These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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S'pore to import electricity from Malaysia in pilot trial over 2 years
The little red dot wants a greener energy mix, and is taking multiple steps to achieve this – from an electricity import pilot with Malaysia, to soaking up more sunshine at home and investing in research on emerging low carbon technologies. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Monday (Oct 26) laid out the steps that Singapore will take to be a “bright green spark” for the world – a place where ideas and applications can be an inspiration and help to create more sustainable and higher quality living environments. As part of its plans, Singapore hopes to tap green energy from around the region through regional power grids. The groundwork for this will be laid through an electricity import pilot with Malaysia over two years. “We will be kicking this off with 100 megawatts of electricity imports over a trial period of two years,” said Mr Chan. This will make up about 1.5 per cent of Singapore’s peak electricity demand. “This (trial) can help us to access clean energy from regional countries and improve our energy resilience. We have been working closely with Malaysia and are thankful for their strong support,” Mr Chan said in his opening remarks at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), a week-long energy conference. The Energy Market Authority (EMA), an agency under Mr Chan’s ministry, plans to issue a request for proposal by March next year. Electricity imports could begin as early as end-2021, via the existing electricity interconnector between Singapore and Malaysia. – The Straits Times
No shortage of PPEs
The prisons department recently denied claims that there was a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in efforts to address and curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic among prison inmates, wardens, guards and other staff at prisons across the country. A prisons department spokesman stated that there were adequate PPEs in stock where the department was concerned. "At present we have more than enough PPEs, and the stock of PPEs at our disposal was prepared by the department itself. "Apart from this, we can also reveal that we have received gracious contribution of PPEs and other necessary equipment and supplies from other relevant government agencies, entities as well as individuals. "So, we would like to assure the public that there is no shortage of PPEs for the prisons department," the spokesman stressed. On Oct 14, The Prisons Department had announced that all visitations to prison institutions would be barred for the time being. The department said the suspension, which began on Oct 14, would remain until further notice. The announcement followed an alarming increase in the number of new daily Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country. Previously on Oct 7, the prisons department had announced several measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 infection among prisoners, inmates, guards, wardens and other prison staff, whereby prisoners who were serving time under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act would be transferred to several National Service (NS) camps gazetted as temporary prisons, which could accommodate between 2,300 and 2,800 inmates in total. Another measure taken was granting inmates Release On Licence (ROL) for minor offenders who were sentenced to one year of imprisonment, with less than three months left to serve. – New Straits Times
House convenes to solve crisis
House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has called on MPs and senators to make a concerted effort to find a solution to the political conflict during the two-day special parliamentary session starting on Monday. Mr Chuan also warned politicians not to attempt to exploit parliament in a way that would exacerbate the situation. The meeting, being held on Monday and Tuesday, has been convened under Section 165 of the constitution, which says the government can request a joint House-Senate sitting for a general debate without a vote to listen to members' opinions on issues of importance. The special session is taking place before parliamentarians were officially due to return on Nov 1. Mr Chuan also said some MPs had disagreed with the opening of the special session, arguing rival politicians would seize the chance to point the finger of blame rather than work together for the good of the nation. "I told the MPs they must try to prevent that by cooperating and presenting useful ideas. This is not a censure debate,'' he warned. Commenting on security arrangements in case anti-government demonstrators turn up at parliament while the House is in session, Mr Chuan said he was confident the situation would not become violent and reinforcements from the police force or military would not be needed. Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, a list MP for the ruling Palang Pacharath Party (PPRP) and a government whip, said coalition parties have been instructed to make sure enough MPs attend the meeting to make up a quorum. – Bangkok Post
Jobs law needed for Indonesia to advance amid pandemic, Jokowi argues
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has sought to defend the passing of the highly controversial Job Creation Law, arguing the law is necessary to make Indonesia more economically competitive amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The global COVID-19 pandemic does not hinder the government from making structural reforms. While some developed countries are facing downturns, Indonesia on the other hand is advancing forward,” Jokowi said in a speech at a virtual event commemorating the Golkar Party's 56th anniversary on Saturday, as quoted by kompas.com. "That is the spirit behind the government's policies, including the Job Creation Law." He said the newly-passed law would help small businesses grow faster by simplifying the business permit and halal certification process for micro, small and medium enterprises. “2021 will be a year of opportunity, the year for national and global economic recovery,” he said. “This pandemic has indeed put us at a disadvantage; however, it opens up opportunities as well, as long as we act faster and more efficiently than other countries.” In his speech, he also thanked Golkar for its support of the omnibus law in the House of Representatives. Experts and activists have said the law was rushed through the House in an unconstitutional process and that the law itself could undermine labour rights and environmental protections. Several groups and labour unions are still planning to stage more protests demanding the revocation of the law in the coming days. – The Jakarta Post
15 ‘Bayaning Nars’: We need not die to be heroes
Mary Lorraine Pingol was both happy and sad that she was among the 15 nurses recognized as “heroes” by their peers in the time of pandemic, when the plight of one of the most overworked health professionals has come under the spotlight. The nurse who shot to fame for helping a homeless woman give birth on a sidewalk two months ago is the only living recipient of this year’s “Bayaning Nars” award from the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), the country’s 98-year-old professional nurses’ organization. The 14 others died while serving in the front line against COVID-19. “I feel quite sad that the other nurses who were also given the award have already passed away, but I know that their legacy will remain forever,” Pingol said in an interview with the Inquirer on Friday, three days after receiving the award. The Bayaning Nars award recognizes “unsung hero nurses… who have done valiant, and extraordinary deeds that exemplify love of God and country, caring, and integrity beyond her call of duty,” the PNA said. Its posthumous citation for the 14 others reads: “In grateful appreciation of their selfless commitment beyond the call of duty as front-liners amidst these trying times of health crisis for their heroic deed and sacrifice, truly, they are an epitome of pride and inspiration to the nursing profession.” – INQUIRER.net
Travel agencies look to set up criteria for 'safe destinations'
Leading tourist companies in HCM City are seeking to establish safe destination criteria to reboot tourism and prepare for international arrivals in the near future. Speaking at a seminar on safe tourism held recently in HCM City, Trần Minh Hùng, editor-in-chief of the Saigon Times group, the seminar’s organiser, said: “In order to attract international tourists in a sustainable way, safe destination criteria must first be established.” He added that the criteria must offer clear and easily understood information to make tourists feel protected amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A survey conducted by Outbox Consulting Services and Destinations Management Company showed that 92 per cent of respondents were worried about sanitation and safety at accommodations. Eighty-three per cent of participants did not want to travel if they must participate in a quarantine process at their destination. Eighty-three per cent of visitors also thought that quarantine areas had the same risk as infection as other areas. About 79 per cent of respondents believed that publicising and following the Government’s safe tourism criteria was the most important factor. Đặng Mạnh Phước, director of Outbox Consulting, suggested four core goals of safe criteria for service providers and visitors. Firstly, businesses and personnel in the tourism sector must be trained in implementing regulations on the prevention of COVID-19. The second goal is ensuring community health and safety standards, and the third is creating the belief that Việt Nam is a safe destination for visitors. Finally, new attractions and destinations should be publicised widely to lure visitors. Phước said the four goals could promote confidence among visitors, and connect visitors and tourism businesses and individuals. Nguyễn Việt Anh, head of the travel section of the HCM City Department of Tourism, said: “Localities need to work with others to create unified safe criteria to reboot tourism promotion.” – Viet Nam News
Floods in Cambodia claim 40 lives as rescue efforts intensify
The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) reported that the ongoing flash floods have so far killed 40 people. From Sept. 1 to the evening of Oct. 24, 2020, the flash floods have affected 117 cities/districts/Khan in 20 of the 25 provinces and capital city – Phnom Penh, Pursat, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Svay Rieng, Thbong Khmum, Oddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Mondulkiri, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, and Kampong Thom. A total of 136,442 families or 545,768 people have been affected, of them 11,838 families or 47,352 people have been evacuated to the safety grounds, it added. Besides, 120,418 houses, 925 schools, 305 pagodas, 270,007 hectares of rice fields, 88,779 hectares of subsidiary crops, and many roads, bridges, canals have been flooded and damaged. Competent authorities at all levels have been actively taking necessary measures to timely assist the victims so as to reduce to the maximum the difficulties and the impact on people’s properties and lives. Prime Minister Hun Sen last week visited and distributed relief to some 30,000 flooded-affected people in different districts of Banteay Meanchey province. “The current priority of the Royal Government is to rescue people from the flood-hit areas,” Hun Sen underlined. – Khmer Times