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.
ComCare assistance for 6,000 lower-income households automatically renews for 6 more months
About 6,000 lower-income households whose public financial assistance is ending will now have peace of mind as their support will be automatically extended for another six months. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said in a Facebook post on Friday (Aug 7) that his ministry is automatically extending the ComCare assistance for existing beneficiaries whose aid would have ended between August and October 2020. "They would not have to come to our Social Service Office to renew the assistance. However, if their circumstances have changed and they need more help, they could still approach our officers," he added. This automatic six-month extension was also done several months ago for about 6,000 households whose ComCare assistance ended between May and July. "Some of our ComCare beneficiaries tell us this extension gives them some peace of mind as they work to uplift themselves and their families," said Mr Masagos. – The Straits Times
Saifuddin on 'new norms' awareness campaign tomorrow
It is imperative for the people to remain steadfast in embracing new norms in everyday life as the war against the deadly Covid-19 virus is far from over. This will be the key message emphasised by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the launch of the "Pembudayaan Norma Baharu" (Embracing New Norms) campaign in Pagoh, Johor tomorrow. Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the campaign involved a soft approach undertaken by various ministries, government departments and agencies as well as the private sector to continue reminding the people not to become complacent. This is to prevent the pandemic from escalating in the country. "The rakyat, frontliners, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGO) together with the government have worked hard in the battle against Covid-19. "We have done all that is possible in terms of the health, safety and economic aspects and this has resulted in Malaysia being recognised as among the most successful nations in controlling and managing the outbreak. "Although we are grateful for the recognition, we must be aware that cases can increase if we let our guard down. The virus is still out there. – New Straits Times
We must stay united, says PM
Stability is the key to driving Thailand's economy to rebound, and unity and cooperation from Thais are needed to revive the country in the face of the economic fall due to the Covid-19-crisis, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday. In a keynote speech on "Thailand Rebounds, Policy in the New Normal'' at the "Bangkok Post Forum 2020" at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao, Gen Prayut said: "If there is peace and stability, this will be a good opportunity for the country. We are now doing a good job in dealing with Covid-19." The seminar was to mark the 74th anniversary of the Bangkok Post. "The opportunity lies ahead. Tourists will come back. Therefore, we should not lose this opportunity," the prime minister said. He said that he would lead from the front but stressed that conquering the current issues required the cooperation from all sectors of society. He pointed out that the global economic recession had affected many countries around the world, including Thailand, and he urged Thais not to lose heart. If they did they could get through the difficult times. "Don't lose heart. We have to get through it. It is expected that things will be better in the next two or three years," he said. – Bangkok Post
Vaccines won't bring back normal life at once: Experts
The possible development of a vaccine has brought as much hope to Indonesia as it has to any other country battered by the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said in late July that he expected that next year the Indonesian economy would be able to recover and that a vaccine would be discovered and mass vaccination for "all the people in the country" would be rolled out. Indonesia saw its GDP contract 5.32 percent in the second quarter of this year, the worst contraction since the 1998 Asian financial crisis, and unemployment haunts around 10 million people. COVID-19 cases and deaths, meanwhile, continue to soar. The government reported 1,882 new cases and 69 new deaths on Thursday, pushing the national tally to 118,753 confirmed cases -- including 43,108 active cases -- and 5,521 fatalities. Government officials have nevertheless echoed Jokowi's sentiment. State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir, who also helms the national economic and COVID-19 recovery committee, has claimed that state pharmaceutical holding company Bio Farma is ready to produce 250 million doses of a vaccine, although no vaccine has yet been approved for commercial use. – The Jakarta Post
PhilHealth VP resigns amid heat of corruption probes
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Vice President for Operations Augustus de Villa resigned on Thursday amid allegations of rampant corruption and a claim that the state-run health insurer was on the brink of financial collapse. A retired military officer, De Villa gave no reason for quitting in his letter of resignation, saying “the vice-chairman knows fully well the reason.” He was referring to PhilHealth President and COO Ricardo Morales. De Villa promised to continue cooperating in the congressional inquiries into alleged irregularities in PhilHealth. “Be assured that I will make myself available for the ongoing investigations in aid of legislation in both houses of Congress,” he said. When asked by the Inquirer for specifics, De Villa declined to answer questions. “On the advice of my lawyer, I am not entertaining interviews, especially since there is an ongoing Senate inquiry,” he said. In a hastily called news conference, Morales, also a retired military officer, said De Villa came to his house to hand in his resignation. “It is not easy to be running PhilHealth even in ordinary times. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, and I respect his decision and am grateful for his candour. That was the reason he gave me for his resignation,” Morales told reporters. – INQUIRER.net
Vietnam condemns China’s illegal moves, confirms respect for international law in South China Sea
Vietnam called out China on a range of reports alleging China's illegal moves in the South China Sea (known in Vietnam as East Sea) and the two archipelagos that Vietnam sees as its own. Responding to queries over China’s recent military movements, including deploying fighter jets and warships to Subi reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, but currently occupied by China, foreign ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stressed that the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa islands are “inseparable parts of Vietnam’s territory” during the regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday. “All activities conducted in these two archipelagos without express permission from Vietnam constitute serious violations of Vietnam’s sovereignty,” Hang said, adding that these moves are invalid and not conducive to the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea, a heavily disputed resource-rich waterway with overlapping claims from at least six governments. “Vietnam resolutely opposed these activities,” Hang said. The spokesperson also said the foreign ministry is discussing with relevant authorities the report of China’s building a surveillance network over the South China Sea, but stressed that all actions concerning the maritime region here must be done with a sense of responsibility and good will. – Viet Nam News
Assembly okays land, gambling, crime draft laws
The National Assembly standing committee approved three draft laws on Thursday to be submitted to the expert commissions for review. The National Assembly’s Commission for Economy, Finance, Banking and Audit will review and study two draft laws – the Control, Use and Management of State Property; and Management of Commercial Gambling. Another draft law before the Commission for Legislation and Justice is on the adoption of treaties between Cambodia and South Korea involving assistance for criminal justice. National Assembly spokesman Leng Peng Long could not be reached for comment on Thursday. The draft on State property control was written to strengthen legal frameworks, structures of institutions and boost the capacity of institutions in managing State property. It is meant to better clarify the definition of State assets and reduce the risk of collusion and private overlap of ownership, according to backers. It was sent to the Council of Ministers in early July. The draft on the management of commercial gambling is designed to control the casino sector and other commercial gambling strictly and effectively. The law determines areas where gambling will be allowed or commercial gambling disallowed. – The Phnom Penh Post