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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Debt collection agencies in S'pore must have police licence to operate under proposed law
A police licence may be needed to run a debt collection agency in Singapore, one of several rules under proposed new laws to regulate their activities
Debt collectors will also be required to first verify that the person they are collecting debt from is the debtor, under the proposed rules released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday night (June 15).
In addition, they will not be allowed to behave in a way that is physically threatening. This includes speech, writing, signs or any visible representation, said MHA. The ministry's recommendations seek to address the issue of having a high number of police reports made against debt collection companies and their staff for causing alarm and nuisance to members of the public.
There were 134 such reports in 2015, which grew to 590 in 2018, before falling to 272 reports last year.
MHA said it is seeking feedback from members of the public on its proposals. It also said it recognises that debt collection is a legitimate activity that facilitates the fulfilment of financial obligations. "However, in view of the increasing concerns, there may be a need to institute upstream regulatory interventions on the industry, to better manage the disamenities from such activities," it said. – Straits Times
Don't leave seniors offline in online banking era
BANK Negara Malaysia (BNM) finally issued its long-awaited digital banking licences in April. Whether this is a turning point in the Malaysian online banking era remains to be seen.
One thing is certain, as intended by BNM, the five licence holders will have to provide digital financial solutions to the unserved and underserved segments of the population, including the elderly in a rapidly ageing Malaysia.
To call Malaysia a rapidly ageing country is not an exaggeration.
In 2020, Malaysia was already an "ageing society" with more than seven per cent of the population aged 65 plus. It is on its way to becoming an "aged society" by 2044 and "super-aged society" by 2056, with 14 and 20 per cent of the population aged 65 plus, respectively. From the vantage point of digital banking, the ever-increasing number of older people is a business. Income earners aged 50 to 54 and 55 to 59 are in the top two positions in terms of monthly earnings.
The findings of a survey by PwC showed that people aged 55 and above are twice as interested to become virtual bank customers.
But it is one thing to be interested, quite another to do so, especially when seniors are generally not tech-savvy.
It's true that the pandemic has transformed the lifestyle of consumers into a digital mode. A survey by Oppotus found that the adoption of e-wallets among Malaysians increased from 12 per cent in mid-2018 to a phenomenal 66 per cent in mid-2021.
But senior citizens or middle-aged users have yet to really catch up. With only about 20 per cent e-wallet users in last two years, users aged 45 and older are the least familiar with the e-wallet system. – New Straits Times
Censure motion filed, targets Prayut, 10 others
Opposition parties in the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and 10 other cabinet ministers for debate under Section 151 of the constitution.
The motion was submitted to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai by core members of the opposition led by Chonlanan Srikaew, leader of the Pheu Thai Party.
The opposition cited the following reasons for submitting the censure motion - that the government has failed in its handling of the country's administration, intentionally violated the constitution and ethical standards, condoned corrupt practices, failed to implement its policies delivered to parliament or to heed objections raised by the opposition, violated human rights and caused damage to democracy.
The cabinet ministers to be grilled in the debate are: Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister; Jurin Laksanawisit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce; Anutin Chanvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health; Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the Deputy Prime Minister; Gen Anupong Paojinda, the Minister of Interior; Saksayam Chidchob, the Minister of Transport; Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society; Juti Krairiksh, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security; Santi Prompat, the Deputy Minister of Finance; Nipon Boonyamanee, the Deputy Minister of Interior; and Suchart Chomklin, the Minister of Labour.
Dr Chonlanan said he expected the no-confidence debate to last five days, probably from July 18-22. – Bangkok Post
Plot to ‘embarrass’ BBM real, Enrile warns
There is a conspiracy to pillory President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in an attempt to taint his reputation, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile bared Wednesday.
Citing information from “credible” source, Enrile cautioned that certain groups from the United States (US) and the Philippines are purportedly conniving to put Marcos to trouble.
“I just picked up what I consider to be a credible information that there are groups in America and in the Philippines planning and preparing to cause serious embarrassment and trouble for our newly-elected President,” he said in a Facebook post.
Enrile did not elaborate on the supposed collusion to tarnish the image of Marcos.
He, however, said he would give further details to the “proper official” of the incoming Marcos administration “in due time.”
“Caution is the name of the game. You are just starting you[r] travel in troubled waters. Your adversaries have not stopped. To borrow a phrase from someone, right now ‘they are hiding their brightness and biding their time,’” Enrile said.
Enrile also advised the incoming security officials of the Marcos administration to intensify their intelligence gathering.
He said taking “soft and pacific” stance to appease critics is not a good idea. – Philippine News Agency
More needs to be done in Asia to fully unleash its renewable energy potential: MoNRE
The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on Wednesday sent a message, highlighting seven focus points to fully unleash Asia’s potential for renewable energy development.
Minister Tran Hong Ha, in his message to the webinar “Asia: Renewable Energy Continent” held on Wednesday, said: “Climate change, environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation are the crises to humanity today.
“The Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-AR6) once again sounds the alarm bell, that if the global warming is not controlled within 1.5 degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, it will result in irreversible harm to human and natural systems.
“IPCC estimates that since 2008, devastating floods and storms have forced more than 20 million people from their homes each year; while half the world’s population face water scarcity for at least one month every year.”
According to the International Energy Agency, global carbon emissions from energy combustion and industrial processes have increased to 36.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021, the highest annual figure and an increase of 6 per cent compared to 2020.
At the same time, the World Meteorological Organisation announced in May 2022 that the four key climate change indicators – greenhouse gas concentrations, sea-level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification, have set new records in 2021. – Vietnam News
Kem Sokha: “I have never supported any of Rainsy’s activities”
Former president of the court-dissolved opposition party CNRP Kem Sokha has reiterated that he and Sam Rainsy are not the same. Mr Sokha was speaking at the hearing of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on today.
His statement came after Mr Rainsy criticized Mr Kem for not going to vote for Candlelight party. During the hearing, Kem once again announced that he does not have any contact with Rainsy, who is facing numerous lawsuits and is living in exile. Sokha claimed that he and Rainsy were not as one as the latter claimed.
“I have never supported any Rainsy’s activities,” Sokha underlined.
On 28 November 2021, Kem Sokha announced that he and Rainsy are not as one and he warned Rainsy to stop using his images and name to serve Rainsy’s political ambitions.
“I observe that until now, Sam Rainsy and his colleagues continue to use my name and images without my consent in their illegal activities. In fact, Rainsy and his colleagues have walked away from the principles and spirit of unity to establish various political movements. Recently, they openly support their former party, the Candlelight Party,” Sokha wrote on his Facebook on 28 November 2021. – Khmer Times
More than 30 youth arrested amid increased junta surveillance in Yangon
The military has intensified efforts to locate and capture participants in anti-junta flash demonstrations in Yangon, arresting more than 30 young adults on Monday and Tuesday alone, according to a source close to the city’s student activists.
Leo, the on-ground officer for the General Strike Committee, told Myanmar Now that the youth were detained from townships including Kyimindaing, Sanchaung, Tamwe and Yankin.
“Over 30 – almost 40 – youth were captured. They forced people who had connections with the victims to guide them to the victims at gunpoint,” he said.
A member of the Yangon Revolution Force (YRF) said that two of the people arrested had hung banners on Strand Rd in Kyimindaing on Monday morning condemning the military-led education system and encouraging people to commit to the anti-dictatorship movement.
“One of them was captured first and the military found out about the other one’s whereabouts from the first one,” the YRF member said. “Although we knew that the first one had been taken, the second one couldn’t get away as it was already 1am when he was captured.”
A member of a youth strike committee from Kyimindaing who had gone into hiding at the time of reporting confirmed that several youth from the township were arrested on Monday. – Myanmar NOW
Indonesia records trade surplus of US$2.90 billion in May
Indonesia's trade balance in May 2022 recorded a surplus of US$2.90 billion, with exports valued at US$21.51 billion and imports reaching US$18.61 billion, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
“The trade surplus has occurred for 25 consecutive months," deputy for distribution statistics and services at BPS, Setianto, said at a press conference here on Wednesday.
The surplus from trade transactions in the non-oil and gas sector was recorded at US$4.75 billion. Meanwhile, the trade deficit in the oil and gas sector declined by US$1.86 billion.
The non-oil and gas commodities that contributed the most to the surplus in May 2022 were mineral fuels, iron and steel, as well as vegetable fats and animal oils.
In May, Indonesia clocked the largest trade surplus with three countries, namely India, the United States, and the Philippines.
The largest surplus of US$1.5 billion was contributed by Indonesia's trade with India, with mineral fuels and chemical products being the main commodities traded.
The second-largest surplus of US$1.2 billion was contributed by Indonesia's trade with the United States, with machinery and electrical equipment and parts, and accessories or knitting serving as the main trade commodities.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s trade surplus with the Philippines reached US$833.6 million, with mineral fuels and vehicles and parts being the main commodities traded.
However, Indonesia's trade also experienced a deficit with several countries. The nation recorded a deficit of US$535.5 million in its trade with Australia, with mineral fuels, precious metals, and jewelry or gems serving as the main commodities traded.
Indonesia’s trade deficit with China reached US$479.8 million, with electrical machinery and equipment and their parts contributing the most to the deficit.
Trade with neighbouring Thailand also experienced a deficit of US$331.9 million, with the main commodities contributing to the deficit being sugar, confectionery, plastics and plastic goods.
Cumulatively, Indonesia's trade balance in January – December 2022 experienced a surplus of US$19.79 billion, with total exports of US$114.91 billion and imports of US$95.18 billion. – AntaraNews.Com