These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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1 killed in MRT tunnel near Lavender, train services on East-West Line disrupted
Service along the East-West MRT Line was disrupted on Thursday evening (Feb 25) after a person who entered a tunnel near Lavender station was killed. Operator SMRT tweeted at 9.48pm that the disruption between Bugis and Aljunied was due to a "train incident". The Straits Times understands a person had intruded into the eastbound tunnel from a portal area - where the train tracks enter the underground tunnel - at Lavender. It is unclear how the person had accessed the tracks. ST understands high fences are in place to prevent unauthorised access through the portals. In a statement posted on Facebook after 1am, SMRT said a man was run over by a train near Kallang MRT station on the East-West Line towards Pasir Ris. "At about 9pm, a train captain reported hitting an object near Kallang MRT station. Our station manager was sent on track and found a motionless man, about 150m from Kallang MRT station," it said. A person was subsequently pronounced dead on the eastbound track near Kallang MRT station, it added. The operator suspended train services along the four-station stretch between Bugis and Aljunied in both directions, closed Lavender and Kallang stations and activated free regular bus and free bus bridging services. It said it is assisting in police investigations. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for help at about 9.35pm. An SCDF paramedic pronounced a person dead at the scene. Freelance worker Bessie Tan, 59, said she was on a train from town at around 9.30pm when passengers were told to disembark at Bugis. "Then the train left empty," she said. "We boarded the next train which carried passengers, but it didn't leave Bugis and we were all told to leave the train again." She added that at first, the announcement at the station "mumbled something like an incident at Lavender". This is the first MRT track fatality since two SMRT trainees were knocked down by a train in March 2016. There was a more recent track death in March 2017 - but on the LRT system - when a drunken passenger was killed after going onto the tracks near Fajar station. – The Straits Times
RM10,000 fine for SOP violations beginning March 11
Individuals who violate the standard operating procedures (SOPs) stipulated for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic can be fined up to RM10,000 beginning March 11. This is based on the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, through a federal government gazette uploaded to the official online portal of the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) today. The ordinance also holds that companies or corporations that violate the SOPs can be fined up to RM50,000. The government had gazetted the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021, which was promulgated as a proactive measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia. The 18-provision ordinance, which took effect on Jan 11, was gazetted on Jan 14 after it was promulgated by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. The ordinance, among others, states that an independent special committee will be established to advise the King on the continuing existence of the grave emergency threatening the security, economic life and public order of the federation arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The ordinance also includes amendments to general penalties under Section 24, stating that any person who commits an offence under the Act "for which no penalty is expressly provided" may be fined up to RM100,000 or imprisoned for a maximum of seven years. In addition, it also states that those authorised may order Covid-19 patients or close contacts to wear tracking devices such as wristbands or any other device provided by an authorised officer. "Any person who destroys, damages, removes or alters the tracking device is committing an offence," it said. Besides this, representatives of companies that violate the SOPs can also be charged in court, it stated. – New Straits Times
PDRC leaders await bail verdicts
Eight former co-leaders of the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) spent a second night in prison on Thursday as they awaited a court ruling on their requests for bail. Sawat Charoenphon, who heads the legal team representing the detainees, said the court's failure to reply should not be construed as a likely rejection of the detainees' bail requests. Mr Sawat said he remained optimistic because he had reason to believe the court would award his clients’ bail. The eight are Suthep Thaugsuban, Issara Somchai, Chumpol Julsai, Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam, Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan, Suwit Thongprasert and Samdin Lertbutr. They were among 26 people who were on Wednesday given varying jail sentences for their roles in the street protests that culminated in the May 2014 coup which drove the Yingluck Shinawatra administration from power. They have been indicted on several charges, including insurrection, criminal association, illegal assembly and obstructing others from casting votes during street protests between November 2013 and May 2014. Mr Sawat said he visited the eight detainees along with family members and relatives and they all felt fine after their first night behind bars. Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party visited them earlier on Thursday and also said they were in high spirits, especially Mr Suthep who smiled all the time. Rangsima Rodrasamee, a Democrat MP for Samut Songkhram, said she only had a chance to speak to Mr Buddhipongse and Mr Suwit due to a long queue of visitors. Ms Rangsima had been a co-defendant but was acquitted by the court. Mr Buddhipongse and Mr Suwit appeared to be in good mental health although they looked rather weary from apparent lack of sleep during their first night in prison, she said. The eight are being held at Bangkok Remand Prison. – Bangkok Post
PH embassy cautions Filipinos in US amid rising anti-Asian attacks
The Philippine Embassy in the United States advised Filipinos there to exercise “utmost caution” as it voiced concern over the rising number of attacks against Asian Americans. “We note with concern the rise in attacks on Asian Americans in various parts of the United States,” the embassy said in a statement Friday. “Filipinos are advised to exercise utmost caution in view of these incidents,” it added. While the embassy acknowledged the “swift action” taken by local authorities on such attacks, it called for further protection of people of Asian descent, including Filipinos. “The Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the United States appreciate the swift action taken by a number of local authorities to apprehend perpetrators of these attacks,” it said. “However, we call on federal, state, and local authorities to further ensure the protection of persons of Asian descent, including Filipinos,” the embassy added. The rising number of attacks against Asian Americans has triggered protests held by local community groups, activists and policymakers in the US. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase of reported assaults against Asian Americans. There were 2,100 violent acts directed towards Asians in between March and June 2020 alone. Recently, elders within the Asian American community in the Bay Area have experienced violent assaults, most notably 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee who was killed after an assault in San Francisco on Jan. 28. The Philippine embassy advised Filipinos who experience attacks to immediately call 911 to report incidents. A Philippine lawmaker has recently called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to ask US authorities to take measures on hate crimes against Asian Americans. “I request the Department of Foreign Affairs to express to the United States authorities, through our embassy and consulates, the necessity of protecting our citizens and fellow Filipinos,” Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said. “The US authorities should undertake effective responses to the racially-motivated hate crimes, including their root causes,” he added. – INQUIRER.net
GDP of first quarter to be lower than target: MPI
If the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled in the first quarter, the GDP for the period may increase by 4.46 per cent, said the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). According to the MPI, the first resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party or Resolution 01/NQ-CP set the main tasks and solutions for the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget estimate with growth scenarios for each quarter and sector in 2021. As the resolution set a GDP growth of 5.12 per cent for the first quarter, the estimated growth rate for Q1 was 0.66 percentage points lower than the target. The ministry said: “If the growth targets in the following quarters set in the resolution are reached, the decline will put the growth for the whole year 2021 at 6.37 per cent, reaching the target of 6 per cent set by the National Assembly and lower than the growth target of 6.5 per cent set in the resolution.” Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng said: “It is necessary to urgently and drastically implement the resolution’s target through striving to achieve the goals of the socio-economic development plan.” In a report submitted to the Government last month, the MPI proposed solutions to promote economic growth through three core economic fields of investment, export and consumption. Under the proposal, the financial and banking sectors would continue to implement a rational expansion of fiscal and monetary policies to stabilise the macro-economy, stimulate economic growth and save expenses. At the same time, the sectors should spend resources on anti-pandemic activities and development investment, maintain a reasonable interest rate level, improve credit quality, focus credit on priority areas and strictly control areas with risks. The MPI also said the sectors have to carefully consider monetary and fiscal policies to develop supportive policies for those still impacted by COVID-19, especially the service and tourism industry. The ministry said all ministries and sectors must monitor the domestic and international situation to timely grasp information, analyse, forecast and build scenarios and measures to respond effectively to fluctuations and arising problems. On developing the domestic market and improving the business environment and ensuring labour resources, the MPI asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to urgently research and implement policies to stimulate domestic consumption and enhance links between production and market along the supply chain. – Viet Nam News
63 locations in Phnom Penh now shut down due to February 20 Event
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the number of hotspots linked to the February 20 Community Incident has increased to 63 locations. Originally 13 locations were identified. They are: N8 Club near the corner of Street 217, Tuol Svay Prey commune, Casa By Meridian at Koh Pich, Le Gong Guan Hotel in Phsar Thmey III, Yi Lu Ling Xian in Tonle Bassac commune, City Comfort Hotel in Boeng Prolit commune, The Bridge in Tonle Bassac commune, The Pointe Serviced Apartments near Doeumkor market, Mekong Street in Chroy Changva commune, The Penthouse Residence in front of AEON I, Skyline (Dumex) in Mittapheap commune, Somet Condominium in Veal Vong commune, Residence L Olympic near Olympic Stadium and Prince Plaza Center in Tonle Bassac commune. This was expanded to 11 more locations on Monday. They are: Celeste Sky Bar in front of AEON I, Diamond Twin in Koh Pich, Coco Club and Hotel in Chaktomuk commune, Juhao Hotel in Tonle Bassac commune, The World Shop at the back of Ratana Plaza mall, One Mention shop at the back of Ratana Plaza mall, 168 club near Olympic Stadium, Love restaurant in Boeng Raing commune, Hun Sen Phnom Penh Thmey high school in Phnom Penh Thmey commune, SIS International school near Doeumkor market and Kolab I primary school near Wat Phnom. On Tuesday, 23 more locations were identified. They are: American Intercontinental School in Chak Angre Loeu commune, Jinzun Karaoke in front of Phnom Penh International Airport, Borey Hi-Tech in Niroth commune, Sela Whitehouse in Prek Eng commune, Borey Chip Mong Land in Sen Sok commune, Bali 2 in Chroy Changva commune, Bali 5 in Tonle Bassac commune, Phariya Apartment in Tonle Bassac commune, Residence L Boeng Tompun in Boeng Tompun commune, Ngan Sophy’s house in Kouk Khlaing commune, Lay Kea’s house in Kilometre Prammuoy commune, Rotha Chantha’s house near Wat Phnom, Wedding Party near Global in Taing Krasaing commune, Romantic Restaurant near Wat Phnom, Golden Jazz in Koh Pich, Sous Tony’s house in Tuol Sangke commune, Ey Luo Ling Seang’s shop in AEON I, HH Hotel in the back of Wat Langka, Diamond One in Koh Pich, Ny Ka Smy in Boeng Trabek commune, Gold Class in Beung Keng Kang 1 commune, CASA Villa in Boeng Keng Kang 1 commune and Elysee in Koh Pich. Yesterday’s 16 more locations were identified as: Boeung Pich Guest-House in Boeng Trabek commune, San San Borborsor near Gold Tower 42, Color Hotel in Boeng Raing commune, Yue Tai Apartment in Daun Penh district, Lucky 1 Guesthouse in Boeng Prolit commune, Rose Condo in Tonle Bassac commune, Olympia in Prampi Makara commune, TK Royal I in Toek La’ak II, commune, Riveira in Koh Pich, Naki Suites in Boeng Keng Kang I commune, Home No 1 in Boeng Keng Kang I commune, Rose Garden near Independent Monument, L Residence BKK3 in Boeng Keng Kang 3 commune, 7 days Hotel in Koh Pich, Sun City Bassac near Ministry of Interior and Kin Kolab’s house in Russei Keo commune. All 63 locations have been quarantined off to contain the cluster spread. – Khmer Times
Pro-military mob attacks local residents, anti-coup protesters in downtown Yangon
A man was badly beaten by a knife-wielding attacker and several others on Thursday morning as a pro-military mob marched in downtown Yangon, attacking local residents and anti-coup protesters with rocks, slingshots and sticks. CCTV footage captured near the Sule Shangri-La Hotel showed a crowd of people, including children, fleeing as an attacker walked behind them pointing a long knife in their direction. The man then turned around and intercepted someone who was running from more attackers, lunging at him while still holding the knife. The victim fell to the ground and the assailants repeatedly kicked him and beat him with sticks, only stopping after two women intervened. The footage shows one of the women crouching over the man and protecting him with her arm as the knife-wielding attacker lands a final kick before leaving. In a separate video posted on social media, the victim is seen lying on the ground after the attack with his nose and mouth covered in blood. A medic who helped treat the injured man said he was in his 40s and broke a bone in his left hand in the attack. “There is no stab wound. He is not in a critical condition; he is back home,” said the medic, whose team was nearby at the time of the attack and came after hearing cries for help. The attack came after a group of hundreds of military supporters gathered near the Thamada Cinema at around 8.30am with banners reading “We Stand With Our Defence Services”. Residents in the neighbourhood, which has a major train station and houses many railway staff, responded by banging pots and pans to express their disapproval. The military supporters then began throwing stones at a crowd of some 200 residents, witnesses said. At least four people sustained head injuries while eight others were wounded less seriously, they added. “I heard one of them shout ‘Stone them!’ They threw stones at women and children and also shot slingshots,” said a railway worker who witnessed the incident. “Pro-military supporters were dancing to songs while residents were banging pans. At around 9.00am, the supporters started to go beat some residents,” said Nay Myo Aung, a witness. “They had slingshots and metal batons. People from the housing also threw water bottles and pots that they had in their hands.” Railway staff in Yangon are among tens of thousands of government employees who are on strike to prevent the military from being able to govern the country. – Myanmar NOW
Micro-level restrictions key for curbing pandemic: Effendy
The enforcement of micro-scale social restrictions (PPKM) is vital to the successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, according to Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy. "The key is micro level (restrictions), the smallest level. If it (micro-scale social restriction) is enforced across Indonesia, I believe we will be able to conquer COVID-19," he said in a press statement released on Thursday. On Thursday, the minister observed family-level self-isolation in Benda village, Sukabumi district, West Java. The success of micro-scale social restrictions will chiefly hinge on adherence to the health protocols, particularly the observance of 3Ms – wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing, and effective operation of 3Ts – tracing, testing, and treatment. "Basically, we must handle COVID-19 simultaneously through the 3Ms and 3Ts. If one of them is stalled, we will not be able to conquer COVID-19," the minister remarked. In addition, mutual help between regional governments and local communities is needed, he said. There should no longer be stigma attached to COVID-19, which will merely worsen the health of patients, he added. COVID-19 patients should be supported spiritually and materially so they can recover soon and be free of the deadly virus. "I also have observed persons contracting COVID-19 to ensure that the public will not stay away from him. It is okay to maintain social restrictions,” Effendy said. – AntaraNews.Com