These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Singapore may tighten Covid-19 rules ahead of Chinese New Year, will also prioritise vaccine roll-out
The battle against Covid-19 this year will be fought on two fronts: speeding up the nationwide vaccination programme, and keeping the slate of safeguards finely tuned. This could mean implementing further restrictions ahead of Chinese New Year in February, when more social interaction is expected to take place, said Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the task force tackling the pandemic. He pointed out that the number of Covid-19 cases in the community has been inching up roughly two weeks after the year-end festive period. "We are concerned that if we continue in the same sort of situation, (if) we don't do something more, then this continued creep in the cases may end up in new clusters emerging, that may be beyond our control later," Mr Wong said. "So, we are considering very carefully now whether additional measures may be necessary." He added: "Exactly what these are - whether they pertain to house visitations, what kind of measures - we are still studying. And when we are ready, we will highlight them." Mr Wong and task force co-chair Gan Kim Yong, the Health Minister, were addressing reporters on Tuesday (Jan 19) at an interview to mark one year of Covid-19 in Singapore. The ministers also thanked front-line workers, individual volunteers, and organisations that contributed to the effort and went out of their comfort zones to help. The country's response to the crisis reflected the resilience of its society, Mr Gan said, adding: "When the challenges come our way, we are able to come together, look after one another, support one another and to emerge stronger at the end of the crisis." – The Straits Times
MCO begins in Perak with launch of 'Ops Payung'
Police have launched 'Ops Payung' by setting up umbrella beat bases at wet markets and shopping malls to ensure that members of the public do not flout the standing operating procedures (SOP) of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Perak has been placed under the MCO beginning today until Feb 4. District police chief Assistant Commissioner A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz said Ops Payung would be a reminder to the people that the authorities are there to monitor SOP compliance among them. "Ops Payung, which begins today, is being conducted at strategic wet markets and shopping malls here. We want to bring a message to the people that they need to comply with the SOPs during this MCO period. "We found that there are still many people out there who are not wearing their masks properly as well as not practising physical distancing. "We are committed to ensuring that the public adhere to standard operating procedures. We are also not hesitant to issue compounds," he told reporters after checking a roadblock in Jalan Kuala Kangsar here, today. For wet markets, Ops Payung has been launched at Pasar Kampung Tawas, Pasar Buntong, Pasar Kampung Rapat, Pasar Kinta and Pasar Tanjung Rambutan. The police will be there from 8am until 2pm. Meanwhile, for shopping malls, Ops Payung will be in force at Ipoh Parade, Aeon Kinta City, Aeon Klebang, Aeon Station 18 and Mydin; and the police will be there between 10am and 8pm. On roadblocks, A. Asmadi said five have been set up at Jalan Kuala Kangsar and Jalan Bercham; as well as at the state's border along Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands, Jelapang Plaza Toll (northbound and southbound). "A total of 188 personnel from various agencies will be manning the roadblocks during one shift," he added. – New Straits Times
'Dust dome' to blame for city's haze
The drop in air quality across Bangkok over the past week is caused by an urban "dust dome" over the city, which formed as low atmospheric pressure and high-rise buildings trapped dust and other pollutants from the burning of agricultural waste, says Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa. The haze which has shrouded Bangkok over the past four to five days wasn't just caused by the build-up of microfine PM2.5 dust, as the concentration of larger PM10 pollutants and greenhouse gases has also soared. These pollutants, the minister said, are the result of the improper disposal of farming waste around the city's northern outskirts. The minister said he has asked provincial governors to ask farmers in their area to avoid burning farm waste. He also asked them to consider imposing a ban on outdoor burning if the farmers refuse to cooperate. Mr Varawut suggested farmers find a way to sell their agricultural waste instead of burning it. Schools will be allowed to delay their reopening if the haze problem in their area continues to deteriorate, he added. He also encouraged Bangkok residents to avoid outdoor activities and keep their masks on while outside, to prevent health problems from the ultra-fine PM2.5 pollutant as well as Covid-19. Bangkok's Air Pollution Coordination and Resolutions Centre said on Thursday that PM2.5 levels in the capital hovered between 51-89 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m³); 69 areas in the city reported PM2.5 levels exceeding the safe threshold for exposure, which is set by the government at 50μg/m³. Meanwhile, in an effort to improve air quality in Thailand, the Department of Pollution Control is considering lowering the "safe" threshold for PM2.5 exposure below the current level. Department chief Attapol Charoenchansa said the department is looking at potentially lowering the safe threshold for PM2.5 exposure over a 24-hour period from 50μg/m³ to 30μg/m³. The department said a new standard for air quality is likely to emerge within the next five years, as many of the government's active measures to combat air pollution have yielded positive results. – Bangkok Post
Second Covid-19 swab test now mandatory for quarantined inbound passengers
Passengers from countries with travel restrictions due to the new variant of Covid-19 are now required to undergo a second RT-PCR test on their fifth day of quarantine. This is in accordance with the proposal of the Department of Health (DOH) to the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) after contacts of the 29-year-old Filipino who tested positive for the Covid-19 variant initially tested negative for the viral illness but later on yielded positive test results after re-swabbing. “They [inbound passengers] shall be quarantined until the result of that test is released,” Palace and IATF spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement Friday. The government has imposed a travel ban on foreigners from over 20 countries due to the Covid-19 variant which is believed to be up to 70% more infectious. Only Filipinos will be allowed entry subject to the quarantine and testing protocols. Roque, however, clarified that foreign nationals who serve as personnel of accredited international organizations, along with spouses and minor children of Filipino citizens traveling with them are now exempted from the travel ban but they also have to undergo the quarantine and testing protocol. Meanwhile, those who arrive for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, are now subject to applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the DOH, the Palace official said. – INQUIRER.net
Vietnamese, Australian PMs hold phone talks
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison had a telephone talk on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of shared concern. The Australian PM congratulated Việt Nam on outstanding achievements the country gained in 2020 to become a rare model in COVID-19 pandemic control and socio-economic development amid the worst global economic depression in decades. He believes that the upcoming 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) will be a success. He also congratulated Việt Nam on fulfilling the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020 with the successful signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He thanked Việt Nam for its support in turning the ASEAN-Australia Summit into an annual mechanism. Morrison hopes the Việt Nam-Australia relations will be elevated to a strategic partnership in 2023 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations. Phúc suggested that the two sides optimise their advantages and potential of cooperation so as to become one of the top 10 trade partners of each other and double two-way investment flow, thus supporting the post-pandemic recovery. He mentioned the need to soon finalise and sign the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), while promoting cooperation in the framework of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and RCEP, thus further boosting trade and minimise disputes. He proposed that Australia continue giving technical support to Việt Nam and further open its market for Vietnamese agricultural products such as fresh whole shrimp, longan, passion fruit, rambutan and star apple. Việt Nam hopes that Australia will encourage large firms to invest in telecommunications, infrastructure, hi-tech agriculture, finance-banking, mining, energy, manufacturing, education, and tourism in Việt Nam, while increasing the provision of ODA to Việt Nam, focusing on infrastructure, agricultural, rural and mountainous development, poverty reduction, climate change response, and high-quality human resource training. Both sides should also strengthen cooperation in military medicine, cyber security, and defence industry, PM Phúc told the Australian government leader, asking the Australian side to continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to settle in the country while keeping the Vietnamese cultural characteristics and language. The two leaders affirmed that friendship and mutual understanding and trust would be a strong motivation for more effective, intensive and extensive cooperation between the two countries. They agreed on the need to continue deepening economic connectivity between the two countries, and pledged to provide Việt Nam with more resources and support so that the country can access effective and safe vaccines. He also affirmed continued support for Việt Nam in performing the role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2021, and in conducting UN peacekeeping operations. – Viet Nam News
King hopes for boost in US relationship under President Biden
King Norodom Sihamoni sent a congratulatory message to US President Joe Biden yesterday and expressed his confidence that the long-standing relationship between the United States and Cambodia will develop further under his administration. The King in the royal message dated January 21 said: “The Kingdom of Cambodia has had long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation at bilateral, regional and international levels with the United States of America. I express my confidence that these ties will develop further under Your Excellency’s Administration.” King Sihamoni said he was certain that Biden would guide Americans “on the path of justice, peace, unity and prosperity”. “On the auspicious occasion of your Excellency’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States of America, following an outstanding and historical election, I wish to convey to your Excellency my most sincere congratulations and best wishes for your happiness.” The congratulatory message was sent after Biden was sworn in as president at the US Capitol in Washington DC on Wednesday. The switch from former President Donald Trump to Biden could have far-reaching consequences for the world, including in Cambodia. While Trump spoke out against giving aid to Cambodia – although he later signed a bill granting Cambodia around $85 million in aid, with stipulations – Biden will likely take a different approach, Associate Professor of Diplomacy & World Affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles Sophal Ear said. But, Ear said, aid offered by a Biden-led presidency may come with even more stipulations, as the Biden presidency would bring a return to America’s mission of upholding democracy and battling for human rights. This could mean that Cambodia may have to address its alleged human rights issues more than it did during the Trump presidency, he said. He added that America will become less isolationist over the next four years. “President Biden will be building foreign alliances. It won’t be “America First” and alone, but America with Europe and the West (Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc), against human rights abuses, the destruction of democracy, and the curtailing of freedom.” Much of the effects of the Biden presidency on Cambodia will be a result of how the US navigates its relationship with China. Ear said: “President Biden’s Asia team, led by Kurt Campbell, cares about democracy. Campbell was in charge of Asia under Obama, so it will be a nice return to democratic norms. China will remain a thorn in the US’ relationship with Cambodia, and there won’t be the same light touch as before, under Obama.” – Khmer Times
US charges Indonesian extremist in 2002 Bali bombings
US military prosecutors have filed formal charges against an Indonesian Islamic extremist and two others in the 2002 Bali bombings and 2003 Jakarta attack, the Pentagon said Thursday. The charges were filed nearly 18 years after the three were captured in Thailand and after each has spent more than 14 years in the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The first charged was Indonesian militant Riduan Isamuddin, better known by his nom de guerre Hambali, the leader of the Indonesian jihadist group Jemaah Islamiyah and believed to have been Al-Qaeda's top representative in the region. The group, with support from Al-Qaeda, carried out bombings of tourist nightclubs on Bali on October 12, 2002 that killed 202, and the August 5, 2003 attack on the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta that left 12 dead and scores injured. The other two charged, Malaysian nationals Mohammed Nazir Bin Lep and Mohammed Farik bin Amin, were top Hambali aides in Jemaah Islamiyah who had undergone training by Al-Qaeda, according to Guantanamo case documents. "The charges include conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, terrorism, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, destruction of property, and accessory after the fact, all in violation of the law of war," the Pentagon said in a statement. It was not clear why after years of delay that the charges before Guantanamo's military tribunal were announced Thursday. In 2016 Hambali's bid to be released from Guantanamo was rejected because, prosecutors said, he still represented a "significant threat to the security of the United States." The charges were announced on the first full day of the administration of President Joe Biden. When Biden was Barack Obama's vice president, they sought but failed to close the navy-run prison in Guantanamo and have remaining prisoners either released or tried in US civilian courts. – The Jakarta Post