Gov’t Staff Barred From Discussing Bank Scandal
By Prak Chan Thul
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The Council of Ministers has issued a gag order forbidding government employees from speaking to the media about the World Bank corruption scandal, according to documents obtained Wednesday.
Those violating the new policy, enacted by the Council of Ministers July 7 and conveyed to government ministries in the form of a directive the following week, will face immediate suspension or dismissal from their jobs, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith confirmed on Wednesday.
"Some people do not understand anything but they try to make comments anyway," Khieu Kanharith said. "These issues affect international relationships."
If asked about North Korea's missiles, government officials must appeal to all sides to return to the negotiating table, the directive also said. The Cambodian government also opposes UN Security Council involvement in issues relating to Burma, but supports a visit there by the president of Asean, it adds.
The notice also instructed ministries involved in the World Bank scandal to prepare budgets estimating the amount of money they will need to continue their projects should "the partnership with the World Bank break up."
The circular also said the government intends to pay back loans owed to the World Bank.
Moeun Chhean Nariddh, a media trainer, argued that it is the government's duty to provide information to journalists.
"The government’s job is to serve the public so their work must be transparent."
Government bans, he added, usually show that officials are "hiding something they don't want to reveal."
Monh Sophan, a Funcinpec lawmaker, said the new policy does not concern him. He suggested journalists looking for information should get it from the World Bank.
"For me, it is no problem because I am a lawmaker and I have the right to express my opinion," he said.
Those violating the new policy, enacted by the Council of Ministers July 7 and conveyed to government ministries in the form of a directive the following week, will face immediate suspension or dismissal from their jobs, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith confirmed on Wednesday.
"Some people do not understand anything but they try to make comments anyway," Khieu Kanharith said. "These issues affect international relationships."
If asked about North Korea's missiles, government officials must appeal to all sides to return to the negotiating table, the directive also said. The Cambodian government also opposes UN Security Council involvement in issues relating to Burma, but supports a visit there by the president of Asean, it adds.
The notice also instructed ministries involved in the World Bank scandal to prepare budgets estimating the amount of money they will need to continue their projects should "the partnership with the World Bank break up."
The circular also said the government intends to pay back loans owed to the World Bank.
Moeun Chhean Nariddh, a media trainer, argued that it is the government's duty to provide information to journalists.
"The government’s job is to serve the public so their work must be transparent."
Government bans, he added, usually show that officials are "hiding something they don't want to reveal."
Monh Sophan, a Funcinpec lawmaker, said the new policy does not concern him. He suggested journalists looking for information should get it from the World Bank.
"For me, it is no problem because I am a lawmaker and I have the right to express my opinion," he said.
1 comment:
"Some people do not understand anything but they try to make comments anyway," Khieu Kanharith said. "These issues affect international relationships."
What about AH KHIEU KANHARITH himself and did he understood anything over the years about international relationship? The whole international community had been condemning AH KHIEU KANHARITH government over and over again regarding poor treating of poor Cambodian people and all the fucken eviction taken place right now!
Even a little baby borned to this world want to talk and who gave this bastard the right to tell Cambodian people to shut up? Any Cambodian have the right to talk about any thing or any matter and no AH KHIEU KANHARITH or the Vietcong can't tell Cambodian people to shut up!
Cambodian people can help Cambodia alot by talking of joining with countries that has the winning record! So far Cambodia had been joining a sorry countries that are losing economically and internationally! The reality is clear and just look at Cambodia right now! Cambodia is in a state of despair,destitute, and despotism!
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