These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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New Covid-19 cases detected at cleared dormitories; workers in dorms to be swabbed every 14 days
There have been new cases detected at dormitories declared to be cleared of the coronavirus and the authorities are monitoring the situation to manage the risk of new outbreaks. A joint statement by the Ministry of Manpower, the Building and Construction Authority, the Economic Development Board and the Health Promotion Board on Tuesday (Aug 11) pointed to fresh infections in cleared dormitories without providing any details on the numbers affected. It said that safeguards have been put in place to make sure that the intensive efforts spent over the past four months on the dormitories so far do not go to waste. This comes as the construction, marine and process sectors look to restart work. "With more daily movements in and out of the dormitories, it is even more important for everyone to remain vigilant to guard against new infections," the joint statement said. – The Straits Times
Sg Buloh protection racket: 4 MBSA enforcement officers remanded
Four enforcement staff from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and an individual believed to be an illicit cigarette seller, have been remanded for a week until Aug 18. Magistrate Wira Abdul Halim allowed for the remand request from Putrajaya Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) about 9.20am today, reported Berita Harian. The five were being remanded to assist investigations under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. The suspects, aged between 41 to 45, were seen arriving at the Putrajaya magistrate's court at about 8.40am today. They were handcuffed and wore MACC lock-up attire. Yesterday, MACC arrested four MBSA enforcement officers for suspected involvement in protecting unlicensed business premises in Sungai Buloh. The officers were also suspected of collecting and receiving between RM300 to RM3,500 of monthly protection money from unlicensed traders and businesses, including illegal gambling premises around the district. Those detained comprised three enforcers from the Sungai Buloh MBSA branch and another from the Shah Alam MBSA. – New Straits Times
Students 'crossed the line'
The anti-government rally at Thammasat University on Monday night is thought to have risked offending the monarchy, sparking fears that it could trigger violent confrontations between the royalist movement and its opponents. Comments made by protesters at the university's Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani have potentially violated Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law. Students announced a set of 10 demands which included changes in the country's highest institution, including Section 112 and royal prerogatives. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday said that the government had been closely monitoring the situation and admitted he was worried about it. However, he refused to comment on the protesters' demands. Meanwhile, Thammasat University on Tuesday issued a statement distancing itself from the rally and apologised for the rally that took place on its campus. The university said that the organisers had asked for permission to hold the rally to push for their three original demands: constitutional amendments, the dissolution of the House and an end to the intimidation of critics of the government. – Bangkok Post
Testing disparity looms over Greater Jakarta’s efforts to break chain of transmission
Health authorities are demanding that Jakarta’s satellite cities follow the capital’s lead in increasing the testing capacity, as the capital deals with more and more COVID-19 infections amid relaxed restrictions and rising mobility. The number of new positive cases in Jakarta continued to exceed that of other provinces over the last few days with 462 new infections, 184 recoveries and 12 new deaths as of Tuesday. In total, the capital has seen 26,624 confirmed infections, putting it ahead of second-placed East Java, which has logged 25,917 cases. Authorities claim the high figures are due to the massive scale of testing and aggressive contact tracing the city has undertaken since it began gradually reopening the economy. Jakarta, a special administrative region, remains the only province to meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation for the minimum testing rate of 1 test per 1,000 inhabitants per week, according to the latest WHO situation report. – The Jakarta Post
Davao City hospital got biggest PhilHealth cash advance
Weeks before it approved the guidelines for the use of special funds for the government’s COVID-19 response, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) had already handed out P9.3 billion in cash advances to various hospitals, especially favoured health facilities, Sen. Panfilo Lacson disclosed on Tuesday. At the resumption of the Senate hearing on the corruption scandal hounding the state-run health insurer, PhilHealth officials said a hospital in Davao City was the biggest recipient of funds from the P30-billion Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM). Southern Philippines Medical Center, a public hospital in President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown, received P326 million. The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila, a major referral hospital for COVID-19 patients, received P262.3 million in advance payment. Another hospital in Davao region, Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, ranked third, getting P209 million. Lacson, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and other senators pounced on the questionable distribution of the IRM allocations, which were specifically allocated for hospitals treating patients infected with the new coronavirus. – INQUIRER.net
17th death linked to COVID-19 announced
A 55-year-old man from the central province of Danang died of COVID-19 complications in the early hours Wednesday morning. He is the 17th coronavirus-related fatality in Vietnam. The patient, number 431, lived in Lien Chieu District, and was suffering from end-stage kidney failure, type-1 diabetes and high blood pressure. On July 26 he was being treated for kidney problems at Danang Hospital and tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus the following day. He was then transferred to Hue General Hospital in nearby Thua Thien-Hue Province for treatment. On July 31 he slipped into a coma and needed a ventilator to help him breath. He also suffered gastrointestinal bleeding. Between August 6 and 10, his blood pressure kept decreasing and he developed a constant, high fever. On August 12, his condition got worse and his heart stopped beating at 12.30am. Doctors said he died of severe lung disease caused by COVID-19, end-stage kidney failure, type-1 diabetes and multiple organ failure. – Viet Nam News
Probe ordered into policewomen’s sexual harassment allegations
Interior Minister Sar Kheng has ordered a probe into sexual harassment allegations filed by four policewomen from the Kampong Thom police force. He is also a deputy prime minister. The women accused Kampong Thom provincial police chief Ouk Kosal of harassing them. Commissioner-General of the National Police Neth Savoeun has been ordered to urgently investigate the matter. Ministry secretary of state Chan Aan and Kampong Thom provincial governor Sok Lou are also looking into the matter. “I cannot decide about this case yet as we have to wait for experts to look into it first,” Sar Kheng said on Tuesday. It’s not the first time Kosal’s actions have put him on Sar Kheng’s radar. Sar Kheng issued warning letters in March to the police chief regarding how he was careless in leading and managing his forces. He threatened to remove him from his position. A letter with the four fingerprints of the female police officers was sent to Sar Kheng and released on July 30. It said Kosal engaged in misconduct since 2018, but they dared not protest as they were threatened. They also feared it would affect their family lives. “We have complained about him in the past, but we did not get justice. We have no other way besides requesting help from Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng. [Kosal] committed the acts. He is the boss and we are weak,” the officers wrote. – The Phnom Penh Post