Top News Headlines Indonesia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Nov 23, 2025
INDONESIA
1. INDONESIA EXPANDS DOMESTIC EV CAPACITY, ATTRACTS OVER US$346 MLN INVESTMENT -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Indonesia’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is accelerating rapidly, with total investments across electric buses, passenger EVs, and two- and three-wheelers reaching Rp 5.77 trillion (US$346 million), according to the Industry Ministry.
2. MU’TI CALLS FOR CROSS-MINISTRY COORDINATION ON HIGH SCHOOL PHONE BAN -- ANTARA
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti stated that the proposed restriction of mobile phone use in high schools requires comprehensive assessments among government ministries.
MYANMAR
1. TACKLING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN MEKONG REGION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Leaders from the Mekong region pledged to tackle human trafficking at a regional meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam, last week. They also discussed the protection of victims and the misuse of technology to lure victims.
2. RAISING LITERACY RATE AMONG YOUTH -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government has stepped up efforts to improve the literacy rate through the “Developing Libraries and Raising Reading Habits” campaign. The programme will reach out to youth as they are key to nation-building.
PHILIPPINES
1. MANILA BANS WEARING OF FACE-CONCEALING HEADGEAR IN PUBLIC PLACES -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Manila City government has banned the wearing of any headgear that covers the face while inside government, commercial, and public establishments, as well as in public places, unless necessary.
2. DOH PUSHES FOR TOTAL VAPE BAN, WARNS PUBLIC OF SEVERE HEALTH RISKS -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Department of Health (DOH) has called for a nationwide total ban on vape products as it criticized advertisements misleadingly portraying vaping as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
SINGAPORE
1. FLEXIBLE MULTILATERALISM A WAY FORWARD FOR THE WORLD: PM WONG -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Flexible multilateralism is one way forward as the world works out how to reform the global institutions and rules to address today’s challenges, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the Group of 20 (G-20) summit on Nov 22.
2. MORE GENETIC CONDITIONS APPROVED BY MOH FOR TESTING BEFORE EMBRYOS ARE IMPLANTED FOR IVF -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Thirteen severe genetic conditions have been added to a list of conditions approved for testing before couples decide to go ahead with the implantation of embryos in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).
THAILAND
1. HAT YAI HIT BY SEVERE OVERNIGHT FLOODING; PM SAYS SOUTH HAS RESPONSE PLANS AND PLEDGES SUPPORT -- THE NATION
Hat Yai declared a red-flag disaster zone after 2 days of heavy rain, triggering evacuations. PM Anutin says southern provinces have response plans and support will follow.
2. RIVER TEST REVEALS ARSENIC -- BANGKOK POST
MAE HONG SON: The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has detected arsenic contamination above safety limits at all 13 monitoring points along the Salween River in Mae Hong Son, following reports of unusually cloudy water.
VIETNAM
1. MAINTAINING INFLATION AT 3.3 PER CENT -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam aims to maintain its inflation at about 3.3 per cent this year with tighter fiscal and monetary policies as global economic uncertainty looms. In the first 10 months, the consumer price index was at 3.27 per cent.
2. HANOI TO DIVEST STAKE IN OLDEST SHOE-MAKER -- VIETNAMPLUS
The Hanoi People’s Committee will auction their entire stake in Thuong Dinh Footwear Joint Stock Company to local and foreign investors on December 16. The company was founded in 1957 as a military workshop.
-- BERNAMA
