Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 22, 2025
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will continue to support the development of a highly skilled workforce through the skills development programmes. ADB will assist to mobilise financing to build a quality education system and develop human capital.
Cambodian reaffirmed its independent, neutral and non-aligned foreign policy in the international arena. The Kingdom will continue to contribute to international peace-building initiatives, strengthen partnerships with other nations based on international law and the nation's interests.
1.TNI GENERAL APPOINTED TO LEAD CUSTOMS -- THE JAKARTA POST
President Prabowo Subianto will reportedly appoint Lt Gen Djaka Budi Utama, a military officer and former member of a special forces team implicated in the abduction of activists, to lead the country's customs office. This move is seen as part of the President's growing reliance on military figures to fill key civilian posts.
2.FORMER SRITEX BOSS ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING RP 692 BLN IN STATE BANK LOANS -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Former CEO of textile giant Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex), Iwan Setiawan Lukminto, has been named a corruption suspect in a major credit fraud case involving multiple regional and state-owned banks, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced Wednesday evening.
LAOS
1.PM TO ATTEND ASEAN SUMMIT IN MALAYSIA -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will lead a Lao delegation to Malaysia on May 25 to attend the 46th ASEAN Summit. This year's ASEAN Chair, Malaysia, is hosting the summit and related meetings under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
2.LAO WORKING TOWARDS GLOBAL FOOD CODE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos is collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organisation to improve national food safety standards and public health. The partnership is to enhance food safety awareness and encourage global food safety guidelines.
MYANMAR
1.ASEAN TRANSPORT POLICY MAKERS MEET IN YANGON -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Myanmar hosted the 59th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting and the 4th ASEAN-United States Senior Transport Officials Meeting in Yangon yesterday. The host supported ASEAN's strategies in line with the bloc's vision to improve its multimodal transport infrastructure.
2.RUSSIAN-SUPPORTED STEEL MILL TO BEGIN OPERATIONS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The No 2 Steel Mill in Taunggyi Township, Shan State — a joint venture between Myanmar Economic Cooperation and Russian state-owned TPE Co Ltd will begin its operations soon. The mill can produce 200,000 metric tonnes of raw steel and 720,000 tonnes of iron ore.
SINGAPORE
1.S'PORE KEEPS 2025 GROWTH FORECAST AT 0% TO 2%, THOUGH OUTLOOK 'IMPROVED SLIGHTLY' FROM TRADE TRUCES -- THE STRAITS TIMES
The Government is keeping Singapore's economic growth forecast for 2025 at zero per cent to 2 per cent, though it said the external demand outlook for the rest of the year has 'improved slightly', given the tariff truces that have de-escalated global trade tensions.
2.SINGAPORE MAINTAINS 2025 GROWTH FORECAST AT 0-2%; ECONOMY GREW 3.9% IN Q1 -- CNA
Singapore has maintained its growth forecast for the year at a range of 0 to 2 per cent, even as data on Thursday (May 22) showed the economy grew slightly faster than expected in the first quarter of 2025.
THAILAND
1. BMA GEARS UP TO FIGHT FLOODS DURING RAINY SEASON -- THE NATION
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Drainage and Sewerage Department announced on Wednesday that it has fully prepared measures to prevent or mitigate flooding in the capital during this rainy season.
2. CANNABIS USERS IN THAILAND 'WILL NEED MEDICAL CERTIFICATES' -- BANGKOK POST
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin says cannabis users in Thailand will be required to have medical certificates to make sure that the plant is used for medical purposes only.
VIETNAM
1.INVESTOR-FRIENDLY BANKING LAWS TO WOO FOREIGN CAPITAL -- VIETNAMPLUS
The State Bank is simplifying the process to open indirect investment accounts in Vietnam from June 16. The new move is to streamline administrative procedures, remove barriers and ease foreign capital flow into Vietnam's stock market.
2. TRUMP BRAND SWEEPS ACROSS VIETNAM -- VIETNAMPLUS
The Trump International Hung Yen project is expected to promote sustainable development for the northern province of Hung Yen and Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the luxury residential and tourism complex yesterday.
-- BERNAMA
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Free Malaysia Today
44 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean urged to balance AI innovation with human values
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Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean's balancing act in an era of US-China rivalry
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The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Anwar congratulates S. Korea president on election win
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warmest congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his election as the president of South Korea. He said the victory marked a turning point for South Korea, a nation that had emerged from a period of intense contest and scrutiny with resilience and democratic resolve. 'The people have spoken for renewal of trust, of institutions and of national purpose. 'I welcome the opportunity to work with President Lee to deepen the friendship between our nations in trade and technology and in peace and security, as well as the enduring ties between our peoples,' Anwar said in a Facebook post yesterday. Malaysia–South Korea relations were elevated to a strategic partnership in November last year, a milestone reflecting shared ambitions. Anwar said Malaysia, as Chair of Asean for 2025, hoped the regional bloc would play a greater role in South Korea's regional outlook, Bernama reported. South Korea currently chairs the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec). 'As Chairs of Asean and Apec in 2025 respectively, Malaysia and South Korea are well placed to lead impactful regional initiatives. 'In a time of global flux, a deeper partnership between South-East Asia and South Korea will be indispensable to us all,' Anwar said. He also wished Lee wisdom and success in the journey ahead. He said he looked forward to meeting Lee in Kuala Lumpur this October for the Asean Summit and again in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting later that month. Lee officially began his five-year term yesterday after the National Election Commission confirmed his victory during a plenary session. The liberal Democratic Party candidate won with 49.42% of the vote, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, who garnered 41.15%.
