For Prestige, Look To the South China Sea: Analysts

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

Tuesday, 27 March 2012 

China claims the highlighted portion of the South China Sea. Many other governments  also claim all or part of the South China Sea.

Political analysts say Cambodia should take advantage of its chairmanship of Asean this year in disputes over the South China Sea, but the country is reluctant to do so for fear of a damaging its relationship with China. Arata Mahapatra, the director of the Center for Asian Strategic Studies in India, told VOA Khmer Thursday that playing the role of neutral mediator would help raise Cambodia’s international prestige at a time when it is seeking a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Shooting Victims in Fear as Alleged Shooter Goes Free

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Wednesday, 21 March 2012

An unidentified garment worker lying on a hospital bed with multiple gunshot wounds to her back.

Victims of a shooting in the eastern province of Svay Rieng last month say they are now living in fear, as local authorities have failed to detain the man accused of shooting them, the former governor of Bavet city. Chhouk Bandith remains free, after he allegedly shot into a crowd of garment workers who had gathered to protest working conditions at a special economic zone in Svay Rieng in front of Kaoway Sports factory.

Ban Limits Research Potential for Future: Academic

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Friday, 16 March 2012

Sok Touch, rector of Khemarak University, on “Hello VOA” Monday.

The Royal University of Law and Economics has issued a ban on more than a dozen research topics for students, but the head of a local institution says this will only hurt the country’s development. The ban bars research on topics like drug abuse, land disputes, labor disputes and the stock market, as well as the Cambodian Red Cross, which is led by Bun Rany, the wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Students Demand More Information on Resource Extraction

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 06 March 2012 

Results from a recent survey of 377 university students in the capital by the NGO  Forum found a majority did not know about the management and usage of those funds.

Most Cambodian university students have heard of their country’s fledging extractive industry. But with little access to information, few are aware of how revenue from this industry is being managed. Most of this information remains unavailable, and some are now voicing their concerns about corruption and misuse of those revenues. “The news on television tells us little about mining extractions,” student Saing Kanha told VOA Khmer.