Across Myanmar, more than 24.26 million people were eligible to vote in the 2025 general election. For the first phase, over 11.69 million voters were registered, and more than 6.09 million cast their ballots.
China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand carried out their 160th joint patrol and law enforcement operation along the Mekong River from December 26-29, involving about approximately 170 personnel and six patrol vessels.
The Republic of Korea will extend the waiver of visa processing fees for group tourists from six countries, including Vietnam, for another six months, to the end of June 2026.
The top four sources of approved digital investments were Singapore-based investors, contributing 25.1 billion RM, followed by those from Malaysia investors (17.2 billion MYR), the US (6.4 billion MYR), and China (3 billion MYR).
Floods and landslides that struck parts of Sumatra for several weeks starting in late November have claimed more than 1,100 lives and caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, and public facilities, including schools and hospitals.
The 2025 Autumn Economic Forum, themed “Green transition in the digital era”, had been a success in terms of scale, content and external engagement. It had served as a practical platform for policy dialogue, bringing together policymakers, international organisations, experts and businesses to discuss major global trends, identify emerging challenges and propose policy directions and solutions in the context of green and digital transformation.
This achievement comes after more than a year of VinFast holding its position as the best-selling car brand in the Vietnamese market, creating a significant lead over other automakers.
This decision removes one of the biggest obstacles facing Vietnam’s tea exports in recent times. The outcome was achieved thanks to the close direction of the Prime Minister as well as the persistent and proactive efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Trade through multiple bilateral working channels with Pakistani authorities.
The Indonesian government is pressing ahead with its plan to end diesel imports in 2026, banking on the start-up of the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) and the expansion of the biodiesel mandate to achieve fuel self-sufficiency.
The ASEAN Chair expressed its support for the joint statement concluded by the two countries at the Prum (Pailin province, Cambodia) – Ban Pak Kard (Chanthaburi province, Thailand) International Point of Entry.
Indonesia began collecting value-added tax (VAT) from digital goods and services in July 2020. The revenue from this sector had totaled 34.54 trillion IDR as of 2025, contributed by 215 companies.
In 2025, Thai rice shipments are forecast to reach 7.88-8 million tonnes, exceeding the target of 7.5 million tonnes thanks to strong year-end demand.
The Thai Ministry of Interior and partner agencies on December 29 opened the New Year 2026 Road Safety Accident Prevention and Reduction Command Centre.
Under the programme, the national strategic investment management agency (Danantara) will provide investment capital, while state-owned electricity utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will be responsible for purchasing and distributing the electricity generated.
Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing said that the new services comprise 16 scheduled flights and five charter flights to be operated by 10 airlines, linking Malaysia with destinations across ASEAN, East Asia, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka.
Indonesia has temporarily closed Padar and Komodo islands in Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara to tourists due to risks from extreme weather conditions.
Deputy Police Chief Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo said units stationed in affected areas have been working non-stop since the disaster struck on November 25. The reinforcements aim to maintain the effectiveness of rescue operations and post-disaster recovery.
According to a list released by the Democrat Party through a campaign video posted on social media, the party’s candidates comprise party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, deputy party leader Korn Chatikavanij, and Karndee Leopairote.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah sentenced Najib to 15 years in prison for each charge of abuse of power, and five years for each of the money laundering charges.
Earlier, on December 22, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia held a special meeting of foreign ministers to seek solutions to ease tensions, strengthen trust, and create space for dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia.
Myanmar’s State Administration Council (junta) on December 27 lifted the curfew imposed in Yangon following the 2021 coup.
Discussions to finalise the ceasefire agreement were approved in principle by the secretariats of the two countries’ General Border Committees (GBC) after three days of technical negotiations involving military officials.
The total water demand in Singapore is projected to rise with industrial growth. In 2065, non-domestic demand is expected to account for more than 60% of water demand, up from the current 55%.
The four scam methods most frequently found are fake SMS/LINE messages with links demanding payment; AI-powered deepfake calls and fake videos; bogus crypto or “digital stock” investment schemes; and fake profiles on social apps: romance scams, fake shops and fake hotels.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said looking ahead, the Philippines prepares to host the United Nations Tourism Global Forum on Gastronomy and the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu, affirming the country’s leadership and resilience in shaping the future of tourism in the region.
The caravan was officially sent off in Hat Yai on December 24, with TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaiboon joining board members, executives, local business leaders, partner associations, and media representatives to dispatch a convoy of 30 cars and 22 big bikes from Malaysia, carrying more than 100 participants, from the Buri Sriphu Hotel in Songkhla province.
Maybank noted that FDI metrics continued to improve in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand in 2025, but slowed in Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Thai Minister of Defence will attend a Thailand – Cambodia GBC meeting with the Cambodian counterpart on December 27 in Chanthaburi, with the aim of finalising a joint statement under the Kuala Lumpur Agreement.
