These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Singapore businessman linked to alleged fraud of record $1 billion charged
A businessman charged on Monday (March 22) has been linked to an alleged fraud involving at least $1 billion, the largest in Singapore's history. Ng Yu Zhi, 33, is the director of two firms and said to have raised the money from investors, purportedly to finance nickel trading. The alleged victims were promised varying returns averaging 15 per cent over three months. But the nickel trades never took place and the investors are still owed the money, the police said on Monday. Ng, the director of Envy Asset Management (EAM) and Envy Global Trading, was charged with two counts of cheating and two of being a party to fraudulent trading involving about $48 million. He is expected to face more charges at a later date. Of the $1 billion invested in the companies between October 2017 and last month, about $300 million was allegedly transferred to his personal account. The Commercial Affairs Department has seized $100 million of assets from Ng. Neither of the firms is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). EAM has been on its investor alert list since March last year. The MAS said it had received public feedback that EAM claimed it was in the process of applying for a licence, even though no application had been submitted. The prosecution asked for $3 million cash bail in addition to electronic tagging. The court was told that Ng has family and access to assets overseas. He has a registered company with a London bank account and significant investments in Hong Kong, London and Switzerland. Ng also has a child with a partner who has since returned to China, and had given her high-value gifts, including several cars here. The defence sought $1 million bail with e-tagging, citing the Ponzi scheme case of Sunshine Empire, where those accused were given bail of at most $800,000. District Judge Terence Tay fixed bail at $1.5 million with e-tagging, and a 10pm to 6am curfew. It is believed to be the highest sum imposed since electronic monitoring was introduced as a condition of bail in 2018. The case has been adjourned until May 17, and more charges are expected to be tendered by the prosecution. Ng is believed to be on remand. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined for each count of cheating. For each count of fraudulent trading, he could be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to $15,000 or both. – The Straits Times
'Comply with SOP until large portion of population vaccinated'
Health experts advised the public to continue adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOP), especially wearing face masks and observing physical distancing, until a substantial portion of the population has been vaccinated against Covid-19. The advice came following the release of interim public health recommendations by the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that vaccinated people could gather indoors with other vaccinated people or with some unvaccinated people of the same household. Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said it was better for people to continue to adhere to the SOP as a precautionary measure. "Right now, vaccination will not really protect people against infections or the virus. "So, Malaysians should continue to observe physical distancing and mask-wearing practices even if they get fully vaccinated until the country achieves good vaccination coverage and low community transmission. "Hopefully, we can achieve both and, subsequently, get the country out of the pandemic by next year or 2023." Epidemiology and biostatistics expert Associate Professor Dr Malina Osman from Universiti Putra Malaysia also advised people to continue complying with the SOP. "People who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, where they've got both doses (for vaccines that require two shots), two to three weeks after the second shot, they can create an immunity bubble or get together among themselves. "However, in our setting and to avoid confusion, I prefer that the guidelines (from the CDC) are implemented only after a substantial proportion, at least 30 to 40 per cent, of our population has been fully vaccinated." Taking into consideration the current situation and the progress of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, Dr Malina said it was imperative that all parties continue to observe the SOP for the country to win the battle against the pandemic. "We have to reach a situation where the majority of the population have been vaccinated before we can declare it safe for us to no longer practise physical distancing and mask-wearing." She said based on scientific findings, a person would be fully protected from Covid-19 two to three weeks after receiving the second shot of most vaccines that were available. "It depends on the type of vaccine as some vaccines need only one shot instead of two." She said people should look forward to participating in the NIP. "In terms of prevention against Covid-19, immunisation is the best option as it offers immunity and is not affected by changes in behavioural patterns." During a virtual engagement with the media last month, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah cautioned people against forming the expectation that they could go back to the old norms overnight as more people get vaccinated worldwide. He said the World Health Organisation had the biggest say on whether people around the world could go back to normalcy. He said until the world health body issued a new guideline, it was important for everyone to wear face masks and follow the current protocols. – New Straits Times
Human trials of local jab start
Thailand on Monday started the first human trials of a domestically developed Covid-19 vaccine, with the rollout expected to begin next year. The vaccine, consisting of an inactivated virus to trigger immunity, is being developed by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) using egg-based technology. The GPO has been working on the project with Mahidol University's Tropical Medicine Department, the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), an American non-profit organisation, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. Together they have developed a pilot NDV-HXP-S vaccine and lab tests have been showing promising results. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the development of the home-grown vaccine is a very significant step for the country's public health, as it would enable Thailand to be self-reliant and it would not need to depend on vaccines from foreign countries. The information from the human trials will be used to apply for registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for industrial production at the GPO's vaccine production plant in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district. The plant already has egg-based technology to make flu vaccines, which will be adjusted to produce Covid-19 vaccines, he said. "Production is expected to begin next year, with an estimated 25-30 million doses annually," Mr Anutin said. The minister was confident that the success of home-grown vaccine production would help Thailand to manage its vaccination strategy more effectively. "Even though we can produce vaccines in the country, it is from technology transfer and under management of the owners of the brands and technology," he told the news conference. "But today, if we are successful, we can be self-reliant and determine our own direction. "Banchong Mahaisavariya, president of Mahidol University, said the first and second phases of human trials will be to test the safety of the vaccine and its ability to trigger immunity. A total of 460 volunteers would be recruited for the human trials, 210 of whom are aged 18-59 and would take part in the first phase. They must be in good health and free of Covid-19. Volunteers will be screened and have their backgrounds checked and undergo health and blood checks. Of the 210 volunteers, the first group of 18 would be given the smallest amount of vaccine which would be increased gradually while testing would be conducted on the other 192 volunteers, Dr Banchong said. Phase two is expected to begin in July, with testing on 250 volunteers aged between 18-75. Results are expected to be known by the end of the year, he said. Dr Punnee Pitisuttithum, head of the Vaccine Trial Centre at Mahidol University's Tropical Medicine Department, said that the first human trial was conducted on four volunteers on Monday. – Bangkok Post
Duterte says ‘illegal’ for gov’t to pay compensation for vaccine side effects
Despite having recently signed a law establishing a P500-million indemnity fund as a salient feature in the government’s COVID-19 vaccine procurement program, President Rodrigo Duterte now said it is illegal for government to assume liability and be made to pay compensation to those who would suffer from the adverse effects of the vaccines procured. “The manufacturers want the private sector to buy, but the government will assume liability. This cannot be.” Duterte made the remarks even after the country’s vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. explained that all contracts for the vaccine procurement have an indemnification clause. “Sa lahat po ng kontrata, nakapirma po tayo ng indemnification clause at saka humihingi po sila ng indemnification just in case magkaroon po ng adverse effect. Iyong responsibility po na ‘yon, hindi po natin puwedeng mai-delegate sa private sector or sa LGU [local government units],” Galvez told Duterte. (In all contracts, we signed an indemnification clause just in case an adverse effect comes up. We cannot delegate that responsibility to the private sector or the LGU.) “Talaga po ‘yong national government ang pinanghahawakan po ng manufacturer na tayo po ang gusto nila kasi – considering that it’s still under clinical trial, kung magkaroon ng adverse effect, they will be immune (from) any liability or suit. So ang gobyerno po ang mananagot po,” the vaccine czar added. (The manufacturers are holding on to the government, considering that the vaccines are still under clinical trial, they will be immune of any liability or suit if ever there is an adverse effect. The government will be responsible.) Galvez said as he was asked by the President to explain allegations that the national government was blocking efforts of the private sector, and even the local government units to directly procure vaccines from drug manufacturers, and without signing a tripartite agreement with the national government. Worldwide, no vaccine for COVID-19 has yet been approved for commercial use, and at best have only secured emergency use authorization (EUA) because of the ongoing clinical studies on the ever-mutating coronavirus. To expedite the procurement of vaccines amid the growing concern on the efficacy and safety of the vaccines vis-a-vis the dwindling global supply, the government established the P500-million indemnity fund as part of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021. The indemnity fund establishes a mechanism to compensate any individual vaccinated against COVID-19, in case of death or possible adverse effects. The Act also states that manufacturers and even representatives of private entities “shall be immune from suit and liability under Philippines laws with respect to all claims arising out of, related to, or resulting from the administration or use of a COVID-19 vaccine under the COVID-19 Vaccination Program except arising from willful misconduct and gross negligence.” But one month after signing the law, Duterte is seeing a loophole in the establishment of the fund. “May malaking butas diyan, actually. Assumption of liability ng ganoon. Hindi, cannot be. Hindi ho puwede. Kaya sabihin mo sila sorry kasi sabi ni Rody hindi man talaga siya babayad because we are not allowed to sign any agreement to that effect na nandiyan nakalatag lahat,” he said. (There’s a big hole there, actually on assumption of liability. No, this cannot be. Tell them sorry because Rody said he will not pay because we are not allowed to sign any agreement to that effect.) “Tapos nandoon ‘yong payment and tapos nandoon ‘yong indemnification na gobyerno ang magbayad? Hindi. I do not think that it will be legal. Sabihin mo sa kanila, it’s illegal for us to do that. Ang makagawa lang niyan is Congress, wala nang iba,” he went on. (Then there’s the payment and the indemnification that the government will pay? No. I do not think that it will be legal. Tell them, it’s illegal for us to do that. Congress is the only one that can do that, nobody else.) Earlier, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines from the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility were supposed to be the first to arrive in the country mid-February, but its delivery was stalled by issues on the indemnification agreement. – INQUIRER.net
Japan a reliable strategic partner of Việt Nam: Party General Secretary Trọng
Việt Nam consistently considers Japan to be a long-term, highly reliable and leading strategic partner, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng said during a phone talk on Monday with Yoshihide Suga, Japanese Prime Minister and President of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Trọng reiterated that the 13th National Party Congress set out orientations and development targets for the next five years with a vision towards 2045. One of the key orientations that Việt Nam is keen on is to pursue the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, co-operation and development, diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations; proactively and actively integrating into the world’s affairs while being a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community. Trọng proposed the two sides promote exchanges at all levels and wanted to receive continuous support of Japan in Việt Nam’s realisation of socio-economic development strategy and plan set out at the 13th National Party Congress. On this occasion, Japanese PM Suga congratulated Việt Nam on the great success of the 13th National Party Congress and congratulated Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng for being re-elected as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the 13th tenure. Suga expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam led by the General Secretary and President Trọng, Việt Nam will gain a number of new and great achievements in the renovation cause. Suga, who is also LDP President, affirmed that the Việt Nam-Japan deepened and strategic partnership was important and contributed to the further development of the bilateral relationship. In the context of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, Japan will continue to co-operate with Việt Nam in prevention measures, he said. Suga expressed his wish to closely co-ordinate with Việt Nam to foster the bilateral relationship in a comprehensive, substantive and effective manner, towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2023. – Viet Nam News
Another COVID-19 death confirmed today, bringing Cambodia’s death toll to 5
COVID-19 has claimed yet another victim’s life today, as another patient has succumbed to the deadly virus this morning. The deceased is identified as 62-year-old In Manita, the mother of a local female comedian known as Srey Pin. According to the ministry, Manita started showing serious symptoms on March 20 and was accepted by the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. She tested positive for COVID-19 on the next day, and due to her lungs being severely damaged by the virus, the doctors had used a ventilator to assist her breathing and provided her with “technical treatment”. However, they were not able to save her, as the patient was pronounced dead at 5:40 this morning at Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. “The examination found that her lungs were severely inflamed and weak,” Health Ministry said in its statement. “Before being accepted by the hospital, she had already suffered from fatigue for a few days, plus she had had obesity.” Her family are now put in quarantine while waiting for their test results. This is so far the fifth death caused by COVID-19 in Cambodia. The first death dated back March 11 while the second and third ones happened on Friday last week, and the fourth death had been reported yesterday. Meanwhile, three other COVID-19 patients have also passed away while receiving treatment, but their death was not related to the virus. – Khmer Times
Junta forces kill eight civilians in assault on low-cost housing estate in Mandalay
At least eight people, including a 14-year-old boy and two rescue workers, were killed at a low-cost housing complex in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi township on Monday after regime forces opened fire on residents, according to local sources. The attack took place despite the fact that no protests were taking place inside or near the Mya Yee Nandar housing complex at the time it was raided, residents said. According to witnesses, around 300 heavily armed troops in more than a dozen trucks arrived at the complex with two bulldozers at around 10am on Monday. The complex, which is home to thousands of government workers and retired pensioners, was surrounded before it came under assault, the witnesses said. The victims of the attack were identified as Win Tun Oo, 28, who was shot in the eye; Zaw Zaw, 19; Aye Chan Moe, 21; Zaw Lin Htike, 35; and rescue workers Nay Myo Kyaw, 38, and Htein Lin, 21. An unidentified woman was also among those killed. The youngest victim, 14-year-old Tun Tun Aung, was shot in the chest. No further details were available at the time of reporting. Colleagues of Htein Lin said he was killed while trying to rescue those who were injured during the shootings. They added that they were unable to retrieve his body because it was taken away by junta forces. The troops also set fire to makeshift barricades made by residents of the complex and arrested several people living in the area, witnesses told Myanmar Now. Reports of additional casualties in the incident are still emerging. Further information will be released as it becomes available. – Myanmar NOW
Need GeNose in factories to revive economic activity: minister
GeNose C-19, a COVID-19 breathalyser developed by the University of Gadjah Mada, needs to be installed at factories and manufacturing sites across Indonesia to support endeavours to revive the industrial sector, a minister said. "I propose this idea to Mr. Coordinating Minister for Economy," Research and Technology Minister Bambang PS Brodjonegoro remarked at an event held to donate a GeNose C-19 set to the ministry here on Monday. The COVID-19 testing tool was handed by Brodjonegoro to Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, who also heads Indonesia's COVID-19 Mitigation and Economic Recovery Committee. Brodjonegoro said the presence of GeNose C-19 at factories would hopefully help revive Indonesia's industrial sector, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. All factory and industrial workers could be screened using GeNose C-19 before starting work in the morning and when changing shifts, suggested Brodjonegoro, who also heads the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). "The only workers allowed in the workplace must be those whose GeNose tests show negative results," he proposed, adding that this could be part of preventive efforts aimed at creating a secure and healthy work environment in factories and industries. However, strict implementation of health protocols in the workplace will be necessary even after the GeNose C-19 has been installed, he added. The breathalyser has been in use since February 5 this year to screen train passengers for COVID-19. Indonesia has been striving to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since the government officially announced the country's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020. The government has rolled out a nationwide vaccination program this year to steam new infections.According to the Health Ministry, it would take 15 months to vaccinate around 181.5 million people under the national program. Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate crossed one million cases on January 26, 2021. To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the pandemic, which has dragged Indonesia into serious public health and economic crises, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed on the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population. – AntaraNews.Com