Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (July 29, 2025)
* 'Umno took RM16mil donation without knowing SRC's affairs'
* Father of Black Thorn durian recognised with Datukship
* Two nabbed for whipping effigy of PM at rally
* Mukah records highest API in the country
* A full stop to border row
* Govt identifies REE as strategic mineral source, to pursue responsible mining, says Johari
* Father of missing six-year-old found dead remanded seven days to help investigations
* Malaysian bowyer handcrafts bows that blend precision, tradition and grit
* JB man nabbed for allegedly attacking 12-year-old girl with hammer
* This hidden waterfall in Karak, Pahang is a silent paradise that time forgot
* Cyberbullying on the rise among children, teens
* PAS leader urged to apologise for mocking Thai-Cambodia ceasefire initiative
* KK Community Hall destroyed in midnight blaze
* Cops seize hoe believed to be used to bury murdered six-year-old
* Residents flee as fire breaks out in multi-storey car park of KK waterfront complex
* Government to ramp up digital literacy, support services for elderly living alone
* Govt may bar those under 13 from having social media accounts, says Fahmi
* Integrated ops on e-cigarettes, vapes to kick off on Aug 1, says Health Ministry
* Neighbours report hearing loud arguments, child crying from house before murdered six-year-old disappeared
* Woman nabbed at KLIA with nine exotic animals in luggage
* Wildfires raging over almost 90ha of land in Sarawak
* Cops yet to uncover motive behind boy's murder, suspect uncooperative, say cops
* Man gets 35 years' jail, caning for girlfriend's murder
* Three senior police officers arrested over bribery allegations
* Court dismisses Dzulkefly's bid to recuse JC Arziah in defamation suit against Najib
* Eligible consumers to get 1.45 sen/kWh rebate in August under new mechanism
* Over 75 fires recorded in schools nationwide this year, says Bomba
* Six-year-old boy strangled with cable ties, autopsy reveals
* RM2,500 stolen in snatch theft: Police apprehend local suspect
* Female cop killed in Iskandar Puteri accident
* Govt to review five laws to beef up efforts to fight child porn, Dewan Rakyat told
* Private doctors file lawsuit against government over medicine price display regulation
* Education Ministry denies claims of inaction in Zara Qairina case
* Young doctors detained in Melaka for alleged khalwat incident
Singapore
* Singapore Immigration inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from six foreign men in exchange for his help
* SIA Q1 profit falls 59% to S$186mil; airline group sees volatile times ahead
* Three taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat
* Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets four months' jail in Singapore
* Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Internal Security Department
Indonesia
* Shoemakers take cautious steps despite lower levies
* 6.3-magnitude earthquake jolts off Indonesia's Aceh, no potential for tsunami
* 13th Malaysia-Indonesia annual consultation kicks off in Jakarta
* North Sumatra declares state of emergency in seven regencies as forest fires spread
* Malaysia will not interfere in legal process over Indonesian oil tycoon, says Anwar
* Malaysia, Indonesia forge key agreements in 13th Annual Consultation
Thailand
* Five shot dead at Bangkok market
* An unlikely sanctuary for furry friends
* Thai army accuses Cambodia of breaking truce
* Thailand-Cambodia border calm as military-level talks postponed
* Thai, Cambodia militaries negotiate ahead of commanders meeting
* Thai Army postpones border committee meeting as Cambodian shelling continues
* Paetongtarn slams Cambodia as dishonourable for violating ceasefire
* Thailand-US trade talks should be concluded before Aug 1, says minister
* Thailand-Cambodia border calm as military commanders hold talks
* 'Thank God, we fled': Thai grandmother returns to ruined home after border conflict
* Thai Labour Ministry confirms no abuse of Cambodian workers in Thailand
Philippines
* Marcos talks tough on budget, corruption in bid to reset Philippine presidency
* 'Food on table' outweighs health risks for Philippine e-waste dismantlers
* New witness in missing cockfighting enthusiasts case holds 'real evidence': Justice dept
* Philippine Senate to tackle Supreme Court's VP Sara Duterte impeachment ruling on Aug 6
Vietnam
* Vietnam's new tax plan likely to discourage investment
* Vietnamese fishermen most arrested for encroaching on M'sian waters, Dewan Rakyat told
* Hanoi to break ground on two major urban railway projects in late 2025
* Vietnam singer Phuong My Chi grabs third spot in Sing!Asia contest
* Vietnam flash flood kills five, dozens evacuated
Myanmar
* Trump team hears pitches on access to Myanmar's rare earths
* Myanmar athletes gearing up for dragon boat debut at Chengdu World Games
* Flash floods in east-central Myanmar kill six, sweep away homes
* Over 2,200 people evacuated amid flooding in eastern Myanmar
Cambodia
* Trump to resume Cambodia, Thailand trade talks after truce
* Cambodian general close to Hun Sen killed in Thai border clash
* Cambodia's border refugees waiting to head home but still wary after ceasefire
* 'I feel five years older and my hair is grey' laments Cambodian PM Hun Manet as he reflects on border crisis
* Cambodia says Thai meetings yielded agreement on troops, talks
* 18 Cambodian troops surrender in Si Sa Ket border clash
* Cambodia rejects Thailand's repeated accusations of ceasefire violations
* Cambodia's Information ministry appeals for public to cease social media attacks on foreign leaders
Laos
* The hidden hurdles behind building South-East Asia's US$100bil supergrid
* Heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc countrywide in Laos
* Laos to hold ceremony to celebrate inscription of national park as world heritage site
Brunei
* Brunei committed to promote environmentally responsible tourism
* Brunei students win big in anti-tobacco TikTok video competition
Aseanplus
* US grateful for Malaysia's role in brokering Thai-Cambodia truce
* Now to ensure a lasting peace
* Cambodia, Thai leaders laud peace efforts
* Thai-Cambodia conflict: I just focused on the solution, says Anwar
* Four killed as floods soak northern region
* Viral 'honour killing' starts ripple effect
* Man says he tied migrant worker to forklift for 'giggling'
* Japan expects bulk of US fund to be in loans
* Two killed in temple frenzy, say police
* China's rebound has a distinct 'cool factor'
* Ex-Shaolin monk under fire again
* Ringgit opens higher on easing trade tensions
* Thirty dead in Beijing following heavy rain, Xinhua reports
* North Korea says Trump-Kim ties 'not bad,' urges new US approach
* Court orders govt to pay RM1.1mil to family of Dutch model who fell to her death
* Asia shares slip as investors remember the drag of tariffs
* Woman stabbed in hospital carpark in S. Korea, attacker caught by civilians
* We must plan for our ageing society, with AI tips from Taiwan
* Thousands evacuated, businesses closed in southern Taiwan as torrential rain continues
* Josie Ho, daughter of late casino king Stanley Ho, puts work on hold amid husband's sudden health scare
* Stock markets fall as trade relief fades, eyes on data and earnings
* Kudos from Europe, Australia for Anwar's role in Thailand-Cambodia mediation
* Boxing, backflipping robots rule at China's biggest AI summit
* Japan ruling party to discuss Prime Minister Ishiba's fate soon
* Google threatens legal action if YouTube included in Australia's social media ban for children
* India says May ceasefire with Pakistan was not mediated by Trump
* New Zealand introduces law that makes it harder to vote
* Don't call them 'hey': S. Korea widens campaign to address migrant workers by name
* Court orders cops to reopen probe of Dutch model's death
* South Korea Foreign Minister Cho visiting Japan, US for first meetings with allies
* Bursa Malaysia posts weaker revenue in 1H on securities trading slump
* Labubu fans dote over ugly-cute doll trending at Comic-Con
* 'The monsters who killed Ivana won't rest easy', says deceased Dutch model's family after verdict
* Hong Kong shuts down for second time in a week due to heavy rain
* Pearly-Thinaah rise to career-high No. 2 in the world
* China social spending hits highest level in nearly two decades
* Indian forces killed three "terrorists" behind Kashmir attack, home minister says
* Japanese traditional confectionery in peak production ahead of Bon holidays; Colourful offering to spirits of ancestors
* Indian Institute allows rape-accused student to resume classes
* Apple to shutter a retail store in China for the first time ever
* Dewan Rakyat passes Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025
* Sri Lanka arrests ex-navy chief over abduction
* Malaysian delegation in discussions with Thailand, Cambodia to prevent further clashes
* Afghans show solidarity as migrant returns from Iran surge
* Putrajaya-brokered ceasefire highlights Asean's growing clout, says Anwar
* Two-year-old boy in India bites cobra to death in bizarre encounter
* India road crash kills 18 Hindu pilgrims
* South Korea's population stagnates despite number of foreign residents topping 2 million
* 'Once in a hundred years': villagers clean up after deadly China floods
* Premium rice cookers in Japan draw consumers looking to cook stockpiled rice
* Grasshopper singer Remus Choy returns to stage for first time since brain surgery
* A decade after raping speech-hearing impaired minor, man in India gets 10-year rigorous imprisonment
* Asean must focus on building a more integrated and resilient economy, says Anwar
* Immigration Dept detains over a hundred people during ops at Masjid India
* Federal debt up RM50bil to RM1.3 trillion, says Deputy Finance Minister
* Ringgit ends lower against US dollar ahead of FOMC meeting
* Experts condemn India park after elephants airlifted to Japan
* 'Oldies but goldies' - Malaysian legendary bands Slam and Exist dazzle the crowd at the super concert at Mega Star Arena
* Sea search launched after Hong Kong man in rented kayak goes missing
* China forensic doctor goes viral for muscular build, handles 600 corpses in three years
* Ex-TVB star Linna Huynh holds betrothal ceremony, with gold & expensive seafood
* Biathlete Dahlmeier missing after mountaineering fall in Pakistan, reports say
* Air India audit finds 51 safety lapses, from unapproved simulators to training gaps
* India extends free etourist visa for Malaysians till Dec 31 next year
* Fukushima radioactive debris removal delayed until 2037
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New Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Bravery under fire: Malbatt praised for professionalism in Lebanon
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon have earned praise for their professionalism under fire when Israel attacked the country last year. Armed Forces Joint Forces Commander Lieutenant-General Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin said he was never more proud of his men as he reflected on the Malaysian Battalion's (Malbatt) service in southern Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil). "During the 'Northern Arrow' (by the Israeli Defence Forces) escalation in September 2024, our troops swiftly activated bunker drills and coordinated with Unifil to maintain zero casualties despite cross-border exchanges. "Two months later, in November, an Israeli airstrike caused collateral damage to a Unifil convoy, injuring several Malaysian peacekeepers. "Our rapid medical evacuation and continued mission focus drew praise from the UN and troop-contributing nations," Zahani said, noting that these incidents reinforced the importance of discipline and rapid response protocols. HOLDING THE LINE He said Malbatt operated under the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called for monitoring the cessation of hostilities, supporting Lebanese armed forces deployments and ensuring its area of responsibility was free from hostile activity. Zahani said Malbatt had adopted stringent force-protection measures to safeguard personnel in a demanding threat environment. "Troops remain in fortified encampments and bunker drills are activated whenever cross-border hostilities spike. All patrols and logistical movements are suspended under Unifil directives to minimise exposure. "Regular checks on defensive structures and rapid-access shelters ensure immediate lockdown capability against indirect fire or drone incursions," Zahani said. He said under Unifil's mandate, Malbatt operated with strictly defensive rules of engagement. "Troops may return fire only if directly attacked. Offensive operations remain prohibited. We embed this principle through live-simulation, ensuring split-second decision-making under stress. "This clarity is vital in a theatre marked by multiple actors and asymmetrical threats." EYE ON THREATS, HEART WITH COMMUNITIES Zahani said intelligence and coordination were central to Malbatt's readiness. "The battalion's intelligence cell collated inputs from Unifil's Joint Operations Centre, the Lebanese armed forces and civilian informants. "Frequent 'snap' briefs are also held to update commanders on signs of Hizbollah escalation, Iranian drone flights, or suspected proxy-force staging areas." He said daily video-teleconferences with Unifil Sector West and adjacent battalions ensured rapid dissemination of new directives, including no-movement orders and escalation thresholds. While force protection was critical, Zahani added that civil-military engagement remained the cornerstone of Unifil's mandate. "Our engineers partner with municipal councils to repair schools and water systems in Marakah, Tibnin and surrounding villages. "Periodic town halls are also held to explain Unifil's peacekeeping objectives to residents, reducing the risk of agitators exploiting grievances," he said. Zahani added that this trust-building helped maintain early warning networks and blunt militia influence. MODERNISATION AND STRATEGIC READINESS In response to escalating risks along the Israel-Lebanon border, Zahani said the armed forces had modernised Malbatt's capabilities. "We replaced our ageing Condor armoured vehicles with 20 Turkish-made Panthera 4×4 platforms in 2023. These offer higher mobility, remote weapon station capability and improved troop protection. "Further upgrades are already in motion. By mid-2026, Malbatt will add 60 High-Mobility Light Tactical Vehicles (HMLTVs) to its fleet, enhancing agility and enabling rapid repositioning along the volatile Blue Line," Zahani said, referring to the 120km section of the southern Lebanese border that Unifil oversees. "These acquisitions are part of a broader plan to strengthen survivability and operational flexibility in one of the UN's most complex theatres." He said Malbatt had also introduced specialised capabilities, such as explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and women's engagement modules. "These units not only address evolving operational requirements — from neutralising improvised explosive threats to fostering trust with local communities — but also reinforce the multidimensional nature of peacekeeping under the UN mandate." Training and readiness were also prioritised, Zahani said, as all personnel would go through an eight-week Force Integration Training (FIT) programme in Port Dickson before deploying to Lebanon with Malbatt. "This covers peacekeeping doctrine, cultural awareness, and scenario-based drills aligned with UN standards." He added that diplomatic coordination remained central to sustaining mission credibility. "Malaysia maintains a permanent liaison with the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) in New York to ensure real-time alignment of operational priorities with Malaysia's foreign policy principles — multilateralism, civilian protection and peaceful conflict resolution. "This strategic outlook was reinforced at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin in May, where Malaysia pledged to deploy an additional infantry battalion, EOD teams and police units for future missions. "This underscores Malaysia's long-term investment in robust, multidimensional peace operations and its continued role as a trusted troop-contributing nation," Zahani said.
Daily Express
17 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. Former Indian Ambassador to Thailand Anil Wadhwa noted that Anwar's proactive approach is challenging Asean's longstanding principle of non-interference - necessary to address the ongoing crises and issues like human trafficking and scams. 'By doing so, Malaysia is restoring Asean relevance in addressing the Myanmar crisis and promoting human security in the region. Malaysia will do well to ride on its success in the Thai-Cambodia conflict and try the Asean mediation between the military regime and the NUG and other disparate groups,' Anil told Bernama from New Delhi. Anil, who served as India's envoy to Thailand from 2011 to 2014, underscored the urgency for Asean to develop a workable political framework to address Myanmar's multi-layered crisis – one that has defied solutions for decades. Anwar, however, broke the bitter diplomatic deadlock in mid-April. He met Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok and also consulted the National Unity Government (NUG) representatives to allow the flow of humanitarian aid into earthquake-hit regions – a rare moment of cooperation between the two rival entities. Most recently, Anwar hosted a high stakes meeting in Putrajaya between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, successfully defusing tensions along the two countries' shared border. The ceasefire, widely seen as a major Asean achievement, prevented a broader military escalation and ensured the safety of thousands of civilians. The 77-year-old leader's diplomatic masterstrokes brought the much-needed calm to the border communities on both sides and helped save thousands of lives. Otherwise, it could have turned into a costly military confrontation, destabilising the region. Still, Myanmar's situation presents a more complex challenge. The country's civil war involves some 20 ethnic armed groups, many of whom have been fighting for autonomy or independence since 1948. With over 135 recognised ethnic groups and competing visions of governance, the path to peace is steep. 'Asean needs leadership – and Anwar is providing that,' remarked Kavi Chongkittavorn, a senior fellow at Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security and International Studies in Bangkok. 'He is making Asean more relevant under Malaysia's leadership, Timor-Leste is accepted into Asean, and to solve the Myanmar crisis, Asean needs the leadership too. 'Now Asean can engage superpowers, especially the US and China and others more effectively. Malaysia announced the new Vision 2045 that envisages the bloc as future-ready. Anwar is doing exactly that. It will take time to further rebrand Asean,' he told Bernama. 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. Whether Asean, under Malaysia's leadership, can facilitate meaningful dialogue in Myanmar remains to be seen. But as Anwar continues to chart a more assertive course, political analysts agree: Asean may be inching closer to becoming a truly effective regional actor. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
17 minutes ago
- Daily Express
BN eyes representation in all 25 Sabah MP seats
Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan MEMBAKUT: Barisan Nasional (BN) intends to contest at least one state seat in each parliamentary constituency in Sabah during the 17th state election, said its Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Umno deputy president said the move is to ensure BN is represented in all 25 parliamentary constituencies in Sabah, which has a total of 73 state seats. However, Mohamad, who is also Foreign Minister and Rembau MP, said the proposal has not been finalised and will be discussed further with the BN component parties, namely Umno, MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS). 'We do not want to see a recurrence of the situation in the last election, when some parliamentary constituencies lacked BN representation. 'This will lead to frustration and disillusionment among supporters, possibly causing them to leave the party,' he told reporters after launching the Kimanis Umno Division delegates meeting at Dewan Terbuka Membakut, here, Saturday. The current five-year term of the 16th State Assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th State Election. Meanwhile, Mohamad urged the people, particularly Umno members, not to be influenced by malicious allegations that the party had formed a coalition with DAP. 'BN, particularly Umno, has never merged with any party after the 15th General Election (GE15). Instead, BN only formed the current government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) based on an agreement with the coalition. 'Umno and BN agreed to form the Government because we needed to manage the country, as no party was able to form a government after GE15,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
