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.
MACC probing Defence Ministry land deals
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has initiated investigations into each of the 16 land swap deal cases involving the Defence Ministry, which was said to have taken place in the past 25 years. MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya said the cases occurred under the tenure of various previous ministers and staff. – New Straits Times
Wildlife bridge to help animals safely cross Mandai Lake Road will open in December
Visitors to the zoo may have noticed an "overhead bridge" being built along Mandai Lake Road but the Mandai Wildlife Bridge is not be used by humans. Operational in December this year, it is meant for animals instead, to help them safely get across two slivers of forest on either side of Mandai Lake Road. – The Straits Times
More scams emerge as 'Mae Manee' probe widens
More online Ponzi scheme cases have emerged as police on Tuesday continued to expand their probe into the multi-million baht “Mae Manee” Ponzi scheme case. In one new case, Suphan Buri police said the provincial court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Wichitra Khlai-ubon, 25, who allegedly conned more than 300 people out of about 300 million baht (US$9,900) in total. – Bangkok Post
'Only parents can report cohabitation': Govt plans to soften several articles in Criminal Code bill
The government has opted to keep the majority of the controversial Criminal Code (KUHP) bill intact, stating it will only review a small fraction of the articles, including articles on cohabitation and abortion. Only parents will be given the authority to report cohabitation. “We will allow only the parents to report cohabitation. We don’t want to create possibilities for blackmail,” Yasonna said after a meeting with the House's legislative body in Central Jakarta. – The Jakarta Post
Pagasa: ‘Quiel’ gains strength, may develop into severe tropical storm
Tropical Storm Quiel (international name: “Nakri”) has slightly intensified Wednesday morning and may develop into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. It remains less likely to make landfall and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Govt promotes environmentally-friendly hydro projects
The Lao government is encouraging the building of environmentally-friendly hydropower plants to ensure green growth and sustainable poverty reduction, according to a senior government official.
“The government is highly encouraged to promote environmentally-friendly and sustainable hydropower projects,” said Bounkham Vorachit, Deputy Minister of Natural Resource and Environment, adding that all development projects need to be comprehensively studied to assess and avoid impacts on the environment and local communities. – Vientiane Times