In Monday's Asia papers

Front page

Nuclear talks hit another stumbling block

Washington over the weekend urged North Korea's "full disclosure" of its stashed nuclear materials, as the denuclearization process met a new allegation concerning an aluminum pipe tainted with enriched uranium. The new suspicion is considered key to proving North Korea has a clandestine uranium enrichment program.

2007: a year of 'lying'

Professors have chosen "Ja-gi-gi-in" (lying to oneself and to others) as a four-character Chinese maxim to best describe the year 2007 which has been dogged by a series of scandals involving fake degrees, corruption and groundless allegations.

Business & Industry

Economists call for deregulation

If Korea wants to make a leap, regulations have to be loosened and entrepreneurialism needs to be advocated, as it is in advanced countries, so that companies here can be driven to make ambitious investments, according to economists.

Rules on chaebol's equity holdings under review

A contentious regulation restricting the country's leading conglomerates' equity investments in their affiliates may be scrapped, since the business-friendly Lee Myung-bak won the presidential election last week.

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

 

Front page

 

Flood round up: Sunny days are here but tides remain a worry
The Meteorological Department has terminated all alerts for Peninsular Malaysia following its forecast of generally improving weather conditions up till early next week.

 

Flood round up: States told to identify students needing aid

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said humanitarian aid, such as school uniforms, bags, stationery and shoes would be provided to affected students, especially those in badly hit areas.

Business & Industry

 

London-listed firm may launch REIT here
A Millenium & Copthorne Hotels listing in Malaysia is also possible, says its chief operating officer, adding that 'options are open and it's a long-term plan'

 

Shoppers spend record ringgit (M$) 2bn ($597m) at Suria KLCC
Sales are up by 15% from a year ago as Suria KLCC's 330 retailers draw an increase of 6.5% shoppers

 

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

 

Front page

 

New entrants flock in as property sector booms

The property boom over the past two years has drawn many new players who are looking to reap the high returns that property development has to offer.

 

Thaksin-backed party takes lead in polls

Fifteen months after being ousted by the military in a coup d'etat, the party backed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has taken a lead in Thailand's much awaited general elections.

 

Business & Industry

 

Friday's surge revives hopes of Santa rally

If Santa does end up stopping by Wall Street and giving the US stock market the gift of the traditional end of year bullish buying spree known as the Santa Claus rally, US investors will be sending their thank-you notes by air mail, several thousand miles east, to Singapore.

 

Orchard Rd office unit fetches Singapore dollar (S$) 2,497 ($1710) psf

The strata office market is still running hot. A first-storey freehold office unit at United House, behind Le Meridien Singapore Hotel in Orchard Road, went for S$2,497 per square foot of strata area at a Colliers International auction last week.

 

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

 

Front page

 

Voters pick PPP

The Palang Prachachon (People Power) party loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra won Sunday's election, but appeared to fall just short of a clear parliamentary majority. Still: "I will be the next premier for sure," said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.

 

Editorial: Still a lot of work to do

Several important steps remain to be completed before the country gets a functioning government, and there is plenty of time and room for mischief, the Bangkok Post's post-election editorial says.

 

Business & Industry

 

Jewellers hope for tax concessions

Thai gem and jewellery traders vow to lobby the new government to develop Thailand as a tax-free port for the gem and jewellery trade.

 

Healthy perspective

'Obstacles are normal. There is always light in the dark,'' is the motto of a Thai woman who runs a group of businesses worth baht (Bt) 2bn ($65.9m).

 

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

 

Front page

 

Airport plants trees
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II started planting trees Saturday as part of a nationwide re-greening campaign.

 

Tides submerge N. Jakarta

Flooding caused by high tides put coastal Muara Baru in Penjaringan subdistrict, North Jakarta, under water since early Saturday.

 

Business & Industry

 

RI eyes $6.4bn from tourism in 2008
The government said it hopes to bring in $ 6.4bn in foreign exchange from an estimated 7m foreign tourists expected next year.

 

Year-end shopping sales get early start
Major shopping malls and branded fashion outlets have kicked off the year-end shopping season with more colorful decorations, special price discounts and cultural performances.

 

 

($1=CNY7.37, M$3.35, S$1.46, Bt30.37)

 

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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