Cambodia Morning News For April 19

Cambodia to Deploy 100,000 Security Personnel, ‘Village Guards’ at Polling Stations For July Ballot
Cambodia’s government plans to deploy more than 100,000 security personnel and “village guards” at polling stations across the country during the upcoming general election, according to officials, drawing concerns from observers who suggested such a show of force would intimidate voters in a poll in which the ruling party is the only significant political group on the ballot.
— Radio Free Asia

Government urged to curb illegal logging
Eight environmental organisations yesterday asked the government to take immediate action against loggers and land speculators in a wildlife sanctuary in Preah Vihear province, worrying that more land will be encroached upon.
— Khmer Times

Ministries team up to boost silk industry
Two government agencies got together to sign an agreement to boost and develop the silk sector in Cambodia.
— Khmer Times

Korea grants Labour Ministry $3.1 million
During a Khmer New Year visit to South Korea, Labour Minister Ith Samheng on Monday signed a $3.1 million agreement with his South Korean counterpart to empower Cambodia’s public employment services over the next four years.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia: where saving the forests is a matter of life and death
“After the murders, not many people dared to go inside the jungle,” Ouch Leng writes in an email.
— Equal Times

Second strike for gold prospector
Australia-listed Geopacific Resources announced yesterday it had made a second gold discovery in the Prospect 181 area of the Kou Sa project in the northern Preah Vihear province.
— Khmer Times

Thai police probe smuggled weapons seized in Trat : Cambodia police spokesman
Thai authorities have arrested a man suspected of smuggling illegal weapons from Cambodia to Thailand, according to Cambodian National Police.
— The Nation

NBC prepares for 19th LPCO
The National Bank of Cambodia said it will release about 120 billion riel (about $30 million) for commercial banks and microfinance institutions to bid in the 19th liquidity-provided collateralised operation (LPCO).
— Khmer Times

More than three tonnes of ivory reportedly bound for Cambodia seized in Mozambique
A total of 3.5 tonnes of ivory reportedly bound for Cambodia was seized by authorities in Mozambique late last week, according to the NGO Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
— The Phnom Penh Post

Senate approves law regulating import of medicine
The Senate has unanimously approved a law that regulates the import and export of pharmaceutical products, with all 47 senators voting in support yesterday.
— Khmer Times

Family, Community Struggle After Cambodian Immigrant’s ICE Detention
Sophal Chuk’s life hasn’t taken a straight path. But over the past years living in Madison, he and his family have taken on a routine. Chuk volunteers at the Buddhist temple in Oregon most days, and then comes home to play with his grandkids.
— Wort FM

CDC to issue factory certificates
The Council for the Development of Cambodia granted permission for three more companies this month to build garment factories in Phnom Penh and in Takeo and Kampong Speu provinces.
— Khmer Times

Cambodians, Vietnamese charged with Songkran thievery on Khao San Road
An alleged pickpocketing gang – a Vietnamese man and a Cambodian man and woman – were arrested amid Sunday’s Songkran revelry on Khao San Road in Bangkok.
— The Nation

Feature photo Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi

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