Top News Headlines In Singapore, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia & Thailand: Nov 4, 2024

SINGAPORE

1.WILL PRITAM SINGH TAKE THE STAND? A KEY QUESTION AS THE WP CHIEF'S TRIAL CONTINUES ON NOV 5 -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Will Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh take the stand? Will the defence’s bid to impeach the credibility of key witness Raeesah Khan go through? 

2.PATIENT'S 'CLEARING MCs' OR TAKING SICK LEAVE FOR HOLIDAYS:DOCTORS SPEAK OUT ABOUT TELEMEDICINE ABUSE -- CNA

Telemedicine doctors have spoken up about the challenges they face on the job, especially when it comes to dealing with malingerers and patients who get upset when denied a medical certificate (MC).

LAOS 

1.MAJORITY OF LAOS UXO VICTIMS ARE CHILDREN -- VIENTIANE TIMES

About 60 per cent of the victims injured or killed by pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) this year  were children when they accidentally detonated the devices. In the 48 incidents registered this year,  nine people lost their lives. 

2.LAOS PUSHES FOR MORE EXPORTS TO CHINA -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Laos is encouraging its farmers to produce more products for export to China to earn foreign currency  and reduce high foreign exchange rates. Agricultural exports in 2023 generated nearly RM6 billion. The  country is capitalising on the China-Laos Railway for exports.  

MYANMAR 

1.DEMAND FOR BICYCLES SOARS AFTER BAN ON MOTORCYCLES — THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Bicycle sales are expected to rise starting this month as more people purchase them for transportation and the opening of school season. Sales of cycles rose nearly 40 per cent since the government’s ban           on motorcycles in some areas in 2023. 

2.MAIDEN PET SHOW HELD IN MYANMAR -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar’s inaugural Myanmar Pet Expo 2024 was held from 2 to 3 November and featured free pet health education talks, dog fashion shows, pet spas, grooming and training demonstrations. Dogs, reptiles, and various bird and cat species were exhibited at the event.  

VIETNAM

1.GOLD DEMAND SLUMPS AMID HIGH PRICES -- VIETNAM NEWS 

Gold demand in Vietnam fell in the third quarter of this year due to rising prices. Demand for jewellery  was 2.6 tonnes, with a drop of 13 per cent, while demand for bar and coin fell 33 per cent to 7.9 tonnes.

2. VIETNAM ATTENDS GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION SUMMIT -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam is participating in the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit in Kunming, China from 5 to 8  November. The 10th Ayeyarwady—Chao Phraya—Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit are taking place at the same time.

INDONESIA 

1.PRABOWO CONSOLIDATES GRASSROOTS SUPPORT -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto has consolidated his volunteers into a new organization called the National Solidarity Movement (GSN), which analysts believe is the patron’s way of giving back to campaigners while also maintaining support at the grassroots level to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who remains popular after a decade of leadership.

2.PRABOWO URGES MINISTERS TO LIMIT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR OFFICIALS -- SEA TODAY

President Prabowo Subianto has urged ministry officials to reduce international travel, including seminars and study visits. He made this statement during his speech at the launch of the National Solidarity Movement (GSN) at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Saturday.

THAILAND

1. HOUSE PRICES FAR HIGHER THAN WHAT MOST BANGKOKIANS CAN AFFORD -- THE NATION

More than half of Bangkokians find it difficult to purchase a house as their monthly salary is less than 30,000 baht while property prices have continued to rise, according to property developer Sena Development.

2. SOFT POWER PLANS FOR CITY MARKET -- BANGKOK POST 

The National Committee on Soft Power Development has vowed to develop Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok as Thailand's soft power hub within the next two years. 

-- BERNAMA