These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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People can now choose which Covid-19 jab to take with listing of vaccination centres and vaccines in S'pore
People who want to choose which Covid-19 vaccine to take can now refer to the Ministry of Health's (MOH's) website, where the full list of vaccination centres and vaccines has now been made available. The Moderna shot is being given at 11 out of the 38 centres, while the rest are using the Pfizer-BioNTech product. People are able to pick which vaccination centre or polyclinic they wish to go to, although a notice on the site adds that certain centres may have limited slots "due to the strong demand for Covid-19 vaccinations in Singapore and limited supplies". The Pfizer shot was the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for use in Singapore, with the earliest shipments arriving here last December. Last month, MOH announced that the Moderna vaccine would be administered at four community clubs: Hong Kah North, Marsiling, Punggol 21 and Radin Mas. Another seven centres have since been added to this list. They are Kolam Ayer, Buona Vista, Potong Pasir, Tampines East, Woodlands, Kebun Baru and Yew Tee. All other vaccination centres, polyclinics and selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics will continue to offer the Pfizer vaccine. "Each vaccination centre will only stock and administer one type of vaccine," MOH said in a statement last month. "Individuals must select the same vaccination centre for both their first and second appointments, when booking via the national appointment system." Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use the newer messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which involves injecting snippets of the virus' genetic material - and not the whole virus - into the body. This "teaches" cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response, producing antibodies to fight the virus. Reported side effects from both vaccines are similar and include pain, swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, vomiting and joint pain after vaccination. Their efficacy rates are also roughly similar, with Pfizer's clocking in at 95 per cent and Moderna's at 94 per cent. However, the Pfizer vaccine requires two 30-microgram doses taken three weeks apart. In contrast, Moderna's vaccine involves two 100-microgram doses taken four weeks apart. – The Straits Times
Caution alert as Ramadan bazaars open
After a year of absence due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ramadan bazaar traders finally began welcoming customers yesterday, albeit on a much-restrained note as heavy rain and thunderstorms kept most customers away. The New Straits Times observed that most traders either had to close early or wait for the downpour to pass. At the bazaar in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, regular food trader Nurul Huda Fuad, known for her "Murtabak Raja", said business was slower than usual. "It's around 50 per cent down. In 2019, we would have double this crowd and the queues would be forming," she said at her stall. She said when she migrated her business online last year, the profits were relatively small. "It was extremely time consuming and the delivery cost was expensive. This (physical business) is still the best and most feasible way to earn money." Marketing manager Syarifah Sakinah Al-Junid said the crowd was compliant with the standard operating procedures (SOP) that were in place at the bazaar. "There is some room for improvement (to ensure the SOP is followed), where some of the popular stalls should have clear markings on the ground to indicate the required physical distancing." Sales executive Nurul Aniza Ramlan, 31, and her friend, Noor Atikah Mohd Zulkafli, said they enjoyed the more "relaxed" atmosphere at the bazaar. "The bazaar would usually be packed by 3pm in previous years, but that's not the case today. There is much room to move about. "We could get our murtabak and roti john easily, even though there was a bit of queuing due to the SOP, which could be due to today being the first day of Ramadan," said the two friends who work in a company nearby. A total of 180 stalls were expected to open at the bazaar today, and at its peak at around 4pm yesterday, it had a crowd of 250 people including traders. Based on observations, the bazaar's entry and exit points could be improved by installing more barricades. On the number of people allowed into the bazaar at any one time, Taman Tun Dr Ismail Pasar Malam Association chairman Abdul Hadi Mustafa said there was no such restriction on visitors. On cases of "rambo" or illegal traders operating outside the perimeter, he said it was a matter for Kuala Lumpur City Hall to deal with. Hadi also dismissed questions on whether traders had taken a swab test for Covid-19 before opening their stalls. On the requirement to wear face masks, he said there was 99 per cent compliance among visitors and traders. – New Straits Times
Hua Hin pub gig leads to virus surge
Covid cases have surged in Prachuap Khiri Khan, with many infections traced to a concert in the seaside district of Hua Hin, according to the provincial public health office. The province reported a one-day jump of 141 infections on Tuesday, bringing the cumulative case count to 334, with no deaths. Most patients exhibited no severe symptoms, said Suriya Khuharat, head of the Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial public health office. The majority of sufferers in the province contracted the virus while attending the Joey Boy concert at the Maya Exclusive Pub in Hua Hin on March 30. Twenty of the new cases had visited other entertainment venues in Hua Hin, five in other areas in Prachuap Khiri Khan and five in Bangkok and other provinces. Most of the infected people in Prachuap Khiri Khan had mild symptoms and their conditions were being closely observed, Dr Suriya said. People who went to the same places at the same time as the infected people can receive a free Covid-19 test at Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital and Hua Hin Hospital. An average of 500 people daily have gone to the Hua Hin Hospital for Covid-19 tests in the past several days, according to the doctor. Hua Hin deputy district chief Montri Manichpong and assistant public health officer Janewit Plisak on Tuesday filed a complaint with Hua Hin police, urging them to take action against the owner of Maya Exclusive Pub for violating the Communicable Disease Act, the Entertainment Venue Act and the emergency decree. The concert at the pub on March 30 is attributed to a string of new Covid-19 cases in Hua Hin. More than 90% of the cases found in the area were linked to the venue, authorities said. Hua Hin police chief Phaitoon Promkhian said police have launched a criminal investigation into the complaint and plan to question the pub's patrons. However, since many are currently being treated in hospitals with Covid-19, the interrogation will have to wait until they are given a clean bill of health by doctors. "We will investigate the matter further before filing charges against the pub owner and/or manager," Pol Col Phaitoon said. According to media reports, a driver of Prachuap Khiri Khan's deputy governor has tested positive after visiting the pub. The Prachuap Khiri Khan transmission is believed to have started with one woman who worked as a public relations officer at Krystal Club in Thong Lor. She attended the concert on March 30 before developing a high fever the next day. – Bangkok Post
PH in a bind, experts warn; DFA summons Chinese envoy
China has put the Philippines in a bind by sending a swarm of its maritime militia vessels to a reef in the West Philippine Sea where Manila would play into the hands of Beijing if it takes no action against the incursion or be portrayed as escalating tension between the two countries if it does, maritime and security experts said on Tuesday. The massive deployment of over 200 Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef last month could also close the gap between two of China’s artificial islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and pressure the Philippines to choose to ally itself with China or the United States, they said. If there is “inaction” to the swarm, “in Beijing’s point of view that’s basically getting a victory out of it because there’s no response from the victim,” said Collin Koh, research fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “The other course of action could be to precipitate an action by the victim that can potentially be seen as escalation,” he said during an online forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap). Manila, however, had taken action, albeit nonmilitary, filing a formal diplomatic protest against the presence of the Chinese vessels and demanding their withdrawal. On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it summoned China’s ambassador, Huang Xilian, to express “displeasure over the illegal lingering presence” of the Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe. “The continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a source of regional tension,” the DFA said in a statement after the meeting between Huang and acting Foreign Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso. “[T]he DFA reiterated the firm demand of the Philippines that China ensures the immediate departure of all its vessels from the area of Julian Felipe Reef and other maritime zones of the Philippines.” Koh said that the massing of Chinese ships at Julian Felipe “potentially could mean the attempt by China to try to create a fait accompli that will likely push the victim, in this case the Philippines, to a few limited courses of action.” “In a sense, it might potentially be similar as a repeat of what happened in Mischief Reef back in the 1990s,” he pointed out, referring to the Philippines’ Panganiban Reef where China built structures on stilts, supposedly as shelter for fishermen in 1994-1995. China ignored the country’s protests against the construction and land reclamation, which grew over the years to become the biggest of seven artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea. – INQUIRER.net
Viet Nam ‘reinvents’ tourism sector, aims for expected recovery by 2024
Since Viet Nam has been able to contain the coronavirus well, local holidaymakers are now looking to explore the country’s scenic landscapes and healthy cuisine, and take advantage of its hospitality and affordability. Henri Hubert, ambassador for Global Wellness Day Vietnam, said that people in Viet Nam are fortunate as they can travel domestically at a time when COVID-19 is still active in many countries. “I think the pandemic has given us an opportunity to reinvent what a vacation or travel really means,” he said. “It’s a good idea, for example, to look for a healing holiday at a resort that offers wellness activities.” “With more than 3,000 kilometres of coastline, white sandy beaches, dynamic growing cities, mountainous regions and various cultural and historical sites, Viet Nam continues to be among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world,” Hubert noted. Viet Nam is also well positioned to leverage the adventure-travel trend, according to Hubert. Nguyen Trung Khanh, general director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, said: “The local tourism market is shifting from international tours to domestic tours. Tourism service firms should focus on emerging destinations and ensure high-quality products and experiences at reasonable prices.” With the implementation of a “zero-case first approach” and Viet Nam’s extensive government campaigns, the tourism sector could fully recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, according to the McKinsey & Company report. The country’s international tourists are mostly from Asia, especially mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which account for around 80 per cent of Viet Nam’s foreign tourism spending. Viet Nam’s close economic connections with those countries could speed up the recovery, compared with other major tourist destinations in Europe and North America. To optimise these ties, Viet Nam has been implementing a so-called zero-case first strategy since the pandemic broke out last year. The strategy is associated with markets in which transmission rates are low and traveller confidence, at least on a domestic level, is relatively high. Shifts in tourism behaviour could result in high-end domestic trips. With borders remaining closed for outbound travel, a rise in domestic luxury trips could occur as travellers reallocate their budgets, the report says. – Viet Nam News
Alcohol sales, deliveries continue despite ban
Phnom Penh City Hall’s announcement banning the sale of alcohol has led to a prohibition era-style culture of speakeasies and underground trafficking. The Kingdom on Tuesday announced that it would extend its curfew for another two weeks after an additional three people succumbed to Coronavirus – bringing the number of fatalities to 33. Municipal authorities said that it had banned the sale of alcohol two days before Khmer New Year festivities were set to begin because it had traced infections to people drinking together, an announcement read. Yesterday, Kandal province joined the capital in the bans. However, strolling through Phnom Penh and scrolling through Facebook reveals that the sale of alcohol remains unabated. “Good afternoon, sure we can deliver until 7 pm. Let us know what you need, your delivery address and phone number, preferred payment method (ABA or cash on delivery),” one merchant said on Facebook Messenger just seconds after Khmer Times enquired if they would deliver alcohol. Another business was deeply apologetic, saying they only offer European beers after a request was made to deliver Cambodia brand beer. Instead, the company offered a mini keg of Heineken for $25, plus an additional $2 for delivery. They too offered to deliver until 7 pm. Several restaurants on social media have littered their posts with “winky face emojis” after noting that they are not serving alcohol. Three family-owned shops in Toul Tom Poung district discreetly agreed to sell cans of beer upon request. A Phnom Penh resident speaking under the condition of anonymity told Khmer Times that drinking and spending time with loved ones is an important part of Khmer New Year festivity. He said that he and his friends spend the day-time with parents before retiring for the evening to drink and reminisce together – “If I can’t have one, I would at least like to have the other,” he said. The resident added that he normally visits his family in Battambang province but this year was unable to do so. He said that he wished to remain anonymous as he did not want to get in trouble with the authorities but claimed that his fridge had been stocked prior to the ban. “I agree with the government banning the sale of alcohol, but I don’t feel like I am hurting anyone by having a drink at home since I can’t visit my mother or father in the province,” he said. As it was during prohibition in the US, the consumption of alcohol is not prohibited in Cambodia, however the sale is. Yet, bars across the capital continue serving liquor. One offered a drink for takeaway in Toul Tom Poung, while another near Riverside requires that patrons knock on the door before gates are opened and poured a beer. “My entire business model is to serve food and beer. COVID has already knocked the wind out of my sails and the last year was hell; now with the new wave of variants and infections here, 2021 isn’t looking so good either. I’m not serving alcohol but I can put myself in the shoes of those who are,” one business owner said. – Khmer Times
Myanmar military ‘suffers heavy casualties’ in bid to recapture hill base from KIA
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has held onto a strategically important hill base that it captured last month near the Chinese border despite intense attacks by the junta in recent days aimed at reclaiming it. The Tatmadaw deployed hundreds of ground troops and at least two fighter jets as part of its attack on the Alaw Bum hill station, which sits roughly 30km south of KIA headquarters in Laiza. But the KIA has so far held its ground, with the junta’s forces reported to have suffered heavy losses, including a commanding officer of an infantry battalion. “Everything is under the KIA’s control,” said Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA’s spokesperson. “Their armed forces are still far from the Alaw Bum base… I don't know whether they will retreat.” The base is near a road in Kachin State that connects Laiza to the border town of Mai Ja Yang, a KIA stronghold where many internally displaced people (IDPs) live. The Tatmadaw was able to use the hill station, which it had held since 1987, as a strategic location from which to launch artillery attacks on KIA bases and IDP camps, a KIA officer told the Network Media Group last month. The KIA captured Alaw Bum on March 25, one of its numerous attacks against the new junta, which seized power in a February 1 coup and has since murdered more than 700 people across the country. The Tatmadaw began trying to recapture the base on Sunday, with fierce clashes reported in the nearby area of Dawphoneyan. It also launched multiple airstrikes using fighter jets after its ground troops suffered casualties. The next day Tatmadaw helicopters brought another 600 troops to the town of Bhamo, which is about 60km south of Dawphoneyan, a local resident said. As the junta carried out more offensives on Monday, the KIA raided a police outpost and a military outpost where soldiers were building a communications tower, The Irrawaddy reported. The outposts are near the village of Myothit, which lies about halfway between Bhamo and Dawphoneyan. Three villagers in the area were later killed by Tatmadaw artillery fire, the news outlet said. The KIA’s seizure of the outposts enabled it to block the advance of additional Tatmadaw troops on the Alaw Bum base. “Two routes have been closed off by the KIA. That’s why [the Tatmadaw] launched airstrikes,” the local said. Also on Monday, the commanding officer of the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 387 was killed and his body was taken away by a Tatmadaw helicopter, a KIA officer said. Colonel Naw Bu said on Tuesday that the Tatmadaw was continuing its ground offensives. “There was ground fighting this morning, but no airstrikes so far today,” he said. “The situation will depend on the military council's troops. If they continue fighting, it will definitely intensify," he added. Since the coup, the KIA has attacked military bases and police outposts in Hpakant, Mokaung, Injanyang, Waingmaw, and Momauk. – Myanmar NOW
Govt to save Rp22 trillion if power subsidy scrapped: official
The Indonesian government stands to save Rp22.12 trillion in state spending if it scraps the electricity subsidy for 15.2 million 450 VA customers, an official has said. "With the number of (450 VA customers) reaching 15.2 million, the state spending that can be saved will be Rp22.12 trillion," director general of electricity at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Rida Mulyana, said during a meeting with the budget committee of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta recently. The government is in the process of formulating an electricity subsidy scheme to be implemented in 2022, he informed. The policy will refer to integrated data on social welfare from the Social Affairs Ministry and is based on the 2022 macroeconomic assumption, under which, economic growth is projected to reach 5.7 percent, inflation rate 3 percent, rupiah's exchange rate Rp14,450 per US dollar, and Indonesian crude price (ICP) US$50 per barrel, Mulyana said. Unless the electricity subsidy scheme is revised, the state will spend Rp61.09 trillion, he pointed out. "If the classification can be done, the electricity subsidy which previously reached Rp61.09 trillion could be kept down to Rp39 trillion," he added. He said the plan to implement a new subsidy scheme should be disseminated widely to avoid public refusal such as in 2017. “This (plan) needs dissemination because it involves a sizable amount," he explained. – AntaraNews.Com