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.
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Malaysia's Court of Appeal upholds ex-PM Najib Razak's conviction in 1MDB-related case
Malaysia’s Court of Appeal on Wednesday (Dec 8) upheld a High Court’s decision to convict former prime minister Najib Razak on all seven charges and sentence him to 12 years' jail in the RM42 million (S$13.6 million) SRC International case.
The verdict was delivered through a “hybrid-style” hearing by Justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who said that the decision to convict Najib of all seven counts in the trial last July was correct.
This was manifested by the flow of the RM42 million from SRC International into the former premier’s personal bank account. - Straits Times
Lockdown 'unlikely', insists PM
Another Covid-19 lockdown is unlikely despite the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted on Tuesday, quelling fears among the business community that their revenue could take another hit during the peak season.
"Hopefully, this coming New Year will be a happy time. We haven't had that festive happiness for two years because of Covid-19," Gen Prayut said, sounding a note of optimism after the first case of the highly transmissible strain was confirmed in the kingdom on Monday from a visiting American citizen.
"After all everything now depends on how effective the Covid Free Setting and other measures are. If there is no new spread of the virus, who would ever close or lock down [activities] again? No one would," the prime minister said. - Bangkok Post
Duterte inks EO regulating drug, medicine prices
The prices of drugs and medicines used to address the leading causes of morbidity in the country will now be regulated to ensure that these will remain affordable, according to a new executive order (EO) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
EO 155, signed by Duterte on Tuesday, sets the maximum retail price (MRP) and/or maximum wholesale price (MWP) on 34 drug molecules or 71 drug formulas used in agents affecting bone metabolism, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-angina, antiarrhythmics, anti-asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medicines, antibiotics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, antidiabetic drugs, antidiuretics, and antiemetics.
Also covered by the EO are drug molecules and formulas utilized in anti-glaucoma, anti-hypercholesterolemia medicines, antihypertensive medicines, anti-neoplastic/anti-cancer medicines, antiparkinsons drugs, drugs for overactive bladders, growth hormone inhibitors, immunosuppressant drugs, iron chelating agents, and psoriasis, seborrhea, and ichthyosis medicines. - Philippine News Agency
Retailers invest in tech as contactless payments become a trend
With contactless payment becoming increasingly common in HCM City due to people’s fear of COVID-19, retail firms are investing more and more in digital infrastructure.
The first Vietnamese digital platform for retail necessities, G Market, was launched in HCM City by Grove Fresh Group in collaboration with the city Department of Industry and Trade.
It offers over 10,000 key necessities through a close-ended ‘Farm-Factory-Hub-Door’ process. - Vietnam News
Cambodia tightens measures with an Omicron case in Thailand
To prevent people in Cambodia, especially to protect the vulnerable group from contracting the new variant, Omicron, the government has further strengthened its National Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan with Thailand reporting its first case.
Recognising the threat Omicron may pose to the people, Ministry of Health spokesman Hok Kim Cheng told Khmer Times yesterday that the ministry has issued an additional set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) so that this new variant does not enter the country and community.
The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) is currently reported in at least 38 countries based on the World Health Organization report. - Khmer Times
Junta soldiers massacre and burn 11, including teenagers, during raid on village in Sagaing
Eleven unarmed people, including teenagers, were captured and massacred by junta soldiers in a village in Sagaing Region on Tuesday, shortly before locals found the smoldering remains of their burnt bodies.
Some 100 soldiers raided Done Taw in Salingyi Township at around 11am after guerrilla fighters detonated explosives in an attack against a military convoy travelling nearby, local media reported.
Villagers found the badly charred bodies of the 11 victims in a pile, some with their hands tied, leading many to assume they were burned alive. - Myanmar NOW
Mahfud, Army chief discuss Papua security situation
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD met with Army Chief of Staff General Dudung Abdurachman at the former’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss security arrangements in Papua province.
Mahfud said the government has continued to hold dialogues to deal with various problems in Papua using welfare approaches, in accordance with Presidential Instruction No. 9/2020 on accelerating welfare development in Papua and West Papua and Law No. 2/2021 on Papua’s special autonomy.
“We will use welfare approaches in which the government will focus its resources, including apparatuses, personnel, and funds, on developing welfare in a collaborative and comprehensive manner in accordance with the Presidential instruction," Mahfud said following the meeting with Abdurachman. - AntaraNews.Com
Laos Confirms 1,209 New Cases of Covid-19 and Five Deaths
Laos has recorded 1,209 cases of Covid-19 across the country today, with five new deaths confirmed.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control reported that 10,593 tests were conducted across the country over the last 24 hours, with 1,209 new cases confirmed.
There were 1,209 cases of community spread across the country. - The Laotian Times