Singapore's democracy is a unique and complicated one. We have things like the Group Representation Constituency, Non-constituency Members of Parliament, and a cooling-off day at the end of the official campaigning period.

In this episode of Lens on Singapore, host Claressa Monteiro sits down with experts Dr Gillian Koh and Prof Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah, as they explain all the quirks of Singapore’s electoral system.

From how constituency boundaries are decided to the KPIs of our elected members of parliament, they’ll help to demystify our political system, and set you up for polling day.

Highlights of the conversation: 

01:02 How electoral boundaries are drawn

03:42 How winners are decided

10:54 Who the major political parties are

18:46 What’s the job of elected MPs

24:17 Why opposition MPs are important

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Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. We’ll look into it for future episodes.

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Hosted by Claressa Monteiro, edited and produced by Claressa Monteiro, Emily Liu and Chai Pei Chieh.

With Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow, Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore; and Professor Walid Jumblatt bin Abdullah, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University.

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

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Asian stocks mixed as stability returns; Automotive group Vin’s Holdings debuts higher in SGX’s first listing of 2025; UOBKH says data centres are ‘sheltered’ from reciprocal tariffs, names its top Reit picks.

Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region.

Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

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Trump administration's tariff probes, New Zealand-US ties, rising oil prices, South Korea's semiconductor support boost, and Singaporean Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s attendance at a Malaysian state funeral. 

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

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Asian stocks rise on electronics tariffs exemption; Singapore slashes 2025 growth forecast to 0-2%; MAS eases policy slightly, lowers inflation forecasts after Trump tariffs threaten growth.

Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region.

Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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United States President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on China, encompassing corresponding actions from the United Kingdom and Asian nations, volatility in currency and oil markets, and the revised downward economic growth projection for Singapore attributed to trade disputes.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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As it becomes more challenging to earn a decent interest rate on our savings, it’s time to look beyond fixed deposits and T-Bills, for that matter.

Are there instruments which afford the same returns as fixed deposits but greater flexibility? Howie Lim speaks to Michele Ferrario of StashAway and Willie Keng from dividendtitan.com to find out.

Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips.

Highlights:

01:10 Money Market Funds

04:48 Money Market Funds vs. Short-term Bonds

09:19 What is the safest bet?

11:17 The myth surrounding fixed income

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected].

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Written and hosted by: Howie Lim ([email protected])

With Michele Ferrario, co-founder and CEO of StashAway and Willie Keng, founder of dividendtitan.com

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

Discover more BT podcast series:

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Asian stocks, dollar sink as Trump tariff panic returns; US dollar slumps against Singapore dollar as tariff uncertainty continues to roil markets; Singapore blue-chip companies scoop up more shares.

Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region.

Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp

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Website: bt.sg/mktfocus

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

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Global market turbulence stemming from US trade policies, a deteriorating labor market in the United Kingdom, discussions among Asian countries regarding coordinated responses to US tariffs, and electoral developments in Singapore's Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

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Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Trump lowers tariffs to 10% for most countries, raises them to 125% for China in about-turn; Asian stocks crack higher as Trump delays painful tariffs; Samsung under pressure as US tariffs rattle South Korean economy.

Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region.

Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp

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Website: bt.sg/mktfocus

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

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BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Significant global economic and political developments include United States tariff adjustments, the formation of a new coalition government in Germany, ongoing presidential campaigns in South Korea, inflationary trends in Japan, and a notable market rally observed in Singapore.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.