Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

 

ASEAN aiming to develop Universal Healthcare Coverage for all member states
Promoting universal healthcare coverage for citizens is now a common goal of ASEAN member states.
— The Thaiger

Asean members up the ante on South China Sea amid code of conduct talks
Southeast Asian nations with claims to the resource-rich South China Sea are upping the ante and may be trying to coordinate their efforts as the deadline approaches for a code of conduct, according to observers.
— South China Morning Post

PH envoy leads Prague lecture on ASEAN as Asian economic powerhouse
A Philippine envoy, together with other top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), spearheaded a lecture introducing the various pillars of Asia’s premier regional bloc before the students and officials of the University of Economics in Prague.
— Manila Bulletin

The RCEP: Impacting ASEAN’s Supply Chains and Business Environment
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been pursuing the finalization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in what is set to be the world’s largest free trade agreement (FTA).
— Asean Briefing

89th joint patrol on Mekong River concludes
The 89th international joint patrol on the Mekong River concluded on December 27, with China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand taking part.
— SGGP

Commentary: The brewing discontent with trade and one step to restoring faith in globalisation
It was supposed to be an optimistic year of a 1.5 to 3.5 per cent boom for the Singapore economy.
— CNA

Key trafficker of Rohingya arrested
A man, 56, was arrested for allegedly smuggling at least 200 Rohingya migrants into the country destined for Malaysia, with the most recent group of 14 migrants arrested in the South.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand leads M&A push in Southeast Asia to fight slow economy
Southeast Asian companies are rushing to make acquisitions in neighboring markets, with Thai players leading the way amid the nation’s slowing economy.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

FDA gets high rating from ASEAN states
ASEAN Member States officially listed the Philippine Food and Drug Administration under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Good Manufacturing Practices for Medicinal Products during the 28th ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality Pharmaceutical Product Working Group Meeting in Indonesia.
— Manilastandard.net

Foreign minister to visit Southeast Asia in early January
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will go on a weeklong trip to Southeast Asia in early January.
— Japan Today

What will Beijing do now that Malaysia has discovered the art of the deal in the South China Sea?
“I’m always moving. I’m moving in both directions,” US President Donald Trump once said, boasting about his “art of the deal” unpredictability strategy.
— South China Morning Post

Slow growth hits airlines
Most people would be all too willing to open their wallets for cheap flight tickets.
— Bangkok Post

What a decade it has been: 10 trends that emerged to the top in the 2010s
It’s hard to believe that 2010 was almost 10 years ago. As we near to close the decade, we look back to the most defining trends that have helped shape the tech and startup world to become what it is today.
— e27

Top 4 trails to run in South East Asia in 2020
Running the trails is a great way to explore the unknown, escape the pressures of urban life and get your daily dose of endorphins but how do you choose the best trails to explore? Everyone has a different set of criteria.
— Run Society

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem          @raksmey.aecnews

 

Cambodia’s economy to slow down if EU withdraws trade preferences: IMF
Cambodia’s economic growth is expected to slow down in 2020 if the European Union (EU) withdraws the Everything but Arm (EBA) trade scheme from the kingdom, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a press release on Friday.
— NEW AGE

Land Rights NGO Says All Phnom Penh Lakes Fully Or Partially Filled
Urban land rights NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut released a report on Friday highlighting the state of lakes in Phnom Penh, saying not a single water body was intact, with 60 percent of lakes completely filled in for development projects.
— VOA 

Cambodian Authorities Bar Villagers in Land Dispute From Hearing RFA
Local authorities in central Cambodia’s Kampong Chhnang province have warned villagers locked in a land dispute not to listen in groups to reports by Radio Free Asia, saying that broadcasts heard over loudspeaker have disturbed their neighbors, sources in the region said.
— RFA 

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

Indonesia’s net international investment liability position slides
Indonesia’s International Investment Position (IIP) recorded a narrower net liability as the position of Foreign Financial Liabilities (FFL) declined.
— Antara News

Authorities seize Rp 12 billion worth of mangrove charcoal
Three containers of mangrove charcoal worth around Rp 12 billion (US$ 860,000) were confiscated from a vessel in waters near Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday.
— The Jakarta Post

2 Policemen Nabbed in Novel Baswedan Case
The Metro Jaya Police have announced the arrests of two alleged police members who were allegedly responsible for the 2017 acid attack on senior Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem         @raksmey.aecnews

 

Locals wary as Laos powers ahead with hydroelectric goals
Most dam projects resuming work after last year’s disaster led to pause in building spree
— The Straits Times

Fake News, Drug Busts, Motordrifting, and Rising Pork Prices – This Week in Social Media
The Laotian Times brings our readers a round-up of some of the most shared topics this past Christmas week, based on reach and engagement on Facebook. From armed robberies and drug busts to high pork prices and new and “bad” teachers, this is the final list of 2019 of the types of content that are commonly shared on Lao social media.
— The Laotian Times​

Measles outbreak in Savannakhet: “make sure your children are vaccinated” say health authorities
The Ministry of Health and Savannakhet Provincial Health Department are urging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles.
— KPL

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Visa-free entry will see more Chinese, Indians visiting Malaysia
The number of tourist arrivals from China and India is expected to increase with the government’s move to provide a 15-day visa-free entry to Malaysia for a one year period from Jan 1.
— New Straits times

What will Beijing do now that Malaysia has discovered the art of the deal in the South China Sea?
“I’m always moving. I’m moving in both directions,” US President Donald Trump once said, boasting about his “art of the deal” unpredictability strategy. But if there is any world leader who truly embodies multidirectional dynamism, it’s Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
— South China morning Post

THE LAST GREEN MILE: Malaysia’s environmental activists and conservationists reflect on the year that was and the way forward
AS I see it, 2019 has been a year of irretrievable losses. From the forest fires of the Amazon and Indonesia (and many other parts of the world) to losing our last Sumatran rhino and reading of the plight of our indigenous communities who have long been guardians of our natural heritage, it seems like conservation has been on the backburner of many governments’ policies and priorities.
— New Straits times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

UN condemns human rights abuse against Myanmar minorities
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution condemning human rights abuses against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, including arbitrary arrests, torture, rape and deaths in detention, according to a UN report.
— Mizzima

UN Approves Funds for War Crimes Inquiries
The United Nations General Assembly adopted on Friday an operating budget of $3.07 billion, including, for the first time, funding for the investigation of war crimes in Syria and Myanmar, despite Russia’s objection.
— AAWSAT

Longest internet disruption in Myanmar’s Rakhine state sets dangerous precedent
On 21 June 2019, Myanmar authorities ordered the blocking of the internet in nine townships of Rakhine and Chin States in northern Myanmar. Six months later, the internet remains blocked in four Rakhine townships: Mrauk U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, and Ponnagyun, establishing a dangerous precedent and prompting protests.
— Global voices

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

 

Typhoon Ursula death toll climbs to 47
At least 41 people were killed when Typhoon Ursula grazed the country’s central islands on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday, December 29.
— Rappler

Du30 drops US visit as visa row heats up
AS A WORD war raged over the US ban on selected Philippine officials and the freezing of their assets, President Duterte rejected a standing invitation to visit the White House, barred the entry of two US senators and threatened to require visiting Americans to secure visas.
— The Philippine Star

PH population growth slows down to 1.5%
The population growth of the Philippines recorded a decline of 0.21 percentage points (ppt) to 1.52% in the latter half of this decade, from the previous 1.73% between 2010 and 2015, according to the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM).
— Philippine Information Agency

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

Sriracha hot sauce recalled over fears of ‘exploding’ bottles: SFA
The Singapore Food Agency said on Friday (Dec 27) it has issued a recall for Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chilli Sauce over fears some bottles could explode when opened.
— Channel News Asia (very annoying popups)

PTC approved 7 per cent hike in bus and train fares, to start today
Starting from today, commuters will be paying for a seven per cent increase in bus and train fares that was earlier approved by the Public Transport Council (PTC).
— The Online Citizen

Cars from M’sia cannot provide transport services from Johor to S’pore unless they have public service vehicle licence
LTA is warning that it will carry out strong enforcement action against errant drivers of such vehicles.
— Mothership

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

 

Thai road toll jumps to 109 after first two days of seven day campaign
Road incidents during the first two days of the seven day New Year holiday period have risen to 974. The southern province of Surat Thani, just north of Phuket, had 33 incidents and 37 people injured.
— The Thaiger

Half a million left Bangkok on buses, vans, says transport firm
Transport Co reports more than 509,016 people left Bangkok on 27,558 inter-provincial buses and vans from Christmas Day to Saturday.
— Bangkok Post

How Thai economy will perform next year?
Thailand’s economy is likely to increase around 2.7-3.0 percent, according to the predictions by several economic institutions.
— Thai PBS News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh city ranked 3rd among the best cities in the world to live
As the New Year approaches, many people will probably start to think of ringing in new changes to their lives. And for many, that may mean finding a new place to live in.
— Vietnam Insider

Vietnam ex-minister gets life sentence for bribery
A court in Vietnam sentenced a former communications minister to life in prison Saturday for receiving millions of dollars in bribes, as the hardline administration presses its anti-graft drive against once-powerful figures in the communist state.
— The Asean Post

Vietnam to Punish Firms for Trade Fraud in China-Product Probe
Vietnam will punish four companies for fraudulent labels on products from China that the firms claim were made locally, as authorities expand their crackdown.
–Bloomberg

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

 

 

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