ASEAN Regional News

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by Arvor

You can even get fake BMW's from China

Really? BMW? What series?

[RonnieR]

When Push Comes to Shove, Indonesia Has to Stand By Asean
Yohanes Sulaiman | May 31, 2012

'Indonesia has to actively assume leadership, try to mediate the dispute between China and the Philippines and should the need ultimately arise, be ready to assist the latter.'


While Indonesia remains fixated with the Lady Gaga saga, the Philippines is embroiled in more important things: its conflict with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

But such a dispute should be worrisome for Indonesia, too. Not only because both China and the Philippines have close relations with Indonesia. Most importantly, the dispute could undermine the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Indonesia’s own strategic interests.

The goal of Asean when it was formed, to put it bluntly, was to keep the Communists out by improving cooperation among Southeast Asian states and by stimulating mutual economic growth, as it was believed that Communism could expand in poor countries due to its economic appeal to the masses.

But since the end of the Cold War, with the threat from the Communist bloc gone, the goal has subtly changed. Now the aim is to improve relationships among the member nations in order to increase their bargaining power in a more uncertain international environment. Following in the footsteps of the European Union, the Asean nations also believed that operating as one bloc, they could have more influence in international affairs.

Indonesia has a strong interest in strengthening Asean. With Asean strengthened, Indonesia will reap the benefits through an increase in prestige and clout in international affairs, as it is the natural leader of Asean, being the largest and most populous member state.

Thanks to their geostrategic position and combined wealth, Asean nations as a whole have the potential to be an influential power in international affairs.

Not surprisingly, when Indonesia became the chair of Asean last year, most of the key players in the region were in attendance: China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Australia and the United States.

The China-Philippines dispute, however, could threaten the unity of Asean.

The dispute is already escalating, with China holding 12,000 containers of the Philippines’ bananas at its ports, refusing to release them and the Philippines insinuating that it has the United States’ backing.

The Philippines’ move is both understandable and troubling.

It is understandable because the United States is the only power in the region capable of acting as a counterweight to China.

It is true that since 1967 intra-Asean trade has risen drastically. It is true that Asean’s diplomatic strategies have worked in some important cases, most spectacularly in helping to rehabilitate Burma, also known as Myanmar, in the eyes of the international community. It did this through persistent diplomacy, in conjunction with internal developments in Burma itself that allowed the reformers to reap immediate benefits through normalization in its relationship with the United States.

At the same time, however, Asean’s military cooperation remains weak and that is troubling. In times of crisis, apparently the Philippines (and Vietnam) think the United States is far more reliable a partner than the Asean community.

This is not a good indication of the future of Asean, as when push comes to shove, security is the most critical test of a region’s solidarity and unity. Would, in a time of crisis, the Asean community split due to its members’ conflicting interests or would it remain together to create a solution beneficial to everyone?

While Indonesia should maintain good relations with China, the North Asian giant’s own economic and strategic importance means the archipelago must think of the long-term strategic geopolitical situation. This means Indonesia has to stand its ground and assist its fellow Asean members. Indonesia has to actively assume leadership, try to mediate the dispute between China and the Philippines and should the need ultimately arise, be ready to assist the latter.

Otherwise, the unity of Asean will remain in doubt. This does not bode well for Indonesia’s own strategic interests in the region.

Yohanes Sulaiman is a lecturer at the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan).

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opini...y-asean/521195

[CarltonHill]

Philippines grows 6.4% in first quarter

MANILA, Philippines - In the first 3 months of 2012, the Philippine economy edged up to 6.4% -- higher than expected -- from a disappointing 4.9% growth in the same period in 2011.

Growth remained strong thanks to large remittances and strong public spending.

The central bank reported that remittances rose 5.4% in the first quarter of 2012 to $4.84 billion. That was lower than the 5.9% growth in the same period last year, however the country is still on track to hit the central bank's full-year projection of 5%.

Meanwhile, the government released around 2/3rds of the P205.8 billion budget for the 2012 infrastructure program by January 13. And 69.2% of the P1.816 trillion 2012 National Budget was released by April 30, according to a release from the Department of Budget and Management.

The first quarter is typically the weakest. So there is still room to grow to achieve the Aquino administration's full year target of a 5% to 6% increase in gross domestic product (GDP).

GDP measures the total value of all goods and services produced over a period of time and is considered one of the primary measures of a country's economic health.

The Philippine economy seems to be gaining speed. Thus far this year, the Philippines Stock Exchange has outpaced benchmark indexes in Malaysia and Indonesia. The peso has continued to gain strength. Meanwhile the country moved a step closer to reaching investment grade, as international debt watcher Moody's Investor Service revised the country's outlook to 'stable,' citing fiscal improvements.

President Aquino has said he does not want the Philippines to be left behind its neighboors and called the race to progress "both a sprint and a marathon." Though not as fast as some may like, the Philippine economy has picked up speed in the first quarter.

http://www.rappler.com/business/6227...uarter-of-2012

[patchay]

Solidarity with ASEAN. Malaysia has asked China to come to the roundtable again but I guess China is too busy with their worst-than-expected economic woes now.

I was reading some local news today:



Indonesia to Move to Single Time Zone, Matching Singapore, Malaysia and China Clock
The Jakarta Globe | May 30, 2012

Indonesia plans to switch to a single time zone on Oct. 28, allowing Southeast Asia’s biggest economy to match clocks in Singapore, Malaysia and China, the country’s trade ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.



The change will put Indonesia, the world’s largest shipper of thermal coal and tin, eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, according to the ministry. The country that stretches about 5,300 kilometers (3,294 miles) and borders India in the west and Australia in the east, has three time zones.

The move will help accelerate economic development across the country, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said in the statement in Jakarta. After the change in clocks, the country’s stock market will open 30 minutes after bourses in Singapore and Malaysia, from 90 minutes at present.

Read More >>> http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/...521144#Scene_1

Malaysia Airlines' first A380 arrives home – 10 years after it was ordered
The Star | Thursday May 31, 2012

The A380 will be flown to Kuala Lumpur today where it will be used for staff training. It will return to Toulouse in June for completion of its paintscheme.

PETALING JAYA: Almost a decade after it was first ordered, the world’s largest and fuel-efficient A380 aircraft finally landed on Malaysian soil at 3.35pm yesterday.

It was a major advancement in air travel for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as it joined the elite A380 club.

The 73m-long technological wonder can carry up to 494 passengers and offers one of the best seating arrangements in the industry for its first-class cabin, where the seats are as big as a single bed, measuring 40 inches by 87 inches.

It will take to the skies for commercial flights on July 1 on the much lucrative KL-London-KL route with daily frequency.

A second A380 will be added by August as the second delivery is expected in July.

In 2003, MAS ordered six A380 and the first delivery was supposed to be in 2007 but it had to endure a five-year delay by the aircraft manufacturer.

MAS is the eighth carrier to take delivery of the A380 aircraft.

Read More >>> http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=588

Malaysia Airlines will be the first to introduce Airbus' world's widest seats in the air...

Meanwhile, its local rival spoke with length on Bloomberg TV yesterday:

AirAsia HQ to stay in Malaysia, launches AirAsia Japan, talks underway for AirAsia in Korea
By R.S.N. MURALI | The Star | Thursday May 31, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=845

TOKYO: Malaysia will remain as the operational centre of AirAsia despite the budget airline's move to establish a regional office in Jakarta, which it says is purely to tap the vast Indonesian market.

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes clarified that the airline had no intention to relocate its Kuala Lumpur headquarters.

“I am a Malaysian, AirAsia is a truly Malaysian brand. Why must the headquarters be outside my own country?

“Setting up a regional office in Jakarta is solely a commercial strategy to tap the demand for budget flights in a nation with a population of 230 million,” he said after launching AirAsia Japan's direct flight to Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa yesterday.

AirAsia Japan, the newest low-cost carrier based in Tokyo's Narita International Airport, is a joint venture between Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) and AirAsia. AirAsia owns a 49% stake while ANA holds 51%.

The Japanese version is promoting 10,000 seats from as low as 5 (20 sen) during the launch that was also witnessed by AirAsia Japan CEO Kazuyuki Iwakata.

Fernandes said his notion of going into the international arena was to turn a Malaysian-born company into a global brand like Samsung, Honda and Nikon.

“These foreign firms also have regional offices outside their home country and it doesn't mean they are going away or being less patriotic. I just want shed the kampung-brand mindset and thrust a Malaysian company into the international playing field,” he said.

Fernandes was commenting on an article in The Jakarta Post which reported that AirAsia was moving its operations to the Indonesian capital.

On May 20, the newspaper reported that the low-cost airline planned to open its base at South Jakarta's Equity Building in October.

Fernandes said AirAsia was ambitiously expanding to serve the highly lucrative travel market and was looking at China, South Korea and Russia as its next regional hubs apart from its current network in the Asean region, India and China.

Welcome Senator John McCain and Senator Joseph Lieberman to Putrajaya
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=650

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by CarltonHill

Philippines grows 6.4% in first quarter



http://www.rappler.com/business/6227...uarter-of-2012

PH is on top of GDP growth for 1st Quarter among ASEAN 6 countries as compiled by patchay....

[patchay]

Originally Posted by RonnieR

PH is on top of GDP growth for 1st Quarter among ASEAN 6 countries as compiled by patchay....

Wow congrats!! 6.4% has beaten Indonesia's 6.3%!!

A recap before my chart comes out :

Philippines: +6.4%
Indonesia: +6.3%
Malaysia: +4.7%
Vietnam: +4.0%
Singapore: +1.6%
Thailand: +0.3%

Based on these numbers, we take a simple average of +3.88% to reflect growth amongst ASEAN 6.

Widespread optimism continues across the Region, but we must remained cautious with potential Euro zone problems, China slowdown and the bumpy economy in the US - especially for export-oriented nations.

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by KoolKool

pirated version! but it's faster??!!!interesting?!!

Btw, Congrats to HCMC for the MRT. Hanoi please...

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by patchay

Wow congrats!! 6.4% has beaten Indonesia's 6.3%!!

Thank you....approved PPP projects for huge infra projects such as the new toll roads, MRT/LRT extensions, new airports etc. (not yet started) will further boost the GDP of the country in the remaining quarters of 2012.

from a different source

PH economy grows by 6.4% in Q1
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 05/31/2012 10:24 AM | Updated as of 05/31/2012 10:32 AM

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The Philippine economy grew by 6.4% in the first quarter, the government announced on Thursday.

The surprising growth figure which beat a market forecast of 4.6%, was attributed to a recovery in manufacturing, as well as net exports and robust household spending.

The first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth exceeded the expectations of economists surveyed by Reuters.

The Philippines is targeting faster growth of 5 to 6 percent this year against last year's 3 .7 p ercent, fuelled by higher government spending, a rebound in exports, and strong domestic consumption.

- With Reuters
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/...my-grows-64-q1

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by vishaya

Thailand furious at Lady Gaga's fake Rolex tweet
BANGKOK | Wed May 30, 2012 12:21pm BST



why Thailand is furious? isn't it true anyway? fake omegas and rolex are everywhere in ASEAN. last year i got a few breitling, 2 bulgari, 2 rolex, 2 tag's and an omega - all fakes. i bought them to give away to friends who can't afford the real ones. although it made my friends happy - i know its not a very good thing to do.

if governments are serious in rooting out piracy, raid the stores and stop where these goods are coming (guess where else?), but are they doing anything? these are being sold in open, legit market

Old news.

[c0kelitr0]

PH economy grows by 6.4% in Q1

wow!

[waketrex]

Originally Posted by patchay

Wow congrats!! 6.4% has beaten Indonesia's 6.3%!!

A recap before my chart comes out :

Philippines: +6.4%
Indonesia: +6.3%
Malaysia: +4.7%
Vietnam: +4.0%
Singapore: +1.6%
Thailand: +0.3%

Based on these numbers, we take a simple average of +3.88% to reflect growth amongst ASEAN 6.

Widespread optimism continues across the Region, but we must remained cautious with potential Euro zone problems, China slowdown and the bumpy economy in the US - especially for export-oriented nations.

I would like to request a graph with previous years if possible.

[bright_shield]

Congrats PH. you guys have surpassed us in term of Q1 economy growth..

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by bright_shield

Congrats PH. you guys have surpassed us in term of Q1 economy growth..

Thank you.....but PH Investment Grade target is not yet there......hopefully next year....

[Nabartek]

What's up with Thailand? It's so low

[patchay]

Originally Posted by Nabartek

What's up with Thailand? It's so low

They had an awesome 11-12% growth quarter on quarter, as a sign of recovery.

The previous quarter they were affected by a big big flood that even causes our automotive sales to contract.

[vindoarga]

wow, congrats PH

[crossboneka]

Originally Posted by amigo32

Sabah?

Taga Sabah ba ang inverstor nito?



aahh, Kuwaiti pala

Originally Posted by Nabartek

May Sabah ata sa Kuwait? baka puede yun nalang iclaim natin?

ung taiwan nlang agawin natn sa china

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by vindoarga

wow, congrats PH

Thank you.

[wino]

Just an FYI - aside from the 6.4% GDP growth in the first quarter..

2011 4Q (q on q) was revised from 0.9% to 1.7%

y/y growth (2012 1Q - 2011 4Q - 3Q - 2Q - 1Q)
GDP 6.4 4.0(revised upwards) 3.2 3.6 4.9

GNI* 5.8 4.5 2.2 2.4 3.5

[patchay]

WARNING...


BREAKING NEWS: Someone committed suicide at my office tower today... R.I.P.
Believed to be a staff of PayPal Southeast Asia office...

Abuzz on social media...

(from fb)

Originally Posted by Error404,May 31 2012, 09:24 AM

credit to edwardstevens

Happened early this morning...

credit to zstan