TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN SINGAPORE, INDONESIA, THAILAND, CAMBODIA, LAOS & VIETNAM : SEPT 24, 2024

SINGAPORE

1.PROSECUTION AND ISWARAN'S TEAM TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD ON FIRST DAY OF TRIAL ON SEPT 24  -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The High Court on Sept 24 will see the first Singapore political office-holder in nearly five decades standing trial.

2.FORMER SINGAPORE TRANSPORT MINISTER S ISWARAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS UNPRECEDENTED CRIMINAL TRIAL OPENS ON TUESDAY -- CNA

The highly anticipated trial of former transport minister S Iswaran is set to open on Tuesday morning (Sep 24), eight months after he was charged with corruption linked to Formula 1 bigwig Ong Beng Seng.

INDONESIA

1.RACE STARTS FOR NOVEMBER’S REGIONAL ELECTIONS -- THE JAKARTA POST

The race for the biggest single-day local elections officially began across the country this week, with hundreds candidates ready to compete for regional head posts.

2.PRESIDENT JOKOWI INAUGURATES PT AMNT COPPER SMELTER -- SEA TODAY

President Joko Widodo inaugurated the copper smelter and precious metal refinery of PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) in West Sumbawa regency, West Nusa Tenggara on Monday.

3.INDONESIA TO LAUNCH CYBER FORCE AS FOURTH BRANCH OF MILITARY -- JAKARTA GLOBE

At the end of his 10-year tenure, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto have approved the creation of a Cyber Force, which will become the fourth branch of the Indonesian Military (TNI), alongside the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

THAILAND

1. THAILAND'S FIRST SILICON CHIP PLANT TO COMMERCE OPERATIONS IN 2 YEARS -- THE NATION

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has announced its support for a joint venture between Hana Microelectronics and PTT to construct Thailand's first silicon carbide chip factory.

2. EV FIRMS TOLD TO MAKE CAR PARTS IN THAILAND BY 2026 -- BANGKOK POST

Car manufacturers supported by the government's electric vehicle (EV) promotion measures must invest in producing key EV components domestically by 2026, according to the chief of the Excise Department.

CAMBODIA

1. CAMBODIAN CULINARY DIPLOMACY PROMOTES FRIENDSHIP -- FRESH NEWS

Foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations attended the three-day course ”Cambodian Culinary Diplomacy: Promoting Friendship and Cooperation Through Foods The Foreign Ministry organised by the Foreign Ministry. The aim is to promote Khmer dishes and unique food culture.

2. BRITISH NAVAL VESSEL GOODWILL VISIT TO CAMBODIA -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE 

The British Royal Navy's River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey (P234) arrived in Sihanoukville province for a five-day visit to promote good cooperation, increase relations and tighten the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

LAOS  

1.ASEAN+3 ECONOMIC TRADE CROSSES US$1 TRILLION -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Trade between ASEAN and its key partners, China, Japan and South Korea, reached US$1,132.8 billion in 2023, representing 32.1 per cent of ASEAN’s total trade value. This was revealed at the 27th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Meeting in Vientiane.  

2.US, LAOS PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE THE RULE OF LAW -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The United States and Laos signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the clinical legal education programme and services to strengthen the rule of law. The two-year developing legal education project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

VIETNAM

1. HARSH PENALTIES FOR DRUNK DRIVING CIVIL SERVANTS, SOLDIERS  -- VIETNAM NEWS

The government is enforcing strict penalties against officials, civil servants and military personnel while driving under the influence of alcohol. Over the past year and the first quarter of this year, more than 7,600 cases related to alcohol violations were violated.

2. US-VIETNAM DEEPENING BILATERAL TIES -- VIETNAM NEWS

One year after Vietnam and the US elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both nations are stressing the need to further strengthen bilateral ties. The move will benefit the people of both countries and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and globally.

-- BERNAMA