These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Maid abuser's jail term raised to 14 months by apex court
A woman whose initial 20-month jail term for maid abuse was cut to eight months last year had her sentence increased to 14 months by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday (Sept 23). Suzanna Bong Sim Swan, 48, was found guilty of one charge of causing hurt to Ms Than Than Soe on May 17, 2015, by hitting the maid's left cheek repeatedly with a glass bottle containing medicated oil. The court heard that Bong regularly assaulted the domestic worker from Myanmar - who was 27 when she started her employment in 2013 - and often punched the victim in the eye or face. About 10 months after arriving in Singapore, the victim's eyesight began to deteriorate. The victim called the police after Bong assaulted her with the glass bottle and was later found to be legally blind in her left eye. In 2018, Bong was sentenced to 20 months' jail by a district court and ordered to pay compensation of $38,540.40 to the victim. Bong appealed to the High Court, which reduced her sentence to eight months and the compensation sum to $1,000. Justice Chua Lee Ming said then that there was no evidence that Bong's acts on May 17, 2015, caused the victim's injuries, which might have been caused by previous instances of abuse for which Bong was not charged. The prosecution then brought the case to the Court of Appeal to determine questions of law that arose in the case. In August, the Court of Appeal ruled that if there has been a sustained pattern of abuse, it would be wrong for a sentencing judge to disregard that fact and view the charge in isolation because that would give a false assessment of the suffering of the victim and of the offender's culpability. On Wednesday, the apex court, comprising Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Judges of Appeal Andrew Phang and Tay Yong Kwang, increased Bong's jail term to 14 months. – The Straits Times
Experts: Sabah could unleash tsunami of Covid-19 cases
Health experts have expressed concern over the Covid-19 situation in Sabah, which they say has the potential to unleash a "tsunami of cases" if urgent measures are not put in place. They fear the emergence of new cases and clusters in Sabah meant the state was going down the path of the Philippines or Indonesia in terms of the infection rate. Malaysian Public Health Physicians' Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said Sabah was no longer a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, but a "chain of hidden time bombs that have exploded", with new clusters being detected by the Health Ministry. "Based on news reports, Covid-19 is already within the community in Sabah, infecting the public as well as health workers. "Several elements in Sabah contributed to the rise in cases and the emergence of new clusters, such as the presence of large groups of undocumented immigrants and foreigners. "Also, key is the state election, which has led to major mobilisation (of election machinery) and public interaction, including people coming in from outside the state. "In terms of the number of cases, Sabah has become a mini version of the Philippines and Indonesia. The state has the potential to unleash a Covid-19 tsunami. "Fortunately, there is an excellent healthcare system and health resources and support at the state level and from the federal government," said Dr Zainal. He was commenting on the surge in new cases following the emergence of a seventh Covid-19 cluster in Sabah. Yesterday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah announced that a new cluster had been detected in Semporna, dubbed the Bangau-Bangau cluster, with five cases. – New Straits Times
PM sounds protest alarm
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday warned that the country will lose an opportunity to move forward if the anti-government protests persist. Speaking after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut said that the protest leaders have already made known their real intentions, and that the public must decide for themselves. The Saturday rally at Sanam Luang was led by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD), with its 10-point manifesto, including demands for reform of the monarchy. "We need to learn more and have rationale for action so it will not affect the public as a whole. Otherwise, the country and the people will lose opportunities. No one wins or loses. But it is the country that will suffer. That's what I'm more concerned about," the prime minister said. Commenting on the student activists' plan to gather again outside parliament tomorrow, Gen Prayut said that it should be left to relevant authorities to enforce the law to deal with the protesters, adding that the government is not in conflict with anyone. The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) is preparing multiple charges against the 16 leaders of the anti-government demonstration last weekend. Pol Maj Gen Sukhun Prommayon, a deputy MBP commissioner, said on Tuesday that charges would be brought against 16 key protesters, who were in three groups: Those who organised the demonstration without getting authorisation; those who invited others to take part in the rally through all channels and those who spoke from the demonstration stage. – Bangkok Post
Govt to periodically test medical workers fighting COVID-19
The government has committed to providing periodic COVID-19 tests for health professionals working closely with coronavirus patients. “We commit to give protection to health workers, who have been a big help in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak, by providing them with free periodic swab tests,” National COVID-19 task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito said at a daily press briefing on Tuesday. He added that testing would start that day in Jakarta, the country’s COVID-19 epicentre, and would later be extended elsewhere, especially to high-risk areas. Wiku said hospitals had become the core of the outbreak as they were accommodating about 24,400 patients. The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) has been urging the government to provide better protection for medical workers. The association noted that at least 114 doctors and nine dentists had died of the virus, in addition to at least 70 nurses, as reported by the Indonesian Nurses Association (PPNI). – The Jakarta Post
‘Let’s not hate each other too much,’ Duterte tells UN amid geopolitical tensions
President Rodrigo Duterte called on all nations on Wednesday to “not hate each other too much” amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and a COVID-19 pandemic. In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Duterte stressed the need for stability as the world grapples to address the health crisis. “Mr. President, just as we needed stability and confidence because of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions continue to rise. Escalating tensions benefit no one. New flashpoints heighten fears and tend to tear peoples apart,” Duterte said. “When elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled flat.” The President also expressed hope that these tensions would not turn into a real war. “Given the size and military might of the contenders, we can only imagine and be aghast at the terrible toll on human life and property that shall be inflicted if the word war deteriorates into a real war of nuclear weapons and missiles,” Duterte said. “I therefore call on the stakeholders in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East and Africa: If we cannot be friends as yet, then in God’s name, let us not hate each other too much. I heard it once said, and I say it to myself in complete agreement,” he added. It was Duterte’s first time to address the UN since assuming office in 2016. During his 20-minute speech, which was pre-recorded at Malacañang, the President touched on various issues like peace and security, human rights, and the maritime dispute over the South China Sea. He was 12th out of 14 world leaders to address the UN General Assembly’s first block of high-level general debates. – INQUIRER.net
Việt Nam and Germany enjoy fruitful co-operation for 45 years
September 23 marks 45 years of diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and the Federal Republic of Germany. During that time, the bilateral strategic partnership has been deepened in all fields among which economic, trade and investment co-operation are important pillars. Germany has been one of the most important European partners of Việt Nam for many years. German Ambassador to Việt Nam Guido Hildner told Việt Nam News that the relationship between Việt Nam and Germany is very good. It has been intensified over recent years. In 2011, both governments entered into a strategic partnership, with major areas of cooperation, for instance, including the sectors of the environment, energy and vocational training. "In the year 2020, we have seen very intensive corporation in the international and multilateral arena. Both countries are members of the United Nations Security Council and Việt Nam is chairing ASEAN and Germany holds the presidency of the European Union Council," he said. The trust and mutual understanding between the two countries have been strengthened through the maintenance of high-level delegation exchanges and co-operation mechanisms. During the visit to Việt Nam by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in October 2011, prime ministers of the two countries signed the Hà Nội Joint Declaration on the establishment of a strategic partnership, which set out objectives and measures to enhance co-operation in prioritised areas. After the declaration, the two countries regularly conducted delegation and high-level exchanges, creating a driving force for co-operation. – Viet Nam News
No C-19 vaccine for all: Ministry says Cambodia has not pre-ordered any supply
The Health Ministry says Cambodia will not have enough doses to distribute to the whole population when the World Health Organization finally approves any COVID-19 vaccine. Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine said yesterday that this was despite the fact that Cambodia is a member of The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (Gavi). WHO has in coordination with Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) created a mechanism aimed at ensuring a more equitable distribution of any future COVID-19 vaccines. But the mechanism, known as Covax, has reportedly struggled to raise the funds needed to provide for the 92 low-income countries and other economies that quickly signed up. The aim is for Covax to lay its hands on two billion doses of safe and effective vaccines by the end of 2021. Vandine told Khmer Times yesterday the Ministry of Health in July, had called for the provision of equitable vaccines to Cambodia, through the Covax mechanism. Despite several countries having done so, Vandine said Cambodia did not pre-order any vaccine, but it is a member of the International Vaccine Alliance. Therefore, if there is an official announcement that a vaccine can be used, Cambodia can also buy or accept the vaccine. She said Cambodia cannot buy vaccine doses to distribute to all citizens, because the production and sale of the first vaccine will be limited due to concerns over side effects. “Therefore, we can provide the vaccine to the people step by step,” she added. – Khmer Times