INDONESIA
1.INDONESIA TO BEGIN RECOVERY FOR 2.3 MLN MSMES HIT BY SUMATRA FLOODS -- ANTARA
The Indonesian government announced that reconstruction and economic recovery efforts for more than 2 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by recent floods and landslides in Sumatra will begin on January 9.
2.PRABOWO FORMS SUMATRA DISASTER RECOVERY TASK FORCE -- THE JAKARTA POST
President Prabowo Subianto has established a task force to expedite post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, amid mounting pressure to speed up recovery efforts in the affected regions.
LAOS
1.SHAPING MODERN EDUCATION SYSTEM -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Education and Sports Ministry will raise the standards of education and modernise learning programmes to keep abreast with current developments. It will include promoting research and the use of artificial intelligence.
2.FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY TO BOOST SKILLED WORKFORCE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government has announced a five-year strategy to develop a skilled workforce for the local market and overseas employment. The plan was introduced at the ongoing National Party Congress.
MYANMAR
1.DAWEI AIRPORT UPGRADING IN PROGRESS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Dawei Airport, located in southeastern Myanmar, is being upgraded to support the Dawei deep-seaport project. Once completed, the airport will be able to accommodate large cargo and passenger aircraft such as the Airbus A320.
2.YANGON ATTRACTS RM21 MILLION INVESTMENTS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Yangon Region Investment Committee approved investments worth nearly RM21 million (US$5 million) at the end of last year. The manufacturing, services, hotel and tourism sectors attracted much of the investments.
PHILIPPINES
1.MARCOS ORDERS PHILHEALTH AMNESTY FOR UNPAID CONTRIBUTIONS -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to implement a general amnesty for unpaid contributions of employers, business owners, and self-employed members, including a one-time waiver of interest and penalties for 2026.
2. 3 WEATHER SYSTEMS TO DAMPEN MOST OF PH ON THURSDAY-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Most areas of the country will still experience rain due to three prevailing weather systems, said the weather bureau on Thursday.
SINGAPORE
1. GLOBAL EXPERIENCES, CERTIFICATIONS, UNI PREP: HOW NANYANG POLY STUDENTS CAN PERSONALISE THEIR DIPLOMA WITH NEW INITIATIVE -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Starting in April, the polytechnic’s new Go Beyond initiative will give students greater choice in shaping their learning experience, offering more opportunities within their three-year journey, with no extra curriculum time required
2. HE WRITES TO PRISON INMATES EVERY DAY, EVEN AFTER BEING TOLD HE HAS LESS THAN A YEAR TO LIVE-- CNA
Since 2022, Roger Tan has been emailing inmates daily to help them feel less alone. Now, as he faces terminal cancer, the programme On The Red Dot finds out how he is working to ensure his efforts outlive him.
THAILAND
1. NACC REMOVES COMMISSIONER FROM "BIG JOKE" GOLD-BRIBE CASE -- THE NATION
Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has moved a commissioner named in the “gold bar” bribery probe out of an oversight role linked to the case, after police submitted the investigation file to the agency.
2. CENTRAL BANK ANTICIPATES GROWING UNCERTAINTY -- BANGKOK POST
The Bank of Thailand expects the recent US military operation in Venezuela to heighten global uncertainty in three areas -- military, trade and finance -- this year and next.
VIETNAM
1.FAST-TRACKING NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS PROJECT -- VIETNAMPLUS
The government has directed all authorities to expedite the construction of the two Ninh Thuan nuclear power plants. Agencies have been advised to finalise the workforce and develop a strategy to select partners with advanced reactor technology.
2. INSURANCE PREMIUMS REACH RM37 BILLION -- VIETNAMPLUS
The total revenue from insurance premiums was RM37 billion (US$9 billion) last year. More than 80 insurance companies, in the life and non-life insurance segments, are operating in Vietnam.
-- BERNAMA
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