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.
Many low-wage workers continue to work and get paid: Manpower Minister Josephine Teo
Many lower-paid workers continue to be employed during the lockdown as they are engaged in essential services, said Manpower Minister Josephine Teo. Her remarks came in response to questions about how low-wage staff members were coping given total employment fell by the sharpest margin ever in the first quarter compared with the last three months of 2019. Retrenchments also rose while increasing numbers of workers are affected by cost-cutting measures such as having shorter working weeks or being temporarily laid off. Concerns have been raised about the plight of low-wage workers whose financial difficulties would increase tremendously if they are retrenched or placed on no-pay leave. But Mrs Teo noted that while non-essential businesses had to cease operations during the circuit breaker period, low-wage employees tend to be working in vital roles. – The Straits Times
Survey: Millennials likely to quit their jobs to become entrepreneurs
A survey has revealed that 49 per cent of employees in Malaysia are likely to leave their jobs to start their own business. Fifty-six per cent of respondents, aged 25 to 34 years old, shared this sentiment, as compared to 28 per cent for those aged 55 to 67 years old, revealed the latest Randstad Malaysia's Workmonitor survey. "People tend to start their own business at an earlier age, due to fewer financial commitments and a more extensive future time perspective," said Randstad Malaysia and Singapore managing director Jaya Dass. She said with millennials' ability to bring about numerous tech skills due to their affinity with the digital world, employers are facing increased pressure in finding ways to attract and retain these valued employees. Hence, Dass said it is critical for companies to keep pace with their employees' expectations and ensure they are doing enough to maximise the positive employee experience. – New Straits Times
PM's fate in big brother's hands
The likely rise of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to the leadership of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will be the binding agent which holds the party together and cements the hold on power by the "brothers in arms", according to a source. Gen Prawit looks to be on his way to take over the leadership of the PPRP. Once firmly in control of the party, his role will further strengthen the positions of Gen Prawit himself, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda. The three generals were close long before they entered politics. They have now combined forces to command the most powerful posts in the government; Gen Prayut as prime minister, Gen Prawit as deputy premier in charge of national security and Gen Anupong as minister overseeing civil administrative organisation nationwide. – Bangkok Post
Indonesian wet markets carry high risk of virus transmission
For millions of Indonesians, pasar (traditional market) has always been the first stop to buy daily supplies, thanks to affordable prices, a chance for haggling and a wide range of goods. Even when COVID-19 hit the country, jostling crowds at traditional markets remained, raising concern that new clusters may emerge as the country begins to ease the coronavirus curbs. Indonesia has seen several COVID-19 clusters emanate from traditional markets. Among the recent ones are 26 confirmed cases related to Cileungsi Market in Bogor regency, West Java, 20 cases from Klender Market in East Jakarta and another 14 from Serdang Market in Central Jakarta. Among 12.3 million traders at 13,450 traditional markets across Indonesia, the association has recorded 535 vendors in 20 provinces contracting the virus, 29 of whom have died as of Friday. The highest number of cases at 133 was recorded in East Java. – The Jakarta Post
Rappler: Conviction of Ressa, Santos ‘sets dangerous precedent for everyone online’
The guilty verdict of a Manila court on the cyber-libel case against Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. on Monday is a dangerous precedent not only for journalists but for everyone online, according to the online news portal. “Today’s verdict sets a dangerous precedent not only for journalists but for everyone online. It weakens the ability of journalists to hold power to account as the one-year prescription period of libel is extended to 12 years,” Rappler said in a statement, shortly after the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 handed down the ruling. Rappler noted that the court’s decision was “historic,” since it was handed down during a pandemic with quarantine restrictions still in place, and since it is the first verdict on one of the many court cases lodged against the company. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Deputy PM: Utilise COVID-19 success to raise VN's global profile
Việt Nam must capitalise on its COVID-19 success to “elevate the country’s profile” on the world stage, according to Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam. Đam, who is also the chair of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, made the remark at the National Assembly plenary session on Saturday, as lawmakers deliberate Việt Nam’s socio-economic performance in the first months of 2020. “The return to normal life of Vietnamese people is the dream of many countries in the world,” Deputy PM Đam said, adding that so far Việt Nam remains among the 30 countries without any COVID-19 deaths. The country is nearing 60 days with no local community infections and just a few cases due to infections on repatriation flights bringing back stranded Vietnamese from overseas. – Viet Nam News
Cambodians Revel in Now Tourist-Free Angkor Wat
The new coronavirus has left its mark on Angkor Wat, the world’s top tourist attraction. Foreign visitors are rare, the elephants are being rehoused and local businesses have gone bankrupt, but for Cambodians it’s a chance to reclaim their heritage. Authorities say the number of paying visitors have been measured by the dozens on any given day and all are among those who remained in the country after the coronavirus began crossing borders in late January, forcing lockdowns around the world and ending international travel. – The Cambodia Daily