Tuk-Tuk Ad Ban Puzdes Lawmakers, Businessmen
By James Welsh and Prak Chan Thul
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Confusion reigned Tuesday over City Hall’s ban on tuk-tuk drivers displaying commercial advertising, while one SRP lawmaker said the new legislation harked back to the communist 1980s.
It emerged Monday that Phnom Penh municipality has banned all commercial advertising on the city's three-wheeled "tuk-tuk" taxis in order to preserve "public order" and the beauty of the capital. Tuk-tuks can only carry adverts about bird flu, AIDS and domestic violence.
"This is a communist style of economy," SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann said, warning that such policies will create uncertainty and scare away investors.
"If you go against the free market economy principle it affects the investment from inside and outside Cambodia," he said.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema, who issued a directive announcing the new rules in November, declined to speak to a reporter Tuesday.
Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said the decision was taken to give the municipality more control over what tuk-tuk drivers choose to advertise.
"Sometimes we don't know with whom they [advertise]," he said, though he did not explain why this was a problem.
"With NGOs it is no problem as we believe it benefits society," he said.
Mann Chhoeun declined to comment on whether the ban would affect the local economy, before referring further questions to Deputy Governor Map Sarin, who said he was too busy to speak to a reporter.
One business expert said on condition of anonymity that the effect of the order on the overall investment climate would be minimal, though he added that it could set an unwelcome precedent.
"Once you start down this road, where do you stop?" he asked.
Tim Smyth, managing director of Indochina Research, said that the reasons behind the ban were unclear.
Smyth said he doubted the order would ward off investors as the government has already done a lot to make the country more investor friendly over the last two years.
But he added that given the high cost of gasoline, any extra income for tuk-tuk drivers would probably be very welcome.
"Tuk-tuks use [the adverts] to supplement their income when gas prices have gone up 30 to 40 percent," he said.
It emerged Monday that Phnom Penh municipality has banned all commercial advertising on the city's three-wheeled "tuk-tuk" taxis in order to preserve "public order" and the beauty of the capital. Tuk-tuks can only carry adverts about bird flu, AIDS and domestic violence.
"This is a communist style of economy," SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann said, warning that such policies will create uncertainty and scare away investors.
"If you go against the free market economy principle it affects the investment from inside and outside Cambodia," he said.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema, who issued a directive announcing the new rules in November, declined to speak to a reporter Tuesday.
Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said the decision was taken to give the municipality more control over what tuk-tuk drivers choose to advertise.
"Sometimes we don't know with whom they [advertise]," he said, though he did not explain why this was a problem.
"With NGOs it is no problem as we believe it benefits society," he said.
Mann Chhoeun declined to comment on whether the ban would affect the local economy, before referring further questions to Deputy Governor Map Sarin, who said he was too busy to speak to a reporter.
One business expert said on condition of anonymity that the effect of the order on the overall investment climate would be minimal, though he added that it could set an unwelcome precedent.
"Once you start down this road, where do you stop?" he asked.
Tim Smyth, managing director of Indochina Research, said that the reasons behind the ban were unclear.
Smyth said he doubted the order would ward off investors as the government has already done a lot to make the country more investor friendly over the last two years.
But he added that given the high cost of gasoline, any extra income for tuk-tuk drivers would probably be very welcome.
"Tuk-tuks use [the adverts] to supplement their income when gas prices have gone up 30 to 40 percent," he said.
5 comments:
Good and fair report, it did not
attack anyone.
Yes, and I tend to agree that this
ban could affect some of the
investment as the report indicated.
On the other hand, the government
must have a mean to block offensive
adverts that offence our culture.
Accordingly, I don't see why each
side can't compromised a little and
meet in the middle and done with
it. That is allowing the Tuk-Tuk
to advertise all legitimate
bussinesses where the art will
not offended our culture such as
tools, repair shop, restaurant,...
Any bikini shows... is considered
innapropriate for our culture and
should be banned.
For once I agree with your assessment. There should at least be a compromise.
Any incentive to raise money for Tuk Tuk driver is good for the country. They will have more money to spend and put back into the economy.
Thank you and I am sure we have
many common interest if you
think independently instead of
taking side or fall for the toons
or internet junks. Those materials
are not acceptable by any court
on this planet; thus you cannot
relied on it.
Bulshit! Everyone is eyeing only on tuk-tuk advertising that can be seen by a small number of people who travel along the road. Did dog-eater Kep Chutema has ever looked at advertising of cigarette and alcohol on Apsara and Bayon TVs? And does everyone know that TVs are seen by millions of viewers ?
Stop looking just at the small mistakes of small people, and instead you have to look at the big issues such as rampant corruption and land grabing by the powerful people.
this is an example of a small mind government.
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