Analysis: Malaysia’s botched web rerouting plan shows it must be more transparent, ‘better prepared’ on new internet policies

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Dr. Shafizan acknowledged that the action was in line with Malaysia’s wider strategy of exercising its “internet sovereignty,” which describes how some governments are attempting to challenge the “western aspirations” of a free and open internet.

The communications teacher argued that” these institutions largely support the ability to establish specific rules and regulations that shape the online in a way that is in line with their cultural and societal principles.”

She noted that Malaysia may have chosen DNS redirection as a “less evident” way of preventing access to some websites, so that visitors who attempted to access these websites may have encountered a launching error rather than a censorship notice.

It can be viewed as harsh from a liberal political view because it imposes what the general public can and cannot access, violating the fundamental freedoms of conversation and information, Dr. Shafizan said.

The government has the power to properly filter and block content, which allows them to influence public opinion by controlling the information that is made available to residents.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY&nbsp,

Mr. Numan, a spokesperson for Project Sinar, claimed that Indonesia uses a similar technique to prevent websites, particularly those that are associated with social discord or inappropriate content.

Indonesian ISPs intercept consumer requests and either redirect them to a wall warning page or just gain no results, he said, making the material impenetrable.

Although the professional approaches used by various nations may differ significantly, Mr. Numan said that they all aim to obstruct the free flow of information.

According to him,” These stones, whether through DNS hijacking or other methods, can cause widespread disruption to reputable online service, as seen in situations where major platforms and services like YouTube and GitHub have been blocked in Indonesia and India.”

Mr. Numan argued that DNS rerouting could have an impact on customer privacy because it allows ISPs and governments to track down and track users ‘ DNS questions, exposing their browsing habits and the sites they attempt to access.

” In contrast, security challenges arise from Domain tampering. Redirecting users to illegal or fraudulent websites can lead to malware being spread through malicious websites meant to steal or spread malware, he continued.

” This deterioration in DNS integrity you cause people to lose faith in the internet infrastructure they rely on,” said one expert.

VPN WON’T BE BANNED

One internet users told CNA that he was losing faith in how the state is handling security measures, calling the abandoned DNS plan “another little reduce policy” it was trying to put into practice quickly.

Mr. Khairi Zulfadhli, the head of electronic at a Malay search engine optimization firm, claimed he learned about the walk through social media after his customers who used Cloudflare servers experienced downtime.

” One thing that made me very upset is that they (MCMC) left it to ISPs to adopt the order without any guidelines, no customer relationship, no guide, no discussion at all. Then, they tried to blame ISPs when ( problems ) happened”, he said.

Following the plan U-turn, Mr. Khairi was presenting his observations from an MCMC wedding session on September 9, which the expert claimed was held to correct misconceptions and gather expert opinions on the DNS issue.

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Ground-up initiative proposes national suicide prevention strategy for Singapore 

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Views OF SUICIDE Protection

Over 80 % of respondents believe suicide prevention is of national importance, according to Project Hayat’s research. &nbsp,

Yet, less than a quarter of people said the nation is preventing murder, and just over half said they are aware of how to get help from support.

Additionally, the majority of respondents think that more work is required in the workplace and in institutions.

Project Hayat comprises several organizations like politicians, death professionals, scientists, community workers and helping experts, religious officials, business leaders, members from the press, and people whose lives have been impacted by death. &nbsp,

SUICIDE IN SINGAPORE

Singapore’s suicide deaths rate was the lowest in the country last year, at 322; however, Project Hayat said the country cannot afford to be comfortable in its efforts to prevent suicide. &nbsp,

It noted that death has accounted for about 30 % of all incidents in this age group and has been the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 29 for five straight years.

Reshii Verma, a survivor of death, said he first had suicidal thoughts when he was 18 and joined a Project Hayat target group. &nbsp,

” The feeling of hopelessness, like nothing I did was ever great much, left me physically exhausted. Losing close friends and family members to death only deepened those ideas”, the 24-year-old told CNA.

” It was challenging to quickly locate mental health resources, and even when I did, asking for help had a lot of shame attached. He continued,” Society needs to make it easier for people to reach out without feeling like they are doing everything wrong.”

He claimed that seeking professional help and the realization that he did not like his family to experience the same problems as others who had lost loved ones to death were both factors in his success. &nbsp,

Both Dr. Tan and Mr. Verma made it clear that mental health issues are a factor in murder. &nbsp,

Not everyone who suffers from a mental illness is depressive, and not everyone who does, she continued, has a mental illness at the root of their suicide.

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MOE has taken legal action against contractors over Mobile Guardian cybersecurity breach: Chan Chun Sing

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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education ( MOE ) has taken legal action against “relevant contractors” following a Mobile Guardian cyberattack that affected 13, 000 users from 26 secondary schools.

According to Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, about one in six of the affected users lost some data as a result of the cybersecurity breach the device management app experienced, according to a statement made in parliament on Tuesday ( Sep 10 ).

Less than 5 % of their data were unable to be recovered because their products had not been back up prior to the August 4 breach, he continued.

Members of Parliament ( MPs ) posed questions to Mr. Chan about the support provided to students and what the MOE has done to stop similar incidents from occurring.

The day after the attack, all tablets and Chromebooks were made smart Guardians.

According to MOE, it mandates that its IT services providers keep its systems and data secure.

According to the ministry’s forensic investigations into the incident with GovTech and the &nbsp, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore ( CSA ), there was a new vulnerability in the Mobile Guardian’s system that could allow a person to carry out an attack.

” This is a timely warning that cyber challenges can develop quickly”, he said.

No security test can be completely comprehensive, but MOE recommends that its companies regularly check and improve their techniques ‘ security posture.

The government is presently looking into alternatives to mobile device management apps and has decided to stop using Mobile Guardian on all personal learning tools. &nbsp,

It stated that it would work toward releasing the new game by January of next year.

On Monday, CNA reported that MOE has terminated its agreement with Mobile Guardian&nbsp, and was considering other options. &nbsp,

Prior to the Aug 4 affair, Mobile Guardian experienced a data breach in April as a result of weak password management practices. A problem was also discovered in July as a result of human problem.

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FAQ: What you need to know about Singapore’s proposed law to protect platform workers

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CPF Achievements

Why is the state lowering the contributions made by software workers and operators to CPF?

To assist software workers in achieving the same levels of cover and appropriateness as employees who make the same amount, the CPF contribution rates may gradually increase over the next five years. &nbsp,

Workers may also notice a general increase in their entire earnings as a result of the CPF efforts from system operators.

The increased efforts are required for those born on or after January 1, 1995 because younger software workers need them more because of housing requirements and because they are more likely to benefit from the compound interest, according to MOM.

Will platform workers continue to receive the operator’s share of the contributions if they do n’t choose to receive the higher CPF contributions? &nbsp,

No, they will not. The operator will only deduct the necessary MediSave contributions from platform workers ‘ wages and send them to the CPF Board each month for those who do not opt in. &nbsp,

Is there a cut-off time for software workers born before Jan 1, 1995, to settle in to the increased Pension efforts?

There is no timeframe, older platform workers may settle in at any time. &nbsp,

However, older workers are advised to opt in early to receive the Platform Workers ‘ CPF Transition Support (PCTS ) if they are eligible. This program aims to lower the influence on take-home pay for employees.

Starting the following month, program workers who choose to participate on or before the 15th of the month will receive the higher contributions. Then, it will begin a month later. &nbsp,

For instance, if a program employee chooses to participate on April 15, the higher contributions will begin on May 1. If he or she chooses to participate on April 16, the higher achievements will begin on Jun 1.

Is employees change their minds after opting in?

It would not be “practical” for program providers to help opt-outs, the Manpower Ministry said.

Because employers would have to monitor the status of employees and compare the CPF contributions that are due when employees choose to settle in and out of work several days.

” This may incur significant business expenses for software workers”, MOM added. &nbsp,

Therefore, software workers are advised to carefully consider their choice based on their individual circumstances before opting in. &nbsp,

Program workers will have enough time to make their decisions before CPF contributions are implemented by the opt-in website. &nbsp,

What about lower-income software personnel who might be affected by the increased Pension efforts? &nbsp,

Lower-income platform workers who earn S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 300 ) or less per month– after the deduction of expenses, including income from platform work and other employment sources – will qualify for the updated PCTS scheme.

In 2025, the government will cover 100 % of lower-income workers ‘ CPF contributions. This means that their take-home pay wo n’t decrease in 2025. &nbsp,

Starting in 2026, the offset proportion will eventually decrease, ending in 2029.

Starting in 2025, all platform workers who are eligible for the Workfare Income Supplement ( WIS ) scheme will start receiving monthly payments instead of annually. To aid them in saving for retirement, this program tops the earnings of lower-income workers.

Moreover, from 2029, program workers whose Pension efforts are aligned with those of employees may receive higher WIS payments. Additionally, there will be a higher Neb percentage in dollars. &nbsp,

Are there any safeguards in place to protect software operators from discrimination against program workers who need or choose to contribute more money to the CPF? &nbsp,

If the Bill is passed, this will ultimately protect an increasing proportion of workers because it will be required for all system staff born in 1995 or later to contribute to the increased CPF. &nbsp,

Therefore, it may be “more useful” for software providers in the long term to treat workers pretty, regardless of whether they opt in or are subject to mandatory Pension contributions, MOM said.

Software employees also have the choice of switching software operators. Therefore, it is “in the attention” of operators to handle all workers quite so as to keep them, the ministry added. &nbsp,

Additionally, now that system work associations is now represent platform workers, they can collaborate with the operators to protect against unfair practices.

Additional guidelines will also be included in the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to make it clearer that platform operators and intermediaries should n’t discriminate against people based on traits that are n’t related to the job.

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Traffic police officer jailed for speeding while on duty, causing death of 58-year-old pedestrian

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A traffic police officer in Singapore was sentenced on Monday ( Sep 9 ) for killing a 58-year-old pedestrian while traveling at a speed of 108 kilometers per hour.

Muhammad Firdaus Yusoff, a 32-year-old Singaporean, was jailed for seven weeks and banned from obtaining any travelling permission for eight years.

He admitted to one count of riding a motorcycle without giving other road users a fair chance of respect by moving at a rate that was more than twice the 50kmh reduce next month. He was &nbsp, on his approach to an accident&nbsp, at the time of the event.

The Singapore Police Force previously informed CNA that it began looking into Firdaus, who holds the rank of SGT ( 3 ), and that it had suspended him from frontline duties.

District Judge Kok Shu-En told Firdaus during sentencing that “you of all citizens ought to have known how risky it is to be traveling at such frequencies.”

She did point out that he was not moving at that” important” rate for a “frivolous” reason; rather, she was traveling to attend an accident that “understandably requires some degree of urgency.” &nbsp,

THE Event

Firdaus reportedly joined the traffic police in 2020, according to the judge.

He checked that his allotted scooter was in good condition and without problems when he started his shift on Jun 21, 2023, at around 1 p.m.

When he was despatched to enter a situation where a bike skidded and an ambulance were required, he was returning to the customers authorities headquarters in Ubi at around 5:30pm.

Firdaus was aware that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had already been dispatched to the scene of the collision at Buangkok Drive and Hougang Avenue 6, but he was unaware of the extent of the wounds or fatalities.

The situation was hardly classified as an incident.

Firdaus ‘ task as the first police officer dispatched to the affair was to determine the nature of the accident and whether additional officers tools were required.

If he arrived before the doctors, he was moreover required to control transportation and administer first aid.

He was aware, however, that he was not required to travel above the speed control while intervening in such cases.

Firdaus rode on street 1 of a three-lane route along Hougang Avenue 3 near a Kim Chuan Road crossing while driving to the incident.

The sufferer, a 58-year-old person, was crossing the road from Firdaus ‘ left to right.

When Firdaus applied tough brakes while sounding his horn, the victim realized that the sufferer had never noticed the motorcycle’s direct lighting and siren.

He was unable to turn right in the direction of the target in time.

The victim was thrown off his bicycle after it overturned and fell on its edge and was thrown onto the lawn edge of the center divider by the collision.

The sufferer was taken to a hospital, but he later passed away from many wounds sustained in the incident.

The victim’s crossing of the road was not within 50 meters of an overhead gate, which was located farther up the road, the court was told.

Hence, the victim was no jaywalking. Any commuter who is not crossing at a motorist crossing is also required to supply the right of way to incoming vehicles, according to the prosecution.

Studies revealed that Firdaus ‘ motorcycle had a rate of 108 km/h on the record before the collision, which was a significant decrease in speed.

Firdaus was aware that the speed limit for that route was 50 kilometers per hour. If he had followed this, he would have been able to avoid the incident, the prosecutors said.

Daphne Lim and Lim Jia Rong, the sheriff public prosecutor, requested five to seven months in prison for Firdaus, as well as an eight-year driving restrictions.

According to them, Firdaus had driven more than 50 kilometers per hour over the speed control.

” This was dangerous riding and as a police officer, the accused should have known better”, they said.

However, the lawyers noted that there was” some necessity” to the event. Firdaus was the first police officer dispatched there, despite the fact that it was n’t an emergency, and he would have to administer first aid if SCDF had not yet arrived.

Firdaus had likewise switched on his horn and blinkers to warn people of his existence, the trial acknowledged.

A large number of community members took becomes talking to Firdaus while he was being taken away in court, which made him cry.

For using without expected consideration, causing death, he could have been jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$ 10, 000, or both.

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Singapore’s education ministry terminates contract with Mobile Guardian after cybersecurity breaches

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ISSUE TO Get RAISED IN PARLIAMENT

The event in August came after a significant data leak in April, which exposed the personal information of 127 institutions. &nbsp,

When parliament meets starting on Monday ( Sep 9 ), the Mobile Guardian breach will be one of the topics brought up. Eight Members filed numerous questions requesting improvements on investigations. &nbsp,

For instance, MP Patrick Tay ( PAP-Pioneer ) asked MOE for details on what it is doing to help students who have had their study notes wiped out.

MP Lim Wee Kiak ( PAP-Sembawang ) &nbsp, asked if “targeted support” is being offered to affected students experiencing distress, particularly those with existing mental health conditions. &nbsp,

Mr Sheena Kasturi, whose son in Secondary 1 used Mobile Guardian regularly as part of his class syllabus, said: &nbsp,” When the matter came on, the iPad was absolutely not useful in class so he could n’t logs in. He could n’t get anything done on his iPad”, she said.

With help from the university’s This office, the teenager&nbsp, managed to save the information he had written onto a finger travel.

While the college briefly did away with learning via a system, it later provided&nbsp, Ms Sheena’s child with&nbsp, an ipads that did not have the app installed, she said.

There were no problems in the education, she noted. &nbsp,

” The school did follow up with the parents… reminding us that this incident has happened, ( and that ) the Mobile Guardian will be removed’ so please monitor your child’s screen time, the activities, the websites that they are visiting ‘”, she said. &nbsp,

Individuals USE OTHER APPS

Under the condition of anonymity, a teacher from the damaged class reported to CNA that some students found their products wiped. &nbsp,

The professor claimed that the institution is not looking to find a Mobile Guardian alternative. CNA is aware that some kids are regularly backing up their information using third-party applications like Goodnotes. &nbsp,

According to experts, government authorities probably conducted the necessary due diligence before choosing to work with Mobile Guardian. &nbsp,

Ms Sheena said she believes that&nbsp, MOE may get a more secure and reliable choice for students. But, she added that families have a part to play in monitoring their son’s system use.

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Hong Kong is trying to lure travellers from elsewhere beyond the mainland. Who else is on its wishlist?

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To plug into the educated Middle Eastern industry, the Hong Kong government has been promoting its products to people of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

By establishing stronger collaborations and attracting more traders and travelers from this crucial place, these initiatives aim to expand Hong Kong’s economy.

Finding trip guides who can talk Arabic or Farsi, as well as other Middle Eastern dialects, is challenging, according to Mr. Lam from HKFTU, but efforts are being made to find more English-speaking guidelines.

While South Asian and Muslim markets are “growing quickly,” mainland visitors continue to be the main group, according to Assoc Prof. Wan. &nbsp,

As such, even as Hong Kong aims to tap other areas, it is very unlikely these efforts may reduce the push to get mainlanders, she noted.

CHASING MICE AND OTHER Businesses

Hong Kong has also been training its sights on rebuilding the key MICE ( meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions ) sector, which was decimated by the pandemic.

The town welcomed 700, 000 MICE guests in the first quarter of 2024, about 80 per share of 2018 rates. Officials anticipate that this year’s number of major activities will increase from 150 to over 210, probably attracting 1.7 million visitors.

MICE travellers are usually bigger spenders, forking out an average of Supplier$ 8, 000 per explore- 20 per share to 30 per cent higher than the average spend of another over visitors, according to HKTB.

Discussions &amp, Exhibitions Hong Kong, a division of HKTB, claims that Hong Kong will variety over 60 MICE activities from September to the end of the year.

More away, the area is set to welcome activities like SIGGRAPH Asia, a computer graphics agreement, in December 2025. It was last held in Hong Kong in 2013. &nbsp,

One of the biggest events taking place in the country in 2026 is the World Cancer Congress and the International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress.

Beyond chasing MICE, Hong Kong is also looking to tap other businesses. Regulators have been positioning the area as a social hub on the global stage by fostering local skills in music, video, style, and architecture.

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How busy mothers can start investing: ‘I put every ang pow into investments for my kids’

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Since she became a mom, she has invested her son’s money– yet before they could count.

She also deposits cash into their expense account each month to cover school expenses and other expenses as they go along.

“]Children ] are very expensive. And you are aware that their costs will only go up over time. You must be able to handle that.

” Cash does not get you pleasure, but it buys you choices. The Singapore everlasting tenant stated that a large portion of my children’s options is the chance to do the higher education of their choosing.

But, Horton noted that people typically invest less than men, an study reflected in international research. She thinks there’s a cause for this, perhaps because of the passage of time. &nbsp,

There is considerably less time for a working person who is also the primary caregiver of her children. Investing may be far over on their to-do listing,” she said.

There is an option cost associated with this. If we look around the globe, prices is increasing. Items are still getting more expensive, and she claimed that the actual value of your money is declining.

” For many people, it’s improbable for income and revenue to keep up with]inflation]. One way to avoid inflation is to invest in assets that will generate returns that may hit inflation, she said.

” If you do everything with your income, S$ 10, 000 gets S$ 10, 000 18 years later. If you put it into savings and timed payments, you could potentially turn that into S$ 12, 800, based on historical info. A 28 % return perhaps appear respectable at face value. However, because of inflation over the course of 18 years, the actual price of that money would actually be 50 % less.

According to the annual rates of return for the US and global stock markets, the return would be about 8 % per year if you had put that money in a diversified portfolio. That S$ 10, 000 may have turned into around S$ 40, 000. You would have been carefully better off than cpi”, she explained.

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