PhnomPenh (VNA) - Cambodia’s anti-money laundering draft law was approvedon May 15 at the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Prime Minister HunSen.
The law is designed to assist authorities to fight moneylaundering and the financing of terrorism by identifying measures to “prevent,crackdown, and combat” such activities in Cambodia. After being passed by thecabinet, the law will be sent to the National Assembly for approval.
According to the government’s spokesperson Phay Siphan, the movecame following the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering found that Cambodiadoes not have the appropriate legal basis and adequate enforcement mechanismrelated to penalties for money laundering and terrorism financing in line withinternational standards.
In 2019, Cambodia uncovered 75 money laundering cases. Authorities seized nearly7.8 million USD, two houses, a land lot and more than 2,700 vehicles relatingto money laundering activities.
Earlier, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed the country on its greylist, which comprises countries “highly vulnerable to money laundering”./.