Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (Jan 5, 2026)

A man stands next to a 2026 New Year banner in Hanoi on Monday, January 5, 2026. Vietnam said on Monday its economy grew 8.0 per cent last year, thanks to gains in services, construction, and exports, and despite fresh US tariffs taking effect. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP

Malaysia

* RM100 Sara aid to be credited beginning Feb 9, says PM

* Anwar to undertake official visit to Turkiye from Jan 6-8

* Bill to limit PM’s tenure to 10 years to be tabled in Parliament, says Anwar

* Govt may relax import conditions to keep construction costs low, says PM

* E-invoicing for SMEs with RM1mil to RM5mil sales postponed, says Anwar

* Azalina: 2026 to bring major legal reforms, including fixed two-term limit for PM

* Melaka cops nab trio for alleged possession of firearm, bullets

* Terengganu exco Razali Idris fined RM2,000 for seditious remarks

* Army procurement probe: 26 companies being investigated, says MACC

* KL police bust 97 online scam cases, seize over RM5mil last year

* Taxpayers who received CP500 to benefit from penalty waiver in 2026

* Singapore resident turns themselves in after using subsidised RON95 petrol in Kulai

* 2026 focus not just on formulating policies, but on effective implementation, says PMO

* Former executive director faces 11 charges for causing wrongful loss

* Defence Ministry to probe claims of unauthorised entry, misconduct at military camp

* Govt to present national economic direction for 2026 at M'sia Economic Forum, says minister

Activists in Manila holding placards march towards the US Embassy during an anti-US protest following its attack on Venezuela, capturing its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, on Monday, January 5, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Singapore

* Changi Airport handled about 70 million passengers in 2025, an all-time high

* No monsoon surge expected in Singapore this week despite heavy rain warnings in Malaysia

* Baggage-handling robots, smart systems to predict flight delays: New tech being explored for Singapore Changi’s T5

* Singaporean woman among tourists stranded on Yemeni island amid tensions in country

* Vape sellers targeting the young with devices that can play music, games

* As Aceh reels from severe floods, Singapore's NTU-led study in 2024 traces roots to forest loss

* Changi Airport T5 exhibition: New tech like baggage-handling robots, autonomous wheelchairs on show

* Stock Market - Foreign investors offload US$1.05bil in Asian equities

* Asian shares shrug off Venezuela impact and climb; oil volatile

* Trump warns of higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

* Charmaine Sheh wins Best Actress for the fourth time at TVB Anniversary Awards

Indonesia

* Ex-Indonesian minister Makarim faces graft charges over Google laptop procurement

* Indonesian religious teacher jailed eight years, whipping for sexual assault

* Indonesia urges peaceful resolution after US captures Venezuela’s Maduro

* Freedom of expression under threat as more Indonesian activists face intimidation

* Asian stocks hit early 2021 highs as AI optimism outweighs Venezuela risks

* Most schools in disaster-hit north Sumatra set to reopen

* Asean manufacturing PMI improves in Dec - S&P Global / Asian stocks hit early 2021 highs as AI optimism outweighs Venezuela risks

Rukchanok, nicknamed Ice, Srinork, 31, an activist-turned party-list election candidate for the People's Party, takes a selfie with supporters during a general election campaign event with People's Party candidates ahead of Thailand's February 8 general election, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, January 5, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Thailand

* More issues again as Thailand delays POW return, accuses Cambodia of ceasefire breach

* Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire 'gradually' being implemented, says China

* Bangkok PM2.5 exceeds safe limit in two districts on Jan 5

* Thailand central bank estimates economy grew 2.2% in 2025

* Pheu Thai leader rules out any party being able to form government ahead of election results

* Thailand's deep South insurgency marks 22 years: 10,116 attacks, 5,999 deaths

Philippines

* Another controversy brewing: Philippines' arrested retired Air Force general freed on bail

* Cabral attempted suicide at home, says lawyer

* Philippines arrests ex-general who called for president's ouster

* Philippines cuts 2026 GDP growth target as graft pain persists

* Marcos signs 2026 national budget

* Indigenous folk caught in crossfire as clashes erupt in Mindoro, Philippines

Activists in Manila holding placards march towards the US Embassy during an anti-US protest following its attack on Venezuela, capturing its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, on Monday, January 5, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Vietnam

* Vietnam says economy grew 8.0% in 2025 despite US tariffs

* Vietnam to issue electronic identification codes for real estate units

* Vietnam proposes mandatory electric vehicle parking areas at apartment buildings

* HCM City puts residents at centre of urban development

* Online ads must be skippable within five seconds under new Vietnam regulations

* Hanoi records over VND2tril in tourism revenue over New Year holiday

Myanmar

* Myanmar pro-military party wins first phase of junta-run election: official results

* Rohingya man's murder conviction overturned, gets 16 years for culpable homicide

* Monk freed after two-month detention by armed resistance group in Myanmar

* Myanmar near completion of Keng Kham Dam project in Shan State

* Myanmar: Hundreds released by junta during annual independence day pardons

A white-handed gibbon feeds in a tree in Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park. -- Photo by Sebastien BERGER / AFP

Cambodia

* Thai police allege online scammers have moved bases from Myanmar to Cambodia

* Lives on hold: Cambodian civilians speak out in the face foreign military occupation

* Chinese influencer found homeless in Cambodia after high-paying job lure

* Comment: Why Cambodia cannot afford to wait for The Hague

* Cambodia claims over 1,300 houses affected as Thai military occupies 292ha in Boeung Trakuon

Laos

* Party Congress to set five-year development direction, elect new leadership

* Inflation eases to 5.6 per cent in December as food prices fall

* Gold surges as US capture of Venezuela president spurs safe-haven demand

* A case of border issues: Yearning for a normal life back home

Brunei

* Non-halal cleaning brushes detected in Brunei

* Brunei youth to gain hands-on experience in Singapore

* Passengers safe after boat sinks in Brunei waters

* Brunei: Govt rolls out national digital identity system

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Monday, January 5, 2026. -- Photo: China Daily/Asia News Network

Aseanplus

* Malaysia, France, India blast X for 'offensive’ Grok images

* Bursa Malaysia joins Asian rally as 2026 trading picks up

* Moderate 5.4-magnitude quake hits north-eastern India

* From road trips to adventures: Many ways to explore Malaysia this year

* Wedding bells?: Syed Saddiq's New Year confession has everyone asking one question

* China’s Moonshot AI raises US$500 million in latest funding round: report

* Tourist couple leave babies with China guard to explore; locals play with twins, change nappies

* 'The sun is closer on the camel’s back' festival to showcase Gobi heritage in southern Mongolia

* Japan gamer, 12, plans to quit school to pursue esports, supported by parents, sparks debate

* When animals are abused in Nepal, reporting is rare and punishments minimal

* In Bangladesh, over 9,000 killed in road accidents last year: report

* China seeks to enhance ties with Ireland to boost relations with EU

* AI will reduce Japan’s workforce in next 10 years, executives say

* China's birth-rate push sputters as couples stay child-free

* Shopping campaign to unleash market potential in China 

* Honda extends China plants suspension on chip shortage

* Foreign ownership in S. Korean stocks hit a high

* New Zealand launches review of medical portal hack

* 'Not about condoms': Chinese shrug off contraceptive tax

* South Korean mathematician solves 60-year-old maths puzzle

* K-pop star Nana faces countersuit from home invasion suspect

* 'Tuna King' pays record US$3.2mil for bluefin at Tokyo auction

* Alibaba brings visual AI into food fight with China’s Meituan

* South Korea's Lee to meet Xi with trade, Pyongyang on the agenda

* Chinese and South Korean companies sign nine cooperation agreements

* Japan's factory activity steadies as demand declines slow, PMI shows

* Exclusive-Samsung to double AI mobile devices to 800 million units this year

* Maduro capture: What’s at stake for China’s economic interests in Venezuela

* China stocks rally as Shanghai benchmark tops 4,000 in first New Year trade

* Elderly woman dies after choking on traditional Japanese rice cake 'mochi' in Tokyo

* Popular South Korean movie star Ahn Sung-ki, dubbed 'The Nation's Actor,' dies at 74

* China says it cannot accept countries acting as 'world judge' after US captures Maduro

* Aaron Kwok's wife Moka Fang shares rare shot with their newborn while welcoming 2026

* Southeast Australia is facing the most significant heatwave in six years, say authorities

* Enjoying the nature in th land beneath the wind - community-based tourism rising high in Sabah

* Pakistan, China call for more ‘visible, verifiable’ actions to eliminate terrorist groups based in Afghanistan

* Baby Xiao Feng, afflicted with heart issues, needs help as Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia requests assistance

* Badminton: 100Plus boost energises Pearly-Thinaah's drive to topple China pair

* Football: Korean Pan-gon is back - this time as Selangor coach