Yah Lah But

She’s the journalist who sparked the NRIC unmasking saga, and she’s back on Yah Lah BUT. Bertha Henson joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about Singapore’s political state of play. From the EBRC Report to the recent NMP resignations, from Edwin Tong’s viral walkabout video to whether opposition “mosquito parties” should just call it quits - Bertha gives her no-holds-barred take on what’s broken, what needs fixing, and what voters should look out for this GE2025. And she also tells us why she’s now going “Chin & Chai” with her political commentary.

(00:00) Folklory
(00:55) Intro
(02:27) Political News Reporting
(03:21) Journalistic Experiences and Challenges
(09:05) Discussion on Media and Political Coverage
(11:41) This Election Feels Different
(13:48) EBRC Reports & the Media
(21:20) What Bertha Would Have Changed About the Report
(28:24) Perception of Social Media Savvy Politicians
(30:48) Discussion on Pritam Singh's Conviction
(38:20) Political Scene and Leadership Discussion
(42:06) NRIC Debacle
(52:27) Opposition Parties and Election Strategy
(58:27) Public Debates and Freedom of Expression
(01:05:10) Upcoming Election Perspective
(01:10:20) Media's Role and Accountability
(01:15:10) One Shiok Thing

One Shiok Thing

• American Murder: Gabby Petito | Official Trailer | Netflix
• The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans
• Tender Is the Flesh

Folklory

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Find Bertha here!

• Facebook
• Chin & Chai website
• Chin & Chai Instagram

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 The GE2025 season is heating up - barely 2 weeks in and it’s already spicy. A video of Minister Edwin Tong’s walkabout in Marine Parade went viral for seemingly showing an uncle in a wheelchair flipping him off, but was it actually a middle finger? A PAP volunteer also got implicated for looking stand-offish in the video. We dissect the footage and the clarifications from all the parties involved, and ask if this foreshadows the aggressive campaigning to come. Elsewhere, a Buddhist society’s job ad offering $5K-$11K a month for a nun raised eyebrows and serious questions. Was this job ad for real? Can you earn more as a nun than most normal professions?

(00:00) Words of Wisdom
(00:55) Intro
(12:05) Edwin Tong vs. Unfriendly Residents
(38:43) $11K Nun Job Stuns Singapore
(49:38) One Shiok Comment
(56:41) One Shiok Thing

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project for SG60
• You can check out the first wave of recordings on the same site
• Help us keep these stories alive by nominating your loved ones!

One Shiok Thing

• To Scale: THE SOLAR SYSTEM
• STPI - Creative Workshop & Gallery

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Edwin Tong vs. Unfriendly Residents

• Edwin Tong says clip from Marine Parade walkabout was used out of context for political objective

$11K Nun Job Stuns Singapore

• Job ad for nun with offer of $5,000 to $11,000 monthly salary pulled after 3 days

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singapore is no longer the happiest country in Asia, according to the latest World Happiness Report. We dropped from 29th to 34th globally, losing our regional crown to Taiwan. What’s behind this decline, and does it match how Singaporeans actually feel? Elsewhere, a standoff between residents in Bukit Batok has sparked debate after a woman complained about her neighbour walking along the corridor in only boxers. Is it indecent, or just awkward?

(00:00) Folklory
(00:55) Intro
(06:30) Singapore Drops in World Happiness Ranking
(37:33) Should We Wear Boxers Outside?
(53:39) One Shiok Comment
(56:14) One Shiok Thing

One Shiok Thing

• Universe grew ‘much faster than expected’ after Big Bang, astronomers say
• Stranded Astronauts Return to Earth: Watch the Undocking and Splashdown
• Exclusive Interview with Elon Musk | Fox News by Sean Hannity

Folklory

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Comment on this episode!

• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
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Singapore Drops in World Happiness Ranking

• Singapore slips in world happiness ranking, gets knocked off top spot in Asia
• World Happiness Report | Gallup

Should We Wear Boxers Outside?

• Woman complains neighbour walks around in boxer shorts

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, we sit down with Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health, to discuss the FutureYOUth Movement - a youth parallel of the Forward Singapore exercise to understand sentiments and aspirations on issues that youth resonate with. From education and AI to civic participation and social challenges, we break down what young Singaporeans are really concerned about and what has be done. If you want to know where Singapore is headed in the next decade, this episode is for you.

Our Sponsor: People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM)

• This episode is brought to you in partnership with PAYM. They've recently launched the Youth Charter as part of the FutureYOUth Movement, which you can view at the PA Youth Charter
• Check out PAYM on Instagram at @paym.youths

(00:00) Intro
(01:05) Experience of Dr. Janil
(02:20) Youth Challenges
(04:32) Intergenerational Differences
(05:56) Technology and Social Media
(08:16) Youth Empowerment and Engagement
(10:31) Youth Mobilization Projects
(12:59) Negotiation Among Youth
(17:16) Role of PAYM and Funding
(20:16) Youth Engagement Strategies
(22:47) Offline Engagement Importance
(24:31) Personal Experiences & Reality Checks
(26:28) Navigating Passion and Cynicism
(31:52) Inclusivity Among Youth
(37:21) Radicalization Concerns
(39:20) Social Cohesion Challenges
(47:50) Impact of COVID-19 on Youth
(51:48) Positive Outlets
(52:49) Youth Empowerment
(59:09) Geopolitical Concerns
(01:06:10) Youth Charter & Call to Action
(01:08:06) One Shiok Thing

One Shiok Thing

• Succession: Season 1 | Official Trailer | HBO
• The Intern - Official Trailer [HD]
• Chingay Parade 2025: Joy

Comment on this episode!

• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
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Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A video of Minister K. Shanmugam verbally clashing with activists at a Meet-the-People Session last week has gone viral, with the activists in question drawing widespread condemnation for their provocative actions. The activists revealed their side of the story over the weekend, and alleged that they were unfairly portrayed by the Minister’s team and mainstream media. Who’s winning this war of words? Meanwhile, supermarkets in Singapore are finally rolling out unit pricing, making grocery shopping more transparent for consumers. But will it actually help?

(00:00) Words of Wisdom
(01:00) Intro
(07:44) Shanmugam’s MPS Stand-Off with Activists
(58:27) Can Unit Pricing Combat Shrinkflation?
(01:06:26) One Shiok Comment
(01:10:41) One Shiok Thing 

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project for SG60
• You can check out the first wave of recordings on the same site
• Help us keep these stories alive by nominating your loved ones!

Comment on this episode!

• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
• Telegram: https://t.me/YahLahButPodcast

Follow us on our socials for the latest news

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Shanmugam’s MPS Stand-Off with Activists

• Meet-the-People Session is not a protest venue, says Shanmugam after 2 women cause commotion
• Josephine Teo recounts 'ambush' incidents at Meet-The-People Sessions, echoing Shanmugam's experience with activists
• Malay community leaders, MPs speak out against activists who disrupted Meet-The-People Sessions
• Statement from the 2 Activists 
• Needs of residents who are Singaporeans come first at Meet-the-People Sessions: Masagos

Can Unit Pricing Combat Shrinkflation?

• Major supermarkets to trial unit pricing for selected products, meant to target shrinkflation & price gimmicks

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, we sit down with Hazel Poa, Non-Constituency MP from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), to discuss her unexpected journey into opposition politics, her views on Singapore’s leadership, and why she believes education reform is key to the country’s future. We cover everything from the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report, to why she thinks the GRC system should be abolished, to how Singaporeans can take more control of their own lives, starting with the upcoming elections.

(00:00) Intro
(02:10) Politics and Personal Journey
(05:10) Entering Opposition
(07:44) Opposition Challenges and Family
(09:35) NCMP Role and Responsibilities
(18:58) Leadership and Future Challenges
(26:24) Adaptability and Education
(32:43) Challenges in Politics
(36:22) Changing Electoral Boundaries
(45:23) Opposition Party Dynamics
(49:56) The Importance of Voting
(56:41) Looking Ahead
(01:00:52) Public Awareness and Decision-Making
(01:02:43) One Shiok Thing

One Shiok Thing

• The Horror Film So Real, the FBI Investigated It
• SIDEMEN CHARITY MATCH 2025 (Goals & Highlights)
• MSF website for Support for Foster Parents

Comment on this episode!

• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
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Find Hazel here!

• Hazel’s website
• Facebook
• PSP’s website
• PSP Donation Form

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singapore’s Electoral Boundaries Review Committee has released its long-awaited report, remaking constituencies ahead of the imminent GE2025. With more MPs, redrawn boundaries, and reconstituted double-barrel GRCs, are these justified adjustments? Or are online commentators’ accusations of gerrymandering valid? Meanwhile, Lady Gaga has chosen Singapore as her only Asia tour stop - sparking excitement and, of course, disappointment from Little Monsters around the region. In Parliament, Minister Edwin Tong clarified that no grants were given to the artist and her team, so why did she skip other Asian countries? Was this purely a business decision, or did Singapore pull some unseen strings? 

(00:00) Intro
(03:24) GE2025 Electoral Boundaries Shake-Up
(34:43) Lady Gaga and Singapore Write a Bad Romance
(47:22) One Shiok Comment
(51:30) One Shiok Thing

Folklory

• If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com

Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
• Telegram: https://t.me/YahLahButPodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yahlahbut
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/yahlahbut/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yahlahbut

GE2025 Electoral Boundaries Shake-Up

• 10 key takeaways from GE2025 boundaries report
• GE2025: Extensive changes to electoral boundaries due to population shifts; only 5 GRCs, 4 SMCs left intact
• Singapore’s election battle lines set as body increases seats, redraws hot wards
• EBRC report out, what comes next & when is GE2025?
• GE2025: WP, PSP and SDP to reveal election plans later after studying boundary changes
• EBRC report

Lady Gaga and Singapore Write a Bad Romance

• No government grants given for upcoming Lady Gaga concerts in Singapore: Edwin Tong
• Dua Lipa "Heartbroken" as Jakarta Concert Is Cancelled at the Last Minute

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by audreyhmfang

One Shiok Thing

• Lamine Yamal DESTROYING Everyone in 2025!
• (Kuku) Bird of Value: A Singlish Comedy Special

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week in Parliament, Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng chided PSP’s Leong Mun Wai with a viral Cantonese movie quote that is dividing public opinion. Was it a power move, or unnecessary condescension on his part? Meanwhile, Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim is pushing for Thaipusam to be reinstated as a public holiday, arguing that Singapore’s public holiday distribution is unequal. But will the government ever consider adding another day off?

(00:00) Intro
(07:30) Tan See Leng’s Cantonese Catchphrase
(42:55) Should Thaipusam be a Public Holiday?
(58:21) One Shiok Comment
(01:00:53) One Shiok Thing

Folklory

• If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com

Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
• Telegram: https://t.me/YahLahButPodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yahlahbut
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/yahlahbut/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yahlahbut

Tan See Leng’s Cantonese Catchphrase

• Leong Mun Wai responds to Tan See Leng's Cantonese quip, says he is voicing concerns from the public
• 63% of resident PMET growth from 2014 to 2024 from local-born Singaporeans: Tan See Leng
• Clip of quote from Andy Lau movie Blood Brothers
• [Paywalled] Zaobao article about response to Tan See Leng’s quip
• [January 2025] Leong Mun Wai Challenges Tan See Leng on Underemployment and PME Ratio in Parliament

Should Thaipusam be a Public Holiday?

• After MP Jamus Lim calls for Thaipusam public holiday return, Singapore ministry says up to employers to allow religious worship
• HOLIDAYS (AMENDMENT) BILL [1968]
• YAHOO POLL: Do you think there's a need for another public holiday in Singapore?
• Why do devotees pierce themselves during Thaipusam?

One Shiok Comment

• Comment from Availabe_Ad9766
• Comment from d61helix

One Shiok Thing

• Michael Lewis on what he learned by studying the elites
• The Art Of Destroying The Deal

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return with our first YLB Live show of 2025! In this episode, we talk about the government tightening rules on Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs), by introducing speed limits and medical certification requirements. Are these necessary safety measures, or will they unfairly penalize legitimate users? Meanwhile, a Singapore PR is offering a $2,000 “bounty” to anyone who introduces her to a suitor, and if they date for at least six months. Is this a brilliant dating hack or just another sign of our ultra-transactional society? We also had an audience member come on for a fan segment, and many felt like he should have had his own podcast! See you at the next live show!

(00:00) Intro
(03:23) PMAs To Require Medical Certification
(26:12) One Shiok Fan
(35:39) $2,000 Dating Bounty
(50:15) One Shiok Thing

Folklory

• If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com

Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
• Telegram: https://t.me/YahLahButPodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yahlahbut
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/yahlahbut/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yahlahbut

PMAs To Require Medical Certification

• Medical certification, lower speed limits: New rules for personal mobility aids to take effect in Q1 2026
• PMAs to have 6kmh speed limit, medical certification needed for mobility scooter users from Q1 2026
• Offences for misuse of 'lookalike' PMAs increased by over 5 times in 2024: LTA

$2,000 Dating Bounty

• S’pore woman offers $2,000 bounty to find life partner
• [From 2016] ‘Hire Me Leh’ Elizabeth Boon “Turned Down All Job Offers”, Chooses The Freelancing Life
• [From 2017] S'porean woman creates presentation slides on why you should date her, gets inbox flooded

One Shiok Thing

• Australian man who saved 2.4 million babies with his world record blood donations dies aged 88
• If Trump was President in 1940

Mics from @shure

Venue at @27AnnSiang

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NRIC unmasking saga is far from over - after a thorough investigation, a 36-page report reveals how a “confluence of shortcomings” led to the NRIC kerfuffle under ACRA’s watch. But while no "deliberate wrongdoing" was found, will there be accountability of the key personnel involved? Meanwhile, the SCDF is set to hire foreigners for emergency medical services, citing manpower shortages amid Singapore’s declining birth rate. Are these valid reasons for searching for foreign talent?

(00:00) Folklory
(00:40) Intro
(10:08) Lapses Revealed in NRIC Unmasking Issue
(36:26) SCDF Hiring Foreigners?
(49:36) One Shiok Comment
(52:01) One Shiok Thing

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project for SG60
• Nominate someone by clicking here, and we’ll be in touch with you to get more information!

Folklory

• If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you create a personal podcast for a loved one. Get started at Folklory.com

Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
• Telegram: https://t.me/YahLahButPodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yahlahbut
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/yahlahbut/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yahlahbut

Lapses Revealed in NRIC Unmasking Issue

• Officers, leaders involved in NRIC unmasking saga may face financial consequences
• No 'deliberate wrongdoing' by MDDI, ACRA in unmasking of NRIC numbers: Review panel
• 6 missteps in Acra’s disclosure of full NRIC numbers in December 2024
• PMO | The Government Completes Review into the Public Disclosure of Full NRIC Numbers on Bizfile People Search
• MDDI’s Response to Review into the Public Disclosure of Full NRIC Numbers on Bizfile People Search

SCDF Hiring Foreigners?

• SCDF to recruit Asean nationals for Emergency Medical Services, but retain 'strong local core'

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by Mediocre-Lopuat-69
• Picture by hayata_s

One Shiok Thing

• The True Size
• Discussing the Frontier of Particle Physics with Brian Cox

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.