Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: June 26, 2025
The government is rushing to roll out the Red-White Cooperatives programme by July 19, even as the Cooperatives Law revision is still being deliberated at the House of Representatives.
Japan will provide scholarships worth RM11 million (US$2.6 million) to strengthen Laos' human resource development. Academic studies cover agriculture, environmental science, public administration, economics and international relations. More than 500 government staff have benefited from Japanese assistance.
2. COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITH US SUPPORT -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos and the United States of America (US) pledged to combat human trafficking. About RM7 million (US$1.58 million) will be used to assist vulnerable groups in accessing education, vocational skills and to create awareness to reduce the risk of human smuggling.
MYANMAR
1. ELIGIBLE VOTERS WILL BE GIVEN CHANCE TO VOTE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government has assured that all eligible voters have the chance to cast their votes in the election in December this year. Free and fair elections will be held and all ethnic rights and political demands will be addressed accordingly.
2. FORUM TO STRENGTHEN PEACE IN MYANMAR -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Peace Forum 2025 began in Nay Pyi Taw where local and international participants are debating ways to promote peace. The forum will focus on enhancing peace dialogues, building trust and cooperation, addressing humanitarian assistance and strengthening international collaboration for development.
SINGAPORE
1. MULTILATERALISM CAN EVOLVE TO BE MORE 'FLEXIBLE', SAYS PM WONG AT WEF EVENT -- THE STRAITS TIMES
With global rules weakening and economic nationalism on the rise, Singapore is proposing a workaround of getting like-minded countries to cooperate on specific issues, while leaving the door open for others to join in the future.
2. MORE ATTEMPTS BY COUNTRIES TO 'WEAPONISE ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCIES': PM WONG -- CNA
Amid current geopolitical contests and rivalries, there have been "more and more attempts" by countries to "weaponise economic interdependencies", Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday (Jun 25).
THAILAND
1. GOVT DELAYS ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX BILL AMID PUBLIC CONFUSION OVER CASINO CONTENT -- THE NATION
The government has postponed the entertainment complex bill, clarifying that casinos form only 10% of its content, while most provisions focus on economic promotion.
2. DON'T RUSH CENSURE BID, BJT TOLD -- BANGKOK POST
The opposition People's Party (PP) appears reluctant to join the Bhumjaithai Party's swift move in seeking a no-confidence debate against embattled Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra immediately after parliament reconvenes on July 3.
VIETNAM
1. DEATH PENALTY FOR EIGHT CRIMINAL CASES ABOLISHED -- VIETNAM NEWS
The government has abolished the death penalty for eight criminal offences, including embezzlement and bribery. The new legislation that takes effect on July 1 is part of the government's efforts to reform Vietnam's criminal legal system.
2. ALARMING RISE IN OBESITY AMONG KIDS -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam is experiencing a 38 per cent rise in overweight and obesity rates. The National Institute of Nutrition reported that such cases among school-aged children five to 19 years old have more than doubled in one decade.
-- BERNAMA
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Free Malaysia Today
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