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, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 677
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, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 676
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, 2025•58 min•Ep. 675
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, 2025•53 min•Ep. 674
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, 2025•57 min•Ep. 673
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, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 672
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, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 671
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, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 670
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, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 669
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, 2025•59 min•Ep. 668
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, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 667
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, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 666
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, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 665
★ 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, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 664
★ 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, 2025•51 min•Ep. 663
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, 2025•59 min•Ep. 662
★ 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, 2025•48 min•Ep. 661
★ 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, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 660
★ 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, 2025•53 min•Ep. 659
★ 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, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 658
★ 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! Singapore’s GE2025 rallies are officially underway, and we dive into the energy, tactics, and speeches from five parties—WP in Sengkang, SDP in Marsiling, PSP in Marymount, PAP in Woodlands, and PBP in Tampines. From Chee Soon Juan’s crowd control to WP’s tightly-run lineup and Minister Ong Ye Kung mentioning Yah Lah Bu...
Apr 25, 2025•49 min•Ep. 657
★ 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! This is our first on-the-ground episode of our Yah Lah But GE2025 coverage, where we’re travelling to all 33 constituencies over 8 days in our APolitical Party Bus. We break down WP’s shock withdrawal from Marine Parade GRC, leaving over 130,000 voters uncontested - and setting off a wave of criticism. Then we unpack PM...
Apr 24, 2025•48 min•Ep. 656
★ 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! GE2025 is officially underway - and your daily hustings coverage starts NOW. In this special kickoff to this series, Haresh and Terence unpack the biggest Nomination Day headlines: Marine Parade’s surprise walkover, WP’s absence, Harpreet Singh in Punggol, and a last-minute PAP three-way trade. We talk WP’s strategy, Ga...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 655
★ 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! Minister Chan Chun Sing opens up on Singapore’s most emotional pressure points: PSLE, streaming, tuition, and our obsession with comparison. He challenges the idea that we should do more to build resilience - maybe we should do less. We also talk about the need for political diversity as well as its misconceptions. He w...
Apr 22, 2025•2 hr•Ep. 654
★ 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! Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng joins YLB to talk about Singapore’s economic anxieties, the role of foreign workers, and how his business background shapes his policies. From his COVID-era baptism of fire to recent controversies on speaking Cantonese in Parliament and the internship exposure vs pay debate, Dr. Tan an...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 653
★ 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 30 years in opposition politics, Dr. Chee Soon Juan is still in the fight. In this candid, wide-ranging interview, the Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) discusses why he’s contesting again, his thoughts on cost-of-living issues, and how mainstream media unfairly shaped public perception of ...
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 652
Koh Buck Song, poet, writer, and country brand advisor, has helped shape how the world sees Singapore. He joins us to unpack the essence of what it means to be Singaporean and how we see ourselves. We also discuss how our shared identity as Singaporeans makes us unique. We explore why multiculturalism is our secret sauce, how hawker centres are more than food courts, and what we’re missing when it comes to soul and identity. Our Sponsor - Singapore International Foundation (SIF) This episode was...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 651
★ 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! Donald Low, Professor of Practice at the HKUST Institute for Public Policy, joins us to talk about his new book on COVID’s lasting impact on China, the consequences of Donald Trump’s tariffs & counterintuitive facts about the global economy. And of course, with his decade’s long experience in the Singapore civil ser...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 650
★ Our GE2025 Plans! ★ Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.yahlahbut.com to updates and to find out firsthand where we'll be during each day of the campaigning period. It's gonna be epic! In this candid conversation that took place right after the Writ of Election was issued, former PAP MP and serial entrepreneur Inderjit Singh joins us to reflect on his time in Parliament, his business journey, and his outspoken and controversial views on key policies. And given the upcoming election, we t...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 649
Red Dot United’s Secretary-General Ravi Philemon opens up about why he left the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) to start Red Dot United just weeks before GE2020, and even more shockingly, contested against now-President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He shares how RDU is positioning itself differently from other opposition parties ahead of GE2025, why discipline and data matter for his team, and the challenges of building a new party from scratch. Plus, he lays out the reason why smaller opposition part...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 648
