Tops News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam : May 20
President Prabowo Subianto on Monday welcomed the launch of new flight routes connecting Bangkok and Phuket to Surabaya and Medan saying the increased air connectivity would help strengthen economic ties and boost two-way tourism.
Rights activists and historians gathered at the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday to demand lawmakers reject the government's controversial bid to rewrite Indonesian history, warning it could whitewash the nation's darkest chapters and serve the political interests of President Prabowo Subianto and past regimes.
LAOS
1.PREPARING FOR NEW LAO PARTY LEADERSHIP -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao People's Revolutionary Party held a meeting on Monday to prepare for the 12th National Party Congress, which will take place next year to elect a new party leadership to lead the country from 2026 to 2030.
2.AMERICAN FIRM TO DEVELOP SKILLED GAMING WORKERS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos is teaming up with a United States-based gaming firm, AA Slots, to develop skilled technicians for the gaming industry. The partnership aims to transform Laos into a production and distribution centre of electronic gaming equipment in Southeast Asia.
MYANMAR
1.APRIL HONEY EXPORTS HIT OVER 200,000 METRIC TONNES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Myanmar exported 236.9 metric tonnes of honey worth RM1.5 million (US$355,000) in April. Domestic honey production is estimated at about 4,000 metric tonnes annually, with 60 percent being exported while the remainder is for local consumption.
2.CHINA MAJOR IMPORTER OF MYANMAR RICE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
China imported over 61,500 metric tonnes of rice and broken rice in April, making it the major rice importer from Myanmar. The country exported 2.48 million metric tonnes of the commodity, earning RM4.73 billion (US$1.1 billion) in the last financial year.
SINGAPORE
1.PM WONG SET TO UNVEIL MAJOR CABINET CHANGES AS 4G TEAM, NEW FACES STEP UP -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Fourth-generation (4G) ministers are expected to take over hefty portfolios held by the 3G in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, which is also set to bring new blood into the ranks of government.
2.SINGAPOREAN MALONE LAM CHARGED IN US WITH HEADING UP CRYPTOCURRENCY CRIME RING THAT STOLE MILLIONS -- CNA
US authorities have charged Singaporean Malone Lam with heading up a 13-member crime ring that allegedly stole hundreds of millions of dollars of cryptocurrency.
THAILAND
1. THAILAND DEFENDS CASINO PLAN, EYES LAS VEGAS-STYLE RESORTS DESPITE "GREY" NATION FEARS -- THE NATION
Deputy Finance Minister dismisses criticism as global entertainment giants express interest in ambitious project.
2. BOI APPROVES RAFT OF NEW INCENTIVES TO SUPPORT SMEs -- BANGKOK POS
The Board of Investment (BoI) has approved new measures to better support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are facing tough competition and the impact of US President Donald Trump's stiff tariffs.
VIETNAM
1.HANOI RANKED NINTH BEST ART, CULTURE CITY -- VIETNAMPLUS
Time Out magazine, based in the United Kingdom, has ranked Hanoi ninth among the world's 20 greatest cities for art and culture in 2025. Paris, Florence, and Edinburgh took the top three spots. Hanoi has been recognised as the most affordable city for art and culture.
2.MAJOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TAKING SHAPE IN HO CHI MINH -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam's KOGI Group, Japan's Mazda Oil Corporation, and several investors from the Middle East have signed a deal worth RM26 billion (US$6 billion) to develop green energy infrastructure. This project will include an oil refinery, a storage complex, and a plant for green engine components, all located in Ho Chi Minh City.
-- BERNAMA
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