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Yah Lah But

Ministry of Funnywww.yahlahbut.com
The most uncensored conversations about censorable things coming out from the much-censored country of Singapore. Hosted by Haresh & Terence from the comedy house Ministry of Funny.
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Episodes

#682 ft. Ho Kwon Ping: Hypocrisy of Corporate America, How REITs are Hurting Singapore & the Danger of Mediocrity

Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Group, and certified “bad-ass grandpa”, returns to YLB for a critical discussion on the challenges facing businesses and society today. In this episode, we talk about the hypocrisy of Corporate America, how REITs are hurting Singapore, and the rising culture of mediocrity that threatens Singapore’s future. A thought-provoking conversation for anyone interested in leadership, economics, and the future of work. Folklory If you’re looking for a...

Jun 30, 20251 hr 49 minEp. 687

#681: Pritam Singh Doesn’t Want to be PM & Thailand Reverses Cannabis Ban

Pritam Singh appeared on Keluar Sekejap, top Malaysian political podcast, and said he doesn’t want to be Prime Minister. We unpack what that means as well as other topics like whether WP’s risk-averse strategy is enough. Then we head to Thailand, where the government just announced a U-turn on weed, three years after legalising it. Is this proof that decriminalising drugs too fast can backfire? Our Sponsor – CloserStill Media Attend eCommerce Expo | DMEXCO Asia, happening 8-9 Oct at MBS Get your...

Jun 27, 202548 minEp. 686

#680: NTUC Income Shareholders Demand Answers at AGM & Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate

Tempers flared at NTUC Income AGM on 24th June, with frustrated shareholders demanding answers about the failed Allianz deal after losing out on a bigger payout. Some answers were given but key questions remain - especially around the reasons why the deal fell through. Meanwhile, Israel and Iran agree to a Trump-brokered ceasefire, but intelligence leaks suggest the nuclear threat isn’t over. Watch us live at Happy Ever Laughter Party! Click on the link below to enjoy up to 20% off on all shows ...

Jun 25, 202558 minEp. 685

#679: NTU’s Crackdown on Students Using AI & Why Home-Based Food Businesses Are Sparking F&B Drama

NTU penalised 3 students for allegedly misusing AI tools - despite guidelines allowing them with restrictions. Meanwhile, Singapore’s home-based food scene is booming, but restaurant owners are crying foul, accusing them of skirting regulations. We unpack both controversies and what they say about rules, fairness, and disruption. 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 (00:00) Folklory (00:53) ...

Jun 23, 202559 minEp. 684

#678: Backlash for Jeffrey Siow’s COE Comments & Petition for Restaurants to Offer Free Water

Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow defended the COE system, saying it “is not broken” and that defended allocating COEs to private-hire vehicles (PHVs) because it benefits a wider pool of Singaporeans compared to private car ownership. But is that fair or elitist? Meanwhile, 2,100 people have signed a petition for F&B outlets to provide free tap water, something echoed by WP’s Gerald Giam. Our Sponsor – Building and Construction Authority! If you want to find out more about a possible ca...

Jun 20, 202553 minEp. 683

#677: What People Get Wrong About Architecture & Building an Iconic S’pore Hotel

We talk to Szue Hann, an Architect & Sustainability expert about the process of turning a vision into an actual skyscraper, as well as his experiences working on iconic projects like the Parkroyal Collection Pickering in Singapore. He also dives deep into the importance of sustainability in Architecture, and the critical role it plays in designing for a more climate-friendly future. And of course, he shares his journey about how he actually entered the industry, and what he cherishes most ab...

Jun 18, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 682

#676: Chee Hong Tat Prioritises Immigrant Integration & New Video Reveals Truth Behind Gan Siow Huang’s Handshake

Minister Chee Hong Tat says integrating new immigrants is now a priority for Chinese community leaders, alongside a new leadership pipeline. Meanwhile, more drama around the viral clip that appeared to show Gan Siow Huang ignoring an elderly man’s handshake - now the group involved has released a new video. Ticket Giveaway For Happy Ever Laughter Party! Check out our IG post to win FREE TICKETS for the opening show! Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom! We’ll be recording 60 Folklories ...

Jun 16, 20251 hrEp. 681

#675: Shocking Closure of Jetstar Asia Sparks Concerns & Wala Wala Bar At Holland Village to Shut Down

Jetstar Asia will cease operations on July 31, affecting over 500 employees and disrupting flights for thousands of travellers. Retrenchment efforts are underway, but many customers report refund issues and communication breakdowns. Meanwhile, beloved Holland Village bar Wala Wala is set to close after 30+ years amid rising rental pressures. What do these closures signal for the future of their industries? Watch us live at Happy Ever Laughter Party! Click on the link below to enjoy up to 20% off...

Jun 13, 20251 hr 3 minEp. 680

#674: Anxious SG Harvard Students Offered Local Uni Spots & the Regent of Johor to Swap Land with S’pore

Over 150 students admitted to Harvard, including Singaporeans, are stuck in limbo after Trump tries to restrict the enrolment of international students. Singapore and Johor’s Regent agreed to a land swap involving sites near Holland Village and the Botanic Gardens but with little info on what will actually happen to the land. (00:00) Happy Ever Laughter PARTY (03:16) Intro (12:47) Anxious SG Harvard Students Offered Local Uni Spots (35:10) Regent of Johor to Swap Land with S’pore (45:56) One Shi...

Jun 11, 202553 minEp. 679

#673: Outrage at $52,000 rent for HDB Clinic & Gan Siow Huang’s Handshake Blunder

The winning rental bid for a HDB Clinic in Tampines of $52k/ month sparked outrage and responses from both Minister Ong Ye Kung & Ho Ching, the wife of ex-PM Lee Hsien Loong. Meanwhile, Minister of State Gan Siow Huang declined to shake a man’s hand during a visit to a cultural festival, and the Internet lost it. 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 (00:00) Words of Wisdom (00:50) Intro ...

Jun 09, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 678

#672: The Truth Behind the Deepest Tunnel in SG & What People Get Wrong About Engineering

We talk to Geoshua Tan, Vice President (Civil & Infrastructure Engineering) at CPG Consultants about what it actually means to build Singapore - from building bridges and tunnels to meeting complex project requirements. He talks about the biggest project he’s worked on, building deep beneath the surface - up to 50 metres underground, and why this blows his mind. We also debunk common engineering stereotypes and discuss what it takes to make it in the industry. Our Sponsor – Building and Cons...

Jun 04, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 677

#671: Outrage at Halimah’s Post on Gaza & Uniqlo Accused of Copying Local Brands

Former President Halimah Yacob’s post on Facebook about the horrors in Gaza triggered response from an online socio-political commentator, which then sparked further outrage in both directions. Meanwhile, Uniqlo is accused of copying local brands Pointyrice and Musoka Club, but is it justified or overblown? Watch us LIVE at Happy Ever Laughter! Click here to order NOW! (00:00) Folklory (01:00) Intro (09:53) Outrage at Halimah’s Post on Gaza (46:36) Uniqlo Accused of Copying Local Brands (01:03:1...

Jun 02, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 676

#670: PM Wong Issues ‘Rules of Prudence’ & Chee Soon Juan’s Hawker Blunder

PM Lawrence Wong’s first “Rules of Prudence” lays out expectations for PAP MPs, but how does it compare to PM Lee’s 2020 version? Plus: Chee Soon Juan is accused of affecting sales of an elderly hawker’s bakery after declaring them “closed” in an online video on the F&B industry. His team re-uploaded a video with a correction, but is that enough? Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom! We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” ...

May 30, 202558 minEp. 675

#669: RDU to Form “Shadow Government” & People’s Park Complex Turns Red & White

Opposition party RDU says it wants to move away from being a “check and balance”, and wants to focus on forming a shadow government. But what does that mean in Singapore’s context? Elsewhere, People’s Park Complex gets repainted red and white, but not because of SG60. Believable or is that just a cover up? 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 (00:00) Folklory (01:00) Intro (07:55) Red Dot Un...

May 28, 202553 minEp. 674

#668: Fake “Piyush Gupta” Post Spirals Into Blackmail & Queue Chaos Halts Food Giveaway

A viral LinkedIn post falsely claimed a chance encounter with ex-DBS CEO Piyush Gupta. Then came blackmail claims and charity name-drops. Plus: a free veggie drive by Taman Jurong CC spirals into chaos and cancellations after trolleys and chairs are used to “chope” queues. Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom! We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project for SG60 You can check out the first wave of recordings on the same sit...

May 26, 202557 minEp. 673

#667: PM Wong Unveils “Strongest” Cabinet Line-Up & Yale-NUS Dumps 9,000 Books

PM Lawrence Wong’s first Cabinet reshuffle is here—and while it includes new faces, many Singaporeans are asking whether it signals real change or safe stability. We break down the key promotions, political signals, and the continued dominance of public sector picks. Then, we turn to the viral photos of Yale-NUS books being discarded in recycling bins, sparking public outrage. Was it a logistics problem, a communications failure, or a symptom of something deeper about how institutions close chap...

May 23, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 672

#666 ft. Jeremy Tan on His Viral GE2025 Rally, Bitcoin Branding & Joining Other Parties

Jeremy Tan, the independent candidate who contested Mountbatten SMC in GE2025 and earned a historic 36% vote breaks down what it’s really like running solo in a system built for parties. We talk about his motivations, regrets, his focus on Bitcoin, reflections on opposition unity and why Singapore needs more independents. Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom! We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project for SG60 You can chec...

May 21, 20251 hr 20 minEp. 671

SDP Targets NTUC & SG Sweats Over 25°C Aircon Campaign | #YLB 665

SDP is wasting no time. Just two weeks after GE2025, they launched a petition to reform elections, unveiled a new social co-op to rival NTUC, and introduced a youth-led renewal campaign. But does it feel premature—or even too self-promotional? We discuss the optics and potential of their big moves. Then, we dive into Singapore’s new “Go 25” aircon campaign launched by Senior Minister of State Amy Khor, urging everyone to set their thermostats to 25°C. Is this practical or just greenwashing wrapp...

May 19, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 670

Why Mixing Media & Politics is DANGEROUS (ft. Sudhir Vadaketh) | #YLB 664

Sudhir Vadaketh joins us to unpack the GE2025 aftermath, the SDP controversies and and how WP pulled away from the opposition pack. We dive into the media vacuum during the NTUC saga, the difference between independent journalism and activism, and why the PAP’s fear messaging under Lawrence Wong felt out of sync. Plus: reflections on Paul Tambyah’s loss, the state of the NMP system, and what it takes to build public trust in media, and politics, today. Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisd...

May 15, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 669

#663 - Ho Ching Defends Ministers in Su Haijin Saga & HDB Residents Revolt over Purple Paint

The Su Haijin dinner saga continues to escalate as Ministers Ong Ye Kung & Chee Hong Tat lawyer up over online accusations, businessman Sam Goi takes ownership of organising the dinners, and Ho Ching defends all of them! The drama continues to raise questions about transparency and the “Rules of Prudence” written by SM Lee Hsien Loong himself when he was PM in 2020. Elsewhere inn Boon Tiong, residents revolt against their HDB’s bold new purple paint job, and the backlash sparks a rethink on ...

May 14, 202559 minEp. 668

#662 ft. Prof. Cherian George - PAP’s Insecurities, SG’s Media Decline & Life After GE2025

Cherian George, Professor of Media & Politics, author, and ex-Straits Times political journalist, joins us to unpack the state of Singapore’s media, politics, and public discourse. We also cover GE2025, the problems & future of the PAP and the Opposition, how academic freedom was constrained in Singapore and how it ultimately affected his career. And with all that, Prof Cherian shares why he continutes to write about his home country even from abroad. (00:00) Words of Wisdom (00:55) Intr...

May 09, 20251 hr 18 minEp. 667

#661 - Ng Chee Meng’s Response to Controversies & Woman's Matchmaking Refund Drama

Days after GE2025, a dinner photo featuring Ng Chee Meng, Su Haijin (a convicted money launderer), and billionaire Sam Goi surfaced online - raising eyebrows and trust issues. While Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat responded quickly, Ng Chee Meng’s delayed statement came off vague and defensive. Even weirder, he “asked” PM Wong to not consider him for a cabinet position. Why does this incident matter? What does it say about how the new government will handle accountability? And are the public’s sta...

May 07, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 666

#660 - Dissecting the Surprises, Shocks & Upsets of the GE2025 Results

We deep dive into the final GE2025 results and recap the biggest stories. From PAP’s 65.57% popular vote & PM Lawrence Wong’s intact Cabinet to unexpected defeats like Dr Paul Tambyah’s and Dr Chee Soon Juan’s emotional near-miss. We also share our thoughts on what we think influenced the results, fallout of controversies involving Gigine Wong and Ng Chee Meng, the rise of independent and star party candidates, the impact of ground campaigning and what the results mean for the PAP, Oppositio...

May 05, 20251 hr 29 minEp. 665

#659 - Hot Takes on Every Political Party & Dissecting PM Wong’s Episode

★ Our GE2025 Plans!! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! After 8 days, 33 constituencies & one wild national ride, we wrap up the Yah Lah But APolitical Party Bus with a recap on GE2025. From Ng Chee Meng vs Andre Low in Jalan Kayu, to Harpreet vs DPM Gan in Punggol and how Gigine Wong’s gaffe affected the SDP, we break down every party’s campaign - from comms strategies ...

May 01, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 664

#658 - Leaked Messages from WP’s Andre Low & Ex-NTUC Group CEO Endorses Harpreet Singh

★ Our GE2025 Plans!! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! Overnight, leaked Telegram messages from Workers’ Party’s Andre Low rocked their campaign in Jalan Kayu. From personal rants to vulgarities aimed at residents, we break down the screenshots, his apology, and how this could impact WP’s shot at beating Ng Chee Meng. We also dive into Tan Suee Chieh’s public endorsement of...

Apr 30, 202551 minEp. 663

#657 ft. PM Lawrence Wong - Comparisons with LKY, Opposition Weakening Govt. & Risks of CDC Vouchers

PM Lawrence Wong joins us in-studio to reflect on leadership, trust, and where Singapore goes next. He shares how he’s different from past PMs, addresses the impact of controversies on public trust, and explains why losing 3-4 Cabinet ministers would weaken his team. We also discuss opposition accountability, policy packaging, and why Singapore can have and needs “radical change” - even from within. This was recorded on 29 Apr, 2025. (00:00) Intro (02:39) Discussion on Foreign Interference (04:2...

Apr 30, 202559 minEp. 662

#656 - WP’s Harpreet Slams DPM Gan in Punggol & Ong Ye Kung Tears into SDP’s Manifesto

★ Our GE2025 Plans!! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! We unpack how WP’s Harpreet Singh took aim at ministerial salaries in Punggol, how Alexis Dang and Pritam Singh clapped back at Gan Kim Yong, and how PM Lawrence Wong explained that he could potentially lose 3 Ministers if the Opposition is voted in. Meanwhile, in Sembawang, Ong Ye Kung & Poh Li San continue to slam...

Apr 29, 202548 minEp. 661

#655 - SM Lee Defends Ng Chee Meng Over NTUC-Allianz Saga & SDP Apologies for Racial Slur

★ Our GE2025 Plans!! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! At a high-stakes PAP rally, Ng Chee Meng finally addressed the NTUC Income–Allianz controversy—but needed backup from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong to frame it as a story of good faith, not mismanagement. SM Lee also took shots at some of WP’s claims about NTUC as well as the role of the opposition. Meanwhile, SDP’s G...

Apr 28, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 660

#654 - PM Lawrence Wong Slams Identity Politics & SDP Candidate Uses Slur During Rally

★ Our GE2025 Plans!! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! As GE2025 hustings hit full swing, Lawrence Wong calls a rare press conference warning against race and religion in politics, though some headlines painted a murky picture. We dive into the real issues, including foreign interference concerns and how WP got dragged in. Plus, an SDP candidate referring to a teammate usin...

Apr 27, 202553 minEp. 659

#653 - The Best & Worst of the GE2025 Party Broadcasts & SDP Claps Back at Ong Ye Kung

★ Our GE2025 Plans!! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! We dissect every speech from the first GE2025 Party Political Broadcasts - from Lawrence Wong’s bleak-to-positive pitch to Ravi Philemon’s viral “5 C’s” reboot. Plus, we dive into the cheeky clapbacks to Ong Ye Kung from Ariffin Sha and Dr Paul Tambyah of the Singapore Democratic Party. We also recap our Day 3 and Day 4...

Apr 26, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 658
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