Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: Jan 25, 2025

INDONESIA

1. WEST JAVA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CRITICISES HIGH SCHOOL PREGNANCY TESTS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The West Java Education Department on Friday criticised a high school in Cianjur Regency for conducting pregnancy tests among its students, saying that the programme lacks legal grounds and does not align with the department’s policies.

bootstrap slideshow

2. SRI MULYANI DEFENDS RP 306T IN BUDGET CUTS -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto has ordered ministries, agencies and regional leaders to cut a combined Rp 306.7 trillion (US$18.9 billion) in spending in 2025, as the administration seeks additional funds to support the President’s flagship free nutritious meals programme and other costly initiatives.

MYANMAR

1. EXPORTERS TO BENEFIT FROM INDIA’S IMPORT POLICY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

India has extended its duty-free import policy of pigeon peas until March 31, 2026, which will benefit Myanmar’s growers and exporters. Myanmar’s pigeon peas output is estimated at 300,000 tonnes and 200,000 tonnes were exported last year.

2. LAO-MYANMAR STRENGTHEN SECURITY PACT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Laos and Myanmar held their ninth ministerial-level bilateral cooperation meeting in Vientiane this week. A range of issues from security and law enforcement, cybercrime, cross-border gambling, eliminating drugs and human trafficking, and extradition of fugitives were given priority.

SINGAPORE

1. SINGAPORE REINS IN APP STORES TO PROTECT THE YOUNG -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Just as age verification is mandatory for pub entry, app stores will soon need to check the age of young users before allowing them to download apps for grown-ups.

2. STOLEN GOODS AND HIDDEN COSTS: WHY SHOPLIFTING IS ON THE RISE IN SINGAPORE -- CNA

Madam Hoe Wan Ping’s days as a store leader often kick off on a stressful note: Doing a rough stock check for missing items. 

VIETNAM

1. MY XUAN PORT CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN 2025 -- VIETNAM NEWS

The government has approved the construction of the  My Xuan International General Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in southern Vietnam. Costing nearly RM1 billion (US$230 million), its construction will begin this year and is scheduled to be completed by 2030.

2. LAOS-VIETNAM 500kV POWER PROJECT COMMISSIONED -- VIETNAMPLUS

The Monsoon-Thanh My 500kV transmission line project connecting Vietnam and Laos was successfully commissioned on Friday. The project will enable electricity import from Laos’ wind power plant to Vietnam — adding 600 MW to the national power grid.

-- BERNAMA