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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Asean MP group urges end to political ‘harassment’
Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) have urged Thai authorities to end their “harassment” of Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and to refrain undermining anti-military parties in Parliament.
— Bangkok Post

More ‘substantive’ deal on S China Sea
Goodwill between Asean and China has reached an unprecedented level as both sides are working diligently to conclude the much anticipated code of conduct on the South China Sea.
— Bangkok Post

Australian ships tailed by Chinese military in South China Sea
The Australian Navy was closely followed by the Chinese military in a recent transit of the South China Sea, near islands controversially claimed by Beijing.
— ABC News

Green groups in Southeast Asia urge ban on trash shipments
Green groups from Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, have called on their respective governments to strictly enforce policies and bans on shipped wastes after the discovery of garbage from developed countries flooding communities in the region.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Emerging Asia growth to remain weaker this year, says think tank
Growth in Emerging Asia is expected to remain weak of the rest of the year as looser fiscal and monetary policy are unlikely to offset the drag from weaker global demand, Capital Economics said.
— The Philippine Star

Grab launches AI challenge in Southeast Asia to find talent
Grab, the leading super app in Southeast Asia, has kickstarted its first-ever AI for S.E.A challenge.
— HRM Asia

Measles threat looms large over ASEAN
Measles cases have been rising across the globe in 2019, with global data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last month showing that reported cases rose by 300 percent in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
— The Asean Post

Increasing trading within region will help Asean build resilience against global trade tensions
JUST when we thought the two largest countries in the world were close to an agreement to resolve their trade war, tensions have re-escalated.
— The Business Times (paywall)

Davao City eyes boost in trade, tourism ties with ASEAN cities
Following the successful tourism and trade roadshow in Seoul, Korea last week, the city government said it will increase its engagements with foreign neighbors not only to boost trade and tourism industry but also find a market for local entrepreneurs.
— Philippine News Agency

Investree CEO: ASEAN has huge lending market
Investree’s CEO and co-founder Adrian Gunadi said the growth of the financial technology (fintech) industry is accelerating.
— Tempo.co

Sony withdraws mobile business from Southeast Asia
Sony has withdrawn its mobile business from certain regions worldwide to focus on Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Europe.
— Marketing

Indonesian insurtech startup PasarPolis expands to Thailand, Vietnam
PasarPolis is expanding to more Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam, this year as part of its growth strategy, the company said in a statement.
— Tech in Asia

BSP sets sight on the rest of Mekong region
The Bank South Pacific (BSP) had made a successful entry into Cambodia in South East Asia and is eyeing further inroads into the Mekong region.
— Post-Courier

Proptech An Important Factor For Fintech’s Expansion
The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and big data. All of these are tech buzzwords that have been created by an increasing reliance on tech.
— Business Times

Southeast Asia Oil and Gas Production and Capital Expenditure Outlook
The “H1 2019 Production and Capital Expenditure Outlook for Key Planned and Announced Upstream Projects in Southeast Asia – Indonesia and Malaysia Lead in Oil and Gas Production” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
— Business Wire (media release)

B2B Market Entry Platform Greenhouse Raises S$3.8 Million to Help Companies Expand in Fast Growth Markets in Southeast Asia
Greenhouse, an integrated solution provider empowering businesses to expand in fast growth markets with curated B2B services and sustainable workspaces, has raised S$3.8 million in their latest bridge round funding.
— AEC News Today/ PRNewswire (media release)

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Jica comitted to support development of PAS port
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has expressed commitment to support the development of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) by continuing to provide grant aid and loans after it transferred its shares of PAS to Japanese logistic firm Kamigumi Co Ltd.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian PM: Win-Win Policy Laid Out Without External Order
The Win-Win Policy, which put an end to the over-30-year-long civil war in Cambodia, was set forth without any external order or assistance.
— AKP

Cambodia’s Poverty Rate Declines from 53% in 2004 to 13.5% in 2014 and to 10% Today: PM Hun Sen
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attended the 75th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) under the theme “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” held from from 27-31 May 2019, at the invitation of Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN-ESCAP.
— Fresh News (video)

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Not so fast: Indonesia regulator says 737 Max may not fly until 2020 (video)
While the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly ‘expecting’ to approve the Boeing 737 Max to return to US skies as early as the end of next month, Indonesia’s aviation regulator is among those internationally saying ‘not so fast’.
— AEC News Today (video)

Indonesia on top list of world’s halal tourism industry
Indonesia, which has been aggressively developing its halal tourism industry over the last five years, has been named the world’s best halal tourist destination, based upon the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2019.
— Antara News

Bank Indonesia launches national standard QR code
Bank Indonesia (BI) launched on Monday its long-awaited Quick Response Indonesia Standard (QRIS) code system that aims to universalize cashless payment in the country.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Lao PDR’s Ease of Doing Business rank reflecting complex business environment
Lao PDR has experienced rapid economic growth over the past 25 years.
— Devdiscourse

Ministry expands farmland available for dry season crops
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry achieved its 2018 target by creating an additional 153,000 hectares of agricultural land that can be farmed in the dry season.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Thailand-Laos forest planting activity held
Thung Chang district in Nan province of Thailand has held an ASEAN forest planting activity as part of the campaign promoting security and strength in villages along Thailand-Laos border, enhancing both countries’ relations.
— Vietnamplus

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Sarawak CM launches South-east Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production plant
A significant milestone was achieved today for Sarawak’s Green Energy Agenda with the official launch of South-east Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production plant and refuelling station and the introduction of the.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia Airlines, JAL ink joint business agreement
Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have inked a MoU to pursue a joint business agreement to enhance the quality of services provided by both carriers on flights between Malaysia and Japan.
— The Star Online

Sarawak govt allocates RM50 mln for R&D this year
The Sarawak government has set aside RM50 million for various research and development (R&D) initiatives in the state this year. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who disclosed this at a news conference here today, said the allocation was meant for R&D including.
— The Borneo Post

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Myanmar soldiers jailed for Rohingya massacre freed after months
Troops released in November 2018 after serving less than one year of their 10-year prison terms, Reuters report says.
— Aljazeera

Myanmar tops the list of the rare red-crowned crane population in South-East Asia
Myanmar becomes a country which can conserve the highest number of the rare red-crowned cranes in South East Asia, said Thet Zaw Naing of the WCS (Myanmar Program).
— Eleven Myanmar

Economic development not enough to solve Rakhine crisis – UNHCR chief
Filippo Grandi, chief of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said economic development alone would not solve the problems in Rakhine State, but the World Bank’s plan for a US$100-million project would be a big boost for the area.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

ADB approves 300 mln USD loan to support Philippine education
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 300-million-U.S. dollar loan to support the Philippine government’s efforts to achieve inclusive growth by improving access to high-quality secondary education that responds to labor market needs, the Manila-based bank said on Monday.
— Xinhuanet

PH, Japan to sign P300 billion worth of business deals
Filipino and Japanese companies are expected to sign more than 20 business agreements worth nearly P300 billion or $5 billion at the conclusion of the Philippine trade mission to Japan on May 30.
— Manilastandard.net

P500 billion in dole shielded from Palace whims
The law institutionalizing a P500-billion government dole to the poor must be accompanied by “responsive and relevant” implementing rules and regulations that ensure that the real beneficiaries are helped and that the program is sustainable and avoids wasteful spending, a Senate leader said Sunday.
— Manilastandard.net

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Singaporean Jeremy Tong conquers Everest, against all odds
Over 750 climbers, including Nepali guides, were en route to the summit of the world’s tallest mountain on the morning of May 22, all with the same goal – conquer Mt. Everest. Among them – 29-year old Singaporean, Jeremy Tong. Between frostbite and hypothermia On the way up, Tong had to …
— The Independent

ESM Goh says the ruling party should have 75-80% majority in Parliament to allow for long-term planning
Speaking to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao as reported by Straits Times, ahead of the launch of the Chinese-language edition of his book, Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said he would like to see the governing party in Singapore have a “clear majority” …
— The Online Citizen

Singapore’s business receipts continue to rise in Q1, but pace is slowing down
SINGAPORE’S services industries saw an increase in takings in the first quarter of 2019, even as the pace slowed down from before, according to data from the Department of Statistics (SingStat) on Monday.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Two dead, 14 hurt in Pattani blast
Two people were killed and 14 others wounded in a motorcycle bomb attack near a fresh market in Nong Chik district of Pattani Monday afternoon, police said.
— Bangkok Post

Chiang Mai victory gives bloc zero political gain
The anti-regime alliance has no reason to celebrate the Future Forward Party’s (FFP’s) landslide victory in a Chiang Mai by-election, thanks to the Election Commission’s MP calculation method, which will also add two seats to the pro-regime side – giving them a net gain of one seat.
— Bangkok Post

4 days later, Sattahip authorities aid homeless outside district office
Sattahip authorities came to the aid of a homeless woman begging for food and water in front of the district office for four days. After watching the dirty, hungry unidentified woman camping out at a pavilion on the beach in front of his office for nearly a week, Deputy District Chief Pikul Sopa …
— Pattaya Mail

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Viettel establishes high-tech ‘Make in Vietnam’ firm
Vietnam’s top telecom firm Viettel has set up a high-tech subsidiary to carry out the government’s mandate to make products locally.
— VnExpress

Việt Nam seafood exports to CPTPP member countries up 15 per cent
Việt Nam’s seafood exports to the other 10 members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have increased sharply since the agreement took effect earlier this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam attracts record FDI
Vietnam has drawn FDI worth $16.74 billion in the first five months of the year, the highest in the period since 2015.
— 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.

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