Asean Morning News For June 14

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Who lost the South China Sea?
United States (US) Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has spoken out against China’s strategy of “intimidation and coercion” in the South China Sea, including the deployment of anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and electronic jammers, and, more recently, the landing of nuclear-capable bomber aircraft at Woody Island.
— The Asean Post

Southeast Asia’s Grab lands $1B from Toyota at a $10B valuation
Grab, the ride-hailing firm that acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia business earlier this year, is raising a new round of funding and it just announced that it will be led by Toyota, which is committing $1 billion in capital.
— TechCrunch

‘Blood banks across WHO South-East Asia Region need more blood’
Noting that blood banks across the South-East Asian Region including India needed more blood, the World Health Organization (WHO) today stressed the need for donating blood, saying it was one of the easiest ways to be there for someone else and to share life.
— Outlook India

Sea seeks $400M raise to develop its e-commerce and payment businesses
Southeast Asia-based internet firm Sea is raising $400 million through the sale of notes in what would be its first fundraising activity since it went public via in an October 2017 IPO that raised over $1 billion.
— TechCrunch

What is the Cambodia-Lao PDR-Vietnam Development Triangle Area?
With globalisation in full force, more and more Southeast Asian countries are beginning to realise the importance of economic cooperation for the sake of economic growth.
— The Asean Post

Asia central banks juggling risks find solace in food
ASIAN central bankers grappling with wobbly markets, higher energy costs and simmering trade tensions are getting relief from an old foe: food prices.
— BusinessWorld Online

Next Asean meeting on tourism qualifications to be held in Cambodia
The second edition of a conference on the mutual recognition of professionals in the tourism industry across Asean member states will take place in Phnom Penh’s Sokha Hotel on June 20-21.
— Khmer Times

ACMECS meeting aims for strengthened ties
The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) aims to strengthen ties between countries in the Mekong Delta by reducing economic barriers to cooperation.
— Bangkok Post

ASEAN Smart Education and Learning Market Poised to Hit at remarkable 19.7% CAGR Over Period 2016 – 2020
The market is expected to exhibit a remarkable 19.7% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2020. If the prediction holds true, the market is expected to rise from US$36.84 bn to US$88.97 bn by 2020.
— openPR (media release)

Equinix to Connect Vocus Australia Singapore Cable in Australia and Singapore
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the global Interconnection and data center company, today announced the Vocus-owned Australia Singapore Cable (ASC) will be accessible in its International Business ExchangeTM (IBX®) data centers in Singapore and across six metros in Australia, including the Cable Landing Station (CLS) in Perth and points of presence (PoP) in Sydney and Melbourne already announced.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

16th ASEAN overseas Chinese entrepreneurs conference opens in Yunnan
The 16th ASEAN Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Conference opened Wednesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province.
— Xinhua Net

Rationalizing the rise of lite apps in Southeast Asia
UBER is trialing a ‘lite’ version of its app. This move comes just after the company was ousted from Southeast Asia by rival Grab.
— Tech Wire Asia

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Cambodia Condemns US Sanctions on Hun Sen’s Bodyguard Chief Over Rights Abuses
Cambodia’s defense and foreign ministries on Wednesday condemned a U.S. decision to slap sanctions on the commander of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit for decades of human rights abuses, while a top exiled opposition leader hailed the penalties and said Hun Sen ordered the atrocities and should also be sanctioned.
— Radio Free Asia

Cambodia’s Military Apparatus Overhauled Ahead of Tense Election
A close aide to Prime Minister Hun Sen and his eldest son have been promoted to the leading roles in the Cambodian military ahead of July’s general election, according to a report.
— VOA Cambodia

Hun Sen Removes All Challengers Ahead of July Vote
Cambodia’s national elections next month are widely expected to be neither free nor fair after Prime Minister Hun Sen dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in November over its alleged involvement in a plot to topple the government.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Cisokan hydropower plant project needs $800m in investment
State-owned electricity company PLN needs to invest US$800 million for a hydropower plant project located in Upper Cisokan, West Bandung, West Java.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia sneaks up on Singapore with flurry of port projects
It may not look like much right now, but an 1,800-hectare tract of land on the eastern edge of Java symbolizes Indonesia’s future.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Inflation to reach 0.20 to 0.25% in June: Economic chief
Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution has estimated that inflation will reach 0.20 to 0.25 percent in June, due to controllable prices of staple foods during the Ramadhan fasting month and ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Japan injects 23b kip to promote education in Laos
The government of Japan recently provided more than 23 billion kip (JPY 310 million) through the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) for education assistance in Laos.
— Vientiane Times

Workers from Laos to upgrade skills in Japan
LAOS’ Employment Service Centre, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, will send local workers to Japan to upgrade their skills through the Japanese Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP).
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

US rectifies mistake after locating Singapore in Malaysia on website
The US State Department mistakenly made Singapore part of neighbouring Malaysia in a note issued in connection with Tuesday’s (Jun 12) North Korea-US summit and published on its website.
— Channel NewsAsia

Gas Malaysia announces gas price hike
Gas Malaysia Bhd (Gas Malaysia) has announced the revision of natural gas tariff to RM31.92/MMBtu from RM30.90/MMBtu for the non-power sector in Peninsular Malaysia effective July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018.
— New Straits Times

Petronas completes first LNG break bulking ship-to-ship transfer
Petronas’ subsidiary, Petronas LNG Ltd (PLL) has successfully delivered its liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo through its maiden break bulking ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in Brunei Bay, as part of its latest offering as a global LNG portfolio solutions provider.
— The Borneo Post

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Asia Tech Image moving equipment from China to Myanmar
Contact image sensor module maker Asia Tech Image is shifting manufacturing equipment from its factory in China to another in Myanmar to expand monthly production capacity at the latter by 250,000 modules to 900,000 units in July 2018, according to Economic Daily News.
— Digi Times

Myanmar struggles with its Rakhine conundrum
In the face of relentless international criticism, Myanmar is struggling to develop a new strategy to cope with the problems of Rakhine, and the need for a reconciliation process.
— Bangkok Post

Myanmar eases visa rules for visitors from 3 Asian nations
The government hopes to entice more visitors from Japan, South Korea and China by easing visa regulations for travelers from these countries, which have been the main source of foreign tourists for the country in recent years.
— The Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Inbound Philippine Foreign Investments Plummet as Industry Roars (video)
In a warning sign for the Philippine economy inbound foreign investment pledges in the first quarter of 2018 plummeted to their lowest level in 31 quarters while exports, which remained in the red for the full period, racked up a 6.8 per cent contraction.
— AEC News Today (video)

PH among 10 worst countries for workers’ rights, study says
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) on Monday affirmed the result of a study presented by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), saying that the Philippines, under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is among the 10 worst countries for workers’ rights.
— Davao Today

Duterte urged to sign mental health bill into law
In light of the recent suicide cases involving international celebrities, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to sign into law the Mental Health Act which seeks to provide help to Filipinos suffering from depression and other mental health issues up to the community level.
— PTV News

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Singapore economy at risk from faster-than-expected rate hikes
PRIVATE-SECTOR economists have flagged faster-than-expected interest rate increases as one of the top risks to Singapore’s economy over the rest of the year, according to a new survey.
— The Business Times (paywall)

Economists maintain Singapore’s 2018 growth forecast at 3.2%: MAS survey
Private sector economists have maintained their full-year growth forecasts for Singapore at 3.2 per cent, although they highlighted concerns over trade protectionism and rising interest rates.
— Channel NewsAsia

Toyota makes $1 billion ride-hailing bet in Singapore’s Grab stake
Toyota Motor Corp. is making its largest bet to date on ride hailing with a $1 billion investment in Singapore’s Grab Holdings Inc.
— Business-Standard

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Thailand’s 10th rabies victim dies in Rayong
A 10th person has died from Rabies in Rayong according to the Disease Control Department director-general Suwanchai Watanayingcharoenchai today (Wednesday).
— The Thaiger

Foxconn keen on EEC
Foxconn Technology Co Ltd, a Taiwan-based global manufacturer of computers, communication devices and consumer gadgets, is eager to invest in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Thailand, China progress plans to establish joint industrial facility
Thailand and China have progressed plans to set up a jointly run defence industrial facility in the Southeast Asian country that will be focused on supporting Chinese land systems operated by the Royal Thai Army (RTA).
— Janes

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam spends 3.6 million USD on petrol imports
Vietnam imported more than 5.56 million tonnes of oil and petroleum products worth nearly 3.6 billion USD in the first five months of the year.
— VietnamPlus

Scrap imports choke Ho Chi Minh City ports
An increasingly larger quantity of imported scrap has overloaded several seaports in Ho Chi Minh City, which has become an ‘alternative destination’ for the waste dumping after China ceased buying it earlier this year.
— Tuoi Tre

Expositions focus on rubber, paper, coatings, paper ink industries
Domestic and foreign firms operating in the fields of rubber, paper, coatings and paper ink are displaying their products at international expositions that synchronously kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on June 13.
— VietnamPlus

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.