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.
Wuhan virus: WHO to reconsider declaring global emergency as China virus evacuations begin
Foreign governments flew their citizens out of the epicentre of China's coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday (29 Jan) as the number of deaths jumped to 133 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) voiced "grave concern" about person-to-person spread in three other countries.
The WHO said its Emergency Committee would reconvene behind closed doors on Thursday to decide whether the rapid spread of the new virus from China now constitutes a global emergency.
"In the last few days the progress of the virus especially in some countries, especially human-to-human transmission, worries us," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference in Geneva, naming Germany, Vietnam and Japan. – The Straits Times
Corruption no longer serious problem in Malaysia
Corruption is no longer a major issue in Malaysia as evident by the nation’s improved ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there was now less corruption in Malaysia compared to then as acknowledged by the international body. – New Straits Times
China virus death toll rises to 170, more than 1,700 new cases
The nationwide death toll from China's viral epidemic has leapt to 170, the government said on Thursday, with more than 1,700 new infections confirmed.
Thirty-seven of the 38 new deaths came in hard-hit Hubei province, the epicentre of a contagion that is causing mounting global fear. – Bangkok Post
Duterte to withdraw nat’l police from Taal-hit areas
He was withdrawing soldiers and members of the national police from Batangas and would leave it to the mayors and local police to manage areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano on 12 January, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday on the anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Mr. Duterte said he was concerned about the health of state forces and was worried that they could get into trouble if residents insisted on entering forbidden areas. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Arrests made over fake news
Four people have been detained for allegedly spreading fake news regarding the novel coronavirus during separate operations by The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Bukit Aman.
MCMC in a statement said two suspects were detained in Melaka and one each were arrested in Kedah and Pahang yesterday. – The Star