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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Near-collision of US warship and ‘aggressive’ Chinese Destroyer in South China Sea captured in photos
Leaked US Navy images have captured the dramatic moment a Chinese warship came perilously close to an American destroyer as it conducted a “freedom of navigation” patrol in the South China Sea.
— ABC

China makes good progress trading with ASEAN economies
Cross-border e-commerce between China and ASEAN economies is surging as more Chinese consumers are developing a taste for exotic food and an ongoing need for online shopping.
— Fresh Plaza

Thailand to push forward Mekong-Japan cooperation framework
Thailand will push forward a cooperation framework between Mekong sub-region and Japan in a summit next week
— NNT

Asean needs massive injection of infrastructure funding—World Bank exec
Asean needs about US$3.4 trillion during 2013-2030 to finance infrastructure projects so that the region can narrow its development gap and achieve its objective of becoming a single market and production base, according to a senior World Bank official.
— Inquirer.net

Chinese, Asean suppliers could face fresh challenges under United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
Asian manufacturers could find it harder to sell their products in American markets under a new deal signed by the United States, Mexico and Canada, and could risk long-term isolation in key industries, analysts say.
— South China Morning Post

ASEAN expects Rohingya repatriations to begin soon, says Singapore FM
YANGON — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations wants the repatriation of refugees to Myanmar to be the next “key milestone” towards resolving the Rohingya crisis, Singapore Foreign Minister Mr Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday, media reported.
— Frontier Myanmar

Indonesia are champions of ASEAN debates
Indonesia, represented by Universitas Indonesia (UI) have emerged as champions of the Gandhi Memorial ASEAN Debate Competition 2018, organised by Kuala Lumpur based Gandhi Memorial Trust (GMT).
— The Asean Post

Asean masterplan to boost inclusivity for disabled people
Even as Asean pushes towards greater economic integration, its 10 members will keep a sharp eye on ensuring that its societies are inclusive, and that people with disabilities have equal opportunities.
— The Straits Times

Indonesia and ASEAN: A unique role to play in the South China Sea
Over the last several years the South China Sea has exploded with activity, from island dredging to military build-up masquerading as civilian development. The region is increasingly heating up, leading experts to classify the area as a potential flashpoint in the years to come.
— The Jakarta Post

ASEAN Takes a Bold Cybersecurity Step
As far as technology and ministerial events go, the third ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity (AMCC) that met during Singapore International Cyber Week 2018 was relatively low-key.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Former CNRP Lawmaker Calls For Release of Party Members Still Held in Jail
Former Cambodian opposition party lawmaker Ou Chanrath called on the government on Wednesday to free all members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party still held in the country’s jails, saying their release will pose no threat to national security.
— Radio Free Asia

Sihanoukville tourism First half of 2018 sees 1.3M visitors
The Preah Sihanouk provincial Department of Tourism says Preah Sihanouk province received more than 1.3 million tourists during the first semester of this year.
— Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s borders on guard with intensed crackdown on transnational crimes
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) has cracked down on more than 4,000 transnational crimes along the Kingdom’s land borders with neighbouring countries during the first nine months of the year, a senior Defence Ministry official said.
— The Nation

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Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Bank Indonesia Governor Signals Need to Hike Rates Ahead of Fed Increases
Indonesia must raise interest rates ahead of the United States Federal Reserve to avoid ‘drastic’ capital outflows, the central bank governor, Perry Warjiyo, said on Wednesday (03/10). (Antara Photo/Hafidz Mubarak A)
— Jakarta Globe

‘Time running out’ for Indonesia tsunami survivors
Time was running out on Wednesday for anyone trapped in the debris of a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, five days after disaster struck.
— Aljazeera

Death Toll in C. Sulawesi Quake, Tsunami Rises to More Than 1,400
The death toll from last

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Laos-S. Korea Bilateral Trade Reaches US$ 120 Million
The bilateral trade between the Republic of Korea and Laos for 2017 reached US$120 million, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
— KPL

Post-disaster poverty fears on rise as rate reviewed
The government is set to review the poverty rate after fears that thousands of families are likely fall below the poverty line following the severe floods that devastated many parts of Laos.
— Vientiane Times

Overcoming a government crackdown on social media in Laos
Inside a packed lecture hall at the American Centre in the capital Vientiane, 60 National University of Laos students sit surrounded by framed posters featuring inspirational quotes by American icons Martin Luther King Jr, Maya Angelou and Steve Jobs.
— Al Jazeera

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Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia Ex-PM’s Wife Rosmah Arrested, To Be Charged With Money Laundering
Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak, has been detained on October 3 by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). According to a press statement, she was arrested at 3.20pm while giving her statement at the agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya. Her arrest had been expected after earlier interrogations since last week.
— Investvine

Former investment banker jailed, fined for insider trading
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today convicted and sentenced a former investment banker for insider trading in the shares of PacificMas Bhd, the Securities Commission said.
— The Star Online

Budget 2019 – no new taxes, please
For Budget 2019, which will be tabled next month, UOB Research opined that it will be more productive for the government to trim unnecessary expenditure as opposed to introducing new taxes, which are deemed unpopular and likely to raise the cost of doing business at this juncture.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

EXCLUSIVE-EU considers trade sanctions on Myanmar over Rohingya crisis
The European Union is considering trade sanctions on Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis, potentially stripping the country of tariff-free access to the world’s largest trading bloc, three EU officials said.
— Thomson Reuters Foundation

India to deport seven Rohingya to Myanmar
Indian police bused seven Rohingya to the border on Wednesday to be deported to neighbouring Myanmar for illegal entry, officials and activists said, the first such move against the community.
— Aljazeera

Border trade increased by US$592 million
The value of border trade from 1 April to 31 August, during the six-month interim period prior to the next 2018-2019 financial year, increased by US$592 million, compared to the same period last year, state media reported.
— Mizzima

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Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

House okays P3.757-T national budget on 2nd reading
The House of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on second reading the proposed PHP3.757-trillion 2019 national budget.
— Philippine News Agency

Makati earmarks P12.5 million for math project for schools
The Makati City government has allocated P12.5 million to implement its new program dubbed Project MILES (Mathematics Intensive Learning Enhancement for Students).
— Manilastandard.net

P1.3B for Boracay not released
The P1.3-billion fund for the rehabilitation of Boracay has not been released more than five months after the island was shut down, officials said.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Electronic arrival cards for visitors to Singapore, trial starts Oct 4
Instead of paper-based disembarkation/embarkation cards that have to be filled up upon arrival, foreign visitors to Singapore will soon be able to provide their personal details and trip information electronically prior to their arrival.
— Today Online

Temasek backs $70m funding round for US agri startup Pivot Bio
Singapore-based global investment firm Temasek has joined the $70-million Series B funding round for US agriculture startup Pivot Bio. The round was led by billionaires-backed Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
— Deal Street Asia

Singapore to sustain 4% pay hike in 2019: study
Salary in Singapore is poised to continue its 4% hike in 2019 across all industries, a study by Willis Towers Watson revealed. With this, the Lion City lagged behind other Asian counterparts that are expected to see salary increases further upward.
— Singapore Business Review

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Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Thailand will stick to 2019 date for general election, deputy PM says
There will be no delays to a general election planned in Thailand for 2019, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday, amid the concerns of government critics and the opposition that it could be pushed back.
— Reuters

Analysts say strong baht reflection of nation’s good economic performance
A Bloomberg report has indicated the Thai baht has become the strongest currency among 12 Asian countries and the second strongest among emerging markets behind only Mexico.
— News Today (video)

Education Ministry ‘cleaning up own nest’ with 50 graft cases
Heads are finally set to roll at the Ministry of Education as the cabinet has decided to transfer three senior officials amid a probe into alleged malfeasance in relation to the construction of an aquarium and marine research centre in southern Songkhla province.
— Bangkok Post

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Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam nominates party chief as new president
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party has agreed to nominate its General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, as president of the Southeast Asian country, Vietnam’s government said on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Vietnam mulls banning sales of pre-used SIM cards
The Ministry of Information and Communications has proposed the ban of pre-used SIM card sale to better control network subscribers.
— VnExpress

Property sector calls for adjustments to bank loan regulations
The new restriction on banks of using only 40 percent of their short-term deposits for long and medium-term loans should not take effect next year, the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) has said.
— VietnamPlus

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.

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