Yah Lah But

From 2026, MOE is making it easier for students to qualify for Higher Mother Tongue classes. But why is studying your language at a more difficult level so desirable in Singapore? We ask former Higher Chinese student and now theatre practitioner (in both English and Chinese!) Jo Tan. Also, we discuss the growing trend of micro-weddings, and whether they address the problems of organising traditional big weddings, or create problems of their own!!

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(00:00) Cloud Expo Asia 2024
(01:02) Intro
(20:00) Taking Higher Mother Tongue Just Because You Can?
(53:28) Por Por's Big Fat Surprise Wedding
(59:20) Are Micro-Weddings the Next Big Idea?
(01:26:39) One Shiok Thing

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Taking Higher Mother Tongue Just Because You Can?

• More students will be allowed to take up Higher Mother Tongue in secondary 1 from 2026
• Teased by classmates as 'jiak kentang', PM Wong highlights importance of bilingualism in his 1st Mandarin NDR speech
• From 2026, Higher Mother Tongue qualification in Sec 1 will not be tied to overall PSLE scores
• Chan Chun Sing Facebook Post

Are Micro-Weddings the Next Big Idea?

• The elders might disapprove, but some couples are opting for cheaper, intimate 'micro-weddings'
  
  

Find Jo Tan

• Instagram
• Por Por's Big Fat Surprise Wedding
• Review of Dungeons & Distractions

One Shiok Thing

• Fighter Pilot Rates 'Top Gun' Action Scenes For Realism | How Real Is It? | Insider
• Kampung Halloween

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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

What, another case of blackface in Singapore? We discuss a car dealership’s recent promo video that features a staff member in dark makeup. It directly references an African-themed meme so we ask: is this racism, or just cringe humour? How does this compare with other instances of blackface / brownface we’ve seen? Hear our takes on pigeons as we talk about a woman who has fed so many of them in Yishun, that the National Parks Board (NParks) is stepping in to control their numbers. Bringing younger perspectives to these issues are Team YLB’s very own Tristen and Dom, finally making their on-camera debut!

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(00:00) Data Center World Asia 2024
(01:02) Intro
(07:00) Man Wears Blackface to Sell Car
(31:26) Yishun Bird Feeder Goes too Far
(46:42) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

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Man Wears Blackface to Sell Car

• 'I wanted to act funny': Car dealership salesman makes blackface video, denies racist intent
• Car dealership makes blackface video, denies racist intent
• JDM Automobile Slammed for ‘Blackface’ Advertisement
• A Blackface video in Singapore in 2024 by JDM Automobile Carros Centre
• Hardest Name in Africa (2017 video)

Yishun Bird Feeder Goes too Far

• Town council goes for 'last resort' against Yishun resident who won't stop feeding birds
• Written answer by Ministry of National Development on effectiveness of surveillances and enforcement against bird-feeding - May 7, 2024
• Pigeon defeats anti-bird doors by dining inside tray return point at ABC Brickworks food centre

One Shiok Thing

• The Elusive Samurai | OFFICIAL TRAILER
• Why I left The Verge
• WeCrashed — Official Trailer | Apple TV+

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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

Our latest guest Jack Sim brings a touch of good ol’ toilet humour onto YLB! As the founder of the World Toilet Organization that initiated the United Nations World Toilet Day, Jack is a self-made man who has his sights set on improving world sanitation from right here in Singapore. But rather than the usual tropes about his background, in this wide ranging discussion, we lift the lid on why he believes coffeeshop toilets will always be third-world, his “4 Jacks” framework for dealing with bureaucrats, and why he thinks the Singaporean education system needs a major overhaul.

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

• Check out our new edutainment podcast that dives into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know! This week, we cover the disturbing true events of the Slayers Suicide Pact that happened in Singapore.
• Listen on melisten
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(00:00) Tell You First
(00:41) Intro
(01:42) Toilets & Sanitation
(11:37) Challenges in Singapore's Cleanliness
(20:18) Global Impact of Sanitation Initiatives
(27:43) Navigating Politics and Bureaucracy
(33:53) Media Strategy and World Toilets Organization
(40:59) Challenges in Singaporean Education System
(43:16) Importance of Asking Questions and Innovation
(46:15) Future of Jobs with AI and Technology
(57:24) Addressing Government Bureaucracy
(01:08:59) Design DNA of Singapore
(01:18:04) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

• Our website
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• YLB TikTok
• YLB IG
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Nominate a Senior over 60 for Folklory!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs
• So if you know someone with stories & lessons to share, and you are in contact with them, do send us their details!
• This will be part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project as part of SG60
• Nominate someone by clicking here, and we’ll be in touch with you to get more information!

Find Jack Sim

• World Toilet Organization Facebook
• Jack Sim LinkedIn
• Gumption of Mr Toilet Book link
• Amazon link

One Shiok Thing

• 'About as subtle as you could get.' | Award-winning miniature display removed from Kentucky State Fair
• WIRED Interview With Meredith Whittaker
• Urinetown: The Musical

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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

PM Wong made a rare visit on Tuesday morning to the Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong, and even completed a 1.8km run alongside a group of army recruits. Some online have called this move “wayang”, and demanded real political action to help National Service personnel instead. Are they asking for too much? Elsewhere, Toast Box received flak for raising prices for the second time in less than 2 years, and responded by releasing a defensive press statement which said that “this decision was not made lightly”. Are we paying too much for kopi and toast?

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Folklory!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs
• So if you know someone with stories & lessons to share, and you are in contact with them, do send us their details!
• This will be part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project as part of SG60
• Nominate someone by clicking here, and we’ll be in touch with you to get more information!

(00:00) Words of Wisdom
(00:42) Intro
(04:07) PM Wong Runs With BMT Recruits
(24:21) Toast Box Raises Prices on Kaya Toast Again
(41:45) One Shiok Comment
(45:52) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

• Our website
• YLB Subreddit
• YLB Telegram Channel
• YLB TikTok
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• YLB YouTube

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

• Check out our new edutainment podcast that dives into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know! This week, we cover the disturbing true events of the Slayers Suicide Pact that happened in Singapore.
• Listen on melisten
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple

PM Wong Runs With BMT Recruits

• 'BMT made me push my own limits': PM Wong visits BMTC on Pulau Tekong, recalls NS experience, Singapore News
• PM Wong: NS training is 'strong foundation' for future challenges, govt will continue investing in SAF & Home Team
• Mr Lawrence Wong's first visit to BMTC as Prime Minister

Toast Box Raises Prices on Kaya Toast Again

• Toast Box Raises Menu Prices For 2024: “This Decision Was Not Made Lightly”
• [2023] Viral Photo Claims Toast Box Prices Rose Drastically After GST Hike, Eatery Explains Updated Menu

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by nyetkatt
• Comment by lilychua7866

One Shiok Thing

• Hanumankind – Big Dawgs | Ft. Kalmi
• Colin Farrell gets candid about life with son with Angelman syndrome

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak 

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

With Haresh finally back from his well-deserved babymoon in Bali, we resume our regular format! We address the big announcement from last week’s National Day Rally: the extra 10 weeks of Government-paid parental leave that can be shared between new parents. How are business federations and SMEs reacting to the announcement? Counterintuitively, will it lead to more gender discrimination at work? Also, we discuss a recent incident in Bishan where a community event queue was hijacked by people who tried to use pebbles and plastic bags to hold their place in line. In the same vein as the very Singaporean act of “choping”, is this acceptable social behaviour?

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

(00:00) Folklory
(00:40) Intro
(09:40) More Parental Leave Leads to Gender Discrimination at Work?
(36:01) Can You “Chope” Queue Positions?
(49:50) One Shiok Comment
(51:42) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

• Our website
• YLB Subreddit
• YLB Telegram Channel
• YLB TikTok
• YLB IG
• YLB YouTube

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

• Check out our new edutainment podcast that dives into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know! This week, we go go into the origins of the global phenomenon, the Power Rangers!
• Listen on melisten
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple

More Parental Leave Leads to Gender Discrimination at Work?

• NDR 2024: 10 extra weeks of shared parental leave; total of 30 weeks for parents by April 2026
• Commentary: A bold leap for parental leave, but fathers and employers hold the key
• askST: How can couples split up the 10 extra weeks of shared parental leave?
• Commentary: Turns out few understand maternity discrimination in Singapore
• SMEs hope for more support with added parental leave; large firms confident of coping
• 10 Weeks of Extra Parental Leave Is Great. Guilt-Tripping Employees for Taking It Isn’t.

Can You “Chope” Queue Positions?

• Residents queue for Bishan community fridge using pebbles & plastic bags

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by zeezeeway
• Comment by turquoiseelephant

One Shiok Thing

•  Joe Rogan Experience #2190 - Peter Thiel
• ASMRZ(TANAKA, NEEDMORECASH) - goodnight ojosama(prod. Gwana)❤️ Official Music Video

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak 

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

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

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Private bus company Westpoint Transit was recently in the news for its salary offer of up to $5,000 for bus drivers. The response to the recruitment drive was overwhelming, with over 1,400 applicants, and even 5 uni grads among the 30 drivers that were finally hired. Lionel Lee, director of Westpoint Transit, makes a stop at the YLB studio to tell us why they decided on this bold move, the challenges of navigating a family business, and why it’s crucial to encourage more Singaporeans to become bus drivers. Oh, we also nerd out on artisanal buses.

(00:00) Octa Trading App
(01:37) Intro
(06:38) Westpoint's Hiring Practices
(15:21) Is Transportation a Shrinking Industry?
(25:09) Why The Hiring Campaign Focused On Local Hires
(29:18) Even Bankers Are Looking To Be Bus Drivers
(38:26) How Many People Applied
(40:28) Business Owners' Responsibilities To Their Staff
(42:46) Why Do Bus Enthusiasts Love Buses So Much?
(48:25) Custom-built Buses Are A Thing
(01:07:03) Perceptions of Bus-driving As A Career (And How They Can Be Changed)
(01:16:32) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

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Reference Links

• How dangling a $10k carrot has helped private bus company woo younger S’porean drivers
• Bus company's $5,000 salary offer for drivers draws over 1,400 applicants, 5 uni grads among 30 hired

Find Lionel Lee and Westpoint Transit

• LinkedIn
• Westpoint Transit website
• Instagram
• Facebook

One Shiok Thing

• Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre's FULL Performance in the Closing Ceremony | Olympic Games Paris 2024
• The Slaves Sending You Scam Texts - The Journal. | Spotify
• Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm Facebook
• Underwater Hockey Singapore IG

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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

Veteran diplomat Kishore Mahbubani stops by the YLB studio to talk about his recently-launched memoir, Living in the Asian Century, which covers his storied career spanning diplomacy, academia, and even a stint as Singapore’s Ambassador to the United Nations. In spite of everything he’s seen and accomplished in the past 75 years, why does Kishore think the next 10 years are going to be even more exciting? We dig into his criticisms of the Western powers, why China’s growth is crucial for stability, and why he still hopes that the West can turn things around. He also speaks about the exceptional generation of leaders that Singapore had, and why Singaporeans can and should be optimistic about the future.

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Folklory!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs
• So if you know someone with stories & lessons to share, send us their details!
• This will be part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project as part of SG60
• Nominate someone by clicking here, and we’ll be in touch!

(00:00) Words of Wisdom
(01:02) Intro
(07:22) S'poreans Need to Know They Are In A Very Special Country
(10:31) Lack of Hunger to Keep SG Exceptional
(14:16) Why You Should Travel Around SEA
(17:04) ASEAN's Strength Is In It's Diversity
(24:03) Why The UK Should Give Up It's Permanent Seat In The UNSC
(30:07) Why The UN Is Weak
(45:47) Dealing With Detractors In Life
(51:38) India Is One Of The Most Successful Countries In The World 
(01:02:46) Compassionate Meritocracy
(01:12:18) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

• Our website
• YLB Subreddit
• YLB Telegram Channel
• YLB TikTok
• YLB IG
• YLB YouTube

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

• Check out our new edutainment podcast that dives into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know! This week, we talk about ancient Singapore’s Game-of-Thrones-esque history!
• Listen on melisten
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple

Find Kishore Mahbubani

• Living the Asian Century - An Undiplomatic Memoir
• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

One Shiok Thing

• Danelle Tan Highlights: Welcome to Brisbane 🇸🇬
• We’re Done
• Sinica podcast

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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

On this episode, Mark Tan, the founder of Rice Media, stops by the Yah Lah BUT studio to talk about what inspired him to start the alternative publication. Get the inside scoop on the drama behind their first big story on Steven Lim, and that unforgettable exchange between a Rice Media reporter and Pritam Singh at the WP press conference. We also explore what’s next for Rice Media, and where Mark sees it carving out its place in Singapore’s evolving media landscape.

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

• Check out our new edutainment podcast that dives into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know! This week, we talk about ancient Singapore’s Game-of-Thrones-esque history!
• Listen on melisten
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple

(00:00) Tell You First
(00:41) Intro
(07:04) Why Rice Media Was Started
(13:15) The First Article With Steven Lim
(24:45) What Rice Looks For In a Writer
(27:47) Expanding to Thailand
(36:11) Rice's Business Model
(41:03) Mark's Thoughts On The MP Cheating Saga
(01:08:19) Optimism Despite Everything
(01:15:05) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

• Our website
• YLB Subreddit
• YLB Telegram Channel
• YLB TikTok
• YLB IG
• YLB YouTube

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Folklory!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs
• So if you know someone with stories & lessons to share, send us their details!
• This will be part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project as part of SG60
• Nominate someone by clicking here, and we’ll be in touch!

Reference Links

• Steven Lim: One Last Shot at Fame
• Uncanny Coincidences and Things Left Unsaid at the Workers’ Party Media Conference

Find Rice Media, Mark Tan and his “shameless plug” 🤣

• Rice Media
• Rice Media Instagram
• Rice Media TikTok
• Mark Tan’s LinkedIn
• Remindsmeof Candles

One Shiok Thing

• China's Pan Zhanle BREAKS WORLD RECORD to win 100m Freestyle Olympic GOLD! | Swimming Paris 2024
• Twisters stole my design.. I can prove it!
• Renaissance Periodization YouTube channel

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak. 

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

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has been at the centre of a gender controversy at the Paris Olympics, with some accusing her of actually being a man competing in a women’s competition. Now that she’s claimed a gold medal, and subsequently filed a harassment complaint, we go through the nuts and bolts of the controversy. Closer to home, the police were called in over an act of vandalism on the Pandan Gardens Resident Network National Day decorations. A 23-year-old man is being investigated, but was this really something that required police intervention?

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

(00:00) Folklory
(00:39) Intro
(12:19) Olympics Women’s Boxing Sparks Gender Debate
(37:59) National Day Decoration Defaced with Naughty Word
(48:13) One Shiok Comment
(50:10) One Shiok Thing

Find us here!

• Our website
• YLB Subreddit
• YLB Telegram Channel
• YLB TikTok
• YLB IG
• YLB YouTube

Olympics Women’s Boxing Sparks Gender Debate

• Imane Khelif files complaint over bullying she has been subjected to at Paris Olympics
• Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting: Boxing eligibility row key questions
• [2021] IOC releases Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations
• Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting: What does science tell us about boxing’s gender row in Olympics?
• Doctor Explains Imane Khelif vs Angela Carini Olympic Boxing Controversy
• Boxing officials roll into Paris and boldly declare two fighters ‘are male’
• [2023] Caster Semenya says she went through ‘hell’ due to testosterone limits imposed on female athletes | CNN

National Day Decoration Defaced with Naughty Word

• Man investigated for mischief involving National Day decorations in Pandan Gardens

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by pencilbreads
• Comment on YLB 529

One Shiok Thing

• Sifan Hassan jostles her way to stunning Women's Marathon GOLD in Olympic record time
• weish performs "Horizon" | National Day Parade 2024

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak 

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