These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Coronavirus: 5 of 8 community cases part of cluster involved in family gatherings
Five of the eight new community cases of Covid-19 infection reported on Sunday (Aug 30) were part of a cluster involved in family gatherings across two households, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). In its daily update on Sunday, the ministry added that the authorities were investigating whether any safe distancing rules were breached. "We take a serious view of such breaches and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any offenders," added MOH. Another community case reported on Sunday is a colleague of a previous case who worked at a camera shop at Excelsior Shopping Centre, and had earlier been placed on quarantine, added the ministry. As a precautionary measure following the detection of an earlier case who had visited the shop during the previous case's infectious period, MOH has identified and contacted 240 individuals who had visited the shop between Aug 15 and Aug 18. MOH has facilitated Covid-19 testing for all of them, even though the risk of infection for visitors was assessed to be low. So far, a total of 224 individuals have been swabbed and the results are pending, added the ministry. – The Straits Times
'New normal' Merdeka Day celebrations majestic, spirited
Today's National Day celebrations were festive in spirit, despite being held for the first time amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Themed 'Malaysia Prihatin' (Malaysia Cares), the event unfolded at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, with attendance limited to dignitaries, members of the security forces and related personnel to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as physical distancing, set by the Health Ministry. Participants were required to register their attendance using the MySejahtera application, have their body temperatures recorded and wear face masks, as per Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) regulations. As crowds were banned, average Malaysians were not permitted to attend or partake in the ceremony - but they witnessed the event live via television and social media platforms. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah arrived at the venue at 8am, after which the National Anthem was played to mark the beginning of the celebration, Bernama reported. – New Straits Times
Govt backs off subs deal
The government has decided to temporarily back off from the controversial purchase of two submarines worth 22.5 billion baht from China after the Chinese government allowed the purchase to be delayed for a year, a source said. The source at the House committee scrutinising the budget bill for the 2021 fiscal year said that after the Chinese agreed to the request for the delay, the government sent a signal to the committee's members from coalition parties to slash the budget of about 3 billion baht for the first payment. The purchase of the first of the three submarines from China has already been finalised, using money from the 2017 budget. Delivery is expected in 2023. The other two submarines, costing 22.5 billion baht, require payments spread over seven years. The budget to buy the second and third submarines from China was scrutinised by the sub-committee on durable product items, state enterprises, ICT equipment and revolving funds headed by Suphon Fongngam, an MP from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party. – Bangkok Post
Huge Indonesia mine resumes operations after lockdown protest
Operations have resumed at the world's biggest gold mine in Indonesia, the company that runs it said Saturday, after workers blocked access to the site in protest at being stopped from visiting their families over virus concerns. The miners at the Grasberg complex in the country's easternmost Papua region reached an agreement with the US-based operator Freeport, which said it would resume bus services for workers to return home. This week more than 1,000 employees demonstrated at the mine's main entrance over the decision to cancel bus services to the city of Timika in response to fears about the spread of coronavirus infections. Many workers had been unable to leave the site – a high-altitude open pit that is also a major copper mine – for six months. Freeport spokesman Riza Pratama told AFP Saturday that the roadblock had been removed after a long negotiation period. Several buses departed from the mine late Friday, carrying some workers who had been granted a leave of absence, said local company spokesman Kerry Yarangga. These bus services will be run with stringent health protocols including Covid-19 testing, Yarangga said. – The Jakarta Post
Duterte tells troops: Fight hard ‘hanggang magkaubusan na’
In the wake of the deadly explosions in Jolo, Sulu last week that left at least 15 dead and 75 wounded, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to government troops to keep fighting until terrorists are neutralized. In his speech before troops in Jolo on Sunday, the President said the recent attack will only “strengthen” the country’s resolve “to crush the lawless elements behind this cowardly act.” “So, I will end my speech with an appeal that if we cannot really agree, then we fight and we fight hard to the end. Maybe by that time, if everything is gone, there will be no more war.” The President visited the blast site in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday and delivered a speech before troops there. He also offered flowers for those who lost their lives in the explosion. “So, I am asking you that even as you fight, think about peace. I cannot offer anything because I have also my mandate. I do not only order, I impose duties for you to do this. But if in God’s time, maybe, when is that? We will have time to talk and to ponder about peace and your children.” On August 24, an explosion jolted Barangay Walled City in Jolo where a military truck was parked, Western Mindanao Command commander Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said. – INQUIRER.net
More than 1,400 Vietnamese citizens brought home over weekend
More than 1,400 Vietnamese citizens were repatriated from China’s Taiwan and Macau, Oceanian countries, Japan, the Middle East and five African countries during the last weekends. A total of 340 Vietnamese citizens were brought home from Australia, New Zealand and Tonga aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight which landed at Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi, while another 230 were repatriated on a Vietjet Air flight which arrived in Can Tho International Airport in southern Viet Nam, both late on Friday. More than 350 Vietnamese citizens were brought home from Japan on a flight operated by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on Saturday. Upon landing at the Cam Ranh International Airport in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, those on board received health check-ups and were sent to quarantine facilities. As many as 140 Vietnamese citizens were brought home from South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and Qatar on a flight operated by the Qatar Airways on Sunday. Upon landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City, those on board received health check-ups and were sent to quarantine facilities. – Viet Nam News
Ministry says La Nina will bring heavy rain, flooding
Cambodia will experience heavy rain and flooding from September to late October, similar to what the Kingdom experienced between 1981 and 2010, said the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology. Ministry spokesman Chan Youttha said based on information from meteorological stations in Asia, Europe and the US, Cambodia and other regional countries will experience the La Nina weather phenomenon. “From mid-September onward, La Nina will cover 60 percent of Cambodia. We will experience a lot of rain and flooding. Other regional countries will also suffer this influence,” he said. He said the Ministry is always prepared for the dry and rainy seasons, especially when there are floods. Youttha said development in some areas has affected waterways and the situation demands that waterway system preparations be improved. The ministry has prepared a working group to monitor the situation in the capital and all provinces across the country. The ministry has also prepared machinery in case floods affect towns and homes. It plans to excavate land to release water and lessen the impact on citizens. Youttha called on citizens who have houses or farms in low-lying land flanking waterways to pay increased attention and be extremely vigilant from mid-September to late October. – The Phnom Penh Post