The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 498
“Phnom Penh: 124 citizens who represent 549 families residing in three villages: Chhuk, Chi Kha, and Trapaing Kandal, located in Chi Kha Leu, Srae Ambel, Koh Kong, gathered to stage a protest in front of Wat Botum [near the building of the National Assembly] for the second time in order to ask Samdech Chea Sim, the President of the Senate, and Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, to make an intervention for them over the case that Oknha Ly Yong Phat, the Senator [from the Cambodian People’s Party], had grabbed 5,000 hectares of their farmland.
“The people who protested over this case gathered in front of Wat Botum since 9 p.m. on 6 March 2007 [soon after they had arrived in Phnom Penh], claiming that they had together cleared this farmland for their use since 1979. Every year, they receive the yields of crops such as jackfruit, mango, banana, sugarcane, rambutan, and watermelon.
‘Unexpectedly, on 22 May 2006, the Duty-Free Shop Company came to level their farmland by using the name of Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“From then on, the people have lodged complaints to the local authorities, to the National Assembly, to the Senate, to human rights organizations, and many institutions concerned, but since 2006 up to now, they have not yet received any solutions for their problems.
“In the complaint dated on 2 August 2006, they complained against Oknha Ly Yong Phat, a CPP Senator, and Mr. Sin Khiem, the Chiv Kha Commune Chief, over colluding to use tractors to level 5,000 hectares of their farmland along Road No. 48, located in Chi Kha Leu, Srae Ambil, Koh Kong.
“The protestors added that it is the second time that they have staged their protest, and if no solution can be found for them, they will not return to their homes.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4230, 8.3.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1285, 8.3.2007
- Khiev Samphan’s House Is Empty, Khmer Rouge Tribunal Continues to Discuss Problems of Regulation [neighbors do not know the whereabouts of Khiev Samphan – Head of State of the latter part of the Khmer Rouge regime]
- There Are Many Motorcycles in Svay Rieng For Which No Tax Was Paid [they were imported from Vietnam]
- Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen Shows the Ways for Women to Become Leaders [through commune election, he said during 8 March Women’s Day event]
- Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen Received A Vietnamese Delegation [headed by Her Excellency Le Thi Thu, Minister and Chairwoman of the National Committee for Population, Family, and Children of Vietnam, courtesy visit for strengthening cooperation in health care]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5985, 8.3.2007
- International Labor Organization – “Better Factories Cambodia” Increases Awareness On Rights And Fundamental Principles Of Working Conditions [for garment workers, using videos. The Prime Minister expresses his satisfaction for the video sent to him, saying he watched it too]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4230, 8.3.2007
- Sex Movie Clip From Sihanoukville Was Burned Onto Video CDs [and sold for $0.50 in restaurants in Phnom Penh – original movie clip of two Cambodians shared via mobile phones]
- Tokyo University of Japan Seeks Understanding About Management of Phnom Penh Municipality [meeting with deputy governor Pa Socheatvong]
- People of Srae Ambel Come to Protest Over Oknha Ly Yong Phat’s Grabbing of 5,000 Hectares of Land for the Second Time
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #2985, 8.3.2007
- The US Department of State Considers the Conditions of Human Rights in Cambodia Similarly As It Considers North Korea, Cuba, China, and Afghanistan [in the 6 March 2007 released annual report on the 2006 human rights situations]
- Right-Hand-Drive Cars Significantly Reduced, But Prepare Strategy to Seek Opportunity to Sneak into Cambodia
- The Government Does Not Dare to Cough [figurative meaning for talking about problems] Over Senator Ly Yong Phat’s Land Grabbing in Chi Kha Leu, Srae Ambel, and Koh Kong
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, 347, 8.3.2007
- Son Chhay [Sam Rainsy Party Member of the National Assembly] Will Bring More Than 4,000 Families Residing at Boeng Kak Area to Sit Down And Wait For [Phnom Penh Governor] Kep Chutema Every Morning from 8 March Onward [as his two letters requesting a meeting have never received a response]
- Hun Sen Should Check Bad Officials at the Council of Ministers Who Issue Permissions In Exchange For Big Commission Payments
