Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Dec 26, 2022)

Christian devotees gather at a Bethany church for the Christmas mass in Surabaya on Sunday. - AFP

Malaysia:

* Give Anwar space, chance to lead country, says Adly

* CNN Travel revelation gives Ipoh a boost

* More people seek shelter as king tides batter Sabah coastal villages

* Fatal elephant attack an unfortunate incident, says Sabah tourism minister

* Covid-19: Cases dropped by 18.7% from Dec 18-24

* Batang Kali landslide: Site not listed as critical slope, says Minerals and Geoscience Dept

* Avoid high-risk areas as more rainfall is expected in Selangor, public told

* MetMalaysia issues strong winds, rough seas warning until Dec 29

* Odour pollution: Water supply restored by 95% as of 6pm Dec 26

* Overseas travel costs for civil servants cannot be paid by private companies, says Treasury

* Ahmad Maslan: Special Umno general assembly next month to amend party constitution

* Health Ministry drawing up plans to tackle Emergency Dept overcrowding

Singapore:

* After two years of Covid-19, first flight from Singapore to Beijing on Dec 30 and more such flights on SIA in coming months

* Singaporean linked to Newcastle United takeover bid arrested for forgery after two years on the run

* CNY activities return in full physical form to welcome Year of Rabbit

* Bangkok, Tokyo and Bali are top year-end destinations among Singapore travellers

Indonesia:

* Indonesia gears up to become electric vehicle powerhouse with more raw material export bans expected

* 'Like before the pandemic’: Families welcome return of Christmas festivities

* Doubts linger over Indonesia’s healthcare system transformation

A diver wearing a Santa Claus costume poses with a boy to welcome the upcoming Christmas at the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World aquarium in Bangkok, Thailand. - Reuters

Thailand:

* Thailand tops list of South-East Asian travel destinations

* Daughter of ex Thai PM Thaksin extends pre-election poll lead

* Eradicate chance of dying from Covid by getting fourth shot: Thai virologist

Philippines:

* Philippines budget deficit at US$2.25 billion in November

* Six dead and 19 missing in Philippine floods

* Philippines floods force tens of thousands to flee homes

* Philippines logs 666 new Covid-19 cases, 21 deaths

Vietnam:

* Vietnam and South Korea agree to boost trade and energy cooperation

* Is Vietnam's beauty pageant business out of control?

* Vietnam's labour-intensive industries act to retain employees

* 'Serpent' serial killer Charles Sobhraj says 'innocent' after release

People spend time at a park during Christmas eve, in Manila. - Reuters

Myanmar:

* Suu Kyi's lawyers set to make final arguments in junta trial

* Insein court sentences actress Thinzar Wint Kyaw to five-year prison term

* Deadliest year for Rohingya at sea in years as another 180 presumed drowned

Cambodia:

* Calls for calm as verdict in Sokha’s treason trial nears

* QuickCheck: Is there a 'lost city' in Kedah larger than Angkor Wat?

Laos:

* Laos scraps Covid-19 vaccination proof and test to enter the country

* Laos, S. Korea partner for employment of Lao nationals in seasonal jobs

Brunei:

* Weather havoc continues in Brunei

* Non-halal products found in several supermarkets

People look at Christmas decorations during a Christmas lighting ceremony at a shopping mall in Hong Kong, China. - Reuters

AseanPlus:

* Twists and turns of Asia's 'Serpent' serial killer

* Record year for auction house rivals Christie's and Sotheby's

* Beijing, Shanghai residents back to work as China eases into living with Covid

* Ex-Tokyo Olympics official Takahashi granted bail in bribery case -NHK

* South Korea scrambles jets, fires warning shots as N.Korean drones intrude - Yonhap

* Cricket-Babar ton lifts Pakistan after New Zealand strike early

* S.Korean president's approval rating rises to 41.2%: poll

* China's economy has survived worst moment: official

* Actress Son Ye-jin shares first photo of newborn son

* China deployed 71 warplanes in weekend war drills: Taiwan defence ministry

* Samsung Elec to expand chip production at largest plant next year - media

* Japan minister signs clean energy cooperation document during Saudi visit

* EU strongly condemns Taliban ban on female staff at NGOs

* Save the Children, others suspend Afghanistan efforts after Taliban bar on female staff

* Nepal's ex-guerrilla chief set to become new prime minister