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.
Pioneer, Merdeka Generation seniors eligible for up to $900 in MediSave top-ups in July
Singaporeans from the Pioneer and Merdeka generations will receive MediSave top-ups of between $200 and $900 next month.
This year's MediSave top-ups will cost the Government $270 million, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health said in a joint statement on Monday (June 13).
The top-ups can be used to pay for MediShield Life and CareShield Life premiums and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, hospitalisation, day surgery and approved outpatient treatments. The MediSave top-up amount for each pioneer ranges from $250 to $900 annually, for life.
Singaporeans born between 1945 and 1949 will receive $250, and those born between 1940 and 1944 will get $500. Those born between 1935 and 1939 will receive $700; and those born in 1934 or earlier will get $900.
If they are aged 83 and above in 2022 and have serious pre-existing conditions, they will get an additional $50 (for those 83 to 87 years old) or $200 (for those 88 years old and above) annually, up to 2025, to help with higher MediShield Life premiums. The top-ups for pioneers will amount to about $170 million this year. The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced in 2014 to honour and thank this group of Singaporeans for their contributions during Singapore's early years.
The Merdeka Generation Package, meanwhile, encourages seniors born between 1950 and 1959 to stay active and healthy, and also aims to give greater assurance over healthcare costs.
It was announced in 2019 and provides these seniors with $200 in MediSave top-ups up to 2023. – Straits Times
Cyber security experts raise alarm over possible data breach involving millions of Malaysians
Concerns have been raised over a possible weak spot in Malaysia's cyber security system, which could potentially grant unscrupulous parties access to the data of millions of Malaysians.
The breach allegedly came in the form of an Open Systems Intelligence (OSINT) tool that is available on the publicly accessible Internet, which in theory would allow those with enough know-how access to people's personal data.
Experts claimed that while personal data of individuals had previously been available on the 'dark web', making the information easily procured on 'clearnet', or publicly accessible Internet, is a different ball game altogether.
The alleged data breach was highlighted by a social media user who goes by "Cyber Guardian" via the Twitter handle @Radz1112. The Twitter user claimed that using the tool, one could verify the data of a person including if he or she was working with the police or military, among others.
"There's an OSINT tool already out in the 'clearnet' that is using the leaked National Registration Department (NRD) database.
"All you need is someone's name and maybe birth year, and you can verify that they're working for the Malaysian police and/or military," the user said in a series of tweets that was also accompanied by screenshots of the alleged search made using the tool.
The user claimed that information related to the MySejahtera application could also be retrieved using the tool. However, the user claimed that one has to pay to get the information.
While none of the claims have yet to be verified, they have caught the attention of DAP Social Media Bureau chairman Syahredzan Johan.
"Yes, there is a site, accessible from a Google search, that will allow anyone to search a Malaysian by their name, IC (identification card number), and/or date of birth.
"If you search a person by name, their 'anggota' ID (identification) number will show up," the same user said in a Twitter exchange with Syahredzan.
The user also claimed that he received many private messages requesting for the website. – New Straits Times
Mae Sot 'perfect' for casino
Mae Sot district in Tak is "almost ready" to host an entertainment complex along the border with Myanmar, which will compete with a similar complex that opened in Myawaddy on Myanmar's side, according to a House committee.
Thepthai Senapong, a former Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat -- in his capacity as a member of a committee studying the feasibility of opening such a complex -- said the district is ready to open the complex, which is slated to include a casino. State agencies reported to the committee, as members visited the district for a forum meant to gauge local opinions on the complex.
The forum, however, was only attended by local government authorities and local leaders who will be directly involved in the project when it is approved. Boonlue Prasertsopar, a Bhumjaithai Party MP for Ratchaburi in his capacity as vice chairman of the committee, said Saturday's forum was intended solely for government organisations because it was only a preliminary hearing.
The feasibility study is still underway, he said.
Aimed primarily at curbing illegal gambling, the project is also a part of the government's push to develop an economic corridor along the border, said Mr Boonlue.
At this point, Mae Sot's infrastructure is perfect for the project, considering recent upgrades to the district's cargo transport and immigration checkpoints, as well as the area's transport infrastructure, such as a newly built four-lane road connecting the border with Muang district, said Mr Thepthai. Mae Sot airport has also been upgraded to receive international visitors, he said.
Certain hindrances, however, still need to be dealt with, he said.
As most land in Mae Sot district is owned by the state, there is little incentive for investors to invest as they won't be able to own the land. – Bangkok Post
QC sees possible spike in Covid-19 cases in next 2 weeks
The Quezon City local government raised its Covid-19 early warning level to “yellow” status after it recorded an average of 26 cases per day the past week.
According to the QC Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (QCESU) on Sunday, aside from the jump in average daily cases, two other indicators were also observed as of June 9.
The average positivity rate doubled to 3.10 percent from 1.50 percent from May 27 to June 2.
In addition, the estimated reproduction number climbed to 3.4 percent from 1.1 percent last week.
QCESU chief Dr Rolando Cruz said in a news release that there is a possibility that cases will spike further within the next two weeks under the current yellow status.
Cruz said their locally developed monitoring system is used for internal reporting only and should not be confused with the official alert levels issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
Under QC’s system, the white status is raised when Covid-19 cases are below average and all data indicators are considered stable. No surge of cases is expected in the next 14 days; yellow when cases are seen increasing compared to the previous week and when three of four indicators have increased from normal to above normal. There is a possibility of a surge within the next 14 days; and red when cases continue to rise and all other indicators remain high or have breached the indicated threshold. This indicates the start of a surge.
“Our local early warning system is helpful in assessing the pandemic within our city only. It aids our department as well as our city officials in the systematic monitoring of new cases, analysis of trends, and recommendation of strategic measures to prevent the further spread of infections. Official alert level announcements and general guidelines will still come from the IATF,” Cruz said.
As of this writing, Quezon City remains under Alert Level 1 according to the IATF, and is classified as “low risk” by the Department of Health. – Philippine News Agency
PM speaks with labourers, addresses work-related concerns
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday spoke with more than 4,500 workers nationwide and discussed their opinions on a number of work-related issues.
The meeting was held online, with the Prime Minister speaking from the northern province of Bac Giang, and representatives of labour unions joining from 63 cities and provinces.
Prior to the discussion, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour had asked the labour unions to conduct surveys and research to gather workers’ opinions and suggestions to the Party and State.
Nearly 10,000 questions and requests were collected from workers.
Speaking at the meeting, Chinh stressed the importance of the conversation, since in-person interactions between the Government leader and workers were limited in the last two years due to COVID-19.
The meeting aimed to help the Government understand the problems workers faced in work and daily life, so it was important that they speak up and contribute honest opinions to find the ideal solutions, he said.
The PM, together with leaders of provinces and cities, addressed and discussed issues raised by workers through the surveys.
Their concerns were divided into 10 groups, including the minimum wage increase from July 1, adjustments to social housing and social insurance policies, improving professional qualifications and skills for workers, and solving problems related to implementing preferential policies for workers that had had COVID-19. – Vietnam News
Record rainfall floods capital, causes chaos
Phnom Penh residents spent two days pelted by record heavy rainfall, which caused flooding along major boulevards, forcing vehicles to stop and stall, and in some cases, drivers couldn’t restart their cars, with strong winds blowing down trees and billboards, and damaging property.
On Friday, strong winds and heavy rainfall also knocked down billboards on Street 2004, injuring a Tuk Tuk driver, while trees blown over by the weather damaged houses, but no other injuries were reported.
National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) spokesman Soth Kimkolmony said yesterday that for two consecutive days from June 10-11, heavy rain dumped enough water on some areas in the capital to register record water levels of 111 millimetres for the two days. Some places were impassable to all traffic.
Kimkolmony added that the storms and water over the past two days hadn’t damaged people’s homes, but had damaged many retail outlets. “Authorities have seen that this year’s rainfall has been heavy and some drainage systems are not emptying into the main canal, causing the 2004 road area to be inundated,” he said.
He added that Phnom Penh authorities have repaired and installed new sewer systems and have attempted to increase the capacity of pumping stations to release flood waters.
He also warned residents in the provinces, especially in mountainous areas such as Kampong Speu and Battambang, to watch out for floods, because the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology reported that the forecast this year is for 26-28 storms, a dramatic increase caused by changing weather conditions in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. – Khmer Times
Junta-appointed ward administrator stabbed to death in Rakhine State
A junta-appointed ward administrator in southern Rakhine State’s Ann Township was stabbed to death on Thursday, according to local sources.
Chit Zaw Win, also known as Paing Paing, was killed near his home in Ann’s ward 5, a resident of the area told Myanmar Now on Friday.
“It happened between his house and the office of the War Veterans Organisation,” he said, noting that the victim’s home is also just a short distance away from the local police station.
“It looks like he was attacked by two people, as there were 22 knife wounds on both the front and back of his body,” he added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the murder, and it was unclear if it was politically motivated.
“We don’t know if he had any enemies, but he worked as a crime reporter before the coup. He used to demand money from companies in the timber industry, and if they didn’t pay up, he would turn them in to the military,” said the local.
According to another Ann resident, police have been searching the town, where the Western Regional Military Command is based, since the incident.
One local woman also reported seeing a large number of police officers at the town’s general hospital on Thursday afternoon.
“I heard that he was stabbed at around 10am and that the body was sent to the hospital. There were so many police officers there,” she said.
Myanmar Now has attempted to reach police in Ann for further information, but did not receive a response. Attempts to contact the family of the victim have also been unsuccessful. – Myanmar NOW
Indonesia never neglects national defense: Minister Subianto
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto affirmed that Indonesia has never neglected national defense despite adhering to a free and non-aligned foreign policy system that is impartial and respects the interests of all countries.
"The situation in Ukraine teaches us that we can never abandon our security and independence and never take them for granted. Therefore, we are determined to strengthen our defense. Our outlook is defensive, but we will defend our territory with all of our resources," Subianto stated at the 19th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2022 forum in Singapore, Saturday.
Furthermore, he conveyed that respect for all friendly countries is important in maintaining harmonious relations between nations in Asia for decades despite the presence of a territorial dispute.
In the last four to five decades, countries in Asia have found ways to tackle challenges related to maintaining each country's defense, Subianto noted.
The minister pointed out that the common experience shared by Asian countries, such as being enslaved and exploited, had forced them to strive to create a peaceful and friendly environment.
“In our experience, over the last 40 to 50 years, we have found our own way, the Asian way, to solve this challenge. We decided that our shared experience of being dominated, enslaved, and exploited, forced us to struggle and create a peaceful environment," he remarked.
Subianto also drew attention to the fact that the world's great powers, such as China and the United States, should have realized their major responsibility to maintain world peace through wisdom and virtue.
“As the Chinese philosopher Confucius taught, power and leadership must always come with benevolence. With all the challenges we face, we are optimistic that wisdom, rationality, and common sense will prevail," he concluded.
The 2022 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, scheduled on June 10-12 2022, is an important event for defense leaders in the Asia Pacific. – AntaraNews.Com