Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol has called the outcry over the country’s upcoming US$1.7 billion (S$2.3 billion), 180km canal project an exercise of “double, triple standards”.
He pointed out that the government has already fulfilled its obligations by notifying the Mekong River Commission (MRC) of this matter – but is now being pressured to do more.
In an interview with The Straits Times on June 26, he also said that two Cambodian state-owned enterprises will be taking on total debt of possibly US$250 million as co-investors of the Chinese-backed Funan Techo Canal project, which will break ground on Aug 5.