Thailand, Cambodia agree to unconditional ceasefire
Anwar, as Asean chairperson, said the ceasefire is among the common understandings reached at the meeting attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
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The Star
28 minutes ago
- The Star
Thailand's Second Army Region chief warns public not to believe fake news about troop withdrawal
FILE PHOTO: Cambodian police officials stand next to the closed gate at Poipet International border checkpoint between Cambodia-Thailand, at Poipet town in Banteay Meanchey province on June 24, 2025. - AFP BANGKOK: Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, has urged the public not to fall for fake news falsely claiming that he ordered the withdrawal of troops stationed along the frontlines to demonstrate long-term sincerity and build public confidence. He clarified that he has never given any interview suggesting a pullback of forces. 'Such claims are entirely untrue and constitute fake news. The language used in the circulated posts is deliberately distorted to provoke and mislead the public, he said. 'The dissemination of this misinformation may disrupt public order. I reaffirm that the Thai military remains firmly committed to protecting the nation's sovereignty. Our troops are highly motivated and remain on full alert, operating 24 hours a day.' Boonsin urged the public not to share or forward such unverified information and to exercise caution. He confirmed that Thai soldiers continue to carry out their duties along the border as usual. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
30 minutes ago
- The Star
US tariff set to shift Indochina economic balance with Myanmar and Laos worst hit
A rice vendor waits for customers at his shop in Vientiane on October 8, 2024. Landlocked Laos -- a country of only eight million -- has a gloomy outlook as it counts down to a August 1, 2025 deadline when Trump says a 40 per cent levy will kick in unless a trade deal is sealed. - AFP VIENTIANE/PHNOM PENH (Bernama): The United States' newly announced tariff structure is set to reshape South-East Asia's economic landscape, offering some relief to Vietnam and Cambodia while posing steep challenges for struggling Myanmar and Laos. Under its latest Executive Order, "Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates,' Washington cut levies on Cambodian exports to 19 per cent from 36 per cent, a modest reprieve for Phnom Penh as it works to rebuild investor confidence and stabilise the country following its July 28 ceasefire with Thailand. Cambodian political economist Dr Darin Duch said the kingdom, even amid global uncertainties, has many factories that are still operating, a sign that investor confidence remains steady. "In a competitive landscape, ensuring that each one of Cambodia's competing neighbours continues to produce garments, travel goods, and bicycles for which Cambodia has already established a very efficient supply chain, Cambodia will remain competitive as a cost-effective and resilient manufacturing and sourcing base,' he told Bernama. He said Cambodia's young and cheap workforce, better logistics and infrastructure, and trade environment will work in its favour as manufacturers around the world look for stable and efficient supply chains. US President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day' tariff policy, however, is likely to choke Myanmar and Laos, which are facing a staggering 40 per cent tariff-the highest in the Aseqan region. Vietnam, the rising economic powerhouse in Asean, will face a 20 per cent export levy, much less than the 46 per cent tariff imposed earlier. Myanmar with its political instability and natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes will struggle to navigate its economic woes. The World Bank has forecast that Myanmar's gross domestic product growth this year will contract by 2.5 per cent following the huge earthquake that rocked the nation in March this year, which destroyed supply chains, farmlands, factories, and livelihoods. "The high tariffs on Myanmar and Laos would probably cut into their export competitiveness, making production costlier and less attractive to global buyers. "It may cause investment and production to move into friendlier countries with lower tariffs or a more favourable climate for business,' said Darin. Myanmar, already facing American sanctions since the military coup on February 1, 2021, mostly exports textiles and consumer goods to the US. Its exports were only RM2.8 billion (US$657 million) in 2024, but the US remains an important market for the country. Myanmar is preparing to hold its national elections in December this year. Landlocked Laos exports agricultural products, especially Lao coffee, textiles, and light manufacturing goods to the US market. Laos's exports were RM3.4 billion (US$803 million) in 2024. Like Myanmar, Laos also suffers from natural calamities. Typhoon Wipha swept across the country this week, destroying over 2,000 homes and agricultural land in the provinces. - Bernama
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
13MP: Melaka focuses on becoming a regional, international tourism and halal hub
MELAKA: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026–2030, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, has been described as a key catalyst in strengthening Melaka's position regionally and internationally. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the implementation of 13MP would drive Melaka's efforts to advance as a world-class tourism state, a regional halal industry hub, and a state resilient to future challenges. He said 13MP would boost Melaka's position as a premier tourism destination, a regional halal industry centre, and a state better prepared to face climate change challenges and future infrastructure needs. "The establishment of the Malaysian Halal Commission is also expected to strengthen Melaka's position as a more strategic halal hub, and certainly, this initiative will be fully utilised for the well-being of the people of Melaka as a whole. "The Melaka government is also committed to supporting the national aspiration to increase the country's halal export value to RM80 billion and contribute 11 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the development of the Halal Industrial Park in Melaka," he said in a statement today. During the tabling yesterday, Anwar reportedly said the move to boost the country's halal export value would be supported by the establishment of the halal commission and the development of Halal Industrial Parks, including in Melaka, Perak, and Kelantan. Meanwhile, Ab Rauf also welcomed the federal government's announcement on the development of Special Tourism Investment Zones (STIZ), which would also focus on Melaka. He said STIZ would act as a catalyst for the creation of new tourism products based on art, culture, heritage, and nature, indirectly making Melaka a more competitive destination on the international stage. "In terms of disaster management, Melaka will benefit from the implementation of the Sungai Baru Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB), which is expected to reduce flood risks and impacts, thereby improving public safety," he said. At the same time, Ab Rauf said the Melaka government had planned development proposals under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of 13MP for 2026, amounting to 258 high-impact projects with a total value of RM7.15 billion. He said the proposed projects would focus on developing modern infrastructure, strengthening the digital economy, and empowering strategic industries to ensure the state's sustainable growth. Ab Rauf also fully supported the Water Sector Transformation Plan 2040 (AIR2040), spearheaded by the federal government. He said the state government would work closely with the federal government to ensure water supply capacity and efficiency are in line with the development of new residential areas and growing industrial demand in Melaka.
