Deep Dive

As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, more families are facing the difficult decisions about long-term care. But after two nursing homes had their licences revoked over serious lapses in resident safety and care, how can families know which homes to trust? Beyond regular spot checks and audits, should inspection results be publicised for greater transparency? Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia unpac...

Singapore's security is not just built on military spending and might. With the security landscape evolving and the nature of warfare changing, what does it take to strengthen the country's defence? How can the state deter potential threats without unnecessarily raising tensions? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing in a wide-rangin...

Pritam Singh has been re-elected as leader of the Workers' Party after surviving a resignation call at a special cadres conference and party elections on Sunday. While the results appear to draw a line under years of intense public scrutiny, does it also come with higher expectations of his leadership going forward? And what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the Workers' Party as it celeb...

More Singaporean fathers are leaving the workforce to become stay-at-home dads and take on more caregiving responsibilities. Amid concerns about lower household income, slower career progression and higher cost of living, is this a realistic choice for most families? How should couples decide who stays home and who goes to work? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down...

A complaint led to the removal of power washing artist Marcus Pang’s street artwork on a pavement outside Mountbatten MRT station, sparking a debate on who gets to decide how shared spaces should be used in Singapore. Why do Singaporeans prefer to turn to authorities to resolve disagreements instead of talking to one another first? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang...

From 2027, all tertiary and ITE students will be taught AI skills relevant to their courses. But AI is already transforming classrooms and workplaces today, even as educators and employers scramble to keep pace. How can today's graduates stand out and prove they're AI-ready? Steven Chia speaks with Nanyang Technological University lecturer Ian Tan and university student Susan Khoo to discuss the g...

A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies found a growing acceptance of Singlish among Singaporeans, with many viewing it as an important part of national identity that is worth preserving. But like any living language, Singlish is constantly evolving, shaped by new generations and changing ways of speaking. Does this signal a shift in what it means to be Singaporean? Steven Chia speaks w...

Three online retailers were recently flagged for using misleading marketing tactics known as “dark patterns” such as fake countdown timers or low-stock alerts designed to create a sense of urgency among shoppers. But when these nudges cross the line to become unethical or even fraudulent, how do we maintain a safe shopping environment? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Professo...

Singapore's falling fertility rate is now framed as a national problem to solve. But for a growing number of couples, having children simply isn’t part of their plans. How have our attitudes towards parenthood changed and what does the rise of the "dual income, no kids" or DINK lifestyle say about the country's future? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Al...

As the conflict in the Middle East drags on, Singapore along with the rest of the world, is feeling the strain: rising oil prices, disrupted supply chains and deepening uncertainty. Singapore has long prided itself on being principled, following the rules of the global order. But in a changing new world, how long can a small nation hold that line? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Minister of...

Relationships are being redefined with AI chatbots on the rise. These digital companions are always available, always agreeable - but at what cost? And with the younger generation growing up as AI natives, how will this affect their ability to communicate and form relationships with another human? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Swapna Verma from the Institute of Ment...

Employees in Singapore are prioritising work-life balance over pay and benefits, and younger workers are switching careers fast. With attitudes toward work shifting, how can companies and workers close the expectation gap? In a post-COVID world shaped by AI, the challenge is clear: how do we maximise talent, find meaningful jobs while staying competitive? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chi...

A restaurant recently faced a barrage of negative reviews which affected its Google rating. It sparked a conversation on how we leave and read online reviews. Are we too quick to criticise from behind our screens? And as consumers, are we able to tell the difference between thoughtful feedback and unfair criticisms? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Dr Elmie Nekmat from the National Univer...

Countries are feeling the ripple effects of the Middle East conflict, some bearing the brunt more than others. Are rising food and fuel prices only the tip of the iceberg? What is the hidden fallout we should be watching out for? Is there a silver lining for Singapore in this crisis? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Denise Che...

Homegrown companies like Yeo's and Tiger Beer maker Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore are shifting their operations to neighbouring countries and some jobs will be cut as part of the move. What does this signal about Singapore’s competitiveness in the region and what other jobs do we want to create? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Karen Teo, country manager for recruitment firm Quess S...

With Singapore's beverage container return scheme (BCRS) now underway, the next few months will test how well consumers, retailers and producers adapt to the new refundable deposit system. Will a 10-cent refund be enough to change recycling habits, or will convenience and confusion get in the way? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Stephanie Yip, chief executive officer of scheme operator BCRS...

Running a business in Singapore is no easy feat, especially in the fiercely competitive F&B scene. For every outlet that closes, another quickly steps in. But does this constant churn signal a thriving industry or does it point to a growing challenge for local entrepreneurs competing against well-funded foreign players? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia speaks with co-founder of The...

AI is already transforming the classroom by reshaping the way students learn and teachers teach. But as AI becomes more powerful, how do we protect space for original thought and creative thinking? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary to unpack AI's role in the classroom, and how the recent merger of SkillsFuture and Workforce Singapore...

The war in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, leaving nations scrambling to secure their oil and gas reserves. For Singapore - which generates 95% of its electricity using imported natural gas - the timing couldn't be more critical. In the race to become an AI hub, our power demands are skyrocketing. How do we keep the lights on and feed our AI ambitions without derailing our...

Crow shooting is set to resume after an increasing number of reported crow attacks, highlighting the ongoing tension between humans and wildlife. If Singapore wants to be a City in Nature, what needs to change so that people and animals can co-exist peacefully? Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia unpack the issue with Soh Ze Bin from the National Parks Board and Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan from ACRES in this...

The joint attack against Iran by the United States and Israel has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the rest of the world. Why did they decide on military action and how is Iran going to respond? How could the war impact the global economy? Tiffany Ang speaks with Dr Jean-Loup Samaan from the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore and Eddy Loh from Maybank...

Where does your five-cent plastic bag charge actually go? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack Singapore's supermarket carrier bag fee after reports that some retailers used the proceeds for business operations. Cheang Kok Chung from the Singapore Environment Council and Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School join this week’s Deep Dive podcast to talk about what "green" spending shoul...

This year’s Budget placed a strong emphasis on jobs and AI, with the government identifying key sectors to propel the economy forward. But can workers keep pace with the shifting dynamics? In this week’s Deep Dive, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow sits down with Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang to discuss preparing Singaporeans fo...

Jobs and AI took centre stage in this year’s Budget, with the government committing significant resources to ensure no Singaporean is left behind. What are the concrete steps to propel Singapore forward and can they help build a truly “we first” society? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences...

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will deliver his speech for Budget 2026 on Feb 12, addressing key concerns from cost of living to remaining competitive in a tough labour market. In this week's Deep Dive episode, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with final-year undergraduate Shaza Daliela Rahmat and business owner Beatrice Liu to discuss their hopes for this year’s B...