Indonesia

'Want to go home': Indonesian crew abandoned off Africa demand wages

JAKARTA: Abandoned for months on their fishing boat off West Africa, Indonesian sailor Surono and his shipmates face a dilemma: return home without almost a year's wages or stay on the docked vessel.

Nation

Federal Court sends Muhyiddin sedition case back to High Court

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has remitted Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's sedition case to the High Court for a full hearing.

Vietnam

UAE firm G42, Vietnamese firms in deal to develop AI infrastructure in Vietnam

HANOI: Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42, and a consortium comprising the FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group, have signed a deal to develop sovereign AI capabilities and cloud infrastructure across Vietnam, G42 said on Monday (Feb 9).

Philippines

Third impeachment case filed against Philippine VP Sara Duterte

MANILA: Members of the Philippine clergy filed an impeachment complaint Monday (Feb 9) against Sara Duterte, the third to hit the country's vice president in just over a week.

Singapore

Singapore mounts largest cybersecurity op against UNC3886, more than 100 cyberdefenders activated

SINGAPORE: More than 100 cyberdefenders from six government agencies and four local telcos have been involved in the fight against cyberespionage group UNC3886, making the coordinated countermeasures Singapore's largest to date.

Cambodia

Nearly 400 items seized, three detained over forestry crimes in Cambodia's Pursat province

PHNOM PENH: Authorities in Pursat province have seized nearly 400 items and detained three suspects in connection with forestry crimes, following a series of patrols conducted in January, officials said.

Myanmar

Myanmar kicks off union-level MSME product exhibition in Naypyidaw

Myanmar on Sunday (Feb 8) opened a Union-level Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Product Exhibition and Market Fair in Naypyidaw to mark the country's 79th Union Day, the state-owned daily The Mirror reported on Monday.

World

Japan election landslide clears path for Takaichi to deliver tax cuts

TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister ‌Sanae Takaichi is set to be pressed on her promised tax cuts and spending plans on Monday after a historic election win was seen heightening the chances of ‌her delivering on stimulus measures that have rattled financial markets.

Economy

Manufacturing sales value hits RM1.97 trillion, grows 4.2% in 2025 - DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR: The sales value of the manufacturing sector in 2025 hit RM1.97 trillion, an increase of 4.2 per cent from RM1.89 trillion in 2024, while sales in December last year rose 6.4 per cent year-on-year, amounting to RM168.6 billion.

Bangladesh

'Flood' of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

DHAKA: Voters in Bangladesh elect a new government on Feb 12, but analysts warn their choice is threatened by a coordinated surge of disinformation, much of which originates from neighbouring India.

Laos

Laos-China electricity link on track to become operational in April

VIENTIANE: The 500kV Laos-China power transmission line was fully connected on Feb 5, strengthening cross-border electricity links and supporting clean energy trade in the region.

World

South Korean military helicopter crashes during training, killing two

SEOUL, Feb ‌9 (Reuters) - A South Korean ‌Army AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter ‌crashed on Monday during a training flight in the northern county ‍of Gapyeong, killing ‍both crew members ‌on board, the country's military ‍said.

AseanPlus News

Dalai Lama's office says the spiritual leader has never met Epstein

NEW DELHI: The office of the Dalai Lama said on Sunday (Feb 8) that he had never met convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after Chinese media reported the Tibetan Buddhist leader's name was mentioned in a cache of files released by the US government.

Markets

FBM KLCI jumps 15pts as Japan's election result bolsters region

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI eased slightly off an intraday high as it entered the lunch break, with the regional rally in full swing on the back of Japan's post-election market and overall relief following Wall Street's rebound last Friday.

Sabah & Sarawak

Woman nabbed in Saratok for abuse of adopted daughter

KUCHING: An 11-year-old girl who was allegedly physically abused by her adoptive mother in Saratok is now under the care of child protection officers and counsellors, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

Thailand

Thai youth question future as reformist party loses ground

BANGKOK: For many young Thai voters, Sunday's (Feb 8) election was expected to mark a breakthrough for the country's pro-democracy movement. Instead, it delivered a sobering setback.

Nation

Travel bans only on PTPTN loan defaulters with successful careers, Dewan Rakyat told

KUALA LUMPUR: Travel bans will only be imposed on National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers who fail to settle their loans despite earning well or working overseas, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

South Korea

S. Korean province sorry after mayor says 'import young women' to lift birth rate

SEOUL: A provincial government in South Korea has apologised after a mayor suggested importing young women from Southeast Asia to boost the nation's birth rate.

Nation

Putrajaya shelves automated Rapid Transit plan over RM212mil price tag

KUALA LUMPUR: There are no plans to roll out or expand the Automated Rapid Transit (ART) system in Putrajaya after its projected 10-year cost of RM211.95mil was deemed too high, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Brunei

Brunei opens applications for overseas scholarships

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Applications for the Brunei government's Overseas Scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic session are open, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), through the Scholarship Unit, Human Resource Development and Scholarship Division, Department of Islamic Studies announced.