Talkback

A shoplifter was recently caught and jailed after being identified by facial recognition at a Sheng Siong supermarket in Punggol Central. But how accurate is this technology? Could AI mistakenly think you’ve shoplifted? Daniel Martin speaks with Yeow Ling Yun, a lecturer from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Infocomm Technology. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crisis Conversations continues as we look at how the war on Iran could start affecting healthcare — from rising medicine costs and possible drug delays to shortages of medical supplies such as PPE, syringes and catheters. Daniel Martin speaks with Associate Professor Cynthia Chen from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man used AI to create a fake nude image of a woman and hid cameras at her workplace. And in another case, a man was jailed for filming four men in a shipyard toilet. These happened in offices and restrooms – spaces we use every day. Should you be checking for hidden cameras? Daniel Martin speaks with Ivan Tan, Cybersecurity Expert from Asia Top Investigation. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The doubling of the minimum occupation period to 10 years, the removal of the Deferred Payment Scheme, and an increased quota and priority period for first-timers were recently announced by Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat as part of measures to help first-time home buyers secure an EC unit. Daniel Martin speaks with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer, ERA Singapore. See omnystudio.c...

A live performance on your bus ride, a welcome surprise or an unwanted disruption? After a New Zealand singer-songwriter, went viral for performing on a public bus, the debate is growing over what counts as busking and where the line should be drawn in shared spaces. Daniel Martin discuss with Jonathan Goh, Chairman of the Buskers’ Association Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

In Tampines, thousands of cicadas have been caught in a single estate, while in Rowell Road, residents say mosquitoes are still getting into their homes night after night - despite nets and repellents. It’s more than just an inconvenience, what if you can’t use part of your house because of insect swarms? Daniel Martin discusses further with Bernard Chan, Operations General Manager, An...

A French teen accused of a straw-licking stunt at an iJooz vending machine is facing charges in Singapore, and the story has gone viral globally. It is not the first time incidents involving foreigners breaking the law here have drawn global attention. When foreigners break laws in Singapore and international media makes it viral, how does that make you feel? Daniel Martin discusses further with A...

Petrol prices are rising but what’s the smartest way to cope at the pump? Is driving less really the answer, or are there better ways to save? Daniel Martin speaks with Say Kwee Neng, automotive industry veteran and consultant.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 99 per cent of Tengah Garden Residences were sold at its sales launch. Is growth potential the new location, location, location? Daniel Martin and Paul Sng speak with Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer of property portal Mogul.sg. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A survey by the Judiciary of Young Lawyers found about one in three newly-admitted lawyers here are likely to leave within three years. The key reasons cited? Too much work, poor workplace culture, and a lack of mentorship. With 1 in 3 new lawyers forecast to leave within 3 years, what other professions could soon follow suit? Daniel Martin and Paul Sng discuss further with Selena Tan, F...

Malaysian police recently seized drug-laced vapes containing a liquid drug, furanylfentanyl, in Kuala Lumpur. Authorities warn that the substance is up to 100 times stronger than morphine, carrying a high risk of overdose even in small amounts. Daniel Martin and Elakeyaa Selvaraji discuss further with Dr Alvin Ng, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Intensivist, Farrer Park Hospital. See omnystud...

Amid all the current global energy disruptions, how exposed is Singapore to oil dependence? Daniel Martin discusses further with Joshua Ngu, Vice Chairman (APAC), Wood Mackenzie and Louise Loo, Head of Asia Economics, Oxford Economics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising living costs and a “triple whammy” of food, petrol and supply pressures are hitting Singapore. How badly could Singapore’s food delivery industry be affected, and what can be done to help the sector tide through? Daniel Martin speaks with Dr Tan Kwan Hong, Associate Faculty member at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Singapore Heritage Fest is back this year with over 100 programmes across the island - from performances and guided tours to workshops and exhibitions. It’s also opened up more ways for Singaporeans to use their Culture Pass credits. Daniel Martin and Paul Sng discuss further with Selena Tan, Founder, Dream Academy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Singapore, neighbourhood upgrades are continuing – with more than $130 million set aside to improve 17 HDB estates, benefiting about 20-thousand households. But, this comes at a time of ongoing global uncertainty… We’ve seen this before during COVID-19, when there was a surge in home renovations particularly in DIY projects – driven by a sense that it was the r...

With US-Iran talks back on the table, the ongoing blockade and shipping disruptions are already driving congestion and rerouting. Are we likely to see higher prices on e-commerce platforms, and should consumers expect longer delivery times? Daniel Martin speaks with Dr Samer Elhajjar, senior marketing lecturer at the National University of Singapore Business School. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

We asked financial blogger Seth Wee to spotlight savings for different groups, as your bills increase. From the 3-person family, to retired or DINK couple in 2026. Is it your streaming service or insurance outlay or driving your car? Also featuring CNA presenter, Paul Sng. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kopi prices at some hawker centres are going up by 10 to 30 cents, but is that just a small annoyance, or something more? Could this ‘kopi-o index’ be a real signal of rising costs in the economy? Daniel Martin discusses further with Song Seng Wun, Economic Advisor, SDAX. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting around is about to cost a bit more, with ride-hailing and taxi operators rolling out temporary fuel charges. Platforms like Grab, Tada and Gojek are adding about 40 cents per trip, bringing surcharges to around 90 cents. Daniel Martin discusses further with Assistant Professor Lee Kwok Hao from the Department of Strategy & Policy, NUS Business School. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Golden Village has closed its Tiong Bahru Plaza cinema after 32 years, but is this about falling demand, or are our cinemas just not keeping up with the rest of the region? Daniel Martin speaks with Khoo Sim Eng, Head of Film Studies at Singapore University of Social Sciences.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private health insurers have rolled out a new suite of Integrated Shield Plan riders, with premium reductions of 16 to 55 per cent. Will you be switching or staying with your existing rider? Daniel Martin speaks with Dr Jeremy Lim, Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Gojek driver has been jailed for molesting an unconscious 16-year-old passenger — a crime uncovered months later when police found a video on his phone. The judge said he had abused his position as a public transport worker and invaded the victim’s privacy to a high degree. Could inward-facing cameras help prevent such cases and better protect vulnerable passengers? Daniel Mar...

Sick of finding property flyers stuffed at your gate? From 1st April 2026, that’s set to change. But with stricter rules and higher costs for agents... is this the end of door-to-door flyers, or prompting a shift towards more considerate marketing approaches? Daniel Martin speaks with Associate Professor Ang Swee Hoon from the Marketing Department at NUS Business School. See omnystudio....

Buying from livestreamers : adds value or pressure tactics? That’s as the Singapore Retailers Association, TikTok Shop, and Workforce Singapore sign a MoU today in a move to boost digital transformation in our retail sector, with some focus on livestreaming. Daniel Martin discusses further with Winnie Ong, Founder and Creative Director of Young Hungry Free Pte Ltd. See omnystudio.com/listene...

Back in 1998, tobacco companies were held accountable for the harm caused by the very products they manufactured and sold with the passing of the Tobacco Settlement in the U.S. Fast forward to today - and the question facing Big Tech is strikingly similar: not just what their platforms show… but whether they were designed to keep users hooked. Daniel Martin discusses further with Rajesh Sre...