Yah Lah But

2 years after our last SOLD OUT live show, we’re finally back with another YLB LIVE recording! 40 YLB listeners spent Saturday night with us at Monk’s Brew Club, as we discussed the thorny issue of whether BTOs lead to more divorces in Singapore. In a slight departure from our usual format, we had other interactive segments like “Most Not Shiok Comments” and an audience Q&A. For those who miss...

This week, Singapore Airlines announced that it would compensate passengers who suffered “minor injuries” in the SQ321 turbulence incident US$10K each. We discuss whether this is a generous offer. Elsewhere, a Circles. Life video ad, which depicted a teenager being caught watching porn by his mother, drew brickbats from online commenters. What was so bad about it, and is there really such a thing...

A Department of Statistics report recently found that more women remaining single is one of the contributing factors for Singapore’s baby drought. However, the ST article headline covering this report was slammed for seemingly laying the blame squarely on women. We discuss why the headline didn’t paint an accurate picture of the situation. Elsewhere, a Singaporean kid brought a handmade poster to...

This week, an 18-year-old involved in a motorcycle chase that killed a Land Transport Authority (LTA) officer tried to absolve himself of blame in his first court appearance. His comments sparked outrage online, with many online commenters questioning why he was not charged for causing the death of the officer. We do a layman dissection of the legal situation. Elsewhere, some Singaporean students...

Earlier this week, Science Centre Singapore cancelled a ticketed event organised to discuss the differences between sex and gender, after an outcry from some members of the public. Could Science Centre have done anything differently to make this event palatable? Elsewhere, a Crystal Jade promo where diners could get free char siew for reciting a Cantonese insult drew flak for being “demeaning” to...

This past weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue, where he called on Asian countries to join an upcoming Swiss-led peace summit to discuss the terms needed to end the war. While he was applauded by many and even hailed for his “leadership” by Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen, online commenters criticised the move to host him here. Why th...

This week, PM Wong waded into the case of the migrant worker who was fired for his involvement in a loan shark harassment case, when he wrote a letter to ICA and MOM about the issue. However, the appeal didn’t work, and the migrant worker, Mr Sharif, was forced to leave Singapore this morning. What was the entire fiasco really about? Elsewhere, passengers and crew of Singapore Airlines  have come...

A recent study by the Singapore Department of Statistics found that hawker food prices rose by 6.1% in 2023, the highest increase since 2008. The study also provoked the ire of KF Seetoh and other online commenters; why were people upset about it? Elsewhere, NTU student activists were up in arms about ExxonMobil’s involvement in a new lab initiative on their campus. Is this just another manifestat...

One passenger died and many others were badly injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, forcing the jet to divert to Bangkok. The terrifying incident has left many questions for observers; we discuss what we thought about SIA’s response. Elsewhere, an unofficial portrait of Kate Middleton commissioned by Tatler Magazine has drawn ridicule, wi...

In an unprecedented move, the prosecutor's office of the International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. What does this mean for the Israel-Hamas conflict? Closer to home, a South Korean DJ who incorporates Buddhist mantras into his sets while wear...

This week, Singapore witnessed the historic handover of the PM role from Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong, which happened on a balmy Wednesday evening at the Istana grounds. What was unique, interesting, and strange about this once-in-a-generation swearing-in ceremony? Elsewhere, an advertisement peddling a “Masterclass in Leadership” featuring Tan Chuan-Jin received flak online, to the point the...

NCMP Leong Mun Wai of the Progress Singapore Party stops by the YLB studio to tell us why he chose to return to Singapore after 18 years, why we should avoid voting with our feet,, and reveals his message to critics of his behaviour in Parliament. (00:00) Intro (02:00) Interest in Politics (07:12) Why Come Back to Singapore (10:43) The Direction of Singapore (13:09) How Society Should Be (17:30) B...

MOH is allegedly looking into tightening rules on MCs after receiving feedback about doctors issuing them improperly. What does this mean for employees who are genuinely sick? Elsewhere, it appears that surge pricing has come to concerts in Singapore, specifically for the Hamilton musical, and Laufey’s upcoming concert. Is this going to be a new paradigm for concert-going as we know it; and we deb...

In anticipation of Lawrence Wong taking over as PM next week, he sat down for a wide-ranging interview with The Economist magazine. What did we learn about the PM-designate and his leadership style in this piece? Elsewhere, Singaporeans lamented the loss of yet another local icon; this time, it’s Thambi Magazine Store at Holland Village. Are we hypocrites for reminiscing about the store and callin...

This week in Parliament, MPs debated about road safety in Singapore after the recent accident in Tampines that killed two people. While penalties under the Road Traffic Act have been deemed to be adequate vis-a-vis other countries, why are people calling for increasing them? Elsewhere, massage chair brand OSIM’s Mother’s Day ad was criticised for fat shaming and for promoting domestic violence. Wa...

In Lawrence Wong’s speech at Samaritans of Singapore’s gala dinner, he suggested that  Singapore will consider additional safeguards around excessive screen time and social media usage for children in order to protect their mental health. Is this considered government overreach? Elsewhere, actor Hossan Leong complained on social media about how a foreign musical last-minute cancellation of a show...

The impending implementation of the new ERP system has caused a ruckus online, with many criticising the new 3-piece hardware to be installed on the dashboards of all Singapore vehicles. Is the criticism justified? Elsewhere, an SGAG video commissioned by the union representing security workers has stirred up a war of words with another industry association, which lambasted the buffoonery of the c...

We had a conversation with Palestinian lawyer Hanan Sahmoud to talk about what she learnt from Singapore after spending a year here, her experience living under occupation in the West Bank, and what everyday Singaporeans can do to help the situation in Gaza. (00:00) On this episode... (00:32) Intro (03:05) Hanan's Singapore Experience (06:00) How Palestinians Travel (14:01) Singaporean Awareness o...

OCBC’s private banking arm, Bank of Singapore, allegedly fired up to 40 employees after probing claims of medical benefits abuse. Was it fair for the bank to fire these individuals even after they had returned the money from the aforementioned benefit claims? Elsewhere, a parent sounded a warning about a Sentosa hotel where his teenage daughter had attended a party with a group of guys and alcohol...

This past week, the US President signed a bill that has been described effectively as a ban on social media app TikTok. What will the next 9-12 months entail for the Singapore-headquartered business, and should content creators start moving to other platforms? Closer to home, a home-based business got flak for leaving a series of rude messages to delivery riders outside their premises, with some c...

Last week, Law and Home Affairs Minister Shanmugam clapped back at British publication The Economist with a rebuttal of their article about Lawrence Wong succeeding Lee Hsien Loong as PM. His Facebook post drew many comparisons between the UK and Singapore, and so far has seen a mixed reaction from online commentators. What could have been the impetus behind the response to the “sneer”? Elsewhere,...

Jamus Lim comes to the YLB studio for a deep dive into the Singapore education system and what Singaporeans need to do in their careers to prepare for the impending AI wave. On top of that, he talks about his expectations vs. reality as an MP (no jokes about cockles, we promise), redefining what it means to succeed in Singapore, and also destroys Terence’s One Shiok Thing with economics. (00:00) O...

Actress Oon Shu An drops by the YLB studio to talk about her latest production, Tartuffe: The Imposter, why she loves to work with young creatives, and how choosing to follow your passion as your job might not be the best idea. We also go deep into her thoughts and feelings about the conflict in Gaza, and why it’s important for people with platforms to speak up. (00:00) On this episode... (00:32)...

We knew this was coming, but it still surprised us when it was finally announced. DPM Lawrence Wong will be taking over as Singapore’s Prime Minister come 15th May. Are we ready for a new PM? What does this announcement mean for the timing of the upcoming General Elections? Elsewhere, authorities announced that all employers must institute a process for workers to make formal requests for flexible...

This past weekend, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, supposedly in response to an earlier act of aggression on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The international response has been swift to condemn the attack, but also cautious in support for an Israeli counter strike. Why so? Also, it was announced that the Pope will be visiting our shores come September, the latest feather in the ca...