N U MB E R 3388 ssue I monday, march 30, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL Indonesia Stranded passengers Covid-19 treatment Sanitisers, petition UK for help disrupted masks seized Niem Chheng ing British nationals, who are the help of the British govern- the Ministry of Health said a stranded in Cambodia after ment to organise a chartered 36-year-old woman living in MEDICAL worker asso- in nationwide OME 10,521 foreign- airlines cancelled their flights, flight,” the petition said. Baliley village, in Poipet com- ciations in Indonesia have ers in Cambodia, the according to the list shared in Ministry of Foreign Affairs mune, Poipet town was infect- threatened to stop treat- crackdown bulk being from the a Facebook group “Stranded spokesman Koy Kuong and Sec- ed and is being treated at the ing Covid-19 patients if national – page 6 UK, have signed an in Cambodia UK”. retariat of Civil Aviation spokes- provincial referral hospital. the government does not onlineS petition calling on “We desperately need your man Sin Chan Sereyvutha said On Saturday, it said four cas- ensure the availability British Prime Minister Boris help to get home! There are they did not have information es were found in Cambodians of protective health gear Johnson and relevant officials a number of British citizens on the stranded Britons. of a single family, including a amid a shortage of such to fly them out of the King- who are stranded here in The plea for help from the 62-year-old father, 61-year- equipment. dom. The petition is targeted Cambodia with no option to British government has come old mother, 39-year-old son, The warning was stipu- at 15,000 foreigners. return home. amid the growing number of and 37-year-old daughter. lated in a joint statement Among them are nearly 200 “There seems to be no op- Covid-19 cases in the Kingdom. issued on Friday by several Europeans, the majority be- tion for us to get home without In its latest case on Sunday, Continued – page 3 medical worker associa- tions, including the Indo- nesian Medical Association (IDI), the Indonesian Den- tist Association (PDGI) and NBC directive the Indonesian Nurses As- sociation (PPNI). restructureS IDI chairman Daeng M Faqih confirmed the joint statement. “We issued it for credit, TARGETS the sake of our colleagues’ safety. If they are infected four sectors with the disease, who will business – page 7 treat patients at medical facilities?” he asked the Ja- karta Post on Saturday. The associations asserted that medical workers were susceptible to the disease, especially the ones han- dling people infected by Covid-19 without wearing protective equipment. The equipment short- age, they argued, would not only harm the lives of medical workers but also coronaVirus cause disruption in their services. akin to Covid-19 The statement was issued in the wake of the death of pathogen found at least 10 medical workers who struggled in treating in pangolins Covid-19 patients over the WORLD – Page 14 past few weeks. Despite the woeful real- Fatal crash ity, Daeng said there still might be a few medical Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has urged officials and the public not to overlook traffic accidents amid the Covid-19 outbreak as workers who courageously road accidents increased by 854 cases, resulting in 220 more deaths, last year compared to the previous year. HEAN RANGSEY sTORY > 2 went to save Covid-19 pa- tients’ lives despite wear- ing no protective equip- ment. Such concern also urged the associations to NA to vote on new ministers issue the statement. “We are also raising Niem Chheng This follows a request by In the letter, Hun Sen ministry’s secretary of state and concern over the matter Young artists Prime Minister Hun Sen in a appointed Cham Prasidh as replaces Ang Vong Vathana. because infected medical THE National Assembly (NA) on March 27 letter to NA presi- Minister of Industry, Science, Chea Vandeth, a Takeo provin- workers will only add to showing off Monday will put a vote of confi- dent Heng Samrin asking for Technology and Innovation. cial parliamentarian and chair- the burden on their col- dence in appointing and reshuf- the NA’s vote of confidence. He remains at the helm of the man of the NA’s Commission of leagues,” he said. their works fling five ministers and appoint- The vote will see the appoint- ministry that just changed its Planning, Investment, Agricul- In a bid to protect the ing five senior ministers, said NA ment of five senior ministers name from Ministry of Indus- ture, Rural Development, Envi- safety of medical workers at TorTim spokesman Leng Peng Long in a who were former ministers try and Handicraft. ronment and Water Resources treating the disease, the IDI press release issued by the Gen- and the reshuffling and the He also requested the appoint- was appointed Minister of Posts and the PDGI also issued a eral Secretariat of the National appointment of five new min- ment of Kert Rith as Minister of lifestyle – page 16 Assembly on Friday. isters in their place. Justice. He was previously the Continued – page 2 WORLD – Page 13

THE PHNOM PENH POST Unicef promotes e-learning National News amid Covid-19 pandemic Inside page 3 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National China sends more test kits Public urged not to Ry Sochan overlook road safety HE Ministry of Health has Voun Dara media to help promote road safety ramped up its preparation through education campaigns. to stem the spread of the MINISTER of Interior Sar Kheng has “The relevant authorities across the deadly Covid-19 disease in urged officials and the public not to country must strictly enforce traffic laws theT Kingdom thanks to help from overlook traffic accidents as the King- without any exception and properly fol- the Jack Ma and Alibaba founda- dom grapples with the Covid-19 out- low legal procedures transparently and tions which donated 20,000 test kits break, which has seen 103 cases of in- equally without discrimination. to the Kingdom. fections but no deaths as of Sunday. “Conduct an investigation to ar- On March 28, Chinese Ambas- Sar Kheng said the government rest those who flee the scene and sador to Cambodia Wang Wentian has sought to reduce deaths caused hold them accountable before the presented the kits to Cambodian by traffic accidents through a new law,” he said. Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng. sub-decree, which imposes stiffer Sar Kheng also instructed the rele- Quoting Wang, the Chinese Em- fines and penalties. vant authorities to deploy undercover bassy in Cambodia said in a Face- “We cannot overlook disasters forces to monitor the conduct of traffic book post on Sunday that China and caused by traffic accidents,” he said. police officers on the ground to ensure Cambodia share a common destiny. Sar Kheng said thanks to peace and a the code of ethics and professionalism The post said that the two coun- steady pace of development, the num- are adhered to. tries are willing to share pain and ber of registered vehicles has increased He said law-abiding officers will joy, and compared their bond to Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian (left) presented the kits to annually. be rewarded while those who violate that of siblings. At present, China Cambodian Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng. CHINESE EMBASSY IN CAMBODIA He said although the government the code of ethics will be punished. and Cambodia are sharing similar has made efforts to build and improve Asia Injury Prevention Founda- feelings, the post continued. We would like to thank Jack Ma and 100,000 medical masks on March 22. roads and educate the public on traf- tion (AIP) country director Kim Wang said: “To help enhance the Alibaba foundations for this assis- And on March 23, China sent seven fic laws, road safety remains an issue Pagna said while he welcomed the capacity to check for Covid-19, the tance.” medical experts from the Guangxi with fatalities increasing every year. stiffer fines and penalties stipulated Chinese Embassy in Cambodia Ministry of Health spokesperson autonomous region to Cambodia Sar Kheng pointed out that last in the new sub-decree, he urged the coordinated with the Jack Ma and Or Vandine told The Post on Sun- along with N95 protective masks, year, traffic accidents increased by authorities to prolong the education Alibaba foundations to urgently do- day that it needs to wait for clear protective clothes, and goggles. 854 cases, or 26 per cent, resulting campaign by up to three months. nate test kits to Cambodia. instructions from the World Health National police officials received in 220 more deaths, or 12 per cent, “The higher authorities need to “Hopefully, we can help provide Organisation about how to proceed 200 sets of protective clothes and compared to the previous year. ensure good conduct among traffic the manpower to Cambodia in the in its fight against the virus. 500 pairs of medical gloves on “To reduce fatalities, the National police officers who enforce the new fight against this new kind of virus. She said: “So, it is good that we March 25. Road Safety Committee (NRSC) will sub-decree. China will continue to assist as best received this equipment. But we At a meeting with volunteer medi- strictly strengthen law enforcement “Refrain from imposing penalties as it can to Cambodia to overcome have to wait a little longer for clear cal personnel on March 25, Prime starting this year. that are biased or not transparent, the virus.” instructions.” Minister Hun Sen said that, accord- “Based on our thorough study, the and avoid misbehaviour toward the Quoting Bun Heng, the website of China has made numerous contri- ing to China, the more than four government has amended its sub- public while enforcing the law. Risk the Ministry of Information said on butions to Cambodia this month. tonnes of equipment was just the decree by increasing fines up to five factors that caused an accident, Sunday that the Ministry of Health On March 19, Wuxi Techstar Tech- first phase. China will donate more times to promote compliance and en- death or injury should be the focus had taken necessary measures to nology Co Ltd and the Chinese Bac- materials to Cambodia as needed, forcement,” he said. when imposing penalties,” he said. stop the spread of Covid-19 and pre- terial Molecular Medical Laboratory Hun Sen said. He urged the public to strictly obey Pagna also called for continuous vent any further infections. donated 3,000 Covid-19 test kits to He said: “China is experienced traffic laws and told the relevant au- implementation of the traffic law He said: “Medical equipment just the Kingdom. in the fight against the virus. All of thorities to enforce them without fear and for the authorities to allocate arrived to support our efforts to The China Asia Economic De- them fought against it in Wuhan and or favour. He also called on local and parts of the proceeds from fines for stop and prevent this virus on time. velopment Association donated they were successful.” international organisations and the road safety education.

‘Reshuffle done for the effectiveness of work initiated by Hun Sen’

Continued from page 1 Chhem, while Prum Sokha, the charge of Special Missions. may have been leaked, and that takes responsibility as head of “The public has complained secretary of state at the Ministry Government spokesman the reshuffle of the four minis- the government,” he said. a lot about two of the four min- and Telecommunications in of Civil Service and the former Phay Siphan on Sunday declined ters had been long planned by Siphan said the change had istries – Justice and Posts and place of Tram Iv Tek. secretary of state at the Ministry to recognise a letter shared on the prime minister. nothing to do with the current Telecommunications. The Min- Chhit Sokhon, the secretary of of Interior was appointed Min- social media, saying only the “Beginning with this man- situation in the country and istry of Justice should be revised, state at the Council of Ministers ister of Civil Service in place of prime minister knows the date, Samdech [Hun Sen] said the world that is occupied with while Posts and Telecommuni- and former Preah Sihanouk Pich Bun Thin. appointment and the reshuffle he will make some changes facing the Covid-19 pandemic. cations has problems in manag- provincial governor, was Chhem, Vong Vathana , Iv which will be confirmed through during the first half of the man- A committee is dealing with ing telecommunication services appointed Minister of Religions Tek and Bun Thin were a letter to the NA. date. This reshuffle is prepared the disease with the prime in terms of effectiveness. and Cults in place of Him appointed Senior Ministers in He said the letter shared online by the prime minister who minister as chairman, Minis- “The state must regulate all ter of Interior Sar Kheng and of these and intervene to ensure Minister of Health, Mam Bun consumers’ rights are respect- Heng as vice-chairmen. ed. We see that the effective- “The reshuffle in the Council ness of this ministry is not of Ministers affects only the spe- acceptable to the people. cialist ministries. It is done for “The Ministry of Commerce the effectiveness of work that [finds] a market for the peo- was initiated by the prime min- ple’s essential products and ister. So, I regard this as a leaked regulates merchandise lest message that is difficult to be there be a problem. The min- taken for consideration. ” istry keeps making its calls. The law on organisation and But when citizens run into functioning of the Council of problems, the ministry does Ministers under Article 21 stip- nothing at all,” he said. ulates that there must be a vote He said security and public of confidence if the Prime Min- order issues should also be ister proposes to change or strengthened. The responsible replace NA members. After the ministry, he said, had some NA votes, the new members common issues relating to shall be appointed by the King. civil registry documents. Kin Phea, the director of the “The people don’t change their International Relations Insti- residences as often now. But the tute at the Royal Academy of government keeps changing dis- Cambodia, said the ministries tricts and communes, change involved in the reshuffle were this to that and then citizens not much involved in people’s must have new family books and daily lives, especially the min- new residence books processed. istries of Civil Service, and So, they spend money on these. Cults and Religions. And people keep complaining The people did not pay much about transferring land owner- attention to the two ministries, ship,” he said. he said, adding that greater He said all of these required attention was paid to minis- the government to carry out tries that involve the manage- sweeping reforms for the min- ment of rice, water, and land istries to be more effective ownership and transfers. rather than look good. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Unicef promotes e-learning scheme Long Kimmarita additional funding of $13 mil- lion for about 145 countries. UNICEF has scaled up sup- Nearly $9 million of this port in 145 countries, includ- will come from a contribu- ing Cambodia, to help chil- tion made by the Global dren continue their studies Partnership for Education after school closures around (GPE), which would be used the world due to Covid-19. to support governments at Meanwhile, the Korea Inter- the national level and educa- national Cooperation Agency tion partners in each country (Koica) gave funds to sup- to develop plans to enable a port the creation of a Khmer rapid, system-wide response. e-learning platform for stu- In Cambodia, Unicef said it is dents from grades 7-12 to supporting the Ministry of Edu- study online for free. cation, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) School closures have disrupt- to provide alternative learn- ed the studies of 80 per cent of ing opportunities to students students around the world. including e-learning classes Unicef declared further sup- in key subjects. port for all countries to help “This programme can benefit children continue their learn- 250,000 students in grades 9 and ing and make schooling safe, it 12 in the Kingdom who would said in a recent announcement take their national examinations from New York City, US. this year. Online classes would “Most countries closed support a lot of students to learn Prime Minister Hun Sen says he is ready to improve Cambodia-US relations and not take up issues of disagreements. Heng Chivoan the doors. This situation has during the school closures due never been seen before and if to Covid-19,” it said. we do not act now to educate MoEYS said on its Face- children, society and econo- book page on Saturday that mies would face disaster in Koica will fund the creation PM set to mend ties with US the long run after Covid-19 of a Khmer e-learning plat- has been overcome. form named Khmer Academy Ry Sochan cerned, there are some issues that we sengers and crew of the MS Westerdam,” “In the most vulnerable which will enable students may agree to disagree. Hun Sen said. communities, the impact will from grades 7-12 to search for RIME Minister Hun Sen has re- “However, we must not take such mat- In his letter of thanks to Hun Sen, continue to the next genera- lessons online for free. sponded to US Congressman Ted ters as a barrier to our relations and co- Yoho said the prime minister’s hospital- tion,” said Robert Jenkins, its Its spokesman Ros Soveacha Yoho, saying he is ready to im- operation. In that sense, I am ready to ity in granting the ship safe haven and chief, education and associ- said the support plan only in- prove Cambodia-US relations, turn a new chapter in our two countries’ allowing US Embassy staff in Cambodia ate director, Programme Divi- troduced education staff and andP not take up issues of disagreements relationship,” Hun Sen said. to escort over 600 Americans to safety sion, at Unicef Headquarters. students in all grades to fol- which have become a barrier between The prime minister also thanked Yoho serves as a prime example of interna- He said that based on the low the announcement of the the two countries’ bilateral cooperation. for his kind words on Cambodia’s hu- tional solidarity. lessons learnt from school Ministry of Health and World His response to Yoho came after the manitarian act of allowing the MS West- Yoho expressed his appreciation for the closures in response to Ebola, Health Organisation (WHO) congressman thanked him for allowing erdam with 600 US nationals who were prime minister’s confidence in US em- the longer students stay away on measures to contain the the MS Westerdam cruise ship with more in distress to dock. bassy officials assisting the Americans. from school, the less likely spread of Covid-19. than 2,000 passengers to dock at the Si- “As a small nation but with a big heart, Yoho expressed hope that the goodwill they would return. According to the Unicef an- hanoukville’s port. The ship was earlier the government under my leadership could translate to future cooperation Giving children more alter- nouncement, It is cooperating denied docking rights by a number of highly values multilateralism, including and friendship. natives to learn, and building a with MoEYS with support from countries which feared Covid-19 con- international solidarity with no discrim- Although the two countries may have routine, he said, is important. the Japanese government to in- tamination. ination, especially, when it comes to re- disagreements on important issues, he To deal with the disruption crease practising programmes Hun Sen’s letter dated March 25 said: gional or international issues. said he was pleased that they still man- to children’s education and which give learning alterna- “As far as the cooperation and friendship “Based on this stance, I decided with- aged to coordinate and cooperate when help them continue learning tives to students in primary between Cambodia and the US is con- out hesitation to save the lives of the pas- it mattered most. safely, Unicef has allocated and secondary schools. Restrictions in line with Asean’s

Continued from page 1 istry said on Sunday. not applicable for those who Meantime, Cambodia will hold diplomatic and official They are being treated at the enforce entry restrictions on visas. Chak Angre Krom Health all foreigners from midnight All foreigners will be subject to Centre in Phnom Penh. on Monday to reduce and con- health risk assessment by com- “The family had travelled to tain the transmission of Covid- petent government officials. France, and the 37-year-old 19. This comes after the King- “He/She will also be sub- man returned on March 15 dom recorded its 103rd case on jected to mandatory isolation, with minor health problems. Sunday. The latest measures quarantine, or any other mea- Three other family members are among actions the govern- sure to prevent and contain the returned on March 24, also ment has taken thus far. virus as prescribed by the Min- with minor health problems,” In an announcement on istry of Health of Cambodia,” the ministry said. Friday, the Ministry of For- the ministry said, adding that The ministry said 174 Chi- eign Affairs and International the measure will be updated nese nationals arrived on an Cooperation said the decision in line with the global develop- inbound flight from the Phil- was in line with measures ment of the pandemic. ippines last Tuesday in transit taken in Asean countries. Kuong said on Sunday that to China. Two of them had The latest restriction also the latest measures were an suspicious symptoms, but includes a month-long sus- add-on to the previous deci- their samples had tested neg- pension of the visa exemption sion where nationals from ative for Covid-19, and they policy, tourist visa, e-visa, and Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Passengers at Siem Reap International Airport. Cambodia will enforce entry restrictions on all foreigners have since been discharged visa on arrival. Iran, and the US were banned from midnight on Monday to reduce and contain the transmission of Covid-19. supplied from the Svay Rieng provin- Foreigners wishing to en- from entering Cambodia. cial referral hospital. ter Cambodia must have a In regard to Covid-19, Prime not authorised by the World them from the danger of this against anyone who advertised It also said 21 persons had prior visa issued by a Cam- Minister Hun Sen on Sunday Health Organisation [WHO],” pandemic, which is being Covid-19 rapid test kits for sale. recovered since the first case bodian mission abroad and a sent an audio message order- Hun Sen said. made worse by these people It said various rapid test de- was detected in January. They medical certificate issued no ing the authorities to confis- He said measures to educate [who are selling the devices]. vices have been produced to included the first Chinese na- longer than 72 hours before cate all Covid-19 rapid test the public in so far as such de- “Therefore, I command all test for Covid-19, but none tional, three British, a French travelling to the Kingdom, kits which have been adver- vices are concerned has end- forces to go out to those places. had been certified by the national, and 16 Cambodians. certifying that the person is tised on social media. ed. “Those kits are advertised All city and provincials gover- WHO. It said the result from “Eighty-two people, including not Covid-19 positive. “We don’t have any other more in Phnom Penh. Phnom nors have to check. I am calling the rapid test is less reliable. 26 women and 56 men, are still The individual must also option. Now, Minister Mam Penh city governor Khuong for immediate action and the “Rapid test devices are not being treated in state hospitals prove to have insurance pol- Bun Heng, as the one who Sreng must go down to seize forces must be activated im- recognised by the ministry at national and sub-national icy coverage of not less than knows the story has to work them immediately. mediately,” Hun Sen stressed. and legal action will be taken levels. Of the 103 positive cases $50,000 during his intended with the police and confiscate “Let me make it clear, my Earlier on Sunday, the Min- against those who advertise found in the Kingdom, 28 are stay in Cambodia. But health all such devices immediately. order is issued to ensure the istry of Health warned that le- the sale of such devices with- women and 75 men,” the min- certification and insurance are Seize all devices which are public’s interests and protect gal measures would be taken out permission,”it said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Kantha Bopha does surgeries on nearly 2,000

Soth Koemsoeun pitals’ 2,500 health workers for their professional services. EVENTY-ONE chil- The Kantha Bopha Chil- dren have undergone dren’s hospitals have also successful heart op- called on people to protect erations and interven- their children from coronavi- tionalS catheterisation at the rus infections by adhering to Kantha Bopha Children’s hos- good hygiene practises and pitals in Siem Reap province following the instructions an- and Phnom Penh in March, nounced by the relevant au- the hospital said in its month- thorities. ly report. Pak Sok Khim, a 37-year-old Over the same period, 165 mother from Takeo province, children were hospitalised for said she had taken her four- dengue hemorrhagic fever, year-old son to the Kantha while 1,889 underwent gen- Bopha Children’s hospital in eral surgeries. Phnom Penh for dengue fever The report, dated March earlier this month. 25, said the hospitals had re- She said her son had since ceived children and women recovered after receiving in labour. treatment and medication. It said 57,097 sick children “When I took my child to the were treated as outpatients, hospital, I had to wait in a while 10,589 were inpatients. queue to be called in before The report said 11,183 preg- we could receive consultation nant women were examined and care. and treated in the outpatient “I was very worried about units of the Jayavarman VII my child as he had a high (Kantha Bopha III) hospital’s temperature and gasped for maternity ward in Siem Reap, air. But I was told not to pan- while 1,782 women had deliv- ic. The doctor later told me eries. that my child was fine, I felt Kantha Bopha officials de- so relieved. clined to comment further “Without Kantha Bopha, on the report, which said all I don’t know what my son’s treatment and deliveries were conditions would be like,” free and commended the hos- she said. Children have received an array of surgeries at the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital. heng chivoan Illegal soil excavators caught in act, ordered to shut

Soth Koemsoeun in Chanlas Dai commune in the two “We always conduct checks on the on March 27. to immediately stop the activities. Siem Reap districts. soil digging sites. Some have the au- Neither Kandal provincial hall Sarith named the owner of the un- POLICE have shuttered two un- During the operation, Thol said thorisation, but they carry out activi- administration head Kruy Malen, authorised excavation as Buth Sokry, authorised soil excavation sites in joint police forces required the own- ties beyond their areas. Takhmao town governor Nou So- a Takhmao town resident. Kralanh and Puok districts in Siem ers of the sites to sign a contract “Some others have no authorisa- vanra nor Kandal provincial Depart- The Kandal provincial Department Reap province, while another illegal agreeing to halt their businesses. tion or don’t ask for permits from ment of Mines and Energy director of Mines and Energy had previously soil excavation site near the Bassac While he declined to reveal the iden- local authorities. We have stopped Chea Sarith could be reached for stopped Sokry’s activities and made River in Kandal province’s Sithbo tities of the owners, he said special- many cases, but I don’t remember the comment on Sunday. him sign a contract agreeing to stop commune, in Takhmao town, was ists had fined one of them accord- figures. We don’t take all cases to court But Chea Sarith, the Department of future activities, but he continued. also stopped on Friday. ing to the Law on Mineral Resource as some are just fined,” Thol said. Education Promotion, Logistics and The working group, Sarith said, Siem Reap administrative direc- Management and Exploitation. Provincial Department of Mines Finance head at the Ministry of Inte- required Sokry to sign a second con- tor Sok Thol said on Sunday that on He said police had instructed the and Energy director Meas Chourany rior said on Sunday that he received tract, and if he still carried out the ac- Friday, police forces from Kralanh owner of another site to apply to a spe- could not be reached for comment. a complaint about soil excavation tivities, the machinery will be seized and Puok districts collaborated in a cialist body for permits. But the police In a separate case, specialists from near the Bassac River from residents and legal action will be taken against joint task force with the provincial didn’t fine him because he had not yet the Kandal provincial Department of of Sithbo commune. him. As a result, Sokry agreed to fol- administration to close down the un- carried out the activities and withdrew Mines and Energy stopped an illegal He then led a provincial working low the instructions and properly authorised sites which were located the excavation machinery himself. excavation site near the Bassac River group and local authorities to the site stop his activities this time. Pandemic profiteers to face long arm oflaw

Long Kimmarita expensive to import, he said. “We do not want to increase THE Ministry of Commerce prices but import costs are has called on shop owners also expensive. I no longer and online sellers to main- sell masks now as the price is tain prices. It warned of legal exorbitant and people cannot action against opportunists afford to buy them. Some- profiteering from price in- times we ordered them from creases when the Kingdom is between $16 and $20 [per at war with Covid-19. box] which means we only It said there are some shop earn a small profit,” he said. owners, online sellers and Acknowledging its high resellers that took the oppor- price, the online mask seller tunity to increase the price of wants Cambodia to have its surgical masks, hand sanitis- own mask factory to help ers, groceries, alcohol, ther- Hand sanitiser and protective masks for sale at Olympic Market. maintain the price of masks. mometers, food and other heng chivoan He also supports the mea- daily essentials in Kingdom. sures to maintain the price in A March 27 statement from thermometers must be accom- and prices of goods in line with the marketplace. the ministry said it considered panied with a large price tags in the law if anyone attempts to A member of the public in the such action as contributing to riel which should be visible to profiteer from such essentials capital said: “There are mea- serious social disorder. the public from afar,” it said. An online mask seller who sures, but whether they are fol- The ministry said all shops The ministry also expressed asked to remain anonymous lowed or not is the question. and business owners must its belief that the public, shop told The Post that initially, the “The authorities should put price tags in Khmer riel owners and online sellers would price of masks selling in the conduct investigations as op- on goods, with a focus on a follow its announcement, and Kingdom was very reasonable. portunists are taking advan- free market mechanism and show solidarity and unity. After the outbreak of the virus, tage. If the police crack down fair competition to support However, it said it would the countries which supply on them, it will have a domi- the Khmer currency. cooperate with expert officers masks increased the price. no effect and be a warning to “Surgical masks, hand sani- and authorities to investigate The reason surgical masks are others. If we do nothing, they tisers, groceries, alcohol and and check the quality, safety expensive is because they are would not care,” she said. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Officers detained for assault K Speu man to land in Khorn Savi court for drugs, illegal

WO military officers are being held for posession of weapons questioning at the Pailin provincial Mili- Kim Sarom methamphetamine. taryT Police headquarters after “We questioned him about they allegedly used violence KAMPONG Speu police plan drug related-issues and this on a disabled staff member at to send a 30-year-old man to led to the discovery of hidden a utility firm in Sala Krao dis- the provincial court on Mon- weapons,” he said, adding trict on Wednesday. day for trafficking in drugs that they were found when The electricity firm, MSP, and illegal possession of police searched his home and said the officers failed to pay weapons in Odong district’s recovered two homemade the electricity bill on time. Chan Sen commune. rifles, 10 machetes, seven National Military police Deputy provincial police swords and some other drug- spokesman Eng Hy said on chief in charge of anti-drug related paraphernalia. Sunday a legal case was being crimes Math Thuch said on The suspect confessed that built against the officers. Sunday that police arrested he bought the drug from a “[Authorities] are working the suspect on March 27 in stranger and planned to sell on the case at the headquar- Kraing Tumnop village, Chan it in the area. He said he kept ters in accordance with legal Sen commune, on suspicion the weapons at his home for procedures,” he said. of committing drug crimes use only, not for committing Neither Ministry of National Defence spokesman Chhum A three-minute CCTV video clip posted on Facebook shows the two military officers hitting Sok Titya’s head at We questioned the suspect Socheat nor provincial Mili- his utility firm while they were there to pay the electricity bill. supplied tary Police commander Van about drug related-issues and Nalong could be reached for the unit to pay a total of more in compensation to settle the Tea Banh to find him justice. this led to the discovery of comment on Sunday. than three million riel. case out of court, but Titya “They hit me although I was A three-minute CCTV vid- He then contacted the firm’s demanded $30,000. just following the firm’s policy, hidden weapons eo clip posted on Facebook branch manager, Tith Vathon, After a negotiation on Fri- which required electricity dis- shows the two officers hitting who agreed to let him pay the day, both sides agreed to connection if customers fail to and hiding weapons. crimes. Sok Titya’s head while they balance the next day. $10,000 compensation, with settle their bills. The military “Expert officers are ques- Samon said even though were there to pay the bill. When the military officers Sido promising to pay $500 unit had not paid its bill for six tioning him, after which we the suspect did not confess to Accompanied by eight other failed to turn up as promised, monthly, the report said. months already,” he said. will send him to court on possessing the weapons, po- military officers, the two also Titya ordered the firm’s techni- However, Sido said after the Yim Mengly, the coordina- Monday for further legal ac- lice believe he planned to use allegedly insulted and threat- cians to remove the electricity deal was made, a video clip tor for rights group Adhoc in tion,” he said. it to commit crimes as he had ened to kill Titya. meter from the military unit. of the incident went viral on Battambang and Pailin prov- Odong district police chief too many of them. Police are The officers were identified “After the removal, we paid Facebook. inces, said using violence is Khim Samon said police in- investigating further to iden- by local media as Chhin Nom 3.16 million riel to have elec- In a separate video clip, Titya against military discipline vestigated the case after get- tify his network. and Yoy Sido, a border mili- tricity reconnected. But while claimed that Sido brought his and punishable by law. ting a tip-off from residents in In regards to the weapons tary commander. paying the bill, [the officers] officers to assault him at the “Using violence on disabled, the vicinity. At about 3:10pm themselves, Samon said po- Sido said in a Military Po- hit [Titya] lightly out of anger workplace even though he is pregnant women and children on March 27, the suspect was lice searched and arrested 11 lice report that on Tuesday, after a brief argument,” the re- disabled and could not de- is a serious violation of the about to sell drugs in the vil- people on March 27 for using he brought one million riel port said. fend himself. He called on law. Therefore, [the officers] lage when he was arrested. swords to rob passengers. The ($250) to settle the bill, but After the incident, Sido of- Prime Minister Hun Sen and should be punished under the Upon checking him, police suspects were sent to court the firm rejected, requiring fered to pay six million riel Minister of National Defence Criminal Code,” he said. found four small packages of and charged on March 28. Bushmeat seized in B’bang, Pursat, three sent to court

Soth Koemsoeun

THE Battambang provincial Department of Environment on Sunday detained three out of eight people for electrocut- ing 123 painted stork babies at the Prek Toal conservation area in Ek Phnom district. Battambang provincial en- vironment department direc- tor Kort Boran said on Sunday that the three electrocuted the painted stork babies on Wednesday within the con- servation area in Koh Chiva- ing commune. The other suspects escaped, leaving the babies behind. Boran said the painted stork In Pursat province, Military Police and Wildlife Alliance officials raided babies had just grown their an illegal bush meat shop and seized 46.3 kg of bushmeat. GRK news wings before being electrocut- ed. He said the suspects, who ministry said the suspects arrested but briefly held for lived in the district, intended were arrested in the early education and fined 4.5 mil- to sell them as bushmeat in hours of Thursday while 12 lion riel ($1,115). Battambang and neighbour- rangers and community vol- According to a report post- ing Siem Reap province. unteers were patrolling the ed on the Military Police’s “I don’t remember the three conservation area. Facebook page on Satur- offenders’ names, but they In a separate case on Thurs- day, officers seized 24.5kg of are aged 15 to 27. We are pre- day, a shop owner in Pursat Porcupine meat, deer meat paring a case file to send to province’s Krakor district was (18kg), boar meat (2kg) and the provincial court on Mon- also briefly held and fined Sumantran serows’ dried skin day. We’ve already identified four million riel for stocking (1.8kg). The bushmeat was the other five offenders and 46.3kg of bushmeat. set on fire. are searching for them. District Military Police In its Facebook post on Sat- “I won’t let any of them get commander Nov Socheat urday, Wildlife Alliance said away with it and will send told The Post on Sunday that the raid was part of the fight them all to court without any his officers in collaboration against poaching and wildlife exception. We won’t just edu- with Wildlife Alliance officials trafficking in the Kingdom. cate them because we have raided an illegal bush meat The group appealed to the done so for years and such shop in Krakor’s Anlong Tnort public to stop consuming people still repeated their of- commune. bushmeat, which encouraged fences,” he said. The 35-year-old shop the wildlife trade that put en- A report released by the owner, Yang Sodaly, was not dangered animals at risk. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Sanitisers, masks seized Monk imposters and driver charged with in nationwide crackdown fraud after drug raid Voun Dara Khouth Sophak Chakrya Kandal prison,” Socheata said. HE Ministry of Commerce’s A district police official said police General Department of THE Kandal Provincial Court on Sun- forces received a report on March 26 Consumer Protection, day placed six imposters who dressed that from an owner of Maheng Competition and Fraud Pre- as monks and their driver in pre-trial Guesthouse. ventionT last week launched a cam- detention on fraud charges. The report said the group of people paign to check alcohol quality and Provincial court spokesman So stayed in the guesthouse for a week. mask selling prices at pharmacies in Sarin told The Post that the six impos- In the morning, they dressed as Phnom Penh and some provinces. tors who were dressed in saffron monks and at night, they gathered for It seized over 1,500 litres of coun- robes, and carried satchels and alms a drinking party. terfeit alcohol and advised the own- bowls were driven around by an On Sunday, the police conducted ers to stop selling the fake alcohol accomplice to collect alms from peo- an investigation and watched the six and counterfeit masks. ple in the provinces. imposters. Later in the day, the police The department’s director-gener- Five of the accused – Ses Dy, 25; found them driving the same car they al Phan Oun told The Post on Sun- Sorn Chheurt, 20; Chroeb Mean, 19; had used earlier to the guesthouse. day that following the instructions Hun Run, 18, and Sorn Tin 26, are Having seen their actions, the police of the Minister of Commerce’s in- from Kampot province’s Sre Chea requested the prosecutor to intervene. structions, the department had as- Kang Choeung commune in Dang They then raided the room where the signed officers to collaborate with Tong district, Sarin said. accused were staying and found drug- its provincial officers to conduct the Another impostor, 35-year-old Tieb smoking paraphernalia, robes, alms crackdown. Sokmao, is from Prey Veng province’s bowls and satchels. The suspects were Two mobile test vehicles were Kampong Soeng commune in Preah apprehended immediately. taken to test the products sold at The authorities seized over 1,500 litres of counterfeit alcohol and advised the owners Sdech district, while their driver, The suspects confessed to posing as the pharmacies, including those at to stop selling the fake alcohol and counterfeit masks. Ministry of Commerce Chheang Chorvy, is from Battambang monks and collecting alms in provinces the Olympic Market, Macro super- province’s O’Taki commune in Dang across the country. market, and Aeon Sen Sok Shopping purchased from third parties. The and retail shops. Tong district. They said they had been engaged in Center in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap sanitisers were not alcohol but meth- As a result of the crackdown, the Sarin said police from Kandal prov- this activity for over three months and and Pursat provinces. anol-based. We have collected over officers detected methanol being ince’s Ang Snuol district arrested the that they were previously construction The officers found low-quality 1,500 litres of methanol in Phnom used in products instead of alcohol. seven on March 27 while they were gath- workers in Thailand. When they masks and hand sanitisers with in- Penh and Siem Reap.” he said. They confiscated the fake alcohol ering for a party with drugs and alcohol returned to Cambodia, they said they adequate alcohol being sold at high The department is taking further and are proceeding with legal action at a rented room in a guesthouse in the contacted each other on Facebook and prices despite the growing risk of action on the price of masks sold against the vendors. district’s Kralanh Touch Village. gathered to learn and recite prayers. Covid-19 in the Kingdom. in markets and implementing legal Prime Minister Hun Sen warned The following day, prosecutor Sou Once they memorised the prayers, “The campaign will be conducted procedures, Oun said. last week that pharmacies and other Socheata charged them with wearing they bought saffron robes, alms bowls on an ongoing basis. The ministry On Friday, department officials in outlets that sold fake sanitisers and the robes illegally under articles 377 and satchels and shaved their head has also informed the public not be Siem Reap cooperated with provin- poor quality face masks at high pric- and 378 of the Criminal Code. to pose as monks. panic and warned sellers not to raise cial Department of Commerce of- es will be shut down. He said it was “On Sunday, Judge Blong Visal Chorvy, the driver, demanded $5 prices as we will take them to court. ficials, to check the alcohol quality wrong to do so when the country charged them with fraud and ordered per day for petrol, and any money left “So far, we’ve had some sellers who of sanitisers and face masks selling is fighting to prevent the spread of judicial police officials to detain the was shared between the seven voluntarily hand over products they prices at pharmacies, wholesalers Covid-19. suspects in pre-trial detention at accomplices. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,066 1.4065 7.0919 108.88 4.3450 1.4347 32.58 0.6063 1.1013 1.2169 NBC’s directive to restructure Approval in principle for three companies to credit targeting four sectors explore gold, copper Hin Pisei Thou Vireak proved, he said. Continental Copper will HE National Bank The Ministry of Mines and explore two 200sq km blocs of Cambodia (NBC) Energy on Friday announced in Siem Reap province. One on Friday issued a that three companies have is located in Svay Leu dis- directive to all banks been granted initial approval trict’s Ta Siem and Svay Leu andT financial institutions to to carry out copper and gold communes and another in restructure credit for loans in exploration in the Kingdom. Chi Kraeng district’s Khvav four priority sectors, a move General Department of commune. lauded by the private sector. Mineral Resources director- Renaissance Minerals will The directive aims to main- general Yos Monirath named explore two blocs measur- tain financial stability, support the companies as Continen- ing a combined 391sq km in economic activity and ease tal Copper (Cambodia) Co Mondulkiri province’s Keo the burden of debtors facing Ltd, Renaissance Minerals Seima district. declining revenues during the (Cambodia) Ltd and Late Late Cheng Mining Devel- ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. Cheng Mining Development opment will explore 151sq The four priority sectors cit- Co Ltd. km in Kampong Thom prov- ed by the NBC were tourism However, the three com- ince’s Sandan district. (including food and bever- panies must submit addi- Monirath said the other age, as well as other support tional documents before the companies can still apply for services), garments (includ- licences can be issued, Mon- exploration licences for other ing employees), construction irath said. minerals. (exclusively for first house “The companies were Last week, the ministry purchasers, shops and first The directive aims to maintain financial stability, support economic activity and ease the burden of debtors awarded [initial approval] announced the opening of mortgages) and transport (es- facing declining revenues during the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. HENG CHIVOAN for copper, gold and iron 794sq km in mining conces- pecially taxi drivers and tuk- a lack of funds to support their the private banks, so I do not and the banking sector. mineral exploration licences sion areas for applying for tuk drivers) and logistics. operations. know how they will proceed “I am sure that all the banks from the ministry. We set the mineral exploration licences The NBC defined “credit “The credit restructuring di- with the work,” he said. are doing their best to help as goal of opening mineral ar- across Oddar Meanchey, restructuring” as an amend- rective will contribute much Emerging Markets Con- many businesses as possible in eas with good geography and Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri ment to the terms of the orig- to the tourism industry by sulting senior adviser Ngeth various sectors depending on mineral potential,” he said. provinces. inal credit agreement, which sustaining the tourism ser- Chou on Saturday lauded the their own capacity,” he said. Kunming Xingchi Min- Monirath said the minis- provides more favourable vices sector, as well as helping NBC’s directive, though he Late last month, the govern- ing Investment Co Ltd and try has issued 39 copper ex- conditions for clients who are those in the sector pay back encouraged the central bank ment unveiled an emergency Cambodia K88 Industry ploration licences to private experiencing real financial financial institutions until ev- to cover all sectors. tax moratorium of four months Co Ltd also applied for the companies to conduct explo- difficulties. erything gets better,” she said. “NBC should expand the for hotels and guesthouses in licence, but were not ap- ration in the Kingdom. The directive also recom- Last year, Cambodia earned scope of its directive to cover Siem Reap province. mends banks and financial in- $4.91 billion in international other areas. The Covid-19 On March 24, the Ministry stitutions to verify that clients tourism revenue and $500 outbreak has had a negative of Economy and Finance is- are struggling financially be- million in domestic tourism, impact on almost all areas. sued a prakas to waive 50 per fore restructuring their loans. data from the Ministry of “I believe that if the spread cent to 100 per cent tax on the Cambodia Association of Tourism shows. of Covid-19 continues, the textile industry for six months Google offers $800M Travel Agents president Chhay Cambodia Freight Forward- government may need to seek as a means of easing its finan- Sivlin told The Post on Sunday ers Association president Sin deeper intervention,” he said cial burden. that the central bank’s direc- Chanthy said the NBC’s direc- via social media. The companies must pro- to aid crisis-hit health tive will be a key temporary tive is good news for the trans- Shin Chang-moo, the presi- duce documents that show solution for the Kingdom’s port sector, which has been dent of South Korean-owned actual impact on their income stalling tourism sector. heavily affected by a number Phnom Penh Commercial Bank due to the partial suspension agencies, businesses She said the Covid-19 out- of border restrictions around Plc, said the NBC is working of the Everything But Arms break had completely depleted the world amid the outbreak. very effectively and efficiently (EBA) scheme when submit- Google on Friday pledged available to researchers and most tourism companies’ rev- “I welcome the NBC move, to simultaneously safeguard ting their tax declaration $800 million worth of support academic institutions explor- enue, with many closing due to but we all have to work with both the damaged industries forms, the prakas stated. in response to the coronavirus ing ways to combat the deadly pandemic for health organisa- pandemic or that are tracking tions, researchers and busi- critical data about its spread. nesses impacted by the crisis. Google will also match as The aid will come in the form much as $10,000 in dona- of cash, ad credits, and cloud tions its employees make to Malaysian firm to build substation services from the California- organisations in their com- based internet colossus, said munities this year, increasing Thou Vireak “The project will contribute positively to- bilisation to the Okvau Gold Project is its CEO Sundar Pichai. the amount from $7,500. wards the revenue and earnings of Pestech expected to begin in August, with opera- Google will provide $250 “Together, we’ll continue Malaysian-based electrical power in accordance to the stage of project prog- tions due to start in October. million in ad grants to the to help our communities – technology company Pestech Interna- ress to be recognised in the financial years The company released its definitive World Health Organisation including our businesses, tional Bhd inked a contract to construct ending June 30, 2020, to June 30, 2021,” it feasibility study in May 2017 and revealed and more than 100 other educators, researchers, and the $7.34 million 230/11kV Okvau Trans- was quoted by The Edge as saying. that the project could produce 106,000 public agencies around the nonprofits – to navigate the mission Substation, leading Malaysian Pestech added that it will strive to ounces of gold per year on average. world providing information challenges ahead,” Pichai business publisher The Edge Media serve the needs for reliable electricity in It estimated that the mine will initially to stem the spread of the cor- said. Group Pte Ltd reported on Thursday. the region, which is crucial amid the on- be active for seven years, with capital onavirus, Pichai said. Google has been pouring The substation will serve the Mon- going Covid-19 outbreak. investment amounting to A$98 million Some $340 million worth month into working with dulkiri province-based Okvau Gold Proj- Pestech rose one sen (0.14 US cents) or (US$60.4 million). of free advertising will be partners to ramp up produc- ect, which is owned by Australia-listed 1.1% to 89 sen, giving it a market capi- Department of Mineral Resources made available to small- or tion of protective gear such mining firm Emerald Resources NL. talisation of 679.37 million ringgit ($157 director-general Yos Monirath told The medium-sized businesses in as face masks for health care Pestech told The Edge that the project million), the report said. Post last month that the government Google’s network that are tak- providers. is the first gold mine transmission sub- Earlier this month, Emerald Resources granted the company an industrial min- ing financial hits as people Employees from Alphabet station asset to be undertaken by its sub- NL signed a $230 million mining con- ing licence in July 2018. The licence cov- stay home due to virus risk. divisions including Google, sidiary Pestech (Cambodia) Plc, which tract with Mining and Civil Australia for ers 11.5sq km at the Okvau Gold Project. “We hope it will help to al- Verily and X are providing commenced on March 1 and is sched- its Okvau Gold Project in Cambodia. The licence is valid for 15 years and leviate some of the cost of engineering, supply chain uled to be completed within 12 months. The companies signed a seven-year con- can be extended twice for 10 additional staying in touch with their and healthcare are working Emerald Resources NL, through its tract, which includes the supply of earth- years, Monirath said. customers,” Pichai said in a with equipment makers to subsidiary Renaissance Minerals (Cam- moving equipment and mining services The ministry has issued such licences blog post. increase production of ven- bodia) Ltd, expects to extract gold from for the Cambodian gold project. It also to 37 companies, which are exploring A pool of $20 million world tilators needed to keep some the Okvau Gold Project in the second covers load, haul, drill and blast services. areas in Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Kratie of credits for services hosted Covid-19 sufferers alive, Pi- quarter of 2021. Emerald Resources NL said the mo- and Stung Treng provinces. in the Google “cloud” will be chai said. AFP 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Indonesia remains SE Asia’s Mekong Delta rice No2 venture capital market farmers earn big NDONESIA retained its from selling straw position as the second- largest venture capital RICE farmers in the Mekong Del- They rent baling machines market in Southeast Asia ta are earning higher incomes and then sell the product to Ias Malaysia remained in third from selling rice straw left over customers. position and Singapore contin- from the harvested 2019-2020 A rice straw baling machine ued to lead the rankings. winter-spring rice crop. can process 500-600 bales per A recent report by Deal Street The rice straw, which can day. Each hectare of harvest- Asia showed that Indonesia- be used to grow mushrooms, ed rice field provides 120-150 based venture capital compa- is in high demand. bales. nies (VCs) raised a total of $582 The delta, which is Viet- More farmers in the delta million last year, a 79 per cent nam’s rice granary, is com- are using the straw because increase from $325 million in pleting the harvest of the win- of the high demand for rice 2018. ter-spring rice and traders are straw mushrooms, which is Meanwhile, Singapore-based buying rice straw bales that used in many dishes. VCs were still leading with weigh 20-25kg each at a price In Can Tho city, farmers cul- around $2 billion in funds of 30,000 dong ($1.30), up tivate rice straw mushrooms raised, 58 per cent of the total 7,000-8,000 dong compared and earn 30-40 million dong $3.6 billion in fresh funding in to the same period last year. per 1,000sqm per one-month the region last year. Meanwhile, The demand for rice straw mushroom crop. Malaysian VCs were in third po- to make cattle food, produce Doan Van Suol, who grows sition with $484 million, more compost fertiliser and culti- rice straw mushrooms in Can than five times the $90 million vate rice straw mushrooms has Tho’s Binh Thuy district, said: raised in the previous year. Indonesia-based venture capital companies (VCs) raised a total of $582 million last year, a 79 per cent caused the price to increase. “Many households here have increase from $325 million in 2018. PIXABAY “Indonesia can absolutely surpass Singapore’s funding,” Southeast Asian markets ex- “I cannot say how much East test-kits by one of its portfolio Many households here Venture Capital and Startup panded. Venture’s target funding is or companies, Nusantics. Indonesia Association (Amves- Thailand’s share, for example, how many start-ups we’re go- Meanwhile, Jefri said that have become well indo) chairman Jefri Rudyanto more than doubled to seven ing to invest in because we the pandemic could become off from growing Sirait told The Jakarta Post on per cent last year from three don’t know what entrepreneurs an opportunity for start-ups to Thursday. He added, however, per cent in 2018 led by Kasikorn are going to make,” he told the stress test their business and to the mushrooms that the start-up investment Vision Co Ltd, the investment Post on Thursday. “What we do create a mitigation plan if simi- ecosystem in Indonesia was not arm of lender Kasikornbank see is potential and we have lar situations were to occur in Farmers in the delta have become well off from growing as favourable as in Singapore. Pcl, which announced a $245 always invested in the people the future. earned an average income of the mushrooms.” He went on to say that Singa- million fund allocation. behind the idea.” He went on to say that some 700,000-900,000 dong from Traders are buying rice pore had a stronger investment Meanwhile VCs in Cambodia, Willson said the VC had pre- start-ups such as those in e- selling rice straw per hectare straw mushrooms for 45,000- ecosystem with better legal the Philippines and Vietnam pared $75 million in fund VI for commerce, food delivery and in the 2019-2020 winter-spring 50,000 dong per kilogramme. clarity and ease of establishing also started to invest in South- seed funding, and another $250 telemedicine services might crop, farmers have said. Because local supply of rice a VC, which made the city-state east Asian start-ups last year. million in a growth fund, total- even see an increase in their Nguyen Van Do, who has a straw cannot meet demand, more attractive for investors. Deal Street Asia predicted ling $325 million last year. client base and revenue since 3ha rice field in Dong Thap mushroom farmers in the city Jefri added that Indonesia that Indonesia would retain This sum is less than the people are staying indoors to province’s Thanh Binh dis- have to buy rice straw from had the potential to become its place as the second-largest around $375 million prepared avoid the coronavirus infec- trict, said he earned 30 mil- neighbouring provinces. the fourth-biggest economy in market this year as local VCs in 2018, the VC said in a report. tion. lion dong from selling rice After harvesting rice straw the world given its large popu- have announced ambitious When asked about the effect However, some start-ups straw from two rice crops mushrooms, farmers sell lation. The country also ranked plans. BRI ventures, for ex- of the Covid-19 pandemic on such as those in travel and planted in one year. the left-over straw to other fifth in global start-up rankings ample, has set a target of rais- East Venture’s plan, he said that hotel aggregation were seeing Besides earning additional farmers who use it as organic with around 2,100 start-ups, ing $250 million funding while the VC would halt investments drastic changes that required income, he no longer has to fertiliser to grow flowers, veg- just behind the US, India, the MDI Ventures plans to launch a in new start-ups while helping them to make efficiency sav- burn rice straw on his field. etables or fruits. UK and Canada. new fund of up to $500 million. their portfolio companies with ings, even going as far as reduc- Many farmers in the delta Nguyen Thi Phuong, who “Indonesia has a bigger mar- The report also showed that capital efficiency. ing staff wages by up to 80 per often burn rice straw after grows flowers in Binh Thuy’s ket than Singapore, the chal- Indonesia-based VC East Ven- “All of our portfolio compa- cent, Jefri said. harvesting rice to clear the Long Tuyen ward, said most lenge is making that market ture was the most active in nies’ revenue is down along “I think all start-ups must land for the next rice crop. The flower farmers use left-over attractive for all stakeholders,” investing in start-ups. Its co- with the economy, so we are still seek transactions and try open-field burning method, straw to make organic fertil- he said. founder and managing partner not going to be aggressive in to maintain or grow their busi- however, causes air pollution. iser. Even though Singapore still Wilson Cuaca said East Venture new investments,” he said, ness even if it’s slow to ensure With higher demand for “Organic fertiliser is impor- leads the ranking, its funding has invested in around 300 adding that East Venture would that the economy still func- rice straw in recent years, tant to increase the quality of share in the region has dropped start-ups globally, with around also start crowdfunding for the tions,” he added. THE JAKARTA POST/ traders are visiting harvested flowers,” she said.VIET NAM NEWS/ 77 per cent since 2018 as other 170 in Indonesia. development of coronavirus ASIA NEWS NETWORK rice fields to buy rice straw. ASIA NEWS NETWORK ADB pledges $1.6B more in aid to Philippines

THE Asian Development Bank vative facility will be launched (ADB) on Friday said a bigger within days to deliver food to financial assistance worth at the poor, with participation least $1.6 billion would be pro- by the government and the vided to the Philippines in the private sector,” he said. coming weeks to help its host- The earlier ADB grant will be country in fighting the corona- spent to establish a “new, mod- virus disease (Covid-19). ern laboratory with diagnostic In a statement following equipment, testing kits and discussions with Secretary of supplies” at Jose Lingad Memo- Finance Carlos G Dominguez rial Regional Hospital in City of III, ADB president Masatsugu San Fernando, Pampanga. Asakawa said: “The ADB is The Pampanga laboratory fully committed to support- will be equipped to adminis- ing the Philippines’ efforts ter 1,000 Covid-19 tests daily, to overcome these unprec- the ADB said. edented, extraordinary and Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Masatsugu Asakawa said the Asakawa thanked Dominguez challenging times. fresh assistance would include assistance to the health sector to rapidly for the latter’s letter to his fellow “We will be ready with a establish additional emergency facilities and purchase much-needed ADB governors urging the grant equipment such as ventilators. ADB large assistance package of more leeway to the lender so within weeks to help the gov- “rescue” package, would in- “In addition, the ADB will it could fast-track distribution of ernment carry out a response clude a large, quick-disburs- deliver three quick-disbursing, its resources to better respond with maximum impact.” ing loan available for use policy-based loans totalling to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dominguez serves as the immediately upon approval, $1.1 billion to support ongoing “I hope there will be a posi- Manila-based multilateral support for cash transfers and government programmes, and tive response from the ADB lender’s governor for the Phil- assistance to the health sector a $500-million disaster resil- governors to my appeal soon- ippines. to rapidly establish additional ience finance programme. er than later so swift action Asakawa said the fresh as- emergency facilities and pur- “We have already approved can be taken,” Dominguez sistance, which would come chase much-needed equip- a $3 million grant to procure said on Thursday. PHILIPPINE DAI- from the ADB’s $6.5 billion ment such as ventilators. medical supplies. A new inno- LY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 Business Huawei to invest $200M this World’s airlines seek emergency assistance year in computing ecosystem from governments

The trade group of the world’s industry,” de Juniac said. airlines is calling on govern- IATA proposed state-backed ments in the Asia-Pacific region measures such as direct finan- to extend emergency support cial support, loans or loan to the industry devastated by guarantees and tax breaks. It the new coronavirus disease said the Covid-19 crisis would (Covid-19). wipe out some $88 billion in The International Air Trans- revenue and cut passenger port Association (IATA) said it demand by 37 per cent this year wrote the heads of governments from last year. in the region to provide finan- This is based on a scenario cial support as carriers “fight for where severe restrictions on survival due to the dramatic loss travel are lifted after three of air travel demand due to the months, followed by gradual Covid-19 crisis”. recovery, it added. “For airlines, it’s apocalypse Air Carriers Association of now,” IATA director-general the Philippines Inc vice-chair- and CEO Alexandre de Juniac man Roberto Lim earlier said in a statement. warned that flight suspensions IATA reached out to 18 gov- could trigger a so-called cash ernments, including the Philip- drain as revenues vanish while pines, Bangladesh, India, airlines return billions of pesos Huawei Technologies Co’s largest flagship store, which is undergoing renovation in Shanghai.CHINA DAILY Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, in refunds. South Korea, Thailand and The country’s three major uawei Technolo- dustry and share the success infrastructure such as data tem called CloudBrain. Vietnam. airline companies – Philippine gies Co on Friday of the digital economy,” Hou centres will bring opportuni- The system is an underly- IATA said the industry need- Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirA- said it will invest explained. ties to Huawei’s computing ing architecture to support ed a financial lifeline of $200 sia Philippines –have halted all $200 million this Kunpeng processors are business. a wide range of applications billion. At risk are 2.7 million passenger operations after yearH to support third-party developed by Huawei on the Early this month, a meeting such as smart healthcare, airline jobs on top of millions wider quarantine measures developers that use its com- basis of ARM chip architec- of the Standing Committee smart transportation and ur- more that support the sector. were ordered by the Philippine puting solutions, as the Chi- ture, a chip design developed of the Political Bureau of the ban management. The crucial passenger busi- government to contain the nese tech giant underlined by the British company Arm Communist Party of China “In the first stage, Cloud- ness, in particular, had col- spread of Covid-19. once again its long-term Holdings. Central Committee called for Brain’s computing ability will lapsed with flight restrictions The Philippine government’s commitment to computing. Hou said the company now accelerated efforts to build increase five times and it will and warnings against nones- economic team announced it The move is part of a broad- has 1.6 million developers new infrastructure, includ- be enhanced by another 10 sential travel. would mobilise government- er $1.5 billion package that working on Huawei Cloud, ing 5G base stations and data times next year. It will be- “There is a small and shrink- owned or controlled corpora- Huawei announced last year and it hopes to increase the centres, in China. come the world’s largest AI ing window for governments to tions “to assist airlines and the that it would invest over the number to five million devel- Hou said: “The infrastruc- computing cluster by then,” provide a lifeline of financial rest of the tourism industry”. next five years to build a vi- opers by the end of 2025. ture for a digital society is PCL director Gao Wen said. support to prevent a liquidity PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS brant ecosystem of develop- Charlie Dai, principal ana- computing power and Hua- CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK crisis from shuttering the NETWORK ers. lyst at business strategy and wei has a unique edge in this “Developers are the key economic consultancy For- respect. We hope to partner to changing the computing rester, said Huawei’s comput- with all developers to build world. They are the engine of ing strategy demonstrates the China’s new infrastructure.” enterprise innovations, and importance of leveraging ho- Huawei also announced the soul of new industry eco- listic hardware and software on Friday that it is working systems,” Hou Jinlong, presi- spectrum to fully unleash the with partners such as Tencent dent of Huawei’s Cloud & AI power of AI in the cloud. Games to be part of the Kun- business group, said. ARM-based chips have peng ecosystem and the com- “We will continue to work unique value for comput- pany hopes that Kunpeng can with global developers and ing. Huawei’s investment in become the foundation for fu- industry partners to provide ARM-based servers not only ture IT development in multi- robust, economical comput- supports broader business ple markets. It added this will ing power by leveraging the scenarios. It also effectively mutually benefit all players in multi-core, high-concurrency improves business agility the digital economy. advantages of Kunpeng pro- in the increasingly dynamic In November, Huawei part- cessors. macroeconomic environ- nered with Peng Cheng Lab, a “Together, we will unlock ment, Dai added. key research facility in Guang- the trillion dollar blue ocean Analysts said China’s recent dong province, to launch an market of the computing in- emphasis on developing new upgraded AI computing sys- South Korea’s Hyundai Mobis set to invest in core future car technologies Hyundai Mobis Co Ltd on Sunday said it an investment of 60 billion won ($49.5 mil- would target the global market with future lion) for a strategic partnership with Velodyne mobility technologies including vision-au- Lidar, one of the industry’s leading lidar sen- tonomous driving, connectivity and electri- sor providers. fication technology. For connectivity, Hyundai Mobis said it is The auto parts unit under South Korea’s larg- collaborating with Yandex, Russia’s top internet est auto conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group search engine operator with more than 60 per pledged to develop high-performance sensors cent market control, to develop a driverless for self-driving cars with independent technol- level four autonomous robotaxi platform. ogy within this year. It marks 25 years since its The company is also participating in a joint transition to the auto parts business. venture between Hyundai Motor Group and After developing the country’s first short- US software developer for autonomous vehi- range radar applied to a blind-spot collision cles Aptiv to bolster its level four autonomous warning system in 2018, Hyundai Mobis last vehicle technology. year secured four technologies for short-, mid- It plans to invest four trillion won to expand and long-range radars that can detect sur- production for electrification and to inject rounding vehicles at 360 degrees. three to four trillion won for the research and Also, to launch a new lidar-based advanced development of future cars. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA driver assistance system, the company made NEWS NETWORK 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Indonesian manufacturers step up as G20 nations coordinate global medical supply ndonesia is set to support manufacturers with the capac- ity to produce the desperately needed protective gear, test kits Iand ventilators that are crucial in the worldwide global fight against Covid-19 as Group of 20 (G20) na- tions pledge to focus on saving lives. Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani said on Thursday that the govern- ment would identify such companies and “see to their needs” for raw mate- rials and other requirements in order to increase their production capacity and restore the supply chain. Globally, he said, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank will prioritise support for compa- nies that can supply such medical equipment. “The focus of [G20] leaders is saving human lives because this is not only a health problem but also a tragedy for humanity,” Sri Mulyani told a telecon- ferenced media briefing after a virtual extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit on Thursday evening Jakarta time. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi and Sri Mulyani represented Indonesia at the meeting. Indonesia’s latest move is intend- ed to help Indonesia’s health work- ers, doctors and nurses who have been treating Covid-19 cases since mid-February despite many of them having inadequate protection. The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) announced over the weekend that five doctors had died of the ill- ness, in addition to a nurse who died of Covid-19 on March 12. In the broader context, every country has experienced scarci- A Group of 20 (G20) emergency video summit was held on Thursday during which leaders of the 20 major economies discussed coordinated responses to the widening Covid-19 pandemic. POOL/AFP ties in medical equipment like test kits, protective gear and ventilators, Nissan have been listed, on top of produce personal protective equip- “We use a specified waterproof and support for boosting funding and whether they were in Europe, Indo- General Electrics and 3M Co. ment (PPE) for medical personnel, antimicrobial material that we’ve production of PPE for health work- nesia or the US, Sri Mulyani said. “Indonesia could also have a chance including mass-producing masks developed for the PPE,” Joy told the ers amid the global shortage, urging Following such an appeal, Chinese [to produce more medical equip- and protective coveralls. Members Post in a written statement, while nations to remove export bans. President Xi Jinping has expressed a ment] because Indonesia has the ca- of the Indonesian Textile Associa- declining to disclose the number of “We have a global responsibility commitment to ramping up its pro- pacity to supply protective gear, hand tion have committed to producing coveralls produced by the company. as humanity and especially those duction capacity for medical equip- sanitisers and so forth,” she said. one million washable masks, PT Pan Meanwhile, Pan Brothers has countries like the G20,” Tedros told ment. He also offered G20 countries One Indonesia-based start-up Brothers deputy CEO Anne Patricia agreed to produce 20 million wash- a news conference in Geneva on knowledge-sharing and experience called Nusantics is preparing to Sutanto said. able masks and 100,000 jumpsuits Wednesday. “They should be able in handling domestic production make 100,000 Covid-19 test kits. A “The workers were initially flabber- by April, which have been ordered to support countries all over the amid supply chain disruption. prototype will be complete within gasted by our decision. They asked by the government and retailers as world.” The Ministry of Trade issued a three weeks, according to the com- me: ‘But, we are a garment exporting demand for PPE skyrocketed. The number of Covid-19 cases in regulation on Tuesday to temporar- pany’s investor East Ventures. company, how can we produce masks The Ministry of Trade had previ- Indonesia quadrupled within a week, ily scrap all requirements for im- “Right now, it is difficult to get and coveralls?’ but I told them this is a ously banned the export of face jumping from 172 positive diagnoses porting protective gear and medical tested for the coronavirus as it keeps humanitarian emergency and we did masks, hand sanitiser, protective on March 17 to 893 on Wednesday. equipment to reverse the shortages spreading throughout the nation,” it,” she told the Post on Thursday. medical gear and raw materials The number of deaths was 78, with of such items in Indonesia. East Ventures co-founder and man- Textile company PT Sri Rejeki Isman through Trade Ministry Regulation the disease spreading to at least 27 Carmakers around the world are aging partner Willson Cuaca told The started to produce coveralls for medi- No 23/20020 to ensure a sufficient of the country’s 34 provinces. Glob- shifting gear to producing hospital Jakarta Post. “That is why we want to cal workers late in January and started domestic supply. ally, the pneumonia-like illness has ventilators and respirators to combat help the start-up achieve this goal.” delivering the products in the first World Health Organisation direc- infected more than 537,000 people the novel coronavirus using 3D print- Textile factories in Indonesia are week of last month, the company’s tor-general Tedros Adhanom Ghe- with over 24,000 deaths. THE JAKARTA ing. Ford, General Motors, Ferrari and switching their production lines to spokesperson Joy Citra Dewi said. breyesus addressed the G20 to seek POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK China’s new macroeconomic policies to aid in recovery

China will modestly raise counter impact from the out- principal repayments and shopping, the statement said. prevention in key areas and consular protection, guid- its budget deficit ratio, issue break. interest repayments of loans, It added that the accelerated more targeted treatment for ance and support in terms of special sovereign bonds and Proactive fiscal policy must while ensuring a smooth trans- spread of the pandemic over- patients in severe condition to providing protective materi- bolster the scale of local gov- be more effective and prudent mission mechanism and alle- seas has hit the global econo- improve the recovery rate and als to ensure their health and ernment bonds as part of a monetary policy must be more viating difficulties and high my and trade hard, and the lower the mortality rate. safety. slew of macroeconomic pol- flexible and accommodating to costs faced by businesses in country is faced with mount- Authorities in Hubei province It is imperative that authori- icies to cope with impacts of cut interest rates for loans and their financing processes, the ing pressure from the importa- must step up alignment with ties closely monitor and ana- the Covid-19 pandemic, maintain reasonably sufficient statement said. tion of infected cases and fresh relevant provincial authorities lyse the trend of the pandemic, according to a decision made liquidity, said a statement The meeting called for quick- challenges in the resumption to help its residents leave the identify and control sources of at a key meeting of the Com- released after the meeting. er steps to unleash demand of industry chains. province for jobs – and strand- risk in a precise and speedy munist Party of China (CPC) The meeting also called for from domestic markets, includ- The priority for the country ed travellers in the province manner, step up quarantines at on Friday. adequate implementation of ing measures to enable various is to prevent both the importa- return home. Epidemic con- ports and refine border entry The meeting of the Political various tax and fee cut policies markets like shopping malls to tion of Covid-19 cases and a tainment in key areas, such as procedures, the statement Bureau of the CPC Central and an acceleration of the issu- get back to normal. possible domestic rebound of Beijing, must be further rein- said. Committee, presided over by ance and use of special bonds It is important to expand the outbreak, and to maintain forced, the statement said. With the Covid-19 outbreak CPC Central Committee secre- issued by local authorities. consumer consumption, mod- the sustained positive momen- The meeting called for bringing fresh difficulties and tary-general Xi Jinping, under- It is important to give play to estly increase public spending tum in epidemic containment, stronger care and support for challenges, more arduous lined the importance of further the guiding role of financial and restore consumption at the statement said. Chinese citizens overseas, efforts are needed in poverty macro policy adjustment and policies, such as re-lending, physical stores while main- It required unremitting meas- saying that diplomatic mis- alleviation, the statement said. better implementation to rediscounting and deferrals of taining the vitality of online ures in epidemic control and sions abroad must enhance CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Business Vietnam GDP hits 10-year low in 2020’s first quarter ietnam’s gross the lowest growth rate of just domestic product 0.08 per cent, contributing 0.2 (GDP) expanded by per cent to overall growth. 3.82 per cent in the GSO director-general Nguy- firstV quarter of this year – the en Bich Lam, these were en- lowest growth rate posted in couraging results in the face the past 10 years – showing of the world economic down- the tremendous impact the turn, plunging oil prices and novel coronavirus (Covid-19) rising geopolitical tensions, pandemic is having on the especially the outbreak of country’s economy. Covid-19 which is affecting This number was released economies around the world. by the General Statistics Office “The Vietnamese govern- (GSO) on Friday in Hanoi. ment and the prime minister Overall, all sectors expand- have put their priority on the The consumer price index (CPI) this month was down by 0.72 per cent compared to last month, the lowest in the past five years. ed at a much lower pace com- prevention and suppression VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS pared to previous years due of the virus, sacrificing eco- to stagnation in major econo- nomic benefits to ensure the enza and the complicated de- Meanwhile, the import and war and abundant supply of transport group declined the mies and disruptions to glob- lives and health of the people. velopments of Covid-19 also export turnover of many Viet- poultry were the main rea- steepest by 4.87 per cent, fol- al supply and demand. In this context, positive eco- had adverse impacts on pro- namese products also saw sons that drove the consumer lowed by culture, entertain- The industry and construc- nomic expansion shows the duction and import-exports declines as Covid-19 spread price index (CPI) this month ment and tourism, down 1.4 tion sector had the highest effectiveness of the govern- of agricultural products. among Vietnam’s major trade down by 0.72 per cent com- per cent; and food and cater- growth rate of 5.15 per cent, ment’s policies,” Lam said. The business community partners such as China, South pared to last month, the low- ing services, down 0.43 per contributing 58.4 per cent to In the first quarter, the ag- was hard-hit by Covid-19, Korea, Japan, the EU and the est in the past five years. cent. overall GDP growth, of which riculture, forestry and fishery which has seen a soaring US. Ending this month, the CPI Four groups still increased, the processing and manufac- sector accounted for 10.11 number of enterprises tem- Total import-export turn- increased by 5.56 per cent including household appli- turing industry increased by per cent of total output, while porarily closed (18,600 en- over of goods in the first compared to the same period ances and goods, medicine 7.12 per cent. industrial and construction terprises, a year-on-year in- quarter reached $115.34 bil- last year and was the highest and healthcare, education and Meanwhile, the service sec- production made up 35.52 crease of 26 per cent). lion, down 0.7 per cent over rise in the last five years. other goods and services with tor expanded 3.27 per cent, per cent and the service sec- Trade and service activities the same period last year, of Seven of the 11 groups of trivial growth of between 0.04 making up 41.4 per cent tors accounted for 43.71 per in the first three months were which exports increased by commodities and services per cent and 0.16 per cent. VIET of overall growth, of which cent, GSO data shows. also less active as consumers 0.5 per cent and imports de- decreased, of which the NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK wholesale and retail increased The agricultural sector in reduced shopping, travel and creased by 1.9 per cent. by 5.69 per cent and finance, the first quarter suffered from eating out. The number of in- The trade surplus in the first banking and insurance rose the impacts of African swine ternational visitors to Vietnam quarter of this year has been by 7.19 per cent. fever, drought and saline in- in the first quarter decreased estimated at $2.8 billion. The agriculture, forestry trusion in the Mekong Delta by 18.1 per cent compared to The impacts of the Covid- and fishery sector witnessed region. The risk of avian influ- the same period last year. 19 pandemic and the oil price Delay of Olympics ‘an enormous shock’ for virus-hit Tokyo hotels The shock postponement of the Tokyo “The most frequent consultation a spokesman told AFP. 2020 Olympics has dealt a savage blow to requests we’ve received are about cash- “I don’t know if we can negotiate with Japan’s hotels and tourism industry, flow difficulties and maintaining employ- Olympic officials about compensation or already reeling from the impact of the ment,” an official told AFP. not.” coronavirus pandemic. Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo’s busy Shinjuku Many operators have seen bookings district – home to the victorious Spring- ‘No one to blame’ decimated by the virus and had been cling- boks during the Rugby World Cup – said it Just months ago, JTB, one of Japan’s larg- ing to the hope that the Games would help began receiving cancellation calls shortly est tour agencies, was selling Olympic them claw back this year’s losses. after the delay was announced. packages bundling trips to Tokyo with tick- Tokyo Hotels and Ryokans Association Its woes are compounded by the fact that ets. Now they too are in a holding pattern, secretary-general Shigemi Sudo said: a part-time worker at the hotel contracted waiting for guidance. “This is an enormous shock for us, with the virus, forcing a deep clean of the vast Tokyo Olympic organisers are aware of sales in many of our member hotels building in one of Tokyo’s busiest dis- the gargantuan task ahead of them, and already down by half because of plunging tricts. the many businesses and individuals wait- demand for tourism, not only from abroad “We hope to play a role [in hosting visi- ing on their decisions. but also inside Japan due to the corona- tors for the postponed Olympics], but “I think we are racing against time,” virus. there’s nothing we can say now,” a hotel Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said on “Many rooms are going to be cancelled, spokeswoman said. Thursday at the first meeting of a taskforce and it will be difficult to fill those empty The Imperial Hotel in central Tokyo had convened to organise the rescheduling. rooms with new customers given the situ- been block-booked by Tokyo 2020 organis- Olympic officials themselves will face a ation,” he said. ers for the original dates of the Games, headache rebooking rooms and halls for The delay, which came after weeks of which were due to open on July 24, and next year. A decision on the new dates is Olympic organisers and officials insisting said it was now waiting for guidance. reportedly expected in the next three the sporting extravaganza would go ahead Even before the postponement it had weeks. despite the soaring number of virus infec- been struggling with the “grave impact” of “Generally speaking, reservations for tions globally, leaves the industry in limbo a downturn in tourism because of the pan- event halls – for example for wedding par- as they wait for a new date to be set for next demic, and had slashed its net profit fore- ties – start six months to 12 months before,” year. cast for the fiscal year ending this month the Via Inn spokesman warned. Like the rest of the world, Japan’s hotel by 37 per cent. But for all the hardship, there is one silver industry has been devastated by the spread For hotel chains such as Via Inn, the lining – the prospect of at least recovering of the coronavirus with bookings down by situation has caused unprecedented some losses when the rescheduled Games as much as 90 per cent year-on-year in the conundrums in recouping losses and fill- go ahead. March-April period, a survey by the Japan ing hotel rooms. “There is no one to blame, and we think Tourism Agency said. “Normally we’d be able to collect cancel- the postponement is a better decision than The agency is fielding calls from strug- lation fees, but in this case it isn’t the fault cancellation,” said Sudo of the Tokyo gling businesses across the country. of our customers, so we can’t request that,” Hotels and Ryokans Association. AFP 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com World Europe, US Covid-19 deaths surge Venezuelan HE global coronavi- beginning. ex-general rus death toll surged The British toll passed past 30,000 over the 1,000 on Saturday while Bel- surrenders weekend as Europe gium saw a steep climb in andT the US endured their deaths, with 353 recorded darkest days of the crisis. on Saturday – up from 289 to the US A back-flip from US the day before. President Donald Trump Elsewhere, Iran an- A retired Venezuelan general who on quarantining New York nounced 139 more deaths, was charged by the US with “narco- highlighted the panic and and India sealed a dozen vil- terrorism” along with President Nicolas confusion across many parts lages that had been visited Maduro and other officials has surren- of the world in trying to con- by a guru now known to be dered in Colombia to US authorities, tain the pandemic, which infected and a possible “su- prosecutors said on Saturday. has seen more than a third per-spreader”. “The national Attorney General of humanity placed under South African police used learned that Mr Cliver Alcala surren- unprecedented lockdowns. rubber bullets in Johannes- dered to US authorities,” the Colom- More than 30,900 deaths burg to enforce social dis- bian prosecutor said in a statement, had been reported world- tancing on a crowd queue- adding there was no arrest warrant wide by Sunday, according ing for supplies outside a when he gave himself up. to a Johns Hopkins Univer- supermarket during a na- Alcala turned himself in on Friday sity tally, as the virus con- tional lockdown. to the Colombians, who in turn hand- tinued to leave a devastat- ed him over to US authorities, the El ing imprint on nearly every ‘Enough, enough’ Tiempo de Bogota newspaper said. aspect of society: wiping out US President Donald Trump has decided against locking down the New York region, the epicentre of the In Italy, a cardiologist from He is among several current and US coronavirus outbreak. AFP millions of jobs, overwhelm- Rome who has recovered former top Venezuelan government ing healthcare services and warnings of the panic it drew, a psychiatry resident over 20,000 deaths – around from Covid-19 recalled his officials, along with Maduro, indicted draining national treasuries. could spark. in a New York hospital who half in worst-hit Italy. hellish experience. by Washington on Thursday for “nar- Europe alone accounted for “A quarantine will not be spoke on condition his Spain, with the world’s “The oxygen therapy is co-terrorism”. The US offered a $15 more than 20,000 fatalities, necessary,” Trump tweeted, name be changed. second-highest toll, added painful, looking for the radi- million reward for information lead- where hardest-hit Italy and about eight hours after he He is now quarantined at 832 deaths on Saturday for a al artery is difficult. Desper- ing to Maduro’s capture. Spain each reported more stunned the New York met- home with a likely case of total of 5,812. ate other patients were cry- As part of the US Justice Depart- than 800 dead in one day. ropolitan region – the epi- the virus himself. Madrid toughened a na- ing out, ‘Enough, enough’,” ment indictment, up to $10 million Pablo Rodriguez, a radi- centre of the US outbreak “There’s not enough mon- tionwide lockdown, halting he told AFP. was offered for the capture of Alcala, ologist at a Madrid hospital, – with a proposal to place it ey, there aren’t enough tests, all non-essential activities, Infection rates in Italy are on who has been living in the northern described the influx of pa- under quarantine. there’s not enough personal though officials said the epi- a downward trend. The head Colombian city of Barranquilla for tients as “a total tsunami”. The Centers for Disease protective equipment for demic in the country seemed of the national health institute the last two years. “It’s like going to the front Control and Prevention, people who are dealing with to be nearing a peak. Silvio Brusaferro predicted a He was sent to New York on a flight line in a war,” he said. however, asked area resi- this,” he told AFP in an inter- Russia said it would close peak “in the next few days”. that was granted special permission Officials in some countries dents not to travel except for view punctuated by coughs. its borders on Monday, de- Europe has suffered the to break the total lockdown imposed have warned that the worst essential purposes. The US now has the high- spite reporting relatively low brunt of the coronavirus cri- by Colombian President Ivan Duque is yet to come. Trump’s reversal came on est number of confirmed levels of the virus. sis in recent weeks, with mil- as part of measures to restrict the But in the Chinese city of the same day the US death Covid-19 infections globally More than 664,000 cases lions across the continent spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Wuhan where the virus first toll topped 2,100, more than with more than 124,000 cas- of the novel coronavirus on lockdown and the streets El Tiempo said. struck late last year, officials doubling in just three days. es, according to the Johns have been officially record- of Paris, Rome and Madrid Former Venezuelan security chief took tentative steps back Of the fatalities, more than Hopkins tally. ed around the world since eerily empty. Ivan Simonovis, who was welcomed towards normality, partially a quarter were in New York One of the fatalities an- the outbreak began late last Other countries across the by US authorities last year after reopening it after more than City. nounced on Saturday was year, according to the Johns world were bracing for the escaping Venezuela following 15 two months of near-total Health officials say they that of a Chicago infant less Hopkins tracker. virus’s full impact. years of detention under the leftist isolation for its 11 million fear New York may follow than a year old, marking an Variations in testing re- As even rich countries regime, told AFP he had information residents. the deadly path charted by extremely rare case of juve- gimes – and delays in some struggle, aid groups warn that Alcala was either en route to or Trump decided late on Italy, with health profession- nile death in the pandemic. countries – mean the true the toll could be in the mil- already in New York. Saturday against imposing als exhausted and hospitals number is likely far higher. lions in low-income coun- “Family, I say goodbye for a while. a broad lockdown on New desperately short of protec- Italy and Spain In France, which has seen tries and war zones such I’m facing my responsibilities for my York and its neighbours af- tive equipment and ventila- European nations have close to 2,000 deaths, Prime as Syria and Yemen, where actions with the truth,” Alcala, 58, ter a strong pushback from tors. been harder hit than the US Minister Edouard Philippe healthcare systems are in said in a video message published on local political leaders and “It’s abysmal,” said An- on a per capita basis with warned the “battle” was just tatters. AFP his Instagram account on Friday. The US embassy in Bogota did not respond to AFP’s request for com- ment. The US Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administra- NK fires two short-range ‘ballistic missiles’ tion also declined to comment. Along with Maduro, 14 top serving NORTH Korea fired what appeared to siles but attributed its three other North Korea is one of the few Negotiations have since been dead- and former Venezuelan officials were be two short-range ballistic missiles launches this month – all of which remaining countries in the world yet locked over sanctions relief and what charged with drug-trafficking by the off its east coast on Sunday, the fourth landed in the Sea of Japan – to “long- to report a case of novel coronavirus the North would be willing to give up US, among them Alcala who was a such launch this month as the world range artillery” drills. infection. in return, despite a high-profile June close collaborator of Maduro’s pred- battles the coronavirus outbreak. It last week fired what Seoul said But the outbreak has turned into a meeting in the Demilitarised Zone ecessor, the late socialist firebrand The string of weapons drills come were two short-range ballistic mis- major international crisis, with more that divides the Korean peninsula. Hugo Chavez. as a prolonged hiatus in disarma- siles, describing them as a new “tac- than 640,000 confirmed cases and Pyongyang set a unilateral deadline Alcala retired in 2013 after Chavez ment talks with the US drags on, and tical guided weapon”. 30,000 dead worldwide. for Washington to offer fresh conces- died of cancer and Maduro took over. despite recent overtures from Wash- North Korean state media There has also been widespread sions by last year’s end. Late in Decem- The former general became an ington offering help to contain the announced the following day that the speculation that the virus has reached ber, Kim declared that his country no opponent of Maduro’s and fled to pandemic. country’s leader Kim Jong-un had the isolated nation, and health longer considered itself bound by Colombia, joining forces with Vene- South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff received a letter from US President experts have warned that it could moratoriums on nuclear and inter- zuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido said the North fired the two projec- Donald Trump detailing a plan to devastate the country given its weak continental ballistic missile tests. in his challenge to the socialist lead- tiles, presumed to be ballistic mis- develop ties – a move later confirmed medical infrastructure and wide- In the past the North has fired mis- er’s authority. siles, from the port city of Wonsan by a White House official. spread malnutrition. siles capable of reaching the entire Guaido is recognised as Venezuela’s into the Sea of Japan, also known as The report cited Kim’s powerful sis- Sunday’s launch was intended to US mainland and has carried out six leader by the US and more than 50 the East Sea. ter Kim Yo-jong, who warned that the show the country was running nor- nuclear tests, the most recent of them other countries. “Such military action by North apparently good personal relation- mally during the pandemic, said Kim estimated to be up to 16 times more The series of indictments against Korea is an extremely inappropriate ship between the two leaders would Dong-yub, a researcher at the Seoul- powerful than the Hiroshima blast. top Venezuelan officials is the latest act when the entire world is having not be enough to foster broader rela- based Institute for Far Eastern Stud- North Korea is under multiple sets attempt by US President Donald difficulties due to the Covid-19 out- tions. ies. of UN, US and other sanctions over Trump’s administration to force break,” they added in a statement. Trump “explained his plan to pro- its weapons programmes. Maduro from power. Tokyo’s defence ministry said the pel the relations between the two Negotiations deadlocked Heightened tensions in 2017 were Like Guaido, the National Assembly projectiles fell short of Japanese countries … and expressed his intent Analysts say the North has been followed by two years of nuclear diplo- speaker and self-proclaimed acting waters and the country’s exclusive to render cooperation in the anti- continuing to refine its weapons macy between Pyongyang and Wash- president, the US considers Maduro economic zone. epidemic work”, she said in a state- capabilities more than a year after a ington, including three meetings illegitimate due to his controversial The nuclear-armed North has yet ment published by the Korean Cen- summit between Kim and Trump between Kim and Trump, but little 2018 re-election in a poll widely to issue a statement on Sunday’s mis- tral News Agency. broke down in Hanoi. tangible progress was made. AFP viewed as rigged. THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Asean No worries on electricity supply, says Thai minister The Thai Ministry of Energy will tend to use more electricity during shut down until April 30, such as “The trend should continue to go months by postponing maintenance ensure adequate electricity supply summer [March-April]. department stores, restaurants, down as the government has post- schedule of power plants to make sure while many people are advised to “There should be enough power for schools, universities and entertain- poned the Songkran holidays, which that all can run at full capacity when work from home by the government everyone despite the government’s ment venues. usually cause oil consumption to necessary. in an attempt to promote social dis- recommendation to work from home “Plus, companies that let their spike in April. “Furthermore, we have ordered PTT tance and prevent the spread of Cov- as we have increased generating employees work from home will save “We estimate that oil consumption Plc to reach out to liquefied natural id-19, Minister of Energy Sonthirat capacity by over 30 per cent from on power bill too,” he said. in 2020 could shrink by 20 per cent,” gas [LNG] providers in Myanmar to Sonthijirawong said on Saturday. power plants nationwide,” he said. As for national oil consumption dur- he said. postpone the scheduled maintenance “I have ordered all related agencies, Sonthirat added that although pow- ing the Covid-19 shutdown, Sonthirat Meanwhile, Energy Regulatory of their facilities to ensure uninter- especially the Electricity Generating er consumption will rise among resi- said that in the first three weeks of this Commission secretary-general and rupted distribution of LNG, which is Authority of Thailand, to monitor dential users, electricity usage among month, oil consumption in Thailand spokesman Khomkrit Tantrawanich one of the main fuels for power gen- power usage closely and evaluate the entrepreneurs will decrease as many had gone down by eight per cent com- said the ministry will still prepare for eration,” Khomkrit said. THE NATION (THAI- situation on a daily basis as people business venues have been ordered to pared to last month. increased power usage in the coming LAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Protective Vietnam proposes $860M bailout gear on package for businesses hit by virus the way ietnam’s Ministry of La- for staff bour, Invalid and Social Af- fairs has proposed that the Continued from page 1 government issue a 20 tril- lionV dong ($860 million) bailout pack- circular containing Covid- age to soften the economic impact of 19 prevention guidelines for the Covid-19 pandemic. medical workers. The circu- Under the proposal, an employee will lar, he said, had been dissem- be allowed to borrow 100 million dong inated to all medical facilities and a producer or a small business will along with the statement on be allowed to borrow two billion dong Friday. with an interest rate of 3.96 per cent “We acknowledge that the annually, half of the current borrowing guidelines are not perfect. interest rate for poor households. The However, we hope that the loans must be repaid within 12 months. management of the medical The ministry also submitted three facilities will follow what we solutions to help businesses survive have suggested,” Daeng said. during the pandemic. Since mid-February, Indo- To fund each of the solutions, the nesia’s health workers, doc- budget of each locality would be paid tors and nurses have been in advance to lend to local businesses working overtime to treat and the amount will be refunded from Covid-19 cases, despite many revenue when liquidating businesses’ of them having inadequate assets, the ministry said. personal protection. Many The ministry added that if the refund of the medical workers were was not enough, the locality could re- found to have worn make- port to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan shift personal protective gear, Phuc for further consideration. including raincoats, in lieu of The first solution is businesses that hazmat suits. have at least 30 per cent of their em- To address the issue, the ployees or at least 100 employees tem- Indonesian Military (TNI) porarily suspended from work due to has been distributing 151,000 difficulties triggered by the pandemic pieces of protective equipment would be allowed to borrow money to from the national warehouse pay salaries, social, health and unem- at Halim Perdanakusuma Air ployment insurance for employees. Base for the past week. The state budget would cover the in- The distribution, however, terest on the loans for a maximum of has drastically decreased the three months per business. If approved, supply of the equipment as the support will be implemented be- only 19,000 pieces of equip- tween April and December. ment remain in stock from Secondly, businesses that are forced the initial 170,000. to let go at least 10 per cent of their em- Coordinating Minister for ployees or at least 50 employees due to Political, Legal and Security the pandemic could borrow money to The money to pay for job-loss allowance is estimated at about 0.53-1.06 trillion dong ($22.8-$45.5 million). VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM Affairs Mahfud MD admitted NEWS pay job-loss allowance for employees. that the stock was inadequate Thirdly, employees whose business- lowance is estimated at about 0.53- It recommended exempting tuition applied, the ministry said. to accommodate medical es dissolved or went bankrupt would 1.06 trillion dong. fees for students who are members Another proposal was made to extend workers across the country receive the job-loss allowance. The The ministry also suggested that the of Covid-19 infected families. In ad- the tax finalisation of 2019 and exempt as Indonesia needed millions ministry said about 55,000-110,000 government issue a policy to tempo- dition, a reduction of 15-20 per cent taxes incurred in the first six months of of pieces of protective equip- employees would lose their jobs due rarily halt or exempt unemployment of tuition fees in the 2020 school year this year for all private and public edu- ment until September, ac- to the Covid-19 pandemic. insurance payment for both busi- for all students to share the burden cational institutions. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA cording to the government’s The money to pay for job-loss al- nesses and employees. with parents nationwide should be NEWS NETWORK worst-case scenario of the pandemic. However, he said the govern- ment had conducted a meet- ing regarding the issue on Fri- Foreigners in Laos able to request extensions of stay day to prepare the budget and the distribution mechanism Foreigners and stateless the Department of Immigra- Foreigners and stateless per- In addition, it has suspended About 26 countries have set up of the equipment. people who cannot leave Laos tion. In other provinces, the sons, who do not apply for an visa exemptions for nationals of embassies in Vientiane, and During a press briefing on at this time, because all borders Provincial Headquarters of the extension and overstay the Asean countries and nations four have consulates here. Friday, Mahfud said: “We are closed to prevent the spread Public Security Department will date specified by authorities that have separate visa exemp- Laos has 40 representative were slightly worried after of Covid-19, can request exten- assist, said a March 21 will be fined $10 per day. tion agreements with Laos, diplomatic offices abroad, of realising that the equipment sions on their stay. announcement from the The Ministry of Foreign excluding the holders of diplo- which 26 are embassies, three had started to run out, but we Some foreigners who live and Department of Immigration. Affairs has implemented sev- matic and official passports. are permanent representative have prepared the budget to work in Laos were worried they The department on Wednes- eral measures to help prevent This ministry’s measures are in offices, 11 are general consu- buy more. could not renew their visas day said these people can the spread of Covid-19 such as force from March 20 to April 20. lates, and 12 honorary consu- “We are optimistic to ad- because Thailand began tem- extend their stay for another suspending the issuing of visa Laos has established diplo- lates. dress the issue since many porarily closing all border cross- month. If the coronavirus situ- on arrivals for all nationals, matic ties with 143 countries Laos also has 27 interna- local manufacturers have also ing with Laos on March 21. ation does not normalise, they tourist visas at Lao diplomatic around the world and has rela- tional border checkpoints committed to producing more In Vientiane, stay-permits can can continue to request missions overseas and sus- tions with more than 130 polit- across the country. VIENTIANE protective equipment.” THE JA- now be extended directly with monthly extensions. pending the issuing eVisas. ical parties of these countries. TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK KARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com World VN’s Phuc attends G20 video summit VIETNAMESE Prime Minister addressing obstacles based Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a on the spirit of cooperation Group of 20 (G20) emergency and mutual understanding. video summit on Thursday The two countries should during which leaders of the 20 also maintain regular trade major economies discussed exchanges through facilita- coordinated responses to the tion of movement of goods widening Covid-19 pandemic. along the shared border line. Phuc took part in the sum- Hun Sen highly valued Viet- mit in the capacity as chair nam’s measures to contain of Asean 2020, to confirm the pandemic. the responsibilities as well as During his phone conversa- contributions by Asean and tions with Lao Prime Minister Vietnam to the global efforts Thongloun Sisoulith, Phuc in combating the pandemic. spoke highly of the efforts Vietnam was invited to at- made by the Lao govern- tend the G20 Summit for the ment in employing preven- first time in 2010 as chair of tive measures, affirming that Asean. Vietnam stands ready to work Established in 1999, the side by side with Laos in the G20 consists of 19 individual fight against the pandemic in countries plus the European order to soon stabilise situa- Union, accounting for two- tion in each country. thirds of the world popula- Thongloun highly valued tion, 90 per cent of the glob- Vietnam’s efforts and out- al gross domestic product comes in containing the virus, and 80 per cent of the world expressing his wish that both trade. countries would strengthen information sharing as well Working with Cambodia, Laos as coordination and mutual A male pangolin at the Pangolin Research Base for Artificial Rescue and Conservation Breeding in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Phuc called for his Cambo- support in this fight. China. CHINA DAILY dian and Lao counterparts to Phuc suggested the Lao work together to fight against government to continue fa- the Covid-19 pandemic dur- cilitating the Vietnamese ing their phone talks on community’s access to nec- Thursday. essary conditions to protect Coronavirus akin to Covid-19 The three countries would themselves against Covid-19, continue the Asean spirit of and coordinate with Vietnam solidarity and unity as en- in maintaining stability and shrined in the Chairman’s security in respective coun- pathogen found in pangolins Statement on Asean Collec- tries, especially in border tive Response to Covid-19 provinces. CIENTISTS have iden- the peer-reviewed research “striking” to find these coro- from Yunnan University, also Outbreak, the prime minister The two leaders agreed to tified coronaviruses was published on journal naviruses being so closely added credence to the no- said. pay more attention to sus- similar to SARS-CoV-2, Nature on Thursday. The re- related to the one behind the tion that pangolins may not During his phone talks with tain the development of the the virus responsible search was done by an inter- pandemic as they shared 85.5 be the intermediate hosts of Cambodian Prime Minister bilateral ties and continue fa- forS the Covid-19 pandemic, national team of scientists per cent to 92.4 per cent of the novel coronavirus, but is Hun Sen, Phuc suggested cilitating cross-border move- in Malayan pangolins seized from Shantou University, their genetic sequence. just another natural carrier both sides’ ministries, agen- ment of goods in a bid to help during anti-smuggling opera- University of Hong Kong, Bei- While the coronaviruses in of similar coronaviruses like cies and localities collaborate the two nations overcome tions in southern China, sug- jing University of Chemical pangolins remains to be stud- bats. actively in stemming the pan- difficulties resulted from the gesting that pangolins may be Technology, Guangxi Medical ied, “the data presented here For an animal to be deemed demic, ensuring smooth in- pandemic. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA a natural host of SARS-CoV-2 University and the University strongly suggest that han- as an intermediate host, the formation exchanges, timely NEWS NETWORK or other undiscovered coro- of Sydney. dling these animals requires coronavirus from the animal naviruses. By analysing frozen tissue considerable caution, and must share 99 per cent or The study did not say the samples from 18 Malayan that their sale in wet markets higher of its genetic sequence pangolins are the intermedi- pangolins collected during should be strictly prohib- with the novel coronavirus, ate hosts for the novel coro- anti-smuggling operations ited”. but the pangolins coronavi- navirus, but it urged more from August 2017 to January “Further surveillance on ruses did not meet this re- research into the scaly ant- 2018 in Guangxi Zhuang au- pangolins in the natural envi- quirement, Zhang told Sci- eater to determine exactly tonomous region, scientists ronment in China and South- ence and Technology Daily. what role they played in the found coronaviruses in five of east Asia are clearly needed While the natural habits of pandemic and emergence of the samples. to understand their role in the pangolins and bats that other zoonotic diseases. They tested another batch the emergence of coronavi- carry various coronaviruses In the meantime, the sci- of pangolin samples collected ruses and the risk of future cover most of southern China entists advocated a ban on between May and July 2018, zoonotic transmission,” the and Southeast Asia, Zhang pangolins – the most traf- and found three lung tissues paper said. said there are not enough ficked endangered animals in samples from three individ- On Tuesday, a study pub- evidence to pinpoint where the world, the World Wildlife ual pangolins were coronavi- lished on the journal Cur- the virus came from, let alone Fund said. rus positive. rent Biology by a team led blame its origin on China. CHI- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the G20 emergency An early access version of The authors said it was by biologist Zhang Zhigang NA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK video summit on Thursday. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS Virus drives surge in Aussie domestic violence cases

AUSTRALIA on Sunday an- in client numbers, with over a en examples in the past week for both domestic violence nounced a A$150 million third of cases directly linked where perpetrators have victims and abusers. (US$92.5 million) boost in to the virus outbreak. actually used Covid-19 as a “We need to put more re- funding to tackle domestic vi- In neighbouring Victoria, form of abuse – telling their sources into supporting peo- olence after support services women’s support service partner that they have the vi- ple who will be vulnerable reported a spike in coronavi- Wayss said police requests rus, therefore they can’t leave and may be vulnerable,” he rus-related family abuse. for assistance with cases had the house.” told reporters in Canberra. Prime Minister Scott Mor- almost doubled in the past Perpetrators have also in- The government is also in- rison said there had been a week, as they dealt with a vited “people into the house creasing funding for online 75 per cent surge in Google form of abuse “not experi- where the woman is self-iso- mental health services, tele- searches for help during the enced before”. lating, saying that the visitor phone medical consultations ongoing nationwide shutdown “Just having the people in has Covid-19 and is going to and emergency food relief of non-essential services to the house, rather than having infect them”, Thomas said. in response to the coronavi- curb the spread of Covid-19. the pressure release of going Prime Minister Morri- rus pandemic, which has left Women’s Safety, a domestic to work, or being able to travel son said the A$150 million many people largely confined violence charity in Australia’s freely outside of the house are boost – part of an additional to their homes. most populous New South contributing factors,” Wayss A$1.1 billion in health-relat- Australia has recorded al- Wales state, has reported CEO Liz Thomas told public ed spending announced on most 4,000 cases of Covid-19, Australia has seen a surge in domestic violence cases as more people that more than 40 per cent of broadcaster ABC. Sunday – would be spent on with the death toll rising to 16 stay at home because of coronavirus-related restrictions. AFP workers had seen an increase “We’ve also seen half a doz- telephone support services on Sunday. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Opinion

Covid-19 Pandemic: Forcewww.phnompenhpost.com majeure www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng and legal consequencesLy Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua Purushotman rence of an event of force majeure. Joshua Purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer Opinion If the affected party is able to prove Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Ly Tayseng the event of force majeure as Sam Rith Deputy Chief of Staff explained earlier, the affected party Phak Seangly S THE Covid-19 pandemic consid- Deputy Chief of Staff would be exempted from liability for Business Editor ered an event of force majeure? Phak Seangly any damages suffered by the other May Kunmakara Business Editor I The World Health Organisation contracting party. Deputy Business Editor May Kunmakara declared the novel coronavirus (Cov- However, the determination of con- Sorn Sarath Deputy Business Editor id-19) outbreak a pandemic on ditions for contractual breach and Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk March 11. Following this declaration, Sorn Sarath remedies in case of force majeure may Pan Simala the Ministry of Health and other Deputy Headalso of Lifestyle be stipulated Desk in the contracts. Senior Reporters ministries have taken various legal Pan Simala Contracts may state delayed per- Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng and administrative measures to pre- Senior Reportersformance, acceleration or mitigation Reporters vent the rapid spread or import of Meas Sokchea,circumstances, Niem Chheng collaborative, protec- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long Covid-19 into the Kingdom. Reporters tive or other remediable actions to be Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei, Soth Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung The government, including the Khouth Sophaktaken Chakrya, by Kim the Sarom, contracting Long parties. ministries of Health; Education, It is not always the case that due to Sovanny, Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin Pisei, Soth Youth and Sports; Tourism, and Inte- the event of force majeure, all per- Ry Sochan Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung rior, have instructed public and some formances of obligations become Photographers Sovanny, private schools, private businesses impossible or stop. For instance, in a Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea Ry Sochan such as KTV, beer gardens, and other loan contract, the borrower may not Web Editor entertainment outlets to close. Photographersbe released from paying the principal Leang Phannara Other institutions were instructed to Heng Chivoan,and Hong interest Menea during the occurrence of Webmasters arrange for staff to work from home, Web Editor force majeure. Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea etc. The government encourages Leang PhannaraHowever, the borrower may not be SIEM REAP BUREAU social distancing among people by Webmastersobligated to pay damages or penalty Offi ce Manager urging them to stay home and only go Sous Chanthy,for Pang the Vichea delay in payment. In case of Sophearith Blondeel PRODUCTION & PRINTING out when it is absolutely necessary. SIEM REAP BUREAUperpetual lease of immovable prop- Head of Desktop Publishing As a result, businesses which have Offi ce Managererties, the lessee may terminate the Nhim Sokphyrak been instructed to close are effective- Sophearith Blondeellease if he cannot generate any profit ly closed. Yet, some other businesses from the lease for a period of three Desktop Publishing PRODUCTION & PRINTING which are not directly subject to the years due to the occurrence of force Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath Head of Desktop Publishing closing order from the government majeure. Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna would also probably be shuttered Nhim SokphyrakDuring the force majeure, the pay- Desktop Publishing HEAD OFFICE soon for various reasons. Ly Tayseng is the managing partner of HBS Law and HBS Notary public. HBS LAW AND HBS NOTARY PUBLIC ment of rents could be suspended or These include the insufficient sup- Suon Savatdy, aChum reduction Sokunthy, Danh of rentsBorath could be ply of raw materials, lack of market able steps to mitigate or avoid such parties from liability or obligationTep Thoeun Thyda,demanded Tim Borith, Than if Veasna the profit or fruit gener- demand for their products and serv- event or its consequence but it is not when an extraordinary event or cir- ated from the use of leased land can- Post Media Co, Ltd. ices, the inability to trade due to bor- possible to overcome such event. cumstance beyond the control of HEAD the OFFICE not be achieved. The Elements Condominium Level 7, der closures, prevention of incoming Cambodian law does not provide parties occurs, such as war, strike, Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, and outgoing flights, the partial or any detailed definition of force riot, crime, pandemic, epidemic, What should contracting parties, in Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom full lockdown of a country, and more. majeure. Normally, such a definition flood, earthquakes, an act of god, etc. particular, the affected party, do in Penh, Cambodia Post Media Co,the Ltd. event of a pandemic? As of now, more than 50 garment fac- could be stipulated in the contracts. In practice, the contents of the force Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 tories have been allowed to suspend The event of force majeure could be majeure clause could be brief orThe Elements CondominiumIt is advisable Level 7,that contacting par- Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 operations. Some hotels and restau- a political or non-political event, an quite descriptive. Some contractsHun Sen Boulevardties consider, Phum Prek taking Talong, the following Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 rants have closed too, while public and unexpected change of legal and regu- include a force majeure clause whileSangkat Chakproactive Angre Krom, steps: Phnom Penh, SIEM REAP private schools are told to provide latory environment or natural catas- others have none. In the latter case,Cambodia Carefully review their contracts, in No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune online education instead of the tradi- trophe which makes the perform- the affected party could rely upon SIEM the REAP particular, the definition of force Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 tional brick and mortar sessions. ance of a contract impossible. provisions of law governing his or her majeure stipulated therein in order to No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT The above legal and administrative In case of uncertainty, the courts contract to claim the event of force have a good idea on the requirements Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 instructions from the government may interpret the meaning of force majeure. and measures to be taken in such James Ong Soon Teck COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT and the risk of Covid-19 infection majeure by taking into account the As a matter of process, if any party event; Advertising Department Chief Operating Offi cer could cause the non-performance or nature and impact of an event based believes he is affected by force If it is unclear, seek proper legal Chap Narith, 017 996 241 James Ong Soon Teck compliance of some contracts either on Cambodian customs and trade majeure and wishes to rely upon advice from lawyers, meaning mem- Hun Channet, 017 578 768 partially or in its entirety. practices. such clause, he shall promptly notifyAdvertising Departmentbers of the Bar Association of the Prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 As a consequence of this, there will It should also be noted that Cam- the other party of that event. Chap Narith, Kingdom017 996 241 of Cambodia who are quali- Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 be damages suffered by parties to the bodia has adopted the civil law tradi- In the notice, he shall provide eviHun- Channet,fied 017 578 to 768 clarify, respond and advise on Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 contract. This event could fall under tion, hence, the application of force dence to establish the causal relationPrach Monnyreak,- your 012 questions; 123 7777 Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 the legal definition of force majeure majeure as an excuse for breach of ship between the event and the antici CIRCULATION- &Keep DISTRIBUTION proper records of documents CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION and is further explained below. contract may not be identical with pated consequence, and envisagedActing Distributionand evidence Manager of harm and damages Acting Distribution Manager the application of this concept under duration of such event, if possible.Thenh Rithy caused by the event of force majeure; Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 What does Cambodian law say in the Circulation Supervisor English law or other common law He shall check the contract’s claus ADMINISTRATION- Engage and discuss with contracting event of force majeure? Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 jurisdictions. es carefully because some may Admin & HR Managerpartners, business partners and relat- Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 Generally, force majeure is defined require such notice to be made Pichin Socheated competent authorities in order to When and how does a force majeure ADMINISTRATION as an event which occurs not from writing while at other times, verbalAssistants to expressAdmin & HR your Manager concerns, to clarify the event apply? Admin & HR Manager the will of any party and is insupera- communication is legally sufficient.Nhel Soapheaapplication of legal and administra- ble and unpredictable by the affected Parties to a valid agreement shall tive instructions, to take necessary Pich Socheat Financial Director party. perform their respective obligations What would be the legal consequence action to protect and mitigate the Assistants to Admin & HR Manager Heang Tangmeng Nhel Soaphea It could have been caused by the according to the terms thereof. How- of force majeure claims? risks, damages and any unintended Chief Accountant Financial Director acts of man or nature, acts of govern- ever, the obligee may not demand the As a general principle, when a party consequences caused by the change Heang Tangmeng ment, or other impersonal events. obligor to perform his obligation if the to a contract claims that there is anSren Vichekaof laws and administrative orders by Chief Accountant In any case, an event capable of performance has become impossible event of force majeure, a contractTreasurers can competent authorities. Sren Vicheka Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, being claimed as force majeure shall without the obligor’s fault. In the be suspended during the occurrence of Treasurers Cheam Sopheak be beyond the reasonable control of event of force majeure, the contractual such an event or it can be terminated. Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, the affected party, the ability of such performance could be partially or For example, in the case of employIT Manager- The above views are that of the author, and intended purely as general information only. Cheam Sopheak party to continue to perform the con- entirely impossible to fulfil. ment contracts, the labour law allowsSeng Nak, Vong Oun The Post shall not be held responsible for any IT Manager tract has been prevented, impeded or A force majeure clause is common parties to terminate or suspend unintended damages suffered because of the TO CONTACT US Seng Nak, Vong Oun hindered, and he has taken all reason- in contracts. It essentially frees both employment contacts on the occur- views expressed in this article. [email protected] TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co, Ltd © Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd. consent of Post Media Co Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Art & Culture Young artists show off their works at TorTim

Pann Rethea is a constant flow of grief in our soci- ety,” she says. WO young artists – a paint- Sharing the gallery space is artis- ing and a photography artist tic photography by Thorng Vuthy – share space at the TorTim called Jumble Space. His 13 photo- contemporary art gallery to graphs are inspired by floating and presentT their work in an exhibition flying objects. He creates pictures The Flow that began from March 18 to draw attention to what is being and will run until June 18. overlooked in everyday lives. The Flow presents two new works The 30-year-old says: “My pictures by Chea Dalin called The Boundaries which depict fruits, vegetables, sea- of Life and Jumble Space by Thorng food and meat from an animal in- Vuthy. jected with drugs. This holds an im- Using newspaper and oil on can- portant message about food safety vas, The Boundaries of Life consists and health. of eight colourful contemporary “I urge people to reconsider their abstract paintings. Each portrays food choices and try to avoid those a mouse or cat to reflect the social that contain harmful chemicals. landscape which has been trans- Unhealthy food is very dangerous formed by a variety of issues. for consumers’ health.” “All of my work speaks about the re- Born to the family of traditional ality in our society and what has hap- Khmer art smiths, Vuthy grew up in pened in our country – like corrup- his hometown in Kandal province and tion, historical problems, the cold war moved from there to Phnom Penh to and various issue of environmental pursue his university education. destruction,” Dalin tells The Post. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Hailing from Takeo province, the information technology, he is cur- 21-year-old graduated last year from rently working as a graphic designer a contemporary art class by Sa Sa and independent photographer. He Art Projects. Her series of paintings started his photography school in in The Boundaries of Life has been 2013 and has been a photography Artists Chea Dalin (left) and Thorng Vuthy share space at the TorTim contemporary art gallery to present their work in an exhibition showcased in a graduation exhibition scholarship student at Studio Image The Flow that began from March 18 and will run until June 18. supplied and now at TorTim contemporary art and Sa Sa Art Project. gallery in Tuol Tompoung II. He has joined many photo workshops “Seven out of my eight painting like Canon Photo Clinic, Phnom Penh hold hidden meanings about soil and Photo Festival Intersection, and the landscape problem and the last one Studio Images photo exhibition with depicts water pollution,” she says. French artists. His photography mostly Besides having an interest in encompasses the contemporary, docu- painting, creativity, history and so- mentary, conceptual and minimal. cial injustice, Dalin also practises In his Jumble Space series, his traditional dance which allowed her work not only raises awareness to join a Chingay performance in about food safety but also the in- Singapore last year. evitable import of food products as Yet Dalin’s focus in the arts is her local farms and factories are still in- paintings as she is currently in her capable of sufficient production for junior year at the Royal University of the local market. Fine Arts. “I wanted to bring up the issues of In her latest series, she wants to vegetables, fruits and meat which connect the Khmer proverb “The are imported to meet our demand. gourd sinks, the broken glass floats” The greater flow of imports has an to reflect the unfair treatment that impact on our living environment, sometimes occurs in society. such as the plastic packaging and “My paintings highlight social is- chemicals in these foods,” he says. sues which well-educated people To find out more about the two ignore or give less value to. Some- young artists and their contemporary times, lesser educated people are work, The Flow exhibition is at TorTim good at pleasing or flattering others contemporary art gallery is initiated by which is wrong too. It is also a mat- four young Cambodians from differ- ter of selfishness when people only ent fields, who aim to promote Cam- favour those of their ilk while re- bodian artists. maining inconsiderate to others. The Gallery also has a cafe that offers “The power and desire to make peo- a range of drinks and menu of tasty ple change their sense of reasoning, home-style meals and homemade forgetting to respect others, harming desserts. the poor, abusing natural resources . . . It is located at 181, street 426, Tuol Chea Dalin’s The Boundaries of Life has been showcased in a graduation exhibition and now at TorTim contemporary art gallery in these are the things that drive me. This Tompoung II, Phnom Penh. Tuol Tompoung II. supplied

In Thorng Vuthy’s Jumble Space series, his work raises awareness about food safety and the inevitable import of food products as local farms and factories are still incapable of sufficient production for the local market.suppled THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 17 Lifestyle Chilean disaster victims share survival skills URVIVORS from two dramat- ic rescues that captivated the world, the 2010 Chilean mine collapse and the 1972 Andes planeS crash, gave their advice for how to survive a lockdown as the number of Latin American coronavirus cases soared past 10,000 on Friday. “Don’t give up guys! A sense of hu- mour is very important,” said Mario Sepulveda, one of 33 Chilean miners who spent more than two months trapped nearly half a mile underground at the San Jose mine in northern Chile. “Organise your homes! Make and stick to routines so as not to get bored. There are many things you can do!” the upbeat Sepulveda said. “Let’s do what we are told, it is super important,” Sepulveda said about social distancing and hand- washing requirements. “It’s no lon- ger a political problem, today it is simply a health problem.” The miners spent 69 days trapped in the depths of the mine, in the Ata- cama desert 800km north of Santiago, before being brought to the surface. “We were in a pretty critical situa- tion. We had no way out, there was no way out of that situation,” said Luis Urzua, shift manager when a rockfall cut off him and his team from the outside world on August 5, 2010. During their close-quarters con- finement, Urzua said: “There was a lot Chilean President Sebastian Pinera (centre) posing with survivors of the mining accident. PRESIDENCIA/AFP of fellowship, a lot of conversation. “We got to know some of the work two quarantines, if I can call them and wash your hands. Look how that various other colleagues did in that. In the first one I experienced, simple that is,” said Paez. “I try to be their different roles. it was 70 days in the Andes moun- obedient because I want to live.” “The other thing that helped us tains but without any resources – 25 Roberto Canessa, 67, another sur- was prayer,” he said. degrees below zero, without food, vivor of the Andes crash, advises “Not asking God to help us, but that without communication. And I was people to “look for something to do, people would have the strength and 18 years old,” Paez said. start a project”. the will to persist in trying to find us,” The current situation is somewhat “That’s what I did in the mountains. said Urzua – the last man to be brought easier than his 10 weeks spent shel- I worked all day so as not to think and to the surface on October 13, 2010. tering in the plane’s fuselage, he said. not have anxiety or anguish,” he said. “The only thing to do is nothing at These days, Canessa – a cardiolo- ‘Unseen enemy’ all! They send you to stay at home gist – is working on a project to pro- Carlos Paez was one of 16 survi- and wash your hands. And you have vide emergency mechanical respira- vors from a plane that crashed in all the comforts – television, inter- tors to Uruguayan hospitals to help the snow-clad Andes on October 12, net, food. So nothing to complain them cope with an expected flood of 1972 as it was taking a Uruguayan about,” said Paez, now 66. coronavirus cases. rugby team to a match in Chile. “In the cordillera we were fighting “Throughout the world there are no Twelve people died in the crash, against a tangible enemy which was respirators available. Just as in the An- while 17 others succumbed over the mountains, the snow and the des, we have to depend on ourselves. the next few weeks. Infamously, 16 cold, and now we are fighting against We are not going to wait for helicop- people managed to survive in the an enemy that we cannot see, which ters to come or for someone to bring extreme conditions by eating the is what generates uncertainty. us respirators to Uruguay,” he said. bodies of the dead which had been “But I am fighting against arro- “You have to turn this problem into preserved in the snow. gance. I try to be humble and obey. an opportunity. Crises are what causes Chilean miners pose inside the San Jose Mine near Copiapo, 800km north of Santiago, “There’s a big difference in these The message is clear – stay at home inventions to come about.” AFP Chile. OFICCIAL TV MINISTERY MINE/AFP French chefs cook up antidote to virus confinement FRUSTRATED at stay-at-home con- his compatriots by proving how easy, In a rare moment of downtime, he finement, France’s celebrity chefs are good and well-priced it can be to posted on social media some recipes cooking up an antidote to the gloomy cook at home. adapted to a time of quarantine. days of pandemic and quarantine Other chefs are following a similar They include a chocolate cake that with the help of television and social path. “There are no tricks,” says Par- is “made like an omelette” with no networks. is chef Amandine Chaignot during an need to whip up egg whites or sift “Today it’s not chef Lignac talking, online class explaining how to pre- flour, and a green Puy lentil salad that it’s Cyril who like all French people pare asparagus. “I have a tiny kitchen, swaps kumquat for green apple and has to do his shopping near where he if I can do it, you can too.” cashews for any nut. lives,” says Cyril Lignac, the nation’s Chaignot may be more used to “I received 350 text messages ask- current gastronomic media star. serving up prestigious banquets but ing me what to do with Puy lentils,” On prime-time television, he sports here she’s whipping up a dish with says the award-winning chef. a T-shirt to prepare dinner from his one pot – asparagus and eggs bub- Triple Michelin star Christophe Bac- home on his new show Everyone in bling away before runny yolks are quie has also taken to social media to the Kitchen. mixed with butter and poured over help the nation to get cooking. chopped-up white stalks. He wants to put Mediterranean ‘No fuss’ cuisine Her video was made for mates who tastes on our plates – endives in The show focuses on everyday often eat in restaurants, she said. orange, honey and rosemary, lemon cooking and the travails of the public “You can miss so much if you tell and olive oil cake. in a time of national emergency. The yourself ‘I don’t know how to do the “It was my wife who convinced me coronavirus crisis has enabled chefs simplest of things,’” she added. “It to go on Instagram,” he says. “to play a different tune in the kitch- has to be easy, quick and not involve With the markets closed, he says, en”, he says. “It’s very interesting to a lot of equipment or ingredients you shoppers are unlikely to find such improve people’s daily lives by cook- cannot source.” things as a John Dory fish to cook ing just from the cupboard and the with asparagus. fridge.” ‘Dad’ cooking Instead, go for a traditional dish like The show, which opened on In the Mediterranean city of Mar- potato galette without eggs or flour, France’s M6 channel on Tuesday, is seille, two-star Michelin gourmet Bacquie says. scheduled to last only as long as the Alexandre Mazzia describes himself “We use what we have,” says Bac- French chef Cyril Lignac’s new show focuses on everyday cooking and the travails of public’s confinement in their own as a “dad” who does homework, sport quie. “Everyone is confined, we have the public in a time of natonal emergency. afp homes. Lignac says he wants to help and cooking with his children. a duty to lead by example.” afp 18 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Nightwatchman rings historic warning bell RENATO Hausler shouts out the hour the city as quickly as possible. from the top of Lausanne Cathedral Centuries on, perilous times are then sounds a centuries-old warning back on the shores of Lake Geneva bell, rung only when the normally- and the bell rings out for a full three tranquil Swiss city is facing peril. minutes. The nightwatchman is ringing La More than 14,000 people in Swit- Clemence, a bell made in 1518, to call zerland have tested positive for for mutual solidarity among the Lau- Covid-19 and 300 people have died sannois in the face of the global coro- in the new coronavirus pandemic, navirus pandemic, Hausler said. according to the health ministry. Its 3.4 tonnes of steel make a hell The French-speaking Vaud region of a din which cuts through the still surrounding Lausanne has seen the night air, above the city and out over highest numbers of cases of all of Lake Geneva. Switzerland’s 26 cantons, with near- Its C note rings in harmony with ly 3,000 people infected. those of Marie-Madeleine, Lombard The Alpine country has not con- and the four other bells hanging in fined its population indoors but the tower. outdoor gatherings of more than Standing in his felt hat with a lan- five people are banned. tern to light the way, Hausler peals And in the evening, the streets of the bell with three strikes, a pause, Lausanne, a student city that is usu- six strikes, another pause, then re- ally very lively – especially on week- peats the pattern. ends – is strangely silent. Every night without fail, Hausler “Since these restrictive measures or one of his stand-ins calls out urging people to stay at home, it has the hour from 10pm to 2am, north, completely changed,” said Hausler. south east and west from the bell “It is quiet all week, even from tower, up 153 stone steps from the 8pm, and when I get here, there is cathedral floor. hardly any activity around the ca- The Inuit timber dog – whose real name is Odin (right) – was from Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland, and died at age 10. HBO Lausanne is one of the last places thedral or even in the city so it brings in Europe that still has a nightwatch- a tranquillity that I have never expe- man as a living timekeeper. Hausler rienced before. has been doing the job full-time “There is a real calm which resem- Bran Stark’s direwolf on since 2002. bles what it would have been like The first written references to a in the past, before there was all this nightwatchman date back to 1405, traffic noise. after a huge blaze ripped through “There is perhaps just one last the city. thing that would bring us right back Game of Thrones dies “During the disaster, the bell rang to how things were in the Middle to encourage the townsfolk, to rally Ages – turning out the lights.” UMMER, the direwolf that Odin was a family member first and “To everyone that was lucky people together to fight the fire,” Besides Lausanne, only six other protected Bran Stark from we got him when he was a pup at enough to meet him and put a smile said Hausler. European cities are thought to keep a series of attacks, has suc- seven weeks old. on your face please remember that Linked with a network of watchmen up a nightly watch – Annaberg, Celle cumbed to its four-month “All we wanted were big dogs to moment. It’s an incredible piece of on the ground, the cathedral watch- and Nordlingen in Germany; Ripon battleS with cancer. The Inuit timber take hiking and to sleep at our feet luck to have a pet you love so well man, perched on the highest point in in Britain; Krakow in Poland, and Ys- dog – whose real name is Odin – was in the evening beside the fire, every- become world famous and touch so Lausanne, sounded the alert around tad in Sweden. AFP from Ardglass, County Down, North- thing after that was a bonus.” many peoples hearts. ern Ireland, and died at age 10. Then, he went on to say: “Odin’s “He was always fond of the beach In an article published by Belfast passing marks the end of a decade and his favourite treats which he had Live, Odin’s fur parents even asked and the end of an era as he taught almost every day before his passing. financial help from the public just our friends and family a lot of les- He was met with further illness as the so they could have enough money sons about life for one dog he has week continued and the vets did ev- for his medical treatment – which more stories to tell than some peo- erything they could to keep him go- amounts to £12,000 ($14,946) – after ple would. ing but he passed away in his sleep. he had been diagnosed with cancer “Odin has far too many achieve- “We are incredibly grateful for the last year. However, the pain became ments to announce in this post but donations made towards Odin’s treat- too much for the poor dog. just look at our social media pages ment and we will use what is needed In a statement released to the me- over the past five years and see. to pay his vet bill and we will donate dia, his owner mourned the passing “We can all take great comfort in the rest between our favourite dog of a family member: “Our family is knowing that he is forever immor- charities the donations will help fur- at immense heartbreak to announce talised in the great TV show Game of ther dogs in need at this tough time.” that Odin passed away early this Thrones as Summer, Bran Stark’s dire- Although it may feel heavy for the morning. wolf pup, in Season 1, Episode 1.” bereaved family, heaven has surely “It’s difficult to put into words how Odin’s owner even asked fans to gained another good doggo. this has impacted us as a family for remember the canine in a positive Run free, Odin. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ Lausanne is one of the last places in Europe that still has a nightwatchman as a living Odin led a life like no other dog. light. ASIA NEWS NETWORK timekeeper. Hausler has been doing the job full-time since 2002. afp

Bob Dylan releases new music for first time in nearly a decade

BOB Dylan surprised fans nedy, who was slain in 1963 original song since his 2012 overnight into Friday by while riding in a motorcade album Tempest, though he releasing his first original through Dallas. has released a number of music in eight years, a 17- The song is packed with cover albums in the interim. minute ballad about the artist name-drops and pop Murder Most Foul is also assassination of John F culture references, includ- the first song Dylan has Kennedy. ing to The Beatles, Charlie penned and released since Backed by delicate piano, Parker, the Eagles, Stevie he reluctantly accepted the strings and muted drums, Nicks and the Woodstock 2016 Nobel Prize for Lit- Murder Most Foul retells the festival. erature, the first songwriter shooting of the US president “Shot down like a dog in awarded the honour. while describing the evolu- broad daylight / Was a mat- At 78, Dylan has main- tion of 1960s counterculture. ter of timing and the timing tained a relentless touring “This is an unreleased song was right / You got unpaid schedule, though he was we recorded a while back debts; we’ve come to collect forced to cancel a string of that you might find interest- / We’re gonna kill you with April dates in Japan over the ing. Stay safe, stay observant, hatred; without any respect,” coronavirus pandemic. and may God be with you,” Dylan recounts in his signa- The artist is still set to kick Dylan posted on his website, ture sandpaper vocals. off a North American tour in Bob Dylan’s new song, Murder Most Foul, retells the shooting of US president John F Kennedy. afp along with a portrait of Ken- It’s the folk singer’s first June. AFp THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 19 Lifestyle

Some vendors in the Ambodivona market in Antananarivo swtiched from selling their usual goods to Across the African continent, the spread of Covid-19 has sparked the mass movement of populations. AFP ingredients used in natural remedies to boost the body’s immune system. afp Virus fears spark urban exodus across Africa O one can re- parents are farmers. We can posed a night curfew from Fri- the continent, the disease is However, that failed to stop has shown a temperature member ever see- live off of what we grow. In the day, but for many citizens a lock- feared to be spreading widely. the spread of the novel coro- higher than normal.” ing as many people capital, under confinement down order is coming soon. Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso navirus to the northeastern The gendarmes are also heading out of An- we would just be waiting till “When you look at what and the Democratic Republic province of Ituri, which re- checking vehicles to try to cut Ntananarivo along one of Mad- hunger takes our lives.” other countries are doing, we of Congo have taken the more corded the first case outside the flow of people down the agascar’s primary highways Across the African conti- must expect a total lockdown radical decision to isolate of Kinshasa. RN7, but plenty of people are Route Nationale 7 (RN7). nent, the spread of the Covid- here. I will not wait for it,” ad- their biggest towns and cities. In Madagascar, the health still trying. Madagascans have joined 19 pandemic, which has al- mits lawyer Johnson Makori. The governor of Kinshasa authorities have had a road- Bread delivery man Justin the exodus in the hundreds ready left more than 33,000 “I have closed my office for has ordered a lockdown, tell- block set up on RN7, about Randriamahefa, 35, his wife in recent days, forming long people dead around the world now and I am going to the vil- ing the capital’s 10 million 40km south of the capital, in and two children got out of queues to get away after the au- according to an AFP tally, has lage in Kisii [municipality].” people to stay at home from a bid, they said, to detect peo- Antananarivo on bicycles thorities declared a lockdown sparked the same mass move- He says he will not be back Saturday for at least the next ple “fleeing” with the virus. and headed for the town of to try to prevent the spread of ment of populations. before the crisis is over. four days. President Felix Tsh- “More than 2,000 people Ambositra, 250km away. “I the coronavirus epidemic. Unlike Kenya, numerous isekedi had already halted have gone through this road- could work only in the morn- Richard Rakotoarisoa hit ‘We must move’ other African countries have flights and river transport be- block this morning,” Dr Hani- ing. That forced me to leave,” the road during the morning, In Kenya, as soon as the reacted swiftly to the risk of tween the city and the rest of triniaina Radrianarison said he says. “You cannot let your surrounded by dozens of oth- first case of the virus was con- migrations. the country earlier last week. on Thursday. “So far, no one children die of hunger.” AFP er people who have decided firmed on March 13, people Gabon, which has declared to head south on foot, rather flooded from the capital Nai- seven virus cases and one than risk being stuck in the robi by car and packed into death in the capital Libreville city with little or no food. the local “matatu” (minibus) and its surroundings, sus- “We stopped work and ac- heading for the countryside. pended domestic flights and cepted the constraints of con- The surge has since slowed, train services while urging finement, but we still have to but the brightly painted people not to take off for the eat and feed our children,” matatu are still in demand countryside. the 30-year-old father, says. even if the official capacity of “These measures should “For me, it was a question of the vehicles has been cut in slow the spread of the virus discipline or leaving.” half for health reasons. . . . to the villages where the Before dawn, he woke his “We must move,” says Jerry majority of the elderly and two children and loaded a bi- Musyoka, who runs an elec- most vulnerable live,” says Dr cycle with what he could and tronics store. Guy Patrick Obiang Ndong, set off for the town of Antsir- “This city is not safe for us, spokesman for the govern- abe, 150km away, expecting that is why I am moving to the ment’s committee to fight a three-day walk to join his village” with his wife and two coronavirus. Gabon could wife and the rest of their fam- children. “We don’t wan’t to also count on the terrible ily there. catch corona,” he adds. state of its roads to discour- “We don’t really know when “The kids have been ordered age people from setting off. we will get there, but we are pre- to stay home because there is paring to spend several nights no school, I have taken time Containing the epidemic on the road, sleeping under the off to stay away with my fam- Relatively few tests have stars,” Rakotoarisoa says. ily in my village,” called Kitui, been carried out in Africa There is no question of go- which lies 150km to the east. but with 4,282 cases and 134 ing back. “In our village, our The Kenyan government im- deaths already reported across Cricket great’s gin distillery now making hand sanitiser

AUSTRALIAN cricket great disease and save lives,” Warne tiser indefinitely. OPPO launches its first smartphone with Shane Warne has halted pro- said on his Instagram page. “Great work Shane and duction of gin at a distillery he “I am happy SevenZeroEight team. We need leaders in the 44-megapixel selfie camera in Kingdom co-owns to make medical-grade has the ability to make this community to stand up – you hand sanitiser for hospitals in shift and encourage others to have always been and are OPPO unveiled its Reno3 on Monday – a latest series that delivers an all-around powerful rear these “challenging times”. do the same.” one,” said one of his social cameras with the most advanced 44MP selfie camera. The smartphone comes in Midnight Black or The spin legend, who played Warne is a co-founder in the media followers. Sky White colours and priced at $359. Its equipped with four rear cameras. The first camera is 13MP 145 Tests, responded to Prime company alongside two prom- It follows a similar move by a f/2.4 telephoto lens. It is 5x Hybrid Zoom and 20x Digital Zoom. Second camera is 48MP the main Minister Scott Morrison’s plea inent surgeons with an agree- distillery in Ireland, with hand camera using sensor Sony IMX586 can capture clear shots. The ultra-clear enhancement allows us- for companies to help wher- ment in place to supply two sanitiser in short supply in ers to generate up to 108MP image, greatly improving the dynamic range and details of the people ever they can during the spi- Western Australian hospitals many countries battling the and bringing ultra-clear photography experience without missing any details. Third camera is 8MP ralling coronavirus crisis. with hand sanitiser at cost. virus. ultra-wide angle and macro lens. A maximum angle of 119°, convenient for creating composition for “This is a challenging time The company halted gin Australia has so far seen more scenery and small space photography, and capable of delivering special visual impact such as captur- for Australians and we all need production earlier this week than 750 confirmed cases of the ing human look more slimmer and taller. In addition, users will enjoy of shooting closer image up to to do what we can to help our and is now pumping out coronavirus, with seven deaths distant 3.5cm. Fourth camera is 2MP black and white shooting lens. healthcare system combat this 70-percent alcohol hand sani- from the disease. AFP spo n sor e d 20 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com

Thinking caps

“DRINK UP?”

ACROSS 50 Calligraphy tool 13 In a sneaky way 1 Tripoli’s country 51 “Oryx and Crake” novelist 18 Play ___ (feign unconsciousness) 6 Begins to blossom Margaret 19 Restorative drinks 10 PC exit keys 54 Bluish-green shades 24 ___ de corps 14 Ornate wall hanging 56 Aloha shirt accompaniment 26 Walks offstage 15 “There’s ___ day dawning” 57 Forest growler 27 “Choosy ___ choose Jif” 16 Actor Weathers 59 New Orleans campus 28 Actor Baldwin 17 Not much of a sacrifice 63 Big attraction at the train show? 29 Woodworker’s groove 20 Beauty that’s only skin-deep? 66 Cookie choice 31 Like most green tomatoes 21 Heading for a chore list 67 Half of an argument 33 Sign of summer’s end 22 “There Will Be Blood” subject 68 Nigerian currency 35 Dinghy device 23 Cathedral features 69 Tenderfoot 37 Sow’s opposite 25 Juice, say 70 Middle East gulf 38 Show concern 27 Certifiable, so to speak 71 Russian playwright Chekhov 39 Of the same kind 30 She has one, but he doesn’t DOWN 41 Prepare for the bath 31 Computer workstation operating 1 Bringing up the rear 42 Passing concern? system 2 “The Joy of Cooking” writer 47 Black Sea seaport 32 Any of several Norse royals Rombauer 49 Woman with a degree 34 “Once ___ a time” 3 Bart Simpson or Dennis the 51 Give out by share 36 Word attached to approximate Menace, e.g. 52 Wet-eyed dates 4 1945 “Big Three” conference site 53 Telegram sender 40 It may be delivered in a 5 Not on the level 54 Big news on the sports page chophouse 6 High-jump need 55 “McSorley’s Bar” painter John 43 Disdain 7 Curriculum parts 58 Battery fill 44 Colored portion of the eye 8 Art ___ (’20s style) 60 Entrance into a mine 45 Dressy wrap 9 Home to Ikea 61 Fifth Roman emperor 46 Small cavern, in poetry 10 “Friendly” attachment 62 Enthusiastic liveliness 48 School carnival sponsor, 11 Rich flavor 64 Oozing stuff perhaps 12 First blond Bond 65 Dawson, Dykstra or Deighton Friday’s solution

Friday’s solution THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Email: [email protected] Socialite 21

Prince Bank wins multiple Employer Brand Awards

Prince Bank Plc received Cambodia’s Best Employer Brand Award last month in the Thai capital Bangkok to join the Global Best Employer Brand Award 2020 won in Mumbai, India last year. Prince Bank began the haul of prizes last year in Singapore with its first award as one of Asia’s Top 100 Best Employer Brands. These prestigious awards were presented by the Employer Branding Institute, World HRD Congress and Stars of the Industry Group respectively. “These awards are a reflection of Prince Bank’s practices having been effective in attracting, developing and retaining talent. With human capital development crucial to our company’s success, we have been working tirelessly to build a solid foundation of talent management, employee engagement and career development as part of a larger company-wide strategy to drive growth and performance,” Prince Bank CEO Honn Sorachna said. In less than two years, since transforming from a microfinance institution into a commercial bank, Prince Bank has been focusing on its ‘Employer of Choice’ initiative. “We want to create a work environment with established procedures, a streamlined staff engagement process, personnel training and development opportunities, an accountability and values-based culture, while encouraging open and honest communication within the bank,” Sorachna said. Prince Bank nearly doubled the number of its employees to more than 1,000 staff within two years. sponsored 22 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Fans flock to stadiums as Belarus resists lockdowns

S the rest of Europe ing the game shirtless. shuts up shop to One fan, Igor, 33, said: combat the new “Even if we’ve turned up here, coronavirus, Belarus we try to self-isolate, we came remainsA resolutely open for by car, we wash our hands 10 business. times.” Restaurants in the former He expressed concern at Soviet Republic continue to the complacency displayed serve food, and the country’s by some of his fellow sup- football league plays on. porters. Despite being at the door of “It’s as if they aren’t aware a Europe grappling with the of anything, they go here and deadly Covid-19, life goes on there, they’re laughing.” here more or less unchecked. The Belarus President Al- Thermal cameras exander Lukashenko has Special measures have been dismissed the global health put in place nonetheless in- crisis as a “psychosis”, and re- cluding thermal cameras to fuses to follow the example of check the temperature of fans much of the globe by impos- as they enter stadiums which Saturday’s upset win by home side Mozyr over the country’s top team BATE Borisov was watched by several thousand fans and screened live on ing a lockdown. are disinfected twice a day. Russian television. afp With less than 100 positive Those precautions satisfied cases and no deaths in Be- another fan, Ludmila, a 55- During rush hour, trains on larus, Lukashenko this week year-old school teacher who the metro underground are suggested “there shouldn’t be said that “people who are ill not as full as usual, numerous any panic” over the virus. won’t be here”. companies are allowing staff He encouraged his citizens “We’ve taken all the mea- to work from home. to work on the land. sures recommended by the But bars, cafes and shops “There, the tractor will heal sports ministry. All those remain steadfastly open, everyone. The fields heal who are in contact with fans, without any self-distancing everyone,” suggested the are supplied with gloves,” protocol advice for their cus- straight-talking former col- Belarus football federa- tomers. lective farm director who as- tion spokesman Alexsandr Ivan, an employee of a new sumed power in 1994. Aleinik said. technology company, has On Saturday at an ice hock- Despite the apparent lack of been working from home for ey gala match he went fur- urgency, since Tuesday there the past three weeks. ther, saying that “it was better has been a shift in tone. Yet despite that precaution to die a dignified death than In a meeting with the Chi- he meets up with his friends live on your knees”. nese ambassador Lukashenko every evening “at the gym or And so, in stark contrast asserted that his country was in a cafe”. to all the leagues elsewhere “controlling very seriously” The authorities justify the on the European continent, the situation. lax health regime by the strict the Belarus championship, And newspapers and state confinement of those who like the country’s tractors, television began to talk have tested positive. ploughs on, undeterred. about the pandemic which Deputy Minister of Health Saturday’s upset win by has now killed more than Elena Bogdan says that any- A supporter of FC Minsk wears a facemask for protective measures amid concerns over the spread of Covid-19. afp home side Mozyr over the 25,000 people. one who has the virus or is country’s top team BATE Bor- But they stick to the line showing virus-like symptoms “The authorities are prepar- older population. “And with the global slow- isov was watched by several that a general lockdown is not is isolated and hospitalised. ing enormous savings on pen- Another reason for the ab- ing down the situation is even thousand fans and screened the solution. And those they have been sions,” opposition minister sence of the draconian mea- worse,” observed analyst Ar- live on Russian television. Minsk has become quieter in contact with are placed in Mikola Statkevitch said caus- sures adopted elsewhere, tyom Shraibman. In the capital, FK Minsk’s over the past few days, over quarantine. tically in a video message. according to analysts – the “Seemingly Lukashenko humble ground was half full 65s are encouraged to stay in- The country’s opposition He was alluding to the way country is already in econom- has decided that it would be for the derby against Dinamo, doors, while pupils are autho- denounces the official ap- the coronavirus has taken a ic difficulty creating tensions suicidal to halt the economy,” fans behind both goals end- rised not to attend school. proach. devastating toll on the world’s with its key ally, Russia. he said. afp Star batsman Smith’s two-year leadership ban ends

A two-year leadership ban slapped seemingly intent on playing on. “I think the country’s basically shut on Steve Smith after the ball-tamper- Coach Justin Langer last year its borders until the 15th of April,” he ing scandal in South Africa ended on praised Paine’s leadership as “bril- said. Sunday, leaving the master batsman liant” and said Smith may not want “It’s obviously not looking likely at the free to skipper Australia again. the “burden” of captaincy on top of moment, I think there might be some The 30-year-old captained the team batting pressures. meetings over the next couple of days until he was suspended for 12 months Aaron Finch is skipper of the Twen- to discuss what the go is with it all. over a brazen attempt to alter the ball ty20 and one-day teams. “But just trying to stay physically fit with sandpaper under his watch dur- Smith told Channel Nine television and mentally fresh. If it goes ahead ing a Test in Cape Town in 2018. on Sunday he was focused only on at some point, then great. Part of his punishment included a trying to stay physically and men- “If not, then there’s plenty going on further year-long exile from any lead- tally fit during the coronavirus shut- in the world at the moment. Just play ership role, which has now expired. down of Australian cricket. it day by day,” he added. Co-conspirator and former vice- He was supposed to be preparing All cricket in Australia has been can- captain David Warner was banned for a big-money payday at the Indian celled, with the team’s three-match from any leadership role for life, Premier League, but the tournament T20 series against New Zealand this although both have successfully has already been delayed until April month a casualty after just one resumed their international careers. 15 in response to the pandemic. game. There have been calls for Smith to With India in a three-week lock- Australia has a Test tour to Bangla- take back the Test captaincy from Tim down in a bid to contain a spread of desh scheduled for June and a subse- The 30-year-old Smith was suspended from captaining the Australian team after he Paine, but it remains unclear wheth- the virus, Smith admitted the IPL quent one-day campaign in England, attempted to alter balls with sandpaper. AFP er he wants to, with the 35-year-old appeared unlikely to go ahead. but both appear to be at risk. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 23 Sport Stranded footballers coping with isolation

HE riches, glamour what work he could. and glory of playing “I am caught between two football in front of worlds,” said Clotet. “I feel I packed stadiums at- cannot do my job properly. I tractsT the world’s top players keep thinking ‘Maybe I should across borders but with the go back?’ But I cannot go back European game in lockdown, because I am working.” many have been left isolated from their families. ‘I sleep a lot’ Coronavirus has forced gov- For others, the greatest ernments across Europe to im- concern is filling time and the pose swingeing restrictions on void left by no football. travel and personal freedoms. “I am obviously a little bored Footballers’ daily routines since two weeks have passed have been upended with no since the beginning of the games to play for the foresee- quarantine at home,” Juventus’ able future and training ses- Polish goalkeeper Wojciech sions now conducted alone at Szczesny told Sky Sport Italia. home or via video-conferenc- “I am alone in Turin because ing to maintain some sem- my family went to Poland. blance of team spirit. Having said that, however, I “It is a way to keep in contact must say that I am having a with each other, to start a little peaceful time. I sleep a lot.” bit of routine because I think The unexpected downtime that is important,” said Brighton is even allowing some players manager Graham Potter, who accustomed to globe-trotting has his squad doing communal extra quality time with their morning sessions via video. nearest and dearest. “Our guys are all here in the Sevilla midfielder Ever UK. That is why it is important Banega has spent the vast for us to keep in contact and majority of his playing ca- regular dialogue and make reer in Spain, but the 65-time Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is stuck in Turin, Italy, while his family waits out the virus in his native Poland. AFp sure everyone is alright. capped Argentine interna- “They are away from fami- tional is used to hopping back lies, they are missing families and forth across the Atlantic and that is something we un- to represent his country. derstand. We sympathise with “It’s strange because there is that, but we felt it was right to always football on. When La limit international travel and Liga stops, there are interna- to stay at home and be safe.” tional games. Even in the sum- Other clubs allowed their stars mer, there is football with pre- to jet home. Paris Saint-Ger- season games,” Banega said. main’s Neymar and Thiago Silva “You miss a lot of moments returned to Brazil and Edinson with your loved ones. Now Cavani headed to Uruguay be- what I am mostly doing is fore France went into lockdown. taking advantage of the time By contrast, Chelsea’s Span- with my kids, my wife, enjoy- ish winger Pedro Rodriguez ing the family time.” was stuck in London as he No one knows how long and the rest of the Blues squad European football’s unprec- were forced into self-isolation edented stoppage will last, when teammate Callum Hud- with leagues still hoping to son-Odoi tested positive. complete a truncated season “It’s hard not to be able to see when it is safe to do so. my children,” Pedro Rodriguez, When it does, players will whose children live in Barce- return with a fresh appre- lona, told Spanish radio station ciation for why they travel far Cadena SER. “I imagine there and wide to play the game. are many people like me. “You wake up and you don’t “I tell them to stay in the know what to do,” said Celtic’s house and that I miss them.” French defender Christopher Birmingham boss Pep Clotet Jullien. sent his family back to Spain “Right now it is just a differ- before a state of emergency ent life. You realise how life is was declared in his homeland, like every day without foot- Spanish Chelsea winger Pedro Rodriguez and the rest of the Blues squad were forced into self-isolation after a teammate tested positive for but remained in England to do ball. I miss football.” AFp coronavirus. AFp Rodgers flees Peru on private jet minutes before airport lockdown GREEN Bay Packers quarterback Aar- “But somehow we made it down and many closed their borders to stem the on Rodgers used a private jet to escape then they shut the airport down spread of Covid-19. Peru with just 15 minutes to spare because it was really bad weather. But it is believed that some 50,000 before the airport was locked down “They had a drop-dead time where Americans are still stranded abroad, due to the coronavirus pandemic. they were going to shut the entire air- including in places like Peru. Rodgers on Friday described scenes port down. We made it by about 15 Rodgers, who lives in Malibu, Cali- of panic and fear as he recounted his minutes.” fornia, said he and his girlfriend, hasty exit along with three others from Rodgers likened the March 18 expe- former racecar driver Danica Patrick, the South American country. rience to a Hollywood movie. are both safe and healthy. None of his “It was absolute pendemonium at “That was quite the ordeal,” Rodgers Peru travelling companions have the the airport,” Rogers told the Pat McA- said. “Have you seen the movie Argo? coronavirus either. fee podcast show. You have? The scene at the end where Now that he is back in the US, Rodg- Rodgers said the main reason they they’re racing to the airport. ers has a different set of circumstanc- got out in time was because they had “Nobody was chasing us, thankfully, es to worry about such as a health care a private plane. or holding us. We didn’t have to speak system crumbling under the weight “When we rolled up to the airport at Farsi to get back into the country, but of the epidemic, widespread closures like seven in the morning, it was wall- there was some moments where we and self isolating. to-wall people and you couldn’t worried we were not going to get But he did stumble upon a stash of move,” Rodgers said. out.” in-demand toilet paper at a his local “I was thinking, ‘This isn’t very safe.’ The US State Department says it has grocery store on Thursday. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers described scenes of panic and fear as he recounted Not many masks on, and there was repatriated more than 9,000 stranded “I bought a six-pack and that was a his hasty exit from Peru. AFp definitely a panic in the air. Americans from 28 countries after good day,” he said. AFp 24 THE PHNOM PENH POST march 30, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport

People opposed to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics display placards during a rally in front of Tokyo railway station. afp

New date for Olympics ‘won’t Gobert, Utah Jazz clear of coronavirus satisfy everybody’, says Coe RUDY Gobert, the first NBA hours apart. player to test positive for Jazz players had been in ORLD Athlet- the approval of every sport. by the International Olympic Olympics could be held in the coronavirus, and all Utah Jazz quarantine or isolation since ics president “But there does have to be Committee (IOC) this week be- spring and so allow athletes to players and staff have been March 11, staying in touch Sebastian Coe an element of flexibility and cause of the coronavirus. avoid competing in the brutal cleared of coronavirus by the through video chat links. admitted Friday there is going to be flexibility However, there is no defi- heat and humidity of Japan’s Utah Department of Health, Jazz players and staff will Wthat settling on a new date for for the next two years.” nite date yet for the resched- summer. the club announced Friday. continue to practice distancing the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 The 2021 World Athletics uled Games with IOC chief “There are clearly demands It was Frenchman Gobert and limit time outside of their will not satisfy everybody. Championships, for example, Thomas Bach saying Tuesday for this decision to be taken testing positive for Covid-19 homes to essential activities, “All sports have made it are scheduled to be staged in the Olympics “must be re- as quickly as possible – the just before a game on March following guidelines from the pretty clear they have partic- August next year in Eugene, scheduled to a date beyond athletes and the federations 11 at Oklahoma City that NBA and US Centers for Dis- ular challenges at particular Oregon. 2020 but not later than sum- need clarity,” added Coe. prompted the NBA to shut ease Control and Prevention. times of the year,” said Coe. The 2020 Olympics, which mer 2021”. “Once the decision is made, down the season, with his The Jazz news comes a “We are probably not going to were set for July 24-August 9 this There have been sugges- we can build [the calendars] teammate Donovan Mitchell day after Detroit’s Christian reach a solution that meets with year, were postponed until 2021 tions even that the rebooted around it.” afp fp also testing positive. Wood became the first pub- Players and staff members licly known NBA player to be completed a 14-day isolation cleared after testing positive and quarantine period and for coronavirus on March 15. no longer pose a risk of infec- Wood, the third NBA player Juventus players agree to pay cut tion to others, according to to test positive after Gobert and the state health department. Mitchell, had been matched JUVENTUS on Saturday announced be finished later in the year, the players Clearance typically involves against Gobert in a game that they had cut their players’ and could be paid extra in those months. two negative tests for corona- against the Jazz just before the coach Maurizio Sarri’s salaries after “Juventus would like to thank the virus that are taken at least 24 Frenchman’s positive test. afp all Italian sport was suspended until players and the coach for their com- at least April 3 due to the coronavi- mitment at a difficult time for every- rus pandemic. one,” the Turin giants said. “The economic and financial ef- Players at other big European fects of the understanding reached clubs have also agreed to take pay are positive for about €90 million cuts, including Bayern Munich and [$100.5 million] for the 2019-2020 fi- Borussia Dortmund in Germany. nancial year,” said a club statement. Juventus’ highly-paid stars in- Over 10,000 people have died from clude five-time Ballon d’Or winner Covid-19 in Italy, more than in any Cristiano Ronaldo and Wales mid- other nation. fielder Aaron Ramsey, who joined Italian champions Juventus, who from Arsenal on a free transfer last led second-placed Lazio by a point year. in Serie A before the suspension of Earlier this week, Italian sports the season, said they had agreed a minister Vincenzo Spadafora said “reduction” for pay from March un- he was “very, very doubtful” that Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri and his team have accepted til June. Serie A action would return as previ- Rudy Gobert, the first NBA player to test positive for Covid-19, has been pay cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic. afp Juve added that should the season ously hoped in early May. afp cleared of the virus by the Utah Department of Health. afp