Advertisement

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Are politicians in Southeast Asia too old?
PLATO once touted the values of gerontocracy, a form of oligarchical rule in which an entity is ruled by leaders who are significantly older than most of the adult population, saying: “It is for the elder man to rule and for the younger to submit.”
— Asian Correspondent

Bans on Imported Waste Continue in Southeast Asia
On August 16, 2018, Reuters reported that Thailand plans to ban imports of a variety of scrap electronics within the next six months and recycled plastic within the next two years.
— Reuters/ JD Supra

ASEAN: stronger collaboration and innovative approaches needed to enhance disaster management capabilities
ASEAN called for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration and deeper exploration on innovation and new technologies to enhance disaster management capabilities and resilience at the fourth ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management in Singapore on 17 August.
— Philippine Information Agency

China proposes regular war games with Asean
China has proposed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that the two sides hold regular joint military exercises in the South China Sea, according to an Asean diplomatic source.
— Bangkok Post

Seizing Opportunity In Southeast Asia’s Energy Market
There has been an almost never-ending stream of negative news about Southeast Asia’s energy market, once one of the globe’s most active.
— Forbes

Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific highlights UK-Brunei relationship, EU exit and the UK’s future relationship with ASEAN
The British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field MP, delivered a powerful speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on his second day in Brunei.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

China-Asean trade set to soar
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a bloc that constitutes China’s third largest trading partner, will exploit a variety of opportunities to further tap China’s market, given the encouraging bilateral trade performance last year, an official said.
— China Daily/ Inquirer.net

China’s BRI impact beyond infrastructure: DBS
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not just about infrastructure, with the country’s investment in South-east Asia having surged in a broad range of sectors since the BRI’s launch in 2013, as explored in the DBS Group Research report Understanding China: BRI in Southeast Asia – Beyond infrastructure.
— The Business Times

Automotive Aftermarket is predicted to surpass US$ 48 Bn in revenues by 2026
In Future Market Insights’ market report titled, “Automotive Aftermarket: ASEAN Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026”, poor road infrastructure and extended vehicle life have been identified as profitable factors for the growth of the automotive aftermarket in ASEAN.
— Chronicle India

Aircraft maintenance market takes wing in Southeast Asia
Low-cost carriers have changed the face of civil aviation in Asia. In tandem with the rise, the behind-the-scenes market for aircraft maintenance is also changing as companies in countries like Indonesia and Thailand enter the field to challenge the dominance of established Singaporean players.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

What did Kofi Annan mean to Southeast Asia?
KOFI ANNAN meant different things to different people. In his ten years as UN secretary-general, and in his work that followed, Annan left his mark on all corners of the world through his policies and passion for peace.
— Asian Correspondent

2019 SEA Games logo draws flak
The official logo of the 30th Southeast Asian Games unveiled on Monday received negative feedback and drew flak on social media.
— Inquirer.net

Report: China spearheads APAC online video rev growth
Online video revenue, comprising net ad spend and subscription fees, will grow at an 18 per cent CAGR across Asia Pacific between 2018 and 2023, climbing from ~US$21 billion (€18.33bn in 2018 to US$48 billion by 2023, according to Asia Pacific Online Video & Broadband Distribution, a new report from analyst firm Media Partners Asia (MPA).
— Advanced Television

Indonesian Naval Command and Staff College Joins Regional Security Conference in Manila
Indonesia’s Naval Command and Staff College, or Seskoal, participated in a security conference in Manila on Aug. 16-17 to discuss expanding security cooperation and maritime resilience in Southeast Asia.
— Jakarta Globe

Organic Cosmetics Market to receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2020
Beauty and Personal care industry includes skin care, hair care, oral care, toiletries and others.
— openPR (media release)

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

PM’s Bodyguard commander hits back at US
The commander of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Bodyguard Unit (BGU) Hing Bun Heang on Sunday dismissed a short video clip that went viral on social media in which he says he is preparing for a war with the United States over its aggressiveness towards the Kingdom.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s King Pardons Land Activist Tep Vanny, Three Others
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni on Monday granted royal pardons to prominent land rights activist Tep Vanny and three others convicted for their roles in a protest over a land grab in the capital Phnom Penh’s Boeung Kak Lake community.
— Radio Free Asia

16 Political Parties to Attend Tomorrow’s Forum with PM Hun Sen
The forum for the 20 political parties between the Royal Government of Cambodia represented by Prime Minister Hun Sen and other representatives of the 20 political parties will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, 21 August 2018, according to an invitation letter from the cabinet addressed to the political parties which Fresh News received late Thursday.
— Fresh News

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Amateur video captures latest destructive Lombok quakes (video) *updated
As authorities scramble to return services and normalcy to the Indonesian island of Lombok a series of strong earthquakes over the weekend has seen the death toll rise and more structures collapsing.
— AEC News Today (video/photos)

BNPB Claims Enough Logistics for Lombok Survivors
Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Information and Public Relations Center, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, claims that the logistical stock for Lombok’s earthquake survivors’ basic needs is sufficient.
— Netral News

Govt temporarily revokes export permit for 4 miners
The government has temporarily revoked four concentrate export permits because the mining companies had failed to fulfill their commitment to develop smelters as part of the permit’s requirements.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

#SafeBirthEvenHere: UNFPA’s humanitarian response in flood-stricken Lao PDR
In flood-hit southern Lao PDR this World Humanitarian Day, UNFPA and partners are intensifying relief efforts for affected populations, including women and girls, as the misery continues almost a month after disaster struck, including the collapse of a dam and the devastation that calamity triggered for tens of thousands of civilians in the area.
— ReliefWeb

8th China Int’l Alcoholic Beverage Expo to Open Next Month
The 8th China (Guizhou) Int’l Alcoholic Beverage Expo will be held on 9 to 12 September at Guiyang International Conference and Exhubition Center in Guizhou province, southwest of China.
— Lao News Agency

SK Group donates US$10 million for Attapeu flood relief
The SK Group has donated US$10 million (about KRW 11.2 billion) to the Lao government as a contribution to the relief fund for the flood recovery effort in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

China, Malaysia sign MOU on bilateral currency swap agreement
China and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding on a bilateral currency swap agreement on Monday (Aug 20), as part of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to China.
— Channel NewsAsia

Radioactive material reported missing in Malaysia
Malaysian authorities are hunting for an industrial device containing radioactive material that is reported to have gone missing from a pickup truck on Aug 10, police and media said on Monday (Aug 20).
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia signs export protocol for whole fruit durian export to China
Malaysia has succeeded in sealing an export protocol with China for frozen whole fruit durians.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Reuters journalists face verdict next week on Myanmar secrets charges
The judge in the trial of two Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar on accusations of obtaining secret state documents said on Monday he will deliver his verdict on Aug. 27, in a case seen as a test of press freedom in the fledgling democracy.
— The Star Online

Govt expects more Japanese visitors after visa exemptions
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism expects to attract over 200,000 Japanese visitors to Myanmar following the government’s decision to provide visa exemptions to Japanese tourists, Minister U Ohn Maung said on Saturday.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar’s SEZs: Liabilities or assets?
In an effort to open up its economy, the government in Myanmar has taken various steps in making the country more attractive to investors.
— The Asean Post

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

ADB lends $300 million to boost PPP flow
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 million policy-based loan to support the strengthening of the country’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
— The Philippine Star

June borrowing up 224.87% year-on-year
Borrowings by the Philippine government surged to PHP153.291 billion in June 2018 due to the issuance of retail treasury bonds (RTB).
— Philippine News Agency

Overall BOP position posts lower deficit of USD455-M in July
The country’s overall balance of payments (BOP) position in July 2018 posted a deficit of USD455 million, lower than the USD678-million BOP deficit recorded in the same month last year.
— Philippine News Agency

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Higher spending fails to boost retail rents from protracted slump
Even as locals stepped up their festive purchases ahead of discounts offered before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and businesses jumpstarted their expansion plans, Singapore’s retail rents remained in negative territory after slipping 1.1% in Q2 and reversing the slight 0.1% growth booked from the previous quarter, according to real estate consultant Savills.
— Singapore Business Review

Lease Buyback Scheme to be extended to all HDB flats, including 5-room and larger ones: Lawrence Wong
The Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats will be extended to cover five-room units and larger ones, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, as the Government announced concrete moves to help seniors unlock the value of their flats for retirement.
— TodayOnline

More than 33,000 sign up for PayNow Corporate | Video
PayNow Corporate has been in operation for a week and according to the Association of Banks in Singapore, 33,185 have signed up as of Sunday (Aug 19).
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Thailand GDP growth ahead of expectations
Thailand’s gross domestic product growth came in slightly ahead of expectations in the second quarter despite slower growth from the country’s manufacturing industry.
— Financial Times

Thailand’s Queen Mother admitted to hospital
Thailand’s 86-year-old Queen Mother Sirikit is being treated for influenza at a Bangkok hospital, the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement on Monday in a rare statement on her health.
— Reuters

Export growth forecast raised to 10% by NESDB
FORECAST growth in exports has been raised to 10 per cent for this year by a government think tank, which is sticking with an estimate for national economic expansion of 4.2-4.7 per cent.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam Controls Inflation, Avoids Broader Economic Fallout
Vietnam is trying to get a grip on inflation that might otherwise threaten its quick economic growth again as it did a decade ago, analysts and domestic media say.
— VOA

Tuna exports likely to hit $500m in 2018
Viet Nam’s tuna export revenue is likely to reach the target of US$500 million in 2018 after hitting $351 million in the first seven months of this year, while growth has been seen in the majority of markets.
— VietnamPlus

Ministry rejects proposal to raise plane ticket prices in 2018
In its urgent document to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and three carriers, the Ministry of Transport ordered not to increase plane ticket prices in 2018.
— VietnamNet Bridge

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.

Advertisement