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.
Stay informed with The ASEAN Post.
Singapore will not return to pre-Covid 19 world, must chart a new path now: Chan Chun Sing
Singapore will not return to a pre-Covid 19 world, and must chart a new path by building a new economy now, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing. At a press conference on Tuesday (Aug 11) where it was announced that Singapore's economy contracted 6.7 per cent in the first half of this year and is expected to shrink by between 5 and 7 per cent this year, Mr Chan said the "painful truth" is that the country will not return to a pre-Covid 19 world. He said that recurring waves of infection and disruption mean that recovery will take time. "Recovery will be uneven across sectors. Some sectors will progressively recover, while others will be permanently changed." He also cautioned that the current crisis is unlike the 1998 Asian financial crisis or 2009 global financial crisis. "We cannot wait for Covid to blow over." – The Straits Times
Guan Eng claims trial to abuse of power; Phang charged with abetment
Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng was charged at the Sessions Court here today with abusing his power to obtain RM372,009.00 for his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng. Lim, 60, who is also former finance minister and current DAP secretary-general, nodded his head when the charge was read to him by the court interpreter before Judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid. He, however, pleaded "tidak bersalah" (not guilty) to the charge. Lim was alleged to have used his position as the Penang chief minister and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Tender Board to obtain gratification of RM372,009.00 for his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng through Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd. He allegedly used his position to ensure Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd was offered a request for proposal for a workers' quarters project in Batu Kawan in South Seberang Perai worth RM11,610,000. He allegedly committed the offense sometime between August 19 in 2013 and March 3 in 2016 at the Penang chief minister's office at Level 28 in Komtar. Under Section 24(1) of the Act, he faces a jail term of not more than 20 years, a fine of no less than five times the amount involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. – New Straits Times
Outbreak 'likely' if public drops guard
Thailand is likely to report new cases of local Covid-19 transmission as the global pandemic continues, but the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak in Thailand can be reduced if the public keeps up their guard, the Ministry of Public Health said on Monday. The warning was relayed at the ministry's daily press briefing about the country's Covid-19 infections tally by the chief of the Department of Disease Control chief Tanarak Plipat. Dr Tanarak noted on Monday that since Thailand has not reported any local transmission in more than 70 days, people are beginning to lower their guard against the virus. He went on to use the example of Vietnam, which had been widely touted as a pandemic success story until the number of locally transmitted cases of the novel coronavirus disease suddenly spiked. "We've been keeping a close watch on the situation in Vietnam after local infections were reported again. Until now, the origin of the outbreak has yet to be confirmed," Dr Tanarak said. – Bangkok Post
Decision to reopen more schools draws ire from teachers
The government’s decision to allow more schools to reopen has drawn strong criticism from paediatricians and teachers who have been calling for schools to stay focused on distance learning to prevent children from contracting the coronavirus disease. Despite daily increases of infections in Indonesia, the government expanded on Friday a school reopening policy for schools in COVID-19 yellow zones, or moderate-risk areas. The decision comes only a month after schools in green zones, or low-risk areas, were given the green light to reopen. The Federation of Indonesian Teachers Associations (FSGI) said the change risked creating new infection clusters at schools. The group has received reports of at least 180 teachers and students from across the nation who have tested positive for the virus. “The right to live and the right for students, teachers and parents to be healthy are still the most important things,” FSGI deputy secretary-general Satriwan Salim said on Monday. – The Jakarta Post
Peace talks adviser to NDFP killed at home
Death came to a consultant to the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the scuttled peace talks between the rebels and the government early Monday in an apartment in Novaliches, Quezon City. Randall “Randy’’ Echanis, 72, chair of Anakpawis, “was stabbed by suspected state forces in his rented place in the wee hours of the morning,” said Anakpawis, a party-list of labour group Kilusang Mayo Uno and the peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). Sought for comment on claims that state forces were behind the killing of the peace consultant, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, “Let’s wait for results of police investigation before pinning [the] death of Echanis on anyone.” The NDFP is the political organization of groups that include the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, which has been waging a guerrilla war for more than 50 years and negotiating on and off with the government to end the conflict since 1987. – INQUIRER.net
Viet Nam faces lowest growth in 35 years
Economists have predicted the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic could leave Viet Nam facing its lowest level of economic growth in 35 years. After 99 days without any new cases of community transmission, a local infection was confirmed in Danang on July 25 and the virus has since spread around the country and caused 14 fatalities, greatly impacting economic activities. According to many experts, the return of the virus will immediately eclipse the glimmer of hope for an early recovery for the tourism industry. Dinh Trong Thinh, a lecturer of the Academy of Finance, said: “If the pandemic is not well controlled this time, the economic impact will be very large due to the bigger scale.” Thinh added the local economy was under great pressure from weak demand for goods, products and services and it was facing the risk of interrupted production and service supply capacity. “The cost of fighting against the new wave of the pandemic and overcoming its influence will be much more expensive than the previous one. The most negative impacts will be seen on employment, production and business growth," Thinh told local media. – Viet Nam News
Covid fears stoked in Tbong Khmum
Nine relatives of the 27-year-old female UN Blue Helmet peacekeeper who was confirmed Covid-19 positive on Saturday were placed in quarantine in Kandal province’s Takhmao town, provincial Department of Health director Kuoy Bunthoeurn said on Monday. The nine have since been tested negative. Bunthoeurn said authorities are looking for other people who might have come into contact with the peacekeeper. This comes after Sithbo commune chief Om Leng issued a report to the Takhmao town hall on Monday, that the peacekeeper had travelled home to her village on July 30. The report was circulated on Facebook. Leng said she had cooked food for elderly people, handed out money and offered food to monks at Champu Prek Pagoda. She had tested positive for the virus after she ran a high fever and had a runny nose, the report said. “Currently, residents are deeply concerned because the patient had contacted many neighbours. Therefore, we urge the town governor to please be informed and take action favourably,” it added. – The Phnom Penh Post