Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Apr 8, 2023)

* Come to Parliament more; PM to Muhyiddin for not understanding South China Sea stand

* Anwar: I will be part of Pardons Board panel to decide on Najib’s fate

* The best markets in Penang to visit for food, shopping and culture

* Puffer fish poisoning: Man dies after a week in a coma

* Dead couple's family urges action over puffer fish poisoning

* Johor cops deny parading underage suspect on the way to court

* No mixing politics with sports as Malaysia won’t boycott Paris Games

* KL man lauds cops for finding his wallet after monkey harassment on North-South Expressway

* Role of MAINPP members, Syariah judges come with great responsibilities, says King

* Over 40% increase in flights for Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year, says Transport Ministry

* Letter only to update Azalina, not to provide 'answers', says MACC panellist

* South China Sea issues must be resolved peacefully as M'sia will not compromise sovereignty, says Wisma Putra

Singapore:

* UN report on safety of lab-grown meats cites Singapore, the only country selling them, as case study

* Asian banks are luring investors who think they’re a safer bet; Singapore expected to be major beneficiary

* Singapore terminal operator reconfigures stacking layout in ports after wind blew 15 empty containers into sea in December

* Singapore: Man dies 10 days after he was allegedly pushed down stairs near Orchard mall

* Singapore plans new guidance for banks to vet crypto clients

* Harry Potter’s Weasleys reunite for travel series

* Oil steady, notches third weekly gain after shock OPEC+ cuts

Indonesia:

* Riau Islands among 'hot spots' for smuggling of Indonesian migrant workers

* Indofood pushes limits of fusion cuisine with ice cream topped with instant noodles

* Indonesia to import two million tonnes of rice against impending drought in country

* Indonesia avoids harsh FIFA sanction after Under-20 World Cup debacle

* Datuk Siti Nurhaliza - Happy to be working with Indonesian icon

* Centuries-old Indonesian Easter tradition returns after pandemic hiatus

* Papua rebels holding NZ pilot to drop key demand for his release

Thailand:

* Mercury set to hit dangerous levels in Bangkok and Krabi on Sunday (April 9)

* Young, broke South Korean arrested in Thailand after faking own kidnapping

* Northern Thailand's air pollution clouds country's tourism prospects during famous Songkran festival

* Thailand seeks regional cooperation to tackle its major haze problem

* Work-from-home order issued as Thai city Chiang Mai tops world pollution table

* Thais choking on air pollution

Philippines:

* Philippines cops dismiss Quezon City restaurant robberies as ‘fake news’

* Philippines ships first home-made batch of durian fruits to China

* Nailed to a cross, Filipinos prays for Ukraine war to end

* Toy maker creates pet plushies for grieving owners in the Philippines

* Philippines - Nailed to the cross despite church objection

Vietnam:

* Secretary of the State Blinken to visit Vietnam next week, US senator says

* Vietnam scrutinizes flight prices amid soaring holiday airfares

* Hanoi bans tours of coffee shops along its famous train street

* Vietnam warns TikTok, social media apps over ‘toxic’ content

* Govt to launch probe into TikTok over ‘toxic’ content

Myanmar:

* Intense fighting in Myanmar sends thousands fleeing to Thailand

* India confronts Myanmar about Chinese spy post on remote Coco islands

* On Good Friday, Myanmar jails popular Christian pastor Samson for six years

* Over 5,000 flee Myanmar fighting

Cambodia:

* Cambodia's new Ratanakkiri airport to serve as ‘travel hub’ for Northeastern region

* Cambodian government approves renewable energy projects

* Officials, conservationists in Cambodia urge people to stop trading, eating wild meat

Laos:

* Laos capital Vientiane warn vendors to not raise prices during Lao New Year celebrations

* Laos sees increase in road traffic fatalities in March

Brunei:

* Massive smuggling operation busted in Brunei

* Construction begins for Brunei’s first special needs school

AseanPlus:

* MMEA reactivates Ops Pagar Laut to combat cross-border crime during festive season

* Asean should remain a neutral zone, says Anwar

* Cities can be liveable and lovable - KL leads the way

* Donald Trump’s criminal case looms over US 2024 presidential election, as will China

* US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California

* Thousands of Hongkongers chase wanderlust over Easter holiday, with Japan most popular destination

* Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund rides market rally for best quarter in 4 years, with each member earning HK$9,100

* China’s PLA fleet sails near Taiwan as Tsai-Ing wen and Kevin McCarthy meet, while Beijing voices its displeasure

* Crashed copter parts found as Japan hunts for missing troops

* Marriage, another Covid-19 casualty - The pandemic, financial instability, lack of family values can strain a marriage

* South Korea reports first locally transmitted case of monkeypox

* CPO futures likely to see volatile trading next week

* North Korea tests another nuclear-capable underwater drone

* Japan defeats China to defend Women's Softball Asia Cup title

* China has 18 of world's 59 self-made billionaires under 40

* CEOs are perfect patsies for TikTok politicians

* China’s factories try to manufacture their way out of a shortage of both jobs and hi-tech

* China tech bets unseat ‘reopening trade’ as hottest stock market punt as AI frenzy continues amid weak economic recovery

* Ukrainian deputy foreign minister due to seek Indian aid - report

* The stunning Hong Kong Palace Museum is a trove of Chinese national treasures

* Olympics-Format announced for new race walking team event at Paris 2024