The Kingdom’s prison population climbed by more than a percentage point in the month of May alone, according to a senior official. Chhorn Sanath, director-general of the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Prison (GDP), reported the 1.15 per cent increase rate during a May 31 monthly meeting, according to the DGP. Although there is no confirmed link, the rapid jump comes as the authorities conduct a series of crackdowns on youth gangs. Following a series of high-profile cases of violence and anti-social behaviour, Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered the suppression of delinquent behaviour on May 23. From May 23…
Author: Niem Chheng
The 85th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-85) commenced on June 4 in Siem Reap province, aiming to foster regional cooperation and advancement in science and technology. Following a presentation on past accomplishments by Brunei Darussalam, the outgoing COSTI chair, the meeting transitioned to a discussion on future strategic goals. Cambodia, assuming the chairmanship for 2024, then presented a vision for continued collaboration and innovation system building for the region. Hul Seingheng, undersecretary of state of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation and chair of ASEAN COSTI, said in his opening remarks, “This…
Prime Minister Hun Manet shared the impressive details of a man-made lake in Tbong Khmum province, noting that the three million cubic metres it holds supply more than 50,000 people with a much-needed water supply. NGOs have suggested that similar irrigation infrastructure be constructed in other parts of the Kingdom. According to a June 2 social media post by Manet, the lake was originally known as the “Ta Van Reservoir”, and served as a natural water source in the south of the province. Work was carried between 2014 and 2016 out to expand the reservoir to its current are of…
Vendors in Tbong Khmum province’s Memot district are waiting for the return of hundreds of new and used mobile phones which were seized by local customs officials last week. They also urged the wholesale suppliers they purchased their stock from to resolve the issue of untaxed goods. The incident sparked widespread public debate, with some social media users suggesting that even a cheap Nokia 105 “dumb phone” which sells for $20, is liable to be taxed $93. Many of them also accused officials of confiscating both new and used phones, and even ones which had been brought to the phone…
Cambodia kicks off two regional meetings on science, technology and innovation (STI), in Siem Reap province this week, to strengthen regional collaboration and advance the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action on STI (APASTI) 2016-2025 and draft the action plan for 2026-2035. The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on STI (AMMSTI-20) and the 85th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on STI (COSTI-85) are being held from June 3-7, along with related assemblies, according to a press release. The 60th Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development (SCIRD-60) and the 16th Board of Advisory Council…
Cambodia and Türkiye are accelerating efforts to establish direct flights between the two countries as soon as possible, although analysts acknowledged that discussions have been ongoing for several years. The latest attempt was made during a May 29 official visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea to Türkiye. The minister met with several Turkish leaders for talks on different fields of cooperation. “On trade and investment, both sides agreed on the need for direct flights between Türkiye and Cambodia. Türkiye will endeavour to encourage Turkish Airlines to begin direct flights as soon as possible to…
The draft law on child protection has reached the final review stage at the social affairs ministry, amid fears that children are increasingly vulnerable to online harassment due to technological advances. Touch Channy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, told The Post that the draft law is now at the final stage of the ministerial review process and is likely to reach the council of ministers by the end of the year. The 75th anniversary of International Children’s Day will be observed on June 1, while World Day Against Child Labour will be observed on…
Health experts are calling for more attention to be paid to antimicrobial resistant pathogens. The issue has been referred to as a “silent epidemic”, and was responsible for the deaths of around 700,000 people in the South-East Asian and Western Pacific Regions in 2019 alone. Antimicrobials are medicines used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants. They include antiseptics, antifungals, antiparasitics and antibiotics. It is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics which is of the highest concern, according to the WHO. Experts have warned that the issue is caused by limited public knowledge and the fact…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new country partnership strategy for Cambodia, which closely aligns with phase one of the seventh-mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy, for the same period of 2024-2028. The strategy will strengthen pathways toward a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Cambodian economy. The five-year strategy covers a wide range of areas of cooperation, including working with the government and other partners to accelerate private-sector-led economic diversification, advance human development and strengthen climate resilience, said a May 29 ADB press release. “Shaped in close collaboration with diverse stakeholders, ADB’s new country strategy is a partnership with Cambodia for…
The members of several farming communities in Ratanakkiri province have expressed their happiness at receiving new cashew processing equipment from the embassy of Japan. The handover ceremony, to four agriculture communities in O Chum district, was held on May 28. “The four farming communities expressed their pleasure and gratitude to the embassy of Japan to Cambodia for these facilities, which will provide efficient, effective inputs in the production chain of cashew processing,” said a social media announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It explained that the materials provided included storage facilities, nut selection devices, humidity measuring equipment…