Defense Ministry official asks for military-plate tax exemption
A Defense Ministry official has requested that vehicles bearing Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) license plates be exempt from paying the country’s road tax, noting that a recent increase in inspections by tax officials could hurt “military officers’ feelings.” ...
Hul Reaksmey
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/defense-ministry-official-asks-for-military-plate-tax-exemption-77590/
Number of deceased migrants returned from Thailand rises
Although the number of migrant workers who crossed to Thailand through the Poipet International Border Checkpoint decreased slightly from 2013 to 2014, the number of people who died while working in Thailand appeared to increase, a provincial official said this week. ...
Kuch Naren
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/number-of-deceased-migrants-returned-from-thailand-rises-78468/
Court postpones trial over brawl at freedom park
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has postponed today’s scheduled hearing of 11 people, including senior CNRP official Meach Sovannara, who were charged with insurrection and other crimes over a bloody scuffle at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park in July. ...
Mech Dara
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/court-postpones-trial-over-brawl-at-freedom-park-78508/
Cambodian villagers threaten renewed protests against dam developer
Hundreds of indigenous villagers on Monday threatened to continue protests against the developer of a controversial hydropower dam in Cambodia if it does not halt construction of the project, which they say will negatively affect their cultural traditions and livelihoods. ...
Prach Chev
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/dam-03022015173133.html
Prince Ranariddh wins Funcinpec power struggle
Prince Norodom Ranariddh completed his takeover of the royalist Funcinpec party on Thursday, with a national party congress granting him absolute control of the party following a power struggle with the man who engineered his removal as leader in 2006. ...
Kang Sothear
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/prince-ranariddh-wins-funcinpec-power-struggle-79690/
Villagers prevent police from taking back seized bulldozers
About 150 ethnic Kuoy in Preah Vihear province on Tuesday prevented police and a court prosecutor from taking back a pair of bulldozers the villagers seized last year from a Chinese-owned plantation they accuse of encroaching on their farms. ...
Aun Pheap
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/villagers-prevent-police-from-taking-back-seized-bulldozers-79978/
Hun Sen knocks Obama visit
Prime Minister Hun Sen took aim at Michelle Obama yesterday, accusing the US first lady of making false promises, while suggesting her visit last weekend was more about hopeful rhetoric rather than implementing concrete improvements in the country’s education sector. ...
Tat Oudom and Vong Sokheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/hun-sen-knocks-obama-visit
Hun Sen knocks Obama visit
Prime Minister Hun Sen took aim at Michelle Obama yesterday, accusing the US first lady of making false promises, while suggesting her visit last weekend was more about hopeful rhetoric rather than implementing concrete improvements in the country’s education sector. ...
Tat Oudom and Vong Sokheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/hun-sen-knocks-obama-visit
Ukrainian politician off wanted list
A Ukrainian member of parliament sought by Cambodian authorities over allegations of child-rape was removed from Interpol’s most-wanted list on Tuesday night because, according to Cambodia’s Interpol office, “the case involves politics in Ukraine and Russia.” ...
Matt Blomberg and Aun Pheap
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ukrainian-politician-struck-from-wanted-list-80730/
As refugees spurn Cambodia, locals voice opposition to deal
As refugees being held by Australia on the South Pacific island of Nauru continue to spurn the prospect of resettling in Cambodia, many Cambodians likewise say they do not want to see any of the refugees sent to their country. ...
Khuon Narim and Holly Robertson
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/as-refugees-spurn-cambodia-locals-voice-opposition-to-deal-81145/
Dredgers ‘pledge’ to wait on gov’t
The Ministry of Mines and Energy has said that it will perform environmental, social and economic impact assessments within three to six months before renewing and granting new licences for sand dredgers and sand miners operating in Phnom Penh and Kandal. ...
Taing Vida
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/dredgers-pledge-wait-govt
Justice minister seeks briefing over years-old land dispute
The justice minister on Wednesday wrote to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court requesting that the judge in charge of a case surrounding a long-running land dispute report to the ministry, following intervention from the National Assembly’s human rights commission. ...
Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/justice-minister-seeks-topic-over-years-old-land-dispute-81308/
Cambodian PM, opposition leader to jointly inaugurate New Year festival at Angkor heritage site
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy will for the first time jointly inaugurate the Angkor Sankranta festival, which will be held on April 14-16 in northwest Cambodia’s Siem Reap City to celebrate Khmer New Year. ...
Global Post News Staff
http://bit.ly/1Ohz72O
Boeung Chhouk locals protest
About 100 residents of a community in the capital’s Russei Keo district yesterday rallied outside City Hall, demanding that authorities issue them land titles and end court action against six of their representatives. ...
Khouth Sophak Chakrya
http://phnompenhpost.com/national/boeung-chhouk-locals-protest
Advisory group begins minimum wage talks
A new group that will advise the committee that advises the government on the minimum wage in the country’s garment sector began talking numbers Tuesday following a meeting Monday that laid out a code of conduct for the negotiations. ...
Mech Dara
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/advisory-group-begins-minimum-wage-talks-70548/
Lure of South Korea is strong
Cambodian migrant worker hopefuls have heard murmurs about the poor work conditions in South Korea. However, they remain unfazed – even the recent reports of long hours and abusive employers are doing little to deter their quest to secure better wages abroad. ...
Laignee Barron and Pech Sotheary
http://phnompenhpost.com/national/lure-south-korea-strong
Labor groups press ministry on new union registration rules
About 100 workers representing eight trade unions and labor associations rallied in front of the Ministry of Labor on Sunday demanding that the government relax registration requirements that they say are being used to stifle efforts to increase their memberships. ...
Mech Dara
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/labor-groups-press-ministry-on-new-union-registration-rules-71009/
Swap deal struck: Families to move for city development
More than 130 families will be relocated to make way for a multibillion-dollar development project in the capital’s Chroy Changva district after an agreement was signed yesterday by villagers, district officials and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC ) said. ...
Kim Sarom
http://phnompenhpost.com/national/swap-deal-struck-families-move-city-development
Mondolkiri villagers seek cancellation of rubber concession
Representatives of 273 ethnic Bunong families from Mondolkiri province submitted a petition on Thursday to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s cabinet in Phnom Penh, seeking the cancellation of an economic land concession they say has infringed on their ancestral lands. ...
Aun Pheap
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/mondolkiri-villagers-seek-cancellation-of-rubber-concession-71463/
Somaly Mam 2.0 gets green light from US
Disgraced anti-sex trafficking activist Somaly Mam’s new charity – which is headed by former staff of her fallen foundation, a Hollywood actress and a PR guru – announced yesterday that it has been given the green light in the US. ...
Alice Cuddy
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/somaly-mam-20-gets-green-light-us