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.

Heart disease kills 50 Malaysians every day

Coronary heart disease is Malaysia’s number one killer, with 50 people dying from the health condition daily, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.

Citing Department of Statistics figures, Dr Lee said that 18,267 Malaysians died of coronary heart disease last year.

“Deaths from the disease increase every year, and it is the leading cause of ‘sudden death’ (in Malaysia),” he told reporters after launching the ‘Perak Automated External Defibrillator (AED): Save-A-Life’ programme at Ipoh City Hall here, on Sunday. – New Straits TImes

Carrie Lam says Hong Kong government respects results of election following democrats' landslide victory

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the government respects the results of Sunday's local district elections where pro-democracy politicians romped to victory.

With one more seat yet to be counted, pro-democracy politicians won at least 385 of the 452 District Council seats up for grabs in Sunday's election, compared with 58 for the pro-establishment camp. Democrats secured only around 100 seats at the previous polls four years ago.

The resounding results were seen as a clear message to the city’s authorities after nearly six months of anti-government protests. – Straits Times

'Oak' to show for laundering verdict, says Pheu Thai

Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra is expected at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Monday to hear a verdict on his money laundering charges, Pheu Thai Party key member Watana Muangsook told the media.

The politician, who has close ties with the Sinawatra family, is confident the only son of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not flee because "he insists on his innocence and vows to fight the accusation," Mr Watana said on Sunday. – Bangkok Post

Tatmadaw vows to support State Counsellor at ICJ

Tatmadaw (military) leaders are ready to accompany the delegation led by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) to face accusations of genocide in northern Rakhine State, a senior military official said.

Major General Thaung Naing, deputy judge advocate general, said the Tatmadaw is ready to assist the government in facing the genocide lawsuit filed by Gambia on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in the ICJ on November 11.  – Myanmar Times

Are the curtains falling on “Sam Rainsy’s political comeback”?

In the weeks leading up to what could have been the much delayed and long awaited premiere of the sequel to Rainsy’s political life, Cambodians feared what might have been, while the rest of the world looked on with relative indifference.

For the latter, they no longer wait with unabated breath; they knew from previous disappointments to expect nothing more than shadow puppetry at best, but more likely just another no show. That is not to say there was no drama or entertainment; there were certainly some half-baked effort in a prequel to drum up a little excitement to keep the audience guessing (and paying). – Khmer Times