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.
Trump invites ASEAN leaders, including Duterte, to summit in US
US President Donald Trump has invited Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and 11 other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a summit to be held in Las Vegas in March.
“The invitation was first conveyed during the ASEAN-US meeting at the ASEAN Summit and related summits in Bangkok last November. The United States then reiterated its invitation through a letter dated 9 January, 2020,” the Palace said.
The Palace also released a copy of Trump’s letter to the ASEAN leaders dated 1 November, given during last year’s ASEAN summit in Bangkok. - Philippine Daily Inquirer
India says no meeting with Malaysia in Davos as palm row simmers
India’s trade minister will not meet with his Malaysian counterpart in Davos next week because of his tight schedule, an Indian trade ministry official said on Sunday, as a spat simmers between the top buyer of palm oil and its biggest supplier.
Hindu-majority India has repeatedly objected to Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking out against a new citizenship law which critics say discriminate against Muslims. - The New Straits Times
Wuhan virus: 3rd death reported in China as cases soar past 200; new cases confirmed in Beijing, Shenzhen
The Chinese city of Wuhan on Monday (20 January) reported a dramatic increase of 136 cases of the mysterious SARS-like virus, including one death, as new cases were confirmed for the first time outside the city in Beijing and Shenzhen.
The sharp spike in detected cases comes as travelling intensifies ahead of this weekend’s Chinese New Year holidays, sparking fears that the mass human movement could contribute to the spread of disease. - The Straits Times
Thousands of Myanmar workers rally for higher minimum wage
Thousands of workers in Yangon on Sunday took to the streets to demand an increase in the minimum wage to K9800 (US$6.66) ahead of the review of the country’s new minimum wage law.
Ko Thwin Aung, chair of Myan Mhu garment workers union, said the current minimum wage of K4800 (US$3.26) is below the cost of living in the country. – Myanmar Times
Malaysia to roll out 5G technology
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia is on track to commercially roll out 5G technology in the third quarter of 2020.
Launching the 5G Malaysia Demonstration Projects here last night, he said this marks a significant beginning in the nation’s journey towards strengthening its economy to achieve sustainable growth and share the country’s prosperity with the people. – The Star