ATTEMPT OF HACKING?

 A friend of mine recently requested a password reset for his Facebook account. The verification code was sent through WhatsApp. Without verifying the source carefully, he used the code and successfully changed his password. Despite the somewhat suspicious nature of the message, he was still able to access his Facebook account afterward.

A few days later, when he mentioned the incident to me, I advised him to reset the password again, this time using the verification code sent directly to his registered email address. I also recommended several precautionary steps: logging out from all devices, creating a strong and difficult-to-guess password (using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols), enabling two-factor authentication, checking active login sessions, removing any unfamiliar devices, and reviewing his email and phone number recovery settings. These are measures I would personally take as well, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

(And I also asked him to check all his other social media like Instagram, Threads even Twitter (X) and LinkedIn etc. just to be safe as you don't know how sophisticated hackers can be nowadays)

Receiving a verification code via WhatsApp is not the most common method, although it can happen under certain circumstances. Hackers sometimes imitate OTP or verification messages to create panic and trick users into revealing their codes.

The WhatsApp message itself raised some suspicion. Although it appeared to come from Meta, official verification messages are usually sent under recognizable names such as Facebook, Meta, or WhatsApp. A random sender name like “Geeta Code” is not typical for an official message.

The message also indicated that it came from a “Phone number from Indonesia, Business account.” Normally, official WhatsApp verification codes related to Facebook are sent from verified business accounts clearly labeled as Facebook or Meta, not from unrelated names.

In addition, the message format looked rather generic. It read:

“Update Notice: [Code Number] Account information must not be shared.”

Official Facebook verification messages typically say something like:

“Your Facebook code is [Code Number].”

However, the fact that he was able to successfully change his password suggests that the code did correspond to a legitimate Facebook password reset request.

In some cases, companies use third-party messaging gateways to deliver OTP codes via WhatsApp, which may result in different sender names appearing. Even so, the situation still seems unusual.

The concern is that although he managed to regain access using this suspicious-looking code, it could also indicate that someone else might attempt to duplicate or hijack the account and begin posting under his name. I have seen this happen before to another friend, and I advised him to immediately reset his password, inform his contacts on Facebook, and report the issue to Facebook at the same time.

Sometimes, the old school approach is still the best school, use the verification code sent to your registered email address rather than taking the quicker route through WhatsApp or, in some cases, SMS.

BEYOND THE SYSTEM - PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT STILL MATTERS IN RECRUITMENT

In today’s recruitment landscape, organisations rely heavily on systems, databases, and AI tools to validate candidates. While these tools improve efficiency, they should never replace professional judgment. Recruitment is both a science and an art, a balance between technology and human insight.

From my experience as a Human Resource Manager interviewing candidates across management and technical roles, I often advise younger HR professionals - do not depend solely on systems. Tools provide data, but they cannot fully capture experience, skills, or character especially for older qualifications or roles not fully reflected in modern records.

1) Detecting Real Competence

Genuine capability often reveals itself in interviews. Candidates with authentic experience explain what they did, how, and why, describing operational constraints, decision-making, challenges, and outcomes.

Techniques such as reconstructing real problems step by step, asking unexpected operational details, discussing failures and lessons learned quickly distinguish true experience from memorised or theoretical answers.

Experienced HR professionals develop structured intuition, combining observation, questioning, and pattern recognition to detect authenticity.

2) Modern Tools, Timeless Principles

Modern HR techniques, structured behavioural interviews (STAR method), competency-based hiring, psychometric tests, work simulations, AI screening, refine the process but do not replace human evaluation. Leading companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and McKinsey formalise methods that experienced interviewers have intuitively used for years, deep-dive interviews, case studies, bar raisers, and structured scorecards.

Even AI and analytics have limitations, algorithmic bias, overeliance on keywords, and inability to assess practical experience. Increasingly, organisations are adopting Human-in-the-Loop recruitment, combining technology for efficiency with professional judgment for quality.

3) Advice for the Next Generation of HR Leaders

For younger HR managers, recruitment is never purely mechanical. Systems assist, but insight comes from reading between the lines of answers, understanding the context behind qualifications, observing behavioural cues and practical knowledge, recognising authenticity in explanations, developing this skill takes experience, reflection, and repeated exposure to real-world hiring scenarios. In cases of incomplete verification, balanced judgment supported by assessments, interviews, and probationary observation ensures fair evaluation.

4) Conclusion

Technology can guide recruitment, but sound hiring depends on human insight. Competence shows through performance, and authenticity emerges when candidates explain their work in depth. Modern HR may have advanced tools, but the fundamentals remain, professional judgment, careful questioning & practical evaluation define hiring quality.

Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Opportunities: ASEAN and Malaysia in a Shifting Global Landscape - Overview by Nik Zafri

 

1. INTRODUCTION - A NEW ERA OF GLOBAL INSTABILITY

The ongoing confrontations in the Middle East primarily involving Iran, Israel, and their allies with strategic involvement from the United States, have heightened global uncertainty. Simultaneously, rising protectionism through U.S. tariffs, fragile diplomatic ties between the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the unresolved Palestine conflict add layers of instability.

While geographically distant, these tensions have direct economic implications for ASEAN, including Malaysia, affecting energy security, supply chains, trade flows, and regional stability.

2. ENERGY SECURITY AND OIL PRICE VOLATILITY

2.1 Strategic Oil Corridors

The Middle East supplies over 30% of the world’s oil. Conflicts involving Iran threaten key energy corridors:

• Strait of Hormuz: Handles ~20% of global oil supply.

• Strait of Malacca: Between Malaysia and Indonesia, handles ~23 million barrels per day.

Flow: Middle East Oil Fields → Strait of Hormuz → Indian Ocean → Strait of Malacca → East Asia & ASEAN.

For ASEAN, disruptions translate into:

• Higher energy costs

• Increased shipping insurance premiums

• Longer transit routes

• Greater supply chain risk

2.2 FISCAL IMPACT OF OIL SHOCKS

Malaysia subsidizes fuel heavily. Historical patterns illustrate fiscal vulnerability:

Key figures (2024–2025):

• Average Brent crude 2024: US$79.9/bbl

• Malaysian fuel subsidies 2024: RM19.7B; 2022: RM23.1B

• RON95 petrol: RM1.99/litre (~US$0.48 vs global avg US$1.30)

• ASEAN petroleum import dependence: Indonesia 15.5%, Malaysia 13.8%, Thailand 12.3%, Philippines 11%

High oil prices increase government revenue through Petronas dividends but also significantly raise subsidy costs, constraining public spending on infrastructure, education, and climate initiatives.

2.3 Food Security Implications

Rising fuel costs increase fertilizer, transport, and agricultural production costs, putting upward pressure on food prices. Populous ASEAN nations could experience inflationary impacts affecting household purchasing power.

3.0 TRADE, SUPPLY CHAINS AND PROTECTIONISM

3.1 U.S. Tariffs and Trade Fragmentation

U.S. tariffs (~24%) on Malaysian exports, including electronics, consumer goods, and industrial components, threaten sectors generating billions in revenue:

• Electrical & electronics exports 2024: RM593B

Global companies may shift production via "China+1" strategies, providing ASEAN an opportunity to diversify manufacturing bases.

3.2 Critical Minerals

Strategic minerals : rare earths, lithium, tungsten, indium, molybdenum are essential for semiconductors, EVs, renewable energy, and defense. ASEAN holds potential as a critical minerals hub, especially Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

3.3 Logistics and Aviation Risks

• Airspace restrictions over conflict zones = longer flights, higher fuel costs, ticket prices, and cargo delays

• Maritime disruptions = increased shipping insurance premiums and transport costs

4.0 FINANCIAL MARKET AND CURRENCY

Geopolitical crises trigger:

• Capital flight toward safe-haven assets

• Emerging market currency pressures (e.g., Malaysian Ringgit)

• Stock market volatility

Currency Strategy:

• Pegging the Ringgit to Renminbi is risky due to loss of monetary flexibility and diversified trade relations.

• Multi-currency settlement (Ringgit–Baht, Ringgit–Rupiah) or currency baskets (USD, RMB, Euro, Yen) reduce exchange rate exposure.

Petrodollar vs Petro-Yuan: While China promotes Renminbi in energy trade, the U.S. dollar remains dominant. ASEAN’s pragmatic approach is multi-currency operations rather than replacing the dollar.

5. GEOPOLITICAL RISK SCENARIOS FOR ASEAN

1. Contained Conflict: Regional with limited oil disruption = moderate fiscal/economic impact

2. Energy Shock: Oil supply disruption = higher import bills, subsidy surge, inflation

3. Global Strategic Fragmentation: Trade bloc realignment = supply chain restructuring, pressure on ASEAN neutrality

ASEAN’s long-standing diplomatic neutrality remains a strength, but increasing global polarization will test its ability to balance relations with Western powers, China, and emerging economies.

6. POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASEAN

Despite risks, global shifts create opportunities:

• Supply Chain Diversification: Attracting manufacturing from politically unstable regions (Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia)

• Energy Investments: Accelerating renewable energy projects and regional energy cooperation

• Critical Mineral Processing: Establishing hubs for rare earth and battery-related production

• Semiconductor Expansion: Leveraging Malaysia’s existing assembly and testing infrastructure

Partnership Leverage:

• China: infrastructure, manufacturing relocation, Belt & Road projects

• Russia: energy diversification, fertilizers for agriculture

• BRICS: economic platform, not a strategic bloc, multi-alignment diplomacy preferred

7.0 STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS : MARITIME SECURITY AND INDO-PACIFIC BALANCE

• South China Sea and Strait of Malacca are critical maritime trade routes, disruptions amplify economic risks.

• ASEAN must prioritize maritime stability while balancing relations among global powers.

8.0 IS ASEAN ON THE PATH OF BECOMING MAJOR ECONOMIC POWER OF THE FUTURE

• Population: >680 million, one of the largest consumer markets

• Geography: Strategic location linking Indian and Pacific Oceans

• Manufacturing & digital economy: benefiting from “China+1,” attracting data centres and AI investment

• Diplomatic neutrality: enables engagement with multiple global partners

If managed strategically, ASEAN could emerge as the fourth major economic bloc by 2040, leveraging:

• Economic diversification

• Strategic diplomacy

• Regional integration

9.0 CONCLUSION (for now)

Middle Eastern conflicts, global oil volatility, U.S. protectionism, and competition over strategic minerals are reshaping the global economic landscape. For ASEAN and Malaysia, these risks manifest in:

• Higher oil prices and fiscal pressures

• Trade and supply chain disruptions

• Financial market volatility

However, careful fiscal management, trade diversification, and strategic diplomacy offer opportunities:

• Strengthening ASEAN’s role as a manufacturing and logistics hub

• Expanding renewable energy and critical mineral capabilities

• Maintaining neutrality to engage with multiple global powers