Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (June 7, 2025)
Malaysia:
* PM Anwar seeks stronger Asean-GCC push to end Gaza atrocities
* Another Malaysian haj pilgrim dies in Holy Land
* Selangor Sultan calls for firm action to deal with haj scams
* AG must disclose more details on NFA over Teoh Beng Hock's death, says lawyer
* Penang govt to study decision on 5% discount for first-time homebuyers among Indian Muslims, says Sim
* GRS intensifies preparations for 17th Sabah state polls
* Fahmi Reza barred from leaving country, 'thanks' cops for unforgettable birthday gift
* Penang new discount to boost housing sector gets called out
* Keluang Man takes flight: Malaysia's own superhero finally hits the silver screen
* Elderly pilgrims show unwavering spirit in stoning ritual despite physical challenges
* Pakistan's Asean dialogue partner bid to be discussed with regional leaders, says Anwar
* Embrace spirit of sacrifice this Aidiladha, says Chief Secretary
* Pink, gaseous influent likely caused Penang sewer line blast, says IWK
* Ringgit likely to trade within RM4.22-RM4.23 against greenback next week
* Klang boat tragedy: Victims may not have been wearing life jackets, say cops
* Remains of Port Klang boat tragedy victim leave hospital / Search continues for missing couple after boat capsizes
Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen celebrates after wining his men's singles semifinal match against Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn at Indonesia Open badminton tournament at the Istora Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, June 7, 2025. -- AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim
Singapore:
* Singapore's Nicholas Sim is crowned the first-ever Mr Nusantara, an inspiring winner at the age of 48 who overcame many adversities
* Eight months' jail for taxi driver who crashed into elderly security officer, killing her
* Singapore and the US still in early stages of tariff negotiations, says Vivian Balakrishnan
* Singapore embassy in Washington seeking US clarification on Harvard's visa ban
* Singapore's Nee Soon mosque reopens on Hari Raya Aidiladha after S$15mil facelift
* Singapore's Home Team Career Centre evacuates 20 people after fire
* Three new licence classes for driving automatic heavy vehicles to be introduced in Singapore
* Liquidity boost for Singapore -- equity market looks set to turn the corner in the second half of the year
Indonesia:
* Badminton: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah storm into Indonesian Open final
* Tang Jie-Ee Wei exit Indonesian Open in semi-finals
* Search for victims of West Java quarry collapse in Indonesia terminated amid rising safety risks
* Demand for Idul Adha sacrificial livestock drops amid economic slowdown in Indonesia
* Indonesia faces brain drain as skilled graduates leave for jobs abroad
* Thai Air Force boosts readiness with F-16, T-50 joint drills with Indonesia
* Indonesia -- History revisited – or rewritten?
South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee play a point against China's Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning during their women's doubles semi-final match at the Indonesia Open badminton tournament at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Saturday, June 7, 2025. -- Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP
Thailand:
* Life's a bliss: Thai Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata is just loves to be foodie when she is enjoying a holiday
* M'sia supports June 14 Thailand-Cambodia talks, says Anwar / Thai PM thanks Anwar for offer to assist in border dispute
* Thailand 'deeply saddened' by death of Gaza hostage, says foreign ministry
* Thai DPM Phumtham issues four-point statement following Cambodia's refusal to decrease tensions at border
* Thailand and Cambodia reinforcing troops on disputed border after May skirmish, Thai minister says
* Thailand grants military control over border checkpoints with Cambodia amid escalating tensions
* Thai Commander: Over 400 protests filed against Cambodian border violations
Philippines:
* Indonesia's FM calls for stronger Asean mechanisms after Vision 2045 adoption
* Special feature - Philippine marine life under threat from industrial fishing
* 30 per cent global ocean protection target not enough for marine giants, says study
* Philippine unemployment rate hits 4.1% in April
* Phivolcs sees rise in sulfur emissions from Kanlaon Volcano, Philippines
Storm clouds are seen over an urban area in Hanoi on Saturday, June 7, 2025. -- Photo by Tran Thi Minh Ha / AFP
Vietnam
* Vietnam's Hanoi to host large-scale culture and heritage festival in October
* More and more South-East Asian women are choosing Vietnam for fetal treatment expertise
* Machucha missed birth of first child to be with Malaysian team ahead of Vietnam clash
* Vietnam welcomes 9.2 million international visitors in first five months
* Vietnam's trade surplus with US surges, complicating tariff talks
Myanmar:
* Coral reefs face race against time as climate change outpaces their survival, says study
* China and Myanmar commemorate 75 years of ties with emphasis on bilateral cooperation, support
* Myanmar junta says UN labour resolution politically motivated
* Rice with disease-preventing flavonoids developed in Hainan, China
* Child among 16 held in killing probe of junta retired military general
Tourists enjoying a view at the Mahanakhon Skywalk rooftop in Bangkok, Thailand. -- Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Cambodia:
* Thailand tightens border controls for tourists after Cambodia clash
* Porn producers in Phnom Penh busted: 12, including a Malaysian, in custody
* Thai-Cambodian fake news spreads: Government urges caution
* Deepening Cambodian Muslim bonds on Aidil Adha
* 'High-level' readiness if Cambodia row escalates
Laos:
* New Lao-Thai friendship bridge to enhance trade and connectivity, say top officials
* New partnership to enhance vocational education, training in Laos
* Laos sees drop in number of students for final exams
Brunei:
* Bruneian youth to participate in marine conservation in efforts to protect their marine life
* Over 15,000 receive qurban meat in Brunei for Aidil Adha
* Nationwide takbir in Brunei marks Hari Raya Aidiladha
Teams compete during the International Dragon Boat races at Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade in Hong Kong on Saturday, June 7, 2025. -- Photo by May JAMES / AFP
AseanPlus:
* National Youth Day celebration to showcase elements of Asean
* Foreign students feel at home celebrating Aidiladha in Malaysia
* Pin Supu forest reserve is Malaysia's first terrestrial site on prestigious conservation list
* Sabah to host international event on rural social enterprise from Oct 31-Nov 4
* Mahar carries out qurban programme in seven countries
* Pakistan hopes to advance Asean partnership status: Envoy
* US, China to hold trade talks in London on Monday (June 9) - Trump
* Princess Kako visits Japanese Cultural Centre in Sao Paulo
* Hong Kong's still 'over' but Stephen Roach says city a surprise trade war winner
* Is China's promise of a new world order a self-serving power play?
* Chinese spies at Stanford? US tightens visa policies over espionage fears
* Paralysed Chinese woman falls for 'doctor' in rehab, he flees with US$420,000 loan
* Man arrested for threatening to kill Delhi CM Rekha Gupta
* Japan trade negotiator Akazawa says he made progress in US tariff talks
* New Zealand sees sharp rise in Covid-19, influenza
* Millions sit China's high-stakes university entrance exam
* Int'l motorsports festival in Mongolia attracts 2,500 participants
* Four BTS members to complete military service next week
* China's foreign exchange reserves log growth in May
* Trump says Xi to restart rare earth flows, sets date for talks
* Bangladesh's Yunus announces elections in April 2026
* Taiwan condemns China's 'provocative' patrol
* North Korea internet hit by a major outage, analyst says
* South Korea's Lee, Trump agree to pursue deal on tariffs in first phone call
* Nepal's US trade preference at risk amid growing tariff tensions
* India's Modi opens strategic railway in contested 'crown jewel' Kashmir
* Carney invites Modi to G7 summit despite strained ties between Canada and India
* 'One hell after another': US travel ban deepens despair for Afghans awaiting visas
* Yunus expresses hope for presenting the July Charter in Bangladesh next month
* Japanese kids say they want to work in a cake shop when they grow up
* Hong Kong principals slam popular schools' class expansion without consultation
* Dengue cases surge past 6,000 in Sri Lanka in May as monsoon season begins
* Australian cities offer free public transport to fill empty seats, ease cost of living pain
* Tennis-Sinner faces defending champ Alcaraz in hotly anticipated French Open final / Sinner says rivalry with Alcaraz just the tonic sport needs
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New Straits Times
23 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Chow instructs review of housing discount policy, considers expansion to all buyers
GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has instructed state Housing Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the housing discount policy for Indian Muslims, with the aim of expanding it to all buyers. Chow said Sundarajoo could do so in collaboration with developers to ensure the housing discount policy was more inclusive and benefits all segments of society, in line with principles of social justice. "The state government has received various feedback regarding the announcement of a five per cent discount initiative for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of completed unsold housing units (overhang properties), as announced by Sundarajoo on June 5. "Some of the feedback received and presented stated that such a discount should also be offered to all buyers to revitalise the property sector, particularly the sale of unsold housing units. "In line with this, I have instructed Sundarajoo to review the existing housing discount policy," he said in a statement. Chow said, additionally, the state executive council (exco) would deliberate on this matter and make an appropriate decision for the benefit of all parties involved. Yesterday, Sundarajoo said the offer of a five per cent discount for first-time homebuyers from the Indian Muslim community in Penang does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies. The initiative, he said, was part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities. This came after human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan criticised the move. This prompted Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong to discuss the matter with Chow, who then agreed to bring this issue up for review and discussion at the upcoming exco meeting. Sim said it was important for the Penang government to continue upholding the principle of social justice and to ensure the rights of every Malaysian to own a home were protected.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
House discount cancelled
GEORGE TOWN: Two days after announcing a 5% discount for Indian Muslim homebuyers in Penang, the offer was rescinded in a state government U-turn. The proposal is now back on the drawing board after Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim raised the issue with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Although the discount was intended to boost demand for unsold new properties in Penang, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the move as racially divisive. By offering the privilege only to Indian Muslims, Yeoh questioned whether it amounted to a new form of racial quota. 'The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said. Yeoh questioned why the Penang government could not base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion, expressing confusion that DAP, a party advocating for a 'Malaysian Malaysia', would introduce such a racially framed initiative. 'Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background?' he added. Penang Hindu Association president Datuk P. Murugiah said that if there is an overhang of properties in the state, offering a discount to only one ethnic group is unfair. 'The discount should be for all Penangites regardless of race, especially the B40 and M40 groups, with priority given to B40 families,' he said. Murugiah said the privilege should, rightly, even be extended to anyone born in Penang. Sim, in a statement yesterday announcing that Chow had agreed to suspend the discount offer pending a review by the state executive council, emphasised the importance of upholding social justice and ensuring every Malaysian's right to own a home. 'I take note of the public feedback regarding the 5% discount given to the Indian Muslim community only for the purchase of unsold (overhanging) new property units in Penang,' he said. Sim said he had discussed the matter with Chow, who agreed to bring it up for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. About an hour earlier, state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo had again announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer Indian Muslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount. He first made the announcement on June 5. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during yesterday's meeting of the state executive council and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday, following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. He added that the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' corporate social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. The provision of the discount relies on the corporate social responsibility of the developers and does not include any financial support or subsidies from the state government. Sundarajoo said that, based on the Penang Property Market Report for the fourth quarter of 2024 by the National Property Information Centre, 2,796 residential units have been identified as overhung, involving various property types across the state. He described the number of unsold new affordable housing units in Penang as worrying, adding that the discount was an intervention by the state to help revitalise the housing sector.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
PM urges Asean-GCC to act on Gaza
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger cooperation between Asean countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to end Israel's atrocities in Gaza. Speaking to reporters after performing Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Putra here yesterday, Anwar said that regional and international collective efforts are crucial to ending the prolonged conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people. 'We've conveyed our stance (through a Wisma Putra statement), but this cannot be the effort of just one country. As we saw in recent engagements with Gulf nations, there is a shared consensus. 'So Asean, the Gulf states and a few other countries can come together to provide a clear message and exert strong pressure on the world to put a stop to it (Israel's brutality),' he said, Bernama reported. He was responding to the United States' use of its veto power on a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid. Malaysia has expressed deep regret and disappointment over the repeated failure of the UNSC to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, as well as the removal of restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement last Thursday, the Foreign Ministry stressed that the UNSC's repeated failure to act on one of the worst humanitarian tragedies since World War II, due to the use of veto power, is regrettable and deeply disappointing. Anwar also said that the continued actions of countries supplying arms to Israel are unacceptable and go against the principles of international law. 'It's contradictory when they issue statements of condemnation, yet continue to supply or sell weapons to Israel. Such actions violate the principles of international law and humanitarian norms. 'We strongly condemn (the atrocities) and seek diplomatic avenues to support the Palestinian struggle and help them reclaim their legitimate rights, including in Gaza,' Anwar said. Separately, Anwar said during phone conversations with leaders of other Muslim nations, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, they had expressed concern over the violence committed by the Zionist regime. 'All of them conveyed a clear stance, and we have agreed to continue consultations to find a resolution to this crisis as soon as possible,' he added.
