Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
RCEP negotiations in final stages: Minister
Negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are in their final stages, though there will be some tough trade-offs required, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said yesterday.
— The Straits Times
SE Asian internet economy on steep growth trajectory
Southeast Asia is the world’s fastest-growing internet region, where it is predicted that the internet economy is on a steep growth trajectory and expected to reach $240 billion by 2025, according to Google and Temasek.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Asean remains relevant, should forge greater cooperation to face superpowers, says Dr M
Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that Asean has remained as a relevant regional grouping in the world and should continue to strengthen its cooperation in facing challenges and influences by superpowers.
— Malay Mail
US Navy says maritime exercises with Asean not aimed vs China
The United States’ first maritime exercises with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) this week is not directly aimed at anyone nor in response to China’s activities in the South China Sea, a US Navy official said.
— Inquirer.net
ASEAN needs more than an ‘outlook’ on the Indo-Pacific
ASEAN released its ‘Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’ during the grouping’s late June annual summit.
— East Asia Forum
Philippine bucks downturn in Asean factory activity in Aug
Despite a modest improvement in manufacturing conditions in August, the Philippines led the recovery in business conditions in the ASEAN region during the month, according to the IHS Markit ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
— The Philippine Star
Vietnam startups gain on Indonesia and Singapore with new funding
Vietnam’s startup sector is growing at a rapid clip despite the global economic slump, as it closes the gap with regional leaders Indonesia and Singapore.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
ASEAN countries urged to work collectively against terrorism
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members should work collectively to combat terrorism, Brunei Police Commissioner Mohammad Irwan said on Tuesday.
— Xinhuanet
6 nations in SE Asia get WHO award for public health achievements
Ministers of Health of six Member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region were today felicitated for public health achievements in recent months such as measles elimination, hepatitis B control, and elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis.
— Medi Bulletin
Southeast Asia managers eager to work with external counterparts
Asset managers in southeast Asia are increasingly eager to work with external managers “to come up with more innovative and unique propositions to fill product gaps”, according to research from Cerulli Associates.
— Funds Global Asia
Japanese Companies Should Not Miss out Opportunities from Rapidly Growing ASEAN Ageing Population
ASEAN is facing rapid population ageing. It is estimated that all ASEAN countries will become ageing society (more than 7% of the population is 65 years old or older) in 20 years.
— Business Wire (media release)
Jakarta will become the capital of Southeast Asia
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo finally unveiled on Aug. 26 the location of Indonesia’s future capital city, set to be in East Kalimantan between North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara.
— The Jakarta Post
China-proposed BRI to benefit all participating countries: Malaysian PM
Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will benefit all participating countries.
— China.org.cn
Sustainability takes center stage in Southeast Asia
Few top corporate executives can afford to ignore the issue of sustainability, at least in public.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Disrupting venture capital in Southeast Asia and the competition around it
The amount of competition has increased at all levels intensely as large internationally renowned investors Naspers, Founders Fund, GGV Capital, Vulcan Capital ) focus on SEA, while prominent local investors and founders either set up (Tanglin Venture Partners, Asia Partners, Insignia etc), or double down with larger funds (Strive Vickers, Golden Gate Ventures, Openspace etc).
— e27
Gulf strengthens regional base with Vietnam, Laos plants
SET-listed Gulf Energy Development Plc plans to develop power plants in Vietnam and Laos to strengthen its business presence in Indochina.
— Bangkok Post
Can reverse mentoring help ASEAN’s workforce?
Reverse mentoring was a concept popularised by Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric (GE) in 1999.
— The Asean Post
Southeast Asian NOCs show growing appetite in global M&A market
I’ll bet that if you ask anyone with an interest in the global upstream M&A if they could name the top three spenders through the first half of 2019, they would struggle to name the third.
— Hellenic Shipping News
Israel military diplomacy and Asean
In recent years, Tel Aviv has been engaging in aggressive military diplomacy in Southeast Asia by selling weapons to several countries in the region, in its bid to establish closer bilateral ties.
— Daily Express
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
GMAC eyes no minimum wage increase
The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia yesterday said an increase of minimum wage for workers in 2020 will be impossible to achieve as the industry faces numerous challenges.
— Khmer Times
Power-Abusing Governments Should Not Rule, Mahathir Says in Phnom Penh
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told a packed room of Cambodian university students in Phnom Penh that governments that abuse their power and fail to serve the public don’t deserve to rule — which was why his party won an election last year.
— VOD
Cambodia among top five exporters of organic rice to the EU
Cambodia was the fifth largest exporter of organic rice to the European Union last year, with local companies confident exports will continue to rise in the coming years.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Critics lambast Criminal Code bill for ‘morality’ articles. But House seeks to pass bill soon
As the 2014-2019 term at the House of Representatives comes to an end, the legislative body and the government are resolved to pass the revised Criminal Code (KUHP) bill before the end of the month, seeking to conclude the decades-old attempt to modernize the country’s criminal law.
— The Jakarta Post
Why West Papua’s latest protests are different from the ones before
Thousands of people have been protesting across Indonesia’s easternmost territory over the past two weeks, torching government buildings and clashing with police, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
— ABC
President orders breakthrough to accelerate industry 4.0 roadmap
President Joko Widodo at a limited Cabinet meeting Tuesday ordered a breakthrough to encourage the acceleration of the industry 4.0 roadmap.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
Storm wreaks havoc in central Lao provinces
Floodwater inundated many areas of central Lao provinces after tropical storm Podul blasted through over the weekend, leaving one person dead and damaging large swathes of rice crops.
— Xinhua
Laos Records Over 28,300 Dengue Cases
The number of dengue cases in Laos has surged to 28,371 with 60 deaths reported since the beginning of 2019, the Ministry of Health has reported.
— KPL
Lao law enforcement agencies mull ways to combat transnational crime
The conference focused on the trade in illicit narcotics, human trafficking and money laundering, and was attended by more than 100 people.
— ANN/Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Group plans protest against Penang reclamation project
A coalition of 40 Muslim non-governmental organisations called Gerakan Pembela Ummah Pulau Pinang is planning a mass protest to oppose the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.
— Malay Mail
Sarawak has rights over port ownership and operations, says PBB man
The assemblyman says Sarawak needs to find out whether all legal requirements and processes were undertaken to give the federal government ownership of Bintulu Port.
— FMT News
Increasing retirement age counterproductive, says employers federation
The government should introduce a national re-employment policy to encourage companies to employ those above 60 on a voluntary basis instead of increasing the mandatory retirement age to 65.
— The Sun Daily
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
After Meeting Trump, a Myanmar Minister Faces Criminal Charges
The Baptist minister from Myanmar had less than 60 seconds in the Oval Office to tell President Trump about the mistreatment and abuse his people suffer.
— New York Times
Total FDI at hotel and tourism sector in Yangon hits over 230 m USD
From May to August this year, the Yangon Region Tourism Working Committee granted the permits for the construction of 21 hotels and guesthouses with the total investments of 238.29 million US dollars, according to a statement by the Committee.
— Eleven Myanmar
Yangon sets out to improve 100 small businesses
The Yangon Region government is seeking to develop of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) as part of its larger growth plans, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein says.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
‘Catch-up’ program to boost GDP growth
Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the government’s implementation of a “catch-up program” following a sluggish 5.6-percent gross domestic product expansion in the first half will boost economic growth for the rest of the year.
— Manilastandard.net
Measles claim 16 lives in Davao Region
A total of 16 deaths from the 1,299 cases of Measles and Rubella in Region 11 have been recorded by the Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH 11) from January to September 2 this year, a health official said on Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency
‘PH can’t have its Kalayaan Island Group’ – arbitral tribunal
IN the second case* where we shot ourselves in the foot in the arbitration case against China brought by President Benigno Aquino 3rd and his Foreign secretary Albert del Rosario, the tribunal in effect ruled that we can’t have our Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), since this would violate provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
— The Manila Times
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Public transport fares may increase by up to 7%: PTC
Public transport fares could increase by up to 7 per cent in the 2019 fare review exercise, said the Public Transport Council (PTC) on Tuesday (Sep 3).
— Channel News Asia (very annoying popups)
S$100b for climate change measures could come from borrowing, reserves and ministry budgets
The Government could fund the S$100 billion cost of climate change protection measures using a combination of borrowing, reserves and ministry budgets, Second Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong told Parliament on Tuesday (Sep 3).
— Channel News Asia (very annoying popups)
MPs call for better treatment of injured migrant workers as amended work injury law passed
Members of Parliament (MP) have urged employers of migrant workers who sustain injuries while on the job to promptly pay for their medical treatment, and provide proper food and accommodation during the compensation process.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Karen activist ‘Billy’ killed and incinerated in oil drum – DSI
Karen human rights defender Polajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen was killed and his body stuffed into and burned in a 200-litre oil drum, which was later dumped into a river in Kaeng…
— Thai PBS News
Ninth turtle succumbs to pollution in Sattahip this past week
Another dead turtle washed up on a Sattahip beach, bringing this week’s total to nine. Sea Turtle Hospital Veterinarian Kirin Sorapipatcharoen confirmed after autopsy the turtle died from consuming plastic garbage, most likely confusing it for jellyfish.
— Pattaya Mail
Paris court hands ex-Thai airline CEO 4-year jail term over 2007 crash
A French court on Tuesday sentenced the former head of a Thai budget airline to four years in jail over a 2007 crash that killed 90 people, nearly two-thirds of them foreigners.
— CNA
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam ex-minister took US$3 million bribes in MobiFone case: Police
Police in Vietnam have accused a former information minister of taking US$3 million in bribes in connection with a controversial deal at state telecoms firm MobiFone, state media reported on Tuesday (Sep 3).
— CNA
Vietnam GDT proposes to erase $515M in irrecoverable debts
Vietnam’s General Department of Taxation (GDT) has proposed to erase 12 trillion dong ($515 million) out of the total 30 trillion dong in irrecoverable tax debts.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Vietnam sees slowest rise in industrial output in 21 months
The slowdown in growth in August, and panelist reports of the US-China trade tensions harming demand, show that the Vietnamese manufacturing sector is not immune to the impacts of global trade issues.
— The Hanoitimes
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
—
About Asean morning news.
Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news roundups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Asean English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Asean English language news today.
We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Asean daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Asean news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.30am Bangkok time.
We clearly identify the source of all the Asean news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.
This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Asean news article, or keep on reading the remaining Asean daily news headlines.
Click here to get your Asean English language news today by email before 8am Bangkok time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.
For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.
#Independentmedia
Governance, not government; policies not politics.