Domestic Politics
A Myanmar court charged a journalist for publishing an interview with the Arakan Army rebel group under a terrorism law on Tuesday. This comes only days after the government declared the Arakan Army to be a terrorist group, saying that it operates in the Rakhine state with the objective of gaining greater autonomy in the mostly Buddhist province. [Jakarta Post]
Health
Myanmar reported its first coronavirus death in Yangon on Tuesday. The country now has 14 confirmed cases, consisting mainly of overseas travellers. [Jakarta Post]
On Tuesday, Malaysia's death toll rose from 27 to 34 within a 24-hour period, the biggest daily rise so far, while the number of reported cases went up to 2,470, the highest in Southeast Asia. [Jakarta Post]
Malaysian authorities confirmed that 649 people were detained and 73 people pleaded guilty to offences such as gathering in groups, obstructing public officials, and breaking police barricades on Sunday. 614 people have been arrested since restrictions on movement were imposed on March 18. [Jakarta Post]
Society
Singapore's high court upheld a colonial-era law that criminalizes sex between men, dismissing three appeals that argued that it is unconstitutional. The city-state saw similar appeals in 2014, but the recent challenge came after activists were emboldened by India's decision to scrap similar legislation in 2018. [Jakarta Post]
Several media reports suggest that some Filipinos are attacking and threatening frontline medical workers on misguided fears that they carry the lethal coronavirus. Asia Times]
On Sunday, sparked by fears of a coronavirus outbreak, a Thailand prison saw large scale violence, in which prisoners broke furniture and torched buildings. A spokesperson for the Justice Ministry confirmed that during the riots, several prisoners managed to escape from the Buriram prison, where more than 2,000 are held. [Jakarta Post]
Business & Finance
Vietnamese airline Vietjet sparked controversy by launching an insurance policy named “SKY COVID CARE” that allows passengers to claim up to 200 million Vietnamese dong (around US$8,465) if they are infected with the virus while travelling on one of its flights. While most airlines are halting flights and decreasing air traffic due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, such a policy by the company has raised eyebrows and concerns. [Asia Times]
Image Source: Jakarta Post
Southeast Asia in Review: April 01, 2020
Read more about the latest events from Southeast Asia.
April 1, 2020
