Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Friday (Feb 17)

Naked fraternity members hold the annual Oblation Run as a crowd of students and members of the media watch, at the University of the Philippines, in Quezon City, Philippines, on Feb 17, 2023. - Reuters

Malaysia

* M'sia yet to get formal notice of purported attachment attempt in Luxembourg by so-called Sulu heirs

* Swiss students in Sandakan to witness ocean plastic first-hand

* German President Steinmeier meets PM Anwar in Putrajaya

* PETRONAS, Sabah Fisheries Dept start project to find new fishing grounds

* MACC quizzes Muhyiddin over contract to 'relative'

* PETRONAS to continue defending legal position from 'baseless' Sulu claims

* Appeal hearing for six convicted for DPP Kevin Morais' murder vacated

* MMEA nabs 18 Indonesians for attempting to sneak out of country

* Ex-soldier gets five years' jail, caning for sexually assaulting six-year-old son

* Zahid files for review of High Court's dismissal of application to release passport

* Govt’s firm decision on Lynas' licence a good move, says former minister

* Ex-Goldman banker Roger Ng argues 1MDB bribes only US$1bil, not US$2bil

* Posh proposal: Man proposes to girlfriend with black Porsche

Singapore

* Scoot reaches deal for Embraer E2 jets

* Woman who died in forest was posing for photos in front of concrete slab when it fell on her

* Man in SG who took upskirt videos appeals for fine, court says voyeurs will typically get jail

* More automated lanes for travellers to be rolled out at Singapore checkpoints

* Singapore's Jan non-oil domestic exports fall 25% y-o-y

* More travellers detected trying to use impersonated identities at Singapore borders in 2022: ICA

* More molestation cases in 2022, with 514% spike at Singapore nightspots

Thailand

* Funeral for Thai teen rescued from flooded cave held without his body

* Tourism revival boosts Thai economy but exports sluggish

* Thai PM to dissolve parliament before term ends next month

* Body of Turkiye earthquake victim arrives in Thailand with 36 evacuees

* New amendments make it easier to set up companies in Thailand

* Parents of Thai woman killed in Turkiye quake hope govt will pay to bring body home

* Thai Q4 GDP growth slows, 2023 outlook trimmed

* Thailand’s public health centres keeping a close watch on Ebola-like virus

Indonesia

* Jokowi's son Gibran mum on 'talking politics' with Prabowo's son Didit

* Magnitude 6.4 quake strikes off Indonesia's Tanimbar islands

* Indonesian labour unions, activists plan strikes, protests against job creation law

Philippines

* Philippines plans to bundle LRT-2, MRT-3 in one O&M contract

* Philippine Coast Guard beefs up forces in South China Sea to counter Chinese claims

* Philippines to China: Stop harassment in West Philippine Sea

Vietnam

* Germany officially recognises Vietnam's new passports and resumes Schengen visa issuance

* Vietnam police find 2,000 dead cats intended for traditional medicine

* Flower tour offers knowledge in an aromatic atmosphere

Cambodia

* Cambodian kick boxing sport Kun Khmer seeking Olympic recognition

* Visit of German president boosts trade with Cambodia

* Cambodia targets one million Chinese tourists in 2023

Laos

* Laos-Cambodia trade surges to US$210mil in 2022

* Wild elephant herd sighting in Xayaboury gives hope to conservationists

Myanmar

* Student killed, 10 others injured in mine blast in western Myanmar

* Myanmar is weighing Asean down

Brunei

* Brunei Sultan seeks truth amid alleged corruption, favouritism at telecoms, internet service provider

* Massive smuggling case goes to trial

Aseanplus

* Japan aborts launch of flagship H3 rocket moments before lift off

* Chinese tech billionaire goes missing: company

* China vows ‘limited’ use of sanctions list for foreign firms

* Biden says will contact Xi in wake of balloon shoot-down

* Japan weighs lifting age of consent for sex from 13 to 16

* Unidentified balloon prompts Chinese city to clear the skies

* North Korea threatens unprecedented action over allied military drills

* Chinese monks get electricity for the first time, thanks to solar

* China's top leaders hail 'miracle' of zero-Covid reversal

* Boy in S. Korea drowns during swimming class after life jacket gets stuck on ladder

* South Korean babysitter app seeks to ease guilt among mothers torn between child and career