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.
Singapore's weekly infection growth rate for Covid-19 drops to 0.73
The weekly infection growth rate for Covid-19 cases dipped to 0.73 on Thursday (March 17), down from 0.76 on Wednesday.
This rate refers to the ratio of community cases for the past week over the week before. A rate of more than one means the number of new weekly Covid-19 cases is going up.
The Ministry of Health also reported 10,713 new infections in its daily update on Thursday, a drop from Wednesday's total of 11,278 cases.
There were also 1,230 people in hospital as at noon on Thursday, down from 1,238 the day before.
Twelve deaths were announced, up from 11 on Wednesday.
There were 29 patients in the intensive care unit, and 146 who needed oxygen supplementation.
Of the local cases, 9,425 were detected through antigen rapid tests (ARTs) and were assessed by a doctor to have mild symptoms and to be of low risk.
Another 1,160 cases were detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
There were 128 new imported cases, of which 38 were detected through PCR tests and 90 through ARTs.
As at Wednesday, Singapore has recorded a total of 986,320 Covid-19 cases and 1,182 deaths.
About 95 per cent of the eligible population in Singapore have completed their full vaccination regimen, and 70 per cent of the total population have received their booster shots. – Straits Times
RCEP comes into force for Malaysia today – MITI
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement has come into force for Malaysia today, paving the way for the country to integrate into the world's largest free trade agreement (FTA) that involves 15 countries, with a total population of more than 2.2 billion.
The RCEP represents a significant milestone in the vibrant growth and revitalisation of economies, said the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).
Anchored on the rules-based multilateral trading system, it will enable Malaysia to enjoy the global trade and investment ecosystem, benefiting from the eventual elimination of around 90 per cent of tariff among members.
"Other advantages to be gained include the further liberalisation of trade, encompassing removal of non-tariff barriers, increased trade facilitation, removal of barriers to services sector, as well as enhancement of business environment through regulations relating to intellectual property protection, government procurement practices and e-commerce," the ministry said in a statement today. According to MITI, the establishment of the RCEP positions the Asia-Pacific region as the new centre of gravity for global commerce, boosting intraregional trade by nearly US$42 billion (US$1= RM4.19).
"Among the ASEAN countries, Malaysia is expected to be the largest beneficiary of the agreement in terms of gains in exports, with a projected US$200 million increase," it said.
It said the RCEP, which complements the World Trade Organisation's development agenda, will enhance recognition of the role of the small and medium-sized enterprises, including micro-enterprises in contributing to economic growth, employment and innovation. – New Straits Times
Songkran rules in works
The government will meet on Friday to deliberate ways to curb the spread of Covid-19 during the Songkran holiday period, which includes a proposed ban on water-splashing.
The ban was among ideas proposed by the Public Health Ministry on Thursday at a meeting chaired by the secretary-general of the National Security Council and chief of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) operations centre, Gen Supoj Malaniyom.
CCSA will be asked to allow Songkran celebrations to be held in line with health precautions and guidelines, which are due to be unveiled by the Public Health Ministry, Culture Ministry and Tourism and Sports Ministry at the meeting.
Under the proposal, traditional activities – such as merit-making, and the rod nam dam hua ceremony (pouring water on respected relatives' hands) – will only be allowed to take place in special areas under strict disease-control measures, he said.
The proposal goes against the recommendations made by Somsak Akkasilp, director-general of the Medical Services Department, who had previously urged people who planned to return to their hometowns during the upcoming Thai New Year holiday to avoid taking part in the rod nam dam hua tradition to reduce the risk of any infections among elderly family members.
The department advises well-wishers to stay one metre away from their relatives and bow instead, Dr Somsak said. – Bangkok Post
PRRD defends drug war anew
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday once again defended his anti-narcotics campaign, saying he could not stomach the “horrible” acts perpetrated by drug offenders.
“Sisirain mo ang bayan ko (You will destroy my country). That’s the thing they do, horrible,” Duterte said in a speech delivered in Palo, Leyte.
The President issued the statement, reiterating that he would not allow himself to be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over killings associated with his campaign against illegal drugs.
He also maintained that he would only cooperate if the investigation was carried out by a Philippine court.
“I am a Filipino. If I am accused of something, it must be within the jurisdiction of the Philippines. If I am tried, it should be before a Filipino judge and ang (the) prosecutor must be a Filipino like me,” Duterte said.
Duterte, in a speech delivered in Ilocos Sur on March 4, expressed hope that his successor would continue his fight against illegal drugs.
In November last year, the ICC suspended its investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity associated with Duterte’s drug war to assess “the scope and effect of the deferral request” of the Philippine government.
A month before the suspension of the probe, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan promised that the investigation into Duterte's anti-narcotics drive would "uncover the truth and aim to ensure accountability." – Philippine News Agency
Reopened international flights to help FDI take off
The reopening of international flights to Viet Nam after more than one year of closure, coupled with the country’s bright prospect for economic recovery, will help accelerate the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI).
Nearly US$5 billion worth of FDI was poured into the country in the first two months of this year, equivalent to 91.5 per cent against the same period last year, a positive signal considering how the pandemic heavily affected the entire economy.
Phan Huu Thang, former Director of the Ministry of Planning and Investment's Foreign Investment Agency, said that FDI companies managed to cope with the impact of the pandemic and maintain investment in Viet Nam thanks to their resilience and solid foundation.
Besides, the Government's efforts to control the pandemic and maintain macroeconomic stability have reassured the FDI community and helped draw investment flow into the country.
Notably, the disbursed FDI totalled $2.68 billion in the first two months of this year, representing a rise of 7.2 per cent against the same period last year, Thang said, adding that this reflected foreign investor confidence in Viet Nam’s investment environment. – Vietnam News
Hassle-Free Entry: Gov’t scraps PCR and rapid tests for international arrivals
After nearly two years of restricting international arrivals as part of Covid-19 prevention measures, Cambodia yesterday became the first country in Southeast Asia to drop the requirements for both pre-travel PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and on-arrival rapid antigen test for fully vaccinated travellers into the Kingdom.
Previously, in order to enter Cambodia, visitors had to show a PCR negative test certificate, issued no more than 72 hours before departure. It was also compulsory for them to take a rapid test when they arrive in one of the international airports or cross a land or maritime border into the country.
However, the Ministry of Health yesterday issued a new guideline which abolished all these preventive requirements for fully vaccinated international travellers from all countries.
In addition, the ministry also announced that the Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme has been reinstated for all travellers who enter Cambodia by land, water and air.
However, it urged travellers to do a rapid test on their own before coming to Cambodia.
“Those who have not been fully vaccinated shall go into quarantine for 14 days in the centres designated by the government,” the ministry said in the announcement.
These new regulations were confirmed yesterday by the Ministry of Tourism, which requested all those involved in the tourism industry to implement. – Khmer Times
Civilians, soldiers and guerrillas killed in Mandalay as resistance groups step up attacks against junta
Several soldiers, resistance fighters and civilians were killed in Mandalay this week during two days of shootings and explosions, as anti-coup guerillas stepped up attacks against the junta in the city.
Three civilians, two resistance fighters and five junta soldiers died amid the violence on Monday and Tuesday while several others were severely injured, local residents and resistance fighters said.
In one incident on Monday morning, members of two groups named the Mandalay Black King Scorpion PDF and the Guerrilla Force of Mandalay threw a grenade at soldiers who were standing guard in front of the University of Nursing on 62nd street.
One soldier was killed, and others responded by opening fire, killing a man who was passing through the area. The resistance fighters escaped.
“The victim was just a civilian,” said a local, requesting anonymity. “We don’t exactly know who he is yet but I heard he was from this ward. He was just walking by when he was shot.”
The guerrilla fighters issued a statement the next day apologising for the civilian’s death.
On the same morning as the grenade attack, the two groups teamed up with a third group called the Mandalay Ranger Force to shoot junta personnel carrying out security checks at the junction between 62nd street and Thatepan road, injuring four. – Myanmar NOW
Xi, Widodo discuss G20, Ukraine, high-speed train
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephonic conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wednesday evening to discuss a wide range of issues, including the G20, Ukrainian crisis, and high-speed train project.
"China supports Indonesia to play a crucial role as the President of G20 themed ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’ until the Bali Summit is organized well,” President Xi said, as quoted by local media.
The two countries have been working hand in hand to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and global challenges and promote new bilateral cooperation, or "four-wheel drive,” in the political, economic, cultural, and maritime sectors, he said. He highlighted the significance of the two countries implementing the consensus on enhancing COVID-19 vaccine cooperation soon to combat COVID-19.
The governments of the two countries must also ensure that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway line starts operating on schedule.
"China takes a positive stand on projects (in Indonesia) as long as they are conducive for (the implementation of) development (programs) in Indonesia and for the continuation of cooperation between the two countries," he said.
He also invited Indonesia to help maintain global market and supply chain stability together. – AntaraNews.Com