Plan B

The haze is back, and so is the familiar frustration over why, after all these years, so little seems to have changed. But as Singapore sends notices to companies under its transboundary haze laws, Indonesia’s apparent change of position over accepting help to fight the fires has added another layer of tension. In this episode, Darren and Rahman unpack what’s behind this year’s prolonged haze, from slash-and-burn practices and corporate accountability to the limits of Singapore’s reach beyond its borders. With some Indonesian voices also calling on Singapore and Malaysia to take a hard look at companies headquartered in their countries, who’s really responsible — and how do we hold the right people accountable without putting our relationship with a neighbour at risk?

“Man up.” “Suck it up.” “Toughen up.” For many men, these are words they’ve heard growing up: messages that can make it harder to talk openly about emotions and vulnerability. But Danny Loong, co-founder of Timbre and MenToo, an initiative encouraging conversations around men’s mental health, wants to challenge that mindset. To him, vulnerability isn’t a weakness or something to be ashamed of - it takes courage. He also believes the expectations placed on men can add to the pressures they face. So, what does it really mean to “be a man”? Hear Danny’s take on toxic masculinity, vulnerability and why he believes society could learn to be more forgiving. International Men’s Day Saturday 14 November 10am to 1pm Murdoch University Singapore For more information of MenToo, go to www.amicus.asia for more information.

Retirement planning is easy to put off. There’s always something more urgent: house, kids, ageing parents, business, bills. Before you know it, “later” keeps getting pushed further away. Darren, Dzar and Rahman unpack the realities of planning for retirement, from “I’ll think about it when I earn more” to “I don’t have spare cash.” They also put CPF’s Retirement Payout Planner to the test and explore what small steps they can take today. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Start with where you are, explore your options and decide what comes next. Find out more at cpf.gov.sg/EasierWithCPFPlanB And if this conversation got you thinking, CPF’s Ready for Life Festival is happening across three weekends: 📍 16–18 Oct — Compass One 📍 30 Oct–1 Nov — Suntec City 📍 20–22 Nov — Northpoint City #EasierWithCPF

“Every school is a good school.” We’ve heard it countless times but is every school really the same? According to NTU’s Asst Prof Luke Lu, whose new book explores the experiences of elite students in Singapore, every school may be good, but they are certainly different. And those differences can shape more than just grades, from the people we meet and the way we speak, to how others see us. With more foreign students entering Singapore’s elite schools and questions around national identity growing, what does this mean for the future of Singapore’s “elite”?

As China’s influence on the world stage grows, is China still misunderstood, even by fellow Asian countries like Singapore? Who better to unpack this than Yuanpu Huang, aka Yuan, the man behind Yuan Unpacks China, a platform that aims to help the world better understand China, from its people and culture to its politics and place in the world. And with Singapore caught between an increasingly assertive China and its longstanding ties with the US, how does China see us, and where does it see this relationship going?

He served in the US Marines, became a CIA case officer, and later ran for the US House of Representatives. Now, Adam Dunigan joins us to unpack the geopolitical tensions reshaping the world, from China’s rise as a global power to the growing rivalry between major nations. While Dunigan says a full-scale World War 3 may not be here yet, he argues that proxy wars are already being fought, and that recognising this is not fearmongering, as some have claimed. So how close are we to a wider global conflict, especially as we’re in the Trump era, where the rules-based order no longer seems to be adhered to?

At a time when companies are freezing hiring and wage growth remains a concern, news that ministers are getting a pay increase is bound to raise eyebrows. But is it necessarily unjustified? It’s the first adjustment in 15 years, and Singapore has long been transparent about how political salaries are determined. PM Lawrence Wong has also raised concerns about getting more Singaporeans, including those from the private sector, to enter politics. So while the pay hike may be hard to swallow, perhaps the bigger question is: do we get what we pay for, especially if higher salaries can indeed attract more capable people into government?

What exactly makes someone Singaporean? It’s a question that has resurfaced in recent years, but came sharply into focus after news broke of Singaporeans missing in the Nepal-Tibet floods. While many expressed concern, some were quick to question whether the victims were “really Singaporean”, particularly those with Indian-sounding names. Against a backdrop of several viral incidents and online debates surrounding CECA and the Indian community in Singapore, the hostility has raised questions about how nationality itself becomes something people feel entitled to question. So, what can actually be done? We might have a solution, but it could be controversial.

With Malaysia’s elections on the horizon, we’re bringing back a guest (and a requested one) who knows Malaysian politics inside out: Dr Nawab. From the rise of the conservative “green wave” to the resurgence of Barisan Nasional, Malaysia’s political landscape is shifting. And with Singapore-Malaysia ties more important than ever, what could these changes mean for us across the Causeway? With the Johor-Singapore RTS Link and growing cross-border business activity bringing the two countries even closer, should Singapore businesses be paying closer attention to what happens next?

The biggest takeaway from this year’s National Day Rally? The Government appears to have hit the panic button on Singapore’s declining total fertility rate (TFR), rolling out more measures to support families. While parents may welcome perks such as more childcare leave and lower childcare costs, singles may wonder where they fit in. If colleagues with children get more leave, for instance, will their single colleagues be expected to pick up the slack, even when they have commitments of their own? So, if you’re single, do you feel left out by this year’s NDR measures?

You’ve probably seen their shops around Singapore, and maybe even tried their viral candies. We’re bringing back Luqmaan and Haikkel from The SGFR Store, this time to talk about youth entrepreneurship in Singapore. With the Government’s recent SG Youth Plan and more young people taking the leap into business, should there be a dedicated grant to support young entrepreneurs? And would Luqmaan and Haikkel’s journey have looked different if such support existed when they were starting out? We sit down with the duo to find out.

You’ve probably seen Koocester’s TikToks interviewing people with seriously nice cars. But there’s more to the brand than supercars. In our latest interview, he unveils a new side of his business centred around AI. With businesses increasingly turning to AI to streamline their work, Singapore is also moving to get students ready for an AI-driven future, with AI education being introduced in schools. But here’s the question: as AI makes work faster and more efficient, are we also creating a future where some jobs disappear, and some people get left behind?

Our national identity was once built around survival: economic growth, security and simply making it as a young nation. But six decades later, perhaps survival isn’t enough. As Darren puts it, “a nation without a state, a state without a nation”, history and identity can forge something that goes beyond the state itself. As Singapore becomes more diverse and our ideas of success continue to evolve, are we witnessing the maturation of our national identity? Is being Singaporean something the state builds for us, or something we, as its people, shape for ourselves?

One of the biggest topics covered in Parliament this week was the planned clearing of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks to make way for future BTOs. While many Singaporeans were disappointed after months of campaigning to save these sites, others argue that more housing is urgently needed. But with Singapore’s declining birth rate, who exactly are these homes being built for? That question sparks a heated debate between Darren and Rahman, with the conversation expanding into immigration, foreign talent, and whether younger Singaporeans are even interested in the traditional rat race anymore. Are we building for today’s Singapore or tomorrow’s?

Massive Attack’s ban from Singapore over their pro-Palestine concert actions has made international headlines, and once again, Singapore is being painted as the villain. But is it that simple? As foreign artists, they may not have fully understood Singapore’s laws, and some argue a fine or warning could have sufficed. Others say that in an era of foreign influence campaigns, the Government had little room to take chances. So where should the line be? When artists push sensitive topics on stage, how should governments respond?

$1,800. That’s the starting price of Singapore’s newly announced co-living units for youths aged 21 to 35. Designed to encourage independence and help young people build new communities, the initiative has already sparked criticism over its hefty price tag, especially when cheaper alternatives exist on the open market. Some have also questioned whether strangers living together could create more problems than opportunities. At a time when young people are finding their own communities online and offline, will this concept actually work?

This week, one story dominated the headlines: Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim’s resignation. After Min. K. Shanmugam described Faishal’s messages to a female member of the public as “objectively inappropriate and questionable”, many were left asking what exactly was said. Yet beyond the questions, the overwhelming reaction, particularly within the Malay-Muslim community, has been one of shock and disappointment. For many, Faishal’s resignation marks the loss of a leader who had shown genuine commitment and dedication to the community, despite the lapse in judgment that ultimately led to his exit.

With Bloomberg and its reporter ordered to pay $230,000 each to Ministers K. Shanmugam and Tan See Leng, it’s worth asking: what does “free speech” actually mean in Singapore? While many Singaporeans consume Western media, free speech doesn’t work the same way here. Bloomberg relied on a UK legal defence called “Reynolds Privilege”, which protects journalists who publish defamatory material if it is considered “responsible journalism” in the public interest. However, Singapore’s High Court ruled that this defence does not apply here. So when we talk about “free speech”, are we all talking about the same thing, or viewing it through different legal and cultural lenses?

ou’ve probably seen Ministry of Spud’s loaded potatoes all over your feed, and the long queues that come with them. For founders Khalil and Nana, going viral has fuelled the brand’s rapid rise. But for Khalil, the online fame has also come with criticism, with some branding him a “bully” over his blunt replies to commenters. His response? The criticism doesn’t bother him, in fact, he says he may even enjoy it because “at least they’re talking about me.” In this episode, we explore how social media has become the secret ingredient behind MOS’ success, and uncover the real story behind the closure of Tomaz.

Faraid selalu jadi punca pergaduhan dalam keluarga. Ramai fokus pada siapa dapat lebih atau kurang, tapi jarang kita fikir tentang amanah yang datang bersama setiap bahagian. Harta pusaka bukan milik kita selamanya. Jangan sampai harta yang ditinggalkan menjadi sebab hubungan adik-beradik dan keluarga pula yang hancur.