Cambodian PM unveils 5-year strategy, vowing deep reforms
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday announced his new government’s five-year strategy, vowing to deepen reforms in all fields to ensure sustainable growth and poverty reduction. “Reforms are the top priority for Cambodia and the country will continue deepening reforms in all fields in order to increase competitions, to sustain economic growth and to reduce poverty,” the premier said at the launching of the government’s Rectangular Strategy in Phase III during the first cabinet meeting at the Peace Palace. He said deep reforms would be focused on legal and judicial reforms, anti-corruption, good governance, and land and forest management. … During the meeting, Hun Sen also warned some of his cabinet members of their arrogant behavior or habitat of power abuse toward their lower-level officials and people. “There will be no a tolerance toward any wrong-doing ministers in this term,” he said. The premier’s warning came after the public has criticized state’s ministries and institutions for cronyism and family-ism. Chheang Vannarith, a lecturer at the Leeds University in the Britain, said judicial reform was the most urgent task for the current Cambodian government in order to build confidence among common people and business community. “Moreover, anti-corruption unit needs to operate independently so that it can effectively address the chronic and widespread corruption in the country,” he told Xinhua on Wednesday, adding that the salaries for the government officials and factory workers have to be increased to meet the increasing cost of living. … [T]he opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) announced Wednesday that it did not recognize the Hun Sen-led government. … Sam Rainsy also called on the international community to condemn the newly-formed government and urged big foreign investors to ignore the country.
Nguon Sovan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-09/25/c_132749682.htm
