Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Friday (March 6)

Street vendors selling grilled meat and fish for iftar, the meal to break the fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in Yogyakarta on March 6, 2026. - AFP

Malaysia

* Anwar slams Bersih for calling MACC a political tool

* Local economy remains steady despite West Asia conflict, says Finance Minister’s pol-sec

* Stay committed to Malaysia Madani, Anwar urges civil servants

* Man wanted by FBI since 2022 for alleged child sexual exploitation ring nabbed in Malaysia

* Six suspected IS members to be charged next week, says IGP

* "Take me to court" - TMJ responds to social media critic on heritage players

* Rafizi's former aide leaves it to lawyers to liaise with MACC

* Alor Setar private doctor loses RM3.8mil in IPO investment scam

* MACC joins international operation to dismantle LeakBase cybercrime forum

* Ops Bongkar: 72 e-waste containers detected so far, DOE committed to repatriation

* Nabbed IS members used social media to discuss terror-related activities, says IGP

* RM94mil in compounds collected from Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 since launch

* Cops nab six suspected IS members, including three minors

* Sabah students in the Middle East safe, says state minister Ariffin

* M’sia can maintain RON95 price for up to two months, says PM

* PM Anwar yet to receive report on Azam Baki shareholding probe

* Chief Secretary announces transfers, appointments involving top civil service posts

* Cops intensify monitoring of foreign interests, religious sites amid West Asia tensions

* Police report lodged against PKR leaders over alleged US lobbying against Najib

* Kevin Morais murder case: July 31 hearing for ex-pathologist's review bid

* Mother fined for allowing underaged teen to drive, killing three

* PM conveys solidarity with Turkiye following ballistic missile incident

* Cabinet approves new commission to look into gig workers' welfare, says Zahid

* Umno's doors are open for expelled, suspended members, says Ahmad Zahid

* Malaysia’s approved investments rose 11% to RM426.7bil last year, says Anwar

* Father of six claims trial to charge of possessing gun, ammo

* FashionValet founders get temporary access to passports for Haj

* Get under here! Underwater silat enlivens Aidilfitri celebration

Singapore

* Singapore passes tougher laws on vapes with heavier penalties; protecting young a key concern

* Bhutan, Singapore launch four new climate projects

* Jail for two Malaysians who withdrew money linked to scams from ATMS in Singapore

* Malaysian to be charged over suspected involvement in Singapore government official impersonation scam

* Singapore man charged with molesting two of his granddaughters, then aged 8 and 9

* SIA and Scoot extend cancellation of Middle East flights amid geopolitical tensions

Thailand

* Roadmap for new Thai government takes shape

* Thai exports hit by war as costs and delays surge

* Thailand seeks alternative oil sources amid Middle East tensions

* Thailand grants 28.4mil baht to families of Myanmar workers killed in Bangkok collapse

* Thailand rebuts claims of extortion and improper entry refusals at airports

Indonesia

* Indonesia to ban social media access for under-16s

* Indonesia says will withdraw from Board of Peace if it does not benefit Palestinians

* With airspace restricted, German president cancels Asia trip

* Indonesian court acquits four activists accused of inciting deadly 2025 student protests

* Indonesia begins evacuating citizens from Iran as war rages

* Body parts found on Bali beach belonged to kidnapped Ukrainian tourist: Police

Protesters shouting slogans to condemn the Iran war as they are blocked by police during a rally near the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines on March 6, 2026. - AP

Philippines

* Philippines pushes 'RISE' agenda for more people-centred Asean

* China denies Philippine espionage allegations

* Philippines' NBI rescues four child victims of online sexual exploitation in Cavite

* Philippines mulls over shorter work week, less air-con to save energy

* Philippines probing more Filipinos after alleged leak of sensitive data to China

Vietnam

* Vietnam eyes new 5G deals with Chinese tech firms, sources say, despite US warnings

* HCM City aims to become drug free by 2030

* Vietnam establishes task force to ensure energy security amid Middle East tensions

* Vietnam to introduce supervised video calls for prisoners to contact relatives

* Vietnam detains chairman of airport operator ACV in bidding probe

Cambodia

* ‘Sorcery’ murders rear ugly head in Cambodia with Kampong Speu case

* After the raids, Asia’s billion-dollar scam trade flickers back

* Protecting forests, sustaining communities: Cambodian woman champions climate resilience

Myanmar

* Myanmar marks 10th anniversary of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism

* Surge in EV motorcycle sales in Mandalay amid fuel shortage; some shops run out of stock

* Myanmar, Afghan hopeful scholars mourn UK study visa ban

Laos

* New Lao-Thai bridge generates over 47.5 billion kip in revenue in first month

* Laos orders checks of fuel supplies following panic buying

Brunei

* Urgent pipe repairs cause water disruptions in Brunei

South Korean college students protesting against the US and Israel's attacks on Iran and upcoming US and South Korea military exercise near the US Embassy in Seoul, South Kore on March 6, 2026. - AP

Aseanplus

* China evacuates hundreds of citizens from Iran as war worsens

* Japan approves stem-cell treatment for Parkinson's in world first

* Australia says Chinese military helicopter in 'unsafe' manoeuvres at sea

* Sri Lanka moving 208 rescued Iranian ship crew to naval camp: Sources

* Chinese Premier Li Qiang calls on Hong Kong to improve governance efficiency

* Australia forces porn sites to block under-18s from March 9

* Man in China discovers gold particles in duck’s stomach, weighing 10gm, worth US$1,800

* Hong Kong woman, 30, arrested over illegal sale of slimming injection

* Japanese film director jailed for eight years for sexual assualt

* India's tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

* China hospital calls in manicurist to remove woman’s fake nails before emergency treatment

* Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai will not appeal conviction, 20-year term, lawyer says

* Nepal's early vote count puts ex-rapper's party ahead

* Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

* South Korea, US militaries discuss moving Patriot missiles to Iran war, Seoul says

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon visiting Lakemba during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Sydney on, March 6, 2026. - Reuters

* Three Australians were aboard US submarine that sank Iranian ship, PM Albanese says

* Hong Kong seen as haven for gold and family offices as conflict raises risks for Dubai

* New Zealand women allegedly smuggled 38kg of meth under towels

* Gas shortage halts production at two fertiliser plants in Bangladesh

* Punch the orphan macaque outgrows plushie

* Pakistan government decides to implement work-from-home, distance learning for fuel conservation

* Canadian drowned after dingo attack in Australia: coroner

* Mongolia to contest at Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championship

* India's ceramics and tiles industry faces shutdown as Middle East conflict disrupts fuel

* Africa emerges as new arena in US-China competition over artificial intelligence

* Hong Kong actor Benny Chan and wife evacuated from Dubai

* Jet Li says he 'failed' as a dad in the past after putting work over daughter