Government
Malaysia visa fee increase waived for thousands of workers
More than 2400 Myanmar workers left in the lurch while Malaysia and Myanmar dispute a visa fee will have their applications processed under the previous – much cheaper – payment schedule, according to the Ministry of Labour. Myanmar recruitment agencies have been boycotting Malaysia – long ...
Mekong nations launch fresh drug blitz
Countries in the Mekong region have launched the third phase of drug crackdowns along the Mekong River and in the Golden Triangle. Narong Rattanakul, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, on 10 February revealed progress in the Safe Mekong Joint Operation to combat drug trafficking in the ...
Asean, Obama to ink cooperation pact
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and US president Barack Obama will jointly endorse guidelines to enhance cooperation in the first stand-alone US-ASEAN Summit at California’s Rancho Mirage next week, says government spokesman Werachon Sukhondhapatipak. The result of the summit will be issued in cooperation ...
NLD signals end to squatter crackdowns
The sight of bulldozers smashing shanty towns as police drive out squatters from their flimsy homes could be a thing of the past, as National League for Democracy MPs take the helm in Yangon and Mandalay regions, as well as in Nay Pyi Taw. NLD MP U ...
New Speaker flags human rights focus
Mandalay witnessed a distinct changing of guard on 8 February as its new hluttaw took office, with the newly appointed Speaker stressing the importance of being accountable to the public. He added that human rights and economic and social development will be priorities, and promised to ...
Mid-term public investment need estimated at almost $495m
Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has completed its mid-term public investment for 2016-2020 under the Law on Public Investment to submit to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Under the plan, total public investment need for the period is estimated at nearly VND11 trillion (US$495 million), equal to ...
Vietnam border campaigner Sam An vows to return in April
Outspoken Cambodia National Rescue Party lawmaker Um Sam An on 8 February vowed to return to Cambodia in April despite fearing arrest over his prominent role in the CNRP’s campaign to highlight Vietnamese territorial encroachment, which raised the government’s ire last year. Keep reading ...
Vietiane declaration on Laos development cooperation signed
The Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (VD II or Vientiane Partnership Declaration), a result of joint efforts between the government and development partners to shift from effective aid to effective development cooperation, was signed late last week in the Laotian capital. Keep reading ...
Lao officials discuss preparations for ASEAN meetings
Preparations for the 20th Senior Official Committee for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) and the 15th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC) were on track, according to the concerned authority. Lao Senior Officials for SOCA and ASCC led by Mass Media Department Director General of the Ministry of Information, Culture ...
Lao election candidate numbers announced
The total number of candidates standing to be potential members of Laos’ National Assembly (NA) and Provincial/capital Assemblies (PAs) has been announced for the March 20 election. But a list of their names has yet to be declared with all details of candidates for the NA and ...
