A health worker takes sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –ꦡ Indonesia andthe Philippines each logged more than 3,000 COVID-19 infections on September 28.
Accordingly, additional 3,509 cases wereconfirmed in Indonesia on the day, lifting the national tally to 278,722. With a death toll of 10,473, the country records the highest number of fatalities across theregion. Meanwhile, the Philippinesreported 3,073 new cases and 37 deaths on September 28, raising the figures to307,288 and 5,381, respectively. There were a total 252,665 recoveries. The same day, Thailand’s Centrefor COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) proposed the sixth extension ofthe Emergency Decree implementation for another month until October 31, in aneffort to deter COVID-19. According to the CCSA, Thailand reported 22new imported cases on September 28, adding up to the national total of 3,545,with 59 deaths./.
Two of Sarawak state’s economic sectors heavily dependent on foreign labourers, oil palm plantations and construction, are reeling from the Government’s ban imposed on nationals from 23 countries from September 7.
Motorcycle manufacturers in Indonesia have started to adjust sales target this year due to impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI).
The COVID-19 pandemic showed little sign of abating in some Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia which confirmed a record daily number of infections on September 24.
The Philippines logged 2,747 new COVID-19 cases on September 26, bringing the national count to 301,256, according to the country’s Department of Health.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
A health worker takes sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
