PhnomPenhPost-Jan 31, 2024
Several individuals have pledged to the Phnom Penh Department of Cults and Religion, vowing to cease social media engagement linked to baseless, superstitious beliefs. The Ministry of Cults and Religion also calls on the public to refrain from sharing videos depicting people in such actions. The ministry reports contracts signed with individuals involved in activities undermining religious values. As of the ministry’s January 30 announcement, these individuals commit to deleting past and recent social media videos depicting prognosticating and divination. They also vow to avoid recording or presenting live videos during fortune-telling sessions. In Kampong Cham, Kampot and Kratie provinces, cult and religion departments urge soothsayers and fortune tellers to sign contracts, aiming to curb inappropriate activities like wearing ecclesiastical clothing and uploading images or videos on social media, considered both harmful and inappropriate. In recent weeks, Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the Ministry of Cults and Religion to take steps into this issue to safeguard the values of each religion. Chhort Bunthong, head of the Culture, Education and Tourist Relations department at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), commended the ministry’s actions. He stated that these measures are essential to prevent these individuals from causing societal chaos and resulting in the loss of property, money and time for unsuspecting people. Read more at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/soothsayers-barred-from-social-media-activities
