Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Feb 14, 2023)

Punlert Boonthongmak and Wacharinya Moolaeg receive their marriage license from an officer during a marriage licenses signing ceremony, on elephants, on Valentine's Day, at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi, Thailand, on Monday, February 14, 2023. - Reuters

Malaysia:

* Malaysia will not reintroduce goods and services tax - PM

* Fitch Solutions retains forecast of Malaysia's GDP growth at 4% in 2023

* Batang Kali heroes Denti, Frankie in action in Turkiye

* Anwar may fly to Turkiye in show of moral support for quake victims / Anwar to head to Turkiye on Feb 14 night

* Zaid takes aim at Nazri's 'no pay needed' remarks on envoy post

* PM will field three questions from MPs every Tuesday, says Speaker

* No abuse of Finance Minister post, PM assures Dewan

* MACC records statement from 84-year-old former minister over Pandora Papers claims

* Govt looking at enhancing protection for whistleblowers, PM tells Dewan Rakyat

* Covid-19: Admissions down by 6.5% from previous week, says Health DG

* Study needed on why more young men go bankrupt, says Azalina

* Uproar in Parliament over Hulu Langat MP’s civil attitude

Agnes Cheong adjusts the flower on her husband Chan Chuck Wai's shirt as they attend a ceremony to renew their marriage vows on Valentine's Day in Singapore on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. - Reuters

Singapore:

* Singapore sees another year of budget gap as inflation bites

* Budget 2023: Singaporeans to get more in GST voucher, cash payouts to cope with rising costs

* Singapore hikes property and car taxes in balanced budget

* Five main takeaways as Singapore announces 2023 budget proposals

* Ex-police national serviceman in SG convicted of trespassing into female toilet, insulting policewoman’s modesty

* League of superheroes - Rescue dogs including from Malaysia and Singapore helping to sniff out survivors and victims of Turkiye quake

* Singapore finance minister sees 2022 budget deficit of RM6.6bil

* High-sugar drinks sold in schools, workplaces must carry Nutri-Grade labels by end-2023

* ‘Like my second home’: Crane operator’s TikTok videos of how he eats and answers nature’s call go viral

* Man arrested over scuffle at Scarlett Supermarket in Chinatown

Indonesia:

* Indonesia promises move to clean energy, but challenges loom

* Valentine's Day shock - 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolts off central Indonesia, no damages reported yet

* 60 per cent of Japanese firms plan expansion in Vietnam, highest in South-East Asia

* Indonesia's Pertamina Geothermal raises US$597 million in IPO, say sources

* A trend setter as women now comprise half of Bank Indonesia rate-setting board

* Ferdy Sambo trial - a sentence, but few answers: Jakarta Post

* Ex-senior cop Ferdy Sambo gets death for murder of bodyguard in high-profile scandal

A woman offers prayers on Valentine’s Day at the Trimurti Shrine, which is believed to bring love, in Bangkok on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. - AFP

Thailand:

* Thai activists to sue government over Pegasus spyware use - exclusive report by Reuters

* Malaysia to participate in Cobra Gold military exercise this month

* Thailand to impose RM39 entry fee for foreign travellers from June as tourism booms

* Thai police probing general linked to online gambling: Prayut

* 110 immigration police officers suspected of helping Chinese gangsters

* Satellite spots heart-shaped forest in Thailand’s Chiang Rai for Valentine’s Day

* Criminals target those who will do ‘anything’ for love

Philippines:

* Philippines arrests German fugitive on the run for nearly 10 years; wanted for samurai sword killing

* Philippines condemns China's 'aggressive' laser use against ship

* Philippine mayor gives singles extra pay on Valentine's Day

* US criticises China's laser lights use against Philippines Coast Guard ship

* Pushing for Chinese language use in schools

* Activists unhappy over Marcos’ security plan

Newlyweds kiss listen during a mass wedding in San Juan city, Manila, Philippines to celebrate Valentines day Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. Aside from the cash gift and free wedding reception for their guests, the city mayor also promised the 63 couples free hospital services upon giving birth in San Juan. - AP

Vietnam:

* US ranks among Vietnam’s top trade partners and cooperation between to rise even higher, says Minister

* Eight killed in road accident in central Vietnam

* Vietnam exporters fret over potential trade fallout of US rules on Xinjiang

* Silicon Valley talent is helping grow Vietnam’s startup hub

* 60 per cent of Japanese firms plan expansion in Vietnam, highest in South-East Asia

* Eight killed in a traffic collision in Quang Nam province

* Vietnam industrial output falls in January

Myanmar:

* Landslide in Myanmar's Hpakant township kills two jade scavengers

* It's confirmed as Myanmar's military rulers allow 'loyal' citizens carry guns

* Three people killed, nine wounded in Myanmar bomb blast

* Filipinos rescued from Myanmar syndicate running scams

A vendor selling flowers and chocolates bouquets for the Valentine's Day waits for customers at her street stall in Hanoi on Tuesday (Feb 14). - AFP

Cambodia:

* Cambodia says shutdown of West-backed media outlet over slanderous broadcast does not affect press freedom

* Cambodia rejects 'biased' concerns over news outlet closure

* Poipet blaze destroys five electronics shops

* News outlet shut down in Cmbodia

Laos:

* Laos govt vows to discipline officials accepting bribes for issuing passports

* Lao, Cambodian PMs vow to cement ties during talks in Vientiane

Brunei:

* Brunei minister attributes Covid-19 success to whole-of-nation approach

* Three injured in weekend house collapse

A woman poses for pictures in front of giant rose installations on Valentine's Day in Beijing, China on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. - Reuters

AseanPlus:

* Japan police file new charges against ex-prime minister Abe’s murder suspect

* Malaysia appoints new reps to UN, Asean

* US recovers sensor parts from downed Chinese balloon: military

* Most Asian markets track Wall St rally ahead of US inflation data

* Taiwan to allow individual visitors from Hong Kong, Macau next week

* New wind and solar power capacity hits record in China

* 12 ex-girlfriends team up to crash wedding in Yunnan, China

* Japan nominates academic Kazuo Ueda as next central bank governor

* Air New Zealand to resume flights after cyclone Gabrielle impacts 592 flights

* Modi's party has 'nothing to hide' on India's Adani group - minister

* China’s wind and solar are now almost enough to power every home

* Oil edges higher as market weighs Russian supply cuts amid demand fears

* S. Korean activist calls out BTS label in K-pop saga

* Australia’s Star Entertainment warns of up to US$1bil earnings hit

* China’s banks extend record loans in January

* Comic book love: Marvel's screen couples and their comic book counterparts

* Consumption key to China’s sound growth this year

* Renault and Nissan pour in US$600mil for line-up expansion

* IMF chief says markets have good reasons to be more upbeat on economy

* Toshiba warns on profit after Q3 slump; COO resigns over expenses

* Wang Leehom’s estranged wife accuses him of ‘making use’ of their children in new song