Vietnam

HCM City seizes over 8 tonnes of unquarantined meat in large-scale food safety crackdown

HCM CITY: HCM City authorities have seized and destroyed more than eight tonnes of pork, poultry and other animal products lacking quarantine certificates in a large-scale crackdown that has exposed repeated food safety violations at the city's gateways over recent weeks.

Cambodia

Tourism or territorial claim? Cambodian ministry calls Thai temple tours illegal

PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has issued a strong protest against Thailand over public events, religious ceremonies and tourism activities conducted at several ancient temples located along the Cambodia–Thailand border, asserting that the actions constitute a violation of Cambodian sovereignty under international law.

Indonesia

Indonesia's Mt Semeru on alert status, public urged to stay away

JAKARTA: (Bernama) Indonesian authorities have advised the public to stay away from high-risk areas around Mount Semeru after the volcano erupted several times over the weekend.

Nation

Rafizi, Nik Nazmi to leave PKR, will vacate parliamentary seats

PETALING JAYA: Former ministers Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have officially announced they are leaving PKR to join Parti Bersama Malaysia.

Japan

Japan stops accepting new ‘Specified Skilled Workers’ in food service sector as number of foreigners nears limit of 50,000

TOKYO: The government stopped accepting new foreigners working in the food service sector under the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) programme in mid-April in principle because the number of those allowed to work in the sector is expected to reach its limit of 50,000 as early as this month.

Nation

Anwar's diplomatic skills a boon in 'crazy' global political climate, says Mat Sabu

JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's diplomacy is what Malaysia needs to navigate the current "crazy" global political climate, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

Laos

Laos eyes China’s Hainan Port as new trade gateway

VIENTIANE: Laos is looking to China's Hainan province as a potential maritime gateway to expand international trade, according to comments made by a Lao official during a regional economic forum in China this week

Nation

Snap polls possible if unity government fractures, says Anwar

JOHOR BARU: A snap general election could take place if cracks continue to form within the unity government, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Thailand

Thailand's Makkasan crash sparks warning: Never enter rail crossing unless exit is clear

BANGKOK: The deadly train-bus collision near the Airport Rail Link's Makkasan station has renewed warnings that motorists must never enter a railway crossing unless they are sure there is enough space to clear the tracks completely.

Nation

Cabinet approves RM10bil E-ART project to ease Johor Baru traffic

JOHOR BARU: The Cabinet has approved the RM10bil Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-Art) project to ease traffic congestion in Johor Baru, says Anthony Loke.

Thailand

Makkasan police charge only train driver so far over fatal bus crash

BANGKOK: Makkasan police have charged only the freight train driver so far in the latest development following the deadly train-bus collision near Airport Rail Link Makkasan, as investigators continue gathering evidence to determine whether other people should also face legal action.

Nation

Boycotting polls will only weaken voters’ voice, says Dr Chua

JOHOR BARU: Voters should not boycott elections or spoil their ballots out of frustration, as doing so would only weaken their ability to influence the country's political direction, says Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Nation

Pakatan ready to contest all 36 Negri Sembilan seats, says Loke

JOHOR BARU: Pakatan Harapan is prepared to contest all 36 seats in Negri Sembilan in a tit-for-tat move against Barisan Nasional's decision to go solo in the Johor state election.

Pakistan

Pakistan makes fresh bid to revive US-Iran talks

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (pic) landed in Tehran on a previously unannounced two-day visit, which diplomatic sources said was linked to Pakistan's continuing efforts to revive the stalled Iran-US peace process after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest response to American proposals.

Nation

Johor sees 100,920 new voters ahead of state polls

JOHOR BARU: The number of new voters in the state has increased by 100,920, bringing the total number of voters statewide to 2,717,495 compared with the previous state elections four years ago.

Japan

'Geek' hangout to tourist draw: Japan's maid cafes

TOKYO: "Master, mistress -- welcome home!" exclaims the smiling young woman in a French maid's costume, as customers pass through the looking glass into a unique Japanese world with oodles of quirkiness, cuteness and cake.

Brunei

Brunei warns of possible low water pressure and disruption during water tank cleaning

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Public Works Department (JKR) announced scheduled cleaning works for several water tanks in the Belait and Tutong districts later this month, which may result in low water pressure in affected areas.

Nation

Rafizi, Nik Nazmi to lead Parti Bersama Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are set to take the helm of Parti Bersama Malaysia, marking a significant shift for the minor political outfit.

AseanPlus News

Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 32nd time

KATHMANDU: A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on Sunday (May 17), an official said, smashing his own record set last year.

Cambodia

Hiding in plain sight: Foreign scammers detained at Cambodia's Prince Plaza

PHNOM PENH: Phnom Penh authorities raided two locations in Phnom Penh's Prince Plaza Centre, on Norodom Boulevard in Tonle Bassac, following suspicions of clandestine technology-based fraud.