INDONESIA
1. 29 INDONESIANS DEPORTED FROM PHILIPPINES OVER ALLEGED ONLINE SCAM INVOLVEMENT -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Indonesian police on Sunday facilitated the return of 29 citizens who were deported from the Philippines for allegedly working with an online scam and gambling syndicate. The individuals were accused of being involved with a criminal network operating out of Kanlaon Tower in Pasay City, Manila, according to Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, secretary of the Indonesian National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol.
2. OVER 1.4M VEHICLES DEPART GREATER JAKARTA ON ‘MUDIK’: JASA MARGA -- THE JAKARTA POST
A report from state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga shows that more than 1.4 million vehicles had left Greater Jakarta in the week between March 21 and 28 on mudik (exodus) for Aidilfitri an increase of 0.7 per cent from last year. The government announced on Saturday that the major annual holiday for Muslims falls on March 31 this year, following the Sidang Isbat (moonsighting confirmation hearing) to determine the last day of the Ramadan fasting month.
LAOS
1. LAO-THAILAND TO MOVE GOODS FASTER VIA RAIL LINK -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos’ Thanaleng Dry Port operator and Thai authorities are working on ways to expedite cargo movement by rail and reduce cost to boost cross-border trade. About 90 per cent of Thailand’s trade with China is conducted via land and passes through Laos.
2. STUDENTS ENROLMENT DROPPING IN SCHOOLS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Student enrolment in primary and secondary students in public and private schools has been declining for three consecutive school years nationwide. The trend is due to poverty and infrastructure scarcity — forcing students and teachers to opt for work to support their families.
SINGAPORE
1. PAP’S SLATE OF NEW FACES SHAPES UP WITH 30 LIKELY NAMES; PARTY COULD FIELD YOUNGER GROUP, MORE WOMEN -- THE STRAITS TIMES
The PAP’s latest crop of candidates could be its youngest since the 2011 election, with more women in the mix.
2. FAR FROM HOME: BACK FOR GOOD AFTER YEARS ABROAD AS MIGRANT WORKERS, THEY STRUGGLE WITH NEW REALITIES IN OWN COUNTRIES -- CNA
Ayu Rosita thought she was coming home to a place she knew but when she finally set foot in Indonesia in 2024 after 15 years of working overseas, nothing was the way she remembered them. It was her first time back in her home country after all those years away.
THAILAND
1. TAT SAYS SONGKRAN CELEBRATION NATIONWIDE TO PROCEED AS PLANNED -- THE NATION
TAT confirms Songkran celebrations nationwide will proceed as planned, assuring tourists that travel, transport, and hotels remain unaffected by the quake.
2. BANK ROLL OUT RELIEF MEASURES FOR VICTIMS -- BANGKOK POST
Eight state-owned banks have introduced relief measures for victims of the earthquake including debt repayment suspension and low-interest loans, says deputy government spokesman Anukul Prueksanusak.
VIETNAM
1. VIETNAM ATTRACTING HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS -- VIETNAMPLUS
Hollywood film producers are now eyeing Vietnam as a filming location. With the country’s scenic beauty combined with rich cultural heritage and competitive production costs, Vietnam is becoming a popular destination for Hollywood.
2. TRANSFORMING HANOI’S CRAFT VILLAGES -- VIETNAMPLUS
Efforts are being taken to preserve and develop Hanoi’s craft villages that has created thousands of jobs for locals. Hanoi is home to over 1,300 craft villages that produce ceramics, weaving, embroidery and lace-making, to fine woodworking and agricultural processing.
-- BERNAMA
