In Thursday's Asia papers

11 September 2008 02:00 [Source: ICIS news]

Front page

LDP kicks off its leadership race

Campaigning got under way Wednesday to replace Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in a race that is garnering feverish attention because of the number of candidates running.

Ito 'kept asking' if he would be killed

Money, not politics, was behind the kidnapping of Japanese aid worker Kazuya Ito, according to a member of the group that seized and killed Ito in Afghanistan last month.

Business & Industry

No new updates

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

Holiday suggestion sparks heated online debate

A suggestion that the weeklong National Day holiday be scrapped has sparked heated debate.

Optimal conditions set for spacewalk

Bringing forward the launch date of China's third manned spacecraft by one month will maximize conditions for the country's highly anticipated inaugural spacewalk, experts have said.

Business & Industry

No new updates

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

US short-sighted on PRC policy: Tsai

The US government is unaware of the potential long-term consequences of President Ma Ying-jeou’s opening of Taiwan to China, instead welcoming the short-term easing of tensions that Ma’s policies have brought, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said in Washington on Tuesday.

World’s biggest atom-smasher starts operations

Particle physicists were jubilant yesterday after the long-awaited startup of a mega-machine designed to expose secrets of the cosmos passed its first test with flying colors.

Business & Industry

AU Optronics mulls Qisda acquisition

AU Optronics Corp the nation’s biggest liquid-crystal-display (LCD) panel maker, was mulling the acquisition of a TV unit from local electronics maker Qisda Corp to meet growing customer demand for integrated solutions, a company official said yesterday.

Panel-maker CMO could extend production cut plan

Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp (CMO) the country’s second-largest supplier of liquid-crystal-display (LCD) panels, could extend a production cut plan into next month as dwindling demand drives prices down further.

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

'Kim recovering from surgery after stroke'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had surgery after suffering a stroke sometime after Aug. 14 and is recovering, officials at the nation's top intelligence agency were quoted as saying yesterday in their report to the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee.

W50tr earmarked to develop regions

Korea will invest 50 trillion won ($45.8 billion) over the next five years to finance 30 major state-led projects aimed at fostering balanced regional development, the government said yesterday.

Business & Industry

New CEO determined to reform KEPCO

Kim Ssang-su, former CEO of LG Electronics Inc. who has recently taken the helm of the Korea Electric Power Corp., is set to apply his recipe for corporate reform to the country's electricity supplier.

Lee fails to convince audience

President Lee Myung-bak's first televised town hall meeting on Tuesday appears to have failed to score good marks with many Koreans disgruntled with his lack of leadership in easing their economic hardships

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

Ahmad gets three-year suspension

Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail has been suspended for three years for referring to Malaysian Chinese as "squatters" in a ceramah during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election.

Anwar playing a dirty game, says Johari

The rakyat should focus on their duties rather than dwell on the opposition's intention to take over the government from Barisan Nasional on Sept 16, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum.

Business & Industry

Fat margins fuel biodiesel exports

Malaysia is on course to double its biodiesel shipments this year as exporters have raised production with renewed keen interest in biodiesel

MAHB plans better perks for airlines

Malaysia Airports will enhance the existing incentive packages, including free landing and parking charges as well as marketing support

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

More chaos ahead for US banks: Jim Rogers

US financials face more 'chaos' as the credit market worsens, investor Jim Rogers predicted.

Commods seen important to Lehman despite troubles

Commodities staff at Lehman Brothers may not see the heavy job losses coming to other units at the financially troubled No 4 US investment bank, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Business & Industry

Ease of doing business: Singapore is still No. 1

SINGAPORE is tops for the third straight year globally in the ease of doing business, thanks to continual regulatory reforms, a survey by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) shows.

US biotech CRO to widen its Singapore ops

PHARMACEUTICAL services company Quintiles Transnational aims to expand its operations when it moves to a new US$30 million Science Park facility that will come on stream in mid-2009.

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

'Anyone but Samak'

Bringing back Samak Sundaravej as prime minister is proving difficult, as pressure increases inside the ruling People Power party and coaliation allies to find another candidate - such as caretaker premier and deputy PPP leader Somchai Wongsawat.

New Government House lands at old airport

The once-bustling Don Mueang airport terminal will be given a new life as a temporary Government House under a plan put forward by acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Business & Industry

Thailand rises in WB rankings

Despite the ongoing political tensions that have been affecting the country's investment climate, Thailand has improved six places to rank 13th for ease of doing business in a survey of 181 economies by the World Bank. ''We did not take into account political issues, civil wars or macroeconomic issues as those issues are not things that are regulatory issues,'' said Penelope Brooke, the director of indicators and analysis at the World Bank

NESDB revises down growth target amid turmoil

Economic growth will fall short of earlier estimates of 5.7%, as political turmoil has undermined the tourism sector and the government's investment in megaprojects, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). Secretary-general Ampon Kittiampon said political risk had undermined both investment growth and consumption, which in turn would cause growth in the second half to slow more than previous estimates.

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

Oil prices fall even after US inventories shrink

Oil prices closed slightly lower in jittery trading Wednesday, as the strengthening dollar and signs of a slowing economy outweighed inventory drops and word that OPEC would cut production.

Business & Industry

No new updates

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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