By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
People living in the western province of Banteay Meanchey demonstrated to denounce the irregularities involved in the distribution of rice provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Accusations were made against the corruption by the local authorities.
Dozens of villagers from Punley commune, Phnom Srok district, held a demonstration in the morning of Monday 03 November to protest against irregularities which took place during the distribution of rice provided by the ADB. The villagers have directly accused the local authorities of embezzling a portion of the rice for themselves. The poorest villagers should have received 35 kg of rice each, but some families did not receive something at all. “Rice was not distributed to those who should receive it, but it went to families and clan members who are already rich,” the demonstrators accused.
Chhean Huot, the communal secretary, recognizes that aid embezzlement problem took place. Because of the demonstration, the Punley deputy village chief was questioned by the district governor and he would be dismissed, according to a rumor among the protesters. But, when reached over the phone, Kheuv Samphov, the Punley commune chief, rejected these rumors and replied that the deputy village chief was not dismissed. He also said that there was no problem in the distribution of rice. “There are political leaders behind this demonstration, in fact, in the village, the rich people are them because they own motorized tillers. They want to spread disorder by going against the authorities. This also happened in the neighboring village of Ta Vorng. In reality, the rice distribution went well, and only 5 to 10 villagers who have enough to live did not receive the distribution,” he explained.
The commune chief also complained about the trouble caused by these demonstrations which were heard all the way to the provincial governor. “But, we are currently resolving this problem,” he assured. Ung Oeung, the provincial governor, could not be reached about this issue. Last weekend, demonstrations were held for the same reason in the Ta Vorng village.
The ADB announced on Wednesday 08 October, the release of $35 million for urgent food aid in 7 provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang and Odday Meanchey. Surprisingly, Battambang, the first rice exporter of the kingdom, also receives this aid. Some poor districts in Phnom Penh also benefit from this program. The Cambodian government promised to contribute an additional $8.08 million for this aid.
Dozens of villagers from Punley commune, Phnom Srok district, held a demonstration in the morning of Monday 03 November to protest against irregularities which took place during the distribution of rice provided by the ADB. The villagers have directly accused the local authorities of embezzling a portion of the rice for themselves. The poorest villagers should have received 35 kg of rice each, but some families did not receive something at all. “Rice was not distributed to those who should receive it, but it went to families and clan members who are already rich,” the demonstrators accused.
Chhean Huot, the communal secretary, recognizes that aid embezzlement problem took place. Because of the demonstration, the Punley deputy village chief was questioned by the district governor and he would be dismissed, according to a rumor among the protesters. But, when reached over the phone, Kheuv Samphov, the Punley commune chief, rejected these rumors and replied that the deputy village chief was not dismissed. He also said that there was no problem in the distribution of rice. “There are political leaders behind this demonstration, in fact, in the village, the rich people are them because they own motorized tillers. They want to spread disorder by going against the authorities. This also happened in the neighboring village of Ta Vorng. In reality, the rice distribution went well, and only 5 to 10 villagers who have enough to live did not receive the distribution,” he explained.
The commune chief also complained about the trouble caused by these demonstrations which were heard all the way to the provincial governor. “But, we are currently resolving this problem,” he assured. Ung Oeung, the provincial governor, could not be reached about this issue. Last weekend, demonstrations were held for the same reason in the Ta Vorng village.
The ADB announced on Wednesday 08 October, the release of $35 million for urgent food aid in 7 provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang and Odday Meanchey. Surprisingly, Battambang, the first rice exporter of the kingdom, also receives this aid. Some poor districts in Phnom Penh also benefit from this program. The Cambodian government promised to contribute an additional $8.08 million for this aid.
1 comment:
You know what is happening? the so-called donation they distributed now is the laon from ADB ($US43 million)that all of us need to payback.
With double digit growth they claimed recent years, they should not borrow from ADB to give only to CPP affiliated recipients. The protest surfaces since the CPP never has any fare distribution in their mind. They keep those resource for the clan benefit.
The questions are (i) where is double digit growth? (ii) why they can not distribute those are in need? (iii) why only CPP affiliated recipients, if it's loan? is it only CPP'affiliated individual will payback to ADB. Come on, stop cheating us... If so you can not live in peace, today protest is a start.
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