New COVID-19 cases surge in Southeast Asian nations
Indonesia reported a new record of 38,391 coronavirus infections on July 8 while the figures in Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines also increased significantly.
A health worker gives a shot of COVID-19 vaccine to a person in South Tangerang, Indonesia, on June 14, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia reported a new record of 38,391 coronavirus infections on July 8 while the figures in Malaysia,Cambodia and the Philippines also increased significantly.
With the cases, Indonesia now ranks third in the world in the number of COVID-19 infections in a single day.
Also on July 8, thenation logged 852 fatalities, its second-highest daily death toll. To date,its national tally and death toll have hit over 2.4 million and 63,760, respectively.
On the same day, the Malaysian Health Ministry reported 8,868more COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of cases in the country to808,658.
It also confirmed 135 new deaths, the highestnumber of daily fatalities since the pandemic broke out.
Meanwhile, the number of new cases in Cambodia on July 8 was954, including 136 imported infections. The nation has so far posted 58,057COVID-19 case with 50,020 recoveries and 825 deaths.
On the day, the Philippines said 5,484 new cases and 91 deathshad brought its national count and death toll to 1,455,585 and 25,650, while arecord of 75 fatalities and 7,058 new infections were reported in Thailand.
Thailand's health ministry said on July 8 that it hadproposed new travel curbs and tighter restrictions in high-risk areas tocontain COVID-19 cases./.
The Health Ministry of Laos on July 6 announced that the country recorded 55 new COVID-19 cases, of them 54 were workers returning from Thailand who were immediately quarantined after arrival.
Singapore’s support package to help companies and workers affected by the period of heightened alert is expected to cost 1.2 billion SGD (900 million USD), with the amount covered through the reallocation of funds, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in the Parliament on July 5.
The Indonesian Government has asked for support from some countries, including Singapore and China, to cope with COVID-19 pandemic that is developing complicatedly in the country.
Indonesia on July 7 recorded 1,040 COVID-19-related deaths in the past 24 hours, double the number just two days ago, the country's latest data show. This is the largest number of fatalities recorded in a day since the pandemic hit the Southeast Asian nation in March 2020.
Another lockdown may be considered to slow the spread of COVID-19 if new cases continue to surge, Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Natthapol Nakpanich has said.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
A health worker gives a shot of COVID-19 vaccine to a person in South Tangerang, Indonesia, on June 14, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
