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☆ Malaysia Open to Extending China-Led Rail Project to Thai Border
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's government has said it would consider extending a $10 billion China-led rail project to its border with Thailand to boost economic ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, the 665-kilometre (413-mile), 50.27 billion ringgit ($10.63 billion) railway is on track to connect the east and west coasts of peninsular Malaysia by the end of 2026. Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Wednesday the government was open to proposals to extend the track to the border with Thailand, for further integration into existing railway networks or future infrastructure developments. Thailand also has plans to invest in a massive land bridge project in the country's south to boost growth and global trade. The bridge would bypass the congested Strait of Malacca, a narrow sea lane between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Persons: Anthony Loke, Loke, Danial Azhar, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Initiative, Malaysia's, Malaysia's Senate, Malaysian, China Communications Construction Co Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Malacca, Indonesia, Bangkok

☆ Indonesian President's Son Also Rises, but What Will His Role as New VP Be?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Many voters say they were drawn to president-in-waiting Prabowo Subianto's ticket in part because of the ex-commander having Jokowi's eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his running mate. That puts Gibran on track to be the youngest vice president in Indonesia's history. Gibran's path to the vice presidency has also raised questions about how prepared he is to step up to the national stage, even if the vice presidency is a position with limited power and influence. Past vice presidents have typically tended to play a low-key role, unless given a specific mandate by the president. Jokowi has repeatedly denied he was involved in Gibran's decision to run for mayor, and then for the vice presidency.

Persons: Ananda Teresia, Kate Lamb JAKARTA, Joko Widodo, Prabowo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Gibran, Jokowi, Kevin O'Rourke, Gibran's, Suharto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Kay Johnson, Raju Gopalakrishnan Locations: Jakarta, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia

☆ Indonesia Students Plan to Protest Alleged Poll Interference
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

But he has made highly publicised appearances with Prabowo, and his eldest son is running on the same ticket as vice president. Some voters have taken issue with Jokowi's perceived lack of neutrality, saying it undermines Indonesia's democracy by giving one candidate an unfair advantage . Another protest was planned in the capital Jakarta by several rights groups. The student protests also come as Indonesia enters a cooling-off period until voting day on Wednesday. Authorities were seen removing candidates' billboards and posters, and candidates are barred from campaigning during this period.

Persons: Ananda Teresia, Joko Widodo's, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Anies, Ganjar Pranowo, Gejayan, Jokowi, Dandhy Laksono, Kanupriya Kapoor, Ed Davies Organizations: Ananda, YouTube, Monday, Reuters, Authorities Locations: Ananda Teresia JAKARTA, Yogyakarta, Java, Jakarta, Indonesia

☆ Indonesia Presidential Frontrunner Skips Press Freedom Event
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Two of Indonesia's three presidential contenders pledged to protect press freedom in the world's third-largest democracy at a weekend event that frontrunner Prabowo Subianto didn't attend. On the last day of campaigning, ex-Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and ex-Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo signed the National Press Council's written declarations to uphold democracy and press freedom. It was unclear if Prabowo, represented at the Saturday event by the head of his campaign team, signed the declaration. He denies the accusations, but critics have questioned Prabowo's commitment to protecting human rights. "Two of the main political teams have done Indonesian voters a service by sharing their views," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto didn't, Joko Widodo, Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo, pip, Rosan Roeslani, Rosan, Ganjar, Elaine Pearson, Bernadette Christina Munthe, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Tom Hogue Organizations: Central Java, National Press, Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch Locations: JAKARTA, Jakarta, Asia

☆ Indonesia Presidential Hopeful Prabowo Seen Getting Majority Votes Survey
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian defence minister Prabowo Subianto is predicted to secure over 50% of votes needed to win the country's presidential election in one round, a new opinion survey showed on Saturday, the last day of campaigning. Prabowo is projected to gain 51.9% votes, based on a survey of 1,220 respondents by Lembaga Survei Indonesia (LSI), conducted between Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. On Friday, pollster Indikator Politik projected Prabowo to pip the 50% threshold needed to win in a single round. A run-off between two candidates with the most votes will be held in June if no candidate gets more than 50% of votes. Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, has been accused of interference and bias over his implicit support for Prabowo, which his allies have denied.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Lembaga Survei, Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, pip, Djayadi Hanan, Joko Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Hanan, Jokowi, Gibran, Jokowi's, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor, Sam Holmes Organizations: Jakarta Locations: JAKARTA, Lembaga Survei Indonesia, Central Java, Anies

☆ Indonesian K-Pop Fans Rally for Presidential Candidate Anies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tommy Ardiansyah and Ajeng Dinar UlfianaJAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan's young supporters are borrowing elements from their favourite music genre K-pop to boost his popularity, swapping photocards and light sticks decorated with his face before the Feb. 14 poll. "It all started with a TikTok live that Anies did one day," said Hera Putri Haris, a 22-year-old Anies supporter who was carrying plastic cups and fans plastered with his image. K-pop inspired political rallies have become more common as the South Korean music genre sweeps the globe. K-pop fans rallied in Thailand's anti-government movement in 2020, while K-pop fans in the United States raised funds for the Black Lives Matter movement. Anies' campaign team did not respond to a request for comment but event organiser Muhammad Rasyid Al Kautsar said he believes the cultural phenomenon can help rally supporters.

Persons: Tommy Ardiansyah, Anies, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Hera Putri Haris, Muhammad Rasyid Al Kautsar, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Miral Organizations: Ulfiana, Defence, Central Java Locations: Ulfiana JAKARTA, Korean, Thailand's, United States

☆ Malaysia's Top Court Declares Several Islamic Laws in Kelantan State Unconstitutional
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Rozanna LatiffKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's top court on Friday declared more than a dozen Islamic laws enacted by the northeastern state of Kelantan as unconstitutional, in a decision that could affect the legality of sharia in other parts of the Muslim-majority country. Malaysia has a dual-track legal system with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims, running alongside civil laws. Islamic laws are enacted by state legislatures while civil laws are passed by Malaysia's parliament. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who delivered the majority judgement said the state had no power to enact the laws, as the subject of the legal provisions were covered under parliament's law-making powers. "We therefore allow the petition's application for a declaration that (these laws) are void and invalid," she said.

Persons: Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Muhyiddin Yassin, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Federal, PAS Locations: Latiff KUALA LUMPUR, Kelantan, Malaysia, Malaysia's

☆ Factbox-Candidates for Indonesia's Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

(Reuters) - Indonesia holds a presidential election on Feb. 14, with three contenders vying to succeed incumbent Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, as leader of the world's third-largest democracy and its most populous Muslim-majority nation. He is not a member of a political party but is backed by three parties, including a secular party in the ruling coalition and the conservative Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). He is the nephew of the late Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, a well-respected former president and religious leader. After losing the 2019 election, he was appointed defence minister by Jokowi, a move analysts say helped heal divisions. Prabowo chairs the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) party, which endorsed him as its presidential candidate last year.

Persons: Joko Widodo, ANIES BASWEDAN, Jokowi, Anies, Basuki Tjahaja, Muhaimin Iskandar, Imin, Abdurrahman Wahid, Gus Dur, Ganjar, Mahfud, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, Suharto, Prabowo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Gibran, Ananda Teresia, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, Fulbright, Islamic Prosperous Justice Party, National Awakening Party, Ulama, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Israel, Islamic, NU, Mahfud, Great Indonesia Movement, Constitutional Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Chinese, East Java, Central Java, Surakarta

☆ Indonesia Leader Accused of Bias, Interference in Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

In Indonesia, sitting presidents are allowed to campaign for candidates provided they do not use state resources and take official leave to do so, but incumbents have typically remained neutral. The furore has prompted Jokowi to repeatedly clarify his stance and even show reporters print-outs of the election law to clear his name. "Some of our campaign activities were indeed cancelled or not permitted by various local governments...and non-governmental entities, which likely were influenced by those in power," said Ade Chandra, a campaign spokesperson for rival presidential candidate Anies Baswedan. State rice handouts have allegedly included Prabowo campaign stickers, prompting complaints from rivals, according to media. Discontent with Jokowi's actions is also extending to his cabinet, from which chief security minister Mahfud MD, who is a vice presidential candidate on a rival ticket, has said he will resign soon.

Persons: Kate Lamb, Stanley Widianto, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Jokowi, Ade Chandra, Anies Baswedan, Mahfud, Kanupriya Kapoor, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Defence, Prabowo, Gadjah Mada University Locations: Stanley Widianto JAKARTA, Indonesia, alma, Gadjah Mada

☆ Myanmar Rebel Group Claims Control of Town Bordering India, Bangladesh
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - An ethnic armed group in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine said it has taken control of a town bordering India and Bangladesh, marking the latest loss for the military government as it battles rebellion in several parts of the country. It is the biggest challenge the junta has faced since it mounted a coup against an elected government in 2021. The fall of Paletwa in the west comes after another rebel group in the Three Brotherhood Alliance took Laukkai town on the in northern Shan State on the border with China. Last week, the junta agreed a ceasefire with that group, the TNLA, for the region bordering China. But on Sunday, the rebel alliance said junta forces are breaching the ceasefire agreement, launching attacks in several townships in Shan State.

Persons: Khine, Kanupriya Kapoor, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Arakan Army, Alliance, Reuters Staff Locations: Myanmar, Rakhine, India, Bangladesh, Paletwa, Shan State, China, Kunming

☆ Philippines Reaffirms 'One China Policy' After President Marcos Congratulates Taiwan's Lai
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' foreign ministry on Tuesday reaffirmed the country's "One China policy" after its president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., congratulated Taiwan's new leader Lai Ching-te. Marcos on Monday congratulated Lai for winning Taiwan's election, referring to him as its next president. The message was Marcos' way of recognising the Philippines and Taiwan's "mutual interests", including the 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the democratically governed island, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process. Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy," the statement said.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Taiwan's, Lai Ching, Marcos, Lai, Antony Blinken, Yoko Kamikawa, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Office Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Beijing, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Manila

☆ Vietnam Communist Party Chief Attends Parliament Session After Health Concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

HANOI (Reuters) - The head of Vietnam's Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, on Monday attended a session of the National Assembly after concerns were raised over the health of the country's most powerful leader. Diplomats had raised concerns over his health and several officials could not confirm the status of his health. Trong has been at the helm of the ruling Communist Party since 2011 and holds the top job in Vietnam's one-party political system. The National Assembly is convening to discuss banking and land reforms. Shortly after the chair's opening speech, Trong was seen walking out of the session with the help of aides, according to a Reuters witness.

Persons: Nguyen Phu Trong, Trong, Joko Widodo, Sonexay Siphandone, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Vietnam's Communist Party, Monday, National, Diplomats, Communist Party, National Assembly, Reuters Locations: HANOI, Laos, Vietnam's

☆ Buildings evacuated as quake rattles Philippine capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Lisa Marie David Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Workers, residents, and students evacuated buildings in the Philippine capital Manila on Tuesday after an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck off the main Luzon island, according to the state seismology agency and images carried by media. It recorded the offshore earthquake at magnitude 5.9, with a depth of 79 kilometres (49.09 miles). Images shared by media on X showed government workers leaving congress, senate, presidential palace, justice ministry buildings. Three people died from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the southern Philippines on Saturday night. A separate magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Mindanao early Monday morning.

Persons: Lisa Marie David Acquire, Michael Orayani, Neil Jerome Morales, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Manila, Philippines, Rights MANILA, Philippine, Luzon, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, Mindanao

☆ Myanmar junta leader says armed organisations must solve their problems 'politically' - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, 2021, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 5 (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has called on armed ethnic groups involved in an offensive against the country's ruling military to solve their problems "politically", state media reported on Tuesday. "(He) warned that if armed organisations keep on being foolish, residents of the relevant regions will suffer bad impacts. So, it is necessary to consider the lives of the people, and those organisations need to solve their problems politically," the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. A parallel civilian government backing some of the armed rebel groups dismissed Min Aung Hlaing's call for dialogue.

Persons: General Min Aung Hlaing, Stringer, Min Aung Hlaing, Min Aung, Kyaw Zaw, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Armed Forces, REUTERS, Myanmar, National Unity Government, Reuters, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Shan State, China, Rakhine, Chin States

☆ Indonesia to bid again for U-20 World Cup after losing hosting rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Amr Alfiky Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Indonesia will declare its interest to football's world governing body FIFA in jointly holding the 2025 Under-20 World Cup with Singapore, its president said on Monday, despite his country being stripped of the hosting rights to this year's tournament. Indonesia staged this year's U-17 contest, which concluded on Saturday, with Germany beating France on penalties. "The declaration of interest has been signed by PSSI and football association of Singapore," he told reporters, referring to Indonesia's football federation. Muslim-majority Indonesia was in March stripped of the rights to host the U-20 contest just seven weeks out from its start due to opposition from some government officials to the participation of Israel. The loss of hosting rights was a big setback in Indonesia, where football has a huge following, despite the lack of international success since qualifying for the 1938 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Amr Alfiky, Israel, Ananda Teresia, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Rights, FIFA, Singapore, PSSI, Israel, Senior, Argentina, Uruguay, Dutch, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, Rights JAKARTA, Indonesia, Germany, France, Singapore, Dutch East Indies

☆ Dwindling fish stocks hit incomes in Cambodia, prey to climate change
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A general view of a floating fishing village near Kampong Phluk at Tonle Sap Lake, in Siem Reap, Cambodia November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Chantha Lach Acquire Licensing RightsKAMPONG PHLUK, Cambodia, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Fisherman Siem Huat has seen fish stocks dwindle in recent years in Cambodia's majestic Tonle Sap Lake, and with them, his family's sole source of income. "Sometimes there is rainfall in the wrong months or it gets so hot I can't go out to fish," said the 45-year-old Siem Huat, as he navigated his boat through mangroves to pull in nets carrying disappointingly few fish. The Mekong River typically swells in the rainy season as it converges with Cambodia's Tonle Sap River, sending an unusual reversed flow into the Tonle Sap Lake that fills up the latter and spawns bountiful fish stocks. Reporting by Chantha Lach, Napat Wesshasartar; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Clarence FrenandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Chantha Lach, Siem, Napat, Kanupriya Kapoor, Clarence Frenandez Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Kampong Phluk, Tonle Sap, Siem Reap, Cambodia, PHLUK, Asia's, Sap, Dubai

☆ Myanmar Junta Leader Says Armed Organisations Must Solve Their Problems 'Politically' - State Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has called on armed ethnic groups involved in an offensive against the country's ruling military to solve their problems "politically", state media reported on Tuesday. "(He) warned that if armed organisations keep on being foolish, residents of the relevant regions will suffer bad impacts. So, it is necessary to consider the lives of the people, and those organisations need to solve their problems politically," the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. A parallel civilian government backing some of the armed rebel groups dismissed Min Aung Hlaing's call for dialogue. Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced by the fighting, according to the United Nations.

Persons: Min Aung Hlaing, Min Aung, Kyaw Zaw, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Myanmar, National Unity Government, United Nations Locations: Shan State, China, Rakhine, Chin States

☆ US DFC considers $500 mln loan to Vietnamese EV maker VinFast
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Vinfast electric vehicle store is shown at one of the company's retail locations in San Diego, California, U.S.,October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHANOI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has signed a letter of interest with electric vehicles maker VinFast to consider the Vietnamese company's application for a $500 million loan for expansion, VinFast said on Monday. The loan, which will be used to support VinFast's establishment of lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, is subject to a comprehensive review and approval process by DFC, the carmaker said in a statement. DFC said on X, formerly Twitter, that it had signed the letter of interest to support VinFast's lithium-ion battery facilities in Vietnam, but did not provide details. The project will be the first in a series of initiatives actively discussed by the two parties, VinFast said.

Persons: Mike Blake, VinFast, Phuong Nguyen, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United States International Development Finance Corporation, Vietnam's, Nasdaq, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, U.S, Rights HANOI, Vietnam, California, Southeast Asia

☆ Indonesia Approves 20% Rise in Defence Budget by 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's outgoing president has approved a 20% hike in defence spending through the end of next year, to upgrade the country's military hardware in response to geopolitical developments, its finance minister said. In a press conference on Wednesday, Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the approval came in a meeting she attended with President Joko Widodo and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo is the leading candidate in the upcoming presidential election in February, and is running with Widodo's son. The defence budget will be increased from $20.75 billion to $25 billion, Sri Mulyani said. They considered them as a necessity given the condition of our military hardware as well as rising threats amid increasing geopolitical and geo-security dynamics," she said.

Persons: Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Mulyani, Lockheed Martin, Gayatri Suroyo, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Sri, Defence, Dassault Rafale, Turkish Aerospace Locations: JAKARTA, U.S

☆ Thailand to allow clubs, bars to stay open longer to boost tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Entertainment venues, clubs and karaoke bars in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattya, Chiang Mai and Samui, popular tourist destinations, will be allowed stay open two extra hours until 4 AM, Traisulee Traisaranakul said. The decision to allow entertainment venues to stay open longer is the latest step taken by the government to boost foreign arrivals after the government in September waived visa requirements for Chinese visitors, a key source of tourists for Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy. Thailand has so far welcomed 24.5 million foreign tourists this year and is forecasting 28 million arrivals for the full year. Before the pandemic, Thailand booked a record 39.9 million arrivals, with 11 million from China. This year, the government expects just 3.5 million arrivals from China.

Persons: Chalinee, Chiang Mai, Traisulee Traisaranakul, Srettha Thavisin, Paarat Thepgumpanat, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Entertainment, Thailand's, Southeast Asia's, Thomson Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Phuket, Pattya, Southeast, China

☆ Campaigning gets underway in Indonesia for February presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Recent surveys have showed former special forces commander Prabowo leading with Ganjar second and Anies a distant third. Prabowo and his vice-presidential pick Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Widodo, will start their campaign at a later date. The candidates will appear in debates organised by the election commission in the coming weeks, with no schedule unveiled so far. About 205 million of Indonesia's more than 270 million population are eligible to vote in the election. Reporting by Ananda Teresia, Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Ganjar, Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Prabowo, Mahfud, Muhaimin, Widodo, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: Defence, Java, Thomson Locations: Mahfud, Jakarta, JAKARTA, Indonesia, Papua, Aceh province, Anies, Muhaimin Iskandar, East Java's Surabaya, Prabowo

☆ Thailand to lower 2023 growth forecast after weak Q3
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BANGKOK, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Thailand's previous 2023 economic growth forecast of 2.7% will be lowered after a weaker-than-expected third quarter, Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana said on Monday. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expanded much slower than expected, at 1.5%, in the July-September quarter from a year earlier, the slowest this year, due to declining exports and government spending. For next year, while the ministry is aiming for economic growth of slightly higher than 3%, it will try to push for even more with upcoming government stimulus measures, he told reporters. The finance ministry's current forecasts are for 2.7% economic growth in 2023 and 3.2% growth in 2024. Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichreon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Krisada Chinavicharana, Kitiphong Thaichreon, Orathai Sriring, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK

☆ Malaysia opposition leader to step down as party president
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Malaysian opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin speaks during an interview at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition leader Muhyiddin Yassin said on Friday he would step down as president of his party, which leads the Malay-majority bloc Perikatan Nasional. Muhyiddin, a former prime minister, said at his Bersatu party's annual meeting he will not defend his position as party president during internal leadership elections next year. "The time for me to pass on the party leadership to a new team of leaders has arrived," he said in a speech. Bersatu is part of the Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc, which is backed by a conservative Islamist party and made inroads among the country's majority ethnic-Malay Muslims during regional polls in August and last year's general elections.

Persons: Muhyiddin Yassin, Hasnoor Hussain, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Perikatan Nasional, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malay, Perikatan Nasional

☆ Myanmar military, insurgents battle over port town
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Myanmar military soldiers who have surrendered to the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force ride in the back of a vehicle in Loikaw, Myanmar, in this still image taken from video released November 15, 2023. "In the evening, junta troops came into the town and shot and killed civilians," the alliance said. Three rebel groups, aligned with pro-democracy fighters and a parallel, pro-democracy civilian government, have captured several towns and military posts across the country. Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun accused the rebel alliance of trying to get China's support for their cause. Junta state media said on Friday it had handed three Chinese nationals accused of running scams over to China, while a fourth suspect shot himself after being captured.

Persons: Zaw Min Tun, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: Myanmar, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, REUTERS Acquire, Brotherhood Alliance, Reuters, Arakan Army, AA, Nations, Junta, Thomson Locations: Loikaw, Myanmar, Bengal, Pauktaw, Rakhine State, Myanmar's, Yangon, Shan State, China, Southeast Asia, India

☆ US, Philippines sign landmark nuclear deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Barria Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 17 (Reuters) - The United States and the Philippines on Friday signed a landmark deal that would allow Washington to export nuclear technology and material to Manila, which is exploring the use of nuclear power to decarbonise and boost energy independence. "Nuclear energy is one area where we can show the Philippines-U.S. alliance and partnership truly works." U.S. Congress approval is needed for the deal, which will allow a peaceful transfer of nuclear material, equipment and information in adherence with non-proliferation requirements. The Philippines wants to tap nuclear power as a viable alternative baseload power source as it seeks to retire coal plants to help meet climate goals and boost energy security. Completed in 1984, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was mothballed two years later following the ouster of the older Marcos, the deadly Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and corruption allegations.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Carlos Barria, Antony Blinken, Marcos, Neil Jerome Morales, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, APEC, International Atomic Energy Agency, Bataan Nuclear, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, Rights MANILA, United States, Washington, Manila, San Francisco, Taiwan

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