Indonesia has officially become the first export customer of South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, with a contract to acquire 16 units in the initial phase.
Author: Jonathan Kay
Correspondent
Vietnam to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Russia
Vietnamese Prime Minister (PM) Phạm Minh Chính embarked for Moscow for a four-day visit on March 22.
Southeast Asia races to cope with Middle Eastern fuel supply shock
Iran has retaliated against US-Israeli attacks by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important global node for oil and gas distribution. Southeast Asia, which relies on the Middle East for 60% of its oil imports, is hard hit.
Four Indonesian soldiers detained over acid attacks on activist
At least four Indonesian navy and air force personnel were detained by the military police following the acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus, from the CSO Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), on March 12. As a response, the Indonesian Armed Forces stated on March 18 that four suspects will be undergoing interrogation over their alleged involvement and would be held in the super-maximum security detention facility.
China and Vietnam hold ‘3+3’ strategic dialogue in Hanoi
China and Vietnam convened their ministerial-level ‘3+3’ strategic dialogue on foreign affairs, defence and public security in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on March 16. Both countries aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, as the meeting formed part of the 17th China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.
Myanmar junta parliament convened its first meeting amid alarming UN report
Myanmar convened its first post-coup parliament plenary session in the capital Naypyitaw on March 16. With the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) holding a majority in the parliament, the key agenda was the election of retired general Khin Yi as Speaker and Maung Maung Ohn as the Deputy Speaker of the Lower House (Pyithu Hluttaw).
Indonesia’s President Prabowo to regulate critics he accuses of undermining unity
During the Plenary Cabinet Session on March 13, President Prabowo Subianto slammed observers who “dislike seeing the government’s achievements” and expressed willingness to regulate their criticism.
Thailand’s parliament elects Sophon Saram as House Speaker
On March 15, Thailand’s House of Representatives formally elected its speaker. This parliamentary session was formally convened by the King Rama X on March 14, before MPs cast secret ballots on the following day. Among 497 MPs, 289 supported Sophon Saram, while 80 abstained and five ballots were invalid.
Thai cargo vessel struck in the Strait of Hormuz, three crew missing
A Thai-flagged cargo ship, Mayuree Naree, was hit by projectiles while transiting 11 nautical miles north of Oman on March 11, causing the vessel to catch fire.
Indonesia’s free nutritious meal programme challenged by civil society in court
A civil-led coalition to conduct a judicial review on the Indonesian State Budget Law, particularly concerning the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG).