2. CRACKDOWN BY POLICE ON RIOT SUSPECTS SLAMMED -- THE JAKARTA POST

The police have named 959 people, including more than 200 children, as suspects for allegedly inciting riots during the wave of anti-government protests in late August, a staggering figure that prompted stern criticism against an overreach on security forces’ crackdown.

MYANMAR

1. MYANMAR ENGAGES RUSSIA IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Myanmar leaders briefed Russian counterparts on the forthcoming elections that will be held later this year. Both governments are also discussing roadmaps to develop Myanmar’s economy.

2. INVESTMENTS WORTH RM464 MILLION APPROVED -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The Myanmar Investment Commission has approved four foreign investment projects and 15 local ventures in the services, electricity, transport, communications, breeding, and marine sectors. The total estimated investment is RM464 million (US$110 million).

PHILIPPINES

1. SIGNAL NO. 1 STILL UP OVER SEVERAL AREAS AS ‘OPONG’ MOVES AWAY FROM PH --  PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over several areas as Opong (international name: Bualoi) reintensifies into a typhoon as it moves over the West Philippine Sea, the weather bureau said Saturday.

2. 24 NAT'L ROADS REMAIN CLOSED DUE TO ‘OPONG,’ RECENT CYCLONES -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

 A total of 24 national road sections are currently impassable due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) and other previous weather disturbances.

SINGAPORE

1. TRUMP'S PHARMA TARIFFS THREATEN FUTURE INVESTMENTS EVEN AS IMMEDIATE IMPACT TO S’PORE SEEN AS MILD -- THE STRAITS TIMES

US President Donald Trump on Sept 25 announced sweeping new tariffs, including 100 per cent duties on branded drugs imported into the US with effect from Oct 1.

2. SINGAPORE'S STRONGEST DEFENCE, DETERRENCE NOT WEAPONS BUT 'COLLECTIVE WILL' TO FIGHT FOR BELIEFS: CHAN CHUN SING -- CNA

Singapore’s strongest defence and deterrence is not any weapon system, but its people's “collective will” to fight for what they believe in, Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing said in parliament on Friday (Sep 26).

THAILAND

1. THAILAND TO BUILD 10KM BORDER FENCE IN SA KAEO WITH THB 87 MILLION BUDGET -- THE NATION

Thailand plans a 10km border fence in Sa Kaeo along the Thai-Cambodian frontier, with initial funding from Princess Chulabhorn and a total budget of 87 million baht.

2. POLICE PROBING ROAD COLLAPSE -- BANGKOK POST

Police are gathering evidence to identify those responsible for the collapse of Samsen Road in front of Vajira Hospital.

VIETNAM

1. HANOI MOVES LOCAL PRODUCTS INTO E-COMMERCE SPACE -- VIETNAMPLUS

Hanoi will launch a store on e-commerce platform Shopee to boost the capital's digital economy. The store will promote local products and those produced under the “One Commune, One Product” programme.

2. VIETNAM-LAOS AIMS RM84 BILLION TRADE BY 2030 -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam and Cambodia's economic relations are on a robust growth trajectory, with bilateral trade surpassing RM42 billion (US$10 billion) last year. Both neighbours have set an RM84 billion (US$20 billion) target by 2030. 

-- BERNAMA