Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: April 30, 2025
Prime Minister Hun Manet said he discussed ASEAN's role in addressing the Myanmar crisis, Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN and the impact of US sanctions with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Both prime ministers held telephone conversations on Tuesday evening.
Air Cambodia, the national carrier, plans to introduce a new route to Japan, connecting Phnom Penh International Airport with Kansai International Airport in Osaka by the end of the year. Flights are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
1.WEST JAVA GOVERNOR OFFERS US$30 INCENTIVE FOR VASECTOMY TO CURB POVERTY -- JAKARTA GLOBE
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi is urging men from low-income households to undergo vasectomies as part of a new birth control initiative aimed at reducing poverty in the province.
2.PRABOWO TELLS SOES TO DO BETTER -- THE JAKARTA POST
President Prabowo Subianto took his opportunity to admonish 'bad' state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directors during the first ever town hall meeting of the country's new sovereign wealth fund Danantara on Monday, abruptly leading the event to continue behind close doors.
LAOS
1. CLIMATE RESILIENT HEALTH INITIATIVE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Ministry of Health, Save the Children International Laos and the World Health Organisation will soon launch Lao's first climate-resilient health system initiative. The five-year project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, will be implemented across seven provinces.
2. CHINA-LAO DISCUSS LOGISTICS, SUPPLY CHAIN COOPERATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES
China and Laos are mulling to deepen cooperation in international logistics and supply chain integration to enhance trade ties. Cross-border investment and engagement between Chinese and Lao enterprises involved in commerce, logistics and industrial development are being facilitated.
MYANMAR
1.IAEA SWINGS INTO ACTION TO ASSESS EARTHQUAKE DAMAGES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and local experts are inspecting buildings impacted by the Mandalay earthquake that occurred on March 28. Experts are utilising Non-Destructive Testing technology for the assessment.
2.POLITICAL PARTIES MOVE PEACE TALKS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Four political parties held talks yesterday to achieve durable peace in Myanmar. The National Unity Party, National Political Alliances, Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics Party and the Union Solidarity and Development Party met to move the peace agenda.
SINGAPORE
1.GE2025: WP TAKING 'CAVALIER AND IRRESPONSIBLE APPROACH TOWARDS LIVELIHOOD OF S'POREANS', SAYS PM WONG -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has rebuked the WP for its negative tone and attacks on Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and his team.
2.GE2025: CANDIDATES GEAR UP FOR FINAL PUSH ON PENULTIMATE DAY OF HUSTINGS -- CNA
With just two days of campaigning left before Singaporeans head to the polls on Saturday (May 3), parties are stepping up their efforts with rallies and walkabouts on Wednesday.
THAILAND
1. 6 GLOBAL CASINO GIANTS EYE THAILAND'S ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX -- THE NATION
IAG reports that six global casino giants, led by GEG, Melco, and MGM, are ready to bid for Thailand's Entertainment Complex project, while Crown, Bally's, and Peermont have withdrawn to focus on their domestic markets.
2. LABOURERS' DEBT SOARS, BUT REPAYMENTS FALL -- BANGKOK POST
Labourers in Thailand are enjoying lower debt repayments this year even though their overall debt levels have risen substantially, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
VIETNAM
1.MARKING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL REUNIFICATION DAY -- VIETNAMPLUS
The national celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day is being held in Ho Chi Minh City today. A parade, art programme and other activities are being organised to mark the historical day.
2.SHRIMP EXPORTS CROSS A BILLION DOLLAR IN Q4 -- VIETNAM NEWS
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers said shrimp exports in the first quarter (Q4) of this year reached nearly RM5.6 billion (US$1.3 billion). China and Hong Kong were major importers followed by the United States.
-- 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


New Straits Times
31 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Sultan of Selangor laments rise in haj scams, calls for firm action
SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the rise in fraudulent haj travel packages affecting Muslims in the country. His Royal Highness said it was especially disheartening that those exploiting the situation were Muslims themselves, who were willing to deceive their fellow believers for personal gain. In this regard, His Royal Highness decreed that stern action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that take advantage of and deceive Muslims. Sultan Sharafuddin said this in a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, in which His Royal Highness and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, extended Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across Malaysia. Sultan Sharafuddin also called on Muslims to uphold the sanctity of the haj by ensuring that all arrangements are made through licensed and recognised agents and companies authorised by the authorities to manage haj and umrah affairs. At the same time, Their Royal Highnesses prayed that Malaysian pilgrims would be granted a mabrur haj and return home safely. According to the statement, the Sultan and the Tengku Permaisuri also hoped that this Aidiladha would inspire all Muslims to be grateful for Allah's blessings and to perform the sacrificial rites to help the poor, as well as reflect on the plight of the less fortunate. — BERNAMA


The Star
44 minutes ago
- The Star
Cuts hit contract workers
Meeting of minds: Anwar receiving a courtesy call from Muhammad Shahrul in Putrajaya. — Photo courtesy of Anwar's Facebook page PUTRAJAYA: The move by PETRONAS to trim its workforce by about 10% involves mostly contract workers, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'It mostly involves contract (positions),' Anwar said when asked to comment on reports that PETRONAS would cut about 5,000 employees as part of a 'right-sizing' process. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this after performing Friday prayers with over 500 congregants at Surau Al-Ikhwan, Jalan Pinggiran Putra, near here yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present was Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. On Thursday, PETRONAS president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz was reported to have said that the national oil and gas company would cut about 10% of its workforce as part of its right-sizing and restructuring process. He also denied that the state-owned company would exit its business in Canada. PETRONAS had previously stated that it needs to right-size its workforce to ensure the company's sustainability in the decades to come. It has nearly 50,000 employees, according to its website. Separately, Anwar said he would contact his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, regarding the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Anwar said that as the Asean Chair, Malaysia took note of the developments in both countries. 'We will issue a statement (on the outcome of the discussion with Paetongtarn) later,' he told reporters. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief skirmish in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice. Thailand, meanwhile, has reportedly reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully in accordance with international law, as well as existing agreements and memoranda with Cambodia. Earlier, Anwar received a courtesy call from the new Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. Anwar said that they discussed, among others, measures to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United States, including strategic efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments. 'Among (the topics) touched on included strengthening Malaysia-US ties as well as efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments from the country,' he said in a Facebook post today. The Prime Minister also wished Muhammad Shahrul all the best on his appointment, while stating his confidence in the former to elevate Malaysia's aspirations, image and reputation to the highest level. On June 3, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, presented the instrument of appointment to Muhammad Shahrul in a ceremony at Istana Negara.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
O'Briens Malaysia: Fresh, fast and balanced
ON the sandwich shop spectrum, O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe Malaysia (O'Briens) falls on the slightly more premium end but customers are known to get what they pay for – sandwiches crafted to international standards with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Speaking to theSun, O'Briens managing director and master franchise holder Brian Pua explained that the success of the brand over the past two decades is the result of his team's relentless commitment in upholding the highest standards in food quality, customer service and healthy food products. Opening its first outlet in Malaysia at Great Eastern Mall in Kuala Lumpur back in 2002, O'Briens quickly expanded under Pua's stewardship to over 30 locations, largely in urban areas. Though the 'Irish' in its name may give some pause, Pua stressed that O'Briens is halal-certified, which was his very intention from the opening of the initial Malaysian outlet. 'As a cafe offering what many consider comfort food, it was important for us to target the halal status. Now, all our food is halal-certified, so our Muslim customers can enjoy their meals with confidence,' Pua explained. 'From the start, it was very clear how we would serve our customers,' he said. Healthy eating, local flavours O'Briens was one of the first businesses in the country's food and beverage landscape to push the concept of fresh and nutritious food – even if the general awareness on how both went hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle was not as prevalent. Pua believes the pandemic drove a change in attitudes. 'It was when people began to have more awareness on the importance of taking care of their immune system by consuming more natural, fresh food products. 'People now look for meals that support their lifestyle, where they want something balanced, fresh and satisfying. We are proud to be part of that movement and it is great to see so many regulars who have made O'Briens part of their everyday routine,' he said. Yet, O'Briens is not rigid in its offerings. Over time, the brand has adapted – or rather tweaked – its menu to suit local tastes while maintaining its original values. 'Being a Malaysian myself has helped guide O'Briens. In the beginning, we looked at introducing Irish sandwiches, the concept and lifestyle to the Malaysian market. Over time, we looked into the taste of what O'Briens offered,' he said. Giving an example, Pua cited how Malaysians liked spicy food. This eventually led to the O'Briens menu adopting items such as the Piri-Piri Chicken Multigrain and the Volcanic Chicken Wrap. 'Another thing was the demand for vegetarian options and we answered it with a wide range of vegetarian offerings such as the Watercress Sandwich and even those that combined the spicy and vegetarian taste portfolio, such as the Sundried Tomato on Hot Ciabatta, which is popular with vegetarians,' he pointed out. 'We put in the effort to make each and every sandwich have its own unique identity by increasing the taste portfolio, while staying true to our Irish roots and the philosophy of clean, nutritious eating'. Listening to lifestyles Today, O'Briens continues to adapt to what consumers are looking for. To Pua, this means always having his ear to the ground. On top of integrating new technology into its operations, O'Briens is working with the fitness industry, finding new ways to approach the food and beverage landscape. They are already taking into consideration what gym-goers want. 'We have done surveys with them to develop our salads to be low in carbohydrates and high in protein, while striking a balance between the health aspect and the taste of our food,' Pua said. While the brand is known for promoting healthy foods and living, one element is conspiciously missing from its clean and attractive menu – nutritional information for each item, with calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats in gram and so on clearly stated. 'We are currently working on it,' Pua exclaimed with a laugh. 'In fact, our halal quality control team already has all the information for each product and very soon, we will incorporate it into our menu. 'We want our customers to know the nutritional value of what they consume and they can plan their meals. That is also what we want to encourage our customers to do, which is to have a balanced diet,' he said.