Fighting a different battle
Sok Ren’s eyes dart from side to side as he explains in a hushed tone why he’s been detained at military barracks in Preah Vihear province, rarely allowed to leave and under near constant surveillance, since July 31.
While casting his ballot for the Cambodian People’s Party in last month’s election, the soldier went a step further, sneaking into the ballot box an impassioned tale of corruption he says is pushing soldiers posted at the Thai-Cambodian border to the brink. …
“I wrote in my note to the four samdechs to please realise that Battalion 383, under the management of Division 8, has cut the salaries of soldiers by 28,000 riel [$7] per month,” he said. “While volunteer students measured 10 to 15 hectares of land for each of the big bosses with big bellies,” he wrote, “soldiers’ rations such as hammocks and backpacks given to us by Samdech [Prime Minister Hun Sen] were not enough for us.”
In response to the note, Ren’s military superiors tried to flush out the squealer in their ranks. It didn’t take long before they settled on Ren and one other outspoken soldier. When he heard the other man had been questioned, Ren voluntarily confessed. …
After the confession, Ren was ordered to stay in the barracks. He is not allowed to leave the grounds without permission; he is not allowed to interact with outsiders. In order to speak to a reporter this week, Ren lied and begged permission to check a nearby piece of land he farms. Within minutes, a commander was phoning him, angrily inquiring after his whereabouts and ordering him back.
But the punishment, which remains ongoing, appears to have been worth it. Ren said that the battalion commander has since returned 30,000 riel to each soldier. …
Speaking at the couple’s small Anlong Veng house, Chantha said Ren had been due to harvest his one-hectare Preah Vihear farmland within the coming weeks. If he continues to be forbidden from farming, they’ll go hungry. …
Ren’s current troubles are coming in a particularly harrowing year for his family. Their daughter is due to give birth any day now, while Chantha suffers a chronic illness and is herself unable to work. …
“In truth, each soldier who’s not satisfied with their boss for committing corruption has the right to take action to solve their problem,” Adhoc senior investigator Chan Soveth said. “If each soldier who speaks out is detained or threatened … it seriously undermines their rights.”
May Titthara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/fighting-different-battle
