Upheaval can have its benefits

Civil protest is still relatively novel to Cambodia's political scene. Widespread discontent among the youth marginalised by lack of economic opportunities may be at the forefront of this upheaval taking place in the streets but this represents just one area of societal neglect that Cambodia's one-party ruling 'administration' has consistently been failing to address over the last two decades - School of Vice

The Phnom Penh regime is counting on martial means and tactics to keep street protest and popular discontent from boiling over. Even the salaries of these police officers are one area of neglect that the regime has long overlooked, and following its recent poor showing in the polls the Hun Sen 'government' has quickly moved to increase the salaries of certain sections of these security personnel in a bid to win over their political loyalty and to neutralise the opposition's promise to improve civil service pay in general. The country as a whole is at that stage of socio-political development or a cross-roads where the authoritarian state is witnessing unanticipated reactions against and outcomes of its own systematic over-reliance upon the use of party machinery and economic patronage or institutionalised corruption to keep its major party organs [judiciary, security, executive and affiliated economic bosses] well oiled and thus loyal, and the overall state engine running. Whether this engine continues to run with or without token or illusory reforms remains to be seen. What the country needs is fundamental overhaul of the entire administrative apparatus; something that is diametrically at odds with the essence of such an apparatus that, like any defunct communist state administrative model has been kept on a life support machine that in turns relies upon continued doses of terror and mass propaganda to ensure order and public submission - School of Vice

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Letter to the PPP

Fri, 20 September 2013

Heinz Wiese 

Dear Editor,

The present upheaval in Cambodia is one of the best things that could have happened to this country.

Just imagine another overwhelming CPP victory and the crushing weight of corruption and nepotism to be endured for another five years. At the same time, it is the right time to reflect on what has gone wrong in the past.

As a foreigner it is appropriate for me to reflect on my country’s performance. And there is a dismal record. Embassies and agencies have been basking in the usual self-praise of their achievements, at the same time admitting that more has to be done (so they can keep their jobs).

Again and again we hear the argument that too much pressure is counter-productive (and inconvenient for all sides) and so no pressure at all on the government to reform has been applied and the past years have changed nothing.




It has been a story of wink, wink, say no more. The CPP, embassies and agencies are working hand in hand for their own benefits and to the detriment of the people (those who miss out on the corruption). Let me give you an example.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is responsible for a lot of donations. This can be done in two ways. With some effort to make sure it stays fair and just, or by simply handing it over to the government (which is the same as handing it to the CPP).

Sadly the second (more convenient) way seems to have been chosen. Donated rice has been handed over to so-called village elders (people appointed by the party) to distribute more or less as they please in a work for food program.

Besides the fact that this is legally questionable (work is a form of payment and the donations stipulate that there should be no payment for the rice) and also unfair since it discriminates against the sick and the weak who can’t work, but are most in need of help, it also plays into the hands of the CPP, who make themselves out to be the true source of this benevolence.

By distributing the rice they are also adding to their reputation of power and influence and thereby the ability to intimidate. This fits into the picture of their main task of controlling the votes. Another example is that the police often seem strangely reluctant to supply ID cards and then you have a so-called village elder coming to the rescue and exerting his influence. All Glory to the party.

All of this shows the laziness and thoughtlessness we foreigners have displayed in this country. Not least the inability to tie all donations to actual improvement of the situation. One of the most ridiculous excuses by governments not to do so is that Cambodia then would turn to China. Really?
Since when has China actually given money to Cambodia (instead of lending it, which means it has to be paid back with all its consequences)?

Burma has soon enough come to realise this and is desperately trying to free itself from the Chinese embrace. So the present situation seems to be somehow beneficial since it seems to focus the minds of all concerned, instead of going back to business as usual.

Heinz Wiese
Phnom Penh