Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (May 4, 2026)

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, left, walks with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin after their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, May 4, 2026. -- AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Malaysia

* Ten M'sian activists safe in Istanbul, to continue in second wave of GSF 2.0 mission

* Young voters reshaping electoral landscape, political education key, say experts

* Muda plans to contest five to 10 seats in next Johor polls, says president

* Malaysia to press on with Gaza humanitarian mission, says Amirudin

* Negri Sembilan MB status remains under review, says Amirudin

* NIISe to be fully implemented in September, says Saifuddin

* B15 biodiesel rollout from June, says Ahmad Zahid

* Malaysia must expand green finance, tech capacity - World Bank

* Rafizi leaves MACC HQ after over nine hours, to return tomorrow

* Negri Sembilan situation unclear despite Umno stance, says Anwar

* Delays in Sabah radar project risks border security gaps, says Saifuddin

* Liew urges Umno to consider 'practical cooperation' in upcoming polls

* Negri Sembilan Umno Youth denies dragging royal institution into politics

* Health Ministry seeks re-evaluation of proposed budget cuts, says Dzulkefly

* Healthcare hiring and school capacity expansion not affected by cuts, says PM

* High Court to hear Anwar’s pre-trial bid in Muhammad Yusoff suit on Aug 4, says lawyer

* Cops: Knife-wielding woman at water music festival charged, to undergo mental health check

* 'You left her a living corpse': Man gets maximum 14-year jail term for assaulting pregnant wife

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, speaks during a meeting with Anthony Albanese, Australia's prime minister, not pictured, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Monday, May 4, 2026. Takaichi is visiting Australia to strengthen ties with one of her country’s strongest allies as she seeks to build on an updated regional strategy laid out in Vietnam. -- Photographer: Hilary Wardhaugh/Bloomberg

Singapore:

* Former manager with DBS Bank admits cheating seven victims, including his uncle, of over RM4.3mil 

* Singapore: Over 2,500 people caught for vape-related offences in first three months of 2026

* Singapore and New Zealand sign deal on fuel, food security after supply chain choked by Mid-East war

* Oil rises as US-Iran deal remains elusive

* Three to be charged over shop theft at Changi Airport

* Japan PM says oil crisis has 'enormous impact' in Asia-Pacific

* Singapore actor Fir Rahman content with simple Kuala Lumpur trips with wife and four kids

* Singapore, New Zealand sign agreement to keep essential supplies flowing even during crises

* New Zealand and Singapore can collaborate more on AI and be leaders in its deployment: PM Wong

* Singapore Exchange unit denies Swiss trader’s allegations over inaccurate Middle East oil shipping costs

Indonesia:

* Indonesian govt defends Cabinet Secretary after politician claims he is gay and unfit for job

* 'Welcome to Indonesia', Malaysians remain top source of foreign tourists' arrival in the country in March 2026

* Malaysia, Indonesia to continue close military cooperation within Asean framework, says Khaled

* Indonesia's Pertamina raises non-subsidised fuel prices, keeps subsidised rates unchanged

* Indonesia's March trade surplus expands to US$3.32bil

* China's Mandarin wave sweeps Indonesia's islands

* Malaria hits record high in Indonesia as elimination challenges persist

* Surabaya Zoo to receive red pandas, giraffes and tortoises from Japan

* Japan, Indonesia discuss defence ties after Tokyo unlocks arms exports

* Riau police nab former pageant finalist for running unlicensed beauty clinic

Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams on the grid during the Round 2 Miami Feature race of the Formula 2 Championship at Miami International Autodrome. -- Photo: Peter Fox/Getty Images/AFP

Thailand:

* Bangkok faces extreme heat alert as heat index exceeds 52°C

* Thailand pushes Land Bridge as energy hub to guard against Hormuz risk

* Thai PM Anutin to set up panel to restudy Land Bridge amid southern opposition

* Lithium battery truck fire forces closures, safety checks on road to Bangkok

* Tighter controls changing street food culture in Bangkok

* Four Myanmar workers arrested in Thailand for alleged murder of employer over unpaid wages

Philippines:

* Philippines sacks cop for alleged rape of unconscious woman inside motel

* Magnitude-6.0 earthquake strikes central Philippines: USGS

* The unexpected benefits of ditching social media

* Stocks gain in Asia, oil flat amid new Gulf proposals

* Oil prices rise despite Trump's plan to free ships in the Strait of Hormuz

* 'No more crowing here' Korean Air bans roosters on US-Philippine routes amid cockfighting outcry

Tricycle drivers play chess to pass the time in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, May 4, 2026. -- Photo: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Vietnam:

* Thousands of tonnes of molasses spill after lightning strike in Vietnam's Nghe An province

* Vietnam to add at least 200 satellite hospitals by 2030

* Rooftop solar power to ease pressure on electricity supply in Vietnam

* Asean+3 outlook softens despite unchanged growth forecast as oil risks rise - AMRO

* Red hot action on the pitch - Top regional giants clash in Asean Club Championships Shopee Cup semifinal

* After Vietnam, Takaichi now visits Australia to bolster economic and defence ties amid the ongoing chaotic Middle East war

Myanmar:

* Road accidents in Myanmar reach 888 in early 2026

* Myanmar Railways operates modern air-conditioned coaches on Yangon–Mandalay route

* WHO says risk to public is low after suspected hantavirus outbreak hits ship

* Ministry warns against use of burning acid to extract precious metals in Cambodia

China’s men’s team celebrates their victory after defeating France in the finals of the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2026 at Forum Horsens on the morning of May 4. -- Photo: Bernama

Cambodia:

* TripAdvisor: Cambodia's Angkor Wat second most attractive tourist destination in Asia for 2026

* FAO scientists warn banana disease remains major threat to plantations worldwide

* Asean shares crude oil supply concerns with Japan, China, and South Korea 

* For foreign workers in the Mideast, risk from the Iran war collides with economic strain at home

Laos:

* Laos, China mark 65 years of diplomatic relations in Beijing

* IMO urges vessels near the Strait of Hormuz to exercise "maximum caution"

* Laos strengthens Mekong river regulation through partnership with Singapore

Brunei:

* Brunei among 10 countries in Makkah Route Initiative

* Massive fire in Brunei affects seven hectares of land

* Gold eases as inflation jitters, Iran war cloud US rate outlook

India's Prime Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi (2L) waves to supporters as he arrives at party headquarters in New Delhi on May 4, 2026. Modi claimed victory on May 4 in state elections in opposition-held West Bengal, where his party has never been in power before. -- Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

AseanPlus:

* Tour van driver in crash involving eight Indian nationals tests positive for meth

* Country’s fuel supply secure despite global price pressures, says Anwar

* Straits of Hormuz still critical for Malaysian oil shipments, says Anwar

* West Asia situation to shape Malaysia's manufacturing performance - S&P Global

* Ten M'sian activists safe in Istanbul, to continue in second wave of GSF 2.0 mission

* Three prominent Malaysian media figures visit ailing laureate Adibah Amin

* RM15mil worth of syabu in container declared as ‘drink stuff’ seized at Sepanggar Port

* Why Fauziah Latiff agreed to stage her first big concert after 40 years in music industry

* Kedah domestic trade enforcers foil attempt to transfer diesel at Chinese cemetery

* Fernandes urges Malaysia to capitalise on West Asia crisis, rethink economic model

* North Korean women's soccer club to make rare visit to South Korea for match

* India's Tamil Nadu set for shock poll results as film star Vijay leads

* HK superstar Aaron Kwok to hold one-night concert in KL on Sept 12

* Nepal PM defends squatter settlement clearances

* New Zealand marriages continue downward trend

* Sri Lanka's fuel import expenditure increases 74.7% in March

* Chinese court rules firms can’t lay off workers on AI grounds

* China-Asean partnership a model for global climate governance

* Beijing rejects US sanctions on refineries over Iran oil links

* Modi eyes milestone win as key Indian states begin vote counts

* Pakistan facilitates return of Iranian crew from US-seized ship

* Afghanistan delivers new residential houses to returning families

* Most Strait of Hormuz shipping at a standstill despite latest US pledge

* S. Korean embassy accused of mismanagement at K-Culture event in Pakistan

* Iran's Fars News agency reports incident with US warship in Strait of Hormuz

* South Korean woman and boyfriend jailed for stealing her dead husband’s ashes

* SK Hynix shares rally 13% after US tech firms signal strong AI spending plans

* Ex-TVB star Ai Wai says he allows himself just 3 days a year to grieve late wife

* Death toll in India's cruise tragedy at the scenic Madhya Pradesh dam rises to 13

* Pregnant South Korean woman loses baby after she was turned away by six hospitals

* Japan's child population falls for 45th straight year to a new low of 13.29 million 

* Analysis-Modi’s poll gains point to push on India's civil law reform, infrastructure

* From TikTok phenomenon to breakout artist, Adam Nuqris unveils his much-anticipated debut 'Alasan'

* Iran's Revolutionary Guards unveil new map of Strait of Hormuz under their control, state media says

* Motor racing - FIA boss divided on multi-team ownership, expects Horner to return to F1

* Asia stands tall: China beats France to retain badminton's Thomas Cup; South Korea upsets China in Uber Cup

* Nation (Malaysia): MIMAC 3.0: Fans spark scuffle, order quickly restored, says association president