A Total Defence food resilience exercise took a wrong turn when 20 students fell ill after eating ready-to-eat meals catered by SATS, a major food supplier. With 100,000 meals already distributed, should the program be paused completely? Meanwhile, a Nasi Lemak hawker has publicly questioned the requirement for hawkers to be physically present at their stalls everyday, thus putting the National Environment Agency’s tenancy rules under the spotlight. Are NEA’s requirements outdated, or necessary ...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 627
Budget 2025 is here, and PM Lawrence Wong delivered what many are calling an "election budget" - packed with CDC vouchers, SG60 bonuses, and support for families. While no one will say no to budget goodies, are the deeper issues such as Singapore’s cost of living and fertility woes being addressed? Meanwhile, a Dalmatian flying business class on Singapore Airlines has sparked a conversation on wealth inequality, service animals, and travel privilege. (00:00) Intro (03:45) Budget 2025: Sweet Enou...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 626
Pritam Singh, Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition, has been convicted of lying to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges, marking a historic first for a political leader. Even with a $14,000 fine, he still remains eligible to contest GE2025, but what does this mean for the Workers' Party? Meanwhile, a Straits Times feature on Singapore’s incels sparks heated debate among online commenters, who took issue with NS grievances being categorised as part of the local incel movement. Is there any truth ...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 625
Join us for a heartfelt episode of Yah Lah BUT that starts on the grassy patch of Crawford Heights, then transitions to a scenic ride along the Kallang River on a trishaw, because why not? From diaper disasters to dad jokes, we reflect on Haresh’s first couple of months of fatherhood, and exchange stories of the wild ride of modern parenting. We debate the perks of prime HDB locations (hello, Kallang Basin views!) and the lifesaving magic of flexible work arrangements. But it’s not all baby talk...
Feb 12, 2025•57 min•Ep. 624
Former Transport Minister S Iswaran has been moved to home detention just four months into his 12-month jail term, sparking a wave of online backlash. How does the Home Detention Scheme actually work, and is this standard procedure or VIP treatment? Meanwhile, Coldplay’s new music video, filmed entirely in Singapore, is making waves, featuring everything from Marina Bay Sands to MacPherson HDB blocks. Is this a genuine tribute, slick Singapore Tourism Board production, or the new SG60 NDP song? ...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 623
Singapore’s Parliament just passed the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, marking a major legal shift in how race-related issues are handled. From new restraining orders to stricter controls on foreign influence, we break down the biggest changes. Meanwhile, a new study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) claims that racial relations in Singapore have improved since 2018. Are Singaporeans truly more accepting of other races, or are we just becoming more politically correct? (00:00) Tell Yo...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 622
Singapore’s F&B industry is in trouble—over 3,000 food and beverage businesses shut down in 2024, the highest number in nearly 20 years. Are skyrocketing rents and changing nightlife habits to blame? We break down why bars and restaurants are struggling to survive. Meanwhile, Singapore is doubling down on its tech dreams with the Punggol Digital District—touted as our very own Silicon Valley. But is it all hype, or can it actually drive innovation? We discuss whether this futuristic district...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 621
Donald Trump wastes no time in blaming diversity policies for a deadly air crash, doubling down on claims that hiring standards have fallen. His controversial remarks have sparked outrage—are they grounded in fact or just another political distraction? Meanwhile, in Singapore, a self-styled ‘road vigilante’ has been fined for modifying his car with emergency lights and a stretcher to respond to accidents. Is he a misguided hero or a public safety risk? We break down Trump’s latest controversy an...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 620
On this episode, we chat with Mr. Tan Suee Chieh, former CEO of NTUC Income and NTUC Enterprise. Suee Chieh was a key voice raising concerns about the Income-Allianz deal when it first broke, and we’ve been trying to get him on the show since last October. After some scheduling delays, we finally made it happen in December 2024, and it was a super insightful conversation, where he talked about what it takes to build an exceptional culture, why he took the step of going public with his views abou...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 619
Donald Trump is officially back as the 47th President of the United States, and his inauguration speech felt more like a Game of Thrones coronation than a traditional ceremony. With Elon Musk and America’s billionaires front and center, we break down the key takeaways from Trump’s big return. Meanwhile, a scholarship ad by Hwa Chong International School sparked online outrage after netizens spotted the student in the ad wearing $1,690 Christian Dior sneakers. Is this an out-of-touch flex, or are...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 618
In a recent speech, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh made a bold call for one-third opposition representation in Parliament and for unity amongst Workers’ Party cadre. What does this mean for WP’s GE2025 strategy? Elsewhere, Pakistan International Airlines just had the PR fail of the year— its celebration of the resumption of flights to Paris ended up looking way too much like 9/11. How did this get passed? (00:00) Folklory (00:45) Intro (10:30) Pritam Singh’s GE2025 Strategy (29:16) Pakist...
Jan 20, 2025•50 min•Ep. 617
As GE2025 looms, a Blackbox Research survey reveals Singaporeans’ biggest concerns—cost of living and jobs, not political scandals. What does this mean for campaign strategies? Plus, surprising Singaporean sentiment on Donald Trump’s re-election. We dig into the data, the vibes, and the unexpected trends shaping Singapore’s political landscape. Meanwhile, a Singaporean climber raised a political flag at Everest Base Camp, sparking debate about devotion, ball-carrying, and whether this was a flex...
Jan 17, 2025•59 min•Ep. 616
This week, Meta makes waves as CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces the end of third-party fact-checking in the US, shifting responsibility to users through “community notes.” President Joe Biden isn’t pleased, calling the move “shameful.” We unpack the implications for misinformation and free speech. Closer to home, a survey reveals Singapore’s most loved and hated corporate jargon, from “double confirm” to “pang gang.” What do these buzzwords say about workplace culture and Singaporeans’ command of E...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 615
We dive into the ICA’s suspension of its online address change system after 80 unauthorized attempts exploited a glaring loophole. How is this connected to the recent NRIC unmasking drama, if at all? Meanwhile, SM Lee Hsien Loong’s speech on immigration and integration at a SINDA dinner sparks online debate. From balancing foreigner inflow to fostering inclusivity, we discuss the tension between cultural adaptation and xenophobia in Singapore. (00:00) Folklory (00:50) Intro (13:09) Scammers Targ...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 614
This week, we unpack the exchanges in Parliament about the recent case of unintentional NRIC unmasking by ACRA. Minister Josephine Teo and Minister Indranee fielded a bevy of questions from both sides, but some questions still remain unanswered. Is the public overreacting? Elsewhere, a political confrontation between PSP and PAP volunteers at Bukit Gombak escalated into what is now a police case. What triggered the clash, and what does it mean for Singapore’s election culture? (00:00) Words of W...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 613
This past November, the topic of saving hawker culture was fiercely debated in Parliament, and while we discussed it in YLB 588, we wanted to hear directly from an actual hawker who knows the issues on the ground. And we got more than we bargained for, in this deep dive with Faye Sai, a THIRD-generation young hawker running the chain Coffee Break. We got answers to all the burning questions that left us vexed before, like: why aren’t we doing more to train young hawkers? Who bids $7000 for a haw...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 612
A recent study revealed that Singapore’s adult literacy proficiency is below the OECD average. This raises concerns about the competitiveness and employability of Singaporean workers, especially older ones whose language mastery may have atrophied over their lifetimes. What can be done to stem this decline? Elsewhere, an expat tech executive was featured in the news for doing food delivery outside of his working hours, and subsequently donating his earnings to charity. Why are some online celebr...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 611
In an interview with ST to mark the start of the school year, Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing made the point that the quality of teachers is a far more important determinant of success than class sizes. In the context of the increasing difficulty of recruiting teachers, we discuss if his comparison makes sense. Elsewhere, a 38-year-old man was arrested for slapping a 6-year-old child that had kicked his own child at the playground. Why are some commenters not immediately condemning the viol...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 610
In our last episode for 2024, we’re talking about major screw-ups. SingPost dramatically fired its CEO and two other top executives recently. The plot thickens with new details that have just emerged, involving whistleblowing and a subsequent cover-up. We discuss this with actor Andie Chen, and end up wondering: what kind of company *is* SingPost anyway? Also, a music festival on Sentosa has angered attendees over weather-related evacuations which caused them to miss performances. That’s all for...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 609
You’ve been waiting for this one. Just when we thought 2024 would close out quietly, a national regulator makes a rare, alarming blunder, then the government rolls out two ministers and a chief executive for a press conference and public apology. After all this fuss though, we’re still no clearer what the deal is with our National Registration Identity Card numbers. Should they be confidential, or not? How vulnerable are we, when they are revealed? And how did such a misunderstanding even arise?...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 608
It’s fair to say that Yip Pin Xiu has had a good 2024. Singapore’s most decorated paralympian extended her streak with another two gold medals in Paris this year, and she just got engaged! In this episode, she hits the YLB studio to tell us about the challenges of competing on the world stage, and whether or not it’s okay to ask about persons with disabilities about their condition (hint: how you ask is more important than what you ask). She also gives us the inside scoop on what it’s like to ha...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 607
Our sponsor - OPPO This episode is brought to you by OPPO! FOMO keeps us connected to our phones 24/7. But what happens on our phones is often way less important than all the meaningful things happening in front of us! So this holiday season, remember that your phones can wait but life can’t. So enjoy the present! Check out more stuff from OPPO at https://www.oppo.com/sg/ We’re rolling into the year-end party season and we can expect a lot of people to be on their phones, capturing the festiviti...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 606
We’ve made it to episode 600! And what better way to celebrate it than to record it live in front of an audience of 60+ YLB fans, right on the cusp of #SG60. It’s the end of the year and everyone’s doing up their lists, so we thought we’d do a recap of 2024! But this time, no need for Google Trends, no need for mainstream media affirmation, because we are talking about the top 10 most streamed topics of the year, according to YLB! It was a riotous evening at @27AnnSiang (home of RICE Media) that...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 605
This episode we’re talking about Luigi Mangione, whose alleged murder of the CEO of UnitedHealth on a sidewalk in New York has captured global attention. What could have motivated him to do such a thing? Why is he being hailed as a hero by some people online? And what is his tangential connection to Yah Lah But? Closer to home, we try to figure out how a local cosplayer gained enough of a following that she was able to offer her fans some very unusual services at the recent Singapore Comic-Con. ...
Dec 11, 2024•57 min•Ep. 604
The GE2025 hype train has left the station, and you know we love us some political punditry. So today we’re discussing a CNA report on how political parties are having trouble finding new blood for GE2025–going as far as interviewing people who turned down invitations to enter the field. Why is there increasing resistance to joining politics, and what does this bode for the country? What kind of candidates are more likely to appeal to voters today? In other news, Swiss Air crew on a Bangkok-Zuri...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 603
We know Singaporeans are an obedient lot, but will we heed the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Social and Family Development? They’ve just issued advice on appropriate caregiving boundaries between parents and children, which covers bathing, nudity, and expressing affection. Joining us for this potentially awkward conversation is comedian Jacky Ng, fresh from stints in Bali and KL. We also talk about the robot nurses that NUH is getting next year, and what other jobs robots might be comin...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 602
At Yah Lah BUT, we’re big on looking at issues from multiple angles, and we’ve got a good example this episode! A TikTok video showing a fight at a lift lobby in Vivocity went viral this weekend. Who started it? Who was helping and who wasn’t? The answer isn’t as clear as the video suggests, based on information that’s emerged since then. It’s a great cautionary tale against jumping to conclusions! Separately, F&B company Astons has decided to stop absorbing the service charge and GST for it...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 601
We’re into the last month of the year and we start with the sad news that a participant of this year’s Standard Chartered Marathon passed away after completing the event. Few details have emerged, so we’re focusing more on the challenges of long-distance running (including Haresh’s own experience), from training to the actual run. Listen to your body, people! We also discuss a story about hair salons that offer massages beyond just the head, and YES, in this episode, we address our participation...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 600
There’s no smoke without fire…or in this case, vapes? Apparently, plainclothes Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers have the power to enter and search your house if they suspect you possess a vape, and they don’t need a warrant to do it. A recent incident involving TikToker Rapperboy has us asking, just how far does the long arm of the law reach? What are the safeguards against scammers taking advantage of this? Separately, yet another case of blackface has surfaced at a company dinner &...
Nov 29, 2024•57 min•Ep. 599
SG60 is just round the corner, and Singapore’s beloved cabaret troupe Dim Sum Dollies are back to celebrate it! In this episode, we speak to founding member Selena Tan about the Dollies’ 22-year history, their upcoming show, and whether or not cancel culture has made it harder for comedians. She’s had a gutsy journey herself, abandoning the law profession in a time when a career in theatre was unheard of, setting up Singapore’s only for-profit theatre company, and surviving the Covid pandemic. N...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 598
