Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Oct 20, 2025

INDONESIA

 

1.PRABOWO TIGHTENS GRIP, RESHAPES POLITICS -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto has spent his first year in office consolidating power, expanding an already bloated cabinet, redrawing the political map and strengthening the military’s role in civilian government, further tightening his grip on power.

 

2.OJK REPORTS RP 7 TLN IN LOSSES FROM DIGITAL SCAMS SINCE LATE 2024 -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia’s financial sector lost an estimated Rp 7 trillion (US$422 million) to digital fraud in the past year, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) said on Saturday.

 

 

LAOS 

 

1.SECOND PHARMA FACTORY TO BOOST HEALTHCARE -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

The second Lao Alliance Pharmaceutical Factory was inaugurated on Friday in Simmano village, Vientiane. This advanced manufacturing facility will strengthen pharmaceutical production and was constructed with an investment of RM634 million (US$150 million).

 

2.JAPAN FUNDS RM1.6 BILLION FOR LAO DEVELOPMENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Japan has provided over RM1.6 billion (US$370 million) in financial aid for 150 development projects in Laos from 2019 to 2024. The funding aims to support initiatives in agricultural, infrastructure, environmental management, human resource development, and healthcare.

 

 

MYANMAR 

 

1.AYEYARWADY TO BE NATIONAL RICE BOWL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged local communities to cultivate paddy, fish and prawn breeding in the Ayeyarwady Region. He wants farmers to promote the high-quality Pawsan rice variety.

 

2.STRICT RULES FOR GOLD MERCHANTS IN YANGON -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

All gold shops in Yangon will be allowed to trade gold only with vouchers issued by the Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Ministry. The vouchers must contain the names of the gold shop, seller, and buyer and their registration number.

 

PHILIPPINES

 

1.RAMIL TO EXIT PAR; TCWS NO. 1 STILL UP IN PARTS OF N. LUZON -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 is still hoisted in parts of northern Luzon as Tropical Storm Ramil is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, the weather bureau said.

 

2. PBBM UNVEILS PASIG RIVER REHAB PHASE 4; MORE URBAN GREEN SPACES EYED -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday launched Phase 4 of the Pasig River rehabilitation program, promising to turn another stretch of the historic waterway into a walkable, bike-friendly hub for leisure, commerce and sustainable travel. 

 

 

SINGAPORE

 

1.INHALERS FOR ASTHMA PATIENTS PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF GREENHOUSE GASES, SAY S’PORE SCIENTISTS -- THE STRAITS TIMES

People living with asthma are most vulnerable when taking a breath of air, yet their use of widely prescribed inhalers to help them breathe better contributes to the worsening of air quality.

 

2.'FOR HER OWN GOOD': WHY THIS FATHER REPORTED HIS TEEN DAUGHTER FOR USING DRUG-LACED VAPES -- CNA

“She was so high on the bed … she was shivering and she didn’t know what she was doing until a couple of minutes later, when she started to sober up.”

 

 

THAILAND

 

1. THAILAND YET TO RELEASE 18 CAMBODIAN PRISIONERS, SAYS FOREIGN MINISTER -- THE NATION

Sihasak says the four-party talks made progress on drafting a joint declaration on Thai-Cambodian relations, stressing Thailand has yet to release 18 Cambodian prisoners pending clear action plans and agreed measures.  

2. ABHISIT VOWS TO UPHOLD LIBERAL IDEALS -- BANGKOK POST

Newly re-elected Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed the party's commitment to liberal democratic principles, vowing to steer clear of political conflicts involving the monarchy and reject any exploitation of the military.

 

 

VIETNAM

 

1.EXPRESSWAYS TO MODERNISE MEKONG DELTA -- VIETNAMPLUS

The government is improving infrastructure development in the Mekong Delta. The construction of the 11 expressways stretching  434.7 km is currently being carried out to improve connectivity. Four of the projects will be completed by the end of this year. 

 

2.HUNG YEN STADIUM TO BE SPORTS HUB -- VIETNAMPLUS

The groundbreaking ceremony of PVF Stadium with a 60,000-seat capacity was held on Saturday in Hung Yen Province, northern Vietnam. It is capable of hosting major events such as the Asian Games and FIFA World Cup. 

-- BERNAMA