Yah Lah But

Within the span of 2 weeks, there have been numerous articles across mainstream media about purchases of GCBs (Good Class Bungalows) by CEOs of Tech companies (e.g. GRAB, Razer & Secret Lab). But why are these newsworthy? Is it right to disclose their names even? Elsewhere, a TikToker who trespassed a rhino enclosure to do a somersault for his TikTok video gets charged in court. But is this go...

On 6 Jul 2021, MPs Ong Ye Kung and Tan See Lee spoke in parliament in response to claims about CECA by Leong Mun Wai from the PSP. It got heated, but did people agree with what the PAP said? Or could their approach have been better? Elsewhere, the Ministry of Law has proposed a bill that forces people to credit content creators if their work is shared on social media. Good move or something that w...

This week in Parliament, Ministers will be talking about CECA and the “false allegations” that foreigners get a “free hand” to live and work in SG. But why is it important to talk about it? Do people know enough about CECA in the first place? Elsewhere, friends and family of Ben Glynn, the British non-masker, have allegedly raised $50,000 for his legal fees in the “oppressive regime” of Singapore....

So Bill Cosby is free again, after his conviction got overturned. People are pissed, but what are they pissed about? Because it’s not a simple case - does this mean he is innocent? Or is it a legal technicality? What happens next? Back home, it’s been confirmed - NDP 2021 will be a live event again, at the Marina Bay floating platform! But what and how will it happen? Is it too soon? Find us here!...

Amidst increasingly public struggles faced by hawker stall owners, as well as calls to preserve the UNESCO-approved hawker culture, NEA went ahead and increased the rent of some hawker stalls. KF Seetoh went public, but does he have a point? Is NEA to blame? Elsewhere, it’s been revealed that members of SG’s wealthy class are victims of a scam. Is that goofy, or is that a warning sign? Find us her...

On Fri, 25 Jun, MP Lawrence Wong delivered a 1-hr speech and 30-min Q&A on the topic of race, and racism. He said stuff that other politicians have never mentioned (like “Chinese Privilege”) but are people happy? What did Opposition Leader Pritam Singh think? Elsewhere, a man in Singapore is being investigated for offering women up to SGD22,500 for a “bukkake” photoshoot. But is he wrong to do...

We speak to Fakkah Fuzz, who was the first-ever guest on our first-ever podcast back in 2018. Since then, He’s had multiple comedy specials since then, including one for Netflix back in 2019. We talk to him about recent events in Singapore and his upcoming new special, “System Down”. With a whole bunch of jokes in between.  Find us here! Our #YLB Subreddit for show notes Our YouTube channel to see...

As other cities open up Covid-19 travel restrictions, Singapore (and Hong Kong) remain  strict, especially for non-citizens. But strict enough to make expats leave? Should we even be worried if they do? Is it fair for them to be so critical? Elsewhere, a seafood restaurant in Punggol allows customers to take crabs for walks before eating them. Nice gesture or marketing gimmick?  Find us here! ➤ Ou...

In part 2 of one of our most requested episodes ever, we continue the chat with writer/ commentator Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh about CMIO & SAP schools, how LKY’s policies may have influenced the racial landscape of Singapore (for better or worse) and what the majority can do when racist incidents happen. Part 2 of 2. Our previous episodes with Sudhir! YLB #172 - Part 1 with Sudhir YLB #154 - Our...

In part 1 of one of our most requested episodes, we chat with writer/ commentator Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh about recent racial incidents in SG, frameworks for talking about race, the recent drama around People’s Association & ex-MP Amrin Amin, and even Lee Kuan Yew. We go deep into topics mainstream media will never go into, so it’s gonna be A LOT to unpack. Part 1 of 2.   Our previous episodes...

On 9 Jun, Chinese Daily Lianhe Zaobao published an opinion piece on racism in SG after recent events. However, it got a lot of backlash from the intelligentsia of Singapore, resulting in an open letter. But why were they pissed? Elsewhere, John Chu says he should have made brown characters in his “Crazy Rich Asians” film “more human”. But is it just a PR stunt or does he mean it?  Find us here! ➤...

We talk to Yao Lishan, our writer-director for our Chinese TV series “The Amazing Showman”. We speak about his life as a filmmaker, from leaving Investment Banking in NYC to pursue film in China, to life as Executive Assistant to John Woo for 10 years. We also pick his brain on the differences in the film industries of China vs Singapore, and why banning foreign films might actually be good for us...

Prof David Lye is back at it again with a message to S'poreans. On 7 Jun 2021, the researcher at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) said certain messages & open letters are giving him sleepless nights. What is he referring to? Elsewhere, local Telco Circles. Life’s racially-themed IG post got massive backlash. Why are people pissed?  Find us here! ➤ Our #YLB Subreddit for show...

Singapore was set abuzz with the racist video that went viral. People were pissed, including MP Shanmugam, but what happens next? Elsewhere, SG’s policy on China’s Sinovac vaccine has pissed off Chinese nationalists, including a supposed Chinese national based here, who accused SG of “sucking USA’s balls”. WTF is going on? Find us here! ➤ Our #YLB Subreddit for show notes ➤ Our YouTube channel to...

Upcoming Marvel hero Simu Liu bared all on Facebook about the cancellation of the show he stars in. Was it fair or is he being “entitled”? Back home, SG internet is abuzz with a leaked audio of SG Streamer KiaraaKitty detailing how she allegedly scammed up to 7 guys in the past. But did she do anything illegal? Find us! ➤ Our #YLB Subreddit for show notes ➤ Our YouTube channel to see our FACES! He...

The pandemic and the GameStop saga made everyone more interested in personal investing and trading. We hear terms like Forex, but does it sound too good to be true? So we spoke to Eden Koh, a forex trader and coach, who answered all the queries we had, and more. Full disclaimer - this episode is brought to you by OctaFX, a forex trading platform. They provide a great service, so check them out! An...

It’s week 3 of PA-TOO-HA (P2HA) and things are looking optimistic, but should the Singapore F1 event still happen this year? What are the pros and cons? Did we miss it in 2020? Elsewhere, the People's Association apologised to the couple who went public about their photo being used for decorations without their consent. But how did it happen in the first place? And why do things like this keep hap...

The long-form train continues with the release of our first-ever Chinese comedy series: “The Amazing Showman”, hot on the heels of our first audio pilot & Tamil TV pilot. We chat (and laugh a lot) with the star of the show, the great Noah Yap. He’s been a long-time MOF contributor, and is basically our adopted acting child. We talk YouTube, TikTok, acting, Jade Rasif vs MOM and laksa.  Our Chi...

At a recent forum, AWARE Chief Corinna Lim said practices that skew views of what it means to be a man should be reviewed, especially in National Service which she said should be “gender neutral”. But is the enlistment of women a good idea? Elsewhere, John Cena uploaded a video apologising to Chinese fans after referring to Taiwan as a country, during his press tour for Fast & Furious. Is he a...

The once-famous satirical Facebook page, SMRT Feedback, posted something that questioned the loyalty of Muslims to their country, and pissed off the internet. FB User Syazana Yahya then filed a police report, which caused SMRT Feedback to delete its post and issue an apology. But what wrong did they do? And should we always be lodging police reports for speech? Elsewhere, diners at hawker centers...

It’s Week 1 of “Phase 2 Heightened Alert” and it feels weird. So weird that some retailers are actually calling for a Circuit Breaker. But why? Elsewhere, an aesthetic doctor who analysed Fann Wong’s face at the Star Awards 2021 incurred the wrath of celebrity stylist David Gan and Fann Wong’s lawyers. But did the doctor do anything wrong? What about David Gan talking about the doc’s mother? Our A...

When the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted a warning about the variant from Singapore and pleaded with Indian officials to stop flights from SG, Vivian B curtly tweeted back that “politicians should stick to facts''. That was badass, but why did the rumour start in the first place? And what could the impact be? Elsewhere, an exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum by artist Amanda Heng aims to rebuke th...

In a viral Whatsapp message that was verified by TODAY and the Straits Times, Dr David Lye, an infectious diseases expert, said the situation in SG is “likely more dangerous” than what it was just before Circuit Breaker in 2020. But why did this message come through social media first, before mainstream media? Elsewhere, at the Miss Universe pageant in Florida last weekend, Miss Singapore Bernadet...

The youngest honouree in Forbes 30 Under 30 2021 class, 19-year-old Harsh Dalal from Singapore, was unceremoniously removed from the list after Tech In Asia revealed inconsistencies in his and his company's credentials. However, what's more shocking is that SPH and CNA had also produced features glorifying his supposed achievements in the past year, inadvertently helping to legitimize his claims....

On 6 May, SPH announced that it was spinning off its media business into a non-profit arm. At the press conference, the SPH CEO lost his cool and created the buzzword of the year in "umbrage". More controversial details have emerged of how the SG government will support SPH's plans, including bringing ex-minister Khaw Boon Wan back as the chairman of the new entity. Elsewhere, someone on the MRT w...