Thirteen Filipino surrogate mothers arrived in the Philippines on December 29 after receiving a royal pardon in Cambodia for their involvement in an illegal surrogacy scheme. Three of the women had given birth prior to their release. The group arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where they were welcomed by Philippine officials and escorted to a care facility in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on social media that the women would be provided with temporary shelter and assistance. The 13 women were sentenced earlier in December by Kandal Provincial Court…
Author: Niem Chheng
The Ministry of Environment has fined Jin Lu Yuan Energy Environment Protection Industry Co., Ltd., a laundry company based in Preah Niphean commune of Kampong Speu province’s Kong Pisey district, “hundreds of millions of riel” for discharging untreated wastewater into a stream that extends into Kandal province. According to the ministry, the company released untreated wastewater that did not meet technical standards and exceeded permissible pollutant levels. This polluted a waterway in Kandal’s Stung Touch, located in Kandal Stung district, earlier this December. The ministry previously ordered the company to cease discharging wastewater and instructed it to treat water correctly…
For the first time, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has allowed commercial banks and payment institutions to provide services involving Category 1 crypto assets, including backed or stable cryptocurrencies. However, unbacked cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, remain prohibited. The development was formalised in a prakas issued on December 26 and announced by NBC on December 27. The directive aims to regulate operations and businesses involving digital currencies, reflecting the country’s effort to keep pace with global financial innovations. Cryptocurrencies are digital assets or currencies not controlled by central banks but operate through decentralised computer networks, known as blockchains. These assets…
The Ministry of Justice is drafting a new law aimed at criminalising the denial of crimes committed during the Democratic Kampuchea regime, with the stated goal of providing justice to victims and preventing such atrocities from reoccurring in Cambodia. The draft law, consisting of seven articles, reached the final stage of review and discussion at the Office of the Council of Ministers as of December 25, according to a statement by the council. The release explained that the law will “prescribe punishments for individuals who deny, trivialise, reject or dispute the authenticity of crimes committed during the Democratic Kampuchea regime,…
The Japanese government has granted Cambodia satellite images, thematic maps, 3D city planning data and a geospatial data platform valued at approximately $7.2 million. The assistance aims to support the country’s efforts in land registration and urban planning. The grant was formalised on December 26 during a signing ceremony between Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Atsushi Ueno. The agreement, titled the “Project for the Economic and Social Development Programme: Provision of Geospatial Data Platform for Promotion of National Land Management and Urban Planning,” underscores Japan’s commitment to aiding Cambodia’s development. “We…
Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed that while the government has not publicly addressed concerns about Koh Kut on Facebook, it remains actively engaged in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity. His comments come as opposition groups prepare to stage a demonstration in the US on January 19 over the issue. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for students of the Human Resource University on December 26, Manet responded to criticism suggesting that the government has been silent in the face of accusations regarding territorial loss. “I’ll say it clearly: When the government is not responding on Facebook, it doesn’t mean it isn’t…
Kandal provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun has suggested that the silversmiths of the province form an association, explaining that this will allow them to expand their market reach and foster competitive craftsmanship. He also called for them to focus on conserving traditional Khmer styles. Chamroeun met with more than 200 artisans in Koh Chen village and commune of Ponhea Leu district on December 24. Many of the talented smiths have been practicing the art for decades. During the meeting, he urged them to improve the quality of their work, adhere to proper techniques and even adopt modern designs to meet market…
The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police are continuing their investigation into a clash between local residents and employees of two private companies. The scuffle resulted in six injuries. Officers are gathering additional evidence, and attempting to identify each of the individuals involved. In a December 24 press release, the provincial police reported that the violent incident occurred at 7pm on December 15, in the Ou Chhleung Leu area of Bit Trang commune’s Koki village, which is now part of Kampong Som town. It added that from December 16 to 23, a specialised task force interviewed 11 individuals involved in the incident,…
Media analysts have expressed concerns that the Kingdom’s Press Law, introduced in 1995, appears to be overlooked when the authorities deal with journalists accused of professional misconduct or ethical violations. Their comments follow a lawsuit filed by Suos La, president of the Kampong Cham Provincial Court, against journalist Phat Hon, commonly known as Pou Hon on social media. The case – which has been transferred from the Kampong Cham Provincial Court to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court – concerns Hon’s publication of information he admitted was inaccurate. In a November 20 live stream on his Facebook page, KH Plus News,…
Government officials are calling on families with IDPoor cards to register their primary and secondary school-age children for an additional monthly allowance under the family support package. The programme, with an initial annual budget of $27 million, will commence on January 30, 2025. Chan Narith, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and secretary-general of the National Social Protection Council (NSPC), issued the reminder last week while promoting the programme in Arey Ksat town, Kandal province. According to preliminary estimates, around 450,000 students nationwide from families holding Identification of Poor (IDPoor) cards levels 1 and 2 are…