Sok Khemara

Critics Call Cambodia’s Election ‘a Joke,’ Pinning Hopes on Global Pressure Campaign

The international community has criticized past elections as well, such as the 2018 results when the CPP won all 125 seats. Yet foreign governments still lined up outside parliament when the new government was sworn in. 

US Cambodians Debate Impact of Western Response to ‘Invalid’ Election

The United States and European Union may have waning leverage over Cambodia as it slides further into China’s orbit, however Cambodian-Americans fear that upcoming elections could prompt further erosion of Phnom Penh’s relations with the West.

Cambodian Americans See Key Role for US in Pre-Election Turmoil

Cambodian Americans say they just want for Cambodia what they have in America — an election where the most popular party can win.

U.S. Looks to Boost Regional Sway at US-ASEAN Summit

The Biden administration is hoping to find a receptive audience in areas such as maritime cooperation, sustainable development, connectivity and economic relations — and will likely avoid issues that raise obvious conflicts with Beijing.

Ahead of US-ASEAN Summit in Washington, Cambodia Critics Want Tough Talk, Not ‘Photo Ops’

Hun Sen, as the current chair of ASEAN, will officially co-chair the summit with Biden. The gathering is part of a wider U.S. effort to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, a foreign policy priority for the president and congressional lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.

New Book Explores Environmental Crisis Facing Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake

It describes how the lake’s extraordinary ecosystem has been of historical importance to Cambodia, but is now threatened by overfishing, dams and climate change.

Hope for US Legislation Sanctioning Cambodian Leaders Rests with Senate

Key House proponents of the bill say they trust Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who represents the large Cambodian community in Lowell, will get the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk.

Phnom Penh Rebuffs US Sanctions of Cambodian Military Leaders

Washington had cited corruption related to the Ream Naval Base, a geopolitical flashpoint, as the US worries it may become a Chinese military outpost.

UN Tribunal Split Could Signal End of Case Against Former KR Navy Commander

Legal experts say renewed divisions between international and Cambodian court members will likely result in dismissal of the case against Meas Muth.

Khmer Rouge Victims Push for Continuation of May 20 Commemorations

The Day of Remembrance was canceled as part of the government’s efforts to increase workdays in the year.

Virtual Khmer New Year to Give Hope Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Khmer New Year would have officially been celebrated Tuesday until Thursday. But in Cambodia, the government has postponed the holidays to contain the spread of the virus, and in the US, the government has urged the population to stay home and close all non-essential businesses.

Cambodia Announces Nationwide School Closures as COVID Response Ramps Up

On Friday, health officials confirmed that two foreigners – a Belgian and Canadian national – had tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Phnom Penh, with Siem Reap seeing one case in early March, one of them a Cambodian national.

Ouch Leng And Three Environmental Activists Detained In Kratie, Being Questioned By Court

After Kampong Speu Settlement, Arduous Path Ahead for Land Disputants: Experts

The settlement is being viewed as a landmark case of accountability in a country where the impunity enjoyed by Cambodia’s elites has seen little or no relief for land dispute communities.

Australian Bank To Compensate Cambodian Farmers for Lost Land

ANZ Australia will pay the families with interest earned by the $40 million loan to Phnom Penh Sugar (PPS), a company owned by a conglomerate headed by Cambodian lawmaker and tycoon Ly Yong Phat, who is affiliated with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). 

Cambodia’s Hun Sen Looks Forward to Planned US-ASEAN Summit in Las Vegas

A planning document for the summit, obtained by VOA Khmer from an ASEAN diplomatic source, notes the summit will be held at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort on March 14

Vietnamese Officials Seize Cambodian Monk’s Passport for Alleged Cyber Security Violation

Ao An Ruling Leaves Khmer Rouge Tribunal In Prolonged Uncertainty

The pre-trial chamber of the hybrid court was split in its decision on whether to uphold the indictment against Ao An, who was a regional deputy commander in the Khmer Rouge regime.

Former KR Cadre Conducts Christmas Service at New Church

Sitting down with VOA Khmer, Im Chaem said that she had “offered” her land to Christ last year, following her conversion, as a way to atone for any sins she may have committed. She does not clarify if these sins are linked to the accusations against her.

Kem Sokha Challenges Lower Court’s Decision To Proceed To Trial

Kem Sokha's lawyer told VOA Khmer that a recent letter from President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Hun Sen, aimed at thawing bilateral relations, could help Kem Sokha’s case.