Amid Syrian political turmoil, Southeast Asia should be vigilant against spread of extremism: Analysts

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JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE: South Asian officials must be diligent in the aftermath of rebel troops seizing power over Syria from dismissed prime minister Bashar al-Assad, say experts.

Some experts warn that violence organizations could profit from the nation’s current electricity vacuum and pose a safety risk.

The Syrian situation is extremely volatile and can turn into conflict and violence, according to Adhe Bhakti, executive director of the Jakarta-based Center for Radicalism and Deradicalization Studies ( PAKAR ), according to CNA. In the past, terrorism groups have used this fact to gain new followers and support.

However, a representative from Indonesia’s Counter-Terrorism Agency has urged for cooperation between federal agencies, as well as neighbouring nations.

The civil war in Syria, which began more than a decade ago, paved the way for the formation of the Islamic State ( IS ) and the Al Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front.

Both organizations have reportedly radicalized thousands of Muslims in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, attracting lots of foreign fighters from Southeast Asian nations, leading some to start lethal terrorist problems in their respective nations.

The organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS), which launched an offensive against the Assad regime last month and soon oversaw the capital Damascus and other significant Syrian cities, was established in 2017 when Al-Nusra, which was later renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, merged with a number of other rebel groups to form the rebel coalition. &nbsp,

As the new government worked to create a functioning state, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of the insurgent partnership, announced on December 17 that all armed opposition parties in the nation would be disbanded and rebel soldiers would be brought under the control of the Defense Ministry, &nbsp.

It was unclear how or when this would be accomplished, or whether the opposing armed groups had come to terms with each other. &nbsp,

Units denied that it still has connections to any terrorist organizations. But, the UN Security Council and many other nations have continued to label the organization as a criminal organization.

IS, formerly a despair network that could coordinate strikes across its numerous trees in Africa and Southeast Asia, has since lost its shadow.

Since Syria has suffered a series of loses against Assad’s plan, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, and other rebel groups, its fighters have spread across the country and been huddled up in tiny cells in the northeast deserts. In 2019, IS declared an close to its empire in Syria.

But, experts warned that IS still has the potential to make a comeback. And while some experts say there is little chance of a scatter of fanaticism in Southeast Asia, some warn that there is a chance that violence will spread to the area. &nbsp,

” If there is more instability, fight, and poor management in Syria, the effect of IS might not be contained”, Aizat Shamsuddin, the leader of Initiate. CNA was informed by my initiative to promote tolerance and stop crime in Malaysia.

IS, which wants to turn Syria into an Islamic caliphate adhering to strict religious concepts, has harshly criticized HTS’ efforts to peacefully coexist with religious minority and vowed to reject any new government in Damascus unless IS itself was in command.

However, past international aid for Syria, already under a transitional government led by Mohammed al-Bashir, had been dwindling. When he takes office for the second day in January, US President-elect Donald Trump has already stated that the nation won’t engage in military activity in Syria.

In addition, he pledged to remove all of the approximately 1, 000 US troops stationed in Syria as part of his wider internationalist foreign policy stance, which has kept IS fighters at sea.

If that occurs, experts claim that if IS decides to launch an offensive, the ruling forces are essentially on their own, especially with some nations unwilling to forge a friendship with a possible HTS-led government, which they view as a terrorist organization.

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CNA Explains: Honda-Nissan merger talks – why Japan’s automakers are scrambling to catch Chinese rivals

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Why has Japan been slow to embrace electric vehicles?

There are a few aspects. One is the country’s passion for petrol-electric variants. Asian automakers have placed a lot of weight on hybrid cars, and profits there are projected to continue to rise until 2027.

Toyota, a market leader and a force of nature, has been slow to adopt Batteries, and everyone else has followed suit.

Second, Japan has fewer incentives to go fully energy than other nations, despite their green policies that strongly subsidize EVs.

According to a new study by Greenpeace, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are among the least environmentally conscious automakers in the world.

Japan’s GDP is on the verge of a collapse if it doesn’t switch to producing EVs, as auto manufacturing accounts for nearly a fifth of its exports, according to a statement from the Climate Group non-profit. If the automobile sector is in decline, this could also lead to significant job losses.

Asian automakers are now attempting to reclaim their position in the world of electric vehicles by investing more in solid-state batteries that demand more quickly and last longer than those made by China.

In March, Nissan and Honda had previously agreed to study the viability of a proper agreement in making EV vehicles and systems, to cut costs and improve profitability.

Nissan and Honda then announced in August that they would work together to develop self-driving software and introduce an electric vehicle ( EV ) by 2030.

The company’s strategy includes Mitsubishi Motors, of which Nissan is the largest investor and holds a 27 % interest.

The three companies may have a combined monthly production of about 8 million cars.

Though Japan’s automakers have to get up in areas like power prices and vehicles design,” they are not much behind”, said Mr Vivek Vaidya, associate companion at the Frost &amp, Sullivan firm.

” China did not produce the first commercially successful EV. It was manufactured by Nissan- the Nissan Leaf”, he pointed out to CNA’s East Asia Now.

If the consolidation is successful, Nissan will have the financial resources of a bigger mate and be able to “bring in better designs at a cheaper and better rate,” he added. Honda may also have access to a company with an EV and a device. ” This is a win-win situation for both”.

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Low-lying Singapore explores innovations to future-proof coastlines from rising sea levels

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DEVELOPING Modern SOLUTIONS

It has set aside S$ 125 million ( US$ 92 million ) under the coastal protection and flood management research to future-proof Singapore’s coastlines. &nbsp,

PUB and related companies have steadily launched site-specific experiments at parts of Singapore’s beach. &nbsp,

This includes the continuing City-East Coast review, which covers Changi, East Coast region and the Greater Southern Waterfront. &nbsp,

This” will inform the need to implement coastal protection infrastructure measures at the greater southern waterfront area with upcoming waterfront residential projects,” according to the Housing and Development Board ( HDB). &nbsp,

These methods are essential as Singapore’s beach stretches over 300km, said watchers. &nbsp,

The Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute ( CFI ) Singapore, a research institution affiliated to the National University of Singapore ( NUS), is currently engaged in 17 research projects.

One technology being developed at CFI is stackable rooms. &nbsp,

Researchers are attempting to create watertight walls that are simple to refit and blend in with the surrounding normal world.

According to Assistant Professor Chew Quickly Hoe of NUS’ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, “our strategy is to continue to conduct a more thorough study of every susceptible part of the existing coastline.” &nbsp,

Laboratory model-scale reports also have to be conducted” to evaluate that our option works”, he added. &nbsp,

Beyond that, we’d love to have a captain exam plot in a particular area of Singapore’s beach to test out this entire idea and determine whether it’s practical or appropriate for our current environment.

According to Asst. Prof. Chew, studies have demonstrated that a third of Singapore’s Central Business District could become flood-prone if sea levels rise by just a few meters. &nbsp,

A large portion of the financial area is constructed on recovered area and is less than 5 meters above sea level.

” If water levels continue to rise, the entire area is vulnerable”, he added. &nbsp,

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CNA Explains: Who’s to blame in accidents involving motorists and jaywalkers?

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SINGAPORE: In November, a film making the rounds on social media showed a female crossing the road despite a dark man message.

In-car lens footage captured her being hit by the car, and tumbling to the ground.

A pilot earlier in 2024 was  incarcerated for two weeks and disqualified from driving for eight times after hitting and killing a girl who was crossing the road against a red traffic light for walkers.

In a collision between a driver and a path user, who is accountable? &nbsp,

According to DL Law Corporation legitimate affiliate Ganesan&nbsp, Nachiappan, the first inquiry will be on who caused the accident and who has the right of way. &nbsp,

When such factors are considered when determining liability, or in public terms, who bears the blame, the outcome is determined.

A percentage of the responsibility is also assigned to the driver, he said, because drivers have a duty to be considerate of other road users. &nbsp,

Whether the driver was speeding, keeping a correct lookout, or following traffic regulations are other factors that need to be taken into account.

While pedestrians generally bear less of the brunt of the blame, they may assume more in situations where their activities contributed to the incident, according to Mr. Ganesan. &nbsp,

He noted that when walkers cross the road while the dark man signal is on, they are immediately accepting responsibility for putting their lives and those of other road users in danger. &nbsp,

” The point in time or location of the commuter when the driver’s car collides with the victim are elements taken into account,” he said.

” If the motorist has just stepped off the curb when the dark man signal is on, the duty is, in most cases, against the commuter”.

A 2004 High Court wisdom, on the event of a motorist that knocked down and killed a pedestrian, sums it up. &nbsp,

” A road user is always expected to keep a watch out .” A failing to do so will always be viewed as neglect or contributing neglect on his part, according to then-Judicial Commissioner V K Rajah.

If it can be demonstrated that he was unaware of the threat or that particular circumstances made it possible for him to relax the accepted standards of vigilance, then this failure may be attained.

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Anwar’s move to appoint foreign advisers on Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship ‘unusual’ and ‘maverick’. Will it work?

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“UNUSUAL” MOVE AIMED AT BREAKTHROUGHS?

Although it is common for ASEAN to nominate prominent people or high-level process forces to focus on particular issues, there is no such thing as an ASEAN chair “in new memory” as of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s ASEAN Studies Centre. &nbsp,

” In that sense, it is quite uncommon for an ASEAN region seat to appoint its own unofficial team”, she said.

” Perhaps PM Anwar feels that he would gain from those whose ministerial roles have worked with ASEAN to advise and assist in the formulation of issues related for Malaysia’s chairmanship,” he said.

Bilahari Kausikan, original permanent secretary at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CNA it is unclear what relevance Anwar’s shift could have on ASEAN.

No one really knows because this is unprecedented and it’s not entirely clear why Malaysia made the decision to do it, but it’s expert in nature and gives suggestions to the seat rather than the entire ASEAN, he said.

Even if the seat accepts the group’s advice, ASEAN’s consensus-based nature means no part condition needs to be bound by it, he added.

The retired minister says Anwar’s walk is “more theatrical than anything else.”

Anwar has a track record of cues that he does not always follow through with. So rather than surmise, I suggest we all simply wait and see what happens if something happens at all”, he added.

Anwar’s decision has previously drawn some criticism in Malaysia, with a member of the opposition Parti Islam Se-Malaysia questioning his choice of Thaksin, who was found guilty of fraud and abuse of power in Thailand, and whether it was done for the Indonesian president’s own gain.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan leapt to Anwar’s army, noting that Thaksin, as someone who is accepted by the United States, near to China and important in Thailand, may develop greater cooperation between ASEAN and world rights.

The Myanmar problems and conflicts in the South China Sea, where some ASEAN members have overlapping states with China, are “big problems” that the local bloc lacks capacity to address, according to Joshua Kurlantzick, a senior colleague for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in the United States.

” I think Anwar is trying to get around some of the government and typical ASEAN work and make advances with the colloquial party,” he said.

” I believe his goal is to create more power and create more ASEAN discussion, but I’m not sure if that will happen.” No matter what Anwar does, the South China Sea and Myanmar are essentially insoluble problems.

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CNA Explains: What you need to know about India’s ‘one nation, one election’ plan

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SINGAPORE: &nbsp, India’s federal has introduced two Charges seeking to synchronise countrywide- and state-level votes. Up they come under what’s being called a “one country, one election” plan.

The legislation, however, failed to pass on Tuesday ( Dec 17 ) in the country’s lower House of parliament.

What is the “one country, one vote” model?

It permits the five-year continuous polling process.

A few condition polls are scheduled about annually in India, with tilted state and general elections and legislative elections occurring at various times. &nbsp,

28 state and eight national territories make up the South Asian nation of more than 1.4 billion people.

In India, state elections are held to elect people of assemblies ‘ assemblies, as well as general elections to elect members of the lower house of parliament, or the Lok Sabha.

These are held after the current government has served a five-year name or if the senate dissolves for whatever reason.

Parallel elections were conducted in India from 1951 to 1967, which is not unusual.

However, this was later hampered by the house’s excessive dissolution, both at the state and main levels.

Under former president Ram Nath Kovind, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, established a high-level committee in 2023 to examine the viability of holding simultaneous elections once more.

The board submitted a 18, 626-page record in March, recommending a phased approach to synchronise surveys, beginning with votes to Lok Sabha and status meetings, followed by urban and rural systems within 100 days.

The Ram Nath Kovind board apparently studied surveys operations in seven nations- Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, Belgium and Germany- before making its advice.

Indonesia this time conducted what’s been called the world’s largest single-day surveys, naming a senator, administrators, leaders and governors across the country.

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VEP still not fully enforced, Singapore drivers have ‘nothing to worry’ for now: Malaysia’s transport minister

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Muhd Raden Anwar, the chief executive officer of one of Malaysia’s largest car rental companies Wahdah, told CNA that it would be “logical” for the government to impose sanctions on Singapore drivers “only when” nearly all VEP programs have been submitted and their tags activated. &nbsp,

When many Singaporean drivers are still having trouble installing and obtaining their ( RFID ) tags, he continued,” It would not be fair if the government enforces the payment of fines.” &nbsp,

Muhd Raden acknowledged that the VEP was a tool to help the authorities track foreign individuals who had excellent charges and that its implementation was a positive step. &nbsp,

” It’s a way to also track data of foreign vehicles that enter the country and this can help ( with ) urban planning”, he added. &nbsp,

Loke had recently said that as of Sep 30, Malaysia has issued 112, 658 RFID tags to vehicles, of which 75, 412 have been activated.

The VEP was initially announced in 2017 with the goal of tackling vehicle theft and cloning cartels and preventing people from leaving the country without having to pay charges for traffic offenses.

Full protection was originally scheduled for 2019, but it was repeatedly postponed.

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Turning eyes to artwork: Safety, privacy risks in view as young Chinese look towards iris photography

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SINGAPORE: Looking to move your gaze to painting? More young people in China have been opting for iris photos, a pattern that worries experts because of possible protection and privacy risks.

As the title suggests, iris photo involves high-resolution pictures being snapped of a person’s retina. The graphics are then transformed into artistic designs. &nbsp,

While such companies are not new and are offered all around the world, more persons in the nation’s second-largest market, particularly children, have been taking a glow to them, according to local media reports.

CNA did a search for “iris photography”, or “hongmo sheying” in Mandarin, on the common Taiwanese social media platform Xiaohongshu. Users from all over China shared their experiences in various posts, along with photos of iris photography studios advertising their services.

Iris photography services were provided by one studio in Changchun city in northeastern Jilin province for a promotional price of 98 yuan ( US$ 13.45 ) per person. The entire process takes about 30 hours to 40 minutes, the workshop added.

Also, one Xiaohongshu person, Matiani, said her retina photography expertise at a workshop in Chengdu took 30 minutes.

” The last item is beyond your mind, each picture is full of creative expression”, Matiani wrote. ” It’s almost as if there are universes in your eyes” .&nbsp,

EYE SAFETY AND PRIVACY Problems

Concerns over safety as well as dangers to individual private have also come into sharp focus as more people look at iris photography services.

According to Yu Pingping of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, as reported by regional news website ECNS in a Dec 12 content, exposure to severe light while taking photos could possibly hurt the eye. You advised users to limit their exposure to bright light and cut back on their photography sessions.

Patients with conditions such as keratitis, retinal diseases, or recent eye surgeries should refrain from trying out iris photography, said another doctor, Han Wei, from Zhejiang University School of Medicine who was quoted in the same report.

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A 36-year-old mother’s postpartum depression: ‘I felt like I was in a dark box with no windows’

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Ethel Yap found herself in the emergency room only four days after giving birth to her brother in September 2020.

” I had chest tightness. I felt like I couldn’t swallow. I had brain beats. My brain would prick itself up sober every time I attempted to fall off. The feeling was nearly of, as you’re falling sleep, your body forgets how to breathe, and it sorely wakes itself up to say,’ breath, breathe, breathe’, if no, you’re going to die.

” Every day my brain jerked itself alive, I was gasping for breath, like I was suffocating, choking, breathing in waters,” said the 36-year-old singer-songwriter and theater artist.

It was so awful that physicians discovered her and made the diagnosis that she might have heart failure.

My physical manifestations were truly consistent with this heart condition known as peripartum cardiomyopathy, which recently postpartum mothers can abruptly develop, have a heart attack, and pass away, Yap told CNA Women.

The new mom was isolated from her kid, husband, and family because the crisis was still continued and because some of her symptoms matched COVID-19.

That, while fighting for mouth and rest, she continued to motor breast milk, which her spouse shuttled back regularly for their infant.

Throughout, a continuous stream of doctors and nurses in total personal protective equipment ran MRI images, brain ultrasounds, X-rays and various images on her. &nbsp,

A week later, specialists ruled out heart and lung problems, and referred her to a physician. She was diagnosed with postpartum depression.

HER POSTPARTUM SPIRAL

Yap was conscious of maternal depression”. But I didn’t anticipate that it would occur to me. Or even if it did, I didn’t understand how awful it would be,” she said.

She recalled how after a labor that lasted for 20 hours, she was thrilled to give birth to her son.

” The moment he came up, I burst into tears. I don’t stop sobbing for a very long time. They put him on me for the first time for skin-to-skin. I was really, really happy,” she said.

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