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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Japan-backed ADB fund to aid internet infrastructure project in Asia-Pacific nations
The Asian Development Bank has signed a $50 million loan agreement to spur internet use in the Asia-Pacific region, with half the financing coming from a fund supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
— The Japan Times

Palau bans ‘reef-toxic’ sunscreen as environment gets a hand around Asean (video)
Palau is setting the environmental protection bar high for other countries as it kicks off the new year, implementing a ban on “reef-toxic” sunscreens.
— AEC News Today (video)

South China Sea: Malaysia risks infuriating Beijing as it presses ahead with UN complaint
MALAYSIA insists it will press ahead with its claim in the disputed South China Sea despite Beijing’s anger at its decision to involve the United Nations in the row.
— Express.co.uk

Japan eyes tie-up with ASEAN member nations to develop aircraft industry
The government is planning to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to promote the development of the aviation industry, according to informed sources.
— The Japan Times

Brunei’s total fertility rate 3rd lowest in region: World Bank
Brunei’s total fertility rate (TFR) is the third lowest after Singapore and Thailand in the region, according to a report by the World Bank.
— Xinhuanet

The South China Sea: Preventing the Tyranny of the Commons
The South China Sea is often viewed through the lens of territorial disputes and growing state competition.
— The Diplomat

ASEAN needs smart regulation to boost financial inclusion
In Southeast Asia, there are approximately 470 million people without bank accounts, or 73% of the region, according to consultancy KPMG.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Japan, China and South Korea step up banking cooperation with ASEAN for infrastructure projects
Government-backed development banks of Japan, China and South Korea have signed an agreement with public and private financial institutions in Southeast Asia to meet increasing demand for infrastructure projects in the fast-growing region.
— The Japan Times

PH vs Malaysia, Thai, Indo, Viet, SG: Last in race to 4th Industrial Revolution
From 43 participating countries with 265,000 students participating in the inaugural Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2000, the latest PISA 2018 had 79 countries taking part with over 600,000 students.
— The Manila Times

China’s belt and road: an environmental disaster for Southeast Asia?
When Chinese President Xi Jinping first unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, it was heralded as one of the largest infrastructure development schemes in history.
— South China Morning Post

Online sale, new routes ‘will lead to boom in drug trade’
While the economy still shows no sign of pulling out of last year’s tepid growth, the one industry that may see a real boom in 2020 is the drug trade.
— Bangkok Post

East vs West battle for SE Asia’s 5G rollout
Chinese telecom giant Huawei predicted in late December that the number of 5G connections worldwide would jump from around 20 million in 2019 to over 200 million by the end of 2020.
— Asia Times

An obese ASEAN
There is a growing trend in ASEAN that is not so welcomed – obesity. The prevalence of obesity and being overweight among ASEAN’s citizens is increasing due to rising incomes, and urbanisation.
— The Asean Post

Leave a small gap in the window, say experts
You’ve heard it from time immemorial. But it’s worth repeating even in 2020. “Get some fresh air!”
— The Star Online

Is Southeast Asia suicidal?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that over 800,000 people commit suicide every year.
— The Asean Post

Why budget airline meals don’t work on the ground: Air Asia’s Asean menu at Santan in Malaysia is overpriced and fails to impress
The Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur has more than 100 restaurants, cafes, and snack stands to meet every kind of craving.
— South China Morning Post

Mekong sandbanks obstruct cross-border boat services
The lowest level of water in the Mekong river in several decades has caused sandbanks to emerge, obstructing boat services across the border between Thailand and Laos, according to a local report.
— Bangkok Post

It’s about more than just electricity
With approximately 840 million people still without electricity access, the world is failing to meet energy targets in the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
— The Asean Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem          @raksmey.aecnews

43-hour rescue ends after 36 dead in building collapse in Cambodia
Death toll in the collapse of a six-story building in southwest Cambodia’s Kep province on Friday rose to 36, as rescue had completed, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Sunday.
— Xinhua 

Children among dozens confirmed dead in Cambodia building collapse
The death toll from a building collapse in southern Cambodia has risen to 36, with hopes dwindling of finding any further survivors.
— The Guardian

PM orders ministries to step up in battle against pollution
To ensure public health and safety, Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday signed a directive calling on relevant ministries, institutions and sub-national administrations to lead the charge on reducing air pollution in the Kingdom.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia: Death toll from Jakarta flooding rises to 60
The death toll from severe flooding and landslides that struck the Indonesian capital Jakarta over the New Year rose to 60, the state-run disaster management authority said Sunday.
— Anadolu Agency

Indonesia Will Never Negotiate Natuna with China: Minister
The Indonesian government will never negotiate its sovereign rights over the Natuna waters off Riau Islands province with China, following alleged border trespass by Chinese fishing boats and Coast Guard in the area, the chief security minister said on Sunday.
— Jakarta Globe

Embassy urges Indonesians in Iran to be vigilant following US air strikes
The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran has issued a letter urging Indonesian citizens in Iran to take precautions following United States air strikes in Iraq, one of which killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem         @raksmey.aecnews

Vietnam to buy 1.5 billion kWh of power annually from Laos
State power utility EVN will buy around 1.5 billion kWh of electricity a year from Laos for two years starting in 2021.
— VnExpress

Customs department to extend use of modern clearance system
The Socio-Economic News yesterday reported on this plan, referring to a statement by the department’s Acting Director General, under the Ministry of Finance, Mr Bounpaseuth Sikounlabouth.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

Laos to channel more young people into vocational schools
Under the National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2020, the government plans to increase the proportion of lower secondary school graduates attending vocational schools from 3.3 percent in 2019 to 5 percent in 2020.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Ministry to conduct spot checks on 4,000 tourist centres in conjunction with VMY2020
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) will carry out spot checks on 4,000 premises at tourist centres nationwide in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020).
— Malay Mail

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia source: Rayani Air not cleared to resume flying
The now-defunct Rayani Air Sdn Bhd has yet to submit an application for Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to resume operations in the country, according to a source close to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
— Malay Mail

Employers call for deferment of new minimum wage
EMPLOYERS want a moratorium on the implementation of the new minimum wage in major towns.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Myanmar Rebel Armies Extend Truce but Fighting Continues
On New Year’s Day, the alliance of three active ethnic armed groups that has been fighting Myanmar’s military in Shan and Rakhine states extended its unilateral ceasefire for two more months, until Feb. 29, saying it would help smooth negotiations.
— Reliefweb

First airport in Chin State to open in May
Chin State is set to be more accessible to travellers and investors this year, when the region’s first airport opens for business.
— Myanmar Times

External trade surges to $8.36 bln as of 20 December
Myanmar’s external trade between 1 October and 20 December in the current fiscal year 2019-2020 reached US$8.36 billion, an increase of $1.23 billion compared to the corresponding period of the 2018-2019 fiscal, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

DOH tightens screening amid ‘mysterious’ virus outbreak in China
Travelers will face tighter screening following reports that Chinese authorities are investigating a “mysterious illness” amid concerns that the flu-like virus is linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

Prepare air, naval assets for MidEast evacuations, AFP ordered
In the wake of rising tension between the United States and Iran, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been ordered by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to prepare it’s air and naval assets which could be used in the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East should hostilities erupt in the region.
— Philippine News Agency

ADB projects approved in Duterte time nearly doubled
PROJECTS approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the first three years of the Duterte administration nearly doubled compared to those approved in the previous administration.
— Business Mirror

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Singapore’s factory activity snaps 7 months of contraction in December
Factory activity in Singapore returned to growth in December for the first time in seven months, a private survey showed on Friday (Jan 3), boosted by greater demand for goods, especially from overseas.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Flights, tour bookings from Singapore unaffected by Australia bushfires
Flight and tour bookings from Singapore to Australia have not been affected by the bushfires that have ravaged the country’s Southeastern coast, according to tour operators CNA spoke to on Friday (Jan 3).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

‘Singapore stands in solidarity with Indonesia’: Balakrishnan sends condolences after floods in Jakarta
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has written to his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on Saturday (Jan 4) to express his condolences after the floods in Indonesia killed dozens of people.
— 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

Drunk driving no.1 crime this New Year season
Courts processed 9,179 traffic cases during the seven dangerous days of the New Year holidays, with drunk driving the most common instance where both adults and youths were involved.
— NNT

PM to head command centre to tackle drought
At their meeting on Tuesday, the cabinet is expected to approve the establishment of a command centre and associated budget to tackle drought.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand offers reward for information on stolen sea turtle eggs
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park chief Prarop Plangngarn said on Saturday he would reward those providing information on the stolen eggs of Thailand’s rare sea turtle. He also warned that the culprits will face maximum penalty.
— CGTN

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Cash Shortage Hurts Investment in Vietnam
Businesses in Vietnam face a cash shortage that is preventing as much as $24 billion that could be invested in the nation’s $250 billion economy, according to a study by PwC Vietnam.
— VOA

Vietnam’s e-commerce market to rocket to 13 billion USD in 2020
The size of Vietnamese e-commerce market is likely to hit 13 billion USD this year thanks to a large percentage of young residents and internet subscribers, according to insiders.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam to buy 1.5 billion kWh of power annually from Laos
State power utility EVN will buy around 1.5 billion kWh of electricity a year from Laos for two years starting in 2021.
— VnExpress

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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