Deep Dive

Ho Geok Choo, founder and CEO of Human Capital Singapore, joins Carole Ann, a multiple amputee working at ServLink Technology Resources, to discuss the Enabling Masterplan 2030. They tackle the pressing need for increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities, currently at 30%. They share personal stories illustrating the challenges in small businesses and the importance of tailored support. Financial incentives for employers and proactive communication are highlighted as key strategies for fostering a more inclusive workforce.

Bus and train fares in Singapore will go up by 10 cents per journey for adult commuters from Dec 28. How are public transport fees calculated and what is the role of government subsidies? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert get Assistant Professor Terence Fan from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at the Singapore Management University, and Dr Raymond Ong, from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NUS to explain.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday (Sep 10), Singapore passed the Platform Workers Bill, which legislates stronger protections for delivery riders, private-hire car and taxi drivers. Why was legislation needed and what does this mean for customers of platforms offering services like food delivery and transportation? Yeo Wan Ling, assistant secretary-general of NTUC and Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences speak to Crispina Robert.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) are meant for those with medical conditions or who have mobility issues. But some able-bodied people use them. How much of an issue is this? PMA user Michael Kuan, founder and CEO of Project Elev8, and Florence Cheong, an Active Mobility Advisory Panel member weigh in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the announcement that Singapore's Gifted Education Programme (GEP) will be revamped to cater to more students, questions about equal distribution of resources and the added burden on teachers have come up. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert put these questions to Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and Ong Kong Hong, divisional director of curriculum planning and development at the ministry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sketched out his government's priorities in his first National Rally address, with a focus on parents, education and housing. Do the announcements show a significant shift towards a different kind of Singapore? SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan and Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the political science department at NUS give their assessment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A global cybersecurity breach involving the Mobile Guardian app affected about 13,000 students from 26 secondary schools in Singapore, with devices being wiped remotely by the hacker. How are IT vendors assessed and who is responsible for ensuring backups are done? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with May Chng, chief operating officer and co-founder of Flexxon, and Ken Soh, chair of SGTech Cyber Security Chapter and CEO of Athena Dynamics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nothing gets Singaporeans more united or emotionally riled up than our hawker food and prices. To help alleviate cost of living pressures, all coffee shops leased from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will need to offer budget meal options by 2026. But how do such meals affect hawkers? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Teo Kay Key, research fellow at IPS Social Lab, and Fabian Lim, co-owner of JOFA Meepok, JOFA Grill and JOFA-Oji Donburi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Professor Lawrence Loh, director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability, and Eddy Cheong, CEO of Havend Pte Ltd, tackle the recent Allianz acquisition of Income Insurance. They discuss rising public concerns over whether profit is overshadowing social responsibility. The shift from cooperative to corporate is examined, revealing the challenges this brings for customer loyalty. The duo highlights the need for balance between profitability and social impact, especially in today’s competitive insurance landscape.

Guests Liaw Yit Ming and Christopher Tan discuss the impact of generous health insurance policies on rising medical costs. They explore the complexities of health insurance options, decision-making in medical care, navigating healthcare costs, contrasting hospital experiences, and the importance of trust in doctors' recommendations.