Cambodia to resort to legal measures if violent protests occur: PM

English.news.cn   2014-03-27 16:20:03

PHNOM PENH, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday warned that the government would take legal actions against any illegal protests in order to maintain peace and political stability in the country. "A country has its own constitution and law. If you do anything beyond the law and cause violence, there will be no more tolerance, and legal measures will be taken,"he said during the inauguration ceremony of a hydroelectric plant in western Pursat province.
He reiterated that all state's institutions and garment factories have been working as normal despite the opposition's ongoing boycott of parliament.
The premier's warning came after Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), announced Wednesday that the party would hold a rally Sunday afternoon at the capital's Freedom Park to consult with its supporters over current political row. "We will meet with about 3,000 supporters Sunday afternoon at the Freedom Park to hear people's recommendations over the ongoing political dispute,"Sam Rainsy told reporters."The upcoming gathering is not a demonstration to topple the government, so don' t use this pretext to ban our rally."
Long Dimanche, spokesman for the Phnom Penh City Hall, said Thursday the City Hall had decided not to allow the CNRP to hold a rally at the Freedom Park on Sunday. "In principle, the Phnom Penh Municipality does not allow the CNRP to rally at the Freedom Park on Sunday because the park is still under the court's investigation process relevant to violent cases in January,"he said.
Political row between Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Sam Rainsy's CNRP simmered after the July election results showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats gained by the CNRP.
Claiming serious ballot-rigging, the CNRP refused to accept the outcome and has boycotted parliament and held many protests -- some turned violent -- to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re-election.
Hun Sen has said that he would neither step down nor call a re- vote.

Editor: chengyang

Chinese-built power plant begins operation in Cambodia

English.news.cn   2014-03-27 14:59:47

PURSAT, Cambodia, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The 120-megawatt Atai hydropower plant and its transmission line invested and built by China Datang Corporation were inaugurated here on Thursday.
The inauguration was presided over by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo, and attended by some 10,000 people.
The hydropower dam cost 255 million U.S. dollars and the grid cost 113 million U.S. dollars transmitting power to Phnom Penh City, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat and Battambang provinces, Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem said at the ceremony.
The dam project began construction in 2008 and completed last year under a 34-year concessional contract of build-operate- transfer (BOT) with the Cambodian government, he said.
Addressing the ceremony, Hun Sen said the power plant was a huge achievement for Cambodia and expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for encouraging investors to Cambodia.
"Atai dam will increase the capacity of power supply and reduce the country's reliance on diesel-fueled electricity," he said. "It will significantly contribute to developing local economy and reducing poverty."
Hun Sen said the investment in such mega project truly illustrated the confidence of investors in Cambodia's political stability.
"Chinese investors in Cambodia have been playing a very important role in deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between Cambodia and China," he said.
Atai hydropower plant is located in a remote and jungle area in Pursat province, some 340 km west of capital Phnom Penh.
Wang Yeping, vice chairman of China Datang Corporation, said the Atai hydropower dam is capable of generating electricity of 465 million kwh per year.
"I have confidence that the operation of the dam will reduce power shortage in Cambodia and contribute to development of China- Cambodia relations and cooperation," he said at the ceremony.
China Datang Corporation is a state-owned enterprise and one of the world's top 500 companies, he said, adding that besides Cambodia, the firm has also invested in Myanmar, Laos and Kazakstan.
China is the largest investor in hydropower development in Cambodia. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Chinese companies have invested over 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in the construction of six dams with a total capacity of 928 megawatts in Cambodia.
So far, five dams have come into operation, and the 246- megawatt Tatai hydropower dam is expected to complete construction next year.

Editor: Yang Yi

Cambodian opposition says to rally on Sunday despite ban

English.news.cn   2014-03-27 19:46:18

PHNOM PENH, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said Thursday that it is still to go ahead with its plan to hold a people's congress at the capital's Freedom Park on Sunday afternoon despite permission denial from the City Hall.
"The CNRP would like to inform monks, compatriots and diplomatic corps as well as journalists and civil society that the party will hold a people's congress on Sunday afternoon, March 30, at the Freedom Park," the party said in a press statement.
The gathering is aimed to express the party's stance and to hear people's recommendations over the current political situation, the statement said, adding that CNRP leader Sam Rainsy will lead the upcoming rally.
The statement was issued just hours after the Phnom Penh City Hall denied permission for the CNRP's request to hold the rally at the Freedom Park on Sunday.
"In principle, the City Hall does not allow the CNRP to rally at the Freedom Park on Sunday because the park is still under the court's investigation process over violent cases in January," said Long Dimanche, spokesman for the City Hall.
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday warned that the government would take legal actions against any illegal protests in order to maintain peace and political stability.
"A country has its own constitution and law. If [you] do anything beyond the law and cause violence, there will be no more tolerance, and legal measures will be taken," he said during the inauguration ceremony of a hydroelectric station in western Pursat province.
Political dispute between Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Sam Rainsy's CNRP has simmered since the July 2013 election results showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the CNRP.
Claiming serious ballot-rigging, the CNRP refused to accept the outcome and has boycotted parliament and conducted many protests, some turned violent, to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re- election.
Hun Sen has said that he would neither step down nor call a re- vote.

Cambodian PM says to quit smoking

English.news.cn   2014-03-27 14:53:18

PHNOM PENH, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday that he is once again trying to stop smoking cigarettes after he had attempted to quit it for about 10 times in the past but failed. "I am struggling to stop smoking cigarettes. I don't know if get successful or not because I have determined to quit it for about 10 times," he said during the inauguration ceremony of a 120-megawatt Atai hydroelectric dam in western Pursat province. "I have reduced smoking to three cigarettes a day. Now, I want to quit them,"he said, adding that his hard time to quit cigarettes was the time when he was playing chess.
The premier said now there was no smell of cigarette smoke in his house.
Last month, the country issued a new circular to ban smoking in public venues and workplaces.
Mom Kong, executive director of Cambodia Movement for Health, said some 10,000 Cambodian people die from tobacco-related diseases every year.
He added that Cambodian smokers spent about 100 million U.S. dollars a year on cigarettes and tobacco.
The country has a population of about 14.8 million. Among them, 7.5 million people are adults. According to a National Adult Tobacco Survey 2011, some 1.4 million adults smoke cigarettes.

Editor: Shen Qing

Cambodia, Turkey convene 1st political consultations

English.news.cn   2014-03-21 15:15:56

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Turkey on Friday held the first political consultations with an aim to strengthen and expand bilateral ties and cooperation, officials said.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ouch Borith, secretary of state of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Omer Onhon, deputy undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
"We discussed ways to boost bilateral ties and cooperation in politics, economics, trade, education and tourism," Ouch Borith told reporters after the meeting. "We also exchanged views on regional and international issues."
The consultations were very important to set the right framework and the base for cooperation between the two countries, Omer Onhon said, adding that Turkey has been focusing on developing its relations with countries in Asia.
"We see Cambodia, a country with great potential, as a very good partner in Asia, we hope that we will further develop our relations with Cambodia in every field," he said.
He also pledged to urge direct flights from Istanbul to Phnom Penh.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to institutionalize the political consultations.
Trade volume between the two countries is relatively small -- only 30 million U.S. dollars last year, said Ouch Borith.
On tourism side, some 4,670 Turkish visitors came to Cambodia last year, up 37 percent year-on-year, said a tourism report.

Editor: Luan

UNICEF says 6.3 mln Cambodians lack access to safe water

English.news.cn   2014-03-21 09:41:18

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- About 6.3 million Cambodians, or 42 percent of the population, have no access to safe water, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a statement to mark the World Water Day on Friday.
"Some 3.9 million of those without access to safe drinking water in Cambodia are poor and live in rural areas," the statement said. "Without safe water and adequate sanitation and hygiene, children, who represent 41 percent of the population, are especially vulnerable to water-borne diseases."
This costs lives and money.
In Cambodia, said the statement, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death for children under the age of five, while vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to diarrhea results in an annual loss of 146 million U.S. dollars to Cambodia's gross domestic product.
UNICEF said increased commitment and investment in enhancing the quality of rural water will not only ensure that every person has water and sanitation as a human right, but also help to accelerate Cambodia's economic and social development.
"Attention to rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene will unquestionably deliver results - less child deaths, better learning at school, less disease, more productive workers, less health costs for the people," said Ms. Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative to Cambodia. "These services are central to Cambodia's future as a middle income country."
To improve health outcomes in Cambodia, public institutions and households must have access to safe water and sanitation. About 40 percent of primary schools and 35 percent of health centers do not have safe drinking water facilities.
To celebrate World Water Day in Cambodia, the popular Cambodian comedy Perkmy team will be host a one-hour TV show on Cambodian Television Network Saturday evening to highlight the importance of safe water and to feature ways to prevent diarrhea, UNICEF said.

Editor: chengyang

Search for missing Malaysia fight still going on in Cambodia: PM

English.news.cn   2014-03-21 19:15:44

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks at the annual conference of the Education Ministry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 21, 2014. Hun Sen said Friday that the country is still conducting search operations for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 within its territory although Australia's satellite had sighted suspicious debris of the missing jet in the southern Indian Ocean. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that the country is still conducting search operations for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 within its territory although Australia's satellite had sighted suspicious debris of the missing jet in the southern Indian Ocean.
"Even though Australia has sighted suspicious objects in the Indian Ocean, we have not abandoned our search operations in Cambodia. Our search is still going on," the prime minister said during the closing ceremony of the annual conference of the Education Ministry.
He also ordered to local authorities in all provinces to search in any suspicious areas.
Hun Sen said Cambodia will welcome Chinese and Malaysian experts if they are willing to come to Cambodia for further search operations.
Meanwhile, the prime minister expressed his deep sympathy to the relatives of the passengers onboard the missing jetliner.
"We wish that the search and rescue teams from our friendly countries would find the missing plane soon so as to end the anxiety of the family members of the passengers," he said. "Until this hour, the chance of survival is gone, except the plane was hijacked to any place, but such thing could not happen."
On Tuesday, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense sent four Z-9 utility helicopters and two naval vessels to conduct search operations for the missing jet at sea and on land within the country's territory.
The flight MH 370, carrying 239 people including 154 Chinese nationals en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, mysteriously disappeared from radar in the early hours of March 8 over south Vietnam.
Malaysia's acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said earlier this week that the number of countries involved in the search and rescue operations had risen to 26.

Cambodia seizes 263 kg of ivory tusks near Vietnam border

English.news.cn   2014-03-21 20:21:57

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian authorities on Friday seized 77 pieces of ivory tusks in equivalent to 263 kg in eastern Svay Rieng province bordering Vietnam, Provincial Military Police Chief San Bunthan confirmed.
The seizure came after someone had tipped the authorities off that a van was carrying ivory tusks for Vietnam, he said, adding that the van was intercepted about 10 km from the border. "We seized the elephant tusks in 10 suitcases hidden in the van as the driver had escaped," he told Xinhua, adding that it was unknown from which country the tusks were smuggled into Cambodia.
"We just know that smugglers had tried to export them to Vietnam," he said.
Last month, customs officers arrested two Vietnamese men at the Siem Reap International Airport for smuggling 79.5 kg haul of illegal elephant tusks. They confessed that they brought those tusks from Angola and attempted to take them to Hanoi City of Vietnam.
The market price of ivory is over 2,200 U.S. dollars per kg and has more than doubled in the past five years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Editor: Luan

Cambodia asks Thailand to investigate killing of Cambodian border crosser

English.news.cn   2014-03-21 20:54:40

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Friday demanded Thailand to open an investigation into the killing of a Cambodian illegal border crosser early this week.
Cambodia's acting Foreign Minister Long Visalo presented a diplomatic note to Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Touchayoot Pakdi on Friday, said Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said Thai troops on Wednesday opened fire on a group of nine Cambodians who crossed border into Thailand and killed a 38-year- old man.
"The diplomatic note aims to demand Thai side to open an investigation into the case so as to seek justice for the victim and to bring perpetrators for punishment," Koy Kuong told reporters.
The note also urged Thai authorities to stop shooting Cambodian people, but arrest them if they have committed any offenses.
Last Friday, Cambodian military intelligence officers alleged that Thai soldiers shot dead 12 Cambodian people who crossed border to log rosewood in Thailand on March 5.
But Thailand has denied its forces shot dead any Cambodians on that day, according to Koy Kuong.
He said Thai Ambassador Touchayoot Pakdi informed Cambodia that Thai soldiers had made four arrests that day but did not shoot anyone.
According to the report of the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, Thai soldiers shot dead 69 Cambodian illegal border crossers and loggers last year.
Cambodia shares more than 800-km border with Thailand to the north and west.

Editor: Luan

Cambodian Prince Ranariddh officially announces return to politics

English.news.cn   2014-03-16 14:13:23

PHNOM PENH, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prince Norodom Ranariddh, son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, announced Sunday that he decided to re-enter politics by forming a new party to contest in the 2018's general election.
The prince said he would submit paperwork to the Ministry of Interior on Monday for the registration of the new party named " The Community of Royalist People Party."
"My return to politics is to restore the royal family through mobilizing royalists and Sihanoukist to save the country," the 70- year-old prince told reporters after a meeting with some 200 supporters.
Ranariddh said the two current leading parties -- the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) -- cannot resolve their post-election differences.
"I hope that my new party will win seats in the National Assembly in the 2018's general election," he said.
Prince Ranariddh is currently the president of the Supreme Privy Advisory Council to the King Norodom Sihamoni, his half- brother.
He was former co-prime minister and ex-president of the National Assembly of Cambodia.
The prince, who once led the royalist Funcinpec party, declared to quit politics for the first time in 2008 after he received a royal pardon on fraud charges in his party.
Later, he re-entered politics in December 2010 with his new self-named Norodom Ranariddh Party, and once again, he quit politics in 2012 due to a rift in the party.
Sok Touch, deputy director general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia's International Relations Institute, said since the prince has built a negative reputation in politics in the past, it seemed difficult for him to restore his popularity through forming a new party.

Editor: chengyang