Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Heavy hitters divvy up anti-drug committees

Heavy hitters divvy up anti-drug committees

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Sar Kheng at the National Workshop on the Campaign of Drug Law at the National Education Institute in Phnom Penh Heng Chivoan

Heavy hitters divvy up anti-drug committees

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng yesterday announced the creation of five committees to fight drug use and trafficking, with each to be chaired by high-ranking officials.

The committees will be responsible for education, combating drugs, rehabilitation, international cooperation and administration, respectively.

Notably, Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana will be head of the drug-combating committee, which will consist of sub-committees responsible for three areas: the postal system, managing the Cambodia-Laos border, and monitoring other border crossings, airports and ports. The education committee will be chaired by Ke Kim Yan, current chair of the National Authority for Combating Drugs.

On December 22, Kheng presented a new large-scale anti-drug campaign. On the first day of the six-month push, nearly 100 people were arrested. All provinces are now obliged to send daily, weekly and monthly reports to the Ministry of Interior, an order that authorities acknowledge has not yet been fully implemented.

“Since [the start of the campaign], we received drug reports only from . . . 11 provinces,” National Police spokesman Kirth Chantharith said yesterday.

Kheng also endorsed a prime ministerial directive to separate drug-addicted prisoners from the general population. “Drug-addicted prisoners have to be separated from other prisoners. Otherwise, the others will also become drug-addicted. But drug traffickers can stay with other prisoners,” he said.

In mid-December, during Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Cambodia, both countries agreed to exchange information, skills and strategies to combat drugs.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the