WEEKLY SUMMARY

 
AseanAffairs     3 July 2011

These are the most important stories published by Asean Affairs during the week of June 25-July 1.

Rare earth plant must comply with findings
The Lynas rare earth plant in Pahang will be allowed to operate only if the company complies with all recommendations made by the independent review panel appointed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/companies/rare_earth_plant_must_comply_with_findings

Indonesia prisons are havens for radicals
Prisons threaten to undermine the progress made against terrorism in Indonesia since 2002, when nightclub bombings killed 202 people on the tourist island of Bali, many of them Australians and Americans.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/security/indonesia_prisons_are_havens_for_radicals

World Bank predicts Lao growth at 8.6 percent
Laos' economic growth will remain robust this year with natural resources and the manufacturing sector set to be the main driving forces of growth, according to the World Bank's (WB) latest projection.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/laos_news/economy/world_bank_predicts_lao_growth_at_8_6_percent

Genting moves into overseas markets
Genting Malaysia Bhd is plowing funds into its global expansion program.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/investment/genting_moves_into_overseas_markets

Vietnamese inflation hits three-year high
Vietnam’s inflation rate topped 20 percent in June, its fastest annual pace since November 2008, but the rise in consumer prices slowed on a monthly basis, the government said on Friday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/economy/vietnamese_inflation_hits_three_year_high

US-China discuss sea conflict
The United States on Saturday called for China to lower tensions in the South China Sea through dialogue as the Pacific powers held first-of-a-kind talks on friction in Southeast Asia.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/asean_news/politics/us_china_discuss_sea_conflict

Najib warns on Malaysia’s July 9 rally
The organizers of the July 9 rally in Kuala Lumpur will be held responsible if the march should result in chaos, warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/politics/najib_warns_on_malaysia_s_july_9_rally

SBY’s popularity is down
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s approval rating has taken a major hit, a recent public opinion survey shows, mainly due to the string of scandals plaguing his Democratic Party. READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/politics/sby_s_popularity_is_down

TPP trade pact moves forward
The seventh round of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement has achieved important results and is expected to attain several goals in key areas by year-end, according to Vietnamese trade officials.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/trade/tpp_trade_pact_moves_forward

Indonesia could beat economic forecasts
Indonesia could exceed growth forecasts if the government gets serious about speeding infrastructure development, accelerating budget spending and expanding the nation's manufacturing, a number of leading global banks have said.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/economy/indonesia_could_beat_economic_forecasts

Indonesia to create jobs at home
The Indonesian government plans to spend Rp 1.4 trillion (US$162.5 million) to create more jobs at home, anticipating a rise in unemployment after a moratorium on sending migrant workers to Saudi Arabia goes into effect.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/labor/indonesia_to_create_jobs_at_home

Laos moves ahead with Mekong dam
Laos is forging ahead with construction of a controversial $3.5 billion hydropower dam in breach of an agreement to suspend the project pending approval by ministers of neighboring countries, an environmental group recently said.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/laos_news/energy/laos_moves_ahead_with_mekong_dam

Thailand's economic outlook expected to hold
No matter the outcome of Sunday's election, the results should not have a significant impact on the Thai economy. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) says the Thai economy should grow by at least 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent this year.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/thailand_s_economic_outlook_expected_to_hold