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.
Singapore coronavirus cases cross 4,000 with new daily high of 728 cases
For a second day running, Singapore recorded another daily high of new coronavirus cases, 728, with the total number of people infected crossing the 4,000 mark. Like in the past two weeks, foreign workers living in dormitories continue to drive this increase, accounting for 654 of new patients. This means the total number of patients who have tested positive for the virus linked to dormitories now stands at 2,689, or three in five of all cases. Of the remaining new cases, 48 are other local community cases while 26 are work permit holders living outside dormitories. There were five new clusters announced linked to dormitories, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily update on Thursday (April 16). They include two large purpose-built dormitories, Westlite Mandai, which is linked to 31 patients, and The Leo dormitory in Kaki Bukit, which has 21. – The Straits Times
Agong goes to the ground to observe third phase of MCO
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, went to the ground last night to observe the traffic situation in the federal capital during the third phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Through its Instagram account, Istana Negara said that Al-Sultan Abdullah was satisfied with the cooperation given by the public in complying with the order. Also uploaded was an 18-second video showing His Majesty giving a “thumbs up” sign to demonstrate his satisfaction with the public’s compliance with the MCO. The Agong also expressed support for the efforts made by the government through the third phase of the MCO, and said he hopes that the people will continue to place priority on their personal hygiene and remain at home to curb the spread of Covid-19. – New Straits Times
Govt ready for returnees
The government is gearing up to handle Thais set to return home from neighbouring countries amid the coronavirus pandemic, including thousands from the Malaysian border, starting on Saturday. Previously, the Interior Ministry and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre had estimated that at least 8,000 Thais with medical certificates in Malaysia were set to return home via the southern border. Deputy army spokeswoman Col Sirichan Ngathong said army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong has instructed all regional army units along the borders to work with provincial authorities to deal with Thais who will return from neighbouring countries through a total of 15 border checkpoints nationwide. – Bangkok Post
Semarang LBH condemns halt to yet another church project
A Baptist church has become the latest Christian construction project to be halted in Semarang, Central Java, following protests from non-Christian residents in a sign of growing religious intolerance among the majority Muslim population. Local protests over the construction of churches have become common in many predominantly Muslim areas in Indonesia, with local authorities tending to side with protestors, in some, if not most, cases. In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Thursday, the Semarang Legal Aid Institute (LBH), which legally represents Tlogosari Baptist Church, said that officials from the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) had come and put a halt to ongoing construction on the church. – The Jakarta Post
Duque admits COVID-19 response shortcomings, issues apology
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III apologized on Friday for his shortcomings in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in the country. The apology was made after 14 senators filed a resolution calling for his resignation due to alleged “failure of leadership, negligence, (and) lack of foresight” in addressing the pandemic. He reasoned that the crisis is fairly new not only to the Philippines but to the whole world and he has no past experience in addressing such a pandemic. I will be the one to admit, I also have shortcomings and mistakes and I apologize. But with the problem of COVID-19, this is new so we don’t have any past experience in handling such a virus. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Việt Nam, Australia to strengthen ties in COVID-19 fight
Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh held phone talks with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Thursday to look into bilateral and regional co-operation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic’s complex developments. Deputy PM Minh highlighted Việt Nam and ASEAN’s efforts in response to the outbreak, emphasising the importance of regional and international co-operation in this regard, including collaboration between ASEAN and Australia. Applauding the two countries’ frequent and effective contact at all levels amid the pandemic, he asked both sides to continue with their efforts to promote co-operation in all spheres via existing mechanisms to sustain the development of their strategic partnership. For her part, Minister Payne spoke highly of Việt Nam’s initiatives and leadership as ASEAN Chair in 2020. – Viet Nam News