Facebook Users in Cambodia
Photo of our famous 12th Century Angkor Wat shared by facebook user-so beautiful
I started to get in touch with Facebook in 2009 in Bangkok during FNF staff training on IT tools to promote freedom across the region (video clips, facebook, blogs, podcast etc). When my colleagues from the Philippines and Indonesia talked about facebook and blog, I felt strange to hear that. Several months later, I become a fan (or addicted to) of facebook and blogging. Back then, internet connection in Cambodia was still rare and quite expensive. Monthly cost was not lower than one hundred U$ per month and with the slowest speed of just 54kb/s. It takes ages to download something. However, it was a progress. We have internet connection in office, but we could not afford to install it at home.
My daughter made a picture of me while I was sitting at home working in the evening-with internet home could be used as office as well
In late 2010, there was possibility to have internet connection at home, thanks to new service providers and new promotion. However, it costs more than 30 U$ per month, the lowest rate we could get and with 254kb/s. The price went down from time to time: to 30 U$, then 24 U$ and now 16 U$, while the speed has been upgraded to 3 mb/s. I am very satisfied now with the speed, the price and the service quality we have. I think that the price will go down again. It is interesting to observe that we have WiFi in many Internet Cafés, guesthouses and hotels across the country, even in small towns. We could use modem to connect to internet where we have phone coverage areas. It is interesting to take note that the word “email” came to my ear during a leadership workshop at the International Academy for Leadership in late 1997, in Germany.
“Anybody could become my teacher if he/she has something better than me to offer”- Socrates-useful share by fb users
According to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication, it is estimated that more than 2 million people (out of 14 million populations or above 14%) have access to internet. Internet becomes increasingly integral part of our daily life. One could hardly imagine life without mobile phone, laptop, internet, facebook, blog etc. People are using more and more social media tools for information sharing, educational purposes, voicing their concerns or comments to political, economic, social and environmental issues etc. Though there is wide gap between urban and rural people in term of access to IT, almost Cambodian youth and adults have mobile phone to use now. The Ministry estimated that there are around 20 million mobile phones in use in this country, since some (business) people have two or three phones using different phone companies.
I would like to share my humble observation concerning facebook users in our country as follows:
Good points on facebook
- More food for thought for reading and reflection
- More educational stuff
- More information, hot news, photos, stories, video clips to share
- More critical opinions or critical comments on what happened in our society, in ASEAN and parts of the world
- More political debate when time closer to elections
- People could write what they want and post what they want
Negative points:
- Violent and even sexy to porn pictures
- Personal attacks
- Nonsense wordings
- Misuse or spreading of false information
This kind of sharing is maybe not much useful, though it is their individual freedom to do so
However, I like to follow-up on what is written and shared via facebook. I would say I gain more than lose. I have a platform to share with friends, colleagues, relatives from around the world and feel that though we live in different parts of the world, we are just one click away. I could use my timeline to post my thought, comments and opinions relating to all issues in our society, also photos. Facebook is a very useful social media network.
Europe on a Bicycle
It is about to start at Independence Monument
Phnom Penh, 05 May 2013: This event (Touring Phnom Penh by bicycle or cyclo with the European Union) was organized by the European Delegation to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Khmer Youth Association. The motto is “greener, safer and better”. The aim is mainly to raise awareness of cycling in the city and bringing EU to the attention of Cambodian people. It attracts hundreds of cyclists to join this wonderful awareness raising tour. It was led by the EU Ambassador , Mr. Jean-Francois Cautain and his spouse, officials of the embassies of European countries, and many, many (mainly young) Cambodians. The announcement was shared by facebook users and I was delighted to join and have set my schedule accordingly.
The registration started since very early morning and the trip was kicked off by the EU Ambassador at 7:30am. The group was led by two police motorcades with the support of other police on duties along the way. It was a pleasant morning, very sunny, but not that hot. I have met some friends who come to join as well. The trip passed by the representation of Spain, the embassy of Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom and France. The final goal is the compound of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, with 15 minutes stops over at the UK Embassy.
On the road at the Russian Federation Bldv
My impression of the tour:
- Many participants came to join the tour, more than I have expected. About 5% are foreigners;
- We have fun riding along part of the streets keeping free for us;
- We have opportunities to help raising awareness to our countrymen, concerning riding bicycle in city;
- EU Quiz was distributed for participants to answer;
- It was a short trip, but meaningful endeavor and it should be continued on regular basis;
- The city planners need to think and develop walking and cycling paths in the future.
With EU Ambassador and his spouse upon arrival at RUPP
Article in the Cambodia Daily on the next day
Heads of Phnom Penh Municipality since 1941
Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, was founded more than 700 years ago. It has now around 2 million inhabitants and has more than 700 km². Between 1941 and 1970 Phnom Penh was governed by Nhek Tiulong (father of Tiulong Saumura, MP of the Sam Rainsy Party and Sam Rainsy’s wife), Tep Phan, Un Tromuch and Mr. Y Tuy. In the sixties, Phnom Penh was a “Pearl of Asia” or “little Paris” and was leading in Southeast Asia in term of city planning and modern architecture.
Independence Monument in Phnom Penh
Between 1970-1975 the city was led by Mr. Ung Heam, Chhay Kim Hong and Mr. Hu Hang Sin. During the Khmer Rouge regime, April 1975 January 1979, there was no governor since Phnom Penh became “ghost city”. All 2 million inhabitants that time were forced to leave the city for the countryside within few days and only few thousands of army and Khmer Rouge cadres were allowed to live in the city. Few embassies were allowed to open, among them; the embassies of Vietnam, Laos, China, Rumania and Yugoslavia. After the fall of the regime on January 7, 1979; people were allowed to come back and resided in the city. Since then, we could observe many development projects sprung up and the city is struggling its way to become the mega city again.
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
From 1979 till now, Phnom Penh was led by Mr. Khang Sarin (1979-1980), Mr. Chan Ven (1980-1982), Mr. Keo Chenda (1982-1985), Mr. Thong Khon (1985-1990), Mr. Hok Lundi (1990-1992), Mr. Sim Ka (1992-1993), Mr. Chhim Seakleng (1993-1998), Mr. Chea Sophara (1998-2003), Mr. Kep Chuktema (2003-2013) and Mr. Pa Socheatavong (Since 3 May 2013). Mr. Kep Chuktema has governed Phnom Penh for more than ten years and is the longest-serving governor since 1941 (information provided by Reaksmey Kampuchea, 03.05.13).
After gaining independence in 1965, Lee Kuan Yew, founder and PM of Singapore, spent two months in Phnom Penh with then Prince Norodom sihanouk. He praised the city beauty and city planning under Sihanouk and would like to learn from it and develop Singapore after the role model of Phnom Penh. After decades of war, political upheaval and destruction, we do need now to learn from Singapore.
Different Views on Upcoming Cambodian National Elections 2013
During the preparation of the upcoming parliamentary elections 2013, the fifth since 1993, there are debates and controversial opinions in the public and among politicians, political parties, NEC and even donors communities. Opposition demands delay of the electoral process while NEC praises its own efforts to organize elections and sees the decrease of technical and funding support from outsiders as a victory…Two articles below would give you some more information concerning national elections in Cambodia in 2013. Enjoy reading it and make your own opinion/ judgement!
Oppositions are not happy with the preparation process
NEC on preparation of national elections in 2013
In my opinion, what is good so far is that there was a peaceful demonstration of the oppositions on 24.04.13 at “Freedom Park”, NEC agreed to come and picked up the petition of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), an official statement of the NEC related to CNRP’s demands was released on 26.04.13, no elections related violence was recorded and politicians are increasingly debating on policies and not just personal attacks. However, the elections will be “relatively free, but the least fair and far from acceptable international standard” as we all know in advance. Cambodians deserve a true democratic election and not just “allowed opposition and allowed democracy”.
A Land of Million Titles
Recently, more Titles were handed over to supreme monks and high-ranking officials in a ceremony in the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. With all the respect, I have my doubts what is the meaning of all these titles? Are they useful, really needed for the Khmer society? My opinion: it is really not necessary. When you have done many good things for the people, people and history will judge you wisely. If you just organize own ceremony to give yourself and your close connected people the “strange and hardly to pronounce” titles, it is somehow meaningless.
I was recently in a workshop outside the country and my fellow participant from Laos addressed me (as a joke) H.E. Sophanna. I laughed, thanked and replied to him that currently there are too many Excellencies in Cambodia and it seems that everybody is an Excellency and really means nothing; the whole room was caught with big laugh. So, it tells us a lot, why people spontaneously laugh on this matter.
Then Prince N. Sihanouk, Roland Dumas (French Foreign Minister) and PM Hun Sen during a peace negotiation in the late eighties, location unknown. Photo shared by fb users
I remembered that during the Sihanouk’s reign from 1953 to 1970, there were very few Excellencies (in the rank of Head of State, Prime Minister, State Minister or Minister) and Oknhas (I do not know how to translate, but the title was given to extra-ordinary or generous people who have done a great deal for the society in term of providing money or building schools or infrastructure etc.). Those titles were really prestigious and the people who hold this, should be really honored. During the war 1970-75, we observed to see more Excellencies and Oknhas; it is not much worthy as before.
Khmer Rouge’s Head, Pol Pot (28-30.V.1978). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
During the Khmer Rouge regime, 1975-79, they abolished all the titles: all people must be equal. They addressed each other as “comrade”. But one comrade could dictate the death or the life of other comrade on the spot. Injustice and inequality remained. This title was used also after Pol Pot was ousted in January 1979 by the new socialist regime till the end of 80th. Then, with the reform and a new constitution of “State Cambodia”, people start to use “His Excellency” only to very few high ranking government officials, also during the negotiation with other warring factions. After the first national election in 1993, organized by UNTAC, there were more Excellencies to address since the government was bigger by including new officials from other parties. As the government is growing bigger and bigger from election to election, more “Excellencies” needed to be given. Oknha and Neak Oknhas (Sir or Lord?) are starting to rise as well, mostly given to business people, provided that they have contributed in cash or in kind of U$ 100,000 for the state or the society. Many business people choose these titles to make them look more powerful and easier to deal with custom officials, low ranking officials or ordinary people. I observe that most of them are “thefts of the nation”, because they often use their (bought) title to commit wrong doings by grabbing lands from poor and powerless people, by illegally logging the forests, smuggling, by not paying taxes properly etc. and the list could go on and on.
Recently, there is a tendency to acquire Dr. Title, though most of them just “bought” it (the thesis was written by someone else against cash payment). In the government or even business sector, I could not find out who does not have Dr. Title, even though they mostly have never ever visited any university. One person could have all the titles possible: His Excellency, Dr., Neak Oknha………. It is really amazing and it pushes me to write this article for the sake of information sharing, discussion and exchange of ideas. In addition, as a small nation with small active army, we have too many Generals (2,000 or more or nobody knows really how many?).
And this is not enough. Recently they create other higher titles as you could read in the article below of the Cambodia Daily. If we currently do not have million of elephants, we at least have million of meaningless or even harmful titles.
The Farmer and Water Net (FWN)
Photo taken with the huge main canal of the Stung Chinit Irrigation Scheme behind me
The FWN was established during the first congress on May 26-27, 2011 and is registered at the Ministry of Interior on December 6, 2011. It has 12 FWUCs, from eight provinces and 206 villages across Cambodia as its members. Total coverage area is more than 23,000 ha with more than 26,000 families. Most of the FWN members are those FWUCs, who have collaborated with GRET and CEDAC since 1998.
Its Vision is to see Cambodia, in which farmers are in the position to manage, maintain and operate own irrigation scheme in a sustainable manner.
The Mission is to mobilize Farmer Water User Communities of rehabilitated or newly constructed irrigation systems at the local, regional and national level in order to strengthen their capacity by learning and sharing experience from/with each other and to facilitate good collaboration among its members and advocate for more policy support from government and other stakeholders.
A recently built reservoir to store water coming down from Koulen Mountain in Siem Reap province
The Goal is to provide enough water for irrigation; especially in the agricultural, rural development and environmental sectors.
The Objectives are as following:
- Exchange of concrete experience from one FWUC to another
- Mobilize resource and farmer’s voice to advocate for FWUC’s interests
- Discuss and provide advice to help members finding solutions to the problems they are facing
- Encourage the authority to recognize the legal status of the FWUCs
- Ensure for transparent water allocation for irrigation
- Ensure effective operation and maintenance of the scheme
- Facilitate for better collaboration with government’s line agencies, local authorities, concerned institutions and development partners to get more material and financial support and better implementation of statute and internal regulation of the FWUCs.
Governance structure: the General Assembly has now 12 members and is the highest legislative and decision-making body of FWN. Each member has to pay 50,000 Riel (12.5 U$) membership fee, at the early stage. There was discussion that the membership fee will be revised based on coverage areas of each FWUC member. Out of the 12 members, 3 steering committee members were elected to lead and implement the policy and activities programs decided by the GA. The mandate is for three years on voluntary basis. FWN is collaborating with ISC, CEDAC and GRET to implement small activities in 2012 to present itself to MOWRAM and other stakeholders. It is technically and administratively supported by a secretary provided on a part-time basis by ISC.
Some FWN Members in a group photo in front of Angkor Wat during a study tour in Siem Reap, in 2011
Members: there are two types of member with observer status and full members. Criteria for membership application:
- The scheme has a command area of 100 ha upwards
- The scheme is being constructed or partly functional
- The scheme/FWUC is locally registered by the commune or/district authority
- FWUC has data list of plot owners
- 67% of farmers in the command area have applied for FWUC membership and paid the one time membership fee to FWUC
- FWUCs representative have been elected
- FWUC has some operations and partly manage irrigated water for users
- FWUC has some activities relating to maintenance of the scheme
- FWUC has already collected the ISF at least once
- FWUC has operation at least in the last three years
- FWUC has collected the ISF more than 70% upwards
- FWUC is registered at PDOWRAM/MOWRAM
Members of FWN during the second congress on 17-19 September 2012 in Kampong Thom province
For those FWUCs, which have passed criteria 1 and 2, could apply for observer status. For those FWUCs, which have passed up to criteria 7, could apply for full membership. FWN is in the process of applying to become full member of the Asian Farmer Association (AFA).
Legal Base of FWUC’s Operation in Cambodia
FWUC stands for Farmer Water User Community, a legal entity established to support especially agricultural water users to operate and maintain the irrigation systems, after it was built. There are currently more than 300 FWUCs registered at the level of the Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology (MOWRAM), with some few more at the local (commune) level. According to MOWRAM, around 2,400 irrigation schemes do exist in Cambodia. This article is aimed to provide summary information concerning legal structure to support the FWUCs. The legal base of FWUCs operation is set by Circular n°1.
Water reservoir around Angkor Wat complex, built in the 12th century
1. Circular n°1 (1999) and its appendix on the status of FWUC describes mostly the objectives of Participatory Irrigation Management and Development (PIMD) and the founding principles for FWUCs: FWUCs will take over O&M management of the scheme, FWUCs statute model, formulation for calculation of the Irrigation Service fee (ISF), ISF collection procedure and share cost formula between state and FWUC (over five years) etc. Note: all of these provisions are repeated in the Policy below.
2. Policy for sustainability of operation and maintenance irrigation system (2000) is based on the following basic principles: Legal framework of FWUC, Involvement of FWUC in system development, Obligation of farmers to pay the O&M cost and emergency cost of O&M, Permanent maintenance and improvement of existing irrigation systems, Arranging the water delivery in an equitable and effective manner, Human and technical support from the MOWRAM etc.
3. Law on Water Resources Management (2007) emphasizes: Inventory of water resources and uses by MOWRAM, Registration of users by PDOWRAM and MOWRAM, Allocation of water rights with a license agreement, Payment of water fees/irrigation service fee (ISF), Integrated water resources management (IWRM) and Watershed Management, Central role of the MOWRAM in managing the resource, Definition of priority areas of implementation, Promotion of FWUCs establishment, registration at PDOWRAM (Chapter 4, article 19) etc.
The 700 meter spillway of the Stung Chinit Irrigation Scheme, Kampong Thom province, constructed in 2006, in the first year of its operation
(Full text of the article 19 concerning FWUC: In order to manage and operate the irrigation schemes effectively and sustainably, MOWRAM shall have the responsibility to establish the Farmer Water User Community. Farmers, who use or partly use the schemes together, have the rights to set up FWUCs. The statute of the FWUC shall be registered at the PDOWRAM. After the registration, FWUCs have ultimate rights to implement the statute and is fully recognized as legal entity. The Procedure to establish and demolish the role and duties of the FWUCs shall be defined in a sub-decree, unofficial translation by author).
Main canal bringing water from Baray reservoir in Siem Reap province to the rice fields. The huge Baray reservoir was built by humans in the tenth century still being used today. Photo taken in 2011.
4. Draft Sub-Decree on FWUCs, specify the basic principles for development and operation of the FWUCs, the rights, authority and obligations of the FWUC, the essential content of statute etc. It is drafted since 1999 with the technical support of various development partners, but it is still pending in the Council of Ministers right now. It is expected that after the review done by MOWRAM, the sub-decree will be re-submitted and is expected to be signed after national election 2013.
Keeping Your Mind and Body in a Healthy Shape
It is good that more and more people living in Phnom Penh turning to exercise to keep them healthy. Health is the most important gift on earth we could have. Imagine, you have million of dollars and you are lying on the bed with poor health? Unfortunately, there are not so many open spaces and big gardens for people using for recreation. We have Beoung Kak Lake in the middle of the city which would be a wonderful lake if preserved properly. It was a wonderful lake until it was neglected after 1992, polluted and finally filled in with sand few years ago. I do hope that the Phnom Penh Municipality will do more for its own people by constructing more sport complexes, more gardens, more parks and planting more trees; instead of just building ugly concrete jungles.
Our cycling team on a bridge
For a big city like Phnom Penh (1.5-2 million inhabitants), we do need more open space for people to relax and retrieve their energy after hard works. In Berlin, a city of 3.5 million inhabitants, they have a big park and spacious gardens in the middle of the city. Lakes and rivers are preserved for the great benefits of its people. In Munich (1.5 million), the famous English garden is very popular, especially during spring, summer and autumn. In Cologne (1 million), a big lake in the middle of the city is a real diamond. It is used for recreation and makes Cologne more beautiful. I love the city planning masters of those cities. They are not thinking just of money in the short-term, but well-being of their people in the longer term.
Human Errors destroy countless Life of Innocent People
I am not very keen in writing this article, but it needs all our attention to be careful. In the first three months of 2013, there was fatal traffic accidents recorded on the Cambodian roads. According to road safety authority following record has been released:
- 1,163 cases happened, almost 23 accidents/day
- 540 people died, exactly 6 people died in the last 90 days between January 1 to March 31, 2013
- 2, 897 persons injured, about 32 persons/day
- 1,205 motorbikes damaged, around 13 bikes/day
- 478 cars damaged, about 5 cars/day
- 157 trucks and 190 other vehicles damaged
As reasons for those accidents, following flaws were identified:
- 45% over speeding
- 15% not respecting priority of other road users
- 13% drunk driving
- 10% dangerous taking over
- 6% not respecting right hand lane
- 5% turning without proper assessment
- 6% including vehicle’s technical problem, road conditions, overloading etc (Koh Santipheap Daily, 04.04.13)
We can imagine: if one tire is broken during the trip, what would happen?
So what could we do to help solving the problem and avoiding it from happening. It is alarming since road accident is number one killer in this country. It caused PM to announce the road safety campaign: “Today and tomorrow, there will be no traffic accident”. It is good, but certainly not enough to cope with the problem. Big awareness campaigns in schools, in mass media and strong traffic law enforcement could help to ease the situation. High ranking officials, powerful and rich people should act as role model, not like “road gangster” as some of them are now.
Bon voyage!
One other major problem is the issuing the driving licenses and corrupt practices involved. Just as an example: I took my driving class in 1996. At that time I did need to pay U$55 for the driving lessons and practices. The course was mainly focused on how to drive rather than basic traffic rules. Basic rules were offered on Sunday morning, but it was not enough. Luckily, I have one driving lesson book from Germany and I educated myself with the book. Before the final exam, the driving teacher asked me if I pay U$10 more, I did not need to go to exam and I will get my driving license immediately. But, I did go to exam, not because I did not have U$10 to pay for it; but because I wanted to see how the exam looks like. It was easy for me since I have learned all lessons by myself. But, I observed that other students who could not answer the quiz, they just paid some money, then people overseeing the exam could give them the right answer, on the spot. After going through all the process by myself, I did not wonder why people are driving so crazy on our roads. They just did not know how to drive properly, except by all means: FORWARD.
The children seem to be very happy and wish them a safe trip….
I heard that the corrupt practice is still more or less the same; just the price for driving lessons is getting higher. Now, people need to pay U$180-190 for the driving class. But, there is possibility to get the driving permission card without even going to a driving school. You can just buy it. Everything is possible in the Kingdom of Wonder. In Germany, one should pay between 2,000-3,000 Euros to learn driving and pass the hardest test to get the license.
A Successful Case Study: ACLEDA
It is a success story of ACLEDA bank. I happened to meet Mr. In Channy, founder and CEO of ACLEDA, for the first time in 1996 in his small and narrow office south of Tuol Tumpung market, when ACLEDA was still an NGO providing credits and basic trainings to small borrowers. He was then young and thin. We met him to learn more about his NGO’s work and its beneficiaries. I have since then followed up success stories of ACLEDA when it developed itself to Micro Finance Institution (MFI), later a specialized bank and then a commercial bank. I have read a great deal of what has been written about ACLEDA. Since then, I have met Mr. In Channy from time to time during official receptions, conferences or other gatherings. He is soft-spoken and is a very nice guy to talk to. I openly admire his achievement and great contribution to the financial sector in Cambodia, especially during a reception at the German Embassy and recently at the airport when he was on his way to Myanmar in 2012.
By December 31, 2012; ACLEDA has around 238 branches across Cambodia and employs more than 7,000 employee, with total assets reached U$ 1,982,742,950 (PPP, 08.04.13). In Laos, the bank has opened few years ago the first office and now has 31 branches and is reaching north towards China. It develops itself from a micro-credit project in 1991 to the biggest bank in Cambodia. It has recently opened first MFI office in Yangon. It is transparent, well-managed and is one of the first banks, which publishes balance sheets and income statements regularly in local newspapers. Some other banks are reluctant to do so. It is also well-known for its principle of “zero tolerance” to corruption.
