Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Wednesday (March 4)

Residents attempting to recover parts of trucks buried in sand after a rain-triggered mudflow from Mount Merapi left three people dead in the Senowo River in Magelang, Central Java on March 4, 2026. - AFP

Malaysia

* Bill to limit PM's tenure to be tabled again in June, says Fahmi

* PM Anwar withdraws appeal over bid to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court

* Farm Fresh's farm director dies in Philippines helicopter crash

* Malaysians strongly advised to defer non-essential travel to 7 Middle East countries

* All Malbatt personnel in Lebanon safe, says Defence Minister

* Tengku Zafrul appointed senior political advisor to PM

* MyNIISe use at entry points not compulsory for all, says Deputy Home Minister

* Special inquiry committee’s report on Azam Baki to be completed in a couple of days, says Fahmi

* M'sian students in Middle East conflict zones told to report to embassies immediately

* MACC tracking down Rafizi's ex-aide

* Absentee MPs a let down

* Apex court upholds 40-year jail term, caning for man who murdered mother

* Early 2026 Chinese New Year jackpot fever: Over RM37mil won proves ‘Ong’ can strike anytime

* Over 12.5 million Malaysians have benefited from RM100 Sara aid, more than RM1bil used in three weeks, says Anwar

* Only one of four Daim’s children has contacted MACC, says Azam

* US citizen found dead in cluttered Kampar home

* Hajiji calls on investors from China to explore opportunities in Sabah

* MACC, UK SFO probing IJM over suspected RM2.5bil money laundering

* Foreign woman found dead with slash wounds in Nilai

* Man gets 22 months' jail for killing kitten

* Almost RM1bil paid in court settlements since 2020 due to errant, negligent civil servants, says PM Anwar

* Negri MB admits to running red lights 'sometimes' amid viral video

* Fahmi Zainol removed as Penang exco member after court charge

* British pop star Dua Lipa’s book club spotlights Malaysian indie bookshop

* Security guard gets 21 years ' jail, whipping for sexually assaulting six-year-old daughter

* Man rescued attempting to jump off Taman Midah MRT station building

* Man gets 22 months' jail for killing kitten

* Johor technician pleads guilty to child sex offences

* Six new bikes for heroes who stopped runaway train in Kampung Pangi

Singapore

* Warrant of arrest issued against Singaporean linked to alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi

* Emirates, Etihad Airways flights from UAE to S’pore available from March 4 amid Middle East conflict

* Singaporean singer Derrick Hoh welcomes second daughter

* teamLab museum to be built in Gardens by the Bay

* Punggol self-driving shuttles open to public for free in Singapore from April 1

A delegate taking a photo with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Philippines-Korea Business Forum in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines on March 4, 2026. - Reuters

Thailand

* Thailand gets closer to new govt as election panel certifies vote results

* Embassy announces two evacuation convoys for Thais to leave Iran via Türkiye

* Fresh durian exports jump 67% as Thailand tightens China checks

* Thailand welcomes 3.26mil foreign tourists in February

* Thai PM warns against fuel hoarding, pledges 15-day diesel cap

Indonesia

* Indonesia media report Fitch cuts country's rating outlook to negative

* Executive linked to Indonesian palm oil giant Wilmar, lawyers found guilty in bribery case

* Indonesia expresses readiness to evacuate citizens from Middle East, 15 in Iran first

* Prabowo hosts former presidents, VPs for talks on Middle East conflict

* Indonesian teen killed during police response to street game

* Indonesian governor returns US$502,000 luxury official car amid public backlash

* Indonesia will keep budget deficit below 3% of GDP as Middle East conflict lifts oil prices, minister says

An injured Iranian sailor receiving treatment at the Karapitiya hospital in Galle on March 4, 2026 after his frigate, IRIS Dena was sunk off Sri Lanka's coast by a US submarine. Sri Lanka rescued 32 crew members with dozens reported dead and missing. - AFP

Philippines

* Philippine police deploy Intel units after arrest of Jordanian tied to Bondi attack

* Asean calls Middle East escalation ‘regrettable’, urges ceasefire after US-Israel strike on Iran

* S. Korea firms eye more Philippine deals amid geopolitical tensions

* Overseas Filipino workers repatriation for ‘necessary situations’ only: Senate

* Philippine lawmakers advance impeachment of Vice President Duterte

* Philippines' Jollibee Food's Highlands Coffee evaluates Vietnam IPO

Vietnam

* Vietnam exporters brace for disruption as Middle East conflict escalates

* Vietnam endorses master plan to expand Da Nang International Airport through 2030

* Vietnam's PV Gas boosts domestic LPG output to compensate for shortfall caused by Middle East conflict

* Vietnam dismantles gang impersonating Japanese police in scam netting US$420,000

Cambodia

* Cambodian PM outlines plans to deepen economic integration with key partners

* Cambodia marks National Culture Day

* Lancang-Mekong library sparks reading habits among students in Cambodia

Myanmar

* Criticism mounts over Myanmar's odd-even driving rule to conserve fuel

* Myanmar curbs car use to save fuel due to Mideast war

Laos

* Laos reveals results of National Assembly election

* No fuel shortage in Laos, officials assure public

Brunei

* Brunei central bank warns public against unlicensed financial service providers

* Hat-trick for Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam

Aseanplus

* Sri Lanka rescues sailors from sinking Iranian ship

* Exclusive-US carried out strike on Iranian warship off Sri Lanka coast, officials say

* Why ancient Chinese folk custom involved cutting thigh flesh to feed sick relatives

* South Korea jails doctors for killing baby delivered at 36 weeks

* Australian state Victoria to make it legal to work from home two days a week

* North Korea unveils rare statue of leader Kim Jong-un

* British woman who reported Hong Kong rape convicted of blackmail

* Appeal hearings begin in ex-South Korea President Yoon's obstruction case

* Taiwan indicts 62 over suspected scam centre operator Prince Group

* Beijing votes out three generals from political advisory body

* China's foreign minister tells Israeli counterpart that attacks on Iran must end

* South Korea overhauls immigration policy to attract more highly skilled workers

* US court convicts Japanese yakuza for trafficking nuclear material

* Nepal to vote in first election since Gen Z-led protests toppled government

* China says it seeks communications with US but vows to hold its 'red lines'

* Nepali women still sidelined in post-uprising polls

* Australian shares tumble over 2% as hot GDP data rekindles rate-hike bets

* Speculation on Indian ex-army chief’s ‘unpublished’ book ignites concerns over military storytelling

* China's non-manufacturing PMI at 49.5 in February

* K-pop boy band BigBang to launch world tour to mark 20th anniversary

* HK celeb couple George Lam & Sally Yeh praised for humility, kindness on budget airline flight