Vietnamese Prime Minister (PM) Phạm Minh Chính embarked for Moscow for a four-day visit on March 22.
Category: Politics
Indonesia explores energy-saving measures amid oil supply disruption
On March 19, Indonesian President President Prabowo Subianto has instructed key ministries to coordinate policies that ensure energy security while minimising any negative impact on economic activity.
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.
Vietnam urges stronger education ties with US
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 17 welcomed a delegation from Eisenhower Fellowships in Hanoi, calling for closer and more effective cooperation between Vietnam and the US in education and training.
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.
Pressure mounts for justice after acid attack on Indonesian rights activist
Indonesian human rights activist has been seriously injured after two men on a motorbike allegedly threw acid at him in an attack that has sparked renewed concern over the safety of activists and the state of democracy in the country.
South Korea in quest to diversify economic, strategic ties through latest Southeast Asian visits
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s early March diplomatic tour to Southeast Asia included visits to Singapore and the Philippines, signaling South Korea’s strategic push to deepen engagement with countries in the region.