Cambodia in brief: December 6, 2016

Chief swiftly sentenced
A Judge sentenced opposition commune chief Seang Chet to five years in prison yesterday for allegedly bribing the mistress of CNRP vice president Kem Sokha, though the local official’s wife said she hoped Sokha’s recent pardon in a related case was a sign her husband would soon go free.

Press ignoring ‘savage crackdown’ in US: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday complained to US Ambassador William Heidt about the lack of attention from media and rights group being paid to what he termed a “savage crackdown” on protests against US president-elect Donald Trump in the US.

"Black Monday" activists continue protest with symbolic offerings to monks
Boeung Kak and Borei Keila land rights activists yesterday continued their “Black Monday” protests by making offerings to seven monks, who were meant to symbolise seven detained human rights officials and political prisoners.

Customs urged to move online
Customs authorities should work quickly to adopt an envisioned online registration system for cross-border cargo shipments that would expedite delivery and cut out pesky middlemen who tack on unofficial fees, Transport Minister Sun Chanthol said yesterday.

Official’s car identified in fatal accident: police
A car belonging to Oddar Meanchey Deputy Governor Vath Paranin was involved in the death of an 8-year-old boy in the province’s Samroang town, though a provincial official said Paranin was attending a provincial meeting at the time of the accident.

RCAF officer jailed over harassment
An RCAF officer was arrested yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting a waitress in a beer garden in the capital’s Kraing Thnong commune on Sunday night.

Tanncam takes stake in financial service firm
Tanncam Investment Company, an Uzbeki-owned investment company registered in Cambodia, has agreed to purchase a 30 percent stake in financial services firm Cambodian Investment Management (CIM) and its related group companies for an undisclosed sum.

Chinese firm eyes steel mill
One of China’s largest steelmakers is seeking partners in Cambodia to build a steel mill that will reduce the Kingdom’s dependency on imported steel for its construction sector, a company executive said.