Dear Readers,
The World Bank has provided the Cambodian government with more than $100 million to assist governance reform at various sub-central levels of the state. These funds were also aimed at protecting the indigenous people. On the contrary, these monies are instead assisted in cementing the ruling Cambodian People's Party at the local level, at the expense of the indigenous people. In fact, the monies have been used/ misused in violations of the World Bank policies.
For those of our readers interested in the plight of Cambodia’s indigenous minorities, you might find the analysis on this blog thought-provoking: http://elgc.org/. It tells the story of how the World Bank helps the government to remove indigenous peoples from control over their own communities, lands and resources and to place them instead at the bottom of a predatory state hierarchy. I recommend everyone to read the article in the link above. It is very interesting indeed.
Khmerization
10 comments:
When giving the money to the corrupt govt, like the Hun Sen govt. the World Bank must put in place a mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability. From what I read in the link, I think that the project that is supported by the world bank failed to protect the indigenous people. In fact, the world bank's money helped to cement the CPP's power. Instead of helping the indigenous people, the money helped to displaced the very people it intended to help. The world bank must review or monitor this project very closely.
CPP breaks campaign pledge to build school in Kampong Thom
Written by Cheang Sokha
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Phnom Penh Post.
Teachers say an election defeat in the district led the ruling party to abandon the project and auction off the leftover construction supplies.
TEACHERS in Kampong Thom's Baray district say the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) broke a campaign pledge to build a new school after it failed to win the district in last month's national election.
Prime Minister Hun Sen promised teachers a new 12-room school and reception building during a visit to the district's Tep Nimit pagoda in March, teacher Sun Thun said, adding that Kampong Thom parliamentarian and Minister of Tourism Thong Khon enthusiastically endorsed the plan.
According to Sun Thun, who is also president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association in the province, construction on the school began in May but came to a halt after the July 27 polls, in which the CPP lost 400 ballots to the opposition Sam Rainsy Party in the district.
"All construction materials were removed during the night and later sold at auction," Sun Thun said. "I think the CPP spent a lot of money here, and when they didn't get the votes, they became spiteful."
A SCHOOL IS ... NOT A CAMPAIGN PROPAGANDA STUNT.
Workers completed nearly 30 percent of construction, Sun Thun said, and the district's 1,800 students face overcrowding in the coming school term if the project remains unfinished.
"The building of a school is a national achievement, not a campaign propaganda stunt," he said. "If we had the room, our children would learn well."
Din Sokran, first deputy chief of Treal commune and a member of the SRP, said the end of construction was certainly linked to the CPP's election loss in the district.
"They were angry when election results came in and showed a loss of support in the district," Din Sokran told the Post Wednesday.
Thong Khon rejected allegations that the CPP had broken its pledge, saying construction was temporarily stopped because contractors failed to meet necessary building standards.
He said the district will get a new 12-room school in a different location, as well as six rooms that workers finished before construction was halted at the old site.
"We determined that construction did not meet the proper standards, so we decided to build at a nearby location," Thong Khon told the Post Wednesday. "The school will receive more buildings than originally requested, but it won't be finished by the start of the upcoming term."
Hey ah Hun Sen it is time that you behave like an adult?
I mean your 56 years old man.
Fuck why you such a dumbass?
lesson to be learned: in cambodia, when donating money by WB, ADB, etc... one must supervisor the entire process to make sure the money that was meant for the helping in reform or development etc... must be supervised by the donors. otherwise, this sort of corruption will not go away as people are greedy in nature when it comes to a large sum of money. be smart about it. of course, i would use that money too if i were given a large sum of money and not being follow through. i think this can happen anywhere in the world; it just cambodia is the center of the attention right now due to differing political stance or whatever.
The source of this information is very important. The researcher is very kind for us to seek truth happening a piece among those erroneous implementation of the government.
In chapter of Indigenous Peoples, the author is very got us in dept in nation-state building in the concept of multi-dimensional perspectives.
Minor groups and IP in Cambodia has hugely contributed to nation-building of Cambodia. Their rights should be taken care and concerned.
KY
Yes, our indigenous people must be looked after and not treated like a second class citizens. world bank must ensure that the money is properly used. these kinds of world bank money must not be used to strengthen anyone party's power, let alone the cpp power. leave our indigenous people aloen, let them leave in peace.
We know our government is corrupt but the worldbank talk about good governance all the time. who is holding them accountable? If the world bank not complies with its policies but is complicit in our government's crimes, who bring them to justice?
I'd have to agree with the above comments - although the World Bank is charged with a high moral ground, it rarely fills this standard. It looks like its actions here verify that it is just as swayed by interest groups as the government.
member states who contribute to the world bank deposits will hold the world bank accountable. in turn the world bank must hold the cambodian govt. accountable.
so when will members states start holding the world bank accountable? when will the the world bank begin holding the government accountable?
Can both get away with blatantly violating legal agreements? If the information in this post is accurate, someone should go to jail, and not just in Cambodia.
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