by Uzi Eilam
At the entrance to the breakfast hall, the waitress informed Gideon and Dan that Mr. Fang Quan Lin was waiting for them at a table overlooking the garden. Quan Lin, a slim Chinese man with short black hair and glasses with dark brown frames, swiftly rose from his chair and shook Gideon’s hand warmly.
“Welcome to Singapore,” Quan Lin called out, still holding on to Gideon’s hand. “It’s been too long since we met here. Welcome, Dan. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You haven’t changed at all, Quan Lin. I’m guessing you’re still overloading yourself with more and more roles, and all this running around as you’re doing business keeps you in shape…” Gideon said.
The coffee, served in china cups, had a pleasant aroma, and Quan Lin urged Gideon and Dan to approach the buffet table and sample the breakfast delicacies offered by the Shangri La Hotel.
“So what’s on our itinerary?” Gideon began when they returned to the table with well-loaded plates. He’d remembered the purposeful efficiency of his Singaporean friend and had gotten straight to the matter at hand.
“We have two meetings this morning and one in the afternoon. General Rogel, who will join us after our second morning meeting, asked to host you for lunch.”
Gideon signaled to Dan that now was the time to speak up.
“I’m honored to meet you, Mr. Fang. I’ve heard a lot about you and your accomplishments. It’s good to know we have a friend like you in Singapore.”
“Please, call me Quan Lin. And you should know that I’ve also heard quite a bit about your accomplishments.”
“You might already be familiar with the IOT field. The smart running shoe developed by Adidas, which is already ‘on a run’ all through the world, is a good basic example. New Horizon, the company my father founded in California, has been privileged with being chosen to develop the algorithm that controls all of the smart shoe’s functions.”
“I still use regular running shoes, but my friends who are long-distance runners tell me those smart shoes are a marvel that protects their health and also makes running more pleasant,” Gideon said.
“This is intriguing, and I hope you elaborate on it in the meetings. It’s important that you know who the people you’re about to meet are. The CEO of Singapore’s largest security and civil technology company, ST Engineering, will be the first person you’ll meet. The second meeting will take place in the office of Professor Lim Chu Seng, president of Nanyang Technological University. He served in the Ministry of Defense’s technological workforce for many years before being appointed president of the university.”
“These are exceptional people,” Gideon told Dan. “Good choice, Quan Lin,” he praised his friend.
“In the afternoon,” Quan Lin continued, “you’ll meet Dr. Chang Mei, CEO of the national industry-wide holding company. The doctor, who is appropriately nicknamed ‘The Iron Lady,’ acquired plenty of experience and accomplishments in the years when she served in the Ministry of Defense’s technological workforce. Before today’s meetings, I’ll contact these three people and try to prepare them, but most of the work will be yours. You should think about presenting a broad perspective and emphasizing the areas of future development in IOT systems. Such technological challenges might appeal to them. The follow-up meetings that will take place in the next few days will be successful if the executives in today’s meetings form a positive impression, which will then filter down the ranks.”
Dan quickly outlined the three areas he and Gideon had discussed on the plane, but he could not decipher Quan Li’s cryptic expression.
“Does this mean that without a defense apparatus that would form an integral part of the IOT system, such systems aren’t viable? This seems like a critical piece of information to me. I assume it’ll be the subject of particular scrutiny,” Quan Lin assessed.
***
Quan Lin greeted David Rogel warmly when the three men arrived at the restaurant, reminding them that he would pick up Gideon and Dan in the afternoon for their meeting with Dr. Chang Mei, CEO of the national holding company. Gideon rose from his seat and accompanied Quan Lin on his way out.
“How did your morning meetings go?” Rogel inquired.
“We were very impressed with the manager of the national technology company,” Dan replied. “His division heads were very knowledgeable about communications and electronics topics, and I think they’re fluent in everything that’s been published about IOT in the mainstream media.”
“We in Israel have no reason to be ashamed of the knowledge we’ve accumulated, either. You, like many Intelligence Corps veterans, are a good example. But tell me, Dan, what’s your connection with Dr. Ben Ari? I admit I’ve heard his name, but I really don’t know that much about him…”
“Ahhh… I’ll only say a few sentences while Gideon and his friend Quan Lin are updating each other.”
“Tell me,” Rogel urged him. “It’s got to be something special, right?”
“It started based on the well-known French proverb cherchez la femme, or ‘seek the woman,’ in California. After I completed my service in the Israeli Army, I joined the company my father founded in Silicon Valley, where today I head the Technological Development Department. In Palo Alto, I happened to meet Noam Ben Ari, Gideon’s daughter, and quite quickly, we became a couple.”
“Was Gideon there too?”
“No, he’d already returned to Israel after concluding a period of research in Stanford University’s research institute. Today, he manages the consulting firm he founded. My father, Judah, and Gideon met in California and, with my father’s help, Gideon recruited me for a campaign against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which took place mainly in Paris. They were trying to purchase materials and components of strategic mass-destruction systems…”
“And Gideon, what part did he play in this operation?”
“Look, Rogel, you know the man is a legend,” Dan enthused. “Everyone knows he was a fighter in the paratroopers, an officer in a famous commando unit, and that he took part in a large number of missions for which he was commended. He’s a graduate of the Technion Institute of Technology’s electrical engineering program, specializing in systems analysis, and has a PhD from Stanford. Gideon was involved in defense-related research and development, and he remains a sought-after advisor for Israel’s defense agencies to this day. The nice thing about Gideon is his direct approach to people, and his ability to talk to everyone in a straightforward manner. Also, and this doesn’t go without saying these days, he’s a true Israeli patriot, as well as a dedicated volunteer.”
“Thanks, Dan. What you’ve told me has convinced me that I need to get to know Gideon, and that I have a lot to learn from him. But let’s see what’s on your and Gideon’s itinerary during your next meetings here.”
“Gideon emphasized the difficulty of traversing the barrier of the unknown with the Singaporeans.”
“Yes, that’s very true,” Rogel replied. “In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve learned that the trait characterizing the young people who excel at their studies in Singapore is the urge to read, reread, and memorize an immense amount of information. That’s how they distinguish themselves and manage to advance and gain prestige.”
“But in many cases,” Rogel continued, “when they find themselves facing a difficult decision, they retreat to the safe zone of acquiring knowledge, and thus put off making an actual decision. However, industry leaders have already realized that memorizing a variety of data and information isn’t enough. The crux of the matter is focusing on the way this information is utilized. But there’s another topic that relates to the field of IOT that I wanted to bring up, and it has a lot to do with Israel.”
“What is it?” Dan asked.
“The threat of a cyber attack on the container control apparatus at the port,” Rogel replied. “The indications that this was indeed a cyber attack were not entirely c
lear, but I believe it could be a stage in constructing the infrastructure for such an attack. This type of threat isn’t unique to Southeast Asia or to Singapore. What’s developing here could quickly manifest in Israel’s port system as well as the country’s vital systems. Israel, too, will need to install a defense array against the smuggling of weapons and other hazards through the use of cyber means.”
“And what are the Singaporeans doing about it?” asked Gideon, who had joined the conversation.
“General Tan believes that establishing a defense system against cyber attacks is a task necessitating external consultation and assistance. He’s considering requesting authorization from state elements to obtain such assistance. Tan heard that you were on your way here, and if you agree, we’ll coordinate a meeting with him.
“The senior executives you met today,” Rogel explained, “are part of the Chinese elite that forms the leadership of Singapore. They are interconnected through the network of Chinese cultural heritage, through their shared past in various academic frameworks and, often, through serving in the Ministry of Defense. You can rest assured that, by the end of the day, the three people you met with will be updating one another and will be aware of everything you’ve said during the meetings. And speaking of the end of the day, I wanted to tell you that you’re invited to a reception and dinner at the Esplanade-Theaters on the Bay center.”
“What are we celebrating?” Gideon inquired.
“This is an important event in Singapore’s relations with Israel,” Rogel replied. “It’s a reception the embassy is holding in honor of the top executives of an Israeli bank opening its first branch here. After the cocktails and the meet and greet, there’s going to be a formal dinner incorporating a virtual who’s who of Singaporean society. Don’t be surprised if you meet the executives you saw today this evening as well.”
“What is this Esplanade?” Dan asked.
“It’s a music and theater center housed in an architecturally unique structure. Its roof is an elongated dome comprised of triangular glass elements designed to open and close, as well as change direction based on the angle of the sun. Because it resembles a durian fruit, the music and theater center has been nicknamed The Big Durian after this local fruit. Our friend Fang Quan Lin was the one who established this project,” Gideon replied.
***
Gideon and Dan accepted Quan Lin’s recommendation and came early to the Esplanade Theater in order to tour the structure and the myriad options the center presented to attendees. The center was lively and bustling as, like many locations in Singapore, it was also an expansive shopping center. In the lobby leading into the modern concert hall, with its exceptional acoustics, stood round tables, each seating eight diners. Young servers dressed in white mingled with the guests, serving drinks and appetizers. Quan Lin stood beside Gideon and Dan, introducing them to so many people that they could not possibly retain all their names. Dan was surprised by the large number of Gideon’s acquaintances, who greeted him warmly and reminisced with him. The executives from Leumi Bank and the Israeli ambassador were busy shaking hands and conducting brief small talk.
At precisely eight o’clock that evening, as planned, the attendees sat down to eat. Gideon found himself sharing a table with the Israeli president of Leumi Bank, the head of Singapore’s central bank, MAS, and the CEO of ST engineering, whom he had already met that morning. The man generously praised Dan’s fascinating presentation at the meeting. The conversation at the table flowed freely, focusing on the increasingly close relations between Singapore and Israel.
Next to Gideon sat a pretty young woman with green eyes, a lightly freckled face, and dark hair, which was pulled back. At first, the woman kept her silence, and it was only after the Singaporean bank manager introduced the tablemates to each other that Gideon realized his neighbor was Ronit Hart, an Israeli with a senior position at Singapore’s central bank.
“How did you come to be here, Ms. Hart?” Gideon whispered. “The Singaporeans are picky about letting foreigners join their companies. Ending up with a job at the bank, and a senior one at that, is a real achievement.”
“I started to study business administration at INSEAD business school in France, and completed my degree at their extension in Singapore. The headhunters for Singapore’s central bank contacted me, and I’ve been at the bank for over a year now.”
Ronit quickly looked Gideon up on her cell phone. Among other things, she uncovered his connection to Dan and to the New Horizon company. She was a jogger, so the company’s name was familiar to her primarily due to its collaboration with Adidas. Ronit understood that, in the course of the evening, she was expected to forge a connection between her manager and the manager of the Israeli Leumi Bank. She realized she had not been seated at this table by chance, and that she was expected to enhance the Israeli-Singaporean connection.
The dinner ended and, before they parted ways, Gideon handed out his business card to everyone seated at the table. He did not forget the custom of holding the card with both hands and presenting it with a bowed head, reminding himself to update Dan regarding this detail of Chinese culture.
Chapter 4
The bureau of General Anwar Razek, head of the Royal Intelligence Corps, the Malaysian intelligence service, was on the twentieth and uppermost floor of the Ministry of Defense’s modern-looking building. The stretch of government facilities on Jalan Padang Tembak Street, in the heart of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, was surrounded by security fences. A meticulous inspection of anyone entering was intended to thwart terror attacks. As the building was being designed, Razek had firmly insisted that the top story be allocated to the intelligence agency. His reasoning was based on the variety of communication antennas on the building’s roof, which needed to be linked directly to the agency’s professional units. Intelligence personnel, however, claimed that the general was unwilling to have anyone situated above him.
Razek welcomed the Iranian visitors, Ambassador Ja’afari and Dr. Fakari, an officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who had joined the embassy some time ago. Razek’s deputy and four more officers were seated, upright and silent, around the artistically handcrafted and carved mahogany table. Two beautiful young women, wearing colorful dresses in traditional Malaysian style, quickly walked Ja’afari and Fakari to their seats at the head of the table, next to General Razek. They poured tea for the visitors in delicate china cups, served alongside bowls containing various sweets. Once again, Ja’afari admired the head of the Royal Intelligence Corps’ extravagant style. He knew that a significant part of this grandeur was funded by “donations” that Iran bestowed on Razek every month.
General Razek was dark skinned and tall, his physique clearly displaying the many hours he regularly spent at the gym. Razek had cultivated a slim, well-tended black mustache. He directed a piercing gaze at the two young women, who hurried to leave the room.
“My friend, Ambassador Ja’afari,” Razek began. “This meeting has been called specifically per your request, and I’d be happy to hear what’s new in the field that we all share and what your assessment of the situation is. I’ll also ask my deputy to update you on the guidance and assistance you requested we provide the Hezbollah and Hamas organizations here in Malaysia.”
“Thank you, General Razek,” Ja’afari replied. “With your permission, my assistant, Dr. Fakari, will sum up our expectations and desired goals in the fields of communication and technology. We have authorization from the Supreme Leader of the Republic to increase our efforts to carry out attacks in Singapore. This includes targets associated with the United States, the Great Satan, as well as the Zionist entity in Singapore.”
“Our leadership greatly appreciates the willingness of our ally Malaysia to assist us in carrying out attacks in this area in the future,” he continued. “We have no intention of cooperating with organizations affiliated with Al Qaeda, which have carried out impressive attacks on the
island of Bali in Indonesia. We have not forgotten that those same organizations failed miserably in their attempts to carry out an attack in Singapore with seven trucks loaded with explosives. We know Singapore has learned the lessons of this attack, and we now require a new strategy to deal with the means Singapore is employing to protect itself. Dr. Fakari, you may start.”
“As General Ja’afari mentioned, we’re expanding our attack strategy in Singapore in regard to the United States and Israel,” Fakari began. ”As part of our preparation for this series of attacks, we’ve learned a lot about Singapore, but our knowledge is still incomplete. We’re sure you have plenty of more up-to-date information about your neighbor, and we would like to receive it from your people. We need to know a lot more about land access to Singapore.”
“That’s a direction we have considered,” Razek’s deputy dared to venture. “But weren’t you thinking of bringing up another way? By air, rather than by land?”
“We were actually thinking of going by sea.” Fakari said.
“You mean boats with explosives concealed in merchant ships? That’s nothing new. Such attempts have already taken place in the Middle East,” the deputy pointed out.
“No, sir,” Fakari quickly explained. “We’re talking about shipping containers and, specifically, Singapore’s largest container terminal. We can infiltrate the heart of the container routing system and shut down the terminal for a long time. The economic significance of a successful attack is clear. The question is how to do it. I suggest using cyber techniques to carry out attacks on the container terminal. I’m referring to smuggling merchandise and people. Currently, there is no capability to physically inspect all of the containers using advanced sensor systems, and that’s a loophole we can utilize.” At this point, Fakari paused, turning to look at the representative from Malaysia’s intelligence service specializing in communication and computers.