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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‘Very labour intensive process’: Hoarding cases can be challenging for social service agencies, say observers

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A ROBUST SUPPORT SYSTEM IS CREATED.

The Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Social and Family Development both reported on Wednesday ( Jan 22 ) that the initiative combines the public, private, and people sectors to address hoarding issues “in a more holistic and sustainable way.” &nbsp,

Beautiful comprises 28 users from government agencies, social service agencies, society groups and private companies.

The people include businesses with extensive expertise assisting gluttons and identifying at-risk individuals. Trade and industry associations, including the Singapore Contractors Association (SCAL ) and the Waste Management &amp, Recycling Association of Singapore, are also active. &nbsp,

SCAL can use its more than 3, 000 construction companies and allied firms to support upkeep projects at damaged homes, according to Mr. Roy Khoo, manager and co-chair of corporate social responsibility, according to CNA’s Singapore Tonight. &nbsp,

” Most of these cottages are very ill maintained”, he added. They “probably will have new paint, upgrades to surgical wares or leaky pipes, and, in some cases, electronic wiring,” he said.

” Often, more extensive work is required including the successor of doors and windows, and even floor.”

Top Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua co-chair the party. &nbsp,

Desmond Lee, the group’s assistant, is the minister for national development and the minister in charge of social services connectivity.

According to Mr. Lee, NEAT will use its members ‘ collective expertise to join people who have been affected by hoarding. &nbsp,

The action comes as a result of an increase in lively accumulating situations, which organizations worry will result in consequences if not handled.

In extreme cases of hoarding, products can seep into the corridors, posing substantial health and flames risks and also obstructing rescue efforts.

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Living with your ex-husband after divorce: Why some couples choose this unconventional arrangement

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Cheers to her successful enterprise, she managed to buy a house big enough for them all – her father lived in one area of the house. This meant her kids saw their parents constantly and their lifestyles were not upended.

The family ’s living arrangement continued throughout the kids ’ primary school years. When they were in secondary class, Carolyn helped her father set up his own organization and ultimately, he moved out.

“I’m blessed that my company provided me the methods to have this life arrangement. I wanted my kids to have access to their parents.

“We are better off as companions, but not as husband and wife. Whatever problems we had, were adults ’ problem and not the kids’. Their marriage with him should never change because of our marriage. ”

SHARING ROOMS WITH THE EX And ON Christmas

Priscilla ( not her real name ), who is in her late sixties, divorced her husband in 2012, when their child was three.

“Looking back, I was focused on our newborn and did n’t give him the attention he needed as his partner, ” the general manager said.

Her father moved out when their child was a few months old therefore returned a few months afterward to try and make things work. But issues fell off in a year.

She continued to live with him in the same home although they had individual rooms. By next, she was a single family to their one-year-old boy.  

“ He was not around when it mattered. When our son was tired with a high temperature, instead of staying around to support, he bailed to go on a date, ” she said.

When a big fight turned real and she injured her hands, they realised that battle was futile – and he moved out completely. “We saw it was essential for us both to recognize that our marriage was over. That everything we were doing if benefit our brother, ” she said.

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Screen use guidelines in schools are a start, but parents play a crucial role: Experts

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Kids MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Professionals also stressed that parents may reduce their own display time to set a good example.

Adj Assoc Prof Chong said studies have shown that excessive display usage by parents usually leads to similar habits in children.  

“Parents if type fine screen behavior themselves, and reflect on whether they have tried to spend time with children without letting windows replace other actions, ” she said.

She acknowledged the problems of balancing panel apply for work and leisure in today’s digital age but emphasised the importance of physical exercise.

“We can explain to children that the online use is for work (or ) for example, schoolwork, and the guidelines are trying to separate the use of windows for work versus leisure. However, all monitor time is inactive time, ” she said.

“There is no easy solution because we are a modern society. Maybe this framework allows all of us, as parents, to even reveal on whether our dependence and power of screens are overwhelming. ” 

IMH’s Dr Ong suggested that families plan structured home actions, such as reading, exercising, table games and family vacations, to prevent children from relying on electronic devices to pass the time.  

“Even little changes, such as reducing time spent scrolling on telephones or prioritising face-to-face contact, can significantly impact children’s behaviour towards camera usage, ” he said.  

Kids REACT TO GUIDELINES

Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from exposing kids up to 18 weeks to windows.   For toddlers aged 18 weeks to six years, monitors can only be used for teaching and learning objectives, with use outside of class limited to an hours a day.

Parents of young children who CNA spoke to had mingled actions.

Mr Muhammad Noor Danial, who has a two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl, called the rules a “good goal”, but said more help is needed for people.  

He pointed out that reducing screen time often requires activities outside the home, which can be costly. Family-friendly places in Singapore are also often crowded, he said.

“Sometimes, the traffic just to get there and the experience for a parent can be quite tiresome. As parents of young kids, there will be strollers involved, logistics to prepare, such as the milk and all that,” he added.

“So ( to limit screen time ) to one hour a day, I see it as a good reference point for parents, but it’s also subjected to the parents ’ own capacity and access to support systems outside of their own home. ”

Ms Lydia Yong said she and her husband do not turn the TV on when their 10-month-old daughter is with them. She plans to allow limited screen time after her daughter turns 18 months old, but limit this to 30 minutes a day.

“After 18 months, it ’s probably necessary because there are educational videos that are interactive and that ’s also the age when they start to learn things, ” said the 31-year-old.

“Some parents might also not be able to teach pronunciation too, so I think it ’s okay to watch videos for this. ”

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Malaysia’s bid to rally ASEAN in taking on Big Tech – good shot or ‘insurmountable challenge’?

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Big Tech is also likely to avoid negotiating for regulations with ASEAN as a union, given their “divide and conquer” process to preserving income and the income they have put into complying with rules in specific jurisdictions, the analysts said.

At a seminar on Malaysia’s efforts to make the internet safer last Friday ( Jan 17 ), Malaysia’s Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said a “key agenda ” for her country ’s ASEAN chairmanship is to engage the bloc and “unify ” member states ’ legal frameworks on internet regulation.

“And of training, we use it to really deal with the software provider. We believe that that can be more powerful, ” she said at the seminar held at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies ( RSIS ) in Singapore.  

While Teo noted Malaysia’s efforts to make systems more responsible for on-line safety through its licensing requirement for all social media and internet communication websites with at least eight million registered users in the country, she believes “many more difficulties ” lie ahead.

“We are just a 34 million people, and it will be difficult for smaller countries to really engage with the software giant, ” she added.

“ But if ASEAN is able to work as a alliance, then we believe that our bargaining power will be much, much larger. ”

Her remarks came just a few days after Malaysia actually assumed the ASEAN chair on Jan 1.  

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.  

Last August, in an appointment with Malay news agency Bernama, Teo had urged ASEAN countries to join in an effort to improve their negotiating power with social media giants and effectively combat the growing issue of online crime in the region.

While Teo had then hoped this issue would be on the “main agenda ” at last year’s ASEAN Summit under the chairmanship of Laos, the chairman ’s statement released on Oct 9 touched on online job scams and cybercrime but made no mention of social media platforms.

In recent months, Malaysia has embarked on a growing push to regulate Big Tech, starting with its class licensing requirement that kicked in on Jan 1.

It has also passed harsher penalties and wider powers in amending its Communications and Multimedia Act, attracting backlash from civil society groups, and is mulling the introduction of an Online Safety Act that critics fear could further empower the suppression of online content.

HOW MIGHT MALAYSIA GO ABOUT DOING IT?

Malaysia’s renewed effort to unite ASEAN members ’ legal frameworks against Big Tech is “very ambitious, although not impossible”, said Shafizan Mohamed, an associate professor of communications at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

“ I think as the ASEAN chair, it’s a good opportunity for Malaysia to take this lead, to create a momentum for a regional approach against Big Tech, ” she told CNA.

Benjamin Loh, a senior lecturer in media and communication at Taylor’s University, said Malaysia has a “good shot ” at succeeding in its efforts.

“ While ASEAN often struggles to find common ground due to differences in governing styles and ideologies, there appears to be growing authoritarianism across the region which sees social media as a common threat, ” he told CNA.

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Police investigating Singapore relocation firm Moovaz after it fails to deliver customers’ belongings

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According to business release Tech in Asia, Moovaz has raised US$ 8 million in funding from investors including Quest Ventures, SG Innovate and Hustle Fund – its most recent money square was in 2021.

The report also said Moovaz has faced legal challenges, including a petition from its largest seller over paid service exceeding S$ 50,000. By August 2023, the judge ordered Moovaz to spend more than S$ 73,000, covering the company’s state and a wrongful termination event brought by a former staff, Tech in Asia said.

COMPANY STILL OPERATIONAL, CEO SAYS

When contacted, Moovaz CEO  Vishnu Vasudeven said the business remains administrative but was” greatly hit” by escalating Red Sea conflicts and rising transport costs.

” We are in the midst of arranging funds to pay the sellers… I believe everything will be sorted by mid-next fortnight,” he said.  

” I know what’s happening because every day I get a lot of threats ( from the ) police, debt collectors and news or social media. ”  

He told CNA that consumers whose things had already been shipped would get their possessions within the next two days. For those whose products are still in Singapore, Moovaz is arranging for them to pull up their goods next year, he added.  

But buyers say they still have not heard from the business.

Mr Noreen Caringal, who engaged Moovaz to travel her mother’s belongings to New Zealand, said the first phase of her shift in 2023 went easily.

With her subsequent delivery in September 2024, the  Moovaz employees who packed her issues told her she would get her things in eight to 12 days. But communication from the business ceased wholly by mid-December.

“ I was actually devastated because those are our family ’s things. Some of my kids ’ things, my wedding album is there, ” the 50-year-old said.  

“ I was so stressed about it, because ( it was ) a company that I trusted. Then abruptly they’re no longer replying or communicating about where my points are. ”

Ms Caringal received a visit from a Moovaz team member on Monday, who told her that the business was closing its inventory and she could arrange to gather her things.

He was never sure if she would find a compensation, but said she might have to make an additional payment to send her goods, she told CNA.  

Ms Chen, who moved to Hong Kong with her father in July, waited for weeks for their delivery to reach. Since they did n’t include many things, they were told their possessions would have to be consolidated with different supplies.  

The deal stated an eight to 12-week timeframe, meaning their goods, packed in end-June, may have shipped by October.

By the end of October, Ms Chen requested a full payment from Moovaz but did not find a reply. To check if the business was still operating, her father posed as a consumer and received a rapid response from the sales staff, Ms Chen said.    

In December, they received an email from  a transfer company based in Hong Kong. Despite the couple having paid S$ 2,500 to Moovaz  as full payment, the Hong Kong company said it has not been paid and wants US$ 1,160 to release their sale.  

” 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THAT CONTAINER”

Another customer, Ms Hong, who paid Moovaz S$ 9,400 to transport her belongings to Seattle, said another relocation firm  contacted her immediately about unpaid receipts from Moovaz.

To find her things, she would have to spend Family Relocation over S$ 15,000 – the sum Moovaz owes them for handling her package.  

“So Moovaz has been doing something crazy, right? They were setting significantly lower rates to their clients, and then probably because of that, a lot of people will join them for their supplies, but their actual expense was much higher, ” she said, adding that she has also filed a police statement.  

CNA spoke to Family Relocation, who said it is owed about S$ 70,000 for eight affected customers. The company ’s business operations manager, Ronnie Heng, said they have since escalated the matter to the courts.

Moovaz has been ordered to pay them the amount owed, according to court documents from Jan 10, seen by CNA.  

“Financially, you can imagine the kind of stress we’re under. Our agents, our partners are coming to us for payment … and I have to explain to them what’s happening, ” he said.  

If Moovaz pays them what they’re owed, Family Relocation will reimburse customers who made additional payments, he added.  

Adrian, who moved to England, was similarly contacted by a freight forwarding company demanding US$ 13,750 – the amount owed by Moovaz – as well as daily storage fees of £70 to  £150 ( US$ 86 to US$ 185 ).  

He and his wife had already paid S$ 23,000 to Moovaz, but the company has not responded to their emails since December.   The family has made a police report.  

“If I did take them to court, I’d have to be in Singapore in person. They probably know that people who are moving internationally, they’re not going to come back to Singapore to do this, and they’ll just end up paying, ” he said.  

“This is 20 years of my life in that container, with my wife’s and my four kids ’ belongings and furniture. In our house in the UK, we’re just living out of a suitcase right now. ” 

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