Asean Morning News For May 10

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Is the South China Sea Dispute a Foregone Conclusion?
The security temperature in the South China Sea (SCS) has ratcheted precipitously in recent weeks.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

Mekong River nations face the hidden costs of China’s dams
Sam In, a 48-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia’s northeastern province of Stung Treng, never knew that people paid for water until he was forced to move out of his home on the banks of a Mekong River tributary two years ago.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Singapore, Malaysia more powerful than Indonesia…for now: Study
Indonesia is not the most powerful nation in ASEAN, according to the latest study by the Lowy Institute, which ranks the largest Southeast Asian country behind Singapore and Malaysia in terms of power.
— Asia One

Why ASEAN Needs to Invest More in Cybersecurity
Last month, heads of state gathered in Singapore for the 32nd annual ASEAN Summit to discuss a wide variety of issues—from the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea and the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, to advancing regional economic integration and navigating geopolitical power shifts.
— Asia Foundation

ASEAN-driven Indo-Pacific a strategic necessity?
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, in his address during the recently held ASEAN Summit in Singapore, maintained that the regional grouping must continue to stay relevant in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical and geoeconomics environment.
— The Jakarta Post

Asean’s active role in the greening of growth
SUSTAINABILITY issues are still often seen as long-term concerns, rather than requiring urgent attention, despite the Paris agreement to take action to address climate change. Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), there have also been transboundary challenges – such as the fires and haze of past years – that question countries’ real commitment to implementing sustainability pledges.
— The Business Times

Getting ready for the Asean smart cities network
At the 32nd Asean Summit last month, Singapore introduced the Asean Smart Cities Network (ASCN) as one of the key deliverables. The ASCN is aimed at being prepared for the security and socio-economic implications arising from changing centres of urban populations.
— Khmer Times

Is certification enough to protect Southeast Asia’s forests?
There is no questioning the value that certification could bring to agroforestry, a sector lumbered with a range of issues from the abuse of indigenous people’s rights and deforestation, to biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions.
— Eco-Business

Huawei broadens its scope of ISP offerings in Southeast Asia
IN A BID to improve the efficiency of Internet service providers (ISPs) in Southeast Asia, Huawei Technologies Co yesterday launched three products designed to accelerate ISPs’ digital transformation.
— The Nation

Coral Triangle at risk
The Coral Triangle, a marine region stretching across Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste, is endangered by extensive human activities.
— The Asean Post

The Philippines has lowest ecological footprint in Asean
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to be one among the hundred who attended the launch of the National Footprint Accounts 2018 Edition of the Global Footprint Network.
— The Manila Times

Fed returns to centre stage for Asia as US yields near 3%
THE decoupling thesis – that Asia is now more immune from what goes on at the Federal Reserve – is being tested as 10-year US Treasury yields hover near 3 per cent.
— The Business Times

ASEAN economic integration
While calling to mind a broken record, the constant extolling of the ASEAN economic framework by external parties is warranted.
— The Asean Post

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

NGOs, Rights Groups Slam Takeover of Cambodia’s ‘Last Independent Paper’
In a statement released on Wednesday, Cambodian civil society organizations slammed the takeover by a government-linked businessman of The Phnom Penh Post, calling the move and the subsequent firings or resignations of large numbers of its staff a “blow to press freedom” in the country.
— Radio Free Asia

Phnom Penh welcomes high-speed public Wi-Fi
Visitors and residents of Phnom Penh can now enjoy free Wi-Fi in selected parks around the city thanks to a project launched yesterday by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
— Khmer Times

Growing Real Estate Creates More Jobs, says US Ambassador to Cambodia
U.S Ambassador to Cambodia William A. Heidt said that the real estate in Cambodia has grown gradually and that it has attracted more investment and businesses to boost the Kingdom’s economy, speaking on Wednesday at the Grand Opening of the Chem-Dry Cambodia Company, an American-Cambodian company.
— Fresh News

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Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

ISIS claims role in deadly Indonesia prison riot
A riot at a police detention center near Indonesia’s capital left five officers and a prisoner dead and another officer held hostage Wednesday. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) said its fighters were involved but authorities blamed the violence on a food fight.
— CBSN

Indonesian presidential envoy donates US$200,000 to Taipei City
A special envoy of Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced Wednesday that he was donating US$200,000 to help disadvantaged people in Taipei City.
— Focus Taiwan

Indonesia affirms cap on foreign ownership in insurers at 80%
Indonesia has enacted Regulation no.14/2018 on Foreign Ownership of Insurance Companies, which came into force on 18 April 2018 and confirms a maximum threshold for foreign ownership of an Indonesian insurance company of 80%.
— Lexology

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Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Germany provides over 67 billion kip for vocational education development
The German government has agreed to provide a grant of over 67 billion kip (EUR 6.8 million) for the Vocational Education Financing Facility (VEFF) project in Laos.
— Vientiane Times

Climate change and education agreements inked during Laos President’s state visit
Singapore and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic inked an agreement on Wednesday evening (May 9) to fight climate change and enhance sustainable development.
— The Straits Times

PM Thongloun urges media to improve quality
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has urged media personnel to deliver news more accurately and promptly, saying this would improve the quality and effectiveness of their work.
— Vientiane Times

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Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Mahathir-led opposition declares victory
MALAYSIA’S Opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) on Wednesday night said it has won enough parliamentary seats in Malaysia’s general election to form the next government, but the Election Commission said no party has simple majority of 112 seats as of 1.42 am, with 47 seats yet to be confirmed.
— Business Times

Malaysia Elections: Lower Turnout, Not Enough Voting Stations
Malaysia’s 14th general elections ended at 5pm Malaysian time on May 9, with many voters complaining about logistical problems such as too few polling stations and the inconvenience that the elections were being held on a weekday.
— Investvine

Prime Minister Najib Razak defeated as opposition claims victory in Malaysia
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has suffered a stunning elections loss to former leader Mahathir Mohamad, who at 92 is set to become the world’s oldest leader.
— CNN

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Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

U.N. Security Council pushes Myanmar on accountability over Rohingya
The United Nations Security Council urged Myanmar’s government on Wednesday to carry out transparent investigations into accusations of violence against mainly Rohingya Muslims in the country’s Rakhine state and to allow immediate aid access to the region.
— Reuters

EU To Extend About $300m Grant To Myanmar To Promote Education
The European Union (EU) will extend a grant aid of 221 million Euros (294 million U.S. dollars) to Myanmar for promoting the country’s quality education, Myanmar News Agency reported on Wednesday.
— PM News

Myanmar Verifies More Than 1,000 Refugees in Bangladesh for Repatriation
Myanmar will repatriate more than 1,000 Muslim refugees who have fled northern Rakhine State for Bangladesh, Union Immigration and Population Minister U Thein Swe said on Monday.
— The Irrawaddy

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Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Exports sank 8% to $5.5-billion in March
Trade deficit widened to $2.6 billion in March, as exports sank for the third straight month this year and imports barely grew, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.
— Manila Standard

DBM to pay out P36.2B for gov’t employees’ midyear bonuses
Over 1.5 million government employees will receive a total of P36.2 billion in tax-free midyear bonuses beginning May 15, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced on Wednesday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

ABS-CBN serves $3.86-million claim vs Dazcon for illegal distribution of copyrighted movies, TV shows
MULTIMEDIA conglomerate ABS-CBN Corp. served on Wednesday a $3.86-million statement of claim against Dazcon Inc. pursuant to an issuance of a Canadian Federal Court over the latter’s illegal distribution of copyrighted movies and television shows.
— Business Mirror

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Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

AI Singapore forges partnership to push Singapore’s AI Agenda
On 8 May, AI Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further efforts to enhance Singapore’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to power the future digital economy.
— Open Gov Asia

Singapore, Brazil ink avoidance of double taxation pact
SINGAPORE and Brazil have signed a comprehensive bilateral Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), as part of the ongoing effort to further facilitate bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Tax measures approved for smart city, logistics plans
THE BOARD of Investment yesterday approved a slew of tax measures to support investments for smart cities and smart logistics centres, according to its secretary-general Duangjai Asawachintachit.
— The Nation

Investment applications more than triple in Q1
Thailand’s private investment applications in January-March more than tripled from a year earlier to 205 billion baht, mainly for projects in the country’s industrial east, the investment promotion agency said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

EU looking to return to FTA talks under elected Thai government
THE European Union delegation visiting Thailand is optimistic of making a breakthrough in free trade talks with Thailand within four years, under the elected future government.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam stock valuations seen as pricey after IPO binge
Vietnam has just celebrated its two biggest IPOs and its first-ever ranking as Southeast Asia’s hottest capital market.
— The Borneo Post

Adidas sees ongoing sourcing shift from China to Vietnam
The chief executive of Adidas expects a shift in its sourcing of footwear from China to Vietnam to continue although he shrugged off concerns on Wednesday about the possible imposition of U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made shoes.
— Channel NewsAsia

Foreign firms eager to buy stakes in Vietnam’s state-owned energy firms
The government’s hunt for foreign investment has attracted interest from foreign buyers.
— VnExpress

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.