S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for information and Communications, said that digital literacy and cybersecurity were not the same, although they were related.

For cybersecurity, education is needed at every level from the individual to enterprises and government agencies, especially for those operating key infrastructure and services.

Clear protocols and tools are required to ensure cybersecurity, which is a space that is also very dynamic, he said. That is why constant education is so important, since even at the level of the individual, it would be basic to have some levels of cybersecurity in the personal use of digital devices and the Internet. It is needed to customise solutions as broad messages to everyone to ensure that people understand this is as a real risk.

“Once they understand this basic step, they can take the safe guards into their personal space. Then, we build on that because obviously cyberthreats go well beyond some basic circumstances,” said Isawaran.

Meanwhile, Asean Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said that Asean Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy was endorsed by the Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers because the digital economy is a key growth area for the group.

There is much work to do to strengthen cybersecurity as a key foundation for the digital economy, he said.

At the 17th Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting in November 2017, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of promoting regional cybersecurity collaborations and developing coordinated cybersecurity policies and approaches.

Iswaran said, “A recent survey on the e-economy by Google and Temasek shows that we are the world’s fastest-growing Internet region. The userbase is projected to grow from 260 million in 2016 to 480 million by 2020.”

Meanwhile, the Asean Internet economy made up 2 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017. It is expected to grow three-fold to 6 per cent or $200 billion by 2025.

AMRI will play a pivotal role in leading Asean into the new digital age. Under the theme of the 14th AMRI – an ‘Inclusive and Informed Digital Asean” – there are three goals: growing the Asean digital economy, nurturing an inclusive digital society, and building a trusted digital ecosystem that will support informed people.

In addition, the ministers endorsed the Asean Communication Master Plan for 2018-25, which would be forwarded to the Asean Community Council for adoption. The masterplan will support Asean’s efforts in implementing all three Asean Community Blueprints: Asean Political-Security Community, Asean Economic Community, and Asean Socio-Cultural Community, to communicate the character of Asean as “people-oriented and people-centred”.

“The talks should be pursued as originally intended and in keeping with the policy direction, and Malaysia’s role as facilitator should not be changed,” said Jaran Maluleem, political science lecturer from Thammasat University.

There were some changes made by different Thai governments regarding pursuing the dialogue. However, Jaran did not think that Mahathir and Najib, as former and current heads of the United Malays National Organisation, would have a different approach when it comes to foreign policies.

In recent years, a dialogue aimed at resolving the long-running insurgency mainly in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces has been pursued by the Thai military-installed government and insurgent group Mara Patani.

The Thai junta insists that talks are making “progress” although there was some conflicting information on the establishment of safety zones in the predominantly Muslim region.

Malaysia, as a country bordering the provinces, has always positioned itself as a facilitator of the dialogue, a position reluctantly conceded by Thailand.

Deputy PM and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that the policy to pursue peace talks would not be altered but the road ahead should get clearer when the new Malaysian government was formed.

General Aksara Kerdphol, a lead Thai negotiator in the dialogue, also said that the policy should remain on a peaceful approach regardless of which party dominates parliament. “We should be firm on our stance and see their political direction first,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party acting secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai contrasted Mahathir’s return to power via democratic election with the Thai junta grabbing power by staging a coup.

“Throughout the four years of this administration, you can’t prove yourself to be satisfactory to people with lack of transparency, especially on corruption,” Phumtham wrote on his Facebook status

“There is no open space for people to choose, stand up or express opinions. This is a bad sign for the current ruling power. It is only waiting to explode,” he said.

He called for the ruling junta to hold the election soon to “get a true answer without having to make it up”.

A “PEOPLES’ TSUNAMI” has swept 92-year-old former premier Mahathir Mohamad back to power, fuelling hope that the world’s oldest leader will bring positive change to Malaysia and the region.

Mahathir’s Pakatan Harapan – the Alliance of Hope – won 113 of the 222 seats contested, while his protege-turned-enemy Najib Razak’s Barisan Nasional (BN) trailed with 79 seats in Malaysia’s 14th general election, which was held on Wednesday. The shock victory brings to an end six decades of rule by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) coalition that began after independence from Britain in 1957.

“Yes, yes, I am still alive,” Mahathir told a news conference in the early hours yesterday after learning of his victory. The former strongman had built a campaign around claims of corruption against Najib.

“I am not seeking revenge, we don’t want to punish people but the rule of law will be clearly implemented,” said Mahathir. “If Najib has done something wrong, then he will have to pay the price.”

Speaking to a packed room at Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Mahathir, added that those who broke the law, including journalists, “will be brought before the court to be tried”, reported Malaysiakini.

In his first public comments after the results, Najib – looking shattered after the shock loss – told a press conference: “I accept the verdict of the people and BN is committed to the principles of democracy.”

Observers in Malaysia told The Nation it was Najib’s involvement in the scandal around the 1MDB state-development fund that had led to his defeat, since Malaysian people were angry with an administration perceived as corrupt.

Najib is accused of presiding over the looting of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB and has responded with strident denials – and increasing repression. The 64-year-old British-educated Najib is the son of Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia’s second premier and founder of UMNO’s long-time coalition, BN. While in power, Najib quashed 1MDB investigations, but Mahathir has said Pakatan Harapan would restore “rule of law”.

1MDB probes “will probably be reopened and it is important that this be done in a fair and judicious way so that Malaysia can come to terms and move beyond the scandal,” Southeast Asia politics analyst Bridget Welsh told Bloomberg.

Supporters of Mahathir Mohamad celebrates in Kuala Lumpur /AFP PHOTO 

A delicate touch likewise is needed to clean up “systemic problems of corruption and rot and kleptocracy”, she added.

The poll win capped a dramatic comeback for Mahathir, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years. Mohamad Azlan Shah, a member of Mahathir’s party in the crowd, said he was “very proud”.

“Our struggle to change Malaysian politics is not wasted. We believe Mahathir can make a change,” he told AFP.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mahathir’s comeback has been his reconciliation with jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim, his former nemesis, a relationship that has loomed large over the Malaysian political landscape for decades. Anwar was Mahathir’s heir apparent until the premier sacked him in 1998 over political differences, and he was subsequently jailed on charges of sodomy and abuse of power that were widely seen as trumped-up.

Anwar was jailed again during Najib’s rule but he is due for release in June – and Mahathir has promised to secure him a royal pardon, allowing him to run for office again and potentially become prime minister.

Outgoing Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak of the Barisan National party gestures as he arrives to address the media at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur/ AFP PHOTO 

Mahathir, whose 1981-2003 tenure as UMNO leader and premier is often credited with creating a modern Malaysia, but also tarnished by the jailing of opponents and entrenchment of the political dominance of Muslim Malays, the country’s majority group, over the sizeable Chinese and Indian minorities.

Just a few years ago, then-retired Mahathir had chastised his former protege Najib for loosening the reins with political liberalisation moves, which Mahathir warned would lead to chaos. Those reforms were later nullified as Najib tightened the screws over 1MDB.

Ever the opportunist, Mahathir now rails against the system he helped create and has promised reforms such as leadership term limits and scrapping an unpopular sales tax imposed by Najib. Malaysiakini called the vote a reminder that politicians are elected to serve the people “and not lord over them”.

“It would be wise for the incoming government to remember this.”

UMNO’s Malay bloc has waged a caustic battle against a diverse opposition alliance that reflects the tropical country’s multicultural make-up, yet is prone to internal divisions of its own.

Any incoming administration faces the daunting task of wresting control of a government bureaucracy steeped in UMNO’s ways, plus the thorny issue of enshrined policies that favour Malays in politics, employment, and other areas.

Mahathir, a key architect of that system while premier, is now a bedfellow with a coalition infused with impatient Chinese and Indian constituencies.

Supporters ofMahathir Mohamad take a selfie in front of the Royal Palace in Kuala Lumpur/EPA-EFE

Read : It’s official, Dr M is Malaysia’s seventh PM… and the world’s oldest

“The highly anticipated meeting between Kim Jong Un and myself will take place in Singapore on June 12th,” Mr Trump tweeted on Thursday (May 10).

“We will both try to make it a very special.

“The swearing-in ceremony for the Prime Minister position is expected to take place 9.30pm tonight, – Istana Negara Officer” the tweet read.

In a later tweet, Bernama said that four Pakatan Harapan leaders completed their audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 6.48pm.

Dr Mahathir arrived at Istana Negara at 4.40pm Thursday (May 10), where he is having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.

This means that Dr Mahathir will be the world’s oldest prime minister and the first Malaysian to be premier twice.

Dr Mahathir was the previous prime minister from 1981 to 2003, the longest-serving premier in Malaysian history.

Media and supporters have been camping at one of Istana Negara’s gates since 3pm. Dr Mahathir arrived at 4.40pm.

He was accompanied by Muhyiddin Yassin and other Pakatan Harapan leaders. The swearing-in is expected to take place at 5pm.

Vet Calvin Cheah, 34, was waiting with four family members and friends, bringing along the Malaysian and Keadilan flag.

“I think this is the moment every Malaysian is eager to see. I wanted to witness history being made,” he said.

Oil and gas technician R. Ramachandran, 51, was there to show his support for Dr Mahathir. “There is a change and I want to celebrate it,” he said while waving a big PKR flag.

There was a rush of anticipation every time a vehicle went in and out of Gate 2 of the Istana.

Election Commission vehicles could also be seen exiting the gates of the palace. Gates 1 and 3 were closed off to the public. There was also a heavy police presence at the area

The victory of Mahathir, 92, is considered a political earthquake that toppled the country’s scandal-plagued premier and ousted a regime that had ruled for over six decades.

While the Thai government has apparently not expressed its felicitations to Mahathir, former PM Thaksin, who is wanted on criminal charges in Thailand, was quick to express his best wishes in a series of @ThaksinLive tweets.

“My sincere congratulations to Dr Mahathir Mohamed on his spectacular comeback. The  people have spoken loud and clear that they not only remember his outstanding legacy but need his leadership,” he wrote.

He misspelled Dr Mahathir’s family name, spelling it Mohamed instead of Mohamad. The mistake appeared in his statements on his Facebook wall “Thaksin Shinawatra”.

“From my experience of working closely with him, I am confident that he will lead the Alliance of Hope and Malaysia into a successful future,” he wrote.

“His leadership will undoubtedly reinvigorate Asean as well as the ideas and visions he helped shape. I am certain that all the Thai people share my sentiment and respect towards him.”

Thaksin also posted a photo of him shaking hands with Mahathir during an Apec Summit in Bangkok in 2003. His statements in twitter and Facebook were in both Thai and English.

    Trump, who is preparing for a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, greeted the men at Joint Base Andrews in the middle of the night.

He and First Lady Melania boarded the light blue and white government plane shortly after it touched down to meet privately with the men.

The release by Kim, a much needed diplomatic win for Trump, was a stepping stone to his historic  upcoming meeting with the North Korean leader.//AFP

False and misleading news was among the chief topics at the 14th meeting of the Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) on Thursday.

The ministers issued a Declaration on a Framework to Minimise the Harmful Effects of Fake News.

At the meeting, which had “Inclusive and Informed Digital Asean” as its theme, the ministers also agreed that member-countries should work together to improve digital literacy, encourage relevant agencies to develop guidelines for responding to fake news, and share “best practices”.

They set out four “broad strategies” for members to use in addressing online falsehoods – education and awareness, detection and response, norms and guidelines, and community and “ground-up” participation.

These can be tailored to the unique circumstances of each country in terms of laws and regulations, it was agreed.

The ministers stated that mitigating the harmful effects of fake news was “everyone’s responsibility”.

Singapore Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said the framework would improve regional cooperation in establishing “a trusted digital ecosystem where people will be guaranteed access to reliable sources of information”.

Singapore’s Minister for information and Communications, S Iswaran, said the meeting would nurture “a digitally ready Asean” and “fuel digital growth” in the region.

“Members must work closely together to promote socially responsible online behaviour,” he said, “to ensure that the digital space remains one that is safe, reliable and conducive for everyone to interact with one another freely and with confidence.”

Fake news emerged as a concern at an AMRI roundtable discussion last year. Singapore has planned a workshop at the current meeting on best practices and countermeasures.

Several Asean members have already taken steps towards curbing the negative effects of fake news.

Earlier this year, Malaysia turned its fact-checking portal Sebenarnya.my into a mobile-phone application. Citizens can check the authenticity of news and submit queries regarding unverified information.

Masyarakat Anti Fitnah Indonesia, a civic group, set up a Facebook page where people can report and discuss suspected falsehoods. It has six full-time fact-checkers and a search engine listing legitimate news sites.

Heng said Singapore convened a parliamentary select committee earlier this year to investigate deliberate online falsehoods. “The committee held public hearings to seek views from various sectors on practical solutions to address fake news and is currently putting together its recommendations,” he said.

Heng noted that the World Economic Forum has identified “misinformation going viral online” as one of the biggest threats to society. Asean is not immune, he said.

The ministers also approved a set of Core Values on Digital Literacy as a starting point for further discussion aimed at helping citizens “navigate the digital media landscape safely and responsibly”.

Also endorsed was a Framework for Co-production in the Audio-Visual Sector to improve content producers’ skills in production techniques.

The Digital Terrestrial Television broadcasting system (DVB-T2) and Integrated Receiver Decoder Technical Specifications will be revised to ensure mobile and portable DVB-T2 receivers meet minimum standards.

The system allows people to watch free-to-air channels on their portable devices via terrestrial transmission. Government messages can be transmitted while people are on the move.

“I accept the verdict of the people,” the leader, who looked shattered after his coalition’s defeat, said. But he added that because no single party got a majority in parliament, it was up to the king to decide who will become prime minister.

Mahathir’s opposition won 121 seats, if a small ally from Sabah state is included. There are 222 seats in parliament and a majority is needed to form a government.

The veteran ex-leader, who led the country with an iron first for over two decades, stormed to a shock victory at the hard-fought election early Thursday, beating Najib’s Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that has been in charge for over six decades.