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.
Cost of Covid-19 tests to be waived for S'poreans
Singaporeans and permanent residents who left Singapore before an advisory against travelling out of the country was issued on March 27 and who are returning in the near future will not have to pay for their Covid-19 tests. But this holds only if they enter Singapore by Aug 31, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday (June 17). Those who left the country after March 27 in spite of the travel advisory will continue to bear the full costs of their Covid-19 tests, which costs up to $200. They would also need to pay for staying in dedicated facilities if they are serving their stay-home notices there. This applies to all Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners. The ministry also clarified that it will not automatically swab those who are aged 12 or younger before they end their stay-home notices unless their close contacts test positive for the virus. – The Straits Times
Sabah minister to face another charge
State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony arrived at the Sessions Court here at 8.30am today, to face another charge allegedly related to breach of trust. Supporters were also seen gathering outside the court to show their support. On June 11, the Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president was slapped with five counts of money laundering charges amounting to RM8.75 million. Three of the offences were under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Two others were under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, respectively. – New Straits Times
Prayut launches 'new normal'
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has launched the government's "new normal" initiative by inviting people from all sectors of society to map out Thailand's future after the Covid-19 crisis. The prime minister on Wednesday addressed the nation on the government's plan for the country in the post Covid-19 era. He announced three "new normal" ways of working for himself and the government by harnessing the knowledge of sectors in society. "I would like to kick off today with a national mission to plan a great Thailand together under a nation-building programme I have called 'Thais Together Build Thailand'. And I would like to invite every citizen to resolve to do their part and be ready to contribute to that plan," he said. – Bangkok Post
Government won't open Bali yet: COVID-19 task force
The government has decided not to open tourist destinations in Bali yet as the risk of COVID-19 transmission lingers. National COVID-19 task force chief Doni Monardo said on Wednesday that he had discussed the possibility of opening some tourist destinations in Bali during the transition to the “new normal” with Bali Governor Wayan Koster, and both agreed not to do it. "The result of our discussions with several regional leaders, including the Bali governor, was that we have decided not to open Bali yet," Doni said in a hearing with House of Representatives Commission X overseeing tourism. Doni said he wanted the local government to prepare a plan to anticipate the virus. "We want Bali to have a special protocol from other regions, especially in monitoring people [to determine] if they should be allowed to take tours in Bali," he said. – The Jakarta Post
‘Ombudsman probe to affect morale of DOH personnel’
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday admitted that the investigation launched by the Office of the Ombudsman over the supposed “irregularities and anomalies” in its handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis may affect the morale of its personnel. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said DOH personnel were surprised upon learning that Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered the probe involving the purchase of 100,000 test kits, the use of UP-invented test kits and other alleged irregularities committed by DOH officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III amid the pandemic. “Yesterday, when this came out talagang nagulat kaming lahat [when this came out we were really surprised] that you know it reached this point that we are being investigated for these things,” Vergeire said in an interview on CNN Philippines’ The Source. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Revised enterprise law to not include household businesses, SOEs definition settled
The National Assembly (NA) passed the revised Law on Enterprises on Wednesday morning in Hà Nội, introducing several important changes to regulations overseeing business activities. Notably, the NA ruled household businesses will require a different law and are not subject to the revised Law on Enterprises. According to the Vietnam Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises Association, there are more than five million household businesses in the country with a total revenue estimated at VNĐ12.3 trillion (US$502 million) annually. They also employ nearly eight million people. The vote put to rest a lengthy debate over whether household businesses should be governed under the Law on Enterprises. A majority of deputies voiced concerns that given the distinct characteristics of household businesses and how differently they operate compared to other businesses, there should be a separate law for them. – Viet Nam News
Action needed now to reduce Phnom Penh’s floods
Don’t let the humorous memes featuring soggy commuters trudging through water-laden Phnom Penh streets fool you; urban flooding is a serious problem, and one that receives regular discussion but sparks little concrete action. Typically, if flooding in Cambodia is discussed at all, it’s brought up in relation to its rural impacts. Rural flooding affects large swaths of agricultural land and homes and threatens the incomes of these communities. Urban flooding, by comparison, gets relatively little coverage despite the large number of people affected and the damage to property it causes. One aspect that makes urban flooding so problematic is how unpredictable it can be, with sudden heavy downpours swamping many communities in Phnom Penh, and rendering roads impassable. Just recently, for example, after a heavy deluge, there was flooding in Por Senchey district’s Kakap commune. – The Cambodia Daily