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.
Malaysia to spend RM45b on development projects
Malaysia is expected to spend a total of RM45 billion (US$10.9 billion) on more than 4,000 development projects this year to ensure sustained economic growth. Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the expenditure would be spent following the resumption of several large-scale projects. - New Straits Times
930,000 HDB households to get up to $100 utilities rebate in July
About 930,000 Singaporean households living in Housing Board flats will receive a GST Voucher to offset part of their utility bills in July. These households will enjoy a Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebate of up to $100 (US$74), depending on the type of their HDB flat, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a statement on Monday (July 1). - The Straits Times
Thailand, Lao sign road and rail deal
Thailand and Lao have sealed an agreement to upgrade a road and build a rail extension worth over 3 billion baht (US$98.2 million) to boost cross-border economic cooperation. The agreement was signed over the weekend in Vientiane for two projects, one which involves work on improving the R11 road linking the Phudu border checkpoint in Uttaradit province with Vientiane. The other will see the train route from Nong Khai to Thanaleng in Lao extended to Vientiane. - Bangkok Post
Vietnam’s GDP climbs 6.76 percent in six months
Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.76 percent in the first half of this year, the second highest rate since 2011. The growth was fuelled by a stable macro-economy, impressive rice exports, declining unemployment rate, and robust economic production, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said at a press conference on Friday. The processing and manufacturing sector remained the pillar of GDP growth, posting a growth of 11.18 per cent. - Vietnam News
Indonesia seeks vocational education cooperation with Australia
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called for greater cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in vocational education. Jokowi said such a collaboration would be in line with Indonesia's plan to focus on human resource development in the next five years. - The Jakarta Post
Pagasa sees 2 to 3 cyclones this July
Two to three tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this month, the state weather bureau said Monday. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said these tropical cyclones may likely hit Southern Luzon and Northern Luzon or veer to the east. An average of 20 tropical cyclones hits the Philippines each year. - The Philippine Daily Inquirer