These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
PM Lee, Trump renew key defence pact on US use of Singapore air, naval bases
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US President Donald Trump on Monday (Sept 23) renewed a key defence pact which allows American forces to use Singapore’s air and naval bases, extending it by another 15 years to 2035.
Both leaders lauded the close relationship between Singapore and the United States as they signed an amendment to the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore, a landmark agreement which underpinned America’s security presence in the region for almost 30 years.
Said PM Lee in brief remarks before the signing: “It reflects our very good cooperation in defence matters between the United States and Singapore, and also the broader cooperation we have in so many other fields — in security, in economics, in counter-terrorism, and in culture and education, as well.” – The Straits Times
Dr Mahathir to reiterate call for reforms at UN General Assembly
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who arrives in New York today (24 Sept) to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), is expected to use the platform to further Malaysia’s aspirations on the international stage.
Speaking to Malaysian media, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the main agenda of the visit will be Dr Mahathir’s speech at the 74th UNGA on Friday.
“I believe Dr Mahathir will repeat Malaysia’s call for urgent UN reforms, and stress that while these reforms are being done, it is important for member states to respect international institutions and rules,” he added.
Saifuddin said Malaysia supports multilateralism, where countries are allied in pursuing common goals, but the concept is increasingly coming under threat. – New Straits Times
'We refuse to return to New Order': Students protest against controversial bills
Thousands of students in at least nine cities across Indonesia took to the streets on Monday demanding an end to what they claimed were ongoing attempts to roll back two decades of political reform in the country.
In scenes reminiscent of the student movement that led to the downfall of the New Order Era in 1998, the university students amplified their demands for the government and the House of Representatives to hold off the passage of a number of controversial bills, including a revision to the Criminal Code (KUHP), arguing that the bills threatened democracy and civil liberties.
In the capital, thousands of activists and students from various universities thronged in front of the House’s compound in Central Jakarta, blocking road access to Slipi, West Jakarta. – The Jakarta Post
Local waste-to-power prepared
Thai energy policymakers expect local communities, state agencies and private investors to raise around 100-200 billion baht (US$3.28-US$6.56 billion) over the next few years to fund power plants that convert agricultural and solid waste into energy.
Relevant state agencies and state enterprise on energy are teaming up to study the project.
Energy Minister Sontirat Sintijirawong said the project is aimed at attracting local communities whose renewable energy (RE) resources are seen as waste and end up in landfills but could be used as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) or for waste-to-energy.
Waste from agricultural products comes from the byproducts of rice, corn, cassava, wood chips, coconut shells, palm oil fruit and sugar cane. – Bangkok Post
Deputy Vietnam PM pays official visit to Singapore
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh met with Singaporean leaders on Monday, highlighting the importance of the countries’ partnership to each side’s interests, as well as to the solidarity and development of the ASEAN Community.
The Deputy PM also paid a courtesy call to President Halimah Yacob, had talks with his counterpart Heng Swee Keat, and met with Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean as part of his official visit to Singapore from 22 to 24 September.
At the events, the Singaporean leaders highly valued Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and rising global stature. – Vietnam News
Rainsy accused of attempting to overthrow monarchy
A Justice Ministry spokesman has said that Sam Rainsy and his colleagues are attempting to overthrow the monarchy and the legitimate government.
The comments came after Mr Rainsy posted on his Facebook page on Saturday requesting King Norodom Sihamoni to abdicate the throne and stop endorsing documents from Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“If the current King (Norodom Sihamoni) cannot help alleviate the sufferings of the Cambodian people under the current dictatorship, he should abdicate the throne so as to stop endorsing the destructive Hun Sen regime,” Mr Rainsy wrote.
Kim Santepheap, a secretary of state and spokesman at the Justice Ministry, wrote on his Facebook page that Mr Rainsy and his colleagues are plotting to topple the monarchy and government. – Khmer Times