Regional Haze & Health: Malaysia declared an emergency in Sarawak’s Serian district as transboundary smoke from Indonesia’s wildfires pushed air pollution to critical levels, with residents reporting breathing trouble and schools disrupted. Indonesia Disruption: Indonesia extended Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport closure after Anak Krakatau ash, affecting hundreds of flights and hundreds of thousands of passengers. Disaster Preparedness: President Prabowo ordered a comprehensive disaster mitigation masterplan, citing earthquake recovery, volcanic activity, and ongoing forest fires, with resources to be prepositioned ahead of incidents. Brunei Tourism: Brunei’s tourism department invited stakeholders to submit proposals for Visit Brunei Year 2027, aiming to showcase culture, nature, and local products. Digital Growth in Brunei: Vobile signed agreements with UNN to build AI-ready infrastructure and expand digital capabilities in Brunei. Business Leadership: Mastercard appointed Beena Pothen as division president for West Southeast Asia, covering Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar. Education Watch: The 2025 PISA study reported a sharp global drop in reading and math performance.