UN Peacekeepers Dead, New Scam Report
And not much progress on US tariff negotiations.
Hello and welcome back to Kouprey.
The Cambodian government is infamous for sculpting its international image, using a vast online and in-person PR machinery to spin, obfuscate or distract from events. This is most obvious when it comes to stories about the government’s rights record, the ever-growing scam industry or the political repression of Cambodians.
But these tactics are also employed in seemingly straightforward news stories. Last week, Cambodians received news that two peacekeepers had died in South Sudan. According to local media, the UN confirmed the death of the two Cambodian nationals and said an investigation was underway into a “shooting incident” that occurred inside a base in Malakal, South Sudan. Cambodian officials and local media were quick to post black and white photos of the two deceased individuals — Doung Magaly and Phat Muny — with messages that honored both soldiers for their service.
However, local outlets in South Sudan have reported that the shooting was preceded by a disagreement between the two peacekeepers, “leading one to shoot and kill a female team leader before turning the weapon on himself.” Another news publication claimed they “shot each other after a disagreement” within the UN mission compound. There is no mention of this in Cambodian media or government statements on the incident.
In a plainer case of media management, government officials were not shy to call for censorship of news that three people had reportedly died after a lightning strike at the Angkor War temple complex.
Tourism Minister Huot Hak called for no negative news that affects national tourism and government spokesperson Pen Bona challenged a local AFP photographer on Facebook who questioned why it was prohibited to even report on a natural disaster, referring to the fatal lightning strike.
In Other Major News:
— Human trafficking expert Jacob Sims released a report on the complicity of Cambodia’s state institutions, security apparatus and business community in the cyberscamming industry. Jump to Page 50 (Annex A) for an explosive list of government officials, members of the First Family, and businesspersons who the author holds culpable for their involvement or support of transnational fraud in Cambodia. Here’s Sims speaking on ABC’s Radio National Breakfast, and here’s Prince Group’s disgruntled response.
— A Cambodian ministerial delegation met with US officials in Washington, D.C. on May 14 to discuss the 49% tariff announced by President Donald Trump in April. A government statement did not reveal much except that both sides had a “frank and constructive” meeting and a second round of negotiations is scheduled for June.
— Environmental journalist Ouk Mao was arrested by plainclothes military officers on May 16, the latest form of legal harassment faced by the local reporter, who has spent years documenting illegal logging in Prey Lang forest. The arrest comes after Mongabay reported Mao was attacked by a group of men earlier this year.
— The new Techo Takhmao International Airport will begin operations starting July 10, said government officials, pending checks and inspections. The government said the current Pochentong airport will welcome its last flight on July 9. Prime Minister Hun Manet meanwhile rejected rumors the old airport land will be sold, and Nikkei Asia reported that the US wants to support construction at the Techo Takhmao airport.
Other stories you might have missed:
— A police officer was sent to pretrial detention at PJ Prison for driving drunk and killing one person and injuring two others. The case generated considerable anger this week among Cambodian netizens.
— The Health Ministry is recommending Covid-19 vaccination amid an increase in cases.
— Prime Minister Hun Manet will travel to Japan next week. Human Rights Watch called for Japanese officials to question him on human rights issues.
— A Chinese national shot at two security guards who asked him not to smoke in a restaurant. It’s not clear how a foreign national was in possession of a weapon, which is illegal under Article 8 of Cambodia’s weapons law.
— Two more Cambodians were confirmed dead last week from the earthquake in March that hit Myanmar and Thailand.
— After the prime minister ordered stricter inspections of imported vegetables and meat as part of a 2025-2030 cancer control plan, CamboJA linked cancer deaths in Cambodia to imported food items, a connection that is not backed by credible evidence and unfortunately relies on tropes that Vietnam and Thailand export chemical-laden meat, fruit and vegetables to the country while Cambodian produce is produced without chemicals. Perhaps more notable is that nearly 75% of cervical cancer patients only seek treatment only in the late stages, per the health minister, raising questions about access to routine gynaecological checks in the country, and more broadly, about quality of health services for the average Cambodian.
See you next week!
Thank you! The roundup is excellent