NGO head apologises to NEC
The Victory Intelligent Standard Association issued an apology on Wednesday to the National Election Committee for accusing the body’s senior staffers of corruption during the transfer of its employees from independent contractors to the government’s fold. ...
Niem Chheng and Ananth Baliga
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ngo-head-apologises-nec
Wood trafficker arrested, but where is she?
Military police said they arrested a well-known timber trafficker in Stung Treng province on Thursday after she and a group of stick-wielding thugs attempted to retrieve a pile of wood officers had seized a day earlier. ...
Aun Pheap
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/wood-trafficker-arrested-119276/
NEC-run safe zones suggested
A senior member of the Electoral Reform Alliance yesterday appealed for the National Election Committee to be given special jurisdictional powers over certain areas around the country during election campaigns so that it can ensure freedom of assembly. ...
Touch Sokha
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/nec-run-safe-zones-suggested
Landmine casualties drop by 25 percent
The number of casualties from landmines last year dropped by a quarter compared with the year before, the first time the number of deaths or injuries have been less than 100, the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA) said yesterday. ...
Mom Kunthear
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/34546/landmine-casualties-drop-by-25-percent/
Japanese aid scheme stalls at the lights
Japan inked the $16 million deal through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in February 2016. However Chou Kimtry, deputy director of the municipal department of transport, said yesterday the traffic lights will not be operational until February 2018. ...
Pav Suy
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37732/japanese-aid-scheme-stalls-at-the-lights/
More rice exporters given access to China
Beijing has agreed to increase the number of Cambodian rice exporters allowed to sell to the Chinese mainland. The Ministry of Agriculture has been advised that eight more companies will be granted licenses, taking the total to 34. ...
Sok Chan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37715/more-rice-exporters-given-access-to-china/
Election rallies banned on Phnom Penh’s major streets
Reacting to criticism from the CNRP and other organizations, Cambodia’s top election body on Sunday defended its support of a ban on election marches along prominent public areas of Phnom Penh, saying it was for public safety. ...
Ouch Sony and Ben Paviour
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/election-rallies-banned-on-phnom-penhs-major-streets-129208/
Suspected sand exports to VN stopped in Mondulkiri
The Mondulkiri Provincial Court and mines and energy officials said they are investigating illegal sand exports to Vietnam following the questioning of four people who were intercepted yesterday by authorities driving truckloads of sand toward the eastern border. ...
Phak Seangly
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/suspected-sand-exports-vietnam-stopped-mondulkiri
Patrol detains illegal loggers in Preah Vihear
Five men accused of illegal logging in the Prey Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary after being caught by a joint patrol of authorities, villagers and monks should be charged with deforestation, a Preah Vihear provincial prosecutor said on Tuesday. ...
Aun Pheap
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/patrol-detains-illegal-loggers-preah-vihear-120031/
Land confiscated from CPP lawmaker
The government has decided to confiscate nearly 3,000 hectares of land in Kandal province’s Kien Svay and Saang districts from CPP member Lork Hour after investigating a litany of lawsuits filed by local residents against the parliamentarian. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/34026/land-confiscated-from-cpp-lawmaker/
Soldiers escorting logs from sanctuary: locals
Communities in Preah Vihear’s Choam Ksan district have alleged that soldiers are involved in the transportation of illegal timber in the protected forests of Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary, an allegation denied yesterday by a local military official. ...
Phak Seangly
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/soldiers-escorting-logs-sanctuary-locals
Angkor Air, Air France MoU
Cambodia Angkor Air and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to cover component support and maintenance services for the national flag carrier’s fleet of Airbus A320. ...
Sok Chan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/36204/angkor-air--air-france-mou/
Trash piles will get picked up, eventually
Phnom Penh’s sole garbage hauler says it will need another week to collect thousands of tons of fetid garbage that piled up over the weekend when workers left the capital to vote in Sunday’s commune elections. ...
Buth Kimsay
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/trash-piles-will-get-picked-up-eventually-131068/
US brands object to draft wage, dispute settlement laws
A group representing some of the largest apparel brands in the U.S., including Gap and Levi Strauss, are urging Prime Minister Hun Sen to reconsider controversial provisions in a pair of draft laws on wages and labor disputes. ...
Zsombor Peter
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/us-brands-object-draft-wage-dispute-settlement-laws-131484/
Faintings up 39 percent over six-month period
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) said yesterday that incidents of garment workers fainting on the factory floor had increased by 39 percent over the first six months of the year when compared to the same period last year. ...
Niem Chheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/faintings-39-percent-over-six-month-period
As CNRP’s dissolution looms, small parties look set to enter a big stage
The seemingly impending demise of Cambodia’s main opposition, and the snap draft laws put in motion to replace them in parliament, threatens to throw a handful of obscure parties into the political arena at the highest level. ...
Ben Sokhean and Erin Handley
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cnrps-dissolution-looms-small-parties-look-set-enter-big-stage
Council greenlights controversial election laws changes
The Constitutional Council yesterday approved four sets of controversial amendments to Cambodia’s election laws, greenlighting changes that will pave the way for the main opposition party’s parliamentary seats to be redistributed in the event of its dissolution. ...
Mech Dara and Andrew Nachemson
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/council-greenlights-controversial-election-laws-changes
Civil societies urge budget review
Several civil society groups yesterday issued a joint statement urging members of parliament to review the national budget which is set to allocate close to 35 percent of national spending solely to the Defense Ministry and a contingency reserve. ...
Taing Vida
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/32233/civil-societies-urge-budget-review/
Shortages push up cashew price
The price of fresh cashews has jumped by about 30 percent over the price last year due to shortages of the nut and the fact that the harvest will not get into full swing until early next month. ...
Sok Chan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/35696/shortages-push-up-cashew-price/
Thailand rail link held up by compensation claims
Government officials are working to settle compensation claims for 50 families living alongside a kilometer of rail track in Poipet town, to allow a rail link between Cambodia and Thailand to open by the middle of the year. ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/36509/thailand-rail-link-held-up-by-compensation-claims/