Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (May 30, 2025)
Malaysia:
* I've planned my next steps but will reveal them later, says Rafizi
* Malaysia elected president of UN-Habitat Assembly for 2025-2029 term
* Celebration of Kaamatan, Gawai festivals reflect country's diverse culture and heritage, says PM Anwar
* I'm not the kind of PM who orders arrests like a dictator, Anwar says of Sabah mining scandal claims
* Home Minister's WhatsApp account hacked using foreign VPN, say cops
* Malaysia fully backs Tokyo Statement 2025 ahead of unveiling
* Bank Negara: Malaysia's headline inflation unchanged at 1.4% in April
* MBI scam: Tan Sri among three more arrested, RM500mil in luxury assets frozen
* Religious school teacher in Jasin claims trial for sexually assaulting male student
* Public varsity admission offers for SPM holders to be announced on June 16
* Mature democracy cannot exist without free, fair and fearless journalism, says Ramanan
* Ex-Goldman banker Leissner gets two years in 1MDB fraud case
* PM not seeking immunity, says Anwar's political secretary
* Ex-Goldman banker Leissner apologises to Malaysians after being sentenced to two years in prison in 1MDB case
* 'No regrets': Man United winger Amad explains obscene gesture to Malaysian fans during friendly match in Bukit Jalil
* Malaysia Airlines debuts special Manchester United livery during 2025 Asia post-season tour
* 'Where is the monkey?': Peka demands accountability and answers over Shah Alam animal abuse case
* Hannah Yeoh wins defamation suit, Kamarul Zaman ordered to pay RM400,000 in damages
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (left) shakes hands with Philippines' Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro (R) before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on Friday, May 30, 2025. -- Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP
Singapore:
* Singapore and France to expand defence ties, cooperate on nuclear energy in upgraded relationship
* Malaysian PM Anwar to deliver special address at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
* Macron will kick off Singapore security conference with Hegseth in attendance
* Israel may be in breach of international law by restricting aid to Gaza, says Singapore PM Wong
* Almost 50 countries to attend 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
* Singapore arrests 44 for suspected prostitution, gambling activities in Geylang
* 'Johor too long known as just Singapore's neighbour'- More effort needed to make state a primary tourism destination
* Stocks slip, dollar sags as Trump tariffs remain after latest courtroom twist / Stocks drop on tariff whiplash, futures decline
* Badminton: World No. 1 pair Sze Fei-Izzuddin bow out in quarter-finals of Singapore Open / Badminton: Pearly Tan-Thinaah run out of steam again in second straight loss to Chinese pair
Indonesia:
* Macron urges Asia and Europe to unite to resist 'spheres of coercion'
* Indonesia calls in Singapore oil traders over Pertamina probe
* Rock collapse at Indonesia quarry kills at least five with dozens trapped, Kompas TV reports
* Indonesian Manpower Ministry bans age restrictions in job postings
* Indonesia-France: Macron decorates Prabowo, affirms culture links
* Oil set for second weekly decline as market eyes another OPEC+ output hike
ERIN, WISCONSIN: Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand chips onto the fifth green during the first round of the US Women's Open presented by Ally 2025 at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin. -- Photo:/AFP
Thailand:
* Ex-Thai DPM: Myanmar must end conflict or face humanitarian crisis
* Malaysia-Thailand collaboration in agriculture set for major expansion
* Thai poultry industry poised for growth on Brazil bird flu, lower feed costs
* Chinese lidar maker Hesai zeroes in on South-East Asia for first overseas plant
* South-East Asian trafficked cyber victims freed but far from home
* Thailand to issue statement to resolve clash point in Chong Bok area
Philippines:
* Woman who crawled out of drain in the Philippines found, as a nation grapples with homelessness
* Marcos admin wants seven bills enacted before new Congress starts
* US sanctions Philippines digital infrastructure provider linked to virtual currency scams
* Filipino actor Alden Richards reveals battle with depression in 2024
* Ex-Filipino congressman accused of murders to be deported
A woman prepares flowers at a local street market, in Hanoi, Vietnam. -- REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Vietnam:
* Malaysian PM Anwar highlights Vietnam's key role in Asean
* Work on US$1 bil Trump Tower in Vietnam could start next year, source says
* Proposal to give State Bank in Vietnam special lending authority
* Vietnam stresses coordination in marine economy
* Hanoi pulls The Economist printed issue with top leader on cover
Myanmar:
* Myanmar earthquake kills 3,739, injures 5,104 as of May 28
* Bangladesh recalls ambassador from Myanmar
* Myanmar Football -- Maung Maung's fame mounts after his goal seals dream victory
* Global crises disrupt effort to get millions to quit smoking, report says
Balinese women perform a traditional dance at Art Center Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Friday, May 30, 2025. -- Photo by SONNY TUMBELAKA / AFP
Cambodia:
* Shattering glass sandbags: Meet the first Cambodian women UN commander in Lebanon
* Cambodian American chefs are finding success and raising their culture's profile. On their terms
* Cambodia will retain military presence at scene of armed clash
* Japanese held in Cambodia scam raids - govt going hard on fraud centres
Laos:
* 'They must be protected': Lao PM pledges to safeguard children's rights
* Illegal surrogacy in Laos punishable by up to 19 years in jail, govt warns as cases reported
* Laos strengthens efforts to attract Chinese tourists
Brunei:
* Brunei's international exhibition fare returns to attract foreign visitors
* Tourism drive promotes scenic charm, serenity of Brunei
France's President Emmanuel Macron gives the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on Friday, May 30, 2025. -- Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP
AseanPlus:
* Badminton: Aaron-Wooi Yik edge past Wei Chong-Kai Wun to reach Singapore Open semis
* Malaysia's international reserves assets at US$118.70bil as of end-April
* Cops raid drug lab in Brickfields making narcotic vapes, nab two Taiwanese chemists
* Oil tankers going dark off Malaysia as Iran trade draws scrutiny
* Political parties from China and neighbouring nations pledge closer cooperation
* YouTube's top star 'Baby Shark' creator Pinkfong applies for IPO in South Korea
* HK stars Eric Tsang, Chin Ka-lok & more to hold concert in Genting Highlands on July 19
* Nearly one in four ballots already cast as early voting in South Korea breaks turnout records
* War of the words: Why top US diplomat Rubio is lost in China's translations
* China plans to arm Tiangong space station with self-defence bots: scientist
* China's Tianwen-2 lifts off on mission to bring asteroid samples back to Earth
* Chinese paraglider reaches near-record heights, over 8,500m, by accident
* China's new tech for quieter subs could revolutionise underwater stealth: study
* US to pause student visa interviews ahead of new social media vetting: reports
* Rolls-Royce to operate new aero engine facility in Beijing
* China establishes global mediation body in Hong Kong
* Korean eatery boss wows diners, balances table full of dishes on head while serving
* US to start 'aggressively' revoking visas for Chinese students, Rubio says
* South Korea goes o the polls - Early voting starts for election triggered by martial law
* Second group of Hong Kong democrats freed after four years in jail
* 'Solo Leveling' emerges as biggest winner at anime awards in Tokyo
* Japan to create digital archive of manga, anime and games
* Can Hong Kong's Cathay compete against rivals dishing out hefty bonuses?
* Jackie Chan's 42YO son makes rare public appearance at wedding in South Korea
* Trump aims to exceed first term weapons sales to Taiwan, officials say
* New president, new hopes for calm at South Korean village near DMZ
* Firefighters put out Hong Kong warehouse blaze that raged for over 20 hours
* TVB actor Ruco Chan unfazed by 'seven-year itch' with wife Phoebe Sin
* Nagasaki bomb survivor claws at traces of history
* Can Hong Kong's Cathay compete against rivals dishing out hefty bonuses?
* Indian Navy will lead New Delhi's response to any future Pakistani aggression, minister says
* Death penalty for saying 'oppa'?: North Korea strengthens law to curb 'anti-socialist culture' in the South
* Japan'sfavourite ex-princess, Mako Komuro, has given birth to her first Child, says Imperial Household Agency
* North Korea enabled Russian attacks on Ukraine civilian infrastructure, says UN monitoring group
* Taco trade? US leader challenges claim that 'Trump always chickens out' in talks
* Cricket - Kohli closer to maiden IPL title as Bengaluru storm into final
* Motor racing - Hamilton says talk of friction with engineer "all noise"
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Making nationalism scary again
THANKS are owed to Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and – in a special mention – JD Vance: The aggressive nationalism and chaos these three men promote have made far-right populism scary again, swinging several recent elections, including Romania's presidential vote on May 18. That should be welcome news for anyone who recognises the potential damage a nationalist free-for-all can inflict. But make no mistake, without a radical transformation in their approach, this reprieve for traditional parties of the centre right and left will be short-lived. First, there was Canada, where Trump's trade wars and talk of turning the country into the 51st US state helped erase a commanding opinion poll lead for the country's Maga-lookalike Conservative Party. Then, on May 18, Bucharest's mayor and maths nerd Nicusor Dan scored an equally dramatic, come-from-behind victory to win Romania's presidency. He ran as a moderate independent against George Simion, a nationalist who also had nailed his colours to Trump's mast. Vance ruffled feathers in Romania earlier in 2025, when he used the country's annulment of a first-round presidential vote in November 2024 to accuse Europe of abandoning democracy. Vance dismissed the basis for that court decision – intelligence findings of a massive TikTok campaign organised and paid for by Russia – as 'flimsy'. But a raft of evidence has emerged to support the ruling. In Romania's case, the biggest shift driving the May 18 result was Putin's act of hybrid warfare. Russia's Manchurian candidate was banned from standing again. But when Simion won May's first-round rerun even more convincingly, his success prompted a backlash. Turnout soared for the run-off. Bucharest crowds willing Dan to his 54% to 46%victory chanted: 'Russia don't forget, Romania is not yours.' In fact, the vote may well have been swung by the huge increase in participation by voters in neighbouring Moldova, where more than one million people have dual Romanian citizenship. Simion and his Alliance for the Union of Romanians party cried foul, but so far without providing evidence. It is explanation enough that they were pledging to reunify Moldova with Romania and halt military aid to Ukraine. Both proposals pose existential threats to the small ex-Soviet state, one from the west and the other from the east. These are skin-of-the-teeth escapes for political elites who seem yet to have grasped the scale of the anger felt by voters who want genuine change. Warning lights were flashing this past weekend, too, in Portugal, where the ruling centre-right coalition increased the number of seats it controls in Parliament in the May 18 snap election. Yet it still failed to gain a majority and the day's bigger story was that the far-right Chega party surged to 23% of the vote, mainly at the expense of the centre-left socialists. The country's traditional two-party system now looks broken. There is a lesson here for all centrist parties, especially those on the left that have lost the trust of their traditional bedrock support among blue-collar workers. If they are to survive, these politicians must now be seen to deliver the fundamental change and economic improvement so many voters want. Managing and tinkering will not cut it. Poland shows the challenge. Former European Council president Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform party won back power from the populist Law and Justice Party in late 2023. But delivering on reform promises has proved tough, especially with a Law and Justice president still in office to block legislative change. On May 18, Warsaw's mayor and Tusk ally Rafal Trzaskowski emerged from a first-round presidential vote with a slender lead over his Law and Justice rival, according to exit polls. Strong showings from two other far-right candidates suggest an uphill struggle to win the run-off. Trzaskowski pledged to 'speed up changes'. There is a similar dynamic at play across Western democracies. It does not matter that Brexit has clearly failed to deliver on any of its promises in the United Kingdom, or that Trump and his administration at times resemble an out-of-control clown car as much as a government in office. The point is they are breaking things, which is what many voters want to see. And so long as Maga-like populists are the only ones offering radical change, they will probably be able to ride a growing tide of voter frustration. So yes, Trump and Putin's clumsy aggression is for now undercutting the credibility of their populist acolytes in Western democracies. Yet this respite will count for little if moderates cannot find ways to show they recognise the need for change, and effect it. That is admittedly a tall order. Improving productivity and healthcare, while still tackling climate change and halting Russian aggression in Europe, is infinitely harder than feeding anti-vax conspiracy theories and culture wars, or promising unaffordable handouts. But leaders who recognise the vast damage populist chaos can cause will have to be more bold. They need to pick fights, take risks and break some taboos of their own. Romania's new president, to name just one example, should use his meaningful, if limited, powers to launch a high-profile assault on corruption, forcing him into open warfare with the traditional parties that not only run the government and legislature, but also helped him win the run-off. This will require levels of political courage not yet on display. But it is probably also, at this point, a binary choice. If centrist politicians cannot address the fury so many voters feel over the failure of an era of unprecedented wealth creation and cultural change, then it is only a matter of time before those leaders are roadkill. – Bloomberg Opinion/TNS
Malaysian Reserve
7 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
PM Anwar: Malaysia invites Myanmar conflict groups for dialogue in Kuala Lumpur
SINGAPORE — Malaysia has taken the initiative to invite different groups in the Myanmar conflict for a dialogue in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to find a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. He said the invitation was extended to the groups last month. 'I've started…and I urge my counterparts to send their teams, officials and military personnel intelligence to continue to engage,' he said during a question-and-answer session following his Special Address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, here. When asked about the possibility of elections in Myanmar, Anwar said the immediate priority is to ensure peace, security, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He noted that ASEAN leaders have continued to push for an extended ceasefire and the protection of all humanitarian aid workers. 'If the elections are fair and more inclusive and do not exclude parties, then of course, we are ready to accept, although (the process) may not be perfect,' he added. Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC), in March, announced that they will hold a general election either in December this year or January 2026 at the latest, according to international media reports. — BERNAMA
Malaysia Sun
7 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Roundup: UN-Habitat Assembly ends with adoption of strategic plan to tackle housing crisis
NAIROBI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly concluded late Friday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, with the adoption of a bold strategic plan aimed at tackling the global housing crisis. More than 1,300 delegates, including ministers, city mayors, urban planners, innovators, donors, campaigners, and entrepreneurs, attended the premier event that ran from Thursday to Friday. Held every four years, the assembly is the world's highest decision-making body on sustainable urbanization and human settlement, composed of 193 UN member states. Kenyan President William Ruto hailed the consensus-based adoption of the United Nations Human Settlements Program's (UN-Habitat) Strategic Plan 2026-2029, saying it will guide the establishment of climate-smart and inclusive cities in the future. "The adoption of this strategic plan reaffirms our commitment to urban renewal through equitable and adequate access to housing," Ruto said, urging UN member states to establish global champions for affordable housing. Besides adopting the strategic plan for tackling the global housing crisis, the two-day meeting elected a new presidency of the assembly to be shared by Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 2025 to 2029 alongside 36 members of the Executive Board of the UN-Habitat. During the assembly, it was also announced that the 13th session of the World Urban Forum will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on May 17-22, 2026, under the theme "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities." The UN-Habitat's strategic plan seeks to boost access to housing, land, and basic services, such as clean drinking water and sanitation, aligning with the global quest for converting cities into hubs for green innovation, prosperity, and resilience. Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN-Habitat, said the plan is rooted in the bold vision of transforming cities through upgrading informal settlements, improving land governance, accelerating climate action, and eradicating poverty. Rossbach stressed that political goodwill, innovative financing, partnerships, and targeted use of technology will be key to hastening the implementation of the strategic plan, ensuring that urbanization is both resilient and sustainable. Alice Wahome, Kenya's cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, who read Ruto's speech, said the strategy presents a solid blueprint for realizing urban renewal through increased access to decent shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, and waste management. In addition, the plan will boost post-recovery efforts in cities reeling from conflicts, poverty, inequalities, and fragilities linked to the climate crisis, Wahome said.
