Asean Morning News For March 13

Asean Morning News For March 13
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Asean morning newsAsean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

Australia’s new strategy towards Asean
When Australia looks to the north, what does it see? Southeast Asia, of course. But the region is no longer the geographic landmass in its front yard comprised of 10 countries governed by different political systems and cultural values to its own.
Bangkok Post

CIMB Bank partners with PLDT of the Philippines in bid of its Asean expansion
CIMB Bank Bhd, through its branch that is being set up in the Philippines, CIMB Bank Philippines Inc, recently entered into partnership agreements with CIS Bayad Center Inc and FINTQnologies Corp.
— New Straits Times

Mekong returning to normal as water level rises
Small freight vessels and passenger cruises have resumed services after the water level rose above two metres on a stretch of the Mekong River in Chiang Saen district yesterday, according to the provincial office.
— Bangkok Post

China, Southeast Asia Seek a Safer Disputed Sea with Plan for Joint Exercises
Plans for a first-ever joint military exercise by China and Southeast Asian nations this year would calm safety risks on the most heavily contested sea in Asia and could ease fear of Beijing’s dominant role in the sovereignty dispute.
— Voice of America

ASEAN’s renewed centrality
US President Trump fired the first shots in what could become a global trade war this week with the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on imports of steel and 10 per cent tariffs on aluminium.
— East Asia Forum

Migrant worker checks hit new snag
Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who have been temporarily allowed to work in the country are at risk of becoming illegal as labour authorities struggle to meet a deadline in three weeks to register…
— Bangkok Post

How Malcolm Turnbull got ASEAN to say yes, really
The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit this week has its origins in the last day of Malcolm Turnbull’s first trip abroad as Prime Minister when he asked Australian officials at the 2015 East Asian Summit in Malaysia what could be done to advance Australia’s relationship with ASEAN.
— The Australian Financial Review

Asean seeks cuts on NTBs
The Philippines supports moves by Asean to cut down the number of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and non-tariff measures (NTMs) within the region as the region integrates further.
— Malaya

RCEP talks advance as members set sights on 2018 conclusion
The country’s trade chief announced on Monday that two texts will be added soon to the draft Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as major negotiations on the trade deal start in April.
— Business Mirror

China’s Yunnan defends dam building as activists head to court
Officials from southwest China’s Yunnan province have defended a plan to build a dam in the region as“fully legally compliant”, after an environment group took developers of the project to court last month for violating laws.
— Reuters

Rise of violent Buddhist rhetoric in Asia defies stereotypes
Buddhism may be touted in the West as an inherently peaceful philosophy, but a surge in violent rhetoric from small but increasingly influential groups of hardline monks in parts of Asia is upending the religion’s tolerant image.
— Bangkok Post

Are Southeast Asia’s data centres ready for hyperscaling?
With the humongous volume of data circulating virtually right now because of online activities such as video streaming and sending tweets, it is crucial for businesses to rely on data centres as they provide services for reducing infrastructure costs, providing uninterrupted power supply, improving data security and safety, and increasing storage.
— The Asean Post

PTTGC redoubles Asean efforts
PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC), Thailand’s largest petrochemical producer, plans to focus more on penetrating the Asean region, as the market has great potential.
— Bangkok Post

Reimagining ASEAN’s tourism vision
The 2018 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) saw its 10 member countries embrace the theme of sustainable tourism and present a collective vision of growth in tourism numbers, and a slew of campaigns and plans highlighted for the 2018 season.
— TravelBiz (media release)

Migrant workers’ protection: Quo vadis?
Once again, the world bears witness to the cruel realities that migrant workers face everyday in their host countries.
— The Jakarta Post

Threats by Cambodia PM Hun Sen ‘won’t halt ASEAN protests’
Genevieve Kang, spokeswoman for the ASEAN protest, said although nobody expected Mr Hun Sen to personally follow through with his threat, loyalists within the diaspora might do so.
The Australian 

China must work to avert negative effects of CPTPP
In January, a year after the US announced its withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the 11 remaining TPP countries agreed on a new version of the pact: the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Global Times 

Southeast Asia comes to Sydney: meeting, message, meaning & mateship
ASEAN comes to Sydney this week. The harbour city hosts Southeast Asia as Malcolm Turnbull does summitry with ASEAN’s leaders.
Aspi Strategist 

AFGM 2018 to take place in Indonesia
The 42nd edition of the annual Asean Glass Conference, which will be hosted by the Indonesia Glass Manufacturers Association (IGMA), is to be held on the 24th – 27th September 2018 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Glass-International

Shopee officially launches Shopee Mall with around 600 brands onboard its platform
Shopee’s press release said the Mall offers 100 per cent authenticity guarantee, free shipping and 15 days return on all products, with an additional wave of unbeatable deals and promotions during the grand launch.
— The Nation

Police given power to search people, vehicles without warrants during ASEAN summit
NSW Police will be given the power to search people and vehicles without a warrant during the ASEAN summit in Sydney this weekend.
— SBS News

MPay to provide fintech solutions for Asean Cooperative Organisation community
Managepay Systems Bhd (MPay) will be providing fintech products and services, on a joint venture basis with MyANGKASA Holdings Sdn Bhd, for the Asean Cooperative Organization (ACO) which totals 60 million individual cooperative members.
— The Sun Daily

Cambodia morning newsCambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Cambodia’s Increasing Rush to Compliance
Once one of Southeast Asia’s most relaxed countries for regulatory compliance, Cambodia is rapidly stepping up enforcement measures, with steep fines for those who ignore the warnings.
— AEC News Today

Cambodia to get $40M from ADB’s green fund
The Asian Development Bank has announced an additional $30 million in grants and $10 million in loans to Cambodia as part of the organization’s Green Climate Fund.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Early data show decline in garment sector growth
The labour minister said on Monday that Cambodia’s garment sector grew by 4 percent last year to reach $7.6 billion, which would mark a slowdown in the growth rate compared to previous years.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

Indonesia’s Plan to Keep Power Tariffs Flat Will Cost $588m This Year
Indonesia’s plans to keep electricity tariffs and some fuel prices unchanged for the next two years will cost around Rp 8.1 trillion ($588 million) in additional subsidies this year alone, Ministry of Finance officials said on Monday (12/03).
— Jakarta Globe

Migrant workers’ protection: Quo vadis?
Once again, the world bears witness to the cruel realities that migrant workers face everyday in their host countries.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia university revokes niqab ban after criticism
An Indonesian university whose ban on niqab face veils made global headlines has reversed the policy following criticism that it trampled on personal choice.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

WHO to provide 20 billion kip for health sector improvement
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has agreed to provide 20 billion kip (US$2.4 million) this year to strengthen the health sector, particularly in the fields of surveillance and response to infectious diseases, mother and child health, and immunisation.
Vientiane Times 

Budget approval urgently needed for Laos-China railway
Lao authorities in charge have called for urgent approval of a budget of 500 billion kip for Laos’ ’ 2018 contribution to the construction of the Laos-China railway. Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Lattanamany Khounnivong, who is also Chairman of the Laos-China Railway Construction Project Management Committee, made the request at a meeting held on Friday.
Vientiane Times 

Laos Prepares To Nominate Lam Vong For World Heritage Listing
Lao PRD is preparing to dominate Lam Vong Lao (Lao circle dance) for the UNESCO World Heritage status.
Lao News Agency 

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

 

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Malaysia records highest inflow
The Malaysian equity market has recorded the highest inflow of foreign funds among Southeast Asian countries so far this year, driven by the country’s strong economic outlook.
— New Straits Times

Malaysian banks face risk on commercial real estate loans -Moody’s
Malaysian banks face risks on their commercial real estate loans in 2018, although their overall asset quality is expected to remain stable on improving macroeconomic conditions and slower formation of new nonperforming loans, Moody’s said in a report.
— Reuters

Foreign funds sell RM299.1mil of Malaysian shares
Foreign funds reduced their exposure in Malaysian equities last week, ending the three straight weeks of foreign buying after a dramatic week of events coming from the US, according to MIDF Research.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

UN: Rohingya atrocities ‘bear hallmarks of genocide’
A top UN rights expert claimed Monday that the crackdown on Myanmar’s Rohingya minority bears “the hallmarks of genocide” and insisted the government should be held accountable.
Bangkok Post 

US Democrats considering revoking State Counsellor’s honour
Some Democrats in the United States are wondering whether Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar human rights advocate and Nobel laureate, should be stripped of her Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honour, according to the website The Hill.
Mizzima

UN investigators on Myanmar put Facebook in crosshairs
United Nations human rights experts who are investigating potential Rohingya genocide in Myanmar say that Facebook had a role in spreading hate speech in the country.
The Hill

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

Migrant workers’ protection: Quo vadis?
Once again, the world bears witness to the cruel realities that migrant workers face everyday in their host countries.
— The Jakarta Post

CIMB Bank partners with PLDT of the Philippines in bid of its Asean expansion
CIMB Bank Bhd, through its branch that is being set up in the Philippines, CIMB Bank Philippines Inc, recently entered into partnership agreements with CIS Bayad Center Inc and FINTQnologies Corp.
— New Straits Times

Philippine indigenous activist shot dead in ‘increasingly hostile climate’
Authorities must thoroughly investigate the murder of an indigenous activist in the Philippines, where defenders of land and environment are increasingly under attack, said a group of Southeast Asian lawmakers on Monday.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

 

Singapore morning newsSingapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

 

President Trump halts Broadcom takeover of Qualcomm
U.S. President Donald Trump issued an order on Monday prohibiting semiconductor maker Broadcom Ltd’s proposed takeover of Qualcomm Inc on grounds of national security, bringing an end to what would have been the technology industry’s biggest deal ever.
Channel NewsAsia 

Singapore: Reject Sweeping Public Order Bill
Singapore’s proposed public order law would further empower the government to repress freedom of assembly and speech, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should revise the Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) bill, introduced in Parliament on February 27, 2018, to ensure that protection of public safety does not violate fundamental rights.
Human Right Watch 

Smart Bus Stop being trialled in Singapore to improve commuter experience
Trials of a world-first next-generation smart bus stop have been initiated in Singapore today to address the dual problems of urban heat [1] and air pollution (PM2.5) faced by commuters.
Open Gov Asia 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

 

Thailand morning newsThailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

 

Govt confirms commitment to resolving IUU fishing
The Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs has confirmed that efforts to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thailand’s waters are ongoing, as the government remains committed to raising the standards of Thai fishing operations.
— NNT

Thai Feb tourist arrivals jump 20 pct y/y – ministry
Thailand saw a 20 percent increase in foreign tourists in February from a year earlier, led by visitors from China, the government said on Monday.
— Reuters

500kg of garbage washed onto national park beach every day
From 400 to 500 kilograms of garbage had been washed by waves onto a beach on Koh Rung in the Mu Koh Chang National Park in Trat each morning during the past week, the park chief said today (Monday).
–Phuket Gazette

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Bright prospects for Vietnam’s leather and footwear industry in 2018
Vietnam’s leather and footwear sector is to benefit from many favourable factors in 2018, opening up great opportunities for the attraction of orders and an expanded export market share.
— Nhan Dan Online

Warburg Pincus to invest $370 million in Techcombank in Vietnam’s biggest buyout deal
Warburg Pincus is investing more than $370 million in Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) IPO-VTC.HM, in what it said was the largest ever private equity investment to date in the Southeast Asian nation.
— Reuters

Amazon to enter Vietnam in challenge to Alibaba
Amazon.com is to officially launch its e-commerce services in Vietnam, with the aim of taking on Chinese rival Alibaba Group Holding in one of the fastest-growing e-tailing markets in the world.
— Nikkei Asian Review

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.

 

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