Southeast Asia expert  Bridget Welsh analyses Kuala Lumpur's first steps at the helm of the bloc: the leadership will be successful if it puts ‘the interests of those who live in the region above those of its leaders’. ‘Calling for “inclusive elections” in Myanmar contradicts the real situation on the ground’.

For the festival of the god Murugan, symbolising the victory of good over evil, the faithful fast from food and drink. Among the practices is that of pricking oneself with metal hooks and spikes. During the 40 days of preparation, devotees bathe ‘only in cold water, sleep on the ground, pray, sing mantras and hymns and devote themselves to spiritual reading’.

The clash was caused by the death of 50-year-old Basri, originally from Riau, and the injury of four other people. Their boat allegedly did not stop in front of the warnings of the Malaysian Mmea, who opened fire. Analysts believe that Subianto's nationalist policy cannot allow the incident to go unnoticed, while safeguarding relations.

Yesterday the former Thai prime minister made his first official outing as coordinator of a group of informal advisers to the head of the Malaysian government who is this year’s ASEAN rotating chairman. The former foreign minister of Singapore was also present. The Thai billionaire's knowledge of Myanmar’s situation and his business acumen underlie his role, but there is no shortage of critical voices.

Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, a world-renowned scholar, told AsiaNews that Malaysia has a unique opportunity to develop the potential of the 10-member bloc. This year’s focus will be on "inclusivity and sustainability”. Malaysia's expertise in the fields of biotechnology, renewable energy, and agriculture can lead to a technological transformation.

At least 106 skeletal remains (out of 500 initially found) of Tamil labourers and Allied prisoners of war who died during the Second World War building the infamous railway between Thailand and Myanmar will be cremated. At the end of the rites, the ashes will be placed in a special funerary urn. This posthumous recognition highlights the victims’ fight against the cruelty of their captors as well as diseases.