AKP Phnom Penh, March 10, 2021 --

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has announced to authorise the burial of Cambodian Muslims who died of COVID-19 pandemic according to their tradition and custom. 

The Premier made the announcement in a special voice message this evening, explaining that the decision was taken at the request of the Muslim community in Cambodia since burial is considered as their obligation.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen asked the Muslim community to work with local authorities to find proper places for the burial which must follow the health safety rules. 

The Prime Minister also called for understanding from his compatriots over this exception for the Muslim community, and hoped that no Cambodian Muslim died of COVID-19.

According to Samdech Techo Hun Sen, about 5 percent of the Cambodian population are Muslims.

Yesterday, Samdech Techo Prime Minister decided to choose cremation as the safe measure to handle the COVID-19 deaths. He advised all provincial and municipal authorities to use the existing crematoriums if there are any COVID-19 death cases, but at the same time they need to find suitable land, far away from people, to build proper crematoriums which would be used by local people after the pandemic crisis.

Threat of COVID-19 is recurring in Cambodia following the outbreak of community transmission called Feb. 20 Community Event. 

As of this morning, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cambodia rose to 1,124, of which 613 are linked to the Feb. 20 incident. A total of 549 patients have so far recovered with no fatal case. 

By C. Nika