Cambodia Update: Preview of the July 29 General Election

Preview of the July 29 General Election

Prime Minister Hun Sen has begun campaigning for Cambodia’s upcoming general election, which is set to take place on July 29. His ruling party, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), pledges continued national economic growth, citing its achievement of a 7% annual growth rate over the past decade, infrastructure projects in rural areas, lower utility prices, and increased access to water and other vital resources. Having led Cambodia since 1985, Prime Minister Hun Sen argues that he has stabilized the country politically and economically, following the rule of the Khmer Rouge and the subsequent Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. The Prime Minister has publicly stated his intention to serve for at least two more five-year terms.

After the Hun Sen administration dissolved the main opposition, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), in November of 2017, the CPP currently does not face significant electoral competition. As a result, Sam Rainsy, former CNRP president and co-founder, has called for Cambodians to boycott the elections. In a Facebook post urging Cambodians to remain home on election day, Rainsy cited the example of the King of Cambodia, who traditionally abstains from voting to remain neutral in political affairs. In response to this call for action, the CPP government categorized the move as an insult to the King and invoked Cambodia’s lèse majesté law against Rainsy, who will face trial should he ever return to Cambodia. The Hun Sen administration has also pressed charges of treason against a number of senior CNRP officials, oftentimes forcing them to flee the country. Kem Sokha, the party’s current president, has been imprisoned without bail since September 2017 (click here to access our previous update regarding Kem Sokha’s imprisonment).

While 19 other political parties will be on the ballot, none has the political capital nor the public support to rival that of the CPP. After the dissolution of the CNRP, the royalist FUNCINPEC party was awarded 41 (formerly CNRP seats) of the 123 seats in the National Assembly, counteracting the 79 seats the CPP currently holds. After FUNCINPEC won a plurality of the vote in the first 1993 elections, the party formed a coalition government with the CPP. After Hun Sen ousted FUNCINPEC’s Norodom Ranariddh from the co-premiership in 1998, the royalist party has remained an obscure player in Cambodian politics. Cambodians refer to the 18 other parties as “fireflies” or “ghosts” because of their ephemerality during election season. The leaders of several of these parties often live outside of Cambodia and travel to the country once every five years solely to campaign.

The international community remains deeply divided over the legitimacy of Cambodia’s election. Western powers have threatened high-ranking Cambodian officials with economic sanctions following the administration’s tightened grip on civil society (click here to access our previous update regarding U.S. sanctions against Cambodia). Questioning the credibility of the election results in advance of its conclusion, the United States and the European Union have declared that they will neither fund the National Election Committee (NEC) nor send officials to monitor the election. Nevertheless, China and Japan pledged to fund the upcoming election to the chagrin of Cambodian communities abroad. Angered by the removal of the CNRP from politics, Cambodians living in Thailand delivered a petition with 12,000 signatures to the Japanese embassy in Bangkok calling for the withdrawal of Japanese aid.

China has taken a more active role in Cambodian politics. American cybersecurity firm FireEye found evidence suggesting that Chinese hacking group TEMP.Periscope conducted phishing attacks against government and opposition officials as well as institutions of civil society ahead of the election. Given China’s capital injections through infrastructure projects and aid, the East Asian power is obviously invested in ensuring its Cambodian interests remain intact.

Looking ahead, a CPP victory in the upcoming general election seems predestined. Because no credible opposition exists, the government will have to rely upon voter turnout statistics to bolster the legitimacy of the election in the eyes of the international community. Nevertheless, Western powers may condemn the election results and impose additional sanctions on high-ranking officials and/or take aim at Cambodia’s lucrative garment industry. Should public protests against the electoral outcome occur, the government may impose public controls to prevent an uprising. However, a lack of opposition leaders present on the ground significantly reduces the likelihood of a large-scale movement emerging and mobilizing. The Council will continue to closely monitor developments on this front and keep members apprised.

Boycott sham Cambodian elections, says opponent Rainsy U.S. 19th Jul 2018
Cambodians must show Prime Minister Hun Sen that his time is up by boycotting “fake” elections this month, and Western powers need to pressure him with targeted sanctions, exiled former opposition leader Sam Rainsy said on Thursday.

The Japan-China rivalry is playing out in Cambodia's election CNBC 19th Jul 2018
Cambodia's general election on July 29 has become a proxy theater for competition between China and Japan as the two vie for influence in the Southeast Asian state.

Nearly 70,000 security forces to be deployed for Cambodia's general election Xinhua 17th Jul 2018
Nearly 70,000 security personnel will be deployed at all 22,967 polling stations during Cambodia's general election, a National Election Committee (NEC) member said Tuesday.

Former opposition leader asks people not to vote Khmer Times 16th Jul 2018
Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy called on Cambodian people not to vote in the election on July 29 by taking an example of the King.

Why Japan is supporting Cambodia’s election The Interpreter 13th Jul 2018
Japan has remained steadfast in its support of the upcoming Cambodian general election on 29 July amid growing pressure by its citizens, civil society organisations, and supporters of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) – Cambodia’s former main opposition party. 

Cambodian Security Forces Flout Neutrality Rules in Election Campaign: HRW The Wire 12th Jul 2018
Cambodia’s security forces are “actively campaigning” for the ruling party of Prime Minister Hun Sen ahead of a general election on July 29, in violation of a law requiring their political neutrality, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday.

As Vote Nears, Cambodia’s Leader Has Opponents, but No Competition The New York Times 11th Jul 2018
It’s election season in Cambodia, and the fireflies are out. Cambodians use that term — “ampil ampik,” in the Khmer language — to refer to little-known political parties that flash onto the scene shortly before an election, then fade back into obscurity.

Cambodian leader leaves little to chance in pursuit of poll win Financial Times 8th Jul 2018
At a mass meeting attended by 27,000 workers from garment factories in Cambodia’s Kandal province last week, the country’s leader Hun Sen was handing out cash.  As a band played, the 65-year-old prime minister, who has ruled since 1985, doled out $5 per worker, and $100 for pregnant women — dozens of whom attended wearing work IDs from the area’s mostly Chinese-owned textile plants. 

Cambodia's ruler starts campaigning with opponents silenced ABC News 7th Jul 2018
Campaigning officially began Saturday for Cambodia's July 29 general election, with Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party virtually assured victory because the only credible opposition party was dissolved last year.

Garment workers pressured to vote in looming Cambodia elections The Cambodia Daily 6th Jul 2018
PHNOM PENH — With Cambodia’s national elections fast approaching, garment workers who had largely backed the opposition in the last poll say they are being coerced to vote and face hostility if they abstain, as the ruling party tries to paint the ballot as democratic.

Cambodian PM's son gets military roles amid human rights concerns Al Jazeera 1st Jul 2018
The son of Cambodia's long-serving leader was promoted to two senior military posts on Saturday as his father looks to tighten his family's grip on the country's leadership.

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port opens container terminal Ship Technology 26th Jun 2018
Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) has opened a container terminal to expand its cargo handling capacity. Construction of the terminal began in 2015, while the opening marks the completion of an expansion carried out at PAS.

A New Thailand-Cambodia Military Boost? The Diplomat 27th Jun 2018
Last week, the head of Thailand’s military paid his first visit to Cambodia since assuming his role last September. The trip once again put the spotlight on the defense relationship between the two militaries, including potential areas for further security collaboration despite longstanding and lingering challenges.

Chinese Ambassador: EU Should Not Mix Politics,Trade in Cambodia VOA 19th Jul 2018
China’s Ambassador in Phnom Penh says the European Union should not mix politics with trade as it mulls withdrawing Cambodia’s vital preferential single market access in response to the country’s autocratic backslide.

Cambodians wary as Chinese investment transforms their country Nikkei Asian Review 18th Jul 2018
As boom-mounted cameras swept the horizon, a drone hovered above more than 50,000 party faithful who had begun streaming noisily through the Cambodian capital well before dawn, dressed in white shirts and caps, and waving blue flags.

Unstoppable worker outflow dims Cambodia's future prospects Nikkei Asian Review 17th Jul 2018
PHNOM PENH -- Despite Thailand's latest effort to stem the flow of migrants, workers from Cambodia continue to cross the border, as they try to flee an economy that offers little reward for their work.

Cambodia, World Bank ink accords Phnom Penh Post 13th Jul 2018
The Cambodian government and the World Bank yesterday signed two agreements in Phnom Penh to implement two key investment projects worth a total of $200 million.

EU Officials Embark on ‘Fact-Finding’ Mission to Cambodia to Assess Trade Scheme VOA 6th Jul 2018
Officials from the European Commission and foreign service have begun a fact-finding mission in Cambodia to assess the country’s access to an EU preferential trading scheme.

The invisible entrepreneurs of Phnom Penh East Asia Forum 29th Jun 2018
Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid urbanisation, and with it comes more and more people who are absorbed into the unregulated, informal sectors of the economy. In Cambodia, more than 95 per cent of the aggregate labour force is employed in unregulated, informal activities such as street vending, construction and transport.

Hun Sen promises to slash electricity prices in major populist pitch to Cambodian voters Channel NewsAsia 19th Jul 2018
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen made electricity prices - long an economic grievance of much of the population - one of the key centre points in a populist push for a strong voter turnout in the upcoming national elections.

China firms eye investment in power plant, satellite technology Khmer Times 17th Jul 2018
Two Shanghai-based companies have revealed plans to invest in coal fired power plants and satellite technology in the Kingdom.

ADB promoting renewables in US$90 million loan to Cambodian agribusiness PV Tech 5th Jul 2018
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$90 million loan to help Cambodia strengthen climate resilience and modernize the agriculture sector, including the promotion of renewable energy.

Interview: China plays key role in Cambodia's energy development, says minister Xinhua 27th Jun 2018
China has played a major role in the development of Cambodia's energy sector through investing in energy generation and distribution grid as well as providing capacity building for government officials, Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem said. "Moreover, Chinese investment companies have strong financial capability and adequate experiences to allow Cambodia to build a strong bilateral cooperation with them during the implementation of major projects in accordance with the Master Plan for the Energy Sector Development in Cambodia," he said in an interview with Xinhua.

IG Tech, Malaysia’s Aetins in insurance tech tie-up Khmer Times 12th Jul 2018
IG Tech, Malaysia’s Aetins in insurance tech tie-up Locally-owned IG Tech inked a deal with Malaysia-based Aetins to offer technology-enabled solutions targeting insurance companies and takaful operators. With this new partnership, IG Tech becomes the sole distributor of Aetins’ insurance solutions in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Kingdom’s insurance industry sees good start to 2018 Phnom Penh Post 10th Jul 2018
The insurance industry in Cambodia reported a nearly 30 percent increase in total gross premium in the first quarter of this year over the same period in 2017. Gross premium grew from $36.2 million to $46.8 million. This was driven by a 14.5 percent increase from general insurance and a 50.5 percent growth from life insurance.

Cambodia: Financial market growth spells more developed insurance products Asia Insurance Review 3rd Jul 2018
International life insurer AIA has noticed that the financial market in Cambodia is growing fast, with the introduction of a bond and an equity market, so it will also focus on this area in the near future, Mr Richard Bates, CEO of AIA Cambodia, told Khmer Times in an interview. “As we have seen in other countries, when developments happen at such a fast pace, we can develop insurance products for more sophisticated sectors, with risk protection at the centre of our offer, but with high returns,” he said.

Hun Sen’s Biggest Regret: Land Disputes VOA 18th Jul 2018
Twelve years ago, Nget Sim, a Cambodian villager who lives along the Thai border in Chi Khor Leu commune of Koh Kong province, lost his 5 hectares of family farmland to a sugar company.

Korea to help improve agriculture sector Khmer Times 10th Jul 2018
South Korea has pledged to help Cambodia tackle some of the main issues affecting the agriculture sector.

ADB disburses $90 million loan to modernise agriculture industry Khmer Times 6th Jul 2018
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) approved a $90 million loan on Wednesday to help Cambodia modernise the agriculture sector and enhance climate resilience.

Cambodia opens new rice storage and drying facility Far Eastern Agriculture 4th Jul 2018
Cambodia has opened US$15mn rice storage facility in Battambang, located in the northwestern region of the country.

RBD urges farmers to plant fragrant rice Khmer Times 29th Jun 2018
With demand in foreign markets on the rise and its price increasing, the government is encouraging farmers to start planting a variety of fragrant rice known as ‘Sen Kro Ob’, which was named best rice in the Kingdom last year.

Ministry of Health gives clinics ‘final warning’ Phnom Penh Post 18th Jul 2018
The Ministry of Health on Tuesday issued what it referred to as a “final warning” to private clinics that offer surrogacy services in contravention of a 2016 prakas on the treatment of human cells. In May, the passing of a draft surrogacy bill was postponed from being sent to the Council of Ministers as it required further study. A one-page pronouncement signed by Ministry of Health Secretary of State Te Kuyseang warned of legal action against all clinics that advertise such services in violation of the 2016 prakas on the management of blood, marrow, ovum and human cells and tissue.

Health Ministry’s disease control department warns of flu season Phnom Penh Post 17th Jul 2018
Health officials conduct check-ups and distribute supplies in Mondulkiri last May after more than 400 people reported symptoms of a flu. Photo supplied Health Ministry’s disease control department warns of flu season The Ministry of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC) has warned the public to beware of the seasonal strain of influenza H1N1, also known as “swine flu”, during the current rainy season.

Nipped in the bud Phnom Penh Post 17th Jul 2018
The Health Ministry released a prakas (ministerial proclamation) this week prohibiting the import of any plant containing psychoactive substances, specifically targeting khat. The proclamation, obtained by The Post on Thursday said that khat is a plant that contains cathinone and cathine, which are considered drugs.

Nearly 300 garment workers treated after fainting at Takeo factory Phnom Penh Post 17th Jul 2018
Nearly 300 female workers at Pontus Footwear Ltd in Takeo province’s Tram Kak district fainted on Monday after another female worker got injured, the factory’s representative Heng Peng Kheang said. He told The Post that a female worker, Sorn Sophorn, 28, injured her finger when it got caught in a machine. This frightened the other workers and started a chain reaction of fainting spells, affecting 273 of them.

Primark partnering with Unicef to fund education in Cambodia The Irish Times 17th Jul 2018
Primark has agreed a three-year partnership with child-focused humanitarian organisation Unicef that will see it contribute to Unicef’s work in education and emergency response. The fashion retailer, which is owned by Associated British Foods and trades in the Republic as Penneys, has committed $4.5 million to fund an education programme designed to help vulnerable children attend and stay in school in Cambodia.

Ministry of Health Bans Imports and Distributions of Khat Fresh News 12th Jul 2018
Ministry of Health announced to ban the import, exhibition, and usage of a flowering plant called Khat which contains addictive substances Cathinone and Cathine, according to the ministry’s prakas dated on 10 July 2018. The ministry and relevant authorities will collect and destroy all the above plant. Any companies, pharmacies, or institutions that did not implement accordingly will be subject to law on drug control.

King and Queen Mother Donates $1 Million to Kantha Bopha Hospital Fresh News 11th Jul 2018
His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk donated $1 Million to Kantha Bopha Hospital, providing free treatment to children nationwide, according to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni official facebook page on Wednesday. As of 2 November 2017, it has been 25 years that Kantha Bopha Hospital has provided health care services to 16.8 million children and pregnant women, spending $632 million, according to the hospital’s press release in October.

PM Hun Sen Urges Workers to Prevent HIV/AIDS FRESH NEWS 5th Jul 2018
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told garment workers to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, addressing to 30,000 workers from 25 factories in Kandal Province’s Ang Snoul district. He reminded that back in the day, many deceased by AIDS, today by traffic accidents. He urged drivers to be cautious and respect one another; and urged workers to maintain peace and political stability in order to secure employment and stability of income like today.

Locals are starting to value the art of massage therapy Phnom Penh Post 3rd Jul 2018
In the last few years, there has been a rise in the number of people in Cambodia suffering from locomotor-associated pains, especially regarding muscles such as stiffness and strain, which prompted Cambodians to look to traditional methods of massaging and physical therapy for help. Chea Leap, is a skilled masseur, who works at the massage parlour “Dai Tep 4-2” in Siem Reap province, a store that has been opened since the 2000s. He explained that, at the beginning, most of the massage parlours were occupied by foreign customers, but he said “ For the last 4 to 5 years, the trend changed and we get more Cambodian customers now.”

Exercising techniques for a healthy body and a healthy mind Phnom Penh Post 3rd Jul 2018
Dancing to a catchy tune or an upbeat melody is a type of exercise that has existed for over 20 years in Cambodia. In fact, in Phnom Penh, every morning and evening, you would see groups of people young and old engage in such activities in parks and other public space. The trending exercise these days is aerobic dancing which is dictated differently by each dancing instructor. The most popular parks for this activity are; the ones surrounding the Olympic stadium, by the riverside, those in front of Wat Botum, Psar Chhas, near the ministry of National Defense, at Koh Pich, and the new democratic park, or the park along national road 5, for instance.

Everyone can treat and prevent diabetes Phnom Penh Post 3rd Jul 2018
These days, the number of people with diabetes is rising rapidly in Cambodia and all around the world . This has prompted many to organise talks and forums on social media regarding the ways to prevent and treat diabetes itself. Diabetes is a catastrophic chronic disease without a cure or definite treatment by doctors. Nevertheless, doctors advise that, ‘each individual is someone who can prevent and treat the disease by themselves’ and the question remains, why is that?

Stay Healthy. Stay Wealthy. Phnom Penh Post 3rd Jul 2018
CAMBODIANS are more prosperous than at any time in their history, but the pressure of modern life is taking a toll on the health of the nation. Despite the rising average life expectancy, more Cambodians are succumbing to ailments such as coronary heart complications, cancer, stroke, diabetes, lung and kidney & liver diseases. These critical non-communicable diseases, according to the World Health Organisation, are responsible for more than half of total death in Cambodia.

Nothing fishy about rare delicacy’s proven health benefits Phnom Penh Post 3rd Jul 2018
Apart from boosting the heart and rejuvenating cells, caviar has also been shown by scientists to be effective in tackling depression and treating impotency.​ CAVIAR may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to healthy living, but the famous delicacy is rich in a variety of vitamins as well as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, fluorine, sodium and iron. And while caviar has long been considered an expensive rarity – particularly in a country like Cambodia – people are often surprised at how affordable it can be, especially when eaten sparingly.

Chinese State-Linked Hackers Target the Cambodian Elections Time 11th Jul 2018
The emails were believable. An interview request for a member of the opposition. An article sent to a government official. A conference invitation for a journalist. But each one a hacking attempt designed to lure the recipient.

What’s Behind Cambodia’s War on Fake News? The Cambodia Daily 10th Jul 2018
Last week, the Cambodian government announced that it would begin taking measures to enforce earlier efforts to regulate media coverage.

Cambodia prepares the ground for smart cities Khmer Times 3rd Jul 2018
The Cambodian government is partnering up with tech associations to boost the transfer of technology into the Kingdom and lay the foundations for the creation of smart cities in the near future.

Tech disruption calls for strong retraining programmes: Amro Khmer Times 13th Jul 2018
The Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro), a Singapore-based independent regional surveillance unit, recently said, technological advancements will threaten significant job losses in the Asean region, particularly in least developed economies like Cambodia, and that carefully designed mechanisms need to be put in place in these countries to retrain the workforce. services sectors.

Cambodia resumes train service to Thai border Bangkok Post 5th Jul 2018
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia conducted a trial run of a passenger train service from Phnom Penh to the Thai border on Wednesday. "From now on, passengers can travel by train from Phnom Penh to Poipet city for the first time in 45 years," said Sun Chanthol, minister of public works and transportation, referring to a Cambodian border town.

Direct flight to Indonesia ready by 2019: Ministry Khmer Times 4th Jul 2018
Cambodia will have a direct air connection with Indonesia, Asean’s biggest economy, as soon as next year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Cambodia-China friendship flyover inaugurated in Cambodian capital Xinhua 2nd Jul 2018
The Cambodia-China Sen Sok Friendship Overpass Bridge was inaugurated here on Monday to reduce traffic jams, particularly between central Phnom Penh and the Phnom Penh international airport.Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo presided over the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by government officials, local authorities, residents, teachers, and students totally about 3,500.

Demand rising for water pumps Phnom Penh Post 2nd Jul 2018
WIth the Kingdom’s annual economic growth standing at seven percent, investors from the hospitality industry are showing interest in Cambodia. But hotels, malls and commercial spaces are pushing demand for a high-quality water supply and pumps to go along with them.

Cambodian deputy PM lauds China's support for Cambodia's development, poverty reduction Xinhua 2nd Jul 2018
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong on Thursday spoke highly of China's support for Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction. In an interview on the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Namhong said the relations between the two countries have rooted very deeply, and "our relations are not just as friends, but as brothers.

Coalition forms to build largest data center in Cambodia e27 2nd Jul 2018
A coalition of local and international companies has come together to accelerate Cambodia’s digital and cloud capabilities with its biggest data center to date. As reported by local media company Khmer Times, Cambodian IT companies Te Aikhong Enterprise and Kepstar Data Center have signed an agreement with Malaysia-based Fourtitude Asia to bring online a $70 million data center in Cambodai’s capital, Phnom Penh.