INDONESIA
1.INDIRECT ELECTION PUSH UNDER FIRE -- THE JAKARTA POST
Opposition is intensifying in response to renewed efforts by government officials and the political elite to scrap direct regional head elections and return to an indirect voting system, with critics warning that such a move would represent a serious regression in Indonesia’s democratic development.
2.INDONESIA EYES 70 PCT RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARE AFTER 2030 DESPITE COAL RELIANCE -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Indonesia will continue pushing for renewable energy development as a key part of its national energy investment roadmap, even as coal remains a dominant part of the current energy mix, a senior official said Thursday.
LAOS
1.EU FUNDING TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S WELFARE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The European Union (EU) will provide RM4.27 million (US$1 million) to combat child labour, enhancing access to education and decent jobs in 30 villages in Luang Prabang province. This project will continue until March 2028.
2.VIETNAM SUPPORTS LAO DIGITAL TRANSITION -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos has launched a digital citizen identification as part of its agenda to promote digital government. The project will help to manage citizens’ affairs and contribute to national security. Vietnam is assisting Laos in transitioning to the digital space.
MYANMAR
1.NATIONAL PRIORITIES OUTLINED AHEAD OF ELECTIONS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government outlined its main priorities for the nation ahead of the proposed general elections to be held in December this year. Strengthening the agriculture, education, and healthcare sectors tops the national agenda.
2.MYANMAR AIR FORCE FRIENDLY VISIT TO THAILAND -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Myanmar Air Force officers are holding talks with their Thai counterparts to enhance the friendship and cooperation between the forces. During the friendship visit, Myanmar officers visited the Air Technical Training School.
PHILIPPINES
1.SOUTHWEST MONSOON TO BRING RAINS ACROSS LUZON, VISAYAS -- THE PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The southwest monsoon or "habagat" affecting Luzon and the Visayas will cause rains across these islands, the weather bureau said on Friday.
2.FUEL PRICES FORECAST TO JUMP ANEW NEXT WEEK -- THE PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Oil prices will likely increase again next week on global market developments, such as the US-EU trade deal, which reduced the tariff of European exports to the United States to 15 percent, and supply-related factors.
SINGAPORE
1.2024 EWL BREAKDOWN COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH BETTER COORDINATION: SMRT CEO -- THE STRAITS TIMES
The six-day disruption to train services on the East-West Line (EWL) in September 2024 could have been prevented with better coordination among all parties involved, said SMRT group chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping on July 31.
2.SINGAPORE'S TEMASEK UPS STAKE IN ITALIAN FASHION GROUP ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA TO 10 PCT -- CNA
Singapore's Temasek has increased its stake in Ermenegildo Zegna Group to 10 per cent, the state investment firm said on Friday (Aug 1).
THAILAND
1.BANGKOK RANKS 11TH GLOBALLY FOR LUXURY LIFESTYLE COSTS IN 2025, RISING 6 SPOTS -- THE NATION
Bangkok moves up to 11th in global rankings for luxury living costs, driven by high prices for lifestyle items such as luxury shoes and cars.
2. BMA BEGINS BID TO UPGRADE ALL PUBLIC MOTORBIKE STANDS -- BANGKOK POST
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a comprehensive initiative to upgrade all 5,365 registered public motorcycle taxi stands across the city. The project, set to run from August to December, aims to improve safety, enhance service standards, and increase public trust in motorcycle taxi services.
VIETNAM
1.FIRE SAFETY EXPO TO WOO 17 COUNTRIES -- VIETNAMPLUS
An international exhibition, Fire Safety and Rescue Vietnam 2025, will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from August 14-16. About 480 brands from 17 countries, including manufacturers and suppliers, are expected to participate in the event.
2.VIETNAM BRIEFS DIPLOMATS ON COUNTRY’S PROGRESS -- VIETNAM NEWS
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh briefed the diplomatic corps in Hanoi about Vietnam’s reforms and its economic targets. It aims to be an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045.
-- BERNAMA
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