Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
Vietnam co-work startup enters Cambodia and Laos
Toong, the leading Vietnamese startup in co-working spaces, will expand into Laos and Cambodia this year by partnering with property developers and service suppliers in the region.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered wall)
Groups press ICE for records on deportation of SE Asian immigrants
More than 60 groups filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), demanding transparency and accountability for the Trump administration’s increased immigration enforcement, specifically targeting Southeast Asian Americans for detention and deportation.
— Inquirer.net
Go-Jek Readies To Enter Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam And Singapore
Indonesia’s highly popular ride-hailing service Go-Jek is close to its a number of announcements that it will expand within Southeast Asia and enter the markets in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.
— Investvine
Southeast Asia feared next on list for US trade sanctions
The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump could aim its protectionist measures at Southeast Asian countries, with Thailand likely the first target, an analyst said.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered wall)
From juice to jewellery, Southeast Asian social ventures lift poor out of poverty
For the 48 families who once lived in shanties and rundown tenements around Manila, going to work meant hour-long commutes in crowded jeepneys and tricycles.
— The Business Times
Singapore Plans Blockchain Push to Boost Financial Inclusion
The Singapore government is looking to boost blockchain development in an effort to improve financial inclusion for Southeast Asian countries.
— CoinDesk
US-China trade war could impact the region’s economy
The world is watching as the United States (US)-China trade war unfolds before our eyes.
— The Asean Post
The Future of ASEAN- 5 Telecommunications Market to 2025 – Analysis and Outlook of ASEAN- 5 Mobile, Fixed Line and Broadband Sectors – ResearchAndMarkets.com
The research work strategically analyzes the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) telecommunications market, examining the recent trends, drivers and challenges across diverse dimensions such as growth, demand, pricing, competition, consumer behaviour, infrastructure, policies and others.
— Business Wire (media release)
Giant liner to make waves for Royal Caribbean in SE Asia
ROYAL Caribbean International yesterday announced that its Quantum of the Seas – Asia’s largest cruise liner – will be back in Southeast Asia for a six-month home-porting season in 2019 and 2020.
— The Nation
The Big Read: Why the Grab-Uber deal is making some uneasy
In the aftermath of the announced Grab-Uber merger, concerns over pricing, the availability of affordable transport options, and the impact on drivers have weighed on the minds of consumers and drivers.
— Channel NewsAsia
ASEAN-China relations still nuanced with competition rather than collaboration: Expert
Director of the ASEAN Study Center of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dafri Agussalim, stated that ASEAN-China relations are still nuanced with competition rather than collaboration, which will create negative impacts, particularly among ASEAN member states.
— Antara News
Cross-Border Payment Integration Tops ASEAN Agenda
Policymakers and regulators in several Southeast Asian countries are throwing their weight behind regional integration of retail payment systems, with Singapore leading the way on infrastructure tie-ups.
— PaymentsCompliance (paywall)
EDITORIAL: Truly ASEAN?
For Indonesians, the manipulative tactics being used by Malaysian leader Najib Razak to win the upcoming general election is a strong reminder of former president Soeharto’s tricks during his 32-year rule. Unfortunately PM Razak is not alone among the 10-member ASEAN leaders in adopting this strategy.
— The Jakarta Post
Vietnam co-work startup enters Cambodia and Laos
Toong, the leading Vietnamese startup in co-working spaces, will expand into Laos and Cambodia this year by partnering with property developers and service suppliers in the region.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)
Making sense of Asean’s view on Rakhine
With Singapore as the chair, Asean’s every word and move must be meticulously crafted and choreographed. There can’t be any loose ends.
— Bangkok PostÂ
The Future of ASEAN- 5 Telecommunications Market to 2025 – Analysis and Outlook of ASEAN- 5 Mobile, Fixed Line and Broadband Sectors – ResearchAndMarkets.com
The research work strategically analyzes the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) telecommunications market, examining the recent trends, drivers and challenges across diverse dimensions such as growth, demand, pricing, competition, consumer behaviour, infrastructure, policies and others.
— BusinessWireÂ
ASEAN-China relations still nuanced with competition rather than collaboration: Expert
Director of the ASEAN Study Center of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dafri Agussalim, stated that ASEAN-China relations are still nuanced with competition rather than collaboration, which will create negative impacts, particularly among ASEAN member states.
— Antara NewsÂ
Tax harmonisation in Asean: S’pore should take the lead
ESTABLISHING the Asean Economic Community (AEC) after years in the making was a significant milestone for the regional economic integration agenda.
— Business Times
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand stocks lead SE Asian peers
Southeast Asian stock markets ended higher on Monday, tracking a rally in broader Asian shares and upbeat US stock futures that rose after US President Donald Trump claimed that China would take down its trade barriers, soothing fears of a tariff war.
— Bangkok Post
ASEAN students receive tips on landing jobs in Korea
The ASEAN-Korea Center in Seoul organized a career mentoring seminar on March 31 to help Southeast Asian students get started in Korea’s competitive, yet promising job market.
— The Koren Herald
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
‘Colour revolution seriously failed’: Hun Sen praises Cambodia’s political crackdown in Khmer New Year message
In a five-page letter wishing Cambodians a happy Khmer New Year, Prime Minister Hun Sen also took the opportunity to praise himself and his government for an ongoing, internationally condemned political crackdown.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia’s Industrial and Handicraft Industry Grows Steadily
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote in a wish letter to all Cambodians, dated on April 3, 2018, that Cambodia’s industrial and handicraft industry currently has more than 1,500 factories, mostly are garment and footwear factories, and 39,000 small and medium enterprises, which requires more than 1 million workers.
— Fresh News
National Bank spreads its wings
The governor of the National Bank of Cambodia has urged its new Prey Veng branch to monitor the way microfinance institutions and rural credit operators keep to the law and implement regulations.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
Maybank Indonesia Set to Distribute Cash Dividends worth IDR360.8 Billion
PT Bank Maybank Indonesia Tbk has held the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGMS) and Extraordinary GMS (EGMS) in Jakarta.
— Netral News
Uber’s exit in Indonesia sets off driver hunt by Grab and Go-Jek
The departure of ride-hailing company Uber Technologies from much of Southeast Asia has sparked competition between Grab and Go-Jek to recruit the American rival’s former drivers in Indonesia.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered wall)
Indonesia blocks 101M prepaid SIMs
The Indonesian government blocked nearly 101 million prepaid SIM cards in March after mobile users failed to re-register their prepaid numbers with a valid identity document.
— Mobile World Live
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Vietnam co-work startup enters Cambodia and Laos
Toong, the leading Vietnamese startup in co-working spaces, will expand into Laos and Cambodia this year by partnering with property developers and service suppliers in the region.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)
Indonesian Embassy opens Bahasa course in Vientiane
The Indonesian Embassy is again offering a free course in Bahasa Indonesia for Lao nationals, aiming to enhance bilateral relations between Indonesia and Laos.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
Downgrade of leaders’ vehicles to be mostly complete this year
The process of withdrawing vehicles they are not entitled to from leading officials at the central level, and replacing them with cheaper brands, is set to be largely complete this year.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Moody’s sees ‘low’ political risk for Malaysia
Malaysia’s domestic political risks, which have increased in recent years, have not adversely affected policy reform, Moody’s Investor Service said.
— New Straits Times
Trade balance maintains above RM9b level in February
MALAYSIA’S trade surplus in February had managed to stay above the RM9 billion mark, despite the contraction in both exports and imports during the month.
— The Malaysian Reserve
Reform the Loser in Malaysia’s Coming Elections
Malaysians are heading to the polls in an election seen as likely to extend the Barisan National (BN) ruling coalition’s six-decade-long grip on power.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Rohingya crisis: ICC prosecutor seeks power to investigate crimes against humanity
The prosecutor of the international criminal court has asked it to rule on whether it has jurisdiction over the deportations of Rohingya people from Myanmar to Bangladesh, a possible crime against humanity.
— The GuardianÂ
Rakhine state parliament says no to resettlement of Rohingyas from Bangladesh
Myanmar’s Rakhine state parliament on Friday approved a proposal of a lawmaker urging the union government to reject resettlement of “non-citizen Muslim refugees in northern Maugdaw township, the Irrawaddy News Online reported on Monday (Apr 9).
— Thai PBS
Zuckerberg apologizes to Myanmar civil rights groups
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologized to civil rights groups in Myanmar for failing to prevent hate speech from spreading on its platform, and for wrongly stating that Facebook had detected and stopped the messages inciting ethnic violence in the country, according to an email obtained by The New York Times.
— AxiosÂ
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
Duterte earmarks P2-billion for Boracay under state of calamity, junks casino
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he would place Boracay Island under a state of calamity to release P2 billion in calamity funds for workers and residents hurt by the six-month closure, adding he would not also allow any casino to be built in the world-famous beach resort despite the approval from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
— Manila Standard
Measles incidence–up 3,600%–could turn epidemic without vaccinations
Because of the Dengvaxia controversy, which has caused an exaggerated fear of the potential adverse effects of vaccinations, the government’s preventive health programs have taken a big hit.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Landbank gives FastCat P1.726-billion loan to build 5 ships by next year
AS part of its capital-raising initiative to bankroll its plan to operate 30 vessels by 2020, Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. (APFC) has sealed another loan deal worth P1.726 billion with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) for the construction of five new ships set to be delivered by middle of next year.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat  @leakhenakhat
Competition watchdog to conduct studies to launch protection role
SINGAPORE’S competition watchdog launched its new consumer protection role on Monday with the announcement of two market studies – on online travel booking and the transfer of personal data.
— The Business Times (paywall)
Singapore Uncertainty Index Climbs as Trade War Clouds Outlook
Rising U.S.-China trade tensions are raising alarm bells in export-reliant Singapore, with an index measuring economic uncertainty climbing to a five-month high in March.
— BloombergÂ
Fake news video pokes fun at fake news to make a point about fake news in S’pore
An 85-second fake news video that pokes fun at fake news in Singapore has appeared on YouTube on April 9, 2018, in the aftermath of the recent Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods hearings.
— Mothership
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre   @photo_journ
Prayut hints at new plan to retain grip
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has hinted that he might accept an invitation to be on a political party’s list of nominees to become prime minister after an election if he feels there is enough support behind him.
— Bangkok Post
PM calls on students to help mobilize Thailand 4.0 agenda
The Prime Minister has called on students to take part in mobilizing the country’s Thailand 4.0 development agenda.
— NNT
Fishermen strike over new regulations
More than a thousand fishing boats yesterday went on strike against the government’s stringent measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Logistic firms urged to get technological
Technology is seen as one way to help domestic logistic enterprises cut costs to gain an edge amidst higher demand in global transport.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam Food Association risks losing rice monopoly
Following recent criticism of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has reduced the association’s power, with further plans to promote fairness in rice exports.
— VietnamPlus
Excess loans to be permitted beginning May 1
Credit institutions and foreign banks will be allowed to grant loans to some prioritised borrowers in excess of lending limits regulated by law beginning next month.
— Bizhub
See here for more of today’s Vietnam Morning News
Asean Morning News is the most comprehensive selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. All articles are hand curated by the team at AEC News Today. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.