geovalin

EDC would like to inform the public that they will halt the electricity in the following areas and timeframes: Despite efforts to prevent major power outages, the supply of electricity in the below areas will be inevitably interrupted, and EDC would like to apologize for this inconvenience. Friday, September 15, 2023: (A) – Between 08:00 and 13:00 at: 1-Khan Russey Keo: Zone PT1946 in Sangkat Svay Pak (Wat Phnom Branch) (B) – Between 08:00 and 16:00 at: 1-Khan Sen Sok, some areas located in Sangkat Teuk Thla, Sangkat Phnom Penh Thmey, Sangkat O Bek Kam, Sangkat Kraing Thnong, Sangkat Kork Khleang, Sangkat Chhmounh (O Bek Kam Branch and O Dim Branch). 2-Khan Meanchey: Some areas located in Sangkat Stung Meanchey I, Stung Meanchey III 3-Khan Por Sen Chey: Zone PT1890, including some fire areas located in Sangkat Choam Chao I (Toul Pong Branch). read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501360470/another-weekend-of-powercuts-for-phnom-penh/

Ny Nak is in critical condition after being attacked by baton-wielding motorbikers. A critic of Cambodia’s government was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday after unidentified assailants attacked him on his motorbike in the capital Phnom Penh, just hours after he slammed the country’s minister of agriculture on social media. The attack is the latest by helmet-wearing, baton-wielding motorbike drivers on dozens of outspoken activists in Cambodia. Most of the incidents have targeted members of the opposition, who say they are politically motivated, and none of the attackers have been brought to justice. Ny Nak, who was recently released from an 18-month jail term for criticizing Cambodia’s COVID-19 restrictions, was traveling with his wife Sok Sreynet when a motorbike crashed into them and its occupants began beating him with metal batons, Sok Sreynet told RFA Khmer. The unidentified men beat Ny Nak unconscious and he was taken for treatment to a local clinic, where he remains in critical condition. Photos obtained by RFA show the activist in bed with gauze wrapped around his head and balled up inside his ears, his hands bandaged, and his lips severely swollen. Sok Sreynet said that while police came to the scene of the attack to file a report and collect security camera footage, she doesn’t expect their investigation to yield any results, noting that none of the assailants involved in similar beatings have ever been arrested. "Lately, my husband has been speaking out about social issues, so there might be people who don't like him [because of that],” she said. “He hasn't had any arguments with anyone who might be looking to take revenge against him.” Sok Sreynet questioned why someone would beat another person to within inches of their life just because they spoke out about an injustice. “I pity him that in this society, when you are the victim, no one will help you," she said. In a Facebook post that included photos of Ny Nak in the clinic, Sok Sreynet urged authorities to arrest the suspects in his case and “bring justice to my husband.” Outspoken activist Tuesday was not the first time Ny Nak had run afoul of authorities for speaking out against the government. The agricultural expert was convicted to 18 months in prison and fined 2 million riels (US$485) in late 2019 after he criticized Cambodia’s COVID-19 policy as being too restrictive. He later apologized to then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and later posted photos of himself with the head of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, or CPP. Since his release earlier this year, Ny Nak has been posting comments critical of the government on Facebook under the pseudonym IMAN-KH. Hours before being attacked on Tuesday, Ny Nak had taken to the social media platform to slam Minister of Agriculture Dith Tina over his handling of a report on rice prices. "You are the minister, you have more than 60 advisors, you use drones to spy on people, but you can't find an aide to write a [proper] report,” he wrote at the time. His post came a day after Ny Nak said he had been approached by two members of the CPP who asked him to join the party. He said he had refused the invitation, saying he is “neither a member of the ruling party or the opposition.” Dozens of cases still open Am Sam Ath, the head of local rights group Licadho, said authorities should conduct a full investigation of the incident and prosecute the suspects, as well as those in the country’s other outstanding political assault cases. He warned that if Prime Minister Hun Manet can't resolve the cases, people will accuse his government of being politically motivated. "So far, there are many opposition party activists who have been attacked, but no suspects have been apprehended,” he said. “To avoid criticism of restrictions on freedom of speech or accusations of [being behind] politically motivated assaults, authorities must investigate the case." At least 50 political and social activists have been victimized in similar attacks in Cambodia in recent years. Last month, two opposition party activists who sought political asylum in Thailand were also attacked. Attempts by RFA to contact authorities for comment on Tuesday’s assault went unanswered, but Minister of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak has previously said that police “are working” on prior cases. Translated by Samean Yun. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/beating-09122023145124.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

Billionaire George Lindemann showcased his collection of Khmer treasures and passed them on to his children. But investigations by ICIJ and others traced many of his prized antiquities back to pillaged sacred sites. In one of the most significant repatriations of art to Cambodia from a private collection, the family of billionaire George Lindemann has agreed to turn over 33 ancient statues that officials say include stolen antiquities trafficked to the United States. Lindemann’s stockpile of Khmer relics was once hailed as “one of the greatest collections of Southeast Asian art in private hands.” But investigations by ICIJ and others revealed many of the 10th to 12th-century statues — which once adorned his Palm Beach mansion, and later his daughter’s home in San Francisco — were likely looted from Cambodian sacred sites and smuggled to the U.S. by disgraced art collector Douglas Latchford. For decades, Cambodia has been on a worldwide hunt for relics pillaged from the country during years of tumultuous civil war. Among the objects recovered from the Lindemann family, according to U.S. prosecutors, is a long-sought statue of Dhrishtadyumna stolen from a temple in Koh Ker, an ancient city known for its carved sandstone masterpieces. read more https://www.icij.org/investigations/hidden-treasures/lindemann-family-returns-33-long-sought-ancient-statues-to-cambodia/

PHNOM PENH (Kyodo) -- More than 20 Japanese have been detained by Cambodian authorities for allegedly committing fraud using an apartment in Phnom Penh as their hub, investigative sources said Tuesday. The move came after the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia passed on information to local authorities about the existence of Japanese involved in online fraud, according to the sources. There have been a series of cases in which Japanese scam groups were found using Southeast Asian nations as hideouts. In April, Cambodian authorities deported 19 Japanese over their alleged involvement in phone scams, and they were arrested once back in Japan. In the latest case, local authorities raided a facility in the Cambodian capital Monday night and found a number of Japanese and a few Vietnamese nationals there. Some fled the scene. The authorities have also confiscated cell phones, laptops and some documents. Like previous cases, the Japanese suspects will likely be deported. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230913/p2g/00m/0na/003000c

Six opposition members were collecting fingerprints to register the Panha Tumnerp party. Six members of Cambodia’s opposition Candlelight Party, or CLP, remained in police custody after they were detained on Friday and Saturday for holding a rally in support of a new political party. Rights groups slammed the detention as the latest bid by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, or CPP, to eliminate its political rivals. They say the CPP has used other tactics – including onerous bureaucracy, legal technicalities, and intimidation – to keep would-be competitors off of the country’s ballots and maintain its grip on power. Police arrested Banteay Meanchey province CLP leaders Sin Vatha, Tep Sambath Vathano, Long Lavi, Tuot Veasna, Chhum Sinath Van Siw and 17 others on Sept. 8 and 9 in connection with a rally they held to collect enough people’s fingerprints to register a new opposition party, former Banteay Meanchey Provincial CLP Secretary Suon Khemrin told RFA Khmer. Authorities detained the rally’s organizers despite having obtained authorization from the Ministry of Interior to form the new Panha Tumnerp – or Intellectual Modern – Party, said Suon Khemrin. The former CLP secretary, who was among those arrested, was released along with 16 others on the afternoon of Sept. 10, after more than 30 hours in custody, he said. Suon Khemrin said that while in detention, police asked him who was behind the new party, but he told them he had only had seen an Aug. 18 letter from the Ministry of Interior granting Im Sognet the right to form the Tumnerp Party and requiring him to collect enough fingerprints to register the party within 180 days, according to the country’s political party law. He told RFA that the six men who remain in detention were being held at the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Station “for further questioning.” “Before I was released, the police told me to sign a document that was noticeably vague in its wording,” he said. Attempts by RFA to contact Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Chief Sithi Loh for comment on the arrests went unanswered. ‘Violation of political rights’ Seung Senkaruna, the spokesperson for local NGO the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, or ADHOC, told RFA that the arrests are a violation of citizens’ political rights. He said that the formation of a new party is a “legitimate political action,” and that authorities should facilitate such actions. “[The authorities] have been doing this to the opposition party and its members for some time now, but it only draws more criticism and can be seen as politically motivated,” he said. “It only proves that the oppositions’ accusation of persecution is real.” According to the Law on Political Parties, any Cambodian citizen who is aged 18 or older and is a permanent resident of the country has the right to form a political party simply by notifying the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry of Interior must reply in writing that it has received the notification within 15 days. The law states that in order to be valid, political parties must apply for registration with at least 4,000 members, depending on the province where the party is based. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/party-09122023161720.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

The restoration team of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archeology of the APSARA National Authority continues the restoration work of Prohm Kel Temple, located in northwest of Angkor Wat Temple, to make sure that the entire structure of the temple is strong again, according to the authority’s news release Monday. Mao Sokny, head of the Prohm Kel Temple restoration site and architect of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archeology, said the Prohm Kel Temple was severely damaged, some stones fell, and half part of the central tower collapsed. To restore the temple’s structure after inspecting the damaged condition, experts are currently working to repair the Prohm Kel Temple starting from the end of August 2023, he pointed out. He added that at this stage, experts have continued to excavate to study the internal structure of the temple and the height and collapse of the temple. After that, they start numbering the stones and move some of the remaining stones in both the east and north corners, then number the stones to each layer to move out, and start strengthening the foundation from the bottom up. Sokny further stated that after moving the stones to the temple’s foundation, experts will study more about the stone layers to know which part is the strongest or most corrupt, then start to strengthen the foundation by adding stones. Although some new ones replace the old ones, experts will try to fix the temple’s foundations by default. C. Nika – AKP https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501358495/apsara-national-authority-restoring-prohm-kel-temple/

For people in Phnom Penh who have an emergency and need help, please call 1291. You can call from any system free of charge, with the Phnom Penh Gendarmerie waiting to serve 24 hours a day. In addition, citizens can contact the Phnom Penh Gendarmerie’s Telegram, WhatsApp via 031 5555 669 or chat to the Phnom Penh Gendarmerie Facebook page called Phnom Penh Gendarmerie. The Phnom Penh Gendarmerie also apologises if the people have nothing; please do not call to disturb the team to leave time for other professional officers to serve the people who really need urgent help. Fresh News https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501358400/1291-is-the-hotline-number-of-phnom-penh-gendarmerie-for-citizens-to-call-for-intervention-at-any-time/

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, told the media this evening (Sunday) that he has been informed, by the Cambodian national security command, about the arrests of one man and three women, wanted in Thailand for the alleged online fraud, which resulted in about 1.7 million baht being owed to the call centre by the family. He alleged that the male suspect is a supervisor of Thai nationals working for the call centre and is responsible for persuading people in Thailand to open “mule” bank accounts for money transactions. Twelve other suspects are still at large and are believed to be hiding in Cambodia, said Surachate. Previously, a 22-year-old Russian national was arrested by Thai police on a charge of money laundering, after he allegedly sold digital coins to a member of the call centre gang. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501358258/four-suspected-thai-members-of-a-call-centre-gang-arrested-in-cambodia/

BEIJING, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay an official visit to China from Sept. 14 to 16, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Monday. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with him, Mao told a daily press briefing when responding to a question on the visit. This is Prime Minister Hun Manet's first official visit after taking office, which shows that the new Cambodian government attaches great importance to developing China-Cambodia relations, Mao said. Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cambodia diplomatic ties and the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship, Mao said China looks forward to making a comprehensive plan for China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperation in the coming years through this visit. In particular, China will push forward the implementation of such cooperation initiatives as the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor" as soon as possible, and will build a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future for the new era, she added. https://english.news.cn/20230911/e6784beed0034881a428ca03d6acc521/c.html

The presidents of the ruling parties in Indochina, including Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the traditional friendship, according to a press release from Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) AKP received yesterday. Hun Sen, President of CPP; Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam; and Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party held their high-level talks in Hanoi, Vietnam. During the meeting, the leaders of the ruling parties of the three neighbouring nations mentioned about the situation of their respective parties and countries, especially in terms of party building, socio-economic development as well as exchanged views on regional and global situation. They expressed their satisfaction with the past cooperation between the three parties and agreed on key directions to promote the relations and cooperation between the three parties and countries in various fields for the common benefit of their nations and peoples. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501357089/cambodia-laos-vietnam-ruling-parties-strengthen-traditional-friendship/

Apsara National Authority is seeking help from wildlife experts to deal with aggressive monkeys that are attacking tourists at Angkor Archaeological Park. The authority is calling on tourists to stop feeding macaque monkeys in the park area to avoid risking harm to themselves while visiting. The plan to take care of the monkeys followed after two tourists were attacked in two separate incidents while visiting Angkor Wat. On September 6, a monkey bit a middle-aged American tourist. The man sustained injuries to the right side of his neck from the attack while he was visiting the Bayon temple area. Another incident of aggressive monkeys involved a 39-year-old Thai tourist on August 25. Apsara Authority provided emergency treatment onsite by washing the wounds and advising the victims to obtain vaccinations as a precautionary measure against disease and infection. Deputy Director General of Apsara Authority Kim Sothin said that troublesome monkeys living in the Angkor area pose a threat to tourists. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501356887/apsara-to-deal-with-aggressive-monkeys/

Human rights group releases a report finding restrictions on freedom of association in every province. Hoping to regain its ability to run in future elections, the main opposition Candlelight Party asked Cambodia’s newly appointed interior minister for a meeting to clear a bureaucratic hurdle – reissuing the party’s original certificate of registration – that kept it out of July’s parliamentary vote. “The ministry can’t create administrative obstacles,” Party Vice President Rong Chhun told Radio Free Asia, adding that he hoped party officials could meet personally with Sar Sokha, who was named minister last month after his father stepped down from the position he held for more than 30 years. The ministry has received the request and will respond with its decision, deputy spokesman Touch Sokhak said, adding that the ministry doesn’t discriminate against any political party. The Candlelight Party was blocked from running in the July election – won in a landslide by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party – on a technicality that many saw as politically motivated. In May, the National Election Committee said it wouldn’t accept a statement from the Interior Ministry confirming the party’s 1998 registration, insisting it required the original certificate issued by the ministry. But that certificate was lost during a 2017 raid by government agents on the offices of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which at the time was the leading opposition party. Supporters of the Candlelight Party rally on the last day of campaigning for the commune elections in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, June 3, 2022. Credit: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP Bureaucratic obstacles The Candlelight Party dates back to the 1990s, when it was founded as the Khmer Nation Party. It was later renamed as the Sam Rainsy Party and merged in 2012 with other opposition parties to become the CNRP. After the Supreme Court banned the CNRP in 2017, the Candlelight Party was revived and began organizing in every province and municipality, attracting many of the same supporters. The party competed in the 2022 commune elections – something its supporters pointed to in May when the National Election Committee issued its decision. If the ministry complies with the law, the ministry must reissue the certificate of registration, legal expert Vorn Chan Lout said. But that’s only if the ministry doesn’t receive political pressure from elsewhere in the government or the CPP, he said. “It is not an issue of whether the Ministry of Interior works independently,” he said. “It will have the means to resolve the issue. But if the ministry thinks about political benefit, it will be difficult for the Candlelight Party.” ‘Frequent arbitrary interference’ Candlelight’s request for a meeting comes as a Cambodian NGO released an overview report on fundamental freedoms – including freedom of association – in the country. The Cambodian Center for Human Rights tracked how freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association were exercised and controlled in 2022. It found restrictions to those freedoms in every province, with most instances occurring in Phnom Penh. “The trends noted in 2022 were especially concerning as Cambodia was advancing into the 2022 Commune Elections and 2023 National Elections, a critical time where the exercise of fundamental freedoms is essential for free and fair elections,” the report said. The report found multiple attempts by the government and third parties to hamper political opposition, as well as “frequent arbitrary interference with public assemblies.” The government “appears to use laws to curtail civic space and restrict the exercise of fundamental freedoms, rather than to protect these rights,” it said. The organization’s Fundamental Freedoms Monitoring Project based its report on 329 media monitoring incidents, 237 incident reports, a poll of 1,424 members of the public across 25 provinces, and a survey of 150 civil society organizations and trade union leaders. Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/candlelight-interior-meeting-09072023151855.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday (Sept. 6) condemned Cambodia’s decision to continue abiding by the "one China" principle.Hun Manet, Cambodia’s new prime minister, agreed that Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong are all China's internal affairs during a meeting with the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) International Liaison Department head Liu Jianchao (劉建超) on Sunday (Sept. 3). In response, MOFA said it “strongly protests” Beijing's repeated use of meetings with foreign leaders as opportunities to reiterate its "one China" principle and unilaterally claim Taiwan as its territory, per a foreign ministry statement. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, the ministry said, adding that China has never governed Taiwan. “This is an undeniable fact and current reality,” it said. Taiwan and Cambodia should focus on mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation to expand bilateral relations and enhance the well-being of both peoples, MOFA said. It expressed hope that Hun would renounce what it called ideological and outdated policies, refrain from conforming to China's “malicious denial” of Taiwan's sovereignty, and adopt a practical and open attitude. read more https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4992004

Official figures indicate Cambodia is in recovery mode, with the nation welcoming 3.03 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2023 – however, tourism players on the ground paint a different picture. According to the Ministry of Tourism, arrivals mark a 308 per cent year-on-year increase, with Thailand topping the table, followed by Vietnam. Laos was fourth, while land and waterway arrivals accounted for 64.9 per cent of the total. While Cambodia reported 3.03 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2023, only 498,513 visited the Angkor Wat heritage complex (pictured) “Looking at the tourism figures, people working in travel should be happy,” said Steve Lidgey, general manager of Travel Asia a la Carte. “However, the reality on the ground shows many empty hotels, restaurants failing, and guides without work as there are few visitors and a very low low season.” Of all the captured arrivals, only 498,513 visited Angkor Wat, according to figures from Angkor Enterprise. This has caused inbound agents to believe that the majority of the 3.03 million arrivals are people crossing the border for daily trade or to gamble in border casinos but ticking the “tourist” box. read more https://www.ttgasia.com/2023/09/07/cambodias-reportedly-strong-arrivals-fail-to-impact-tourism-businesses/

Preah Sihanouk police rescued eight foreign tourists after their rental boat sank in the sea off Tres island in Buon commune in Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk province on Monday. The tourists rented a boat in the morning for touring nearby islands and fishing then planned to return to Tres Island at about 7pm, police said. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology had earlier issued a forecast that the area would experience rain and strong winds causing large swells. On the return journey, the boat engine failed as bad weather set in with strong winds and large waves that swamped the boat causing the vessel to sink forcing the tourists to send a distress call to authorities. After receiving the call for help, Sihanoukville authorities immediately dispatched two high-speed boats to rescue the tourists. Rescuers pulled the tourists from the water and returned them to the mainland. There were no casualties. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501355466/foreign-tourists-rescued-after-boat-sinks/

Cambodian Ambassador to France Ket Sophann on Sep 4, traveled to Lyon to receive a bas-relief seized by French customs. The handover ceremony for this cultural property was held at the Directorate Interregional Customs and Indirect Rights of Lyon under the presidency of Mr. Eric MEUNIER, Interregional Director of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes customs, and Ms. Juliette BOSSART-TRIGNAT, Prefect Delegate for Defense and Security of the constituency. This bas-relief, consisting of five sandstone elements and dated from the 12th or 13th century, weighs nearly 300 kg and would come from the temples of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, or by Banteay Chhmar. It was looted in the early 1990s and seized as part of a control in the professional premises of an auction company in Lyon in February 2020. On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Cambodian people, Sophann expressed his deeply thank all the authorities French women concerned for their remarkable commitment. He reiterated that this return of cultural pieces illustrates excellent cooperation between Cambodia and France. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501355874/france-returns-a-bas-relief-seized-by-french-customs-to-cambodia/

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police, is in Cambodia today (Tuesday) to seek cooperation from police there in the arrests of nine Thai and Chinese suspects working in a call centre gang. They allegedly involved in the deaths of three Thai family members and the attempted suicide of the family head. Surachate had with them arrest warrants issued by a Thai court. The Cambodia-based call centre scam came to light when a man in Samut Prakan killed his wife and two children with a knife and attempted to commit suicide with the same knife at their house on August 28. The man survived the suicide bid. Police investigators discovered that the wife had taken out a loan from an online platform, operated by the gang, which promised free interest. The gang later charged her exorbitant interest, until her debt ballooned to about 1.7 million baht. Her husband had to mortgage their house, but still could not cover the debt. In desperation, he decided to kill his loved ones and commit suicide. read more https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-deputy-police-chief-in-cambodia-seeking-help-to-track-down-call-centre-gang-members/

SINGAPORE – The death of a 17-year-old international school student during a school trip to Cambodia has sparked concern among several parents who want answers and a review of guidelines on overseas excursions. Kaira Karmakar, an Indian national who was studying at United World College of South-east Asia (UWCSEA) in Dover Road, died in a road accident on June 1 while on a school trip to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. She was with a group of classmates, and there were no teachers or adult representatives accompanying them. UWCSEA was notified at 3.07am the same day. The school declined to say how many students were part of the group. UWCSEA Dover head Patrick Hurworth, in an e-mail to parents on June 1, informed them that she had died while in Cambodia for the school’s project week. The e-mail, seen by The Straits Times, said students have the option of going on an overseas field trip for project week as part of the grade 11 curriculum, and that it is “designed to support readiness for independent life” after graduation. UWCSEA, a top international school with campuses around the world, has two in Singapore – in Dover Road and Tampines. Grade 11 is similar to the first year in junior college in Singapore. read more https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/uwc-student-17-dies-on-unchaperoned-school-trip-to-cambodia-several-parents-ask-for-policy-review

Phnom Penh municipal police chief Major General Chuon Narin has ordered all district traffic police officers to stop the practice of hiding and then jumping out on un-suspecting motorbike and car drivers to fine them for violating traffic laws. The above activities of the traffic police are contrary to the national police’s professionalism, he said. There has been criticism from the public on this kind of behaviour and it affects the honour, dignity and the reputation of the national police, he added. “To raise the honour and the dignity of traffic police and strengthen the police’s professionalism and discipline, I instruct all the 14 district’s police chiefs to instruct their officers to stop this activity because it looks very bad and affects the force’s honour and dignity,” Maj Gen Narin told a police meeting on Saturday. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501354450/narin-orders-traffic-police-to-stop-unprofessional-behaviour/

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MCFA) is requesting that precious artefacts of Khmer origin be returned from Thailand and China. The culture ministry is making every effort to rediscover and preserve Cambodian artefacts that disappeared during the civil war period. Minister of Culture Phoeurng Sackona said that government is pointing to the example set by the United States and the Latchford family, and Cambodia is requesting the return of artefacts from its neighbours and other nations. However, she said that the request for the repatriation of antiquities from Thailand and China has not shown any results yet. Despite the slow progress, the MCFA plans to open more channels with both Thailand and China. She added that in August, the Ministry of Culture signed a cultural legacy agreement with the United States to curb the illegal trade in antiquities and cultural property. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501354452/mcfa-seeks-return-of-artefacts-from-thailand-and-china/

Qatar Airways will resume the Doha-Phnom Penh flights on October 29, connecting Cambodia to one of the busiest air traffic hubs of the world. Vann Chanty, Director-General of Air Transport at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said it was confirmed during a meeting last week. “Qatar Airways has decided to resume its flights from Doha to Phnom Penh. This is a good sign for Cambodia’s aviation sector,” Chanty told reporters. “The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation too has agreed on the airline’s flight resumption, connecting Cambodia and the Middle East as the new travel season begins,” he said. Qatar Airways started its daily flights to Phnom Penh in February 2013 and became the first Middle East airline that operated direct flights to the Kingdom. The airline used to fly daily between Doha and Phnom Penh but the Covid-19 pandemic put an end to it. Qatar Airways stopped the Phnom Penh flight in April 2020. The airline started direct flights to the Kingdom in a bid to connect the country with scores of other destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and South America. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501354568/qatar-airways-to-resume-flights-on-october-29/

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Dr. Sar Sokha, advised studying and examining the actual situation to reduce the cost of passport service for citizens, which currently costs $115. The comment of Dr. Sar Sokha was made this morning, September 4, 2023, during a meeting with the leaders of the Ministry of Interior. During the meeting, Sokha saw that the cost of passport processing in Cambodia seems to be higher than in some neighbouring countries; therefore, in order to facilitate citizens who need to make a passport, the relevant professional institutions should study this work in order to be able to reduce the price acceptable to all levels of the people. “As for passports, I think we should study to lower them a little bit, as they currently cost more than $100,” said Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha. A passport is an essential document for citizens wishing to travel abroad. Currently, the service for making a passport costs $115, which takes one month, and there are other prices according to the type of speed and the needs of the people. All passports are valid for 10 years. Fresh News https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501354335/sar-sokha-proposes-fee-reduction-for-passports/

He was invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.The Summit is being held in Jakarta from September 4 to 7. Accompanying Mr Hun Manet are Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, key officials, as well as many private sector leaders. Key agenda items include the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar and the ASEAN Leaders’ Decision. The leaders will also delve into the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific region, and exchange insights on regional and international matters of shared concern. The discussions will focus on building an ASEAN community with a long-term vision and people-centeredness as a key force for achieving ASEAN 2045. During his visit to Jakarta, Mr Hun Manet will pay a courtesy call and discuss work with President Joko. The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his ASEAN counterparts and other key world leaders. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501354407/video-prime-minister-hun-manet-on-monday-arrived-in-jakarta-to-attend-the-43rd-asean-summit/

SINGAPORE – The arrest of 10 foreigners in Singapore in a billion-dollar money laundering blitz has thrown the spotlight on their alleged links to business interests in Singapore and overseas, and the number of jurisdictions where some of them hold citizenship. Using publicly available data, The Straits Times set about exploring their international and local links. ST was also provided information by a source affiliated with the United Nations, which last Tuesday highlighted the role played by scam centres in South-east Asia in human trafficking. The 10 accused in the money laundering case here are citizens of seven different jurisdictions, including Cambodia. They are believed to have all originated from China. According to a gazette published by the Cambodian government, which lists the identity of new citizens, nine of them were granted Cambodian citizenship between Aug 2018 and March 2021. China does not allow dual citizenship status. The granting of Cambodian citizenship for the nine was first reported by Cyber Scam Monitor, a website run by an anonymous group from the human rights, humanitarian, academic and media fields. read more https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/billion-dollar-money-laundering-case-9-out-of-10-accused-in-s-pore-have-cambodian-links

Cambodia's new prime minister Hun Manet will make his first appearance at the UN General Assembly next month. The focus is on whether he will try to improve relations with Europe and the United States, as he strengthens ties with China. Hun Manet laid out his foreign policy on Tuesday in his first speech as prime minister. He is the son of longtime leader Hun Sen, and became leader himself a week ago. He stressed a policy of diplomacy in all directions. He said he will continue friendly relations with all countries in a neutral and independent way, based on national interests. Ahead of the speech, he held a series of meetings with US Senate officials. He reportedly said he is ready to strengthen ties and expand cooperation with the US. Europe and the US imposed sanctions when his father was in power over human rights concerns as he clamped down on opposition parties. Hun Manet has plenty of experience with Western countries. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and earned a PhD in economics from the University of Bristol in England. He went on to become commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230830_32/