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🎙️ Plan B Media — Where conversations that matter come alive.
Join us on the Plan B Podcast as we break down the week’s biggest news, ask the hard questions, and spark real talk that goes beyond headlines.

Follow our conversations on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Telegram (@planb.sg) , or dive deeper at www.planb.sg
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🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@planbmediasg
670 Episodes
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This week, headlines swirled around Ong Beng Seng keeping his PR status, a move that’s raised plenty of eyebrows. In a country where one's PR status can be revoked for criminal convictions, ICA’s decision to issue only a warning has sparked questions about Singapore’s “clean and fair” legal image.(03:05) Possible Kyrgyzstan trip in 2026(10:35) Under-the-table payment for Hajj?(13:00) M’sian man bribed Sg’s traffic police(19:08) Ong Beng Seng’s PR status(23:35) Court of Public Opinion(28:19) Ringgit strengthened
We’ve all seen the shocking videos of youths staggering like zombies, hooked on vapes laced with etomidate. As Singapore clamps down on vaping, we speak with Prof Anantham Devanand, Senior Consultant at SGH’s Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, on why vapes can be are dangerous even without etomidate - and share the real-life cases he’s treated.(02:20) What are the harms of etomidate?(05:25) Is there such thing as secondhand vaping?(07:10) Real cases of vaping harm(11:00) Signs your child might be vaping(16:00) Doctor’s take on current penalties
Videos of Pritam Singh going from court to Parliament, and taking photos with the public in between, have gone viral, and online reactions show his public image is still holding strong. But let’s be real: he’s playing the political game. With his conviction now under appeal, we ask: Should Pritam keep fighting, or is this the point to step back and be the Leader of the Opposition in peace?(05:20) Pritam Singh’s convinction appeal(10:25) Optics of Pritam(17:58) Mandatory caning for scammers(21:52) ACS vs The Straits Times(24:55) Chick-fil-A coming to Singapore?!
The 47th ASEAN Summit gave us plenty of unforgettable moments, and we’ve ranked them from least to most memorable. But here’s the thing, Trump seems to pop up in almost every highlight, from dancing with Anwar to letting PMX ride in the Beast. Makes you wonder: was this summit a masterclass in bootlicking Trump?(01:40) Our listicle of best moments from the ASEAN Summit(08:40) Nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize(12:30) Timor Leste in ASEAN(16:55) Funny ASEAN Summit moments(23:15) Trump “almost got” into prison(27:12) RTM’s mistakes
As the Deepavali weekend winds down, the news cycle may be quiet but Singapore still has one major headline. The 3 women behind the pro-Palestine walk, Amirah Asrori, Annamalai Kolika, and Sobikun Nahar, have been acquitted. While many celebrate them as heroes of local activism, lawyer Rahman argues the real hero is the judge. Still, with the AGC appealing the decision, this case may be far from over.(01:10) Is the holiday mood kicking in?(03:47) Keeping up with international news(06:00) Acquittal of the 3 activists behind Pro-Palestine walk(14:22) Bad optics for Singapore(18:10) Favourite Indian foods
The Israel-Hamas hostage exchange marks the biggest breakthrough in the ceasefire yet, and Trump’s taking the credit with his 20-point peace plan. But in Singapore, netizens don’t seem to care. Some are even calling out the media’s double standards: Israelis are “hostages,” Palestinians are “detainees.” So, the big question is: does Trump’s plan actually bring peace, or is it all just wayang?(00:35) Singapore’s response to Trump’s 20-point peace plan(05:05) What exactly is this peace plan?(08:15) Indonesian President Prabowo’s ‘hot mic’ incident(11:05) How Israel’s attack on Qatar led to this ceasefire(11:45) Predictions for the future
Parliament got heated this week, and just like in GE2025, the Malay-Muslim community found itself in the crossfire. Shanmugam delivered a lengthy speech referencing Noor Deros and his meeting with Workers Party’s Malay-Muslim candidates, warning of the dangers of identity politics and the mixing of race and religion. But with little reaction online, do Singaporeans even care?(01:10) Watching Parliament for 3 hours?!(03:15) Why bring up the Noor Deros issue again?(05:35) Malay-Muslim community during GE2025(10:37) Identity politics in Singapore(12:32) Conclusion of Parliament session
This year’s F1 Singapore Grand Prix wasn’t just about the races, it came with its share of controversies. From crowds stranded after the MRT ends its service to the Petronas CEO’s champagne celebration that’s stirred debate online among Malaysians, questioning if it’s appropriate for a Muslim to join in. It’s got us wondering, is conservatism on the rise?(2:00) Problems with F1(4:15) Petronas CEO’s champagne showers(10:15) Conservatism in Singapore vs Malaysia(12:10) Previous controversies with foreign artists
UK, Canada, Portugal have recognised Palestine. But what about Singapore? In Parliament this week, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan finally set out our position — and it comes with strings attached. But here’s the real question: even if Singapore does recognise Palestine, will it matter at all, when international law is already being trampled on everywhere?(02:10) What’s happening in Parliament?(09:30) Will the recognition of Palestine change anything?(12:00) Palestine shouldn’t be a Malay-Muslim issue(15:25) The global order faces chaos
Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk’s assassination highlights how political discourse in the US has turned increasingly intolerant. Could Singapore face a similar future? Unlikely — not because we’re more accepting of extremism but because our laws swiftly curb such speech. Still, as the world grows darker, one question remains: what future are we heading toward?(00:30) Charlie Kirk’s assassination(02:50) Different forms of radicalisation(07:54) “Free speech” in Singapore(11:05) World’s response to Kirk’s death(13:23) Future of the world(16:05) Our Surabaya trip
Singapore’s Parliament has just opened with President Tharman pushing a bold “We First” agenda. But what does this mean for a society already known for its competitive edge? On this episode, we question whether systems like PSLE and university admissions clash with the spirit of collective progress, to debating viral flashpoints like the GoJek driver blasting music. We dive deep into the tensions between locals and migrants, the struggles of service workers trying to keep their dignity, and what it all says about where Singapore is headed.[0:40] Opening of 15th Parliament with a "Expats need to respect singaporean culture before living here" mindset[7:50] Gojek driver blasting music[9:58] Understanding Singaporean culture[13:06] Struggles of service industry workers
Shocking recordings of Primary 3 students threatening “I might dissect her into pieces” and “kill you and your husband” have rattled Singapore, raising fears about bullying among children. We get to the heart of the problem with Senior Clinical Psychologist Muhammad Haikal, who says bullying can affect anyone, but a child’s home environment is often the biggest contributor to such behaviour.(01:50) Say hello to Muhammad Haikal, Senior Clinical Psychologist! (05:10) Why do children become bullies?(08:20) Do certain household environments contribute to bullying?(12:15) Gentle parenting(14:28) Ways schools should deal with bullying
Syed Saddiq has closer ties to Singapore than many realise. A brief stint at NUS’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy gave him a deep respect for Singapore’s founding father - especially regarding Malaysia-Singapore relations. With the RTS line set to strengthen connections, Saddiq sees plenty of ways the two countries can complement each other… but what exactly are they?(02:00) Say hello to Syed Saddiq!(04:44) Grit to continue being a politician(14:25) Saddiq’s plan to change Malaysia’s system(19:45) Young people not loyal to a single party?(26:40) Modern politics turning off older voters(30:25) The future of Malaysia(40:40) Sentiment of JohoriansWatch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/446GgVlu0fE
Many found this year’s National Day Rally a little boring — but two announcements stood out: the new Singapore College of Islamic Studies and the looming threat of AI on jobs. PM Lawrence Wong insists Singaporeans will remain the priority. But can they really, when it seems AI might even replace our asatizah in the future?(00:30) National Day Rally 2025(08:18) Treat of AI for jobs(09:55) Vaping crackdown(14:30) Plans for Northern Singapore(20:20) ‘We First’ mindset
Mr Liang Siah went viral after complaining about being wrongly charged by GetGo for car damage he didn’t cause. While GetGo eventually settled the case and offered compensation, the question lingers: Was it only because the video went viral? In today’s ep, we put Deyao Ang, GetGo’s Chief Community Officer, in the hot seat alongside Liang Siah to discuss the controversy—and most importantly, will Mr Liang continue using GetGo?(02:10) The viral GetGo video by Mr Liang Siah(05:00) GetGo’s response(12:11) Should the driver be held responsible for failing to check properly?(17:23) The problems with car-sharing companies these days(21:00) Dealing with large number of cases(26:00) A small scratch can cost $1000?!
They sting and look scary so it’s no wonder bees get labelled as pests in Singapore. But according to Clarence and Eugene from Sundowner Bee Rescue, the real problem isn’t the bees — it’s how we deal with them. Shockingly, only 3 Town Councils had taken active steps to protect them. With most Singaporeans still unsure of how to handle bee encounters, the question is: where can we do better, and what does responsible bee care really look like?(02:37) Say hello to Clarence and Eugene from Sundowner Bee Rescue!(03:53) How they avoid bee stings(10:30) Exploring the bee’s nest(16:45) Dealing with bees as a HDB dweller(20:00) Are wasps dangerous?(25:45) How we can improve care for beesFull video now on Youtube: https://youtu.be/QrJd1L2KoH8
As Singapore turns 60, national pride seems to be fading. It looks like fewer households are flying the flag, and many younger Singaporeans seem to feel little connection to the idea of patriotism. Is it just apathy or is something deeper at play? With rising costs of living, a tough job market, and growing uncertainty about the future, this generation is grappling with issues that may be reshaping what pride in one’s country even means.(01:35) Are Singaporeans less patriotic these days?(07:50) The challenges facing today’s generation(14:10) Social cohesion weakening?(18:41) Happy birthday Singapore!(19:20) Hanging the flagFull video now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ecTkVxCDqs0
You might remember him as the brooding heartthrob from Channel 5’s hit show Growing Up — or more recently, as the former actor who made headlines for becoming an auxiliary police officer. Andrew Seow once stole hearts on screen but these days, he cringes watching his old scenes. We sit down with him to find out how he stays this effortlessly sharp in his 50s — and the real reason behind his dramatic career switch.(02:00) Say hello to Andrew Seow!(06:15) Seow’s journey from showbiz to the force(13:00) Emotions about returning to the workforce(19:10) Does Seow cringe when he sees himself on screen?(26:35) Challenges of a career change
ou’ve probably seen those viral clips — teens wobbling around like zombies on the streets. That’s what happens when vapes get mixed with the drug etomidate — aka “K-pod.” To be fair, the government’s been quick to act. But we can’t help but wonder: should we just regulate vapes in Singapore or ban them completely? What do you think?(00:28) Let’s talk about “K-pods”(03:40) Reclassification to a Class C drug(08:30) What’s stopping the government from regulating vapes?(14:15) Case of Jane Lee, owner of Sumo Salad(21:15) Anti-foreigner sentiment on the rise
When a father is critically ill and his children can’t agree on what decisions to make, conflict, confusion, and heartbreak often follow - but it doesn’t have to be this way. Advance Care Planning (ACP) and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can help ensure that someone trusted and specifically chosen is empowered to make decisions on their behalf. As Dr Sanjeev shares from experience, these conversations matter - and having them early can make all the difference. If you are generally healthy and well, you can now conveniently make your ACP online using the myACP tool, without needing to meet an ACP facilitator in person! Plus, the LPA Form 1 application fee is waived for Singaporeans until the end of Mar 2026, so don’t wait until it’s too late! To learn more and get started with Legacy Planning, which covers ACP, LPA, CPF nominations, and Wills,Visit go.gov.sg/mylegacyplan, or follow @mylegacysg on IG and FB.(02:30) Are ACP and LPA the same as wills, CPF nominations etc?(05:57) Common questions doctors may ask when discussing ACP and LPA(10:00) When should the conversation on decision-making take place?(15:08) Considerations when applying ACP and LPA(19:17) Isn't this the same as euthanasia?(24:52) What to consider when planning for your personal welfare
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