Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Friday (March 20)


Thailand's Prime Minister-elect Anutin Charnvirakul receiving a royal endorsement in front of a portrait of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn during a royal endorsement ceremony, in Bangkok on March 20, 2026. - Reuters

Malaysia

* Malaysia's strength lies in our unity, collective resolve, says Anwar in Aidilfitri address

* Cherish time spent with family, loved ones, says Zahid in Hari Raya greeting

* Anwar touched by creative Hari Raya cards from students

* 20km-long jam at Pahang-Kelantan border, cops expecting congestion to worsen

* Sufficient food supplies for the festive season, Mat Sabu assures Malaysians

* Anwar welcomes Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire, urges lasting peace

* Malaysian charged after 5kg of meth found in suitcase at Sydney Airport

* Malaysia tech salaries surpass Japan as semiconductor boom drives pay higher

* Ministers urge M'sians to maintain harmony, unity in Aidilfitri greetings

* Secondary cities in Malaysia are gaining attention as tourism hotspots

* Malaysian retiree to run 2,200km around Peninsular Malaysia for children with cancer

* AirAsia's Fernandes welcomes first grandchild

* Lower temperature over temple issues, says IGP

* ferry schedule to be restructured over rising diesel costs

* Wanted man nabbed after chase on NKVE

* MCMC uses Raya short film to raise awareness of online scams

* Magic of 1970s Raya songs hard to rival, says DJ Dave

* Look who's back - Mandopop reigning queen G.E.M. is back to thrill the South-East Asia fans in Bukit Jalil on June 6

* Top celebrities enhance and brighten the Hari Raya spirit for MRT visitors during Glam Raya Runway Melody show

Singapore

* Singapore ready to step in to help businesses, households if Middle East conflict worsens: Minister

* Two young Singapore violinists take home top awards at global competition in Prague

* Woman who allegedly sent messages with slew of vulgarities charged with impersonating police officer in Singapore

* Chinese national charged with stealing women’s shoes, underwear and clothes in Singapore

* Sixth Malaysian arrested in Singapore in two weeks over government official impersonation scams

* Amos Yee charged in Singapore court over 2016 National Service enlistment offences after being deported from US

* StanChart, BSI lose Singapore court bid in 1MDB-related claims

* Singapore PM congratulates Thai counterpart Anutin on re-election

* Maybank finances S$65mil loan for Singapore’s fourth egg farm

Thailand

* Thai MP Kamonsak Leewamoh unharmed after gun attack on vehicle outside home

* British reality TV star found dead in Phuket canal after suspected accidental fall

* Fuel shortage hits taxi service at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport

* Anutin back for second term as PM

* audit office releases report on building collapse, cites four main causes

A Muslim girl hitting a traditional drum called
Protesters raising their fists and shouting slogans as they take part in an anti-US, anti-war and anti-Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi demonstration rally following a US-Japan summit meeting in Washington D.C. amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tokyo on March 20, 2026.- Reuters

Indonesia

* Indonesia president calls acid attack on activist 'terrorism'

* Indonesian president signals exit from 'Board of Peace' if it fails to support Palestine

* Indonesia pledges not to increase fuel prices

* Muslim order in Indonesia's Aceh marks early Aidil Fitri

* Indonesian billionaire Michael Bambang Hartono dies at 86

* Indonesian actress Olla Ramlan celebrates Raya with new romance, rumoured beau is 26 years younger

* Prabowo: Indonesia steps up industrialisation drive, eyes EV ecosystem

Philippines

* Philippines accuses China of 'provocative' target tracking on ship

* Suspect in killing of Filipina ex-beauty queen charged with murder

* Sara Duterte: Eid’l Fitr a reminder that Filipinos’ sacrifices are valued

* Philippine police deploy market watchdogs to curb illegal price hikes

* Philippines to import first Russian crude in five years next week, data shows

Vietnam

* Vietnam sees petrol prices shoot up overnight

* Indonesia one of Vietnam’s top foreign policy priorities: PM

* Hanoi begins construction on new sections of Ring Road 2.5

* Vietnam confident of market upgrade, investment boost after sustained sell-off: Minister

Cambodia

* Phnom Penh court orders 65 scam suspects held in custody

* One killed in cluster bomb explosion in north-west Cambodia

* Royal approval breathes new life into abandoned Stung Treng heritage site in Cambodia

Myanmar

* Myanmar parliament says to start process to select new president on March 30

* Agency charged for defrauding Myanmar workers with false overseas job promises

* Myanmar authorities urge caution as temperatures rise

* Junta touts surrender of over 500 rebels

Laos

* Lao National Assembly to elect top leaders at inaugural session next week

* Laos, Philippines promote electric vehicles as Middle East turmoil spikes fuel prices

* Laos plans wage hike to support workers amid economic pressure

Brunei

* Brunei's central bank updates alert list, adds unlicensed entity

* Cable theft behind recent power disruptions, says Brunei department

* Brunei eyes launch of stock exchange by 2027

Protesters raising their fists and shouting slogans as they take part in an anti-US, anti-war and anti-Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi demonstration rally following a US-Japan summit meeting in Washington D.C. amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tokyo on March 20, 2026.- Reuters

Aseanplus

* Trump and Takaichi hit it off, she dodges his Iran war rage, also brings up China concerns

* Trapped in debt, with no way back: China weighs personal bankruptcy reform

* Australia calls for calm as Middle East war fans anxiety over inadequate fuel reserves

* Chinese man lives for eight years with chopstick stuck in throat, resisting surgery due to fear

* Fuel prices in India rise amid Middle East conflict

* Fire at car parts factory in Korea leaves 55 injured, more than a dozen unaccounted for

* Joint statement on Strait of Hormuz by European nations, Japan, Canada

* Sri Lanka refused ground access to US warplanes: President

* Hong Kong businessman Jason Poon, five others arrested in HK$6 million fraud case

* BTS comeback sparks 103% surge in hotel bookings by foreign visitors in South Korea

* China woman reunites with birth parents after being abandoned in toilet by grandad 28 years ago

* Trump compares Pearl Harbour to strikes on Iran in meeting Japan's leader

* Some 50 hurt in fire at car parts factory in South Korea, Yonhap says

* BTS concert in South Korea to herald stream of live events, Netflix says

* IEA calls for urgent oil demand cuts amid West Asia crisis

* Seoul’s red lights in honour of BTS draw political scrutiny

* Chinese, Vietnamese defence ministers co-host border defence friendship exchange

* Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks

* India to tackle global obesity with affordable Ozempic jabs

* South Korea parliament passes bill stripping prosecutors of investigative powers

* China's exports of rare earth magnets jump ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

* Japan, US announce US$40bil nuclear power project

* ‘Human factors’ led to 168 deaths

* Little monsters headed to the big screen

* Fifteen die in rain-related incidents as heavy showers, strong winds hit parts of Karachi

* Some 50 hurt in fire at car parts factory in South Korea, Yonhap says

* Australian mosque protesters heckle PM Albanese over Israel stance

* Islamabad and Kabul agree to halt fighting during Aidilfitri

* New Macau security law allows for trials behind closed doors

* Scientists use mosquitoes to track endangered Australian wildlife

* Bangladesh train derailment: At least 66 injured; assistant station master suspended

* Hong Kong women’s group condemns entry of Tates amid safety and equality concerns

* Iran women's football team feted in Tehran after asylum battle

* Price rises due to Iran war dampen Aidil Fitri in Pakistan

* Mongolian capital ready to accept private initiatives to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion

* Children’s headphones on Temu, Amazon found with chemicals exceeding safety limits in South Korea

* Rising number of single women threatens Nepali nomadic tribe

* Strong winds and rain leave 18 dead in Karachi

* Behind the BTS comeback, the dark side of K-pop

 

 

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Asean news , headlines , March 20

Next In Aseanplus News

Hanoi begins construction on new sections of Ring Road 2.5
Indonesia one of Vietnam’s top foreign policy priorities: PM
Philippines to import first Russian crude in five years next week, data shows
Cable theft behind recent power disruptions, says Brunei department
Fuel prices in India rise amid Middle East conflict
Singapore ready to step in to help businesses, households if Middle East conflict worsens: Minister
Australia calls for calm as Middle East war fans anxiety over inadequate fuel reserves
Anwar welcomes Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire, urges lasting peace
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