Protesters in Sisophon (Photo: DR, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)04 Nov 2008
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Rice distributions to needy people sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) raise waves of indignation in the provinces of Pursat and Oddar Meanchey.
According to Kuoy Kakada, an investigator for Licadho in Pursat who was reached by phone, almost 220 people traveled on Tuesday 04 November to the Thnot Chum commune office, Krakor district, Pursat province, to protest against the corruption which affects the distribution of rice in the Phum Thmei village. Kuoy Kakada traveled to the village and he noted that “the neediest people did not receive anything, whereas families owning oxen and motorized tillers, i.e. relatively well off, received rice rations. The latter are very close to the village chief and some receive 2 or 3 portions!” The interim district governor promised the demonstrators that new distributions will take place for them. The protestors then left to go home without being really convinced by these promises. In this village, villagers who lived there the longest were brushed off whereas those who recently arrived were not.
When asked over the phone, a representative of the protesters testified: “I am not certain that I will receive rice. We are in between seasons, and we don’t have any more rice stock. In some homes, they don’t even have one cup of rice in reserve.”
Ly Ponn, the Krakor interim district governor, said that “the distribution of rice went well. The village chiefs have followed well the directives given by the National Authority for the Prevention of Natural Disasters. It was the poor who received the rice. There was no diversion in favor of the village chiefs’ families. The latter have registered their houses in advance for the need.”
On that same day, in the province of Oddar Meanchey, 85 families from the Kon Kreal commune went to demonstrate in front of the provincial governor office in Samrong. Their demands were the same as those villagers from Pursat. Yen, a 60-year-old widow living alone complained that she did not receive anything. “Some had their names registered on the list of those who should receive aid, but they were not called in during the distribution. Others received only 3 to 4 kilos of rice, it’s not normal,” she accused.
According to Srey Naren, an Adhoc investigator in the province, “the authorities simply replied that it is now too late, therefore, the villagers are ready to continue their protest tomorrow.”
According to Kuoy Kakada, an investigator for Licadho in Pursat who was reached by phone, almost 220 people traveled on Tuesday 04 November to the Thnot Chum commune office, Krakor district, Pursat province, to protest against the corruption which affects the distribution of rice in the Phum Thmei village. Kuoy Kakada traveled to the village and he noted that “the neediest people did not receive anything, whereas families owning oxen and motorized tillers, i.e. relatively well off, received rice rations. The latter are very close to the village chief and some receive 2 or 3 portions!” The interim district governor promised the demonstrators that new distributions will take place for them. The protestors then left to go home without being really convinced by these promises. In this village, villagers who lived there the longest were brushed off whereas those who recently arrived were not.
When asked over the phone, a representative of the protesters testified: “I am not certain that I will receive rice. We are in between seasons, and we don’t have any more rice stock. In some homes, they don’t even have one cup of rice in reserve.”
Ly Ponn, the Krakor interim district governor, said that “the distribution of rice went well. The village chiefs have followed well the directives given by the National Authority for the Prevention of Natural Disasters. It was the poor who received the rice. There was no diversion in favor of the village chiefs’ families. The latter have registered their houses in advance for the need.”
On that same day, in the province of Oddar Meanchey, 85 families from the Kon Kreal commune went to demonstrate in front of the provincial governor office in Samrong. Their demands were the same as those villagers from Pursat. Yen, a 60-year-old widow living alone complained that she did not receive anything. “Some had their names registered on the list of those who should receive aid, but they were not called in during the distribution. Others received only 3 to 4 kilos of rice, it’s not normal,” she accused.
According to Srey Naren, an Adhoc investigator in the province, “the authorities simply replied that it is now too late, therefore, the villagers are ready to continue their protest tomorrow.”
6 comments:
it's prosperous economy and great achievement by the ruling parties when credit is being used to feed the people, not development...
Pravo Sadach Techo!
We do not believe that Cambodia's economy is prosperous anymore.
The real estate prices are plummeted; people are starving, and the world severely suffered from credit crutch. Also, this will have a major effect on Cambodia, especially when the country is solely depends on foreign donations. However, when foreign donations are drying up, the Cambodian government will find other resorts to assist its people (not the foreigners). Now, it's time for the Cambodian government teach its people how to fish by utizing how-to-fish approach. yes, now it's the time for Cambodia to learn how to be self-sufficient (not depending on other countries, especially when the government officials driving expensive vehicles and luxurious villas while the people are starving to death). The government needs to demonstrate its accountability and become indepedend.
The time is now.
That's what will happened to you when you try to steal lands and temples from Khmer people in the neighboring countries.
According to Samdech Hun SenVarm proudfully has said,
"Who insanely have said that Cambodia is not moving into the right direction?
During the early 80's, Phnom Pehn was like a ghost town, there were no bikes, no cars, but we have more bikes and more cars on every street!"
11:42 PM
Brother, please tell this son-of-bitch to cease and desist fucking his peopple to please his criminal master (Yuon).
Rest assured, his and others' -- who are with him -- days are numbered.
Ah Kwack Hun xen and ah pret Tep Vong encourage people to do evil thing! cheatting and coroptting!
May lightning strike their eyes!
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