TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN CAMBODIA, INDONESIA, MYANMAR & THAILAND: DEC 15, 2024

CAMBODIA

1. AMBULANCES TO SUPPORT RURAL EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE -- FRESH NEWS

The Asian Development Bank and the Ministry of Health have distributed 14 ambulances to provincial hospitals to improve emergency clinical care in rural areas. The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and Pacific has financed the project with a RM22 million (US$5 million) grant. 

2. JAPAN FUNDS RESTORATION OF ANCIENT BAYON TEMPLE -- FRESH NEWS

The Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced an additional RM4 million (US$900,000) grant for the renovation of the 12th-century Bayon Temple in the ancient city of Angkor Thom. The restoration work is scheduled to take place between 2025 and 2028.

INDONESIA

1. INDONESIAN GOVT URGES COMPLETION OF RDMP BALIKPAPAN BY JULY 2025 -- ANTARA

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has asked state-run oil and gas company Pertamina to complete the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, by July 2025 to boost oil production.

2. 5.4 MILLION INDONESIAN MUSLIMS ON HAJJ PILGRIMAGE WAITING LIST -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The number of Indonesian Muslims waiting to perform the Hajj pilgrimage has reached 5.4 million and continues to grow each year, government officials revealed on Saturday.

MYANMAR

1. FEDERATION WANTS MORE FOREIGN CURRENCY INFLOW -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry urged the business community to ensure a steady inflow of foreign currency earnings from exports into the country. The federation is targeting the economy to grow at 3.8 per cent next year.

2. MYANMAR SUPPORTS SUBREGION CROSS-BORDER TRANSPORTATION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar ratified the Joint Committee for the Greater Mekong Subregion Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement draft in Laos last week. The agreement aims  to enhance trade among member countries, tourism and investment and raise the living standards of people in the region. 

THAILAND

1. THAILAND BIDS TO BE HQ OF UN INVESTMENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTRE -- THE NATION

The Cabinet recently approved Thailand’s candidacy as a location for headquarters of the Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution, to be chosen by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

2. MOVES TO CURB MILITARY POWER WILL CARRY ON -- BANGKOK POST

Pheu Thai lawmaker Prayuth Siripanich's attempt to push for a so-called "anti-coup bill" has been met with opposition from critics and is unlikely to win endorsement from parliament, political observers say.

-- BERNAMA