Author: ASEAN News Gazette

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, outgoing Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, is scheduled to hold a get-together with outgoing and incoming Members of the Government at the January 7 Palace in Phnom Penh on Aug. 10.

The new Royal Government of the 7th Legislature of National Assembly is led by H.E. Dr. Hun Manet who was appointed by His Majesty the King as the Prime Minister of Cambodia on Aug. 7.

According to Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the new cabinet membership will be composed of a younger generation of leaders. Only a few of the 6th-mandate government members whose age is under 70 years old would remain in the new cabinet.

“I will continue to be Prime Minister for 15 more days then I will be promoted as father of the Prime Minister. It is not the end yet. I will continue serving in other positions for at least until 2033, which I will then serve for more than half a century,” he underlined in a message on his social media networks yesterday.

Counting until Aug. 22, 2023, the date which he will officially step down, and counting from Jan. 14, 1985, the date which he officially became the Prime Minister, he has been a Prime Minister for 38 years 7 months and 8 days, an equivalent to 463 months 2,014 weeks and 14,099 days.

If counting his work serving the government from Jan. 8, 1979 in the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Prime Minister, and Prime Minister, as of Aug. 22, 2023, he has served for 44 years 7 months 14 days, an equivalent to 535 months 2,328 weeks and 16,297 days.

Looking back through time, Samdech Techo Hun Sen was the youngest prime minister (32 years old) and the longest-serving in the world.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Cambodia is committed to promoting the cultural diversity and preserving the ASEAN’s shared heritage, said H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia during the 56th ASEAN Day Celebration held on Monday.

“ASEAN is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions, but our shared commitment to building a better future for our region is what unites us,” she said.

H.E. Ms. Phoeurng Sackona continued that this expression captures the essence of what ASEAN is and what we stand for which has been instrumental in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in our region and beyond.

Together, all ASEAN nations have forged a strong and resilient community that is guided by the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, and shared responsibility, the Cambodian culture minister said, underlining that the comprehensive and visionary framework for our future: the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 articulates the common aspirations to achieve a politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially responsible community that is people-oriented and people-centered.

H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona also highlighted the importance of culture as a key element of the ASEAN identity and community.

“ASEAN is the home of rich and diverse cultural heritage that reflects our long history and civilisation. Culture is at the heart of our societies, and it plays a critical role in shaping our identities and enriching our lives. As we celebrate the ASEAN Day, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the cultural heritage and Cambodia is proud to contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of ASEAN.”

H.E. Ms. Phoeurng Sackona added that Cambodia is the home to the many magnificent tangible cultural heritage including Angkor Wat, a World Heritage Site and one of the most important cultural landmarks in the world.

“Our tremendous intangible cultural heritages such as music, dance, visual arts and craft and other forms of traditional arts and expressions are a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of Cambodian people. They are an expression of our identity, our values, our aspirations as well as our history,” she pointed out.

H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona stated that as a whole, ASEAN cultural treasures are not only our legacy from the past but also our inspiration for the present and future. They enrich our lives with beauty and make them meaningful. They foster mutual understanding and respect among our diverse people. They enhance our sense of belonging and pride as ASEAN citizens.

“It is also important to know that ASEAN cultural treasures contribute to our socio-economic development by generating income and employment opportunities for local communities. They stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship by encouraging new forms of cultural expression and exchange. Therefore, it is imperative that we protect and promote our culture as an integral part of our ASEAN community building process,” she said.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia has expressed its disappointment and demanded a public apology from Mr. Nigel Ng or Uncle Roger for wrongly evaluating Cambodian food on social media, YouTube Channel named Nigel Ng, published on July 30, 2023, entitled “Uncle Roger Make Adobo”.

“In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism is working closely with relevant stakeholders and requests Mr. Nigel Ng or Uncle Roger, born on 15th March 1991, to make a public apology to the Cambodian people and immediately edit the posted video on its social media channel,” said the ministry in a statement dated Aug. 7.

According to the statement, the assessment of Mr. Nigel Ng completely deviates from the reality of the prestige and identity of Khmer food, especially has seriously affected Cambodian food tourism, which the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the Ministry of Tourism, has strived to promote on the international stage to be widely recognised that “Cambodia has a Beautiful Culture and Unique Taste of its Cuisine”. As a result, in 2022, the Khmer cookbook named “Taste of Angkor” compiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia won The Best Asian Cookbook Prize at The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2021 in Paris.

The Ministry of Tourism took the opportunity to thank the public for their contribution to the promotion of Cambodia’s tourism, as well as the constant support and warmly welcome all social media players or influencers who wish to participate in promoting the wonders of Cambodian Culture, Nature and diversity of Cambodian Food to the world.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

P-hailing companies have given their commitment to be more transparent and to study further the views of the riders in the calculation of payment rates for them, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the commitment was pledged in a meeting with 24 service operators and five riders present to state their views and obtain first-hand responses from the p-hailing companies.

“Further study is important to improve the deliverer’s wage and the interest of consumers especially in rural areas taking into consideration the capability of the companies involved,” he said in a statement today.

On July 22, Anwar said that he would call all p-hailing operators to explain some of the issues faced by food and goods deliverers.

This is after one of the food deliverers in a ‘Meet Anwar’ programme in conjunction with the Selangor MADANI Rider Gathering programme, claimed that the wage rate of riders is decreasing from RM7 and below, thus reducing their income.

Anwar said after hearing the views of both sides today, the Unity Government agreed to increase the allocation for upskilling initiatives and training led by the Ministry of Human Resources.

The Prime Minister said that in addition to conveying the complaints of riders on the delivery rate issue, the meeting also revolved around deliverers’ income, social safety net and the need for upskilling training.

“I have conveyed the sender’s complaint related to the delivery rate issue. I have also heard views and complaints from operating companies operating outside the Klang Valley that are focused on rural services,” he said.

Also present at the meeting were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar and senior officials of the ministry.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The government’s announcement of a monthly RM300 Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) aid for Non-Pensionable Veterans from the age of 60 is news that all members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) have been waiting for a long time.

President of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Datuk Sharuddin Omar said the initiative could increase the monthly income of veterans who have been devoted to serving the country to continue with their lives.

“I would like to thank the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for this initiative that will benefit more than 41,000 non-pensionable veterans,” he told Bernama here today.

He said the announcement was also in line with PVATM’s struggle which emphasises the welfare of veterans throughout the country.

Perak’s PVATM chairman Lt Col (Rtd) Aminuddin Ab Karim expressed his happiness with the announcement because there are many ATM veterans who do not have regular income or jobs.

“This is very good news because not everyone has a fixed income and has a job at this advanced age… it can help to some extent to ease the burden they bear every month,” he said.

Former member of the Royal Malaysian Engineers Regiment Azman Senan, 65, is grateful for the announcement because he currently only depends on his three children who are already working.

“I thank the government for being able to help us … I really need this help,” he said.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, in a statement today, said that the BSH of RM300 per month will be extended for Non-Pensionable Veterans from the age of 60 compared to previously when it was only enjoyed at age 80, effective this September.

The proposal was agreed at the Cabinet Committee on Public Service Reform (JKK-PPA) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Security forces, Armed Forces and police personnel involved in early voting for the state polls tomorrow are urged to vote wisely and choose their representatives to form strong and efficient state governments.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said uniformed bodies must use their responsibility and trust vested upon them to choose leaders who can serve honestly and resolve problems faced by the people and ensure a stable government.

“I would like to wish all uniformed bodies involved in the early voting process tomorrow, ‘happy voting’. I pray that the voting process will progress smoothly tomorrow.

“Choose candidates who can shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of the people as well as the entire family, God Willing (Insya-Allah),” he said in his Facebook posting tonight.

Through a video clip posted, Anwar hoped the early voting process will be carried out without any untoward incidents to consolidate the existing political stability in the country.

Anwar said the purpose of the early voting initiative for uniformed bodies is to ensure their services are available to ensure safety and security when voters go to the polls in six states on Aug 12.

According to the Election Commission’s (EC) website, the early voting process involves 49,660 members of the Armed Forces (ATM) and 47,728 police personnel who will be voting at their respective polling stations in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

As for the Kuala Terengganu by-election, 1,362 police personnel and 35 ATM members are involved in the early voting process.

The EC has set the date for early voting in all six states and the Kuala Terengganu by-election as Aug 8 and the polling date is Aug 12 while the 14-day campaigning period ends at 11.59pm of Aug 11.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency