Asean News Headlines as at 9pm on Wednesday (June 15)

Indonesia President Joko Widodo (left) greeting newly-inaugurated Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on June 15, 2022. - Presidential Palace / AFP

Malaysia:

* Sibu to host Sarawak Day 2022

* MMEA seizes two fishing boats, detains nine foreign crew over illegal fishing

* Johor Opposition backs state govt review of weekend rest days

* KK to host three beauty pageants in August

* Applications for Digital Content Grant 2022 now open

* Govt stuck with US$3bil debt over 1MDB loan, court told

* GOF seizes 828kg frozen chicken worth over RM10,000

* Natural rubber production slips 20% in April

* Ringgit rebounds to close higher against US dollar

* Sabah eyeing medical tourism sector

Singapore:

* Singapore rebounds to third spot in global competitiveness ranking

* Balakrishnan visits India for special Asean-India Foreign Ministers' meeting

* Singapore-based crypto hedge fund's cryptic tweet fuels speculation over losses

* Genting Dream to sail again - with first internationally halal-certified kitchen

* Jail for former nurse in SG who planted camera in staff toilet to peep on colleague

Thailand:

* Foreigners arriving by air in Thailand no longer need to fill Tor Mor 6 form

* Thailand to spend 338mil baht on five Andaman coast tourism projects

* Order declaring cannabis smoke in Thailand a public nuisance takes effect

* Rumour of Walmart banning Thai coconut due to monkey labour not true: ministry

Indonesia:

* Jokowi consolidates power with Cabinet reshuffle

* Indonesia president reshuffles cabinet, names new trade minister

* Indonesian president sacks trade minister after palm oil export uproar

Philippines:

* Philippines’ call centres want tax perks while workers stay home

* Philippine ministry wants face mask rule extended until end of 2022

* Finnish envoy urges Marcos to uphold condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Vietnam:

* Vietnam Airlines proposes solutions for recovery

* Vietnam education service fees will not rise in next school year

* Reform needed to support Vietnam oil and gas industry: experts

Myanmar:

* Myanmar reports eight new Covid-19 cases

* Children killed, tortured in Myanmar junta's crackdown: UN expert

Cambodia:

* New strategy may lift Cambodia garment sector ‘to next level’

* Candlelight party’s No. 2 hit with CPP lawsuit over election claims

* Unicef in Cambodia launches new campaign to address mental health crisis

Laos:

* Laos, Thailand to step up partnership on border security

* Lao govt proposes to revise key economic targets amid rising inflation

Brunei:

* Brunei Sultan bids goodbye to 650 soldiers of Royal Gurkha Rifles

* Brunei man charged with profiting from exploitation of foreign workers

Aseanplus:

* China says it may have detected signals from alien civilisations

* Alibaba’s SCMP poaches ex-Expedia, AOL exec for new CEO

* China eases certain entry requirements for foreigners

* Australia FM heads to Solomon Islands amid concern over China security pact

* Japan toughens penalty for insult after suicide of reality TV star

* New trends drive some of China's retail areas amid Covid

* Asian air travel set for 'V-shaped' recovery: AirAsia

* China’s Internet watchdog tightens mobile app rules for national security, requires promotion of ‘core socialist values’

* Bitcoin tumbles to new 18-month low

* HK up two spots to 5th in global competitiveness ranking

* China's banks scramble to raise capital and answer calls to support economy

* AirAsia X launches three long-haul routes

* Shares of BTS label tumble 27% after band announces break

* Tourists to Japan must wear masks or risk being sent home

* New Zealand eyes maritime security pact with Solomon Islands

* China factory output, retail sales weak as Covid shadow persists

* Asian markets enjoy post-rout calm as traders await Fed hike

* S. Korea truckers return to work after strike ends; shares in firms rise