Cambodia Morning News For May 22

No Coercion: Phnom Penh Post Sale One Year in The Works (HD Video)
If any thoughts remained as to whether the sale of Cambodia publishing company Post Media, publisher of The Phnom Penh Post, was the result of a politically motivated artificial tax bill they were put to rest last Friday (May 18) when the company’s new management team fronted a media conference in Phnom Penh.
— AEC News Today (video)

Heated Exchanges as New Phnom Penh Post Boss Meets the Press (HD video)
The sale of any newspaper is always a contentious issue and none more so than in places where personal freedoms are under attack and democratic space is seen as contracting.
— AEC News Today (video)

The Funding Partners Invests in PPCC
Cambodia’s Phnom Penh City Center (PPCC), also known as the Pearl of Cambodia, is a mixed-use project that includes the capital’s first and only Central Business District.
— Digital Journal

Construction work to renovate National Highway 5 begins
The renovation of National Road 5 continues, with construction work on the section that runs from Prek Kdam area in Kandal to Thlea Ma’Am in Pursat province beginning yesterday.
— Khmer Times

China Donates Electronics worth of $40,000 to the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Education
Zhejiang Yalong Educational Equipment Jiont-Stock Co., Ltd. has donated electronic equipment of valued more than $ 40,000 to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia; and provided training courses to utilize the materials.
— Fresh News

Japan invests in future of Cambodia through education scholarships
The government yesterday revealed that Japan will contribute about $3 million in aid to improve Cambodia’s education system by ensuring that students will have the chance to acquire scholarships to further their studies in 2018.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior Threatens to Seize Assets of Opposition Officials Urging Boycott
Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior has threatened to seize the assets of officials from the country’s now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) if they do not end a call to boycott the general election in July, drawing concern from observers who say there is no legal precedent to do so.
— Radio Free Asia

New Koh Kong dams under discussion
The China Huadian Corporation, who currently operates a 338-megawatt hydropower dam on the Russey Chrum River in Koh Kong, is now conducting negotiations with the government to build two more dams in the province.
— Khmer Times

Rice storage facilities nearly ready for next harvest season
Three new rice storage and drying facilities will be ready in July for the upcoming harvest season and will boost the sector’s capacity and export potential, even as the Ministry of Agriculture claimed the sector still needs more storage space to meet demand.
— The Phnom Penh Post

NEC Issues Press Release on Roles and Duties of National and International Electoral Observers
National Election Committee (NEC) issued a press release on Monday regarding the roles and duties of national and international electoral observers for the National Assembly 6th mandate election will be held on July 29, 2018.
— Fresh News

Cambodia arrests barber in second lese majeste case
Cambodian police have arrested a 70-year-old barber for allegedly insulting the king, the second such case since a controversial lese majeste law was introduced this year.
— The Straits Times

PM Hun Sen’s Proud to Lead Cambodia for 33 Years (Video inside)
Head of the Royal Government of Cambodia Hun Sen expressed pride in leading Cambodia during these 33 years to success and that no citizens suffered from wars.
— Fresh News

Are Cambodia and Laos Really Any Closer to Resolving Their Border Dispute?
Despite some incremental progress, deeper questions remain unresolved.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

MFI group warns about shady Facebook adverts
A representative of the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA) yesterday warned the public on the dangers of taking cash loans from unfamiliar institutions, noting that shady lenders were boosting their advertisements.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Room to boost India-CLMV trade
India’s trade relations with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Việt Nam (CLMV) have immense potential to flourish, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quốc Hưng.
— Viet Nam News

AEPF Recognizes PM Hun Sen as Chairman of Asian Cultural Council
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen was nominated by the 2nd Asian and European Political Forum (AEPF) as an honorary founding chairperson of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), an affiliated institution of International Conference for Asia Political Party (ICAPP), according to the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)’s press release on Monday.
— Fresh News

HKL gets BBB+ credit rating
Hattha Kaksekar Limited (HKL), one of the largest microfinance institutions in Cambodia, received a BBB+ credit rating from Thailand-based Tris Rating for its strong business performance and stable financial position.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia gears up for Ebola prevention
The Health Ministry has issued advice to be careful about the Ebola virus disease after the World Health Organisation announced a renewed outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week.
— Khmer Times

Feature photo Oliver Townend

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.