Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini – which AI personality suits you? | The Straits Times

The article explores the emerging field of AI personality and how the distinct personalities of AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini are shaping user preferences and driving business decisions in the tech sector.
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Using an artificial intelligence assistant to make it easier to do chores such as planning a family vacation has become a popular approach. But now, things have become a little more complicated.

Rather than simply using AI, the decision to be made is: What AI personality do you prefer?

Claude, created by Anthropic and backed by Amazon, operates like an empathetic consultant, exploring family dynamics with questions like “What experiences would bring your family closer together?” or “Let’s consider everyone’s interests”.

ChatGPT assumes the role of an efficient strategist, methodically gathering data through focused queries about “Destination preferences (for example, culture or nature)?” and “Budget range?”.

Gemini, meanwhile, leverages the vast user data that Google has on us and immediately suggests personalised itineraries – in my case, proposing “Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Maldives, Bali and Seoul”. 

Although these AI models share similar underlying capabilities, their distinct personalities shape how they use and present information.

These different approaches – whether as a reflective collaborator, precise analyst or personalised recommendation engine – affect the conversation’s tone and fundamentally shape user experience and brand loyalty. People will return to the AI model whose personality best matches their problem-solving style. 

Users are developing clear preferences, much like they do with human interactions.

Some are drawn to Claude’s warm style that often includes ethical considerations and detailed explanations.

Others prefer ChatGPT’s more confident approach that gets straight to the point. 

Indeed, recent performance benchmarks suggest that leading AI systems are showing closer scores on standardised tasks, but each has its own distinct personality and way of communicating, which affects how people connect with it.

In the fast-evolving AI landscape, personality isn’t just a feature – it’s becoming the premium that shapes user choice and business success. 

This personality premium is driving major business decisions across the tech sector.

The investment pattern is telling: Microsoft has committed over US$13 billion (S$17.5 billion) to OpenAI, while also backing other AI innovators like Mistral and G42, and Google has partnered with Cohere. 

The surge in AI personality investments signals a fundamental shift in the market: Raw computational power no longer guarantees success. 

Even smaller start-ups can license powerful language models, but the ability to craft distinctive, trustworthy AI personalities creates enduring user loyalty – much like how we frequent a local cafe not for superior beans but for the barista who remembers how we like our morning cappuccino. 

This human tendency to seek meaningful connections explains why tech giants are investing billions in developing AI personalities that resonate with users. 

The psychology behind it

Behind each leading AI assistant stands a team of developers carefully crafting a distinct personality to shape how millions interact with their technology. 

We’ve seen this before with voice assistants, of course. Alexa’s friendliness, Siri’s wit and Google’s neutral approach each attracted different users. These were not random choices but calculated decisions that shaped trust and loyalty. 

This pattern of users forming preferences based on AI personality is not surprising given what we know about human psychology. Stanford researcher Clifford Nass demonstrated through the “computers are social actors” theory that humans treat computers as social beings with personalities and social roles. 

This explains why I am convinced that the office printer hates me! We respond to AI personalities much like we respond to human ones – with preferences, trust and emotional attachment.

This fundamental aspect of human psychology explains why an AI system’s conversational style has become a crucial differentiator. 

Matching character to brand

As initial research and development investments transform into everyday consumer products, companies face crucial decisions about personality implementation. They must match the AI system’s character to their brand identity.

A financial institution might choose an assistant that projects methodical thoughtfulness to align with clients’ expectations of reliability and trust.

Early market responses have demonstrated the importance of these choices.

Consider how Microsoft reshaped its AI companion Copilot’s personality to be more collaborative and coach-like, moving away from directive interactions – a strategic choice that reflects the growing significance of personality design in AI development. These choices of tone are becoming as crucial as traditional branding decisions. 

Meta’s star-studded line-up of AI assistants, featuring voices such as those of actress Judi Dench and pro wrestler John Cena, highlights the core challenge in personality design.

This involves maintaining consistent character traits across tasks, from processing technical questions to engaging in casual conversation, all while finding the right balance between warmth and professional distance. 

This balancing act mirrors a creative dilemma familiar in human interactions: excessive control dampens authenticity, while unlimited freedom risks unpredictability. 

Cultural considerations add to the complexity. What constitutes an “appropriate” AI personality varies across different societies.

As AI systems scale globally, companies must balance maintaining consistent brand identity and adapting personalities to local cultural contexts.

An assistant addressing users by their first name and maintaining casual banter might work in California but could be jarring in contexts where age-based honorifics and formal discourse are the norm.

For example, Japanese users might expect their AI system to use appropriate suffixes (-san, -sama) and maintain a more reserved communication style, while Brazilian users might prefer a warmer, more informal approach.

Social responsibilities to consider

The ethical stakes are high, too. As tech companies shape these AI personalities, we must ask: How do we protect users from manipulation? Should companies be required to disclose how their personas are designed to influence behaviour? 

These questions become particularly pressing when considering that they can subtly influence human behaviour and reinforce biases. For instance, the predominance of female-coded AI assistants in service roles risks perpetuating gender stereotypes. 

Companies must consider not just what personalities will appeal to users, but what social responsibilities come with designing digital entities that millions will interact with daily. 

Right now, companies building AI assistants need to take two practical steps: hire teams that reflect different backgrounds and cultures, and document exactly how they’re crafting these AI personalities. 

But there’s a bigger question regulators need to tackle: What happens to society when millions of people interact daily with AI personalities that sound and behave in specific ways?

Getting this right means setting clear rules about how companies design these personalities, while closely monitoring how different communities respond to them. 

The way tech companies are crafting distinct AI personalities today will change how all of us interact with the technology tomorrow. The strategic decisions about how to design and implement these AI personalities will reshape our relationships with technology – and each other.

  • Tamas Makany is associate professor of communication management (practice) at Singapore Management University.
In Your Opinion

Is Singapore ready for more male pre-school teachers?

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Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Podcaster: Lynda Hong and ST journalists Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.Is Singapore ready for more male pre-school teachers?Can stereotypes of male pre-school teachers be reduced to ease more men into the profession that is seeing shortage in Singapore? Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. There is less than one man for every 10 early childhood educators in Singapore - surprising given that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) estimates the need for another 1,500 more educators to support the sector’s expansion in the coming years.  As male pre-school teachers conventionally face more scrutiny, could MSF’s new set of guidelines spelling out appropriate boundaries help ease tensions?  The new set of guidelines for primary caregivers include expression affection, bathing practices and exposure to nudity.  Amid a spate of abuse cases at various pre-schools in Singapore being reported in 2024, these guidelines could help pre-school teachers and parents set their mind at ease, especially when it comes to male pre-school teachers, said guests in this episode.  The two guests are: Sajit Sesikumar, 30, a senior English pre-school teacher, who shares his six-year experience at MindChamps Preschool; and Yeo Shufang, 42, a mother of four kids, with her youngest attending preschool at age 4. In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and her co-host - STNow reporter Christie Chiu - ask their two guests whether setting guidelines can ease the tensions male pre-school teachers have to navigate at work, and encourage more to the early childhood education profession.  Highlights (click/tap above): 6:50 How pre-schoolers can learn better from a diversity of teachers 11:24 How MSF’s healthy family guidelines can ease the work of pre-school teachers  13:25 How Sajid deals with physical affection from students   16:37 How Shufang teaches her children about personal boundaries 21:28 Is Singapore ready to normalise male preschool teachers and how can stereotypes be reduced? Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Christie Chiu’s articles:https://str.sg/LfQG  Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Christie Chiu  Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinion No deaths from Fukushima, but will SG ever accept nuclear energy?It is safer to live near a nuclear power plant than to ride a plane, says an expert. Do we have a Not In My Backyard (Nimby) syndrome? Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Nuclear energy: Why not? That is the response from an expert on why Singapore is exploring it.  The radioactive release from the Fukushima meltdown in 2011 did not kill anyone, but thousands of workers at coal mines die every year, says Dr Alvin Chew, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in NTU.  Dr Chew’s research focuses on the usage of civilian nuclear energy. He was previously with the civil service, working on energy security and energy transition issues. “When you compare the (nuclear sector) to airline industries, there are more airline crashes and lives being lost. But yet, people are still flying,” he adds. Still, the horrors of nuclear disasters such as the meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima appear to have scarred mankind. To go nuclear or not is a highly polarising topic in many countries.  To gain the public’s trust on nuclear energy in Singapore, Dr Chew emphasises the importance for authorities to explain a country’s need for nuclear energy, educate the people about radiation safety, and also ensure the population is prepared for a worst-case scenario. Most of the time, the best form of protection is to stay at home, shut the windows and wait for the authorities’ instructions, he adds.  Singapore, like several other countries mired by the triple threat of climate change, energy security and rising electricity costs, is taking a hard look at a controversial energy source – nuclear power. The authorities have been exploring advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), that are promised to be safer. In this episode, Lynda Hong and co-host Shabana Begum find out what drives the fear of nuclear power. Will Singapore residents allow a nuclear plant to be built in their 'backyard'?  Highlights (click/tap above): 3:32 No deaths from Fukushima meltdown itself, but more deaths from coal-mining 7:34 Evacuation is not the best protection from radiation leaks 9:36 Why small modular reactors (SMRs) are suitable for Singapore 17:00 Nuclear and the 'Nimby' syndrome 26:02 How nuclear waste becomes a social issue   Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Shabana Begum’s articles:https://str.sg/LfQG  Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Shabana Begum (nshab@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionMandatory mediation over noise - neighbourly relations are still keyHow Singapore intends to settle noise disputes more effectively. Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Settling noise disputes will be easier with mandatory mediation as the Community Disputes Management Framework (CDMF) is enhanced, under the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill.  Involved with how the framework can be enhanced is grassroots leader Raymond Poh. In this episode, Lynda Hong and co-host Christie Chiu speak with him to hear about his 14 years of experience in dealing with noise disputes, and how mediation has been effective in resolving disputes between neighbours (with an 80 per cent success rate with voluntary mediation cases). Mr Poh also shares how the Community Advisory Panel’s (CAP) recommendations, along with the proposed CDMF enhancements, may help neighbours better understand one another and find middle ground.  If the dispute remains unresolved after mediation with the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), neighbours may consider approaching the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) to file a claim as a last resort. This is equivalent to taking legal action against your neighbour, and parties involved are required to attempt mediation before filing a CDRT claim. The new laws will also mean that officers under the new Community Relations Unit (CRU) have powers to investigate and take action in disputes where a neighbour severely disrupts the peace, such as cases where the neighbour deliberately makes loud noise throughout the day. Officers can investigate, such as taking statements from neighbours, and with the resident’s consent, install noise sensors in homes to collect evidence. The authorities also intend to allow the Housing Board to consider compulsory acquisition of flats as a deterrent and “the absolute last resort for severe, recalcitrant nuisance-making”. This measure will be considered only when all other levers have failed, and acquisition is needed to protect the interests of other residents, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Law and Ministry of National Development said in a joint statement in August, adding that this will be similar to how HDB can consider compulsory acquisition of flats for those convicted of throwing killer litter under the Penal Code. This podcast is brought to you by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY): https://www.mccy.gov.sg Highlights (click/tap above): 1:25 CCTVs, house visits and detective work - a memorable dispute that Mr Poh had mediated  7:38 Different forms of mediation 8:17 The difference between the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) and the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) 11:37 Why settling neighbour disputes amicably is still a priority over mandatory mediation 12:40 How simple 'give and take' neighbourly acts can help avoid mediation as much as possible More on the Community Disputes Management Framework: https://go.gov.sg/cdmf-enhancements Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Christie Chiu’s articles: https://str.sg/3ESxU Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Christie Chiu (christiec@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionTan See Leng: How tough talks resulted in job seeker supportThe SkillsFuture JobSeeker Support aims to help the retrenched tide over financially, while between jobs, after tough talks with unions, employers and the Government.  Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. As the global economy changes more rapidly and unpredictably, workers may face more risk from job loss despite best efforts.  Yet, going out of a job can pose a hit to household finances. In an era of rising cost of living, lower- and middle-income workers are more likely to jump on the first job offer without considering their aptitudes.  To give these workers more time to find the ‘right’ job for them, the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will be launched in April 2025, with financial support structured to spur an active job search without incentivising prolonged unemployment.  The scheme, estimated to cost the Government $200 million every year, comes as a result of tough talks among employers, unions and the Government.  In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and journalist Tay Hong Yi host Manpower minister Tan See Leng to learn how the scheme has taken shape behind the scenes. Highlights (click/tap above): 5:38 On the Government relooking its position on financial support for those who have lost jobs 11:11 On the scheme’s gestation: What took place behind the scenes 17:51 What are the safeguards in place for the scheme and why? 21:48 Eligibility criteria: Too complex to understand for job seekers? 25:36 Will the scheme help workers at higher risk? 28:58 How does this scheme reflect the 4G leadership’s approach to policymaking? Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Tay Hong Yi’s articles:https://str.sg/dSAE Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Studio+65 and Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionBNPL: Buying power or financial trouble?The 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) scheme allows for purchase on zero interest instalment plans with less credit requirement. Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. In 2023, Singapore consumers spent $3.4 billion online and in-store using 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) services from third-party providers like Atome and Grab PayLater, banks and retailers - without the need for minimum income as required by credit cards.  And members of Gen Z, those between 18 and 24 years of age, and young millennials between 25 and 34, were among the bigger users of this method, according to the Worldpay’s 2024 Global Payments Report. With BNPL strengthening the purchasing power of youths, are there worrying social and financial implications from this new payment method, despite seemingly having more purchasing power?  To discuss more about this, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong co-hosts with business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan to speak with their guests about the possible implications of the BNPL scheme on youths. Once in financial trouble with a $75,000 debt, Khairul Abbas Hamzah is now heading a consultancy to help debtors who are in the same boat - that he managed to get out of.  Also on the show is financial literacy expert Aaron Chwee, head of Wealth Advisory at OCBC Bank.  Highlights (click/tap above): 3:03 Instant gratification impulse among younger generation? 10:55 When BNPL becomes a slippery slope; what types of financial habits BNPL inculcates 21:18 Phantom debt and the recourse to get out of debt troubles 26:24 Abbas’ $75,000 debt trouble  32:14 Social implications from BNPL  Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Sue-Ann Tan’s articles: https://str.sg/KpUx Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionAre you paying too much for your resale HDB flat?Two HDB resale flats had listing prices of $2 million in May, which were debunked by the authorities for being misleading and unrealistic. Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. The authorities sat up and paid attention when a jumbo flat in Sengkang was put up for sale with an asking price of $2 million in May. Then there was a listing for a DBSS flat in Toa Payoh asking for $2 million. But with a record number of HDB transactions above $1million each - a phenomenon that started around 2012 -  is a HDB resale flat with a price tag of $2 million permanently unrealistic? In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan look at the percentages and context of HDB resale flats in the market with Nicholas Mak, who is now chief research officer of property search portal Mogul.sg. He has over 25 years of experience in the Singapore and regional real estate markets. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:35 Why did the agents push these $2 million HDB resale listings, which have been debunked by the authorities as unrealistic or misleading? 3:30 Avoiding ripple effects and creating the wrong impression among other sellers and buyers 9:54 What should potential buyers do? 12:05 Can the government divert demand away from the resale market and delay reaching a $2m mark there? 16:35 How do buyers discern if a HDB resale listing price is unrealistically high?  Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Sue-Ann Tan’s articles: https://str.sg/KpUx Produced by: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim  Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionSingapore’s worsening road culture: What’s behind it and what can be done?The tension between drivers and motorcyclists in Singapore is longstanding, ugly and increasingly a fatality risk - but what lies at the root of this strained relationship?  Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Traffic accidents claimed the lives of 54 people within the first four months of 2024.  Motorcyclists and pillion riders accounted for more than half those deaths - a trend that continues from the previous year.  With traffic accident fatalities in 2023 at an all time high since 2016, it’s time to ask what can be done to make Singapore’s roads safer.  In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and co-host and STNow reporter Christie Chiu speak with their two guests to find out if Singapore’s roads are truly as hostile as these numbers depict, and what factors are driving it.  On the road for at least six hours a day with aspiring motorists, Aman Aljunied is an experienced motorbike and car instructor who previously taught at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre for nearly 40 years.  Joining the discussion is Dennis Quah, who heads the Singapore chapter of the Harley Davidson Owners’ Group, a motorcycle club renowned for its safe riding practices. When he’s not riding motorcycles, Dennis drives on a daily basis.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:59 Is Singapore’s road culture uglier than other South-east Asian countries? How the effects of a high-pressure society bleed into our roads 7:54 “High cost of these toys called cars”: Are the stark differences in COE and ERP fees a main factor of hostility between motorcyclists and drivers? 11:40 The pros and cons of social media as a tool to circulate footage of road incidents  18:29 Why Aman thinks Basic Theory Course lessons should go back to in-person classes 24:03 Dennis and Aman on why speeding up, does not actually save motorists much time 37:04 The human touch that has been lost on Singapore’s roads Produced by: Christie Chiu (christiec@sph.com.sg), Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim  Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Christie Chiu’s article’s: https://str.sg/3ESxU --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionIs parenthood a sacrifice young Singaporeans aren’t willing to make?Children can invoke feelings of joy, gratitude and fulfilment, but also thoughts of fatigue, financial stress, and lack of personal time? Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. For the first time ever, the resident total fertility rate (TFR) dropped below 1, hitting 0.97 in 2023. Singapore's replacement TFR rate meanwhile stands at 2.1 - the level of fertility at which the population replaces itself from one generation to the next. The instincts to procreate, it seems, are varied and personal, as hosts Sarah Koh and Aqil Hamzah - journalists from The Straits Times - find out from their guests.  For Ms Charisse Grace Agustin, 29, being childless was a decision that she made at the age of 18, while still a junior college student. Mr Sng Shan En, 27, on the other hand, is already a father to a three-year-old, with plans for more children in the future if his wife wants them. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:00 The advantages to having children younger rather than older 6:00 Heartwarming moments vs. material sacrifices of having children 10:17 The future regret in not having children 16:22 Would the government’s push for babies change your decision? 18:46  Is parenting a 50/50 effort between mom and dad? 21:04 Would higher cash incentives nudge more towards parenthood? Produced by: Aqil Hamzah (haqil@sph.com.sg), Sarah Koh (sarahkoh@sph.com.sg), Lynda Hong, Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified of new episodes: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Aqil Hamzah’s articles: https://str.sg/i5gS Read Sarah Koh’s articles: https://str.sg/CzpH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore’s War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times’ app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionAre young people breaking up with dating apps?Swiping for love used to be the way for millennials to find a connection, but there seems to be growing dating app disillusionment among the young. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives. Bernice Fong, Dhareeni Shanmugam and John Lim are three under-30s who have had different experiences with dating apps over the years. John, who runs a content agency, finds that with everyone having many options, he feels “like a piece of meat” - an experience the 28-year-old finds can be dehumanising. Meanwhile Bernice has sworn off dating apps. The 28-year-old brand and marketing manager felt jaded and tired from swiping through but not quite finding the match she wanted. Dhareeni, a 26-year-old account executive for a public relations agency, shares why she swiped right on her boyfriend, and why she was drawn to his “niche preference” for fish. Host Natasha wants to find out why there’s no love lost between young people and dating apps. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:16 Are younger people ditching dating apps? 7:52 Making dating intentions clear 16:20 Getting dating app fatigue 27:54 Have young adults lost the art of conversation? 38:38 Is it more difficult for young people to date these days? Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Edited by producers: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh and Zachary Lim Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong Filmed by: Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza, ST Video Follow The Usual Place Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Natasha Zachariah's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #tup #tuptrTitus Low: From SG's most famous OnlyFans creator to real estate agent?Singapore’s most well-known OnlyFans creator Titus Low is slowly moving on from the platform that has brought him fame, money and drama. Lots of it. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives and digs deeper into issues of the day. Sitting down with The Usual Place’s host Natasha Ann Zachariah, Titus opens up about asking to work with his family’s business and pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a real estate agent. He shares the lessons learnt and the fallout from baring all online. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:10 What is Titus up to these days? 9.00 His post-pandemic popularity has dipped, no thanks to today's economic situation 14.26 Dealing with mental health issues 23.30 Why he has become more cautious about sharing his life online Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Edited by producers: Eden Soh and Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong Filmed by: Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza, ST Video Follow The Usual Place Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Natasha Zachariah's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #tup #tuptrDo Gen Zers really have no savings for the long term?This generation, it appears in a survey result too, is not afraid to spend immediately for happiness or instant gratification, but they do so within their means. Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. It used to be that avocado toast was the symbol of millennial extravagance, infamous for dashing that generation’s chance of ever owning property - at least, according to Tim Gurner.  The Australian real estate millionaire in 2017 said that millennials should stop spending $19 for avocado toast if they ever want to own homes. Over half a decade since the rise of the avocado millennial, Gen Z - those born 1997 to 2012 - have outstripped them in splurging. And mostly, for pleasure.  Just in Singapore, we’re seeing 20-somethings fork out $10,000 for holidays and almost just as much to catch Taylor Swift overseas. But a recent IPS study found that the young are still spending within their means.  Still, are they putting aside enough funds for a rainy day in the future?  In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and co-host and STNow reporter Carmen Sin speak with their two guests to find out if youths are caught in a financial jam between spending and saving the fruits of their labour.  Having saved his first $100,000 at age 28, He Ruiming, now 35 and co-founder of personal finance blog The Woke Salaryman, urges disciplined financial perspectives for Gen Z.  Joining the discussion is Daisy Anne Mitchell, 26, who is British but has lived and studied in schools in Singapore since she was five. She has worked two full-time jobs after graduating from school, but made a U-turn to freelancing and working as an influencer now - where she has gotten flak online for being candid about her cashflow.  Highlights (click/tap above): 2:15 Eating broccoli and chicken for three years? Freelancing as a career - Ruiming and Daisy share their habits on saving, earning and spending 9:30 Managing financial prudence even when renting 16:38 Taking private hire transport like Grab or taxis to work: Is that prudent all the time? 21:26 Why Daisy thinks that the recent Covid era has reduced the value of money for Gen Zers 28:12 Daisy on her working life since she was 15, and discusses how an influencer career has worked for her 33:59 Ruiming and Daisy on gaining financial freedom  Produced by: Carmen Sin (carmensin@sph.com.sg), Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim  Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionYouths on their expectations of Singapore's next PM Lawrence WongDeputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong becomes Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15, 2024, when he succeeds current PM Lee Hsien Loong.  Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives and digs deeper into issues of the day. The upcoming leadership transition - when Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong becomes Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15 - has ignited discussions about where Singapore goes from here. In particular, what issues are youths most concerned about before they go to the ballot box in the next General Election? In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha hosts three guests: Joel Lim, 31, host of Political Prude: The Podcast Gautham Vijayan Kumaran, 26, a final-year student at the National University of Singapore Carissa Cheow, 28, the chief strategy officer for a tech firm and a career counsellor From expectations of DPM Wong when he takes over as prime minister, to their thoughts of how the impending general election will play out, these three guests candidly share their views and shed some insight on what youths might want to see from their future political leaders. Highlights (Click/tap above): 4:18 Qualities youth are looking for in Singapore's next PM 12:19 What youth are looking for when the next election comes around 19:31 Is there a dichotomy between traditional bread-and-butter concerns and wider, all-encompassing issues such as climate change and civil liberties? 21:58: Are younger voters harder to convince? 31:51: How will scandals of politicians in 2023 factor into the next election? 34:28: Will social media be the dominant platform among voters at the next GE? Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Edited by producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong Filmed by: Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza, ST Video Follow The Usual Place Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Natasha Zachariah's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #tup #tuptrTMI: Has social media made us oversharers?How much is too much when sharing details of your life online? Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives and digs deeper into issues of the day. Why do people feel so comfortable sharing intimate details of their lives online? The Usual Place’s host Natasha Ann Zachariah sits down with TikTokers Candice Gallagher and Shaun Elias Chua, and Twitch streamer Jacey Vong, to find out why they started sharing personal details of their lives online. When everything now becomes free game, is there a line that crosses into oversharing and how do they deal with negative comments? Highlights (click/tap above): 4:33: Why do the three of them put out so much of their lives on social media? 16:36: Is it weird that virtual strangers know small details about their lives? 23:15: Dealing with haters - why not just quit instead? 33:20: Being cancelled - the risk of sharing their opinions DM Natasha your thoughts on this topic at her IG: https://str.sg/8Wav Candice Gallagher on TikTok: https://str.sg/KVvw Shaun Elias Chua on TikTok: https://str.sg/AeCK Jacey Vong on Twitch: https://str.sg/752E Produced by: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong, Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh, Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza Edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Follow The Usual Place Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Natasha Zachariah's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #tup #tuptrWhy volunteering is worth our time and effort: 2 young working adultsTwo youth volunteers - adults with full-time jobs - explain what motivates them to spark change in the community.  Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Youth Corps Singapore, which is under the National Youth Council, turns 10 in 2024. It is a division under the council that champions youth volunteerism to ignite positive change in society through community service. In this episode, ST podcast assistant editor Lynda Hong speaks with two volunteer leaders Afzal Hadi and Valerie Kwa, to find out about their experience with Youth Corps Singapore.  Afzal is currently the Welfare Lead in the Engagement Taskforce Cluster and is a member of the Ambassadors Team cluster, while Valerie is Publicity Team Lead within the Mental Health Cluster. The two young working adults - Afzal is in business development while Valerie is in social service - also offer tips on how to pick a cluster to volunteer with. Clusters can be thought of a “specialisation” - youth-led, youth-run interest groups within Youth Corps. They include: Children, Youth and Family, Eldercare, Special Needs, Beyond Singapore, Mental Health and Sustainability. This podcast is brought to you by National Youth Council: https://str.sg/wFbf Highlights (click/tap above): 1:30 Life-changing experiences from volunteering - Afzal's U-turn from business school to study social work instead, and Valerie advocating for mental health  5:50 How youths can pick their preferred cause from Youth Corps’ 12 clusters - specialisation areas 7:40 Discovering leadership style through volunteerism 11:04 Afzal and Valerie on Youth Corps allowing interested youths to try out in a small way, before deciding which cluster to volunteer in 12:30 How much time Afzal and Valerie spends on volunteering?  14:40 Despite working full-time jobs, hear why Afzal and Valerie are still volunteering *Youth Corps will also organise a 10th Anniversary Carnival at *Scape Playspace in Somerset on July 6, 2024. *Interested youths can also participate in the Do Good Fest, which will be held from May to July, providing over 3,000 opportunities to learn about volunteerism. More on: Youth Corps Singapore’s Instagram page: https://str.sg/eYAZ Youth Corps Singapore’s Website: https://str.sg/bx2p Youth Corps Singapore’s Telegram group for volunteering opportunities: https://str.sg/AtWZ Produced by: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim  Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionHaving babies: Natural next step after marriage or thank you, next?Our guests discuss if parenthood is an expectation or choice. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives and digs deeper into issues of the day. In Singapore, where preliminary estimates indicate its Total Fertility Rate hit a record low of 0.97 in 2023, some are opting to remain child-free. In the first episode of our new podcast series, The Usual Place’s host Natasha Ann Zachariah brings together two guests who hold opposing views on being parents. Joan Chong, 35, never wants kids. She never yearned for them before she got married, andflat out told her partner when they started dating, that she did not want to be a parent. Meanwhile, Dainial Lim is a passionate voice in favour of embracing the joys of parenthood. To him, having children is a natural path in life after getting married, and it would have been a relationship dealbreaker for him if his wife was not for it. They sit down with Natasha to dissect their personal choices in a candid and unfiltered conversation. What unfolds is a discussion about their choices and dissecting the misconceptions that come with it. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:56 Is it still taboo to say you want to be childfree 6:48 Do women still bear the burden of raising children? 9:44 Joan’s realities of being childfree 14:31 The scary part about having children 17:16 How kids changed Dainial’s life 23:05 Does Joan feel left out for not receiving government incentives? 25:17 Are Singaporean parents entitled? 31:25 If anyone’s on the fence about having children, what would Joan and Dainial tell them? DM Natasha your thoughts on this topic at her IG: https://str.sg/8Wav Watch the video version of this episode: https://str.sg/nZDz Produced by: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong and Studio+65 Edited by: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Follow The Usual Place Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Natasha Zachariah's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN --- Discover more ST podcast channels: The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #tup #tuptrBoosting Singapore's low birth rate: Indranee Rajah, young parents discussWith Singapore’s resident total fertility rate dropping below 1 for the first time - hitting a historic low at 0.97 last year in 2023 - we discuss how the birth rate can be boosted. Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. For many years in Singapore, we have not had enough babies to replace ourselves, with the Total Fertility rate, or TFR, remaining below the replacement rate of 2.1.  Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Indranee Rajah - who assists in oversight of the National Population and Talent Division in the PMO - said in Parliament on Feb 28, that preliminary estimates indicate a resident TFR of 0.97 in 2023, posing twin demographic challenges for Singapore alongside an ageing population. In this episode, ST podcast assistant editor Lynda Hong hosts Ms Indranee to find out how workplaces here can become more family-friendly, and debates what an “excellent parent” should ideally mean in this day and age.   Two young parents - unmarried to each other - are also in the studio to ask Ms Indranee about how Singapore's workplaces can be made friendly for parents juggling child-rearing responsibilities.  Mr Daniel Lim, a 31-year-old research analyst, is a father of three. Ms Deniece Grace Foo, 37, runs Emerge Arts and Media Academy, a performing arts school for children. She has two young children.  They also share their personal challenges and joys in raising a family.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:40 The government-paid paternity leave has just been doubled to four weeks on a voluntary basis; Minister Indranee on how the take-up rate is at just over 50% for now 2:33 Deniece asks the Minister: What can be done to support manpower challenges faced by SMEs? 7:38 Minister Indranee addresses the fear of a lack of mobility in one's career due to flexible work arrangement requests, and why Singapore employers who are hesitant to adopt such practices, should see it as a competitive advantage in hiring 9:20 Daniel’s experience as a "young parent employee", on "wanting to succeed at home and at work", and Deniece’s experience as an young employer helping "young parent employees" 23:24 Daniel asks the Minister: Would there ever be a form of grandparents childcare leave, especially if they will be the new "young working seniors" in future? Can Singapore be branded as one of the most "family-friendly nations" globally? 31:20 Minister Indranee on a line in her Parliament speech, on how “pressures to be an excellent parent” is one of the concerns to having children; 35:10 Daniel and Deniece on juggling pressures to be "excellent" young parents Produced by: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read ST's Budget 2024 coverage: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/budget-2024 --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionYoung hawkers talk: Cost pressures from food, rental and manpowerTwo young hawkers chat about the profession in this era of high inflation - how to maintain profitability while still serving that affordable meal.  Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. The cost of living has gotten more expensive in the last two years. Inflation measured by a basket of consumer goods was 4.8 per cent higher in 2023 than 2022, more than in 2021 when the price increase was at 2.3 per cent. For young hawkers who also have their families to care for, maintaining a profit margin while resisting raising prices, can be challenging.  Cost differences between running a stall in private coffee shops vis a vis hawker centres managed by NEA, could make a stark difference in profitability, according to two hawkers. In this episode,ST podcast assistant editor Lynda Hong speaks with Jeevan Ananthan, 32, who sells Li Na noodles - bak chor mee - in three stalls in coffee shops with a central kitchen. Also in the studio is Cornelius Tan, 38, vice-chairman of the Chinatown Complex Hawker association. He is also a second-generation hawker of Chai Wee Cuttlefish stall in a hawker centre managed by the NEA.   They also talk about how the government subsidy waives the 0.5 per cent transaction fee that stallholders will have to pay for each digital transaction – those made via QR code payments under the Singapore Quick Response Code (SGQR) platform. The new subsidy window, under the Hawkers Go Digital initiative to spur more merchants to digitalise, continues until Dec 31, 2024 – the second time it has been extended. It was initially extended to the end of 2023 to support stallholders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Highlights (click/tap above): 7:34 “Let hawkers increase prices without guilt”? How rentals in hawker centres managed by NEA are charged differently from private coffee shops and food courts 13:20 Juggling manpower costs: Hiring Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) 15:19 Is there "greed" when it comes to rent in private coffee shops and food courts?  16:13 Why the SGQR unified payment code method has helped many hawkers survive lately 17:30 Jeevan's and Cornelius' journey from the corporate world to the hawker profession; did their university degrees help in current hawker profession? 24:32 Overseas ventures: How will the Lina Noodles empire strike out next? 26:01 Advice for young and aspiring hawkers or “hawkerpreneurs” Produced by: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionFirst impressions of Budget 2024 for the youthThis Budget 2024 special analysis examines how measures announced would benefit Singaporean youth, from education, to housing, childcare and inflation.  Synopsis: Titled “Building our Shared Future Together”, Budget 2024 was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Feb 16, 2024.  The plan for revenue and expenditure of the Singapore government was laid out to address immediate challenges like cost-of-living pressures while investing in longer-term goals of strong economic growth, better jobs and a culture of lifelong learning. We examine how Budget 2024's measures announced would benefit Singaporean youth, from education, to housing, childcare and inflation.  In this special episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong hosts two guests: Ms Cherlyn Ng, 35, a video producer who has two young children. Ms Ng is also a young union leader with Creative Media Publishing Union, which is affiliated to NTUC.  Mr Jod Gill is global employer services partner at Deloitte Singapore. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:46 Should the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, which gives $4,000 to a Singaporean worker aged 40 and above, also in future, include workers in their 30s? 4:38 Cherlyn on how the new SkillsFuture Level-Up programme might in future, help young mothers restart their careers for example; Jod on the impact on younger workers 7:40 Thoughts on the financial support from the (Open Market) Voucher under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme for young couples waiting for Build-To-Order (BTO) homes. 9:08 Would new subsidies for pre-schools be enough to push Ms Ng to consider having a third child? Pre-school subsidy indicative of inflation pressures on younger families? 11:25 Cherlyn on renewed support for cost-of-living measures like CDC vouchers and U-save rebates; Jod on how personal tax rebates can help cushion higher cost of living 15:40 Reacting to how ITE graduates will get S$5,000 when enrolling for a diploma, and a S$10,000 CPF top-up when attaining it Read ST's Budget 2024 coverage: https://str.sg/6kzj Produced by: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionThe great communication catch-up: Is Singapore SimplyGo-ing too fast?Empathy for the generation divide and user behaviour patterns may need to be studied more as Singapore digitalises itself rapidly. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. The hard deadline for full transition from an older card-based ticketing system to the account-based SimplyGo public transport payment system by June 1, 2024 eventually went away. This is after public outcry over SimplyGo’s inability to display fares and card balances at fare gates and bus card readers.  Such negative reactions have raised questions how impactful nationwide policies, like the adoption of SimplyGo, can be better communicated to the public. And is a one-size-fit-all approach even possible for Singapore’s rapidly ageing population that must constantly overcome the first hurdle in adapting to technology?  ST podcast editor Ernest Luis and assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong host two guest speakers in this episode: Associate Professor Helen Ko from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) for her insights on ageing issues Ms Neeta Lachmandas, founder of ConsciousService, a training and consulting company, and also a former executive director of the Institute of Service Excellence at SMU and assistant chief executive of STB. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:33 Technology and convenience versus customer experience and communication 4:55 Selling people the upside on digital policies as well as how to handle major changes; was this just an issue for the 'older' generation? 8:05 Tailoring "instructional design" - the art and science of teaching seniors 11:25 Understanding the need for bite-sized info in small steps across older generations, "empathy" in designing public policy for an increasingly ageing population 18:08 Contradictory "digital transformation" messaging not an issue exclusive to only Singapore 20:45 Why it's good to aim for "universal design"; why seniors are a highly diverse group Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionPlay in shared spaces: How can S'pore balance competing needs?How can community spaces co-exist with competing demands while fostering spontaneous and free play? Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. Managing the use of void decks in Singapore is like a cagey board game – one where Sembawang Town Council played the ultimate “no ball games” card, recently barricading Block 638 Woodlands Ring Road's void deck due to noisy school kids, stirring both controversy and reflection.  This was not a solo act; similar void deck blockades have hit Jalan Kayu and Tampines, creating a recurring match between communal play and resident grievances in recent years.  The incident sparked a lively online commentary, with opinions ranging from “Give kids space!" to "Stray balls are public enemy #1." The barricades may have been taken down, but bigger questions persist: Have we taken for granted the community spaces we share? Do we still value conviviality, or have we become too individualised? Is there still room for spontaneous play and social cohesion, or are Singaporeans becoming more intolerant? As the city evolves, the challenge remains – how can we rejig our infrastructure requirements to preserve the magic of free-access public spaces? The game is afoot! In this episode, ST journalist Gabrielle Chan and assistant ST Now editor Sazali Abdul Aziz delve into this discussion with Professor Laavanya Kathiravelu, who specialises in sociology with a focus on urban planning in cities at the National Technological University of Singapore. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:37 Why has the discussion of this issue evoked such strong emotions among Singaporeans? 7:44 Is too much balance and structure limiting the creativity of Singaporeans? 11:39 The “Not In My Backyard” syndrome 16:07 Are playgrounds still a good tool for social integration? 21:02 Are authorities too heavy-handed in dealing with complaints? 27:22 What other solutions are there to balance the needs of the community when it comes to shared spaces? Read Gabrielle Chan’s article: https://str.sg/iYrX Read Sazali Abdul Aziz’s opinion column: https://str.sg/iggq Produced by: Gabrielle Chan (gabchan@sph.com.sg), Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Gabrielle Chan’s articles:https://str.sg/nYBZ Read Sazali Abdul Aziz’s articles: https://str.sg/Jbxq --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionWhat do safer transport options for workers have to do with the cost of a BTO flat?Why more evidence is needed to break down the cost of transitioning migrant workers away from being ferried on lorries. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. Migrant workers have been transported in the backs of lorries here for decades, with an ongoing debate about whether the practice should be banned. Yet, despite the platitudes and petitions signed, employers and the authorities have stopped short of doing so, citing knock-on effects on society. Besides delays to various construction projects, higher costs for businesses and consequently all Singaporeans, are often cited as a justification for why a ban should not be imposed. But are Singaporeans really unwilling to fork out more money to ensure that the lives of migrant workers are better protected? Especially when more are stepping up now to call for an end to the unsafe practice?  In this episode, ST journalists Ang Qing and Aqil Hamzah examine the age-old debate with their guests - labour economist and associate professor Walter Theseira, who heads the master of management in urban transportation programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Suraendher Kumarr, an activist with workers’ rights group Workers Make Possible. They discuss a survey recently commissioned by The Straits Times and conducted by market research firm Milieu Insight, on how young people in Singapore feel about the practice of ferrying workers on lorries and how much they are willing to pay to stop it. The survey of 1,000 residents aged 16 to 35, found that while most young people here think that migrant workers should be transported safely to work, more than half surveyed are unwilling to pay more to ban the practice of ferrying migrant workers on lorries. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:05 Why are businesses reluctant to adopt alternative transport methods? 4:51 Who should bear the brunt of any increase in costs if other forms of transport besides lorries are used? 7:45 What are the challenges businesses face in making such a decision? 16:34 Young people in Singapore appear more concerned about whether current infrastructure can support migrant workers taking public transport 22:29 Why organisations wrote letters to the government in July 2023, calling for a ban on migrant workers being transported on the backs of lorries 34:27 Policy, not just individual action, needed to enact change Produced by: Ang Qing (aqing@sph.com.sg), Aqil Hamzah (haqil@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa’izah Sani & Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Ang Qing's articles: https://str.sg/i5gT Read Aqil Hamzah’s articles: https://str.sg/i5gS --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionComLink+: Partnering low-income families with befrienders and family coachesHear how you can donate in terms of financial assistance or even in other ways if you can set aside your time. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. The Forward Singapore exercise began in June 2022, and over 16 months, more than 200,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life have taken part in engagement sessions on a wide range of topics. The engagement exercise ended with the Forward Singapore Report released by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Oct 27, 2023. The report reflects Singaporeans’ collective aspirations and shared understanding of our roles and vision for the future. Today, about 14,000 families with children who live in public rental housing are supported by the Community Link programme – in housing, employment and education. It’s a programme to support lower-income families in all HDB towns, with a focus on those living in public rentals with children under 21. In this episode, we’ll look at the new and boosted ComLink+ programme. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts three guests in this episode: Mr Manas Gupta, a ComLink volunteer befriender who conducts home visits to help families in need of community support Mr Malminderjit Singh, a volunteer with a foster home and who is also on advisory boards related to community support Mr Lim Teck Kiat, a senior director in policy from the Ministry of Social & Family Development This podcast is brought to you by the Ministry of Communications and Information, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY Highlights (click/tap above): 3:35 Why Mr Manas became a "befriender" to a low-income family, and how they have interacted with him 5:30 Mr Malminderjit on how the financial assistance scheme was crucial in shaping his own life, and what low-income families actually want, what moves the needle 10:56 Mr Lim explains how the new ComLink+ programme will work 16:05 Ensuring longer-term financial support and reducing gaps in early childhood development - befrienders can also link the dots for ComLink+ new "family coaches" 18:30 Can potential donors reach out financially? Also, can the community chip in more, besides just financial donations, such as in mentorships, internships, jobs 21:50 The ComLink+ programme's new “family coaches”: How this new role works, and other volunteer partnerships More on how you can help in ComLink+: ComLink+ programme: https://str.sg/ixLQ Select your preferred cause: https://str.sg/ixLM MSF website: https://str.sg/ixLY Listen to other instalments of this Forward SG-themed series: Pt 1: Jobs & upskilling - https://str.sg/iqXa Pt 2: Youth panels - https://str.sg/iqXR Pt 3: End of profit-flipping BTO mentality - https://str.sg/ixLf Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionHear our podcasts on The Straits Times' app, besides Apple Podcasts & SpotifyEach follow on the audio apps below and a rating really helps us! Happy listening! Synopsis: A brand new feature is within The Straits Times app, which you can download from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. For those of you who already have it, the latest version update now has a dedicated Podcast Section, where you can listen to our latest incoming show episodes and check out back episodes too. You can also choose to follow our podcast RSS feeds, or the shows on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you have a smart home speaker like the Google Home or Nest device, or your Android phone, just say: “Hey Google, play me (name of any of the shows below) or The Straits Times Podcasts.” Get The Straits Times app from The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX Produced & edited by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) & Teo Tong Kai Follow ST Podcasts: Channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukK Spotify: https://str.sg/wukH SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stpodcasttrPossible end of BTO profit-flipping mentality: Youths, expert discussWill new systemic changes make first-time couples adopt a new "forever home" mentality? Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. The Forward Singapore exercise began in June 2022, and since then, many Singaporeans from all walks of life have taken part in engagement sessions on a wide range of topics, including housing. This is the third of four podcast discussions, and part of the ongoing conversation to refresh our social compact for the next lap of Singapore's journey. At these Forward Singapore engagements, participants agreed that Singapore should continue to be an affordable home-owning society. To get their reactions towards tighter restrictions and additional subsidies for new Plus and Prime flats, to start from the second half of 2024 under the recently-announced new classification for public housing, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts three guests in this episode: Mr Eden Soh, 28, a media producer who recently just paid his deposit for his Prime Location Housing flat in the south-western area Mr Asher Chua, 28, a sales executive who applied for BTO flats for a few years but has now bought a resale flat instead Ms Christine Sun, senior vice-president of research and analytics at OrangeTee & Tie This podcast is brought to you by the Ministry of Communications and Information, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY Highlights (click/tap above): 3:35 Do youths like Mr Soh, and their peers, feel that public housing flats will probably not be as huge a "pot of gold" as it was seen previously?  5:25 Could the reclassification of flats mean a new reality for aspiring homeowners? Ms Sun on whether it could be the end of the "flipping-for-profit" mentality among young people? 8:15 Why Mr Chua chose a resale flat in the end 14:55 With the new classification of flats from the second half of 2024, what will be the impact on million-dollar public flats? 17:45 First-time public flat owners: Will their buying behaviours change, and will such systemic changes help stabilise long-term property market? 25:10 HDB resale prices: Could there be uneven price growth for different segments? More on: New BTO Plus Housing Model: https://str.sg/iqXb Public housing budget calculator: https://str.sg/iqXE Listen to other instalments of this Forward SG-themed series: Pt 1: Jobs & upskilling - https://str.sg/iqXa Pt 2: Youth panels - https://str.sg/iqXR Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Isabelle Liew's articles: https://str.sg/iqDq --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionHow new upcoming youth panels will work as part of Forward SGThe intention is to give young people a voice on national issues. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. The Forward Singapore exercise began in June 2022, and since then, over 14,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life have participated in about 140 engagement sessions on a wide range of topics. This is the second of four podcast discussions, and part of the ongoing conversation to refresh our social compact for the next lap of Singapore's journey. We discuss the upcoming launch of the youth panels in the last quarter of 2023 - likely to be after October - that provides a new way for youth to work closer with the Government to understand policy considerations and make recommendations. Youth is typically defined as those aged 15 to 35 in Singapore. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts three guests in this episode: Mr David Chua, CEO of National Youth Council Ms Pek Hailin, 34, senior manager, Sustainability (Estates), at Singapore Institute of Technology Mr Chirag Agarwal, 36, the co-founder of Talk Your Heart Out - an online counselling platform that is primarily used by youth This podcast is brought to you by the Ministry of Communications and Information, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY Highlights (click/tap above): 2:07 What could be the biggest challenge these new youth panels will face? 10:55 Does the Government trust youths enough to involve them in processes of difficult policy-shaping? 12:42 What it will be like, when you sign up for the new youth panels 20:55 Hailin and Chirag offer feedback on areas for improvement for organisers of the new youth panels, having been involved in previous informal circles 22:49 How they would encourage young people to join these new youth panels despite today's cancel culture More on: Youth panels: https://str.sg/iT84 Register your interest in youth panels: https://str.sg/iT8J Forward Singapore website: https://str.sg/wFbY Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionWhy 'youth vote' in Presidential Election could be quite diverseOur guests on how youth in Singapore, aged 18 to 35, can be quite diverse in opinions. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. In this episode, we look at how social media and podcasts have helped presidential candidates win hearts and minds before Singaporeans go to the polls on Sept 1, 2023, this coming Friday.  ST's Jean Iau and Natasha Ann Zachariah - who cover Singapore politics - host two youths in the studio to discuss how well each candidate has used social media and why it matters to young people. Their first guest is Mr Joel Lim, 30, managing director of Zyrup Media and host of Political Prude: The Podcast, a show catered towards young adults. He has hosted all three presidential candidates on his show recently. Their second guest is Mr Maximilian Oh, a 23-year-old third-year undergraduate from the National University of Singapore pursuing a degree in political science and philosophy. He is a keen follower of politics and current affairs. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:50 Joel Lim recounts personal highlights of each candidate after he hosted them on his podcast 8:55 What is an assumption about the 'youth vote' that may not be true? Maximilian Oh on why it's not a "cohesive" voting block 11:20 Some of their peers tell them they're even considering who would make a "good presidential couple" visually in portraits 12:30 Do the personal lives of the candidates matter to young voters? 18:20 Why the WhatsApp strategy of Mr Ng Kok Song and Mr Tan Kin Lian "speaks" to older generations, in the same way youths engage with the candidates on Instagram or TikTok 26:00 On how youth view non-partisanship, discerning what each candidate means by their own independence Discover Joel Lim's Political Prude: The Podcast: https://str.sg/iSBT Produced by: Jean Iau (jeaniau@sph.com.sg), Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Jean Iau's articles: https://str.sg/iSXW Read Natasha Ann Zachariah’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinion #asianinsiderWhy Singaporeans need good 'career health' and agility going forwardProgression, resilience, and inclusion are key areas of concern at public Forward SG sessions on jobs and upskilling. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. The Forward Singapore exercise began in June 2022, and since then, over 14,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life have participated in about 140 engagement sessions on a wide range of topics. This is the first of four podcast discussions till mid-October, and part of the ongoing conversation to refresh our social compact for the next lap of Singapore's journey. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts three guests in this episode: Mr Kenny Tan, Deputy Secretary for Workforce at the Ministry of Manpower Mr Ivan Lua was once an airforce officer and has made a successful career transition at the age of 36, to his current role as Information and Cyber Security Risk Specialist at Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore after taking part in the Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP) offered by Workforce Singapore and the Institute of Banking and Finance Mr Keith Ng, the CEO of Performance Rotors, a company that was started in 2016 to build drones and develop robotics solutions for data acquisition in GPS denied and confined space environments.  This podcast is brought to you by the Ministry of Communications and Information, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY Highlights (click/tap above): 4:23 Mr Lua on how he decided and prepared to change careers, from the airforce to the banking industry now 5:34 Single career path in life no longer the norm: Deputy Secretary Kenny Tan on why even new jobs created by new technologies today might be replaced - "career agility" the key 8:33 Mr Lua on his reservations, confidence, and his career transition experience 14:50 Why Singaporeans should start taking charge of their "career health", as DS Tan explains the importance of Singaporean evolving their own mindsets 21:54 Mr Ng on his personal experience of hiring a mature worker in 2021 through Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme for Internationalisation Professionals  28:00 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employ over 70 per cent of Singapore's workforce; why SMEs should step forward first too, learn to transform jobs and look at national subsidies for training programmes More on: Forward Singapore website: https://str.sg/wFbY WSG's Career Conversion Programme: https://str.sg/iSpM SkillsFuture Advice: https://str.sg/iSp8 Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionYoung people say new housing classification addresses concerns betterOur guests have regularly attended Forward SG engagement sessions to air their views. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. At the National Day Rally recently on Aug 20, 2023, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced an overhaul of the current housing estate classification system. The current mature and non-mature system will end by the second half of 2024, and from then on, new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats will be split into three categories - Standard, Plus and Prime - under a new framework with tiered buying-and-selling restrictions. In this episode, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis finds out the sentiments of two unattached singles. Mr Mohamad Arshad is a 26-year-old sales development executive and Mr Cho Ming Xiu, 36, runs a non-profit mental health organisation for youths and young adults, called Campus PSY.  Highlights (click/tap above): 3:45 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasises affordability, good social mix. fairness, as the ideals underlining the reasons for the change; Arshad's and Cho's views 7:12 PM said more Singaporeans are choosing to be single; new system more flexible for singles such as Cho at the age of 36 9:45 Entire flat rental restrictions for future Plus flat owners: Too strict or good to deter those who simply want to profit? 13:30 On the new 30-month wait-out period for private property owners who wish to buy a resale Prime or Plus flat Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionShould the extramarital affairs of Singapore's politicians end their careers?NTU don says votes should determine whether Singaporeans can stomach politicians involved in such affairs. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. July 17 marked the death knell of not one, but four political careers. Just hours before the shock resignations of former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and ex-Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui, a leaked video circulated online, showing former Workers’ Party MP Leon Perera stroking the hand of fellow party member Nicole Seah. This would spark an investigation by the largest opposition party, and result in the pair stepping down. But is it necessary for MPs to resign because of their private indiscretions? Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in Parliament on Aug 2 that there was no direct reporting line between the Speaker and an MP, and so a legitimate relationship would not be objectionable. Moreover, politicians worldwide have been embroiled in extramarital affairs, to no detriment to their careers. So are Singaporeans just over-invested in the private lives of public figures? Or must politicians be held to higher standards? In this episode, ST journalists Ang Qing and Aqil Hamzah host Nanyang Technological University's School of Social Sciences don Walid Jumblatt, 38, and National University of Singapore political science and philosophy student Maximilian Oh, 23, to learn about how different generations view the issue. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:00 Are Singaporeans able to trust disgraced politicians? 4:05 Should affairs be a punishable offence in Singapore politics? 10:45 Dr Walid on how Singapore looks at its politicians as "superhumans"; what do people look for when voting for a politician?  13:05 Should disgraced politicians be cancelled, even if they did good work before? 17:00 Are different generations reacting differently to politicians having affairs? How critical is the element of deceit? 20:35 Will Singapore ever be "ready" for a politician to have a chequered personal life? Should this be tested at the ballot box? Produced by: Ang Qing (aqing@sph.com.sg), Aqil Hamzah (haqil@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Lee Yulin, Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Ang Qing's articles: https://str.sg/i5gT Read Aqil Hamzah’s articles: https://str.sg/i5gS --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinion #asianinsiderRecord-breaking COE’s impact on Singapore societyAs more are priced out of owning cars, will the cost of vehicle-sharing services shoot up and be passed on to those who use them?  Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. The certificate of entitlement (COE) is the permit needed for a vehicle to be used on the road in Singapore. This cost then needs to be added to the cost of the vehicle itself before it hits the road. Coupled with a zero-growth policy, the price of COEs - set by an open tender exercise - has been making the news, repeatedly setting record highs, pushing up the cost of owning a vehicle - and by extension, the cost of transportation all round. In this episode, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts colleague and senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe, and Ms Ramya Ragupathi, an entrepreneur in the food industry. She runs Oh My Goodness, a food manufacturing start-up that specialises in  gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free foods. They discuss the future and inevitable impact of record COE prices on society as Singapore is pushing for a car-lite society, and why people should not just think of COE prices as having an impact only on those who can afford a car in Singapore.  Also, why COE prices will not plunge below the $100,000 mark, or even return to the sub-50k days. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:13 As a food start-up owner who can't afford her own vehicle, Ms Ramya on her mix use of car-sharing, ride-hailing and MRT options 5:09 But with factories in Admiralty, Mandai, why sticking to just public transport means "time and work productivity is lost" 8:45 Why increased supply of COEs over coming months could easily be outstripped by higher demand from leasing companies, to grow ride-hailing and car-sharing services 14:15 Bearing higher costs ultimately as consumers of such services 23:27 Making sense of see-sawing motorcycle COE prices in May 2023 25:10 How this impacts gig workers, bus drivers renting bikes to get to work; Ms Ramya on her food sector workers' early morning long commute difficulties Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) and Paxton Pang Edited by: Paxton Pang Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Lee Nian Tjoe’s articles: https://str.sg/wt8G --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionHow Singapore could use AI tools to deal with fake news, misinformationFind out why human-based detection to sift through the Internet's growing volume of content is getting harder to do. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. Recently, a 2023 Global Digital Report of digital behaviour, usage and connectivity insights from around the world was released by media intelligence and data analytics company Meltwater, and We Are Social. A key report takeaway: 60.7 per cent of Singaporeans are concerned about what is real and fake on the internet, and that is higher than the global average of 53.9 per cent. Besides focusing on the enterprise market in South-east Asia and Japan, Meltwater also helps Singapore government agencies face new challenges such as fake news, misinformation and implementing ESG strategy. In this episode, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts Mr Mimrah Mahmood, vice-president for Enterprise (Apac) and partner at Meltwater Asia-Pacific. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:32 How Singapore might deal with fake Internet information, with the advent of more Artificial intelligence tools 6:48 Can such technology help humans filter misinformation and generate accurate counter-narratives? 8:42 How should a government agency handle false narratives? 9:19 When do you pro-actively respond when it comes to best modern-day communications strategy in this digital age? 12:28 Why human-based detection alone is harder now with the growing volume of content facing government agencies 17:00 Challenges in South-east Asia in public and private sectors Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim and Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionNew youth panels and policy-shaping: Can Singapore youth finally have a proper say?From late-2023, these new youth-led panels will be introduced by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and supported by the National Youth Council and other government agencies. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. On April 10, Parliament resumed with an address by President Halimah Yacob. She outlined the Government’s priorities, policies and programmes for the rest of its term ahead of the next election, which has to be held by 2025. Parliament then debated points made in her address. In this episode, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts colleagues - deputy news editor Grace Ho and journalist Jean Iau - who covered the five days of those debates. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:48 Hear Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong on the new youth panels, as he explained in Parliament 2:48 Grace on whether this is good politics; Jean on youth and why their goals are different from previous generation 6:50 Hear Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh's call for the 4G Government to be receptive to sharing more information; is a social compact without transparency tough to achieve? 11:48 Hear Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stressing that there is no place for populism and political opportunism, responding to Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, who agreed on the point made 13:28 Jean on her generation's views about populism and opportunism in Singapore politics 14:32 Hear President Halimah Yacob on the dangers of being drawn into an educational arms race in Singapore society; Grace's reaction as a mother of two young children herself; Jean on societal challenges Audio courtesy of Parliament of Singapore Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Paxton Pang Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read Jean Iau's articles: https://str.sg/ioUs Read ST's The Gist articles: https://str.sg/ioUe Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionBudget 2023: Start of ‘new era’ in running post-pandemic Singapore?Fair, inclusive, a new era: Do these two words and a phrase best underline the spirit of Budget 2023? Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. Singapore's Parliament has passed in early March, the Government’s $123.7 billion spending plans for the coming financial year. In this episode, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts colleague and deputy news editor Grace Ho, who monitored around 70 hours of speeches and debates in Parliament in the past few weeks. What does she make of them? Highlights (click/tap above): 2:16 What was truly fair? Those who can pay more, will pay more; Grace highlights buyer’s stamp duties for higher-value residential and non-residential properties as a "fair move"  2:52 Regarding those unhappy with the higher tax rates for residential property in excess of $1.5 million, these people are actually part of that top 21 per cent of Singaporeans living in private housing 5:03 Can the Government realistically please everyone? Eg: The change in Working Mother’s Child Relief from a percentage to fixed dollar relief, will better help lower-income mothers 6:19 What was truly inclusive? The announcements for public housing, initiatives for persons with disabilities, preventing lower-income families from "falling through the cracks" 10:31 New era for Government initiatives, but will it turn out to be a new era for the way Singaporean parents or employers think?  17:08 What happens when Parliament - in its customary mid-term break now - reconvenes on April 10 Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim and Paxton Pang Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionBudget 2023's public housing measures: 'Good surprise for singles', 'more family-centric choices', say youthsSingapore's Parliament has passed in early March, the Government’s $123.7 billion spending plans for the coming financial year. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. Two single and unattached youths - aged 26 and 36 respectively - share their reactions to Budget 2023's new public housing measures after they had raised their concerns and thoughts about housing issues in prior episodes. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis finds out the sentiments of Mr Mohamad Arshad, a 26-year-old sales development executive who recently graduated from Singapore University of Technology and Design and now works in his family’s business. His second guest is Mr Cho Ming Xiu, 36, who started a non-profit mental health organisation in 2016 for youths and young adults, called Campus PSY.  Highlights (click/tap above): 2:28 Ming Xiu on higher CPF housing grant for first-timer singles buying 2-5 room HDB resale flats, besides current option of 2-room flexi BTO in non-mature estates 5:17 On the new First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples) priority category catering to those with Singaporean children aged 18 and below as well as married couples aged 40 and below, who will get more support when they apply for a new Housing Board flat 7:00 With combined grants of up to $190,000, up from $160,000 in this new priority category, has it opened up more options for youth in future, and young couples now? 12:50 Their views and concerns about the possible future mature/non-mature estate debate 15:45 Increasing CPF monthly salary ceiling in 2026 to keep pace with rising salaries and future retirement needs - their views on how this also relates to rising cost of living concerns and take-home pay Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionHow financially literate are Singapore’s youth?Why youths do not want financial advice from a 'suit', but from those they can identify with. Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis and business journalist Tay Hong Yi invite two young Singaporeans in their early 30s to share their own financial literacy awareness, and concerns about the financial knowledge level of youth in the country. Shubaashini Vijayamohan is a lead designer with ThinkPlace Singapore and Kenneth Lou was previously the co-founder of personal finance community Seedly till last year, and he is now looking at new start-up ventures in the healthcare sector. They discuss highlights from a new poll on youth financial literacy commissioned by the National Youth Council. The survey had 500 youth participants aged 16-34. The full poll results will be out on March 1 at the Youthopia website: https://str.sg/wFbN This episode is brought to you by the National Youth Council, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbx Highlights (click/tap above): 1:45 Over half of survey respondents said they engage in financial planning, with a quarter saying they plan to 6:15 Why financial confidence still not high among youth 10:40 Why youth want a source of unbiased and factual truth that is not what financial institutions push; rise of 'FinFluencers' (financial influencers who are not dressed in suits) 13:28 Tips for youth: Using robo-advisors, avoiding being a 'leaky bucket'; dealing with 'fear of missing out' 20:25 Investments rank the highest goal in terms of financial literacy for those surveyed: Why insurance and protection should be foundationally important 22:55 Context: Big difference between a child's pocket money and when an adult gets the first pay cheque, credit card  Listen to Pt 1: Mentoring youths and how professionals can drive Mentoring SG - https://str.sg/ikqK Listen to Pt 2: Listen to 2 singles react to new youth poll on public housing priorities - https://str.sg/wtPm Listen to Pt 3: Listen to a young married couple reacting to new youth poll on public housing priorities - https://str.sg/wtPW More on: National Youth Council: https://str.sg/wFbf Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY Youthopia: https://str.sg/wFbN Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg) Hadyu Rahim and Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Fa'izah Sani Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read askSTJobs column: https://str.sg/wv9i --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionBudget 2023: Audio highlights from DPM Lawrence Wong's speechParliament will next debate the Budget and the spending plans of various ministries from Feb 22 to March 6. Synopsis: In this episode, you will hear audio highlights of Budget 2023, as delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on February 14. He announced more support measures and payouts to help households, workers and businesses deal with inflation in his Budget speech. DPM Wong loosened the Government’s purse strings in a $123.7 billion proposal - about 18.2 per cent of Singapore’s GDP. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:43 More help for prioritised first-timers to secure BTO flats 3:00 Baby Bonus cash gifts 6:50 More payouts from Assurance Package; new Cost-of-Living Special Payment 9:45 CPF monthly salary ceiling to be increased to address future retirement needs of ageing population More Singapore Budget 2023 stories and full details at: www.straitstimes.com Audio courtesy of Parliament of Singapore Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim and Teo Tong Kai  Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow ST Podcasts channel: Channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukK Spotify: https://str.sg/wukH Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukr SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Discover more ST podcast channels: In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #Budget2023Does my banana look like your banana? Intellectual property in the art worldAre copycat art pieces going to become a legal battleground? Synopsis: The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests.  Three years ago, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan sold a banana duct-taped to a wall for a cool US$120,000 (S$167,000) at Art Basel Miami. But according to American artist Joe Morford, it was plagiarised from his own artwork of a duct-taped orange and banana. Did Morford sufficiently prove that Cattelan's banana infringed his banana? And will a legal victory for Morford against Cattelan embolden others to proceed with similar legal actions against literally hundreds of thousands of "copycat" images found on every corner of the Internet? Here to make sure no one goes bananas is Mr Ryan Su, an art and intellectual property lawyer at OC Queen Street LLC, who had personally seen the infamous banana at Art Basel Miami in 2019. Deputy news editor Grace Ho hosts him in this episode. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:20 Ryan describes his personal experience of seeing the banana artwork at Art Basel Miami 6:47 How does one determine if copyright infringement has taken place? 8:58 Different kinds of copying 10:50 How difficult it is to prove that one has previously seen and copied an artwork 15:50 What lessons the rest of the art world can draw from this case Read the article here: https://str.sg/wvZa *Regular host and Insight editor Grace Ho has changed portfolios at The Straits Times to become its deputy news editor this year but will return later to partner podcast editor Ernest Luis in hosting for certain episodes. Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionPublic housing priorities: Young married couple reacts to new youth pollPei Rong and Leon Lee, both 33, secured their Build-To-Order (BTO) flat in 2021 and it will be ready in 2027. Synopsis: The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis invites a young married couple - both 33 - to share their journey in securing their first home in Singapore and other housing concerns, calculations and considerations. They also discuss highlights from a new National Youth Council poll on housing. The survey had 1,000 youth participants. Details here at the Youthopia website: https://str.sg/wFbN This episode is brought to you by the National Youth Council, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbx Highlights (click/tap above): 1:30 Three generations under one roof for now, makeshift living arrangements till 2027 2:40 Constraints of space, not just in the "physical sense" 4:20 Youth survey results: The primary function of public housing 8:25 Forms of support most important when purchasing public housing; calculating for their first BTO flat 11:25 HDBs should be used for owner occupation and not as an investment asset: Their reactions, worries about future affordability 15:06 Their tips for young married couples looking to secure a BTO flat Listen to Pt 1: Mentoring youths and how professionals can drive Mentoring SG - https://str.sg/ikqK Listen to Pt 2: Listen to 2 singles react to new youth poll on public housing priorities - https://str.sg/wtPm Listen to Pt 4: How financially literate are Singapore’s youth? - https://str.sg/ikqz More on: National Youth Council: https://str.sg/wFbf Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY * Regular host and Insight editor Grace Ho has changed portfolios at The Straits Times to become its deputy news editor this year but will return later to partner podcast editor Ernest Luis in co-hosting for certain episodes. Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionPublic housing priorities: Two singles react to new youth pollTwo single and unattached youths share their thoughts on housing in Singapore. Synopsis: The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests. ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis finds out the sentiments of Mr Mohamad Arshad, a 26-year-old sales development executive who recently graduated from Singapore University of Technology and Design and now works in his family’s business. His second guest is Mr Cho Ming Xiu, 36, who started a non-profit mental health organisation in 2016 for youths and young adults, called Campus PSY.  They also discuss highlights from a new National Youth Council poll on housing. The survey had 1,000 youth participants. Details here at the Youthopia website: https://str.sg/wFbN This episode is brought to you by the National Youth Council, in support of Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbx Highlights (click/tap above): 1:45 Top 3 priorities for youth surveyed on public housing 2:53 Arshad's CPF concerns, as he aims to be self-reliant 5:57 How hopeful is he about the authorities studying any possible adjustment to the mature/non-mature classification of public housing estates 7:45 What forms of support matter most for surveyed youth when purchasing first home? 15:53 Ming Xiu on poll findings about whether current public housing options are sufficient for singles 17:48 Options on the table for Ming Xiu as a 36-year-old single 21:57 Poll findings on HDB flats being used for owner occupation and not as investment asset; concerns over decaying lease values of resale flats Listen to Pt 1: Mentoring youths and how professionals can drive Mentoring SG - https://str.sg/ikqK Listen to Pt 3: Listen to a young married couple reacting to new youth poll on public housing priorities - https://str.sg/wtPW Listen to Pt 4: How financially literate are Singapore’s youth? - https://str.sg/ikqz More on: National Youth Council: https://str.sg/wFbf Forward Singapore: https://str.sg/wFbY * Regular host and Insight editor Grace Ho has changed portfolios at The Straits Times to become its deputy news editor this year but will return later to partner podcast editor Ernest Luis in co-hosting for certain episodes. Produced by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionIs it okay to use drugs since other countries are relaxing their rules on it?Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. Earlier this year, the admission by three national swimmers - Commonwealth Games silver medallist Teong Tzen Wei, Olympic champion Joseph Schooling and Amanda Lim - that they had consumed controlled drugs, in particular, cannabis, while abroad, sent shockwaves through the sporting community in Singapore. Mr Schooling was fined $10,000 following investigations by a disciplinary committee. The Singapore National Olympic Council also fined Ms Lim $2,800 and Mr Teong $3,200 for breaching the council’s code of conduct. Here to make sense of the case, what the law says about it, and what it means for Singapore as countries around the region loosen up rules on drug consumption, is Associate Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University Eugene Tan. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:30 What does the law say about drug consumption in Singapore and overseas? 4:00 Why SportSG took reference from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) even though WADA's rules are different from Singapore law 7:50 How different countries' and international agencies' approaches to "recreational" vs "hard" drugs have evolved 12:45 Younger Singaporeans are more accepting of drug consumption. Should Singapore take a softer stand on drugs, or is this a slippery slope? 19:05 The need for a multi-pronged approach, from legislation to public education and harm prevention Read the article here: https://str.sg/wCHB Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionMentoring youths and how professionals can drive Mentoring SGSynopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. December 9 marks the official launch of Mentoring SG, the national mentoring movement. Themed ‘Standing on the shoulders of Giants', this movement believes that every youth should have the opportunity to grow together with mentors who care. In this episode, Grace looks at what it takes to be a mentor, how others have done it, and how more youths can be encouraged to step forward to be mentors. In the studio with her are Mr Chong Leong Fatt, deputy principal, Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central; Mr Tan Chung Hao, an ITE alumni who was mentored during his school days there and has gone on to mentor others; and Ms Yvonne Kong, a career futurist and workforce developer who works in a local university.  This episode is brought to you by the National Youth Council, in support of Forward Singapore: https://mentoring.sg/ Highlights (click/tap above): 2:10 How Chong Chung Hao and Leong Fatt find time to mentor others in spite of their busy schedules 9:30 How more youths can be encouraged to step forward to be mentors for ITE students, and the challenges they face 12:32 How Yvonne began her mentoring journey as a working professional 13:57 Yvonne has mentored people aged 13-60; are different skills needed to mentor people of different ages? 16:40 Why companies should be more outward-looking and embrace mentoring, even if it does not lead to immediate internal benefits 18:12 How companies can step out as a department or mentoring group, increase employee engagement through mentoring 19:10 Why mentoring is more important than ever since the pandemic, and how people can get started on the Mentoring.sg movement Listen to Pt 2: Listen to 2 singles react to new youth poll on public housing priorities - https://str.sg/wtPm Listen to Pt 3: Listen to a young married couple reacting to new youth poll on public housing priorities - https://str.sg/wtPW Listen to Pt 4: How financially literate are Singapore’s youth? - https://str.sg/ikqz More on: Mentoring first steps through Mentoring SG: https://mentoring.sg/mentoring-culture Mentoring opportunities: https://mentoringsg.com/ National Youth Council: https://www.nyc.gov.sg/ Forward Singapore: https://www.forwardsingapore.gov.sg/ Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionIs the strawberry generation really spoiled?Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. The term "strawberry generation" usually refers to those born after 1981. Over time, the term has expanded to include pretty much any young person whom the older generation consider to be easily bruised - like a strawberry. But is this a fair perception of the younger generation?  Here to help unpack the strawberries are Chew Han Ei, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore; and Vincent Chua, associate professor at NUS’ department of sociology and anthropology. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:20 Are common perceptions of the strawberry generation justified? 4:16 Key findings of a recent youth study, and how youth overcame adversity during Covid-19 11:20 Whether youth's sense of unity, grit and resilience will dissipate when the crisis is over 14:02: How to get more youth to answer the call to action in the long term 17:35 What the Government, parents, and community can do to foster stronger bonds and trust with the youth Read the article here: https://str.sg/w9DD Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionWith so many million-dollar HDB resale flats, are the latest cooling measures enough?Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. We've all read reports of million-dollar HDB resale flats. To ensure that HDB flats remain affordable and to encourage prudent borrowing amid the rising interest rate environment, a slew of new measures were announced on Sept 30. One of them is a wait-out period of 15 months before private property owners are allowed to buy a non-subsidised HDB resale flat. This is a temporary measure that will be reviewed based on overall demand and market changes. In the studio to unpack the thinking behind the measures, as well as their impact, is Tan Tee Khoon, Country Manager of PropertyGuru Singapore.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:15 Why the cooling measures are needed  3:40: Why is the wait-out period set at 15 months? Is the move too draconian? 8:20 Will the latest moves push demand to smaller HDB flats?  10:32 How the private housing and rental markets could be affected 12:51 Possible indicators the Government could look at before deciding whether to discontinue the measures Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionWhat role do Nominated MPs play in the political process? (Pt 2)Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In Part Two, she takes a closer look at how the Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) scheme works, and how it could evolve over time.  In the studio to share their experiences are two former NMPs: Anthea Ong, also the editor of a new book called The Nominated Member Of Parliament Scheme: Are Unelected Voices Still Necessary In Parliament?; and Nicholas Fang, managing director of Blackdot Research. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:40 Whether NMPs discuss and divide up the topics among themselves 4:15 Should NMPs talk about any topic or only those they are familiar with? 9:23 Nerve-wracking as well as fun moments in the House 15:55 Anthea's and Nicholas' memorable experiences as NMPs 20:30 What changes they would like to see to the NMP scheme Listen to Pt 1 here: https://str.sg/wjkW Read the article here: https://str.sg/wH9A Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionIs the Nominated Member of Parliament scheme losing its relevance? (Pt 1)Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. The Nominated Member of Parliament, or NMP, scheme was introduced by then-First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in November 1989. It was meant to evolve a more consensual style of government where alternative views would be heard and constructive dissent accommodated. But 32 years later, and with 10 opposition MPs in the House, is the scheme still necessary? In the studio to share their experiences are two former NMPs: Anthea Ong, also the editor of a new book called The Nominated Member Of Parliament Scheme: Are Unelected Voices Still Necessary In Parliament?; and Nicholas Fang, managing director of Blackdot Research. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:28 Why Anthea decided to write a book on NMPs 4:16 Nicholas on the role of NMPs, and why sectors such as the arts and sports deserve a voice in Parliament 9:20 What does embracing the NMP scheme look like, versus merely accepting it 11:32 On whether the scheme is losing its relevance Read the article here: https://str.sg/wH9A Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionJust how hard is it to stub out smoking? (Pt 2)Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In this episode, she looks at how the tobacco-free generation (TFG) approach - which proposes to ban the sale of tobacco to people born after a certain year - can reduce smoking prevalence.  In the studio to explain what this means, and whether it can be achieved in Singapore, is Emeritus Professor Jon Berrick of Yale-NUS College. He’s also an Honorary Professor at University of Sydney, and an Adjunct Professor at Western Sydney University. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:50 Why raising the minimum legal age for smoking is not enough 6:03 The countries where TFG has been carried out 8:00 Remaining gaps in these countries' efforts to carry out TFG  9:50 What TFG in Singapore could look like 11:15 Legal challenges mounted by the tobacco industry and their impact on governments' ability to stub out smoking Listen to Pt 1 here: https://str.sg/wrUL Read the articles here: https://str.sg/wz6o https://str.sg/wz6J Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionJust how hard is it to stub out smoking? (Pt 1)Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' Insight editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In this episode, she looks at the different ways in which Singapore can reduce smoking prevalence, such as bans on flavoured cigarettes and raising the minimum legal age. She also looks at newer approaches being adopted by other countries, including the tobacco-free generation and nicotine caps.  In the studio to weigh the pros and cons of these options is Dr Yvette van der Eijk, Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Prof van der Eijk works with local government agencies to support tobacco control efforts. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:15 Why flavoured cigarettes appeal especially to young people, and the effect they have on the body 5:30 Whether flavours in cigarettes should be banned and the alternatives 9:35 Raising the minimum legal age 12:05 The tobacco-free generation approach and how countries such as New Zealand and Malaysia are adopting it 14:00 How short- and long-term policies work together to reduce smoking prevalence Listen to Pt 2: https://str.sg/wrUE Read the articles here: https://str.sg/wz6o https://str.sg/wz6J Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wztc Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionDoes Singapore's Sers scheme still work?Synopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' opinion editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In this episode, she looks at why the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) exercise for a few Housing Board blocks of flats in Ang Mo Kio attracted controversy, especially after elderly residents found out that they had to pay up to $100,000 to move to a replacement flat of the same size. Several steps have been taken since then to support the residents. In the studio to help make sense of Sers is Sing Tien Foo, Professor of Real Estate and director of Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies at National University of Singapore. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:09 Why some residents don't want to move to a replacement flat; history of Sers 6:40 Who stands to gain from the three options available under Ang Mo Kio Sers 13:32 Discussing three alternative options with Professor Sing 18:40 Should there be leases even shorter than 50 years? 21:35 Can Singaporeans continue to expect their HDB flats to appreciate in value? Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionLet’s talk about death and end-of-life plansSynopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' opinion editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In this episode, she looks at why planning for one's death remains a difficult subject, and how people can better prepare themselves and their loved ones for end-of-life matters.  In the studio to explore Singaporeans' attitudes towards death, as well as recent trends in end-of-life preparations, are Rosie Ching, senior principal lecturer at the Singapore Management University; and Darren Cheng, the CEO of Direct Funeral Services. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:21 Why Singaporeans are reluctant to discuss end-of-life plans with their loved ones 5:45 Darren shares his personal experience of illness and death  8:35 Cremation or burial: what are the options, and what do Singaporeans prefer? 11:15 How to get more people to think about their future care plans 14:55 Giving caregivers more financial and emotional support Read the article here: https://str.sg/waEC Listen to Health Check Ep 88: Preparing for a good death with palliative care (Part 1): https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/let-s-talk-about-palliative-care Listen to Health Check Ep 89: What can be done to help more end-of-life patients fulfil their wish of dying at home? (Part 2): https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/what-can-be-done-to-help-more-end-of-life-patients Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionWhy outdoor adventure education in Singapore mattersSynopsis: Every second and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' opinion editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In this episode, she looks at what outdoor adventure education means, why it’s useful, the kinds of standards or guidelines that govern it, and the future of this sector. In the studio to explain what steps have been taken to improve safety and quality  - and why Grace should still do height-based activities even though she's scared of heights - is David Chua, the chief executive officer of the National Youth Council and Edvan Loh, the deputy director of Outward Bound Singapore.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:00 What is outdoor adventure education? 4:45 David and Edvan share their personal experience of outdoor adventure education, and convince Grace to do a high rope course challenge  11:15 The state of the outdoor adventure education community in Singapore 17:30 Improving safety standards and quality 19:50 The future of the sector  Read the article here: https://str.sg/wENm Produced by: Grace Ho (graceho@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionLoad more
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