Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 21, 2025
Twenty-seven years after Indonesia emerged from the shadow of authoritarian rule, the nation now stands at a crossroads, as it reaches what some pro-democracy advocates describe as 'the end of political reform', marked by the dismantling of democratic institutions and the return of authoritarian tendencies.
President Prabowo Subianto has appointed two new top officials to lead tax and customs agencies amid a sharp decline in state revenue during the first four months of 2025. Bimo Wijayanto, a senior bureaucrat at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, will replace Suryo Utomo as Director General of Taxes. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Djaka Budi Utama, currently serving as secretary of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), has been tapped to lead the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, replacing Askolani.
The Health Ministry on Monday launched vaccination education tools based on the country's 'Pink Book' to raise awareness of immunisation and improve understanding of vaccines among low-literacy and diverse ethnic communities.
2. NEW LAO-THAI BRIDGE TO RAISE TRADE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
A 1,350-metre bridge linking Bolikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand across the Mekong River will be opened at the end of 2025. It will boost travel and deepen trade between the two neighbours in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
MYANMAR
1. SAC READY TO TRANSFER POWER TO NEW GOVERNMENT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
State Administration Council (SAC) Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the current government will hand over the state responsibilities to the party that wins the elections. The administration is planning to hold a nationwide elections later this year.
SINGAPORE
1. SQ321 INCIDENT: ONE YEAR ON, PASSENGERS RECALL HOW EXTREME TURBULENCE UPENDED THEIR LIVES -- THE STRAITS TIMES
It has been six months since giving birth to her second child in November 2024, but Ms Saw Rong still cannot carry the baby girl.
2. SINGAPORE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE, RESUMPTION OF AID AS GAZA VIOLENCE ESCALATES -- CNA
Singapore on Tuesday (May 20) called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, as Israel intensified attacks across the territory.
THAILAND
1. THAI BUSINESS LEADERS URGE POLITICAL STABILITY AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS TO REVIVE ECONOMY -- THE NATION
The Thai business sector is increasingly concerned about the nation's political instability, fearing it could erode investor confidence and further weaken the already fragile economy.
2. PM BACKS HOLD ON HANDOUT -- BANGKOK POST
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has defended the government's decision to postpone the third phase of the 10,000-baht handout programme, saying uncontrollable circumstances made it impossible to implement it.
VIETNAM
1. MACRON'S VIETNAM VISIT WILL ELEVATE BILATERAL TIES -- VIETNAM NEWS
French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse will visit Vietnam from May 25-27 which is expected to further deepen their 50-year-old bilateral ties. Macron is visiting on the invitation of State President Luong Cuong.
2. UNIFORM E-TICKETING SYSTEM TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT -- VIETNAMPLUS
Hanoi will implement an integrated e-ticket system on September 2 that will eliminate the current fragmented automated ticketing system across various transport models. This will promote non-cash transactions, transparent and friendly public transport.
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