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.
Govt wants to export durian kampung
As the Musang King continues to enjoy popularity in China, the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry has taken another step to further boost durian exports by looking at the possibility of including durian kampung in the mix.
If the growing durian exports to China – as well as its production – are anything to go by, there is room for more, as the ministry mulls introducing a different variant and durian-based products to satiate the growing appetite of consumers there. – New Straits Times
New initiative to prepare North East residents for digital disruption, economic changes
The North East Community Development Council (CDC) has launched a new initiative to better prepare residents for digital disruption and changes to the economy.
The Get Ready package aims to bring together services from various agencies – including the People's Association, the Employment and Employability Institute, SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore – to provide "comprehensive support" in the areas of employment, employability and upskilling. – The Straits Times
Rise of Rama IV
Mushrooming mixed-use projects along Rama IV Road offer a glimpse of more hustle and bustle in the near future, with prospects of job creation and higher land prices in the making. But there are two sides to a coin. Turning Rama IV Road into a new hub of finance, commerce and residential looks set to bring more traffic congestion, garbage disposal problems and property oversupply. – Bangkok Post
North Sumatra Prosecutor’s Office investigates misuse of JKN funds by 40 hospitals
The North Sumatra Prosecutor’s Office is investigating 40 hospitals and clinics in North Sumatra suspected of misappropriating national health insurance (JKN) funds since 2014, with each institution believed to have misused as much as Rp five billion (US$357,980). A number of cases have been reported of patients complaining about having to pay for hospital services despite being covered by the insurance, which is run by the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan). – The Jakarta Post
Duque firm bagged DOH contracts
A pharmaceutical company owned by the family of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earned millions of pesos from several government contracts from the Department of Health (DOH) for the supply of medicines in public hospitals, official documents obtained by the Inquirer and shared by Senator Panfilo Lacson showed.
Duque’s appointment was an apparent breach of the law prohibiting conflict of interest among public officials. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
More surrogate mothers jailed in Cambodia
Cambodia is continuing to jail surrogate mothers. Three women were charged with human trafficking last week. After being detained in Vietnam they had been handed over to Cambodian authorities, allegedly carrying babies for foreign nationals. If convicted, they could be jailed for as long as 20 years. – Cambodia Daily