* Total infections across Southeast Asia reach 4,030
* Nearly 100 people have died in the region
* Malaysia announces biggest daily jump in cases
* Tens of thousands of migrant workers leave Thailand
(Updates with regional infection data, adds tens of thousands
leave Thailand in paragraphs 15-18)
By Martin Petty and Joseph Sipalan
MANILA/KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian
countries considered more emergency powers on Monday to tackle
the threat of the coronavirus as the biggest daily jump in cases
in Malaysia took the number of infections in the region above
4,000.
The virus has killed nearly 100 people since the number of
cases started to shoot up early this month. Nearly half the
fatalities in Southeast Asia have been in Indonesia, the world's
fourth most populous country.
The Philippines has confirmed 33 deaths among 462 cases.
But health officials acknowledge limited testing for the
coronavirus means, that like Indonesia, its already
overstretched health system could be facing far more infections
than the numbers indicate.
Governments are scrambling to raise their defences with
border closures, entry bans and lockdowns.
The Philippine Congress held a special session to consider
allowing President Rodrigo Duterte's government special powers
over businesses such as utilities, transport firms and hotel
that could quarantine people or house medical workers.
"It is a step we were reluctant to take, but the
circumstances and the experience of nations worldwide convinced
us that we have no other choice," Duterte's Executive Secretary
Salvador Medialdea told a near-empty Congress, with most
lawmakers streaming the session at home.
Duterte has a supermajority in both chambers, so the bill is
expected to pass, although the opposition is concerned about the
scope of the powers and potential for abuse.
The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian country to
adopt lockdown measures, with borders closed to foreigners and
tens of millions of people in home quarantine.
But more are following suit as cases soar, with Vietnam and
Malaysia deploying soldiers to help with quarantines or to
enforce curbs on travel and gatherings.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the
government may consider extending movement restrictions by up to
two weeks, and would announce more economic stimulus to soften
the blow from the coronavirus and weak oil prices.
BIG JUMP IN MALAYSIAN CASES
Malaysia reported 212 new coronavirus cases, bringing the
total to 1,518 - the highest for any Asian country after China,
South Korea and Japan. The total number of infections across the
region's 10 countries reached 4,030.
About 970 of Malaysia's total cases are linked to a
religious gathering at a mosque last month, the health ministry
said.
Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, has joined Thailand and
Cambodia in shutting bars, cinemas and entertainment spots.
Tens of thousands of migrant workers left Thailand for
neighbouring countries after new restrictions were announced at
the weekend. Thailand is estimated to have up to five million
migrant workers, mainly from Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Laos and Myanmar have yet to report cases of coronavirus.
Thai authorities have urged workers not to rush out of the
cities in large number and to stay put in order to curb the
spread of the disease.
"The mass travelling will increase the spread of the virus,"
said Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a senior advisor to the Thai
Health Ministry.
Global travel hub Singapore, the wealthiest country in the
region, announced on Sunday a ban on short-term visits and even
transit stops, after a surge of cases from abroad.
The scale of the disruption was brought home when Singapore
Airlines SIAL.SI said it was cutting capacity by 96% and
grounding almost all of its fleet.
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