CNA had reported that the former political aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was told by the premier to back off from such a move, but Farhash says he did not receive any such order.  

Analysts said that with little time to prepare and Washington's attention focused on the US-Israeli war with Iran, prospects for a major trade breakthrough are limited. 

Under the framework, both countries will strengthen collaboration in areas such as cross-border electricity imports, civil nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas, among others.

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday that it had detected 26 Chinese military aircraft, concentrated in the Taiwan Strait, over the previous 24 hours.

South Korea’s military said that it detected about 10 ballistic missiles fired from North Korea’s capital region toward the eastern sea.

Parliament chairman Tran Thanh Man told local media the election results would be announced on Mar 23.

In this first part of a series on electric vehicles in Asia, CNA examines how one of Southeast Asia’s largest untapped copper deposits in Mindanao could boost the Philippines’ role in the global EV supply chain. 

Last month's general election result faces court scrutiny over the barcodes on the ballots, which could potentially be used to identify which party or candidate a given voter had chosen.

The Indian-flagged LPG tanker Shivalik crossed the Strait under escort from the Indian Navy, two sources said, while a second vessel, Nanda Devi, was expected to follow.

The Philippines, which is chairing ASEAN this year, convened the special meeting as concerns over the Iran conflict deepened.

Beijing has portrayed itself in the region as a reliable alternative to an erratic US President Donald Trump, who launched sweeping tariffs last year that unsettled global trade.

The Malaysian government is in a strong position to absorb the higher costs due to the various fiscal reforms and consolidation measures implemented over the past three years, said Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan.

As part of a three-year diploma programme, students will receive specialised training in areas like ingredient selection, charcoal control and flavour development, alongside business and restaurant management skills.