The government of Cambodia hit the headlines in February 2021 saying it would build a firewall similar to China.

The move was widely condemned as the enabling legislation gave the regime – which has banned opposition parties from contesting elections – the power to force all internet traffic to or from the country, and within its borders, to pass through the Gateway.

Human rights organisations, big tech, and the United Nations slammed the move as conferring broad surveillance powers that have the potential to be employed to suppress free speech and political opposition.

However yesterday the government announced it had delayed implementation of its National Internet Gateway because it is yet to acquire the equipment needed to operate the service.

Later in the day, Telecommunications Ministry spokesperson Meas Po told local media outlet Voice of Democracy the Gateway's implementation has been delayed

"Because it is an activity whenever we implement it, we have to prepare to install and order equipment to prepare and create the Gateway. And we have to give licenses to any company that the government understands that has the ability to create the Gateway." Po added that COVID-19 has contributed to implementation delays.

So, the country went through all that condemnation without first checking if it was possible to build a system to rival China.