Asean morning news for April 16

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Access to capital hampers smart city creation in the region
Access to capital is the most critical barrier for developing smart cities in Asean nations, including Thailand, as countries struggle to find alternative sources of investment for infrastructure projects with high upfront costs.
— Bangkok Post

In ideological battle with U.S., China wins over allies with its censored vision of the internet
A swath of the world is adopting China’s vision for a tightly controlled internet over the unfettered American approach, a stunning ideological coup for Beijing that would have been unthinkable less than a decade ago.
— The Japan Times

SE Asia ‘vulnerable’ to NK cyber hit
North Korea is a “determined and sophisticated cyber actor in need of financial resources,” claims a newly published security report, that could significantly step up its efforts to target Southeast Asia’s “nascent but burgeoning cryptocurrency industry” as it continues “to find ways of obtaining and exploiting cryptocurrencies.”
— Asia Times

A primer on China’s Belt and Road Initiative plans in South-east Asia
The economic potential of China’s Belt and Road projects in South-east Asia is huge.
— The Business Times

A spat over palm oil: The Philippines’ patience with Malaysia and Indonesia wears thin
The Philippines consumed approximately 1.3 million metric tons of palm oil in 2017. Despite experiencing no significant increase in demand, the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the nation’s palm oil imports reached a new high in 2018, soaring to 278,384.039 metric tons.
— AseanToday

ASEAN local currency transactions promoted
The Philippines has agreed to join the local currency settlement (LCS) framework which Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have operated over the past two years, in an effort to expand intra-ASEAN trade and investment as well as strengthen the regional economic integration.
— Vietnam Plus

Qoo10 and UOB tie-up to drive eCommerce growth across ASEAN
United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) and Qoo10 have formed a strategic regional alliance to drive eCommerce growth across ASEAN.
— Marketing Interactive

As South-east Asia’s internet economy takes off, finding tech talent remains a challenge
South-east Asia’s internet economy has been growing an average annual rate of 27 per cent and is on track to exceed US$200 billion by 2025, according to a report by Temasek and Google.
— The Business Times

It’s not you, it’s me: Brunei and Shariah
Brunei is usually a quiet and tranquil country: crime is virtually unknown, traffic is light and its political scene is among the most stable in the region.
— UCA News

More VCs pour into Asean, but await elusive exits
VENTURE funds are pouring into the region at an unprecedented rate as big venture capital (VC) names from China and India jostle to tap on growth in South-east Asia.
— The Business Times (paywall)

RGB to grow gaming concession business
RGB International Bhd is pressing ahead with the expansion of its gaming machine concession business overseas, albeit at a reduced budget this year after a capital-raising plan was put on hold due to tough market conditions.
— The Star Online

Why many Indians are moving to South East Asia to launch their ventures
For Navin Suri, who was heading Bank of New York Mellon’s asset management business in Hong Kong, Singapore was the obvious choice when it came to setting up.
— ETtech

Philippines chases neighbors in Southeast Asian unicorn race
Philippine ride-hailing service Micab and its Singapore-based counterpart Grab both debuted in 2012.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

More needed to create businesses that promote the ‘human experience’
Even as business leaders recognise the increasing importance of building a company that brings meaning back to the workplace and human identity back to the worker, only 15 per cent of leaders in South-east Asia said they are up for the task.
— The Business Times

30 ASEAN-ERAT new faces ready for action
THIRTY participants of the 11th ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) induction course, including eight from Brunei Darussalam, are ready to respond to any disasters in ASEAN.
— Borneo Bulletin

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Villagers In Pursat Risk Losing Everything to Dam Development
The Cambodian government last week announced an 80-megawatt hydropower dam on the Anlong Krouch river, which flows to the town of Pursat.
— VOA Cambodia

Low Level Flooding Dampening Tourists Enthusiasm
As climate change heats up, we can expect more extreme weather events, more hurricanes, and droughts over time. VOA Khmer’s Seourn Vathana narrates.
— VOA Cambodia

Singapore agreement offers opportunity for Cambodian retail banking market
A fintech agreement between Cambodia and Singapore authorities provides an opportunity for the former’s underbanked and underbanked population, according to lawyers, while the vice president of both Cambodia and Singapore’s fintech associations says lessons can be learned from both central banks’ implementations of blockchain.
— bobsguide

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Indonesian Economy Records First Back-to-Back Surplus Since 2017
Indonesia posted a surprise trade surplus in two consecutive months until March, igniting hope for a much-needed recovery of growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
— Jakarta Globe

Korea lands $1B submarine contract with Indonesia
South Korea was awarded a $1.02 billion contract to deliver three 1,400-tonne submarines to Indonesia, according to multiple press reports.
— Intellasia

Radical Islamist groups support Prabowo’s Indonesian presidency
Despite Prabowo’s mixed religious background, where his mother and siblings are Christians, while his father is Muslim.
— Mothership

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Bomb-Clearing Efforts in Laos Slow Due to Shortage of Funds
Programs set up in Laos to clear unexploded ordnance left over from heavy U.S. bombing during the Vietnam War are being hindered by shortfalls of funds from foreign donors, sources in the Southeast Asian country say.
— Radio Free Asia

2 tunnels dug through in China-Laos Railway construction
Two tunnels of the China-Laos Railway, namely Nathong No. 2 and Nateuy No. 2, were dug through on the same day on Monday by the constructor China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CREC-5).
— Xinhuanet

Thai group to help Laos fight liver fluke after success in Northeast
HAVING experienced success in the Northeast, Thailand has expanded its Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Programme (CASCAP) to help risky groups in neighbouring Laos, Narong Kantikaew, a physician from Khon Kaen University, said.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia says revised China deal shows costs were inflated
Malaysia’s prime minister said Monday a Chinese company building a rail link across the Southeast Asian nation will jointly help to manage and operate the network, part of revised deal that will get the stalled project off the ground at a lower cost and ease strained relations.
— Bangkok Post

Malaysia revived China railway to avoid $5 bn penalty: PM
Malaysia would have faced a $5-billion penalty if a China-backed rail project was axed entirely, the prime minister said Monday, after a deal was reached to revive the controversial scheme.
— The Independent

Prosecution objects to defence application for additional documents in Najib’s trial
The prosecution in the trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak involving RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds has objected to the defence application for the first witness to submit three additional documents at the hearing.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Singapore Myanmar Investco divests TPR telco assets for US$8m
Singapore Myanmar Investco (SMI), through its indirect subsidiary TPR Myanmar, is selling all of TPR’s telecommunications towers and tower leases in Myanmar for US$8 million.
— Consult-Myanmar

China’s rare-earth imports from Myanmar will decline
China is likely to trim imports of rare earths from Myanmar starting next month, which an analyst said will help relieve oversupply in China.
— Mizzima

Jailed Reuters reporters, U.S. border photographers win Pulitzer Prizes
Reuters won two Pulitzer Prizes on Monday, one for revealing the massacre of 10 Muslim Rohingya men by Buddhist villagers and Myanmar security forces, and another for photographs of Central American migrants seeking refuge in the United States.
— Investing.com UK

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Duterte signs 2019 budget into law
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday finally signed the four-month delayed P3.757-trillion 2019 national budget into law, but vetoed about P95.3 billion in appropriations.
— BusinessWorld

Palace: Govt on top of power situation in Luzon
MALACANANG has assured the public that the government was on top of the power situation in Luzon where several plants in the region either shut down or were performing below …
— Manila Times

DOH, CBCP warn against crucifixion, self-flagellation on Holy Week
With only four days ahead of Good Friday, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) once again reminded devotees that the Catholic Church does not endorse the practice of crucifixion or self-flagellation during Holy Week.
— GMA Network

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

New private home sales surge as developers rush to roll out projects
A WAVE of new launches after the Chinese New Year lull boosted developers’ sales in March, with 1,054 private homes having been sold. This was up from the 455 units moved in February and 47 per cent higher than in March last year.
— The Business Times

Compass One is first mall to donate unsold cooked food to Food Bank
At the end of a day, many unsold food items such as those from cooked food stalls would be dumped into the trash. This is done according to protocol or for hygiene purposes, even if the food is still suitable for consumption.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

3 everyday heroes receive Public Spiritedness Awards
A sound technician was on his way to go prawning with a friend one night – but ended up catching more than prawns.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

EU deal could spur shift to Vietnam
Relocation of Thailand’s automotive, computer, garment and electric circuit industries to Vietnam is possible once the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) takes effect this year, the Commerce Ministry…
— Bangkok Post

New fires in the North likely to be arson – Army
Some 1,000 combined professional and volunteer firefighters are battling a major forest fire in the mountainous area overlapping Chiang Mai’s Muang and Mae Chan districts.
— The Thaiger

Songkran road accidents, death toll continue to drop
Officials have been buoyed by the falling number of road accidents, deaths and injuries as the Songkran holiday safety campaign passed mid-way on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam’s Fast-Growing Economy Signals Need To Expand Coal Sector
Bullish forecasts on Vietnam’s fast-expanding economy until 2030 has driven the government to find ways to boost the coal sector as it is expected that the country will see increased demand for energy.
— Business Times

HCM City tourism festival generates 120 billion VND in revenues
A tourism festival in Ho Chi Minh City under the theme “Happy Summer 2019” ended on April 14 with total sales of participating travel agencies reported at 120 billion VND (nearly 5.2 million USD) after four days.
— VNA NET

41 people killed by traffic accidents during Hung Kings holiday
The annual Hung Kings Temple Festival, which began on April 13, saw a total of 41 people killed with an additional 42 others injured as a result of traffic accidents.
— Vietnam Insider

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.