Kem Ley's Stupa.

[Popeye]

Pech Sotheary / Khmer Times Share:

The construction of a stupa for Mr Ley is ongoing in his hometown in Takeo province. KT/Chor Sokunthea
The Cambodia Youth Party has completed its 30-day campaign to raise cash for the underfunded stupa for murdered political analyst Kem Ley.
The fundraising campaign was held from August 1 to August 31 in Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Kandal, Kampong Speu, Takeo provinces and Phnom Penh.
CYP president Pich Sros said yesterday that he would be delivering the donations to Mr Ley’s family today.
When asked how much money was raised, Mr Sros said he did not yet know.
“We want to count the donations in front of the family,” he said.
Mr Ley was shot dead in July 2016 at a Caltex petrol station in Phnom Penh.
The construction of a stupa for Mr Ley has been ongoing in his hometown in Takeo province, at a cost of more than $170,000.
With the family short on funds, they requested help from donors. Prime Minister HE kicked in $50,000.
Mr Ley’s brother Kem Rithysith lauded the CYP campaign yesterday, noting that the stupa ws still lacking at least $100,000.
“The money still lacking for this stupa construction is a big amount, so we are happy that the president of Cambodia Youth Party has conducted this fundraising campaign,” he said.


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[CEOCambodiaNews]

Monk and activist trade invectives in a row over Kem Ley stupa funding
Mon, 4 September 2017
Cambodian Youth Party (CYP) President Pich Sros labelled activist monk But Buntenh a “liar” during a nearly two-hour rant over accusations that Sros laundered money raised for the late Kem Ley’s funeral stupa.

The popular political analyst was gunned down last year in an assassination widely believed to be politically motivated. Sros announced last month that he would participate in 30 days of fundraising to help pay for Ley’s stupa.

“I don’t want to argue with a monk, but you are the monk who wants to make war with people . . . But Buntenh is a liar monk,” Sros said in the video uploaded to Facebook on Saturday.
In the video, Sros turned the accusation of money laundering back at Buntenh. “You are not answering where the money goes, but you come to attack me,” he said.

Sros stood by the comments in an interview yesterday, but admitted his fundraiser spent far more money than it raised.

Sros only raised $750 after spending $2,300 on food, gasoline, transportation and general “support”, but claimed the fundraiser’s failure was an honest one.
“I hoped the supporters of Dr Kem Ley would support this effort to bring money . . . but actually Kem Ley supporters are not interested in this fundraising effort. I invited them to donate . . . I can’t force them to donate,” he said, adding he was “very disappointed”.

Cham Bunthet, an adviser to the Grassroots Democracy Party founded by Ley, said many groups have tried to take advantage of Ley’s death for political capital, and many fundraising efforts have been less than transparent...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/m ... pa-funding

[CEOCambodiaNews]

10 October 2017
- Independent media observer Pa Nguon Teang and migrant rights advocate Moeun Tola both missed scheduled hearings at the Phnom Penh court yesterday, and have requested the court delay their appearances.

Nguon Teang, Tola and activist monk But Buntenh were all accused by Cambodian Youth Party President Pich Sros of misappropriating funds for murdered analyst Kem Ley’s funeral stupa.

Sros, who did not sit on Ley’s funeral committee, filed his lawsuit after he was criticised for a Kem Ley fundraiser in which he took in only $750 after spending $2,300 on food, transport and “support”. ...
Pich Sros
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/a ... tupa-funds

[CEOCambodiaNews]

Court won’t give me justice: Buntenh
9 November 2017
Venerable But Buntenh, founder of the Independent Monk Network for Social Justice, said yesterday he would not appear at Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning over his handling of funds for a stupa and funeral for slain political analyst Kem Ley.

Venerable Buntenh, who is abroad, delivered his message on Facebook.

The case arose in September when Cambodian Youth Party leader Pich Sros filed a complaint against Venerable Buntenh, Human rights worker Moeun Tola and Pa Ngoun Teang over their handling of funds for the funeral and a stupa during anniversary ceremonies for Mr Ley...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5089688/cou ... e-buntenh/