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.
First weekend of phase 2: Up to 80% jump in shopper traffic at popular malls
Shopper traffic at popular malls jumped by as much as 80 per cent during the first weekend of the reopening of Singapore's economy, although many shoppers did not linger unnecessarily. Malls and retailers told The Straits Times they were encouraged by the turnout on Saturday and Sunday (June 20 and 21) - the first weekend they were allowed to open since Singapore went into a coronavirus circuit breaker on April 7. Ms Molly Lim, deputy chief operating officer of Frasers Property Retail, which operates 14 malls, said traffic increased by an average of 70 to 80 per cent during the past weekend, compared to the weekend before that. The malls include Bedok Point, Causeway Point and The Centrepoint. – The Straits Times
Cinema operators thrilled to be back in business
Cinema operators are eagerly waiting to reopen their doors to welcome movie-goers from July 1 onwards. TGV Cinema chief executive officer Yeoh Oon Lai said the green light from the government for cinemas to resume operations was akin to finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel for the franchise. "We are thrilled to be back in business, in bringing joy and escapism to our fans, while ensuring maximum safety standards. "As we were not operating during the Movement Control Order (MCO), we had been shouldering a couple of months with no revenue and we've missed out anywhere between five and six million admissions (tickets sold). "The entire industry is shouldering considerable loss as a consequence (of the MCO), but what is important now is to focus on a steady recovery and restarting the industry," he told the New Straits Times. – New Straits Times
Nightspots cry foul at curbs list
Operators of nightlife entertainment venues have cried foul over a set of proposed regulations to be enforced when they reopen, saying many social-distancing rules will threaten their livelihoods. A total of 22 articles are listed in the draft, which was unveiled on Monday. The draft will be submitted to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday. The CCSA is set to consider the fifth phase of the loosening of Covid-19 restrictions, which includes nightlife venues. The novel coronavirus outbreak has brought the curtain down on pubs, karaoke outlets, massage parlours and other types of adult entertainment venues since March. Operators have been hoping to reopen next month. Musicians and entertainers last week made an emotional appeal to the government to allow them to return to work. They said the closure has been long and the situation has placed them in dire financial straits. – Bangkok Post
Travel restriction haunts near-collapse travel agencies in Bali
Bali’s travel agencies association is calling for the island to be reopened to tourists as most of its members only have financial capability to weather the crisis until July. The plea comes following the government’s decision to maintain travel restrictions on the tourist-packed island. The Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) of Bali expected the government to finish the new normal protocol stipulation by the end of the month and reopen the island to tourists by July to prevent travel companies from collapsing. “Tour operators haven’t earned any income since March and we can only last until July. Therefore, we expect Bali to be open really soon,” ASITA Bali secretary I Putu Winastra said during an online discussion held by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry on June 18. – The Jakarta Post
DOH eyeing July clinical trials of Japanese anti-viral drug
The Department of Health (DOH) is hoping to start clinical trials for Avigan, an antiviral medication for COVID-19 patients from Japan next month. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday said the department is only waiting for approval and clearance from the ethics committee and a regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Authority before it could start the trial. “Hopefully, pagdating ng July, mga second or third week, makakapag-umpisa na tayo ng Avigan trial,” she told reporters in an online media forum. (Hopefully we could start the trial by the second or third week of July.) The DOH has earmarked P18 million for the trial of Avigan, according to President Rodrigo Duterte’s eighth report to Congress on his administration’s response to the new coronavirus crisis. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
VN encourages ASEAN to promote social development after pandemic
Việt Nam as Chair of ASEAN 2020 has been working closely with the ASEAN Secretariat and member countries to implement initiatives and activities to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, head of the senior officials’ committee for the ASEAN socio-cultural community Nguyễn Mạnh Cường has said. Speaking at a conference held yesterday, Cường, also director of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ International Co-operation Department, said 2020 was an important year in cultural and social work when all ASEAN member countries were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only caused negative impacts on people's health but their livelihoods, especially the poor and vulnerable. Việt Nam, as ASEAN Chair, has been working with member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen cohesion and adaptation, he said. – Viet Nam News
Cambodia PM says ruling party to dominate for up to 100 years
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday his ruling party would be a dominant force in politics for as long as a century, telling the opposition it should wait until the next life if it wants to take power. Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), which has been in power since 1979, holds every seat in the 125-member legislature after the main opposition was dissolved ahead of a 2018 general election, accused of plotting to overthrow the government. Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders after more than three decades in power, said CPP would remain at the helm and no one could challenge it. – The Cambodia Daily