Prime Minister Hun Manet has requested the Ministry of Justice to seek a review of the five-year prison sentence given to a drink driver who caused an accident that killed four people at Russey Keo Bridge in January. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Royal University of Law and Economics this morning, Manet stated that the court had confirmed the sentence as the maximum penalty for traffic accidents. However, he called for a review to determine whether additional legal measures could be applied in such a serious case involving multiple fatalities. “I instruct the justice ministry to use its…
Author: Niem Chheng
Cambodia has dispatched 22 units of multipurpose transport and heavy equipment, including mine-protected vehicles (MPVs), to the Central African Republic (CAR) for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA), following a request from the UN. The departure ceremony took place on September 25 at the Peacekeeping Forces Training Centre in Kampong Speu’s Phnom Sruoch district, according to the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC). NPMEC director-general Sem Sovanny stated that the equipment was loaded onto trucks and transported to Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) before being shipped to CAR in early October. He said the shipment includes MPVs,…
Pope Francis commended Cambodia’s humanitarian efforts in eradicating landmines and announced that he will send a delegation to participate in the upcoming Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World in November. The Vatican’s confirmation of participation came during a courtesy visit by Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and president of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), also known as the Ottawa Convention, at Vatican City on September 21, according to the CMAA. Cambodia is preparing to host the summit and will preside over the Fifth Review Conference of the…
Although several senior members of the Cambodian government, including Senate president Hun Sen, previously emphasised that Cambodia would not withdraw from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA), the decision was eventually made to do so. This stance shifted when the government announced it had decided to withdraw from the agreement, effective immediately, on September 20. Hun Sen explained that the decision was made to “disarm the opposition”, following several organised protests against the CLV, both abroad and online. In a September 5 announcement, Prime Minister Hun Manet had earlier expressed his sentiment that whether Cambodia stayed in or left the…
Following the surprise announcement of Cambodia’s withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) on the night of September 20, Prime Minister Hun Manet explained this morning, September 23, that the development of the northeastern regions will continue. In an audio message posted on his social media, Manet stated: “Regardless of whether or not we are in the CLV-DTA cooperation, the government will continue to develop the northeastern region and ensure the protection of Cambodia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. This is the overwhelming desire of the Khmer people, especially those living in the northeastern region.” He further emphasised that the…
In a move that surprised many, the government has announced that Cambodia will withdraw from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) agreement. In a series of announcements, the Kingdom’s leadership explained that the move aimed to disarm the opposition and maintain peace and solidarity. Certain opposition groups abroad recently began alleging that the agreement could lead to Cambodia ceding territory to Vietnam, and used misinformation to call for widespread protests and the eventual overthrow of the government. The withdrawal was announced on the evening of September 20 by Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen, president of…
The National Assembly of Cambodia convened an extraordinary session this morning, where a vote of confidence saw Minister of Inspection Huot Hak exchange roles with Minister of Tourism Sok Soken. Analysts suggest that it is too early to determine whether Hak’s appointment will improve the sluggish recovery of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. This morning’s session saw all 106 members present vote unanimously in favour of the exchange, which was proposed by the government. Prime Minister Hun Manet, who attended this morning’s session, took to social media to wish both ministers well. “Congratulations to His Excellency Huot Hak and His Excellency…
The National Council for Minimum Wage has officially set the minimum monthly wage for 2025 at $208 for workers in the textile, garment, footwear, travel goods and bag manufacturing sectors. This represents an increase of $4 from the 2024 minimum wage of $204, and includes a $2 increase which was added by the prime minister. The figure was finalised on the afternoon of September 19, following protracted negotiations between representatives of employers and workers. During the talks, the worker’s representatives requested two different amounts: $206 and $214. Meanwhile, the employer’s representatives proposed $206; the same figure suggested by officials from…
General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), held separate meetings on September 18 with officials from two major world powers: Timothy J. Donnellan, adjutant general of the Idaho National Guard from the US and Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin. Both officials reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening ties with Cambodia, including in the military sector. During the meeting with Donnellan at RCAF General Headquarters, they discussed the progress of military cooperation between Cambodia and the US, including the recent visit by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to Cambodia, according to the RCAF. “The RCAF…
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has encouraged high school students to consider pursuing a digital skills major when they move on to higher education, noting that this is a key priority area of phase one of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy. The appeal came ahead of the high school diploma examinations, set to take place on October 8. In an announcement released today, the ministry highlighted the importance of digital technology skills, adding that they play a crucial role in everyday life, business operations and the delivery of efficient public services. “We urge and encourage all students to consider acquiring…