Cambodian People's Party must not fear reform

Cambodian People’s Party aka the leg lifting woman party (according to Hoon Xhen)

Thursday, 23 August 2012
Ou Virak
The Phnom Penh Post

the National Election Committee (NEC), widely derided as politically biased towards the CPP, needs to be overhauled

The governing Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) appears unmoved by the recent merger of the Kingdom’s two main opposition parties, now going by the name of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Prime Minister Hun Sen recently dismissed the merger as “a storm in a teacup”.

Teacups, however, have a tendency to spill, and it is clear from the Prime Minister’s comments about the merger that he is watching developments very closely. Neither impressed by, nor worried about, the unification, but certainly paying attention.

And he has every right to be doing so: with the CPP winning fewer than half the number of eligible voters in 2008, and boasting a rogues’ gallery of human-rights abuses on its watch, there will be a fair number of votes up for grabs next July.

The merger comes at a time of growing disaffection and desperation on the part of many marginalised and disadvantaged groups who have been denied justice through the court system and who have instead taken to the streets in protest.

British NGO calls on Cambodia to honour reforms

Wednesday, June 02, 2010
ABC Radio Australia

A British N-G-O is calling on donors to Cambodia to ensure the government makes good on long-delayed reforms in exchange for donations expected to form around half the country's budget.

The call by Global Witness comes ahead of this week's key donor conference in Phnom Penh, where nations are expected to pledge around one billion U-S dollars.

UK-based Global Witness said donors must insist the government makes good on regularly repeated promises of reform in exchange for foreign taxpayers' cash.

It says donors must stop turning a blind eye to the problems, and warns that continued bad practices mean foreign taxpayers are propping up a corrupt elite.

A government spokesman declined to comment.

But Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week hit back, calling Global Witness "a gang of thieves" and accusing it of colluding with unnamed foreign organisations to undermine the Cambodian people.

New World Bank chief in Cambodia

2007/08/04
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh

The new president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, has arrived in Cambodia, part of his first official visit since replacing Paul Wolfowitz.

Mr Zoellick has praised the rapid economic development of Cambodia and its neighbour Vietnam.

But pressure groups have called on him to use the Bank's influence to reduce corruption and push forward reforms.

The World Bank has had to suspend some of its operations in Cambodia, after allegations of corruption.

Mr Zoellick arrived in Cambodia fresh from meeting Asia-Pacific finance ministers in Australia.

He endorsed calls for more intensive efforts to help poor countries and said the Bank would play a leading role in cutting poverty in half by 2015.

Corruption allegations

Cambodia is a prime candidate for assistance. Four fifths of its people are without access to electricity or running water and more than a third live below the "basic needs" poverty line.

But World Bank operations in the country have not always run smoothly. Last year, the Bank suspended three projects after the discovery of large-scale corruption.

The Cambodian government had to repay millions of dollars. Pressure groups have called on Mr Zoellick to do more than his predecessors in reducing corruption and pressing for reform.

The forestry monitor Global Witness said he should "lay the foundations for the Bank's approach to [corrupt] governments everywhere".

During his visit, Mr Zoellick will meet prime minister Hun Sen and various civil society groups.

He has praised Cambodia's "vibrant economy", but has acknowledged the country faces challenges in building institutions and improving governance.

Cambodian economic optimism well founded but work still needed: IMF

August 1, 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - The International Monetary Fund Wednesday supported Cambodian government optimism for ongoing economic growth although it cautioned that reforms were still necessary to maximize the nation's economic boom.

IMF managing director Rodrigo de Rato told a press conference in the capital Wednesday that despite work remaining to be done in areas including good governance and budgetary efficiency and revenue flow, Cambodia's progress was impressive and should continue.

"Cambodia is heading in the right direction for strengthening its integration with the global economy. We see Cambodia will benefit tremendously from becoming a more active member of the global economy both in terms of trade and finances," he said.

"We already see some interest in foreign investment in Cambodia in the areas like garments and tourism but recently also in other important sectors like water, oil, and those are all to the benefit of the country."

However a number of areas still needed work, he cautioned, specifically strengthening the efficiency of the budget and revenue flows, as well as social reforms in both the governance and banking sectors.

"Independent bodies to fight corruption are essential," he added, noting that an anti-corruption law was still to be passed despite an anti-corruption unit being set up under the government's Council of Ministers in the interim.

But continued strong micro-economic framework policies and the increased credibility of the country should ensure Cambodia continues to benefit from sustained high economic growth, he added.

The IMF has worked particularly closely with the government on banking and financial sector reforms as that area of the economy continues to experience unprecedented growth, and de Rato said he paid particular attention to this area during his visit.

"The banking sector is expanding rapidly. Financial sector growth is critical for Cambodia's economic development, and my discussions with Governor Chea Chantho naturally focused on the banking system," he said.

"We fully shared the view that strong supervision is essential for safeguarding the health of the banking system, and I was pleased to learn that efforts enforcing the regulatory environment would be enhanced."

Overall, he said the IMF expected the economy to grow at around nine per cent this year, with inflation expected to remain relatively low.

Although he said the discovery of potentially rich offshore oil reserves was undoubtedly to be seen as a positive for Cambodia, it was merely a promise at this stage with drilling yet to commence.

However, he said he was encouraged by government efforts to establish an appropriate fiscal regime before that promise was realised.

"Sound fiscal and monetary policies have helped boost confidence and increase private sector activity, and these trends should continue in 2007," de Rato said.

The first IMF managing director to visit since 1993, de Rato said he and his delegation met with a range of high-level government ministers and officials during their visit, including Prime Minister Hun Sen and Economy, Finance minister Keat Chhon.