Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Mar 19, 2023)

Children with traditional dress walk during the Melasti, a purification ceremony at Kuta beach, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The ritual, which is performed ahead of the Balinese Hindu's Day of Silence, is held to purify the universe from bad influences, bad deeds and bad thoughts. - AP

Malaysia:

* Well come down hard on agitators who use race and religion, says KL police chief

* Claims of mass rally to topple govt untrue, say police

* MCMC: Do not upload, share content involving race, religion and royalty

* Child's acts of vandalism seen in viral video already resolved, say Johor cops

* Sabah primary school to represent Malaysia in Dance World Cup

* Bursa Malaysia's likely to see cautious trading next week, US interest rate in focus

* Ringgit to trade with upward bias versus US dollar ahead of Fed decision

* Umno polls: Wan Rosdy, Khaled and Johari all but confirmed as party veeps

* Help build Malaysia instead of trying to tear it apart, Loke tells Mahathir

* Domestic egg production expected to recover by year's end

* It’s fine to be an activist, but don’t turn into a lackey, says PM

* Zahid stronger than ever after Umno polls

Singapore:

* Singapore-registered luxury car crashes into sedan in Johor, four Malaysians injured

* Singapore: Last person linked to RM134mil ruse involving largest fraud of govt funds to date pleads guilty

* Singapore first country in Asia to get new pneumococcal vaccine

* South-East Asian special visas lure the good, bad and wealthy

* Harry Styles helps fan propose at concert

People carry models of gods during the Melasti, a purification ceremony at Kuta beach, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, March 19, 2023. - AP

Indonesia:

* Bad plan: Indonesian educators agree early high school hours do not work

* Yet another warning as Indonesia's Merapi volcano erupts, spews hot lava

* Indonesia: Kanjuruhan crush verdicts slammed

* Youth not ‘an election commodity’, say young Indonesian politicians

Thailand:

* Thai authorities urge caution to people after hailstorm in northern province; air force deployed to control weather

* Thaksin’s daughter widens lead in Thai Premiership race in new poll; Prayut is placed only third

* Thailand prepares for polls

Philippines:

* Philippines golfing star Miguel Tabuena keeps his nerve to wins stormy DGC Open golf in New Delhi

* ‘Independent’ panel can look into drug war, says Philippines' Solicitor General

* US and Philippines to hold military drills From April 11, according to reports

Balinese people walk during a Melasti ceremony prayer at Petitenget beach near Denpasar, on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on March 19, 2023. - AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam Premier Pham Minh Chinh urges banks to give cheaper green-power loans

* Bears rescued from Vietnam bile farm as operators continue to evade authorities

* Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan says he's worried his comeback is a 'one-time thing'

Myanmar:

* Vietnam pledges to closely cooperate with Asean and UN in supporting Myanmar

* UN says it helped Myanmar junta officials travel to Bangladesh for Rohingya return talks

* Is Indonesia’s best good enough to handle the Myanmar crisis?

Cambodia:

* The 32nd edition of the SEA Games: Host Cambodia announces 37 sports for competition

* 'Don't panic' - Cambodian banks are safe despite the SVB fallout and crash, says Hun Sen

* Girl from dump now a college grad in Australia

Laos:

* Time Magazine hails Laos' holiday haven Luang Prabang as one of world’s greatest places in 2023

* Traveling by Laos-China Railway becomes more convenient with new online ticketing App

Brunei:

* Brunei man gets 20 years’ jail and 12 whippings for raping niece

* Mental illness on the rise in Brunei, says health minister

People carry models of Gods during the Melasti, a purification ceremony at a sunset in Kuta beach, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, March 19, 2023. - AP

AseanPlus:

* North Korea launches missile into sea amid US-South Korea drills

* Asean and India promote partnership

* China's Xi plays peacemaker on Russia visit

* Zii Jia believes he can only get better after semi-final loss to China’s Yuqi

* 'No other option': Russia's unequal economic marriage with China

* Banking challenges grow for Hong Kong’s crypto firms after Silvergate, Signature closures, despite city’s push to become hub

* Top China and US envoys speak with Ukrainian foreign minister about war’s outlook

* British lawmakers call for stronger approach to ‘threat’ posed by Beijing’s rising influence

* HK talent scheme: City may expand policy to allow graduates from more top mainland Chinese universities to work locally

* China’s overseas coal exit fuelled by the bottom line, not green leadership, experts say

* Xi set for ‘trip for peace’/ Making waves with submarines

* First German minister to visit Taiwan in 26 years

* South Korea - Defying old labels

* Risks on the horizon in Asean

* Beijing greenlights operation of unmanned self-driving vehicles; Chinese tech giant Baidu to lead project

* 700-year-old Wanning Bridge restored to its full glory

* Zii Jia believes he can only get better after semi-final loss to China’s Yuqi

* Tennis-Coffee-powered Bopanna becomes oldest Masters champion at Indian Wells

* Australia's Victoria state premier condemns Nazi salute

* Chinese researchers develop biodegradable, recyclable glass to promote sustainable economy

* Cricket-Starc scythes down India as Australia win second ODI to level series