These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Another 65 Chinese nationals busted for online scam
The Perak Immigration Department arrested 65 Chinese nationals for their alleged involvement in an online scam, on Thursday.
Its director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the suspects, aged between 17 and 55, were caught by surprise when a raiding party stormed two three-storey houses at Gerbang Maju Rapat at 3.30pm.
“Everyone was then carrying out online activities, and as soon as they realised the presence of Immigration officers, they tried to run away, causing scuffles. Some of them tried to act aggressively, but we managed to control the situation and prevent them from escaping. – New Straits Times
British election: Boris Johnson's Conservatives on track to win majority, exit poll predicts
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party will win a majority of 86 seats in Britain’s election, giving him the numbers in Parliament he needs to deliver Brexit on 31 Jan, an exit poll indicated.
The exit poll showed Mr Johnson’s Conservatives would win 368 seats, enough for a comfortable outright majority in the 650-seat Parliament. – Straits Times
Tycoon spends night in jail
Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta ended up spending last night behind bars at the Thong Pha Phum prison after the Appeal Court slapped him with a sentence of more than three years for the illegal possession of a protected animal, carrying firearms in public and supporting poaching.
The president of Italian-Thai Development Plc and two of his accomplices filed for bail on Thursday, but the court decision was not released in time. – Bangkok Post
Arakan Army admits seizing local party leader in Myanmar's Rakhine State
The Arakan Army on Thursday acknowledged its responsibility in seizing the chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Buthidaung township, Rakhine State, a spokesman for the group said.
“We took him for investigations,” Arakan Army spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha told The Myanmar Times. “I cannot comment more than that,” he added. – Myanmar Times
Kingdom implores EU to consider reform efforts as part of EBA review
Improvements to gender equality and labour rights were among initiatives highlighted by the government in its official response yesterday to a European Commission report on the possible suspension of the Kingdom’s Everything-but-arms trade status.
“The final response is a comprehensive report on the actions and measures undertaken by the Royal Government to respond to all areas of concern of the European Commission, in particular respecting the right to political participation, land rights, freedom of expression and freedom of association,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement yesterday. – Khmer Times