These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Malaysian PM admits 'weaknesses' over flood response; 17 dead so far
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Tuesday (Dec 21) acknowledged "weaknesses" in flood management as the blame game began over the slow response in the country to one of the most devastating floods in recent memory, particularly in opposition-ruled Selangor state.
"I don't deny (the weakness) and will improve in the future...The responsibility is not that of the federal government alone, but also the state governments and the front-liners," said Datuk Seri Ismail.
Critics have slammed the government for not taking the situation seriously when flood waters began rising precipitously, with questions being raised over whether bureaucratic foot-dragging also delayed rescue operations. - Straits Times
25 Thais from tour group have Omicron
Most of the group of 31 Thais who returned from a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Dec 15 have now been found to have been infected with the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Initially, the Nonthaburi provincial health office said that seven returnees in Nonthaburi tested positive for the variant as reported by the Bangkok Post on Monday. On Tuesday, the office reported that it found that total infections among the group number 25 out of the 31.
Those who tested positive are from various parts of the country with 14 coming from Nonthaburi, four from Pathum Thani, four from Ayutthaya, two from Bangkok and one from Nakhon Ratchasima, said the office. - Bangkok Post
11 dead due to 'Odette'; 166 more deaths being validated
At least 11 people have been confirmed dead due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Wednesday.
In its update, the agency said it is still validating reports of another 166 deaths due to the typhoon.
Two were confirmed injured while also undergoing validations are reports of another 273 injured and 38 missing. - Philippine News Agency
Ninh Thuan Province to welcome domestic tourists
Ninh Thuan Province's People's Committee has reopened tourism to domestic travellers as part of a plan on tourism activities and prevention and control of COVID-19.
Tourists arriving in Ninh Thuan Province must be fully vaccinated within the last 12 months, or be fully recovered from a COVID-19 infection, or have a negative test certificate for COVID-19.
Hotels and travel services must strictly comply with regulations on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. - Vietnam News
Omicron wreaks global havoc, Cambodia is prepared and ready
On November 26 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the variant B.1.1.529 as a Variant of Concern. The variant has been given the name Omicron.
According to the WHO, as of December16, 2021, the Omicron variant has been identified in 89 countries, one of which is Cambodia.
As of yesterday, India has reported 200 cases of Omicron, Singapore reported 71, Thailand detected 63 cases and Malaysia detected 11 cases. - Khmer Times
ZRA attacked in Tedim after alleged meeting with junta officials
The Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), a group accused of carrying out multiple attacks on anti-regime forces in Chin State in recent months, was itself attacked on Friday after allegedly meeting with military officials, according to local sources.
Locals said that two civilians were injured in the attack, which took place in Ngawsing (Ngalzang), a village in Chin State’s Tedim Township, early Friday morning.
“Two villagers were shot, one in the arm and the other twice in the thigh,” said a Ngawsing resident who spoke to Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity. - Myanmar NOW
Mild KIPI seen in children after COVID-19 vaccination: IDAI
Two types of mild post-immunization incidents (KIPI) can be seen in children after a COVID-19 vaccination, according to the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI).
"KIPI is possible to happen but it is only for a small percentage with mild symptoms. There are two types of KIPI, namely general and local," a member of the Immunization Task Force of the IDAI, Cissy Rachiana Sudjana Prawira Kartasasmita, said on Tuesday.
The two types of KIPIs have different symptoms, she informed. In local KIPI, a child may experience pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, she said. - AntaraNews.Com
Thai Businesses Concerned About Agricultural Sector Following Laos-China Railway Opening
The chamber expressed fears that the Nong Khai border with Thailand could become a gateway for Chinese fruits and vegetables which would flood the market in Thailand.
The Nation reports that Thailand’s Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is in talks with its counterpart in China to find a solution, hoping for a balance for Sino-Thai trade.
Thailand hopes to export orchids and rubber to China via the new railway, while fruit exports will be up for discussion next year. - The Laotian Times