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.
2 die, 82K evacuated following Taal eruption
Two people died of cardiac arrest while fleeing to safer ground following the eruption of Taal Volcano early this week, while more than 80,000 residents within the 14-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around the volcano had been evacuated to safety.
A report from the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office identified the fatalities from cardiac arrest as 65-year-old Anatalia Perez Dionisio, of Barangay Sampaloc, Talisay town, and 27-year-old Danilo Toledo of Barangay Laguile, Taal town, who died on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
Brig. Gen. Marceliano Teofilo of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Task Group Taal told reporters on Wednesday that 18,664 families, or 82,000 people, were currently in evacuation centers. - Philippine Daily Inquirer
Foreign funds flowing back to Malaysia despite political headwinds
Despite growing political uncertainty, foreign funds are flowing back to Malaysia after fleeing in 2018, when an unprecedented change of government panicked investors.
A whopping net take-up of RM20 billion (SGD6.6 billion) of bonds in 2019 far outweighed the RM11 billion in foreign money that left the stock market, which some analysts are heralding as a positive sign of market reforms under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration. - The Straits Times
Government sheds light on labor market reforms as unions take to streets
The government maintains that its labor market reforms, which will be covered in the upcoming omnibus bill on job creation, will continue to protect labor as unions and students take to the streets against the proposed new legislation.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartato clarified on Wednesday that contrary to the protests, the existing minimum wage and severance pay system would remain. In fact, the government would be implementing more protection measures for laid-off workers, he added. - The Jakarta Post
Kem Sokha denies he colluded with foreigners
Phnom Penh Municipal Court today began a trial of former opposition party leader Kem Sokha over treason charges.
After the hearing this morning, Sokha said in his Facebook that he has never colluded with any foreigners in an attempt to topple the government and demanded that treason charges be dropped. - Khmer Times
Three states record more influenza cases among schoolchildren
More influenza cases involving schoolchildren have been recorded in Penang, Perak and Negeri Sembilan as of today.
Penang State Education director Abdul Rashid Abdul Samad said 161 students from 77 primary and secondary schools were confirmed infected as of today, compared to 142 at 70 schools yesterday. - The New Straits Times