N U MB E R 3435 ssue I wednesday, june 3, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL PM slams HRW ‘double standards’

Niem Chheng Human Rights Watch? Where are suit, he said the move was regarded by stop speaking ill of Cambodia. demonstrations in Cambodia after they now? Why haven’t we heard the same critics as necessary measures “Where have all the human rights the 2013 elections. At the time, a RIME Minister Hun Sen has its cries for human rights? to protect against the pandemic. defenders in the world gone? Why diplomat asked his son not to shoot chided Human Rights Watch “When Cambodia curbs demon- “When Cambodia broke up dem- are they so quiet now? They used demonstrators if they entered the (HRW) Asia director Brad strations, they say Cambodia violates onstrations, they said we violated to talk a lot about us arresting de- Peace Palace, he said, referring to Adams for keeping quiet over human rights. But when other coun- freedom of expression and the right stroyers of the nation,” he said. his Cabinet at the Council of Min- protestP crackdowns in the US follow- tries clamp down on demonstrations, to protest. But when a pro-democ- Citing the words of US President isters in Phnom Penh. ing the death of George Floyd in Min- they say it’s a measure to safeguard racy country does the same, when Donald Trump, Hun Sen said US “If they [US] have the right to neapolis on May 25. social order. Why is it extremely differ- they curb the same type of demon- protesters were lucky that they had shoot, why can’t we?” he asked. Addressing reporters while in- ent [from Cambodia]?” he asked. strations, sometimes with bloody not entered the White House, where Cambodia Human Rights Com- specting infrastructure develop- The prime minister pointed out clashes, they said it’s a measure to there are vicious dogs and guns. mittee (CHRC) spokesperson Chin ment in Preah Sihanouk province that when China placed Wuhan un- maintain social order. He regarded Trump’s comment Malin, who is also a justice ministry on Monday, Hun Sen said the inac- der lockdown to contain the spread “Doesn’t Cambodia also need as a warning that people may have secretary of state, joined in the fray. tion demonstrated HRW’s double of Covid-19, it was also accused of social order? If Brad Adams dares been killed had they jumped onto On Facebook, he posted pictures standards on human rights issues. having violated citizens’ rights. not speak about the suppression the White House ground. “Where are Brad Adams and But when Western countries followed of demonstrations in the US, then The prime minister recalled Continued – page 4 Children in poverty said to rise by 86M Ry Sochan Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the UN Devel- THE UN Children’s Fund opment Fund, Deutsche Ges- (UNICEF) and Save the Chil- ellschaft fur Internationale dren warned that if urgent Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Save measures are not taken, the the Children and other partners, number of children living in this programme aims to cover poverty across low- and middle- an estimated 540,000 impover- income countries could increase ished households or over 2.4 by 86 million, a 15 per cent million individuals,” it said. jump, by the end of the year. It also said the monthly In a joint press release on Covid-19 Cash Transfer pro- Monday, they urged govern- gramme is designed to meet ments to mitigate the social the needs of the most vulner- impact caused by the Covid- able groups, including the 19 pandemic. children aged from 0-5 years, “The analysis highlights people with disabilities, the that, without urgent action to elderly, and people living protect families from the with HIV/AIDS. financial hardships caused Both organisations said the by the pandemic, the total programme will provide addi- number of children living tional money to programmes below the national poverty already implemented, includ- Helping hand line in low- and middle-in- ing those helping poor preg- A vet inspects an owa or white-handed gibbon at the Aceh natural resources conservation agency, following its rescue after being kept as an exotic pet in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Tuesday. AFP come countries could reach nant women, children from 0-2 672 million by year-end.” years, and a scholarship pro- They noted that the Cam- gramme aimed at helping pri- bodian government has done mary and secondary students. its part by initiating a month- Ministry of Planning spokes- ly subsidy programme for man Nop Kan Navuth told The WHO: antibiotics cause more deaths more than 2.2 million poor Post on Monday that his min- families in Cambodia. istry had completed the iden- INCREASED antibiotics use in ant to the medicines tradition- during the pandemic and ate illness without clinical sus- In a press release they said: tification of poor families in combating the Covid-19 pan- ally used to treat them. beyond,” Tedros told a virtual picion of bacterial infection. “Since Covid-19 hit, the Roy- rural areas last month and the demic will strengthen bacte- The UN health agency said press conference from the Tedros said the guidelines al Government of Cambodia report is being finalised. rial resistance and ultimately it was concerned that the inap- WHO’s Geneva headquarters. should help tackle anti-microbi- has scaled up its social pro- The ministry will consult lead to more deaths during the propriate use of antibiotics The WHO said only a small al resistance while saving lives. tection programme. A new with the Ministry of Economy crisis and beyond, the World during the Covid-19 crisis proportion of Covid-19 patients He called the threat of anti-mi- Covid-19 Cash Transfer Pro- and Finance to prepare an Health Organisation (WHO) would further fuel the trend. needed antibiotics to treat sub- crobial resistance “one of the most gramme for ID Poor House- estimate of subsidies to be said on Monday. “The Covid-19 pandemic has sequent bacterial infections. urgent challenges of our time”. holds has been approved and handed out to them shortly. WHO director-general led to increased use of antibi- The organisation has issued “It’s clear that the world is is scheduled to launch during “The next task is identify- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus otics, which ultimately will guidance to medics not to pro- losing its ability to use criti- the second week of June.” ing poor families in towns, said a “worrying number” of lead to higher bacterial resist- vide antibiotic therapy or proph- cally important anti-microbial “Supported by UNICEF, the which will be completed this bacterial infections were ance rates that will impact the ylaxis to patients with mild EU, Swedish International month,” he said. becoming increasingly resist- burden of disease and deaths Covid-19, or those with moder- Continued – page 10

one month’s free VIP subscription WHO calls on gov’ts, THE PHNOM PENH POST other entities to end National Inside page 3 For the first 1,000 Phnom Penh Post tobacco promotion readers who register! 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Bank robber of $6M asks to be released Kim Sarom rector at the Ministry of Civil Service, was told by his wife N ACCUSED bank to go to Canadia Bank and robber who admit- take three black packages. ted to stealing $6 Those packages consisted million has asked the of $6 million that customers SupremeA Court to release him kept in the bank. temporarily because he had His wife sent a text message returned the money. to the general department In a court hearing on of taxation to ask about the Tuesday Chan Simuntha, amount of money required to 39, told the judge that on pay for tax. After the text, his January 18, his wife Teang wife did not pay the tax and Vathanaknearyroth told went abroad. him that the staff at Cana- Several days later the de- dia Bank had told her to take partment of taxation con- some packages from the back tacted Canadia Bank because of the building. they did not see the money. He said when he reached The bank investigated and the bank he took the black discovered that the wife took packages to his car and drove the money, but then returned Siem Reap provincial deputy governor Ly Samrith is worried that so much land is not registered. hean rangsey home. He did not know they it. The purpose was to transfer contained money, he said. to Khmer currency to make a Huge tracks of undocumented land I requested the court to consider allowing my client a concern for registration officials to stay out of jail. Long Kimmarita provincial government and the Samrith said the provincial registered. national government alike. hall administration has issued “Many factors pose obstacles The next day he travelled profit, he added. SIEM Reap provincial deputy “This is because according to 100,000 land occupation cards to registering land. Besides the abroad with his wife for 10 “I requested the court to governor Ly Samrith expressed the plan of the Ministry of Land to citizens or 100,000 plots. land disputes, officials at all days before returning to consider allowing my client concern that land registration Management, Urban Planning Last year, the provincial admin- levels didn’t participate active- Cambodia where they were to stay out of jail because he plans for residents scheduled and Construction, land registra- istration resolved more than ly in implementing the land arrested. promises to follow the direc- to be completed by late 2021 tion for residents and the state are 100 cases of land disputes. registration and it is slow. The prosecutor charged tions of the court and he has could not be achieved because scheduled to be completed by “Even though results might “This land registration was Simuntha with conspiracy. little kids at home to take care 80 per cent of the land had not 2021 in which we have only one- not be achieved as planned, announced publicly, but its His wife was charged by the of,” the lawyer said. been registered. and-a-half years to go,” he said. the provincial administration implementation is not like the Phnom Penh court and sent A lawyer representing Ca- Land dispute issues are a major He also expressed concern that will speed up the systematic announcement. Only officials to Prey Sar prison. They did nadia Bank said he acknowl- factor that poses a hindrance to the plan may be impossible to be land registration for residents go down to measure some not agree with the sentence edged that the suspect paid the registration process in the completed because so much 100 per cent in the future,” land, but are not joined by so they filed an appeal, but back the money, but he still province, Samrith said. land has yet to be registered. Samrith said. residents,” he said. the verdict was upheld. requested that the judge up- He made the remarks at a “We have around 80 per cent Siem Reap provincial Adhoc Narin said if the land regis- “I ask permission from the hold the verdict of the Ap- press conference on progress of land plots left,” he said. “The investigator Sous Narin told tration still protracts and is court to let me stay out of jail peal Court. and goal setting in Siem Reap on plots have yet to be registered The Post on Tuesday that the unsuccessful, then land dis- so that I can take care of my Prosecutor Uk Kimseth said Tuesday at the Council of Min- even though the provincial land registration is actually slow putes will still occur. old father and kids aged three the suspect paid all the mon- isters. The press conference was administration has tried to because much of the registered Whether the disputes stem and four who have no one to ey back so there is no damage held by the Government Spokes- register them systematically. land has only been accounted between residents, residents look after them,” Simuntha for the bank. He still said it is person Unit and attended by “There are hundreds of cases for in Siem Reap town. with companies or residents said in court. up to the judge to consider more than 30 participants. in the hands of the provincial In remote districts and are- and the state, it still continues One of his two defence the request. “The task of land and con- hall administration because as such as Srei Snam, Varin occurring and might even lawyers, Thuy Sokun, said The court will issue a ruling struction is one that is of fun- we have mechanisms to solve and Chi Kraeng districts, the become chronic if not resolved his client, who is a deputy di- on June 4. damental importance for the them step by step.” least number of land has been in a timely fashion, he said. Four more UN troops infected by Covid virus Khorn Savi

FOUR more Cambodian Blue Helmet peacekeepers in Mali have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, bring- ing the number of infected Cambodian UN peacekeep- ers to 10. National Centre for Peace- keeping Forces and Explosive Remnants of War deputy director-general and spokes- woman Kosal Malinda told The Post on Tuesday that the A total of 10 Cambodian Blue Helmet soldiers in Mali have contracted Covid-19. SUPPLIED news broke on Saturday, the same day it was announced “The seven are still healthy The UN, he said, now has are serving in six countries – that another Cambodian Blue but they are in quarantine and 950,000 peacekeepers serving Lebanon, Sudan, South Sudan, Helmet soldier had died of they are being treated by UN 13 missions around the Mali, the Central African Covid-19 in Mali. doctors,” she said. world. Republic and Yemen. All the troops infected by Cov- UN secretary-general Anto- Cambodia has 780 Blue Hel- The World Health Organisa- id-19 are stationed in Mali. One nio Guterres said Friday that met troops separated into five tion (WHO) has reported has died, two have recovered 130 peacekeeping forces have main divisions, according to 150,000 Covid-19 cases in Afri- and seven are being treated. been infected by Covid-19. the Ministry of Defence. They ca as of Tuesday. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Authorities seek job for detained sex workers

Voun Dara can help them to get onto the right path,” he said. DAUN Penh district authori- The seven Cambodian sex ties have requested the Phnom workers are in their 20s and Penh municipal Department most of them live in Russey of Veterans Affairs and Youth Keo district. Rehabilitation to help find Daun Penh district authori- jobs for seven sex workers who ties detain sex workers in Wat were detained in the Wat Phnom Park on a regular basis, Phnom Park area on Monday Yuthy said. night. He said they used to detain District deputy governor Yos between 10 and 15 of them a Yuthy, who led the forces day, but now only a small which detained the workers, number remained. said the department should The group of sex workers, he collaborate with relevant said, are led by someone and organisations. He said the authorities are searching for hope is that the sex workers him or her. can change their careers. Phnom Penh municipal Authorities detained the Department of Veterans Affairs seven prostitutes on Monday and Youth Rehabilitation presi- night and sent them to the dent Mom Chan Dany said on Department of Social Affairs. Tuesday that police contacted “We cracked down on the sex the sex workers’ families before workers because they can allowing them to return home. badly affect public order at “Those who have families Wat Phnom Park, which is a were sent home. Those who do The WHO said nations can protect children by strictly implementing laws on tobacco control and regulating products like e-cigarettes. afp sacred place and destination not have families were sent to for national and international a partner organisation to give tourists. them vocational skills,” Chan “They stand under trees and Dany said. WHO: End tobacco promotion wave to find customers and She said imparting knowl- that is bad for public order,” he edge related to a different line said. of work can be difficult and Ry Sochan sponsorship. Television and another generation deceived of the law on tobacco control Among the seven, some of takes time. streaming services must stop by the lies of the tobacco in- conducted by the Royal Uni- them had previously signed “We introduced them to HE World Health Or- showing tobacco or e-ciga- dustry, which pretends to versity of Phnom Penh around contracts to stop their activi- these opportunities once but ganisation (WHO) rette use on screen. promote freedom of personal 30 per cent of cigarettes on the ties and had been sent to the they did not understand. We, has appealed to gov- “Social media platforms choice while ensuring eternal market came without warning Department of Social Affairs therefore, have to consult with ernments and other should ban the marketing of profits – regardless of the mil- messages in Khmer. once before. them again until they accept entitiesT to help stop the pro- tobacco and related products lions of people that pay with Another fifty per cent of Yuthy said they broke the vocational training and new motion of tobacco and other and prohibit influencer mar- their lives each year,” it said. cigarettes did not contain a contract because they couldn’t life skills,” she said. products that are harmful to keting. Governments need Cambodia Movement for taxation stamp. find work elsewhere. Vocational training that children and young people. to ban all forms of tobacco Health (CMH) posted on its “An estimated 15,000 Cam- “The department should partner organisations provide In a statement on Sunday, advertising, promotion and website on May 25 that there bodian citizens die each work in collaboration with to sex workers varies depend- the WHO said: “Schools must sponsorship,” it said. is a wide range of e-cigarettes year from tobacco-related related organisations to find ing on their preferences and refuse any form of sponsor- The WHO statement said in use among young people, diseases and 33 per cent of proper jobs for them so that skills. ship and prohibit represen- nations can protect children especially students. those deaths occur among they will not continue prosti- In general, organisations do tatives from nicotine and from industry exploitation by “Authorities should tighten the lowest income group,” tuting themselves. not want them to learn diffi- tobacco companies from strictly implementing laws on measures to ban the sale and use said a report prepared by RTI “If there is no job for them, cult skills. They train them in speaking to students. tobacco control and regulating of e-cigarettes,” CMH wrote. International, United Nations they will return to prostitution practical skills like hairdress- “Celebrities and influenc- products like e-cigarettes. CMH said according to a re- Development Programme, after their detention. There are ing, manicuring nails and ers need to reject all offers of “The world cannot afford port on the implementation and WHO. a lot of jobs for them and we cooking, she said. Villagers urged to stop using pesticides in sanctuaries

Khouth Sophak Chakrya Beoung Prek Lapouv protected landscape ranger teams have BirdLife International Cambodia increased their patrols and started has called on people living near wild- educating local communities about life sanctuaries to stop using pesti- the risks of using pesticides. cides to assist in the protection and BirdLife and Cambodia Vulture conservation of wildlife, biodiversity Working Group (CVWG) coordinator and natural resources in the country. Ny Naiky told The Post on Tuesday The call comes after research patrols that during the past week, her team in some wildlife sanctuaries and pro- has collaborated with officers from tected landscapes in northeastern and the Stung Treng Department of Agri- southwestern Cambodia recently dis- culture, Forestry and Fisheries to covered a case of pesticides being check all agriculture pesticides shops used to illegally catch wildlife. in Siem Pang district. They found BirdLife programme manager Bou eight shops selling pesticides without Vorsak said: “The use of pesticides in permission. wildlife sanctuaries and protected Naiky said one of the shops sold landscapes causes catastrophic dam- highly toxic and illegal drugs as well. age to wildlife, biodiversity, natural “After we found the banned pesti- resources and the environment. cides, officials removed them and “We require all stakeholders, espe- advised the merchants to stop bring- cially local communities, to immedi- ing such pesticides into the Cambo- ately stop using agriculture pesticides dian market,” Naiky said. in protected and conservation areas.” The owner of the store selling fer- Last week, Boeung Prek Lapouv tiliser and illegal pesticides, Nou protected landscape ranger teams Chanpov, told The Post that she collaborated with BirdLife’s conser- bought the pesticide, named Mole- vation expert team to patrol the area Birdlife International says pesticides causes catastrophic damage to wildlife, biodiversity and the environment. birdlife international cule, from Thailand to be used pri- and research rare and endangered vately in her cashew farm. She said species of wild birds. The deputy director of the Beoung there intentionally to bait the birds Phnom Penh for forensic examination. she didn’t intend to sell them. They found eight dead spot-billed Prek Lapouv protected landscape, Lim because they drink from the nearby “Hunting with poison is an activity She said: “I bought over 20 sets of ducks near the edge of a water stor- Vath, told The Post that near the site water source. that endangers wildlife and human it from Thailand for more than $2,000. age reservoir in Koh Andet district’s where the eight spot-billed ducks died, “We collected spot-billed duck car- health. One poisoning case can kill hun- Each set contains six bottles with one Krapum Chhouk village-commune rangers and BirdLife’s wild bird expert casses and rice seeds suspected to be dreds of birds including rare and endan- litre per bottle. But I stopped import- in Takeo province. team found several rice seeds suspect- mixed with agriculture pesticides and gered species. It also negatively impacts ing it because the agriculture officials The expert team said the offence was ed of being mixed with pesticide. sent them to the Wildlife Conservation human health because people con- said it was a toxic pesticide and was classified as “poisoning wild birds”. Vath said the pesticide was put Society (WCS), which is our partner in sume the poisoned birds,” he said. banned,” she said. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National Girl arrested Seniority payments postponed for attacking Long Kimmarita

HE Ministry of Labour and alleged rapist Vocational Training an- nounced on Monday the Kim Sarom postponement of seniority paymentsT for workers prior to 2019 POR Sen Chey district police plan to and new seniority payments for send a 15-year-old girl to the Phnom workers in 2020, opting to imple- Penh Municipal Court on Wednes- ment them next year instead. day for attacking a motorcycle taxi The ministry also asked more than (motodop) driver when he allegedly 25,000 workers in the garment and raped her at a guesthouse in Chaom tourism sectors to withdraw their Chao III commune on Monday. second round of subsidy money af- Commune police chief Theng Ko- ter losing work due to Covid-19. sal said on Monday that the alleged The announcement, signed by rapist, Ros Phat, 58, lives in a rented Minister Ith Sam Heng specified room in Por Sen Chey district’s Kak- that workers with fixed-term em- ab II commune. ployment contracts in the textile The girl is from Oral district’s and footwear industries will have Sangke Satoap commune in Kam- their pre-2019 seniority payments pong Speu province. postponed to next year as well. Kosal said that around 8am on It also said that 2020 seniority pay- Monday, Phat saw her holding a ments for workers in all sectors will cloth package while he was driving be postponed to next year. near South Tang Krasang pagoda. The announcement also said that Phat stopped to ask where she during this postponement period, all wanted to go and offered to give her factory owners and enterprises must a ride. He then promised to give her pay workers their entire seniority pay- $20 in return for a massage. ments if their contract is terminated. “After the agreement, the man However, if an employee’s contract took her to a guesthouse in Chaom is terminated due to serious miscon- Chao commune, where he allegedly duct or an employee resigns, he will Seniority payments for a large percentage of workers have been postponed until next year. hong menea raped her,” he said. not receive his seniority payment. Kosal said when Phat allegedly asked “The reason for the postponement the moment they receive a text mes- seven to 10 days, workers are eligible “The government must consider to sleep with the girl for the second is to contribute to the private sector sage from Wing (Cambodia) Limited for a 60,750 riel ($15) payment. Work- that cash reserves must ensure that time, she told him to lay face down, and the workers most affected by Specialised Bank to withdraw their ers suspended from 11 to 20 days are all workers are employed and the at which point she took a cleaver from the outbreak of Covid-19,” the min- subsidies or their money will be re- eligible for a 121,500 riel and those private sector is functioning prop- her package and attacked him. istry confirmed. turned to the government. suspended for 21 days to one month erly,” he said. She then shouted for help from the The ministry also announced to On Tuesday, ministry spokesman are eligible for 162,000 riel. He said if the impact lasts for too guesthouse staff who called the police the 25,888 workers in the garment Heng Sour said the subsidy pay- Centre for Alliance of Labour and long, the government will need to look after finding him covered in blood. and tourism sectors that they can ments for the more than 20,000 Human Rights (Central) programme at borrowing money and finding de- During questioning, the girl told collect their second stage of gov- workers were based on the number coordinator Khun Tharo told The velopment partners to ensure the sur- police she is an orphan and came to ernment subsidies through Wings of days that the factory had sus- Post on Tuesday that the govern- vival of the country’s core industries. Phnom Penh to find a job. agencies. pended work. ment must have stronger measures The withdrawal of the EU’s Every- Kosal said Phat suffered deep The announcement said: “More In late May, the ministry request- in place to assist the workers. thing But Arms (EBA) scheme from wounds on his thighs, ribs, head than 25,000 workers from 67 gar- ed more than 33,000 suspended gar- “The impact could be long-term Cambodia, he said, would also hurt and shoulders and is being treated ment and tourism businesses which ment and tourism workers from 111 if there are no purchase orders and the economy. at the Calmette hospital. have suspended operations due to factories and enterprises to with- overseas stores are out of business. Tharo said he expects the govern- “It is not certain if the man will Covid-19 [have been asked to collect draw their subsidy payments, which Therefore, the stability in orders and ment to offer subsidies to workers in survive or not. I just follow the pros- their subsidies]”. were divided into three parts. production depends on the evolu- other sectors as well, as every sector ecutor’s orders. We have to find jus- It said workers have 10 days from If their work was suspended from tion of global events. has been impacted by Covid-19. tice for both sides,” Kosal said. Drug cases rise, volume drops CSOs talk human rights in Niem Chheng light of US demonstrations THE number of drug cases in the country jumped by more than 1,100 Continued from page 1 tests] as they did to Cambodia, it cases in the first five months of the goes without saying that their ac- year while the number of people fac- of clashes between police and dem- tivities and assessments represent ing charges increased by more than onstrators in the US with the mes- double standards between human 1,700. However, the volume of drugs sage: “Human rights and wrong acts rights and the wrong acts of hu- involved had decreased, said the of humans. Human rights and pub- mans,” he said. authorities. lic safety.” On Tuesday, HRW released a state- Data from Committee 3 said anti- Reached for further comment on ment on the events in the US, saying drug police investigated 4,490 drug Tuesday, Malin said the message Floyd was killed for no reason and cases and arrested 8,864 people across was intended to remind civil society that his family deserved justice. the country. The number included 114 organisations (CSOs) at home and Cambodian Centre for Human foreigners from seven nationalities. abroad about human rights issues Rights (CCHR) executive director The total amount of various drugs and social order. Chak Sopheap said on Tuesday that seized during this period was 260kg, He said the Cambodian govern- the laws against racial discrimina- including 225kg of dried marijuana ment implemented laws to maintain tion and discrimination against Af- and 180,490 marijuana plants. social order and security in the event rican Americans had been violated. “Confiscated assets included 29 cars, Drug cases increased during the first five months of this year. police of chaos, with those committing vio- She said CCHR condemned hu- 882 motorcycles, 2,673 mobile phones, lent acts brought to justice. man rights abuses whether in Cam- 174 weighing scales, four handguns and drugs told The Post on Tuesday that ese man tried to traffic nearly 21kg of CSOs, he said, are known to accuse bodia or abroad. 16 rifles,” the report said. the increase in cases and people illegal drugs from Cambodia to Viet- the government of violating human “Current events in America should It said the National Authority for arrested had two meanings. nam across the Svay Rieng border. rights when curbing demonstrations. not be used by the Cambodian gov- Combating Drugs (NACD) also On one hand, he said, the increase He said after cooperating with its Viet- “They talk about human rights but ernment as a political tool to deflect requested to freeze a house and three reflected the participation of the pub- namese counterparts, Cambodian police overlook the mistakes of those who attention away from the human bank accounts totalling $20,000. lic, civil society and authorities of all last week arrested two other men in commit crimes. Some CSOs at home rights situation in Cambodia. In the first five months of last year, levels in the anti-drug campaign. On Phnom Penh and confiscated more than and abroad have political trends [to- “Human rights organisations are police investigated 3,335 drug cases, the other, it indicated that drug crimes 3kg of drugs, including heroin. Police also wards the opposition], so they only entitled to speak out on human arrested 7,097 people and confiscated had not slowed due to the measures found a rifle and a Glock pistol. look at human rights and ignore rights abuses globally by exercis- 310kg of drugs. Of these, 2,039 cases taken against the spread of Covid-19. “We sent the two men to court on ‘human wrongs’. ing their freedom of expression, involved 3,873 people who trafficked While countries around the world Monday. To be honest, these two are “When we implement the law, but ultimately, states hold the obli- in drugs, while 1,276 cases involved are facing Covid-19, he said drug traf- transporters. Their ringleader is a they say we violate human rights. gations to respect, protect and ful- 3,220 persons who were drug users. ficking had increased, especially drug Chinese national who is on the run. But they don’t look at the activities fil human rights. The figures indicate an increase of transportation via airmail and across We are already cooperating with oth- that affect public order, security, so- “We further call for peaceful pro- 1,165 cases and 1,767 arrests. But the land borders. ers to arrest him,” Chito said. ciety and privacy,” he said. tests but remind states that their ob- amount of drugs confiscated dropped Chito said there was a case of trying The operation also confiscated two On ongoing protests in the US, he ligation to protect citizens extends from 310kg to 260kg. to transport drugs from Cambodia to cars and three motorcycles in Preak said he would wait and see the CSOs’ to violent protests, and state’s use of Mok Chito, the deputy national South Korea. The latest case, he said, Leap commune, Chroy Changvar dis- reactions at home and abroad. force must only be exercised when it police chief in charge of combating happened last week when a Vietnam- trict, he said. “If they don’t react to the US’ [pro- is strictly necessary,” she said. THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Japanese grant CMAC warns residents against $32 million for Takhmao water removing mines without experts supply system HE Japan International Cooperation Voun Dara Agency (JICA) in Cambodia signed Ta $32 million grant agreement with AMBODIAN Mine the government on Monday to expand Action Centre Takhmao town’s water supply system. (CMAC) director- In a joint press release, the Ministry general Heng Ratana of Economy and Finance and JICA said hasC called on the public who the project would improve access to safe live near mine-containment drinking water through the construction areas to stop trying to dispose of a water supply facility with a treatment of the mines themselves capacity of 30,000 cubic metres per day. because it is dangerous and The project will also involve intake and could lead to a loss of life. raw water transmission, and distribution Ratana said people need to facilities. A SCADA (supervisory control collaborate with the authori- and data) system will also be included ties and request mine clear- in the operation and maintenance with ance free of charge. Japanese know-how and experience. He told The Post on Tues- Senior JICA official Say Bora said on day that local police forces Monday that clean water is currently sup- and CMAC forces in prov- plied to Takhmao from Phnom Penh so inces containing mines were this would be an improvement. continuing to instruct villag- He said the project will not only dis- ers to stop their activities. tribute clean water to Takhmao and sur- Residents in Oddar rounding areas but reduce the demand on Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Phnom Penh’s water supply. The project is Banteay Meanchey provinc- expected to take 29 months to complete. es, he said, had cleared most “Since 1993 until now, the grant of the mines themselves but represents the 12th such project that encountered danger and JICA has funded in Cambodia in the CMAC had to rescue them. water supply sector, and it is the sixth to “When they encountered support the Phnom Penh Water Supply danger, our group launched CMAC director-general Heng Ratana said residents in Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey provinces had cleared most of Authority (PPWSA),” Bora said. an investigation and found the mines themselves but encountered danger and CMAC had to rescue them. cmac He said many water facilities have been that they couldn’t remove constructed in different provinces, includ- mines from the ground com- He said hired deminers dures to manage, control and Steung Treng provinces, said ities if they encountered ing Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, pletely because they had no had no clear techniques or inspect mines safely. It is ille- on Tuesday that CMAC has unexploded ordnances. Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kampong Cham, demining materials. training and they are usu- gal because they don’t know collaborated with the Nation- “National Police forces and Kampong Thom and Phnom Penh. “More importantly, dem- ally just former soldiers or where mines and explosives al Police to educate and CMAC are partners working JICA said the project will significantly ining is dangerous for both young people. will be stored,” he said. spread the word about the together to spread the word help the government to achieve its water the deminers and land use “This is very dangerous. Minh Sron, the head of the dangers of demining by the about the consequences of supply service target of 100 per cent in because residents feel it is safe They lack technical materials, 6th Deming Unit in Preah public and has instructed UXOs left behind since the urban areas by 2025. Soth Koemsoeun when it is not,” Ratana said. proper skills and lack proce- Vihear, Oddar Meanchy and them to contact local author- war era,” he said. ANA: Hundreds of Angkor remnants found, catalogued

ANA said the discovered artefacts were fractures of various centuries-old temples within the area. ana Khorn Savi their identities,” he said. tery and metallic objects. Through its Facebook page “Listing them is of extreme THE Apsara National Author- on Tuesday, the ANA said the importance. We want to pre- ity (ANA) has catalogued 711 identification of the objects are serve the heritage of the capital of 1,242 artistic objects col- based on reliable information of the former Angkor Empire. lected from residents at 91 from the type of sculptures, “There are still many other temples in the Angkor area sources, material elements, artistic objects scattered on as they work to identify them sizes, locations, dates, photo- the ground and underground. and determine their origins. graphs and other descriptions. To determine their identities, ANA spokesman Long Kosal Identifying them helps facil- those objects must be cata- told The Post on Tuesday that itate repair work and prevents logued,” he said. the recently discovered arte- future loss of artefacts, it said. The ANA said the remain- facts were fractures of various Chhouk Somala, the officer ing 531 factures will soon be centuries-old temples within in charge of archaeological catalogued. the area. registration at the Department It said Buddha sculptures “The items were broken off of Monuments and Preventive and objects were also recently from temples. So we have to Archaeology, said the 711 ar- collected by a working group collect them for safekeeping tistic objects included sand- from a guard cottage to the to be identified in the inven- stone carvings with stone in- south of the Angkor Temples. tory. We want to know where scriptions, sculptures of gods, They are being kept at the and when they were retrieved. thrones, pedestals, lintels, ga- ANA headquarters for further Hopefully, we can determine bles, diamond fractures, pot- studies and repairs. 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,118 1.3511 7.101 107.71 4.2755 1.4016 31.54 0.6847 1.1178 1.2562 Garment sector requests EU Equities extend gains on hopes coronavirus to postpone EBA withdrawal pandemic is easing May Kunmakara THE easing of lockdowns trade pact signed in January. around the world and signs “Digging a little deeper, pri- EPRESENTATIVES that economies are slowly vate companies were not of apparel, footwear recovering provided further issued the same orders and the and travel goods impetus for stock markets on exercise . . . appears to be more producers and the Tuesday, but traders remain a shot across the bows of the EUR business community in on edge over Sino-US tensions US over Hong Kong, and not the Kingdom on Tuesday re- and growing unrest across sev- an imminent threat of with- quested the European Com- eral large US cities. drawal from the US-China mission (EC) to postpone its US President Donald Trump’s trade agreement,” said Oanda withdrawal of the Everything decision not to impose strict Corp’s Jeffrey Halley. But Arms (EBA) preferential sanctions on Beijing over its The move came after Trump trade scheme for 12 months. Hong Kong security law on Friday unveiled a series of The Garment Manufactur- allowed investors to get June moves against China over ers Association in Cambodia off to a healthy start, while a Hong Kong, but stopped short (GMAC), the Cambodia Foot- slowdown in virus infections of imposing specific strict wear Association (CFA) and and deaths globally continues measures – suggesting the US the European Chamber of to keep the mood positive. prefers to avoid a confronta- Commerce in Cambodia (Eu- Europe pressed ahead with tion at this point. roCham) submitted a joint a further loosening of meas- letter to the EC. ures, with schools, pools, pubs Eyes on US unrest The letter said the Covid-19 and tourist sites reopening – “It seems that Friday’s press pandemic has halted produc- despite fears of a second wave conference by the president tion and slowed global demand of infections – providing hope might have marked the end of to a crawl, delivering a devastat- that shattered economies can the escalation between the ing blow to Cambodia apparel, begin to rebuild. two countries, at least for footwear and travel goods Data showing improve- now,” said Gorilla Trades strat- manufacturers and workers. ments in factory activity in egist Ken Berman. It said some 250 Cambodian some countries, particularly “That said, the issue of Hong apparel, footwear and travel badly hit Italy, also gave trad- Kong remains in the spotlight, goods factories have had to ers hope. and the conflict still has the suspend operations and more “May’s data suggested the potential to move the market than 130,000 workers in the Some 250 Cambodian apparel, footwear and travel goods factories have had to suspend operations and more worst of the contraction may in the coming weeks.” than 130,000 workers in the sector. pOST STAFF sector, most of whom are wom- be behind us, but we see a Observers are keeping tabs en, have lost their jobs and this apparel imports, 30 per cent The EU is Cambodia’s larg- expected to erode export com- bumpy restart in coming on violent protests gripping number is likely to rise sharply. of footwear imports, and all est trading partner, account- petitiveness and create trade months,” BlackRock Invest- some of the US’ biggest cities In the first quarter of the travel goods imports from ing for 45 per cent of Cambo- uncertainty and will be more ment Institute strategists said following the killing of black year, the letter said, many Cambodia would be a mas- dian exports in 2018. impactful than first thought. in a report. man George Floyd by a police buyers cancelled orders after sive blow to the Kingdom. Exports to the EU single “I believe economic num- Tokyo and Seoul rose more officer. they were completed or while “If the withdrawal goes for- market reached €4.9 billion bers will continue to worsen or than one per cent after data The demonstrations have in process. It is estimated that ward, more orders and jobs ($5.5 billion) in 2018 – almost only mildly improve globally, showed South Korea’s econo- also fanned worries about a the Cambodian apparel, foot- will be lost and will never double the €2.5 billion record- and there will only be a materi- my shrank less than first spike in Covid-19 infections, wear and travel goods sales in come back,” Sou Ieng said. ed in 2013. The bulk of the ex- al upside several months after expected in the first quarter, which could hamper the eas- the second quarter of the year “The EU must not ignore the ports – 95.7 per cent – entered lockdowns are removed,” he while a Hong Kong rally of 1.1 ing of lockdowns. will likely fall by 50 to 60 per gravity of the situation and the the EU market under EBA said. “Therefore, we should be per cent extended Monday’s AxiCorp Financial Services cent on a yearly basis. devastating impact of remov- tariff preferences. Overall, prepared for another quarter more than three per cent rise. Pty Ltd’s Stephen Innes: “Anar- “The undersigned associa- ing EBA benefits in August.” Cambodia is the second larg- or two of industry hardship. Shanghai added 0.2 per chy in the streets threatens to tion requests the European EuroCham chairman Ar- est user of EBA preferences, “We can hope the EU un- cent, Mumbai jumped 0.9 per throw a wet blanket on the risk Commission to postpone the naud Darc said the pandem- behind only Bangladesh. derstands the pain the sus- cent and Sydney put on 0.3 recovery as investor optimism withdrawal of EBA benefits ic’s effects were not limited to Anthony Galliano, the CEO pension will cause Cambodia per cent, with Taipei 0.4 per over economic reopening in for at least 12 months [until the Kingdom. of financial services firm and its low-income workers cent higher. the US could wane. August next year] to allow the “The Covid-19 pandemic Cambodia Investment Man- and reconsider the timing of Kuala Lumpur, Manila and “If American consumers sector to recover,” it said. has had a devastating impact agement Co Ltd, said that the decision. Wellington piled on more than were reluctant to come out of GMAC chairman Van Sou on the economy globally and given the rapidly deteriorating The EC announced in Feb- one per cent and Jakarta ral- their Covid-19 lockdown Ieng said that in this context the situation is no different in global economy and now civil ruary that the partial with- lied more than two per cent. cocoon fearing a secondary the EC’s scheduled August 12 Cambodia where the devel- unrest in the US, which just drawal of EBA will affect Singapore rose more than spreader, it is unlikely they will implementation of the deci- opment of the country relies experienced a near 85 per cent one-fifth or €1 billion of Cam- two per cent as the city began feel any safer with military sion to withdraw the tariff heavily on its trade with Eu- drop in retail clothing sales in bodia’s annual exports to the easing its own shutdown Humvees rolling down Penn- preference for 20 per cent of rope,” he said. April, the suspension of EBA is EU’s 27-nation bloc. measures. sylvania Avenue. If fear is gen- The Cambodia Securities erated by anarchy in the Exchange index sank 8.12 per streets, that will harm the cent. All stocks were in the red recovery.” except for Phnom Penh Water Still, with the mood gener- Supply Authority (PWSA), ally positive for now, riskier Two CSX-listed firms report losses which saw no trade. assets were in demand, with In early trade, London rose the Canadian dollar and May Kunmakara appointing first-quarter results to a Sri Lankan-owned LOLC (Cambodia) Plc, 0.2 per cent and Paris climbed Indonesian rupiah more decline in land sales. a microfinance institution which listed cor- 0.8 per cent even after the than one per cent up against TWO stock-listed companies trading on “This type of business does not generate porate bonds on the CSX in May last year, French government said the the greenback, while the the Cambodia Securities Exchange regular income but is seasonal. Further- reported in its Monday filing 155.163 billion economy is expected to shrink Australian and New Zealand (CSX) posted a decline in income in the more, this business mainly deals with for- riel in first-quarter income, an increase of 11 per cent this year – worse dollars were each up around first quarter of the year. eign companies and investors that are cur- 54 per cent compared to the same period than a previous forecast of 0.9 per cent. Leading industrial zone developer and rently impacted by Covid-19,” he said. last year and 37.967 billion riel in net profit, eight per cent. Oil prices also continued operator Phnom Penh Special Economic Last month, PPSP signed a lease agree- a decline of about seven per cent. Frankfurt soared more than their march higher as the eas- Zone Plc (PPSP) reported in its CSX filing on ment for 6.4ha of additional land with CSX’s Ha said the drop in profit was two per cent. ing of lockdowns boosts hopes Tuesday 15.748 billion riel in first quarter rev- Chinese knitwear manufacturer Marvel mainly due to credit impairment losses. Investors appeared to brush for demand, while key produc- enue ($3.8 million), a decrease of 82 per cent Garment Co Ltd. “However, the solvency ratio of 18.5 per off news that China had ers including Saudi Arabia and compared to the same period last year. Marvel Garment, the local arm of lead- cent and liquidity ratio of 206 per cent are ordered its state-run agricul- Russia are ready to decide on Net profit was 474 million riel, a 99 per ing Chinese clothing manufacturer Shen- above the regulatory requirement and a tural firms to temporarily halt whether or not to continue cent plunge year-on-year. zhou International Group Holdings Ltd, 0.79 per cent non-performing loan ratio buying some US farm goods, their massive output cuts that CSX vice-chairman Ha Jong-weon told is currently in Phase III of development is considered low if compared to the which raised questions about have been crucial to support- The Post on Tuesday attributed the dis- – which covers an area of 43ha. industry average,” said Ha. the impact on the countries’ ing the market. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Experts: Risks for Indonesia’s rupiah remain ANK Indonesia’s (BI) policy maintain financial market stability. measures and a narrowing “We maintain our view that the ru- current account deficit (CAD) piah remains fundamentally under- will likely support the rupiah valued and will strengthen to reflect amidB unfavourable financial market its fundamentals,” Perry told report- conditions, however risks remain as ers in a streamed news conference Indonesia continues to record new on Thursday. Covid-19 cases while facing limited BI recorded a net outflow of $5.7 bil- healthcare capacity, experts warn. lion in the first quarter as foreign inves- London-based credit intelligence tors dumped Indonesian assets. From provider Fitch Solutions Inc has re- April 1 to May 14, however, the central vised its outlook for the rupiah for this bank booked $4.1 billion in net inflows, year to 15,500 per US dollar from its mainly in sovereign debt papers. earlier projection of 16,750 after the The Covid-19 pandemic threatens recent gains the currency booked. the stability of Indonesia’s financial The rupiah appreciated 13 per system, as it has weakened the coun- cent from a recent low of 16,575, a try’s financial industry and macro- level unseen since the 1998 finan- economic outlook, as well as brought cial crisis, to 14,610 on Monday, economic activity to a standstill, the Bloomberg data show. Financial System Stability Commit- “We believe that BI’s policy mea- tee (KSSK) said earlier this month. sures will continue to cushion the Economists have warned that rupiah in the short-term,” the re- nationwide loan restructuring pro- searchers said. “Moreover, a fore- grammes and economic risks caused cast narrowing in CAD in 2020 due by the pandemic may tighten liquid- to slightly cheaper imports, will also ity in several small banks and lead to add to investors’ confidence in In- higher non-performing loan ratios donesia’s fundamentals.” in the medium term, leaving banks The central bank has taken several in need of additional liquidity. measures to stabilise the rupiah, in- PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) cluding by direct intervention in for- chief economist David Sumual said eign exchange markets, purchase of The downside risks from Covid-19 could further erode the rupiah’s recent gains if the situation spirals out of control. pIXABAY the central bank should aim to sta- government bonds in the secondary bilise the currency to support the market worth 166.2 trillion rupiah $3.9 billion, or 1.4 per cent of gross ther erode the rupiah’s recent gains in Indonesia. As we have noted, cases country’s weakening economic ac- ($11.6 billion) and strike currency swap domestic product (GDP) in this year’s if the situation spirals out of con- across Indonesia continue to rise at a tivity, adding that the rupiah’s fun- lines with major central banks includ- first three months, down from 2.8 per trol, adding that downside risks re- rapid pace and the country has limit- damentals were currently around ing a $60 billion repurchase agreement cent of GDP in the previous quarter. mained elevated over the long-term ed healthcare and financial resources 15,000 per US dollar. with the US Federal Reserve. Fitch expects the CAD to reach due to a widened budget deficit. to deal with a widespread outbreak.” “The rupiah’s stability is the prior- Fitch said: “Dollar liquidity and two per cent of GDP this year, much “The Indonesian government’s ini- The central bank now expects the ity right now as the currency should BI’s bond market activity will help lower than the 3.4 per cent in a pre- tial mismanagement of the Covid-19 currency to further gain against the be favourable for importers and attract foreign investors back to the vious forecast, providing a lift to outbreak led to a collapse in inves- greenback to “pre-pandemic levels” exporters,” David told The Jakarta bond market in the short-term ho- foreign exchange reserves that will tors’ confidence in the country’s as- at around 13,600 to 13,800 per US Post. “An over-strengthened rupiah rizon, which will provide support to help support the rupiah. sets, including the rupiah,” it said. dollar, BI governor Perry Warjiyo said. may discourage economic recovery the currency.” However, it warned that the down- “Downside risks will continue to It decided to hold its benchmark in- in the real sector.” THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA The country recorded a CAD of side risks from Covid-19 could fur- emerge from the Covid-19 outbreak terest rate last week at 4.5 per cent to NEWS NETWORK 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Vietnam beer market set to see big changes

IETNAM’S beer investment (FDI) beer enter- year’s end, in which small busi- market is forecast to prises dominate the domestic nesses will be most affected. see big opportuni- market, with the advantage of Alcoholic beverages in Viet- ties this year, as the cheap beer prices, which suits nam are subject to taxes at two countryV has always been held the taste of the majority of stages – import and domestic great potential for domestic customers. consumption. These include and foreign beer enterprises. The export beer output in- three different taxes – import Fierce competition is incom- creased 46 million litres last tax (from five to 80 per cent de- ing, as more foreign brands year over, reaching $45.87 pending on type of free trade are looking to tap the market. million. The export volume agreement), VAT (10 per cent) The information was re- decreased by about seven and excise taxes (up from 50 per leased in the Vietnam Indus- per cent. The main reason is cent to 65 per cent from 2018). try Research and Consultan- that Vietnam’s beer quality This can affect the profit- cy’s (Virac’s) latest report. has not been highly appreci- ability of beer companies, es- With a population struc- ated and not created a brand pecially those in the mid-end ture among the youngest in in the international market. segment, as this is a competi- the world – 56 per cent of the Equatorial Guinea (about 20 tive segment and customers population is under the age per cent) is the largest market are most vulnerable to the im- of 30 – Vietnam Beer Asso- for Vietnamese beer. pact of the best-selling prices. ciation (VBA) predicts that Production licences can be total consumer expenses Challenges considered a major obstacle for in Vietnam will double and The law coming into effect new businesses. To open a beer reach approximately $173 on January 1 has been effective factory in Vietnam, businesses billion by this year. in adjusting the drinking habits must be licensed by the Minis- A report by US global mar- Last year, Vietnam produced more than five billion litres of beer (up 22.9 per cent over 2018) and consumed of many people. It is forecasted try of Industry and Trade. keting research firm Nielsen over four billion litres (up 29.1 per cent). VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY/VIET NAM NEWS that the beer industry growth While the regulations are Corp said 56 per cent of Viet- rate in the year will not main- quite clear, implementation namese consumers are under have been largely able to ac- This is not only the largest per cent, while draft beer is tain the double-digit level as can be difficult. Even if all 30 years old and Vietnam’s cess key free export markets M&A deal in Vietnam’s history, 3.1 per cent and accounts in previous years – it will reach provinces were willing to fa- middle class will double from (without tariffs). but also the largest M&A deal for a modest market share of six-to-seven per cent in the fol- cilitate new breweries to col- 12 million (in 2014) to 33 mil- In the context of international in the Asian beer industry. fresh beer at 0.1 per cent. lowing years, although each lect taxes, the licensing would lion (in 2020). It is estimated economic integration, merg- Regarding imports, the im- year Vietnam has one million depend on the beer and bev- that Vietnam will have two ers and acquisitions (M&A) Beer consumption ported beer output reached more people of legal age to erage planning of the ministry, million more consumers will contribute to raise the size, Last year, the total beer pro- more than 37 million litres drink alcoholic beverages. which may have been regis- joining the middle class, be- competitiveness, market share, duction reached more than (up 8.9 per cent over 2018). In the stock market, shares tered many years in advance. coming the fastest-growing reputation and efficiency of five billion litres (up 22.9 per The three main sources of of the two “giants” in the beer Virac said Vietnam’s beer middle class segment in Asia. larger businesses and start a cent over 2018) and consump- beer supply in Vietnam are industry, Sabeco and Habeco, industry still faces many The strong export markets new development cycle. tion reached over four billion the Netherlands (25 per cent), have dropped from 0.4 per challenges such as commu- of Vietnam, such as ASEAN For example, Thai Beverage litres (up 29.1 per cent). Mexico (17 per cent) and Bel- cent to 0.8 per cent. Mean- nication, risks of changing countries and China, are all Pcl, a company owned by a Beer sales reached over 65 gium (16 per cent). while, the share value of the consumer tastes and M&A, markets with high growth in Thai billionaire, spent 110 tril- billion dong (up 0.5 per cent). Compared to beer consump- entire industry declined by requiring continuous ef- food and beverage consump- lion dong ($4.8 billion) to buy Canned beer consumption tion in Vietnam, beer imports nearly 13 per cent last year. forts and improvement to tion. Along with a series of 53.59 per cent of Saigon Beer accounted for 66.8 per cent into the country account for Experts predict that the beer enhance the position in the free trade agreements, Viet- Alcohol and Beverage Corp of total beer consumption, a relatively small proportion. and wine industry will adjust to- international market. VIET NAM namese food and beverages (Sabeco) in December 2017. followed by bottled beer 29.9 Domestic and foreign direct wards a shrinking trend by this NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Tax relief for small China companies BGrim works on LNG CHINA’S 2.5 trillion yuan ($350 weakness may linger in the procurement process billion) tax relief plan for this coming months. year will help ease financial Total tax and fee reductions THAI-listed energy firm B Power Supply Co Ltd for a to- strains and accelerate produc- will reduce the financial strain Grimm Power Pcl (BGrim) is tal value of $300,000. tion recovery of enterprises on companies, especially pri- expected to soon finalise the Ray Power Supply was with key measures like further vately-owned enterprises, as process of procuring liquefied granted the right to develop a cuts in the value-added tax weak economic growth and natural gas (LNG), its presi- ground-mounted solar farm rates and social security con- other novel coronavirus epi- dent Preeyanart Soontorn- project in Banteay Meanchey tributions, experts said on demic disruptions are con- wata said. province’s Sisophon town, pur- Monday. straining revenue and profit The company’s subsidiary B suant to the power purchase From January to April, total growth prospects, data from Grimm LNG Ltd was granted agreement for 30MW with tax and fee reductions in Chi- debt watcher Moody’s Inves- a licence to ship up to 650,000 Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) na reached 906.6 billion yuan, tors Service Moody’s Inves- tonnes of LNG per year by the with the term of 20 years, The including 485.7 billion yuan tors Service Inc show. Energy Regulatory Commis- Post reported. from the newly launched Yang Chengzhang, a na- sion. The LNG will be sup- Last month, B Grimm Solar measures, said the State Taxa- tional political adviser and plied to the company’s power Power 1 said the project was tion Administration (STA). chief economist with Shen- plants from 2022. 30 per cent complete, with the A senior STA official said the wan Hongyuan Securities Co She added that several commercial operation sched- administration will continu- Ltd said: “The tax and fee cuts global LNG suppliers have of- uled to begin in October. ally implement the tax and are pinpointed at easing the fered to sell to B Grimm. She In September, BGrim said fee cut policies to help small- difficulties faced by small and also said that it is too soon it is currently developing re- From January to April, total tax and fee reductions in China reached scale and privately-owned 906.6 billion yuan ($130 billion), including 485.7 billion yuan from the medium-sized enterprises to say which supplier the newable energy in Thailand, businesses offset economic newly launched measures. CHINA DAILY and private businesses due to company will purchase LNG Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, slowdown risks. the disruptions on industrial from, and that it is awaiting South Korea and the Philip- China reduced taxes and winds during the business contributions to basic old- chains or temporarily weak analysis from a consultation pines through 17 co-genera- fees by 2.36 trillion yuan last resumption process, the gov- age insurance, unemploy- market demand.” company. tion plants, 24 solar photovol- year, beyond the annual tar- ernment decided to reduce ment insurance, and work in- Yang called for strength- Preeyanart said that B taic farms, three hydro-power get of two trillion yuan, with or cancel value-added taxes jury compensation insurance ened efforts to put the tax and Grimm also hopes to clinch plants, one industrial waste- manufacturing and micro and for small-sized businesses. schemes, said the report. fee cuts into place, such as three merger and acquisi- to-energy project, and a die- small businesses being the Value-added taxes (VAT) All these measures will re- providing more policy expla- tion deals this year with a sel generation with a total ca- major beneficiaries. This year, on services, such as public sult in savings of more than nations, encouraging the de- total production capacity of pacity of 2,896MW. the target is to make further transportation, restaurants 2.5 trillion yuan for enter- velopment of intermediaries 300MW. Two of the three proj- The company is looking to tax and fee cuts of about 500 and hotels, tourism and en- prises this year, which is es- that aid qualified businesses ects are based in Thailand. expand investment in Malay- billion yuan, said the Govern- tertainment, and culture and timated at 2.5 per cent of the in obtaining the tax benefits, BGrim is confident that it sia, Cambodia, South Korea, ment Work Report for 2020. sports, will be exempted. total gross domestic product and ensuring the policy con- will meet the target of pro- and the Philippines by focus- Since the Covid-19 out- In addition, the civil avia- (GDP), said analysts. sistency among different lo- ducing 5,000MW in 2022, of ing on green energy such as break, the tax authorities have tion development fund con- That will be the nation’s cal governments. which 3,547MW is already wind, solar, and gas. launched new policies to cut tributions and port develop- most aggressive tax and fee As the efforts bear fruit, this under purchase agreements. In Vietnam, the company and exempt taxes and fees to ment fees will be reduced or cuts within four decades, ac- year’s bailout policy package In September, it said it had aims to expand the capac- stabilise employment, said cancelled. The share of em- cording to economists, which – with tax and fee cuts and set aside more than 38.5 bil- ity of its solar energy pro- the report. These policies, in- ployees’ basic old-age insur- will lead to a substantial measures to boost financing lion baht ($1.26 billion) for duction of Dau Tieng 1 and troduced early this year, are ance paid by enterprises will contraction in government’s to business at the core – is ex- the projects. Dau Tieng 2 with Dau Tieng due to expire by June-end, also be reduced. fiscal revenue this year. In pected to be effective in eas- In November, BGrim sub- 3. The Dau Tieng 3 plant will and will be extended till the The government will further the first four months, tax in- ing the burden of hard-hit en- sidiary B Grimm Solar Power have production capacity of end of the year. exempt micro, small, and me- come contracted by 14.5 per terprises, said Yang. CHINA DAILY/ 1 Co Ltd completed the ac- 120MW. THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA To counter further head- dium-sized businesses from cent on a yearly basis and the ASIA NEWS NETWORK quisition of Cambodia’s Ray NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World Turmoil at Trump threatens to deploy military Facebook if violence in states not contained over Trump S PRESIDENT tweet row Donald Trump vowed on Monday THE clash between Twitter and to order a military Donald Trump has thrust rival crackdownU on once-in-a- Facebook into turmoil, with generation violent protests employees rebelling against CEO gripping the US, saying he Mark Zuckerberg’s refusal to was sending thousands of sanction false or inflammatory troops onto the streets of the posts by the US president. capital and threatening to Some Facebook employees put deploy soldiers to states un- out word of a “virtual walkout” to able to regain control. take place on Monday to protest, The dramatic escalation according to tweeted messages. came a week after the death “As allies we must stand in the in Minneapolis of George way of danger, not behind. I will Floyd, an unarmed black be participating in today’s virtual man who was killed when a walkout in solidarity with the white police officer knelt on black community,” tweeted Sara his neck, leading to the worst Zhang, one of the Facebook civil unrest in decades in New employees in the action. York, Los Angeles and dozens Nearly all Facebook employees of other US cities. are working remotely due to the After being criticised for pandemic. his silence on the worsening “We recognise the pain many of crisis, Trump struck a martial our people are feeling right now, tone in a nationwide address especially our Black community,” from the White House gar- Facebook said in response to the den, as police fired tear gas AFP request for comment. on peaceful protesters out- “We encourage employees to side the fence. speak openly when they disagree “I am dispatching thousands with leadership.” and thousands of heavily Facebook was aware some armed soldiers, military per- workers planned the virtual sonnel and law enforcement Trump struck a martial tone in a nationwide address from the White House garden, as police fired tear gas on peaceful protesters outside the walkout and did not plan to dock fence. AFP officers to stop the rioting, their pay. looting, vandalism, assaults tear gas to clear protesters bishop Marian Budde said she son was shot dead in Louis- and pointed to heart disease. “Mark is wrong, and I will and the wanton destruction of outside the White House so was “outraged” at the church ville, Kentucky. A memorial for Floyd will endeavor in the loudest possible property,” said Trump. the president could walk visit, which she said Trump Floyd’s agonising death take place on Thursday in way to change his mind,” Ryan He slammed the previous across the street to the did not have permission for. was caught on bystander Minneapolis before his fu- Freitas, the design director of night’s unrest in Washing- two-centuries-old St Johns Thousands of people have cell phone video that shows neral on June 9 in Houston, Facebook’s News Feed, tweeted ton as a “total disgrace” and church, hit with graffiti and participated in the nation- policeman Derek Chauvin where he grew up. on Sunday, adding that he was called on governors to “dom- partially damaged by fire wide demonstrations against pinning him down with his But hundreds paid tribute organising about 50 other inate the streets”. during unrest on Sunday. police brutality and racism knee for nearly nine minutes, in Minneapolis on Monday employees who share his view. “If a city or state refuses to “We have a great country,” since Floyd’s killing. as the 46-year-old pleaded at the exact time he died one At the root of the discord is take the actions that are nec- Trump declared as he stood It was the most widespread for his life with the haunting week prior, forming a large Twitter’s unprecedented inter- essary to defend the life and before the church’s boarded unrest in the US since 1968 words: “I can’t breathe!” circle at the site of the killing vention last week when it tagged property of their residents, then up windows, held up a Bible when cities went up in flames Aleccia Wilson, a Univer- where they chanted, knelt two Trump tweets about mail-in I will deploy the US military and posed for photographs. over the slaying of civil rights sity of Michigan expert who and prayed. ballots with messages urging and quickly solve the problem The backlash was swift. icon Martin Luther King Jr. examined his body at the Floyd, 46, had been ac- people to “get the facts”. for them,” he said, denouncing Democratic presidential Many of the demonstra- family’s request, said: “The cused of trying to buy ciga- Zuckerberg reacted by telling “acts of domestic terror”. hopeful Joe Biden tweeted: tions have been peaceful and evidence is consistent with rettes with a counterfeit bill. Fox News that private social Despite the president’s “He’s using the American marked by moments of ca- mechanical asphyxia as the The autopsy revived de- media platforms “shouldn’t be rhetoric, Monday’s protests military against the Ameri- tharsis such as officers hug- cause of death, and homicide mands for the arrest of three the arbiter of truth of everything appeared largely peaceful in can people. ging tearful protesters and as the manner of death.” other police officers who that people say online”. Trump major cities, though some “He tear-gassed peaceful pro- marching or kneeling along- Hennepin County’s medical stood guard for Chauvin as retweeted the interview. looting was reported in New testers and fired rubber bullets. side them. examiner released its official Floyd lay dying. On Friday, Twitter responded York and Los Angeles. For a photo. For our children, Others have seen rage-filled autopsy calling the death a Chauvin has been charged once again to a Trump tweet, this However, during his ad- for the very soul of our country, clashes between protesters homicide caused by “neck with third-degree murder time after he used the platform to dress, law enforcement in- we must defeat him.” and police, and widespread compression”, although it had and is due to appear in court warn protesters outraged by the cluding military police used Washington’s Episcopalian property damage. One per- also said he was intoxicated June 8. AFP death at police hands of an unarmed black man that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts”. Twitter covered up the tweet with a message warning it “vio- lated Twitter Rules about glorify- Security chief says HK preparing for new law ing violence”. Viewers had to click on the message to see the under- HONG Kong Secretary for Security John training of the police to safeguard and some US politicians for their ver- affairs, said the spokesperson. On the lying tweet. Lee Ka-chiu on Monday said the city’s national security. bal attacks on the special administra- contrary, some politicians bear a great The message also was posted on government has started preparatory Most of the force’s work centres on tive region’s autonomy. responsibility for the grim situation in Facebook, but Zuckerberg decid- work to implement the national security maintaining public order, he said. US President Donald Trump Hong Kong today. ed to let it stand unchallenged. law for Hong Kong once it is enacted. Besides the case of banning the Hong announced last week that Hong Kong’s The spokesperson said: “Some US “I’ve been struggling with how In an interview with Hong Kong Kong National Party, a local political preferential trade status will be politicians who are hostile to China and to respond to the President’s newspaper Wen Wei Po, Lee said that group that advocated “Hong Kong revoked after US Secretary of State afraid of China’s growth are backing up tweets and posts all day,” he although the details of the national independence” in 2018, it has rela- Mike Pompeo claimed that Hong Kong and providing protection for the radical wrote on Friday in a post. security legislation have yet to be tively limited experience in handling no longer enjoyed a high degree of separatist forces in Hong Kong. “Personally, I have a visceral finalised, his department has started national security-related crimes. autonomy from China due to the “The future of Hong Kong is in the negative reaction to this kind of preparations to make available the Besides, the government will study upcoming national security legisla- hands of the 1.4 billion Chinese, divisive and inflammatory rhet- human and material resources for the other jurisdictions’ experience in tion for the city. including Hong Kong compatriots. oric.” law’s implementation. enforcing national security laws, and An office spokesperson said that The central government will safeguard But, Zuckerberg went on to say The goal is to guarantee sufficient formulate policies to facilitate the law’s safeguarding national security is the Hong Kong’s security and support its that “our position is that we manpower to conduct relevant work, implementation in the city, he said. top priority of all countries. The US development, and stand ready to should enable as much expres- establish a cross-departmental coop- On Monday, The Hong Kong and even abused national security to crack respond to any act that undermines sion as possible unless it will eration mechanism and select capable Macao Affairs Office of the State Coun- down on foreign companies. Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” cause imminent risk of specific personnel, he said. cil strongly condemned the US for The US authorities are not in a posi- the spokesperson added. CHINA DAILY/ASIA harms or dangers spelled out in Lee also disclosed a plan to beef up imposing sanctions on Hong Kong tion to comment on China’s internal NEWS NETWORK clear policies”. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Manila lifts lockdown but many stay home ILLIONS of Filipinos cases of Covid-19, bringing the na- living in Metro Manila tion’s total to 18,638. But it stressed opted to stay home on that only 119 were new and that the Monday, the first day rest were old ones that were validat- Msince the Philippines lifted one of the ed only recently. world’s strictest and longest coronavi- Health officials have drawn flak for rus lockdowns, as concerns over get- purportedly playing down the scope ting infected by a deadly coronavirus of the outbreak, with numbers that overpowered their desire to go out af- focus on just a few hundred “new” ter being cooped up for three months. infections and downplaying thou- Metro Manila transitioned from sands of “late cases”. enhanced community quarantine Sorsogon provincial governor (ECQ) imposed in mid-March to a Francis Escudero tweeted: “Please more relaxed general community don’t fudge the figures, fool your- quarantine (GCQ) from June 1-15. selves [and us too].” Jeff Sacramento, country head of Ano defended the DoH’s data, say- tech outsourcing firm Simplus Phil- ing the country had recently been ippines Inc, told The Straits Times: seeing fewer deaths due to Covid-19, “We’d rather wait for how things on and the healthcare system is no lon- the ground will shape up in the next ger overwhelmed with sick patients. two to four weeks.” “We have to look at the totality, not Globe Telecom Inc, one of the coun- just on one indicator,” he said. try’s biggest telcos, advised its non- Manila’s measures were among essential employees at its head office the world’s toughest, on par with to continue working from home till Metro Manila transitioned from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed in mid-March. phILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER those of the city of Wuhan where the June 15, said one staff member. former epicentre of the coronavirus Sacramento said his company had least eight trucks to ferry thousands 300,000 pesos ($6,000) per month. some understanding. We can’t just outbreak in China, and stricter than anticipated a public transport mess who were stranded on the roads. “That’s too expensive for us,” he said. open everything up. That will just curbs at the peak of the contagion in on the first day after restrictions The Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Sherryl Acosta, a senior executive bring us back to [a lockdown],” said Italy and in Spain. were lifted. which had over 500,000 passengers at a pharmacy firm, said her com- Secretary of Interior Eduardo Ano. It brought the Philippine’s econo- Although the government has a day before the lockdown, again pany had asked customer service Acosta said many of her compa- my to a sudden halt. allowed trains, buses, taxis, ride- rolled out its trains. representatives and patient coordi- ny’s employees were also wary they In easing the measures, President sharing services and motorised But it barred commuters from nators who had been working from could get Covid-19, the disease the Rodrigo Duterte sought to walk the rickshaws to again hit the road, it standing inside trains and covered home to return to their offices. Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus causes. fine line between protecting the has also curtailed their number and half the seats with plastic so that But most rely on public transport, “They are worried that after staying country’s over 107 million people limited their passenger load to just those sitting would be spaced at so they stayed home instead. “Most of home for three months and being safe, from Covid-19 while reviving the half their capacity. least a metre apart. That led to long them don’t take just one bus to work. they would suddenly get Covid-19 economy facing its biggest contrac- Over 180,000 jeepneys – repurposed queues at MRT stations. They have to ride a tricycle, then a when they go back to work and spread tion in more than three decades. jeeps that service thousands of kilo- Sacramento said his company had jeepney, then the MRT,” she said. the virus to their families,” she said. “This is his biggest gamble yet metres of inner and last-minute roads considered providing shuttle ser- Top officials running a task force Sacramento said he distrusts data because whatever happens, it’s on – are still barred from going out. vices for its workers, many of whom overseeing efforts to slow the spread from the Department of Health him,” University of Santo Tomas Commuters waited for buses for live in suburbs two hours away from of the coronavirus asked the com- (DoH) that show the coronavirus Political Science Professor Dennis long hours on Monday, often un- Manila by bus. muting public for patience. outbreak has been contained. “It’s Coronacion told ABS-CBN News. aware they were at non-designated But with over 160 employees, that “We are pacing the rollout of pub- too low,” he said. THE STRAITS TIMES (SINGAPORE)/ASIA NEWS bus stops. The army had to deploy at would cost the company at least lic transport, so we ask the public for The DoH on Monday reported 552 NETWORK WHO: Be We’re ready: Indonesian bike mindful of vulnerable taxis welcome ‘new normal’ AS THE Indonesian capital populations Jakarta is likely to end its large- scale social restrictions (PSBB) Continued from page 1 on Thursday, app-based motorcycle taxi (ojek) services medicines,” he said. are embracing the so-called Highlighting inappropriate “new normal” by preparing usage, he said there was an health measures for transport- “overuse” of antibiotics in There is an ‘overuse’ of antibiotics in some countries, while in low-income ing passengers. some countries, while in low- states, such life-saving medicines were unavailable, ‘leading to needless Under Health Ministerial suffering and death’. AFP income states, such life-sav- Decree No 9/2020 on PSBB ing medicines were unavail- planned treatments, a decrease People planning mass events guidelines, Greater Jakarta able, “leading to needless in available public transport should undertake a “very seri- administrations have since suffering and death”. and a lack of staff because ous, rigorous risk assessment”. early April prohibited app- Meanwhile, the WHO said health workers had been reas- Physical distancing remains a based ojek from transporting the prevention and treatment signed to Covid-19 treatment. very important aspect to con- passengers. However, such of non-communicable dis- The WHO warned about the trol and suppress transmission services have been available Greater Jakarta administrations have since early April prohibited app-based ojek from transporting passengers. AFP eases (NCDs) had been dangers of mass gatherings, as of Covid-19. This is not over for goods delivery. severely disrupted since the protests rage in the US and else- yet, she said. App-based ojek association “It is our initiative. The gov- remain prohibited in the new Covid-19 pandemic began in where over the killing of unarmed The novel coronavirus has Two-Wheel Movement Union ernment and app companies normal. The association had December, following a survey African American George Floyd, infected at least 6.2 million (Garda) said the drivers were do not provide the tools. even planned to stage a pro- of 155 countries. and as sports events begin a ten- people and killed more than ready to resume their services “As we produce the partition test for a revision to the decree “This situation is of signifi- tative resumption. 376,000 since the outbreak in the new normal. The asso- on our own, it will be made to in front of the Presidential Pal- cant concern because people “Mass gatherings have the first emerged in December, ciation has even been cam- order,” he said, indicating that ace complex in Jakarta. living with NCDs are at higher potential to act as super- according to a tally from offi- paigning for the use of a port- drivers had to pay to own the In response, ministry spokes- risk of severe Covid-19-related spreading events,” warned cial sources. able plastic partition to prevent partition. person Bahtiar Baharuddin illnesses and death,” it said. Tedros, highlighting WHO WHO emergencies director direct contact between drivers On Saturday, the Ministry of said the decree meant no pro- The survey, conducted dur- guidance designed to help Michael Ryan said infection and passengers on trips after Home Affairs issued a decree hibition for ojek, adding that ing a three-week period in organisers determine how such rates in South America were the suspension is lifted. on guidelines for its civil serv- the ministry had no authority May, found that low-income events can be held safely. “far from stable” following a “We want to make both pas- ants working in the new nor- in regulating ojek services. countries were most affected. The WHO was asked about rapid increase in cases. sengers and drivers comfort- mal phase, which drew criti- “[The decree] was more like Some 53 per cent of coun- the street protests in the US and Brazil, Peru, Chile and Mex- able,” kompas.com quoted cism from the app-based ojek a suggestion for our civil serv- tries reported partially or com- the fear that they could increase ico were among the 10 report- Garda head Igun Wicaksono as association. ants to be cautious in entering pletely disrupted services for the spread of the virus. ing the highest new number of saying on Saturday. “The parti- The decree suggests the min- the productive and safe new hypertension treatment. “With increasing social mixing cases in the past 24 hours. tion is made of a flexible mate- istry’s civil servants be extra normal. The figure was 49 per cent and people coming together, “Central and South America, rial so the driver can take it on cautious in using public trans- “[We’re suggesting health for diabetes treatment and particularly in areas if the virus in particular, have very much and off easily.” portation, especially ojek, to measures] especially for those related complications; 42 per is not under control, that close become the intense zones for The plastic partition, which avoid virus spread through who are [about to use] app-based cent for cancer treatment, and contact between people can transmission of this virus. is easy to clean, would be car- shared helmets and direct con- and conventional ojek because 31 per cent for cardiovascular pose a risk,” answered the organ- “I don’t believe we have ried like a backpack by drivers, tact between drivers and pas- of the shared helmets,” said Bah- emergencies. isation’s Covid-19 technical lead reached the peak in that trans- said Igun. It is equipped with sengers, in the new normal. tiar as quoted by kompas.com on The most common reasons Maria Van Kerkhove – stressing mission and, at this point, I a handgrip to avoid direct Ojek drivers were concerned Sunday, suggesting that civil for discontinuing or reducing that she was speaking about cannot predict when we will,” physical contact between driv- that the decree meant that servants wear their helmets. THE services were cancellations of mass gatherings in general. Ryan said. AFP er and passenger. transporting passengers would JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

Economic recovery inwww.phnompenhpost.com Laos www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng will be a long roadLy Tayseng Executive Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief Joshua purushotman Opinion Joshua purushotman Managing Editor Post Khmer Editorial Managing Editor Post Khmer Sam Rith Sam Rith Deputy Chief of Staff Deputy Chief of Staff phak Seangly CONOMIC recovery from Business Editor phak Seangly the damage caused by the May Kunmakara Business Editor Covid-19 pandemic is a huge Deputy Business Editor May Kunmakara challenge for every country. Sangeetha amarthalingam EThe global outbreak of the virus is Deputy Business Editor Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Sorn Sarath creating massive losses. It has pan Simala claimed thousands of lives and jobs, Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk Senior Reporters while services have been suspend- pan Simala Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng ed, and production and exports cur- Senior Reporters Reporters tailed worldwide. Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long Stronger action by governments to Reporters Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth prevent the spread of and control the Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Long Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung disease is the most effective way to Kimmarita, Khorn Savi, Hin pisei, Soth Sovanny, Thou Vireak, Ry Sochan protect populations. Governments Koemsoeun, Voun Dara, Sous Yamy,Soung Photographers are aware that the measures they Sovanny, Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea impose will impact businesses and Web Editor Ry Sochan people’s lives, but they must be com- Leang phannara Photographers plied with. Webmasters The pandemic has forced countries Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea to lower their predicted economic Web Editor SIEM REAP BUREAU growth rates after businesses, which Leang phannara Offi ce Manager are key to economic growth, have Webmasters Sophearith Blondeel been forced to suspend operations. Sous Chanthy, pang Vichea PRODUCTION & PRINTING This has particularly affected indus- SIEM REAP BUREAU Head of Desktop Publishing try and tourism and has slowed Offi ce Manager Nhim Sokphyrak imports and exports. Sophearith Blondeel Desktop Publishing As control of the outbreak builds Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath PRODUCTION & PRINTING public trust in authorities, some Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna Head of Desktop Publishing countries, including Laos, have Nhim Sokphyrak begun easing lockdown measures so An employee invites customers at an open air restaurant on the banks of the Mekong river in Vientiane. The resumption of business is not HEAD OFFICE that people can start to resume life as a cause for celebration, but a time of great challenge for operators in the wake of theirDesktop closure Publishing during the lockdown. afp normal and businesses can reopen. Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath Laos has relaxed measures in three time of great challenge for operators time to restore the business sector,Tep Thoeun it Thyda,businesses Tim Borith, Than and Veasna the economy is phases since the nationwide lock- in the wake of their closure during will slow economic growth, and the assistance from banks, tax relief, cuts Post Media Co, Ltd. down began on April 1. the lockdown. Those who have made two are interlinked. There will be HEAD few OFFICE- in electricity and water rates, and The Elements Condominium Level 7, The first restrictions were lifted from the decision to reopen need to bite er job opportunities which could lead support from other sectors. The gov- Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, May 3-18, which allowed some busi- the bullet and begin a fight for sur- to social problems such as mental ill- ernment has already announced that Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom nesses to resume operations and peo- vival, despite all the risks they face. ness and increased theft because peo- it will relax or postpone tax pay- Penh, Cambodia ple to go outside their homes. The In this situation, business operators ple are unable to earn an incomePost but Media Co,ments. Ltd. At the same time, the Bank of Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 second phase runs from May 18 to are faced with administrative costs still have many responsibilities. The Elementsthe Condominium Lao PDR Level has 7, advised commercial Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 June 1. More businesses and offices such as electricity bills and wages, It is expected that economic recov-Hun Sen Boulevardbanks, Phum and Prek financial Talong, institutions to SIEM REAP have been allowed to reopen, people while income falls far short of their ery in Laos could take two or threeSangkat Chakdevise Angre Krom, policies Phnom that Penh, will ease the bur- No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune can go to work, and inter-provincial needs. Some factories have few or no years or longer. This is not only Cambodia den on businesses. Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 travel has also been given the green SIEM REAP These forms of support are essen- light. But everyone must continue to COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT No 629, Streettial 6 Dangkum mechanisms Commune in giving businesses follow government guidelines on pre- An important factor in business the opportunity they need to rebuild. Chief Operating Offi cer Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 venting the spread of the virus. However, the authorities must James Ong Soon Teck COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT The third set of restrictions runs until revival is assistance from banks, urgently monitor the effectiveness of Advertising Department June 30. Businesses, factories, hotels, Chief Operatingsuch Offi cer measures to ensure that busi- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 Hun Channet, 017 578 768 shopping centres, public transport and tax relief, and cuts in electricity James Ong Soonnesses Teck are able to quickly resume prach Monnyreak, 012 123 7777 some schools are now opening and Advertising Departmentoperations and employ a large Keo puthy, 012 966 605 resuming their normal functions, and and water rates, among others Chap Narith, number017 996 241 of people to meet the needs phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 people in general are living life as usu- Hun Channet,of 017 the 578 production768 base. Jessa piastro, 092 445 983 al. But people are still concerned about orders because development projects dependent on the local situationprach but Monnyreak, In 012addition, 123 7777 the authorities must be CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION protecting themselves against the virus CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION are not in full swing yet, so they cannot also on external circumstances. As a prepared to cope with natural disas- Acting Distribution Manager Acting Distribution Manager and are avoiding going to places where fully reinstate workers. It is possible net importer, Laos’ economy is close- ters such as drought and possible Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 Thenh Rithy they may be at risk. that some newly reopened businesses ly linked with other regions. If the flooding in the rainy season. Many Circulation Supervisor Businesses are especially at risk, may face further temporary closures Covid-19 pandemic continues to ADMINISTRATION parts of the country are currently suf- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 and executives and business owners after they have been open for a while spread in surrounding countriesAdmin and & HR Managerfering from drought conditions. Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 have a lot of work to do to ensure and find they are making a loss. other regions, it will have an evenpich SocheatDrought and floods are a real threat ADMINISTRATION they survive this time of hardship. Of course, when businesses are una- greater impact on domestic produc-Assistants to andAdmin may & HR Managercreate further economic Admin & HR Manager When they do resume operations, ble to earn sufficient revenue or make tion for export, tourism, and airlinesNhel Soaphea hardship, which would mean it could pich Socheat they will likely have few customers or a profit, this has an impact on state in Laos because of the country’sFinancial over- Directortake even longer to get back on the Assistants to Admin & HR Manager orders. The resumption of business is revenue and the unemployment rate. seas connections. road to economic growth and pros- Heang Tangmeng Nhel Soaphea not a cause for celebration, but a It is a certainty that if it takes a long An important factor in the revival of perity. VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Financial Director Chief Accountant Heang Tangmeng Sren Vicheka Chief Accountant Treasurers Sren Vicheka Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Treasurers Cheam Sopheak Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, IT Manager Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary Seng Nak, Vong Oun IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun TO CONTACT US [email protected] TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com 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 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Japan city Weaving a way into Covid-19 battle aims to ban OME 250 women phone use weavers in Cambodia under the Maybank while walking Women Eco-Weavers t is a scene repeated the programmeS in collaboration world over – pedestrians with Colorsilk, a social busi- Iglued to their phones while ness for Cambodian weavers, walking, causing collisions and are aiming to produce more sometimes accidents. No more, than 110,000 hand-woven face says one Japanese city. masks made of pure cotton Officials in Yamato city, south- and silk to help limit the spread west of Tokyo, on Monday sub- of Covid-19 in the region. mitted a bill to the city assembly The initiative, which began to stop people from using their early this year, is also in sup- phones while walking. port of easing the pressure on “The number of people using the demand for surgical masks smartphones has rapidly in- which are primarily reserved creased and so have the number for medical professionals and of accidents” in the densely healthcare workers, as well as populated area, said city official to counter the increase in price Masaaki Yasumi. of face masks within the region. “We want to prevent that,” he To date, over 15,000 hand- said, adding that if passed, it would woven masks have been pro- be the first such ban in Japan. duced by the weavers, where- But Yasumi said there will be by 12,000 have been sold and no punishment for those unable 2,000 were donated to com- to tear themselves away from munities in Cambodia. their screens in the street. To date, over 15,000 hand-woven masks have been produced by the weavers. SUPPLIED In Cambodia, a single-use “We hope the ban will raise surgical mask could easily poor can do their part to help Touch Eng, a graduate train- more awareness about the cost as high as $1 per piece in each other in times of crisis. ee of the programme, said: “I dangers,” he said. Posters and a country where a large per- “It is also inspiring to see used to earn less than $30 as messages will inform citizens of centage of people live below the impact of our investments a farmer while others made the rule, expected to take effect the poverty line and earn be- in collective solutions for the more working at factories. from next month. tween $1.25 and $2 per day. communities we serve.” “Since I participated in the In 2014, research by Japanese The three-ply hand-woven Majority of the weavers are face mask project, I am thank- mobile giant NTT Docomo Inc cotton masks can be cleaned, graduates and trainees of the ful that I am able to earn be- estimated a pedestrian’s average reused and cost a minimum of Maybank Women Eco-Weavers tween $250 and $280 and sup- field of vision while staring down $0.65 and the silk woven masks programme, a Maybank Foun- port my country in combating at a smartphone is five per cent of are priced at $1.50 per piece. dation flagship programme the spread of the virus.” what our eyes take in normally. The masks come in both that promotes traditional El Ny, an experienced weaver The company ran a computer plain and a striped pattern textile in a sustainable man- of the same programme, said: simulation of what would occur known as krama, which is ner while creating economic “I am quite lucky to be able if 1,500 people used the hectic unique to the Cambodian independence and financial to secure my family’s income Shibuya pedestrian crossing in silk-weaving heritage. inclusion for women weavers during this challenging period. Tokyo while all looking at their Maybank Foundation CEO across Southeast Asia. “Many of the villagers who smartphones. Shahril Azuar Jimin was proud The face mask initiative also work in factories are strug- The results showed that two- of the programme’s effective- provides supplementary eco- gling because of the impact of thirds would not make it to the ness and the dedication dis- nomic opportunities for the Covid-19. other side without incident, with played by the weavers. weavers and Cambodia’s weav- “I am thankful that I can 446 collisions, 103 people being He said: “Amid the difficult ing communities in an effort to earn up to $320 per month knocked down and 21 dropping times we are all going through, ensure fair pricing and protect from this face mask project. their phones. it is heartening to see our weav- the welfare of the people. “My husband used to ques- The number of accidents be- ers going the extra mile, doing From this initiative alone, the tion my decision about work- tween people using phones while their part to contain the spread weavers are earning between ing as a weaver but now he riding a bicycle and pedestrians of the virus by producing these $200 and $350 per month. has given his full support.” is also increasing in Japan. handcrafted face masks. The weavers are also cur- The programme is currently In some cases, victims’ families “This momentous effort by rently receiving orders from running in Cambodia, Indo- demand up to 100 million yen ($1 them goes to show that any- countries such as Japan, In- nesia, Malaysia and Laos. THE A majority of the weavers are graduates and trainees of the Maybank million) in compensation. AFP one be it old, young, rich or donesia, the US and Taiwan. STAR (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Women Eco-Weavers programme. SUPPLIED Guggenheim is Spain’s first large museum to reopen BILBAO’S Guggenheim Muse- 27,000 lives in the country. taurants could open, along um was Spain’s first large muse- With the numbers of new with cinemas, theatres and um to reopen its doors as the cases and deaths slowing, shopping centres, although country further loosened its Spain began a gradual, staged with limited capacity. lockdown on Monday, with 70 transition out of the lockdown That day, several smaller per cent of the country enjoying which Prime Minister Pedro islands in the Canaries and the beaches and restaurants. Sanchez hopes will be com- Balearics entered the third and The titanium-clad museum, pleted by July 1. final phase during which bars a landmark in the Basque city During the rollback period, could fully reopen along with due to its curvy exterior museums can reopen to visi- casinos, zoos and other enter- designed by architect Frank tors at between 30 and 50 per tainment venues. Gehry, was opened on a cent of their normal capacity. The Madrid region and the reduced schedule of five hours But some of the biggest city of Barcelona, along with which will continue through- museums, such as Madrid’s Castile-Leon in the northwest, out June, its website said. Prado and the Reina Sofia, are still in phase one in which All museums across Spain have delayed their reopening only bar and restaurant ter- have been shuttered since the until June 6. races are open along with government declared a state of By Monday, much of the smaller shops and libraries. emergency in mid-March to population was enjoying the In this phase, hotels are also slow the spread of the virus, second phase of the rollback allowed to open but not their The titanium-clad museum was opened on Monday with a reduced schedule of five hours per day. AFP which has claimed more than under which beaches and res- communal areas. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle

The otters have been spotted hanging out by a shopping centre, scampering through the lobby of a hospital The otters’ more frequent forays onto the streets of Singapore are part of a global trend triggered by virus and even feasting on pricey fish stolen from a pond. AFP lockdowns. AFP S’pore otters’ lockdown antics spark backlash

INGAPORE’S otters, long They featured in a documentary sell for tens of thousands of dollars. group charging into the lobby of a chil- ily of smooth-coated otters, which adored by the city-state’s na- narrated by David Attenborough, Actress-turned-entrepreneur Jaz- dren’s hospital before being shooed have been searching for a new home ture lovers, are popping up are tracked avidly by the local me- reel Low, who owns the spa, posted away, and the creatures were also along the city’s rivers. Most of Singa- in unexpected places during dia – and have been spotted more pictures on Facebook of fish parts filmed frolicking in the empty streets pore’s otters are the smooth-coated theS coronavirus lockdown but their frequently since people were asked scattered around the pond and la- outside a popular shopping centre. variety, classified as “vulnerable”. antics have angered some and even to stay home and workplaces closed mented a “massacre”. The otters’ more frequent forays Fans believe people should be sparked calls for a cull. in April to fight the virus. “They probably realised that there onto the streets of Singapore are celebrating the return of an animal With the streets empty, the crea- “When there’s restriction of move- was nobody there and became more part of a global trend triggered by that was driven out of Singapore by tures have been spotted hanging out ment, there’s less vehicles and daring,” Low told entertainment virus lockdowns, with animals in- coastal development and water pol- by a shopping centre, scampering there’s less people, so the urban news website 8 DAYS. creasingly slipping cover to explore lution around the 1970s, and only through the lobby of a hospital and space opens up,” said N Sivasothi, The case sparked a debate about the streets of some of the world’s started reappearing in the 1990s as even feasting on pricey fish stolen a biologist at the National Univer- whether more should be done to biggest cities. waterways were cleaned. from a pond. sity of Singapore (NUS) known as stop otters rampaging through the “I simply don’t understand any- While many think of tiny Singa- “Otterman” due to his work on the city, with a widely discussed letter ‘Coexist and thrive’ one who could not like them. They pore as a densely populated con- animals. in a local newspaper calling for air Still, otter experts believe the an- are really cute,” said Pam Wong, a crete jungle, it is also relatively green But their newfound freedoms ap- horns and rubber bullets to be used ger is an overreaction and that the 35-year-old Singaporean. for a busy Asian city, and has patches pear to have emboldened the otters, as deterrents. creatures are likely just enjoying Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of rainforest, fairly clean waterways and they are now facing a backlash. “Wild boars have never been en- the extra freedom to venture to new weighed in on the debate on Friday, and abundant wildlife. couraged to enter urban areas, nei- places. posting a photo he took of otters be- There are estimated to be about ‘More daring’ ther should otters be just because The NUS’ Sivasothi criticised calls fore the lockdown on his Facebook 90 otters in Singapore, making up 10 The most high-profile incident was they look cute,” wrote Ong Junkai for a cull as “quite an uneducated account. families, and appearances at popular a raid on a pond at a spa shuttered in the correspondence to The Straits response”, and said such a move “Rather than being focused on pro- tourist sites around the city-state’s due to the pandemic. The creatures Times, which triggered calls from would be ineffective. tecting ‘territory’, we must find ways downtown waterfront have trans- gobbled several fish including an some for a cull. He also said many recent sight- to coexist and thrive with our local formed them into local celebrities. arowana, a prized species that can In other incidents, a video showed a ings were likely of the same fam- flora and fauna,” he wrote. AFP Drive-in UK care home visits for times of social distancing

THE cars snaking past the the US. around 13,500 care home bunting-adorned entrance of “Emotional, yeah, very deaths attributed to Covid- a British care home point to emotional. I just wanted 19 in Britain, although the an era when even cherished to hug them,” said Helen real number could be higher family visits have to be so- Hughes, daughter of one of because not all of those who cially distant because of the the residents. pass away get tested first. coronavirus. How difficult was it to resist The ONS has counted more Gracewell of Adderbury that urge to reach out and than 46,000 total fatalities in home for the elderly, in cen- hug? the UK “involving” the virus tral England, is trying out “Huge. Huge,” Hughes said. as of mid-May. drive-through family visits “I just want to hug them be- Gracewell manager Arlene to protect its vulnerable resi- cause they don’t understand Acuavera said her home has dents from the omnipresent what’s going on,” she said, been thankfully spared by the dangers of the new disease. trying to smile through the disease. The anxious visitors sit in pain of being forcibly apart “We are very, very fortunate their cars, smiling encouraging- from her mother. and lucky that we haven’t had ly at their loved ones, while the any residents or staff that are elderly, some of them in their ‘Hello my lovely’ positive with Covid-19,” she 90s, relax in comfy armchairs in Care homes have been rav- said with evident relief. the small driveway, soaking up aged by the virus across Eu- “We are maintaining that the warm spring sun. rope. through our infection control Gracewell of Adderbury home for the elderly, in central England, is trying out drive-through family visits to protect its vulnerable residents from the omnipresent dangers of the new disease. AFP They try to chat a little at The British government management,” the manager a safe distance, making the said on Friday that 6,182 – or said of the drive-through visits. ern Ireland – are each taking well are likely to continue for driving away and letting the best of a trying time in which 39.8 per cent – of the ones “We are just fortunate and slightly different approaches many more months. next family take its turn. families have been forced to in England currently had “a we keep on praying that it will to what might be allowed All of which leaves Britons “As soon as I got the ‘Hello live apart for over two months suspected outbreak of symp- continue until the end.” when. slightly perplexed but stoic. my lovely’, I knew he was while the government tries to tomatic or confirmed corona- Britain is now easing its way The new freedoms are laced “I think he enjoyed it. I do fine,” she said. “Because al- stamp out a virus that has of- virus”. out of lockdown, although with added danger, and so- think he enjoyed it,” said Ni- though he doesn’t remember ficially claimed more than Britain’s Office of National the four countries – England, cially distant visits like the cola Finch, a granddaughter a lot, he still recognises voices 39,000 lives – second only to Statistics (ONS) has counted Scotland, Wales and North- one adopted at the Grace- of one of the residents, after and things like that.” AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Dozens of fireworks displays erupted across Japan to cheer up a virus-worn public. AFP Fireworks explode in Japan to cheer public OZENS of fireworks been discussing what we can “For fireworks manufactur- displays erupted do in this society that has ers, the exit from the pandemic simultaneously been changed so much by the is far, far away,” said Ogatsu. across Japan on coronavirus”, and decided Hours before the show began, MondayD to cheer up the pub- to hold shows nationwide to Ogatsu’s staff carefully placed lic, urge the gods to end the cheer up the public, he said. their fireworks in metal launch- coronavirus pandemic and The pandemic has been ers at the Ookunitama Jinja provide practice for strug- particularly harsh for fire- Shinto shrine in Fuchu city, a To- gling pyrotechnic artisans. works producers who spend kyo suburb, as a gentle rain fell. More than 160 manufacturers all year making and testing The shrine held an elaborate launched their displays at pre- their crafts and now are un- prayer ceremony to bless the cisely 8:00pm local time at se- able to sell them because team and to tell the gods their cret locations across the country summer festivals have been wish for the virus to end. “VOWEL PLAY” for a five-minute display called called off, said Ogatsu, whose The crew also inserted written “Cheer up Hanabi”, using the family has run a fireworks messages praying for the end of ACROSS 52 Tokyo, once 19 Separate into groups of two Japanese word for ‘fireworks’. business in Tokyo since 1864. the pandemic into the fireworks. 1 Franklin stove fuel 55 ___-Wan Kenobi 24 Common sculpture In an era of social distanc- Artisans need to keep mak- At the shrine, Ogatsu’s team 5 Some bank deposits 56 “Incredible Hulk” actor Ferrigno 25 Moss source ing, the synchronised shows ing fireworks in order to main- fired 15 volleys into the sky, 10 Those other guys 57 Tall, biblically named plant 26 Obeyed “Down in front!” were designed to be long tain their skills. But they can which burst up to 70m wide in 28 Island discovered by Magellan 14 Black-and-white whale 60 Frequently visited places enough for people to rush to only keep a certain amount a cascade of colourful sparks. 30 Ear area 15 Gestation stations 63 Of the highest quality, informally balconies or doorsteps to see of gunpowder by law, forcing His company launched a total 31 Golf-hole start 16 Take, as testimony 64 Pigs’ hangouts them but too short for people them to search for ways to of nearly 100 fireworks from four 34 Freeway mishap 17 One way to create awe 65 Become acquainted to race to the launch sites. use their stock but avoid en- locations across eastern Japan. 35 ___-ski 20 Impermanent 66 Hounds With traditional summer couraging crowds. Ogatsu also included blue 37 Lushes 21 English 101 verb 67 High I.Q. group festivals cancelled due to the Even before the coronavi- sparks to show his apprecia- 38 Arthur, to Galahad 22 Birthday number 68 “Head ’em off at the ___!” coronavirus, fireworks arti- rus spelled the end for many tion for medical workers. 39 Follow behind 23 Fond du ___, Wisc. DOWN 40 Squeak-stopping application sans said they wanted to bring summer festivals, several “Of course I don’t think the 1 Actor who shares the lead 24 Traffic troubles 41 Bill’s partner in film adventures light to the skies during these fireworks displays had been coronavirus will disappear 2 Nicaraguan statesman 27 Summoned, as a servant 45 Worsted wools dark times. rescheduled or cancelled due with our fireworks. But we 3 Insight 29 Cast member 47 Window of an eye “Historically fireworks in Ja- to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. wanted to do this and hope 4 Desk accessory 32 Cultural underwriting org. 48 Residences pan have been launched to pray Now that the Games have something good will come out 5 “Kama ___” (Hindu love manual) 33 “Home of the brave” 49 Central points 6 “Odyssey” setting for the eradication of plagues been postponed until next sum- of it,” he said after the event. 51 Heavy literature 36 Lighter-than-air craft 7 Eye lewdly and to console the spirits of the mer, displays could be pushed “The very purpose of fire- 53 Backs, anatomically 38 Show displeasure, in a way 8 Cager’s long shot deceased,” said Tokyo crafts- back yet another year to free works is to bring out crowds 54 “Double Fantasy” artist Yoko 41 Jamaican liqueur 9 Half a dozen man Kouhei Ogatsu, 38. up resources such as security and be seen by people. But we 57 Put in the pot 42 Frequently, poetically 10 “Don’t even go ___!” “In the business we have guards for the sporting event. must not create crowds.” AFP 58 Opposed to, to Li’l Abner 43 Ten-millionth of a joule 11 Legal adverb 59 Kind of pump 44 Advertises 12 “Have some” 60 Type of ending or sack 13 Wife (with “the”) 46 Con artist’s work 61 Not-shabby link 18 D.C. dignitary Opera makes Vienna return 50 Fatalities 62 Skeptic or cynic follower with hotel ‘window concert’ Tuesday’s solution DESERTED by tourists, a hotel in Vienna gave itself a temporary one-night-only makeover, turning itself into an outdoor concert hall. The guest bedrooms, which have stood empty during the coronavirus lockdown, were transformed into opera boxes for an evening, and the hotel courtyard into a stage to cre- ate a rare moment of joy in Tuesday’s solution the city of music on Saturday. Two opera singers and a string ensemble were invited Singer Marika Medek performs at the Zeitgeist Hotel. AFP to play at the Hotel Zeitgeist. As they performed in the Paid bookings for the “win- Since mid-April, Austria has courtyard, the spectators dow concert” were sold out in lifted many of the restrictions looked on from the windows three days, said hotel director taken to combat the spread of of 40 or so rooms which they Andreas Purtscher. the new coronavirus but cul- had rented for the evening. He said the concert was in- tural life is still at a standstill And they approved, shower- tended to give the artists the because of the ban on gather- ing applause on to the head of opportunity to perform again ings of more than 100 people. the tuxedoed conductor and and “to help people get out The hotel plans to hold at his elegant soprano Monika and find a sense of normality least three more window con- Medek. in their contact with others”. certs before August. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Racing passes its exam on coronavirus return

Jockeys in England returned to the racetrack on Monday for the first time in over two months, albeit with social distancing measures in place and spectator-less stands. AFP

NGLISH horseracing’s in the paddock pre-race to “It was like the first day at a thinking of the mask as the “A mixture of being nervous “More will come back when resumption after observe social distancing reg- new school.” adrenalin was coursing and excited and then relief the rules are changed and being at a standstill ulations and there were no Leading jockey Andrea Atze- through you.” when we got the green flag to relaxed,” he said. for over two months spectators to either cheer the ni celebrated the return with a start racing,” he said. “But we are delighted we are dueE to the coronavirus pan- winners or heckle beaten winner and missed a double in ‘Nervous and excited’ “Then hugely emotional being starting on that journey of demic was like “the first day at favourites. the last losing out by a neck. Atzeni – who along with his ready over the past 24 hours and restoring British supporting a new school” said Mark Spin- The 22/1 outsider Zodiakos The 29-year-old Italian said fellow jockeys got changed in to reopen as the first racing life.” cer, managing director of the earned himself a little piece of the mask took some getting a public bar which had been meeting since March 17 . . . It was For bookmakers the return Racing Division of Arena Rac- sporting trivia in being the first used to. adapted so they could have incredibly important to get the to action at last had the phones ing Company (ARC). winner of the new look racing He said: “The mask covers their own space – said he had sport started for the 20,000 peo- ringing – bookmaker shops Racing is also the first main- scene. your mouth and nose and it not noticed the lack of specta- ple whose jobs rely on it. remain closed – after a very fal- stream sport to resume with Jockeys who were not riding was a very warm day . . . Having tors as Monday meetings rare- “Racing is back and we are low period. football set to follow on June had the rare luxury of sunning not ridden competitively for ly attracted a large crowd. privileged to be trusted to be Fitzdares Ltd CEO William 17. themselves sitting in the stand two months you need a bit “We will realise the difference the only track to have racing Woodhams said: “UK racing It was certainly a new look at where spectators would nor- more oxygen than usual. [no spectators] on Friday with on the first day.” was back with a bang . . . After Newcastle racecourse – one of mally have stood. “You felt it more when you the Coronation Cup at New- Spincer said ARC still had a today, We will be pulling staff 16 racetracks that ARC oper- Spincer said: “The atmos- were easing up after the finish market and the Guineas races lot of their staff on the British off furlough for the big week- ates – with jockeys, trainers, phere was strange having a and having pushed a horse for on Saturday and Sunday,” said government’s furlough scheme end action. stable lads and lasses sporting small amount of people here. the final two furlongs you Atzeni, who will bid to win the – which allows employees to “It’s a great honour for racing masks and having had to pass “Also strange was there was wanted a real blow of oxygen Coronation Cup for a second receive 80 per cent of their pay to be the first elite sport back temperature tests before being quite a lot of excitement from . . . It is not difficult to breathe successive year with Defoe. up to £2,500 ($3,100) per in the UK. All in all, a great start permitted onto the premises. those involved from the horse but it limits it. Spincer said the weekend month – largely hospitality and June is basically the Olym- Trainers and jockeys stood box drivers to the stable lads “However, to be honest when had been one of nervous staff from waiters to waitresses pics and World Champion- on designated white markers and lasses. the gates opened you were not anticipation. and cleaners. ships rolled into one.” AFP Leicester boss reveals family snubbed him over Celtic exit RENDAN Rodgers, Celtic, just couldn’t believe it. such a strong position. the manager of Eng- “I have relations that haven’t Rodgers said: “We had won the lish professional foot- spoken to me since the day I League Cup, eight points clear, ball club Leicester, left Celtic. and the team is in a good position claimsB he has been shunned “Because it meant so much in the Scottish Cup as well. If it by some of his family since to them. And if you carry on was one point, I couldn’t leave. quitting Celtic to return to the like that too much, you’ll nev- “But when I spoke with my Premier League. er do anything. staff and took the ultimate Former Liverpool boss Rodg- “But I had some unforgettable decision, I felt the team was in ers infuriated Hoops fans when memories at Celtic that will live a good place, there’s a mental- he left the Scottish champions with me for a lifetime, that I still ity now within the team and to take charge at the Foxes in think about now and I then came you feel, not just with hind- February last year. into my next experience.” sight, the club could continue With several of Rodgers’ rela- Celtic went on to clinch a – go and win the treble again. tives supporting the Glasgow third consecutive domestic “There will be fors and side, the 47-year-old has revealed treble under Neil Lennon in against that but ultimately you that he felt the cold shoulder the months after Rodgers left. have to be unsentimental in closer to home as well. The Northern Irishman football life because this is a Rodgers told the Beautiful believes his move came at the business. When you have to Game Podcast: “I had family right time for both himself and make decisions, you have to be who were just distraught I left Celtic because they were in unsentimental.” AFP Rodgers infuriated Hoops fans when he left the Scottish champions to take charge at the Foxes last year. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST june 3, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Spurs’ Popovich calls for change, dismisses Trump as ‘divisive fool’ AN Antonio Spurs change. And white Americans – police brutality, racial pro- coach Gregg Pop- have avoided reckoning with filing and the weaponisation ovich has called out this problem forever because of racism are shameful, inhu- US President Donald it’s been our privilege to be mane and intolerable. TrumpS for a lack of leader- able to avoid it. That also has “As a diverse group of lead- ship in the face of nationwide to change.” ers, we have a responsibility unrest set off by the killing of Popovich said that Trump to stand up and speak out for unarmed African American was “not just divisive. He’s a those who don’t have a voice George Floyd last week. destroyer”. – and to stand up and speak Popovich, a longtime “I’m appalled that we have out for those who don’t feel it critic of Trump, told weekly a leader who can’t say: ‘Black is safe to do so.” magazine The Nation that Lives Matter,’” Popovich said. ESPN reported that the unresolved issues of police “In the end, what we have is NBCA had established a com- violence and racism in the a fool in place of a president, mittee of current and former US had set the stage for the while the person who really coaches who will work with violence that has raged in nu- runs the country, Senator Mitch local leaders and law enforce- merous cities and towns for McConnell, destroys the United ment for change following three straight nights. States for generations to come.” Floyd’s death, which came

He said: “The thing what Popovich was among numer- after a white Minneapolis po- San Antonio Spurs basketball coach Gregg Popovich has been a longtime critic of the US president. AFP strikes me is that we all see ous NBA head coaches and as- lice officer knelt on his neck this police violence and rac- sistant coaches who signed a for several minutes. lawyer for Floyd’s family said Popovich has been tapped to “We are committed to working ism and we’ve seen it all be- statement from the National An official autopsy report an independent autopsy serve on the committee along in our NBA cities with local lead- fore but nothing changes. Basketball Coaches Associa- released on Monday by the found he died of asphyxiation with Atlanta Hawks coach ers, officials and law enforce- “That’s why these protests tion (NBCA) saying they felt Hennepin County medical from sustained pressure. Lloyd Pierce, former New York ment agencies to create positive have been so explosive. But duty bound to speak out for examiner in Minneapolis said “In other words, he was Knicks coach David Fizdale change in our communities. without leadership and an those who don’t feel they can. that Floyd died in a homicide murdered,” tweeted Golden and former coach Steve Van “We have the power and understanding of what the The statement said: “The involving “neck compression”. State Warriors coach Steve Gundy, reported ESPN. platform to affect change, problem is, there will never be events of the past few weeks That report came after a Kerr, who has along with The coaches’ statement said: and we will use it.”AFP RB Leipzig ‘back on course’ to win Champions League GERMAN professional football club RB Leipzig returned to third place in the Bundesliga with an entertaining 4-2 vic- tory at Cologne on Monday. Jhon Cordoba claimed the early advantage for the home side but Leipzig scored four in 37 minutes, including Timo Wern- er’s 31st in all competitions, to climb back above Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen in the hunt for a Champions League place. Leipzig’s managing director Oliver Mintzlaff told broadcaster DAZN: “We wanted the three Leipzig forward Timo Werner (left) puts a goal past Cologne keeper Timo Horn to make the score 3-1. pOOL/AFP points, we succeeded. But it is MMA fighter Angela Lee has urged social media users to think twice before they speak. AFP annoying that we fell behind post and the Colombian fin- League leaders Liverpool, early and wasted a few chances. ished from the rebound after raced clear in a rapid counter- “We are back on course for the seven minutes. attack and beat Horn with a MMA’s Angela Lee slams online Champions League which is our The sides were level 13 min- side-footed finish. goal, but the pressure is great. utes later as Schick headed Cologne hit back four min- Everyone has to go all in, be home Angelino’s cross to start utes later as Leipzig failed to bullying after death of TV star totally focused and focused.” the flutter of goals. clear outside their area and The hosts’ boss Markus Gisdol Things went from bad to Modeste curled home a shot. MIXED martial arts (MMA) fight- public eye will put a lot of whom they have never even made four changes from Wednes- worse for Gisdol’s men four Leipzig’s two-goal lead was re- er Angela Lee urged social media pressure on anyone,” wrote met,” she wrote. day’s loss at Hoffenheim, starting minutes later as Cordoba was established less than two min- users to “think twice before you Lee, 23, on Instagram. “Your words can uplift and Rafael Czichos in place of sus- forced off with an injury and utes later as Spain midfielder speak” after the death of a young “Now add people’s judg- heal someone but they can pended Sebastian Bournaauw, replaced by Anthony Modeste. Dani Olmo scored his first goal wrestler and TV star who was ments, criticism, ignorant also knock down and destroy red carded in the defeat. Leipzig’s took the lead eight since joining Leipzig in January targeted by online abuse. comments, hateful comments someone. Please, think twice Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann minutes from the break as with a curling shot of his own Lee, the ONE Championship . . . That’s enough to push any- before you speak. It could switched both his wing-backs Christopher Nkunku claimed from the edge of the box. atomweight title-holder, said one over the edge.” save someone’s life.” from Wednesday’s draw to his first goal since January. Substitute Modeste seemed to she wished she’d been able to Lee, who is of Korean Kimura’s last post on Insta- Hertha Berlin as Angelino, on Austria midfielder Konrad have won the chance to reduce help Hana Kimura, who ap- and Singaporean descent, gram was a picture of herself loan from Manchester City, Laimer played a clever ball the advantage with 18 minutes peared in Japanese reality show warned that harsh words and a cat with the message: “I and French youth internation- into the box and former Paris left but was denied a penalty by “Terrace House” on Netflix. can “destroy” lives, and said love you, have a long, happy al Nordi Mukiele started. Saint-Germain attacker video assistant referee (VAR) after Kimura, 22, died last everyone needs to be careful life. I’m sorry.” The home side took the Nkunku dinked his finish over Lucas Klostermann’s tackle. month in an apparent sui- when posting online. In South Korea, cyberbully- early lead as Cordoba poached the onrushing Timo Horn. With two minutes remaining cide, prompting calls in Ja- “I don’t understand why ing made headlines last year for his 10th home goal of the Leipzig went further ahead Modeste then wasted a one- pan for tougher measures people feel the need to when two female K-pop stars campaign. three minutes into the second- on-one with Peter Gulasci and against cyberbullying. spread negativity and ill committed suicide after fac- Midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj’s half as Werner, who has been Nagelsmann’s Leipzig held on “Constantly being in the wishes to another person, ing online attacks. AFP effort deflected onto the far linked with a move to Premier for three points. AFP