Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Asean must secure solid guarantee on Rohingya
Hopes for a resolution to the Rakhine crisis were boosted this month when an Asean emergency response and assessment team gained access to Myanmar’s strife-torn state.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)
5G in ASEAN still a way off despite optimism
Autonomous drones, 1GB file downloads in seconds, millions of sensors connected to the internet transmitting and receiving at the same time – these are just some of the potential uses of 5G networks when they become mainstream.
— ComputerWeekly.com
Indonesia to convene talks on Indo-Pacific strategies
Indonesia is inviting the 18 members of the East Asia Summit (EAS) — an ASEAN-led forum — to a high-level dialogue on Indo-Pacific cooperation in Jakarta on Wednesday, where they are expected to openly discuss strategies for the Indo-Pacific region.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Grab launches SME loans and micro-insurance in Southeast Asia
In its latest move beyond ride-hailing, Southeast Asia’s Grab has started to offer financing to SMEs and micro-insurance to its drivers.
— TechCrunch
Southeast Asia pins hopes on rail to ease chronic congestion
Indonesia’s first high-capacity commuter rail network is set to open in late March, when the first phase of MRT Jakarta begins operating.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Using technology for better education
Education technology (edtech) is fast growing in Southeast Asia thanks to its learner-centric platform which breaks down geographical barriers such as access to infrastructure like schools and even transport.
— The Asean Post
Unwise to force ASEAN to take sides
The Pacific region does not always seem quite pacific, as its waters are roiled by forces inimical to peace.
— Asia Times
ASEAN, local courts capable of doing ICC’s job in protecting human rights – Tolentino
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the country’s own judiciary are capable of taking over the role of the International Criminal Courts in putting before the bar of justice governments committing grave human rights abuses.
— Manila Bulletin
Japan must return to being South-east Asia’s top trade partner: Tommy Koh
Veteran diplomats jousted at a public forum here over the question of whether Japan is sufficiently invested in South-east Asia, amid the former’s concerns about China’s growing influence in the region.
— The Straits Times
Brunei ranks 7th in connectedness in Southeast Asia: index
Brunei is among the least connected countries in Southeast Asia, an index that measures trade flows showed.
— Xinhua
Southeast Asia is entering the age of ‘shoppertainment’
Lazada, the Alibaba-owned e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia is launching a new live streaming feature on the occasion of its 7th anniversary.
— KrAsia
ASEAN’s Digital Economy: Development, Division, Disruption – Analysis
Boasting an increasingly wired and growing middle class, as well as a wealth of data stemming from a 642-million-strong population, ASEAN’s digital economy is ripe for the picking.
— Eurasia Review
Report highlights competitiveness of geothermal energy in the ASEAN region
The ASEAN Centre for Energy has released an interesting report on levelised costs for renewable energy generation in the ASEAN member states.
— Think GeoEnergy
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Five More Former Opposition Leaders Re-enter Politics
Samdech Say Chhum, Acting Head of State and President of Senate, granted the rights to re-enter politics to five more former opposition leaders of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), according to the separate royal decrees dated Tuesday.
— Fresh News
Uncoordinated efforts leave Cambodia foreign policy lacking synergy
Amid shifting global power dynamics and intense pressure from the West, Cambodia’s foreign policy strategy in the coming years will aim to diversify its external relations, with a focus on South and East Asian countries.
— AEC News Today
EU Delegation in Cambodia as NGOs Push Government to Preserve Trade Status
A European Union delegation arrived in Cambodia as NGOs in the Southeast Asian country called on the government to uphold the constitution as a way to avoid losing preferential trade terms the EU has threatened to withdraw in response to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s crackdown on opponents.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Indonesia prepares to take dispute with EU on palm oil to WTO
The government is preparing to take its latest dispute with the European Union on crude palm oil (CPO) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a bid to settle to issue.
— The Jakarta Post
Bengkulu exports agricultural commodities to China and Thailand
The Bengkulu Provincial Government developed an export wing for agricultural commodity products such as processed wood and palm shells to China and Thailand.
— Antara News
Death toll from Indonesia floods, mudslides rises to 89
The death toll from flash floods and mudslides, triggered by days of torrential downpours in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua province, has risen to 89, with dozens of others missing.
— AL Jazeera
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Authorities report UXO clearance funding shortfall
The government requires an additional US$4.5 million this year to effectively carry out unexploded ordnance (UXO) operations including mine surveys and clearance along with risk education and victim assistance.
— Vientiane Times
Electricity agency, Laos renew PPAs
State-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has signed two renewal power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Electric de Laos (EDL) to buy power from two hydroelectric plants: Nam Ngum 1 and Say-sed dams.
— Bangkok Post
Authorities Shut Down Three Chinese-Owned Clinics in Laos
Authorities have ordered the closure of three Chinese clinics this month in the northern Laotian province of Luang Namtha after issues such as unsanitary conditions and unqualified doctors have led to multiple patient deaths, RFA’s Lao Service has learned.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia will return as Asian tiger in three years
Malaysia will return to its Asian tiger status in three years, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— The Star Online
Malaysia’s Mahathir says some state-owned entities may be listed
Malaysia may list certain state-owned entities to cut government debt and liabilities, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday (Mar 19) as it seeks new revenue sources to boost its fiscal position.
— Channel NewsAsia
Airbus to highlight full range of products, services at Lima 2019
Aircaft manufacturer Airbus will be the largest international exhibitor at next week’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2019, displaying its entire range of commercial aircraft, defence, space and helicopter products and services.
— The Borneo Post
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Industry proposes reducing visa restrictions for western tourists
Discussions will be made with the relevant departments to reduce visa restrictions on western travelers, said U Yan Win, chair of Myanmar Tourism Federation.
— Myanmar Times
Tourism, infrastructure collateral damage in Rakhine fighting
Just weeks after State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi touted Rakhine tourism and infrastructure development as promising sectors for investment, a new spate of violence between the Tatmadaw (military) and the ethnic armed group Arakan Army (AA) has travel and construction businesses gravely worried about security in the area.
— Myanmar Times
Electricity charges to rise as power reaches half of all households by November
The Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) has arranged to expand electricity supply to cover 50 percent of all households in the country by November, said U Soe Myint, deputy permanent secretary of the MOEE.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PHL posts BOP surplus of $467 million in February
THE Philippine economy continued to earn dollars in February due mainly to gains from the foreign-exchange operations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the government reported on Tuesday.
— Business Mirror
Budget utilization averages 83% in first two months
CASH usage by government agencies rose to 83% in the first two months of 2019, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
— BusinessWorld Online
5 foreign firms, consortium of local banks eye Hanjin rehab
At least five foreign companies are eyeing Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Philippines at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as “white knights” after the Korean shipbuilder declared bankruptcy in January.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Plans for ‘proper debate’ on issues like hate speech, race and religion in Parliament next month: Shanmugam
There are plans to have a “proper debate” in Parliament on issues such as race, religion and hate speech early next month, according to Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Tuesday (Mar 19).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore Wealth Fund GIC ‘Hopeful’ on Ambitious Brazil Pension Plan
Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte has grown more optimistic about Brazil.
— Bloomberg
From hardship to hope, Singapore’s migrant poets find their voices
In dorms on Singapore’s fringes or employers’ backrooms, a growing number of migrant workers are using poetry to shed light on their hidden struggles and reconnect with their roots.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Somkid says 5G infrastructure a priority
Thailand must adopt 5G technology next year to prevent the country from lagging behind Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak warned on Monday after a meeting with state enterprises.
— Bangkok Post
Premchai jail term throws up surprises
A 16-month jail term handed to construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta by a Kanchanaburi court for illegal possession of a dead pheasant and weapons, and conspiring to poach wildlife, has drawn a mixed reaction from the public.
— Bangkok Post
Pollution still bad in north, although improving from last week
Particulate matter readings in the northern region remains troublesome in many provinces, although the situation has improved compared to the previous week.
— NBT World (video)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Power efficiency programme aims at 7 percent cut in consumption
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a national programme on efficient and economical use of power in 2019-2030, aiming to save 5-7 percent of power consumption nationwide from 2019-2025.
— VNA NET
Vietnam grows fastest in mobile payment among emerging countries
Among emerging countries, Vietnam recorded the strongest increase of mobile payments at 61% in 2019 from a 37% growth rate year earlier, according to PwC’s latest Global Consumer Insights Survey.
— Vietnam Insider
PetroVietnam and Petronas sign gas agreement
Vi?t Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Malaysian oil and gas corporation Petronas last week in HCM City signed a heads of agreement (HOA) for the sale and purchase of additional gas to Cà Mau gas, power and fertiliser complex.
— Viet Nam News
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.