Hot off the press

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.  

New economic direction to ensure shared prosperity

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday outlined a new economic direction for Malaysia, which aims to ensure that the people reap the fruits of shared prosperity and at the same time, resolve economic problems. 

He said the government had underscored at least seven strategic thrusts, which included restructuring and improving the business ecosystem, generating new growth sectors, enhancing talent reformation and national resources, and improving labour market and employee income. – New Straits Times.

Younger HDB buyers likely to be more prudent: Observers

Younger people may not be able to get as much in Central Provident Fund (CPF) monies or Housing Board loans to buy ageing flats, but they still benefit from policy changes announced yesterday, observers said. – The Straits Times.

Seat move faces legal challenge

Activist Srisuwan Janya plans to petition the Ombudsman on Friday against the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to award one party-list seat to each of the small parties.

The secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution has accused the EC of violating Section 91 of the constitution and setting a negative precedent in politics by opting for a formula of calculating the party-list seats which leaves the government with a fragmented coalition line-up. – Bangkok Post.

Cyclone Lili causes floods, strong winds in Maluku

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said on Thursday that a tropical cyclone emerging from the Banda Sea in Maluku, called Lili, had just hit several villages hard in the form of severe rain and strong wind. – The Jakarta Post.

Panelo can’t explain why sportswomen on ῾matrix᾽

More doubts were raised on Thursday on the credibility of new and expanded diagrams presented by Malacañang to show links among individuals and groups led by the opposition Liberal Party (LP) after two top female athletes were included in the alleged web of conspiracy to discredit President Duterte and his administration. – Philippine Daily Inquirer