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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Muslim community has weathered pandemic well: President Halimah Yacob
Singapore's Muslim community has done well in facing the pandemic, through which they have learnt to prepare for uncertainty and disruption, as well as bounce back from setbacks, said President Halimah Yacob on Monday (May 2).
"As we enter the endemic stage and face the future, there will be new challenges but I'm sure that given how far we have come, we are up to any challenge," she added in a video message ahead of Tuesday's Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
It is the first time in two years that people will be able to go all out with Hari Raya celebrations after a month of fasting, as size limits on social gatherings were completely lifted on April 26. In her message posted on social media, Madam Halimah said the pandemic has strengthened the community's solidarity and resolve to support the needy.
Individuals pitched in alongside organisations such as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), mosques and other Malay/Muslim groups to help those who needed it, she added.
The President highlighted the efforts of Mr Asanul Fariq Sani and his wife Norhasyimah Awaludin, who were nominated for The Straits Times' Singaporean of the Year award last year for their efforts in helping others despite their own livelihoods being affected by the pandemic. – Straits Times
Continue practising self-discipline despite SOP relaxation, says PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has reminded the people to continue practising self-discipline to check the spread of Covid-19.
He said to protect themselves and the health of those around them, the people should not let their guard down as they partake in the joy and festivities of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"Wearing of face masks is still compulsory inside buildings, but outside of buildings in open spaces like this, wearing of masks is not required," he added. Ismail Sabri expressed satisfaction with the cautious attitude adopted by the people to avoid contracting or spreading the virus. "While coming here earlier, I saw many people walking to the mosque with their mask on. This shows they are still being cautious, to protect themselves and ensure the health of their families.
"So, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), despite being given the freedom, they are not throwing caution to the wind," he told reporters before leaving Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan after performing his Aidilfitri prayers today.
The prime minister took the opportunity to again wish all Muslims "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri".
On April 27, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced further relaxation in the Covid-19 standard operating procedure effective May 1, including lifting the mask mandate outdoors and doing away with scanning of the MySejahtera code before entering premises. – New Straits Times
Tourists give thumbs-up to new rules
Tourists have given positive feedback after the government's decision to scrap the Test & Go scheme, a rescinding that took effect on Sunday.
The Bangkok Post interviewed some international arrivals on Sunday and found the move helped them make a decision to visit Thailand. Kyle Sutherland, a 30-year-old tourist from Canada, is visiting the kingdom with his friends for the first time.
He said the axeing of the RT-PCR test requirement for hotel reservations also helped them save money. "I like Thai food and Thai boxing so I have decided to come despite the complicated regulations. But not having them makes my life easier.
"Moreover, all countries around the world are going to relax regulations for better convenience as the Covid-19 outbreak declines," he said.
Justin Chines, 28-year-old American tourist, said he had visited Thailand once in January and found that his visit this time was easier as there were fewer documents to prepare. It took him a few days to complete the Thailand Pass process compared to three weeks when he visited last time.
"I would say that it is very easy this time. I don't need to show my RT-PCR result and apply for hotel quarantine. It is very convenient. But I think it would be great if there was no longer a requirement for health insurance as it has put up the cost of travel," he said. Sorm David, a 27-year-old tourist from Cambodia who is on a five-day trip to Thailand with her friends, said she was happy that Thailand Pass is now more convenient. The cancellation of RT-PCR requirement for fully vaccinated visitors also helped her save money.
Meanwhile, Chayatham Phromsorn, permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry, checked on the readiness of Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday.
He said international airports were ready to welcome more tourists with the country now reopening. – Bangkok Post
Sara vows not to run for any local position after VP race
Whether she wins or loses the vice-presidential race in the May 9 elections, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said Sunday she will no longer return to local politics.
In a speech during the Dumper PTDA (Drivers United for Mass Progress and Equal Rights–Philippines Taxi Drivers Association) party-list grand rally here, Mayor Sara thanked the Dabawenyos for their support during her stint as the city’s local chief executive.
“To all the Dabawenyos, I will now say goodbye to all of you. I will no longer run for any local positions, whatever the results may be in the elections,” Duterte said.
She added: “It is an honour to have been chosen as mayor three times and to cap my service as top-performing mayor in the Philippines.”
Duterte hailed the resilience of the Dabawenyos since the pandemic broke out in early 2020.
“Thank you so much because not all mayors were given such overwhelming support,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Dabawenyos for believing in her leadership during the Roxas Night Market bombing in 2016, which left 17 people dead and 74 others wounded.
During her virtual valedictory and state of the city address in March this year, Duterte bid farewell to Dabawenyos as she campaigns for the second-highest position in the country. – Philippine News Agency
Japan trustworthy, longtime strategic partner of Viet Nam: President
Viet Nam and Japan share common strategic interests and Japan is a trustworthy and long-time strategic partner of great importance, which is a high priority in Viet Nam’s foreign policy, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Sunday.
He made the statement while receiving Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who was paying an official visit to Viet Nam from 30 April to 1 May.
The Vietnamese President highly valued the visit, which he said demonstrated Japan’s sentiments, sincerity and respect for Viet Nam and the countries’ extensive strategic partnership.
He expressed his gratitude to Kishida’s significant contributions to the robust development of Viet Nam-Japan relations.
The two leaders praised recent strides of the Viet Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, especially the spirit of sharing, partnership, cooperation and surmounting hardships together in the fight against COVID-19.
Japan has always been Viet Nam’s leading partner in terms of trade, investment, official development assistance (ODA), tourism and labour affairs.
Based on the achievements in bilateral relations, the Vietnamese President proposed that the two countries increase political trust, maintain regular visits and exchanges at all levels and organise activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties next year on par with the significance of their extensive strategic partnership.
He expressed his hope that the sides would bolster effective and practical cooperation in national defence-security; enhance the two economies' connectivity; strengthen supply chains; and expand cooperation in investment, trade and digital transformation. – Vietnam News
Countdown to COVID Zero: Only 75 active cases left in Cambodia
As Cambodia moves swiftly towards a post COVID normality, cases remained at their current ultra-low levels. Today’s official daily new COVID case total (diagnosed by PCR test) was 2 – all the Omicron variant – bringing the COVID case total to 136,254 cases.
Cambodia also announced 0 new deaths, bringing the total to 3,056 direct deaths from COVID-19 in Cambodia. The Kingdom recorded 2 new community and 0 new imported cases of the new variant. Cambodia has now recorded 15,813 cases of Omicron – 1362 imported and 14414 community cases.
There are now 75 active COVID cases (diagnosed by PCR test) in The Kingdom.
COVID – and Omicron – figures appear to be stabilising in Cambodia.
Despite predictions by experts that case numbers could jump again after large amounts of Cambodians – many of them apparently not wearing masks – gathered for the Khmer New Year celebrations, numbers have remained low.
However, the spectre of COVID still looms over Cambodia – with today’s news that another Cambodian national died from the virus in Thailand yesterday showing that COVID is still very much ‘alive and kicking’ in South East Asia. – Khmer Times
From battlefields to hospitals, short-staffed junta moves personnel into vacant roles
To confront growing armed resistance campaigns nationwide and an ongoing general strike by civil servants in the health sector, the military is reportedly transferring staff from its weapons production units into battle and army doctors and nurses into public hospitals.
The move follows earlier restructuring efforts by the junta forcing members of the police to “take part in the state’s defence and security affairs when necessary,” through the issuing of a new Police Force Law in late March.
A leaked military order from the same period outlined plans to use members of the fire department and the Myanmar Red Cross in the armed forces’ battles against the resistance by instructing them to form a “public security force” alongside retired army officers and police.
Cpt Zin Yaw, a Myanmar army officer who joined the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), told Myanmar Now on Monday that the military council was planning to bolster its frontline forces with troops who have long worked in arms factories under the control of the defence ministry.
His source was reportedly an officer still working within the No. 15 Defence Equipment Factory in Magway Region’s Aunglan Township, and that the decision was being made under the supervision of the Central Region Military Command in Mandalay.
There are some 25 defence equipment factories nationwide, with at least 10 located in townships throughout Magway. Since the February 2021 coup, the region has become the site of fierce clashes with anti-junta resistance forces. – Myanmar NOW
Eid Al-Fitr Mubarak 1443 Hijr: President and First Lady
President Joko Widodo and Iriana Joko Widodo wished everyone a Happy Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri.
"With all humility, my family and I wish you a Happy Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri. Please forgive our (wrongdoings), (we beg for forgiveness truly and wholeheartedly)," President Jokowi said in a video broadcasted on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Sunday.
The statement was seconded by the First Lady.
Both expressed their joy, because this year, people could partake in an exodus, to gather with their families in their hometowns.
"Thank God, in this year's Eid, we are able to gather with family, meet parents, and relatives in our hometown," the President stated.
On April 2, 2022, the President announced that the government would allow people to go home this year, under condition that they had completed vaccine requirements and followed the health protocols.
The government has set collective leave on April 29 and May 4 to 6, 2022. This means that people had vacation time on April 29 to May 8, 2022.
The Religious Affairs Ministry has announced that the 1st Eid al-Fitr day falls on Monday (May 2, 2022). – AntaraNews.Com