Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Digital identity is rapidly gaining real traction across Southeast Asia. But while national systems are progressing, the real challenge lies in bridging the gap between domestic adoption and regional interoperability. Unlocking ASEAN’s US$1 trillion digital economy by 2030 will require secure, scalable systems that work seamlessly across borders. Zetrix, a Malaysia-based layer-1 bl...

Asia’s fintech landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rapid advancements in technology, evolving consumer expectations, and a renewed focus on financial inclusion.  So what are the key trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping the future of fintech across Asia? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks to Danny Levy, Managing Director of Asia and ANZ, Money20/20 , t...

Since 1991, Hougang has been a stronghold for the opposition, with the Workers' Party maintaining control through fierce contests and a deep connection to its residents. A symbol of political resistance, Hougang continues to be a key battleground, where new faces and familiar names vie for the trust of voters in an ever-evolving political landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

The Fullerton rally returns after a decade, reviving a historic tradition where Singapore’s founding leaders once spoke directly to the people. And as election fever heats up ahead of GE2025, identity politics has become a major flashpoint, with PM Wong and other leaders warning against racial and religious divisions. Meanwhile, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) faces backlash after a can...

From undertaking sub-contracting works as an operator for limestone mines to becoming a key producer of high-grade iron ore concentrate – we’re going to take you though the ins and outs of SGX-listed Malaysian miner Southern Alliance Mining today.  The story takes us back to 2001, with the incorporation of Southern Alliance Mining’s subsidiary Honest Sam. Then, the firm was...

GE2025 is now in full swing now that the political parties have confirmed the teams that will set to contest in the different constituencies around Singapore.  From the rising cost of living to calls for political change, what do voters really want this time? To understand more, we're going to hear directly from Singaporeans themselves. On this special edition, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Singapo...

Singapore shares were little moved today, after ending the previous session flat.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.07% at 3,834.77 points at about 12.26pm Singapore time with a value turnover of S$801.09M in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch today, we have CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust after it posted net property income (NPI) of S$291.5 million for Q1 FY2025, a 0.8...

Asia-Pacific has come out of the blocks much faster than the US and Europe in deal-making activity in 2025. The volume of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Asia-Pacific is up 19 per cent from the first quarter in 2024. So what’s driving this optimism? Which sectors are emerging as the biggest winners? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks to  Jason Saw, Group Head of Investment B...

The $13,500 election deposit is a key part of Singapore’s electoral system, required from every candidate seeking to contest in a General Election. This deposit is designed to ensure that only serious contenders step forward, with candidates needing to secure at least 12.5 percent of the vote to keep it, and if they fail, the deposit is forfeited. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Levana Sani, co-founder of NalaGenetics, is reshaping what wellness means - by moving beyond beauty trends to focus on life-saving, personalised healthcare. After seeing loved ones suffer from misprescribed medications, she set out to make genetic testing a routine part of medicine, especially in Asia where one-size-fits-all treatments often fall short. NalaGenetics helps people understand their u...

Singapore shares moved higher today to track the previous day’s gains.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.29% at 3,843.25 points at about 11.49am Singapore time with a value turnover of S$667.64M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Keppel. The company released an update for Q1 2025 today, reporting an increase in net profit of over 25 per cent year on year, dri...

Scam losses in Singapore have hit alarming levels, with over S$1.1 billion lost last year - a sharp 70.6% increase from the year before. And one of the fastest-growing threats is investment scams, particularly those tied to cryptocurrency. These scams are becoming more sophisticated, with fraudsters using social messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to impersonate financial institutions a...

MDRT’s latest survey reveals a striking contrast between financial awareness and actual behavior in Singapore. While a majority of Singaporeans are familiar with various financial tools, only half rate their financial literacy as “good” or “excellent.” Alarmingly, nearly a quarter, particularly Gen Z and millennials, say they would take out high-interest loans to inve...

Ang Mo Kio GRC is gearing up for a high-stakes three-cornered fight in the upcoming GE2025. With multiple opposition parties vying for the same ground, the dynamics of this three-way contest could change the electoral landscape.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weight loss is undergoing a major shift. With Ozempic and GLP-1 medications making headlines, consumers are rethinking traditional diet approaches. At the same time, traditional calorie tracking is falling out of favor. Studies show that nearly 40% of people who start food logging abandon it within the first two weeks, often frustrated by the tedious process.  Recent advancements in AI are ad...

In today’s fast-paced world, juggling the demands of work, parenting, and caregiving has become an overwhelming challenge for many families. That’s where Anglo Caregivers steps in. With a mission to empower families and transform the caregiving experience, Anglo Caregivers is redefining what it means to provide care. What innovative solutions and personalized support does Anglo Ca...

Singapore shares rallied today alongside regional gains seen in Asia.  The Straits Times Index was up 1.02% at 3,833.95 points at 12.20pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$731.19M in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel Real Estate Investment Trust, after the Reit manager reported today a net property income growth of 13.3 per cent year-on-year to S$54.6...

The world of high-net-worth investing is navigating a period of significant uncertainty and opportunity. Recent findings from HSBC’s Private Wealth Market Pulse Survey reveal key trends among investors in Hong Kong and Singapore, highlighting a cautiously optimistic outlook for equity markets like the S&P 500 and key Asian indices, alongside a heightened focus on the dual nature of techn...

The battle for Singapore’s next Parliament is now officially underway. Nominations have closed across the nine nomination centres today. Prospective candidates have made their bids for 97 seats across 33 constituencies. Now, this will also be the start of a nine-day campaigning period for candidates - dominated by the rising cost of living, housing needs, jobs, and a growing demand for...

In 2020, the PAP’s national vote share fell to 61.24% - its lowest since 2011, and a sharp drop from the SG50 high of 69.9%. It was a sign of shifting ground - a rising appetite for political diversity, close fights in traditional strongholds, and growing momentum for the opposition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, marking the end of a historic papacy. As the first Latin American pope and a champion of the poor, Pope Francis sought to steer the Catholic Church into a more inclusive, socially conscious direction - all while navigating deep divisions within the institution. His death comes just a day after making a rare public appearance on Easter Sunday, following a len...

Singapore shares rose today, tracking gains seen in the previous session.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.95% at 3,795.06 points at 2.35pm Singapore time with a value turnover of S$965.10M in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Frasers Centrepoint Trust after the trust’s manager said yesterday that its preferential offering was 24.8 per cent oversubscr...

Nomination Day is tomorrow, and Singapore’s political scene is heating up. Parties are unveiling their final slates of candidates, with the PAP emphasizing its "5G" leadership - young, diverse, and poised to take the party into its next phase. Meanwhile, the Workers’ Party continues to broaden its appeal with candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds. At the same time, e...

The outlook for fixed income markets in the 2nd quarter of 2025 may just present a cautiously optimistic view, driven by a combination of factors.  Global interest rates are expected to follow a downward bias, supported by a likely 75bps Fed Fund Rate cut starting in June, as the Federal Reserve aims to balance its mandate with economic conditions. In fact, a risk-off sentiment continues to d...

NetGain Systems is a Singapore-based enterprise software company that helps businesses monitor and manage their IT infrastructure more effectively. They offer AI-powered IT observability and monitoring solutions that provide real-time visibility, early issue detection, and actionable insights by supporting industries like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and public services. On The Right Busine...