TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, LAOS, MYANMAR, VIETNAM & THAILAND: NOV 26, 2024

INDONESIA

1. KPK RAID ON GOVERNOR’S CIRCLE ROCKS BENGKULU -- THE JAKARTA POST

The Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) recent arrest of incumbent Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah and several other officials from the provincial administration reflects rampant election-related graft and a lack of campaign funding transparency, analysts have said.

2. ENVIRONMENT MINISTER INTRODUCES NEW MANDATORY INITIATIVES TO COMBAT WATER AND AIR POLLUTION -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has announced a series of mandatory programs set to roll out next year, aimed at addressing critical environmental issues such as water and air pollution, as well as the negative impacts of industrial activities.

CAMBODIA

1. OVER A MILLION ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES CLEARED -- FRESH NEWS 

Prime Minister Hun Manet said experts have destroyed over one million anti-personnel mines and three million explosive remnants of war, clearing over 3,000 sq km of land. This campaign has transformed 15 of the 25 provinces into mine-free zones. 

2. CAMBODIA-CHINA MARK 65TH DIPLOMATIC TIES -- FRESH NEWS

About 1,000 students from six universities participated in the Cambodia-China 66th anniversary of diplomatic relations at the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh. The event showcased traditional Chinese calligraphy, workshops on Chinese cuisine and language. 

LAOS

1. OVER FOUR MILLION HECTARES OF FARMLAND BY 2030 -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Under the agriculture development strategy 2030 and vision 2040, the government will allocate 4.5 million hectares of land for farming. The land will be used for general agriculture, short-term crops, fruit trees, long-term crops and pasture.

2. ASEAN MEDIA FORUM PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Regional media practitioners at the 8th ASEAN Media Forum in Vientiane deliberated on ASEAN’s integration goals and the future of connectivity. It is a platform where ASEAN media persons share ideas to strengthen cooperation under the ASEAN Communication Master Plan 2018–2025.

MYANMAR

1. OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR GARMENTS RISING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The demand for made-in Myanmar garments is increasing in Poland and the Middle East, which is helping to create jobs for workers. Since 2023, there have been more orders from China, Japan, the European Union, and the United States. 

2. RELIEF AID HEADING TO TROUBLED RAKHINE STATE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The government is sending relief materials to Rakhine State facing food shortage using vessels, aircraft and land transport. About 2,000 bags of rice, cooking oil, food products, consumer goods and medical supplies weighing 170 tonnes are being sent to the state.  

VIETNAM

1. HANOI’S CULINARY FESTIVAL TO CONNECT THE WORLD -- VIETNAM NEWS 

The Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024 will take place at Thong Nhat Park to honour, preserve and promote the capital’s traditional cultural and culinary values. Themed “Hanoi Connects the World”, it will be held from Nov 29 to Dec 1, 2024.

2. E-COMMERCE UNDER WATCH TO PROTECT CONSUMERS -- VIETNAMPLUS

The government will pay more attention to the rising e-commerce businesses to protect customers from being deceived by online traders. Product quality, violations of intellectual property rights, breach of consumer rights protection and tax laws will be the main focus. 

THAILAND

1. THAILAND’S ATTHAYA THITIKUL WINS CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP -- THE NATION

The 21-year old clinches the title at the final hole over American golfer Angel Yin and takes home a whopping US$4 million in prize money.

2. CHINESE FIRMS PREP B90BN OUTLAY -- BANGKOK POST

Chinese entrepreneurs are expected to make new investments worth 90 billion baht as they are increasingly concerned about the impact of the incoming US president's plan to impose high tariffs on Chinese exports, says the Board of Investment (BoI). 

-- BERNAMA