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Apr 24, 2025 • 31min

#787 Pritam Singh’s doppelganger?

Believe it or not, even Dr Faisal’s own mother once mistook Pritam Singh for him. But mistaken identity aside, contesting in Aljunied under the PAP banner — a ward long held by the opposition — is often dubbed a “suicide” mission. So how does Dr Faisal stay upbeat and cheerful? And as a long-time ground volunteer, what keeps him going in politics despite the exhaustion?(00:35) Say hi to Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz of PAP!(04:00) How he stays positive while being in a ‘suicide squad’(13:45) Will PAP take back Aljunied?(16:30) Faisal’s personal beliefs and proposals to make Singapore better(21:05) Most rewarding thing about being in politics
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Apr 24, 2025 • 43min

#786 Sumarleki Amjah, PSP’s candidate for West Coast-Jurong West GRC

PSP is rolling out its A-team in the West, and newcomer Sumarleki Amjah is on the frontlines. We dive right in - what does he make of PSP’s bold response to the US tariffs? And with critics saying the PAP often adopts opposition policies, will PSP risk being branded “PAP-lite” if they make it to Parliament?(01:20) Say hi to Sumarleki Amjah!(06:45) Leki’s response to PSP’s stance on the US tariffs(17:20) How is PSP different from other opposition parties?(22:18) Elitism in schools(28:48) Will PSP be labeled ‘PAP-lite’?(30:30) PSP’s policies that has made a difference
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Apr 24, 2025 • 37min

#785 ‘Report card’ ranking of ministers?

Joining politics at just 19 isn’t your usual coming-of-age story — but that’s exactly what Muhammad Aqmal did with the Young Democrats, SDP’s youth wing. And with an opposition party, no less. So how did his family take the news? Plus, since we’re keeping things fun, we hand Aqmal a ‘report card’ to grade Singapore’s politicians.(02:15) Say hi to Aqmal of SDP’s Young Democrats!(08:26) How did his family respond to him joining an opposition party?(15:10) Aqmal’s “Report Card” ranking of ministers(20:17) Future of young politicians in Singapore(27:03) What makes SDP’s manifesto special?(29:05) Aqmal’s aspirations and dream job(33:08) Hot button issues this GE2025
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Apr 17, 2025 • 39min

#784 Let the battle for GE2025 begin

East coast plan. People fainting. Pritam’s mic drop. Previous election rallies have given us memes, drama, and moments we’ll never forget — and GE2025 looks set to deliver more. But beyond the hype, what really matters to you this time? Is it your kids’ future? Bread-and-butter issues? Or deeper systemic change? Plus, we’re having a watch party in our studio, so register before it’s full!(00.30) Thank you for 30K!(01:50) Parliament is finally dissolved(05:45) Will you attend a rally?(10:20) Looking forward to more politicians coming out(20:20) How to convince the swing voters(30:15) The atmosphere of rallies(38:30) Register for our GE2025 watch party!https://tinyurl.com/PlanBGEWatchParty2025
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Apr 17, 2025 • 41min

#783 Losing $700,000 to scams?!

What would you do if someone claiming to be from the police ordered you to transfer $100,000 to stay silent? In a moment of fear, you might just do it. Or maybe you’ve been tempted by a too-good-to-be-true investment scheme promising quick money. Scams like these are on the rise in Singapore but what’s actually being done to stop them? We take your concerns straight to the source: Minister of State Sun Xueling.(02:25) Say hello to Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs!(14:20) Common types of scams(20:25) Can I file a police report on behalf of someone I suspect is being scammed?(27:35) A possibility to prevent yourself from getting scammed?(33:00) The surge in fake concert tickets and how to protect yourself from scams
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Apr 15, 2025 • 53min

#782 Ariffin Iskandar Sha Ali Akbar, founder of Wake Up Singapore

From viral headlines to public controversy, Wake Up Singapore has become one of the most prominent alternative media voices in the country - fearless in tackling taboo and under-reported issues. We sit down with founder Ariffin to unpack how it all began, whether Palestine-related posts are really being shadowbanned, and what the future holds for the platform.(01:40) Say hi to Wake Up Singapore!(04:40) How Wake Up Singapore was born(12:30) The motivation to keep going(16:10) Is social media silencing posts about Palestine?(26:10) Where does Wake Up Singapore sees itself?(34:40) Risk of echo chambers in GE2025(42:50) The future of Wake Up Singapore
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Apr 13, 2025 • 59min

#781 Is the Singapore workforce going extinct?

10 years ago, 6 Singaporeans supported one elderly person. By 2024, that number has dropped to just 3.2 - and if foreign workers are kept out of the workforce, it could fall to 2 by 2030. That’s the stark warning from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng as he addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing Singapore’s workforce. From fears of AI replacing jobs to frustrations over low pay, no topic is off-limits in this heated episode.(01:25) Say hello to Manpower Minister Tan See Leng(07:30) Policies that were important yet unpopular(14:20) Dr Tan’s solutions to job security(20:40) The Ministry of Manpower’s response to common workforce problems in Singapore(32:45) Why can’t Singapore be self-reliant?(45:00) The case of levies and foreign workers in Singapore(54:30) Is UAE’s employment approach an answer to our problems?
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Apr 11, 2025 • 26min

#780 What’s NTUC’s role in expanding CPF for gig workers?

With more people turning to gig work and freelancing, are unions truly stepping up for them? And with CPF contributions now in play, are they feeling the squeeze? We also dive into how NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng's military background influences his approach to union work - strategizing beyond traditional boundaries to protect workers' interests.(02:20) Platform workers’ discontent with CPF contributions(09:50) How NTUC handles cases of workplace bullying(12:00) Mr Ng’s journey from military leader to Labour Chief of NTUC(19:35) How do platform workers and freelancers respond to unions?(25:25) Why Mr Ng is optimistic about the future of unions in Singapore
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Apr 10, 2025 • 34min

#779 NTUC calling for a strike?

Think NTUC is just a supermarket? Think again. It’s also a trade union - and we got the Secretary-General himself, Ng Chee Meng, to answer some tough questions. Like how he nearly ‘bang table’ by calling for a strike. Plus, are young workers really just fragile “strawberries,” or are they setting the bar for fair workplaces?(01:05) Background of unions in Singapore(04:55) Is NTUC’s ties to PAP a conflict of interest?(09:00) The impact of rising foreign workforce on job security(11:15) Are young workers too quick to complain about work?(17:50) How SkillsFuture can help shape careers(23:20) Does the pressure to upskill trap us in a never-ending rat race?(28:20) NTUC almost calling for a strike?(32:30) Why winning without war is the best strategy
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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

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