ASEAN News

Japan – Japan’s ambassador to Indonesia has urged Jakarta to lift its recent coal export restriction, which he claims has had a “significant effect” on the world’s third-largest economy. Indonesia exports almost three-quarters of its coal production, with the primary customers being Asia’s economic powerhouses China, Japan, South Korea, and India. However, on January 1, it barred coal exports, citing …

Thailand – Following a reported increase in cases of the extremely infectious Omicron coronavirus variant during the holiday season, Thailand’s health ministry urged on people to come forward and obtain booster vaccinations. At a press conference, health official Supakit Sirilak said that the nation has reported 2,062 cases of the Omicron variant so far this year, an increase from the 740 …

ASEAN – In a record-breaking sixth time, Thailand has won the ASEAN Football Federation Championship or AFF Cup. Indonesia held ‘The Elephants’ to a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the Asian Cup finals at the Singapore National Stadium tonight, but the team from Malaysia, who smashed ‘The Garuda’ 4-0 in the first leg on Wednesday (Dec 29), won …

ASEAN – As part of a countrywide charity initiative, students from 139 local schools around Malaysia may now follow their football dreams. The newly created initiative, called “Asian Games Football Dream School — Malaysia Live Your Dream,” is a collaboration between the 19th Asian Games Organizing Committee and the Malaysia-China Education Association (EAMC). The initiative, which was jointly established with …

Brunei – According to Xinhua, the Prime Minister’s Office in Brunei said recently that the temporary suspension of cross-border activity between Brunei and Malaysia would be prolonged for another 15 days. For a total of 15 more days till January 15, 2022, the government has prolonged the temporary suspension on admission of foreign people via land and sea ports, including …

Indonesia – After locals and the world community protested its intention to drive Rohingya migrants into Malaysian seas, Indonesia said that it would allow dozens of them onshore. At least 100 people, primarily women and children, on a damaged wooden sailboat off the coast of Aceh province were refused asylum in Indonesia, where officials claimed they intended to force them …

Japan – As the New Year’s festivities begin,  Japan prepared for a predicted resurgence in coronavirus infections as roads and airports were clogged with travelers. As additional cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 emerged, including a possible cluster at an Osaka nursing home, the governors of Tokyo and Osaka recommended citizens to keep end-of-year parties limited. Travelers should take …

Singapore – Coach Shin Tae-yong challenged his team to play to their capabilities in the final against five-time winners Thailand, saying that just the ambition to win the Suzuki Cup would not be enough to break Indonesia’s drought in the South-east Asian tournament. Due to the pandemic, the regional tournament is being played in a biosecure “bubble” in Singapore, where …

India – According to reports, an expert committee of India’s pharma authority approved emergency use authorization (EUA) for Merck’s Covid-19 pill molnupiravir, as well as the Covovax and corbevax vaccines from Serum Institute of India and Biological E, among other products. According to a report published today, the recommendations of the topic expert group have been sent to the Drugs …

Myanmar – In response to convincing accusations that at least 35 people were murdered and their remains were burnt in Myanmar, a senior United Nations official said yesterday that he was horrified and called on the government to initiate an inquiry. In the event in eastern Kaya state, two members of the non-profit organization Save the Children went missing after …