Cambodia morning news for January 31, 2020

PM: Cambodians will not be evacuated from China
Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Thursday that Cambodians in China, a country in the thick of the novel coronavirus outbreak, will not be evacuated by the government.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian leader blasts online misinformation about virus
Cambodia’s leader urged people Thursday to remain calm about the new virus from China while threatening to kick out reporters or officials seen wearing a face mask.
— The Washington Post

Judge, Prosecution Suggest Foreign Funding and Assistance Given to Kem Sokha’s Political Party
The prosecution and a judge in the Kem Sokha’s treason trial strongly hinted on Thursday that foreign assistance and funding was given to the opposition leader’s Human Rights Party, though providing little evidence to support the thinly-veiled suggestion.
— VOA

Over 1,500 foreigners deported last year
The authorities deported 1,533 foreign nationals from 63 countries last year over various offences, according to a report presented during the General Department of Immigration Congress on Thursday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

PM refuses to let Wuhan virus affect relationship with China
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said the government will not let Wuhan virus fears affect the nation’s economy.
— Khmer Times

No Coronavirus on Cambodian: PM Hun Sen
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that Cambodia can contain the outbreak of Coronavirus, and that there is not a single case of virus reported on Cambodian, speaking at the briefing on Coronavirus, held Thursday morning at the Peace Palace.
— Fresh News

Do not ban flights from China because of coronavirus, says PM
Prime Minister Hun Sen said today that the Kingdom will not ban flights from China despite the Novel Coronavirus because it could affect tourism industry.
— Khmer Times

Fake news more dangerous than virus itself, says Cambodia’s Hun Sen
Prime Minister Hun Sen today called on social media users and other journalists to be prudent in reporting the status of the coronavirus in the country.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia forays into cryptocurrency with the central bank’s upcoming digital currency project
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) reportedly plans to launch a blockchain-based, peer-to-peer payment and money transfer platform in the next few months, as shared in Blockchain News.
— E27

Cambodia to release ‘blockchain-based’ digital currency this quarter
The central bank of Cambodia will launch a “blockchain-based” digital currency before the end of this fiscal quarter, Chea Serey, director-general of the National Bank of Cambodia, told the Phnom Penh Post earlier this week.
— Decrypt

First novel coronavirus patient in Cambodia healthy: PM
The first novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) patient in Cambodia is healthy, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Thursday.
— Xinhua

PM Hun Sen Gives Recommendations to Prevent Coronavirus
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has provided eight recommendations for Cambodian compatriots to prevent Coronavirus, speaking at the briefing on Coronavirus, held Thursday morning at the Peace Palace.
— Fresh News

U.S. interested in borrowing Cambodian ancient artifacts for exhibition
Cambodia and the United States of America have discussed a project proposal where in the latter will borrow the former’s ancient artifacts for its 2022 exhibition.
— Khmer Times

PM Hun Sen Urges People and Tourists to Travel as Usual amid Coronavirus (Video inside)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged all national and international tourists to travel across Cambodia as usual and not to over fear the new virus (2019-nCoV), addressing at the briefing on Coronavirus held Thursday morning at the Peace Palace
— Fresh News

Amnesty International Highlights Ongoing Oppression Of Gov’t Critics
More than two years after the main opposition party was dissolved and independent media were shuttered, rights group Amnesty International said civil and political rights, and press freedom in Cambodia remain severely constrained.
— VOA

Kem Sokha says his use of the word ‘change’ has been misinterpreted
At Kem Sokha’s trial on Thursday, the former president of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said the allegation against him for “conspiring with a foreign power” could have been due to a misinterpretation of his use of the word “change”.
— The Phnom Penh Post

The EU needs to appreciate Cambodia’s role and voice
Over the last two decades, the partnership between Cambodia and the European Union (EU) has been a good force for Cambodia’s development and integration to the international community
— Khmer Times

Brands accused of jeopardising jobs in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH – Garment manufacturers in Cambodia (GMAC) have accused brands and labour rights groups of jeopardising jobs by publishing an open letter criticising the country’s record on workers’ rights.
— Ecotextile

Cambodia Is Seeking International Cooperation to Investigate Money Smuggling
Kirth Chantharith, director-general of the General Immigration Department said Thursday that Cambodia has sent official requests to obtain the cooperation of China and South Korea to investigate the source of that money. “They have not responded yet,” he said. “So the Ministry of Justice is now helping and asking the Ministry of Justice in China to respond.
— Thmey Thmey

Bridging Cross-Cultural Gaps in the Workplace: Cambodia
“Things to Anticipate for Expats” reads largely on the screen as the speaker—Artisans Angkor CEO Pierre André Romano—gets ready to unpack the lengthy question of culture barriers at the EuroCham Cambodia’s breakfast talk.
— Thmey Thmey

Virus prompts warning of meat consumption
Two wildlife NGOs yesterday issued separate statements calling on citizens to cease the trade and consumption of illegal wildlife amid fears stemming from novel coronavirus.
— Khmer Times

Meta(L)morphose: a Modern Take on Phnom Penh’s Past
“The ideas I’m painting are of the older buildings of [the 1960s] before the war,” he said. “[A]fter I go back to my studio, I work on Photoshop and I delete all the modern cars and things that look modern to recreate some pictures that look old but are actually almost new.”
— Thmey Thmey

Please be ready for ASEM: Sokhonn
Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn has called on his officials to be well prepared so that the Asia Europe meeting slated to be held in Phnom Penh in November, could go smoothly.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia prepares to launch a central bank digital currency
Cambodia has become the next country to join the race for a central bank digital currency after reports of a digital yen.
— Cryptopolitan

Novomatic completes its first linked progressive jackpot installations in Cambodia
Austrian gaming giant Novomatic says it has installed its first linked jackpot progressives in Cambodia, working with local distributor Indo Pacific Gaming (IPG).
— Khmer Times

Schools to join heritage education programme
Five schools in Siem Reap province and two in Banteay Meanchey have been selected to join a heritage education programme implemented by the Apsara National Authority.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian opposition leader admits U.S. funding, denies…
Cambodia’s opposition leader admitted in a 2013 video clip played in court on Wednesday to receiving funding and advice from unspecified Americans but denied trying to overthrow the government of strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.
— Infosurhoy

Valentine’s Day blood drive seeks more youth donors
The Ministry of Health’s National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC) plans to hold a blood donation drive under the theme Donating Blood, Giving Love on February 14 to mark Valentine’s Day.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia Readies a Blockchain-Based Digital Currency
Chea Serey, NBC’s director-general, told the Phnom Penh Post this week the central bank was developing “the national payment gateway for Cambodia” as a blockchain-based, peer-to-peer platform with its own specially designed cryptocurrency. She did not give a definite date on when the CBDC would be launched.
— Coin Desk

Thousands of migrants rescued from trafficking
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation assisted with the repatriation of 36,262 migrant workers from foreign countries last year. Some of them were victims of human trafficking and abuse.
— The Phnom Penh Post

No new Virus Cases, But 4 Children Die In 3 Accidents
There have been no more cases of coronavirus in Cambodia. The single Chinese man who was found to carry the virus is doing well, and if his condition continues to improve he will return to China soon.
— CNE

More blue helmets to join UN missions in Lebanon
Cambodia on Thursday sent 184 blue helmets on a peacekeeping mission to Lebanon, where they will join troops from other UN members.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Prime minister demands end to fake news on virus
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday criticised several outlets for spreading misinformation on the Novel Coronavirus outbreak and instructed the Ministry of Information to do more to eradicate fake news.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Upset staffers protest lay-offs at capital’s waste collection firm
Some 80 employees at Phnom Penh’s former waste collection company Cintri (Cambodia) Ltd on Thursday filed a petition protesting working conditions and seeking Prime Minister Hun Sen’s intervention after the firm laid off more than 100 administrative staffers without proper compensation.
— The Phnom Penh Post

UXOs destroyed in Battambang town
Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) officials have successfully detonated unexploded ordnance in Battambang town, leading to roads being reopened in Svay Por commune.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Wing Wins Cambodia Best Employer Brand Awards 2020
Wing (Cambodia) Limited Specialised Bank, the leading mobile banking services provider in Cambodia, is honored to be awarded with Cambodia Best Employer Brand Awards 2020 at the 14th Employer Branding Awards. The event was hosted by The Employer Branding Institute, World HRD Congress & Stars of the Industry Group in Bangkok, Thailand.
— Khmer Times

Starbucks Cambodia Eliminates Single-Use Plastic Straws
Phnom Penh, January 31, 2020 – Starbucks Cambodia announced that they have eliminated single-use plastic straws from all stores by providing alternative paper straws option since November 2019, in line with global commitment to eliminate plastic straws by end of 2020.
— Khmer Times

Feature photo BirdLife International Cambodia Programme

This week’s Cambodia morning news feature photo focuses on raptors of Asean, here the Grey Vulture.

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).

—

About Cambodia morning news.

Cambodia morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Cambodia English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the freshest Cambodia English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Cambodia daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Cambodia news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.30am Phnom Penh time.

We clearly identify the source of all the Cambodia news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.

This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Cambodia news article, or keep on reading the remaining Cambodia daily news headlines.

Click here to get your Cambodia English language news today by email before 8am Phnom Penh time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.

For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.

#Independentmedia

Governance, not government; policies not politics.