These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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CPF interest rates to remain unchanged for third quarter of 2022
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) interest rate for the Ordinary Account will remain at 2.5 per cent a year in the third quarter of 2022.
From July 1 to Sept 30, the concessionary interest rate for HDB housing loans, which is pegged at 0.1 per cent above the Ordinary Account interest rate, will remain unchanged at 2.6 per cent a year, the Housing Board and CPF said in a joint statement on Friday (May 27).
CPF members below 55 years old will continue to earn interest rates of up to 3.5 per cent a year on their Ordinary Account and up to 5 per cent a year on their Special and MediSave accounts. These rates include the extra 1 per cent interest on the first $60,000 of their combined balances, capped at $20,000 for the Ordinary Account.
For members aged 55 and above, the Government pays an extra 2 per cent interest on the first $30,000 of their combined balances, capped at $20,000 for Ordinary Account.
They will receive an extra 1 per cent on the next $30,000. This means that they will earn up to 6 per cent interest a year on their retirement balances.
The extra interest paid to CPF members is part of efforts to enhance the retirement savings of CPF members, the statement said. The extra interest on the Ordinary Account will go into members' Special Account or Retirement Account.
For CPF members who are over 55 and participating in the CPF Life scheme, which provides a lifelong monthly payout that begins when the member turns 65 years old, the extra interest will still be earned on their combined balances, which include the savings used for CPF Life. – Straits Times
Malaysia hopes discussions will be held on US-led proposal to repeal IHR article
Malaysia is hoping that more discussions could be carried out to refine the United States-led proposal related to amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said among the many reservations voiced by Malaysia included the proposal to amend the IHR in relation to the management of health emergencies.
He said under the proposed amendments, the US was seeking to repeal Article 10 of the IHR. He said the Article in the present IHR clearly stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO), before taking any actions based on reports from a third party, shall consult with and attempt to obtain verification from the state party in whose territory the health emergency is allegedly occurring.
"The US (through the proposed amendments) is seeking to 'drop' this Article. Malaysia, however, feels that such a proposal is not fair to the said state party,
"In fact, Malaysia and several other countries are of the view that WHO should first inform the state party in whose territory the matter (health emergency) is allegedly occurring before proceeding with taking any action.
"This is Malaysia's stance since it is related to the sovereignty of the state party," he told a virtual press conference today.
Khairy is currently in Geneva, Switzerland for the 75th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA).
"This is among the examples that Malaysia is disagreeable to. Although Malaysia has provided our feedback, the (proposed) amendments have yet to be fully discussed.
"Therefore, we hope for further discussions on the issue," he said. – New Straits Times
Thamanat gathers his forces
Former Setthakij Thai secretary-general, Captain Thamanat Prompow, says he has the support of more than 40 MPs from various parties who will play a crucial role in an upcoming no-confidence debate.
They include 16 Setthakij Thai MPs, while the others come from the so-called "Group of 16" drawn from micro-parties and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) members, he said. "I can confirm there will be more support than just the sixteen Setthakij Thai MPs. So, some cabinet ministers must be careful," he said.
On Tuesday, Gen Wit Devahastin na Ayudhya stepped down as leader of Setthakij Thai after 15 executives led by Capt Thamanat resigned en masse in what was seen as an attempt to force a leadership change. Rumours were flying about a split between Gen Wit and Capt Thamanat, who is known to be on poor terms with Gen Prayut and who may not support the government in the no-confidence debate expected next month.
Both Gen Wit and Capt Thamanat are known to be close to Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon.
It was reported that Capt Thamanat wanted to lead Setthakij Thai when his faction was ousted from the PPRP but bowed to Gen Prawit's choice of Gen Wit.
If Capt Thamanat is elected Setthakij Thai leader in a party meeting early next month and gains total control of the party, members might vote against Gen Prayut in the no-confidence debate. This time there might be enough censure votes to topple the prime minister, according to observers. – Bangkok Post
Israel, PH eye 3 agreements to boost economic ties
The Israeli government is looking forward to signing three agreements to advance its economic relations with Manila.
In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said the two nations are expected to sign "in the coming few weeks" a document that would establish a Joint Economic Commission between the Israel Ministry of Economy and the Department of Trade and Industry.
He said negotiations for the "agreement on the promotion and protection of investments" have also concluded, with the text ready to be signed.
The third deal, the envoy said, would be a memorandum of cooperation in the area of innovation.
"You can see that we're investing a lot of our resources into getting closer to each other in the field of innovation, technologies, and economic relations, both on the level of putting in place the infrastructure, or the degree infrastructure tools for that," he said.
Fluss said Israeli companies are likewise showing interest in investing in the Philippines, including those involved in self-driving vehicles, agriculture, oil and gas, health, and business process outsourcing (BPO), among others.
"There's a lot of interest (but) as I've said before, Europe, the US (the United States) are much more attractive so we are trying to make the Philippines more attractive," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the Israeli government is also ready to work with the incoming administration and hoped that the two nations could further improve their overall bilateral relations. – Philippine News Agency
Viet Nam calls for Asia to create peaceful, sustainable environment for world prosperity
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh proposed that Asia strengthen its responsibility in keeping and creating a peaceful and sustainable environment for development and prosperity in the region and the world.
This should be based on cooperation, understanding, trust, and responsibility, he said, while delivering a speech at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia (FOA 2022) in Tokyo on Thursday.
He said, entering the third decade of the 21st century, the Asian region is witnessing profound historical changes, with both opportunities and challenges that have long-term impacts on future generations.
As the region and the world are focusing resources to handle urgent unprecedented issues, first and foremost, countries need to make responsible contributions, show mutual respect, and equally cooperate for mutual benefits, he said.
In the region, sovereignty disputes at sea continue to pose a threat to peace and security. Regarding the East Sea issue, it is necessary to settle disputes and disagreements by peaceful measures in line with laws, particularly the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), promoting multilateral cooperation mechanisms and fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties as well as soon finalising a substantive and efficient Code of Conduct, he said. – Vietnam News
After six days, NEC says all’s peaceful on the campaign front
After six days of campaigning for the Commune Election on June 5, the National Election Committee (NEC) said that all rallies and other events were peaceful and without incident, except in a few isolated cases with minor quarrels between different parties breaking out. Spokesman Hang Puthea said yesterday that political parties held rallies, marches, concerts and events nationwide.
The six days of campaigning have progressed smoothly without violence or serious security concerns, but parties have filed a total of 27 complaints with the NEC, he said. “Most complaints were filed by the CPP against the Candlelight Party, claiming the party’s members shouted in the streets during the campaign.
A few other quarrels were quickly resolved by the Provincial Election Commission,” he said. Puthea said the campaign, which started last Saturday, runs for 14 days until June 3. He appealed to all participants to abide by the rules laid down by the NEC.
Nim Vansma, Director of the National Election Secretariat in Siem Reap province, said yesterday that all political parties in the province must notify the Provincial Election Secretariat before campaigning so that authorities can organise security.
During the past six days of campaigning, he noted that most supporters of political parties appeared aware of campaign procedures, and were tolerant towards other each other during marches.
“This campaign has also seen few disputes. Some inappropriate words have been exchanged, but the provincial committee stepped in and mediated an end to any dispute. In Siem Reap province, there have been no complaints filed with the NEC, because authorities have already mediated a settlement,” Vansam added. – Khmer Times
Junta personnel in central Myanmar targeted in lethal shootings
Local members of the military council in Mandalay Region were shot in recent days by unidentified gunmen in attacks that killed two men and left two others injured, according to local sources.
Aung Naing, the junta-appointed administrator of Aung Chan Thar village in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, was shot dead at his house on Monday, a resident said. The next day, a member of the administration committee for Par Ae village in the same township was also shot and sustained an injury to his left arm.
“People say he was shot at about eight times,” the individual told Myanmar Now, citing eyewitnesses.
The administration committee member was reportedly admitted to the Pyin Oo Lwin military hospital for treatment.
Two other men were shot on Wednesday, one fatally, according to two more locals.
Targeted first was Thein Htun Zaw, chief of the Aung Pinlae police station in Chanmyathazi Township, who reportedly suffered a severe injury to his arm when he was shot at 9:30am on 103rd St, which connects the cities of Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin.
“Two men chased him and shot him when he was on his way back home after getting his motorcycle repaired,” a local source said.
One hour later, 57-year-old Win Tin, the former 100-household head in Taekone village in Patheingyi Township, was shot in the head and died.
It was not clear if Win Tin had ties to the military council. – Myanmar NOW
President Jokowi distributes assistance to boost economic recovery
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana distributed assistance to traders and the public at several markets in Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday to help boost economic recovery efforts.
Based on information received from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, they visited and handed over assistance at Mojosongo, Gede, Gading, and Harjodaksino markets.
Jokowi said that the assistance was provided to merchants to bolster economic recovery efforts.
"The assistance (is) for traders, MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), and street vendors of Mojosongo Market, Gede Market, Gading Market, Harjodaksino Market, and even artists. There is additional capital to encourage the economy to recover," he remarked at Mojosongo Market.
The traders said they were grateful for the assistance that was handed by the President directly.
"Matur nuwun (Thank you). This help is to increase trade, (for) rent, and cover the family's daily needs. Matur nuwun sanget," a merchant selling lenjongan or Surakarta's unique sweet snack, Rubina, told the head of state.
Hermawan, a rickshaw driver in Gede Market, was also appreciative of the aid.
"(Because of) Mr. Jokowi, all rickshaw drivers around Solo can get the assistance," Hermawan said.
Meanwhile, at Harjodaksino Market, Aminah, a trader representing other merchants, also expressed her gratitude for the assistance, saying it would add to her business capital.
"(I am) happy, (this is for business) capital. Thank you for your concern for the people," Aminah said.
During their visits to the markets, Widodo and the First Lady took the time to shop for salted eggs, fruits, and cooking utensils such as a rice spoon (centong) andspatula (sutil).
The President and the First Lady were accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana, among others. – AntaraNews.Com