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.
Escape of IS prisoners from Syria could spell doom for Malaysia, Indonesia
THOUSANDS of kilometres from home, hundreds of battle-hardened Islamic State (IS) fighters recruited from Malaysia and Indonesia have been locked up in Syrian prisons since the terrorist group’s self-declared caliphate collapsed earlier this year.
The jails are packed with about 12,000 jihadist fighters, with about 2,000 of them thought to be from other countries besides Iraq and Syria. The fate of the fighters, long uncertain, has taken a twist as Turkish forces continue their assault on neighbouring Syria.
Many of the fighters are guarded by Kurdish rebels in northeastern Syria who have been battling IS as well as government forces during Syria’s eight-year civil war. – New Straits Times
Japan rescuers seek survivors after Typhoon Hagibis kills 35
Tens of thousands of rescue workers were searching Monday for survivors of powerful Typhoon Hagibis, two days after the storm slammed into Japan, killing at least 35 people.
Hagibis crashed into the country on Saturday night, but brought hours of heavy rains even before it arrived, causing landslides and filling rivers until they burst their banks. – Bangkok Post
Ethnic leader warns groups about elections
The leader of the Peace Process Steering Team, comprised of 10 ethnic armed groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), warned that the 2020 elections will impact the ongoing peace process.
General Yawd Serk, who is chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), urged the groups to be careful about the peace process during the election period. – Myanmar Times
Brigade 70 vows to safeguard peace
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces have vowed to prevent a coup allegedly being planned by Sam Rainsy to overthrow the government and to destroy peace in the Kingdom.
Speaking to soldiers during the 25th anniversary of establishment of Brigade 70 at its headquarters in Phnom Penh today, Brigade 70 commander Lieutenant General Mao Sophann said that RCAF was committed to protect the government, the country, the King, and sovereignty. – Khmer Times
Malaysia won't raise tax even as trade war halts fiscal plan
Malaysia's finance minister Lim Guan Eng said the government won't raise taxes unnecessarily even as the trade war between two of its largest trading partners hampers the country's goal of achieving a balanced budget.
The government will spend within its means and won't add taxes just to fund certain infrastructure projects, Mr Lim said in a Bloomberg Television interview with Haslinda Amin on Monday (Oct 14). - Straits Times