Top Headline News In Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Dec 1, 2024

INDONESIA

1. NEW 60-MEMBER PBSI LEADERSHIP TARGETS OLYMPIC BADMINTON GOLD -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) introduced its new 60-member leadership team on Saturday, unveiling an ambitious plan to secure gold medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The association is now headed by Muhammad Fadil Imran, a former Jakarta Police chief, who was elected chairman by acclamation during the national congress in August.

2. INDONESIAN GOVT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF FREE MEALS PROGRAM -- ANTARA

The Indonesian Government is continuing to strive to improve the quality of the Free Nutritious Meals program, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar has said. He added that the quality of the program will be improved periodically in the future, although in the initial stage, the government has only managed to allocate a budget of Rp10 thousand (around US$0.63) per person per day.

MYANMAR

1. ASEAN YOUTH FORUMS FOCUS YOUNGER GENERATION GROWTH -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

At the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth and the 9th ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Youth in Nay Pyi Taw, major highlights were paving the way for the younger generation to succeed and digital technology. 

2. MODERNISING LIVESTOCK FARMING TO IMPROVE FOOD SUPPLY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Livestock breeders have been urged to operate livestock farms efficiently, produce finished products and enhance commercial production to manufacture value-added industrial products. The aim is to address food sufficiency and ensure basic foodstuffs are sold at fair prices.

SINGAPORE

1. WORKING ADULTS ARE SAVING MORE BUT MANY STILL OVERSPEND AND GAMBLE TOO MUCH: POLL -- THE STRAITS TIMES

No one likes prices shooting up, but if we have to live with it, it is better we save more and cut down on unnecessary expenses that could rake up higher credit card debt.

2. KUALA LUMPUR SIGNBOARDS CONTROVERSY: ENFORCEMENT NOT ONLY AGAINST CHINESE EATERIES, SAYS OFFICIAL -- CNA

In an area known to many as “Mini Dhaka” in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, signs in Bengali, Burmese and Nepali were once a common sight on the walls and pillars of buildings.

THAILAND

1. THREE FLOOD-HIT DISTRICTS IN SATUN PROVINCE DECLARED DISASTER ZONES -- THE NATION

The southern province of Satun is grappling with severe flooding in five districts and three of them – Khuan Don, Tha Pae, and Muang – have been declared disaster zones.

2. RAMA II MOTORWAY CONSTRUCTION PUT ON HOLD AFTER FATAL CRANE COLLAPSE -- BANGKOK POST

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has ordered work on a city motorway to be suspended for two weeks after Friday's crane collapse on Rama II Road which resulted in six deaths and nine injuries.

VIETNAM

1. HIGH-SPEED RAIL TO CONNECT HANOI-HO CHI MINH -- VIETNAM EXPRESS

The government approved the North-South high-speed railway project costing about US$67 billion. The 1,541-km project will link Hanoi in the north and the southern city of Ho Chi Minh. Works are scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2035.

2. CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO HO CHI MINH -- VIETNAM.VN

City folks are already basking in the Christmas mood in Ho Chi Minh even though the celebration is weeks away. Churches, shopping malls and cafes are becoming major attractions with colourful decorations. Snow sprinkler system decorations are adding more fun for city dwellers. 

-- BERNAMA