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Thailand's cannabis policy faces scrutiny as lawmakers debate returning the drug to the narcotics list. Medical groups and anti-drug advocates support temporary controls while a dedicated law is drafted, but operators and farming groups warn it could damage legal businesses struggling against black market competition.
Vietnamese police have charged two businesswomen with smuggling over US$13 million worth of frozen chicken feet illegally into the domestic market. The scheme involved importing poultry from countries with active disease outbreaks.
Malaysia's Health Ministry is finalizing reforms to address bureaucratic delays in specialist training as the nation grapples with a shortage of approximately 11,000 medical specialists across public and private sectors.
Beneficiaries of Indonesia's flagship free nutritious meal programme are willing to abandon the assistance if quality standards are not met, signalling deep dissatisfaction with implementation despite the initiative's ambitious public health goals.
Pahang Health Department has launched an investigation into claims that multiple visitors became ill following exposure to water at a popular recreation area near Bentong in Janda Baik.
Pahang's health authorities are investigating reports of acute gastroenteritis among visitors to a recreation site near Bentong. Water sampling and risk assessments are underway to identify potential contamination sources.
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The Pahang State Health Department has initiated investigations into reports of diarrhoea and vomiting among visitors to Janda Baik river in Kuantan, intensifying health inspections at the popular recreational site.
Penang's health authorities have ordered 177 food premises to close temporarily following inspections that uncovered serious hygiene breaches. Pest control issues accounted for nearly 70 per cent of violations.