Plan B

It's this week's biggest political story: Pritam Singh is no longer Leader of the Opposition. With so many twists and turns, the latest question on everyone's minds is: should the LO role be constitutionalized? The Darren Aadam Mak show asked this question. We read out the comments (00:33) Darren’s Show (05:45) Should the LO role be given a framework? (07:55) Reading comments (21:15) What should o...

As local businesses in Singapore get squeezed by rising rents, many are shutting their doors, and increasingly, what replaces them are Chinese-owned businesses. In neighbourhoods like Kampong Glam, the surge has sparked concerns over the erosion of local heritage and culture. If this trend continues unchecked, are we looking at an economic takeover similar to what’s happened in places like Jeju an...

Just days into 2026, global headlines have been dominated by the US’ capture of Venezuela’s then-president, Nicolás Maduro. As Singapore said it is “gravely concerned” by the situation, the episode has raised uneasy questions closer to home. In an era of intensifying great-power rivalry, are small states like Singapore more vulnerable than we think? (00:50) Dzar’s holiday (05:27) US’ intervention...

What better way to wrap up the year than with something sweet? In this episode, we sit down with Darren, co-founder of Sugar Mama Lah, the halal tiramisu brand that went from a home-based hustle to a full-fledged storefront. Darren opens up about the “thick skin” mindset behind his success, from live streaming to unconventional marketing, and drops a surprising truth: many kunafa desserts in Singa...

A viral TikTok shows LTA and Traffic Police cracking down on a car meet at Decathlon Kallang, and while many cheered the enforcement, others say it’s exactly why Singapore’s car culture is dying. Compared to places like Japan, where modified cars are celebrated, Singapore feels far more conservative. But as the city pushes towards a car-lite future, is this scene inevitably fading away? And is tha...

A devastating tragedy struck Bondi Beach in Sydney when two gunmen killed at least 15 people during a Jewish celebration. While many netizens expressed sympathy and grief, the aftermath quickly spiralled into controversy. From antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric to claims of a ‘false flag’ attack, the tragedy has been swept into a fierce online information war. (00:55) Darren’s Bar Exams (04:25)...

Everyone’s travelling this year-end, especially to Japan, where the yen has plunged to about ¥120 for S$1. But while Singaporeans are chasing cheap flights and exchange rates, PM Wong is on the move for a different reason. His recent trip to South Africa and the announcement of Singapore’s 1st East African embassy in Ethiopia may seem unexpected but they hint at something bigger: Singapore is quie...

When influencer Simonboy launched the Forever Megan Charity in honour of his late daughter, some called it heartfelt while others called it clout. And leading the charge was the OG uncancellable content creator herself, Xiaxue. Her takedown earned her a cease and desist letter, and she’s firing back. In this case, do you think Xiaxue has a point, or do you feel sympathy for Simonboy? (01:25) Feud...

The job market is changing rapidly, and jobseekers are facing challenges like finding stability, balancing personal commitments, and adapting to AI. At Plan B, our hosts share insights from both employers and jobseekers on their shifting expectations. With programmes mentioned in this year’s National Day Rally like GRIT and SkillsFuture available, we explore how jobseekers can get ahead as they na...

This week, headlines swirled around Ong Beng Seng keeping his PR status, a move that’s raised plenty of eyebrows. In a country where one's PR status can be revoked for criminal convictions, ICA’s decision to issue only a warning has sparked questions about Singapore’s “clean and fair” legal image. (03:05) Possible Kyrgyzstan trip in 2026 (10:35) Under-the-table payment for Hajj? (13:00) M’sian...

We’ve all seen the shocking videos of youths staggering like zombies, hooked on vapes laced with etomidate. As Singapore clamps down on vaping, we speak with Prof Anantham Devanand, Senior Consultant at SGH’s Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, on why vapes can be are dangerous even without etomidate - and share the real-life cases he’s treated. For support to quit vaping, visit:...

Videos of Pritam Singh going from court to Parliament, and taking photos with the public in between, have gone viral, and online reactions show his public image is still holding strong. But let’s be real: he’s playing the political game. With his conviction now under appeal, we ask: Should Pritam keep fighting, or is this the point to step back and be the Leader of the Opposition in peace? (05:20)...

The 47th ASEAN Summit gave us plenty of unforgettable moments, and we’ve ranked them from least to most memorable. But here’s the thing, Trump seems to pop up in almost every highlight, from dancing with Anwar to letting PMX ride in the Beast. Makes you wonder: was this summit a masterclass in bootlicking Trump? (01:40) Our listicle of best moments from the ASEAN Summit (08:40) Nominating Trump fo...

As the Deepavali weekend winds down, the news cycle may be quiet but Singapore still has one major headline. The 3 women behind the pro-Palestine walk, Amirah Asrori, Annamalai Kolika, and Sobikun Nahar, have been acquitted. While many celebrate them as heroes of local activism, lawyer Rahman argues the real hero is the judge. Still, with the AGC appealing the decision, this case may be far from o...

The Israel-Hamas hostage exchange marks the biggest breakthrough in the ceasefire yet, and Trump’s taking the credit with his 20-point peace plan. But in Singapore, netizens don’t seem to care. Some are even calling out the media’s double standards: Israelis are “hostages,” Palestinians are “detainees.” So, the big question is: does Trump’s plan actually bring peace, or is it all just wayang? (00:...

Parliament got heated this week, and just like in GE2025, the Malay-Muslim community found itself in the crossfire. Shanmugam delivered a lengthy speech referencing Noor Deros and his meeting with Workers Party’s Malay-Muslim candidates, warning of the dangers of identity politics and the mixing of race and religion. But with little reaction online, do Singaporeans even care? (01:10) Watching Parl...

This year’s F1 Singapore Grand Prix wasn’t just about the races, it came with its share of controversies. From crowds stranded after the MRT ends its service to the Petronas CEO’s champagne celebration that’s stirred debate online among Malaysians, questioning if it’s appropriate for a Muslim to join in. It’s got us wondering, is conservatism on the rise? (2:00) Problems with F1 (4:15) Petronas CE...

The Ministry of Education’s recent move to adopt central kitchen models in school canteens has stirred fears among vendors worried about their livelihoods. But Rayner from Hearty Green Vegetables - famous for introducing Japan’s school bento culture to Singapore - sees things differently. Despite admitting that daily revenue can dip to just $100–200, he revealed his “secrets” for staying relevant...

UK, Canada, Portugal have recognised Palestine. But what about Singapore? In Parliament this week, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan finally set out our position — and it comes with strings attached. But here’s the real question: even if Singapore does recognise Palestine, will it matter at all, when international law is already being trampled on everywhere? (02:10) What’s happening in Parliament? (09...

Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk’s assassination highlights how political discourse in the US has turned increasingly intolerant. Could Singapore face a similar future? Unlikely — not because we’re more accepting of extremism but because our laws swiftly curb such speech. Still, as the world grows darker, one question remains: what future are we heading toward? (00:30) Charlie Kirk’s assassinat...

Singapore’s Parliament has just opened with President Tharman pushing a bold “We First” agenda. But what does this mean for a society already known for its competitive edge? On this episode, we question whether systems like PSLE and university admissions clash with the spirit of collective progress, to debating viral flashpoints like the GoJek driver blasting music. We dive deep into the tensions...

Recently, Singapore grabbed international headlines — but not for the right reasons. What began as the cancellation of American comedian Sammy Obeid’s show quickly escalated into a messy clash with the Singapore government, culminating in a POFMA order. Was Obeid simply chasing attention, or did the government make things worse by doubling down and fanning the flames? (02:57) Heartwarming efforts...

Shocking recordings of Primary 3 students threatening “I might dissect her into pieces” and “kill you and your husband” have rattled Singapore, raising fears about bullying among children. We get to the heart of the problem with Senior Clinical Psychologist Muhammad Haikal, who says bullying can affect anyone, but a child’s home environment is often the biggest contributor to such behaviour. (01:5...

Syed Saddiq has closer ties to Singapore than many realise. A brief stint at NUS’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy gave him a deep respect for Singapore’s founding father - especially regarding Malaysia-Singapore relations. With the RTS line set to strengthen connections, Saddiq sees plenty of ways the two countries can complement each other… but what exactly are they? (02:00) Say hello to Sy...

Many found this year’s National Day Rally a little boring — but two announcements stood out: the new Singapore College of Islamic Studies and the looming threat of AI on jobs. PM Lawrence Wong insists Singaporeans will remain the priority. But can they really, when it seems AI might even replace our asatizah in the future? (00:30) National Day Rally 2025 (08:18) Treat of AI for jobs (09:55) Vaping...