Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Asian economies set to dominate 7% growth club during 2020s
The 2020s are set to be the Asian decade, with the continent dominating an exclusive list of economies expected to sustain growth rates of around 7%.
— BusinessWorld Online

Asean Liberals Call for End to Attacks on Cambodian Opposition
A prominent group of Asean parliamentarians on Friday called on the Cambodian government to end targeted harassment of the country’s former opposition.
— VOA Khmer

Asean strategizes to meet 2050 Vision on biodiversity
‘It is an aspiration to reform the world as we know it, to be the one that we wish for it to be.”
— Business Mirror

Asian nations cash in on China’s softer sell of Belt and Road
Nearly six years have passed since China set in motion the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, seeking to create a massive economic zone linking itself to Europe by land and sea.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

ASEAN urged to expand rights body’s role
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has yet to deliver on its mandate to protect human rights in Southeast Asia a decade after its establishment, human rights activists have concluded.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)

Maybank to continue investing in Asean
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) will continue to invest in Asean, amid global uncertainties and trade tensions between the US and China, president and chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Farid Alias said.
— New Straits Times

Australia aids Mekong data system improvement
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has gained financial backing from the Australian government to upgrade its data, modelling and information systems.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Can Trust Be Verified? Managing 5G Risk In Southeast Asia – Analysis
Nothing can fully protect a country from secret malfeasance involving the company it hires to provide and maintain its 5th generation wireless system (5G).
— Eurasia Review

JG Summit to pump $50m into Southeast Asian startups
Philippine conglomerate JG Summit Holdings announced the establishment on Friday of a $50 million fund to invest tech startups across Southeast Asia to “augment or disrupt” its own businesses.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Environmental groups hail amendment to Basel Convention
More than 180 countries agreed last week in Geneva to amend the Basel Convention so that exporters must first obtain the consent of receiving countries before shipping contaminated, mixed or unrecyclable plastic waste.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Taxing the lucrative e-commerce sector
In December, it was revealed that the government of Thailand had passed a bill that it hoped would ensure more effective tax collection, especially from e-commerce businesses.
— The Asean Post

More forceful human rights mechanisms needed in ASEAN
Ten years since its establishment, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has yet to fully function as a regional human rights mechanism that meets the expectations of civil society.
— Antara News

Beware of over-reliance on China arrivals and casinos, says Maybank report on Asean tourism
TOURISM in Asean is set for a significant upside, but more needs to be done in areas such as infrastructure, and there are risks of over-reliance on China arrivals and casinos, according to a new Maybank report, Asean Tourism: Blue Skies, But Keep Your Seatbelts Fastened.
— The Business Times

Sea phase of ADMM-Plus exercise concludes in Singapore
The sea phase of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise concluded on Sunday in Singapore, Singapore’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
— Xinhuanet

Malaysian salestech startup SalesCandy sets foot in neighboring regions
SalesCandy just launched in Malaysia 18 months ago SalesCandy International Sdn Bhd, a Malaysia-based salestech startup, has entered Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The company said it has struck multiple contracts across Southeast Asia in the first quarter of 2019 and is …
— e27

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

In Cambodia, Japan Digs in to Keep China’s Rise in Check
When western governments were busy condemning a sweeping political crackdown in Cambodia that saw the ruling Cambodian People’s Party win all of the seats in parliament during a poll last year, Japan remained tight-lipped.
— VOA Cambodia

Half of construction work completed on China-aided stadium in Cambodia
The construction work on a China-funded national stadium here is currently halfway towards completion, Thong Khon, president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, said on Sunday.
— Xin Hua

A SCHOOL FROM CAMBODIA WON TWO GLOBAL CSR AWARDS FOR 2019
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been getting remarkable momentum in Cambodia over the last several years. With more and more companies and institutions now having embedded CSR programs as part of their annual priorities with budget allocated to resource relevant social initiatives.
— Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

UPDATE 1-Indonesia’s c/a deficit shrinks, BOP on surpluscentral bank
Indonesia’s current account deficit narrowed in January-March to the smallest in a year, helping the country to post a balance of payments surplus, but some economists say this would not trigger an interest rate cut by the central bank.
— Intellasia

Nearly 500 election commission employees die in Indonesia
The Indonesian Ministry of Health reported the cause of death of most of the electoral commission employees who died during the vote count after the election was stroke and heart attack, the Strait Times reported.
— News.am

Critics of Indonesian President Face Treason Charges
The lead-up to the May 22 official announcement of the results of the Indonesian presidential and legislative elections has been colored by disbelief, attempts at de-legitimization and denials of loss.
— VOA

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Laos poised to enter Industry 4.0 era
Laos is taking steps to enter the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) by developing the necessary infrastructure and human resources, according to an official from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Govt, development partners discuss ethnic affairs, service user feedback survey
Government officials and development partners met in Vientiane last week to discuss a draft decree on ethnic affairs and a public service users’ feedback survey, to determine how such surveys might be improved in the future.
— Vientiane Times

North Korean, Lao high courts sign MOU on exchange and cooperation: KCNA
A delegation from the North Korean Central Court in Vientiane this week signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Lao People’s Supreme Court, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
— NK News

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Malaysia’s economy received RM84b from tourists
Malaysia collected RM84.1 billion in overall tourism receipts last year, its highest ever while China tourists’ expenditure make up RM12.3 billion of the total.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia bids to send trained workers to Japan under new visa scheme
Malaysia is planning to send skilled workers to Japan under the new visa programme the latter launched on April 1.
— Malay Mail

Sabah gets praise after decision not to implement property assessment tax
The Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA) has applauded the Sabah state government’s decision not to implement the proposed Property Assessment Tax (PAT) on palm oil mills and the labour quarters.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Myanmar’s Yangon investment forum produces MoUs for 19 projects
Myanmar’s Yangon region government and some private companies have signed a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to undertake 19 projects at the two-day Myanmar’s Yangon Investment Forum which ended on Saturday.
— Xinhua

Myanmar plane in emergency touchdown as landing gear fails
A Myanmar pilot saved the day after his aircraft’s landing gear failed, forcing the jet into an emergency landing with no front wheels on Sunday morning, an official said.
— Channel NewsAsia

Amnesty for Reuters reporters seen easing EU trade tensions
The release of two Reuters reporters and some 20 other political prisoners may help ease tensions with the EU but the government will need to do more to maintain Myanmar’s trade privileges, according to business leaders in Yangon.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Foreign direct investments up by 20% in February 2019
Foreign direct investments (FDIs) rose by 20% to $746 million in February, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Friday, May 10.
— Rappler

Beijing’s South China Sea Bet On Duterte’s ‘Friendship’ Is Souring
China’s bet on Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘friendship” to advance its South China Sea agenda is beginning to sour.
— Forbes

Q1 infra spending up 13.4%–DBM
Infrastructure spending rose at an annualized rate of 13.4 percent in the first quarter due to payables from prior years’ public projects, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
— Business Mirror

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Re-skilling of workers for future a priority: ILO chief
International Labour Organisation (ILO) director-general Guy Ryder is less concerned about jobs being lost to technology than the challenges in re-skilling workers so they can function in the new economy.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

70 per cent of elderly Singaporeans still unable to meet monthly household expenses: Joint survey between Duke-NUS and MOH
A stark majority of elderly Singaporeans aged 60 and older are still unable to meet their monthly expenses, according to findings from a survey of over 4,500 Singaporeans and permanent residents carried out by the Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Ageing Research and Education and the Ministry of Health.
— The Online Citizen

SDP proposes alternative plan to make healthcare system fairer and more sustainable
Do away with the 3Ms (Medisave, Medishield and Medifund) and introduce a single-payer insurance scheme for Singapore’s healthcare system.
— The Online Citizen

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Opinion: How the Junta Rigged, Tweaked and Stole the Election
The Election Commission has finally announced the 2019 election’s official results, more than a month after voting day. Now, we should ask whether the election was free and fair.
— Khaosod English

Latest salvo in US-China trade spat threatens Thai exports
Thailand’s fragile export view and the overall economy are expected to face a double whammy after the US administration raised duties on US$200 billion worth of Chinese products to 25% from 10% yesterday morning, with Beijing vowing to immediately retaliate.
— Bangkok Post

Most poll respondents oppose ministers and junta members joining the Senate
A majority of the respondents to a Suan Dusit Poll disagree with cabinet ministers and members of the military junta resigning their current positions to assume new roles in the Senate.
— Thai PBS News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Cash usage in Vietnam remains highest in ASEAN
Vietnam posted the highest rate of cash on delivery for internet purchase at 90.17%, significantly higher than the second ranked Indonesia of 65.30%.
— The Hanoitimes

Doesn’t Trust Huawei, Vietnam’s largest telco decided to opt out of its technology
On April 25th 2019, Vietnam joined the 5G club as its first base stations buzzed to life on top of the offices of the nation’s largest telecommunications firm. With reported speeds between 600 and 700 megabits per second, the experiment in fifth-generation network technology was on par with the United States’ and South Korea’s April rollouts, when telecom firms introduced 5G on a limited basis.
— Vietnam Insider

Hanoi approves $77 million underground parking lot
A $77-million underground parking lot is expected to be built under Thu Le Park in the west of Hanoi by the end of 2020.
–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.