Sou Sdei and welcome to Campuccino, your fortnightly dispatch of key headlines in Cambodia with a dash of opinion.
A warm welcome to new subscribers, thank you for allowing me into your inbox. It’s nice to have you here.
This issue is a bit pandemic-heavy because I simply cannot ignore this topic. But don’t worry, I have many interesting items in the Arts & Culture section to ease you out of your anxiety (and mine).
In this issue: Cambodia’s biggest Covid-19 community cluster yet, the arrival of COVAX vaccines, China-style internet gateway, different functions of photography books, food and identity, and more.
A lot has happened in Cambodia since I wrote to you last. Cambodia’s Covid-19 blessing has been challenged by its latest and biggest community transmission known as the “20 February” event. Cambodia woke up on the morning of 20th February to the report of 32 new Covid-19 cases, reports Ouch Sony for VOD. The cluster links to a Phnom Penh nightclub and four women who bribed their way out of quarantine through hotel security. Two of them were tested positive. This prompted the government to block off affected areas which have seen increasing numbers throughout the past week.
As of 1st March, the latest outbreak brings the total number of cases up to 820 since the pandemic began, reports Cambodianess. A small silver lining, in this case, is the government’s call to owners of establishments that host large crowds to use a new website and QR code system, stopcovid.gov.kh, to assist in contact tracing. Despite my wishing to have seen this happening sooner, I appreciate that it is in place now. So far, people within my social network seem to enjoy posting a screenshot each time they’re scanning in somewhere. It’s kinda hilarious. 😂
While Cambodia is trying to curb its biggest cluster yet, other underlying issues are resurfacing including rampant corruption, lack of quality and sufficient health care system, lack of transparency in vaccination roll out and so on.
As Phnom Penh hospitals were filled up in the recent outbreak, new patients were being taken to facilities in Kandal and Kampong Speu provinces, reports Mech Dara for VOD. Several high schools in the provinces have been converted into quarantine facilities while treatments are conducted at the provincial hospitals. It remains to be seen how much more the government’s facilities can hold up if case numbers keep rising.
On corruption, a piece in Nikkei Asia by Shaun Turton and Kong Meta examines how Cambodia’s severe corruption has ruined the country’s record in containing Covid-19. At a first glance, it sounds simple. Security guards took a bribe and let people out of quarantine early. However, this wasn’t the first time it happened. There have been several cases of people escaping quarantine through a good old bribing tactic. The only difference is that this time the consequences are at a much larger scale.
In terms of vaccination transparency, David Hutt questions, in his Asia Times report, the timeline that Minister of Defence Tea Banh got vaccinated which seems to have been in late January, before the arrival of the first batch of Chinese Sinopharm. Hutt presents two theories for this situation: 1). the Prime Minister knew about this but chose to hide the information for some reason; or 2). the PM did not know which then raises the question about his authority over his cabinet and his defence minister’s loyalty. A much recommended read!
Speaking of vaccines, UNICEF Cambodia announced an arrival of the first batch of COVAX vaccines (AstraZeneca) to Cambodia. The 324,000 doses are the first batch of estimated 7 million doses from COVAX.
Space for freedom of expression is about to get narrower due to Cambodia’s recently-established China-style internet gateway, reports Reuters. A new sub-decree issued in mid-February would create a National Internet Gateway (ING) to control and monitor all online traffic. Obviously, no one is thrilled about this. Rights groups perceive this as a new tool to censor online speech and enhance surveillance activities. CamboJANews reports that internet service providers are concerned about costs and investment needed to set up NIG as well as privacy and security of customers’ information in case of data leaks.
Meanwhile, a Chinese reporter was deported over an alleged “fake news” vaccine sale, reports Sun Narin for VOA. Shen Kaidong, 52, the editor of Angkor Today since 2015, was accused of allegedly misreporting a scheme offering Covid-19 vaccines for a “service fee” of $120. The government did not provide any details of why he was deported or whether the claims of his story were investigated. 🐟🐟🐟
Visually Pleasing
Arts & Culture
📸 គ្រួសារ (Family) is a photography book newly released by Catfish books following the lens of photographer Stuart Isett to Cambodian refugee resettlement communities in Chicago. The black and white photos reflect both clash and harmony of cultures and generations. The accompanying text written by Cambodian-American activist Silong Chhun is brief, yet very intimate and personal – a love letter to the community. You can read further about the book in Southeast Asia Globe feature piece here. PS. The featured image that Globe uses for the piece is one of my favourites.
🎨 Arts of Leather Carving: Before its fame of getting on the list of UNESCO Intangible Heritage, SbekThom or large shadow puppet theatre was one of my favourite Cambodian art forms, but not for the reason you might think. I grew up watching it on TV but could never follow the storyline. Even when I got to watch it traditionally performed live in front of a massive open fire, I still couldn’t follow the storyline (usually Ramayana). I love the art form for its intricate carving on the leather. I find the carving beautifully mesmerising. If you are curious to know more about the art of Khmer leather carving and the people behind it, this article is worth a read.
🤓 The identity study nerd in me couldn’t click fast enough when I saw this article. The Cambodian American Literary Arts Association published an article looking at food and identity arguing that what we choose to eat plays a deep role in shaping who we are and how we sees ourselves. Isn’t that intriguing?? The article features different food stories experienced by Cambodian American diaspora.
🍳 I know you folks love food because whenever I include a food item in the newsletter, that item received the highest click-through rate! A while back, I talked about Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishing a cookbook as part of its food diplomacy. I have yet to find out where to get the book but it seems Cambodianess releases one recipe from the book every week. Here’s my favourite one so far: Bay Treab or caramelised sticky rise. It’s not something you see often, I bet. It brings back my childhood memory of waiting for my mother to come back from the market to see if she brought me treats. Bay Treab was among the treats mum sometimes brought home. Yum!
Overheard on Twitter
Campuccino is a fortnightly dispatch of key headlines in Cambodia, written by @DarathteyDin from Word & Visual.
I’d love to hear from you. If you have feedback or content ideas, please reach out via tey@wordandvisualmedia.com