Dear Khmerization,
First of all, allow me to express my sincere gratitude for your noble mission in efforts to bring information, in particular the important and sensitive one, to the good knowledge of your readers including myself.
It seems to me that, however, you might inadvertently omit to show an article published on The Cambodia Daily dated January 9, 2009 on "Without Set Fees, Money Talks at Records Office", which I believe is fairly worthwhile to bring to the public attention through your popular blog. And it would be appreciated if you can do so. Below is the entire article, but before typing it out please permit me to submit certain observations as follows.
Shortly after this article on The Cambodia Daily was published, the Minister of Justice issued a directive to his subordinate Criminal Record Office to act more properly, i.e. not to ask for unofficial fees from criminal record applicants. Yesterday, I went to have my application submitted for the purpose of applying to be a Bar Association membership (another very corrupt and cronysm-oriented body, though independent in theory and name) and I had thought that the directive would help improve the process and reduce corruption at the Office. Yet surprisingly, though perhaps not unexpectedly, I almost could not find an official to submit my application to. All of them, except the only very kind lady, said that they now postponed to accept applications and used very rude words towards applicants asking us to move away and not disturb them working (unlike when they got well paid with unofficial fees). That is how corruption is in Cambodia. I may condone that those government officials have little amount of wage and need those fees to support their living. But have not they corrupted and bribed for too long? Last but not least, how much could the appropriateness of the criminal clearance record be expected, given it is done in a short period while there is no reliable computerized system of judicial recording?
Best regards,
Click here to read the related Cambodia Daily's article
