Plan B cover image

Plan B

Latest episodes

undefined
Apr 3, 2025 • 21min

#778 Send pro-Palestine activists to Gaza? What could possibly go wrong?

Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng likes to comment about Singaporean affairs online, but this week his controversial post offering to buy airplane tickets to send pro-Palestine activists to Gaza crossed the line for many people. But that's not all - the post was liked by the accounts of Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. Both have tried explaining it away, but the mess keeps getting worse with police reports and defamation lawsuits filed left right and centre. The power of a Facebook post.(0:35) Who exactly is Calvin Cheng?!(05:00) Controversy erupts as 2 PAP ministers caught “liking” the post(09:45) How Cheng’s post became Islamophobic(12:15) Is a boycott coming for an event allegedly hosted by Cheng?(15:45) Jufrie Mahmood’s police report
undefined
Apr 3, 2025 • 31min

#777 The ex-VP of Law Society got called out...by the Law Minister

fter local YouTube channel Wah!Banana's Lev Panfilov was convicted of rape, another controversy quickly followed when the ex-VP of Law Society Chia Boon Teck was publicly called out by the Law Minister for his commentary on the case. He asked if she was "awake throughout the marathon" and described her as "not exactly a babe in the woods", widely seen as victim-blaming. We speak with Rebecca, someone who was subject to that kind of thinking herself, and find out how she reacted when she read those comments plastered across national news.(02:25) Background of the controversy by Chia Boon Teck, former Vice-President of the Law Society of Singapore(06:45) Rebecca’s personal experiences and thoughts on Chia’s comments(13:35) The normalization of victim-blaming sentiments(18:30) Parents’ responses if this happened to their child(20:10) Should more resources be put to help sexual assault victims?(30:20) Share with us your thoughts!
undefined
Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 9min

#776 Every school a good school?

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has a new philosophy: the "best" school depends on the individual child. But is this practical or just wishful thinking when Singapore is such a competitive place? We also talk about social media vigilantism and viral videos spotlighting high- profile bully cases - are we part of the problem?(01:10) Welcome Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing!(03:55) Why expelling students won't solve the school bullying problem(21:00) Should children be caught in the stress and hustle of the rat race?(35:20) 'Elite' vs 'everyday' students(45:25) The importance of upskilling and having experiences beyond classrooms(1:00:15) How Singapore can navigate a more fragmented world
undefined
Mar 20, 2025 • 18min

#775 Take the L, apologize, and move on!

2 sisters got the entire community talking when they were caught on video confronting Minister Shanmugam at his Meet-the-People session (MPS). They wanted to talk about POFMA, but ended up showing the middle finger after being told to wait. The viral image turned the entire saga into a discussion about their manners, but the question remains: where can someone go to address concerns like theirs?(01:00) Background of the 2 sisters who took on Shanmugam in a heated debate(04:25) Split opinions from civil society(08:00) Was the incident staged?(11:35) Finding the right space for activism(15:30) Critiquing the sisters’ clarification letter
undefined
Mar 20, 2025 • 35min

#774 Are lawyers toxic? A mental health report seems to say yes

It's common knowledge that lawyers work in high-pressure environments, but has it come to a breaking point? We sit down with Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) to talk about toxic work cultures, ever more stringent industry standards, and what may be a mental health crisis in the industry. But it's not all doom and gloom, as Shafiq explains - there are increasing efforts to make a change, but will it be enough?(01:43) Say hello to Shafiq Aziz from the Singapore Academy of Law!(04:05) The harsh realities of starting a career in law(08:33) In-house vs private practice(11:00) Are Singaporeans increasingly mentally exhausted?(18:30) Will bosses step up to create healthier work environments?(24:35) The state of law schools and the legal industry today(32:00) Why the legal industry’s future looks bright
undefined
Mar 20, 2025 • 38min

#773 Jieun Wrigley, the Functional Nutritionist with a practical approach to health

We know nutritionists but what about functional nutritionists? Jieun Wrigley joins us to reveal what sets them apart, debunk diet myths, and tackle hot topics like supplements, inflammation, and the age-old question: Is MSG really bad for you?(02:25) Say hello to Jieun, a Functional Nutritionist!(06:20) How would Jieun respond to those nutritional theories?(10:00) Dzar’s diet is revealed(18:45) Jieun’s view on supplements(21:30) Is Singapore’s food unhealthy?(28:40) More about inflammation in our bodies(34:45) Jieun’s view on MSG(37:30) Follow Jieun on socials!
undefined
Mar 13, 2025 • 56min

#772 Did racial harmony almost cost millions of RM?

Era FM is one of Malaysia's biggest radio stations, so what happens when their DJs come under fire for mocking Hinduism? Back home in Singapore, electoral boundaries are up - and many have raised eyebrows. What's going on?(00:30) GE2025’s Electoral map is out!(08:15) Is Roti John from Malaysia?(14:45) Era FM’s DJs’ mocking the Hindu religion(27:20) More on Singapore’s religious harmony laws (37:30) Case of Sarah Yasmine and her alleged relationship with Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz(49:40) Remember Singapore’s tabloid scene?
undefined
Mar 6, 2025 • 31min

#771 Trump and Zelensky go head-to-head

This week, we’re back to talking about ChatGPT - who’s actually paying for it when Deepseek is free? Plus, the Trump-Zelensky showdown everyone’s buzzing about and why JD Vance’s NATO speech is shaking up global politics. And… could our year-end retreat take us to China? Tune in to find out!(00:55) Paying for ChatGPT?!(04:45) Trump and Zelensky’s showdown in the White House(13:35) JD Vance’s NATO speech(21:55) Growing crisis of modern slavery?(26:15) Rahman’s theory on online propaganda, specifically in China
undefined
Mar 6, 2025 • 41min

#770 Sani Ismail, new PSP face, and champion for transnational marriages?

As GE2025 nears, many new faces have been spotted at party walkabouts across the country. Sani Ismail is one of them, being spotted in Chua Chu Kang GRC with PSP and being featured on their Facebook pages. Why did he choose to join opposition politics? And why is the issue of transnational marriage important to him?(01:45) Introducing Mr Sani Ismail, the new face seen on PSP walkabouts(08:40) Why politics?(11:20) How Mr Sani stays connected to Singapore despite studying abroad(18:25) Reasons why Ismail joins PSP(21:45) The growing presence of foreigners in Singapore(31:10) Ismail’s thoughts on PSP’s future
undefined
Feb 27, 2025 • 46min

#769 NEA forced my pregnant wife to stand at her stall. I called them out

Imagine being forced to stand all day at a stall - while pregnant. That’s exactly what Noorman Mubarak’s wife faced after the NEA gave them a warning for not being physically present at their Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang stall. In a viral complaint, Noorman called out the unfair regulations that require hawkers to be on-site no matter the circumstances. But is the system punishing hawkers, or are these regulations necessary?(01:08) Background of case(03:40) Welcome Noorman Mubarak, Co-founder of Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang(07:20) NEA's reasonings(19:38) Mr Noorman's response to Reddit comments(29:45) Are there meetings between hawkers and hawker centers?(31:55) What needs to change

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode