The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 541
“Four civil society officials, who were seeking support from citizens with thumbprints for the adoption of an anti-corruption law, were arrested and sent by the authorities of Kirivong District, Takeo, to be questioned at the provincial security department.
“The arrest was conducted in Kirivong District, Takeo, while the four officials of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia [NICFEC] were seeking support from citizens for an anti-corruption law.
“Mr. Hang Puthea, the Executive Director of NICFEC, complained about the arrest, saying that it is an abuse, because he had gotten written permission from the Ministry of Interior and from the Takeo Governor for sending his staff members to perform such a mission.
“Mr. Hang Puthea said, ‘We know that this letter is valid for the mission; however, we don’t know why the provincial governor’s letter was not considered to be valid.
“The four agents of NECFEC who were arrested are Ms. Keo Kim Va, Mr. Chan Phanna, Mr. Chan Sovannara, and Mr. Im Vuthy. After the arrest in Kirivong, police sent the four of them to the provincial security office, but then released them only in the evening of the same day.
“Mr. Chrea Chreang, an investigating official of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights [LICADHO] in Takeo, said that the arrest caused fear to other staff members who are on mission in the province. Moreover, it is an abuse, because the police did not listen to the intervention by human rights officials who were there.
“Mr. Chrea Chreang said, ‘We talk about this issue [of an anti-corruption law], there is nothing wrong with this, they are NGO staff; they are not party activists.’
“Mr. Meas Sophon, Kirivong District Police Inspector, made up an excuse, saying that it was not an arrest – they were just brought to be questioned for trying to persuade citizens to give their thumbprints, and this activity was beyond the permission given by a letter from the provincial governor, which allowed only to ask for support.
“Mr. Meas Sophon said, ‘The governor allowed to promote support, why did they ask for thumbprints?’
“Ms. Keo Kim Va was hesitant to give an interview to journalists after having been held; it seemed that there was hidden fear.” Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #592, 5.1.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1537, 5.1.2008
- Samdech Dekchor [Prime Minister Hun Sen] Advises Leaders of Ministries to Check Fuel Distribution [for economical use of fuel]
- 370 Kampuchea Krom Khmers and Funcinpec Members Officially Joined the Cambodian People’s Party [4 January – Phnom Penh]
- More Than 200 Sellers of Sihanoukville’s Phsar Chas Market [which was destroyed by fire] come to Phnom Penh and Call on Samdech Hun Sen for Help [so that they can continue selling at the same place]
- Young Man Stopped His Motorcycle Opposite the Mikasa Salon; He Was Shot Dead by Gunmen [Daun Penh]
- [Two] Drunken Bodyguards of High Ranking Officials Pulled Out Guns and Fired Many Shots for Fun [Prampi Makara, Phnom Penh]
- Officials in Civil Clothes Seized Truckload of Pigs to Extort Money [Banteay Meanchey]
- Libyan Ambassador [Giadalla Ettalhi] Chairs UN Security Council
- Cold Weather Kills 38 People in India
Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6237, 5-6.1.2008
- In 2007, 52 Films and Videos Made [in Cambodia] While Cinemas Continue to Be Closed
- Report of Reporters Without Borders Says 86 Journalists Killed in 2007
- Old Women Deceived into Being Sold; 87-Year-Old Woman and Her 69-Year-Old Daughter Bought by Thais in Order to Send Them to Beg [in Thailand – the 69-year-old woman escaped and returned home to Banteay Meas, Kampot, leaving her 87-year-old mother in Thailand]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3356, 5-6.1.2008
- Sok An [Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Council of Ministers] and Cham Prasidh [Minister of Commerce] Use New Year to Celebrate Engagement [for Sok An’s son and Cham Prasidh’s daughter to get married on 15 January]
Phkay Proek, Vol.12, #333, 6-7.1.2008
- It Is Suspected that the Han-Cam Life Company of Ms. Minn [from South Korea, which rents a big villa opposite Pochentong Military Airport to keep about 100 young women] Traffics Women Abroad [allegedly procuring girls for Korean men and secretly arranging fake marriages for them]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3223, 5.1.2008
- Takeo Staff Members of Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia Held Because of Activities Urging Creation of Anti-Corruption Law
- Khmer Workers [returning] from Thailand Accuse Ou Chrov District Police Inspector and Banteay Meanchey Police Chiefs of Money Extortion
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #592, 5.1.2008
- Kirivong District Authorities of Takeo Arrest Officials of Civil Society Organization
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