Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (March 13, 2024)

(left to right) Malaysia deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin, Myanmar Union Minister Wah Wah Maung, Philippines Undersecretary Allan Gepty, Thailand Deputy Permanent Secretary Ekachat Seetavorarat, Timor Leste Vice Minister of Commerce Augusto Júnior Trindade, Vietnam deputy director of the department on multilateral trade policy under Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Viet Chi, Philippines Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer Roque, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Kim Yong Gan, Brunei Finance Minister and Economy Hajah May Fa'ezah, Cambodia Secretary of State Pich Rithy, Indonesia Vice Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Lao Vice Minister Manothong Vongsay and ASEAN Secretary General Kim Hourn Kao link arms during a group photo at the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat and Related Meetings in Manila on friday, March 13, 2026. -- Photo by Aaron Favila / POOL / AFP

Malaysia:

* RON95 subsidies could reach RM24bil by end 2026 if Iran conflict persists, says PM

* Najib to proceed with bid to cite former AG for contempt

* MACC freezes RM4mil funds in Selangor land misappropriation case

* SSM deputy CEO charged again with receiving RM13,000 in gratification

* Sunway offer 'not fair and not reasonable', says IJM adviser

* PM orders review of WFH proposal, decision expected March 17

* Umno brushes off Abdul Hadi’s ‘haunted house’ jibe over Rumah Bangsa

* Soaring oil prices push Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill into the billions

* Key figures in national security probe have left the country, says Bukit Aman

* Resilient economy keeps Malaysia competitive for investments, says Amir Hamzah

* Albert Tei to apply to transfer five corruption charges to High Court

* Nation: Police to quiz preacher Zamri Vinoth over insults

* Tei claims 'unknown number' sent him pic of gun-wielding MACC officer from raid on his home

* Technician gets 18 years' jail, 24 strokes of cane for child trafficking, sexual abuse

* Oil price increase also poses challenges to oil-producing countries, says Tengku Zafrul

* Penang DCM slams 'malicious, defamatory' claims on land deal, scholarships and overseas trips

A Scoot passenger jet is pictured at Singapore Changi Airport in Singapore on Friday, March 13, 2026. Some Asian airlines have begun hiking ticket fares in response to energy concerns arising from war in the Middle East that have driven up oil prices. -- Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

Singapore:

* Petrol prices in Singapore surpass highs set during Ukraine crisis in 2022

* Singapore seizes over RM3.37mil in vape products in biggest bust since Sept 2025

* Singapore turns tide in evolving fight against scams

* Oil heads for weekly gains despite US sanctions waiver on Russian oil

* Netflix announces 'Kpop Demon Hunters' sequel

* Singapore must train more people to build AI, top official says

* Singaporean actress Kym Ng loves running on weekends as it makes her feel free like a child

* Over six years’ jail in Singapore for woman who abused stepchildren; husband earlier jailed after daughter’s death

* Singapore's Workers' Party secretary-general Pritam Singh faces disciplinary proceedings brought by Law Society

Indonesia:

* Indonesia to accelerate shift to solar energy, phase out fossil-fuel power plants 

* Cops nab 16 foreigners, local man in crackdown on migrant smuggling

* Logging off, living more: Indonesia’s quiet shift to the ‘joy of missing out’

* Indonesia accelerates bioenergy development to boost energy self-sufficiency

* Measles cases surge in Indonesia as anti-vaccine attitudes persist after Covid-19 pandemic

* Indonesian veteran star musician Luck Joe is back to excite the fans with festive single 'Senyum Raya'

People participate in a demonstration against the US-Israeli conflict with Iran in front of the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, March 13, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Thailand:

* Thai authorities seize over 100,000 fake goods in Bangkok mall raid

* Thai vessel attacked in Strait of Hormuz: Ship owners are among Thailand’s richest families

* Bangkok hit by PM2.5 spike and dangerous heat index; public urged to avoid outdoor activity

* Gold set for weekly drop as oil price surge weighs on rate-cut hopes

* Cathay Pacific roughly doubles fuel surcharge on most routes

Philippines:

* Asean will keep energy and food trade open as war roils markets

* One killed after cargo vessel capsizes at central Philippine port

* Philippine unemployment rate jumps to pandemic-era high of 5.8%

* Philippines: Thousands remain trapped at sea

* ASEAN ministers urge halt to Middle East war as crisis rattles energy and trade

People hold placards and Palestinian flags during a demonstration to mark al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day, after Friday prayers in Surabaya on Friday, March 13, 2026. -- Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP

Vietnam:

* China's foreign and defence ministers to visit Vietnam; Beijing seeks to bolster ties and security cooperation

* Vietnam ready for national election day

* Vietnam journalist arrested on 'anti-state' charges: police

* Vietnam launches National Space Centre at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in the capital Hanoi

* Asian stocks slide as Iran war keeps oil near US$100, dents rate-cut bets

Myanmar:

* Myanmar's military boosts air power as it recaptures a key town

* Fuel prices soar in Myanmar amid fuel crisis

* Yangon petrol stations test fuel sales using vehicle QR codes

* Mideast war risks dramatically deepening Myanmar crisis, says UN expert

* Oil drops after US issues license for countries to buy Russian oil stranded at sea for 30 days

Indonesia Vice Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri smiles during the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat and related meetings and events in Manila, Philippines, on Friday, March 13, 2026. -- Aaron Favila/POOL via REUTERS

Cambodia:

* Cambodia drafts its first law targeting online scam centres

* Cambodia launches project to combat fake news

* Song written for friend by Cambodian student becomes anthem of self-belief for women

* Is the next Pokemon game set in South-East Asia? Millions of fans in the region are convinced

Laos:

* Thai King and Queen to visit Laos next week

* Laos works to improve education quality, access

* Laos adjusts fuel pricing mechanism due to soaring oil prices amid West Asia tensions

Brunei:

* Research launch marks International Women’s Day celebration in Brunei

* Brunei hosts "Let's Raya 2026" festive sale

* 'Dream holidays' in disarray, trips diverted as travellers count cost of Iran war

Tourists take a selfie with almond blossoms in an orchard at the Badamwari Garden in old downtown Srinagar in India. -- Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP

AseanPlus:

* Malaysia slams Israel’s ‘heinous’ closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

* Malaysia in stronger position thanks to net energy exporter status, subsidy reforms

* MAG continues to review fares, fuel surcharges amid market volatility

* US warns of possible strikes on Iran ports as Hormuz becomes flashpoint

* Could foreign judges give China’s legal system the expertise to go global?

* Trump claimed in G7 call that Iran is "about to surrender," Axios reports

* Trump holds phone call with Putin to discuss ‘quick’ ending to Iran war

* New Nepal government faces old challenges

* Japan ready to join Trump's "Golden Dome": report

* Lessons from South Tokyo’s creative neighbourhood

* China’s OpenClaw frenzy tests Xi’s approach to regulate AI

* Ex-CEO of SriLankan Airlines arrested over alleged Airbus bribe

* Why war on Iran is not Trump’s to end: Israel may ‘fan the flames’

* O&G-related stocks rise as Iran signals Hormuz will remain closed

* Australia orders all 'non-essential' officials to leave Israel, UAE

* China's People's Congress approves five-year plan prioritising tech

* Qantas to pay US$74 million to customers for cancelled Covid flights

* How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

* South Korea police raid transport ministry in widening Jeju Air crash probe

* Hong Kong corruption watchdog arrests eight in US$40m insider dealing probe

* Taiwan parties agree government can sign stalled agreements on US arms deals

* South Korean YouTuber offers 3.57bil won home as giveaway in membership push

* One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, Snapchat after social media ban

* Taiwan scrambles to sign US arms deals before deadline amid defence budget gridlock

* South Korea to host French President Macron for April 2-3 state visit, Blue House says

* Pakistan bombs fuel depot of private airline near Kandahar airport, Afghan Taliban says

* China’s size, strength insulates its energy security amid geopolitical shocks: lawmaker

* Indian source says Iran to allow India-flagged tankers through Hormuz as first tanker arrives

* Economic Security 101: Why China’s officials now have to study rare earths and supply chains

* 'Goyang Raya': A manifestation of colour imagery and the symbol of national unity of Malaysia

* ‘Cyber confession room’ where China youth share struggles like financial problems gains traction

* Blast rocks Tehran after Israel threatened to target area where pro-government rally was being held

* Zaki Yamani-Ahmad Merrah, the sons of legendary Malaysian superstars, release festive single 'Raya tak nak single'

* Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia hopes for helping hand for young Jden, who suffers traumatic brain injury since birth

* Motor racing -- Mercedes the class of the field in Chinese GP practice

* Football -- FIFA-banned Harimau Malaya quartet blocked from MFL action

* Badminton -- Aaron-Khai Xing stun Indonesian third seeds to march into Swiss Open quarters

* Australia beats North Korea 2-1 to reach Women's Asian Cup semifinals and clinch World Cup berth