Cops prevent Boeung Kak Lake residents to hand over their petition to the Council of Ministers

ប៉ូលិស​រារាំង​បាតុករ​ដាក់​ញត្តិ​នៅ​គណៈរដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​

10.09.2012
By ហេង រស្មី
Voice of America

ភ្នំពេញ​៖ កម្លាំង​សមត្ថកិច្ច​​ជា​ច្រើន​រាប់​សិប​នាក់​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​សុក្រ​នេះ​បាន​រាំង​ខ្ទប់​ដល់​ក្បួន​ដង្ហែរ​មួយ​របស់​អ្នក​ភូមិ​បឹង​កក់​និង​បូរី​កីឡា​ដែលចង់​ដាក់​ញត្តិ​ជូន​លោក​ឧបនាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​សុខ អាន​ រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​នៃ​ទី​ស្តី​ការ​គណៈ​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ក្នុង​គោល​បំណង​សុំ​ការ​អន្តរាគមន៍​ឲ្យ​ដោះ​លែង​សកម្ម​ជន​តវ៉ា​ឬរឿ​ង​វិវាទ​ដី​ធ្លី​ពីរ​នាក់​ដែល​កំពុង​ជាប់​ឃុំឃាំង​នៅ​ពន្ធនាគារ​ព្រៃស។​

ក្រុម​អ្នក​តវ៉ា​បាន​យក​ក្រណាត់​ក្រម៉ា​មក​ចង​លើ​ក្បាល​ កាន់​ពាក្យ​ស្លោក​ ផ្កា​ឈូក​និង​កាន់​រូប​ថត​អ្នក​ស្រី យោម​ បុប្ជា​និង​អ្នក​ស្រី​ទឹម សាក់​មុន្នី​ ហើយ​ដើរ​ស្រែក​និង​ច្រៀង​បទ​ចម្រៀង​​ពី​តំបន់​បឹង​កក់​មក​ទី​ស្តី​ការ​គណៈ​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី។​

«​ដោះលែង ​ដោះលែង.....ដោះលែង»។​

Eternal Peace ... palace

Overlooking from 3M floor, the Cambodian Secretariat Room for the 20th ASEAN Summit, Peace Palace. (Photo by: Chhuon Naroeun on Facebook)

Strategy for the management of Public Debt for the period of 2011-2018

One the topics discussed by the Council of Ministers on Friday 10 February 2012. This document pertains to the strategy for the management  of Public Debt for the period of 2011-2018.

http://www.box.com/s/cuj66j7y75zg1od4bs4v

Sub-decree on the creation and the operation of the National Committee for the Assessment of Clean City

One the two sub-decrees discussed by the Council of Ministers on Friday 10 February 2012. This sub-decree pertains to the creation and the operation of the National Committee for the Assessment of Clean City

http://www.box.com/s/gy8pkvdr3emjjcomevgl

សម្តេចឪអញ្ជើញសមរង្ស៊ីចូលរួមពិធីចម្រើនព្រះជន្ម - King Father invites Rainsy to crash the party (Repost)

http://www.box.net/shared/pdk238y6n16bjoki1q0c

MONDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2011
MEAS SOKCHEA
The Phnom Penh Post

Self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy has claimed an invitation from King Father Norodom Sihanouk to attend his birthday today is proof the royal family are at odds with the government over his criminal convictions.

The leader of the eponymous Sam Rainsy Party who lives in France said he received the invitation on Saturday to attend the annual celebration of Cambodia’s former leader, contradicting convictions against him in relation to disputed territory with Vietnam.

“[That] the King [Father] has the feeling to allow the Royal palace to send a letter to me means that the King [Father] regards me the same as other parliamentarians . . . without problems, as the government has accused,” he said yesterday.

Spouse exchange sub-decree

First Day of April 2011

Everyday&night.com
Translated from Khmer By Soch

During the Council of Ministers meeting held at the Eternal Peace Building in Phnom Penh this morning, deputy-minister Sok An brought up an important topic that required high-level decision. According to an anonymous source at the Council of Ministers (his initial is P.S.P.), H.E. Sok An indicated that, during a secret meeting between his wife, Chumteav Toch Sok Annie, and Cambodia’s first lady, H.E. Chumteav Thom Dr. Bun Rany, held at the Naga Casino Hotel, H.E. Chumteav Thom Dr. Bun Rany bitterly complained about the dishonorable situation faced by her family: following the second marriage between her daughter, Ms. Hun Mana, to H.E. Dy Vichea, son of late General Hok Lundy, she was quite concerned that this union may result in many children that would make the Hun family loses face. Indeed, H.E. Dy Vichea was once married to Ms. Hun Chantha, the first cousin of Ms. Hun Mana. Therefore, any children resulting from the union between Ms. Hun Mana and H.E. Dy Vichea will surely hit a snag: how will these children call Ms. Hun Chantha? Should they call her Aunty Chantha and should they call them step-mom Chantha?

Facing with this huge dilemma that could decided the future of Cambodia and the future of the CPP itself, H.E. Chumteav Thom Dr. Bun Rany had decided to seek counsel from Chumteav Toch Sok Annie. While the meeting was being held, the hotel staff was ordered to blast the song “Any” by the late singer Sin Sisamouth so that nobody could hear the secret conversation between H.E. Chumteav Thom Dr. Bun Rany and Chumteav Toch Sok Annie.

Latest casualties number from the clashes in Preah Vihear

14 Feb 2011
By Panhavoan
Cambodia Express News
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Phnom Penh – The Council of Ministers issued the latest casualty number from the 4 clashes with Thailand in Preah Vihear between 04 and 07 February. The latest toll is heavy.

The number of dead is 7: 4 soldiers, 1 police officer and 2 civilians. There were 31 injured: 30 soldiers and 1 civilian. 3,000 families including about 10,000 people were evacuated to 7 refugee camps in 3 districts. 50 of the refugees became ill after the attack. 2 police stations and 3 houses were destroyed.

The 12 Feb statement by the Council of Ministers indicated concerns, especially regarding the use of illegal weapons by Thailand, such as poison from cluster bombs and attack on civilians as well as on public refuge for the poor.

There are also major damages reported on the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cambodian government called this even a true war, and it is looking for international intervention in order to end the Thai aggression.

King Inaugurates Chinese-Funded Government Building

(Photo: CEN)

The “Friendship Building” will house the Council of Ministers, which administers executive work as the prime minister's cabinet, although the prime minister and his advisers will work in a separate building. (Photo: by Seung Sophat)

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 19 October 2010

“I profoundly thank the government of People's Republic of China and those who are architects and engineers that provided funds and helped to build a very good Friendship Building for the Council of Ministers.”

King Norodom Sihamoni inaugurated a new building for the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, thanking China for a reported $50 million contribution.

The “Friendship Building” will house the Council of Ministers, which administers executive work as the prime minister's cabinet, although the prime minister and his advisers will work in a separate building.

“I profoundly thank the government of People's Republic of China and those who are architects and engineers that provided funds and helped to build a very good Friendship Building for the Council of Ministers,” Norodom Sihamoni said.

The king recently returned from China on Oct. 10, following a two-week visit, where he took part in the Shanghai World Expo. His father, former king Norodom Sihanouk, remains in Beijing for health reasons.

“China has constantly provided Cambodia in all domains,” Norodom Sihamoni said Tuesday.

Chinese Ambassador Pang Guang Xue said China would “continue its assistance” to “a good friend, a good neighbor, good brothers and sisters, and good partners.”

Cambodia has maintained a close relationship with China for decades, including military and political support. China recently provided several rounds of military equipment shipments, including one of military trucks after the US suspended a similar package for human rights concerns.

Will Hun Xen rest in peace in his new gaudy "Peace Building" donated from China?

The newly dubbed "Peace Building" a donation from China for Hun Xen's Council of Ministers (All Photos: CEN)

Entrance to the facilities

The king (R) and his adopted brother Hun Xen (L)

Dignitaries of the regime

Hail to the king ... well more like kneeling to king

Grand inauguration ceremony held for Cambodia's new gov't office building donated by [Big-Brother] China [to Little-Brother Hoon Xhen]

October 19, 2010
Xinhua

It was a sunny day and it is also the special day for the history of traditional friendship between China and Cambodia.

In the morning of Oct. 19, the new office building of the Council of Ministers, donated by China and officially named by Prime Minister Hun Sen as "the Friendship Building", is formally inaugurated in a grand ceremony.

The adjacent Prime Minister Hun Sen's large new office building was also inaugurated in the same ceremony and dubbed the "Peace Building."

In compound of the new site of the Council of Ministers, the national flags of China and Cambodia are waving in the air. Over 1, 000 people holding China and Cambodian national flags in their hands lined on the roads to welcome King and other distinguished guests.

At 8:30 am Tuesday morning, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrived at the ceremony site. He presided over the inaugural ceremony and cut the ribbon together with Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue to mark the official opening of the new government office building.

The National Assembly President Heng Samrim, Minister of Council of Ministers Sok An and other senior government officials, as well as some diplomats and lots of people from all walks of life attended the ceremony.

King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Monineat Sihanouk who were now in Beijing, China, have also extended their congratulation to this inauguration ceremony.

The inauguration was preceded by a religious ceremony at which monks were pressing the new office. Khmer girls in their traditional costumes performed traditional Khmer dancer "blessing dance".

In his passionate speech, Prime Minister Hun Sen valued highly of the building donated by Chinese government saying that the 7- story building with 40 meters high was first initiated and achieved through the visit of Wu Yi, then deputy prime minister of the People's Republic of China in March 2004.

He said during Wu Yi's visit, she was sympathetic with the ruined old government's building which was built in 1960s and suggested her government to support this new building.

B-41 shell exploded in Bangkok did not come from Cambodia: PQRU

Tith Sothea, mouthpiece of the Council of Ministers' Press and Quick Readion Unit

22 March 2010
By Leang Delux
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

The Cambodian Council of Ministers rejected the claim made by a Thai Channel 3 TV presenter regarding the explosion of a B-41 shell in Bangkok on Saturday morning. The TV presenter claimed that the shell could be imported from Cambodia. Tith Sothea, the mouthpiece of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit (PQRU) of the Council of Ministers, declared that this comment is baseless and that Bangkok used the news to serve its own political interest.

Cambodia rejected a comment made by Thai Channel 3 TV which indicated that B-41 rocket launchers that were discovered during a armed fight in Bangkok on Saturday morning were imported from Cambodia. This comment displeased Cambodia and earned Cambodia’s reaction.

Tith Sothea, mouthpiece of the Press and Quick Reaction Unity (PQRU) of the Council of Ministers, told reporters on Monday 22 March that the comment made by the Thai Channel 3 TV does not have clear basis, and that it was intended to incite, disrupt relationships and create tensions between the two countries.

Tith Sothea added that any country can have B-41 rocket launchers, and even Thailand itself owns numerous of them. He indicated that Thailand used to provide guns and refuge to third-parties to attack the Cambodian government [most likely referring the anti-Vietnamese fights during the 80s].

Tith Sothea indicated that the Abhisit government always used propaganda to fool the national and international opinion, in particular, by linking its problems with Cambodia.

Tith Sothea said that Thailand has a strict law to prevent flow of armaments and drugs into Thailand. In fact, according to Thai news media from the end of last week, Thai border police have tightened the checking on Cambodians who crossed over to Thailand under the present circumstance whereby the Red Shirts are demonstrating in Bangkok.

The Thai news media quoted Thai border police in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province, as saying that special forces are strengthening the border checking, including body patting, in order to prevent the transport of armaments and drugs into Thailand.

Video Meeting Joins Local, National Government

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2010

Local authorities and military commanders joined a weekly meeting of ministers Friday through video conferencing in Phnom Penh that officials say will strengthen communication between central government and outlying authorities.

Governors, council chiefs and other officials from 24 municipalities and provinces joined in discussions at the weekly Council of Ministers meeting, along with six commanders from military zones, in what Prime Minister Hun Sen called a historic moment.

The meeting was meant to “speed up” human resources development in technology to provincial and city governors and others, according to a statement from the Council of Ministers.

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, said the opposition supported the measure, “to help promote the prevention of corruption, deforestation, road reparation, project development and the protection of people’s security and safety.”

However, while an effort to strengthen its effectiveness through technology was positive, he said, “the government should additionally increase its willingness to respect and fairly implement the law.”

Land-grabbing and other “injustices” continue to plague the populace, he said.

Ny Chakrya, a lead investigator for the rights group Adhoc, said the video conferencing would provide an element of transparency to the government, while “providing urgent information to local government’s to fulfill their work and to agree on the goals of the government.”

The video conferencing could be shown on television networks for people to watch, he said, “because people sometimes want to know what the cabinet decides and whether the local government fully implements the decisions of the cabinet.”

Cambodian government holds first video conference

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian government held a video conference on Friday for the first time since it took office in 1993.

The weekly Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen involved as many as 350 officials from Phnom Penh and all provinces across the country, said Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Council of Ministers.

He said several governors were able to communicate with Hun Sen during the morning session.

He added that the new technology helped government save a lot in terms of timing and budget spending.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please have pity on Xamdach Khmer Rouge Hun Xen for he was the victim of the Khmer Rouge regime he served

KI-Media Note: It appears that the theme of "attacking individuals rather than the government" used in the following clarification letter is very similar to the threat posted by an anonymous KI-Media reader against VOA and RFA reporters. A mere coincidence? Most likely not. Anybody wants to guess where this threatening anonymous reader works?

Click on the clarification in Khmer to zoom in

Translation from Khmer by Socheata

Council of Ministers
Press and Quick Reaction Unit

Clarification

According to the broadcast by Voice of America in the morning of 23 September 2009, H.E. Sam Rainsy, President of the Sam Rainsy Party, used a forum organized by the club of Thai journalists in Bangkok to criticize and attack the leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), in particular, Samdach Akkok Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho (SAMSBDDC) Hun Xen, calling him a former Khmer Rouge leader, and the [the latter is] using all means to silence the opposition voice. Regarding this unjust accusation, the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers is providing the following clarifications to the national and international opinion:

The [reason] Cambodian people is alive and receives everything as they are today is due to the gratefulness of the 07 January 1979, under the highest leadership of VIPs, such as Samdach Akkok Moha Ponhea Chak Krey Heng Xamrin, Samdach Moha Thormok Pothisal Chea Xim and SAMSBDDC Hun Xen who are currently the top leaders of the Senate, the National Assembly and the RGC, and they are also the top leaders of the CPP as well.

Under the genocidal Pol Pot regime, SAMSBDDC Hun Xen was a victim at that time, he fled the pursuit by the Khmer Rouge to kill him, and he joined with other VIPs to form the 02 December front to help liberate the people of Cambodia out of the killing fields, this is contrary to the accusations made by the opposition leader. Besides leading the liberation of the people from the genocidal regime, SAMSBDDC Hun Xen applied the win-win policy to successfully destroy the political and military Khmer Rouge organizations, and he cooperated with the UN to form the Khmer Rouge tribunal to currently judge the Khmer Rouge leaders as well.

After the 1993 election, the Cambodian kingdom No.2 upholds a plural democratic regime, and the constitution, which is the supreme law of the state, guarantees and protects the freedom of expression rights, the freedom for journalists, [the freedom] to form associations, to gather, etc… In fact, currently, we have newspapers, bulletins, magazines, radio stations, television stations, associations of journalists, for a total of 660 units, as well 2,800 NGOs, and other organizations that are conducting their activities freely in the kingdom of Cambodia and overseas, this is contrary to the accusations made by a group of immoral people. Currently, when the nation is filled with total safety throughout the country, the application of the rule of law is the primary goal of the government led by SAMSBDDC Hun Xen, only peace and the rule of law can lead the country to development according the national development policy and the rectangular strategy. The RGC respects the freedom of expression by the people, in particular that of journalists who have expert training, but they cannot use their journalist title to affect the honor of others. Therefore, any action that incites, divides the national society, causes anarchy in the society, violates the rights of others, they must absolutely be curbed through the administration of a country that is civilized, i.e. through the use of the legal system under the rule of law.

In summary, the Press and Quick Reaction unit believes that H.E. Sam Rainsy cannot maintain his dignity as politician. He always uses his personal freedom to select a foreign location to criticize and attack the country leaders, calling them dictators. H.E. Sam Rainsy never dares criticize the political goals of the government, such as criticizing the rectangular strategy and the various reforms brought up by the government, but he is turning to attack individuals instead. The criticism on individuals is universally considered as total political immorality. The lack of morality by H.E. Sam Rainsy led him to shamefully lose to H.E. Hor 5 Hong, the vice-PM and minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, [in the latter’s lawsuit] at the Paris court recently. To preserve dignity, we hope that this opposition leader will act with common sense, without seeking revenge [in order] to unite in the building and development of the country, in order to help alleviate poverty for the Cambodian people.

Done in Phnom Penh, 23 September 2009
Press and Quick Reaction Unit

Tobacco Law Urged on International Day

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
01 June 2008

Health workers urged the Cambodian government to adopt a law on tobacco control, as the country observed World No Tobacco Day Tuesday.

“Please approve the draft law on tobacco control as soon as possible to fulfill [Cambodia’s] duty as a country that has signed or that is a member of the tobacco control treaty,” said Mom Kong, executive director of the Cambodia Movement for Health. “The approval of this draft law is also an aspiration of the Cambodian people.”

The law on tobacco was drafted in 2003, but it has not been passed by the Council of Ministers.

Health Minster Nuth Sokhom said that even though the law has not been passed, the ministry had taken measures to help people through education at schools, ministries and places of work.

However, Cambodia cannot put strong conditions on cigarette imports without a law, he said.

Cambodians spend about $69.5 million each year on cigarettes, he said.

Corruption in Public Works Ministry's $40-Million Road Repair Projects Feared

Sun Chanthol

29 Jan 08
By Den Sorin
Moneakseka Khmer
Translated from Khmer by Anonymous

An official of the Ministry of Economy and Finance [MoE&F] said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) gave Cambodia more than $40 million for repairing 950 kilometers of roads throughout the country. This road repair does not specify which roads will be repaired so long as they are roads throughout Cambodia estimated to be some 950 kilometers that need repairing. This length of damaged roads needing repair would require some $40 million in expenses that would be granted by the ADB.

A MoE&F official said that according to the agreement, the ADB has handed over this money to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport [MoPW&T] to handle. But in reality, the money is under the control of the Council of Ministers Cabinet. Before the MoPW&T spends the money, it has to get prior approval from the Council of Ministers or it would have no authority to spend this money.

Sun Chanthol, minister public works and transport who is a son-in-law of Khaou Chuly, owner of the K-Cement Company of Kampot province, is known to be ready to defect to the Cambodian People's Party [CPP]. Sun Chanthol is a former official of the FUNCINPEC [National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, and Peaceful Cambodia] Party and was state secretary for the MoE&F from the FUNCINPEC quota in the first government.

According to a senior FUNCINPEC Party that is on the verge of collapse, Sun Chanthol is not a former resistance fighter nor is he an activist of the FUNCINPEC Party. He joined FUNCINPEC during the first general elections. He just contributed some tee-shirts with the FUNCINPEC logos on them and, in return, he was awarded the post of state secretary for the MoE&F. After the 1997 coup d'etat Sun Chanthol disappeared from the public eyes for a while. Some FUNCINPEC officials said that he was waiting to see which direction the wind blew. Now his waiting paid off. After FUNCINPEC tumultuously expelled Prince Ranariddh, he turned to Nhiek Bun Chhay and has since been made minister of public works and transport.

The official at the MoE&F who asked to remain anonymous said that in a developing country like present-day Cambodia the MoPW&T is a very lucrative post because Cambodia needs to build roads and bridges and most of the foreign grants and loans are for building roads and bridges. However, because Sun Chanthol is not a CPP official, Hun Sen would not let him gobble all the money alone. He has transferred the bulk of the budget for the construction of roads and bridges to the engineering corps. Nowadays, the MoPW&T can build only a small number of roads and bridges while Hun Sen gives the rest to the engineering corps with Khvan Siem as commander to build.

The MoE&F official said that although the more than $40 million was the grant from the ADB, which was entrusted to the MoPW&T to control and manage, but this money was also under the supervision of the Council of Ministers Cabinet. Therefore, this money is not entirely handled by the MoPW&T. A large part of it is under the control of the engineering corps as well. However, although the engineering corps and the MoPW&T are the ones who build roads and bridges, the Council of Ministers still is going to get a big cut out of the construction budget. This is why the Council of Ministers is keeping the money.

The MoE&F official said that the projects to build roads, irrigation networks, bridges, and other facilities, if they are financed by the ADB, always have to go through biddings, meaning that it is a little bit difficult for government officials to lay their paws on this money. However, the money for repairing roads and bridges that are damaged in spots is not subject to biddings. Consequently, the corrupt officials have a chance to swallow it.

The MoE&F official further said that more than $40 million is a lot of money. If the aid donors do not control it or monitor it with care, it would not escape being embezzled by the corrupt officials. If the money falls into the hands of the corrupt officials it is not different from giving steroid injections in their arms. As for the Cambodian people, they will continue to be poor.

At every forum to inaugurate social constructions, Hun Sen always boasts about his achievements. However, most of the constructions are financed with foreign grants or foreign loans. The national budget accumulated by the government for national development is scarce. Therefore, if these corrupt officials steal from the national coffers, they should not steal from foreign aid, too, because the aid donors have declared that they want to aid the Cambodian people. Anyway, in the end, the foreign aid still ends up in the hands of corrupt officials.

Number of NA seats will remain at 123

Saturday, June 9, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 08 June 2007 morning, and presided by Prime Minister Hun Sen, has voted to approve the draft law determining the number of seats for the 4th mandate of the National Assembly (NA). The draft law preserves the same number of seats at its current number of 123.

At a plenary meeting, the council of ministers agreed and approved the draft law determining the number of seats for the fourth mandate NA based on Article 7 of the law for the election of lawmakers. The council has decided to preserve the same number of seats of 123, based on its review of the current social and economic situation of Cambodia.

Recently, the Sam Rainsy Party and civil society officials called on the government to increase the number of NA seats to 135 because of the increase in the population size, therefore, the government should also increase the number of lawmakers accordingly so that there is a sufficient number of lawmakers to take care of their constituents.