The Concern of the Citizens, "Time to Change"

Political instability is the most concerned issue to all Cambodian residents. War, political conflict and economic crisis in the past along with border conflict, environmental problems and social issues still happen in this country catching the citizens' attention very much and make them so worried from day to day. 

Recently, the accuse of election fraud and the demonstration against CPP by CNRP get Cambodia down in term of the political stability because of the unbearable situation over the poor such as residential housing confiscation mainly in Phnom Penh and some parts of rural area, especially the flow of Vietnamese into Cambodia. Even though that is a relief that both parties has been on the table, there is still no resolution to solve the issue because of the different concepts; one still demands to find the truth with the equal power in the government while the other wish to run the government with today result in agreement with the king. Honestly speaking, the main trend for the change in the election poll is because of the running previous government without caring much about the social complaint on the government services and individually too powerful in the line of government officials. How could residents satisfy to such government in term of democracy and free market? Have the government officials ever asked themselves on how effectiveness and efficiency their leadership and management is? Do they serve the country with nationalism and best effort? If they do so, why such bad service still occurring in today government from low level to high level? Just an example, there is a comparison on Facebook between the service charge for doing passport in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia resulting the Cambodia in the highest pricing and long time service to get just this passport. Do they ever know how hurt Cambodian themselves get to see such comparison while the government is still too proud of their power? Cambodian has suffered from the war and political conflicts over decades, especially the bad sight from some foreign nationalities over Cambodia today. Who will take responsibility for this? All Cambodians will take this as the part of this nation. In the clear perspectives, the government is admirable from the start to stabilize the country and choose the right option for the economic development (free market); however, it is so disappointed with the corruption, the decrease of national resources, nepotism, the lack of food security check, the remarkable downward trend of food supply (fish), the rocketing number of Vietnamese plus many long term economic concessions, the low quality of educational system comparing to neighboring countries, and the bigger gap between the rich and the poor. This causes the political opportunism to CNRP newly created to get more votes from her residents. In contrast, CNRP shows the promise to people that they will change current situation and solve all the problems including the large number of illegal Vietnamese throughout Cambodia. On the other hand, there is also not fully trust to CNRP with just their promise; more and more people votes for them in exchange of the decreasing power of today government officials and the change for better; some regrets because of the view on the some political chaos lately. It is not sure for CNRP to be the best for Cambodia; it might be just the stepping stone for Cambodia to change for better meaning it does not matter whether to change the today leader or not, but the main purpose is to make the change to Cambodia in overall. 

In the conclusion, government themselves should reconsider for what kind of weakness they have and make a change of those in term of better Cambodian society and government service. It is not only simple criticism, but it is surely the complaint for better. Do not ever think that only you have the power of authority, but people are the main power of the country's leadership! You just get role to serve them, not to use them for yourself and family member! Similarly, CNRP should choose the right decision not only for power, but for better! The demonstration as well as other aims to hinder the the establishment of the new government is not the wise choice. Please accept the possibility and go on for better solution!

The National Election Day in Cambodia 2013 and Temporary Result

July 28, 2013 was the important day of the fifth national election process in Cambodia. After the unusual movement throughout Cambodia on Saturday to the election center was completed, the vote was done on Sunday from 7:00AM to 3:00PM with the cold weather and raining. One by one came to the center, but there were not many people during 7:00AM; they came to vote later until 3:00PM. Both election committee and voters cooperated very well in most of the election center. However, only some centers encountered the conflict because of the attendance of Vietnamese voters that caused Cambodian residents to get very angry, especially a center in Phnom Penh. There is no clear information yet regarding to this issue why Vietnamese voters appeared in these centers. Even though there was the bad information on the conflict in Phnom Penh, the other election centers completed their mission and got the vote from most of citizens until 3:00PM. Then the election committee in each center along with other stakeholder like COMFREL counted the vote for 8 political parties; only two parties showed the strong support are CPP (Cambodian People Party) and CNRP (Cambodian National Rescue Party). Within the Sangkat and Commune level, there is the tough competition of the vote in each province-city. At last, the temporary result from Bayon TV in the evening of July 28, 2013 showed that the winner is CPP for most of province-city while CNRP won only in 5 province-city such Phnom Penh, Kompong Cham, Kandal, Prey Veng, and Kompong Speu. It should be noticed that CNRP seems to get more support in the residential center than CPP. For instance, CNRP won the election at Sangkat Svay Por of Battambang Town. In short, there will be the real figure for who is the winner after the verification completed and internationally acknowledged as well as the right solution for the current issue occurring during the election process. Anyway, CNRP and CPP will be expected to hold hand for the next mandate since they seem to get similar seat; the political stability and strong economic growth are the things the residents wish for after this election. Personally, there is an appeal for all to use the peaceful method to solve any political conflicts for the benefits of Cambodia. “Please refer to the past experience before you take any actions!”

By: Pok Panhavuth

Potentials of Battambang Province for Eco-tourism & Investment

Battambang Province is an attractive one among other potential area in Cambodia which is locally known as the famous rice producer because the good climate and fertilized soils allow for producing million tons of rice every year. There are a lot of rice mills in this province, which are putting into operations to meet both local demand and overseas exports. According to General Population Census of Cambodia 2008, Battambang Province covers areas of 11,702 square kilometer with the population of 1,024,663 people. If we compare density in 1998 with 2008, it increases the density from 68 people to 88 people per square kilometer. Specifically, Human Resource in Battambang is believed to be strong in many skills like business skill, computer skill, communication skill, interpersonal skill, foreign language, and other specialty. Certainly, it is the golden opportunity for the investors, who are interested in agricultural investment on rice in Battambang.

Furthermore, there is the huge rich alluvial for agriculture and industrialize crops, and natural resorts for ecotourism. Not only rice produce, but also other crops such as orange, grape, cotton, palm tree, coconut, cassava, corn, bean, etc. Many crops is describes at the moments can also be exported to foreign country and used in food and light industry. About the chance to develop Tourism Company in Battambang, it is sure that if you make decision to invest for tourism sector, you will succeed 100% with many natural and cultural resorts in Battambang. For example, Prek Tal resorts (The Paradise of Birds), Phnom Sampov, Phnom Banan (Banan Temple), Sek Sork River Resorts, Ek Phnom Temple, Kamping Puoy Lake, Popos Pechinda River Resort, Chamlong Kuoy River Resort and another beautiful natural resorts which is not opened yet. Especially, most of these resorts are along the national road number 57A, it is sure that travelling will be easy and comfortable for investor and tourist to visit that area which is the most eye-catching one in Battambang. By these factors, Battambang will become the most interesting destination for both investment and ecotourism.

In conclusion, it is suggested that all the investors and tourists (both national and international) should choose Battambang to be invested and visited with the potential land and beautiful scenes of this province.

By: POK Panhavuth