Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (Dec 24, 2025)


People hold electric candles as they sing during a Christmas Eve service at Indonesia Arena stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025. -- AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Malaysia

* Malaysia's non-citizen population estimated at 3.38 million in 2025, says Statistics Department

* PM Anwar extends Christmas greetings, reaffirms commitment to unity, mutual respect

* Long-standing harmony unites Sarawakians this Christmas, says Premier

* Embrace diversity this Christmas, says Fadillah

* Five strategic clusters drive Madani health reform, says Dzulkefly

* Ringgit continues to soar against greenback as US consumer confidence remains weak

* Malaysia to continue Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine

* King returns to Malaysia after special visit to UAE

* Shah Alam records highest cost of living in 2024, govt report shows

* FAM lodges police report over alleged forgery in heritage player issue

* Over 70 Kedah civil servants, cops nabbed for drug abuse

* MACC opens new investigation involving former minister

* MACC seizes over RM6bil in funds through anti-graft efforts in 2025

* Homeownership rate, access to basic amenities show improvement, says DOSM

* Albert Tei wants police to release CCTV footage of MACC raid

* Foreign worker quota under Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry almost filled

* Fare bidding issue in e-hailing sector among urgent matters to be discussed by proposed gig consultative council

People walk under a Christmas light display in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. -- AP Photo/Dita Alangkara
People walk under a Christmas light display in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. -- AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Singapore

* More than seven months’ jail for man who hurled glass bottle at bus window, injuring passenger in Singapore

* Trio charged over molestation that allegedly occurred at Singapore's Home Team facility

* Singapore to terminate EZ-Link app on Jan 8, integrated into SimplyGo app

* Singaporean artist, family of three charged over Johor mall brawl

* Former Singapore lawyer M. Ravi found dead; police investigating unnatural death

* The Toy Box: Last minute Christmas gift ideas for the whole family

* Dollar set for worst year since 2003 as rate outlooks diverge

* Singaporean artist, family of three charged over Johor mall brawl

Indonesia

* Indonesia meets its goal to seize four million hectares of illegal land, used for mining, palm oil and forestry activities

* Indonesia can draw lessons from China's disaster management experience, says expert

* Police step up security ahead of Christmas, New Year in Indonesia

* Why 2026 is poised to be another rocky year for global trade

* AI resurrections of dead celebrities amuse and rankle

* Oil rises for sixth session on US data, geopolitical tension

* China drafts Antarctica activities and environment law to protect national interests

Catholic faithful attend a Christmas Eve mass in front of the Manila Cathedral in Manila on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. -- Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP
Catholic faithful attend a Christmas Eve mass in front of the Manila Cathedral in Manila on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. -- Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP

Thailand

* Thai army rejects Cambodia’s ‘false rhetoric’, denies war or environmental crimes

* Thai and Cambodia militaries hold talks on resuming ceasefire

* Thailand's Anutin picked as PM candidate in 'consequential' February polls

* Cool spell holds in upper Thailand; monsoon to strengthen over south

* Thai army rejects Cambodia’s ‘false rhetoric’, denies war or environmental crimes

Philippines

* Trump removes nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial positions; the Philippines and Vietnam among affected

* Pope Leo XIV calls for a worldwide ceasefire at Christmas

* Philippines' annual Giant Lantern Festival fill the air with light and cheer

* Railway operators keen on taking up north-south rail project: Philippine transport dept

* Philippine armed forces warns against fake YouTube channel under its chief Brawner’s name

A seller arranges Christmas decorations at her shop in Hanoi on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP
A seller arranges Christmas decorations at her shop in Hanoi on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP

Vietnam

* Vietnam’s Communist Party is said to be backing Mr Reform To Lam to remain chief of the country

* Vietnam's stock market rises on signs of smooth power transition

* Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports set new record in 2025 with an income of over US$8.5bil

* Vietnam’s population to peak around 2059 as ageing accelerates

* Vietnam Health Ministry to complete legal framework for free regular health check-ups

Myanmar

* Myanmar's decade of turmoil: elections, coup and conflict

* Order before aid: Why South-East Asia's climate survival depends on saying 'not yet'

* UN says Myanmar junta using 'brutal violence' to force people to vote

* Thousands flock to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda for Kayin New Year and weekend celebration 

A tour guide, Bun Ratana (2nd R), walking with tourists in front of the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province. Travel cancellations due to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict have left the centuries-old stone structures -- Cambodia's top tourist attraction -- unusually quiet and businesses desperate. -- Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
A tour guide, Bun Ratana (2nd R), walking with tourists in front of the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province. Travel cancellations due to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict have left the centuries-old stone structures -- Cambodia's top tourist attraction -- unusually quiet and businesses desperate. -- Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

Cambodia

* As peace talk continues; Cambodia says Thailand drops cluster bombs, Thailand claims only targets military objectives

* Cambodia slams demolition of Hindu statue by Thai army

* Thailand sets demands ahead of four days of Cambodia peace talks

* Thai border clashes hit tourism at Cambodia's Angkor temples

Laos

* Laos commits to strengthening disaster response and improve socio-economic development projects

* Vientiane's Bus Rapid Transit trial suspended as govt orders design revamp

* Lao govt offers amnesty to over 1,000 prisoners on 50th National Day

Brunei

* Brunei honours duo for contributions to cybersecurity sector

* Stocks up as markets wind down to bumper year; gold and silver smash records

* Gold climbs above US$4,500 in historic rally for precious metals

Children wearing traditional clothes and carrying Ukrainian traditional 'Didukh' Christmas decorations take part in a Christmas Eve procession in Lviv on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Didukh is a decoration made of bunches of wheat, symbolising sacrifice and literally meaning the 'spirit of grandfather'. -- Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN / AFP
Children wearing traditional clothes and carrying Ukrainian traditional 'Didukh' Christmas decorations take part in a Christmas Eve procession in Lviv on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Didukh is a decoration made of bunches of wheat, symbolising sacrifice and literally meaning the 'spirit of grandfather'. -- Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN / AFP

Aseanplus

* MARC Ratings affirms Malaysia’s sovereign rating at AAA

* Morning fire destroys eight houses in Labu

* ‘Missing’ 6-year-old Yuanxin and father reunited, then deported together to China

* From predator to plate: Japan bear crisis sparks culinary craze

* Cheap childcare? South Korea’s Filipina caregiver programme found it wasn’t

* Local music legends Exist celebrate fans with their 'Premium Live Concert' at PJ's Jio Space

* HK actor Oscar Leung interviews locals in KL, surprised many don't recognise him

* Blackpink for Ayumi? Why China may reward South Korea’s soft stance amid Japan tensions

* HK actress Cecilia Cheung says she has already prepared her will, memorial photo and burial outfit

* China boy accidentally breaks US$280,000 gold crown on display; owner will not pursue damages

* Japan plans US$189bil new debt issuance in next year's budget, draft shows

* China police crack down on errant private cinemas over alleged sex services

* Australian state passes tougher gun, protest law after Bondi Beach shooting

* Australia cancels British man's visa after charges of displaying Nazi symbol

* Man in South Korea investigated after fiddling with airplane emergency door

* Mistrial in case of ex-top aide to New York Governor charged with working as China agent

* South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-president Yoon over opinion polls

* Taiwan celebrates Christmas once again after 25 years. Sort of.

* China: Second try at completing a reusable rocket test fails

* A year of unanswered longing at Muan airport

* Hong Kong police arrest 15 over ‘meticulously planned’ 1 billion yen robbery

* North Korea: Kim welcomes tourists to lavish new mountain resort

* YouTube personality Adam the Woo found dead at home

* Spotify says piracy activists hacked its music catalogue

* Southeastern Taiwan shaken by 6.1 magnitude quake, no immediate reports of damage

* ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ is Time magazine’s best K-drama of 2025

* Decades on from Hallyu’s rise, where does K-fashion stand now?

* Hong Kong police arrest 15 over ‘meticulously planned’ 1 billion yen robbery

* Chinese spy? Propagandist? Former Confucius Institute director tells his story

* From trend to mainstay: AI to cement its place at the core of 2026 investment strategies

* K-Pop concert to be held in Hong Kong and aired in mainland China, organisers confirm

* Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US

* Bangladesh leader seen as likely next prime minister set to return from exile ahead of polls

* Libya army chief of staff killed in jet crash near Ankara after fault reported, Turkish official says

* South-East Asia’s first Godzilla Store opens next year - the store's second phase expansion overseas opens in Malaysia Jan 9 next year

* Cricket-Santner returns from injury to lead NZ in T20 World Cup warm-up

* Golf - Hall of Famer Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki dies at 78

 

 

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