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.
US House impeaches Donald Trump for abuse of power, obstruction of Congress in historic step
Donald Trump became the third United States president to be impeached as the House of Representatives on Wednesday (Dec 18) formally charged him with abuse of power in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America.
The Democratic-led House passed the abuse of power article of impeachment on a largely party-line 230-197 vote. The House then proceeded with a vote on a second article of impeachment charging him with obstruction of Congress. That vote passed along similar lines.
The House action sets the stage for a trial next month in the Republican-controlled Senate – friendlier terrain for Mr Trump - on whether to convict him and remove him from office. – The Straits Times
Thousands of migrant workers deported from Thailand: Official
A deputy provincial governor for Banteay Meanchey yesterday reported Thailand has so far this year deported 9,979 undocumented migrant workers through Poipet city.
“According to feedback from migrant workers who are deported, they faced a lot of risks while working illegally abroad,” Pok Nady, the deputy provincial governor, said during a National Committee for Counter Trafficking event in Poipet yesterday. “This is why we have officials at the border to counsel them before they are sent back to their home provinces.” – Khmer Times
Mangudadatu: Guilty verdict in Maguindanao massacre case to curb abuse of power
The possible guilty verdict on members of the Ampatuan clan implicated in the Maguindanao massacre will show the world that abusive political power will eventually come to an end, Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said on Thursday.
“This will be a message not just to the people of Maguindanao but to the entire Philippines and the world that abusive power must and will stop, that their belief that they are entitled to power and that it will never end is not true,” he said in a chance interview upon his arrival at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where the promulgation on the 10-year-old case will be held later in the day. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Muslim leaders, delegates arrive for KL Summit opening ceremony
Muslim leaders and delegates gathered at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here this morning for the opening ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Summit (KL Summit) 2019.
The leaders include Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran. – The New Straits Times
State Counsellor warns of tougher times ahead, seeks unity
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday warned the people that the country will be facing tougher times and renewed her appeal for unity.
“Nations will have to cross some difficult times and Myanmar cannot evade this,” she said in a televised speech on the state-owned MRTV to share about what happened at the International Court of Justice last week where she led the defence against the genocide case the country is facing. – Myanmar Times