Indonesia urges ASEAN to cooperate against fake news
Indonesia, as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2023, has called on regional countries to cooperate in combating fake news and misinformation related to government.
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia, as the chair of the Assoc🧸iation of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) for 2023, has called on regional countries to cooperate incombating fake news and misinformation related to government.
Speaking at the ASEAN Workshop on guidelines for informationmanagement, fighting fake news and misinformation on the mass media on March 2, Ichwan Nasution, an official from the Indonesia Ministry ofCommunications and Informatics (Kominfo), said this requires good management andgeneral guidelines. Along with the increase of Internet speed and the penetration ofinformation technology in many fields, fake news and misinformation have becomea big problem, not only in ASEAN countries but also all over the world, he said. According to the official, fakenews related to the government is the most serious problem, therefore, Indonesiatook the initiative to develop "Guidelines for government informationmanagement to combat fake news and misinformation in the media". The workshop is part of its effort to encourage knowledge andexperience sharing among all ASEAN member states. For hispart, Usman Kansong, Director General of Public Information and Communicationunder Kominfo, affirmed that the Indonesian government is particularlyconcerned about fake news and misinformation related to the government. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the governmenthad faced with countless fake news and misleading information such asvaccine issues, virus variants and religious matters, he went on. Usman said that Kominfo wants to share experiences withASEAN member countries on steps that can be taken to create effective responsesas well as how to detect fake news sites and identify misinformation./.
Facing the boom of fake news amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has worked with the Da LAB band to reintroduce “rap news”, a creative type of news bulletin, via the video clip “Khong Fake News” (No Fake News).
ASEAN needs to set up an anti-fake news task force, while developing a regional guideline and shared platform for prompt information sharing, proposed a Vietnamese official at a seminar held in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 20.
Indonesia announced chairmanship priorities of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) at the meeting of the Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) Retreat on February 28.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Illustrative image. (Photo:Edweek) 
