Asean morning news for March 13, 2020

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 12 — two deaths, 70 new cases
As of 01:30 GMT March 12 there was 340 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries.
— AEC News Today

Coronavirus set to ravage new deals across Asia
The coronavirus outbreak will likely have a severe impact on new stock market listings across Asia this year and hinder mergers and acquisitions, according to global consultancy Bain & Co.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Trump’s troop withdrawals are forcing Asia to contemplate a post-US future, particularly in the South China Sea
The United States has announced a historic withdrawal from Afghanistan after bagging a negotiated deal with the Taliban, ending a war in a country where American troops have been fighting for nearly two decades.
— South China Morning Post

ADB offers to fund makers of key goods used in Covid-19 containment
COMPANIES in Asia and the Pacific region manufacturing and distributing products essential to containing the outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) have been offered the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) $200-million Supply Chain Finance Program for capital to support the expected increase in production amid demand for such products.
— BusinessWorld

Be wary of Chinese research vessel deployment to South China Sea, analyst says
China has recently deployed its research vessel with a manned submersible to the South China Sea for a marine scientific research, a move that is seen as an “assertion of its excessive rights” in the disputed waters.
— Inquirer.net

Asean Meeting of Finance Chiefs to Proceed in Vietnam in March
Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Vietnam later this month after initially weighing a proposal to postpone the summit due to the coronavirus.
— BloombergQuint

Cambodia Ranks at Bottom for Rule of Law in East Asia: Report
Cambodia placed 15th out of 15 countries surveyed in the East Asia and Pacific region for adherence to rule of law, according to a report released on Wednesday by the World Justice Project, which also ranked the autocratic Southeast Asian state near the very bottom of its list of countries examined worldwide.
— Radio Free Asia

Asean agrees to persuade India to return to RCEP
Asean nations have agreed to try and persuade India to return to the negotiating table for the 16 nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal.
— New Straits Times

Trump’s postponed ASEAN summit exposes fragile truce with China
On March 14, leaders from ASEAN were supposed to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Las Vegas, the first summit with Southeast Asian leaders on U.S. soil under the current administration. But the coronavirus shelved what was meant to be Trump’s big bounce-back after failing to attend the last two East Asia Summits.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

China slams US for warship sail-by in disputed waters
Beijing on Wednesday accused the United States of a “provocative” act by sending a warship into disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea.
— The Philippine Star

Brunei allocates $2 million to prepare for ASEAN chairmanship
The Brunei government has set aside $2 million to prepare for the hosting of ASEAN Summit next year, the second finance and economic minister said.
— The Scoop

SE Asian stocks dive as US suspends travel from Europe, WHO calls coronavirus a pandemic
Southeast Asian stock markets stumbled on Thursday, with Indonesia and Vietnam entering bear market territory, after the United States imposed a temporary ban on travel from Europe and world health officials declared the coronavirus a pandemic.
— The Edge Markets

Southeast Asian countries intensify measures against COVID-19
Indonesia’s Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has said that the city administration would limit public interaction as a precautionary measure to protect local residents from the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Vietnamplus

ASEAN, Japan vow to strengthen strategic partnership
The 14th meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee (AJJCC) took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 11 under the co-chair of Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to ASEAN, and Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Chiba Akira.
— Vietnamplus

Report: 79% of businesses in SEA plan to boost IT security
The recent high-profile breaches against enterprises in Southeast Asia (SEA) have raised the level of willingness from business owners to invest more in cybersecurity, proven by the latest survey done by Kaspersky.
— Backend News

Franchise Registration Requirements in ASEAN Countries
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a region of increasingly significant interest to global businesses and corporations.
— Lexology

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Cambodia confirms two more COVID-19 cases among Viking boat passengers
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) this morning (March 12) announced two more confirmed cases of COVID-19.
— AEC News Today

U.S. Decries ‘Fabricated Conspiracy Theories’ in Cambodia Treason Trial
The United States ambassador to Cambodia said on Thursday that he is troubled by “fabricated conspiracy theories” at the treason trial of opposition party leader Kem Sokha, who is accused of plotting to overthrow longtime leader Hun Sen.
— The New York Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

Two suspected COVID-19 patients die at RSPI Sulianto Saroso
Two patients who were admitted to the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Saroso) in North Jakarta for exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms died on Thursday, Health Ministry Disease Control and Prevention director-general Achmad Yurianto said.
— The Jakarta Post

Dengue fever kills 104, infects more than 17,000 nationwide since January
The Indonesian Health Ministry has recorded a total of 17,820 cases of dengue fever since January this year, with at least 104 cases that turned fatal nationwide.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia denied entry to 126 foreigners due to coronavirus outbreak
Indonesia has denied entry to 126 foreign visitors at several border crossings from February 6 to March 10 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Lao Villagers Told to Move Refuse Compensation, Calling Payout Too Low
Lao villagers told to relocate from an area used for rock-blasting by a Chinese company are refusing to move, saying the compensation they are being offered is much less than what was originally promised, sources say.
— RFA

Trump Administration in Talks with Laos Regarding Hmong Deportations
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Laos in late January, discussing the potential deportation of more than 4,500 Hmong and Lao refugees. However, deportation could mean potential persecution for some of the refugees.
— The Pointer

Ceremonies downsized due to Covid-19 pandemic
Anniversary and other events of national importance this year will not be celebrated with large ceremonies or parades, but through publications, broadcasts and other media channels.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Covid-19 travel restrictions cost Malaysia Airlines over 2,000 flights
The Malaysia Aviation Group says this is due to travel restrictions by destination countries.
— FMT News

Pan Borneo Highway to be continued as per previous govt’s conventional project approach
The construction of the Pan Borneo Highway will continue, through the use of the conventional project approach adopted by the previous government following the termination of the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) contract which took effect on Feb 20 this year.
— The Borneo Post

Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs Ministry to continue good policies, make improvements where needed
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will continue with existing policies and strategies implemented by the previous government, and make improvements where needed, said its new Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
— The Borneo Post

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Bangkok Airways Suspends Most Flights to Myanmar as Virus Hits Air Travel
Thai carrier Bangkok Airways has announced a dramatic reduction in flights to Myanmar and other local and regional destinations as COVID-19 slows the global economy.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar fails to clean up its dirty finances
Financial Action Task Force’s ‘grey list’ designation for money laundering and terror financing will inevitably curb foreign investment and cost of doing business.
— Asia Times

Central Bank of Myanmar cuts interest rates by 0.5%
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) today announced that it will reduce interest rates by 0.5 percent, effective April 1.
— Myanmar times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Metro Manila under ‘lockdown’
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 12, placed the entire Metro Manila under “community quarantine” for 30 days as he approved the recommendation to raise the alert level for Covid-19 to Code Red sub-level 2.
— Sun Star

DOH reports 3 more COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 52
The Department of Health reported three more cases of the coronavirus disease in the country, bringing the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 52, as of Thursday, March 12.
— Eagle News

Code Red Sub-Level 2: Duterte announces tougher measures vs. COVID-19 threat
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday announced tougher measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including work and class suspensions as well as travel restrictions, as the Philippines raised Code Red Sub-Level 2 over the threat.
— GMA Network

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

Labour market holds up in 2019, although unemployment rates edge higher: MOM report
Singapore’s labour market held steady in 2019, although unemployment rates edged up, according to a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) report released on Thursday (Mar 12).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

9 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 2 who attended mass religious gathering in Malaysia
Nine new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Singapore on Thursday (Mar 12), including two people who attended a mass religious gathering at a mosque in Malaysia.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Productivity falls for first time in 10 years; economists say it’s likely cyclical
Singapore’s labour productivity fell last year for the first time in at least a decade, but economists said it remains to be seen whether the nation’s productivity and restructuring drive is still on track.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Hundreds of Thai workers miss flights due to lack of health insurance
Hundreds of Thais, working illegally in South Korea, have missed their flights to Thailand after they were prevented from boarding by airline officials at the airport in Seoul, because they could not produce insurance cover to the equivalent of about US$100,000.
— Thai PBS News

Confidence falls to April 1999 levels
Consumer confidence plunged to an almost 21-year low in February as people remain gravely concerned about the coronavirus contagion, compounded with widespread droughts, the delayed fiscal 2020 budget, the domestic economic slowdown and the PM2.5 pollution plague.
— Bangkok Post

330 tonnes of masks were approved for export
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) authorised the export of 330 tonnes of face masks in January and February when the items were in short supply and declared controlled products, according to the Customs Department.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam Airlines’ profit predicted to drop due to COVID-19 outbreak
The profit of Vietnam Airlines Corporation will be strongly affected by the spread of COVID-19 in countries around the world, according to the preliminary report of the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC).
— Viet Nam News

Continuing Vietnam’s anti-graft campaign beyond Nguyen Phu Trong
A high-profile feature of current Vietnamese politics is the anti-corruption drive led by Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). As the anti-graft campaign enters its fifth year, Trong has announced that 10 more grand corruption cases will be put to trial in 2020.
— AEC News Today

Finance Ministry proposes 5-month extension of VAT and land rent payment for businesses
The Ministry of Finance has submitted to the Government a five-month extension of value-added tax (VAT), personal income tax and land rent fee payments for those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic.
— Viet Nam News

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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