These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Don't shun TTSH healthcare workers as hospital Covid-19 cluster grows, urges MOH's Kenneth Mak
Healthcare workers and staff from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) should not be shunned during this difficult time, Ministry of Health (MOH) director of medical services Kenneth Mak said on Tuesday (May 4). The hospital currently has a cluster of 40 Covid-19 cases, among whom 10 are healthcare workers. Speaking at the virtual multi-ministry task force press conference tackling Covid-19, he said there were reports of other healthcare workers being told they were not welcome at their place of accommodation, by landlords who had heard they worked at TTSH. "This is a concern for us because these workers are well and they have committed a lot of time and energy towards looking after patients in TTSH," he said. "So, we (also) endeavour to support them, (by) making sure that they have... accommodation through this difficult time, when they are being called up to do much more than what they would normally be expected to." Singaporeans can come together to show their support and appreciation for these healthcare workers said Prof Mak, just the way they did last year. On March 30 last year, Singaporeans clapped and cheered from their windows and balconies for the front liners in Singapore's fight against Covid-19. There were also reports of health workers being shunned by commuters on public transport early on during the pandemic last year. Noting that healthcare workers have been working long hours looking after both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, Prof Mak urged the public to show support to TTSH workers and their welfare, as this would be "very important" at this stage. – The Straits Times
Malaysia Airlines' parent to transform into global travel group, break even by 2023
Malaysia Aviation Group, parent of Malaysia Airlines, wants to turn into a global travel group, instead of being just pure play aviation company. MAG has targeted its non-airline revenue to surge to RM4 billion within five years from RM2.5 billion currently. The group is also cautiously optimistic about breaking even by 2023 after securing over RM15 billion savings in liabilities from its restructuring. MAG group chief executive officer Captain Izham Ismail said the breakeven target was based on a downside scenario with an extended L-shape recovery likely until 2023, backed by the implementation of its Long-Term Business Plan 2.0. He said MAG was building up its cash balance with a minimum of RM700 million over the next five years following its restructuring, while implementing cash conservation efforts to improve liquidity. In 2020, MAG conserved about RM4.2 billion in cash realised through network cut and cost saving initiatives, while registering an additional RM1.5 billion in payment deferrals. "We are able to reduce about 57 per cent of our balance sheet cost with debt to earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) ratio of -43 per cent improvement. "Our haircut is more equally distributed such as operating lessor, finance lessor, fuel hedging and foreign exchange, equally distributed with a total improvement of RM15 billion in liabilities savings," he said at a media briefing here today. The secured savings included key aircraft leasing and maintenance contracts, restructured balance sheet by addressing large portion of debt on its capital structure and significant support from creditors via payment deferrals and moratoriums. MAG's restructuring had received the UK's Court's approval on a scheme of arrangement filed in December 2020, involving 75 creditors predominantly for aircraft operating and finance leases, maintenance services providers, financial creditors, and other liabilities. MAG's sole shareholder Khazanah Nasional Bhd had also injected a fresh capital of RM3.6 billion to support its working capital requirement for 2021 to 2025. MAG had completed its restructuring (balance sheet) and now embarking on turnaround profit and loss (P&L), which might take between 18 and 24 months, followed by cash flow stability. "MAG envisions about 25 per cent of its (non-airline) revenue to constitute from the travel aviation business, to RM700 million from RM200 million recorded in 2019," he said. MAG targets to record a 10.8 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) growth in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation and 6.8 percent CAGR in non-flying revenue. MAG wants to have a more diversified portfolio with digital and travel solutions businesses to drive its future growth. – New Straits Times
Two insurgents, ranger killed in clash
Two insurgents and a ranger were killed in a firefight between a government security force and armed militants in Krong Pinang district on Tuesday afternoon, police said. A combined unit of civilians, police and soldiers moved into two villages, Batu Buela and Bae Chaeng, in tambon Sa-e, Krong Pinang district, about 3.40pm. They were acting on information that suspected insurgents wanted under court warrants were hiding out there. One wanted man, Wan Asan Asu, 30, from Yala's Bannang Sata district, surrendered. Other insurgents hiding in the two villages responded with gunfire to calls for their surrender, police said. The two sides exchanged shots for about two hours. The gunfire died down about 5.50pm. One ranger was found to have been killed. He was Nopparit Sukson, of the Yala-based 47th Ranger Regiment. The bodies of two wanted men were also found, each with an AK47 rifle. One also had a pistol. The government force continued to surround the two villages. Reinforcements were expected to arrive on Wednesday morning to help clear the area. – Bangkok Post
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine gets emergency use authorization
The COVID-19 vaccine of American pharmaceutical firm Moderna has been granted an emergency use authorization (EUA), the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday. FDA Director General Eric Domingo said the agency only took about 10 days to approve the EUA application of the drug firm, which it submitted on April 26. “After a rigorous and thorough review by regulatory and our medical experts using the currently available published and unpublished data, the FDA is granting an emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine Moderna,” Domingo said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. “All conditions for an EUA are present and the benefit of using the vaccine outweighs the known and potential risks,” he added. The EUA will only be valid within the duration of the declared public health emergency or upon the issuance of a certificate of product registration, he said. Interim data from ongoing Phase 3 trials of the vaccine show that the vaccine has an overall efficacy rate of over 94% in preventing COVID-19, he added. Its efficacy rate is also consistently above 80% among all age groups above 18 years old and special groups such as health workers, people with comorbidities and the elderly. The vaccine is administered in two doses, Domingo said, with the second dose given four weeks after the first shot. The EUA clears the vaccine for individuals aged 18 years and above, he added. Domingo said adverse effects reported in clinical trials and actual use were “mostly mild and transient” which is similar to common reactions expected after vaccination. This is the seventh vaccine to secure an EUA in the country, including Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya Institute, Janssen, and Bharat Biotech. Domingo said 46 other countries have given Moderna an EUA, including an emergency use listing by the World Health Organization. The government and the private sector earlier signed a tripartite agreement with Moderna for 20 million vaccine doses. Under the agreement, the government will secure 13 million doses while the private sector will have seven million doses for its workers. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said the government also ordered an additional five million doses of the said vaccine. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez earlier said that about 200,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected to arrive in the Philippines in June. – INQUIRER.net
Viet Nam attracts over $12b in FDI in four months
As of April 20, Viet Nam attracted US$12.25 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), equivalent to 99.3 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency (FIA). The four-month figure shows the FDI inflow was slowing down, said the FIA. However, the agency noted the average size of newly-licensed projects and those registering to adjust their capital increased by less than $7 million per project in comparison with the same period last year. The four-month period saw FDI projects disburse $5.5 billion, up 6.8 percent over the same period last year, thanks to the recovery of production and business operations. Currently, Viet Nam has 33,463 valid foreign investment projects with total registered capital of $394.9 billion. These projects disbursed $238.36 billion, or 60.4 percent of the total valid registered investment capital, FIA reported. FDI inflows to the country expanded by 18.5 percent to $10.13 billion in the first three months of this year, the FIA said. Of the figure, newly-registered capital reached $7.2 billion, up 30.6 percent year-on-year, while adjusted capital increased by 97.4 percent to $2.1 billion. Meanwhile, capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors stood at more than $1 billion, down 57.8 per cent from the same period last year. The capital inflows cover 17 sectors, in which processing and manufacturing took the lead with $5.2 billion, accounting for 42.4 percent of the combined investment, followed by electricity generation and distribution with $5.1 billion. Property and retail sectors accounted for $778 million and $464 million, respectively. Among 67 countries and regions with newly licensed investment projects in Viet Nam during the period, Singapore was the largest source of registered capital with $4.8 billion, accounting for 39.6 percent of the total registered capital, followed by Japan with $2.5 billion, accounting for 20.5 percent of the total registered capital and the Republic of Korea (RoK) with nearly $1.5 billion, accounting for 12.1 percent of the total registered capital. Foreign investors have invested in 53 provinces and cities nationwide, in which Long An Province took the lead with total registered investment capital of nearly $3.3 billion. Can Tho and HCM City were second and third with over $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. Export turnover including crude oil is estimated at over $80.6 billion, up 38.7 percent over the same period last year, accounting for 78 percent of the country’s export turnover. The import turnover is estimated at over $66.2 billion or an increase of 32.8 percent compared to the same period last year. – Viet Nam News
Sihanoukville Lockdown: Part of city to be closed off due to market outbreak
Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities have decided to lock down part of Sihanoukville for another week from tomorrow as COVID-19 continues its menacing rampage in the city with 77 new cases recorded yesterday linked to the Phsar Loeu market outbreak. Provincial Hall spokesman Kheang Phearum told Khmer Times yesterday that many new positive COVID-19 cases in Sihanoukville’s Phsar Loeu area, started from a vendor who transmitted it to his family, who then continued to spread the virus into the community, especially in commune IV of Sihanoukville. “Our authorities have decided to lock down Sihanoukville, especially commune IV, designating village IV to village V as a Red Zone and will take samples from everyone there,” he said. Phearum added that authorities have taken samples from nearly 5,000 people from one village and 199 tested positive for COVID-19. The authorities are continuing to take samples from those living in other villages in the lockdown area. He added that seeing the spread of COVID-19 in Sihanoukville has not decreased yet, the provincial administration will continue the lockdown for another week to take more samples for testing in order to prevent a large-scale transmission of the disease. Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration said in a statement that in the lockdown area, the authorities will allow some people to sell food, vegetables and meat from their homes. There are those who have tested negative for COVID-19 twice and have a certificate from the provincial health department. People outside the lockdown areas are allowed to trade as usual, but must comply with the safety rules, such as wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. In another development, the Defence Ministry said in a statement yesterday that military doctors have so far vaccinated more than 100,000 people in the capital’s Red Zones. Over the past three days, they vaccinated 100,357 people (52,300 women) with either Sinovac or Sinopharm doses. In Meanchey district 21,930 people were vaccinated, Dangkor district 22,634 were inoculated, Kambol district had 20,558 people vaccinated and Por Senchey district 35,235 jabbed. – Khmer Times
Blasts reported at three locations in Magway’s Myaing Township
Bomb blasts went off at three locations in Magway Region’s Myaing Township early Tuesday morning, in the latest of a series of explosions that have hit various parts of the country in recent days. All three blasts occurred at around 4am and appeared to target government offices, local sources told Myanmar Now. No injuries were reported. The sources said that there were two explosions in front of the township court, one near the office of the head of education, and another in a public hospital compound near the home of the hospital administrator. Although no details could be confirmed, residents said they believed the blasts were caused by homemade bombs and were linked to the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). “[Officials] appointed by the military council have been pressuring CDM workers. I heard these explosives were set off by civilians as a warning about this,” said one educator who is participating in the CDM. According to a source who asked not to be identified, a number of teachers in the township have left the CDM since being told recently that they will face charges of incitement under Section 505a of the Penal Code if they don’t return to work. “Those responsible [for the explosions] may be trying to warn non-CDM workers that they are not safe, either,” the source said. Despite pressure from the regime to force public employees back to work, residents say that only three schools are currently open in 15 villages in the township – a high school in Kan Ni and the middle schools of Obo and Kan Nat. Regime officials arrived at the scene of the explosions soon after they occurred, but have not released a statement. Meanwhile, there were also reports that a bomb went off at the college of education in the Mon State capital Mawlamyine early Tuesday morning. Local sources confirmed that a security guard was injured in the incident. No further details were available at the time of reporting. There have been at least a dozen explosions reported around the country since last weekend, according to state media and other sources. While most have been in Yangon, there was also one in Bago on Monday that left five people dead, including an elected lawmaker and three police defectors. No one has taken responsibility for the blasts, which state media has blamed on “rioters” opposed to a February 1 military coup that ousted Myanmar’s elected civilian government. – Myanmar NOW
A 5.7-earthquake rattles North Maluku's West Halmahera
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake rattled West Halmahera District, North Maluku Province, on Wednesday morning but it did not potentially trigger tsunami. The quake that occurred at around 05:59 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) was located at the coordinates at 1.53 north latitude and 127.19 east longitude, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The quake's epicentre was located around 48 kilometres northwest of West Halmahera District at a depth of 133 kilometres, the agency revealed. As of Wednesday morning, there were no immediate reports of casualties following the quake. Earthquakes regularly rock various parts of Indonesia since the country lies on the Circum-Pacific Belt, also known as the Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activities. Indonesia's deadliest earthquake hit Banda Aceh and several other parts of Aceh Province on December 26, 2004. The undersea megathrust earthquake that triggered a deadly giant tsunami destroyed several parts of the city in the northernmost tip of Sumatra Island, and reportedly killed some 170,000 residents. The latest deadly earthquake to have jolted Indonesia was in West Sulawesi Province on January 15, 2021. The 6.2-magnitude earthquake, ensued by several aftershocks, jolted the districts of Mamuju and Majene, claiming more than 100 lives and destroyed several buildings. Sulawesi Island has repeatedly borne witness to deadly earthquakes. On September 28, 2018, for instance, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit several parts of Central Sulawesi Province. 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. The authorities and humanitarian workers decided to bury the large number of rotting corpses in mass graves. Related news: 5.3-magnitude earthquake rocks Banda Aceh on Friday night. – AntaraNews.Com