In an unprecedented move, the prosecutor's office of the International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. What does this mean for the Israel-Hamas conflict? Closer to home, a South Korean DJ who incorporates Buddhist mantras into his sets while wearing a monk's robe, is facing calls to have his upcoming show in Singapore cancelled. Should the auth...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 534
This week, Singapore witnessed the historic handover of the PM role from Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong, which happened on a balmy Wednesday evening at the Istana grounds. What was unique, interesting, and strange about this once-in-a-generation swearing-in ceremony? Elsewhere, an advertisement peddling a “Masterclass in Leadership” featuring Tan Chuan-Jin received flak online, to the point the ad was removed. Is the criticism fair? Why should anyone begrudge him making an honest living? (00:0...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 533
NCMP Leong Mun Wai of the Progress Singapore Party stops by the YLB studio to tell us why he chose to return to Singapore after 18 years, why we should avoid voting with our feet,, and reveals his message to critics of his behaviour in Parliament. (00:00) Intro (02:00) Interest in Politics (07:12) Why Come Back to Singapore (10:43) The Direction of Singapore (13:09) How Society Should Be (17:30) Balancing Idealism and Pragmatism (24:08) Singapore's Precarious Position (30:24) SkillsFuture (36:54...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 532
MOH is allegedly looking into tightening rules on MCs after receiving feedback about doctors issuing them improperly. What does this mean for employees who are genuinely sick? Elsewhere, it appears that surge pricing has come to concerts in Singapore, specifically for the Hamilton musical, and Laufey’s upcoming concert. Is this going to be a new paradigm for concert-going as we know it; and we debate whether this is a bad thing. Find us here! Our website YLB Subreddit YLB TikTok YLB IG YLB YouTu...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 531
In anticipation of Lawrence Wong taking over as PM next week, he sat down for a wide-ranging interview with The Economist magazine. What did we learn about the PM-designate and his leadership style in this piece? Elsewhere, Singaporeans lamented the loss of yet another local icon; this time, it’s Thambi Magazine Store at Holland Village. Are we hypocrites for reminiscing about the store and calling for it to be saved, but not supporting the business while it was still around? Find us here! Our w...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 530
This week in Parliament, MPs debated about road safety in Singapore after the recent accident in Tampines that killed two people. While penalties under the Road Traffic Act have been deemed to be adequate vis-a-vis other countries, why are people calling for increasing them? Elsewhere, massage chair brand OSIM’s Mother’s Day ad was criticised for fat shaming and for promoting domestic violence. Was it really that bad or was it just a case of wokeism? Find us here! Our website YLB Subreddit YLB T...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 529
In Lawrence Wong’s speech at Samaritans of Singapore’s gala dinner, he suggested that Singapore will consider additional safeguards around excessive screen time and social media usage for children in order to protect their mental health. Is this considered government overreach? Elsewhere, actor Hossan Leong complained on social media about how a foreign musical last-minute cancellation of a show made the news, while a local production that faced a similar situation did not get the same coverage....
May 06, 2024•58 min•Ep. 528
The impending implementation of the new ERP system has caused a ruckus online, with many criticising the new 3-piece hardware to be installed on the dashboards of all Singapore vehicles. Is the criticism justified? Elsewhere, an SGAG video commissioned by the union representing security workers has stirred up a war of words with another industry association, which lambasted the buffoonery of the characters in the video. Was the SGAG skit really that bad? (00:00) On this episode... (00:27) Intro ...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 527
We had a conversation with Palestinian lawyer Hanan Sahmoud to talk about what she learnt from Singapore after spending a year here, her experience living under occupation in the West Bank, and what everyday Singaporeans can do to help the situation in Gaza. (00:00) On this episode... (00:32) Intro (03:05) Hanan's Singapore Experience (06:00) How Palestinians Travel (14:01) Singaporean Awareness of Palestine and How It Surprised Hanan (19:21) Why Views on Palestine Are Skewed (23:35) What Solida...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 526
OCBC’s private banking arm, Bank of Singapore, allegedly fired up to 40 employees after probing claims of medical benefits abuse. Was it fair for the bank to fire these individuals even after they had returned the money from the aforementioned benefit claims? Elsewhere, a parent sounded a warning about a Sentosa hotel where his teenage daughter had attended a party with a group of guys and alcohol. However, many online commentators criticised the parent instead, saying that he was blaming the ho...
Apr 29, 2024•54 min•Ep. 525
This past week, the US President signed a bill that has been described effectively as a ban on social media app TikTok. What will the next 9-12 months entail for the Singapore-headquartered business, and should content creators start moving to other platforms? Closer to home, a home-based business got flak for leaving a series of rude messages to delivery riders outside their premises, with some consumers promising to boycott the business in response. Are people overreacting, or should businesse...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 524
Last week, Law and Home Affairs Minister Shanmugam clapped back at British publication The Economist with a rebuttal of their article about Lawrence Wong succeeding Lee Hsien Loong as PM. His Facebook post drew many comparisons between the UK and Singapore, and so far has seen a mixed reaction from online commentators. What could have been the impetus behind the response to the “sneer”? Elsewhere, a survey revealed that 1 in 2 Singapore workers would quit their job if asked to be in the office m...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 523
Jamus Lim comes to the YLB studio for a deep dive into the Singapore education system and what Singaporeans need to do in their careers to prepare for the impending AI wave. On top of that, he talks about his expectations vs. reality as an MP (no jokes about cockles, we promise), redefining what it means to succeed in Singapore, and also destroys Terence’s One Shiok Thing with economics. (00:00) On this episode (00:19) A message from Folklory (01:17) Intro (05:49) How Fatherhood Has Shaped Jamus...
Apr 22, 2024•58 min•Ep. 522
Actress Oon Shu An drops by the YLB studio to talk about her latest production, Tartuffe: The Imposter, why she loves to work with young creatives, and how choosing to follow your passion as your job might not be the best idea. We also go deep into her thoughts and feelings about the conflict in Gaza, and why it’s important for people with platforms to speak up. (00:00) On this episode... (00:32) Intro (07:04) Social Media is Making Us Less “Weird” (53:02) How Palestine is Liberating Us (01:37:0...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 521
We knew this was coming, but it still surprised us when it was finally announced. DPM Lawrence Wong will be taking over as Singapore’s Prime Minister come 15th May. Are we ready for a new PM? What does this announcement mean for the timing of the upcoming General Elections? Elsewhere, authorities announced that all employers must institute a process for workers to make formal requests for flexible work arrangements from December onwards. Does this move the needle on employment welfare, or is it ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 520
This past weekend, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, supposedly in response to an earlier act of aggression on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The international response has been swift to condemn the attack, but also cautious in support for an Israeli counter strike. Why so? Also, it was announced that the Pope will be visiting our shores come September, the latest feather in the cap for Singapore’s standing as an international events hub. What can we expect from this historic pap...
Apr 15, 2024•56 min•Ep. 519
This week, some local writers voiced their objections to the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) plans to build a South-east Asia-focused large language model (LLM), even though a consultation via a survey within the local writing community is still ongoing. Why the outrage over this seemingly innocuous survey? Elsewhere, it was revealed that Singapore’s last trishaw operator had halted tours as early as last year, due to the unavailability of a site to store the trishaws. Are we about...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 518
Terence Lee, Editor-in-chief at Tech in Asia joins us to share his journey of being in the tech scene for so long, and now leading one of the most influential tech publications in Asia. And which covers stories so incisive they often receive cease-and-desist letters. He also was instrumental in getting his team to cover our story of being screwed over by HOOQ, which was published in Mar 2023. Terence gives us a peek into what it’s like, the challenges of investigating startups, and what keeps hi...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 517
Minister Desmond Lee has been serving at the Ministry of National Development since 2013, taking over as Minister in 2020. He joins us to discuss some important questions about housing affordability and accessibility, the broader social significance of housing, and whether expectations for housing are being set too high. (00:00) On this episode (00:24) Intro (01:50) Current Housing Climate in Singapore (23:39) Minister Desmond Lee's Philosophy Towards Home-Owning (27:16) Keeping Appreciating Hou...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 516
We got comedian Sharul Channa in to talk about her upcoming hour-long standup performances and to contribute her thoughts on some hot topics. Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs explained the bill tabled to grant more powers to the police to apprehend suspects with mental disorders, but mental health experts are concerned it’s too heavy handed. Elsewhere, a man confronted a nearby mosque for having too much “noise”, but is it fair for him to do that? Find us here! Our website YLB Subreddit Y...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 515
Sudhir joins us once again to share the first-hand experience of getting POFMA-ed after his company, Jom Media, received the notice in 2023. He also shares his thoughts on the local political scene, his excitement for the upcoming election as well as why “slow journalism” is important for issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict. He also shares a peek into 2 long-form pieces his team is publishing on what’s happening in the middle east. And not to forget the topics of Pritam, Iswaran & the lates...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 514
This week, authorities ordered the Israel Embassy in Singapore to take down a social media post that compared mentions of Israel and Palestine in the Quran. Ministers Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan also issued strongly-worded statements in separate interviews explaining the severity of the issue. We look into their statements to understand why they felt these moves were necessary. Elsewhere, former transport minister S. Iswaran was slapped with 8 new charges that allege he had obtained, as a ...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 513
The World Happiness Report 2024 placed Singapore as the 30th happiest country in the world, which made it the top in Asia. Some online commentators were incredulous at the ranking, but is there more to the results than meets the eye? Elsewhere, a Kampong Glam bazaar food vendor was caught in a public dispute with a customer who posted a bad review of their fries. Is the customer always right, or does the vendor have a point? Find us here! Our website YLB Subreddit YLB TikTok YLB IG Folklory Capt...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 512
On Tuesday, WP chief Pritam Singh was charged with lying to Parliament over Raeesah Khan’s case from 2021. While he has pleaded not guilty, what is the political significance of these charges, especially in the lead up to the next General Elections? Elsewhere, a Reddit post ranting about work culture in Singapore has triggered a flurry of both supportive and dismissive comments. Why did this issue polarise online opinion? (00:00) A message from Folklory (01:05) Intro (04:17) WP’s Pritam Singh Ch...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 511
Singapore is currently assessing whether to bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, after Victoria pulled out last year due to its ballooning budget. What are the pros and cons of hosting these Games on such short notice? Elsewhere, the SAF is investigating a photo of a group of servicemen on a military exercise which was posted to IG stories recently. Even worse, a racist caption accompanied the photograph. What would possess these men to post this offensive material? Find us here! Our website...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 510
This week, the House of Representatives in the US passed a bill that could lead to a national TikTok ban. In response, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew made an impassioned plea to American users to tell their political leaders not to ban the app. Could this actually happen? Elsewhere, many Malaysians made a meal of a Top 100 Sandwiches in the World list that had “kaya toast” from Singapore at #42. These commentators complained that SIngapore had stolen yet another Malaysian dish; is there any truth to th...
Mar 15, 2024•53 min•Ep. 509
A recent Ipsos survey of 500 Singaporeans revealed that 57% of Singaporean men agree with the statement "we have gone so far in promoting women's equality that we are discriminating against men." Is Singapore a really sexist society? Elsewhere, Kate Middleton’s doctored Mother’s Day photo has triggered a firestorm of criticism, with international news agencies even voluntarily opting to remove the photo from circulation. Why is the world obsessed with the Princess’ poor Photoshop skills? Find us...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 508
Over the weekend, the Italian ambassador to Singapore went on social media and called out Italian restaurant Gotti Italiano for bearing the name of an infamous mob boss and for hosting a “Hip Hop Mafioso” night. The restaurant has since publicly apologised to the ambassador and for any offence caused. Is it a reasonable expectation for the owners of a restaurant in Singapore to be sensitive to cultural nuances of another country? Elsewhere, US fast food chain Wendy’s caused a furore when their C...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 507
This week in Parliament, it was revealed that Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh was the one who referred the West Coast couple in the recent POFMA case to Leong Mun Wai. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua questioned his intentions in doing so before the Budget 2024 announcement, chastising the politicising of vulnerable people. Who’s playing politics here? Elsewhere, MP Tan Kiat How revealed in Parliament that he has been testing electric dog collars on himself, as part of his research...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 506
CHECK OUT our new Ministry of Funny website at https://www.ministryoffunny.com/! It's the world's first TRISHAW PODCAST! We’ve sped through 499 episodes of Yah Lah BUT, so for ep 500, we decided to do something wheel-y special! Harking back to our MOF roots, we took it to the streets ON A TRISHAW to bring some YLB goodness to the gentrified hipster heritage district of the East Coast. We look back on some of our favourite moments on the podcast over the years, and talk about some of our plans fo...
Mar 06, 2024•51 min•Ep. 505
