Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
RI steps up role in Rohingya repatriation with Rp 7.5b aid
Indonesia has pledged a Rp 7.5 billion (US$537,168) grant to help the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, which will be managed by the ASEAN Secretariat’s newly established task force.
— The Jakarta Post
Govt loans B8.5bn for regional roads
Thailand plans to grant 8.5-billion-baht in loans next year to Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia to build four new transnational roads under the Asean Connectivity initiative.
— Bangkok Post
Undeclared billions from SEAG broadcasts?
The public talked about all the money that was spent in staging the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
— The Philippine Star
China beware, the road to an open financial system is paved with Asian casualties
In recent years, the Chinese government has announced a series of measures to open up the financial sector, both to attract foreign investments and to develop its financial system.
— South China Morning Post
Grab confirms application for Singapore banking license to tap SMEs and ‘gig’ workers
SoftBank Group-backed unicorn Grab will submit an application for a digital banking license in Singapore, the company has confirmed, as it sees the financial businesses as a driver for future growth.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Asean Paralympic Games postponement affects qualifications for Tokyo 2020
The postponement of the Asean Para Games 2020 is not only affecting athletes’ performance but also their preparations in earning qualification point to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games.
— Malay Mail
Duterte asks Malaysia, Indonesia to take in Rohingya refugees
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday renewed his vow to accept Rohingya refugees and asked Malaysia and Indonesia to do the same.
— GMA Network
South Korea’s popular culture defines its perception in Southeast Asia
South Korean popular culture is transforming perceptions of the country among its ASEAN partners as Seoul seeks to upgrade ties with Southeast Asia as part of President Moon Jae-in’s New Southern Policy.
— UPI
Mindanao, Palawan eyed to play key role in East Asean growth
The regions of Mindanao and Palawan were seen to play vital roles in the Southeast Asian region’s sustainable development during an event of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
— Inquirer.net
How technology is leading millennials away from brick and mortar stores
The retail industry in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region has undergone massive disruption over the last few years.
— The Business Times
Vietnam is SEA’s third most active tech ecosystem
Using a mobile app, truck drivers in Vietnam can now opt to pick up cargo from nearby locations on their empty vehicles during their return trip, thus earning extra income.
— Asean Economist
Swine fever warning for Aussie travellers flying home from southeast Asia
Travellers returning from overseas can expect to go through unprecedented airport security screenings as Australia bolsters its defences against a devastating outbreak of African swine fever.
— 9News
CLPS Incorporation Integrates Singapore Subsidiaries to Strengthen Business Development in Southeast Asia
CLPS Incorporation, a leading information technology consulting and solutions service provider focusing on the banking, insurance, and financial sectors in China and globally, today announced that it has recently completed the business integration of Infogain Pte. Ltd. (“Infogain”) and RiDiK Pte. Ltd. (“RiDiK”), its two subsidiaries in Southeast Asia, into the Company’s Singapore Division (“CLPS Singapore”).
— PR Newswire (media release)
PC and Mobile Game Revenue for Southeast Asia is Projected to Pass $8.3 Billion in 2023 with 320 Million Gamers – ResearchAndMarkets.com
The Southeast Asia and Chinese Taipei mobile games market is booming, representing a lucrative opportunity for mobile developers and publishers.
— Business Wire
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
Crime, corruption & construction: Who wins when gambling ends in Cambodia on Dec 31? (video)
Al Jazeera English 101 East has taken an up close and not so flattering look at the ‘Chinafication’ of the Cambodian coastal city of Sihanoukville and the gambling-fuelled construction bonanza helping drive Cambodia’s robust economic growth.
— AEC News Today
Cambodian Court to Issue Ruling on ‘Reinvestigation’ of Case Against Former RFA Reporters
An appeals court in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh will rule Dec. 30 on an appeal by two former RFA reporters to drop a reinvestigation into pornography charges against them, with a decision on a further investigation into charges of espionage still outstanding, sources said.
— RFA
National Assembly says yes to four solar projects
Four solar projects, representing a total output of 140 megawatts, were approved during a plenary session of the National Assembly yesterday.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Jokowi Launches B-30, Upgraded Biofuel Program to Save $4.5b in Foreign Reserves
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo launched B-30 on Monday, an upgrade to a government program to increase the mandatory biodiesel mix in diesel fuel to 30 percent, one that the president said would significantly reduce Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuel and imported oil.
— Jakarta Globe
Migrant Workers Send Three Times as Much Money as Their Spouses Earn Each Month
The amount of money that Indonesian migrant workers send home to their family every month often exceeds three times the monthly income of their spouses who decide to stay at home.
— Jakarta Globe
‘We can’t be afraid’: Rebuilding in Indonesia’s tsunami zone leaves city in peril
When 12-meter (39-foot) waves slammed into Banda Aceh on the northern tip of Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Boxing Day in 2004, Arif Munandar lost his wife, three sons, and 20 other members of his family as much of the city was obliterated.
–Reuters
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
Tigers Extinct in Laos
That’s the conclusion of a detailed new study that found no evidence wild tigers still exist in the country.
— Scientific American
Vietnamese, Lao investment ministers talk cooperation
Hailing new progress in coordination between the two ministries, Dung said both sides have facilitated visits by officials and held a conference in June 2019 to share professional expertise.
— Nhan Dan
China digs Laos in deeper with flurry of SEZs
After opening its borders to China’s dam builders and railway engineers, Laos is looking for Chinese companies to invest in the special economic zones (SEZs) mushrooming up all over the country. But observers question these projects, and worry about the small communist nation’s mounting debt.
— Asia Nikkei Review (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia gov’t bans pork from Indonesia amid ASF outbreak
The Malaysian government has banned pork-related products from Indonesia starting December 13 following the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Why Old Friends China, Malaysia Suddenly Disagree over Tract of Sea
China and Malaysia, old friends with a complex trade and investment relationship, are disagreeing over Malaysia’s rights to extend sovereignty into part of a disputed sea that’s rich in fossil fuel reserves.
— VOA
Thai utility to cancel long-term LNG imports from Malaysia
Thailand is expected to cancel the award of a long-term LNG supply contract to Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas.
— lloydslist
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Smart city projects under development in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay
Ministry of Construction starts implementing the smart city projects in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay, said Union Minister for Construction U Han Zaw.
— Eleven Myanmar
Protesters Call for Action Against Police for Revealing Toddler Rape Victim’s Identity
Hundreds of people marched in Yangon to demand legal action against police officers who revealed the identity of the toddler victim in the ‘Victoria’ rape case.
— Irrawaddy
Draft bill on alcohol imports nears completion
Legislation intended to relax Myanmar’s existing ban on alcohol imports has moved to the attorney general for approval, according to the commerce ministry.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Trump OKs budget, includes U.S. ban on De Lima accusers
United States President Donald Trump approved the US 2020 budget that includes a provision denying entry to those involved in the detention of Philippine opposition Senator Leila de Lima.
— Rappler
Undeclared billions from SEAG broadcasts?
The public talked about all the money that was spent in staging the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
— The Philippine Star
Duterte commits P100M to PH’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics budget
President Rodrigo Duterte pledged P100 million on Monday, December 23, to support the foreign exposure of Tokyo 2020 Olympics-bound athletes.
— Rappler
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Singapore’s core inflation remains unchanged in November
Singapore’s core inflation rate was unchanged in November as lower services inflation was offset by a smaller decline in the cost of retail goods, official data showed on Monday (Dec 23).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Prepare to be jailed up to 3 months if you ride PMD on S’pore footpaths from Jan. 1, 2020
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will take a zero-tolerance approach against e-scooter riders caught on Singapore footpaths from Jan. 1, 2020.
— Mothership
17 ceiling fan models recalled due to safety concerns: Product safety regulator
Consumers have been warned by Singapore’s product safety regulator to stop using 17 models of ceiling fans that are being recalled by Elmark Marketing because of safety concerns.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Exports see drop for 4th month
Exports fell for the fourth straight month in November, plunging by 7.39% year-on-year, attributed largely to lower oil and farm product prices, the world’s economic and trade slowdown, ongoing trade tensions between the US and China and baht appreciation.
— Bangkok Post
State pins hopes on Q4 stimulus hike
The government is hopeful myriad stimulus measures including the Taste, Shop, Spend scheme, farm crop price guarantee programme, agricultural support, and tourism stimulus incentives will help shore up economic growth in the fourth quarter to reach 3%.
— Bangkok Post
Bank of Thailand Chief Says Growth Outlook ‘Disappointing’
Thailand’s economic growth outlook of 2.8% next year is “disappointing” and policy makers are doing what they can to curb excessive gains in the currency, Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob said.
— Bloomberg
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam targets 4 billion USD from cashew exports in 2020
According to the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), the sector will focus on deep processing, improving quality and diversifying products towards realizing the goal.
— VietnamPlus
PVEP completes oil and gas exploitation target earlier than scheduled
The PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) has completed its yearly plan to exploit 4.33 million tonnes of oil equivalent earlier than scheduled.
— VietnamPlus
Cambodia and Vietnam sign five-year defence pact
Cambodia and Vietnam have signed a pact to continue defence cooperation over the next five years, including in ensuring security and safety in border areas.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
—
About Asean morning news.
Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news roundups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Asean English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Asean English language news today.
We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Asean daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Asean news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.30am Bangkok time.
We clearly identify the source of all the Asean news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.
This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Asean news article, or keep on reading the remaining Asean daily news headlines.
Click here to get your Asean English language news today by email before 8am Bangkok time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.
For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.
#Independentmedia
Governance, not government; policies not politics.