Two opposition activists escape to Thailand

16 August 2010
By Yun Samien
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Two SRP activists who were accused of spreading anti-government leaflets in Phnom Penh on 11 August have fled to Thailand.

Chan Soveth, an official for the Adhoc human rights group, told RFA on 16 August that Chea Sok Cheam and Mrs. Chea Daly arrived in Thailand already in order to avoid being arrested by the Cambodian cops. The pair were accused of distributing anti-government leaflets in Phnom Penh on 11 August.

Chan Soveth added that the pair are concerned about their safety and they would like to return back to Cambodia if they receive the guarantee that the cops will not arrest them.

On 11 August, the Phnom Penh cops arrested a suspect and confiscated leaflets criticizing the government leaders, accusing these leaders’ cooperation led to the lost of Cambodian territories to Vietnam.

Touch Naroth, the Phnom Penh police commissioner, told RFA on Monday that the cops already sent the case of the two SRP activists to the tribunal already. He declined to provide details in this case.

The SRP rejected the accusation made by the cops claiming that its activists were involved in the distribution of these leaflets. He said that this is a political accusation intended to threaten SRP activists.

Kul Panha, the executive director of the Comfrel NGO, said on Monday that the Cambodian cops should educate the suspects involved with the distribution of the leaflets rather than arresting them. He said that the distribution of these leaflets is merely an expression of opinion, and the content of the leaflet does not affect significantly the government.

In Ausgust alone, at least 7 opposition activists have been accused by the Cambodian government cops of distributing false information and of sabotage.

“Kruos Chhne Samott Khmer” a Poem in Khmer by Yim Guechsè

Construction workers protest

TUESDAY, 17 AUGUST 2010 15:01
By: KIM YUTHANA
Source: Phnompenhpost

Photo by: Heng Chivoan Employees of local construction firm KC Gecin Enterprises protest in front of the company’s head office in Meanchey district yesterday.

MORE than 100 disgruntled workers staged a protest along National Road 2 in Meanchey district’s Chak Angre Leu commune yesterday, after local construction firm KC Gecin Enterprises allegedly dismissed 27 employees last week for attempting to form a union.

Chum Yean, 27, who was among the group of workers fired by the company last Friday, said colleagues had demanded they be reinstated immediately.

“It is an injustice that we were fired. The company discriminated against us because we were planning to set up a union,” he said.

The protest lasted into the evening, but participants said 10 commune police officials tore up their banners.

Chak Angre Leu commune chief Keo Sareoun, who accompanied the police, justified the destruction of the banners by calling the protest illegal.
“They are not allowed to rebel here,” he said.

“It causes traffic jams and is against the law because they did not ask authorities for permission to protest.”

Hun Sen Encourages Officials To Care About The National Interest

Tuesday 10-08-2010
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 677

Hun Xen

“Prime Minister Hun Sen advised high ranking officials yesterday [9 August 2010] that their positions cannot be passed on to theirfamily members of the next generation, but he suggested to focus on creating contributions in the national interest rather than to maintain their positions.

“In a speech during a forum on questions of national development held by the government in Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that government officials should respect and act according to their roles to serve the public.

“He added, ‘Do not forget that the positions of minister, deputy prime minister, secretary of state, and under-secretary of state in all institutions are not permanent ones or can be passed on to your children.’ He went on to say, ‘It is the same for the provincial governors. You cannot keep your positions forever or pass them on to your children. What we do is for the future of the whole nation.’

“A son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, Mr. Hun Manet, 32, is a general of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces; he has earned a degree from the US West Point Military Academy and a senior degree in economics from Bristol University of England. However, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that he does not want Mr. Hun Manet to enter politics.” Phnom Penh Post [Khmer Edition], Vol.1, #233, 10.8.2010

NOTE: Thank you Mr. Hun Sen that you spoke as a leader on that day, but I am not sure if your spoke in dream or with your full consciousness . I put doubt because why such things are still not improved and you  play deaf ears and blind eyes as observed bellow:

Investment on Islands in the Cambodian Sea are full of Secrets and Corruption

14 August 2010
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.17, #3957, 13.8.2010
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 677

Development plan for Koh Puos Island (Phot: KPIG)

“A high ranking official of the Sam Rainsy Party demanded the government to clarify the investments by private companies on some islands in the Cambodian sea. People want to know which companies control those islands and the leasing prices, and for how long. A request was made after the Cambodian government handed over some islands to local and foreign companies for investment, but the investment opportunities were not put up to facilitate accurate and transparent public biddings.

“Mr. Son Chhay added that islands in the sea have as high a potential for the Cambodian economy as the beaches near Kep, Koh Kong, and Sihanoukville, because they attract national and international tourists. However, the government does not put them up for public bidding; this also affects the environment, and the background of the companies is not known. He said, ‘We have received information that several Khmer islands have been handed over by the government to powerful people or to relatives of government officials, and they then leased some islands to some foreign companies, exploiting for themselves the interests of the Khmer people.’

PM Son Chhay (SRP)

“In his response, a Cambodian People’s Party parliamentarian and chairperson of the Commission of Economy, Finance Banking, and Audit, Mr. Cheam Yeap, acknowledged that the government did not put the investment on those islands for public auction, because the government does not have detailed plans, to show them to the clients for bidding. Since the government was not able to create detailed plans, putting them for public bidding is impossible. This recognition by such a high ranking official from the Cambodian People’s Party shows that the investment or leasing of the islands to some companies is mysterious and can be plagued by corruption.

“Mr. Son Chhay stressed that he requested the government in writing since 2006 to clarify investments and leasing of islands to some companies without transparent public bidding, but he has not received any response from the government. Now, he is collecting documents to be used as evidence about the impact and the corruption, in order to submit them to the government and ask for clarification again. The intention is to summon ministers or other government representatives to clarify these investment on some islands that are being developed – their shares were sold in Hong Kong – in order to know whether such activity is legal or not, and whether it conforms with basic procedures. If there is no clarification, it can be concluded that what was done before was the illegal sale of some islands of the country.

“In July 2010, the Ministry of Tourism cooperated with UNESCO towards the registration of some beaches of Cambodia among the world most beautiful beaches [Reference not clear, maybe the UNESCO Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands program, concerned with ‘environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, culturally respectful and economically viable development’]. It is expected that there will be strong support from national and international tourism. Also, the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Thong Khon, said that after Cambodian beaches will have been noted, the Ministry of Tourism is trying to make some Cambodian beaches to be fully listed among the world’s most beautiful beaches during the nomination next year.