Plan B

The biggest takeaway from this year’s National Day Rally? The Government appears to have hit the panic button on Singapore’s declining total fertility rate (TFR), rolling out more measures to support families. While parents may welcome perks such as more childcare leave and lower childcare costs, singles may wonder where they fit in. If colleagues with children get more leave, for instance, will their single colleagues be expected to pick up the slack, even when they have commitments of their own? So, if you’re single, do you feel left out by this year’s NDR measures?

You’ve probably seen their shops around Singapore, and maybe even tried their viral candies. We’re bringing back Luqmaan and Haikkel from The SGFR Store, this time to talk about youth entrepreneurship in Singapore. With the Government’s recent SG Youth Plan and more young people taking the leap into business, should there be a dedicated grant to support young entrepreneurs? And would Luqmaan and Haikkel’s journey have looked different if such support existed when they were starting out? We sit down with the duo to find out.

You’ve probably seen Koocester’s TikToks interviewing people with seriously nice cars. But there’s more to the brand than supercars. In our latest interview, he unveils a new side of his business centred around AI. With businesses increasingly turning to AI to streamline their work, Singapore is also moving to get students ready for an AI-driven future, with AI education being introduced in schools. But here’s the question: as AI makes work faster and more efficient, are we also creating a future where some jobs disappear, and some people get left behind?

Our national identity was once built around survival: economic growth, security and simply making it as a young nation. But six decades later, perhaps survival isn’t enough. As Darren puts it, “a nation without a state, a state without a nation”, history and identity can forge something that goes beyond the state itself. As Singapore becomes more diverse and our ideas of success continue to evolve, are we witnessing the maturation of our national identity? Is being Singaporean something the state builds for us, or something we, as its people, shape for ourselves?

One of the biggest topics covered in Parliament this week was the planned clearing of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks to make way for future BTOs. While many Singaporeans were disappointed after months of campaigning to save these sites, others argue that more housing is urgently needed. But with Singapore’s declining birth rate, who exactly are these homes being built for? That question sparks a heated debate between Darren and Rahman, with the conversation expanding into immigration, foreign talent, and whether younger Singaporeans are even interested in the traditional rat race anymore. Are we building for today’s Singapore or tomorrow’s?

Massive Attack’s ban from Singapore over their pro-Palestine concert actions has made international headlines, and once again, Singapore is being painted as the villain. But is it that simple? As foreign artists, they may not have fully understood Singapore’s laws, and some argue a fine or warning could have sufficed. Others say that in an era of foreign influence campaigns, the Government had little room to take chances. So where should the line be? When artists push sensitive topics on stage, how should governments respond?

$1,800. That’s the starting price of Singapore’s newly announced co-living units for youths aged 21 to 35. Designed to encourage independence and help young people build new communities, the initiative has already sparked criticism over its hefty price tag, especially when cheaper alternatives exist on the open market. Some have also questioned whether strangers living together could create more problems than opportunities. At a time when young people are finding their own communities online and offline, will this concept actually work?

This week, one story dominated the headlines: Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim’s resignation. After Min. K. Shanmugam described Faishal’s messages to a female member of the public as “objectively inappropriate and questionable”, many were left asking what exactly was said. Yet beyond the questions, the overwhelming reaction, particularly within the Malay-Muslim community, has been one of shock and disappointment. For many, Faishal’s resignation marks the loss of a leader who had shown genuine commitment and dedication to the community, despite the lapse in judgment that ultimately led to his exit.

With Bloomberg and its reporter ordered to pay $230,000 each to Ministers K. Shanmugam and Tan See Leng, it’s worth asking: what does “free speech” actually mean in Singapore? While many Singaporeans consume Western media, free speech doesn’t work the same way here. Bloomberg relied on a UK legal defence called “Reynolds Privilege”, which protects journalists who publish defamatory material if it is considered “responsible journalism” in the public interest. However, Singapore’s High Court ruled that this defence does not apply here. So when we talk about “free speech”, are we all talking about the same thing, or viewing it through different legal and cultural lenses?

ou’ve probably seen Ministry of Spud’s loaded potatoes all over your feed, and the long queues that come with them. For founders Khalil and Nana, going viral has fuelled the brand’s rapid rise. But for Khalil, the online fame has also come with criticism, with some branding him a “bully” over his blunt replies to commenters. His response? The criticism doesn’t bother him, in fact, he says he may even enjoy it because “at least they’re talking about me.” In this episode, we explore how social media has become the secret ingredient behind MOS’ success, and uncover the real story behind the closure of Tomaz.