South East Asia

The pontiff met with a delegation from the community today at the Vatican, mentioning Francis’s 2024 visit, the Istiqlal “Message of Hope”, and 75 years of diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Leo expressed gratitude for the "strong ties" between “Christian and non-Christian neighbors alike,” noting that welcoming migrants is an example of a "culture of encounter”.

A large crowd took part in the ‘Trillion Peso March’, united by churches, civil organisations and students to denounce the scandal of flood control funds allegedly involving some 30 parliamentarians and officials. The Church Leaders Council for National Transformation presented five urgent demands, from the return of stolen money to the end of political dynasties.

The Live Arena in Moscow hosted the latest edition of “Intervidenie”, the singing competition that brought together the countries of the Eastern Bloc during the Soviet era. Revived after Russian singers were excluded from the Western event due to the invasion of Ukraine, it brought together artists from 22 ‘friendly’ nations, with Dyk Fuk, a rapper from Hanoi, ultimately winning.

The provision is contained in the new presidential regulation, with updates on government work for 2025. The development of the new capital, inaugurated last year but incomplete, enters its second phase (2025-2029). Cuts in public spending are a cause for concern, while the authorities deny any interruptions and are focusing on private funding.

In a clear change of direction, the East Timorese government has assured Myanmar's military regime that it will no longer allow opposition groups to engage in political activities or have an office on its territory. This move contradicts President José Ramos-Horta's previously announced positions and Timor-Leste's image as a country that defends human rights. It appears, however, to serve the strategic objective of full membership in the regional body, scheduled for October.

The Marian Centre in Tàpao (Vietnam) recently hosted a meeting of youth ministry leaders, promoted by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. Unemployment, identity crises, and cultural pressures are among the main challenges facing the continent's younger generations. The aim is to have a “close, compassionate, and patient” Church that stands by them.

The son of a Protestant pastor, the young man has been on death row for years following a drug trafficking conviction. A group of Malaysian MPs from the prime minister's party are calling for urgent intervention by their country’s Home Affairs minister. Singaporean courts have rejected the clemency request as well as the latest request for a stay of execution.

On Sunday, the 53rd anniversary of the imposition of martial law, thousands of Filipinos are expected to take to the streets in the capital for a peaceful rally against government corruption. Meanwhile, the speaker of the House of Representatives, cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has resigned. For his part, the president is not going to attend the UN General Assembly; meanwhile, anger and indignation on social media are growing.

Representatives from 16 countries met in Jakarta to take stock of the initiatives promoted by the network of religious women against this ‘crime against humanity’. Among the priorities are the growth of the Youth Ambassadors experience for the prevention of the phenomenon among the younger generations and interreligious collaboration in victim support networks.

The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) suspended the first parliamentary elections in the Muslim-majority region on 13 October 2025, after a court ruling temporarily restrained the election law over seat distribution. Now the election date is uncertain, but it is up to Congress to decide any further postponement.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced a moratorium on farmland conversion to tourist and commercial use. Every year, about 1,000 hectares of rice paddies and green spaces are lost, with extensive damages to the island’s traditional irrigation system. According to the Environment Ministry, only 3 per cent of the Ayung River Basin is still covered by forest, far from the minimum standard of 30 per cent.

Despite the 10 September agreement in Koh Kong to reduce tensions, the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border remains unsettled. Bangkok is considering applying economic pressure, while mutual accusations continue over online scam centres favoured by Cambodia, which seeks to minimise the consequences of the armed conflict that broke out on 24 July. A recent media investigation found that at least 50 Cambodian soldiers were killed in the fighting.