Asean morning news for July 31, 2020

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 19 — regional deaths top 6,000; global: 600,000
As of 00:31 GMT July 19 there was 83,170 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 2,086, or 2.57 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

Japan to pay at least $536 million for companies to leave China
Japan’s government will start paying its companies to move factories out of China and back home or to Southeast Asia, part of a new program to secure supply chains and reduce dependence on manufacturing in China.
— Livemint

Cambodia’s silent wildlife slaughter for bushmeat risks zoonotic crossovers (video)
A recent World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Nature Cambodia report has documented the alarming rate of wildlife slaughter for the illicit bushmeat trade, raising concerns of the risk of a home-grown zoonotic crossover event similar to one theory of how the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak began.
— AEC News Today

Asia-Pacific must set loftier electrification goals — ADB expert
THE Asia and Pacific region should set more aggressive targets for universal electricity access over the next decade, an energy sector expert from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
— BusinessWorld

South China Sea: US clash with China now ‘inevitable’
A clash within the South China Sea is now almost inevitable.
— News.com.au (video)

Why Asean should treat the Mekong like the South China Sea
The membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is equally divided between mainland and maritime states.
— South China Morning Post

Japan to extend $4.6 billion in Asia-Pacific loans
The government has decided to provide up to $4.6 billion (¥500 billion) loans over the next two years to help developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region fight against the novel coronavirus, sources said.
— The Nation

China’s economic rebound good news for Southeast Asian nations, says economist
China’s economic growth is likely to benefit Southeast Asian nations as the country commands a “lion’s share” of regional exports, CNBC quoted an economist as saying on Thursday.
— Inquirer.net

ASEAN Trade Measures And COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a heavy toll not only in terms of human lives, but also on the world’s economy.
— The Asean Post

Asean project to help small businesses hit by pandemic
Asean Business Advisory Council (BAC) Philippines chair Joey Concepcion promises a faster, easier and cheaper access to mentorship as part of efforts to support micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) hit by the pandemic through his legacy project, Asean Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (Amen), supported by the different Asean countries during a stakeholders meeting on July 17.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

ASEAN appreciates US stance on South China Sea
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have thanked the United States for backing international law on the South China Sea.
— VN Express International

Business Recovery in ASEAN After COVID-19 – Latest Issue of ASEAN Briefing Magazine
Southeast Asia has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic as much of the rest of the world.
— Asean Briefing

A weak ASEAN can’t save South China Sea
Beijing’s belligerence is on the rise all around, whether it is unleashing a new terror regime in the name of “national security” in Hong Kong, the attempts to encroach on Indian land along the border or the bid to usurp the sea lines of communication in the South China Sea.
— The Pioneer

Huawei 5G dominance threatened in Southeast Asia
Huawei Technologies faces increasing headwinds in the global race for 5G network equipment, with Singapore becoming the latest country that has partnered with European makers for the high-speed internet infrastructure.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

How the pandemic is changing Southeast Asian digital consumers’ behaviour
While Covid-19 may be among the most devastating of all black swan events to hit Southeast Asia, it by no means is the first — and like previous crises in the world, it is introducing long-lasting changes to consumer behaviour and digital adoption.
— The Edge Markets

Asian body steps up lobby for inclusion of esports in 2021 SEA Games
THE Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) has sought the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the National Electronic Sports Federation of the Philippines (NESFP) for the inclusion of esports in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games calendar.
— Spin.Ph

What does the COVID-19 boom in gaming mean for Southeast Asia?
The global video game industry is booming despite the prevalent economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Asean Today

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Cambodia Reports Five New Cases of Covid-19
Cambodia reported five new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, according to the Ministry of Health’s press release dated 17 July 2020 (updated as of 10:30 a.m).
— Fresh News

ADB says Kingdom to lose 390,000 jobs
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts Cambodia will suffer 390,000 job losses this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But it congratulated the government for its response to the crisis and its cash transfer programme for the poor and vulnerable.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia records highest Covid-19 fatality since March 11
Indonesia records its highest number of Covid-19-related fatalities in 24 hours with 127 cases, since the first death was reported on March 11.
— New Straits Times

World Bank warns of 2% contraction in Indonesia’s economy this year
The World Bank has warned that the Indonesian economy might contract 2 percent this year if mobility restrictions are further implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

Jayapura hospital closed after 54 health workers contract COVID-19
The management of Jayapura Provita Hospital decided to shut down all health services, including the emergency unit (IGD), from Friday, after its 54 health workers tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Laos: Borders remain closed to foreigners but resume flights on Vientiane-Hanoi route
The government of Laos has chosen to keep its borders closed to foreign visitors, with testing and medical certification required before travelers can exit the country to ensure it remains free of Covid-19, reports the Laotian Times.
— The Star

Laos: Govt issues notice to lower residential electricity prices
The Prime Minister’s Office has issued a notice to the Ministry of Energy and Mines to reduce residential electricity prices from April to December during the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Star

Laos reports 113 new cases of dengue fever
The Lao Ministry of Health reported 113 more cases of dengue fever on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 3,202.
— Xinhuanet

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysian growers move online during COVID-19 pandemic
Malaysian farmers have gone online to sell their produce instead of disposing of tons of fresh fruit and vegetables every day after Malaysia imposed a Movement Control Order (MCO) in March to limit the spread of coronavirus in the country.
— Fresh Plaza

End-month payout set for BKSS 2020 recipients yet to receive cash aid, assures EPU
The 78,123 households from the low-income B40 group whose eligibility for the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 2020 is based on the updated Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) list, should receive their aid payments at the end of this month.
— The Borneo Post

‘Elite Capture’ In ‘Very Corrupt Country, Malaysia’
The present PN Foreign Minister, Hishamuddin Hussein, who is the cousin of Najib Razak, has responded after being taken to task by a predecessor (Anifah Aman) for claiming last week that there had been no recent incursions by China into Malaysian waters despite there having been 89 incidents between 2016 and 2019.
— Sarawak Report

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Myanmar Holds Muted Martyrs’ Day Tribute to Fallen Independence Heroes
Myanmar’s public marked one of the Southeast Asian nation’s darkest moments on Sunday with tributes to slain independence heroes, though the annual Martyrs’ Day gatherings were muted by the coronavirus pandemic due to social distancing measures.
— VOA

Myanmar Military Chief Affirms Support for China’s BRI Projects
In a meeting with the Chinese ambassador, commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the Tatmadaw’s support for China’s infrastructure projects in Myanmar.
— Irrawaddy

‘Ugly face’: U.S. and China trade barbs in Myanmar as South China Sea rift deepens
China’s Embassy in Myanmar on Sunday accused the United States of “outrageously smearing” the country and driving a wedge with its Southeast Asian neighbors over the contested South China Sea and Hong Kong, as tensions mount between the superpowers.
— Japan Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Still no changes to protect health workers vs. COVID-19 in the workplace –nurses group
There have been almost no changes made to better protect health workers against COVID-19 in the workplace since the pandemic started, a nurses group said Sunday.
— GMA Network

Is PH winning or losing vs coronavirus? DOH says fight far from over
The fight against COVID-19 is far from over, a health official said Saturday, so it isn’t yet time to say with certainty that the country is either winning or losing the so-called war against the pandemic.
— ABS-CBN News

Court orders gov’t to answer anti-terror lawsuit
THE Supreme Court has given the government 10 days to comment on four lawsuits seeking to stop it from enforcing an expanded law against terrorism that critics said allows the state to stifle dissent.
— BusinessWorld

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

More than 140,000 employers to receive S$4 billion in Jobs Support Scheme payouts from Jul 29
More than S$4 billion in Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) payouts will be disbursed to employers from Jul 29.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore’s tourism receipts down 39% to S$4b in Q1
SINGAPORE’S tourism receipts took a hit in the first quarter of this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, sinking 39 per cent from the year-ago period to S$4 billion, according to figures released on Friday in the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) quarterly report.
— The Business Times

Singapore’s June export rebound caps expansionary first half
SINGAPORE’S non-oil domestic exports (NODX), which rebounded in June after a surprise dip in May, are now on track to outshine the official forecast of a full-year contraction.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Poll: vast majority fear second virus wave, support foreign arrival ban
A recent opinion poll by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll, showed well over 90% of respondents fear a second wave of Covid-19 and want a complete ban on foreign arrivals in Thailand.
— The Thaiger

Thousands Join Biggest Anti-Gov’t Rally Since Virus Lockdown
Several thousand anti-government protesters rallied in Thailand’s capital on Saturday to call for a new constitution, new elections and an end to repressive laws.
— Khaosod English

BoT eases Debt Clinic conditions for bad loans
The Bank of Thailand has relaxed conditions for the Debt Clinic project to aid borrowers saddled with non-performing loans (NPLs) in response to expectations that retail distressed debt will continue increasing throughout the pandemic.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam Airlines looks for assistance amid COVID-19
Dragged by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national carrier Vietnam Airlines is seeking measures to ease pressure on its cash liquidity.
— Viet Nam News

Trade surplus reaches record of $5.46 billion
Việt Nam’s import and export activities recovered strongly in June, signalling a more optimistic outlook for the country’s foreign trade in the latter half of this year.
— Viet Nam News

All Pakistani pilots working for Vietnamese airlines have valid licences
All Pakistani pilots working for Vietnamese airlines have valid and legitimate licences and none have been involved in a flight incident or safety threat, the government said on Saturday.
— Vietnam Insider

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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