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Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (Aug 13, 2025)
Malaysia * AI the great equaliser, says Anwar * Happy enough to retire at 60 * Probe launched into Palapes cadet's death * Technician charged with 52 counts of sexually abusing daughter * I love Malaysia, says man in upside-down flag case * 'Let's keep politics off the flagpole' * Zara case may rock Sabah polls * SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha top officials, wardens temporarily reassigned amid police probe * Terengganu Umno Youth chief apologises over flag gaffe * Federal Court rejects AG's appeal over Najib's house arrest * Zara Qairina case: Irresponsible use of social media puts innocent children at risk, says Sabah Wanita MCA * No evidence of abuse in death of UTM Palapes cadet, says Defence Minister * Don't delay on Zara Qairina probe, urges Shafie * DPM Zahid moots setting up taskforce to cultivate regional TVET workforce talent in Asean * MACC busts smuggling ring masterminded by senior Armed Forces officers * Minor scuffle erupts between protesters and police outside Parliament * Stick to the facts if you want respect, Loke tells Opposition * Caught in a bad romance: Cops cripple love scam syndicate with four arrests * Yeoh Jin Leng, one of Malaysia's modern art masters, has died at 96 * Judicial review on Najib's house arrest to be heard at High Court from mid-September * Inquest to be held over Zara Qairina's death, says AGC * Dewan Rakyat descends into chaos after Chong questions Hadi on 13MP * Two schoolgirls charged after Form 1 student found bound and gagged in toilet * Education gap can widen as bullying case numbers rise, says Syed Saddiq * #JusticeForZaraQairina movement gains momentum nationwide * Police record 22 statements in probe into UTM cadet's death * Defence Ministry to fully cooperate with MACC over smuggling probe * Sibling scissors stabbing results in serious injury in Melaka * Zara Qairina probe: Not getting an autopsy was against police protocol, says CID director * Woman detained for spreading fake news on Zara * Police on the hunt for suspect after infant's bloody body found wrapped in diaper * Task force records 82 statements in Zara Qairina probe * Zara Qairina autopsy results consistent; injuries from fall caused death, say cops * Dewan Rakyat Speaker to get Home Ministry to explain attack on Rafizi's son * Couple nabbed over deadly Segamat blaze, allegedly hired by S'pore-based ah long for arson * Sarawak records over RM1bil per month in tourism receipts from January to June this year * They jabbed my son with syringe in planned attack, says Rafizi * Year Two pupil suffers broken eye socket and nose in alleged attack by schoolmates * Ex-head of civil division in AGC among 23 individuals appointed Judicial Commissioners * Perhilitan brings in 'specialist' elephants to aid capture of wild tuskers * Mother, son die from food poisoning after attending wedding * Police warn against Umno Youth's protest over Jalur Gemilang mishap * 229 foreign nationals turned away at KLIA for entry violations * Anwar calls for immediate probe into assault on Rafizi's son * Immigration busts document forgery ring, raids illegal massage operations in KL * 7-year-old boy drowns after being chased by wild cattle, falling into the river * Regional peace and prosperity a shared responsibility among Asean member states, says Abang Johari * Policeman injured as group attempts to hand over memorandum * Knife-wielding woman who attacked bystanders in Kajang arrested * Umno issues protest note against parties poaching members from its ranks * Umno calls for tough action against repeated national flag violations Singapore * Carpool confusion at S'pore checkpoint * Hyflux investigator 'took advantage' of Olivia Lum's inability to recall events: Counsel * Goh Cheng Liang remembered as a hardworking boss who cared for his employees * Laos and Singapore agree to strengthen ties * Lawyer who sent misleading letters to 22 doctors in Singapore fails in bid to quash S$18,000 penalty * Singapore envoy lauds Malaysia's decisive Asean leadership * At least one dead after fire in Singapore's Jalan Bukit Merah flat * (Updated) Two dead after fire in Singapore's Jalan Bukit Merah flat, about 60 evacuated * Jail for Malaysian man who scammed at least five people over illegal cross-border taxi services in Singapore * Jail, caning for recalcitrant drug offender who assaulted two cops with stun device in Singapore Indonesia * Govt considering 'sovereign AI fund' to drive development * Food firm chief quits, citing zero budget * Military court sentences Indonesian soldier to death for killing three policemen * Indonesia delivers first used cooking oil-based aviation fuel shipment * Indonesia boosts role of military in food security initiative Thailand * Chinese firms fuel Thailand's gateway ambitions * Over 480 explosives cleared in 11-day operation at Thai-Cambodian border provinces * National park in Thailand releases photo of black panther greeting tourists * Thai central bank cuts key rate by 25 bps, as expected * Thailand and Cambodia to hold border talks amid troop movements and minefield concerns * Ad Hoc Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situation clarifies continued operations * Thai Court to rule on Aug 29 whether to disqualify suspended PM Paetongtarn Philippines * Taal Volcano logs 31 quakes, 30 tremors in past 24 hours * Typhoon Podul intensifies, expected within 24 hours in northernmost Philippines * Eight Chinese nationals nabbed in suspected Pogo hub in Davao City * Chinese fighter 'intercepts' Philippine plane over disputed shoal, Manila says Vietnam * Vietnam cement sector reports strong profits * Vietnam exporters brace for tougher US market * Vietnam wants to be next Asian tiger and it's overhauling its economy to make it happen * Vietnam faces rapidly ageing population challenge * Two Vietnamese youths save drowning children in Japan's Gotenba Beach Myanmar * Securing peace in Myanmar, addressing refugee crisis a priority * Myanmar leader calls for secure, fair multi-party election * Myanmar junta committing 'systematic' torture: UN report * Myanmar military chief calls for heightened security ahead of election Cambodia * Cambodian capital's new airport ready for official operations next month * Cambodians in Japan call for peace back home: Envoy * TikTok rolls out new safety and wellness tools for Cambodian users * Sam Rainsy rallies overseas Cambodians to challenge Hun Sen amid Thai-Cambodian conflict Laos * Laos, Singapore agree to strengthen ties Brunei * Brunei remains committed to advancing ICT: senior official * Brunei youth learn more about cybercrime, online scams, AI ethics * Brunei coach compares challenge in Malaysian football to Scottish Premier League Aseanplus * Malaysia launches world's first syariah-compliant AI app * Putin holds call with North Korea's Kim, discusses US-Russia talks, Kremlin says * Eight weeks to relocate all stray dogs * Tariff truce extended by 90 days * PETRONAS to expand LNG exports to Asian markets * Key Asic secures 21 more international patents * Ringgit gains ahead of key US data * Malaysians may avoid US visa bond * Mimos inks technology transfer deal with Bangladesh * Model 'self-reliance' for Global South, says Xi * Prison time for turtle smuggling * Boy wrecks home after not getting Labubu doll * Hundreds to evacuate as Podul barrels towards southeast * Ill-prepared for AI porn threat * Lee to meet Trump in Washington * Oil prices dip as market awaits EIA report * Action star Jet Li gifts 37YO daughter car worth RM176K as wedding gift * Investors pile into stocks as US rate cut hopes soar * Ringgit rises as softer US inflation boosts rate cut expectations * Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of arrival of Typhoon Podul * South Korea's former first lady imprisoned after court issues warrant * China cuts ties with Czech President over Dalai Lama visit * From Van Cleef to Vacheron, luxury gifts at centre of probe into South Korea's former first lady * Move by India's Assam state to allow arms for 'indigenous' people stirs fears of worsening violence * Reports: Man arrested after firing shot at Sydney domestic airport * Asian shares rise, dollar defensive after mild inflation data * India reels from US tariff hike threat * Dutch child survivor of Japan's WWII camps breaks silence * China's military says it 'drove away' US destroyer in waters of Scarborough Shoal * China kids deliver food, help courier riders with orders, spark safety concerns * 'Nobody else knew': Allied prisoners of war held in Taiwan * Growing risk appetite pushes FBM KLCI over 1% higher * US report says India acts minimally, Pakistan rarely acts against rights abuses * Beijing urged to curb 'free milk tea'-style cash burn in e-commerce battle * Asean capital cities unite to address waste and climate challenges * India PM Modi likely to meet Trump in US next month, newspaper reports * Solitary cell with mattress on the floor for South Korea's once powerful ex-first lady * Winning Grammy will be a message to every Asian American girl who's ever felt impostor syndrome,' says 'Golden' songwriter Ejae * China and India rebuild ties after Modi's rupture wiith Trump * Japan's Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako visit atomic bomb monument * New Zealand PM says Netanyahu has 'lost the plot' * Australian study shows whales, dolphins often play together * Asian shares climb on Fed cut hopes; Thai central bank in focus * Typhoon Podul slams into southern Taiwan, hundreds of flights cancelled * Unwed mother denied childcare subsidies sparks debate in China * Pakistan launches a new security operation against militants near Afghan border * Nepal orders payment service providers to freeze terrorist-linked assets to exit FATF grey list * 'Nomads' World Cultural Festival to be held in Mongolia on August 22–24 * Tough draw for returning Zii Jia in World Championships * Nepal waives climbing fees for 97 mountain peaks * Forced to covert by boyfriend, Kerala woman commits suicide * Japan's JR East luxury sleeper train staff drank on-duty; investigation finds employees habitually consumed alcoholic beverages during breaks for years * Singaporean TV host Lee Teng and Taiwanese wife welcome rainbow baby after 2020 miscarriage * A Thai storm in KLGCC - Thai golfers flex the muscles and sweep all five places up for grabs at Maybank Championship Asean Qualifiers * 11 killed in road crash in northern India * 'Demon Slayer' live orchestral concert to ignite the DFP stage in KL * Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong * 'It's to ensure a safety net': Malaysian super diva Khadijah Ibrahim encourages musicians to move into business * Young Indonesian star Nadhif Basalamah is on a mission to connect hearts across South-East Asia * HK singer Gillian Chung tries roti tisu for the 1st time, enjoys grilled chicken wings at Jalan Alor
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Straits Times
S'pore-based TikToker gets 11½ years' jail and caning for raping woman he met on Tinder
Lev Panfilov was earlier found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of outrage of modesty. PHOTO: ST FILE S'pore-based TikToker gets 11½ years' jail and caning for raping woman he met on Tinder SINGAPORE - A TikToker and former scriptwriter-actor with local YouTube comedy channel Wah!Banana was sentenced to 11½ years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane on May 19 for raping a woman he had met on the dating app Tinder. Lev Panfilov, a 29-year-old Singapore permanent resident originally from Russia, was earlier found guilty by the High Court of two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of outrage of modesty. The assault took place on Jan 12, 2021, in Panfilov's bedroom after he invited the woman back to the flat he shared with flatmates to work on her script. The woman, who was then 30 years old, had worked as an actress and model and was trying to branch out into comedy writing. Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim sought 14 years' jail and 16 strokes of the cane. In written submissions, the prosecution said Panfilov lacked remorse, as he had prolonged his trial unnecessarily by subjecting the woman to a marathon 13 days of cross-examination. The prosecution noted that Panfilov had tried to leave Singapore midway through trial, without any permission being granted by the court. On Dec 9, 2023, he was stopped at the entrance to the departure hall of Changi Airport Terminal 1, as he was trying to use his new Russian passport to pass through to board his flight. As a result, Panfilov, who was on bail up to that point, was arrested and remanded in custody. He had applied for and obtained the new passport without the knowledge of the investigating officer. Lawyer Sameer Melber, who together with Mr Manoj Nandwani now acts for Panfilov, asked for 10 years and five months' jail and six strokes of the cane. Mr Sameer said the sequence of events show there was no element of pre-meditation on the part of his client, and that the woman had ended up on Panfilov's bed of her own volition. The lawyer said his client intends to get married later this year and also intends to pursue his education in prison. During the trial, which began in May 2023, the woman and Panfilov presented different accounts of the incident. The two had matched on Tinder and later moved their chat to WhatsApp before arranging to meet in person at a restaurant in Robertson Quay. She testified that his Tinder profile stated he was either a writer or scriptwriter, and that she had hoped to get some advice on scriptwriting from him. At the restaurant, she opened her laptop and started working on her script with him. She said that after waiters came round to ask if they had any last orders, Panfilov suggested continuing working on the script at his place, and she agreed. The two went to the flat separately - Panfilov rode his motorcycle, while the woman took a Grab car. At his flat, he ushered her into his bedroom. They sat on his bed as they talked about comedic characters and watched videos of various comedians. She said she sat on his bed because the room was otherwise rather cluttered. The woman said he suddenly leaned in and kissed her on her lips, but she told him 'no' and gathered her things to leave. But he sexually assaulted her and raped her on his bed, she said. On Jan 16, 2021, still in pain from the assault, she saw a doctor, who advised her to make a police report. The same day, she went to a neighbourhood police centre and spoke to several police officers but left without lodging a report. Around midnight on Jan 18, 2021, she finally told her mother what had happened. Her mother took her to KK Women's and Children's Hospital, and a police report was lodged. Panfilov did not deny that he had sex with the woman but said the encounter was consensual. He said she had made the first advances – laughing at his jokes, tapping on his leg and stroking his thigh. After they had sex, he asked for her address and booked a car on the Gojek app for her to get home. He said he later messaged her, asking if she had reached home safely, and she replied that all was good. He said he subsequently did not reply to her because her interest in morbid jokes was not in line with his sense of humour. On March 21, Justice Pang Khang Chau found the woman to be an unusually convincing witness who gave a detailed and textured account that was internally and externally consistent. The judge accepted that she had explanations for the issues raised by the defence. On the other hand, Justice Pang found that Panfilov was not a credible witness and that his testimony did not help in casting reasonable doubts on the prosecution's case. The judge said there were significant inconsistencies between what Panfilov said to police officers, what he said in his video-recorded interviews and what he said in court. He will be appealing against his conviction and sentence. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
