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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ASEAN in good position to seize major shifts in future of work: DPM Heng
ASEAN is in a good position to contribute to, as well as benefit from, major shifts affecting the future of work such as the green transition, digitalisation and resilience of supply chains, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
“The future of work is intrinsically linked to the future economy,” he said, speaking virtually at the hybrid HR Tech Festival Asia 2022 and the opening of the ASEAN Future of Work Conference on Thursday (May 12).
For instance, South-east Asia can be alternative bases for advanced manufacturing to strengthen supply chain resilience. The region's blue carbon stock also has potential to create nature-based solutions for carbon removal. DPM Heng added that there is a need for countries to ride the next skills wave to take advantage of these new business opportunities. While computer science and digital skills are part of the first wave, the next wave comprises green skills.
"In the past decade, the digital wave came upon us in a big way. The digital economy is now a key engine of growth," he said, adding that numerous digital tech companies have emerged, creating many good jobs and occupations, some of which were previously unheard of.
Many hawkers and micro-enterprises have also gone digital, showing how digital skills are now foundational to many jobs. – Straits Times
'Govt needs to regulate rising prices of goods to mitigate inflation risks'
The government needs to regulate the rise in prices of goods to mitigate inflation risks, said an economist.
The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Malaysia director of external relations Dr Zokhri Idris said regulation on the part of government and the relevant authorities is to mitigate rising prices to avoid "hyper-inflation".
He said regulations were needed to avoid a sharp spike in prices and to ensure that the government can control the inflation rate.
"For example, what the authorities can do is to regulate oil subsidies because we know that oil and the cost of raw materials such as fuel are very important cost components of the final product. "We need to see how our various efforts can result in reducing inflation risks so that (this issue) does not become excessively worrying, that the situation is unsalvageable," he said during an interview on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme entitled "Living with Inflation" last night.
Zokhri said the government and the authorities need to take proactive steps in monitoring the price increases to prevent abuse or manipulation by certain parties.
"We have to trace a product's path from the beginning until it reaches the consumer and see how we can minimise the cost," he said.
Meanwhile, economic analyst Associate Prof Dr Mohd Yusof Saari said short-term intervention measures by the government and authorities in the food products sector should not disrupt the market.
Therefore, long-term intervention is needed to ensure that price manipulation by certain parties can be resolved.
"The government must also have measures to protect the low-income group, for example, introduce kedai rakyat (people's shops) offering affordable prices as an option to bring relief to communities impacted by price increases," he said. – New Straits Times
Probe to check Covid deaths of vaccinated
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has agreed to launch an investigation to find out why so many people have died from Covid-19 despite having had three vaccination shots.
He announced the probe following a national communicable disease committee meeting on Wednesday. He said about 7% of those infected who had three doses have died, while zero fatalities were recorded among those who received four shots. Records showed that most deaths were among senior citizens and people with chronic diseases.
Mr Anutin also urged the high-risk 608 group – which comprises people aged 60 years and over, those with underlying diseases and pregnant women – to complete the full vaccine course and receive booster doses. People who received two doses last year are required to get booster doses to reduce the risk of death, he said.
The meeting also discussed Covid-19 measures in place for the reopening of schools across the country for the start of the next academic year, on May 17.
The public health and education ministries have tweaked disease prevention measures to ensure student safety for on-site classes. The ministries will also vaccinate more young students.
More than 54% of children aged 5-11 have received their first dose, while only 17% have had a second, Mr Anutin said. – Bangkok Post
Duterte to next president: Serve Filipinos with all your heart
President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed hope his successor would serve the Filipino people with "all [his] heart."
"To the winning candidate, whoever will come out, you have my congratulations well in advance. I am hopeful that you will serve the Filipino people with all your heart and ability and prioritize the welfare of the general public above everything," Duterte said in a taped Talk to the People delivered Wednesday night but aired Thursday morning.
Duterte made the statement, as he acknowledged there are already "clear" winners in this year's elections.
He enjoined his fellow Filipinos to accept the leading candidates, especially the presumptive President-elect, "whoever they are."
"I thank and congratulate the Filipino people. You made the elections successful because you have made your will known by performing your sacred right and duty to vote," Duterte said. "Welcome the new president, whoever he is, to Malacañang."
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. continues to lead the presidential race, getting 31,091,482 votes, according to the partial and unofficial tally of votes released by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.
Marcos retained a wide lead, more than double, over his closest contender Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo who earned 14,815,276 votes.
Duterte was elated that the conduct of the May 9, 2022 national and local elections turned out to be peaceful.
He was also convinced that there was no electoral fraud that happened, even though the country seemed to have achieved the record for the fastest electric vote count this year. – Philippine News Agency
Ample room for growth in US-Viet Nam trade relations: PM
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has met and held talks with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Wednesday (US time) in Washington DC as part of his trip to the US to attend the US-ASEAN Summit.
PM Chinh stressed the visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong seven years ago to the US laid a solid foundation for the bilateral ties, and he appreciated the US’ policy of supporting a strong, prosperous, and independent Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese Government leader is thankful for the support of the US Department of Commerce, and the Secretary in particular, in promoting trade between Viet Nam and the US in recent times as well as promptly handling arising issues without disrupting trade between the two countries.
PM Chinh praised the remarkable developments in the economic-trade relations between the two countries, with total trade value increasing from US$400 million in 1995 to reach $112 billion in 2021, despite many challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that there is still ample room for growth in trade and commerce between Viet Nam and the US.
PM Chinh expressed his wish that the two countries’ trade relation continue to develop harmoniously and sustainably, and that more focus will be centred on diversifying the supply chain, digitalisation in commerce and investment, and science and technology. – Vietnam News
Cambodian, Vietnamese PMs agree to reopen land and air tourism
PM Hun Sen has agreed with the Prime Minister of Vietnam to reopen land and air tourism between the two countries. The PM revealed the new move in a speech to Cambodian Americans and Cambodian Canadians in Washington DC, USA today.
The Prime Minister confirmed that he has just agreed with the Prime Minister of Vietnam on the resumption of land and air tourism after the suspension due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The PM stated “I have just agreed with the Vietnamese Prime Minister, I just suggested to him that now we should reopen land tourism, his answer (the Prime Minister of Vietnam) was to open both.”
Cambodia and Vietnam had suspended tourism activities since the start of the pandemic in the two countries, which has led to Vietnam announcing a moratorium on foreign tourists entering the country.
So far, Cambodia has been implementing a mechanism to attract vaccinated tourists after announcing the reopening of the country at the end of 2021.
The Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia is also promoting “Cambodia as a safe and cozy tourist destination”.
The PM told Cambodians overseas that now, if Cambodians abroad or foreigners want to go to Cambodia for the first time, PCR testing is not required 72 hours in advance. – Khmer Times
Myanmar military carries out systematic arson attacks on Yesagyo villages
Residents of Yesagyo Township in Magway Region say that junta soldiers carried out a series of coordinated arson attacks on three villages in the area on Tuesday.
The attacks, by a column of around 100 troops that had arrived from neighbouring Myaung Township in Sagaing Region the day before, systematically targeted the villages, locals said.
The regime forces reportedly spent the night at the village of Phyone Phu on Monday before splitting up into three groups the following morning.
One group stayed in Phyone Phyu, while the other two went to the nearby villages of Miphayar and Mekone. Fires were then set in all three villages, residents told Myanmar Now.
“They were initially stationed in Phyone Phu, and then they divided their column into three groups. One stayed behind in Phyone Phu, while the other two went to torch the other villages,” said a Yesagyo local who asked to remain anonymous.
All three villages are located near the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers. Bhone Taw Pyae, another village in the area, was also reportedly targeted later that day.
Each of the affected villages had around 150-200 households. The number of houses that were destroyed could not be confirmed because all of their residents had fled.
Phyone Phu and Miphayar were both targeted in April as well, residents said.
None of the 48 villages in the confluence are under the direct control of the regime, because all junta-appointed administrators in the area have resigned, according to local sources.
“The column started raiding villages in the northern part of the confluence area and then moved south. So, it looks like they’re going to raid the whole area,” said a Yesagyo local.
This is the third time since February that residents of the area have had to flee their homes. – Myanmar NOW
President Jokowi arrives in Washington D.C.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), First Lady Iriana, and his entourage arrived at the Andrews Air Force Base, Washington D.C., at 9:40 p.m. local time (UTC -5), commencing his official visit in the United States.
After 24-hour-long flights from Jakarta – with a stopover in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for refuelling – the GIA-1 flight, operated by Garuda Indonesia B777-300 with a special presidential livery, arrived safely at the air force base, according to the statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat's Press, Media, and Information Bureau.
Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States Rosan Roeslani and his spouse welcomed President Jokowi and Iriana as they disembarked from the aircraft. The President and his entourage then departed for the hotel that would be his place of stay during his official visit in the United States. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who arrived earlier, then welcomed Jokowi, the First Lady, and other officials arriving at the hotel.
The President is expected to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit, the summit between ASEAN leaders and US President Joe Biden, a meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris and the climate change team, a meeting with members of the United States Congress, and a meeting with the CEO of major US companies during his visit.
President Jokowi is accompanied by Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretariat Pratikno, Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi, and Minister of Investment/Head of Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia throughout the duration of the official visit. – AntaraNews.Com