Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (May 27, 2025)
* Malaysian Muslims to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha on June 7
* Timor-Leste to join Asean as full member by October, says PM Anwar / * Economy Minister Rafizi seen at 46th Asean Summit
* NADM recovers RM123mil in unremitted revenue following Audit Act amendment
* Penang couple claims trial to abusing daughter, 12
* Penang food court ordered to close due to cockroach infestation
* Two Penang cops claim trial to charge of extorting special officer to state exco rep
* Housewife loses over RM100,000 in online job scam
* Cop charged with wife's murder found dead in cell at Perlis prison
* Senior govt officer accused of securing jobs for wife's firm
* MyLabourHub aims to support smarter, data-driven decisions, says DOSM
* Five cops among 16 nabbed in cable theft syndicate bust
* Putra Heights inferno: Full report, including from Dosh, expected by end June, says S'gor CPO
* Melaka's top cop calls for statewide vape ban amid rising drug abuse among students
* High Court sets July 8 to rule on damages in Rosmah's defamation suit
* Penang undersea tunnel graft trial witness 'compelled' to tell truth due to evidence
* FRU crash tragedy: Perak cops reveal attempts to exploit victims' families
* Melaka cops nab newlyweds for peddling drug-laced vape liquid to schoolkids
* Teen pleads not guilty to raping student in school store
* Teacher under investigation for alleged affair with married man
* Sabah polls: No deal with BN but GRS keen to keep working with Pakatan, says Hajiji
* Abang Jo to raise UMS water supply issues with Higher Edu Ministry
* Savings from chicken subsidy removal to be channelled to livestock sector
SEPANG, May 27 -- Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his wife, Loo Tze Lui, depart for home today after attending the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. They are accorded a red carpet send-off and inspect a guard-of-honour mounted by 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (Ceremonial), led by Capt J. Lingesri Rao, at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport. -- Photo: Bernama
Singapore
* Asean faces 'moment of truth'; it must step up or risk losing relevance, says PM Wong
* Life expectancy of Singapore's population rises in 2024, marking improvement over Covid-19 years
* Singapore prison programme helps elderly inmates with mobility issues reintegrate into society
* Singapore records 42 cases of animal smuggling in 2024, highest in recent years
* Singapore monitoring impact of Trump administration's ban on Harvard enrolling foreign students
* Prosecution looks to strike out fugitive Indonesian's evidence containing allegations against Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau
* Special offers, attractions at the zoo as Singapore's Mandai Wildlife Group celebrates SG60
* K-pop girl group Blackpink to perform at Singapore's National Stadium in November
* SQ321 incident: Parts of aircraft's weather radar system sent to US for tests, findings pending
Indonesia
* Up to business community to act after Asean, GCC, China lay foundation for stronger economic collaboration, says Anwar
* Two-tonne meth shipment busted off Sumatra
* Indonesia seizes record meth haul in waters off Riau Islands
* Small ship with eight people onboard goes missing in Indonesia's Bengkulu
* Tension arises between Garuda Indonesia and its pilots union over recruitment
* Asian currencies retreat after bonds rally; US fiscal, trade concerns persist
* Asian shares dip, dollar struggles after Trump's tariff backflip
KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, May 27: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressing the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Economic Forum 2025 here tonight. -- Photo: Bernama
Thailand
* Facing global trade storm, Asean urged to pool strength
* Thai industry braces for Trump tariffs, anticipates THB200bil export blow
* Second-richest Thai billionaire hands stakes in major companies to children
* Thai DPM Pichai courts global funds to reignite stock market, eyes investment reforms
* China, Myanmar and Russia lead foreign condo transfers in Thailand in Q1 2025
* Thai DPM Pichai orders legal review of Yingluck's case to enforce court ruling
* Malaysian man found dead in hotel room in Yala, southern Thailand
* Thaksin dismisses reports of fleeing abroad as fake news
Philippines
* Stablecoin giant Circle targets $6.7 billion valuation in US IPO
* Filipino singer Freddie Aguilar, best known for the 1970s hit 'Anak', dies at 72
* Odd-even scheme back as rebuild of Metro Manila's busiest highway starts
* 58% of Filipinos disagree with Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, survey says
* Oil falls as higher OPEC+ output expectations weigh on sentiment
SEPANG, May 27: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra departs Malaysia after attending the 46th Asean Summit and Related Meetings. The special aircraft carrying Paetongtarn takes off from the Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 7:10pm. - Photo: Bernama
Vietnam
* Troubled man detained after damaging ancient throne
* Macron: Keep order intact
* Vietnam takes steps to block Telegram over illegal content
* Proposal to not exempt tax on cross-border e-commerce goods in Vietnam
* Macron gives Vietnamese students a lesson in 'impulsive' superpowers
Myanmar
* Asean urges nationwide expansion of Myanmar ceasefire; leaders also agree tariff deals with US should not harm members
* Riverbank collapse in southern Myanmar displaces over 60 families, 18 homes swept away
* Bodies of three more women found inside a room of Sky Villa condo that collapsed due to earthquake in Mandalay
SEPANG, Tuesday, May 27: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra departs Malaysia after attending the 46th Asean Summit and Related Meetings. The special aircraft carrying Paetongtarn takes off from the Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 7:10pm. -- Photo Bernama
Cambodia
* Cambodia spots newborn rare Mekong dolphin, bringing total population to 111
* Cambodian police, defence officials charged with attempted bribery
* China, Cambodia ready to expand trade cooperation, combat cross border crime
Laos
* Improvement of Lao national road to boost east-west corridor connectivity
* Khammuan province celebrates Laos' historic year with ambition and action
* Laos' inflation drops further to 8.3 per cent in May
Brunei
* Brunei inspires students to explore career in hospitality, tourism
* Bangladeshi man fined BND27,000 for contraband possession in Brunei
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, welcomes Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said to a Royal Luncheon at Istana Negara today, held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit and related meetings. - Photo: Bernama
Aseanplus
* King expresses hope that Asean stands united
* PM Anwar, Premier Li agree to enhance strategic cooperation through Asean-GCC-China Summit
* Malaysia values China's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, says Anwar
* Asean and GCC can be anchors of stability and engines for growth, says PM
* GCC hopes to achieve RM759bil in trade with Asean by 2032, says Kuwait's Sheikh Sabah Khaled
* Asean charts its own path / * Asean, GCC, and China shape a connected future, says Anwar
* At least five dead and another six missing after chemical plant blast in China's Shandong
* Motor racing - F1 ponders how to solve a problem like Monaco
* Car maker Volvo plans to cut around 3,000 office jobs worldwide
* Soccer-Euphoric Napoli fans flood streets for champions tour by land and sea
* Removing barriers will hasten integration, say experts
* Australia, NZ dollars hit new 2025 highs amid more US tariff chaos
* Earnings season points to bumpy road ahead / * Calls to review presidential power
* Trump's nod for Nippon Steel raises questions
* At least 14 killed in storms after heatwave
* Lee vows to restore hotline / * Universities urged to facilitate students affected by Harvard ban
* District pushes senior care edge / * Alarming rise in synthetic cannabis use among youth
* Asean moves to address trade challenges together
* Sikh food charity serves up free hot meals for flood-hit Australians
* Ringgit opens higher as US trade policy uncertainty, fiscal concerns weigh on dollar
* Jet Li attends youngest daughter's graduation ceremony in the US
* FBM KLCI drifts sideways amid heightened uncertainty
* Path ahead for BIMP-EAGA needs innovation, political will, says President Marcos Jr
* Asean–GCC–China summit reflects cooperation in a multipolar world, says Anwar
* Asean summits today to reinforce Malaysia's role in steering strategic cooperation
* Chinese customs authorities crack down on toy doll smuggling
* Sabahan lecturer leads US-based Southeast Asia Council
* Developing nations face tidal wave of China debt: report
* China's industrial profits maintain growth momentum in April despite trade tensions
* Gombak Cultural Group shines at folklore world cup in Italy
* Asian shares start cautiously, dollar edges down
* Malaysian doctor dazzles in songket on Cannes red carpet
* South Korea's liberal candidate Lee holds clear lead a week before presidential vote
* AEC strategic plan set to drive deeper regional economic integration, strengthen resilience, says economist
* S'wak making preparations to co-host 2027 SEA Games, says Abdul Karim
* Australia floods recovery could take several months, PM says
* Nepali Everest Man breaks own record with 31st summit
* Malaysia sees cut in US tariff to 10% as a good outcome
* Henry Golding says he misses Malaysia, wants to return soon and eat laksa
* Humanoid robots gain momentum in commercial rollout in China
* Seven of family die by suicide in India's Haryana, bodies found in car
* NZ teenager dies after taking part in rugby-inspired craze
* Eight injured near explosion in Tokyo construction site
* Seoul slaps travel bans on two former acting presidents: Yonhap
* Malaysia ready to forge collaborations with Korea Expressway Corp, says Works Minister
* Prabowo backs Papua New Guinea's Asean bid
* India approves stealth fighter programme amid tensions with Pakistan
* Singer Jaclyn Victor marries British Methodist minister in intimate ceremony attended by family and fellow celebs
* Australian woman 'loved' lunch guests she is accused of killing: court
* Bangladesh top court acquits Islamist leader on death row: lawyer
* Chinese student fined for fake kidnapping scam
* Malaysia, Vietnam to finalise digital economy MOU by August, says Gobind
* Saudi, Malaysian foreign ministers hold talks at Asean-GCC Summit
* Asean leaders call for Myanmar dialogue and ceasefire expansion
* No casualties reported yet after explosion at East China chemical plant
* Ringgit eases against greenback on profit-taking after recent gains
* North Korea's state security minister to attend high-level meeting in Russia, KCNA says
* Candidate spouses take centre stage in South Korea's heated presidential race
* Asean Summit: Brunei Sultan hospitalised for fatigue, says PM Anwar
* IMT-GT advancing with over RM165bil in projects, says Anwar
* Asean committed to assisting Myanmar's crisis resolution, say bloc's leaders
* Die-hard Red Devil's fan Anwar unsure who to support in United-Asean All Stars showdown
* Anwar meets Manchester United, Asean All-Stars reps
* Prabowo commends Malaysia's hosting of 46th Asean Summit
* South Korean actor Choi Jung-woo dies at 68
* K-drama actress Go Min-si denies school bullying allegations
* 'Papa' starring HK Film Awards best actor Sean Lau to hit cinemas June 12
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The Star
14 minutes ago
- The Star
Easing the people's burden for a stronger economy
PETALING JAYA: Motorists will be spared from paying higher toll rates for 10 highways this year, following a government's decision to postpone the move. Among the highways are Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB) and KL-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, according to an agreement with highway operators, the toll rates are supposed to increase this year. 'These are old agreements between the companies and the previous governments. To facilitate this, the government will bear the cost of more than RM500mil,' said Anwar in a special announcement aired live on his social media platforms yesterday. On the recent restructuring of electricity tariffs effective July 1, Anwar said despite the move, over 85% of domestic users would see a reduction in their bills from this month. 'Although the restructured electricity tariff began in July, the people's electricity bill has not increased,' he said. Some users, he said, saw up to a 14% reduction. 'This is unlike the slander that was spread. When the tariff increases, the cost would reduce; hence, the bill would be lower. Check your electricity bills,' he explained. Anwar also said everyone could enjoy a long weekend to celebrate Malaysia Day this year while declaring Sept 15 an additional public holiday. The long weekend would be from Saturday (Sept 13) up to Malaysia Day on Tuesday (Sept 16). The public holiday, he said, would enable Malaysians to enjoy the long break with their family or take a much-needed vacation. 'This public holiday is intended to recognise the unity and significance of Malaysia's formation. 'This will also encourage people to strengthen family bonds by visiting their hometowns or vacationing locally,' he said. Explaining the current economic situation of the country, Anwar, who is Finance Minister, said the nation's economy remained on a strong footing, supported by consistent growth, record investments and a strengthening ringgit. He said the country posted a 4.4% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of this year, with the second quarter expected to reach 4.5%. Malaysia also jumped 11 places to 23rd in the 2025 World Competitiveness Index, while approved investments hit an all-time high of RM384bil last year, up 17% from 2023. He added the ringgit's more than 5% gain against the US dollar this year, reaching RM4.23 and becoming one of Asia's top-performing currencies, has allowed the government to enhance living standards. He also said the unemployment rate dropped to 3% in May, the lowest in over a decade, while over 250,000 jobs were created between 2023 and 2024. Minimum wage was also raised to RM1,700 effective Feb 1 and fully implemented on Aug 1, he said, adding that 153,000 workers under government-linked companies now earned a living wage of RM3,100 monthly.
The Star
29 minutes ago
- The Star
Good news – cash aid, cheaper fuel
Govt offering much-needed relief measures to ease living cost of rakyat PETALING JAYA: Malaysians can look forward to a series of measures aimed at easing cost of living, including a one-off RM100 cash aid for those 18 years and above, and cheaper RON95 soon. The cash assistance will be credited directly into their MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced these measures in a special announcement aired live on his social media platforms yesterday. Offered in conjunction with National Day on Aug 31, he said the incentives were aimed at easing the rising cost of living and a token of appreciation for the people. 'With this announcement, the combined allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara rises from RM13bil to RM15bil this year, marking the first time in history that cash aid is extended to all adult Malaysians,' he said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this initiative would benefit 22 million Malaysians with an allocation of RM2bil. This assistance, said Anwar, can be used from Aug 31 to Dec 31 this year, to buy essentials at over 4,100 outlets nationwide, including major supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave, 99Speedmart and participating grocers. 'It will be distributed on individual basis, not by household. So, for example, a household with a husband, wife and two adult children will receive a total of RM400,' he said. Anwar said the cost of living remained a pressing challenge that must be addressed wisely and urgently. He added that while overall inflation in June 2025 dropped to 1.1%, the lowest in 52 months, food and beverage prices continued to rise above the national average. 'There may be some among us who are financially secure and do not need this aid. The government intends to reallocate any unspent funds by year-end towards assistance programmes for vulnerable groups next year,' he added. In a separate statement, the Finance Ministry said collectively, households have the potential to receive a higher amount of Sara credit. 'For example, a family comprising a husband, wife, and two children aged 18 and above would receive a total of RM400, instead of just RM100,' it said. The Sara credit can be used to buy over 90,000 essential items across 14 categories, including rice, egg, household cleaning products, medicine and school supplies. 'The RM100 credit is valid until its expiry date of Dec 31, 2025. 'Any unspent balance will be redistributed to vulnerable groups through a programme to be determined later,' said the ministry. Sara complemented the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) initiative, which provided monthly credits specifically for purchasing basic necessities, it added. The initiative was introduced by the government in its first Madani Budget in 2023 and currently benefits 5.4 million active recipients. 'Both initiatives are a token of appreciation from the government to all Malaysians who continue to support the nation's fiscal reform agenda. 'They also reflect the Madani government's commitment to redistributing the nation's growing wealth, a result of bold fiscal reforms and more efficient economic management, guided by the Madani Economic Framework. Anwar also highlighted that the Jualan Rahmah Madani initiative will be enhanced to assist the public in managing living costs. The government, he added, will double the initiative's allocation from RM300mil to RM600mil. This funding will increase the frequency and expand the Jualan Rahmah Madani to include all 600 state constituencies nationwide, said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister. 'The additional allocation will, among others, increase the frequency and expand the number of locations nationwide, covering all 600 state constituencies,' he said. Anwar also said the price of RON95 petrol will soon be reduced to RM1.99 per litre under a targeted subsidy scheme with further details to be announced by the end of September. The government, he said, was committed to optimising national subsidy spending by ensuring that ordinary Malaysians continued to benefit from subsidies, while curbing leakage to those not eligible. 'Once the targeted RON95 subsidy is implemented, the government will reduce the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre exclusively for Malaysian citizens, while foreign nationals will have to pay the unsubsidised market price.' The initiative, he said, would benefit about 18 million motorists, including youths as young as 16 and gig economy workers. 'In 2023 and 2024 alone, subsidies for RON95 were estimated to cost nearly RM20bil annually. 'Even this year, despite a drop in global oil prices, the unsubsidised price of RON95 remains around RM2.50 per litre, significantly higher than the subsidised rate Malaysians currently enjoy,' he said. He explained that the move aims to ensure that ordinary citizens continued receiving fuel subsidy while leakage to ineligible groups, including foreigners, are addressed. To address the critical need for doctors in hospitals and government healthcare facilities, Anwar also announced that over 4,000 positions for government doctors, including contract medical officers, would be available this year. He confirmed that 4,352 new doctors, including those on contract, would be hired this year. According to projections released in 2023 by Dr Hirman Ismail, deputy director of the Health Ministry's medical development division, the public healthcare sector would require 63,040 doctors by 2025 and 79,931 by 2030. As of last year, there were nearly 52,000 doctors employed in government service.
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
One-off RM100 aid for every adult M'sian: PM
PETALING JAYA: In a sweeping move to ease financial pressure on Malaysians and uplift the national spirit ahead of Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday unveiled a RM2 billion cash aid initiative for all adults, a significant boost in subsidies for essential goods and an additional public holiday. 'In celebration of our National Day, I am pleased to announce that every adult Malaysian will receive RM100 through his MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah scheme,' he said during a special televised address. The one-off aid will benefit 22 million citizens aged 18 and above. It can be utilised between Aug 31 and Dec 31 at over 4,100 participating outlets nationwide, including Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave, 99 Speedmart and select local grocery stores. 'That means a household consisting of a husband, wife and two adult children will receive RM400 in total.' He said with this latest injection, the combined allocation for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiatives will increase to RM15 billion from RM13 billion, making it the largest-ever cash assistance programme in Malaysia's history and the first time such aid is being extended to all adult Malaysians. Acknowledging that some recipients may not necessarily need the assistance, Anwar encouraged those in a better financial position to leave the credit unspent. 'For those who choose not to use it, the government intends to channel the unused balance at the end of the year towards programmes that support vulnerable communities next year.' Anwar also announced that the allocation for the Jualan Rahmah Madani programme would be doubled to RM600 million, up from RM300 million this year, enabling the programme to expand both in frequency and geographic reach, covering 600 state constituencies in the country. 'We want the people to have better access to basic necessities at affordable prices, no matter where they live. We will also expand the range of essential items offered, providing the public with more options and better access to basic necessities at lower prices.' The programme is part of the government's broader strategy to make essential goods more affordable for Malaysians and reduce everyday financial strain. Capping the announcements, Anwar declared that Sept 15, which falls on a Monday, will be a public holiday, effectively creating a long weekend for Malaysians to celebrate the formation of the country. 'This holiday is a token of appreciation for the spirit of togetherness that defines our country. It is also a chance for people to reconnect with their roots or travel locally.'
