Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Dec 20, 2024)

Military cadets march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. - Photo: AFP

Malaysia

* Govt has not lost sight of reform agenda, says Anwar

* Anwar denies influencing court's decision to acquit Rosmah of money laundering charges

* Cabinet agrees in principle to resume MH370 search with Ocean Infinity

* Penang Maqis seizes 27 tonnes of frozen sausages with fake import documents

* LIAM, MTA, PIAM announce interim measures to cushion impact of recent premium repricing

* Malaysian great-grandma uses a 100YO pineapple tart recipe for Christmas

StarPicks

Astro empowers SME growth with RM3mil rewards campaign

* Eight claim trial to charges linked to 'Tuhan Harun' teachings

* No increase in electricity tariff for users in Peninsular Malaysia from Jan to June 2025

* Malaysia approves Data Sharing Bill 2024 for federal government agencies

* Preparations complete for National Service programme in January 2025

* Fight over currency exchange cheating leaves one seriously injured, six arrested

* MITRS online platform available from April 2025

* Woman nabbed for allegedly abusing 10-year-old nephew in Tawau

* Bank Negara introduces measures to ease rising insurance premiums for policyholders

* AG files appeal to challenge Rosmah's acquittal

* Senator urges TikTok ban for under 16 amid rising safety concerns

* Prosecution files appeal against Rosmah's acquittal

* UM student group urges action over sexual harassment claims against professor

* More flights from KL to Sabah, Sarawak this festive season

* Ferry, passenger boat, roro operators to get diesel subsidies starting Jan 1

* Ex-nurse claims trial to cheating woman of almost RM16,000 over adoption

* Kuantan retiree loses RM134,000 to investment scam

* Malaysian man investigated for leading Thai investment scam syndicate

* Borneo bull elephant found dead in Lahad Datu plantation

* Faster take-offs, landings in the works for KLIA, says CAAM

* Nilai mechanic loses more than RM920,000 to online investment scam

* Slain cats in UM believed to have been mauled by wild animals, say cops

* Septuagenarian loses over RM100,000 in bogus investment scam

* Seven plead not guilty to offering non-existent investment on Facebook, WhatsApp

* Seremban court allows govt's bid to strike out suit by man challenging Hindu father's Islamic burial

* Rubber tapper jailed 15 years for incest with underage daughter

* I was told to alter police statement, says wife of celeb in drug case

* Bodycams should be used in police lockups too, says Suaram

* Anglers stranded for over 30 hours after jet ski capsizes near Port Klang

* Divers, helicopters hunt for survivors of boat crash

Singapore

* Singapore calls for end to violence against Myanmar civilians, Suu Kyi’s immediate release

* SingapoLions ‘more hungry’ for a win against Malaysia in Asean Championship clashrean man jailed for attacking his father, and molesting woman, in separate incidents

* Naomi Neo, Jianhao Tan retain positions as Singapore’s top influencers in 2024

* Nabbed - 12 drivers offering illegal rides between Malaysia and Singapore at Changi Airport

* Two foreign men charged with housebreaking; one intends to plead guilty

* South-East Asia start-ups missing out on region’s AI-fuelled tech boom

* Singapore govt apologises for Acra lapse, will accelerate efforts to educate public on proper NRIC use

* Singapore banks, insurers to review use of NRIC numbers

Indonesia

* Police arrest three terrorist suspects in Central Sulawesi

* Prabowo’s plan to pardon ‘corrupters’ raises eyebrows

* Indonesia enhances maritime safety during holiday surge at Tanjung Perak port

* Indonesia accelerates exports of fresh durian to China

* Indonesia pledges to guard currency ‘boldly’ as rupiah weakens

Thailand

* Immigration police check Phuket airport’s readiness ahead of holidays

* Thai military probes alleged sexual abuse of 18 cadets at elite academy

* Bangkok is the most popular Christmas destination

* Pabuk storm heading to Thailand is fake news

Philippines

* Manny Pacquiao, 1-Pacman ‘ready to rumble’ in 2025 elections

* Seven-month-old baby among 180 deported to the Philippines

* Over 32,000 passengers seen at ports nationwide: Philippine Coast Guard

Vietnam

* Large-scale tourism industry development in Vangvieng targets visitors from across the region

* Unesco to study development risks to Vietnam's Ha Long Bay

* Thailand remains Vietnam’s biggest trading partner in Asean

Myanmar

* Asean will want inclusive Myanmar election in 2025, Thailand says

* Utah mum killed with three kids was a refugee who fled violence in Myanmar

Cambodia

* Cambodia to grant Japan visitation rights to China-linked naval base

* Clearing the past, building the future: US-Cambodia humanitarian collaboration

* Cambodia targets US$7.26bil in revenue for 2025 amid tax relief measures

* Cambodia's exports of garments, footwear, travel goods up 24.9% in 11 months

Laos

* China-invested photovoltaic project breaks ground in Laos

* Luang Prabang named as top place to visit in Asia in 2025

Brunei

* Brunei's Safety, Health and Environment National Authority emphasises workplace safety after fatal fall incidents

* Brunei calls on Asean to step up efforts to combat transboundary haze

Aseanplus

* MH370: Families holding on to hope with new search

* BWF ban Liew Daren and Jerry Gan for betting

* Malaysia extends visa exemption for Indian nationals until 2026

* India's rowdy parliament session ends in police probe

* Choong Hann announces Bin Shen, Jeremy and Wei Sheng in HK coaching team

* Fans of Chinese actor Dylan Wang put up 1,000-drone show for his 26th birthday

* Scandal-plagued actress Li Xiaolu gains comeback support amid calls for equal tolerance

* India court dismisses challenge to award of Mumbai slum revamp contract to Adani

* Bursa Malaysia records highest number of IPOs in 19 years with 55 listings in 2024

* Malaysia welcomes record-breaking one million Indian tourists, celebrates travel partners

* Heavy snow, cold wave expected this weekend in South Korea

* Stamping the memory to mark Macau's silver jubilee celebration

* After series adaptation, 'Light Shop' webtoon sees explosive popularity

* Starchild: Why Malaysian kids think Christmas is a season to be jolly

* Five dead as chemical-laden truck collides with vehicles in West India

* Disruptive 10-minute deliveries spread to India’s food business

* Bursa Malaysia slips deeper into the red, in line with regional downtrend

* 14 items under Christmas price control scheme from Dec 23

* Bin Shen leaves BAM as hunt for new doubles head coach begins

* Oil falls on demand growth concerns, robust dollar

* TikTok parent ByteDance intensifies China AI rivalry with 85% price cut for visual model

* Jail for blackmailers who extorted from late South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun

* North Korean hackers stole US$1.3bil in crypto in 2024

* Rescuers extend search for Vanuatu quake survivors

* Asian currencies, stocks subdued on Fed approach to easing

* China influencers banned for posing as wives of Dubai royalty to sell subpar household items

* Asean’s second Renaissance is now

* Asian shares hit three-month low ahead of US inflation data

* Taiwan lawmakers brawl over bills that would 'damage democracy'

* South Korea probe team issues Christmas Day summons for Yoon

* Bride, groom, spy: India’s high-tech wedding detectives

* Analysis-Fighters from Myanmar civil war aggravate bitter ethnic conflict in India

* S. Korean burger chain Lotteria caught in crossfire of martial law debacle

* Asian markets mixed as traders digest Fed's hawkish pivot

* China's Xi swears in new Macau leader Sam Hou-fai

* 'Running Man' returns to Malaysia after 7 years for fan event on Feb 15

* Japan's core inflation accelerates, keeps BOJ rate-hike chance alive

* China leaves benchmark lending rates unchanged in Dec

* China's Xi lauds Macau's 'healthy' gambling industry

* Kim Seri denies fleeing to Japan, says ready to cooperate with authorities

* Bursa Malaysia edges higher in early trading amid bargain hunting

* Lee Min-ho, Kong Hyo-jin star in new RM155mil sci-fi romance K-drama 'When The Stars Gossip'

* Ringgit nearly flat against US dollar, strengthens against basket of other currencies

* Three undergrads nabbed over alleged assault at Perak hostel

* Australia to boost police support to Solomon Islands