Talkback

Packed trains during the morning rush are part of daily life for many Singaporeans. But what if travelling earlier meant travelling for free? A recent trial on the North East Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT offered free off-peak rides before 7.30am or between 9am and 9.45am, with peak-hour crowding falling by 9 per cent. Daniel Martin speaks with transport analyst Terence Fan, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s birth rate fell to a record low of 0.87 last year, and policymakers are now looking more closely at the pressures of raising children, including what Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Indranee Rajah, described as Singapore’s education “arms race.” From tuition and CCAs to the fear of falling behind, how do we reduce the education arms race in Singapore? Daniel Martin speaks with Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education – Policy, Curriculum and Leadership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Singapore to Paris and New York, the launch of the AP x Swatch Royal Pop watches sparked huge queues, overnight campouts and even crowd-control incidents around the world. Marketing aside, if product launches cause chaos – should brands take responsibility? Daniel Martin discusses further with marketing expert Associate Professor Victor Kwan, Deputy Director, SUSS Academy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 for privacy information.

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.com/listener for privacy information.

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 privacy information.

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, Anticimex.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Associate Professor, Saifuddin Ahmed, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, NTU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, Founder of theatre production company Dream Academy and former lawyer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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 right time to upgrade and invest in living spaces. Daniel Martin and Paul Sng discuss further with Vairavan Shanmugam, Data Insights Specialist, Ohmyhome.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 privacy information.

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 ft. Paul Sng (CNA).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 privacy information.

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 Martin speaks with transport analyst Terence Fan, Assistant Professor at Singapore Management University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.com/listener for privacy information.

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/listener for privacy information.

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 Sreenivasan, Head, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Rajah & Tann Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices are rising amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and commuters here are already feeling the impact, with taxi fares going up due to higher petrol prices. Could going down the EV route be the solution? Daniel Martin discusses further with Rene Anthony, Editor-In-Chief, Host and Producer of Revv Evolution Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robot guide dogs could soon be a common sight in Singapore, helping visually-impaired visitors navigate public spaces. But as robots become more present in everyday life, are we ready to interact with them safely? Daniel Martin discusses further with Professor Marcelo Ang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NUS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s core inflation climbed to 1.4 per cent last month – the highest since December 2024. The outcome was largely driven by higher inflation in services, retail, other goods and… food. So, with food costs on the rise, are you changing the way you shop, or just eating the cost? Daniel Martin discusses further with Heron Lim, Lecturer and Economist, ESSEC Business School.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More men in Singapore are leaving the workforce to care for their elderly parents - up from about 28 per cent to 40 per cent in recent years. But what’s driving this shift? Daniel Martin discusses further with Daniel Lim, Co-Founder, Enable Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent Singtel outage left users across Singapore without calls or data for a period of time, disrupting everything from messaging and navigation to making payments. When the connection fails, are you prepared? Daniel Martin speaks with Alfred Siew, editor of tech news website techgoondu.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New plans and developments are underway to shape the Jurong Lake District into what one analyst calls “potentially the second biggest CBD outside the City Centre". It has had quite a metamorphic history: from an industrial hub, to a one-time Silicon Valley zone in the '90s, and now emerging as a food and shopping standout. Can it take on the CBD? Daniel Martin speaks with Sing Tien Foo, Provost’s Chair Professor, Department of Real Estate, NUS Business School.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you even look at price tags? The annoying thing is the same product/brand may sometimes be priced differently depending on which supermarket or locale you’re at. Instead of having to do math on the spot or log on to other supermarket websites, unit pricing has been trialled since last September last year and is expanding as we speak. Daniel Martin discusses further with Linus Ng, Member of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) Central Committee and Chairperson of its Consumer Education Committee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In light of three former coaches being charged for conspiring to submit falsified finswimming results, and Sweden recently accusing Canadian curler Marc Kennedy of cheating in a match at the Winter Olympics, Daniel Martin discusses with Azhar Yusof from the High Performance Sport Institute and CoachSG at Sport Singapore, if we can ever separate cheating from sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carparks are some of the most ordinary spaces in Singapore. But beyond parking, they’ve also been the backdrop for sex, drugs, and smoking. What is it about carparks that influences behaviour? Daniel Martin speaks with Dr Annabelle Chow, Clinical Psychologist at Annabelle Psychology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BlueSG is back, relaunching under a new service called ‘Flexar’, which will feature a new platform and a refreshed fleet, among other things. But with Singapore’s car-sharing industry recently seeing sudden suspensions, are Singaporeans still able to trust the business model? Daniel Martin speaks with Associate Professor Lau Kong Cheen, Head of the Marketing Programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ School of Business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that if you leave a vape lying around at home and a child can access it, you could face jail time? Singapore’s new law tightens penalties and widens responsibility — from parents to warehouse owners to nightlife operators... Daniel Martin speaks with Jennifer Chih, Senior Partner at Nair, Jen & Tan LLC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From April, the High Performance Sport Institute, Singapore Sports School and the Unleash the Roar project will be brought together under one roof - “Sports Excellence Singapore (SpexSG)”. How will such a consolidated approach lead to a more sporting Singapore? Daniel Martin discusses with Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Senior Minister of State for Education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fuel prices in Singapore have gone up for the fourth straight day, tracking a surge in global oil prices amid tensions in the Middle East. With petrol prices getting higher, are you going to drive less? Daniel Martin discusses further with transport analyst Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) School of Business. #SGTodaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pearl's Hill could soon be home to Singapore's tallest HDB block at over 60 storeys – surpassing Pinnacle@Duxton's 50 storeys – but with a possible 20 per cent subsidy clawback attached. Are Singaporeans prepared to live in flats that are 60 storeys high or more? Daniel Martin discusses with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer, ERA Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Martin is joined by Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Education, to discuss announcements made at the MOE's Committee of Supply debate that will shape how Singapore's students succeed in their education journey together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the U.S-Israel and Iran conflict dominating headlines, how can you tell if what you’re reading is true? There’s a battle for truth happening alongside the physical conflict – with misleading videos, recycled footage and AI-generated misinformation spreading fast. How can you avoid misinformation, and what should you do when you come across it? Daniel Martin discusses with Sarbojit Bose, Director of Training at the Cloud Security Alliance Singapore Chapter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s total fertility rate dropped to a new low of 0.87 in 2025, and while our citizen population expanded 0.7 per cent, growth has slowed in the past 10 years… But, in an AI-driven future, could low population growth remain low? A smaller, but highly skilled population could be equally productive? Daniel Martin finds out from Professor Paulin Tay Straughan, Professor of Sociology (Practice) and Director of the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing, SMU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might have seen the video of a rat running across a table at Lucky Plaza’s food court, shocking diners mid-meal. A man then stepped in and appeared to grab it with a tablecloth, but was that the right move? Daniel Martin speaks with Bernard Chan, Operations General Manager at Anticimex – a pest control company.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air quality in Singapore remained in the good to moderate range recently, despite a noticeable burning smell across many parts of the island. That was linked to smoke from regional peatland and vegetation fires. We did get some rain over Chinese New Year, but was it enough? Daniel Martin speaks with Professor Steve Yim, Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Health at the Nanyang Technological University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore alpine skier Faiz Basha finished 35th out of 96 competitors in the men’s Slalom event at the Winter Olympics. Alpine skiing joins some new, niche or lesser-known sports that have been making headlines in recent years like kitefoiling, carrom and chess. Daniel Martin discusses further with Kevin Goh, CEO, Singapore Chess Federation and Joseph Jiffy, Secretary, Association of Carrom (Singapore).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate — the amount you get back when you scrap your car early — will be reduced by 45 percentage points. The cap will also be halved, from $60,000 to $30,000. What does this mean for the average driver? Daniel Martin speaks with Say Kwee Neng, automotive industry veteran and consultant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong delivered Singapore's 2026 Budget on Thursday (12 Feb). Part of its focus is on creating good jobs for all Singaporeans, and harnessing AI as a strategic advantage for the Republic. Daniel Martin dives into the announcements with Kok Ping Soon, CEO, Singapore Business Federation, Kexin Lim, Partner specialising in Tax and Entrepreneurial and Private Business, PwC Singapore, and Dr Clive Tan, Senior Consultant and Public Health Specialist, Tan Tock Seng Hospital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.