INDONESIA
1.INDONESIAN PARLIAMENT SCRAPS US$3,000 HOUSING ALLOWANCE AFTER WEEK OF PROTESTS -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) has scrapped a controversial housing allowance of Rp 50 million (US$3,000) per lawmaker per month following a week of widespread demonstrations across the country.
2.PRESIDENT CALLS FOR INVESTMENT, JOBS BEYOND JAKARTA -- ANTARA
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has asked the Red and White Cabinet Economic Minister to ensure that investment and job creation are evenly distributed across Indonesia and not concentrated only in Jakarta.
LAOS
1.LUANG PRABANG WOOS 2.4 MILLION VISITORS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Luang Prabang received more than 2.4 million visitors in the first eight months of this year. According to authorities, 925,599 were domestic tourists and more than 1.4 million international visitors. Improved infrastructure is contributing to its growth.
2.REMITTING MONEY FROM KOREA TO LAOS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao Development Bank Co Ltd and Korea’s BNK Busan Bank signed an agreement to improve remittance services. Lao nationals working in Korea can conveniently remit money to their families without any charges.
MYANMAR
1.NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government has formed a special task force to tackle human trafficking in the country. A one-year pilot project to address fake marriages with local women, online scams, forced labour and coercion is being drafted.
2.CENTRAL BANK STEPS IN TO STABILISE CURRENCY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Central Bank of Myanmar will inject RM127 million (US$30 million) into the fuel oil sector to stabilise the foreign exchange market and avoid currency devaluation. The bank is working with other agencies to prosecute currency market manipulators.
THE PHILIPPINES
1. NO FILIPINOS REPORTED AMONG LISBON RAIL CAR ACCIDENT CASUALTIES – PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
No Filipinos have so far been reported among the casualties in the funicular accident that killed 17 people and injured several others in Lisbon, Portugal, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.
2. PHILIPPINES TO CHAMPION PLASTIC POLLUTION, BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION IN ASEAN – PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla pledged to advance regional cooperation on marine plastic pollution, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience in the upcoming ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which the Philippines will chair in 2026.
SINGAPORE
1.COST OF LIVING, JOBS, S’PORE’S FUTURE SET TO BE ON AGENDA WHEN PARLIAMENT OPENS ON SEPT 5: EXPERTS -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Parliament will open on Sept 5 for its 15th term, with the Government and MPs expected to address bread-and-butter issues as well as the country’s future beyond SG60.
2.CDC VOUCHERS A BITTER PILL FOR RETAILERS EXCLUDED FROM SCHEME DESPITE REPEATED APPEALS -- CNA
Since 2023, Ms Cyndy Kumuo has tried – and failed – four times to get her shop accepted by the Community Development Council (CDC) voucher scheme.
THAILAND
1. PHUMTHAM ISSUE 2 STATEMENTS, STRESSES NEED FOR "HOUSE DISSOLUTION" TO RETURN POWER TO PEOPLE -- THE NATION
Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, serving as Acting Prime Minister, has clarified the government's stance on the proposal to dissolve the House of Representatives, following feedback from the Office of the Privy Council.
2. ANUTIN GEARS UP TO LEAD -- BANGKOK POST
Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul is poised to be elected prime minister and reclaim the interior minister post once endorsed in Friday's vote.
VIETNAM
1.BILLION DOLLARS FUNDING TO MODERNISE RURAL AREAS -- VIETNAMPLUS
The government will allocate about RM2 trillion (US$468 billion) between 2026 and 2035 for rural development and poverty eradication programmes. Priorities include investment in infrastructure, roads and preserving the cultural values and identities of ethnic minorities.
2.VIETNAM JOINS RUSSIA-LED ACADEMIC PLATFORM -- VIETNAM NEWS
Vietnam has joined the Russian-Asian Faculty — a new initiative linking universities across the Asia-Pacific. The platform consolidates joint academic programmes with universities from China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and other Asia-Pacific nations.
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