CAMBODIA
1.CAMBODIA TO HOST DISASTER MANAGEMENT EXERCISE -- FRESH NEWS
Cambodia will host the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Exercise 2025 (ARDEX-25) in July this year. The disaster management mechanism is critical to the region that is prone to weather-related natural disasters. ARDEX is conducted to test regional capabilities.
2.CAMBODIA EXPLORES CASHEW EXPORTS TO INDIA -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE
Cambodian cashew nut traders discussed with Indian buyers to export more of the product into the Indian market. Cambodia produced 850,000 tonnes of cashew nuts last year and exported 815,000 tonnes. Indian buyers keen on raw cashew nuts and processed kernels.
LAOS
1.PLANS TO IMPROVE BANGKOK-VIENTIANE RAIL ROUTE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos and Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance rail connectivity to meet the rising number of passengers travelling on the Bangkok Apiwat–Vientiane (Khamsavath) route. So far 288,700 passengers have used the service since the route was launched last July.
2.STERN MEASURES TO STOP ABUSE OF STATE FUNDS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government is taking stern steps to tackle financial misconduct in public agencies and punish offenders who miss use state funds. Authorities plan to introduce mechanisms for efficient state auditing, reducing unplanned expenses and recovering advance payments into the national treasury.
MYANMAR
1.IMPROVING PUBLIC SOCIAL PROTECTION SCHEMES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government is fine-tuning its social protection scheme and working with ASEAN and other global partners to modernise the scheme. The scheme covers— healthcare, unemployment, superannuation, occupational disability, family, childbirth, survivors and seriously injured persons.
2.REGIONAL GOVT-MEDIA RELATIONS WORKSHOP -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Ministry of Information will host the Workshop on “Mastering Government Communication: Empowering Spokespersons for Effective Public Engagement” in Nay Pyi Taw from February 26 to 28. Participants will learn how governments can engage the media during crises and disseminate information effectively.
INDONESIA
1.DANANTARA’S GOVERNANCE RAISES DOUBTS -- THE JAKARTA POST
President Prabowo Subianto launched Danantara, the nation’s newest sovereign wealth fund, with US$20 billion in initial capital on Monday, but analysts have warned that the fund will face challenges in winning investor trust given its governance structure.
2.PRAMONO ANUNG LEADS PDI-P'S LOCAL LEADERS TO JOIN RETREAT ON 3RD DAY -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Newly-installed Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has led a group of other elected local leaders affiliated with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to finally join the retreat program in Magelang, Central Java, on Sunday, two days late than the original schedule.
SINGAPORE
1.SINGAPOREAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS SPUR OTHERS TO FIND THEIR STRENGTHS AND PURPOSE: PRESIDENT THARMAN -- THE STRAITS TIMES
From volunteers who give hope to those in need to athletes who put Singapore on the world map, the lives and deeds of the Singaporean of the Year finalists motivate others to discover their own strengths and purpose, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
2.DON'T 'WAIT FOR THE PROBLEM TO GET BIGGER': GROWING ALARM IN SINGAPORE OVER VAPES BEING USED TO TAKE DRUGS -- CNA
Lawmakers, social service providers, parents and even youths in Singapore have increasingly raised concerns over the use of vaping devices to consume illegal drugs.
THAILAND
1. UNSTABLE WEATHER! HEAVY RAIN IM 48 PROVINCES, MONSOON HITS THE SOUTH -- THE NATION
The Meteorological Department forecasts unstable weather today, February 24, 2025. Heavy rain will hit 48 provinces, including Bangkok, with thunderstorms, strong winds, lightning, and hail in some areas. A monsoon is covering the southern region.
2. OUTCRY OVER GROWTH OF ILLEGAL HOTELS -- BANGKOK POST
Phuket and Bangkok are the tourist destinations most heavily linked to the practice of investors illegally renting out their residential units as short-term accommodation, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA), while tourism operators want the government to consider reducing the 60-day visa-free period to eligible countries.
-- BERNAMA
