The Straits Times Podcasts

RDU has the second-highest number of opposition candidates.  Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  Red Dot United (RDU) is a very young political party, formed only in 2020 when it contested just one constituency – Jurong GRC – with a team of five candidates.   Fast forward five years, and RDU is now fielding the second-highest number of opposition candidates in this election, behind the WP’s 26 candidates. RDU’s 15 candidates are contesting four constituencies, going head-to-head with the PAP. How did the party scale up from a one-GRC showing in 2020 to four constituencies today? Joining Natasha in this episode are Ms Liyana Dhamirah, 38, and her teammate Marcus Neo, 33 - part of the party’s team contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC - and Ms Kala Manickam, 57, candidate for Jurong Central SMC.  Highlights (click/tap above):  2:35 How a relatively new party like RDU managed to field the second largest number of opposition candidates10:33 How Ms Liyana is able to dismiss a lot of insults; why file a police report over online harassment recently? 23:27 Ms Kala on switching from Jalan Kayu SMC to Jurong Central SMC28:17 Mr Neo on housing and job insecurity as top concerns for millennial voters his age 36:23 Game time! Kopi-O kosong, bubble tea, teh tarik - what’s your favourite drink? Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65  ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by: ST Video Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three seasoned political observers analyse and offer talking points. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  The People’s Action Party held the first lunchtime election rally of GE2025 at noon on April 28 at the promenade area beside UOB Plaza. The PAP’s secretary-general and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, along with other party members, addressed Singaporeans. The Fullerton rally, named for its venue being close to Fullerton Square, has in the past attracted thousands of office workers. The area has been a venue for political rallies since 1959, when the earliest Singapore political parties took to the podium there. Chatting with Natasha at The Usual Place are Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Dr Rebecca Grace Tan, a political science lecturer from the National University of Singapore, and Dr Felix Tan, an independent political observer. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:35 How the new PAP candidates fared in their speeches at the Fullerton rally 6:17 Was there a lack of specifics from new PAP candidates on their motivation to join politics? 15:57 Thoughts on PAP’s opposition to the opposition parties 22:50 Is DPM Gan Kim Yong in danger of losing Punggol GRC? 25:47 Did GST turbocharge inflation in Singapore? 40:35 Will the PAP get a clear mandate from the ballot box on Polling Day? Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65  ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by: ST Video Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PAP’s new candidates on cost of living and groupthink Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. On the couch today are: Mr Shawn Loh, 38, part of the party’s Jalan Besar GRC team; Mr Foo Cexiang, 40, from the Tanjong Pagar GRC slate; and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, 40, part of the team contesting East Coast GRC. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  Highlights (click/tap above): 4:08 What does being a ‘millennial politician’ mean in this day and age?11:19 As a former Budget director, Mr Loh responds on the feasibility of reducing GST19:15 Diversity that helps in robust discussions when formulating policies 35:03 How to help children cope with stress from social media and exams 38:41 Rojak, economy rice and nasi lemak - how these dishes represent their leadership style Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65  ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by: ST Video Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the election campaign heats up with a week left to Polling Day on May 3, how is this General Election shaping up?  Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Host of the Political Prude podcast Joel Lim and Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the NUS Department of Political Science join Natasha in this live episode. Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:25 Abandonment: Buzzword of the GE2025 campaign so far? 9:15 Rallies and democratic conversations in Singapore; how younger voters are also keen on studying political issues 11:10 Gloves truly off yet? What kind of punches have been thrown so far? 22:58 Which candidates have come across to Prof Ong and Mr Lim as most authentic so far, online? 25:43 Being a ‘Conviction politician’: What does it mean?  26:58 Why they both feel GE2025 is truly a “podcast election”, following on some trends from the recent US presidential election Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65  ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by: ST Video Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three WP candidates, including party vice-chairman Faisal Manap, drop by The Usual Place. Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3. Apart from Mr Faisal Manap, 50, also joining Natasha Ann Zachariah for the second live episode of The Usual Place are: Dr Ong Lue Ping, 48 and Mr Jimmy Tan, 53.  Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:13 Response towards The People’s Power Party candidate Goh Meng Seng’s comment on the four-way fight in Tampines GRC 6:20 A feast of political buffet vs dilution of opposition votes?  19:50 The impact of groupthink within Singapore's highest decision-making bodies  23:06 WP’s sense of the response for them on the ground at Tampines GRC  28:32 Professional football player, police officer, and doctor - childhood ambitions of the three WP candidates Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65  ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by: ST Video Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie Lee, a young mum and PAP candidate for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, shares her first-time Nomination Day experiences. Daniel Liu, with a decade of public policy expertise, discusses the importance of community engagement and a new vision for Aljunied GRC. Dinesh Vasu Dash reveals his journey through mental health advocacy while embracing his love for heavy metal. The trio candidly addresses online negativity, emphasizing support and resilience, and explores the power of personal stories in politics to foster deeper connections.

Success used to mean good grades, and then landing a good job. But is this changing? Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.  In this special edition of In Your Opinion - filmed in front of a live audience - two youths share their experiences in starting up a business, and whether school grades would determine success at the workplace.  About 100 people attended two recordings at indie cinema The Projector at Golden Mile Tower on the evening of April 15. The special live recording was organised in partnership with the National Youth Council (NYC), in support of the SG Youth Plan – an action blueprint created by youths, for youths and the world that they will lead. Hosted by ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong, this episode features two young entrepreneurs - Ms Adella Yeo and Mr Nabill Shukry.  Currently an account manager at a software company, Ms Adella Yeo Rae-Nyse had co-founded MatcHub, a startup that matched fellow NUS students to find suitable job roles based on their personality.  A part-time student with SUSS studying marketing, Nabill Shukry Johary juggles school with a business he started up in 2021 with his father - Cheekies, a home-based delivery service of healthy meals for the Muslim market - in a bid to help his family move out of their one-room rental apartment in Tampines.  Is Singapore ready for diverse pathways to success so that young people can feel accomplished in their own ways? Highlights (click/tap above): 2:00 Journey to entrepreneurship 7:39 The point of going to university is not just for the paper qualifications  10:32 How academic grades play a part post-school 16:19 Challenge the conventions of success   27:14 Advice for youths to forge their own success Every voice matters, and if you want to share ideas and have your voice heard, you can do your bit in the SG Youth Plan Quest at: https://go.gov.sg/sgyp-mc Find out more about NYC’s upcoming engagement sessions: https://www.YouthPlan.gov.sg Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)  Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: 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 Podcasts 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 --- #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They touch on why young voters should speak up now at this stage in their lives. Synopsis: The Usual Place host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves. Progress Singapore Party’s Hazel Poa and Tony Tan have quite a bit in common. They were both government scholarship holders who graduated from the University of Cambridge. They were both public servants, and both got their starts in politics with opposition parties. They also happen to be married to each other. The other similarity between them is that they are both standing in the upcoming general election. Ms Poa, 54, is part of the opposition PSP team that will be fielded in the newly formed West Coast-Jurong West GRC, together with PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock, 84, and party chief Leong Mun Wai, 65. Former National Solidarity Party (NSP) member Tony Tan, 55, will be standing in Kebun Baru SMC under the PSP banner. Ms Poa and Mr Tan drop by The Usual Place Podcast to chat with Natasha a day before Nomination Day (April 23). They discuss their political motivations and PSP’s thinking behind a change in plans on where to be fielded for GE2025. They also share how they are trying to attract younger candidates to join the party, and why the couple are choosing to be foster parents now. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:00 Ms Poa on the party strategy to be fielded in a GRC instead of being in an SMC 5:00 Mr Tan on previously contesting under the National Solidarity Party banner in GE2011 and now representing PSP for GE2025 8:40 Why education is close to both their hearts 13:50 Being a former Singapore Armed Forces scholar could have led him down a different political path, so why did Mr Tan join an opposition party? 17:10 Ms Poa on leadership experience and roles in an opposition party 18:10 On becoming foster parents during this busy period besides having adopted sons 25:00 On the challenge of drawing younger candidates to PSP, what could be a gamechanger? On younger voters Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8WavFollow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: ST Video (Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza) Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by ST Video: Johnboy Iype John & Philip Cheong ST Podcasts executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent high-profile office return mandates belie a broader availability of flexi-work options from more firms. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Those of us who are humming along at a comfortable rhythm with hybrid work might have watched with worry recent developments of major firms insisting on five days in office a week by default. After all, it seemed like an equilibrium was reached in the years following the Covid-19 pandemic of working remotely for at least part of the week. Moreover, this comes after Singapore has issued landmark guidelines that make putting in place a process to fairly evaluate flexi-work arrangement requests compulsory. To piece together what to make of this mixed outlook, ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi speaks with his guest, a two-decade corporate veteran who now works with industry players to put in place progressive workplace practices. His guest is: Mr Aslam Sardar, chief executive of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals Highlights (click/tap above): 2:20 What is driving some employers to get workers back in the office so often? 5:11 Flexi-work arrangements are still more prevalent than before 7:57 Is there a chance of a “domino effect” of firms issuing office return mandates, one after the other? 15:31 How are employers here weighing up their options for office returns? 21:07 What to do if your employer asks you to return to the office more often Read about recent moves to make flexi-work more pervasive here: https://str.sg/tgoM Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy Host: Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl --- Follow more 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 --- #headstartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He says a serious-minded person can come into the Singapore political system and make a difference. Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.  In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves. Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam is a seasoned politician about to head into his ninth election at the upcoming General Election. The minister, who will be leading the Nee Soon GRC team at GE 2025, first became an MP in 1988 and later a Cabinet Minister in 2008. In this episode, he speaks with Natasha and her co-host and editor of The Straits Times - Jaime Ho - about how he has seen Singapore and the PAP change in the almost four decades he has been in politics. Also, what does he make of the public’s perception of him as a "hard politician"?Highlights (click/tap above): 2:18 Changes in Singapore society in that time7:25 “My focus is on governance.” 17:53 Mr Shanmugam on having more opposition politicians 40:35 On going into his ninth election: “I won’t be here if I didn’t think I could do it.”50:42 His take on perceptions of him as a “hard politician” Follow ST’s GE2025 coverage here: Unpacked newsletter: https://str.sg/JGMTq Latest articles: https://str.sg/kkXQ Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8WavFollow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: ST Video (Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza) Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Shorts edited by ST Video: Johnboy Iype John ST Podcasts executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts 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 #tup #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.