Boom time for Malaysian AI

PETALING JAYA: Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to be the next growth engine for the technology sector.

Stocks linked to this sub-segment of the tech space have seen strong gains this year.

Analysts believe the run has further legs to go with companies such as Nvidia Corp, Advanced Micro Devices and their related branded manufacturers in Taiwan such as Asustek Computer Inc gaining strong interest of late.

AI requires computing power that is used by graphics processing unit (GPU) in computers and they are the key to the training of neural networks, the enabler of AI.

Apart from powering computer games and graphics/video-intensive computers, GPUs help quicken the training of neural networks which are a key component of many algorithms enabling AI.

The two main GPU designers and makers in the world are Nvidia and AMD.

It appears that tech stocks on Bursa Malaysia have not caught up with the strong rally in the United States as the surge in interest since late last year are limited to makers of GPUs and their related companies.

There was much buzz last week on the local tech space with Nvidia founder and chief executive officer Jensen Huang dropping by several countries in the region including Malaysia to announce business ventures.

For Malaysia, Nvidia last Friday announced a data centre partnership and it also announced last Sunday it will set up a manufacturing base in Vietnam.

YTL Power International Bhdannounced a collaboration with Nvidia to deploy AI infrastructure with Nvidia H100 Tensor Core GPUs at its YTL Green Data Centre Park in Kulai, Johor.

YTL Power’s share price received a boost with this development and saw gains of almost 15% last week alone. The company is now considered an AI-linked firm by market players with this partnership.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the surge in share prices of AI-linked companies is just the beginning and investors have not fully digested the strong upside prospects of this latest development in the tech space.

“We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg on a decade-long transition to AI.

“Right now, most of the focus is on the companies making the tools necessary to power the AI revolution that appears to be fast descending upon businesses and, eventually, the broader economy,” Innes told StarBiz.“In the immediate sense, such a build phase may also benefit the ‘shovel providers’ of this ‘gold rush’ – the companies that provide the computing power and tools necessary to build the models needed to compete.

“For this year, at least, Nvidia has stood out as that hardware store on the prospecting hill,” he added.

Innes expects Nvidia will continue to trend higher and be trading at US$600 per share next year and over US$1000 in the longer term.

High-net-worth investor and former investment banker Ian Yoong Kah Yin said investor interest in the domestic tech sector will be AI-driven, moving forward.

“The listed companies in this space are YTL Power, ITMAX System Bhd and Straits Energy Resources Bhd YTL Corp and YTL Power, its subsidiary, are in data centres.

“ITMAX is in video surveillance and analytics. Straits Energy is into oil bunkering, telecommunications solutions and AI-enabling services,” Yoong told StarBiz.YTL, YTL Power, ITMAX and Straits Energy are trading at financial year 2024 price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of 10, 8, 19 and 10 times, respectively, he noted.

Meanwhile, Yoong said the wider local tech space on Bursa Malaysia is expected to remain in the doldrums in the first half of 2024, with recovery seen earliest in the second half of next year.

“The Bursa Malaysia Technology index currently commands an above-average valuation, with a forward PER multiples of 25 times. The historical average PER is 21 times.

“The semiconductor-based sub-sector is expected to report weak earnings in the next two to three quarters,” Yoong added.

Commenting on tech stocks’ performance on Bursa Malaysia, Rakuten Trade head of equity sales Vincent Lau said many Malaysian tech stocks appear to be stuck in a trading range.

“Fund managers are staying on the sidelines and I think they need to see fourth-quarter numbers first.

“Ours are lagging behind and only in the United States it seems to be doing well. Even in Hong Kong the tech sector is struggling,” Lau told StarBiz.However, a tech recovery is still on track and the fourth quarter might be supported by restocking activities.

He said how strong will the recovery be is still the main question.

“But in the AI space, it still has some legs to run while for electric vehicles, it continues to be another growth sector,” Lau said.

“We may be at a short-term bottom now, as I think it will be quite a firm recovery moving into 2024. We may be at an inflection point.”

On YTL Power-Nvidia partnership, RHB Research said it has a long-term positive view on this development.

“The project may also boost its data centre take-up rate in Johor.

“YTL Power’s earnings growth should strengthen upon the successful delivery of the project delivery in the long run but investors ought to take note that additional capital expenditure requirements ahead could be rather intensive,” it said in a note.

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  KUALA LUMPUR: When one speaks about Artificial Intelligence (AI), the first thing that comes to mind might be the T-800 terminator that wa..

Tenancy tales of horror, Cops may go after landlords who rent units to criminals; owners had the right to do monthly inspection, Law needed to lay out rights, responsibilities

Tenancy tales of horror - Sad state of affairs: A house owner checking the condition of his house after a tenant moved out in Puchong. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: A businesswoman got the shock of her life when she received a call from the police asking her to go to her posh KLCC-facing condominium.

“When I arrived, I was stunned to see the unit in a wreck and that an illegal gambling centre had been operating from there.

“It was a nightmare. I had to go to the police station several times for my statement to be recorded.

“Not only that, I had to fork out a lot of money to clean up and repair my unit,” said the woman, who wanted to be known only as Shima.

She had not suspected anything amiss because her tenant – who claimed to be an engineer – was always prompt with his rent.

“This incident has given me a lot of anguish and stress. My unit has been empty for two years now. I just don’t dare rent it out again,” said the mother of two.

Shima admitted that she had not checked on her unit after renting it out as she respected her tenant’s privacy

A senior journalist was happy when he rented out his house to a young couple with two kids in May last year.

Everything had looked fine in the beginning, but things started to go wrong a few months into the tenancy.

The rent payment was erratic, with no money coming for several months, and when he decided to end the tenancy agreement, he was shocked to find that they had defaulted on the utility bills.

“They seemed like a decent couple with two young children when they first moved in, in May 2022. But after three months, the problems began.

“Every time, I called them for the payment, they had excuses. Business was slow, someone had died, someone was sick.

“In February this year, there was one payment and none after that. I waited until August before finally telling them to leave. They left in early November,” said the 65-year-old Penangite, who is based in the Klang Valley.

When he repossessed the house, it was in a total mess.

“The toilets were broken and dirty, with caked soap on everything. There were nails everywhere. The wiring was badly damaged.

“There were rats living in the house compound. It cost me close to RM5,000 to repaint and repair to make it look like a decent home again,” he fumed.

What was worse, he added, was the unpaid electricity bill since November 2022.

“Why was there no action taken by the utility company? I had to pay up as I could not trace the couple and they would not answer my calls.

“The water bill was also unpaid for at least six to seven months. After they vacated the house on Nov 21, Air Selangor sent a notice of disconnection if I did not pay up.

“So, I lost easily seven to eight months of rent money, and had to fork out another RM6,000 for bills and repairs. Now, I am very cautious about who I rent my house to or even if I should even rent it out at all,” he said.

Another apartment owner, who wanted to be known only as Zulkifli, no longer wishes to rent out his unit in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, after a bad experience a few years ago.

“I rented out my unit to a childless couple in 2015. They seemed nice and both were professionals.

“Their rent payment was good initially, but arrears started to pile up in the second year of their tenancy.

“After failing to pay the rental for two successive months, they suddenly moved out at the end of 2016,” he said.

Zulkifli, 40, said although he could offset the outstanding rental from their deposit, his unit was in a shambles.

“Most of the furniture was broken and the place was so dirty,” he said. 

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Cops may go after landlords who rent units to criminals

KUALA LUMPUR: Police want landlords who rent out their houses or apartments to criminals, including scam syndicates, to be held accountable.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said they are pushing for the possibility of putting the liability on the owners.

“We have encountered many cases where such houses and apartments are being used as scam call centres.

“Recently, we detained more than 20 scammers, who rented several houses to operate as call centres.

“This has to stop,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Comm Ramli said while some syndicates are willing to pay a high rate of rent, owners and property agents must look past making a profit.

“Some syndicates are willing to pay up to six months in advance in rent but rationally, the owner or agent must think there is something wrong somewhere.

“In some instances, the syndicates would place 65 people in several housing units, in other instances, 20 people,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said most of the scam call centres raided in the city were located in luxury condominiums and apartments.

“It is bewildering that such criminals were allowed to operate in such prestigious locations, when in fact, it would be hard for regular people to even enter the premises.

“I have also instructed KL CCID to step up operations against the call centres in the city,” he said.

So far, KL CCID had conducted 1,311 raids on online crime syndicates in the city, he added.

“We have detained 855 people for their involvement in scam call centres between January and September this year.

“In the past two months, some 20 raids were conducted and 342 people were arrested,” he said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said landlords must be proactive and take full responsible for the action of their tenants.

“As the owner, your responsibility is not solely about rental. You are liable for the behaviour and action of your tenant,” he said, adding that owners had the right to do monthly inspection but without violating too much of their tenants’ privacy.

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Law needed to lay out rights, responsibilities

 

 

PETALING JAYA: It is time to push for the tabling of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) to better clarify the responsibilities of landlords and tenants, say property agents.

Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents president Tan Kian Aun said the country needs more specific legislation on tenancy agreements, adding that the current situation often left landlords and tenants without a clear legal framework on their rights and responsibilities.

“The proposed RTA aims to regulate and standardise the relationship between landlords and tenants,” he said in an interview.

The Act, said Tan, would serve as a comprehensive guide, eliminating the need for individual tenancy agreements that often resulted in varied terms and conditions.

“Unlike the existing practice, the Act would set standardised rules, specifying legal and illegal activities for tenants and landlords.“This would address illegal activities, immoral behaviour and law violations within the rented premises,” he said.

On March 29, 2023, Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir told Parliament that the RTA, which is aimed at addressing rental property issues, would be tabled in Parliament next year.

The ministry, he said, is currently conducting a study on drafting the Act.

Tan said currently, there is also no specific legal provision for authorities like the police to intervene in cases of tenancy disputes, which would typically fall under civil jurisdiction, requiring the affected parties to pursue legal action for breach of contract.

The Act, he said, should also empower the relevant authorities to take appropriate action in cases of criminal activities.

Before the RTA comes into effect, Tan suggested landlords engage with tenants to first establish evidence that they are unaware of any illegal activity or “alternate uses” of their property.

“When tenants inquire about permission for activities such as gambling, landlords must refuse and retain evidence of their conversation. We often advise landlords to do this to protect their rights,” he said.

Property agents also play a crucial part by conducting thorough background checks on tenants, such as criminal records and solvency to ensure that they are not bankrupt, he added.

“We also verify employment status, request documentation such as visas and employment letters for foreigners, and scrutinise income details,” he said.

Lawyer Eric Choo advised landlords to protect themselves by ensuring that their tenancy agreements explicitly state the purpose of property use as well as the prohibition of illegal activities.

“These crucial clauses, typically included in tenancy agreements prepared by qualified lawyers, help safeguard landlords from being implicated in any criminal activities carried out on their premises,” he said.

Landlords, stressed legal counsel Marcus Tan, must lodge a police report upon discovering that tenants had been using their property for criminal activities.

“Failure to do so may result in the landlord being perceived as part of or even abetting the criminal activities.

“Without a formal tenancy or lease agreement, landlords may struggle to explain the situation to the police, potentially leading to suspicion and legal complications.

In Penang, state local government committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said action could be taken against bad tenants under Section 70 (12) of the Road, Building and Drainage Act 1974.

“They need to be given 30 days to move out. If they fail to comply, they can be hauled up to court.”

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The meaning of longevity and purposeful living

 

Munger is just as highly regarded as Buffett because the values they espouse have become a long-standing guide to value investors, including myself. — Reuters

It's imperative to make a conscientious effort to do good

JUST last week, we witnessed the passing of two towering figures – investing legend Charlie Munger and iconic US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Both are centenarians, with Munger living to 99 years and Kissinger at 100 years.

Apart from their longevity, what’s remarkable about both the gentlemen was their sharp mental acumen during their ripe old age and continuous influence on society right up to their last days.

As obituaries poured in across the media, we could see their overwhelming contribution in charting the course of world history in their respective sphere of influence.

Not many people are blessed with good health that can last a century.

Incidentally, Munger and Kissinger were able to lead both long and meaningful lives.

Time is precious because life is fleeting, but from their lives, I learnt what’s most important is not solely about longevity but also a life of purpose.

Knowledge for the next generation

Most would know Warren Buffett instead of Munger. Some say their relationship is akin to Batman and Robin. However, it is important to know that Berkshire Hathaway would not be where it is today without Munger’s existence and the role he played. In the world of investment, Munger is just as highly regarded as Buffett because the values they espouse have become a long-standing guide to value investors, including myself.

Just as Benjamin Graham who came before Buffett, his book helped mould the idea of value investing for the subsequent generations. Of course, there is no example of a better student that lived out his entire lifetime based on the knowledge imparted by Graham.

The imprint left by Munger on the investing world is no less significant than Buffett. He had the hand in convincing Buffett in looking beyond the United States towards China and taking an early stake in BYD worth Us$230mil in 2008 which has since grown in value to Us$2.4bil as of October 2023.

This was among the most successful investments that Berkshire Hathaway made in recent decades delivering 10 times in returns over 15 years.

This investment is significant because BYD is not only the leading battery manufacturer in the world today, but also the largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in terms of volume sold in China, championing the EV supply chain and green agenda in the world’s most populous economy. Globally, BYD’S EV sales is just behind Tesla.

In Munger’s own words, “I have never helped do anything at Berkshire Hathaway that was as good as BYD and I only did it once.”

Furthermore, I respect Munger for often being willing to speak the truth even if it is contrarian to the sentiment of the day

Unlike most Americans, Munger often gave credit to China’s communist government in its effort of growing the economy, executing national policies and plans while lifting the people from hardcore poverty. Another classic example was Munger’s open criticism of cryptocurrency during its speculative rally to dizzying heights attracting much irk from the youths.

‘Tang Ping’ phenomenon

We are increasingly seeing the youth of today embark on a series of passive aggressive resistance movement which is unheard of prior to this decade.

“Tang Ping” is a Chinese slang that means lie down flat and get over the beatings, which is a direct rejection of societal pressure to achieve certain definition of success as per the norm.

Due to an entrenched culture of overworking yet not being able to achieve the desired level of achievements, youths in China opted for the “Tang Ping” way of life rather than to continue to strive.

It started getting popular during the pandemic years and was further exacerbated across social media as many struggled to achieve upward mobility in society for which they had long hoped.

In the United States, a similar counter-culture approach was observed, as those in workforce pivoted towards “quiet-quitting”.

In this case, employees of companies choose to do just enough to get by without getting fired and avoid working towards achieving their personal and companies’ goals.

While it is said this phenomenon is prevalent in developed economies and highly competitive society, in my observation, certain youth in Malaysia are welcoming such approach which can be seen in across social media feeds.

This is highly disconcerting. I do not deny the importance of enjoying life beyond pursuits of material possessions.

I also agree about valuing family time especially because life is short.

However, while time is precious, and tragedies of life are unfortunate, these premises cannot be used as the excuse to not work hard in life or to try to make living a lifetime a meaningful one.

This is especially when many good people with extraordinary talent are left undiscovered because they choose to lie low or refuse to make the effort to compete.

This will give room to foster a more elitist society, which comprises those who come from a powerful or privileged background.

Some of these people may lack virtues such as integrity or morality but they will end up ruling the world if those who come from the less fortunate background choose not to challenge the status quo and opt for “Tang Ping”. It ends up being a vicious cycle.

Finding purpose in life

The focus of today’s column is not to preach the right way of life but to offer a perspective on the ongoing phenomenon that is fast becoming popular among the youth. This affects the economic development of a nation and the progress of a dynamic society.

Everyone is entitled to live in the manner he or she chooses. It is hard to judge or pass a comment without knowing what others have been through.

Yet, finding meaning or purpose in life is more important than anything else because it will set the path of which one chooses to live for the rest of their life.

If one does not have any interest in the pursuit of monetary rewards, a career in giving back may be more fulfilling. That is why we see professions such as teachers, nurses and journalists exist.

Regardless of the path that one takes, it is imperative to make the conscientious effort to do good in whatever capacity we are.

Even as a businessman, entrepreneur or fund manager, corporate social responsibility or environmental, social and governance efforts should not be a branding initiative to win the public’s recognition.

Branding and showmanship should not be the factors that go into the thought process when choosing to do good. For an individual and a business alike, many hope to last beyond three generations.

However, it is important to remember that longevity should always come with a purpose.

Only then will it be meaningful.

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Experts warn of scams on WhatsApp

 

CyberSecurity M'sia warns of impersonation, scam activities on WhatsApp

CSM said there were fraudulent activities using the application, with the perpetrator posing as someone known to the victim before sending a link and asking the victim to click on it. — AP

KUALA LUMPUR: Beware of scammers exploiting the WhatsApp application for impersonation activities and deceiving victims into transferring money, CyberSecurity Malaysia has warned the public.

It said there were fraudulent activities using the application, with the perpetrator posing as someone known to the victim before sending a link and asking the victim to click on it.

ALSO READ: ahmi: Ministry to ask Meta about rise in WhatsApp scams

The victim will subsequently lose access to their WhatsApp account once it was done.

“The scammer will then take over the hacked WhatsApp account and use the victim’s identity to commit fraud.

“They will impersonate the victim by sending messages to the victim’s contacts via the WhatsApp account,” CyberSecurity Malaysia said in a post on Facebook, Bernama reported.

It said scammers would inform the contacts that the victim is in an emergency and needs financial aid or a loan to help them out of the crisis and promises to make a repayment.

In such a situation, the victim’s contacts will be misled and believe their friend sent the message and end up losing money.“We advise people not to click on any link received via WhatsApp. Do not make any money transfer until you have confirmed and verified with your contacts,” it said.

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How reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism is often misunderstood in the West?

 Ignored legal facts

otala Palace in Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region Photo: VCG

How reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism is often misunderstood in the West?

Editor's Note:

"Cognitive Warfare" has become a new form of confrontation between states, and a new security threat. With new technological means, issues are planted and disinformation spread so as to change people's perceptions and thus alter their self-identity. Launching cognitive warfare against China is an important means through which Western anti-China forces attack and discredit the country. Under the manipulation of the US-led West, the "China threat theory" has continued to foment. 

Certain politicians and media outlets have publicly smeared China's image by propagating false claims in an attempt to incite and provoke anti-China reprisals among people in certain countries. These means all serve the evolution of the US' covert China containment strategy in a bid to maintain its hegemony.

The Global Times is publishing a series of articles to systematically reveal the intrigues of the US-led West's cognitive warfare targeting China, and expose its lies and vicious intentions, in an attempt to show international readers a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of China.

Reincarnation system, a concept deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, has long fascinated the Western world. However, this profound belief has often been misunderstood and misrepresented by some Western politicians and media outlets. Besides, the Western portrayal of reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism often fixates on the Dalai Lama and the concept of reincarnation was often misused for political motives in the West, further distorting the truth. 

This is the sixth installment in the series. In this installment, we invite Yang Yongchun, a chief expert in the Tibetan legal practice from relevant government agency, who holds doctorates in both Buddhist Studies and Law, to delve into this concept and give detailed explanation as to why so many people in the West are misled.

Monks from the Tashilhunpo Monastery debate sutras in Xigaze, Xizang, on December 4, 2023. Photo: VCG

I have been engaged in legal practice on affairs related to the Xizang Autonomous Region for a long time, and have noticed a viewpoint held by many Westerns during negotiations and exchanges with Western political entity representatives at the international level. They believe that the Chinese government, at all levels, should not "dominate" or "interfere in" the reincarnation of important sect leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. Their reasoning is that this is a religious autonomous act based on religious doctrine and tradition. 

Due to the complexity of Buddhist doctrines, linguistic barriers, unique Tibetan Buddhism rituals, and the general political inclination of the modern international society toward religious matters, this viewpoint has gained popularity in the West. This issue is related to whether the Chinese government's involvement in the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist sect leaders respects Buddhist doctrine and adheres to religious ethics. In simple terms, the viewpoint questions whether the secular laws of the worldly realm can be applied to the designated successors of Tibetan Buddhist sect leaders.

It is evident that the key to understanding this issue lies in understanding how religions approach reincarnation, as well as how the fundamental teachings of Tibetan Buddhism determine reincarnation and people who are reincarnated. Only by doing so can we determine whether the individuals recognized by the reincarnation system in the doctrines and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism are ordinary people in the secular world or mysterious entities that are difficult to substantiate legally. This determines the ethical foundation of Chinese legal regulation regarding the lineage of reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism, which has lasted for over 680 years.

The Tibetan Culture Museum in Beijing exhibits a golden urn used in the reincarnation of living Buddhas, on January 25, 2023. Photo: VCG

Solid legal foundation

Looking at the various doctrines of Buddhism, the concept of reincarnation is described as a transformation of social status from the original South Asian caste society, to the expression of individuals' cultivation and realization of truth. There are no particularly mysterious records regarding this. 

In Tibetan Buddhism, the inheritance of the Dharma lineage mainly takes the form of family lineage inheritance, master-disciple inheritance of precepts, and the inheritance of the position of temple abbot. The reincarnation inheritance is just one of the common inheritance methods. The Chinese central governments or local governments therefore regulate religious inheritance affairs based on the rule of law and public welfare. This is done in deference to Buddhist doctrines and in full compliance with religious ethics. It is also a management system based on Chinese law, and is not an intervention in any identity or matter with any mysterious implications. This is also the institutional purpose of Chinese laws concerning reincarnation inheritance.

Today, some rhetoric in the West claiming the so-called "Chinese government's intervention in the reincarnation inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism" is based on a fundamental assumption that the Chinese government has no basis or authority to intervene in the reincarnation inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism. 

In fact, the Central Government of China's participation in the affairs of the reincarnation inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the reincarnation of influential living Buddhas, is based on the "imperial commendation" of the Chinese Central Government.

There is no denying that the issue of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is of great concern to Western political entities. Their logic is that the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of various sects within Tibetan Buddhism, and after the passing of the previous leader, the religious community needs to decide on the future leader and what qualities they should possess. Western political entities view this as a matter of religious autonomy, similar to the process of selecting a Pope in the Catholic Church. However, this interpretation has led to many misunderstandings. 

Due to the complexities of religious doctrine, multiple languages, historical knowledge, and legal interpretations, it is quite difficult to clarify these issues. In fact, the process of the reincarnation or succession of high-ranking living Buddhas in China is fundamentally different from the selection of a Pope in the Catholic Church.

As opposed to how the title of the Pope is indeed defined by the Catholic Church itself, the titles of the majority of high-ranking living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism are not similarly prescribed. This is because, aside from the Dalai Lama, most high-ranking living Buddhas of the reincarnation lineage use titles conferred by the Central Government of China. These titles are understood in traditional Chinese law as "imperial commendations," that is, "honorary titles" granted by the Central Government of China to the leaders of religious sects.

Second, imperial commendation must be legally recognized by the Central Government of China. Taking the title "Dalai Lama" as an example, before the Third Dalai Lama, the great living Buddhas of this reincarnation lineage were actually named after their Dharma names, namely the "Gendun" series of living Buddhas. 

The Dharma name of the Third Gendun living Buddha, Sonam Gyatso, was given a hybrid title in Sanskrit, Mongolian, and Tibetan through his exchanges with Altan Khan, the Shunyi King of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in present-day Qinghai, Northwest China. This title was not approved by the central government of China at that time, so the reincarnation lineage was still known by its Dharma name, which was the "Gyatso reincarnation lineage." The Fourth living Buddha in this lineage was Yonten Gyatso. 

It was not until February 1653, when the Fifth Gyatso Lama (also referred to in official Chinese documents as "Fuhai Lama") was returning to Xizang after presenting himself before the emperor in Beijing and arriving in Taikha in today's North China's Inner Mongolia, that the central government of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), following the rituals of the Ming Dynasty, granted the Lama the imperial commendation in the Han language, the official language of the country, along with a golden book and seal in Han, Manchu, and Tibetan as symbols of the commendation.

Thereafter, the central government of China began to use the legal abbreviations "Dalai Lama" in official documents. 

Clearly, before the Central Government of China granted the imperial commendation, the Gyatso reincarnation lineage of living Buddhas had never had the commendation of "Dalai Lama," nor the translated titles present in English today. References to the "Dalai Lama" in the legislation or legal documents of some countries are even more baseless.

The case of the Dalai Lama illustrates that the Chinese government possesses ownership of imperial commendation, and starting from the significance of the commendation as an object, it inevitably leads to the formation of rights and powers in terms of the "possession of the object" and "use of the object."

From a legal practice perspective, the ownership of imperial commendation has been held by the Central Government of China on behalf of the state at different times, and is granted to the inheritors of Tibetan Buddhism for use. Any reincarnation lineage that accepts the imperial commendation necessarily has the duty to maintain historical customs and stability. Historical central governments of China have maintained their legal involvement in the Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation tradition by relying on imperial commendation.

If Western political individuals examine the historical and legal facts of the successive Chinese central governments' lawful participation in the reincarnation traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in a truly responsible way, it is evident that "participation according to law and historical precedents" has been a consistent approach by the Chinese central governments. If, under the guise of human rights, one distorts or attacks the centuries-long legal and institutional facts of a country, they will not gain the understanding and respect of rational people who have good intentions for the world.

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Beware of AI-driven crimes

 

KUALA LUMPUR: When one speaks about Artificial Intelligence (AI), the first thing that comes to mind might be the T-800 terminator that was sent from the future to eliminate John Connor from the timeline in the 1984 movie The Terminator.

Since then, other movies and series have also depicted the potential use of AI in analysing human behaviour in a bid to predict and stop crimes from occurring.

The year is now 2023, however, and with the latest developments in technology, the threat of AI being used for more sinister reasons is already at our doorstep.

ALSO READ : Police gearing up to combat AI-based crime

Deepfakes, voice spoofing and financial market manipulation could all become the future of crime when syndicates start using AI in their operations.

Recently, a deepfake video of a Malaysian leader promoting a get-rich-quick scheme has been circulating on social media.

Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the video is a prime example of how AI could be misused.

“The promises made in that video are too good to be true, which means it is most definitely an investment scam and there is no way that a political leader would promote such a thing. It is absurd.

“While the video here is about gaining quick wealth, there are other aspects that can similarly be manipulated, especially in politics and social engineering.

ALSO READ : HK cops encounter fraud syndicate that used AI-generated images

“AI is already here and because of this, it is important not only for the police but also the public to be aware of the potential risks AI could pose in the near future.

“Today’s world has shown how AI is increasingly taking over tasks and roles previously done by humans.

“While some of us might know about the advancements in this field, others might still be unaware of the potential risks that follow the swift advancements made in AI,” he told The Star recently.

Comm Ramli said that based on current predictions, AI could be used by syndicates in their illicit activities against Malaysians by as early as the middle of 2024.

“Once this occurs, everything in the financial sector, every service that has gone online, could face the risk of being infiltrated.

“AI could be used in the creation of algorithms that are capable of hacking computer systems, while other algorithms could also be used to analyse data and manipulate results which gives it the potential to be used to influence or cripple financial markets,” he said.

He added that AI could also be used in advanced video and audio manipulation that can lead to potential identity theft and the creation of deepfake videos.

“In this scenario, the possibilities are limitless as crime syndicates could use deepfake images, videos or voices to dupe people and organisations.

“They could use such deepfakes in bogus kidnap-for-ransom cases, where they trick families into believing they have kidnapped a loved one, while some could even use it to create lewd or pornographic images of victims that could in turn be used to blackmail them,” he said.

He also added that through the creation of convincing false identities through photographs or videos, syndicates could even pose as a person to ask for money or even trick victims into thinking that one of their family members is in danger.

Comm Ramli explained that deepfakes could even be used in spreading propaganda and fake news which could lead to public anxiety.

“There are indicators that AI could be used to perpetrate economic crimes.

“AI scientists are also talking about quantum computing that will enable decryption, which in turn could render all binary encryption technology that is currently in place useless.

“We have been keeping up with the latest news on the use of AI in crime in the region and are aware of an instance in Hong Kong earlier this year where a syndicate allegedly used AI deepfake technology in the application of loans,” he said.

Media in Hong Kong reported on Aug 25 that police there uncovered a syndicate which used eight stolen identity cards to make 90 loan applications and 54 bank account registrations.

In what was considered the first case of its kind there, deepfake methods were used at least 20 times to imitate those pictured in the identity cards and trick facial recognition programmes.

Six people were arrested in connection with the case.

Comm Ramli said that while there have not been any reported commercial cases involving the direct use of AI so far, that does not mean that it will not become a problem in future.

“This is why the public needs to be prepared and be in the know of such things.

“The best weapons the public will have against AI are knowledge and awareness.

“If the public in general are aware of how AI can be used, they will be extra cautious and not be easily duped by syndicates employing such tactics,” he said.

It is important to note that conventional online scams such as love scams, parcel scams and Macau scams are committed by real-life people without the use of AI.

In such scams, a person is directly involved in posing as a law enforcement officer, courier service provider or even a potential lover either through phone call, email or via social media.

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