Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (March 15, 2026)

Passengers disembark from a ferry at the Perak seaport in Surabaya on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as people travel to their hometowns ahead of Eid al-Fitr (Hari Raya), which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. -- Photo by JUNI KRISWANTO / AFP

Malaysia

* Zamri, Tamim detected in Southern Thailand

* Media council to launch public complaints portal

* Onn Hafiz: Door open for former Johor Umno members

* Dr Wee: BN will gain from Hishammuddin, KJ comeback

* PM Anwar announces extra holiday for Hari Raya this year

* Hire Purchase (Amendment) Act 2026 to take effect June 1

* 1,700 level crucial turning point on Bursa Malaysia for this week

* Sabah's rice supply stable, no need for panic buying, says minister

* RON95 to stay at RM1.99 despite soaring global oil prices, says Anwar

* MTEN to assess fuel supply security, impact of global energy disruptions

* Sultan Ismail Petra Airport to start full operation tomorrow after expansion works

* Gas supply sufficient for power plant operations despite Middle East war, says Fadillah

* Aidilfitri: Expect congestion at Rantau Panjang ICQS, 50,000 travellers to cross border

* Armed robbers make off with cash and phones from Desa Setapak convenience store

* Offer employees flexible leave arrangements this Aidilfitri, HR Ministry urges employers

* Ringgit expected to move into the 3.93-3.98 range against the US dollar on oil price watch from Monday (March 16) 

Golf - LIV Golf - Singapore - Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore - March 15, 2026; Crushers GC's Bryson DeChambeau celebrates with his trophy after winning the LIV Golf Singapore -- Photo: REUTERS/Edgar Su

Singapore

* More new citizens for a baby-scarce Singapore: Can integration into society balance rising immigration?

* Clean energy for Singapore - Indonesia says BBK green industrial zone nearing finalisation in a major deal with neighbours 

* Singapore recalls two more formula milk products over cereulide toxin

* New rules, whistle-blowing channel for Singapore's PropertyLimBrothers after leadership controversy

* Lecturers at four Singapore universities use AI to grade students’ work

* Over 20 doctors and dentists in Singapore caught practising without valid credentials between 2023 and 2025

* Stray cat population rises in Singapore's Sungei Kadut, Tuas despite nationwide sterilisation programme

Indonesia

* Indonesia's world-famous Merdeka Palace and Sarinah Building among 16 new herotages sites in Jakarta 

* Iran war brings fuel risk to Indonesia ahead of Eid travel surge

* Indonesia braces for 143.9 million Eid homecoming travellers

* Indonesia condemns Israeli attacks in Southern Lebanon, urges end to hostilities

* Global brokerages chase Indonesia’s retail investor boom as regulators clean up stock market

* More expensive dates? How the Mid-East conflict is affecting supply of Ramadan food in South-East Asia

Thailand's Supanida Katethong during her women's final match against Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani at the Badminton Swiss Open in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, March 15, 2026. Supanida won the title with a 21-11, 21-15 score. Photo: Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP

Thailand

* Bhumjaithai MP Sophon has been elected as House Speaker as Thailand moves to form a government 

* Thai king opens new parliamentary session after general election

* Egg prices in Thailand to rise 6 baht per tray from Monday (March 16)

* Parliament to open amid ballots issue

* Thailand’s newest private escape

* PM Anutin reassures public as Thailand says oil supplies remain sufficient

Philippines

* Asean prepares as West Asia conflict intensifies amid drone attacks and diplomatic tensions 

* Japan hammer Philippines 7-0 to sweep into Women's Asian Cup semis - the region's women soccer showpiece

* 342 Filipinos from Saudi and Bahrain return home via a chartered flight 

* Call for end to hostilities by the Philippines

* Philippines cuts airport, passenger fees

* Philippine women's group condemns escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of risks to Philippines

Ethnic minority citizens line up to cast their votes inside a polling station in the northern Vietnamese province of Tuyen Quang on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Polls opened in Vietnam with voters casting ballots for members of the National Assembly, the country's top legislative body that serves mainly to ratify decisions by the ruling Communist Party. -- Photo by -STR / AFP

Vietnam

* Voting closes peacefully as Vietnam elects a new parliament, paving the way for the next leadership

* High hopes for the people: Voter turnout hits over 93% for Vietnam's national election

* Gulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen the war

* Communist Party fields nearly 93% of candidates as Vietnam holds parliament elections

* Over 9.6 million Ho Chi Minh City voters from all walks of lives cast their ballots

* Party General Secretary casts ballot in Hanoi's Ba Dinh Ward

Myanmar

* Oil market set for tumultuous week as Kharg attack raises stakes

* Myanmar launches Dawn of a New State forum

* Toe successfully transplanted to replace severed thumb at Yangon Orthopaedic Hospital

* Elephant electrocuted, dies in charity drive at Myanmar's Kyaukse Dam

* Trump says US will hit Iran 'very hard' and gold slips and heads for second consecutive weekly fall

A man walks past a promotion board for Scare Out, at a cinema in Beijing. The Chinese movie that marks the first motion picture to be endorsed by China's secretive and powerful Ministry of State Security. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Cambodia

* Over 400 fuel depots, stations in Cambodia remain closed due to new stock delays

* Shuttered petrol stations on probe over shortage

* Bill against online scams approved

* South Korean concert promotes Cambodia as ‘safe tourism destination’

Laos

* Preparing measures to address fuel challenges

* Laos, Book Festival

* French, German ambassadors observe school meals programme in Laos

Brunei

* Brunei proposes national budget of BND6.3bil

* Brunei road upgrades, flyovers in pipeline to improve traffic flow: Minister

* Brunei is expanding Muara Port capacity to strengthen the logistics sector and achieve international recognition

An angler fishes at Tagonoura port near industrial facilities as Mount Fuji is seen in the background from Fuji city, Shizuoka Prefecture. -- Photo by Philip FONG / AFP

Aseanplus

* ART deal not applicable after US Supreme Court overturns tariffs, says Johari

* US-China trade talks open in Paris, paving the way for Trump-Xi summit

* South Korea 'closely monitoring' Trump call to send warships to Hormuz

* Club Med Borneo in Sabah's Kuala Penyu district to open in November

* US says can provide 'reliable' energy supply to Asia-Pacific

* Guest house fire in Seoul injures 10, mostly foreign tourists

* 700 used cars destroyed in Tuaran storage facility blaze

* Oscars security tighter than ever amid Iran war

* Missiles launched in show of force by North Korea

* Train from North Korea reaches Beijing

* Birthrate rebounds from record lows

* Pakistan says hit military facilities in Afghanistan

* Loud explosions heard in Bahrain's capital city of Manama

* Korean authorities on alert as won nears 1,500 on oil surge

* Two India-bound tankers cross Strait of Hormuz: shipping ministry

* One surprise after another: Oscars night set to be unpredictable

* Japan says bar high for sending warships to protect Gulf oil lane

* Australia troops to be deployed to assist flood-hit northern territory

* India arrests another suspect in Bangladesh uprising leader's killing

* AI wildlife videos blur reality, raising conservation concerns in Bhutan

* Israeli authorities continue closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque for 16th consecutive day 

* Painted friends comfort Sero, zebra famous for escaping from South Korea zoo

* A bus carrying Indian pilgrims plunges off a mountain road in Nepal, killing seven

* North Korean leader Kim oversees test-launch of multiple rocket launchers - KCNA

* Three Iranian women soccer players to return home after seeking asylum in Australia

* Counterespionage thriller is first Chinese movie to get backing of intelligence agency

* China pet shop owner finds dumped cat with touching note and cash from elderly facing surgery

* Pakistan’s president says Afghan Taliban forces crossed a ‘red line’ with drone attacks on civilians

* Kerala Govt softens stand on Sabarimala women entry, urges Supreme Court to consider views of religious scholars

* 'Hail the young guns': Emotional Antonelli wins maiden grand prix with Mercedes 1-2 in China's F1 show

* Sport - Squash - Sivasangari strikes gold in Australia in style

* Motorcycling - MotoGP postpones Qatar Grand Prix due to Middle East conflict

* Baseball-Venezuela stun Japan to reach WBC semi-finals, Italy eliminate Puerto Rico