By Kong Sothanarith
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by KI-Media
Early yesterday, police forces surrounded the Banana Center private school, located next to Electricite du Cambodge (EdC), then they emptied the buildings of all equipments found inside. The students who were not warned of this operation, were prevented from entering the facility. The eviction from the buildings put an end to a land dispute between Banana, an affiliate of Norton University, and the ministry of Information who owned these buildings. Six years ago, the ministry rented for a 15-year lease these buildings to the private school. However, recently, the ministry wished to get back the buildings to house the personnel of the national radio who are currently located in a building in the Stung Meanchey district which must be sold to the Phanimex company.
It was only Tuesday that we received the order from the Council of ministers which was signed 17 July. We had a lease which will end in 2014, therefore, we were not prepared for the move. The government should have waited for the end of the 2-year school cycle before evicting us,” the director of the school which trains 1,900 post-graduate students complained.
According to Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information, the discussions between his department and the school started since March. “We discussed a lot with the school administration to find a middle ground. We even reserved $200,000 for new buildings for the students. The director said yes before he came back on his decision. Finally, the file was sent to the office of the Council of ministers which decided to put to an end this dispute. It ordered on 17 July the eviction of the buildings. We can no longer wait because the salary of the personnel of the national radio is not high enough, it is preferable for the personnel to work at the center of Phnom Penh, closer to where they live,” the minister explained.
“The government should allow the students to end their school year before evicting the school. It (the government) does not set a good example,” an investigator of human rights NGO Adhoc said.
It was only Tuesday that we received the order from the Council of ministers which was signed 17 July. We had a lease which will end in 2014, therefore, we were not prepared for the move. The government should have waited for the end of the 2-year school cycle before evicting us,” the director of the school which trains 1,900 post-graduate students complained.
According to Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information, the discussions between his department and the school started since March. “We discussed a lot with the school administration to find a middle ground. We even reserved $200,000 for new buildings for the students. The director said yes before he came back on his decision. Finally, the file was sent to the office of the Council of ministers which decided to put to an end this dispute. It ordered on 17 July the eviction of the buildings. We can no longer wait because the salary of the personnel of the national radio is not high enough, it is preferable for the personnel to work at the center of Phnom Penh, closer to where they live,” the minister explained.
“The government should allow the students to end their school year before evicting the school. It (the government) does not set a good example,” an investigator of human rights NGO Adhoc said.
5 comments:
Hahahha.......it is Norton University's karma. Because they wanted to pay low leasing cost. That's why they deal with government!!!!!! I just hope this university will not use their students as a tool to fight back government in order to gain their own benefit. It is KARMA.
Can anyone guess how much government rent to Banana for 15 years? If you know you will be shocked!!!!
According to Koh Santehpheap Newspaper, government contracted to lease to Banana center in usd 2,500 for first 5 years, 3,000 for second 5 years, and 4,000 for last 5 years. It was extremely cheap. That's why government always have no money!!!!!!!! I believe the new company (Phanimex) rent this large building with very very low cost too........!!!!!!!!!!!
It is very interesting! American embassy also located near Wat Phnom! Oh well! There is a saying that opportunity never lost. ahahah
That is a practical corruption of Ah Kanharith especially the corruptions of Hun Sen CPP party
All Cambodia people knows that very well
Why are everybody laugh and made fun of Banana School? I think who wrote these comment are living abroad and should know that It doesn't matter how you were charged for the rent, when you signed the lease the leaser or leasee have no right to break the lease.The amount of the rent should honor till the end of the lease.
That's the bad sign of corruption of the government.I am sick and tired of this F;;government.
Post a Comment