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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

S-E Asia economic growth to remain sluggish at 4.5% in 2020: report
SOUTH-EAST Asia’s GDP growth will likely remain at 4.5 per cent in 2020, amid high risks of a re-escalation in trade tensions between the US and China, according to the latest report produced by the British advisory firm Oxford Economics.
— The Business Times

Australia’s middle power role in combating illegal fishing
Combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing — an important issue for littoral Southeast Asian states — is low-hanging fruit for Australian middle power diplomacy.
— East Asia Forum

Vietnam confronts China in the South China Sea
Over the last four months, Vietnam has faced a serious challenge to its sovereignty in the South China Sea. Strategic circles in Hanoi are stirred by China’s repeated intrusions into Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off its central and southern coastlines.
— East Asia Forum

Two tech firms ink deal to build up AI in Asean
TWO international tech firms will work together on the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem in South-east Asia, under a pact announced on Thursday (Dec 5).
— The Business Times

How Malaysia sees the US-China rivalry, Asean and other foreign policy issues
Since Malaysia’s remarkable election last year delivered a victory to the Pakatan Harapan coalition, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has had to navigate a region increasingly defined by great power competition, whether in trade or the South China Sea.
— Today Online

Grab launches GrabPay card to tap Asean’s US$300b digital economy
GRAB on Thursday launched GrabPay Card, as the ride-hailing firm pushes deeper into the payments space via an Asean wallet that would enable borderless payments for the rising middle-class here.
— The Business Times

ICC dismisses PH communication vs Xi over South China Sea dispute
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed the communication filed by former Philippine officials against Chinese President Xi Jinping and some of his men over alleged crimes committed against humanity involving the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
— Manila Times

President Jokowi receives US-ASEAN Business Council delegation
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a delegation of the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (US-ASEAN) Business Council, led by its chairman Alexander C. Feidman, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.
— Antara News

Singapore launches $14m initiative to draw film funds to Southeast Asia
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has launched a $14.7m (S$20m) initiative to partner with film and media investment funds that set up in the city state to invest in film and TV content across Southeast Asia.
— Screen Daily

eSports levels up with SEA Games debut
eSports took a step into the sporting mainstream on Thursday as it made its debut at the Southeast Asian Games, becoming a medal event for the first time at an Olympic-recognised multi-sport competition.
— New Straits Times

Southeast Asian corridor eyes business opportunities with Delhi via Bay of Bengal
India’s decision to stay out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) may increase Southeast Asia’s dependence on China, but a recently opened corridor between Thailand and Myanmar could ease those concerns by bringing new business opportunities for five ASEAN countries and India.
–The Economic Times

Vietnam to promote ASEAN unity during ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020
Vietnam wants ASEAN to unite in all aspects, from institutions to economy and human resources, which is very important for ASEAN to uphold its central role, said Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung.
— Vietnamplus

Bloomberg hosts ASEAN Benchmark Regulation and Migration Forum
Last month, Bloomberg hosted its first ASEAN Benchmark Regulation and Migration Forum in Singapore, to address how the region’s financial markets are preparing for the move away from benchmarking against LIBOR.
— Web Wire

For smart cities, the future is regional
IN November 2019, South Korea announced the launch of a consultative council on smart city projects with the 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean).
— The Business Times

Conflict intervention among Southeast Asian States
Indonesian President Sukarno declared Konfrontasi (Confrontation) against the Federation of Malaya to oppose the formation of the Federation of Malaysia consisting of Singapore, Malaya, Sarawak, and North Borneo (Sabah).
— Panay News

9th ASEAN Marine Forum opens in Da Nang
The 9th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF-9) officially opened in the central city of Da Nang on December 5, with the participation of over 50 representatives from all 10 ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.
— Nhan Dan

Southeast Asia MA stable; weak demand to dilute cost pressure
Southeast Asia’s maleic anhydride (MA) import discussions were flat as upside pressure from rising feedstock costs is mitigated by low buying interest.
— ICIS

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem          @raksmey.aecnews

Human Rights Day Event to Push Politics-Free Activism, Official Says
The U.N. and government are partnering to promote youth activism in line with the law, not politics, for a Human Rights Day celebration, the governmental Human Rights Committee spokesman said on Thursday.
— VOD

Prahok season begins
The Agriculture Ministry’s Fisheries Administration yesterday said that prahok makers should rush to produce fermented fish paste and smoked fish as catches are currently high.
— Khmer Times 

Cambodia-Eurasian Economic Union Launch Report on Feasibility Study on Free Trade Agreement
The report on the ‘Feasibility Study on the FTA between Kingdom of Cambodia and Eurasian Economic Union’ was launched by Minister of Commerce, HE Pan Sorasak and Professor Nishimura, president of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) on 4 December at Ministry of Commerce, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
— Fresh News 

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia’s economy forecast to record 5.05 percent growth in 2019
Vice Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara has projected Indonesia’s economy to register a slower paced growth in 2019 as compared to the previous year owing to the impact of the global economic downturn.
— Antara News

Garuda Indonesia president director fired after smuggled bikes found on plane
State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir has said he will fire the president director of flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia, Ari Askhara, following the discovery of a disassembled Harley Davidson motorcycle and Brompton folding bicycles smuggled on board a new Airbus A330-900 plane being delivered to the airline.
— The Jakarta Post

Online storefronts now required to have business permit, prioritize local products
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has issued a regulation that requires online storefronts to apply for an official business permit from the government, among other things, in an effort to bolster the country’s e-commerce ecosystem.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem         @raksmey.aecnews

Govt confirms 1 million tonnes of rice for local market, export
To ensure the production of rice for export, the government, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, will increase the quantity of white rice production to 35 percent of the total rice production. This will be in line with the government’s policy to promote the planting of sticky rice that has the potential for growth in most regions.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

World Bank approves additional funds for Laos poverty reduction
The World Bank’s Board of executive directors has approved additional funding of $22.5 million for Laos’ Poverty Reduction Fund-one of the Lao government’s main vehicles to address and redress rural poverty.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Lao banking officials learn international accounting regulations
As part of these steps, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) organised a meeting in Vientiane on Wednesday to deepen and enhance the understanding of principles of Basel II, Basel III and IFRS 9 among banking officials.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

For Malaysia Startups, Pairing Up with Corporations is a Win-Win
Malaysia may have an idea that will help startups, which typically do not have much funding or experience, as well as more established firms, which are often afraid of disruption from new competitors.
— VOA

Google to collect Malaysia’s new 6% digital tax
Google will begin collecting a 6% tax on digital services in Malaysia starting next month, and most other foreign internet companies are expected to follow suit in response to a new duty taking effect in the Southeast Asian country.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Majority of Malaysian smokers want sale of e-cigarettes legalised
Majority of Malaysian smokers (69%) say that they want to see legislation that would allow for the distribution and sale of nicotine e-cigarettes so that they can have a viable alternative to help them quit regular cigarettes.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Myanmar MPs Approve Discussion to Regulate Chinese Banana Plantations
Chinese-run banana plantations need to pay proper taxes and face scrutiny over land rights, chemical use and road damage, says MP Dr. Khun Win Thaung.
— Irrawaddy

Salary hikes in digital, tech sectors could reach 50% next year: Report
Indonesia will experience a sizable increase in growth of the digital and technology sectors next year, particularly in financial technology, potentially raising professionals’ salaries by up to 50 percent in the sectors, a new report has shown.
— Eleven Myanmar

With memories of Rwanda: The Gambian minister taking on Suu Kyi
In May last year, Gambia’s foreign minister pulled out at the last minute from the annual conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Bangladesh, sending Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou instead.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Foreign investment pledges jump four-fold in Q3 — PSA
Foreign investment pledges jumped four-fold to P182.4 billion in the third quarter of the year, driven by commitments in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

Inflation inches up to 1.3% in November 2019
Inflation or the rate of increase in the prices of goods bounced to 1.3% in November from the low 0.8% registered in October , the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday, December 5.
— Rappler

Philippine man arrested for beheading woman and eating her brain: Reports
A man was reportedly arrested on Thursday (Dec 5) in the Misamis Oriental province of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines for beheading a woman and eating her brain.
— CNA

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

HSA recalls 3 types of diabetes drugs due to potentially cancer-causing impurity
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) recalled three out of 46 Metformin medicines, after they have been found to contain trace amounts of a potentially cancer-causing impurity.
— Mothership

Strengthening its expansion into fintech, Grab introduces GrabPay Card
Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Grab today announced the launch of GrabPay Card, a numberless physical and digital card that enables its users to access rewards ecosystem and conduct payments.
— e27

About 3,450 warnings issued to PMD riders since footpath ban
Since e-scooters were banned from footpaths on Nov 5, a total of 3,444 warnings were issued to riders last month, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

Election Commission to decide fate of Future Forward Party leader next Wednesday, could face five years in jail
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) will decide the fate of Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit next Wednesday, in the case involving money he allegedly lent to the party.
— The Pattaya News

Opposition threatens action against ten rebel MPs for alleged betrayal
The Opposition has threatened to take legal action against 10 of their MPs who were present in the House chamber last night, in defiance of the Opposition bloc’s decision to boycott the meeting.
— Thai PBS News

Thai central bank calms businesses concerns over strong baht
The Bank of Thailand is attempting to quell business concerns over the strong baht, saying the currency will eventually reverse its upward trend and that more two-way movement in relation to the US dollar is expected in 2020.
— The Thaiger

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Vietnam’s Auction Plan for Solar Energy
Vietnam’s electricity demand has been the second-largest in Southeast Asia since 2015 and is expected to retain this position in 2020.
— Vietnam-Briefing

Pork prices to make huge impact on Vietnam’s CPI in 2020
Vietnam’s inflation in 2020 is forecast to hit 3.5%, higher than the government’s estimated 3.17 – 3.41% in 2019, while the pressure will build up right at the beginning of next year.
— The Hanoitimes

Australia Should Demand Release of Vietnam Detainees: Rights Group
Australia’s government should press Vietnam to free an Australian citizen and two other men convicted on charges of engaging in terrorism, a rights group said on Thursday, adding that the charges against the man and the two Vietnamese democracy advocates convicted with him were unsupported by evidence presented at their trial.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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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.

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