Asia News Wrap: Malaysia to enforce social media age limit, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

Malaysia will require age verification for social media

Malaysia will soon require all social media platforms to implement electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) identity verification to prevent users under 13 from creating accounts. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Wednesday that this move aims to protect children online and ensure that community guidelines set by platforms are properly enforced. 

"When I met representatives from social media platforms in September, I made it clear that Malaysia will make identity verification mandatory, especially to prevent children below 13 from having accounts. Many platforms have been misused by criminals for scams. As I mentioned in Parliament yesterday, 78 percent of all scam-related content taken down were on Facebook," the minister said. The Straits Times reported, "Beyond child protection, he said eKYC is also crucial to curb online scams and harmful content such as gambling and fake advertisements."

Manila schools suspend classes over hike in flu cases

In-person classes at public schools in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, were canceled on Monday and Tuesday because of a rise in influenza-like illnesses among students and staff. During the days, public schools were instructed to disinfect, sanitize and inspect their buildings and facilities. The department also directed the schools to prepare for earthquake drills and other emergency procedures, as well as to enforce health and safety protocols.

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, ejecting ash 10 km into the sky

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on Wednesday, ejecting volcanic ash 10 kilometers into the sky, according to the country's volcanology agency. This prompted authorities to raise the alert system to its highest level. Located in East Nusa Tenggara province, the volcano erupted at 1:35 a.m. and lasted about nine minutes, according to the country's Geological Agency. 

Dozens of residents living in villages near the volcano were evacuated after the eruption, according to the local disaster mitigation agency. The government also closed Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in the province.

Bangladesh garment factory fire kills 16

On Tuesday, at least 16 workers died in a garment factory fire in the Mirpur neighborhood of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The fire in started in a chemical storage area and then spread to a four-story garment factory building. It took three hours to extinguish the fire. "The victims could not escape because the roof door was locked," said fire service official Talha Bin Zasim. "Most of them died from inhaling toxic gas, rather than burns."

India allows less-polluting firecrackers in Delhi for Diwali

India's top court on Wednesday approved the use of firecrackers in New Delhi during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, relaxing a complete ban. The city often faces heavy air pollution in winter. 

The Supreme Court stated that the controlled use of the less-polluting "green firecrackers" – developed by research institutes to reduce particulate and gas emissions – would be permitted for a limited period from October 18 to 21. The court also allowed firecracker lighting only in designated areas from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Diwali. During Diwali, the widespread use of firecrackers worsens the already high pollution levels in Delhi.

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