Cambodia in brief: November 1, 2016

Cambodia at ‘high’ risk of Zika outbreak in 2017
Amid reports of the emergence of the Zika virus in Myanmar and the discovery of the first birth defect believed linked to the virus in Vietnam, two researchers with Phnom Penh’s Pasteur Institute have concluded that Cambodia is at high risk of its own Zika outbreak in 2017.

ANZ to remain in local market?
The chief executive of ANZ Royal Bank has denied media reports that the Australian and New Zealand Bank Group (ANZ) is considering pulling the plug on its Cambodian operations amid a planned retreat from the region’s markets.

Ministry bans song after complaint from boxing federation
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has issued a blanket ban on popular singer Khem’s latest release Life of a Boxer, after its lyrics, which liken an injured fighter to a beaten animal, attracted criticism from the president of the nation’s top boxing body.

‘Black Monday’ back, urging Vanny’s release
About 30 Boeung Kak and Borei Keila land activists resumed the so-called Black Monday protests yesterday, announcing that they will march to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house this week to demand the release of a jailed fellow activist and human rights officials.

No special treatment for Sovann: City Hall
City Hall yesterday rejected the opposition’s request to hold the funeral of former Prime Minister Pen Sovann at Phnom Penh’s Wat Botum Park, saying he ceased to enjoy any special privileges after becoming a lawmaker in the 2013 election.

Australia pushes refugee reunions
The Australian government is pushing its Cambodian counterparts to allow the families of three refugees – due to arrive in Cambodia soon under a controversial resettlement deal – to meet them in the Kingdom, an Interior Ministry official said yesterday.

Three forex giants hold sway
A recent study on the role of Cambodia’s moneychangers found that three private forex traders control two-thirds of the total demand for riel currency and exert more influence on foreign currency exchange rates than the central bank, raising the possibility of collusion in fixing rates.

Annual cold spell on the way: weather official
Winter – such as it is – is coming, a Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology official warned yesterday.

CPP welcomes CNRP ‘defectors’ into the fold
The Cambodian People’s Party celebrated the apparent mass defection of 200 people from the opposition with a ceremonial burning of their old party T-shirts in Takeo on Sunday, although the opposition yesterday denied the defectors were ever members.

Family plans petition amid beating inquiry
The family of a man allegedly beaten to death in police custody in Kandal’s Sa’ang district on October 21 has collected thumbprints from nearly 100 fellow villagers for a petition seeking justice from “other institutions” should current investigations prove unsatisfactory.

Press unit seeks guidance from Russian state media
The government’s Press and Quick Reaction Unit has sought the services of Russia’s government-owned news agency to help prevent a “colour revolution”, spokesperson Tith Sothea confirmed yesterday.

Tycoon’s showdown with ‘wife’ hits Supreme Court
A lawyer for Lay Huong, the former common-law wife of tycoon Khaou Phallaboth, yesterday urged the Supreme Court to uphold decisions made by both the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and the Appeal Court and dismiss a “breach of trust” complaint lodged against her by her ex-partner.

KNLF ‘plotters’ tried
Ten members of the Khmer National Liberation Front (KNLF) charged with “plotting” over a planned protest at the Vietnamese Embassy two years ago appeared in court yesterday, with six requesting leniency after defecting to the ruling CPP.

Aquaculture pushed for women
A project in Stung Treng province is giving women the opportunity to participate in one of the fastest-growing food-production sectors in Cambodia: aquaculture fisheries – a field that has also traditionally been among its most male-dominated.

Military implicated in Stung Treng logging seizure
Authorities in Stung Treng said they confiscated hundreds of pieces of wood, including some from a vehicle marked with military logos, over the weekend, while nine people were also arrested in neighboring Preah Vihear following nighttime forest patrols.

Minister calls for higher standard for road work
Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol yesterday ordered his officials to keep a close eye on a new $1.3 million project to widen National Road 4 in Preah Sihanouk province in order to halt criticism of shoddy road quality and corruption in his ministry.

General testifies on Khmer Rouge army incursions in Vietnam
A former Khmer Rouge regiment commander testified yesterday that his soldiers did cross the Vietnamese border at times, but maintained the manoeuvres were only meant to force Vietnamese soldiers to retreat from Cambodian territory.

Airports fare well in ICAO audit, official says
An inspection of Cambodia’s airports last week by a visiting delegation from the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) turned up only minor issues, all of which are easily correctable, a senior aviation official said yesterday.

Property tax deadline extended once more
The General Department of Taxation (GDT) announced yesterday that it had extended the deadline for property tax payment to November 30 in order to give a few taxpayers who had not filed their tax more time to fulfil their tax obligations.

Taxis call for fare rivalry
The operator of the capital’s biggest metered taxi fleet has called on Phnom Penh municipal officials to crack down on unlicensed taxi operators, claiming as many as half of the capital’s 1,100 metered cabs are operating illegally.