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.
China virus death toll rises to 490
The number of confirmed deaths from China’s coronavirus outbreak rose to at least 490, after authorities in ground-zero Hubei province reported 65 new fatalities.
In its daily update, figures from the health commission in Hubei, which has been hit hardest by the virus, also showed a jump in confirmed infections with 3,156 new cases.
That puts the national total at more than 23,500, based on numbers previously issued by the central government. – New Straits Times
AirAsia share price continues to fall
Shares of AirAsia Group Bhd continued to suffer from recent setbacks, with nearly RM940 million (US$228 million) being wiped off from its market capitalisation between 31 Jan to 4 Feb.
The decision by its founders to temporarily relinquish their executive posts due to the alleged Airbus corruption controversy, in addition to the continuing novel coronavirus outbreak in just two days, pushed down the stock by 10.16% or 13 sen to RM1.15 (US$0.28) yesterday. – The Star
Ministry aims to shut down Coronavirus fake news dissemination
The Information Ministry is aiming to work with Facebook to prevent the spread of fake news about the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, which the ministry said could obstruct efforts to control the situation in the Kingdom.
Prime Minister Hun Sen last week called fake news more dangerous than the virus itself and ordered the ministry to take countermeasures. – Khmer Times
Laos Launches QR Code Payment Standard
The Bank of Lao PDR has launched a Lao QR Code standard for electronic payments in a move to improve payment services and integration between banks.
The QR code standard will comply with the finance and currency sector’s strategic plan and minimize the use of cash, driving the onset of a digital economy and boosting socio-economic development, the BOL Governor Sonexay Sithphaxay said at the launching ceremony, as quoted by Xinhua News Agency. – The Laotian Times
Duterte: Gov’t can seize private buildings for use as hospitals
President Rodrigo Duterte has served notice that the government would seize privately owned buildings and convert them into emergency hospitals if health authorities were unable to find suitable quarantine facilities in case the new coronavirus continued to spread in the country.
“Well I will expropriate. I will get your building whether you like it or not. In times of emergency, I can,” the President said in a press briefing on Monday night after a special Cabinet meeting on containing the virus. – Philippine Daily Inquirer