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.
Covid-19: GPS device for travellers to Singapore on stay-home notice outside of facilities
All travellers entering Singapore who are serving their stay-home notice (SHN) outside of dedicated facilities will soon have to wear an electronic monitoring device. From Aug 10, 11.59pm, such travellers will have to wear the device throughout the 14-day stay-home period. They include citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders, work pass holders and their dependants. Children aged 12 and below are exempted. The stay-home rule was extended to all incoming travellers from March 21. Travellers serve the notice either at their home or at dedicated facilities, and are tested for Covid-19 at designated community testing facilities before the end of the stay-home period. In a joint statement on Monday (Aug 3), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the ministries of Manpower and Education (MOM) said the devices will allow them to monitor those serving the SHN more effectively as travel restrictions are progressively lifted. – The Straits Times
'Presence of new leaders will be good for Sabah'
The Sabah state election this time is likely to see a significant number of fresh candidates contesting the 73 state seats, including in newly-established constituencies. This includes the possibility of voters being served a new menu of potential leaders to lead the next state government, apart from Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Tan Sri Musa Aman. The electorate has the same expectations as well, as seen on social media, where they expressed hope to see new faces and potential young leaders who can produce better improvement instead of the "same old, same old". Noting that Sabah's political drama is getting all the more interesting, Dr Romzi Ationg of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said he wished to see a slew of new and capable candidates vying to be the next chief minister. The political analyst pointed out that such a development would be good for Sabah. – New Straits Times
Panel to probe cause of Surat Thani ferry sinking
The Marine Department has set up a panel to determine how a ferry headed to Don Sak Pier from Koh Samui capsized during a storm on Saturday. Witthaya Yamuang, director-general of the Marine Department, said on Sunday the Raja 4 capsized as it made its way from the resort island back to the mainland. He said the report will be released in 15 days. He said if the panel finds the sinking to be caused by a fault on the ferry operator's part, those involved will face up to six months imprisonment and fines not exceeding 20,000 baht. 12 of the 16 passengers on board were employees of Raja Ferry. The four others were drivers of the three lorries and the pick-up. Seven people were initially reported missing, but Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto announced that two people were rescued from the water on Sunday and that the ferry skipper's body has been found – leaving four still unaccounted for. – Bangkok Post
MPR speaker proposes legalizing ownership of 9mm pistols for self-defense
People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has proposed that 9-millimeter pistols and ammunition be made legally available to certified gun owners for self-defense purposes. Bambang called on the National Police to consider revising National Police chief Decree (Perkap) No. 18/2015 on gun ownership, control and certification, which limits the types of firearms allowed for public use to 12-gauge shotguns and .22, .25 and .32-caliber pistols. “As a matter of fact, various countries have legalized the use of 9mm pistols. The National Police chief [Gen. Idham Azis] could probably consider revising the perkap,” Bambang said in a statement on Sunday as quoted by tempo.co. He added that the use of 9mm bullets should still be granted only to certified civilian gun owners. – The Jakarta Post
DOH vows to revise COVID-19 strategy
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday vowed to upgrade its strategy in the fight against the new coronavirus within a week and promised to beef up the health care workforce in Metro Manila, where medical front liners are calling for the reimposition of strict lockdowns. In a statement dated Aug. 1 but released on Sunday, the DOH, after a meeting with the medical community, said it had committed to advocate for a “timeout” in Metro Manila before the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the temporary government body overseeing the Duterte administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The DOH, however, did not state clearly whether it was supporting the health workers’ plea to the government to place Metro Manila back on lockdown for two weeks amid a surge in coronavirus infections. On Sunday, the number of coronavirus infections in the Philippines breached the 100,000 mark with the addition of 5,032 new cases. It was the fourth consecutive day that the country reported the largest single-day rise in infections. – INQUIRER.net
PM asks for strong measures to fight COVID-19
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc emphasised the spirit of resolutely zoning off pandemic-hit areas and implementing social distancing as well as taking measures to effectively control the COVID-19 pandemic. He made the request at a teleconference with all localities nationwide on Sunday to discuss measures to prevent further spread of the pandemic as new cases increase. The Government leader called for resolve to protect people’s health while preventing negative economic growth, requiring effective management and direction to get people’s support. He noted it is essential to continue mobilising people to take preventive measures such as cleaning hands with soap or hand sanitiser, tracing people at high risk of infection and expanding COVID-19 testing. According to the Ministry of Health’s report, as of 6pm on August 1, after the pandemic resurged in Đà Nẵng from July 24, the number of cases kept increasing and the infection spread very quickly in the community. – Viet Nam News
Cambodia confirms Chikungunya virus outbreak in 12 provinces, sickening over 1,000 people
Cambodia confirmed on Saturday an outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in 12 provinces, sickening more than 1,000 people, according to Health Ministry’s secretary of state and spokeswoman Or Vandine. CHIKV re-emerged in the Southeast Asian country last month and had left 1,020 people ill, including 562 females, the official said in a statement. “More than 80 percent of the cases had been detected in four provinces, namely Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Kampong Cham,” Vandine said. – The Cambodia Daily