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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Singapore can contribute to China's economic growth: DPM Heng
As China shifts to a new economic strategy of developing self-reliance and leaning more on domestic consumption, Singapore can play a part in that growth, says the Republic's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
For one thing, Singapore can help to better connect the East Asian giant with markets in South-east Asia, especially with global trade flows and supply chains altering.
Mr Heng made the remarks in an op-ed published in Chinese-language paper Lianhe Zaobao on Tuesday (Dec 28), as he took stock of the bilateral cooperation ahead of his virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart Han Zheng on Wednesday. - Straits Times
12,005 still at flood relief centres in Pahang
The number of evacuees at six flood-hit districts in Pahang continues to record improvement with 12,005 remaining at temporary evacuation centres.
As of 8am, the victims from 3,789 families were occupying 89 evacuation centres compared to 16,579 victims recorded early yesterday.
The worst affected district - Temerloh - registered 5,296 people from 1,580 families seeking shelter at 17 relief centres. - New Straits Times
Tourism fears mount over Omicron
Tourism operators are losing hope in both the New Year and Chinese New Year holidays as the Public Health Ministry forecasts a worst-case scenario of over 30,000 Omicron infections per day in the first quarter.
"Whatever decision the government has to make to battle the new outbreak, we don't have a choice but must strictly comply with the rules from health experts, including the suspension of the Test & Go scheme which might be extended beyond Jan 4, 2022," said Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.
Mr Sisdivachr said the new scenario means the tourism industry is unlikely to reap benefits from the Chinese New Year holiday, which next year will start in early February. - Bangkok Post
Duterte warns profiteers, hoarders in wake of 'Odette'
President Rodrigo R. Duterte said business owners profiteering from consumer goods in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette may be arrested.
In his prerecorded Talk to the People on Monday night, Duterte threatened to order the arrest of business owners involved in the overpricing of basic goods and construction supplies in areas hit by the typhoon.
“Tell us if there has been a violation during this time because we will identify them and the Philippine National Police, we will ask them to arrest the hoarders and people who are taking advantage of the situation,” Duterte told Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. - Philippine News Agency
HN’s model of treating COVID-19 patients at home applauded by local people
Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District has been treating asymptomatic COVID-19 patients at home, with the model garnering praise from residents.
The model not only helps reduce pressure on local health facilities but also helps with the safe adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 'new normal', the Kinh Te & Do Thi (Economics & Urban Affairs) online newspaper reported.
N.T.H, an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient, who lives in Ha Hoi Alley, Hoan Kiem District’s Tran Hung Dao Ward, said she and her husband receive health checks by local health staff twice a day via phone. - Vietnam News
Safe festivities for upcoming New Year
Authorities have asked tourists to stay alert, be careful and strictly follow the health measures for the upcoming international New Year celebrations to avoid any incidents.
Siem Reap provincial deputy-governor Ly Samrith said yesterday that the holiday is comparable to the Water Festival holiday, more tourists are expected to visit this province for the upcoming New Year event.
He said that after the Prime Minister announced the end of the February 20 Community Event, provincial authorities organised for the upcoming New Year holiday that will take place from December 30 to January 1, 2022. - Khmer Times
Junta court delays verdicts in Suu Kyi's walkie-talkie case, again
A Naypyitaw court on Monday again postponed the verdicts against detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi concerning two charges of possessing illegally imported walkie-talkies seized during a pre-dawn raid on her residence in the capital on February 1, according to court sources.
The ousted State Counsellor was charged under the Export and Import Law and the Telecommunications Law and faces up to four years in prison if convicted of the offences.
The verdicts were originally postponed from last week until Monday, with judge Maung Maung Lwin now announcing that the verdicts will be delayed once again until January 10. - Myanmar NOW
110.8 million Indonesians fully vaccinated against COVID-19
At least 110,812,856 Indonesians have received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of 12 p.m. local time on Monday, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force has reported.
The number of people who have received the full dose increased by 192,049 on Monday, based on data from the COVID-19 Task Force that ANTARA accessed here on Monday.
Meanwhile, the number of people who have received the first dose increased by 353,008 to reach 156,994,786. - AntaraNews.Com