The Phnom Penh Post - ENGLISH: “Collapsed because of wind” plus 9 more

The building collapsed because of the rain and wind.

An 18-year-old man became the third construction worker in three days to be killed on the job after part of a building collapsed on him and three co-workers – including two 15-year-olds – on Monday, police said.

Yu Bunrong, from Kampong Cham province's Koh Sotin district, died in hospital hours after the newly constructed storage building in Sen Sok district crashed down on him.

Pen Thol, Toek Thla commune police chief, initially told the Post that poor construction standards could be to blame for the collapse, but later attributed the accident to stormy weather.

"The building collapsed because of the rain and wind," he said, adding this was the opinion of Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction inspectors who had visited the site. "Mr Chab Hong Ly owns the building. He's responded by paying compensation to the victim's family."

One of the workers, 26, was seriously injured, while the two teenagers received minor injuries.

The accident came two days after a concrete fence crushed two workers to death on a building site in the capital's Meanchey district.

Dave Welsh, from labour-rights group Solidarity Center/ACILS, said the latest death raised even more questions about safety, accountability and compensation in the construction industry.

"Unfortunately, you only hear about [a lot of these cases] through word of mouth, because these workers are considered informal," he said.

The Ministry of Labour, Welsh added, was not encouraging construction workers to sign up to the National Social Security Fund – which compensates workers and their families in instances of death or injury – because it feared it would be "compensating people all the time".

"Our position is the [NSSF] should apply automatically. Every worker should enjoy the same protections," he said.

Sum Sophorn, deputy chief of the NSSF, said yesterday that construction companies were welcome to register with the fund, but did not say how many actually were registered.

"We will pay compensation to the victims' families based on their contributions," he said.

Authorities in Siem Reap are investigating the collision of two boats responsible for killing a man on Monday, the victim's family said.

Lor Sak, 26, of Chi Kraeng district, was operating a boat with 11 other passengers headed to Dam 78, according to his cousin, Korn Pot, 39.

Upon nearing Anlong Samnor commune, a boat loaded with wood crashed into them from the opposite direction, killing Lor instantly, Pot continued.

"We were shocked by the death of my cousin, so the suspect managed to escape into another creek," Pot said.

The suspect operating the second boat looked about 30 years old, with dark skin and was wearing a yellow shirt, the victim's family told police.

So far, no one has been arrested, said Srey So Un, district police chief in charge of traffic.

"Police have not yet located the suspect. But our forces are patrolling the river and monitoring the creeks for the suspect's boat," Srey said.

China yesterday urged the ruling party and opposition to pursue a peaceful settlement to the current electoral stand-off while simultaneously welcoming a Cambodian People's Party "victory".

Speaking at a joint press briefing yesterday after meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that the political parties should negotiate to preserve social and economic stability.

"China is a good partner of Cambodia, and we hope that political parties in Cambodia will peacefully negotiate for the sake of forming a National Assembly and a new government soon," he said.

"Today, I wish and express my warmest congratulations to welcome the victory of Samdech Techo [Hun Sen]."

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong extended his thanks yesterday on behalf of the Cambodian government for Chinese "support of the election result". Yi and other senior Chinese delegates arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.

The Chinese minister held separate meetings with Hun Sen and Namhong yesterday that were focused on furthering bilateral cooperation.

"I would like to re-affirm that China will continue to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries and that China will thoroughly support Cambodia in preventing [any act] of external disturbance," Wang said.

He did not elaborate on where such "disturbances" could come from.

A commentary published by China's state-run Xinhua news agency last week called for the international community to stay out of Cambodia's post-election affairs, pinpointing US lawmakers' threats to cut aid.

According to the government, China has provided more than $2.8 billion in aid and loans to Cambodia since 1992.

Several large infrastructure projects involving Chinese state-owned companies are in the works, including a $2.3 billion joint venture to build the Kingdom's first oil refinery that was signed late last year.

A Chinese handover of 1,000 handguns and 50,000 rounds of ammunition to the National Police just two days after the election raised eyebrows among analysts who questioned the timing of the delivery, though authorities maintained it was coincidental.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KEVIN PONNIAH

Saving deposits at microfinance institutions (MFIs) this month decreased slightly from the average monthly amount because of a rise in withdrawals, industry officials said.

Bun Mony, president of the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), and the general manager at MFI Sathapana Limited, said many people have come to take out funds during the first two weeks of the month, and he speculates that the withdrawals could be tied to unease over the post-election deadlock and fears of instability.

"Loan disbursement is growing as usual, but we do not have a growing number in saving deposits," Mony said on Tuesday. "Customer confidence is just getting better, and the deposits should be back to normal next month."

Four of the biggest microfinance institutions licensed to take deposits said this week that saving deposits fell this month compared to the monthly average.

Sim Senacheert, chief executive officer of PRASAC microfinance, Cambodia's leading MFI in both savings and loans, said PRASAC holds, on average, $7 million in saving deposits, and that number should drop to less than $5 million in August.

"Earlier, we have an average monthly growth rate at nearly 20 per cent, but the growth rate in the first two weeks this month is much lower," Senacheert said.

Deposit and loan disbursement data from the CMA, which is updated quarterly, revealed that total saving deposits made at MFIs reached $378 million by the end of June this year, up from some $224 million at the end of December.

Chea Phalarin, the chief executive officer of Amret Microfinance, said he has only seen a slight decrease in total deposits for the month so far.

"Some people might worry on the political situation after the election, and that is why they take out money," Phalarin said.

"But, our performance in general is stable and nothing to be seriously worried about."

SBI Royal Securities, a subsidiary of Japanese-based SBI Holdings, has concluded a basic agreement to form a business and capital alliance with one of Thailand's leading securities firms, in a move that could attract more investment from Cambodia's northern neighbour.

The agreement with Thailand's Finansia Syrus Securities will help underwriter SBI Royal to acquire "investment banking business know-how and expertise" from a company that boasts a "top record in IPO underwriting," according to a statement yesterday. "Meanwhile, Finansia Syrus Securities is planning to expand business in Cambodia in order to tap into the country's rapid economic growth, relative to other Asian countries, as well as the expected increase in IPO transactions."

Sok Dara, deputy director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia, welcomed the deal and said it will contribute to strengthening the country's nascent securities market.

So far, only one entity, the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, has listed on the Cambodia Stock Exchange.

"Whenever there is a merger or cooperation, even in terms of capital or technical capacity, our stance as the regulator is to support them because the market will be more open to customers. Another thing, the new partner will help to enhance or exchange their techniques to improve the local firms here," he said.

"In addition, we welcome Finansia Syrus Securities in our market because since we opened we don't have any Thai securities firms apply for an operating licence. So their presence will definitely attract more Thai investors as well as their businessmen to consider investing in the market."

He said the SECC will have to sign off on the deal before approving it.

Finansia Syrus Securities operates 40 branches throughout Thailand. SBI Phnom Penh Securities (SBIPP), which was established in February 2010, became the first Japanese financial institution to operate a securities business in Cambodia. In December 2011, SBIPP merged with the Royal Group's securities unit to form SBI Royal Securities Plc.

One Fighting Championship, Asia's leading mixed martial arts promotion, revealed details yesterday for more fights on its blockbuster October 18 fight card set to take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The co-main event of ONE FC: Total Domination will feature two rising stars in the lightweight division as Eddie Ng from Hong Kong clashes with the face of Malaysia MMA, Peter Davis.

Both Ng and Davis have won their last three fights in the ONE FC cage, and a win will put one of them one step closer to a title match against ONE FC lightweight world champion Shinji Aoki of Japan.

"This bout will mark a major milestone in the history of the Asian lightweight division, as both fighters have made it clear that nothing will stand in their way of reaching a title shot," ONE FC CEO Victor Cui stated in a press release.

"Eddie Ng is explosive and has amazing grappling skills, while Peter Davis has an outstanding reach advantage and maximizes it with unorthodox striking. Both fighters have droves of fans from Singapore and across the Causeway, and a bout like this would certainly polarise the Indoor Stadium."

Ng, 27, nicknamed The Magician, combines punching power with an underrated submission arsenal that emerged when he submitted Frenchman Arnaud Lepont in his last bout at ONE FC: Kings & Champions in Singapore on April 5.

[img]

"I am excited to represent Hong Kong and step back into the ONE FC cage to face Peter Davis," Ng said.

"He is a tough opponent with a good all-round skill set. He has the ability to finish fights standing up and submit people on the ground. I look forward to the challenge on October 18 and I expect nothing less than an all-out war."

Davis is a wuji chuan practitioner and a prominent celebrity in his native Malaysia with a long list of modelling and acting roles to his name. The 32-year-old will be looking to use his lanky frame and significant reach advantage to propel him to victory against Ng.

Davis told the media: "In the upcoming ONE FC fight, I'm going to be pulling out more tricks than 'The Magician' can handle and put an end to his winning streak. He's won fights against a couple of my friends and it's time for a little revenge."

On the undercard, Tatsuya Mizuno of Japan and Portugal's Rafael Silva will meet in a showdown of middleweight veterans.

Journeyman Mizuno, 32, has fought all over the world and holds notable victories over the likes of Trevor Prangley, Melvin Manhoef and Ilir Latifi.

A third-degree judo black belt, he has transitioned his skills to mixed martial arts by adding solid striking and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to his Judo trips and throws, and will look to utilise these against Silva and get his first win inside the ONE FC cage.

Silva, a 35-year-old MMA legend with more than 50 fights on the board, has amassed an impressive seven-fight winning streak competing primarily in Europe.

He now looks towards testing himself against the elite in Asia, and with 21 of his 39 wins coming via submission, Silva will be aiming to add another choke out to his record against the gritty Mizuno.

ONE FC: Total Domination will be headlined by the highly anticipated ONE FC bantamweight title unification bout between Bibiano Fernades of Brazil and South Korea's Soo Chul Kim.

Despite various local media sources clamouring to give bokator exposure, the ancient Cambodian martial art is struggling to attract enough students to cope with the demand.

TV5's popular local affairs program, Morodok Khmer, filmed the national bokator team on Tuesday for its Saturday show, featuring Cambodian Bokator Federation general secretary Hok Chheang Kim and five students.

"With the invitation from various organisations, private companies and some departments, we are now often invited to give performances. However, we currently have only 10 students to respond the needs of the public," Hok Chheang Kim told the Post.

Comment

One week into the new English Premier League season and it already appears to be a game of more than two clichés.

Alan Pardew finished Monday night off with the ultimate classic: "The performance up until the sending off was pretty sound … blah blah blah."

The problem was, Alan, you were two nil down by then and pretty lucky to have scored nil.

If that were not comical enough from the bookies' favourite to win the first Premier League manager's sack race, Pardew then threw in the line: "They could have bid when the game was over, and it had a huge effect on the game."

The Newcastle United boss was of course referring to the £12 million ($18.8 million) made by Arsenal for the very talented Yohan Cabaye on the eve of their match against Manchester City.

Naturally this bid was so woefully short of the considered valuation of the player that it thereby traumatised all of his teammates to such an extent they were unable to think about anything else.

I noticed that after Steven Taylor swung a left hook at Sergio Aguero, for which he was of course red-carded, he left the pitch clearly muttering the line under his breath: "Should have been at least 20 million."

However, the hypnotic state of the Magpies on the pitch probably did account for the fact they looked so mesmerised by the passing of the ball by the City slickers.

Only a day earlier on Sunday, Chelsea outclassed a Hull City side that were never at the horses in the first half.

Steve Bruce must have used various forms of electrical appliances in the break (probably borrowed from his old mentor Alex Ferguson) as in the second half, Hull fought like lions and kept a 45-minute clean sheet.

However, we can not say lions anymore as Hull are now officially 'The Tigers', yet another footballing farce.

So what did Mourinho make of it all? Well the Portuguese maestro came out with the timeless: "They couldn't do the same as they did in the first half."

José was illuminating us as to why Chelsea's second half performance was not on the same level as their first, claiming that "no one" can play at that pace for an entire game.

A fair point perhaps after the ridiculous scheduling of the midweek internationals, yet Manchester City managed a game of two halves at a terrific tempo only a day later.

Then finally there is of course the professor of all clichés – Arsene Wenger.

Defending his clubs inability to entice anyone to the Emirates during the summer despite the availability of £70 million, Arsene said: "If you look at the players who play tomorrow, they are top quality players, and you should never forget that."

The problem is, Arsene, they are all injured. Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is out for six weeks, as is Mikel Arteta, Nacho Monreal and Aaron Ramsey. Kieran Gibbs is nursing a gashed forehead.

However, I have heard that one of the Emirates tea ladies is quite a good dribbler, "has the mark of a true champion" and therefore this season is still "all to play for".

Bob Morton is a British journalist currently based in Singapore. He has a first-class degree in Media and was previously a correspondent for Ladbrokes Racing.

Olympic Solidarity, a commission of the International Olympic Committee that helps fund programs for developing nations, has worked with the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia to launch a special training course for local wrestling coaches.

According to Thin Vichet, general secretary of the Cambodian Wresting Federation, the six-day course started on Tuesday with 26 coaches from various clubs and associations based around Phnom Penh in attendance.

Armenian wrestling instructor Stephen Kazarian, who also works as a specialist for Olympic Solidarity, will conduct both theory and practical seminars.

Yesterday morning at NOCC headquarters, Kazarian gave a lesson on the history of wrestling, which was interpreted by director of the CWF's technical department, Hok Chheang Kim.