Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
GlobalData: Over US$46.3 billion will be spent on Southeast Asia’s upstream capex by 2020
An average capital expenditure (capex) of US$17.8 billion per year will be spent on 336 oil and gas fields in Southeast Asia between 2018 and 2020, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
— Oilfield Technology
Making ASEAN a relevant force in uncertain times
This weekend saw Singapore host the second ASEAN Media Forum (AMF), where almost 30 media leaders, journalists and social media influencers congregated to have a dialogue with the region’s thought leaders on various important issues affecting the region.
— The Asean Post
Southeast Asia’s demand for tech talent continues to soar
Southeast Asia’s demand for tech talent continues to soar in online hiring across the IT and Telecom industry, as organisations evolve their tech capabilities in the region.
— Networks Asia
Media Freedom: Much more than just the media’s problem
As the ‘illness’ of undermining media freedom catches on in Southeast Asia, the diagnosis of its various strains – be it traditional or new threats, overt or hidden, subtle or in-your-face – is far simpler than prescribing the possible cures to it.
— Rappler
Asean workshop mulls sustainable management of mine closures
Government officials and experts from Laos and Asean member countries involved in the supervision and management of mining are currently discussing international standards for sustainable mine closures.
— Vientiane Times (subscription)
Vietnam’s labour productivity among lowest in region
Despite having increased at a relatively fast pace in recent years, Việt Nam’s labour productivity remained in the lowest group in East Asia with scores in backbone sectors of the economy even falling behind Cambodia, a report found on Tuesday.
— Viet Nam News
Strong ties between ASEAN and New Zealand
Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN’s growth trajectory has been nothing short of impressive.
— The Asean Post
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
As China’s Influence Grows in Cambodia, Analysts Urge Caution
Hun Sen defended the country relationship with China, saying other countries were “jealous” of Beijing’s rise.
— VOA Cambodia
Election Watchdog Slams Cambodia Ruling Party Official For Labeling Non-Voters ‘Traitors’
The head of an election watchdog in Cambodia on Tuesday slammed a senior official from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) for labeling anyone who refrains from voting in the country’s upcoming general election a “traitor” to the nation, amid calls for a boycott of the ballot.
— Radio Free Asia
All factories need infirmaries by year’s end
The Labour Ministry has announced that all factories across the country must have their own infirmary completed by the end of this year, noting that 88 percent of factories having built infirmaries already.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
RI`s working population reaches 127.07 million: BPS
Indonesia`s working population has reached 127.07 million in February 2018, up by 2.53 million compared to the same period of 2017, which has been recorded at 124.54 million, according to the Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS).
— Antara News
Foreign exchange reserves slid to US$124.9 billion in April
Indonesia’s foreign exchange reserves stood at US$124.9 billion in April, lower than the $126 billion recorded a month earlier, Bank Indonesia (BI) announced on Tuesday as it continued to intervene in the market to stabilize the rupiah against a stronger United States dollar.
— The Jakarta Post
Former regional councilor, jailed for corruption 2 years ago, still receiving IDR37 million monthly salary
While last month’s guilty verdict and 15-year sentence for former house speaker Setya Novanto was hailed as a landmark victory in Indonesia’s fight against endemic corruption, there is clearly still tons of work that needs to be done in terms of how the government handles corrupt politician, as evidenced by the latest outrageous story of a law-breaking lawmaker still enjoying the perks of his former job in prison.
— Coconuts Jakarta
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Emily-Mae Richards @emilymaeaway
Stimulus package intensified to boost SMEs, ministry says
A number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have enjoyed financial access and a large amount of in-kind support, thanks to assistance from the government and development partners.
— Vientiane Times
NERI: Lao Economy Needs Diversification
An economic update released last month by the National Economic Research Institute (NERI), a government body led by former Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, stated that the mining sector’s contribution to the country’s economy will continue to drop over the coming years as a lower output is predicted for this natural resource-based sector.
— The Laotian Times
Northern Australia To Share Primary Education Experience With Laos
Northern Australia faces similar primary education challenges to Laos, including remote locations, multi-grade classrooms and language barriers.
— KPL
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s ruling coalition losing ground, but could still win: survey
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s ruling coalition has lost more ground in the lead-up to Wednesday’s general election, but it could still win enough parliamentary seats to cling on to power, a survey by an independent polling firm said.
— Reuters
Massive Police Presence To Safeguard Malaysia’s General Election
Around 68,000 uniformed police will be deployed during Malaysia’s polling day on May 9, including 12,700 civil and police volunteers, according to Malaysia’s Internal Security and Public Order Department, a unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs in charge of the enforcement of the country’s internal security laws.
— Investvine
Dual Thai nationality votes being ‘sold’ for today’s Malaysian election
MALAYSIAN authorities have tightened the border with Thailand after 200 people with dual nationality allegedly sold their votes in Northern Kelantan to cast ballots in today’s general election.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
UN Security Council: Refer Myanmar to ICC
The United Nations Security Council should immediately refer the situation in Myanmar, including the widespread and systematic abuses against ethnic Rohingya, to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights Watch said today.
— Human Right Watch
US retiree accused of running ‘sex tours’ on Thai-Myanmar border
An American man has been arrested in a sting operation for allegedly running a online brothel service matching men in northern Thailand with Myanmar sex workers across the border, police said Tuesday (May 8).
— Channel NewsAsia
Ooredoo Myanmar enters eSports tie-up with HOG
Ooredoo Myanmar has entered a partnership with Myanmar’s first eSports center Halls of Gamers (HOG) to provide high-speed connectivity for competitors.
— Telecomasia.net
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
The Philippines is planning a $14 billion ‘pollution-free’ city that will be larger than Manhattan
Manila, the hyper-dense capital of The Philippines, is known for its traffic jams. In a 2016 survey, navigation company Waze ranked Manila as having the “worst traffic on Earth.”
— Business Insider
P17-million milkfish destroyed in Bulacan fish kill
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) and the Provincial Agriculture Office of Bulacan pegged the value of milkfish wiped out by a fish kill in Obando town at P17 million.
— Business Mirror
DBP signs P9.5-B loan deal for construction of Clark gov’t center
THE Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) signed a P9.5- billion loan deal with the construction firm AlloyMTD Holdings Philippines, Inc. for the development of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) at the New Clark City (NCC).
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Global connectivity will boost Singapore’s economy, create jobs
SINGAPORE’S transport network will be enhanced to connect the city-state with the rest of the world, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan said on Tuesday.
— The Business Times
Singapore Tourism Awards celebrate excellence as tourist arrivals continue to grow
The team leader of guest services at Ce La Vi Singapore, a rooftop bar and restaurant at Marina Bay Sands, was shorthanded and having to deal with multiple difficult situations at once.
— The Straits Times
Malaysians in Singapore on a dash across strait hoping to sway vote
Many of the half a million Malaysians living and working in Singapore crossed the strait into their homeland late on Tuesday to cast their votes in Wednesday’s national election, packing a busy causeway in a chaotic but at times festive mood.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Shippers’ Council forecasts 8% export growth this year
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has forecast 8% export growth this year, due to continued economy recovery in trade partners.
— NNT
217 officials found embezzling state funds for the destitute
The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has reported 50% progress in its investigation into the embezzlement of state funds for the destitute in Chiang Mai province.
— NNT
Migrant labour cap piques businesses
Business operators are crying foul over a new law that caps the share of migrant workers at 20%, saying the regulation poses a “critical obstacle” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling to cope with labour shortages.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam asks China to withdraw military equipment from South China Sea
Vietnam requested on Tuesday that China withdraw military equipment from the South China Sea, following media reports this month that China had installed missiles there.
— Channel NewsAsia
Vietnam’s pepper export to India skyrockets
Vietnam’s pepper export turnover to India posted a year-on-year whopping surge of 209 percent in volume to more than 7,100 tons in the first quarter of this year, reports from the General Department of Customs showed.
— The Hanoi Times
Cashew industry wants ban on cheap imports from Vietnam
Import of inferior cashew kernels from Vietnam haveto be stopped and policy loopholes plugged to protect the ailing domestic cashew industry.
— The Hindu Business Line
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.
Asean Morning News For May 9 added by Digital Editor on
View all posts by Digital Editor →