Cambodia morning news for May 22

CBC reports $6.7B in consumer credit
The total outstanding balance of consumer credit in Cambodia reached $6.7 billion at the end of March – a 7.4 per cent increase from the end of December – the latest report from the Credit Bureau of Cambodia (CBC) said.
— Phnom Penh Post

Co-working space Outpost secures US$1.3M seed funding
The new hospitality brand focussing on co-living and co-working is based in two locations; Bali, Indonesia and Phnom Penh, Cambodia Outpost, a co-working and co-living company based in Indonesia and Cambodia, announced that it has raised a US$1.3 million seed funding from Strypes Holdings, and Clarenberg Ventures.
— e27

Cambodia imports 1,500 pigs from Thailand per day amid ban of import from Vietnam
Cambodia has imported up to 1,500 pigs from Thailand a day, as a ban on pig imports from Vietnam is still in place due to African swine fever outbreak, an animal health chief has said.
— Xin Hua

Amid Media Clampdown, Rural Cambodians Turn to the Internet
In September 2017, the Cambodian government shut down a number of independent radio news programs across the country, including VOD, Radio Free Asia (RFA) and the Voice of America (VOA), by claiming that they were being broadcast without the proper F.M. licenses.
— VOD

PLCN plans patrol in May to crack down on forestry crime
The Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) is planning a joint patrol this month with activists from four provinces – Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear – to scout the protected area and crack down on forestry crimes.
— Phnom Penh Post

Halal certifications awarded to 39 local companies
Thirty-nine local companies have been awarded Halal certifications since the label was created last year, according to the Cambodian Halal Secretariat.
— Khmer Times

Authorities accused of ignoring logging
Bunong indigenous residents in Dak Dam commune in Mondulkiri province’s O’Raing district have accused the authorities of ignoring the clearing of community forest land at Chrey Thom waterfall resort and a local cemetery despite repeated complaints since 2017.
— Phnom Penh Post

200 Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle Hatchlings To Be Released in Mekong River
The Fisheries Administration (FiA) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will release 200 Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle hatchlings into the Mekong River this weekend.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Battambang residents prevented from planting 200 saplings
Authorities in Battambang province have stopped some 150 residents, led by a powerful official, from planting tree saplings in the Samlot Protected Area, amid allegations that the act was merely a pretext to seize protected land for private ownership.
— Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia-China Journalist Association Launched to Promote ‘Positive News’
The initiative, supported by both governments, marks another step toward replacing Cambodia’s once free press with China’s model of information, media experts say.
— VOA Cambodia

Day of Remembrance Used to Extol Hun Sen’s Firm Rule
For Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Khmer Rouge genocide is evidence of progress and security under his rule — a doctrine he repeated again on Monday, the National Day of Remembrance. For some political observers, however, the lesson lies less in the virtues of his firm grip over the country’s politics, and instead in the dangers of unrivaled power.
— VOD

New film showcases monk’s efforts to save forest
The Documentation Centre of Cambodia’s Sleuk Rith Motion Picture yesterday launched a film ‘Jungle Guard’ which showcases the efforts of the Monk Community Forest project to protect indigenous wildlife and natural resources in the Anlong Veng forests, the last Khmer Rouge stronghold along Cambodia’s remote northern border.
— Khmer Times

‘Smart’ humanoid robots to serve customers at outlets in Phnom Penh
Mobile telecommunications operator, Smart Axiata Co., Ltd. took another innovative step by introducing robotic technology to optimize efficiency in its Smart Shops.
— Phnom Penh Post

Education certificate forgers to face ministry legal action
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport on Monday announced that it is cooperating with relevant authorities to take legal action against those who claimed to be able to produce school and university certificates for a price.
— Phnom Penh Post

Joint efforts for the sustainable development of the Mekong River
The 7th MRC Regional Stakeholder Forum on Mekong Transboundary Integrated Water Resources Management
— Mekong River Commission

Local pork prices rise following Vietnam import ban
Pork prices have surged since Vietnam, the Kingdom’s biggest supplier for the meat, reported an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF).
— Khmer Times

Cambodian Gangster Appeals NZ Manslaughter Conviction
The man who orchestrated the kidnapping of an Auckland mother of three using the Head Hunters’ hit squad is appealing his manslaughter conviction.
— Cambodia News English

Phnom Penh unveils anti-gambling plan
The Phnom Penh Municipal Hall said it has introduced an urgent plan comprising measures to eliminate unauthorised gambling in the capital.
— Phnom Penh Post

Firms urged to study export regulation
Local firms must have a clear understanding of phytosanitary regulation if they wish to increase shipments abroad, experts stressed during a workshop organised by Germany’s GIZ last week.
— Khmer Times

Kampot officials baffled by mystery poles
Kampot provincial Governor Cheav Tay has ordered his officials to probe a Facebook post which shows an image of demarcation poles off the provincial coast in a land sale advertisement.
— Khmer Times

The foundation aiming to preserve the Kingdom’s elephant heritage
From ancient carvings and statues in magnificent temples, to popular folk legends, elephants have long been a part of Cambodia’s culture and traditions.
— Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia Nominates Six Cities and Khan for ASEAN Clean City Competition
Cambodia has nominated six cities and Khan for the second ASEAN Clean City Competition 2020-2022.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Court questions newspaper publisher over defamation
Siem Reap Provincial Court yesterday questioned the publisher of local news outlet Kampuchea Sovanphum over defamation and incitement to commit felony allegations filed against him in March.
— Khmer Times

Wild Banteng Spotted in M’kiri
Mondulkiri Province: A rare wild banteng was captured on camera, pleasing environmentalists and conservationists.
— Cambodia News English

More than 10,000 expected at Royal Ploughing Ceremony tomorrow
More than 10,000 people are expected to take part in tomorrow’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony be held on a football field in Takeo province’s Daun Keo city.
— Khmer Times

Probe set for Kampot land
A prominent member of the Supreme Council of Consultation is set to launch an investigation into the “dubious” ownership of a private property that allegedly encroaches on the sea in Kampot province.
— Phnom Penh Post

Thousand Gather at Mondulkiri for Biodiversity Day
Over 1,000 government officials, representatives of development agencies, the public and other relevant stakeholders have gathered to cheer the International Day for Biological Diversity 2019 at Mondulkiri province.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

A kick of Kampot pepper
Cambodian cuisine is often overlooked internationally, but there is one unique Cambodian flavor leaving its mark around the world – Kampot pepper.
— CGTN

Kampot Power Cut Wednesday 24 May
According to the notice, Kampot city will have no electricity from 8 am until 12 pm tomorrow.Don’t shoot the messenger if it’s at a different time, longer, or not at all.
— Cambodia News English

Kandal state land reclassified
The government has approved the reclassification of 70-hectares of land along the Mekong river in Kandal province’s Lvea Em district for Khun Sear Import and Export Company to rent.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia Reaffirms Its Foreign Policy of Friendly Relations with Other Countries
The Spokesperson Unit of the Royal Government of Cambodia this evening issued a statement reaffirming the Kingdom’s foreign policy of continuing friendly relations with other countries without discrimination.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Sign O’ the Chine’s on Otres
On the morning of May 21, 2019, near Otres Beach the local administration co-operated with the Departments of Culture and Fine Arts to dismantle and destroy business signs which did not display the regulation requirements of Khmer text.
— Cambodia News English

A Few Cambodian Fish Species
To celebrate the start of the monsoon, it’s fish season at CNE!
— Cambodia News English

Ministry warning over FB offer to alter high school grades
The Education Ministry is working to identify the user behind a Facebook post offering to alter grades on Grade 12 transcripts in exchange for money.
— Khmer Times

Kong Korm says Rainsy violating Paris Peace Accords
Former CNRP senior advisor Kong Korm on Sunday lashed out at the dissolved party’s former leader Sam Rainsy, accusing him of trying to destroy democracy in Cambodia and violating the Paris Peace Accords.
— Khmer Times

Is democracy in retreat?
A fortnight ago, markets were going great guns, with the S&P500 hitting record high, even as there was increasing evidence that global trade and many economies were slowing.
— Phnom Penh Post

PM Shares an Old Photo on Peace-seeking Process for Cambodia
Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen shared on his Facebook page this morning an old photo recalling his peace-seeking process for Cambodia in the late 1980s.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Conferred on H.R.H. Prince Norodom Sirivudh
H.R.H. Prince Norodom Sirivudh, Former Deputy Prime Minister and High Privy Counsellor of His Majesty the King of Cambodia, has received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun of Japan.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Feature photo Office of the Council of Ministers

This week’s Cambodia morning news feature photo acknowledges Royal Ploughing Ceremony, May 22.

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.

Cambodia morning news for May 22 added by John Le Fevre on May 22, 2019
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.