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.
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Lower-income folk worst hit by S’pore’s Covid-19 circuit breaker: Study
The circuit breaker imposed last year to interrupt the transmission of Covid-19 had an uneven effect on families, with those earning less than $3,000 a month hit hardest by the economic shutdown.
A number of them had difficulty paying for daily expenses.
On the other hand, the social consequences of the lockdown were widely felt and had potentially lasting impact on the well-being of all segments of society here, said researchers, in papers published by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
The circuit breaker highlighted concerns over how such vulnerabilities might play out over the longer term, said the papers’ authors.
More than four in 10 households earning less than $1,000 and more than three in 10 of those earning between $1,000 and $2,900 reported having trouble paying for living expenses. On average, fewer than three in 10 of households of all higher income levels reported similar issues. - Straits Times
Ismail Sabri: Cabinet line-up to be announced this week
The new cabinet line-up will be announced within this week, after it is presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for His Majesty's consent, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The newly-minted prime minister, after a visit to Kuala Muda in Yan, here, said a discussion on the formation of the cabinet was ongoing.
He added that while no opposition members would be appointed in the new cabinet, they will be included in the National Recovery Council and the Special Committee to Tackle Covid-19.
"Cooperation with them (the opposition) does not mean they will be in the cabinet, but they can play their role by channelling their ideas through the Special Committee on Covid-19 and the National Recovery Council," he said.
He also addressed rumours circulating about the cabinet line-up and urged people the public not to believe them as they were all false.
"Do not believe them, there are so many names being brought up. Every day there's a new list. But it is also good because it can help me see them." he quipped.
On a suggestion that the deputy prime minister be someone from Sabah or Sarawak, Ismail Sabri said he was willing to consider it. - New Straits Times
CCSA to debate reopening plan
The government's plan to reopen the country before the end of the year is seemingly still on track as Thailand's Covid-19 outbreak is showing signs of slowing down.
It will soon be considered by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Thailand logged 17,491 new cases over the previous 24 hours Monday - the lowest since July 30.
In light of this, the National Communicable Disease Committee (NCDC) will ask the CCSA to consider reopening some areas of the country, in line with the pledge made in June by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to do so in 120 days.
During a live TV broadcast to the nation on June 16, Gen Prayut said his government planned to reopen the country within the next 120 days. The statement was made despite the risk of a rise in Covid-19 infections. - Bangkok Post
Palace discourages nurses from resigning
Malacañang on Monday appealed to the country’s nurses and other healthcare workers not to resign, assuring they will soon receive their special risk allowance (SRA) as early as next week.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte himself gave the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) at least “10 days” to release funds for the distribution of healthcare workers’ benefits.
“Nag-order naman po ang Presidente na within 10 days from last Friday ay kinakailangan maibigay na itong mga special risk allowance (The President already ordered to release the special risk allowance within 10 days from last Friday),” he said in a press conference in SM City San Mateo.
Roque warned that mass resignations would also spell trouble for them, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic-related job losses. - Philippine News Agency
ASEAN united to cope with COVID-19: top legislator
Despite the effects of the ongoing pandemic and complex, unpredictable shifts in the regional and international geo-political landscape, the ASEAN community has maintained solidarity and upheld its reserve, said Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue on Monday.
He was addressing the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42) which is being virtually held in Brunei.
In the past year, the world and the ASEAN region have faced tremendous difficulties and challenges posed by the pandemic, causing casualties and disruptions in the regional supply chain. This has significantly impacted economic growth and exacerbated social inequality, including digital inequality and social welfare, he said.
More than ever, the pandemic has underscored the urgency of state governance, and adjustments of policies and development goals. It has also emphasised the demand for digitalisation and a digital economy to respond to the pandemic and sustain socio-economic development, he added.
“Our Community has timely exerted collective efforts in response to the pandemic since its outbreak. As we weather tempestuous challenges, the close bonds and mutual sharing among ASEAN members and their peoples are further bolstered,” he said. - Vietnam News
Strength and support: China continues to help in the fight against C-19
Cambodia yesterday received an additional 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China to combat Covid-19.
Defence Minister General Tea Banh said they were grateful for the additional doses of vaccine as it will go a long way to help Cambodians and people get vaccinated.
“I would like to thank the Ministry of National Defence of China and the Chinese government for their assistance in helping Cambodia with the donation of vaccines,” he said.
He added that the government has launched a plan to provide vaccines to the people as a strategic plan to combat Covid-19.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian said that China will continue to provide assistance in the form of vaccines, medical equipment and material support to Cambodia as much as possible. - Khmer Times
Senior Arakan National Party figure resigns over leaders' support for coup regime
A top figure within the Arakan National Party (ANP) has officially resigned over the party’s support for the coup regime following the military’s takeover on February 1.
Pe Than, an ANP spokesperson and policy board member, submitted his resignation on June 13, but it was only officially accepted at an online executive committee meeting on Saturday, said Tun Aung Kyaw, a senior party official.
Pe Than served as a lower house MP representing Rakhine State’s Myebon Township for two consecutive parliamentary terms until the 2020 election.
“My first reason for resigning is that I don’t like the party’s stance since the military staged the coup,” he told Myanmar Now. “The second one is that some senior leaders within the party are acting irresponsibly, without working in accordance with the party’s policies and regulations.”
The ANP was heavily criticised by members of the public and Rakhine civil society groups after two of its most prominent members accepted positions of power within the junta. - Myanmar NOW
Health Minister reveals strategies to coexist with coronavirus
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has revealed three strategies for coexisting with the coronavirus, which aim to balance health and economic life.
"There are several instructions from President Joko Widodo that we need to follow up immediately to live with the pandemic," he said at a virtual press conference that was broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat’s Youtube channel here on Monday.
The strategies comprise information technology-based health protocols, testing and tracing programs, as well as treatment attempts, he informed.
Referring to the health protocols, the minister said that disciplined behavior on part of the community is crucial for responding to the gradual opening of public facilities in urban areas.
"We have collaborated with several associations and organizations to start drafting the information technology-based health protocols," he stated.
Technology utilization refers to the PeduliLindung app, which will be used nationally at modern and traditional trade places; land, sea, and air transportation; workplaces; as well as tourism and culinary sites, he informed.
"It will also be used at education and religious events," he added. - AntaraNews.Com