Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam : July 12, 2025

INDONESIA

1.INDONESIA TEAMS UP WITH INDOSAT, NVIDIA, CISCO TO LAUNCH NATIONAL AI CENTER -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia launched a national AI Center of Excellence in Jakarta on Friday in partnership with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, NVIDIA, and Cisco, aiming to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and build a skilled workforce to support the country’s digital ambitions.

2.AGO NAMES OIL TYCOON SUSPECT IN GRAFT CASE -- THE JAKARTA POST

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named oil tycoon Muhammad Riza Chalid a suspect in a corruption case pertaining to fuel imports at subsidiaries of state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina that incurred trillions in state losses.

MYANMAR 

1.TREE PLANTING TO GREEN DRY ZONES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The government-led tree-planting ceremonies were held in 29 townships, mainly in dry zones in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions yesterday. Planting trees, a monsoon public activity, is to green the dry zones of the country.

2.CHINDWIN RIVER NEARING FLOOD LEVELS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Authorities are warning fishermen to be alert as water levels in the Chindwin River are expected to rise due to the continuous rain. The Chindwin River, the main tributary of the Irrawaddy River, could face heavy flooding if the weather pattern continues. 

SINGAPORE

1.$10.3M UPGRADE FOR DARUSSALAM MOSQUE; NEW TENGAH MOSQUE TO BE BUILT ALONG FOREST DRIVE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

From September, Darussalam Mosque in Clementi will undergo a $10.3 million upgrade, which will enhance accessibility in the 37-year-old place of worship.

2.SINGAPORE NEEDS TRUSTED MEDIA NOW MORE THAN EVER, SAYS PM WONG -- CNA

Singapore needs trusted media now more than ever to navigate a more complex world and discern fact from falsehood, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (Jul 11). 

THAILAND  

1. THAI AUTHORITIES MOVE TO CLIP THE WINGS OF CAMBODIA'S CASINO KINGPIN -- THE NATION

Many view the crackdown on online scam kingpins as a welcome move, but some argue it might never have happened if the Shinawatras and the Huns hadn’t fallen out.  

2. TRAVEL SUBSIDY FAILS TO ATTRACT THAIS -- BANGKOK POST

The tourism and sports minister says the number of local tourists using co-payment privileges was lower than expected for the first 10 days of the scheme despite 1.58 million registrants, as travel sentiment may be unfavourable due to economic conditions.

VIETNAM 

1.CROSS-BORDER BUSINESS NETWORKING -- VIETNAMPLUS

The Vietnam–Cambodia business networking conference 2025 will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 15, where about 200 enterprises will participate. The event will provide a platform to enhance bilateral trade and broaden distribution channels. 

2.RISK-BASED CLASSIFICATION FOR ONLINE GOODS -- VIETNAMPLUS

A new government regulation requires that all products traded on e-commerce platforms must declare quality standard certification starting January 1, 2025. Products will be categorised in three groups — low risk, medium risk and high risk. 

-- BERNAMA