Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Alfred Chia, CEO of the SingCapital financial advisory, about how the planned CPF Special Accounts closure for those aged 55 and older, along with other changes, will impact Singaporeans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Eddy Cheong, CEO of insurance company Havend, about how MediShield Life premiums will increase from April next year, as the government expands the national health insurance scheme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In ‘Culture Club’ Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Ron Yuan, Mark Dacascos and Leonard Wu, Hollywood Cast Members of The Mongol Khan, a theatrical production making its Asia premiere in Singapore this October 2024. Based in Central Asia dating back 3000 years, ‘The Mongol Khan’ is a historical drama that tells the fictional story of the ruler Archug Khan searching for the rightful heir to the throne. Yuan, Dacascos and Wu discuss their roles in what promises to be an epic production.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new tourism tax is set to come into force in Thailand. Travellers will be charged 300 baht or S$11.80. Thailand is not the first country to impose this tax. Bali has imposed something similar and Japan is considering increasing its tourism tax to fund initiatives that address overtourism. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman assess the effectiveness of such tax and the impact it has on the tourism figures with Gary Bowerman, director, Check-in Asia and Asia Travel & Tourism AnalystSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore has begun recruiting auxiliary police officers from five more countries, to meet rising security needs amid a shrinking local workforce. As of December, such officers have been recruited from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Philippines, India, and China. They form around 3% of the total auxiliary forces in Singapore. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out what this solution looks like in the long run with Claribel Low, Senior Analyst, Social Cohesion Research Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological UniversitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An article out on CNA.asia looks at the rise of home-based salons and their draw compared to the traditional brick-and-mortar shops. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Cleo Chang, owner, home-based eyebrow embroidery business on how she ensures and assures potential customers of the safety of her treatments, and her customer Stacy Chng on why she has decided on a home-based salon over a traditional shop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
China’s largest bubble tea chain Mixue was off to a robust start on its trading debut, jumping as much as 47% at one point. The stellar start reinforces hopes for a strong year in new equity issuances by Chinese companies in Hong Kong. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out what makes Mixue such an attractive investment with Gary Ng, senior economist, NatixisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Safafisalam Bohari Jaon is the programme director of MARA Mentoring, a platform that prepares undergraduates from the Malay-Muslim community to make the most of their career aspirations. Safa shares how his own career journey has been shaped by the invaluable support he received from his mentor, how he overcame his own challenges with self-esteem as a youth, and how he's helping others from the community do the same.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
During the Covid pandemic, tech entrepreneur Nigel Teo decided to launch an app — GoodHood.SG — to help neighbours rekindle the "kampung spirit". In helping those who have match their resources with those who need, Nigel has also found a deeper purpose for his talent and energy. Nigel shares the most meaningful lessons on life and entrepreneurship he's gained from his journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Living abroad long-term may challenge your Singaporean identity, as you navigate new cultures and environments. Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Sharon Au, local actress and host - now based in Paris, France.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore will consider caning scammers in some cases, in light of the serious harm they cause victims and financial losses hitting a record high last year. Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Noelle Teoh, Associate Lawyer, GJC Law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore's core inflation has fallen to its lowest in more than three years but with inflation likely creeping up in the US and tit-for-tat tariffs, could that be a problem for Singapore going forward? Singapore Today's Lance Alexander speaks to Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head of Treasury Research & Strategy at OCBC Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In ‘Destination Anywhere’, Melanie Oliveiro finds out where Singaporeans can go to book a guided heritage trail that takes place on the grounds of a 5-star hotel that was formerly a British Army site on Sentosa island. Listeners will find out where on the Amara Sanctuary Sentosa compound they can view a petai tree that’s more than 120 years old; how to access two World War II air raid shelters; and the two blocks - now housing hotel rooms - where British army personnel and their families stayed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with American F&B businessman John Kunkel, the Founder of US-based 50 Eggs Inc. Kunkel will talk about the culture of today’s food industry that led him to set up close to 20 restaurants including his first Asian outpost, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Singapore. Kunkel will recall his first foray into F&B as a teen dishwasher and decades later, how the name of his F&B empire 50 Eggs Inc. was inspired by a Paul Newman movie. Kunkel will also talk about his partnership with 2-Michelin starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda, and how they are constantly improving WAKUDA Singapore at Marina Bay Sands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In ‘Made in SG’ Melanie Oliveiro speaks with three designers who’ll be selling their unique creations – from decorative homeware to unisex clothing and sustainable fashion - at Boutiques Singapore, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular design and shopping events; with the Spring-Summer edition coming up from 21 – 23 March 2025. Rachel Liou from Rock Daisy, Jenevieve Woon from JENEVIEVE Studio and Goh Zi Qi from ATOM will talk about their journeys so far: from design ingenues to running their own brands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Certificate of Entitlement premiums closed mostly higher in the latest bidding exercise on Wednesday (5 March). Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to automotive industry veteran and consultant, Say Kwee Neng.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In recent years, the trend of eyelash extensions done in a salon has helped many women brighten their eyes. But a local beauty brand hopes to wean off the addiction to eyelash extensions. Cheryl Goh speaks with Shermaine Tan, founder of Hana Dolly to tell us more about Hana Dolly’s innovative Do-It-Yourself extensions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singaporeans love their bubble tea, so could a tea chain with no toppings capture the market? Cheryl Goh speaks to Ethan Keng and Lee Wenxi, the co-founders of Origin Teahouse, who believe the natural aroma of their tea leaves will let their drinks speak for itself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
According to PLB Research data, the number of executive condominium (EC) units resold for at least $1 million in gross profit more than doubled to 38 in 2024, from 15 in 2023. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman look at the probability of the EC resale market and how it stacks up against the condo resale market with Prof Sing Tien Foo, Provost's Chair Professor, Department of Real Estate Business School, NUSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A massive wildfire in northeastern Japan has expanded, putting more homes at risk. Some 2,000 firefighters from across the country have been deployed to O-funato city in Iwate Prefecture to battle the blaze that has been raging for more than five days. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the possible triggers of the fire in that area with Samuel L. Manzello, Visiting Professor, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku UniversitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.