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True refuge still elusive for refugees

Amelia Woodside

Next stop for bitcoin: Cambodia?

Eddie Morton

IT TOOK three illegal border crossings, several bribed officials and six months in an overcrowded detention centre before Mohammed Ibrahim* finally arrived in Cambodia. Four years later, the ethnic Rohingya, a victim of violence and oppression in strife-torn Rakhine state in Myanmars west, is one of the Kingdoms few recognised refugees. While the turmoil of his homeland is behind him, his struggle for basic rights is not. He remains a citizen of no country and it is this statelessness that is proving a barrier to him finding formal employment and discovering a sense of belonging. This life in Cambodia is not enduring for Rohingya. This life is not enduring for me, the 32-year-old told the Post. Concerns over the treatment of refugees in Cambodia surfaced again last month when Foreign Minister Hor Namhong announced that his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, had asked his government to consider resettling refugees seeking asylum in Australia. According to Sister Denise Coghlan, whose organisation Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) has been assisting Rohingya asylum seekers in the Kingdom since 2009, being granted refugee status in Cambodia doesnt assure someone a life worth living. What many dont understand is that while becoming a recognised refugee is the first step of the process that will allow you to stay here its not necessarily the beginning of a process that guarantees access to basic human rights, she said. According to JRS briefing papers from 2013, statelessness can lead to a number of rights restrictions, including limited access to healthcare and education. Asylum seekers are not legally allowed to work while their case is being processed, while for recognised Continues on page 6

Killer collapse
Fireghters from the New York Fire Department respond to a gas explosion and building collapse in the Harlem neighbourhood of Manhattan on Wednesday. AFP

LOCAL entrepreneur Ki Chong Tran believes he has the solution to many of Cambodias problems. Look no further, Tran says, than bitcoin. Should the 26-year-old mixed martial arts trainer and 3D printing business owner get his way, the widely used but controversial digital currency will arrive in Cambodia within the coming weeks, and the capital will be home to two bitcoin ATMs. On March 1, Tran submitted what he described as a long held weight off his chest a six-page proposal to the New York-based Bitcoin Foundation outlining all the ways the virtual currency could help his country. Ive been wanting to do this for a long time, Tran, who has his own stock of bitcoins, said. The proposal, the first documented effort to introduce bitcoin to the local market, hopes to land one of the foundations annual grants, which rewards applicants with funding in

STORY > 12

Continues on page 10

Fifteen gunned down

Cheang Sokha and Daniel Pye

WELVE Cambodians were shot dead by Thai security forces on March 5 after illegally crossing the border from Choam Ksan district in Preah Vihear province to log timber, Cambodian officials said yesterday. Another three illegal loggers were killed on Wednesday and two others are still missing, military officials added. Preap Thoeurth, a Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) intelligence officer at the border in Preah Vihear, said that Thai soldiers fatally shot 15

Thais kill 12 in one day: military

loggers near tiny Chheu Teal Kong village over the past two weeks, beginning with the carnage of March 5. This is the fourth or fifth time already that the Thai military fired at loggers so far this year, he said. Most of them are migrant villagers from Kampot and Kampong Speu. Another logger, who had crossed into Thailand on February 28, was sent back across the border by Thai forces on Wednesday, he added. Pen Song, deputy military commander in Preah Vihear, confirmed the death tally, calling it one of the biggest [fatal shooting] incidents in memory, and accused the Thai military of breaching an agreement between the two sides not to use deadly force against loggers. When there is a meeting [with the Thai military], we always ask them to not shoot at the people while they cross the border, he said. We ask them to make arrests and fine [them], but they are never careful. Song added that local villagers are often turned back by RCAF border

patrols, but migrant workers from other provinces often slip past them, hiding in forest and sneaking across the border. Major General Phat Sophen, chief of the Cambodian-Thai Border Relations Office in Preah Vihear, said that he was informed of the shootings of loggers, but had not received confirmation from the Thais. I heard the information about the shooting, he said. But Thailand has yet to inform the Cambodian authorities about the shootings. Previously, if there is a shooting of Cambodian Continues on page 4

ISSUE NUMBER 1885

IN SID E

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

National

HIV discoverer praises Cambodia EU concludes

Amelia Woodside

FRENCH virologist Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, winner of a Nobel Prize in Medicine for identifying HIV as the cause of AIDS during the 1980s, holds a soft spot for Cambodia. My relationship with Cambodia has been ongoing for the last 20 years, Barre-Sinoussi said with a smile. Speaking to the Post on the sidelines of a conference on communicable diseases held in the capital this week, BarreSinoussi highlighted the importance of increasing patient access to life-saving treatment and encouraging young Cambodians to pursue a career in medical research and clinical work. I spoke with students at the University of Health Sciences [this week] because I wanted to motivate them to become clinical specialists and researchers. Its nice if you want to make money and open a private consultation, but why not work to link researchers and clinical specialists to benefit humanity as a whole, she said. If a dialogue between clinicians and researchers had not been under way in the 1980s for the first time, we would never have linked HIV to AIDS when we did. Barre-Sinoussi is head of the

frank talks on rights, reform

Kevin Ponniah

Franoise Barre-Sinoussi (centre) with Luc Montagnier (left) and Jean-Claude Chermann in their lab in Paris in 1984. The three French scientists helped discover the relationship between HIV and AIDS. AFP

Retroviral Infection Control Unit at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, where she has worked since the 1970s. The extent to which Cambodia had responded to its HIV problem is something the country should be proud of, she said. This health system was

nothing after the war and has now become something worth talking about. Something like 90 per cent of [HIV/AIDS] patients are receiving treatment and thats a significant number for this part of the world, Barre-Sinoussi said, while adding that there is still plenty of work to be done.

UNAIDS country director Marie-Odile Emond said Cambodias coverage rate for treatment is well above the regional rate. Cambodia has reached a much higher level at about 80 per cent and with [a] relatively good retention rate, she wrote in an email.

OUR days of highlevel policy meetings between the European Union and Cambodia wrapped up in Brussels yesterday, after seeing frank and indepth exchanges on a number of issues, including human rights, according to an EU press statement released last night. We discussed a broad spectrum of issues including human rights, trade and development, said Ugo Astuto, director of South and Southeast Asia at the European External Action Service. Ahead of the meeting of the Cambodia-EU Joint Committee, which last met in June 2012, local and international human rights groups had called for urgent EU action on the deteriorating rights situation in the Kingdom, urging the key donor bloc to use its sizable aid and inuence as leverage against the government. Last nights statement, while largely devoid of specics, said that dialogue in the sub-group dedicated to legal reform, governance and human rights was candid and constructive and focused on concrete cooperation in the protection and promotion of Human Rights. Freedom of expression and association, legal and judicial reform, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the situation of human rights defenders and trade union representatives, as well as the protection of land and social rights were key priorities to address, it said. The EU has yet to ofcially congratulate the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party on its win in last Julys disputed election. In Brussels, Ouch Borith,

secretary of state at the Foreign Ministry, and Astuto exchanged views on Cambodias reform agenda and priorities in the post-electoral context, emphasising reforms in the election process, governance and the respect for Human Rights as key drivers for Cambodias democratic development, the statement noted. Calls to Borith last night went unanswered. Earlier this week, the Post reported that sugar exports to the EU had quadrupled between 2012 and 2013 under Everything But Arms, an EU preferential trade scheme that benets Cambodian exports. EU parliamentarians have long called for the EU Commission to investigate the EBA, which, while credited with boosting economic growth, has also been a key incentive for sugar rms implicated in rights abuses and land grabbing to grow cane in Cambodia. Last nights statement merely noted that the two sides discussed the EBA in detail, though it did state that land management was also high on the agenda. Nicolas Agostini, delegate to the United Nations at the International Federation for Human Rights, said that the press statement may suggest that behind closed doors, the EU sent messages to the Cambodian government based on the recognition of a deteriorating human rights situation. However, the ultimate measure of the effectiveness of the EUs strategy will be on the ground, he said, noting that while some foreign governments have made strong criticisms in private diplomatic conversation to push for change, none have succeeded.

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

National

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

National upfront with NEC Dam critics unswayed Be plans, CNRP tells CPP
Laignee Barron

In brief
FOUR youths are being questioned by police in connection with the robbery of several Buddhist relics stolen from Wat Ounalom on Tuesday. Three young men were questioned by the Ministry of Interiors central justice police department on Wednesday, said Sia Pheara, secretary of the pagoda, a popular tourist site near Phnom Penhs riverside. A fourth man was questioned yesterday. Among the four youths, one is my student, Pheara said. Monks at Wat Ounalom noticed the missing relics which included five goldplated Buddha statues, a copper urn and two elephant tusks at about 3am on Tuesday. Mok Chito, director of the central justice police department, yesterday said that interrogations of the four youths were not complete. We need more time to work on this case, he said. The burglary occurred about three months after an urn said to contain remnants of the Buddha was stolen from Oudong Mountain. In that case, Keo Reaksmey, 24, was charged with the robbery. A 39-year-old woman was also charged with buying gold melted down from stolen statues. KHOUTH SOPHAK
CHAKRYA

Four questioned over Buddhist relics theft

Alleged land dispute victims file petition

AMBODIAN environmental groups yesterday stepped up their calls for the Don Sahong dam in Laos to be cancelled, after a visit to the site failed to convince them the hydropower project would not harm the Mekong River and the people who depend on it. We ask our government to consider how our people will be impacted by this dam and to work with the other three countries of the Lower Mekong to reconsider the 12 mainstream dams, Youk Senglong, program manager at Fisheries Action Coalition Team said during a press conference yesterday. Set to be built less than two kilometres north of the LaosCambodia border, the 260megawatt Don Sahong has drawn ire from environmental advocates, who say it could spell disaster for the Mekong. Laos this week hosted a second site visit aimed at winning over stakeholders, but the opponents were no less worried. The Lao government is talking politics, not science, said Tek Vannara, executive director of the NGO Forum on Cambodia. NGO Forum yesterday echoed conservation group World Wild-

Meas Sokchea

A part of the Mekong River where the Don Sahong dam project would be constructed in southern Laos. RIVERS INTERNATIONAL

life Funds recent reports on the Don Sahong, which criticise Laoss second hydropower project for lacking scientic evaluation of impacts on downstream countries and for threatening the already critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. The [projects] consultant said he would try to make sure the two channels beside the project will work as alternative sh passages, but try is not enough, Vannara said. Cambodians depend on the sh from the Hou Sahong channel, which the dam would block. Project developers have maintained the Hou Sahong is not the only channel through

which sh can migrate upstream to spawn. But Vanarra recalled previous scientic studies that have predicted the adjacent channels are too narrow or too shallow and rocky. Senglong said villagers relying on the sheries didnt believe the developers party line either, and starting on March 28, communities in Stung Treng, Kratie and Kampong Cham provinces will go on a three-day march against the Don Sahong and Xayaburi dams. The Cambodia government has a responsibility to their people they need to take action against this project, Vannara said.

A DAY after opposition leader Sam Rainsy said election reform talks were being cut off due to ruling party intransigence on the issue of National Election Committee reform, the opposition has asked the Cambodian Peoples Party to ofcially declare its stance on the matter. Senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap told the Post on Wednesday that reform of the NEC widely seen as beholden to the ruling party and blamed by election watchdogs for a number of issues that allegedly compromised last Julys election would not take place this mandate. But the Cambodia National Rescue Party has said it will wait for a response to a letter sent to the CPP yesterday before deciding to ofcially call off negotiations, the next session of which are scheduled for Monday. The [CNRP] understands that issues related to the reform of the electoral institution into an independent, constitutionally mandated body [that is] chosen by two-thirds of all National Assembly lawmakers is a necessary priority for election reform that cannot be

ignored, head CNRP negotiator Son Chhay wrote to his CPP counterpart Bin Chhin. Please, Your Excellency, conrm the position of the Cambodian Peoples Party on the proposal . . . Whether the [CPP] agrees or not, and how the [CPP] understands the reform of electoral institutions, so that the joint committee can take these issues for discussion on March 17, he wrote. Chhay also asked the CPP to assist in organising a joint seminar on election reforms involving both parties, experts and civil society groups. Last Friday, the CNRP invited NGOs to its own separate seminar on election reform. Chhin could not be reached for comment yesterday but his fellow CPP negotiator, Yeap, said the CNRPs demands were holding back talks. Despite his comments on Wednesday, Yeap declined to conrm that the CPPs response would necessarily lead to talks being called off, saying the upper echelons of the party would have to decide. The [CPPs] stance is to bring peace and a spirit of national reconciliation. We will wait to see how [party] leaders understand [this issue], he said.

ALLEGED victims in seven separate land disputes in Kampong Cham province yesterday agreed to file a petition to the provincial governor, following a meeting with rights group Adhoc. One of the cases dates back to an alleged 1996 land grab by tycoon Sao Serey Mony, in which he allegedly bought 100 hectares in Memot district, said Ork Toch, 56, who attended yesterdays meeting. The families brought their case to court once, but the judge ruled in favour of Serey Mony, and after student landmeasuring volunteers arrived last year, it was again found to be Serey Monys property. The district cadastral . . . demanded us to pay $3,000 per hectare if we wanted the land back, Toch said. Kampong Cham governor Lun Lim Thay yesterday said he was aware of the dispute, but had not heard about the $3,000per-hectare demand. Adhoc coordinator Neang Sovath told villagers to file a petition requesting that officials reassess the situation. CHHAY CHANNYDA

Foreigner tried on child sex charges

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

A BRITISH former school teacher and convicted sex offender was charged yesterday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court with sexually abusing three minors. Judge Kim Rathnarin said that 36-year-old Richard William Fruin, a former English teacher at Phnom Penhs Universal English School, sexually assaulted three brothers, aged 8, 10 and 11, at a guesthouse in Daun Penh districts Srah Chak commune. Fruin is charged with indecent acts against a minor under 15 years within article 43 of the Cambodian law on suppression of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Rathnarin said. Fruin was arrested at a guesthouse by anti-human trafficking police on October 27. He was arrested when the anti-human trafficking police

Former school teacher Richard William Fruin is escorted from Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday by authorities. VIREAK MAI

forces raided Boeung Meas Guesthouse . . . while he was staying [there] with a boy aged 8 in his room, said Colonel Lao Lin, chief of the Ministry of Interiors Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Office. He was arrested based on the

three boys parents complaints, he added. During his hearing yesterday, Fruin denied all charges, claiming he had just wanted to offer the three homeless children a free education. The reason I brought them

into my room was because I wanted to ask them about their families situation and their living conditions so that I could ask the director of [the] Universal English School [for] authorisation to allow them to study English free of charge, he said. British national Fruin was convicted in 2005 by a court in England of 15 counts of producing indecent images of children. He is a convicted sex offender in the UK; he was found guilty of [producing] child pornography, said Yi Moden, deputy director of field operations at anti-pedophilia NGO Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE). The victims parents have demanded 84 million riel [about $21,000] in compensation. A judgment on the case will be delivered on March 24. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALICE CUDDY

Japan tops up tribunal

Kevin Ponniah

JAPAN, the Khmer Rouge tribunals top international donor, has disbursed another $1.83 million to the court, embassy officials have said, bringing that nations total contributions to more than $80 million. According to Takayoshi Kuromiya, counsellor at the Japanese embassy, Japan contributed the sum to the UN component of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia last month. Japan continues to support the judicial process of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. At the same time, it is also important that [a] wide range of countries will support this tribunal, which was established based on a resolution of the General As sembly of the United Na tions, he said in an email.

Fifteen Cambodians gunned down by Thai troops

Continued from page 1

people, they [the Thai military] have sent information to us. Sophen added that his office received a letter from the Thai side on March 8 stating that they had arrested a Cambodian villager and he would face legal action, but the letter made no mention of an incident involving live fire. Another deputy military commander for Preah Vihear, Colonel Meas Yoeun, said that soldiers under his watch had told him what happened.

They used to climb a mountain in Kampot to collect resin [from trees], but when they came here and climbed the mountain for logging, they faced something horrible, he said. They knew that it was risky, but if they could cut some logs and bring them back, it would be like they had farmed land for a year. Preah Vihear coordinator for rights group Adhoc Lor Chan said that he received information about the shooting, but did not know exactly how many people were shot. He urged the families of the

victims to file complaints to his office so that he could write to the authorities to intervene.

So many people have been dying in a similar fashion. Its a serious, serious human rights issue
I just know there is a shooting, but do not have the details, he said. The victims are poor people, so they take risks to cross . . . with a guarantee from some officials that they will be safe thats why they take the risk.

Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday referred questions about the incident to the military. The Thai military commander overseeing border affairs had not responded to a request for comment by press time. At least 69 Cambodians were shot dead by Thai security forces last year, while 165 people were arrested or detained, according to the Ministry of Interior. Ou Virak, an activist and former president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said that, if the details of the shootings were con-

firmed, the Thai government should be held to account under international law. So many people have been dying in a similar fashion. Its a serious, serious, human rights issue, he said. Its a serious violation of international law, and the Thais need to be responsible and investi-

gate, to make sure it wont happen again. Nobody deserves to die, to be shot for illegal logging. They need to try to address this from an international law perspective, and the Thai government needs to be held to account . . . If they cannot, Thailand will become a failed state.

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

National

THE PHNOM PENH POST march 14, 2014

National

True refuge still elusive for refugees

Continued from page 1

refugees, employment is a more complicated matter. Refugees who acquire status have the same rights as legal foreign immigrants which allows them to work. However, most refugees are unable to meet the requirements of the Labor Law (such as a valid passport or residency card) to obtain a work permit or employment card, one paper says. This means it is extremely difcult for asylum seekers and refugees to nd employment in Cambodia outside of self-employment. It took three years before Ibrahim was recognised as a refugee. Even now, he still confronts daily barriers, including when it comes to nding formal employment or supporting his family back home. [My refugee card is] not a residence card or passport, so Im still not even allowed to send money to my family. So Ibrahim survives by selling rotis a type of atbread popular on the capitals sunsoaked streets from a cart. How can I think about the future when I have to think about where my food will come from next? I want to nd a better life, he said.

ran away, he said, explaining that his village was forced to supply a monthly quota of labourers to the Nasaka border security police. When a Nasaka soldier beat him after he became too sick to work, Ibrahim ed with the help of his uncle, who arranged a spot for him on a boat to Thailand for about $15. That night, the Nasaka came to my home and beat my family because I had escaped, he said. After six months in an immigration detention centre, a forced deportation back to Myanmar and a second illegal border crossing, Ibrahim snuck into Cambodia a year later an act, he said, that was driven by desperation.

The few, the desperate

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) latest tally, made in December, there are 68 recognised refugees and 12 asylum seekers living in Cambodia. While there is no breakdown by nationality or ethnicity, 21 of the 68 refugees are Rohingya, said Coghlan from JRS. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work in organised sectors such as the garment industry and refugees often lack the documents that enable them to do so but some nd a way. Moen Tola, head of the labour program at the Community Legal Education Center, said he had been told of instances of Rohingya refugees working in factories since 2012. What we dont know is if [these] refugees or migrant workers have access to labour law protections or are experiencing forced labour, Tola said. For that reason, he added, the government must ensure that asylum seekers and refugees are better protected. It doesnt matter what country these people are coming from, because they are undertaking all the risks. They deserve and need protection under our labour laws.

A boy peers through the glass of a food cart where a Rohingya refugee prepares a roti last year in Phnom Penh.

photo SUPPLIED

Strangers in their own land

The Rohingya people, a predominantly Muslim minority, are concentrated mainly in Rakhine state. Although they have called the state home for generations, Myanmars government considers them illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. Escalating violence has led to the displacement of thousands. For Ibrahim, his life back home was lived under constant hardship and fear of death; ultimately, these realities drove him out. If I had stayed in Rakhine, I would have been killed. I was worked like a slave by government soldiers before I

After entering Cambodia, asylum seekers are expected to le their cases with the Ministry of Interiors Refugee Ofce for assessment. The rst two required steps to becoming a recognised refugee are a counselling session with the Refugee Ofce and the lling out of an application form. During a recent visit to the Ministry of Interior, Post reporters found that such applications were available only in Khmer. Staff were willing to provide a copy, but said each costs $2.50. After the Refugee Ofce accepts a case, the asylum seeker is then issued a preliminary stay permit that requires renewal each month until a decision about their application is reached. The application process is long and confusing for asylum seekers, who are provided little information along the

way, said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Asia division. Its really a mystery why the Cambodian governments basic procedures for receiving, assessing and making a determination of refugee status takes so long, he wrote in an email.

that can then only be considered once a person has held a residence card and lived continuously in the Kingdom for seven years. Several minority rights groups told the Post that they were yet to come across a single case of a refugee gaining

If I had stayed . . . I would have been killed. I was worked like a slave by government soldiers before I ran away
The process is not readily transparent to the asylum seekers, or their advocates who are on the outside looking in. Without the support of these advocates, such as JRS, Ibrahim believes he would not have survived the three years it took the Refugee Ofce to grant him status. JRS, he added, provided him a micro-nance loan that enabled him to set up his roti business. How without JRS? We cannot work as asylum seekers, so others [asylum seekers] have to nd jobs that arent good for them, he said. Refugee Ofce director Teang Sokheng and his deputy, Mom Sophanarith, declined to comment for this story. citizenship. Rohingya refugees are . . . stateless in Cambodia, because they are not granted Khmer citizenship, even though they have a refugee certicate issued by the Cambodian Refugee Ofce, said Ang Chanrith, executive director of the Minority Rights Organization. All of them now remain in limbo and uncertainty, and Cambodia looks like a prison for them. For now, this looks unlikely to change. In an interview just days before Namhong revealed Australias refugee request, government spokesman Phay Siphan told the Post that Cambodia simply didnt have the money or manpower to deal with refugees. Cambodia doesnt have the resources or experience or nances to take in refugees, he said. But diplomatic interests also help form the governments position. We dont want anyone who will potentially disturb this countrys political climate or relationships with other countries, Siphan said. Cambodia is committed to staying a neutral country and we wont take anyone that will potentially disturb that. Cambodias treatment of asylum seekers and refugees has earned the government criticism in the past. In December 2009, a group

Hurdles remain high

Being granted a refugee certicate last year was a big moment for Ibrahim, but he still remains stateless. Without being a citizen, his movements are restricted and bureaucratic processes are much more arduous. He also lacks a sense of belonging. Under Cambodias Law on Nationality, to gain citizenship through naturalisation a person must be able to speak Khmer, know Khmer scripts and [have] some knowledge of Khmer history, and prove clear evidence that he/she can . . . get used to good Khmer custom[s] and tradition[s]. Citizenship is something

of Muslim Uighurs, including a woman and two children, were deported back to China at the request of that countrys government. The group had sought political asylum through the UNHCR, fearing retaliation from Chinese authorities after they witnessed clashes between government security forces and Uighur demonstrators months earlier. The World Uyghur Congress lists 17 of those deported as still in prison, with sentences ranging from 14 years to life. According to the UN, Cambodia passed a sub-decree related to refugees the day before the deportations and has handled all matters internally since. Two days after the deportation, China granted Cambodia a $1.2 billion aid package. The problem is the Cambodian government has proven willing to bend rules or look the other way when governments who Cambodia is friendly with pursue their nationals into Cambodia, HRWs Robertson said. Connected to that, Cambodias refugee protection procedures and sub-decree do not comply with international human rights standards, which in turn, gives Cambodia wide discretion to do what it likes with asylum seekers from countries like Vietnam and China, he added. The situation may seem bleak for people like Ibrahim, but he is not without hope. He dreams of travelling to Canada to study and eventually working to raise awareness of his peoples plight. I want to go where I can, he said. For now, he will continue waiting like the other stateless refugees, living an in-between life shaped by a system that may never deliver. ADDITIONAL
REPORTING BY CHEANG SOKHA AND LAIGNEE BARRON

Rohingya refugee Mohammed Ibrahim peruses an exhibition about Myanmars Rohingya, at Phnom Penhs Meta House last year. photo SUPPLIED

*Real name changed to protect the identity of Ibrahims family members in western Myanmar.

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Authorities allowing logging: Mkiri locals

Phak Seangly

Latrine numbers up
Sen David

pOLICE BLOttER

National

Skeletons at a concert rather than in the closet

A 27-YEAR-OLD Takeo man who had picked up tickets for a fun night out at a concert in the provinces Tramkak district on Wednesday got more than he bargained for. Standing behind him in the crowd was a 24-year-old man hed attacked at a wedding party a month prior. Revenge was had in the form of a glass to the head before the suspect scuttled off home. He was picked up by police and confessed. The men in blue told him he should have come to them, instead of seeking revenge. rasMeI KaMPUChea

EMBERS of six ethnic communities in Mondulkiris Sen Monorom town yesterday accused local authorities of blocking their efforts to protect community and wildlife sanctuary forests, where they say luxury timbers are logged by Villas Development, a company co-owned by the wife of Mondulkiri Deputy Governor Yoem Luch. Duong Ten, 36, a member of the Phnong ethnic minority in Sokdum commune, claimed yesterday that luxury woods in Lao Kar, Memong, Sre Eay, Sre Thom, Sre Thas and Pouchrey communities and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary are felled without any intervention from authorities, while locals are being forced to stop their own anti-logging efforts. In February, Sen Monorom town authorities, with police and military police, attempted to force villagers to remove 11 hand-made anti-logging signs, but they refused, Ten said. None of the authorities pay attention to stopping forest logging, but those authorities [tried to] force us to remove all of the signs from the road, he said.

Efforts to keep watch of the forests are also being hindered, Ten said, claiming that last week Chhit Sophal, provincial director of the environment department, tried to stop villagers from patrolling the area. Before we just patrolled, but the logging offences have grown, so we decided to sleep in the forest. We saw many [unofcial] trucks, but the on-duty environment ofcers ignore it. Another villager, Sroy Khet, agreed. The logging is happening more and more. Only ethnic groups work to stop it, not the authorities. Deputy governor Yoem Luch rejected allegations Villas Development is involved in logging and timber transportation, claiming the company just plants rubber trees. Another company is responsible for the logging. Chhit Sophal, director of the provincial environmental department, said that restrictions are enforced to protect the villagers and the forest. Sometimes, they [villagers] burn down conscated timber in the forest, and we asked them not to stay [there] at night. We are afraid someone will injure them and they will accuse us of this, he said.

THE number of Cambodian rural households with access to latrines increased from 23 to 33 per cent in 2013, a Ministry of Rural Development report released yesterday says. Chreay Pom, director of the ministrys rural health care department, said that last year, the ministry constructed about 1,800 facilities in six provinces: Battambang, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kampot, Svay Reing and Takeo. Although we noticed that the [latrine coverage] in rural areas has increased . . . we still have the challenge that most people in rural areas depend on agencies to build latrines. They do not [feel] responsible to build them by themselves, [and] our budget is limited, said Pom. Last year, sanitation funding from the Asian Development Bank and the national budget totalled $679,000, Pom added. In 2012, Cambodia scored the lowest in toilet coverage out of all East Asian countries, according to UNICEF. High child mortality rates in Cambodia, UNICEF says, are largely due to diseases caused by unsanitary conditions. Battambangs rural area

A new latrine in Kampong Speu last year. According to UNICEF, Cambodia had the lowest toilet coverage in East Asia in 2012. SEN DAVID

department director Sok Van Eun said that sanitation improvement in his province would continue in 2014 after 250 toilets were built in 2013. But we hope [the population] is willing to build latrines by themselves. It [does not cost] much. We do need modern latrines in the city, [but] the cheap latrine also protects from viruses and diarrhea, Van Eun said. Ministry officials also educated more than 10,000 people throughout the country about health and sanitation related to latrines, as awareness of the

benefits of such facilities tends to be low among rural populations, officials said. They refrain from building latrines because they think it costs too much money and is not important. [They leave] open defecation behind the house and [in the] wild. They have to change this idea, because it is very important for [their] health, said Hok Boty, director of Svay Reings rural areas department. Last year, Boty added, his department encouraged villagers to build new toilets for 100 families.

Mother-daughter pair foiled after thievery

A ROBBERY heist in Kampong Speu provinces Odong district on Wednesday proved a family affair, with a mother, 50, and her 27-year-old daughter making off with $12,000 in cash and a few ill-gotten trinkets. Pailin provincial police said the pair roamed the market until they found a mark. They then distracted her while they made off with her bag containing cash, a necklace and a ring. Police found the suspects hawking the jewelry in another market and took them in. NoKorwat

Cursed couples close call with 2nd robbery

A CLOSE shave was had by one Phnom Penh couple on Tuesday in the second attempted robbery they endured in as many months. A 29-year-old construction site manager was driving home with his girlfriend, 19, in the capitals Por Sen Chey district when six men chased them on motos with knives drawn. One of the men stabbed the girlfriend in the back, but the pair managed to speed away from the attackers and made it to a clinic. The boyfriend was shot in the waist and had his moto stolen during a robbery just last month. Koh saNtePheaP

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Administrative Assistant
The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh is seeking an individual for the Administrative Assistant position for the Executive Ofce, USAID/Cambodia. The Administrative Assistant performs a variety of duties integral to the success of the Executive Ofce. The incumbent provides administrative support to the Executive Ofcer, makes all travel arrangements using an automated travel management system, is responsible for records and correspondence management, and serves as sub-cashier. The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Administrative Specialist. Salary: The annual salary range for this position is USD 12,142 18,824. Required Qualications 1. A Bachelors degree in Administration, Management, Development Studies, English, Communications, Business, or Foreign/International Relations. 2. Three (3) years of experience in administrative management. At least two (2) years of this experience must have been with an international organization, local or international non-governmental organization, or development donor agency. 3. Level IV (uent) Speaking/Reading/Writing English and Khmer are required. Language prociency will be tested. Application Procedure The application deadline is March 27, 2014. Interested candidates must submit applications by email to RecruitmentPHP@state.go v using the Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) form. The application form and complete details on this position can be found at http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/employment_opportunities. html. Note: All Ordinarily Resident (OR) applicants must have the required work and/or residency permits to be eligible for consideration.

From high to low: meth user nabbed by cops

A SUSPECTED meth user was caught by police in Pursat provinces Krakor district yesterday after snatching a womans purse from his moto. The woman called for help and nearby police, out on patrol, managed to track the suspect down after about an hour. The victims bag was recovered and police found two small packets of meth in the thiefs bike. The suspect was sent to court. KaMPUChea thMey

Near-tragedy for moto dop should be a lesson

A HORRIFIC, yet all too common, accident in the capitals Por Sen Chey district on Wednesday night left one 28-year-old moto driver fighting for his life. The man was attempting to overtake a truck laden with sand travelling at high speed when an oncoming taxi hit him square on. Both the taxi and truck sped away from the scene before police arrived. The victim was not wearing a helmet, police said. Koh
saNtePheaP

Translated by Phak Seangly

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Business
Indicative Exchange Rates as of 12/3/2014. Please contact ANZ Royal Global Markets on 023 999 910 for real time rates.

USD / KHR

EUR / USD

AUD / USD

NZD / USD

GBP / USD

USD /CNY

USD / JPY

USD / HKD

USD / SGD

USD / THB

3,982

1.3859

0.8966

0.8464

1.6626

6.1424

103.06

7.7616

1.267

32.35

This week in biz

Study to examine new crossing with Thailand
THE Cambodian government is conducting a feasibility study to investigate the need for a Thai border crossing at Steng Bort Village in Banteay Meanchey province, four kilometres from Poipet. Kem Borey, general director of public works at the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, said on Monday that congestion at the Poipet checkpoint had reached its limit due to large trucks crossing. It is affecting the arrival of tourists, he said. Ministry of Tourism figures show the Poipet checkpoint receives about 600,000 international tourists annually. Cambodia and Thailand now share seven international checkpoints.

For businesses, paying bribes not that unusual

MORE than half of businesses operating in Cambodia have paid a bribe, a recent survey by the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA) suggests. The survey, released on Tuesday, is part of a CAMFEBA report called Pathways to Prosperity, which makes recommendations to improve Cambodias business environment. CAMFEBA found that 58 per cent of some 300 businesses interviewed had never refused to pay a bribe, while a third of firms took no action when encountering corrupt and unethical practices in the regulatory and legal environment. And for those that did not line the pockets of government officials, the wheels stopped turning. Seventy per cent reported receiving a delay in service after refusing to pay a bribe. The responses came from across industries, including ICT, agro-processing and the garment sector.

Ofce workers sit with cups of coffee at Martin Place in the central business district of Sydney in February.

bloomberG

Australian employment rises

Michael Heath

Firm approved to build $86 million power line

MALAYSIAN company Pestech International Bhd has won government approval to build an $86 million power transmission line from Preah Sihanouk province to Phnom Penh. The companys subsidiary, Pestech Cambodia, in a joint venture with local firm Alex Corporation (ACCL), will commence designing, engineering and constructing the 198-kilometre power line within the next three months, a March 10 filing on the Malaysian stock exchange said. When finished in 32 months, the 230-kilovolt transmission line will connect an existing substation in Stung Hav district with a West Phnom Penh substation.

USTRALIA boosted full-time payrolls in February by the most in more than 22 years, sending the currency higher and signaling the central banks bid to spur local demand with record-low interest rates is gaining traction. The number of people employed full time rose by 80,500, the biggest increase since August 1991, just after the countrys last recession, and the second largest rise on record. Overall employment climbed 47,300, compared with the median estimate for a 15,000 rise in a Bloomberg survey of economists, as part-time jobs dropped. The jobless rate held at 6 per cent. Woolworths Ltd, Australias largest retailer, said in a release yesterday that its on track to create 6,981 new jobs in the year through June. The hirings underscore Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevenss shift to a neutral

stance after 2.25 percentage points of rate cuts since late 2011. The super strong result should ease concerns about the labour market, said Savanth Sebastian, an economist at a unit of Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney. Central bank policy makers are comfortable with the way the recovery is panning out. The housing recovery continues to gather momentum, while rising wealth levels are supporting condence. Three-year bond yields climbed as much as 14 basis points to 3.07 per cent, the highest level since December 11. The Australian dollar rose to 90.66 US cents at 2:13pm in Sydney yesterday, from 90.16 cents before the data were released. RBA policy makers say they focus on the unemployment rate, which held at the highest level since 2003, rather than the headline employment number because of the latters volatility. The tone of the report was positive, but the series is noisy in that it jumps

around, said Michael Turner, a debt strategist at Royal Bank of Canada in Sydney who predicted a 30,000 gain. We suspect hirings picked up and the labour force data is starting to get more consistent with that. But while unemployment is still at 6 per cent theres still a fair bit of slack to be eaten up before the RBA starts normalising policy. Stevens has signaled a period of stability for the benchmark rate, now at 2.5 per cent, as house prices and building approvals rise and residential construction picks up, helping plug a hole left by waning resource investment. Australias participation rate, a measure of the labour force in proportion to the population, gained to 64.8 per cent in February from a revised 64.6 per cent a month earlier. The statistics bureau doesnt provide a breakdown of public or private sector employment or industries hiring in its monthly release, only a stateby-state breakdown of the numbers. Queensland, a state that benets from

tourism, led the employment gain with 30,700 jobs created in February, while New South Wales, the nations biggest and a centre of the non-resource economy, added 13,900 workers, yesterdays report showed. The manufacturing hub of Victoria recorded a 5,300 drop. The jobless rate in the mining state of Western Australia jumped to 5.9 per cent from 5.2 per cent, the report showed. The statistics bureau revised its January data to 18,000 jobs gained from a previously reported 3,700 positions lost. It also said the new survey sample for February 2014 had a higher proportion of employed people and people in the labour force than the one it replaced. Woolworths will open a net 108 new stores in the current nancial year, it said yesterday. Coles supermarkets will create 4,300 jobs in Australia this scal year as part of an investment in about 150 new and improved supermarkets, liquor and Coles Express stores, the company said on September 3. BLOOMBERG

US, China drive international patent lings

THE United States and China helped drive international patent filings to a record level last year, and cross-border applications surged to more than 200,000, the World Intellectual Property Organisation said yesterday. Innovation in engine technology was a leading factor behind the patent activity. The flow of activity to register new patents is watched as an important indicator of how companies, countries, sectors and regions rank in terms of research and innovation, which are essential drivers of growth and strategic power. WIPO oversees the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which allows patentseekers to file a single application to protect their invention, rather than having to lodge one in individual nations. A total of 205,300 PCT filings were registered in 2013, up 5.1 per cent from the 194,400 filed a year earlier. Intellectual property in general is in a growth mode, and in a growth mode which is considerably in excess of either the national GDP growth rates or the world GDP growth rates, WIPO chief Francis Gurry told reporters. USbased inventors filed 57,239 such applications, marking a 56 per cent jump from 2012 and well above the countrys previous peak of 54,046 applications reached in 2007, before the global financial crisis. China, meanwhile, saw its PCT applications jump 29 per cent to 21,516, passing Germany to become the third largest user of the system, behind Japan. Japanese electronics giant Panasonic was meanwhile the largest individual filer last year, with 2,881 international patent applications to its name, ahead of Chinese telecommunications group ZTE, WIPO said. Electronic machinery made up the largest share of international patent filings last year, accounting for nearly eight per cent of the total, followed by computer technology and digital communications. The number of filings from car manufacturers meanwhile nearly doubled to 4,275 last year, possibly reflecting fastgrowing investments in R&D in this industry, WIPO said. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST MArCH 14, 2014

Business
Siem Reap

SilkAir exec on local market Construction on terminal

Does the amount of low-cost ights affect your business? I think the important thing to remember is that we have our own market segment. SilkAir is not a low-cost carrier. That is a very important point. We are a full premium service carrier. Cambodian aviation ofcials say that in the next few years, 10 more airlines will operate in Cambodia. Any thoughts on what may become a crowded sector? This is something encouraging because it will actually increase Cambodias prole in the region. The more there are, the better it is. With the government pushing tourism to the coastal areas, does SilkAir have expansion plans, like to Sihanoukville? I think Sihanoukvilles airport at the moment is not ready, because when we y, we have to look at the market demand, infrastructure, safety and security. This interview has been edited for length and clarity

pushed back

Last year, Cambodia welcomed 4.2 million foreign tourists, a rise of more than 17 per cent year on year. More than two million of those visitors travelled by air, an increase of 47 per cent. With 24 foreignowned airlines operating in the Kingdom, Singapores SilkAir is one of the main carriers serving the Phnom Penh-Singapore and Singapore-Siem Reap routes. SilkAirs manager in Cambodia, Tan Han Soo, sat down with the Posts May Kunmakara to talk about competition and how SilkAir is faring in the regional market. When did SilkAir start ying here? We rst came to Phnom Penh in October of 1992. We started ights to Siem Reap in November of 2000. We y twice a day on the SingaporePhnom Penh route and have 11 ights weekly between Singapore and Siem Reap. For us, we see future growth here. We are here for the long term.
SilkAirs manager in Cambodia, Tan Han Soo, talks at his ofce in Phnom Penh last month.
HENG CHIVOAN

Singapore-based Tiger Air began serving the same routes in October 2012. Are you concerned about the competition? That was the same month we had our 10-year anniversary here. Competition will help to keep us on top and

it is good for the aviation industry, for the country and for the economy because the ASEAN countries are expanding air service and that is opening up the market. So I think it is good for everyone. I dont want to mention much about other carriers. We are talking

only about our own. What I can say is that since Tiger launched services, our passenger numbers have not been affected. We still see increases in passenger numbers because we have a different market segment and we offer good quality services.

ONSTRUCTION of the new Siem Reap International Airport (SRIA) passenger terminal has been delayed a third time due to a hold-up of design and layout approval, officials say. Initially slated to commence in 2012, construction of the $1 billion project is now expected to start in August, according to Tek Reth Samrach, chairman of the SRIA steering committee. The new terminal, which occupies more than 60 kilometres of land between Chi Kraeng and Sotr Nikum districts, is expected to cater to 15 million passengers annually. Samrach said that after receiving approved designs, construction will be able to commence: They already cleared the land of trees and obstacles, maybe in August they will start to construct. The new terminal is funded through a joint venture between two South Korean companies, Camco Airport Co and Lees A&A. Samrach did not give a completion date for the new terminal.

10

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Markets Business

Bitcoin enthusiast wants to set up the virtual currency in Cambodia

Continued from page 1

the form of bitcoin. Hes asking for $100,000 worth. Using the examples of garment sector demonstrations in January, when military police shot dead at least four workers, opposition protests in July over national election results, and Cambodias repeat appearance on polls showing it as one of the worlds most corrupt countries, the proposal argues that the timing is right for Cambodians to embrace the world of digital currency and e-commerce services such as PayPal. Bitcoin is the worlds most commonly used digital currency, with about 11 million currently in circulation, according to the latest estimates. One bitcoin is currently worth about $638. Individuals can purchase the so-called crypto-currency online through a bitcoin exchange, by feeding cash into a bitcoin ATM, or by setting up an open-source software account and trading money for bitcoin with another person. It can be stored in a variety of different ways, and passed from user to user over the internet in exchange for anything from a book on Amazon.com to a car. As a result, bitcoin trades successfully bypass the need for a third party, such as a bank, and subsequently eliminate hefty banking fees, transaction times and interest on purchases. Bitcoin transactions, meanwhile, attract fees of less than 40 cents. In other parts of the world, namely Japan, Britain and the US, cafe owners and retail outlets are increasingly offering bitcoin as a legitimate form of point-of-sale payment. Bitcoin users can buy something as simple as a cafe latte by scanning a vendors QR code, which is then read by a mobile device that is actively connected to the consumers bitcoin wallet, or account.

A publicly visible bitcoin ledger allows all users with the appropriate software installed on their computers to track the sender and receiver of any bitcoin transaction. For individuals, this does not necessarily mean transparency, since users can adopt clandestine names and remain anonymous. Businesses, however, if accepting the digital currency as a formal means of payment, would need to attribute their bitcoin account to the business name or to a connecting bank account, making all business-related transactions almost entirely traceable. This feature, according to Tran, could be the key to exposing Cambodias corruption and bribery woes. Cambodia stands as the 15th most corrupt nation in the world, the proposal states, citing Transparency Internationals 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index, which was published in December last year. Bitcoins public ledger, which is visible to everyone and allows you to trace a coin from its creation, through all its transfers of ownership, to its nal destination, almost makes it impossible for businesses to take bribes or engage in corrupt activities, Tran stated. The Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations this week reported that 58 per cent of Cambodian businesses interviewed in a survey never refused paying a bribe. In the proposal, Tran did not address how bitcoin could stop businesses from continuing to use bribes simply by using cash in addition to bitcoin. Tran wrote that there were also many other benets. There is no need for a central authority, an overarching regulator, a bank or anything, because each bitcoin is unique, cannot be duplicated and if it is transferred anywhere, it can be seen by everyone, Tran said. Yes, e-

People sit with their drinks at a table near a bitcoin automated teller machine inside the Old Shoreditch Station cafe in London last week.

BLOOMBERG

commerce, or online money transfer methods like PayPal, which is not currently accepted here in Cambodia, are not widely understood yet. [But] I think with Cambodias young population, about 50 per cent of people are aged under 25 years, bitcoin denitely has a market here. Tran admits that there are

money to be made and as a result lots of criminals and scammers are out to get it. There are still people stealing cash, arent there? he said. On February 23, soon after the hacking and prior to ling for bankruptcy, Mt. Gox vacated its three elected board seats at the Bitcoin Foundation. Soon, the world woke up

About 50 per cent of people are aged under 25 years, bitcoin definitely has a market here
risks associated with the new form of currency, especially in the wake of Mt. Gox, the Japan-based Bitcoin exchange that led for bankruptcy last month after hackers allegedly stole about 750,000 bitcoins ($480 million). This is all brand new. Its kind of like a Wild West situation where there is a lot of to headlines about bitcoin. On February 26, police in Singapore found the body of Autumn Radtke, the founder of bitcoin exchange First Meta, Police are reportedly treating it as a suicide. Earlier this month, US magazine Newsweek published a widely challenged article claiming to have tracked down bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto. The bitcoin concept was rst created in 2009 by a single, or number of developers using the name Satoshi Nakamoto to launch the rst account. The proposal from Cambodia hasnt generated any attention just yet, however it might soon with its distinctly local twist. Tran is requesting $100,000 in bitcoin to set up infrastructure in Phnom Penh for users, but also to promote the digital currency through mixed martial arts (MMA) and Khmer kickboxing competitions. He breaks the cost down as follows: $10,000 of bitcoin will go toward sponsoring six local MMA and kickboxing ghters; $5,000 would go toward setting up an informative website; $15,000 would go toward the purchase, ship-

Aghter Gym owner Chan Reach (centre) and Ki Chong Tran (far left) poses with local ghters for a photo at the gym in Phnom Penhs Chamkarmon district. PHoTo SUPPLIED

ping and maintenance of two Lamansu brand bitcoin ATMs; and $60,000 would go toward paying the salaries of two staff hired to maintain the infrastructure. Chan Reach is the founder and head trainer at Aghter Gym in Chamkarmon district, where Tran, also a co-owner in the gym, hopes to launch his bitcoin venture. Reach isnt a bitcoin convert like Tran, but he senses an opportunity amid otherwise tough times. We have no income whatsoever and we use whatever money we can gather up to feed our ghters and pay the rent, he said in an email yesterday. I dont really know much about bitcoin and it took me a while to understand it. But after Tran explained it to me I think its great! I would use it denitely. If there was more information publicly available, Im sure more Cambodians would use it as well. However, not all are as enthusiastic and Tran and his kickboxing co-investor. In Channy, CEO of Cambodias biggest bank, Acleda, said that he isnt familiar with bitcoin. Grant Knuckey, CEO of ANZ Royal Bank, said bitcoin hasnt been discussed among Cambodias biggest nancial institutions, and he doesnt see a market here given the nascent state of electronic payments. Globally, its far too early to say. I wouldnt dismiss it out of hand, and in fact Id go as far as to say that perhaps bitcoin is laying bare the illusion of at currencies and making people think about the question what is money?, Knuckey said. Fiat currencies are issued

by decree and are backed by governments. Im not overly excited at this point, but it is interesting to observe for now, Knuckey said. National Bank of Cambodia director general Chea Serey did not return phone calls seeking comment. Central banks in other countries, though, have come out against the virtual currency. China, Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia have banned bitcoin, while Singapore is regulating it, according to reports. Many governments dont recognise bitcoin as a currency. Adam Wyatt, chief operating ofcer and lead analyst at Colorado-based nancial research rm Digital Currency Research Llc, said everyday use of bitcoin remains relatively low, even in the US, with uptake from vendors of point-of-sale services still at a snails-pace. Point-of-sale solutions are needed and many exciting companies are being built right now to address these needs, he said. Wyatt said setting up a bitcoin account in Cambodia would be easy, with only a little overhead, such as an internet connection. Low transaction costs and fast conrmation times make it great for all markets. Also, the fact that no bank account is required to store or use bitcoin means millions of unbanked people in emerging markets can access the international online marketplace immediately, he said. Tran remains optimistic about his plan. He is supposed to hear back from the Bitcoin Foundation sometime in April. Heres hoping, he said.

THE PHNOM PENH POST march 14, 2014

Business

11

Probe into Herbalife begins

Duane D Stanford and David McLaughlin

Markets
Thailand
Thai Set 50 Index, Feb 28 1100

Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh Stock Index, Feb 28 600

1025 950 875 800

550 500 450 400

ERBALIFE Ltd, the nutrition company that hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has accused of being a pyramid scheme, disclosed that the US Federal Trade Commission has started a civil probe into its practices. Herbalife had fallen 7.4 per cent to $60.57 at the close in New York on Wednesday. The shares have gained 43 per cent since Ackman rst made his accusations. The probe marks an achievement for Ackman, who in 2012 made a $1 billion bet against Herbalifes shares and started working to persuade regulators to shut the company down, saying it misleads distributors, misrepresents sales gures and sells a commodity product at inated prices. Herbalife has repeatedly denied Ackmans allegations while winning over allies including billionaire Carl Icahn and Post Holdings Inc Chairman William Stiritz. Herbalife welcomes the inquiry given the tremendous amount of misinformation in the marketplace, the Cayman Islands-based company said yesterday in a statement. We are condent that Herbalife is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Ackmans Pershing Square and Justin Cole, a spokesman for the FTC, both declined to comment. The FTC, along with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, had been asked by Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat,

An employee carries a box of products for shipment to a truck at the Herbalife Los Angeles distribution centre in Carson, California, last week. BLOOMBERG

to look into Herbalifes business practices. An advocacy group called the League of United Latin American Citizens has also met with FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez to describe alleged abuses by the company. Ramirez told Markey in a letter last month that his concerns were being carefully considered The New York Times reported this week that Ackman had donated $10,000 to the advocacy group and hired a former aide to Markey as part of his anti-Herbalife campaign. The civil investigative demand disclosed yesterday isnt an indication of wrongdoing and is essentially a sub-

poena requesting information, Michael Swartz, an analyst at SunTrust Banks Inc in Atlanta, said yesterday in a note. Swartz, who recommends buying Herbalife shares, said the probe may take six to 12 months to be completed and doesnt change his views on the company. Ironically, the FTCs action could be a longer-term positive for the stock, he said. For now, though, the shares will trade in a limited range, Swartz revealed. The investigation will most likely end with Herbalife intact while paying a palatable ne and agreeing to stricter controls on its multilevel

marketing structure, said Robert Chapman, founder of hedge fund Chapman Capital Llc in Manhattan Beach, California. Since 1996, the FTC has brought 15 cases alleging that companies claiming to be multilevel marketers were in fact pyramid schemes, according to Ramirezs letter to Markey. Last year, the FTC and three states sued Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, accusing the Kentucky company of being a pyramid scheme that falsely claimed consumers could earn money by selling products. People paid fees to become independent representatives, and any income they made came from recruiting new representatives and not from sales of products, according to the complaint. The scheme affected more than 100,000 consumers in the US and Canada, the FTC said. Ackman on Wednesday renewed his attack on Herbalife with a twohour presentation accusing the companys China business of violating direct-selling laws. Defending Herbalife has been Icahn, who in early 2013 disclosed hed taken a stake in the nutrition company and said he would discuss strategic alternatives with its management. Icahn has since increased his investment and is now Herbalifes largest investor, with a 17 per cent holding. Herbalife sells its vitamins and meal-replacement shakes through a network of independent distributors, each of which earns revenue and incentives based on product sales by them and distributors they recruit. BLOOMBERG

912.73

573.37

South Korea

KOSPI Index, Feb 28 2100 1975 1850 1725 1600

Philippines

PSEI - Philippine Se Idx, Feb 28 7000 6625 6250 5875 5500

1,964.69

6,407.52

Singapore
FTSE Straits Times Index, Feb 28 4000

Malaysia
FTSEBursa Malaysia KLCI, Feb 28 1900

3500 3000 2500 2000

1800 1700 1600 1500

3,081.13

1,824.02

Hong Kong
Hang Seng Index, Feb 28 25000

China
CSI 300 Index, Feb 28 3000

23250 21500 19750 18000

2750 2500 2250 2000

22,509.85

2,190.37

Japan

Nikkei 225, Feb 28 16000

Taiwan

Taiwan Taiex Index, Feb 28 9000

15500 15000 14500 14000

8500 8000 7500 7000

14,652.23

8,601.98

Laos

Laos Composite Index, Feb 28 1500 1350 1200 1050 900

Indonesia

Jakarta Composite Index, Feb 28 5000 4625 4250 3875 3500

International
Energy
COMMODiTY UNiTS

commodities
PRice ChaNGe % ChaNGe TiMe(ET)

1,298.72

4,570.97

Cambodian commodities
(Base rate taken on January 1, 2012) (%) -0.71 % 3.64 % 2.22 % 1.25 % 4.00 % 5.50 % -40.00 % 1.82 % 7.06 % 3.33 % 15.56 % 0.77 %

India
BSE Sensex 30 Index, Feb 28 22000 21000

Pakistan
Karachi 100 Index, Feb 28 28000 27250 26500 25750 25000

Food -Cereals -Vegetables - Fruits

Item Rice 1 Rice 2 Paddy Peanuts Maize 2 Cashew nut Pepper Beef Pork Mud Fish Chicken Duck Unit
R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg R/Kg

Construction equipment
Average 2780 2280 1840 8100 2080 4220 24000 33600 18200 12400 20800 13100 Item Steel 12 Cement Unit R/Kg R/Sac Base 3000 19000 Average 3100 19500 (%) 3.33 % 2.63 %

Crude Oil (WTI) Crude Oil (Brent) RBOB Gasoline NYMEX Heating Oil ICE Gasoil

USD/bbl. USD/bbl. USd/gal. USd/gal. USD/MT

99.28 108.05 4.63 295.52 294.88 903.25

-1.84 -0.5 0.02 0.58 -1.86 -3.5

-1.82% -0.46% 0.43% 0.20% -0.63% -0.39%

3:02:39 3:01:51 3:02:00 3:01:53 3:01:53 3:01:25

Base
2800 2200 1800 8000 2000 4000 40000 33000 17000 12000 18000 13000

20000 19000 18000

NYMEX Natural Gas USD/MMBtu

Energy
Item Gasoline Diesel Petroleum Gas Charcoal Unit
R R R Chi Baht

20,989.26
Base
5250 5100 5500 86000 1200

25,893.18

Average
5450 5200 5500 76000 1300

(%)
3.81 % 1.96 % 0.00 % -11.63 % 8.33 %

Australia
S&P/ASX 200 Index, Feb 28 5500 5250 5000 4750 4500

New Zealand
NZX 50 Index, Feb 28 5000 4750 4500 4250 4000

Agriculture
COMMODiTY UNiTS PRice ChaNGe % ChaNGe TiMe(ET)

CBOT Rough Rice CME Lumber

USD/cwt USD/tbf

15.35 361

-0.04 0.2

-0.23% 0.06%

23:09:40 23:08:04

5,384.33

5,007.40

12

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

World
Ukraine mobilises as Merkel warns Russia
Dmitry Zaks

Six dead after NYC gas explosion causes buildings to collapse

AN EXPLOSION caused the swift and entire collapse of two buildings in the East Harlem neighbourhood of New York on Wednesday, leaving at least six people dead and over 60 more injured. Smoke poured from the rubble at the site of the incident on Park Avenue as rst responders investigated the chaotic scene, next to a commuter train line and a few blocks away from the northern edge of Central Park. This is a tragedy of the worst kind because there was no indication in time to save people, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. De Blasio said the explosion was caused by a gas leak and that utility company Con Edison was in the process of shutting off all gas lines into the building. Police said two women believed to be in their 40s were killed, and the mayors ofce later conrmed a third death. The body of an adult male was pulled from the rubble just after midnight on Wednesday and the bodies of an adult female and a male were found among the debris early yesterday, authorities said. At least three of the injured were children, one, a 15year-old boy, was reported in critical condition with burns, multiple broken bones and internal injuries. Most of the other victims injuries were minor and included cuts and scrapes. Hours after the blast, reghters were still dousing the ames with water, and rescue workers had yet to venture into the debris to search for victims. Mount Sinai Health System treated at least 23 patients, three of whom were children. Most injuries were minor injuries: cuts, scrapes, lacerations, said Dr Kevin Chason, the hospitals director of emergency management. The most serious injury we treated was a woman with a head injury that was found in the rubble. Chason said. It was critical, but shes stable. More than 250 reghters were on the scene, working to contain a heavy re that resulted from the explosion and to conduct search and rescue efforts. De Blasio said that a thorough search would be conducted to nd missing people. This is going to be an extended operation, he said. Con Edison received a call from a neighbouring building about a possible gas leak at 9.13am. Residents heard a large explosion around 9.30am and the New York re department received its rst call about the incident at 9.31am. From what we know, the only indication came about 15 minutes earlier when a gas leak was reported to Con Edison, De Blasio said. It was reported that a tenant in one of the destroyed buildings, Ruben Borrero, said that residents had complained to the landlord about the smell of gas as recently as Tuesday, a day before the disaster.
THE GUARDIAN

kRAINE moved yesterday to mobilise a volunteer force to ward off Russias expansionist threat as Berlin warned Moscow of long-term damage to its economy and EU relations over the Crimea crisis. The Verkhovna Rada parliament unanimously backed the creation of a new force of up to 60,000 volunteers who could keep Russian troops from advancing beyond the Crimean peninsula they seized at the start of the month. The dramatic decision to bolster Ukraines defences with people outside the army came shortly after US President Barack Obama threw his full weight behind Ukraines new pro-European leaders in their Cold War-style standoff with the Kremlin. National Security and Defence Council chief Andriy Parubiy said the new National Guard would ensure state security, defend the borders, and eliminate terrorist groups a term many in Kiev use to call the well-armed militias who patrol Crimea alongside Russian troops. Ukraines conventional army of 130,000 soldiers half of them conscripts with ageing equipment is dwarfed by a 845,000-strong Russian force that has the back-up of nuclear weapons. The aring crisis on the eastern edge of Europe was sparked by the ousting last

A Ukrainian sailor guards the Ternopil ship as Russian guided missile destroyer Bespokoynyy sails near it in Sevastopol bay on Wednesday. AFP

month of a pro-Kremlin regime that prompted President Vladimir Putin to seek and win the right to use force against a neighbour for the rst time since a brief 2008 war with Georgia. The more nationalist and Western-leaning team that rose to power on the back of a deadly popular revolt is viewed with derision by Putin and increasing warmth by Washington and EU states. Putins March 1 decision to order troops into Crimea for the protection of the Russian-speaking majority there now threatens to bring down a host of political and economic sanctions that could leave the Kremlin more isolated from the West than at any point since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel a uent Russian speaker whose upbringing in Communist East Germany shaped both her cautious approach to Moscow and understanding of the importance of keeping relations with the Kremlin on track delivered her most ominous warning to date in an appearance before the German parliament. If Russia continues its course of the last weeks, it would not only be a catastrophe for Ukraine, she told the chamber. It would not only change the relationship of the European Union as a whole to Russia. No, it would also, and I am rmly convinced of this, massively damage Russia both economically and politically. The German Chancellor

accused Russia of using the failed expansionist tactics of the previous two centuries. Russias parliament is still due to consider legislation next week simplifying the process for the annexation of Crimea a strong possibility after the Black Sea region holds a hotly disputed referendum on Sunday on switching over to Kremlin rule. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said meanwhile that it had postponed the process for the Russian Federation to join its 34-member organisation. The European Union will debate travel bans and asset freezes on Monday against Russian ofcials held responsible for threatening Ukraines territorial integrity. Brussels is also expected next week to offer Ukraine a chance to sign an historic EU trade pact whose abrupt November rejection in favour of closer ties with Russia sparked the initial wave of Kiev unrest. The White House has been moving on punitive measures faster than its European allies their nancial and energy sectors tightly intertwined with Russia and has already approved visa restrictions and nancial penalties on Moscow ofcials. But Obama told Ukraines visiting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Wednesday that Washington was more than willing to move much further if Putin failed to soften his stance immediately. AFP

Job Announcement Asia Health Advisor

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
GL FINANCE PLC. is a subsidiary of the leading leasing company in Thailand Group Lease PCL., quoted on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. GL Finance is the first financial leasing service in Cambodia since 2012, and provides financing on motorcycles and agricultural machinery through partnerships with industry leaders (Honda, Kubota). Position: Legal Manager 1. RESPONSIBILITIES: Review and provide legal advice on all official documentation Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken Provide and interpret legal information, conduct training and disseminate appropriate legal requirements to staff Review and draft contracts, agreements and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements Provide continuous leadership, supervision, training and development of department staff ensuring an effective and motivated team. Liaise with the HR department in conducting performance appraisals and ensure competency and training gaps are addressed 2. QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum 5 years experiences in a legal field, corporate secretary or compliance manager Good writing skills in Khmer and English Detail oriented personality More detail please contact GL Finance HR and Admin Department: Tel: 066 669 327/ 098 505 559/ 097 500 5559 E-mail Address: hr@gl-f.com Website: www.gl-f.com

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

World

13

China arrests citizen journalists for reports

CHinese authorities have detained the director of a human rights website and three citizen journalists, one of them 17 years old, for reporting two recent incidents in Tiananmen Square, including an apparent self-immolation. Police detained Huang Qi, the founder of the rights website 64 Tianwang, at about 3pm yesterday in the southwestern metropolis Chengdu, his mother Pu Wenqing said. Tianwang had already posted many of the detained journalists reports. Seven police ofcers came directly to our home, some of them Beijing police, Pu said. They said they wanted to understand a situation, without giving further details. The ofcers conscated Huangs computer, mobile phone and USB thumb drives, she said. Huang is being held incommunicado at a local police station. Police detained Tianwang volunteer Wang Jing on Friday and sent her back to her home province, where she remains in criminal detention on charges of provoking and stirring trouble, the website reported. They arrested two more volunteers, Liu Xuehong and Xing Jian, 17, on Saturday morning. Wang reported the apparent self-immolation attempt on March 5, the rst day of the National Peoples Congress, an important political conclave in Beijing that ended yesterday. Pictures posted online show smoke clouds rising from a distant spot near the Forbidden City, which abuts the enormous agstone square. However, little else is known about the incident. Journalism is not a crime and these activists should be released immediately, William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International, said. Their detention shows the disturbing lengths the authorities are willing to go to control the message during the National Peoples Congress. The three volunteers had gone to the square to report on petitioners, disgruntled citizens who travel to Beijing from afar to air their grievances to higher authorities. Huang has been arrested many times for his activism. In September, police held him for questioning overnight after he protested in support of Bo Xilai, a fallen Communist party boss serving a life sentence for corruption, embezzlement and abuse of power. THE GUARDIAN

N Korean dictators: kids authors

ROM Madonna to Barack Obama, celebrities and politicians have long been tempted to dabble in the world of childrens books but their output pales in comparison to the ultra violent tales for children ostensibly written by North Koreas former leaders Kim Jong-il and his father Kim Il-sung, according to an Australian academic. Christopher Richardson, who is researching North Korean childrens literature for his PhD at Sydney University, says the late former leaders of North Korea are both credited with writing childrens stories, with Kim Jong-il the apparent author of Boys Wipe Out Bandits, an ode to the redemptive power of ultra-violence, he writes in an article published in the International Review of Korean Studies, and Kim Il-sung acknowledged as the author behind the antiAmerican fable The Buttery and The Cock. Boys Wipe Out Bandits, rst published in 1989, is adapted from a story the Dear Leader one day dreamed up as a child himself, writes Richardson, in which cultural impurities, capitalist degeneracy, and rampant individ-

A researcher has found that Kim Jong-il and his father Kim Il-sung are both credited with ercely ideological but quite enjoyable tales. AFP

ualism are defeated by the pure virtue of the collective. The story sees a vulnerable village a metaphor for North Korea surrounded by enemies: monster-like creatures whose captain is ogre-like, writes Richardson, with cysts on his shoulder which emit noxious gas when pierced. The villagers, in contrast, are beautifully attired and softly drawn, and the story concludes as the children punish the intruders with merciless violence. As the sun rises, a triumphant [hero] Ye-dong restates the moral of the story, the

wisdom of a child declaring that, no matter how formidable they are, we can defeat the enemy when we pool our strength and wisdom and have courage. Lets build our village to be an earthly paradise, Richardson writes. Kim Jong-il died in 2011. An image from his childrens book shows a huge bandit whirling around, brandishing an iron club, while an extract on the BBC has it that: At last the left cyst burst, emitting erce ames and the captain fell down, dejectedly dropping his club. At that moment a loud battle cry was heard

from outside. Villagers killed the rest of the bandits. Although the story was published in his name, Richardson is sceptical about whether Kim Jong-il really wrote it. Even the publishers in the DPRK maintain a degree of ambiguity about the authorship of these tales, attributing the stories to Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, whilst acknowledging they were written down by someone else, he told the Guardian. The government thus musters a team of ghost writers whose job is to capture the essence of the leaders political and literary wisdom, known as the seed. The Buttery and The Cock, meanwhile, is a fable said to have rst been told by Kim Ilsung and then written down. It is the story of how a cockerel, intended to symbolise America, sets out to bully other animals, but a buttery North Korea steps in. YouTube shows a recent state television animated adaptation of the story, with some delightfully typical NK-style music at the beginning, singing at the end, and the same combination of computer and cel animation seen anywhere in the world, Richardson said.
THE GUARDIAN

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THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

World

Claims MH370 flew on denied

Kate Hodal and Tania Branigan

ALAYSIAN authorities have discredited as inaccurate reports that the missing Malaysia Airlines ight MH370 may have own for an additional four hours beyond its last sighting, claiming that the nal information received from its engines indicated everything was operating normally. Sources described as familiar with the details of the missing Boeing 777s data had told the Wall Street Journal that US investigators believed the plane had own for a total of ve hours, indicating that the plane may have been diverted with the intention of using it later for another purpose. The theory was based on data downloaded in real time and sent to the ground straight from the Boeings engines, which are manufactured by the British company Rolls-Royce. We have contacted both the possible sources of data Rolls-Royce and Boeing and both have said they did not receive data beyond 1.07am, the Malaysia Airlines chief executive, Ahmad Jauhari Yahyain, revealed to reporters yesterday afternoon. The last transmission at 1.07am stated that everything was operating normally. The data-retrieval system is said

Malaysias Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein (centre) answers questions from journalists during a press conference yesterday. AFP

to be standard procedure for maintaining and monitoring the engines and is loaded with information regarding the jets performance, altitude and speed, which is then compiled and transmitted in 30-minute increments, according to the Wall Street Journal. A New Scientist report on the Boeing engine data-retrieval system also indicated that Rolls-Royce received two data summaries from MH370 one while it was taking off from Kuala Lumpur, the second as it was climbing towards Beijing. The aircraft with 239 people on board disappeared from civilian ra-

dar at 1.30am as it crossed the Gulf of Thailand from Malaysia and Vietnam. Malaysian authorities have also stated that the plane was again caught on radar at 2.30am (this was later denied), and on military radar at 2.15am near the Malacca strait, indicating the plane had turned back from its ight path to Beijing. Ofcials are still verifying whether the blip on the military radar at 2.30am was actually the MH370, Malaysias defence and acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein reiterated yesterday, and he refused to answer whether that blip had also dropped off the military radar.

This is too sensitive information, Hussein told reporters. He added that Malaysia was in a crisis situation and was doing all it could to nd the missing airliner. There is no real precedent for a situation like this. The plane vanished, he said. Malaysian and Vietnamese search teams spent yesterday morning and afternoon scouring waters off Vietnams southern tip looking for debris photographed by Chinese satellite images. Nothing was found and the Malaysian transport minister said China had said the pictures were released online by accident. Chinese ofcials had also told him they would investigate how the images emerged. The Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, speaking at his annual press conference yesterday, reiterated that the families and friends of more than 150 Chinese passengers on board the missing jet were burning with anxiety. He added that the Chinese government had asked Malaysian authorities to coordinate their activities and establish the cause of the disappearance. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we will not stop searching, he said. Li added that as the country developed, more Chinese people would travel abroad, placing greater responsibility on the shoulders of the Chinese government.

With trust running low, the state broadcaster CCTV reported via Twitter that families had asked the Malaysian envoy whether the air force had shot down the plane a suggestion Malaysia denied. It added that relatives prevented him from leaving the meeting. It is thought he spent several hours with them at the hotel in Beijing. While anger has thus far focused primarily on the Malaysian response, relatives have also lashed out at Chinese ofcials for not doing enough to help. In a commentary, Chinas state news agency Xinhua wrote: Most of what we have heard from briengs, denials and refusals to comment by investigating teams has served to deepen the mystery. It added that the countries whose nationals were missing had a right of access to the latest information to enhance the rescue operation. If terrorism was behind the disappearance, which can neither be determined nor ruled out currently, information sharing would be a must for the entire international community, it added. It said authorities should tell the truth even if it turns out to be cruel to families and friends of the passengers . . . Unless transparency is ensured, the huge international search operation can never be as fruitful as we hope and expect. THE GUARDIAN

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

World

15

19-YEAR-OLd man on Wednesday confessed to killing his parents and younger brother after being confronted with evidence, police have said. Akkhawat Sornprom allegedly admitted to Thai police that he shot his parents, Panuwat, 43, and Yaowalak, 41, and his 16-year-old brother Pattarayuth while they were asleep early on Sunday morning. The three were found dead in a bedroom at their home with gunshot wounds to their heads. Akkhawat initially told police he suspected his younger brother killed their parents after being told off for gameaddiction and poor grades. But forensic ofcials found the pistol used in the shooting lying close to the right hand of Pattarayuth although the victims had bullet wounds to the left side of their heads. Police found Akkhawat turned off all the security cameras in the house on Saturday morning, contradicting his earlier statement that he never touched the system. Akkhawat was tearful at a press conference on Wednes-

Teenager confesses to killing his family

day, saying he regretted his actions and did it out of anger. He said his parents always scolded him while his mother did not keep her promise to buy him a car if he made it to university. They also reprimanded him for his poor academic performance. He said that on Sunday night he asked his mother if he could borrow the familys car to pick up his girlfriend, but she refused. The family went to bed at 1am on Sunday. At 3am Akkhawat allegedly went to the parents bedroom with his fathers gun. He said he intended to shoot only Mrs Yaowalak, but was afraid the sound of the gunshot would wake the others, so he shot them all. To hide the evidence, he allegedly put the gun next to his brothers hand and locked the bedroom door with a key he later threw away. Akkhawats teacher at a Bangkok university said the teenager was a polite and quiet person. He completed all class works and he showed no aggressive behaviour at the university, the teacher said. BANGKOK POST

Deep in prayer

Guru put in freezer for meditation

N INDiaN guru declared dead has been in a deep freezer in his ashram for nearly six weeks with followers confident he will return to life to lead them, his spokesman said. Devotees placed Ashutosh Maharaj, whom authorities declared clinically dead on January 29, in the freezer and have been watching over his body in the sprawling ashram in a small town in northern Punjab state. Maharaj, reportedly in his 70s, is one of Indias many gurus who headed the Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (Divine Light Awakening Mission) and claims to have millions of followers around the world. Mission spokesman Swami Vishalanand insisted their leader was not dead but was in fact in a state of samadhi, the highest level of meditation, and was therefore still conscious. Vishalanand said followers were now waiting for him to end his meditation. Until then, the ashram in Nurmahal town would stay open with followers performing their own meditations and spiritual sessions. AFP

There is always hope

Nine-year-old Mili Baxter releases a red balloon in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London yesterday in a recreation of British artist Banksys Girl with a Red Balloon, also known as There is Always Hope, to mark the third anniversary of the Syria crisis. The recreation of Banksys iconic artwork in front of Londons parliament was echoed with simultaneous stagings in the US, Russia, France and Jordan organised by the #WithSyria campaign to mark three years since the start of the conict in Syria which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says has killed more than 140,000 people. AFP

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THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

World
which was allowed to temporarily use the DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) ag under a contract with Pyongyang, state news agency KCNA reported. On Tuesday, the tanker Morning Glory which had taken on a cargo of oil from AlSidra terminal evaded Libyan naval vessels deployed to intercept it and escaped to sea. It was reported to have loaded at least 234,000 barrels of crude. Right after being informed of the fact by the Libyan side, the DPRK accused the company of violating the contract and demanded it let the ship leave the port at once without loading oil, said a spokesman for North Koreas Maritime Administration, quoted by KCNA. He said Pyongyang had cancelled and deleted the ships DPRK registry . . . as the ship violated the DPRKs law on the registry of ships and the contract that prohibited it from transporting contraband cargo. Therefore, the ship has nothing to do with the DPRK at present and it has no responsibility whatsoever as regards the ship, he went on to say. AFP

N Korea adept at dodging sanctions: UN

ORTH Korea is becoming more and more adept at dodging international sanctions, a panel of experts said in a report presented on Tuesday to the UN. The commission of eight experts told the UN Security Council that it reached this conclusion on the basis of recent inspections and seizures of banned cargo. The council has adopted resolutions calling for increasingly tough sanctions aimed at thwarting Pyongyangs nancial and technical ability to build weapons of mass destruction. This came after a series of nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests by North Korea over the past decade. The new report posted on the UN website on Tuesday said that North Korea has continued to defy those sanctions by pushing ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and engaging in illegal arms trade. The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea presents a stiff challenge to Member States, the report says. It is experienced in actions it takes to evade sanctions. From the incidents analysed

A North Korean soldier looks on at the South side at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone on Wednesday.

AFP

in the period under review, the Panel has found that it makes increasing use of multiple and tiered circumvention techniques, it adds. The panel said the case of the North Korean cargo ship Chong Chon Gang provided a key insight into some of those techniques. The ship was stopped by the Panamanian authorities in July 2013 carrying unde-

clared weapons that had been hidden under 10,000 tons of sugar from Cuba. An investigation showed that the North Korean crew had used secret codes in communications. The crew also falsied the ships logs and turned off an electronic system that would otherwise have provided real-time information on the ships location to international maritime authorities,

the panel said. The North Korean embassies in Cuba and Singapore are suspected of helping to arrange the arms shipment, the panel said. Cuba has said that it was sending obsolete Soviet-era weapons to be repaired in North Korea. This case helped conrm that among North Koreas best sources of revenue were weapons exports and tech-

nical support to manufacture and refurbish arms produced in the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s, the panel revealed. Meanwhile, Pyongyang yesterday denied any responsibility for a North Koreaagged tanker which loaded crude oil at a port held by rebels in eastern Libya. The ship was operated by an Egypt-based company

Australian is found guilty of murdering missing teenager

A MAn with a long history of preying on children was found guilty yesterday of murder and interfering with a corpse in one of Australias biggest missing persons cases. Father-of-three Brett Peter Cowan, 44, pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the killing of Daniel Morcombe, 13, who was last seen waiting for a bus in northern Queensland in 2003. His disappearance sparked a massive nationwide hunt, followed by years of false leads and dead ends avidly followed by public and press alike. Cowan faces a life sentence for the murder with a minimum of 15 years without parole. He is expected to be sentenced next week. The case came to trial after an inquest in 2011 prompted a breakthrough that saw Cowan charged with Morcombes abduction and murder after being caught in an undercover sting confessing to the killing. Police began searching the Beerburrum State Forest for the teenagers remains, where they found his bones in 2013. The jury accepted the prosecutions case that Cowan abducted Morcombe, drove him to the secluded forest and choked him to death before disposing of his remains. Documents painted a disturbing picture of a serial sex offender who had been abusing children since he was a child of nine or 10 years old himself. He was first convicted in 1987 when he was 18 for molesting a seven-year-old boy in a public toilet. The court heard he was a pathological liar and drug user with a long criminal record for everything from stealing to gross indecency. In one case in 1993, Cowan subjected a lost six-year-old boy to a horrific ordeal, which left him wandering around naked, bloodied, dazed and distressed, court documents showed. Cowan married after his release on parole from that seven-year sentence in 1998 but continued his offending, culminating in the abduction of Morcombe. AFP

Philippines drops food to troops

THe Philippine military said yesterday that it had evaded a Chinese sea blockade by using an airplane to drop food to soldiers on a tiny and remote South China Sea shoal claimed by both countries. The incident was the latest to escalate tensions between the Asian nations over their conflicting claims to parts of the South China Sea, a major sealane and rich fishing ground that is believed to hold vast mineral resources. We confirmed there was an airdrop of food to our troops, Defence Department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said. He stated that the air drop was via airplane, but did not say when it occurred nor did he give any further details. The incident took place at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly island group, which is around 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan and which Manila insists is part of its continental shelf. The shoal is more than 1,000 k ilometres from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass, but China claims nearly all of the South China Sea based on what it says are historical records. A tiny unit of Filipino marines live on the BRP Sierra Madre, a decrepit, beached former World-War-II US navy transport ship that was transferred to the Philippine navy and run aground on the shoal in the 1990s. Troops on the 1,000 metre (3,280 foot) long ship have ever since guarded the shoal. China has long demanded the Philippines pull out the vessel and the marines. But the Philippines said this week that Chinese coastguard ships blocked two Philippinef lagged civilian vessels on March 9 as they were carrying supplies and personnel to the shoal. The Philippines said this was the first time there had been such Chinese resistance. The Philippines issued a diplomatic protest over the incident, but China in response reiterated its position that the shoal was Chinese territory. The Philippines and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam all claim parts or all of the South China Sea. AFP

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

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Thailand and its rice asco

Wichit Chantanusornsiri

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FTER three years under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her governments rice-pledging policy, where do Thai people stand today? As if the problems of corruption, gargantuan costs and delays in paying rice farmers their due are not bad enough, consider this headline in the Bangkok Post on February 26: Rice farmers poorest in ASEAN. How can this be? The Thai government has already borrowed 500 billion baht (US$15.4 billion), or 4 per cent of gross domestic product, to buy rice at prices as much as 40 per cent over market price. And yet at the end of the day, even with hundreds of billions of baht in taxpayer assistance, Thai farmers are no better off than their neighbours, when measured by net income or productivity. The governments initial premise was based on the questionable theory that by becoming the buyer of first resort, it could ultimately push market prices higher by controlling supply and demand. The argument continues that by paying farmers higher prices, they would be able to reduce household debt and ultimately take steps towards improving productivity. Yinglucks brother Thaksin summarised the policy in an interview in September 2012 as follows: If we manipulate the [rice market] mechanism for two years, three years, then things will be moving naturally [afterwards]. Hardly anyone can argue credibly that Thai rice farmers have achieved any sustainable improvement from the past, particularly not when millions have suffered from the inability of the government to honour its contracts and pay for pledged rice because of a lack of funds and an absolute failure by the Commerce Ministry to secure buyers. Global rice prices have also moved lower over the

A combine harvester in a rice eld as farmers hunt for rats with batons in Nakorn Luang, Thailand, late last year.

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past several years, due to higher world production and the knowledge among buyers that Thailand holds millions of tonnes of rice which eventually must either be sold or simply left to rot. Isnt it high time that we acknowledge reality and chart a new course? No one questions the fact that rural poverty is a problem that must be addressed. But when policy goes awry, it is incumbent on the policymakers to make it right. The rice-pledging scheme, in its current incarnation, has fallen short of its goals to strengthen the countrys rice industry, ease poverty and boost farm productivity. Rather than offer assistance to the genuinely needy, it seems that subsidy programmes are used as a means of financial blackmail between the ruling politicians and their constituents, where votes are bartered for immediate largesse; never mind the fact that such policies are hardly sustainable nor efficient.

Aat Pisanwanich, the dean of the economics faculty at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, offers some startling figures which show how little the Thai rice industry has actually developed despite hundreds of billions of baht spent in subsidies. Production costs for Thai rice farmers, for instance, are 139 per cent higher than those in Vietnam and 37 per cent than those of Myanmar. On the other hand, productivity for Thai farmers is just 450 kilogrammes per rai (0.39 acres), better than 420kg/rai in Myanmar, but a far cry from the 900kg/rai achieved by Vietnamese farmers. In terms of profits, Thai farmers receive only 1,555 baht per tonne of paddy rice, compared with 3,180 baht per tonne in Vietnam and 3,484 baht in Myanmar. The fact is that Thai farmers are simply running in place under the ricepledging scheme, with the real benefits received by

middlemen, mills, politicians and suppliers. The problems of low farm productivity and high costs are not new ones. Agricultural experts have spoken for years about different strategies which can be taken to raise productivity and reduce costs, such as reducing the excessive use of chemicals and fertilisers in areas such as the central provinces where gains from added use is marginal at best. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has also proposed a different concept focusing on increased production of organic crops and maximising land use under the idea, one rai, 100,000 baht. The rice-pledging scheme, however, has done little to address the problems faced by farmers at the production side. Instead, the Pheu Thai Party and the Yingluck government have concentrated on a doomed strategy of artificially inflating prices in

defiance of basic economics and business sense. The sad fact is that this policy was never about development economics, but simple political reality. Since 2001 when Thaksin first took power up to today under his sister, it is clear that their policies have received strong support from the underclass and rural communities. Even the most jaded critics must acknowledge that programmes such as the farm debt moratorium, underground debt restructuring, the Peoples Bank microfinance scheme and universal health care have all been wildly popular among voters. Yet for all his trendsetting in the politics of the country, little headway has been made in addressing the root problems which supposedly are the raison detre of these policies income inequality and unequal access to basic education, health and social services across society. BANGKOK POST

HR Manager Pich Socheat HR Executive Neang Sopheap Assistants to HR Manager Lay Sopanha Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak IT Manager Seng Nak, Vong Oun TO CONTACT US newsroom@phnompenhpost.com advertising@phnompenhpost.com subscription@phnompenhpost.com webmaster@phnompenhpost.com www.phnompenhpost.com Post Media Co, Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co Ltd.

www.phnompenhpost.com

18

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14 , 2014

CLINIC

EDUCATION
TONGHAN LANGUAGE CENtER
Offers Khmer language classes for Expats * All classes are taught by qualied English speaking Khmer teachers * Lessons include conversation, reading and writing Tel: 096 60 70 284 Email: godlyvj@yahoo.com TOEFL iBT Review classes learn w/a Cambridge-qualied teacher whose TOEFL iBT is 104. Tel: 096 60 70 284 Email: godlyvj@yahoo.com

YONG SUN PLyWOOD

seeking for marketing staff as full time job Contact Sreyneath Chim Tel: 088 672 3168
BIG FLAt FOR RENt CENtRAL location 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom 3rd oor $270 Tel: 012 221 000 SWIMMING POOL APARtMENt Rent Loc: near Independent Monument $1700/M 3Bedroom & 3Baths Big Living room, Western Kitchen New Full Furniture, 1Car Parking Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958 COLONIAL VILLA FOR RENt: 5BR $3500/M Daun Penh Area 1Living room, 5Bedroom, 5Bath Some Furnished, Very good Place for Resident and Quiet Place Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958 SWIMMING POOL APARtMENt Rent Great Location in BKK1 Area - $900/Month 1Bedroom 1Bath - $1400/Month 2Bedroom 2Bath Big Living room, Western Kitchen New Full Furniture, 1Car Parking Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958 1BEDROOM APARtMENt FOR Rent near National Museum & Palace $300/Month 1Bedroom, 1Bath $500/Month 2Bedroom, 2Bath 1Living room, Kitchen, Furnished Contact Tel: 012 939 958

For Rent

OFFICE FOR RENt Building 7m x 17, 4stuces and ground oor for cars and motor bikes parking hocate on kampuchea krom blve, 200m east st 7 January buidge. Tel: 095 37 37 40

USA THICK STEAK SPECIAL Tenderloin 325g (12oz) @ $33 Rib-eye 325g (12oz) @ $24 Or Big 450g T-Bones @ $25! All Choice. For real Steak lovers only! @ Steves #8, St.240 TEL 023 215 415

WEstERN sWIMMING POOL, Gym Apartment for rent Located in Touk Kork,quiet,sfae,no ooding 2-3BR:$900-$1200/m free all services Big living room and western kitchen, Modern fully furnished, big Balcony Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007 Email:yim.chyvorn@yahoo.com

TRY THE CIGAR SHOP At Steves Steakhouse Arent you tired of inated prices for single malt whisky and cigars?! As always at Steves: Quality at Reasonable Price. #8, St.240 TEL 023 215 415

TRY THE KINGDOM RESORT for your next Meeting, Conference, Party, or Retreat. Reasonable rates Beautiful surroundings, Full Facilities! Only 20min from town. call: 023 721 514 or Email:info@thekingdomresort.net

3BEDROOM APARtMENt FOR Rent near National Museum & Palace $750/Month 3Bedroom, 3Bath 1Living room, Kitchen, Furnished Tel: 012 939 958 1BEDROOM APARtMENt FOR Rent near Independent Monument $400/Month 1Bedroom, 1Bath $750/Month 2Bedroom, 2Bath 1Living room, Kitchen, 1Parking Contact Tel: 012 939 958 RIvERsIDE APARtMENt FOR Rent Located near Riverside & Palace $650/Month 1Bedroom, Balcony 1Living room, Kitchen, Nice Views Tel: 012 939 958

BRAND NEW WEstERN Apartmentfor rent Located near PPRU Univer sity on Russian BVLD 1-2BR:$500-$800/m free wi,cable TV..etc big Living room,western ,kitchen,moder fully furnished big Balcony,security guard 24 hrs, Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007

LAO-Z- RESTAURANT SPECIAL Grilled Chicken, Sticky Rice and Papaya Salad just for $5. Lao beer for just a buck! #8, St.240 TEL 023 215 415 (Inside Steves Steakhouse)

I JUST CANT BRING MYSELF tocharge so much money for a burger, a steak, glass of wine or a good cigar! Maybe Im not a good businessman -Steve #8, St.240 TEL 023 215 415

ESCAPE FROM PHNOM PENH at Nearby Kingdom Resort (20min) Fri or Sat night specials 1 Dinner + 1 Night + 1 Breakfast From $39 for 2 people. Get away this weekend! Tel: 023 72 15 14 | 012 528 534 Email: info@thekingdomresort.net

7BEDROOMs VILLA FOR RENt

$2000/Mon near Boeung Trobek 1Living room, 7Bedroom, 7Bath Some Furnished, Very good Place for Resident and Quiet Place

Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14 , 2014

19

3BEDROOM APARtMENt FOR Rent Located in Basac garden City Swimming Pool, $1800/Month 3Bedroom 3Bath and Balcony Big Living room, Western Kitchen Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958 COLONIAL APARtMENt FOR rent 02 bed with bath face to river, furnished, clean, western kitchen, big living room, big balcony, and safe Rent: $2100 /m Location: Riverside Tel: 012 879 231 WEstERN APARtMENt FOR rent 01-02 bed with bath, furnished, clean, western kitchen, big living room, big parking, brand new, and safe Rent: $500-800 /m Location: Near Russian Market Tel: 012 503 356

MODERN FURNIsHED Apartment for rent : 2BR:$650/m Free wi,cable TV,cleaning security guard 24 hrs Located near Russian market, walking distance 2BR:$650 , nice living room,western kitchen, modern furnished ,open Balcony Mr Yim on Tel: 089 36 32 06 Email:yim.chyvorn@yahoo.com LUXURy GARDEN VILLA FOR RENt In Daun Penh area (close to Independent Monument), 05 bed, large & open living room, basic furniture, western kitchen, garden & trees, big parking and playground, quiet & safety. Price: $4,500/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00 NICE VILLA FOR RENt At Tonle Bassak area, near Independent Monument, 04 bed, open living room, big playground &trees , western kitchen, parking, good for residence and ofce, very quiet and safety area.Price: $1,500/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00 MODERN APARtMENt FOR Rent Located in south of Russian Market, 01-02 bed, large living room, fully and modern furnished, modern kitchen, lots of light, nice balcony, Price: US$650-US$850/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00 www.towncityrealestate.com

WEstERN APARtMENt FOR Rent $700/M near Russian Market 1Living room, 2Bedrooms, 2Bath 1Car Parking, 24h Security Guard Fully Furnished, and Big Balcony Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958

NICE REsIDENCE VILLA FOR Rent $2000/M near Russian Market 1Living room, 4Bedroom, 4Bath Some Furnished, Very good Place for Resident and Quiet Place Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958

NICE APARtMENt FOR RENt 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, furnished, clean, western kitchen, big living room, big parking, and safe Rent: $750 /m Location: BKKI Tel: 012 503 356

NICE APARtMENt FOR RENt 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, furnished, clean, western kitchen, big living room, big parking, and safe Rent: $1000 /m Location: BKKI Tel. 012 490 104

2/FURNIsHED APARtMENt for rent,located in BKK1,quiet,safe ,no ooding, free wi,cable TV ,security with 2BR:$700-$800/m ,nice big living room ,European Kitchen, big Balcony near ISPP School and walking distance Lucky Super market fully furnished Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007

4BEDROOM NICE VILLA FOR Rent $1900/M Tonle Basac Area 1Living room, 4Bedroom, 4Bath Fully Furnished, Very good Place for Resident and Quiet Place Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958

NICE APARtMENt FOR RENt 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, furnished, clean, western kitchen, big living room, big balcony, and safe Rent: $1000 /m Location: BKKI Tel. 012 490 104

WEstERN APARtMENt FOR rent 01-02 bed with bath, furnished, clean, western kitchen, big living room, big parking, and safe Rent: $900-1300 /m Location: BKKI Tel: 012 879 231

MODERN FURNIsHED APARtMENt for rent , Located near Russian market, walking distance around 5 monitors to market, with Security guard 24 hrs, parking, nice big living room Big western kitchen, Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007 Email:yim.chyvorn@yahoo.com

MODERN VILLA FOR RENt In BKKI area 06 bedrooms, large & open living room, basic furniture, western kitchen, garden & trees, big parking and playground, quiet & safety. the best location for residence and ofce. Price: $3,500/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00

MODERN VILLA FOR RENt At Toul Kork area, 05 bedrooms, big living room, very nice garden and trees, western kitchen, big parking, very for good for residence & ofce, very quiet and safety area. Price: US$2,500/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

WEstERN ROOFtOP POOL Apartment For Rent Located in BKKI, 01&02&03 beds, roof top pool & gym, open living room, fully & modern furnished, western kitchen, Price: $1,200-$1,800-$2,000/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00 www.towncityrealestate.com

BRAND NEW APARtMENt FOR Rent near Olympic Market, 1Car Parking $550~$650/m 1Bed 1Bath $700~$850/month 2Bed 2Bath Balcony, Furnished, Western Style Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958

MODERN DEsIGN APARtMENt For Rent Located in Rose Condo, 20th oor, 05 beds, open and large living room, fully and modern furnished, modern kitchen, lots of light, nice balcony, very nice pool and gym, very good condition for living Price: $3,000 /m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

1st FLOOR WOODEN HOUsE For Rent North of Russian Market area, 02 bedrooms, very big balcony, basic furnisher, very nice and clean kitchen, very safety and quite, many trees around, very good condition for living. Price: US$600/month. Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00 APARTMENT FOR RENT Price: $400/m, 2Bed Nice Fully Furnished Area: near Russian Market Tel: 012 940 335 VILLA FOR RENT Price: $800/m, 3 Bedrooms Near Independent Monument Nice Garden, Tel: 012 940 335 APARTMENT FOR RENT Price: $300/m, 1 Bedroom, 2 baths, Furnished, Balcony Area: near Royal Palace Tel: 012 940 335 VILLA FOR RENT Price: $800/m, 4 Bedrooms Fully furnished, Big garden Area:CCV, Tel:012 940 335 APARTMENT FOR RENT 2 Bedrooms = $450/month Fully furnished, Elevator Security guard, Car parking Tel: 012 940 335 APARTMENT FOR RENT Price: $350/m, 1 Bedroom Fully furnished & Modern Elevator, security guard Area: near Russian Market Tel: 078 85 58 85 FLAT FOR RENT Price: $200/m,1 Bedroom 1 baths, Fully furnished, Area: near Russian Market Tel: 078 85 58 85

SUNNy APARtMENt FOR rent,1BR:$350/mfree wi,cable TV,security guard 24 hrs,nice sunny living room and western kitchen brand new fully furnished,open Balconyquiet,safe,no ooding, :Mr Yim onTel: 089 36 32 06, Email:yim.chyvorn@yahoo.com Mr Yim on Tel: 089 36 32 06

MODERN VILLA FOR RENt In Bassak Garden City, 04 beds, large living room, very nice design, fully & modern furnished, western kitchen, nice balcony, big parking & playground, quiet & safe. the best location for residence. Price: $2,000/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00

TRADItIONAL 1st FLOOR VILLA For Rent At Beoung Trobek area (close to Monivong BLVD), 03bed, big balcony and terrace, fully furnished, very lights, very nice & clean kitchen , very safety & quite, many trees around, very good condition for living. Price: $800/m Tel: 092 23 26 23

2ND FLOOR APARtMENt FOR Rent Located near Phsar Chas Market (St. 108), 02 bed, lots of light , very big and open living room, basic furnished, western kitchen, nice balcony, good condition for living, big parking lot. Price: $450/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

MODERN SWIMMING POOL VILLA For Rent In North bridge area, 05 bedr plus 01 ofce room, large living room, very nice design, fully & modern furnished, very nice pool & garden, western kitchen, nice balcony , big parking.Price: US$3,000/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00

BRAND NEW APARtMENt FOR Rent BKK1, 01-02 Bedrooms, very nice interior designed, large living room, very light, fully and modern furniture, western Kitchen, very good condition for living, quiet & safe. Price: $800-1,400/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00

NICE APARtMENt FOR RENt Located in BKKI, 02 bed, nice living room, fully and nice furnished, lots of light, very nice kitchen, nice balcony, very good condition for living, very quiet and safety. Price: US$600/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

SWIMMING POOL APARtMENt Rent Good Located in Daun Penh Area - $900/M 1Bedroom 1Bath - $1100/Month 2Bedroom 2Bath Big Living room, Western Kitchen New Full Furniture, 1Car Parking Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958
777 697

WEstERN sWIMMING POOL, Gym Apartment for rent Located in Touk Kork,quiet,sfae,no ooding 2-3BR:$900-$1200/m free all services Big living room and western kitchen, Modern fully furnished, big Balcony Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007 Email:yim.chyvorn@yahoo.com 1BEDROOM APARtMENt FOR Rent near Independent Monument $400/Month 1Bedroom, 1Bath $750/Month 2Bedroom, 2Bath 1Living room, Kitchen, 1Parking Contact Tel: 012 939 958 RIvERsIDE APARtMENt FOR Rent Located near Riverside & Palace $650/Month 1Bedroom, Balcony 1Living room, Kitchen, Nice Views Contact Tel: 012 939 958 WEstERN APARtMENt FOR Rent near National Museum & Palace $450/Month 1Bedroom, 1Bath $500/Month 2Bedroom, 2Bath 1Living room, Kitchen, Furnished Contact Tel: 012 939 958

NICE bIG sWIMMING POOL and Gym Apartment For rent located near Independent monument, Quiet,safe,no ooding with 1-23BR:$900-$1200 -$2000/m ,free all serviceds,nice living room Western kitchen,open Balcony ,modern fully Furnsiehd Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007
777 697

BIG VILLA FOR RENt Near Russian Market, 04 bed, nice living room, very nice design, fully & modern furnished, western kitchen , nice balcony, big parking & playground, quiet & safe. the best location for residence. $2,000/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00

MODERN DEsIGN APARtMENt For Rent Located in Rose Condo, 12th oor, 03 bed, open and large living room, fully and modern furnished, modern kitchen, lots of light, nice balcony, very nice pool and gym, good condition for living $1,800 /m Tel: 092 23 26 23

MODERN POOL APARtMENt For Rent Located at Daun Penh Area, 01-02-03 bed, modern design & lots of light, open living room, fully & modern furnished, western kitchen, nice balcony, nice pool and gym, Price: $1,300-1,800-2,300/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

WEstERN APARtMENt FOR Rent Location near Central Market $450/Month 1Bedroom 1Bath $550/Month 2Bedroom 2Bath 1Living room, Kitchen, Furnished Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958 RIvERsIDE APARtMENt FOR Rent Located near Riverside & Palace $650/M1Bedroom, Balcony 1Living room, Kitchen, Nice Views Tel: 077 777 697 or 012 939 958

BRAND NEW WEstERN APARtMENt for rent located near Russian market, quiet,safe, no ooding ,1-2BR:$500$800/m free wifi, cableTV,cleaning, security guard 24h nice living room, western kitchen, Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007 BRAND NEW WEstERN Apartment for rent Located near PPRU Univer sity on Russian BVLD 1-2BR:$500-$800/m 24 h /Tel: 089 36 32 06/097 744 3007

TRADItIONAL WOODEN HOUsE For Rent In Tonle Bassak area, 02 bed, real wooden design, big & open living room, western kitchen, nice garden, big parking. $2,200/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

WEstERN APARtMENt FOR Rent Located in BKKI, 02 bed, big living room, fully & modern furnished , western kitchen, big balcony, lots of light, quiet & safety, .US$1,200/m Tel: 092 23 26 23/081 23 00 00

OFFICE BUILDING FOR RENt located in on the main street, 100 to 1700 sqm and $10-14 per sqm per month, big parking lot. Tel: 092 23 26 23/ 081 23 00 00 www.towncityrealestate.com

20

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Travel
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE
MH 765 5J 258
Arrival 03:30 09:05 09:05 14:40 16:20 18:40 19:40 21:50 20:50 14:30 20:50 13:45 20:50 13:00 14:30 20:50 16:30 18:45 10:25 16:05 17:00 17:25

3.5.7 2.4.7 1, 6, 7 2.4 5 7 3, 2 5 2.4.5.7

1. 5
Days 1-3-5

14:15 22:30 16:35 10:40 12:25 12:45 18:30 18:35 10:05

20:15
Dep 12:55

17:25 02:11 22:15 15:20 15:40 16:05 21:35 21:55 13:00

21:25
Arrival 13:55

MH 764 5J 257 MI 633 MI 622 MI 616 MI 636 MI 630 MI 618 QV 512

8M 401
Flighs K6 131

3.5.7 2.4.7 1, 6, 7 2.4 7 3, 2 5 5 2.4.5.7

1. 5
Days 1-3-5

12:10 19:45 14:35 08:40 10:40 13:55 07:55 16:35 06:30

17:05
Dep 11:20

13:15 21:30 15:45 09:50 11:50 17:40 11:35 17:45 09:25

19:15
Arrival 12:20

FROM PHNOM PENH

Flighs K6 720 PG 938 PG 932 TG 581 PG 934 FD 3617 PG 936 TG 585 CZ 324 QR 965 QR 967 CZ 324 CZ 6060 VN 840 QR 965 QR 967 VN 841 VN 3856 KA 207 KA 207 KA 209 KA 209 KA 205 KE 690 OZ 740 AK 1473 MH 755 MH 763 AF 273 FM 833 MI 601 MI 622 3K 594 3K 592 3K 598 MI 607 2817 2817 2817 2817 BR 266 VN 840 QV 920
8M 402 8M 401

TO PHNOM PENH
Arrival 01:10 08:15 11:10 11:10 16:40 18:15 20:40 21:45 16:05 22:45
05:20+1

SIEM REAP - MANILA SIEM REAP - SINGAPORE MI 633 MI 622 MI 630 MI 615 MI 636 MI 617 QV 522
8M 402

MANILA - SIEM REAP SINGAPORE - SIEM REAP

Days Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily ..34..7 12...6. Daily 2.4.7 Daily ..34..7 12...6. Daily Daily 1.2.4.7 6 1 3.5.7 2 Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 2 2.3.4.5.7 1.3.5.6.7 2.4 1.3.5.6 .2.4..7 .2.4..7 Daily 1.3 2.4.5 6 7 Daily Daily Daily 1.3.6 1.3.6

Dep 12:05 06:40 09:55 10:05 15:30 17:05 19:30 20:40 08:00 16:10 22:40 08:00 14:45 17:30 16:10 22:40 14:00 19:20 11:25 11:45 18:30 17:25 19:00 23:40 23:50 08:35 11:10 17:10 20:05 19:50

Flighs K6 721 PG 931 TG 580 PG 933 FD 3616 PG 935 TG 584 PG 937 CZ 323 QR 964 QR 966 CZ 6059 CZ 323 VN 841 QR 604 QR 966 VN 920 VN 3857 KA 208 KA 206 KA 206 KA 206

Days Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily ..34..7 12...6. 2.4.7 Daily Daily ..34..7 12...6. Daily Daily

Dep 02:25 07:55 07:55 13:30 15:15 17:30 18:25 20:15 14:30 01:05 07:25 12:00 19:05 09:40 13:30 19:50 15:50 18:00

PHNOM PENH - BANGKOK

BANGKOK - PHNOM PENH

SIEM REAP - VIENTIANE

SIEM REAP - YANGON
PREAH SIHANOUK - SIEM REAP Flighs K6 130

VIENTIANE - SIEM REAP

YANGON - SIEM REAP
SIEM REAP - PREAH SIHANOUK

PHNOM PENH - BEIJING PHNOM PENH - DOHA ( Via HCMC)

BEIJING - PHNOM PENH DOHA - PHNOM PENH ( Via HCMC)

PHNOM PENH - GUANGZHOU 11:40 18:10 20:35 17:10 23:40 14:45 20:05 15:05 22:25 22:05 21:00 22:35

GUANGZHOU - PHNOM PENH

PHNOM PENH - HANOI PHNOM PENH - HO CHI MINH CITY

HANOI - PHNOM PENH HO CHI MINH CITY - PHNOM PENH

On KLM ights, you can choose your seat partners based on their social media proles. BLOOMBERG

PHNOM PENH - HONG KONG

HONG KONG - PHNOM PENH 1.2.4.6.7 08:50 3.5.7 1 2 14:30 15:25 15:50

AIRLINES CODE
2817 - 16 Tigerairways 5J - CEBU Airways. AK - Air Asia BR - EVA Airways CI - China Airlines CZ - China Southern FD - Thai Air Asia FM - Shanghai Air K6- Cambodia Angkor Air KA - Dragon Air MH - Malaysia Airlines MI - SilkAir OZ - Asiana Airlines PG - Bangkok Airways QR - Qatar Airways QV - Lao Airlines SQ - Singapore Airlines

COLOUR CODE
1 Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 Thursday 5 Friday 6 Saturday 7 Sunday

PHNOM PENH - INCHEON 06:40 06:50 11:20 14:00 20:00 06:05 23:05

INCHEON - PHNOM PENH KE 689 OZ 739 AK 1474 MH 754 MH 762 AF 273 FM 833 MI 602 MI 622 3K 593 3K 591 *3K 597 MI 608 2816 2816 2816 2816 BR 265 VN 841 QV 921 8M 401 Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 2 18:30 19:10 15:15 09:30 3:20 20:05 22:20 22:50 16:00 10:20 4:10 06:05 22:40 08:40 11:25 14:25 20:20 15:15 17:15 15:50 08:10 14:00 12:30 11:35 13:00 13:15 10:45

How the web turned travel on its head

Kevin May

PHNOM PENH - KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR - PHNOM PENH

TG - Thai Airways | VN - Vietnam Airlines

This ight schedule information is updated about once a month. Further information, please contact direct to airline or a travel agent for ight schedule information.

PHNOM PENH- PARIS PHNOM PENH - SHANGHAI PHNOM PENH - SINGAPORE 09:30 12:30 12:20 15:10 21:05 16:00 18:10 16:40 09:10 14:50 13:20 12:45 17:30 17:50 13:30 11:45 15:20 18:10 0:05 19:25 21:10 19:40 12:00 17:50 16:10 17:05 18:50 19:10 14:55 12:30

PHNOM PENH - PARIS SHANGHAI - PHNOM PENH 2.3.4.5.7 19:30 1.3.5.6.7 07:40 2.4 1.3.5.6 .2.4..7 .2.4..7 Daily 1.3 2.4.5 6 7 Daily Daily Daily 1.3.6 08:40 13:20 19:15 13:50 16:20 15:00 07:20 13:00 11:30 09:10 11:30 11:45 08:20 SINGAPORE - PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP *
Air Asia (AK) Room T6, PP International Airport. Tel: 023 6666 555 Fax: 023 890 071 www.airasia.com

AIRLINES
Koreanair (KE) Room.F3-R03, Intelligent Ofce Myanmar Airways International Center, Monivong Blvd,PP Tel: (855) 23 224 047-9 #90+92+94Eo, St. 217, Sk. Orussey4, Kh. 7 Makara, www.koreanair.com Phnom Penh, Cambodia. T:023 881 178 | F:023 886 677 www.maiair.com Cebu Pacic (5J) Phnom Penh: No. 333B Monivong Blvd. Tel: 023 219161 Siem Reap: No. 50,Sivatha Blvd. Tel: 063 965487 E-mail: cebuair@ptm-travel.com www.cebupacicair.com

Cambodia Angkor Air (K6) PP Ofce, #90+92+94Eo, St.217, Sk.Orussey4, Kh. 7Makara, 023 881 178 /77718-333. Fax:+855 23-886-677 www.cambodiaangkorair.com E: mai@royalaviationexpert.com

Dragon Air (KA) #168, Monireth, PP Tel: 023 424 300 Fax: 023 424 304 www.dragonair.com/kh

PHNOM PENH -TAIPEI PHNOM PENH - VIENTIANE

TAIPEI - PHNOM PENH VIENTIANE - PHNOM PENH

Tiger airways G. oor, Regency square, Suare, Suite #68/79, St.205, Sk Chamkarmorn, PP Tel: (855) 95 969 888 (855) 23 5515 888/5525888 E: info@cambodiaairlines.net

PHNOM PENH - YANGON SIEM REAP - PHNOM PENH

YANGON - SIEM REAP

Qatar Airways No. 296 Blvd. Mao Tse Toung (St. 245), Ground oor, Intercontinental Hotel PP Tel: +23 42 40 12/13/14 www.qatarairways.com

SilkAir (MI) Regency C,Unit 2-4,Tumnorb Teuk, Chamkarmorn Phnom Penh Tel:023 988 629 www.silkair.com

REGULAR SHIPPING LINES SCHEDULES CALLING PORT ROTATION

LINE CALLING SCHEDULES 1 Wed, 08:00 - Thu 16:00 RCL (12calls/moth) 2 Thu, 14:00 - Fri 22:00 3 Fri, 20:00 - Sat 23:59 MEARSK (MCC) (4 calls/moth) SITC (BEN LINE (4 calls/onth) ITL (ACL) (4 calls/month) APL (4 calls/month) COTS (2 calls/month) 1 Th, 08:00 - 20:00 2 Fri, 22:00- Sun 00:01 Sun 09:00-23:00 Sat 06:00 - Sun 08:00 Fri, 08:00 - Sun, 06:00 Irregula FREEQUENCY ROTATION PORTS 1 Call/week 1 Call/week 1 Call/week 1 Call/week 1 Call/week 1 Call/week 1 Call/week 1 call/week SIN-SHV-SGZ-SIN HKG-SHV-SGZ-HKG (HPH-TXGKEL) SIN-SHV-SGZ-SIN SGN-SHV-LZP-SGN - HKG-OSA-TYO-KOB - BUS-SGH-YAT-SGN - SIN-SHV-TPP-SIN HCM-SHV-LZP-HCMNBO-SGH-OSA-KOBBUS-SGH-HGK-CHM SGZ-SHV-SIN-SGZ SIN-SHV-SIN

SIEM REAP - BANGKOK Flighs

K6 700

BANGKOK - SIEM REAP Dep

12:50

Days
Daily

Arrival
2:00

Flighs
K6 701

Days
Daily

Dep
02:55

Arrival
04:05

PG 924 PG 906 PG 914 PG 908 PG 910 CZ 3054 CZ 3054

K6 850

Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 2.4.6 1.3.5.7

Daily

09:45 13:15 15:20 18:50 20:30 11:25 19:25

06:50

11:10 14:40 16:45 20:15 21:55 15:35 23:20

08:30

PG 903 PG 905 PG 913 PG 907 PG 909 CZ 3053 CZ 3053

K6 851

Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 2.4.6 1.3.5.7

Daily

08:00 11:35 13:35 17:00 18:45 08:45 16:35

19:30

09:00 12:45 14:35 18:10 19:55 10:30 18:30

21:15

SIEM REAP - GUANGZHOU

GUANGZHOU - SIEM REAP

SIEM REAP -HANOI VN 868 VN 842 VN 844 VN 800 VN 3818 VN 826 VN 3820 VN 828 VN 3822 KE 688 OZ 738 AK 281 1.2.3.5.6 Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 12:40 18:05 19:45 21:00 11:10 13:30 17:45 18:20 21:35 23:15 23:40 08:35 15:35 19:45 21:25 22:40 12:30 14:40 18:45 19:20 22:35 06:10 07:10 11:35

HANOI - SIEM REAP VN 843 VN 845 VN 845 VN 801 VN 3809 VN 827 VN 3821 VN 829 VN 3823 KE 687 OZ 737 AK 280 Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily Daily 15:25 17:05 17:45 18:20 09:15 11:35 15:55 16:20 19:45 18:30 19:20 06:50 17:10 18:50 19:30 20:00 10:35 12:35 16:55 17:40 20:45 22:15 22:40 07:50

2 calls/month BBK-SHV-BKK-(LZP)

34 call/month
SGZ= Songkhla, Thailand SHV= Sihanoukville Port Cambodia SIN= Singapore TPP= TanjungPelapas, Malaysia TYO= Tokyo, Japan TXG= Taichung, Taiwan YAT= Yantian, China YOK= Yokohama, Japan

SIEM REAP - HO CHI MINH CITY

HO CHI MINH CITY - SIEM REAP

BUS= Busan, Korea HKG= HongKong kao=Kaoshiung, Taiwan ROC Kob= Kebe, Japan KUN= Kuantan, Malaysia LZP= Leam Chabang, Thailand NBO= Ningbo, China OSA= Osaka, Japan SGN= Saigon, Vietnam

SIEM REAP - INCHEON

INCHEON - SIEM REAP

FLY DIRECT TO MYANMAR MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY YANGON - PHNOM PENH SIEM REAP - YANGON

PHNOM PENH - YANGON YANGON - SIEM REAP

FLY DIRECT TO SIEM REAP MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY #90+92+94Eo, St. 217, Sk. Orussey4, Kh. 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Tel 023 881 178 | Fax 023 886 677 | www.maiair.com

SIEM REAP - KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR - SIEM REAP

HE introduction of the world wide web not only fundamentally changed the travel experience, it also turned an entire industry on its head. As increasingly empowered and connected consumers have demanded more from their travel providers, what have been the most important developments over the past 25 years? 1989 In March, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee wrote a proposal for what would eventually become the World Wide Web. 1994 US travel writer Jeff Greenwald triggered what has since evolved to become a cottage industry for dreamers, travellers and countless others the world over: travel blogging. He posted a 1,600-word article called One Hundred Seconds of Solitude on behalf of Global Network Navigator, the rst commercial web publication, from a tourist bureau in Mexico. 1995 To some extent, Lonely Planet was the major gatekeeper of the written word when it came to travel guides prior to the web. But it soon realised that if it was to capitalise on the emergence of the internet, it had to get online quickly. The web may not have democratised the selling of travel, but it certainly levelled the playing eld when it came to accessing travel information with big brands no longer having control over audiences via travel agent brochures or advertising campaigns. Lonely Planets reasonably successful expansion to the web inspired hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of similar travel guide brands to appear online. 1996 Inspired in part by US carrier Southwest, easyJet and Ryanair changed the European airline industry forever with their take on the low-cost

airline model cheap, cheerful, expansive and ambitious. Book on our website started to replace Book through your local travel agent. 2000 Not many could have guessed a business located above a pizza parlour in Massachusetts would eventually become one of the most popular travel websites in the world, not to mention the most disruptive inuence on the hotel industry ever created. TripAdvisor, the original and still by far the biggest social travel site on the web, was incredibly simple travellers left reviews of hotels; fellow travellers found the reviews and could make a decision on whether to stay at a property based on what theyd read. 2008 AirBedAndBreakfast (which soon changed its name to Airbnb) quickly became a darling of the second wave of travel brands hitting the web in the late 2000s. The idea of creating a virtual marketplace where property or house owners could share their space for short-term rents struck a chord with a new breed of travellers looking for a different way of seeing in a destination. 2011 Few modern travel businesses are more of a time and a place than HotelTonight, which hit the ground running in early 2011 with a mobile app that allowed users to nd a vacant room in a city for the same day and have it booked at the touch of a button on the device. 2012 KLM may be just another very large global airline, but when it comes to social media and commerce it has arguably pushed the boundaries more than any other carrier. It reached a peak of sorts in 2012 when it started Meet & Seat, a way to select where you sit on a ight based on the social proles (Facebook, Linkedin) of fellow passengers. THE GUARDIAN

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Sport

21

Police return to the dock

SCAR Pistorius defence lawyer grilled a police forensics expert for a second day yesterday, questioning his qualications in a bid to discredit key evidence from the night the Paralympian shot dead his girlfriend. Barry Roux resumed a searing crossexamination of Colonel Johannes Vermeulen, hoping to rubbish his testimony that could indicate the double-amputee sprinter lied about how events unfolded on February 14, 2013. Pistorius, 27, stands accused of intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp, 29, by shooting at her through a locked toilet door, though he says he mistook her for an intruder. Pistoriuss defence claims the athlete, after realising his mistake, tried to break open the door with a cricket bat, while the prosecution is positioning to argue that the couple were ghting and Pistorius red the gun after failing to beat down the door. Vermeulen on Wednesday testied that Pistorius was likely on his stumps when he bashed on the door with the cricket bat, contradicting the accuseds account that he was wearing his prostheses at the time. The four bullet holes and cricket bat marks on the bathroom door offer valuable ballistic and forensic evidence about the sequence of events in the case. Roux yesterday attempted to show it was signicant that Vermeulen did not have any formal qualications to examine tool marks and did not conduct a microscopic examination of the door. Vermeulen earlier admitted police may have mishandled the evidence, with footprints matching police boots appearing on the door in evidence

Coulthard tips Hamilton for 2014 F1 world title

DAVId Coulthard, the former Williams, McLaren and Red Bull driver, has ranked Lewis Hamilton as his favourite for this seasons Formula One championship. Hamilton has been playing down his chances of winning the title, despite his experience of having done just that in 2008 and the impressive displays of the Mercedes car in practice before the new season, which begins in Melbourne this weekend. Some, including Bernie Ecclestone, have tipped Hamiltons teammate Nico Rosberg to be world champion, with the argument going that the German will find it easier than Hamilton to get his head around the complex regulation changes, which include a totally new engine as well as a restriction on fuel. Sundays race gets under way at 1pm Cambodian time. THE GUARDIAN

Police forensic expert Colonel Johannes Vermeulen hits a door with a cricket bat on Wednesday in what he said was a re-enactment of how South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius broke down the door of the toilet where he shot dead his girlfriend. AFP

photos, that were later rubbed off. Roux claimed they could have been from Pistoriuss prostheses, proving he had them on at the time the door was broken down. He also said the door was removed from the crime scene and propped up against a cabinet and that shards of the door, which could have shone light on what happened the night of

the killing, were missing. I did not pay attention to that stuff, Vermeulen said. The admission could have farreaching consequences for the prosecutions case. Rouxs job is to create as much doubt as he can, and this was manna from heaven for him, forensics expert David Klatzow said.

It was always unwise to take that door out and remove it from the scene, he said. The real question the court needs to address is this: was the relevant evidence destroyed or damaged to the extent that it has no value? If convicted of premeditated murder, Pistorius faces 25 years in prison. AFP

Khim Dima cage ready Radwanska in semis

Dan Riley

rematch with Halep

SeCoNd-Seeded Agnieszka Radwanska held on for a threeset victory over Jelena Jankovic on Wednesday to book a seminal clash with Romanian starlet Simona Halep at the BNP Paribas Open. Radwanska, ranked third in the world, downed Serbias seventh-seeded Jankovic 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the semi-nals in the California desert for the second time. Today, shell get a chance to avenge her loss to Halep in the semi-nals last month at Doha, where the 22-year old Romanian overwhelmed the former Wimbledon nalist en route to the title. Halep breezed past Australian qualier Casey Dellacqua 6-2, 6-2 earlier on Wednesday to become the rst woman to reach the semi-nals of the $12 million combined ATP and WTA tournament. Halep, the sixth seed, needed precisely one hour to get past Dellacqua, saving all ve break points she faced and breaking the 78th-ranked Aussie twice in each set. Halep has won seven WTA tour titles, six of them in her breakout 2013 campaign. But the world number seven is through to the semi-nals of one of the WTAs elite Premier Mandatory tournaments for the rst time. I was moving really well

UnbeAten Shawn Porter announced on Wednesday that he will defend his world welterweight crown against Paulie Malignaggi next month in Washington DC with Britains unbeaten Kell Brook reportedly awaiting the winner. Porter, who took the International Boxing Federation title from Devon Alexander last December, will make his first defence of the crown on April 19 at Washington on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins-Beibut Shumenov light-heavyweight world title unification fight. Excited to announce my next casualty will be @PaulMalignaggi on April 19th at the DC Armory, Porter tweeted. According to ESPN and several boxing websites, the bout was sanctioned by the IBF only if both fighters agreed that the winner would defend the crown against 27-year-old Brook within 90 days. AFP

Porter to defend title against Malignaggi

CAMbodiAN mixed martial artist Khim Dima gets inside the ONE FC cage again as he takes on Malaysias Saiful Mercian tonight at Kuala Lumpurs Stadium Negara. Both flyweights made weight yesterday and are set to feature in the first bout on the undercard of ONE FC: War of Nations, which will be headlined by the inaugural welterweight world championship title fight between American Brock Larson and Nobutatsu Suzuki of Japan. The co-main event is a bantamweight battle between Dae Hwan Kim of South Korea and Filipino fighter Kevin Belingon. Brazilian flyweight Adriano Moraes takes on Japans Yasuhiro Urushitani, while Thailands Ariel Sexton meets Iranian lightweight Kamal Shalorus. Flyweights Shinichi Kojima of Japan and Andrew Leone of the US are set to lock horns, and Japanese lightweight Kotetsu Boku and Frenchman Arnaud Lepont will also clash in the cage. Pakistans Bashir Ahmad has stepped in last minute to face Malaysian poster boy Peter Davis at lightweight in the remaining bout on the main card. The other two matches on the undercard involve Ameri-

today, said Halep, who had said she felt sluggish against rising Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard in her fourth round match on Tuesday. I had no pressure, and I was more relaxed than yesterday. I tried my best. My game is to be aggressive, to hit the balls, and I did really well today. After her spectacular 2013 season, Halep conrmed her class with a sparkling run to the Qatar Open crown last month. Her success has made her a celebrity in her native Romania something the player who calls herself a normal girl is still getting used to. AFP

Ware joins Denver, bully victim Martin to 49ers

DenVer added NFL star linebacker DeMarcus Ware and cornerback Aqib Talib on Wednesday while blocker Jonathan Martin, the Miami Dolphins bullying scandals central figure, was traded to San Francisco. The moves were among the highlights of the first 24 hours of free agency in American football as teams began reshaping their rosters for the 2014 campaign. Ware reached a deal worth a reported $30 million over three years, pending the results of a physical. His addition gives the Broncos, who lost to Seattle in last months Super Bowl, the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL with Ware preferring the right side and linebacker Von Miller the left. AFP

Cambodias Khim Dima (right) and Malaysias Saiful Mercian pose with ONE FC CEO Victor Cui at the ofcial weigh-in yesterday in KL. ONEFC.COM

Berlin considers bidding for 2024 Olympic Games

can Harris Sarmiento taking on fellow featherweight Herbert Burns of Brazil and the highly anticipated womens rematch between Singaporean strawweight Sherilyn Lim and Ann Osman of Malaysia. Earlier this week, ONE FC, Asias leading MMA organisation, confirmed that it will be squeezing two events into the month of May. ONE FC: Rise of Heroes will

be held at the world-renowned SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on May 2, and then ONE FC: Honor & Glory will be staged at the Singapore Indoor Arena on May 30. International broadcaster Star Sports will have the action live from 6pm Cambodian time, while local channel MyTV will screen a delayed telecast from 7am tomorrow morning.

Polands Agnieszka Radwanska returns against Serbias Jelena Jankovic during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. AFP

GermAnYs capital Berlin is considering bidding to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the citys mayor, Klaus Wowereit, said on Wednesday. Berlin meets the requirements to host the Olympic games, all the sports facilities are already in place, Wowereit said. Any bid by the capital would need to be backed by Germans top sports bodies and receive support from the local population. AFP

22

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Football

AFC give boost to Asian futsal and beach soccer

THE Asian Football Confederation is set to become global pioneers of continental coaching certificates for futsal fitness, futsal goalkeeping and beach soccer, according to a report posted on the bodys official website www.the-afc. com on Wednesday. The AFCs Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Department recently completed a workshop for each of the three new coaching areas in Kuala Lumpur, with experts from across the continent invited to discuss which skills and knowledge would be included in the courses. CHENG SERYRITH

First-time finalists clash in Hun Sen Cup title decider

H S Manjunath

Nicklas Bendtners reputation has taken another battering after the Denmark striker was accused of threatening a taxi driver while worse for wear in Copenhagen on the same night his Arsenal team-mates had exited the Champions League to Bayern Munich. Bendtner, who has not featured for the Londoners since February 2 but did start for his country against England last week, was reported to have unbuttoned his trousers and rubbed up against the side of the taxi by the Danish newspaper, BT. The 26-year-old is then alleged to have whipped the cab with his belt, calling the driver a little whore. The cabbie was so concerned that he called the police. THE GUARDIAN

Striker Bendtner rubbed against taxi, says driver

Ice hockey coach in as new Saints chairman

PrEmiEr League club Southampton on Wednesday named Canadian ice hockey guru Ralph Krueger as their new chairman. The 54-year-old, who has never previously worked in football, succeeds Nicola Cortese, who stepped down in January. A former ice hockey player and NHL coach, Krueger most recently worked as a consultant to Canadas gold medal-winning ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. I am honoured to take on the role of chairman of Southampton Football Club and the [holding company] group, Krueger said in a statement published on the club website. Although there is a solid foundation in place, the club still has tremendous untapped commercial potential. AFP

f SOMEONE had predicted at the start of the year that tomorrows Samdech Hun Sen Cup nal showdown would be between National Police Commissary and Build Bright United, form pundits would have dismissed it as reckless speculation. But the reality hitting home hard is that there has never been a Cup season with so many bizarre twists and turns and that these two long shots indeed will be adding a glorious chapter to the history books of Cambodian football as rst time nalists or winners. No matter what the outcome will be it is a big moment for both clubs and their rst real shot at a grand prize. So that sense of grandeur and excitement is not lost on either camp. Neither want this glorious opportunity to pick up a piece of coveted silverware for their club showcase slip out of their grasp. The road to the nal hadnt been easy for both teams. Police had to deal with a rugged Ministry of National Defence in the quarter-nals before bringing down holders Naga Corp last weekend. BBU were beaten 5-0 by Phnom Penh Crown not so long ago in the league, but turned that humiliation around with a 1-0 quarter-nal victory over the same side. Then they had to overcome 2012 League champs Boeung Ket in the semis, no mean task either. With the benet of hindsight, Police and BBU are entitled to feel that making the nal would have been the easier part, but winning it tomorrow might be the hardest imaginable. The big occasion doesnt seem to shake Police coach Ung Kanyaniths condence in his unit one tiny bit. After the huge victory over Naga, we all got together to discuss the nal. Although we were so happy in making history at our club, we are

Police coach Ung Kanyanith (left) comes up against his former boss Lah Salakhan of BBU in the Hun Sen Cup nal tomorrow. SRENG MENG SRUN

not getting too excited about what we have done, the coach told the Post. It was no miracle that Police beat Naga. It was all down to our own blood and sweat. Ung Kanyanith admitted they would need to contend with the strong defence of their opponents. We will strengthen our attack to break through their backline. There is nothing of concern to us about BBUs strike force. Our defence is good enough to handle them. Interestingly enough, Ung Kanyanith, a former BBU player himself, was coached by Lah Salakhan, who is still in charge of the University-backed side. The Police coach had nothing but

respect and admiration for the BBU veteran but at the same time he is keen to match wits from the dugout with his past master. Lah Salakhan is a good leader. I learned a lot from him. And now its time I showed him how well I have retained knowledge he had imparted in me. I believe my team will win the game [on Saturday], because I know well about Lah Salakhans tactics and how he is likely to set up his team. The Police coach also added that his team has no tness worries among his players before the big game. While the Post could not reach Lah Salakhan for his perspective, BBU assistant coach Chan Veasna chose

to play his cards close to the chest. I prefer not to reveal our tactics and keep them secret, but I know we are well prepared for the final. Currently we dont have any concerns about player injuries. They will be all eager to fight together for victory, Chan Veasna said. I want to declare that we will win the Cup Im really condent we can do it. With so many fancied teams and crowd-pullers biting the dust this season, the stage is set for a change of Cup guard tomorrow and a new name in the scroll of honour. The match kicks off at the Olympic Stadium from 5:30pm tomorrow. Borussia Mgladbach 9:30pm Eintracht Braunschweig v Wolfsburg 9:30pm Hertha Berlin v Hannover 9:30pm Werder Bremen v Stuttgart 9:30pm Sunday March 16 Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen 12:30am Hamburg v Nurnberg 9:30pm Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg 11:30pm Sunday March 16 Verona v Inter Milan 2:45am Atalanta v Sampdoria 6:30pm Cagliari v Lazio 9pm Livorno v Bologna 9pm AC Milan v Parma 9pm Sassuolo v Catania 9pm Monday March 17 Fiorentina v Chievo 2:45am Genoa v Juventus 2:45am Saturday March 15 Reims v Marseille 2:30am Lille v Nantes 10:30pm Sunday March 16 Ajaccio v Guingamp 2am Evian TG v Valenciennes 2am Nice v Bastia 2am Rennes v Toulouse 2am Sochaux v Lorient 2am Montpellier v Bordeaux 8pm Lyon v Monaco 11pm Monday March 17 Paris SG v St Etienne 3am

City fear for Aguero tness

MAnCHesteR Citys elimination from the Champions League was accompanied by fresh concerns about Sergio Agueros fitness but there was a firm declaration from their captain, Vincent Kompany, that the club would not allow the most disappointing week of their season to spill over into the Premier League. Manuel Pellegrinis team now travel to Hull City for the early Saturday kick-off with Kompany admitting they had nothing left in the tank at the end of a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona, completing a 4-1 aggregate loss and exit at the last-16 stage. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the second half and Pablo Zabaleta had been sent off before Kompany equalised in the 89th minute. Dani Alves quickly restored the home sides lead on a night when Aguero was taken off at half-time with a recurrence of his hamstring troubles. It is very early, so we cannot say how long he is going to be out, Ruben Cousillas, Pellegrinis assistant, said. Hopefully, it is nothing serious, but he felt some pain. It is more a precaution, but we are doing some tests to assess it. The Argentinian will have a hamstring scan when back in Manchester. Aguero said: I felt a twinge in the leg early on after a challenge with Messi. I carried on with it for the rest of the half but at half-time we decided not to risk it. City were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic on Sunday and have fallen nine points behind Chelsea at the top of the league, albeit with three games in hand. If anything it should give us motivation, Kompany said of Citys Champions League elimination. The way we played against Wigan, the performance tonight was completely different. Only the winners get remembered, but its only the third year ever for Manchester City in the Champions League. Im looking at this and I dont see why next year we should fear anyone. League but admitted that there will be no such thing as an ideal opponent in the quarter-finals. The Ligue 1 leaders came from behind to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday to go through to the next round 6-1 on aggregate, Marquinhos and Ezequiel Lavezzi getting their goals on the night. PSG are now certain to at least match their performance in last seasons competition, when they lost on away goals to Barcelona in the last eight, but Blanc has urged his men to go that step further. However, with Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona already through to the next stage, next weeks draw is unlikely to be kind on the French title-holders. Its not a bonus to be in the quarter-finals, said Blanc. We need to prepare well, be very professional, but Im not worried about that. I think the players will respond to the challenge. We have an end to the season that could become very exciting. AFP

WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday March 15 Hull v Man City 7:45pm Everton v Cardiff 10pm Fulham v Newcastle 10pm Southampton v Norwich 10pm Stoke v West Ham 10pm Sunderland v Crystal Palace 10pm Swansea v West Brom 10pm Aston Villa v Chelsea 12:30am Sunday March 16 Man United v Liverpool 8:30pm Tottenham v Arsenal 11pm Saturday March 15 Getafe v Granada 3am Levante v Celta de Vigo 10pm Sunday March 16 Rayo Vallecano v Almeria 12am Malaga v Real Madrid 2am Atletico Madrid v Espanyol 4am Elche v Real Betis 6pm Barcelona v Osasuna 11pm Monday March 17 Sevilla v Real Valladolid 1am Real Sociedad v Valencia 3am

English Premier League

Anti-Cup protest in Rio denounces traitor Pele

Around 150 people gathered Wednesday in Rio to protest against Brazil hosting the World Cup, with legendary star Pele blasted as a traitor for backing the event, an AFP reporter said. There will be no Cup, no election, demonstrators angry at the multi-billion-dollar cost of the event chanted, while one banner read Pele, traitor of the century. Pele helped Brazil to its first three World Cup titles but both he and 2002 champion Ronaldo, on this years organising committee, were lambasted by the group as enemies of the people. Pele is an honorary ambassador for the tournament, which kicks off on June 12, but his backing has angered some in a country where many say the cash should have been spent on improving public services. AFP

Italian Serie A

Spanish La Liga

French Ligue 1

No ideal opponent, Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has urged his side to go as far as they possibly can in the Champions

German Bundesliga

Saturday March 15 Augsburg v Schalke 2:30am Hoffenheim v Mainz 9:30pm Borussia Dortmund v

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Golf
Teen Aussie sensation sets sights on Olympics
TEENAGE sensation Minjee Lee said she is in no rush to follow New Zealands Lydia Ko by turning professional as she plots a path to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The 17-year-old Australian has assumed Kos former crown by becoming the worlds topranked amateur and making waves with her performances at professional events. Last month, Lee won the Victorian Open by six strokes and was runner-up to Tiger Woodss niece Cheyenne at the Australian Ladies Masters. She tied for fourth in a starstudded eld at last weeks World Ladies Championship in China and was then invited to her rst major, next months Kraft Nabisco Championship in California. Its a run which, together with warm praise from the likes of world number one Park In-Bee, could tempt Lee to leap into the professional ranks at the rst opportunity. But the level-headed Lee, who comes from Perth, said she is not about to abandon her plan to turn professional late this year and build towards the next Olympics. Theres no rush, she said at Mission Hills Haikou, during the World Ladies Championship. I am happy with my game but I still feel I have a lot to learn. The aim is to get my card at the end of the year and turn pro then. Ko has started her rst professional season in solid if unspectacular fashion as she makes the big adjustment to life on tour and a new coaching and management set-up. And Lee said this year, she plans to restrict herself to a handful of professional events and the top amateur tournaments before taking the plunge into full-time golf. She said the ultimate goal is Rio 2016, where golf will return to the Olympic program for the rst time in more than 100 years. Well, youd be representing your country and what else could you hope for as an athlete? said Lee. Going to the Olympics, playing for your country and playing the sport that you love it doesnt get better than that. At the US$600,000 World Ladies Championship, Lee was only out-scored by three women, all top 10 players and major-winners: Park, Suzann Pettersen and Ryu SoYeon. AFP
H S Manjunath

23

Horikawa wins Faldo Series

ikuMu Horikawa of Japan raced to victory in the eighth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen yesterday, pushing overnight leader Paul Kinnear of England into second place. The 21-year-old from Kanagawa red a superb nal round of 68 on the Sir Nick Faldo-designed course to win by three shots and follow in the footsteps of compatriot Masamichi Ito, who won the title in 2010 and 2012. The time is now for the Faldo Series. Mikumu [Horikawa]s come-from-behind victory caps an amazing week which has seen us crown champions from around the world, Sir Nick Faldo said in a statement made available to the Post. Todays winners will travel later this year to the United States where they will be vying to emulate the success of Korean-American Megan Khang, who became our rst girl champion at The Greenbrier last October. Its an international story and Im proud of that, added the six-time Major winner.

Mikumu Horikawa of Japan (left) receives the Faldo Series Asia trophy from Sir Nick Faldo at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, yesterday. PHOTO SUPPLIED

On receiving his trophy from Faldo, Horikawa said: This victory means so much to me as it was my third nal and last chance to win the Faldo Series. I picked up a putting tip from Sir Nick yesterday which really made a difference to my game today. Horikawa opened with three birdies in his rst four holes to stun the overnight leader. He went on to reach nine-under par and nish three ahead of Kinnear, who closed with a

73 to nish second. Pauline del Rosario held off a strong challenge from fellow Filipino Princess Mary Superal to win the Girls division. The 15-year-old qualies for the 2014 Faldo Series Grand Final along with Horikawa, Boys U18 winner Marc Ong of Singapore and Girls U21 winner Wang Mei-Xing from China. Bai Zheng-Kai from Guangdong made it a double success for China by winning the Boys U16 division. The 16-year-old

also claimed the Mission Hills Trophy as the highest-placed nisher from mainland China. As many as 81 golfers from 19 countries joined Sir Nick Faldo at Mission Hills in Shenzhen for the eighth Asia Grand Final. Competitors aged 12 to 21 played over three rounds on the Faldo course for the World Amateur Golf Ranking event. Off the course, they spent time with the maestro, his personal coach Keith Wood and other experts.

24

THE PHNOM PENH POST MARCH 14, 2014

Sport Irelands centre of excellence

RiAN ODriscoll likes to keep his emotions in check, but even he will nd those difcult to control when arguably Irelands greatest ever rugby player brings down the curtain on his international career in Paris tomorrow night. The 35-year-old centre has won three European Cups with Leinster, captained Ireland to only their second Five/Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009 and three other Triple Crowns. He has a world record 140 caps (including eight British and Irish Lions Tests) and holds the Five/Six Nations try record with 26, having broken a 78-year-old record in March 2011. The many highs have also been countered by many lows. He will retire having never threatened to land the highest honour in team rugby, the World Cup with the 2007 edition the nadir when a shambolic team seen at the outset as dark horses exited at the group stage. Injuries robbed him of some crucial matches, especially the serious shoulder injury he suffered after the spear tackle on him in the opening minute of the rst Lions Test with the All Blacks in 2005 the second of his four British and Irish Lions tours when he was captain. Indeed the Lions was never to prove a happy hunting ground for him as on his fourth tour he suffered the ignominy of being dropped by Warren Gatland the man who gave him his international debut in 1999 when he was Ireland coach for last years decisive third and nal Test against Australia. While the Lions won the game and on the face of it justied Gatlands selection, the hurt and anger it provoked in ODriscoll was evident. Yes, theres resentment, of course, ODriscoll said. Is he [Gatland] on the Christmas card list? Unlikely. When youre left with disappointment that way, you cant but feel a little bit of resentment. However, for team-mates and opponents alike there is no doubting his supremely gifted talent.

Irish rugby legend Brian ODriscoll will play his last international match tomorrow in their Six Nations decider against France.

AFP

He is like a UFO, he is from another planet, said former France scrum-half and now Toulouse backs coach Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who faced him on several occasions. For BOD, as he is affectionately known in his homeland and whose biography was titled In BOD we trust, it is appropriate that his international career should come to an end at the Stade de France. For it was there that he announced

his truly great talent in a 2000 Six Nations clash. With the stadium bathed in sunshine, ODriscoll scored a hat-trick of tries for Irelands rst win in the City of Light in 28 years. The fact it came the day after Irelands national holiday St Patricks Day only added to the aura already building around the good looking, erudite and public relations ofcers dream.

Present Ireland handler Joe Schmidt beneted enormously from ODriscolls talent when he coached Leinster, where they combined for two European Cup wins and a European Challenge title to boot. Hes creative, courageous, and has a bit of magic. In these days of big centres, perhaps hes the nal bastion for smaller centres, opined Schmidt. Aside from what seems sure to

be a flood of job offers, retirement from the international scene will allow ODriscoll, son of two doctors and who has two sisters, to spend more time with his Irish actress wife Amy and his one yearold daughter Sadie. Great people, whether sportsmen or politicians, sometimes lose sight of when is a good time to retire from the spotlight, but ODriscoll made clear a few years ago that he would not fall into that trap. Once the tingle leaves you, it is time to hang up your boots, he said. Ireland can give ODriscoll the perfect end to his Test career with only their second victory in Paris in 42 years and with it probably the Six Nations title. In a thrilling denouement to the Northern Hemisphere rugby competition which may lack the nesse of their southern rivals Four Nations but wants not for excitement three countries go into the nal round of matches tomorrow capable of taking the crown that was Wales for the last two years. Ireland, France and England are all on six points but the Irish hold the upper hand in terms of a far superior points difference of +49 over the English, while the latter have a superior points difference of +29 over the French. Even with the English playing an Italy side their match sets the ball rolling that caved in in the face of some inspired play by ODriscoll and his team-mates last Saturday, it is unlikely they will redress the difference. It will be left to France to see off the Irish although a third successive draw between the two sides cannot be discounted in the nal game of the day and hand the trophy to England. AFP

Weekend Fixtures
Saturday March 15 Italy v England 7:30pm Wales v Scotland 9:45pm Sunday March 16 France v Ireland 12am

Bryant to miss remainder of NBA season for Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant will miss the remainder of the NBA season because of a knee injury, the team announced on Wednesday. The 35-year-old, who inspired the Lakers to five NBA titles from 2000 to 2010 and led the United States to capture Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, has been recovering from a left knee fracture suffered in December. Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support Ive received from the Lakers and the fans and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp, Bryant said. After Bryant was examined on Wednesday by team physician Steve Lombardo, the doctor decided that Bryants injury has not healed, making it easy for the Lakers to let him rest until next season. With Kobes injury still not healed, the amount of time he would need to rehab and be ready to play, and the amount of time remaining in the season, weve simply run out of time for him to return, said trainer Gary Vitti. However, Kobe will have the entire off-season to heal, rehab and prepare and we look forward to him being 100 per cent for the start of next season. Bryant returned earlier this season from an Achilles tendon tear after 7 1/2 months of rehabilitation and played only six games before being sidelined in mid-December with the fractured left knee, which at first was thought would see him miss only six weeks. Despite the injury, Bryant was voted into the NBA AllStar Game by fans, but he was unable to play in last months elite showdown of top talent. Bryant said he will be ready and 100 per cent when he finally returns. I dont want to say Ill be back at the top of my game, because everybody is going to think Im crazy and an old player not letting go, that sort of thing, Bryant said. But thats what its going to be. You just continue to try to ramp up. Now I find myself really looking at a sevenmonth training program. Just doing everything I can to get my body ready and be 100 per cent and I have seven months to do that. So, I feel pretty good about it. Former Laker star Shaquille ONeal said on Wednesday that family feuding between owners Jim and Jeanie Buss are holding the team back. They are in disarray, ONeal said of the Lakers. With him [Bryant] being out the rest of the season they will continue to be in disarray. The big question is are there going to be big-time free agents wanting to go to Los Angeles? If they dont get another big name guy, they are going to have the same problem. AFP

Kobe Bryant will miss the rest of the National Basketball Association season as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered in December. AFP