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.
Civil servant arrested for leaking number of new coronavirus cases in Singapore
A civil servant has been arrested after she allegedly shared the number of new Covid-19 cases in Singapore with members in a private group who were not authorised to see the information. In a statement on Thursday (April 23), the police said that they have arrested the 35-year-old Singaporean woman under the Official Secrets Act and Computer Misuse Act. The police received a report on the incident on April 16 at 7.43pm, from a member of the public that the number of daily confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Singapore for that day had been leaked on an Instagram story post, even though the Ministry of Health (MOH) had not officially released the figure. – The Straits Times
MCO Phase 4 from April 29 to May 12
The Movement Control Order (MCO), currently in its third phase, has been extended by another two weeks until May 12. This was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a special televised broadcast today. Muhyiddin also did not rule out the possibility of another extension beyond May 12, subject to how the situation develops. "During this period, the government will study the latest data from the Health Ministry to determine the next steps. "I do not discount the possibility that the MCO may be extended beyond May 12, therefore you may not be able to celebrate Hari Raya in your kampung," he said. – New Straits Times
Fans cheer as month-old baby recovers
A one-month-old baby infected with Covid-19 has recovered and been discharged from hospital, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said. Baby Phakin, who is one month and 17 days old, contracted the virus from his parents and was transferred from Ban Chang Hospital in Rayong to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. Many people were concerned because he is the country's youngest Covid-19 patient so far. Mr Sathit revealed on his Facebook page that the baby has recovered and was taken back home yesterday morning by his parents who have recovered as well. Before the baby was discharged, the institute conducted three tests and the results confirmed Pakhin was free of infection. – Bangkok Post
Ramadan starts Friday, government declares
The government has announced that this year’s Ramadan will start on Friday following a limited isbat (confirmation) meeting with several Islamic organizations and other relevant parties in Jakarta on Thursday. "After taking into account the hisab [astronomical calculation] and rukyat [new moon observation] methods, we have determined that the first day of Ramadan this year will fall tomorrow on Friday," Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi said. He called on Muslims to refrain from attending religious gatherings or performing the tarawih (evening Ramadan prayers) in congregations during the COVID-19 outbreak to avoid the risk of contracting the disease. – The Jakarta Post
Sotto: Duterte ‘obligated’ to declare martial law If NPA attacks continue amid COVID-19
President Rodrigo Duterte would be “obligated” to declare martial law if “rebellion continues” amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said. “If NPA (New People’s Army) attacks persist and therefore rebellion continues in the midst of the pandemic, the President is obligated to declare ML (martial law),” Sotto told reporters in a Viber message on Friday. In a taped address, Duterte slammed the NPA for killing soldiers and stealing supplies, and relief goods amid the pandemic. Two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in an encounter with NPA rebels during an aid distribution activity in Aurora province last Tuesday, the military said. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Domestic flights and inter-provincial buses resume operation after social distancing eased
All domestic flights and inter-provincial buses resumed limited operations yesterday following the decision to ease social distancing taken by the Government. The Ministry of Transport sent a note to relevant authorities on Wednesday outlining changes that will be made for road, rail, sea and air travel thanks to the move to ease social distancing and downgrade Hà Nội from a high-risk to a medium-risk area for COVID-19. From yesterday, up to 20 flights between Hà Nội and HCM City were back in service instead of six per day that were operated under the distancing order. Flights from Hà Nội-Đà Nẵng and HCM City-Đà Nẵng have also increased from two to six per day. – Viet Nam News
Govt to beef up rice and palm oil reserves
The government is planning to beef up the national rice and palm oil reserves for emergencies in case the COVID-19 outbreak drags on. The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced in an April 22 statement that it will buy and stockpile 50,000 tonnes of rice and 12,000 tonnes of palm oil as reserve food for emergencies. It also added that the ministry will purchase the items at a reasonable price. “We would like to inform the public that there is no need to worry about the supply of rice. We have sufficient supply of rice in the country. The government is planning to buy 10 percent of the amount of rice exports, which is 50,000 tonnes,” commerce minister U Thant Myint said. The MOC said it has already received funds to procure the supplies needed. – Myanmar Times