Malaysia pushes ASEAN joint procurement to cut HIV treatment costs

At the National Economic Forum 2025 on July 17, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang, said the Malaysian government is intensifying policies on in carbon management, hydrogen energy, green materials and circular economy models to help the country meet its sustainable development goals.

Malaysia plans to boost gas-fired capacity by 50% and more than double renewable capacity by 2030 to cut coal use and meet growing power demand from data centres, which are expected to rise to 52% of peninsular demand, from 2% now.

Pathet Lao, the official newspaper of the Lao News Agency, on July 18 published two editorials affirming the historic significance of the Laos - Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and extolling the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation in the cause of national protection and development in each country.

The US was Thailand’s largest export market in 2024, accounting for about 18.3% of the country’s total exports.

Apart from more than 2,000 retail stores in the Philippines, Indonesia plans to expand the network in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries.

As part of its long-term clean energy strategy, the government, he said, is also exploring advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer potential not only for decarbonisation but also for driving high-value research and development (R&D), technology transfer and skilled talent development.

Currently, fully imported EVs in Malaysia enjoy import and excise duty exemptions until December this year, while locally assembled EVs benefit from additional tax incentives until 2027. EV owners are also exempt from road tax until the end of 2025, with further incentives offered for home charging infrastructure and industry investments.

Thailand's House of Representatives on July 16 passed the updated Labour Protection Act, granting female employees an astounding 120 days of paid maternity leave. Additionally, fathers will enjoy 15 days of paid leave to assist with newborn care.

Amid global uncertainty and geopolitical developments, ASEAN nations must stay united under the spirit of one vision, one identity, and one community, said Second Vice-President of the Cambodian Senate Thun Vathana.

Among the cases, 3,086 were related to drug trafficking, transport and storage, resulting in the detention of 6,079 people, and eight cases involved drug processing and production, with 31 people detained.

The vast majority of the reported arrests were foreign nationals – including at least 271 from Indonesia and 75 from China’s Taiwan.

Over the last 10 years, US-Vietnam collaboration has led to the identification of 35 missing personnel, 19 from joint field work, one from a US partner mission, and 15 from Vietnamese sources.

The Cambodian leader was quoted as stating that leaders of cities and provinces, along with police forces, are responsible for eradicating all online scam operations within their jurisdictions in compliance with local laws and regulations.

Programmes like ‘Spice & Soul of Malaysia’ not only help market more local food products internationally and domestically but also have the potential to attract more visitors.

Five proposals from three power companies of Singapore have been selected by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) to receive co-funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) research at specific sites.

The event brings together over 900 exhibitors and is expected to attract more than 21,000 visitors from 50 countries, with 125 conferences and forums.

In 2024, Lao authorities recorded 5,012 drug-related cases, with an additional 1,422 cases reported in the first five months of 2025.

Suspended Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra has asked the Thai Constitutional Court to give her more time to file a defence statement in the ethics case that could lead to her dismissal

The central pagoda of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, situated along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, stands as one of the country’s most iconic architectural landmarks, holding profound cultural and historical significance.

A range of drone-enabled technologies was trialled during the exercise, including 3D imaging to assess vessel damage and a water curtain misting system to limit the spread of chemical plumes.