Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: July 2, 2025

INDONESIA

1.FINANCE MINISTER: INDONESIA'S TAX REVENUE UNLIKELY TO MEET 2025 TARGET -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Tuesday that Indonesia’s tax revenue is unlikely to meet the target set in the 2025 state budget, citing several economic challenges. According to the Finance Ministry’s latest projections, tax revenue is expected to reach Rp 2,706.9 trillion (US$166.8 billion) against the official target of Rp 2,789 trillion (US$171.9 billion).

2.RI MANUFACTURING SLOWS AS DEMAND FIZZLES FURTHER -- THE JAKARTA POST

Indonesian manufacturers remain pessimistic about growth prospects as softening domestic demand continued to drag on output, purchasing and employment in June, which experts have cited as signs of the declining health of the goods-producing sector.

LAOS 

1.DEVELOPING EFFICIENT BILATERAL PROJECTS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Lao and Chinese officials signed agreements to enhance transparency, efficiency and governance in bilateral development projects. This is  related to the Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane and the Boten Special Economic Zone in Luang Namtha province.

2.US TRADE TARIFFS TO IMPACT LAO ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

The US tariffs on Lao goods and other trading partners are expected to have a significant impact on Laos’ economy in 2025 and 2026. The tariffs and a slowing global economy will affect demand for goods and foreign direct investment.

MYANMAR 

1.EXPORT EARNINGS VIOLATORS BLACKLISTED  -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Nearly 200 companies that failed to repatriate export earnings from 2016 to 2020 were blacklisted. Earnings must be deposited into local banks within 30 days for goods shipped to Asian countries and within 60 days for goods shipped to countries outside Asia.

2.FOCUS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS --  THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Intellectual Property 2025 conference is scheduled to take place in Nay Pyi Taw from July 3 to 4, with about 300 participants expected. The goal is to raise public awareness of intellectual property rights.

SINGAPORE

1.DO NOT OVERCOMMIT TO A SINGLE SOLUTION IN A MULTI-POLAR WORLD, SAYS EX-FOREIGN MINISTER GEORGE YEO -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Some analysts and billionaire investors have recommended moving investments away from US assets wholly in the current volatile geopolitical climate.

2.2.5% OF GDP ON SOUTHEAST ASIA'S DEFENCE SPENDING – VIABLE OR 'PIE IN THE SKY'? -- CNA

In President Donald Trump's second term, the United States has called on allies and partners in Europe and Asia to hike defence expenditures to 5 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP).

THAILAND  

1. CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SUSPENDS PAETONGTARN AS PM BECAUSE OF HUN SEN'S CLIP -- THE NATION

Constitutional Court suspends Paetongtarn as PM pending judicial review over Hun Sen's leaked audio clip, with her remaining as culture minister.  

2. 'PHUKET EYE' HELPS FIGHT CRIME BY FOREIGN SUSPECTS -- BANGKOK POST PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police are preparing to expand the "Phuket Eye" security model, aiming to enhance safety on the resort island.

VIETNAM

1.HIGH-SPEED RAIL POPULAR FOR CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnamese tourists visiting China’s Yunnan province by rail routes have surged this year. Tourist arrivals hit a record 27,200 or up 74.68 per cent in the first half of this year. High-speed rail is becoming popular for cross-border travel. 

2.ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION FOR FOREIGNERS -- VIETNAM NEWS

The Ministry of Public Security launched a 50-day country-wide campaign to issue Level-2 electronic identification for foreign nationals holding residence cards in Vietnam. This will ease administrative procedures and ensure authenticity. 

-- BERNAMA