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.
84-year-old S'porean woman is 12th person to die of Covid-19; most of 1,016 new cases are foreign workers living in dormitories
An 84-year-old Singaporean woman has become the 12th person to die from complications due to the coronavirus, even as the number of patients with the infection here crossed the 10,000 mark on Wednesday (April 22). The woman died on Tuesday night. She was confirmed to have the virus on April 2. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital has contacted her family and is assisting them, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a daily update on Wednesday. In its update, the ministry also said that foreign workers living in dormitories made up 967 of the 1,016 new coronavirus cases, or about 95 per cent, announced on Wednesday. – The Straits Times
Parents want students to return home virus-free
Some parents whose children are undergoing internship or living off campus are worried as they claim that this group has a tougher time during the Movement Control Order. Khalijah Hashim, 55, from Kulim, Kedah, hopes her son Muhamad Adlan Che Jafri, 20, could return home soon. Adlan, who is studying at Kulim Vocational College, is living in a rented place in Bangi, where he was doing his internship with a travel agency. “In the first phase of the MCO, he was doing his internship at the travel agency in Bangi. He received an allowance from the company,” said Khalijah. “But the company ended the internship in the second phase of the MCO. We understand the decision as they want to safeguard their permanent staff.” Khalijah said she had to fork out extra money to support Adlan, the youngest of four children. – New Straits Times
Mobile vendors enjoy roaring trade
In the early morning hours, Samarn Supo heads to the Talaad Thai market in Pathum Thani province to stock up on trade supplies. Mr Samarn, 62, is one of 500 city vendors selling groceries from the back of a pickup who sources his goods from the country’s biggest wholesale market. He drives a converted pickup truck and sells in housing estates and other crowded communities. Now as the Covid-19 crisis confines more people to their homes to avoid risks attributed to the virus, fewer consumers are making their usual trips to supermarkets. Demand for grocery home delivery services has increased and grocery truck vendors have answered the call to drive produce, meat and products to customers. The vendors are now recognised for the important role they play in keeping society functional during the outbreak. – Bangkok Post
COVID-19: West Java health agency predicts cases will continue to climb amid PSBB
The West Java health agency has said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province will continue to rise even as cities and regencies in the province begin implementing large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). “In accordance with our initial prediction and with the efforts that have been made, we will see the peak occur between April 22 and May 29,” agency head Berli Hamdani said on Tuesday. The Health Ministry approved requests from the Bogor and Depok administrations on April 11 to implement PSBB in the areas, and the restrictions were officially enacted on April 15. The Greater Bandung region enacted PSBB on Wednesday. Berli said the PSBB policy would be evaluated on a daily basis. – The Jakarta Post
Duterte’s Ramadan message: Peace, unity amid adversity, challenges
President Rodrigo Duterte hopes the holy month of Ramadan would foster peace amid adversity and challenges. In his message, Duterte said he joins Muslim Filipinos “as they embark on a spiritual journey of reflection and contemplation.” “Let this occasion give us peace amidst the adversity and challenges we face each day,” he said. “As you embody the religious insights and epiphanies you have gleaned from this undertaking, may you be moved to advance your collective resolve to eschew misguided ideologies so that we may achieve a truly progressive and inclusive society,” he added. The President also wished that the revelations of Allah inspire the Muslim community “to further lead a life of purity and charity. I likewise hope that your devotion and sacrifices will reaffirm your commitment to foster unity and solidarity among your fellowmen regardless of faith or creed,” he said. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Rice growing localities, exporters want export limits scrapped
Officials from many localities in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and rice exporters have urged the Government to resume rice exports without setting limits, saying many firms face difficulties because of this. Speaking at a conference in HCM City on April 22 they also exhorted the ministries of Industry and Trade and Finance and the customs department to quickly clear the consignments of rice exports stuck at ports. The Government recently lifted a ban on rice exports, but capped them at around 400,000 tonnes each in April and May citing national food security concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 12, the General Department of Customs began accepting online customs declarations from rice exporters, but many were left disappointed since the quota of 400,000 tonnes was reached in just three hours. Some hundred tonnes of rice are now stuck at ports. – Viet Nam News
COVID-19 cases up to 127 in Myanmar, testing capacity to be expanded
The health ministry reported four new COVID-19 cases in Myanmar as at 7 am on April 23. The case count is now at 127, with five deaths and nine recoveries, since the first cases were reported on March 23. The four new cases are from Yangon, in Mingaladon, Botahtaung, Tarmwe and Insein, aged between 18 and 47. All four cases were detected after being placed in quarantine for being in contact with COVID-19 patients. They have been transferred to the South Okkalapa Women and Children Hospital for treatment. Case 124, a 45-year-old man who lives in Mingaladon, and case 127, a 24-year-old woman from Insein, had contact with patients who attended a church gathering in Insein. 61 out of the 99 COVID-19 cases in Yangon have been traced to the church. They include rockstar Myo Gyi and singer Ni Tar, as well as the pastor of the church. – Myanmar Times