Cambodia denies new law sets up China-style internet controls; new cluster sees 35 new Covid-19 cases

Women wear face masks as they walks near an advertising screen in Koh Pich, a popular Chinese expat neighborhood, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen announced on state television Saturday that at least 32 Chinese nationals have been confirmed coronavirus. - AP

PHNOM PENH, Feb 22 (Reuters): Cambodia has denied accusations that a new law setting up a national internet gateway would usher in Chinese-style surveillance and censorship, adding that it would soon draft a law to protect personal data.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) issued a statement after an outcry over this week's enactment of a sub-decree requiring all internet traffic to be routed within a national gateway within a year.