Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Parasites in water supply potential risk for disease transmission in Southeast Asia
The presence of parasites in both raw and treated water supply in Southeast Asian countries can be a potential risk for disease transmission.
— The Sun Daily
Regional countries discuss digital technology in Bangkok
The growth of digital technology for inclusive and sustainable economic development is a top priority for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam (CLMTV).
— The Nation
Southeast Asian nations matter, not the ASEAN bloc
There have been claims that “Australia’s interests would be deeply compromised if ASEAN stalls or fails”.
— The Australian
WEF on ASEAN in Vietnam to welcome record number of region’s leaders
A record number of regional heads of state or government will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN in Hanoi, scheduled to take place on September 11-13 under the theme “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
— VietNamNet Bridge
UOB sees low risk of contagion effect for Asean currencies
Asean currencies have held up “generally well” against a strengthening US dollar as markets in general reacted to the Turkish Lira crisis, said SG-UOB Global Economics and Markets Research.
— The Edge Markets
The relevance of Turkey’s participation in the ASEAN regional forum
The latest statements and press reports indicate that Turkey’s relations with the Asia-Pacific region, and specifically with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have been intensifying. Most recently, it was announced that Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu paid a visit to Singapore from July 31 to Aug. 3 to attend the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting.
— Daily Sabah
Children in sex industry of ASEAN cry for implementation of legally binding agreements
A report by ILOs in 2017 estimated that 152 million children are involved in child labor worldwide, of which 73 million are in hazardous work, including situations where they are engaged in child prostitution.
— Devdiscourse
Residency Schemes in ASEAN – Eligibility Requirements
Obtaining a long-term residency status is a cumbersome process for foreigners in ASEAN. The regulations and procedures vary significantly between the countries, and can sometimes be an expensive affair.
— Asean Briefing
What a trade war means for Southeast Asia
Although it’s still early days in the so-called “trade war” between the United States and China, its knock-on effects are already palpable.
— Bangkok Post
PM calls for a digital ecosystem for region
PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged policymakers and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia to develop and nurture a digital trade ecosystem as information technology in the region takes off.
— The Nation
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Over $6B exported in first half: Ministry of Commerce
The Kingdom’s total exports under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) during the first half of this year accounted $6.2 billion from $5.3 billion in the same period last year.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Preferential Tariff Cut Does Not Concern the New Royal Government: CPP Spokesman (Video inside)
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman Suos Yara stated that the Royal Government of Cambodia of the 6th mandate, led by CPP, is not concerned by the threat of cutting preferential tariff by some countries fueled by unfortunate politicians, speaking on Thursday morning at the press conference in Phnom Penh.
— Fresh News
RDB to request an extra $50 million to beef up agriculture emergency fund
The Rural Development Bank (RDB), a state-own institution, plans to request an additional $50 million to beef up the government-led emergency fund for the agriculture sector, according to a bank representative.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Japan donates 40 million yen for Lombok earthquake victims
Japan has donated 40 million Japanese yen (about US$360 thousand) for the earthquake-affected victims in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
— Antara News
Indonesia Seeks to Reduce Fiscal Risks With 2019 Budget Amid Global Headwinds
Indonesia plans to reduce its budget deficit next year in a bid to lower fiscal risks amid global financial headwinds, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Thursday (16/08).
— Jakarta Globe
Village Minister: At Minimum IDR50 Mln of Village Fund Allocated to Build Village Sports Facilities
The Minister of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Eko Putro Sandjojo told the community especially in Bengkulu to always remind the heads of their respective villages to build sports infrastructure.
— Netral News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
LAO draft laws heading to cabinet
Six local administrative organisation (LAO) draft laws are likely to be submitted to the cabinet for consideration later this month, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam says.
— Bangkok Post
Developers Press Ahead With Dams, Despite Lao Order to Halt New Hydropower Projects
Developers of two proposed hydropower projects in Laos are pressing ahead with plans to build the mega-dams on the Mekong River, despite a recent order by the government to halt new dam investments following a deadly breach in July that killed 35 people and displaced thousands.
— Radio Free Asia
Sponsors build momentum for Governor’s Tourism Cup golf tournament
The 3rd Annual Governor’s Tourism Cup Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, September 1, 2018 at the scenic Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort – East Course with a tee time set at 7:30 a.m. and is hosted by the Office of the Governor and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
— Marianas Variety
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysian parliament throws out law against ‘fake news’
Malaysia’s parliament on Thursday (Aug 16) repealed a law against “fake news” introduced this year by the administration of former prime minister Najib Razak.
— Channel NewsAsia
SMEs should be ready to face Industry 4.0
Local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must equip themselves with comprehensive knowledge of Industry 4.0, said Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia must reject trans-pacific trade pact, say Pakatan MPs
PUTRAJAYA needs to reject Malaysia’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), said several lawmakers.
— The Malaysian Insight
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Facebook admits it was ‘too slow’ to fight hate speech in Myanmar
Facebook has been “too slow” to address hate speech in Myanmar and is acting to remedy the problem by hiring more Burmese speakers and investing in technology to identify problematic content, the company said in a statement on Thursday.
— Thai PBS
Myanmar panel probing Rohingya crisis pledges independence
Members of a commission established by Myanmar’s government to investigate human rights violations in western Rakhine state, where 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority fled brutal army operations, addressed critics Thursday with a pledge to be impartial.
— Columbia Missourian
Civilian Lawmakers Counter Military Representatives’ Complaints Against Journalists
After military representatives to the national legislature complained to the Speaker of the Union Parliament about the parliamentary journalists, civilian lawmakers said they have had no issues with the journalists.
— The Irrawaddy
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Foreign portfolio investments post net inflow in July: BSP
Registered foreign portfolio investments for the month of July 2018 amounted to USD959 million, reflecting a 5.3 percent improvement from the USD911 million figure in June 2018.
— Philippine Canadian Inquirer
P2.8B revenue loss seen from tariff cut
The Department of Finance said potential revenue loss on imposing a five percent tariff rate on chicken and fish alone is about P2.8 billion.
— Malaya
EU earmarks 2-M euros for conflict victims in Mindanao
The European Commission has allocated 2 million euros or roughly PHP121.7 million in humanitarian aid to provide life-saving assistance to people living in the conflict-torn southern province of Mindanao.
— Philippine News Agency
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Singapore fintech firms joining the dots in Africa’s digital frontier
ONE of the world’s leading mobile-money markets is farther afield than many might venture – but Kenya, on Africa’s east coast, is fertile ground for Singapore firms tapping the digital economy. And other countries on the continent are no slouch, either.
— Business Times
An independent, united and neutral Asean is key for Singapore and the region: Tommy Koh
It is in both in Singapore’s and Asean’s interest that the regional grouping remain independent, united and neutral despite some member states’ wishes to be aligned with one of the major powers.
— The Straits Times
Singaporeans are spared from New Zealand’s ban on foreign homeowners
Reuters reported that the New Zealand government has been in talks with Singapore on whether to grant an exception for its citizens in their newly passed law which bans foreigners from owning homes in New Zealand. Both countries have entered into a free trade agreement in Singapore which allows foreign ownership.
— Singapore Business Review
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
PM calls for a digital ecosystem for region
PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged policymakers and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia to develop and nurture a digital trade ecosystem as information technology in the region takes off.
— The Nation
UTCC survey finds corruption ebbing
Thailand’s corruption situation improved in the first half of the year, thanks in part to the government taking serious action with respect to the temple funds embezzlement scandal and irregularities in an embezzlement-hit welfare fund intended to help poor students.
— Bangkok Post
Cops set to charge 5 bitcoin scam suspects
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) will summon five suspects Friday for questioning in connection with the alleged embezzlement in bitcoin scam which cheated Finnish and Thai investors out of 797 million baht.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam sees 63% advance in exports in 7M18
Vietnam’s cement and clinker exports surged 63.2 per cent to 17.65Mt and 73 per cent to US$656.3m in the first seven months of 2018, according to the country’s General Department of Customs.
— Cemnet
Vietnam’s public debt rises to $1,500 per citizen
Vietnam’s per capita public debt is set to rise to $1,500 this year, a new government report says.
— VnExpress
Vietnam sentences activist to 20 years prison amid dissent crackdown
A court in northern Vietnam on Thursday sentenced an activist to 20 years in prison after he was convicted in a one-day trial of attempting to overthrow the state, his lawyer said.
— Channel NewsAsia
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.