News
Cabinet approves ban on public smoking
The Cambodian government on Friday approved a new regulation that will impose fines for public smoking. ...
Neou Vannarin
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/cabinet-approves-ban-on-public-smoking/3219616.html
Environmental campaigner convicted of forestry crime
A prominent anti-dam activist in Koh Kong province who has been jailed since October was convicted Thursday of illegal logging and given a suspended prison sentence, allowing him to walk free but leaving the shadow of a criminal conviction hanging over him. ...
Aun Pheap
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/109399-109399/
Campaigners dismiss Facebook as a solution to land problems
Activists have cast doubt on whether Prime Minister Hun Sen’s new initiative for the country’s problems to be solved through social media can tackle the country’s most pervasive problem—land disputes. ...
Hean Socheata
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/campaigner-dismiss-facebook-as-a-solution-to-land-problems/3212705.html
Critics sceptical of NGO's optimistic findings
Cambodians were optimistic about the economic and political future of the Kingdom, according to a national survey on citizen’s perceptions released on Wednesday by the Asia Foundation, although observers yesterday questioned whether that optimism remains in light of the government’s recent crackdown on the opposition. ...
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/critics-sceptical-ngos-optimistic-findings
PM, Sokha commemorate death of peacemaker
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday sent his condolences to the government and people of Egypt over the death of former Egyptian Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who passed away on February 16 at the age of 93. Along with ...
Ros Chanveasna
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/21686/pm--sokha-commemorate-death-of-peacemaker/
NGO notes uptick in gov’t ‘threats’ against online posters
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights released a public notice on Monday noting a “substantial increase” in the number of people being charged for making anti-government or anti-Hun Sen comments in social media. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ngo-notes-uptick-govt-threats-against-online-posters
With AIIB, nation diversifies funding options
Though it’s extremely early days, experts this week welcomed Cambodia’s membership to the nascent China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), saying it would provide much-needed diversity of funding for the nation’s infrastructure and connectivity needs. ...
Tej Parikh
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/with-aiib-nation-diversifies-funding-options-105893/
Tbong Khmum timber warehouses raide
Authorities yesterday raided several logging warehouses in the country’s east, just days after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered a crackdown on illegal timber smuggling into Vietnam. ...
Mech Dara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/tbong-khmum-timber-warehouses-raided
Despite progress, draft union law has major flaws: HRW
After seven years under discussion and a series of drastic edits, the Trade Union Law is inching closer to being passed by the National Assembly. Human Rights Watch yesterday issued a statement on the latest draft of the union law, saying that while it ...
Jonathan Cox
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/18829/despite-progress--draft-union-law-has-major-flaws--hrw/
Stop harassing forest activists, gov’t told
A network of community activists protecting Prey Lang forest has appealed to the government to prevent all forms of intimidation against its members by courts, police and soldiers as well as local officials involved in the timber business. ...
May Titthara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/18714/stop-harassing-forest-activists--gov---t-told/
New agreements to bolster intelligence, investment ties with Russia
Cambodia and Russia will sign a package of six agreements between the two countries, including on investment, and money laundering cooperation among political parties. ...
Cheang Sokha
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17960/new-agreements-to-bolster-intelligence--investment-ties-with-russia/
Cabinet approves draft Union law
Prime Minister Hun Sen said the government will move forward in adopting the Trade Union Law despite the absence of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. ...
Ven Rathavong
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17839/cabinet-approves-draft-union-law/
Government to take control of ticketing at Angkor Wat
Beginning next year, the government will take full control of the Angkor Archaeological Park, ending a controversial concession with private firm Sokimex, which holds the right to sell tickets to the country’s most popular tourist draw. ...
Kuch Naren
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/government-to-take-control-of-ticketing-at-angkor-wat-99671/
The man in the mirror – the Enemy within
Recent politic rhetoric in Cambodia and back-pedaling by some political leaders brings to mind a classic from the late Michael Jackson “Man in the Mirror”. Below, I have inserted one paragraph from his lyrics to put things in perspective before I ramble on the about ...
T. Mohan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17536/the-man-in-the-mirror-----the-enemy-within/
Beijing gets Cambodia to condemn US move in S China Sea
A Cambodian government official and scholars on Tuesday criticized the United States for sending a warship near artificial islands held by China in the South China Sea, saying the move would stir regional tensions. ...
Xinhua News Staff
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news/content?id=20151028000185&cid=1101
Vehicle tax cut gets mixed reaction
The government will eliminate taxes on vehicles used by low-income families and farmers to improve their livelihoods and boost farm production, according to the bill on the national budget approved by Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday. ...
Sum Manet
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17011/vehicle-tax-cut-gets-mixed-reaction/
Budget for a rising economy
Government spending on social welfare and economic development could both see double-digit growth next year, according to a document summarizing expenditures in next year’s budget that will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen today. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/16970/budget-for-a-rising-economy/
PM orders government to raise efforts in fighting smuggling
Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued an appeal for government officials to strengthen cooperation to prevent and combat the rampant smuggling of goods in and out of the country, causing the loss of much-needed tax revenue. ...
Kang Sothear
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/pm-orders-government-to-raise-efforts-in-fighting-smuggling-97496/
Cambodia publicizes map used in demarcation of border with Vietnam
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered authorities to publicize the map used by the country in demarcating its border with Vietnam at the meeting of his Cabinet on Friday. ...
Tuoitrenews Staff
http://tuoitrenews.vn/politics/30921/cambodia-publicizes-map-used-in-demarcation-of-border-with-vietnam
Draft Telecoms law approved by council of ministers
The Council of Ministers on Friday signed off on a potentially sweeping draft law that would regulate the country’s telecommunications sector, which a rights group warned in May could effectively nationalize private service providers. ...
Kuch Naren
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/draft-telecoms-law-approved-by-council-of-ministers-97072/
NGO law ‘obstacle to development goals’
Civil society organizations yesterday expressed concern about the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations last month, which they said would be hard to achieve under the new Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO). ...
Pav Suy
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/16582/ngo-law----obstacle-to-development-goals---/
Cambodia welcomes same-sex marriage, gov’t spokesman says
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan expressed support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Cambodia yesterday, responding to Nepal’s new constitution – which has been described as the first in Asia to enshrine protection for the rights of LGBT people. ...
Chea Takihiro
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/16143/cambodia-welcomes-same-sex-marriage--gov---t-spokesman-says/
Kem Sokha says there’s no racism in Cambodia
Two days after Prime Minister Hun Sen told the U.N.’s new special rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia to focus her efforts on tackling racial discrimination, deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha on Thursday used a Cham Muslim religious ceremony to argue that there is no ...
Alex Willemyns and Kuch Naren
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/kem-sokha-says-theres-no-racism-in-cambodia-95426/
Following arrests, groups issue nine principles of internet freedom
Cambodian pro-democracy and rights groups have written a statement of principles to guide Internet freedom in the country, following the arrests of activists for Facebook posts. ...
Neou Vannarin
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/following-arrests-groups-issue-nine-principles-of-internet-freedom/2964547.html