Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Less nationalism, more connectivity: ASEAN leader
Connectivity projects can grow in the region only if there is a “political atmosphere” and “nationalist rhetoric” is reduced, says Thailand’s Ambassador to India and a key official convening the ASEAN-India summit this week here, referring to the challenges of free trade negotiations, border trade logistics and the infrastructure in India’s northeastern States.
— The Hindu
Asean journalists to meet in Bangkok to discuss new challenges
Journalists from Asean countries will meet in Bangkok on Friday to discuss enhancing cooperation to cope with challenges posed by the fast-changing media landscape.
— The Nation
‘Fake news’ crutch used by ASEAN leaders to control media, critics charge
Governments across Southeast Asia have a history of using laws and the judiciary to curb press freedoms – now, they have found a handy crutch to lean on as they intensify clampdowns: US President Donald Trump’s “fake news” mantra.
— GMA News Online
Nearly one billion Asians in vulnerable jobs, says ILO
Despite decades of world-beating economic growth that has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and into middle class life, around 900 million more Asian workers remain in what the International Labour Organization deems “vulnerable” employment.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Singapore leads Asean in its cyber security policies, but the region needs to work together : Report
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with predictions that the digital economy will add one trillion dollars to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the next 10 years.
— Business Insider
China gains ASEAN support for South China Sea activities
China’s foreign ministry extended its gratitude to Indonesia’s defense minister after he reportedly expressed support for China’s policies in the South China Sea.
— Newsline
Uber appoints new leaders for Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar markets
US ride-hailing major Uber has appointed two new members to its Asia Pacific’s leadership team as a part of its plan to improve service quality in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, according to its latest statement today.
— DealStreetAsia
ASEAN pushes India to conclude RCEP this year
Mounting pressure on New Delhi to give an early consent to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership — a mega regional trade pact being negotiated by sixteen nations — the 10-member ASEAN expressed hope that India would not let the bloc down in its efforts to conclude the agreement this year.
— The Hindu Business Line
Drug production in Laos and Myanmar still a major threat
In December 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its latest report on opium production in Myanmar and, at face value, the news was good. Since 2015, the area of cultivated opium poppy in Myanmar’s Shan and Kachin states has decreased by 25% to 41,000 hectares.
— The Strategist
Why It Matters That ASEAN Leaders Are Heading to India
Heads of state and government from the ten ASEAN states are heading to India. Here’s why that matters.
— The Diplomat
Belt and Road Initiative to promote Southeast Asian economy: HSBC economist
A senior HSBC economist on Monday expressed high expectations for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to promote the Southeast Asian economy.
— Xinhua Net
Strategic Analysis of the Printed Electronics Market in Southeast Asia
This study provides an understanding of the printed electronics market in Southeast Asia. It analyses the factors impacting the market and the major companies operating in the domain. It also provides a product-wise break-up and discusses key end users and compares competitors.
— Satprnews
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Hun Sen Says Further Media Restrictions Needed to Stifle ‘Fake News’
Prime Minister Hun Sen this week called for tighter restrictions on media freedoms, describing independent reporting outlets as purveyors of “fake news” during a meeting with journalists.
— VOA
NBC officials appointed to CPP central committee
Three deputy governors at the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) were appointed to the ruling party’s central committee at the party’s congress on Sunday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
FUNCINPEC’s Spokesman: Sam Rainsy’s Movement Is to Seek Fundings
Nheb Bunchin, spokesman of FUNCINPEC Party, on Monday, said that the Cambodia National Rescue Movement (CNRM) initiated by Sam Rainsy, aims to seek funding from abroad only and cannot help Kem Sokha at all.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Salt producer association rejects 3.7 million tons of salt
The Indonesian Traditional Salt Producers Association (KNTI) has rejected the government’s plan to import 3.7 million tons of salt, said KNTI chairman Misbachul Munir in Jakarta on Sunday.
— The Jakarta Post
Farmers stage rally against planned rice imports
Hundreds of farmers in Sukolilo sub-district, Pati district, Central Java, staged a rally on Monday to protest against the government`s plan to import rice, stating that it will lower local rice prices.
— Antara
Indonesia sets lower inflation target this year
The Indonesian government set a lower inflation rate this year amid rising food prices, Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said here on Monday.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Poor Administration, Infrastructure Fetter Laos’ Growth
Lao PDR is among the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia: economic growth has averaged 7.8 per cent over the past decade. Despite the slow recovery of the global economy, the country’s growth rate was 6.9 per cent in 2017 and is expected to be 7 per cent in 2018. This is buoyed by an expansion in electricity production, manufacturing and agriculture, and it occurs despite a slight drop in tourist arrivals.
— AEC News Today
Drug production in Laos and Myanmar still a major threat
In December 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its latest report on opium production in Myanmar and, at face value, the news was good. Since 2015, the area of cultivated opium poppy in Myanmar’s Shan and Kachin states has decreased by 25% to 41,000 hectares.
— The Strategist
President calls for Lao People’s Army to strengthen its resolve
The armed forces need to further enhance their integrity and be loyal to the Party in all circumstances, notably in the two strategic tasks of national defence and development.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia ready to take on gold industry
Malaysia is now poised to take on the world in the gold industry.
— New Straits Times
Thai SCG Packaging acquires majority stake in Malaysian firm for $26.5m
SCGP Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thailand’s largest packaging paper firm SCG Packaging, has acquired 68.3 per cent stake in Malaysia’s Interpress Printers Sendirian Berhad (IPSB) for 104.5 million ringgit ($26.5 million), according to a Stock Exchange of Thailand filing on Monday.
— DealStreetAsia
Malaysia to consult WTO on EU palm oil ban
Malaysia will voice out unethical and unfair trade practices by the European Union (EU) in the next World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Reuters reporters accused under Official Secrets Act due in Myanmar court
Two Reuters journalists detained in Myanmar are due to appear in court on Tuesday, when a judge could review a bail request for the pair accused of violating the country’s colonial-era Official Secrets Act.
— Reuters
Rohingya Muslims’ repatriation to Myanmar postponed
The gradual repatriation of more than 650,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar from Bangladesh has been postponed amid widespread fears that refugees would be forced to return against their will, a Bangladeshi official has said.
— The Guardian
Drug production in Laos and Myanmar still a major threat
In December 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its latest report on opium production in Myanmar and, at face value, the news was good. Since 2015, the area of cultivated opium poppy in Myanmar’s Shan and Kachin states has decreased by 25% to 41,000 hectares.
— The Strategist
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Philippines to deport Hamas ‘rocket scientist’
The Philippines said Monday it would deport an elderly Iraqi man described as a scientist for Hamas and accused of helping the Palestinian militant group lob missiles at Israel.
— ABS-CBN
Philippines’ president asks military to shoot him if he extends his tenure
The firebrand leader sought to dispel speculation he had ordered loyalists in congress to change the constitution to introduce a federal system that would let him stay in power beyond 2022, when his single term ends.
— The Cable
Cyber fraud threatens integrity of PH banking system
A LITTLE over a week ago, social media was flooded with reports of livid customers, including many overseas Filipino workers (OFW), who claimed to have lost thousands of pesos from unauthorized transactions from their online bank accounts.
— The Manila Times
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore may be ageing, but its leadership cannot be aged: DPM Teo
Although Singapore’s population is greying, it must not allow its national leadership to become aged, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
— Today Online
Singtel Takes Aim at Self-Centred Singaporeans… Again (HD video)
After racking up almost 5.3 million views for its pre-Christmas ‘sadvertisement’ on how phubbing almost ruined ‘Ah Ma’s Christmas’, Singapore telecommunications company Singtel is back pricking the social conscious of Singaporeans again with ‘Mr Lim’s Reunion Dinner’.
— AEC News Today
Introduction of dual-class shares by Singapore Exchange raises concerns
It is a win for company founders looking to go public in Singapore but some investors may lose out when the Singapore Exchange (SGX) introduces dual-class shares later this year.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Prawit must resign; Pridiyathorn
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon must resign before his reputation is ruined by the ongoing saga over his collection of luxury wristwatches, former deputy prime minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said Monday.
— Bangkok Post
MP election law enactment delayed by 90 days – NLA
A special committee of the National Legislative Assembly has announced a three-month delay in the enactment of the new law governing the election of the Members of Parliament.
— NNT
Exports rise 9.9% to six-year high
Thailand finished last year with export growth of 9.9%, the highest in six years, propelled by higher purchases from key trading partners, especially the US, EU, Asean and China.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Demand for beef up in Vietnam
Vietnam paid 410 million USD for imported beef last year due to increasing demand, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
— VietnamPlus
Thailand’s SCG makes bid to fully acquire Vietnam’s Long Son Petrochemicals complex
Thai industrial conglomerate Siam Cement Group (SCG) has proposed to acquire the 29 per cent stake in Vientam’s Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP) Complex that it does not currently own from Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam).
— DealStreetAsia
Vietnam’s Habeco stake to be sold at market price without ‘discounts’
Carlsberg A/S, the Danish brewer negotiating to buy a majority stake in Hanoi Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp., must pay market price if it wants to acquire Vietnam’s second-largest beer maker.
— DealStreetAsia
See here for more of today’s Vietnam Morning News
Asean Morning News is the most comprehensive selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. All articles are hand curated by the team at AEC News Today. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.