Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Aug 2, 2025)
* The King to make historic state visit to Russia, says Istana Negara
* Malaysia gains global recognition for Asean diplomacy, says Anwar
* A defining week for Anwar Ibrahim's leadership
* Malaysia secured reduced US tariff through strong leadership, says Anwar
* FGV delisting to begin Aug 28, says Anwar
* Digital Ministry to intensify 13MP initiatives, says Gobind
* Defence Ministry sets up committee to investigate trainee's death
* Papar MP denies involvement in KK student's death
* Search continues for missing Turkiye national off Pulau Yu
* Ringgit to trade at 4.25-4.26 vs greenback on Fed rate cut optimism
* Muhyiddin denies opposing Borneo bloc, emphasizes support for Sabah and Sarawak
* 13MP projects to be monitored regularly, says Chief Secretary
* Sabah polls: Warisan to contest all 73 seats in state, confirms Shafie Apdal
* Finance Ministry confirms no impact on existing EPF withdrawal rights amid new proposal
* Court awards RM194,170 to family of detainee who died in custody
* 10 areas in Malaysia under Level 1 hot weather alert, says MetMalaysia
Singapore:
* 'It's our best': Sarawak brings signature products to penetrate the Singapore market at Malaysia Fest 2025
* Singapore: Jail and fine for Myanmar man linked to case involving three bank accounts that received over S$680mil in total
* Singapore and India conclude five-day maritime exercise
* 82-year-old Australian arrested for allegedly shoplifting twice at Changi Airport
* Singapore: World Swimming Championships - Backstroke queen McKeown pulls off another double / United States set world record in mixed 4x100 freestyle relay
* Singapore: World Swimming Championships - Ledecky win 800 freestyle classic, McIntosh third / Ledecky sees off McIntosh in epic 800 freestyle showdown at world championships
* Oil falls on worries over Opec+ supply, US jobs data
Indonesia:
* Indonesian rock superstars Kotak celebrates its 21st anniversary with a concert in Zepp KL on Sept 21
* Hong Kong prosecutors drop charge against Indonesian tourist in tumbler case
* Window shopping rises as middle-class spending slows in Jakarta
* Prabowo reconciles with opposition through pardons
* Traditional puppet ban in Indonesian capital threatens buskers
* Space oddities take centre stage -- Yogyakarta celebrates all things ET at UFO festival
* Volcano eruption in eastern Indonesia disrupts Bali flights / Indonesia volcano belches six-mile ash tower
Thailand:
* Thailand agrees to Malaysia, US and China observers for GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur
* Protesters in Bangkok demand resignation of court-suspended prime minister following deadly conflict
* Thai zoo shares video of Moo Deng mascot on 'attack' during drill, amuses viewers
* Thai Army invites Red Cross to inspect detained Cambodian soldiers
* Japan ambassador urges Thailand and Cambodia to uphold ceasefire agreement seriously
* Thieves use drones to spy on tourists on 'White Lotus' island
Philippines:
* Philippines on alert for leptospirosis cases surge after days of floods
* Up to 17 cyclones may affect the Philippines until January 2006, says the weatherman
* Philippines on alert for leptospirosis surge after recent storms
* Marcos creates innovation hub, new protected area in Laguna, Quezon
* Marcos eyes trade and defence in talks with India
Vietnam:
* From Laos to Brazil, Trump's tariffs leave a lot of losers. But even the winners like Vietnam will pay a price
* Flash floods kill eight people in Vietnam's Dien Bien Province, rescue efforts underway
* Petition submitted to set up conservation area for rare langur species in Ninh Bình
* Hanoi considers installing EV charging stations at parking lots
Myanmar:
* After the Thai-Cambodia truce job, Malaysia urged to turn focus to Myanmar crisis
* Myanmar military courts sentence 12 to life for human trafficking, including Chinese nationals
* Myanmar remains upbeat on trade talks despite 40% Trump tariffs
* New regional centre strengthens China-Asean economic link
Cambodia:
* Thailand returns two wounded soldiers to Cambodia but continues to hold 18 of their comrades
* Kuala Lumpur to host Thailand-Cambodia border talks
* Malaysia to hold online meeting with Cambodia and Thailand
* Thai-Cambodian cyber warriors battle on despite truce
Laos:
* Laos works to boost tourism and elevate service quality as fuel for economic growth
* Laos and Russia sign seven documents, including a roadmap for nuclear cooperation
* Trump reserves harshest tariff rates for Laos, Myanmar and Syria
Brunei:
* Brunei and Sarawak trade showcase boosts ties between neighbours
* Royal Brunei Land Forces welcomes new commander
* Bruneians feeling the heat as hot weather persists
AseanPlus:
* Sabah needs to fix infrastructure, water woes to entice medical manpower from peninsula
* 'Bond. James Bond' - Yes, he is back and 'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight to write next film on eveyone's favourite superspy
* A showcase for the region - Malaysia's Bellabay unveils its exquisite carpet collection set for all seasons in South-East Asia
* Trump administration sends mixed messages on China trade pact
* Muslim-friendly travel platform relaunches with attractive packages
* China mum wraps baby's finger to stop 'unhygienic' sucking, leads to tissue damage
* Attacks in China and Japan raise concerns about xenophobia in both countries
* Brazil grants BYD exemption from EV tariff hike, but not for as long as sought
* Hong Kong prosecutors drop charge against Indonesian tourist in tumbler case
* Behind Trump's South Korea deal, a plan to transform global shipbuilding
* Hongkonger suffers cardiac arrest after nurse 'fails to switch on ventilator'
* Washington trade talks with India have stalled, sources say
* Take an independent tack on China, Wang Yi urges South Korea
* India will buy Russian oil despite Trump's threats, NYT reports
* New Zealand will make it easier to run businesses in conservation areas
* This robot uses Japanese tradition and AI for sashimi that lasts longer and is more humane
* The new world: AI will soon reveal the type of skin allergy you have
* China renews alerts for rainstorms, high temperature
* Japan sweats through hottest July on record
* Four workers dead after falling into manhole in Japan
* India aghast at Trump's 'dead' economy jibe, 25% tariffs
* HK universities see success in drive to attract more top talent from abroad
* China: Residents seek shelter as heatwave hits the southwest
* Should Hong Kong plug legal gaps to stamp out AI-generated porn?
* China EV war: Tesla, Nio and Li Auto target mainland families with premium SUVs
* 'Every day, we think about how to upgrade': China's factories see rise in robot adoption
* Tesla loses lawsuit over fatal and deadly self-driving crash in 2019; company hit with US$243mil in damages
* Soundtrack 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters hits No. 1 on UK singles chart, 13 years after Psy's 'Gangnam Style'
* Cricket - Jaiswal and Deep extend India's lead / India hit back against Bazballing England on another remarkable day
* Badminton -- Tang Jie-Ee Wei fall short but Jimmy-Pei Jing shine in Macau Open semis / Shuttler Sze Fei weds sweetheart before Paris campaign
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The Star
9 minutes ago
- The Star
Indonesian workers in Japan face growing stigma after viral incidents
JAKARTA: Indonesian migrant workers in Japan are grappling with rising negative stigma, following viral incidents involving a small subset of the Indonesian community that have drawn criticism from the Japanese public. Members of the Indonesian martial arts organisation Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) in Japan have recently sparked attention online for parading in large formations while wearing matching black uniforms and displaying organisational flags in prominent public areas without prior permission. The group's actions triggered backlash on social media, with Japanese users commenting critically on the behaviour of some Indonesians in their country. Meanwhile, Indonesians living in Japan have voiced concern over the broader impact these actions have had on the diaspora's public image. 'I've been in Japan since 1992, and back then, these kinds of incidents simply didn't exist,' said Surya Darma, a 57-year-old Indonesian working for a private company in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, on Saturday (Aug 2). Surya added, alongside the parades, recent crimes involving Indonesian nationals, including robbery and drug offences, have led to increased scrutiny from locals. 'When I tried to rent an apartment recently, I was asked questions like 'Why are you moving?' or 'How long have you been in Japan?' in a tone that felt accusatory,' he said. 'That didn't happen three years ago.' In response to the controversy, the Indonesian Embassy in Japan summoned PSHT representatives in late June to issue a public apology. The group clarified that the incidents in question happened nearly three years ago but promised to seek permits from local authorities before organising any future events. The Foreign Ministry, in the same release, reminded all 'Indonesian citizens abroad to comply with applicable regulations and respect the culture of their host country.' The backlash came amid heightened nationalist sentiment in Japan, particularly following the recent House of Councillors election. The far-right political party Sanseito, known for its 'Japanese First' rhetoric, won 14 seats in the vote, up from just one in 2022 and three last year. Annisa Setyarti Putri, a 30-year-old Indonesian digital marketer in Tokyo, said that while her daily life remains mostly unaffected, the political atmosphere has grown more tense. 'In my workplace, which has an international environment, I've never experienced direct discrimination. But outside of that bubble, I have noticed increasing anti-immigrant sentiment, especially among young people below 40 who support [Sanseito], which frankly surprised me,' she told The Jakarta Post. Further fuelling unease were circulating rumours that Japan would halt the intake of Indonesian migrant workers by 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo swiftly dismissed the claims. 'There is no such policy from the Japanese government,' the embassy said in a statement dated July 15. 'This issue has not been part of any official discussion between the Japanese and Indonesian governments.' The embassy also reaffirmed that nearly 200,000 Indonesians reside in Japan as of December last year, a 15 per cent increase over the previous six months. The majority are employed across various sectors, while over 7,000 are university students. 'The 67-year-long bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Japan has been remarkably successful. This relationship must be continuously maintained and strengthened by all stakeholders, both the governments and the people of both countries,' the statement concluded. Triyono, a labour expert from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), noted that Japan's aging population and dire labour shortages present Indonesia with a 'golden opportunity'. However, he stressed, the chance can only be seized if Indonesian workers are viewed as respectful and well-integrated. 'Workers need to be equipped not just with technical and language ability, but also cultural understanding,' he said. 'They represent Indonesia, and even one misstep can affect the reputation of the entire community.' - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Daily Express
9 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Thai-Cambodia truce: Malaysia urged to turn focus to Myanmar crisis
Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 Text Size: A school was destroyed in northern Cambodia during the five-day border conflict. PHNOM PENH: Following its successful mediation of the Cambodia-Thailand border truce, Malaysia may now seek to apply a similar conflict resolution model to one of Asean's most intractable challenges – the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's assertive diplomacy is redefining Asean's role, transforming the bloc from a passive consensus-based forum into a more active regional player capable of navigating complex crises, according to political observers. In just four months as Asean chair, Anwar has secured two major diplomatic breakthroughs in addressing long-standing regional crises – moves that have drawn praise from the international community. 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He also highlighted the significance of the Thai-Cambodia ceasefire, calling it a milestone, especially since Thailand had previously rejected Asean mediation during similar border clashes in 2008 and 2011. While the world's focus shifted to the border tussle in recent days, Myanmar continues to grapple with its domestic predicaments from economic hardship, natural calamities, raging civil war in various states and internally displaced people. The military coup on February 1, 2021, has displaced at least three million people, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. 'The only way to solve the crisis in Myanmar is for the military government and the NUG constituents to come together to discuss power sharing, revenue sharing formula and open humanitarian corridors. The people of Myanmar need to be freed of their burden,' said Anil. The military government recently lifted its four-year-old state of emergency and has announced plans to hold national elections in December. 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Malay Mail
9 minutes ago
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Cambodia asks Malaysia to help free 18 soldiers held by Thailand after border clash
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