Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (March 23, 2026)

Revellers watch as hot air balloons decorated with traditional motifs are prepared for launch during the annual hot air balloon festival held to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Semayu village in Wonosobo, Central Java on Monday, March 23, 2026. -- Photo by DEVI RAHMAN / AFP

Malaysia

* Malaysia among top three Asean countries affected by Gulf oil disruption

* King and Queen host royal Raya celebration

* PM Anwar extends birthday wishes to Sultan Ibrahim

* Zahid extends official birthday greetings to Sultan Ibrahim

* Heatwave sends durian trees blooming earlier than expected

* Malaysia joins WHO event online due to West Asia conflict

* Country's medicine supply stable, says Health Ministry

* Prolonged hot spell risks disrupting ecosystem, say experts

* Two men arrested in Mersing for 'indecent act' in parked car

* Traffic snarls on major highways as Aidilfitri travellers head home

* Tawau constituency structure to be reassessed following voter surge

* Kedah folk urged to cut outdoor activities during hot, dry weather

* Malaysia: Govt boosts AI, big data use for extreme weather monitoring

* 15 heat-related cases this year, including one child death, says Dzulkefly

* Stricter rules for fireworks stalls on Penang mainland after midnight blaze

* Health Ministry officer caught smoking at eatery to face disciplinary action, fine

Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan speaks to Reuters during an interview at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore, on Monday, March 23, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Edgar Su

Singapore

* Singapore and Australia share concern on West Asia conflicts, aiming to strengthen energy security

* Singapore inflation outlook for 2026 to be reassessed as energy prices soar from Iran war

* 2025 a year of weather extremes, with hottest June and November on record logged: Singapore's Met report

* Assistant manager in Singapore charged with accepting bribes of at least S$230,000 cash and gifts over 10 years

* Over three years’ jail for woman in Singapore who stole S$1.8mil from her employer to fund her own businesses

* Singapore core inflation at 1.4% y/y in February, slightly higher than expected

* US crude spikes 3% as Iran threatens to hit Gulf power infra over Trump warning

* Asia shares slip, oil choppy as Gulf war escalates

* The Olympics-LA28 unveils floral-inspired visual identity for 2028 Olympics

Indonesia

* Indonesian civil servants to work from home once a week to cut energy consumption

* Indonesia deports German over unauthorized research in national park

* Indonesia arrests Swiss man for allegedly insulting Hindu holiday

* Indonesia will not sacrifice national interests in US trade agreement - Prabowo

* Indonesia eyes US$4.7bil in savings to brace for Mideast conflict impacts

* Prabowo pushes for all-electric transport to cut import reliance

* Govt mulls lifting deficit cap amid high oil price - Jakarta’s priority is maintaining economic growth

An aerial view shows hot air balloons decorated with traditional motifs before their launch during the annual hot air balloon festival held to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Semayu village in Wonosobo, Central Java on Monday, March 23, 2026. -- Photo by DEVI RAHMAN / AFP

Thailand

* Thailand to introduce 'Fuel Now' app for real-time petrol station updates

* Luxury hotels in Thailand cut prices as war keeps tourists away

* 7,000 Malaysians, Thais cross at Rantau Panjang ICQS over Aidilfitri

* Chiang Mai diesel shortage deepens as pump supplies run dry

* UN weather agency confirms hottest decade on record

* Thai Airways board to weigh crisis measures as oil surge hits costs and bookings

Philippines

* Over 400 Philippine gas stations shut down amid fuel price surge due Mideast war

* World Athletics decision to hand Asia two world indoors 'strategic', Philippines in the running, says Seb Coe

* Asia stocks plunge, gold wipes out 2026 gains as Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum

* Palace in Philippines vows justice in broadcaster’s slay

* Philippine President Marcos orders crisis committee amid West Asia conflict

* Bitcoin struggles to hold US$70,000 as war fuels inflation fears

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pose during their meeting in Moscow, on Monday, March 23, 2026. -- Alexander Miridonov, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP

Vietnam

* Vietnam giant VinFast's fourth-quarter loss widens, aims to restart US plant construction 

* Vietnam's Communist Party meets, with new state leaders set to be nominated

* Vietnamese workers struck by waves in Japan: one dead, three missing

* Vietnam: Communist Party wins lion’s share

* Two people are dead after sleeper bus rams into morocycle in Vietnam's Lam Dong

* How China influencer achieves monthly sales of US$14 million by selling US$10 beauty products

Myanmar

* Myanmar to step up vehicle fuel rationing as shortages grow

* Myanmar introduces work-from-home Wednesdays for govt departments to conserve fuel

* GOF detains 14 Myanmar nationals, seize e-cigarettes worth RM750,000

* West Asia conflict fuels crisis, disrupting daily life from Vientiane to Yangon

* Trump backs down on strikes on Iran's power network, says US and Tehran holding talks / Iran's Fars says no direct or indirect talks with US, disputes Trump statement

Tourists are enjoying the sights on a tourist boat as they travel along the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. - Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

Cambodia

* Mideast war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks

* New species, rare wildlife, including a pit viper, discovered in Cambodia's karst caves, say conservationists

* Authorities detain 49 in Phnom Penh scam centre raid

* Cambodian supplier to suspend LPG sales due to supply shortage

* Cambodia's major LPG importer to temporarily halt supply from April

Laos

* First session of new parliament opens in Laos; Thongloun re-elected as president

* Hin Nam No park’s inscription as World Heritage Site celebrated in Laos

* Lao Assembly elects Sisoulith President, Siphandone PM

Brunei

* Moving up: Brunei eyes launch of stock exchange by 2027

* Brunei's Ministry of Religious Affairs allocated over BND280 million budget

* Gold slides over 3% as Middle East tensions stoke inflation fears

A model wears a creation of Assignments by Ruoyi Hou, during China Fashion Week (Spring) 2026 in Beijing, China, Monday, March 23, 2026. -- AP Photo/Vincent Thian

Aseanplus

* Malaysia resilient to oil shock as Asean’s only net energy exporter

* Bank Negara outlines MHIT plan to tackle Malaysia’s healthcare challenges

* Bangladeshi man found drowned after falling into river

* Plane crash still unsolved after four years

* New limit on wedding guests sparks backlash

* BTS reunion concert draws over 100,000 fans

* China aims to be major hub of global demand

* Release of acclaimed Gaza film blocked in India

* Hormuz minesweeping possible if ceasefire reached

* Iran frees one of two detained Japanese nationals

* Colombo raises fuel prices by 25% as conflict bites

* UN weather agency confirms hottest decade on record

* Trump postpones military strikes on Iranian power plants

* China's internet regulator announces new video standards

* Beijing vows more open national treatment for foreign firms

* Pope voices 'deep concern' over ongoing conflict in West Asia

* Japan ‘not thinking about’ discussing Hormuz passage with Iran

* South Korea says no significant oil supply disruption in April

* Pakistan vows to 'eradicate terrorism' as Afghan truce nears end

* China limits fuel price hikes as oil costs surge, says government 

* Grab to buy Delivery Hero's Foodpanda Taiwan business for US$600mil

* China's Sinopec will not buy Iranian oil, wants to tap state reserves

* Iran says coastal attack will lead to full Gulf closure and mine-laying

* New Hong Kong rules force people to give up passwords in security cases

* China warns of 'uncontrollable situation' in Mideast after Trump threats

* Nepali youth demand release of govt report into deadly September uprising

8 Air Canada jet hits truck at New York's LaGuardia airport; both pilots killed

* 'Arirang' review: BTS’ long-awaited comeback album is an exciting experiment

* North Korea's Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs, KCNA says

* China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

* Hybe shares drop 14.5% after weaker-than-expected turnout at BTS comeback concert

* BTS comeback concert sparks debate over crowd control in South Korea, public disruption

* Indian citizens encouraged to use PNG, induction cooktops: Govt amid West Asia conflict

* Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park makes Time magazine's World's Greatest Places 2026 list

* Chinese man, 82, travels 12 hours daily for 105 days to visit wife in ICU; devotion touches hearts

* Entertainment: Football star Jorginho slams Chappell Roan for accusing 11YO stepdaughter of 'harassment'

* Football: Harimau Malaya fall to 135th in FIFA rankings

* Football: Cklamovski plays down future talk, highlights Harimau Malaya progress