These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Fewer COEs from May to July as quota is slashed again
The number of certificates of entitlement (COEs) available for car buyers and sellers will fall again in the next three months starting from May, with a 10.6 per cent drop from the current quota. In its quarterly announcement on Thursday (April 15), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said there will be an average of 3,792 car COEs per month for the period of May to July, down from 4,241 per month between February and this month. This follows a 12.8 per cent fall from the previous quota period between November and January, when there were 4,865 car COEs per month. This figure includes COEs in Category A, which is for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp; Category B, which is for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp; and the Open category, which can be used for any vehicle type except motorcycles but which ends up mostly for bigger cars. The number of COEs for commercial vehicles will also drop sharply for the second quarter in a row. There will be 314 COEs available for goods vehicles and buses per month, a 38.6 per cent decrease from the 511 COEs available per month currently. Meanwhile, the supply of motorcycle COEs continues to grow. There will be 1,228 COEs a month for the category in the next quarter, compared with 1,083 a month now. In all, there will be 5,334 COEs available per month in the next three months compared with 5,835 available currently. LTA said there are 2,890 remaining COEs out of an accumulated quota of 19,490 from when COE bidding was suspended from April to June last year due to Covid-19. These accumulated COEs were to be returned to the market over a one-year period from July last year to June this year. On Thursday, LTA said it will redistribute the remaining COEs over the next three months instead of just May and June so that the redistribution is more even. At the last COE bidding exercise, prices ended mostly higher due to several factors, including expectations of a cut in the quota. The COE quota is based on various factors such as the number of vehicles deregistered, changes in the taxi population and the replacement of commercial vehicles under the Early Turnover Scheme. On April 7, premiums for both Category A and Category B hit their highest levels since late-2017, ending at $45,600 and $52,309 respectively. The price for Open COEs finished at a two-year high of $52,200. – The Straits Times
SOP violations: Local councils can now issue compounds
Mayors and local council presidents as well as their enforcement officers of Grade 19 and above are now authorised to compound individuals who violated Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said the authorisation which was issued yesterday (April 14) served to ensure compliance among bazaar traders and visitors during Ramadan. "Local councils play an important role in ensuring strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at the Ramadan bazaars among visitors and traders. "Checks on traders on their status of typhoid shots, food handling cards, permit payments, SOP and cleanliness must be carried out. "Enforcement must be done at all bazaars throughout the fasting month including the bazaars not under the local council's control and monitoring," she said. Zuraida said local councils had been instructed to place at least four enforcement officers at a bazaar based on the size and capacity of the venue. The task to monitor bazaar entrances, exits and patrolling the area would be handled by the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) members as a crowd control measure. Zuraida said the SOP for Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaars under the Conditional Movement Control Order and Recovery Movement Control Order include physical distancing and controlled exit and entry points. "There must be hand sanitisers provided at the entrance. Visitors must apply them before coming in. "Traders and visitors must wear masks properly based on the Health Ministry's recommendation when at the bazaar. "It is compulsory for traders to provide the MySejahtera QR code and registration book, if there is no internet connection. The customers must scan the QR code or write down their details if there is no internet network. "Those with body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius are not allowed to enter the premises," she said. Local authorities are also allowed to compound individuals based on the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control (measures within local areas of infection) (Movement Control) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 [P.U. (A) 96/2021] under the Act as enforced on March 5. – New Straits Times
Lockdown not needed: Anutin
The government is confident it can overcome the current Covid-19 crisis without needing to impose a nationwide lockdown, Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul said on Thursday. Speaking after a meeting of the national committee on communicable diseases, an upbeat Mr Anutin announced: "We have seen no point in imposing a lockdown for the time being. "The [current] cycle of disease has only been two weeks and we have had good cooperation from all stakeholders. What we need to see now is less mobility. If we can do it, we will definitely see a declining number of new infections by next month." Covid-19 infections set a record for the second consecutive day on Thursday, with 1,543 cases – 1,540 local infections and three imported cases – raising the total to 37,453. The committee decided to suggest to the government that it ban the drinking of alcohol in restaurants nationwide and forbid mass gatherings, including asking schools and universities nationwide to conduct all their courses online. It concluded that 18 provinces should be classified as ultimate control (red zone) areas: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Tak, Udon Thani, Suphan Buri, Sa Kaeo, Rayong and Khon Kaen. Mr Anutin said the committee widely agreed on a raft of measures to control the disease, including ordering that restaurants shut at 9pm in red zone provinces and 11pm elsewhere. The sale of alcohol in restaurants should be outlawed across the country, members said. Other proposals included a ban on parties and gatherings of more than 50 people, banning all in-person classes and closing amusement parks, even including recreation areas inside department stores. The proposals will be discussed at Friday's meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, to be chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. If implemented, the measures would be effective until the end of this month. Mr Anutin said the national committee would not ask the CCSA to ban interprovincial travel and would instead allow provincial committees on communicable diseases to decide for themselves. "We only suggest that people who visited home for the Songkran festival should work from home at their hometown for two weeks," he said. "Full-time wearing of facemasks is also a must when getting outside." The minister did, not, however, say whether a curfew would be among the measures to be considered on Friday – in April last year the government implemented both a lockdown and curfew to stop the disease spreading in its early stages. Meanwhile, the National Security Council has also asked the CCSA to renew the national state of emergency, according to an official source familiar with the matter. "But certain provinces with a critical situation of Covid19 would possibly need a curfew," said the same source, who refused to spell out when the CCSA might impose such curfews. Dr Chawetsan Namwat, acting director for emergency health hazard and disease control at the Department of Disease Control, said the daily rise had been four digits for the second straight day. Since April 1, Covid-19 has been reported in 75 provinces, leaving only the two southern provinces of Ranong and Satun untouched. Bangkok has this month recorded the highest number of new Covid cases every day. – Bangkok Post
Duterte lifts 9-year ban on new mining deals
President Duterte lifted on Wednesday the nine-year moratorium on new mining agreements to boost government revenue, create more jobs and prop up the pandemic-battered economy. Duterte’s Executive Order No. 130 overturned a provision of Executive Order No. 79 (Institutionalizing and Implementing Reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector, Providing Policies and Guidelines to Ensure Environmental Protection and Responsible Mining in the Utilization of Mineral Resources) issued by then President Benigno Aquino III in 2012. The provision imposed a moratorium on new mining permits or mining production sharing agreements until a new revenue-sharing scheme was put in place. According to the President, the tax scheme for mining under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act has already satisfied the conditions of EO 79, which was also the argument of mining advocates. In his order dated April 14, the President said the TRAIN Act had doubled the excise on minerals, mineral products and quarry resources from 2 percent to 4 percent. He also noted that the country had tapped less than 5 percent of its mineral resources endowment. This suggests there is still room for new mining projects. The government may now enter into new mineral agreements, subject to compliance with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and applicable laws, Duterte said. “In addition to ushering significant economic benefits to the country, the mining industry can support various government projects, such as the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, by providing raw materials for the construction and development of other industries; and the ‘Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa’ program, by increasing employment opportunities in remote rural areas where there are mining activities thereby stimulating countryside development,” he said in the order. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was tasked to come up with terms and conditions in the new mineral agreements that would “maximize government revenue and share from production, including the possibility of declaring these areas as mineral reservations to obtain appropriate royalties,” Duterte said. The DENR was also directed to review existing mining contracts and agreements for possible renegotiation, to make them mutually agreeable to the government and the mining contractor. – INQUIRER.net
Government sets out tasks for new term
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a Government meeting on Thursday, the first Government meeting since new Cabinet members were elected early this month, to set out tasks for the new term. During the day-long event, participants discussed the Government’s action plan to implement the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, the Government’s working regulations, the disbursement of public investment, COVID-19 prevention and control, and the vaccination programme. The preparations for the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for 2021-26, along with the organisation of the national high school examinations, were also under consideration. Given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the national growth rate in the first quarter (only 4.48 per cent), Prime Minister Chinh said the workload of the new cabinet was very difficult and the Government would start its work immediately. He called for solidarity and building a transparent Government with discipline and drastic actions. The people and businesses are regarded as the core of the Government’s activities to ensure every person enjoys social advances and equality. He urged every cabinet member to make efforts to strongly take action and work effectively. “Every cabinet member must set themselves as examples and be humble and willing to listen to various sides,” he told the meeting. According to the Prime Minister, the Government will strengthen decentralisation and uphold the responsibilities of collectives and individuals. It looks to maintain an environment of stable peace and extensive international integration for development. The Government’s activities will follow resolutions of the Party, National Assembly and Government and the Government will work closely with mass organisations to mobilise national power. The PM asked ministries and sectors, especially heads of ministries and sectors, to take full responsibility for public investment disbursement. The Ministry of Planning and Investment must review the disbursement and propose solutions to disburse investment at a high rate and in an effective manner. The health ministry has been ordered to study and finalise the proposal on vaccine passports and create mechanisms to facilitate organisations and businesses to be qualified to buy vaccines. Regarding preparations for the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and people's councils for the 2021-26 tenure in May, Chinh asked relevant agencies and local authorities to step up inspection and ensure public safety and order. – Viet Nam News
Ministry of Justice spokesperson: Lockdown, a strict administrative measure against COVID-19
Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice Kim Santepheap stated that the lockdown is a strict administrative measure that requires all people to stay at home. The companies or enterprises must be temporarily shut down during the lockdown, except those related to daily necessities such as food stores, food production factories, hospitals and private clinics, banks, and so on, he pointed out in a statement released on his official Facebook page this morning. All public and private institutions allowed to continue their operations must reduce to the minimum the number of stand-by staff and must implement all health measures such as wearing masks, keep safety distancing, clean hands, etc., he added. Anyone who violates this lockdown measure will be punished in accordance with the existing laws, he underlined. The lockdown measure came into force from 00:00 on April 15 and will last until April 28, 2021. It is aimed to ensure the effectiveness of COVID-19 spread control in Phnom Penh and Takhmao town of Kandal province, considered as a single area, and to prevent the transmission to other areas, stressed the Royal Government in a statement last night. During the 14-day lockdown, it continued, people are not allowed to leave their house unless necessary and with some exceptions: travel for authorised professions and businesses, for foods and other daily necessary stuff with at most 2 persons per household and not more than three times a week, and for health emergencies, etc. Anyway, it said, the travel must not be made between 08:00pm and 05:00am, except for emergency health and family reasons, goods transport, and so on. Besides, all gatherings are banned, except among household members, funerals, and gatherings of health staff and competent authorities on duty. Mask wearing and safety distancing as well as sanitation and temperature screening are mandatory. – Khmer Times
CRPH expected to announce interim cabinet line-up on Friday
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a body formed by elected lawmakers from Myanmar’s ousted civilian government, will announce its line-up of new members to its interim cabinet on Friday, a committee member has told Myanmar Now. The committee consists mainly of MPs from the National League for Democracy (NLD) who were elected in the 2020 general election but were unable to take their seats due to the February 1 coup. The interim cabinet, which was formed with the agreement of ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) and will include ethnic ministers, will be in accordance with the political roadmap outlined in the Federal Democracy Charter, said the CRPH member, who spoke to Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity. The Federal Democracy Charter was published by the CRPH on March 31, the same day it announced that it had abolished the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. The two-part charter lays out a plan to form an “interim national unity government” whose duties will be, among other things, to “weaken the governance mechanisms” of the regime, support the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), and make arrangements for “national defense”. According to the political roadmap described in the first part of the charter, legislative and judicial bodies will be formed after the formation of a national unity government. The charter also includes plans to establish a national convention to draft a new constitution, which will be approved only after a national referendum is held. The charter states that the national unity government will govern under the parliamentary system and will include a prime minister, president, state counsellor and two vice-presidents. Zaw Wai Soe, who currently holds three cabinet positions (labour, immigration, and population; education; and health and sports), is tipped to become prime minister. An orthopaedic surgeon, he was the rector of the University of Medicine (1) in Yangon before being appointed by the CRPH after the coup. He was one of the first prominent figures to refuse to serve under the coup regime and join the CDM, which aims to topple the regime of military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. According to sources close to the CRPH, the interim cabinet members will also include NLD central executive member Aung Kyi Nyunt and Naw Hla Hla Soe, the elected Karen ethnic affairs minister for Yangon region. None of the individuals named as possible cabinet ministers could be reached for comment at the time of reporting. The interim cabinet was formed following a series of meetings between current CRPH members and the leaders of several different EAOs and ethnic political parties, held after the former NLD administration officially expired on March 31. CRPH spokesperson Yee Mon, who is also known as Maung Tin Thit, told Myanmar Now on March 30 that the interim cabinet members would have to serve under unusual circumstances due to the post-coup situation in the country. “As everyone knows, this cabinet will be a government formed under a state of war - an anti-dictatorship war - and I can say that it will emerge as a revolutionary government,” he said at the time. – Myanmar NOW
Number of recipients of second COVID-19 dose tops 5.7 million
The National Task Force for COVID-19 Handling has reported that as many as 5,713,404 Indonesians have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine as of Thursday. The total number of people receiving the two doses of the vaccine increased by 144,547 on Thursday compared to the previous day. The increased number of second dose recipients is lower than that of the first dose recipients that the task force recorded at 118,867. Meanwhile, the total number of Indonesians who have received the first dose of the vaccine has reached 10,596,373. The COVID-19 Task Force has also released a target for the second phase of vaccination of 40,349,049 people. Indonesia has mostly used the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac and some AstraZeneca vaccines received through the COVAX Facility for its vaccination program. The COVAX Facility is being co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, and the World Health Organization (WHO). Earlier, spokesperson for the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI), Iris Rengganis, stressed that the vaccine produced by China's Sinovac is suitable for use, as its efficacy has been found to be above the threshold set by the WHO. "The WHO has announced that the efficacy must be at least 50 percent. Hence, anything above 50 percent is feasible. The important aspect is that it is safe," Rengganis, who is also head of the Advocacy Team for Vaccination, noted in a statement on Wednesday. On the basis of clinical trials in Brazil, Sinovac vaccine’s efficacy has been shown to be 50.3-50.4 percent, she disclosed. According to Rengganis, the most important aspect is the vaccine’s availability and safety, so there is no need to dwell on its effectiveness. "This is because we need it during a pandemic. Hence, we do not really (need to) look at brands anymore," she stated. "Later, the issue of effectiveness could be dealt with. If necessary, next it will be repeated. Hence, there is no need to make a fuss about it," she added. Rengganis also said the vaccine “would not poison recipients" and its efficacy level will have no impact on health, so it is safe for use. She also highlighted Indonesia’s plans to acquire Moderna and Pfizer doses in order to meet the country’s vaccine needs. – AntaraNews.Com