Omicron Brings Fear, Hun Manet Bets Sam Rainsy and Mother Nature On the Run
Good morning, Cambodia. It's Friday, December 31, and this is your Weekly Dispatch.
BUZZKILL 2022: New Covid infections are spiking just as New Year’s Eve celebrations arrive, sending shivers through the Kingdom and its newly reopened tourism sector — not to mention the government officials who said it was safe.
BETTING MAN: Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Hun Manet’s diploma from West Point was dubious — more about politics than performance. The prime minister’s son and current CPP poster child replied: Wanna bet on it?
ON THE RUN: Mother Nature has ended its controversial operations in Cambodia. The fate of six local activists who face heavy prison sentences for their work for the environmental pressure group has yet to be decided by the courts.
THE LEDE
The Next PM
Prime Minister Hun Sen said his son, Lieutenant General Hun Manet, could become Cambodia’s next prime minister as soon as two years from now.
The Strongman this week spoke of leaving office in 2023 and becoming the “father of a prime minister.” He also said future premiers should retire by age 72, adding that he would propose a law mandating the age limit once he stepped down.
Hun Sen would be 71 if he resigned after the 2023 national elections.
Omicron Variable
Cambodia twice this week recorded new Covid-19 cases in the double digits, a sharp uptick from recent trends of new cases under 10. The spike raised concerns that a surge could derail the Kingdom’s push to reopen to international tourists.
The Omicron variant accounted for all 14 new cases announced Thursday.
The government in October promised no more lockdown or quarantine measures — but Omicron could change all that. Provinces bordering Thailand, where Omicron is surging, have started reassessing quarantine for returning migrants, and the WHO is worried the highly contagious variant could overload the Kingdom’s healthcare system.
Cambodia has inoculated nearly 90% of its population. Since Sept 30, new daily cases have plummeted from close to 1,000 to the single digits.
Political Wagers
Cambodia’s fractured opposition wasted little time attacking Hun Manet, who was nominated Friday as the party’s next candidate for prime minister.
Within hours of the vote, exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy reasserted the debunked claim that Hun Manet’s diploma from West Point was a “second-class” degree — awarded by the prestigious military academy to bolster diplomatic relations rather than for merit.
The CPP protégé fired back with a friendly wager: If anyone found proof his degree was unearned, Hun Manet would resign from the party and relinquish his role as future prime minister. If no proof was found, Sam Rainsy had to resign from politics forever.
The opposition leader has yet to respond.
TALKING POINTS
Pulling Out
Mother Nature suspended operations in Cambodia, citing safety concerns. Six of the environmental group’s activists are facing harsh prison terms for their campaigning. The cases are widely viewed as politically motivated.
Dwindling Catch
Fish catches in Kampot province fell by more than 2,000 tons compared to last year, from 20,300 tons to 18,000 this year. Experts pointed to a host of reasons, including climate change and habitat destruction brought on by development.
Things They Wore
The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum launched a new exhibit showcasing prisoners’ clothing. The items include baby clothes, shirts, bags and shoes. The museum director said the pieces were cherished by historians for providing context around the individuals who suffered under the Khmer Rouge.
American Defense
A Khmer American lawyer defended herself against charges of plotting to overthrow the government. Theary Seng was one of more than 100 opposition supporters charged in cases stemming from Sam Rainsy’s failed 2019 attempt to return to Cambodia and oust the ruling party.
Crime Jobs
Thai nationals are increasingly falling victim to job scams in Cambodia. Many are lured by offers of big salaries in Sihanoukville’s casinos only to find themselves pedaling dodgy betting sites, fake loans and other online scams.
No Disclosure
Officials remained hush-hush about a new mega-development underway in Koh Rong. Authorities began demarcating the borders of the 350,000-square-meter site in Koh Rong city, but offered no details to residents who may have overlapping land claims.
Naga Stalemate
NagaWorld casino and its workers remained at an impasse. The employees’ union wants the reinstatement of 276 union members and recalculated severance benefits, among other demands. The casino has refused to budge. Union members vowed to keep striking no matter how long it takes.
Bear Bites
A wild bear attacked four loggers in Battamang province, leaving one severely injured and frightening the bejesus out of the three who managed to escape unharmed. The unlucky logger was bitten on the head, arms and legs.
BACKPAGES: From The Cambodia Daily Vault
Satellite Images Show Possible Size of Angkor
December 28, 2001
Looking at a satellite image of the Angkor Wat region, it’s hard to miss: straight dark lines show a large canal once ran from the walled city of Angkor Thom about 25 km north to the Kulen hills.
Ministry Bans TV Ad for Breast-Enhancer Pill
December 27, 2001
The Ministry of Information has ordered a television advertisement for a pill promising to enlarge women’s breasts to be removed from the air, saying it degrades Cambodian women.
RCAF Adds Troops Near Preah Vihear Temple
December 27, 2001
Tensions continued Wednesday at Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodian-Thai border, as Cambodia sent more troops to block possible advances by the Thai military.
PM’s Nephew Arrested in Shooting Incident
December 26, 2001
Police have arrested a nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen and were holding him Tuesday in connection with a shooting incident which left a man wounded.
WEEKEND READS
Data Show Turbulence, Decline in Mekong River Ecosystems
November is usually a happy month for Cambodia’s fishermen. As the rainy season ends, the waters of the Mekong and its many tributaries should provide a bountiful supply of fish to feed their community and sell at market. But this year, as has become the trend, the nets were less full than the year before.
Mining companies hunt for buried treasure on indigenous Cambodian land
Jarai villagers remain wary of promises by foreign companies aiming to dig for precious metal.
Photos: Hun Manet graduates Jump School, via Hun Manet’s Facebook page. Toul Sleng, via Flickr.