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.
MRT and bus ridership hit 78 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels with easing of rules
Rail and bus ridership hit 78 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels in the last week of April after Singapore dropped most of its pandemic restrictions, with all employees allowed to return to work and group size limits removed.
This is a more than 10 percentage-point increase from the 67 per cent recorded in the first week of January, when group sizes were capped at five and up to 50 per cent of workers could go back to the office.
In the same period, the number of commuters taking public transport during the morning peak also increased from 59 per cent of 2019 levels to 76 per cent. The latest figures from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) come as the broader Singapore economy reopens, with more people going to office, staying out late and in general, going out.
But a wholesale return to 2019 patterns remains some way off.
The number of commuters who tapped out at stations in the central business district in the morning peak period stayed at 51 per cent, in a sign that staggered working hours and telecommuting may be here to stay for a while yet.
Public transport operators and the Government are closely monitoring numbers to gauge if there will be a permanent shift in how people take public transport, with some observers having forecast a semi-permanent drop in overall ridership. – Straits Times
Almost 950,000 Malaysian children fully vaccinated against Covid-19
A total of 945,787 children aged between five and 11 years, or 26.6 per cent of their population, have completed the vaccination under the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.
Based on the COVIDNOW web site, a total of 1,560,474 children in the age group, or 43.9 per cent, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
For adolescents aged between 12 and 17, a total of 2,898,581 individuals or 93.2 per cent of the population have completed the vaccination, while 2,996,030 or 96.3 per cent have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
As for adults, a total of 16,045,993 individuals, or 68.2 per cent of the populations, have received the booster dose, while 22,968,441 individuals, or 97.6 per cent, have completed both doses of the vaccine and 23,244,381 individuals (98.8 per cent) have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Yesterday, a total of 27,286 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were dispensed, with 8,290 as first dose, 16,207 as second dose and 2,789 as booster dose, bringing the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered under the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme (PICK) to 70,446,288. – New Straits Times
Thamanat to talk Prayut with 'G16'
The secretary-general of the Setthakij Thai Party, Thamanat Prompow, has agreed to meet representatives of small political parties over dinner in about two weeks to discuss Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's alleged mishandling of the economy.
According to deputy Pheu Thai leader, Yuttapong Charasathien on Monday, Capt Thamanat will meet the so-called "Group of 16" on May 23. The group had recently held two similar meetings, first with Pichet Sathirachawal, a Palang Pracharath Party MP, and Manoon Siwapiromrat, the leader of the New Economics Party. The move is seen by some political observers as the beginning of a new attempt to unseat Gen Prayut through a fresh no-confidence motion.
Mr Yuttapong said the group will discuss Gen Prayut's failure in managing the economy, which he said is in free fall. "One example [of such mismanagement] is his decision to appoint Wichak Aphiraknanchai, an inspector with the Ministry of Finance, to lead the investigation against [Deputy Finance Minister] Santi Promphat in relation to the 25-billion-baht water pipeline project in the Eastern Economic Corridor," he said.
"How on earth could a ministerial inspector effectively probe a deputy minister of the same ministry?" he added, noting the opposition "will definitely include this issue" on the list of topics for the coming no-confidence debate.
Meanwhile, Wit Devahastin na Ayudhya, leader of Setthakij Thai Party, played down the importance of the planned meeting, saying it could simply be a normal reunion between former colleagues. – Bangkok Post
PAF planes, choppers conduct 'persuasion flights' over Mindanao
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday said its aircraft, including two of its brand-new A-29B "Super Tucano" attack planes, have flown persuasion flights over various parts of Mindanao as part of their efforts to secure the May 9 national and local elections from lawless elements.
"It's more of a reminder that somebody is securing the air space and is ready to help at a short notice," PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
He added that aircraft from the PAF's Tactical Operations Wing Western Mindanao and Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 12 facilitated the flight missions of the UH-1H "Huey" and S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopters, and the A-29B "Super Tucano" attack aircraft.
"The PAF air assets conducted persuasion flights in the AOR (area of operations) of JTF (Joint Task Force) Central in the Provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato, particularly in the Municipalities of Parang, Bongo Island, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Piang, Rajah Buayan, Datu Paglas, Buluan, Datu Blah Sinsuat, South Upi, Sultan Sa Barongis, Pandag, Mangudadatu, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Malabang and Cotabato City," Mariano said.
He added these missions are part of the PAF's efforts in ensuring a peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 9 elections.
"The whole Armed Forces (of the Philippines) was put on alert, the same thing with the PAF air assets, all were on alert for the election, wherever and whenever it is needed," Mariano said.
Also, Tactical Operations Group 9 facilitated the deployment of persuasion flights of two MD-520 attack helicopters over hotspot areas in Lanao Del Sur. – Philippine News Agency
Amid a faltering recovery, aviation authority calls on further support for airlines
As the international flight market needs more time to recover from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam (CAAV) has called for more Government support for airlines operating in the country.
According to the CAAV, since frequency restrictions were lifted for domestic flights, Vietnamese airlines have re-operated nearly 60 domestic routes with about 700-800 flights daily.
After the country resumed international flights in the middle of February this year, flight routes from Viet Nam to more than 20 countries and territories were reopened including Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China), Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Qatar, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, UK, Russia, Australia, and United States.
Its aviation markets are expected to continue reopening and the number of international flights departing from or arriving in Viet Nam would gradually increase.
The CAAV estimated that this year, airlines could serve 42-47 million passengers, an increase of 170-200 per cent compared to 2021 but a decrease of more than over 40 per cent compared to 2019.
In the domestic flight market alone, the number of passengers transported is estimated at 33-35 million, down six to ten per cent compared to 2019.
Although Viet Nam has been gradually controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, and socio-economic activities have returned to a new normal state, it takes more time for aviation businesses to recover losses and restore business operations. – Vietnam News
3rd day in a row of Zero new cases for Cambodia – now only 15 active cases left
As Cambodia marches relentlessly towards a post COVID normality – and ‘COVID Zero’ – no new cases were recorded for the 3rd day running. Today’s official daily new COVID case total (diagnosed by PCR test) was 0 – all the Omicron variant – bringing the COVID case total to 136,262 cases.
Cambodia also announced 0 new deaths, bringing the total to 3,056 direct deaths from COVID-19 in Cambodia. The Kingdom recorded 0 new community and 0 new imported cases of the new variant. Cambodia has now recorded 15,821 cases of Omicron – 1362 imported and 14420 community cases.
There are now 15 active COVID cases (diagnosed by PCR test) in The Kingdom.
COVID – and Omicron – figures appear to be stabilising in Cambodia.
Despite predictions by experts that case numbers could jump again after large amounts of Cambodians – many of them apparently not wearing masks – gathered for the Khmer New Year celebrations, numbers have remained low.
In a special voice message released today before his departure to the United States for the ASEAN meeting, the Prime Minister said that this is the third day that Cambodia has not had a Covid-19 case.
“Today is the third day that Cambodia has not seen Covid-19 transmission,” the Prime Minister said. “This is the achievement that was gained due to all the people who have participated in the fight against this deadly disease.”
World Health Organization representative to Cambodia, Dr Li Ailan told Khmer Times on Sunday that Cambodia’ s vaccine rollout serves as a role model for the rest of the world. – Khmer Times
Resistance forces strike Myanmar army convoys on Chin State roads
Repeated interceptions of military convoys by resistance forces in Chin State have led to frequent roadside clashes in recent days and resulted in casualties on both sides, according to members of the anti-junta groups involved.
A group of some 30 vehicles travelling along the 40-mile northern Chin State Road connecting Hakha to Falam has been struck multiple times last week, Chin National Front (CNF) spokesperson Salai Htet Ni told Myanmar Now.
More than 20 junta troops in the column and nine members of the resistance were killed during two days of fighting on May 4 and 5.
Five of the guerrilla fighters killed were from the CNF, and four were from the allied Chinland Defence Force (CDF) chapter in Thantlang, according to Salai Htet Ni.
He explained that the ambushes were particularly difficult to carry out, since the military column was reportedly transporting some 15 people from Hakha to Kalay Prison in neighbouring Sagaing Region. They had been accused by the military of being members of the CDF, the CNF spokesperson said.
“They wanted to use them as human shields so that we wouldn’t be able to shoot at them. We had to take extra caution to not hit the victims,” he told Myanmar Now. “That was the first time that they moved that many prisoners at once. The victims were kept in the car with their hands and feet cuffed, guarded by police officers.”
The military’s use of heavy artillery, as well as the heavy rains and a lack of geographical knowledge of the area by some of the resistance fighters all posed challenges to the ambushes, Salai Htet Ni said.
Troops from the same Myanmar army convoy are accused of burning more than 20 homes in two Falam Township villages along the road – Ramthlo and Tlangzar – before continuing towards their destination on Friday.
That day, the Chin National Defence Force – another resistance ally – warned members of the public not to use the Hakha-Falam Road due to the imminent risk of fighting. – Myanmar NOW
Economy grows in tandem with increased public mobility: BPS
A significant increase in community mobility was recorded in the first quarter of 2022 that had an impact on strengthening domestic economic activity, Head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Margo Yuwono stated.
"This first quarter is the best picture of the people's mobility, wherein almost all community activities in several places have exceeded those witnessed in normal conditions. This population mobility movement will have a positive impact on production, consumption, and investment activities," Yuwono stated virtually on Monday.
The BPS head later explained that mobility at shopping places for daily needs increased by 27.46 percent as compared to those during normal conditions. Likewise, community activities in retail and recreational areas also increased.
"However, the conditions in transit places have not recovered. However, the condition is much better than that in the first and fourth quarter of 2021," he stated.
He affirmed that community mobility had an impact on the used production capacity of the processing industry that was reported by Bank Indonesia (BI) to be at 72.45 percent and the retail sales index grew by 12.17 percent on an annual basis.
In addition, the Prompt Manufacturing Index issued by BI also reached 51.77 percent, which was higher than 50.01 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2021. – AntaraNews.Com