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Rom Vong Songs
Romvong
បញ្ហាដីធ្លីនិងពលករចំណាកស្រុកអាចលើកឡើងជាមួយមេដឹកនាំអាស៊ាន
Phnom Penh Post
March 30, 2012
March 30, 2012
ភ្នំពេញៈ នៅក្នុងសន្និសីទសង្គមស៊ីវិល ឯករាជ្យមួយ កាលពីថ្ងៃម្សិលមិញ សមាជិកគណៈកម្មការដឹកនាំថ្នាក់តំបន់ជាច្រើន បានប្រកាសពីបញ្ហាការទន្ទ្រានដណ្តើមកាន់កាប់ដីប្រជាជន និងលក្ខខណ្ឌការងារដ៏អាក្រក់ របស់ពលករចំណាកស្រុកថា ជាបញ្ហា ដែលអាចនឹងត្រូវលើកឡើង ជាមួយមេដឹកនាំអាស៊ាន ដែលនឹងមកចូលរួមប្រជុំ នៅសប្តាហ៍ក្រោយ។
លោក Sinapan Samy Dorai សមាជិកគណៈកម្មការម្នាក់ ដែលមកពីប្រទេសសិង្ហបុរី បានថ្លែងថា រដ្ឋាភិបាល មានការភ័យខ្លាចនឹងសង្គមស៊ីវិល។ លោកបានគូសបញ្ជាក់ថា៖ «អ្នកមានអំណាច និងទ្រព្យធនដែលជានិច្ចកាល ពាក់ព័ន្ធនឹងរដ្ឋាភិបាលបានបំពានប្រព័ន្ធច្បាប់ ដើម្បីរក្សាឋានៈរបស់ពួកគេផ្នែកនយោបាយ ហើយពិតណាស់ ដើម្បីទ្រព្យសម្បត្តិពួកគេ»។ លោកបន្តថា៖ «ពួកគេខ្លាចសង្គមស៊ីវិល លើកឡើងពីបញ្ហានេះ និងលាតត្រដាងពីអំពើពុករលួយក្នុងការដឹកនាំរបស់ពួកគេ»។ លោកបានចោទសួរថា៖ «អ្នកណានៅពីក្រោយការជួញដូរ គ្រឿងញៀន ស្ត្រី និងកុមារនោះ?
ពួកយើងភាគច្រើនបានដឹងហើយ»។
លោកបាន Sinapan Samy Dorai បន្តថា អាស៊ាន ត្រូវតែដោះស្រាយបញ្ហាដីធ្លី និងសិទ្ធិរបស់ពលករចំណាកស្រុក។
លោកបន្តទៀតថា៖ «ពុំមានប្រទេសណាមួយ ក្នុងចំណោមប្រទេសអាស៊ានទាំង ១០ ទទួលស្គាល់ពលករចំណាកស្រុកនៅក្រោមច្បាប់ការងាររបស់ពួកគេឡើយ»។
តំណាងអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិល មកពីប្រទេសអាស៊ានទាំង ១០និងអ្នកពាក់ព័ន្ធប្រមាណជា ៩០០ នាក់ បានជួបប្រជុំគ្នា នៅក្នុងសន្និសីទសង្គមស៊ីវិលអាស៊ានវេទិកាប្រជាជនអាស៊ាន ឆ្នាំ២០១២ ធ្វើឡើងរយៈពេល ៣ ថ្ងៃ ដែលចាប់ផ្តើមកាលពីម្សិលមិញ នៅសណ្ឋាគារLucky Star ក្នុងរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ។
តំណាងអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិលទាំងនេះ ក៏បានលើកឡើងផងដែរថា បណ្តារដ្ឋាភិបាល នៅក្នុងប្រទេសនៃសមាគមអាស៊ាន មិនសូវឲ្យតម្លៃទៅលើអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិលដែលធ្វើការជួយគាំពារ ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋពិតប្រាកដ និងរួមចំណែកយ៉ាងសំខាន់ សស្រាក់សស្រាំ នៅក្នុងដំណើរការអភិវឌ្ឍសង្គមនោះទេ។
លោកស្រី ធីតា ឃឹស នាយិកាអង្គការស៊ីលីកា និងជាសមាជិកគណៈកម្មាធិការ នៃសន្និសីទនេះ បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា វេទិកានេះ អង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិលមកពីប្រទេសអាស៊ានទាំង១០ នឹងចែករំលែកបទពិសោធពីគ្នាទៅវិញទៅមក ប្រមូលបញ្ហាដែលកំពុងប្រឈមទាំងឡាយ ដើម្បីចងក្រងជាអនុសាសន៍ដាក់ជូនទៅប្រមុខរដ្ឋាភិបាលដែលនឹងមកចូល រួមនៅក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំកំពូលអាស៊ាន នៅសប្តាហ៍ក្រោយ ដើម្បីធ្វើការដោះស្រាយ។ លោកស្រី ធីតា ឃឹស បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា៖«តួនាទីរបស់អង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិល នៅមិនទាន់ច្បាស់លាស់ ហើយរដ្ឋាភិបាលពុំបានគិតឲ្យបានដិតដល់ពីបញ្ហាប្រឈម ទៅដល់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ និងសង្គមស៊ីវិលនោះទេ»។
រដ្ឋាភិបាលកម្ពុជា បានជ្រើសតាំងអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិល ដែលគេមិនសូវស្គាល់ឈ្មោះឲ្យធ្វើជាតំណាងអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិល នៅក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំកំពូលអាស៊ាននៅសប្តាហ៍ក្រោយនេះរួចមកហើយ ក្តី។ ប៉ុន្តែ លោកស្រី ធីតា ឃឹស បានថ្លែងថា អង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិល ដែលធ្វើការបម្រើប្រជាពលរដ្ឋពិតប្រាកដក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា មិនទទួលស្គាល់តំណាងដែលជ្រើសតាំងដោយរដ្ឋាភិបាលនោះទេ ហើយនឹងរួមគ្នាជាមួយអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិលមកពីបណ្តាប្រទេសអាស៊ាន ដើម្បីដាក់អនុសាសន៍ដែលនឹងរកឃើញ នៅក្នុងសន្និសីទរយៈពេល ៣ ថ្ងៃនេះ ទៅប្រមុខរដ្ឋាភិបាលអាស៊ានទាំង ១០ ទៅតាមលទ្ធភាពដែលអាចធ្វើបាន។
រដ្ឋាភិបាលកម្ពុជា ក៏បានរៀបចំវេទិកាសង្គមស៊ីវិល ដែលមានឈ្មោះស្រដៀងគ្នានេះមួយផងដែរ នៅសាលសន្និសីទចតុមុខ ដែលបានចាប់ផ្តើម កាលពីថ្ងៃពុធ និងបញ្ចប់កាលពីថ្ងៃម្សិលមិញ។
អ្នកនាំពាក្យអង្គភាពព័ត៌មាន និងប្រតិកម្មរហ័សនៃទីស្តីការគណៈរដ្ឋមន្ត្រី លោក ឯក ថា បានបដិសេធមិនធ្វើអធិប្បាយទេ។
រឿងរ៉ាវពាក់ព័ន្ធនឹងអាស៊ាននេះដែរ កាលពីម្សិលមិញ បញ្ជាការកងកម្លាំងការពារជាតិអាស៊ាន បានចុះហត្ថលេខាលើឯកសារស្តីពីកិច្ចសហប្រតិបតិ្តការទ្វេភាគី និងពហុភាគី ដើម្បីទប់ស្កាត់ការគំរាមកំហែងឆ្លងកាត់ព្រំដែន ដែលកំពុងកើតឡើងនៅក្នុងតំបន់។
ថ្លែងនៅសន្និសីទសារព័ត៌មាន បន្ទាប់ពីបញ្ចប់កិច្ចប្រជុំនៅសណ្ឋាគារ អាំងទែរកុងទីណង់តាល់ នៅរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ លោក ប៉ុល សារឿន អគ្គមេបញ្ជាការនៃកងយោធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទ បានថ្លែងថា ប្រទេសសមាជិកអាស៊ាន នឹងបន្តផ្តោតលើកិច្ចសហប្រតិបតិ្តការ ស្តីពីបញ្ហាគ្រោះមហន្តរាយធម្មជាតិ សន្តិសុខផ្ទៃសមុទ្រ ក្រុមឧក្រិដ្ឋកម្មឆ្លងកាត់ព្រំដែន និងសកម្មភាពភេរវករ។
លោកបានបញ្ជាក់ថា៖ «ឆ្លើយតបនឹងការគំរាមកំហែងដែលកំពុងកើតឡើងសព្វថ្ងៃនេះ ដែលកាន់តែស្មុគស្មាញ និងពិបាកព្យាករទុក យើងបានអនុវត្តសកម្មភាពរួមគ្នាដែលមានគោលដៅពង្រឹងកិច្ចសហ ប្រតិបតិ្តការ»៕ CR/TK
រាយការណ៍បន្ថែម វង្ស សុខេង និង សូ វិសាល
Friday, March 30, 2012
Phnom Penh hotels voted among trendiest in Asia
The Phnom Penh Post
Roth Meas
March 28, 2012
The Quay Hotel is located at 277 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh. The Lebiz Hotel and Library is at 79F Street 128, Phnom Penh.
In yet another sign of the resurgence of Cambodia’s tourism industry, two Phnom Penh hotels were recently named among Asia’s 25 Trendiest Hotel by TripAdvisor.com.
THE DECOR AT LEBIZ HOTEL AND LIBRARY, VOTED AMONG THE 25 TRENDIEST HOTELS IN ASIA, INCLUDES MURALS LIKE THIS ONE BY PEAP TARR. PHOTO BY MAI VIREAK
PREV1 of 2 NEXT The website, which features user reviews of hotels, tours and other travel services, has announced its 2012 Travellers Choice Awards for hotels around the world.
The 25 Trendiest Hotels in Asia category includes properties in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.
Making the cut to represent Cambodia are the Lebiz Hotel & Library, ranked 13th, and The Quay, which came in 21st.
Yem Socheata, a reservation agent at The Quay, says the award is encouraging for the hotel’s 24 employees.
“Guests have told me that our hotel is quiet, romantic and different from others,” Yem Socheata says.
“We’re located close to the Royal Palace. The river is in the front of the hotel with a beautiful view. We try to make guests feel at home.”
The Quay is a quirky, 16-room modern building tucked into the riverfront.
Its eight standard-size rooms, which cost US $85 a night, have a large bed, a TV and a luxurious bathroom.
The remaining eight rooms, the Panorama Suites, have the same amenities but are bigger and have balconies facing the riverside, as well as a bathroom with a tub. These rooms cost $130 a night and offer simple, sleek design and seating area for TV viewing.
Guests are able to dine from the Spanish-themed menu in the ground-floor restaurant or enjoy cocktails on the rooftop, and wireless internet is free.
Closer to the city centre, the Lebiz Hotel and Library, which came 13th on the TripAdvisor list, boasts a unique leisurely concept and décor.
The four-floor Lebiz opened in August, 2010 near the city centre. What sets this boutique hotel apart is, as the name suggests, its library, with shelves stocked with books that guests can enjoy for free during their stay.
“Our guests always give us good feedback. They admire the design and cleanliness of our hotel,” says Julien Mousnier, the manager of Lebiz.
With only 27 rooms, this hotel certainly provides an intimate stay. Twenty single rooms include a deluxe king-size bed and go for $78 a night, while the seven double rooms include deluxe twin beds and go for $88.
There is free wi-fi, and breakfast is included.
Unique to the Lebiz is the series of murals that adorn the hotel’s walls.
Each floor has its own mural, a one-off design executed by comissioned artists including Phnom Penh-based graffiti muralists Peap Tarr and Lisa Mam.
The decor alone makes it tempting to grab a library book and stay in for the day.
“It’s an honour to be elected. We hope it will attract more guests,” says Julien Mousnier, adding that he will display the TripAdvisor trophy at the reception desk.
Although the awards may help put the local hospitality industry on the Asian map, Cambodia still has a way to go to catch up to one of its trendier neighbours – Thailand led the category with 11 of the 25 spots on the list.
Roth Meas
March 28, 2012
The Quay Hotel is located at 277 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh. The Lebiz Hotel and Library is at 79F Street 128, Phnom Penh.
In yet another sign of the resurgence of Cambodia’s tourism industry, two Phnom Penh hotels were recently named among Asia’s 25 Trendiest Hotel by TripAdvisor.com.
THE DECOR AT LEBIZ HOTEL AND LIBRARY, VOTED AMONG THE 25 TRENDIEST HOTELS IN ASIA, INCLUDES MURALS LIKE THIS ONE BY PEAP TARR. PHOTO BY MAI VIREAK
PREV1 of 2 NEXT The website, which features user reviews of hotels, tours and other travel services, has announced its 2012 Travellers Choice Awards for hotels around the world.
The 25 Trendiest Hotels in Asia category includes properties in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.
Making the cut to represent Cambodia are the Lebiz Hotel & Library, ranked 13th, and The Quay, which came in 21st.
Yem Socheata, a reservation agent at The Quay, says the award is encouraging for the hotel’s 24 employees.
“Guests have told me that our hotel is quiet, romantic and different from others,” Yem Socheata says.
“We’re located close to the Royal Palace. The river is in the front of the hotel with a beautiful view. We try to make guests feel at home.”
The Quay is a quirky, 16-room modern building tucked into the riverfront.
Its eight standard-size rooms, which cost US $85 a night, have a large bed, a TV and a luxurious bathroom.
The remaining eight rooms, the Panorama Suites, have the same amenities but are bigger and have balconies facing the riverside, as well as a bathroom with a tub. These rooms cost $130 a night and offer simple, sleek design and seating area for TV viewing.
Guests are able to dine from the Spanish-themed menu in the ground-floor restaurant or enjoy cocktails on the rooftop, and wireless internet is free.
Closer to the city centre, the Lebiz Hotel and Library, which came 13th on the TripAdvisor list, boasts a unique leisurely concept and décor.
The four-floor Lebiz opened in August, 2010 near the city centre. What sets this boutique hotel apart is, as the name suggests, its library, with shelves stocked with books that guests can enjoy for free during their stay.
“Our guests always give us good feedback. They admire the design and cleanliness of our hotel,” says Julien Mousnier, the manager of Lebiz.
With only 27 rooms, this hotel certainly provides an intimate stay. Twenty single rooms include a deluxe king-size bed and go for $78 a night, while the seven double rooms include deluxe twin beds and go for $88.
There is free wi-fi, and breakfast is included.
Unique to the Lebiz is the series of murals that adorn the hotel’s walls.
Each floor has its own mural, a one-off design executed by comissioned artists including Phnom Penh-based graffiti muralists Peap Tarr and Lisa Mam.
The decor alone makes it tempting to grab a library book and stay in for the day.
“It’s an honour to be elected. We hope it will attract more guests,” says Julien Mousnier, adding that he will display the TripAdvisor trophy at the reception desk.
Although the awards may help put the local hospitality industry on the Asian map, Cambodia still has a way to go to catch up to one of its trendier neighbours – Thailand led the category with 11 of the 25 spots on the list.
The ASEAN Community: Grabbing a golden opportunity
The Phnom Penh Post
Chakriya Khiev and Dareth Rosaline
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Most young Cambodians have probably grown up hearing the word “ASEAN” since they were in high school. But, did they ever really learn about it?
Few youths know the importance of ASEAN, even though they’re worried about the future of their own job security.
PREV1 of 2 NEXT Cheang Sokha, an exec-utive director of the Youth Resources Development Program (YRDP), and a former organiser of the ASEAN youth forum, said that having an ASEAN community is vital for all – especially, young citizens who are members to ASEAN states.
“The ASEAN community can provide a lot of chances to people, especially youths,” said Sokha. “These chances provide future job opportunities.”
Sokha expressed worry, on the other hand, that young Cambodians’ lack of understanding of how ASEAN works will limit them from competing for these job opportunities.
“ASEAN should organise more youth forums, and the Cambodian government should encourage youths to participate in them – and the government should address what kinds of job opportunities are available for young Cambodians,” Sokha said.
Oum Chanvetey, 20, a third-year student at the Royal University of Law and Economics, said knowledge of ASEAN will provide many advantages to both her and her fellow students.
She added that the more young Cambodians know about the ASEAN community, the more they’ll be able to prepare themselves to be qualified competitors among the international job market across Southeast Asia.
According to an article in The Phnom Penh Post on January 11, senior officials who met in Siem Reap as part of an agenda-setting meeting agreed to implement visa exemption in 2015 for any citizens belonging to ASEAN member states, in an effort to promote travel between the 10 member nations.
Regarding this agreement, Chanvatey responded that in today’s challenging job market, only those with a good education – having completed a high-quality Bachelor’s or even a Master’s – will be the first, maybe only, to receive the best jobs in ASEAN member states. Others, however, will be unable to compete.
“When the ASEAN Community is established, many people from other countries will try to find jobs in Cambodia,” said Chanvatey. “Since they have a better education and better abilities, we might face being jobless in the future.”
Dr In Sophal, a professor of international relations at University of Cambodia, said that the university’s international relations curriculum primarily focuses on ASEAN. He stressed the importance of studying international relations, saying the field provides a necessary knowledge of how politics, economy and communication works within the international framework of Southeast Asia.
Chakriya Khiev and Dareth Rosaline
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Most young Cambodians have probably grown up hearing the word “ASEAN” since they were in high school. But, did they ever really learn about it?
Few youths know the importance of ASEAN, even though they’re worried about the future of their own job security.
PREV1 of 2 NEXT Cheang Sokha, an exec-utive director of the Youth Resources Development Program (YRDP), and a former organiser of the ASEAN youth forum, said that having an ASEAN community is vital for all – especially, young citizens who are members to ASEAN states.
“The ASEAN community can provide a lot of chances to people, especially youths,” said Sokha. “These chances provide future job opportunities.”
Sokha expressed worry, on the other hand, that young Cambodians’ lack of understanding of how ASEAN works will limit them from competing for these job opportunities.
“ASEAN should organise more youth forums, and the Cambodian government should encourage youths to participate in them – and the government should address what kinds of job opportunities are available for young Cambodians,” Sokha said.
Oum Chanvetey, 20, a third-year student at the Royal University of Law and Economics, said knowledge of ASEAN will provide many advantages to both her and her fellow students.
She added that the more young Cambodians know about the ASEAN community, the more they’ll be able to prepare themselves to be qualified competitors among the international job market across Southeast Asia.
According to an article in The Phnom Penh Post on January 11, senior officials who met in Siem Reap as part of an agenda-setting meeting agreed to implement visa exemption in 2015 for any citizens belonging to ASEAN member states, in an effort to promote travel between the 10 member nations.
Regarding this agreement, Chanvatey responded that in today’s challenging job market, only those with a good education – having completed a high-quality Bachelor’s or even a Master’s – will be the first, maybe only, to receive the best jobs in ASEAN member states. Others, however, will be unable to compete.
“When the ASEAN Community is established, many people from other countries will try to find jobs in Cambodia,” said Chanvatey. “Since they have a better education and better abilities, we might face being jobless in the future.”
Dr In Sophal, a professor of international relations at University of Cambodia, said that the university’s international relations curriculum primarily focuses on ASEAN. He stressed the importance of studying international relations, saying the field provides a necessary knowledge of how politics, economy and communication works within the international framework of Southeast Asia.
New talks scheduled for P Vihear pullout
The Phnom Penh Post
Cheang Sokha
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Thailand and Cambodia are going back to work on the Preah Vihear issue, scheduling a meeting of the Joint Working Group for next week to discuss the withdrawal of troops from the Provisional Demilitarised Zone that surrounds the disputed 11th-century temple, officials said yesterday.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Thailand sent a letter to the Cambodian side, requesting an April 3 to 5 meeting in Bangkok to discuss the long-awaited troop withdrawal, which was ordered by the International Court of Justice on July 18.
“The Cambodian side wants to see the meeting happen soon so that they can implement the ICJ order,” Koy Kuong told the Post.
Cambodia and Thailand first held a General Border Committee meeting in Phnom Penh on December 21, which was chaired by the ministers of defence from both countries. There, the two sides decided to form a joint working group to figure out details of the withdrawal from the 17.3 square kilometre-area surrounding the temple.
The order from the ICJ for both countries’ troops to be withdrawn from the area was made following deadly border clashes near Preah Vihear in February 2011, which damaged parts of the UNESCO-listed temple.
According to Koy Kuong, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Monday sent a letter to his Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, who was assigned by the ICJ to mediate the border issue between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Foreign Minister [Hor Namhong] has said that Cambodia is already prepared to sign the Terms of Reference [for troop withdrawal] at any time,” Koy Kuong said, adding that Hor Namhong also urged Natalegawa to push forward the signing agreement of the ToR as soon as possible.
Cheang Sokha
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Thailand and Cambodia are going back to work on the Preah Vihear issue, scheduling a meeting of the Joint Working Group for next week to discuss the withdrawal of troops from the Provisional Demilitarised Zone that surrounds the disputed 11th-century temple, officials said yesterday.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Thailand sent a letter to the Cambodian side, requesting an April 3 to 5 meeting in Bangkok to discuss the long-awaited troop withdrawal, which was ordered by the International Court of Justice on July 18.
“The Cambodian side wants to see the meeting happen soon so that they can implement the ICJ order,” Koy Kuong told the Post.
Cambodia and Thailand first held a General Border Committee meeting in Phnom Penh on December 21, which was chaired by the ministers of defence from both countries. There, the two sides decided to form a joint working group to figure out details of the withdrawal from the 17.3 square kilometre-area surrounding the temple.
The order from the ICJ for both countries’ troops to be withdrawn from the area was made following deadly border clashes near Preah Vihear in February 2011, which damaged parts of the UNESCO-listed temple.
According to Koy Kuong, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Monday sent a letter to his Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, who was assigned by the ICJ to mediate the border issue between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Foreign Minister [Hor Namhong] has said that Cambodia is already prepared to sign the Terms of Reference [for troop withdrawal] at any time,” Koy Kuong said, adding that Hor Namhong also urged Natalegawa to push forward the signing agreement of the ToR as soon as possible.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
PM’s Nephew Denies Trafficking, Laundering
Source: Radio Free Asia
2012-03-27
Cambodian military police display equipment used to make methamphetamine outside Phnom Penh, June 2, 2009.
The influential nephew of Cambodia’s prime minister calls the report baseless.
The nephew of Cambodia’s prime minister Hun Sen on Tuesday denied reports that he is a suspect in police investigations into illegal drug running and money laundering activities in Australia.
On Monday, Australian newspaper The Age published a report which named Hun To as the target of an inquiry into a crime syndicate police said was importing more than 1 billion Australian dollars (U.S. $1.05 billion) into the country annually, with connections to government and policing officials across Asia.
“If you want to know the truth, please talk to the Australian embassy [in Phnom Penh] because they know the details,” Hun To told RFA in an interview.
He also denied that the Australian embassy had refused him a visa.
“If the Australian embassy had denied my visa, how would I be able to travel back and forth between Australia and Cambodia? To date, I am going in and out, and no one has stopped me,” he said.
The Age reported that Hun To had been the target of an investigation between 2002 and 2004, but said that a plan to arrest him in Melbourne was “thwarted” because “his application for a visa was denied by Australian embassy officials in Phnom Penh, with one official citing the need to avoid a diplomatic incident.”
Hun To said that if he had been involved with drug trafficking, the Cambodian government would have apprehended him.
“You think that if I am involved with drugs I would be able to stay [free] in Cambodia?” he asked.
The report comes as Bob Carr, Australia’s foreign minister, wraps up a four-day visit to Cambodia at the invitation of his counterpart Hor Namhong.
Call for investigation
Meanwhile, opposition Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann on Tuesday called on Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior to launch an investigation into Hun To’s activities.
“We are urging the Ministry of Interior to investigate the information made public by the Australian newspaper so that the authorities can make a clarification before the public,” Yim Sovann said.
“There must be an investigation.”
Yim Sovann said that history has shown that people in power often abuse it.
“Families of rich and powerful officials often become rich through illegal businesses. I’m not accusing anyone, but those involved with human right abuses, forest destruction, and drugs are mostly involved with powerful officials.”
Hun To is the son of Hun Sen’s brother Hun Neang, who currently serves as the provincial governor of Kompong Cham province.
Yim Sovann said that the authorities would create an air of suspicion if they fail to investigate the case.
‘No information’
Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak said that the ministry does not have any information linking Hun To to drug trafficking.
“Australian and Cambodian officials are working closely to investigate transnational crimes, but we have not received any information from the Australian authorities about this case. If there was a case, we would have been working on it,” he said.
Khieu Sopheak added that the foreign media publication had not presented any evidence of Hun To’s involvement in the alleged crimes.
He said that the ministry would cooperate with Australian authorities to investigate the case, but that so far there had been no request to do so.
Hun To is working with his legal team to file a defamation lawsuit against The Age over its report, he said.
Reported by Samean Yun for RFA’s Khmer service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
On Monday, Australian newspaper The Age published a report which named Hun To as the target of an inquiry into a crime syndicate police said was importing more than 1 billion Australian dollars (U.S. $1.05 billion) into the country annually, with connections to government and policing officials across Asia.
“If you want to know the truth, please talk to the Australian embassy [in Phnom Penh] because they know the details,” Hun To told RFA in an interview.
He also denied that the Australian embassy had refused him a visa.
“If the Australian embassy had denied my visa, how would I be able to travel back and forth between Australia and Cambodia? To date, I am going in and out, and no one has stopped me,” he said.
The Age reported that Hun To had been the target of an investigation between 2002 and 2004, but said that a plan to arrest him in Melbourne was “thwarted” because “his application for a visa was denied by Australian embassy officials in Phnom Penh, with one official citing the need to avoid a diplomatic incident.”
Hun To said that if he had been involved with drug trafficking, the Cambodian government would have apprehended him.
“You think that if I am involved with drugs I would be able to stay [free] in Cambodia?” he asked.
The report comes as Bob Carr, Australia’s foreign minister, wraps up a four-day visit to Cambodia at the invitation of his counterpart Hor Namhong.
Call for investigation
Meanwhile, opposition Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann on Tuesday called on Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior to launch an investigation into Hun To’s activities.
“We are urging the Ministry of Interior to investigate the information made public by the Australian newspaper so that the authorities can make a clarification before the public,” Yim Sovann said.
“There must be an investigation.”
Yim Sovann said that history has shown that people in power often abuse it.
“Families of rich and powerful officials often become rich through illegal businesses. I’m not accusing anyone, but those involved with human right abuses, forest destruction, and drugs are mostly involved with powerful officials.”
Hun To is the son of Hun Sen’s brother Hun Neang, who currently serves as the provincial governor of Kompong Cham province.
Yim Sovann said that the authorities would create an air of suspicion if they fail to investigate the case.
‘No information’
Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak said that the ministry does not have any information linking Hun To to drug trafficking.
“Australian and Cambodian officials are working closely to investigate transnational crimes, but we have not received any information from the Australian authorities about this case. If there was a case, we would have been working on it,” he said.
Khieu Sopheak added that the foreign media publication had not presented any evidence of Hun To’s involvement in the alleged crimes.
He said that the ministry would cooperate with Australian authorities to investigate the case, but that so far there had been no request to do so.
Hun To is working with his legal team to file a defamation lawsuit against The Age over its report, he said.
Reported by Samean Yun for RFA’s Khmer service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Children Of The Street
Mekong River
Fishing the River
2010-02-01
Rising Mekong waters also expand the Tonle Sap, giving Cambodians a steady fishing income, for a time.
កម្ពុជាបើកកិច្ចប្រជុំក្រៅផ្លូវការផ្ដោតលើសន្តិសុខតំបន់អាស៊ាន
Source: Radio Free Asia
ដោយ សុខ សេរី
2012-03-27
ក្រសួងការពារជាតិកម្ពុជា នៅថ្ងៃទី២៧ ខែមីនា ឆ្នាំ២០១២ បានបើកកិច្ចប្រជុំក្រៅផ្លូវការសំខាន់មួយ មានរយៈពេល ៣ថ្ងៃ ចាប់ពីថ្ងៃទី២៧ ខែមីនា ដល់ថ្ងៃទី២៩ ខែមីនា ឆ្នាំ២០១២។ កិច្ចប្រជុំនេះបានផ្ដោតលើការពង្រឹងសន្តិសុខតំបន់ និងស្ថិរភាពជាតិនៃប្រទេសសមាជិកអាស៊ានទាំង១០។
២៧-មីនា-២០១២៖ មន្ត្រីយោធាជាន់ខ្ពស់មកពីប្រទេសទាំង ១០ នៅតំបន់អាស៊ាន ថតរូបអនុស្សាវរីយ៍នៅក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំ នារាជធានីភ្នំពេញ។
អគ្គមេបញ្ជាការរងនៃកងយោធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទកម្ពុជា និងជាប្រធាននាយកដ្ឋានចារកម្មយោធាក្រសួងការពារជាតិកម្ពុជា លោកនាយឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍ ជា ដារ៉ា បានបញ្ជាក់ថា តំបន់អាស៊ាន និងប្រទេសជាសមាជិកអាស៊ានចំនួន ១០ ត្រូវការសន្តិភាពនៅក្នុងតំបន់ និងស្ថិរភាពជាតិរៀងៗខ្លួន ដើម្បីឈានឆ្ពោះទៅរកការបង្កើតសហគមន៍អាស៊ាន នៅឆ្នាំ២០១៥។
កន្លងមកទាំងក្រសួងការពារជាតិកម្ពុជា និងក្រសួងការបរទេសកម្ពុជា បានស្វែងរកការចុះហត្ថលេខាលើឯកសារពិធីសារពីមេដឹកនាំនៃប្រទេសមហាអំណាចទាំង៥ គឺសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក ចក្រភពអង់គ្លេស សហព័ន្ធរុស្ស៊ី ប្រទេសបារាំង និងប្រទេសចិន លើការមិនរីកសាយអាវុធនុយក្លេអ៊ែរ ( Nuclear) នៅតំបន់អាស៊ាន និងប្រឆាំងអំពើភេរវកម្ម ឧក្រិដ្ឋកម្មឆ្លងដែន ប្រឆាំងការជួញដូរមនុស្ស ការជួញដូរគ្រឿងញៀន និងប្រឆាំងការជួញដូរអាវុធជាដើម។
គេឃើញមេបញ្ជាការយោធាមកពីប្រទេសសមាជិកអាស៊ានចំនួន ១០ មកចូលរួមក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំសំខាន់នេះ មានដូចជា ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា (Cambodia) ប្រទេសភូមា ឬ មីយ៉ាន់ម៉ា (Burma) ប្រទេសម៉ាឡេស៊ី (Malaysia) ឡាវ (Lao) ឥណ្ឌូនេស៊ី (Indonesia) ប្រទេសប្រ៊ុយណេ (Brunei) វៀតណាម (Vietnam) ថៃ (Thailand) ប្រទេសសិង្ហបុរី (Singapore) និងប្រទេសហ្វីលីពីន (Philippines)។
ប្រធាននាយកដ្ឋានចារកម្មយោធានៃក្រសួងការពារជាតិកម្ពុជា លោកនាយឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍ ជា ដារ៉ា បានមានប្រសាសន៍ប្រាប់អ្នកកាសែតនៅថ្ងៃទី២៧ ខែមីនា ឆ្នាំ២០១២ ថា កិច្ចប្រជុំនេះគឺមានសារសំខាន់ណាស់ក្នុងការពង្រឹងសន្តិសុខនៅតំបន់អាស៊ាន៖«បានន័យថា ធ្វើឲ្យអាស៊ានមានការយល់ជាមួយគ្នា សហការជាមួយគ្នា ធ្វើការដើម្បីស្ថិរភាព ដើម្បីសុវត្ថិភាពនៅក្នុងប្រទេសមួយៗ ហើយនៅក្នុងតំបន់អាស៊ាន ក៏ដូចជានៅសាកលលោក។ ប្រទេសទាំង៩ មានការគាំទ្រខ្លាំងណាស់»។
ប្រធានសមាគមយុវជនកម្ពុជា-អាស៊ាន លោក សុខ ធាវុធ បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា លោកចង់ឃើញតំបន់អាស៊ាន មិនមានការរីកសាយអាវុធនុយក្លេអ៊ែរ ដូចជាមជ្ឈិមបូព៌ា និងតំបន់ឧបទ្វីបកូរ៉េជាដើម៖ «ពីព្រោះធម្មតាគឺបញ្ហាអាវុធនុយក្លេអ៊ែរ បញ្ហាអាវុធប្រល័យលោក គឺជាចំណុចមួយដែលគ្មានអ្វីដែលល្អសំរាប់ប្រទេសជាតិ ក៏ដូចជាពិភពលោក ជាពិសេសអាស៊ាន តំបន់អាស៊ាន»។
ទាក់ទងនឹងលទ្ធផលនៃកិច្ចប្រជុំនេះ អនុប្រធាននាយកដ្ឋានចារកម្មយោធានៃក្រសួងការពារជាតិកម្ពុជា លោក ហ៊ុន ម៉ានិត ជាកូនប្រុសរបស់លោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា ឯកសារពិស្ដារនៃកិច្ចប្រជុំនេះ គេមិនចែកចាយឲ្យអ្នកកាសែតទេ ពីព្រោះគេរក្សាទុកជាឯកសារសម្ងាត់។
សរុបជារួម រាល់ការប្រឹងប្រែងពង្រឹងសន្តិសុខនៅតំបន់អាស៊ាននោះ គឺធ្វើនៅគ្រាដែលមេដឹកនាំនៃប្រទេសសមាជិកអាស៊ានចំនួន ១០ គ្រោងធ្វើឲ្យតំបន់អាស៊ាន ក្លាយជាតំបន់ពាណិជ្ជកម្មសេរី ដោយតភ្ជាប់ផ្លូវទឹក ផ្លូវគោក និងផ្លូវអាកាស និងផ្លាស់ប្ដូរពាណិជ្ជកម្ម និងទេសចរណ៍ដោយសេរីនៅឆ្នាំ២០១៥។
ក្រសួងការពារជាតិកម្ពុជា ក៏គ្រោងបើកកិច្ចប្រជុំធំមួយនៅថ្ងៃទី២៩ ខែឧសភា ដល់ថ្ងៃទី៣០ ខែឧសភា ឆ្នាំ២០១២ ខាងមុខនេះ នៅឯវិមានសន្តិភាព ផ្ដោតលើការពង្រឹងសន្តិសុខ និងស្ថិរភាពនៅតំបន់អាស៊ាន ដែលគេគ្រោងបង្កើតជាសហគមន៍អាស៊ាននៅឆ្នាំ២០១៥ ខាងមុខនេះ។
កិច្ចប្រជុំខាងមុខនោះ គឺមានឈ្មោះថា កិច្ចប្រជុំថ្នាក់រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីការពារជាតិអាស៊ាន ( Asean Defense Minister Meeting/ADMM)៕
កំណត់ចំណាំ៖ ចំពោះអ្នកបញ្ចូលមតិនៅក្នុងអត្ថបទនេះ ដើម្បីរក្សាសេចក្ដីថ្លៃថ្នូរ យើងខ្ញុំនឹងផ្សាយតែមតិណាដែលមិនជេរប្រមាថដល់អ្នកដទៃតែប៉ុណ្ណោះ។
ខ្មែរ-ថៃគ្រោងបើកច្រករបៀងថ្មីនៅតំបន់បឹងស្នោខេត្តបន្ទាយមានជ័យ
Source: Radio Free Asia
ដោយ ហង្ស សាវយុត
2012-03-28
គណៈកម្មការព្រំដែនថ្នាក់យោធភូមិភាគទី៥ របស់កម្ពុជា និងយោធភូមិភាគទី១របស់ថៃ ទើបតែបានបញ្ចប់ការជួបប្រជុំលើកទី២០ ដែលធ្វើឡើងរយៈពេល ២ថ្ងៃ នៅឯខេត្តសៀមរាប កាលពីព្រឹកថ្ងៃពុធ ទី២៨ ខែមីនា។
២៨-មីនា-២០១២៖ មន្ត្រីយោធាខ្មែរ-ថៃ ធ្វើសន្និសីទព័ត៌មានរួមគ្នា បន្ទាប់ពីចុះហត្ថលេខាលើកំណត់ហេតុនៃកិច្ចប្រជុំគណៈកម្មការព្រំដែនប្រចាំតំបន់លើកទី២០ នៅខេត្តសៀមរាប។
ក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំនេះ ភាគីទាំងពីរបានចុះហត្ថលេខាជាមួយគ្នាលើកំណត់ហេតុរួម ដែលមានខ្លឹមសារជាច្រើន ដូចជាឱ្យកងទ័ពថៃ នៃយោធភូមិភាគទី១ និងកងទ័ពកម្ពុជានៃយោធភូមិភាគទី៥ ត្រូវប្រតិបត្តិតាមកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងអនុស្សរណៈនៃការយោគយល់គ្នា ដោយមិនរំលោភព្រំដែន ឬក៏កសាងសំណង់ថ្មីៗនៅតាមបន្ទាត់ព្រំដែន ដែលស្ថិតនៅក្នុងតំបន់មិនទាន់បោះបង្គោលព្រំដែននៅឡើយជាដើម។ ក្រៅពីនោះ អាជ្ញាធរខេត្តខ្មែរ និងថៃ ដែលមានព្រំដែនជាប់គ្នា ក៏បានព្រមព្រៀងទៅលើការបើកច្រករបៀងព្រំដែនថ្មីមួយទៀតឱ្យបានឆាប់ៗ។
មន្ត្រីយោធានៃយោធភូមិភាគទី៥ កម្ពុជាបានឱ្យដឹងថា អាជ្ញាធរខេត្តបន្ទាយមានជ័យ របស់ខ្មែរ និងអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តស្រះកែវ របស់ថៃ មានគម្រោងនឹងចុះធ្វើការពិនិត្យឱ្យច្បាស់លាស់មួយនៅក្នុងខែមេសា ខាងមុខ ដើម្បីឈានទៅរកការបើកច្រករបៀងព្រំដែនថ្មី១កន្លែងទៀត នៅម្ដុំតំបន់បឹងស្នោ នៃភូមិព្រៃចាន់ ឃុំអូរបីជាន់ ស្រុកអូរជ្រៅ។
ច្រករបៀងព្រំដែនថ្មីដែលមានគម្រោងបើកនេះ គឺនៅចំណុចបង្គោលព្រំដែនលេខ ៤៣ ទល់មុខនឹងភូមិណូនម៉ាក់មុន អនុស្រុកគោកស៊ូង ខេត្តស្រះកែវ របស់ប្រទេសថៃ។
លោកឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍ឯក ប៊ុន សេង ជាអគ្គបញ្ជាការរងកងទ័ពជើងគោកនៃកងយោធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទ និងជាមេបញ្ជាការយោធភូមិភាគទី៥។ លោកបានមានប្រសាសន៍នៅក្នុងសន្និសីទកាសែតបន្ទាប់ពីបញ្ចប់កិច្ចប្រជុំ កាលពីព្រឹកថ្ងៃពុធ ទី២៨ ខែមីនា ថា មន្ត្រីយោធភូមិភាគទី៥ ជាមួយអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តបន្ទាយមានជ័យ របស់ខ្មែរ និងមន្ត្រីយោធភូមិភាគទី១ ជាមួយអាជ្ញាធរខេត្តស្រះកែវ របស់ថៃ បានគិតគូរជាមួយគ្នាថា នឹងជំរុញឱ្យមានការបើកច្រករបៀងព្រំដែនថ្មី នៅក្នុងឆ្នាំ២០១២ ឱ្យបាន ដើម្បីឱ្យប្រជាពលរដ្ឋនៃប្រទេសទាំងពីរ មានការងាយស្រួលក្នុងការដោះដូរទំនិញគ្នា។
លោកឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍ឯក ប៊ុន សេង៖ «រឿងការបើកច្រកផ្លាស់ប្ដូរសេដ្ឋកិច្ចនៅបឹងស្នោ ជាមួយនឹងខាងស្រះកែវ ជារួមគោលការណ៍នេះគឺយើងមានយូរមកហើយ ហើយរដ្ឋាភិបាលនៃប្រទេសទាំងពីរ ហើយខេត្តទាំងពីរក៏បានយល់ព្រមជាមួយគ្នាដែរ។ បើយើងពិនិត្យមើលទៅឯកសារសឹងថាគ្រប់គ្រាន់ហើយ ដូច្នេះនៅសល់តែអភិបាលខេត្តបន្ទាយមានជ័យ ជាមួយនឹងអភិបាលខេត្តស្រះកែវ ពិភាក្សាគ្នាឡើងវិញ ពិនិត្យទៅលើបែបបទដែលនៅសេសសល់ ដែលត្រូវស្នើទៅថ្នាក់លើ»។
ភាគីថៃ បានចាត់ទុកគម្រោងបើកច្រករបៀងព្រំដែនថ្មីមួយនោះថា គឺជាបញ្ហាដ៏សំខាន់សម្រាប់ផលប្រយោជន៍ទាំងសងខាងរវាងថៃ និងកម្ពុជា។
លោកឧត្ដមសេនីយ៍ទោ ឧដុមដេត ស៊ីតាប៊ុត ជាមេបញ្ជាការយោធភូមិភាគទី១របស់ថៃ។ លោកបានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា វាគឺជាការសំខាន់មួយនៅពេលដែលច្រករបៀងព្រំដែនថ្មីនោះ បានបើកឱ្យដំណើរការ៖ «ការបើកឱ្យមានការដោះដូរទំនិញគ្នានៅច្រករបៀងព្រំដែននោះ គឺយើងកំពុងធ្វើឱ្យអ្វីៗគ្រប់យ៉ាងឱ្យដំណើរការទៅបានល្អ។ យើងកំពុងធ្វើអ្វីៗឱ្យមានដំណើរការទៅមុខជាបណ្តើរៗទៅតាមការព្រមព្រៀងគ្នារវាងថៃ-កម្ពុជា។ ប៉ុន្តែរាល់ដំណើរទាំងនោះ គឺនឹងអនុវត្តទៅតាមការព្រមព្រៀងគ្នាដោយស្របទៅតាមច្បាប់របស់ប្រទេសទាំងពីរ»។
នៅក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំរវាងយោធភូមិភាគទី៥ របស់កម្ពុជា និងយោធភូមិភាគទី១របស់ថៃនេះ ភាគីទាំងពីរក៏បានព្រមព្រៀងជាមួយគ្នានូវការជៀសវាងប្រឈមមុខដាក់គ្នាដោយអាវុធ ឬមិនឱ្យមានការរុះរើបំផ្លាញបង្គោលតម្រុយព្រំដែនផ្សេងៗ នៅក្នុងចន្លោះពេលដែលគណៈកម្មាធិការត្រួតពិនិត្យ និងវាស់វែងព្រំដែននៃប្រទេសទាំងពីរ មិនទាន់បានធ្វើការរួចរាល់នៅឡើយនោះ គឺកងកម្លាំងទាំងពីរភាគីដែលនៅតាមតំបន់ ត្រូវបង្កើនកិច្ចសហការជាមួយគ្នា ដើម្បីរក្សាបន្ទាត់ព្រំដែនឱ្យស្ថិតក្នុងសន្តិភាព និងស្ថិរភាពជាដើម។
ក្នុងការជួបប្រជុំគ្នានោះដែរ មន្ត្រីយោធភូមិភាគទី៥ របស់កម្ពុជា ក៏បានបញ្ចូលបញ្ហាប្រជាពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរខ្លះ ដែលតែងនាំគ្នាលួចឆ្លងដែនខុសច្បាប់ចូលទៅកាប់ឈើក្នុងប្រទេសថៃ ដែលធ្វើឱ្យមានការចាប់ខ្លួនយកទៅកាត់ទោស និងមួយចំនួនផ្សេងទៀត ត្រូវទាហានថៃ បាញ់សម្លាប់ផងដែរ។
មន្ត្រីយោធាខ្មែរបានឱ្យដឹងថា ពាក់ព័ន្ធបញ្ហានេះក្រសួងការបរទេសខ្មែរ មានគម្រោងនឹងកោះប្រជុំជាមួយអាជ្ញាធរខេត្ត មន្ត្រីយោធាខេត្ត និងសមាសភាពពាក់ព័ន្ធមួយចំនួនទៀតដើម្បីស្វែងរកការដោះស្រាយនៅពេលខាងមុខ។ បញ្ហានេះដែរមន្ត្រីយោធភូមិភាគទី៥ របស់កម្ពុជា បានស្នើសុំឱ្យភាគីថៃ ជួយតាមរកមុខមេខ្យល់ដែលជាជនជាតិថៃ ក្នុងការឃុបឃិតនាំប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជា ឱ្យឆ្លងដែនខុសច្បាប់ ដើម្បីកាប់ឈើគ្រញូងបណ្ដាលឱ្យមានគ្រោះថ្នាក់នោះ៕
កំណត់ចំណាំ៖ ចំពោះអ្នកបញ្ចូលមតិនៅក្នុងអត្ថបទនេះ ដើម្បីរក្សាសេចក្ដីថ្លៃថ្នូរ យើងខ្ញុំនឹងផ្សាយតែមតិណាដែលមិនជេរប្រមាថដល់អ្នកដទៃតែប៉ុណ្ណោះ។
ASEAN Single-Market Plan in Limbo
Source: Radio Free Asia
An analysis by Parameswaran Ponnudurai
March 28, 2012
Leaders of (from L) Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan (R) link arms at a summit in Phnom Penh, Nov. 16, 2010.
A plan to forge regional economic integration in Southeast Asia faces various problems.
Fresh doubts are being raised whether Southeast Asian nations can get their act together and launch a regional common market in three years as scheduled.
The 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ranging from impoverished Laos to financial powerhouse Singapore, had set an ambitious goal of transforming the region of 600 million people into a single market and production base by 2015.
But new questions have risen whether ASEAN—whose other members are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—can rise to the occasion and establish the “ASEAN Economic Community” within the fast-approaching deadline, officials and diplomats in the region told RFA.
They cited an array of reasons, including leadership, or the lack of it.
The rotating ASEAN chairmanship, beginning this year, will be held by relatively smaller or less-developed states with fewer resources or less capacity to manage the critical run up to 2015.
Cambodia is chairing ASEAN this year, followed by Brunei next year and Burma in 2014.
There is also speculation that Vietnamese deputy foreign minister Le Luong Minh will take over from Surin Pitsuwan as ASEAN Secretary-General at the end of his five-year term this year.
A veteran Thai diplomat, Surin was the first ASEAN head with a significant political background.
"For many of the smaller and less-developed states like Cambodia, Laos [which takes over the ASEAN helm in 2016] and Myanmar [Burma] as well as Vietnam, their main focus is addressing the developmental gap [between the bigger and more developed states]," one ASEAN official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"They don't have adequate capacity to drive ASEAN integration and forge a regional architecture, such as those displayed by senior member states like Indonesia, for example, which held the chairmanship in 2011."
Assessment
The latest official assessment of the common market plan was made last month when Southeast Asian economic ministers “resolved to further intensify efforts in facilitating trade, services, and investment within ASEAN, and to seriously address the impediments to market access of goods and services to ensure that ASEAN moves toward one integrated market.”
ASEAN officials who spoke to RFA spewed out statistics to demonstrate that member countries have been lagging behind in attaining key targets for achieving the plan.
While the ASEAN group boasts that member countries have attained 74 percent of their commitments, one ASEAN official pointed out that the unmet targets, although making up only 26 percent, were in critical areas.
They include areas such as attracting investments, opening up trade in services, integrating the region's transport network, harmonizing standards, and integrating customs procedures.
"This is the heavy-lifting part," a diplomat from a Southeast Asian country said. "And this determines whether we succeed or not."
Bigger states such as Indonesia and Thailand have also not lived up to their billing and in fact, according to some officials, have even "backtracked" on some of the programs for fear businesses will fold up on the back of rising competition.
In an unprecedented move in 2007, ASEAN leaders devised a blueprint with action plans, timelines, and targets to implement the ASEAN Economic Community project to compete with rising Asian powerhouses China and India.
If ASEAN with a combined Gross Domestic Product of U.S $2 trillion were a single entity, it would rank as the ninth-largest economy in the world.
No enforcement ability
Even with such lofty ambitions, ASEAN has little enforcement ability. Decisions are made by governments based on consensus. ASEAN members who flout provisions in the common market blueprint cannot be hauled up or penalized.
Some member countries, according to the ASEAN officials, have refused to give more resources to strengthen the ASEAN secretariat or grant greater powers to the group’s secretary-general for fear that they may come under close scrutiny.
When asked what keeps him awake at night, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin told the Myanmar Times last month, “I want ASEAN integration to go faster.”
“[I’m] worried about how much member states contribute to the regional agenda and how much they want to keep to themselves. That is what holds us back,” he said.
Although the ASEAN Economic Community blueprint has become a binding document for member countries, “there is a serious lack of capacity in ASEAN to enforce its decisions either at the regional or at the national level," the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), a regional research center, said in a recent report.
In many places, ISEAS said, the blueprint is "vaguely defined" with missing "milestones".
"Some details of the plan have been left out, perhaps in recognition of the fact that an agreement on several aspects of 'community building' cannot be reached until there is greater confidence in the process and the existence of a development gap amongst member countries," ISEAS said.
Nevertheless, it said, ASEAN leaders will "gloriously" announce the realization of the single market in 2015.
A failure to do so will add to more competitive pressures from China and India and will send the wrong signal to the international community, ISEAS said.
Study
The Institute's ASEAN Studies Centre and the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) are collaborating on a study that would assess the impediments and actions required for achieving an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.
"The study is still underway and, therefore, a work in progress. In this light, I hesitate to comment on something the conclusions of which remain highly uncertain," Rodolfo Severino, head of the ASEAN Studies Centre, told RFA.
One of the key objectives of the study is to incorporate views of the business community on the single-market plan.
Until now there is very little awareness about ASEAN economic integration among the private sector in the region, ISEAS says.
"I think, for us, it is important that when things are rolled out, that they work and that they're fully developed," U.S.-ASEAN Business Council spokesman Anthony Nelson told RFA.
ASEAN is currently the fourth largest export market for the United States after the North America Free Trade Area (NAFTA), the European Union, and Japan.
Nelson said that while investment protection is improving and the ability to have a predictable investment environment is getting better across Southeast Asia, "we want to make sure that the degree of consultations will improve."
This is especially so in areas where there is a big stakeholder community of foreign businesses, he said.
"We want to make sure that we are able to participate in the drafting and development of different regulations just to prevent unintended consequences on a lot of things."
Nelson pointed out that services trade was one weak spot in the implementation of the ASEAN common market plan.
"Overall, we need to make sure that those national programs that make up the parts of the very important aspect of the ASEAN Economic Community, like the ASEAN Single Window, are in place and that they have support they need to roll them out."
Customs
ASEAN states, which are forging a free trade area among themselves and have struck free trade agreements with China among other economies, have been slow in devising a solitary window to expedite customs procedures for goods as envisioned under the plans for a single market.
The goods trade has been hampered further by nontariff barriers erected by countries to ward off competition.
For example, Indonesia, the largest and most populated ASEAN state, is showing greater reluctance to open up its economy as its vast market boosts domestic consumption, one ASEAN official said.
Infrastructure bottlenecks are also hampering regional economic integration as some of the less-developed states such as Cambodia and Laos are hard pressed for funds to build roads and bridges critical for opening up their economies.
Over the next decade, ASEAN economies will require about U.S. $60 billion a year to fully address the region’s infrastructure needs, but they face funding constraints.
On a per-capita basis, they have only a fraction of the roads and railways found in the rich Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, and dramatically lower electricity and clean water coverage.
“ASEAN nations possess substantial foreign reserves, but these funds have largely been invested outside of ASEAN and outside Asia," Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda said recently.
ADB is administering an ASEAN infrastructure fund set up last year with an initial contribution of U.S. $335.2 million from nine ASEAN members and U.S. $150 million provided by the bank.
Important
A survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year showed that 60 percent of firms polled felt ASEAN's common market goals were important to them, but, interestingly, only six percent said they had based their business strategy on a fully integrated ASEAN.
Only by putting the money where the mouth is can ASEAN states display to foreign investors their seriousness in wanting to forge a common market.
With China and India and other Asian neighbors battling to woo foreign investments amid a slowdown in Europe and the U.S., ASEAN may have to act swiftly if it wants to become, in its own words, "a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy."
The 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ranging from impoverished Laos to financial powerhouse Singapore, had set an ambitious goal of transforming the region of 600 million people into a single market and production base by 2015.
But new questions have risen whether ASEAN—whose other members are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—can rise to the occasion and establish the “ASEAN Economic Community” within the fast-approaching deadline, officials and diplomats in the region told RFA.
They cited an array of reasons, including leadership, or the lack of it.
The rotating ASEAN chairmanship, beginning this year, will be held by relatively smaller or less-developed states with fewer resources or less capacity to manage the critical run up to 2015.
Cambodia is chairing ASEAN this year, followed by Brunei next year and Burma in 2014.
There is also speculation that Vietnamese deputy foreign minister Le Luong Minh will take over from Surin Pitsuwan as ASEAN Secretary-General at the end of his five-year term this year.
A veteran Thai diplomat, Surin was the first ASEAN head with a significant political background.
"For many of the smaller and less-developed states like Cambodia, Laos [which takes over the ASEAN helm in 2016] and Myanmar [Burma] as well as Vietnam, their main focus is addressing the developmental gap [between the bigger and more developed states]," one ASEAN official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"They don't have adequate capacity to drive ASEAN integration and forge a regional architecture, such as those displayed by senior member states like Indonesia, for example, which held the chairmanship in 2011."
Assessment
The latest official assessment of the common market plan was made last month when Southeast Asian economic ministers “resolved to further intensify efforts in facilitating trade, services, and investment within ASEAN, and to seriously address the impediments to market access of goods and services to ensure that ASEAN moves toward one integrated market.”
ASEAN officials who spoke to RFA spewed out statistics to demonstrate that member countries have been lagging behind in attaining key targets for achieving the plan.
While the ASEAN group boasts that member countries have attained 74 percent of their commitments, one ASEAN official pointed out that the unmet targets, although making up only 26 percent, were in critical areas.
They include areas such as attracting investments, opening up trade in services, integrating the region's transport network, harmonizing standards, and integrating customs procedures.
"This is the heavy-lifting part," a diplomat from a Southeast Asian country said. "And this determines whether we succeed or not."
Bigger states such as Indonesia and Thailand have also not lived up to their billing and in fact, according to some officials, have even "backtracked" on some of the programs for fear businesses will fold up on the back of rising competition.
In an unprecedented move in 2007, ASEAN leaders devised a blueprint with action plans, timelines, and targets to implement the ASEAN Economic Community project to compete with rising Asian powerhouses China and India.
If ASEAN with a combined Gross Domestic Product of U.S $2 trillion were a single entity, it would rank as the ninth-largest economy in the world.
No enforcement ability
Even with such lofty ambitions, ASEAN has little enforcement ability. Decisions are made by governments based on consensus. ASEAN members who flout provisions in the common market blueprint cannot be hauled up or penalized.
Some member countries, according to the ASEAN officials, have refused to give more resources to strengthen the ASEAN secretariat or grant greater powers to the group’s secretary-general for fear that they may come under close scrutiny.
When asked what keeps him awake at night, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin told the Myanmar Times last month, “I want ASEAN integration to go faster.”
“[I’m] worried about how much member states contribute to the regional agenda and how much they want to keep to themselves. That is what holds us back,” he said.
Although the ASEAN Economic Community blueprint has become a binding document for member countries, “there is a serious lack of capacity in ASEAN to enforce its decisions either at the regional or at the national level," the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), a regional research center, said in a recent report.
In many places, ISEAS said, the blueprint is "vaguely defined" with missing "milestones".
"Some details of the plan have been left out, perhaps in recognition of the fact that an agreement on several aspects of 'community building' cannot be reached until there is greater confidence in the process and the existence of a development gap amongst member countries," ISEAS said.
Nevertheless, it said, ASEAN leaders will "gloriously" announce the realization of the single market in 2015.
A failure to do so will add to more competitive pressures from China and India and will send the wrong signal to the international community, ISEAS said.
Study
The Institute's ASEAN Studies Centre and the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) are collaborating on a study that would assess the impediments and actions required for achieving an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.
"The study is still underway and, therefore, a work in progress. In this light, I hesitate to comment on something the conclusions of which remain highly uncertain," Rodolfo Severino, head of the ASEAN Studies Centre, told RFA.
One of the key objectives of the study is to incorporate views of the business community on the single-market plan.
Until now there is very little awareness about ASEAN economic integration among the private sector in the region, ISEAS says.
"I think, for us, it is important that when things are rolled out, that they work and that they're fully developed," U.S.-ASEAN Business Council spokesman Anthony Nelson told RFA.
ASEAN is currently the fourth largest export market for the United States after the North America Free Trade Area (NAFTA), the European Union, and Japan.
Nelson said that while investment protection is improving and the ability to have a predictable investment environment is getting better across Southeast Asia, "we want to make sure that the degree of consultations will improve."
This is especially so in areas where there is a big stakeholder community of foreign businesses, he said.
"We want to make sure that we are able to participate in the drafting and development of different regulations just to prevent unintended consequences on a lot of things."
Nelson pointed out that services trade was one weak spot in the implementation of the ASEAN common market plan.
"Overall, we need to make sure that those national programs that make up the parts of the very important aspect of the ASEAN Economic Community, like the ASEAN Single Window, are in place and that they have support they need to roll them out."
Customs
ASEAN states, which are forging a free trade area among themselves and have struck free trade agreements with China among other economies, have been slow in devising a solitary window to expedite customs procedures for goods as envisioned under the plans for a single market.
The goods trade has been hampered further by nontariff barriers erected by countries to ward off competition.
For example, Indonesia, the largest and most populated ASEAN state, is showing greater reluctance to open up its economy as its vast market boosts domestic consumption, one ASEAN official said.
Infrastructure bottlenecks are also hampering regional economic integration as some of the less-developed states such as Cambodia and Laos are hard pressed for funds to build roads and bridges critical for opening up their economies.
Over the next decade, ASEAN economies will require about U.S. $60 billion a year to fully address the region’s infrastructure needs, but they face funding constraints.
On a per-capita basis, they have only a fraction of the roads and railways found in the rich Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, and dramatically lower electricity and clean water coverage.
“ASEAN nations possess substantial foreign reserves, but these funds have largely been invested outside of ASEAN and outside Asia," Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda said recently.
ADB is administering an ASEAN infrastructure fund set up last year with an initial contribution of U.S. $335.2 million from nine ASEAN members and U.S. $150 million provided by the bank.
Important
A survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year showed that 60 percent of firms polled felt ASEAN's common market goals were important to them, but, interestingly, only six percent said they had based their business strategy on a fully integrated ASEAN.
Only by putting the money where the mouth is can ASEAN states display to foreign investors their seriousness in wanting to forge a common market.
With China and India and other Asian neighbors battling to woo foreign investments amid a slowdown in Europe and the U.S., ASEAN may have to act swiftly if it wants to become, in its own words, "a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy."
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Cambodia’s tourism growth to reach 20%
The Phnom Penh Post
Rann Reuy
March 21, 2012
Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism is projecting sizeable growth for the industry this year, according to Director General Tith Chantha.
Pointing to the about 28 per cent year-on-year increase in visitors in January, he said the ministry has estimated the rest of 2012 would enjoy a similar upward trend.
“The jump [in January] will lead our total for the year to increase at least 20 per cent,” he said.
Tith Chantha credited the rising figure to greater flight connections with ASEAN countries.
However, Ho Vandy, co-chair of the Government-Private Sector Working Group on Tourism, said any number of factors could affect the Kingdom’s tourism industry, not the least of was economic troubles in Europe, and as a result there was no guarantee the ministry’s targetwould be reached.
“It could be wrong or right because many issues are occurring now,” he said.
Rann Reuy
March 21, 2012
Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism is projecting sizeable growth for the industry this year, according to Director General Tith Chantha. Pointing to the about 28 per cent year-on-year increase in visitors in January, he said the ministry has estimated the rest of 2012 would enjoy a similar upward trend.
“The jump [in January] will lead our total for the year to increase at least 20 per cent,” he said.
Tith Chantha credited the rising figure to greater flight connections with ASEAN countries.
However, Ho Vandy, co-chair of the Government-Private Sector Working Group on Tourism, said any number of factors could affect the Kingdom’s tourism industry, not the least of was economic troubles in Europe, and as a result there was no guarantee the ministry’s targetwould be reached.
“It could be wrong or right because many issues are occurring now,” he said.
Cambodia to fill gap in aviation training
The Phnom Penh Post
May Kunmakara
March 21, 2012
An aviation training centre was being planned that would allow the Kingdom to meet the demands of its surging tourism market, a State Secretariat of Civil Aviation official said yesterday.
About 1.5 million visitors arrived in Cambodia by air in 2011, a 16 per cent jump over the year before, according to Ministry of Tourism figures.
As a result, the SSCA aims to launch a US$5 million facility in Phnom Penh that would help to staff the still-developing industry.
“Our air transportation has been increasing remarkably fast. So we hope that when we have the centre, our aviation industry will have enough qualified human resources,” Soy Sokhan, under-secretary of state at the SSCA and the project’s director, said.
The SSCA proposed the idea, via Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and the Council for the Development of Cambodia, to the Korea International Co-operation Agency last November, seeking financial and technical assistance.
KOICA delegates had led a team of Korean experts in a meeting with Cambodian officials on Monday, Soy Sokhan said. A feasibility study was under way with an expected completion date of March 23, he added.
“We hope to start construction by 2013. The centre will take not only local recruits; we can open it to foreign trainees as well.”
Officials at KOICA could not be reached yesterday for comment.
May Kunmakara
March 21, 2012
About 1.5 million visitors arrived in Cambodia by air in 2011, a 16 per cent jump over the year before, according to Ministry of Tourism figures.
As a result, the SSCA aims to launch a US$5 million facility in Phnom Penh that would help to staff the still-developing industry.
“Our air transportation has been increasing remarkably fast. So we hope that when we have the centre, our aviation industry will have enough qualified human resources,” Soy Sokhan, under-secretary of state at the SSCA and the project’s director, said.
The SSCA proposed the idea, via Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and the Council for the Development of Cambodia, to the Korea International Co-operation Agency last November, seeking financial and technical assistance.
KOICA delegates had led a team of Korean experts in a meeting with Cambodian officials on Monday, Soy Sokhan said. A feasibility study was under way with an expected completion date of March 23, he added.
“We hope to start construction by 2013. The centre will take not only local recruits; we can open it to foreign trainees as well.”
Officials at KOICA could not be reached yesterday for comment.
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