Women carry offerings during the Hindu festival of Galungan, the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, at a temple in Bali, Indonesia on Jan. 4, 2023. - AP
Malaysia
* Safety during pandemic will take priority over tourism and economy, says Anwar
* Health DG: Dengue cases in 2022 rose by 150%, death toll up by 180% from 2021
* Couple detained over bomb that killed waiter
* PM: Sabah, Sarawak to decide on projects below RM50mil without Federal Govt approval
* Opposition MP urges PM to explain why his aide received top posts at two major corporations
* Penang drug ring busted with arrest of guard, couple
* Sabah's infrastructure woes to be remedied with more autonomy over projects, says Bung
* Covid-19: Test travelers from China before allowing entry to Malaysia, says MMA
* Fahmi: DNB’s 5G figures require verification by MCMC
Singapore
* Walk-in for Covid-19 jabs off to smooth start, with most waiting just 5-10 minutes
* Woman convicted of maid abuse after attempting to cover victim’s bruises with make-up
* Singapore-based crypto firm hit by Dec 26 hack, more than S$10 million lost
* Jail for woman in SG who took S$217,000 from employer and gave it to male online friend
* Phishing scams involving OCBC customers: SG teen reoffended while on probation
* Mother gets 14 months’ jail for stabbing teen daughter she felt was going out frequently
* Singapore-based crypto firm hit by Boxing Day hack, more than S$10mil lost
* Heavy downpour marks close of chapter for Jurong Bird Park
Thailand
* Pheu Thai party plans to ‘unmask’ Prayut, cleanse ‘contamination’ at debate
* Thailand, Cambodia moving towards oil and gas exploration in disputed waters
* Devotees climb into coffins for Thailand’s strangest New Year ceremony
* Five crew members of sunk Thai warship still missing
Indonesia
* Law minister wants quick digitisation of Indonesia's immigration services
* Higher forest fires risk as Indonesia heads to potentially dry 2023
Philippines
* Philippines' Marcos vows to 'strengthen' China ties on Beijing trip
* Marcos' China visit to help boost regional stability
* Philippines orders all top cops to resign, says alleged drug links ‘big problem’
* Airport fiasco unacceptable: Inquirer
* Philippines’ oldest bank hit with transaction errors; banking services go offline
Vietnam
* Vietnamese boy trapped in concrete pile pronounced dead
* Vietnam seafood exports hit record US$11bil in 2022, challenges ahead
* Hanoi aims to become science-technology hub of South-East Asia
* Vietnam sees strong growth of data centres
Cambodia
* Cambodia's coastal areas on bad weather alert from Jan 4
* International brand plans jewellery factory in Cambodia
* Cambodia's famed Angkor welcomed 287,454 international tourists last year
Laos
* Laos national assembly approves economic growth rate of 4.5 per cent for 2023
* CNN puts Laos among 23 best places to visit in 2023
Myanmar
* Myanmar military trumpets white elephant as sign of right to rule
* Firebrand monk feted by Myanmar junta chief
* Myanmar junta to free 7,000 prisoners to mark independence day
Brunei
* Brunei records daily average of 227 Covid-19 cases in past week
* Driver escapes car fire unscathed
Aseanplus
* S. Korea seeks Chinese national missing from Covid-19 quarantine
* White House says no cause for China retaliation over Covid curbs
* Hong Kong’s isolation estimated to cost economy US$27bil
* Biden to receive Japan's PM Kishida on Jan. 13: White House
* Taiwan shipping giant Evergreen gives up to 52 months’ pay as year-end bonuses
* China's outbound tourism gains momentum
* Japan to tighten Covid border controls for travellers from China
* South Korea's Yoon warns of ending military pact after North drone intrusion
* Asian markets rise again as traders consider China reopening
* S. Korea, Thailand launch mutual tourism campaign for 2023-20
