"...we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want": Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash

Sun Apr 19, 2009
AP

HONG KONG - Action star Jackie Chan 's comments wondering whether Chinese people "need to be controlled" have drawn sharp rebuke in his native Hong Kong and in Taiwan .

Chan told a business forum in the southern Chinese province of Hainan that a free society may not be beneficial for China 's authoritarian mainland.

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said Saturday. "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

He went on to say that freedoms in Hong Kong and Taiwan made those societies "chaotic."

Chan's comments drew applause from a predominantly Chinese audience of business leaders, but did not sit well with lawmakers in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

"He's insulted the Chinese people. Chinese people aren't pets," Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Leung Kwok-hung told The Associated Press. "Chinese society needs a democratic system to protect human rights and rule of law."

Another lawmaker, Albert Ho, called the comments "racist," adding: "People around the world are running their own countries. Why can't Chinese do the same?"

Former British colony Hong Kong enjoys Western-style civil liberties and some democratic elections under Chinese rule. Half of its 60-member legislature is elected, with the other half picked by special interest groups. But Hong Kong's leader is chosen by a panel stacked with Beijing loyalists.

In democratically self-ruled Taiwan, which split from mainland China during a civil war in 1949, legislator Huang Wei-che said Chan himself "has enjoyed freedom and democracy and has reaped the economic benefits of capitalism. But he has yet to grasp the true meaning of freedom and democracy."

Chan's comments were reported by news outlets in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but were ignored by the mainland Chinese press.

Although Chan was a fierce critic of the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in June 1989, which killed at least hundreds, he has not publicly criticized China's government in recent years and is immensely popular on the mainland.

He performed during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and took part in the Olympic torch relay .

Chan also is vice chairman of the China Film Association, a key industry group.
___
Associated Press writer Annie Huang in Taipei contributed to this report.

Cambodian-Americans call for speed up in the trial of former KR leaders

19 April 2009
By Khim Sarang
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Cambodian people from many states in the US cannot forget 17 April 1975, the date when the Khmer Rouge took over Phnom Penh and started the killing of more than 2 million Cambodians during their 3 years, 8 months and 20 days reign.

Tung Yap, President of the Cambodian-Americans for Human Rights in Democracy (CAHRAD) organization, said that, besides the commemorations for the victims, his organization also appeals to the KR Tribunal to speed up the trial process for the former KR leaders, and to provide justice.

Tung Yap said: “Today, we are all gathering to light candles to commemorate all our compatriots who died during the Pol Pot genocidal regime. We pray that the spirits of these victims will push the KR Tribunal to speed up the trials prior to the death of the KR leaders, and that justice will be provided.”

The mother of a Khmer worker who died in Thailand sought intervention

Khmer workers who died or were murdered in Thailand.

Khmer Sthapana newspaper
12th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization

The mother of a Cambodian worker who died mysteriously while working in Thailand has asked the Cambodian government to intervene on her behalf to seek compensation for the death of her son.Mrs. Pa Sophea, mother of Min Sitha Saravuth, the dead worker, said in a press conference on 11th March that her 26 year-old son was recruited by a job agency in Phnom Penh, Human Power, to work legally in a glove factory in Thailand since 2006. On 20th December 2008, she received the news that her son had died from a fall off the ship. She claimed that the body of her son was cremated immediately without any investigation into the causes of his death.

She is appealing to the Cambodian government to intervene in helping her to seek compensation for her son’s death.

Mr. Ya Navuth, president of an NGO, CARAM Cambodia, also appeals to the Thai embassy and the Cambodian government to help her seek compensation because the victim had been recruited to work in Thailand legally by the employment agency, Human Power.

He said that the company where Mrs. Pa Sophea's son had worked before the accident that killed him should compensate her family and pay all his salaries for the 23 months duration that he had worked for the company.

Mr. Ya Navuth added that, this is not the first death of a Cambodian worker in Thai factories. Many Cambodian workers continue to die in Thai factories every year without any investigations for the causes of their deaths.

CARAM Cambodia estimated that, currently, there are about 80,000 Cambodians working legally and illegally in Thailand.

Canadia Bank's land-grabbing tactic in Reek Reay community: Fenced in the residents and grab their lands

A house in Reek Reay community, Phnom Penh city, is being demolished by the workers hired by the Canadia bank on 15 March 2009 (Photo: Ouk Savborey, RFA)

Canadia Bank starts to demolish Reek Reay community in Phnom Penh city

15 March 2009
By Ouk Savborey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

On Sunday 15 March 2009, residents of the Reek Reay community, Group 46A, Village No. 8, claimed that workers for the Canadia Bank used force to demolish their homes, and the workers also fenced the residents, preventing them from leaving or coming into their homes if the residents refused to sell their lands to the Borey Bassac Park Villa company.
Bun That, a young man who resides in Village No. 8, Group 46A in the Reek Reay community, indicated that the bank set a price limit for each plot of land and the home on it to: either (1) $20,000 (in compensation) or (2) a row house measuring 4-meter-by-10-meter located in Dangkao distritct plus $10,000 if the residents agree to leave. If the residents refuse to leave, they will use force to demolish their houses, and they will fence in the residents’ houses to prevent them from leaving or coming into their houses. As of today, the bank’s workers have used force to demolish 9 homes already.

Bun That said: “The Cambodia Bank company fenced us in to grab our land, if we are involved in the sale of our land to other individuals.”

Chan Bunthol, a teacher at Sisowath high school who is protecting his home, said that the Canadia Bank’s workers act like thieves when they are using force to demolish people’s homes during a weekend: “ I don’t have time to go teach anymore now, because I am afraid they will come and demolish my home.”

Heng Samphoas, the president of the Reek Reay community, indicated that, up to now, some of the community residents have agreed to sell their homes to the Canadia Bank: “When they attack (to demolish) houses like this, we, as neighbors who are living nearby and we have not sold our homes yet, we have fear, then they (Canadia Bank) told us to go negotiate. They told us this or that date will be the end of the negotiations.”

Hor Vannak, chief of Village No. 8, Group 46A, Reek Reay community, said that in his village, there are more than 200 families living in more than 200 houses. Most of them are civil servants. He said that the village is connected to the road and the park of the Koh Pech development zone. Later on, the residents received offers to sell their lands and homes by the Canadia Bank and by a number of private groups.

He said that he is not certain about the number of residents who sold their lands to the Canadia Bank and the other private groups: “The region over the Reek Ray dike is located right on the city road, as well as on the path of the bridge crossing to Koh Pech, the second bridge (that is).”

Phal Sithon, the Tonle Bassac deputy commune chief, said that according the directive no. 157, dated 30 January 2009, issued by the Council of Ministers, decided that there will either be a development of the Reek Reay community at the same spot or the residents will receive another house measuring 4-meter-by-10-meter in the suburb as compensation plus $10,000 in cash.

Phal Sithon said: “A portion of the land belongs to Chumteav Hun Neng (Hun Sen’s sister-in-law), and on the other portion, people have built their homes to live on, but the Canadia Bank claimed that it was their land. I saw the development plan signed by Kep Chuktema (Phnom Penh city governor) in 2006, but the residents have been living here since the 90s.”

Regarding this issue, RFA could not reach a representative of the Canadia Bank on Sunday to obtain clarifications on this issue.

Heng Samrin's advisor accused of threatening American diplomats with weapon

Deum Ampil newspaper
13th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization

An opposition MP has accused advisor to National Assembly president Heng Samrin (pictured) of threatening American diplomats with a weapon.

In a letter dated 11th March sent to Mr. Heng Samrin, Mr. Son Chhay, an MP for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), has requested him to launch an investigation into an allegation that one of his more than 100 advisors has used a gun to threaten U.S diplomatic staff in February 2009, while they were jogging along the Phnom Penh roadsThe letter alleged that, on 14th February 2009, while the diplomats were jogging near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an armed man had threatened them with a gun. The man was later identified as Ob Sophy, an administrative officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is also an advisor to National Assembly president Heng Samrin.

Mr. Son Chhay cannot confirm whether the allegation was true. However, he appeals to the authority to launch an investigation into this allegation.

Mr. Touch Naroth, Phnom Penh Police Commissioner, told Deum Ampil News on 12th March that the police has launched an investigation and identified the alleged culprit as Ob Sophy. He said: "We have launched an invetigation and found out that he (Mr. Ob Sophy) is head of one of the departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but we have turned this case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve it with the American embassy."

The police Commissioner added: "We have questioned him regarding the allegation and he said that he dropped the gun ( and tried to pick it up). But when we got a complaint from the U.S embassy, we turned the case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve it with the American embassy."

Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that he has not received any information regarding the case, but said that he will launch an investigation into the allegation.

Cambodia Restores Opposition Chief's Immunity [-The CPP only knows the law of the jungle]

Wednesday March 11st, 2009

PHNOM PENH (AFP)--Cambodia's parliament has restored opposition leader Sam Rainsy's immunity from prosecution after he paid a fine for defaming premier Hun Sen's party, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

The politician was stripped of his protection last month after accusing the Cambodian People's Party, or CPP, of corruption during elections last year and then failing to pay a $2,500 fine.
His Sam Rainsy Party eventually paid the fine to the country's National Election Committee hours after his immunity was lifted.

Lawmaker Cheam Yeap said the parliamentary permanent committee had voted Tuesday to restore parliamentary protection to Sam Rainsy.

"Immunity of Sam Rainsy has been restored," Cheam Yeap said.

The opposition leader, who is abroad, had called the removal his immunity "unconstitutional," saying under Cambodia's charter, at least two-thirds of lawmakers were needed to approve stripping legal protection of a parliamentarian.

However Cheam Yeap said the decision was made in accordance with the law.

The CPP took 90 seats of the 123 up for grabs in the July ballot, while the Sam Rainsy Party received 26 seats.

Hun Sen: Factory workers can live without jobs [-Is the good Dr. Hun Xen becoming completely blind to Cambodia’s economy?]

(Photo: Bloomberg)

10 March 2009
By Hassan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

"Houses in Cambodia are not put into the auction block yet, unlike other countries that are facing financial crisis in 1997, therefore we are still continuing to develop" - Dr Hun Sen, PhD from Hanoi and the Irish International University

It turns out that the economy in small countries which, economists professed that it allows these countries to become independent from foreign aid, starts to be affected by the economic crisis occurring in developed nations, and Cambodian government officials start to recognize this fact as well.

In the past, Cambodian government officials used to say that economic crisis in Western countries will not seriously affect Cambodia’s economy because Cambodia’s economy is small.
In the garment sector, the World Bank issued a report on Sunday, indicating that Cambodia lost more than 30,000 jobs in this sector because factories are closing their door in Cambodia. The reason for these closures is because of the drop in foreign garment orders.

The World Bank wrote that 94 of the 116 countries on the verge of development are facing economic slowdown.

Nevertheless, Prime minister Hun Sen believes that Cambodian factory workers can still live even if they are jobless. Hun Sen said: “Compared to factory closures other countries, factory closures in Cambodia are very bad, but when compared to other countries, the closing of factories in those country leads to more danger than us, why? This is very easy to understand in Cambodia: these factories are newly opened, some are 4-5 years old, and some of the factories in Kampong Speu are only 2-3 years old. Therefore, when workers are jobless, they can return back to their villages right away. Since they just left their farming not too long ago, their rice fields are waiting for them, as well their parents, their families. Their families, their parents live on those lands, those houses.”

Hun Sen is not concerned about Cambodia’s economy

When the world is facing with an economic crisis, their leaders are looking for means to pull it up so that investors have confidence and are willing to invest in the businesses. In doing so, these investors are creating more jobs for people, and bringing income for people to spend.

In the US for example, the government is spending billions of dollars to provide help to companies that are facing major losses. The government is also helping their citizens cope with the situation by lowering income taxes, as well as providing stimulus funds to each family.

On the other hand, in Cambodia, if people are jobless, the government does provide any safety net to help these jobless workers live for a while at all.

In his comparison between the Cambodian and the foreign economies on Monday, Hun Sen seems to indicate that there is no issue of concerns for him. Hun Sen said: “The industry is pushing forward so that the factories and the companies that are working will also move forward. In the construction sector, even though there is some drop, but there is no construction sites that are abandoned. The construction of row houses and large buildings is still moving forward, the construction of hotels is still continuing, additional (grading) trucks are added in the construction sector. They said that the economy is slowing down, but if you go buy a house, they wouldn’t lower the price for you. Houses in Cambodia are not put into the auction block yet, unlike other countries that are facing financial crisis in 1997, therefore we are still continuing to develop.”

Women failing to gain rights

Female garment factory workers protest slashed wages at a factory in Takhmao in January. (Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON)
Female workers protesting a wage cut at a Takhmao factory in January. (Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON)

Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Written by Khuon Leakhana
The Phnom Penh Post

World economic crisis hurting gender equality at home, civil society groups say.

FOLLOWING the celebration of the 99th annual International Women's Day Sunday, civil society groups have lamented the lack of progress made by Cambodian women, saying their social and economic standing have been set back by the global economic downturn.Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Cambodia, said that whenever factories have closed, many young female workers have been forced to look for jobs in restaurants, karaoke parlours and nightclubs.

"We have no idea what other jobs [these women] can find and where," he said.

According to a report by the Free Trade Union, the Kingdom's garment sector employed around 350,000 mostly female workers across 450 garment factories in 2007.

But in 2008, 20,000 workers lost their jobs due to factory closures and in the first two months of 2009, the union estimates a further 10,000 people faced unemployment.

He went on to say that although Women's Day is internationally recognised, women in Cambodia - especially jobless women - still lack basic rights and access.

"Women's rights in Cambodia are still low. As a result, jobless women will not be happy to participate in the discussions about women's rights this year," he said.

Chea Mony added that jobless women, especially, lack the knowledge to contribute to the economy.

"We think that the celebration of March 8 is just a routine event, but that in practice respect for women's rights has never been fulfilled."

Cambodian women facing job losses are also looking abroad for work opportunities in countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Korea.

According to an annual report issued by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training last week, approximately 74,400 labourers went abroad to work during 2004-08, most of whom went to Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

Ya Navuth, executive director for Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility, agreed that the loss of jobs would certainly impact women and that many would be exposed to exploitation working in the Kingdom's nightclubs or for employers abroad.

"Because they have no choice and no hope of finding new jobs, [some women] decide to work at nightclubs or karaoke parlours," he said.

He said also that women working overseas could be open to exploitation by their employers, and that the Cambodian government should take actions to ensure foreign investment and employment opportunities for women inside the country.

"The government should stop sending Cambodian labourers to other countries where their rights are not properly respected," he said.

Sy Define, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Women's Affairs, told the Post that this year's International Women's Day was centred around "women's participation in economic and social development", a suitable focus given the current economic crisis.

"We selected the theme in order to show the ability and efforts of women both in and out of the labour system, and to encourage them," she said.

"Every job has value so long as it doesn't involve stealing and cheating."

"We also want to remind people of Cambodian women's rights and are working hard every day to extinguish violations of women's rights and freedoms."

She added that the ministry had promoted laws to protect victims, especially vulnerable women who face sexual harassment and rights violations in the informal sector.

"We want to tell jobless women, and those who have jobs in places like nightclubs and karaoke parlours, that every job has value so long as it does not involve stealing and cheating," she said.

Valuable contributions

But Oum Mean, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, dismissed reports the factory layoffs had swollen the ranks of nightclub and karaoke workers.

"We are sure that some workers who have left garment factories returned home or tried to find a job in another factory, as they are already skilled, while others looked for work in the industrial sites that are Cambodia's main growth potential," he said.

He admitted that a number of workers did end up in informal service occupations, but said that whatever their occupation, women were contributing towards the development of the economy and were an important part of Cambodian society.

"It depends on the individuals themselves, and whether they value or devalue themselves," he said.

"Such work does not show whether a person is of value or not."

Oum Mean said that the government was promoting the involvement of women in government and making attempts to attract more foreign investment, and hence create more jobs.

"The Council for the Development of Cambodia is trying to contact foreign investors, including the European Union, which is looking for investment opportunities in Cambodia," he said, adding that Japan had also expressed interest in setting up a local car factory.

"So please don't get confused that only the garment sector can help develop Cambodia's economy."

Am Sam Ath, a technical supervisor for local rights group Licadho, said the government should find "better solutions" to the increasing factory closures, since women finding replacement jobs in bars and clubs were looked down upon by many Cambodians.

"Anybody who works in informal service positions is not considered in a good light by Cambodian society, which devalues the rights and morality of Cambodian women who take up these kind of jobs," he said, adding that the day's celebration should focus more on those women who are not participating rather than those who are.

"The topic for this year's event seems to be in contrast to the real situation in Cambodia. Instead, we should raise real problems women in Cambodia are facing rather than just talking about their participation in society."

Why wasn't the Naga Casino closed?: Seng Theary

Motive of Gambling Crackdown Questioned

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
10 March 2009

The jury is still out on whether a gambling crackdown ordered recently by Prime Minister Hun Sen was done for the good of the public or for personal gain, a civil society advocate said Monday.“We need more explanation from the government on whether the closures are in favor of an individual or the public,” said Seng Theary, executive director of the Center for Social Development, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

Hun Sen last month ordered the closure of the popular sports betting company CamboSix, a move that followed stricter measures against gambling machines in hotels.

While the move against gambling, which Seng Theary called a worm that corrupted morality and split families, was welcome, it should have been done through legal procedures, she said.

She also questioned why the largest casino, Naga, in Phnom Penh, wasn’t closed. “Why just close the small gambling sites?” she asked.

School could be built in memory of tragic Thoeun

Thoeun Sergeant

Mar 10 2009
By Vicki Eltis
Surrey Herald (UK)

A 17-year-old student killed when fire ripped through his Cobham home is to get a trust in his memory to raise money for Cambodian villagers.

Esher College pupil Thoeun Sergeant, died in the blaze in Byfleet Road last April when a fire spread through the roof.

His mum Ingrid Morris managed to escape. She adopted Thoeun when he was six years old from an orphanage in Cambodia and wants to help other Cambodian teenagers as a tribute to her son's life.
Former journalist Ingrid, who now lives in Weybridge, said: "Thoeun had a trust fund and I want to set up a charity to add to that fund for Cambodian teenagers. I thought his life would then really have some great meaning. It means out of a tragedy something good will come and I will feel better."

Ingrid wants to focus her fund raising efforts on the Kompong Thom Province, and the village of Leat, where Theon was born.

She said: "There are a number of possible projects but one I hope to start is to build a school. Currently there is a little hut where 67 children aged five to 13 learn in the morning and another 67 learn in the afternoon.

"I had big ideas in the beginning but then you have to think that they don't have electricity, so we have to start with the simple things like desks, writing materials and books."

Ingrid, who is half Swedish, adopted Thoeun with her late husband Karl while living in Singapore. They then moved to Australia, where Thoeun spent most of his primary years.

He was a keen piano player who had been studying English Literature, history and music at Esher College at the time of his death.

Ingrid said: "Thoeun had lots of brothers and sisters who he grew up with in the orphanage and who now live all over the world. He was loved by so many friends from around the world.

"He was very artistic, sensitive and a lovely kid. He was a typical teenager, who had a very difficult start in life but who grew into a lovely, gentle boy.

"He did remarkably well for somebody who started with nothing and who didn't even speak any English."

Friends and family from all over the world raised money for a well in Leat, which they named in memory of Thoeun after hearing about his death.

Ingrid returned from a fact-finding trip to Cambodia on Monday (2) where she investigated possible projects, along with Tabitha UK, a charity which runs the orphanage Theon was adopted from and who she hopes to work with in the future.

Ingrid also has the support of Esher College.

International development officer for the college, Rachel Evans, said: "We are looking for opportunities to support educational projects in Cambodia and it is hoped that in the future students may participate in volunteer work in Cambodia."

Students who are studying leisure and sports at the college are also organising a boat party to raise money for Thoeun's Trust.

Tobacco-related deaths in Asia reported on the rise

(Photo: Reuters)

Mar 10, 2009
DPA

New Delhi - Tobacco will kill 6 million people annually by next year and cause an estimated 500 billion-dollar loss to the global economy, according to health conference in India Tuesday.

The 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Mumbai revealed that China and India were the world's biggest tobacco users at 325 million and 241 million tobacco users respectively.
Tobacco industry has shifted its marketing and sales efforts to countries that have less effective public health policies and fewer resources and by 2010, tobacco will kill 6 million people worldwide annually,' Judith Mackay, special advisor at World Lung Foundation which prepared the document with American Cancer Society, the Zee TV news network reported.

The economic costs were a result of lost productivity, misused resources, ineffective taxation and premature death, the study claimed.

'Because 25 per cent of smokers die and many more become ill during their most productive years, income loss devastates families and communities,' study author Hana Ross was quoted as saying.

The report said since 1960, global tobacco production had increased 300 per cent in low and middle-resource countries while declining more than 50 per cent in high-resource countries.

Public health advocates at the conference also said the tobacco industry in Southeast Asia was systematically obstructing the implementation of a global treaty on curbing smoking and tobacco use.

The alleged abuses of tobacco firms ranged from attempting to write tobacco control laws and blocking the passage of key legislations in the Philippines, Laos and Cambodia, and using so-called 'corporate social responsibility' to circumvent laws and regulations in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines.

Singer/songwriter Sapoun Midada and actress Soeur Sotheara got engaged

Singer/songwriter Sapoun Midada engaged to actress Soeur Sotheara on 1st March, 2009.(Koh Santepheap, Photo by Saray).

Koh Santepheap newspaper
4th March, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization

The romance between mega-star Supoun Midada and beautiful actress Soeur Sotheara has become the talk of the town for some time. The fans are searching desperate for the truth and magazines continue to publish about the gossips of their secret romance without shedding any light on what actually happened between the pair.


The truth has been revealed when the pair held a largesse engagement ceremony on the 1st of March, 2009 and announced that their wedding date has been set for the 9th of September, 2009.

Actress Soeur Sotheara, 22, has been acting since she was 12 years old. She has acted in many karaoke videos and movies and has built up a reputation as one of the most talented actresses in Cambodia today. As one of the most beautiful women and most talented actresses in Cambodian show business, her fan base has been from both side of the sexes, with many young men and rich old men asked her for a marriage.

Singer/songwriter Sapoun Midada, 29, has been on the music industry for only a short time (since 2004?), but he has become a mega-star almost overnight by singing and performing his self-written songs which the majority of them have become instant hits.

Sapoun Midada graduated in French literature and musics. He was a police officer and a journalist before entering the music industry. His meteoric rise is largely attributed to his talent in songwriting and his unique voice. He is one of the best singers and songwriters in Cambodia today and most of his songs have become instant hits which shot him to stardom almost overnight.

Sapoun Midada and Sandy.

But in recent times, he has been rocked by a scandal. A Khmer-American woman claimed that she was cheated out of hundred of thousands of dollars by Sapoun Midada in a love affair that lasted over tw0 years.

In an interview with the Khmer Sthapana (Khmer Development) newspaper, the woman, who is known only by her given of Sandy, claimed that she had spent up to US$100,000 buying cars and lands for Sapoun Midada in Phnom Penh and in the provinces. But at the end, Sapoun Midada abandoned her and got engaged with Miss Soeur Sotheara.

Aid has not helped Cambodia reform

PACIFIC DAILY NEWS
March 11, 2009

Aid has not helped Cambodia reform

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D.

Donors praised political stability -- attained through blatant grabs
for power. Donors praised economic development -- attained through
forced evictions of citizens, sale of natural resources, institution
of a regime of kleptocracy.

Learning is an essential part of life. Eighteenth-century English poet
Alexander Pope writes, "Some people will never learn anything ...
because they understand everything too soon."

A saying goes, "The greatest ignorance is to reject something you know
nothing about." Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. lamented,
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and
conscientious stupidity."
And American futurist Alvin Toffler warns, "The illiterate of the 21st
century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who
cannot learn, unlearn and relearn."

But it's not enough just to learn, we must apply. That's how we
develop and grow, avoid others' pitfalls, prepare and build a better
future. In a globalized world, what occurs in one area will affect
other areas, sooner or later, directly or indirectly.

So, when the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific posits, "Bad governance is being increasingly regarded
as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies," it
behooves all of us to take notice.

"Major donors and international financial institutions are
increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms
that ensure 'good governance' are undertaken," ESCAP says, but the
reality is "reforms" are lacking, though aid and loans continue to
flow in.

The London-based environmental watchdog Global Witness charged in its
report, "Country for Sale," for "more than a decade now" international
donors gave the Cambodian regime over 50 percent of the country's
national budget, and pledged nearly ($1 billion) in development aid
for 2009, "yet (donors) failed to use this opportunity to demand new
governance measures."

"Unless this is changed, there is a real risk that the opportunity to
lift a whole generation out of poverty will be squandered," Global
Witness says.

It quotes a statement by the U.N. Special Representative in Cambodia:
"With aid-giving comes the responsibility to ensure that it helps the
people. ... It is not sufficient to ... emphasize adherence to human
rights treaties and protocols (useful as they are). Nor are new laws
or suddenly created institutions the panacea, for the (Cambodian)
government has disregarded laws, or through abuse, turned them to its
own partisan advantage," the statement reads.

The Special Representative and Global Witness were booted out of Cambodia.

Hun Sen can be blamed for bad behavior and bad governance, which
continue because there is no consequence. But enablers of bad behavior
and bad governance are not excused from responsibilities for the
situation.

Cambodia's current governance began as a result of the failure of the
world community to implement the 1991 Paris Peace Accords that
stipulate Cambodia's adherence to "the rights and freedoms embodied in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant
international human rights instruments" -- which, in turn, are
incorporated in Cambodia's constitution. Enablers conceded to Sen's
demand for co-premiership, though he lost the election, and closed
their eyes to unconstitutional power grabs that ended with the 1997
coup d'etat, in which many were killed.

Donors praised political stability -- attained through blatant grabs
for power. Donors praised economic development -- attained through
forced evictions of citizens, sale of natural resources, institution
of a regime of kleptocracy.

Gone are what's necessary for good governance: the rule of law that
requires the promotion of human rights and freedom; legal
impartiality; separation of powers; checks and balances; the
accountability (to the public and institutional stakeholders) that
requires the existence of the rule of law and transparency; equity;
inclusiveness; and responsiveness.

Asia Times Online's Bertil Lintner's "One big happy family in
Cambodia" referenced the Phnom Penh Post's compilation of how
"arranged marriages" produced "growing family ties (that) run all the
way to the top of Cambodia's political pyramid. ... These new family
ties between the children of (cabinet) ministers and top officials
potentially set the stage for the (Cambodian People's Party's) grip on
power to continue for generations."

It is a picture of grotesque concentration of powers, a family hall
for distributing political and economic resources, a stadium for job
seekers, a true Hun Sen Inc. within a larger People's Party Ltd.

Said to be a U.N. "success story," Cambodia is a story of bad
governance, a sad story written with the help of international donors,
apparently more impressed with the Monivong Boulevard's "gleaming new"
Kentucky Fried Chicken, or the 27-story Canadia Bank Tower with health
club and restaurant, than with the health and welfare of the people,
30 percent of whom, Sen says, live below the poverty level today.

Stanford journalism professor Joel Brinkley writes in the March-April
Foreign Affairs Magazine's "Cambodia's Curse" that the 2004 and 2005
comprehensive studies funded by the U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh "showed
in stunning detail that Cambodian government officials steal between
$300 million and $500 million a year (most years, the state's annual
budget is about $1 billion)."

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam,
where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at
peangmeth@yahoo.com.

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200903110300/OPINION02/903110330

Protect our farmers

Written by Sam Rainsy
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
The Phnom Penh Post

To understand Thailand's trade policy as it is affecting us, we must know that, contrary to the Cambodian government - which abandons farmers to market price fluctuations and leaves them in a desperate situation - the Thai government has been steadily following a more social-oriented policy that consists of supporting and stabilizing agricultural prices so as to protect farmers' revenue and living conditions.

Dear Editor,

From The Phnom Penh Post report titled "Cassava farmers advised to delay harvest" (March 3), one can see how the recent fall in the prices of agricultural products is affecting Cambodian farmers' revenue and living conditions. In northwestern provinces such as Battambang and Banteay Meanchey, where farmers used to sell most of their crops to Thailand, the situation is particularly distressing because prices have touched record lows at a time when Thailand has closed its borders to Cambodian products such as cassava.

Thailand's attitude has understandably made many Cambodians nervous. At the provincial level, the director of the Battambang Agriculture Department reportedly said: "The price of cassava is down because the Thai government only allows its businessmen to buy from Thai farmers." At the national level, Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh was quoted as powerlessly lamenting: "I have to wait and see when Thai authorities will open the gates to allow cassava into the Thai market," while blaming Thai protectionism for the price decline.

However, in spite of the seriousness of the situation, the Cambodian public has never been given any rational explanation for why Thailand has closed its borders to Cambodian farm products. Our response to Thailand cannot be properly determined if we don't understand the rationale behind our neighbour's policy.

To understand Thailand's trade policy as it is affecting us, we must know that, contrary to the Cambodian government - which abandons farmers to market price fluctuations and leaves them in a desperate situation - the Thai government has been steadily following a more social-oriented policy that consists of supporting and stabilizing agricultural prices so as to protect farmers' revenue and living conditions.

The Bangkok Post reported on March 3: "The [Thai] government planned to spend 120 billion baht [US$3.3 billion] this year to buy tapioca [cassava], rice, maize and palm oil under the agricultural intervention scheme [... and] the government would export all agricultural products bought under the intervention scheme in a bid to prop up domestic prices."

Regarding cassava alone, the same report said: "Under the plan, the government pledges to buy cassava root for two baht [230 riels] per kilogram in February, with the pledging price to increase by 50 satang [57 riels] per month until April 30."

In the Post report, farmers said last month that cassava prices in Cambodia had crashed to 90 riels per kilogram from 300 riels per kilogram in February 2008. We can see that cassava prices in Thailand are currently 2.5 times as high as in Cambodia. This is possible because the Thai government is actually subsidizing Thai farmers through a price-support mechanism that is rather costly in the present period of plummeting prices as a result of the global economic crisis. Understandably, the Thai government wants to reserve the benefits of its price-support policy for Thai farmers only. This is the reason why they have closed their borders to many Cambodian farm products, notably cassava, for which there is a huge price differential between the two countries.

Many countries all over the world are doing the same as Thailand regarding their agriculture and trade policies. The moral is that Cambodia actually needs a responsible and caring government to implement appropriate policies because, more than anyone else, vulnerable Cambodian farmers deserve support and protection.

Sam Rainsy
Member of Parliament

Mu Sochua: I did not apologize to Heng Samrin

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated form Khmer by Socheata

SRP Kampot MP Mu Sochua rejected the information published by an article of the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper on 06 March, bearing the title: “National
Assembly to return parliamentary immunity to Mr. Sam Rainsy,” in which the article alleged that Mrs. Mu Sochua met with Heng Samrin, the president of the National Assembly, to apologize. In a letter dated 06 March, Mrs. Mu Sochua asked the Rasmei Kampuchea to bring a correction to its article alleging that she apologized to Heng Samrin. In her letter, Mu Sochua indicated that she did not apologize to Heng Samrin about anything she spoke with Voice of America regarding the lifting of Sam Rainsy’s immunity. She added that, to the contrary, she told Heng Samrin that he should not speak about an out of topic issue during the celebration of the International Women’s Day held on 08 March. Mrs. Mu Sochua added on that letter that there were no reporters present during her meeting with Heng Samrin.

KI-Media note: MP Mu Sochua was scolded by Heng Samrin at a Women's Day event held on 05 March 2009 for stating her view on Voice of America of the decision of the National Assembly to lift the parliamentary immunity of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, as the decision of the Permanent Committee of the National Assembly clearly violated article 80 of the Constitution.

Thai troops built a border post 100 metres deep inside Khmer territory

On 14th January 2009, 35 heavily-armed Thai soldiers entered the same area at Choam Sa-Ngam to stop Khmer workers from building a fence to construct a casino.
9th March, 2009
By Sav Yuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated by Khmerization

Cambodian border guards based at Choam Sa-Ngam Border Checkpoint near Anlong Veng said that about 10 black-clad Thai soldiers crossed 100 metres into Khmer territory at Choam Sa-Ngam Border Checkpoint on 9th March to construct a border post there.

A Khmer border guard who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that on the afternoon of Sunday, 10 Thai soldiers entered 100 metres deep into Khmer territory to build a border post on top of a rubbish tip where Khmer villagers had used to dump their rubbish for a long time. They then started to build a wooden hut to use as a border post, but the hut was immediately demolished by the Khmer border guards and the Thai troops were then asked to leave.

The border guard said: "Our (Khmer) village stands here everyday. Yesterday, at around 5:30 to 6 o'clock in the afternoon they came in an attempt to build a border post there, we warned them not to and then they returned back to their base. And this morning they came at 6 o'clock in the morning to built their border post."

Maj. Toch Var, deputy chairman of Khmer-Thai Border Co-ordination Committee for Choam Sa-Ngam, said that those Thai soldiers were from company 2307 based in a barrack near the area.

Maj. Toch Var said that the Thai soldiers crossed into the area when they saw Khmer workers used bulldozers to bury the smelly rubbish in the tip. They said that they came in to secure the spot because they are concerned that the Khmers will construct the buildings on the spot. But they withdrew when he reported the incident to their commander.

Maj. Toch Var said: "They came in in an attempt to build a hut because they are concerned that we will build something on the spot. After we went to talk with their leaders, those troops withdrew."

However, a Thai official attached to the Khmer-Thai Border Co-Ordination Committee for Sisaket province, Mr. Sawang Prachumwong, said through telephone from Sisaket that he didn't know anything about Thai troops entering Khmer territory.

Chairman of Cambodian Border Committee, Mr. Var Kim Hong, said that the Thai had already set up their border post in Choam Sa-Ngam, therefore they have no right to come in (Khmer territory) to build another one. He said that the area has also been demarcated which part belong to Thailand and which part belong to Cambodia, so they cannot move further into Khmer territory.

Mr. Var Kim Hong said: "we have drawn the borderlines already in the area in question. If they want to move further into Khmer territory, we will absolutely never allow them to do that, they have no right to move deeper in (into Khmer territory). If they move any deeper into Khmer territory, it means that they are violating Khmer sovereignty."

Khmer border guards said that this is a second violation after a lone Thai soldier was arrested and detained on 26th February for illegally crossing into Khmer territory through Thkeam Romeas (Rhino's Jaw) Border Pass near the former Khmer refugee camp of Tatum in Ouddor Meanchey province. And on 27th February, another lone Thai soldier was spotted entering Khmer territory by carrying a 69-type land-mine with him. He was arrested near Ta Mok's former mango plantation and was detained by Khmer border police.