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.
Good progress in talks on reopening of S'pore-Malaysia land borders: MTI
The reopening of land borders between Singapore and Malaysia for quarantine-free travel could take place soon, with good progress in talks on this front.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Thursday (Nov 18) said it hopes to finalise details of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme soon for people travelling between Singapore and Johor.
"Many workers from both countries have not been able to see their families for many months, and they will be one of our priorities when we reopen the land borders, to allow them to reunite with their families," said an MTI spokesman, who did not specify a start date for the VTL. - Straits Times
National hospital bed utilisation at 70.6 per cent
The national hospital bed utilisation rate was reported at 70.6 per cent as of Thursday, based on data shared on the Health Ministry's CovidNow and GitHub.
The utilisation rate at four states was above 80 per cent, namely Terengganu that had used 80 per cent of its beds, Melaka (86 per cent), Kelantan (84 per cent) and Labuan (83.6 per cent) while the Klang Valley was at 63.9 per cent.
Over the past seven days, an average 1,232 hospital admissions were recorded, a three per cent increase compared to last week. - New Straits Times
Prayut welcomes US investment
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has welcomed pledges by American businesses to continue investing in Thailand which is being seen as recognition of the country's progress despite challenging times.
Gen Prayut on Thursday held a meeting with businessmen from the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (Amcham) via teleconference.
Speaking after the meeting, Gen Prayut said he discussed issues relating to Thailand's economic development, challenges and opportunities, and cooperation in times of Covid-19 and the post-Covid period. - Bangkok Post
PH reopening to fully vaxxed tourists before yearend
Fully vaccinated tourists from "green list" countries and territories may soon enter the Philippines once the Inter-Agency Task Force issues the guidelines that are expected to come out before the end of the month.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday said the IATF “has approved in principle the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from green list countries/territories/jurisdictions following the guidelines as may be finalized and approved" by the task force.
In a text message, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the IATF is set to meet this afternoon to discuss the protocols, which will be released "definitely by November." - Philippine News Agency
Prices increase despite pandemic restrictions easing
While most manufacturing enterprises resumed operations as pandemic restrictions were eased, significant challenges remain because of the rising cost of gasoline and raw materials. The price of consumer goods is expected to increase sharply as a result.
Dang Thi Phuong Ninh, Director of Duyen Hai Economic Development Company (Cofidec), told local media: "Every commodity has increased in price, in which, cooking oil is the ingredient with the highest increase, about 30 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2020 and is expected to increase even higher."
Ninh said prices of raw materials and accessories have increased since early this year and look set to continue to rise. - Vietnam News
PM calls for attention to health during incoming cold season
Prime Minister Hun Sen has appealed to his compatriots to pay attention to their respective health, especially to that of older persons.
“The first day of the Water Festival marks the end of rainy season and the beginning of cold season. Generally during cold season, cases of transmitted diseases will increase. Therefore, I’d like to appeal to people to take good care of their health, particularly that of older persons in their respective families,” said Hun Sen in a special voice message.
“We cannot overlook what’s going to happen. We need to be proactive. Even the armed forces, they have already been given jackets to keep them warm,” he added. - Khmer Times
Junta arrests former NLD legislator accused of leading attacks on regime targets
Former National League for Democracy (NLD) MP Phyo Zayar Thaw was arrested in Yangon on Thursday, according to party sources.
The former legislator was taken into custody by around 100 soldiers and police during a raid on an apartment in the Yadanar Hninsi Housing complex in Yangon’s Dagon Seikkan Township on Thursday afternoon, the sources said.
Phyo Zayar Thaw has been frequently named by the junta as a mastermind of recent attacks on regime targets in Yangon, along with Lwin Ko Latt, the home affairs minister of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG). - Myanmar NOW
Ministry urges ulemas to help prevent female genital mutilation
The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection has urged ulemas of Islamic boarding schools to build commitment toward preventing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
"The practice of FGM/C is a form of gender-based violence that is often carried out because it has become a doctrine or culture passed down from generation to generation in society," Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga said in a press release issued here on Wednesday.
The practice of FGM/C that has developed to this day is not based on medical indications and has not been proven to be beneficial for health, she stressed. - AntaraNews.Com