Dear Editor,

It was very interesting to read the comprehensive analysis on corruption from the

last three issues of Phnom Penh Post ("Kingdom of Corruption").

Among many uncertain things in this country, corruption is surely the worst social

evil that has substantially destroyed the country's potential to grow.

From my point of view, it's sad that the articles might have drawn little attention

from top officials since they have always had a knack of turning a blind eye towards

such a disturbing study.

Corruption is the number one enemy of respect for law, strict enforcement of law

and justice. Injustice is in turn the enemy, among other things, of investment from

which social and economic development derives. It is here where social poverty starts

and stays ingrained.

Unless the corruption is properly addressed, whatever efforts the government tries

to exert prima facie in order to reduce poverty, it will never produce any positive

result.

While corruption is still there, it

would be naive to believe that the so-called "economic government" could

make any differences. It's not necessary what weights the Prime Minister's "triangle

strategies" may carry, it can never achieve an economic development in a true

form.

As the already adopted laws were seen to be overruled by the persons enforcing them,

it is obvious that shrewd businessmen from major international entities do not see

any opportunities to invest here.

Investors see no reasons to waste their funds in a country where money, not law,

prevails. Being without investor's confidence means taking away the chance for true

developments.

If the current government does really have goodwill to develop our country, top leaders

must first of all prove to the public that corruption eradication is the first priority

to start with, otherwise forget about development. Without attention and willful

consideration from top leaders, corruption's course can never be decelerated.

These days all efforts the government claimed to have done to develop the nation

are purely catchwords to make themselves look hard-working towards its goals, but

in fact, these leaders are much more interested in their

personal build-up rather than economic enhancement.

It's not too late now for them to change their minds, if they wish their "hard-working"

reputation be remembered by the next generations.

Sao Volak, Phnom Penh