These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Stay informed with The ASEAN Post.
6,500 students and staff at Singapore Polytechnic to be tested for Covid-19 from May 19
About 6,500 students, staff and vendors at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) will be tested for Covid-19 from Wednesday (May 19), after three students earlier tested positive for the virus. There is currently no evidence to show that these cases, which were reported on Sunday and Monday, are linked to one another, said SP in a statement. "However, given the three positive cases, as well as the locations and proximity of their schools in SP's campus, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has decided to take an additional precautionary measure to reduce the risk of transmission within our campus," it added. The ministry prioritised several groups to be swabbed - about 6,500 students, staff and food court vendors from five schools in SP who were on campus on or after April 29. The schools include the School of Computing, the Media, Arts & Design School, the School of Business and the School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering. Only students on Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses and programmes from the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering will have to be swabbed for now. The testing, expected to last a few days, will take place at the Sports Arena of SP's Dover Road Campus, the school said. All affected individuals will be informed by the Health Ministry via SMS on the details of their swab tests. MOH said it will consider the overall risk level after the first segment of testing is completed, before deciding if the rest of the SP community has to be swabbed. The polytechnic has more than 14,000 students and staff. Since Tuesday, SP has moved all lessons online until May 28, including practical classes. Prior to this, all tutorials and lectures were already planned to be conducted online until the end of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) on June 13. SP has also thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the campus premises while a leave of absence has been issued to the students' classmates. – The Straits Times
Experts back full lockdown in Selangor
As increasing Covid-19 infections wreak havoc on the country's healthcare system, experts are saying that a full lockdown, similar to the first Movement Control Order, may be the way to curb further spread of the coronavirus. Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry's (Mosti) Covid-19 Epidemiological Analysis and Strategies Task Force chairman Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud said such a lockdown was necessary for Selangor, where healthcare services appeared to be on the brink of collapse. "There is a real danger of an exponential increase in cases, the likes of which we have never seen before, and this could completely overwhelm our healthcare system. We are probably on the brink of something like that." He warned the country could go the way of Thailand, which registered a record 9,635 cases on Monday following a sharp increase in infections over the past few days. "It can happen in Malaysia too. Our positivity rate is above the five per cent threshold, which is indicative of inadequate testing. We are possibly detecting less than half of the cases in the community. "The result is a high proportion of sporadic cases, so there is a real danger of a catastrophe happening. If most of the cases in healthcare facilities were category 2 (mildly symptomatic), it would not overwhelm our services. "But the proportions of Category 3, 4 and 5 (moderate to severe) cases are now uncomfortably high, and many ICUs are now close to full capacity." Dr Awang Bulgiba also said it was proving almost impossible to trace and test every known contact of infected persons. The epidemiologist said this was compounded by the number of asymptomatic carriers, a demographic he long considered a threat due to the belief that they outnumbered those with symptoms. The Universiti Malaya professor further said that a publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association had confirmed this. With these "silent-carriers" thrown in the mix, Dr Awang Bulgiba said the infection was "now well and truly entrenched in the community", and was spreading asymptomatically. "The many healthcare facilities in Selangor are in danger of being overwhelmed, and the public healthcare system badly needs a breather. We also do not know why Categories 3, 4 and 5 cases are so high. "I suspect we are dealing with variants which may have a longer infectious period (which means the 10-day quarantine is insufficient), is more transmissible (higher viral load and lower cycle threshold value on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and more deadly (hence, the rise in proportions of Categories 3 to 5 cases and number of deaths). As to how long this strict MCO should last, he said: "If these variants have an infectious period of up to 21 days, then it is likely that a lockdown lasting three months might be necessary. – New Straits Times
B700bn loan gets govt nod
The cabinet has approved the draft of an executive decree authorising the government to borrow an additional 700 billion baht to revitalise the economy battered by the latest wave of Covid-19 infections, a government source said. The draft was tabled at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The decree will authorise the government to borrow the money to rehabilitate the virus-hit economy as well as fund schemes to help people and entrepreneurs affected by the third wave of the pandemic which has been more severe than the two previous rounds, the source said. Of the 700-billion-baht loan, about 30 billion baht will be earmarked for the procurement of medical supplies, vaccine shots, research and the renovation of hospitals, the source said. With the new loan, public debt, at the end of September, is estimated at 9.38 trillion baht or 58.6% of the GDP which is close to the fiscal sustainability framework ceiling of 60%, the source said. "The reason for issuing the new loan decree is because the government has almost completely used up the 1-trillion-baht loan under the decree issued last year to ease the economic impact during the first round of Covid-19,'' the source said. The source said that on May 11, the cabinet approved the disbursement of about 834 billion baht under the 1-trillion-baht loan decree, with 166 billion baht remaining. Senior Finance Ministry officials on Tuesday refused to comment on the matter because Tuesday's meeting was supposedly secret. Details will be made known after the decree is officially published in the Royal Gazette, the source said. Anucha Burapachaisri, government spokesperson, on Tuesday refused to comment on this matter. The Finance Ministry's Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) previously slashed its economic growth forecast for the second time to 2.3% this year from its earlier prediction in January of 2.8% and 4.5% in Oct 2020, attributing the drop mostly to the battered tourism sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. – Bangkok Post
SEC: Capital market at ‘medium’ risk to becoming haven for money launderers
The Philippine capital market is at “medium” risk of being exploited for money laundering and terrorist financing activities, especially as the rise of digitalization makes it easier for criminals to avoid detection and conceal their financial pipeline, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) assessment. On money laundering risks, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has received a total of 774 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) involving P11.5 billion from 2017 to 2019, according to the SEC, which is part of the inter-agency AMLC. The majority of the transactions were suspected to have been facilitated for the commission of predicate crimes onshore, while five transactions were suspected to have been committed in China. Predicate crimes are components of larger crimes that may include racketeering, terrorist financing and money laundering. Of all transaction reports or STRs submitted by the securities sector to the AMLC, 4.9 percent was linked to the predicate crime of plunder, 2.5 percent to graft and corruption practices, 0.9 percent to drug trafficking and related offenses, and 0.6 percent to fraudulent practices and other violations of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC). The report was based on the 2021 securities sector risk assessment conducted by the SEC with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank covering all of supervised 304 brokers, dealers, investment houses, underwriters of securities, government securities eligible dealers (GESDs), investment company advisers, mutual fund distributors and investment companies. Such assessment did not cover the banking sector, which is separately supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Back in 2016, the Philippines was thrust into the global spotlight when some $81 million which was stolen by cyber-hackers from the Bank of Bangladesh found its way into the local banking system – particularly through the Jupiter branch of RCBC – and disappeared into local casinos. As far as terrorist financing is concerned, the risk faced by the securities sector based on the volume of reports submitted to the AMLC was “extremely low or nil,” posing medium to low risks to the sector, the SEC said in the report issued on Tuesday. Nonetheless, the SEC noted that the sector “attracts various criminal threats, with moderate level of sophisticated tactics and methods to commit offenses.” “The cheap availability of internet access, increasing functionality of mobile phones, and technological advancements that speed up transactions… have provided criminals with tools to escape detection or to hide the proceeds of their illegal activities,” the SEC pointed out. The sector’s risk exposure is likewise deemed as medium in terms of vulnerabilities, or characteristics that make it susceptible to criminal exploitation such as nature, size and complexity of business, as well as products and services, among others. Still, a number of factors is seen to render the sector vulnerable to abuse. For instance, brokers/dealers have to deal with high liquidity and the speed at which trades can be made without suspicion make the capital market vulnerable to money laundering, the SEC said. – INQUIRER.net
Preparations for upcoming elections basically completed
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said all preparations for the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils for the 2021-2026 term were basically completed. Speaking at an online conference with 63 cities and provinces nationwide yesterday, Hue said it was essential to ensure the election is conducted safely and successfully, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants of the conference reviewed all tasks for the election and discussed problems, difficulties, recommendations and proposals from localities, organisations and agencies regarding the election. After presenting the Government's report on the results of election preparations, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra asked ministries and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to strictly and effectively carry out election preparation to ensure the scheduled progress in accordance with the law and the National Election Council's plan. Ministries and agencies have issued documents guiding the local implementation of election work, ensuring political security, social order and safety. They have also developed plans in case the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more serious. The Ministry of Public Security has prepared to ensure the security, social order and safety of the election. Regarding the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic amid the election, based on the documents of the National Election Council, the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the guiding documents of the National Election Council, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs, other ministries, central-level hospitals and localities have developed specific plans and prepared facilities, equipment and materials to deal with outbreaks before, during, and after election day. Some localities have held early voting and others have conducted election drills. A Government report showed that strict drills have been implemented, especially in quarantine areas and in areas where social distancing regulations are in place. The National Election Council had allowed 15 provinces to conduct early voting. So far, Ba Rịa-Vung Tau, Khanh Hoa and Quang Nam provinces have held voting in some areas. Many localities have been creative in communications work about the election in many formats amidst the pandemic, according to Bui Van Cuong, chief of the National Assembly Office. According to the National Electoral Council, up to now, the total number of people officially running for the 15th National Assembly election has decreased from 868 to 866. By May 14, the sub-committee to settle complaints and denunciations had received 164 petitions from citizens regarding the election. – Viet Nam News
‘Virtually no Red Zones’ in Phnom Penh starting from today
Phnom Penh authorities announced yesterday that as of today, the capital will be virtually free of Red Zones, because the number of Covid-19 infections has been steadily declining. Deputy governor Keut Chhe said yesterday that Phnom Penh City Hall will hold a meeting on Friday to discuss reopening markets, but only for the sale of necessary goods. Deputy governor Nuon Pharoth, said on Monday that the Red Zone in Stung Meanchey III is now only part of Trea 4 and Damnak Thom II & III villages which have not yet been tested for Covid-19. “I would like to call on the workers (in Red Zones) who have not yet gotten tested to please go get tested to reduce the spread of Covid-19,” Pharoth said. He added that everyone in Red Zones should quarantine at home. Pharoth said that if anyone experiences symptoms such as fever, sore throat or shortness of breath to seek medical help immediately. Meanchey district deputy governor Dy Roth Khemrun, told Khmer Times yesterday: “The main purpose of getting tested is to turn Red Zones into Yellow Zones in accordance with the instructions of the Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng.” Phnom Penh City Hall has advised anyone who has been in contact with a positive Covid-19 patient to report to the local authorities and immediately get tested at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, Chak Angre Health Centre, Bak Touk High School, Boeng Trabek High School or Sopheak Mongkul Primary School. Two new factory outbreaks have been reported in Kampong Chhnang and Takeo provinces respectively. The Kampong Chhnang Health Department announced 21 new positive cases of Covid-19 of workers at the Horizon Outdoor (Cambodia) Co Ltd in Kampong Tralach district. Local authorities have locked down six villages in Boribo, Samaki Meanchey and Kampong Tralach districts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to other areas. Dr Nuth Sinath, director of Kampong Chhnang Provincial Health Department, told Khmer Times yesterday that the new cases are linked to the February 20 Community Event from former workers of a factory in Kandal province’s Ang Snuol district who began working at Horizon. Sinath said: “So far, we have been discussing with the district authorities and other relevant officials whether or not to temporarily close Horizon Outdoor or take further action. The decision will be announced later.” The Takeo Provincial Administration announced 48 new cases of Covid-19 infections yesterday with most cases of garment workers at the Sunbo factory in Bati district. Authorities said that factory workers and residents in contact with patients must undergo regular medical check-ups at least twice a day and quarantine from family members by staying in a private room. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported 345 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the total number in the Kingdom to 22,889. Of the new cases, one was imported and the rest are linked to the February 20 Community Event. The ministry also announced two more people have died of Covid-19, bringing the total number of fatalities to 156. The ministry also recorded 1,337 recoveries, bringing the total number to 14,343. – Khmer Times
Man dies in regime custody in Bago after being shot during raid on restaurant
A man died in custody after regime forces shot and then detained him during a raid on a restaurant in the city of Bago on Monday afternoon, his relatives said. Htet Zaw Win, who was 26 and also went by the name Nyan Sue, was eating lunch at the Athen restaurant when the raid began. “Police and soldiers opened fire when they entered the restaurant,” said a relative of Htet Zaw Win who also witnessed the incident. “He tried to run away but he was shot from behind. He was shot in the buttock and fell down.” A 14-year-old boy was also arrested during the raid, the relative said. Myanmar Now was unable to obtain further details about the boy or his current status. Just hours later, at around 5pm, an official from the local ward administration office informed Nyan Sue’s family that he was dead and told them to come and retrieve his body from the morgue at Bago Hospital. Family members took the body at around 8am on Tuesday and will hold a funeral on Wednesday, said the relative, who requested anonymity for security reasons. Police in Bago could not be reached for comment. Bago’s residents have suffered some of the worst violence at the hands of the regime for their pro-democracy protests in the wake of the February 1 coup. Dozens were reported killed on April 9 after soldiers crushed a major protest stronghold in the city’s Ma Ga Dit ward in a pre-dawn attack. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said it had confirmed 82 deaths from the crackdown. There are fears the actual number is higher as many who were wounded did not receive medical treatment after regime forces took control. The coup regime has now killed over 800 people nationwide since it seized power. – Myanmar NOW
Over 9.24 million Indonesians fully vaccinated against COVID-19
The number of Indonesians receiving their second dose of the coronavirus vaccine rose by 180,618 on Tuesday, taking the tally of fully vaccinated recipients to 9,247,600, according to the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling. Meanwhile, the number of people receiving their first COVID-19 jab increased by 140,920 on Tuesday, taking the total count to 13,951,975, it reported. According to the task force, 34.57 percent of the 40,349,049 recipients targeted under the first and second phases of the vaccination program have received their first vaccine dose so far. Meanwhile, 22.91 percent of the 40,349,049 targeted recipients have been vaccinated against COVID-19, it added. The recipients targeted under the two phases of the vaccine program include 1,468,764 healthcare workers, 21,553,118 senior citizens, and 17,327,167 public service officers. Altogether, the government is planning to vaccinate 181.5 million citizens, or 70 percent of the population, to create herd immunity against the virus. To speed up the nationwide program, the government has made efforts to increase the vaccination capacity. – AntaraNews.Com