As Malaysia settles into a new normal with a relaxed, conditional lockdown set to last until early next month, its citizens are preparing to resume work amid signs that its efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 are bearing fruit.The nation’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak has earned widespread praise for reversing the fortunes of what was at one point the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia, although detractors blame its strict two-month lockdown for worsening socioeconomic inequalities…
Asean stays on the sidelines as South China Sea tensions mount
When West Capella, a drill ship hired by Malaysia’s national oil company Petronas to survey for oil in the South China Sea completed its activities last week, the US Navy ship Gabrielle Giffords left its base in Singapore to sail past it. It was the third time in recent weeks that the United States had conducted “presence operations” in the resource-rich waters, which has been the site of renewed tensions between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours over the latter’s oil exploration and…
As Typhoon Vongfong hits Philippines, coronavirus social distancing enforced at emergency shelters
More than 150,000 people were riding out a typhoon in emergency shelters in the Philippines on Friday after a mass evacuation that was complicated and slowed by the coronavirus.Typhoon Vongfong, called Ambo in the Philippines, has weakened after slamming ashore into Eastern Samar province on Thursday, dumping heavy rains and blowing off roofs, and was blowing northwest toward the populous main northern island of Luzon, government forecasters said.Tens of millions of people live along Vongfong’s…
Why don’t Thais want to save Thai Airways from coronavirus tailspin?
Public opposition is mounting to a rescue package for Thai Airways, as the 60-year-old airline struggles to find an exit route from coronavirus-fuelled financial turbulence. Like many of its regional counterparts, Thailand’s national carrier has been hit by a double whammy of reduced demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the culmination of years of competition from low-cost rivals. In response to the crisis the state enterprise is reportedly seeking a 58.1 billion baht (US$1.81 billion)…
Coronavirus: Singapore jails American pilot for four weeks for breaching stay-at-home order
A pilot hired by FedEx has been sentenced to four weeks in jail in Singapore, after he breached a stay-at-home order by leaving his hotel room and travelling downtown to buy face masks and a thermometer.Brian Dugan Yeargan, an American, had reportedly been served the order on April 3 after arriving in Singapore from Australia.Under the stay order, Yeargan – who was also issued a 30-day short-term visit pass – was not allowed to leave his hotel room at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport hotel…
Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN granted reprieve after being forced off air
The Philippines’ House of Representatives has initially approved a temporary franchise for suspended broadcaster ABS-CBN to air until October while lawmakers debate renewing its 25-year permit.“Today, to end all conflicts and discussions, we will begin the process of turning on your transmitter by giving you a franchise until October 31, 2020,” House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said in a speech at the bill’s committee approval on Wednesday. “We will not pass the buck. We will have hearings and…
Malaysia posts slowest growth since 2009 of 0.7 per cent but beats forecast of Q1 contraction
Malaysia’s economy defied expectations of a sharp contraction and registered growth of 0.7 per cent in the first quarter, government data released on Wednesday showed.However, it was the slowest pace of growth since 2009 and worse may lie ahead, as Malaysia is expected to be hard hit should the coronavirus pandemic lead to a global recession.The 0.7 per cent growth outperformed the median forecast, from a poll of 12 economists by Reuters, of a 1.5 per cent contraction in the January-March…
Coronavirus: Singapore says herd immunity is ‘too big a price’ to contain pandemic
Singapore has rejected “herd immunity” as a strategy in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and signalled it instead will continue to contain transmission until a vaccine is ready.“It’s too big a price for us to pay,” Kenneth Mak, the health ministry’s director of medical services, said at a briefing on Tuesday. “Even though we have taken many steps to prepare for surges, to expand our capability, it can easily be overwhelmed with a strategy of moving toward herd immunity.”With new cases…
Japanese author Haruki Murakami will host radio special to blow away ‘corona-related blues’
Haruki Murakami, one of Japan’s most acclaimed novelists, will host a radio special to try to lift the nation’s spirits as a state of emergency over the novel coronavirus lingers.Murakami, whose breakout novel Norwegian Wood debuted in 1987, will play favourite songs and welcome listener comments during a “Stay Home Special”, the name evoking a plea from Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike for residents to avoid going out.“I’m hoping that the power of music can do a little to blow away some of the…
Coronavirus: Filipinos embrace playing stock market online as lockdown hurts businesses
Emil Ongchuan’s restaurant in Manila had to shut most of its operations during the regional lockdown. With little revenue coming in, the 29-year-old started investing in the stock market to make more money.After opening an account with COL Financial Group, the newbie trader combed through online forums for tips on how to trade and read financial statements. Like him, many in the Philippines are taking up equity trading for the first time as social distancing rules keep them at home.At AAA…