Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu        @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 9
As of 01:30 GMT today (March 9) there was 347 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries.
— AEC News Today
Cruise ship heads to Singapore after rebuff by Malaysia, Thailand over virus fears
The operator of cruise ship Costa Fortuna said it was heading to Singapore to end its journey on Tuesday as planned, after it was turned away from ports in Malaysia and Thailand over coronavirus fears.
— Yahoo News
Singapore Launches “Sustainable Financing Framework” for ASEAN healthcare
As part of the “Driving comprehensive healthcare in ASEAN” initiative, EU-ASEAN Business Council, KPMG and SANOFI, joined hands to launch the first sub-paper on sustainable financing for healthcare in ASEAN, 9 March 2020.
— BioSpectrum Asia (media release)
Asia airports face $3-billion revenue loss in first quarter
AIR TRAFFIC in the Asia Pacific is set to plunge 24% in the first three months of this year because of the coronavirus’s impact on travel, erasing $3 billion in revenue for the region’s airports, a regional industry group said.
— BusinessWorld
Trade, Security Issues to Dominate Vietnam’s ASEAN Tenure
Vietnam chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, this year, with trade and security expected to top the agenda.
— VOA
Over 310k credit card details across 6 Southeast Asian countries breached
Details from approximately 310,000 cards from Southeast Asian banks have been breached and are available for sale on the dark web, according to cybersecurity start-up Technisanct based in India.
— Marketing
China and ASEAN are building a community with shared future
The beginning of the new decade was met with the outbreak of COVID-19. The battle against it has now come to a critical moment when negative and positive elements coexist and the window of containment is getting narrower.
— The Jakarta Post
First activities ahead of ASEAN Economic Meeting held
Participants and officials from ASEAN member countries began the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials Meeting (Prep-SEOM) – one of the first activities preluding the 26th ASEAN Economic Meeting (AEM) Retreat – in the central city of Da Nang yesterday.
— Viet Nam News
Ambassadors from six Asean countries call on Mizoram Governor
Ambassadors of six Asean countries – Laos, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam – called on Mizoram Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Monday and discussed a wide range of issues, including border trade.
— Outlook
COVID-19: The death blow to wildlife trafficking?
In a statement by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), the current emergence and spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, as well as SARS, MERS and other similar virus outbreaks in recent history, underscores the need to take urgent action and raise awareness of the potential threats to human health posed by the illegal and unregulated trade in wildlife.
— The Asean Post
10 HR leaders across Southeast Asia stand up and advocate #EachForEqual
n line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of #EachForEqual, Human Resources Online reached out to HR leaders to find out what their organisation’s call-to-action is in the push for a gender-equal workforce.
— Human Resources
ASEAN Basketball League postpones four games as precautionary measure
On Sunday (8 March), the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) was made aware that Jameel McKay, the recent addition to the Singapore Slingers, was held at the Immigration in Singapore upon their return from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
— The Online Citizen
As focus pivots elsewhere, coronavirus cases rise across Southeast Asia
Coronavirus cases rose across most of Southeast Asia and in Hong Kong over the weekend with the official tallies doubling in Malaysia and Vietnam.
— Coconuts Bangkok
ASEAN Our Eyes Meeting Spotlights Counterterrorism Cooperation
Late last month, Southeast Asian states held a working group meeting to discuss the status of a new intelligence-sharing initiative to help them respond more quickly and effectively to transnational security threats.
— The Diplomat
Southeast Asia’s lost dream of open societies
Thai student activists speak to the media during a press conference for the ‘Run Against Dictatorship’ event at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, 16 December 2019.
— LaCroix International
ONE adding Batangas to Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam service
Ocean Network Express (ONE) is adding a call in Batangas, Philippines to it its Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam (TPV) service.
— Seatrade Maritime News
SE Asia Stocks-Markets drop as virus fears deepen, oil prices plunge
Southeast Asian stock markets tumbled on Monday as investors panicked over the economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak, and oil prices plunged after Saudi Arabia slashed selling prices and laid out a plan to increase production.
— Reuters
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Pays Price for Gambling Itself Away
Once a sleepy, entrancing seaside resort in southwest Cambodia, Sihanoukville is sleepy again, bereft of Chinese nationals and tourists who have left following the closure of dozens of casinos in the city.
— Skift
Monks reveal Sangke threat
The Battambang provincial governor has ordered the authorities to close sewers in the Sangke River after monks posted a video showing toxic wastewater flowing into it and allegedly affecting nearby residents’ health.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Facebook seller wearing ‘sexy clothes’ charged with pornography in Cambodia
The Cambodian police filed pornography charges against a 39-year-old Facebook user for selling products while wearing sexy clothes that allegedly undermine Khmer values and culture.
— Learning Made Easy NG
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy        @justhine.aecnews
13 More Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Bring Total to 19: Govt
The government today, March 9, announced 13 more confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus or known as COVID-19 infection in Indonesia—bringing the total to 19.
— Tempo.co
Death toll from East Nusa Tenggara dengue outbreak rises to 32
The death toll of the dengue fever outbreak in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has risen to 32 as the number of people infected by the dengue virus continues to increase.
— The Jakarta Post
Minister forecasts budget deficit to reach 2.2-2.5 percent of GDP
Indonesia’s state budget deficit is expected to reach a range of 2.2 to 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has hindered global economic activities, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Lao Crop Exports to China Suffer amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Chinese buyers are paying less for Lao agricultural products amid sluggish trading activities in the wake of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
— The Laotian Times
Laos prepares for worsening Covid-19 scenario
Although there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Laos so far, authorities will undergo training and practice in how to handle cases of infection and an outbreak in the country, a senior health official has said.
— Vientiane Times
Luang Prabang limits Lao New Year celebrations over Covid-19 concerns
The international outbreak of Covid-19 has caused Luang Prabang province to scale back its traditional Lao New Year festivities planned for April 13-16, the Pathetlao Daily has reported.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men        @MenSreypov
Malaysia Picks Bank CEO as Finance Minister in New Cabinet
Malaysia’s prime minister picked the head of one the country’s main banks as his new finance minister Monday amid heightened global risks and domestic policy uncertainty.
— Bloomberg
Sabah and Sarawak affairs made a special portfolio in new Cabinet, says PM
A special portfolio on Sabah and Sarawak Affairs has been announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin while naming his Cabinet today.
— Malay Mail
Tesco plans £2.5bn pension top-up with Thai and Malaysia sales
Tesco is planning to hand out £5bn to shareholders and pump £2.5bn into its pension fund after lining up the sale of its Thai and Malaysian businesses.
— The Guardian
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men        @MenSreypov
Myanmar Army Brings Defamation Case Against Lawmaker, Reuters Over Report of Killings
The Myanmar military has filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against an upper house parliamentarian and Reuters news agency over the coverage of a shooting in Buthidaung township in western Myanmar’s war-ravaged Rakhine state, according to police.
— Radio Free Asia
Myanmar is still paying the military’s debts
In the two minutes it takes you to read this editorial, Myanmar will have had to repay another K700,000 – almost US$500 – on its debt for the Myingyan steel mill in Mandalay Region.
— Frontier Myanmar
Mizoram to seal international borders, bans foreigners
The Mizoram government has decided to seal all international borders and ban foreigners in the wake of the coronavirus issue, an official said on Monday.
— Morung Express
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu        @stmarisewudolu
Philippines records 4 more COVID-19 cases; total up to 24
The Philippines’ confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 24, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday night.
— GMA Network
Duterte declares state of public health emergency amid rise in coronavirus cases
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of public health emergency on Monday, March 9, after health officials recorded additional cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus, including the first case of local transmission in the Philippines.
— Rappler
Hands off: ‘No touch’ virus policy for Philippines president Duterte
Well-wishers will not be allowed to touch Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte under new measures announced Monday by his security detail, as the deadly coronavirus spreads in the country.
— CNA
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy        @justhine.aecnews
STI closes down 6% in worst trading session since 2008 after oil price shock
Singapore shares fell the most in more than 11 years on Monday, leading a broad tumble in Southeast Asian stocks, as fears over the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic and a crash in oil prices triggered a steep sell-off.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Infected foreigners on short term visits in S’pore will have to pay for their own Covid-19 treatment
It will still waive for Covid-19 testing fees for holders of short-term visit passes.
— Mothership
Singapore reports 10 new COVID-19 cases; 6 linked to SAFRA Jurong cluster, including a 5-year-old
Ten new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Singapore on Monday (Mar 9), including six linked to the SAFRA Jurong cluster.
— 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
COVID-19 in Asean: Thai Airways axes flights to 7 international destinations
Thai Airways International (THAI) is the latest regional carrier to feel the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in Asean, today (March 9) announcing the cancellation of flights to seven international destinations. The cuts are the second introduced by the airline in response to the COVID-19 outbreak
— AEC News Today
DIT delivers masks directly to pharmacies
Face masks continue to be difficult to find due to the high demand caused by COVID-19 fears. The Thai Pharmacies Association yesterday released a statement saying that it has not received any of the 25,000 masks a day, promised by the Department of Internal Trade, for sale to the general public.
— NNT
Transport Minister – 10,000 baht reward for information about high-risk groups who refuse to enter quarantine
The Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchob, said the government will award 10,000 baht to people who provide information about those who are at a high risk of being infected with COVID-19 but refuse to undergo the 14-day quarantine.
— NNT
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov
Vietnam Suspends Visa Exemptions for 8 European Nations
Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc suspended the visa waivers for eight European countries amid growing concerns about the novel coronavirus outbreak.
— Bloomberg
Vietnam to have trade defence early warning system by 2025
Vietnam plans to develop an early warning system for trade defence by 2025, aiming to promote sustainable exports.
— The Star Online
Vietnam Vows to Punish Hiders of Coronavirus After New Cases
Vietnamese authorities vowed Monday to punish anyone concealing sickness after 13 people caught the deadly new coronavirus on a flight to Hanoi, sparking lockdowns and panic-buying in the capital.
— VOA
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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