Cambodia Morning News For February 23

Cambodia Remains Most Corrupt Country In Southeast Asia
Cambodia remained the most corrupt country in Southeast Asia in the Corruption Perception Index 2017, the annual global graft ranking compiled by Transparency International, and it ain’t getting better.
— Investvine

Doubling of Thai investments in Cambodia targeted
CAMBODIAN Commerce Minister Sorasak Pan expects the value of Thai direct investments in his country will double by 2020, driven by expansion in services, agricultural processing, small and medium-sized enterprises and restaurants.
— The Nation

Government to Transfer $430 Million to Sub-national Administrations
The Royal Government of Cambodia has managed to provide $430 million for sub-national administration to contribute to country’s development, according to Prime Minister.
— Fresh News

Media Monitor: No Press Freedom Left in Cambodia
The “facade” of free press in Cambodia “collapsed” in 2017, according to the annual report of the country’s preeminent media watchdog, released Wednesday.
— VOA

As business and tourism ties strengthen, Chinese media make strides in Cambodia
Phlong Vichet worked at Chinese-language newspapers in Cambodia for more than a decade, and has watched with growing interest as Cambodia and China have strengthened ties in the past few years.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s Hun Sen threatens to beat up protesters at ASEAN-Australian summit
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday (Feb 21) threatened to beat up protesters who might burn an effigy of him during his visit to Sydney next month.
— Channel NewsAsia

Cambodian King Leaves Signing of Controversial Constitutional Amendments to Ruling Party
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni left the country on Thursday for a medical checkup in China, a day after the country’s Senate approved a new law making it a crime to insult the monarch along with controversial changes to several articles of the constitution.
— Radio Free Asia

PM Hun Sen: Ministerial Officials Should Perform Assigned Duties Without Waiting for Order (Video inside)
Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his dissatisfaction with ministerial officials from the governors to relevant officials who did not perform their duties that have been stipulated in the law, however, waiting for orders from the Prime Minister.
— Fresh News (Video)

Monitors ready for Senate vote
With the absence of independent election monitors like Comfrel and Nicfec, Sunday’s Senate elections will be monitored by a hodgepodge of associations, with some representing the pharmacy, travel and hospitality industries, and another run by Hun Many, son of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia Prime Minister’s Son Urged to Explain Sex-Assault Allegations
A leading opposition politician has called on one of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s sons to publicly explain himself after sexual assault allegations circulated on social media.
— VOA

Thai, Cambodian Defense Ministers discuss border meeting preparations
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon, discussed preparations for the upcoming Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, Gen. Tea Banh.
— NTT

In Cambodia’s courts, it’s a man’s world – with the effects felt by female employees and victims alike
The number of women in the Cambodian judicial system remains stubbornly low, new statistics compiled by the Cambodian National Council for Women show, with the detrimental effects of that imbalance felt throughout the court system.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia and Japan navigate a changing geopolitical landscape together
This year, Cambodia and Japan will celebrate 65 years of diplomatic ties.
— The Asean Post

EU turns screw on Myanmar and Cambodia over rights abuses
European countries will threaten sanctions over both Myanmar’s anti-Rohingya crackdown and Cambodia’s opposition purge ahead of elections this year.
— Financial Times

Feature photo Juan Antonio Segal

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Cambodia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Cambodia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.