Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
China proposes ASEAN+3 mega free trade agreement sans India, Australia and NZ
India could be out of the mega trade deal being negotiated between 16 countries, including the ASEAN and China, if a proposal made by Beijing for a free trade pact excluding New Delhi is taken seriously by other members.
— BusinessLine
Southeast Asia hit by dengue outbreak
It is an annual ritual throughout Southeast Asia: As the rainy season starts and the humidity spikes, the mosquitoes come out.
— Chinadaily.com.cn
Brunei trying to decrease its people’s NCDs
Eating habits and their effects on personal well-being are closely connected to being healthy or sick. In Brunei Darussalam, it has been noted that people have enough nutrition but a lack of fiber. The government is now working with supermarkets to promote fruit and vegetables and is telling the people about the benefits of eating more greens.
— NBT World (video)
VN represents ASEAN in committing to protecting civilians in armed conflicts
Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Việt Nam permanent mission to the United Nations, reiterated the commitment made by ASEAN countries to protect civilians during armed conflicts during a speech on behalf of the bloc at the opening debate of the UN Security Council in New York on Thursday.
— Viet Nam News
In South China Sea, Asean has a choice: ‘Asian values’ or rule of law?
Asian seas are far from tranquil as Beijing asserts control and builds its military presence in the South China Sea.
— South China Morning Post
More action needed on Rohingya repatriation
ASEAN’s emergency response agency has identified possible contributions member states could make for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, but more work is needed to convince the refugees to return, Indonesia’s lead diplomat on ASEAN affairs said recently.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Already hit by swelling imports, copper producers dread body blow from RCEP
Even before India formally signs the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the domestic copper producers have flagged concerns to the Union government on the plight likely to befall them.
— Business Standard
The Race for 650 Million Virtual Bank Accounts
China’s tech giants have upended the country’s payments system and promise to shake up its consumer-banking sector.
— Bloomberg
Philippines lags behind Asean peers in financial sector development
The Philippines lags behind other member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in terms of the development of its financial sector, according to the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS).
— The Philippine Star
ASEAN-Australia Joint Cooperation Committee holds 9th meeting
The 9th meeting of the ASEAN-Australia Joint Cooperation Committee took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 24.
— Vietnamplus
Suicides in Southeast Asia on the rise
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that over 800,000 people commit suicide every year.
— The Asean Post
Medical marijuana: Thailand leads the way
Thailand legalised the use of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes in December 2018, granting usage for patient treatment and research and industry activities only.
— The Asean Post
Why proptech needs fintech to expand in Southeast Asia
We live an age of technology buzzwords. First, there are the so-called “deep techs” like the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data, and Blockchain.
— Asean Today
Will ASEAN get serious about plastic waste?
Southeast Asia stands to gain the most from the addition of plastic waste to the Basel Convention earlier this month.
— The Asean Post
Why Western beauty ideals and ‘Instagram face’ rule in Southeast Asia, and women hide their ‘Asian noses’
A swish of foundation, a dab of lip tint on the cheeks and nose – Malaysian make-up artist Jia is prepping her model for a false-eyelashes product shoot.
— South China Morning Post
Martyrs in Laos, Cambodia laid to rest in Kon Tum province
A ceremony was held by the Party Committee, the People’s Committee and the Vietnam Fatherland Front chapter of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum to on May 25 bury remains of 14 Vietnamese voluntary troops and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos and Cambodia.
— Vietnamplus
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
ADB approves $7.6 million loan for solar
In a bid to promote the development of renewable energies in the Kingdom, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday approved a $7.64-million loan to support the construction of a 100-megawatt solar power park in Kampong Chhnang.
— Khmer Times
NEC: Voter Turnout Rate Is 99.94 Percent
About 99.94 percent of the 11,572 eligible voters cast their ballots during the 3rd Election of Capital, Provincial, Municipal, District and Khan Councils held across the country on May 26.
— Agence Kampuchea Presse
Cambodia puts circular economy in motion
Climate risks and demand by Cambodia’s garment customers for international standard waste compliance are inevitably pushing the Kingdom towards a circular economy.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia Bans Boeing 737 MAX 8s to Fly during Eid Season
Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said Boeing 737 MAX 8s remain banned so that these aircraft could not yet be operated for carrying passengers during the Eid al-Fitr holiday season.
— Tempo
Indonesia hopes ‘new Bali’ will drive tourism boom but the locals of Lombok are unconvinced
Following his re-election, Indonesian President Joko Widodo will proceed with an ambitious plan to develop 10 new tourist destinations, including Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara province, an island 30 minutes from Bali by plane.
— South China Morning Post
Prabowo officially challenges election results at Constitutional Court
Indonesia’s opposition candidate lodged an appeal yesterday over claims that he lost the presidential election due to widespread cheating, allegations that spawned deadly rioting in the capital Jakarta.
— Coconuts Jakarta
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Global Fund gives boost to battle against malaria
The Global Fund has forecast a budget of over US$2 million in assistance to Laos from 2018 to 2020 to assist with the elimination of malaria and reduce the impact of multi-drug resistance in five southern provinces.
— Vientiane Times
ADB Supports Employment Service System Development
ADB- supported Technical assistance (TA) project has helped to develop employment service system for the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) expand opportunities for local job seekers’ access to employment information.
— KPL
Laos Silent About Villager’s Jail Death as Exile Rights Groups Demand Answers
Exile Lao human rights groups on Friday pressed the Vientiane government to investigate the death in custody last month of Lao villager who had been detained since 2011 over a land protest in the country’s Salavan province.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Small businesses bear the brunt in Malaysia’s war against single-use plastic
Visit any Ramadan bazaar during the fasting month in Malaysia and one will notice a common feature: food and drinks are all packed in single-use plastic.
— Channel NewsAsia
Govt committed to strengthening Malaysia-China ties, says PM
The new Malaysian government that came to power in May last year is committed to strengthening Malaysia-China relations with even closer and more meaningful co-operation, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Borneo Post
Malaysia prepares to boost palm-biofuel use in wake of EU limits
MALAYSIA’S national automotive policy is expected to allow for a higher percentage of palm-biodiesel blends over the next few decades, according to International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking.
— New Straits times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Toyota to build its first assembly plant in Myanmar
Toyota Motor is building its first assembly plant in Myanmar, several sources including from the automaker told the Nikkei Asian Review on Sunday, making inroads into the Southeast Asian nation’s small but fast-growing new-vehicle market.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
UN High Commissioner for Refugees concludes visit to Myanmar
During five-day trip, Filippo Grandi pledges support for the displaced and help to build the confidence Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh need to return safely and voluntarily.
— UNHCR
Myanmar to set up forced labor complaint mechanism
Myanmar is drafting a national-level mechanism to receive complaints about forced labor, according to a senior government official.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Govt set to submit record P4.1-t budget to Congress
The Budget Department plans to submit to Congress a record P4.1-trillion national government budget for 2020 on the same day President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his fourth State-of-the-Nation Address in July this year, acting Budget Secretary Janet Abuel said over the weekend.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippines bans official travels to Canada over garbage spat
The Philippine government confirmed on Sunday (May 26) that it has banned all government officials and employees from making official trips to Canada, a move that the country is serious in diminishing diplomatic relations with Canada over the trash dispute.
— The Straits Times
Gov’t swings to surplus in April as spending slows on 2019 budget delay
UNDERSPENDING due to the delayed passage of the 2019 national budget caused the government’s fiscal position to swing to a surplus in April, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported on Friday.
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Singapore manufacturers not hit by Huawei ban but brace for tech war
SINGAPORE manufacturers that produce parts for the tech sector said that they are not directly hit by the recent developments surrounding Huawei, even as they feel the heat with the trade war shaping up to become a tech war.
— The Business Times
More body scanners at Changi Airport
Fourteen body scanners have been installed across the four terminals at Changi Airport, as part of moves to boost security amid increasing threat levels.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Temasek Poly links up with HDB to boost active ageing activities
Over the next three years, Temasek Polytechnic students studying gerontology will organise activities to help promote active ageing lifestyles for the elderly from the comfort of the seniors’ own neighbourhoods.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thai statesman General Prem dies at the age of 98
President of the Privy Council General Prem Tinsulanonda died this morning of heart failure at Phra Mongkut hospital. He was 98 years old. General Prem was rushed to hospital…
— Thai PBS News
Thais could gain from US tariffs
Thailand is expected to gain more than it loses if the US slaps tariffs of up to 25% on an additional list of Chinese imports worth US$300 billion, according to a study by the Commerce Ministry’s planning unit.
— Bangkok Post
PCD officials search for source of chemicals after fire at Laem Chabang port
Pollution Control Department officials are investigating the cause of the chemical fire on board a freighter at Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Thailand’s eastern province of Chon Buri.
— Thai PBS News
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Coal reigns in Vietnam’s booming energy sector but interest growing in renewables
Vietnam has become a hot spot for energy investors eyeing a spend of up to $150 billion over the coming decade to meet surging power demand, with coal set to dominate despite signs of a government effort to go green.
— The Japan News
$493 million takes the wrong road to Vietnam expressway builder
The state auditing agency has called for the retrieval of $493 million wrongly allocated to the Vietnam Expressway Corporation.
— VnExpress
Vietnam Culls 1.7 Million Pigs as Virus Spreads to New Areas
Vietnam culled more than 1.7 million pigs as African swine fever spread across the country, with officials warning the disease may penetrate sizable commercial farms next.
— Bloomberg
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.
Asean morning news for May 27 added by Digital Editor on
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