Top News Headlines In Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam : Aug 13, 2025
Vietnam and Laos have pledged to broaden bilateral defence cooperation. Young officer exchanges, military women's exchanges, military-civilian twinning programmes, annual military conferences and border protection will be part of their engagement.
1. TIGHT SECURITY FOR VOTERS DURING ELECTION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government has announced that high-level security measures will be implemented to ensure the forthcoming elections will take place in a safe and peaceful environment. Early casting will be held for displaced voters affected by natural disasters.
2. SPOT-BILLED PELICANS TAKE SHELTER IN MOEYUNGYI LAKE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The spot-billed pelicans, a bird species facing extinction around the world, were spotted in Moeyungyi Lake in the Bago Region. The Moeyungyi Lake is home to 11 species of water birds that are close to extinction.
PHILIPPINES
1. EDUCATION, PUBLIC WORKS, HEALTH REMAIN TOP PRIORITIES IN 2026 NEP -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Education, public works, and health remain the top sectors to receive the biggest allocations under the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026.
2. RAINS, GUSTY WINDS IN BATANES AS 'GORIO' SLIGHTLY INTENSIFIES -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Heavy rains and gusty winds are forecast across Batanes as Typhoon Gorio slightly intensified, the weather bureau said Wednesday.
SINGAPORE
1. SENGKANG-PUNGGOL LRT LINE BACK TO FULL SERVICE: SBS TRANSIT -- THE STRAITS TIMES
The Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) system is back to full service on the morning of Aug 13, said SBS Transit.
2. IN FOCUS: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN AN ELDERLY MAN WITH DEMENTIA WENT MISSING FOR 6 DAYS, AND THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN -- CNA
Every day without fail, 82-year-old Lau Sung Pong would leave his home in Braddell Heights at 10 am and follow a routine he had been undertaking alone for years.
THAILAND
1. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES SQUEEZE THAI EXPORTS BY 300 BN BAHT A YEAR -- THE NATION
Thailand is facing mounting pressure from international environmental measures such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which affects exports worth more than 300 billion baht annually.
2. LOCAL BUDDHISM OFFICE IN CROSSHAIRS AMID ALLEGED MISSING DONATIONS -- BANGKOK POST
Prime Minister's Office Minister Suchart Tancharoen has ordered the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the provincial NOB office overseeing Wat Phrabat Nam Phu in Lop Buri.
VIETNAM
1. EXPERTS WARN OF CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS THREAT -- VIETNAM NEWS
Health experts are urging extra vigilance against the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus even though no such cases have been reported in the country. The outbreaks in other countries and the hot and humid weather are raising concerns.
2. REBRANDING TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS FOR GLOBAL MARKET -- VIETNAMPLUS
Cooperatives are trying to promote goods produced under the 'One Commune One Product" concept in international markets. They are trying to change the perception that these products developed using traditional methods in villages are only meant for local markets.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia and Singapore set the benchmark of the ‘Prosper Thy Neighbour' policy — Phar Kim Beng
AUGUST 16 — While Malaysia is approximately 450 times larger than Singapore — one of the widest landmass disparities between two immediate neighbours in Southeast Asia, even more pronounced than the Malaysia–Brunei ratio — it is often overlooked that the leadership of both nations have mastered the art of peaceful coexistence. Whether Singapore is framed as a 'city-state' or, as Professor Kent Calder famously termed it, a 'state city,' the reality is that neither Putrajaya nor Singapore has seriously contemplated war as a policy option. This is not to suggest that relations have been free of friction. Historical disputes — over water pricing, airspace management, and territorial demarcations — have tested the diplomatic ingenuity of both sides. Yet the fact remains that Malaysia and Singapore have chosen calm, structured negotiation over military confrontation. It is a shining example of how two post-colonial entities can live side by side, cooperate economically, and manage differences without threatening the regional equilibrium. The strategic roots of trust In the Southeast Asian imagination, Singapore is often seen as a gleaming city-state — efficient, wealthy, and confident. Yet behind this sheen lies a core strategic reality: Singapore's leaders have long viewed their nation as inherently vulnerable. Dr Tim Huxley, in his seminal work Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore, lays bare this paradox. Prosperity is not a shield against threats; rather, it is a prize others might covet. When Singapore became independent in 1965, it was surrounded by larger neighbours — Malaysia and Indonesia — whose own national narratives were still being shaped in the post-colonial churn. Huxley argues that Singapore's defence strategy emerged from a 'security dilemma': every move to bolster its own protection risked being seen by others as a provocation, potentially triggering an arms race. In the late 1980s, this dynamic was especially pronounced in relations with Malaysia, when the action–reaction cycle in military modernisation was real enough to register on the radar of both capitals. Rather than shrink from this reality, Singapore embraced it with clear-eyed pragmatism. The solution was Total Defence — a comprehensive approach weaving together military, civil, economic, social, and psychological resilience. In Singapore's lexicon, every citizen was a defender, every workplace part of the national shield, and every community a node in the country's survival network. Central to this approach was the cultivation of a technological edge. Lacking manpower depth, Singapore invested heavily in precision munitions, modern fighter jets, advanced naval platforms, and integrated command systems. Training agreements with partners such as the United States, Australia, and Taiwan allowed its armed forces to operate beyond the constraints of its small territory. The underlying message was simple: any military misadventure against Singapore would come at a cost far higher than any conceivable gain. From security dilemma to mutual confidence Defence analysts, notably Huxley, have documented how the security dilemma of the 1980s has since given way to a more balanced relationship. By the late 1990s, Singapore began layering its deterrence posture with cooperative security — active participation in Asean forums, military-to-military exchanges, and humanitarian missions. This helped ease neighbourly anxieties without compromising preparedness. Malaysia–Singapore relations have since moved far beyond the fraught atmosphere of the 1980s. Leaders in Putrajaya and Singapore alike now understand that open hostility would be economically ruinous. Disputes over water, airspace, or maritime boundaries still occur, but they are managed through structured negotiations rather than sabre-rattling. Even the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir remarked in 2003 that the idea of the two countries going to war was 'highly unlikely.' That assessment has largely held true. The bilateral relationship has matured into a strategic balance of competition and cooperation — one that now extends to joint economic corridors, tourism flows, and cross-border infrastructure such as the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS). Singapore's ongoing efforts to bolster its defence capabilities — through advanced air, naval, and cyber assets — are complemented by its determination to play a diplomatic 'anchor role' in Southeast Asia. Far from alarming Malaysia, such investments are understood as part of Singapore's global positioning in an increasingly uncertain world. For Malaysia, this understanding is crucial: Singapore's strategic culture is deeply defensive yet unflinchingly prepared, mirroring the best of what small states can achieve when clarity of purpose meets disciplined diplomacy. The economic and diplomatic dividend As two trading nations, both Singapore and Malaysia understand that their economies would suffer severe damage if they ever resorted to force. The very foundation of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), established through the Bali Declaration of 1976, enshrines the principle that disputes must be resolved through peaceful means. Their cooperation in the Singapore–Johor co-development zone reinforces the reality that their destinies are entwined — whether in the semiconductor sector, the age of Artificial Intelligence, or the wider Fourth Industrial Revolution. However, geographical proximity brings not only opportunities but also vulnerabilities. In recent years, the mushrooming of transnational digital scam syndicates — some using one country as a base to target victims in the other — has posed a new kind of threat to bilateral trust. If left unchecked, these illicit activities could fray the very fabric of Malaysia–Singapore relations. The challenge lies in ensuring that law enforcement and cybercrime units on both sides work in close concert, sharing intelligence swiftly and dismantling syndicates decisively. The aspirations of the Kuala Lumpur 2045 Vision, announced on May 26, 2025, require both countries to work closely not only with each other, but also with Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand — the other founding members of Asean. Unless the original six can deepen their integration, Asean's future will remain uneven. Malaysia–Singapore relations have since moved far beyond the fraught atmosphere of the 1980s. Leaders in Putrajaya and Singapore alike now understand that open hostility would be economically ruinous. — Bernama pic A benchmark for Asean Recent events in the region are a reminder that even strong bilateral relations cannot be taken for granted. The armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia — despite decades of shared Asean membership — demonstrate how quickly disputes can escalate. In that case, it took the deft intervention of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as Asean Chair to help broker a ceasefire. Public sentiment in both Malaysia and Singapore remains clear: there is no appetite for conflict. Poll after poll indicates that the preferred path is peace, diplomacy, and economic interdependence. This is where the two neighbours have quietly excelled, setting a regional benchmark for a 'Prosper Thy Neighbour' policy — a recognition that mutual stability and prosperity are far more valuable than the fleeting satisfaction of a geopolitical point scored. As Singapore marks its 60th National Day on August 9, 2025, and Malaysia prepares to celebrate Malaysia Day on September 16, 2025 — marking 62 years of its formation — there is a shared responsibility to strengthen their bonds further. In doing so, they can serve as a bulwark of East Asian peace, reinforcing Asean centrality at a time when global flashpoints from the South China Sea to the Taiwan Strait test the region's cohesion. Seen in this light, Singapore's military modernisation is not a threat, but a contribution to the global public goods of Asean — anchored in mutual trust, pragmatic statecraft, and the unwavering belief that war is not just undesirable, but unthinkable. If the Lion City's roar has been measured rather than menacing, it is because Singapore has mastered the art of making deterrence serve peace. In Southeast Asia's volatile security landscape, that may be the most important lesson of all. * Phar Kim Beng is a professor of Asean Studies and Director of the Institute of Internationalization and Asean Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore authorities to review Malaysian tycoon Ong Beng Seng's PR status
SINGAPORE, Aug 16 — Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng's permanent resident (PR) status in Singapore will be reviewed following his conviction and sentencing for abetting obstruction of justice in a case linked to former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, according to local media reports. An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) spokesperson told The Straits Times (ST) yesterday that it will review the PR status of Singapore permanent residents who have been convicted of an offence. Ong, 79, was fined the maximum amount of S$30,000 on Friday after he pleaded guilty to the charge on Aug 4. A second charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts under Section 165 was taken into consideration for sentencing. Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng agreed with both the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be exercised in this case due to Ong's ill health. The property tycoon suffers from advanced multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer that has damaged his skeletal system and severely compromised his immune system, making him highly vulnerable to life-threatening infections. He also suffers from other complications that further increase his risk of infection and place him at risk of gangrene. — Bernama
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Australian and Philippine forces launch largest military exercises near disputed South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines (AP): Australia on Friday launched its largest military exercises with Philippine forces, involving more than 3,600 military personnel in live-fire drills, battle maneuvers and a beach assault at a Philippine town on the disputed South China Sea, where the allies have raised alarm over Beijing's assertive actions. The exercises are called Alon, meaning wave in the Philippine language Tagalog, and will showcase Australia's firepower. The drills will involve a guided-missile navy destroyer, F/A-18 supersonic fighter jets, a C-130 troop and cargo aircraft, Javelin anti-tank weapons and special forces sniper weapons. Military officials said defense forces from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Indonesia will join as observers. "This exercise reflects Australia's commitment to working with partners to ensure we maintain a region where state sovereignty is protected, international law is followed and nations can make decisions free from coercion,' Vice Admiral Justin Jones of the Royal Australian Navy said in a statement. The combat exercises are "an opportunity for us to practice how we collaborate and respond to shared security challenges and project force over great distances in the Indo-Pacific,' Jones said. The exercises will run until Aug. 29. Australia is the second country after the U.S. with a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines, allowing the deployment of large numbers of troops for combat exercises in each other's territory. The Philippines has signed a similar pact with Japan, which will take effect next month. It is in talks with several other Asian and Western countries, including France and Canada, for similar defense accords. China has deployed multinational war drills and alliances in or near the disputed South China Sea, saying the US and its allies are "ganging up' against it and militarizing the region. China claims most of the South China Sea, a busy global trade route, where it has had a spike of territorial faceoffs with the Philippines in recent years. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also lay claims to the resource-rich waters. On Monday, a Chinese navy ship collided with a Chinese coast guard ship while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine coast guard vessel in the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The Australian Embassy in Manila expressed concern over "the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard' and said the incident "highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law.' In response, the US deployed two warships off the Scarborough on Wednesday in what it called a freedom of navigation operation to protest China's expansive claims, restrictions and its demand for entry notifications in the disputed waters. In February, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet released flares that passed within 30 meters (100 feet) of an Australian P-8 Poseidon military surveillance plane in daylight and in international airspace, Australian defence officials said at the time. - AP
