AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Sept 13, 2025)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Sept 13, 2025)

Nation

PM: Malaysia's economy should be empowered alongside culture, art and values

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that efforts to empower the country's economy will not be complete if they are not accompanied by strengthening culture, art and values ​​that are the pillars of the integrity of the multi-racial society. 

Singapore

Singapore to deepen global cooperation against extremism, says PM Wong

Singapore will deepen international cooperation as part of efforts to combat the growing threat of extremist ideologies among young Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Thailand

Japan's top tech company Panasonic plans new plant in Thailand to meet AI server demand

Panasonic Industry, a subsidiary of Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, said on Friday that it plans to invest around 17 billion yen (US$115 million) to build a new production facility in Thailand.

Indonesia

Indonesia and the UAE call for Middle East unity amid geopolitical tensions

Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have called on Middle Eastern countries to unite amid regional geopolitical tensions, days after Israel's September 9 strike on Qatar drew widespread international condemnation.

Nation

MBMB Mayor wants flooding issues at Bazar Kraftangan to be solved immediately

MELAKA: The Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) has called for immediate action to resolve frequent flooding at Bazar Kraftangan, Dataran Pahlawan Megamall Melaka, particularly during the rainy season.

Singapore

First man in Singapore charged over Kpod possession under Misuse of Drugs Act taken back to scene of arrest

Derek Khor was arrested for possessing etomidate vapes, the first case since the law changed on Sept 1, facing jail and caning. Police found Khor with vapes and components in Ang Mo Kio.

Japan

Kansai Airport runways fully reopen after a Philippine-bound United Airlines flight's emergency landing

Kansai International Airport in western Japan fully reopened its runways early Saturday after a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing due to a cargo room fire alert.

Rugby

Rugby-Second half blitz takes New Zealand to 46-17 World Cup win over S Africa

EXETER, England (Reuters) - Teenage wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored two tries as defending champions New Zealand survived a first-half scare to defeat South Africa 46-17 in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Vietnam

Vietnam accelerates IPOs, enables higher foreign stock ownership

Vietnam is rolling out a series of regulatory reforms aimed at attracting more overseas investors into its stock market, which has outperformed regional peers this year.

World

Fire breaks out at Russian oil refinery following drone attack, regional governor says

(Reuters) - A fire broke out at the facilities of an oil company in Russia's Bashkortostan region following a drone attack on Saturday, the governor said.

China

PLA warship the Fujian heads to South China Sea. Is it about to enter service?

Chinese navy says the warship is on 'routine mission' as speculation builds that it could soon be commissioned

Athletics

Athletics-US storm to another 4x400m mixed relay gold

TOKYO (Reuters) -The United States convincingly won the 4x400m mixed relay for the third time in the event's four world championship outings on Saturday, gaining some measure of revenge on the Netherlands, who beat them in last year's Olympics.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Dutch GP stewards cancel penalty points handed to Sainz

(Reuters) -Dutch Grand Prix stewards have cancelled two penalty points handed to Williams driver Carlos Sainz after the Formula One team successfully sought to have the original decision overturned.

Nation

Push for more Parliament seats in Sabah must align with one-third right, says Shafie

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah and Sarawak's constitutional right to one-third representation in Parliament must be respected, said Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Tennis

Tennis-Germany, France and Argentina qualify for Davis Cup Final 8

(Reuters) - Germany reached the Davis Cup Final 8 with a 4-0 rout of Japan, France secured a convincing win over Croatia and Argentina qualified after knocking out last year's finalists Netherlands in their second-round qualifying tie on Saturday.

Nation

Roads leading into Kelantan congested, motorists facing 28-hour journeys

KOTA BARU: Roads leading into Kelantan are badly congested, with some road users taking 28 hours to travel to the state.

Myanmar

Large haul of narcotics seized in Myanmar's Yangon

Myanmar authorities have seized 4,440 kg of ICE (methamphetamine), 1,100 kg of ketamine, 4 million stimulant tablets, and 14 kg of heroin powder in Yangon region

World

India's Modi calls for peace in Manipur, launches development projects

GUWAHATI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for peace on Saturday in Manipur state - the scene of two years of deadly ethnic violence - as he unveiled a package of development projects there worth nearly $1 billion.

Cambodia

Etihad Airways to extend wings from UAE to Cambodia next month

Etihad Airways will start direct flights from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, from Oct. 3, said a news release from Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism on Saturday.