These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Four new attractions to open in Singapore, with some as early as this year
An ice cream museum and another thrill ride in Clarke Quay are some of the new attractions Singaporeans can expect from this year, as Singapore seeks to enhance its attractiveness to prepare its hard-hit tourism sector for recovery. Sentosa will also welcome its own attraction next year, the SkyHelix Sentosa, an open-air rotating gondola that will ascend 35m above ground and offer views of Singapore's southern coast. There are also plans to have a new attraction at the vacant site between Somerset Skate Park and Killiney Road, as part of a plan to test-bed new concepts in Orchard Road. Announcing these plans on Wednesday (April 7) at the Tourism Industry Conference, an annual event organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for industry players, chief executive of STB Keith Tan said these new projects will help to support the tourism sector and increase its attractiveness. "These projects are a welcome breath of fresh air amongst all the negativity and bad news in the last year. Since the pandemic hit, we have focused on how to weather this 'long winter,'" Mr Tan said, adding that it is now time to focus on how Singapore can prepare for the future and thrive to become an attractive destination. Slated to open in the second half of this year, the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore will feature multi-sensory installations themed around the frozen treat, which visitors will get to try during their visit. Located in the Dempsey area, it will be the museum's first foray outside of the United States, and visitors can expect similar attractions such as the sprinkle pool, a pit filled with colourful bits resembling the confectionery typically used to decorate desserts. Also set to open in the second half of this year is the Slingshot, a thrill ride located in Clarke Quay next to current attraction GX-5 Extreme Swing, where riders are dropped from a height of 40m. Slingshot will see riders being catapulted almost 70m into the air, reaching a speed of 160km per hour. The ride, which can also be found in 70 other countries, will replace the G-Max Reverse Bungee, a similar ride which stopped operating about two years ago. Tickets will be similarly priced to the GX-5 Extreme Swing, which costs about $45 for adults and $35 for students. Visitors who are not adrenaline junkies can look forward to the SkyHelix Sentosa, where they can enjoy a drink on a rotating platform while taking in views stretching from Sentosa to the Keppel Bay area. One Faber Group, which runs services, attractions and food and beverage outlets in and around Sentosa, said SkyHelix Sentosa will "deliver a new recreational experience and add excitement to the cluster of attractions at Imbiah Lookout". The first of its kind in Singapore, it will be located a short walk from Sentosa's cable car station. Apart from these new projects, STB will also continue to refresh tourism attractions and precincts in Singapore, said Mr Tan. For example, STB is working with the Orchard Road Business Association to scale up its offerings of its signature Christmas on a Great Street during the year-end festive period light-up, as well as its Black Friday events later this year. – The Straits Times
M'sia not invited to US summit as it is not a climate vulnerable country
Malaysia was not invited to the Leaders' Summit on Climate in the United States (US) on April 22 and 23, as it not categorised as a country vulnerable to climate change. Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the main objective of the conference was to encourage large economies that collectively contribute 80 per cent of greenhouse gases, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He said there were many countries that stood out in the climate change agenda such as Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand that were also not invited to attend the conference. "The summit is a one-off event, and does not affect negotiations and resolutions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. "This needs to be seen separately from the recent issue on the importation of plastic waste into Malaysia from the US," he said in a statement on Tuesday. Earlier, the media reported that Malaysia was not on the list of 40 countries invited to the conference, following which, allegations were made that Malaysia was not invited because the country is now often seen as a dumping ground for plastic waste. In the meantime, Tuan Ibrahim explained that the plastics recycling industry was at present allowed to operate in the country based on the decision of the Federal government through the International Trade and Industry Ministry, which is responsible for the direction and policy of the industry. He said the Housing and Local Government Ministry regulates the issuance of approved permits to import only clean and uniform (homogenous) plastics, while the Department of Environment (DOE) acts as an enforcer to ensure compliance with the Basel Convention. "In 2019, a total of 124 containers were sent back to the exporting country, while 143 containers were sent back from 2020 to March 2021. Currently, there are 81 more containers being handled by the DOE to be sent back," he said. – New Straits Times
Songkran travel gets nod
Travellers from Bangkok and other at-risk areas heading to their home provinces during Songkran will not have to go into quarantine, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday. Mr Anutin, who is also deputy prime minister, made his comments after the Public Health Ministry announced tougher restrictions on eateries and entertainment venues in Bangkok and surrounding provinces ahead of the Songkran holiday next week after new clusters of infections were detected in night entertainment venues in Bangkok. In light of this, a meeting of the Emergency Operation Centre agreed that Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom will be designated as red zones under maximum control. "Although provinces had been divided into zones, designated by colours according to the infection rates, none will be locked down. People can still travel to other provinces without having to go into quarantine on arrival at their destination. "Only people who have been infected with the virus, or are considered to be at high risk, will be quarantined," Mr Anutin said. As for a suggestion that travellers from provinces designated as red zones could spark worries on arriving in other provinces, Mr Anutin said that in the true tradition of Songkran people go home primarily to seek blessings from respected elders. They should not head home just to look for fun, go around drinking and visit crowded places, he said. The public health minister asked that people remain alert and careful, and not be too fun-loving. It was obvious the latest cluster of infections had emerged because of groups of people visiting entertainment venues, he said. However, the public health office in Buri Ram on Tuesday announced that travellers from red zone provinces – Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Nakhon Pathom – will have to be quarantined for 14 days. But if they ask for a rapid Covid-19 test and the results come back negative, they will not have to undergo quarantine. The test costs 600 baht. Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Opas Karnkawinpong said that the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has eased restrictions on inter-provincial travel during Songkran and allowed people to hold traditional Songkran celebrations such as merit-making, sprinkling water on Buddha statues, pouring water onto the elderly's palms and asking for their blessings. However, due to the new surge of infections, such activities must follow strict disease control measures with the number of participants limited to one square metre per one visitor. Activities must be held in the open air or spacious, well-ventilated areas. No water splashing, powder-smearing or foam parties will be allowed, Dr Opas said. People who queue up for a water-pouring ceremony must stay at least one metre apart from each other and wear masks, while avoiding eating or drinking together for long periods, he said. – Bangkok Post
Row over Chinese vessels won’t hurt ties, COVID-19 vaccine supply – Duterte
The heated exchange between Manila and Beijing over China’s latest incursion in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) will not affect China’s provision of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement read yesterday by his spokesperson Harry Roque, the President said the continued presence of Chinese vessels around Julian Felipe Reef would be resolved “through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means.” “Whatever differences we have with China will not define our bilateral relations and will not be an obstacle to the overall positive trajectory of our bilateral friendly relations and our deepening cooperation in pandemic response, including vaccine cooperation, and in post-pandemic economic recovery,” Mr. Duterte said, echoing Roque’s earlier remark that the President was confident the issue could be resolved because of the close friendship between the Philippines and China. But Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon assailed China’s “maritime bullying,” saying that under international law, it could not impose its authority over the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and infringe on Philippine sovereign rights. Drilon also said Filipinos could not keep mum on China’s aggressions just because of its vaccine donations. And 1Sambayan, a newly formed coalition led by retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio, rallied support for Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for their “firm and principled stand” on the issue. Lorenzana had been using strong language in calling on China to withdraw its ships from the WPS. Locsin said he was considering filing another diplomatic protest for China’s incursions. But Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who is in charge of vaccine procurement, said maritime disputes with China are separate from its provision of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines. “The Chinese government is joining us in fighting against COVID 19. It’s a fight of humanity, and the issue over the West Philippine Sea is a different matter,” Galvez said. Most of the vaccines that the Philippines has received so far for its mass immunization drive came from China, which donated a million doses of Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine. The government also procured another one million Sinovac doses. The only other vaccines the country has received are 525,600 AstraZeneca doses from the COVAX facility. An expected second batch of COVAX vaccines has been delayed. – INQUIRER.net
Viet Nam to attract more foreign investment in high-tech industry
Viet Nam will lure more foreign investment in the high-tech sector by offering more incentives and amending requirements for high-tech businesses. Viet Nam’s high-tech industry has seen a new investment wave. Last week, the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh held a ceremony to grant a licence for Jinko Solar Technology Ltd of Hong Kong to invest in a photovoltaic cell technology project worth US$500 million. Austrian printed circuit board manufacturer AT&S has been studying several locations in Viet Nam to build two factories worth 1.5 billion euros ($1.78 billion). The company will make a decision on the location in mid-April and start construction at the end of this year. It expects to complete work within a year. Do Nhat Hoang, Director of the Foreign Investment Agency (Ministry of Planning and Investment), said the new investment wave in the high-tech sector was because tech giants like Samsung, Foxconn, Luxshare, and Intel had ramped up their investment and production capacity in Viet Nam. Hoang said most of the global tech giants already had invested or sought investment opportunities in Viet Nam. He said to welcome this new investment wave, the Vietnamese Government had worked out a series of important requirements. In the middle of last month, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc officially issued the new requirements for high-tech enterprises. Accordingly, high-tech enterprises with a total investment capital of VNĐ6 trillion ($260 million) and a number of 3,000 employees or more must commit to spend at least 0.5 per cent of their capital for research and development (R&D). Enterprises with a total capital of VNĐ100 billion and 200 employees or more must commit to at least one per cent of their total net revenue. An anonymous investor said under the new requirements, foreign investors would avoid the “heavy burden” of commitments for R&D activities. Under the new requirements, spending for R&D will also include depreciation of infrastructure investment, fixed assets, vocational training, recurrent expenditures and royalties. In the past, after the High-technology Law took effect on July 1, 2009, investors increasingly complained about the high requirements for investment projects to be recognised as “high-technology projects.” Commonly cited complaints include the limited number of products that were listed as high-technology products, that high-technology enterprises must commit at least one per cent of their annual revenue towards (R&D), and that at least five percent of total workers must be involved in R&D activities. Hoang said the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) was collecting comments from ministries and agencies before submitting to the Government for approval on special investment policies. Hoang said under the new regulations, special incentives will be given to innovation hub projects, including National Innovation Centre, R&D projects, and large-scale projects. “We have proposed four criteria to determine those eligible to enjoy special incentives or not that include technology, technology transfer, participation of Vietnamese businesses in value chains and value added in Viet Nam,” said Hoang. With special incentives, preparation of premises, energy, high-quality human resources, and improvements in the business climate, Viet Nam would attract more investment in high-tech projects in the future, said Hoang. – Viet Nam News
Cambodia may introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination
Cambodia current principle of voluntary vaccination may come to an end, says Prime Minister Hun Sen. He said that to develop immunity, vaccination can become mandatory and no longer on a voluntary basis. Mr Hun Sen said that those who do not get vaccinated may find it difficult to find work and may also become discriminated against. “Soon in the world, vaccines can become mandatory, this is my expectation. I think those who have not been vaccinated are the unfortunate ones who may not be able to get a job or be welcomed by those who have been vaccinated, which creates discrimination He has also instructed the COVID-19 Vaccination Commission to make plans for the next vaccination regime, increasing vaccinations in Phnom Penh and Kandal provinces and nearby regions. “The national road from Phnom Penh has a lot of workers. We must increase vaccinations in Phnom Penh and Kandal province to increase immunity for people in these two areas.” – Khmer Times
Two more dead in junta attacks on protesters in Pinlebu as government buildings burn
Two more people were killed overnight on Monday in the town of Pinlebu, Sagaing Region, as the coup regime’s forces attacked protesting local residents who defended themselves with single-shot hunting rifles. The deceased were two middle aged men, a protester told Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity. Earlier on Monday a protester named Aung Naing Win was killed when a bullet hit his ribs and passed through his body. The violence began that morning when the coup regime’s forces attacked protesters with tear gas and guns outside a high school and arrested two people. When the demonstrators began demanding the release of their comrades, the junta’s force started shooting again. Locals then fired back with traditional Tumi hunting rifles, which are loaded at the muzzle with gunpowder and are far less sophisticated or powerful than those used by police and soldiers. “We have to prepare the gunpowder for each shot,” said the protester. “There is of course a big difference.” Two other protesters were injured in the clash earlier on Monday. They were a woman who was shot in the left arm and a man who was shot below his armpit. The violence continued throughout the night and by morning three government buildings had been burned down: a courthouse, the building of the local branch of the General Administration Department (GAD), and the former office of the auditor-general. “The courthouse and the GAD offices were built with wood a long time ago,” a local resident told Myanmar Now. “But the police station is not easy to burn down,” another local said, adding the station was newly built with cement. The regime’s forces had the advantage both in terms of location and weaponry, the resident said. It is unclear if any police or soldiers were injured. The military sent two trucks full of soldiers from Kawlin, a town about 60km southeast of Pinlebu, to support its attack on the protesters, locals reported. But residents in between the two towns blocked the roads by chopping down trees, they said. Thousands have been protesting in Pinlebu against the military junta on a daily basis since the first week of February. Monday was the first time the regime’s forces have shot anyone in the town. – Myanmar NOW
RI starts building marine combat force command headquarters in Natuna
Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), laid the cornerstone for the construction of the command headquarters of the Marine Combat Force of the First Fleet Command in Natuna, Riau Islands, on Tuesday. The command headquarters, which will be part of the Combat Operations Executive Command in western Indonesia, will also function as an Integrated Marine Security Command Post. The presence of the headquarters is expected to help strengthen the Integrated TNI Unit in Natuna in the northernmost area of the Karimata Strait, which shares marine borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia. "The Natuna area has maritime character, hence the presence of the Command Headquarters of Marine Combat Force I here is expected to strengthen the interoperability capability of the TNI's naval and air forces in the maritime domain," Tjahjanto said. At the inauguration ceremony, the TNI chief was accompanied by the Indonesian National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Yudo Margono. At the ceremony, Tjahjanto lauded the Indonesian Navy for its involvement in building defense infrastructure in Natuna, one of Indonesia's outermost and frontier regions. The TNI chief also inaugurated Indonesian warship (KRI) Alugoro-405 at the Selat Lampa Pier, and appointed Lt. Col. Ahmad Noer Taufik as its first commander on Tuesday. He also witnessed the vaccination of 558 military and police personnel tasked with guarding the Natuna Islands and waters. – AntaraNews.Com