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.
Bugis+ cinema and ActiveSG Gym in Sengkang visited by infectious coronavirus patients
FilmGarde cinema in Bugis+, an ActiveSG Gym at Fernvale Square and VivoCity are among places visited by Covid-19 patients while they were still infectious, said the Ministry of Health on Sunday (July 19). Chong Pang City Wet Market and Food Centre, Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre and The Metropolis were also newly added to the list by MOH. The ministry provides the list of locations and the times that infectious Covid-19 patients have visited for at least 30 minutes to get those who were at these places at specific periods to monitor their health closely for two weeks from the date of their visit. The full list of locations and times can be found on MOH's website. It has said that close contacts would already have been notified and that there is no need to avoid these places as they would have been cleaned if needed. The eight community cases announced on Sunday comprised two Singaporeans, one work pass holder and five work permit holders. Three of the community cases were linked to previous cases or clusters. – The Straits Times
Govt approves RM14.2bil of projects under facilitations funds
The government has so far approved RM14.2 billion of 320 Facilitations Fund projects, creating about RM230 billion worth of economic activities. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the economy Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the fund, which was under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach, had been the catalyst for greater private sector participation in the Malaysian economy. "PPP is a catalyst for broader sector reform and greater private sector participation. The government in its game changing strategies under the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plan, has established a Facilitation Fund of RM20 billion to catalyse private investment in nationally strategic areas," he said in opening speech at the Invest Malaysia 2020 here today. Of the total allocation, he said RM5 billion for land acquisition and the remaining RM15 billion would act as a tipping point to help the private sector finance projects. "The fund aims to help bridge the private sector viability gap with respect to projects that have a strategic impact and those with huge economic spill over effects," he added. – New Straits Times
Foreigners, migrant staff influx
Five select groups of foreigners and migrant workers are expected to be allowed to enter the country as the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will consider the 6th phase of Covid-19 easing this week. However, although the country has been free of local transmissions for 55 days, an opinion survey issued yesterday showed that public sentiment was still against plans to open the doors to foreigners. CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said at a press briefing on Sunday that a committee assigned to consider the easing of Covid-19 restrictions has discussed the 6th phase of relaxation and the issue will be tabled to a full meeting of the CCSA this week. The relaxation will cover migrant workers in the construction business and food export industry, foreign visitors who co-organise trade exhibitions, foreign visitors in film production crews, and foreign travellers who are members of the Thailand Elite Card scheme, Dr Taweesilp said. He insisted the government still gives top priority to public health safety, while keeping the economy functioning is of secondary importance. Effective disease control measures will restore public confidence, he said. – Bangkok Post
Indonesia’s virus cases, deaths accelerate after reopening
After almost a month of taking gradual steps to reopen the economy, Indonesia has seen its COVID-19 cases and deaths double as crowds re-emerge in virus epicentres like Jakarta. Experts have cautioned that the country is at risk of becoming one of the worst hit worldwide. Indonesia had recorded 86,521 total cases and 4,143 deaths as of Sunday, twice the cumulative figure from the previous month. The central government and local administrations gradually lifted requirements under large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the first weeks of June. By June 18, the Health Ministry had recorded 41,431 cases and 2,276 deaths nationwide, surpassing Singapore for the first time as the Southeast Asian country with most officially reported cases. As of Saturday, the total cumulative reported cases in Indonesia exceeded those officially reported in China, where the virus was first discovered, for the first time. As of the same day, China had recorded 83,644 cumulative cases, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). – The Jakarta Post
Duterte signs law on rescheduling opening of classes amid calamities
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that will allow the chief executive to move or reschedule the start of the school year in an event of a state of emergency or state of calamity. The President signed on July 17 Republic Act No. 11480 which amends Republic Act 7797 which mandates the opening of classes between the first Monday of June until the last day of August. “The school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August. Provided, that in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency or state of calamity, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education, may set a different date for the start of the school year in the country or parts thereof,” the law which was made public Monday read. The education secretary will then determine the end of the regular school year while “taking into considerations the Christmas and summer vacations, and the peculiar circumstances in each region.” – INQUIRER.net
VN-Index tipped to approach 900 points by the end of this year
Brokerages have forecast that the benchmark VN-Index on the Hồ Chí Minh exchange may approach 900 points by the end of this year despite worries over a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 was still the decisive factor influencing the stock market, said KB Securities Vietnam Co (KBSV). “The second wave of the pandemic will not take place in Việt Nam while it may return to some countries with less impact due to tighter containment. “Based on this scenario, we are optimistic the market has experienced the lowest price area in March, the peak period of the pandemic,” the company said. VNDirect Securities Company also said the second wave of COVID-19 could cloud the business prospects of listed firms, especially those operating in consumption. On the positive side, VNDirect said cash flow from foreign investors, the State Bank lowering interest rates and the approval of free trade agreements could create a push for the stock market in the second half of the year. "We estimate the profits of businesses will decrease by 5-6 per cent over the same period last year. The VN-Index could reach between 840-920 points by the end of this year," VNDirect said in its report. – Viet Nam News
Activist Dead, Another Beaten While Raising Alarm Over Alleged Logging
One forestry activist was beaten and another died after he was injured in a motorbike crash while both had been investigating illegal timber transportation in two separate incidents in which the activists had attempted to confront those they accused of forestry crimes. Environmental activist Heng Sros said on Friday that Sen Sothea, a forestry activist in Stung Treng province, died after the two men crashed their motorbike Thursday evening while investigating a company they believed to be behind forest clearing in Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. Sros said that he and Sen Sothea, 46, had travelled to Boeng Char commune in Kratie province’s Sambor district to investigate timber transporting near the Think Biotech concession, which also stretches into Stung Treng province on the eastern border of the Prey Lang sanctuary. – The Cambodia Daily