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.
Taiwan says China forced Sarawak to ban Taiwanese entry on Covid-19 fears
Taiwan’s foreign minister said on Thursday that China had forced Sarawak to reinstate a ban on travellers from the island as part of Covid-19 coronavirus control steps, saying Beijing was taking “joy” in the measures.
Taiwan says the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) inclusion of the island as part of China’s virus area has mislead countries into believing the island’s virus situation is as serious as China’s.
Taiwan, which says it is an independent country and not part of China, has reported 42 cases and one death, compared with more than 80,000 cases and over 3,000 deaths in China. – The New Straits Times
South Korea's coronavirus total nears 6,000, with 35 deaths
South Korea’s total number of coronavirus cases – the largest outside China, where the disease first emerged – approached 6,000 on Thursday as the authorities reported 145 new infections.
The total stood at 5,766, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said, with three additional fatalities, bringing death toll to 35. – The Straits Times
B100bn relief package for virus
The Finance Ministry has launched a huge relief package including cash giveaways to many more individuals beyond the 14 million people with annual base incomes not exceeding 100,000 baht and who are registered as poor to help cushion fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus.
The whole package is worth 100 billion baht, said Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana. – Bangkok Post
PM Hun Sen calls on citizens to use Cambodian way of greeting instead of handshake to prevent Covid-19 spread
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on Cambodians to sampeah instead of shake hands to prevent the spreading of Covid-19.
He spoke at the annual congress of Health Ministry, held Wednesday at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel. – Khmer Times
PNP chief Gamboa, 7 others survive chopper crash in Laguna – Eleazar
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa and his co-passengers aboard the police helicopter that crashed in Laguna survived the mishap, PNP Deputy Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Thursday.
Aside from Gamboa, the chopper was carrying PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, Maj. Gen. Jovic Ramos and Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway.
– Philippine Daily Inquirer