"Didn't anybody tell you guys that in the kingdoom of blinds, the one-eye blind like me is the king?"September 3, 2010
By Ulara Nakagawa
The Diplomat
"One can only hope that the government of this vibrant and resilient nation will come to put its people’s long-term well-being first when making such major decisions that for now seem entirely about short-term gains for its economy"It isn’t the likeliest place to house Asia’s tallest building, but Cambodia has officially made known that it plans to build a skyscraper that stands 1,820-feet (555-metres) high in its capital city of Phnom Penh. The slightly ‘off’ nature of this news hasn’t gone unnoticed by many. The Associated Press for instance states (with a hint of irony?) that the new structure will stand in ‘a dusty city of colonial villas (and) slums,’ while Reuters points out that ‘real estate companies questioned whether there was much demand for a building half a kilometre high in the capital of one of Asia's poorest countries.’
KI-Media Note: Oh, come on, Ms. Nakagawa, did you already forget that you wrote at the beginning of your article: "the impoverished nation, which has lately also been garnering international criticism on human rights issues"? Do you believe such regime would heed your hope?
Indeed, it seems ironic that the impoverished nation, which has lately also been garnering international criticism on human rights issues, would be investing such a large sum of public funds into a building that seems to be no more than a status symbol for the government and the few well-to-do. Construction of the proposed tower, as publicly announced this week by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, doesn’t have a scheduled starting date yet, but will cost about $200 million to build.
Meanwhile, there is also talk of another large infrastructural change brewing in the small country—the construction of a titanium mine in Koh Kong province that is slated to begin next year. This project, which would be the largest mine ever built in Cambodia, has drawn protests locally and from around the world, as it threatens to destroy ‘144,000 hectares of protected forest in the district, as well as ecotourism projects that support 150 families in Chi Pat commune.’
I visited the unforgettable Chi Pat village last year, and spoke to members of the Wildlife Alliance conservation organization there, who mentioned to me that this area is also an important elephant corridor (the Southwest Elephant Corridor), and that ecotourism (not titanium mines) offers hope for the majestic creatures’ future survival.
Non-profit organization Care2 lays the facts out eloquently on their website, describing the area threatened by the proposed mine, the Cardamom Mountains, as a home also to species like Malayan sun bears, pileated gibbons, Siamese crocodiles and half of Cambodia's bird species—on top of being inhabited by the 100 wild Asian elephants, the country's largest population.
Care 2 also reminds us that the project will likely damage to rivers key to fisheries, agriculture and drinking water for local populations and wildlife and spoil ecotourism programs in the region that ‘bring revenues and jobs to poor rural people while preserving the natural environment.’
Furthermore, it seems that the Cardamom Mountains are very close to being recognized globally as being a prime example of the conservation movement and an ideal model for community-based and sustainable economic development. But, according to the organization, ‘if the government allows mining, for the sake of a few years of mineral extraction, Southwestern Cambodia would lose forever the forest, the elephant corridor, and the chance for a sustainable future for local communities. All that would be left would be a massive hole in the ground and surrounding ecological devastation.’
One can only hope that the government of this vibrant and resilient nation will come to put its people’s long-term well-being first when making such major decisions that for now seem entirely about short-term gains for its economy.
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Ulara Nakagawa
Ulara Nakagawa is associate editor of The Diplomat. Now based in Tokyo, she has worked in related fields for organizations including the The Ministry of Education, The Economist Group and has written for publications including The Japan Times. In addition to her current line of work, she is interested in finding pathways to contribute positively to the world community, the Internet, photography, cross-cultural topics, oral tradition, nature programs, sustainable food and more .
20 comments:
This jackass Hun Sen seems to think that he is famous all over Cambodia. Now he daydreams of staking his fame on the world stage. Why doesn’t he do something good to his country for once? His problem is to have too many yes-men advisors by his side.
200 million dollars could create a lot of jobs for the unemployed Cambodians.
A skyscraper over the city slump, what is a sharp contrast?
we must all gather to protest, not only when one person is arrest, but when the entire nation is under arrest and tyranny like this we must come out in far greater number.
What is wrong with this deplomat? How he know building the tallest building in Asiacell is financed from public? This is private company issue and the government support the move. That Island already lease to private company for 99 years old. It bring more confidence to investors to Cambodia and it is a nation's pride. Building such tallest building gone take time around 10 years. Do you think that 10 years later is same as now in term of economics? My buddha, why you are so blind? If the private sector think they can benefit, it will do. The government can not force them.
The government also has plan in electricity, boosting rice production, fishery, irregation system, infrastructure...etc. If we can do all at the same time, why not? Private sector play very important role in improving GDP.
Yes, Yes, Yes and Hun Xen, his wife and families (in the photos underneath)will all be moving to the tallest tower once it's being built, nevermind how long it will take. That will give plenty ideas of challenge for SOK AN and other nouveau riches to contest with the initiative.
8:52! if belong to the privatesector why ah Kwack back like a wounded dog??????
What is wrong with this one eye monkey? How he braged building the tallest building in Asia like financed from public or himself?
The private company need the government support the move. That Island already lease to private company for 99 years. It to prove or make ilusion that CAMBODIA can bring more confidence ans give cambidian a fall national pride. Building such tallest building gone take time around 10 years. Do you think that 10 years later is same as now in term of economics? See cambodia in 2001 and now (2010) people get poorer and some have fell like they were in 19775.
My buddha, why you are so blind? If the private sector think they can benefit, they may lie. The government can not force them.
The government also has plan in electricity, boosting rice production, fishery, irregation system, infrastructure...etc. If we can do all at the same time, why not? Private sector play very important role in improving GDP. So you just talk about goverment project don't be so stupid ah Kwack Hun Xen!
8:52 PM
9:19PM
Why bother asking question to 8:52PM?
The person's analysis just simply want to show off his/her economic writing skill and think-tank ability.
Before Phnom Penh even attempts to contemplate about building Asia's tallest building, it seriously needs to look at itself in the mirror. PP doesn't even have an adequate sewage system nor does it even have proper storm water drainage systems. Perhaps build proper public housing for poor people and revamp the entire city's infrastructure and social programs.
What SenVarman's ironically dreaming statement is he always confidendly or exclusively believes that his jop will be heavenly last forever!
Very true, a blind country lead by one-eye man. Disgraceful!
When monkeys become worthless PhDs, they are more than being happy to show off anything they possess. These PhD monkeys just want to show to the world that Cambodia, too, is as rich as other rich countries, especially the neighboring Thailand. In fact Cambodia does not need to waste money building such an unnecessary skysraper while Khmer people are crying for help from the government. Why don't the PhD monkeys build big water reservoirs where there is not enough water for Khmer people to use for their farming or build good rods to some isolated big villages? What will skyscraper benefit Khmer people in general?
tHE MONKEYS HOPE TO BECOME kING kONG 10 YEARS! THEY NEED BUILDING TO CLAIME UP!
EVER SEE THE MOVIE KING KONG?????
YOU ARE ALL BLIND! THIS IS THE TRANSLATION OF THE CAPTION!
Please, do not mix politic with economic reason, they are completely different.
Do you remember early this year from the donor conference ???
The more opposition party is going around and talked about the corruption in Cambodia, the more money the gov. receive from the donors. It is because the economic reason. There are more investors going to Cambodia now then ever before in the past.
There are some Cambodian (in Cambodia)are better off then Cambodian in the US right now. Some of them have 4 years degree and couldn't even find a job.
Please, don't feel bad when you hear Cambodia is getting better every year. I think Cambodia deserve it.
The corruption is going to be there. It doesn't matter who in charge, but you have to improve from within not yelling from the outside and pretend that you are a better person.
12:34AM! the yelling not to pretend of how I am better than you! But to remind people inside and outside cambodia to reconize the evilthing ah kwack Hun Xen and tugs are doing to Cambodia!!!!!
Don't be sorry when majority ready to get up!!!!!!!!!fools!
Hun Sen is very blind or crossed eye that's why he couldn't see all corners around him. Why he is continuing serves the YUON?
Wake up HUN SEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it will build it cost ca. $500 millions, not $200 Millions. Where come this money from?
Throughout history it has been in Cambodian gene to erect strutures like Angkor Wat, and the many other temples in the country.
It is no surprise Hun Sen is trying to do the same. Perhaps he wants to compete with Jayavaraman.
To Cambodian leaders it is okay for the average people to live in huts and shacks as long as they can build super structures.
Hun Xen`s insanity idea is no where far away from Pol Pot.Pol Pot earned communism doctrine which he didn`t care about the well-being of Khmer,so does Hun Xen now is so materialistic from the free world that he wants to show off himself that he is better than the old ASEAN.Look at those countries and their people lives,they are far better than
Khmer in term of living standard of the over all entire country.For example,look at the Steong Meancheay dump.It made me sick to see that that guy!.
Why Cambodian rulers have too many advisers
(In this regard, they are clever; they are not stupid; it is a plan – not accidental)
. They try to keep many real supporters around themselves – away to maintain / keep them to serve their partisan politics as well as to collect their families and relatives to vote for them.
. Because they use those advisors as their spies – as trusty species – to confidently use them for their partisan interests (since those ‘so called advisors’ are subservient for their benefits either).
. Because these rulers are not competent enough to reason correctly and critical enough to the heart of the problems; therefore they need many heads to speak out one word here one word there when they decide something. Too many advisors eat up too much state’s fund – at the expense of their people’s sweats, poverty and tears.
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