Hong Kong police officer's condition improves after stabbing - CNA

HONG KONG: A Hong Kong police officer who was stabbed in the back has been moved from critical to serious condition, officials said on Friday (Jul 2), indicating a likely recovery from the incident in which the assailant later stabbed himself and died.

Authorities were still looking into the motivation behind Thursday night's attack, which followed annual commemorations of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese control in 1997, as well as the centenary of the founding of China’s ruling Communist Party.

The attack comes amid a sweeping crackdown on political dissent, with authorities banning large-scale demonstrations and arresting scores of pro-democracy activists over the past year.

Authorities said that the assailant was a 50-year-old man, but did not identify him. He allegedly stabbed the police officer in the back with a knife, and then turned the knife on himself.

Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang said it appeared to be a “terrorist act” committed by a single individual that he described as a “lone wolf", but said others were guilty of egging-on such violence.

“I would like to state that it was not just the assailant who was responsible. There are also many people who have encouraged violence and incited hatred toward society and the country, and have beautified these violent acts,” he said on Friday.

READ: Security tight in Hong Kong on China anniversary, official says city now stable

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said it was “very regrettable that this has come at a time when everyone in Hong Kong sets great store by the peaceful situation we have achieved".

The officer was attacked outside the Sogo department store in the busy Causeway Bay shopping district where police were standing guard to prevent demonstrations.

Michael Gazeley, a Hong Kong resident who was at the scene when the attack happened, said that there was heavy police presence in the shopping district and that the situation seemed “peaceful” before the attack happened.

“As soon as the attack happened, a mass of police ran to help their colleague,” said Gazeley.

Hong Kong's hospital authority on Friday confirmed the improvement in the condition of officer, who has not been identified apart from that he was a 28-year-old member of the elite Police Tactical Unit.

Hong Kong has protected the identities of police officers since the onset of increasingly violent demonstrations in 2019 led by protesters opposed to the semi-autonomous region's Beijing-backed government.

READ: Hong Kong silenced as China celebrates Chinese Communist Party centenary

Demonstrations largely ended after opposition figures won big in elections for local councilors, but the central government swiftly moved punish those behind the protests and stamp out any challenges to its authority.

That was spearheaded by the imposition last year of a sweeping national security law and followed this year by alternations to representation in the city's Legislative Council to ensure a strong pro-Beijing majority. Both measures were enacted by China's ceremonial legislature, the National People's Congress, without Hong Kong voters being given a say.

On Friday, pro-democracy activist Chow Hang Tung — known for helping to organise the annual Jun 4 candlelight vigils in commemoration of the 1989 incident in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square — was charged in court for inciting others to join an unauthorised assembly.

READ: Hong Kong court denies bail to democracy activist

Chow was first arrested on Jun 4 and then released on bail, but was rearrested this week a day ahead of the handover anniversary. She was not given bail on Friday.

Large-scale independent political gatherings have been banned and most opposition figures have been imprisoned, intimidated into silence or fled abroad.

Last month, police arrested seven journalists and executives of the now-defunct Apple Daily, a newspaper that was a vocal critic of Hong Kong and China’s governments. Authorities also froze US$2.3 million in assets linked to Apple Daily, forcing it to cease operations last week.

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2021-07-02 12:07:27Z
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Parliament to reconvene before Aug 1, says Malaysian law minister - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Takiyuddin Hassan said on Friday (Jul 2) that parliament will be reconvened before Aug 1. 

In a statement, he said: "The federal government has always upheld the views of the king, in all matters related to the administration of the country, including parliament's sitting." 

"In line with this, the prime minister, as leader of the House, has decided to call for the Malaysian parliament to convene as soon as possible before Aug 1. The matter will be finalised during the Cabinet ministers' meeting on Jul 7," added the de facto law minister. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan. (File photo: Bernama) 

Earlier in the day, the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition called on all parliamentarians from both sides of the political divide to converge on the parliament building on Jul 19, if Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin does not make any announcement regarding a parliament sitting by Jul 5.

In a statement signed by PH’s component party presidents Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Sabu and Lim Guan Eng, the coalition said that it was regrettable that until Jul 2, neither Mr Muhyiddin nor Mr Takiyuddin had indicated any concrete steps to convene parliament as soon as possible.

Referring to a statement by the national palace on Jun 29, where King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah reiterated his view that parliament should reconvene as soon as possible, the PH leaders said that the king's third call for parliament to resume was a "historic" moment.

READ: Commentary - Malaysia PM Muhyiddin’s hand could be forced as pressure mounts for COVID-19 accountability

READ: Malaysian government acknowledges king's views, says PMO after palace calls for parliament to reconvene

The PH presidential council said it has also examined the joint statement by Senate President Rais Yatim and House of Representatives Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun on Jun 30. The statement suggested that Mr Muhyiddin should call for a special parliamentary session before Aug 1.

Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah meeting with the heads and deputies of both parliament houses on Jun 29, 2021. (Photo: Facebook/Istana Negara)

“The presidential council is of the view that the prime minister and de facto law minister have committed treason against not only the king, but to the Malay rulers who also held the same view that parliament needs to sit quickly.”

“If the prime minister and his ministers are still stubbornly treasonous towards His Majesty and the Malay rulers, then they must take the responsibility for setting off a constitutional crisis,” PH stated.

READ: All to stay home after 8pm, most factories shut among tightened COVID-19 curbs for parts of KL and Selangor

Last month, the king held a series of meetings with the leaders of the political parties, followed by a special meeting of Malay rulers.

The national palace issued a statement expressing the king's view that it was not necessary to extend Malaysia's current state of emergency, instituted since January this year, beyond Aug 1, and that parliament should reconvene as soon as possible. 

This was later followed by a joint statement by all the Malay rulers which also called for the federal parliament and state legislatures to convene at the earliest possible instance. 

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2021-07-02 07:57:14Z
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Costly Covid-19 tests, travel insurance deter Singapore travellers from flocking to reopened Phuket - AsiaOne

SINGAPORE - The resort island of Phuket reopened its doors to international travellers on Thursday (July 1), but travel agents say would-be tourists from Singapore have not rushed to make bookings.

The high costs of numerous Covid-19 tests and travel insurance, as well as potentially lengthy quarantine requirements upon returning to Singapore are likely to be big deterrents, said several travel agencies in Singapore.

Travel booking platform Klook also cites the uncertainty around travel requirements as a reason for the muted response from Singaporeans so far.

"While Singaporeans may be keen to scratch that travel itch, we are observing that many are still quite cautious. This is not unexpected, as there is unfamiliarity with travel guidelines and quarantine measures," said its general manager, Ms Sarah Wan.

Phuket is the first province in Thailand to welcome back tourists after borders were shut more than a year ago.

Tourists do not need to undergo any quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in their country for at least 14 days, and test negative upon arrival, among other requirements.

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Agence France-Presse news agency reported that 249 passengers were expected to arrive in Phuket on Thursday, on flights from countries including Singapore, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Currently, airfares to Phuket from Singapore hover in the $200 to $300 range for the month of July.

Airfares of around $300 are similar to pre-Covid-19 times, said Ms Alicia Seah, director of public relations and communications at Dynasty Travel.

However, there are additional costs that can be "hefty" for travellers.

"There is also the need to purchase travel insurance with coverage of at least U$100,000 (S$135,000). All these costs are to be paid out of the traveller's pockets," she noted.

There are several other requirements for tourists, including obtaining a certificate of entry at the Thai embassy in their country of origin, as well as a certificate for a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the flight to Thailand.

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If their stay is less than 14 nights, they need to have a confirmed flight ticket out of Thailand.

Those who wish to travel to the rest of Thailand must remain in Phuket for 14 days at a hotel certified by the Thai government, and take three coronavirus tests during this period.

Throughout the duration of their stay, they will also have to use ThailandPlus and MorChana, which are mobile applications for tracking purposes.

Travel agency Chan Brothers said it expects customers to "adopt a wait-and-see approach to see if there are any further developments to be observed".

"While Phuket introduces its 'travel sandbox' scheme with the various conditions, outbound leisure travel gaining traction in our local market is also highly dependent on Singapore's own border measures and quarantine policies when travellers return to Singapore," said Mr Jeremiah Wong, senior marketing communications manager at Chan Brothers Travel.

Currently, all travellers arriving in Singapore from Thailand are required to complete a 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities.

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Dynasty Travel's Ms Seah also noted that although most of the shopping malls, attractions, beaches, spa and wellness centres on the island are open, entertainment facilities such as pubs, karaokes and night entertainment centres and shows remain closed.

Among the hotels welcoming tourists back is hospitality group Banyan Tree, which has several properties on the resort island.

It received around 30 inquiries from Singapore on Thursday across its Banyan Tree Phuket, Angsana Laguna Phuket and Cassia Phuket resorts, a spokesman said.

"Interests in bookings are for August onwards, as they are still not keen to travel in July," said the spokesman, adding that most inquirers expressed concerns about being quarantined upon return to Singapore and the several Covid-19 tests they will have to take.

Banyan Tree's Cassia Phuket resort. A Banyan Tree spokesman said that most inquirers expressed concerns about being quarantined upon returning to Singapore and the several Covid-19 tests they will have to take. PHOTO: Bayan Tree Group

Ms Charlotte Heyman, regional manager for hotel and villa partnerships at travel booking site Mr & Mrs Smith, said Phuket bookings have increased - especially in the last quarter of the year and the start of next year. Interest is mainly from Europe and the United States, which still have Thailand on their no-travel list.

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Klook has seen some interest in car rentals and the booking of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at a hospital in Phuket, said Ms Wan. This is because more travellers are looking into private modes of transport to avoid crowds and PCR tests become "essential in the new normal of travel".

A PCR swab test on Klook starts at $142.59.

Ms Wan expects interest in leisure travel to rise as more Singapore residents get vaccinated.

"With Singapore aiming for half its residents to be fully vaccinated by August, vaccination rates will also play a big role in impacting Singaporeans' decision in booking their next getaway.

"We believe that interest will ramp up from August onward, once more Singaporeans are fully vaccinated and confident to travel overseas."

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.

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2021-07-02 00:37:45Z
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Xi vows to crush attempts to thwart ‘complete reunification’ with Taiwan - South China Morning Post

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1. Xi vows to crush attempts to thwart ‘complete reunification’ with Taiwan  South China Morning Post
2. China's Xi pledges 'reunification' with Taiwan, gets stern rebuke  Yahoo Singapore News
3. Xi Jinping declares 'China will not be bullied', stirs wave of national pride at party anniversary  The Straits Times
4. Now in its 100th year, the Chinese Communist Party has staged a grand comeback under Xi Jinping  The Indian Express
5. China’s Communist party has rewritten its own past – but the truth will surface  The Guardian
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2021-07-01 12:00:11Z
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Amid strong Sinovac demand, 4 more private healthcare institutions apply to import COVID-19 vaccines - CNA

SINGAPORE: Four private healthcare institutions have submitted applications to import COVID-19 vaccines under the Special Access Route (SAR) as of Wednesday (Jun 30), according to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

They are not part of the 24 private healthcare institutions which had earlier been selected to administer the Government's stock of 200,000 doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines.

HSA said it was unable to provide information on who had applied, and which vaccines they intended to bring in due to confidentiality reasons.

Through the SAR, the private healthcare sector can bring in unregistered COVID-19 vaccines, as long as they have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The scheme provides access to alternative vaccines for people who cannot or choose not to take the two COVID-19 vaccines currently authorised in Singapore, which are the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Both are based on mRNA technology.

READ: People who want alternative COVID-19 vaccines can get them under special access route

Last week, private healthcare institutions CNA spoke to said they were considering bringing in more vaccines, including China's Sinovac and Sinopharm shots, following a surge in demand for non-mRNA vaccines.

One clinic said more than 4,000 people had been scheduled for vaccination appointments, with bookings running up to the end of September.

READ: 'Overwhelming' response for Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at some approved clinics 

As of 28 June, there have been two adverse event reports of hives, a type of skin rash, following vaccination with the Sinovac shots, according to HSA. 

However, it added that the effects were “non-serious”.

READ: 0.13% of total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered reported to have suspected adverse effects: HSA

HSA said the total number of people vaccinated with the Sinovac shots are still low, as vaccinations started on Jun 18.

It said it will continue to monitor for any safety signals.

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2021-07-01 10:12:08Z
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FAQ: What foreign tourists can and cannot do in Phuket after island reopening - CNA

BANGKOK: The popular Thai resort island of Phuket reopened to tourists from overseas on Thursday (Jul 1) after more than a year without international arrivals due to COVID-19.

It is the first province in Thailand to welcome back international visitors and pilot a new tourism model called Phuket Sandbox, designed to help the pandemic-battered economy recover.

Tourists arriving in Phuket from Thursday are free to enjoy the island. But because some activities are still restricted, here are a few things that tourists need to know before booking their flight to the tropical getaway.

Q: Will be there be a quarantine upon arrival?

A: No. Tourists can move around freely if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no less than 14 days before they travel. They are only required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and wait for the results in their hotel room. If they test negative, they can travel freely within the province.

Travellers who plan to stay in Phuket for less than seven days must take a second test on Day 6 or 7. If the length of stay is between 10 to 14 days, they have to be swabbed for the third time on Day 12 or 13. 

The tests can be done at certified hotels or partner hospitals at travellers’ own expense. If they test positive, tourists will be transferred to healthcare facilities for treatment.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the cost of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test ranges from 2,500 (US$78) baht to 4,000 per person. All the tests must be paid in advance through hotels.

Overseas tourists travelling to Phuket from Jul 1 have to meet several requirements. (Illustration: Rafa Estrada)

Q: Can my kids come along with me to Phuket?

A: Yes. Children aged below six who are travelling with their fully vaccinated parents can enter Phuket without prior vaccination against COVID-19.

Tourists under 18 years of age who travel with their fully vaccinated parents are required to present a medical certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected in an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before travel.

READ: Commentary - Thailand’s Phuket sandbox can peel open travel despite limitations

Q: Can I visit the surrounding islands?

A: Yes. Tourists can visit islands located in Phuket if they test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. There are 37 islands in the province, including Koh Racha Yai, Koh He, Koh Bon and Koh Mai Ton. 

However, they cannot visit islands located in other provinces, although they were previously accessible from Phuket. These include Koh Phi Phi in Krabi and the James Bond island in Phang-nga.

The Big Buddha and Kata Beach in Phuket AFP/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA

Q: Can I travel to other provinces in the country?

A: Yes. Tourists who have spent 14 nights at a certified hotel in Phuket and tested negative throughout their stay can continue their journey to other provinces in Thailand.

Travellers who intend to spend less than 14 nights Phuket must leave the province on an international flight to another country. 

Q: Will I have to wear a face mask in Phuket?

A: Yes. Visitors to Phuket are advised to take some precautions during their stay as part of the province’s COVID-19 preventive measures. These include wearing face masks in public, social distancing, hand sanitising and temperature screening.

Patong Beach in Phuket has been usually quiet over the past year AFP/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA

Q: Are entertainment venues open?

A: No. Pubs, bars, karaoke venues, entertainment venues and businesses that are similar to entertainment venues in Phuket are temporarily closed. 

However, tourists can dine in at eateries and consume alcohol there until 11 pm.

Q: Can I go for a massage?

A: Yes. Spa and massage venues are open but the number of customers may be limited to ensure social distancing.

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2021-07-01 09:10:00Z
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Malls shut, dining-in banned as Indonesia unveils broad emergency COVID-19 curbs in Java and Bali - CNA

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government has unveiled broad emergency community restrictions on Thursday (Jul 1) for the islands of Java and Bali, as the country battles a spike in COVID-19 infections.

Under the PPKM (community-level public activity restrictions enforcement) Emergency which will be implemented from Jul 3 to Jul 20, all malls will have to be shut while dining-in will be banned.

In a televised statement, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said that the restrictions must be enforced as the country has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases of about 230 per cent since the end of May. 

"I believe our preparation (for the PPKM Emergency) is the most maximum," said Mr Pandjaitan.

"So now we must implement it firmly and measuredly."

The minister said that restaurants, cafes and street food vendors can only serve customers for take-aways.  

He also said that people's movements will be restricted according to the sectors that they work in. There are three different categories, namely non-essential, essential and critical sectors.

All employees in the critical sectors can work in the office. These sectors includes energy, health, security, logistics and transportation, food industry, petrochemical as well as utilities among others that supply basic daily needs.

Those in the essential sectors can work in the office with a maximum capacity of 50 per cent and under strict health protocols. 

These sectors include finance and banking, payment systems, information and communication technology, hotels that do not handle COVID-19 patients as well as export industries.

Meanwhile, all employees in the non-essential sectors must work from home.

READ: Indonesia's COVID-19 situation nears 'catastrophe', says Red Cross

Grocery stores, supermarkets, minimarkets, and wet markets can be operational until 8pm with a capacity of 50 per cent, while pharmacies can operate for 24 hours. 

All students must study from home. Places of worship, sports facilities, and public facilities such as parks must shut.

Wedding receptions can be held with a maximum of 30 people and no dining-in, while public transport may operate with a maximum of 70 per cent capacity. 

People who want to travel by plane, bus or train must at least be vaccinated once and present their vaccination card. They must also have a negative PCR test that is taken two days prior to boarding a flight.

A health care worker holds a baby born from a mother who contracted coronavirus disease (COVID-19) inside the emergency ward for COVID-19 at a government-run hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

Indonesia has been grappling with a spike in COVID-19 cases after the Idul Fitri holiday in mid-May.

While the spike in cases has been seen in many provinces, the new PPKM Emergency will only be enforced in Java and Bali where many areas have been classified as level 3 or 4. 

Authorities have classified regions in Indonesia into four levels with level 1 being the safest and level 4 showing the highest levels of transmission. 

The levels are determined by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines that 50 confirmed cases daily per 100,000 people would be considered level 4. 

There are 48 regencies or cities in Java and Bali which are classified as level 4. Seventy-four regencies and cities are classified as level 3, according to the government.

As of Thursday, Indonesia recorded 2,203,108 cases and 58,995 deaths.

The new curbs are stricter than current regulations which allow malls to operate until 8pm, while restaurants are allowed to serve diners at up to 25 per cent of their capacity. 

READ: Jokowi aims to vaccinate 7.5 million Jakartans by end August, but experts say herd immunity is not a given

Since Indonesia announced its first COVID-19 cases in early March last year, the government has opted against total lockdowns at the national level that would bar people from freely leaving their homes.

In late March last year, president Joko Widodo signed a regulation for cities and provinces to enforce large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) under which non-essential workers must work from home, students had to study at home and places of worship were closed. 

PSBB curbs were relaxed earlier this year and PPKM was introduced, which allows local leaders to restrict movement within their communities. PPKM is currently in force in all 34 provinces.

Indonesia is currently battling a new wave of COVID-19 infections and logged a record 24,836 new cases on Thursday as well as 504 deaths. 

The hike in cases is predicted to continue until at least the beginning of July as previous holidays tended to result in a spike of infections up to seven weeks. 

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2021-07-01 07:52:27Z
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