COVID-19: Malaysia speeds up vaccination plan, Cambodia moves to cope with latest outbreak
Malaysia has moved up its COVID-19 inoculation drive by two days as the first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with 312,390 doses, arrived on February 21 morning.
Medical workers take samples for COVID-19 testing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 18 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysiahas moved up its COVID-19 inoculation drive by two days as the firstbatch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with 312,390 doses, arrived on February21 morning.
The second delivery will be made on February 26, and Malaysiawill continue to receive deliveries every two weeks until it is completed,Science Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a virtual news conference.
Malaysia has secured 32 million doses from Pfizer/BioNTech.
Meanwhile, vaccine doses from China's Sinovac Biotech arescheduled to be delivered in bulk on February 27, pending approval fromlocal regulators, the official said.
Malaysia has imposed more lockdowns this year amid a fresh wave of coronavirus infections.The country has recorded 280,272 cases of COVID-19 and 1,051 deaths.
It aims to vaccinate at least 80 percent of its 32 millionpeople within a year.
In Cambodia, the Ministry ofEducation has issued guidelines on strengthening measures to prevent the spreadof COVID-19 after Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed on February 20 the thirdcommunity outbreak in the country.
The Khmer Times cited the ministry as saying thateducation officials must continue to implement the standard operating proceduresand suspend any gathering of over 20 people while school managers must reportanyone involved with the “February 20 Community Incident” to the authorities.
However, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that thereare no immediate plans to close schools or cancel events and other receptionsas a result of the third community COVID-19 outbreak in Phnom Penh, calling onthe people to obey the health measures issued by the ministry and thegovernment.
Last month, Cambodia started the newacademic year 2020-2021. All schools across the country opened after theirprevious closures due to COVID-19.
Cambodian authorities detected 32new COVID-19 casesin Phnom Penh on February 20, mostly in Koh Pich (Diamond Island) of Phnom Penhand some apartment buildings near the Olympic stadium.
Initial information showed that theoutbreak relates to some people escaping the quarantine site at Sokha Hotel tolive in a number of apartment buildings.
Some apartment blocks inPhnom Penh, especially Koh Pich, N8 Club bar and nearby restaurants have beenlocked down./.
Malaysia has secured a total of 66.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, enough to cover its entire population, according to a handbook setting out the country’s vaccination programme launched on February 16.
ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, have agreed to set aside 10.5 million USD from the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to purchase vaccines for their citizens on the basis of equal distribution to all 10 countries.
COVID-19 vaccines should be considered a shared asset of the international community, and delivered to countries at affordable prices, prioritising vulnerable groups and frontline workers in the pandemic combat, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said on February 17.
Cambodian authorities detected 32 new COVID-19 cases in Phnom Penh on February 20, mostly in Koh Pich island area and some apartment buildings near the Olympic stadium.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, on behalf of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented medical equipment, antibacterial cloth face masks and sanitiser to the Vietnamese community in the country at a ceremony on February 20.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Medical workers take samples for COVID-19 testing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 18 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
