Asean Morning News For April 5

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Does Asean support US military presence in the South China Sea?
On March 23, the US Navy destroyer Mustin made a non-innocent passage within 12 nautical miles of China’s artificially built up and occupied Mischief Reef.
— The Nation

Asean, US affirm plans to bolster economic ties
ASEAN’S 10 member states and the United States reiterated commitment to enhance economic cooperation at a dialogue session co-chaired by the US and Malaysia on Apr 3.
— Business Times

ASEAN urged to take lead in Indo-Pacific
In between a rising China and a retreating America, Japan wants ASEAN to take a leading role in developing a strategy for the Indo-Pacific region.
— The Jakarta Post

World Bank affirms 4Ps viability in fight against poverty
Social safety nets (SSNs), such as the country’s own Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), could lift millions out of poverty, according to Washington-based lender World Bank.
— Business Mirror

Free trade agreements leave us even more dependent on China
Trade is in the headlines with Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports and on imported steel, a reaction to decades of trade deficits and the loss of American industry and jobs.
— News Weekly

WHO urges SEA countries to prioritize universal health care
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries in its South-East Asia region to step up their efforts in achieving universal health coverage to provide their people with quality healthcare services without having to suffer financial difficulties.
— The Jakarta Post

NRDC to develop ASEAN technology data bank
The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) will establish a technology data bank for ASEAN (Association of Southeastern Asian Nations) region as part of ASEAN-India Innovation Platform.
— Business Line

The press freedom squeeze
Across Southeast Asia – but especially Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines – journalists are facing arrest, intimidation and violence.
— Frontier Myanmar

ASEAN nations and US reaffirm commitment to rules-based order
Representatives of the United States and ASEAN member nations have reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based order and to the ASEAN-centered regional architecture.
— Manila Bulletin

VN to cut ASEAN salt, eggs import tariffs
The tariffs on imports of salt and eggs originating in ASEAN countries must comply with the regulations of the Government.
— Viet Nam News

Contractualization news spooks stocks
Share prices ended lower Wednesday amid continued risk aversion as investors watched with concern the recent government policy on contractualization.
— Malaya

More private capital and fresh ideas are key to unlocking Asean’s growth potential
ASEAN needs at least a trillion dollars of infrastructure investment in the next five years to keep pace with economic growth, and to meet the goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.
— The Business Times (paywall)

‘Minding the gaps’ in Asean: Protecting the present and financing the future
MUCH has been written about three major financial “gaps” facing Asean in the coming decades: 1) the “protection gap” in life and health insurance; 2) the gap in disaster risk insurance or finance; and 3) the retirement income gap due to rapid growth in aging populations.
— The Business Times

ACUDEEN TECHNOLOGIES TO PROVIDE SECURE INVOICES USING THE BLOCKCHAIN
Acudeen Technologies – based in Singapore with offices in Myanmar and the Philippines – seeks to guarantee more security for smaller businesses looking beyond more traditional means to do business.
— Irish Tech News

More private capital and fresh ideas are key to unlocking Asean’s growth potential
Asean’s infrastructure investment needs are estimated to hit US$3.4 trillion between 2013 and 2030. It is critical that governments, the private sector and and multilateral development banks work in sync.
— Business Times

PH assumes chairmanship of ASEAN’s nuclear program
The Philippines has been designated as this year’s chair of a cooperation program delving with the nuclear power ambitions of the Southeast Asian region.
— Manila Bulletin

Will Southeast Asia’s strongmen adopt China’s all-powerful citizen rating system?
China is implementing a Big Brother-style system that scores citizens based on their behaviour, with rewards and punishments meted out accordingly. Is it a method of control that appeals to Southeast Asia’s autocratic leaders, and can they make it a reality?
— Southeast Asia Globe

Two Thai companies face flak over practices in Cambodia and Myanmar
THAI OVERSEAS investments in Cambodia and Myanmar have come under criticism for irresponsible business operations and human rights violation, which has also led to the first-ever class-action lawsuit against a Thai company in its home country.
— The Nation

‘Minding the gaps’ in Asean: Protecting the present and financing the future
MUCH has been written about three major financial “gaps” facing Asean in the coming decades: 1) the “protection gap” in life and health insurance; 2) the gap in disaster risk insurance or finance; and 3) the retirement income gap due to rapid growth in aging populations.
— The Business Times

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Watchdog Urges Caution For Would-Be Observers to Cambodia’s Election
An electoral watchdog in Cambodia has cautioned would-be international observers to think twice before accepting an invitation to participate in the country’s upcoming general ballot, which is expected to be neither free nor fair amid a ban on the main opposition party.
— Radio Free Asia

Election will go forward without NGO observers, official says
The upcoming national election on July 29 will take place as scheduled despite no officials from civil society being registered to monitor the process, a senior CPP official said yesterday.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia’s missing railway link to Thailand rebuilt after 45 years
A missing 48km stretch of railway that connects the capital Phnom Penh to the Thai border has been rebuilt, 45 years after it was destroyed in the 1970s during the Cambodian civil war.
— South China Morning Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Pertamina required to invest $556.45m in eight blocks
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is requiring state-owned energy giant Pertamina and its partners to pay a total of US$33.5 million in signature bonuses and make firm investment commitments worth $556.45 million within three years before taking over eight expiring oil and gas blocks this year.
— The Jakarta Post

Borneo oil spill: Indonesian state-owned company Pertamina admits it is responsible
Indonesia’s state-owned oil company Pertamina has finally admitted it is responsible for a major oil spill on the coast of Borneo.
— ABC News

Indonesia Goes Hi-Tech in Hunt for Tax Assets After Amnesty
Indonesia’s tax office plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to update its outdated technology to boost low tax compliance and raise revenue collection in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, the country’s tax chief told Reuters.
— Jakarta Globe

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Fulfilling Lao PDR’s hydropower potential
Last month, the United Nations Committee for Development Policy announced that Lao PDR had fulfilled the criteria to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status for the first time.
— The Asean Post

China Eastern Airlines promotes Laos as tourist destination
China Eastern Airlines’ Vientiane Representative Office and its travel agency partners have hosted a joint cooperation exchange to help promote visits to the Laos.
— Xinhua Net

Vientiane police gear up for Pi Mai Lao security
The Vientiane Traffic Police Department has rostered almost 600 police for security detail around the capital in a bid to reduce traffic congestion and road accidents during the Pi Mai Lao holiday from April 14-16.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia set to become world’s 24th largest economy by 2050
Malaysia, a medium-sized economy, is expected to improve its ranking to be the 24th largest in the world by 2050.
— New Straits Times

No major impact on Malaysia from US tariffs, says RAM Ratings
RAM Ratings does not expect the hefty 25% and 10% import tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US to exert a major impact on Malaysia’s export performance.
— The Edge Market

Report ATM difficulties promptly: Bank Negara
Bank Negara Malaysia has advised members of the public who have any difficulties with their respective Automated Teller Machines (ATM) transactions to lodge complaints promptly with their respective issuing banks.
— New Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Sanctions risk gives some investors pause in Myanmar
THE government of Aung San Suu Kyi is opening the economy and growth is rebounding in Myanmar, though the possibility of broader Western sanctions over the Rohingya refugee crisis is nevertheless giving some foreign investors pause, according to a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official.
— The Business Times

Lawyers for Reuters reporters argue for Myanmar court to dismiss case
Lawyers for two Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar asked a judge on Wednesday to dismiss the case against them, arguing there was insufficient evidence to support charges of obtaining secret government papers.
— Reuters

EU calls on Myanmar Government to take action against landmine use
On the occasion of today’s International Mine Awareness Day, the Ambassadors of the European Union and its Member States have called on the Government of Myanmar to take action against the use of landmines in order to better protect the high number of civilians living in mine contaminated areas in Myanmar.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Manila to spend P1.4 billion for education this year
IN a constant effort to provide the youth with an ideal education environment conducive for learning, Manila Mayor Joseph E. Estrada said the city government is allotting P1.4 billion this year on infrastructure projects for public schools in Manila, bringing its total expenditure to P5.773 billion since 2013.
— Business Mirror

World’s first national-emergency operations center opens in Clark
THE world’s first national-emergency operations center (Neoc) was launched on Wednesday at the Clark Freeport by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation Inc. (PDRF).
— Business Mirror

Makati allots P8.4b to health, education, social services
Health, education and social welfare services remain the top priorities of the Makati City government with a combined budget allocation of P8.4 billion for the year, up by 4.4 percent than last year.
— Manila Standard

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Broadcom completes move to U.S. from Singapore
Broadcom Inc (AVGO.O) said on Wednesday it had completed its move back to the United States from Singapore, weeks after President Donald Trump blocked its $117 billion offer to buy Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) on national security grounds.
— Reuters

Singapore converting world’s first integrated dispute resolution complex into smart facility
Today Singapore’s Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and Maxwell Chambers launched the “Smart Maxwell” initiative to convert Maxwell Chambers , the world’s first integrated dispute resolution complex into the world’s first smart hearing facility.
— Open Gov Asia

Singapore pastor apologises to Muslim leaders for US preacher’s alleged statements on Islam
A local pastor apologised to Muslim leaders on Wednesday (Apr 4) over alleged anti-Islamic comments made by a foreign Christian preacher in Singapore last month.
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Brickbats and bouquets for govt from UN rights group
A UN group has urged the Thai government to improve human rights protection for migrant workers, indigenous local communities, and human rights defenders.
— The Nation

Thailand aims to become ‘the economic engine room’ of Southeast Asia
New Zealand companies have the opportunity to expand into Thailand with the development of its Eastern Economic Corridor, an industry leader says.
— New Zealand Herald

School made fraudulent claims for state subsidies
Executives of a private school in Tha Muang will face civil, criminal and disciplinary action for alleged falsification of pre-kindergarten pupils’ birth certificates to get state subsidies.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam plans to hike fuel taxes in fight against pollution
The proposed hike has raised concerns over aggravated costs for businesses and consumers.
— VnExpress

Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation asked to improve operations
Minister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung identified key tasks for the Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (VICEM) to boost the quality and effectiveness of its operations at a working session with the corporation on April 3.
— Nhan Dan Online

Tra fish industry grapples with export difficulties
The domestic tra fish industry has overcome several obstacles to achieve its export target this year, and so, needs the State’s support to establish a healthy business environment.
— 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.