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.
Coronavirus: SIA expects full-year net loss for first time in its history
Singapore Airlines (SIA) expects to make a full-year net loss for the first time in its history as the coronavirus continues to hammer the global aviation sector. The SIA Group, which comprises national carrier SIA, regional arm SilkAir and budget carrier Scoot, said in a Singapore Exchange update on Friday (May 8) that the forecast is despite "strong results" in the first nine months of the financial year that ended in March 2020. A small operating profit is still expected for the full year, the airline added. Operating cash flows are expected to remain negative in the April to June quarter, with the Covid-19 pandemic not showing any definitive signs of abatement. The full results for the year will be announced on May 14. – The Straits Times
Smooth start to Penang Gradual Recovery Strategy
Penang today kicked off its own version of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) – the Penang Gradual Recovery Strategy (PGRS). Police were seen monitoring the public to ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were observed. At the Air Itam market, which had experienced overcrowding during the start of the MCO, shoppers were smaller in number despite 70 per cent of roadside stalls in operation. While the line into the market was orderly, with authorities taking patrons' temperatures and ensuring that the one-metre social distancing regulation was observed, it was not so at the roadside stalls. However, the situation was still under control. Today is the first time in nearly two months that the roadside stalls are allowed to operate on a rotation basis. – New Straits Times
Govt mulls easing more curbs
Shopping malls and large retail outlets selling construction materials will be allowed to reopen as lockdown measures are eased further on May 17 if there is no surge in new infections. China and South Korea will also be the first countries to be removed from a list of the government's dangerous communicable disease zones. The issues were discussed at a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday. Gen Prayut stressed that measures to assist people must be done with care and must not overlook anyone affected. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the CCSA spokesman, said the centre will gather opinions about the next round of disease control relaxation from today until next Tuesday and draft the relaxation measures next Thursday. "The next stage of relaxation will begin on May 17 unless the number of new Covid-19 cases soars," he said. – Bangkok Post
Labour union speaks out against govt’s ‘lenient’ holiday bonus policy
The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) has spoken out against a circular issued by the Manpower Ministry that would purportedly allow employers to cut holiday bonuses (THR) and postpone the distribution of financial incentives ahead of Idul Fitri, amid the turbulence triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. KSPI chairman Said Iqbal said the circular violated Law No. 13/2003 and Government Regulation No. 78/2015, which stipulate that every employer is obligated to provide a holiday bonus to employees who have worked at the company for more than one year without any prior negotiation. Employees who have been on the payroll for less than one year, meanwhile, have a right to receive an incentive provided in accordance to the duration of their employment, Said added. – The Jakarta Post
PH govt constantly monitoring global supply chain for COVID-19 test kits
The Philippine government is constantly monitoring the global supply chain for test kits for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a bid to ramp up the country’s testing capacity, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Friday. “The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management really look at the global supply chain,” he said in an online press briefing. “We really monitor this, the DBM monitors where supplies are available,” Duque added. Duque admitted that ramping up the country’s testing capacity is hampered by the shortage in supply of equipment and material essential in detecting the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
VN records no new COVID-19 cases on Friday morning
Việt Nam recorded no new cases of COVID-19 on Friday morning marking 22 consecutive days without a single community transmission. The announcement from the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control came the day after 17 passengers returning to Việt Nam on a flight from overseas tested positive for coronavirus. The total number of people in Việt Nam who have been infected remains at 288 with zero fatalities. All of the new patients reported on Thursday evening are Vietnamese nationals returning from the UAE on a Vietnam Airlines flight. They include a new born baby. All 17 are being treated at the general hospital in Bạc Liêu Province. – Viet Nam News
Myanmar opts for limited stimulus to counter pandemic
A stimulus package cobbled together by the government to mitigate against COVID-19 economic shocks has been largely welcomed by businesses and investors although details were vague. There are also doubts over the plan's capacity to support swathes of Myanmar’s formal and informal economy. The government’s 15-page document, released April 27, listed more than 50 measures to support the economy, including in banking, manufacturing and e-commerce. No clear budget was revealed, except for up to K500 billion (US$360 million) in loans for small- and medium-sized businesses in selected sectors - an expansion of an existing K100 billion (US$72 million) fund. Most measures contained little information about how much money will be allocated and how they will be implemented. – Myanmar Times