TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, MYANMAR, SINGAPORE, THAILAND & VIETNAM: JAN 12, 2025

INDONESIA 

1. 2025 CRUCIAL YEAR FOR ACHIEVING GOLDEN INDONESIA GOALS: MINISTER -- ANTARA

Manpower Minister Yassierli emphasised that the first half of 2025 is crucial for determining Indonesia's success in realising its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, which aims to transform the nation into an advanced country.

2. JAPAN TO SUPPORT INDONESIA’S FREE MEAL PROGRAMME AND MARITIME SECURITY EFFORTS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba proposed a broad collaboration with President Prabowo Subianto, focusing on food and energy self-sufficiency, industrial development, and free nutritious meal programs.

MYANMAR

1. PREPARATIONS TO MARK YANGON ZOO’S 119 BIRTHDAY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Yangon Zoo, founded in 1906, will celebrate its 119th anniversary with an array of public events from January 24 to 26. It is considered the oldest zoo in Southeast Asia. The events include talks on wild animals, kids’ performances and musical entertainment. 

2. SMALL-SIZE BUSINESS TOLD TO USE SOLAR ENERGY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Small and medium-sized enterprises have been urged to rely on solar energy and local raw materials for their production. Power plants are unable to operate at full capacity, thus causing a shortage of electricity, and solar power is an alternative. 

SINGAPORE

1. SINGAPORE MUST MANAGE NEW ARRIVALS WITH UTMOST CAUTION, BUT ALSO STAND FIRM AGAINST NATIVISM: SM LEE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Singapore relies heavily on immigrants and foreign workers – who raise political sensitivities in many societies – to top up its population base and talent pool, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

2. SINGAPORE SHOULD HELP IMMIGRANTS, FOREIGN WORKERS ADAPT TO COUNTRY'S SOCIAL NORMS: SM LEE -- CNA

Singapore should help immigrants and foreign workers adapt to the country's social norms to build a cohesive and inclusive society, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday (Jan 11).

THAILAND 

1. NO POLITICAL TALKS WITH THAKSIN, PITA SAYS AT WEDDING BOTH ATTENDED -- The Nation

Former leader and prime ministerial candidate of the now-defunct Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat said that he was not interested in discussing politics with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when the two met recently at a wedding of MPs of the Pheu Thai Party and People’s Party on Friday. 

2. POLICE: HITMAN CONFESSES TO KILLING FORMER CAMBODIAN MP -- Bangkok Post

Authorities in Cambodia on Saturday handed over a Thai ex-marine accused of shooting a former Cambodian opposition MP to death in Bangkok earlier this week. 

VIETNAM

1. CRUISE SHIPS FUEL HA LONG BAY’S TOURISM GROWTH -- VIETNAMPLUS

The northern Quang Ninh province, home to popular Ha Long Bay, welcomed 19 million tourists, including 3.8 million foreigners last year.  Interestingly, cruise travellers contributed significantly to its tourism despite Typhoon Yagi’s impact last September.

2. CHINA-VIETNAM CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT MOVEMENT RISES -- VIETNAM NEWS

The China Railway Group Limited said the China-Vietnam cross-border railway freight rose sharply last year, with trains carrying 19,670 containers. Construction materials, light industrial products, high-tech electronics, precision machinery, premium consumer goods and farm produce were transported. 

-- BERNAMA