Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (Jan 26, 2024)

Filipino crew of the Singapore-flagged M/V Devon Bay disembark from Philippine coast guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua after arriving at the international port in Manila on Monday, January 26, 2026, after they were turned over by the Chinese coast guard who rescued them near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese coast guard ships pulled 17 Filipino sailors, including two dead, from disputed waters in the South China Sea on January 24 after a cargo vessel capsized, China's military said. -- Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP

Malaysia:

* Enforcement of age limit for social media use to take effect as early as July

* Malaysia cannot be complacent, must strive to be better, says Anwar

* Hearing of Dr M's appeal to attend Batu Puteh RCI proceedings postponed

* Malaysia collects RM15.5bil in funds that might have been lost to leakages, says PM

* Selangor govt halts Bukit Tagar pig farming project

* Perikatan chairman need not be party president, says Takiyuddin

* Ensure swift and accurate auditing to curb leakages, says Anwar

* Steep rise in part-time job scams last year, says Bukit Aman commercial crime chief

* Centralised database to gauge nation’s digital divide underway, says Gobind

* New Green Lane system at KLIA starting today to ease congestion, says Loke

* National Audit Dept must roll out new initiatives to maximise benefits for the people, says PM

* Good governance, stability, and investor confidence key to ringgit's seven year high, says PM

* MACC freezes 21 bank accounts worth RM700,000, seizes RM2mil in assets in Navy graft probe

* Cops record statements from Armed Forces officers over alleged info leak, says Mohamed Khaled

* Proposed Political Financing Bill to tackle concerns over corporate donors and govt contracts, says Kula

* FBM KLCI hits highest level since 2018 as ringgit shines / Ringgit closes at 3.96 for first time since 2018

Mud-covered goods in an area affected by landslides following heavy rains in Pasir Langu village, West Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, on Monday,January 26, 2026. -- REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

Singapore:

* Singapore’s fertility rate has not stabilised; citizen core will shrink without action, says DPM 

* More young adults, teens in Singapore being diagnosed with cancer

* Answers to 2026 top-tier US maths test popular among Singapore students leaked, sold online

* Singapore dollar hits highest in over 11 years versus greenback

* Yen surges as intervention risks lurk, gold surpasses US$5,000/oz

* When Malaysia's Ah Beng meets Singapore's Liang Po Po in new Chinese New Year movie, accidents happen

* Facial recognition to make immigration clearance into Singapore faster for motorcyclists at Woodlands Checkpoint

* Singapore pours US$786mil into race to become AI powerhouse

* Asian currencies soar as dollar weakens with yen intervention in focus

Indonesia:

* Top climate scientist warns El Nino risk due to shifting weather patterns; Indonesia could be among worst affected

* Nephew of Indonesia's president gets nod to become central bank board member

* Editorial: Indonesia is playing with fire

* Indonesian influencer Lula Lahfah found dead at 26

* Death toll from landslide in Indonesia's West Java rises to 17

* Indonesian deputy human rights minister slammed for proposing state funding for NGOs

* Malaysian rapper Francis Roman scores big after fine performance at Jakarta's BigBang Festival

People relax near the site of a bridge (back centre) being constructed over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok by the construction firm Italian-Thai Development (ITD).-- Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP

Thailand:

* Bangkok's air quality worsens on Monday (Jan 26); Lat Krabang highest, respiratory impacts warned

* Thailand confirms no Nipah virus cases, steps up traveller screening 

* Thai PM Anutin confirms no Nipah case in Thailand, urges Covid-19 era monitoring model

* Thai tourism campaign featuring Blackpink’s Lisa draws memes, criticism

* 25YO TikTok star found beaten to death in Thai forest; suspect arrested

* Thailand releases endangered leopard sharks in conservation push

* Buddha statue replaces Hindu deity in disputed border area

Philippines:

* Ex-Philippine leader Duterte to face ICC hearing Feb 23

* Missing captain hailed as ‘hero’ in sinking of Singapore-flagged ship in South China Sea

* Fifteen crew members rescued from capsized Singapore-flagged ship handed to Philippine Coast Guard

* Ferry with more than 350 people sinks in south Philippines, leaving at least 13 dead, dozens missing

* Death toll in Philippine boat accident climbs to 15, hundreds rescued

* Oil prices rise as harsh winter disrupts US output

* M7: Filipino side Aurora Gaming PH beat Indonesian team Alter Ego to claim world title

Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam (centre) and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly (C-R) wave to children ahead of a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Hanoi on Monday, January 26, 2026. -- Photo by LUONG THAI LINH / POOL / AFP

Vietnam:

* China congratulates Vietnam's new leader To Lam as Xi urges greater cooperation between the two countries

* Singapore PM Lawrence Wong congratulates Vietnam’s To Lam on reappointment as head of ruling party

* Vietnamese PM urges state-owned companies to grow by at least 10% in 2026 

* Former South Korean PM Lee Hae-chan has died in Vietnam at 73

* Vietnamese singer Isaac releases Tet-inspired song honouring family bonds

* Vietnam hotshots Nam Dinh FC out to maintain perfect run and ease into semifinals of the Asean Club Championships

Myanmar:

* Myanmar uses 'ghost ships' to import aviation fuel for deadly air attacks, Amnesty says

* 'It was a fair election' - Myanmar junta’s proxy party says it won a good fight after landslide victory as China backs result

* Myanmar pro-military party declares victory in junta-run polls

* Over 400 Myanmar nationals repatriated from Cambodia in second batch over online scam involvement

* Myanmar military using paramotors and gyrocopters for aerial attacks on civilians, opposition forces

US warship USS Cincinnati's crew members stand on the ship for a welcome upon arrival at Ream Naval Base's pier in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. -AP Photo/Heng Sinith

Cambodia:

* US warship visit to the Cambodia base shows continued warming ties between the two countries

* Cambodia and Laos open new transit route for agricultural exports to China

* Cambodia’s first Baby Olympics aims to inspire young minds

* Cambodian environment ministry: Ratanakkiri lake colour change natural, not due to pollution

Laos:

* Laos, Thailand and Myanmar agree on satellite plan to fight poor air quality and pollution

* Laos outlines plans to overhaul state-run mining enterprise

* Laos inks deal with partners to bolster wildlife and forest protection

Brunei:

* World not ready for rise in extreme heat, scientists say

* Five companies in Brunei fined for misusing pedestrian walkways

* Gold storms beyond US$5,000 as global upheaval fans demand frenzy

Folk dancers perform during the Republic Day parade at the ceremonial Kartavya Path in New Delhi, India, on Monday, Jan 26, 2026. The Indian government expects growth of over 7% in the current financial year, maintaining the nation’s status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite trade tensions with the US. -- Photographer: Prakash Singh/Bloomberg

AseanPlus:

* Malaysian ringgit, stocks hit highest since 2018 on AI, growth

* Malaysia: Ex-army chief lodges police reports against Chegubard

* Sarawak-Sabah interconnection paves way for regional RE

* Chennai cyclists kick off Ride Sabah North Borneo FAM tour

* Great potential for Sarawak-US cooperation in energy, education, says US ambassador Kagan

* Japan PM Takaichi's popularity slips on tax-cut pledge

* For many young South Koreans, one job doesn’t cut it

* China warns citizens against Japan travel during the Lunar New Year

* News Analysis - 'Nobody is safe': China's Xi targets his close ally in purge

* Adani, Embraer to announce deal to assemble aircraft in India

* Top China general accused of leaking nuclear secrets to US, WSJ says

* A festive tale: Cartier parties in Seoul with South Korean celebs

* Korea kicks off AI Squid Game in bid to compete with US, China

* Bangladesh criticises India over fugitive leader Hasina's speech

* New Zealand resumes victim recovery efforts after fatal landslide

* Mainland China’s art grads sculpt career ‘passports’ in Hong Kong

* 'The Nation’s Boyfriend' Park Bo-gum joins Omega as brand ambassador

* Japan's younger voters back PM's election gambit, snowy areas opposed

* Japan court holds North Korea liable for fake 'paradise on Earth' scheme

* Australia Day marked by 'Invasion Day' rallies, anti-immigration protests

* Japanese govt ordered to pay damages to Okinawa residents over US base noise 

* Japan PM Takaichi's administration sees approval rating fall to 67%, poll shows

* North Korea's Kim views sculptures for memorial of soldiers who died in Ukraine

* Japan says in close coordination with US on forex as yen intervention risks mount

* US, South Korea agree to deepen cooperation on nuclear-powered subs, Seoul says

* Chinese airlines extend free cancellations for Japan-related flights to October

* Wildfire at Suraksan in Seoul destroys temple, burns width of over two soccer fields

* Don’t expect Greenland crisis to realign EU with China, former US diplomat says

* HK lawmaker deliberately drives against traffic, sparking calls for her dismissal

* Yelling in sleep could be early sign of dementia, Parkinson’s, South Korean study shows

* Rain apologises to fan with hearing loss after calling her out for not dancing at his concert

* Northwest China's Gansu hit by 5.5-magnitude earthquake, Level III emergency response activated 

* 'It's just too hot at the courts' - Australian Open schedule altered again amid Melbourne raging heatwave 

* Still, the main giant - Ukrainian sumo wrestler wins second straight top title and cements meteoric rise

* Badminton: Thomas Cup hero Tan Yee Khan passes away - remembered for golden era of greatness

* Badminton: Chong Wei sends heartfelt wishes as 'father figure' Misbun heads to India