Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Apr 5, 2023)

A fruit vendor on a sampan in a canal at a floating market in Damnoen Saduak, Thailand.The Thai govt is scheduled to release consumer price index (CPI) on April 5 (Tuesday). - Eduardo Leal/Bloomberg

Malaysia:

* Almost 13,000 contract doctors to be given permanent positions within three years, says PM

* Contract doctors' strike a success, declares organiser despite lack of disruption at hospitals

* Projects under MOUs signed in China will get going very soon, says Anwar

* Amazon, China investments have had snowball effect, says Anwar

* There is no need to continue depending on US$ in investments - PM

* More must be done to prepare Malaysia for foreign investors, says Anwar

* No easy solution for South China Sea claims but problem not insurmountable, says Anwar

* Half of tax collected from vape sales to be channeled to Health Ministry, says Anwar

* Two Sabah Christians fail to revive lawsuit against Hadi Awang

* UNHRC adopts Malaysia-sponsored resolution

* Malaysia needs clear laws on vaping before any taxation, says health coalition

* Over 43,000 secondary school students smoke cigarettes, says Health Ministry

Indonesian soccer fans hold candles during a rally expressing their disappointment at the removal of the country as the host of FIFA U-20 World Cup, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Indonesian soccer players and fans reacted with tears and outrage after the country was stripped of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup only eight weeks before the start of the tournament amid political turmoil over Israel's participation, leaving Indonesian soccer at risk of further sanctions. - AP

Singapore:

* Shocking attack on actor: No bail granted to Kamal Adli's attacker in Singapore

* Singapore man admits to trying to get free sexual services from social escort by flashing his police ID

* Singapore is top Asian city in Smart City Index, ranks seventh worldwide

* Singapore seen tightening monetary policy as inflation remains elevated

* China, Singapore embrace new era

* Asia stocks down on inflation, growth concerns; RBA hits pause

* Oil posts gains while attention shifts to demand side

Indonesia:

* As Japan ages, young Indonesians train to fill caregiver jobs

* Indonesia's Pertamina to spend nearly RM8.8bil to improve safety

* Indonesian cops arrest suspected serial killer 'Mbah Slamet'; learned to have killed at least 10 people

* Malaysian ringgit, Indonesian rupiah top gainers as Asian FX, stocks struggle for direction on inflation, economic fears

* Beware of potential aftershocks people told after 6.1-magnitude quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island

* A ‘hot ticket’ for young voters in Indonesia

* Powering Indonesia’s transition away from fossil fuels

A fisherman returns to shore during sunrise at Pekan Bada beach on the outskirts of Banda Aceh province on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. - AFP

Thailand:

* Thailand sees RM16.15bil spending during water festival with nation's top event to return with gusto

* Thai general election: 3,990 hopefuls register candidacy on first day

* Suspects in gruesome murder of student in Thailand nabbed in China

* Thai property tycoon quits CEO job amid premiership speculation

* Thais ‘need experienced leadership’, says Prayut Chan-O-Cha

* Skies light up with disquieting messages in Thailand

Philippines:

* Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes off coast of Viga, Philippines - EMSC

* US now has gained access to Philippine sites near Taiwan amid China row

* Philippines to post robust growth despite inflation pressures, says ADB

* China warns Philippine-US base deal 'endangering regional peace'

* Philippine finmin: Central bank has "probably done enough" to tackle inflation

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and his wife Phan Thi Thanh Tam taking a stroll during a meeting with Governor-General of Australia at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. - AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam and Laos work together in building startup and innovation ecosystem

* Financial experts say Vietnam's economic growth to reach 6.5 per cent in 2023

* Vietnam cuts key rate for second time in weeks to aid economy

* Workers hit hard by mass layoffs in Vietnam; weak demand also has fuelled unsold inventory

* Private sector remains the driving force of Vietnam

Myanmar:

* International tourists arrival to Myanmar surge in February

* 3.2 million stimulant tablets worth more than RM6.5mil seized in Myanmar's Yangon

* Myanmar economy to remain ‘severely diminished’ amid conflict, says World Bank

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is the candidate of the United Thai Nation Party to take the post again, arrives for official registration of party-list candidates in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Candidate registration began this week for those vying for the prime minister position in the upcoming Thai general election, scheduled for May 14. - AP

Cambodia:

* 'Only way forward' - Hun Sen says Cambodia is focused on attracting investment

* Cambodia needs US$138mil to achieve 2025 mine-free target: official

* Wind’s future is looking more turbulent than ever

Laos:

* Recovery in services, investments to drive Laos' economic growth, says top bank

* Mekong River Commission urges effective cooperation amid challenges

Brunei:

* Brunei in support of Asean’s resilience and have full confidence of its future successes

* Brunei customs officer denies misappropriating RM3.3 million of public funds

Rescue team members search for survivors after an avalanche in the northeastern state of Sikkim, India, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. - Indian Ministry of Defence via Reuters

AseanPlus:

* Malaysia joins SEA five-nation bid to get kebaya on Unesco list

* Malaysia, China to hold dialogue on use of blockchain tech to boost bilateral trade

* PETRONAS to go on with oil and gas exploration amid overlapping claims by China, says Anwar

* Leonardo DiCaprio says Jho Low planned to donate to Obama's 2012 campaign

* Fans all over the world rejoice as Warner Bros nears deal for new Harry Potter series in HBO

* Asian Development Bank forecasts China, India to power strong growth in 2023

* Japan to scrap virus tests on arrival from China

* Three Malaysians enter Harvard University

* Rents double in India’s Silicon Valley as engineers fight for flats

* Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern to take up anti-extremism role

* Cryptoverse: Bitcoin traders like their options

* Trump faces day in court in historic US first

* SK Hynix raises $1.7 billion convertible bond amid chip glut

* China's blockchain technology for PCO to better facilitate Malaysia's exports to China

* WHO says infertility affects 1 in 6 globally, calls for more consistent data

* Nasa announces first moon crew in 50 years, including first woman

* Pakistan top court rules provincial polls delay illegal, orders voting

* New Zealand releases framework to curb risks

* Tanker demand booming in Asia and Middle East

* Australia pauses rate hikes to assess tightening impact on inflation