By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
19 December 2008
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday ordered a clampdown on slot machines and other gambling instruments nationwide.
"I found 12 slot machines in Phnom Penh, two in Sihanoukville and one in Kandal province that have abused the government's directive," Hun Sen told the Council of Ministers.
Hun Sen pushed the Finance Ministry to control hotels with slot machines in Phnom Penh, adding, "We don't allow Khmers to play."
Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha said Friday he doubted the order would be implementing, citing as examples attempts to shut down illegal checkpoints and smuggling operations, as well as failed attempts to reform the judiciary.
"I always hear Prime Minister Hun Sen issue orders to eliminate corruption and robbery, but the government never does that," said Heang Rithy, chairman of the Cambodian National Research Organization.
Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yiep said the government was willing to do what was in the public interest. Gambling was destroying society, "so we don't want it to happen in Cambodia," he said.
"I found 12 slot machines in Phnom Penh, two in Sihanoukville and one in Kandal province that have abused the government's directive," Hun Sen told the Council of Ministers.
Hun Sen pushed the Finance Ministry to control hotels with slot machines in Phnom Penh, adding, "We don't allow Khmers to play."
Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha said Friday he doubted the order would be implementing, citing as examples attempts to shut down illegal checkpoints and smuggling operations, as well as failed attempts to reform the judiciary.
"I always hear Prime Minister Hun Sen issue orders to eliminate corruption and robbery, but the government never does that," said Heang Rithy, chairman of the Cambodian National Research Organization.
Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yiep said the government was willing to do what was in the public interest. Gambling was destroying society, "so we don't want it to happen in Cambodia," he said.
11 comments:
Hey mr YounYeap! what about those chicken fight R cox fight! R you going to do something about that too..? it's gambling!!
This is a good move by the goverment but will this really help d sociaty? Wondering how many cambodian people will b added into d list of jobless.... current recession is not enought?
One question, Cambodia doesnt have any impact from the GLOBAL CRISIS? ....trying to create one of its own kind?????? Soon we will see how much Cambodian able to absorb this impact.....
In reality, all Hun Sen barks and Hun Sen determinations are in opposit. THe way he barks, he wants more moneys from those outlets to pay. They must forget tp pay him so he needs to remind them publicly. Areak Prey
What is casino legal... and eligal
mean??? give money to me is legal
if you dont give me money...is ELIGAL.....
That is my LAW..
High ranking RULE
Khmer sork ka.
Stupid laws,it means all khmer are jkout can't play it I live in the State there are too many Casinos ,they prohibited only under 21 of age to play. New thing to me?
gambling is a form of entertainment, however, i think cambodia should confine gambling to a certain area of the country only. like in the USA, only couple areas are legalized for gambling, not just anywhere and everywhere! that's the difference!
agreed that khmer people should not be allowed to gambling in cambodia. otherwise, the poors will steal and gamble their life-savings aways without regard to children and family welfare.
3:17 got the point folks! i agree with ya!
Agree with 3:17 also... In Cambodia i do not know how many sport betting or Combo6 and most of khmer people in Cambo6 was young khmer. Sometime i can see school boy enter into this sport betting center as well.
i think it was a good start...
Look, I rarely agree with the government on anything, but on this one, i really believe a great move. At least, it put an end to a seemingly unstoppable momentum of gaming industry's growth. Unemployment or other forms of benefits from this silly industry have little role to play here, especially when considering the price we have to pay for social unrest, drop in moral values...
I hailed the policy.
Post a Comment