COVID-19 is dominating news headlines and social media feeds globally. Each week the Griffith Asia Institute explores aspects of South East Asia’s COVID-19 response to provide regular snapshots on how countries in the region are experiencing and reacting to the pandemic.
After what many commentators were calling out as weeks of ‘inaction’, we are now seeing some regional policy coordination between the nations of South East Asia. Last week ASEAN convened an online meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers resulting in an endorsement to establish a regional fund to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. This week stepped-up responses will continue with ASEAN+3 convening a special online COVID-19 summit. Meanwhile, individual nations in the region grapple with unique domestic circumstances and the economic and social consequences wreaked by the coronavirus.
In this update we look back on the week that was, Monday 6 April to Sunday 12 April 2020:
Cambodia
Cambodia’s one-party National Assembly approved a new state of emergency law to contain the spread of coronavirus. But, the catch-all clause which covers “other measures that are deemed appropriate and necessary in response to the state of emergency”, has rights groups and critics fearing these sweeping powers. Official Khmer New Year celebrations were cancelled amid fears people returning to their home villages would spread the virus. Last minute travel restrictions between provinces were imposed in response to concerns that garment workers were planning to disobey orders to work through the ‘entering of the new year’—evidence that the Coronavirus is compounding the pinch from the EU’s withdrawal of the ‘Everything but Arms’ preferential trade deal. At least 91 garment factories in the Kingdom have suspended their operations, prompting the government to provide a wage subsidy for those stood down (US$70, or 30% of the US$190 monthly minimum wage)—reneging on an earlier promise to guarantee 60%. On US$2.33 a day, many workers will surely be pushed back into poverty.
Indonesia
As cases surge across the archipelago, both citizens and the state are turning to telehealth to manage the epidemic and lessen the strain on hospitals. But Indonesia is coming under criticism for the degree in which the government is “leaning” on healthtech firms. There are calls within Australia for more concerted efforts in supporting Indonesia’s healthcare system. Jakarta, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak implemented stricter measures including the banning of motorbike taxis (a popular mode of transport) and reduced hours and capacity on public transport to last until 23 April. The government announced that collective leave days for Eid al-Fitr have moved to December 28-31, a move to ensure the pandemic response is “handled properly”. Some communities are protesting over COVID-19 burials, fearful that the disease could spread throughout the community. Thousands of Indonesians remain stuck overseas, including over 900 pilgrims across nine countries and over 17,000 Indonesian crew members on one hundred and twenty-two cruise ships who are in limbo—placing immense logistical strain on embassies and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Toyota announced a temporary shutdown of its production in Jakarta and Australia recalled its Ambassador to Indonesia, Gary Quinlan, as a precautionary measure amid growing fears of the deepening health-crisis.
Laos
Some early predictions are putting Lao’s growth contraction from the COVID-19 pandemic at 50%. Laos still has the lowest number of confirmed cases in South East Asia (19 at the time of writing), but production and consumer spending are still taking a hit. Economic woes are being compounded by the return of migrant workers from neighbouring countries—the ILO estimates 60,000 returned following Thailand’s border closures on March 23. Like its neighbours, New Year festivities have been cancelled and the state is appealing for people to stay home. The COVID-19 crisis is causing delays for the China-Lao high-speed 414km railway, scheduled for inauguration in December 2021. The country’s education system is struggling to reach poor and rural communities who lack the needed technology to learn online.
Malaysia
For weeks Malaysia has had the highest number of coronavirus cases in South East Asia, but recent stats show that the Philippines and Indonesia will soon surpass it. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin extended the Movement Control Order by an additional two weeks as the country struggles to contain the coronavirus, with restrictions crossing into the start of Ramadan (24 April). This week highlighted the need for further inclusive and non-discriminatory public health policies, following reports that several hundred Rohingya refugees attended a religious gathering to which more than 1,200 positive COVID-19 cases have been traced. Malaysia’s more than 200,000 asylum seekers and refugees have no formal legal status, presenting multiple obstacles in accessing healthcare and further risks to the public health system more broadly.
Myanmar
Some regions of Myanmar have relaxed plans for a longer coronavirus lockdown after community complaints. With restrictions in place to curb the spread of coronavirus, Myanmar’s New Year festival—‘Thingyan’, the most significant annual event in the country—typically marked by a week of nationwide celebrations and water fights is off the calendar this year. The country’s Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 announced it would provide basic food essentials to people in need during the Thingyan water festival. Myanmar’s military donated over US$1.5 million to the Central Committee (funded by personal salaries and wages) to the coronavirus fight. Cross-border cargo policies implemented by China are hurting Myanmar traders and truck drivers in the country’s northern Shan state. Concerns are mounting that COVID-19 responses are further undermining free speech and the right to information.
Philippines
With lockdown of the country’s largest and most populous island Luzon—home to 60 million people and site for 70% of the country’s economic output—extended until the end of April, agricultural supply chains are impacted and the national economy is on idle. The Secretary for the National Economic and Development Authority forecasted that remittances from Filipinos working overseas could decline by as much as 30% this year. Remittances usually account for 9.8% of GDP, so the Philippines should brace for a sharp economic downturn. With COVID-19 occupying the full public health response, there are concerns that the fight against TB is being sidelined. The Philippines has the third highest rate of TB cases globally, with an estimated one million Filipinos currently having active infections. In a surprise move from the Duterte administration on Wednesday, Manila backed Hanoi’s protest over the latest South China Sea skirmish. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs stated that “COVID-19 is a very real threat that demands unity and mutual trust” and “such incidents undermine the potential of a genuinely deep and trusting regional relationship between … ASEAN and China”.
Singapore
Last Monday Singapore unveiled its third stimulus package to tide the city-state through the 4-week “circuit breaker”. This latest S$5.1 billion is on top of S$6.4 billion announced in February and S$48.4 billion unveiled in March. In total, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s government has committed S$59.9 billion to manage the coronavirus pandemic—roughly 12% of Singapore’s GDP. This latest round of measures includes cash handouts, wage subsidies for firms and waiving foreign worker levies. In an effort to keep restaurants alive and people off the streets, the “Food Delivery Booster Package” will see the government funding 5% of the commission fees charged by the three major food delivery platforms. With COVID-19 clusters confirmed in multiple dormitories housing low-wage migrant workers, rights groups are concerned about the psychological impacts of confining 20,000 men to their rooms for 14 days.
Thailand
Religious pilgrims returning from Indonesia are the latest confirmed coronavirus cluster. While Bangkok has the most cases, the popular island of Phuket has the highest cases per-capita. The Thai New Year, or water festival ‘Songkran’ celebrations (April 13-15) have been postponed and in an effort to curb the coronavirus spread and festive activity, bans on the sale of alcohol have been implemented across the country. Photos of Thai hospitals giving newborn babies tiny face shields to protect them from coronavirus on their journey home went viral. According to a Ministry of Public Health survey of 26,000 respondents, more than 80% of Thais understand and are adhering to social distancing.
Vietnam
The coronavirus has turned Vietnam from recipient to donor, with Hanoi coming to the aid of the US and Europe by expediting shipments of medical equipment abroad. President Trump personally thanked Vietnam via Twitter for 450,000 protective suits that landed in Texas last week. A combination of factors has made it possible for Vietnam to respond in this way, including its early response to domestic infections, a population more responsive to orders given by the party-state and an export-based economy driven by manufacturing. However, millions of workers in the textiles and footwear sector, and in tourist services are experiencing a temporary loss of income. Vietnam is the 2020 ASEAN Chair and last week convened an online meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers—what commentators are predicting will be the first of many this year under Hanoi’s “cohesive and responsive” chairmanship.
Author
Dr Lucy West, Senior Research Assistant, Griffith Asia Institute
