CAMBODIA
1.ASEAN EMERGING AS INFLUENTIAL GLOBAL ACTOR -- FRESH NEWS
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said ASEAN has evolved into a global coordinator, respond to global challenges in the future and even shape the international order. He said this at the ASEAN Secretariat to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Cambodia joining the grouping.
2.NO ANTHRAX THREAT IN THE KINGDOM -- THE PHNOM PENH POST
The Department of Communicable Disease Control said anthrax is not present in the Kingdom despite two cases being reported in Thailand recently. The public has been told to avoid the consumption of raw beef or buffalo meat and stop slaughtering sick animals for sale.
INDONESIA
1.W. JAVA GOVERNOR’S VASECTOMY-FOR-AID PLAN SPARKS BACKLASH -- JAKARTA GLOBE
A proposal by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to make vasectomy a requirement for receiving social assistance has sparked strong reactions from religious and political leaders across Indonesia. Dedi is urging men from low-income households to undergo vasectomies as part of a new birth control initiative aimed at reducing poverty in the province.
2.CRITICS SLAM MILITARISTIC CHARACTER TRAINING FOR 'DELINQUENT' -- THE JAKARTA POST
The plan introduced by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to send “delinquent” students to military barracks for a training program to instill discipline has prompted criticism from rights groups and lawmakers despite its popularity among the region’s residents.
LAOS
1. JICA SUPPORTS LAO TO IMPROVE ENGINEERING STUDIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) handed over a newly constructed laboratory and state-of-the-art equipment to the Faculty of Engineering at the National University of Laos on Monday. The assistance will enhance the quality of engineering education and research.
2.CASHLESS VENDING MACHINES AT LAOS-CHINA RAILWAY STATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Lao Mobile Money Sole Co Ltd installed vending machines at stations along the Laos-China Railway on Monday to enable passengers to buy essential goods while travelling. The e-wallet application MmoneyX further facilitates this to promote cashless payment.
MYANMAR
1.NEARLY 700,000 METRIC TONNES OF PALM OIL IMPORTED YEARLY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The domestic palm oil consumption is about one million metric tonnes per year, while the local production is 400,000 metric tonnes. To plug the shortage gap and ensure price stability, 700,000 metric tonnes of palm oil are imported yearly through Malaysia and Indonesia.
2.FUNDRAISING TO ASSIST EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
A fundraising entertainment show, comprising local artistes, will be held from May 10 to 12 to assist those affected by the March 28 earthquake. The Ministry of Information, which initiated the event, is urging artistes to participate.
SINGAPORE
1.GE2025: HIGH SPIRITS, HOARSE VOICES AS NEW MPS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AT MEET-THE-PEOPLE SESSIONS -- THE STRAITS TIMES
After nine days of marathon campaigning for the 2025 General Election, seasoned MPs and newly elected ones alike hit the ground running at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPSes) around Singapore on May 5.
2.GE2025: OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT PERFORMED POORLY SHOULD REASSESS THEIR ROLES OR CONSOLIDATE, SAY OBSERVERS -- CNA
After their showing in the 2025 General Elections, opposition parties making limited or no progress, and securing a low overall voter share need to reassess their role in Singapore’s political landscape or risk becoming irrelevant, political analysts said on Monday (May 5).
VIETNAM
1.HANOI ENJOYS STRONG FDI MOMENTUM -- VIETNAMPLUS
Hanoi’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows touched RM6 billion (US$1.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the capital’s attractive investment climate. Retail and consumer services continue to dominate the FDI segment.
2. BRAZIL LIFTS TILAPIA FISH IMPORTS FROM VIETNAM -- VIETNAMPLUS
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has lifted a suspension on Vietnamese tilapia fish imports. Authorities temporarily suspend the import of Vietnamese tilapia to review the risk of TiLV (tilapia virus) infection.
-- BERNAMA
