Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Water discharged from Lao dams pushes up water level in Mekong
Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute and other water-related agencies have expressed concern that the increased discharge of water from Nam Ngum 5 dam in Laos will accelerate rising water in the Mekong river which may worsen flooding in northeastern provinces along the river.
— Thai PBS
Trump’s tech tariffs are awesome, for South-East Asia
Donald Trump may well be the best thing that’s happened to South-East Asia’s humble electronics industry in quite a while.
— The Star Online
How China’s travel boom expands soft power and distributes $115 bn in hard cash
Newly affluent, upwardly mobile Chinese on the mainland are spending big money on their outbound travels for enhanced life experiences.
— The Nation
Cambodia to buck trend of cutting rubber production
Cambodia will not follow major rubber players in their move to cut production to boost prices, Pol Sopha, the director of the General Department of Rubber, said.
— Bangkok Post
HFMD: A disease of epidemic proportions?
A young child, barely two-and-a-half years of age, from Mukah in Sarawak, Malaysia became the first fatality of the year for the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the country.
— The Asean Post
Council of Asean Chief Justices launches online portal on laws of each Asean country
FIRMS looking to invest in an Asean country can now look for the relevant laws of the country on an online portal launched on Friday.
— The Business Times (paywall)
$1.15 Billion Southeast Asia Food Processing Equipment Market 2018-2023 – Increasing Consumer Demand for Processed Food
Southeast Asia food processing equipment market is expected to reach USD 1,152 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023.
— Markets Insider
ASEAN to hold workshop on how energy prices influence economic performance
Unpredictable oil price changes affect Asian developing economies, which have fewer resources than developed countries to cope with energy price fluctuations.
— Devdiscourse
Ginandjar Kartasasmita: Asean Connecting the World Economy
The world economy has become increasingly unstable. Needless to say, the biggest factor is the Donald Trump regime in the United States.
— Jakarta Globe
India-ASEAN FTA should be reviewed, upgraded: Vietnam
Vietnam today pitched for reviewing and upgrading of the India-ASEAN free trade agreement, as the Southeast Asian country sought to deepen its economic engagement with India.
— The Times of India
Analysis: Methanol arbitrage from China to Southeast Asia viable from end-Jun
Firm demand from Southeast Asia’s end-users, coupled with tight supply in the region, opened up an arbitrage window for methanol to be shipped from China to Southeast Asia starting end-June, market sources said.
— S&P Global Platts
Pompeo to travel to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would travel to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia later this week as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to strengthen its ties with the countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
— Business Standard
South China Sea talks see agreement on negotiations
FOREIGN MINISTERS of Asean and China have agreed to accept a “single text” to negotiate the code of conduct on the contentious South China Sea issue, according to diplomats of both sides.
— The Nation
Six services to be liberalised for Asean in 2019
Thailand looks set to open six more service businesses to Asean members next year, as the private sector urges the government to come up with more open policies to cope with digital technology.
— Bangkok Post
Taiwan’s engagement with Southeast Asia is making progress under the New Southbound Policy
While Taiwan analysts have been eager to offer analyses of President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy (NSP), announced in May 2016, the data has been insufficient given the policy’s relatively short timeline.
— Brookings
The ugly side of Southeast Asia’s hydropower
For years, the Laotian government has been pushing to make the country a major provider of hydroelectric power.
— Khmer Times
Australia boosts relations with Southeast Asian countries
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is visiting Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia from July 29 to August 7 to reaffirm her country’s commitment to remaining a leading partner to its regional neighbours in Southeast Asia, according to her media release on July 29.
— Vietnam Plus
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
The 2018 Cambodia general election: By the numbers
As people around the world wax lyrical about the landslide result over the weekend that saw the ruling Cambodia People Party (CPP) secure all 125 seats in the Cambodia Parliament we thought we would take a look at what the numbers reveal for what is being termed a ‘sham election’.
— AEC News Today
Election Results Not by NEC Is Not Official: NEC
The National Election Committee (NEC) on Monday announced that the results of the 6th National Assembly Members Election on 29 July 2018 that is not published by NEC is not official.
— Fresh News
More Than Nine Percent of Cambodia’s Ballots ‘Invalid’ as Voters Protest ‘Sham’ Polls
Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC), the top electoral body, acknowledged Monday that as many as nine percent of ballots cast in the weekend’s general election were invalid, with an observer suggesting that many of the votes were intentionally spoiled to protest what was seen as a bogus poll.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Rp50 million government allocation set to repair Lombok`s quake-affected houses
The Indonesian government will provide Rp50 million aid for repairing each heavily damaged house due to the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that rocked East Lombok, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.
— Antara News
Bank Indonesia Records GPN Transaction Reaching IDR 11.5 trillion
Bank Indonesia recorded a transaction value through the National Payment Gateway (GPN) from October 2017 to June 2018 reaching IDR11, 58 trillion.
— Netral News
CNRP urges Indonesia to lead ASEAN addressing human rights issues
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) urged Indonesia to lead the ASEAN in addressing human rights violations in Cambodia, peaking during and after the election on July 29, that may threat regional stability.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Laos seeks donations, medical supplies
The consulate-general of Laos in Khon Kaen appealed Monday for donations of medical supplies, camp beds, kitchen utensils and condiments for flood victims who are suffering in the wake of the collapsed Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam on July 23.
— Bangkok Post
Officials still looking for the missing after Laos dam collapse
Officials in Attapeu Province of Laos continue to look for missing individuals after Xepian-Xe Namnoy Dam collapsed causing a surge of floodwaters.
— NNT
Water discharged from Lao dams pushes up water level in Mekong
The Nam Ngum 5 Company which operates the dam on Sunday notified Lao authorities in Phu Khun and Phu Khud townships to warn their people living downstream of the dam of the company’s decision to release more water out of the dam starting on Monday so there will be more room to store water from the monsoon rains during the rainy season.
— The PBS
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
MH370 Investigation Hits Dead End With Latest Report
A report on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 released on July 30 has highlighted mistakes and protocol guidelines that were not followed, but nothing really new, complain families of passengers on board the ill-fated plane.
— Investvine
Malaysia considers setting restrictions on foreign car imports
Govt is studying possibility of setting certain conditions on foreign car imports, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks in parliament.
— The Edge Markets
Mahathir takes over as Khazanah chairman, 4 directors appointed
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been appointed chairman of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, his office has said in a statement.
— The Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Myanmar urged to fix key issues for industrial revamp
MYANMAR’S potential to become a regional investment hub would be realised only if the government manages to address major challenges businesses are facing in the nation, a banking expert has warned.
— The Nation
President urges officials to change ways
President U Win Myint asked the country’s civil servants to change their mindset for the sake of the next generation and to stop harping about their accomplishments
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar appoints panel to probe Rohingya abuses
Myanmar has established a commission of inquiry to probe allegations of human rights abuses in conflict-torn Rakhine state, authorities said on Monday, as the country faces growing calls for accountability over accusations of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Duterte leads destruction of P296-M smuggled luxury vehicles
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday spearheaded another destruction of contraband luxury vehicles and motorbikes to show his administration’s resolve to fight smuggling and corruption.
— Philippine News Agency
P1.7-billion loan facility for MSMEs launched
The Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.) announced on Monday the opening of P1.7-billion loan facility for micro small and medium enterprises (MSME).
— Business Mirror
Senate mulls use of P204B Malampaya funds
THE Senate Committee on Energy is considering using the P204 billion Malampaya fund to reduce the universal charge and ease the burden of consumers on their monthly electricity bill.
— The Manila Times
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
VTB claims repayment from Singapore’s AnAn over En+ shares
Singapore’s AnAn Group said on Monday it was seeking legal advice after receiving a claim from Russia’s VTB Bank to repay $170.4 million in relation to the purchase of shares in En+ Group last year.
— Reuters
EU mergers and takeovers (July 30)
Singapore state-owned property developer GIC Group, real estate developers Frasers Property Ltd and JustGroup to set up a joint venture (approved July 27)
— Reuters
Lively mix of events to help you celebrate SG53
With National Day coming up next Thursday, organisations are pulling out the stops to provide local entertainment on Singapore’s 53rd birthday.
— The Newpaper
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
59 provinces told to brace for floods, mudslides
Disaster prevention and prevention offices in 59 provinces have been instructed to be fully prepared for river overflows, flash floods and landslides as many provinces in the North, Northeast, Central and South regions have been hit by intensive and isolated heavy rain, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said on Monday.
— Thai PBS
More than 1.5 million new vehicles registered in the first half of 2018
According to the Department of Land Transport (DLT), car owners registered more than 1.5 million new vehicles in the first half of 2018.
— Thai PBS
Thai firms urged to invest in India
Thai businessmen are being encouraged to “Act West”, and become the first investors in eight northern states of India which are set to receive a share of 6.2 trillion baht as part of a project to boost India’s economic connectivity with the Southeast Asian region.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam: Crypto Mining Firm CEO Allegedly Flees With $35 Mln in Investor, Company Funds
The CEO of Vietnamese cryptocurrency mining firm Sky Mining has reportedly disappeared with investor and company funds worth an alleged $35 million, local media outlet VNExpress reported July 29.
— Coin Telegraph
Twenty Sentenced in Vietnam For Their Role in June 10 SEZ Protests
Twenty protesters went on trial on Monday and were quickly sentenced for their roles in June 10 protests in Vietnam’s Bien Hoa city, with prison terms handed out of from eight months up to one and a half years in prison, sources in the country said.
— Radio Free Asia
Industrial production maintains high growth of nearly 11% in 7 months
Viet Nam’s index of industrial production (IIP) scored a growth of 10.9 per cent in the first seven months of this year, up 7.1 per cent against the same period last year, the General Statistics Office announced.
— VietnamNet Bridge
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
The Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news round-ups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of news reports from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. We scour hundreds of local and international news and websites to find the things that you need to know to start your working week day.
We clearly identify the source of the story, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you. It’s all then packaged up in an easy to read format enabling you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original source, or keep on reading the headlines. AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Asean morning news for July 31 added by Digital Editor on
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