Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Vietnam Quietly Builds Up 10 Islands in South China Sea
Both China and Vietnam are building up small islands in the South China Sea, a waterway known in Vietnam as the East Sea.
— VOA
The US ultimatum over China’s 5G giant falls flat in Southeast Asia
When a senior Malaysia trade official toured a Huawei training center in the country and mingled with the Chinese 5G champion’s executives last week, the vibe in the room was all smiles.
— Inkstone
ASEAN’s shrinking biodiversity
As the world celebrates Earth Day today, the theme for this year – protecting threatened and endangered species – remains as important as ever.
— The Asean Post
ASEAN datacentre providers must up their game
The datacentre market in ASEAN remains promising, but datacentre providers will have to pay attention to rapidly changing trends if they are to succeed, according to Frost & Sullivan.
— Computerweekly.com
Belt and Road Initiative ensures all parties gain real benefits: report
The Belt and Road Initiative ensures all parties gain real benefits, a report said Monday.
— Xinhuanet
Grab to integrate public transport data in Southeast Asian mega cities
Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailer Grab will add public transport information to its platform as it moves a step closer to becoming a one-stop mobility app.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Senior officials of RCEP countries to meet in Bangkok on May 24
Senior officials of the 16-member RCEP group, who are negotiating a mega free trade agreement, will hold meetings in Bangkok from May 24 to iron out issues pertaining to the goods and services sector, an official said.
— Outlook
South Korea financial firms urged to Asean
South Korea’s financial regulator is seeking to bolster the business of local firms in Southeast Asia, widely considered the “next China”.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister says South China Sea still a major unresolved issue
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah stressed that the South China Sea issue is still on the table in discussions with China.
— South China Morning Post (video)
Religious Minorities Across Asia Suffer Amid Surge in Sectarian Politics
The deadly attacks in Sri Lanka on Sunday highlighted how easily religious coexistence can be ripped apart in a region where secularism is weakening amid the growing appeal of a politics based on ethnic and sectarian identity.
— The New York Times
Banking on renewable energy – and the future
LAST week, in quick succession, Singapore banks OCBC and DBS signalled an end to their financing of new coal power plants.
— The Business Times
Matrade sees good prospects at CAEXPO 2019 in Nanning
The 16th China-Asean Exposition (CAEXPO), co-sponsored by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Commerce and Asean business authorities as well as its secretariat, will be held in Nanning, China, from September 20 to 23.
— New Straits Times
What Southeast Asia’s gaming companies can do to stay ahead of foreign competitors
Southeast Asia has the fastest growing gaming industry in the world.
— e27
In ASEAN Country Market Of New Opportunities to Fuel the Expansion of Energy Storage Devices Market During 2014 – 2020
Rise in the energy demand and depleting fossil fuels is pushing the market towards non-conventional sources of energy.
— Honest Version
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Cambodia’s rubber exports show 23% increase, but prices decline
Cambodia’s rubber exports increased 23 per cent in the first quarter of this year on the same period last year, while rubber prices continue to decrease, according to figures from the General Directorate of Rubber under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Prayut, Hun Sen open bridge across Thai-Cambodian border
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen jointly presided over the opening of a border bridge linking Thailand’s Sa Kaeo with Cambodia’s Banteay Meancheay provinces this…
— Thai PBS News
Opposition ‘Congress’ Wraps up With Call For Inclusive Restoration of Democracy in Cambodia
Cambodian opposition leaders and supporters wrapped up a weekend gathering in South Korea with a call for a concerted effort to “restore” democracy to Cambodia and an appeal for support from signatories of the Paris Peace Agreement, which reestablished elections there after years of conflict.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Indonesian election result is good for stability in the region
With so many bad things happening in the world, it is worth celebrating that something important has just gone well.
— Sydney Morning Herald
KPU Real Count: Jokowi ahead of Prabowo with 54.87 against 45.13%
Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo and his running mate Ma’ruf Amin are still leading according to the real count by the Elections Committee (KPU) tabulation.
— Tempo.co
What Will Indonesia’s Foreign Policy in Jokowi’s Second Term Look Like?
A look at how Jakarta’s role in the world may shape up in the coming years.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Thailand to ink deal on Thai-Lao line
Thailand will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on the Nong Khai-Vientiane Railway Connecting Line with China and Laos later this week at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing.
— Bangkok Post
New China-Laos joint project to power up electricity distribution in Laos’ capital
The new 500 kV and 230 kV transmission lines to be installed in Laos’ capital Vientiane, a joint project between Lao and Chinese companies, will ensure more Lao people to have sufficient power, officials in Vientiane have said.
— China.org.cn
Xayaburi dam power now feeding EGAT in Loei
CK Power Plc has succeeded in distributing electricity from the first generator unit of the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Project to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand or EGAT, the company’s managing director, Thanawat Trivisvavet, said through a press release on Monday.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
MITI committed to luring quality investments: Darell
A year has almost passed since last May’s watershed general election which saw a historic change, not only in government, but Malaysia’s entire political landscape which also steered the country’s economy in a different direction.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia heading towards smart prison systems
The Malaysian Prisons Department is studying the viability of using artificial intelligence (AI) systems in its facilities.
— The Star Online
Malaysia committed to JB-S’pore rail project
Malaysia is committed to continuing the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) project despite asking for a six-month extension from Singapore, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
— Asia One
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Kachin govt urged to keep eye on embankment project
Members of parliament urged the Kachin State government to look into allegedly substandard construction of embankments in two villages aimed at preventing floods during the rainy season on Sunday.
— Myanmar Times
Thousands protest China-backed mega-dam in Myanmar
YANGON: Thousands of people in northern Myanmar took to the streets on Monday (Apr 22) to protest against the proposed reinstatement of a Chinese-backed mega-dam they say will cause huge environmental damage and bring little benefit to the country.
— Channel NewsAsia
Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement No Panacea For What Ails Myanmar
Some people, government officials and foreign diplomats in particular, seem to believe that decades of civil war in Myanmar would come to an end if all armed groups were to only sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). They believe that development will make the groups abandon their quest for self-determination.
— The Irrawaddy
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Strong Earthquake Strikes Philippines, Killing at Least 5
A powerful earthquake shook the northern Philippines on Monday, leaving at least five people dead in collapsed buildings, disaster relief officials said.
— The New York Times
Clark International Airport shut down after quake
All flights in Clark International Airport were canceled following a magnitude 6.1 tremor that jolted parts of Luzon on Monday afternoon.
— The Nation
Holy Week death count pegged at 55
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday that 55 people died during the observance of the Lenten season, with most of the deaths attributed to drowning.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Singapore Budget 2019: What’s in it for you?
In the space of two hours and six minutes on 18th February, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the Budget 2019 – a breakdown of how the government plans to use our nation’s funds for the year ahead.
— Danamic. Org
CAAS, CAAM to meet this week to discuss new GPS-based system for Seletar Airport: Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan
The civil aviation authorities from both Singapore and Malaysia will be meeting some time this week to discuss the implementation of the new Global Positioning System (GPS)-based system procedures, which is bound to replace Singapore’s contentious Instrument Landing System (ILS), said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
— The Online Citizen
NUS under fire: Mother of student filmed in shower speaks up, public pan university’s response
The mother of Monica Baey, a National University of Singapore (NUS) student who was filmed by a pervert while taking a shower on campus, has spoken up and said that her trust in the university had been broken.
— The Independent
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Hopewell Holding wins final court battle over controversial project
The Thai Ministry of Transport and the State Railway of Thailand have been dealt a devastating blow as the Supreme Administrative Court today overturned the Administrative Court’s verdict and ordered…
— Thai PBS News
EC expected to rule on Thanathorn’s fate on Tuesday
The Election Commission (EC) is expected to deliver a ruling tomorrow (Tuesday) on the fate of Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit over his alleged shareholding in a media company.
— Thai PBS News
Heavy Songkran Tourism Ruins Large Swathes of Trang’s Coral: Official
An influx of tourists over Songkran combined with poor management seriously damaged huge chunks of coral in a protected area of Trang province, officials said Monday.
— Khaosod English
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam invests in 190 projects in Cambodia
Vietnam has invested in 190 investment projects in Cambodia with the total registered investment capital of nearly US$ 2.9 billion, focusing on agriculture and forestry whereas the partner offered 19 investment projects with the total capital of US$ 65 million in Vietnamese market.
— Sggp News
Central bank asks for tightened control over real estate loans
The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has asked for the control over real estate loans by credit institutions to be enhanced, especially in areas showing signs of land price fever.
— Bizhub
Vietnam Quietly Builds Up 10 Islands in South China Sea
Both China and Vietnam are building up small islands in the South China Sea, a waterway known in Vietnam as the East Sea.
— VOA
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.
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