INDONESIA
1.CIVIL GROUPS SOUND ALARM OVER RETURN OF NEW ORDER -- THE JAKARTA POST
Concerns are mounting among prodemocracy activists that the country may be slipping back into the dark days of former president Soeharto’s authoritarian New Order, when the Indonesian Military (TNI) dominated public life, following the House of Representatives’ decision to defy public opposition and push through a law expanding the TNI’s role in government.
2.NEARLY A QUARTER OF INDONESIAN JOURNALISTS FACE TERROR, CONSORTIUM SAYS -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Nearly a quarter of Indonesian journalists have faced terror and intimidation, according to the 2024 Journalist Safety Index. The latest case involves Tempo journalist Francisca “Cica” Christy Rosana, who received a severed pig’s head in a package on Wednesday—an act widely condemned as a serious attack on press freedom.
SINGAPORE
1.PARENTS TURN TO SMARTWATCHES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AMID GLOBAL PHONE SCREEN-TIME PUSHBACK -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Ms Shirley Ng’s eldest daughter received her first mobile phone when she turned nine, but her second daughter, Alysandra, now the same age, is not getting the same privilege.
2.RIDE AT YOUR OWN PERIL: WHY ILLEGAL CARPOOLING IN SINGAPORE IS THRIVING DESPITE SAFETY RISKS TO COMMUTERS -- CNA
Before she booked her first ride with an illegal carpool driver on the Telegram mobile application, 18-year-old student Faa received warnings from her friends: You’ll meet all sorts of people. Never sit in the front. Never pay in advance.
THAILAND
1. PTT READIES THB16 BILLION FOR SHARE BUYBACK IN SIX MONTHS -- THE NATION
National oil and gas conglomerate PTT has announced a share buyback programme of 470 million shares worth 16 billion baht from March 24 to September 23.
2. PREMIER LAMENTS DEBATE TIMING -- BANGKOK POST
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has admitted that she may not be able to make it through the first day of a no-confidence debate against her as it will drag on until 5.30am on the following day.
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