The Asean Morning News Roundup presents a selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Telcos called to pay debts

Frustrated with the lack of compliance, the government has given the Kingdom’s mobile operators an ultimatum: declare their company revenue shares and settle all outstanding debts owed to the government by the end of the month or face swift and severe punitive action.

— The Phnom Penh Post

Surrogacy to be legal

Authorities are preparing a draft law to make surrogacy legal with a range of protections for the women and babies involved.

— Khmer Times



Malaria cases plunged in 2016

The number of malaria cases in Cambodia plummeted by more than 50 percent in 2016, compared to 2015, though experts and recent research findings suggest the emergence and spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) represents a “serious threat” in the elimination of the disease.

— The Phnom Penh Post

Commerce Ministry addresses exports, fees

Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak said yesterday the government will take action to boost the export of processed products and facilitate trade in the kingdom.

— Khmer Times

Government Delays New Studies on Dams Backed By Kith Meng

The Ministry of Industry, Mining and Energy (MIME) has yet to sign a memorandum of understanding with business mogul Kith Meng to undertake studies of three new hydropower dams, more than three months after the Council of Ministers gave it permission to do so.

— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Three Years On, Government, EU Still at Odds Over Sugar Evictions

Three years after starting work on a comprehensive compensation plan for thousands of families that accuse sugarcane plantation owners of stealing their land, the E.U. is urging the government to use independent experts to audit their claims in the face of persistent resistance from the prime minister.

— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Who Loses When Cambodia Cuts US Military Drills?

Last month, Cambodia suddenly cut its annual joint military exercise with the United States, which had already been in the planning stage and would have entered its eighth iteration this spring.

— The Diplomat

Cambodian flag ‘used by DPRK to move arms’

North Korea dodged international sanctions with the largest shipment of ammunition yet discovered in the communist nation’s sanctions history under the guise of Cambodia’s flag, according to Kyodo News.

— The Phnom Penh Post

Up in smoke: authorities burn 25,000 weed plants

More than 25,000 marijuana plants were destroyed in 73 different locations during a crackdown by Takeo province police on Wednesday and Thursday.

— The Phnom Penh Post

Three Kampot Police Officers Test Positive for Meth Use

Three police officers have been demoted after testing positive for methamphetamine as Kampot province began drug- testing officers on Thursday, with other provinces saying they had already started testing their police officers or have plans to do so.

— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Local content requirement for cars to hit 90% by 2019: Industry Ministry

The Industry Ministry plans to raise the local content requirement for cars to 90 percent by 2019 from 60 percent at present to strengthen the national automotive industry and create more jobs.

— The Jakarta Post

Government plans regulation for subsidized airfreight

The Transportation Ministry’s director general for air transportation, Suprasetyo, has said that the government is revising a presidential regulation on subsidized cargo so that it will also apply to airfreight. The regulation currently only applies to scheduled sea transportation.

— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian commercial vehicles sales seen improving in 2017

Indonesia’s commercial vehicle sales will increase in 2017 thanks to the commodity market that began to improve in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to a top automotive industry leader.

— Bangkok Post

Carsentro aims to tap used-car market potential in East Java

Carmudi.co.id, a burgeoning classified car advertisements site, has opened a Carmudi Sentra Otomotif (Carsentro) used-car dealership in Surabaya, East Java. Carmudi Global CEO Stefan Haubold said the move was based on the increase in car ownership in the province that stood at 120,000 cars per year.

— The Jakarta Post

House questions subsidized loan program’s role in welfare

The government has defended its subsidized loan program from criticism raised by the House of Representatives amid expectations to reduce economic disparity between Java and other islands.

— The Jakarta Post

Toyota sources plastic resin from Indonesia

PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMMIN), the local arm of the Japanese carmaker, is sourcing polypropylene impact (PP) copolymer from the local market to produce plastic components for Vios and Yaris cars.

— The Jakarta Post

Laos makes strides in monitoring state affairs

Officials who carry out inspections need to be more competent so they can be relied upon to capably implement their political duties and ensure a successful outcome.

— Vientiane Times

Lao Telecom to Increase Investment for Improved Services and Market Growth

Lao Telecommunications Company (LTC) expects to see expansion of its network and telecommunications systems this year in an effort to improve services and gain new subscribers.

— The Laotian Times

Bidding documents for withdrawn leaders’ cars available Monday

Bidding documents to auction luxury cars withdrawn from leaders, a significant move to cut lavish state spending on vehicles, will be available on Monday until February 20.

— Vientiane Times

Oudomxay calls for tourism investment

Oudomxay Tourism Office says about 100 tourist sites in the province await development in order to attract more tourists.

— TTR Weekly

Deputy Prime Minister visits northern provinces

Deputy Prime Minister, DrBounthongChitmany has visited the northern provinces to inspect various hydropower construction projects as well as advise local authorities on socio-economic development issues.

— Vientiane Times

Medics assess developments in internal medicine

Development partners along with the line Health Departments of each province under the Ministry of Health met yesterday in Vientiane to discuss the provision of better healthcare in the field of internal medicine.

— Vientiane Times

MACC seizes land lots, luxury car belonging to government agency director

The Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today seized four land lots, a luxury vehicle, jewellery and luxury wrist watches belonging to a government agency director who was detained yesterday.

— Malay Mail Online

Outlook Of Medical Tourism Sector Expected To Be Positive

The outlook of Malaysia’s medical tourism industry is expected to be positive in the long term with the burgeoning demand for healthcare services, both domestic and international, coming from especially an increasingly affluent and ageing population, due to reasonable pricing.

— Bernama

Protests greet Malaysia aid ship for Myanmar’s Rohingya

Anti-Rohingya protesters gathered at a Yangon port on Thursday (Feb 9) to meet a Malaysian ship carrying aid for thousands of refugees from the persecuted Muslim minority fleeing a bloody military crackdown.

— Channel NewsAsia

No more pig-bristle brush raids; PAS to sue Husam; Hadi trains gun on Dr M

Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainudin instructed an end to raids on shops suspected of selling pig-bristle brushes to allow time for shop owners to properly label the products.

— Bernama

6 bodies found after boat capsizes off Malaysia: Official

The bodies of six passengers believed to be from a boat which capsized in rough seas off Malaysia have been found, a coast guard official said Thursday (Feb 9).

— Channel NewsAsia

Thousands celebrate Hindu Thaipusam festival in Malaysia

Hindus gathered in temples across Malaysia on Thursday (Feb 9) to celebrate the annual Thaipusam festival, with many piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers to showcase devotion to the deity Lord Murugan.

— Channel NewsAsia

PM: Chinese education here to stay

Vernacular schools are part of Malaysia’s education system and will not be removed, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib said today.

— Malay Mail Online

#ImNotAshamed: Malaysian psychologist out to beat mental illness stigma

In Malaysia, mental illness is frequently taboo. Despite the unwillingness to confront or address this, however, its prevalence is rising.

— Malay Mail Online

Najib committed to continue Adenan’s policy on state-federal matters

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he will continue the policy of the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem, the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak, who had wanted to review the constitutional ties between the state and the federal government, based on what rightfully belonged to the people of Sarawak.

— Malay Mail Online

Protests greet Malaysia aid ship for Myanmar’s Rohingya

Anti-Rohingya protesters gathered at a Yangon port on Thursday (Feb 9) to meet a Malaysian ship carrying aid for thousands of refugees from the persecuted Muslim minority fleeing a bloody military crackdown.

— Channel NewsAsia



Myanmar Digest: SMI to sell Shiseido products; Junction City hotel by end 2017

Singapore-listed Singapore Myanmar Investco Limited has signed an agreement to be an exclusive distributor of Shiseido products in Myanmar. Local Shwe Taung group plans to complete its five-star Pan Pacific Hotel by the end of 2017, developed as part of the Junction City project.

— Dealstreetasia

Government cuts down foreign debt

Foreign debt was reduced to US$540 million during the first nine months of the NLD-led government, according to a Ministry of Planning and Finance presentation to the Hluttaw.

— Myanmar Times

Hluttaw calls for higher taxes as oil, gas revenues decline

As oil and gas revenues are expected to decline, the government is urged to increase taxes from other industries in order to reach original tax targets for the year, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Public Accounts Joint Committee presented in their review on February 8.

— Myanmar Times

Individual trading hits Ks9.9bn

As of January 20, individual trading at border trade zones reached Ks9.9 billion this fiscal year with exports making up less than 10 per cent of the total, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

— Eleven

India set to hand Sittwe port back to Myanmar

INDIA WILL hand control of Sittwe port back to Myanmar’s Rakhine State government in the second week of March, India’s ambassador to Myanmar Vikram Misri said.

— Consult-Myanmar

Palace, Cabinet stop mine closures, suspension orders

Malacañang has put on hold the closure and suspension orders on 28 mines issued by Environment Secretary Gina Lopez purportedly to give way to due process.

—Philippine Star

UN envoy: Philippines drug slaughter slowing

A United Nations human rights investigator said in Bangkok Thursday there are signs of mounting opposition within the Philippines to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

—Bangkok Post

BSP raises inflation forecasts for 2017, 2018

Inflation this year and next year are expected to pick up faster than earlier expected due to higher oil prices as well as a weaker peso, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas officials said Thursday.

—Philippine Daily Inquirer

200 suspected NPA attack town, abduct 3, destroy heavy equipment

An estimated force of 200 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) have attacked a private home in Talakag, Bukidnon, abducting the owner and two government personnel, including one police officer, Thursday morning.

—Update Philippines

Lenders book record 2016 profit

PHILIPPINE BANKS booked a record profit in 2016 on the back of higher deposits and loans, alongside a lower share of soured debts from a year ago, according to latest central bank data.

—BusinessWorld Online

Staggered payments for power rate hike

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is proposing to stagger the implementation of the expected power rate hike following the Malampaya shutdown over a period of three months to minimize the burden on consumers.

—Philippine Star

Philippines: Ayala backs US ePharmacy startup Wellbridge Health

Diversified Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corp has invested an undisclosed sum in Wellbridge Health Inc, an early-stage US-based startup that provides care management solutions to help people reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.

—Deal Street Asia

Globe, PayPal tie up

Globe Telecom Inc. and digital payments provider PayPal have forged a partnership to enable freelancers and businesses to easily withdraw funds.

—Philippine Star

Sandiganbayan affirms hold order on Iranian investor

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its decision barring an Iranian investor facing criminal cases from leaving the country despite his claim of a medical emergency.

—Philippine Star

CFE report maps out blueprint for Singapore’s future: What you need to know

After a year of deliberations, the Committee on the Future Economy has unveiled its report on how Singapore can be reshaped for the future. Channel NewsAsia looks at what the recommendations mean for the average Singaporean worker, local businesses and the broader economy.

— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore stocks hits 15-month high on strong corporate earnings

Singapore shares hit a 15-month high on Thursday, bouncing back from the previous session’s losses, on the back of strong corporate earnings and as oil prices steadied.

—The Star Online

Singapore one of 11 countries with top debt rating, lowest number in 13 years: Fitch

The number of countries with a top-notch sovereign credit rating fell to the lowest level in 13 years last year, the international rating agency Fitch said on Thursday.

— asiaone

Singapore Telecom hires three banks for broadband unit IPO

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., the city-state’s largest phone company, said it has hired three banks as it prepares for an initial public offering to divest more than 75 percent of its wholly-owned fiber broadband network unit NetLink Trust.

— Deal Street Asia

GIC, others discussing acquisition of stake in Spain’s Telxius

A consortium that includes Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund (SWF) GIC and private equity (PE) majors KKR, CVC and Ardian are discussing the the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in Telxius, the telecom masts subsidiary of Spanish telecommunications firm Telefonica.

— Deal Street Asia