IRI survey rejected: Groups

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

After the International Republican Institute (IRI) issued its report on Tuesday claiming that 77% of Cambodians believe that the country is moving in the right direction, government opposition groups have expressed their displeased reactions to this report. Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) told The Mekong Times that he rejected the IRI results because all the road, school, hospital developments are not on par with the amount of loans and grants provided by foreign aid. He said that if, indeed, the government is leading in the right direction up until now, all the roads in the country would be paved with asphalt, electricity would be available all over the country, and the salaries of civil servants and teachers would be increased so that these workers would have a decent living condition already. Kem Sokha, HRP president, also rejected the IRI report, and he considered this report as not being correct. Kem Sokha said that the Cambodian people are not pleased with the current government leadership as indicated by the IRI survey, and their displeasure also extends over to the economic and social policy. He added that the survey based on a sample of 2,000 people cannot provide reliable results.

IRI: Cambodia's top 3 problems are corruption, drugs, and crimes

IRI: Cambodia faced with 3 major problems

29 November 2007
By Ouk Sav Borey Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Based on opinion survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) among people of voting age, Cambodia is faced with 3 major problems: (1) corruption, (2) drugs and (3) crimes. IRI director John Willis made this declaration during a press conference at noon on Thursday 29 November 2007.

He said that the results of the opinion survey collected from 2,000 eligible voters from 22 provinces and municipalities. The survey was conducted between 27 August and 31 September(?) 2007 by the IRI to learn about the level of understanding of democracy in Cambodia. He said that among those who were questioned, Cambodia is facing three major problems.

John Willis said: “Therefore, if we compare to the impact on daily living condition and the secondary impact in Cambodia, the No. 1 problem is corruption …”

He added that, based on the results of the opinion survey of eligible voters aged between 18 and 24-year-old, this group of voters said that the top problem is drug, followed by corruption and poverty and debt. For those older than 25-year-old, they mainly talk about corruption being the main problem in Cambodia, followed by crime, and the drug problem comes last, along with environmental problems, and land evictions.

Regarding this opinion surveys among eligible voters, (CPP MP) Cheam Yiep, said that all these problems are (dealt with) in the government’s rectangular strategy. Currently, Cambodia still does not have an anti-corruption law yet, but the government was able to curb down a number of corruption cases, Cheam Yiep claimed. Regarding the drug problems, the government is actively fighting against this issue also, Cheam Yiep added.

Cheam Yiep said: “Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, prime minister of the kingdom of Cambodia is paying attention on these problems.”

(SRP MP) Eng Chhay Eang said about this opinion survey: “There is a number of information which made these results credible, however, a number of other information is still unclear.”

Nov Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, said that the IRI report is not completely perfect, the government can accept only 50 to 65% of its results only. He said that countries under development will meet poverty, corruption, drugs, crimes and debts.

Nov Sovathero said: “And, we can consider this (IRI report) as an opinion, as a basic document which we can use to set our policy in the near future.”

John Willis said that, nevertheless, this opinion survey was conducted to learn about the IRI work and to learn about the level of knowledge of the population on democracy. IRI also wants to gather voters’ opinion on what they want and what they demand as far as reform is concerned in their country. It can also be used by political parties to set up their strategy for the upcoming election campaign – should they want to use this opinion survey.