Workers arrange ballot boxes prepared for the upcoming election at a warehouse in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The world's third-largest democracy is gearing up to hold its legislative and presidential elections on Feb. 14, 2024. - AP
Malaysia:
* Papagomo to be charged for alleged defamatory statement against government
* Monthly project progress reports now, says Anwar to top civil servants
* Anwar to ministries: 'Use bolder different approach to projects'
* No tolerance for corruption, even among parties that support me, says Anwar
* New 'Man On The Run' documentary contempt of court, High Court told
* Sulu case: Stampa sentenced to six months' jail by Spanish court, says Azalina
* Govt studying ways to widen scope of protection against child sexual exploitation
* Cops seize more than RM7mil worth of assets belonging to Sabah drug syndicate
* Boarding school bullying probe almost complete, says KL police chief
* Zayn Rayyan murder investigation ongoing, says Deputy IGP
* Political situation in Sabah is stable, says Ahmad Zahid
* Dismembered body not related to missing single mother, says Melaka top cop
Armed police officers stand guard as workers unload boxes of ballots prepared for the upcoming election from a truck at a warehouse in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The world's third-largest democracy is gearing up to hold its legislative and presidential elections on Feb. 14, 2024. - AP
Singapore:
* 180 victims lost RM9.087mil in December after falling for ruse involving social media job offers
* Singapore running coach Lexxus Tan investigated by police for alleged scams
* Singapore companies to invest S$5bil in India’s Tamil Nadu state
* Shell flags Q4 writedown of up to US$4.5bil, mainly on Singapore assets
* Study: AI expected to take over 30% of mundane marketing tasks by 2027
* Eyes can be windows to early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, Singapore researchers find
* How Singapore has developed a lush green cityscape
* Housing prices not expected to rise indefinitely as markets show signs of easing: Minister
* Oil down more than 1% as Saudi price cuts offset Mid-East worries
Indonesia:
* Indonesia temporarily grounds three Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, says transport ministry
* 5.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off western Indonesia
* Indonesia presidential frontrunner Prabowo under fire as rivals attack defence plans
* 53 inmates escape from Indonesia prison
* Two activists cleared of defaming Indonesian senior Cabinet minister Luhut Pandjaitan
* South China Sea, Asean among topics discussed at Indonesia’s third presidential debate
* Cops halt dogs bound for slaughter in Indonesia
* Asia shares ebb into the red as inflation, earnings loom large
A motorist (left) waits at a traffic-light in Bangkok on Monday, January 8, 2024. - AFP
Thailand:
* Thailand clears key hurdle for PM Srettha’s US$14bil digital cash handout plan
* Malaysian drug kingpin to face prosecution in Thailand, says Deputy IGP
* Con-artist suspect nabbed after seven years in hiding
* Air pollution exceeds health standard around Bangkok
* Traffic resumes on Ang Thong’s Asia Highway as officials remove collapsed bridge
* Thai PM says c.bank rate hikes no good for economy
* Emerging markets - Thai baht, stocks fall among mixed Asian assets; US inflation in focus
Philippines:
* Gruesome find as cops find seven bodies in shallow grave in southern Philippines
* Philippine President Marcos’ approval rating jumps by 3%, Sara Duterte gains 1%
* Philippines turns to hackers for help as US warns of China cyberthreat
* Marcos asks Duterte to talk amid cracks in Philippine alliance
* Philippines enacts new law to make paying of taxes easier
People clean the victims of airstrikes being shrouded in blankets at a building in Kanan village, Khampat town in Sagaing region. Airstrikes by Myanmar’s military on a village under the control of the pro-democracy resistance in the country’s northwest are reported to have killed at least 17 civilians, including nine children. - AP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam's rice export soars to record high in 2023
* Vietnam parliament to hold extraordinary meeting next week; govt aims to speed up economic reforms
* New transport infrastructure poised to drive Vietnam economic growth
* Textile exports in 2023 face most difficult year in three decades
* Ninh Thuan province identifies ways to spur growth momentum
Myanmar:
* Chinese official visits Myanmar to discuss Trade and phone scams issues
* At least 15 dead in Myanmar after junta airstrike on village
* Air strike on Myanmar village kills 15: Media
* Thousands of Rohingya homeless after Bangladesh fire
Dancers perform during a ceremony marking the 45th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in Phnom Penh. - AFP
Cambodia:
* Cambodia's per capita income tipped to pass RM9,300 in 2024
* Cambodia cuts jail terms for 245 prisoners on Victory Day
* Hun Sen: Remember the past, but look to the future
Laos:
* Laos to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of Lao People's Armed Forces
* Laos aims to transform economy to be more resilient
Brunei:
* Brunei students head to Singapore for forum featuring Nobel laureates
* No unauthorised aircraft, drones over Brunei-Muara District until Jan 16
South Korean marines patrol on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, on Monday, January 8, 2024. - Reuters
AseanPlus:
* Michelle Yeoh to be awarded 2024 Crystal Award at World Economic Forum meet
* Investigations into Aman Palestin ongoing, says MACC
* India's top court overrules early release of 11 in gang rape case
* Woman in 90s pulled out from rubble five days after Japan quake
* Chinese netizens go bananas over RM3,500 job to dress as Monkey King and be fed by tourists
* Japan quake survivors, without power or water, seek news on rebuild plans
* We love dogs here! Nine in 10 South Koreans say they won’t eat dog meat, says survey
* Samsung set for smallest profit drop in 6 quarters on chip rebound
* Govt sanctions five US defence firms over Taiwan arms sales
* Asian markets drop as US jobs deal fresh blow to early rate cut hopes
* iPhone sales in China to fall double digits, Jefferies says
* North Korea's Kim Jong Un turns 40. Maybe
* Bangladesh PM Hasina secures fourth straight term as expected
* AI, automotive tech to take centre stage at CES 2024, experts predict
* Apple’s reign as world’s top stock at risk from bumpy 2024 start
* Cricket-Rohit and Kohli back in India's T20 squad ahead of World Cup
* Five injured after crane collapses onto two vehicles at Hong Kong construction site
* Report: Podcasts gain popularity in China as one in five Internet users tuned in last year
* Google makes deal in multi-billion-dollar lawsuit over 'potentially embarrassing' Incognito mode data grabbing
* Blow for PM as lawmaker nabbed - Prosecutors make first arrest in biggest fundraising scandal to hit Kishida’s party
* Chinese scientists convert coal into protein to answer animal feed demand in major breakthrough
* Chinese officials named and shamed for ‘lying flat’ by local governments, sending shock waves through civil service
* Family first: China hero ‘Nanjing fat brother’ who was brutally stabbed trying to subdue man on violent rampage would ‘not do it again’, wins netizens’ sympathy
