These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Anti-discrimination laws, allowing egg freezing among recommendations in PAP paper on women's issues
The People's Action Party's (PAP) women's wing and youth wing have called for workplace anti-discrimination laws and full flexibility for couples to share parental leave. Women should also be allowed to freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons, the PAP team said in a joint paper released on Thursday (July 29). The joint paper, which sets out a total of 12 recommendations aimed at improving women's development in Singapore, comes after the Government announced last September that it was embarking on a comprehensive review of issues related to women and gender equality. The review will culminate in an upcoming White Paper that will be introduced in Parliament later this year. In putting together the joint paper, the PAP team conducted dialogue sessions with about 1,500 people who raised issues facing women in schools, workplaces and at home. The recommendations will be submitted to the Government for its consideration in drafting the White Paper. The paper noted that existing frameworks, such as those under the Employment Act, offer women some protection against discriminatory actions like being dismissed without cause while pregnant. But it said more needs to be done to further reduce workplace discrimination, such as legislating the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to allow for stronger enforcement of these practices. The paper also recommended scaling up movements like SG Women in Tech to encourage girls and young women to enter and progress in growth sectors. It added that the Government, organisations and employers should work together to develop support packages and networks for women who wish to re-enter the workforce and rebuild their careers after taking a break to care for their children. The paper recommended several ways to shift the burden of caregiving in a more equitable direction while bolstering support for caregivers. The cap on the number of days of maternity leave that can be converted to paternity leave should be removed, the paper said, adding that this will give couples the freedom to decide which parent is best suited to caring for their young children. More financial support should be given to those caring for seniors. The paper recommended boosting the existing Home Caregiving Grant and creating a new scheme to help caregivers receiving the grant with their own retirement needs. Under the proposed scheme, the Government would match funds contributed by families to the Central Provident Fund account of the family member performing full-time caregiver duties. – The Straits Times
Contribution of 415,000 doses of AZ vaccines opens door for UK-Malaysia travel bubble, others
The United Kingdom's contribution of 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Malaysia has been seen as a foot in the door for both countries to work together on various matters including mutual vaccine recognition and travel bubbles. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysia was highly appreciative of the invaluable support extended by the UK and believed that the two countries could work together on many productive endeavours to weather the storm of this pandemic towards meaningful recovery. "On behalf of the Malaysian government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my counterpart Dominic Raab and the government of the United Kingdom for this generous contribution to Malaysia's Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme (NIP). "During my recent communication with him (Raab), he expressed his hope that this contribution would assist Malaysia in alleviating the prevailing pandemic situation," he said in a statement today. The senior minister also said such a gesture would further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and at various other levels. "This also includes collaboration on reciprocal vaccination arrangement and reciprocal travel bubble," he said, adding that such a contribution would accelerate the daily vaccination rate under NIP. Hishammuddin also said the generosity shown was the epitome of the long-standing and strong relationship between both nations. UK daily The Telegraph reported Raab as saying that the country was committed to providing 100 million doses from the surplus of domestic supply to the poorest and most vulnerable countries around the world. Part of the first batch consisting of nine million AstraZeneca doses will start being sent out through the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) facility and will be delivered to Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya and Jamaica. – New Straits Times
Virus easing 'in 4-6 weeks'
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hopes the Covid-19 situation in the country will ease in the next four to six weeks, a source said, amid public concerns over a rise in daily coronavirus cases. "I hope the situation will improve in the next four to six weeks based on the current medical evidence," the source quoted Gen Prayut saying during an online meeting as the infection rate set another daily record of 16,533 new cases, along with 133 fatalities on Wednesday. "But I am concerned about the public use of antigen test kits. I am not sure whether they know how to use them properly," Gen Prayut reportedly said. Gen Prayut, in his capacity as the director of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired an online meeting attended by governors of 12 "dark-red zone" provinces -- Pathum Thani, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Ayutthaya, Chanchoengsao, Samut Prakan, Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, and Songkha. The urgent meeting was held because Gen Prayut wanted to better understand how each governor was managing the Covid-19 situation, said Anucha Burapachaisri, government spokesman. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other agencies were involved but the Bangkok governor did not attend. The prime minister told the governors to update the government on their problems so the government could step in to fix them. They were also instructed to monitor and prevent transmissions caused by people moving across provinces. During the meeting, each governor reported how they were handling Covid-19 infections. For example, the Chachoengsao governor said that a bubble and seal method was adopted to control infections at factories and worker camps which are main clusters in the province, with workers travelling from other provinces such as Samut Prakan. Some factories were ordered closed for 14 days, the governor said. The meeting agreed the bubble and seal approach should be applied to provinces with Covid-19 clusters breaking out at factories. During the meeting, Gen Prayut asked the governors whether the number of daily infections in their provinces had dropped at all, but none had any reply, the source said. Gen Prayut said that they must publicise the number of people who had recovered and were discharged from hospitals, which in turn shows the number of hospital beds available for new patients, the source said. Mr Anucha added that Gen Prayut told the meeting that the government is not sitting idle, adding that it has assigned the Public Health Ministry to adjust its policy to treat Covid-19 patients under home isolation or community isolation. Mr Anucha said Gen Prayut insisted the country is not facing a shortage of medical supplies, including medicine and oxygen tanks. He pledged to provide support for all provinces, insisting Covid-19 vaccines will still be distributed to provinces as per government policy. Mr Anutin gave an assurance that from next month onwards, an average of 10 million vaccine doses will be procured per month and an average of 1 million doses will be administered per day. The doses will be distributed to all target areas designated by the CCSA. Meanwhile, Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, deputy chairman of a Senate committee on public health, said on social media there may be about 400,000-500,000 asymptomatic cases in Bangkok. Symptomatic cases account for 20% of infections while asymptomatic cases account for up to 80%, Dr Chalermchai said. Even though RT-PCR tests are reliable, they have capacity constraints and are expensive, limiting large-scale use. Therefore, most of the new daily cases were those detected in hospitals and medical facilities while the number of cases defected from proactive mass testing were lower, he said. – Bangkok Post
OCTA Research floats MECQ, MECQ ‘flexi’ in NCR to curb COVID-19 Delta variant
The government may want to consider placing Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) or a “flexible” MECQ to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, OCTA Research said Thursday. “Pwede namang pag-usapan ‘yung kahit MECQ or MECQ flexi,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo when asked what quarantine classification the research group was recommending. David said they met with some business consultants who also favoured the implementation of “MECQ flexi”, which they said should allow vaccinated individuals in Metro Manila to go out. “Pwede namang i-discuss ‘yun. Pwede naman tayong maging creative sa strategies. Hindi naman kailangan na hard lockdown. Pwede rin naman na hard lockdown kung ‘yun ang gusto ng national government,” said David. (It can be discussed. We can be creative in our strategies. It may not be a hard lockdown. But the national government may implement a hard lockdown if it wants to.) “Kami, nag-rerecommend lang. Ang sinasabi lang natin ay base sa nakikita nating datos – and we are just being transparent – tumataas pa rin siya [cases]. Dapat hanapan natin ng paraan para mapigilan,” he added. (We just give recommendations. What we are just saying based on data – and we are just being transparent – is that cases are still increasing. We should look for ways to prevent the increase.) A “flexible” MECQ was recommended by mayors of Metro Manila in April this year when COVID-19 cases also spiked. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos explained that time that a flexible MECQ is a “middle ground” between MECQ and a looser general community quarantine, meaning strict border control and health protocols will still be implemented but more activities will be allowed. OCTA Research earlier recommended a “circuit-breaking” lockdown or an early lockdown in order to stem the further spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the country. The research group explained that an early lockdown will be a shorter lockdown as it would effectively bring down the cases ahead of time. According to OCTA Research, hospitals in Metro Manila could be overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases by the end of August if an early lockdown is not imposed, considering how fast the Delta variant spreads. – INQUIRER.net
US, Vietnamese defence chiefs stress peaceful resolution of South China Sea issues
Vietnamese Minister of Defence, General Phan Van Giang, and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin, have underlined the need to respect international law in the South China Sea (known in Viet Nam as the East Sea) during talks in Ha Noi on Thursday. The two defence chiefs said they are linked by a mutual understanding of the importance of respecting the legal rights of coastal countries, and a belief in the resolution of disputes and conflicts via peaceful means. The two countries have a shared belief in the maintenance of peace, stability, security, order and freedom of flight and navigation in waterways and oceans in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a statement from the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence said. The two defence leaders also noted their appreciation for the results of cooperation between the two defence ministries, particularly regarding addressing the legacies of the war including searching for soldiers missing in action, efforts to remove landmines, and ameliorating the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin; as well as resolving non-traditional security issues like COVID-19 prevention and control, search and rescue efforts, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and supporting Viet Nam’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The US Secretary of Defence also announced it would supply medical equipment support to aid Viet Nam’s COVID-19 prevention efforts. The trip by the US official also reaffirmed U.S. support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Viet Nam that contributes to international security. The two ministers agreed to continue to boost cooperation as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding on Advancing Bilateral Defence Cooperation in 2011 and the Viet Nam-US Joint Vision Statement on Defence Relations signed in 2015. These agreements give priority to overcoming the consequences of war, enhancing the capacity of law enforcement at sea, cooperation in military medicine to tackle COVID-19, training, as well as understanding the capabilities and needs of each party with regards to their respective defence industries. Austin also agreed to focus on accelerating the dioxin decontamination project at Bien Hoa Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai to ensure the schedule is met, along with other humanitarian projects in Viet Nam and support projects for Vietnamese law enforcement at sea. During the talks, the two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern – especially traditional and non-traditional security threats in the region. They also stressed the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in promoting cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting plus Russia, China, US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India (ADMM+) to maintain peace in the region and in the world. At the end of the talks, the two defence ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in locating, recovering, and identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs. They also exchanged war memorabilia and artefacts. Prior to the meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart, Lloyd Austin, had paid a visit to Hoa Lo Prison, which was originally built by the French to detain Vietnamese revolutionaries during the colonial era and then held American prisoners of war during the Resistance War Against America. "I wanted to make sure one of my first stops in Viet Nam was to the Hoa Lo Prison in Ha Noi. It is a visible reminder of the cost of war, and why our strong bilateral partnership with Vietnam today is rooted in our shared sacrifice," he said via Twitter. – Viet Nam News
Curfew declared in Phnom Penh, all cities and provincial capitals effective midnight Thursday to August 12
A curfew from 9pm to 3am will come into effect from Friday 30th of July to August 12, in one of the Government’s harshest measure to date to try and arrest the spike in COVID-19 cases – particularly the ‘Delta’ variant which is threatening to run loose in the country. Documents released by the Government at 2200 hours on 27 July state that the curfew is needed to prohibit and curb unwarranted activities which causes people to congregate and, in the process, unwittingly aid in the spread of the COVID-19 virus, in particular, the Delta Variant. Previous curfew declarations were limited in scope and areas. However, this time, it extends beyond the capital city Phnom Penh, encompassing all cities across the nation and all provincial capitals – highlighting the gravity of the COVID-19 situation in the country, despite declining community infection numbers the past two days. In addition to the curfew, re-imposition of the three colour coded zones to identify the hardest hit COVID areas will also be re-enforced, Red being severe, Orange with limited movement and Yellow for all clear. – Khmer Times
No help from junta as floods sweep south eastern Myanmar
Junta-controlled authorities have offered no help as floods have inundated homes in south-eastern Myanmar, leaving at least hundreds without shelter in the Mon State capital of Mawlamyine and the border town of Myawaddy, local charities said. Rescue efforts have been self-organised and supported by volunteers, they said, while authorities have failed to set up flood relief camps or provide food aid to those affected. Residents in the Mawlamyine neighbourhoods of Zayar Thiri, Zayar Myaing, Thaya Aye and Hlaing were evacuated after the Salween River burst its banks on Monday, the leader of a charity group in the city told Myanmar Now. “There is no relief camp right now,” said a representative from another Mawlamyine charity. “We delivered steamed rice, eggs and Ma Ma instant noodles to those who could still live upstairs. We donated food along with individual donors.” Since the floods started on Monday, some 26 people believed to have died from Covid-19 have been cremated at the local cemetery in Mawlamyine, according to both charities. “According to our list, the dead are of various ages,” said the representative. Five neighbourhoods in Myawaddy near the Thai border, and three in Kyainseikgyi in Kayin State, were also inundated and residents have been evacuated by local charity groups, according to a resident and a volunteer. “There are about 1,000 flood victims. The military has not provided assistance yet. Only free funeral service groups came, and they rescued every victim,” said a Myawaddy resident. It is unclear if anyone has been killed by the floods and the exact number of people who have been evacuated across the region is still unknown. Myanmar Now was unable to reach junta officials for information about their response to the floods. Heavy rains are expected to continue in Mon State and Tanintharyi Region until August 1, according to the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. – Myanmar NOW
Optimize state budget to dispose COVID-19 medical waste: President
President Joko Widodo has urged administrators to optimize the available budget for disposing COVID-19 medical hazardous and toxic (B3) waste, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar has said. "The projected budget for the plan is Rp1.3 trillion. The President has instructed to exercise the budget for incinerators and other related facilities. He has also urged to read all medical waste management instruments and ensure they run well,” the minister informed at an online press conference following a limited meeting on COVID-19 medical B3 waste management with the head of state. The press conference was broadcast through the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel here on Wednesday. President Widodo has also asked regional governments to help construct waste destroyers, such as incinerators, shredders, and other similar equipment, Bakar said. He has ordered that any available budget -- General Allocation Fund, Special Allocation Fund, Profit Sharing Fund, or COVID-19 Task Force fund -- be utilized to support the project, she added. According to data obtained by the ministry, the volume of COVID-19 medical waste generated in the country reached 18,460 tons as of July 27, 2021. The waste originated from medical centers, emergency hospitals, monitored-isolation and self-quarantine facilities, diagnostic test laboratories, as well as vaccination sites, it said. However, Bakar said the data was incomplete as the association of Indonesian hospitals has reported 383 tons of medical waste being dumped each day. Indeed, the national waste management facilities have a capacity to process up to 493 tons of waste each day, she said. However, most of the waste is concentrated in Java Island, she noted. COVID-19 medical B3 waste comprises used alcohol swabs, bandages, face shields, gloves, hazmat suits, infusions, masks, medical suits, personal protective equipment (PPEs), syringe needles, vaccine bottles, as well as RT-PCR and rapid antigen test tools, she informed. – AntaraNews.Com