Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Thailand faces tough job as Asean chair amid trade conflicts, forum hears
As Asean chair this year, Thailand must enhance the region’s cooperation amid growing US-China tensions that threaten to go beyond mere trade conflicts, international-relations experts said at a peace forum in Bangkok yesterday.
The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)
Philippines, Vietnam biggest movers in 2018 corruption index
The annual report on state-level corruption by Transparency International contains few surprises for the Asean region.
— AEC News Today
Thailand eyes common economic opportunities for ASEAN member nations
Following Thailand’s assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship, the ASEAN Trade Promotion Association has stressed emerging economic opportunities for the region, despite the uncertain global market.
— NBT World (video)
Souring deals put China’s Belt and Road dreams under pressure
Chinese President Xi Jinping already had plenty of reasons to rethink his grand plan to build railways, ports and other infrastructure across the globe. Malaysia has given him 20 billion more.
— Malaysian Reserve
Current threats and future hopes for the greater Mekong’s mangroves
While Southeast Asia is known as one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions, home to booming metropolises like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur, it also hosts some of the planet’s most vital ecological areas.
— Mongabay
Highlighting new destination development and tapping CLMV marketS
Thailand played host to SITE Global Conference 2019 in January, an annual gathering of over 300 incentive professionals from around the world,thereby affirming the kingdom’s growing role in the international incentive industry.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)
China, SE Asia can strengthen cooperation on anti-terrorism
A grenade attack on a mosque in the southern Philippines’s island of Mindanao killed two people and wounded four on Wednesday, just days after twin explosions at a Catholic cathedral in neighboring Sulu province on Sunday that claimed 21 lives, AFP reported Wednesday.
— Global Times
The overlooked casualty in the South China Sea dispute
The South China Sea is a potential flashpoint in regional politics. As claimants jostle for territory, beneath the turquoise waters the ominous threat of confrontation and instability bubbles.
— Asean Today
Bilateral agreements not enough: Expert
Migrant workers in ASEAN need protection that is stronger than bilateral agreements between member countries because such arrangements are informal and too weak to protect workers’ rights.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Malaysia ranks top 5 globally in mobile social media penetration, highest in region
Malaysia was ranked top five globally and highest in Southeast Asia for mobile social media penetration, according to Hootsuite and We Are Social in their latest Digital 2019 report.
— New Straits Times
Firms look to ASEAN for opportunities | Video
Companies are more optimistic about the business climate in ASEAN than the global climate, says a survey by the Singapore Business Federation.
— Channel NewsAsia (vide)
ASEAN called on to build cybersecurity norms
As Singapore hands over its ASEAN chairmanship to Thailand, experts are calling on member states to maintain their commitment to cybersecurity by establishing norms and focusing on capacity building amid a rise in online attacks targeting the region.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
ASEAN Centrality: Caught in the Trap of China’s Regionalism
The future of regionalism in the larger Indo-Pacific continues to be uncertain.
— JAPAN Forward
IT and tech experts continue to enjoy high demand by Southeast Asian economies
Southeast Asia displays unbridled enthusiasm for tech talent, as evidenced by the double-digit annual growth in hiring activity displayed by all three countries during December.
— Networks Asia
Re-imagining the future of B2B payments
In recent years, retail customers have got their demands for a simple and seamless digital experience answered.
— Daily News
How are Southeast Asians today faring differently to their parents?
On the doorstep of some of the biggest export markets in the world and on the frontline of tech development, Southeast Asia, with a population of more than 640 million people and an average annual growth rate of 5.2 percent, is now considered the place to do business.
— Asian Correspondent
‘Woken Up’ By Trump Presidency; Southeast Asian Immigrants Flock To Citizenship Classes
Vicki Cham stands at the front of a large multi-purpose room at Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, or FIRM.
— Valley Public Radio
aT targets ASEAN market with agricultural exports
Representatives of Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs gathered at the aT Center in Seoul on Tuesday, along with domestic producers of agricultural goods, to discuss strategies for the ASEAN region.
— The Korea Herald
ASEAN awards public toilets in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw
A public toilet in Mandalay Region and another at a shopping mall in the administrative capital, Nay Pyi Taw, have won the ASEAN Public Toilet Award.
— Myanmar Times
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Cambodia Rejects US Statement Accusing the Kingdom of Possible Constitutional Amendments to Allow Chinese Military Presence
Spokesmen for the Ministry of National Defense and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) together rejected a statement of the US Intelligence Community for accusing the Cambodian legislature, under the leadership of CPP, of paving way towards constitutional amendment to allow foreign military base on the kingdom’s soil.
— Fresh News
Probe into Cambodia police land protestor shooting launched
Cambodian authorities have moved quickly to investigate a clash between land protestors and the provincial military police in Sihanouk province last week during which one protestor was shot
— AEC News Today
Cambodia Made Over US$2,197 Million from Taxes in 2018
Cambodia collected more than US$2,197 million from taxes in 2018, according to Director General of the General Department of Taxation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance H.E. Kong Vibol.
— Agence Kampuchea Presse
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Dengue death toll in Indonesia climbs to 132, eight regions declare emergency
The Health Ministry has recorded a sudden spike in dengue fever cases in the last four weeks, with the death toll rising to 132 by Jan. 29.
— Inquirer.net
West Java needs Rp 1.2 quadrillion to improve infrastructure: Governor
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has said the province needs Rp 1.2 quadrillion (US$85.10) to improve infrastructure during his five-year term.
— The Jakarta Post
New Indonesian insurance rules cause coal export backlogs in Kalimantan
Indonesian insurance rules that come into effect on Feb. 1 are causing huge coal supply backlogs, with dozens of ships held up outside ports unable to load as authorities start checking to see if vessels are in compliance with the new policy.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Government unveils new development vision
The government has unveiled a new national development vision, which it plans to achieve from 2021 to 2025.
— Vientiane Times
Lao tourism businesses urged to improve services for more Chinese tourists
Lao local tourism-related businesses should make adjustments for more Chinese tourists that Lao government expects to visit this year, the local daily Vientiane Times on Monday quoted Lao Vice President of National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Daovone Phachanthavong as saying.
— Global Times
Japan Supports Empowerment Of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities In Laos
The government of Japan has provided grant assistance worth over 217,000 US dollars for supporting the project dedicated to empower people with disabilities in the Lao PDR.
— KPL
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
AirAsia claiming RM480m damages from MAHB due to “poor level of service” at klia2
The legal tussle between AirAsia Group Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) continues to intensify with AirAsia filing another suit claiming nearly RM480 million for losses incurred from operating at klia2.
— The Sun Daily
Malaysia tops social media penetration in Southeast Asia, says report
In terms of mobile social media penetration, Malaysia is ranked among the top five in the world and the highest in Southeast Asia, according to the latest Digital 2019 report by Hootsuite and We Are Social.
— FMT
Malaysia’s exports grow 4.8% in December to RM83.3b
Malaysia’s exports expanded 4.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM83.27 billion in December on higher demand for its electrical and electric (E&E) products, chemicals and chemical products and machinery, equipment and parts.
— The Edge Markets
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Govt announces ‘project bank’ to get Myanmar building
The government has announced the launch of an online “project bank” which will change the way infrastructure programmes are planned, determined and funded.
— Myanmar Times
Two-lane road connecting Dawei SEZ to be built
Myanmar will be constructing a road that connects Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the border area with Thailand, says Dr Than Myint, Commerce Minister and Chairman of the Task Force on SEZ construction.
— Eleven Myanmar
Myanmar inches downward in annual corruption index
Amid a turbulent year of high-profile corruption scandals, Myanmar saw its grade in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index drop by a point in 2018, though downward momentum from other countries meant it actually inched up in the overall ranking.
— Coconuts
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Money supply and bank loans sustain growth
Both money supply and bank loans sustained their expansion last year amid strong demand for credit, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.
— Manilastandard.net
Bicam panel agrees on ‘re-prioritization’ funds’ cap at P200 billion
TO break the impasse on the proposed P3.757-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2019, the Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed to increase the cap of lawmakers’ fund “re-prioritization” to P200 billion from P50 billion.
— Business Mirror
Inflation likely at 4.3 to 5.1 percent in January, says BSP think tank
Inflation in January likely settled at a range of 4.3 to 5.1 percent, with fuel costs driving prices higher, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ think tank said Thursday.
— ABS-CBN News
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Proposed changes to give injured workers greater assurance of compensation
New measures are in the works to improve insurance coverage for employees and give those injured on the job greater assurance of compensation – and much sooner after an accident.
— Straits Times
More locals employed, overall improvement in labour market in 2018: MOM
The labour market improved in 2018, with employment of locals growing over the year, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Thursday (Jan 31).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Budget 2019 expected to register deficit of S$2.5b for FY19: DBS economist
THE fiscal balance for FY2019 is projected to register a deficit of S$2.5 billion, down from an expected surplus of S$3.3 billion in the previous financial year, according to the final report in a three-part series by DBS.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
There’s No Stopping Thailand’s Baht
Last year’s best performer in emerging Asia has rallied another 4.2 percent versus the dollar this year, the biggest gain in the region, and what’s driving its advance include a slew of local and foreign factors.
— Bloomberg
Factory toxic emissions inspections to start Friday
The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) will start inspecting factories on Friday under a plan to control toxic emissions, focusing on plants burning coal, fuel oil and wood.
— Bangkok Post
Former head of Chula savings co-op jailed for 20 years
Sawat Saengbangpla, the 80-year-old former chairman of Chulalongkorn University Savings Co-operative, was sentenced to 20-years in jail on Thursday after being found guilty of money laundering linked to a lottery-investment scam.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam’s automobile import skyrockets in January
Vietnam imported completely-built automobiles and components for assembly totaling 598 million U.S. dollars in January, recording a year-on-year surge of 118.9 percent, according to its Ministry of Industry and Trade on Thursday.
— Xinhua
Philippines, Vietnam biggest movers in 2018 corruption index
The annual report on state-level corruption by Transparency International contains few surprises for the Asean region. Singapore is still regarded as the nation with the least corrupt public sector in the region, while the kingdom of Cambodia once again brings up the bottom end of the list.
— AEC News Today
Vietnam’s garment export up 6.7 pct in January
Vietnam gained nearly 2.7 billion U.S. dollars from exporting garments and textiles in January, posting a year-on-year increase of 6.7 percent, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association said on Thursday.
— Xinhua
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.