Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Jan 18, 2025)

Malaysia’s Asean SOM Leader and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin (sixth from left) posing with the Asean Countries' representatives at the Asean Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) held in conjunction with the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM) 2025 in Langkawi. Malaysia officially assumed the Asean 2025 Chairmanship on January 1, with over 300 meetings and key programmes scheduled to take place nationwide throughout the year. - Photo: Bernama

Malaysia:

* Don't underestimate technological advancement, talent back home, says Anwar

* Malaysia confident of navigating possible challenges from Trump's presidency, says PM Anwar

* PM Anwar to undertake two-day working visit to Belgium

* Dr M doubtful Israel will respect Gaza ceasefire

* Ipoh Council mulls having more Muslim-majority areas to ban alcohol sale, says Mayor

* Cops recapture escaped detainee after three days on the run

* Four who died at Pinkfish concert had drugs in blood, say cops

* Ringgit likely to trade at around 4.50 against US dollar next week

* Worth the wait: Customers willing to wait a year for five siblings' kuih kapit available only during CNY

* Kindergarten teacher cheated of over RM30,000 in online job scam / Johor man, 84, loses RM500,000 in investment scam

* PM Anwar's UK visit attracts RM11bil in potential investments

* Umrah scam probe: Seven get remand extended by a day, one released on police bail

* Umrah scam: Motac to study need for operators to have RM250,000 bank guarantee

* Fish supply adequate ahead of CNY, says fisheries authority

Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan arrives at the Lang Merah Complex of the Langkawi International Airport (LTAT) on Saturday (Jan 18). The Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat, which begins on the island, officially marks the start of a series of Asean meetings under Malaysia's chairmanship. Over 300 key meetings and programmes are scheduled to take place across the country throughout the year. -- Photo: Bernama

Singapore:

* Three men arrested after brawl erupts outside Ang Mo Kio coffee shop

* Two people trapped after cars collide in Singapore's Jurong East

* China urges Asean states to fight cross-border crimes in show of new urgency

* More help on the way to address Singaporeans’ cost of living concerns: Senior Minister Lee

* Light To Night festival returns to Singapore from Jan 17 to Feb 6

* Oil posts 4th straight weekly gain on US sanctions

Indonesia:

* Asean senior officials align ahead of ministerial retreat in Langkawi

* Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat to discuss wide range of regional, international issues

* Indonesia may need US$6bil more to expand free-lunch programme

* Indonesia welcomes World Trade Organisation ruling against European Union discrimination

* Behave yourselves when in Japan, foreigners warned

Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa (left) interviewed by reporters after holding a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in conjunction with the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM) at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC). Photo: Bernama

Thailand:

* Thailand adjusts target for Asian visitors; Chinese visitors may decline after several high-profile scam issues

* GOF foils plant smuggling attempts worth RM935,300 from Thailand to Tanah Merah

* Bus lanes congested at Thai border with start of school holidays

* No plan to deport Uyghurs to China, Thai minister says amid pressure on government

* Bangkok offers convenient booking for marriage registration via BMAQ app

Philippines:

* Asean and China must start tackling thorny issues of South China Sea code, Philippines says

* Philippines partners with South Korea to advance digital transformation

* Filipino doctor assaulted in road altercation, suspect nabbed

* Controversial teen pregnancy bill in Philippines gets Marcos backing

The logo of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) displayed at a hotel where the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM) is taking place in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. - AP

Vietnam:

* Xi says China, Vietnam to build community with shared future of strategic significance

* Vietnamese scientists discover new snail species in world's largest cave

* Vietnam’s VinFast to roll out two electric SUV cars in 2025 in India debut

* Vietnam rising: bold new vision unveiled

Myanmar:

* Collaboration vital to address any regional issues, says Maris and Tok Mat

* Chinese model Yang Zheqi safely returns to China after vanishing in Myanmar

* Hong Kong raises travel alert for southeastern Myanmar to red

* Myanmar seizes over 62 tons of illegal timbers

Tourists take pictures with a landmark eagle statue in Langkawi Island, Malaysia, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. - AP

Cambodia:

* Cambodian villager killed by anti-tank mine

* K-Pop coming to Phnom Penh as Super Junior headline charity concert

* Phnom Penh moving forward: New flyover by night

* Woman dies after being attacked by swarm of bees in Northeast Cambodia

Laos:

* Laos continues to improve service quality in tourism sector

* Chinese envoy praises Laos-China Railway during visit ahead of New Year

* Lao tourism sector gets boost from tripartite cooperation agreement

Brunei:

* Adulterated cosmetic product made found in Brunei; night cream manufactured in Malaysia

* Sultan of Brunei calls for police to uphold integrity and professionalism

* Ambassador highlights Brunei-China cooperation

The logo of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) displayed at a hotel where the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM) is taking place in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. - AP

AseanPlus:

* Malaysian music trailblazer Ahmad Merican, who introduced our local tunes to the region and also the world, is now 100

* Asean to discuss Beijing’s offer to address online scams, illegal gambling on Jan 19, says Tok Mat

* Penang chosen to lead as Malaysia chairs Asean-BAC this year

* Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat to set the tone for Asean Chairmanship 2025

* Gaza reconstruction cost estimated at US$1 trillion, says PM Anwar

* Redefining travel experiences for Visit Malaysia 2026

* Sarawakian sape player reflects on motherhood and crafting memories

* Wildlife sanctuaries, conservation efforts must not be used for personal gain, urges NGO

* Johnathan rewrites national shooting record after 10 years in Taiwan

* US targets China-linked 'cyber actor' over Treasury hack

* Altimet's 'Jaguh' is now the official ring entrance anthem for Malaysian professional MuayThai female fighter Amisha

* First time for a Japanese foreign minister to attend a US presidential inauguration

* India uses AI to stop stampedes at world's biggest gathering

* Injured Indian film star Saif Ali Khan doing well after surgery

* Japan marks 30 years since Kobe quake that killed over 6,400

* China meets growth target in 2024, but uncertainties loom

* South Korea extends shutdown of Muan international airport to April 18

* India police volunteer convicted of rape, murder of junior doctor in Kolkata

* Weak yen to fuel more Hong Kong outbound travel to Japan: tourism sector

* Chinese study finds hotpot ingredient can boost battery performance in the cold

* ‘This is me’: China RedNote users share actor Eddie Peng photos to welcome TikTok refugees

* South Korea's President Yoon attends court hearing on extending detention / * South Korean first lady’s health declining: reports

* Nominee for US treasury secretary suggests possible restart of trade talks with China

* Court to decide on South Korean president Yoon's formal arrest as early as Saturday (Jan 18) night

* Thousands of Australians without power as heavy rain, damaging winds lash New South Wales

* Seven killed, over 400 injured during bullfighting sports events in India's Tamil Nadu

* US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban, leaving app's fate to Trump