Indonesia’s capital, one of South-east Asia’s most crowded cities, contains 12 million people in a land area of 660 sq km. 

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

The Straits Times’ Indonesia bureau chief Arlina Arshad has lived in Jakarta for 16 years - and moved five times. What are the lessons that she’s picked up in searching for the right apartment in Indonesia’s capital city?

In this city of contrasts, private-sector developers are on a tearing streak to build high-end condominiums for an expanding middle class. At the same time, graveyards and slums are just round the block from these homes. 

And for decades now, the government has strove to resolve the housing and urban development challenge in Jakarta. What plans does the Prabowo administration now have? 

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:58 Every move an exciting and chaotic journey

4:03 Drawing the curtains on a graveyard

5:57 Indonesians’ attitudes towards the dead

8:31 Why Jakarta is so crowded

10:48 Fixing the housing challenge

Read Arlina Arshad’s article here: https://str.sg/b9qb 

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected]) 

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7   

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

—

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christie Chiu, Wong Yang and Isabelle Kumar - young journalists with The Straits Times -  reflect on their experiences and insights.

Synopsis: Every noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - The Usual Place moves to a half-hour daily livestream - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter. 

Joining her on the couch are young reporters Wong Yang and Christie Chiu, along with their video colleague Isabelle Kumar. 

Beyond witnessing the election unfold up close through their work, Wong Yang and Christie Chiu, along with their video colleague Isabelle Kumar, are also experiencing it from a personal angle – as first-time voters.

What have their own Gen Z friends been saying to them about similar experiences that helped shape their approach to content ideas?

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:26 Christie and Yang’s response to being labelled the ‘Gen Z version’ of TV presenters Glenda Chong and Steven Chia

7:53 Did being reporters help them learn anything for themselves as young first-time voters?

8:54 Their rally experiences 

13:50 “They are also human” - Isabelle on her observations while filming candidates like PAP’s Foo Cexiang and WP’s Alexis Dang

19:14 “Be kind” to one another - the trio’s key personal takeaways from GE2025

Today’s shirt worn by Natasha was sponsored by Good Addition.

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newcomer Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik joins his experienced teammates on the couch.

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

Joining her on the couch are Ms He Ting Ru, 41; Associate Professor Jamus Lim, 49; and Mr Louis Chua, 37, who are contesting Sengkang GRC again – this time with newcomer Abdul Muhaimin, 36. 

As first-term MPs, they had to navigate both constituency work and team dynamics after winning Sengkang GRC in GE2020 with 52.13 per cent of the vote – the biggest upset of the election then. The WP took 60,136 votes, while the PAP got 55,214 votes.

Since then, have there been any growing pains, and how has their working relationship evolved? How do they split roles in the team?

Natasha asks them how they feel about winning Sengkang in the last election, and what they’re learning so far during campaigning for GE2025. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:59 One theme from the ground that needs to be examined beyond GE2025

6:33 Being yourself - new candidate Mr Muhaimin on advice he gets from his teammates during campaigning

12:20 How they react to party leaders’ statements on WP fielding its strongest slate in many years

13:40 Ms He on women in politics  

19:20 The quartet on valuable advice coming from senior WP leaders that they still hold dear today

24:15 Prof Lim on advice given to new candidate Michael Thng for the recent national TV roundtable discussion? 

33:34 “Such language was not used in volunteer chat groups or with residents”: Mr Chua on Mr Andre Low’s leaked Telegram messages from a private chat among his business school classmates

41:01 Game Time! What are some apps they wish they would use less on the phone

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RDU has the second-highest number of opposition candidates. 

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

Red Dot United (RDU) is a very young political party, formed only in 2020 when it contested just one constituency – Jurong GRC – with a team of five candidates.  

Fast forward five years, and RDU is now fielding the second-highest number of opposition candidates in this election, behind the WP’s 26 candidates. RDU’s 15 candidates are contesting four constituencies, going head-to-head with the PAP.

How did the party scale up from a one-GRC showing in 2020 to four constituencies today?

Joining Natasha in this episode are Ms Liyana Dhamirah, 38, and her teammate Marcus Neo, 33 - part of the party’s team contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC - and Ms Kala Manickam, 57, candidate for Jurong Central SMC. 

Highlights (click/tap above): 

2:35 How a relatively new party like RDU managed to field the second largest number of opposition candidates

10:33 How Ms Liyana is able to dismiss a lot of insults; why file a police report over online harassment recently?

23:27 Ms Kala on switching from Jalan Kayu SMC to Jurong Central SMC

28:17 Mr Neo on housing and job insecurity as top concerns for millennial voters his age

36:23 Game time! Kopi-O kosong, bubble tea, teh tarik - what’s your favourite drink?

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three seasoned political observers analyse and offer talking points.

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

The People’s Action Party held the first lunchtime election rally of GE2025 at noon on April 28 at the promenade area beside UOB Plaza. The PAP’s secretary-general and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, along with other party members, addressed Singaporeans.

The Fullerton rally, named for its venue being close to Fullerton Square, has in the past attracted thousands of office workers. The area has been a venue for political rallies since 1959, when the earliest Singapore political parties took to the podium there.

Chatting with Natasha at The Usual Place are Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Dr Rebecca Grace Tan, a political science lecturer from the National University of Singapore, and Dr Felix Tan, an independent political observer.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:35 How the new PAP candidates fared in their speeches at the Fullerton rally

6:17 Was there a lack of specifics from new PAP candidates on their motivation to join politics?

15:57 Thoughts on PAP’s opposition to the opposition parties

22:50 Is DPM Gan Kim Yong in danger of losing Punggol GRC?

25:47 Did GST turbocharge inflation in Singapore?

40:35 Will the PAP get a clear mandate from the ballot box on Polling Day?

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PAP’s new candidates on cost of living and groupthink

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

On the couch today are: Mr Shawn Loh, 38, part of the party’s Jalan Besar GRC team; Mr Foo Cexiang, 40, from the Tanjong Pagar GRC slate; and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, 40, part of the team contesting East Coast GRC.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:08 What does being a ‘millennial politician’ mean in this day and age?

11:19 As a former Budget director, Mr Loh responds on the feasibility of reducing GST

19:15 Diversity that helps in robust discussions when formulating policies

35:03 How to help children cope with stress from social media and exams

38:41 Rojak, economy rice and nasi lemak - how these dishes represent their leadership style

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the election campaign heats up with a week left to Polling Day on May 3, how is this General Election shaping up? 

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host of the Political Prude podcast Joel Lim and Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the NUS Department of Political Science join Natasha in this live episode.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:25 Abandonment: Buzzword of the GE2025 campaign so far?

9:15 Rallies and democratic conversations in Singapore; how younger voters are also keen on studying political issues

11:10 Gloves truly off yet? What kind of punches have been thrown so far?

22:58 Which candidates have come across to Prof Ong and Mr Lim as most authentic so far, online?

25:43 Being a ‘Conviction politician’: What does it mean? 

26:58 Why they both feel GE2025 is truly a “podcast election”, following on some trends from the recent US presidential election

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three WP candidates, including party vice-chairman Faisal Manap, drop by The Usual Place.

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Apart from Mr Faisal Manap, 50, also joining Natasha Ann Zachariah for the second live episode of The Usual Place are: Dr Ong Lue Ping, 48 and Mr Jimmy Tan, 53. 

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:13 Response towards The People’s Power Party candidate Goh Meng Seng’s comment on the four-way fight in Tampines GRC

6:20 A feast of political buffet vs dilution of opposition votes? 

19:50 The impact of groupthink within Singapore's highest decision-making bodies 

23:06 WP’s sense of the response for them on the ground at Tampines GRC 

28:32 Professional football player, police officer, and doctor - childhood ambitions of the three WP candidates

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These new faces are from three GRC teams.

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

But first up, on the living room couch with her in today’s (April 24) livestream are three candidates from PAP: Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50, part of the party’s East Coast GRC team, Mr Daniel Liu, 40, part of its Aljunied GRC team, and Ms Valerie Lee, 39, part of its team contesting the newly created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.

On April 25 next - at noon - find out in our second livestream, which candidates from another party will appear on the couch with Natasha.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:37 Most unexpected experiences about Nomination Day for the trio

8:47 Is there a new vision for the ‘East Coast plan’, for the new team to potentially build on DPM Heng Swee Keat’s legacy?

11:43 Mr Liu on the PAP’s Aljunied GRC team having the 3Es - expertise, experience and energy - to lead the constituency, if elected

17:45 Ms Lee on how she plans to stand out in the newly-created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, on negative comments about party new faces

21:00 How they are handling their initiation to negative online comments after being thrust into the spotlight suddenly

26:07 Ms Lee on her journey to motherhood and why she opened up on her two previous miscarriages

32:31 Get-to-know-you game time! If you could implement one fun law in SG for one day, what would it be?

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Success used to mean good grades, and then landing a good job. But is this changing?

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. 

In this special edition of In Your Opinion - filmed in front of a live audience - two youths share their experiences in starting up a business, and whether school grades would determine success at the workplace. 

About 100 people attended two recordings at indie cinema The Projector at Golden Mile Tower on the evening of April 15.

The special live recording was organised in partnership with the National Youth Council (NYC), in support of the SG Youth Plan – an action blueprint created by youths, for youths and the world that they will lead.

Hosted by ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong, this episode features two young entrepreneurs - Ms Adella Yeo and Mr Nabill Shukry. 

Currently an account manager at a software company, Ms Adella Yeo Rae-Nyse had co-founded MatcHub, a startup that matched fellow NUS students to find suitable job roles based on their personality. 

A part-time student with SUSS studying marketing, Nabill Shukry Johary juggles school with a business he started up in 2021 with his father - Cheekies, a home-based delivery service of healthy meals for the Muslim market - in a bid to help his family move out of their one-room rental apartment in Tampines. 

Is Singapore ready for diverse pathways to success so that young people can feel accomplished in their own ways?

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:00 Journey to entrepreneurship

7:39 The point of going to university is not just for the paper qualifications 

10:32 How academic grades play a part post-school

16:19 Challenge the conventions of success  

27:14 Advice for youths to forge their own success

Every voice matters, and if you want to share ideas and have your voice heard, you can do your bit in the SG Youth Plan Quest at: https://go.gov.sg/sgyp-mc

Find out more about NYC’s upcoming engagement sessions: https://www.YouthPlan.gov.sg

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.