Bokor National Park Should be Preserved

Author: Chak Sopheap

Bokor National Park
Should be Preserved and Promoted for Tourist Attraction

(source: http://kampot.sihanoukville-cambodia.com/images/arne/churchfog2.jpg)

Referring to recent Articles on the “Government Authorizes Development in Bokor Park”, Cambodia Daily, Monday, I am deeply concern about natural resource management and environmental protection in Cambodia, once there will be development of palm oil and cassava plantations and livestock farms within the Bokor National Park. These development activities will affect both beauty and quality of land and the environment as well as the national resource over there.

I visited Bokor National Park once and I found this place is a rich natural sightseeing and one of the most attractive tourist destinations regardless its infrastructure is yet improved. It was my first time in my life to see dark forest covered by huge trees and diversified natural combination. I was expecting that this wonderful Bokor National Park would be preserved and included in the government agenda for tourist attraction as Angkor Wat Temple or Sihanouk Ville. Yet, the recent authorization of the government over the commercial plantations to a private company makes this expectation uncertain and doubt the future of Bokor beauty which can contribute much to national income through its tourist zone.

In fact, I strongly support the government plans for country development and recognize the effort of the government in promoting investments for economic growth. However, such development should precede legal means and long-term national interests as stated in article 8 of the 1996 Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management, which reads: “The natural resources of the Kingdom of Cambodia, which include land, water, airspace, air [ …] shall be conserved, developed, and managed and used in a rational and sustainable manner”. I therefore would like to appeal to the government to reinforce this law and ensure that any development projects would not harm to our natural resources.

Cambodian Government Authorizes Development in Bokor Park

"reprinted with the permission of The CAMBODIA DAILY."

Advertisement should be monitored

Advertisement should be monitored

In the past history, Cambodia experienced many political regimes in which democracy and freedom of expression were dangerously flouted and even completely repressed. At present since the Peace Accord signed in 1991, Cambodia has had a so-called "free" press for Asia with pluralistic media emerged. Today a growing number of print media hits the newsstands and the broadcast media fill the air and both media are competing in the market place. I acknowledged the government effort in improving the press rights and urged for further attempt for press freedom.

In stead of censoring on political related information, I suggest the government, especially the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Information, to monitor on advertisement as mainly aired on TV. In that, I noticed a recent advertisement for Susuki Viva 2009 is problematic. This advertisement appears to target on sexy girls rather than on the Motor; its content is not consistent and affect the Khmer Culture and disvalue the woman. Accordingly to the Press Law Article 14 states, “the press shall not publish anything which may effect the good customs of society, primarily….drawings or photographs depicting human genitalia or naked pictures, unless published for educational purposes…”. I supported the Prime Minister’s intervention earlier on a Beer advertisement, which depicted the sex encouragement. Therefore, I appeal for this measure to be continued and it should be a systematic mechanism of responsible ministries rather than individual [the prime minister] statement only.

Democracy Must Protect Basic Necessity of Access to Housing

Opinion Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on Wednesday, February 13, 2008
By: CHAK Sopheap

Democracy Must Protect Basic Necessity of Access to Housing

A democratic government refers to a government’s system which majority concern is seriously taken account. Yet it does not mean that minority voices or concerns are to be ignored. However, I am skeptical about how Cambodian government perceives the nature of democracy and their treatment regarding citizens’ human rights, after reading the government spokesman’s response to the Amnesty International’s call on eviction cases (“Group: Gov’t Obliged to Protect Evictees”, Cambodia Daily, Monday February 11 2008, page 31).

The Spokesman claimed that “there might be abuse, but it is not always abuse” and said only a small portion of the population is affected by force eviction and that among those were illegal squatters. Consider ourselves to be among the affected portion of the population--we would be miserable.

Beyond that, I am concerned that land grabbing and evictions have become the most widespread and pressing human rights problems in Cambodia. Most of the time, city development and illegal squatting area have been used as rational to back government’s actions to forcibly evict people. It is not mean that I do not support the government’s plans to develop country. But the government also has the obligation to protect and guarantee the rights of citizens to make a living and have access to housing.

People categorized as illegal squatters are not to be blamed. It is the government’s responsibility to reinforce the Land Law, hand land title to legitimate citizens without any delay, and display a commitment to anti-corruption efforts.

Finally, I appeal to Cambodian Government to comply with the instruments of housing rights and to extend these rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution and International Covenants, to every citizen regardless of their limited voice or status.

Law Needs to be Enforced at Boeng Kak

Opinion Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on Friday, December 28, 2007
By: CHAK Sopheap

Referring to recent Articles on the Filling Boeng Kak Lake, Cambodia Daily, Wednesday and Thursday 2007, I am deeply concern about natural resource management in Cambodia. It is absolutely wrong, and dangerous for surrounding residents, once the company could proceed in its construction before the Environmental Impact Assessment has not been released.

More importantly, the agreement on filling the lake violated both 2001 Land Law, which states that “lakes are state public property and cannot be sold”, and Article 8 of the 1996 Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management, which reads: “The natural resources of the Kingdom of Cambodia, which include land, water, airspace, air [ …] shall be conserved, developed, and managed and used in a rational and sustainable manner”.

I would point to the good example of the government’s action over the Kob Srov Lake Case which resulted in the removal of Kandal provincial governor Khim Bo and his two deputies, and the demolition of the buildings. The government’s measures proved its accountability and receptiveness on the 1996 Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management, for which the government should continue this effort with other cases that abuse the law.

I would like to appeal to the government to enforce this law and ensure that any development projects be justified with both citizens' rights to development and the results of proper environmental impact assessments.

The End.

These are reference articles on the Lake Filling:

"reprinted with the permission of The CAMBODIA DAILY."

Khmer Rough Tribunal Will End with Unjust History

It was not surprising if foreigners could give detail of the Khmer Rough Regime while the young generation of Cambodia could not even know if this inhuman regime ever exists, so that the news of Noun Chea’s arrest is not gain much popularity among them (“Arrest Prompts Int’l News Frenzy, Shrugs at Home”, Cambodia Daily, Friday page 1). This is due to the fact that Cambodian school children are taught almost nothing about its own country’s dark period history after almost thirty years of the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge as the subject is sensitive among political groups.

Fortunately, A History of Democratic Kampuchea, written by Khamboly Dy, a Cambodian writer, provides a step toward educating the nation about the murderous regime as the Education Ministry approved the book as a "core reference" material for history textbooks but not as part of the core curriculum. Though, the scope of the textbook is limited and controversial in naming individuals involving in the regime, characterization of the massive movement against Khmer Rough, and unclear interpretation of a long-standing political debate in Cambodia over whether Vietnam liberated or invaded the country when it ousted the Khmer Rouge. Therefore, it is still skeptical for the young generation to the truth about Khmer Rouge.

At the same time, the establishment of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC, popularly known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) was hoped to bring justice, the truth, and reconciliation for the victims and survivors of the Khmer Rough. Though, it is questionable how this expectation will be met as the scope of the trial its self is limited. Only the local and few high-level leaders committed the genocide will be brought to sentence while there were other international countries and other potential criminals had involved. To what extend that the trial served as the model for independent court system as corruption and nepotism have gradually occurred almost everywhere.

Then it is still doubtful about the truth of the Khmer Rough Regime even after the Khmer Rough Tribunal has been conducted. At the same time, if the history page is ended by this tribunal, the national history will be unjust and mislead the next young generation.

It is my personal point of view as a young generation who was born far after the KR period. How is about you? What do u think?

Have your say on "International Day of Peace"!

"An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind", Mahatma Gandi.

This is a quote from Gandi's movie which i watched it again and again. The movie was used as the tool for leadership and Conflict-resolution training i had attended. I agreed it is a useful tool. From that, it shows how importance of peace is. Therefore, i raise his quote to join celebrate the today "International Day of Peace". Let's the world living in peace and respect the humanity.

Today's world event is shown us that Peace is jeopardized, either by human being or act of god. Peace is not only the absence of war but a state of harmony.

Without Peace, Development is hardly achieved. One country's instability is a threat for all. Do not you all think that peace is universal?

Who is the world's richest?

On 8th August 2007, Fortune magazine reported that Carlos Slim had overtaken Bill Gates as the world's richest man. Carlos Slim's estimated fortune soared to US$59 billion, based on the value of his public holdings at the end of July. Microsoft founder Bill Gates' net worth was estimated to be at least US$58 billion.

Carlos Slim is Mexico's Monopoly. It's hard to spend a day in Mexico and not put money in his pocket. The 67 year old tycoon controls more than 200 companies-he say he "lost count";...As one Mexico City eatery jokes on its menu: "This restaurant is the only place in Mexico not owned by Carlos Slim". (Cambodia Daily, David Luhnow, August 18-19 2007).

What is amazing about this news can be link to Tycoon Kith Meng who announced on Thursday August 30 2007 that there will be a joint venture with a Malaysian firm to bring the international fast food giant KFC to Cambodia. Probably people "lost count" on his business too: ANZ Bank, Telecommunication (Mobitel, Camsin and CTN TV channel), Lottery, Hotel Cambodiana Hotel).......now he will also invest in Restaurant (KFC).

Will building more universities help?

Way to help for Job prospect:

Improve Educational System and Set up Internship Programs

I was skeptical to what the educational official claiming to avoid social problems resulting from youth unemployment was to open more private universities (Cambodia Daily, Friday Sep 07 2007, “Recent Graduates Find Job Prospects Are Bleak”). It means that we only focus on physical infrastructure rather than systems that help improving the students’ ability and morality. Even though we have million universities, it would not help to rectify the social problems and reduce unemployment rate if the systems of ignorance and poor quality of education still exists within the universities. The system of teacher-centered is still practiced and there is no mechanism to help envision these students. Most of graduated students even do not know what their specialization is, job market, and their future plan.

Setting up Internship program in university curriculum will help students to experience social works. The Education Department should attempt to cooperate with all universities to improve educational system and provide sufficient vocational training through internship program, so that students are capable to work effectively and efficiently after their completion. Ultimately, the end result is attributing to reduce unemployment and bring economic and social development.

Recent Graduates Find Job Prospects Are Bleak

This article is reprinted with the permission from The Cambodia Daily. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in print or electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission from the publisher of the Cambodia Daily. Copyright 2007 by The Cambodia Daily.

What can a picture tell us?

This picture was taken on July 20, 2006 when the heavy raining made the street in flooding.

With heavy rain for these few days and the street were flooding, i remembered the above picture. Though it was taken since 2006, we still can see the same thing in 2007. What can this picture tell us?

Steve Goodman said a picture is worth more than a thousand words. I agreed with him. This single picture presented a fact of government's failure in managing the sewage system ( many analysis pointed beyond the fact of filling up the lakes and new constructions blocked the sewage). What more?

The picture showed a comparison of the poor and the rich. At a glance, the Cyclo driver and Landcruiser driver were both protected from raining while the cyclo driver wearing his raining coat. Though, the comfortability is completely different. Does it show another failure of government in reducing poverty?

What else can you tell from this picture?

PMT Must Own Up if Safety Issues Let to Fatal Aircrash

Opinion Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on Wednesday, July 25, 2007

BY: CHAK Sopheap

When I heard the news of last month's plane crash in Kampot province, I had many considerations, including my safety back home as I was out of country, and sympathy for the victims' families. At the same time, I wondered how the incident occurred.

According to South Korea's Yonhap News agency, South Korean government air inspectors have found safety problems with PMT Air, ("PMT, Royal Khmer Airlines dispute Safety Report," Tuesday, page 16). I am curious to know if it is an accurate report.

However, for a PMT official to argue in the article that the accidents do not only happen in Cambodia is unjustified and irresponsible.

I would like to appeal for the change of this attitude.

Religious Moral Issue: Tep vong Should Keep Monks in Line on Morals

OPINION Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on January 12 2007
BY: CHAK Sopheap

I am not surprised that Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong has been accused of favoritism toward the ruling party, (Tep Vog Accused of Favoritism, Going Against Buddha," Tuesday, page 16).

Most of his orders are issued for the government's sake. These include his February 2005 ban on NGOs, particularly the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, from holding public forum in pagoda. Instead of thinking that they lead to chaos, it would be better for Tep Vong to view the forums as a peaceful means for people to appeal to the government about their needs.

But what concerns me the most is the recent decline of monks' morality. There has been much news about some monks having sex or watching pornography, or engaging in other misconduct. Tackling this should be top of Tep Vong's agenda.

I appeal to Tep Vong and other monks to maintain and promote monk's morality so the state religion is respected and valued. Monks should look back at their past roles in the development of their communities and of the country as a whole.

Uphold Justice: Big Penalty for Police Who Rape

Published on Friday, December 29, 2006
Letter to the Editor
THE CAMBODIA DAILY

Though public servants are elected and delegated to serve and protect the people's interest, in most cases in Cambodia public servants work for their own interest, not for the people. This contradicts the univer sal slogan of "Government of the people, for the people, and by the people." In Cambodia, we may say "Government of the party, for its officials, and by the people." This is demonstrated in the case of the 12-year-old Siem Reap province girl who was allegedly raped by three police officers at their commune post. There seems no real commitment from either the provincial police or the court to perform their roles to bring the case to justice ("Police Yet to File Warrants on Alleged Child-Rapist" Dec 22, page 18). In many cases, justice can be bought for cash. In the Siem Reap case the father of one of the suspects tried to buy his son's way out of trial by offering the victim's mother $500. Is the girl's virginity-in a society that treats virginity as the most important thing worth this amount of money? I appeal to officials and the courts to take justice into consideration, and to double the punishment for those officials who are part of the executive body who violate the law. Impunity must be abolished otherwise the rule of law will not be respected.

Chak Sopheap
Phnom Penh

The Rights to Free Expression is Essential in a Real Democracy

OPINION Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on September 01 2006
BY: CHAK Sopheap

It was unbelievable that the lawmakers voted for a new law allowing themselves to be charged with criminal offenses without their immunity first being lifted; ("Legislators vote to Limit their Own Speech," Thursday, page 1).

The right to free expression is fundamental to achieve real democracy, as stated in the Constitution and International Human rights conventions.

The new law will be used as a tool to silence parliamentarians. It is similar to the UNTAC Law on criminal defamation that was used to detain government critics late last year.

The new law seems to contradict the Constitution, which states that no assembly member shall be prosecuted, detained or arrested because of opinions expressed during the exercise of his or her duties.

How can parliamentarians exercise their duties when they fear arrest, especially when the law does not define what constitutes the abuses of an individual's dignity, social customs, public order and national security?

Democracy is uncertain for Cambodia.

The Problem of Corruption Runs Deep

OPINION Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on June 05, 2006
BY: CHAK Sopheap

Corruption exists in all countries but it is in the developing world that is most destructive (Report: Firms See Judges as Most Corrupt", Thursday, page 1).

In a poor country like Cambodia, it threatens democratic institutions and fundamental rights and freedoms; it undermines socio-economic development and deepens poverty. It also provokes irrational decision-making and disrupts the development of the private sector, and undermines the environment for sustainable development. I was shocked that an Interior Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying that "corruption is not such a big problem".

Corruption continues partly because it is seen as normal by too many Cambodians. There is a lack of political commitment to encourage people to speak out about corruption and to hold authorities for it.

Though Prime Minister Hun Sen has declared "war" on corruption and an anti-corruption law has been proposed, there is still a question of when it will be enacted and whether it is effective.

Eviction Issue: Look to Root Casues of Riot At Tonle Bassac

OPINION Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on June 05, 2006
BY: CHAK Sopheap

I write regarding "Villager Continue to Stake Out Tonle Bassac" (Friday, page 12).

With the arrival of rainy season, the situation of these villagers is terribly difficult. Their houses have been removed and NGOs are stopped from contributing food or tents to them. I wonder whey City Hall will solve such problems.

There should have been ready installed infrastructure at the relocation site and clear agreement among villagers before the relocation took place.

I was surprised to hear the Municipal Police Chief say that 10 people would be prosecuted for inciting the riot, and Deputy Municipal Governor Mann Chhoeun saying that villagers might be reeducated. What about the security guard who accidentally injured the 11-year old girl? Will there be any action taken about that?

Re-education will not solve the problem at all. We have to understand the root causes of the problem leading to the riot. Consider Maslow's hierarchy of needs; education is useless if people have no had their basic needs met (food and shelter).

I suggest that the municipality takes immediate action to find the location for those people, otherwise the situation will worsen. Also, please allow the NGOs to contribute support to the villagers if the municipality cannot meet their needs.

Debt-Ridden Economy Can't Grow

Opinion Letter to the Cambodia Daily
Published on May 16, 2006
By: CHAK Sopheap

It was good news that the National assembly approved the national development planning strategy for 2006-2010, in which the main objectives are to reduce the poverty rate to fall to 25% and to lower the unemployment rate to less than four percent. (Development Planning Strategy Approved by NA," May 10, page 16)

However, I have doubts about the optimism raised by the CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap, saying that "optimism attracts needed foreign funding". Also, "We should not be ashamed. The more [money], we can borrow, the better," he said.

How will the economy grow under huge public debt? Is the government attempting to find any strategy to reduce debt rather than striving for more?

Tribunal Judges Shouldn't need Redemption

Opinion to the Cambodia Daily
Published on May 09, 2006

I was disappointed to read "KR Trial Will Redeem Judges: Spokesman" (Saturday and Sunday, page 3).

According to tribunal spokesman, the tribunal will offer Cambodian judges and prosecutors who have been criticized in the past the chance to rebuild their reputation. The spokesman added: "Whatever their past was, they cannot implement it here".

This shows they recognize the ineffectiveness of those people, but why are they being promoted to a court with international principles?