Crime in Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the Southeast Asian countries, which is best known by its marvelous heritage, Angkor Wat. However, Cambodia also has a high crime rate. We can see there are many criminal cases accuse in every sectors of the country.

Corruption is a primary crime in Cambodia. Corruption in Cambodia is not just about corrupt politicians and high-raking officials. An analysis of everyday forms of corrupt practices in Cambodia by the Phnom Penh-based Center for Social Development showed in 2005 that the corruption virus has infected almost the entire population, and it is still the case as of today. Bribes have become practically obligatory for any service delivered, including education and healthcare. In order to receive a fast public service you have to pay the bribe to the official. As a result, a corruption barometer survey by Transparency International in February 2008 revealed that 72 per cent of Cambodians reported paying a bribe to receive a public service in the last year; 61 per cent did not expect corruption to decrease in the next three years, and 42 per cent expected it to rise. What is more, On Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions for 2008 Cambodia ranks 166 out of 180 countries. Among the countries in the region of Asia-Pacific, the country ranks 30 out of 32. Only Afghanistan and Myanmar rank lower. In 2007 Cambodia ranked 162 out of 180 and in 2006, 151 out of 160 countries. Encouragingly perhaps, the 2009 Index places Cambodia a bit higher, at 158 out of 180 countries. However, it is still among those near the bottom of the list. Another research by USAID-funded in 2004 revealed that Cambodia lost USD 300,000 million a year to corruption—about half the national budget. Another study conducted and released in 2006 by an independent research organization, the Economic Institute of Cambodia, commissioned by Pact, revealed that Cambodia lost around USD 330 million in 2005 just to unofficial fees in the private sector. Though there has been no update figure available since then and Cambodia’s ranking on Transparency International’s CPI for 2009 suggests a relative improvement, the Cambodian public still sees corruption as one of the most serious concerns. In comparison with India, the rate of the corruption is almost the same but the way the Indian government against the corruption is far more effective than in Cambodia. In India, the government also takes action against powerful individuals but in Cambodia the high-ranking officials are above the law. They appear to be able to use their political connection against the anti-corruption law. For instance, in 2006, there have been quite a few corruption trials against provincial officials, often arising out of allegations of participation in illegal logging or land grabbing. In one illustrative case, 14 officials from Ratanakiri province were charged with involvement in a multi-million dollar logging operation that took place in Virachey National Park. Initially, the case stalled because local court officials were unwilling or unable to investigate the allegations. However, the investigation resumed after it was transferred to Phnom Penh Municipal Court. Ultimately, 11 low-ranking officials, including park rangers and border police, were tried for accepting bribes to allow trucks containing illegally logged wood to leave the national park. However, the trials of the three highest-ranking officials—a former provincial governor, the former provincial police chief, and the local military commander—were postponed for some time because of alleged problems with the witnesses and evidence. The trial was then resumed, although the former governor is still at large. The outcome of this case, at least so far, suggests corruption trials against low-ranking officials are becoming more common but that higher-ranking officials may in some cases have the political connections to avoid corruption charges. In another illustrative case, the World Bank froze funding

on several projects in May 2006 after an internal investigation concluded that there was evidence of corruption by government officials. The government initially responded with skepticism and several senior government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, questioned the bank’s findings. However, in July 2006, the former director of one of the suspended projects was arrested and charged with embezzlement under article 37 of the UNTAC Law. He was accused of embezzling more than USD 800,000 from four road-building contracts and was immediately placed in pre-trial detention. However, months later, he was reportedly freed on bail pending further investigation. But there has not been any further action reported on the case since then.

In conclusion we can see there are a great deals of corruption in Cambodia and most of them are not reported, investigated or punished. There are many reasons for that. The Cambodian do not report corruption because they think the government will not do anything about that. In addition the patronage system within the civil service makes it difficult for government official to report corruption without risking their careers.