The government’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and Transparency International Cambodia launched a contest yesterday calling for artistic depictions of corruption from university students across the country.

Prizes of $950, $650 and $500 will be awarded to the 39 best paintings and poems that depict corruption issues in the Kingdom, said Keo Thivuth, deputy director of the executive general department of ACU.

Students submitted entries yesterday touching on everything from land rights issues to the lack of judicial independence.

Chreng Dolla, 20, said her painting addressed the issue of illegal logging, “which is seriously destroying the environment”.

Preap Kol, executive director of co-sponsor Transparency International, said targeting students was a key to cracking down on endemic corruption.

“The younger generation must participate in preventing corruption, because they are a political force [capable of] putting pressure for reform to fight against corruption in the government,” said Kol.

The winning entries will be displayed on December 9. 

To contact the reporter on this story: Vong Sokheng at [email protected]