Asean morning news for March 25

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

US offers help to ASEAN countries on oil and gas exploration ventures
The United States (US) government is offering help to countries in the Southeast Asian region – primarily those wanting to extract oil and gas resources within their exclusive economic zones but investment flows are being impeded by diplomatic skirmish with Asian super power China.
— Manila Bulletin

Democratic Hopes in ASEAN Hinge on Thailand, Analysts Say
Thai voters head to the polls Sunday for the first time in nearly five years, and analysts say the results could have an impact on democracy throughout Southeast Asia.
— Voice of America

ASEAN Ministers meet in Chiang Mai on wildlife poaching suppression
ASEAN ministers and representatives from related international organizations have met in Chiang Mai on suppressing illegal wildlife poaching and trading in the region.
— NBT World

ASEAN member States pledge strong action against illegal trade in wildlife
Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 21 and 22 March 2019 convened in Chiang Mai, Thailand, at a Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Illegal Wildlife Trade, hosted by Thailand as the 2019 Chair of ASEAN.
— CITES (media release)

Fuziah: Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly must play more effective role in championing Palestinian cause
Members of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) need to play a more effective role in championing the rights and freedom of Palestinians, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Fuziah Salleh.
— Malay Mail

Top level ASEAN meeting in Chiang Rai
Thailand’s Finance Ministry will host the 23rd ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM) under the theme of “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability.”
— TTR Weekly

India, Southeast Asia to Mark Five Years of Being Polio-free
The World Health Organization says that on March 27, India’s 1.3 billion people and the entire WHO Southeast Asia region will celebrate five years of being polio-free.
— Voice of America

Co-operation can help ASEAN lead on 5G development
ASEAN countries need to strengthen co-operation and share their experiences to ensure they can lead the way on next-generation 5G wireless technology.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Labor Contracts in ASEAN
A labor or employment contract is a binding agreement between an employer and an employee, that addresses important employment terms, including those related to wages, benefits, termination procedures, and the duties and responsibilities of both parties.
— Asean Briefing

AEC Feed
Bank Indonesia (BI) has shown its commitment to helping increase Indonesian coffee exports by facilitating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) taking part in a coffee expo in Singapore.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Asia’s Emerging Economies: These 3 Are Booming
Despite all of the gloom and doom about Japan’s aging population and China’s trade war with the US, Asia is still home to many of the world’s most promising emerging economies. You just have to know where to look.
— InvestAsian (blog)

Lazada offers new solutions to create ‘Super eBusinesses’ in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian e-commerce leader Lazada unveiled on Thursday an array of products and services that will further empower its brand- and seller-partners to become major players in the buy-and-sell business across the region.
— Business Mirror

National ASEAN 2020 Committee holds second meeting
The National ASEAN 2020 Committee, which is in charge of preparation work for Vietnam’s chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2020, held its second meeting in Hanoi on March 22 under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister and head of the committee Pham Binh Minh.
— VietnamPlus

Using technology to solve traffic woes
The traffic situation in Southeast Asia is famous for all the wrong reasons. Although some countries have taken steps to minimise congestion such as Vietnam’s ban on motorcycles by 2030, and Singapore’s deployment of road tolls and an expensive certificate of entitlement to reduce the number of car ownerships, the traffic situation in the region could still use some help.
— The Asean Post

The critical roles forests play in our survival
As the world’s population climbs to 8.5 billion by 2030, the resilience of forests to combat climate change, help mankind end hunger and maintain sustainable communities will be more important than ever.
— The Asean Post

SE Asia soon safer for LGBTQ-people with Swedish travel app
Two Swedish friends based in Stockholm and KL have made an app making traveling safer for gays. Using local insights, they map out the do’s and don’ts in cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.
— ScandAsia.com

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Dismisses Concerns of Chinese ‘Control,’ Amid Fear of Growing Debt
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday waved off concerns that China “wants to control” his country, calling the claim a trick by the opposition to turn public opinion against him, even as observers warned that mounting loans and aid will leave Phnom Penh hopelessly indebted to Beijing.
— Radio Free Asia

Cambodia looks to free trade deal with EAEU
CAMBODIA is negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a common market comprised of five nations of the former Soviet Union, hoping the new market will maintain the Kingdom’s economic growth.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Cambodia to buy 200 megawatts from Laos
Cambodia will buy 200 megawatts from Laos to feed rising demand for power in the Kingdom.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Indonesia slams EU for using old data as basis for regulation
The government has further criticized the European Union’s plan to restrict palm oil-based biofuels after the bloc said the constraint was based on data from 2015.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)

Russian tourist arrested smuggling Indonesian orangutan out of Bali
Indonesian authorities have arrested a Russian tourist who was attempting to smuggle a drugged orangutan out of the resort island of Bali.
— SBS News

Indonesia’s first subway opens in traffic-choked Jakarta
Indonesia’s first subway has opened in the country’s capital, Jakarta. The development is seen as crucial to tackling some of the world’s worst congestion.
— Al Jazeera

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Public Financial Management A Path To Maximize Return On Investment in Future of Laos: World Bank
With a growing population and rapidly developing and urbanizing socio-economy requiring investment in human resources and infrastructure, the calls on public finances in Laos are larger than ever.
— The Laotian Times

Cambodia to buy 200 megawatts from Laos
Cambodia will buy 200 megawatts from Laos to feed rising demand for power in the Kingdom.
— Khmer Times

Cabinet approves tax law changes
The Lao government will propose changes to the Law on Tax as it looks for new ways and mechanisms to collect revenue more effectively.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Sarawak set to be first to use hydrogen fuel-powered buses in Malaysia
Sarawak will become the first state in Malaysia to introduce hydrogen fuel-powered buses, which will also act as a new tourist attraction, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Open.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Water shortage in six Malaysian states expected, rationing may be needed
Water shortage is expected in six Malaysian states due to the extreme hot weather, said Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar on Saturday (Mar 23) as he warned that water rationing is needed.
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia to finalise deal on China-backed railway project early April
Malaysia will finalise talks with China in early April regarding a US$20 billion (S$27 billion) rail project that has been suspended since July last year, the Malaysian representative for the negotiations said late on Friday (March 22).
— The Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Myanmar state counselor urges for advancing movie industry
Myanmar State Counselor has urged for active cooperation of government and artists to upgrade local movie industry to enter the international industry at a film academy awards presentation ceremony late Saturday.
— Menafn

Myanmar in bid to tackle unregistered SIM cards
Myanmar is taking measures against the sale of unregistered SIM cards, saying that the move is aimed at providing security for mobile financial services and individuals, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced in a statement late on Saturday.
— Xinhua

Forum-Asia bats for Myanmar’s case in International Criminal Court
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has called for referring Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure justice and accountability for the grave international crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
— Nenow

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

China could seize gas in Reed Bank if PH can’t pay loans – Carpio
The Philippines should be wary about the Chico River Pump Irrigation Loan Agreement because it could potentially allow China to take the gas-rich Reed Bank (Recto Bank) in the West Philippine Sea if it is unable to pay the $62-million loan, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio warned.
— Inquirer.net

Govt subsidies to GOCCs in Jan decrease by 13.77%
THE subsidy given in January by the national government to companies it owns or controls was lower by 13.77 percent compared to the subsidies disbursed in January last year.
— Business Mirror

Pagasa: 51 provinces to suffer drought
THE STATE weather bureau expects 51 provinces to experience drought by the end of April, as the country suffers from the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
— The Manila Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Adaptation or innovation for Singapore’s armed forces?
Singapore is gradually unveiling its military modernisation plans for the Singapore Armed Forces. The development trajectory will be shaped by both adapting emerging critical technologies to new security requirements and improving institutional agility to exploit these new technologies.
— East Asia Forum

Singapore skyline turns blue to commemorate World Water Day
Thirty of Singapore’s iconic landmarks and bridges – such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and St Andrew’s Cathedral – were bathed in blue on Friday (Mar 22) to commemorate World Water Day 2019.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Treasure sells 272 units on launch weekend
SINGAPORE’S largest condominium Treasure at Tampines moved 272 units at an average S$1,280 per sq ft (psf) over its launch weekend.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Pheu Thai leads, but PPRP strong second
An exit poll in Thailand’s first election since a 2014 coup indicated the ousted Pheu Thai Party of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra won the most seats at 163, while the military proxy party came second at 96 seats.
— Bangkok Post

Japanese, Chinese firms to survey EEC
Some 200 Japanese and Chinese companies will visit Thailand on April 2 to study the business feasibility of five infrastructure projects in the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), joining with local companies to form a consortium for bidding, says the EEC Office.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam launching a regulated cryptocurrency exchange
Vietnam is all set to launch a regulated crypto exchange as two companies have just signed an MOU for the development and obtaining licensing for a cryptocurrency exchange.
— Coinnounce

Vietnam to increase electricity prices
On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, the Deputy MoIT, Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong, provided more details regarding the plan, stating an electricity price of 8.36%. Therefore, the average retail price of electricity will rise from VND1,720.65/kWh to over VND1,864/kWh.
— Vietnam Insider

HCM City: Hot demand for air conditioners
Electronic goods shops and supermarkets in HCM City are offering big promotions on air conditioners, refrigerators and fans as the hot season approaches.
— VNA NET

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.