These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Punggol residents shocked after 2 wild boar attacks in a night
A clerk spoke on Monday (Feb 22) of the horrifying moment she looked out of her window and saw a woman being bitten by a wild boar - one of two attacks on the same night. Ms Tan, who wished to be known only by her surname, was watching television alone at home in her flat on Saturday night when she heard what she thought was a lovers' quarrel coming from the road below. But when she heard a woman screaming in pain and calling for help, she knew something was amiss. The 308B Punggol Walk resident, 45, looked out to see the woman being bitten on the leg. It was one of two boar attacks in the area that night, believed to have been by the same animal. Speaking to The Straits Times about the ordeal from her flat yesterday, Ms Tan said: "I heard the lady scream 'Someone please help me!' then I realised something was wrong." She added: "I didn't think a wild boar would attack someone so close to the block," and pointed to the spot between Block 308B, a church and a primary school. She called the police and managed to chase the boar away with the help of a neighbour who used Ms Tan's umbrella to fend it off and a delivery rider who rang his bicycle bell repeatedly to scare it. Just 20 minutes after the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the attack it received another call about an attack at Block 310A at about 9.30pm. Two people were taken to Sengkang General Hospital by the SCDF. The boar has not been found, despite a 20-man effort to track it down over the weekend using profile descriptions which indicate it is a lone female that weighs about 40 to 50kg. Mr How Choon Beng, director of wildlife management and outreach at the National Parks Board (NParks), said in response to queries from the ST: "NParks will continue patrolling the area and have put up advisories on what the public should do if they encounter wild boars." – The Straits Times
Malaysia all set to roll out immunisation plan tomorrow
Malaysia is more than ready to face the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, the biggest ever vaccination exercise in the country, which is set to kick off tomorrow. Manipal University College Malaysia Community and Occupational Medicine Professor Dr G. Jayakumar said the country was not only equipped with vast experience in the aspect of vaccination but also boasted plenty of health personnel resources to enlist as vaccinators. "The National Immunisation Programme has been ongoing in Malaysia since the 1960s and the experience acquired over the years is more than sufficient for the Covid-19 vaccination programme. "It was reported last year that Malaysia had 71,041 medical doctors in the public and private sectors, equivalent to one doctor for every 454 people. "It was also reported last year that there were 51,912 doctors working in the ministry. "There are additional nurses and assistant medical officers working at the ministry who can complement this task. "The government can also rope in doctors and other allied health professionals from the army, private hospitals or clinics and from universities to assist in the task for efficient delivery of the immunisation programme," he told the New Straits Times. Dr Jayakumar said the vaccinators should be doctors, nurses or assistant medical officers. "Any of these categories of professionals are qualified to administer the vaccination and handle unforeseen adverse effects. "The procedures are similar to jabs for influenza or polio immunisation. "The extra precaution is to be more vigilant for untoward side effects or rare emergencies." He added that the challenges in the programme would be handling anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists who spread unreliable news about the Covid-19 vaccination. "There could be logistical challenges during the initial phase of immunisation, but I foresee that the ministry will be able to deal with this after some time. "The ministry's Public Health division also has expertise in handling this type of task rather well." Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba reportedly said the ministry was in negotiations with 3,000 certified health practitioners to administer the vaccines in the programme's second phase. The first phase, conducted between February and April, would be for frontline workers, including healthcare practitioners and security forces, involving approximately 500,000 people. The second phase (April to August) would involve the elderly aged 65 and above, high-risk groups and the disabled, totalling 9.4 million people. Phase three (May to February 2022) would be for 13.7 million Malaysians and foreigners aged 18 and above. – New Straits Times
PM volunteers for first shot
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday announced he is ready to be the first Thai to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in a bid to boost public confidence in the China-made vaccine. "I will if I can...and I'm ready for the jab," the prime minister said on Monday in response to media questions if he would be the first to be inoculated. The prime minister's wish may not be granted, however, after health experts announced that priority will be decided according to age. Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Monday that Sinovac's vaccine is only recommended for those aged 18-59 due to insufficient data to support its efficacy among those who are younger or older. He did, however, warn that Sinovac's formula is not recommended for pregnant women or those who have had adverse side-effects from other vaccines in the past. Tomorrow, Gen Prayut is scheduled to be in attendance when the first delivery 200,000 doses land at Suvarnabhumi airport on a Thai Airways International flight from Beijing. The flight is scheduled to touch down at 10.05am local time. The PM said that as more supplies arrive, the National Vaccine Institute will decide who is in line for each round of shots. Another 800,000 doses from Sinovac will arrive in March and 1 million more in April. The government has also purchased 26 million doses from AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical company. When the vaccines arrive tomorrow, customs officers and officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) will work together to pack the 2-6-tonne consignment into temperature-controlled storage. The event would be attended by high-profile figures in the government and health experts as well as representatives from the Chinese Embassy. The process is expected to take about 30 minutes ahead of the shipment being transported to a warehouse owned by DKSH, one of the country's largest distribution and logistics companies for medical products, 20 kilometres away. The GPO has signed a deal with DKSH for the storage, repacking and distribution of the Sinovac vaccine. – Bangkok Post
Gov’t eyes scrapping travel authority, health certificate for travellers – DILG
The government is eyeing to remove travel authority and medical certificates as a requirement to harmonize travel protocols all over the country, an undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday. “Ang gusto na namin tanggalin yung travel authority at local health certificate kasi medyo irrelevant na. ‘Yung mga kapulisan natin halimbawa instead na peace and order ang kanilang focus, karamihan na nasa presinto nagiissue na lang ng travel authority,” DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III explained over ABS-CBN Teleradyo when asked if DILG has proposal to unify travel protocols nationwide. MANILA, Philippines – The government is eyeing to remove travel authority and medical certificates as a requirement to harmonize travel protocols all over the country, an undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday. “Ang gusto na namin tanggalin yung travel authority at local health certificate kasi medyo irrelevant na. ‘Yung mga kapulisan natin halimbawa instead na peace and order ang kanilang focus, karamihan na nasa presinto nagiissue na lang ng travel authority,” DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III explained over ABS-CBN Teleradyo when asked if DILG has proposal to unify travel protocols nationwide. (We want to remove travel authority and local health certificates because they are irrelevant. Our policemen would focus on issuance of travel authority instead of implementing peace and order.) “Pangalawa, ‘yung city health certificate hindi na relevant kasi kukuha ako ng health certificate tapos after three days pa ako magbiyahe wala na siyang relevance din dahil maaaring magkaroon ako ng Covid-19 along the way,” Densing further said. (City health certificate is not relevant anymore especially because if it was issued three days prior to travel, it has no relevance. I still might get infected with Covid-19 along the way.) But Densing said these are “subject for discussions” as they will soon harmonize all travel policies in local government units (LGUs) to boost tourism. “May kalituhan pero dahil may government at IATF [Inter Agency Task Force] policy na kailangang dahan-dahan para makagalaw for purposes of tourism, kailangan mayroong common protocols,” the DILG official said. (There are some confusions but since we have the government and IATF policy that we need to slowly ease travel restrictions for purposes of tourism, we need to have common protocols.) Earlier, Densing said they are mulling to remove the requirement to undergo swab testing before travel protocols for all LGUs. He said they will instead require travellers to undertake clinical assessment at the terminal of origin and terminal of destination. To prevent community transmission in their areas, LGUs are requiring negative Covid-19 test results, medical clearances and travel passes. Cebu already eased its travel protocols by completely scrapping Covid-19 test requirements for visitors. – INQUIRER.net
Việt Nam presents candidature for membership of UN Human Rights Council
Keeping the society safe against pandemics is the best way to ensure each member can fully enjoy their human rights. That was the message from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh speaking during a High-level Segment of the 46th Regular Session of the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) via video conference on February 22. Minh told the event that the COVID-19 pandemic had claimed the lives of millions, affected the well-being of billions around the world, and had strained public health and social security systems of all countries, triggering and exacerbating various human rights challenges. However, "Việt Nam continues to put emphasis on the protection and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of our people, even in this most difficult of times,” he said, adding that the country had tackled the pandemic head on, putting the people at the centre of all its efforts. Prompt and determined actions had been taken to control outbreaks to protect the health and safety of the people as a matter of top priority. Efforts were also made to maintain economic growth and social welfare, to leave no one behind. Thanks to the whole-of-government approach and the overwhelming support and solidarity of all people, COVID-19 had largely been controlled in Việt Nam, Minh said. He went on to say that the Vietnamese economy continued to grow at almost 3 per cent in 2020 and timely support had been given to businesses and people affected by the pandemic, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, children and people with disabilities. “COVID-19 has left no country untouched," he said. "No one can be safe until everyone is safe. As part of the international community, we are all in this together. Therefore, international solidarity and cooperation is critical to help us rise above challenges and move forward.”– Viet Nam News
Harsher measures for foreigners who flout COVID-19 laws in Cambodia, offenders to be deported
Harsher penalties await foreigners and owners of establishments who or which are connected with COVID-19 in the country. The measures include foreigners facing possible deportation from the Kingdom and prohibited from re-entry. For Cambodians, legal action would be taken while establishments which flouted the law on COVID-19 by not reporting possible patrons or visitors or not cooperating with authorities in contact tracing efforts, will be closed down and their licenses revoked. In signing off on the order, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that lessons learned from the November 3, November 28 and the current February 20 community incidents and outbreaks showed that there are many individuals who did not comply with existing laws such as voluntarily submit for testing, refrain from undergoing interviews to facilitate contact tracing efforts and establishments who do not provide relevant information accurately and in a timely manner. The decision of the Prime Minister was made at the request by Dy Vichea, Sub-Committee on Research and Monitoring of Suspected COVID-19 through Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health and Chairman Inter-Ministerial Commission for Combating COVID 19. In a letter to the PM, Bun Heng said that in the past on 3 November, 28 November and 20 February, the Sub-Committee on Research and Monitoring of Suspected COVID-19 always encountered challenges in its operation. The problem is that the person involved in cases often refused to cooperate, give interviews, disconnects and escapes, or refuses to do quarantine, and does not cooperate in the research and follow-up operations. Therefore, in order to strengthen the work to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in the community, the subcommittee requested additional legal measures against individuals and locations which do not cooperate with the measures: Two of four who escaped from quarantine at the Sokha Hotel, by bribing two security guards, are believed to have caused the current Community outbreak which is believed to have reached 100 positive cases. – Khmer Times
List of prominent figures facing arrest for anti-junta stance circulates online
A list of public figures facing arrest for supporting the growing movement to end military rule in Myanmar appeared on social media on Monday, the first day of a nationwide general strike. The list, which was dated February 21 and labelled “secret”, includes 78 well-known activists, artists, writers, journalists and celebrities who have openly called for continuing resistance to the junta that seized power on February 1. It includes 88 Generation student leaders Min Ko Naing and Jimmy, as well as other prominent activists, such as Moe Thee Zun. Also named are Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, the rector of Yangon Medical University (1), who has been a leading figure in the anti-coup civil disobedience movement, columnist J Hla Thin, writer Moe Ni Lwin, and Myanmar Now editor-in chief Swe Win. Some on the list, including actors Lu Min and Pay Ti Oo, filmmakers Ko Pauk and Na Gyi, and hip-hop singer Annaga, have already had warrants issued for their arrest for incitement under section 505a of the Penal Code. According to his wife, Lu Min was arrested at his home on Saturday night. All of the individuals on the leaked list, which also includes 39 other singers and actors, are facing charges under section 505b of the Penal Code, which criminalizes speech that “is likely to cause fear or alarm in the public.” “Isn’t it shameful for those who commit insurgency under the 2008 constitution to file a case against a writer who writes articles in newspapers and journals for the benefit of her country and people?” said columnist J Hla Thin. In addition to names, the list also includes links to the Facebook pages of those accused by the regime of making false or inflammatory comments. Social media was uncommonly quiet on Monday due to an internet blackout that lasted until midday. The move appeared to be aimed at blocking the so-called “five twos” general strike, which takes its name from its starting date, 22.2.2021. On Sunday night, the ruling junta issued an ominous warning to those who “raised their incitement towards riot and anarchy … on the day of 22 February.” “Protesters are now inciting the people, especially emotional teenagers and youths, to a confrontation path where they will suffer the loss of life,” it said on state broadcaster MRTV a day after security forces killed two protesters in Mandalay. – Myanmar NOW
Magnitude-5.8 quake rattles Buol in Central Sulawesi on early Tuesday
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Buol in the Indonesian province of Central Sulawesi on early Tuesday, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The epicentre of the earthquake, which struck at 02:22:09 Western Indonesia Time (WIB), was located at sea, some 90 kilometres northeast of Buol, at a depth of 10 kilometres, the BMKG noted on its official website. The earthquake was felt at Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale IV in Buol and at MMI III in Bone Bolango and Toli-Toli. An earthquake of MMI IV could be felt by several people within and outside the houses, with the windows or doors creaking and audible wall sounds. Meanwhile, an earthquake of MMI III is considered weak and can only felt indoors as a vibration. No immediate reports were received of any material damage, injuries, or fatalities. An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 can cause considerable damage to land. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake had hit several parts of Central Sulawesi on September 28, 2018. The strong earthquake that was followed by a tsunami and soil liquefaction in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi Province, claimed 2,102 lives, injured 4,612, and rendered 680 others missing. A total of 68,451 homes incurred serious damage, while 78,994 people were displaced. Meanwhile, material losses inflicted by the twin deadly disasters were estimated to reach Rp15.29 trillion. – AntaraNews.Com