A sharing by Ling Sing Lin
Many Singaporeans are very fortunate, having the financial resources, time and health to travel. We hear of many friends travelling to Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and other countries further afield. But not many head to Cambodia. A small group of 3 ladies from our walking group decided on a customised tour to this less favoured destination, Cambodia.
My knowledge of Cambodia was very limited. I had heard of King Sihanouk, Pol Pot and Hun Sen, and Angkor Wat. And more recently, the biggest money laundering case in Singapore had been carried out by several people with Cambodian citizenship, who were actually China nationals.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world. It is a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Siem Reap, the second largest city in Cambodia. It is an architectural masterpiece, built about 900 years ago.
People recall the movie Lara Croft : Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie, which was filmed in the Angkor Thom temple complex in 2001. There are scenes of the ancient temple complex being taken over by the jungle, with massive tree roots encircling some buildings.
Pol Pot
He was a Cambodian revolutionary, politician and dictator, who ran the Communist Khmer Rouge government, and ruled Cambodia as the Prime Minister between 1976 and 1979. He killed an estimated 2 million of his countrymen. Not only was he responsible for the Cambodian genocide, he isolated the country from the rest of the world, resulting in Cambodia being decades behind its development compared to its neighbours. He was ousted by a Vietnamese invasion.
King Norodom Sihanouk
This king abdicated in favour of his son in 2004 because of poor health. His son, King Norodom Sihamoni, is a trained ballet dancer. His role as king is mainly ceremonial.
PM Hun Sen
He was the power behind the throne. He stepped down in 2023 after 40 years as Prime Minister, to pass the job to his son Hun Manet.
Restoration of temples
Apart from Angkor Wat, there are numerous ancient temple complexes. Most are in bad states of decay. Cambodia is a poor country, so other countries, especially European ones, have stepped in to provide financial help in temple restoration.
Economic Development
China, Singapore and Japan are helping Cambodia to develop its infrastructure, in special zones.
Cambodia looks to neighbouring countries like Thailand, for better medical care. Their immediate neighbours, Thailand and Vietnam, are decades ahead of them in development.
Under employment/Cost of Living
Even those with jobs have to seek other jobs for survival. Doctors working in public hospitals require to run private clinics to supplement their income. However, despite Cambodia being a poor country, we did not see a single beggar on the streets.
The cost of living is not low. As an example, a garment factory worker who earns USD 400 per month spends over one USD to buy a bowl of noodles for lunch at a roadside stall.
Banks
For such a poor country, we found that there is an inordinately large number of banks, many of them foreign banks. In Phnom Penh the capital city, a member of our group counted 10 banks in one street alone! The penny drops… they are for money laundering!
Public Schools
Public schools provide only 4 hours of education per day per child. The well-to-do families send their children to private schools and international schools.
Cambodian Currency
The national currency is the Cambodian Riel. However, the US currency is included as one of the national currencies. Even itinerant hawkers accept and give change in USD, but oftentimes you get Riel as change. The exchange rate is
1 Cambodian riel = S$0.00033,
10,000 Cambodian Riel = USD 2.50
Traffic
Traffic can be chaotic, as drivers don’t follow rules. However, drivers are patient and helpful. Despite the lack of law and order on the roads, we did not come across any traffic accidents, not even near misses!
Most cars on the road are imported second hand from the US. The luxury of owning a brand new car is reserved for the rich, not for the middle class.
Foreign Languages Spoken
Although Cambodia was a French Protectorate from 1863 to 1953, only 3% of the population speak French. The population is pragmatic, learning English and Chinese, which are more functional today. Especially since China is investing in their country.
Main Industries
Their largest industry is garment manufacturing, all of which is exported to Europe. Tourism and agriculture are the next biggest revenue earners. I was shocked to be told that the farmers are paid a few US cents for a kilogramme of produce grown!
Sexual Orientation
Same sex sexual activity is legal in Cambodia. King Norodom Sihamoni supports the legalisation of same sex marriage. I was told by one lady that among her social circle, 80% are gay, and she cannot count a single straight guy among her friends! Her social circle is probably not representative of the general population
Takeaway Message
Good political leadership is of paramount importance for any country. Cambodia was left behind, and is desperately trying to catch up with its neighbours.
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
