Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that it will strengthen rules regarding the use of electric bicycles and scooters. We will do this because of the increasing number of motorbike accidents. Victor Núñez, MMDA’s Department of Traffic Discipline, said authorities were tolerant of enforcing regulations on the use of electronic bicycles due to the lack of …

Malaysia – Pro tem president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced that the Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has been officially registered as a political party. The Muar MP claimed Muda was informed of its registration by email and formal letter on December 23, but because they had been busy with flood rescue work, the announcement has just been made. …

Almost 20 million people registered for Covid-19 financial aid in less than 48 hours, almost seven times the number estimated by authorities. The handout — at 5,000 baht per person per month for three months from April — is intended for about 3 million temporary employees, contract employees and self-employed individuals who are not covered by the social security system, …