Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Friday (April 3)

Catholic devotees carrying a casket containing a statue of Jesus during a Good Friday sea procession from Tuan Menino Chapel, a ritual inherited from Portuguese influence for over five centuries, in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara, on April 3, 2026. - AFP

Malaysia

* DOE Deputy D-G charged with six counts of bribery

* Court sets May 7 to hear Najib’s bid to stay execution of US$1.3bil payment to SRC

* Passenger falls on tracks at Abdullah Hukum Station

* WFH not a free pass to take it easy, Chief Sec reminds civil servants

* Immigration Dept cripples 'Geng Ashraf' migrant smuggling syndicate, 30 detained

* Over nine million Malaysians have saved RM2.8bil due to energy incentives

* Engagement sessions on separating AG-Public Prosecutor roles with NGOs completed, says Azalina

* Actors Glenn Yong & Eric Lay detail paranormal experiences filming at Batu Caves

* Kelana Jaya LRT line service restored after earlier track incident

* Papagomo files appeal against sedition conviction

* Driver of car that crashed into two motorcycles pleads not guilty

* Price hikes, outlook cuts - What airlines are doing as fuel costs surge

Singapore

* Singapore teen arrested after allegedly licking iJooz straw and placing it back in machine

* How does heat affect the way we walk? New tool developed in Singapore tracks policemen’s gait to prevent heat illness

* ‘Price of everything is increasing’: Daily life in Singapore takes hit from Iran war

* Singaporean singer Shazza is a ‘kinder, better person’ because of her family cat Rayyan

* Car driver arrested after Singapore hit-and-run accident injuring motorcyclist

A passenger plane preparings to land at the airport as commuters drive on the road below on a heavily polluted day in Chiang Mai on April 2, 2026. Seasonal agricultural burning, forest fires and weather patterns produce an annual pollution season across much of South-East Asia. But parts of northern Thailand are seeing haze that even hardened locals say is exceptional. - AFP

Thailand

* Human remains found on Thai ship hit in Hormuz; families of three missing crew notified

* Thai household debt climbs to 86.7% of GDP, exposing deeper economic fragility

* Bangkok’s soft-soil basin could amplify earthquake shaking by three to six times

* Why Thailand is reviving its tourist entry fee plan: Analysis

* Thailand faces 'worst energy crisis in history' as diesel prices treble

* From full houses to five customers a day: How the Iran conflict has hollowed out Bangkok tourism

Indonesia

* Indonesian airlines renew call to raise fare cap as jet fuel prices jump 70%

* Indonesia to repatriate slain peacekeepers as Lebanon violence escalates

* Indonesia's Mt Dukono erupts, spews ash up to 4,000m

Philippines

* Braving high fuel costs, Filipinos flock to crucifixion spectacle

* Philippine farmers turn to ‘Pasyon’ to sustain fight for land and justice

* Philippine palace debunks ‘energy lockdown’ claim as fake news

* Seven injured after part of ceiling at Manila airport collapses

* Smuggled ketamine from Netherlands found in cable spool at Philippine port

Vietnam

* Phan Thiet Airport in Vietnam's south-central region set for construction in late April

* Vietnam refinery boosting jet fuel production

* Quang Ninh launches round-the-clock medical service for tourists at Ha Long Bay

* Vietnam mulls cutting taxes on selected petroleum products to zero

Cambodia

* Cambodian PM likely to use French visit to shore up support for border resolution

* Cambodia's first demining hero rat Magawa honoured with statue

* Expats in Cambodia champion Khmer identity through traditional dress

* Cambodian lawmakers approve anti-cybercrime law

Myanmar

* Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing elected president by pro-military parliament

* Myanmar parliament starts voting on presidency

* Myanmar backs EV-for-old-car swaps to cut fuel use and imports

Laos

* Laos reports over 16,000 fire hotspots amid rising air pollution

* Fuel crisis drives up Lao inflation to 9.7%

* Laos promotes mine awareness with focus on youth participation

Brunei

* Six apprentices start Brunei aviation journey

* Brunei Year 7 students attend nationhood briefing

A woman pushing her dog's pram under fully bloomed cherry blossoms in Tokyo on April 3, 2026. - AFP

Aseanplus

* China tightens border controls, culls cattle amid foot-and-mouth outbreak

* ‘Don’t tell others how to do their jobs’: Inaction, disregard for safety led to Hong Kong’s deadly fire

* Man in China uses septic tank trucks on wedding day; bride happily embraces unique choice

* Chinese Politburo member Ma Xingrui under probe by anti-graft watchdog

* Australians cancel Easter travel as worries mount over fuel crisis

* China urges respect for Palestinian rights after Israel passes death penalty law

* South Korea's Lee urges US visa reforms, raises defence role in talks with senators

* New forces reshape how China buys

Christians attening Good Friday service at Sacred Heart Cathedral, in Lahore, Pakistan, on April 3, 2026. - AP

* Bhutan bets on mega farms to boost food security, create jobs

* Rain, wind to shorten South Korea’s peak viewing window for cherry blossoms

* Osaka stray deer named ‘Shikayan,’ eats cracker from Osaka, Nara governors

* India's 'Mounjaro brides': weight-loss injections become part of pre-wedding preparation

* North Korea's Kim pets puppies, kittens at Pyongyang pet shop

* Chinese drug fugitive repatriated from US

* India graveyard raid uncovers hidden cooking gas canisters amid shortage

* Pakistan announces free public transport as energy crisis bites

* Geisha spectacle in Japan's Kyoto celebrates arrival of spring

* New Zealand electric vehicle sales soar during petrol price pinch

* Bangladesh cuts working hours to save energy amid Middle East crisis

* Streaming channel for pets launched in China

* Microsoft to invest $10 billion in Japan for AI and cyber defence expansion

* Boxing drama 'Bloodhounds' returns with K-pop star Rain as main villain

* Chinese star Song Ningfeng admits to cheating on wife, suspends acting career