These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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New work pass in Singapore for top-tier foreign tech professionals to launch in January
A new work pass will be launched next year for top-tier foreign professionals and experts looking to start businesses, lead corporate teams or teach here, in a bid to woo these people to Singapore and develop its high-potential tech ecosystem. The Economic Development Board announced plans on Thursday (Nov 12) to launch Tech.Pass, which is planned to put Singapore ahead in the global race to attract highly skilled technology professionals in fields such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence and cyber security. Tech.Pass will be valid for two years, with a one-time renewal for a subsequent two years that will depend on certain criteria. Applications for the pass will start in January 2021, with 500 places available upon launch. Having such experts in Singapore will not only allow them to bring their capital, networks and know-how to the country's tech ecosystem, but it will also create opportunities for Singaporeans too, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing. "Tech.Pass will add to the critical mass of established tech talent in Singapore and create a flywheel effect to further strengthen our position as a leading tech hub for the region," said Mr Chan at the launch of Tech.Pass on Thursday at a dialogue with the European Chamber of Commerce. The tech sector is poised to be a large engine of growth for Singapore, and a study done by Temasek, Google and consultancy Bain & Company published on Tuesday found that the country's Internet economy - or business conducted online - is on track to reach US$22 billion (S$29.7 billion) by 2025. – The Straits Times
Health Ministry working to eliminate stigma against Covid-19 patients
The Health Ministry has implemented the Psychosocial Support and Mental Health programme to educate the public and eliminate the stigma against Covid-19 patients. Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the measure is being implemented throughout the period of the pandemic to prevent stigmatisation from emerging as a phenomenon that could affect the wellbeing of patients and those who have been cured from the virus. "Such a measure is being implemented and aimed at raising awareness among the community to avoid stigma against patients and those who have been cured from Covid-19. "Among the efforts undertaken by the ministry include disseminating information via several media platforms such as television and radio networks as well as through clips on the spread of Covid-19 and the risk of infection from patients who have recovered from the virus. "This explanatory information is to inform the public on the low risk of infection subsequently preventing stigma against patients of Covid-19 and their respective families," he said during Ministers' Question Time at Dewan Rakyat here today. Dr Adham said info-graphics were also shared on the ministry's portal as well as on Facebook to educate the public that stigma can harm the emotions of a person. The ministry, he added, has also carried out the Psychosocial Support Care Line Service which is a collaboration between government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO). "These NGOs and government agencies are agents to provide information and educate callers who need emotional support due to concerns over Covid-19," he said. – New Straits Times
Monks barred from rallies
The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has issued an order barring monks and novices from joining mass protests, its director Narong Songarom said. Monks who flout the ban could be defrocked. The NOB and the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand have previously notified the heads of the monks' governing branches across the country to make sure that monks and novices do not engage in politics or political activities, Mr Narong said. His comments were in response to media reports and photos taken of individuals in saffron robes who participated in anti-government rallies. They joined the protests despite repeated warnings from the NOB. A group of them were pictured holding placards demanding the right to vote, as monks are barred from voting. Others were reportedly questioning why they must obey the rule which requires them to shave their eyebrows. They were part of a protest on Nov 8 in Bangkok. "The rules clearly say that monks must have their eyebrows shaved regularly. If they cannot accept the rule, they should leave the monkhood. No one forces anyone to be ordained." said Mr Narong. Somdet Phra Bhuddajarn, abbot of Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram who supervises the enforcement of monastic discipline, has been assigned by the NOB to come up with guidelines to prevent monks from rallying. – Bangkok Post
Family demands those behind Papuan pastor's killing be brought to human rights court
The family of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani, who was shot dead in September in Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, has demanded that the military personnel allegedly responsible for the killing be brought to a human rights court instead of undergoing prosecution in a military court. “We are not sure that a military tribunal can reveal the truth, punish the perpetrators accordingly and provide justice for us,” Yeremia’s daughter, Rode Zanambani, said on Tuesday. Rode said her family had received information that the results of the Papua Police's investigation into Yeremia's murder would be handed over to the military police to be processed in a military court. The family would also refuse an autopsy on the body if the government’s investigation team or an independent body requested it. Statements from witnesses and experts, as well as existing evidence, would be sufficient to reveal the perpetrators without having to conduct an autopsy, she said. “Besides, an autopsy stands in opposition to our culture. We believe an autopsy will bring us bad things, and this will certainly add to our burden,” Rode said as quoted by kompas.com. An independent investigation carried out by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) found that a soldier from the Hitadipa Military Command, identified as Chief. Sgt. Alpius Hasim Madi, was allegedly behind the pastor's killing. Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam revealed the commission’s investigation results on Nov. 2, saying the soldier had allegedly tortured and shot Yeremia at close range in the latter’s pig pen on Sept. 19. In response, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad said the police's investigation had yet to conclude the TNI was in involved in the murder as the police had just recently carried out a ballistics test and had not examined witnesses yet. The TNI still referred to the results of an investigation carried out by the government-sanctioned joint fact-finding team (TGPF), Achmad said, adding that he could not elaborate further before the perpetrator was confirmed. The TGPF investigation results announced by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD on Oct. 21 indicated the alleged involvement of security forces in Yeremia's shooting, while leaving open the possibility of a third party’s involvement in the crime. – The Jakarta Post
Over 14,000 families flee as ‘Ulysses’ hits Quezon province
At least 14,398 families in Quezon were evacuated to temporary shelters on Wednesday and early Thursday as Typhoon “Ulysses” (international name: Vamco) brought furious winds and poured heavy rains on the province. Sonia Leyson, head of Quezon social welfare and development office, said in her report that as of 8 a.m. Thursday, 53,215 residents from 409 barangays sought temporary shelters in 620 evacuation centers – mostly school buildings, barangay offices, and churches – in different parts of the province. Local social workers and health authorities were attending to the evacuated families in 35 out of 41 municipalities in the province to ensure that health and safety protocols are being followed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Gumaca town along Lamon Bay accounted for the highest number of evacuees with 1,932 families composed of 6,495 individuals. Most of the evacuated residents were from areas prone to landslides, flash floods, storm surges, and other identified dangerous areas. Other evacuees opted to stay with their relatives and friends on safer grounds to avoid possible COVID-19 infection inside crowded shelter houses. Ma. Janet Geneblazo, Quezon public information officer, reported no casualties resulting from the typhoon. “Ulysses” made three separate landfalls over Patnanungan, Burdeos, and General Nakar towns from Wednesday night to early Thursday before it headed towards Nueva Ecija province around 4 a.m. on Thursday. – INQUIRER.net
Storm Vamco heading towards East Sea
The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has ordered central localities to strictly manage the operation of fishing vessels and stand ready for emergencies as Storm Vamco headed towards the East Sea yesterday. All offshore fishing vessels must be kept informed of the developments of the storm so they could avoid danger areas and find safe anchorage, said deputy chief of the committee’s office, Phạm Đức Luận, who chaired a committee meeting held yesterday in Hà Nội. Luận also told staff to co-operate with the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting to stay up to date on the developments of the storm and propose practical measures to help localities respond to the threat. According to the centre, by 7am today (Thursday), the storm would be about 810km east of the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, with wind speeds of up to 100-135km per hour. The storm, which was moving west at 20-25km per hour, was forecast to have a direct impact on the central region on Saturday. In a related movement, data from the committee showed that two people were killed, one person was missing and five people were injured due to Storm Etau, that has now weakened to a tropical low-pressure system after it made its landfall in central provinces from Bình Định to Ninh Thuận at about 10am on Tuesday, causing torrential rains and strong winds. The storm damaged 313 houses in Bình Định, Phú Yên and Khánh Hòa and caused a massive blackout in eight communes in Khánh Hòa Province and 55 communes in Phú Yên Province on Tuesday, the committee said. Due to the impacts of the tropical low-pressure system, mountainous districts in provinces from Thừa Thiên Huế to Khánh Hòa, and the Central Highlands had been put on a high alert for flash floods and landslides since yesterday, the committee said. – Viet Nam News
PM orders distribution of two million masks
Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the Ministry of Health and Phnom Penh City Hall to distribute two million masks to poor communities in Phnom Penh. After receiving the order from Mr Hun Sen yesterday afternoon, the ministry issued a proclamation to the governor of Phnom Penh to distribute two million masks in the capital. Health Ministry secretary of state Youk Sambath told local media that Mr Hun Sen ordered the ministry and City Hall to urgently distribute the masks from a government warehouse to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Yesterday, the ministry also issued a press release confirming one new case of COVID-19 in the Kingdom. The statement said that the new patient was a 35-year-old American woman, who flew in from the US via South Korea and arrived on November 4. “On the second test on the 7th day of her quarantine, she was confirmed as COVID-19 positive and is now being treated at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital,” it said. The ministry added that a total of 66 passengers who were aboard her flight tested negative upon their arrival. On Tuesday, all the passengers were tested again and the results were negative in all but the American woman’s case. Of the Sampath 65 passengers who tested negative, 47 are quarantined in five hotels in Phnom Penh and 16 at Pochentong High School. The remaining three passengers are quarantining at the US Embassy. – Khmer Times