Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Dec 27, 2025)

In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha (left) stands with Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit at the General Border Committee Meeting in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. -- AKP via AP

Malaysia

* Army Chief placed on leave amid ongoing MACC investigation

* Fahmi: Government to roll out social media regulatory sandbox from Jan 1

* Cops on the hunt for escaped Bukit Chabang Puspen inmate

* Elderly woman forced to evacuate home three times in a month due to floods

* M’sia should adopt a living wage to promote more inclusive economic growth, say experts

* MetMalaysia warns of continuous rain in Pahang, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu until Monday

* Voter files an election petition to annul Sindumin results after video shows crumpled ballot

* Betrayal and power struggle in Perlis

* Nilai bomb maker nabbed in Mantin / * Police confirm no foul play in Sentul PPR fire

* Six Orang Asli settlements in Kelantan identified as prone to natural disasters in monsoon season

* Muhyiddin says Bersatu name submitted for Perlis MB post, had no hand in SDs

* Two names submitted for Perlis MB post / Former Perlis PAS assemblyman admits to receiving offers after party membership revoked

In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, rescuers examine debris believed to be from a tour boat that sank near Padar Island within Komodo National Park, Indonesia. -- Photo: BASARNAS via AP

Singapore

* Year-end clampdown on crime in Singapore sees over 1,700 people investigated, more than 500 arrested

* Six injured in car and excavator crash in Ipoh - victims include a Singaporean and two children

* Year-end clampdown on crime in Singapore sees over 1,700 people investigated, more than 500 arrested

* Singapore: Cruise ship passenger in need of medical attention airlifted by RSAF to hospital

* Woman in Singapore charged with vandalism over incident at The Salvation Army

* Strong job market, wealth gains to underpin Singapore retail spending in 2026: Economists

Indonesia

* Indonesian rescuers search for Spanish family after boat sinks near Komodo Island

* Four Spaniards missing after wooden tourist boat sinks off Indonesia's famous Komodo National Park

* Indonesian maritime patrol vessel arrives in North Aceh with 92.2 tonnes of aid

* Indonesia grants Christmas remissions to over 16,000 prisoners, including graft convicts

* Moderate earthquake hits southern Sumatra, no tsunami threat, says MetMalaysia

* Indonesia treads with care - Indonesia's stock market heads into 2026 with a cautious tone, 

Thailand

* Thailand's worst incident - The SAO building collapse: causes, accountability and the impact of 2025’s defining tragedy

* Anwar welcomes latest Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

* Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict 

* Thailand and Cambodia agree to immediate ceasefire

* Lively first day of MP registration in Bangkok as party leaders turn out in force

Philippines

* The Philippines is ready to shape the future of regular tourism as the Asean chairmanship duty nears

* Philippines sees weak holiday spending in 2025

* Baguio chills at 14.6°C, the lowest Saturday temperature in Philippines

* Philippines November trade deficit at US$3.5bil

Supporters of the Prachachat Party (centre) hold placards on the first day of the registration for Thailand's upcoming general election at the provincial hall in the southern province of Narathiwat on Saturday, December 27, 2025. -- Photo by Madaree TOHLALA / AFP

Vietnam

* Asia-Pacific rides AI boom to unlock tech-empowered growth, cooperation momentum in 2025

* New bridge inaugurated to boost Laos–Thailand–Vietnam trade connectivity

* Four family members killed in south Vietnam fire

* At least seven killed in Vietnam after bus overturns

Myanmar

* Sunday polls bring hopes to Myanmar, junta says on election eve

* Myanmar election panel says 215 journalists from 61 international media organisations have applied to cover polls

* Myanmar goes to the polls amid civil war and humanitarian crisis

* Conflict and fear sap campaign energy ahead of Myanmar election

Cambodia

* United Nations hopes Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire will pave path to peace

* To protect deminers, Cambodia suspends clearance operations

* Cambodia's defence budget sees only small increase for 2026

* Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict

Laos

* Laos provides US$1.93mil to farmers and boost sustainable rice, vegetable farming

* Third and final victim's body recovered as search ends in Mekong boat tragedy

* Communist Party of China delegation visits Laos and Cambodia

Brunei

* Survey tracks financial knowledge and habits of Bruneians

* Smooth sailing for cruise tourism in Brunei

Buddhist nuns leave after visiting the Uppatasanti Pagoda a day before Myanmar's general election in Naypyidaw on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Myanmar's junta said on December 26 it will lift a curfew imposed in Yangon since its 2021 coup, just days before the start of elections it touts as a return to normality. -- Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP

Aseanplus

* Suspected explosives found on Nilai bomb maker at time of arrest

* Michelle Yeoh to join PM at Visit Malaysia 2026 launch in Bukit Bintang

* Ipoh man arrested after running amok with samurai sword, hurting family

* How travel inspires creative journey of self-taught Malaysian illustrator Riynn Lee

* Customs Dept seizes RM731,000 in contraband cigarettes and liquor in Sibu raid

* Hong Kong star Miriam Yeung spends Christmas holiday in 'super hot spot' Penang

* N. Korea's Kim stresses shared bloodshed in New Year message to Putin

* Tone-deaf? Australian PM’s popularity plunges over response to Bondi attack

* Woman killed, 26 injured in 50-vehicle expressway pile-up in Japan

* China sanctions 20 US firms over Taiwan arms sales

* Bangladesh: Tarique returns from exile ahead of polls

* Grief, trauma weigh on survivors after Hong Kong's worst fire tragedy

* Agony as Jeju Air crash report delayed yet once again

* N. Korea's Kim stresses shared bloodshed in New Year message to Putin

* North Korea -- Kim orders factories to make more missiles in 2026

* Authorities: 14 hurt in stabbing, liquid spray attack in Japan

* China passes revised foreign trade law to bolster trade war capabilities

* With lifespans over 200 years, what is the Bowhead whale's secret to long life?

* South Korea: Foreign adoptions to end as UN presses govt on abuses

* Police in India's capital arrest hundreds in security crackdown before before the New Year festivities

* A 40-year-old woman charged over 15kg methamphetamine seizure at Sydney Airport 

* 'For the safety of our people' - Japan plans record defence budget amid high tensions with China

* China launches new satellite, boosting meteorological and observation capabilities 

* Hong Kongers bid farewell to 'king of umbrellas' as a vanishing craft takes a final bow

* China influencer with 44 million followers banned for zooming in on women’s breasts in live-stream

* Building back better? Sri Lankans face challenges in recovery from floods, landslides

* Apple, Google and others tell some foreign employees to avoid traveling out of the country

* Cricket - Stokes savours the end of England's victory drought in Australia

* Cricket - The Ashes - England survive Melbourne mayhem to claim drought-breaking win

* Badminton - Momota shows flashes of his old brilliance at King's Cup