Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Tuesday (July 21)

A defendant speaking to her lawyers during a trial in a baby trafficking case at the Bandung District Court in Bandung, West Java, on July 21, 2026. - AFP

Malaysia

* PM calls on Immigration personnel to uphold integrity, reject corruption

* Azam Baki denies involvement in deals won by brother’s firm

* No evidence of passport misuse found in Network School probe, says Immigration DG

* Malaysia strengthening digital governance to secure technological progress

* Negri polls: Anwar to campaign at four locations on July 22

* Cops nab 16 online scammers preying on US citizens

* ECRL expected to contribute up to RM90bil to GDP by 2047

* Cops seize almost 250kg of ganja worth RM20mil in KLIA

* Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania admitted as members of Asean friendship treaty

* Quick-thinking guard saves RM82,000 from bank robber in Klang

* Melaka eyes tourism partnership with China’s Zhouzhuang water town

* Malaysia's growing appeal as a medical tourism destination

* Gov't expected to announce outcome of talks with Thailand by month-end, says Mohamad Sabu

* Sarawak aims to be 'hybrid petro-electro' state for low-carbon future

* Onn Hafiz backs Network School licence revocation

* PAS-Umno cooperation necessary to reinforce Malay Muslim political power, says Hadi

* MACC arrests Sabah NGO chief over misuse of RM2mil

* Defence Ministry working on establishing cyber force as fourth service branch

* Negri polls: BN promises 50,000 new jobs if given mandate

* Malaysia to strengthen cooperation with Australia amidst global economic uncertainty, says Tok Mat

* Independent candidate in Negri polls to be charged over social media post

* Imported durian from Thailand falls 36.67%, no issue of dumping, says Chan

* Brothers remanded over alleged assault linked to underage sister, say cops

* Penang aims for 100% digital payment adoption rate

* Dolphin carcass found washed ashore at Kurung Tengar beach

* Malaysia Airlines adopts IATA programme to enhance flight safety

* Search ops launched for teen believed attacked by crocodile in S'wak

* KL retains spot among world’s top 15 best student cities in QS 2027 ranking

Singapore

* Singapore Armed Forces captain charged with possessing sexually explicit child abuse materials

* EV catches fire outside Woodlands HDB carpark; no injuries reported

* Malaysia's new high commissioner to Singapore presents credentials to president Tharman

* Singapore woman allegedly shared obscene images of young boys; took videos of girl, six, in bathroom

Thailand

* Thailand records 17.36 million foreign tourist arrivals so far

* Online scam losses across Asia-Pacific triple to US$114bil, UN Says

* Heavy rain forecast in Thailand's North and upper Northeast as monsoon strengthens

* Thailand and FBI deepen crackdown on global scam networks

Indonesia

* All 19 members of Indonesian trafficking ring that smuggled babies into Singapore sentenced to prison

* Indonesian parliament approves defence cooperation pacts with Malaysia and Turkiye

* Indonesia cuts budget of president's free meals programme further to US$12.8bil

* Mob attacks on transgender women in Bogor spark outrage

* Indonesia layoffs rise to 32,389 in first half amid manufacturing slowdown

This photo taken and handout by Russia's Foreign Ministry on July 21, 2026 shows Laos Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane (right) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov walking to start their meeting on the sidelines of the Asean summit of foreign ministers in Pasay, Metro Manila, on July 21. - AFP

Philippines

* South China Sea rivalry looms over Asean meeting

* Philippine palace confirms Sara Duterte on approved foreign trip until July 31

* China summons Philippine ambassador over clash in disputed waters

* Sara Duterte impeachment trial: NBI director called to the stand

* Asean weighs benchmarks, longer-term envoy to revive stalled Myanmar peace plan

* Marcos names Antonio Nafarrete as new Philippines armed forces chief

* Australia to provide Philippines with underwater drones, UAV systems: Embassy

Vietnam

* Seven killed in sleeper bus fire in southern Vietnam

* Danang nighttime skies to glow with first-ever event featuring 500 illuminated kites

* Vietnam's Phu Quoc earns a place in Expedia's top 10 island destinations for 2026

* It's all systems go - Champions Vietnam to launch its Asean Hyundai Cup defence as tournament kicks off on Friday (July 24)

Cambodia

* Cambodian foreign minister urges Asean counterparts to support return of displaced civilians

* Foreign ministry rejects Thai claim Unclos process stalled land border talks

* Cambodia burns US$500mil worth of illicit drugs: deputy PM

Myanmar

* Ukrainian cargo plane makes emergency landing at Yangon airport

* Myanmar's future, Mideast fighting hang over Asean talks

Laos

* Laos indicts distillery owner, hostel staff over six tourist deaths

* Australia, Laos top diplomats discuss tainted alcohol deaths

* Lao, Thai ministers review progress of Luang Prabang hydro project

Brunei

* Malaysian boy Jude King crowned Brunei chess champion

* Brunei Sultan sends congratulatory message to new UK PM Andy Burnham

Police personnel standING guard as India's opposition party Indian National Congress stages a sit-in protest calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation outside the latter's residence in New Delhi on July 21, 2026, a day after police crackdown against the protesting Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters demanding the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down over alleged NEET examination irregularities. -AFP

Aseanplus

* Thousands protest in India after clashes, despite Modi assuring action on exams

* Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demands India PM's resignation over student protest crackdown

* China court orders wedding party to pay US$34,000 after brutal bridesmaid prank

* Japan records first ‘brutally hot day’ as temperatures hit 40 deg C

* China's AI classroom revolution takes root

* South Korea president urges regulator action on leveraged stock funds

* China removes 759 fake websites in scam crackdown

* Cervical cancer screening in Kathmandu finds 90 women positive for HPV

* South Korea probes diplomatic academy hack, eyes possible North Korea link

* China's expressway length reaches 199,000 km

* Sony to lend aibo to two university laboratories for research and development

* Japan PM Takaichi’s popularity dips after prioritsing controversial laws

* 'Sit down!' Australian politician berates dog on live TV

* South Korea promises free homegrown AI chatbot this year

* A real-life 'Her'? S. Korea launches first dating reality show with AI partners

* HK celebs Jackie Chan, Charlene Choi, Stephen Chow pay tribute to 'Sei Gor' Patrick Tse

* Taiwanese star Hsieh Ling Ling reunites with billionaire ex-husband's family for son's birthday

* Soulful Indian top singer Pradeep Kumar makes his way to KL again for a super concert in KLCC Plenary Hall