The Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is stepping up efforts to contain forest and land fires across the country, expanding its focus beyond the six priority provinces.

2.KM VIRGO TRANSPORT 8 SANK IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, SURVIVOR SAYS -- ANTARA

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A crew member of the KM Virgo Transport 8 said the vessel suddenly listed and sank within five minutes after the accident in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea on Sunday.

LAOS

1.UNEXPLODED MUNITIONS HAMPERING DEVELOPMENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos is urging international support for the clearance of unexploded ordnance as the weapons still threaten lives and rural development. Laos is hosting the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

2.LAOS RANKS SECOND IN ASEAN FOR ECOTOURISM -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos ranks second among ASEAN countries and 22nd globally for ecotourism, according to the latest United States News and World Report ranking. Cambodia topped the ASEAN list, ranking 17th worldwide.

MYANMAR

1.AGRICULTURE BACKBONE OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The government said strong agricultural and livestock sectors were vital to improving the country’s socioeconomic well-being, ensuring food security, creating jobs and generating export earnings.

2.SELF-READ ELECTRICITY METRES FOR CONSUMERS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy announced yesterday that it will soon pilot a digital system allowing consumers without smart meters to submit their meter readings and pay their electricity bills online.

PHILIPPINE

1.P74-B PHILHEALTH BUDGET EYED IN 2027, P19B FOR IMPROVED BENEFITS -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The government has proposed a PHP74.45-billion allocation for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in 2027, including PHP19 billion to improve benefit packages and support other priority health interventions.

2.SYSTEM LOSS VAT REMOVAL TO REDUCE POWER BILLS BY P20/MONTH -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

A PHP20 reduction in power consumers’ bill is expected following the removal of the value added tax (VAT) on system loss, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Tuesday.

SINGAPORE

1. MUIS SAYS HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HIT BY CYBERSECURITY INCIDENT - CNA

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has been hit by a cybersecurity incident involving a human resource management system operated by Singapore-based software vendor Avelogic.

2.HAZE IN S’PORE: AIR QUALITY IMPROVING; ONLY CENTRAL REGION REMAINS IN THE UNHEALTHY RANGE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The air quality in Singapore continued to improve early on Sept 16, with the 24-hour PSI in four of the five regions resting in the moderate range. 

THAILAND

1. THAI CABINET REVISES 72-HOUR EMERGENCY CARE RULES FROM SEPTEMBER 15 -- THE NATION

Thailand’s Cabinet has approved revised emergency-treatment rules covering the first 72 hours of care, triage appeals and patient charges under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) scheme. Deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan announced the decision on Tuesday (September 15, 2026).

2. NEW CENTRE TO COMBAT INVASIVE FISH -- BANGKOK POST

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Surya Juangroongruangkit has established a centre to coordinate efforts to combat the spread of blackchin tilapia, calling the invasive species a national concern and promising visible results within three months.

VIETNAM

1.HANOI IMPORTED PRODUCTS WORTH US$43 BILLION -- VIETNAMPLUS

Hanoi's imports reached US$43 billion (RM174 billion) in the first eight months of this year. Imports of machinery, equipment and spare parts were major products, reflecting stronger production activity.

2.CA MAU STEPS UP DIGITAL DRIVE -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam's southern province Ca Mau has launched a 100-day campaign to remove bottlenecks in digital transformation and improve public services. Authorities are focusing on online administrative procedures, digital data and digital infrastructure.

-- BERNAMA