Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Anwar Tells Southeast Asian Nations to Defend Territory against China
Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim said Southeast Asian nations have to defend their territory amid Beijing’s aggressive moves to expand shoals into artificial islands and build military facilities in the South China Sea.
— Benar News
Navigating ASEAN’s economic priorities
Southeast Asian economies may face major economic headwinds this year amid US–China trade tensions and US Federal Reserve interest rate increases.
— East Asia Forum
ASEAN’s human trafficking woes
As most human rights defenders are already aware, Southeast Asia faces a problem when it comes to human trafficking.
— The Asean Post
Meth ‘disaster’ for region as seizures surge in Thailand
Seizures of high-purity crystal methamphetamine have surged more than tenfold in Thailand over the past two years, statistics show, a stark indicator of the growth in industrial-scale production of the stimulant in neighbouring Myanmar.
— Channel NewsAsia
Southeast Asia’s online retail market to reach $53b in 2023
Southeast Asia’s booming economic growth and investment potential have thrown the region into the global eye as of late, in particular in the field of e-commerce.
— KrAsia
Middle Eastern states have lessons to learn from Asean in building friendship with China, say experts at Singapore conference
Rivalry among countries in the Middle East is an obstacle to the region building closer ties with China, and they should take a leaf out of Asean’s playbook, experts said at a conference on Monday.
— South China Morning Post
Thailand loses its ‘cheap living’ reputation – Numbeo
Many of Thailand’s most popular tourist and retiree destinations are becoming the most expensive places in Southeast Asia to settle down, being beaten by Malaysian and Indonesia counterparts.
— The Thaiger
Asean can learn from Middle-East woes: Chan Chun Sing
Singapore and Asean can draw a lesson from the unstable situation in the Middle East that a region needs to have cohesion if it does not want to be a platform for proxy contests by major powers, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing.
— The Straits Times
Challenges to regional security: Territory and terrorism
The two major issues confronting Southeast Asia today are (a) the dispute between and among claimant states for the control of resources in the South China Sea and (b) the rising threat of armed extremist groups.
— BusinessWorld Online
Asian slab import prices up further on bullish sentiment
Import prices for steel slab in Southeast Asia and East Asia increased again over the past week on expectations of higher prices, although the market was quiet amid the week-long Lunar New Year trading lull.
— Fastmarkets MB
‘Missionary Radio’ Giveaway Campaign Kicks Off to Enable Asia’s Unreached to Dial into the Good News
Christian broadcaster FEBC (Far East Broadcasting Company) has launched a year-long initiative to distribute a record number of its free “missionary radios” to unreached people groups, most of whom have never heard the name of Jesus.
— Missions Box
Southeast Asia’s Battle Against Disinformation
Disinformation campaigns have entered the agenda of many states around the globe. As countries continue to introduce solutions, there may emerge a gap among various countries in terms of their capacities to respond to disinformation campaigns.
— The Diplomat
Coping with the Changing Nature of Insurance Distribution in Asia
The first part of this piece looked at the changing face of insurance distribution in Asia, especially with respect to its digitization and through the emergence of new digital channels that are seeing different vendors enter the broader insurance space like never before.
— Brink Asia
ADB urges Asian governments to allot more play spaces
ASIAN cities need play spaces to improve health and employability of individuals, according to experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— Business Mirror
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Countdown begins: EU begins process to strip Cambodia of trade preferences
The European Union (EU) today (Feb 11) commenced the formal process to strip Cambodia of preferential tariff subsidies provided under the Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme.
— AEC News Today
Unions warn Rainsy of strong response if EU withdraws EBA
Union leaders have expressed their regret over Sam Rainsy asking the EU to withdraw the Everything But Arms (EBA) preferential agreement from Cambodia as it is the workers who will be severely affected.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Julau MP: Air Asia will bear cost of repatriating Malaysian detainees
Larry Sng Wei Shien, Malaysian parliamentarian, announced that Air Asia is willing to cover the cost of flying all 47 Malaysians currently detained in Poipet, back home.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Current account deficit recorded at 2.98 percent of GDP in 2018
Bank Indonesia has announced that the current account deficit increased to US$31.1 billion, 2.98 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), in 2018 from the previous year, which stood at $17.29 billion, 1.7 percent of GDP.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia`s reserve assets stand at US$120.1 billion at Jan-end: BI
Indonesia`s official reserve assets at the end of January 2019 were quite high, at US$120.1 billion.
— Antara News
4 years (accused) a stooge: President Jokowi says he’s had enough, hits back at foreign puppet accusations
Among many unsubstantiated rumors that have dogged President Joko Widodo throughout his first term in office — and his ongoing election campaign — are accusations that he’s secretly a member of the defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and a Chinese-Christian.
— Coconuts Jakarta
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Govt satisfied with Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign
Laos ran a successful Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign to attract tourists from around Laos and other countries, which saw visitor numbers increase significantly compared to 2017.
— Vientiane Times
Rail to boost Lao, Thai trade nomies
THE frequency of Lao and Thai people visiting each other’s country will increase, and so will the growth of trade and cooperation in product development.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Ministry, World Bank strengthen partnership in education
The Ministry of Education and Sports and the World Bank have strengthened ties and renewed cooperation in improving standards and outcomes in Laos’ education system.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysian manufacturing sales value up 7.7pc in 2018
The sales value of the manufacturing sector increased 7.7 per cent to RM824.8 billion in 2018, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said today.
— Malay Mail
Malaysia’s IPI up 3.4% in December 2018
Malaysia’s industrial production index (IPI) expanded 3.4% year-on-year in December 2018 driven by the increase in all indices, including manufacturing (4.4%), electricity (2.7%), as well as mining (1%).
— The Sun Daily
Guan Eng: Taxpayers with no foreign bank accounts need not fret
Taxpayers who do not have foreign bank accounts need not worry if they receive a letter or e-mail from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) under the Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme (PKPS).
— The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vice president calls for more competitive rice production
Vice President Henry Van Thio underscored the need for Myanmar farmers to improve the quality and price of rice to make it more globally competitive.
— Myanmar Times
Frenchman arrested for flying drone over Myanmar parliament: Embassy
A French tourist has been arrested for flying a drone near Myanmar’s parliament in the capital Naypyidaw, the French embassy confirmed Monday (Feb 11).
— Channel NewsAsia
Govt asks companies to tighten anti-graft measures
Companies in Myanmar are now required to establish mechanisms for employees to report suspected corrupt practices, according to the latest government announcement.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Philippines in fourth straight month of weaker long-term investment inflows
Long term equity capital entering the Philippines from overseas slowed for the fourth straight month in a row in November 2018 — a trend reversal that ended the record high investment levels being reported earlier last year, data from the central bank showed.
— Inquirer.net
U.S. commits $300M intel support to PH
The United States government has promised to provide the Philippines $300 million to beef up the country’s intelligence gathering capabilities, Malacañang said on Monday.
— CNN Philippines
Approved investments hit P97.9 billion in January 2019
Investments approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) jumped by 91% to P97.9 billion in January 2019 from P51.3 billion in the same month last year, boosted by investments in the energy sector.
— Rappler
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Get ready for pricier private hospital Shield plans and riders
IF you are Singaporean or a resident with a CPF account, you will surely have hospitalisation insurance in the form of MediShield Life, and most likely also a private Integrated Shield plan (IP).
— The Business Times
Singapore’s aged in line for pre-election budget bonus
Singapore’s elderly are primed to benefit from a generous budget unveiled next week, analysts say, as the government prioritizes the needs of a fast-ageing population ahead of an election expected as soon as this year.
— Reuters
Singapore: data leaks in a “Smart Nation”
Medical advances have turned HIV into a manageable condition, allowing people living with HIV (PLHIV) to live as long and healthy as anyone else.
— Lowy Institute
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Al-Araibi walks free as Bahrain withdraws extradition request
BAHRAINI fugitive footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who was facing an extradition trial in Bangkok since his detention in November last year, yesterday walked free after his country decided to withdraw its extradition request.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thai Raksa Chart party in disarray as special meeting of executives collapses
The Thai Raksa Chart party appears to be in disarray after a special meeting of its executive committee, scheduled for Monday evening, was abruptly cancelled due to the lack of…
— Thai PBS World
Mall or park? In crowded Bangkok, ‘last’ open space stirs debate
The fate of a large green space in the middle of one of the world’s most built-up cities is pitting communities and conservationists against developers and cash-strapped authorities in a battle that is increasingly common in Asia.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
HCM City collects 712.5 million USD in land-use change fees
Ho Chi Minh City collected fees of more than 16.49 trillion VND (over 712.5 million USD) last year for changing land-use purposes, according to the city’s Registration Office for Land Use Rights.
— VietnamPlus
HCM City’s master plan to be revised to fuel development
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has permitted Ho Chi Minh City to amend its master plan with a view to bolstering local development.
— VNA NET
North-South Expressway a top priority for government in 2019
Eleven components of the North-South Expressway are among the top priority this year, the government has said.
— VnExpress
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 February 12 added by Digital Editor on
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