No Provincial Quarantine

Friday, may 7, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3658 / 4000 RIEL PM: No provincial quarantine

Mom Kunthear lockdown of Phnom Penh and adja- The prime minister advised that one who travels across your province. “If every province requires 14-day cent Takmao-town in Kandal province, only those suspected of having con- If you require this, it is like our people quarantine, it is no different from RIME Minister Hun Sen has some provincial governors had issued tracted the virus be placed in quaran- are living in cages,” he said. dividing Cambodia into 25 separate instructed provincial authori- directives mandating 14-day quarantine and ordered provincial governors The provinces that have already is- countries that require quarantines ties to refrain from imposing a tine for those entering their provinces. who had introduced this requirement sued such directives have to revise when going from one to the other,” mandatory 14-day quarantine “Doing this is tantamount to form- to revise it immediately as it could in- them immediately in order to ease he said, referring to the capital and 24 forP people entering their territories. The ing a state within a state. It’s like if I terrupt people’s movements. people’s ability to travel. He made it provinces across the country. “If you measure, he said, should only apply to went to Indonesia and I’d have to un- “Quarantine should be applied only clear that what he said did not imply require this, how can we survive?” those suspected of carrying Covid-19. dergo quarantine for 14 days. If we do to those who are suspected to be at that they should ease all of the preven- Quarantine requirement for In an audio message on May 6, he this, it’s like we are placing the whole high risk of being infected with Covid- tive measures, but just enable people said that after the government lifted the country under lockdown,” he said. 19. It should not be applied to every- to travel anywhere in the country. Continued – page 2

Sino-Australia key economic dialogue put in cold storage

CHINA on May 6 cut off a channel for dip- lomatic and trade talks with Australia. The China-Australia Strategic Eco- nomic Dialogue was pulled “based on the current attitude” of the Australian government, China’s National Devel- opment and Reform Commission said in a statement, blaming some officials of a “Cold War mindset” and “ideo- logical discrimination”. Beijing will “indefinitely suspend all activities under the framework” of the agreement, the statement said, without revealing what specific measures prompted the move. China – Australia’s biggest trading partner – has already imposed tariffs or disrupted more than a dozen key industries, including wine, barley and coal, decimating exports. Australia called the decision “disappointing”, with trade minister Dan Tehan saying the dialogue had provided an important forum for the two countries – though he added that no such talks had taken place since 2017. It was not immediately clear if the Business not as usual row would impact on a free-trade Traffic starts to pick up in Meanchey district on Thursday, on the first day of the capital’s return from lockdown.HEAN RANGSEY agreement between the two that came into effect in 2015. Canberra has previously described the avenue for talks – designed to boost trade between both sides and introduce large Chinese investors – as one of the “premier bilateral eco- Amro: GDP to grow 4.0% in 2021 nomic meetings with China”. On the same day, China criticised May Kunmakara pandemic, as well as the need for scores the need for the government’s “The economy contracted by 3.1 per New Zealand over “groundless” alle- faster vaccination and more target- strong response to contain the pan- cent in 2020 because of the global gations about the ill treatment of SINGAPORE-based ASEAN+3 Macr- ed and flexible policy measures to demic and speed up the vaccination coronavirus disease – Covid-19 – Uighurs, underlining Wellington’s oeconomic Research Office (Amro) on support recovery,” it said. rollout to achieve herd immunity”. pandemic. The government has re- struggle to find a middle ground May 6 projected the Cambodian econ- The regional economic surveil- The economic watchdog’s growth sponded quickly to the recent spike between its largest trading partner omy to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2021, lance unit made its preliminary projection matches up to that in cases, and we expect the econo- and its traditional Western allies. led by a robust recovery in manufac- assessment after its virtual Annual made by the Asian Development my to return to growth in 2021. The Chinese embassy in Wellington turing and supported by continued Consultation with Cambodian au- Bank (ADB) on April 28, which also “This will help increase house- said in a statement that the New Zealand fiscal stimulus by the government. thorities from April 19 to May 4. predicted a 5.5 per cent growth in hold incomes, but not all sectors parliament was meddling in matters “The Cambodian economy is ex- Amro lead specialist Dr Seung gross domestic product (GDP) for and regions will benefit equally, so that concerned China’s sovereignty. pected to return to positive growth Hyun “Luke” Hong noted that the 2022, as economic recoveries in it will be essential to closely moni- “This move grossly interferes in in 2021 after a contraction last year. forecast was despite disruptions in major trading partners boosts de- tor household welfare and the need China’s internal affairs and runs The recent surge in community domestic activity due to the recent mand for the Kingdom’s exports. for additional support,” she said. counter to international law and cases and lockdown highlight the lockdown, stressing that “the recent ADB country director for Cam- basic norms governing international continuing challenges from the spike in community cases under- bodia Sunniya Durrani-Jamal said: Continued – page 6 relations,” it said. AFP

Don’t miss our Taking stock of economic losses, Special Report starting with the garment sector Inside page 8-9 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Budget cuts for most of gov’t bodies coming due to Covid-19

Long Kimmarita moniroth stated in the circular that the cost-effective im- HE Ministry of Econ- plementation of the revised omy and Finance budget should be organised (MEF) has issued a to ensure the regular func- circular on the revi- tioning of state institutions sionT and strengthening of the and maintaining stability in national budget expenditures people’s lives. in 2021 because the lockdown Pornmoniroth said the con- measures in some geographi- servation of financial resourc- cal areas are having a general es was also to divert funds to impact on the 2021 National meet the urgent needs of the budget framework. government in the fight against According to the ministry, Covid-19, especially with the this crisis requires the govern- implementation of lockdown ment to reconsider some of its measures in some areas. planned expenditures to save “To increase economic se- The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has instructed all other ministries, central administrative institutions, public administration institu- money in order to divert funds curity for all people, espe- tions, among others, to prepare for revisions to the 2021 budget. Hong Menea to address its current priori- cially poor and vulnerable ties in combating the spread families, all ministries, insti- cent of the approved figures emptions for the current bud- the necessary requirements. that the reduction of expen- of Covid-19 and counteracting tutions, public institutions, and to reduce the national get of the ministries of Health, Cambodian Institute for ditures by these ministries the negative socio-economic relevant administrations budget capital expenditures by National Defence and Interior Democracy president Pa will affect the quality of life impact on Cambodia. and units under the ministry suspending about 11 per cent (public security sector). Chanroeun said the ministry’s and affordability of the ac- Along these lines, the minis- must implement this circular of the joint credit package. These exemptions are based refinement of the national tivities and services that they try has also instructed all oth- effectively from the date of However, this circular also on the fact that these institu- budget shows that the govern- provide to the people. Mean- er ministries, central admin- signing,” he said. exempts the budgets of sub- tions have been directly in- ment is facing serious finan- while the budget reductions istrative institutions, public According to the ministry’s national administrations and volved in activities to prevent cial challenges to prevent the will not only affect society as administration institutions, circular, some ministries and all specialised departments of the spread of Covid-19. These crisis, especially the cost of a whole due to the Covid-19 among others, to prepare for institutions are required to the municipality and provinces three institutions can also fully Covid-19 treatment and other crisis, but also make some revisions to the 2021 budget. reduce their national budget that are part of the fight against regulate internal credit through measures to combat the virus. ministries unable to function Finance minister Aun Porn- expenditures by at least 50 per Covid-19. It also provides ex- financial procedures to meet Chanroeun is concerned fully as planned, he said. S Korea donates medical supplies to fight Covid-19 Voun Dara South Korea has also as- also extends to coopera- sisted Cambodia in the tion with the International THE South Korean govern- battle against the pandemic Organisation for Migra- ment donated another round through various initiatives tion on “Strengthen Covid- of medical supplies worth such as $1 million to its 19 Response to Returning $300,000 to the Cambodian Covid-19 response assistance Migrants in Cambodia at government to support its programme and support for Point of Entry and Quaran- fight against Covid-19, ac- vulnerable people in Phnom tine Centre” in Batambang, cording to a press release by Penh, Kampong Speu, Kratie, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar the South Korean embassy Oddar Meanchey, Battam- Meanchey, Siem Reap, and in Cambodia. bang and Siem Reap. Prey Veng provinces, accord- The grant package was dis- The assistance programme ing to the press release. cussed in a meeting between South Korean ambassador Park Heung-kyeong and Soeung Rathchavy, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and In- ternational Cooperation in Phnom Penh on May 5. Rathchavy highly ap- People travel on the Chroy Changvar bridge leading to other provinces. hong menea preciated the donations, conveying gratitude to the government and people of Unwarranted quarantine hinders South Korea in providing assistance to Cambodia at this critical juncture. economic development, PM says “As a friend and valuable partner, South Korea has Continued from page 1 nounce,” he said. But provincial adminis- helped Cambodia to over- Prior to Hun Sen’s order, tration spokesman Kheang come the Covid-19 pandem- Cambodian people, he said, some provinces had an- Phearum said his province ic. With a strong belief that hinders economic develop- nounced quarantine require- will revise the directive that no one is safe until everyone ment. He encouraged each ments for those entering was previously announced. is safe, we will continue to province to put in place strict their respective territories – Similarly, Tbong Khmum work together closely in soli- but reasonable measures, like including Siem Reap, Tbong province has revised its di- darity to defeat the corona- what the Phnom Penh Munic- Khmum, Prey Veng and Preah rective following Hun Sen’s virus,” she said. ipal Administration has done. Sihanouk. orders. The provincial admin- After the outbreak of Covid- “All provincial governors have Preah Sihanouk province istration said now only those 19 early last year, the South to report to working groups initially even required Cambo- suspected of having contract- Korean government donated created for communication dians who wished to enter the ed the virus have to undergo $200,000 and test kits worth The grant package was discussed in a meeting between South Korean between the prime minister coastal province to have health a rapid test. They may have $100,000 to Cambodia in ambassador Park Heung-kyeong (left) and Soeung Rathchavy, secretary and provincial governors all the certificates indicating that they to wait in quarantine while May 2020, according to the of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. measures that you plan to an- do not have Covid-19. awaiting the official result. press release. foreign ministry THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Municipal hall wants online orders limited to block virus spread

Long Kimmarita requires them to stay home. “I am also worried that the A SENIOR Phnom Penh mu- delivery man might carry the nicipal official called on people disease and bring the virus living in the red zones to reduce into our home, especially giv- online food orders as the ser- en the fact that the number of vice is a contributing factor in people placing online orders the transmission of Covid-19. has increased,” she said, add- At a press conference con- ing that it was better than go- cerning lockdowns on May ing out to meet people. 6, Phnom Penh deputy gov- In some developed coun- ernor Nuon Pharat said: “We tries, online orders during the do not allow online orders pandemic were banned and to enter the red zone. But we governments issued travel see that our brothers and sis- permits to people so that they ters place online orders and could go and buy items at deliveries are handed over at markets, Hen Phearak, a doc- the zone boundary.” tor with more than 20 years’ Municipal hall wants online orders limited to block virus spread. HONG MENEA He explained that some experience in respiratory ill- Recipients must spray [delivered goods] with Travel between Phnom Penh alcohol and leave them outside their homes first and provinces now permitted people contracted the virus nesses, told The Post. even though they had not left However, he finds that for Mom Kunthear barricades to block travelling stakeholders within different tank, supported the measures their homes at all during the Cambodia, orders could not to and from the capital. But zones,” he said. put in place for each zone lockdown. Online orders may be stopped because the ser- ITH the lifting those travelling into Phnom Chanyada urged residents in rather than a lockdown of the have been behind the infec- vice is needed to provide food of lockdown in Penh from red zones or locked the red zone to be patients and entire city. tions, he said. for people stuck at home. It Phnom Penh down areas in other provinces follow the government’s direc- “In general, the division of Pharat announced that could be difficult if there is no and Kandal prov- are subject to quarantine. tives until May 12 in order to zones by red, orange and yel- the government will pre- service in their area. Wince’s Takmao town on May 6 Another municipal deputy end the outbreak. He explained low is similar to those mea- pare food at a market close “Online goods could also and the inter-provincial travel governor, Mean Chanyada, that the red and orange zones sures taken during the lock- to where people are living in transmit the virus because we ban recently, people can now said that after the lockdown, are still at high risk. down. But now the division is the red zone. Until that time, are in the red zone. We could resume travel in yellow zones the municipality would retain He said that from May 7 the down to village level and that it will also continue to deliver have it without realising it and throughout the country as the zoning system for another Phnom Penh authorities will is better. I believe that this Covid-19 relief. recipients risk transmission. In long as they follow measures week to ensure the continua- focus on administrative and will ease the burdens of the Youth Touch Dany, a resi- this situation, we pack the goods issued by municipal and pro- tion of necessary administra- legal measures for businesses people and the government dent of Boeung Keng Kang and spray them with alcohol. vincial authorities, according tive, health and preventive that violate the directives. alike,” he said. district, told The Post on May “Recipients, before receiv- to Phnom Penh deputy gover- measures. They will be shut down, have He said the lockdown of 6 that her family frequently ing the goods, must spray nor Keout Chher. “We have strictly and suc- their licences revoked and are some areas with high risk of placed online orders despite them with alcohol and leave Speaking at a press confer- cessfully enforced the admin- subject to legal actions. transmission was still neces- transmission risks. She said them outside their homes ence on May 6, Chher said the istrative measures with the Ou Virak, executive director sary, but vaccination will help her family had no choice be- first before taking them in- police would no longer put up participation from different of the Future Forum think- solve this problem. cause the Ministry of Health side,” Phearak said. Drug rehabilitation centres to reopen after Covid Khout Sophak Chakrya and alcohol sanitisers from the Phnom Penh municipality. ALL drug rehabilitation centres in Drug Addict Relief Treatment Edu- Cambodia will reopen to admit peo- cation Training Association (DTA), a ple with drug problems after the large private rehabilitation centre in February 20 community outbreak Sen Sok district’s Kouk Khleang com- of Covid-19 ends, according to a sen- mune, is facing financial difficulties ior official of the General Secretar- during the Covid-19 outbreak iat of the National Authority for because its operations depend on Combating Drugs (NACD). fees paid by patients’ parents. Lim Tong Huot, director of the Gen- DTA general manager Hang Braser eral Secretariat’s Legislation, Educa- told The Post that over 300 people tion and Rehabilitation Department, were currently being treated at the told The Post on May 5 that since the centre. Some of their guardians have outbreak, centres have also stopped asked for a delay in the payment for visitors entering them. services due to financial problems “The closure and visitor ban are to resulting from the lockdown. prevent the spread of Covid-19 to “Obviously we have some financial those receiving treatment in all of our issues because some parents ask for a rehabilitation centres,” he said. postponement of payment, but we “Once the tragic February 20 out- still serve three meals a day for the break ends, all centres will reopen to children being treated here,” he said. admit new victims and allow people As visitors are banned, parents to visit their relatives,” he said. can communicate with their chil- The families of some patients have dren via messaging apps Telegram expressed concern about the condi- or WhatsApp. tion of relatives in the centres, espe- In the first three months of this cially food. year, the number of people who vol- Kirth Tha, 56, a resident of the Cambodia has 18 drug rehabilitation centres, of which 11 are state-run, three are private establishments, and four are NGOs. Heng Chivoan unteered to receive drug treatment capital’s Russey Keo district, told and rehabilitation services in drug The Post that she asked a local police prohibited visits. Chandany told The Post that the According to Chandany, the cen- rehabilitation centres stood at 9,267 officer to send her drug-addicted “I do not know if my son has enough centre has enough food for patients tre is under the jurisdiction of the nationwide, according to NACD. son to the drug rehabilitation centre food, because I am also facing liveli- and to receive treatment and reha- Phnom Penh Municipal Adminis- Cambodia has 18 drug rehabilita- Orkas Knhom to detoxify and edu- hood problems. I haven’t sent any- bilitation services. tration and the municipal Depart- tion centres, of which 11 are state- cate him. thing to him. I hope that my son will “Here, we have three meals a day ment of Social Affairs. All expenses run, three are private establishments, Her son has stayed at the centre become a good child, a good citizen, for patients, although it is not always are paid for by the state. and four are NGOs. There are also 450 for almost three months. She used refraining from drugs after returning delicious, it is decent. So, parents or She added that recently, the centre community health centres and hos- to visit him twice a month, but after from the centre,” she said. guardians should not worry about also received donations of food and pitals that provide drug treatment the community outbreak, the centre Orkas Knhom director Mom this,” she said. masks to prevent Covid-19 infections and rehabilitation services. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National B’bang cops Nearly 300K packages of food aid probe pair given to residents amid lockdown over 3kg of Mom Kunthear ident of Kouk Chambak vil- seized drugs lage in Por Sen Chey district’s HE Phnom Penh Chaom Chao commune, told BATTAMBANG provincial Municipal Adminis- The Post on May 6 that he had police are questioning two sus- tration has supplied already received the relief aspects and searching for their nearly 300,000 pack- sistance from the village au- accomplices involved in the agesT of relief assistance to thorities and his landlord. trafficking of over 3kg of drugs residents in Phnom Penh’s “The authorities in my zone seized at Srah Teuk Thmey vil- red, orange and yellow zones pay attention to the wellbeing lage in Kamrieng district’s Ta during the lockdown. of the residents and take care Krei commune on May 5. Deputy municipal governor of us regularly. In this zone, Battambang provincial dep- Nuon Pharat said at a press the village chief and rental uty police chief in charge of conference on May 6 that the house owners have tried to drug crime Koy Heang told The municipality has so far dis- help a lot,” he said. Post that following the orders tributed 284,406 packages of He added that he didn’t of provincial police chief Sat food aid to people through- know of any villagers who had Kimsan, the provincial anti- out the city, with most of the experienced food shortages drug police launched an oper- assistance going to those or had no food to eat at all ation to crack down on illegal staying in rented rooms. because the authorities had drug trafficking resulting in “The residents have re- been attentive to everyone. the arrest of the two suspects. ceived foods from the World Deputy municipal governor “We are continuing the inter- Vision Organisation and Koeut Chher, who also at- rogation to identify other peo- other donors and companies. tended the press conference, ple involved. We cannot pro- Some relief assistance was said unnamed opposition vide more information yet delivered directly to people groups had unfairly criticised because the interrogation is in the zones by generous peo- the government’s response to not over,” he said. ple,” Pharat said. the people’s needs amid the According to the provincial He added that municipality Officials distribute food aid to a red zone resident.Y ousos Apdoulrashim crisis while they themselves police report, officers confis- had never prevented anyone had made no contributions. cated over 3kg of several kinds from delivering Covid-19 re- ficials were also infected with “The municipal governor meant for the needy,” he said. “Opposition groups always of drugs, including metham- lief to the people in need, but Covid-19 when delivering the always sends working groups, He called on those who are object to the government’s phetamine powder and tab- in order to do so they have to foods to people,” he said. especially our commune and not facing financial difficul- plans, but they do not provide lets, ecstasy or MDMA, keta- follow the preventive health According to Pharat, the district officials, to respond ties or food shortages to fore- money – not even a single riel mine and materials used to measures put in place. municipal administration immediately to those shortag- go the food donations and – or any labour to help the package the drugs. “We sent these food pack- would also deliver food pack- es. And the truth is that some instead cooperate with the people. They only talk a lot and ages to the target areas in a ages to people immediately people who were better off in authorities to deliver them to make spurious accusations www.phnompenhpost.com timely, transparent and safe when it sees social media terms of their livelihoods also the people in real need. about the government,” he check the post website manner. But some of our of- posts regarding shortages. came to get food packages Sou Ruon, a 30-year-old res- said without elaborating. for breaking news New travel permits to Full vaccination required to apply enter restricted zones necessary after May 6 for job at six ministries, institutions Nov Sivutha Nov Sivutha government only permits workplaces to use two per THE Ministry of Civil Service THE Phnom Penh Munici- cent of their total staff in or- is requiring candidates who pal Administration has in- ange and yellow zones. have already applied for the structed all business owners “The district can only issue entrance examination into six to re-apply for travel permits permits to business owners ministries and institutions to to pass through orange and for travel according to the be vaccinated against Covid- red zones after the lockdown number of people they have 19 with both doses. is lifted on May 6. on staff. For example, a com- The notification signed by The notification, signed by pany with 100 people can Ev Bunthol, secretary of state municipal governor Khuong only get permission for two and chairman of the min- Sreng on May 5, informs all people,” said Sunsoda. istry’s examination organ- business owners who have re- He said during the recent ising committee on May 4, ceived travel permits from both lockdown, his district had issued stated that six ministries and Phnom Penh municipality and travel permits to all business institutions including the the 14 district administrations owners and factory owners that ministries of Civil Service; they can apply for travel per- had requested them, but those National Assembly-Senate mits from May 6 onwards. permissions expired on May 6. Relations and Inspection; Kambol district governor On May 5, the Phnom Penh Agriculture, Forestry and Khim Sunsoda said busi- municipality introduced new Fisheries; Commerce; Water nesses owners must apply for administrative measures to Resources and Meteorology; travel permit to pass through be applied in the capital to and the State Secretariat of high-risk locations except for prevent the spread of the vi- Civil Aviation (SSCA) would the pharmaceutical and food rus by dividing the capital all require full vaccination industries, for whom it is not into red, orange and yellow of candidates for this year. necessary to apply for permits zones. These instructions are The notice states that on as they can travel normally. applicable for seven days un- the day of the exam all candi- Nevertheless, he said the til May 12. dates must bring their Covid- A woman get vaccinated against Covid-19 in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh’s district. hong menea 19 vaccination card. In cases where candidates told The Post on May 6 that very important for everyone, Hun Sen believes that are not able to receive the the ministry requires can- especially public officials, be- otherwise the vaccination Covid-19 vaccine for health didates to be vaccinated cause they are the guarantors campaign – which requires reasons, they must have against Covid-19 because of of job security and commu- between 10 and 13 million an official certificate from the severity of the outbreak nications with many public people to be vaccinated to the municipal or provincial in Cambodia currently. service seekers. achieve what is known as health departments. All civil servants and public Prime Minister Hun Sen “herd immunity” – would According to the announce- servants must get Covid-19 first warned on April 6 that be meaningless because too ment, any candidate who vaccinations to protect them- all civil servants must be many people would refuse does not have the vaccina- selves against infection and inoculated – even the newly vaccination. tion card or a certificate from to avoid infecting others. recruit ones – and contrac- “We have to consider the the municipal or provincial “They have to get Covid-19 tual employment must be common national interest health departments will not vaccinations in order to be updated to require vaccina- and public health, except for be allowed to take the exam. safe for work and for public tion before they are allowed those cases where a doctor Residents in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district show their travel permits Civil service ministry safety too,” he said. to enter the framework or confirms that the person can- to authorities on May 4. hean rangsey spokesman Youk Bunna Bunna said immunisation is take the entrance exam. not be vaccinated,” he said. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Men held for beating two pregnant women, Cambodia plans ‘blossom’ killing unborn infant approach in nat’l jab drive Khouth Sophak Chakrya term of between two and five years and a fine of between Ry Sochan THE Stung Treng Provincial four and 10 million riel. Court has placed three of 12 However, the husband of one HE government has suspects in pre-trial detention of the women told The Post that introduced a “strate- on charges of theft and ag- during the violence there were gic plan for Covid-19 gravated intentional violence 12 thieves including the Talat vaccination campaign against two pregnant women. commune chief named Soeurn toT build socio-economic resil- Stung Treng Provincial Khorn. At this time, the com- ience in Cambodia by 2021” in Court spokesman Kim Hong- mune chief and several other a bid to accelerate the vaccina- san identified the three as Tun members of his family mem- tion of all people aged 18 and Savon, 42; Soeurn Forng, 39; bers have not yet been detained over in high-priority areas. and Leur Rachana, 37. They by the police, he said. According to the strategic are brothers-in-law residing “He is the commune chief. planning document The Post in Svay Rieng village of Sesan He did not stop or prevent obtained on May 6, the im- district’s Talat commune. his sons and daughters from plementation of the plan will Their attack caused the death causing the violence against be carried out in accordance of an unborn infant of one of my wife and pregnant older with the “blossom” approach, the two women — one at six- sister-in-law. He even kicked meaning that it will start with months into her pregnancy my wife and older sister-in- a vaccination campaign in and the other at three-months. law until her three month old the central area of the coun- He added that the three unborn child died. try and work outwards. were arrested on May 3 by “My family and the family The campaign will start the provincial police’s crimi- of my older sister-in-law de- with Phnom Penh – which is nal bureau after one of the manded $60,000 compensa- roughly centrally located in women claimed that her in- tion in total and asked that the country and an area of Cambodia will be divided into three sections for vaccination purposes: high priority areas, medium priority fant had been killed because the court punish them in obvious concern as the larg- areas and low priority areas. heng chivoan of the assault and this was accordance with legal proce- est city – and the main urban confirmed by doctors. dures,” he said. areas around the capital and are made up of 70 districts throughout the entire country, ple aged 18 and over are living “On the afternoon of May He added that the violence in Kandal, gradually expand- throughout the country, in- according to the document. in those areas. 5, the prosecutor and inves- had been caused by the three ing to other areas in the order cluding Phnom Penh and “Thus, vaccinating all peo- Cambodia is expected to re- tigating judge found that they men because they had stolen of prioritisation. Kandal as a whole, as well as ple over the age of 18 in these ceive an additional 7 million had also stolen the pesticide the tanks from the cashew nut Cambodia will be divided economically important ar- high-priority areas will create doses of Covid-19 vaccines spray tanks of the women be- plantation of his father-in-law into three sections for vac- eas in Sihanoukville, Banteay overall socio-economic resil- from May to July and another fore they beat them,” he said. on April 22 when a wildfire oc- cination purposes: high pri- Meanchey’s Poipet district, ience for the whole country,” 2.5 million doses from August Under Article 356 of the curred near the plantation. ority areas, medium priority Svay Rieng’s Bavet district and the document noted. to September. Criminal Code, theft is an of- When the neighbours re- areas and low priority areas. all provincial capitals of the Medium priority areas in- “The expected number fence punishable by a prison ported the case to the father, “According to the ‘blossom’ main provinces and districts clude 64 districts across the of vaccines is sufficient to sentence of between six months his wife complained to the approach the national vacci- around Kandal province. country and the total number achieve the national Covid-19 and three years and a fine of up commune chief and village nation campaign in high-pri- The total number of people of people aged 18 and over liv- vaccination campaign goals to six million riel ($1,250). security guards to get the ority areas must be completed aged 18 and over living in ing in those areas is 2.8 million. in high-priority areas aimed Under Article 219 of the tanks back and then the fam- in 2021 and as soon as pos- those areas is 4.9 million – ac- Low priority areas cover 69 at building socio-economic Criminal Code, aggravated in- ily members of the commune sible,” the document noted. counting for 48.57% of the districts across the country resilience in Cambodia in tentional violence carries a jail chief had beaten her. The high-priority areas population over the age of 18 and a total of 2.3 million peo- 2021,” said the document. Crime database updated; offence Takeo market fire causes data to be entered within 48 hours around $500K in damage KhouthSophakChakrya damage was put at more than Ry Sochan $500,000, said Tram Kak com- A FIRE ravaged 50 stalls in Tram mune chief Som Roth on May 6. NATIONAL Police chief Neth Kak Market in Takeo province’s Citing vendors, he said: Savoeun issued a directive al- Tram Kak district on the night of “One stall owner lost between lowing the formal use of the May 5, with damages estimated $8,000 and $ 30,000. So, the data management system at around $500,000. 22 stalls destroyed amounts called E-Crime 2020 from Mao Sophal, deputy police to about $500,000. But this is May 1 to ensure sustainability chief in charge of fire preven- just a first estimate based on and data security of criminal tion, told The Post on May data provided by vendors. We offences in an archive utilis- 6 that the fire had damaged do not know if they have in- ing information technology. many phone, clothes and flated figures,” he said. According to a directive footwear stalls and destroyed Stall owner Sovan told The dated May 4, the system is de- 22 in the market. Post that when he received news scribed as helping police offi- “Upon inquiries and inspect- of the fire, he rushed to his stall cials look up data concerning ing the scene, we determined to collect his goods, most were criminal offences from a data- that the fire was started by faulty phones and spare parts. But base. The data will be formally electrical wiring in a phone stall when he arrived at the market, used for analysis and evalua- owned by Nob Sovan. Nobody the fire was intense and spread- tion of offences in designated was injured during the inci- ing to many nearby stalls. geographical locations. dent,” he said, adding that po- “I have nothing left. My “Data regarding offences lice firefighters using 14 fire en- goods are worth over $30,000. must be digitised within 48 gines took more than two hours My stall burnt to the ground in hours after the offences have to extinguish the blaze. the blink of an eye. Before leav- occurred and we have to en- However, local authorities ing the market for my house, I ter all court orders from 2000 have yet to assess the extent of turned off the light at the stall. until now into the database as National Police chief Neth Savoeun. Facebook the damage. But according to But why did the faulty electri- well as update its data regu- preliminary estimates, property cal wiring happen?” he said. larly,” it said. specialists had recorded. in the database, specialists is for recording data regard- Savoeun advised muicipal “The municipal and provin- have 48 hours to correct it in ing criminal offences and and provincial police chiefs cial police chiefs have to coop- the system. But after 48 hours that the National Police had to ensure sustainability of erate in providing documents, the system does not allow the been using a system like this resources for officials and information and photos re- specialists to change it unless for over 10 years, but had just install technical tools and garding offences with agree- a municipal or provincial po- now updated it. materials including internet ment for the basis of digitising lice chief makes a formal re- “This will help the National connections for staff or offi- the data in a timely manner. quest to the head of the plan- Police record information on cials in charge of the work. “In case police chiefs have ning department for review to the backgrounds and nation- He also advised the plan- no photos of suspects or vic- allow the technical working alities of offenders and vic- ning and criminal police tims, please request coopera- group to correct it. tims, figures and data about departments to strengthen tion from the criminal police National Police spokesman offences and data on crack- cooperation to monitor data departments for a solution.” Chhay Kim Khoeun told The down results including some of criminal offences that After the data is recorded Post on May 6 that the system arrest warrants,” he said. The ravaged 50 stalls in Tram Kak Market in ram Kak district. police 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,088 1.2242 6.4738 109.15 4.1220 1.3347 31.26 0.7752 1.2049 1.3921

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: May 6, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 16,580 16,500 16,580 16,400 2 GTI 4,400 4,440 4,460 4,400 3 PAS 13,360 13,120 13,360 13,020 4 PEPC 3,100 3,050 3,120 3,050 5 PPAP 14,420 13,820 14,460 13,820 6 PPSP 1,930 1,920 1,930 1,910 7 PWSA 7,700 7,200 7,880 7,200 Fiscal support Kingdom’s cassava exports in measures must four months top 2020’s pace be flexible and Hin Pisei targeted: Amro

AMBODIA exported over Continued from page 1 1.5 million tonnes of cassava products to internation- According to ADB, industrial pro- al markets in the first four duction is expected to rise 7.1 per cent monthsC of 2021, up from 1.3 million in 2021 and 7.0 per cent in 2022 on the in the same period of last year, ac- back of a rebound in the garments, cording to data from the Ministry of footwear and travel goods sector, as Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. well as growth in other light manufac- Analysed by category, the Kingdom turing such as electronics and bicycles. shipped out 1,177,003 tonnes of dried Agriculture is expected to grow by chips (up 25.46 per cent year-on- 1.3 per cent in 2021 and 1.2 per cent in year), 307,750 tonnes of fresh roots 2022, while services may recover more (down 6.98 per cent), 13,284 tonnes slowly, expanding by 3.3 per cent in of starch (up 42.83 per cent) and 3,122 2021 and 6.2 per cent in 2022. Efforts tonnes of pulp (down 34.26 per cent). to contain a local outbreak of Covid-19 The bulk of the exports went to Thai- that began in February are dampening land, Vietnam, China, Italy and the service sector activities, ADB noted. Netherlands, the ministry reported. Travel restrictions are expected Battambang provincial Depart- to remain in place for most of 2021, ment of Commerce director Kim which means tourism is not expected Hout told The Post on May 6 that to boost services this year, it said. Real cassava harvest season closed at the estate is expected to recover from last end of March, and that yields in the year’s contraction, in line with a similar province increased slightly com- trend for the construction industry. pared to last year’s crop. Cassava is grown on 656,868ha, which yield more than 12 million tonnes each year, or over 18 tonnes per hectare, according to a And Amro stressed that amid this “This year, cassava farmers have December 29 report by the General Directorate of Agriculture. Heng Chivoan challenging environment, fiscal policy been very profitable in terms of both remains crucial, as the rollout of a broad quantity and price, and market de- ernmost Sampov Loun district, not- year, with fresh roots wholesaling sak previously said that cassava is a fiscal stimulus package has played a vi- mand is stronger than in 2020,” he ed that this year’s rally in prices is for 330-370 riel ($0.08-0.09) per kilo- major export product, contributing tal role in supporting the economy. said, adding that prices for the crop being driven by high demand from gramme, surging from 220-260 riel three-to-four per cent of gross do- “Going forward, fiscal support mea- have risen substantially from last year. Thailand and China. in 2020, and cassava chips going for mestic product (GDP) each year. sures should become more flexible According to Huot, about 80 per “Demand for cassava products 715-800 riel, up from 520-650 riel. A December 29 report by the min- and targeted given the uneven recov- cent of the cassava grown in Bat- from abroad has increased signifi- Cassava is one of Cambodia’s lead- istry’s General Directorate of Agricul- ery across sectors. Short-term crisis tambang province is bought by trad- cantly this year due to the fact that ing agro-industrial crops. In 2020, ture stressed cassava’s high potential support should be more targeted and ers and resold in Thailand each year, cassava is an important ingredient Cambodia officially announced the for export, in addition to paddy rice. gradually shift toward supporting af- while local companies buy the rest for food production in all countries, “National Policy on Cassava 2020- Cassava is grown on 656,868ha, fected businesses and facilitating to grind into animal feed. especially tapioca starch,” she said. 2025” in order to step up production which yield more than 12 million the swift reallocation of labour and Chan Muoy, the owner of a silo in According to Muoy, cassava will and commercialise it for export. tonnes each year, or over 18 tonnes productive resources to sectors with Battambang province’s northwest- see a marked increase in prices this Minister of Commerce Pan Sora- per hectare, it said. strong growth potential,” it said. Japan bags Phnom Penh sewage treatment contract

Thou Vireak (ODA) grant signed by the Jap- declined significantly due to ing 5,000 cubic metres per day anese and Cambodian govern- increased sewage quantity as of sewage, it said, adding that Japan’s Kubota Construc- ments in November 2019, a result of rapid urbanisation the endeavour “will enable tion Co Ltd said it has struck Kubota Construction noted in and population growth in proper wastewater treatment a 2.34 billion yen ($21.7 mil- an April 21 press release. recent years, together with in the applicable districts of lion) contract for a sewer sys- The company said it will progress on reclamation of Phnom Penh city while reduc- tem development project in build a sewage treatment lakes, marshes and wetlands. ing the pollution load on the the capital, in a joint venture facility using advanced Japa- “Against that background, Lake Choeung Ek basin”. with Metawater Co Ltd. nese technology and improve the Phnom Penh city govern- “This, in turn, will contrib- The Osaka-based company, the water and hygiene envi- ment has developed a Master ute [to the] improvement of a wholly-owned subsidiary of ronments in the Kingdom, as Plan on Drainage and Sewer- the water and hygiene envi- Kubota Corp, said the deal was well as the living environ- age Improvement, and has ronments in the relevant signed by Cambodian ambas- ment of Cambodians. decided to construct sewerage communities and to [the] sador to Japan Ung Rachana “Cambodia’s capital city, treatment facilities at Lake enhancement of the living and Akitaka Seto, general man- Phnom Penh is considered to Choeung Ek, which naturally environment of their resi- ager of Kubota Construction’s be in need of various meas- purifies the largest amount of dents,” the company said. Tokyo branch office, in the ures, including the develop- wastewater for the city,” it said. Construction will begin this Cambodian ambassador to Japan Ung Rachana (left) signs a $21.7 million The project will require lay- contract for a sewer system development project in Phnom Penh with Japanese capital on April 20. ment of sewerage treatment month, and the sewage plant is Akitaka Seto, general manager of Kubota Construction’s Tokyo branch This project is a part of an facilities, because its natural ing 1.9km of pipes and the scheduled for completion in office, in the Japanese capital on April 20.Kubota official development assistance purification capacity has facility will be capable of treat- November 2023, it added. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Chinese vice-minister Ministry vows to expand BFC of commerce tapped scope to travel goods industry as WTO deputy head Thou Vireak Chinese Vice-Minister of China Institute for WTO Stud- Commerce Zhang Xiangchen ies at the University of Interna- HE Cambodian gov- has been appointed as a depu- tional Business and Economics ernment, through ty director-general of the World in Beijing. the Ministry of La- Trade Organisation (WTO), a Huo Jianguo, vice-chairman bour and Vocational move that government officials of the Beijing-based China Training,T is committed to and experts believe is a recog- Society for World Trade Organ- expanding the scope of the nition of the East Asian coun- isation Studies, said Zhang’s implementation of the Bet- try’s role in the WTO and its appointment is not a surprise, ter Factories Cambodia (BFC) contribution to the multilat- considering that China is an project to travel goods and eral trading system. active participant in, strong bag factories to boost com- They also said WTO mem- supporter of, and major con- petitiveness in the industry. bers, in the face of rising uni- tributor to the multilateral Ministry secretary of state lateralism and protectionism, trading system with the WTO Heng Sour made the remark should strengthen communi- at its core. on May 6 during a meeting cation to achieve consensus “China firmly observes and with the US Trade Represen- step-by-step to advance neces- upholds WTO rules, supports tative (USTR) via video link. sary reform of the organisation, the multilateral trading system The meeting focused on the in order to safeguard the mul- and has contributed its efforts Cambodia-US Trade and In- tilateral trading system and to represent the interests of vestment Framework Agree- promote the building of an developing countries in pursu- ment (TIFA) and discussed open world economy. ing a new rules-based, fair and progress in the field of labour, WTO director-general Ngozi open international trade order according to the ministry. Okonjo-Iweala appointed that is not dominated by a few During the meeting, Sour Zhang as one of four deputy developed countries,” he said. presented the progress of directors-general on May 4. Both of the experts said the work related to the regis- The three others are Angela appointment of the four depu- tration of professional or- Ellard of the US, Anabel ty directors-general from dif- ganisations, the Arbitration Gonzalez of Costa Rica and ferent regions also reflects the Council’s resolution of labour Jean-Marie Paugam of France. efforts of the WTO to balance disputes, and the inspection The four deputy directors- the voices of its member coun- of labour conditions during An attendant rearranges suitcases and bags at a shop in central Phnom Penh. Hong Menea general will work with the tries, although their positions the Covid-19 pandemic. director-general to advance the require them to put the inter- “We have been working on Ken Loo told The Post in Feb- The BFC project was es- worth of garments, footwear interests of the organisation, ests of the WTO ahead of their collaborating with the Better ruary of the government’s tablished in 2001 in a unique and travel goods, down by including preparations for the home countries’ interests. Factories Cambodia project plans to expand the BFC proj- partnership between the UN’s 6.48 per cent from the $2.577 12th WTO Ministerial Confer- They also believe the new to expand the scope of appli- ect’s coverage to include trav- International Labour Organisa- billion posted in the corre- ence, which will be held at the leadership of the WTO will bet- cation to travel products and el goods and bag factories. tion (ILO) and the International sponding period of 2020, ac- end of this year in Geneva, ter coordinate communication bag factories,” he said. He said: “This is a clear in- Finance Corporation (IFC), a cording to data from the Gen- according to Xinhua News of developing and developed According to the ministry, dication of the government’s member of the World Bank. eral Department of Customs Agency. countries from different owners of factories and man- commitment to ensure that According to the ILO, the and Excise of Cambodia. “It is a recognition of the pos- regions. ufacturing enterprises ap- exporters in these two sectors BFC project involves workers Broken down by category, itive and constructive role China “Strengthened communica- plying to export goods under uphold high compliance of and the government to im- garments fell 6.43 per cent has been playing in the WTO tion and cooperation is neces- preferential trade schemes local labour laws and inter- prove working conditions and from $1.897 to $1.775 bil- over the years,” said a spokes- sary to achieve consensus, must first register with the national labour standards. sharpen the garment industry’s lion, footwear slumped 7.33 person for the Chinese Ministry especially as the WTO’s author- BFC project. Failure to do so “GMAC is a signatory to the competitive edge. Today, there per cent from $341 to $316 of Commerce on May 4. ity and efficacy are facing cold affect their application MoU [memorandum of un- are 557 factories with 614,242 million, and travel goods China will continue to severe challenges from rising prospects, it warned. derstanding] with BFC, as are workers and 59 brands and re- – including suitcases, back- strengthen its cooperative rela- unilateralist and protectionist Garment Manufacturers the [labour and commerce tailers included in the project. packs, handbags and wallets tionship with the WTO Secre- practices,” Huo said. Association in Cambodia ministries]. We strongly sup- In January-March, the King- – declined 5.89 per cent from tariat and support the work of “We hope the WTO will rep- (GMAC) secretary-general port this initiative.” dom exported $2.410 billion $339 to $319 million. the director-general and the resent the interests of all mem- WTO Secretariat, contributing to ber countries. It should better the safeguarding of the multilat- protect the interests of devel- eral trading system and improve- oping members on the basis of ment of global economic gov- fair and just principles.” ernance, the spokesperson said China has adopted higher- CDC greenlights $50M S’ville hotel in an online statement. level opening-up practices and As a major trading nation, supports necessary reforms of Hin Pisei Provincial Department of Tourism direc- Palace is currently investing in a number of China has long been a con- the WTO to explore a new set tor Taing Sochet Kresna welcomed the hotels in Sihanoukville. structive member of the WTO, of rules on international trade THE Preah Sihanouk provincial author- project, saying that the tourism situation in Oem Senghou, a branch manager at faithfully fulfilling its commit- and investment, he said. ity and private sector has welcomed a Preah Sihanouk will improve significantly Sihanoukville-based Century 21 Zillion ments and making great con- However, the reforms should $48.7 million investment in a new five- after Covid-19 has been brought under con- Holding, a sub-franchise of real estate tributions, such as providing safeguard the development star hotel, which observers note will bet- trol, and further benefited by what he said agency Century 21 Cambodia, told The capital and technological aid to interests of developing mem- ter equip the province to serve tourist are the often thoroughly-researched loca- Post that the investment would have a developing countries and help- bers, and all WTO members, arrivals in the years to come. tions of investment projects. positive impact on the real estate sector, ing to train officials of new especially developing nations, The Council for the Development of “With the investment of this five-star hotel, as a driving force of the Preah Sihanouk WTO members, said Tu Xin- should be able to implement Cambodia (CDC) on May 5 gave JinBei I hope Preah Sihanouk will soon be able to market teeming with buying, selling and quan, a professor of interna- the new rules, he added. CHINA Palace Co Ltd the nod for its 195-room attract more tourists and major interna- renting activity. tional trade and dean of the DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK venture in Sihanoukville’s Commune IV. tional investors,” he said, adding that JinBei He said the increase of investments in five-star hotels signals the future arrival of tourists and high-yield investors. The sector will get a huge shot in the arm with the entry of high-rolling guests. “JinBei Palace Co Ltd’s investment in such a high-end hotel can confirm the strength of the tourism and real estate markets in Sihanoukville as a whole,” he said. The February 20 community outbreak of the novel coronavirus has paralysed Sihanoukville’s real estate market, he said. In the period prior, land in the provincial capital’s commercial areas was valued at $1,800-3,500 per square metre, and $250- 300 in suburban residential areas, according to Senghou. He said land at the proposed location for the hotel could cost around $2,000 per square metre. According to Sochet Kresna, there were 107 hotels in the province before the government banned online and arcade gam- bling as of January 1, 2020, and now only Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Zhang Xiangchen has been tapped A view of central Sihanoukville showing numerous high-rise buildings. Yousos Apdoulrashim around 30 remain in operation. as WTO deputy director-general. SUPPLIED 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Special Repot r rt Repo The pandemic so far – Taking stock of economic losses,Recent Economic Developments starting and Outlook with the garment sector

The latest wave is DWSHUFHQW \\ LQWKHÀUVWQLQHPRQWKVRIsweeping through the Kingdom’s societynine months and ofkey 2020. economic Exports of bicyclessectors, to the thwarting ÀJXUH growth 'LVDJJUHJDWLQJ just WKHas 86it was PDUNHW on recoveryU.S., EU, andmode UK markets rose 190.9 percent,

Sangeetha Amarthalingam data shows that exports of garment, travel 3.6 percent, and 32.3 percent (y/y), respectively.

E are still evaluat- goods, footwear, and bicycle products grew at Similarly, exports of electrical parts, and vehicle ing [economic loss- 5.0 percent, 8.0 percent, 4.1 percent, and 190.9 parts and accessories reached US$456 million or es],” was the brief yet grim answer percent (y/y), respectively. In contrast, exports a 14.4 percent year-on-year increase during the M‘Weas Soksensan, Ministry of Econ- omy and Finance (MEF) spokesman to the EU (excluding the UK) shrank to US$2.1 ÀUVWQLQHPRQWKVRI RI ZKLFKSHUFHQWLV offered as anxiety gripped key economic sectors in the latest wave of billion, contracting by 19.8 percent (y/y), of destined for ASEAN members and Japan. Covid-19 infections. which exports of garment, footwear, and travel As of May 6, 114 people had died International arrivals have collapsed while positive coronavirus cases have goods products contracted by 22.4 percent, 14.6 surged to 17,621, more than 30-fold from the cases registered on February percent, and 30.2 percent (y/y), respectively, International arrivals contracted by 74.1 20, when the first community trans- mitted case was detected this year. while exports of bicycles marginally picked up, percent (y/y) in September 2020, thanks to A strain on the national budget is starting to show as the MEF has by 3.6 percent. Similarly, exports to other main international travel restrictions, as well as asked the government to revise its expenditure for 2021. destinations such as the United Kingdom and general avoidance of (international) travel In doing so, it can free up some Japan also contracted, declining by 19.1 and 6.7 globally ÀJXUH 'XULQJWKHÀUVWQLQHPRQWKV $90 million to address Covid-19 pri- orities including cash outlays and percent (y/y), respectively. The U.S. market is the of 2020, international arrivals reached only 1.25 food aid, Soksensan was quoted as saying, while assuring that it would largest, accounting for 36 percent of Cambodia’s million, down from 4.8 million during the same not affect the sub-national budget. It is understood that so far nearly total exports of garment, travel goods, footwear, period last year. Siem Reap, Cambodia’s most $2 billion has been expended under DQGELF\FOHSURGXFWV ÀJXUH 7KH(8PDUNHWLV popular tourist destination, experienced a 74.6 the Covid-19 budget since last year. Going forward, even as factories second, covering 28 percent. percent (y/y) decline in international arrivals and businesses are opening up along with logistics services after a GXULQJ WKH ÀUVW KDOI RI 7KH FROODSVH RI three-week lockdown, fiscal losses Exports of bicycles and electrical and vehicle international arrivals has occurred in Thailand registered over the course of two parts expanded months since February 20, is likely DQG9LHWQDPDVZHOO ÀJXUH 7RXULVP LQFOXGLQJ to blot the balance sheet. A woman sells vegetable on a pavement in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district. HEAN RANGSEY Added to that, rising cases and Demand shocks did not negatively impact all hospitality) is Cambodia’s second-largest growth slow business recovery could very with its vaccination campaign. balance, given that orders for export ing 17 per cent of GDP in 2019. ceded that it could not be estimated, well hinder gross domestic product Aexporteds of May 5, over products. 1.5 million peo- Whilehave been garment, stunted due footwear, to factory Withdriver the closure after and the supply construction disrup- adding thatsector. he had According “no idea”. the (GDP) growth, no thanks to the exist- ple had received one or two doses closures and a disruption in logis- tion during the lockdown and working risks in key economic segments. nationwideand travel including goods compulsory products tics duringexported the lockdown to all period. major ers affectedRIÀFLDOHVWLPDWHV&DPERGLDHDUQHG86ELOOLRQ by Covid-19, it is likely to Lost earnings One such industry is the garment inoculations in red zones as the Last year, the garment, footwear eat into the industry’s earnings. To date, many people are not yet manufacturing sector. Kingdommarkets prepares (except to receive the anoth- U.S.)and declined, travel goods segment,exports which of “Therein is tourism nothing that receipts GMaC [Gar- in able 2019 to return and to thework as country pandemic is As the days go by, a veil of anxiety erbicycles one million doses surged, this month. reachingsaw theUS$369 cessation million, of 129 factories, an ment Manufacturers of Cambodia] measures such as red zones, travel beguiles the sector, having been in- Questions to Labour Ministry recorded overall drop in export rev- can do,”projected said secretary-general to lose US$3 Ken restrictionsbillion in and tourism quarantine receipts are re- advertently hit hard by the virus. spokesmanLQFUHDVH Heng RI Sour were SHUFHQW not enue \\ as demand GXULQJ fell overseas. WKH ÀUVW Loo, this when year, asked howthanks it would to re- thetained collapse in critical of areas. international Up to May 3, about 1,673 workers replied. In the first quarter ended March cover its losses from the period. For factories, only 50 per cent from 206 factories tested positive, Previous news reports quoting 31, 2021, exports slipped 6.5 per cent “We are discussing with the gov- workforce, comprising those who Ath Thorn, president of Confedera- himFigure stated that 5: factoriesExports in the of yel- garments,year-on-year footwear,to $2.4 billion, traveldata by ernmentFigure about 6:reopening Cambodia’s measures topare fully export vaccinated markets or have receiveda tion of Labour Cambodia said, quot- low zone – a territory with the low- Cambodia’s General Department of and how to allow factories to re- the first dose, is allowed on a two- ing official figures. est risk, would goods re-absorb and an ap-bicycles.Customs and Excise showed. open as soon as possible,” (percent, he com- 2020)week rotation basis. “Garment workers [make up] a proximate 200,000 workers as the The largest employment sector mented earlier this week. Granted, last year was disappoint- large share of Cambodia’s Covid-19 lockdown is lifted. (US$ million) with nearly one million workers, has But this predicament was fathomed ing for trade and commerce but the cases,” he pointed out, adding that However, the future of the $7 bil- been the government’s biggest di- by the association when it sent out a current predicament has knocked off more than 17,000 workers remained lion garment industry hangs in the rect revenue contributor, represent- notice in mid-April urging stakehold- further earnings which industry play- in quarantine after coming into con- ers “not to punish” them for delayed ers say will remain unrecoverable. tact with infected persons. RoW Japan UK EU US orders due to the lockdown. “Garment and rice exporters are With spiralling cases, the govern- 9,000 The latest blow to the industry is experiencing many delayed ship- RoWments and should such delays per- ment instituted three weeks of lock- 8,000 even more palpable following the US down in Phnom Penh and surround- 20 per cent tariff preference loss, a sist, buyers may hedge their orders 19% 36% ing Kandal province, which ended 7,000 policy thatJapan was withdrawn by the in Cambodia,” said David Van, se- on May 5 but grounded activities in EU under 9% the Everything but Arms nior associate public-private part- 690 factories. 6,000 scheme last August. nership of Platform Impact Co Ltd. From the outset of the latest wave, The partial revocation by the bloc’s In a message earlier this month, he the government and manufacturing 5,000 commission was adjudged after find- alluded that hedging would not fare executives have been on alert. 4,000 2,686 ing that Cambodia allegedly failed to well EU for the industry as that would Aware of the growing threat of 2,154 uphold democracy in the last general mean that shipment is inconsistent. 28% widespread infections as villages 3,000 2,569 election and respectUK human rights. “[Buyers] might shift their orders 2,221 housing factory workers in Phnom Despite the8% drop in EU exports, from elsewhere and once orders are Penh and surrounding districts be- 2,000 once Cambodia’s largest export gone to other competing countries, 2,780 came vulnerable, a mass vaccina- 1,000 1,890 2,584 market, the US market absorbed they won’t come back,” he opined. tion was ordered early April. 1,465 shipment of garment, footwear and Cambodia Freight Forwarders Associ- A total of 110,000 workers have 0 travel goods from Cambodia. ation president Sin Chanthy attested been vaccinated with the first dose 9m-2017 9m-2018 9m-2019 9m-2020 Data by the World Bank showed that to this as some 50 per cent of ship- and more than 10,000 people have exports to the US rose 7.6 per cent ment including garment, and agricul- received both doses. year-on-year to $2.7 billion between ture products such as rice were stuck “But Cambodia’s estimated January and September last year. at the ports, although it was worsened 850,000 garment workers have yet to Source: Cambodian authorities. ButSource: the sector’s Cambodian current predicament authorities. by high ocean freight costs. be vaccinated,” Thorn remarked. Note: RoW = rest of world. sulliesNote: any effort a. Denotes to recover garment, losses, furfootwear,- However, travel goods,in addition and bicycle to suspend- In the meantime, Covid-19 cases ther compounded by continuing ex- ed operations and low productivity pile on, placing workers and their orbitantproducts. ocean freightRoW costs.= rest of the world..during the lockdown, Chanthy esti- families in danger of contracting the Source: Cambodia Economic Update, Nov 2020 (World Bank) While it presumably had a clear im- mated economic loss to be around virus as the government presses on Exports of garments, footwear, travel goods and bicycles (US$ million) pact on the sector, GMaC’s Loo con- 70 to 80 per cent.

18 CAMBODIA ECONOMIC UPDATE | NOVEMBER 2020 Recent Economic Developments and Outlook

Cambodia’s third largest city Sihanoukville has been of added significance due to the EBA withdrawal DWSHUFHQW \\ LQWKHÀUVWQLQHPRQWKVRIsinicized. Up until recently Chinese presence in ninecivil monthsin 2020, of 2020.as at the Exports time Cambodian of bicycles Labour Ministerto the ÀJXUH 'LVDJJUHJDWLQJsociety in general and WKH trade 86 unions PDUNHW specifically hasU.S., been EU, andIth Samheng UK marketswarned Cambodian rose 190.9 unionists percent, to “work limited, but there are clear signs this is also changing. hard with the Chinese,” because “Cambodian unions data shows that exports of garment, travel 3.6 percent,will and not be32.3 welcomed percent in Europe (y/y), or therespectively. United States goods, footwear, andRecently bicycle published products research by grew Ivan Franceschini at Similarly, exportsdue to the ofcurrent electrical political situationparts, and in the vehicle country”. (2020) provides much needed yet potentially troubling The All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) 5.0 percent, 8.0 percent,insights. He 4.1 finds percent, that from and November 190.9 2017 Chineseparts and accessorieswent on to sign reached an undisclosed US$456 agreement million with theor percent (y/y), respectively.and Cambodian In authorities contrast, officially exports pledged toa 14.4 percentCambodian year-on-year Civil Society Alliance increase Forum during (CSAF), the an “increase human resources training in order to umbrella organization for local unions and NGOs to the EU (excludingstrengthen the UK) cooperation shrank between to US$2.1 unions and ChineseÀUVWQLQHPRQWKVRI established in RI 2016 by the ZKLFKSHUFHQWLV Cambodian government billion, contractingfactory by owners 19.8 in percent the kingdom” (y/y), and, in of order todestined achieve forwith ASEAN the goal of members “[supporting] and the Japan.development of which exports ofTHE PHNOMthis garment, goal, PENH POST Cambodian may footwear, 7, 2021 www. unionistsphnompenhpost and were travel.com invited to China the country through civil society in accordance with 9 to “learn about and improve the labour sector.”International This is Cambodia’s arrivals national have development collapsed policy.” goods products contracted by 22.4 percent, 14.6 Special Report percent, and 30.2 percent (y/y), respectively, International arrivals contracted by 74.1 Figure 4: GMAC Factory Owners by Nationality while< exports of bicycles marginally picked up, percent (y/y) in September 2020, thanks to > by 3.6 percent. Similarly,240 exports to other main international travel restrictions, as well as 220 228 destinations such 200 as the United Kingdom and general avoidance of (international) travel Japan also contracted,180 declining by 19.1 and 6.7 globally ÀJXUH 'XULQJWKHÀUVWQLQHPRQWKV 160 percent (y/y), respectively.140 The U.S. market is the of 2020, international arrivals reached only 1.25 120 118 largest, accounting 100for 36 percent of Cambodia’s million, down from 4.8 million during the same 80 63 total exports of garment,60 travel goods, footwear, period last year. Siem Reap,54 Cambodia’s most 44 40 21 23 DQGELF\FOHSURGXFWV ÀJXUH 7KH(8PDUNHWLV20 popular15 tourist destination,16 experienced11 a 74.6 4 4 5 8 second, covering 28 0percent. 3 percent (y/y)2 decline in international arrivals3 USA China Japan Canada France Others Taiwan Australia GXULQJMalaysia WKH ÀUVW KDOI RI 7KHThailand FROODSVH RI Cambodia Hong Kong Singapore Exports of bicycles and electrical and vehicle South Korea internationalThe Netherlands arrivals has occurredUnited in Kingdom Thailand parts expanded Source: Central (2020) Source: GMAC Factory OwnersDQG9LHWQDPDVZHOO ÀJXUH 7RXULVP LQFOXGLQJ by Nationality Demand shocks Centre did for Alliance not of Labour negatively and Human Rights (CENTRAL) impact - Study: Cambodia’s all Garment Segmenthospitality) in Transformation (January, is Cambodia’s 2021) second-largest growth “I think even [with] the lifting of Cambodian Farmer Federation Asso- His assumption based on business demic, similar to global experiences. of recovery in coming years and exported products.the lockdown, While we cannot garment, recover ciation of A footwear,gricultural Producers said. closuresdriver and curfew after imposed the then construction “The most important pointsector. is that we Accordingleave lasting damage theto the econo- the losses because up to now, we The situation worsened in the last was that losses would expand if the still maintained a normal relationship my’s productive capacity. and travel goods[the products logistics sector] haveexported already three toweeks all as supply major to wholesale economicRIÀFLDOHVWLPDWHV&DPERGLDHDUQHG86ELOOLRQ fallout lasted. with buyers, and factories [continued However, it recommended that lost about 60 per cent [of revenue], markets was cut and traders could Judging from the current scenario to] operate except for [those located faster vaccination and more target- if not more,” he said. not meet farmers for re-contracting including the lockdown, his estima- in] lockdown zones,” he reiterated. ed and flexible policy measures will markets (except L theike other U.S.) industries, the declined, logistics as a result exports of travel restrictions. of tionin of larger tourism losses might be on receipts point. In addition, in 2019 Sovicheat said and Cam- thesupport country recovery. is sector abided by the two per cent In Kandal province’s Sa’ang dis- Although Penn Sovicheat, spokes- bodia’s trade representatives sta- For instance, coordinated efforts bicycles surged,employment reaching order during US$369 the lock- trict, one million, lettuce farmer anreportedly manprojected for the Ministry ofto Commerce lose tionedUS$3 abroad billion maintained in contact tourism to address receipts structural constraints down period, which meant fewer dumped hundreds of tonnes of his disagreed, particularly in the con- and “good relationship“ with big should be accelerated to enhance staff for trucking services and pro- produce after failing to market them text of exports. buyers to gain their “understanding competitiveness and resilience of LQFUHDVH RI cessing SHUFHQW of documents. \\ GXULQJas authorities WKH cracked down ÀUVW on trad- “Forthis sure, year, there [is] thanks disruption andto tolerance” the collapseon any delay caused of the international economy. “Many employees were also not ers within lockdown areas. over exports because of Covid-19 by the pandemic. “Efforts to promote domestic in- able to work because they either Sotha said eventually farmers had but the situation is controllable. For The prioritisation of vaccina- dustry development and attract lived in red or orange zones and to reduce harvest while pleadinglo- garment export, the disruption [was tion for workers is another factor more quality foreign direct invest- other provinces,” Chanthy said. cal governments to take their pro- related] to factories in lockdown [ar- to ensure factory workers are able ment into prioritya sectors to diver- Figure 5: Exports of garments, footwear,duce to supply households travel affected eas]Figure but not all. 6: Cambodia’sto work, albeit top with export precautionary markets sify the economy are crucial, as the Dumping lettuce by Covid-19 and quarantine centres. “We still exported [despite] delays. measures on production lines. pandemic has exposed the risks of goods andAdmittedly, bicycles. the lockdown was “Only a small volume was effectively However, GMaC and the(percent, govern- I t 2020)is a notion shared by the ASEAN+3 relying on a few export products and pertinent to flatten the curve, but sold to collective markets. Those who ment have coordinated with the Macroeconomic Research Office markets,” it said. (US$ million)industry players stressed that there harvested large quantities faced losses buyers to accommodate the issue,” (AMRO) Asia, which acknowledged While the recommendations are should have been more planning and suffered damages,” he related. he said via a social messaging app. the challenges faced by Cambodia. sound, Cambodia has to first take prior to the decision. These losses, he opined, would Sovicheat remarked that every It said business closures and job stock of its losses and strengthen For instance, the problem of food take a minimum of three to six economic sector experienced a “fair losses due to the pandemic, if pro- its policies before it can fire up its shortages occurred within red zones months and up to three years for share” of the impact from the pan- longed, might diminish the strength economy once again. although there was enough food to farmers to recover if the situation RoW go around.Japan UK EUdoes not abate.US 9,000 “What exasperated the food short- But what the lockdown revealed age was the total supply chain for Sotha was that despite a signifi- RoW 8,000 disruption since day one of the cant drop in vegetable imports from US lockdown due to the incoherent ap- Vietnam and Thailand because of 19% proach among various state entities border closures, local farmers did Japan 36% 7,000 enforcing [the order],” said Van of not profit from it because sustain- Platform Impact. able farming policies are not strong- The lack of coordination also result- ly advocated in Cambodia. 9% 6,000 ed in losses recorded by the agriculture “It is a fact that we need a critical sector, in particular vegetable small- policy that supports them [in terms 5,000 holders, who make up 80 per cent of of] water, climate change, specific subsistence farming in Cambodia. electricity tariffs for agriculture, fi- 4,000 Many had to contend with up to nancing and agriculture standards EU 50 per cent drop in selling price,2,686 said and markets.2,154 Theng Savoeun,2,569 director of Coalition “We have some existing policies 28% 3,000 of Cambodian Farmers’ Community. [but] we need the government to UK 2,221 “For smallholders, that is a huge implement them,” he said. loss. It was a difficult period because 8% 2,000 Fair share of impact they could not supply to the markets 2,780 because of travel restrictions2,584 and The path to restore economic 1,000 1,465 the lockdown1,890 in the capital city and growth is proving to be a challenge surrounding districts,” he said. as cases continue to surge while 0 On the flipside, vegetable prices Cambodia races to inoculate 20 per within the lockdown areas rose be- cent of the population. It now stands 9m-2017tween 9m-2018 20 and 30 per cent because 9m-2019 of around 15 9m-2020per cent. limited supply. The MEF forecasts four per cent GDP “As it is, smallholders don’t earn growth this year, coming off a record much under normal circumstances. contraction of 3.1 per cent last year. When they could not supply the The Asian Development Bank Source: Cambodian authorities.markets, many just sold off the echoed a similar prediction for 2021 Source: Cambodian authorities. produce cheap before it started to but contended the projection is sub- Note: RoW = rest of world.rot,” he said. ject to revision if risks persist. Note: a. Denotes garment, footwear, travel goods, and bicycle In actual fact, the agriculture seg- Earlier last month, economist Dr ment – the only segment which re- Chheng Kimlong of independent products. RoW = rest of the world.. corded growth last year – has been think tank Asian Vision Institute es- under pressure from the first quarter timated economic loss of more than of this year as sales dropped by 40 $300 million when Covid-19 cases Source: Cambodia Economic Update, Nov 2020 (World Bank per cent due to Covid-19, Sok Sotha, started to surge from the February 20 founder and managing director of community outbreak. Cambodia’s top export markets (per cent, 2020)

18 CAMBODIA ECONOMIC UPDATE | NOVEMBER 2020 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST MAY 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com

www.phnompenhpost.com/post-focus corporate responsibility

AIA Cambodia continues to enrich the lives of young people through sport. supplied The ISF logo received global attention during an EPL match on Sunday. Supplied ISF supports disadvantaged children through education, healthcare and sport. Supplied AIA scores for ISF Cambodia with auction of autographed Tottenham match shirts

IA took its support of insurance giant’s community audience, and this partnership The club’s coaches led a ISF Cambodia (ISF) responsibilities, she added, offered ISF Cambodia an virtual mentoring session for to an international something “AIA and AIA unimaginable opportunity the project’s volunteers in the audience this week, Cambodia take very seriously in to raise awareness for our week before Sunday’s match, replacingA its logo on the front keeping with our commitment organisation and start with some of the participants of English Premier league club to helping millions of people conversations about our having the honour of being Tottenham Hotspur’s shirts with across Asia live ‘Healthier, mission on a larger scale. It’s virtual mascots for the game. that of the Cambodian NGO. Longer, Better Lives’”. just days after the match, and “Spurs’ Global Football ISF is an award-winning “As such, we look to uplift we’re already seeing support Development coaches NGO in Cambodia that supports and benefit society however we from new audiences and have spent time disadvantaged children through can, whether it’s helping flood communities. in Phnom Penh education, healthcare and sport. matchwornshirt.com. victims, donating to charitable “We can’t thank Tottenham working with The English giants beat “ISF has been doing a causes or highlighting the work Hotspur and AIA enough participants in Sheffield United 4-0 on Sunday tremendous job in helping and efforts of NGOs such as ISF for this opportunity to their football night, and the shirts signed by underprivileged Cambodian Cambodia,” she said. bring global awareness to programme. the players – including hat- children through their With the Premier League the our mission of enabling The ISF’s trick hero Gareth Bale, fellow educational, football and most-watched sports league underprivileged children coaches have goalscorer Son Heung-min, community development in the world, broadcast in and their communities received star England striker Harry Kane programmes, and we are 212 territories to 643 million to lift themselves out training and France goalkeeper Hugo delighted to bring greater homes and with potential TV of poverty through from Lloris – are set to be auctioned attention to them through our audiences of billions, ISF was increased access to Spurs’ on Friday. Spurs partnership. given a truly international education, healthcare Seventy-five per cent of “While giving ISF recogni- platform. and sport,” said ISF the funds raised from the tion, we’re not forgetting the “Having ISF Cambodia’s Cambodia country auction of the special shirts primary reason we’re sup- logo featured on the front manager Vicheka Chourp. will go to ISF and 25 per porting them – Cambodia’s of Tottenham Hotspur’s The Premier League is cent towards the Tottenham underprivileged children – with shirts during last weekend’s hugely popular in Cambodia, Hotspur Foundation – the the limited-edition autographed English Premier League match with Spurs having a sizeable club’s charitable arm dedicated match shirts featuring ISF was a huge honour for our following, and one of the north to creating opportunities for its logo and the words “From organisation. Not only did we London club’s star players local community. Cambodia by AIA” in Khmer have the opportunity to share sent a message of thanks to To have the chance of to be auctioned,” said Pauline our mission with a global their many supporters in the elite owning a signed limited- Teoh, the outgoing CEO of AIA audience, but we were able KIngdom. coaches so edition Spurs match shirt – Cambodia. to bring more recognition to “Hello to all of our fans in that they can with the proceeds going to an The shirt move comes as Cambodia. Cambodia. Thank you for your help even more excellent cause – visit www. part of the multinational “The EPL has a massive amazing support. I hope to see children in the you soon,” Spurs forward Son years to come. This was said before the match. done physically in 2020 And the and digitally this year due to support goes Covid-19 restrictions. two ways, with “Moving forward, AIA Tottenham and and Tottenham Hotspur AIA Cambodia will continue their efforts having to support the ISF’s football worked with programmes, as well as to ISF since explore how we can further 2017. of benefit the NGO’s educational Spurs paid good and community projects. tribute to the important work causes we “There’s more we can do of ISF in the official matchday have supported – for example, by launching programme, in a two-page alongside AIA focused initiatives that target feature on the organisation’s as we continue the mental and physical efforts to alleviate poverty and to work together health and wellbeing of inequality in Cambodia. to promote underprivileged young people. “We have seen the positive health and well- “Working with ISF’s football impact of the Indochina ness across the programme is a great start, and Starfish Foundation in Phnom Asia-Pacific region, AIA Cambodia will continue Penh first-hand and are where we have a to look into ways of offering pleased to be supporting such a significant fanbase,” opportunities to engage in worthwhile cause to help raise said Donna-Maria sport to enrich the lives its profile and valuable funds, Cullen, Tottenham of young people and alongside our partners at AIA. Hotspur’s executive communities,” AIA’s Spurs players celebrate after Son Heung-min’s goal (inset: Gareth Bale). Supplied “The ISF is one of a number director. Teoh said. THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 World US backs virus Blue Origin auction for vaccine patent July space rights waiver trip opens JEFF Bezos’ Blue Origin will send its first crew to space on amid Covid-19 July 20 and is offering one of the seats to the winner of an S PRESIDENT Joe the consensus-based na- online auction, the company Biden’s administra- ture” of the WTO. said on May 5. tion on May 5 an- The aim “is to get as many The trip will last a total of 10 nounced support safe and effective vaccines to minutes, four of which pas- forU a global waiver on patent as many people as fast as pos- sengers will spend above the protections for Covid-19 vac- sible”, she said. Karman line that marks the cines, offering hope to poor With supplies for people in Demonstrators in Washington hold a rally to ‘Free the Vaccine’, calling on the US to commit to sharing vaccine recognised boundary between nations that have struggled to the US secured, the Biden ad- formulas with the world to help ensure that every nation has access. AFP Earth’s atmosphere and access the life-saving doses. ministration will continue ef- space. India, where the death toll forts “to expand vaccine man- Pfizer,M oderna and Johnson & committed to financially sup- He also said his administra- “We’ve been perfecting our hit a new daily record amid ufacturing and distribution”, Johnson – to discuss the issue. port the vaccine-sharing pro- tion was “ready to move imme- ability to launch, land and fears the peak is still to come, and will work to “increase the While the US has reached gramme, Covax. diately” if regulators authorise repeat,” a video accompany- has been leading the fight raw materials needed to pro- the point of offering donuts But there was no immedi- the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine ing the announcement said. within the World Trade Or- duce those vaccines”. and beer to vaccine holdouts, ate announcement on fresh for 12- to 15-year-olds. “Our next launch will be the ganisation (WTO) to allow For months the WTO has India reported 3,780 new pan- funding. Experts question the wis- first time astronauts will fly more drugmakers to manu- been facing calls to temporarily demic deaths and not enough Though his country is not a dom of devoting limited vac- aboard New Shepard.” facture the vaccines – a move remove the intellectual proper- doses to inoculate its people. group member, Indian foreign cine supplies to a low-risk The reusable suborbital pharma giants opposed. ty protections on Covid-19 vac- India has in recent weeks minister Subrahmanyam Jais- group instead of sharing them rocket system was named after US Trade Representative cines, known as a TRIPS waiver endured a devastating surge hankar was in London for the with high-risk groups abroad. Alan Shepard, who 60 years Katherine Tai said that while in reference to the agreement in coronavirus cases, with G7 talks but had to hold his “Vaccinating more people ago on May 5 became the first intellectual property rights on Trade-Related Aspects of more than 380,000 infections meetings virtually after pos- in the US is not going to help US citizen in space. for businesses are important, Intellectual Property. reported on May 5. sible exposure to virus cases. us if the variants in India, Ne- New Shepard has success- Washington “supports the WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo- K Vijay Raghavan, the Indian The pandemic has claimed pal and South Asia get out of fully carried out 15 uncrewed waiver of those protections Iweala on May 5 described as government’s principal scien- more than 3.2 million lives control and hit our shores,” test runs launching from its for Covid-19 vaccines” in or- the “moral and economic is- tific adviser, said the country worldwide since it first said Priya Sampathkumar, facility in the Guadalupe der to end the pandemic. sue of our time.” of 1.3 billion people had to pre- emerged in late 2019, but chair of Infection Prevention Mountains, in the western part “This is a global health cri- But that notion has been pare for a new wave of infec- many wealthy nations have and Control at the Mayo Clin- of the US state of Texas. sis, and the extraordinary cir- fiercely opposed by pharma- tions even after beating down made progress in suppressing ic in the state of Minnesota. After lift-off, the capsule, cumstances of the Covid-19 ceutical giants and their host the current wave, which has the virus as mass vaccination UCSF physician and epi- which carries up to six crew pandemic call for extraordi- countries, which insist the taken the country’s caseload campaigns gather steam. demiologist Vinay Prasad members, separates from its nary measures,” she said in a patents are not the main road- above 20 million infections. More than 1.2 billion doses slammed the idea of vaccinat- booster, then spends four min- statement. blocks to scaling up produc- In an effort to boost the have been administered glob- ing low-risk US adolescents utes at an altitude exceeding Biden had been under in- tion, and warned the move country’s collapsing health sys- ally, but fewer than one per before 70-year-olds globally 100km, during which time tense pressure to waive protec- could hamper innovation. tem, India’s reserve bank an- cent in the least developed as “a terrible error”. those on board experience tions for vaccine manufactur- “A waiver is the simple but nounced $6.7 billion in cheap countries. In the Middle East, Egypt an- weightlessness and can ers, especially amid criticism the wrong answer to what financing for vaccine makers, Vaccine shortages are not nounced a partial shutdown observe the curvature of Earth that rich nations were hoard- is a complex problem,” the hospitals and health firms. an issue in the US, which of malls and restaurants and from space. ing Covid-19 vaccines. Geneva-based International India’s crisis has been partly could soon be sitting on as called off festivities for the Mus- The booster lands autono- World Health Organisation Federation of Pharmaceuti- fuelled by a lack of vaccines. many as 300 million extra lim holidays of Eid al-Fitr to mously on a pad two miles (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom cal Manufacturers and As- This has in turn exacerbated doses – nearly equivalent to curb rising coronavirus cases. from the launch site, and the Ghebreyesus called the US de- sociations lobby group said, the global shortage as India is its entire population. Serbia’s president mean- capsule floats back to the sur- cision “historic” and marked describing the US move as the world’s biggest producer Biden on May 4 said he while said his country would face with three large para- “a monumental moment in “disappointing”. of Covid shots. wanted 70 per cent of US pay each citizen around $30 to chutes that slow it down to the fight against Covid-19”. Tai in recent weeks has met In London, foreign minis- adults to have received at get vaccinated, in what could about a mile an hour when it Tai cautioned that nego- with executives from all the ters from the Group of Seven least one shot by the July 4 In- be the world’s first cash-for- lands. tiations “will take time given major US vaccine producers – (G7) wealthy democracies dependence Day holiday. jabs scheme. AFP Blue Origin said the bidding will be unsealed on May 19 before a final-stage live online auction on July 12 when the winner is announced. The proceeds will go to the US, Japan, S Korea vow co-op on Pyongyang company’s foundation, Club for the Future, which aims to THE US, South Korea and despite renewed tensions with his Japanese and South trilateral cooperation” and ment on sharing intelligence inspire future generations to Japan pledged on May 5 to between the Asian nations. Korean counterparts Toshimit- committed to work “to pro- with Japan on North Korea. pursue careers in STEM – or cooperate on North Korea as Joined by aides, US Secretary su Motegi and Chung Eui-yong mote peace, security and pros- Since taking office, Biden has science, technology, engineer- their top diplomats met in of State Antony Blinken sat in on each side in a hotel confer- perity in the region”. put an emphasis on working ing and mathematics. London, coming together the centre of a U-shaped table ence room on the sidelines of a The two Asian nations are with allies. Blinken and defence Blue Origin has not yet pub- Group of Seven (G7) meeting. both treaty-bound allies of the secretary Lloyd Austin visited lished its prices but its clien- The US Department of State US but have long had friction Tokyo and Seoul together on tele is expected to mainly be said the meeting was meant to due to the legacy of Japan’s their first foreign trip, and the wealthy individuals. “promote trilateral solidarity” harsh colonial rule over the Japanese and South Korean Virgin Galactic, the company and discuss a policy review by Korean peninsula. national security advisers met founded by British billionaire President Joe Biden that looks South Korea last month jointly near Washington as the Richard Branson, is also devel- to resume diplomacy with voiced “deep disappointment” administration concluded its oping a spacecraft capable of North Korea. after Japanese Prime Minister North Korea policy review. sending clients on suborbital Blinken and the two foreign Yoshihide Suga sent an offer- Earlier this week, the top US flights. Some 600 people have ministers “reaffirmed their coming to the Yasukuni shrine, military officer, General Mark booked flights, costing mitment to concerted trilateral which venerates war dead Milley, met jointly with his $200,000 to $250,000. cooperation toward denucleari- including convicted war crim- Japanese and South Korean Elon Musk’s SpaceX is plan- sation of the Korean peninsula, inals, although leaders in counterparts in Hawaii. ning orbital flights that would as well as other issues of mutual Tokyo have in recent years The Biden administration in cost millions of dollars and interest”, state department refrained from the more explo- its policy review called for send people much further into spokesman Ned Price said. sive step of visiting. seeking practical progress with space. AFP The South Korean foreign Relations deteriorated sharp- North Korea, avoiding the Japanese foreign minister Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his South www.phnompenhpost.com Korean and US counterparts, Chung Eui-yong and Antony Blinken, take ministry similarly said the ly in 2019, with South Korea flashy, high-stakes summitry part in a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign three “reaffirmed the impor- pulling back at the last minute of former president Donald check the post website for breaking news ministers’ meeting in London. AFP tance of the Korea-US-Japan from terminating an agree- Trump. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 12 ASEAN ‘Invaluable Vietnamese assistance’ spurs Laos’ Covid-19 containment

INVALUABLE assistance pro- ment and people for their vided by the government of kind assistance. Vietnam has Vietnam has significantly been an active provider of as- boosted the Lao government’s sistance to Laos to help the effort to battle the Covid-19 country’s fight against Covid- outbreak, officials say. 19 and has already provided a The Vietnamese govern- number of aid packages. ment has provided medical On May 3, the People’s Army specialists and staff, funds of Vietnam sent four medical and medical equipment specialists and equipment to worth billions of kip to help bolster Laos’ response to the Laos contain the outbreak. outbreak. The supplies were The latest shipment of handed over at the Nam Phao aid from Vietnam arrived in international checkpoint. Vientiane on May 4 as Laos At the start of the pandem- struggles to contain the virus ic, Vietnam provided similar outbreak, which has forced assistance, delivering medi- authorities to order a nation- cal supplies worth more than wide lockdown. two billion kip on April 3 last The shipment included two year. The shipment included million face masks, 10 tonnes 330,000 face masks, 1,000 sets of disinfectant and other ma- of protective clothing and terials, as well as more than 4.7 other essential equipment. billion kip ($500,000) in cash. As the outbreak in Laos The Vietnamese medical escalates, the total number team includes experts in fields of infections has exceeded such as infection prevention 1,000, forcing authorities to A group of ousted lawmakers who call themselves the ‘National Unity Government’ (NUG) announced their own ‘people’s defence force’. COMMITTEE and control, intensive care, set up makeshift hospitals to FOR REPRESENTING PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW/AFP epidemics, and lab tests. provide sufficient treatment Welcoming the arrival of facilities. medical personnel and sup- Lao government officials plies at Wattay International said Vietnam’s assistance has Ousted Myanmar lawmakers Airport, Deputy Prime Min- significantly contributed to ister Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphi- efforts to prevent and control thoune said: “We will make the spread of the virus. full use of the materials.” On several occasions, the ‘form people’s defence force’ Kikeo, who is also chairman leaders of Laos and Vietnam of the National Taskforce for have pledged to work to- SHADOW govern- “National Unity Government” But the more than 20 groups Another group along Myan- Covid-19 Prevention and gether and help each other ment of ousted Myan- (NUG) and are working un- – made up of disparate ethnic mar’s eastern border, which Control, expressed gratitude to combat the pandemic. VIEN- mar lawmakers on derground to oppose the junta minorities agitating for more declined to be named, said the to the Vietnamese govern- TIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK May 5 said it had set announced their own “people’s autonomy – have long distrust- statement was “confusing”. upA a “people’s defence force” to defence force” to “stop the use ed the ethnic Bamar majority, Before the NUG’s announce- protect civilians, as the police of violence against people”. including lawmakers affiliated ment on May 5, some com- and military deploy deadly It is intended as a precursor with Suu Kyi’s government. munities across Myanmar arms against anti-coup pro- to a “Federal Union Army”, the An official of the Karenni – especially in townships that testers. NUG said in a statement – re- National Progressive Party have seen a high death toll at The country has been in ferring to a long-touted idea of (KNPP) – which has said it is the hands of police – have an- turmoil since the military de- bringing anti-coup dissidents sheltering anti-coup dissi- nounced local “defence forces” posed civilian leader Aung San together with Myanmar’s eth- dents – expressed scepticism for their areas. Suu Kyi, triggering a mass up- nic rebel fighters into an army. at the NUG announcement. State media reported on May rising of daily protests and a Some in the anti-coup move- “As far as I know, it is the 4 night that five protesters – nationwide boycott from civil ment have called for unity people themselves who walk including a former member servants. among Myanmar’s myriad reb- into the jungle and receive of Parliament with Suu Kyi’s So far, nearly 770 people el armed groups to defeat the the training from the [ethnic party – were killed when they have been killed in deadly military’s well-trained soldiers. armed organisations] … it is tried to plant a bomb in the crackdowns, according to a lo- A few of the groups have not decided by the NUG,” said southern region of Bago. cal monitoring group – though condemned the military coup KNPP vice-chair Khu Oo Reh. Bombs have exploded spo- the junta has a far lower death and the use of violence against He added that while the NUG radically across the country toll which it blames on “riot- unarmed civilians. Some are has spoken with many rebel in recent weeks, especially ers”. also providing shelter and even groups about a militia made in Yangon. Authorities have The latest shipment of aid from Vietnam arrives in Vientiane on Tuesday A group of ousted lawmak- training to dissidents who flee up of civilians, “I have no idea blamed some of the blasts on and includes two million face masks, 10 tonnes of disinfectant and other ers who call themselves the into their territories. what their intentions are”. “instigators”. AFP materials, as well as more than 4.7 billion kip ($500,000) in cash. SUPPLIED VN extends quarantine for arrivals after new outbreak VIETNAM has extended the “The Ministry of Health has About 800 medical workers, quarantine period for anyone decided to extend the period of patients as well as any relatives arriving in the country to three mandatory quarantine for peo- who were visiting at the time weeks, authorities said on May ple who have made close con- the lockdown was announced 5, following a fresh community tact with Covid-19 patients and must remain in the hospital for outbreak of the coronavirus. people who have entered Viet- two weeks, authorities said. The nation has so far kept nam,” said health minister Vietnam has also detected case numbers low – recording Nguyen Thanh Long. cases in the community of a just over 3,000 cases and 35 The new quarantine period Covid-19 variant believed to be deaths – thanks to strict quar- will be 21 days. behind a devastating surge in antine measures and extensive The announcement came infections in India. contact tracing. after one of the country’s best The last community out- But Vietnam reported its first hospitals – which has treated break, centred on the northern community outbreak in weeks many Covid-19 patients – went city of Hai Duong, was success- on April 30, and other clusters into lockdown on May 5, after fully contained last month. have since emerged. a doctor tested positive for the But the country has been on Several cases have been virus. high alert amid a spiralling out- linked to people who tested Fourteen others at the break in other parts of South- positive after their two-week National Hospital for Tropical east Asia including Cambodia stay in hotel quarantine had Diseases in Hanoi were later and Laos, which both share a Morning commuters wear face masks to protect against the coronavirus in Vietnamese capital Hanoi. AFP ended. found to be infected. border with Vietnam. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Opinion

Pandemic highlights need for resil- www.phnompenhpost.com EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng ient occupational safety and health Managing Editor Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor Opinion phuon Chansereivuth Chief of Staff Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa phak Seangly Business Editor May Kunmakara ORKPLACES can easily Deputy Business Editor become contaminated, Sangeetha Amarthalingam exposing workers, their Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk families and communi- pan Simala Wties to the risk of transmission. In Senior Reporters addition to infection, workers in all Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng sectors face additional hazards that Reporters have emerged due to new work prac- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, tices and procedures adopted to mit- Long Kimmarita, Hin pisei, Mom Kunthear, igate the spread of the virus. Hong Raksmey, pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Working at home, for instance, has Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, led to ergonomic and psychosocial risks with some 65 per cent of sur- Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha veyed enterprises reporting that work- Photographers er morale has been difficult to sustain. Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey Certain workplaces have been partic- Web Editor ularly affected, such as the 136 million Leang phannara health and social workers at serious risk Digital Team of contracting Covid-19 during the Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy course of their work. Moreover, those SIEM REAP BUREAU workers, as well as essential staff in Offi ce Manager many other sectors, have faced Sophearith Blondeel increased workload, longer working PRODUCTION & PRINTING hours and reduced rest periods. The risk Head of Desktop Publishing of violence and harassment at work has Nhim Sokphyrak also risen, with consequences for both Desktop Publishing physical and mental wellbeing. Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath The protection of workers against sickness, disease and injury related to their work environment has been a Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna central issue for the International Healthcare workers wear face masks and carry signs in support of resident physicians, interns and fellows at UCLA Health as they protest Labour Organisation (ILO) since 1919. for improved Covid-19 testing and workplace safety policies outside of UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles, California, last year. afp HEAD OFFICE Since the start of the Covid-19 cri- Post Media Co., Ltd. sis, principles contained in the ILO for Occupational Safety and Health For example, Singapore has adopted The pandemic has furthermore The Elements Condominium Level 7, Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 lays out key ele- new regulations on teleworking or demonstrated the importance of Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, (OSH) standards have shown to be ments of a national OSH system. leave with a view of protecting vulner- social dialogue between govern- Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom more relevant than ever, especially They comprise regulatory and able populations. In India, the Health ments, employers’ and workers’ Penh, Cambodia the principle of prevention. institutional frameworks; occupa- and Family Welfare Ministry has pro- organisations not only in responding Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Faced with an unprecedented public tional health services; information, duced and disseminated materials on to crises but also in promoting good Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 health emergency, governments have advisory services and training; data how to effectively communicate with OSH conditions. A climate of trust, Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 taken measures to curb the spread of collection and research; and mecha- workers and people who are suspect- built through social dialogue, is SIEM REAP the virus through public health sys- nisms for strengthening OSH man- ed or confirmed to have Covid-19. essential for the effective implemen- No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune tems. Actors in the world of work, par- agement systems at the enterprise In New Zealand, occupational health tation of measures to address emer- Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 ticularly in the field of OSH, have been level to prevent and respond to OSH professionals have helped workers set gencies such as Covid-19, which COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT crucial in the emergency response for require quick but effective action. Chief Operating Offi cer protecting workers including those Strengthened respect for, and reli- James Ong Soon Teck who support public health systems. A strong national OSH system ance upon, mechanisms for social Advertising Department At the same time, special attention dialogue create a strong foundation Chap Narith, 017 996 241 is needed to ensure that policies and can only be built through for building resilience and encourag- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 strategies do not discriminate against ing commitment from employers and prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 anyone, and consider those in vul- concerted action and workers to the necessary policy and Keo puthy, 012 966 605 nerable situations including the practical measures. phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 young, women, disabled and migrant commitment of all stakeholders Covid-19 has undoubtedly been Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 workers, the self-employed and the one of the gravest occupational safe- CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION informal economy. risks. Investing in these systems ena- up ergonomically sound home office ty and health challenges the world Acting Distribution Manager Among the many lessons learned bles countries to better face and environments to support healthy tele- has ever faced. A strong national OSH Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 from this crisis is the need for countries recover from crises by safeguarding working. In Bangladesh, research has system can only be built through Circulation Supervisor to have a sound and resilient OSH sys- lives and livelihoods, and advancing looked at instances of suicides by concerted action and commitment of Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 tem in place, one that can build capaci- the protection of workers. workers due to Covid-related unem- all stakeholders. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA ADMINISTRATION ty for future emergencies and protect In the Asia-Pacific region, the Covid- ployment or business closures. Mean- NEWS NETWORK Admin & HR Manager workers’ safety and health while sup- 19 pandemic has led to many coun- while, a study in Malaysia examined pich Socheat porting the survival of enterprises. tries taking steps to strengthen priority the specific risks that migrants face in The writer is ILO’s assistant director-general Assistants Admin & HR Manager The ILO’s Promotional Framework elements of their national OSH system. connection with Covid-19. and regional director for Asia-Pacific Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Inside the cut-throat battle of the bands to make or break K-pop’s next superstars

Members of the K-pop boy band Blitzers perform during their dance practise session at a rehearsal studio in K-pop boy band Blitzers members Jang Jun-ho (left) and Lee Jun-young sit on bunk-beds after waking up Seoul on April 29. AFP in the band’s shared house in Seoul. AFP

HIRTY teenagers, hopes of those expelled after “Yes!” the boys responded ting its existence on their ing part-time after class. roles of caregiver and enforcer. thousands of hours failing to make the cut. with a unanimous shout. success. A rigorous testing process “It’s inevitable,” he explained. of training, dozens In a dedicated, mirror-lined “We practise our dance The potential returns are whittled them down, until 12 “They have to be ready at any of shattered dreams: rehearsal studio, the seven moves until we synchronise huge – the agency behind of them moved into the shared time” if a promotional oppor- itT all comes to a head next survivors stood poised for the them perfectly,” said backup BTS, Big Hit Entertainment, house for the final stage, with tunity arises. week when the Blitzers will be opening bars of their first sin- singer Jang Jun-ho. since renamed Hybe, floated the seven group members The K-pop industry is ac- launched into the cut-throat gle, Breathe Again, outnum- on the Korean stock exchange chosen in November. cused of consuming young K-pop market, hoping to be- bered by managers, trainers ‘Only a couple survive’ last year and now has a mar- Even the winners were left hopefuls with only a tiny mi- come the next BTS. and choreographers. K-pop is the latest and big- ket capitalisation of more with mixed feelings. Leader nority surviving to stardom, An all-male septet – like the The moment it came over the gest instance of the so-called than $7 billion. Choi Jin-hwa, 19, said that al- with former Nine Muses idol musical phenomenon that speakers they launched into Korean Wave, as the South’s But the odds are stacked together he saw around 20 of Ryu Sera last year likening it topped the US Billboard charts high-energy lockstep moves, popular culture gains over- against the Blitzers, whose six- his fellow trainees dismissed, to a “factory-like mass-pro- last year – their three years of spinning each other around seas recognition – epitomised track debut mini-album was but he “never got used to it”. duction system” in an inter- training are being distilled into with military precision. by the global success of boy released on April 5. “Regardless of how long view with AFP. three minutes of music and “Though I want to hold your band BTS. “Every year more than 50 idol they had been with us, they Wuzo’s Kim rejects such dancing that will determine hands I can’t come near you/ The phenomenon earns groups launch into the market,” had all practised all day long criticism as “one-sided”. whether they are a hit, or just Because I’m stuck unable billions of dollars for the said Kim Jin-hyung, the label’s with me ever since joining,” “We as a company give train- another nowhere band. to move,” sang 17-year-old world’s 12th largest economy co-chief executive. “Only a cou- he said. “Even though I had ees an opportunity to pursue The routine, always intense, lead singer Cho Woo-ju as he and scores of groups are as- ple of them survive. done nothing wrong, I felt a and realise their dreams and is punishing in the weeks run- jumped off a human staircase sembled and launched each “If Blitzers succeed the sense of guilt.” they give us an opportunity to ning up to their debut: gym formed by his bandmates. year by record labels trying to company succeeds,” he said. The discipline is relentless, grow as a company,” he said. sessions, singing lessons, pro- As the song reached its cli- capture a slice of the pie. “If they fail, it’s almost certain with Wuzo determining when “We are all in this together.” motional shoots, and around max they came together in a The Blitzers were put to- we’ll have to shut down our they get up, when and what And manager Oh is realistic 10 hours of dance practice line-up, simultaneously throw- gether by Wuzo Entertain- business.” they eat, when they wear make- about cast-off former trainees. into the early morning. ing trademark K-pop poses. ment, a nascent Seoul man- up and when they go to bed. “We can’t help those who were The programme leaves But the response was un- agement agency. ‘I felt a sense of guilt’ Weight control is constant. given an opportunity for self them less than five hours derwhelming. “It was just a The firm has invested The Blitzers are all aged “We ban them from eating improvement but couldn’t keep sleep a night in bunk-beds in warm up for you guys, right?” around one billion won 17 to 19 and were mostly re- night-time snacks,” said man- up with the others,” he said. their shared Seoul house – the said a dance instructor. “Let’s ($900,000) in the band – its cruited while still in school, ager Oh Chang-seok, who lives “We need to present the pub- empty berths tombs for the do it for real now.” first – and is effectively bet- some of them initially train- with the band, combining the lic with the best ones.” AFP Bugging out: EU approves beetle larvae as food, with more to come

MORE insects are on their way to din- It added that yellow mealworm did say that insects had previously ner plates in Europe under an agree- must be labelled clearly as such when been available for consumption in ment between EU countries to label used in a food product, not least to some member states. them “innovative food” that is safe to alert people who might be allergic. But that was before a 2018 update eat, the European Commission said The insect can be used to make to the EU regulation on novel foods on Tuesday. burgers, protein shakes and biscuits. that requires whole insects to be sub- The endorsement means the 27-na- The commission said there are cur- ject to approval. tion bloc is close to adopting an EU rently 11 other applications for Researchers have for years observed law allowing residents and visitors to insects to become “novel food” in the the high protein value of yellow meal- tuck into a dish featuring dried yellow EU and they will be considered by the worms, which contain required fat mealworm, the larva of the meal- European Food Safety Authority. and amino acids. The larva can grow worm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. The decision on yellow mealworms quickly in a variety of substances “The use of insects as an alternate is expected to be formally adopted in including brewer’s yeast, wheat bran, source of protein is not new and coming weeks, the commission said. corn starch and potato flour. insects are regularly eaten in many While it noted that this is the first They have already long been found A person holds dry mealworms, larval form of the mealworm beetle, in Saint-Ignat, parts of the world,” the commission time an insect was being authorised in food markets in Southeast Asian central France, in May last year. AFP noted, announcing the decision. as food in the EU, the commission countries. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Lifestyle Thinking caps

Buddhist monks and rescue volunteers from the Siam Nonthaburi foundation oversee the funeral of a woman who died after contracting Covid-19. AFP Thailand funeral services ‘fast-tracked’ as Kingdom grapples with Covid-19

escue workers Nonthaburi, a suburb of Bangkok. placed some robes on the altar. dressed in protec- But due to the risk of han- Immediately after, she is re- “GIRL FRIENDS” tion gear hoist a dling the bodies, the service quired to exit the crematori- gleaming coffin to must be done quickly – and um area – to where the rest of aR temple’s crematorium – a with plenty of safety precau- her relatives wait. The rescue ACROSS 49 Banished to Elba, e.g. 25 Supplies with weapons 1 H.H. Munro’s pen name 51 Tourist attraction in Amsterdam 26 Mark with a branding iron fast-tracked process that is tions, said Pairat Soottoop, an workers then douse her offer- 5 Plumbing or heating, e.g. 57 “Cut it out!” 27 “Frasier” actress Gilpin a departure from Thailand’s official with the foundation. ings with disinfectant. 10 Slaps the cuffs on 58 Listless dissatisfaction 28 New newts tradition of days-long funer- “This is a risky job, a very As monks chant, the doors 14 Street ___ (acceptability, slangily) 59 Opera star 29 Rank of KFC’s Sanders, briefly als as the kingdom grapples difficult job,” he said, adding to the crematorium close. 15 More healthy 60 Word with “limit” or “share” 31 Eagle or erne with a Covid-19 outbreak. that they typically cremate a Moments later, smoke wafts 16 “You can say that again!” 61 Keep ___ to the ground 32 “Yadda, yadda, yadda” The Thai capital Bangkok single body each day, but this out of the structure’s roof. 17 Plot that thickens? 62 “Iliad” war god 33 “Look ___ hands!” has been the epicentre of the third wave has meant they are Having seen so many of 18 Earthenware cooking pots 63 Did great on, as a test 34 TV award country’s third wave, with au- handling four funerals daily. these fast-tracked funerals in 19 Kind of palm 64 Backs, anatomically 35 Burrows and Vigoda thorities struggling to contain On the afternoon of May the last month, Pairat’s only 20 Oldie with a star character 65 Affirmative votes 37 Eat greedily (with “down”) the outbreak since it was first 5, volunteer rescue work- words of advice is for those named Stone DOWN 38 My ___ Massacre detected in a nightlife district ers dressed in full PPE gear with older family members to 23 Blotto 1 Bunch 39 Sabbath in early April. carried a gleaming gold- take the utmost precautions. 24 Some bridge positions 2 With the bow, in scores 43 Made a small sound The number of cases iden- and-white coffin out of the “Most of the dead who are 3 Remove space between letters 44 City in New York 25 Shoot for (with “to”) tified in a single month- sur ambulance, immediately brought here are elderly,” he said. 4 Pick from a lineup 45 Basic unit of Romanian currency 28 Brownish shade passed Thailand’s total figure in transferring it to the temple’s Thailand so far has 315 30 Atoll protector 5 Athlete of the Century Jim 46 Ziti, e.g. 6 Breathing sounds 47 Bit of high jinks early April – jumping from some crematorium entry point. deaths from Covid-19. 31 Envelop in mist 29,000 to 74,900 on May 5. Buddhist Thai funeral rites Officials say the third wave’s 33 “Give ___ break!” 7 Back street 48 Fairy-tale figure For families who have lost can last several days, with rapid spread is due to the Brit- 36 It followed a girl to school 8 ___ as a doornail 49 Baltimore’s ___ Harbor 40 ___ Lanka 9 Old attachment for “while” 50 Antarctic predators loved ones to the disease but family members able to place ish variant of the virus, which 41 DEA agents 10 Long Island county 52 Hit the books are unable to afford a funeral, flowers on the body before it was first detected last month. 42 “Don’t tread ___” 11 Asian nursemaids 53 The “A” in A.D. a volunteer association, Siam- is moved into the flames. On April 5, authorities said 43 Settled a bill 12 Brought forth 54 Ireland, formerly Nonthaburi Foundation, has But with a disease like Covid- they have recorded its first 44 “Crazy Legs” Hirsch and others 13 “The ___ of Kilimanjaro” 55 Eye layer stepped in to help – offering 19, everything has changed – a case of the Brazil variant in 46 Old belt attachment 21 Cause of inflation? 56 Part of Einstein’s equation free cremation services in coor- daughter’s final words to her 59- state quarantine – which can 22 Outer limit dination with Wat Rat Prakong year-old mother on April 5 are reinfect people who have had Tham, a Buddhist temple in brief, saying a farewell as she the original strain. AFP Thursday’s solution

Thursday’s solution

Rescue volunteers from the Siam Nonthaburi foundation carry the coffin of a woman to the crematorium at Wat Rat Prakhong Tham Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi on May 5. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST may 7, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Chelsea outclass Real Madrid Man City’s Sterling abused online after to set up all-English UCL final social media boycott helsea set up an all- E n g l i s h Manchester City forward the barrage of abuse suffered Champions League final against Raheem Sterling has been by top-flight stars in recent Manchester City as goals from racially abused on Instagram years. Timo Werner and Mason Mount less than 48 hours after the Pre- Sterling has been the target Cbeat Real Madrid 2-0 in a dominant display mier League’s social media of abuse on social media on on May 5 to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory at boycott ended. several occasions in the past. Stamford Bridge. Sterling suffered the abuse A study commissioned by the If anything, the scoreline flattered following City’s Champions Professional Footballers’ Asso- Madrid as the 13-time European champi- League semi-final second leg ciation published last October ons had no response to Chelsea’s greater victory against Paris St Ger- looked at social media posts strength and speed. main on May 4. directed towards 44 players The Blues should have ran out far more A spokesperson for Face- during the “Project Restart” convincing winners as they toyed with the book, which owns Instagram, period of last season. tired visitors in the second half. said: “The racist abuse sent to It found more than 3,000 However, Werner’s cushioned header Raheem Sterling is unaccept- explicitly abusive messages into an empty net on 28 minutes after Kai able and we do not want it on were directed at those players Havertz’s initial effort came back off the Instagram. publicly via Twitter, with 50 crossbar and Mount’s tap-in five minutes “We have removed the com- per cent of those messages from time were enough to seal their place ment and taken action against aimed at just three players – in Istanbul on May 29. the account that posted it. Sterling, Crystal Palace’s Wil- “To never lose the concentration, Chelsea’s midfielder Kai Havertz (left) vies to head the ball against Real Madrid’s midfielder “As part of our ongoing work friedZaha and Wycombe’s focus and positive energy on the pitch Casemiro during the UCL second leg semi-final football match on May 5.AFP in this space, we’ll soon be roll- Adebayo Akinfenwa. – it was a huge performance and well ing out new tools to help pre- Sterling said at the time: “I deserved,” said Chelsea manager Tho- “We needed to be better going forward,” Champions League next season. vent people seeing abusive don’t know how many times I mas Tuchel, who has masterminded a said Zidane. “We didn’t have any clear That lack of a killer touch was exposed messages from strangers. need to say this, but football huge turnaround in Chelsea’s season chances. They made a number of them after the break as Havertz saw a free head- “No single thing will fix this and the social media platforms since replacing the sacked Frank Lam- and that’s football. er come back off the bar before Mount challenge overnight but we’re need to step up, show real lead- pard in January. “We fought and tried but they deserved blasted over with just Courtois to beat. committed to doing what we ership and take proper action Backed by Russian billionaire owner to win and go through.” The former Chelsea ‘keeper, who con- can to keep our community in tackling online abuse. Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s £220 mil- troversially forced a move back to Spain safe from abuse.” “The technology is there to lion ($306 million) spending spree last Chelsea not made to pay for missed in the summer of 2018, kept his current Premier League clubs and make a difference, but I’m summer has been rewarded with a first chances employers in the tie as he then saved players stayed off social media increasingly questioning if Champions League final since they lifted Madrid’s only serious threat came from one-on-ones with Havertz and Kante, over the weekend in protest at there is the will.” AFP the trophy for the only time in 2012. a quick turn and shot from the edge of the with the Blues’ speed on the break too “We never lost the hunger, the desire to box from Benzema that Edouard Mendy much for Madrid’s ageing midfield to defend,” added Tuchel. “In the second half did brilliantly to turn behind midway cope with. we had even better structure to defend and through the first half. Tuchel was growing increasingly frus- it was a fantastic performance. Moments later they were behind as trated with his side’s inability to put the tie “We could have scored so much earlier Werner scored just his fourth goal in his to bed, but could finally relax five minutes and more to be safe, but it’s no time for last 39 games. from time. criticism now. It’s a fantastic achievement N’GoloKante and Havertz did the hard Substitute Christian Pulisic left Courtois and big congratulations to the team.” work as the French midfielder fed Havertz, on the floor and from his cut-back, Mount Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane welcomed whose audacious chip over Thibaut Cour- slid in to finish from close range. back captain Sergio Ramos for the first tois bounced invitingly off the crossbar for Fired by Paris Saint-Germain on Christmas time in six weeks, while Eden Hazard was Werner to head into an empty net. Eve after leading the French champions to handed a rare start in an injury-hit season Chelsea have now kept 18 clean sheets their first ever final in this competition last on his return to Stamford Bridge. in 24 games since the appointment of season, Tuchel is headed back to the Cham- But the Belgian was again a peripheral Tuchel turned their season around. pions League showpiece match for a second figure as Madrid’s over-reliance on Karim However, a failure to take their chanc- consecutive season, unlike his former club, Benzema to provide a goal threat was es at the other end means they are still who were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by City in Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling has been exposed. far from guaranteed a place in the the other semi-final. AFP racially abused on Instagram. AFP ‘Don’t watch’ – fans warned off Tokyo Olympics marathon test Spectators were urged to stay away Hillary Kipkoech won the scaled-back The marathon was at the centre of “We take that nervousness very, very tested daily before the event, as will as a subdued Tokyo Olympics mara- men’s half-marathon in 1h 46s and controversy in the original build-up seriously,” Coe told reporters. happen at the Olympics. thon rehearsal took place under strict Japan’s Mao Ichiyama was the wom- to the 2020 Games, when it was moved “We have Covid protocols that have Mori said no one had tested positive anti-coronavirus conditions in Sap- en’s winner in 1h 8m 28s. to Sapporo from Tokyo to avoid the been tried and tested, and I’ve wit- for Covid-19, with the athletes made poro on May 5, as officials grapple Security guards stood with signs capital’s punishing summer heat. nessed them here this morning. We to stay in hotels with no contact with with a rise in infections and public around their necks asking people to Wednesday’s test attracted disquiet take very seriously the health and the public. antipathy to the Games. “please refrain from watching the for different reasons, as residents wellbeing of local communities.” Coe said he was sure people in Sap- Scattered onlookers in facemasks race” to prevent infections as the event voiced concerns about its potential Coe, who was head of the 2012 Lon- poro, which hosted the 1972 Winter clapped but refrained from cheering, unfolded in a muted atmosphere in for spreading the virus. don Olympics, said it was “really impor- Olympics, would eventually be glad of to avoid spreading droplets, as Kenya’s the northern city. “We are doing what we can to con- tant that when the world looks to com- welcoming the marathon. tain the coronavirus,” Shuji Miura, ing out of Covid, coming out of the “I’m also very sure that the people of who manages a cafe along the route, pandemic, that it can see optimism”. Sapporo will be proud historically to told the Asahi Shimbun. “The Olympic Games and the Para- be able to claim that they live in a city “But it will be completely useless if lympic Games will be totemic of that that has been the host to the Winter they hold the rehearsal event before optimism and hope going forward. So Games and also the host to an event in we see any result.” it is important that the Games are the Summer Games,” he said. Polls show the majority of people in delivered successfully, and they’re The pandemic has severely disrupt- Japan want a cancellation or further delivered safely,” he added. ed test events for the Olympics, with postponement of the 2020 Games, several postponed, cancelled or which are due to open on July 23. Daily tests moved abroad. Tokyo, Osaka and other regions are Around 2,700 people including This week’s Diving World Cup, which currently under a coronavirus state of organisers were involved in Wednes- doubles as an Olympic qualifier, is tak- emergency to bring down surging day’s event in Sapporo, said top ing place behind closed doors in cases, while the country’s vaccine roll- Tokyo 2020 official Yasuo Mori. Tokyo. out has been progressing slowly. Sixty-nine runners took part in the Olympics organisers are yet to World Athletics president Sebastian half-marathon. decide how many fans – if any – will Coe said he could understand the Overseas competitors had to take be allowed at the Games, with over- Athletes compete at the half-marathon race which doubles as a test event for the “nervousness” in Japan about holding Covid-19 tests before their departure seas spectators already barred from 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in Sapporo, on May 5. AFP the Olympics during the pandemic. and on arrival in Japan, and were also attending. AFP