TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE & THAILAND: OCT 15, 2025

INDONESIA

1.‘NOTHING OFFICIAL’: JAKARTA SAYS PRABOWO’S CAUGHT-ON-MIC TALK WITH TRUMP WAS CASUAL -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono on Tuesday downplayed the significance of a leaked conversation between President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump, saying the brief exchange captured on a “hot mic” during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was purely informal and unrelated to official matters.

2.GERINDRA ALREADY HAS EYES SET ON 2029 ELECTIONS -- THE JAKARTA POST

The next presidential and legislative elections are still four years away, yet President Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party has already set its sights on winning them, with the party leadership urging members to strengthen internal unity and continue supporting the current administration.

THE PHILIPPINES

1.  EASTERLIES TO BRING RAINS ACROSS PH WEDNESDAY -- PNA

The easterlies affecting Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas will bring rains in most areas of the country on Wednesday, The Philippines’ weather bureau said.

2.  DOH HOSPITALS IN EVERY NCR QUADRANT PREPARED FOR ‘THE BIG ONE’ -- PNA

 The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday assured the public that its hospitals across the National Capital Region (NCR) are prepared to respond to emergencies in case of a major earthquake, also known as “The Big One.”

SINGAPORE

1.STEER CLEAR OF IDENTITY POLITICS, UPHOLD INTEGRITY OF SINGAPORE’S SECULAR SYSTEM: SHANMUGAM -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Resist the destructive temptation to use race and religion in election campaigns for easy political wins, and steer clear of identity politics, Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam urged Parliament on Oct 14.

2.PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE HIKE: ADULT CARD FARES TO INCREASE BY 9 TO 10 CENTS PER RIDE FROM DEC 27 -- CNA

Adults will pay 9 to 10 cents more per journey for card fares on public buses and trains from Dec 27, the Public Transport Council (PTC) announced on Tuesday (Oct 14).

THAILAND  

1. CABINET APPROVES 456M BAHT BUDGET TO HOST 33RD SEA GAMES AND ASEAN PARA GAMES -- THE NATION Cabinet okays 456m baht for SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games to drive sports tourism and boost Thailand’s image as ASEAN’s sporting leader.  

2. BJT WARNS PROPOSED CHARTER BILLS RISK VIOLATING KEY CLAUSES -- BANGKOK POST The Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party has warned that the charter amendment bills proposed by the Pheu Thai Party and the People's Party (PP) lack protections for Chapters 1 and 2 of the current constitution and risk violating the charter.

-- BERNAMA