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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Climate urgency increasing
While the latest UN Climate Change Conference was taking place in Madrid, smog returned to Bangkok last week with PM2.5 dust exceeding safe levels in some areas.
— Bangkok Post

Asean paves path towards better FTAs
Thailand looks poised to improve free trade agreements (FTAs) under the Asean framework next year, aiming to extend tariff cuts to cover more products, particularly sensitive items.
— Bangkok Post

An ASEAN law gathering in Phuket
It is no secret that the known British author Alex Garland wrote his 1996 opus The Beach while living in El Nido in the Philippines.
— The Philippine Star

Vietnam assumes Chairmanship of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN
Vietnam assumed the role of the Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) during its 16th meeting in Jakarta on December 13.
— Vietnamplus

The EU needs to be more realistic
Protectionism is re-emerging as a common challenge that all regional and global mechanisms try to address. That holds true for both the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
— Khmer Times

Bridging the gap – steps to make migrant workers safe
On Dec 18, 2000, the international community adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
— Malaysiakini

South China Sea: message for Beijing in Vietnam, Malaysia defence white papers
The defence white papers published by Southeast Asian neighbours Vietnam and Malaysia in recent weeks attracted a fraction of the media limelight those of larger countries tend to attract.
— South China Morning Post

Green deal for Asean
In a move that could be seen as a reflection of the Green New Deal policy that it launched last week, the European Union (EU) is committing €24 million to support groups working to combat transboundary haze pollution and peatland fires in Southeast Asia.
— Bangkok Post

ASEAN’s human trafficking plague
The discovery of 28 abandoned human-trafficking camps and multiple unmarked mass graves in the dense jungle of Wang Kelian near the Thai-Malaysia border in May 2015 sent a shock wave through ASEAN and the rest of the world.
— The Asean Post

Discourse: ‘Countries sharing same values can work together under Indo-Pacific’
Former Japanese defense minister Satoshi Morimoto was in Jakarta last week to promote his country’s Free and Open Indo Pacific (FOIP) concept across the region.
— The Jakarta Post

ASEAN agri-food sector intensities: The Philippines in catch-up mode
In my past columns, comparative metrics on ASEAN agriculture were discussed.
— BusinessWorld Online

Action plan unveiled for digitalization of APEC SMEs
An action plan was unveiled Monday to fuel the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies.
— Xinhuanet

Southeast Asian Activists Pressurize Regional Govts to Offer Climate Action Plan
Southeast Asian environmental activists – including young counterparts to teenage activist and Time magazine person of the year Greta Thunberg – are concerned they are not getting the attention that the climate emergency deserves, complaining that the region’s authorities are leaving this month’s climate negotiations in Madrid, also known as COP25, without committing to new climate action plans for 2020, as other nations have done.
— Newsgram

Rethinking regional drug policy as the market changes
Synthetic drugs seem to be everywhere in Asia Pacific these days.
— The Philippine Star

Government should search entire reality about SEA Video games and no longer accept superficialities – The Manila Instances
IF the federal government and the general public are to get a correct and optimistic image of the not too long ago concluded 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Video games, the submit mortem and inquiry should no longer forestall at superficial wondering.
— Sports News Blogdady

How crowdsourcing can help Southeast Asia’s digital innovation from crippling
Crowdsourcing – garnering input or support for a venture from a large number of people via the internet – has become an everyday practice, and the most common variety is the crowdfunding campaign.
— e27

Top 6 newsmakers of 2019 in the startup world in Southeast Asia
2019 has been spectacular for the startup world in Southeast Asia.
— e27

Sustainability investing takes off in Southeast Asia
Private equity and venture investors in Southeast Asia are betting on something new — sustainability. Bain research shows a significant increase in capital flowing to companies that contribute to environmental and social progress.
— The Jakarta Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem          @raksmey.aecnews

Hun Sen urges doctors to adhere to ethics
Prime Minister Hun Sen urged doctors Monday to adhere to ethics after receiving complaints from the public about their behavior.
— Thmey Thmey

Top EU Envoy Urges Cambodia to Open Political Space With Two Months to Go on Trade Decision
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, has called on Cambodia to take “immediate action” to reinstate democratic freedoms with less than two months remaining until the bloc decides whether to suspend the Southeast Asian nation’s tariff-free access to its markets.
— RFA 

Cambodia’s economy in the post-EBA era
It has been yet another impressive year for Cambodia’s economy. Thanks to continued strength in traditional sectors such as garments, tourism, trade and construction, Cambodia’s GDP grew 7 per cent in 2019 — the highest growth in the ASEAN region according to the IMF.
— East Asia Forum

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia’s trade deficit touches US$1.33 billion inb November
Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of US$1.33 billion in November 2019, with exports reaching $14.01 billion and imports, $15.34 billion, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS).
— Antara News

Indonesia Education Lags Behind Region
Indonesian students are among the lowest performers in Southeast Asia, according to a recent report, The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), released this month by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
— VOA News

Lack of Birth Certificates Exposes Children to Risks of Exploitation
At least 25 percent and up to 49 percent of Indonesian children under the age of five are never issued a birth certificate, putting them in danger of being exploited – even losing their citizenship, according to a study by the United Nations Children Fund, or Unicef, released last week.
— Jakarta Globe

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem         @raksmey.aecnews

Climate change, global warming cause drought in Laos: experts
In recent years, the direct impact of climate change and global warming can be seen on the changing weather patterns in the world, including the recent droughts in the Laos, said senior experts of Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
— Xinhua 

Labour ministry, ILO target improved garment worker safety
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and International Labour Organisation (ILO) met in Vientiane last week to review occupational health and safety aiming to protect workers’ wellbeing.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Conference shines spotlight on nation’s family planning policy
Laos will continue to work with its development partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to make policy breakthroughs on the national family planning programme.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Sarawak water royalty revenue to hit RM550m next year, says Utilities Ministry
Sarawak’s Utilities Ministry is expecting a 2.5-fold increase in revenue from water royalty from the estimated RM220 million currently to about RM550 million next year due to an increase in tariffs for drawing raw water and in power generation.
— The Borneo Post

Australia’s Lynas says failed to secure Malaysia approval for increase in processing limit
Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corp Ltd LYC.AX said on Tuesday it was unsuccessful in securing approval from a Malaysian regulator to increase its lathanide concentrate processing limit for 2019.
— Nasdaq

Order to kill Altantuya came from Najib, claims convicted killer; former PM denies allegation
A former Malaysian policeman who was convicted of killing Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu claimed that he acted on the orders of then deputy prime minister Najib Razak, a shocking allegation dismissed by the latter as a conspiracy to defame him.
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Myanmar‘s Suu Kyi addresses letdowns after 1 year in office
Myanmar‘s top leader State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday acknowledged citizen disappointment over the state of her country after her one year in office, saying she is prepared to step down if people end up dissatisfied with her leadership.
— Stock Daily Dish

Israel gave Myanmar ‘tools’ to carry out Rohingya genocide – Middle East Monitor
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has highlighted the nation’s “shameful position” within the Myanmar navy regime’s “genocidal marketing campaign” in opposition to the Rohingya Muslim minority, citing Tel Aviv’s arms gross sales to the South East Asian nation and the 2 international locations rising ties.
— The Union Journal

Border trade between Myanmar and Thailand reaches nearly US$623.84 million
The value of border trade between Myanmar and Thailand has reached nearly US$623.84 million, with the Hteekhee border trade gate accounting for the largest volume of trade, according to the weekly statistical report of the Ministry of Commerce, state media reported.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Charges readied vs foreign vessel over ‘damage’ to corals
The municipal government of Bolinao is ready to file charges against the owner of a foreign vessel that ran aground off the coastal waters of Barangay Patar last week.
— The Philippine Star

Davao del Sur quake toll hits three amid hunt for survivors
The death toll from the powerful quake that hit the southern Philippines climbed to three Monday as rescuers used heavy equipment and their bare hands to hunt for survivors in a collapsed building.
— Eagle News

Rappler journalist Ressa launches defence in Philippine libel case
Philippine journalist Maria Ressa said on Monday (Dec 16) she would not be silenced as she launched her defence against a libel charge that press advocates call an attempt to curb her news site’s critical coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte.
— CNA

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

S’pore ranks fifth for IPO launches by foreign firms
Singapore’s stock market ranked fifth globally among destinations chosen by foreign companies to launch initial public offerings (IPOs) this year, noted a new report.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Modest economic recovery expected for Singapore in 2020
THE coming year is expected to bring a modest economic recovery for Singapore, with trade tensions between the United States and China posing the main risk, say economists.
— The Business Times

World’s biggest hedge fund returns found in Singapore
Chong Chin Eai’s Vanda Global Fund Ltd is the world’s best-performing hedge fund this year, gaining more than 300 per cent.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

Police manhunt for Serial Killer known as Thailand’s Jack The Ripper after murder in Khon Kaen
A police manhunt is underway for Thailand’s “Jack the Ripper”, a serial killer previously convicted of 17 rapes, murders and robberies, who allegedly killed a hotel maid on December 15th in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen.
— The Pattaya News

Central bank seen holding key rate at record low
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is expected to leave its benchmark interest rate at a record low on Wednesday after two cuts this year, a Reuters poll showed, although it was likely to downgrade its growth outlook again.
— Bangkok Post

Chuan defends B7.5m purchase of new official car
Parliament President Chuan Leekpai on Monday defended the planned purchase of a 7.5-million-baht official car for his use, saying it is not for him personally but for the person occupying the position.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

U.S. issues final order on duties on certain steel products from Vietnam
The U.S. Commerce Department said on Monday it had issued a final order imposing duties of up to 456% on certain steel products from South Korea or Taiwan that are shipped to Vietnam for minor processing and then exported to the United States.
— Investing

State to continue support for fuel price fund
The fuel price stabilisation fund helps the central government manage domestic fuel prices for the foreseeable future, said Hoàng Anh Tuấn, deputy head of the domestic market department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade in a recent meeting with industry leaders.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam’s 2020 strategy: a year of diplomatic force-multipliers
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s raising of the ASEAN gavel last month signalled not only Vietnam’s commencement as chair of the regional grouping, but also the start of a critically definitive period for its foreign policy in the South China Sea.
— Lowy Institute

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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About Asean morning news.

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