VIRTUAL SUMMIT FOCUS ON PANDEMIC RESPONSE IN JUNE 2020 "ASEAN TODAY"

Summary

This week's ASEAN Today highlights the 36th ASEAN Summit's virtual meeting, focusing on a unified response to COVID-19 and economic recovery. Leaders discussed initiatives like an ASEAN COVID-19 response fund and medical supply reserves. Updates on Malaysia's eased restrictions, Thailand's lifted night curfew, and the Philippines' mall reopenings are featured. A significant court ruling in the Philippines involving journalist Maria Reza and the plight of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia are also covered. The episode also touches on China's white paper on COVID-19 and its global health community goals.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The 36th ASEAN summit was held virtually, focusing on a unified response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies for economic recovery.
• 💉 ASEAN leaders discussed initiatives such as creating a COVID-19 response fund, a reserve supply of medical supplies, and standard procedures for epidemic response.
• 📉 Malaysia further eased restrictive measures, allowing nearly all social, education, and commercial activities to resume as data suggests the outbreak is under control.
• 🛍️ In Thailand, a nationwide night curfew was lifted after no new COVID-19 cases were reported over 21 days, allowing 95% of businesses and leisure activities to reopen.
• 🏢 The Philippines government relaxed coronavirus restrictions, reopening shopping malls with shortened business hours and maintaining social distancing.
• 🏫 Singapore allowed students to return to school with a focus on practical and lab sessions, while Polytechnic lectures and tutorials remained online.
• 📰 A Manila court found journalist Maria Reza and her former colleague guilty of cyber libel, which is seen as a blow to press freedom in the Philippines.
• 💼 Malaysia's High Court is set to deliver a verdict on former Prime Minister Najib Razak, accused of embezzling from the 1MDB fund.
• 🚫 Malaysia detained 269 Rohingya refugees off the northern resort island of Langkawi, highlighting ongoing issues with illegal immigration.
• 🥬 Farmers in Malaysia are adopting digital solutions to restore the flow of fresh produce during the pandemic, with电商平台 like Lazada playing a crucial role in direct farm-to-consumer delivery.

Q & A

What was the main topic of the 36th ASEAN summit?

The main topic of the 36th ASEAN summit was the coronavirus pandemic, with leaders calling for a unified response to the health emergency to ensure a strong economic recovery.

What initiatives were discussed by ASEAN leaders to combat COVID-19?

The initiatives discussed included establishing an ASEAN COVID-19 response fund, setting up a reserve supply of medical supplies, and establishing standard procedures for epidemic response.

How did Malaysia respond to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions?

Malaysia further eased restrictive measures to allow nearly all social, education, and commercial activities to resume. This included reopening barbershops, night markets, and allowing group gatherings.

What changes were made in Thailand regarding the nationwide night curfew?

Thailand lifted the nationwide night curfew that had lasted for over two months on June 14th, following 21 days with no new COVID-19 cases.

What was the impact of the pandemic on shopping malls in the Philippines?

Shopping malls in the Philippines reopened for in-person shopping, but with shortened business hours, closing three hours earlier at 7 p.m.

What significant court ruling in the Philippines has raised concerns for democracy?

A Manila court found award-winning journalist Maria Ressa and her former colleague Reynaldo Santos Jr. guilty of cyber libel, which supporters say is part of a government campaign to muzzle free speech.

What is the legal situation of Najib Razak, the former prime minister of Malaysia?

Najib Razak is accused of embezzling close to 10 million dollars from the government's 1MDB fund. If found guilty, he faces up to 35 years in prison and heavy fines.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the farming sector in Malaysia?

Farmers in Malaysia went digital to restore the flow of fresh produce from the fields to consumers during the pandemic, with e-commerce platforms like Lazada playing a pivotal role in delivering products directly from farms to consumers.

What is the current situation for families in Thailand due to the coronavirus travel ban?

Families in Thailand are facing hardships due to the travel ban, with local women with foreign spouses stuck outside the country facing financial difficulties as their breadwinners cannot return to work and be with their families.

How is Thailand managing the reopening of tourist destinations post-COVID-19 restrictions?

Thailand reopened its top tourist destinations after easing COVID-19 restrictions, but with strict health control measures in place. Tourist hotspots like the Grand Palace in Bangkok are open, but are awaiting the return of international visitors.