Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore & Thailand: Jan 13, 2025

INDONESIA

1. EAST JAVA LAUNCHES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN AS FMD AFFECTS OVER 11,000 CATTLE -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The East Java government has launched a large-scale vaccination campaign following the infection of 11,317 cows by foot and mouth disease (FMD), making the province the epicenter of the outbreak.

2. MEGAWATI CALLS FOR UNITY AMID ALLEGED EFFORTS TO DERAIL HER LEADERSHIP -- THE JAKARTA POST

Megawati Soekarnoputri has urged members who had lost faith in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to resign immediately amid alleged attacks on her leadership ahead of the national congress in April, when the party is slated to hold its chairmanship race.

LAOS 

1. LAOS-VIETNAM FRIENDSHIP PARK CONSTRUCTION BEGINS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The groundbreaking ceremony for constructing the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Public Park was held last Friday in Dongmakkhai village, Vientiane. The park is a gift from Vietnam to Laos that reaffirms the strong friendship and cooperation between the two nations. 

2. CROSS-CURRENCY SERVICE LAUNCHED -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Laos and Vietnam have launched a cross-currency transaction service and cross-border payment system using QR code. The Bank of the Lao PDR and the State Bank of Vietnam facilitate cross-border payments using the Lao kip and the Vietnamese dong.

MYANMAR

1. OVERSUPPLY OF HILSA FISH BRINGS DOWN PRICES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The supply of hilsa fish has increased in local markets like Yangon and Kyimyindine Sanpy which is one of the largest wholesale fish markets in Myanmar. With an abundance of supply,  prices have dropped making it much affordable for consumers. 

2. GOVT WANTS PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SECTOR TO GROW -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Health Minister Dr Thet Khaing Win wants the private healthcare sector to develop to ensure that the public receives quality, effective and safe medical services. He also said the Myanmar Medical Council is crucial in upholding the ethical standards for doctors. 

VIETNAM 

1. TRADE, INVESTMENT TO DRIVE VIETNAM-UK RELATIONS -- VIETNAM NEWS 

Trade and investment cooperation will remain a key pillar of Vietnam and the United Kingdom (UK) Strategic Partnership. Bilateral trade grew steadily to RM38 billion (US$8.4 billion)  last year, a healthy 18 per cent increase compared to 2023.

2. HANOI COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING URBAN RAILWAY -- HANOI TIMES

Hanoi is accelerating the development of its urban railway network by removing bureaucratic hurdles and creating conducive conditions for contractors. The mass transit system will serve as the "backbone" of the city's urban transport to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

SINGAPORE

1. ‘ONE BIG FAMILY’: RESIDENTS MOVE INTO FIRST ASSISTED-LIVING FLATS IN BUKIT BATOK -- THE STRAITS TIMES

In November 2024, 88-year-old Lam Shaw Ying moved into his new assisted living flat in Bukit Batok and started playing carrom again, a traditional board game he last played when he was a boy.

2. 'WILLING TO TAKE A BET': SINGAPOREANS HEADING TO MALAYSIA FOR KNEE STEM CELL THERAPY -- CNA

When scans last year showed significant damage to his knee cartilage, Mr Johnny Lam started looking for solutions.

THAILAND

1.  FOUR AIRCRAFT HELP PUT OUT WILDFIRES IN KHAO SIAD AH FOREST -- THE NATION

The wildfires that raged in Khao Siad Ah preserved forest in Dong Phayayen subdistrict of Nakhon Ratchasima province were finally extinguished on Saturday.

2. DEFENCE MINISTRY FAVOURS GRIPEN JETS OVER US F-16S -- BANGKOK POST

The Defence Ministry supports the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decision to choose the Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the F-16 aircraft from the United States, says Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. 

-- BERNAMA