Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (April 3, 2023)

A view of the crowd as constituency candidates register for the upcoming election in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, April 3, 2023. - Reuters

Malaysia:

* Leading companies from China to make Malaysia their regional hub - PM

* Many still ask for commission when dealing with govt agencies, says PM

* Successful China trip is thanks to civil servants' hard work, says Anwar

* Najib to apply for royal pardon citing dissenting judgement

* CBT case involving Najib and Irwan Serigar postponed to May 29

* Black Monday: No strikes so far, says Malaysian Medical Association

* A not so 'Black Monday' in Klang Valley as docs' strike off to slow start

* AGC once again rejects letter of representation from Rewcastle-Brown over defamation charge

* Opposition MPs walk out after motion to debate EPF withdrawal rejected

* Kedah MB ordered to pay increased damages of RM120,000 to Mahfuz for defamation

* Bank Negara to assess impact of 100bps OPR increase before taking further action

* Dewan passes amendments to abolish mandatory death penalty

Rafael Alun Trisambodo, senior tax officer arrested by Indonesia's anti-graft agency on corruption charges in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, April 3, 2023, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. - via Reuters

Singapore:

* Man who left Singapore nine years ago charged for alleged involvement in fraudulent investment scheme

* Singapore govt seizes 85,000 e-vaporisers and components in largest haul to date

* Woman in S’pore tosses eggs at cafe employee for not serving them cracked open, goes viral online

* Mammoth meatball firm plans launch of cultivated quail meat in Singapore

* Jail for ex-executive of casino regulator in SG who took S$93,000 of printer cartridges from agency, sold them

* Oil prices soar as producers unveil shock output cut

* Easing the grieving process in Singapore

* Asian shares mixed as oil prices soar on producer output cuts

Indonesia:

* Indonesia graft agency arrests top tax official at centre of wealth scandal

* Sarawak ready for Pontianak-Kuching flights to resume, waiting for Indonesian govt’s decision

* Indonesia lowers VAT on electric vehicles to just 1% in big push for electric vehicles usage

* Indonesia's inflation slows more than expected in March

* 'Red letter days' - Not just a woman’s problem

* Giving agriculture a tech boost in Indonesia

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat takes a selfie with fellow party members as he waits in line for the first day of the constituencies candidates registration for the upcoming general election, in Bangkok on Monday, April 3, 2023. - AFP

Thailand:

* 'I'm still the best option' - Thai PM touts experience ahead of tough election

* Ghosts in their machines: Thai livestream spooks a new generation

* Emerging markets: Thai baht and South Korean won lead losses in Asian FX on higher crude prices

* Bangkok governor predicts high voter turnout in biggest election battleground

* Thailand’s Chiang Rai skies lit up with disquieting message: ‘We can’t breathe’

* Most Thais want to be self-employed, survey finds

Philippines:

* Philippine lawmaker accused of organising governor's murder

* Philippines announces four more military bases US troops can use

* Longest Philippine bridge now powered by P60-M hybrid solar farm

* Philippine President Marcos lauds move averting job losses for 50,000

A woman holding a cat during the WCF International Cat Show in Hanoi. - AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam faces twin challenge of maintaining growth, stability, say top officials

* Severe heatwave engulfs regions across Vietnam

* Workers hit hard by mass layoffs in Vietnam

* Mekong Delta to increase forest cover

Myanmar:

* No election in sight in Myanmar as junta continue to tighten its grip

* New railway-highway combined transport route opens via land-sea trade corridor

* Human Rights Watch warns against fresh push to repatriate Rohingya

* Man killed in fight, eight Myanmar national arrested

Cambodian photographers take photos as villagers race their ox-carts during a merit making ceremony at Kampong Speu provincial town, southwest of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The ceremony was held in advance of Cambodian New Year's celebration which lasts for three days, from April 14 through 16 this year. - AP

Cambodia:

* Cambodia makes SEA Games free for all attendees

* Cambodia's famous ox-cart race - a revival of centuries-old tradition in the country

* Cambodia arrests two foreigners for trafficking over 40kg of illicit drugs

Laos:

* Fourth Mekong River Commission Summit kicks off in Laos

* Laos government seeks solutions to forest fires, air pollution at top Cabinet meeting

* Chinese firm signs pact to promote agricultural tech cooperation with Laos

Brunei:

* Brunei school term ends on high note as students celebrate UN English Language Day

* Brunei's highly-youted MYCE event to return in June

Tourists from the RMS-Queen Mary 2 cruise liner watch Indian dancers welcoming them at the Port of Durban on Monday, April 3, 2023. 2000 guests disembarked the liner to visit various tourism attractions in the province of Kwazulu-Natal. - AFP

AseanPlus:

* Police probe video claim that foreigner was extorted by cop in KL

* Grammy nominee Gipsy King to perform at Sarawak's Rainforest World Music Festival in June

* Malaysia stands by its claim on oil and gas in its waters, but open to talks with China, says Anwar

* South Korea, US and Japan hold anti-North Korea submarine drill; boost coordination against increasing North Korean missile threats

* US, S. Korea start joint sea drills as N.Korea makes nuclear threat

* India's Gandhi to appeal against defamation conviction on "multiple grounds"

* China's March factory activity falters as post-Covid bounce fades

* Super Mario: Nintendo’s decades of star power

* Bear meat vending machine a hit among visitors of northern Japanese city

* MYAirline plans to go public by 2026 - CEO

* ‘A united Asean stands stronger’, says Singapore PM

* Dry spell leads to wildfires across South Korea

* Love is in the air - Nine colleges in China give students a week’s break for them to ‘fall in love’

* Code of conduct on the cards for South China Sea

* Scientists design battery to kill tumours in Shanghai

* Yunupingu: Indigenous Australian 'national treasure' dies aged 74

* From fast food to autos, India’s digitally connected users lure investors

* Australia PM Albanese boosted by historic by-election win

* China: Bank promises credit support for real economy

* Pakistan annual inflation rockets out of control

* Motor racing-Formula One under scrutiny over balance between safety and entertainment