INDONESIA
1. BALI ANNOUNCES THREE-DAY WORK FROM HOME TO EASE FUEL OIL QUEUES -- ANTARA
Bali Regional Secretary Dewa Made Indra announced three days of work from home (WFH), from October 15-17, 2026, to support fuel oil distribution by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
2. POLICE NAME NINE CORPORATE SUSPECTS IN ONGOING FOREST FIRE PROBES -- ANTARA
The Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) named nine individuals as corporate suspects in ongoing forest and land fire investigations as of Oct. 13.
LAOS
1. LAOS PROPOSES ZERO-ALCOHOL LIMIT FOR DRIVERS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos plans to introduce a zero-alcohol limit for drivers, prison terms of up to 12 years for drink-driving offences causing multiple deaths and tighter alcohol sales.
2. CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL MINING -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Authorities have seized 23 excavators and other equipment during inspections of suspected illegal gold-mining operations in Sor and Vangma villages in Vientiane. The crackdown is to eliminate illegal mineral extraction.
MYANMAR
1. THANLYIN REFINERY PHASE I COMMISSIONED -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The first phase of the Thanlyin Refinery was commissioned in Yangon yesterday to boost domestic fuel production, reduce foreign currency spending, meet manufacturing energy needs and generate long-term economic benefits for the state.
2. FISH SHELTERS, CORAL BEDS INSTALLED -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The United Nations-Habitat Myanmar has installed nine fish shelters and coral beds near Bird Island and South Island off Ngwehsaung Beach to support marine life and coral regeneration.
PHILIPPINES
1. PHILIPPINES CALLS FOR FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT FINANCING AT IMF-ASEAN MEETING -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
ASEAN Finance Track Chair and Finance Secretary Frederick Go called for more flexible financing solutions from multilateral development banks (MDBs) to support countries transitioning to upper middle-income country (UMIC) status and meet their evolving development needs.
2. DEPED, DILG PARTNER TO DEPLOY VILLAGE WATCHMEN FOR SCHOOL SAFETY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the deployment of barangay tanods (village watchmen) to help ensure school safety nationwide.
SINGAPORE
1. SINGAPORE KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN ON HAZE PROSECUTION AGAINST COMPANIES AS IT COLLECTS, REVIEWS DATA: GRACE FU - CNA
Singapore is keeping its options open on taking action under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act as it collects and reviews data on the ongoing haze situation, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.
2. HAZE IN SINGAPORE: PSI IN WESTERN PART OF ISLAND REMAINS IN ‘VERY UNHEALTHY’ RANGE -- THE STRAITS TIME
Hazy conditions persisted across Singapore, with PSI readings in the west remaining in the “very unhealthy” range while the hourly PM2.5 readings were elevated islandwide.
THAILAND
1. THAILAND LAUNCHES BANGKOK BLUEPRINT TO CURB DIGITAL FINANCIAL FRAUD -- THE NATION
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG), together with the Bank of Thailand (BOT), launched the Bangkok Blueprint on Wednesday (October 14, 2026).
2. GOVT MAKES FIRST B2M DISASTER INSURANCE PAYOUT -- BANGKOK POST
The government has made its first 2-million-baht compensation payment under the national disaster insurance scheme to the family of a woman who died in a flash flood in Chiang Mai on Oct 5.
VIETNAM
1. MOBILE PHONE EXPORTS SURGE 20 PER CENT -- VIETNAMPLUS
Mobile phone and component exports rose 20 per cent year-on-year to nearly US$52 billion (RM212 billion) in the first nine months. China, the United States and South Korea accounted for more than half of total imports.
2.GREEN SM ELECTRIC TAXI ENTERS AMERICAN MARKET -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam’s Green SM has launched an all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles, its first entry into North America and its ninth market worldwide. It marks a milestone in the global expansion of the Vietnamese mobility brand.
-- BERNAMA