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.
Singapore on track to service, maintain new trains
New trains to ply the North-South and East-West MRT lines and the revamped Bukit Panjang LRT system are set to be serviced in Singapore.
This is a key step towards becoming self-sufficient in this field and bringing jobs and savings to Singapore, while cutting downtime. - The Straits Times
Malaysian 18-year-old candidates set to make history
The decision to allow 18-year-olds to contest in by-elections, beginning with the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election in Johor next month is seen as a turning point for the country’s democratic system and political landscape.
Many feel that the by-election, which allows 18-year-old candidates to compete for the first time, is a starting point that would bring a breath of fresh air in youth representation. - New Straits Times
Garuda comes to rescue as Sriwijaya struggles to stay afloat
State flag carrier Garuda Indonesia Group will support Sriwijaya Air Group, as problems ranging from safety to finances mount, forcing Sriwijaya to stop operations for more than half of its fleets.
The decision to resume management partnership was made in a process that the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry facilitated, said Juliandra Nurtjahjo, the president director of Citilink Indonesia, the low-cost carrier arm of Garuda Indonesia. - The Jakarta Post
Fitch upbeat on Thailand’s short-term prospects
Despite uncertainty from a potential global economic slowdown and US-China trade tensions, Fitch Ratings has a positive outlook on Thailand's credit rating and economy in the near future and could possibly upgrade the country's ratings in the next few years if positive economic fundamentals are maintained.
Thailand has a BBB+ sovereign rating from Fitch and could see an upgrade in the next 12-24 months if it continues with its economic framework and enjoys political stability. Among emerging markets, Thailand and Vietnam alone have a positive outlook from Fitch. - Bangkok Post
Rising pollution prompts ministry to issue warning
The Vietnam Environment Administration has advised members of the public, especially children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory diseases, to limit outdoor activities due to rising pollution.
People should wear air masks and glasses when they go outside, the ministry said. The ministry officially issued its recommendations two weeks after fine dust levels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City started reaching highly unhealthy levels. - Vietnam News
Tourist decline continues at Angkor
The number of foreign visitors at the world-famous Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap continues to decline according to the latest figures from Angkor Enterprise.
Angkor Enterprise’s latest report, issued yesterday, shows that 1.6 million foreign tourists bought passes to the temple complex from January to September, a 12 percent decline over the same nine-month period in 2018. Income from ticket sales reached just US$74 million – a 13 percent decline. - Khmer Times