Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Feb 5, 2023)

The remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it. The downing of the suspected Chinese spy balloon by a missile from an F-22 fighter jet created a spectacle over one of the state’s tourism hubs and drew crowds reacting with a mixture of bewildered gazing, distress and cheering. - AP

Malaysia:

* Two Indian nationals implicated in affair murder remanded to Feb 11, say cops

* MCMC, police told to probe FB user for defaming Prime Minister

* MMEA arrests five Indonesian fishermen off Pulau Kendi

* Ismail Sabri yet to decide if he should defend Umno VP post

* Litterbugs in Johor to face RM500 fine, says MB

* Thaipusam excitement a reflection of Malaysia Madani, says Ahmad Zahid

* Malaysia confident of avoiding recession in 2023 despite global headwinds, says Tengku Zafrul

* Some Sulu claim individuals played role in Tanduo tragedy, says Sultanate heir

* Melaka’s St Paul’s Church in state of neglect

* No water-borne diseases reported on Pangkor Island, says Perak exco member

Singapore:

* Sensor to detect biological threats in air on trial at land checkpoint

* Boy who made weapon and threatened to carry out school stabbing pleads guilty

* Parents say they have little choice but to rely on school buses

* The critical role Asean and EU play in restoring biodiversity

* Thaipusam festivities return with foot procession and live music

Indonesia:

* Ministry aims for coastal reforestation in North Sumatra

Thailand:

* 'Political games' blocking people's right to clean air, say Democrats

* Thaksin’s daughter wallops rivals in poll of bellwether province

* Prayut will campaign on popular subsidy programmes, aide says

* Not many Thais keen on paying taxes due to financial, welfare uncertainties

* Chiang Mai struggles with dangerous PM2.5 readings for five days

Philippines:

* Salaries to rise 4%, says survey

* DOJ to deport four fugitives to Japan before Marcos trip

Vietnam:

* Official: Vietnam needs more undersea cable routes

* Ex-Vietnam president says he resigned for others’ violations

Myanmar:

* Myanmar starts pilot electric vehicle project with Chinese-made cars

Cambodia:

* Tourism ministry implementing gender policies

* Minister praises Swiss development contributions

* Interior ministry calls for expired ID cards to be updated ahead of election

Laos:

* Thai and Lao power agencies deepen telecom, energy cooperation

* Laos gears up to welcome Chinese holiday-makers

Brunei:

* Bringing kids up to speed in digital age

* Youth movement shapes young leaders

AseanPlus:

* China expresses 'strong dissatisfaction' over US shooting down balloon

* Nine missing after fishing boat capsizes in South Korea

* India's G-20 energy meet to balance renewables, fossil fuels

* Japan's Narita airport passengers up threefold last year

* Global companies tap into China's market, eye upcoming consumer expo

* Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf dies: army

* Hong Kong leader seeks to deepen Middle East relations

* Sankei: Washington weighing deploying medium-range missiles to US forces in Japan

* Sixteen killed in China highway pile-up

* Lantern Festival returns to Taipei after 23 years

* China's consumption recovery off to a strong start in 2023: Fitch

* China's mega project diverts 60 billion cubic meters of water to dry north

* China’s power in Asia diminished by Covid Zero, study shows

* India opposition attacks Modi on silence over Adani allegations