Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Dams and sand mining threaten integrity of lower Mekong
As investment in hydropower and construction projects ramp up, ecosystems and communities along Southeast Asia’s longest river are paying the price.
— Deutsche Welle
Southeast Asia migrant workers’ social security discussed
Southeast Asian migrant workers are no longer just emigrating to developed countries, increasingly they’re moving within the region.
— Inquirer.net/ Viet Nam News
Weathermen issue alert for Mekong flooding
People living alongside the Mekong River are warned to be extra vigilant over possible flooding this week, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Meteorology and Hydrology Department has warned.
— The Nation
Why Race Is Such an Ingrained Part of Southeast Asian Culture
While the world tries to move away from the stuffy labels of race, there are still places in Southeast Asia where people are judged by their skin colour.
— Unreserved (blog)
MH special fares in Southeast Asia
Malaysia Airlines is cutting fares on Asian routes from Singapore for bookings confirmed by 27 August.
— TTR Weekly
APIC 2018 Predicts Promising Future for Asian Petrochem Industry
The 39th Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2018, organized by International Conference & Exhibition Professionals (iCEP), closed today having addressed some of the most important issues challenging the petrochemical industry in Asia. Movements in the oil price was a topic on the minds of over 2,000 attendees.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
Laos dam disaster hasn’t dampened region’s thirst for hydropower
The July collapse of a dam in the Xe- Pian-Xe Nam Noy hydroelectric plant in Laos that killed 35 people and displaced thousands has raised alarm over the Lao government’s relentless pursuit of hydropower, less than a year after a smaller plant broke elsewhere in the country.
— Eco-Business
Combating fake news: A balancing act
Dealing with fake news is just like a balancing act. On the one hand, fake news can be a serious problem as seen in India where fake news has led to numerous lynching incidents.
— The Asean Post
New people-centered approaches needed to ensure no one is left behind in ASEAN: experts
While there has been extraordinary economic progress in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, pockets of multi-dimensional poverty remain, experts said during a symposium concluded in Cambodia on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
Workshop talks ASEAN entrepreneurs in revolution 4.0
Opportunities and challenges facing ASEAN enterprises in the fourth industrial revolution (4.0) were the main discussion at a workshop hosted by the Foreign Ministry in Hanoi on August 21.
— Vietnam Plus
Asean to further tap into China market potential
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.
— The Nation
Addressing the world’s most pressing problem
INEQUALITY, or the widening ratio between the “haves” and the “have-nots”, is fast becoming an issue with dire political and moral considerations.
— New Straits Times
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia Releases Two Former RFA Reporters on Bail Amid Post-Election Clemency
Cambodia’s government on Tuesday released two former RFA reporters who had spent more than nine months behind bars on “espionage” charges, a day after the country’s King Norodom Sihamoni granted a pardon for four land activists based on a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
— Radio Free Asia
PM Hun Sen to Establish Supreme Council of Consultations for National Interests
To open a new page of history, Prime Minister Hun Sen decided to establish “Supreme Council of Consultations – SCC” with the presences of representatives from the 16 political parties, according to the government’s spokesman Phay Siphan on Tuesday.
— Fresh News
Thailand, Cambodia hold joint meeting on broadcasting, communications
Thailand and Cambodia held a joint meeting on the enhancements to cooperation in broadcasting and communications between the two neighboring countries.
— NNT
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
ADB to lend Indonesia $1 billion: finance ministry
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lend the Indonesian government $1 billion next week, an Indonesian finance ministry official said on Tuesday.
— Reuters
Death toll from Indonesian quakes rises to 506
The death toll from earthquakes that rocked eastern Indonesia since Aug. 5 has risen to over 500, local authorities said on Tuesday.
— Anadolu Agency
Gov’t to Provide Additional $48m for Disaster Relief Efforts in Lombok
The Ministry of Finance will make up to Rp 700 billion ($48 million) in additional funding available for relief efforts in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, amid calls on the government to declare a national disaster following the recent spate of deadly earthquakes.
— Jakarta Globe
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Special Report: Cities in Cambodia and Laos
We look into how Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, and Vientiane are ensuring clean water, overhauling public transport, and conserving their most beloved attractions.
–GovInsider
Laos and Myanmar agree 12th map of border
Laos and Myanmar have approved the 12th map of the border between the two countries, which they will use as an annex to the agreement on a permanent borderline dated June 11, 1994, Xinhua reported.
— Mizzima
Wood makes way for steel as Sanamxay bridges upgraded after flood
All timber bridges connecting flooded Sanamxay district to Samakhixay district in Attapeu province are being replaced by steel structures.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia Shelves Belt And Road Projects With China
Malaysia has cancelled two multi-billion dollar projects that were part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road project, with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad saying that Malaysia at the moment “cannot afford them.”
— Investvine
Malaysia’s national day parade to affect nearly 500 flights
Nearly 500 flights will be affected when Malaysia closes the airspace near its major international airport every morning for five days next week to prepare for independence day celebrations, the transport ministry said.
— Channel NewsAsia
Malaysia and China ink deal to produce palm oil-based products
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday (Aug 21) witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, and China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (Cofco) on the last day of his five-day visit to China.
— The Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi says relations with military ‘not that bad’
Myanmar government leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Tuesday her relationship with the military – which held her under house arrest for nearly 15 years – was “not that bad” and that the generals in her cabinet were “rather sweet”.
— Reuters
Myanmar sells 6,841 new cars until 2018 June
Myanmar sold out 6,841 brand new cars until 2018 June, with a 114 percent rise compared to the same period of the previous year. Among ASEAN countries, Myanmar stands at the top in development, reported by ASEAN Automotive Federation.
— Eleven Myanmar
Average inflation rate expected to hit 5.91 pc in 2018-19 FY
The average inflation rate is expected to hit 5.91 per cent in 2018-2019 FY which will start on October 1 despite the local currency depreciation and rising commodity prices, according to the Ministry of Planning and Finance.
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
World Bank allots $156.06 million for 3 pipeline projects in PHL
THREE projects worth $156.06 million have been included in the World Bank’s pipeline of projects in the Philippines as of the first quarter of 2018.
— Business Mirror
Government investing P31 billion in key tourism access roads in 2019
SOME P31 billion will be invested by the Duterte administration in constructing roads to key tourism destinations in 2019.
— Business Mirror
$15-B project to solve airport woes
A new international aviation hub with four runways will prevent a repeat of last weekend’s disruption of flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that affected thousands of travelers nationwide, according to the head of the country’s largest conglomerate.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Singapore’s architectural history under threat from redevelopment frenzy
A rush to tear down and redevelop buildings in Singapore has prompted calls to conserve aging properties that symbolize the country’s recent history and economic rise.
— Reuters
SMEs to get more help in digital adoption with enhanced 99%SME website | Video
Started by DBS and Singtel in 2015, the campaign – named 99%SME as SMEs make up 99 per cent of businesses in Singapore – aims to help local SMEs to go digital. Michelle Teo reports.
— Channel NewsAsia
Why Malaysia is among Singaporean companies’ top choice for ASEAN expansion
Singaporean companies hoping to venture into ASEAN markets are looking favourably towards Malaysia and Indonesia as their top destinations, according to Singapore Business Federation’s (SBF) ASEAN Outlook Survey, in partnership with HSBC.
— Human Resources
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
30 cents: Keeping poor Thai children in school for 10 baht (HD video)
Thirty cents. There’s not much you can buy for $0.30 these days, but in Thailand the meagre amount multiplied by many willing people is allowing 230 children from desperately poor households to attend school.
— AEC News Today (video)
Prayut sets poll date for Feb 24
The general election has been tentatively set for Feb 24, marking the latest poll pledge by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha after a series of delays.
— Bangkok Post
Thai trade with FTA partners rises 14%
Thailand’s trade with free-trade agreement (FTA) partners rose by 14.2% year-on-year in the first half of the year.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam’s steel exports reach US$2.53 billion in seven months
Vietnam’s steel exports rose 40.4% year on year to 3.41 million tonnes in the first seven months of the year, raking in US$2.53 billion, up 56.3%.
— Nhan Dan Online
Local paper firms face losing out to foreign businesses
A capital shortage for local paper manufacturers could make them lose out to foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises in their own country, according to experts.
— Vietnam Plus
Vietnam’s road development programme
Vietnam is pushing ahead with its road and highway development programme. One crucial project is for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh (HCM) Road project. When complete the route will connect Cao Bang with Ca Mau, with some US$903 million required to finish the work.
— World Highways
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.