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.
Unmanned drones to be used for inspections at six reservoirs in Singapore
An unmanned drone will soon be a common sight at six reservoirs here, as part of national water agency PUB's efforts to leverage technology for its daily operations. A drone will first be deployed at MacRitchie and Marina reservoirs at the end of this month, with four others to be deployed at Serangoon, Kranji, Lower Seletar and Lower Peirce reservoirs in the third quarter of this year. In a statement on Thursday (May 27), PUB said that the drones are equipped with remote-sensing systems and a camera for near real-time video analytics. These features allow the drones to help observe water quality and also monitor water activities like fishing and paddling. The six reservoirs were chosen based on the agency's operational needs, as well as other factors like the size and accessibility of the reservoirs and the presence of water activities, said a PUB spokesman. For instance, Marina and MacRitchie reservoirs are popular for fishing and water activities, and using a drone there will allow PUB to monitor such activities more effectively, the spokesman added. Currently, PUB officers conduct patrols daily, during which they look out for excessive growth of aquatic plants and algal blooms, and also ensure that water activities are being carried out safely. PUB said that about 7,200 man-hours are spent on patrols every year at these six reservoirs. It estimates that about 5,000 man-hours will be saved by having unmanned drones assist the patrols. Mr Yeo Keng Soon, director of PUB's Catchment and Waterways Department, said: "With the drones, we can channel manpower to more critical works such as the inspection and maintenance of reservoir gates, as well as pump and valve operations. "The drones also act as an early warning system that enhances our response time to the myriad of issues that our officers grapple with on a daily basis." – The Straits Times
4PAM applauds quick action in terminating Tajuddin as Prasarana chairman
The Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) has lauded Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz for their quick action in terminating Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as Prasarana's non-executive chairman. 4PAM chairman Ajit Johl said the position should not be given to a politician as a reward mechanism. "4PAM is committed to its objective in ensuring the safety, protection, awareness, and rights of public transport users are always protected. "It is paramount that the next chairman of a public transport organisation has some experience in the business and understands the important role public transport plays in the country. "It requires a responsible and experienced person as it deals with thousands of human lives daily, with increasing needs, demands and a growing number of users," he said in a statement today. Ajit also urged the Transport Ministry to expand the number of people in the enquiry panel with more representation from public transport users and experts in the field to ensure a truly independent study can be carried out. "The findings of this study should be made public with the fundamental idea of seeking the cause of the mishap to ensure it never recurs. "We hope the government takes our pleas to form a Public Transport Ombudsman seriously, similar to the Financial Mediation Bureau, for the financial services industry. "This is required now because as people embrace public transport, there is an urgent need to provide public transport users with assurance that their safety, protection, awareness and rights will always be protected," he said. He also urged the victims of last Monday's Light Rail Transit (LRT) train collision to consult lawyers before taking any offer or signing any documents offered by Prasarana. 4PAM, he added, will be offering legal assistance to all victims of the accident. – New Straits Times
Jab regime gets shakeup
The government has revamped its Covid-19 vaccine allocation system and suspended the Mor Prom app to deal with emerging new clusters of Covid-19 and bottlenecks in registration. Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said yesterday the platform previously covered registration for vaccinations, follow-ups on the first and second jabs, checks on side effects and vaccination certification. Amid increasing public confusion, he said registration was now excluded from the Mor Prom (Doctors Ready) app. The platform will now handle vaccination follow-ups and certification only. Earlier the government announced the public would be allowed to register through Mor Prom. But Dr Taweesilp said each province should now have its own vaccination registration system like those of Bangkok, Phuket and Nonthaburi to serve the large numbers of registrants in their areas and prevent "bottlenecks" on the Mor Prom platform. However, no further information has been provided by the CCSA about how those who were not in the elderly group and the group with seven underlying diseases in provinces apart from Bangkok, Phuket and Nonthaburi would be able to register for vaccinations. The spokesman said the elderly and patients with one or more of seven chronic conditions who had already registered for vaccinations with Mor Prom would not have to reapply and would be inoculated "in due course". Their vaccinations would happen soon, he said. Dr Taweesilp went on to say that apart from using provincial registration systems, people will be able to apply for vaccinations at local hospitals and with local health volunteers. That data would be then forwarded to the centralised Mor Prom platform. He also said Covid-19 vaccines would be distributed according to the needs of different areas and groups of people. Areas with serious outbreaks and groups of at-risk workers would receive more doses. – Bangkok Post
NCR mayors push for A4 vaccination, ‘priority express lanes’ – MMDA
Mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) are pushing for the start of COVID-19 vaccinations for essential workers (those in the A4 category of vaccinees) as they also propose the creation of “express lanes” for the vaccination of medical front liners, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Thursday. MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. said this proposal was supported by the mayors of Metro Manila “100 percent” as they also want this to be implemented “as soon as possible.” “Itinutulak po ng mga alkalde na pati A4 ay bakunahan na, pati yung mga manggagawa,” Abalos said over Teleradyo. (The mayors are pushing for vaccination of A4 or the workers.) Abalos added that Metro mayors are also pushing for an “express lane” for vaccinees in the A1 (medical front liners), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (those with comorbidities) categories. “So ang mangyayari yung magiging proposal po, yung mga manggagawa, A4 binabakunahan, tapos magkakaroon pa lamang ng express lane dito sa A1, A2 and A3,” he explained. (What would happen is, while the workers are being vaccinated, there would be an express lane for A1, A2, and A3.) In a separate interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday, Abalos pointed out that the proposed fast lane “makes sense because the vaccinees belong to the priority” sectors. “Itong panukalang ito ay 100 percent sinusuportahan ng mga alkalde at hinihiling nga nila, na kung maaari sa madaling panahon ay implement na agad,” Abalos said in Teleradyo. (This measure is 100 percent being supported by our mayors, and they wish for it to be implemented as soon as possible.) Meanwhile, Abalos said the Metro mayors also agreed with the proposal of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to simplify the A4 category and include all workers, except those working from home. “Ang classification kasi ng A4 ay magulo eh, maraming nakalagay,” he said over CNN Philippines. (The A4 category is so confusing, so many are included.) “Sabi ng NEDA, simplehan na lang natin ito, (NEDA said let’s simplify this so) it would be all workers now, except working from home, that will be eligible now for vaccination,” he said. – INQUIRER.net
ASEAN aims to reach herd immunity against COVID-19 in 2022
ASEAN member countries are working towards accessing COVID-19 vaccine sources for large-scale immunisation campaigns in a bid to reach herd immunity in 2022, a workshop held online in Ha Noi on Wednesday was told. Vietnamese and foreign experts told the workshop that COVID-19 responding solutions and economic stimulus packages have also been sought with the hope to end negative measures of lockdown and social distancing and speed up economic recovery. The experts analysed the different moves adopted by ASEAN countries in dealing with COVID-19 as well as ASEAN cooperation in the endeavours, to offer policy recommendations to regional countries on how to fight the pandemic. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam, said Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have been hardest hit in ASEAN by recent outbreaks in April and May, with thousands of new infections reported each day, while Thailand has confirmed more than 100,000 cases and Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam are experiencing their toughest outbreaks so far. In this context, countries are tightening border management, she said, noting that new vaccines have been researched and produced around the world at an unprecedented pace and the COVAX facility, funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has also showed potential in building a multilateral and equal approach to vaccine distribution. Between 1 and 33 per cent of people in ASEAN member countries have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, she said. The official noted that Viet Nam has planned to form a US$1 billion COVID-19 vaccine fund while the National Assembly has set aside $500 million to speed up vaccine purchases from different sources. These are important strategies in COVID-19 prevention and control, she said, adding that Viet Nam is also working to produce its own vaccines. The UNDP highly valued Viet Nam’s initiative in registering with WHO to become a potential vaccine production hub to meet domestic and regional demand, she said. Wiesen stressed that Viet Nam is the only country in ASEAN and one of a few in the world to post positive economic growth in 2020. Research by the UNDP shows that Vietnamese people strongly support the Government in its COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, while medical staff and the community as a whole are working tirelessly on the task. Meanwhile, Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Huy Hoang from the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) told the workshop that Southeast Asia was one of the first regions affected by COVID-19. As of May 24, it had recorded more than 3.8 million COVID-19 infections and nearly 76,000 fatalities. ASEAN economies have been seriously damaged, he noted, adding that the rapid spread of the pandemic resulted in disruptions in supply chains while frozen demand has led to a slump in tourism, trade, and investment activities. The majority of economic activities have been interrupted and stagnated due to lockdown and social distancing measures. COVID-19 has also created social instability and a public health crisis, increasing poverty and unemployment rates as well as affecting people’s welfare in the mid-term, Hoang said, stressing that when the number of COVID-19 infections rise, countries will also face a shortage of medical equipment and staff. He believed emergency and public health agencies throughout ASEAN have promptly and regularly taken action, shared information and their best response measures at meetings on the pandemic. ASEAN leaders have proposed the re-allocation of resources for pandemic prevention and control, set up a fund for COVID-19 response, and standardised operational procedures in the field, he noted. Hoang asserted that to thoroughly control the pandemic, herd immunity is crucial, while more positive economic solutions are hoped to help regional countries recover faster. – Viet Nam News
Prison outbreak: Third prison outbreak raises concerns over C-19 spread
Kandal provincial authorities found 249 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, of which 106 were prison inmates, raising concerns over the safety of prisons with outbreaks, including Prey Sar and Sihanoukville. Kandal provincial governor Kong Sophorn said that quick action is essential to prevent transmission of the virus. Sophorn said that so far, Covid-19 patients in prisons have been carefully treated by doctors, while those who directly and indirectly affected have been isolated from other inmates to quarantine for 14 days. “We do not yet know the exact number of inmates who have been infected with Covid-19. Their samples have been sent to Phnom Penh for testing. However, we can control the situation without transferring any inmates to other prisons,” Sophorn said. General Department of Prisons spokesman Lieutenant General Nuth Savna told Khmer Times yesterday that regarding the Covid-19 outbreak in Kandal province, he observed that the provincial administration seemed to have good management and is taking care of all the patients very well, so he is not worried while the situation in this prison is still manageable. “We issued additional instructions last Sunday, immediately enforcing the inspections of each prison official in the provinces to see if they follow the Ministry of Health’s health guidelines or not. If not, they will face punishment,” he said. In another development, Por Senchey district authorities yesterday found more than 600 garment workers tested positive for Covid-19 over the last three days. Va Savoeun, Choam Chao III commune chief, told Khmer Times yesterday that 1,200 garment workers were tested on Sunday and 200 cases were positive for Covid-19. On Monday, 1,100 workers were tested with another 200 cases found positive and on Tuesday more than 2,000 people were tested and more than 200 people were diagnosed with Covid-19. “During these three days, the doctor’s team of Samdech Techo Youth Doctor Association (TYDA) in cooperation with the working group of Por Senchey district continued to take samples of the people, including the factory workers and some vendors and we found 600 cases of Covid-19,” Savoeun said. Savoeun said that after there was a severe outbreak of Covid-19 at the 7H Factory in Kakap II commune’s Trapeang Chrey village, the disease continued spread to Prey Tea market and parts of Prey Tea village in Choam Chao III commune because many garment workers stayed and worked in those areas. “I urge all citizens and factory workers who have been in direct or indirect contact with Covid-19 patients to hurry and take a sample test and to not try to escape causing others to get infected,” he said. – Khmer Times
Generals set to lose tens of millions of dollars as Total suspends Yadana gas pipeline dividend payments to Myanmar
Myanmar’s junta could lose tens of millions of dollars after French oil giant, Total announced yesterday that a hugely profitable gas pipeline company it owns with the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) has suspended dividend payments. Total, the operator and biggest shareholder in the Yadana offshore natural gas project, confirmed that “cash distributions” to shareholders of Moattama Gas Transportation Company (MGTC) “have been suspended”. MOGE is a Myanmar state-owned company which means that, since the coup, it has been under the control of the generals. It owns 15% of MGTC. The shock decision follows intense pressure from campaigners and opposition figures on Total and Chevron, the US oil firm which also owns a share of MGTC. Campaigners have urged extractive industry giants to come together and withhold all gas revenue payments to the junta. MGTC pipes natural gas from Yadana off the coast of Myanmar to Thailand and Yangon and is immensely profitable. Based in the Bermuda tax haven, MGTC’s financial details were kept secret for two decades until they were obtained by Distributed Denial of Secrets, a non-profit transparency collective, earlier this year. Analysed by Justice for Myanmar working with Finance Uncovered, the UK based journalism organisation, the MGTC accounts show that the company was so profitable it could afford to distribute dividends to shareholders worth an enormous $872.8 million in the three years to 2019. This means that MOGE, with a 15% stake in MGTC, received $130.9m during that period – or an average of $43.6m per year. It is this flow of money to MOGE that has been halted. It is not clear when the move would start to have a financial effect. Total said that the suspension began last month, which is the start of the new financial year in Myanmar. Dividends are normally paid in the middle or at the end of a financial year. The decision to suspend pipeline dividends would not affect other, bigger flows of gas revenues from the Yadana project to the junta, including Myanmar’s share of gas sales revenues as well as payments of royalties and corporate income tax. The decision by the shareholders of Moattama, which also includes PTTEP from Thailand, could set a precedent for other natural gas projects and other international businesses in partnership with Myanmar state entities. If this happened, it would spark considerable economic problems for the military generals. In its statement, Total said it will maintain “the production of gas in accordance with applicable laws, so as not to disrupt the electricity supply that is vital to the local populations of Myanmar and Thailand.” But earlier this week, interviews of Yadana workers seen by Myanmar Now suggested Total’s own workers would prefer gas production to stop in an effort to thwart the military. Total in its statement yesterday added that it “condemns the violence and human rights abuses occurring in Myanmar and reaffirms that it will comply with any decision that may be taken by the relevant international and national authorities, including applicable sanctions issued by the EU or the US authorities.” – Myanmar NOW
Over 10 million Indonesians fully vaccinated against COVID-19
With 99,353 people receiving COVID-19 jabs on Wednesday, the total number of fully vaccinated Indonesians reached 10,224,833, according to data provided by the Health Ministry. Meanwhile, as many as 205,692 people received their first vaccine dose on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people who have received their first shot to 15,535,998. The government is targeting to vaccinate 40,349,049 people, including healthcare workers, public service sector workers, and elderly citizens during the first and second phases of the national immunization program. Overall, the government is planning to vaccinate 181.5 million people, or about 70 percent of the population, to build herd immunity against the novel coronavirus disease. COVID-19 vaccinations are still being administered in several regions of Indonesia. As part of the implementation of the vaccination program, the government is also monitoring post-immunization follow-up incidents (AEFI). According to spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, investigations have shown that 27 deaths that were purportedly linked to the Sinovac vaccine turned out to have been caused by some other conditions. As many as 10 deaths were due to COVID-19, 14 were caused by heart and blood vessel disease, one death was linked to sudden kidney dysfunction, and two deaths occurred due to uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, he explained. – AntaraNews.Com