INDONESIA
1.INDONESIA, MALAYSIA PUSH TO RENEW MIGRANT WORKER DEAL BY 2026 -- ANTARA
Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to accelerate negotiations for the renewal of their bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers, aiming to complete the process by 2026.
2.INDONESIA PLANS 14,000 KM OF NEW, REACTIVATED RAILWAY TRACKS BY 2045 -- ANTARA
The Indonesian government plans to expand the national railway network by adding approximately 14,000 kilometres of new and reactivated tracks by 2045, with total estimated investment of Rp1,100 trillion to Rp1,200 trillion (approximately US$61.45 billion to US$67.04 billion).
LAOS
1.BAN ON RAW MATERIAL EXPORTS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government will ban all raw mineral exports by 2030, requiring minerals to be processed before export in order to earn more revenue from the country's natural resources.
2.WOOING VIETNAMESE TRADE, INVESTMENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will arrive in Laos on Thursday for a two-day official visit to boost bilateral ties and economic cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, energy and tourism.
MYANMAR
1.OPENING DOORS FOR MALAYSIAN INVESTORS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing urged Malaysian investors to explore opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, halal products and in developing the special economic zones.
2.ROBUST RICE EXPORTS SINCE APRIL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Rice and broken rice exports exceeded 970,000 metric tonnes in the first half of the year. It was valued at US$338 million (RM1.4 billion), according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.
PHILIPPINES
1.PHILIPPINES SECURES 8TH WIN AS ASIA'S LEADING DIVE DESTINATION - PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Philippines continues to reign as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination after securing its eighth consecutive win for the title at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026.
2.PRESIDENT MARCOS FLIES TO SINGAPORE ON WEDNESDAY FOR A FIVE-DAY WORKING VISIT- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. flies to Singapore on Wednesday (Oct. 7, 2026) for a five-day working visit. The plane carrying Marcos left Manila at 8:10 p.m.
SINGAPORE
1.PARLIAMENT PASSES LAW BANNING ONLINE SALES AND ADS FOR NON-COMPLIANT ACTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES - CNA
Online retailers face new restrictions on selling and advertising non-compliant active mobility devices, and must display warning notices about device and usage rules after parliament passed new measures into law on Wednesday
2.PM WONG CONGRATULATES NEW LAO PM, INVITES HIM TO VISIT SINGAPORE -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has congratulated newly appointed Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and invited him to visit Singapore.
THAILAND
1.HEALTH MINISTRY BACKS THB450 TOURIST FEE AS HOSPITALS FACE BILLIONS IN UNPAID BILLS -- THE NATION
Thailand’s Health Ministry backs a proposed THB450 foreign tourist fee, saying insurance funded by the levy could reduce billions in unpaid hospital bills.
2.BANGKOK FACES SUBMERSION RISK -- BANGKOK POST
Bangkok could have as much as one-third of its area permanently submerged by 2050 if the government fails to overhaul the country's water-management system and take more aggressive action on climate change, environmental and water-management experts warned at a forum.
VIETNAM
1.HAI PHONG EYES INTEGRATED LOGISTICS HUB -- VIETNAMPLUS
Hai Phong is shifting from a northern import-export gateway to an integrated logistics hub. It is investing in seaports, multimodal transport infrastructure and skilled workers to boost competitiveness, resilience and international connectivity.
2.DNA TECH TO IDENTIFY FALLEN SOLDIERS -- VIETNAMPLUS
Efforts are being stepped up to expand DNA testing capacity and adopt next-generation sequencing technology to help identify the remains of more than 207,000 soldiers killed in past wars.
-- BERNAMA