TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, THAILAND & VIETNAM: APRIL 16

INDONESIA

1.INDONESIA HOSTS 100 FOREIGN INVESTORS AMID RISING US-CHINA TRADE TENSIONS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Approximately 100 foreign investors attended the Indonesia Investment Summit on Tuesday, an event hailed as a timely opportunity amid the intensifying trade war between the United States and China. The summit, co-hosted by the Asian Trade, Tourism, and Economic Council (ATTEC), was held in the Pantai Indah Kapuk area of North Jakarta. Attendees included investors from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

2.RI DELEGATION JETS OFF TO DC FOR TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS -- THE JAKARTA POST

High-ranking Indonesian officials are heading to Washington for meetings with their United States counterparts from April 16 to 23 in a bid to commence negotiations over US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the outcome of which will determine the fate of the country’s economy.

SINGAPORE

1.PM WONG CALLS ELECTION AT TIME OF ‘PROFOUND CHANGES IN THE WORLD’ -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he has called a general election now as the world is undergoing profound changes, becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable, and Singaporeans have to decide on the team that should lead the nation.

2.GE2025: SINGAPORE HEADS TO THE POLLS ON MAY 3 FOR 14TH GENERAL ELECTION -- CNA

Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3 for the country’s 14th General Election, after President Tharman Shanmugaratnam dissolved parliament on Tuesday (Apr 15).

THAILAND

1.MAHA SONGKRAN WORLD WATER FESTIVAL 2025 DRAWS OVER 558,000 VISITORS IN FIRST 3 DAYS, GENERATES THB1.7BILLION -- The Nation

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the success of the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025,” held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok from April 11 to 15. Over the first three days of the event (April 11-13), more than 558,015 people attended, generating a total economic impact of 1.702 billion baht.

2.SAO VICTIM COMPENSATION PAYMENTS BEGIN -- Bangkok Post

The Interior Ministry will begin distributing compensation of 100,000 baht per victim to families affected by the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building. The first round of disbursements is on Friday.

VIETNAM

1.VIETNAM TO FAST-TRACT THREE RAILWAY LINES LINKING CHINA -- VIETNAM NEWS

The Ministry of Construction is working to accelerate three important railway projects that will connect Vietnam and China. The Ministry has urged Chinese authorities to promptly approve the feasibility study for the projects.

2.HO CHI MINH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SLOW GROWTH -- VIETNAMPLUS

Ho Chi Minh City’s residential property supply has remained limited this year. Only 350 condominium units and 58 ready-built townhouses and villas were launched. However, the residential segment is expected to become more vibrant in the coming quarters.

-- BERNAMA