Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Thailand : March 3, 2025

INDONESIA

1.RELIGIOUS GROUPS WARY OF INVITATION TO DANANTARA -- THE JAKARTA POST

A plan floated by President Prabowo Subianto to place representatives of religious organisations on the advisory board of the newly launched sovereign wealth fund Danantara has garnered mixed reactions, with analysts warning it could be an attempt to dampen public criticism of the controversial fund.

2.INDONESIA PLANS HIGH-LEVEL LOBBY FOR AFC ASIAN CUP HOST -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia has formally launched its bid to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup, the country’s football chief announced on Sunday.

LAOS 

1.UNICEF SETS PRIORITIES FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Laos set priorities to improve children’s welfare. Key focus areas are strengthening child development and nutrition, supporting adolescent development, enhancing education, and addressing climate change impacts on children.

2.FIRST NATIONAL DIGITAL POPULATION CENSUS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Lao government on Friday set the process for the 5th Population and Housing Census that will be crucial in national development. The first-ever digital census will provide insights into demographic trends, migration patterns, and access to education, employment and housing.

MYANMAR

1.TRADITIONAL THANAKA USED DURING 11TH CENTURY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR|

Archaeologists confirmed that the use of Thanaka was discovered in mural paintings at the 11th-century Apelyadana Temple in Bagan and at the 15th-century Culamani Stupa. The yellowish paste from Thanaka wood is a popular traditional skincare product in Myanmar.

2. NATION GEARS TO WOO INTRA-ASEAN VISITORS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is conducting an awareness campaign to promote  ASEAN tourism standards to woo more visitors from the region this year. The number of tourist arrivals in ASEAN hit 124 million last year, mostly intra-ASEAN travellers.  

SINGAPORE

1.CDL SHARES TUMBLE ON FIRST DAY OF TRADING RESUMPTION AMID POWER TUSSLE -- CNA

Shares of City Developments (CDL) tumbled on Monday (Mar 3), following a three-day halt sparked by an ongoing tussle between father and son for control of the property giant.

2.CDL SHARES TUMBLE 6.5% AFTER TRADING HALT LIFTED AMID BOARDROOM TUSSLE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Shares of City Developments Limited (CDL) fell 6.5 per cent to $4.79 when trading in the company’s shares resumed on March 3 amid a boardroom battle for control of the property giant being played out in public.

THAILAND

1. PM BOASTS PHEU THAI GOVT ATTRACTED HIGHEST FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN DECADE -- THE NATION

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Sunday claimed that her government, along with the previous Pheu Thai-led administration, had attracted the highest level of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the past decade.

2. STATE FIGHTS BACK AGAINST NOMINEE FIRMS -- BANGKOK POST

Several laws regulate the entry of foreigners into Thailand, according to Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Business Development (DBD).

-- BERNAMA