TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, LAOS, MYANMAR, VIETNAM & THAILAND : DEC 16, 2024

INDONESIA

1.PRO-PRABOWO ALLIES SUPPORT ABOLISHING DIRECT POLLS -- THE JAKARTA POST

Members of the ruling coalition have signaled support for President Prabowo Subianto’s suggestion to roll back direct regional head elections to cut costs, despite heavy criticism from prodemocracy advocates who believe that would be a set-back to democracy.

2.FREE NUTRITIOUS MEAL PROGRAM TO CREATE 2.5 MILLION NEW JOB -- JAKARTA GLOBE

President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programme, which provides free nutritious meals to children, expectant mothers, and breastfeeding mothers, is projected to generate at least 2.5 million new jobs, according to a presidential advisor.

LAOS

1. LAO-ADB SIGNS FINANCIAL PACT TO IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Laos signed agreements for loans and grants worth RM668 million (US$150 million) to finance socio-economic development projects. These include reducing rural poverty, improving water systems, enhancing livestock quality and modernising revenue collection.

2. KOREAN WATER TECHNOLOGY TO MODERNISE LAO IRRIGATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos and South Korea have initiated water resources management and agricultural water supply projects using digital information. The project supported by a grant of RM25 million (US$5.6 million) from the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will modernise Laos’ irrigation using modern Korean technology.

MYANMAR

1. MORE AIR POWER FOR NATION’S AIR FORCE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The military commissioned aircraft and helicopters into service at the Flying Training Base in Meiktila Station during the 77th anniversary of Tatmadaw (Air) celebration yesterday. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the move aims to improve military operations and bolster the country’s air force.

2. BAMBOO PRODUCERS WANT FOREIGN MARKET ACCESS  -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Local bamboo producers are seeking government assistance to export their products overseas to earn better incomes. They are trying to access large markets like China and India. Opening up export markets will help the entire bamboo-producing industry.

VIETNAM

1.EXPANDING NATION’S MARINE PROTECT ZONES -- VIETNAM NEWS

The government has approved the expansion of new marine protected areas, fishery resource conservation zones and marine ecosystem restoration areas. The project aims to increase the country’s marine and coastal protected zones by six per cent by 2030

2.HEALTH MINISTRY TIGHTENS LAW ON SPECIAL DRUGS -- VIETNAM NEWS

The Health Ministry is drafting a special order to enforce the Law on Pharmacy more efficiently. Reporting requirements for radioactive drugs, transporting, disposal of narcotics, psychotropic drugs and precursors, inventory and usage of toxic materials in pharmaceuticals will be covered under the new decree.

THAILAND

1. AMBITIOUS LAND BRIDGE PROJECT SET TO TAKE OFF NEXT YEAR, SAYS SURIYA -- THE NATION
The government’s ambitious land bridge project, with an investment value of up to 1 trillion baht, is set to take concrete shape in 2025, Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit has said.

2. CANCER ANYWHERE SCHEME 'HURTING HOSPITALS' -- BANGKOK POST
Experts are urging the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to scrap the Cancer Anywhere (CA) programme after several major public hospitals reported operating losses due to the overwhelming number of patients requesting cancer treatment.
 

-- BERNAMA