Malaysia:

* Bizarre that food-producing Malaysia is facing shortages, says Abang Jo

* Muhyiddin criticized for focusing on top government posts as M’sians struggle with rising costs

* The Star Says: Fight Inflation Any Way You Can

* Government continues to provide subsidies, says PM

* Covid-19: Still 2,527 cases recorded on July 2, no deaths

* Ringgit will trade around the current level this week at RM4.40, OPR in brief

* Bursa Malaysia is expected to decline to the 1,430 level this week

* Head of the Department of State gets an egg in the face after commenting on ‘eating fewer eggs’

* Amanah points out the irony that the government is raising prices but forming an anti-inflation team

* Malaysia Digital shows country is ready to lead digital economy, says Annuar

* Blaming Najib for his failure to become prime minister is slander, says Annuar

* Government to investigate and take action on shortage of subsidized cooking oil due to smuggling, says Tok Pa

PT Garuda Indonesia aircraft outside a hangar at the company’s maintenance facility at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Indonesia. Garuda could post an operating profit next year after renegotiating its aircraft leases and focusing more on the domestic market, according to the government official in charge of its restructuring. -Bloomberg

Singapore:

* Three out of four older workers in Singapore do not intend to retire until age 65; reasons include staying active, having a purpose

* Singapore hiker rescued after missing for three days in New York state swamp

* Long working hours and new working technologies among the challenges facing older workers in Singapore

* SG cops warn of new phishing scam involving emails about alleged traffic violation

* Singapore veteran star Tanya Chua has been crowned Best Female Vocalist at Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards for a record fourth time

* Singapore: A teenager asks the court to block the inheritance of his adoptive father

Indonesia

* Indonesia’s inflation soars higher than expected, driven by food prices – highest since 2017

* Indonesia cuts 2022 budget deficit outlook due to strong revenue, says finance minister

* Indonesian tax amnesty reveals $40 billion in undeclared assets

* Indonesia, UAE boost ties by signing trade pact

* Indonesia and Russia strengthen ties

* Offer to send another 10,000 for haj this year rejected

Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand celebrates after defeating China’s Chen Yu Fei in their women’s singles final match at the Malaysian Open badminton tournament at Bukit Jalil Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday, July 3, 2022. – PA

Thailand:

* Thailand records 2,328 Covid-19 cases and 19 deaths on Sunday (July 3, 2022)

* Fun and safety make the Thai island of Koh Pha-ngan the best workplace in the world

* Clean habits keeping Covid-19 infections at bay in Thailand, says PM

* More than 178,000 Malaysians visit Thailand in the first six months of this year

* Thai exports beat forecasts in May as weak baht boosted

Philippines:

* Rising again… Active Covid-19 cases in Philippines cross 9,000 mark; Metro Manila has the most new cases

* Obstacles ahead as Marcos of the Philippines begins six-year presidency, Reuters explainer

* Philippines debt down 2.1% in May

* In the name of human rights

* Life skills for young Filipinos

Vietnam:

* Vietnam Airlines relaunches services to Indonesia

* Vietnamese Prime Minister urges faster Covid-19 vaccination against BA.5 sub-variant

* Vietnam’s Q2 GDP growth accelerates to 7.72% along with price pressures

* Vietnam to replant 107,000 hectares of coffee by 2025

* Two celebrities arrested for the alleged rape of a British girl

Customers eat and drink at a restaurant on Khaosan Road in Bangkok, Thailand. Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand are expected to exceed official forecasts as pandemic-era restrictions lift, a rare positive for the country’s Covid-battered economy and currency. -Bloomberg

Burma:

* Karen refugees cross border as Myanmar continues airstrikes

* Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi visits Myanmar amid opposition protests

* Myanmar tightens imports of fuel and cooking oil while securing supply

* Junta open to talks with Suu Kyi to resolve the country’s unrest

Cambodia:

* As ASEAN ponders its options on Myanmar, keep in mind the changing military balance in the country

* Cambodia and Japan international agency sign $2.68 million grant agreement for scholarships

* United Nations commends Cambodia for appealing for mine clearance donations

Laos:

* Laos government says it will limit development on farmland

* Laos: Hundreds of relics discovered in the ruins of the Champasack temple by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation

Brunei:

* Brunei’s fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine is 2.7%

* Brunei: Double tragedy in Tutong; two dead men

A woman looks at the set of Buddhist sculptures in a building of six sutra and tantra classes during the opening day of the Hong Kong Palace Museum in Hong Kong on Sunday July 3, 2022. – AFP

AseanPlus

* China’s Wuxi tightens Covid-19 restrictions as new clusters emerge

* China hit by first typhoon of the year as rains forecast at record highs

* Southeastern Australia braces for flooding as heavy rain hits Sydney, NSW; thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate

* The dream final is on! Momota finds form to host Axelsen showdown at Malaysian Open Badminton Championships

* China continues to dominate with 11th diving gold as US women win water polo title at World Aquatics Championships in Budapest

* Japanese KDDI says 70% of services restored after extensive network issues

* North Korea says U.S.-South Korea-Japan deal materializes U.S. plan for ‘Asian NATO’

* Beijing’s human rights policies spark unfavorable views of China, Pew survey finds

* US calls on China to pressure Russia to end war in Ukraine as it weighs economic options against Beijing

* China says expansion of NATO, or a NATO-like body, into the UN’s Asia-Pacific region will fuel conflict

* Chinese vice president calls for better approach to South China Sea with Philippines as Marcos takes over

* Hong Kong waives tougher pollution rules for classic cars, maintaining exemptions for vehicles aged 30 or more

* Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterates call for technological autonomy and innovative talents

* China-built, EU-funded Croatian bridge will open into troubled waters

* US sanctions 25 other Chinese entities, including company that touted its technology could help Russia monitor Ukrainian submarines

* Cricket: Ton-up Jadeja hails ‘serious batsman’ Bumrah as India dominate England

* Has the South China Sea become a nuclear playground?

* New daily Covid-19 cases in South Korea remain above 10,000 amid resurgence concerns