Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (May 8, 2025)

Workers clean the reclining Buddha statue at the Maha Vihara Mojopahit temple in Mojokerto ahead of the Wesak festival on Monday (May 12) which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. -- Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP

Malaysia:

* Malaysia poised to lead global digital economy, says Anwar

* Malaysian military personnel training in India, Pakistan unaffected by conflict, says Mohamed Khaled

* PKR Federal Territories leaders support Nurul Izzah as deputy president, says Fahmi

* Nanta denies Pan Borneo Highway corruption claims

* MACC detains two Home Ministry officers in graft probe

* Johor cops arrest over 300 foreigners for various offences

* Lorry driver nabbed over six-vehicle pile-up on Guthrie Highway

* Investors await Bank Negara decision following Fed rate hold

* 30 to testify, including bankers, in Palestinian kidnapping case

* International smuggling syndicate dismantled in Limbang

* Bank Negara lowers SRR to 1%, boosting system liquidity

* PMO briefing: Malaysia to set up digital asset and AI advisory council

* MACC to probe 'Tan Sri' over alleged money laundering amounting to RM500mil

* Tourists visiting Malaysia can now sign up for TNG eWallet to make QR payments

* Proton to launch e.MAS 5 EV in Q4 2025 with five colour options

* BNM Governor: Economy continues to grow despite tariff uncertainties

* Pamela Ling disappearance: Cops may quiz children, says KL top cop / Pamela Ling's family questions police theory she staged her own abduction

* 'All set for the bulls-eye' Star darters from South-East Asia and region all set for intense battle at Selangor Darts Championships from Friday (May 9)

Workers loads marlins onto a rickshaw at a fishing port in Banda Aceh on Monday, May 8, 2025. -- Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP

Singapore:

* Private green investments in South-East Asia-6  jump 43% to US$8bil in 2024, led by Malaysia and Singapore

* Singapore to acquire two more invincible-class submarines

* Man at dinner with Fujian gang member Su Haijin wrongly identified as Wilmar chairman

* Two arrested after video of brutal assault in Singapore goes viral on Facebook; machetes, axe seized by police

* Singapore GE2025: In hot water over dinners

* ‘Reverse parenting’ allows parents to relax while children handle housework after school

* Shares firm on hopes for trade deals, dollar tries to hold post-Fed bounce

* Oil prices rise 1% on support from US-China trade hopes

Indonesia:

* Australian PM Albanese to visit Indonesia in first overseas trip since re-election

* Indonesia's Karimun terminal becomes key Russian oil hub, sources say

* Politics creep into Indonesia's military ranks

* Gates discusses health drives with Prabowo

* Indonesia’s rice reserves hit new record high in first 4 months

* Jakarta bids to convert more debt to the rupiah

* United States flags Asia-Pacific region as emerging hotspot for illegal immigration

People look at collectable designer art toy Labubu at a Pop Mart store in Siam Square in Bangkok on Monday, May 8, 2025. -- Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Thailand:

* Thailand suspends two doctors over ex-PM Thaksin hospital stay

* China agrees to have customs officials work 24 hours to facilitate Thai durian imports

* Thailand scouts for new Bank of Thailand Governor as tariff challenges loom

* Thailand: Scenic viewing spot closed down after Laos clashes

* Thailand turns to South Korea for major projects

Philippines:

* China opposes Philippines, US, Australia joint patrol in South China Sea

* Digital voting breeds distrust among overseas Filipino workers

* Health workers in Philippines demand higher pay, release of incentives

* The Philippines seeks to establish lower digital transaction fees

* Mid-term vote holds key to Philippines riding out tariff-linked risks

People hold a flag of the Philippines as they gather at St. Peter's square on the first day of the conclave to elect the new pope, at the Vatican. -- REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Vietnam:

* Vietnam Airlines adjusts Europe routes amid Pakistan airspace closure

* Perak cops nab four, including Vietnamese woman for drug trafficking

* Vietnam party chief To Lam orders free full-day schooling from next academic year

* Vietnam reaffirms 8 per cent growth target despite US tariff challenges

* More clarity needed to ease investment procedures in Vietnam

Myanmar:

* Six mild quakes recorded in Myanmar, northern Thailand

* Hundreds flee across Thai border after attack on Myanmar military

* Thai military closely monitoring clashes in Myanmar’s Dawei township

* Brake fire forces aborted takeoff of Myanmar National Airlines' Flight UB-812; all passengers safe

* Myanmar Militia group sanctioned by the US for ‘facilitating cyber scams’

Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen (right) and East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta inspect the guard of honour at the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor, on Monday, May 8, 2025. -- Photo by Valentino Dariell DE SOUSA / AFP

Cambodia:

* China and Cambodia to hold joint military exercise in mid-May

* Cambodia discovers, safely removes another war-left US aerial bomb MK-82: official

* Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen’s long-time support for Timor-Leste reflected in warm welcome

* South-East Asia’s climate-driven pest invasion threatens China’s food security, study finds

Laos:

* Laos focuses on skilled tour guides to drive tourism growth

* Remains of Vietnamese soldiers to be repatriated after disinterment in Laos

* Bill Gates says AI key for health, education innovation

Brunei:

*Sultan of Brunei keen to visit Malaysia for Asean summit

* Bruneian Minister in PM's Office discusses with Malaysian and Cambodian ministers, exploring areas in information, broadcasting

* Royal audience in Brunei for Malaysian Chief of Defence Force and spouse

A woman stands outside her house destroyed by Pakistani artillery shelling at the Salamabad village in Uri, about 110kms from Srinagar, on Monday, May 8, 2025. India's government said that Pakistan launched an overnight air attack using -- drones and missiles --, before New Delhi retaliated to destroy an air defence system in Lahore. -- Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets ... using drones and missiles, -- India's defence ministry said in a statement, adding that -- these were neutralised --by air defence systems. -- Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

AseanPlus:

* Ahmad Zahid proposes Asean franchise accelerator to boost franchise sector in Malaysia

* Chinese premier Li Qiang to visit Malaysia for key Asean-Gulf summit, say sources

* Anwar calls for stronger Asean research ties to reduce medical costs

* Five staff reported injured by intruders at Tokyo primary school

* Asia Market: Stocks rise further on growing trade deal hopes

* Tokyo subway knife attacker charged with attempted murder: police

* China urges restraint as India-Pakistan tensions escalate with military strikes

* Cardinals set for second day of conclave to elect a new pope

* China’s Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow hailing historic ties and true friendship

* Coroner’s inquest begins into 2012 Hong Kong Lamma ferry disaster

* South Korea's foreign reserves fall to five-year low in April: Bank of Korea

* Nepal health division urges action against hospitals charging patients for free services

* Hong Kong’s Ocean Empire congee chain shuts down all restaurants after 33 years

* Pakistan reopens airspace; India closes 21 airports / * India says troops exchanged overnight gunfire with Pakistan

* Pakistan signals potential retaliation for India air strikes

* PIndia says Pakistan launched air attacks using 'drones and missiles'; Pakistan military says shot down 25 Indian drones

* Pakistan claims Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets used against India’s air force

* Australian jury convicts two men for murder of Indigenous teen

* Blast heard in Pakistan's Lahore amid tensions with India, Reuters witness says

* President Xi: China, Russia find right path of state-to-state interactions

* South Korean presidential candidate accuses party of pushing him out

* Trump says news conference on Thursday about major trade deal

* Trump says US won’t lower tariffs on China imports to kick-start trade talks

* Reduced to rubble: India strikes alleged headquarters of militant groups in Pakistan's heartland

* China's Baidu looks to patent AI system to decipher animal sounds

* Accused mushroom murderer sent children to movies before deadly meal

* Trump’s tariff chaos: top Hong Kong bra maker presses on to beat 90-day pause

* Beijing pours tens of millions of dollars into fostering Nvidia-free AI ecosystem in China

* Ekin Cheng won’t reprise 'Young And Dangerous' role, not even for nearly RM4mil and a 1-day shoot

* Cardinals set for second day of conclave to elect a new pope / Black smoke signals no pope elected in morning conclave votes