Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore & Thailand : March 12, 2026

INDONESIA 

1. CRISES ACCELERATE INDONESIA'S ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY DRIVE: PRABOWO -- ANTARA

President Prabowo Subianto said global crises in several regions are pushing Indonesia to accelerate efforts to achieve food and energy self-sufficiency.  

2. INDONESIA'S WHOOSH FAST TRAIN EXTENSION PENDING DEBT RESOLUTION -- ANTARA

Indonesia's plan to extend the Jakarta–Bandung fast train service-popularly known as Whoosh-to East Java awaits financial restructuring of its operator, PT KCIC, according to a senior official.

 PHILIPPINES

1. MARCOS BACK IN PH AFTER ‘PRODUCTIVE’ NEW YORK WORKING VISIT-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

   President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned to the Philippines late Wednesday night after what he described as a “very productive” working visit to New York, where he pushed for peace in global conflicts, rallied support for the country’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) bid, and promoted investment opportunities in the Philippines.

2. ‘AMIHAN,’ NURI TO BRING RAINS OVER LUZON, EASTERN MINDANAO THURSDAY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Most parts of Luzon and the eastern section of Mindanao will experience rain on Thursday, the weather bureau said.

SINGAPORE

1. META DISABLES MORE THAN 150,000 ACCOUNTS IN GLOBAL SCAM CENTRE CRACKDOWN INVOLVING SINGAPORE -- CNA

Meta has disabled more than 150,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to scam centre networks in Southeast Asia after a global law enforcement operation last week involving agencies from countries such as Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

2. US FIRM QUANTINUUM’S NEW R&D CENTRE IN S’PORE TO SPUR GROWTH OF QUANTUM COMPUTING APPLICATIONS --  THE STRAITS TIMES

A new R&D and operations centre set up in one-north by US-based firm Quantinuum will boost Singapore’s efforts in developing algorithms and applications for quantum computers.

THAILAND  

1. THAI NAVY RACES TO ASSIST 23 CREW AFTER CARGO SHIP ATTACK NEAR HORMUZ -- THE NATION

The Royal Thai Navy is coordinating urgent assistance for 23 Thai crew members after a Thai cargo vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.

2. FEARS GROW OVER RISING COST OF GOODS -- BANGKOK POST

Consumers across the country are worried about the rising cost of goods as global energy prices and supply chains have been hit by the war in the Middle East, pushing up prices for everyday necessities.

-- BERNAMA