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.  

US$83m copter deal under probe

A controversial procurement contract for “non-existent” light attack helicopters for the Malaysian army, initially estimated to be worth US$72 million, is now believed to be in the region of more than US$83 million.

A news portal had previously reported that six McDonnell Douglas MD530G light scout attack helicopters had been ordered for US$72 million during the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

The deal was allegedly secured in 2015. However, it was alleged that the army never took delivery of the helicopters. – New Straits Times

Singapore-China ties can reach new heights: DPM Heng Swee Keat

Singapore and China are looking to take cooperation to a higher level, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, noting that global changes, such as the anti-globalisation push, have expanded the scope for cooperation in the region.

In an interview with Xinhua news agency published yesterday as he began a week-long visit to China, DPM Heng said the two countries have to build on what is already a "good foundation" to "grow new areas of cooperation that would meet the needs of both China and Singapore".

"With the decline in support for globalisation, with the technological changes that are happening, with the many structural changes that are happening all around the world and particularly in our region, the scope for cooperation has actually been enlarged. So, the challenges are greater but so are the opportunities," he said. – The Straits Times

Govt pushes new Thai-Lao bridge plans 

The Thai government is pushing ahead with its plan to construct two new "friendship bridges" between Thailand and Lao in the north-eastern provinces of Bung Kan and Ubon Ratchathani to improve logistics between both countries.

"We are going to ask the cabinet to approve the projects," said Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, after meeting the Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, Bounchan Sinthavong, earlier this week.

Both ministers agreed there is still a need for new links across the Mekong River even after the fourth friendship bridge - which connects Chiang Khong district with the city of Huay Xai in Lao -was built almost six years ago. – Bangkok Post

Post-election unrest grips Jakarta

Deadly riots broke out in Jakarta shortly after supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the results of the 17 April, which they claimed were plagued with fraud.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said six people had been killed during the worst riots to hit the capital city since 1998, when a student rally demanding the ouster of then-president Soeharto led to a deadly riot that killed thousands. – The Jakarta Post

New senators: We’re no rubber stamp

While they may have benefited from President Rodrigo Duterte’s support, the newly proclaimed senators allied with the administration gave assurance on Wednesday that their dominance in the Senate won’t turn the institution into a rubber stamp for Malacañang.

Senator-elect Francis Tolentino, the President’s former political affairs adviser, said the public should look at the Senate’s independence not through its individual members but its entirety.

“The Senate should always be viewed as an institution,” said Tolentino a member of the ruling PDP-Laban party. – Philippine Daily Inquirer