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Malaysian PM Calls for Sovereign Interdependence in Speech at Tianjin University

TIANJIN, Sept. 1, 2025 — In a speech at Tianjin University this morning, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the deep trust built between Malaysia and China over the past 50 years, while addressing global economic challenges and advocating for a new model of international relations he termed “sovereign interdependence.” Reflecting on Malaysia’s […]

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Police Deny Viral Claim of Arresting Chinese Woman in Perak National Day Stage Incident

IPOH, Malaysia, Sept 1 2025 – The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have refuted a viral Facebook post claiming the arrest of a Chinese woman following an incident where a woman climbed onto the main stage during Perak’s state-level National Day celebrations. In a media statement issued late on August 31, Perak Police Contingent confirmed that

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Trump Administration Touts Success of National Guard Surge in Curbing D.C. Crime Wave

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As carjackings in the nation’s capital reached a staggering record of 959 incidents in 2023, federal intervention under President Donald Trump has delivered swift results, with officials reporting an 87% plunge in such crimes just 20 days into a National Guard deployment. This milestone comes amid a broader 35% decline in overall

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Thousands March in Nationwide ‘March for Australia’ Protests Against Mass Immigration, Sparking Clashes and Condemnation

SYDNEY, Sun, 31 Aug 2025 – Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across major Australian cities today in coordinated “March for Australia” rallies opposing what organizers called “mass immigration,” leading to tense standoffs, arrests, and sharp rebukes from government officials amid a surge in far-right rhetoric. The protests, held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth,

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Indonesia Faces Escalating Protests Over Economic Grievances, President Cancels China Trip

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Widespread protests erupted across Indonesia on August 25, triggered by revelations that lawmakers receive monthly housing allowances of 50 million rupiah—nearly ten times the national minimum wage—amid rising economic frustrations. The demonstrations, which began in the capital Jakarta, quickly spread to other major cities including Surabaya, where angry mobs set vehicles ablaze

Indonesia Faces Escalating Protests Over Economic Grievances, President Cancels China Trip
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Deadly Protests Erupt Across Indonesia Amid Economic Turmoil and Calls for President’s Resignation

Source : Al-Jazeera Jakarta, Indonesia – August 30, 2025 – Violent protests have gripped Indonesia for nearly a week, sparked by public outrage over lawmakers’ high salaries and escalating into widespread unrest that has claimed lives and drawn comparisons to the country’s turbulent past. The demonstrations began on August 25 when police fatally shot a

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Malaysia Offers 50% Discount on Traffic Summonses in National Campaign for Independence Celebrations

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, Aug 30 – In conjunction with the 68th National Day and 62nd Malaysia Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has partnered with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and MyDigital ID to launch a nationwide summons discount campaign, offering a 50% reduction on PDRM traffic summonses. The initiative, aimed at providing direct benefits

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ASEAN’s first geriatric dentistry conference sets regional milestone in elderly oral health

Nearly 400 healthcare professionals whether from academia, government, clinical practice or non-governmental organisations, researchers, policymakers from across Southeast Asia and beyond gathered for the inaugural ASEAN Geriatric Dentistry Conference (AGDC 2025). Held from 14th –16th August 2025 at Balai Ungku Aziz, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, this landmark event marked a significant step forward in

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Anwar Urges Malaysians to Move Beyond Racial Prejudices in Urban Renewal Efforts**

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — As Malaysia marks over half a century of independence, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a progressive mindset that aligns with modern times, urging citizens to abandon excessive racial prejudices, particularly in urban housing redevelopment projects. He warned that such biases could erode the nation’s social fabric.

Anwar Urges Malaysians to Move Beyond Racial Prejudices in Urban Renewal Efforts**

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Monsoon Wind Power Project Achieves Commercial Operation, Delivering Clean Energy Across Borders

  • 600 MW, utility-scale, onshore wind farm – largest in Southeast Asia
  • First wind farm in Lao PDR and first cross-border renewable energy project in Asia
  • Supplying clean electricity from Lao PDR to Vietnam’s national grid
  • Equivalent to the electricity use of over one million households
  • Completed construction and full grid connection in just 27 months, achieving Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 22 August 2025 — 4 months ahead of schedule
  • Developed with zero resettlement and in line with international best-practice environmental and social safeguard standards
  • Investing US$1.1 million annually in community development, with early initiatives such as scholarships, mobile health checkups, and coffee livelihood programs
  • Triggering ASEAN grid aspirations and advancing regional energy connectivity

PLACEHOLDER

DAK CHEUNG, Laos, Aug. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — What began as a bold idea in 2011 is now a milestone in Asia’s clean energy journey. The 600 MW Monsoon Wind Power Project, originated and developed by IES, its lead developer and controlling shareholder, has officially reached Commercial Operation on 22 August 2025. As Asia’s first cross-border renewable energy project, it now delivers clean power from the mountains of southern Lao PDR into Vietnam, advancing regional energy security, economic growth, and ASEAN grid integration.

Stretching across the Dak Cheung District of Sekong Province and the Sanxay District of Attapeu Province, 133 wind turbines turn steadily in the region’s strong, reliable winds. This is the product of more than a decade of detailed wind studies. Their energy travels through four 115 kV substations, is stepped up to 500 kV at the project substation, and carried along a 27-kilometre high-voltage transmission line to the Lao–Vietnam border, where it connects to Vietnam’s 500 kV transmission system. From there, the transmission line continues another 44 kilometres to EVN’s Thanh My substation.

The project was initiated by Impact Electrons Siam (IES) and is developed and operated by Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited, a Lao-incorporated company. It is backed by an international consortium of shareholders: IES, the project’s originator, ACEN from the Philippines, BCPG and STP&I from Thailand, Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan and its wholly owned subsidiary, Diamond Generating Asia (DGA), and SMP Consultation from Lao PDR.

Financing has come from a group of leading regional and global lenders whose support reflects deep confidence in its technical, environmental, and economic merits. These include the Asian Development Bank (ADB, as lead arranger), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Export–Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Kasikornbank (KBANK), and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB). The construction was led by PowerChina, with wind turbines supplied by Envision Energy.

“This is a proud and historic moment for our company, our partners, and the region,” said Nat Hutanuwatr, Managing Director of the Monsoon Wind Power. “From the early days when many doubted the feasibility of a cross-border wind farm in this terrain, to overcoming technical, logistical, and financial challenges, this achievement stands as a testament to the determination, innovation, and collaboration of everyone involved, including our shareholders, lenders, advisors, contractors, technology providers, partners and the heroic Monsoon Wind team. The project not only delivers renewable energy at scale but also demonstrates how ASEAN countries can work together for a cleaner, more sustainable future. We are grateful for the trust and steady support of both the Lao and Vietnamese governments throughout this journey, and proud that the project also brings lasting benefits to local communities through our unique community development program, focusing on education, healthcare and wellbeing of the communities in which we operate.”

“Good things take time,” said Paradai Suebma, the Chairwoman of Monsoon Wind Power. “Monsoon Wind, 14 years in the making, is a tribute to vision, partnership and our commitment to sustainability. We recognize the foresight of IES, who originated this project, and extend our deepest appreciation to our management and team of the Monsoon Wind Power Project, whose unwavering dedication and perseverance turned vision into reality. We truly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to regional growth while shaping a model for clean energy connectivity. We also deeply value the collaboration of our partners, lenders, advisors, and contractors in making this milestone possible. And most importantly, the trust and uplifting quality of life of the communities we serve make our hearts grow and give this achievement its greater meaning.”

By diversifying Laos’ energy mix beyond hydropower and supplying Vietnam with clean electricity, Monsoon Wind directly supports the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and advances the region’s energy transition. The project is expected to offset approximately 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Resources: Photos

Media Contact:
Maychaya Thummanond
Email: may@impactelectrons.com
Tel: +66 89 169 9130
https://www.impactelectrons.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/de33effe-a633-4f65-9c18-5c41a8155ee2

A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at:
http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/2dc1c3f4-a5f0-4b46-8b88-4aceb9a3f6a1

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