News from Southeast Asia
Asia-Pacific Region
The House of Representatives has pledged to involve the public "meaningfully" in the deliberation of future bills, including a proposed revision to the 2002 Police Law, amid mounting public anger over a recent hasty, closed-door revision of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law.
World Cup Qualifiers: Indonesia Defeats Bahrain 1-0 to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive
Indonesia secured a crucial 1-0 win over Bahrain in the second round of the AFC World Cup 2026 qualifiers at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday, strengthening its hold on fourth place in Group C with nine points.
Laos
- Cracking Down on Money Laundering: The government will tighten laws on anti-money laundering and anti-financing of terrorism as Laos prepares to exit the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Illegal financing is transnational crimes linked to drug trafficking, the arms trade, human trafficking, illegal gambling, and corruption.
- Countryside Threatened by Air Pollution: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment warned that 30 per cent of PM2.5 pollution in Laos is caused by the burning of garbage, forests, and farmland. Vehicle emissions in urban localities and industrial plants using unclean energy are another source of pollutants.
Myanmar
- Moving Towards Paperless Government: Policymakers are working towards achieving the Myanmar e-government Master Plan 2030 that will help to improve efficiency of the civil service. Building ICT infrastructure, e-procurement, government and private collaboration, and training skilled personnel are some of the initiatives outlined.
- Coconut Prices Rise During Ramadan: Coconut prices have increased nearly 20 percent due to rising demand during the month of Ramadan. Muslims purchase more coconuts to make sweets and for cooking their traditional cuisine. Coconut suppliers enjoying a brisk business despite the seasonal shortage in supply.
Singapore
- More Young People Detained for Involvement in Secret Society Activities: There has been a spike in the number of young people locked up in Changi Prison for their involvement in secret society activities, under a law that allows detention without trial.
- GE2025: Military Officers Bring Leadership to Political Arena but Have to Learn Ground Dynamics, Say Analysts: Earlier in March, Singapore’s Chief of Army handed over command to his successor.
Thailand
- Thailand Offers Expat Tax Breaks to Reverse Brain Drain: The government has unveiled groundbreaking tax incentives designed to entice skilled Thai expatriates back to their homeland in a bid to reinvigorate the economy and reverse the brain drain.
- Transport Agencies Beef Up Services for Songkran Festival: Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has instructed all relevant agencies to prepare for a surge of travelers during the upcoming Songkran Festival.
Vietnam
- Vietnamese Carriers Ban Power Banks on Airlines: The national carrier Vietnam Airlines and the budget carrier Vietjet Air have banned passengers from using lithium-based power banks during flights effective March 21. Passengers are not allowed to use backup power banks on the plane unless they are removed from their carry-on luggage.
- Ho Chi Minh Woos 1.6 Million Tourists in Q1: Foreign visitors to Ho Chi Minh City increased by 18.2 per cent to reach 1.64 million in the first quarter of the year. The city’s tourism department is actively promoting the city’s regular destinations and tourism products, and improving the quality of tourism services.
Conclusion
The articles highlight various developments in the region, including the House of Representatives’ pledge to involve the public in bill deliberations, Indonesia’s win in the World Cup qualifiers, and the efforts of various countries to address issues such as money laundering and air pollution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the House of Representatives’ pledge to the public?
A: The House of Representatives has pledged to involve the public "meaningfully" in the deliberation of future bills, including a proposed revision to the 2002 Police Law.
Q: What is the significance of the World Cup qualifiers for Indonesia?
A: Indonesia secured a crucial 1-0 win over Bahrain, strengthening its hold on fourth place in Group C with nine points.
Q: What is the government’s plan to address money laundering in Laos?
A: The government will tighten laws on anti-money laundering and anti-financing of terrorism as Laos prepares to exit the Financial Action Task Force grey list.