Kon BambooSchoot

Union criticises bloated Cabinet and PPenh to build new electric crematoria

ONE of Cambodia's leading unions has criticised the proposed incoming government for being too bloated, saying that the expected 400-member Cabinet would increase inefficiency and strain the national budget.

Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) President Rong Chhun issued a letter Thursday asking the Cabinet to be pared back, saying the increased salaries for teachers and civil servants was more important than creating more government positions.

According to the letter, the proposed Cabinet will include nine deputy prime ministers, 16 senior ministers, 26 ministers, 172 secretaries of state and 168 undersecretaries of state.

Top-heavy government
There is no need for the government to have a "bigger head than its body", the letter stated.
"Every parliamentarian who is a representative of the people must consider concerns arising from the inflation of Cabinet members."

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith could not be reached for comment.
However, Cheam Yeap, a lawmaker for the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said the large number of Cabinet members would not have a negative impact so long as these members support Prime Minister Hun Sen's government.

PPenh to build new electric crematoria

THE Phnom Penh Municipality will build four electronic crematoria, including one with VIP facilities, to reduce air pollution that government officials fear could affect the country's tourism industry, Governor Kep Chuktema told the Post Wednesday.

The first new facility is being built on four hectares of land near the Prey Sar pagoda in Dangkor district. It is expected to begin operations in the next few months.

Three additional facilities will be built in Prek Leap, Russey Keo and Phnom Penh Thmey at about US$500,000 each, which will be paid for by the municipality, Kep Chuktema said.

"We hope that [they] will reduce air pollution and have a positive social benefit by allowing poor people access to cremation services free of charge," he said.

The municipality will also purchase two vans to transport corpses to the new sites, he said.
Yin Kim Seam, secretary of state for the Ministry of Environment, said the crematoria are being relocated outside the city because air pollution affects residents living in and near pagodas.

"The smoke ... affects the surrounding citizens and the students studying there," he said.
He said the electronic facilities will also reduce reliance on wood.

Houy Sam Sereychan, bureau chief of Communicable Disease Control at the Municipal Health Department, said about 1,300 corpses are cremated each year in Phnom Penh.