Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
WHO urges countries to invest on primary health care
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries in Asia and the Pacific to invest more on primary health care services as it celebrated World Health Day on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency
Brunei: sharia gay stoning risk not what it seems (video)
While Brunei continues to pursue its aspirations of becoming a regional Islamic financial hub the implementation of full sharia (Islamic law) during the week means visitors will need to be on their best behavior.
— AEC News Today (video)
Asean members review progress of economic work plans
Senior economic officials from 10 Asean member countries, the Asean Secretariat and four negotiating partnerships met in Vientiane this week to review the progress of the implementation of economic activities.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times
Asean mulls paths to integration
CUSTOMS cooperation and robust financial infrastructure remain the top challenges for Asean in its bid to deepen economic integration and redistribute economic wellbeing.
— The Nation
In diverse Southeast Asia, growing ethnic and religious intolerance poses serious threat to stability
When the one-year anniversary of Malaysia’s historic presidential election outcome rolls around in early May, the wave of euphoria that followed it will be all but a wistful memory.
— The Manila Times
Cheap coal swells in Southeast Asia, foiling global green push
Southeast Asian countries are turning to low-cost coal to satisfy their surging electricity demand as the West shies away from the fossil fuel under pressure from green-minded investors.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
US accelerates project-financing in Asean
Amid China’s growing influence in the Asean region through the Belt and Road Initiative, the United States is stepping up its efforts to finance development projects in the bloc as part of its Indo Pacific Strategy.
— The Nation
Consider creating Asean criminal court
THE Malaysian government can initiate a proposal among the regional countries in Asean to create regional criminal court like the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is more suitable in order to deal with all the crimes committed against humanity carried out by any people or government within the region.
— The Malaysian Insight
Singapore’s Finance Minister Sees Solid Southeast Asia Growth Despite Risks
Singapore and other Southeast Asian economies are poised to remain resilient in the face of increasingly dour signs on the global economy, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat.
— Bloomberg
Southeast Asia’s love for IT and tech talent continues to bloom in 2019
Southeast Asia continued to show its support for tech workers in the New Year, displaying double-digit annual growth during January and February, according to the data provided by the Monster Employment Index, released by Monster.com.
— Networks Asia
Asean’s growth driven by demographics
ACCORDING to a Standard Chartered Bank report on Asean corporates, their growth will continue despite global economic uncertainty due to the region’s burgeoning middle class and young population.
— The Business Times (paywall)
Fighting illegal fishing
In football, the yellow card is a warning for a player to behave himself as he may get sent off the pitch if he receives a second one – and a subsequent red card.
— The Asean Post
Asian banks assured of state support
BIG BANKS in the Philippines and other major Asia-Pacific economies can be assured of “extraordinary” state support like bailouts in times of distress, faring better than peers elsewhere, S&P Global Ratings said in an April 5 report.
— BusinessWorld Online
BSP signs currency settlement deals with ASEAN central banks
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) has forged agreements with the central banks of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as they look to set up direct settlement systems across currencies.
— BusinessWorld Online
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Cambodia to Build One Hydropower and Two Solar Farms, 200MW
Cambodia decided to build one more hydropower and two more solar farms that will produce 200MW energy in total, according to the government’s decision made at the cabinet meeting on Friday at the Peace Palace.
— Fresh News
$110 million contributed toward demining
The government has contributed more than $110 million toward mine clearance operations, management of mine action institutions and through tax exemptions on demining equipment over the last 10 years.
— Khmer Times
Four More Energy Projects Approved by Cambodian Cabinet Ministers
To further expand energy supply in the country, the Cabinet Meeting has endorsed four more energy projects – a hydropower and three solar power projects – pointed out a press release from the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office of the Council of Ministers.
— Agence Kampuchea Presse
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Indonesia’s desperate housewives chase selfies on election trail
Tears stream down Lilis Hastirini’s mascara-smudged face after she waited hours to snap a selfie with Indonesia’s president, only to be thwarted by a crush of other female fans with the same idea.
— The Jakarta Post
Fisheries Ministry seizes another Malaysian-flagged fishing boats
Indonesian maritime affairs and fisheries authorities apprehended another Malaysian-flagged fishing boat in the Indonesian waters in the Malacca Strait on Sunday morning.
— Antara News
Indonesia Presidential Race Heats Up Amid Mass Campaign Rallies
Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto called for change in a rally Sunday, talking down the government’s economic performance as competition heats up ahead of an election next week.
— Bloomberg
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Laos Criminalizes Animal Abuse in Updated Penal Code
Laos has added a new section to its penal code that criminalizes animal abuse.
— The Laotian Times
Police issue warning against drink driving, speeding over Pi Mai Lao
This year police intend to strictly enforce the law with regard to irresponsible road users during the upcoming Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) festivities from April 14-16, saying that violators, especially drunk drivers, will be penalised.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
President Bounnhang Urges Laos-China Railway Project To Meet Quality Standards
President Bounnhang Vorachit has urged relevant sectors of the Laos-China Railway Project to ensure the project meets required quality standards and environmental requirements.
— KPL
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia, Singapore settle airspace dispute
Malaysia and Singapore have reached an agreement on settling an airspace dispute after several months of negotiations.
— VietnamPlus
Why Malaysia needs one law to cover all tobacco products
A former health ministry official has called on Putrajaya to develop an umbrella law on all tobacco products so as to plug loopholes in existing regulations.
— FMT
RM316.9m allocation for construction of rural roads in Sabah
The Rural Development Ministry is committed to further strengthening Sabah’s rural transport network via the implementation of 81 rural road construction projects involving an allocation of RM316.9 million this year.
— Malay mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar’s population has reached 54.1 million as of April 1
Myanmar’s population has reached 54.1 million as of April 1, growing by 1.32 percent from 2017, said a statement released by the country’s Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population late on Saturday.
— Famagusta-gazette
Rohingya rights group says air strike kills over 20
Dhaka, April 7 (IANS) A Rohingya rights group in Bangladesh on Sunday said more than 20 people were killed and 50 were injured during an air strike on April 3 by the Myanmar Army on members of the ethnic group in Rakhine state, contradicting the government version of the incident.
— Canindia
Myanmar Opens Market For Foreign Insurances
Five foreign companies have been granted provisional licenses to sell life insurance policies through subsidiaries following more than two years of delay in opening up the Myanmar insurance market.
— Investvine
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Policy easing now more likely as inflation slows to 3.3%
HEADLINE inflation slowed to a 15-month low of 3.3 percent in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday, bolstering the chances that monetary authorities could begin relaxing policy next month.
— The Manila Times
Gov’t borrowings surge to P309 B
The national government’s gross borrowings in the first two months rose almost two-fold compared to year-ago level due to the higher volume of domestic securities issued during the period, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.
— The Philippine Star
Philippines President Duterte warns China of ‘suicide attacks’ if it invades island
It’s a tactic not seen since the dying days of World War II: desperate soldiers, sailors and pilots flinging themselves at their enemies in suicide attacks.
— News.com.au (video)
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Fake news laws: Proposed appeal process ‘the most cost-effective way’, says law ministry
The process by which individuals can appeal against government directions against falsehoods, under proposed new laws against fake news, is “the most cost-effective way”, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said on Saturday (April 6).
— Today Online
Singapore is betting on its integrated resorts – but will the $9 bil ‘IR 2.0’ plan be enough?
With its dramatic architecture of three curved hotel towers, topped with the world’s biggest cantilever, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has become an iconic representation of Singapore.
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore says it has received no communication or information from Malaysia related to development of a ship-to-ship transfer hub in the Straits of Johor
The Government of Singapore stated that it has not received any communication or information from Malaysia related to the development of a ship-to-ship transfer hub in the Straits of Johor by KA Petra Sdn Bhd and Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd.
— The Online Citizen
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Manipulation suspicions mount in Thailand’s post-coup election
Thailand’s first general election since a 2014 army coup has been touted by the ruling military junta as a return to democratic rule, but two weeks after the vote, results are still unclear and allegations of manipulation are mounting.
— Reuters
“Toxic air pollution shortens children’s lives by 20 months”
In the wake of the PM’s visit to Chiang Mai this week, and more than two months of high levels of hazardous air pollution, a report emerges that links air pollution to the life expectancy of children.
— The Thaiger
OIC offers insurance premiums at 7 baht for road travelers during Songkran
The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has cooperated with the insurance business sector to offer insurance premiums under the Songkran Took-Jai micro-insurance scheme at seven baht for road travelers during the Songkran festival, with compensation of 100,000 baht in cases of death in an accident.
— NNT
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam Wants 5% Of Population To Own Stocks
The Vietnam government is encouraging its people to have confidence in the stock market and buy more securities as provision for the future, local media noted.
— Investvine
Vietjet launches five new domestic routes
New-age carrier Vietjet inaugurated five new routes connecting Cần Thơ with Hải Phòng, Vinh, Thanh Hóa, Nha Trang and Đà Lạt at Cần Thơ International Airport on Saturday.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam’s small vendors fight supermarkets with social media
Small vendors in Vietnam are pulling out all the stops to counter the onslaught of Western-style supermarkets, convenience stores and the like that are gradually changing the retail sector.
— Nikkei Asian Review
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.
Asean morning news for April 8 added by Digital Editor on
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