Asean morning news for June 11

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

ASEAN’s clean chit to Myanmar
A leaked report prepared by the regional body’s Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) on the Rohingya issue exposes a preposterous attempt to hide the facts about the brutality committed by the Myanmar army in Rakhine.
— The Daily Star

China’s massive military spending is creating a ripple effect across the Asia-Pacific region
The Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest-growing markets for arms dealers, with economic growth, territorial disputes and long-sought military modernisation propelling a 52 per cent increase in defence spending over the last decade to US$392 billion in 2018, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
— South China Morning Post

ASEAN MPs tackle religious bias
Efforts by Southeast Asian lawmakers to tackle religious discrimination could help in future prevent the sort of atrocities that drove hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, according to the head of a United Nations fact-finding mission.
— La Croix International

Hong Kong seeks new markets through Asean free-trade deal as US-China trade war rages on
The intensifying US-China trade war has battered Hong Kong, prompting it to look to new markets and trade mechanisms such as those presented by the upcoming free-trade deal with Asean, the city’s commerce minister has told the Post.
— South China Morning Post

Manufacturers’ sentiment split in East Asia and ASEAN in May PMI
Manufacturers in Japan and South Korea are turning gloomier about the impact of the U.S.-China trade spat, with sentiment falling to its lowest point in years, the May Nikkei Purchasing Managers’ Index showed.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Trade between China’s Yunnan, GMS countries up 5.6 percent in 2018
The total trade volume between southwest China’s Yunnan Province and five countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) increased 5.6 percent year on year in 2018, the Yunnan governor said Monday.
— Xinhuanet

ASEAN leaders to vow at summit to tackle marine debris
Southeast Asian leaders will commit to tackle the growing problem of marine debris, in particular plastics, during their summit later this month, according to a draft declaration obtained Monday.
— Kyodo News

Monetary loosening ‘may be enough for Asia-Pac economies for now’
MOST Asia-Pacific economies may not resort to fiscal stimulus unless a full-blown trade war between the United States and China comes to pass, say economists.
— The Business Times

South-East Asia resisting US over Huawei
Southeast Asian nations are resisting the push to boycott Huawei, despite US warnings over sovereign security risks in allowing the Chinese telco giant to roll out 5G technology across one of the world’s most enthusiastic smartphone markets.
— The Australian

South, Southeast Asia commodity expo attracts 3,348 companies
A total of 3,348 enterprises from home and abroad will attend the upcoming South and Southeast Asia Commodity Expo and Investment Fair (SSACEIF), its organizers said Monday.
— Xinhuanet

Thailand hosts ACMECS this week
Thailand will host the 4th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Summit (ACMECS) which allows member countries to exchange information on tourism and discuss investment development.
— Vietnamplus

Philippines trails in motorcycle output, sales in Asean
The Philippines still lagged behind its peers in the Southeast Asian region in terms of motorcycle production and sales, registering declines of 28.2 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively, as of end-April, according to the the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Automotive Federation (AAF).
— The Philippine Star

Challenging hate and prejudice against LGBTQ
The recent moratorium on enforcement of a law mandating that those committing homosexual acts in Brunei be stoned to death came only after a wide-ranging and high-profile international outcry.
— Asia Times

ASEAN endorses Filipino as deputy director general of International Organization for Migration
Senior Officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has designated a Geneva-based Filipino envoy as their candidate for the position of Deputy Director General (DDG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
— Manila Bulletin

Why the Mekong region matters to New Zealand
From China to Vietnam, traversing six countries in total, the Mekong River is the lifeline of the many millions of people that live along it, through the provision of water, food, energy, transport, irrigation, and sanitation.
— Asia Media Centre

France holds its first Asean Forum in Phnom Penh
French foreign trade advisers held the European nation’s first Asean Forum in Phnom Penh last week to exchange views on the political and economic evolution in the region as well as France’s strategy in Asean, a French Embassy press release said.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Food delivery services in Southeast Asia
Food delivery services are not new, but apps and smartphones are expanding the reach of delivery services.
— The Asean Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Construction Investment Capital Worth Nearly US$3 Billion in First 4 Months
During the first four months of 2019, investment capital in construction sector was reported to amount to US$2.74 billion, up 67.37 percent compared with the same period last year.
— AKP

Cambodia, France trade up 9 percent last year
Trade between Cambodia and France grew by more than 9 percent last year, exceeding $1.2 billion in value and making France the Kingdom’s third largest export market in the European Union.
— Khmer Times

MFA says Singapore did not support the Khmer Rogue but LKY’s book reveals that it provided US$55 million in aid to the Cambodian resistance movement against Vietnam
PM Lee Hsein Loong generated some bad press recently when he posted an excerpt of his controversial condolence letter on the passing of former Thailand Prime Minister and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda in which he touched Vietnam’s intervention in Cambodia in the late 70s, describing as an ‘invasion’.
— The Online Citizen

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Indonesia’s annualized inflation drifts up 3.32 pct in May on rising food prices
Indonesian consumer price index edged up in May year-over-year as seasonally rising demand of basic food commodities buoyed prices during Islamic fasting month.
— Xinhuanet

Indonesia warns of volcano eruptions
Indonesian officials warned on Monday against the prospect of further eruptions from an active volcano on the island of Sumatra after it emitted a huge column of ash, causing panic among residents.
— Bangkok Post

Indonesia to re-export illegal plastic waste
Indonesia will re-export illegal plastic waste entering the country, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said, following news of the illegal import of plastic waste in Gresik, East Java.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

China-Laos railway marred by compensation issues and pollution
The new China-Laos railway is spanning the Mekong River and drilling through mountains. So far, many local Laotians are seeing more trouble than benefits from the project.
— Asean Today

Phu Bia Mining Contributes To Poverty Reduction
Phu Bia Mining (PBM) Company has contributed to improving the living standards of villagers in Nam Gnon and Nam Mo, Anouvong district, Xaysomboun Province.
— KPL

NA inspection unearths over 150 duplicate land titles
Some 153 land titles have been found to be duplicates as a result of the National Assembly’s recent inspection, a senior lawmaker has confirmed.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysian companies urged to explore opportunities within Industry 4.0
Malaysian companies are encouraged to explore the exponential business opportunities within the Industry 4.0, particularly as a solutions and products provider to complement its entire value chain.
— The Sun Daily

S’wak govt to carry on with business-friendly policies – Abang Johari
The Sarawak Government will carry on with its business-friendly policies and create a more conducive environment to attract more high value and high-technology investments to Sarawak.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia has become the world’s plastic dumpster
In 2018, over 800,000 tonnes of trash from predominantly developed countries such as the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand was shipped into Malaysia to be recycled in illegal plants – who’s owners simply burn or dump into landfills the trash that cannot be recycled.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Few foreign fuel investments, but more Yangon Petrol stations planned: Chief Minister
The Yangon Region Government will increase efforts to allow more Yangon Petrol Co (YP) fuel stations to open in response to high demand, regional government officials said at its annual press conference last week.
— Myanmar Times

Better implementation of the law needed to draw foreign investors
Lack of coordination between the Union and regional governments on development policies, red tape and weak implementation of new laws has hampered the flow of foreign direct investments (FDI) into Myanmar, said U Aung Naing Oo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Soldiers Surround Monastery in Rakhine, Demanding Entry to Search for Rebel Troops
Myanmar government soldiers on Monday surrounded a Buddhist monastery in Rakhine state, demanding entry to search for members of ethnic armies they say are hiding among the thousands of displaced civilians sheltering there, sources say.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

FDI levels down 15% in Q1 to $1.94 billion–BSP
LONG-TERM investments made by foreign players declined in the first quarter of the year, as a significant chunk of investment withdrawals were seen early in 2019, latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.
— Business Mirror

Duterte asks top PhilHealth officials to resign
President Duterte has asked the six board members and the president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to turn in their resignations for allowing the State insurance fund to lose millions in fraudulent claims.
— Tempo

Borrowings in Q3 seen below P300 billion
THE borrowing program for the third quarter this year will likely be lower than P300 billion, in line with the slow disbursements made by the government during the first few months of 2019, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Monday.
— Business Mirror

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Q3 hiring in Singapore ‘stable but weaker than elsewhere in Asia-Pac’
HIRING prospects in Singapore for Q3 2019 are expected to be stable but bleaker than in other parts of the Asia-Pacific, says the latest Manpower Group employment outlook survey.
— The Business Times

Inflation rate of S’pore worker health insurance in 2018: 10%
THE inflation rate of employee medical insurance claims in Singapore, at 10 per cent in 2018, is projected to rise another 0.1 percentage point this year, a study by Mercer Marsh Benefits has predicted.
— The Business Times

Q3 business outlook ticks up after falls in 3 straight quarters
A BUOYANT services sector helped to offset trade-war uncertainties – and to support improved business sentiment, says the latest Business Optimism Index by the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB).
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Prayut gets royal mandate
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reportedly agreed to keep the ministerial post quotas the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) had promised to the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties, a military source said…
— Bangkok Post

Thailand Sees Threefold Increase In Chinese Companies Looking To Move
Thailand’s Board of Investment said that they have received a threefold increase in the number of applications from Chinese businesses looking to relocate their supply chain to other Asian countries.
— Forbes

First channels go black Aug 16, get B1.18bn
Spring News 19 and Spring 26 (formerly Now 26) will be the first batch of digital TV channels going off the air Aug 16, receiving a combined compensation of almost 1.18 billion baht from the telecom regulator 60 days after shutdown.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam to crackdown on Chinese goods relabelled to beat U.S. tariffs
Vietnam has said it will crackdown on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled “Made in Vietnam” by exporters seeking to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports.
— Today Online

Vietnam’s e-commerce to surge in 2020
Vietnam’s e-commerce growth reached 30 percent last year, marking total retail revenue 8 billion U.S. dollars, and this figure is expected to surge to 13-15 billion U.S. dollars next year, according to its Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— Xinhua

Vietnam pursues multilateralism, consensus at UNSC: Deputy PM
Vietnam’s highest priority during its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021 would be promoting multilateralism and compliance with international law in addressing global challenges regarding peace and security.
— NDO

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.