Khmer Intelligence News - 16 December 2008

16 December 2008

All Korean-conducted land development projects have been stopped (2)

Over the last few years the most grandiose land development projects have been conducted by not-so-well-known companies from South Korea. Because of the fallout from the global financial crisis and a serious downward revision of Cambodia's economic prospects coupled with the sharp fall in land prices, the cash-strapped Korean companies have abandoned all their projects in Cambodia. These include mega projects such as CamKo City in the North of Phnom Penh (only one tranche out of four will be completed), the 42-storey Golden Tower on Monivong Boulevard, and International Financial Complex on Sothearos Boulevard, next to the Russian Embassy. The concerned companies keep denying their decision to leave Cambodia in order to avoid a panic from customers who have "bought" their to-be-built houses or condominiums and made down payments, but works on the spot have practically come to a standstill.

Top managers of Hong Kong-based Tak Fat company are in hiding in Cambodia (2)

In addition to "Garment manufacturer Tack Fat has gone bankrupt" as published by Khmer Intelligence News on 13 October 2008, we have learned that the company's top managers are now in hiding in Cambodia to escape prosecution in Hong Kong. Shareholders have been swindled and the unscrupulous managers have fled to Cambodia with the company's cash. Criminals who can pay bribes, or are financial cronies, to Cambodia's political leaders enjoy impunity in this country. The wife of a powerful man here holds a significant stake in Tak Fat's Cambodian subsidiary, which used to provide the mother company in Hong Kong with fake certificates of origin, with the complicity of the Ministry of Commerce, allowing fraudulent garment exports from China to the USA using the label "Made in Cambodia."

Gasoline price to decrease from 3,200 riels to 2,800 riels per liter (3)

Crude oil price on the international market is now at US$44 per barrel (1 barrel = 159 liters), down 70 percent from a peak of US$147 a barrel on July 11, 2008. At that time, the retail price of gasoline in Cambodia was 5,600 riels per liter. It should now drop to 2,800 riels per liter (- 50 percent from its highest level), instead of 3,200 riels now, if Cambodian gasoline distribution companies were to pass on to consumers the recent decrease in their supply cost as reflected in the fall in international crude oil price. The exchange rate has remained practically unchanged over the last 18 months with US$1 being equivalent to approximately 4,060 riels.

CPP would lose their two-thirds majority with UNTAC formula (1)

Cambodia has implemented a proportional representation system for all elections hold over the last fifteen years. In the UN-organized election in 1993, UNTAC used the greatest-remainder formula. But since 1998, the CPP authorities have arbitrarily and surreptitiously switched to the largest-average formula, which favours large political parties. Minor parties generally fare better under the greatest-remainder formula than under the largest-average formula.If the greatest-remainder formula (known as UNTAC formula in Cambodia) were used for the last July 2008 election, the results in terms of National Assembly seats allocated to each party would be as follows:

- CPP: down from 90 to 76 (minus 14 seats lost to SRP, HRP, FCP and NRP).

- SRP: up from 26 to 29 (3 extra seats won from CPP in Prey Veng, Pursat and Svay Rieng provinces).- HRP: up from 3 to 7 (4 extra seats won from CPP in Phnom Penh and in Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu and Takeo provinces).

- FCP: up from 2 to 6 (4 extra seats won from CPP in Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap provinces).

- NRP: up from 2 to 5 (3 extra seats won from CPP in Kampong Thom, Kampot and Kandal provinces).The CPP would have been unable to secure their current two-thirds majority (over 82 seats out of 123) in the National Assembly.

Hor Namhong's revelations to the French Court (2)

In relation to the defamation lawsuit he has filed against opposition leader Sam Rainsy before the French Court (details at http://tinyurl.com/6d6an5) Foreign Minister Hor Namhong gave interesting information to French judges at a public hearing in Paris on December 9.Asked why several members of the royal family, including retired King Norodom Sihanouk and former prisoners, have complained about his behaviour as "chief" of the Khmer Rouge Boeng Trabek re-education camp in 1977-1978, he replied this was because of "rivalries" among prisoners. He therefore acknowledged that the situation was more complex than what he first admitted (the "bad" Khmer Rouge on the one hand and the "good" prisoners on the other). He first denied that denunciations by a prisoner of another prisoner could lead to the second one being "taken away" by the Khmer Rouge, but he subsequently admitted that, through denunciations, he could have eliminated all his "rivals", implying he did manage to eliminate at least some of them.Another revelation made by Hor Namhong: all those, especially journalists, who have alleged in Cambodia that he had been involved in any wrongdoings, could get away with the Cambodian Court only by fleeing the country, like American reporter Kelly McEvers from The Cambodia Daily, or by making apologies to him, like McEvers's Cambodian colleague Thet Sambath and opposition journalist Dam Sith. He accused The Cambodia Daily of being "pro-opposition."See also Khmer Intelligence News dated 10 October 2008: "Hor Namhong gave false information about Princess Nanette and Prince Sisowath Methavy."

KHMER INTELLIGENCE NEWS - 10 October 2008

Hor Namhong gave false information about Princess Nanette and Prince Sisowath Methavy (2)

French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, July 23, 1989, quoted [then Prince now] King Father Norodom Sihanouk as declaring, "Hor Nam Hong, former commander of a Khmer Rouge concentration camp [Boeng Trabek detention camp], is responsible for the death, after atrocious tortures, of many former members of the anti-American Resistance, such as my cousin Prince Sisowath Methavy, and his spouse [Princess Nanette], the elder sister of my wife [now Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk]."Princess Sisowath Nanette arrived at Boeng Trabek camp in October 1977, directly from France, to join her husband Prince Sisowath Methavy who had returned to Cambodia since 1976, only one year after the Khmer Rouge take over. Following a short stay in Chraing Chamres, Prince Methavy was sent to Boeng Trabek camp in February 1977. Princess Nanette actually lived in Boeng Trabek camp for only six months before she and her husband were taken away to be executed in April 1978. This is confirmed by many surviving prisoners from the three sections of Boeng Trabek camp (B30, B31 and B32), who all confirm that they last saw Princess Nanette and her husband around the Cambodian New Year that took place in April 1978.In an interview published in Khmer-language newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea, April 23, 2008, Hor Nam Hong says the Sisowath couple lived with him "until the end of 1978" before being taken away and killed by the Khmer Rouge. However, surviving witnesses say that the Khmer Rouge had stopped taking away and killing Boeng Trabek prisoners since August-September 1978, when living conditions suddenly started to improve as the Pol Pot regime tried to mobilize all Cambodian forces to counter increasing pressure from Vietnamese troops.The late CPP Justice Minister Chem Sgnuon, who was detained at Boeng Trabek camp until Vietnamese troops arrived in January 1979, used to tell many people how cruel Hor Nam Hong was when he was the Khmer Rouge-appointed camp chief. Chem Snguon avoided talking with Hor Nam Hong because of this bitter past.

KHMER INTELLIGENCE NEWS - 13 October 2008

Garment manufacturer Tack Fat has gone bankrupt (1)

The Hong Kong-based daily newspaper South China Morning Post, October 8, 2008, confirmed that Tack Fat Group International, a well-known firm listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the parent company of Tack Fat Garment (Cambodia) Ltd, a major garment manufacturer in this country, has gone bankrupt. The news reads as follows, "Last month [September 2008], banks applied to wind up (…) swimwear maker Tack Fat International Group after [it] defaulted on loans." Tack Fat becomes the second "collapse of a Hong Kong-listed retailer amid the financial meltdown."According to a business analysis, "Tack Fat Group's principal activities are designing and manufacturing of jeans, pants, shorts, swimming apparel and sportswear for men, women and children. Other activity includes investment holding. The Group has three production facilities, one of which is located in Luoding City, Guandong Province, the People's Republic of China and the other two of which are located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The majority of the Group's products are exported to the North American, European markets and other regions." http://tinyurl.com/3mpvvlA September 16, 2008 statement by the Group's "Provisional Liquidators Appointed" specifies, "The place of incorporation of the Company is in Cayman Islands and the shares [were] suspended for trading since 9:30am, 30 July 2008." http://tinyurl.com/3lgb8aInformation about Tack Fat Garment (Cambodia) Ltd can be obtained at http://tinyurl.com/437q8l

VJ Ano appeared on local TV to clear the rumours

VJ Ano pictured on 10th November, 2008.

VJ Ano has appeared for the first time on a local TV on Wednesday at 6pm local time to show her face to the public and she denied the rumours that she was attacked by razor blades as reported by local media. VJ Ano’s face, as seen through her appearance on TV3, has not shown any wounds. At the same time, VJ Ano has appealed to the police to investige and punish those who spread the rumours that she was involved in a triangle love affair and that she was attacked with 80 razor blade cuts to her body and face.//

Night of music at Wat Botum to shake crowd

French band CQMD will wake the neighbours at Wat Botum this Friday.

Wednesday, 19 November 2008 Performance by the French brass band funksters CQMD and Phnom Penh's Mekong Pirates set to bring blend of musical styles to Wat Botum this Friday CQMD French band CQMD will wake the neighbours at Wat Botum this Friday. EVERY music fan in Phnom Penh should mark their calendar for Friday at 6pm, when the French Cultural Centre will shake up the crowds at Wat Botum with a concert by the celebrated French band CQMD, or Ceux qui marchent debout, which translates roughly as "Those who walk standing up".The brass band, which sings in English, has for more than a decade played venues throughout Europe and will be introducing their seventh album, titled Check that Funk, during Friday's concert.Funk and soul music aficionados will recognise the influences of James Brown, George Clinton, Maceo Parker and Prince on many of CQMD's tracks, while others are more reminiscent of the earlier swing era. But this pioneering band also brings its own funk sensibilities to the mix, with a blend of styles and instrumentation that is guaranteed to set toes tapping and bodies in motion.Brass band revival There are no leaders in this six-member group, just talented players who have almost single-handedly revived the brass band style in France, which thrives on collaboration. "THE MEKONG PIRATES refuse to be pigeonholed, incorporating everything from funk and zouk to SKA. They write together, sing together and groove together, and their close musical kinship and cooperation shows through in every performance."

Phnom Penh based band the Mekong Pirates will open the event.

The band's unique instrumentation includes a trumpet, soubassophone, banjo, snare and bass drum, and trombone ... not to mention loads of inspiration.On their Cambodian debut, CQMD will be joined by local band the Mekong Pirates, who will kick off Friday night's concert. Formed last April, the Pirates feature 10 musicians firmly rooted in the classic rock tradition but tempered by many other styles and influences. The band refuses to be pigeon-holed, however, and thinks of themselves as something of a fusion band, incorporating everything from funk and zouk to ska.CollaborationThe Mekong Pirates are driven by a similar need for collaboration. Their identity as a band is reflected in their inspirations and approach to new material. When a bandmate brings in a new melody or lyric, the group first agrees communally on the spirit, or "colour", of the song. Next comes the process of experimentation, as the band members try different approaches to the song until they all feel good about the direction that the particular piece is taking.The energy generated by these two bands will appeal to all music lovers, so be prepared to dance the night away and wake the neighbours at beautiful and historic Wat Botum.

The Thai asked the Cambodian authority to evict the Cambodian people from the Preah Vihear areas

In mid June, 2008 a group of Thai nationalists staged a protest in front of the Preah Vihear temple asking the Thai army to evict the Cambodians from their village near the Preah Vihear temple. On the 15th of July, 2008, three Thai protesters jumped fence into Cambodian territories and were arrested by the Khmer border guards which culminated into the Thai invasion of the Preah Vihear areas where Thailand maintained their troops until today.

The Social and Economic Advisory Council of Thailand has appealed to the Thai government to take firm actions against Cambodia which this council accused of allowing its citizens to live on Thai territories.Mr.Suwanchai Saengsuk-iam, secretary of the Preah Vihear Task Force of the above council, has told a Thai newspaper that the Thai government must pressure the Cambodian government to evict the Cambodian people from the Thai territories immediately and unconditionally.The evictions are aimed at those Cambodian citizens who set up stalls and shops along the road leading to the Preah Vihear temple and those Cambodians who live in the areas surrounding the Preah Vihear temple. This council has asked the Thai government to put further pressures on Cambodia to evict those Cambodian people who live in the areas they considered as “disputed”. This council wants Thailand to maintain troops in the Preah Vihear areas and it asked Thailand not to reduce the numbers of troops in the areas.Please not that, the area where the Cambodian people set up stalls and shops to sell souvenirs near the staircase of the Preah Vihear temple is a Cambodian territory, so the above council’s ignorant claims and its request for Cambodia to evict Cambodians from the Khmer territory is shameless.

Hor Namhong’s law suit against Sam Rainsy in a Cambodian court has been temporarily shelved awaiting the verdict of the French court

Mr. Hor Namhong (L) and Mr. Sam Rainsy (R).

The seven month-old defamation and disinformation law suit, derived from an article published by the opposition newspaper the Khmer Conscience and which was lodged by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong against Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy, has been temporarily shelved by a prosecutor attached to the court, awaiting for the verdict of the French court first which will be decided on the 9th of December, 2008.Please note that on the 22nd of April, 2008, Mr. Ka Savuth, lawyer representing Mr. Hor Namhong, lodged a defamation and disinformation law suit with the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Magistrate Court due attached with the article published in the Khmer Conscience on 18th of April, 2008.Mr. Ek Chheng Huort, deputy prosecutor attached to the court, has followed the judicial procedures regarding the case. But Mr. Sam Rainsy has always asked for a delay whenever the court summons him to appear. So, due to Mr. Sam Rainsy has parliamentary immunity, the court cannot proceed with this case.In the meantime, the court has separated the suit against editor of the Khmer Conscience newspaper, Mr. Dam Sith (from Mr. Sam Rainsy‘s case), and Mr. Dam Sith’s case was sent to the investigating judge to proceed with the court case.In June, 2008, Mr. Dam Sith was ordered by the court to be detained in Preysor Prison, awaiting for the results of the investigations. Shortly after, the court has decided to set Mr. Dam Sith free.Afterward, the court, through the Ministry of Justice, has written a letter to President of the National Assembly requesting the suspension of Mr. Sam Rainsy’s parliamentary immunity in order to make ways for the court to proceed with the suit. But up until now, even after the third parliamentary term has ended, there is no sign of the National Assembly debating this (the suspension of Sam Rainsy’s parliamentary immunity) issue.Afterward, in order to provide full justice to Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mr. Hor Namhong has decided to lodge another law suit in the French court because Mr. Sam Rainsy is a French citizen.According to a reliable source, this new suit will be heard in the French court on the 9th of December, 2008. So, Mr. Hor Namhong’s suit in the Cambodia court has to be temporarily shelved, awaiting for the verdict of the French court first before it can proceed.