These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Stay informed with The ASEAN Post.
Five arrested in separate cases relating to Internet love scams and ruse involving fake China officials
Two men and two women have been arrested for their role in a ruse where scammers pretend to be officials from China to fleece victims out of their savings. In a statement on Thursday (May 20), police said the four, aged between 18 and 51 years, had acted on behalf of scammers who told victims that their credit or debit card details had been used for fraudulent transactions, or that their bank accounts were involved in money laundering activities. Police said that these four were allegedly groomed to believe that they were carrying out official tasks for the scammers. They were instructed to dress in white and black and were also told what to say to the victims. They also had fake identification cards and used them to identify themselves as representing organisations such as the Singapore Police Force, the Chinese Police and Interpol. In the ruse, the scammers first got the victims to divulge their personal banking details, including their One-Time Password. The victims were also allegedly deceived into surrendering their money for purported investigations. The scammers then instructed the four individuals to deliver "official investigation documents" to the victims, in a bid to convince them that they were genuinely being investigated. The victims reported that they lost more than $200,000 in total. Police did not disclose the number of victims involved. In a separate case, the police received a report on March 27 about a victim who had transferred $1,600 to a local bank account specified by an "online lover" whom he had never met before. Investigations revealed that a 27-year-old man had befriended a number of people online via various dating applications and then communicated with them through the chat application, Telegram. After getting to know them, the man started borrowing money on the pretext of family emergencies. – The Straits Times
Retailers say no to full lockdown
The Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA) today urged the government not to implement a full lockdown, as it will cost irreparable damage to the economy. Its president, Tan Sri William Cheng said a full lockdown will further devastate businesses and stifle retailers' recovery efforts. Cheng, instead, called for a stringent Movement Control Order (MCO) to be implemented in districts or states that report high cases of Covid-19. "We are strongly and firmly against a full lockdown as it will immediately destroy the already fragile economy. "As can be seen when MCO 2.0 and 3.0 were in place, it was not effective in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus. "Any decision towards this end must take into consideration the interests of businesses and preservation of livelihoods," he said in a statement, today. As responsible retailers, Cheng said, their first line of defence is to ensure that all their employees are in good health, practise good hygiene both at work and at home, while strictly adhering to the standard operating procedure (SOP) at all times. "We do place great importance on the wellbeing and safety of all our members, employees, business associates, consumers and the public in general. "And with the daily Covid-19 cases and deaths, we do understand the dire need to curb the rising number. "We stand firm with the government in flattening the curve and efforts to achieve herd immunity as fast as possible in combatting this pandemic. "Therefore, we advocate for the use of MCO 2.0 model to be re-implemented, as it allows the economic sectors to operate but with stricter compliance to the existing SOPs," he said. The association also called for the government to implement stricter restrictions on people's movements, as well as encouraging them to stay at home. "The work-from-home (WFH) arrangement should be re-activated for businesses that are able to do so. "At the same time, they should accelerate the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, by expediting the vaccination for economic sectors to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible. "'Lindung Diri, Lindung Semua' (Protect Yourself, Protect All), as we can together play our role to control and overcome the pandemic successfully and most importantly, to keep the economy going" he said. – New Straits Times
Two Pattaya police shot during raid on luxury golf course house
Two policemen were shot and wounded at a luxury house on a golf course in Bang Lamung district, near Pattaya, and a Chinese man was later arrested and charged. Eight other people - five Chinese nationals, a gardener and two maids - were also detained, reports said. The house is at Phoenix golf course in tambon Huay Yai of Bang Lamung. The shooting occurred on Wednesday. According to media reports, there were three luxury cars – a Porsche, a Rolls-Royce and a Mercedes Benz, all with Bangkok plates - parked in the house grounds, a compound covering more than one rai of land. Members of the Sawad special police task force entered the premises after the shooting and arrested a Chinese man. Thai media identified the man as Jang Yang, 35. Mr Jang was charged with shooting Pol Capt Phanthep Sribunnag, chief of Pattaya police station's special operations team, and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kreetha Thipnate, of Pattaya police station, during a raid on the house earlier on Wednesday. Pol Capt Phanthep sustained three gunshot wounds - to his shoulder, chest and stomach. He was admitted to Chon Buri Hospital in a serious condition. Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kreetha was shot in the right leg and admitted to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. The two officers were working with the Provincial Police Region 2's transnational crime suppression team. Natthawut Donchaisong, 41, a gardener, told police he was cutting grass in front of the house when police arrived in 3-4 cars, got out of the vehicles and approached the house. He heard the sound of knocking on the glass door twice, followed by gunshots. He heard at least 10 shots as he quickly ran into hiding in front of the house. A member of the team involved in the raid said they were armed with a search warrant and went to the house to execute it. A foreigner inside had opened fire at them. A combined team of Chon Buri, tourist and immigration police inspected the scene on Wednesday evening, led by Pol Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang, acting chief of Chon Buri police. – Bangkok Post
Workers should not pay for COVID-19 vaccines, DOLE reminds private firms
Private companies should not make their workers pay for COVID-19 vaccines, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday. “Bawal po yun, kung babakunahan, babakunahan sila, dapat libre kasi sagot ng ating pamahalaan natin yan eh,” Bello initially said over Teleradyo when asked about employees having to pay for their vaccines. (That’s not allowed, if they want to vaccinate, they should vaccinate but for free because our government provides for that.) Asked about companies who bought their own vaccines, Bello said: “Ok lang, gamitin nila yung bakuna pero wag silang maningil.” (That’s okay, they can use their vaccines but they should not make their employees pay.) “Ang pagintindi namin, kaya sila bumili, para mabakunahan yung mga empleyado nila para masiguro yung safety condition nung kanilang workplaces,” Bello added. (From our understanding, they bought it to vaccinate their employees to ensure the safety condition of their workplaces.) The national government recently approved the proposal to start vaccinating essential workers. Essential workers, however, are set to receive their shots by the end of May, or once the supply stabilises. – INQUIRER.net
Localities asked to stay vigilant as COVID-19 is in the community
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Wednesday asked all localities to be on high alert as the COVID-19 pandemic is in the community, and stay ready to immediately zone off areas and quarantine any new infections. Addressing a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Dam, who is head of the committee, said all resources are being mobilised to stamp out the pandemic in the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh. According to a report by the Ministry of Health (MoH), Viet Nam has recorded 1,647 COVID-19 cases in 28 provinces and cities since April 27, including 605 in Bac Giang, 353 in Bac Ninh, and 256 in Ha Noi. Most of the new cases had close contact with confirmed patients, and were already quarantined or in locked-down areas. Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan said that people should strictly follow the MoH’s 5K message: khau trang (face mask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration), and take part in COVID-19 vaccinations. Dam highlighted the importance of strengthening discipline and tightening management over the reception and quarantine of foreigners and Vietnamese citizens entering the country. All quarantine facilities and hotels registered for quarantine must ensure pandemic prevention conditions, he noted. The Deputy PM urged the Ministry of Health to issue guidelines for combining different testing methods for people entering Viet Nam, firstly by air. Classification after testing can define who is safe enough to be quarantined for only seven days at designated facilities, instead of 14 or 21 days, he stated, adding that it is important for trading and travel, including welcoming foreign experts and repatriating Vietnamese citizens stranded abroad due to the pandemic. He asked the Ministry of Health to issue new guidelines within a week and immediately carry out testing and medical quarantine management following the new process. Members of the steering committee also agreed to assign the military medicine force to test people in military quarantine establishments and the health sector to test people in civil quarantine facilities and hotels. – Viet Nam News
Locals and foreigners caught partying with alcohol and drugs
Forty-five locals and foreigners were caught red-handed by the police for alcohol consumption and smoking drugs during curfew hours at a condominium in Boeng Keng Kang district’s Boeng Keng Kang 2 commune in Phnom Penh around midnight on Wednesday. Police arrested them for violating the Phnom Penh City Hall’s temporary ban on all kinds of alcohol sale and gatherings including organising a drinking party until May 22 and the imposition of curfew between 8pm and 3am. The detainees also committed a drug offence by inhaling drugs via smoking. Phnom Penh Municipal police spokesman, Colonel San Sokseyha said yesterday those arrested at about 1am were 10 Cambodians and the rest were Chinese and Vietnamese nationals including some women. Relating the incident, Col Sokseyha said that the district police patrolling team noticed a lot of vehicles parked outside the condominium and suspecting something amiss, alerted the Phnom Penh police headquarters. He added a police team led by Phnom Penh Municipal Court Deputy Prosecutor raided the condominium which was rented by a group of Chinese nationals and caught the suspects having an alcohol drinking session with many also smoking drugs. “They violated the Phnom Penh City Hall’s ban on alcohol drinking gatherings, the curfew and also committed a drug abuse offence,” Col. Sokseyha said. He said they were caught red-handed with enough evidence to prosecute them in court for all the offences committed. Col Sokseyha added that the police also seized a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamines and other related materials from the premises. He said all the suspects were now being detained at the Municipal police headquarters for not only the offences committed but also for them to undergo the Covid-19 tests. The suspects, he added, will be referred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court after the police have concluded their interrogation and statements recorded. – Khmer Times
Junta cuts off water and food supplies to rebel town of Mindat
More than 10,000 people fled the town of Mindat in southern Chin State in recent days after the Myanmar military launched an all-out offensive there in a bid to crush an armed uprising led by local residents, an aid worker said. Those displaced from their homes are in desperate need of support. “The most important thing that is needed is emergency food supplies,” said Salai Pat Gyaung, who is leading the aid effort. “Rice, oil, salt, ngapi, and various kinds of beans,” he said, referring to a type of fish paste widely used in Myanmar. “There are motorcycles and cars ready to go back and rescue those who are trapped inside Mindat,” he added. “But the petrol has run out. We need supplies.” He called for people to donate supplies and to transfer money for the relief effort. Locals have so far donated tents and other equipment worth about 4m kyat. Thousands more are still trapped inside Mindat, according to a statement by the National Unity Government. They have had their water and electricity cut off, said a member of the Mindat People’s Administration Team, which was set up by locals who refuse to be governed by the junta’s administrators. “The municipality has cut off the water,” the member said, requesting anonymity. “The main roads are also blocked, so no food supplies can come in. People have to survive on what they have left.” Seven camps in the region are now hosting 3,000 people who have fled, mostly children and the elderly, Salai Pat Gyaung said. The other 7,000 are sheltering in nearby forests or other towns and villages. Aid workers are trying to gather all the displaced people in one place. They have been in contact with organisations including the UN to try to secure food supplies, Salai Pat Gyaung said. “The Burmese soldiers are not just fighting against those who are armed, but also torturing unarmed civilians,” he said. “They have been arresting youths who are not part of the battle and torturing them. They then go into whichever house they like and take whatever food supplies they like.” The number of civilian casualties from the fighting in Mindat is unclear. On Monday a ten-year-old girl was hit with a bullet and severely injured in her neck while hiding inside her home as the junta’s armed forces shot at houses and shops. Also on Monday, a 13-year-old child who fled the fighting reportedly died after falling off a cliff during an epilepsy attack, a member of the Mindat branch of the Chinland Defense Force told Myanmar Now. The girl is being treated at a hospital in Mandalay. Clashes erupted in Mindat in late April after a crowd gathered to demand the release of several detained protesters and a member of the regime’s forces reportedly shot at someone. Local resistance fighters have killed dozens of soldiers in ambushes since then. They retreated from the town on Saturday after the military sent helicopters full of reinforcements. On May 13, the junta declared martial law in Mindat and intensified its attacks on the town with long distance artillery, machine guns, and shoulder-held rocket launchers. Soldiers also arrested local residents and used them as human shields. The resistance fighters are armed with traditional Tumi hunting rifles, double-barrelled guns, and home-made mines. During fighting from May 12 to May 17, the resistance suffered 12 deaths and 30 injuries. Locals estimated that there were about 30 deaths on the military’s side. Myanmar Now was not able to confirm these numbers independently. – Myanmar NOW
Mount Merapi erupts with hot clouds dispersing over 1.8 kilometres
Mount Merapi, situated between the provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java, erupted on Thursday, with hot clouds spreading as far as 1.8 kilometres away to the southwest. Head of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) Hanik Humaida noted that Mount Merapi erupted with its hot clouds spreading at 8:30 a.m. local time. Based on seismogram measurements, the hot clouds had an amplitude of 41 mm and lasted for 170 seconds. "The hot clouds were sliding 1,800 meters to the southwest," Humaida stated. Based on observations on Thursday from 00:00 a.m. to 6 a.m. local time, Mount Merapi was also recorded to have experienced 35 earthquakes, with an amplitude of 3-33 mm, for 11.6-127 seconds; three gust earthquakes, with an amplitude of 3-4 mm for 15.8-21 seconds; and five multi-phase earthquakes, with an amplitude of 2-28 mm for 6-13 seconds. The BPPTKG continues to maintain the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert. The lava and hot clouds of Mount Merapi are forecast to impact areas comprising Kuning, Boyong, Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng, and Putih in the south to the southwest. In the meantime, Mount Merapi's volcanic material could disperse as far three kilometres from the mountain's peak. – AntaraNews.Com