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.
Middlemen contribute to price increase of goods, says PM
The existence of middlemen is one of the factors contributing to the price increase of goods, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir was responding to a question on how the Pakatan Harapan government is addressing complaints about the cost of living, which has gone up in the past one year. – New Straits Times.
Parliament: Fake news law passed after 2 days of debate
After a marathon two-day debate that stretched late into Wednesday evening (8 May), Parliament passed a comprehensive piece of legislation to combat fake news.
The proposed law is not a political tool for the ruling party to wield power, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, but is about shaping the kind of society that Singapore should be. – The Straits Times.
People power may be ῾treason᾽
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has slammed the threat by the Prabowo Subianto camp to mobilize “people power”, saying that the idea could be harmful to the nation if it was implemented and such protests could be considered treasonous. Ryamizard commented on journalists’ questions about a suggestion made by Prabowo’s team that they would mobilize people on the streets to protest if the General Elections Commission (KPU) does not address their findings of all alleged widespread cheating in the recent presidential election. – The Jakarta Post.
Pheu Thai govt hope on ropes
The Pheu Thai-led alliance’s hope of forming a coalition government look dashed after the Election Commission (EC) endorsed 149 party-list MPs on Wednesday, which effectively reduced the number of seats garnered by the bloc to 245. – Bangkok Post.
Ministry tightens regulations on private hospitals
Health authorities will introduce the new Health Information Technology network this month to improve the management of private hospitals and ensure standards are maintained. Under this system, the owners of private hospitals – both foreign and Lao – will need to submit detailed information about their facilities to health authorities. – Vientiane Times.
SMS Brunei Prihatin campaign raises BN$138,026
A total of BN$138,026 in funds was raised through the 2018 ῾SMS Brunei Prihatin᾽ campaign for the National Orphans Fund under the Community Development Department (JAPEM).
The funds were handed over by Acting Chief Executive Officer of DST Amer Iskandar bin Pehin Orang Kaya Haji Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria. – Borneo Bulletin