China's top legislator highlights sound ties with Cambodia during meeting with King

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English.news.cn

2010-11-05

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said here Thursday that his three meetings with the Cambodian King this year reflect the sound bilateral ties between the two countries.

"I have met your majesty three times this year, which reflects the high level of bilateral ties and the royal family's special friendship with China," Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, said during a meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

Wu said the Cambodian royal family has long attached high importance to the development of its ties with China and established sound personal relationship, as well as sound working relationship, with Chinese leaders of generations, making outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral ties.

As a good neighbor, friend and partner, China will, as always, support Cambodia's efforts in maintaining national unity, developing economy and improving people's lives, Wu said.

China respects the path Cambodia has chosen based on its realities and thanks Cambodia for its precious support for the issues related to China's core interests, Wu said.

"The purpose of my visit to the country is to enhance traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and upgrade legislative communications in a bid to push the all-round cooperative partnership for further development," Wu said.

Recalling his visit to the Shanghai World Expo on Oct. 1, King Norodom Sihamoni extended his warm congratulations to the great success of the Expo.

He said Wu's visit plays a significant role in enhancing and developing China-Cambodia friendship and cooperation.

Cambodia attaches high importance to its ties with China and is willing to further promote bilateral ties, the King said.

Wu arrived here on Wednesday for a 4-day official visit to the Southeast Asian country. Wu's arrival is the first of its kind in nearly 10 years for a Chinese top legislator to visit the country. He will also visit Indonesia and Thailand.

China, Cambodia sign 6.4-billion-USD deals on top legislator's visit

 via CAAI

English.news.cn  
2010-11-05

Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 4, 2010. China's top legislator held talks with Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- China and Cambodia on Thursday inked 6.4-billion-U.S. dollars deals ranging from infrastructure construction to energy exploration.

A total of 16 deals were signed after the hour-long talks between top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen late Thursday afternoon.

The package of deals covered such key areas of bilateral cooperation as infrastructure construction, water resources development, telecommunication technology and energy exploration among others.

In earlier talks, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, reviewed the smooth growth of China-Cambodia ties since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1958.

"Particularly in recent years, bilateral relations have developed rapidly," Wu said, highlighting strong trust, sincere cooperation and mutual support.

Wu underlined China's commitment to developing ties with Cambodia, labeling the southeast Asian country as a reliable neighbor, friend and brother.

Hun Sen said China's rapid growth benefited the people and helped lift the regional and world economy out of the downturn.

On the economic front, Wu said growing economic cooperation would add continuous momentum to bilateral relations.

Wu Bangguo (2nd L, sitting), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd R, sitting) attend a signing ceremony of documents on bilateral economic and technical cooperation and government-related cooperation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 4, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Wu proposed the two countries deepen agriculture cooperation, encouraging Chinese businesses to expand agricultural products trade with Cambodia and supporting Cambodia to upgrade its inspection and quarantine capability on agricultural products.

The top legislator called for stronger infrastructure construction cooperation, urging Chinese businesses to play a bigger part in Cambodian transportation, electricity and telecommunications construction.

Wu said Chinese financial institutions would like to provide financial support, calling for both sides to explore new ways of finance.

He also pinned hope on stronger investment and industrial cooperation, appealing for faster construction of a special economic zone at Sihanouk Port, which Chinese businesses got involved in building.

Hun Sen agreed with Wu, saying the two countries should work more closely in agriculture, infrastructure, economic zone construction and resources development.

Hun Sen reaffirmed Cambodia's adherence to the one-China policy, saying Cambodia banned any forces from separating China.

Both Wu and Hun Sen agreed that the international situation was undergoing profound changes, saying the two countries should step up cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and east Asian cooperation.

Earlier Thursday, Wu also met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and legislative leaders.

Wu arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday afternoon. Cambodia is the first leg of Wu's three-nation visit to Southeast Asia, which will also take him to Indonesia and Thailand.

Wu Bangguo (4th R, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, holds talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (5th L, front) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 4, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press

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Cambodia and China Become Strategic Partners

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia and China have expressed their congratulations on the rapid development over the bilateral relations and all-round cooperation in recent years, Cambodian Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith told the media upon the meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and visiting Chinese top legislator H.E. Mr. Wu Bangguo at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

H.E. Khieu Kanharith who is also spokesman for the Royal Government of Cambodia further told the press that H.E. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, has underlined China’s commitment to developing ties with Cambodia, labeling Cambodia as a reliable neighbor, friend and brother.

H.E. Wu Bangguo proposed the two countries to further deepen on agriculture cooperation, encouraging Chinese business to expand agricultural products trade with Cambodia and supporting Cambodia to upgrade its inspection and quarantine capability on agricultural products.

The top Chinese legislator called for stronger infrastructure construction cooperation, urging Chinese businesses to play a bigger part in Cambodian transportation, electricity, telecommunications construction and expressed his hope on stronger investment and industrial cooperation and appealing for faster construction of a special economic zone at Preah Sihanouk Port, which Chinese businesses got involved in the construction.

H.E. Wu Bangguo also thanked Cambodian government, particularly Premier Techo Hun Sen’s stance over the South China Sea crisis, in which Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has opposed to any attempt for the internationalization of the issue.

In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen agreed with H.E. Wu Bangguo, saying that the two countries should work more closely in agriculture, infrastructure, economic zone construction and resources development.

The Cambodian premier also reaffirmed Cambodia’s adherence to the one-China policy, saying that Cambodia banned any forces from separating China.

Following their meeting, the two leaders have also witnessed a singing ceremony for 16 deals between the two countries.

Earlier Thursday, the Chinese top legislator was also granted a royal audience by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, and met with Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim and National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin.

H.E. Wu Bangguo who is accompanied by his spouse and other entourages arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday afternoon for a four-day official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin. --AKP

(By KEO Chandara)

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PM Receives ICBC and BOC Chairmen

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received here today Mr. Jiang Jianqing, chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).

In the meeting, Mr. Jiang said his bank has been conducting a study to open an ICBC’s branch in Cambodia because, he explained, Cambodia is China’s good friend and neighbor, Ieng Sophalet, assistant to the Cambodian premier told reporters after the meeting.

ICBC has so far established its branches in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, Mr. Jiang said, adding that the upcoming ICBC’s branch in Cambodia will provide credits to hydro-power field, in which many Chinese companies have invested and to other fields as well in order to contribute to Cambodia’s development.

In reply, the Cambodian prime minister welcomed and encouraged ICBC to open a branch in the country because, he said, Cambodia-China cooperation in the future as well as now will advance incessantly.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen further asked ICBC, once being present in Cambodia, to consider providing support to companies investing in agricultural field.

On the same day, the Cambodian premier also met with Mr. Li Lihui, chairman of the Bank of China (BOC).

Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked BOC for providing loans to Royal Group, a private company. He said private sector is a major force pushing Cambodia into development. He thus urged BOC to continue its support to other private companies, particularly those investing in agricultural field. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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Spouse of China’s Top Legislature Chairman Appreciates Cambodia’s CRC President

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Mrs. Zhang Ruizhen, the spouse of H.E. Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, expressed strong appreciation and compliment at the work and merit in humanitarian activities of Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen, president of Cambodian Red Cross (CRC).

Mrs. Zhang made the expression during a talk with the Cambodian CRC president on Nov. 4, 2010 in Phnom Penh.

In reply, Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen expressed deep thanks to the Chinese people and government for their assistance to Cambodia, especially in improving and building many kinds of infrastructures including roads, schools, bridges, etc.

The CRC president attributed the achievements to increasing, good cooperation between both countries.

Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen also extended profound thanks to the Chinese government for providing medical and health cares for the Cambodian King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. --AKP

(By Théng)

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Cambodia Hosts 6th Meeting of Anti-Corruption Body under ASEAN Framework

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia hosted on Nov. 4 the 6th annual meeting of the ASEAN member countries, the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on “Preventing and Fighting Corruption” at Apsara Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap province.

The meeting, scheduled to be concluded today, is aimed at sharing mutual experiences in fighting corruption among nine ASEAN member countries (Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), according to a spokesman for the National Council of Anti-Corruption. --AKP

(By LIM Nary)

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Malaysia Airlines Steps Up Partnership with Cambodia

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Malaysian airlines has increased its routine flights to Cambodia due to higher demand from passengers, Chinese News Agency Xinhua quoted a statement released Thursday by Société Concessionnaire des Aéroports (SCA), which overseas airports in Cambodia.

“When flight MH 762 touched down at Phnom Penh International Airport on Nov. 3 at 15:59, it marked a new milestone in the partnership between the airport and the Malaysian carrier,” it said in the statement.

With the addition of two new weekly flights to its scheduled daily operations between Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh, Malaysian Airlines is showing its confidence in the traffic growth potential between the two countries, it added.

Passenger on board of the B737-800 (166 seats) were received and greeted by representative from both SCA & Malaysia Airlines.

The additional flights operate on Wednesday and Saturday, with arrival time at 16:10 pm and departure time at 17:10 pm.

Nicolas Deviller, CEO of SCA, the developer and operator of Cambodia’s international airports said, “Malaysia Airlines is the first airline that started operating at Phnom Penh International Airport when the country just reopened to the world in 1992.”

“We have built very strong relationships since then and they keep on growing. Today is a significant evidence of them,” he added.

Abdul Karim Md. Isa (Area Manager Cambodia) at Malaysia Airlines declared that “the growing market demand for the route prompts the airline to introduce additional frequency from 7 per weekly to 9 per weekly.”

Malaysia Airlines also operates three weekly flights between Siem Reap and Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. --AKP

Logger trio detained in Thailand

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:04 Tep Nimol

THREE Cambodian men have been arrested in Thailand on charges of illegal logging after crossing into Thai territory with logging equipment and guns.

Dy Phen, chief of the Thai-Cambodian Border Relations Office in Banteay Meanchey province, said the men were arrested on Wednesday in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, adjacent to Thmar Pouk district in Banteay Meanchey. Four men travelling with the trio subsequently escaped back to Cambodian territory, he added.

“Thai authorities found them with about 50 AK-47 bullets, no passports and equipment for cutting wood in Thailand,” Dy Phen said.

Dy Phen said Cambodian officials had attempted to negotiate the release of the three men yesterday, but without success.

“It is because of their poverty that they are forced to go to Thailand to cut wood without thinking about their security,” he said.

More than 20 Cambodians have been injured or killed by Thai troops since 2008 while logging across the border, according to local rights group Adhoc.

Meanwhile, five Cambodian men from Stung Treng province’s Siem Pang district were arrested by Laotian authorities for illegally crossing the border, Siem Pang district governor Sy Soun said yesterday.

“They did not do any illegal logging in Laos, but they walked past the Cambodian border to Laos while they were looking for fish and taking care of their buffaloes,” Sy Soun said.

The men have been detained at a prison in Laos’s Champasak province so that Laotian authorities can “reeducate them and wait for a resolution between Laotian and Cambodian authorities to release them”, he added.

Charges laid over multiple murders

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:04 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea  

KANDAL provincial court yesterday charged two suspects in connection with the murder of three women on the final day of Pchum ben festivities in Tahkmao district last month.

The three victims, all women, were found shot dead on the morning of October 9 in a the Bopha Kampoul Phnom Restaurant and Coffee shop adjoinging their home.

They were identified as 47-year-old Sok Koeu, her daughter, 24-year-old Seng Muoy Kea, and a 17-year-old waitress whom police would not name.

Provincial prosecutor Ouk Kimseth said yesterday that the court had officially charged Sok Koeu’s 44-year-old nephew Sok Seng, and former soldier Toan Sarom, 30, with intentional murder. Both men are serving pretrial detention at Kandal provincial prison.

“Our investigations are ongoing,” he said.

Iv Chamroeun, the provincial police chief, said that police were still on the hunt for a third suspect: Bun Vuthy, 27.

He said Sok Seng was arrested in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district, and Toan Sarom was arrested in Kandal’s Ang Snuol district. Both men were arrested on Wednesday.

“According to our investigation and from the testimony of the suspects, Sok Seng killed his aunt, her daughter and the waitress after Sok Koeu did not give him US$2,000 to borrow,” he said.

He said, according to the confession from Sok Seng, that the trio went to visit his aunt to request the loan on October 8, which was approved by her daughter, but who said she would have to wait for her mother to return from the markets. However, when Sok Koeu returned to the house she refused the loan.

“Sok Seng then asked his colleagues, who were waiting outside, to rob her,” he said.

They then tied up all three victims and demanded the money, but Sok Koeu refused though she had $10,000 hidden under her mattress.

Sok Seng then used Toan Sarom’s gun to shoot all three women in the head, before the men fled the scene on motorbikes and making off with “some cash and jewellery”.

“We already know Bun Vuthy’s identity, and we are continuing to seek his whereabouts,” Iv Chamroeun said.

He said Sok Seng had previously served a total of 15 years in prison after being found guilty of murder in Kampong Speu province. He was released from Prey Sar prison last year.

NEC dismisses vote-list deceit case

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:03 Meas Sokchea

THE National Election Committee ruled yesterday that three people accused of being illegal Vietnamese immigrants have the right to vote, rejecting a complaint from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party their names were fraudulently placed on voter lists.

In a two-hour hearing at NEC headquarters, Tep Chan Sokheya, an SRP councilor in Prampi Makara district, said the three – named as Phang Mifan, Kang Tong and Kang Seng – were placed on voter lists despite being illegal migrants.

She alleged the trio had rented a house from her for around 10 years, during which time they spoke Vietnamese among themselves.

“At that time, I knew that their family was Vietnamese,” Tep Chan Sokheya told the NEC. “I then told the commune chief not to allow them to register to vote.” Their names were registered on the electoral roll in 2006, she added.

After her attempt to have their names removed was ignored by O’Russey III commune authorities in 2007, she filed a complaint to the NEC last month seeking further action.

However, NEC president Im Suosdey threw the complaint out, arguing that the three had enough documents to prove they were Cambodian citizens.

“The argument of Phang Mifan, Kang Seng and Kang Tong, who said that they have the right to register to vote, conforms to the argument of the [district] council president, so the NEC must consider it,” he said.

“In fact, the three individuals have enough documentation, especially birth certificates showing that the three individuals are Khmer.”

O’Russey III commune chief Buoy Kosal testified that the authorities allowed the three individuals to register to vote based on their nationality documents. “When they have birth certificates, the clerk must register their names. We can’t sleep and consider it,” he said.

Koul Panha, executive director of local election monitor Comfrel, said the authorities had mistakenly issued Cambodian birth certificates to Vietnamese immigrants in order to give them the right to vote.

“The NEC and the authorities should control this properly,” he said. He recognised, however, that a significant number of ethnic Vietnamese had a legitimate right to vote, though Comfrel did not have a specific number.

Court charges woman with fraud and forgery

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:03 Chrann Chamroeun

PHNOM Penh Municipal Court yesterday heard the case against a 39-year-old businesswoman charged with fraud and forging private documents, after being accused of cheating the daughter of a CPP official out of more than US$1 million.

Oeung Rithea, was detained in April following a complaint filed to the Ministry of Interior by Chea Chamroeun, a Cambodian People’s Party representative in Kandal province and the dean of the Chamroeun University of Poly-Technology.

The complaint accuses Oeung Rithea of not repaying the $1,090,500 they lent to her to invest in six markets in Takeo, Kampong Chhnang, Kampot and Kratie provinces.

It also accuses her of spending an unspecified amount of the funds on purchasing a house and other items for herself.

The accused told the court that she had borrowed money from Chea Chamroeun’s wife, daughter and relatives to make investments, but claimed the amount was closer to $450,000.

“I didn’t receive all of the money, and it was not the $1,090,500 as it is claimed,” she told the court.

But Chea Chamroeun’s lawyer Touch Chhay told the court that a contract thumbprinted by the defendant proved that she borrowed the entire amount.

“The sum dates back to 2007 and is hard evidence that has already been copied for court officials,” he said.

Oeung Rithea later acknowledged the contract, but claimed that she falsified the amount to fool her husband during divorce proceedings.

She also acknowledged forging the thumbprint of Chap Bun Ravy, Chea Chamroeun’s daughter and co-director of a new market in Kratie, in a letter which stated that Chap Bun Ravy would attend a meeting regarding the market and which she submitted to the director of the provincial financial department.

“I forged the document out of fear that the [Kratie] market would face closure,” she said.

The complaint letter requests repayment of the amount in full and $3 million in compensation “for repairing our reputation, dignity and for wasting our time”.

Oeung Rithea faces between one and five years in prison for each charge and a fine of between 1 million riels (US$237) and 10 million riels if found guilty of forging private documents.

A verdict is scheduled for November 18.

Garment protests hit Sihanoukville factory

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:03 Mom Kunthear and Sen David

More than 600 factory workers protested in front of the PY garment factory in Sihanoukville’s Number 4 district yesterday, demanding better working conditions and approval for their fired union leader to return to work.

“We won’t come back to work until our union leader is allowed to work and the company has to obey the job conditions,” he said.

Workers asked the company and the provincial department of labour to guarantee 12 basic working conditions in addition to allowing their union leader to return.

Moe Piseth, the union leader, said the garment company “discriminated and abused” his and other workers’ rights, and fired him without cause.

Yov Kemera, director of the provincial labor department, said the company had agreed to some of the working conditions in talks with worker representatives but “could not accept” the return of the union leader, who they say was fired for cursing the manager.

Meanwhile, in Kampong Chhnang province, five workers from the M&V garment factory say they plan to file a complaint against the factory owner for the unwarranted loss of their jobs.

One of the workers, Chan Sovan, said the five met yesterday to discuss complaining to the director of the provincial Labour and Vocational Training Department because the owner “called us in for thumbprints … and told us we were fired from work”.

Sok Samphorn, director of the factory’s computer section, said the workers elected to quit on their own after getting angry with their boss.

“I told them to think before they decided to stop, but they did not listen to me or the factory owner,” he said.

Suspected activists in Pursat return home

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:03 Mom Kunthear and Sen David

Two village representatives in Pursat province returned home yesterday after spending three days in the wilderness to evade police over their role in a protest against a local developer.

Heng Pai and Bi Born said they returned to Sangkum Thmey village, in Veal Veng district, after a local rights group said they wouldn’t be arrested for their suspected role in the organisation of a protest against the MDS development firm.

Heng Pai said that 40 police officers arrived at his home earlier this week, and accused him of “persuading the residents” to protest on Monday against the company. Out of fear, he and Bi Born fled for three days.

Heng Pai said that the development firm’s encroachment would affect 85 families and up to 950 hectares of land, and that the firm was planning on building a casino and potato factory.

Chhin Ly, a deputy governor of Veal Veng district, said that authorities would “negotiate with the company over whether the affected families must be displaced or not”.

Sambok Chab evictees in Dangkor receive 25 houses

Photo by: Sovan Philong
Wun Hak, 56, does chores yesterday in her new house at Andong Thmey village, Korkroka commune, Dangkor.

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:03 May Titthara

RESIDENTS of Andong village in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district – who were evicted from their homes in Chamkarmorn district in 2006 – received 25 additional houses from a local NGO during a ceremony yesterday.

Hay Hoeun, president of the Andong Thmey community, said this was the eighth such instance of relocated residents receiving homes, and that more than 50 homes in total had been built to date by the People for Care and Learning, a United States-based NGO.

“We are working step by step; we cannot give all the families new homes at one time,” he said. “Other people have to wait for the next step.”

He said that there were a total of 1,554 families who were evicted from their houses at the Sambok Chab community in Chamkarmorn district’s Tonle Bassac commune.

Of those, only 224 families have received houses, and that local authorities have so far set lots for 444 families in total.

“We have three hectares of land set aside for those families, and each family gets a plot of land measuring four-by-six metres,” he said. “Other people are waiting for land.”

Andong village chief Sok Cham said people in the area were facing difficulties and had only been able to build temporary homes as they waited to accept housing from municipal authorities and local NGOs.

“We are very glad our people have received suitable houses for living,” he said.

Jennifer Tollefson, a representative of People for Care and Learning, said the NGO planed to build another 50 homes for the community.

“We are very excited about this project and the opportunity to help serve the families in this community,” she said by email.

More than 1,000 police officers, many of whom were armed and wearing riot gear, descended on the Sambok Chab slum, known as the “birds nest”, in June 2006 to evict the families, who were sent to Andong village in Dangkor’s Trapang Krasang commune, located some 25 kilometres from the city centre.

They were removed by Phnom Penh authorities on behalf of local developer, Sour Srun Enterprises, who bulldozed the area for re-development.

Villagers allege firm worsened flooding

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:03 Chhay Channyda

AROUND 100 families from Banteay Meanchey province are demanding compensation from a business they have accused of closing flood-prevention gates during torrential rains last month, resulting in widespread damage to villagers’ crops.

The complaints come from residents of Tuol Pongro commune in O’Chroy district and Poipet town’s Nimit commune. They have been levelled against Anco Brothers Co Ltd, a company that runs a water treatment facility in Poipet.

Saing Ban, a villager from Tuol Pongro commune, said the floodwaters haven’t yet drained away because the company has shut the water gates to a drainage system. He said the company is trying to retain the water for its water treatment facility.

“I need compensation for the damages done to my rice fields, either in the form of rice crops or cash,” said Saing Ban.

He said five water gates had been closed for four days, locking in floodwaters and damaging around 100 hectares of rice fields in Toul Pongro.

Anco Brothers could not be reached for comment yesterday. But Toul Pongro’s Commune Chief Tim Monn said that while rice fields had been damaged by heavy rains, water levels had receded 10 days prior, and that the company was not responsible for any damages.

“The flood was caused by simple rainfall,” said Tim Monn. “No company has touched the water gates.”

The affected villagers say they plan to file a complaint against the company with local rights group Adhoc.

Controversial NGO granted three new villages

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Tep Nimol

Preah Vihear provincial authorities plan to register three new villages on land granted via social concessions to a local military battalion and an NGO that has been accused of an array of rights violations.

Provincial Governor Om Mara said on Tuesday that he had submitted a letter to the Ministry of Interior earlier this year that sought permission to register the new villages.

“It is nothing strange for this area to be divided into small villages,” he said, adding that such policies “strengthen the national administration system” by bringing remote villages under provincial governance.

Two of the villages – which are to be renamed Phum Koul 8 Bun Rany Hun Sen village and Phum Stoeung Kheuv Decho Hun Sen village – had already existed unofficially on land granted to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Battalion 82.

Meanwhile, a village to be renamed Phum Vihearthor Samdech Decho Hun Sen already existed within a 556-hectare area of land granted to the Drugs and AIDS Research and Prevention Organisation, a local NGO that has been accused by local residents and rights groups of ongoing abuses including land-grabbing, rape, violence and intimidation.

Om Mara said the naming of the villages was a common way to “show love and respect” to the prime minister, but noted that the Interior Ministry had not yet officially approved a sub-decree recognising them.

Moul Mab, Kantuot commune chief in Cham Ksan district, said that Battalion 82 had conducted a census of more than 500 families in the two villages on its land, while DARPO officials had conducted a census of more than 400 families in Phum Vihearthor Samdech Decho Hun Sen village.

Pen Loem, a one-star RCAF general and director of DARPO, said that 498 families had been registered during the census, which was forwarded to the provincial authorities on Monday.

However, Sam Duong, a villager from the future Phum Vihearthor Samdech Decho Hun Sen village, said he had not been questioned for the census, but said that local officials had informed him of the new village name.

Chan Soveth, a senior investigator at the local rights group Adhoc, welcomed the establishment of the new villages, which he said could mitigate land disputes in the area, but warned that ongoing protests and complaints against DARPO regarding rights violations would likely continue.

Create some flower power

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Post Staff

THE use of flowers and bouquets for the bride and bridal party, the reception and even the bridal car are becoming more and more important in Cambodian wedding planning and one of the main thoughts is to carry a theme throughout the entire day with the floral arrangements.

There is nothing lovelier than a reception venue decorated in the same theme as your bridal bouquets. Many reception venues will include flowers in their packages and make sure they will fit in with what you are having in your bouquets and that they will suit the style of wedding you have selected.

Your reception venue will be happy to arrange all your floral needs and follow your ideas and stay within a budget that will provide colour and creativity to your special day.

Flowers and floral arrangements can be quite a large part of the wedding budget so look at cost effective options and there are some which still have a stunning effect such as adding floating candle bowls with the accompanying flowers from your bouquet at the reception; vases filled with your favourite blooms; the simplicity but romance of rose petals scattered over the tablecloths or placing an individual flower next to each table place card setting.

Be creative, colourful and romantic and if you choose wisely you can keep within a reasonable budget.

Oar and order

Photo by: Pha Lina

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Uong Ratana

Rowers of Dangkor commune boat Komsan Choulasa put their all into a practice session yesterday on a Choeung Ek pond using stationary split logs in place of their racing craft. Previously, the Water Festival, or Bon Om Tuk, drew two million visitors to Phnom Penh for the boat races and festivities but due to the global economic crisis last year, official estimates put the number at a million. Expect that figure to balloon in 2010.

Police Blotter: 5 Nov 2010

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Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Sen David

Police nab six women for playing cards

Six housewives were arrested on Tuesday for playing cards “almost every day” in Kandal’s Ang Snuol district. Police said they always played cards when their husbands went to work and never took care of their children or cleaned their houses. Police said that they were “Cambodian women, and they should not do this”, and that this “is not the first time” they have been caught playing cards. Police captured them and released the women after “educating them”.

KAMPUCHEA THMEY

Big house goes up in flames; looters beware

A fire damaged a “big” house in Banteay Meanchey’s Serei Sophoan town on Tuesday. Police said the blaze was caused by an electrical fault in the house, and said it was lucky the fire didn’t spread to neighbouring homes. The fire apparently started after the victim fell asleep, but awoke and immediately screamed for help. Three fire trucks were used to extinguish the fire, and the victim said he “lost a lot of properties”. Police are now guarding the house to protect the victim from looters.

KAMPUCHEA THMEY

Moto thieves nabbed after “so many” crimes

Police in Kampong Cham city on Monday arrested three suspects accused of committing robbery “so many times”. Police said they were arrested following a long investigation, claiming they had “so much proof” that showed clearly that they had stolen motorbikes in the past. Moreover, the suspects bragged about stealing the bikes “so many times”. They were sent to court for questioning. Police have now appealed to anyone who had a bike stolen to retrieve one from the police station.

KOH SANTEPHEAP

Two men arrested for robbing local pagoda

Two men were sent to Takeo court on Monday after being accused of stealing money from a pagoda in Trang district. Police said the suspects were arrested following a complaint filed by the pagoda’s chief abbot. The abbot said after he returned from a trip to Phnom Penh, he discovered a money box was broken and emptied. Police arrested two men, who denied the allegations but had wads of cash in their pockets. They were sent to court where they finally confessed their guilt.

KAMPUCHEA THMEY

Mentally ill farmer hangs himself in field

A 46-year-old farmer hanged himself in Battambang’s Moang Russey district on Tuesday following an argument with his wife. His wife said they had quarreled over his constant drinking. Angered, he left the house and hanged himself out in the fields. Police said the man was “mentally ill”, and that the victim “really killed himself”.

RASMEY KAMPUCHEA

The Phnom Penh Post News in Brief

via CAAI

Taiwan drugs confession

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Chrann Chamroeun

Two Taiwanese men confessed in Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday that their attempt to smuggle heroin out of the capital was the result of a deal they struck at Naga Casino. Lui Kou Wen, 41, and Yang Chun, 24, were arrested in August 2008 after police found nearly 500 grams of heroin wrapped in plastic bags around each of the men’s thighs at Phnom Penh International Airport. They were charged with cross-border drug smuggling. Presiding Judge Duch Kimsorn said a verdict will be announced on November 17.

Anticorruption summit

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Thik Kaliyann

A regional anticorruption summit kicked off yesterday in Siem Reap, hosted by the Kingdom’s newly established Anticorruption Council. The sixth annual Southeast Asia Parties Against Corruption concludes today. Deputy Prime Minister Bin Chhin called the meeting “a great opportunity … to absorb and gain all experiences and best practices”. Delegates at the conference are expected to stress the importance of transparency, though the event is closed to the media. In April, Cambodian lawmakers approved the long-awaited Anticorruption Law, drawing criticism from opposition lawmakers and civil society groups who said the law had been rushed through the National Assembly without the time for debate and outside input.

China trade surpasses 2009

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 May Kunmakara

TRADE between Cambodia and China over the first nine months of 2010 has already surpassed the total amout recorded last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce’s Camcontrol department obtained yesterday.

Bilateral trade totalled US$813 million in 2010 to the end of September, a 3 percent rise compared to the whole of 2009, the figures revealed.

The data was released as 16 deals were inked in Phnom Penh between officials and businessmen from the two countries, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the standing committee of China’s National Peoples Congress.

One of the deals saw Cambodia’s largest mobile provider, Mobitel secure US$591 million in refinancing, with the Bank of China as lead arranger.

Speaking after the meeting, Kaom Kosal, cabinet chief of Cambodia’s National Assembly, told reporters that China would import more products from Cambodia in the future, as China regarded the Kingdom as a close neighbour.

“[Wu Bangguo] will help Chinese entrepreneurs import more products from Cambodia, especially rice,” he said.

Some government officials said that trade had surged after the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement kicked in on January 1 this year, reducing tariffs on many goods.

“The recent China Free Trade Agreement helps to increase imports and exports between the two countries,” said Ministry of Commerce Secretary of State Ok Boung.

There was also increased demand for the Kingdom’s exports in China, as living standards and purchasing power was on the upswing in the People’s Republic, he said.

Cambodia’s exports have “increased because their economy is growing, so they need more imports from us”, he said. “Our economy is also improving, as we can produce more for export.”

Cambodia’s exports to China totaled $37 million in the first nine months, a 157 percent increase on shipments during the whole of 2009, according to statistics.

The Kingdom’s main exports to China include agricultural products, rubber, fish products, timber, and garments and textiles, the statistics show.

Ok Boung said Cambodia normally imported raw garment materials and machinery from the People’s Republic.

“I hope there will be an even larger increase in the future, as the two nations have done a lot of trade deals with each other,” he said.

Chill out on your honeymoon

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Ou Mom

IF you are a new couple or you are getting married soon, have you thought what type of honeymoon you would like or can afford to make your life a more romantic one?

There are some wonderful honeymoon getaways within Cambodia or Asia and even further overseas, but much depends on time and the money you can afford, so talk with your partner after listening to experieced couples or experts who can find you a honeymoon break that brings happiness and romance.

After three days of the wedding ceremony, if you follow the Cambodian custom, most new couples have to visit both the husband and wife’s relatives in order to bring them closer together, according to Leng Hakseng, 57, who lives in Phnom Penh and was married almost 40 years ago at her hometown in Battambong province.

“At that time we did not have any honeymoon tour, we knew that we had a duty to visit relatives, and after three months on the Khmer New Year, we were advised by elders to make a tour, just the two of us, to other resorts in nearby provinces,” she said.

Phou Charya, who was married in June, said: “I like a simple honeymoon where you just have time to relax and eat enough. After three days of the ceremony, my husband and I went to Siem Reap province for five days to see the temples and green forests and feel fresh before we went back to work.”

Chin Vanna, a cloth vendor in Olympic market, said: “I like making a tour, espcially for our honeymoon next year. My future wife and I have a plan and after three days or a week of the ceremony, we will go to Singapore or Hong Kong. A tour service costs less than doing it privately, so I may choose a tour service, especially if it can arrange various programmes for my honeymoon,” he said.

Ki Piarany, a staff member for the VLK Royal Tourism Company, said that honeymooning couples often seemed to choose to tour the islands, the sea or the mountains in search of a quiet environment and some great views.

Now most wealthy Cambodians honeymoon abroad and like to visit the Indonesian island of Bali, which they believe has a good environment for new couples. The price package for such a tour starts from US$1,300 for six days and five nights, while the cost is only US$750 for the same amount of time on Langkawi or Ridang islands in Malaysia.

Making a honeymoon tour around nearby countries can be much cheaper, especially to Vietnam. A package tour to Dalad province, which is a mountain area, costs only US$160 for five days and four nights, or US$235 for six days five nights including meals, the hotel room and travel to Nhar Trang city.

Heng Bunsong of the VLK Company said that the honeymoon package his company sets up has three choices - Sihanouk province, Kep city and Siem Reap province.

“For each choice, foreigners pay higher prices than locals because they have to pay a higher tax for entering entertainment sites. Standard honeymoon package tours for national guests cost about US$200 to US$250 and for foreigners US$250 to US$300.”

The difference between a simple package tour and a honeymoon package was revealed by Heng Bunsong, who said that when they informed the hotel that a couple was on their honeymoon, the hotel would arrange something romantic to give them a special surprise.

“The difference is decoration with a flower bunch or jasmine on the bed or table and some scented spray in the room as well. There are also romantic songs in the restaurant and candlelight dining, which can help the new couple get an unforgettable memory from our service,” he said.

“We also teach new couples how to massage each other to create a special feeling and generater a memory of these luxury hotel package tours.”

Pre -wedding preparation

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Ou Mom

THE wedding day is one of the most important days a newly married couple will have in their lives and one to always remember, and for that day to be a happy one there are many things that are important factors in making the day run well and smoothly.

It is not only having the money needed to make the day go well to meet budget, but the wedding must be well organised in a way that makes both the couple and their families happy.

But there is one other factor and an important one, the significance of the health and beauty of the couple getting married.

According to the Khmer custom, a girl to be married in a wealthy family was required to hold the “Choul Mlub” ceremony (a ceremony which takes place upon a girl reaching puberty when she is kept in the house and not allowed to go out into the sun), which used traditional beauty care methods and taught the girl about her demeanor and that of a housewife.

However, the “Choul Mlub” ceremony has almost disappeared in modern Cambodian society in which both men and women have equal rights to get education and work outside the home, although the traditional health and beauty care methods have been adapted by both parents and pre-marriage couples.

“I don’t care too much about my beauty before marrying, but most Phnom Penh places that provide clothes and self-decoration for the wedding day even offer free of charge milk baths for the bride before the event,” said Touch Sa Mai, who was married last year.

Leng Hakheng, 57, a Phnom Penh vendor, has experience after seeing three daughters get married and believes using a wedding service agency is a good way to help stop the tension and tiredness you get preparing for a wedding by letting the agency organise the event.

She and Por Lanin, 29, were married in March this year and said that health and beauty care was very important.

“The couple has to care about their health and beauty, sleep enough, eat good food and take some time to do regular physical exercise. If possible, they should have a sauna, spa and jacuzzi, which will help both their health and beauty,” said Por Lanin.

First modern abattoir planned for Kingdom

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Im Navin

MONG Reththy Group plans to invest US$1.5 million to $3 million to build Cambodia’s first modern slaughterhouse in Phnom Penh next year.

Mong Reththy, local tycoon and senate member, said the new abattoir would ensure meat quality and provide sanitary conditions in which to kill animals. He said Cambodia needed a modern slaughterhouse to maintain people’s health.

“Our neighbouring countries already have modern slaughterhouses, so we have to.”

But he warned the slaughterhouse would not be built until next year because there were not enough pigs and cows in the country to support it.

He called on farmers to raise more pigs to meet demand.

“Building a slaughterhouse for only imported animals would be useless, because we are still insecure about whether those animals would get ill or not - even though they are examined by veterinarians,” Mong Rethy said. Currently, about 1,000 animals a day are brought to market in Phnom Penh.

Ministry of Agriculture production and veterinary service chief Keo Phal said though Cambodia did not yet have any modern slaughterhouses, traditional facilities had been developed to ensure public health.

“We have veterinarians in slaughterhouses to examine meat for people. We welcome this plan because it also is our long-time plan,” he said.

Sok Touch, head of the Ministry’s anti-infection department, said the slaughterhouse went along with the deal between the government and the World Health Organisation to fight and prevent infectious diseases.

“Recently we faced many problems, such as blue ear and foot-and-mouth disease. All of these are infectious diseases that can transfer from animals to humans, so the standards [of] slaughterhouses can help us fight them,” he said.

Riel reacts on Fed stimulus

Photo by: Pha Lina
A money exchanger presents Vietnamese dong to a customer in exchange for riels yesterday at a shop near Orussey Market.

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Nguon Sovan

CAMBODIA’S riel appreciated to 4,135 against the greenback at some money lenders yesterday, as the United States announced huge quantitative easing measures to kick start its economic recovery.

The value of the dollar has slipped since the Federal Reserve announced a plan on Wednesday to spend US$600 billion on government bonds over the next year as part of a scheme of quantitative easing.

The news – which was higher than many forecasts – lifted hopes that the world’s biggest economy could see stronger growth, although some policy makers fretted about the knock-on effects for Asian economies.

The dollar fell against other currencies following the Fed decision. It fetched 80.82 yen in Tokyo trade yesterday, slipping from 81.12 late on Wednesday in New York.

The dollar had fallen over the past few weeks as dealers anticipated the move, at one point hitting a 15-year low of 80.21 against the yen.

Meanwhile, the riel has appreciated after a six-month decline.

According to the daily statistics complied by the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Promotion Department, riel currency strengthened 1.9 percent to 4,185 riel per US dollar yesterday from 4,212 riel per US dollar a day on Wednesday.

Its value has risen up to 3.2 percent, from 4,272 riel per US dollar at the end of August.

Chan Sophal, president of Cambodian Economic Association, said yesterday that the appreciation was not surprising.

“The riel appreciation is due to the depreciation of US dollar, as the US has released more currency in the market,” he said. Tal Nay Im, director general of the National Bank of Cambodia, was overseas yesterday, and could not be reached for comment.

As the riel appreciates, the price of gasoline prices in Cambodia has also increased. It rose by 1 percent yesterday to 4,600 riel a litre from 4,550 riel a day earlier, the statistics from the Commerce Ministry showed.

Asian markets also rose yesterday following the Fed’s move. Tokyo’s Nikkei soared 2.17 percent, or 198.80 points, to 9,358.78, with sentiment also boosted by strong earnings reports. Hong Kong jumped 1.18 percent by the break and Shanghai gained 1.26 percent. Sydney ended 0.48 percent, or 22.7 points, higher at 4,745.3. Qantas slipped almost four percent intraday as news broke that one of its A380 superjumbos had got into trouble over Indonesia in an engine incident.

“It was a wild night, so it’s early days, but with QE2 in the bag, the market might start to view positive US economic data in a more bullish light,” Macquarie Private Wealth adviser Shannon Briggs said.

Oil rose on hopes that demand in the US would rise after the Fed announcement. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in December, rose 52 cents to $85.21 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude for December gained 61 cents to $86.99. Gold closed at $1,358.00-1,359.00 an ounce in Hong Kong yesterday, down from Wednesday’s close of $1,354.50-1,355.50.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING AFP

Cambodia’s new stock exchange: not just a numbers game

via CAAI

Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 Steve Finch

ALTHOUGH the number of licences issued to firms to act on behalf of the long-awaited Cambodian stock exchange represents an important consideration, the experience of the companies approved is perhaps more significant. So too critical factors that remain unresolved, such as the currency of operation.

In terms of numbers of licensed firms, seven underwriters would seem excessive during the opening phase of trading as there will almost certainly only be three firms listed. That means some will see no underwriting business from the outset and will have to bank on the exchange’s early success in attracting new IPOs.

What the Security and Exchange Commission of Cambodia announcement did not make fully clear on Tuesday is that many approved underwriters are licensed to perform multiple roles. OSK Indochina Securities has been approved to act as a dealer, broker and adviser as well as an underwriter, it announced on October 21. Similarly, SBI Phnom Penh Securities has received a “full licence” to operate as a securities firm.

In terms of the number of firms licensed, the SECC appears to have approved a total that is more than adequate to start out with spare capacity for the expected rise in IPOs once the exchange gains momentum. As noted by SECC Director General Ming Bankosal in March, approving the 22 companies that applied for licences would have been too many.

More important is the level of expertise brought in to operate with the exchange. With little or no experience of securities markets, Cambodia has rightly approved companies with a wealth of experience overseas.

The SECC approved licences for two majority Malaysian firms along with Vietnamese companies, a South Korean firm and CAB Securities of India – all of which have invaluable securities market expertise. Cambodia Capital Securities is expected to play a key role following years of experience connecting businesses to foreign investors.

None of this expertise will necessarily guarantee the success of the stock exchange though. The key to a solid start has to be a strong foundation based on well-considered regulations, some of which remain unclear and incomplete. A decision on listings in riel, United States dollars or both is just as critical. Should the exchange launch prematurely, confidence at the opening bell would most certainly be undermined.

In terms of the quality and quantity of licensed operators within the market, the SECC has established the necessary foundations based on setting aside national pride for practicality purposes.

In relation to the start date and choice of currency, the commission would be well advised to follow in a similar vein – a rushed launch with listings in riels would only lead to a critical lack of confidence in a market many investors still consider overly risky.