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.
Planes grounded by Covid-19 kept in tip-top shape at Changi
The coronavirus pandemic has grounded airplanes and emptied offices all around the world for months. But these idle assets need to be kept in top condition and ready to run when economies reopen. Some taxiways at Changi Airport have now been converted into parking spaces for planes, with 143 aircraft from the four local airlines grounded there as the Covid-19 pandemic drags on. The airlines are Singapore Airlines (SIA), SilkAir, Scoot and Jetstar Asia. As more work is needed to maintain a parked aircraft than a flying one, about 800 maintenance workers have stepped up work around the clock to ensure that the planes can take to the skies quickly when air travel picks up again. Mr Tan Kah Han, senior director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) safety regulation group, told The Straits Times: "A lot more effort is needed to maintain an aircraft on the ground, as compared with an aircraft that is flying." – The Straits Times
Sabahans told to celebrate festivals with immediate family members only
Sabahans have been reminded to limit celebrations of upcoming festivals to immediate family members only. State secretary Datuk Safar Untong said the requirement is meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during Hari Raya Aidilfitri this Sunday, and Kaamatan on May 31. "We would like to remind everyone to continue complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as stated by the National Security Council. "This is for us to continue fighting against the spread of Covid-19 in the community," he said in a statement on behalf of the Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre. Safar said people should not visit relatives and good friends, nor return to their hometowns. Open houses, prayers at mosques, any kind of kenduri, visiting of graves or tahlil, house-to-house marhaban, or any kind of celebration are also forbidden. Meanwhile, the state's total Covid-19 cases remain at 338, with 30 patients still receiving treatment at hospitals. – New Straits Times
Protest pressure builds as govt enters new phase
The government is bracing for a tough road ahead as political tension builds post-Covid-19 although it looks likely to survive the onslaught to complete its term in office, according to academics. The prediction comes as Friday marks the 6th anniversary of the May 22, 2014 coup. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted activities including a political campaign challenging the Prayut Chan-o-Cha government. But the country is likely to return to normalcy and political tensions all at once now that fears of the virus are subsiding. Stithorn Thananithichote, director of the Research and Development Office at King Prajadhipok's Institute, predicted the Progressive Movement led by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit will move into top gear after the upcoming debate on the three executive decrees authorising borrowing loan to kickstart the economy following the Covid-19 lockdown. – Bangkok Post
COVID-19: Villagers forego traditional ‘lockdown’ for PSBB in S. Sumatra
For the residents of Jermun village in Ogan Komering Ilir regency, Palembang, South Sumatra, the physical restrictions imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak are nothing new. Long before the coronavirus emerged, these villagers have relied on a ritualistic form of lockdown called bekunci to protect them against infectious diseases. "Bekunci is part of a traditional ceremony called sedekah obat to prevent the spread of a plague," Ogan Komering Ilir spokesperson Adi Yanto said on Wednesday. Meaning "medicinal offerings", he said that the sedekah obat ceremony was held for four days. "The first night involves tolak bala," a ritual for "casting out threats", explained Adi. "All the villagers gather in an open field. Then, a group of youths place memali [agarwood] logs around them. They are forbidden to leave the circle until the ritual is over." – The Jakarta Post
Over 28K overseas Filipinos repatriated amid COVID-19 pandemic
More than 28,000 Filipinos overseas have been repatriated back to the Philippines as countries continue to face the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Friday. During the online meeting of the House committee on overseas workers affairs, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola reported that 28,589 overseas Filipinos have returned to the country as of May 21. Of this number, 19,200 are sea-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) while 9,389 are land-based overseas Filipinos. A total of 2,187 Filipinos, meanwhile, were repatriated using the Assistance-to-Nationals Fund of the DFA, Arriola said. Arriola also reported that 2,461 Filipinos overseas have been afflicted with COVID-19. From this, 861 have recovered, 285 have died, and 1,315 remain to be active cases. Most of the cases are in Europe at 752 cases, followed by Middle East and Africa (713 cases), Americas (544 cases), and Asia and the Pacific (452 cases). – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Law on Vietnamese guest workers at NA agenda
Public non-business units run by provinces/cities People’s Committees may soon be able to send workers abroad as part of international treaties and international agreements. This is part of added regulations in the draft amended Law on Vietnamese Guest Workers under Contract that Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. In Việt Nam, public non-business units provide goods and public services for society and other goods/services in education, health care, information, sports, agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, helping maintain normal operations of national economic sectors. The units operate mostly serve the public instead of seeking profits. At present, companies/organisations can send workers abroad when they meet criteria including to have legal capital of VNĐ 5 billion (US$217,400), have operation plans to send workers abroad and have a bank deposit of VNĐ 1 billion (US$43,500). – Viet Nam News
Rakhine Speaker urges end to internet blackout
U San Kyaw Hla, Speaker of the Rakhine State parliament, urged the government to restore internet access to some townships amid concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak. U San Kyaw Hla issued the appeal in the Rakhine State parliament on May 20. "The Rakhine people have limited means and are facing serious hardships,” he said. “COVID-19 has been found in the townships of Thandwe and Taunggok. I can't imagine what would happen if it spreads to crowded refugee camps.” He said restoring access to the internet would help in facilitating communication among people in the state. “Journalists also need to get the news,” he said. However, the government reaffirmed its decision to shut down the internet in townships in Rakhine where the Tatmadaw (military) is fighting the Arakan Army (AA). It accused the AA of using the internet to coordinate attacks and detonate landmines. On May 3, the government restored internet access in Maungdaw, one of the townships where the internet was blocked for months, and where there had been fewer clashes with the AA. – Myanmar Times