These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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S'pore boy, 16, wrongly given Moderna Covid-19 vaccine meant for those 18 and above
A 16-year-old boy was wrongly given the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday (June 3), but he is not expected to suffer any safety issues. The mistake was discovered at Kolam Ayer Community Club vaccination centre when its staff identified that the boy was under 18 years of age after he had been given the shot. In a joint statement, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that vaccination centre staff should have checked his age during registration, and apologised for the inconvenience and anxiety caused. "As an additional precaution, he was placed under a longer (post-vaccination) observation time of 50 minutes, and remains generally well," the statement said. The Moderna vaccine has not been authorised for use in Singapore for those under 18. Investigations found that the teenager's date of birth was wrongly entered when booking a vaccination appointment after receiving the sign-up link. This resulted in his age being incorrectly registered as above the age of 18, making it possible for a Moderna vaccination centre to be selected. Both ministries said that they took a serious view of the incident. "We apologise for the inconvenience and anxiety caused, and have reached out to the youth's parents to explain the situation. "The expert committee for Covid-19 vaccination has reviewed this case, and does not expect him to suffer any safety issues from this incident," the statement said. The medical team will consult the committee on what would be best for the youth for the completion of the vaccination. The committee added that data from a trial involving more than 3,700 adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States found that the Moderna vaccine is safe and effective for them, with no significant safety issues identified. "The majority of adverse events were mild or moderate in severity, and the common ones were injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and chills," it said. Meanwhile, MOH is conducting a thorough review of internal processes at vaccination centres to prevent a recurrence. – The Straits Times
Private hospitals pessimistic they will get Covid-19 vaccines anytime soon
Though pleased with the government's announcement for them to purchase Covid-19 vaccine, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) is nevertheless not encouraged on how fast it will be for them to play a role in the National Immunisation Program (NIP). APHM President Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh attributed this to the limited availability of the vaccines and how some have yet to be registered by the National Pharmaceutical Registration Agency (NPRA). "We welcome the announcement made by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) that now State governments and private hospitals can purchase Covid-19 vaccines other than those used in the NIP. "However, we understand that at this current moment the availability of vaccines is limited and based on the current numbers of infected persons and the infectivity rate, the importance of urgent vaccination for all categories of age is essential to achieve early herd immunity. "We are pessimistic that the procurement of private vaccines will occur at the earliest time particularly with the vaccines that are yet to be registered by the NPRA." Dr Kuljit added that based on the scarcity of the vaccines and the processes involved in the registration, there is a bleak chance of getting the vaccines before September or October. "It would be rather futile to wait for these privately procured vaccines if the aim is to enhance herd immunity unless there are some changes made to the approval system," he said in a statement today. He said private hospitals are now working with the NIP to vaccinate the public using all types of vaccines purchased by the government. "More than 100 private hospitals will be participating together with all the government vaccine centres following the list of vaccinees from MySejahtera. We feel at this point of time our contribution to assist the government in this way is more realistic than trying to procure our own vaccines," he said. Dr Kuljit said in the future should there be a yearly vaccination programme providing booster doses for Covid 19, the private hospitals will then be ready with various types of vaccines for private consumption. "We now encourage the public to register with the National Immunisation Program using the MySejahtera application to get the vaccination. "The government will have various plans to help vaccinate different groups of citizens and residents and private hospitals will participate accordingly," he said. – New Straits Times
PM puts focus on tourism
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will today chair a meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration and discuss a detailed plan to drive the reopening of the country's tourism industry. The meeting via video-conference will also discuss economic stimulus and investment-promoting measures. Details and progress to prepare to reopen the country's key tourist destinations in provinces that will take part in the pilot phase will be presented and discussed at today's meeting, along with those of other economic stimulus and investment promotion measures, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri on Thursday. New measures designed to boost confidence among foreign investors in Thailand's real-estate sector will also be among the investment promotion measures to be rolled out, he said. Before the pandemic, the Thai tourism industry saw 40 million visitors annually, generating revenue of about two trillion baht a year. Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that from Oct 1, 10 provinces seen as popular tourist destinations will not have to impose Covid-19 quarantines on visitors. The provinces are Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phangnga and Buri Ram. The combined tourism income of these 10 provinces in 2019 stood at 1.5 trillion baht and that was the reason why they have been selected to join the pilot reopening programme, to run from Oct 1 until Dec 31. However, while the government appears confident in the planned tourism reopening that will begin with Phuket's so-called "sandbox" programme, tourism operators on the resort island cast doubts over whether the launch on July 1 is possible. The government agencies involved in the Phuket reopening do not appear to be ready for the reopening yet while there are only 28 days left until its launch, said Bhummikitti Raktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, on Thursday. "The problem is we have been asked a lot lately by interested parties in other countries as to what the exact conditions of this tourism programme are. But we cannot really answer these questions even though there are just 28 days left," he said. "If things are still left so unclear, the Phuket sandbox won't likely happen as planned," he said. Despite the call by Phuket's tourism business operators for a waiver of quarantine for tourists who visit Phuket after having already been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the government first said the quarantine period would be lowered to seven days. However, it later switched back to 14 days, he said. What local tourism business operators now need the most is clarity from all government agencies, he said. – Bangkok Post
Another Duterte for president? ‘I don’t believe gov’t position is inherited’ – Isko
“Ang demokrasya ang taumbayan ang pumipili, hindi ipinipilit yung mga kalahi niya.” (Under a democracy, it is the people who decide. You cannot force your relatives to succeed you.) Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno had this to say Friday as he expressed the belief that government positions are not inherited amid talks of another Duterte family member running for president in the upcoming 2022 national polls. In a television interview, Moreno was asked about his thoughts about another Duterte leading the country as speculations are rife that Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte is eyeing the presidency. “Ayokong pangunahan ang taumbayan sa pagpili nila ng kanilang lider. But I hope they will not be called stupid later on,” Moreno said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart. (I do not want to pre-empt the public in choosing their leader. But I hope they will not be called stupid later on.) Asked if this will not be a case of political dynasty, Moreno said: “There is presence, clear presence of political dynasty at hindi ako naniniwala na ang position sa gobyerno minamana, in a democratic government.” (There is presence, clear presence of a political dynasty but I don’t believe that a government position is inherited under a democratic government.) “Ang demokrasya ang taumbayan ang pumipili, hindi ipinipilit yung mga kalahi nya pagkatapos na niya. Hindi ako naniniwala dyan and I am not gonna vote for that as a voter and I disagree as a citizen of this country,” Moreno said. (In a democracy, it is the people who choose. You cannot force your relatives to succeed you. I do not believe that and I am not going to vote for that as a voter and I disagree as a citizen of this country.) Moreno was among the names that President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned as his possible successor, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Other possible successors aside from Davao City Mayor Duterte are the President’s long-time aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and former senator Bongbong Marcos. The possibility of another member of the Duterte family taking over the presidential seat was fuelled after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said there is “no doubt” in his mind that Davao City Mayor Duterte will be running in next year’s elections. – INQUIRER.net
VN successfully negotiated to buy 170 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines
Viet Nam will secure a total of 170 million COVID-19 vaccinations in the future, Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong told a government meeting on Thursday. He said although no clear delivery date had been set, more inoculations will begin to arrive in Viet Nam from August. But he said that because Viet Nam had done so well containing the virus compared with other parts of the world, vaccine manufacturers could prioritise those countries more in need. The ministry was tasked to import at least 150 million doses to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population aged 18 and over. To buy the vaccines in the fastest way, the Government created favourable conditions for businesses, corporations and localities to import vaccines, he said. There were two ways for businesses to buy vaccines he said, donating money to the COVID-19 Vaccine Fund or directly importing from trusted sources. “Vaccines are now imported in a state of emergency with the quality guaranteed by the manufacturer,” he said. The deputy minister added that although the vaccines were normally certified by the World Health Organisation or other countries, Viet Nam must still monitor and evaluate results. “We must accept that the vaccines have been certified by the World Health Organisation or certified by some European countries, the US and Russia,” he said. Deputy Minister of Finance Ta Anh Tuan said that although the need to secure more vaccinations was crucial, the cost to purchase enough doses to inoculate the whole population was huge. “According to preliminary calculations, the cost of buying and injecting vaccines is about VND25 trillion (US$1.08 billion),” Tuan said. He also pointed out that the additional cost of annual booster injections would need to be factored into the amount. The Party and State would use the State budget and legal funds through socialisation to buy and vaccinate the people, he said. Following the Government's direction, the finance ministry has established a dedicated vaccine fund. The ministry also issued a decision to establish a fund management board, as well as ensuring transparency, he said. “The fund's balance is currently at almost VND104 billion ($4.5 million),” he said, adding that a further donation received of about VND1 trillion ($43.1 million) would be added to the fund. Tuan said they would work with a number of other companies, under the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises, which have pledged a further VND2 trillion ($86.2 million). Private enterprises have also offered support to the fund, he added, and he encouraged individuals and organisations to donate. – Viet Nam News
Shut down again: Covid-19 surge prompts second closure of businesses
The fallout from the February 20 Community Event continues to rain misery in the capital as infections keep growing, forcing authorities to impose some restrictions again. Just two weeks after being allowed to reopen after a lengthy lockdown, businesses such as restaurants now have to bite the bullet again for two weeks from yesterday until June 16. In a directive issued later on Wednesday night, Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng said business which pose a high risk of Covid-19 transmission will have to be suspended in order to bring the situation under control. On May 21, all markets, restaurants, cafeterias, food stalls, beverage outlets and food and beverage businesses of all kinds were allowed to operate as normal with health measures put in place. Restaurants which had been limited to providing only delivery or takeaway services were allowed to welcome back dine-in customers. However, the surge of between 600 and 700 Covid-19 cases in the capital daily has now forced Phnom Penh City Hall to re-impose curbs. “We are still in a worrying situation, so we are suspending some business activities that are not absolutely necessary. Only essential businesses that provide key services to the people will be allowed to operate,” Sreng told Khmer Times yesterday. He added that authorities in all 14 districts should conduct checks to see if businesses which are not allowed to operate are complying with the restrictions. Sreng said if it is found that citizens or business owners are violating the measures, the local authorities must apply administrative sanctions and the law. This includes publicly naming the violators in accordance with the law on measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the relevant legal norms without exception. Sorak Borey, a restaurant owner, told Khmer Times yesterday that the City Hall’s decision to suspend the business again means he will face many problems, including paying staff salaries and rental. He added that during the previous lockdown and curfew, he had lost almost all of his income. “I was very upset after receiving the news that the City Hall has suspended the business activities again for 14 days, because I depend on my income from running my restaurant at night,” Borey said. Daun Penh District Governor Sok Penh Vuth on Wednesday night led the district’s administrative Unity Command to inspect and crack down on prohibited businesses, including clubs, bars and other businesses that violate the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism. Penh Vuth said that in order to stop the spread of Covid-19 disease in the community, he has to stop some business activities which have a high risk of transmission. During the crackdown the inspection team decided to close the businesses of restaurants playing loud music at night in two locations in Phsar Kandal I and Chey Chumneah communes. – Khmer Times
NUG releases statement recognising Rohingyas’ right to citizenship
The National Unity Government (NUG) released a statement on Thursday in an effort to dispel doubts about its position on the status of the Rohingya in Myanmar. In the statement, the NUG suggested that the country’s 1982 Citizenship Law, which has been blamed for reducing the Rohingya to statelessness, could be repealed once a new constitution has been drafted. In its place, it said, would be a new law that would “base citizenship on birth in Myanmar or birth anywhere as a child of Myanmar Citizens.” “The Rohingyas are entitled to citizenship by laws that will accord with fundamental human rights norms and democratic federal principles,” the statement added. The 27-member NUG has faced growing pressure to address the issue since it was formed in mid-April by ousted MPs and other prominent figures opposed to military rule. During a hearing on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar held by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 4, the NUG was challenged to commit to recognising the Rohingya as citizens of the country. “Will this government provide citizenship documents to all Rohingya born in Burma or refugee camps?” congressman Brad Sherman asked Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s permanent representative to the United Nations, during one exchange. Speaking on behalf of the NUG, Kyaw Moe Tun appeared to suggest that the parallel government’s policy would be based on the existing law, albeit in amended form. “For you to say ‘we’re going to carry out existing law’ would be like a post-Nazi government saying we’re going to carry out existing German law,” Sherman replied. The statement also addressed another issue that plagued the previous National League for Democracy (NLD) government – how to handle atrocities committed by the military during “clearance operations” that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh in 2017. Seeking to distance itself from the NLD’s stance, which was to defend the military against charges of genocide, the NUG said it would be willing to refer the matter to an international court. “We intend if necessary to initiate processes to grant International Criminal Court jurisdiction over crimes committed within Myanmar against the Rohingyas and other communities,” it said. The move was likely to stir some controversy among anti-regime activists, as a broad cross-section of Myanmar society is staunchly opposed to recognising the Rohingya as one of the country’s so-called “national races”. However, the NUG seemed to believe that under the current circumstances, many might be more receptive to the Rohingyas’ calls for justice and claims to citizenship. The entire nation, it said, is “sympathetic to the plight of the Rohingya as all now experience atrocities and violence perpetrated by the military.” – Myanmar NOW
Indonesian soldiers deployed in West Papua offered five flats
The XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command is striving to improve the welfare of soldiers stationed in West Papua by providing flats to them. The flats, built on a total area of 780 square meters inside the military command compound's complex in Manokwari, the capital of West Papua Province, was inaugurated on June 2. "We have been striving to improve the welfare of soldiers and their family members," Commander of the XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command Maj. Gen. I Nyoman Cantiasa stated. As their commander, Cantiasa noted in a press statement that ANTARA quoted here, Friday, that he must do his utmost efforts to improve his soldiers' welfare. Some 36 households will occupy the five flats. Each flat is equipped with two sleeping rooms, a guest room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. One of the recipients of the flats is Major Yosep Hadiat, commandant for transportation detachment at the regional military command. At the inaugural event, Hadiat was selected to receive the key for his unit. Cantiasa noted that the soldiers receiving the flats are expected to build happy families and strengthen social cohesion among flat mates. They are also demanded to keep their flats in a good and liveable condition, he noted, adding that the sixth flat would be built in the near future. Indonesian soldiers, stationed in Papua and West Papua, have demonstrated exemplary capability in maintaining peace and stability in both provinces for decades in their endeavours to safeguard the country's territorial integrity. The soldiers are chiefly tasked with ensuring peace and stability in the country's easternmost provinces. Along with their colleagues from the National Police, they are entrusted with enforcing the law against armed terrorist groups. They are, however, also requested to safeguard the government's development agenda in the provinces. Papua and West Papua are, for instance, reeling from a shortage of teaching staff on account of the fact that native Papuans not just reside in coastal areas but also in the remote mountainous and hilly areas. Consequently, the development of human resources in Papua and West Papua remains a tricky challenge, as the human development index of scores of these provinces remains lower than that of other Indonesian provinces. Referring to Indonesia's 2019 human development index, the scores of Papua and West Papua were recorded at 64.7 and 60.84 respectively. In dealing with this challenging reality, the soldiers, particularly those stationed near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) border areas, have frequently been assigned to serve as voluntary teachers at schools. – AntaraNews.Com