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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Southeast Asia urged to improve women’s rights to stop China bride trafficking
Southeast Asian nations must improve job prospects for women at home and step up law enforcement at their borders to stem the rising number of brides sold into China, anti-trafficking groups said on Tuesday, following a major regional rescue operation.
— Reuters

ASEAN Makes Little Progress on Security Issues, Analysts Say
Analysts say the 34th ASEAN summit this weekend made little progress on two key security issues facing the region: Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea and stalled repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar who are languishing in Bangladesh.
— Radio Free Asia

Plight of Asean citizens pushed aside by progress
Looking from the West to the East, the North to the South, large-scale development continues apace across Southeast Asia, leaving a toll on people – whether or not it is linked to ambitious plans proposed in Asean frameworks.
— The Phnom Penh Post

It’s getting tougher for ASEAN’s start-ups
The improving start-up ecosystem in Southeast Asia is nurturing more homegrown start-ups, many of which have become successful with investors now on the lookout for the next unicorn (a start-up valued at US$1 billion).
— The Asean Post

Malaysia to advocate sustainable use of South China Sea
Malaysia will continue to advocate and strengthen its maritime and oceanographic research in a sustainable way to protect the South China Sea.
— Spratly Islands

5G to drive SEA mobile data traffic growth seven-fold by 2024
Mobile data traffic in Southeast Asia and Oceania will climb seven-fold from 2.3 exabytes last year to 16 exabytes per month by 2024, with growth fuelled by “rapid early momentum and enthusiasm” for 5G.
— ZDNet

Rohingya Muslims need citizenship and basic rights from Myanmar and Asean should make it happen, experts say
Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh refugee camps will not return to Myanmar willingly unless they get citizenship and basic rights – and while the onus is on Myanmar to provide these, Asean and the international community must help make it happen, experts at a conference in Malaysia said on Tuesday.
— South China Morning Post

Asean claims ownership over the Indo-Pacific
Asean leaders have adopted the Indo Pacific Outlook at the 34th Asean Summit in Bangkok this month to show their unity and centrality to claim Asean leadership and ownership in shaping regional architecture.
— Khmer Times

Key chance for Asean
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, or CLMVT, are being urged to expedite seamless connectivity and new value chain development to turn the challenges of the US-China trade war into opportunities.
— Bangkok Post

Charges filed vs. erring officials over Asean funds misuse: PCOO
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Tuesday denied that it has failed to act on the recommendation of the Commission on Audit (COA) to file charges against erring officials involved in the misuse of PHP38.8 million worth of funds for the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEA) summit in 2017.
— Philippine News Agency

Asean members urged to put up terminals for low-cost carriers
To attract low-cost carriers (LCC) to their respective airports, member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are urged to set up terminals dedicated to these carriers.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte wants ferry routes, more air services for BIMP trade
President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday sought the opening of ferry routes and the introduction of more air services among the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei as he pushed for greater connectivity to facilitate trade.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Southeast Asian lawmakers highlight ‘systematic’ harassment of opposition in report
There are deliberate efforts to harass and muzzle opposition lawmakers in the Philippines through trumped-up criminal charges, threats and intimidation, a report of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights stressed.
— The Philippine Star

Supply chains re-routed to Asean
CHINESE investment in the region’s manufacturing sector will intensify in the upcoming decade as China uses its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to reorientate the global supply chain towards Asean in response to its trade battle with the United States, a geopolitical expert predicts.
— The Nation

ASEAN Disaster Management in the Headlines With New Thailand Facility
While the headline-grabbing outcome from the recent ASEAN Summit in Thailand was the grouping’s formal adoption of an Indo-Pacific Outlook, there were other notable developments that occurred as well.
— The Diplomat

ASEAN leaders praise Thailand’s orderly ASEAN Summit hosting
Leaders of ASEAN countries have praised Thailand for hosting this year’s ASEAN Summit in orderly fashion, says the Foreign Minister, urging the public not to make a big deal out of a lack of translation devices for foreign media, as it is a problem which can be overcome in the future.
— NNT

Where are teachers paid the most and the least compared to other professions in Asia?
by ValueChampion How well are teachers paid in Asia? We’ve compiled data on teacher income as % of GDP per capita to compare how teachers in different Asian countries are paid relative to other people in their respective countries. Asians are well known for their heavy focus on education. Naturally, one would expect this …
— The Online Citizen

Real Estate Transparency: Southeast Asia moving in the right direction
We recently launched the 10th edition of our Global Real Estate Transparency Index, a leading publication that has been charting the progression of transparency across the world for two decades.
— Thailand Business News

THAILAND GOING GREEN FOR SUSTAINABLE ASEAN
Expressing concern about climate change is one thing. Doing something about it is much more challenging and Thailand is rising to the challenge.
— The Nation

Benefits of US-China trade war for ASEAN only temporary: Expert
ASEAN may stand to benefit from the trade tensions between the United States and China but these advantages will only be temporary, as the members of the bloc, including Indonesia, could become the trade war’s next victims, a scholar associated with the Chinese government has said.
— The Jakarta Post

Senior ASEAN energy officials’ meeting begins
The Thai Ministry of Energy is hosting the 37th Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) and associated meetings from June 24th to 28th in Bangkok.
— NBT World (video)

Outcomes of meetings between ASEAN leaders, AIPA, youth members
The Thai Prime Minister and the other leaders of ASEAN member states have attended the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth.
— NBT World (video)

Asean-EU must step up partnerships beyond trade and investment
ASEAN and the European Union (EU) need to step up efforts in finding common ground on enhancing their partnerships.
— The Edge Markets

Responding to labour market challenges from the AEC
Asean regional integration continues to bring both opportunities and challenges to its member states, and as one of its core pillars, the Asean Economic Community (AEC), is no different.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Analysis: Southeast Asia contributing heavily to ample US-Asia crude flows in 2019
Southeast Asia will likely continue to play a pivotal role in support of ample US-Asia crude oil trades in the second half of 2019 despite China’s faltering appetite for US energy products, with Vietnam aiming to procure two more WTI crude cargoes over the coming quarters.
— Hellenic Shipping News

ASEAN member states committed to becoming stronger
We now present our special report on outcomes of the 34th ASEAN Summit.
— NBT World (video)

How electric scooters will revolutionise Southeast Asia’s congested cities
So you’ve made it in Southeast Asia! Your family is wealthy after years of economic growth and rising incomes!
— e27

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Spotlight turns on legal loophole following building collapse in Cambodian beach city
Construction worker Ouk Neang was awakened by a loud sound of structure crushing down violently and he initially thought an earthquake had just struck.
— Thmey Thmey

Norway funded Cambodia’s project on biodiversity
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) funded the project launched by Cambodia’s National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) with the technical assistance from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
— ScandAsia.com

Cambodia workforce gets $60mln skills boost
Cambodia’s attempts to transition its economy from a low-skilled, labour-intensive growth model to a skills-driven one are set to receive a boost following the approval of a $60 million loan by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— AEC News Today

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Constitutional Court ready to rule on Prabowo’s petition
The courtroom phase of the legal battle surrounding the presidential election result has ended and whether or not losing candidate Prabowo Subianto can overturn incumbent Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s reelection victory now awaits the Constitutional Court judges’ ruling.
— The Jakarta Post

Govt looking to help 81 million millennials afford housing
Owing to a combination of increasing housing prices and high costs of living, 81 million Indonesian millennials cannot afford to buy a house or apartment, according to the Public Works and Housing Ministry.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia military: Use of child soldiers a rights violation
An Indonesian military spokesman said Tuesday that any use of child soldiers by Papuan independence fighters would be a violation of human rights that implicates both the rebels and state institutions.
—  Inquirer.net

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Vientiane imposes strict monitoring to prevent spread of African swine fever
Vientiane Agriculture and Forestry Department is maintaining 24-hour surveillance on Roads 13 North and South to monitor pork shipments into the capital after Saravan province authorities confirmed outbreaks of African swine fever last week.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Lao Government Reacts To UN expert’s Misleading Report
With the consent and at the invitation of the Government of Lao PDR (GoL), the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Mr. Philip Alston, visited Lao PDR on 18-28 March 2019.
— KPL

Laos To Launch Online eVisa Service in July
Laos will begin offering electronic tourist visa (eVisa) applications in July this year, allowing visitors to apply for a visa online prior to arriving in the country.
— Laotian Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Tough to resuscitate Malaysia Airlines in current climate, says Dr Jomo
The capital-intensive nature of the airline business, especially with the current business conditions, makes it more difficult to resuscitate Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB).
— Malay Mail

Mahathir denies he will stay beyond three years but Anwar is unfazed
​Rumour has it that Pakatan Harapan is pushing Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to set a date for his departure but in an interview with CNBC, the elderly statesman said he will not go beyond three years, instead of two years as agreed by the coalition partners. The gay sex video allegedly exposing Azmin […]
— The Independent

Malaysia’s MOE orders three-day closure of all 475 Pasir Gudang schools following latest pollution incident
Malaysia’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has instructed all 475 schools in Pasir Gudang to close for three days starting today (25 Jun) after residents reported experiencing vomiting and difficulty in breathing as a result of the latest pollution incident in the Johorean town.
— The Online Citizen

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

UN fears Myanmar human rights abuses in Internet shutdown
An Internet blackout in parts of Myanmar could be cover for “gross human rights violations” in an area where a brutal army crackdown has already forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee, a UN rights investigator said.
— Channel NewsAsia

Lawmakers Submit Urgent Proposal to Resume Internet Services in N. Rakhine
The shutdown of internet services will encourage human rights violations and violence, Minbya Township lawmaker U Hla Thein Aung argued at the Rakhine state parliament.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar electricity rates to soar next month
The government announced that it will increase electricity rates for both residential and business users starting from July. This is the first change in power tariffs since 2014.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Government budget surplus hits P2.6 billion in May
THE national government reported a budget surplus of P2.6 billion for the month of May, reversing the budget deficit of P32.9 billion recorded in the same month in 2018, as revenues outpaced expenditures, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.
— Business Mirror

PNP disputes UNHCHR’s casualty figures in government’s illegal drugs war
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the figures presented by the of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) on the casualties in the drive against illegal drugs was “bloated” and does not paint the campaign’s correct picture.
— Business Mirror

No wage hike for Metro Manila, Calabarzon workers
Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila and Calabarzon will not yet receive a salary increase.
— The Philippine Star

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Team effort needed for climate action: Khor
Fighting climate change needs to be a consolidated effort, and the Government cannot tackle the pressing issue alone, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Victim of botched female circumcision urges Muslim parents against circumcising their daughters
A victim of a botched female circumcision procedure has spoken out against the practice and has urged Muslim parents against circumcising their daughters.
— The Independent

S’pore 4th telco TPG giving 200,000 users free unlimited data roaming in M’sia & Indonesia
Some of you didn’t even know TPG exists or is the fourth telco.
— Mothership

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Opposition to grill the government tomorrow in first debate in five years
In what is touted as the first no-confidence debate in five years, the opposition parties will use the House sitting tomorrow (Wednesday) to grill the incumbent government and its ministers over a host of issues, ranging from the 20-year national strategic plan and reform of the justice system to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s wristwatch scandal.
— Thai PBS World

Airport-rail link project; Map Ta Phut port project to be signed next month
The Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee has acknowledged progress in the high-speed rail project to link three airports and the Map Ta Phut industrial port development project. Contracts for both projects are expected to be signed between state firms and private concessionaires next month.
— NNT

Chinese buyers crucial to condo market
An oversupply is emerging in the Bangkok condominium market, which has led some developers to pin their hopes on selling more units to foreign buyers, especially Chinese who have become a major market in the last few years.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Vietnam Silicon Valley Accelerator invests $40,000 in startups
Vietnam Silicon Valley Accelerator (VSVA) – the first Vietnamese Government project to directly support startups – continues to invest in startups this year, with capital of $40,000, double that in 2018, through the “VSV Bootcamp Program Batch 7”.
— Vietnam Insider

Made in Vietnam: US-China tensions spark a manufacturing shift but not without growing pains
Multinational companies are starting to question whether it’s time to shift production out of China due to the ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing.
— CNBC

Two Vietnamese get nine-month flight bans for smoking
Vietnam’s aviation authorities have imposed nine-month bans on two Vietnamese men after they failed to pay fines for smoking on domestic flights.
— Vietnam Insider

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.

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