Taiwanese are among the possible suspects in the investigation by Cambodian police of the death of Taiwanese Business Association (TBA) leader, Lee Chim-hsin (李志鑫), sources told the Taipei Times yesterday.
Up until now the focus of the investigation into Lee's death had centered around a financial dispute he intervened in between a Taiwanese businessman named Liu Shin-yi (劉信一) and a Cambodian businessman about two months ago, a source told the Taipei Times on condition of anonymity.
Most people believe the motive for the murder was US$45,000 Liu allegedly owed a Cambodian businessman, who may have called on a hitman to kill Lee, the source said.
However, Cambodian police are also directing their investigation at others including other Taiwanese businessmen.
The police think some people, including some Taiwanese, were not pleased with Lee's frequent interference in business dealings around town, the source said.
According to the source, Liu has had problems with some of the board members of his company, Hong-Kuan Concrete Co (宏觀混凝土公司), which is owned by both Cambodian and Taiwanese businessmen.
Lee strenuously supported Liu and involved himself in the internal affairs of Liu's company, causing widespread dissatisfaction within Hong-Kuan Concrete, the source said.
Liu is currently hiding somewhere in Cambodia, afraid of being murdered himself.
Some businessmen think Liu should come out to express his condolences to Lee's bereaved family.
But others said if Liu showed up he would also be killed.
The murder, which took place right outside Lee's Phnom Penh residence, has shaken the local community of Taiwanese businessmen.
Very few are willing to be identified discussing any aspect of the murder.
According to one Taiwanese businessman, Liu's Cambodian landlord was a powerful man who had also warned Lee not to get involved.
Lee dismissed such suggestions, a businessman said.
"Lee died because of his toughness," the man said.
Lee was enthusiastic about helping others regardless of whether their doings were right or wrong, the man added.
This murder could have been avoided, he said, but Lee was too proud of himself to pay attention to the risks he was taking.
Lee is known to have considered himself the unofficial representative of Taiwan in Cambodia.
Last year Lee helped solve a kidnapping involving a Taiwanese businessman.
That man gave Lee NT$2 million dollars in appreciation. But Lee returned the money and said: "I am the head of the TBA. It's my responsibility," his wife Wang Ya-chen (王亞珍) said.
Chen Chi-li (陳啟禮), a known leader of Taiwan's Bamboo Union gang, who has been hiding out in Cambodia for four years, agreed yesterday that Lee's murder was preventable.
Taiwanese businessmen do not localize themselves and understand Cambodia, no matter how long they have been here, Chen said.
"Disputes can be easily solved if you find the right locals to help you negotiate.
"Foreigners [Taiwanese] cannot be too tough, or Cambodians will just take their guns out," Chen said.
Chen said shooting is commonplace in Cambodia
"A few hundred US dollars can easily hire a gunman for murder," he said.
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