Rit Kor Kamakor Khmer - "Choking Khmer Workers": A Poem in Khmer by Srey Sra'em

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Poem in Khmer by Srey Sra'em

Rice price increase: The Min. of Commerce accuses middlemen manipulating the prince, the Min. of Economy accuses foreign buyers from Thailand and VN

Gov’t accuses rice price increase on instigators

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Officials from the ministry of commerce said that the sharp increase in the price of rice in the past 2 weeks was caused by middlemen shaking up the price. On his part, Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh, believes that there could be people behind the instigation of this situation, this is why he called on the population to remain calm because the government is currently looking for these instigators. The Rasmei Kampuchea reported that on 24 March, the cheapest rice saw its price increasing from 2,000 riels ($0.50) per kilo to 2,300 riels ($0.58). The good quality rice, such as the Phka Mlis (Jasmin), Phka Kh-nhey (Ginger flower), saw their price rising up to 3,500 to 4,500 riels ($0.88 to $1.13) per kilo. An official from the ministry of commerce said on Monday that the ministry is looking to find the cause of this price increase. He said that based on preliminary report, it appears that middlemen are shaking up the price in combination with the approaching election. This official said that along the provinces of Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Pursat, and Battambang, there is no much change in the price of rice. Kep Chuktema said that the increase in the price of rice is a bad sign because there are instigators behind it, he said that he ordered the police to look for these instigators to arrest them and bring them to justice.