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. 

We’re losing Iman – our last Sumatran rhino

Malaysia is losing its last Sumatran rhinoceros as the prognosis of the cancer-stricken Iman is now poor, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew. She added that the condition of the 25-year-old female rhino is deteriorating. Iman’s tumour has been with her when she was captured in March 2014. Although the cancer is not malignant, it has spread to her urinary bladder. – New Straits Times

PM Lee praises EU-Singapore free trade pact 

The landmark trade agreement between the European Union and Singapore signals a shared conviction that open and global rules-based trade is the path to growth and prosperity, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Nov 20). The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) takes effect on Thursday, almost a decade after negotiations began. It will reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers and provide Singapore companies with greater market access to all EU member states. PM Lee described the pact as an important addition to Singapore's extensive network of trade deals, which have enabled local businesses to capitalise on opportunities in diverse markets. – The Straits Times

Earthquake shakes Thai-Lao border, sways Bangkok high-rises

A strong earthquake shook a border area between northern Thailand and north-western Lao on Thursday morning, swaying Bangkok high-rises. Residents in Chiang Mai province felt a long period of shaking but saw no major damage. High-rise buildings swayed slowly for at least half a minute in Bangkok, startling residents. The US Geological Survey said the 6.1 magnitude quake on Thursday morning was about 10 kilometres below the surface. – Bangkok Post

Indonesia to build frontier military HQ near South China Sea

Indonesia is planning to fortify its borders by setting up three new Indonesian military (TNI) headquarters around its northern and eastern fronts, including one in Riau Islands province to keep a watchful eye on developments in the disputed South China Sea “on a much larger scale”. The Riau Islands administration has earmarked a plot of land in the provincial capital of Tanjung Pinang to build a home base for its Joint Defense Area Command I. The new joint operations headquarters will further beef up military presence in the area, which is already the site of the Tanjung Pinang and Ranai naval bases. – The Jakarta Post

SEA Games facilities built with loan from Malaysian bank

A loan worth P11 billion (US$216 million) from a Malaysian bank was used for the construction of facilities in New Clark City for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which the Philippines will be hosting, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Thursday. Drilon had also earlier questioned the P50-million (US$981,964) worth cauldron intended to be used during the opening of the SEA Games which the country will be hosting from 30 November to 11 December. Due to these questions, Drilon said he would be filing a resolution seeking an inquiry into how much was spent by the government in staging the SEA Games. – Philippine Daily Inquirer 

China, Myanmar firms to invest US$130m in four agriculture centres

China’s state-owned CITIC Construction group, the Myanmar Rice Federation and Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of agricultural centres in three key regions. The US$130 million (K197 billion) deal signed in Nay Pyi Taw last week will construct centres in Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Mandalay and Rakhine. “The project intends to upgrade the quality of agricultural produce by providing services such as dryers and warehouses for post-harvest storage,” said U Ye Min Aung, chair of the federation. – Myanmar Times