UN Experts Slam ‘Downward Trend’ in Cambodia’s Political Rights and Freedoms
Two United Nations human rights experts expressed concern Wednesday about what they said is an escalating trend of repression by Cambodia’s government of dissent as part of a bid to silence political opinion, prompting the country’s ruling party to dismiss their claims as “fake news.”
— RFA
Tax revenue up 28 percent
The General Department of Taxation (GDT) collected more than $1.3 billion in tax revenue during the first five months of the year, an increase of 28 percent compared to the same months last year.
— Khmer Times
Cambodian journalists call for an end to ‘espionage’ charges against colleagues
Cambodian journalists called on the country’s Appeal Court to drop all charges against two former Radio Free Asia (RFA) journalists as it prepares to hear their cases again on Friday.
— Thmey Thmey News
Hundreds of children in hospital with dengue
A serious dengue fever epidemic is affecting Cambodia, with nearly 600 children hospitalised in the five Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals on Monday alone, a statement posted on the Kantha Bopha Foundation’s official Facebook page said on Wednesday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Huawei to build undersea cable
China’s Huawei on Monday announced a plan, in partnership with China Communications Construction Co, to install an undersea fiber-optic communications cable connecting Sihanoukville and Hong Kong.
— Khmer Times
Cambodia, China working to enable more exports
Chinese officials last week visited Longmate’s banana factory in Kampot in a move hailed as an effort to allow more Cambodian agricultural goods to enter the world’s second-largest economy.
— Khmer Times
Manufacturing sector prepares for Industry 4.0
Industry experts yesterday discussed the role of automatisation in the garment and textiles industry as the sector braces itself for the changes that will inevitably come as a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
— Khmer Times
Korean investors eye construction sector
With the construction sector booming in Cambodia, pushing for higher demands of building materials supply from abroad, investors from South Korea are stepping in and seeking opportunities to import materials into the Kingdom.
— Khmer Times
China set to help Kingdom’s bike industry pedal forward
A brand new factory is emerging on a 20ha plot in Phnom Penh as part of a plan to shift production of millions of bicycles from China to Cambodia.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Singapore and Kingdom meet in first political consultation
Sixteen senior officials from the Cambodian and Singaporean foreign affairs ministries met on Wednesday in Phnom Penh for the first Cambodia-Singapore Political Consultations following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2017.
— The Phnom Penh Post
U.S. fines firms transhipping via Cambodia to dodge Trump’s China tariffs
The United States has fined several companies for exporting goods via a Chinese-owned special economic zone in Cambodia in a bid to dodge President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, a U.S. Embassy official told Reuters on Wednesday.
— Euro News
Minister says committed to ensuring quality education
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron said on Tuesday that he is committed to guaranteeing quality education for the 21st century, with well-trained and professional teachers.
— The Phnom Penh Post
PM’s Facebook Page Releases a Documentary Video on His Sacrifice for the Nation
“Marching Towards National Salvation for Jan. 7” is the title of the documentary video on the sacrifice of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen for the country’s liberation from the Khmer Rouge’s genocide.
— AKP
Spokesmen to be more proactive with media
The Royal Government Spokesperson Unit yesterday announced it will hold weekly briefings with the media in a bid to make the unit more proactive in addressing public concerns.
— Khmer Times
CDI Recalls the Resolution Urging the EU to Treat Cambodia Fairly
Centrist Democrats International (IDC-CDI), recalled the resolution urging the EU to treat Cambodia fairly, speaking in the second CDI working group meeting for the establishment of the CDI Institute on Wednesday at Sofitel Phnom Penh.
— Fresh News Asia
Fixing Gaps in Cambodia’s Biodiversity Management
Cambodia has launched an initiative to build business case for increased investment in the Kingdom’s biodiversity management.
— AKP
New Office of City Bus Authority Opened with Handover of 80 More Vehicles from Japan
Capital hall authority has cheered the opening of a building for Phnom Penh Autonomous Bus Transportation Authority with official handover of another 80 city buses from Japan.
— AKP
Tuk-tuk and rickshaw drivers heed call for training
The Phnom Penh Public Works and Transportation Department yesterday said 8,487 drivers of Indian auto rickshaws and tuk-tuks have taken a free traffic law course since it began in March, with officials calling on all those who have not yet participated to take the class before it ends next month.
— Khmer Times
Report details arrests in face of criticism
A few days after Interior Minister Sar Kheng addressed critics over a lack of arrests when it comes to drug ringleaders, the National Authority for Combatting Drugs yesterday issued a report noting that authorities have apprehended a dozen suspected ringleaders and 52 of their associates during the first five months of this year.
— Khmer Times
Hun Manith rubishes fake news on $100 million in bank
Lieutenant General Hun Manith,Defence Ministry Military Intelligence Department director, today dismissed as fake news, an allegation that he deposited $100 million in a bank in America.
— Khmer Times
Tea Banh slams ‘invasion’ comments
Defence Minister General Tea Banh yesterday renewed criticism over the use of the word invasion when describing the Vietnamese liberation of Cambodia in the 1970s and 80s, calling those who use the word unforgivable.
— Khmer Times
Women, children most vulnerable during disasters
The government and civil society officials have said that women and children are the most vulnerable during natural disasters, noting that Cambodia is among countries with the highest risk of natural disasters occurring.
— Khmer Times
Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone: No Companies Fined for Evading Tariffs
Recently, some media reported that officials of the US Embassy in Cambodia told the media that some enterprises in Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (hereinafter referred to SSEZ) evaded US tariffs on Chinese goods through transshipment, SSEZ general manager Cao Jianjiang told Fresh News on Thursday.
— Fresh News Asia
Ruling Party Hosts Centrist Democrat International Working Group Meeting
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) hosted here on June 20 the second Centrist Democrat International (CDI) Working Group Meeting for the Establishment of the CDI Institute.
— AKP
Rice Storage and Drying Facilities to Be Constructed in 10 Provinces of Cambodia
Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, on Thursday, presided over the signing ceremony of a Trade Agreement on Promotion of Rice Production and Rice Exports in the framework of a concessional loan from the People’s Republic of China between Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak, and Chen Xiaojia, chairman of CITIC Construction Co., Ltd.
— Fresh News
Gov’t to control online cosmetic sales
Minister of Health Mam Bunheng said on Wednesday that the ministry is planning a draft law to control online sales of cosmetics, body-building and other health-related products in a bid to prevent people falling victim to counterfeit or unauthorised goods that could be harmful to health.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Banh marks anniversary of PM’s ‘struggle’
Minister of National Defence Tea Banh will commemorate the 42nd anniversary of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s struggle to reach Vietnam and return with troops to topple the genocidal Khmer Rouge.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Activists Urge Government to Take Concrete Measures to Keep EBA
The group told VOA Khmer that the Cambodian government needs to restore democracy and human rights in the country in exchange for the EBA trade preference.
— Voa Khmer
NA delegation leaves for Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Bangkok
National Assembly delegation led by its Second Vice President Khuon Sudary departedthe Kingdom to attend Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Leaders Interface in Bangkok for three days.
— Khmer Times
Cambodian embassy in Japan calls on citizens abroad to be cautious following earthquake
The Cambodian embassy in Japan has called on all Cambodians in the East Asian country to be cautious and avoid going to coastal areas following an earthquake that struck off the coast of Yamagata Prefecture in the north of the country.
— Khmer Times
Bill passed giving green light to Cambodian Inbar bureau
Cambodia has passed a bill approving the establishment of a national office for the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (Inbar).
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia set to host regional swimming championship
Cambodia is readying to host next week’s 43rd Sea Age Group Swimming Championships with the Khmer Swimming Federation asking for the support of the public in hosting the prestigious regional event.
— Khmer Times
Third of tuk-tuk drivers pass their driving tests
Only around a third of the 8,487 tuk-tuk drivers who registered for free road traffic law training passed their driving test and received licences, the Phnom Penh Municipal Department of Public Works and Transportation said.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Court summons unionist Ath Thorn
Phnom Penh Municipal Court has summoned unionist Ath Thorn to appear for a trial next week over his alleged involvement in a series of protests against Capitol Tours Bus Company in 2016.
— Khmer Times
Reporters face defamation, extortion charges
Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court yesterday charged two journalists from Kraing Meas online news platform with public defamation and extortion after a complaint that was filed against them by tycoon Tea Vichet.
— Khmer Times
Attention: Useful Barcamp Svay Rieng
For its first time, Svay Rieng province will host series of workshops and forums on technology, business startups and job opportunity from June 29 to 30 at Svay Rieng University.
— AKP
Cambodia Proposing 12 Sport Subjects to Upcoming 2019 World Police and Fire Games
Ministry of Interior of Cambodia will include twelve sport subjects to the upcoming 2019 World Police and Fire Games in Chengdu, China.
— AKP
TedxRUPP 2019, launches its first event
TEDxRUPP 2019, launched its first event in Cambodia with more than ten speakers from different industries, such as businessperson, photographers, vloggers, writers and professors, in early of June at Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center [CJCC].
— Khmer Times
Sar Kheng proposes land dispute resolution
Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng has proposed the establishment of a village and the construction of roads for the people living on a disputed land plot in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Ksan district.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Chip Mong Bank taps Compass Plus to support Cambodia launch
Digital lender Chip Mong Bank has opted for the TranzWare solution from payments software provider Compass Plus to support operations in Cambodia.
— Verdict
Cambodia’s landmine-hunting rats
In Cambodia, over 19,000 people have been killed by landmines and explosives, and another 51,000 have been injured by these remnants of war. Wars and conflicts between 1971 and 1993 resulted in an estimated 6 million landmines being planted in the country.
— South China Morning Post
Vehicle damage shuts Sihanoukville road
The Preah Sihanouk provincial administration has announced that it will temporarily close Sihanoukville’s Street 146C, which connects National Road 4 at the provincial Military Police headquarters with Otres beach on Thursday, as it has been badly damaged by heavy vehicles during the rainy season.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Transvestite law student sentenced to one year in jail over post insulting Khmers as animals
Phnom Penh Municipal Court today sentenced a 23-year-old transvestite law student to two years in jail. However, one year had been suspended making him eligible to be freed after serving just one year.
— Khmer Times
Drugs raid at Poipet fishing site
Poipet municipal authorities have decided to shut down a fishing site in Poipet town after it was found to have been used as a location to deal and use drugs. More than 140 people tested for illegal substances there on Tuesday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Fort surgeon hails Cambodia trip a success
A pioneering trip to Cambodia to teach surgical skills to medics in the South-East Asian country has been hailed a success by retired Fort William doctor David Sedgwick.
— The Oban Times
Bicycle maker to open factory in capital
Chinese bicycle manufacturer Shanghai General Sports will relocate some of its production to Cambodia to circumvent punishing US tariffs resulting from the trade war with China.
— Khmer Times
Feature photo ECCC/ Sok Heng Nhet
This week’s Cambodia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, June 19.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Cambodia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Cambodia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Justhine De Guzman Uy
After graduation she worked at the Philippine Broadcasting Service performing transcription and business news writing, before moving to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation where she worked as a news editor, translator and production assistant.

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