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.
Govt fast-tracks budget bill
The government is speeding up its review of the long-awaited budget bill for the 2020 fiscal year and plans to submit it to the House for scrutiny in October, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.
Wissanu said the budget spending framework is being revised to reflect the government's policies which were announced in parliament last week. – Bangkok Post
SMRT Trains' losses soar to $155m on higher operating costs
Losses are mounting for rail operator SMRT Trains on the back of higher operating expenses. In the 12 months to end-March this year, losses hit $155 million - almost double from a year ago - the firm reported yesterday. Spending on repairs and maintenance accounted for about 71 percent of rail-fare revenue, up from just 45 percent three years ago. – The Straits Times
Indonesia opts to recruit foreign academics
With the ambition of creating top-tier global universities, the government is pressing ahead with its plan to recruit foreign rectors and lecturers by 2020, despite claims that it will take more than foreign academics to improve the country’s higher education system.
Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir said foreign academics were expected to produce higher-quality graduates as the country’s universities have struggled to improve their rankings in global charts of top universities. – The Jakarta Post
As dengue rises, Palace open to Dengvaxia use
Filipinos may not have seen the last of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine yet. The Duterte administration is still open to allowing the use of the dengue vaccine again if experts agree to recommend it to combat the rising number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the country, according to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Cambodia Arrests CNRP Activist Mai Hongsreang for Criticizing Government
Cambodian authorities Tuesday arrested Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) activist Mai Hongsreang, marking the 14th such arrest of activists associated with the banned political party. According to the Cambodian national police, Hongsreang was charged with insult and incitement for his activities on social media. – The Cambodia Daily
Myanmar to launch own satellite next week
In an interview with state media, U Win Aung, chief engineer of the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ Information Technology and Cyber Security Department, said that Myanmar’s very own satellite will be launched from French service provider Arianespace’s spaceport in French Guiana, a French territory in South America, on 7 August. – Myanmar Times