Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ASEAN+3 discussing creation of regional crime database
The Ministry of Justice has held a conference to discuss creating a crime database that would serve as a precursor to an ASEAN wide information cache for crime analysis.
— News Today (video)
Continuing haze points to failure of Asean agreement
THE FAILURE in the implementation of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) has led to the prolonged and severe haze season in the northern region of Southeast Asia, while the goal of a haze-free Asean by 2020 was far from achievable, environmentalists said yesterday.
— The Nation
The South China Sea: Reality Is Slowly Sinking In
China continues to militarize the South China Sea features it occupies and to assert its questionable maritime claims versus other claimants. U.S. rhetoric has sharply criticized China’s behavior and implied dire consequences if it persists.
— The Diplomat (paywall)
Southeast Asia has low online brand risks
Brands can have fewer concerns about where their online ads will appear when buying media in Southeast Asia compared to the rest of the world, according to new research.
— Warc
Southeast Asia’s Troubling New Fight Against ‘Fake News’
On April 3, Malaysia became the first country in the world to approve specific legislation criminalizing the dissemination of “fake news.”
— World Politics Review
Asean to use fintech as financial inclusion boost
FINANCIAL technology (fintech) is expected to be an important part of cooperation in Asean as the regional trade bloc seeks out new and innovative solutions to solve problems of financial inclusion.
— The Business Times
Beating Malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion
In Southeast Asia’s Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), the battle against malaria is advancing at a rapid pace.
— Project Syndicate
Digital platform improves customs clearance
COMPANIES across Asean are benefitting from smoother regional trade, thanks to a digital platform that simplifies customs clearance.
— The Business Times
ASEAN MPs urge leaders to strengthen regional rights responses, at upcoming Singapore Summit
Southeast Asian leaders meeting in Singapore this week must address pressing regional human rights concerns, including by taking steps to reform and strengthen ASEAN’s human rights mechanisms.
— ReliefWeb
Can China Keep Up As Southeast Asia Diversifies Ties?
Former United States President Barrack Obama referred to himself as “America’s first Pacific president.” At the same time, China has made its own more tangible pivot of sorts toward Southeast Asia.
— JAPAN Forward (media release) (blog)
Bond Pricing M’sia, Indonesia, Thai launch Asean3 Govt Bond Index
Bond Pricing Agency Malaysia Sdn Bhd (BPAM) is tying up with Indonesia Bond Pricing Agency (IBPA) and the Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA) to launch the new Asean3 Government Bond Index (A3GBI) Tuesday.
— Daily Express
ASEAN problem: Need for consensus
The temporary closure of Boracay attracted more coverage from the global media than the 2018 ASEAN summit meeting in Singapore which is scheduled to start today.
— Philippine Star
Singapore is the most vulnerable to adfraud in Southeast Asia, says report
Singapore is the most vulnerable to advertising fraud in the online ecosystem, when compared to the rest of Southeast Asia.
— The Drum
“You’re fake news”: censorship in Southeast Asia
Stemming from a spate of incidents involving the improper sharing of users’ personal information, Southeast Asian leaders have taken steps to regulate online social media platforms such as Facebook.
— Foreign Brief
Thailand to educate more than 100 youths from ASEAN region on SDGs
Thailand attracts youth in ASEAN region to learn applying the philosophy of economic sufficiency to the environment, to develop the country to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.
— Devdiscourse
Grab’s acquisition of Uber Southeast Asia drives into problems
The long-rumored Grab acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia business may be official now, but it’s far from complete.
— TechCrunch
5 energy companies to look out for in ASEAN
ASEAN represents one of the most dynamic parts of the global energy system with its energy demand growing by 60% over the past 15 years.
— The Asean Post
3 Vietnamese cities to be in Asean smart cities network
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in Vietnam will be part of the Asean network of smart cities being proposed by Singapore, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.
— The Straits Times
Asean must be innovative, adaptive to stay relevant
THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) faces increasingly complex strategic challenges.
— The Business Times
Lawmakers urge Asean to address human rights issues
A group of lawmakers has urged South-east Asia’s leaders to address pressing human rights issues when they meet in Singapore this week for the 32nd Asean Summit.
— The Straits Times
Backgrounder: ASEAN Community’s building process
The 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has kicked off here under the theme “Resilient and Innovative”.
— Xinhua Net
Human rights at risk for ASEAN citizens
As the 10 heads of state from ASEAN gather for the group’s latest summit in Singapore this week to discuss security, trade, and tensions in the South China Sea, the state of human rights and democracy in the region will once again be sidelined.
— The Jakarta Post
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Rubber exports grow slightly as prices fall
Exports of rubber rose moderately during the first three months of the year, as the market for the commodity continues to be hampered by unstable prices.
— Khmer Times
Public lot on riverside eyed for major project
Plans appear to be in the works to develop a central stretch of prime riverfront real estate currently owned by a state-run enterprise into a sprawling commercial development, according to sources involved with the landowner, though key government officials professed to be in the dark as to the nature of the deal.
— The Phnom Penh Post
New party announced, date set for registration
Political parties will have 15 days to register for July’s national elections beginning on Monday next week, while a new party founded by the son of a veteran opposition politician announced on Wednesday it will compete.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesian president turns to populist policies ahead of tough 2019 election
Soon after taking office in 2014, Indonesian President Joko Widodo made a landmark decision to cut subsidies on politically sensitive fuel prices to boost the economy, but a year out from a tough re-election campaign, his reformist zeal may be waning.
— Free Malaysia Today
Aceh Oil Well Explodes, Kills 15, Scores More Burnt (video)
At least 15 people have been killed and scores more seriously burnt after an illegal oil well ignited in the early hours of Wednesday (April 25) morning in the eastern Aceh Province village of Pasi Putih, on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.
— AEC News Today (video)
Indonesia pricing policy dispute fueled Pertamina shake-up
When Pertamina’s former chief executive, Elia Massa Manik, was fired on Friday, he became the state energy company’s shortest-serving boss in more than a decade.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Lao Healthcare Gets $30 mln Boost From ADB
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$30 million grant to the Lao government to expand healthcare coverage and improve health services throughout the country.
— AEC News Today
EU provides 152 billion kip for nutrition and potable mains water infrastructure
The European Union (EU) has provided aid grant of over 152 billion kip (EUR 15 million) to improve nutrition and expand rural water infrastructure across Laos.
— Vientiane Times
Singapore Supports Law Drafting In Laos
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) of Singapore, with support from the Ministry of Justice of the Lao PDR and the Singapore Embassy in Vientiane, is conducting a “train-the-trainers” Legislation Workshop for 50 senior Lao officials from Apr 23 – 26, 2018.
— Lao News Agency
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
CIMB offers zero-fee online fund transfers
CIMB Bank Bhd is offering zero-fee interbank fund transfers via its CIMB Clicks (www.cimbclicks.com.my) and CIMB EVA mobile banking apps to its customers, regardless of the transaction amount, as part of its effort to drive the usage of digital payments.
— New Straits Times
Najib Predicts He’ll Extend Grip on Power in Malaysia Election
Five years after leading his party to its narrowest victory yet, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak says he’s expecting a “better result” in an election that will pit him against his one-time mentor.
— Bloomberg
Petronas and TM embark on cross-industry digital collaboration
Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a strategic partnership that will see both companies provide significant benefits spanning multiple areas of co-operation.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Myanmar struggles to sustain foreign investment
Myanmar approved less foreign investment for a second straight year, underscoring the challenges that Aung San Suu Kyi’s government faces in keeping up the momentum of capital inflows.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Myanmar to impose 2% USF levy in June
The Myanmar government has revealed plans to impose a 2% tax on the income of mobile operators starting in June to fund expansion of telecoms services to unserved rural areas.
— Telecomasia.net
Leeds ‘morally corrupt’ if Myanmar tour goes ahead says Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
Leeds United would be “morally corrupt” if they go ahead with a planned post-season tour of Myanmar, says shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan.
— BBC
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PH received $18B grants from ADB
The cumulative lending, grant and technical assistance commitments of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the Philippines for more than five decades amounted to $17.9 billion, a document released by the multilateral bank agency showed.
— Malaya
Kuwait declares PH ambassador persona non-grata, tells him to go home
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday it will ask Kuwait’s ambassador to explain the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry’s “deeply disturbing” decision to declare Philippine Ambassador Renato O. Villa unacceptable, giving him a week to return to Manila.
— CNN Philippines
Boracay now closed
Even without a publicized written order from President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines on Thursday, April 26, officially closed the world-famous island of Boracay for a 6-month rehabilitation period.
— Rappler
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore, Vietnam sign six agreements to boost cooperation
Singapore and Vietnam have signed a suite of agreements that will see both countries working together in areas such as financial innovation and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development.
— Channel NewsAsia
MPA awards S$1.46b deal for Phase 2 of mega Tuas Terminal
More than three years after work on the first phase of the mega Tuas Terminal began, the authorities have awarded a billion-dollar reclamation project for the next phase to a joint venture made up of contractors from Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands.
— Today Online
Singapore forges partnerships at the world’s largest industrial technology trade show in Germany
Enterprise Singapore (ESG), formed through the merger of International Enterprise Singapore and SPRING Singapore, is dedicated to helping Singapore companies build capabilities, innovate and internationalise.
— Open Gov Asia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Car sales this year to exceed 900,000 units
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says the country’s automobile industry is picking up both in production and sales with sales target end of this year to exceed 900,000 units.
— Thai PBS
Nong Khai teen becomes 8th rabies casualty this year
A 15 year old girl from Nong Khai province has become the nation’s eighth rabies casualty this year after contracting the disease from a puppy scratch late last year and not seeking medical attention.
— NNT
AMLO to seize assets worth over Bt200 million
THE ANTI-MONEY Laundering Office (AMLO) committee has resolved to temporarily seize assets worth more than Bt200 million in relation to three key cases, AMLO acting secretary-general Pol Maj-General Rommasit Viriyasant revealed yesterday.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Gov’t announces borrowing plans, limits for 2018
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has announced the Government’s plans on borrowing, repayment and borrowing limits for 2018.
— Bizhub
3 Vietnamese cities to be in Asean smart cities network
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in Vietnam will be part of the Asean network of smart cities being proposed by Singapore, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.
— The Straits Times
Surge in production and exports boosts Vietnam’s economic expectations
Fueled by a continued surge in local production and exports, Vietnam is forecasting strong growth beyond its expectations for the entire year, making it the fastest-growing economy in the region.
— Nhan Dan Online
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.