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.
Improving education system: ‘Let people rate our achievements’
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik may not have had the strongest of starts since Pakatan Harapan took over the government last year, but he believes he has made improvements to the education system since then.
The implementation of the Zero Reject Policy and allowing undocumented children to enrol in government and government-assisted schools are among the achievements he is proud of. – New Straits Times
DPM Heng Swee Keat pledges 4G leaders’ commitment to unions
In his first speech as Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat yesterday underlined that the close and symbiotic relationship between the labour movement and the People’s Action Party (PAP) will -continue with his generation of leaders, and beyond. – The Straits Times
Government hopes tax incentives can make more firms go public
The government has expressed hope that a number of fiscal incentives such as income tax reductions and low transaction taxes will further encourage local companies to hold initial public offerings (IPO) and float their shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). – The Jakarta Post
Future bright for workers, PM says
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remains bullish on the future of Thai workers, stressing how the employment rate is below 1%. Currently, fewer than 900,000 labourers in the kingdom are without a job, or less than 1% of the workforce of 38 million. – Bangkok Post
Unions seek say in labour laws as thousands mark May Day
The Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM), the country’s largest labour group, also urged the government to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention to end gender-based violence at work, which will take effect in June. – Myanmar Times
Incubator launched to support budding Muallaf entrepreneurs
The Al Barakah Darul Huda incubator was launched at the Mau’izhah Hall of the Islamic Da’wah Centre’s Darul Huda Building yesterday. The incubator was created by the Islamic Da’wah Centre, in collaboration with Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), as a hub for identified Muallaf (Muslim converts) entrepreneurs to learn skills necessary to start and manage their own food and beverage business. – Borneo Bulletin
Duterte: Pass laws protecting labour rights
President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress on Wednesday to pass measures that would protect workers’ right to security of tenure and self-organization, a move that labour leaders said was meant to quell the anger of protestors who marched on Labour Day. – Philippine Daily Inquirer