2. ANGKOR WAT CONTINUES WOOING FOREIGN VISITORS -- FRESH NEWS 

Over 950,000 foreign tourists visited the Angkor Archaeological Park, which generated RM178 million (US$44 million) in ticket sales last year. About RM7.7 million (US$1.9 million) was donated to the  Kantha Bopha Cambodia Foundation from the revenue. 

INDONESIA 

1. OVER 1,000 DISASTER HOUSING UNITS BUILT IN SUMATRA IN JUST ONE MONTH -- ANTARA

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that more than 1,000 housing units were built in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces within a month.

2. INDONESIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SPEED UP SPACE TECH INDEPENDENCE -- ANTARA

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Arif Satria has reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to accelerating national space technology independence as part of efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty.

MYANMAR

1. LOCAL TEA EYEING UNESCO LISTING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Authorities are working to include Myanmar tea on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible heritage list. Tea associations are currently finalising the administrative procedures for this inclusion.

2. SPECIAL STAMPS TO MARK INDEPENDENCE DAY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Myanma Post will issue two commemorative stamps to mark the 78th Independence Day commemoration on Sunday. First Day Covers will be sold in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay post offices.

PHILIPPINES

1. DENR CITES FOREST GAINS, FLOOD REFORMS AMID EXTREME WEATHER IN 2025 -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

 The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported major gains in forest restoration, water management, and environmental governance in 2025, as the Philippines faced increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.

2. DOH: OVER 1.1K ROAD CRASH CASES LOGGED DURING HOLIDAYS-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Road crash-related injuries continued to rise during the holiday season, with the Department of Health (DOH) recording 1,113 cases from Dec. 21, 2025 until 5 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2026, based on reports from its 68 sentinel hospitals.

SINGAPORE

1. SIA IS 4TH MOST PUNCTUAL AIRLINE IN ASIA-PACIFIC; PHILIPPINE AIRLINES TOPS REGIONAL RANKING -- THE STRAITS TIMES

National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) was the fourth most punctual airline in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, slipping from third place in 2024.

2. SINGAPORE AND THE US REAFFIRM PARTNERSHIP, LOOK FORWARD TO DEEPENING COOPERATION -- CNA

Singapore and the United States have started the new year by reaffirming their partnership, with 2026 marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the nations.

THAILAND 

1. RED LINE EXTENSIONS GO TO TENDER, SET TO INJECT BILLIONS INTO RAIL INVESTMENT -- The Nation Thailand is moving ahead with tenders for two Red Line commuter rail extensions under the M-MAP2 plan, with contracts expected by February 2026 and services targeted to start in March 2029.

2. EXPORTERS FACE ANOTHER TOUGH YEAR -- Bangkok Post Thailand's exports in 2026 are expected to face volatility and challenges due to a global economic slowdown that is dampening demand in key trading nations.

VIETNAM

1. INDUSTRIAL PARKS WELCOMES RM22 BILLION -- VIETNAMPLUS

Ho Chi Minh City export processing and industrial zones attracted RM22 billion (US$5.3 billion) in investments last year. Hong Kong topped the list of countries with 66 projects.

2. DURIANS LEAD FARM EXPORTS IN 2025 -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector registered a record export turnover of RM32billion (US$8 billion) last year. Durian exports were a major revenue earner.

-- BERNAMA