Yah Lah But

This week in Parliament, Opposition MP Pritam Singh advocated for an English test as part of the application process for citizenship or PR in Singapore. This led to a rebuttal by Josephine Teo, who expressed “surprise” at his suggestion. We discuss the merits and downsides of the suggestion on YLB, and *spoiler alert* it got dicey. Elsewhere, Brazilian model Adriana Lima was named as FIFA’s first Global Fan Ambassador, but some criticised the appointment as “tone deaf” in light of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. Why the outrage? Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com! Pritam Singh Suggests English Test for New Citizens Pritam Singh advocates for English test in Singapore citizenship, PR applications Josephine Teo & Pritam Singh debate over new S'pore citizens' selection process & criteria ICA’s User Guide on Applying for Singapore Citizenship Online The full debate on YouTube Sweden Considers Language Exam Requirement For New Citizens Is speaking English a requirement for us citizenship? Model Adriana Lima’s FIFA Role Criticised FIFA choice of Adriana Lima as ambassador called 'tone deaf' Women’s World Cup 2023: Adriana Lima’s role blasted by Moya Dodd One Shiok Comment Comment by bookandcook Reddit comments on YLB 370 One Shiok Thing South Park - Season 26, Ep. 2 - The Worldwide Privacy Tour TikTok account of daizamazze Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

In the last few days, petrochemicals giant Dow Inc. and SportSG were caught flat-footed by an investigative piece by Reuters which uncovered that a sneaker recycling program they had jointly spearheaded was not actually recycling the donated shoes; the sneakers ended up in flea markets in Indonesia instead. Why is this such a big deal, that Reuters would put so much time and effort into the story? Elsewhere, the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi has shocked the world, and it seems like everyone is talking about it. We go through some of the grisly details of the case. Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com! Dow and SportSG in Shoe Recycling Fiasco Dow said it was recycling our shoes. We found them in Indonesia The Reuters Video The recycling myth: A plastic waste solution littered with failure Big Oil’s flagship plastic waste project sinks on the Ganges | Reuters News: Shoe recycling sports infrastructure Singapore | Dow Corporate How Reuters used AirTags to reveal Dow's false recycling promises HK Socialite Abby Choi’s Gruesome Murder After Model’s Gruesome Killing, Suspicion Falls on Ex-Husband and His Family Four appear in Hong Kong court on charges of murdering model Abby Choi Police find severed head of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi in soup pot; suspect’s lover arrested One Shiok Comment Comment by junglejimbo88 Comment by buttthenhor One Shiok Thing Extraordinary | Official Trailer Hard Fork podcast episode on Bing Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Two boys aged 15 and 16 were detained under the Internal Security Act after their online revealed their extensive self-radicalisation. This follows the case of an 18-year-old who was also recently detained for wanting to set up a caliphate on Coney Island. Why is this happening to Singaporean youths? Elsewhere, Yakult and Vitagen are getting into a culture war, with Vitagen firing shots at Yakult’s ‘D’ Nutri-Grade rating with their recent advertisements. Why are people getting riled up by Vitagen’s snarky campaign? Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com! 2 Self-Radicalised Teenagers Detained Under ISA 2 teens dealt with under ISA: Boy, 15, is youngest detainee to date, another 16-year-old radicalised through gaming platform 18-year-old Singaporean detained under ISA after intending to attack targets in Singapore News analysis: Be concerned but no need to be 'panicky' over trend of self-radicalised youth in Singapore, say experts, community groups Hope for better jobs eclipses religious ideology as main driver of recruitment to violent extremist groups in Sub-Saharan Africa Yakult and Vitagen’s Culture War Cultured or not? Vitagen taunts Yakult over 'D' Nutri-Grade rating, draws brutal comments VITAGEN Singapore – The Facebook Video One Shiok Comment Comment by homegirlflyer Comment by tigerkingsg One Shiok Thing What is Saudi Arabia's giant cube-shaped skyscraper 'The Mukaab', the size of 20 Empire State Buildings? Vu Nguyen YouTube channel Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak  

Critics slammed Puffin, the British publisher of Roald Dahl’s books for removing colourful language and rewriting lines from beloved works such as Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and Matilda, all in the name of inclusivity and progress. Are the critics right? Closer to home, Grab has started offering riders an option to request a “Quiet Ride” on their app, which would entail drivers needing to keep quiet for the duration of the ride. Why was this necessary? Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok   YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com!  Roald Dahl Books Censored Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive Progressive or futile? 'Offensive' words removed from Roald Dahl classics Incunabula on Twitter: "Roald Dahl - 2001 vs 2022 editions Augustus Gloop is no longer fat. He’s enormous. And that’s sweet with me Stop moaning about sensitivity readers – if there was diversity in publishing we wouldn’t need them Who Are Sensitivity Editors? And How Much Does Sensitivity Reading Pay? Inclusive Minds Website Netflix agrees to buy the works of children's author Roald Dahl Grab Launches “Quiet Ride” Option Grab Singapore launches Quiet Ride for users who prefer minimal conversation Facebook Post by GRAB One Shiok Comment Comment by Majestic-Economist-6 TikTok video about TPL x Grab One Shiok Thing Why These Children Fell into Endless Sleep Joeybtoonz YouTube Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

This week, DPM Lawrence Wong delivered Budget 2023, having promised that it would be his “Valentine's Day present” to help Singaporeans cope with inflation. What stood out most  to Reggie, boss of personal finance network The Financial Coconut (TFC)? Was this the most left-leaning budget ever delivered? Is Singapore declaring war on the rich? How should the average Singaporean feel about the goodies announced during this budget? And why did everyone want to go to Taiwan and eat Saizeriya after this podcast? Find us here! YLB Subreddit YLB TikTok  YLB IG  Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com! Budget 2023 Singapore Budget 2023 statement by DPM Lawrence Wong Our YLB x The Financial Coconut Budget 2022 podcast from last year One Shiok Thing Interpreter Justina Miles performance at the Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show NBA Trades Are Broken | JxmyHighroller Tan See Leng IG Find The Financial Coconut! Website Podcast Reggie’s IG Reddit Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his love letter to Singaporeans, the Budget 2023 on Valentines’ Day. We make sense of all the announcements, and discuss whether the enhanced baby bonus will finally solve Singapore’s declining birth rate issues. Elsewhere, the civil service announced that it will start using ChatGPT for research and speechwriting. Is this a step in the right direction, given the fears that people have about AI taking over our jobs? Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com! Budget 2023: What Stood Out Budget 2023: What you need to know - from more cash payouts to higher property and car taxes Lawrence Wong's 2023 Budget Statement summarised in 90 seconds Budget 2023: $3k more in Baby Bonus, more financial support for children’s early years Snap Insight: Bigger grants for first-time resale HDB buyers provide relief, but may have knock-on impact on prices Civil Servants Use ChatGPT to Write Speeches Civil servants to soon use ChatGPT to help with research, speech writing One Shiok Comment Private DM clarifying the topic of LKY’s 100th birth anniversary  Comment by clarencec88 One Shiok Thing The Heavy Lifter🪝 (@sgtowercrane) Physical: 100 | Official Teaser | Netflix Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Recently, MP Tin Pei Ling announced that she would be joining Grab Singapore as its director of public affairs and policy. Concerns about conflict of interest were raised online, and the story even gained traction and made headlines internationally. At the end of last week, Grab announced that her role would be changed to one of corporate development, and the MP and the PAP both also released press statements addressing the issue. Is there real cause for concern here, or was it much ado about nothing? Elsewhere, Calvin Cheng ignited angry comments on his Facebook post which called people to name and shame businesses that refused to accept digital payments. Was he justified in doing so? Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com! Get 20% off with promo code “LOVE20”, offer ends at midnight on 16 Feb 2023 Tin Pei Ling’s Grab Gig Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns PAP MP Tin Pei Ling no more at Grab public affairs, moves to corporate development after conflict of interest accusations Amid questions about conflict of interest, Tin Pei Ling says role as MP 'distinct' from new job at Grab - CNA Grab moves MP Tin Pei Ling to 'corporate development' role after debate over conflict of interest Singapore ruling party MP Tin Pei Ling switches roles at Grab after public outcry Commentary: The nature of MP Tin Pei Ling’s new role at Grab muddies perception NSF was AWOL for over 9 years before surrendering himself PAP MPs must expect sharper questioning with more opposition in Parliament, outlines PM Lee in Rules of Prudence Calvin Cheng Shames Cash-Only Businesses Calvin Cheng calls for boycott of businesses that only accept cash, commenters say there may be valid reasons One Shiok Comment Comment by internetlurker96 Post by zeezeeway One Shiok Thing Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Trailer Why E-ink innovation is so slow | TechAltar Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

The past 2 days of Parliament featured a heated debate about public housing, with PSP’s Leong Mun Wai putting forth 2 radical proposals that were ultimately rejected. Do any of his ideas have merit? In the same Parliamentary sessions, plans to celebrate LKY’s 100th birth anniversary were revealed, but is there a better way to commemorate the occasion? Find us here! YLB Subreddit YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory Get 20% off your Folklory with promo code “LOVE20”, at Folklory.com! Parliament Debates Public Housing PSP calls for housing policy 'reset', Government stresses HDB flats remain affordable and accessible PSP Housing Debate: Concrete Solutions to Singapore's Public Housing Problem | leongmunwai.sg Pritam says Government has not adequately acknowledged people’s anxieties on housing PSP’s housing scheme raids reserves and benefits some at expense of everyone else: Indranee Valuing state land for HDB at historical cost 'cannot work', says Desmond Lee Shorter wait times, lower rejection rates among proposals to ease housing shortage for first-time buyers The clip of Denise Phua talking about annual salary LKY’s 100th Birth Anniversary 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew's birth to be commemorated with MAS coin, other initiatives One Shiok Comment Comment by Maximum_Cress_8888 Poll by Majestic-Economist-6 One Shiok Thing NEW: Oldest Dog Ever - Guinness World Records Tchoukball: Singapore women make history by becoming world No. 1 Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

After surviving the pandemic, Malaysian stand-up comedian Dr Jason Leong finally makes it to the YLB studio in person! We talk about the new Malaysian government, Tin Pei Ling x Grab, and why he still unabashedly loves Singapore. And oh, he’s got a new Netflix special coming soon as well. Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter One Shiok Thing The Undertaker Goes Sneaker Shopping With Complex Inventing Anna | Official Trailer | Netflix How To Take Over The World podcast Find Jason! Jasonleong.my Jason Leong on Instagram Dr. Jason Leong: Ride With Caution | Official Trailer | Netflix Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

A few days ago, Youtube star MrBeast released a video that featured him paying for 1,000 cataract surgeries to help blind people see again. The video has gone viral and has been warmly received, but there are people calling him the “antichrist” for doing this. Why the divide? Closer to home, a court case in Singapore has garnered international attention because of its strange premise; a man sues a woman for friendzoning him. Is there any merit to this unprecedented legal action? Find us here! YLB Subreddit  YLB TikTok  YLB IG  YLB YouTube Just Try Only, our new weekly newsletter Folklory WIN A FREE FOLKLORY for Valentine’s Day, guaranteed to be done by 14 Feb! All you gotta do is share this post on our Folklory Instagram as a story, and tag @thefolklory. Giveaway ends at midnight on Sun, 5 Feb, and we’ll announce the winner on Mon, 6 Feb  2 lucky winners will have their Folklories delivered by 14 Feb guaranteed! For more info, check us out at Folklory.com! Youtuber MrBeast cures blindness 1,000 Blind People See For The First Time | MrBeast YouTube MrBeast Cured The Blind, And Sparked A Fierce Debate MrBeast 'Curing' 1K Blind People On YouTube Isn't The Real Problem MrBeast Responds to Criticism Over 'Curing' Blindness Video YouTuber MrBeast Says He Spends $8 Million a Month YouTuber MrBeast Responds To Criticism Of Curing Blindness Video Friendzoned man sues woman Friend-zoned: Man sues woman for trauma after she rejected him, Singapore News - AsiaOne Ticket holders of cancelled Siloso beach party file police reports after failing to get refund One Shiok Comment Comment by lyishere22 YLB TikTok video One Shiok Thing Xkcd: A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language Marcin Oleksy Goal vs Stal Rzeszow | FIFA Puskas Award 2022 Nominee Other links we mentioned Ministry of Funny on Instagram Ministry of Funny on TikTok That Elderly Abuse Video on our MOF Youtube Labour Day in Singapore with Foreign Workers | MOF YouTube