The Usual Place

It has been a week filled with days and dates to remember.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

Parliament was dissolved on April 15. Nomination day is on April 23 and Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3 to elect 97 MPs across 33 constituencies.

This episode is a download on how political parties have been introducing their slate of candidates in the lead-up to Nomination Day.

Natasha hosts news editor Royston Sim and reporter Ng Wei Kai to get their take on what voters can expect in the coming days.

They also talk about how The Straits Times will cover the election such as across multiple social media platforms, a live blog, interactive graphics and a daily show of this podcast.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:33 What should voters look out for in the lead up to Nomination Day

4:12 Why are some parties more cautious than others about revealing candidates?

5:27 Will we see surprises on Nomination Day?

7:05 Speculation on whether WP chief Pritam Singh will move out of Aljunied GRC

9:30 Political parties showing their cards

11:07 How will geopolitical concerns factor at the ballot box

13:21 Royston shares ST’s GE2025 coverage plans (links below)

18:54 The Usual Place podcast goes daily during the hustings

Follow ST’s GE2025 coverage here:

Live Blog: https://str.sg/ge2025-live

Latest articles: https://str.sg/kkXQ

Daily GE videos from the ground: https://str.sg/HyNx

Unpacked newsletter: https://str.sg/JGMTq

The Usual Place daily GE wrap (day after Nomination Day till day before Cooling-Off Day): https://str.sg/wEr7u

Which constituency are you in?: https://str.sg/eMRkx

Filmed by: ST Video (Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza)

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh

Edited by ST Video: Johnboy Iype John and Philip Cheong

Executive producers: Ernest Luis

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]

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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

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He first stood for election with WP's contesting Marine Parade GRC team in 2020.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

In the lead-up to Singapore's next general election that will be held on May 3, 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

Lawyer Fadli Fawzi, 44, first stood for election in 2020 under the Workers’ Party banner in Marine Parade GRC. However, his team did not win that year.

While the party has not confirmed where their deputy organising secretary will be standing in the upcoming election, he has been spotted walking the ground in the same area.

He dropped by The Usual Place to share with Natasha what drives someone to stay the course in politics, even though the results haven’t always been in their favour.

Also, he dishes on how the 2020 election led him to connect with his wife, and which Workers’ Party member is Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s lookalike.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:45 What were some of the lessons he learnt from his first GE?

6:15 How Mr Fadli met his wife because of the election

9:24 A soft spot for the underdog.: Mr Fadli on why he joined WP

21:00 Will he recite another pantun (poem) during Nomination Day?

26:48 Who does Mr Fadli think is the “Shah Rukh Khan” of the WP?

Filmed by: ST Video (Joel Chng and Marc Justin De Souza)

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh

Edited by ST Video: Jacen Tan, Samuel Ruby

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & 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

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She cherishes her MacPherson memories and reflects on her rough start to politics.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

In the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling was PAP’s youngest candidate at 27 years old during the 2011 General Election when she was put in the spotlight – remember the Kate Spade bag episode? – it’s never quite left her.

Since then, she has had, arguably, one of the most closely watched political journeys among MPs. From her pregnancies to career moves, she has drawn much public and media attention.

In this episode, Ms Tin, 41, tells Natasha about how she deals with hate comments, her perceived job-hopping in the past few years, and why she hopes to be the MP for her current ward for a long time to come. 

And given the current geopolitical climate, she makes a case to young voters why her party would be the best choice now.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:09 Is Ms Tin sick of people talking about her Kate Spade bag?

9:41 Putting aside her feelings to deal with her residents’ issues

19:38 Ms Tin’s advice for new candidates 

38:28 Does she think the spotlight on her career was unwarranted?

51:29 Her pitch to young voters to support PAP

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: ST Video

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Edited by ST Video: Azim Azman, Samuel Ruby Rianto

Executive producers: Ernest Luis

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.

She was elected during the 2020 general election.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

In the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

In this episode, Ms Mariam Jaafar, who is a managing director and senior partner at Boston Consulting Group, shares about her time in politics and what success can look like for young women.

She tells Natasha about why she still recalls the nuggets of wisdom her late father shared with her, why she is a diehard Liverpool FC fan and her recommendations for the best chocolate croissant in Singapore.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:49 How young women can define success for themselves

13:35: Why she still hears her late dad’s voice through his "Jaafarisms"

19:43 Why “intent” should matter for those who go to her Meet-The-People sessions

29:22 Being caught in the spotlight, and why her husband made her read the comments

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

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

In the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung talks to Natasha about resetting the rules during the pandemic, his biggest challenge at the ministry now, and why he would love to be a Sembawang GRC MP till he retires.

Natasha also looks back at his political career - he got his feet wet in the 2011 general elections running in Aljunied GRC, though he lost there - and what convinced him to join politics. He also takes on questions about politicians campaigning on anti-vaccine sentiments and Singaporeans’ desire for more opposition representation in Parliament. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:29 Did he feel the pressure to “walk the talk” as Health Minister?

16:25 Mr Ong on anti-vaccine sentiments seeping into society

22:34 His view on the PAP’s outlook for Aljunied GRC

35:44 Learning from his parents’ involvement in politics

41:50 He talks about why he struggles with social media

50:28 “Just remember, whatever it is, we have to be in it together.” Mr Ong reflects on the changing times

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

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Co-edited by: ST Video (Aileen Teo and Jamie Koh)

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

Following Budget 2025 and the Committee of Supply Debate on government spending for different ministries, Natasha and her co-host Audrey Tan, ST assistant news editor for environment coverage, discuss how Singapore is pushing ahead with climate action. She’s also the host of Green Pulse on ST Podcasts.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu joins them in this episode.

They talk about mitigation efforts versus adapting to climate change, Ms Fu’s thoughts on her long-time SMC being absorbed into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, and being a woman in politics for almost two decades.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:46 Why is S’pore persevering on climate action

13:17 With the US scaling back on its climate efforts, what can S’pore do?

22:05 MSE’s plans for the longevity of S’pore’s hawker culture

30:57 Will climate change and environmental issues be one of the GE2025  issues?

36:17 Being a woman in politics for almost two decades

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

Co-Host: Audrey Tan ([email protected])

Read Audrey Tan's articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/MZne 

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: ST Video (Azim Azman, Philip Cheong and Jacen Tan)

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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 #gptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

Following Budget 2025 and the Committee of Supply Debate on government spending, Natasha invites as her co-host Isabelle Liew, a ST journalist who covers the housing beat.

They welcome Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on their living room couch as he says housing affordability will always be a “top-of-mind” issue for Singaporeans, as the nation gears up for the upcoming general election.

He explains how the Government’s measures, including the increase in supply of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and the injection of executive condominium (EC) units, will start to address this issue.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:50 What are 'brownfield' sites? Minister explains; on seeming ground sentiment that homeownership is slipping out of reach for younger Singaporeans

5:29 Differences between "willing buyer, willing seller" resale open market and new BTO flats; on supply projection

9:25 On property sales flyers hyping up million-dollar HDB resale flats; the FOMO (fear of missing out) effect, information and prudence

11:42 On possible government levers and measures on demand, how market can find stable baseline over the long term; advice to younger home-buying couples

18:20 On how his own West Coast GRC team fared since the last general election, and following the departure of Mr S Iswaran after corruption charges

24:00 On voter sentiments and housing affordability as an issue for the GE

34:00 What Minister Desmond Lee has learnt about himself as a politician so far, juggling portfolios? On what happens at his Meet-the-People Sessions

39:28 The deeper nuances behind converting the brownfield site for the upcoming new Mount Pleasant BTO housing estate

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

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

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

Follow Isabelle Liew on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Lu6q

Read Isabelle Liew's articles: https://str.sg/iqDq

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: ST Video (Jacen Tan)

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) dropped its report on March 11 and here’s the gist: Boundaries for GRCs have been rejigged, new SMCs have been carved out, and there are now more constituencies with double-barrelled names.

Now that we have a clear picture of how the electoral map has changed, what do these changes mean as we head into a general election?

To answer that question, Natasha speaks with former nominated Member of Parliament Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University, and Straits Times senior political correspondent Tham Yuen-C.

The conversation also dives into the talk of gerrymandering, why the EBRC gave a more detailed explanation of the changes than in past reports, and what political parties have to do now.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:23 Dissecting the talk of gerrymandering

13:23 Voters are more concerned with everyday issues

17:43 What's with the double-barrelled GRC names?

23:42 The Jurong GRC split: what does it mean for parties with a presence there?

28:34 Will the electoral map changes affect "horse trading"?

32:19 Prof Tan and Yuen-C pick the 'hottest' GRCs or SMCs to watch

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah

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

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

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

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.

Are we talking enough about health checks and the possibility of cancer for young adults?

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

When she was about 35 years old, stay-at-home mother Hannah Seow discovered she had breast cancer after a self-examination. Her diagnosis came about two years after her youngest child, Caleb, died.

For Samuel Ng, a month-long on-and-off fever was a sign that there was a deeper issue. In January 2024, after a blood test, he got the dreaded call. His report was “unfavourable”.

Soon after, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. While dealing with cancer, he was laid off from his job.

In this episode, Natasha chats with Hannah, now 37, and Samuel, 35, about how it feels to get cancer as young adults, their mindsets through their journeys, and if they want to be known as cancer survivors.

According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022, while cancer remains largely a disease of older age, more young people are being diagnosed with cancer.

Between 2008 and 2012, the age groups with the most rapid increases in the age-specific incidence of cancer were all under 50 years old - with those aged between 30 and 39 registering the largest differences.

This trend is also reflected globally, with Global Burden of Diseases data showing an increasing trend of cancer among younger age groups, with a 79 per cent increase in “early onset” – under 50 years old – cancer globally between 1990 and 2019.

To celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and those still fighting against the disease, the Singapore Cancer Society has organised Relay For Life (RFL) once again. The annual overnight event from March 8-9 comprises a 100km physical relay event at the National Stadium, as well as a virtual challenge component.

While registration for the physical relay has closed, donations to RFL remain open until March 23, 2025. Donate at www.scsrelayforlife.sg.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:32 How did Hannah and Samuel find out they had cancer?

10:39 What was it like telling people about their diagnoses?

15:35 How both of them stayed positive throughout

27:46 Should Samuel disclose his cancer diagnosis to a potential employer?

33:57 Do Hannah and Samuel want to leave their cancer story out of their identities?

Follow Singapore Cancer Society: https://www.instagram.com/sgcancersociety/?hl=en

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah

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

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

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

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.

The Aljunied GRC MP chats about his first term as an elected MP and being from an opposition party.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

Also, in the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

In this episode, Mr Giam, who is an Aljunied GRC MP looking after the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol division, chats with Natasha about his journey to becoming a WP member, the challenges of being in an opposition party, and how his first term as an elected MP has been.

The episode was filmed on Feb 14.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:10 “Sports is very much like politics in many ways.”

7:50 The most difficult speech Mr Giam made in Parliament

14:57 Is there a myth of opposition parties that he would like to debunk?

22:00 Will screening candidates deter people from stepping forward

29:43 What Mr Giam thinks will be different in the upcoming GE

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

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

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

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

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast on Thursdays 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.