Asean morning news for May 30

Asean morning news for May 30
Advertisement
Online English lessons

Asean morning newsAsean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Royal fest encore for Asean Summit
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed that parts of the Mahorasop Sompoch performances — organised to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King — be staged during the 34th Asean Summit, which will take place in Bangkok on June 22-23.
— Bangkok Post

A Chinese military base in Southeast Asia? Some say it’s inevitable
Big-power rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region has shifted the focus from military firepower toward competition over infrastructure and investment, spurred by China’s Belt and Road scheme and the U.S. and Japan-led Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

China doesn’t want confrontation with US in South China Sea: Ng Eng Hen
Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe has reaffirmed that his country does not want any confrontation with the US in the South China Sea, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Wednesday (May 29).
— Spratly Islands

Southeast Asia gains new leverage as China and US battle for influence
There are two “friendship bridges” spanning the Tonle Sap river in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Top US military official says Beijing achieving immediate South China Sea goals, but further moves should be challenged
With China’s massive build-up on a “pile of rocks” in the South China Sea slowing as China increasingly achieves what it wants militarily, any future expansion by Beijing or others in the area should be checked with clear and coherent collective action, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Wednesday.
— South China Morning Post

Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam added to US currency watch list
THE US TREASURY added Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam to a watch list for currency manipulation, putting their foreign-exchange policies under scrutiny.
— BusinessWorld Online

Manufacturing migration: Trade spat shifts business from ‘Factory of the World’
From socks and sneakers to washing machines and watches, Asian countries are hoping the US-China trade war will permanently boost manufacturing as brands dodge the row by choosing cheaper locations to make their goods.
— CNA

Asean media deepen insight into Korea’s history, culture
Media personnel from Asean countries are coming together here this week for the Asean Next-Generation Leaders Visit Korea, to learn about the country’s various historical, cultural, economic, and socio-political aspects.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

ASEAN’s cyber security challenge
ASEAN, the common refrain goes, moves slowly, especially on sensitive issues that touch on sovereignty and security, where the pace of consensus-forming adjusts to fit the comfort level of the most hesitant member state.
— Khmer Times

Working together to help build Asean’s future liveable cities
OUR region embodies opportunity. Significant urbanisation is underway in South-east Asia, with an additional 90 million people expected in Asean cities by 2030.
— The Business Times (paywall)

ASEAN not on track for SDG goals
Despite its best efforts to reach the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released on Monday stated that on its current trajectory, Asia Pacific will not achieve any of the 17 SDGs by its 2030 target.
— The Asean Post

China outbound investment: accessing the ASEAN opportunity through Singapore
In volatile times, the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remain a relative bright spot and zone of opportunity for Chinese investors searching for growth.
— TMF Group

Agriculture remains as the key source of jobs in ASEAN
Did you know? Agriculture, fishery and forestry sector remains as the key source of jobs in #ASEAN, employing about 104.3 million people.
— Thailand Business News

The toll of tourism: Can Southeast Asia save its prized natural areas?
Thailand’s Maya Bay used to be a quiet cove teeming with marine life, visited by only a handful of tourists each day.
— GreenBiz

China-ASEAN music week strikes notes in Nanning
The China-ASEAN Music Week 2019 kicked off Tuesday night in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
— Xinhuanet

Online English lessons


Cambodia morning newsCambodia morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Generators from Europe to help combat energy woes: PM
Two generators from Europe will help Cambodia deal with the power crisis, Prime Minister Hun Sen said during a conference in Japan yesterday.
— Khmer Times

Japan to provide $1.8m in aid to expand port
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said the Japanese government has pledged to provide $1.8 million in grant aid to develop a freight container station in Sihanoukville Port Special Economic Zone.
— Khmer Times

Cambodian exports to US surpass $1B in Q1 for first time
Cambodian exports to the US have seen a strong expansion this year, surpassing $1 billion in the first quarter for the first time, thanks largely to a boost in travel goods exports.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Indonesia’s Great Leap Forward in World Competitiveness
Indonesia has leaped over its peers in Asia-Pacific in terms of competitiveness thanks to improvements in government efficiency, infrastructure and business conditions, Switzerland-based International Institute for Management and Development, or IMD, revealed on Wednesday.
— Jakarta Globe

Transjakarta loses Rp 8 billion due to last week’s riots
City-owned bus operator Transjakarta lost Rp 8 billion (US$555,460) in potential revenue mainly because of road closures and diversions in some areas in the city due to the deadly postelection riots in Central and West Jakarta on May 21 and 22.
— The Jakarta Post

Jokowi and Prabowo Both Violate Campaign Finance Reporting Procedures
The Election Supervisory Agency, or Bawaslu, found that both pairs of candidates contesting the 2019 presidential election, Joko “Widodo” Widodo-Ma’ruf Amin and Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno, failed to follow administrative procedures in their campaign receipt and expenditure reports.
— Jakarta Globe

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Advertisement

Advertise in AEC News todayAsean


Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Laos and SK Engineering Clash over Cause of Dam Collapse
A South Korean construction firm has dismissed the latest findings by the Lao government that are cited as the reason for a fatal hydropower dam collapse last year in Laos.
— The Laotian Times

Visitor numbers from high-end, target countries plummet
The number of visitors to Laos from high-end and target countries declined significantly in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2018, a recent report reveals.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Lao Authorities Allow Chinese Firm to Plant on Land Promised to Dam Collapse Survivors
A Chinese-backed firm is growing bananas on land promised by the government of Laos as compensation to survivors of a 2018 dam collapse that that has been described as the country’s worst flooding in decades, RFA’s Lao Service has learned.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

State gov’t to extend electric bus service
The state government will be extending its electric bus service that has now reached the end of its three-month trial period. Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced that the service would still be available for free to commuters.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia maintains 22nd position IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2019
Malaysia has maintained its 22nd rank, among 63 countries, in the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2019 published by IMD World Competitiveness Centre, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. With a score of 82.54 out of 100 points, Malaysia sustained its position for the second year,
— The Borneo Post

Firms given 14 days to ship plastic waste out of Malaysia
Malaysia took some decisive steps yesterday to reiterate the fact that it will not be the world’s dumping ground.In an about-turn, the Sepang Municipal Council (SMC) revoked a six-month temporary operating licence issued to a plastic waste recycling factory, ordering the China-owned.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov
 

Rights group accuses Tatmadaw of war crimes in Rakhine State
Amnesty International has accused the Tatmadaw of committing war crimes in its operation against the Arakan Army in Rakhine State and has called on United Nations Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.
— Frontier Myanmar

Emergency power plans impossible without price rises: official
Electricity prices need to rise before the government can move forward with plans to meet demand for next hot season, a senior Ministry of Electricity and Energy official says.
— Frontier Myanmar

Arrest warrant issued for Myanmar firebrand monk Wirathu
Myanmar police issued an arrest warrant Tuesday evening for an ultra-nationalist monk known as the “Buddhist Bin Laden” for his vitriol against Islam and particularly the Rohingya Muslim community.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning newsPhilippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

PH, Japan bare 26 business deals amounting to ₱288-B
The Philippines and Japan have announced 26 deals amounting to ₱288.8 billion in estimated investments during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to the East Asian country.
— CNN Philippines

GOCC dividend remittance jumped 45% from Jan to May–DOF report
The government is on track to meeting its dividend collection targets after the remitted dividends of state-run firms and financial institutions grew 45 percent from the January-to-May period this year, the Department of Finance (DOF) reported on Wednesday.
— Business Mirror

Canada to pay P10-million cost of shipping back garbage on May 30
The Canadian government will pay the estimated P10 million shipping fee for the truckloads of hazardous waste it illegally dumped in the country years ago.
— Business Mirror

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning newsSingapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Real wages up 4.2% in 2018, but face squeeze this year
More employees in Singapore received wage increases last year, as the economy and labour market remained healthy.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

US puts Singapore on currency watch list
Singapore has been put on a currency watch list by the United States, along with eight other countries including China.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore, China agree to revise defence pact
China and Singapore have agreed to revise a defence pact, which could include larger-scale military exercises and frequent high-level dialogues, as part of efforts to deepen defence ties and cooperation.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Advertisement

Advertise in AEC News todayAsean

Thailand morning newsThailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Bhumjaithai will follow if Democrats don’t join Palang Pracharat group
Bhumjaithai party will not join the Palang Pracharat party in forming a government if the Democrats decide to part with the pro-Prayut party, said Bhumjaithai party leader Anuthin Charnvirakul today….
— Thai PBS News

Path open for PPRP coalition
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has agreed to let the Democrat Party take the three ministerial positions it demands, clearing the way for a coalition government to be formed successfully, a Democrat source said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand rises five places in IMD World Competitiveness Ranking
Thailand has advanced five places in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, driven by an increase in foreign direct investment and productivity.
— Thai PBS News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning newsVietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Vietnam’s 6 sectors projected for breakthroughs in investment in 2019
These sectors include two emerging sectors in the form of fintech and e-commerce, and four traditional sectors, including education, green energy, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, transportation & logistics.
— The Hanoitimes

Vietnam posts lowest 5-month CPI in 3 years
The consumer price index (CPI) of Vietnam, which measures changes in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services, rose 2.74 percent on-year between January and May, posting the lowest five-month level since 2017, the country’s General Statistics Office said on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Vietnam’s low labor cost appeal waning: Fitch
With recent minimum wage increases, Vietnam’s low labor cost allure for foreign investors is on the decline, says a Fitch Group report.
— 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.

 

Support independent media by sharing using these tools. Do not steal our content

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published.