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ISEAS Library Selects
Daily News on the Southeast Asian Region
15 September 2020 (pm) - 16 September 2020 (am)
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Greetings
This is a daily information alert service containing articles and commentaries from international and regional news sources. The alert is released every Monday to Friday, focussing on Southeast Asia and special topics relevant to ISEAS' research interests. You can click on any of the links below to directly access the subject of your immediate interest. If you think your friends and colleagues would find this alert useful, please invite them to subscribe.
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Country Studies
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Southeast Asia Countries
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Brunei Darussalam
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Laos
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Singapore
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Timor-Leste (East Timor)
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Region
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Cambodia
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1.
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US Treasury Sanctions Chinese Developer For Land Seizure, Graft in Cambodia Project: The U.S. Department of Treasury on Tuesday sanctioned a Chinese developer for the "seizure and demolition of local Cambodians' land" during construction of the Dara Sakor project in Cambodia, which has been touted by Beijing as one of the key pieces in its Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
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Indonesia
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2.
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Renewable Energy Tariffs and Incentives in Indonesia: Review and Recommendations: This report proposes a renewable energy subsidy mechanism for Indonesia to close the gap between the costs of renewable and conventional power generation. It takes into account the additional economic benefits of renewable power and considers how the government can support its rapid deployment in the power sector.
[74-page PDF document]
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3.
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Home isolation unaffordable for many Indonesians: Self-imposed quarantine would not work because houses in the neighborhood are small and shared by many family members and are adjacent to one another, said resident Herdayati, who actively takes part in the Jakarta Urban Poor Network (JRMK).
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Slow global economic recovery haunts Indonesian exports: Southeast Asia's largest economy recorded US$13.07 billion in exports in August, down 4.62 percent compared to July and down 8.34 percent annually, as the pandemic upended global demand, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Tuesday. The country recorded month-on-month (mom) export growth in June and July after contractions in April and May, during which Indonesia implemented strict movement restrictions.
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5.
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Pengerahan Massa dan Ancaman Kegagalan Pilkada 2020 [Mass mobilisation and the threat of failure in the 2020 elections]: Padahal peraturan KPU melarang pengerahan masa, namun sejak awal sudah diprediksi akan sulit dikendalikan. Pilkada dan pandemi adalah dua hal yang saling bertentangan secara diametaral. Satu pihak melarang kerumunan dan mengharuskan jaga jarak. Sementara Pilkada intinya adalah mobilisasi massa dan penggalangan dukungan untuk meraih popularitas dan elektabilitas pasangan calon.
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Indonesian patrol confronts Chinese ship in economic zone: An Indonesian patrol ship confronted a Chinese coast guard vessel that spent almost three days in waters where Indonesia claims economic rights and that are near the southernmost part of China's disputed South China Sea claims. The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency detected Chinese ship 5204 entering Indonesia's exclusive economic zone in what Indonesia calls the North Natuna waters on Friday night.
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Volunteer armies map 'invisible' communities hit by coronavirus: After the coronavirus outbreak hit Indonesia, charity worker Harry Machmud in May asked volunteers to map handwashing stations across the sprawling archipelago. Hundreds of volunteers who otherwise mark roads and bridges on OpenStreetMap (OSM), a free and editable map of the world being built by communities using smartphones and drones, added more than 1,100 handwashing stations across the country... "Incomplete or inaccurate maps can cut off entire communities from essential services and government assistance," said Machmud, who heads (HOT) in Indonesia.
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8.
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Para politikus Indonesia saling lempar kesalahan dalam penanganan COVID-19 [Indonesian politicians blame each other in handling of COVID-19]
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Malaysia
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Halimah: Let's revive spirit of appreciation of Rukun Negara: Convinced that the key to unity is through appreciation of the Rukun Negara, Halimah is determined to revive the spirit and appreciation of the five principles to the state it was in the past. "Like how our predecessors used to say... back to the original. So, we have to look back at the spirit that prevailed in the past and how to revive that.
Malaysiakini, 16 September 2020
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/542798
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10.
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Plans to revive tourism sector beginning to bear fruit - Nancy: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri said efforts to spark the domestic tourism alive would continue to be carried out, such as through the hosting of the Semarak Pelancongan Domestik and Kempen Cuti-cuti Malaysia, to help the industry players.
She said that prior to the enforcement of the MCO, the tourism and cultural industries were among the main drivers of the country's economic growth by contributing about 15.5 percent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
Malaysiakini, 16 September 2020
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/542796
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11.
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Warisan Plus foes seize on bungled Covid-19 aid: PN hopes to leverage on the widespread public approval of its policies to tackle the pandemic to swing support away from Warisan. Independent pollster Merdeka Centre in its latest survey shows there is an overall 93% satisfaction rate among 3,415 voters polled, on how PN is handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
Malaysian Insight, 16 September 2020
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/272900
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12.
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We need more social movements, not parties: As Bersih and Reformasi demonstrated, social movements, though also often political in nature, cut across ideologies and focus on issues. If applied correctly, a social movement could be the grounding force we need to stabilise an otherwise increasingly volatile political equation.
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13.
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右倾的国盟政府--屡发表种族宗教敏感言论，为何伊党"肆无忌惮" [Right-leaning PN government repeatedly issues racial and religiously sensitive remarks, why is PAS not concerned]？时评员林宏祥告诉《透视大马》，目前土团党需要伊斯兰党在联盟中平衡巫统势力，因此只要两者之间没出现太大冲击，就不会要让伊党难堪。... 国际伊斯兰大学政治学系助理教授刘哲伟也认为，以原产业部长凯鲁丁的事件引起有关纷争为例，可见从这方面可见国盟政府某程度上也只能配合伊党的右倾走势。
Malaysian Insight, 16 September 2020
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/chinese/s/271231
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14.
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Peluang menang seimbang [Chances of winning are balanced]: Di atas kertas, PCS sebuah parti yang dijenamakan semula dilihat sebagai parti yang paling serius antara parti lokal lain untuk membentuk kerajaan baharu di Sabah.
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15.
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Opinion - Towards a better democracy: As a political battleground, Sabah is bursting at the seams. Never has there been such a crowded election in Malaysia as the one scheduled to be held on Sept 26 in the Land Below the Wind. A total of 447 candidates - 56 independents and nominees from 16 parties - will vie for the 73 seats in Sabah's 16th election. It looks like a high stakes free-for-all with multipartite contests in all seats. ...Two weeks before the nomination for Sabah polls, another important development towards the betterment of Malaysia's democracy occurred, albeit without much fanfare: A comprehensive review of Malaysia's electoral system and related laws came to an end. It was the first such review after 63 years of independence.
Star, 16 September 2020
https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/along-the-watchtower/2020/09/16/towards-a-better-democracy
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News analysis - Boost for Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal amid tussle in Muhyiddin's pact: Parti Warisan Sabah chief Shafie Apdal's re-election campaign has received a boost because Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's allies are battling one another in up to 20 seats in the Sept 26 polls in Malaysia's easternmost state. The incumbent chief minister now has the advantage in over a quarter of the 73 seats. Crucially, these are largely in areas where a majority or a significant minority is made up of native communities - known collectively as Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) - who are seen as potential kingmakers.
Straits Times, 16 September 2020
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/boost-for-sabah-chief-minister-amid-tussle-in-muhyiddins-pact
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Malaysia's New Political Normal: Today, at least in the eyes of Malaysia's ethnic Malays, who make up 60 percent of the population Muhyiddin Yassin is beginning to be seen as a legitimate prime minister. The focus has generally decreased on what many felt was the treacherous manner in which he came to power, usurping the leadership of the party Mahathir Mohamad had created in his bid to remove a corrupt government from power in 2018.
Asia Sentinel, 15 September 2020
https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/malaysias-new-political-normal
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Youth Moving to the Forefront of Malaysian Politics: On July 4 and 5, a group of Malaysian youth associations successfully organized a virtual mock parliament. This event, known as Parlimen Digital, saw the involvement of 222 young Malaysians representing actual constituencies, who came together online to debate a range of topics, ranging from economic challenges to the state of the country's education system. The initiative was born of the dissatisfaction about the government's decision not to hold a virtual parliament sitting, despite the urgent need for debate over a number of pressing issues, not least how the country can best recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diplomat, 15 September 2020
https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/youth-moving-to-the-forefront-of-malaysian-politics/
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Will Warisan rope in Dr Mahathir to campaign for them?Mahathir believes he still has what it takes to be a kingmaker of sorts. The bond between him and Sabah caretaker chief minister Shafie Apdal runs so deep that Mahathir had even proposed that Shafie be made the prime minister at the expense of PM-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim. Shafie, on his part, has sworn allegiance to Mahathir come hell or high water. It would be both meaningful and a great gesture therefore if Mahathir came to Sabah and campaigned for Shafie and Warisan.
Free Malaysia Today, 15 September 2020
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2020/09/15/will-warisan-rope-in-dr-mahathir-to-campaign-for-them/
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20.
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Apec: Malaysia committed to 2020 leaders' declaration: Malaysia is fully committed to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 2020 Economic Leaders' Declaration as a wide-range response will be key to reviving its 21 member economies. The leaders' meeting, culminating in a Leaders' Declaration in Malaysia would, among others, focus on issues concerning Covid-19 which has severely hampered economic growth globally.
Malay Mail Online, 15 September 2020
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/09/15/apec-malaysia-committed-to-2020-leaders-declaration/1903538
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21.
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Sarawak govt forms special unit to coordinate funds for Chinese schools: The Sarawak government has formed a special unit to coordinate and supervise monetary assistance given to Chinese schools in the state, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said today. He said state Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian would be heading the unit which would ensure that funds from the state government would be channelled appropriately to the Chinese schools.
Malay Mail Online, 15 September 2020
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/09/15/sarawak-govt-forms-special-unit-to-coordinate-funds-for-chinese-schools/1903530
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24.
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More focus to be given to B40's lowest category, says Mustapa: THE government will break the B40 household group into several categories starting in 2021, with more focus to be given to those in the B1 category with a household income of RM2,500 and below.
Malaysian Insight, 15 September 2020
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/272847
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Myanmar
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26.
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Official from State Counsellor Office tests positive for COVID-19: Zaw Htay replied that the swab test of Deputy Minister Khin Maung Tin was negative. But, his personal staff officer (PSO) tested positive for COVID-19. The swabs of the deputy minister and his PSO were tested in a single day. Likewise, COVID-19 confirmed case was found at the Presidential Palace. Later, the health authorities traced those who had close contact with the above confirmed case.
Eleven Myanmar, 15 September 2020
https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/official-from-state-counsellor-office-tests-positive-for-covid-19
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Myanmar Denies Destroying Rohingya Expulsion Evidence From 2017: Myanmar on Tuesday rejected concerns raised by the top U.N. human rights official about recent government actions in Rakhine state, saying there had been no effort to destroy evidence of the military campaign that drove 740,000 Rohingya Muslims into neighboring Bangladesh in 2017. Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, told the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday that Myanmar had made little progress in investigating and achieving accountability for the "terrible human rights crisis" created three years ago by military operations in Rakhine.
Radio Free Asia, 15 September 2020
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/expulsion-evidence-09152020193548.html
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28.
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Main Opposition Party Wants Myanmar Election Postponed, Citing Coronavirus Concerns: In appeals to the Union Electoral Commission (UEC), the parties said COVID-19 restrictions - social-distancing rules and facial mask requirements - have hamstrung campaigning, while the people of Myanmar fear contracting the deadly virus. The main opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) on Monday issued a video message from party chairman Than Htay calling for a postponement.
Radio Free Asia, 14 September 2020
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/election-09142020234307.html
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Philippines
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29.
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Violence in southern Philippines highlights resilience of militant networks: On 24 August, two explosions in Jolo, a city in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, killed 15 and injured 74-a chilling case of déjà vu in a region that has suffered repeated attacks in recent years. The incident set alarm bells ringing in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) about the resurgence of violence. The explosions also reheated familiar media tropes of Islamic State's perseverance amid the coronavirus pandemic and seemingly ceaseless lawlessness. But it's important to move beyond this narrative to grasp the structural foundations of the turmoil Sulu finds itself in.
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Thailand
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30.
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Thai PM pledges to maintain peace during planned anti-government protest: Thailand's Prime Minister pledged on Tuesday (Sept 15) to ensure that a major protest this weekend against his government would be peaceful but said he was concerned that outsiders might try to instigate unrest. Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha said he had instructed police to avoid clashes when demonstrators march on the seat of government on Saturday. He urged protesters to follow the law and prevent chaos. Near-daily rallies since mid-July have demanded Mr Prayut's removal and changes to a Constitution that opponents say helped keep him in power after an election last year, which the former junta leader insists was fair.
Straits Times, 15 September 2020
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-pm-pledges-to-maintain-peace-during-planned-anti-government-protest
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Vietnam
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32.
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What Vietnam can do to escape the pandemic morass: Vietnam needs to find ways to make peace with the new normal, which is going to be permanently abnormal. Some colleagues and I have been invited by the prime minister's advisory group to provide inputs into how Vietnam can mitigate Covid-19 impacts on the national economy.
The new coronavirus has messed up all of our plans, and the big question facing the government now is this: With very limited resources, what are the solutions that can create the most immediate and positive impacts on Vietnam's economic growth from now to the end of the year and next year?
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ASEAN/Southeast Asia
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33.
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Germany, Europe and Asia: Shaping the 21st century together: In the coming years, Germany will strategically position itself and step up its engagement vis-à-vis ASEAN. To this end, we will expand our cooperation with ASEAN institutions and continue to support the ASEAN Secretariat. As member of the European Union and current presidency of the Council of the European Union, Germany will strengthen the role of the EU as a partner of ASEAN in close cooperation with its EU partners.
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MPs call for end to harassment of opposition lawmakers: On International Day of Democracy, Southeast Asian lawmakers called on governments in the region to end all forms of threats and harassment against opposition MPs, following the publication of a new report that documents such reprisals. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) also called for solidarity among lawmakers from across the political spectrum. "The targeting of opposition MPs merely for exercising their right to freedom of expression is a clear attempt to silence them and remove checks on the executive to attain unchecked power," said Mu Sochua, an APHR Board Member and former Cambodian MP.
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35.
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Chairman's Statement of The 10th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting
[11-page PDF document]
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36.
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Chairman's Statement of The 21st ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting
[9-page PDF document]
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37.
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Chairman's Statement of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) 10+1 Session with China
[5-page PDF document]
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38.
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Chairman's Statement of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) 10+1 Session with Japan
[6-page PDF document]
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Chairman's Statement of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) 10+1 Session with the United States of America
[5-page PDF document]
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40.
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Opinion - Mekong countries don't need to bank on outsiders: Recently there have been attempts to politicize issues relating to the Mekong region or even treat it like the South China Sea. ...Valid political and security concerns exist, such as over the lack of transparency on water data and non-participatory attitudes toward water-resource management. This tendency also stems from the "Sinophobia" of some actors that are at odds with or feel security threats from China. But such sentiment is not equally shared by Mekong riparian countries. While most countries agree that water-resource management should be improved, it is also true that most do not agree on securitizing Mekong issues.
Asia Times, 15 September 2020
https://asiatimes.com/2020/09/mekong-countries-dont-need-to-bank-on-outsiders/
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Cambodia's garment industry projected to face brunt of CLMV exports slowdown: Oxford Economics has stated that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a significant impact on the exports of CLMV countries, comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam... Oxford Economics further stressed that despite this doom and gloom scenario, the CMLV bloc is still tipped to turn in stronger growth than the ASEAN-5 economies - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Khmer Times, 15 September 2020
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50764104/cambodias-garment-industry-projected-to-face-brunt-of-clmv-exports-slowdown/
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Duterte asks Malaysia to help Filipinos in Sabah awaiting repatriation: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appealed to the Malaysian government to extend humanitarian assistance to Filipinos stranded in Sabah despite the "ticklish" issue over the Philippines' claim to the Malaysian state on the tip of Borneo. "That has been a very ticklish issue between our government and we are trying to appeal to the humanitarian sense of the Malaysian government to please help our citizens in your country as we would do for your citizens if they are in our country," Mr Duterte said in a Cabinet meeting televised on Monday (Sept 14), as quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Straits Times, 15 September 2020
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/duterte-asks-malaysia-to-help-filipinos-in-sabah-awaiting-repatriation
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ASEAN avoids strategic competition among major powers: On the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of ASEAN, ASEAN Foreign Ministers issued a statement on maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia. The statement clearly demonstrates ASEAN countries' desire to build Southeast Asia as a region of peace and prosperity. All countries in the world as well as in the region play an active role in supporting and promoting the maintenance of peace and stability.
VietNamNet, 15 September 2020
https://vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/asean-avoids-strategic-competition-among-major-powers-673937.html
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ASEAN-US
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44.
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US does not want to force ASEAN to choose sides: Official: The United States is not trying to push ASEAN countries to choose sides in its strategic rivalry with China, a senior US foreign policy official has insisted, as the Western superpower continues to call out Beijing's aggressive "bullying" in the South China Sea. The US recently changed tack in its engagement with Southeast Asia, openly seeking leverage and support from ASEAN countries as it continues to antagonize China in a geopolitical rivalry that has sparked a trade war and spilled over into other global concerns, including the war on COVID-19.
Jakarta Post, 16 September 2020
https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2020/09/16/us-does-not-want-to-force-asean-to-choose-sides-official.html
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Asia Pacific
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45.
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After Covid-19: Australia, the region and multilateralism (Volume 2): The global Covid-19 crisis continues to dominate the international strategic environment, fuelling uncertainty about the future. The only thing that's certain is that this pandemic will be with us for some time yet, meaning that Australia, like other nations, needs to be prepared to manage its response to the pandemic while simultaneously focusing on the future.
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46.
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What Can Asia Expect From Suga's Japan?: It is little surprise that Suga Yoshihide, who was overwhelmingly favored going into Monday's Liberal Democratic Party leadership vote, will succeed outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and serve out his party leadership term through September 2021. Suga, who will be sworn in on Wednesday, inherits a challenging set of issues. His core appeal to the outside world - as Abe biographer Tobias Harris and I recently discussed on the Asia Geopolitics podcast - is that he represents continuity with his predecessor. But will Suga's Japan be as globally oriented as Abe's?
Diplomat, 16 September 2020
https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/what-can-asia-expect-from-sugas-japan/
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47.
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China's Paper Win at WTO Doesn't Dissuade Trump From Trade War: U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the WTO report released Tuesday "confirmed" President Donald Trump's aggressive foreign policy that has sought to dismantle multilateral organizations like the Geneva-based trade body. While the ruling handed China a victory on paper, it means little since the U.S. already hobbled the WTO by dismantling its panel that oversees the appeals process. Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said that Washington can simply appeal the WTO report "into the void" since there is no adjudicative body.
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49.
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Japan after Abe: Suga aims to consolidate power: With Mr Abe stepping down due to ill health, Mr Suga, 71, has vowed to pick up where he left off. But the former chief cabinet secretary said on Monday, as he accepted leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic party, that the continuation of Mr Abe's policies did not mean he would be beholden to party factions or existing personnel: "I want to form a cabinet of people with appetite for reform who will work to serve the public."
Financial Times, 15 September 2020
https://www.ft.com/content/692fef7a-41c4-4599-bc6a-9678e04e3a57
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East/South China Sea
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51.
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Indonesia to beef up patrols after China coastguard raises suspicion: Indonesia will increase maritime security operations near some of its islands in the South China Sea after a Chinese coastguard vessel was spotted nearby, raising suspicions about its intentions, a senior security official said on Tuesday (Sept 15).The vessel entered Indonesia's 321km exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the northern Natuna islands on Saturday and left on Monday after radio challenges over jurisdiction, Aan Kurnia, chief of the maritime security agency, Bakamla, told Reuters. Under international law, innocent passage is permitted through another country's EEZ, but Aan said the vessel was lingering too long.
Straits Times, 15 September 2020
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-to-beef-up-patrols-after-china-coastguard-raises-suspicion
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Superpower relations and the region
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52.
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Opinion - US-China tensions: Asean should actively address the fallout from their feud - A cycle of reciprocal aggression between the world's two largest and most influential powers cannot be the formula for stable or orderly coexistence
As a relatively neutral set of actors, Asean states should go beyond acting as mediators between the major powers and jointly identify possible solutions
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