Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Asean, partners’ defence chiefs warn of growing security threats
Top defence officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their eight dialogue partners that include the United States, China and Japan warned on Monday of growing and expanding security threats and challenges in the region.
— Bangkok Post
Esper warns against ‘coercion, intimidation’, calls on nations to assert rights
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper assured the Philippines and its allies that Washington rejected “any attempt by any nation from using coercion and intimidation for the sake of national interests at the expense of others.”
— Manila Times
Artificial intelligence has been flourishing incredibly in these 5 Southeast Asia technology hubs
For the past 10 years, we have been watching a race for the desired status of “Asian Silicon Valley”. With each passing year, the scenario becomes increasingly intense, competitive and fascinating for those in love with the technological world.
— e27
RCEP can give boost to international trade
India’s sudden withdrawal has hit negotiations involving 16 countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership treaty, which is expected to conclude this year.
— China Daily
PM asks mutual cooperation for security development in ASEAN
Defense Ministers from ASEAN and partner countries have made a courtesy call to Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at the government house upon their official visit to Thailand for the 6th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the meeting with partner countries (ADMM Plus).
— Newsline (video)
Stop Provoking Tensions in South China Sea, Beijing Tells Washington
The Chinese defense chief warned the United States on Monday against provoking military tensions by “flexing muscles” in the contested South China Sea, while his American counterpart urged claimant nations to use their sovereign spaces “or risk losing them.”
— Benar News
Embedding S Korea in Southeast Asia
For three days from Nov 25-27 in the port city of Busan, South Korean President Moon Jae-in will have a rare opportunity that eluded his predecessors — to set in cast iron the future and shape of South Korean-Asean and Mekong riparian country relations amid the ever-changing regional and international environment.
— Bangkok Post
Top 3 opportunities in tech across Southeast Asia, according to business leaders
When it comes to careers in tech, it’s helpful not to limit oneself to a particular field of study – or even to a tech-heavy skill like programming.
— e27
Indonesia, ASEAN and shaping the Indo-Pacific idea
During the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June, the regional group’s leaders officially endorsed and adopted the ‘ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific’ (AOIP).
— East Asia Forum
Ng Eng Hen: Push for multilateral military exercises to counter terrorism
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen pushed for stronger cooperation among Asean military forces amidst growing tensions in the South China Sea.
— The Independent
Tea Banh raises spectre of terror threats to Asean
Defence Minister General Tea Banh on Sunday urged his Asean counterparts to focus on countering terrorism, which remains a threat to regional security.
— Khmer Times
Thailand talent level slips
Thailand slipped one position to 43rd out of 63 economies in the World Talent Ranking 2019, while its regional peers Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines advanced, according to a report conducted by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre (WCC).
— Bangkok Post
RoK President values ASEAN’s role in advancing peace on Korean Peninsula
In a recent article, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in expressed his belief that ASEAN member states will join in the journey toward establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula as reliable friends and advisers.
— Vietnamplus
Vietnam ready for Asean chairmanship 2020
Vietnam is ready to take over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) chairmanship in 2020 with 300 meetings and activities scheduled to be held in the country next year, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng.
— Philippine News Agency
China-ASEAN: From ‘blue economy’ to stable Indo-Pacific
Building stronger ASEAN-China relations in a new era, as stated by former Chinese ambassador to ASEAN Huang Xilian (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 2), is very timely.
— The Jakarta Post
Asean’s centrality must be defended
Mr Toh Cheng Seong raised some excellent points on Asean’s relations with the United States, including their longstanding relationship and the need to nurture win-win ties (Nothing exclusive about US summit invitation to Asean, Nov 16).
— The Straits Times
Southeast Asian nations compete to redraw supply-chain map
Thailand and Malaysia are actively courting manufacturers fleeing China to escape the trade war, aiming to become major production hubs as rising labor costs threaten Vietnam’s status as an alternative destination.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Poor plastic waste collection in Southeast Asia makes it hard to hit our recycling targets, says Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola sees Southeast Asia’s leaky waste collection systems as the biggest challenge to meeting its recycling targets in this region, which is among the biggest sources of marine plastic pollution globally.
— Eco-Business
Southeast Asians will see huge salary hike in 2020. But there’s one problem.
If you’re a working professional in Southeast Asia, there’s probably one question in your mind right now.
— Mashable SE Asia
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam may face severe drought
Severe to extreme drought is expected to hit the four lower Mekong River Basin countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam from now until January, threatening agricultural production, experts warned Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
China CEOs Shifted Focus From U.S. to Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa: Survey
Drew Bernstein, co-managing partner at Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP, talks about the survey of Chinese chief executive officers and founds the audit firm conducted in partnership with Tsinghua University.
— Bloomberg (video)
ADMM-Plus Ministers agreed to strengthen defense cooperation
Defence Ministers of ASEAN and dialogue partners have successfully concluded the annual ADMM and ADMM-Plus Meetings, further strengthening the region’s defence cooperation.
— Newsline (video)
EU envoy sees ‘bright spots’ in ASEAN biodiversity upkeep
There are worrisome trends, but there are also “bright spots” in Southeast Asia, home to 18 percent of the plant species in the world, so said Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Korean financial presence in ASEAN region nearly doubles since 2011
In line with South Korea’s fast expansion of trade with Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the alternative market for China, outposts there by Korean financial names have nearly doubled in less than eight years.
— Pulse
Indonesia among top e-money drivers in Southeast Asia: S&P report
Indonesia is among the top drivers of e-money growth in Southeast Asia alongside neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, according to an inaugural report commissioned by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Global Market Intelligence.
— The Jakarta Post
South Korean defense businesses target ASEAN market
South Korean defense companies are seeking to expand their presences in Southeast Asian and Pacific markets.
— The Korea Times
Various tourism promotions offered ahead of ASEAN-Korea summit
Starting today, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is launching a welcoming week that will provide tourists from Southeast Asia with multilingual information services and discount coupons for the nation’s major attractions on the occasion of the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit.
— The Korea Times
Vietnam strives to build more cohesive, responsive ASEAN
At an international press conference in Hanoi on November 18, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of the ASEAN National Committee 2020 Nguyen Quoc Dung said 2020 will be a significant year to review the mid-term implementation of a general plan to build the ASEAN Community.
— Vietnamplus
Thailand, Vietnam end in goalless draw
Thailand were held to a goalless draw by Vietnam in their Group G of Asia’s second qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup that dropped the War Elephants to third in the standings after Malaysia beat Indonesia.
— Bangkok Post
Top legislator chairs first meeting of AIPA 41 organising committee
The first meeting of the National Steering Committee and the Organising Committee for the 41st General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) took place on November 19 under the chair of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
— Vietnamplus
ASEAN delegates arrive for the Senior Officials’ Meeting for Responsible Information
The representatives of Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore have arrived in Panglao, Bohol today, November 19, 2019 for the Senior Officials’ Meeting for Responsible Information which will be held for several days.
— PTV News
SEARCA, ASEAN renew ties with agri biodiversity
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity have agreed to continue cooperating on programs that will mainstream biodiversity in agriculture.
— Manilastandard.net
Drones are transforming palm oil output in S-E Asia
As haze blanketed large tracts of Southeast Asia last month, office workers with Genting Plantations Bhd. in Jakarta were investigating the source of the choking smoke more than a thousand kilometers away.
— Livemint
Southeast Asia tuning in: These 7 music-focussed startups give local music scene a chance against the mainstream
Music streaming and music listeners-targeted startup might just be a fraction of the entertainment startup sector in Southeast Asia, but they sure are creating innovation in their own genre.
— e27
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
At Summit, Hun Sen Touts Rule of Law, Wins Award for Good Governance
The Asia Pacific Summit, convened at Hun Sen’s Phnom Penh Peace Palace on Tuesday, saw the prime minister boast of the country’s rule of law and pluralistic democracy, and receive a good governance and leadership award.
— VOD
Illegally imported chickens tested for infectious disease
Specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ General Department of Animal Health and Production on Monday took blood samples from about 2,100 chickens to test for infectious diseases after they were imported illegally from Thailand into Banteay Meanchey province on Saturday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
MRC warns of severe to extreme drought
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) warned Tuesday that severe to extreme drought was expected to hit Lower Mekong countries between now and January.
— Themy Themy
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
WB points to learning poverty afflicting one-third Indonesian children
Over one-third of the children in Indonesia experience learning poverty, or are incapable of reading and comprehending simple text by the age of 10, according to the World Bank (WB).
— Antara News
Indonesia among top e-money drivers in Southeast Asia: S&P report
Indonesia is among the top drivers of e-money growth in Southeast Asia alongside neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, according to an inaugural report commissioned by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Global Market Intelligence.
— The Jakarta Post
Electricity Tariff Increases per January 2020, Minister Confirms
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif confirmed that the electricity tariff will increase starting next year, especially for non-subsidized electricity customers.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
Lao Woman Sentenced to 15 Years for Trafficking Four Girls to China
Authorities in Laos have sentenced a woman to 15 years in prison for trafficking four Lao girls to China in 2018, RFA has learned.
— RFA
Chinese top political advisor visits Laos to promote bilateral cooperation, boost ties
Chinese top political advisor Wang Yang paid an official visit to Laos from Nov. 16 to 19, calling for implementation of consensus reached by leaders of the two parties and two countries to further enhance bilateral relations.
— Xinhua
PM sees economic recovery in sight
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Friday expressed confidence that the economy would pick up next year as a number of mega investment projects will kick into gear.
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
New law to regulate dams nationwide in pipeline, says minister
The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry is drawing up a law to regulate the country’s 104 dams as currently there is none that specifically addresses safety and maintenance.
— Malay Mail
Licenses to be revoked if oil palm landowners fail to get MSPO cert next year
Oil palm landowners with land over 100 acres risk getting their licence revoked if they fail to secure the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification from next year onwards, says Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.
— The Borneo Post
‘Upset’ Najib ordered 1MDB audit report changes to hide two different financial statements, Ali Hamsa confirms
Datuk Seri Najib Razak directly ordered amendments to be made to the 2016 Auditor-General’s (A-G) report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa told the High Court.
— Malay Mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar’s Military Eyes Overseas Weapons Sales
After showcasing its light arms at a Thai weapons trade show, Myanmar’s military says it has the potential to raise cash from international sales.
— Irrawaddy
Four hydropower projects to continue implementation in 2019-2020 FY
The four hydropower projects—671-megawatt (MW) Shweli (3) hydropower project, 280-megawatt (MW) Upper Yehwa hydropower project, 111-megawatt (MW) Thahtay hydropower project and 51-megawatt (MW) Upper Kyaingtaung hydropower project—will continue implementations during 2019-2020 fiscal years, said a source from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
— Eleven Myanmar
Myanmar’s Path to Trade War Gains Blocked by $120 Billion Hole
Myanmar faces major infrastructure obstacles as it tries to attract manufacturers seeking alternative locations to China, according a leader of its business community.
— Bloomberg
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Thousands in Philippines flee Typhoon Ramon
At least 5,000 people have fled their homes with Typhoon Ramon (Kalmaegi) poised to blast into the northern Philippines late Tuesday, November 19, with a second tropical storm forecast to hit just days later.
— Rappler
10-month BOP at $5.73-billion surplus; OFW flows cited
DESPITE uncertainties in the external front, the Philippines’s transactions with the rest of the world continued to yield dollar inflows for the country in the first 10 months of the year, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.
— Business Mirror
Duterte to cops: Arrest vape smokers in public
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered law enforcers to arrest vape smokers in public, as he announced a ban on its use and importation.
— GMA Network
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
4 in 5 Singaporeans say salaries not matching up to costs and complain about wage stagnation
South China Morning Post reported yesterday (18 Nov) that based on a recent survey conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) at NUS, majority of Singaporeans are feeling “stuck in their social classes”.
— The Online Citizen
Regulator to study how AI will affect workers in Singapore
SINGAPORE’S next step on the artificial intelligence (AI) frontier will be to study the technology’s impact on workers, said Yeong Zee Kin, assistant chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
— The Business Times
Senior investigation officer committed sex offences against suspects in police custody, gets jail and caning
A senior investigation officer with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) committed sexual offences against female suspects in police custody, ordering one woman to perform sex acts on him in the interview room.
— 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
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam may face severe drought
Severe to extreme drought is expected to hit the four lower Mekong River Basin countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam from now until January, threatening agricultural production, experts warned Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
15 killed in north China mine blast
A coal mine explosion killed 15 people in north China’s Shanxi province, state media reported Tuesday.
— CNA
Thanathorn Sues Officials for ‘Rushing’ His Case to Court
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said Tuesday he is not worried about the potential protest for the upcoming court verdict that would decide the political career of Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
— Khaosod English
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam raises cap on foreign ownership at domestic airlines to 34%
There will be no difference in the required minimum amount of capital for airlines providing international and domestic air transport services.
— The Hanoitimes
78% of enterprises satisfied with tax administrative reforms
Approximately 78% of surveyed enterprises showed their satisfaction with tax administrative reforms in 2019, up 3% compared to 2016.
— NDO
Vietnamese families have been offered loans to cover the costs of repatriating bodies
Grieving families in Vietnam have been offered loans to cover the costs of repatriating their loved ones’ bodies in the wake of the Essex lorry incident. BBC reports.
— Vietnam Insider
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.