WEEKLY SUMMARY

 
AseanAffairs     10 July 2011

These were the most important stories published by Asean Affairs during the week of July 2-July 8.

Indonesia raises growth rate
Indonesia raised its growth target to as much as 7 percent next year over optimism that inflation would be kept at bay and that its master plan for development would boost the economy.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/economy/indonesia_raises_growth_rate

Business opposes 300 baht Thai minimum wage
The Pheu Thai Party intends to increase the minimum wage to 300 baht (US$10) a day nationwide - 40-90 percent above current levels - by January, as academics and businesses warn of negative impacts on the national economy.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/business_opposes_300_baht_thai_minimum_wage

Philippines criticized for renewable energy incentives delay
The International Finance Corp. (FIC) has slammed the delay in the implementation of the incentives provided for under the Renewable Energy Law.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/energy/philippines_criticized_for_renewable_energy_incentives_delay

Investors unsure of Thai political stability
Investors reacted positively to the peaceful election, but they are still unsure about long-term stability since political parties led by Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies have had short shelf lives.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/investment/investors_unsure_of_thai_political_stability

Traffic jams costly to Jakarta
Jakarta's traffic chaos costs Indonesia more than US$3 billion a year in a depressing reminder of the gap between the country's ambitions for growth and its daily realities, analysts say.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/infrastructure/traffic_jams_costly_to_jakarta

Indonesians see Thai stability as investment threat
Indonesian business leaders on Monday hailed Thailand’s smooth election but warned that stability in the country may make it more attractive for investors who might otherwise have targeted the archipelago.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/investment/indonesians_see_thai_stability_as_investment_threat

Pheu Thai carries Thailand
Novice politician Yingluck Shinawatra has led Pheu Thai Party to an overwhelming election win, throwing out the Democrat-led government and winning 265 parliamentary seats or more of the 500 seats in parliament. The runner-up Democrat party carried 159 seats.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/politics/pheu_thai_carries_thailand

Philippines may relax construction ownership rules
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) may relax foreign ownership in the construction sector to attract more investment.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/infrastructure/philippines_may_relax_construction_ownership_rules

Indo banks need to focus on infrastructure
Indonesian business leaders have urged the central bank and the government to change some guidelines that were set during the financial crisis 13 years ago and allow banks to provide large loans for infrastructure projects.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/infrastructure/indo_banks_need_to_focus_on_infrastructure

Energy find may be behind China’s behavior
The Philippines said that it could only wonder why China has recently become more aggressive in asserting its claims to disputed islands in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/politics/energy_find_may_be_behind_china_s_behavior

Indonesian inflation down
Indonesia’s inflation eased in June to its lowest level in a year, adding to sentiment that the central bank will hold its key interest rate steady this month.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/economy/indonesian_inflation_down

Pheu Thai's oil policy sparks confusion
The Pheu Thai party's plan to scrap the state oil fund could result in a palm oil surplus and low prices for fresh palm nuts, as there would be no incentive to make biodiesel from the output, warns a senior Agriculture Ministry official.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/pheu_thai_s_oil_policy_sparks_confusion

Red shirts can be ministers
The selection of cabinet members will be based on their knowledge and competence and is not out of bounds to red shirts if they are qualified, prime minister-elect Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/politics/red_shirts_can_be_ministers

Australia lifts ban on Indo cattle exports
The Australian government has lifted its ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia on the condition that stricter regulations be imposed on industry participants.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/trade/australia_lifts_ban_on_indo_cattle_exports

Pheu Thai-red shirt friction gets hot
The alliance between the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and the Pheu Thai Party is beginning to fall apart as hardline red shirt partisans press their demands.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/politics/pheu_thai_red_shirt_friction_gets_hot

SBY slams "50 Percent" ministers
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called out his cabinet on Thursday for its failure to push through needed programs, slapping a failing grade on the ministers in an impromptu job review.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/politics/sby_slams_50_percent_ministers