Deep Dive

Are educators, fresh graduates and employers aligned on AI?

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000

From 2027, all tertiary and ITE students will be taught AI skills relevant to their courses. But AI is already transforming classrooms and workplaces today, even as educators and employers scramble to keep pace. How can today's graduates stand out and prove they're AI-ready? Steven Chia speaks with Nanyang Technological University lecturer Ian Tan and university student Susan Khoo to discuss the gaps, expectations and opportunities in the AI era.

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Singlish is thriving, but it's also changing. What does that mean for Singaporean identity?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000

A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies found a growing acceptance of Singlish among Singaporeans, with many viewing it as an important part of national identity that is worth preserving. But like any living language, Singlish is constantly evolving, shaped by new generations and changing ways of speaking. Does this signal a shift in what it means to be Singaporean? Steven Chia speaks with associate professor Tan Ying Ying from Nanyang Technological University and Dr Melvin Tay from the Institute of Policy Studies about how Singlish has changed over the years, and why change may not be something to fear.

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Flash sales and countdown timers keep you buying - can we outsmart these tactics?

Wed, 27 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Three online retailers were recently flagged for using misleading marketing tactics known as “dark patterns” such as fake countdown timers or low-stock alerts designed to create a sense of urgency among shoppers. But when these nudges cross the line to become unethical or even fraudulent, how do we maintain a safe shopping environment? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Professor Sharon Ng from the Nanyang Business School and Liew Sai Ming from Behavioural Insights Team to discuss the psychology behind shopping habits and the challenges in outmaneuvering these rapidly evolving marketing tactics.

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Why some Singaporeans are saying no to having children

Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore's falling fertility rate is now framed as a national problem to solve. But for a growing number of couples, having children simply isn’t part of their plans. How have our attitudes towards parenthood changed and what does the rise of the "dual income, no kids" or DINK lifestyle say about the country's future? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Alisa Chopard, a 39-year-old who has chosen not to have children, and 31-year-old Alicia Lim, who hopes to start a family soon, to unpack the pressures surrounding couples in Singapore today.

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Singapore's 'red line' on Strait of Hormuz is about survival and sovereignty: Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Wed, 13 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

As the conflict in the Middle East drags on, Singapore along with the rest of the world, is feeling the strain: rising oil prices, disrupted supply chains and deepening uncertainty. Singapore has long prided itself on being principled, following the rules of the global order. But in a changing new world, how long can a small nation hold that line? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim on why this issue poses an existential challenge for a maritime nation like Singapore and what’s being done to keep our waters open and running smoothly.

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AI companions and chatbots: Friend or foe?

Wed, 06 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Relationships are being redefined with AI chatbots on the rise. These digital companions are always available, always agreeable - but at what cost? And with the younger generation growing up as AI natives, how will this affect their ability to communicate and form relationships with another human? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Swapna Verma from the Institute of Mental Health and Associate Professor Jennifer Ang from the Singapore University of Social Sciences to unpack the pros and cons of forming close connections with our AI companions.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below.

Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at hello [at] youthline.sg (hello[at]youthline[dot]sg). Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services.

Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at pat [at] sos.org.sg (pat[at]sos[dot]org[dot]sg). Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the http://mindline.sg/fsmh website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are younger workers leaving stable careers just a few years in?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Employees in Singapore are prioritising work-life balance over pay and benefits, and younger workers are switching careers fast. With attitudes toward work shifting, how can companies and workers close the expectation gap? In a post-COVID world shaped by AI, the challenge is clear: how do we maximise talent, find meaningful jobs while staying competitive? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with recruiter Lee Shulin from Aslant Legal and Edwin Tan from the Institute for Adult Learning to explore why expecting a 1990s-era commitment from workers is no longer possible.

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The good and the bad of online reviews - and how to read them

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0000

A restaurant recently faced a barrage of negative reviews which affected its Google rating. It sparked a conversation on how we leave and read online reviews. Are we too quick to criticise from behind our screens? And as consumers, are we able to tell the difference between thoughtful feedback and unfair criticisms? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Dr Elmie Nekmat from the National University of Singapore and online food reviewer Leong Yong Xin aka @foodbaby.sg, to unpack what it means to give and recognise an authentic review in a noisy digital space.

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War on Iran: The hidden costs for Singapore - and best/worst case scenarios

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:41:53 +0000

Countries are feeling the ripple effects of the Middle East conflict, some bearing the brunt more than others. Are rising food and fuel prices only the tip of the iceberg? What is the hidden fallout we should be watching out for? Is there a silver lining for Singapore in this crisis? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Denise Cheok from Moody’s Analytics to find out what will happen if the conflict drags on.

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Impact of some businesses moving out of Singapore - and what it means for jobs

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Homegrown companies like Yeo's and Tiger Beer maker Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore are shifting their operations to neighbouring countries and some jobs will be cut as part of the move. What does this signal about Singapore’s competitiveness in the region and what other jobs do we want to create? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Karen Teo, country manager for recruitment firm Quess Singapore and Professor Sumit Agarwal from National University of Singapore to examine which jobs will be hit the hardest when companies move overseas.

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Beverage container return scheme: Will 10 cents change how we recycle?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

With Singapore's beverage container return scheme (BCRS) now underway, the next few months will test how well consumers, retailers and producers adapt to the new refundable deposit system. Will a 10-cent refund be enough to change recycling habits, or will convenience and confusion get in the way? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Stephanie Yip, chief executive officer of scheme operator BCRS Ltd, and Lionel Dorai, executive director of ZeroWaste SG, to unpack the mechanics of the scheme and how it could foster a broader culture of waste awareness.

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Singapore's restaurant closures: Why is it closing time for some in the F&B scene?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Running a business in Singapore is no easy feat, especially in the fiercely competitive F&B scene. For every outlet that closes, another quickly steps in. But does this constant churn signal a thriving industry or does it point to a growing challenge for local entrepreneurs competing against well-funded foreign players? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia speaks with co-founder of The Black Hole Group Mustaffa Kamal and restaurant industry watcher Debbie Yong to unpack what it really takes for F&B establishments to stay relevant and profitable in one of the toughest dining landscapes around.

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Raise kids who can use AI, not rely on it: Janil Puthucheary

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000

AI is already transforming the classroom by reshaping the way students learn and teachers teach. But as AI becomes more powerful, how do we protect space for original thought and creative thinking? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary to unpack AI's role in the classroom, and how the recent merger of SkillsFuture and Workforce Singapore will better align training with future job needs.

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Singapore's fuel stockpile for electricity 'enough to last for months' in a crisis: Tan See Leng

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:16:28 +0000

The war in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, leaving nations scrambling to secure their oil and gas reserves. For Singapore - which generates 95% of its electricity using imported natural gas - the timing couldn't be more critical. In the race to become an AI hub, our power demands are skyrocketing. How do we keep the lights on and feed our AI ambitions without derailing our 2050 net-zero emission goals? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Dr Tan See Leng, to find out if Singapore has what it takes to power through.

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Crow shooting and wildlife control: How can we co-exist better?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Crow shooting is set to resume after an increasing number of reported crow attacks, highlighting the ongoing tension between humans and wildlife. If Singapore wants to be a City in Nature, what needs to change so that people and animals can co-exist peacefully? Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia unpack the issue with Soh Ze Bin from the National Parks Board and Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan from ACRES in this week’s Deep Dive podcast.

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War on Iran: Trump's goals and what's at stake

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:31:14 +0000

The joint attack against Iran by the United States and Israel has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the rest of the world. Why did they decide on military action and how is Iran going to respond? How could the war impact the global economy? Tiffany Ang speaks with Dr Jean-Loup Samaan from the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore and Eddy Loh from Maybank on what US President Donald Trump hopes to achieve and the ripple effect on fuel and shipping prices.

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Supermarket plastic bag charge: Why public trust matters in Singapore's sustainability push

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Where does your five-cent plastic bag charge actually go? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack Singapore's supermarket carrier bag fee after reports that some retailers used the proceeds for business operations. Cheang Kok Chung from the Singapore Environment Council and Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School join this week’s Deep Dive podcast to talk about what "green" spending should look like and how transparency shapes public trust in Singapore's green efforts.

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Budget 2026: ‘We are all at the starting line’ – Minister Jeffrey Siow on Singapore’s AI journey

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

This year’s Budget placed a strong emphasis on jobs and AI, with the government identifying key sectors to propel the economy forward. But can workers keep pace with the shifting dynamics? In this week’s Deep Dive, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow sits down with Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang to discuss preparing Singaporeans for AI and what lies ahead.

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Budget 2026: The big push for AI and jobs in a changing world

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:21:22 +0000

Jobs and AI took centre stage in this year’s Budget, with the government committing significant resources to ensure no Singaporean is left behind. What are the concrete steps to propel Singapore forward and can they help build a truly “we first” society? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to unpack the plans and implications of Budget 2026.

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Budget 2026 wish-list: Job opportunities for fresh graduates and AI for everyone

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will deliver his speech for Budget 2026 on Feb 12, addressing key concerns from cost of living to remaining competitive in a tough labour market. In this week's Deep Dive episode, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with final-year undergraduate Shaza Daliela Rahmat and business owner Beatrice Liu to discuss their hopes for this year’s Budget.

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Living next door to conflict: Finding a way out of neighbour disputes

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Living in a high-density society like Singapore makes friction with neighbours almost unavoidable. But with more than 90,000 noise complaints reported in the past three years, it raises the question: Are we becoming bad neighbours or are we less tolerant now? What can we do when misunderstandings and inconveniences turn into disputes that require mediation or legal action? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with mediator and senior lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences Melvin Loh and research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Nicholas Thomas.

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Will the Workers’ Party take up PM Wong's offer to name new Leader of the Opposition?

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:20:16 +0000

Following Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh’s removal as the Leader of the Opposition, the nation now waits to see whether a new nominee will step into the role. In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and independent political observer Dr Felix Tan to unpack whether the role of Leader of Opposition is necessary in Singapore and what lies ahead for the Workers’ Party.

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Why aren't more Singaporeans using their SkillsFuture credit?

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Lack of time, too many courses to choose from and a difficult to navigate website – these are some of the reasons why Singaporeans are not using up their SkillsFuture credits to upskill. But with lifelong learning now a national push to keep workers relevant and employable, is there a “right” or “wrong” way to use our SkillsFuture credits? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack this with Associate Professor Victor Seah from Singapore University of Social Sciences and career development specialist Dr Yvonne Kong-Ho.

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US seizure of Venezuela's president: What it means for smaller countries like Singapore

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:41:48 +0000

US military strikes on Venezuela and the dramatic seizure of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have sparked international outrage and discussions about a new global order. Where does this leave countries like Singapore? In this Deep Dive episode, Tiffany Ang speaks with Professor Joseph Liow of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Kevin Chen from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies to examine the broader geopolitical stakes.

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Best of: Students using AI - cheating or smarter learning?

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) accused three students of academic fraud this year, saying that they used generative AI tools in their assignments. What are the limitations around AI use, when does it cross the line and is it time to rethink the way assignments are designed and assessed? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Associate Professor Ben Leong, director of the AI Centre for Educational Technologies at NUS, and Jeremy Soo, co-founder of Nex AI.

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Best of: Silent expectations and fatal outcomes - the suicide risk men face

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore reported 314 suicides in 2024, with the sharpest increase among adults aged 30 to 39. Nearly two-thirds were men. What pressures do these groups face? And what are the warning signs? Otelli Edwards and Steven Chia speak with Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and the former chief of emergency and crisis care at the Institute of Mental Health, and Eugene Chong, counselling psychologist at Seeding Minds.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below.

Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at hello [at] youthline.sg (hello[at]youthline[dot]sg). Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services.

Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at pat [at] sos.org.sg (pat[at]sos[dot]org[dot]sg). Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the http://mindline.sg/fsmh website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best of: Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point?

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased by 57 per cent. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work?
Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Ethan Hsu, head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, and Terence Yow, managing director of Enviably Me Group of Companies and chairperson of the SG Tenants United for Fairness.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best of: More elderly Singaporeans are living alone – should we be concerned?

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The number of elderly Singaporeans living alone has doubled in the past decade. With Singapore on the cusp of becoming a “super-aged” society, the numbers will only climb further. While support systems exist, are they enough when an elderly person needs urgent medical help or even just someone to talk to? Steven Chia speaks with Karen Wee, executive director of Lions Befrienders, and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

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New Lions head coach Gavin Lee lays out national football plan

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 04:19:50 +0000

After Singapore beat Hong Kong to qualify for the Asian Cup, interim head coach Gavin Lee was handed the top job, with a mammoth task – to turn Singapore football around. He reveals how he's staking his 18-month contract on a bold strategy to strengthen the Lions. Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak to him about how he measures success on the football field and how challenging better national teams is part of the big plan.

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Should Singapore introduce penalties for companies that mishandle layoffs?

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0000

When local bakery chain Twelve Cupcakes abruptly announced that they were closing and going into liquidation, about 80 employees were suddenly left jobless. Can more be done to strengthen Singapore’s employment laws without hurting our competitive edge? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Patrick Tay, assistant secretary-general of NTUC and Amarjit Kaur, head of employment at Withers KhattarWong on tightening safeguards when companies fail their employees.

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Primary 1 registration: Can we stop parents from gaming the system?

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0000

A mother was recently sentenced to jail for faking her home address to get her child into a primary school, raising the question - just how far will parents go to secure a spot in their school of choice and how can we tighten the process? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack the pressures some parents face with Primary 1 registration with Junda Ong, founder of SG Schooling and Assistant Professor Jacqueline Ho from Singapore Management University.

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With new 2035 targets, can Singapore farm its way to improved food security?

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore has revised its ambitious "30 by 30" goal, now aiming to produce 20 per cent of its fibre needs and 30 per cent of its protein requirements by 2035. But with high costs, limited land and a small farming base, how realistic are these farming targets? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack what it’ll take to build a resilient food supply chain and get Singaporeans to buy local with Professor Paul Teng from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Ray Poh from Artisan Green.

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Do parents hold the key to their kids being comfortable with mother tongue languages?

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0000

With English dominating daily life in Singapore, some parents say they lack the confidence or motivation to speak and teach their mother tongue at home. So how can we help children appreciate and learn their mother tongue languages — and can we see them as more than just another school subject? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Dr Tan Ee Ling, owner of Shiawase Books and Hayati Abdullah from NUSA Malay Language Tuition and Enrichment Centre on this week’s episode of Deep Dive.

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Megan Khung’s fatal abuse case: How can we better protect vulnerable children?

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0000

An independent review panel into the death of 4-year-old Megan Khung revealed multiple lapses and shortcomings across agencies. The findings cited a “lack of clear understanding and communication” among officers, child protection specialists and social workers. What must change to strengthen the child protection sector? How can society as a whole prevent another tragedy like Megan’s? Steven Chia sits down with Cindy Ng-Tay, director of Melrose Home at Children’s Aid Society and Dr Hana Alhadad, adviser at EveryChild.sg.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, contact the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800-777-0000 or report it online.

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Teaching is planning, grading, caring and everything in between

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0000

A recent survey showed that teachers in Singapore work longer hours and grapple with more stress than their global peers. Besides teaching, they also plan learning journeys and school events, break up arguments and counsel students, and sometimes field after-hours messages from parents. Steven Chia speaks to former teacher Heidi Tan and Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education to find out what can be done to ease our educators' workloads.

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More isn’t necessarily better when it comes to private health insurance: Ong Ye Kung

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Insurance riders that cover nearly all private hospital bills have created a situation where patients go for tests they may not need, insurers lose money and premiums spiral upward. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung tells Steven Chia how the government is looking into setting benchmarks for private hospital charges - similar to what has been done for surgeon fees.

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Are central kitchens the future of school meals?

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Thirteen primary and secondary schools will adopt a central kitchen model from January 2026, in a move aimed at addressing a shortage of canteen stall operators. What does this mean for students? And what parts of the traditional recess experience might get left behind? Steven Chia speaks to school canteen stall owner Rayner Tan and Ben Airey of Victus Catering.

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Why MRT disruptions feel extra frustrating and what can a new task force do?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0000

In just the last few months, Singapore has seen at least 15 disruptions to the rail network. At the same time, rail reliability according to a key measure is at its lowest point since 2020. Is it time for the authorities to rethink the way they measure our network's reliability and find new connectivity solutions when the when train services are down? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia speaks with transport economist Walter Theseira and Tin Pei Ling, chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, on what needs to be done to get our trains back on track.

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Are incels a growing concern for Singapore?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 23:00:00 +0000

A 14-year-old student was recently issued a restriction order after being self-radicalised by a “salad bar” of extremist ideologies. The boy also identified as an incel, short for "involuntary celibate" - a subculture of mostly men who believe that they are unable to find a romantic partner. How did the incel culture take root and what conversations should we have with youths before they turn to extremist ideologies? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards discuss with Yasmine Wong, associate research fellow at the Centre of Excellence for National Security at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Devendra Bisaria, counsellor from Incontact Counselling.

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Is there a space and noise solution for the pickleball boom?

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Pickleball is catching on fast in Singapore, but complaints over noise and space are growing just as quickly. In land-scarce Singapore, how much room is there for a new sport? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Ganesh Ramalingam, founder of the Pickleball Social Crew and Assistant Professor Tan Shin Bin from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

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Licensing live shows and navigating comedy in Singapore

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 23:00:00 +0000

US comedian Sammy Obeid says his show in Singapore was cancelled because of censorship. Authorities say it was because of a late licence application. How does arts entertainment licensing really work, especially for unscripted formats like stand-up comedy? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with local veteran entertainer Kumar and Heazry Salim, co-founder of The Comedy Club Asia, about the rules, the risks and how much freedom performers actually have on stage.

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How to have real conversations with young people about vaping

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 23:00:00 +0000

With authorities cracking down on vaping and drug-laced Kpods, parents are struggling to have conversations with children who may think that vaping is not a big deal. How can families navigate this when young people are coping with message fatigue and peer pressure? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards get insights from Cherie Tseng, a mother of three, and Alvin Seng, a counsellor from We Care.

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How to parent when screens are everywhere?

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called on parents to be more mindful about their children's screen use and online behaviour. But with no clear playbook for parents on how to raise kids to thrive in an age of AI, how can the government and society step in to help? Steven Chia speaks with Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and mother-of-two Jane Foo.

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What does BlueSG’s pause mean for car-sharing in Singapore?

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0000

BlueSG’s abrupt decision to suspend its car-sharing service has surprised both customers and industry experts. What does this mean for Singapore’s car-lite ambitions? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with GetGo co-founder Toh Ting Feng and Dr Samuel Chng from the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

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What will it take to revitalise Singapore's nightlife?

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0000

With extended liquor hours and plans to allow new nightlife venues, authorities are trying to inject more life into the city’s after-dark scene around the Boat Quay, Upper Circular Road and Clarke Quay areas. But with rising costs and customers who want experiences and not just alcoholic drinks on their nights out, will these initiatives be enough to bring back the crowds? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Danny Loong, president of the Singapore Nightlife Business Association, and Mogan Vithilingam, co-founder of the Singapore Pub Crawl.

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AI and terrorism: What safeguards should be in place to stop self-radicalised youths?

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0000

A recent Internal Security Department report warns of an increasing risk in extremist ideologies in Singapore, with AI now as a powerful enabler. How is AI changing the radicalisation process and what can be done to combat this? Steven Chia sits down with Kenneth Yeo from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Associate Professor Razwana Begum from the Singapore University of Social Sciences to unpack this troubling issue.

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As scammers adapt and evolve, how can technology keep up?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Singaporeans lost a record S$1.1 billion to scams in 2024 - with a majority of victims under the age of 50. As scammers get smarter and more sophisticated, can technology keep up or will it always be one step behind? In this week’s Deep Dive, Li Hongyi and Hygin Prasad Fernandez from Open Government Products talk to Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards about whether it’s possible at all to outsmart scammers.

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Will going underground and climate change cause more sinkholes?

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 02:45:18 +0000

When footage of a woman and her car plunging into a sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road went viral, it raised questions on whether Singapore is susceptible to more sinkholes. With underground construction expanding and climate change reshaping our environment, what are engineers doing to keep our ground stable? Otelli Edwards speaks to David Ng at the Institution of Engineers Singapore and Dr Stephen Chua from the Earth Observatory of Singapore at NTU.

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Silent expectations and fatal outcomes: The suicide risk men face

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0000

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below.

Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at hello@youthline.sg. Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services.

Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at pat@sos.org.sg. Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More elderly Singaporeans are living alone – should we be concerned?

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0000

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Certis sick leave policy raises tough questions on employer-employee trust

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Certis came under scrutiny recently for a controversial policy requiring officers on medical leave to share their “live” location if they were not at home. While the company has since rolled back the mandate, the debate over workplace sick leave policies continues. How far should companies go to prevent abuse of the system and where does trust fit in? Steven Chia speaks with Hao Shuo, CEO of the Singapore National Employers Federation, and Alvin Goh, CEO of Singapore Human Resources Institute.

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Students using AI: Cheating or smarter learning?

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) recently accused three students of academic fraud, saying that they used generative AI tools in their assignments. What are the limitations around AI use, when does it cross the line and is it time to rethink the way assignments are designed and assessed? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Associate Professor Ben Leong, director of the AI Centre for Educational Technologies at NUS, and Jeremy Soo, co-founder of Nex AI.

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Great Eastern suspends Mount Elizabeth pre-authorisation - time to relook how health insurance is managed?

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 23:00:00 +0000

When insurer Great Eastern suspended pre-authorisation for admission to Mount Elizabeth hospitals, it raised questions about the way health insurance is managed in Singapore. With increased medical bills and insurance premiums, who is paying for what and where are the gaps? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with Associate Professor Jeremy Lim of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Dr Yoong Siew Lee, a health services consultant.

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Jetstar Asia closure: Are the days of cheap fares over?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Jetstar Asia will cease operations on Jul 31, a move unsurprising to experts because the low-cost carrier was struggling to turn a profit in a tough aviation market. Otelli Edwards speaks to Shukor Yusof from aviation consultancy Endau Analytics and Dr Nitin Pangarkar from NUS Business School to find out what the future holds.

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Is Singapore's electric vehicle infrastructure catching up with demand?

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Electric vehicle sales hit a new high in the first three months of 2025, accounting for 40 per cent of total car registrations. Yet concerns about charging networks and capacity remain.

Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with transport economist Walter Theseira and Stephanie Tan, CEO of EV-Electric Charging.

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Calling 995? You may be rerouted to the NurseFirst helpline instead – here’s how it works

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Non-life-threatening 995 calls will be directed to NurseFirst, a triage helpline, under a six-month nationwide trial aimed at easing the burden on emergency services. How exactly does it work, and will the public adapt?

Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards find out from Col Dr David Pflug, chief medical officer of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Dr Jade Kua, clinical lead for the NurseFirst helpline and senior consultant at the emergency medicine department in Woodlands Health.

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Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point?

Thu, 29 May 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap recently announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased by 57 per cent. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work?

Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Ethan Hsu, head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, and Terence Yow, managing director of Enviably Me Group of Companies and chairperson of the SG Tenants United for Fairness.

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Cabinet reshuffle: No big surprises but key moves to align the ministries under PM Wong’s 4G team

Thu, 22 May 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his Cabinet and one surprise was the lack of a second deputy prime minister. Instead, the new Cabinet includes three coordinating ministers. What does that signal? And will there be more changes to come? Steven Chia speaks to independent political observer Dr Felix Tan and Dr Elvin Ong of the National University of Singapore.

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GE2025: Are independent candidates a new force to be reckoned with?

Thu, 15 May 2025 23:00:00 +0000

For the first time in 53 years, an independent candidate received more than 35 per cent of vote share, performing better than some smaller opposition parties. Jeremy Tan, who ran in Mountbatten SMC, and Darryl Lo who contested in Radin Mas SMC, join Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards to talk about lessons learnt from their campaigning and their future after GE2025.

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GE2025 results: A closer look at the strong PAP mandate and the opposition strategy

Tue, 06 May 2025 05:37:48 +0000

Voters gave the People's Action Party and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate in GE2025. What accounted for the result and why couldn't the opposition parties make good on gains from the last election? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

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WP's Jasper Kuan on the 3-hour chat with former chief Low Thia Khiang that convinced him to run for GE2025

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

East Coast GRC candidate for the Workers’ Party Jasper Kuan admits this may not be the right “season” for him to jump into politics because of his three young children. But he tells Steven Chia how a three-hour conversation with Low Thia Khiang changed his mind and why as a former Gifted Education Programme teacher, he believes the education system needs structural changes.

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GE2025: PAP’s Elysa Chen on being 'kicked into politics' and overcoming imposter syndrome

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Politics was never part of Elysa Chen’s plan, who used to think of the PAP as “paternalistic” and “out of touch”. But one tea session with the PAP led to another, and now, the party’s new face is standing in GE2025. She tells Steven Chia on the Deep Dive podcast why contesting in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC feels like a “homecoming”.

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GE2025: PSP's Stephanie Tan on making the leap from homemaker to political candidate

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

After years of being a lawyer, Stephanie Tan became a stay-at-home mum to care for her two daughters. She has used her experience in law to help the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) with their parliamentary work over the last two years.

Now a first-time candidate contesting Pioneer SMC, Stephanie tells Otelli Edwards how party chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock inspired her to join politics and how being a parent helps her connect better with residents.

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GE2025: PAP's Jasmin Lau on saying 'yes' to politics but staying true to herself

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

PAP new face Jasmin Lau, who is contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, went from government scholar to rising up the ranks in the civil service. She tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Dive podcast how she copes with self-doubt and why she said yes to entering politics.

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GE2025: WP's Ong Lue Ping on stepping down from senior leadership at work to join the opposition

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

When he decided to be actively involved as a Workers’ Party candidate, Dr Ong Lue Ping, a senior principal child psychologist, decided to move out of a director position at the Institute of Mental Health. The WP candidate for Tampines GRC tells Steven Chia why staying could present a conflict of interest and what prompted him to join the opposition party.

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GE2025: PAP's Dinesh Vasu Dash on how a pivotal turning point in his career led him to politics

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

He took a significant pay cut and declined a private sector job to join the Health Ministry to fight the pandemic. Now Dinesh Vasu Dash is running on the PAP ticket as the new face contesting in East Coast GRC in what he describes as a journey with "too many points of twists and turns". He tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Dive podcast what he has learnt from working with seniors and lessons on raising resilient children.

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GE2025: Breaking down Nomination Day and its surprises

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:54:20 +0000

A last minute move to a brand new GRC, a rare walkover and a four-cornered fight. Steven Chia speaks to SMU Law professor Eugene Tan and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to get some perspective on the state of play of GE2025.

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The dangers of victim-blaming in sexual assault cases

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The former vice-president of the Law Society Chia Boon Teck resigned after he was heavily criticised for his comments about a rape victim.

Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Mark Yeo, director at Fortress Law Corporation and Sugidha Nithiananthan, director of advocacy and research at AWARE, about the dangers of victim-blaming.

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How will Trump’s tariffs affect jobs, wages and prices in Singapore?

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The sweeping Trump tariffs are a signal that a new world order is taking shape and one that may affect wages and jobs in Singapore. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing tells Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards what the government plans to do and why he doesn't lose sleep over things he cannot control.

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Tackling inequality is not just down to more government aid: Masagos Zulkifli

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

There are still families stuck in an intergenerational cycle of poverty and while the government can provide essential safety nets, real sustained change can only happen when society pitches in too, says Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. Mr Masagos and senior social worker at Care Corner, Flora Tan, join Crispina Robert for a discussion on tackling poverty in Singapore.

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Singapore's hawker culture can thrive but we need to embrace that it is evolving, says Grace Fu

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

With S$1 billion set aside for upgrades and new hawker centres over the coming decades, the Singapore government is tackling issues ranging from infrastructure and hygiene to keep the trade alive. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu tells Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why she's optimistic.

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Changes to JC admission not meant to increase competition or stress: Chan Chun Sing

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

From 2028, students who want to go to a junior college will only need a total of five subjects instead of six. The change is meant to ease academic load but whether it reduces stress for students and parents remains to be seen. Singapore's Education Minister Chan Chun Sing sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to unpack the changes.

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Can Singapore cinemas survive the onslaught of streaming services?

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Some cinemas which have existed for decades have shut as some people prefer to watch films at home. Can the experience of watching a movie on the big screen be saved? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert discuss with Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector and Ben Slater, senior lecturer at NTU’s School of Art, Design and Media.

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Budget 2025 help for larger families is neither reward nor incentive: Indranee Rajah

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The government is providing more resources in this year’s Budget for parents who choose to have three or more children. Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to talk about families, jobs and what ideal ageing looks like.

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Budget 2025 is more than just an election budget

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 03:53:22 +0000

A bigger tranche of vouchers, more generous rebates and more investments in the local workforce were some of the hallmarks of Budget 2025. Professor Emeritus of Finance at Singapore Management University Annie Koh and Assistant Professor Chua Yeow Hwee from Nanyang Technological University tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why the “budget goodies” are not just about the upcoming elections.

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Budget 2025 wishlist: Tackling cost of living, jobs and family is a delicate balancing act

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000

It’s an SG60 Budget in an election year with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set to lay some priorities for this year. What could be on the list? Business owner Pulse Tan, parent of two and elderly caregiver Serene Chew, and labour economist Walter Theseira give their take in a conversation with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert.

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DeepSeek: What difference will cheaper AI make?

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000

An AI model developed by a little-known Chinese hedge fund that reportedly rivals OpenAI's ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost has triggered a deep “freak out” among the global tech industry. Why was there a big reaction to DeepSeek and what are the implications for Singapore? Dr Leslie Teo, senior director of AI products at AI Singapore and Jianggan Li, founder and CEO of venture outfit Momentum Works break it down for Steven Chia and Crispina Robert.

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Why is animal cruelty on the rise in Singapore?

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 23:00:00 +0000

In the latest SPCA data, the number of confirmed animal cruelty and welfare cases in Singapore reached its highest point in 2024. What’s driving these numbers? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert find out from Samantha Chia, owner of ChubbyBuddy Cats and Sabrina Ng, communications and advocacy manager at SPCA Singapore.

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Will the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone be a success?

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will sit on an area four times the size of Singapore, with nine zones covering everything from manufacturing to financial services. What are the opportunities and challenges of this ambitious agreement? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Thilan Wickramasinghe, head of research in Singapore and regional head of financials at Maybank Investment Banking Group and Serina Rahman, lecturer at the department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.

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If banning social media for teens under 16 won't work, what else will?

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Australia passed a law last year banning children under 16 from accessing social media, a move seen as challenging to implement. Singapore is also considering ways to protect children from harms of excessive use on social media platforms. But how realistic is this? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Nikki Yeo, a Gen Z and CNA TODAY journalist, and Alvin Seng, an addictions counsellor at We Care.

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Are whistleblowers protected in Singapore?

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 23:00:00 +0000

In December 2024, SingPost dismissed three top executives for mishandling internal investigations into a whistleblower report. What protections do whistleblowers have, and how can companies provide transparency and independence in investigating complaints?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert break it down with NUS Professor Mak Yuen Teen and Celeste Ang from Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow.

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Best of: What's behind bullying in schools?

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 23:00:00 +0000

In a recent viral video, a Qihua primary school student was seen being repeatedly attacked. Is bullying getting worse in Singapore? What are the causes and why are perpetrators filming their deeds?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Cheung Hoi Shan, assistant professor at the National Institute of Education, MOE master school counsellor Sean Ng and Beyond the Label ambassador Cindy Chu to understand the complex issue of bullying.

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Best of: Mobile Guardian breach - Who is responsible for backups?

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000

A global cybersecurity breach involving the Mobile Guardian app affected about 13,000 students from 26 secondary schools in Singapore in August, with devices being wiped remotely by the hacker. How are IT vendors assessed and who is responsible for ensuring backups are done? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with May Chng, chief operating officer and co-founder of Flexxon, and Ken Soh, chair of SGTech Cyber Security Chapter and CEO of Athena Dynamics.

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Best of: Are our bad driving habits causing fatal traffic accidents?

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The recent accident in Tampines which killed two people has raised questions about Singapore's driving culture. Speeding, beating red lights and drink driving are still stubborn issues. Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council and Julian Kho, general manager at Sgcarmart tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert what needs to change.

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What are the implications of unmasking NRIC numbers?

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:24:20 +0000

After privacy concerns were raised over ACRA's new Bizfile portal showing full NRIC numbers in search results, the Singapore government announced it intends to stop masking the numbers. How will this change the way such information is used and how can people and organisations continue to protect themselves from cybersecurity attacks? Crispina Robert speaks to Steve Tan, deputy head of technology, media and telecommunications from Rajah & Tann Singapore and Aaron Ang, chief information security officer at Singapore-based IT services company Wissen International.

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Best of: Why do employers still need MCs as proof of illness?

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with Dr Shravan Verma, co-founder & CEO of Speedoc and Christine Chan, Senior Professional at Institute for Human Resource Professionals and Chief Human Resource Officer of Nudgyt.

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Best of: When flights run into trouble, how much money should you get?

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Lawyers Paul Ng, head of aviation at Rajah and Tann Singapore LLP, and Chooi Jing Yen from Eugene Thuraisingam LLP are guests.

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Will greater police powers help save stubborn scam victims from themselves?

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000

To combat the scourge of scams in Singapore, the Protection from Scams Bill was recently introduced in Parliament. If it is passed, the police will have powers to control the bank accounts of people who insist on transferring their money to potential scammers. But is this a necessary step?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Mark Yeo, director at Fortress Law Corporation and Dr Annabelle Chow, principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology.

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Does the vet industry need greater oversight?

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Some pet owners have had to pay five-figure sums when their pets fall seriously ill. Is the current system in need of greater scrutiny and regulation? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Diana Chee, director at the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) and Dr Angeline Yang, a veterinarian and owner of VetMobile.

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Why are companies mandating five days back to office?

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Tech giant Grab has told its employees to return to the office five days a week starting in December. This follows other MNCs such as Amazon. Do the reasons for mandating full-time office work stand up to scrutiny? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert discuss this with guests Karen Teo, country manager for recruitment and talent firm Quess Singapore, and Dr Issac Lim, founder of Anthro Insights and lecturer at NUS Business School.

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Will more COEs bring prices down?

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Up to 20,000 additional certificates of entitlement (COEs) will be progressively injected across all vehicle categories from February 2025. Why is the government making this move and will this bring COE premiums down? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Arthur Wong, managing director of ACM Automobiles.

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Prime and Plus BTO flats: Why restrictions didn't dampen demand

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 23:00:00 +0000

More than 35,600 applications were received in the October Build-to-Order (BTO) flat sales exercise, the highest number since August 2022. A 10-year minimum occupation period, clawback rules and rental restrictions did not deter strong demand for Prime and Plus HDB flats. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at MOGUL.sg and Professor Sing Tien Foo from the NUS Business School.

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Who is to blame for food poisoning outbreaks in Singapore?

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Cases of people falling seriously ill after eating contaminated food have been in the spotlight. Why does severe food poisoning happen and are caterers the only one to clean up their act? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Richard Khaw, deputy director of the School of Applied Sciences at Nanyang Polytechnic and Chris Loh, creative director of Purple Sage and Rasel Catering.

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Are beauty pageants still relevant?

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The latest edition of Miss Universe Singapore was made more inclusive, with a single mother and a transgender woman as contestants. But how relevant are beauty pageants? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert take a beauty deep dive with Angela Tay, managing director of ERM Singapore which organises Mrs Singapore World and Manhunt Singapore and Mrs Veronica Lee, this year's winner of Mrs Singapore World.

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Bullying in schools: What's behind some of this brutal behaviour?

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 23:00:00 +0000

In a recent viral video, a Qihua primary school student was seen being repeatedly attacked. The case is under police investigation but is bullying getting worse in Singapore? What are the causes and why are perpetrators filming their deeds? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Cheung Hoi Shan, assistant professor at the National Institute of Education, MOE master school counsellor Sean Ng and Beyond the Label ambassador Cindy Chu.

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S Iswaran case: Twists, turns, jail time and a media scrum

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 03:08:50 +0000

Former transport minister S Iswaran was handed a one year sentence by Judge Vincent Hoong on five charges, including obtaining gifts as a public servant. Why did he get more than what the prosecution asked for? Head of criminal law at Quahe Woo and Palmer, Sunil Sudheesan, explains the rare move. Plus, Crispina Robert gets a firsthand account from senior journalist Koh Wan Ting who covered the court proceedings.

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What will it take for companies to hire more disabled workers?

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The Enabling Masterplan 2030 aims to increase the employment of people with varying disabilities. What are the biggest challenges and what does it take to get more companies onboard? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Ho Geok Choo, founder and CEO of Human Capital Singapore and DG Carole Ann, a multiple amputee who works at ServLink Technology Resources.

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Bus and train fare hikes: How are they calculated?

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Bus and train fares in Singapore will go up by 10 cents per journey for adult commuters from Dec 28. How are public transport fees calculated and what is the role of government subsidies? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert get Assistant Professor Terence Fan from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at the Singapore Management University, and Dr Raymond Ong, from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NUS to explain.

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Protecting platform workers: The benefits and challenges

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000

On Tuesday (Sep 10), Singapore passed the Platform Workers Bill, which legislates stronger protections for delivery riders, private-hire car and taxi drivers. Why was legislation needed and what does this mean for customers of platforms offering services like food delivery and transportation?

Yeo Wan Ling, assistant secretary-general of NTUC and Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences speak to Crispina Robert.

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Is it a problem when able-bodied people use PMAs?

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) are meant for those with medical conditions or who have mobility issues. But some able-bodied people use them. How much of an issue is this?

PMA user Michael Kuan, founder and CEO of Project Elev8, and Florence Cheong, an Active Mobility Advisory Panel member weigh in.

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GEP changes signal a 'fundamental' shift in developing our children: Chan Chun Sing

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Since the announcement that Singapore's Gifted Education Programme (GEP) will be revamped to cater to more students, questions about equal distribution of resources and the added burden on teachers have come up. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert put these questions to Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and Ong Kong Hong, divisional director of curriculum planning and development at the ministry.

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National Day Rally 2024: Big shifts in key areas

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sketched out his government's priorities in his first National Rally address, with a focus on parents, education and housing. Do the announcements show a significant shift towards a different kind of Singapore? SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan and Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the political science department at NUS give their assessment.

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Mobile Guardian breach: Who is responsible for backups?

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000

A global cybersecurity breach involving the Mobile Guardian app affected about 13,000 students from 26 secondary schools in Singapore, with devices being wiped remotely by the hacker. How are IT vendors assessed and who is responsible for ensuring backups are done? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with May Chng, chief operating officer and co-founder of Flexxon, and Ken Soh, chair of SGTech Cyber Security Chapter and CEO of Athena Dynamics.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it sustainable for hawkers to offer budget meals?

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Nothing gets Singaporeans more united or emotionally riled up than our hawker food and prices. To help alleviate cost of living pressures, all coffee shops leased from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will need to offer budget meal options by 2026. But how do such meals affect hawkers? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Teo Kay Key, research fellow at IPS Social Lab, and Fabian Lim, co-owner of JOFA Meepok, JOFA Grill and JOFA-Oji Donburi.

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Income-Allianz deal: Are concerns justified?

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:33:12 +0000

News that German insurance company Allianz is planning to buy a majority stake in Income Insurance has led to sharp criticism. Questions are being asked - is Income Insurance, formerly an NTUC co-operative, prioritising profit over people? Or is it moving as all corporations do? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Professor Lawrence Loh, director of Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the NUS Business School and Eddy Cheong, CEO of Havend Pte Ltd, an insurance advisory firm.

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Are generous health insurance policies inflating medical costs?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung recently said that rising medical claims enabled by insurance policies are leading to an unhealthy "buffet syndrome", which in turn increases costs. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert sit down with Liaw Yit Ming, CEO of Foundation Healthcare Holdings and Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, to break it down.

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Global IT outage: Are we relying on too few big tech companies?

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:46:15 +0000

One bad software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike unleashed global chaos last week with flights cancelled, hospital systems down and banking applications going offline. How did a routine update become a full-blown crisis, and will we see more in future? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert ask Gaurav Keerthi, head of advisory and emerging business at Ensign InfoSecurity and Benjamin Ang, head of Digital Impact Research at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

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Smoking samsui woman mural saga: How much sway does the public have on artwork?

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000

A mural of a young samsui woman smoking led to weeks of discussion about the artwork and the approval process. When it comes to public art, how can artists balance creativity and regulation? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with Audrey Wong, a programme leader at LASALLE College of the Arts, and artist Belinda Low.

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CPF nomination: Are there safeguards against ill intentions?

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Singaporean Audrey Fang, who was found dead in Spain, had nominated her alleged killer to be the beneficiary of her Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings. How does the autonomy of choice balance with checks against bad intentions when it comes to CPF nominations? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert get answers from Liang Weirong, senior deputy director of nominations and accounts closure from the CPF Board, and Javern Sim, family lawyer and managing director at Populus Law Corporation.

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Will increasing surcharges kill off demand for metered taxis?

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The taxi industry in Singapore has undergone major shifts since the rise of ride-hailing apps, with passengers swapping standing in line for confirmed rides and flat fees. Are metered taxis still relevant? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert put the questions to transport economist Walter Theseira and the general secretary of the National Taxi Association, Ban Kum Cheong.

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Why is it so hard to get recycling right in Singapore?

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore has reduced its waste but domestic recycling rates are falling, according to the latest data by the National Environment Agency. Why aren't more people using the blue recycling bins? When we recycle, does our waste end up being incinerated for other reasons?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert get answers from Professor Tong Yen Wah from the National University of Singapore and Tan Huileng, executive director of Zero Waste SG.

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When flights run into trouble, how much money should you get?

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Some passengers of SQ321 were given cash advances in light of injuries when the aircraft experienced severe turbulence. Are all airlines obliged to compensate? How are amounts decided and could you later sue for more? Lawyers Paul Ng, head of aviation at Rajah and Tann Singapore LLP, and Chooi Jing Yen from Eugene Thuraisingam LLP are guests.

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Battling against easy access to sexual content on social media

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000

X, formerly Twitter, recently announced its official policy to allow consensual production and distribution of adult content. While the company says there are safeguards for those under 18, what impact does access to pornography online have on young people and whose job is it to deal with the consequences? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert get the facts from Tham Yuen Han, addictions specialist and executive director of WE CARE Community Services and Dr Shobha Avadhani, senior lecturer in communications and new media at the National University of Singapore

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What will it take for people to pay more for locally produced vegetables?

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Food security is a critical issue for Singapore because it imports more than 90 per cent of its produce. The 30 by 30 goal - to grow 30 per cent of food locally by 2030 - aims to mitigate this but local farming is still struggling to create a viable ecosystem. Is it cost, consumers or commitment?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Kenny Eng, a fourth-generation farmer and founder of The Local Farm, and Professor William Chen, director of the NTU Food Science and Technology Programme.

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Should we preserve heritage businesses which are not viable?

Thu, 30 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The closure of Thambi magazine store after 80 years was met with shock and sadness. But is it unrealistic to expect heritage businesses to survive in a competitive, ever-changing world? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Singapore University of Social Sciences' Dr Lye Kit Ying and Edmond Wong, a third-generation business owner of Kim Choo Kueh Chang.

Editor's Note: This episode of Deep Dive has been edited to remove an incorrect reference to how much is available in the transformation grant for heritage businesses. The cap is S$40,000. We apologise for the error.

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Why do employers still need MCs as proof of illness?

Thu, 23 May 2024 23:56:39 +0000

The Ministry of Health is looking to curb the "excessive issuance" of medical certificates (MCs), especially by telemedicine doctors, following feedback from employers and government agencies. But is there a deeper issue with an outdated system of needing proof of illness? Would a system of trust work better? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with Dr Shravan Verma, co-founder & CEO of Speedoc and Christine Chan, Senior Professional at Institute for Human Resource Professionals and Chief Human Resource Officer of Nudgyt.

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PM Lawrence Wong's Cabinet lineup is geared towards the next General Election

Thu, 16 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Newly appointed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced his Cabinet line-up ahead of his inauguration. Why didn't he pick a 4G peer as his deputy? And what is the PAP's game plan as it heads into the next General Election? Assistant Professor Walid Jumblatt and Zulkifli Baharudin, former Nominated Member of Parliament, tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert that the moves are strategic.

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Are our bad driving habits causing fatal traffic accidents?

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

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Government is determined to work on Singapore's low fertility rate - Indranee Rajah

Wed, 08 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In our second part on the issue of falling fertility rates in Singapore, Minister Indranee Rajah gives Steven Chia and Crispina Robert an inside look at why the financial incentives matter and what else might help. Business owner and father of three, Mark Lee, gives his input too.

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Falling fertility rate: Why incentives aren’t working

Thu, 02 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore’s total fertility rate has fallen to a historic low of 0.97. Citizens aren’t having enough children to sustain population numbers and all the money spent to encourage procreation doesn’t seem to work. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert talk about what’s causing the decline with Dr Norman Li, psychology professor at the Singapore Management University, and mother of one, Holly Fang.

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Flexible work guidelines: How useful are they, and what will they mean for employees and bosses?

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Come Dec 1, all companies in Singapore must have a process in place when their staff ask for formal flexible work arrangements. This has become a major talking point centred around balancing business realities and employee needs. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert cut through the weeds with Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Manpower and Education, Aslam Sardar, CEO of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals and Tan Wan Ting, founder and CEO of digital marketing agency Weave Asia.

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Can Singapore produce another Olympic gold medallist?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000

In this first episode of a brand-new CNA podcast called Deep Dive, hosts Steven Chia and Crispina Robert talk sports. How has the Singapore sporting infrastructure changed since Joseph Schooling won gold in 2016? Former national swimmer Mark Chay and CEO of Sport Singapore Alan Goh are guests.

Previously called Heart of the Matter, Deep Dive is now hosted by Steven Chia and Crispina Robert.

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A message to our listeners

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 23:01:26 +0000

Your favourite news podcast Heart of the Matter returns for a new season with a brand new look and sound. Called Deep Dive and hosted by Steven Chia and Crispina Robert, the podcast continues to give fresh perspectives on the hottest news.

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Would a 'right to disconnect' law work in Singapore?

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Australia is the latest country to propose legislation around the right for workers to disconnect after office hours. Changing work patterns and 24/7 availability have produced issues like burnout. But would legislation create more problems for companies or could this effect an important shift in Singapore’s work culture? Steven Chia moderates the discussion with Raj Joshua Thomas, a lawyer and nominated member of Parliament, Dr Brandon Koh, an organisational psychologist at the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Dr Jaclyn Lee, chief human resources officer at Certis Group.

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What will it take for people to stop littering and keep toilets clean?

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Feedback on littering offences has increased, and rat-related problems are on the rise. Coffee shop toilets continue to rate poorly. Will plans to increase surveillance and name and shame litterbugs work? How long can Singapore rely on an army of cleaners? Steven Chia speaks to Andrew Khng, chairman of the Public Hygiene Council, Dr Serene Koh, director of The Behavioural Insights Team; and Rosie Ching, Principal Lecturer of Statistics from the Singapore Management University.

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How can teachers help kids understand controversial topics?

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lessons in Singapore schools came under public scrutiny recently because of discussions on the Israel-Hamas war. How can contentious issues be discussed in classrooms and what skills do teachers need to navigate children in an increasingly polarised world? Steven Chia explores this with Dr Thavam Kanagaratnam, master specialist at the CCE branch of the Education Ministry, Philibert Leow, principal of Jurongville Secondary School and clinical psychologist Dr Annabelle Chow.

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Tengah woes: Legitimate concerns or normal teething problems?

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Some of the first batch of residents who moved into Singapore's newest HDB town have complained of lack of shops, poor internet connection, condensation issues with the centralized cooling system - the first of its kind in a residential estate. Are teething problems to be expected when building a new town or have buyers' expectations changed? Woo Jun Jie from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, and Nicholas Mak, a real estate analyst, discuss with Steven Chia.

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Education and awareness matters more in dealing with casual racism

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

It was recently announced that casual racism allegations will be investigated as disciplinary breaches in the police force. But are guidelines always so clear cut? Where are the grey areas and how can organisations deal with it? Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, Aamir Bana, an undergraduate at Yale-NUS College and Jerviel Lim, head of people and culture at Tatsu Works have an honest conversation about how we should deal with casual racism in our society and workplaces.

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Is Singapore's anti-drug messaging resonating with our young?

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

There’s been a worrying rise in the number of young people arrested for drug abuse, with the youngest just 14 years old, says the Central Narcotics Bureau. Despite Singapore’s zero tolerance on drugs and years of intensive messaging, liberal attitudes among young people appear to be stubbornly sticky, with cannabis the choice of drug. How should anti-drug messaging be tailored better to suit a generation that’s consuming a largely social media diet? Otelli Edwards finds out from Dr Lambert Low, deputy chief of the department of addiction medicine in the Institute of Mental Health, Ravindran Nagalingam, board member at the National Council Against Drug Abuse and Tham Yuen Han, clinical director at WE CARE Community Services.

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Budget 2024: Is this a blueprint for a new Singapore?

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 03:59:39 +0000

From significant top-ups to SkillsFuture credits to ITE students getting incentives to upskill, Budget 2024 is a shift in the kind of society the new fourth generation, or 4G, leadership wants to shape. Steven Chia gets views from Terence Ho, associate professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Professor Lawrence Loh, director of Centre for Governance and Sustainability, National University of Singapore.

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What support do workers want from Budget 2024?

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The number of retrenchments went up in 2023 and workers are facing the brunt of a more volatile business environment. What kind of help do workers need? And what's on their Budget 2024 wishlist? Steven Chia speaks to Cheng Hing-Nan, lead coach at Workforce Singapore, Gerald Tan, projects director at Avodah Solutions and Lai Yong Liang, an urban farmer with Grobrix.

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Singapore students rank top in math and science, but how useful is this in a changing world?

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Out of 81 countries, 15-year-olds in Singapore topped the Pisa table in reading, math and science. But how important are these metrics in a world where social and creative skills have become critical and artificial intelligence is taking centre stage?

Steven Chia gets answers from Liew Wei Li, director-general of education at the Ministry of Education, associate professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education, and parent of two and lecturer, Ian Tan.

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Lazada layoffs - How far can unions help workers?

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

E-commerce giant Lazada’s retrenchment exercise resulted in criticism of how it was handled, including its lack of consultation with the union. But what role can unions play when companies need to let employees go and what happens when employers don’t fulfill their tripartite obligations? Steven Chia sits down with Patrick Tay, assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress and Sim Gim Guan, executive director of the Singapore National Employers Federation.

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Why are commuters unhappy over the SimplyGo switch?

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Commuters have expressed frustration since the Land Transport Authority announced that EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards cannot be used on buses and trains from June. Why is there a shift to the SimplyGo system? What is the difference in payment types? And what could the authorities do better to communicate the change? Steven Chia gets answers from Sumit Agarwal, professor at the School of Business at the National University of Singapore and Walter Theseira, who heads the urban transportation programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

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Hospital bed crunch: If more beds isn't the solution, what is?

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Patients have reported waiting for days to get a bed at a public hospital. Health experts say the biggest reason is that there are issues transiting to proper care after discharge. Otelli Edwards speaks to public health specialist Dr Jeremy Lim, Duke-NUS Medical School's Dr David Matchar and Jeremy Lee, assistant chief operating officer at the National University Hospital.

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Best of: Scam losses - Who should bear the responsibility?

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 23:00:00 +0000

In the last of our top three episodes from the archives, we look at the scourge of scams in Singapore. With increasing sophistication from the fraudsters, is public education enough? Should banks pay for some of the losses? If so, how can liability be fairly decided? Steven Chia speaks to Jansen Chow, co-head of fraud, asset recovery and investigations practice at Rajah & Tann law firm, Assistant Professor Nydia Remolina, from the Singapore Management University’s Yong Pung How School of Law and Ho Geer How, whose mother lost over S$190,000 to a scam.

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Best of: Money laundering busts - Regulators have to constantly play catch up

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 23:00:00 +0000

In the second of our top three episodes from the archives, we explore how bad actors operate in money laundering crimes. How do property agents and bank staff separate a legitimate transaction from a shady one? And what makes this type of crime especially tough to crack down on? Steven Chia speaks to Adam Maniam, director of dispute resolution at law firm Drew and Napier, Associate Professor Soh Kee Hean from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and former director of the CPIB, and Fabrizio Fioroni, adviser on anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

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Best of: How does a young person become radicalised?

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 23:00:00 +0000

In the first of our top three episodes from the archives, we ask - why are teenagers as young as 14 interested in extremist religious content? What do online games have to do with this trend and how can family members spot the red flags? Steven Chia speaks to Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Dr Mohamed Ali, co-chairman and counsellor with the Religious Rehabilitation Group and Nicholas Khoo, co-founder and former chairman of the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association.

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Are country clubs becoming irrelevant in land-scarce Singapore?

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000

With its lease not renewed, Raffles Town Club is the latest in a line of private clubs whose land is being repurposed by the government for other uses. Aside from land restraints, is there a future for clubs like these in Singapore where generational aspirations are changing? Steven Chia speaks to Desmond Tay, president of the Club Managers' Association (Singapore), Jean Low, CEO of social club 1880 and chief research officer at Mogul.sg, Nicholas Mak.

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Online grooming of kids: What stronger safeguards are needed?

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000

A recent CNA investigation showed that it is easy for kids under 18 to go on dating apps and chat with strangers online, making them more vulnerable to sexual predators. Should there be greater legislation to protect children and what can parents do to prevent their children from becoming victims? Steven Chia speaks to Shem Yao, manager of digital wellness at TOUCH Wellness Group, Jiow Hee Jhee, associate professor and programme leader at the Singapore Institute of Technology and Marilyn Low, a parent coach and mother.

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Do high cost of living concerns in Singapore affect everyone the same way?

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000

From groceries to electricity and water prices, many Singaporeans are feeling the pinch as inflation stays stubbornly high. Is the sandwiched generation hit as hard as those in the lower-income group? And how far can government support go? Otelli Edwards gets answers from Ong EeCheng, senior lecturer at NUS, Ava Gao, a parenting coach and mum, and Loh Yong Cheng, lead of the advisory team at Providend.

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Inconsiderate behaviour on public transport: Why do some act this way?

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000

In a recent CNA Commentary, Dr William Wan from the Singapore Kindness Movement argued for some regulation in dealing with inconsiderate behaviour on public transport which drew some strong reaction from readers. But why do some people behave badly in a public space? What stops others from confronting them and should more be done? Michelle Tay, director of the Singapore Kindness Movement, and Associate Professor Ho Kong Chong, head of Urban Studies at Yale Nus College are this week's guests.

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If we don't want the 5Cs, what's the new Singapore dream?

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000

According to the Forward SG report, people want more than just material success in life. Has the idea of a good life evolved? What impact will that have on the way the country is governed? Steven Chia gets answers from June Yong, Lead, Insights at Focus on the Family and mother of three, Dr Mathew Mathews, head of IPS social lab and Ho Ching Wee, a 25-year-old software developer.

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Bank outages: Are there gaps in the system?

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 23:00:00 +0000

The recent DBS and Citibank outage in October left many people unable to pay for their transactions and draw money from the ATMs. What goes on when critical banking infrastructure goes black? How are data centres part of this and should we really revert to carrying cash again? Steven Chia gets answers from Dr Patrick Thng, director of the Master's programme for financial technology and analytics at the Singapore Management University and Ashish Kakar, research director for IDC Financial Insights, Asia Pacific.

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Why people struggle with mental health issues in Singapore

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Young people aged 18 to 29 and the elderly over 70 are two groups who are showing the greatest signs of mental health distress in Singapore. What are the triggers, and what is the journey to seek help like? Steven Chia speaks to 23-year-old university student "Rae", 44-year-old father of teenagers Mak Kean Loong and senior clinical psychologist Chris Wong.

This episode of Heart of the Matter discusses suicide ideation. Listener discretion is advised.

Where to get help:

Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1767

Institute of Mental Health’s Helpline: 6389 2222

Singapore Association for Mental Health Helpline: 1800 283 7019

You can also find a list of international helplines here. If someone you know is at immediate risk, call 24-hour emergency medical services.

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Can Singapore kick its addiction to delicious but unhealthy food?

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Nine in 10 Singapore residents exceeded the recommended salt intake and daily calorie intake is also up, according to the latest National Nutrition survey. The findings also show that more people are at risk of obesity and hypertension. Can a food paradise like Singapore deliver delicious food which is less salty? Or are busy lifestyles making it harder for people to eat better? Steven Chia speaks to Dr Kalpana Bhaskaran, president of Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association, clinical dietitian at Parkway MediCentre Candy Goh and Terence Koh, a father who lost 35kg in 8 months for his then newborn son.

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Child abuse deaths: Are there gaps in the system?

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:16:15 +0000

In the last decade, child abuse cases involving neglect and physical or sexual abuse have gone up from around 300 in 2012 to 2,141 in 2021. Several high profile cases before the court involved the death of young children. Steven Chia gets answers on how the system works and why some cases slip through with Soh Ying Si, deputy manager at the Melrose Home, Yogeswari Munisamy, senior principal social worker at the Ministry of Social and Family Development and C Amutha, deputy head of Punggol Family Service Centre.

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High COEs: Can families do without a car?

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 23:00:00 +0000

With premiums on Certificate of Entitlement (COE) soaring to over $140,000 for larger cars, should people simply give up on the idea of owning cars? What about those who need the convenience of having a vehicle to ferry their children and the elderly? What other options do they have? Steven Chia gets answers from Julian Kho, general manager of Sgcarmart, Toh Ting Feng, CEO and founder of GetGo, and Lim Chong Tee, co-founder of a start-up and father of a four-month old baby.

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Scam losses: Who should bear the responsibility?

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 22:30:00 +0000

The scourge of scams continues unabated in Singapore with nearly 23,000 people falling victim in the first six months of this year. With increasing sophistication from the fraudsters, is public education enough? Should banks pay for some of the losses? If so, how can liability be fairly decided? Steven Chia speaks to Jansen Chow, co-head of fraud, asset recovery and investigations practice at Rajah & Tann law firm, Assistant Professor Nydia Remolina, from the Singapore Management University’s Yong Pung How School of Law and Ho Geer How, whose mother lost over S$190,000 to a scam.

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How can preschool educators get classroom management right?

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Videos of Kinderland teachers allegedly mistreating their young charges went viral last year. What are the challenges teachers face in classroom management? How are rules and guidelines applied on the ground? Steven Chia puts these questions to Caroline Seng, director of professional development and standards at the Early Childhood Development Agency, Cara Lee, deputy director at the Anglican Preschool Services and Fiona Cher, a mother of two preschool children.

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Presidential Election: What do voters think about politics in Singapore?

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:01:55 +0000

When Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam ended his presidential race with a landslide victory of 70.4 per cent, political analysts expressed their surprise, calling the win "unthinkable" and "remarkable". What do the results say about how the Singaporean voter thinks? And what lessons can political parties draw from Mr Tharman's win as they look ahead to the next General Election? Steven Chia breaks it down with Walid Jumblatt Abdullah, Assistant Professor at the Nanyang Technological University and Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University.

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Money laundering busts: Regulators have to constantly play catch up

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Since news broke on the billion-dollar money laundering case in Singapore, there have been questions on how bad actors operate. How do property agents and bank staff separate a legitimate transaction from a shady one? And what makes this type of crime especially tough to crack down on? Steven Chia speaks to Adam Maniam, director of dispute resolution at law firm Drew and Napier, Associate Professor Soh Kee Hean from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and former director of the CPIB, and Fabrizio Fioroni, adviser on anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

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New BTO framework: Will moving up the property ladder get harder?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 23:10:04 +0000

New HDB flats will be classified under Standard, Plus or Prime from next year - dropping the decades-long mature and non-mature categorisation. With increased subsidies and tighter restrictions, what will be the impact on the property market? Will home ownership aspirations change with what is affordable? Steven Chia chats with Christine Sun, senior vice president of research and analytics at OrangeTee & Tie, Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at real estate platform MOGUL.sg, and Sarah Lin, a 27-year-old who successfully balloted for her flat after seven tries.

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What will it take to attract and retain good nurses in Singapore?

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 23:00:00 +0000

The attrition rate for nurses has stabilised post-COVID but with a fast greying population, the hunt for a solid pipeline of nursing talent continues. Aside from better salaries, can concerns over high home rentals and allowing foreign nurses to bring their families here be addressed? Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, group chief nurse of the National Healthcare Group Yong Keng Kwang and CEO of recruitment agency People360 Services Jordache Keith share their thoughts with Steven Chia.

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Workers' safety on lorries: A system of many moving parts

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 23:19:13 +0000

It has been described as an “intractable” problem: The transportation of migrant workers to and from their worksites. Why is this issue so complex? How can safety and business realities find common ground? Steven Chia breaks it down with Debbie Fordyce president of migrant rights group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

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Why are parents still gunning for brand name primary schools?

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 23:00:00 +0000

The annual Primary 1 registration season is back and parents are strategising how to get their children into choice schools. Despite tweaks done to the system, brand name schools are still being oversubscribed. Why are parental attitudes so hard to shift? And can the system meet everyone's needs? Steven Chia speaks to Ong Junda, father and founder of SGschooling.com, Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education and Tan Hui Min, a mother of two.

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Why is it so hard to get concert tickets in Singapore?

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 22:58:12 +0000

When global music acts arrive in small Singapore, there's a mad scramble for tickets. Should seats be reserved for residents? Can resellers who charge exorbitant prices be taken to task? How does the ticketing system work? Heart of the Matter podcast host Steven Chia gets answers from Joe Ow, CEO of SISTIC Singapore, economist Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Adelyn Aidzil, a Taylor Swift fan.

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School buses in Singapore: A dying industry?

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Cancelled contracts, a critical lack of drivers and spiralling costs. Parents, schools and bus companies are now caught in a jam, with questions on how to ferry our primary school children. How will the challenges in the school bus system play out? Steven Chia sits down with Adrian Yeap, CEO of bus company Yeap Transport , Alvina Chin, from MUMs for Life and Darry Lim, spokesman from the Singapore School Transport Association.

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What's causing all the ugly rage on Singapore roads?

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 23:07:53 +0000

It isn’t just the number of road rage incidents that make the news, it is the type of angry encounters that go viral on social media – punching, kicking, climbing on bonnets or ripping out licence plates. What is behind the intensity of feelings when it comes to these road incidents? Otelli Edwards finds out from Pearlene Lim, senior clinical psychologist at Promises Healthcare, and Clarence Lee, driver and cyclist at 05AM Cycling Club.

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What do Singapore voters want from their elected president?

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 23:18:42 +0000

Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has announced he intends to run for the presidency which will be held within the next three months. What exactly is the role of the President, why is the bar set so high in Singapore, and what do voters want from candidates in an open election? Steven Chia gets answers from Eugene Tan, associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University, Felix Tan, associate lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University and Nur Ridhuan, a business analyst who will be voting for the first time.

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When cash is no longer king for payments, who gets left behind?

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore's adoption rate of cashless payments is one of the highest in Asia. But there are pockets of the population who still struggle to adapt. And there's the ever present threat of scams and payment service breakdowns. What can the government, merchants and the public do? Steven Chia has a chat with Faye Sai, a third-generation hawker, Lawrence Chan, group CEO of NETS and Lim May-Ann, director of the Fair Tech Institute at Access Partnership.

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Can Singapore football make fans roar with pride once again?

Thu, 25 May 2023 23:14:33 +0000

The humiliating 7-0 defeat of the Young Lions to Malaysia at the recent SEA Games has renewed calls for the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to get to the bottom of what ails the sport. Is it the coaching, the lack of talent, or even parents who pick academics over sports? Steven Chia has a no-holds barred conversation with acting president of FAS Bernard Tan, SPRG general manager Edwin Yeo and sports journalist Philip Goh.

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Why do young people think cannabis is a less harmful drug?

Thu, 18 May 2023 23:24:34 +0000

Recent statistics released by the Central Narcotics Bureau show a clear trend - over 60 per cent of those caught with cannabis use are under 30. Some perceptions of cannabis among the young are hard to scrub out - that it's not as harmful as other drugs, celebrities use it, other countries legalise it and it is used for medical reasons. Steven Chia plays moderator as 27-year-old copywriter Kimberley Jeremiah puts the burning questions to Dr Melvyn Zhang, a consultant with the National Addictions Management Service at the Institute of Mental Health and Firdaus Daud, from the National Council Against Drug Abuse.

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Is the cost of treating cancer in Singapore still too high?

Thu, 11 May 2023 23:08:04 +0000

In a bid to curb the cost of cancer treatment, the Singapore government announced an approved drug list where the most cost-effective drugs can be claimed by the national insurance schemes. Yet, the cost of treatment can spiral - in part thanks to rising insurance premiums. Are people paying too much? How has this new drug list shifted things and should you worry if you don't have insurance? Steven Chia speaks to Associate Professor Ravindran Kanesvaran, chairperson of Singapore Cancer Society's Cancer Treatment Fund Committee, Evelyn Goh deputy CEO and chief advisory officer of Providend and Gina Ho, a 43-year-old general manager and cancer survivor.

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Singapore's latest property cooling measures: Who does it impact and how?

Thu, 04 May 2023 23:00:00 +0000

In the latest round of property cooling measures announced on Apr 26, what stood out was the 60 per cent additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD) for foreigners looking to buy in Singapore. While they form only a small fraction of the entire group of buyers, how big of an impact do they have on the general market? Why are these moves considered pre-emptive and will it stop foreigners from sinking their roots in Singapore? Steven Chia speaks to Dr Lee Nai Jia, head of real estate intelligence, data and software solutions at PropertyGuru Group and Aric Lim, a real estate consultant at Huttons Asia.

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18 and out of school: Who can help with lifelong support for special needs kids?

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:28:02 +0000

The options confronting parents of special needs children after they complete formal schooling in Singapore can be dismal - leading some to stay home and the burden on caregivers to increase. What are the gaps in the system and what more needs to be done? Steven Chia sits down with Bernard Chew, St Andrew’s Autism Centre CEO, Clement Phua Neo, father of a 47-year-old son with an intellectual disability and Jean Loo, Deputy Director, Advocacy and Community Engagement, Rainbow Center.

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Should passing an English test be a basic requirement for Singapore citizenship?

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 22:00:00 +0000

To kick off Season 4, Heart of the Matter host Steven Chia gets to the heart of what it takes to be a Singapore citizen. Does being proficient in English matter? If not, what other markers should matter? His guests are Yorlin Ng, chief operating officer of Momentum Works who is applying for citizenship and Dr Gwee Li Sui, poet, graphic artist and literary critic.

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NCID chief and vaccine expert on long days, missed meals and flying in a fog during COVID-19 fight

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 22:52:29 +0000

Caring for patients in the day, meeting global experts at night, racing against time to get a workable vaccine off the ground – NCID executive director Professor Leo Yee-Sin and Duke-NUS Medical School Professor Ooi Eng Eong recall working round-the-clock on the frontlines in the battle against COVID 19. They share the highs and lows of being in the “fog of the war” with CNA's Otelli Edwards.

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Can a bank go bust in Singapore?

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 23:00:00 +0000

It started with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and was followed swiftly by the emergency rescue of beleagued Credit Suisse by UBS. How does a bank go bust? What drives panic and fear that leads to a bank run and can it happen in Singapore? Steven Chia gets answers from Sumit Agarwal, Low Tuck Kwong Professor at the School of Business at the National University of Singapore and Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Research Singapore & Regional Head of Financials at Maybank Investment Banking Group.

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Why don't neighbours raise the alarm on family violence?

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 22:00:00 +0000

More cases of family violence are being reported in Singapore, but few are because bystanders called the authorities. Why do we complain about party noises but hesitate if we suspect someone is being abused? Who should we call and what should we say? Steven Chia speaks to Marcus Lim, head of TOUCH Family Support, psychiatrist Dr Joseph Leong from Promises Healthcare and Mohamed Fareez, deputy director at AMKFSC Community Services.

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Are Singapore's cookie-cutter malls a bad thing?

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 23:06:24 +0000

In just a decade, the number of malls in Singapore has doubled and they usually have a set list of tenants - an anchor retailer, supermarket, pharmacy and several floors of eateries. Why do our malls look the same and what do we need to do better? Steven Chia speaks to Associate Professor Lynda Wee from Nanyang Business School and Winnie Chan, Founder & CEO at Bynd Artisan which has three retail outlets.

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How does a young person become radicalised?

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 22:59:39 +0000

Why are teenagers as young as 14 becoming more interested in extremist religious content? What do online games have to do with this trend and how can family members spot red flags? Steven Chia speaks to Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Dr Mohamed Ali, co-chairman and counsellor with the Religious Rehabilitation Group and Nicholas Khoo, co-founder and former chairman of the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association.

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ACS move: The start of dismantling closed circles?

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Anglo Chinese School (Primary) is moving from Barker Road to the upcoming Tengah estate in 2030. Is this move the start of something significant? Will this reduce elitism and social inequality in Singapore and should other so-called "elite" schools follow suit? Steven Chia puts these questions to Ian Tan, an ACS alumni, Dr Teng Siao See from the National Institute of Education who has written about education reforms in Singapore and Clarence Ching, founder of Access Singapore.

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Budget 2023: A further rebalancing of Singapore society?

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Did the Valentine's Day Budget give help where help was really needed? Steven Chia asks associate professor Walter Theseira, entrepreneur and mother of two Dawn Cher, and Kurt Wee, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, for their take on handouts, CPF changes, Baby Bonuses and grants for homeowners and businesses.

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Budget 2023 wish list: A home, sooner rather than later, and help with healthcare costs

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Budget 2023 will be announced on Tuesday (Feb 14) and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong dangled the prospect of it as his “Valentine’s Day present” to all Singaporeans. So how does the average citizen hope to benefit? In this Heart of the Matter podcast, Steven Chia asks three guests - one from each generation about their wish list. Guests: Benny Koh, 26, June Yong, 42 and William Wan, 76.

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Do university graduates deserve to be paid double that of ITE grads?

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Median salary figures show a large gap between those who graduate with degrees and those with polytechnic or ITE diplomas. In an era where skills are prized, why have salaries not kept pace? Is it just perception? Steven Chia speaks to Mark Li, head of client solutions at Randstad Singapore, Christine Kunasekaran, sales operations analyst at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and an ITE graduate, as well as Wong Kai Xian, a Temasek Polytechnic graduate.

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Can a food-loving nation consume less salt and sugar?

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Singapore’s consumption of sugar and salt is above the recommended global limits and it is making us sick. The Government is introducing measures to curb this – from new labels to a drive to use alternatives. But will this take away the joy of all that is delicious about local food? Will these food labels work? Steven Chia speaks to Jaclyn Reutens, dietitian from Aptima Nutrition and Damian D'Silva, Masterchef Singapore Judge and owner of Rempapa.

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Is ChatGPT the start of a big revolution in education?

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 23:00:00 +0000

A resounding yes, say our guests. Its scale, accessibility and sophistication underline some fundamental problems with the current education system. How will it change the way students learn and teachers teach and test? Steven Chia speaks to Toby Walsh, a professor of artificial intelligence and Jonathan Sim who teaches at the National University of Singapore.

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Deadly residential fires: Is stricter enforcement needed?

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Overloaded sockets, cheap batteries and cluttered homes - these are some of the factors driving fires in homes. What's missing in our understanding of fire safety and who should be responsible? Steven Chia speaks to Benedict Koh, president of Fire Safety Managers’ Association Singapore, Yong Teck Meng, director at Habitat for Humanity Singapore and Tang Kok Zuea, lecturer at the NUS College of Design and Engineering.

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From YouTube to OnlyFans: Is making quick money a bad thing?

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 22:56:32 +0000

Young people are embracing a new way of working by making thousands of dollars as content creators on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok or OnlyFans. Is this eco-system feeding a new generation who only want to earn quick cash, and eschew the traditional nine-to-five job? Steven Chia gets answers from Joanne Liew, Chief Studios and Content Officer at Gushcloud and Nicholas Lim, from the S R Nathan School of Human Development at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

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CPF for platform workers: Should customers foot part of the bill?

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 23:20:23 +0000

The need to increase social protections for platform workers is clear but things get complicated when it comes to who pays for it and how this will work in a way that is sustainable for all stakeholders. Steven Chia gets answers from Mathew Mathews, Head of IPS Social Lab, Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Jason Parke, President of the Digital Platforms Industry Association and Hasteven, a 25-year-old platform rider.

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Should Singapore regulate vaping instead of banning it?

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 23:20:30 +0000

From 2020 to 2022, the number of people caught vaping has more than tripled. The use of e-cigarettes has entrenched itself, not just among the young who are attracted by the lower costs and different flavours, but also by adults who are convinced that this is less harmful compared to cigarettes. What does the research say and why aren’t current enforcement measures working? Steven Chia speaks to Associate Professor Bibhas Chakraborty from Duke-NUS Medical School, Sean Ang, a smoking cessation specialist and “Sarah”, who vapes.

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Could the PAP lose power one day and if so, what then?

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 22:53:04 +0000

In his speech at this year's People's Action Party Central Executive Committee's meeting, PM Lee Hsien Loong said Singaporeans cannot "have it both ways" - voting in more opposition yet keeping the PAP Government in power. Is this a likely reality and how soon could that come to pass? And what does the opposition need to do to win a stronger mandate? Steven Chia gets views from Ja-Ian Chong, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, Walid Jumblatt Abdullah, Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University and 24-year-old political science student Jaye Seah.

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Why has cryptocurrency gone from rock star to rocky ride?

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:58:40 +0000

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued a fresh round of regulations to restrict retail investors from investing in what it calls "a highly risky" product. Why is cryptocurrency dangerous to the average investor and how does this sit with Singapore's position as a fintech hub? Steven Chia speaks to Zann Kwan co-founder and CEO of Bitcoin Exchange and Ben Charoenwong, assistant professor at the National University of Singapore Business School.

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Why aren't young Singaporeans dating?

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 22:40:47 +0000

In the latest 2021 Marriage and Parenthood Survey, half of the singles surveyed said they were not currently dating, and among them, 38 per cent had never dated before. Is technology making things worse? How have expectations changed and why is there a fear of commitment? Steven Chia speaks to Violet Lim, CEO of Lunch Actually and two 22-year-old students, Vanessa Chan and Alan who prefers to be anonymous.

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What will it take for the ambitious Healthier SG plan to work?

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 23:00:00 +0000

A nationwide health plan aims to fundamentally shift the way we look at healthcare in Singapore. But what burdens will general practitioners have to bear, will costs go up and will people's behaviour change? Steven Chia speaks to Professor Benjamin Ong, former Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Raymond Ong, from Doctor Anywhere and Dr Chua Hshan Cher, medical director at Phoenix Medical Group.

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Can Singapore’s red-hot property market be cooled?

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 23:01:24 +0000

The latest round of property cooling measures announced in Singapore has raised questions about affordability, and whether an HDB flat is for home ownership or an asset. Host Steven Chia is joined by Chua Beng Huat, Professor of Social Sciences (Urban Studies) at Yale-NUS College, Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics at the Singapore University of Social Sciences and property agent Jooann Tay.

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Is the mental health care system in Singapore overwhelmed?

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Long wait times, the big difference in cost between private and public services and a lack of trained professionals are some critical issues facing us as we tackle mental health issues. Otelli Edwards speaks to Dr Soo Shuenn Chiang, head of psychiatry at Alexandra Hospital and senior consultant at NUH , Asher Low, executive director at Limitless, a non-profit organisation that works with young people and Chow Yen Lu, founder of Over the Rainbow and a parent who lost his only child to suicide.

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Shopee job cuts: Are tech companies in trouble?

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Big names like Netflix, Paypal and Tesla have either shed jobs or cooled on offers. At home, the conglomerate Sea Limited has run into rough waters with management suspending salaries. What's going on? Has growth at all costs come home to roost and what does this mean for tech jobs in Singapore? Otelli Edwards speaks to Yorlin Ng, chief operating officer of Momentum Works and assistant professor Ng Weiyi at the NUS Business School.

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Hunt for global talent: Why can't Singaporeans fill top jobs?

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 22:39:17 +0000

The new Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) plans to draw rainmakers globally. How is it different from other visas? Why do we need such talent now and how will they help Singaporean workers? Steven Chia gets answers from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, co-founder of Carousell, Marcus Tan and Jaya Dass, managing director of Permanent Recruitment in Asia Pacific at Randstad.

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Removing parks for homes: Is land use in Singapore a case of conflicting needs?

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 23:39:15 +0000

When news broke that ORTO leisure park in Yishun will make way for housing, residents expressed sadness and disappointment. They asked: Why are we building so many flats? Why can't we keep spaces that matter to a community? Steven Chia puts these questions to Dr Woo Jun Jie, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies and Dr Liu Thai Ker, former chief planner.

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Why are students behaving so badly in and out of class?

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Viral videos of students displaying poor discipline in classrooms or beating up fellow classmates have made the rounds recently. Have things gotten worse? How can teachers be better supported? Steven Chia speaks to Dr Wong Hwei Ming, senior research scientist at the National Institute of Education, Ryan Ong, a 24-year-old university student and founder of The Catalyst Collective and Sarah, an ex-teacher who requested anonymity.

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Swimming against the tide on Joseph Schooling’s confession of cannabis use

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 22:40:37 +0000

When Olympic medalist Joseph Schooling and fellow swimmer Amanda Lim admitted to cannabis use, some said "go easy" on them because it's "just weed". Is Singapore's strict zero-tolerance approach a case of "swimming against the tide" of more liberal attitudes? Finally, does this signal an end to Schooling's sporting career? Steven Chia gets answers from Nicholas Fang, managing director of Black Dot consultancy, Eugene Tan, associate professor of law at Singapore Management University and Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen, senior lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences and former CNB officer.

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377A repeal: How could it become a messy affair?

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 23:42:45 +0000

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's announcement repealing Section 377A during this year's National Day Rally was widely anticipated. Are matters about to get messier before they get clearer? What could make things worse for all the key stakeholders involved? Steven Chia rakes it over with Gillian Koh, Deputy Director (Research) at the Institute of Policy Studies, Terence Ho, Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Associate Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University, Eugene Tan.

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Rising worker deaths: Is there a poor safety culture? | EP 6

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 23:53:20 +0000

Workplace accidents have been in the news and the numbers have been climbing. What’s driving this trend? Are companies cutting corners? Or is there a deeper issue with the safety culture? Steven Chia gets answers from Akbar Kader, Managing Director of Nan Guan Construction, Dipa Swaminathan, Founder of charity, ItsRainingRaincoats and Chong Kee Sen, Emeritus President of the Institution of Engineers.

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‘Singapore is snobbish': Tommy Koh says confronting society's flaws is needed for new social compact

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 01:04:41 +0000

The Forward Singapore exercise was launched by DPM Lawrence Wong to review and refresh our social compact. As Singapore faces a new, post-pandemic future, what exactly should go into this social compact? What hard truths and tough conversations do we need to have? Steven Chia gets unfiltered views from three generations of Singaporeans: Ambassador at Large Professor Tommy Koh, President of PPIS Hazlina Halim, and 21-year-old university student, Laura Sim.

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I preyed on people's emotions: An ex-scammer on how e-commerce scams happen

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 00:10:56 +0000

Millions of dollars change hands every day over online platforms in Singapore. But there's an ugly side to the thriving e-commerce ecosystem as shown by a couple who allegedly cheated people out of their luxury items to the tune of S$32 million. Why does this happen? What motivates sellers to cheat? And what makes us believe them? Steven Chia gets the ins and outs from a former scammer and insights from clinical psychologist Annabelle Chow and Carousell's policy and escalation manager Jessica Chen.

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Sexuality education in Singapore: A tale of conflicting needs?

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 00:23:11 +0000

Recently a school staff was reprimanded for using discriminatory information against the LGBTQ community during a sexuality education talk. Why is sexuality education critical for a generation that lives online? What should be taught and who should teach it? Steven Chia puts some uncomfortable questions to Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education, educational psychologist Hayley Su, and Junel Seet who started ShySG to provide fact-based information on sexual health for young people.

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COE at an all-time high: Is the system due for a change?

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 01:03:48 +0000

This week, the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premium hit a record S$114,001 for the Open Category. In this episode, we pop the hood to explore what's driving demand, whether the system remains relevant and if people should just accept the high cost of cars. Steve Chia speaks to Assistant Professor Terence Fan of the Singapore Management University, Arthur Wong, managing director at ACM Automobiles and Aaron Tan, CEO of start-up Carro, an online car marketplace.

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High inflation in Singapore: Why is it biting us harder this time?

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 01:24:29 +0000

In May, Singapore's core inflation hit a 13-year high and, many of the factors driving rising costs are out of our control. Could things get much worse for the average household with the impending GST hike? Do offsets help? What more can or should the Government do? Host Steven Chia gets some answers from Associate Professor Walter Theseira of the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Selena Ling, head of treasury research and strategy at OCBC Bank.

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