Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (March 2, 2026)

Protesters hold signs during a rally, following strikes by the US and Israel on Iran and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Monday, March 2, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Noel Celis

Malaysia:

* PM two-term tenure limit fails to get two-thirds majority in Dewan Rakyat 

* MPs express disappointment as PM term limit amendment fails by two votes

* PM Anwar warns of foreign interference, sabotage attempts against Malaysia

* Malaysia strongly condemns attack on Iran by US and Israel, says PM

* SRC lawsuit: I didn't know RM42mil went into Najib's account until I was sued, says witness

* Heavy rains, thunderstorms expected over seven states, two FTs until 7pm

* Cops to call up activist over statements on Rawang temple

* Penang Deputy CM arrives at MACC office in George Town

* Malaysia students in Middle East safe, says Zambry

* Guard pleads guilty to 13 sexual offences against 6YO daughter

* Immigration must act against overstaying tourists, says Tiong

* Govt closely tracking safety of Malaysians amid Middle East tensions

* Technical disruption hits MyTax portal as income tax e-Filing for 2025 begins

* Take PM's use of 'howling' in the right context, PKR youth chief tells critics

* New court to resolve cross-border commercial disputes, boost investor confidence

* Frantic responders dive into sea as boat catches fire during body retrieval mission

* 36 civil servants from top management group nabbed for graft since 2021, Dewan Negara told

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung are presented the - Vanda Lee Jae Myung Kim Hea Kyung - by Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and First Lady Jane Ittogi during an orchid naming ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore, on Monday, March 2, 2026. -- Photo: Singapore Press Holding Media Trust /LianHe Zaobao via Reuters.

Singapore:

* Over RM740,000, luxury watches and cars seized in anti-vape blitz in Singapore; five arrested

* SIA and other Asian airline shares tumble as US-Iran conflict disrupts travel, raises oil prices

* Prolonged Middle East conflict may push up prices; Singapore to reassess GDP forecast if needed: DPM Gan

* Singapore and S. Korea to upgrade FTA, leaders say as President Lee pays state visit

* Heavy traffic into Singapore at Woodlands Checkpoint after ICA steps up security checks

* Singapore condo guard who molested teen resident gets over 5 months’ jail

* Oil spikes as widening Iran crisis disrupts flows through Hormuz

* South Korea's Lee holds summit with Singapore's Wong on AI, tech cooperation

* Cyborg roaches save time and lives at dump sites in Singapore

* Real-life interactive Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue starting in Singapore on April 24

Indonesia:

* Try Sutrisno, Indonesia's sixth Vice President, has been laid to rest with full military honours  

* Iranian embassy welcomes Indonesia's mediation offer, urges firm stand against US and Israel

* Prison sought for activists in August unrest sparks outcry in Indonesia over free speech

* Seven detained in Indonesia over alleged illegal mining and tin sand smuggling to Malaysia

* US-Indonesia trade pact faces limited gains

* Man in Bali ‘suitcase murder’ pleads not guilty to US charges

* Asian assets slide as Mideast strikes spark oil spike, haven rush

Passengers wait amid flight disruptions as a result of the Israeli-US strikes on Iran, at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Indonesia's resort island of Bali, on Monday, March 2, 2026. -- Photo by SONNY TUMBELAKA / AFP

Thailand:

* Lese majeste appeal will not affect Thaksin’s May parole hearing: Lawyer

* Thai PM says preparing to evacuate citizens in Middle East

* Makha Bucha night to bring a rare total lunar eclipse over Thailand on March 3

* Thai Foreign Ministry outlines complex evacuation routes amid escalation in Middle East

* Asian airline shares fall as US-Iran conflict disrupts travel, raises oil prices

* Thai PM Anutin preparing evacuation of citizens trapped in Middle East

Philippines:

* Millions of migrant workers in Gulf at risk as war rages on in the Middle East

* 'We have to run fast': Filipino workers on life under fire in the Middle East

* House begins hearing on Sara Duterte’s impeachment case

* Philippine business group warns Middle East tensions could hit economy

* It's chaos as Emerging Markets' assets drop as Middle East conflict deepens

* Millions of migrant workers from South-East and South Asia in Gulf at risk as Iran retaliates

A fresh vegetable vendor gestures to monks as they collect alms at Khlong Toei Market in Bangkok early on Monday, March 2, 2026. -- Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam trade ministry tells firms to diversify markets amid Middle East conflict

* Vietnam's Ban Blossom Festival 2026 starts early in Dien Bien

* Over 4,400 Middle East airline passengers in Vietnam affected by airspace closures

* Brent crude may spike by US$15-20bbl amid US-Iran conflicts, says Public IB

* Landmark law curbs AI risk -- A law regulating artificial intelligence (AI) has come into effect in Vietnam

* Investors seek Vietnam’s emerging regional hotel investment hub

Myanmar:

* Myanmar's military government pardons thousands of prisoners ahead of parliament convening

* Myanmar grants amnesty to prisoners on Peasants' Day

* US agents criticised over Rohingya man’s death in United States

* Embassies evacuate in Middle East with Trump ‘not happy’ on Iran and said no time for diplomatic talks

Cambodian Buddhist monks walk after they receive arms from inside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Monday, March 2, 2026. -- AP Photo/Heng Sinith

Cambodia:

* Air services from Cambodia to the Middle East experience partial halt or schedule adjustments: official

* National Culture Day aims to promote patriotism, celebrate Cambodian heritage

* Despite shrinking returns, cyclo riders keep wheels turning on Phnom Penh walking street

* Bonds rally in rush from risk over Middle East war

Laos:

* Laos prioritises food security and agricultural modernisation for the future of the country

* Lao Red Cross targets 85,000 blood donations in 2026

* New traffic system comes into force in Vientiane city centre

Brunei:

* Brunei bazaar supports small businesses

* Brunei to hold nationwide prayer during total lunar eclipse

* Non-citizens, PRs in Brunei reminded to submit declarations under amended Land Code

People pose for photos with a Ferrari LaFerrari as Taiwan auctions off luxury cars linked to the Cambodian scam centre Prince group in Taipei, Taiwan, on Monday, March 2, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Ann Wang

AseanPlus:

* Malaysian Embassy in Abu Dhabi closes

* Explosions heard in Tehran as new strikes hit Iranian capital

* Malaysia renews Lynas Rare Earths operating licence for 10 years

* Market positioning may limit fallout on Malaysia from Middle East conflict - economist

* Malaysian parliament stands in solidarity with Iran, strongly condemns Israel-US strikes

* Malaysia must brace for more expensive imports following Middle East conflict - Tengku Zafrul

* Malaysia's manufacturing PMI eases in Feb, firms remain optimistic on the outlook - S&P Global

* Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City ranked Malaysia’s No. 1 hospital in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026

* Ringgit gained 4.31% to RM3.89 as of March 1, 2026, says Amir Hamzah

* Foreign investors record US$2.02bil outflow across eight Asian markets last week

* Creating a trendy toy is more than mere child's play

* Japan’s Volcano Islands hit by 6.0-magnitude quake

* Australia rules out military role in Iran conflict

* Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany, actor Byun Yo-han get married

* Alleged Japanese rape victim by her own boss recounts mental torment

* China says one citizen dead in Iran conflict, more than 3,000 evacuated

* 10,000-year-old mummies discovered in Asia, older than previously known

* US-Israel attacks kill at least 555 people in Iran, says Red Crescent

* IPs, superyachts and more: Can budget spark Hong Kong’s purple patch?

* Joichi Ito, linked with Epstein, to leave Japan government panel: Report

* Spotted! Malaysian actor Zheng Xi Yong stars in new season of 'Bridgerton'

* Why is the Communist Party of China warning cadres about their performance?

* China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

* North Korea's Kim inspects cement plant after new goals at key party congress

* Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, 75, plays woman in her 20s in latest micro-drama

* Japanese language schools lag behind despite rise in foreigners living in Japan

* Beauty is pain? Experts weigh in on ‘slapping’ technique seen in South Korean skincare

* China’s Two Sessions to project stability with expected GDP trim, cautious diplomacy

* An honest society: Record 4.5 billion yen in lost cash turned in to Tokyo police in 2025 

* China extends tech lead over South Korea and surpasses Japan, Seoul’s ranking data shows

* Analysis-Trump presses ahead with Iran war despite warnings of political risk for midterms

* China boy defends aunt who faces pressure to marry, says she ‘only wants a man with eight-pack abs’

* Celebrate Syawal 2026 in a grand way and make it happening with seven Raya releases from Rocketfuel

* Motor racing - Top talking points ahead of the new F1 season

* Cricket-South Africa juggernaut faces knockout test against New Zealand

* Cricket - Smashing Samson powers India to semifinals at T20 World Cup with five-wicket win over West Indies