Archive for February, 2009

NGO: Cambodia for Sale

Global Witness, a London-based NGO (Non-government organization), has been a thorn in the side of the Cambodian government for several years. Their notoriety came after a scathing report “Family Trees” detailed illegal logging activity and attempted to connect it to Cambodian government officials. Once based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, they shuttered in favor of the more hospitable political environment of London.

Their latest report, “Country for Sale” however, has only stirred more anger from Cambodian officials. The report accuses the Cambodia government of corruption in the promising but nascent oil exploration and mineral mining sectors. For their part, Cambodian officials called Global Witness “naive” and accused the group of pursuing a “malicious campaign” against Cambodia. The Cambodian government, they said was “working hard to establish a sound and comprehensive framework governing the extractive industries.”

Read More: WSJ, “Cambodia Graft Alleged”

Global Witness, “Country for Sale” (PDF)

Internal Strife in Cambodia's Ruling Party

Cambodia’s nascent but politically active blogging community is reporting that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent sacking of Army Chief Ke Kimyan (pictured) is not a normal reshuffle as announced, but the result of an internal power struggle between Hun Sen’s faction of the Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) and that of CPP President Chea Sim. Read the article by blogger Khmerization here.

Money Leaving China

In China, Chinese customers are spending hard-earned money overseas.  “There is a recognition for sure that China is slowing down, so why keep your money there?” said Henry Lee, a Hong Kong fund manager in the IHT.