English-language daily newspaper “The Cambodia Daily” on September 3 announced that it would stop its publication from September 4.

A photo of The Cambodia Daily (Source: Al Jazeera)

According to online newspaper Fresh News, which has the largest number of visits in Cambodia, “The Cambodia Daily” had failed to pay taxes worth more than six million USD to the government.

Fresh News quoted Kung Vibol, Director General of Cambodia’s General Department of Taxation, as saying that despite its closure, the paper’s owner still has to pay taxes and is not allowed to leave the country until then.

September 4 is the deadline for “The Cambodia Daily” to file an appeal against the debt, stated the General Department of Taxation.

On July 22, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused the newspaper of tax evasion and said that he would halt its operation if it fails to pay taxes to the government.

Earlier, the Cambodian government closed 15 private radio stations in various localities for violations of Cambodia’s law on the press.

“The Cambodia Daily” has the largest number of readers among English-language daily newspapers in Cambodia. It was established in 1993 by Bernard Krisher, former advisor of late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk. It is currently run by his daughter Deborah Krisher-Steele.

(Source: VNA)