Indonesian billionaire Prajogo Pangestu saw his fortune shrink by US$2.7 billion (Rp 44.89 trillion), or 6.26 per cent, to US$40.3 billion on Monday after shares of his Barito Group companies tumbled in one of the steepest market sell-offs in recent months.

The decline made Prajogo, Indonesia’s richest man and currently ranked 46th on Forbes' Real Time Billionaires List, the day’s biggest loser among local tycoons.

2.PRABOWO CUTS ASEAN TRIP SHORT AFTER WHIRLWIND TOUR -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto has returned to Jakarta from Malaysia ahead of schedule, following a busy weekend at the ASEAN Summit, which saw Southeast Asian leaders sit down with United States President Donald Trump to hash out new deals, the United Nations chief call for an end to violence in Myanmar and the welcoming of the bloc’s 11th member Timor-Leste after a 14-year wait.

LAOS 

1.LAO USES ASEAN SUMMIT TO BOLSTER REGIONAL TIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone held talks with the leaders of Brunei, Canada and Vietnam to deepen bilateral relations. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings held in Malaysia.

2.JAPAN ASSISTS LAO UPGRADE ENGINEERING STUDIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Institute of Science, Tokyo, are assisting in upgrading the quality of engineering education at the National University of Laos. It is a key cooperation between both countries in the education sector. 

MYANMAR 

1.CHARTING GROWTH PLANS WITH CENSUS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The government said the 2024 population census is crucial to draw up the policies for the nation’s development. The census provides essential data needed for balanced and sector-wise development.

2.BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT IN SOYA BEAN -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Department of Agricultural Research will organise a soybean crushing project to promote the self-sufficiency of soybean food and cooking oil. The research and development project will be held under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund.

PHILIPPINES

1.PHILIPPINES CONTINUES TALKS WITH US FOR TARIFF EXEMPTIONS ON KEY EXPORTS -- PNA

The Philippines is continuing negotiations with the United States to secure tariff exemptions for several major exports, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, speaking on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings, said the government aims to ensure that products such as coconuts and semiconductors remain protected.

2..EU ALLOCATES €450,000 HUMANITARIAN AID FOR DAVAO QUAKE VICTIMS -- PNA

The European Union (EU) has allocated €450,000 (about PHP30.69 million) in humanitarian aid to support communities affected by the twin earthquakes that struck off the coast of Davao Oriental on Oct 10.

In a statement Monday, the EU said the assistance seeks to provide relief to affected families and ensure access to shelter, clean water, sanitation, and other essential needs.

SINGAPORE

1.ASEAN LEADERS PUSH FOR STRONGER TRADE TIES AMONG RCEP MEMBERS AND OTHER PARTNERS -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The world’s largest trade pact has stressed its commitment to an open, fair and rules-based multilateral trading system, amid an increasingly unsettled geopolitical climate.

2.SOCIAL WORKERS SAY MEGAN KHUNG REVIEW PANEL SET RECORD STRAIGHT, CALL FOR GREATER SUPPORT INSTEAD OF MORE PROCEDURES -- CNA

Following Megan Khung’s fatal abuse case, professionals in the social work sector welcomed the review panel’s recommendations but stressed that the sector still needs more support.

THAILAND

1. PRINCESS SIRIVANNAVARI RECALLS FOND MEMORIES OF QUEEN SIRIKIT, THE QUEEN MOTHER -- THE NATION

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya shared heartfelt memories of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, recalling how her grandmother inspired her love for art, design and the study of French, as well as the life lessons that shaped her character and creativity.  

2. COPS REVEAL HOW TO SPOT SCAMMERS -- BANGKOK POST

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has issued a public alert identifying four suspicious behaviours commonly associated with foreign-operated call centre scam rings that covertly establish operational bases in residential areas.

VIETNAM

1.SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION IN CON DAO NATIONAL PARK -- VIETNAMPLUS

The Con Dao National Park has relocated 1,800 turtle nests and released 120,000 hatchlings into the sea during the turtle nesting season. Con Dao, located in Ho Chi Minh City, is a main nesting site for green turtles.

2.HANOI, MANILA VOW TO PROTECT ASEAN UNITY -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam and the Philippines have pledged to promote ASEAN’s central role in addressing regional and international issues. Both governments committed to enhancing the Vietnam–Philippines Strategic Partnership in the areas of politics, economics, defence, and security.

-- BERNAMA