Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
PH urges ASEAN to share moves vs money laundering
Member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should share efforts in deterring money-laundering schemes that have been proven to be a primary funding source of international terrorist activities, a Philippine official said.
— ABS-CBN News (video)
ASEAN and China struggle to buckle the belt and road
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to draw criticism and disapproval.
— Milbank Monitor
Southeast Asia’s energy majors pivot sharply to green power
Southeast Asian energy companies, long dependent on fossil fuels, are rapidly turning to renewable energy to answer the mounting demand for electricity in the fast-developing region.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
US using OPIC to counter China’s BRI
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is set for a revamp, and it is squarely aimed at countering China’s growing geopolitical influence.
— The Asean Post
Members of ASEAN keen to finalise RCEP agreement this year
The finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement within this year and enhanced regional connectivity figured in the Asean-India senior officials’ meeting, which finalised a calendar of joint activities for 2019.
— Hindustan Times
ASEAN security cooperation on agenda following IS defeat
Late last month, Kurdish-led forces announced they had conquered the last stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Baghouz, eastern Syria, but the defeat is no cause for relief for countries in Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
ASEAN urged to collaborate vs. financing of terrorism
The Philippines has underscored the need for member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to share their efforts and initiatives in deterring money laundering schemes, which have been proven to be among the primary tools being used to fund international terrorist activities.
— Philippine News Agency
Southeast Asia looks for outside help to flush sewage problems
Southeast Asia’s growing industrial activity and rising population are spelling disaster to natural waterways, forcing nations in the region to ramp up spending on sewage projects to tackle the problem of poor water quality.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Will China Undermine Its Own Influence in Southeast Asia Through the Belt and Road?
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China’s grand plan to revive ancient trading routes over both land and sea.
— The Diplomat
India, ASEAN vow to step up ties in maritime sector, boost connectivity
India and ASEAN have resolved to strengthen ties by deepening cooperation in the maritime sector and boosting connectivity.
— Daily Excelsior
ASEAN countries boost trade ties with western Mexican state
A business cooperation forum was held in the western state of Jalisco, the second biggest economic centre of Mexico, on April 11 and 12 to foster its multifaceted relations with ASEAN countries, particularly in trade, investment, education and tourism.
— Vietnam Plus
Small firms in Vietnam and Indonesia most optimistic about 2019: survey
SMALL businesses in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines did the best in 2018 and are most optimistic about 2019, according to a survey of small firms across 10 Asia-Pacific markets, released on April 10.
— The Business Times (paywall)
Poland to join 16th China-ASEAN Expo as special partner
Poland will become the special partner of the 16th China-ASEAN Expo slated for Sept. 20 to 23 in Nanning, the capital city of southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to the expo secretariat.
— China.org.cn
ASEAN Secretariat, ICRC identify challenges & opportunities for humanitarian action
ASEAN Secretariat and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) co-organised the first workshop on challenges and humanitarian action in Southeast Asia in Jakarta yesterday.
— ReliefWeb
Japan cruise ports lose Chinese traffic to Southeast Asia
Hakata and Nagasaki in southwestern Japan are losing their luster as ports of call for cruise ships from China, as Chinese vacationers increasingly head for Southeast Asia.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
The future of drones in ASEAN
Better regulations and wider acceptance from the general public are key to the growth of commercial drone use across the region.
— The Asean Post
Can AI help bridge digital divide in Southeast Asia?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has now inevitably become a flourishing technological sphere capable of amending every aspect of our social interaction.
— The Jakarta Post
Asean’s top venture lender InnoVen increases its tempo
SOUTH-EAST Asia’s top venture debt firm InnoVen Capital sees room to be more active in deals this year, as startup founders look to reduce equity dilution without losing sight on growth, said a senior executive from InnoVen.
— The Business Times
Traders worry as African swine fever keeps spreading
The relentless proliferation of African swine fever on farms in East Asia is sending shivers through the region’s livestock industry, with more than a million hogs culled since the disease first appeared in August, and that’s just according to official tallies.
— StarHerald
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
New Year celebrations to be held all over Kingdom
Since the beginning of the month, main streets in cities across the Kingdom have been colourfully decorated to welcome Khmer New Year, or Sankranta Chhnam Thmei.
— Khmer Times
S’pore’s alleged use of too much Cambodian sand to reclaim land highlighted again in recent documentary
Thanks to a short 16-minute film put up online recently, the little red dot has come under the spotlight again.
— Mothership
The rising cost of Hun Sen’s rule in Cambodia
On 4 April, a group of international buyers’ associations from the garment, footwear, sporting, and travel goods industries sent a letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to express concerns over abusive labour practices and human-rights violations.
— The Asean Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Indonesians to vote in world’s biggest single-day election
Tens of millions of Indonesians will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections this week after campaigns focused on the economy, but with political Islam looming ever larger in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation.
— Reuters
Stray ballots for Jokowi found in Malaysia
Indonesia is probing vote-rigging claims after the discovery of thousands of stray election ballots in neighbouring Malaysia, officials said, as the opposition threatens to challenge next week’s poll results over separate voter list irregularities.
— The Asean Post
Bank of Indonesia Records Rp91 Trillion Capital Inflows
The Bank of Indonesia has recorded nearly Rp91 trillion or US$6.44 billion of capital inflows during 2019. About Rp75 trillion of this has been invested in government debt papers, whilst the remainder has been invested in the stock exchange.
— Indonesia Expat
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
Laos, China, Thailand agree to speed up work on regional rail link
Authorities in Laos, China and Thailand have agreed to speed up the construction of railways to link the three countries, a Lao minister has said.
— Vientiane Times
Laos to launch electric vehicle charging system
Laos is stepping up efforts for the use of electric vehicles in the country and will be launching a pilot project for vehicle battery charging stations.
— Investvine
Survivors of Laos dam collapse question where aid dollars went
When a dam collapsed in the South-East Asian nation of Laos, destroying a village downstream and killing dozens of people, Australia was one of the countries to offer emergency aid.
— ABC News (video)
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
Najib’s trial continues tomorrow with defence to cross-examine first witness
The trial of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s case involving RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds will continue tomorrow with his defence team to cross-examine the first witness.
— Malay Mail
Giving absolute power to royals is a big No-No for PM Mahathir
With the ongoing row between Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the Johor royal family, Mahathir is unwavering in his position that absolute power should not be awarded to royals.
— The Independent
Vietnam woman in Kim brother murder to be freed on May 3
A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday.
— The Independent
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
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Myanmar-Thailand trade down 12% in February
Myanmar’s overseas trade with Thailand exceeded US$400 million in February, a decrease of $56 million, or 12 per cent, from this time last year, according to the latest monthly trade report issued by the Ministry of Commerce. The total bilateral trade included some $250 million in exports and …
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Yankin housing project to emerge as new image of Yangon urban development
The news that Yangon region government and Japanese government are going to cooperate in the reconstruction of Yankin housing project located in Yankin Township is coming into view at a time when collaborative efforts are being made for Yangon urban development. Yangon regional parliamentarians …
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Individuals’ border trade reaches over 23 mln USD in mid-FY 2018-19 in Myanmar
Myanmar’s border trade using Individual Trading Cards (ITCs) reached over 34.77 billion kyats (23.18 million U.S. dollars) over the first half of present fiscal year 2018-2019, according to Myanmar’s Commerce Ministry on Sunday.
— Xinhuanet
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
Agriculture dep’t hoping to get Japan to ease 100% banana testing regime
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to meet with the Japanese government to seek an easing of its 100% testing regime for Philippine banana imports, after inspectors found unacceptable levels of chemical residue in one shipment last year.
— BusinessWorld
PH claims on Spratlys, WPS solid: DND chief
The country’s claims on the Spratly islands and West Philippine Sea are on solid ground.
— Philippine News Agency
Highest heat index in Metro Manila recorded at 40.8C — Pagasa
METRO Manila hit its highest heat index or human discomfort so far in 2019 when it hit 40.8 degrees Celsius (C) on Saturday, the state bureau said.
— Manila Times
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Singapore Q1 GDP growth hits decade low
SINGAPORE’S economy is growing at the slowest clip since the global financial crisis, according to flash data for the first three months of the year.
— The Business Times
Massive cost overrun in infrastructure projects in Singapore in recent years
The media reported on Thu (‘Final stage of Circle Line to cost $4.85b’, 11 Apr) that the final stretch of Circle Line which would add three more stations linking Marina Bay to HarbourFront is expected to cost $4.85 billion. But in 2015, it was projected that it should cost only $3.7 …
— The Online Citizen
Singapore urged to tap AI to sustain growth
Singapore needs to tap artificial intelligence (AI) to sustain economic growth, Smart Nation and Digital Government Office deputy secretary Tan Kok Yam said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ
Day Three: Songkran road deaths show a dramatic drop
There has been 1,665 traffic accidents, with 174 deaths and 1,728 people injured in the first three days of the Songkran ‘seven days of danger’ (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).
— The Thaiger
2,294 vehicles impounded, 71,307 charged for drink-driving in 3 days
Officials have charged a total of 71,307 people for drink-driving and impounded 2,294 vehicles between April 11-13, the first three days of the campaign against drink-driving over Songkran, National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) deputy spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post
Severe localised storms predicted for central, north and north-east until April 16
The meteorological office (TMD) says there could be localised severe thunder storms for the entire upper area of the country until Tuesday.
— The Thaiger
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
Vietnam to step back and take relook at high-speed rail
The much vaunted $58.71 billion trans-Vietnam high speed rail needs a fresh cost-benefit analysis, government leaders say.
— VN Express
Vietnam’s exports to CPTPP countries set to surge
Vietnam’s exports to member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are expected to increase strongly through 2030, reaching 25 percent of the nation’s total exports, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT).
— VNA NET
Vietnam woman in Kim brother murder to be freed on May 3
A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday. Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1. …
— The Independent
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.
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