. It has a seven-year to continue any feasible rehabilitation ing to pay compensation for the damages time frame with the target of improving programmes during the pandemic, Set- in instalments,” the ministry’s director for Government spokesman Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher said social media the river’s water quality by 2025. iawan said. dispute settlement Jasmin Ragil told the presents problems for Laos via the spread of slanderous material. The campaign lists up to 13 pro- Companies polluting the Citarum may Post. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK laogov.gov.la/VIENTIANE TIMES 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Opinion

www.phnompenhpost.com Deepen discussions on digital currency EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer could be left behind all of a Ly Tayseng Opinion sudden. Executive Editor-in-Chief Editorial On the other hand, there Joshua Purushotman are many problems and chal- Managing Editor Post Khmer ESEARCH on the lenges to be solved before Sam Rith issuance of digital issuing a central bank digital Deputy Chief of Staff currency by central Phak Seangly currency. Business Editor banks is progressing In digital currency transac- aroundR the world. tions, smartphones can be May Kunmakara Deputy Business Editor The Bank of Japan has set used. However, what about Sangeetha Amarthalingam up a new department to deal those who do not have Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk with the issue and started smartphones? What should Pan Simala full-fledged discussions. It be done to establish a system Senior Reporters has also begun joint research that can be used in the event Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng with five other central banks, of a loss of power due to a Reporters including the European Cen- disaster such as an earth- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, tral Bank. It is hoped that the quake? Long Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei, Bank of Japan will speed up If payments are made elec- Soth Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy, the examination of the chal- tronically, there is a possibili- Thou Vireak lenges so as not to fall behind ty that all the transaction the global trend. information could be held by Photographers Central bank digital cur- the Bank of Japan. Consider- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey rency refers to money that is ation for privacy will be a Web Editor exchanged with electronic major issue. Leang Phannara data instead of bills and It has been pointed out that Webmasters coins. Unlike e-money issued Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea if central bank digital curren- SIEM REAP BUREAU by private companies, central cy takes root, large amounts Offi ce Manager bank digital currency is char- of bank deposits will be Sophearith Blondeel acterised by being able to be A credit card-shaped silver coin (with a value of €19.18), which allows digital tokens to be traded, during a transferred, putting pressure press conference to present eurozone’s first central bank-produced digital coin last month. afp PRODUCTION & PRINTING used anywhere. on banks’ management. Head of Desktop Publishing If it spreads widely, the What influence will the digit- Nhim Sokphyrak costs of storing, transporting The Japanese government repeatedly exchange infor- huge economic bloc. By issu- al currency have on the Desktop Publishing and paying cash will specified in its Basic Policy on mation with other countries, ing the digital currency ahead entire monetary system? Pre- Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath decrease. It is expected to Economic and Fiscal Man- including the US. of other countries, China paring for cyber-attacks is Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna significantly streamline cor- agement and Reform that it What should be noted is apparently aims to counter also important. porate management. Con- would look into feasibility that China has started feasi- the dollar, the key currency. The Japanese government HEAD OFFICE sumers would also especially tests for central bank digital bility tests for issuing a digit- Sweden’s central bank has and the Bank of Japan need benefit from faster payments currency, among others. al renminbi. also started this kind of to deepen discussions on and remittances. Since users The US Federal Reserve China will initially use the experiment, while the measures to be taken in vari- do not need to touch cash, it Board, which is not involved digital currency domestically, National Bank of Cambodia ous possible cases in cooper- Post Media Co, Ltd. is useful to prevent novel in the joint research, has also but there is a view that it will issued a digital currency on a ation with private companies The Elements Condominium Level 7, coronavirus infections. acknowledged the need for be used to provide financial trial basis last year. engaged in the technological Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, If the system can be intro- such study. It is important for support to countries involved The digital sector is moving development of digital cur- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom duced smoothly, digitisation the Japanese government in the Belt and Road Initiative fast. If Japan’s response is rency. THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN)/ Penh, Cambodia of society will accelerate. and the Bank of Japan to that is intended to create a delayed, there is a fear that it ASIA NEWS NETWORK Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 SIEM REAP No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 Bright spot in a grim and gloomy picture COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT Chief Operating Offi cer CONSIDERING the grim global situa- increasingly larger proportion of total China International Fair for Trade in a country’s level of modernisation. James Ong Soon Teck tion because of the Covid-19 pan- trade. Services now account for 20 per Services next month. The fair has In this sense, the fast development Advertising Department demic, China’s services trade per- cent of total global trade, up from sev- become a major platform for pro- of its trade in services in recent years Chap Narith, 017 996 241 formance so far this year has been en per cent in 1970, and it is predicted moting the global trade in services reflects China’s continuous economic Hun Channet, 017 578 768 impressive. that services could account for about and played a major role in global upgrading. Prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 In the first five months of this year, 33 per cent of global trade by 2040. trade and investment facilitation. Chinese policymakers recognise the Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 the country’s services trade deficit, But facing the challenges posed by China’s trade in services has helped importance of the service sector and Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 which includes fields such as busi- the pandemic and trade protection- the country ward off the trade shocks they are advancing reforms to encour- Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 ness, financial, travel, entertainment ism, the world’s major trading powers caused by the global public health age greater private participation and CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION and education, narrowed by 285.15 need to work together to reduce their crisis and trade protectionism. It also investment in services and opening Acting Distribution Manager billion yuan ($41.1 billion) year-on- differences and work out solutions to caters to China’s efforts to upgrade its up more areas to foreign investment. Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 year to 350.08 billion yuan. continue to promote free trade. economic structure and pursue high- The fast development of China’s serv- Circulation Supervisor Last year, the value of China’s On China’s part, it has organised quality development. ices trade therefore bears significance Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 imports and exports of services various trade platforms, such as the Since it is highly related to the for overall global trade development, Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 reached $785 billion, the world’s sec- China International Import Expo and services industry and has high val- especially at a time when global trade ADMINISTRATION ond highest, making China a major the China Import and Export Fair ue added, the development of the activities have been greatly reduced by Admin & HR Manager contributor to the global develop- (Canton Fair), to facilitate trade trade in services accompanies a the spread of the novel coronavirus and Pich Socheat ment of the trade in services. exchanges despite the global trade Assistants to Admin & HR Manager country’s economic upgrading; the rise of anti-globalisation sentiment CHINA DAILY/ Nhel Soaphea Globally, trade in services has grown headwinds. therefore, trade in services is in some developed countries. ASIA NEWS NETWORK Financial Director at a fast pace and it accounts for an The country will host this year’s deemed to be a major barometer of 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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Kheng Sokkunthea she noticed female students missing class and at first, she FTER working to didn’t know why. promote menstrual She says: “The signs of peri- health and girls’ ed- od poverty were there right in ucation for several front of me. However, I failed years,A two women from dif- to identify the problem. Now ferent backgrounds and parts I recall how a handful of girls of the world united to start would miss school, some- looking for youth ambassa- times three or even four days dors and partners in Cambo- every month. dia to expand their vision of “With the growing interest protecting girls’ futures. in period poverty topics, I un- The Period Pride – Keep our derstand why the girls some- Girls in School campaign was times missed school and how devised by Trine Angeline Sig they must have felt. I know from Denmark and Thelma this one truth – we are the so- The Period Pride – Keep our Girls in School campaign aims to empower girls to stay in school while menstruating. supplied Mafukidze from Zimbabwe. lution to period poverty, and Pride team invited colleagues And it all started with a sim- we have always been the so- and friends to discuss infor- ple phone call. lution.” mation and ideas surround- As they spoke over the Mafukidze thought provid- ing the topic on WhatsApp. phone, they realised that ing menstrual hygiene prod- “It went very well as we had young girls around the world ucts would be one of the best 250-plus participants from are in desperate need for methods to ensure girls don’t across the globe made up of menstrual hygiene products. miss a day of school. mothers, girls, women and Their campaign aims to Through her work with the men who joined us in cel- tackle the negative social im- NGO Energy Globe Award, ebration of the Menstrual Hy- pacts associated with periods she had the opportunity to giene Day—the 28th of May,” and poverty among finan- learn about new innovative Sig says. cially disadvantaged com- sustainable technologies and Thanks to the celebration, munities by educating people products such as Safepad, a the group has increased in and raising menstrual health reusable sanitary pad which number, adding more people awareness. helps prevent infections. to the fight for healthy and The pair of social activists She says she believes prod- safe menstruation for girls officially launched their proj- ucts like these will help trans- and women to enable them ect on October 4, 2018. form the lives of many girls to chase their dreams. The 47-year-old Sig and 34- in need of infection-free and “In total, the event had 12 year-old Mafukidze believe sustainable hygiene kits. presenters over 12 hours. The that unless they give girls ac- Across the globe, Sig was presenters’ list was made up cess to women’s health edu- learning about the myths and of extraordinary, powerful cation and hygiene products, taboos surrounding men- and unique individuals from period poverty will continue struation which were leading all over the world,” Sig says. to be a major obstacle hin- to unfortunate consequences The team plans on using dering girls from reaching for girls. She learned that WhatsApp to enable more their full potential. some girls and women chose discussions on the topic and “We will not sit by and to stay home instead of at- find country-specific solu- watch period poverty hinder tending school or work. tions to the problem of girls our girls from realising their Sig says: “One of the causes Trine Angeline Sig has made it her mission to deliver sanitary pads to needy girls and women worldwide. supplied missing out on opportunities full academic potential ev- is a lack of access to sanitary simply because of a period. ery four days they menstru- pads, educational informa- Pride, Sig founded the compa- girls and women worldwide. Sig then teamed up with According to the co-found- ate,” the co-founders told The tion and/or proper sanitation. ny Real Relief with her friend “It is an innovative product Mafukidze to create Period ers, the campaign will help Post. The reusable sanitary pad ad- Torben Holm Larsen in 2014. that prevents infections while Pride and encourage females smooth out the physical and Mafukidze experienced dresses part of this problem Since then, they have deliv- also helping to prevent the to take pride in what they’re emotional transition from this issue firsthand when and Safepad offers a sterile ered more than one million social isolation of girls and born with. childhood to adulthood. she worked as a rural school and durable solution.” eco-friendly and infection- women in third-world coun- On World Menstrual Health The Period Pride team teacher in 2009. Each month, Before co-founding Period free sanitary pads to needy tries,” Sig says. Day on May 28, the Period wants to expand their cover- age globally and Cambodian youths have been invited to get involved. “On WhatsApp, we can have ambassadors on board from both the adult’s and children’s groups. We are planning to have special groups for these ambassadors and provide them with a link once it’s out and ask those interested to register. Each month, the group will be given a task de- pending on their country and region,” they say. For more information visit periodpridecampaign.org, check out the group’s Face- book page: PeriodPride-kee- pourgirlsinschool or email Menstruation often comes with negative stigmas in poor, disadvantaged communities. supplied Thelma Mafukidze (left) says providing sanitary supplies will help keep girls in school. supplied [email protected]. 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Yogetsu Akasaka, a Buddhist monk and beatbox musician, at a cemetery after a religious ceremony in Shimoshizu, Chiba prefecture. afp Beatboxing for Buddha: Japan monk’s outreach HE music grows memorial services dried up. me if I wanted to become a gradually: first a snare “It was all cancelled. So I had monk and succeed him. And I drum-like beat, then no job, I had no income. And would say no, I was not inter- a throaty drone lay- to me, it was really a pain, but ested in it,” he said. eredT on top, followed by high- at the same time, I thought it But after he turned 30, Aka- pitched humming. And then was a really good opportunity saka began to reconsider as he “JUST HAVING PUN” the monk begins to chant the to think about myself or to thought more about the mean- heart sutra. think about the future of Bud- ing of life and death, and he ACROSS 50 Grammarian’s topic 13 OK Corral figure The unique musical expe- dhism,” he told AFP. eventually spent a little over two 1 Infant 51 Did some wool gathering 21 He gave us a lift rience is the work of Yogetsu “I was trying to find my own years training to be a monk. 5 ___ down (makes simpler) 54 Quebec’s ___ Saint-Jean 22 filming locale Akasaka, a Japanese musician way to deliver Buddhist teach- In Japan, it is not uncom- 10 Stick in one’s ___ (rankle) 56 Rings loudly, as a bell 25 Chocolate source and formally trained Buddhist ings to people not only in Japan mon for monks to fulfil reli- 14 Eye up and down 57 Be an abusive chef? 26 Run ___ (go wild) monk who has become a vi- but also all over the world.” gious duties and maintain a 15 Burn, as energy 63 “Tat-tat” preceder 27 Outfielder’s call ral phenomenon with tracks non-religious career, like Aka- 16 australian parrot 64 poem with 17 syllables 28 Revival meeting shout marrying religious chanting Changing views saka’s work as a musician. 17 “Now hold on!” 65 High-pitched woodwind 29 Vegetarians’ dinner prep, say 66 Eager-beaverish with beatboxing. Akasaka has long been in- Recently he has organised 18 attempt again 31 River in Missouri 67 Valuable or useful possession His Heart Sutra Looping Re- terested both in music and livestreaming sessions of his 19 Mental germ 33 aquarium growth 20 What the cowboy-turned-carpen- 68 prepare, as tuna in a pan 36 Speedy cat mix, featuring the 37-year-old religion. music, soliciting donations ter used? 69 Strong inclinations 37 Do a batting-practice chore dressed in the formal robes He began beatboxing to help see him through the 22 plumb tuckered out 70 The ones here 38 Sea eagle variety worn by Buddhist monks at around 15 years ago, buying pandemic. 23 Letter following sigma 71 Jekyll’s inner man? 41 Ready money funerals, has been viewed a looping machine in 2009 But he also hopes that by 24 floe-breaking vessel DOWN 46 Good fortune on YouTube more than half to help him build layered combining his two passions, 26 Super-fine fiddle 1 They’re taken onstage 48 168 in a wk. a million times since it was sounds, and during years he can offer a fresh perspec- 30 Kind of salad or chips 2 Turkish honorific 49 Quenches, as a thirst posted in May. spent in the United States tive on Buddhism to younger 32 Champagne and orange juice 3 Command to Gabriel 51 Roll-on alternative The seven-minute video was and Australia he occasionally people, particularly in Japan, drink 4 “Totally” 52 Throw, as a shot put filmed in a studio, and shows busked to make money. where he says the religion is 34 attack, to a dog 5 Sorghum variety 53 Use room service 6 Exhausts, as a supply Akasaka layering sounds via a He came to religion a little largely associated with death 35 part of a church, say 55 Less than 90 degrees, anglewise 39 Small banknotes 7 parcel beatbox device called a Loop- later, initially rejecting sug- and funeral rites. 58 ascent 40 Dalai Lama’s city 8 painful inflammation, as of the 59 Grandly appointed station and then chanting the gestions from his father – who “Most of them believe Bud- 42 German industrial valley shoulder religious text on top. became a Buddhist monk in dhism is something for a per- 60 Take heed 43 Belonging to Barbie’s old beau 9 Double agent 61 pond dweller The idea came to him dur- his 50s, when Akasaka was in son who died already. But it’s 44 Curtail one’s freedom of speech 10 Be a schoolhouse thief 62 Bone-dry ing the state of emergency im- high school. actually not,” he said. 45 “The ___ and the Sea” 11 Cowboy contest 64 Magician’s prop posed in Japan over the coro- “In Japan, it’s very common “So maybe, if my music at- 47 Stock units 12 Sports palace navirus pandemic, when both that the son of a priest suc- tracts younger people, it will be his work as a musician and a ceeds their father . . . And so a good opportunity for them to Monday’s solution monk overseeing funeral and my father sometimes asked know about Buddhism.” afp

Monday’s solution

Akasaka presenting a live stream beatboxing performance at his home in Tokyo. afp THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Rookie Binder wins Czech MotoGP on ‘insane’ bike

RAD BINDER cre- first two rounds of the sea- ated a series of firsts son and world championship as he won the Czech leader, finished seventh to MotoGP on Sunday increase his lead in the riders’ toB make come true “a day I standings to 17 points over dreamed about since I was a Spaniard Maverick Vinales little boy”. (Yamaha) who was only 14th It was the 24-year-old Bind- in the GP. er’s first MotoGP win in only With reigning champion his third race in the elite divi- Marc Marquez still absent sion, it was also a first victory nursing a broken arm, Binder at this level by a South African followed Quartararo in grab- and for the KTM team. bing his chance. Binder opened his MotoGP Binder was the first rookie South Africa rookie rider Brad Binder tore up the Czech Grand Prix in Brno with a win in only his third race in the elite division. afp account at the main expense MotoGP winner since Mar- of Italian Franco Morbidelli quez in 2013 and he was fol- “I won’t do anything silly and The officials judged the In Moto2, Italian Enea Bas- onship lead. on Yamaha’s satellite SRT bike lowed home by two more sur- try to bring the bike to the end Frenchman was at fault and tianini of Kalex led from start A second Honda rider, the and Frenchman Johan Zarco prising front-runners. and catch my first podium.” he had to ride a ‘long lap’ to finish to claim a second Japanese Ai Ogura, came on a Ducati-Avintia who For Morbidelli it was a first Zarco started from pole but which meant following an straight victory and climb to third for his second podium came third. podium finish. dropped down the field with a outside lane on the big sev- the top of the world champi- of the season. “My team put an absolutely “It was a nice race overall, I poor start. He held on to third enth turn. onships. The motorcycling caravan insane motorbike underneath started well, I did what was in despite disintegrating tyres “When I did the long lap, I Britain’s Sam Lowes was heads to Austria for two events me this weekend,” said Bind- my plan, to make my rhythm and a penalty imposed for a expected three riders to over- second while Joe Roberts of at the Red Bull Ring in Spiel- er. “I had no idea we were ca- and don’t overcook the tyres,” collision with Pol Esparago take me. No one overtook and the US third. berg on August 16 and 23. pable of winning but I had a he said. which put the Spanish KTM at that moment, I said, OK Another Italian, Dennis The MotoGP field will again feeling it could be good.” Afer Binder overtook him man out of the race. that can be good,” Zarco said. Foggia of Honda, won his be without the recuperating Behind closed doors on a on lap 13 and pulled clear, “He went wide. I was in, keep- While it was Zarco’s seventh first Grand Prix in the third Marquez as well as Italian Fran- hot and sunny afternoon, Morbidelli concentrated on ing the line and when we touch,” podium it was a first for Avin- tier Moto3 level earlier, while cesco Bagnaia (Ducati-Pramac), Frenchman Fabio Quartararo preserving his first podium said Zarco. “I did not expect it tia the team he joined after he second placed Albert Arenas who fell in practice at Brno on (Yamaha-SRT), winner of the finish. and I think that he crashed.” struggled with KTM last season. extended his world champi- Friday and broke a leg. afp Vegas, Philadelphia capture top seeds in NHL conference playoffs

ALEX TUCH’S overtime goal gave the Vegas Golden Knights a 4-3 vic- tory over Colorado on Saturday and a Western Conference top seed in the National Hockey League play- offs. Joining Vegas with the preferred paths in the Stanley Cup chase were the Philadelphia Flyers, who got two first-period goals from Nicolas Houston and Oakland cleared the benches after A’s centerfielder Ramon Laureano Aube-Kubel in beating Tampa Bay was hit by a pitch and charged the dugout. afp 4-1 to capture the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Both winners completed an un- Astros, A’s clear benches beaten run through seeding round play in the NHL Covid-19 quaran- tine bubbles, at Edmonton in the after Laureano hit by pitch West and Toronto in the East, and THE Houston Astros were involved ers pitcher Joe Kelly was banned for became the teams to beat when the in a bench-clearing incident for the eight games after his fiery display playoffs begin on Tuesday. second time this season on Sunday against the Astros last month. Tuch beat Avalanche goaltender after Oakland Athletics batter Ra- Kelly had triggered a bench-clear- Philipp Grubauer high to the far mon Laureano was hit by a pitch and ing standoff after appearing to aim right corner for his third goal in as charged the dugout. two pitches at Astros batters. many games with 16 seconds re- Alex Tuch (bottom) scores the winning goal against Colorado in overtime to give the The Astros, who were found guilty Major League Baseball has warned maining in overtime to give Vegas Vegas Golden Knights the top seed in the Western Conference. afp of an elaborate cheating scandal dur- teams against physical confrontations the victory. ing their 2017 World Series-winning this year, citing the risks of Covid-19. “I was shooting short side all game Colorado will face 11th seed Ari- the 24 bubble teams. season, had already been involved in Players across the league had so I thought I would change it up a zona, which ousted Nashville in Tampa Bay’s first-round opponent a stormy clash with the Los Angeles voiced their frustration at the pun- little bit,” Tuch said. qualifying. will be the winner of Sunday’s quali- Dodgers last month. ishment meted out to the Astros over Colorado’s J.T. Compher equalized Philadelphia 21-year-old goal- fying finale between Columbus and On Sunday, Athletics centerfielder their sign-stealing cheating scandal. with 62 seconds remaining in regu- tender Carter Hart made 23 saves Toronto. Laureano lost his cool after being The revelations stunned the world of lation time to force the extra period, to send the Lightning to their first Sunday’s other games will decide struck by a pitch from the Astros’ baseball, and ultimately led to the sus- only to watch as Vegas advanced. bubble loss. the third and fourth seeds, with Bos- Humberto Castellanos during the pension and dismissal of Astros general The Golden Knights booked a best- “We played really hard,” Hart said. ton playing Washington in the East seventh inning. manager Jeff Luhnow and field manag- of-seven opening series against the “All the lines are rolling. All the D are and Dallas facing defending cham- Laureano appeared to take umbrage at er A.J. Hinch. The team was also fined 12th-seeded Blackhawks, who have rolling. We did a great job in there. pion St. Louis in the West. some remarks shouted from the dugout $5 million (4.24 million euros), the won the Cup in three of the past 10 We got in a lot of work. It’s showing The Washington-Boston winner by Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron. maximum allowable under MLB rules. seasons. They upset Edmonton in right now.” will meet the New York Islanders in Laureano removed his helmet and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred qualifying. The Flyers, who were fourth in the first round of the East playoffs sprinted towards Cintron, prompt- resisted calls to strip the Astros of the “The Blackhawks have a lot of Stan- the East when the season was shut while the loser gets Carolina in the ing a prolonged melee involving title, however, and also failed to levy ley Cup experience, a lot of top players down, will open the playoffs against opening round. multiple players from both sides. punishments against multiple Hous- and a world-class goalkeeper in [Corey] 12th seed Montreal, a shock qualify- In the West, the Dallas-St. Louis win- The flashpoint will almost certainly ton players who admitted their part Crawford,” Tuch said. “So we’ve got to ing winner over Pittsburgh after the ner will open against Calgary while lead to lengthy suspensions. Dodg- in the cheating plot. afp put a lot of pucks on the net.” Canadiens had the worst record of the loser meets Vancouver. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 11, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Morikawa, 23, takes PGA Championship

OLLIN MORIKAWA tie Scheffler all finished in a tie for claimed his first major fourth, three shots adrift of Morika- championship on Sunday, wa. delivering a magical eagle Heading into the final round there onC the 16th hole in a bogey-free were 10 players within three shots round of 64 at the 2020 PGA Cham- of the lead. The packed leaderboard pionship. continued throughout Sunday’s The 23-year-old, who turned pro round as it looked like any of a half a just 14 months ago, did the unthink- dozen players could emerge victori- able by winning in just his second ous. career major appearance. When Johnson made the turn after Morikawa, who is ranked 12th in his ninth hole he was tied with three the world, eventually finished at 13- others for the lead at 10-under. They under 267 at TPC Harding Park in were soon joined by others making San Francisco. it a six-way tie for the lead on the “It’s amazing. It’s been a life goal, back nine. obviously as a little kid, kind of watching everyone grow up, all these Sweet 16th professionals, and this is always Morikawa put it all together in the what I’ve wanted to do,” Morikawa fourth round, keeping pace with the said. “I felt very comfortable from leaders throughout then emerging the start. from the pack late in the round. “As an amateur, junior golfer, turn- Morikawa had four birdies, in- ing professional last year, but to fi- cluding two in his first four holes as nally close it off and come out here he got off to a hot start. But it was his in San Francisco, pretty much my eagle at 16 that separated him from second home where I spent the last the tight pack at the top of the lead- four years, is pretty special,” added erboard. Morikawa, who grew up in Los An- On hole 16, he hit a 293-yard geles but went to college at UC tee shot onto the green, landing it Berkeley across the bay from San just seven feet from the flagstick. Francisco. Morikawa made the putt to move to Collin Morikawa, playing in only his second major, was perfect down the stretch in San Francisco. afp “It was going to take a very, very 13-under. good round today, and I knew with Johnson birdied his final hole, on 16 to make eagle, you have to tip over 74. solid round going on Sunday but fin- the leaderboard the way it was look- while Casey, who was trying to be- your cap. When he popped up on Tiger Woods rebounded from a ished with a double bogey on 18. ing and everyone out there, you just come the first Englishman to win the tour not that long ago, those guys frustrating third round to shoot a 67 Former world No1 Rory McIlroy had to play well.” PGA in 100 years, made par there. who were paying attention like my- and finish one-under for the tour- shot a closing 68 to reach two-under Third round leader Dustin John- “I played phenomenal golf and self knew that this was something nament. 278, 11 shots back of Morikawa. son had to settle for a tie for second there’s nothing I would change,” special, and he’s proved it today.” Woods struggled on the greens It is the first major since the sea- with England’s Paul Casey. Johnson said Casey. “I’m very, very happy Brooks Koepka failed in his bid for early in the tournament but found son was placed on hold due to the shot a 68 and Casey closed with a 66 with how I played. Great attitude. a historic three-peat. The two-time his putting groove Sunday, needing Covid-19 outbreak. Because of the to reach 11-under 269. Stayed very calm and stayed in the defending PGA champion got off to just 21 putts in the fourth round. coronavirus restrictions the tourna- Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Bryson present. a woeful start with four bogeys on China No1 Li Haotong shot a 69 for ment took place with no fans, which DeChambeau, Tony Finau and Scot- “The glorious shots Collin hit, like the front nine en route to a four- a six-under 274 total. Li had another was a first. afp Lillard scores 51 in Portland win over battered Sixers

PORTLAND’S DAMIAN LIL- unleashed the 10th 50-point tiny. I thought we answered ers coach Terry Stotts said. “I The Blazers (33-39) and in 27 minutes from star rook- LARD poured in 51 points performance of his career the call down the stretch.” don’t think anybody was con- Memphis (33-38) are trying to ie Zion Williamson. against a Philadelphia team and fifth of the season to pull Lillard hit 16-of-28 shots cerned about how he was go- hold off San Antonio (31-38) “They kept fighting. We had missing injured stars Joel Em- Portland within a half-game from the floor, four-of-12 ing to come out tonight.” and Phoenix (31-39) for spots to step it up,” DeRozan said. biid and Ben Simmons, pow- of Memphis for eighth in the from three-point range, and Cameroon forward Embiid in next weekend’s play-in series “I knew, being a close game ering the Trail Blazers to a Western Conference playoff 15-of-16 from the free throw was removed from the game for the last West playoff berth. in the fourth quarter, I was 124-121 NBA victory Sunday. fight. line and dished out a game- for medical evaluation with Portland’s win eliminated New going to have to be aggressive Lillard, taunted on social “This was different because high seven assists. a left ankle injury at only 5:42 Orleans and Sacramento. and I made my shots.” media after two key missed our season was on the line,” “He just showed the de- into the first quarter after “Our fight and competitive Jayson Tatum scored 29 free throws in a Saturday loss Lillard said. “We drop this one termination he has showed landing awkwardly near the spirit is where it needs to be,” points, five in the final min- to the Los Angeles Clippers, and we don’t control our des- throughout his career,” Blaz- bottom of a basket stanchion. Lillard said. “Eventually (at- ute of regulation time and five He didn’t return and there tention to detail) will come, more in overtime, to spark the was no immediate update on but we don’t have the luxury Boston Celtics over Orlando his status. of having that time.” 122-119. The setback came as the Cameroon playmaker Pas- Tatum’s 3-pointer with 37 Sixers (42-28) coped with cal Siakam scored a game- seconds to play in the fourth Wednesday’s loss of All-Star high 26 points to spark To- and a basket with 4.2 seconds Aussie guard Simmons, who ronto over Memphis 108-99, remaining in the fourth forced will undergo left knee surgery clinching the second seed in over-time at 112-112. after suffering a temporary the Eastern Conference play- He then had half of the Celt- kneecap dislocation. offs for the defending cham- ics’ 10 points in the extra five Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic sank pion Raptors (50-19). minutes to secure victory for two free throws with 10 sec- Memphis, led by 25 points the 47-23 East third seeds as onds remaining for the final from Dillon Brooks, missed Orlando fell to 32-39. margin. Josh Richardson, who a chance to clinch a play-in Brooklyn’s Caris LeVert led the Sixers with 34 points, series berth. The Grizzlies are scored 27 points and Joe Harris missed a three-pointer and 1-5 in bubble games. added 25 to lead the Nets over the rebound was batted the Los Angeles Clippers 129- around to the final buzzer. Spurs hang tough 120. The Clippers fell despite “This was a tough win but San Antonio, trying to reach 39 points from Kawhi Leonard. we’ll take it,” Blazers forward the playoffs for a 23rd consec- Reserve Austin Rivers scored Carmelo Anthony said. “We utive season, pulled within a 41 points and James Harden just had to tough it out.” game of Memphis by beating added 32 as the Houston Rock- All games are being played New Orleans 122-113. ets ripped Sacramento 129-112. without spectators in a quar- DeMar DeRozan scored 15 Darius Bazley scored 23 antine bubble at Walt Disney of his 27 points in the fourth points off the bench and Da- World in Orlando, Florida, quarter to ignite the Spurs’ at- nilo Gallinari added 20 to after Covid-19 shut down the tack and subdue the stubborn power Oklahoma City over Blazers guard Damian Lillard took it to Philadelphia and dropped 51 points in a much-needed win. afp NBA season March 11. Pelicans, who had 25 points Washington 121-103. afp