Advertisement

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for April 21 — infections soar in Singapore, fewest in Cambodia
As of 01:02 GMT April 21 there was 21,044 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 1,536, or 7.87 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

Asean’s stimulus measures must go beyond short term, says Kearney Singapore partner
Stimulus measures announced by several Asean governments were timely, but the assistance provided to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is limited and targeted at providing support and relief in the short term, according to panellists at a web seminar.
— Malay Mail

China Ups Ante in South China Sea With New Place Names, Administrative Districts
China has upped the ante amid rising tensions in the South China Sea by declaring two new administrative districts for the contested region and releasing a new map naming all the islands and reefs it claims.
— Radio Free Asia

Thailand Falls Behind Myanmar in 2020 Press Freedom Index
Thailand slipped in its press freedom index to 140 out of the 180 countries surveyed by Reporters Without Border – one rank behind Myanmar, a country many Thais associated with authoritarianism.
— Khaosod English

Let Rohingya refugees ashore, quarantine them for health checks
On April 16, the Royal Malaysian Navy turned back a boat carrying about 200 Rohingya women, men and children, while reportedly providing food to those on board.
— New Straits Times

Kingdom ‘has done more virus tests than some neighbours’
With no new reported coronavirus cases over the past eight days, the Ministry of Health as of yesterday has tested nearly 10,000 specimens for possible infections in the Kingdom, showing a higher ratio compared with some other Asean members.
— Khmer Times

“Non-contact” Mekong River joint patrol begins
The 92nd Mekong River joint patrol led by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand started on Tuesday from Jingha Port, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.
— Xinhuanet

Pandemic Diplomacy Boosts Sino-Cambodian Ties, Estranging Vietnam
The leaders were attending a virtual ASEAN summit on the morning of April 14, highlighting their views on the pandemic and measures that needed to be taken to protect the region.
— VOA

Nearly 21 million workers face job losses as pandemic shreds Asean-6 economies
SOUTH-EAST Asian markets look set to be rocked by sharp spikes in joblessness, as the deadly Covid-19 pandemic smashes economies.
— The Business Times

Southeast Asia Speeds Up Prison Releases to Stave Off Coronavirus
Southeast Asian nations are joining a growing list of countries around the world rushing to release prisoners from overcrowded jails in hopes of warding off new outbreaks of COVID-19, though some are hesitating.
— Voice of America

Virus spread slowing in ASEAN region, data suggests
As the number of global deaths from coronavirus passes the 172,000 mark, the trend in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states seems to be slowing down, with just 39 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.
— Anadolu Agency

US, Asean meet to discuss crisis
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will attend a special videoconference meeting about Asean with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo tomorrow, according to a statement.
— Bangkok Post

ASEAN secretary-general hails ASEAN-China cooperation in fighting COVID-19
Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi on Tuesday thanked the Chinese government for providing medical supplies and hailed the cooperation between ASEAN and China in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.
— China.org.cn

United Nations working to flatten COVID-19 curve in Southeast Asia
Mobina Khatun, 45, a Rohingya woman volunteer in a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, conducts door-to-door visits with women sheltering there, providing crucial information to prevent transmission of the coronavirus, while observing physical distancing.
— UN News

Southeast Asia’s hydropower boom grinds to a halt as COVID-19 stalls projects
Incomplete and prospective hydropower dam projects in Southeast Asia, particularly along the Mekong River and its tributaries, are at risk of major delays and shutdowns as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts major industries, energy markets and worker safety.
— CNA

Vietnam keeps close watch on complex situation in ASEAN countries’ territorial waters
Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on April 21 replied to reporters’ questions about the recent complex situation in some ASEAN countries’ territorial waters.
— Vietnamplus

Southeast Asia’s indigenous groups call for support in their fight against COVID-19
For indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia, COVID-19 presents unique challenges that highlight both the strength of their communities and the added risks they face.
— Asean Today

Labor unions emerge as voice for migrant fishermen in Southeast Asia
Despite legal and corporate barriers, trade unions are starting to give migrant seafood workers a greater voice in Thailand and across Southeast Asia – enabling them to combat the subpar working conditions that persist on fishing vessels and in seafood processing facilities.
— SeafoodSource

The coming impact of COVID-19 contraction in ASEAN
After the COVID-19 earthquake and a historical contraction, China is rebounding, whereas advanced economies face a depression-like plunge.
— Chinadaily.com.cn

Cari: Micro SMEs likely to be wiped out in pandemic unless they go online
Many of the brick and mortar businesses, in particular around the Asean region, will likely be wiped out if the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown prolongs, and unless market confidence is restored, says CIMB Asean Research Institute (Cari).
— The Edge Markets

Graduates In A Pandemic-Hit World Fear The Worst
There is a grim uncertainty swirling around the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Asean Post

Asian prisons at bursting point become COVID-19 breeding grounds
Kuoch Kimseang fears for the life of her younger sister.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Jetstar Asia to operate to KL, Manila, Bangkok from April 21
Singapore’s Jetstar Asia will operate five return services a week to three destinations in Southeast Asia – Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Manila – with the aim to create essential travel links and assist with freight in the region from April 21.
— Borneo Post Online

China’s GAIC reveals first export order for FTC-2000G aircraft
China’s Guizhou Aviation Industries Corporation (GAIC) has received its first export order for the locally developed FTC-2000G advanced jet trainer (AJT)/light-attack aircraft.
— Jane’s

SE Asia Stocks-Vietnam leads plunge as region battered by oil rout
Southeast Asia markets closed lower led by Vietnam stocks on Tuesday, rattled by a historic crash in U.S. oil prices that laid bare the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
— Reuters

Statement of the ASEAN ministers on agriculture and forestry in response to outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Statement of the ASEAN ministers on agriculture and forestry in response to outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to ensure food security, food safety and nutrition in ASEAN
— The Korea Times

Unilever Food Solutions Connects Food And Beverage Businesses With Diners Across Southeast Asia
Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is partnering with Carousell, the Southeast Asian marketplace platform, on #SupportLocal, an initiative that enables 180,000 food & beverage (F&B) businesses in Southeast Asia to connect with local diners.
— Out of Town (blog)/ PRNewswire

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

New clothes pile up at Cambodian factories. Coronavirus forces US brands to cancel orders
T-shirts, skirts and shorts are piling up at the clothing factories ringing the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
— Arizona Daily Sun

Labour Ministry Performs 1,018 Health Checks on Returning Garment Workers
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training said that 1,018 garment and footwear workers have been quarantined for 14 days as of April 21.
— Cambodianess

State Coffers Receive $60M for Virus Fight; Gov’t Yet to Release Detailed Accounting
The Cambodian government has so far received at least $60 million in donations and foreign aid, on top of a $30 million budgetary allocation, to fight the novel coronavirus, though providing little accounting for the usage of these funds.
— VOA Khmer

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Jokowi Imposes National Ban on `Mudik`
After much criticism, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has finally decided to impose a national ban on mudik or homecoming ahead of the coming Lebaran, or Eid al-Fitr Day, in a bid to curb the COVID-19 outbreak which has recorded 6,760 positive cases in Indonesia.
— Tempo.co

Double whammy: Indonesia DHF cases rise amid COVID-19 pandemic
As Indonesia medical personnel grapple with a galloping COVID-19 outbreak a familiar harbourer of death and debilitation to the archipelago has been silently chalking up an increasing number of victims, with hardly any of the media attention; dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
— AEC News Today

Indonesia reports 375 new coronavirus infections, 26 deaths (latest)
Indonesia reported 375 new Covid-19 (coronavirus) infection cases on Tuesday (April 21), taking the total in the South-East Asian country to 7,135.
— The Star

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Govt mulling compensation for unemployed workers
Employees who are members of their business’s social insurance scheme may be eligible to receive about 500,000 kip as part of measures to help people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, provided by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
— Vientiane Times

22 returnees released after quarantine
Twenty-two Thais who returned from work in Laos have been released after undergoing a 14-day quarantine without any signs of being infected with Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post

Local Workers on Lao-China Railway Say They Have Gone Without Pay For Months
Up to 30 Lao workers building a nearly completed railway project that will connect landlocked Laos with China say that they have not been paid in three to four months, because their Chinese employers left the area and went home early this year amid the spread of the coronavirus.
— RFA

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Covid-19: 57 new cases bringing total to 5,482, three new fatalities, death toll now at 92
Malaysia reported 57 Covid-19 cases on Tuesday (April 21), continuing its recent trend of double digits in its daily new infections.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s 5G progress expected despite setback caused by pandemic
The GSM Association (GSMA), which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, is confident of Malaysia’s progress in the rolling out of the fifth generation (5G) technology despite a slight setback caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Two US warships in South China Sea amid China-Malaysia standoff
USS America and USS Bunker Hill sailed near a Chinese research ship spotted close to a Petronas exploration vessel.
— Aljazeera

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Total number of COVID-19 cases reaches 121 on Tuesday
Update of COVID-19 cases in Myanmar till 8:00 pm on 21 April 1. The National Health Laboratory (Yangon) tested the specimens of 185 persons in the first group for COVID-19 up to 6:00 pm on 21 April 2020.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Driver killed in attack on WHO vehicle in Myanmar’s Rakhine – UN
A World Health Organization vehicle carrying swabs from patients to be tested for coronavirus came under attack in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and the driver was killed, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
— National Post

Malaysia arrests Rohingya in trafficking crackdown
Malaysia has arrested two Rohingya for alleged human-trafficking, authorities said Tuesday (Apr 21), as they ramp up efforts to stop members of the Muslim minority coming to the country amid coronavirus fears.
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Duterte to decide Luzon lockdown fate on April 23
Former presidential aide Senator Christopher Bong Go said that President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on the fate of the Luzon lockdown on Thursday, April 23, hinting that a modified lockdown may be in place.
— Rappler

‘Doubling time’ of PH coronavirus cases slows to average of 5 days – DOH
It now takes an average of 5 days for local coronavirus cases to double in number, and that is “good news,” said Department of Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday, April 21.
— Rappler

PH coronavirus cases now at 6,599, with deaths at 437
The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 140 new coronavirus cases in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 6,599 as of 4 pm on Tuesday, April 21.
— Rappler

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Singapore to extend circuit breaker by 4 weeks to June 1: PM Lee
SINGAPORE’S circuit breaker will be extended by another four weeks to June 1, with tighter measures to be in place from now until May 4, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a ‘live’ address to the nation on Tuesday.
— The Business Times

Singapore’s COVID-19 cases top 9,000 after 1,111 new cases reported
Singapore reported 1,111 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday (Apr 21), taking the national total to 9,125.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

S’pore and Malaysia fuel prices amidst negative world oil prices
On Monday (20 April) the price of oil declined to the lowest level never before seen in history.
— The Online Citizen

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

Airbus pulls out of U-Tapao airport project
A planned 11-billion-baht joint venture between Airbus and Thai Airways to develop a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Rayong’s U-Tapao Airport has fallen victim to the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thailand extends foreigners’ visas as coronavirus cases slow
Thailand’s cabinet approved a second automatic visa extension for foreigners for three more months on Tuesday, in a bid to prevent long queues at immigration centres and stem the spread of the coronavirus.
— Reuters

Mother of two hangs herself
A mother of two hung herself in a bathroom after she could no longer buy milk for her baby as the Covid-19 pandemic cost her her job.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

MoIT issues regulations on auction of import tariff quotas on used autos
The Ministry of Industry and Trade on Monday issued regulations and an invitation to carry out an auction of import tariff quotas on used automobiles for this year.
— Viet Nam News

Facebook agreed to censor posts after Vietnam slowed traffic, say sources
Facebook’s local servers in Vietnam were taken offline early this year, slowing local traffic to a crawl until it agreed to significantly increase the censorship of “anti-state” posts for local users, two sources at the company told Reuters on April 21.
— The Star Online

Vietnam to ease social distancing campaign gradually
The Prime Minister said Monday Vietnam will ease social distancing step by step and implement adequate controls to avoid underestimating the Covid-19 epidemic.
— VnExpress

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.

Advertisement