There were two murders happening two days in a row in Phnom Penh city, 23-year popular singer and host television, Pov Panhapich, was shot at close range twice on Friday morning at English school, and has now been treating in Vietnam hospital, and a 36-year old Free Trade Union leader, Hy Vuthy, was shot dead three times on the early Saturday while driving home from work.
Most killings occurred because of being related to competition, jealousy, and love triangle between powerful and rich people. But assailants have not ever been apprehended. It is “the culture of immunity.” This matter whether we can say that the police have lack of competence or because of what? The assassination attempt on famous people seems to invoke critical problem in the current Khmer morality.
In the past, unidentified attackers who gunned down Cambodian’s movie, karaoke and singer have never been arrested such as movie actress and classical dancer, Piseth Pilika, was shot dead in 1999, Karaoke video actress and singer, Tat Marina, was horribly disfigured in 1999 after being attacked with acid. Meanwhile, in 2003 Tuoch Srey Nich was shot twice in the face and once in the neck by gunman and her mother was fired to death.
Only the ordinary citizens face robbery, kidnapping and violence but the rich and powerful can afford both bodyguards and motorcades for protection. Instead, government should act more and more for the sake of all Cambodians’ safety by providing true law enforcement, strengthening security and improving social morality.
In PM’s speech at the Interior Ministry’s annual congress, he said that “In general in 2006, we had good security.” However, he highlighted four ears where difficulties persist: the drug trade, traffic accident, youth gangs and land disputes.
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It is a sad day to hear such injustice.
I remember asking one of my wife’s friend in Cambodia, why she did not want to persue a singing career? Afterall, her voice was superb. She told me that it was too dangerous. That being in the limelight makes her a target. I was surprise to hear that. However, after news of Pov Panhapich, I feel she had a point.