Continuing a week of killing and kidnapping on Phnom Penh’s streets, the president of the Taiwanese Business Association, Lee Chim Hsin, was gunned down Thursday afternoon in the Tuol Kok district of the city.
The latest killing has sparked vows from Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara that law and order will be returned to the capital following a week during which a police officer and his wife were assassinated by hitmen in broad daylight and the first kidnapping in six months occurred on a busy city street.
Shortly after 2 pm Thursday, 43-year-old Lee Chim Hsin was fatally shot and a Taiwanese companion was wounded when two men on a motorcycle ambushed the car on which they were traveling on Street 550 in Tuol Kok, district police chief Kim Horn said.
According to Kim Horn, the assailants fired three bullets from a K-59 handgun into the car striking Lee Chim Hsin twice. A third bullet wounded his companion in the arm.
Both men were taken to the Ta Cheng Hospital on Mao Tse Tung Boulevard, said Kim Horn.
According to Chea Sophara, the attack was probably prompted by a business conflict, as police have ruled out both a robbery or kidnap attempt.
“I am concerned at [the security] situation because there has been so many crimes since last week. But we will take action and strengthen security with more police checks on the streets,” Chea Sophara said.
“I am committed to reversing this situation,” Chea Sophara added.
Shocked friends and business associates of the slain man gathered at the Ta Cheng Hospital Thursday afternoon. Chen Chin Cheng, vice president of the Taiwanese Business Association said at the hospital that he had no idea what motivated the attack.
Interviewed recently by The Cambodia Daily, the late Lee Chim Hsin said that the Taiwanese business community appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen “for taking care of Taiwanese businesses here.”
Municipal Penal Police Chief Khuon Sophon said Thursday that a police investigation has been launched.
(Additional Report Brian Calvert)