These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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S'pore and Malaysia to allow cross-border travel on compassionate grounds from May 17
Travel on compassionate grounds between Singapore and Malaysia will be allowed from May 17, amid Covid-19 restrictions that ban the bulk of cross-border movement. The details of such travel arrangements will be released later, but these will include steps like testing visitors for the coronavirus as well as the need for quarantine, said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Sunday (May 2). Dr Balakrishnan made the announcement together with his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was on a two-day official visit to Singapore till Sunday. Mr Hishammuddin said that the compassionate grounds would refer to situations when people on either side request to make trips across the border to be with those who are critically ill or to attend funerals. Dr Balakrishnan said that the move is necessary due to the "extensive ties" that the two countries share. "When a family crisis occurs, people want to get together. And therefore, bearing in mind this very special close relationship between the people of Singapore and the people of Malaysia, it is necessary to have schemes like this," said Dr Balakrishnan. "So, we'll announce further details on the types of tests and quarantine arrangements which will be necessary in order to operationalise this scheme." Details of the procedures and entry requirements will be released by the respective authorities of each country, namely the Department of Immigration of Malaysia and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. The two leaders also discussed a potential air travel bubble between Singapore and Malaysia, and Mr Hishammuddin said that in order to proceed, further negotiations with the transport ministries of both countries will be required. They also talked about mutually recognising vaccine certificates to facilitate cross-border travel in the future, which will be done digitally, noted Mr Hishammuddin. He added that for such travel to happen, the digital contact tracing tools of both countries would need to be compatible with each other. – The Straits Times
KL, Selangor residents looking forward to receiving jabs
Malaysians who managed to register for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine heaved a sigh of relief at the prospect of finally being inoculated. A couple in Kuala Lumpur, Timothy Anthony, 27, and Ushar Daniele, 31, were among those who managed to secure slots for the AstraZeneca vaccine. They said they spent half an hour on the website before their registration went through. Anthony said he wanted to get vaccinated as soon as possible due to the nature of his job. Anthony, who owns the Orale restaurant in Petaling Jaya, said the vaccine would provide peace of mind, especially to his customers and workers. "The company cannot afford to close down or have any staff member fall sick at the moment," he said. Ushar, a freelance journalist, said the vaccine was a must for her due to the hazards of her job. She frequently attends press conferences and also goes for video shoots, which are considered high risk as she interacts with a lot of people. "This is not about me alone, though. By getting vaccinated, I am safe from possible Covid-19 transmissions and also safe from transmitting the virus," she said. Consultant Abdulmuiz Aziz, 39, from Kuala Lumpur, said he had set a reminder and tried to register for the vaccine at noon. "But the dates and location slots were unavailable. After a few minutes of my wife and I refreshing the website, the slots appeared again. "But when we tried to submit our details, the page did not respond. My wife said some of her friends got through, so we both refreshed the page again, retried the registration and finally got through. "We booked different slots so that one of us can take care of our children. My wife also registered her 70-year-old mother on the same day as her inoculation slot." Abdulmuiz said he was relieved at being able to register for the vaccine. He said the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweighed the risk of potential blood clots, which some people had associated with the shots. "I sought opinions from doctor friends. Half of the United Kingdom population was given the AstraZeneca vaccine and its caseloads have significantly dropped, which shows that the vaccine is effective against Covid-19 infections. "I can't wait to get vaccinated and return to being able to meet people. I feel Malaysia should speed up our vaccination rate as the rate right now is too slow." Another Malaysian, who wished to be known only as Annie, 39, said she managed to secure an appointment on May 30 at Universiti Malaya. Annie, who works as a therapist, said she opted to register for the vaccine to ensure that she was protected against the virus as she works with children. "My husband is a doctor and he has been vaccinated. He assured me that it's fine (to proceed with the AstraZeneca vaccine) and I also received assurance from friends in the medical field. "Besides, I work with children and need to come in contact with parents and children. Therefore, I want to get protection for myself and my family." Another Malaysian, who wished to be known only as Lavinia, 32, said she felt relieved that she would be vaccinated soon. "Hopefully, I will not experience any extreme side effects. It took me 20 minutes to register as the website kept crashing. Initially, the slots did not appear on the website and when they started showing up, I could not proceed to the confirmation page. "After many tries, I finally got a confirmation for a slot on May 6 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur." She added that it was ironic many praised the efforts of the country's front liners in the medical industry, but at the same time raised doubts about vaccines developed by experts. Given the high number of Covid-19 cases, she said it was better to be vaccinated and receive some form of protection than none at all. – New Straits Times
Rally outside court after bail denied for detained protest leaders
Protesters rallied outside the Criminal Court on Sunday to air their anger after the court denied another bail request for detained activists, including ailing student leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak. A number of demonstrators walked from Victory Monument to the court on Ratchaphisek Road to show their opposition to the court's decision not to grant bail for the protest leaders. "Our patience is running out. The war has just begun," an organiser said through a loudspeaker. The rally was organised by the Restart Democracy (Redem), an offshoot of the Ratsadon movement. They sprayed paint on the signage outside the court, flashed the three-finger salute and threw objects into the premises before ending the protest after about one hour. Police warned them to stop throwing objects and said they were ready to take action if the call was ignored. The protest came after the court on Thursday rejected the bail request of seven co-leaders. They included Mr Parit, who was sent to Ramathibodi Hospital on Friday for treatment due to his deteriorating health condition after he began a hunger strike on March 16. The group said another rally will be held but the date has yet to be disclosed. – Bangkok Post
PH can be cordial with other nations but not at the expense of sovereignty – Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday said the Philippines would maintain its ties and cooperation with China but not at the expense of its sovereign rights. According to Lorenzana, this is in line with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte “to defend what is rightfully ours without going to war and maintain the peace in the seas.” “As for our long-standing and multi-faceted relationship with China, we maintain cooperation in various areas that are mutually beneficial to our peoples,” said Lorenzana in a statement. “We can be cordial and cooperative with other nations but not at the expense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he added. Lorenzana added that maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Kalayaan Island Group would continue, reiterating that the government would “not waver” in its mission to protect the country’s hold in the disputed waters. “While we acknowledge that China’s military capability is more advanced than ours, this does not deter us from defending our national interest, and our dignity as a people, with all that we have,” said Lorenzana in a statement on Sunday. “Thus, the conduct of maritime patrol in the WPS and Kalayaan Island Group by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will continue. The government will not waver in its position, walang alisan (we will not go anywhere),” he added. Lorenzana then said that the latest developments in WPS make it clear that there is a need for “all stakeholders to cooperate.” “They can now take this as an opportunity to advance the values and principles we collectively affirm and profess to respect – including the peaceful settlement of disputes – as partners and as signatories to UNCLOS and all relevant international instruments,” Lorenzana said. The Defense secretary then denied, for the second time, reports that allege that he and other military officials both retired and active, are withdrawing support for President Rodrigo Duterte, allegedly because of the Chief Executive’s supposed inaction in the said issue. “Yung nagsasabi na hindi kami align ng Presidente (to those saying that we are not aligned with the President,) let me clarify that my pronouncements echo the stand of our President and Commander-in-Chief.” This announcement came after President Rodrigo Duterte said that he will not let the country go to war with China, calling the latter nation a “good friend” as we owe them a “debt of gratitude,” in a pre-recorded briefing on April 28. Duterte, however, eventually noted that there were still things that he would not be ready to give up, like sovereign territory. The latest issue over the WPS stemmed from reports by the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea that there were Chinese Maritime Militia ships – not fishing vessels as previously claimed by Chinese authorities – near the Julian Felipe Reef. The government’s alleged lack of effort in enforcing the country’s authority over the WPS has drawn flak from critics. Just last April 25, Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that it seemed Malacañang was running “like a headless chicken” when it came to the maritime dispute with China. – INQUIRER.net
Ministry of Health urges localities to halt unnecessary services amid COVID-19 risk
The Ministry of Health has ordered local authorities to consider suspending unnecessary businesses and services including bars, karaoke parlours, discos and game rooms to prevent the spread of COVID-19 after a number of community cases were detected over the past few days. In a document sent to municipal and provincial people’s committees on Sunday, the ministry said Viet Nam had recorded domestically-transmitted COVID-19 cases in certain localities over recent days, and the coronavirus could further spread. However, many cities and provinces have become lax amid the new infections, the ministry said, citing big gatherings in public places like beaches and tourist sites without serious observance of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Given this, the ministry asked localities not to organise unnecessary activities with mass gatherings such as festivals and night markets, and seriously implement preventive measures, especially wearing masks in public places. At an urgent meeting on responding to COVID-19 in the new situation on Sunday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said some provinces and cities did not strictly take preventive measures and had lax supervision on COVID-19. He asked all localities to deploy pandemic response plans “to be ready to conduct quick tests, zone off infection areas and contain the hot spots." Provinces and cities must continue to follow the 5K recommendations of the health ministry and avoid gatherings, curb illegal immigration and vaccinate more people, he said. He asked authorities of Ha Nam, Yen Bai provinces and Da Nang City to consider imposing strict punishments on individuals and groups who broke COVID-19 protocols and consider criminal charges. The Cabinet leader requested localities to increase their testing capacity. In a related move, Ha Noi authorities said people returning after the four-day long public holiday from April 30 to May 3 would be subject to compulsory medical declarations. A large number of people in Ha Noi travelled to other localities during the holidays, posing high risks of spreading the disease in the community. Anyone who shows signs of coughing, fever, shortness of breath, or other suspected symptoms of COVID-19 should go to the nearest medical facilities for further instruction. Meanwhile, heads of organisations and agencies in the city must be responsible for medical declarations of their staff, and local authorities for those of residents. The municipal police are assigned to direct their lower units to make a list of returnees after the holidays, promote COVID-19 prevention measures, and strictly punish any violations. Local authorities of Ha Nam Province proposed imposing punishments on a man who spread the coronavirus among the community. The 28-year-old man, returning from Japan, did not follow self-quarantine regulations as recommended after the 14-day mandatory period but had parties and visited places, spreading the virus to others. The People’s Committee of Ha Nam Province ordered imposing administrative fines and considering criminal charges in the case. Luong Thanh Ngoc, head of the clinic of Dao Ly Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam, must be held responsible for lacking control regarding the case, resulting in the community infection. Local authorities are considering fines for Ngoc. – Viet Nam News
Amnesty rebuked: CPP refutes NGO’s claim of lockdown starvations
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) yesterday hit back at US-based Amnesty International (AI) over its call for the government to take “urgent steps” to avert an emerging humanitarian and human rights crisis under lockdown, saying no Cambodian dies of starvation in “Red Zones”. The Ministry of Justice yesterday also said some people in Red Zones are being used by former opposition leader Sam Rainsy to protest against lockdown measures. In its statement released on April 30, Amnesty International claimed that thousands of people are pleading for help on social media as access to food is denied, saying verified footage shows desperate scenes inside “Red Zones” and a violent police crackdown. It called for the government to take “urgent steps” to avert an emerging humanitarian and human rights crisis under the COVID-19 lockdown. “Amnesty has received alarming reports that even humanitarian NGOs have been barred from distributing food and other essential aid within Red Zones, despite the urgent needs of at-risk residents,” it added. However, CPP spokesman Sok Eysan yesterday praised the Phnom Penh City Hall’s efforts to lock down the capital and nearby city of Takmao and other important locations across the country to curb the spread of COVID-19. He acknowledged the protest from the people who live in Phnom Penh’s Red Zones over the concern about lacking food, but said the problem has already been resolved. “Amnesty International was concerned but did not provide any practical assistance to the victims of COVID-19,” Eysan said. “In Cambodia, no Cambodian is starving yet,” he added. “COVID-19 has had devastating consequences for people and workers in every country in the world. At this time, do not talk about labour rights, let’s talk about the fight against COVID-19 first.” Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, said the government’s outrageous mishandling of this COVID-19 lockdown is causing untold suffering and sweeping human rights violations across the country. “Right now, residents of ‘red zones’ and others in Cambodia are going hungry because of fundamentally unreasonable policies. The Cambodian authorities need to urgently change course by working with NGOs and UN agencies to facilitate humanitarian access to Red Zones. Everyone under lockdown must be provided access to adequate food, water, health care, and other essential items,” she said. “Millions of people in Cambodia are already suffering serious economic hardship after a year of the pandemic. For many, this mismanaged lockdown has brought them to the precipice of a humanitarian crisis, too. “The Cambodian government can, and must, take decisive steps to mitigate this disaster,” she added. – Khmer Times
At least six people killed by junta’s armed forces as demonstrators return to the streets
Thousands of anti-coup protesters returned to the streets across the country on Sunday and were met with regime violence that killed at least six people, according to eyewitnesses. Pro-democracy activists called for a general strike on Sunday to renew momentum surrounding street protests and to signify the “Global Myanmar Spring Revolution.” Corresponding demonstrations were held in cities around the world in solidarity with the movement in Myanmar, including in Manchester, UK; Milan, Italy; and Taipei, Taiwan. The military council’s armed forces carried out arrests and fired rubber bullets, live ammunition and grenades at civilians in an attempt to end the rallies and terrorise those participating, according to protesters. One person was killed and at least 20 were injured in the jade-rich town of Hpakant, Kachin State, as troops dispersed a crowd of anti-coup protesters using explosives and live bullets, locals said. Troops threw a grenade into the crowd and opened fire on the protesters on Sunday afternoon, an eyewitness told Myanmar Now. Thirty-three-year-old Wai Phyo was shot in the head and several others were injured in the attack, according to the eyewitness. “The one who died was shot with live ammunition,” they said. Wai Phyo’s body had not been retrieved at the time of reporting, but wounded protesters had been moved to a safe house for medical treatment. Three people were killed by the regime’s troops in a crowd preparing to demonstrate in the town of Wetlet, Sagaing Region on Sunday morning. The victims were Min Zin Oo, 22; Zaw Oo, 42; and Thiha Aung, 24. “The troops started firing at protesters at around 8:30am when people were just preparing for a protest. They initially fired rubber bullets, but the crowd of people didn’t break up, so they started firing live rounds,” a Wetlet local who was part of the demonstration said. Zaw Oo, who was shot in the back, died as people were preparing to send him to the hospital for treatment, the local said. No further details about Zaw Oo were available at the time of reporting. – Myanmar NOW
National Education Day, momentum to revive Ki Hajar Dewantara's ideas
Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim stated that the National Education Day is a momentum to revive the ideas of Ki Hajar Dewantara, Indonesia’s father of education. “Starting today, the ideas of Indonesia’s father of education must be ingrained and revived in order to create a qualified education for all Indonesians and bring about a genuine independence of learning,” Makarim noted in his speech to the National Education Day here on Sunday. Clad in traditional attire from Rote in East Nusa Tenggara to mark the 2021 National Education Day, Makarim added that the ideas of Ki Hajar Dewantara has not been well-implemented for so long. Education in Indonesia must lead to the revelation of mental happiness and life safety. The basic essence of education is to liberate human’s life, he emphasized. “This is the right momentum for us to reflect what has been done optimally and what needs to be improved. A new chapter of Indonesia’s education means transformation, one that still refers to people's history and also a bravery to create a new and bright history,” he highlighted. Makarim expressed aspiration that Indonesian children can be the learners who hold tightly on Pancasila’s philosophy, the learners who are free throughout their lives, and the learners who are able to face the future confidently. Hence, the ministry strives to transform the education with a breakthrough namely “Merdeka Belajar” (free to learn). Four steps to mirror the efforts of improvement are continually implemented by involving all elements of society. The efforts of improvement encompass infrastructure and technology, policy, procedure, funding, and autonomy grant for educational units. “Since the beginning I served (as a minister), including during the pandemic, ten episodes of Merdeka Belajar have been launched and more breakthroughs of it that we will continue to do,” he pointed out. Such meaningful transformation has to be done to change from what makes this nation go nowhere to some leaps of advancement. “From the bottom of my heart, the extended family of the ministry and I would like to thank you profusely,” he said. The breakthroughs of Merdeka Belajar must entirely cover the public, starting from the educators and students from early childhood education to higher education. parents, people’s representatives, regional administrations, community organizations, business and industrial sectors, from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote Island, he pointed out. “The pandemic crisis is a field of optimism waiting for being harvested. Crisis is a chance to reap the progress,” he noted. Recently, some schools have resumed a restricted face-to-face learning, while others are still preparing for it. He expressed spirit in seeing the public that are aware to move forward and do some leaps in pursuit of advancement without doubts, by surely paying attention to the safety and security. “We need to understand that the pandemic is not the only challenge we are facing. In the near future, there must be abundant of challenges we need to meet together. Let us meet the challenges with innovations and solutions,” he remarked. “Let us make a bright history that the world cannot deny. Merdeka Belajar can be quickly realized if we educate, take care, and love each other for one goal – the top-notch human resources, Onward Indonesia,” he added. The 2021 national education day commemoration is organized on the topic “Moving Together, Realizing Merdeka Belajar”. – AntaraNews.Com