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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 30 — 25 dead, 840 new cases in Asean
As of 01:26 GMT March 30 there was 6,730 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 702, or 11.65 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

ASEAN food security: Corruption, micronutrients and food import dependency region’s biggest challenges
The Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2019 listing crowned Singapore as the country with the highest food security score worldwide, but closer examination of the index data reveals several pressing concerns, not only for Singapore, but for other ASEAN countries as well.
— Foodnavigator-asia

Top legislator calls on AIPA member states to jointly protect ASEAN against COVID-19
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is also the Chair of the 41st General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41), on March 30 sent a letter to heads of the organisation’s members, calling for their engagement in the fight against COVID-19.
— Vietnamplus

Asean Football Federation tourneys postponed
International football meets throughout the Southeast Asian region have been postponed.
— Manilastandard.net

Tourists stranded in Asia by canceled flights, shut borders
From the sun-soaked beaches of Thailand to the foothills of Mount Everest, tourists across Asia are finding their dream vacations have turned into travel nightmares as airlines cancel flights and countries close their borders in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
— Khaosod English

Human rights clampdown as virus spreads in south-east Asia: experts
South-east Asian governments are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to crack down on critics, according to Human Rights Watch.
— Brisbane Times

Asia Pacific faring poorly on SDGs, marching backwards for two goals—UN
Asia Pacific is failing to meet most of the measurable environmental targets set by the United Nations, revealed a report released on 25 March on the region’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
–Eco-Business

$500 million a year spent on military equipment sees Cambodia fall behind in the Asean ranks
The newly-released Global Firepower Index 2020 has put Cambodia 107 out of 138 countries for military strength.
— Khmer Times

Covid-19 challenges Asean to act as one
The Covid-19 crisis is casting a long shadow over Asean and its member states.
— The Straits Times

Maritime Silk Road Trade Index: ASEAN becomes China’s largest trading partner
From January to February 2020, the Maritime Silk Road Trade Index (STI) released by the Ningbo Shipping Exchange showed that the import and export trade index was 103.51 points, a year-on-year decrease of 10.62%; the export trade index was 101.38 points, a year-on-year decrease of 17.11%; the import trade index was 105.68 points, down 3.23% year-on-year.
— Hellenic Shipping News

Southeast Asia keeps faith online as virus shuts places of worship
Every Friday, Adrian Putra would go early to worship at the crowded Istiqlal Mosque in central Jakarta to get himself a place inside and avoid praying in the baking noontime heat.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Beijing may step up drills in South China Sea amid rising tensions with US military, analysts say
China’s air force and navy are keeping a close watch on US freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, and military experts expect sabre-rattling over the disputed waters to intensify.
— South China Morning Post

Experts Doubt Low Coronavirus Counts of Some Southeast Asian Countries
Health experts say the low Covid-19 case numbers some Southeast Asian countries are reporting — some still in the single digits — have much more to do with limited testing than reality.
— VOA

Coronavirus tsunami could drown Southeast Asia, with its effects rippling across the globe
In Southeast Asia, a region of some 655 million people, a humanitarian catastrophe looms as the Covid-19 pandemic advances and economies falter.
— South China Morning Post

Commentary: Restrictions on movements in some Southeast Asian countries to fight COVID-19 have been patchy, even scary
Restrictions on movement, which take varying forms in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, must balance the need to suppress the infection and the care for the underprivileged, say four observers.
— CNA

How ASEAN’s water scarcity will exacerbate the Covid-19 crisis
While the world’s attention is squarely focused on Europe as the global epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic, Southeast Asia is also well on track to losing control over the spread of the new pathogen.
— Asean Economist

Coconut farmers in Southeast Asia struggle as palm oil muscles in on them
Lucio Tena, 64, has been growing coconuts on his 20-hectare (49-acre) farm in General Nakar, on the east coast of the Philippine island of Luzon, for more than four decades. But the situation facing farmers like him today is the worst he’s experienced in his lifetime.
— Mongabay

Major food shortages possible in Asia says FIA
In light of the increasing number of nationwide lockdowns and border restrictions, Food Industry Asia (FIA) and the ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance (AFBA), the regional associations representing Asia and ASEAN’s food and beverage (F&B) industries respectively, are jointly calling upon governments across the region to ensure the unhindered production and supply of food and beverages as each country tries to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
— Dairy Reporter

Zico, Yamada set up platform to connect Asean SMEs and Japanese investors
ZICO Holdings Inc and Japan’s Yamada Consulting Group Co Ltd (YCG) have formed a joint platform for advisory and consulting services to bridge a major funding gap between Asean small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Japanese investors.
— The Malaysian Reserve

Covid-19 fight needs clarity
The number of Covid-19 cases doesn’t seem to slowing down anywhere except for China where the new coronavirus originated.
— Bangkok Post

US military operations in South China Sea increase risk of confrontation, think tank says
The United States intensified its military activity in the South China Sea last year, raising the risk of a confrontation with China in the strategically important waters, according to a Beijing-based think tank.
— South China Morning Post

Travel curbs tightened in Southeast Asia
More big cities in Southeast Asia are set to restrict people’s movements to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
— NHK WORLD

SE Asia Stocks-Markets fall as virus spreads further; Singapore drops over 4%
Southeast Asian stock markets closed lower on Monday as rising cases of the coronavirus in the region deepened fears of economic damage, with investors looking past
moves by governments and central banks to combat the pandemic.
— Reuters

EY: Malaysia had second-highest IPO deals in Southeast Asia in 1Q2020
Amidst a slowing economy and outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia had the second biggest number of initial public offerings (IPOs) within Southeast Asia in the first quarter of the year, according to EY in its latest “Global IPO trends: Q1 2020” report.
— The Edge Markets

Indonesia remains SE Asia’s No2 venture capital market
Indonesia retained its position as the second-largest venture capital market in Southeast Asia as Malaysia remained in third position and Singapore continued to lead the rankings.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Ridding the Mekong of Plastic Poison
Plastic waste in the world’s oceans is raising international alarm.
— NHK WORLD (video)

Virus lockdown causing rise in domestic abuse
Ever since the COVID-19 coronavirus emerged in China’s central Hubei province, strict measures have been taken by countries around the world to contain the deadly virus.
— The Asean Post

Southeast Asian consumers look for security and positive reviews when choosing online destinations, not loyalty rewards – new ClickInsights research
A report by APAC research firm ClickInsights said around 8 in 10 SEA online shoppers said that website security and positive user reviews are among the most important considerations when deciding where to buy online.
— Yahoo Finance

World textile and apparel trade and production trends: South-East Asia, March 2020
This latest contains 36 pages of statistical data, information and insight into the textile and apparel industries in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
— Knitting Industry

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Cambodia Prepares Law to Govern the Country in State of Emergency amid Covid-19, Says PM Hun Sen (Video inside)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that the Royal Government of Cambodia has drafted law on governing the country in a state of emergency amid Covid-19.
— Fresh News

Casinos To Close On April 1
Phnom Penh: It has been announced that Cambodia will implement the closure of all casinos starting on April 1.
— CNE

Four more COVID-19 cases detected, tally now stands at 107 in Cambodia
The Health Ministry issued a statement today, saying that 3 of the COVID-19 patients are Cambodian and 61-year-old French man.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Jokowi Orders ‘Large-Scale’ Social Distancing But Still No Lockdown
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday ordered a “large-scale” social distancing and said he would consider declaring a civil emergency in the face of a rapidly escalating Covid-19 outbreak across the archipelago.
— Jakarta Globe

Further BI rate cut expected as growth may drop to 2.8%: Morgan Stanley
Bank Indonesia (BI) is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate further as economic growth may drop to the lowest level since 1999 against the backdrop of an economic recession triggered by COVID-19, multinational investment bank Morgan Stanley says.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia confirms 129 new COVID-19 cases and 8 more deaths
Indonesia confirmed 129 new COVID-19 cases on Monday (Mar 30), taking the total to 1,414 in the country.
— CNA

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Laos Closes International Checkpoints, Suspends Passenger Transport to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
The Lao government said Sunday that all international checkpoints will be closed for passengers exiting and entering Laos. However, goods transport is still permitted.
— Fresh News

9th case confirmed
A 9th covid-19 case was confirmed this afternoon. The latest case was identified as a female beautician, 22, resident of Phonphanao village, Xaysettha district, Vientiane Capital.
— KPL

Govt toughens virus prevention measures
The government yesterday announced to close all international checkpoints and prohibit public movement for non-essential activities for almost three weeks to control the coronavirus pandemic as fears of outbreak escalate.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Covid-19: Malaysia records three more deaths, 156 new cases
A total of 156 new cases of Covid-19 were reported up to noon today, raising the cumulative total in the country to 2,626 cases.
— The Borneo Post

Govt sets ceiling price at RM1.50 for 3-ply face masks, effective April 1
The government has decided to lower the ceiling price for the 3-ply face masks to RM1.50 starting from April 1, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said today.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia widens fiscal deficit target after Covid-19 stimulus measures
Malaysia expects its fiscal deficit to widen to 4 per cent of gross domestic product this year because of the US$58 billion (RM251.2 billion) stimulus measures announced to counter the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Myanmar Reports Four New COVID-19 Cases; Total Climbs to 14
Three French tourists and a local man returning from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19 Monday, taking Myanmar’s total number of cases to 14, health officials said.
— Irrawaddy

China committed to investing in Myanmar despite COVID-19 pandemic: Ambassador
China will support Myanmar economically and continue its infrastructure push in the country despite the setbacks caused by COVID-19, China’s ambassador to Myanmar, Chen Hai, told The Myanmar Times during an exclusive interview.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Govt Announces Loan Package for Coronavirus-Hit Businesses in Key Sectors
The Myanmar government has announced that local businesses that have been badly hit by COVID-19 can apply for loans as part of its initial stimulus package to cushion the impact of the global pandemic on the country’s economy.
— Irrawaddy

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

FDA warns against use of Prodex-B drug to cure COVID-19
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against the use of Prodex-B, a drug combination that has recently been making the rounds in social media as a possible cure for COVID-19.
— Eagle News

President Duterte unveils P200-billion assistance plan for low-income families
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night unveiled a P200-billion assistance plan for low-income families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— Eagle News

Total COVID-19 cases in PHL rise to 1,546 with 128 new cases; fatalities rise to 78
The total number of coronavirus cases in the country reached 1,546 on Monday afternoon, March 30, with the addition of 128 new cases.
— Eagle News

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

High Court rejects challenges against law criminalising sex between men
The High Court has dismissed three separate legal challenges against Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises consensual sex between men.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

National Wages Council recommends lower MVC or 10% of basic pay, if cuts needed
IF wages must be cut, the National Wages Council (NWC) is recommending that the Monthly Variable Component (MVC) be adjusted downwards, the extent of which hinges on the company’s situation and any key performance indicators or guidelines agreed with unions.
— The Business Times

Singapore reports 35 more COVID-19 cases, 3 new clusters identified
Singapore reported 35 new COVID-19 cases on Monday (Mar 30), including 26 with no recent travel history.
— 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

Thailand Earmarks Further $15 Billion for Coronavirus Crisis
Thailand’s new stimulus package to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus crisis will be worth more than 500 billion baht ($15.3 billion), its finance minister said on Monday,
— The New York Times

Emergency fund from 2020 budget running dry, Bureau reports
The emergency fund of Bt96 billion from the fiscal 2020 budget has been nearly used up, Dechapiwat na Songkhla, director of the Budget Bureau, has said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Grim forecast of coronavirus infections refuted by senior health official
A senior doctor at Thailand’s Disease Control Department (DCD), has dismissed as “very unlikely” the grim forecast by some doctors that by April 15th COVID-19 infections in Thailand will reach 350,000, with about 7,000 fatalities.
— Thai PBS News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Vietnam confirms nine new COVID-19 cases, total now at 203
Nine people were confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 that causes the COVID-19 pandemic on March 30 evening, raising the total number of cases in Vietnam to 203.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam asks its major cities to prepare for lockdown to stop coronavirus
Vietnam’s prime minister on Monday (March 30) asked major cities to prepare for possible lockdowns to stop the spread of the coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases in the South-east Asian country almost reached 200.
— The Straits times

Vietnam daily stops publishing after staffer infected
An English daily in Vietnam suspended its print edition after one its staffers tested positive for coronavirus.
— AA

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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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.

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