Students Demand More Information on Resource Extraction
Most Cambodian university students have heard of their country’s fledging extractive industry. But with little access to information, few are aware of how revenue from this industry is being managed. Most of this information remains unavailable, and some are now voicing their concerns about corruption and misuse of those revenues. “The news on television tells us little about mining extractions,” student Saing Kanha told VOA Khmer. “It only tells the people that companies are coming to extract minerals in Cambodia and that this will benefit the country. But they don’t say whether the revenue will go to the people, or whether the companies or the government are the ones getting it.” …. Results from a recent survey of 377 university students in the capital by the NGO Forum found a majority did not know about the management and usage of those funds. Chhit Sam Ath, the NGO’s executive director, said access to such information is necessary for these students, and not just for their studies. “The knowledge of the revenue is also important because in a democracy all information must be transparent,” he said. “So there will soon be demands by the students for such information. Some information related to the nation must be released.” …
