MANILA – The World Bank has approved a $500 million (P22 billion) loan to help the Philippines ease the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Bank said on Friday, that the fund approved will help the poor and vurnerable household and will support small and medium enterprises by providing financial assistance. The Philippines Emergency Covid-19 Response Development Policy Loan …

Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin stated today that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had instructed him to improve the party by seeking ways to quit Pakatan Harapan (PH) and, among other steps, to erode people’s trust in DAP. The former Umno man addressed questions on charges that he deliberately ruined Bersatu by arranging the Malay Integrity Congress despite being invited …

The Mayor of Pattaya City has announced it will reopen its beaches and Koh Lan Island from Monday as Covid-19 lockdowns in Thailand begin to ease.  Beach goers in the resort city will also be able to rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. Pattaya beach operators must also enforce distancing measures by keeping lounge chairs at least one meter apart. Furthermore …

In the midst of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, regional leaders are trying to overcome the effects including the handling of patients infected with the virus in their area. Even so, it appeared a polemic over facilities for handling Covid-19 between regions and provinces. The Mayor of Surabaya, East Java, Tri Rismaharini or Risma was furious because a Polymerase Chain Reaction …

JAKARTA – China announced on Friday that it is ready to extend assistance to their Southeast Asian neighbors amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. According to Chinese ambassador to Asean Deng Xijun, President Xi Jinping is committed to extending the international aid on nations affected by the pandemic, including the South east Asian region. Deng has indicated that Asean can benifit …

Thailand’s Education Ministry has said schools in Thailand are allowed to reopen July 1st but are obliged to follow strict health measures. Guidelines approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Schools wanting to open before July 1 will be examined on a case-by-case basis. Above all whether they can adhere to sanitary and health guidelines set by the …

MANILA – International flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will remain restricted despite the easing of community quarantine protocols in Metro Manila, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said travel restrictions that existed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ will still remain unless the restrictions are futher eased or lifted by …

As the trade war between China and the United States continues to grow, China’s trade focus are now shifting to its southern neighbors. The Asean is now China’s largest trading partner in the first quarter of 2020. During this period, Trade with the Asean region increased by US$140 billion or accounting to near 16% of total trade volume. Although China …

Since March online motorcycle taxi or Ojek Online (Ojol) is not allowed to carry passengers to break the Covid-19 chain. Later in the new normal, Ojol is still not allowed to operate carrying passengers. This was stated in the Decree of the Minister of Home Affairs No. 440-830 of 2020 concerning Guidelines for the new normal order productive and safe …

Last night Bersatu’s Akhramsyah Sanusi accused some of his fellow leaders of the Supreme Council of cowardice for their involvement in sacking Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and four other party MPs. Speaking to Malay Mail, he lambasted the change he believed to have contributed to a shock wave through the grassroots of the group, sparking outrage within their ranks, as …