IN FOCUS: The naturalisation push in Southeast Asian football – do foreign-born players guarantee success?

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The issue of over-dependence on naturalised people was highlighted at the recent&nbsp, ASEAN Championship, when Indonesia were eliminated in the team level.

Some naturalized players were not released by their Western venues because the event was not on FIFA’s timeline. Indonesia opted to send a squad of almost all under-22 players, with the only&nbsp, naturalised footballer being Brisbane Roar ‘s&nbsp, Rafael Struick.

The team failed to advance to the knockout rounds after losses against Vietnam (0-1 ) and the Philippines (0-1 ), a 3-3 draw against Laos, and a 1-0 win over Myanmar. &nbsp,

” It showed that Indonesia’s local people have a lot of catching up to complete and this is something which PSSI needs to address”, said Kesit, the critic.

In the end, Indonesia will have to decide what will happen if or when their pool of potential participants in the Netherlands runs out, according to Williams.

Because the imperial ties between the nations ended a long time ago, he said,” that generation of people that have links to the Netherlands through parents or grandparents is going to weaken.”

This is likely to be one of the previous generations of talents to truly have that link.

Youth growth has run opposite to naturalisation, stressed those who CNA spoke to.

” You also need to keep ensuring that you are still committing resources to developing native talent as well, because that is what viewers are drawn to,” Williams continued.

” Followers resonate with neighborhood heroes, and institutions and governments need to be aware of that… The whole idea behind it is inspiring the next generation, but if there’s a disconnect and you’re not inspiring native people, therefore it’s going to create problems for future generations as well”.

Enthusiasts have more of a relationship with people who have grown up with them or have experienced the exact difficulties, and who are now playing for them, according to sports journalist Rai.

” To me, there is a lot more satisfaction, a lot more satisfaction in that feel”.

The father of a younger person who was captained by Indonesia, speaking to CNA, said his child was looking forward to the problem of facing foreign-born players.

The person, who did not like his brother and himself to be named, said,” If you are able to contend with all these people, then you know that you are good enough to play at a higher level.”

” These naturalized players come from colleges and venues with respectable names in Europe. ( My son ) feels that there’s always something to learn from them”.

The guy said he was supportive of Indonesia’s latest approach to naturalisation, given that the people however have ties to the region.

He did acknowledge that it might make it harder for young people to make it to the regional staff.

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Indonesian mother of six aims to keep Papuan tradition alive by saving mangroves in women-only forest

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As its name suggests, only people may provide the sacred bush to collect oysters as part of a custom called” Tonotwiyat”, which means “working in the jungle”. &nbsp,

The Indonesian women go swimming and look for clams in the mangrove shelter. In this way, their garments do not get muddied, which may cause their body to ache.

Any person who enters the jungle properly be fined 300, 000 dirhams to 1 million ringgit. &nbsp,

The women easily talk and express their grievances in this classic bush that dates back hundreds of years.

” We laugh freely in ( the forest ). We talk about issues in the community, the government, and other issues like schooling or health, said Petronela, a single mother of six.

” When we return home, we may express our discourse to the town management, religion or traditional officials so that the problem can be resolved”, she said.

On a goal to defend Papua’s trees, women’s rights and native cultures, the lady tenderly as” Mama Nela” tells CNA how she has rallied the society over the years to take action and get answers.

On CNA’s Bahasa Indonesia website, her history is one of a series of articles about common soldiers. A person who rescues abandoned children and establishes a happiness facility as well as an pet partner who cares for and looks out for stray animals have been featured.Continue Reading

Rare for Singapore political parties to use background screening firms to vet candidates: Industry players

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DEGREE OF SEPARATION

Political parties can stay out of trouble with prospects ‘ prior conflicts if they come up against them in the future, according to the companies.

According to RM I’s Mr. Ho,” It protects the group, as the group is showing the people what they have done and the ways they have already taken to ensure due diligence.”

The goal, he said, is to show that while&nbsp, poor judgment or changes in personality may become difficult to foresee, intensive investigations had been conducted at the time the candidates joined the company.

According to Mr. Tan of Kroll, “what’s important is that we are experts in this field of work and a non-biased separate third party.”

” There is an accountability account. If the vetting process become subject to scrutiny, it can be said honestly that a third party came in and discovered no conflicts or contradictions.

Business players said that while the WP good conducted inside checks, interesting a&nbsp, backdrop screen company adds a layer of professionalism, given their more advanced methods of obtaining information.

HOW SCREENING WORKS

The procedure usually begins with the president’s acceptance and takes about two months, &nbsp, depending on the complexity of the screen, the firms said.

Background checks typically include investigating certificates with companies and educational institutions, assessing financial&nbsp, validity through credit or debt checks, and checking for ongoing dispute or prior convictions. For insulting data, traditional media and social media are also subject to scrutiny.

The individual being screened is aware of the investigations being done, and has to provide consent before the procedure may begin, said Avvanz’s Mr Chettiar.

” Some higher-risk individuals require more thorough vetting. For instance, criminality checks in these cases will cover the past decade as opposed to fewer years for typical cases, he said.

” For every 10 profiles we screen, at least three will have some form of discrepancies, in the form of fake credentials, inflated backgrounds, derogatory social media footprint or undeclared offences” .&nbsp,

Any potential red flags that may have been discovered are then gathered into a formal report for the client and put into action.

However, ultimately, the clients who hired their services make the final choice about how to proceed.

” Sometimes they think that just because a conviction is for a smaller, less serious crime, like maybe for drunk and disorderly behaviour, and not something bigger, then it’s scant”.

HOW DO OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES DO IT?

The People’s Action Party, the ruling party, told CNA that it evaluates potential candidates through a variety of methods and sources of feedback.

” No screening process can be 100 per cent effective. However, a PAP representative said that they make an effort to pick candidates who are committed to serving our country, of good character, and who have a desire to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.

Potential PAP candidate Ivan Lim withdrew from the race just two days before Nomination Day because of online criticism of his conduct during the 2020 general election, along with other allegations.

The Singapore Democratic Party claims to have never used background checkers to screen candidates. ” Partly because the majority of them would have been active with the party for a number of years at the point of selection and their backgrounds are known to us,” a spokesperson told CNA.

The Progress Singapore Party made no comment.

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Personal data of over 3,300 individuals leaked after IT ‘technical issue’ at regulator for property agents

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SINGAPORE: A “technical issue” &nbsp, with the IT system used by the Council for Estate Agencies ( CEA ) has resulted in the data leak of personal data belonging to more than 3, 300 individuals.

The technical issue with the industry regulator’s IT system was discovered at about&nbsp, 11.21am on January 22 according to a spokesperson for the industry regulator, who spoke to CNA on Sunday ( Jan 26 ).

The leaked information, comprising 3, 320 names and National Registration Identity Card ( NRIC ) numbers, was sent to&nbsp, 18 unintended recipients the night before, CEA said. &nbsp,

The information “belonged to individuals who had recently registered for the March 2024 real estate seller or the April 2024 real estate agency evaluations,” it continued.

No contact information such as telephone numbers or email lists were disclosed, CEA stressed. The affair was first reported&nbsp, by Chinese-language newspaper&nbsp, Lianhe Zaobao.

CEA stated that it had launched a complete investigation to find the root cause and took immediate action to remove the affected system performance.

According to preliminary studies, this is an isolated incident resulting from a technical matter in our IT system, the statement continued.

The healing steps have been taken to incorporate the system, and it has since been secured.

According to CEA, it had contacted the 18 consumers as soon as the problem was identified.

Among the people who had received the “unintended” internet included current and former house brokers as well as previous real estate seller applicants.

According to CEA, the 18 consumers “without using the data or forwarding the internet” and its contents. &nbsp,

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Remember Einstein? Meet the ‘bald ang moh guy’ who taught Singapore millennials how to draw on TV

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One option, however, wasn’t simple. &nbsp,

In 2008, while still living in Singapore, Einstein created an animated series called That’s Imagination for Norway Television. The success of the hit show saw the development of various options for his manufacturing business, and it eventually marked the end of his two years of living abroad. &nbsp,

He said,” It was quite an emotional decision to return to Norway in 2010 to expand my business while attempting to look after my engagement with the entire of Asia.”

I was missing my home, and that was the bigdeciding factor. I just saw my home for three days a year after going away for years.

Obtaining A UNIQUE STYLE

These days, Einstein also dons many caps as an investor, artist and illustrator, TV broadcaster and manufacturer, and art tutor to both adults and kids. But with societal press, his videos today reach thousands more.

He just created a TikTok stream and updates his current Box Yourself YouTube channel, which has over 750, 000 clients. The network has small arts and crafts projects for kids, using paper, toilet rolls and any biodegradable papers. It’s his way of introducing conservation through creativity. &nbsp,

Of course, his peculiar images remain, bright colors and exaggerated information everywhere. It’s a true memories trip.

” I’m really happy that I’ve always kept my main goal in mind, which is to teach individuals how to draw,” she said. All my shows have been about learning how to pick, color, would arts, or all of it”, he said. &nbsp,

” I consider myself a tutor – not so much a Television star – with a very, very large school”.

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Singapore blocks access to East Asia Forum for second time over POFMA order

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Singapore’s Internet service providers have been given a warning over what they claim is incompatible with the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act ( POFMA ) Office’s ( POFMA ) correction order.

The Ministry of Digital Development and Information ( MDDI) and Prime Minister’s Office ( PMO ) announced this on Friday ( Jan 24 ), two days after the POFMA order was issued.

Wednesday’s get refers to an essay on Jan 14, titled” Singapore’s new prime minister entangled in ancient politicians”. The PMO said&nbsp, it contained misleading claims about the government’s leadership.

Singapore has previously blocked exposure to the East Asia Forum twice because of a POFMA buy, the first of which was in September 2023.

According to MDDI and PMO on Friday,” the adjustment way issued to East Asia Forum on January 22, 2025, required the information to be displayed along with the lies to enable end-users in Singapore to learn both types and create their own judgments.”

East Asia Forum has no followed the instructions that were sent to it, despite three messages to follow the correction’s instructions.

When the program adheres with the “full requirements of the modification direction,” they added, access blocking orders may be canceled.

East Asia Forum is required to issue revision notices for the Jan 14 content, as well as for the social media platforms where the content was reposted, in accordance with the law. It must also offer a link to the president’s explanation.

CNA uncovered a report made at noon on Friday that East Asia Forum had posted a adjustment see claiming the content contained falsehoods at the bottom of the article. The notice also contained a connection to the president’s Factually post stating the government’s explanation. &nbsp,

A response stating East Asia Forum’s position on the matter and why it disagreed with the POFMA attempt was included in the correction see. &nbsp,

East Asia Forum was required to post a correction realize at the top of the content and the website’s main page in response to the 2023 adjustment way.

On Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah even instructed the POFMA office to challenge targeted adjustment way finds to Meta Platforms, Linked In, and X.

” This follows East Asia Forum’s failure to carry the correction notice in its Facebook, Linked In, and X posts linking to the same article”, said MDDI and PMO.

” Meta Platforms, Linked In, and X will be required to communicate a correction notice to all end-users in Singapore who had accessed, or will access, the content”.

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Seletar preschool’s licence revoked over ‘inappropriate’ child management practices; 3 employees under police investigation

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The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA ) announced on Friday ( Jan 24 ) that a preschool in Seletar’s license was revoked after an investigation revealed numerous violations of school regulations. Three GU MMI Smart Kids people are also the subject of an investigation by the authorities at 9 JalanContinue Reading

‘No intention to fuel racial hate’: Johor event organiser says China flags on dragon puppet a ‘misunderstanding’

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SINGAPORE: The latest incident of China flags displayed at a cultural event in Johor was a “misunderstanding” and not intended to “fuel racial hate or pro-China sentiments”, its organiser said on Thursday ( Jan 23 ).

The tragedy in Muar, which followed similar incidents in Tangkak and Perak, sparked outrage among locals.

But experts told CNA that foreign flags flown as a” symbol of friendship and solidarity” or as a “celebration of cultural exchange” should not be politicised.

A dragon puppet with China’s flags hanging from its left flank was featured in the procession in the Muar last Saturday ( Jan 18 ). The dragon’s image and video went viral, leading to calls from users for action from Malay king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and his brother, Johor regent Tunku Ismail. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Under the National Emblems ( Control of Display ) Act 1949, the offence of displaying a foreign flag is punishable by up to six months ‘ imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM1, 000 or both.

Dr Lim Teck Guan, president of the Muar Tiong Hua Association, which organised the event, told CNA the police probe has been” settled” with no charges brought that he is aware of.

We borrowed the lion puppet from our own association users in Melaka, and we did not realize there would be Chinese flags on the side, Lim claimed to be unaware. &nbsp,

Participants in the march were all Malaysians and part of the organization, Lim added. &nbsp,

His group has no affiliation with China. ” We do not encourage pro-China thoughts nor are we pro-China”, Lim stressed.

The historical procession was part of the institution’s 20th anniversary celebrations and even featured cat dance performances. According to Muar city police chief Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz on January 19, the procession made its way through some major highways.

The lion puppet, said to be the longest in Malaysia, had the Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia’s national symbol, on its right side and colors of China on its returned, Raiz said.

NO ISSUE IF PURPOSE IS FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY, EXPERTS SAY

In recent months, another displays of the Foreign symbol have caught the attention of the public.

Last month, authorities in Tangkak, Johor investigated the use of a jet copy featuring China’s symbol at a festival. &nbsp,

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Firms project higher revenues from better productivity and expanding overseas with help from EnterpriseSG

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SUPPORTING NASCENT SECTORS

EnterpriseSG is working with partners in established markets to help them gain access to customers, investors, and experience to assist companies in emerging industries like accuracy medicine.

Advancements in technology will enable businesses to create products that are more efficient at providing care to nations all over the world, particularly given the age demographics, according to EnterpriseSG managing director Cindy Khoo.

She told CNA’s Singapore Tonight on Thursday that” that presents business opportunities for businesses in Singapore that can provide those services for more specific tests or pharmaceuticals service.” &nbsp,

She stated that SMEs in this field may have the skills and options, but have not yet scaled.

To connect our local businesses with outside partners like Mayo Clinic ( in the US and ) Charité in Germany, which are well-established care institutions,” we need proof of concept, captain, and… to show a monitor record,” she said.

Ms. Khoo asserted that there might be a bright side to the international business environment, even though it may hang in the balance.

” The great confusion really opens up opportunities thanks to the enormous adjustment of global supply chains,” she said.

” That’s where we can look for opportunities, where our businesses can undermine even existing manufacturers, and then provide our services and goods to the rest of the world more properly”.

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‘I feel very safe here’: Chinese nationals in Thailand debunk online claims fanning scam trafficking fears

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According to Thai vacation officials and authorities, thousands of planes and hotel reservations were canceled as a result of Wang’s struggle. &nbsp,

Atsawin Yangkiratiwon, chief executive of low-cost carrier Thai Lion Air, revealed that 40 certified flights, from numerous Chinese cities like Ningbo, Hefei and Jinan, had been cancelled back of Chinese New Year- one of the most profitable travel periods- resulting in a 20 per cent drop. &nbsp,

Eason Chan, a singer from Hong Kong, also canceled a one-night even music that had been scheduled for February 22 in Bangkok. ” The protection of audience members is of greatest importance”, music organisers said, citing safety issues among Chinese tourists.

Online and on social media, consumers posted accounts and warnings about the state of the situation in Thailand, urging people to remain vigilant at all times. &nbsp,

” I ( don’t ) recommend going there right now because the abduction rate has increased”, said a user on Xiaohongshu in a comment which garnered over 4, 600 likes and 2, 000 comments.

A person of the video-sharing game Douyin shared a video with the title” Guidelines to staying alive in 2025.”

The movie cautioned possible tourists against visiting many Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, accompanied by ominous-sounding music. ” Choose don’t go, whether for business retreats, group outings or private travel. Consider that”, the Douyin customer said. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Chu Cancan, also known as Professor You Can, urged Chinese immigrants living and working in Thailand to” talk out” in a film that was widely shared on Xiaohongshu and Twitter. &nbsp,

Chu, 47, who runs an event scanning and public relations firm in Beijing, has resided in Phuket with his home for about a year. &nbsp,

” A group of ill-intentioned Chinese abducted a stupid people and took him to a scam center in Myanmar, built by Chinese themselves”, he said in the three-and-a-half-minute popular movie, which has been shared over 3, 700 times on Snapchat.

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