Tensions
Tensions have risen in Southeast Asia over the past week, particularly in Myanmar and the Philippines. Scores of Rohingya refugees who were fleeing their homeland in northern Rakhine state of Myanmar found themselves stranded at the Bangladeshi border. The Bangladeshi government could no longer cope with the influx of refugees while talks with Myanmar's authorities have reached a standstill.
Across the South China Sea, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared that Marawi has been liberated earlier this week despite major damages sustained by its buildings and infrastructures. At the same time, the hot-headed president has offered to shoot criminals himself as he renewed his commitment towards his war on drugs in the archipelagic nation.
Rohingya Muslim refugees disembark from a boat to go in a camp for refugees after they crossed the border from Myanmar, in Teknaf on October 3, 2017. (AFP Photo/Fred Dufour)
Economy
ASEAN countries directed their attention towards economic development in the past week. In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo expressed his desire to create 10 new tourist island destinations for the nation by drawing inspiration from Bali, in order to increase tourist arrivals from mainland China.
Separately, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Leong posted on Facebook, stating that he is proud of how far the island nation has progressed and reaffirmed his commitment to maintain its position as a maritime powerhouse within the region with the new Tuas mega port project.
A boatman prepares his craft as foreign tourists arrive at Padangbai harbour in Karangasem regency on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on October 3, 2017. (AFP Photo/Sonny Tumbelaka)
Roundup
The ASEAN Post also covered topics including Lao's geopolitical advantages, the latest development in Cambodian politics, the impact of cancer on Southeast Asians, women in boardrooms, successful startups across the region, RTI International's new office in Malaysia, cryptocurrency and its relationship with Southeast Asian businesses, the rise of artificial intelligence and the Zero-Waste movement.
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