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.
Man arrested for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing NParks safe distancing enforcement officer
A 61-year-old man has been arrested for attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a safe distancing enforcement officer from the National Parks Board (NParks) who was putting up SafeEntry signs along the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector. The man, who did not have a mask on and was cutting plants illegally, turned aggressive towards NParks officers who approached him and attacked one of them with a sharp instrument, the police said on Monday (May 4). "The victim sustained serious injuries to his chest, arm and hand. He was conscious when conveyed to Changi General Hospital," said the police, who were alerted to the incident just after noon on Monday. The man fled the scene on his bicycle before police arrived, but he was arrested within 1½ hours of the incident. – The Straits Times
Dengue lurks in background of Covid-19 pandemic
With the country's attention and resources geared towards battling the Covid-19 pandemic, medical experts warn of the looming risk of dengue amid the rainy season in Malaysia. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), despite a risk of dengue infection existing in 129 countries, 70 per cent of the actual burden is in Asia with Malaysia having one of the highest number of cases. Over the last two years, dengue has been on the rise in Malaysia, registering 80,615 cases (147 deaths) in 2018 and 130,101 cases (182 deaths) last year. Based on annual data released by the Health Ministry's Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), dengue cases usually start increasing from May and spike after the monsoon during July and August. With the Movement Control Order (MCO) in place and most of the premises closed, experts have cautioned that heavy rain could lead to pooling of water and contribute to an increase in mosquito breeding sites. – New Straits Times
690 curfew breakers spur booze ban threat
A sudden rise in the number of people breaking the curfew to drink alcohol between Sunday night and early Monday morning has prompted a warning that the government may have to reinstate the sales ban. A total of 690 people defied the curfew, representing a 60% rise on the previous night when the alcohol sales ban was still in effect. The ban was lifted in most provinces including Bangkok on Sunday, which marked the first of a 14-day trial period for resuming alcohol sales. Of the 690 curfew violators, 129 were also involved in social drinking gatherings prohibited under the emergency decree, said the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin. The other types of misconduct associated with curfew violation were gambling and illicit drug use, he said. – Bangkok Post
Migrant Care urges humane treatment, protection for TKI returning amid COVID-19
Migrant Care called on the Indonesian government on Monday to avoid a heavy-handed approach to health security toward repatriating Indonesian migrant workers (TKI), and instead to maintain protection of the workers' rights upon their arrival. The labour rights advocacy group raised its call shortly after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo urged authorities to tighten monitoring over several COVID-19 clusters in the country, including migrant workers who were returning to the archipelago ahead of Idul Fitri. Migrant Care executive director Wahyu Susilo said he appreciated the President’s concern for migrant workers amid the nation's concerted efforts to mitigate the epidemic and its impacts. If the government declares the returning workers as persons under monitoring (ODPs), it must provide the workers with quarantine facilities and social assistance. – The Jakarta Post
PhilHealth rate hikes for OFWs ‘voluntary’
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) got a reprieve from paying higher premiums for a state-mandated health insurance after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) not to compel them to make the contributions before they leave the country. The increase in membership rates over the next five years covers not just migrant workers but all direct members of PhilHealth and is stipulated in the universal health care (UHC) program, according to the agency. Malacañang on Monday said the President did not want to further burden the OFWs amid the novel coronavirus pandemic that threatens their jobs abroad. “The President has issued a directive to PhilHealth to make the payment of premiums for OFWs on a voluntary basis,” said his spokesperson, Harry Roque, who noted that many of the workers had been repatriated and lost their jobs. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Việt Nam's wartime strategy successfully deployed for COVID-19 battle
Việt Nam recently celebrated the 45th anniversary of the country’s National Reunification and victory over a global superpower, but it has also been praised internationally in the past few weeks for initially winning the battle against an invisible enemy – the novel coronavirus. Even though the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to more than 3.5 million infections and 240,000 deaths globally, there have been only 271 confirmed cases (or 2.8 cases per million people) so far in Việt Nam, and no deaths reported. According to official figures, the country has recorded no new cases of community transmissions of the coronavirus for 18 days. This is no small feat since Việt Nam shares a long border with China, the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, is a low-income country, and has a huge population of 95 million people. – Viet Nam News
Six new COVID-19 cases, six more recovering in Myanmar
The health ministry reported six new COVID-19 cases as at 8 pm on May 4, bringing to 161 the total number of people infected with the dreaded disease in Myanmar to date. Five of the new patients are from Yangon Region and one from Nay Pyi Taw, data showed. Case 156 is a 33-year-old man from Zeyathiri township in Nay Pyi Taw. He had no contact with any COVID-19 confirmed patient and no travel history abroad. He has been admitted to the Nay Pyi Taw No 2 1000-bedded Military Hospital for treatment. Case 157 is a 23-year-old woman who lives in Insein township. She was infected from a teacher who worked at private school (Case-151). Cases 158 and 159, are women in their twenties who live in North Dagon township. They are suspected to have caught the disease from Case 101, a 60-year-old man and Case 107, a 54-year-old woman who both live in North Dagon. Case 160 is a 20-year-old boy who lives in Mayangone township. He was infected by Case 98. – Myanmar Times