These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Singapore and US to deepen transport cooperation, work to revive air travel
Singapore and the United States will deepen bilateral cooperation in the transport sector, working together in areas such as reviving international air travel in a safe manner amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The two countries will also strengthen cooperation in multilateral organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Ministry of Transport and the US Department of Transport said in a joint statement on Friday (April 9). The statement, which followed an introductory virtual meeting between Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and his US counterpart Pete Buttigieg on Thursday, said the countries will build on the excellent cooperation established over the years by agencies and officials on both sides, including in areas such as the exchange of best practices on urban transport systems. In a Facebook post on Friday morning, Mr Ong said he had a fruitful discussion with Mr Buttigieg despite the 12-hour time difference between Singapore and the US. It was 8pm in Singapore and 8am in Washinton when they met virtually. "Secretary Buttigieg and I are in full agreement on the need to safely restore international air travel and to strengthen our collaboration on climate action and sustainability, including at the International Civil Aviation Organisation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO)," said Mr Ong. The statement also reaffirmed that both countries are parties to the Paris Agreement - a 2016 international agreement on climate change action, which former president Donald Trump withdrew the US from in 2017. The US re-entered the agreement hours after President Joe Biden's inauguration, with former secretary of state John Kerry - who helped broker the Paris Agreement - appointed as climate envoy. Areas of possible collaboration on climate action in transportation that the two countries are exploring include alternative fuels, electrification, market-based measures and technological advancement. – The Straits Times
Home Ministry launches new integrated immigration system to replace MyIMMs
The Home Ministry today launched the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project to replace the 20-year-old Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs). Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the government had approved a specific allocation to develop NIISe so that the country's immigration system remained relevant. He said this included aspects of the service delivery system to the people and also aspects of national sovereignty and security. "NIISe is expected to be fully operational by 2024 and I am confident that with the implementation of this new system, the immigration service will continue to be strengthened to ensure national sovereignty and security," he said when launching the project here. He said the existing immigration system, MyIMMs, needed to be replaced with a more sophisticated, integrated and holistic immigration system equipped with the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data Analytics (BDA). Hamzah said IRIS Information Technology Systems Sdn Bhd would develop NIISe together with the ministry and other independent bodies in the next 54 months. "NIISe will modernise the Immigration Department services through applications with advanced and latest features. "It will also be equipped with security features such as multi-factor authentication, which requires a combination of password, ID and user biometrics before the department or ministry staff are allowed to access the system," he said. Any irregular and suspicious online activity would be able to be monitored thoroughly through the National Immigration Command Centre and preventive action could be taken more quickly and effectively than the existing system, he said. He added that NIISe would have the ability to make preliminary screening before the arrival of visitors to the country and this facility was very important to ensure the country was protected from increasingly challenging and complex security threats. Hamzah said the use of the Risk Assessment Engine which applied AI and BDA technology in an integrated manner with data from other security agencies was the latest feature in providing a proactive monitoring, risk detection and prevention mechanism. – New Straits Times
'Outdated' Netflix documentary sparks ire
The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC) on Thursday protested against a controversial Netflix documentary, saying it featured outdated information about Thailand's fishing industry. The documentary, Seaspiracy, addressed the dire consequences of commercial fishing on the local ecology, as well as human trafficking and modern-day slavery. It premiered on Netflix last month and just four days after it was released, it had already made it to the streaming service's Top 10 lists in more than 32 countries, including the UK and US. Seaspiracy focused squarely on Thailand, especially during the six minutes from 1:06:00-1:12:00 that portrayed illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and forced labour and human trafficking in the country's seafood supply chain. Thai-MECC spokesman Rear Adm Pokkhrong Monthatphalin said the information featured in the film was "outdated" and the Thai government had toiled for years to clean up the fisheries industry since its IUU practices came to light in 2015. The Thai authorities have been trying to contact the documentary's producers to inspect the country's current fishery practices for themselves. Rear Adm Pokkhrong said Thailand's commitment to ending IUU practices had been recognised by the international community, evidenced by the fact the European Union (EU) had removed it from yellow-card status in 2019. The same regulators went further, saying Thailand had aligned its legal and administrative systems with its international obligations to fight IUU fishing. He said that in 2019 Thailand became the first Asian country to commit to basic decent standards for those working in the fishing industry. The US's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report had also applauded Thailand for taking great strides to tackle human trafficking in recent years. Seaspiracy's release has been especially unfortunate – early this month, the Seafood Working Group published its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, urging the US State Department to downgrade Thailand to the Tier 2 Watchlist again due to a worsening worker rights situation during Covid-19. Rear Adm Pokkhrong said Thai authorities remained dedicated to promoting sustainable fishing and ending human trafficking in the seafood industry. – Bangkok Post
Duterte exalts ‘selfless, dedicated’ front liners in COVID-19 fight on Araw ng Kagitingan
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday paid tribute to the country’s “selfless and dedicated” COVID-19 pandemic front liners as the Philippines commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). In his message, Duterte said the Day of Valor is a reminder of the “unyielding determination of the Filipino to prevail over all forms of adversity.” “As we continue to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we take a moment to honour the fortitude displayed by our selfless and dedicated front liners whose unrelenting commitment in this fight reflects the heroism of the warriors of Bataan that continues to inspire in us a greater sense of patriotism and solidarity during these trying times,” Duterte said. The President also honoured the country’s fallen soldiers “whose sacrifice became the bedrock of our resolve to uphold our most cherished liberties.” “May this awareness resonate among us as we strive to become worthy heirs to the nation that they fought and bled for,” Duterte said. April 9 marks The Philippines’s 79th Day of Valor, honouring Filipino and American soldiers who fought in Bataan during World War II. – INQUIRER.net
Distorted information on South China Sea doesn't change facts: spokesperson
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson on Thursday condemned content falsely portraying the South China Sea issue. Any content that falsely reflects history and international laws is invalid and cannot change the reality that Viet Nam enjoys sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands and the underlying South China Sea issue, foreign spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said. She made the remarks during a press briefing in Ha Noi after Vietnamese citizens called for boycotts of several international fashion brands using a map with China’s unlawful nine-dash line, a representation of the country's expansive claim over much of the South China Sea (known in Viet Nam as the East Sea), including the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands. The claim has been met with a strong rebuke from the international community and especially claimant states involved in the disputes, including Viet Nam. The Vietnamese backlash started after the Swedish multinational clothing retailer H&M agreed to "rectify" a map it used on its website in China following Chinese authorities’ requests. While neither side revealed details of the problem with the map or how the company changed it, posts claiming that H&M has complied with the order including a graphic with the nine-dash line became widely shared on Chinese social media, which eventually reached the Vietnamese online community. Many Vietnamese users pointed out that the problematic map is also embedded on the Chinese websites of several other fashion brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Zara. “Businesses operating in Viet Nam need to respect and observe Vietnamese laws,” the Vietnamese foreign spokesperson said. “Viet Nam requests that all businesses respect its sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly islands, and its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters in the South China Sea,” the diplomat added. She reiterated that Viet Nam has a full historical basis and legal grounds over the two islands as determined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Most businesses use Google Maps on their website, but since Google products are not available in mainland China, businesses operating there have to embed Chinese-owned map services, with the most popular being Baidu. Regarding recent developments in the South China Sea, especially rising tension between the US and China, Hang emphasised that “peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the sea is the shared aspiration and goal of all countries in the region and the international community at large.” The respect for maritime rules-based order at sea and the implementation of the UNCLOS 1982, with a high sense of responsibility and goodwill, will be important to realise these objectives, she said. “Viet Nam calls on all countries to contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, and co-operation in the South China Sea, continue to adhere to international laws in goodwill including the UNCLOS 1982, strictly comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China (DOC) – in particular exercising restraint and avoiding escalating of tensions, creating an environment conducive to the negotiations of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC), thus contributing to building trust, maintaining trust and stability, promoting the international order at sea and ensuring security, safety, and maritime freedom in the South China Sea,” Hang stated. – Viet Nam News
‘New Year at Home’ to keep outbreak under control
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine has coined the “New Year at Home” movement, urging people to stay at home over Khmer New Year while implementing the “three do’s” and “three don’ts”. The three do’s are to wear a mask, wash hands frequently and keep a safe distance from one another. The three don’ts are to avoid closed spaces and crowded places as well as not touching each other. She also urged everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Vandine expressed deep concern last night via telegram about the COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia, which continues to persist and intensify, claiming a large number of Cambodians. Vandine said she does not understand why some people are still not implementing the ministry’s preventive measures that could decrease the spread of infections, after big clusters hit factory workers and O’Russey Market vendors. She said if she could do it for them, she would. However, she added, this will only protect herself her family from transmitting this deadly virus. “If we are willing to face difficulties in the short term, let’s implement preventive measures together, we will get rid of difficulties in the long run,” Vandine said. More than 3,000 people have now been infected with COVID-19, she said, raising serious concern for public health. We are facing a very high risk of a large-scale outbreak in the community and its effects are disrupting family incomes and the social economy. She said by implementing the preventive measures, especially over the New Year, the transmission will be minimised and help life return to normal, restoring family incomes and allowing socioeconomic recovery. – Khmer Times
Military assault on Karen villages spreads to Mon State, KNU says
An attack by the Myanmar military forced the Karen National Union (KNU) to abandon a local base in Mon State on April 6, after which villagers in the area also fled, according to local sources and a KNU announcement. The base was in Marnaung village, Dooplaya District, in territory controlled by the KNU’s Brigade 6. It was located at the foot of the Ma Hlwe mountain, just nine miles outside the town of Ye. On April 7, the KNU announced that one civilian had been killed and another injured in the clash. The announcement also said that the KNU had to flee the area, as the military was alternately shooting at villagers and using them as human shields in their offensive against the Karen forces. The civilian who was killed was a domestic migrant worker, and the injured individual is being treated in a hospital, the announcement said. That same day, the junta’s Infantry Battalion (IB) 299 reportedly fired artillery shells near Marnaung village at around 9:30am. On April 5, one day before the initial fighting occurred near Marnaung, the village’s military council-appointed administrator was killed by unknown perpetrators. The next day, the military attacked a base near the village belonging to the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the KNU, a Ye local said. “The KNLA watches over the village. The other day, a [military council] village administrator was killed. We don’t know who did it. But they probably assumed it was the KNLA and attacked their base the next day,” the local man said. There have been a series of clashes between the military and the KNU/KNLA throughout KNU territory since the military’s February 1 coup. The Myanmar military offensives against the KNU’s Brigade 5 in Karen State and Brigade 3 in Kyaukkyi Township in Bago Region have been particularly aggressive. The junta’s armed forces have launched multiple airstrikes in the areas that have killed at least 10 villagers and displaced around 20,000 civilians throughout KNU territory, according to an estimate by the Karen Peace Support Network. The KNU has publicly opposed the coup and declared it would protect the people in its territories against the military dictatorship. In March, the KNU’s Brigade 6 accompanied Karen protesters from Dooplaya District on their anti-coup demonstrations to offer protection against military crackdowns. Other clashes have broken out between the military and KNU in recent days. A direct confrontation occurred between the military’s IB 103 and the KNU’s Brigade 4 near Dawei in Tanintharyi Region on the afternoon of April 6. The fighting started after the military invaded the Karen armed group’s territory, the KNU said in an official announcement. 37 soldiers, including IB commander Thein Bo Bo and deputy commander Kyaw Tun Thu, entered the territory saying that they were going to provide rations and funds to their Mae Daing military outpost, the KNU’s announcement said. A captain and two soldiers were killed in the subsequent clash, as well as three injured, all on the military’s side, according to the KNU. – Myanmar NOW
Indonesia urges D-8 to boost inter-regional trade, vaccine production
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged the Developing Eight Group (D-8) countries to help free the world of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursue global economic recovery by augmenting their vaccine production capacity. Addressing the 10th D-8 Summit, held online on Thursday, President Jokowi highlighted the rising vaccine nationalism amidst efforts to promote equitable access to vaccines at affordable prices for all countries. "This means that the world must be able to multiply the (vaccine) production capacity. There must not be restrictions on vaccine production and distribution. Here, D-8 countries can play a role by offering their production capacity," he said. The D-8 member states can ramp up vaccine production to promote equitable access to vaccines and push for transfer of technology, he told leaders of the D-8 grouping, which includes Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia. "Some of us, including Indonesia, are in the process of developing vaccines on their own, and D-8 must be open to cooperate in developing and producing vaccines in the future," President Jokowi said. The Indonesian leader also urged D-8 member states to aid global economic recovery efforts, saying they hold an inter-regional trade potential of more than US$1.5 billion. "Inter-regional trade facilities within the scope of D-8 need to be pushed and trade barriers must be reduced. Strengthening inter-regional trade among D-8 member states is the key and will serve as the engine of economic development," he said. Digital technology, digitization, artificial intelligence, computing power, and big data are also sectors that need to be developed, he noted. He said technology has given birth to various breakthroughs and D-8 should use technology for the benefit of the people's welfare, considering that the sector reflects the picture of economy in the future. The issue is in line with the theme of the 10th D-8 Summit – Partnership for Transformative World, Using the Power of Younger Generations and Technology – which highlights the need for younger generations of D-8 to benefit from the fourth Industrial Revolution and adapt to the changing information and communication technology landscape. Indonesia has been a vocal proponent of equal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The country is among the co-chairs of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment Engagement Group (COVAX AMC EG). Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar had also pushed for vaccine multilateralism during the 17th Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers meeting, held on Wednesday (April 7, 2021). He had said that the D-8 must ensure that vaccines can be distributed fairly for all without any hindrance. “In this regard, we need to support the COVAX platform as the only platform to ensure equal access and affordable prices of vaccines for all,” he stressed. He also called on the D-8 to prioritize strengthening research and development, as well as the health and pharmaceutical industry and network, in the D-8 countries. – AntaraNews.Com