Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu        @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19 in Asean: update for April 9 — regional deaths top 500 as global infections punch through 1.5mln
As of 01:34 GMT April 9 there was 11,571 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 466, or 4.20 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
Doctors See High Mortality in Virus Fight in Philippines, Indonesia
Doctors are accounting for a large proportion of deaths from Covid-19 in the Philippines and Indonesia, two of the most medically under-served nations in Southeast Asia.
— Bloomberg
ASEAN ministers look into coordinating measures to curb COVID-19
The ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) held its 25th meeting in the form of a video conference on April 9 chaired by the council’s chairman – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh.
— Viet Nam News
COVID-19 Report: Malaysia mulls lockdown extension, Bangkok bans alcohol sales
Malaysia is expected to announce whether it will extend its month-old lockdown as known coronavirus cases continue to surge there with 4,228 cases reported since the outbreak began.
— Coconuts Singapore
Escap report downbeat on prospects for Asia-Pacific
Risks to near-term economic performance are strongly tilted towards the downside for Asia-Pacific developing economies because of the coronavirus pandemic, unresolved trade tensions and limited monetary policy space, says a UN body.
— Bangkok Post
Southeast Asia’s COVID-19 transmission dynamic shows one strategy doesn’t fit all
The transmission of COVID-19 has been much lower in tropical countries than in China’s Wuhan, Europe and the United States, and strict adherence to prevention measures – rather than a full lockdown – might be sufficient to limit its spread in South and Southeast Asia.
— Frontier Myanmar
Exposure to coronavirus disruption low for majority of APAC infrastructure companies
Of the nearly 200 rated infrastructure issuers in Asia-Pacific, 68 per cent have low exposure to disruption from the coronavirus, 23 per cent have moderate exposure, and 9 per cent have high exposure said Moody’s Investors Service in a sector comment released on Thursday.
— The Business Times
Asean needs to coordinate to finance infrastructure, says report
With South-east Asia facing a funding deficit to meet its burgeoning energy and infrastructure needs, the region needs stronger coordination, skills and transparency in elevating sustainable projects to investors, according to the findings of a report by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).
— The Star Online
ASEAN, APT special virtual summits set for mid-April in response to COVID-19
Vietnam, rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2020, will host two special virtual summits between ASEAN members and the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) countries of China, Japan and South Korea on April 14 in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, a senior official with the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
— China.org.cn
Covid-19 pandemic is a call to arms for Asean to do more, not a death knell of regional unity
Covid-19 has shown that the aspiration by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to foster a regional community cannot merely be a lofty vision – it is a necessity by virtue of its interconnectedness.
— South China Morning Post
How COVID-19 Could Spark a Series of Crises Across Southeast Asia
At times of crisis, it’s tempting to think that the end is in sight; that things can only get better.
— The Diplomat
To tackle COVID-19, a united ASEAN must deliver urgently
The number of active COVID-19 patients in ASEAN passed 10,000 at the beginning of this week.
— The Jakarta Post
ASEAN update on restrictions to combat Covid-19
Scandasia is monitoring daily updates in Asia / South East Asia to make sure we serve the latest update on the region to our readers. Here’s the latest information from 1-6 April 2020.
— ScandAsia.com
Southeast Asia’s auto plants limp along at 30% of capacity
Auto factories throughout Southeast Asia are operating at only 30% of capacity as the coronavirus outbreak undercuts new vehicle purchases.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
25 Southeast Asia venture firms rally to connect Covid-19 related startup layoffs to new openings
“Top talent is what makes or breaks ventures, so as an ecosystem, we have a collective interest and responsibility to keep the talent in Southeast Asia.
— DNA
SE Asia Stocks-Vietnam leads gains as markets end higher on hopes of pandemic peaking
Southeast Asian stock markets tracked global equities to close higher on Thursday, with gains led by Vietnamese stocks, as investor sentiment was boosted by hopes of the coronavirus pandemic peaking and stimulus efforts by governments.
— Reuters
ASEAN Film Week 2020 to be held
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision on April 8 to approve the organisation of the ASEAN Film Week in celebration of Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year.
— Nhan Dan Online
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Gov’t Bans Travel Between Provinces for One Week; Cites Factory Workers’ Plans to Travel for Holidays
The Cambodian government Thursday evening announced a one-week travel ban within the country, preventing all travel between provinces, and even districts, on account of concerns garment workers were planning to disobey orders to work through Khmer New Year.
— VOA Khmer
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court Jails Digital Media CEO for Quoting Prime Minister Hun Sen
Judge Key Manera of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court Thursday (April 9) ordered the detention of Sovann Rithy, CEO of the digital media network TVFB, at the Police Judiciary prison for, according to the detention letter, “Inciting to commit crimes.”
— Cambodianess
Cambodian Economy To Reel Under The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic
We at Fitch Solutions are revising Cambodia’s 2020 real GDP growth to 3.0%, from 6.0% previously, and our estimate of 6.7% in 2019.
— Fitch Solution
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy        @justhine.aecnews
Indonesia reports biggest jump in coronavirus deaths as Malaysia trend improves
Indonesia reported its biggest daily jump in coronavirus deaths on Thursday, bringing the total confirmed number to 280 in the world’s fourth most populous country, the highest death toll in Asia outside China where the virus first emerged.
— National Post
1.2 million Indonesian workers furloughed, laid off as COVID-19 crushes economy
The COVID-19 pandemic, which is spreading like wildfire in Indonesia, has taken not just lives but also the earnings of millions of workers, one month after the government announced Indonesia’s first two confirmed cases of the virus.
— The Jakarta Post
500 Malaysia-returned migrant workers in N Sumatra to be quarantined
A total of 500 Indonesian migrant workers, who returned to North Sumatra from Malaysia, will be quarantined prior to being allowed to return to their respective hometowns.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Covid-19 Taskforce confirms 16th case
The Covid-19 Taskforce confirmed this afternoon one more new infection case, taking the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the Lao PDR to 16.
— KPL
Last flights to return home
Here’s some good news for British travellers who are stranded in Thailand hoping to snatch up a flight to the UK.
— TTRW
International medical supply donations assist Covid-19 prevention
The Ministry of Health has welcomed a donation of medical supplies worth about US117,500 to assist Laos’ efforts to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 from ICBC Bank.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men        @MenSreypov
COVID-19: Malaysia records lowest number of new cases in 2 weeks
Malaysia on Thursday (Apr 9) reported 109 new COVID-19 cases, its lowest in about two weeks, bringing the total tally to 4,228.
— Channel NewsAsia
MCO: S’wak govt sets aside RM2.3 mln as special assistance for farmers, fishermen in state
The Sarawak government has set aside a total of RM2.3 million as special assistance for farmers and fishermen in the state in light of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which is enforced to curb the spread of Covid-19.
— The Borneo Post
Sarawak govt receives 2 mln face masks from China, will be distributed to all households
The Sarawak government received its booking of two million face masks from China today which will be distributed to heads of household in all divisions and districts of the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
— The Borneo Post
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men        @MenSreypov
Myanmar reports four more COVID-19 cases
Myanmar reported four new COVID-19 cases on April 10, two with no recent travel histories and no apparent contacts with persons who recently traveled abroad, and two migrant workers who recently returned from Singapore and Thailand.
— Myanmar Times
Parts of Myanmar Reverse Plans For Long Coronavirus Lockdowns After Complaints
Officials in a Myanmar state and region on Tuesday reversed earlier decisions to impose controversial two-week lockdowns to prevent the spread of the contagious coronavirus and are now allowing residents to leave their homes for essential services.
— Radio Free Asia
Voice of Myanmar Journalist Freed 10 Days After Arrest For Interview of Banned Arakan Army
Myanmar police on Thursday evening released the top editor of a Mandalay-based news agency who was arrested last month on terrorism-related charges for publishing an interview with the Arakan Army after the Rakhine rebel group was blacklisted by the government as an unlawful association and terrorist group.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu        @stmarisewudolu
Doctors See High Mortality in Virus Fight in Philippines, Indonesia
Doctors are accounting for a large proportion of deaths from Covid-19 in the Philippines and Indonesia, two of the most medically under-served nations in Southeast Asia.
— Bloomberg (video)
COVID-19 infects 19 incumbent, former Philippine gov’t execs, kills 2 of them
At least 19 incumbent and former government officials have tested positive for COVID-19, with two of them succumbing to the illness.
— GMA Network
PH coronavirus cases rise to 4,076, death toll at 203
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 206 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, bringing the total up to 4,076 as of Thursday, April 9.
— Rappler
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy        @justhine.aecnews
Singapore reports a record 287 new COVID-19 cases with more than half linked to dormitory cluster
Singapore reported 287 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday (Apr 9), the largest daily increase so far and more than double yesterday’s highest record, the multi-ministry task force dealing with the coronavirus said during a press conference on Thursday (Apr 9).
— CNA
COVID-19: Fines, prosecution in court for repeat offenders of ‘circuit breaker’ measures
People who repeatedly flout the stricter safe-distancing measures as part of a “circuit breaker” to curb the spread of COVID-19 will face a fine or be charged in court.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Coronavirus: 1,300 foreign workers move into SAF camps for circuit breaker period
About 1,300 foreign workers are moving temporarily into two Singapore Armed Forces camps this week, as part of the national effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre        @photo_journ
COVID-19: 38 new cases, one more death
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Spokesman for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, said today that Thailand now has an accumulated total of 2,258 confirmed cases in 66 provinces.
— NNT
Did an Issan woman get coronavirus for a second time?
A 38 year old woman from Thailand’s northeastern Chaiyaphum province in the Issan region appears to have contracted the Covid-19 coronavirus for a second time, after she was ‘cured’ of the virus in Bangkok in the middle of March.
— The Thaiger
Hospital where Covid cases outnumber doctors pleads for donations
Kong Ra Hospital in Phatthalung province is asking for donations of money and medical supplies, saying that it currently has five Covid-19 patients but only three doctors.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov
Vietnam confirms four new Covid-19 cases
Four new Covid-19 cases, three of them having contact with other patients, have taken Vietnam’s tally to 255 as of Thursday evening.
— VnExpress
Vietnam can produce 5.72 million surgical masks a day – government
The Vietnamese government said on Thursday the Southeast Asian country can produce 5.72 million surgical masks a day to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
— Yahoo News
Vietnam approves $7.6 bln tax holiday to help virus-hit businesses
Vietnam has approved a plan to delay the collection of 180 trillion dong ($7.6 billion) worth of taxes and land rent to help businesses hit by the new coronavirus, which has infected 251 people in the country, the government said on Thursday.
— National Post
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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About Asean morning news.
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