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| Politiktoons no 167 : " The Drivers " Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:10 PM PDT  Who's the Driver ?  |
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KI Media: “A "brilliant" way to circumvent website blocking in Cambodia ... thanks to Google” plus 24 more |
| A "brilliant" way to circumvent website blocking in Cambodia ... thanks to Google Posted: 11 Jul 2011 04:23 PM PDT Dear all, A note from the "infamous" KI-Media team: We would like to thank this anonymous contributor for his ingenious method to bypass the blocking in the Kingdom of Wonder...ful CENSURE. For all of us who bravely read blocked websites which are inaccessible from within Cambodia [such as KI-Media], below is a very simple [and elegant] method to circumvent the blockage: 1. Go to http://translate.google.com  2. Type the address of the blocked website into the box shown on the webpage  3. Change the language at "From:" dropbox to any language that doesn't have similar script with the language of the blocked website (Example: if the block website uses English, change the language to something like Chinese or Japanese or Thai, i.e. any language that doesn't use roman script.  4. Click Translate button and here we go  Until this moment, this method works well when an infamously blocked website in our country (I don't think I need to name it, everyone knows what website it it) was tested.  No one is in any position whatsoever to tell us what to read or not to read. We should be free to read whatever we want. Regards, Anonymous  | ||||||||||
| ស្នេហាបឹងគោក - "Beoung Kauk Love": Poem in Khmer by Anonymous Posted: 09 Jul 2011 04:56 PM PDT   | ||||||||||
| A snake will always be a snake: Op-Ed by Khmer Guardian Posted: 09 Jul 2011 04:43 PM PDT | ||||||||||
| Posted: 09 Jul 2011 04:39 PM PDT  Cambodian information minister's latest order: do not use the word coup d'etat. He wants to change history? A coup is a coup and will always be a coup. For more information, please follow Mrs. Mu Sochua on Facebook at:  | ||||||||||
| Posted: 09 Jul 2011 10:16 AM PDT Saturday, July 09, 2011 By P. from Long Beach Some time back, I saw a posting a few of Youtube songs by Ms. Chhun Vanna on KI-Media. After listening to them, it occurred to me that I still have a cassette copy of these songs stashed somewhere. Several frustrating attempts later, I was able to convert them to digital format which I am asking the KI-Media team to post below. In the process, I was also able to locate a 60s oldies version of "Aun Srolanh Ter Bang Muoy Neak" (Love only you), as well as the 1982 version of the same song. I am including both of them here so that you may listen to the change through a period about of about 20 years.
Researching through Google, I was able to find a more recent photo of her in an old article on the bulletin board "Camdisc":
Reminiscing about Ms. Chhun Vanna brought me fond memories of my childhood: hearing her voice always reminded me of listening to a mother's soothing voice. I am not sure if she still lives in northern California, maybe somebody here can update us about her current life situation. In dedication to all the songs she contributed, I would like to say THANK YOU to all her work! Enjoy, P from Long Beach Chhun Vanna - Aun Srolanh Ter Bang Muoy Neak (Oldies version) Chhun Vanna - Aun Srolanh Ter Bang Muoy Neak (1982 version) Chhun Vanna - Bor Pailin Chhun Vanna - Khao-I-Dang Chhun Vanna - Lea Heuy Long Bich Chhun Vanna - Pa Vea Nov Amerique Chhun Vanna - Pi Svay Mok Amerique  | ||||||||||
| Lure of Politics Irresistible for Thai Military Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:17 AM PDT July 09, 2011 Nilanjana Sengupta Straits Times Indonesia Singapore. Although the Thai military has said it respects last Sunday's election outcome and will not stage another coup, questions remain about whether it can stay away from politics. A veteran observer of the Thai politics military said Friday that the military, a powerful force in Thai politics, is likely to get involved at some point. The military has staged 18 actual or attempted coups in Thailand since the 1930s. "It is impossible for the military to stay out of politics," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a former Thai diplomat and currently a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Iseas) in Singapore. "Military intervention is bound to happen. The question is sooner or later." Pavin, who had returned to Thailand to observe the election, shared his observations and findings at a seminar organized by Iseas Friday. He believes the political transition has been smooth so far only because it is hard for the military to overturn the Puea Thai party's overwhelming victory. It won 265 of the 500 Parliament seats. Still, Pavin will not rule out a coup or interference in other ways. "They can co-opt the 'yellow shirts' to take to street protests to contest the legitimacy of the government, create instability on the Thai-Cambodia border, or raise the issue of Thaksin's return or his proximity to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen," he said. Yellow is the color used by anti-Thaksin protesters. Or, he suggested, rivals can launch a judicial coup as they did in 2008, when the courts disqualified the Thaksin -linked government on charges of electoral fraud. But there are some signs that the army may not be firmly united in opposition to Puea Thai and the "red shirts," who back the party. Pavin pointed to the example of Puea Thai candidate Leelawadee Watcharobol, who beat her rival in the contest for a seat deep inside the Democrat stronghold of Bangkok. The seat was in Dusit district, home to many army units. "It shows some signs of political mutiny inside the barracks," said Pavin, "and also raises the question whether 'watermelon' soldiers will return to Thai politics once again." He was referring to soldiers who sympathized with the red shirts during last year's protests, and were thus dubbed "watermelons" - green on the outside, with a red core.  | ||||||||||
| "Yoeung Prap Hun Sen Oy Deung!" a Poem in Khmer by Ung Thavary Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:08 AM PDT   | ||||||||||
| Convention on the Rights of the Child Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT Convention on the Rights of the Child Ratified by UNGA in Nov. 1989, entered into force 1990 Cambodia ratified this Convention on October 15, 1992 PART IArticle 161. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation. 2. The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.  | ||||||||||
| Survey: Singapore ruling party losing credibility Posted: 09 Jul 2011 08:45 AM PDT Jul 09, 2011 "A lot of the authoritarian atmosphere is the result of that one man's mentality." SINGAPORE (AP) — Fewer Singaporeans consider the ruling People's Action Party to be credible after the party's worst election results since independence, a survey showed Friday. About 73 percent of those polled agreed or strongly agreed that the PAP is a credible party, down from 87 percent in 2006, according to a survey by the Institute of Policy Studies, a think-tank within the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. "The political consciousness of Singaporeans has changed very radically," said Chua Beng Huat, a sociology professor at NUS. "The PAP will probably continue to be the dominant party for the next twenty years, but we're moving toward a more normal, democratic culture." The PAP has dominated Singapore political life since the country split from Malaysia in 1965. It won 60 percent of overall votes in a parliamentary election May 7, the lowest percentage since independence, while the Workers Party won six of 87 parliament seats, the most by an opposition party since the PAP came to power. Voter discontent has grown in recent years as housing prices soared while wages stagnated amid a surge in foreign workers. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pledged after the vote to reconsider PAP policies and governing style, and ordered a review of minister salaries, which are among the highest in the world. But the government so far hasn't expressed plans to make fundamental changes, such as establishing a minimum salary or easing the city-state's economic dependence on foreign workers. "The election was a warning to the PAP not to be complacent and to seek new ways to reconnect to a younger and more demanding electorate," said Lam Peng Er, senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute. "But it's unclear whether the PAP will re-examine its economic model of development and be more open and transparent in policymaking to citizens." The survey showed the most important election issues were the cost of living, efficient government and checks and balances in Parliament. The telephone survey of 2,080 people aged 21 and above was conducted May 8-20. No margin of error was given. Normally, a poll that size would have an error margin of about 3 percentage points. During the election campaign some PAP leaders acknowledged the perception that they sometimes govern in an arrogant or high-handed manner. Lee offered a rare public apology for PAP mistakes days before the vote. However, some PAP leaders reject criticism that they are out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Singaporeans. "When people say that the members of Parliament are disconnected from the ground, or don't want to engage with the people, I find it hard to believe," PAP Member of Parliament Vikram Nair said in a speech at a conference hosted by IPS. "We do what we think is right and sometimes, people won't be happy." "Don't focus too much on the 40 percent that didn't vote for you," he said. "We have to remember and keep in mind the interests of the 60 percent that did." Perhaps the biggest change since the election was the resignation of Lee Kuan Yew from the cabinet. The 87-year-old Lee, who is Lee Hsien Loong's father, was prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and subsequently held senior cabinet positions until May. The senior Lee is credited with guiding the rise of Singapore from a sleepy port town into one of the richest and safest countries in the world. He also jailed some political rivals for years without trial and sued other opponents into bankruptcy with defamation cases. That helped isolate the opposition, which has just begun to emerge. "One of the factors that will contribute to Singapore's road to democracy is the retirement of Lee Kuan Yew," Chua said. "A lot of the authoritarian atmosphere is the result of that one man's mentality."  | ||||||||||
| Malaysia arrests over 1,600 in opposition-backed protests Posted: 09 Jul 2011 08:37 AM PDT  SEAN YOONG and EILEEN NG KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia— The Associated Press "What is the necessity for a show of might against right? No matter what, right will always prevail" Police fired tear gas and detained hundreds of activists as more than 20,000 demonstrators massed Saturday across Malaysia's main city demanding electoral reforms in the country's biggest political rally in years. The opposition-backed rally was the culmination of weeks of intense pressure on Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition to make election laws fairer and more transparent ahead of national polls widely expected by mid-2012. Demonstrators marched in defiance of Mr. Razak's administration, which declared the rally illegal and warned people repeatedly to avoid it. Officials insisted it was merely an opposition attempt to trigger chaos and stir anti-government sentiment, while activists accused authorities of being afraid of any large display of dissent that could undermine their authority. Authorities took extraordinary security measures to deter Saturday's rally by sealing off roads, closing train stations and deploying trucks with water cannons near the Independence Stadium in downtown Kuala Lumpur where activists sought to gather. Police said in a statement that they detained 1,667 people in a clampdown called "Operation Erase Bersih," referring to the Bersih coalition of civic groups that organized the rally. Those arrested included several senior opposition officials. Some were released after several hours, with police indicating that most would not be held overnight. Thousands tried to reach the stadium from various parts of Kuala Lumpur, chanting "Long live the people" and carrying yellow balloons and flowers as they marched. Police fired numerous rounds of tear gas and chemical-laced water in repeated attempts to disperse the crowds, causing demonstrators to scatter into nearby buildings and alleys before they regrouped. Police helicopters flew overhead as a brief downpour failed to deter the protesters. The demonstrators dispersed after a five-hour standoff with police. Only several hundred reached the stadium. Mr. Razak insisted Saturday the protesters only represent a minority, and that most Malaysians support his administration. "If there are people who want to hold the illegal rally, there are even more who are against their plan," the prime minister was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama. Witnesses said riot police armed with batons charged at some protesters and dragged them into trucks. Some were seen bleeding, but police could not confirm any injuries. Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's top opposition figure, said on Twitter that he sustained a "minor injury" when his group was hit by tear gas. The Malaysiakini news website said he had a knee injury. The crackdown "stirred a sense of outrage against the exhibition of raw power by our government," Bersih coalition leader Ambiga Sreenavasan told reporters. "What is the necessity for a show of might against right? No matter what, right will always prevail," she said, minutes before police detained her and other Bersih officials as they walked to the stadium. Organizers said 50,000 took part in the rally, but police claimed there were only up to 6,000. Other observers and participants said the total was between 20,000 and 30,000, noting that it was highly unlikely that police could have arrested a quarter of the demonstrators. An accurate count was impossible because they were scattered in various areas. The rally has galvanized the opposition and has been credited for a surge in political awareness among the public in recent weeks. Opposition leaders accuse Mr. Razak's National Front coalition of relying on fraud to preserve its 54-year grip on power, which has been eroded in recent years amid mounting complaints about corruption and racial discrimination. The government insists the current electoral policies are evenhanded. The activists' demands include an overhaul of voter registration lists, tougher measures to curb fraud and fairer opportunities for opposition politicians to campaign in government-linked media. The National Front's mandate expires in mid-2013 but many analysts expect elections to be called by next year. Supporters of the Bersih coalition were also planning solidarity marches over the weekend in foreign cities, including in Australia, Britain, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and the United States. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the U.S. has been communicating to Malaysia the importance of respecting human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. "We consider it incumbent on all sides to refrain from violence," she told a news conference Friday.  | ||||||||||
| Harvard University's JUSTICE with Michael Sandel Posted: 09 Jul 2011 08:30 AM PDT Episode 10PART ONE: THE GOOD CITIZEN Aristotle believes the purpose of politics is to promote and cultivate the virtue of its citizens. The telos or goal of the state and political community is the "good life". And those citizens who contribute most to the purpose of the community are the ones who should be most rewarded. But how do we know the purpose of a community or a practice? Aristotle's theory of justice leads to a contemporary debate about golf. Sandel describes the case of Casey Martin, a disabled golfer, who sued the PGA after it declined his request to use a golf cart on the PGA Tour. The case leads to a debate about the purpose of golf and whether a player's ability to "walk the course" is essential to the game. PART TWO: FREEDOM VS. FIT How does Aristotle address the issue of individual rights and the freedom to choose? If our place in society is determined by where we best fit, doesn't that eliminate personal choice? What if I am best suited to do one kind of work, but I want to do another? In this lecture, Sandel addresses one of the most glaring objections to Aristotle's views on freedom—his defense of slavery as a fitting social role for certain human beings. Students discuss other objections to Aristotle's theories and debate whether his philosophy overly restricts the freedom of individuals.  | ||||||||||
| Posted: 09 Jul 2011 08:27 AM PDT In preparation for the start of trial hearings beginning on 27 June 2011 of Case 002 against the surviving Khmer Rouge senior leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith, KI Media is starting a new series in posting installations of the public document of the Closing Order of Case 002. The Closing Order of the Co-Investigating Judges forms the basic document from which all the parties (Co-Prosecutors, Co-Lead Lawyers for all civil parties, Defense Lawyers) will be making their arguments before the Trial Chamber judges (one Cambodian President, 2 Cambodian Judges, 2 UN judges). Up until now, the hearings involving these four surviving senior Khmer Rouge leaders have been in the Pre-Trial Chamber over issues of pre-trial detention and jurisdictional issues. Beginning in June 2011, the Trial Chamber will hear the substantive arguments over the criminal charges (e.g. genocide, crimes against humanity, penal code of 1956). Available in Khmer and French. Contact the ECCC for a free copy.CLOSING ORDER of Co-Investigating Judges You Bunleng and Marcel Lemonde, 15 September 2010 B. WORKSITES AND COOPERATIVES Tram Kok Cooperatives1233 Functioning Security 315. The process by which people were identified as enemies and subsequently reeducated or arrested is explained by former District Secretary, [REDACTED].1302 He states that when people in the subdistricts were accused of wrongdoing they would first be reeducated by the village and subdistrict. If they continued to disobey, the subdistrict would ask for the opinion of the District Committee. The District Committee would then hold a meeting to discuss the matter and make a decision. For example, a report from Nheng Nhang Subdistrict to the district sets out the biography of an "enemy" listing various alleged offences. A return note on the bottom of the document from the District Secretary to the subdistrict instructs that he is to be arrested.1303 [REDACTED] states that before any specific action could be taken, the Sector Committee would first be consulted. The Sector Committee's decision would then be implemented by the District. If the decision was to reeducate, notwithstanding whether the individual was a CPK cadre or a civilian, he or she was arrested by the subdistrict militia and sent to Kraing Ta Chan Security Centre.1304 316. Several witnesses recall that "immoral acts" were punished.1305 This is further confirmed by documentary evidence.1306 One witness who attended Sector 13 Committee meetings recalls being told about a "one-husband-one-wife" policy where anyone committing immoral acts would be "smashed".1307 317. The militia at the subdistrict level arrested, detained and interrogated people. According to some witnesses the militia did not have authority to carry out executions, which would be decided at the district level.1308 One witness who lived in Samrong subdistrict recalls meetings at which people were accused of misconduct and he saw cadre shaving "X" shapes into the heads of men and women before parading them in front of the meeting: these people were then placed in a detention facility run by the subdistrict militia.1309 Several District 105 documents confirm that the subdistrict militia would interrogate prisoners, using both "hot" and "cold" methods, before involving the district.1310 For example, in a document which appears to be from one of the subdistricts to the district, the writer reports that in respect to one youth who was accused of repeatedly stealing, "I have even held (collective) meetings for judging him 3 times so far. Moreover, I have let the youths in the group and unit wrap his face up with a plastic sheet, shackle and interrogate him, but still he was not deterred".1311 318. Prior to 1975, a witness who lived in Tram Kok subdistrict remembers cadre arresting people who were accused of being wealthy or having lots of paddy land. They were told that they were being sent away to study. After 1975 some of them returned to the subdistrict while others did not. During the CPK regime, cooperative residents continued to disappear. Often people were taken away at night.1314 Former District Secretary [REDACTED] recalls in interview, "some people came to ask me, who was then the District secretary, for help with the disappearance of their relatives and children. I told them that I was not able to help with that. People came to make complaints to me about the disappearance of their relatives and children because their relatives had conflict about politics and were accused of being the traitors".  | ||||||||||
| Posted: 09 Jul 2011 08:24 AM PDT Friday, 08 July 2011 Thet Sambath The Phnom Penh Post MORE than 120 villagers have now been poisoned after drinking water contaminated with herbicides which flowed into a fresh water creek in Kampot, a doctor said yesterday. Nob Neb, chief of the disease and emergency building at Chhouk district referral hospital said yesterday another 37 villagers from Trapaing Phlaing commune had been admitted, with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and dizziness. Around 90 patients were admitted on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. "Their [condition] is not serious. They just got tired and dizzy", Nob Neb said. "We have given them medicine tablets and injections". He said 70 of the 90 patients originally admitted to the hospital had already recovered and returned home. Nob Synoun, deputy police chief of Chhouk district, said yesterday that local authorities' first priority was to make sure people recovered before they sought out the culprit of the poisonings. On Wednesday, officials reported that So Nguon Company had sprayed toxic herbicides to kill bamboo and long grasses at a farm adjacent to a creek which villages had long used for drinking water. Heavy rains followed, officials said, allegedly washing the chemicals into the villagers' water supply. "We can't take action with those responsible for this problem because we have no complaint from people," Nob Synoun said yesterday. "Now we need to save people first. We will solve this problem later, following the law." So Nguon Company could not be reached for comment yesterday.  | ||||||||||
| មានភ្នែកតែខ្វាក់ ដោយ ឆាំ ឆានី (Mean Phnaek tae merl min khernh by Chham Chhany) Posted: 09 Jul 2011 04:11 AM PDT   | ||||||||||
| Malaysian authorities fire tear gas, detain at least 672 at biggest political rally in years Posted: 09 Jul 2011 02:32 AM PDT
Malaysia fires tear gas at protest, arrests 672 Saturday, July 09, 2011 By SEAN YOONG and EILEEN NG Associated Press Police fired tear gas and detained hundreds of activists as more than 20,000 demonstrators massed Saturday across Malaysia's main city demanding electoral reforms in the country's biggest political rally in years. The opposition-backed rally was the culmination of weeks of intense pressure on Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition to make election laws fairer and more transparent ahead of national polls widely expected by mid-2012. Demonstrators marched in defiance of Najib's administration, which declared the rally illegal and warned people repeatedly to avoid it. Opposition leaders accuse Najib's National Front coalition of relying on fraud to preserve its 54-year grip on power, which has been eroded in recent years amid mounting complaints about corruption and racial discrimination. The government insists the current electoral policies are evenhanded. Authorities took extraordinary security measures to deter Saturday's rally by sealing off roads, closing train stations and deploying trucks with water cannons near the Independence Stadium in downtown Kuala Lumpur where activists sought to gather. Nevertheless, thousands tried to reach the stadium from various parts of Kuala Lumpur, chanting "Long live the people" and carrying yellow balloons and flowers as they marched. Police fired numerous rounds of tear gas and chemical-laced water in repeated attempts to disperse the crowds, causing demonstrators to scatter into nearby buildings and alleys before they regrouped. Police helicopters flew overhead as a brief downpour failed to deter the protesters. The demonstrators dispersed after a five-hour standoff with police. Only several hundred reached the stadium. Najib insisted Saturday the protesters only represent a minority, and that most Malaysians support his administration. "If there are people who want to hold the illegal rally, there are even more who are against their plan," the prime minister was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama. Police said in a statement that they detained 672 people in a clampdown called "Operation Erase Bersih," referring to the Bersih coalition of civic groups organizing the rally. Those arrested included several senior opposition officials. Witnesses said riot police armed with batons charged at some protesters and dragged them into trucks. Some were seen bleeding, but police could not confirm any injuries. Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's top opposition figure, said on Twitter that he sustained a "minor injury" when his group was hit by tear gas. The Malaysiakini news website said he had a knee injury. The crackdown "stirred a sense of outrage against the exhibition of raw power by our government," Bersih coalition leader Ambiga Sreenavasan told reporters. "What is the necessity for a show of might against right? No matter what, right will always prevail," she said, minutes before police detained her and other Bersih officials as they walked to the stadium. As the afternoon progressed, activists estimated the total number of demonstrators exceeded 20,000 people, making it Malaysia's biggest street rally since 2007. Some independent news websites estimated there were tens of thousands of people, but authorities did not immediately have an official figure. The rally has galvanized the opposition and has been credited for a surge in political awareness among the public in recent weeks. Government officials accuse Anwar's three-party alliance of endorsing the rally to cause chaos on the streets and undermine the National Front. Over the past two weeks, more than 200 other activists have been arrested nationwide for trying to promote the rally. Six are being held under security laws that allow indefinite detention without trial. Most of the others were eventually released, but some were charged with laws banning activities linked to illegal assemblies. They face several years in prison if convicted. The activists' demands include an overhaul of voter registration lists, tougher measures to curb fraud and fairer opportunities for opposition politicians to campaign in government-linked media. The National Front's mandate expires in mid-2013 but many analysts expect elections to be called by next year. Supporters of the Bersih coalition were also planning solidarity marches over the weekend in foreign cities, including in Australia, Britain, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and the United States. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the U.S. has been communicating to Malaysia the importance of respecting human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. "We consider it incumbent on all sides to refrain from violence," she told a news conference Friday. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report.  | ||||||||||
| Malaysia braces for pro-democracy street protests in Kuala Lumpur Posted: 09 Jul 2011 02:19 AM PDT
Tensions mount as hundreds of thousands of activists expected in capital for Arab spring-style rally against 'dirty politics' Friday 8 July 2011 Kate Hodal in Kuala Lumpur guardian.co.uk Malaysia is bracing for an Arab spring-style stand-off on Saturday, when activists angry at "dirty politics" are expected to rally in Kuala Lumpur despite draconian government efforts to nip the movement in the bud. Tensions have mounted in this normally staid state, often called "Moderate Malaysia", after a group of 62 non-governmental organisations known locally as Bersih 2.0 proposed a peaceful protest, dubbed the "Walk for Democracy", against alleged vote-rigging and other electoral abuses in a recent state election. But the government last week declared Bersih – which means "clean" in Malay – illegal, and has warned that anyone wearing the yellow colours of protest will be detained. It has already arrested more than 200 supporters and organisers on charges ranging from the promotion of "illegal assembly" to "waging war against the king". Some are being held for an indefinite period without trial. Although Malaysia's next general election is not until 2013, polls could take place as soon as this year – with many speculating that the incumbent Barisan Nasional (National Front) may not fare so well. Headed by the prime minister, Najib Razak, Barisan Nasional has ruled Malaysia since 1955. It suffered a major setback in 2008 when it lost more than one-third of its parliamentary seats to Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance), a coalition of opposition parties. Despite government accusations that they are actively threatening national security, Bersih's leaders have been adamant that they are pushing solely for electoral changes. "We are calling for a government through free and fair elections, not street demonstrations" like in Egypt or Libya, said Bersih's chairwoman, Ambiga Sreenevasan. After calling Bersih illegal, the government assented to a rally in a stadium. Opposition groups expect as many as 300,000 supporters to turn out. Police, however, have refused to grant Bersih a permit for the rally – a requirement for any gathering of five or more people – and have said they will work with the army to disperse Saturday's crowds. Earlier this week police held a military exercise in which soldiers held up banners reading "Disperse or we will shoot". Najib threw his endorsement behind local silat – or martial arts – groups, including one that has openly vowed to "wage war" against Bersih. "If there are evil enemies who want to attack the country from without and within," Najib said this week, "you, my brothers, will rise to fight them". Bersih organisers say they have received death, bomb and gang-rape threats in recent weeks, which they claim police have not investigated. "It has been challenging personally," said Ambiga. Nonetheless, Bersih "understand our responsibility in holding the line on behalf of all of you who want nothing more than a clean electoral system and a better Malaysia." While no one is entirely sure what to expect on Saturday, the lead-up has already caused mayhem. Extensive roadblocks have caused near standstills in Kuala Lumpur and many businesses will be closing. Widespread mobile phone and internet disruption is expected. Despite it being a supposedly peaceful protest, many are expecting violence. "This is the formula now, all around the world – in Libya, Egypt, it's all the same – there will be violence," said Mohamed Rayak, 32, a hotel manager. "But no one knows if it will be coming from the government or the opposition. If it's from the government, then they can say it all got out of hand, and [the rally] has to be stopped." Thousands of supporters have aired their views on Facebook and Twitter, with many of them, such as Thomas Chai, tweeting directly to the prime minister. "Beneath this YELLOW there is an idea, Mr Najib, and ideas are bulletproof," he wrote. Bersih supporters in other parts of the world are expected to hold similar rallies on Saturday in Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, the US, Canada and the UK.  | ||||||||||
| Cambodian PM orders troops at border be "alert but calm" Posted: 09 Jul 2011 12:38 AM PDT July 09, 2011 Xinhua Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered soldiers based at Cambodia-Thai border to be on "alert but patient and calm" and to avoid any "provocative act." In a statement released Friday after the weekly cabinet meeting, Hun Sen said that while Cambodia is seeing a positive move concerning the foreign policy of Thai Prime Minister-elect on restoring Cambodia-Thai relations, the military must stay alert, patient and calm and avoid any provocative act. Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Office of the Council of Ministers said the premier delivered the order directly via video conference during the meeting to all military commanders at the border. According to Phay Siphan, in addition to the order, the premier also advised the military commanders to stay in touch with Thai counterparts and to create good atmosphere through convening regular meetings and conversation so as to avoid military confrontation. On Monday, Hun Sen hailed the success of Thai election and in particular, the winning Pheu Thai Party, and expressed his strong hope that relations between Thailand and Cambodia will be restored. He said he is ready to work with the incoming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in bilateral and regional cooperation. Cambodia and Thailand have had border trouble since 2008, and since then many rounds of military clashes erupted at the border near Cambodia's Temple of Preah Vihear, and near two other temples in the west, located about 150 kilometers away.  | ||||||||||
| Governmental lack of urgency condemns a half-million Cambodians to life as orphans Posted: 09 Jul 2011 12:35 AM PDT 
Friday, July 8, 2011 By Andrea Poe The Washington Past NEW YORK, July 7, 2011 — The Cambodian ratification of The Hague Treaty which came about after much urging from UNICEF and the United States, was widely seen as the trigger that would lift the five-year ban on adoption. But that hasn't happened. Why not? The Ministry of Social Affairs in Cambodia is in the process of drafting new intercountry adoption regulations that will bring the regulations into line with the goals of The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, an international agreement between participating countries on best adoption practices, but so far the U.S government has deemed the efforts insufficient. The Department of State (DoS) has zeroed in on Cambodia's relinquishment process, the system whereby a birth mother signs over her rights to her child, as particularly problematic. According to the DoS website: "The Special Advisor for Children's Issues, Ambassador Susan Jacobs met with Cambodian officials in March 2011, and explained what protections must be in place from the U.S. perspective before we will be able to resume adoptions between our two countries. She also encouraged the Cambodian Government to finalize and implement procedures that will enable Cambodia to operate as a Hague Convention partner country." The United States isn't alone in its current opposition to intercountry adoption in Cambodia. UNICEF has also publicly stated that the organization does not believe Cambodia has an adequate system by which to determine orphan status. This comes after the United National Children's Fund raised public concerns about whether children living in these orphanages were in fact orphans. Explaining the nature of the concerns, Richard Bridle, a representative for UNICEF claims that research indicates that only 28-per cent of children in orphanages have lost both parents and that the vast majority of children living in orphanages have at least one surviving parent. What he doesn't say is why he believes that because a parent is alive that s/he is in necessarily in a position to raise a child. No parent easily relinquishes a child to custodial care; they do it because of dire circumstances. UNICEF's own data reveals that more than one-third of Cambodians live below the poverty line and that the country has the highest infant and under-five mortality rate in South East Asia. In response to the outcry from the UN and U.S., the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation recently announced to all embassies with diplomatic and consular missions that the Cambodian government will delay the date that it will begin receiving adoption petitions until April 1, 2012. The official statement attributes the need for additional time to finalize regulations, complete staffing and training, and complete formal visits to the country's 269 orphanages to assess conditions. A total of 2,355 Cambodian children were adopted by families in the United States between 1999 and 2006. About 200 adoptions were later processed as "pipeline" cases after the U.S. suspension of adoptions from Cambodia. This year marks the fifth year that no child was adopted from Cambodia by families outside that country. That means this is the fifth year that children have been warehoused in orphanages awaiting the resolution of intergovernmental agreements. As the United States and Cambodian governments, along with UNICEF, hash out a system they deem appropriate, the 570,000 orphans that UNICEF estimates are in Cambodia wait to become part of families. And wait. And wait. Andrea is an adoptive mother and a journalist. She is at work on a book, "The Red Thread," a collection of stories told by families united through adoption. She is also owner of Media Branding International, a public relations/media consulting firm. Read more The Red Thread: An Adoptive Family Forum in The Communities at The Washington Times. Follow Andrea at Twitter @ANDPOE and @WTCLifesOnline. Andrea can be found at Facebook @ Lifes Online at Washington Times Communities and @Andrea Poe and can also be found on LinkedIn.  | ||||||||||
| Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Minister of DIS-Information Posted: 09 Jul 2011 12:22 AM PDT
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| Latest posts from CambodiaWatch as of 10 July 2011 Posted: 08 Jul 2011 11:18 PM PDT Good Morning, Below are some of the latest posts on CambodiaWatch blog. Please enjoy.
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| Kampuchea Krom's Preah Trapaing (Vinh Binh Briefing) Posted: 08 Jul 2011 11:09 PM PDT | ||||||||||
| "Sop T'ngai Toap Yuon Puon Knong Srok Khmer" a Poem in Khmer by Hin Sithan Posted: 08 Jul 2011 10:03 PM PDT   | ||||||||||
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| A wonderful gift to the National Museum of Cambodia from Douglas Latchford Posted: 08 Jul 2011 09:33 PM PDT ... a wonderful gift to the National Museum of Cambodia (see below) from Douglas Latchford to commemorate the launch of: Khmer Bronzes: New Interpretations of the Past by Emma C. Bunker & Douglas Latchford Art Media Resources Chicago, 2011, 544pp. Bronze boat-prow ornament 92 cm see pp.344 & 349 Khmer Bronzes Boat Prow Ornament http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/59658467?access_key=key-k0ud9nlc2dx4q0degiw  | ||||||||||
| Cambodia in Pictures (3) by Dr. A. Gaffar Peang-Meth Posted: 08 Jul 2011 09:01 PM PDT Dear Countrymen and Friends, You are invited to review my slide show "Cambodia in Pictures (3)" (see below) I hope you will find it informative and educational. Sincerely, Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9kUhuyZYvI  |
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