Day: April 16, 2023

Number of road accidents decreased by 5 cases on April 15, the second day of Khmer Traditional New Year, compared to the same period in 2022, said a report of the General Commissariat of National Police released on Saturday.

There were in total 20 road accident cases, killing 7 people and injuring 48 others, the same source added.

On the first day of Khmer New Year holiday, six road accidents were recorded across the country, a year-on-year decline of 3 cases, resulting in two deaths and 12 injuries.

Excessive speeding, disrespect of the priority rights, drink driving, not wearing helmet, overtaking and turning in dangerous situation are among the major causes of road accidents in Cambodia.

Competent authorities once again urged for the public’s attention to the respect of traffic laws.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Nearly 4.24 million people travelled to tourism destinations across the country on April 15, the second day of Khmer New Year holiday, according to a report of the Ministry of Tourism issued this afternoon.

The figure showed an increase of 101.94 percent compared to the first day, read the report, adding that of the total registered number, more than 4.2 million were national tourists and the rest were foreigners.

Siem Reap province topped the list of destinations receiving 653,679 tourists, followed by Kampong Cham and Kampot provinces with 515,129 with 404,058 visitors, respectively.

Cambodian people are celebrating their traditional New Year, the Year of Rabbit, from April 14 to 16.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

To keep the pelita panjut or oil lamps tradition alive, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) has taken the initiative to organise a decoration competition between departments within the local authority.

Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the maiden internal competition would be included in the tourism calendar next year to encourage participation from the public.

“We are trying to bring back the nostalgia so that the younger generation will not forget their cultural traditions.

“Over the years, these oil lamps have been replaced with modern and colourful decorative lights, so we are taking this initiative in conjunction with the Visit Ipoh Year 2023,” he told reporters after the MBI Inter-Sector Panjut Festival launching ceremony here last night.

Elaborating, Rumaizi said about 2,000 oil lamps were used to create four panjut decorations at Padang Ipoh here.

He added that the oil lamps would be lit until the third day of Hari Raya to give Ipoh folks the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of the panjut festival.

Padang Ipoh was chosen as the location for the decoration competition as it is situated in the centre of this city and is also part of the Ipoh Tourism Triangle.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Choosing to make friends with the wrong type of people 20 years ago, made life for Ali (not his real name) miserable.

His life changed in the blink of an eye when he got involved in drug abuse at the prompting of his so-called friends.

Through his friends, Ali, who is also visually impaired, was introduced to pil kuda or Ya Ba (methamphetamine).

Hailing from Mukim Kubang Sepat, Ali was 24 then and was working as a construction worker.

“I started to take pil kuda when my friends influenced me to try them and I used my own money to buy the drug which was sold at RM10 for a pill.

“I was willing to spend a lot of money to support my addiction. It ruined my life and brought shame to my family,” he said when met by Bernama here today.

Ali went on to say that he was arrested by the police in 2020 under Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act which required him to undertake the Institutional Treatment & Rehabilitation Programme (RPDI) between two and three years,

While undergoing treatment, he became remorseful and wanted to change which then prompted him to do some self-discovery.

“After I was released from the Kota Bharu Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen), I took over the crops that my mother had planted on a 1.21-hectare plot near the Kelantan River by planting fruits and vegetables, namely watermelons, corn, cucumbers and eggplants.

“Alhamdulillah, the response has been very good and I am able to collect a net income of about RM7,000 a season (two to three months),” said Ali, who is also being assisted by two workers.

He also said through hard work, his effort did not go unnoticed when the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) helped him to grow the plants.

“I feel extremely proud and thankful to the government for not sidelining ex-addicts like me, in fact, they even offered assistance and help.

“I urge all former addicts to make that change for a brighter future, look for the opportunities that the government is giving us and never feel that we are not accepted by society. Believe me, there is nothing good about abusing drugs,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency