Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (April 16, 2023)

Revelers participate in Khmer New Year Water Festival celebrations at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. - Reuters

Malaysia:

* Civil servant claims trial to six charges of abusing position

* Warisan to file private member’s Bill at next Sabah state assembly sitting, says Shafie

* Many people choosing to stay indoors just to be safe / Hot, dry and hazy weather ahead

* Ringgit to trade with upside bias vs the dollar from Monday (April 17) onwards; to trade between 4.3750 to 4.4000

* Bursa Malaysia likely to trend higher this week; expected to hit 1,445 level

* Wisma Putra: Unrest in Sudan being monitored, all Malaysians are safe

* Avoid panic buying, food supply sufficient for Raya, says Salahuddin

* Man charged with sending lewd pictures via WhatsApp

* Three Koreans hurt in workers’ protest at KK industrial park

* Haze: Ban open burning as soon as possible, urges Wan Junaidi

* Finance Ministry wants full report on Labuan's economic issues

* Malaysia condemns Armed Forces-RSF hostilities in Sudan, says Wisma Putra

People cycle along the Marina Bay East Park Connector in front of the skyline in Singapore. - AFP

Singapore:

* In India, fake Singapore profiles are a new front in alleged foreign influence campaigns

* Singapore police probed 96 cases of child sex abuse material offences since new laws in 2020

* Singapore public hospitals roll out EV charging; electric ambulances, solar roof panels in the pipeline

* Surge in Covid-19 cases unlikely to overwhelm Singapore hospitals, say experts

* Singapore-flagged ship boarded by pirates found; all 20 crew members reported safe

Indonesia:

* Indonesia prepares five airports to serve next month's Asean Summit

* Gunmen attack Indonesian troops deployed to rescue NZ pilot in Indonesia's Papua

* Rebels in Indonesia's Papua say they killed 9 army soldiers

* Indonesia’s quiet Asean leadership calls for optimism

* Travel safe as virus danger lurks, says Indonesia President

* Joko grants rare clemency to woman on death row

* Cementing legacies with unpopular Bills in Indonesia

* Finding peace through social media detoxing in Indonesia

Shoppers visit a clothing market in Surabaya on Sunday, April 16, 2023, ahead of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. - AFP

Thailand:

* Thailand capital Bangkok joins Chiang Mai on list of 10 cities with worst air

* Thailand tightens security after attacks in its southern region

* Phue Thai, the Thaksin-linked party maintains lead in poll ahead of the much anticipated Thai General Elections

* Australian Grace Kim wins LOTTE Championship in playoff; Thai rising star Natthakritta Vongtaveelap finish sixth

* Thai PM Prayut lags rivals in opinion polls ahead of May election

Philippines:

* Australia wants to promote relations with Vietnam and the Philippines

* Philippines: 49 cops face raps for drug raid cover-up

* World's largest trade deal nears full implementation after Philippines' move

* Week-long gun ban set for Panaad festivities in the Philippines

Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand hitting a shot during round three of the International Series Vietnam golf tournment in Cam Ranh. - AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam and US will continue develop dynamic and effective ties, says Blinken

* Vietnam garment sector must go green to ensure sustainable development, say business experts

* Labour shortages dampen hope for tourism recovery in Vietnam

* 22 new caves discovered in Quang Binh

Myanmar:

* Asean 'strongly condemns' deadly air strikes in Myanmar; over 100 reported dead

* Traditional Thingyan water festival a big hit in Myanmar

Revelers participate in Khmer New Year Water Festival celebrations at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. - Reuters

Cambodia:

* Cambodians flock to hometowns to celebrate traditional New Year holiday weekend

* Guinness World Record for largest Madison dance in Cambodia

Laos:

* Laos President wishes ‘a Happy Lao New Year’ to all and urges collective effort to overcome difficulties

* Laos: Historic cross-border passenger trains travel between Vientiane and Kunming

Brunei:

* Brunei and Saudi ties will continue to be strengthened, says Sultan Hassanal

* Brunei is feeling the heat, very hot and dry weather awaits people this week

A woman wearing a face mask takes a selfie of blossom flowers at a Longtan Park in Beijing, Sunday, April 16, 2023. - AP

AseanPlus:

* Former Indian lawmaker slain live on TV while in police custody, state restricts gatherings

* 'Era has passed' as Beijing subway drops mandatory Covid-19 mask rule

* Japan's Kishida vows safety of G7 meetings after 'smoke bomb' attack

* South Korea fires warning shots after North's boat crosses sea border

* Japan finds crashed military helicopter, recovers 5 bodies: Kyodo

* US defence contractors will visit Taiwan in May to bolster bilateral security cooperation

* US advisory panel signals support for screening investments in Chinese tech

* Hong Kong law school ‘may have breached anti-discrimination rules’ by telling transgender student to use toilets for the disabled

* Chinese President Xi Jinping rallies Guangdong to Greater Bay Area cause

* China’s military kicks off debate on use of ChatGPT with article in official PLA newspaper

* China’s no-sail zone near Taiwan confirms ‘rocket debris’ risks behind earlier flight ban

* Chinese are ‘lying flat’, Americans are on gap years as pessimistic youth take a hard look at traditional jobs

* Opponents of Michigan EV battery plant hone in on Chinese firm’s Communist Party cell

* Percentage of Americans with ‘very unfavourable’ view of China rises, Pew survey finds

* Two men held over disorderly conduct after allegedly soaking Hong Kong police officers with water gun at Songkran festival

* Hong Kong ice hockey body advises other sport associations on how to avoid anthem blunders ahead of handing in report

* Magic dance: Chinese teacher leads students in lively daily classroom routine to decompress and make learning fun, delighting social media

* Laser surgery offers hope for Hong Kong patients with hoarse voices, as specialist clinic urges those with symptoms to seek help

* Crackdown on fake info on internet in China / China: Move to regulate murder mystery games

* G7 ministers agree to speed up renewable energy development -communique

* South Korea’s creative content looks to international market from get go