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.
2020 Budget: Have GST at 3pct, say experts
The possible reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) could be used as a stabilisation policy when the country’s economy faces strong headwinds, experts said. Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said any effort, including the possible reversion of the current Sales and Services Tax (SST) to GST in future, could cushion the downtrend impact.
He added that as the global economy faced a slowdown, an efficient tax system was needed to ensure the local economy could face the pressure. – New Straits Times
Residents told to shut windows, switch on fewer lights as black insect swarms return to Bukit Batok
Residents of several Bukit Batok Housing Board blocks have been told by the town council to shut their windows and switch on as few lights as possible after swarms of black insects plagued their flats in the past few days. Dr Paul Skelley, an entomologist, said then: "They do not carry any known disease, are not venomous and cannot harm humans. When numerous, adult beetles are only a nuisance pest." – The Straits Times
Facial recognition check-ins in works
A Transport Ministry committee is studying a request by Thai AirAsia to implement a flight check-in system using facial recognition sensors, said Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam. According to Thai AirAsia, the sensors would cut the check-in time by half. – Bangkok Post
Adopted, yet ignored: Hybrid structure offers hope for sinking villages
While erosion is a natural phenomenon that occurs in coastal areas, the phenomenon has been getting worse in Demak as a result of, among other things, unsustainable land use as residents cut mangrove trees that serve as the beach’s natural protection against sea waves and land reclamation in the neighboring city of Semarang.
Timbulsloko is among the villages on Demak’s northern coast hit by the massive erosion over the last decade. Data from the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry recorded the regency had lost around 550 hectares of coastal land in the past 15 years. – The Jakarta Post
Duterte: Two generals still playing with illegal drugs
Two Philippine generals are “still playing” with illegal drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed in a Russian think tank forum. “And right now, even as I fly here and go back. There are about again two generals who are still playing with drugs,” Duterte said in the forum attended by other world leaders, Russian officials, policymakers, international experts, academicians and journalists. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Cambodian PM threatens to use army to prevent Sam Rainsy return
Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to use Cambodia’s army against supporters of banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) acting president Sam Rainsy’s planned return from self-imposed exile next month.
Hun Sen, who had his top court ban the CNRP in 2017 after jailing its leader in a wider crackdown on civil society, also threatened to cut off the fingers of opposition supporters who flash a “nine-fingers” hand sign symbolizing November 9, Sam Rainsy’s announce date of return. – The Cambodia Daily