World

Eight main roads in Malaysia’s capital to serve ASEAN summit

Eight main roads heading to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will be converted into designated routes for the 26th ASEAN Summit from April 24 to 27, announced the city’s Traffic Police Chief Mohd Nadzri Hussain on April 16.
Eight main roads heading to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will beconverted into designated routes for the 26th ASEAN Summit from April 24to 27, announced the city’s Traffic Police Chief Mohd Nadzri Hussain onApril 16.

The roads from the Kuala LumpurInternational Airport and Subang airbase will also be designated routesfor the Summit, he added.

Nadzri said no roadswill be closed during the event and traffic flow will only be stoppedtemporarily to make way for vehicles carrying VIPs and ASEAN heads ofstates.

Road users are being advised to followtraffic rules and police instructions and avoid using the designatedroads whenever possible.

The Summit is scheduledto open at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on April 26 and concludeat the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Langkawi Island thenext day.

Other related conferences, includingthe ASEAN Senior Official Meeting, 12th ASEAN Leadership Forum, ASEANForeign Ministers' Meeting and Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting willtake place from April 24-26.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

People take part in the Songkran Festival in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 13, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand's tourism sector enjoys windfall during Songkran Festival 2026

TAT estimated that around 500,000 foreign tourists visited Thailand during the April 11–15 period, generating about 8.1 billion THB, a 2% year-on-year increase. Domestic travel is projected at 5.96 million trips, up 7%, contributing about 22.25 billion THB, an annual rise of 8%.

The sixth ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) approves the Hanoi Declaration on digital cooperation, reaffirming the bloc’s goals and principles as outlined in the 1967 Bangkok Declaration and the ASEAN Charter. (Photo: ASEAN/Facebook)

ASEAN, Japan envision joint AI development

Amid intensifying US–China rivalry and deepening technological fragmentation, ASEAN and Japan have strong potential to collaborate in developing more inclusive and comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) models, according to an article published on fulcrum.sg on April 14.

At the video conference (Photo: Nation Thailand)

Thailand backs Japan’s push for energy security

At the summit, Japan announced a new initiative to support AZEC member countries through low-interest loans for the procurement of crude oil, refined fuel and essential goods, alongside broader fiscal support measures.

Indonesia steps up local currency use to reduce reliance on USD

Indonesia steps up local currency use to reduce reliance on USD

According to the Indonesian government data, total LCT transaction value reached 8.45 billion USD in January and February, a sharp increase from 3.21 billion USD in the same period last year. User participation has also risen significantly, surpassing 14,600 by February, with monthly averages exceeding 16,000, well above 2025 levels.

SMEs are the backbone of the Malaysian economy. (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia rolls out low-interest financing package for SMEs

The latest funding forms part of the government’s broader PowerUp10K campaign, a year-long initiative aimed at strengthening SMEs at different stages of growth. Under the programme, the ministry is targeting total disbursements of up to 15 billion MYR in low-cost financing, higher than the previously allocated 10 billion MYR.

Illustrative photo (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia strengthens palm oil industry through sustainability certification

Indonesia’s palm oil industry is a major pillar of the national economy, with more than 16 million hectares under cultivation and crude palm oil (CPO) output reaching 51.66 million tonnes in 2025. This scale has helped the country maintain its position as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil.

Mount Semeru in East Java erupts on April 14, 2026. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia maintains high alert as Mount Semeru continues erupting

According to the Semeru Volcano Observation Agency, the first eruption occurred at 5:22 am, registering a maximum seismic amplitude of 20 mm and lasting 3 minutes and 23 seconds. The eruption produced an ash column rising about 1,500 m above the crater, reaching approximately 5,176 m above sea level.